Digital morphology in hematology diagnosis and education: The experience of the European LeukemiaNet WP10.

Hematological diagnostics is based on increasingly precise techniques of cellular and molecular analysis. The correct interpretation of the blood and bone marrow smears observed under an optical microscope still represents a cornerstone. Precise quantitative and qualitative cytomorphological criteria have recently been codified by up-to-date guidelines for diagnosing hematopoietic neoplasms.

Allogeneic cord blood red blood cells: assessing cord blood unit fractionation and validation.

Background: For neonates and preterm infants, in whom a transfusion dose is low, the use of red blood cells (RBC) from cord blood appears to be feasible. Standardisation of fractionation and identification and assessment of quality control parameters for such RBC are still lacking.

Materials And Methods: We describe the process used to obtain RBC from cord blood for transfusion purposes, including quality controls to evaluate fractionation performance and the effects of storage.

Umbilical cord blood: Current uses for transfusion and regenerative medicine.

The past 20 years of experience with umbilical cord blood transplantation have demonstrated that cord blood is effective in the treatment of a spectrum of diseases, including hematological malignancies, bone marrow failure, hemoglobinopathies, and inborn errors of metabolism. However, only a few number of umbilical cord blood units collected have a cell content adequate for an allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the meanwhile, there is an increasing interest in exploiting cord blood derivatives in different fields.

Hematological performance of a last generation automated blood cell counter: The Mindray BC-6800 Plus.

Introduction: Hematology analyzers produce reliable, reproducible, precise, accurate results, as well as a premicroscopic characterization of abnormal samples. We have evaluated the clinical performance of a new blood cell counter, which has been temporarily made available to our hematology laboratory.

Methods: Over four months, we analyzed with the Mindray BC-6800 Plus more than 1000 samples with a high incidence of hematological abnormalities, using recommended ICSH and CLSI protocols.

Umbilical cord blood as a source for red-blood-cell transfusion in neonatology: a systematic review.

The prevention and treatment of anaemia in newborn patients made tremendous progress in the last decades. However, red-blood-cell (RBC) transfusions remain unavoidable in many neonates candidate to surgery and especially in preterm infants. In particular, anaemia occurring in neonates born at extremely low gestational age is actually severe and frequently requires transfusions.

Allogeneic umbilical cord blood red cell concentrates: an innovative blood product for transfusion therapy of preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants often receive blood transfusions early in life. In this setting, umbilical cord blood (UCB) might be safer than adult blood (A) with respect to infectious and immunologic threats.

Objectives: To evaluate, as a first objective, the feasibility of fulfilling transfusion needs of preterm infants with allogeneic UCB red blood cell (RBC) concentrates and, as a secondary objective, to assess the safety of allogeneic cord blood transfusions.