Publications by authors named "Shaz B"

Background: Direct comparison of tumor microenvironment of matched lung cancer biopsies and pleural effusions (PE) from the same patients is critical in understanding tumor biology but has not been performed. This is the first study to compare the lung cancer and PE microenvironment by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods: Matched lung cancer biopsies and PE were obtained prospectively from ten patients.

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Background: Cord blood units (CBUs) that are ineligible for licensure due to incomplete compliance with FDA recommendations may be used for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation under urgent medical need and an Investigational Drug Application. The largest reason for CBU donor ineligibility is Zika virus (ZIKV) risk. The study's objective was to analyze the impact of current FDA recommendations for ZIKA risk on a large public cord blood bank and propose updated recommendations.

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Haemorrhagic shock is frequent in critical care settings and responsible for a high mortality rate due to multiple organ dysfunction and coagulopathy. The management of critically ill patients with bleeding and shock is complex, and treatment of these patients must be rapid and definitive. The administration of large volumes of blood components leads to major physiological alterations which must be mitigated during and after bleeding.

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Background Aims: Culture-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit variable characteristics when manufactured using different methods, source material and culture media. The purpose of this multicenter study was to assess the impact on MSC expansion, gene expression and other characteristics when different laboratories expanded MSCs from cultures initiated with bone marrow-MSC aliquots derived from the same donor source material yet with different growth media.

Methods: Eight centers expanded MSCs using four human platelet lysate (HPL) and one fetal bovine serum (FBS) products as media supplements.

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Objective: To model the long-term clinical and economic outcomes of potential cord blood therapy in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Study Design: Markov microsimulation of ASD over the lifespan was used to compare two strategies: 1) standard of care (SOC), including behavioral and educational interventions, and 2) novel cord blood (CB) intervention in addition to SOC. Input data reflecting behavioral outcomes included baseline Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS-3), monthly VABS-3 changes, and CB intervention efficacy on adaptive behavior based on a randomized, placebo-controlled trial (DukeACT).

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Background: Treatment options for patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are desperately needed. Allogeneic human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hCT-MSCs) have potential therapeutic benefits in these critically ill patients, but feasibility and safety data are lacking.

Materials And Methods: In this phase I multisite study, 10 patients with COVID-19-related ARDS were treated with 3 daily intravenous infusions of hCT-MSCs (1 million cells/kg, maximum dose 100 million cells).

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The platelet collection and distribution system, based on volunteer nonremunerated donors, apheresis platelet collections, and primarily 1-directional distribution of platelets for up to 5-day room temperature storage at hospitals, typically performs well and provides therapeutic support for hundreds of thousands of patients annually. However, direct and indirect effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, particularly during the Omicron wave, produced dramatic systemic failures and severe shortages. We propose 4 initiatives to reinforce the existing platelet pipeline and buffer the platelet supply against future unexpected disruptions.

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Article Synopsis
  • Understanding the motivations and barriers faced by young, first-time blood donors is critical for improving retention rates.
  • A study with 508 young donors identified altruism as a key motivator and fear (such as fear of needles) as the primary barrier to donating.
  • Results indicated that while motivators didn't directly impact donation behavior, specific barriers significantly did, and variations were observed based on sex, race, and ethnicity.
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  • Altruistic blood donors often suffer from iron deficiency due to blood donations, which can impact their health.
  • A study with 79 adult iron-deficient donors tested whether intravenous iron repletion improved red cell transfusion quality or donor cognition after a blood donation.
  • Results showed no significant difference in red cell storage quality or cognitive measures between donors who received iron repletion and those who received a placebo, indicating current donation guidelines protect donor health.
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Description: Coronavirus disease 2019 convalescent plasma (CCP) has emerged as a potential treatment of COVID-19. However, meta-analysis data and recommendations are limited. The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) developed clinical practice guidelines for the appropriate use of CCP.

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Background: Amotosalen/UVA pathogen-reduced platelet components (PRPCs) with storage up to 7 days are standard of care in France, Switzerland, and Austria. PRPCs provide effective hemostasis with reduced risk of transfusion-transmitted infections and transfusion-associated graft versus host disease, reduced wastage and improved availability compared with 5-day-stored PCs. This study evaluated the potency of 7-day PRPCs by in vitro characterization and in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis of autologous PCs.

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Background And Objectives: Donor eligibility questions and criteria for medical conditions vary between blood centres, suggesting that they are based more on local regulations or experience, rather than on published data, which are limited. As the donor population ages, medical conditions become more common. We assessed donor health assessment criteria at blood centre members of the Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) Collaborative.

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Background: The United States (US) Expanded Access Program (EAP) to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma was initiated in response to the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19. While randomized clinical trials were in various stages of development and enrollment, there was an urgent need for widespread access to potential therapeutic agents. The objective of this study is to report on the demographic, geographical, and chronological characteristics of patients in the EAP, and key safety metrics following transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

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As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic led to a global health crisis, there were limited treatment options and no prophylactic therapies for those exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Convalescent plasma is quick to implement, potentially provides benefits, and has a good safety profile. The therapeutic potential of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is likely mediated by antibodies through direct viral neutralization and Fc-dependent functions such as a phagocytosis, complement activation, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study explored the health risks of iron deficiency for blood donors and aimed to inform them about potential low iron levels and strategies to mitigate those risks.
  • - Donors were divided into control and intervention groups, with the control group only answering awareness questions, while the intervention group received education on iron depletion risks and opportunities to create action plans to improve their iron intake.
  • - Results indicated that the intervention significantly raised awareness about iron loss due to donation and positively influenced donors to adopt healthier behaviors related to iron without negatively impacting their likelihood to return as donors.
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Article Synopsis
  • Elevated fear and anxiety about the donation process (like needles and blood) can lead to reduced recruitment and retention of blood donors.
  • A study involving 1,479 first-time donors found that these fears contribute to lower confidence and negative attitudes about donating, which in turn result in fewer donation attempts.
  • To improve retention of new blood donors, it's important to identify and address their fears and anxiety, helping to boost their confidence and positive attitudes toward donation.
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Background: This study aimed to promote competence, autonomy, and relatedness among first-time whole blood donors to enhance intrinsic motivation and increase retention.

Study Design And Methods: Using a full factorial design, first-time donors (N = 2002) were randomly assigned to a no-treatment control condition or to one of seven intervention conditions designed to promote donation competence, autonomy, relatedness, a combination of two (e.g.

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Background: The United States (US) leads all high-income countries in gunshot wound (GSW) deaths. However, previous US studies have not evaluated the national blood transfusion utilization patterns in hospitalized GSW patients.

Methods: Data from 2016 to 2017 were analyzed from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) and Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), the largest all-payer emergency department (ED) and inpatient databases, respectively.

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BACKGROUNDAlthough convalescent plasma has been widely used to treat severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), data from randomized controlled trials that support its efficacy are limited.METHODSWe conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial among adults hospitalized with severe and critical COVID-19 at 5 sites in New York City (USA) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive a single transfusion of either convalescent plasma or normal control plasma.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study emphasizes the significance of minority RBC donors in meeting the transfusion needs of sickle cell disease patients and aims to validate a DNA-based screening method for sickle cell trait (SCT) instead of relying solely on a hemoglobin solubility assay.
  • The researchers conducted a validation process using both the traditional solubility assay and the new DNA test (HEA-HbS), confirming initial results but also encountering some discrepancies that were resolved through gene sequencing and HPLC analysis.
  • The conclusion highlights that the HEA-HbS DNA method correlates with HPLC results and presents a more efficient way to screen donors for SCT, facilitating better donor management and reducing the need for repeated testing.
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