Abstract: Platelet morphology in platelet concentrates is significantly enhanced by subjecting the platelets to a gentle heating step. Platelets heated at 37.degree. C. for one hour have at least a 25% increase in the number of disc-like forms over non-heated platelets. When subsequently infused in a patient, the treated platelets show a one hour post-infusion platelet corrected count increment of about 70% higher than non-heated control platelets.

Abstract: Preparation of active therapeutic proteins comprising two essential steps. In the first step an active protein source is treated under conditions sufficient to inactivate any viruses present (e.g. via heat or chemical treatment). In the second step, the treated active protein source of moderate purity is then treated under conditions sufficient to remove impurities as well as denatured (once active) proteins resulting from the viral inactivation step. In an illustrative embodiment, a biologically active protein such as antithrombin is treated under conditions sufficient to assure viral inactivation and minimal antithrombin deactivation. After the viral inactivation, the antithrombin is contacted with immobilized heparin to complex only the active antithrombin which is then eluted by known means and processed further (e.g., to include desired excipients and then freeze dried).

Abstract: There is disclosed a non-carbohydrate sulfated matrix and the use thereof to isolate and purify blood clotting factors and other blood proteins by a procedure involving the adsorption of at least one of such factors and proteins onto the non-carbohydrate sulfated matrix followed by elution of such factors and proteins onto the non-carbohydrate sulfated matrix followed by elution of such factors and proteins from the matrix.

Abstract: Compositions containing therapeutically or immunologically active proteins are rendered substantially free from infectious agents such as viable viruses and bacteria without substantial loss of therapeutic or immunologic activity by mixing the protein composition with a complex formed from transition metal ions, such as copper ions, and an angularly-fused, polynuclear heterocyclic arene having two nitrogen atoms in a "cis-ortho" relationship, such as phenanthroline, and a reducing agent such as a thiol or ascorbic acid or ascorbate salt or mixtures of ascorbic acid or ascorbate with a thiol in amounts and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to inactivate substantially all of the viruses and bacteria contained therein. Compositions containing therapeutically active proteins substantially free from viral and bacterial infectivity, which have heretofore been unattainable, can be prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not necessarily been vaccinated with a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to respiratory syncytial virus (e.g. minimum ELISA titer of at least 1:110,000). Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection or at risk of such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum antibody titers to respiratory syncytial virus. Resultant product has an ELISA anti-RSV titer of at least about 1:250,000.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not been vaccinated with a varicella-zoster vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to varicella-zoster virus. Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with varicella-zoster infection or at risk to such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum titers of varicella-zoster antibody.

Abstract: A blood container for storage of blood and blood components is disclosed. The invention comprises a blood container and a multiple blood bag system which includes a donor bag and one or more satellite bags connected by flexible tubing. The blood bag is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticized with a blend of plasticizers comprising a plasticizer resistant to blood extraction such as a triester of trimellitic acid and a 7-10 carbon alcohol and a blood extractable plasticizer such as a dioctyl phthalate or dioctyl adipate and is suitable for long term storage of whole blood, red cells and platelets. The blood container is made of a thin material which contains a plasticizer composition extractable at much lower levels by blood or plasma than conventional phalate plasticized PVC. Blood and blood components processed or stored in the blood bags will exhibit relatively low levels of contamination by plasticizer.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not been vaccinated with a varicella-zoster vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to varicella-zoster virus. Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with varicella-zoster infection or at risk to such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum titers of varicella-zoster antibody.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not necessarily been vaccinated with a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to respiratory syncytial virus (e.g. minimum ELISA titer of at least 1:110,000). Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection or at risk of such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum antibody titers to respiratory syncytial virus. Resultant product has an ELISA anti-RSV titer of at least about 1:250,000.

Abstract: Compositions containing thermally sensitive, therapeutically active proteins are pasteurized without substantial loss of therapeutic activity by mixing the protein composition with a pasteurization-stabilizing amount of a sugar or reduced sugar and of an amino acid prior to pasteurization. Pasteurized compositions containing therapeutically active proteins, which have heretofore been unattainable, can be prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A plasma transfer bag for containing plasma, the bag having a line of weakness extending from the top to the bottom of the bag, the bag being made from two sheets of translucent flexible material which is flexible at -40.degree. C., the sheets being welded together around the edges and across the bottom to provide plasma containment means, the sheets extending from the bottom weld to form an extension having a break therein, the bag may be held and pulled transversely to enable the bag to be torn from the break to the top of the bag along the line of weakness.

Abstract: Normal plasma from donors who have not been vaccinated with a cytomegalovirus vaccine can be screened for higher than normal titers of naturally occurring antibody to cytomegalovirus. Those plasmas with high titers of such antibody can be pooled and fractionated to give hyperimmune serum globulin. The product may be treated to render it suitable for intravenous injection. Patients with cytomegalovirus infection or at risk to such infection, may receive the present product to raise serum titers of cytomegalovirus antibody.

Abstract: Aqueous storage solution for red blood cells comprising a stabilized ascorbate derivative and having a pH sufficient to maintain substantially all of the initial concentration of ascorbate derivative and avoid formation of ascorbate degradation products during heat sterilization. A preferred solution includes at least about 90% of the pre-sterilization ascorbate and adenine but is free of dextrose.

Abstract: A multiple blood bag system is disclosed having at least two blood bags and conduit means providing sealed flow communication between the bags and a filtering means integrally disposed between two of the bags for removing platelets and white cells from a red cell concentrate in the blood bag system. In the method of the invention a red cell concentrate is provided in one of the blood bags of the above system and an additive solution is mixed therewith. The mixture of the red cell concentrate and additive solution is passed through the filtering means from one of the bags to another.

Abstract: Device for holding and positioning plastic tubing of an intravenous fluid administration set. Device comprises a generally flat, foldable, elongate structure having two outwardly extending arms connected via an intermediate flexible portion having on opposite sides thereof substantially parallel longitudinal recesses which, when the arms are folded against one another, form a longitudinal channel, generally circular in cross section and capable of holding plastic tubing via friction fit. In preferred embodiments, device includes means for irreversibly locking the arms together in a spring-like manner and a tamper prevention and indication means.

Abstract: Frangible valve for a closed plastic bag system comprising an upper member having a bore and located within a port on a plastic bag and a solid lower member extending into the bag. The lower member is attached to the upper member by at least one tether and includes a bore-sealing portion attached to the upper member via a weakened portion. In use, the bore-sealing portion is separated from the upper member by external manipulation to permit fluid flow through the bore while the bore-sealing portion remains tethered to the valve. In preferred embodiments, two tethers are included on opposite sides of the bore-sealing portion and the tethered bore-sealing portion includes means for keeping it separated from the bore in a fully open position after the bore seal has been broken.

Abstract: Immunogenic protein material obtained from Streptococcus equi bacteria via enzymatic digestion and detergent treatment and useful as a vaccine.

Abstract: A molded, collapsible container for intravenous solutions characterized by a controlled collapse along major sidewall portions. The container comprises the shoulder portion having a rigid neck; a hanger portion at an end of the container opposite from the neck; a pair of opposed minor sidewall portions, defined by relatively sharply angled edges; and major sidewall portions extending between the minor sidewall portions which collapse upon each other, while the minor sidewall portions remain in relatively fixed relationship and hold the container apart near the edges of the container. The container may also be provided with intermediate sidewall portions angled relative to the major and minor sidewall portions, which serve to provide a larger fluid capacity to the container. A waist portion is also provided which is relatively smaller circumferentially, compared to the rest of the container.

Abstract: There is disclosed a needle assembly comprising a needle, a needle-retaining portion, a removable needle protector portion, and a resilient member for removing liquid from the surface of the needle which is disposed around the needle rearward of its point. The liquid removing member has a needle-accommodating opening with a diameter approximately that of the outside diameter of the needle. The member is contained within the needle protector portion and removable from the needle with the removal of the needle protector portion from the assembly. Also disclosed are blood bag systems comprising a donor bag and the aforementioned needle assembly.

Abstract: Antigenicity of streptococcal preparations useful for inducing anti-streptococcal immunity in animals can be determined using a combining power technique. Method involves incubating serial dilutions of the antigen preparation with known amounts of anti-streptococcal antiserum, thereby lessening, in serial manner, the combining power of the antiserum. The serial reaction products are then incubated with serial dilutions of streptococcal preparations having known activity and the effects of the serial reaction products on such activity are then determined by in vivo means. Those determinations can be related to a standard for determining potency of the streptococcal preparation. Assay technique is especially useful in determining potency of Streptococcus equi bacterins or bacterin derivatives.