Quality and standardization in blood component preparation with an automated blood processing technique

The use of automated blood processors in combination with bottom and top blood containers has been found to improve the standardization and quality of blood components. A study was performed to validate a new type of processor (Optipress® II) and compare its performance with a first generation processor (Optipress® I). Primary separation on the Optipress II was investigated on 570mL (± 10%) of anticoagulated blood in a nonpaired study. In addition, the quality of the products in routine production was compared between the results of the Optipress I and Optipress II. The whole blood units were kept overnight at room temperature (20 ± 2°C). Separation was performed under conditions to obtain 55mL buffy coats with a 50% haematocrit (ht). Platelet concentrate preparation was investigated in a paired study and compared to the routine manual method using PAS II additive solution. Parameters studied were volume, red cell, white cell and platelet counts, ht, haemoglobin (hb, total and free). Primary separation was more efficient in the Optipress II because the platelet count was lower in the erythrocyte concentrates (P<0.0001), platelets were lower in plasma (P<0.0001) and platelet counts were higher in buffy coats (P<0.0001). Buffy coat volume showed less variation (Optipress II VC=4%, Optipress I VC= 7.4%). Secondary separation did not show differences between the Optipress II and manual method but was advantageous because of the automatic termination of the procedure. Further improvement of standardization in blood component preparation is possible with an automated blood processor, leading to improvement of the quality of blood products for patient care

Cubic Dice: Archaeological Material for Understanding Historical Processes

The characteristics of dice found in archaeological contexts assist in the understanding of historical processes and human behavior. The dice attributes of configuration and dot pattern are regionally and/or temporally specific and can be used to help date dice themselves or the context in which they are found. As well, dice have been used to decipher Etruscan words and may identify novice and expert dice makers in the archaeological record. The shape and size of the dots and dice cubes further inform the distinctive appearance of dice in medieval versus Roman times

The Anticancer Activity of Marine Sponge Cinachyrella sp. (Family Tetillidae)

Cinachyrella sp. marine sponge produce many kinds of secondary metabolites. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activity of marine sponge Cinachyrella sp. The sponge was extracted with 96 % ethanol. Ethanol extract cytotoxicity assay were performed with MTT method (Microculture Tetrazolium) against to cell lines of HeLa, T47D, WiDr and Vero. The results show that of the ethanol extract were only toxic to cell lines of HeLa IC50 897.809 μg/mL but did not toxic to cell lines of T47D, WiDr and normal cell lines of Vero. Fractionation of the ethanol extract was conducted by a Vacuum Column Chromatography (VCC) and have 4 fraction that were F1, F2, F3 and F4. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation inhibitory were tested of fraction F1, F2, F3 and F4 against cell lines of T47D. The values IC50 of F1; F2; F3 and F4 against cell lines of T47D were 82.744; 163.679; 66.522 and 333.026 μg/mL and fraction F3 concentration 31.5 µg/mL inhibits cell proliferation cell lines of T47D at 48 hours of incubatio