| April 24, 2009 | News for the transfusion medicine and cellular therapy community |
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- Study: S1P molecule may improve blood stem cell transplants
Canadian researchers have discovered that a molecule, called S1P, can direct the thymus -- an organ near the heart that produces the T-cells vital to building the body's immune system -- to open its "gate" and accept more stem cells. The finding could help in developing ways to improve the outcomes of blood stem cell transplants, which can be used to treat leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma, among other diseases. New Kerala (India)/Asian News International
(4/23)      
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| | Quality and Process Improvement Solutions are Just a Click Away
AABB Consulting Services can help you meet the requirements of any accrediting organization. Guidance is also available for: implementation plans, process flow, software issues, computer validation, compliance audits, vendor audits and custom projects. For more information, visit our website or email consulting@aabb.org. | |
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| Science & Health |  | |
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- Study: Immune cells cause severe malaria symptoms
An international group of scientists found that malaria patients with higher levels of immune cells called regulatory T cells exhibited more severe symptoms of the illness. "It gives us the possibility of potentially getting rid of these cells or targeting therapy to get rid of these cells to then enable the immune system to get the upper hand again in controlling the disease," a researcher said. Yahoo!/Reuters
(4/23)
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Experts call for accurate diagnostic tests for malaria: Researchers say efforts to eliminate malaria will require a new generation of rapid diagnostic tests that are capable of accurately detecting more types of the malaria parasites. "If we want to eliminate malaria, proper diagnosis and targeting are the only steps we have to follow," a malaria expert said. Financial Times (free content)
(4/23)
| Emerging Trends | | |
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| Industry News & Practice | | |
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- Panel: Most blood transfusions in the U.S. unnecessary
Around 60% of the 14 million units of blood donated annually in the U.S. are transfused to stable, nonbleeding patients, according to an expert panel's systematic review of 555 studies. Only 11% of medical cases involving patients without trauma or active bleeding will benefit from allogeneic blood transfusions, the group said. Based on these figures, "donor transfusions should be limited only to surgery patients who are experiencing major bleeding that is difficult to control quickly," one co-panelist said. MedPage Today (free registration)
(4/23)
- Report: U.S. hospitals still need to work on disaster plans
A study evaluating the first five years of the HHS Hospital Preparedness Program launched in 2002 found that U.S. hospitals still could be overwhelmed by large-scale disasters and emergencies. However, the study found significant improvements in disaster preparedness among hospitals in terms of developing a comprehensive plan, coordinating with local agencies and providing adequate training. HealthLeaders Media
(4/23)
| Government & Regulatory | | |
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- 2 senators introduce bill on FDA inspection of factories
Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced legislation that would give the FDA authority to detain potentially misbranded or contaminated drugs or medical devices during its inspections of production plants. Grassley said the bill, which would also allow the agency to collect inspection fees from manufacturers, "is a practical solution to beefing up the FDA's inspection work, both domestically and abroad." Bloomberg
(4/23)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Distance Education: Masters at George Washington University
For those enrolled in a SBB program or SBB certified within seven years. Twenty-two hours of distance education courses in areas such as molecular biology; current topics in transfusion medicine, immunology and a research project in an area of immunohematology. Learn More.
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| Society & Ethics | | |
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- Group reacts to MSM donor rule in New Zealand
The advocacy group Rainbow Wellington is determining whether to file a case with the Human Rights Commission over a New Zealand Blood Service rule, which it calls "unnecessary and unfair," that requires men who have sex with men to wait five years before donating blood. An official for the blood service, however, said the rule is meant to ensure the safety of donated blood, since infections at their early stages sometimes are not detected by blood tests. Radio New Zealand News
(4/24)
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Radiation Injury Treatment Network to host conference on nuclear terrorism
The Radiation Injury Treatment Network will host a conference next month on nuclear terrorism preparedness. The event, which will be held May 18 in Bethesda, Md., will include discussions on how to provide medical care in mass casualty scenarios involving radiological terrorism. In 2008, AABB and the National Marrow Donor Program formally agreed to collaboratively work to help treat victims of radiation exposure or other marrow-toxic injuries due to acts of nuclear terrorism by sharing information, promoting a clear and consistent message regarding the status of blood, and participating in preparatory radiological event simulations. Learn more.
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