Molecular Screening for Vel- Blood Donors in Southwestern Germany

BACKGROUND: The SMIM1 protein carries the Vel blood group antigen, and homozygosity for a 17 bp deletion in the coding region of the SMIM1 gene represents the molecular basis of the Vel- blood group phenotype. We developed PCR-based methods for typing the SMIM1 17 bp (64-80del) gene deletion and performed a molecular screening for the Vel- blood type in German blood donors. METHODS: For SMIM1 genotyping, TaqMan-PCR and PCRSSP methods were developed and validated using reference samples. Both methods were used for screening of donors with blood group O from southwestern Germany. Heterozygotes and homozygotes for the SMIM1 64-80del allele were serologically typed for the Vel blood group antigen. In addition, the rs1175550 SNP in SMIM1 was typed and correlated to the results of the phenotyping. RESULTS: Both genotyping methods, TaqMan-PCR and PCR-SSP, represent reliable methods for the detection of the SMIM1 64-80del allele. Screening of 10,598 blood group O donors revealed 5 individuals homozygous for the deletional allele. They were confirmed Vel- by serological typing. Heterozygotes for the 64-80del allele showed different antigen expressions ranging from very weak to regular positive. CONCLUSION: Molecular screening of blood donors for the Vel- blood type is feasible and avoids the limitations of serological typing which might show false-negative results with heterozygous individuals. The identification of Vel- blood donors significantly contributes to the adequate blood supply of patients with anti-Vel

Control and Optimization of Batch Chemical Processes

A batch process is characterized by the repetition of time-varying operations of finite duration. Due to the repetition, there are two independent “time” variables, namely, the run time during a batch and the batch index. Accordingly, the control and optimization objectives can be defined for a given batch or over several batches. This chapter describes the various control and optimization strategies available for the operation of batch processes. These include online and run-to-run control on the one hand, and repeated numerical optimization and optimizing control on the other. Several case studies are presented to illustrate the various approaches

The Development of API Manufacturing Processes – Targets and Strategies

This article gives an overview on the questions to be asked and the activities to be planned during the development of an API manufacturing process. First of all the API properties required for formulation such as purity, polymorphism and solvate formation, residual solvents, particle morphology and particle size distribution have to be defined. Then process parameters have to be evaluated that ensure that the drug substance with these properties can be produced on lab scale. The transfer to large-scale production is discussed with emphasis on scale-up effects, appropriate equipment, potential bottlenecks, and cost aspects. Finally practical hints are given as how to design an API crystallization and work-up process in a way that all given requirements for the APi are fulfilled and the process can be run reproducibly and cost-effective in production

Composite Bioinks With Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses - A Critical Evaluation of Results Obtained by In Vitro Experiments

Besides osteoconductivity and a high degradation rate, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are specific for their highly ordered channel structure and high specific surface area, making them suitable as drug and/or growth factor delivery systems. On the other hand, the mesoporous channel structure and MBG composition can have an effect on common cell evaluation assays, leading to inconclusive results. This effect is especially important when MBG is mixed in composite bioinks, together with cells. Additionally, the hydrogel component of the ink can influence the degradation of MBG, leading to different ion releases, which can additionally affect the analyses. Hence, our aim here was to show how the MBG structure and composition influence common cell viability and differentiation assays when calcium (Ca)- or magnesium (Mg)-containing glass is part of an alginate-based composite bioink. We suggested pre-labeling of cells with DiI prior to bioprinting and staining with calcein-AM to allow identification of metabolically active cells expressing signals in both green and red channels, allowing the use of fluorescence imaging for cell viability evaluations in the presence of high amounts (7 wt %) of MBGs. The release and uptake of ions during degradation of CaMBG and MgMBG were significantly changed by alginate in the composite bioinks, as confirmed by higher release and uptake from bulk glasses. Additionally, we detected a burst release of Mg²⁺ from composites only after 24 h of incubation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that released ions and the mesoporous channel structure affect the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in bioprinted composite scaffolds. Measured LDH activity was significantly decreased in the presence of CaMBG. On the other hand, the presence of MgMBG induced increased signal measured for the ALP. Taken together, our findings show how composite bioinks containing MBGs can interfere with common analyses, obtaining misleading results