CD59 gene: 143 haplotypes of 22,718 nucleotides length by computational phasing in 113 individuals from different ethnicities.

Background: CD59 deficiency due to rare germline variants in the CD59 gene causes disabilities, ischemic strokes, neuropathy, and hemolysis. CD59 deficiency due to common somatic variants in the PIG-A gene in hematopoietic stem cells causes paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The ISBT database lists one nonsense and three missense germline variants that are associated with the CD59-null phenotype.

Long-range haplotype analysis of the malaria parasite receptor gene in an East-African population.

The human gene encodes a glycoprotein expressing the Duffy blood group antigens (Fy). The Duffy protein acts as a receptor for distinct pro-inflammatory cytokines and malaria parasites. We determined the haplotypes of the gene in a population inhabiting a malaria-endemic area.

Obstetric hemorrhage and safe blood for transfusion in Ethiopia: the challenges of bridging the gap.

Background: Obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal death in sub-Saharan Africa, and the shortage of blood for transfusion is a contributory factor. In Ethiopia, the National Blood Bank Service continues to be confronted with challenges in its efforts to ensure the availability of blood for health care facilities. This paper reviews the available data on the contribution of obstetric hemorrhage to maternal mortality and examines the current status of the blood supply in Ethiopia.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 protein expression in the natural progression of human coronary atherosclerosis.

Objective: Although lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has received recent attention as a biomarker of inflammation and risk for acute coronary events, its relative expression in coronary plaque phenotypes, including unstable lesions, has not been established.

Methods And Results: Coronary segments (n=30) were prospectively collected from 25 sudden coronary death patients for immunolocalization of Lp-PLA2. Lesion morphologies were classified as pathologic intimal thickening, fibroatheromas, thin-cap fibroatheromas (fibrous cap thicknesses <65 microm), and rupture.

Temperature-sensitive labels for containers of RBCs.

Temperature-sensitive labels are adhesive tags that display color changes at preset temperatures. There have been no studies of the suitability of this technology for measuring the temperature of blood components during transportation and storage. We used a digital thermometer to measure temperature in different locations inside containers of RBC as they were allowed to warm to ambient temperatures following removal from refrigeration.