A randomized cross-over study of cryopreserved platelets in prophylactic transfusions of thrombocytopenic patients.

Background: The short shelf-life of liquid-stored platelets (LP) at 20-24°C poses shortage and wastage challenges. Cryopreserved platelets have significantly extended shelf-life, and were safe and efficacious for therapeutic transfusions of bleeding patients in the Afghanistan conflict and phase 2 randomized studies. Although hematology patients account for half of platelets demand, there is no randomized study on prophylactic cryopreserved platelet transfusions in them.

Evaluation of eight commercial Zika virus IgM and IgG serology assays for diagnostics and research.

Several commercial Zika virus (ZIKV) serology assays have been developed since the recognition of ZIKV outbreaks as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2016. However, test interpretation for ZIKV serology can be challenging due to antibody cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses like dengue virus (DENV). Therefore, we sought to evaluate the performance of eight commercially available ZIKV IgM and IgG assays across three testing platforms, namely, immunochromatographic tests (ICT), ELISAs and immunofluorescence tests (IIFT).

Force of Infection and True Infection Rate of Dengue in Singapore: Implications for Dengue Control and Management.

National data on dengue notifications do not capture all dengue infections and do not reflect the true intensity of disease transmission. To assess the true dengue infection rate and disease control efforts in Singapore, we conducted age-stratified serosurveys among residents after a 2013 outbreak that was the largest dengue outbreak on record. The age-weighted prevalence of dengue immunoglobulin G among residents was 49.

Ex vivo haemostatic capacity of plasma upon thawing and beyond: a comparison between fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and frozen plasma prepared from whole blood stored at room temperature up to 24 hours postcollection (RTFP24).

Background/objectives: We compared the ex vivo haemostatic capacity of RTFP24 with FFP upon thawing and >24 h post-thaw. We included thrombin generation (TG) as few studies had compared global haemostatic function, and most did not directly compare RTFP24 with FFP >24 h post-thaw.

Materials/methods: Twenty units each of RTFP24 and FFP were measured for coagulation factors and thrombin generation upon thawing (D0) and 4 days post-thaw (D4).

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and the IL28B genotype polymorphism among blood donors and high-risk populations.

Introduction: To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donor (BD), haemodialysis (HD) and intravenous drug user (IVDU) populations in Singapore and assess the IL28B polymorphism if HCV positive.

Methods: The BD population were healthy volunteers, the HD population were patients who were on haemodialysis for at least six months of follow-up between January 2009 and December 2014. IVDU population was from inmates at halfway houses who consented.

Identification of circulating microRNA signatures for breast cancer detection.

Purpose: There is a quest for novel noninvasive diagnostic markers for the detection of breast cancer. The goal of this study is to identify circulating microRNA (miRNA) signatures using a cohort of Asian Chinese patients with breast cancer, and to compare miRNA profiles between tumor and serum samples.

Experimental Design: miRNA from paired breast cancer tumors, normal tissue, and serum samples derived from 32 patients were comprehensively profiled using microarrays or locked nucleic acid real-time PCR panels.