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Purpose: High ratios of Plasma to Packed Red Blood Cells (FFP:PRBC) improve survival in massively transfused trauma patients. We hypothesized that non-trauma patients also benefit from this transfusion strategy. Methods: Non-trauma patients requiring massive transfusion from November 2003 to September 2011 were reviewed. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of mortality. The population was stratified using two FFP:PRBC ratio cut-offs (1:2 and 1:3) and adjusted mortality derived. Results: Over 8 years, 29 % (260/908) of massively transfused surgical patients were non-trauma patients. Mortality decreased with increasing FFP:PRBC ratios (45 % for ratio ≤1:8, 33 % for ratio >1:8 and ≤1:3, 27 % for ratio >1:3 and ≤1:2 and 25 % for ratio >1:2). Increasing FFP:PRBC ratio independently predicted survival (AOR [95 % CI]: 1.91 [1.35-2.71]; p < 0.001). Patients achieving a ratio >1:3 had improved survival (AOR [95 % CI]: 3.24 [1.24-8.47]; p = 0.016). Conclusion: In non-trauma patients undergoing massive transfusion, increasing FFP:PRBC ratio was associated with improved survival. A ratio >1:3 significantly improved survival probability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Transfusion ratios approaching 1:1 FFP:PRBC for trauma resuscitation have become the de facto standard of care. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of increasing ratios of FFP:PRBC transfusion on survival for massively transfused civilian trauma patients as well as determine if time to reach the target ratio had any effect on outcomes. Methods: This is a prospective, observational study of all trauma patients requiring a massive transfusion (≥10 PRBC in ≤24 h) at a level 1 trauma center over a 2.5-year period. The ratio of FFP:PRBC was tracked hourly up to 24 h post-initiation of massive transfusion. A logistic regression model was utilized to identify the ideal ratio associated with mortality prediction. A stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of mortality. Results: The study population was predominantly male (89 %) with a mean age of 34.8 ± 16. On admission, 22 % had a systolic blood pressure ≤90 mmHg, 47 % had a heart rate ≥120, and 25 % had a GCS ≤8. The overall mortality was 33 %. The ratio of FFP:PRBC ≥ 1:1.5 was the second most important independent predictor of mortality for this population ( R = 0.59). Survivors had a higher FFP:PRBC ratio at all times during the first 24 h of resuscitation. Conclusions: Achieving a ratio of FFP:PRBC ≥ 1:1.5 after the initial 24 h of resuscitation significantly improves survival in massively transfused trauma patients compared to patients that achieved a ratio <1:1.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Al-Mg-silicate glass sample sets with variable BiO content were prepared. One set was sintered by melting in an iridium crucible at 1850°C in nitrogen, the other-in alumina crucibles at 1550°C in air. Their absorption and emission properties were investigated and compared in the 200-1600 nm spectral range. It was determined that the visible range extinctions values of high-temperature melted samples were almost two orders of magnitude higher than those of the low-temperature melted samples with the same doping level. The concentration dependences of the extinction values at 500, 700 and 800 nm were nonlinear. The investigations allowed us to estimate the absolute concentrations of Bi ions and NIR-emitting centers as well as the efficiency of the Bi ions conversion into these centers. It was concluded that optical centers emitting at 1100 and 1300 nm contain a pair of bismuth ions. Speculations about some possible structures of Bi dimer NIR-emitting centers were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NIR-emitting optical centers in Bi2O3-doped MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass were shown to be bismuth dimers formed in a reversible endothermic redox chemical reaction. The reaction enthalpy and the effective dimer charge were determined. It was also brought out that the red (∼720 nm) emission band originates from the centers that are quite different from IR-emitting ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Bi-doped Mg–Al–silicate glass is suggested and investigated. It can be fabricated by moderate-temperature routine technology. The characteristic relaxation time of 300–800 μs in combination with the high quantum yield (up to 85%) and wide excitation spectrum makes this glass a promising laser material. The obtained quadratic dependence of the visible absorption intensity is an argument in favor of the hypothesis that the absorption and infrared luminescence in Bi-doped glasses are caused by Bi2 dimers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]