Red blood cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, and fresh plasma are separated from whole blood through centrifugation. The main manufacturing methods, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and buffy-coat (BC), are currently in use. The BC method has been increasingly adopted because of its high recovery rate of platelets and plasma, lower platelet activation, and reduced transfusion-related complications. Korea’s first Master Plan for Blood Management (2021∼2025) considered transitioning from the PRP method to the BC method and introducing automation to expand the supply of leukoreduced blood components. On the other hand, several issues have prevented this transition. In 2023, the US FDA cleared an automated system for the single centrifugation method without switching to the BC method. This paper discusses these approaches.

Red blood cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, and fresh plasma are separated from whole blood through centrifugation. The main manufacturing methods, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and buffy-coat (BC), are currently in use. The BC method has been increasingly adopted because of its high recovery rate of platelets and plasma, lower platelet activation, and reduced transfusion-related complications. Korea’s first Master Plan for Blood Management (2021∼2025) considered transitioning from the PRP method to the BC method and introducing automation to expand the supply of leukoreduced blood components. On the other hand, several issues have prevented this transition. In 2023, the US FDA cleared an automated system for the single centrifugation method without switching to the BC method. This paper discusses these approaches.

Background: Solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) receiving immunosuppressive therapy are expected to have worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, published studies have shown mixed results, depending on adjustment for important confounders such as age, variants, and vaccination status. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on 7,327 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from two tertiary hospitals with government-designated COVID-19 regional centers. We compared clinical outcomes between SOTRs and non-SOTRs by a propensity score-matched analysis (1:2) based on age, gender, and the date of COVID-19 diagnosis. We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust other important confounders such as vaccination status and the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: After matching, SOTRs (n=83) had a significantly higher risk of high-flow nasal cannula use, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and a composite of COVID-19 severity outcomes than non-SOTRs (n=160) (all P <0.05). The National Early Warning Score was significantly higher in SOTRs than in non-SOTRs from day 1 to 7 of hospitalization ( P for interaction=0.008 by generalized estimating equation). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SOTRs (odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–4.11) and male gender (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.26– 5.45) were associated with worse outcomes, and receiving two to three doses of COVID-19 vaccine (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24–0.79) was associated with better outcomes. Conclusion Hospitalized SOTRs with COVID-19 had a worse prognosis than non-SOTRs. COVID-19 vaccination should be implemented appropriately to prevent severe COVID-19 progression in this population.

Red blood cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, and fresh plasma are separated from whole blood through centrifugation. The main manufacturing methods, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and buffy-coat (BC), are currently in use. The BC method has been increasingly adopted because of its high recovery rate of platelets and plasma, lower platelet activation, and reduced transfusion-related complications. Korea’s first Master Plan for Blood Management (2021∼2025) considered transitioning from the PRP method to the BC method and introducing automation to expand the supply of leukoreduced blood components. On the other hand, several issues have prevented this transition. In 2023, the US FDA cleared an automated system for the single centrifugation method without switching to the BC method. This paper discusses these approaches.

Background: Solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) receiving immunosuppressive therapy are expected to have worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, published studies have shown mixed results, depending on adjustment for important confounders such as age, variants, and vaccination status. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on 7,327 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from two tertiary hospitals with government-designated COVID-19 regional centers. We compared clinical outcomes between SOTRs and non-SOTRs by a propensity score-matched analysis (1:2) based on age, gender, and the date of COVID-19 diagnosis. We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust other important confounders such as vaccination status and the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: After matching, SOTRs (n=83) had a significantly higher risk of high-flow nasal cannula use, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and a composite of COVID-19 severity outcomes than non-SOTRs (n=160) (all P <0.05). The National Early Warning Score was significantly higher in SOTRs than in non-SOTRs from day 1 to 7 of hospitalization ( P for interaction=0.008 by generalized estimating equation). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SOTRs (odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–4.11) and male gender (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.26– 5.45) were associated with worse outcomes, and receiving two to three doses of COVID-19 vaccine (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24–0.79) was associated with better outcomes. Conclusion Hospitalized SOTRs with COVID-19 had a worse prognosis than non-SOTRs. COVID-19 vaccination should be implemented appropriately to prevent severe COVID-19 progression in this population.

Background: Solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) receiving immunosuppressive therapy are expected to have worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, published studies have shown mixed results, depending on adjustment for important confounders such as age, variants, and vaccination status. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on 7,327 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from two tertiary hospitals with government-designated COVID-19 regional centers. We compared clinical outcomes between SOTRs and non-SOTRs by a propensity score-matched analysis (1:2) based on age, gender, and the date of COVID-19 diagnosis. We also performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust other important confounders such as vaccination status and the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: After matching, SOTRs (n=83) had a significantly higher risk of high-flow nasal cannula use, mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and a composite of COVID-19 severity outcomes than non-SOTRs (n=160) (all P <0.05). The National Early Warning Score was significantly higher in SOTRs than in non-SOTRs from day 1 to 7 of hospitalization ( P for interaction=0.008 by generalized estimating equation). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, SOTRs (odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–4.11) and male gender (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.26– 5.45) were associated with worse outcomes, and receiving two to three doses of COVID-19 vaccine (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24–0.79) was associated with better outcomes. Conclusion Hospitalized SOTRs with COVID-19 had a worse prognosis than non-SOTRs. COVID-19 vaccination should be implemented appropriately to prevent severe COVID-19 progression in this population.

Red blood cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, and fresh plasma are separated from whole blood through centrifugation. The main manufacturing methods, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and buffy-coat (BC), are currently in use. The BC method has been increasingly adopted because of its high recovery rate of platelets and plasma, lower platelet activation, and reduced transfusion-related complications. Korea’s first Master Plan for Blood Management (2021∼2025) considered transitioning from the PRP method to the BC method and introducing automation to expand the supply of leukoreduced blood components. On the other hand, several issues have prevented this transition. In 2023, the US FDA cleared an automated system for the single centrifugation method without switching to the BC method. This paper discusses these approaches.

Since the mid-2000s, massive blood transfusion protocols and damage control resuscitation have improved the prognosis of trauma patients. As a part of damage control resuscitation, whole blood transfusion, especially using low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB), has been widely accepted in both military and civilian trauma settings based on its safety and significant advantages in terms of efficiency and efficacy. To implement LTOWB effectively, each institution should establish relevant policies which should simultaneously consider safety and accessibility factors, including titer threshold, blood management, blood supply, and transfusion protocols for LTOWB. These policies will need to be revised through continuous audits and monitoring. Additionally, whole blood and LTOWB may benefit hemorrhagic patients in non-trauma contexts, or in rural and pre-hospital settings. Further supporting evidence for these applications is needed.

Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors; however, reports on extracranial cutaneous meningiomas are exceedingly rare. A 77-year-old woman visited our hospital with an asymptomatic child fist-sized mass on the scalp.Biopsy results indicated nuclear atypia and mitoses of sarcomatous cells. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a subgaleal mass with strong enhancement. Suspecting sarcoma, wide excision was performed jointly by the departments of plastic surgery and neurosurgery, during which no evidence of cranial invasion was noted. In the surgical specimen, numerous mitoses of sarcomatous cells and poorly formed nests of epithelioid cells were observed. This led to the diagnosis of anaplastic meningioma without intracranial origin. Subsequently, the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy and is currently under close follow-up. Anaplastic meningioma is rare, but early diagnosis is important as it enables timely and appropriate treatment, thus, improving survival rates. Dermatologists should remain vigilant as meningiomas can manifest as cutaneous scalp nodules, and their accurate diagnosis can profoundly impact prognosis.

A 54-year-old man presented to our outpatient clinic with generalized pruritic millet-sized vesicles, pustules, and crusts on the whole body over the past 10 years, which were more dominant in the lower extremities. Due to the difficulty in diagnosis, a series of histopathologic examinations were conducted during the treatment course, and the findings were similar: subcorneal pustules with neutrophils, superficial perivascular and dermal infiltration of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, with no sign of acantholysis. The patient was treated with cyclosporine, prednisolone, doxycycline, colchicine, sulfasalazine, and acitretin; however, his condition did not improve. After showing a dramatic improvement with dapsone, he was finally diagnosed with subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD).Various medications commonly used in inflammatory and immunobullous skin diseases were tried but failed to improve the condition; the patient showed a dramatic response only to dapsone. Due to its rarity, careful attention and repeated biopsies are required for diagnosing SPD.