Orientador: Regina Kiomi Takahira / Banca: Luiz Henrique de Araújo Machado / Banca: Simone Gonçalves Rodrigues Gomes / Resumo: O fator VIII (FVIII), o fator de von Willebrand (FvW) e o fibrinogênio são de suma importância na coagulação sanguínea, com diferentes funções fisiológicas. Por conter altas concentrações destes fatores a transfusão de crioprecipitado é uma terapia utilizada principalmente em pacientes que apresentam Doença de von Willebrand, Hemofilia A (deficiência do FVIII), ou pacientes que sofrem de hipo ou disfibrinogenemia. Este hemocomponente é um precipitado obtido após o descongelamento parcial (entre 1 e 6°C) do plasma fresco congelado, e também é conhecido como fator anti-hemofílico. Estudos têm demonstrado que o protocolo de congelamento e armazenamento do crioprecipitado afeta a qualidade do produto e a viabilidade destes fatores. Com o objetivo de avaliar a viabilidade do crioprecipitado canino em diferentes protocolos de congelamento e armazenamento foram avaliados dois grupos compostos de 10 unidades de crioprecipitado canino (n=20). Após a centrifugação das bolsas de sangue, o plasma fresco foi congelado a -80ºC (grupo I) e a -20ºC (grupo II). Vinte e quatro horas após o congelamento das bolsas, estas foram submetidas ao procedimento de extração do crioprecipitado. Os crioprecipitados das bolsas dos dois grupos foram submetidos à determinação do TP, TTPA, FVIII, FvW e fibrinogênio, no momento zero e após seis meses de estocagem. Para a realização das coletas, foram utilizadas bolsas sanguíneas triplas de plástico, com anticoagulante CPDA-1, sendo a bolsa principal com capacidade para 450 mL de sangue total (JP Indústria Farmacêutica®). Após o crioprecipitado devidamente pronto, uma alíquota de aproximadamente 5 mL da bolsa de crioprecipitado foi separada em criotubos para análise da amostra pré-estocagem e seis meses pós estocagem. As amostras obtidas em cada momento foram congeladas à -80ºC até o momento do processamento. Os resultados mostraram um decréscimo significativo dos fatores e ... / Abstract: The factor VIII (FVIII), the von Willebrand factor (vWF) and the fibrinogen are extremely important to the blood clotting process, with various physiological functions. Because it contains high concentrations of these factors and fibrinogen, transfusing cryoprecipitate is a therapy mainly used in patients who have von Willebrand disease, Hemophilia A (FVIII deficiency), or who suffer from hypo/dysfibrinogenemia. This hemocomponent is a precipitate obtained after the partial thawing process (between 1 and 6ºC) of fresh frozen plasma, and which is also known as the anti-hemophilic factor. Studies have demonstrated that the cryoprecipitate freezing and storage protocol affects the product quality as well as these factors viability. In order to evaluate the canine cryoprecipitate viability in different freezing and storage protocols, two groups containing 10 units of canine cryoprecipitate (n=20) were evaluated. Following the blood centrifugation, the fresh plasma was frozen at -80ºC (group I) and at -20ºC (group II). Twenty-four hours after freezing the blood bags, they were submitted to the cryoprecipitate extraction procedure. The cryoprecipitate from both groups of blood bags were submitted to the TP, TTPA, FVIII, FvW and fibrinogen determination process, at time zero and after six months of storage. During the collections, triple plastic blood bags were used, along with the anticoagulant CPDA-1, being the main bag capacity of 450 mL of whole blood (JP Indústria Farmacêutica®). After having the cryoprecipitate properly ready, an approximately 5 mL aliquot of cryoprecipitate was separated into cryovials to be analysed pre-storage and six months after storage. However, there was no significant difference between treatments, demonstrating that the difference in initial freezing temperature did not influence the decrease of the factors after six months storage at -20°C / Mestre

Collecting blood from repeat blood donors is cost effective and safer compared to other donor types. At the end of 2012, 84% of the SANBS donor panel were inactive or lapsed. There is a lack of research available on lapsed donors in the South African context and available research is mostly quantitative with subtle contradictions. Donors who donated blood in 2012 at fixed site donor centres in Port Elizabeth, and did not return in 2013, were studied. A descriptive analysis was done and a random sample of 78 lapsed donors were selected to participate in a face-to-face interview. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. A grounded model was developed from various existing theories to seek out and conceptualise social patterns and structures of lapsed blood donors through a process of comparison. There were 10 062 donors who donated blood in 2012 and 4 923 became lapsed during 2013. Analysis of sub groups showed a higher proportion of donors who became lapsed in the following sub-categories: new donors (95%), re-joined donors (64%), black donors (63%), donors younger than 40 (61%), female donors (52%). The feedback received from the 11 participants highlighted peer pressure as the biggest motivator. Of the six communication theories applied, The Social Penetration Theory highlighted the cost-minus-benefit ratio which played a big role in a donor’s motivation and decision to return. The AIDA Marketing Model application described lapsed donor behaviour most comprehensively and it highlighted a missing step which was created as part of a Grounded Model and is called the AIDAA Model. The role and existence of peer pressure is directly linked to donor motivation and is categorised as an Action Motivator in the AIDAA Model. The new model creates additional recruitment opportunities which has not been explored and applied strategically before.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) is a useful tool for monitoring individuals who may be at risk of DNA damage and the ensuing process of carcinogenesis or other disease states. Leukocytes in blood samples provide a means of obtaining cells for use in the comet assay. However instances may arise when samples must be stored for later analysis. The present study investigated the effects of storage conditions on DNA damage in the form of strand breaks and oxidized bases in rat and human leukocytes using the comet assay. Whole blood and buffy coat samples were stored at room temperature or 4ºC for 1, 2, 24, and 48 hours or cryopreserved at -80ºC for 1 day and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. The results show that the time of storage is limited if the whole blood or buffy coat samples are stored at room temperature or 4ºC. However, if cryopreserved using glycerol or DMSO as the cryoprotectant, the samples may be stored for at least 4 weeks without DNA strand breaks or oxidative damage deviating significantly from the fresh samples.

The research attempts to evaluate the maintaining of the chain of evidence as a process of effective collection, handling and preservation of evidence. The concept "chain of evidence" refers to the process of collecting, handling and preservation of evidence until its presentation in court, as part of the investigation process. Evidence is anything that tends logically to prove or disprove a fact at issue in a judicial case. Evidence essentially consists of oral evidence, documentary evidence and real evidence. The value of evidence cannot be underestimated as evidence can make or break a case. It is therefore important that evidence is correctly and properly collected, handled and preserved to establish a strong link between an individual and a specific act. / Police Practice / Thesis ((M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation) Police Practice))

The research attempts to evaluate the maintaining of the chain of evidence as a process of effective collection, handling and preservation of evidence. The concept "chain of evidence" refers to the process of collecting, handling and preservation of evidence until its presentation in court, as part of the investigation process. Evidence is anything that tends logically to prove or disprove a fact at issue in a judicial case. Evidence essentially consists of oral evidence, documentary evidence and real evidence. The value of evidence cannot be underestimated as evidence can make or break a case. It is therefore important that evidence is correctly and properly collected, handled and preserved to establish a strong link between an individual and a specific act. / Police Practice / Thesis ((M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation) Police Practice))