BACKGROUND: CATS(Plus) (continuous autotransfusion system, Fresenius Kabi, Friedberg, Germany) is a continuous, chamber type cell salvage system for performing an intraoperative autologous transfusion. We evaluated the quality of intraoperative salvaged red blood cells processed by CATS(Plus). METHODS: A total 20 adult patients undergone lumbar spine surgery were enrolled in this study. Laboratory tests including albumin, potassium, free hemoglobin, and bacterial culture were performed and the % albumin removal was calculated. RESULTS: The average albumin, potassium, and free hemoglobin concentration were 4 g/L, 4.86 mEq/L, 4.50 g/L, respectively. Mean albumin removal was 87%. Bacterial culture was positive in 11 of the 20 cases and staphylococcus species were isolated in all of the culture positive cases. CONCLUSION: For safe use of salvaged red blood cells, laboratory tests for potassium and free hemoglobin concentration would be necessary before administration.
Adult ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Erythrocytes ; Hemoglobins ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Potassium ; Spine ; Staphylococcus

BACKGROUND: The frequencies and distributions of unexpected antibodies have been reported using two different criteria, based on either number of persons tested or number of tests performed. But there has been no study that compared the results of analyses based on these two different criteria using the same data set. METHODS: Unexpected antibody tests performed in a University Hospital during recent 6 yr (January 2002-December 2007) were retrospectively analyzed: 76,985 tests (59,503 persons) for screening and 875 tests (749 persons) for identification. Data were analyzed using two different criteria, based on 'persons tested' and 'tests performed'. Antibodies had been screened and identified using LISS/Coombs gel cards with DiaMed-ID system (DiaMed AG, Switzerland). RESULTS: Frequencies of unexpected antibodies based on 'persons tested' and 'tests performed' were 1.32% and 1.34%, respectively (P=0.88). For frequently detected as well as rarely detected antibodies, there were no significant differences in the frequencies based on two different criteria. However, for rarely detected antibodies (anti-Xg(a) and Anti-E & D), the frequencies based on 'tests performed' were higher than those based on 'persons tested', affecting a change in the order of frequencies of antibodies detected. CONCLUSIONS: As there were no significant differences in the frequencies of unexpected antibodies calculated using two different criteria, both criteria can be used together for the patient population in our hospital. However, two criteria should be compared to validate the results for other populations.
Blood Group Antigens/*immunology ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Humans ; Isoantibodies/blood/*immunology ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Amniotic fluid is a rich source of fetal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, little is known about whether bisphosphonates affect the differentiation into adipocytes. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate whether zoledronate influences the differentiation of AFMSCs into adipocytes. METHODS: Amniotic fluid cells samples were obtained from 6 pregnant women by second trimester amniocentesis for performing fetal karyotyping. The cells were treated with various concentration (10(-10), 10(-8), 10(-6) M) of zoledronate and the cells were analyzed over 21 days of culture. Differentiation into adipocytes was determined by oil-red O staining and for fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and sterol regulatory elementary binding protein-1 (SREBP-1). RESULTS: Differentiation of AFMSCs into adipocytes was found by oil-red O staining. Zoledronate influenced the differentiation of AFMSCs into adipocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At 7 days of culture, the expressions of FAS and SREBP-1 showed no significant differences compared to that of the control regardless of the dose of zoledronate. Very little ACC1 expression was found. However, the expressions of these three markers were remarkably increased at 14 days of culture. Of them, the ACC1 expression was significantly increased by 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M of zoledronate. At 21 days of culture, there were no effects of zoledronate on the expressions of FAS and SREBP-1. However, the ACC1 expression was decreased with an increasing dose of zoledronate (P<.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that AFMSCs can be differentiated into adipocytes. The induction of this differentiation following zoledronate treatment appears to be dose dependent and time-of-culture dependent.
Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase ; Adipocytes ; Amniocentesis ; Amniotic Fluid ; Diphosphonates ; Fatty Acid Synthetase Complex ; Female ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Karyotyping ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnant Women ; Stem Cells