Background and Objectives LDL apheresis is used to treat patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia, and low-volume plasmapheresis for plasma donation may similarly lower cholesterol levels in some donors. This study was designed to assess the effect of plasmapheresis on total, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in a plasma donor population.Materials and Methods This was a prospective, unblinded longitudinal cohort study in which a blood sample was obtained for analysis before each donation. Data from 663 donors were analysed using a multivariable repeated measures regression model with a general estimating equations approach with changes in cholesterol as the primary outcome measure.Results The model predicted a significant decrease in total and LDL cholesterol for both genders and all baseline cholesterol levels (P < 0·01). The greatest total cholesterol decreases (women, −46·8 mg/dL; men, −32·2 mg/dL) were associated with high baseline levels and 2–4 days between donations. Small but statistically significant increases (P ≤ 0·01) in HDL cholesterol were predicted for donors with low baseline levels.Conclusions These results suggest that, in donors with elevated baseline cholesterol levels, total and LDL cholesterol levels may decrease during routine voluntary plasmapheresis.
This study was conducted in order to investigate the structure of sensory nerve endings of the human epiglottis and substance P immunoreactive nerve fibers of the canine epiglottis in relationship to physiologic functions of the larynx. The human epiglottis was observed by light microscopy (silver impregnation) and electron microscopy, and the canine epiglottis was studied by peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) immunohistochemistry. The results are summarized as follows: (1) In the membranes of the epiglottis, we observed free endings of simple or complex tree shape, corpuscle endings with glomerular patterns, and taste-bud-like structures, and (2) electron microscopic studies revealed varicosity of the terminal axon with processes that contained small, clear and large, dense cored vesicles. Substance P was observed in these structures, and it was suggested that substance P was related to perception in the larynx.
Background and ObjectivesDonor plasmapheresis involves the removal of a weight-adjusted volume of plasma and the return of cellular components to the donor. Although plasma volume generally returns to normal, some residual effect on vital signs may be possible. This analysis was performed to determine the possible effects of plasmapheresis on blood pressure.Materials and MethodsA 16-week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plasma donations on cholesterol levels in healthy donors. From this study, the vital signs obtained prior to donation were analysed using statistical and dynamic analytical predictive models.ResultsPreliminary analyses revealed a change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from the corresponding baseline values (Pearson Coefficient −0·44 and −0·47, respectively). Statistical models predicted a marked decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following multiple donations in donors with baseline pressure in the Stage 2 hypertension range with less pronounced decreases predicted in Stage 1 donors. Little or no change in blood pressure was predicted in donors with baseline normal blood pressure or prehypertension. Dynamic models including time between donations supported these results and predicted a recovery period of about 14 days without donation in donors with Stage 2 baseline levels.ConclusionsResults suggest that systolic and diastolic blood pressure may be decreased following plasmapheresis used for plasma donations at intervals of <14 days in donors with high baseline blood pressure levels.
The DNA index value (less than or greater than 1.4) seems to be a stronger predictor than DNA ploidy (diploid or aneuploid), and the combination of Dukes stage, tumor site, and a DNA index is, therefore, considered to be clinically valuable in predicting recurrence in cases of colorectal cancer.
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