Impact of cytomegalovirus infection on gene expression profile in heart transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allograft rejection in heart transplant (HT) recipients. The effect of a CMV infection on the gene expression profiling (GEP, AlloMap) scores in the absence of acute rejection is not known.

Methods: Data from 14,985 samples collected from 2,288 adult HT recipients enrolled in Outcomes AlloMap Registry were analyzed.

NTP-CERHR expert panel report on the developmental toxicity of soy infant formula.

Soy infant formula contains soy protein isolates and is fed to infants as a supplement to or replacement for human milk or cow milk. Soy protein isolates contains estrogenic isoflavones (phytoestrogens) that occur naturally in some legumes, especially soybeans. Phytoestrogens are nonsteroidal, estrogenic compounds.

Stored red blood cell viability is maintained after treatment with a second-generation S-303 pathogen inactivation process.

Background: Transfusion-transmitted infections and immunologic effects of viable residual lymphocytes remain a concern in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Pathogen reduction technologies for RBC components are under development to further improve transfusion safety. S-303 is a frangible anchor-linker-effector with labile alkylating activity and a robust pathogen reduction profile.

A multi-centre study of therapeutic efficacy and safety of platelet components treated with amotosalen and ultraviolet A pathogen inactivation stored for 6 or 7 d prior to transfusion.

Bacteria in platelet components (PC) may result in transfusion-related sepsis (TRS). Pathogen inactivation of PC with amotosalen (A-PC) can abrogate the risk of TRS and hence facilitate storage to 7 d. A randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of A-PC stored for 6-7 d was conducted.

Determination of acute lung injury after repeated platelet transfusions.

Acute lung injury (ALI) during hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is associated with substantial morbidity; however, the frequency of ALI in HSCT patients is poorly characterized. Platelets are postulated to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ALI. Using a transfusion trial of pathogen inactivated platelet components (PC-Test) compared with conventional PC (Reference) populated with HSCT patients, data were reviewed by an adjudication panel to determine the frequency of ALI overall, by treatment groups, and key outcomes: PC exposure, ventilator-free days, and mortality.

Cancer mortality in a Chinese population exposed to hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

Background: In 1987, investigators in Liaoning Province, China, reported that mortality rates for all cancer, stomach cancer, and lung cancer in 1970-1978 were higher in villages with hexavalent chromium (Cr+6)-contaminated drinking water than in the general population. The investigators reported rates, but did not report statistical measures of association or precision.

Methods: Using reports and other communications from investigators at the local Jinzhou Health and Anti-Epidemic Station, we obtained data on Cr+6 contamination of groundwater and cancer mortality in 9 study regions near a ferrochromium factory.

Hypersaline stress induces the turnover of phosphatidylcholine and results in the synthesis of the renal osmoprotectant glycerophosphocholine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The role of phosphatidylcholine turnover during hypersaline stress is investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the wild-type strain, 2180-1A hypersaline stress induced the rapid turnover of phosphatidylcholine, a major membrane lipid. Yeast cells were grown in the presence of [14C]-choline to label phosphatidylcholine.