The behavior of gelatin hydrogels is influenced by the charges located on the amino acid side chains throughout the gelatin molecules. The presence and distribution of ionisable side chains influences the surface activity of gelatin and ultimately determines the material properties. Herein, we report the influence of pH on mechanical properties as studied by texture analysis supported by data from polarimetry, zeta potential, pH titrations and NMR experiments. When adjusted to more extreme pH values (pH 2 and 12), softer gelatin blocks were observed. However, at pH values close to the isoelectric point (pH 5–10), the material is firmer. This behavior is related to the helical content. At pH 2 and pH 12 the surface of the gelatin carries a net charge, positive and negative, respectively, that inhibits the formation of tight helices and lowers the physical crosslink network density. Chemical shift perturbations were observed for the acidic amino acids glutamic and aspartic acid, under acidic pH, where their peaks shifted to higher ppm. Intense amide signals were observed at acidic pH but diminished with increasing pH. This was due to an increase in the rate of chemical exchange between the solvent and peptide amide protons as the pH increases.
The introduction of a local Hospital Transfusion Committee in 1999 allowed the Transfusion Laboratory the opportunity to present levels of red cell use to clinicians. This information was easily obtained from the laboratory information system, and the data presented in the form of league tables by individual Consultant and their medical speciality. Agreement was obtained for the league tables to be published via global electronic mail every quarter, and natural competition contributed to an immediate reduction in red cell use within our organisation. The blood and blood product budget is held by the Transfusion Laboratory, hence the laboratory was able to utilise the financial savings generated by the reduction in red cell use to fund a 0.2 whole time equivalent Transfusion Auditor, based in the Transfusion Laboratory but performing extensive audit on behalf of the Hospital Transfusion Team/Committee. The role has allowed blood use by clinician, anaesthetist, infusion location and diagnosis to be audited, the results being examined by the Hospital Transfusion Committee, and recommendations for change in practice made to the clinicians involved. The process has saved over £500,000 since its introduction, facilitated improved clinical Transfusion Medicine, reduced clinical risk, and funded alternatives to homologous red cell transfusions, near patient testing devices, rapid infuser's and theatre equipment designed to keep patient's warm during major surgery. Concurrently the cost of wastage of red cells and platelets has been reduced from £30,000 per annum in 1999 to £14,630 in 2005. In spite of an 11.5% increase in clinical activity, red cell use in our district general hospital has been reduced by 30% from 13,605 units per annum in 1999 to 9551 in 2005. The Transfusion Auditor post is now established in our organisation and continues to prove self‐funding whilst facilitating improved clinical Transfusion Medicine.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.