Effect of Convalescent Plasma in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: An Observational Study.

Convalescent plasma is a potential therapeutic option for critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), yet its efficacy remains to be determined. The aim was to investigate the effects of convalescent plasma (CP) in critically ill patients with COVID-19. This was a single-center prospective observational study conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 17th to May 30th, with final follow-up on June 30th.

Diversity of variant alleles encoding Kidd, Duffy, and Kell antigens in individuals with sickle cell disease using whole genome sequencing data from the NHLBI TOPMed Program.

Background: Genetic variants in the SLC14A1, ACKR1, and KEL genes, which encode Kidd, Duffy, and Kell red blood cell antigens, respectively, may result in weakened expression of antigens or a null phenotype. These variants are of particular interest to individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), who frequently undergo chronic transfusion therapy with antigen-matched units. The goal was to describe the diversity and the frequency of variants in SLC14A1, ACKR1, and KEL genes among individuals with SCD using whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

Diversity of RH and transfusion support in Brazilian sickle cell disease patients with unexplained Rh antibodies.

Background: Genetic diversity in the RH genes among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients is well described but not yet extensively explored in populations of racially diverse origin. Transfusion support is complicated in patients who develop unexpected Rh antibodies. Our goal was to describe RH variation in a large cohort of Brazilian SCD patients exhibiting unexpected Rh antibodies (antibodies against RH antigens to which the patient is phenotypically positive) and to evaluate the impact of using the patient's RH genotype to guide transfusion support.

Eu -tetrakis β-diketonate complexes for solid-state lighting application.

Eu -β-diketonate complexes are used, for example, in solid-state lighting (SSL) or light-converting molecular devices. However, their low emission quantum efficiency due to water molecules coordinated to Eu and low photostability are still problems to be addressed. To overcome such challenges, we synthesized Eu tetrakis complexes based on [Q][Eu(tfaa) ] and [Q][Eu(dbm) ] (Q1 = C H N , Q2 = C H N , and Q3 = C H N ), replacing the water molecules in the tris stoichiometry.

Brazilian Guidelines for transcranial doppler in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.

Background: Sickle cell disease is the most common monogenic hereditary disease in Brazil. Although strokes are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients, the use of transcranial Doppler to identify children at risk is not universally used.

Objective: To develop Brazilian guidelines for the use of transcranial Doppler in sickle cell disease children and adolescents, so that related health policies can be expanded, and thus contribute to reduce morbidity and mortality.

[Neonatal screening for hemoglobinopathies in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].

Objective: To describe the main results obtained in the first 15 months of neonatal screening for sickle cell disease in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 2000 to November 2001.

Methods: Starting in August 2000, blood samples began to be collected for sickle cell disease screening from all newborns receiving care in primary health care clinics in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The samples were submitted to high-resolution liquid chromatography.