NEAT1 accelerates the progression of liver fibrosis via regulation of microRNA-122 and Kruppel-like factor 6.

Unlabelled: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be involved in many important biological processes including proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and survival. Recently, nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), a novel lncRNA, serves as a crucial regulator in tumors. However, the biological role of NEAT1 in liver fibrosis is largely unknown.

RHD genotype and zygosity analysis in the Chinese Southern Han D+, D- and D variant donors using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay.

Background And Objectives: Several comprehensive genotyping platforms for determining red blood cell (RBC) antigens have been established and validated for use in the Caucasian and Black populations, but not for the Chinese. The multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay was validated for RHD genotyping in the Chinese.

Materials And Methods: The blood samples of 200 D+, 200 D- and 62 D variant Chinese donors were collected.

Can inactive blood donors be re-recruited? A stratified randomised pilot study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment of inactive donors by telephone call and cell phone short message service (SMS), to assess the causes of donor self-deferral and to determine the appropriate sample size for a formal study BACKGROUND: Blood donor retention is essential for sustaining blood safety and sufficiency.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre open-label parallel randomised controlled trial in Guangzhou, China. A total of 1188 inactive donors with the last donation between 2009 and 2013 were enrolled and randomly assigned to two intervention groups (telephone call and SMS groups) and one control group without any intervention.

An evaluation of asymptomatic Dengue infections among blood donors during the 2014 Dengue outbreak in Guangzhou, China.

In 2014, an outbreak of dengue virus (DENV) infection led to 45 171 clinical cases diagnosed in Guangdong province, Southern China. However, the potential risk of blood donors asymptomatically infected with DENV has not been evaluated . In the current study we detected anti-DENV IgG antibody and RNA in volunteer Chinese blood donors.

Prenatal treatment of severe fetal hemolytic disease due to anti-M alloimmunization by serial intrauterine transfusions.

Objective: Fetal hemolytic disease is a common cause of fetal hydrops and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite its relatively low frequency, the anti-M IgG antibody is one of the causes of severe fetal anemia and intrauterine death; only a few cases have been reported.

Case Report: This is a case of a pregnant woman with a history of three intrauterine deaths.

Seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against adenovirus type 14 and 55 in healthy adults in Southern China.

Re-emerging human adenovirus types 14 (Ad14) and 55 (Ad55) have caused severe respiratory diseases and even deaths during recent outbreaks. However, the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in healthy adults, which may reflect previous circulation and help to predict potential outbreaks, remains unclear. In this study, we established micro-neutralizing (MN) assays on the basis of recombinant Ad14 and Ad55 reporter viruses, and we investigated serum nAbs in healthy blood donors from Southern China.

Low occurrence of HBsAg but high frequency of transient occult HBV infection in vaccinated and HBIG-administered infants born to HBsAg positive mothers.

The status of chronic and occult HBV infection (OBI) in neonatal hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin (HBIG) vaccinated infants born to HBsAg+ mothers was investigated at a major hospital in China. Seventy-seven and 15 blood samples were collected in first or second follow-up detection from the vaccinated babies aged 3-36 months born to 43 HBsAg+ or plus 25 HBeAg+ mothers. HBV infection was analyzed between the paired baby and mother by serology and DNA analysis.

Analysis of platelet-reactive alloantibodies and evaluation of cross-match-compatible platelets for the management of patients with transfusion refractoriness.

Background: Cross-match-compatible platelets can improve corrected count increments (CCIs) in alloimmunised patients with transfusion refractoriness. However, only a few studies mentioned that the specificities of platelet-reactive alloantibodies can predict high reactivity in cross-match assays among these patients.

Methods: A total of 204 medical records of patients who were refractory to random single-donor apheresis platelets between January 2014 and December 2014 were enrolled.

Factors influencing blood donation: a cross-sectional survey in Guangzhou, China.

Objectives: The present study aimed to determine major factors that influence blood donation in China.

Background: Factors affecting blood donation often vary in various populations.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used self-administered, standardised, structured questionnaires to survey selected donors and non-donors in Guangzhou, China between 10 December 2013 and 25 June 2014.

HBV/HCV co-infection is associated with a high level of HCV spontaneous clearance among drug users and blood donors in China.

Understanding the biology of spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection could lead to improved strategies to prevent the sequelae associated with chronic HCV infection. Chronic infections with hepatitis virus are very common in China, but the factors associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV have not been adequately studied. We evaluated the spontaneous clearance of HCV among 1918 drug users and 1526 HCV-seropositive blood donors in Guangzhou, China.

Designing and Implementing a 5-Year Transfusion Medicine Diploma Program in China.

The need for physicians and technical consultants specialized in transfusion medicine is urgent in China, as there are 20 000 hospitals and 500 blood centers in need of staff with this expertise. The progress made in transfusion medicine as a specialty has been relatively slow in China. Current Chinese medical education and service systems have not developed transfusion medicine as a stand-alone medical specialty.

Validation of the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay and its application on the distribution study of the major alleles of 17 blood group systems in Chinese donors from Guangzhou.

Background: Genotyping platforms for common red blood cell (RBC) antigens have been successfully applied in Caucasian and black populations but not in Chinese populations. In this study, a genotyping assay based on multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technology was applied in a Chinese population to validate the MLPA probes. Subsequently, the comprehensive distribution of 17 blood group systems also was obtained.

The distribution of MNS hybrid glycophorins with Mur antigen expression in Chinese donors including identification of a novel GYP.Bun allele.

Background And Objectives: MNS hybrid glycophorins are identified by characteristic antigen profiles. One of these is the Mur antigen, which is expressed on red cell hybrid glycophorins of several phenotypes of the 'Miltenberger' series found predominantly in East Asian population. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of Mur-positive hybrid glycophorins and clarify the genetic basis in the donors from southern China.

The Associations of HLA-A*02:01 and DRB1*11:01 with Hepatitis C Virus Spontaneous Clearance Are Independent of IL28B in the Chinese Population.

Spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) occurs in 10-40% of the infections. Specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been identified in associating with HCV clearance. However, data on the association of HLA with the spontaneous clearance of HCV are scarce in the Chinese population.

Genotyping for Glycophorin GYP(B-A-B) Hybrid Genes Using a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based Algorithm by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation, Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

The genetic basis for five GP(B-A-B) MNS system hybrid glycophorin blood group antigens results from rearrangement between the homologous GYPA and GYPB genes. Each hybrid glycophorin displays a characteristic profile of antigens. Currently, no commercial serological reagents are currently available to serologically type for these antigens.

Existence of Th22 in children and evaluation of IL-22 + CD4 + T, Th17, and other T cell effector subsets from healthy children compared to adults.

Background: Children are prone to get infections, especially in the respiratory system and the gut mainly because their immune system is immature. T cells significantly contribute to the prevention of infections, and different helper T cell (Th) subsets play different anti-pathogen roles. Interleukin (IL)-22 producing by T-helper 22 cells (Th22) play an important role in host defense against Gram-negative bacterial organisms in gut and lung.

Identification of a novel frequent RHCE*ce308T variant allele in Chinese D- individuals, resulting in a C+c- phenotype.

Background: The RHCE allele is highly polymorphic; more than 60 variants have been described leading to diminished expression of C, c, E, and e antigens. Not much is known about the prevalence of RHCE variants in the Chinese population. Individuals carrying a variant are at risk to develop alloantibodies in response to mismatched pregnancy or transfusion.

Finasteride Enhances the Generation of Human Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells by Up-Regulating the COX2/PGE2 Pathway.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been known to be a key factor in the regulation of the immune system under numerous conditions such as tumors, infections, autoimmune diseases, and transplantations. In contrast to the proposed deleterious role of MDSCs in tumors and infections, MDSCs with their suppressive function are now proved to have the beneficial potential of suppressing the autoimmune response and promoting tolerance to transplantation. Therefore, the expansion of MDSCs could be a promising therapeutic strategy for many diseases.

Blood donation in Guangdong Province, China, from 2006-2014.

Objective: To explore the trends in blood collection from 2006 to 2014 in Guangdong, China.

Background: Although the Blood Donation Law of the People's Republic of China was implemented in 1998, voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD) has been promoted fully for only a decade. The provincial and local governments of Guangdong, one of the most well-developed provinces in China, have promoted blood donation by various means.

The prevalence of leucocyte alloantibodies in blood donors from South China.

Background: Several studies had demonstrated that leucocyte antibodies including anti-human leucocyte antigen (anti-HLA) antibodies (class I and class II) and anti-human neutrophil antigen (anti-HNA) antibodies (HNA-1, -2 and -3) present in the blood products are responsible for transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Therefore, selection of blood products exclusive of anti-HLA and anti-HNA antibodies may lower the risk of TRALI reaction. However, the prevalence of leucocyte antibodies among blood donors in China is currently not known.

Prevalence of hepatitis A viral RNA and antibodies among Chinese blood donors.

Like other developing countries, China was reported to have a relatively high seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A antibodies (anti-HAV). However, no studies have evaluated the prevalence of anti-HAV and HAV RNA among voluntary blood donors with or without elevated serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. Anti-HAV antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was carried out for detection of HAV RNA.

CCL18 from tumor-associated macrophages promotes angiogenesis in breast cancer.

The infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is associated with extensive angiogenesis, which contributes to a poor prognosis in breast cancer. However, anti-angiogenic therapy with VEGF-specific monotherapy has been unsuccessful in treating breast cancer, and the molecular mechanisms associated with chemoresistance remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether CCL18, a chemokine produced by TAMs, can stimulate angiogenesis in breast cancer, as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Establishing a reentry procedure for human immunodeficiency virus screening-reactive donors in China.

Background: Screening of blood donors for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus Types 1 and 2 (anti-HIV-1/2) and/or HIV nucleic acid test (NAT) is a well-established venue to prevent HIV transfusion-transmitted disease. However, with the current available technologies, HIV testing may result in donor loss due to false-positive results. This study intended to establish a donor reentry procedure for HIV screening-reactive donors in China.

The evolutionary patterns of hepatitis C virus subtype 2a and 6a isolates linked to an outbreak in China in 2012.

Unlabelled: An HCV outbreak occurred in 2012 in China, affecting hundreds of patients. We characterized HCV subtype 2a and 6a sequences from 60 and 102 patients, respectively, and co-analyzed them with 82 local controls and 103 calibrating references. The close grouping of the patients׳ sequences contrasted sharply with the diversity of local controls.