Tuning the properties of pH responsive nanoparticles to control cellular interactions in vitro and ex vivo

Engineering the properties of nanoparticles to limit non-specific cellular interactions is critical for developing effective drug delivery systems. Differences between interactions with cultured cells and human blood highlights the need for appropriate assays.

Improving autologous blood harvest: recovery of red cells from sponges and suction

The efficacy of red cell salvage was assessed under circumstances which simulated blood loss managed with sponges or suction. Expired banked blood was equally divided and processed by either suction, or absorbing the blood on a sponge followed by rinsing the sponge in saline. These two techniques were used to harvest washed, centrifuged erythrocytes. The volume, haematocrit and free haemoglobin concentration of the banked blood and the processed units were measured, and smears from all units were examined microscopically. The red cell mass was calculated as the product of the volume and haematocrit. The red cell mass recovered by suction and from sponges averaged 93% and 87% respectively. Blood lost in sponges can be recovered and used to increase the available autologous blood, thereby reducing the need for donor blood.

Citizen participation in planning: the relationship between objectives and techniques

While citizen participation has become a commonplace element in many planning efforts, both planners and citizens often assess the participatory elements as being unsatisfactory. The contention in this article is that not enough attention is being given to the design of participatory programs and that there is a particular failing in matching objectives to techniques. Five objectives of citizen participation are identified: information exchange, education, support building, supplemental decision making, and representational input. Then through the development of a typology of participatory mechanisms, techniques are matched with their most appropriate objectives. This relationship is further illustrated by examining four techniques in detail. The conclusions suggest that if the relationship between objectives and techniques is ignored in the design of a participatory program, the possibility of a successful program decreases.