Effect of Y2O3 Dispersion Method on the Microstructure Characteristic of Ni-Base Superalloy

An optimum route to fabricate the Ni-base superalloys with homogeneous dispersion of oxide nanoparticles is investigated. Two methods for developing a uniform dispersion of oxide nanopar-ticles are compared on the basis of the resulting microstructure. Microstructural analysis reveals that the calcined powder from polymeric additive solution with yttrium nitrate and polyvinyl alcohol represented more fine and uniform distribution of Ni, Y and O elements. The densified specimen by spark plasma sintering at 1000 °C using calcined powder exhibits fine microstructure with oxide nanoparticles compared with that using mechanically alloyed powder, presumably by the particle growth or agglomeration prevention from chelating reaction during the calcination step. The oxide particles in the sintered specimen is identified as Y–Al–O phase, formed by the reaction of Y2O3 with Al during calcination and sintering.

Divalent magnesium restores cytoskeletal storage lesions in cold-stored platelet concentrates

Cold storage of platelet concentrates (PC) has become attractive due to the reduced risk of bacterial proliferation, but in vivo circulation time of cold-stored platelets is reduced. Ca2+ release from storage organelles and higher activity of Ca2+ pumps at temperatures < 15°C triggers cytoskeleton changes. This is suppressed by Mg2+ addition, avoiding a shift in Ca2+ hemostasis and cytoskeletal alterations. We report on the impact of 2–10 mM Mg2+ addition on cytoskeleton alterations of platelets from PC stored at room temperature (RT) or 4°C in additive solution (PAS), 30% plasma. Deformation of platelets was assessed by real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC), a method for biomechanical cell characterization. Deformation was strongly affected by storage at 4°C and preserved by Mg2+ addition ≥ 4 mM Mg2+ (mean ± SD of median deformation 4°C vs. 4°C + 10mM Mg2+ 0.073 ± 0.021 vs. 0.118 ± 0.023, p < 0.01; n = 6, day 7). These results were confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy, showing that Mg2+ ≥ 4mM prevents 4°C storage induced cytoskeletal structure lesion. Standard in vitro platelet function tests showed minor differences between RT and cold-stored platelets. Hypotonic shock response was reduced in cold-stored platelets (45.65 ± 11.59% vs. RT stored platelets 56.38 ± 29.36; p = 0.042) but normal at 4°C + 10 mM Mg2+ (55.22 ± 11.16%, all n = 6, day 1). CD62P expression and platelet aggregation response were similar between RT and 4°C stored platelets, with minor changes in the presence of higher Mg2+ concentrations. In conclusion, increasing Mg2+ up to 10 mM in PAS counteracts 4°C storage lesions in platelets, maintains platelet cytoskeletal integrity and biomechanical properties comparable to RT stored platelets.

Divalent magnesium restores cytoskeletal storage lesions in cold-stored platelet concentrates

Cold storage of platelet concentrates (PC) has become attractive due to the reduced risk of bacterial proliferation, but in vivo circulation time of cold-stored platelets is reduced. Ca2+ release from storage organelles and higher activity of Ca2+ pumps at temperatures < 15°C triggers cytoskeleton changes. This is suppressed by Mg2+ addition, avoiding a shift in Ca2+ hemostasis and cytoskeletal alterations. We report on the impact of 2–10 mM Mg2+ addition on cytoskeleton alterations of platelets from PC stored at room temperature (RT) or 4°C in additive solution (PAS), 30% plasma. Deformation of platelets was assessed by real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC), a method for biomechanical cell characterization. Deformation was strongly affected by storage at 4°C and preserved by Mg2+ addition ≥ 4 mM Mg2+ (mean ± SD of median deformation 4°C vs. 4°C + 10mM Mg2+ 0.073 ± 0.021 vs. 0.118 ± 0.023, p < 0.01; n = 6, day 7). These results were confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy, showing that Mg2+ ≥ 4mM prevents 4°C storage induced cytoskeletal structure lesion. Standard in vitro platelet function tests showed minor differences between RT and cold-stored platelets. Hypotonic shock response was reduced in cold-stored platelets (45.65 ± 11.59% vs. RT stored platelets 56.38 ± 29.36; p = 0.042) but normal at 4°C + 10 mM Mg2+ (55.22 ± 11.16%, all n = 6, day 1). CD62P expression and platelet aggregation response were similar between RT and 4°C stored platelets, with minor changes in the presence of higher Mg2+ concentrations. In conclusion, increasing Mg2+ up to 10 mM in PAS counteracts 4°C storage lesions in platelets, maintains platelet cytoskeletal integrity and biomechanical properties comparable to RT stored platelets.

Assessment of Storage Related Haematological and Biochemical Changes in Blood Units

Red blood cells are still the most widely transfused blood component worldwide and their story is intimately entwined with the history of transfusion medicine and the changes in the collection and storage of blood.1,2 At present, the most widely used protocol for the storage of red blood cells (for up to 42 days) is the collection of blood into anticoagulant solutions (typically citrate-dextrose-phosphate); red cell concentrates are prepared by the removal of plasma and, in some cases, also leukoreduction. The product is stored at 4 ± 2° C in a slightly hypertonic additive solution, generally SAGM (sodium, adenine, glucose, mannitol, 376 mOsm/L).1 The British obstetrician, Braxton Hicks in 1868, experimented with a solution of phosphate of soda, but this also proved toxic. Richard Lewinsohn, in 1915, of the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York is credited with introducing sodium citrate into clinical practice as an anticoagulant.3In fact, a 1% solution of sodium citrate was already widely used in laboratories as an anticoagulant. This high concentration was toxic to humans but, as Lewinsohn himself recalled, `Nobody had ever followed the simple thought of carrying out experiments to ascertain whether a much smaller dose might not be sufficient' for use as an anticoagulant.

Image- and Fluorescence-Based Test Shows Oxidant-Dependent Damages in Red Blood Cells and Enables Screening of Potential Protective Molecules

An increase of oxygen saturation within blood bags and metabolic dysregulation occur during storage of red blood cells (RBCs). It leads to the gradual exhaustion of RBC antioxidant protective system and, consequently, to a deleterious state of oxidative stress that plays a major role in the apparition of the so-called storage lesions. The present study describes the use of a test (called TSOX) based on fluorescence and label-free morphology readouts to simply and quickly evaluate the oxidant and antioxidant properties of various compounds in controlled conditions. Here, TSOX was applied to RBCs treated with four antioxidants (ascorbic acid, uric acid, trolox and resveratrol) and three oxidants (AAPH, diamide and H2O2) at different concentrations. Two complementary readouts were chosen: first, where ROS generation was quantified using DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, and second, based on digital holographic microscopy that measures morphology alterations. All oxidants produced an increase of fluorescence, whereas H2O2 did not visibly impact the RBC morphology. Significant protection was observed in three out of four of the added molecules. Of note, resveratrol induced diamond-shape “Tirocytes”. The assay design was selected to be flexible, as well as compatible with high-throughput screening. In future experiments, the TSOX will serve to screen chemical libraries and probe molecules that could be added to the additive solution for RBCs storage.