Progresses and Perspectives of Carbon-Free Metal Compounds-Modified Separators for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have the advantages of high theoretical specific capacity, excellent energy density, abundant elemental sulfur reserves. However, the LSBs is mainly limited by shuttling of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), slow reaction kinetics of sulfur cathode. For solving the above problems, by developing high-performance battery separators, the reversible capacity, Coulombic efficiency (CE) and cycle life of LSBs can be effectively enhanced. Carbon-free based metal compounds are expected to be highly efficient separator modifiers for a new generation of high-performance LSBs by virtue of superior chemical adsorption capacity, strong catalytic properties and excellent lithophilicity to a certain extent. They can give play to the synergistic effect of their "adsorption-catalysis" sites to accelerate the redox kinetics of LiPSs, and their good lithophilicity can accelerate the Li+ transport kinetics, thus showing more remarkable electrochemical performances. However, a comprehensive summary of carbon-free metal compounds-modified separators for LSBs is still lacking. Here, this review systematically summarizes the researching progresses and performance characteristics of carbon-free-based metal compounds modified materials for separators of LSBs, and summarizes the corresponding mechanisms of using carbon-based separators to enhance the performance of LSBs. Finally, the review also looks forward to the prospects of LSBs using carbon-free metal compounds separators.

Prediction of CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells in healthy allogeneic stem cell donors on the Optia cell separator based on CE2: Which formula is more correlated with actual CD34+?

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are widely used for various adult stem cell transplants. To obtain sufficient HSCs from healthy volunteer donors during the apheresis process and ensure that the donors are exposed to fewer apheresis-related side effects, calculation methods have been developed for the prediction of processed blood volume or CD34+ count. However, there is no consensus on a formula to predict the volume of blood to be processed or the number of stem cells to be obtained. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the predicted blood volume and CD34+ cell counts using collection efficiency (CE)-based formulas and evaluate their accuracy compared to the actual CD34+ cell counts. It also seeks to identify the factors that affect CE. METHODS: Data from 397 healthy, unrelated stem cell donors were retrospectively analyzed. An algorithm using four different CE2 metrics (1st quartile, mean, 3rd quartile, and median) was developed to predict the volume of blood to be processed using the Spectra Optia continuous mononuclear cell collection procedure. RESULTS: When employing the mean CE2 algorithm, the results revealed a strong correlation (r = .894, p < .001) between predicted and actual CD34+ values. The study also identified strong associations between pre-apheresis CD34+, pre-apheresis leukocyte count, the use of two doses of G-CSF, and low CE2. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the mean CE2 algorithm could be a potent, straightforward, and accurate tool for predicting CD34+ stem cell counts in healthy allogeneic stem cell donors and potentially optimizing stem cell collection procedures.

Optimizing of the isolation of hematopoietic stem cell in bone marrow transplantation in children.

Most of collected hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) products need processing in order to isolate stem cells, squeeze out of plasma and erythrocytes. There are two main aims for bone marrow (BM) enrichment: reduction of immunogenicity of AB0 incompatible transplants and/or preventing toxicity of hemolysis during cryopreservation. In our center we have implemented two methods for BM enrichment: manual technic using 10 % HAES (hydroxyethyl starch) and automatic cell separator. In order to optimize the process, we examined retrospectively the parameters which could have a great impact on final efficiency of engraftment, such as reduction of hematocrit, CD34 + , WBC recovery and cell viability. This study was a retrospective analysis of 46 pediatric patients (pts) who underwent autologous or allogeneic HSCT. There were performed 27 procedures using cell separator and 19 with HAES technique. This study showed that cell separator processing is significantly less damaging for stem cells than widely longer, manual HAES technique. Comparing RBC depletion and WBC recovery both used techniques are same efficient and good enough but we found out a significant difference in the efficiency of CD34 + recovery which was much higher in a technique of cell separator. We examined also the effect of addition of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) to the BM on purifying and efficiency of HSCs isolation. Doing so it decreased only the WBC recovery during sell separator processing. To sum up after series of analyzes we found out that cell separator is more convenient than HAES technique in most of considered aspects. Furthermore, cell separator use is cheaper and needs less time for processing.

Comparison of spectra optia and amicus cell separators for autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation has become a standard treatment option for many oncology patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of two cell separators, Spectra Optia (Terumo BCT, Japan) and Amicus (Fresenius-Kabi) for autologous PBSC collection. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 56 apheresis by Spectra Optia with Continuous Mononuclear Cell Collection (cMNC) from 20 patients, and 50 apheresis by Amicus from 27 patients between December 2018 and December 2019. CD34+ collection efficiency (CE2) and platelet (PLT) loss were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in CD34+ CE2 between Spectra Optia with cMNC (median, 28.8%) and Amicus (median, 33.1%; P = 0.537). PLT loss was significantly lower in Amicus (median, 28.6%) than in Spectra Optia with cMNC (median, 37.8%; P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: CD34+ CE2 was comparable between Spectra Optia and Amicus, and PLT loss was significantly lower in Amicus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report comparing autologous PBSC collection of the Spectra Optia and Amicus. These results may provide general guidance with regard to device selection to apheresis clinics that use both separators for optimal outcomes depending on each patient's characteristics.

A comparative study of five plateletpheresis machines in a tertiary care center of India: AmiCORE vs COM.TEC vs Haemonetics MCS+ vs Spectra Optia vs Trima Accel.

BACKGROUND: Single donor apheresis platelets are superior in quality, but their usage is limited in a developing country due to cost and time constraints. Hence the product obtained must exceed in terms of yield, donor safety and technical convenience. Previous literature available on cell separators is on older versions. AIMS: Prospective comparison of 5 latest cell separators (AmiCORE, COM.TEC, Haemonetics MCS+, SpectraOptia and TrimaAccel) for product yield, performance variables and donor adverse effects. MATERIAL & METHODS: From October 2019 - March 2020, 1108 donors were randomly allotted to a cell separator. Post-donation sample was taken from the donor 15-20 minutes after procedure completion. The platelet yield from the product collected was measured twice (day 0 and day 1). Donor demography, pre-and post-procedural donor peripheral blood values, performance and product variables were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: AmiCORE had an optimal collection efficacy (44.6%) and collection rate (0.037 x 1011/minute). Haemonetics MCS+ had a better collection efficacy (48.4%) and rate (0.038 x 1011/minute). Spectra Optia achieved least procedural time (59.5 minutes), donor adverse effects (6.3%); highest collection efficacy (52.8%) and rate (0.056 x 1011/minute). Trima Accel achieved highest collection rate (0.056 x 1011/minute) and the least product volume (228 ml). CONCLUSION: Highest collection efficacy was achieved by Trima Accel, highest collection rate by Trima Accel and Spectra Optia, lowest donor adverse effects by Spectra Optia and least number of procedural troubleshooting by COM.TEC. Apart from this, fiscal factors and service availability also need to be considered before choosing a cell separator.

Mononuclear cell collection for extracorporeal photopheresis by using the "off-line" system: A comparative study between COBE Spectra and Spectra Optia devices.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an efficient and established therapy to treat acute and chronic graft vs host disease (GVHD). Using an "off-line" method, the first step (mononuclear cell [MNC] collection) is decisive, as long as a high MNC yield and purity in the collected product is desirable. Two "off-line" devices were compared: the COBE Spectra and the Spectra Optia (Terumo BCT), using both continuous and intermittent protocols. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with GvHD (7 acute/5 chronic) were enrolled between June 2014 and May 2015 and were alternatively assigned for each procedure to either the COBE Spectra or the Spectra Optia cell separator. Patients characteristics and procedure/product parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred procedures (100 per device) were included. The Spectra Optia system showed higher total nucleated cells and MNC collection efficiencies (18.6(10.2-29.7) vs 7.9(4.1-14.8)% and 43.6(20.3-59.5) vs 23.3(11.4-37.1)%, P < .001) and monocyte and lymphocyte collection efficiencies (55.2(17.7-83.2) vs 22.8(9-38.9)% and 38.3(26.7-53.4) vs 22.2(9-38.9)%, respectively, P < .001). Absolute platelet loss (PL) and PL per liter of blood processed were significantly lower in the Spectra Optia group (22.9(18.3-28.1) vs 33.6(26.5-41.1)%, P < .001 and 3.7(3.1-4.5) vs 4.3(3.5-4.2)%, P = .01, respectively). However, granulocyte contamination was higher (4.5(1.3-36) vs 1.2(0.4-5.7)%, P < .001) and a higher product haematocrit was obtained with the Spectra Optia (1(0.5-1.6) vs 0.3(0.2-0.5)%, P < .001), without an impact on irradiation time. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, Spectra Optia proved to be safe and effective in collecting MNC with high yield and purity for ECP in GvHD.

Effectiveness of the Trima Accel cell separator in the double dose plateletpheresis.

The use of apheresis equipment to collect blood components has rapidly increased in the past years. A variety of apheresis instruments are now available on the market for double dose plateletpheresis. We evaluated an apheresis instrument, the Trima Accel, with regard to platelet (PLT) yield, collection efficiency (CE), and collection rate (CR) in a retrospective, randomized study in 110 donors. The Trima Accel cell separator efficiently collected double dose platelets with median PLT yields of 3.7 × 1011, mean CE of 74.99 ± 14.40% and mean CR of 0.096 ± 0.012 × 1011/min.

Effectiveness of the haemonetics MCS cell separator in the collection of apheresis platelets.

Platelet (PLT) transfusions play an important role in patients with thrombocytopenia or severely impaired platelet function. Platelet concentrates are prepared from whole-blood donations or by plateletpheresis. In recent years, different instruments have been developed to perform plateletpheresis. We evaluated an apheresis instrument, the Haemonetics MCS(®) + with regard to PLT yield, collection efficiency (CE), and collection rate (CR) in a retrospective, randomized study in 526 donors. In this system, we used leukoreduction filters post collection to obtain leukoreduced products. The Haemonetics MCS(®) + cell separator efficiently collected apheresis platelets with median PLT yields of 3.7 × 10(11), mean CE of 66.69 ± 13.73% and mean CR of 0.063 ± 0.013 × 10(11)/min. The median blood volume processed was 3290 (2420-4370) ml, and the median volume of acid citrate dextrose-A (ACD-A) used in collections on the device was 385 (196-517) ml. Also, this device allowed the collection of white blood cell (WBC) reduced plateletpheresis with mean 0.07 ± 0.15 × 10(6) WBC content. No serious donor or recipient reactions occurred.

Comparison of plateletpheresis on the Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC, and Trima Accel Cell separators.

Blood component donations by apheresis have become more common in modern blood transfusion practices. We compared three apheresis instruments (Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC, and Trima Accel) with regard to platelet (PLT) yield, collection efficiency (CE), and collection rate (CR). The single-needle or double-needle plateletpheresis procedures of the three instruments were compared in a retrospective, randomized study in 270 donors. The blood volume processed was higher in the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Also there was a significantly higher median volume of ACD used in collections on the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. The PLT yield was significantly lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Additionally, the CE was significantly lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. There was no significant difference in median separation time and CR between the three groups. When procedures were compared regarding CE by using Amicus device, it was significantly higher in single-needle than double-needle plateletpheresis. When double-needle Amicus system was compared with double-needle COM.TEC system, CE and PLT yield were significantly higher with Amicus system. When single-needle Amicus system was compared with single-needle Trima system, CE and PLT yield were significantly higher with Trima system. All instruments collected PLTs efficiently. However, the CE was lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima. Also, we found Amicus single-needle system collected PLTs more efficiently compared with the double-needle system. CE and PLT yields were significantly higher with the single-needle Trima instrument compared with the single-needle Amicus device.

Comparison of double dose plateletpheresis on the Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC and Trima Accel cell separators.

BACKGROUND: A variety of apheresis instruments are now available on the market for double dose plateletpheresis. We compared three apheresis devices (Fenwal Amicus, Fresenius COM.TEC and Trima Accel) with regard to processing time, platelet (PLT) yield, collection efficiency (CE) and collection rate (CR). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The single-needle or double-needle double plateletpheresis procedures of the three instruments were compared in a retrospective, randomized study in 135 donors. RESULTS: In the pre-apheresis setting, 45 double plateletpheresis procedures performed with each instrument revealed no significant differences in donor's age, sex, weight, hemoglobin, white blood cell and PLT count between three groups. The blood volume processed to reach a target PLT yield of ≥ 6 × 10(11) was higher in the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima (4394 vs. 3780 and 3340 ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Also there was a significantly higher median volume of ACD used in collections on the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima (426 vs. 387 and 329 ml, respectively; p < 0.001). There was a significantly higher median time needed for the procedures on the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima (66 vs. 62 and 63 min, respectively; p = 0.024). The CE was significantly higher with the Trima compared with the Amicus and COM.TEC (83.57 ± 17.19 vs. 66.71 ± 3.47 and 58.79 ± 5.14%, respectively; p < 0.001). Also, there was a significantly higher product volume on the Trima compared with the Amicus and COM.TEC (395.56 vs. 363.11 and 386.4 ml, respectively; p = 0.008). Additionally, the CR was significantly lower with the COM.TEC compared with the Amicus and Trima (0.092 ± 0.011 vs. 0.099 ± 0.013 and 0.097 ± 0.013 plt × 10(11)/min, respectively; p = 0.039). There was no significant differences in PLT yield between the three groups (p = 0.636). CONCLUSIONS: Trima single-needle device collected double dose platelets more efficiently than Amicus and COM.TEC double-needle devices. Blood volume processed, ACD-A volume, and median separation time was significantly higher with the COM.TEC. Also, the CR was significantly lower with the COM.TEC.

Effect of plateletpheresis on haematological values in voluntary donors: a retrospective data analysis over an eight-month period.

Aim To analyse changes in haematological values after plateletpheresis in donor population with regard to donor safety. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on first time and repeated healthy donors over a period of eight months in the Blood Transfusion Institute in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. A total of 75 plateletpheresis procedures performed using Amicus continuous flow cell separator were evaluated. Various pre- and post-donation haematological values were measured in all donors: haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count (PLT), white blood cell count (WBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Results A significant decrease in post-donation Hb, Hct, RBC, PLT, MCHC (p<0.000) and WBC (p=0.003), and a significant increase in MPV (p=0.011) and MCV (p<0.000) was found. Percentage reduction of haematological parameters Hb, Hct, RBC, PLT, WBC and MCHC decrease of 6.6%, 6.5%, 5.9%, 24%, 4.6% and 0.3%, respectively, in their respective count was noted postdonation. Eight (11%) donors had a post-procedure platelet count less than 150x10e9/L. Twenty two donors (29%) experienced mild side effects due to hypocalcaemia. Conclusion Plateletpheresis procedures are generally safe and well tolerated, without evident associated clinical manifestations on healthy donors.

Managing uncontrolled postsplenectomy reactive thrombocytosis in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: role of thrombocytapheresis.

Reactive thrombocytosis occurs in response to infection, trauma, or surgery. Splenectomy alone accounts for 19% of all possible causes of extreme thrombocytosis. We performed thrombocytapheresis in a young lady with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who developed postsplenectomy reactive thrombocytosis. Her post splenectomy platelet count was 227 × 10(6)/ml which elevated to 1623 × 10(6)/ml on the 7th postoperative day. A single thrombocytapheresis procedure reduced her platelet to 403 × 10(6)/ml. She was discharged on the 10th postoperative day and then maintained a count of 204-238 × 10(6)/ml with aspirin. Thrombocytapheresis reduces the platelet count rapidly in thrombocytosis and prevents patients from having thrombotic events. However, such procedures should be performed very meticulously to ensure patient safety.

Effects of plateletpheresis on blood coagulation parameters in healthy donors at National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Plateletpheresis is a method used to remove platelet from the body either from random volunteer donors, patient's family members or HLA matched donors. A cross sectional study was carried out on 59 plateletpheresis donors aged between 18 and 55 years at National Blood Center (NBC), Kuala Lumpur. We compared the blood parameters before and after plateletpheresis and we found that the platelet count, FVIII, fibrinogen and thrombophilia markers anti-thrombin (AT), protein C and protein S were significantly reduced (p<0.05) with prolonged PT and APTT. There were significant changes in blood coagulation parameters but it is within acceptable range.

Frequency of adverse events in plateletpheresis donors in regional transfusion centre in North India.

BACKGROUND: Although automated cell separators have undergone a lot of technical refinements, attention has been focused on the quality of platelet concentrates than on donor safety. We planned this prospective study to look into donor safety aspect by studying adverse events in normal healthy plateletpheresis donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study included 500 healthy, first-time (n=301) and repeat (n=199) plateletpheresis donors after informed consent. The plateletpheresis procedures were performed on Trima Accel (5.1 version, GAMBRO BCT) and Amicus (3.2 version FENWAL) cell separators. The adverse events during procedure were recorded and classified according to their nature. The pre and post procedure hematological and biochemical profiles of these donors were also assessed with the help of automated cell counter and analyser respectively. RESULTS: A total of 18% (n=90) adverse events were recorded in 500 plateletpheresis donors, of which 9% of were hypocalcaemia in nature followed by hematoma (7.4%), vasovagal reaction (0.8%) and kit related adverse events in (0.8%). There was significant post procedure drop in Hb, Hct, platelet count of the donors (p<0.0001) whereas WBC count showed a statistically significant rise (p<0.0001). Divalent cations (iCa(+), TCa(+), TMg(+)) also showed a statistically significant decline after donation (p<0.0001). However there were no statistically significance difference between adverse events in Trima Accel (5.1 version, GAMBRO BCT) and Amicus (3.2 version FENWAL) cell separators. CONCLUSION: Donor reactions can adversely affect the voluntary donor recruitment strategies to increase the public awareness regarding constant need for blood and blood products. Commonly observed adverse events in plateletpheresis donors were hypocalcemia, hematoma formation and vasovagal reactions which can be prevented by pre-donation education of the donors and change of machine configuration. Nevertheless, more prospective studies on this aspect are required in order to establish guidelines for donor safety in apheresis and also to help in assessing donor suitability, especially given the present trend of double product apheresis collections.

Erythrocyte-exchange with the OPTIA™ cell separator in patients with sickle-cell disease.

Erythrocyte-exchange (EEX) has proven to be a very useful tool in sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients either during acute painful crisis unresponsive to hydration and/or analgesia or as a prophylactic treatment in high risk patients in those who do not tolerate hydroxyurea (HU), with the aim of lowering HbS levels. EEX may be performed either by using continuous- or discontinuous flow devices, the former being of choice in children or in low-weight patients. Thus, a low extracorporeal blood volume (EBV) could allow for a better and safer procedure management. In this study we compared EEX procedure performed with the recently released OPTIA device with EEX procedures performed using the COBE Spectra device (EBV 185 vs 270 mL, respectively). Twenty-one EEX (4 as emergency treatment) were performed in 12 patients with the Spectra device and 25 (9 as emergency treatment) in 15 patients with the OPTIA device. All the procedures were well tolerated and uneventful. We did not observe significant differences between the two devices as to pre- and post-EEX parameters, namely in target hematocrit and in HbS reduction. Noteworthy, due to the lowest EBV allowed by the OPTIA device, an EEX procedure performed in a 13 Kg- child did not require a preliminary priming of the circuit. In conclusion, the OPTIA device proved to be as effective as the Spectra device in treating SCD patients either during sickling crisis or as prophylactic therapy. The OPTIA device can be safely used in the pediatric setting since it allows a lower EBV.

Determining factors predictive of CD34+ cell collection efficiency in an effort to avoid extended and repeated apheresis sessions.

INTRODUCTION: Collection efficiency (CE) is a reflection of the proportion of cells passing through a cell separator that is harvested. The aim of our study was to evaluate which factors influence CE independently in order to find ways to improve CE and therefore minimize the costs and risks of leukapheresis and graft processing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 206 consecutive apheresis procedures performed on 128 donors/patients were studied retrospectively. We explored the association between CE and the following factors: age, sex, weight, mobilization (granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor with or without chemotherapy), collection type (autologous versus allogeneic), venous access (peripheral versus central), total processed blood volume (TPV), hematocrit, white blood cell (WBC) count, thrombocyte count, and peripheral blood CD34+ cell concentration (PBCD34+). RESULTS: Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed WBC count to be the single best predictor of CE, accompanied by TPV. When performing subgroup analysis for autologous apheresis procedures, the inverse correlation of WBC count and TPV with CE becomes stronger (r = -0.563 with P < 0.001 and r = -0.198 with P = 0.020 respectively), whereas those correlations disappear when analyzing only allogeneic apheresis procedures. CONCLUSION: The negative correlation between TPV and CE present only in autologous collection procedures can be explained by the limited intra-apheresis recruitment of CD34+ cells into the blood which is negatively influenced by extensive pre-treatment. As a result of this study we decided to limit TPV to a maximum of three times the patient's blood volume in autologous apheresis procedures at our center.

Plateletpheresis in the Era of Automation: Optimizing Donor Safety and Product Quality Using Modern Apheresis Instruments.

The increases in major surgeries, transplantations and speciality clinics have significantly increased the utilization of platelet concentrates including single donor platelets (SDP). The advantages of SDP or apheresis platelet have been discussed elaborately by previous authors as compared to random donor platelets. Here we share our experiences of plateletpheresis procedures using the modern apheresis machines with regards to product quality and donor safety. This study included 3016 procedures of plateletpheresis (1397 on Amicus and 1619 on Trima accel cell separators) on eligible donors using recommended apheresis kits. A target yield of 3 × 1011 was set as the end point of each procedure. Donor details, procedure details and donor adverse reactions if any were documented. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS statistical package (version 13, USA). Of the total 6276 donors screened 2049 (32.6%) were deferred due to various reasons. Out of remaining 4227 eligible donors; 3016 (71.4%) underwent plateletphereis procedures based on the requirement of SDP by the patients. Mean pre-procedure platelet count and hematocrit in donors were 188.3 × 106/mL and 41.7% respectively. Mean procedure time in Amicus (76.6 min) was significantly more than the Trima accel (64.3 min) (p = 0.02). Platelet yield by Trima accel and Amicus was 2.96 × 1011 and 3.08 × 1011 respectively (p = 0.061). A total of 40 donors (1.33%) suffered adverse effect during or after apheresis procedures. While the modern plateletpheresis devices are both donor and user friendly at the same time they provide quality product consistently in lesser time.

Microfabrication of microchannels for fuel cell plates.

Portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, PDAs, cellular phones, etc., are being widely used, and they increasingly need cheap, efficient, and lightweight power sources. Fuel cells have been proposed as possible power sources to address issues that involve energy production and the environment. In particular, a small type of fuel-cell system is known to be suitable for portable electronic devices. The development of micro fuel cell systems can be achieved by the application of microchannel technology. In this study, the conventional method of chemical etching and the mechanical machining method of micro end milling were used for the microfabrication of microchannel for fuel cell separators. The two methods were compared in terms of their performance in the fabrication with regards to dimensional errors, flatness, straightness, and surface roughness. Following microchannel fabrication, the powder blasting technique is introduced to improve the coating performance of the catalyst on the surface of the microchannel. Experimental results show that end milling can remarkably increase the fabrication performance and that surface treatment by powder blasting can improve the performance of catalyst coating.

Comparison of Plateletpheresis on the Haemonetics and Trima Accel Cell Separators.

The use of apheresis equipment to collect platelets has rapidly increased in recent years. We compared two apheresis instruments (Haemonetics MCS + and Trima Accel) with regard to platelet (PLT) yield and efficiency, and collection rate (CR) in a retrospective study. Overall 120 data obtained by Haemonetics and Trima systems (N = 60 for each) were randomly selected among 400 plateletpheresis procedures performed at the Apheresis Unit of Kayseri Education and Research Hospital between July 2016 and January 2017. The CR was significantly higher with the Haemonetics compared to the Trima (0.076 ± 0.016 vs. 0.065 ± 0.015 (PLT × 1011 /min) respectively; P < 0.001). The PLT yield/unit was higher with the Haemonetics (4.4 ± 0.8 vs. 3.9 ± 0.8 × 1011 , P = 0.001). Haemonetics and Trima Accel instruments collected platelets efficiently. We hope that these data will be a guide in selecting equipment for apheresis units.

Perioperative standards for the treatment of coagulation disorders and usage of blood products in patients undergoing liver transplantation used in the Clinic for Transplant Surgery in Wroclaw.

BACKGROUND: Coagulation system disorders in liver transplantation (ltx) patients are considered a serious issue. Liver cirrhosis leads to decreased synthesis of clotting factors and decreased elimination of waste products, including coagulation proteins. Platelet sequestration and dysfunction in an enlarged spleen additionally worsen these conditions. The resulting state, the most common pathology of the coagulation system, involves the reduction of clotting potential and hyperfibrinolysis. OBJECTIVES: Tackling the problem of impaired hemostasis is a dynamic process. Throughout the whole procedure, consisting of the preanhepatic, the anhepatic and the neohepatic phases, consecutive pathomechanisms disrupt the very balance that anesthesia aims to preserve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), having been introduced in the Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland, enables the efficient and early diagnosis of clotting disorders. An additional major problem which occurs during ltx, namely blood loss, could be solved using a cell separator. RESULTS: In this study, we present the standards introduced to the Transplantology Department of the Vascular Surgery Clinic, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland, that describe blood treatment during ltx procedures. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that thromboelastometric examination and the use of a cell separator have significantly increased the safety of ltx procedures at our clinic. The introduction of thromboelastometry (TEM) and the implementation of the cell separator recovery method have enabled us to perform the dangerous and complicated surgical procedure of ltx in a much more stable and much safer manner than in the past.