Researchers found PLS occurs significantly more frequently in unequal AB0 settings, leading to haemolysis and anaemia in patients. Blood group A patients with O transplants are particularly at risk.
Scientists at DTU and Lund University have found new enzymes that can remove both the A and B blood antigens and their blocking sugars, enabling the production of universal donor blood. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce logistics and costs associated with storing four different blood types.
Malaria parasite can be transmitted through blood donations, organ transplants, and needle sharing. Dr. Sophie Le Cam highlights the need for more sensitive testing methods to detect asymptomatic infections in donors from malaria-endemic countries.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve, UNC/NCSU, and Pitt aim to develop an injectable nanotechnology that mimics platelet function to stabilize blood clots in traumatic injuries. The technology has the potential to stop hemorrhage and improve survival rates in emergency situations.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine has published the first performance measures to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle medicine treatments. The standards aim to facilitate the broader integration of lifestyle medicine into healthcare by documenting remission and long-term progress. The 32 proposed performance measures cover v...
A recent study by Japanese researchers found that donor diets can trigger allergic reactions in blood recipients, particularly in children with food allergies. The study suggests that preventive measures and countermeasures for allergic transfusion reactions could be developed to improve the safety of blood transfusions.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital propose innovative solutions to address the global blood crisis, including civilian walking blood banks and intraoperative auto-transfusion. These short-term strategies aim to increase access to blood transfusion in rural settings, where millions of people lack basic medical care.
The Redox Medicine Society will host its 26th International Conference on Redox Medicine in Paris, featuring keynotes, sessions, and round-table discussions on advancements and applications in clinical settings. The conference aims to facilitate innovation and excellence in the field of redox medicine.
Researchers identified kynurenine as a key biomarker affecting RBC storage quality and efficacy. High levels of kynurenine indicate fragile blood, prone to rupture, while lower levels suggest better storage stability.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found that early whole blood transfusions improve survival in severely bleeding trauma patients. The researchers analyzed 1,394 patients and found that the earlier the patient received whole blood transfusion, the greater the chance of survival.
A special Journal of Intensive Medicine issue explores the latest research findings on ICU infections, prevention strategies, and innovative approaches to sepsis management. The studies shed light on key challenges and advancements in critical care, highlighting the need for personalized treatment methods.
A new study published in Cell Host & Microbe concludes that even people with the protective Duffy-silent blood type can still become infected with malaria. The research suggests that the parasite may have found alternative ways to infect red blood cells, raising questions about how to combat this type of malaria.
A study found that nearly one-third of US family medicine residents are training in states with abortion restrictions, highlighting the impact on reproductive health care. The analysis suggests that increased support for comprehensive reproductive health education is needed to mitigate this effect.
A meta-analysis of five randomised controlled trials shows that giving iron intravenously before colorectal surgery improves outcomes for patients, reducing the need for blood transfusion. The study found a significant reduction in blood transfusions by 33% in patients with colorectal cancer.
The program provides training and resources to equip students to become doctors practicing in rural areas. The scholarships aim to increase the number of physicians in underserved communities, addressing high rates of chronic diseases.
The Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. will host its inaugural Frederick M. “Skip” Burkle Distinguished Lecture, recognizing Dr. Burkle as the 'father of disaster medicine', who has been a tireless advocate for humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness response.
A randomized controlled trial suggests that a more liberal approach to red blood cell transfusions for heart attack patients with anemia may benefit outcomes without significant risk. The study found no statistically significant difference between two transfusion strategies, but results suggest a possible benefit of liberal transfusions.
A liberal blood transfusion strategy reduced the risk of reoccurrence and improved survival rates in patients with heart attacks and anemia. The MINT trial found a 2.4% lower mortality or recurrent heart attack rate when using this approach.
A liberal blood transfusion strategy may reduce the risk of a reoccurrence of heart attacks in patients who have had a heart attack and have anemia, according to the Myocardium Infarction and Transfusion (MINT) trial. The study found a 2.4% lower mortality rate when patients received more blood.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine has published an expert consensus statement defining the implementation of lifestyle medicine in primary care, which aims to achieve optimal health outcomes. The statement emphasizes the importance of a multi-disciplinary team approach and deprescribing medications as essential parts of safe a...
A world-first clinical trial published in JAMA found that using small-volume tubes reduced the need for almost one blood transfusion for every 10 patients. The study saved about 1,500 units of blood and may provide an easy way to save tens of thousands of units worldwide.
Red blood cell transfusions were common in ICU patients globally, with overlapping reasons for use despite differing clinical contexts. The three most common triggers for transfusion (hypotension, tachycardia, hemodynamic instability) were largely consistent across regions.
The new guidelines recommend a more restrictive approach to determine optimal treatment for patients who may not need red blood cell transfusions. The panel took into account the clinical context, co-morbidities, symptoms, and signs of each patient to ensure personalized care.
Researchers conducted a randomized trial in Canadian ICUs, finding that switching to small-volume blood collection tubes lowered red blood cell transfusion rates. The study suggests this change may improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for transfusions.
The Second International Consensus Report on Precision Diabetes Medicine addresses the need for personalized approaches in diabetes care. The report highlights the potential of precision medicine to improve prevention and treatment outcomes by accounting for disease heterogeneity.
USC is partnering with seven leading regenerative medicine institutes to form the Los Angeles and surrounding area regenerative medicine consortium. The partnership aims to advance regenerative medicine using stem cells and gene therapies for treating unmet medical needs.
A new bioinfomatics pipeline has solved a 50-year-old mystery of variable blood group antigen levels. The study found that genetic variants in transcription factors can explain the low expression of CR1, an important protein for immune response.
The Massive Transfusion in Children-II (MATIC-II) clinical trial will test multiple interventions for life-threatening bleeding in children. The trial aims to determine the most effective and safe bundle of care for pediatric trauma patients, with a focus on precision transfusion medicine.
A new study suggests that cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a common cause of spontaneous brain hemorrhages, can be transmitted via blood transfusion. Patients who received blood from donors with CAA were more than twice as likely to suffer a brain hemorrhage themselves.
A new survey by USC Street Medicine found that street medicine programs are helping to fill the gap in access to mental health and substance use treatments for unhoused individuals in California. The study suggests that these programs can serve as a strategy to expand access to behavioral health care for people who are unsheltered.
Researchers at IU School of Medicine have discovered a critical gene mutation in the PLCG2 gene that heightens the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study found specific rare variants that elevated or reduced the susceptibility to the disease, shedding light on the genetic underpinnings.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has established new core clinical competencies for lifestyle medicine intensivists, a level of certification that requires advanced skills and knowledge to practice intensive therapeutic lifestyle treatment. The competencies aim to guide the education and practice of physicians speciali...
Scientists have identified platelet factor 4 (PF4) as a common messenger for the cognitive benefits of young blood transfusion, exercise, and the longevity hormone klotho. Studies show that PF4 calms down the aged immune system, reducing inflammation and promoting brain plasticity and cognition.
The Keck School of Medicine's Primary Care Program has shown a significant increase in primary care residency matches and representation, particularly among underrepresented groups. The program provides skill-based training, mentorship, and community-focused experiences that prepare students for careers in primary care medicine.
Researchers propose lab-on-a-chip platforms to continuously monitor stored RBC quality and match units to patient needs. This technology aims to improve transfusion safety and efficacy, particularly for critically ill patients and those on chronic transfusion regimens.
Researchers used targeted cold autologous blood transfusion to reduce infarct volume and preserve white matter integrity in a non-human primate stroke model. The method effectively reduced brain temperature while maintaining core body temperature, without adverse effects of systemic hypothermia.
Patients undergoing bilateral total knee arthroplasty are at a higher risk of complications such as pulmonary embolism, stroke, and blood loss anemia compared to those undergoing unilateral TKA. The study found that the risks of these complications were approximately doubled in the bilateral TKA group.
A study found that lifestyle medicine clinicians experienced a 43% decrease in burnout and reported positive impacts on professional satisfaction. Practitioners credited factors such as improved patient outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and personal fulfillment for their reduced burnout.
A study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that lower oxygen delivery thresholds are associated with reduced risk of kidney injury. Researchers recommend reevaluating current guidelines for oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary bypass to minimize unnecessary blood transfusions and improve patient outcomes.
A study published in Blood reveals that SARS-CoV-2 prefers to infect blood group A cells, increasing the risk of infection. The Omicron strain of the virus also shows a stronger preference for A cells.
SNMMI-TS elects Julie Dawn Bolin as president-elect, focusing on educating students about nuclear medicine careers and improving professional development. Bolin brings extensive experience in nuclear medicine technology and education.
Dmitry Beyder has been elected as the president of the SNMMI-TS for 2023-24, aiming to increase technologists' roles in providing theranostics and nuclear medicine therapy. He brings extensive experience from various positions in the field.
The global nuclear medicine initiative addresses the need for standardized educational curriculums to train physicians in nuclear theranostics procedures. The report highlights the rapid evolution of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals and emphasizes the importance of continuing medical education to maintain expertise.
A new research group led by Zoltan Nagy is working to understand megakaryocyte development and maturation. The team will use single-cell RNA sequencing to identify key factors controlling platelet production, with the goal of improving platelet counts for transfusions.
A study analyzing de-identified data from almost 11,000 total visits by Penn Medicine employees found that telemedicine visits were 23 percent less expensive than in-person visits for the same conditions. The per-visit costs of the telemedicine program averaged $380 while in-person encounters cost $493 to conduct.
A study analyzed tweets from nearly 500 emergency medicine physicians, finding a significant increase in expressions of loneliness, anger, and anxiety during the pandemic. Positive themes took a dive, while negative emotions dominated, with loneliness increasing by up to 17% compared to pre-pandemic years.
The COMMANDS trial showed improved red blood cell counts and erythroid responses in transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, allowing the majority to no longer require regular blood transfusions. Luspatercept demonstrated superior effectiveness over epoetin alfa in this study.
A recent study from Amsterdam UMC suggests that being overly restrictive in blood transfusion policies may not always be the best approach. Researchers found that patients with severe thrombocytopenia actually experience less bleeding if they receive a platelet transfusion prior to central venous catheter placement.
Pregnant women with SLE are more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity and fetal morbidity, with higher risks of premature birth, growth restriction, and acute renal failure. The study highlights the need for informed counseling and care for patients with SLE during pregnancy.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers has made significant strides in ensuring the safe and effective transfusion of artificial blood substitutes. The key to improved safety lies in the size of the artificial blood molecule, with larger sizes reducing cardiovascular side effects.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that tranexamic acid did not reduce the need for blood transfusions or prevent maternal death in patients with increased risk for excessive bleeding after cesarean delivery. However, patients who received tranexamic acid had less need for additional medical intervent...
A large clinical trial of over 8,700 patients found that the sex of a donor has no effect on the survival of recipients of red blood cell transfusions. The study used a pragmatic approach to answer the question definitively and was conducted at a lower cost than typical trials.
A new study from Rutgers University found that 7.2% of hospitalized service members had wounds to their genitals and urinary system, with IEDs responsible for nearly two-thirds of these injuries. Researchers hope to improve protection and treatment for such injuries.
A literature review published by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging reveals how nuclear medicine brain imaging can help evaluate biological changes causing chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. The findings confirmed the impact of chemotherapy drugs on cognitive function and highlighted the utility of various SP...
A new study assesses sleep and fatigue risk in emergency physicians over two months using a wearable device, revealing that 50% of their shifts are spent in a high cognitive readiness state. The researchers also found that later shift start times are associated with greater fatigue due to circadian rhythm disruption.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have developed a blood test for anxiety that can help identify biomarkers associated with the disorder. The test has been validated by three independent cohorts and shows promise in matching patients to effective treatments, such as medications and nutraceuticals.
Researchers estimated that three doses of Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines were 48% and 30% effective, respectively, in preventing Omicron infection. Boosters improved efficacy to 69% and 56%, but protection waned over time.
A University of Maryland School of Medicine physician-scientist leads a research program to develop a bio-synthetic whole-blood product for easy use in the field, potentially saving thousands of lives. The product will be designed to stabilize blood pressure and facilitate blood clotting.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to model the spleen's filtration function in patients with sickle cell disease. The study found that low oxygen levels can cause the spleen's filters to become clogged, while boosting oxygen levels can unclog them, potentially explaining how blood transfusions help patients.
Patients with myelofibrosis experience significant symptom improvements when treated with momelotinib, including reduced spleen size and decreased transfusion dependency. The Phase III MOMENTUM trial reports meaningful benefits over standard therapy danazol.