A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that iron supplementation significantly reduced the time to recover lost iron and hemoglobin after blood donation. The study, supported by NHLBI, showed that donors taking iron supplements recovered lost iron more rapidly than those not receiving supplements.
Low-dose iron supplements significantly reduced time to recover from hemoglobin decrease in donors with low or high ferritin levels. Without iron, most participants took over 168 days to recover their iron stores. Regular blood donation leads to progressive iron loss and anemia, emphasizing the importance of prompt recovery.
Researchers report a breakthrough in treating hypophosphatasia, a fatal genetic bone disease, by combining bone marrow transplants with mesenchymal stem cell transplants. The treatment has shown promising results in improving bone mineralization and survival rates for infants with severe hypophosphatasia.
A study comparing two transfusion strategies for patients with severe trauma found that a balanced ratio of plasma, platelets, and red blood cells resulted in fewer deaths from exsanguination and improved hemostasis within 24 hours. No significant differences were observed in overall mortality at 24 hours or 30 days.
A study by Dr. Timothy R. Smith and colleagues found that over three-fourths of US neurosurgeons practice defensive medicine, ordering extra tests and procedures to mitigate malpractice risks. Rates were highest in states with high-risk liability environments, where neurosurgeons reported stopping procedures due to fear of lawsuits.
A new LA BioMed study found that platelet transfusions and DDAVP are not effective in preventing further bleeding or death in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The researchers analyzed data from 408 patients and found no significant differences in mortality or hemorrhage progression between those who received the treatments and t...
The American College of Physicians marks its centennial year with a focus on the role of internal medicine in healthcare systems, professional satisfaction, and cost control. The journal also explores the challenges of sharing clinical trial data, highlighting the need for a consistent approach to balance benefits and risks.
A nationwide study found that platelet transfusions in rare blood cell disorders increase the risk of arterial clots and mortality. For thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), these transfusions are associated with a fivefold to sixfold increase in death odds.
Researchers are calling for clinical trials to determine if widespread hepatitis C screening would result in greater benefit or harm. The authors argue that exposing individuals without symptoms to treatment could outweigh benefits for those destined to develop end-stage disease.
Professor Warburton's book, Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, surveys current issues in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The book provides overviews of recent progress in stem cell research, including progenitor cell therapies for organ systems.
Autologous and donor ART cycles showed low risk of complications, with OHSS being the most common patient issue. Maternal death rates decreased over time, indicating improved patient safety.
Many HCV patients are lost in healthcare due to inadequate screening, testing, and treatment. A new study found that up to 70% of those with acute infection have no symptoms until years later.
Researchers found that postoperative TRALI is significantly underreported but occurs in 1.4 percent of surgical patients, while TACO remains a risk at 4 percent, particularly in those with increased volume of blood transfused and advanced age. The studies provide new insights into the incidence of these life-threatening complications.
A new Rutgers-led research study found that patients with heart disease who receive transfusions during surgeries do just as well with smaller amounts of blood. The study measured overall mortality and found no evidence of increased mortality from cardiovascular disease or severe infection due to the amount of blood given after surgery.
The Biogerontology Research Foundation will present new economic longevity research at the second Big Data Science in Medicine congress in Oxford. The research, recently published in Psychology Research and Behavior Management, details an extensive survey of International Employee Benefits Association members.
The authors of a Transfusion commentary argue that forgoing routine lab tests may compromise patients' health more than any reduction in the risk of transmission. Experts recommend implementing well-characterized infection prevention and control recommendations to provide a safe environment for both patients and employees.
Researchers are developing a new type of cell therapy to treat liver cirrhosis, which claims 4000 lives in the UK each year. The therapy aims to reduce scarring and rebuild the damaged organ from within using macrophages.
A study found that programming electronic health records to make generic drugs the default choice increases generic medication prescribing rates, leading to cost savings and reduced healthcare spending. The intervention was effective in both ambulatory clinics and did not require additional effort from physicians.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a method to rapidly prepare frozen red blood cells for transfusions, reducing the time-consuming process of thawing and removing glycerol from the blood. This breakthrough could make it feasible to use frozen blood in emergency situations, solving inefficiencies in the current system.
A new set of guidelines for platelet transfusion aims to reduce bleeding in adult patients, while a multidrug regimen shows higher remission rates for lupus nephritis patients in a randomized controlled trial.
Patients who received newly donated blood had significantly fewer post-operative complications than those who received older blood, according to a Canadian study. The study found that patients given only new blood fared better in terms of re-operation for bleeding, ventilation duration, infection, renal failure, and death.
The new peer-reviewed open access journal will publish original manuscripts on disease prevention, health promotion, and public health policymaking. It aims to broaden understanding by including a wider selection of geographic and population-specific studies.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found a strong link between cytomegalovirus (CMV) and maternal breast milk in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. CMV was detected in 76% of mothers, with 27 out of 28 postnatal infections occurring among infants fed CMV-positive breast milk.
A new study confirms that maternal breast milk is a primary source of postnatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. The researchers found that CMV-seronegative and leukoreduced blood transfusions effectively prevent transmission, but breastfeeding from CMV-positive mothers poses a significant risk.
A new evidence-based guideline for managing sickle cell disease recommends the use of hydroxyurea and transfusion therapy for many individuals with SCD. The guideline aims to facilitate improved and more accessible care for affected individuals, despite limited high-quality evidence.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has reported successful results from 100 recent cases of fetal surgery for spina bifida, achieving comparable outcomes to the landmark MOMS trial. The study found improved rates of shunting and pulmonary edema, as well as shorter operative times and decreased transfusion rates.
Researchers found that monthly transfusions reduced the risk of silent strokes and subsequent brain damage in children with sickle cell anemia. The treatment, which raises circulating blood levels and lowers sickled cells, also decreased the occurrence of painful crises.
A new trial suggests that regular blood transfusion therapy can significantly reduce the recurrence of silent strokes and overt strokes in children with sickle cell anemia. The study found that monthly blood transfusions reduced repeat cerebral infarcts by 58% in children with pre-existing silent strokes.
A study by UCLA and RAND Health found that providing futile treatment in the ICU sets off a chain reaction, delaying critical care for other ill patients. The study shows that on 16% of days when ICUs were full, one patient received futile treatment, causing others to wait longer for admission.
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine is a new open-access journal publishing peer-reviewed articles on cardiovascular disease diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis. The journal provides unrestricted access to current information for clinicians and medical educators worldwide.
A systematic analysis of hepatitis E virus transmission by blood components found that about 1 in 3000 donors in England have the virus. Around 1200 HEV-containing blood components are likely to be transfused every year in England.
Researchers developed a scalable, next-generation platelet bioreactor to generate fully functional human platelets in vitro. The breakthrough addresses blood transfusion needs and has several advantages over conventional donor-derived platelets.
A study of 90,618 patients with DVT found CDT increased adverse events and hospital charges without significant impact on mortality rates. Patients treated with CDT had more blood transfusions, pulmonary embolism, and vena cava filter placement.
Researchers found that L-carnitine administration improved axon area, myelin sheath area, and numerical density of myelinated axons, suggesting neuroprotective effects on sciatic nerve crush injury in rats. These findings indicate potential benefits of L-carnitine for treating nerve damage.
The article highlights female underrepresentation in academic medicine, citing a 53% proportion of women entering medical school. The lack of women in clinical academia is linked to implicit bias, affecting research agendas and future clinical practice.
Dr. Steven P. Arnoczky, a prominent sports medicine researcher, has been inducted into the AOSSM Hall of Fame for his extensive contributions to the field. He is recognized for his numerous awards and publications, including over 185 scientific articles and 150 abstracts.
Timothy N. Taft, M.D. is being inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to sports medicine education and research. He has served as a long-time professor at UNC and team physician for numerous international teams.
Dr. Bruce Reider has been recognized for his extensive contributions to sports medicine education and research. He is a prominent figure in the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), serving as editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Sports Medicine and Executive Editor of the Medical Publishing Group.
The UCLA Center for East–West Medicine has published a document to help students, educators, and practitioners evaluate and digest Chinese medical texts with greater sensitivity and comprehension. The 15-page document addresses translation-specific issues, technical terminology, and cultural perspective to promote accurate translations.
A randomized clinical trial of 200 patients with traumatic brain injury found that administering erythropoietin or maintaining a higher hemoglobin concentration did not improve neurological outcomes at 6 months. Transfusion thresholds also had no significant impact on recovery rates.
The 2014 SNMMI Annual Meeting showcased over 100 scientific sessions, 750 oral presentations, and 1,155 posters on molecular imaging technologies, clinical applications, and translational research. The meeting also featured notable lectures and awards, including the Henry N. Wagner Jr. Lectureship and the Benedict Cassen Prize.
A new study found that red blood cell transfusions may benefit patients at high risk of death after trauma, but harm those at low risk. The study analyzed data from the CRASH-2 trial, which included 20,127 trauma patients from 40 countries.
International study reveals blood product sterilization processes can prevent platelets from carrying out their functions correctly, potentially leading to hemorrhages. The processes alter the genetic material of pathogen-reducing treatments, depleting platelets of RNA and impairing their ability to synthesize essential proteins.
Siegel's work on PET has led to a major advance in nuclear medicine science, with a focus on evidence-based clinical trials and widespread acceptance of imaging studies. He is recognized for his visionary leadership in developing scientific methodology.
Researchers found that galectins recognize and kill bacteria with similar carbohydrate coatings, filling gaps in immune defenses. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics for treating certain bacterial infections.
A UH biomedical engineer is working on a device to separate well-preserved red blood cells from potentially harmful materials in blood transfusions. The system uses microfluidic technology to scale up the separation process, making it safer and more efficient.
Researchers found that holding babies on their mother's abdomen or chest immediately after birth does not compromise delayed cord clamping. This could lead to improved uptake and reduced risk of infant iron deficiency. The study suggests a more comfortable and bonding-friendly approach for hospitals.
Researchers developed a novel molecular blood group typing technique that offers blood banks the possibility of extensive screening of blood donors at a relatively low cost. This technology can reduce adverse reactions and decrease blood bank costs by facilitating support for patients undergoing long-term transfusions.
A study found that restrictive RBC transfusion strategies reduce the risk of health care-associated infections by 11.8% compared to liberal strategies. Patients with specific conditions, such as orthopedic surgery or sepsis, also benefited from restrictive transfusions.
A new study found that the more red blood cells patients receive through transfusions, the higher their risk of developing infections. Elderly patients undergoing hip or knee surgeries were most susceptible, with a 30% lower risk of infection when fewer transfusions were used.
A study published in JAMA found that restricting blood transfusions reduces healthcare-associated infections by 18%, saving lives and costs. The research suggests that a more restrictive approach to transfusions could alleviate patient suffering and reduce hospital costs.
A new study from Loyola Medicine found that only 10.3 percent of US children ages 6 to 18 are at risk for inadequate or deficient vitamin D levels under the Institute of Medicine guidelines. Children who are overweight, female, non-white, and between 14 and 18 years old are more likely to be at risk.
Researchers aim to investigate the impact of stored blood 'microparticles' on inflammation and injury. Studies have shown that transfusion with aged red blood cells can worsen patient outcomes, including increased risk of organ failure.
The American Thoracic Society has developed guidelines to identify and manage patients with sickle cell disease who are at increased risk of mortality from pulmonary hypertension. Guidelines recommend treatment with hydroxyurea, chronic transfusion therapy, or indefinite anticoagulant therapy in patients with confirmed pulmonary hypert...
A new study found that patients with obstructive sleep apnea who received care from board-certified sleep medicine physicians and accredited sleep centers were two times more likely to be adherent to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. Patient satisfaction was also associated with physician certification.
Researchers aim to create artificial platelets that can stick to injury sites and signal natural platelets to home in on them, offering a potential solution to bleeding disorders. The technology has broad applications in stanching bleeding and detecting diseases.
A study analyzing over 2 million patients who underwent PCI found a significant association between blood transfusion and an increased risk of in-hospital heart attack, stroke, or death. The analysis also showed considerable variation in red blood cell transfusion practices among hospitals across the US.
Loyola researchers have identified a marker to predict necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition affecting up to 10% of extremely low birth weight infants. Simple changes to blood transfusion practices and feeding patterns may significantly reduce NEC incidence.
Researchers have found a way to create platelets without donated blood, potentially solving supply shortages and ensuring treatments for all who need them. The new method involves deriving functional platelets from human induced pluripotent stem cells, offering an alternative to traditional blood donations.
A new focused ultrasound exam has been shown to accurately identify athletes with undetected cardiovascular conditions, reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death. The Early Screening for Cardiovascular Abnormalities With Preparticipation Echocardiography (ESCAPE) protocol could become the sports medicine physical of the future.