Red blood cell derived extracellular vesicles during the process of autologous blood doping.

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of the transfusion of one erythrocyte concentrate on the number of circulating red blood cell extracellular vesicles (RBC-EVs) and their clearance time. Six, healthy volunteers donated their blood and were transfused with their RBC concentrate after 35-36 days of storage. One K EDTA and one serum sample were collected before donation, at four timepoints after donation and at another six timepoints after transfusion.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on blood supplies and transfusion services in Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spurred a global health crisis. The safety and supply of blood during this pandemic has been a concern of blood banks and transfusion services as it is expected to adversely affect blood system activities. We aim to assess the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) during the first months of the pandemic.

Convalescent plasma for the treatment of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019: A preliminary report.

Background: The role of convalescent plasma therapy for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively compared outcomes in a cohort of critical COVID-19 patients who received standard care (SC Group) and those who, in addition, received convalescent plasma (CP Group).

Results: In total, 40 patients were included in each group.

Prevalence and trends of transfusion transmissible infections among blood donors in the State of Qatar, 2013-2017.

Background: Millions of lives around the world are being saved annually through blood transfusion. However, blood transfusion is among the essential vehicles for transmitting infections. The overall prevalence of Transfusion Transmissible Infections among blood donors differs around the world, reflecting the variation in the prevalence of these infections.

Whole Blood Storage in CPDA1 Blood Bags Alters Erythrocyte Membrane Proteome.

Autologous blood transfusion (ABT) has been frequently abused in endurance sport and is prohibited since the mid-1980s by the International Olympic Committee. Apart from any significant performance-enhancing effects, the ABT may pose a serious health issue due to aging erythrocyte-derived "red cell storage lesions." The current study investigated the effect of blood storage in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA1) on the red blood cell (RBC) membrane proteome.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in qatar: One-year anniversary.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers potentially curative therapy for many hematologic and nonhematologic conditions. As a successful outcome of Qatar's National Cancer Strategy, the HSCT program was started in the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) in October 2015. The HSCT program in NCCCR is the only transplant program in Qatar and self-sufficient with all three core components: the stem cell collection facility, the stem cell processing facility, and the clinical program, which are locally available at Hamad Medical Corporation.

Analysis of RBC-microparticles in stored whole blood bags - a promising marker to detect blood doping in sports?

Blood doping in sports is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). To find a possible biomarker for the detection of blood doping, we investigated the changes in blood stored in CPDA-1 blood bags of eight healthy subjects who donated one unit of blood. Aliquots were taken on days 0, 14, and 35.

Antral nodularity, gastric lymphoid hyperplasia, and Helicobacter pylori in adults.

Our objective is to evaluate endoscopically-diagnosed antral nodularity in adults and its relationship to lymphoid hyperplasia (LH) and Helicobacter pylori (HP). Antral biopsy specimens were studied for inflammation, presence of HP, and lymphoid follicles. Patients with marked functional dyspepsia or recurrent duodenal ulcers were given triple therapy (bismuth subcitrate, tetracycline, and metronidazole in the recommended doses for 2 weeks) to eradicate HP.