Processing, testing and selecting blood components.

Transfusion of blood components can be an essential and lifesaving treatment for many patients. However, components must comply with a number of national requirements to ensure they are safe and fit for use. Transfusion of incorrect blood components can lead to mortality and morbidity in patients, which is why patient testing and blood selection are important. This second article in our five-part series on blood transfusion outlines the requirements for different blood components, the importance of the ABO and RhD blood group systems and the processes that ensure the correct blood component is issued to each patient.

Beta-(1,3)-glucan levels and its determinants in New Zealand bedrooms.

Beta-(1,3)-glucan is a pro-inflammatory component of the fungal cell wall, indoor levels of which have only been considered in a few studies. This study assessed levels of beta-(1,3)-glucan in 35 domestic bedrooms. beta-(1,3)-glucan levels were estimated using a modified Limulus amoebocyte lysate kinetic assay. beta-(1,3)-glucan geometric mean levels (95% confidence interval) were 163.9 microg/g (129.5-209.3) from bedroom floors; 76,6 microg/g (61.4-94.0) from mattresses; 132.1 microg/g (68.9-207.9) from duvets; and 110.0 microg/g (82.2-146.4) from pillows. Synthetic bedding and older mattresses contained higher beta-(1,3)-glucan levels. Synthetic bedding contains higher levels of beta-(1,3)-glucan than feather bedding, which may be of importance to asthmatics.