A Territory-Wide Follow-Up of Primary and Secondary Extramammary Paget Disease of 2 Decades: Effects of Local Disease on Survival.

Introduction: Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is an uncommon malignant cutaneous neoplasm that are divided into primary and secondary forms. In this multicenter study, histologically proven cases of primary and secondary EMPD were reviewed for clinical outcomes with subgroup analysis for secondary EMPD.

Methodology: Cases of EMPD were identified from pathology report of the involved institutions over a period of over 2 decades.

Reconsidering sickle cell trait testing of red blood cell units allocated to children with sickle cell disease.

Background: Sickle cell trait (SCT) testing of red blood cell (RBC) units is sometimes performed to identify and divert units containing hemoglobin S (HbS). Recipients strategically guarded against this exposure include fetuses, neonates, and children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The clinical necessity of this practice is unclear.

Chinese normotensive and essential hypertensive reference intervals for plasma aldosterone and renin activity by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Objectives: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates blood pressure. Plasma renin activities (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) are biomarkers related to RAAS. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based measurements for PRA and PAC have become popular.

Neighborhood as a place to foster generalized trust among young adults in Hong Kong.

Aims: Generalized trust is a crucial determinant of individual and social well-being and is the fundamental element of a healthy society. However, a decline in generalized trust was observed among Hong Kong young adults, despite local neighborhoods, and placed-based experiences gaining popularity among Hong Kong young people. Hence, this paper examines the effect of neighborhood-level factors on promoting generalized trust.

A prospective observational study of the incidence, natural history, and risk factors for intravenous immunoglobulin-mediated hemolysis.

Background: Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) is used to treat numerous immune-mediated and inflammatory conditions. There is growing awareness of hemolysis, occasionally severe, as a side-effect of this therapy. While most cases are associated with anti-A and/or anti-B isoagglutinins, the frequency and mechanism of hemolysis remain poorly characterized.

The utility of a monocyte monolayer assay in the assessment of intravenous immunoglobulin-associated hemolysis.

Background: Hemolysis following the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is an important adverse event (AE). While the monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) has been used to predict in vivo hemolysis when serologically incompatible blood may be transfused, it has also been shown to correlate with IVIG-associated hemolysis. In this study, the MMA was examined for its utility in assessing the risk of hemolysis after IVIG.

Evaluating the appropriateness of platelet transfusions compared with evidence-based platelet guidelines: An audit of platelet transfusions at 57 hospitals.

Background: Platelet transfusions are used to prevent or control bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction. The pretransfusion platelet count threshold has been studied extensively in multiple patient settings yielding high-quality evidence that has been summarized in several comprehensive evidence-based platelet guidelines.

Study Design And Methods: A prospective 12-week audit of consecutive platelet transfusions using validated and evidence-based adjudication criteria was conducted.

Association between preoperative hemoglobin levels after iron supplementation and perioperative blood transfusion requirements in children undergoing scoliosis surgery.

Background And Aims: In this study, we assessed the association between preoperative hemoglobin and red blood cell transfusion in children undergoing spine surgery after the implementation of our preoperative iron supplementation protocol.

Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery between January 2013 and December 2017 and received preoperative iron supplementation. We used uni- and multivariable logistic regression to determine the association between preoperative hemoglobin level and red blood cell transfusion in patients receiving iron supplementation.

Treatment-associated hemolysis in Kawasaki disease: association with blood-group antibody titers in IVIG products.

Hemolytic anemia resulting from IV Immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment can be a serious complication, especially for those with underlying conditions with a high level of inflammation and after administration of high IVIG dosages, such as Kawasaki disease (KD), a multisystem vasculitis affecting young children. This hemolysis is caused by antibodies against blood groups A and B, but the precise mechanism for hemolysis is not known. We performed a single center, partly retrospective, partly prospective study of a cohort of 581 patients who received IVIG for treatment of KD from 2006 to 2013.

Transfusion Camp: a prospective evaluation of a transfusion education program for multispecialty postgraduate trainees.

Background: The optimal method of providing transfusion medicine (TM) education has not been determined. Transfusion Camp was established in 2012 at the University of Toronto as a centrally delivered TM education program for postgraduate trainees. The impact of Transfusion Camp on knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behavior was evaluated.

The first case of severe acute hemolytic transfusion reaction caused by anti-Sc2.

Background: Alloantibodies to the low-frequency antigen Scianna-2 (Sc2) have been implicated in cases of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn but never in hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs); thus, the clinical significance of anti-Sc2 has yet to be fully addressed.

Study Design And Methods: A 26-year-old woman with thalassemia presented rigors, fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and hemolytic biochemistry after exposure to 75 mL of plasma-reduced red blood cells (RBCs). The RBC unit was issued by electronic crossmatch but was 3+ incompatible on recrossmatch by gel indirect antiglobulin test (IAT).

Utilization of frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and recombinant factor VIIa for children with hemostatic impairments: An audit of transfusion appropriateness.

Background: Blood transfusions and fractionated products are not without risk and may lead to acute and long-term adverse events. The objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of usage of frozen plasma (FP), cryoprecipitate (CRYO), and recombinant factor VIIa (rVIIa) in a pediatric setting.

Methods: All orders for FP, CRYO, and rVIIa were prospectively audited over 6 weeks.

The development of mentoring-relationship quality, future-planning style, and career goal setting among adolescents from a disadvantaged background.

Our behaviors are regulated by our perception of the future based on past experiences and knowledge. Children from a disadvantaged background might encounter obstacles more frequently when they plan their future. It is possible that a good relationship with an adult volunteer who provides assistance and guidance in the disadvantaged youth's development may facilitate their future-planning style and career goal setting.

Circulating fibroblast activation protein and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis.

Aim: To quantify circulating fibroblast activation protein (cFAP) and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (cDPP4) protease activities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and a control group with mechanical back pain and to correlate plasma levels with disease characteristics.

Methods: Plasma was collected from patients with RA (n = 73), SSc (n = 37) and control subjects (n = 26). DPP4 and FAP were quantified using specific enzyme activity assays.

Early Complications of Hyperleukocytosis and Leukapheresis in Childhood Acute Leukemias.

Hyperleukocytosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with early morbidity and mortality. The benefit from leukapheresis is controversial, and its complications are not well defined. We analyzed the frequency of early complications in children with ALL and AML presenting with white blood cell (WBC) count >100 × 10(9)/L, and the type and frequency of complications related to leukapheresis.

Review of functional markers for improving cooking, eating, and the nutritional qualities of rice.

After yield, quality is one of the most important aspects of rice breeding. Preference for rice quality varies among cultures and regions; therefore, rice breeders have to tailor the quality according to the preferences of local consumers. Rice quality assessment requires routine chemical analysis procedures.