Most Clicked AABB SmartBrief Stories
1. Aspirin effective against venous thromboembolism
AABB SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Aspirin can serve as an alternative to treatment with the anticoagulant warfarin for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after a standard course of anticoagulant therapy, according to an Italian study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Aspirin "may reduce recurrence of venous thromboembolism without increasing complications," according to the lead researcher. U.S. News & World Report (05/23)
2. Doctors remove foot-long blood clot without open-heart surgery
AABB SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Cardiologists in Texas used a suction cannula to take a 12-inch blood clot from a woman's heart without resorting to open-heart surgery. Doctors said the clot originated as a deep vein thrombosis, and the patient will be treated with anticoagulants to prevent a recurrence of the condition. KXAS-TV (Dallas-Fort Worth) (05/22)
3. Bioreactor allows stem cell production by the billion
AABB SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Canadian researchers have developed a bioreactor for the production of billions of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from adult skin cells. The researchers used their process to produce stem cells without the cancer-causing gene cMyc. The team, whose results were published in the journal Nature Methods, has worked with mice cells and says human applications are possible. Calgary Herald (Alberta) (05/24)
4. ITxM, PSBC reach preliminary agreements with Creative Testing Solutions
AABB SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Creative Testing Solutions has entered into agreements in principle with the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Puget Sound Blood Center to determine the feasibility of consolidating the organizations' donor testing laboratories. "Creative Testing Solutions was looking to partner with organizations that have a similar commitment to quality patient care, customer service and innovation, while at the same time focusing on disciplined cost control," said Sally Caglioti, president of CTS. Read the news release here. Blank (05/23)
5. EU calls for stronger advice on bleeding risk of anticoagulant
AABB SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
According to a review from the European Medicines Agency, incidents of fatal bleeding involving dabigatran have been less frequent than would be expected based on findings from clinical trials. The agency is recommending that more information on bleeding risks be made available for providers and patients. TheHeart.org (Montreal) (free registration) (05/25) Reuters (05/25)
6. 10 recommendations aim for more transparent clinical trial reports
AABB SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
A panel of pharmaceutical company representatives and medical journal editors published 10 guidelines for making industry-sponsored clinical research more transparent. The recommendations, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, include making all results public, disclosing potential conflicts of interest, ending ghostwriting and guest authorship, and providing access to more complete information on protocols. American Medical News (free content) (05/21)
7. Australian Red Cross to study accuracy of blood donor information
AABB SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
A study that will be performed in Australia could pave the way for a shorter deferral period for blood donations by men who have sex with men. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service and the Kirby Institute for Infection will assess the accuracy of information that donors give to the blood service. The study is expected to include 100,000 donors. Australian, The (subscription required) (05/24)
8. Portable imaging device captures blood cells flowing inside body
AABB SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology have developed a portable optical microscope that can yield high-resolution images of blood cells inside the body. The device can be used for blood cell counts and to measure the size of red and white blood cells, a researcher said. Findings about the device appear in the journal Biomedical Optics Express. Deccan Herald (India) (05/22)
9. Researchers develop needle-free injection system
AABB SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created a jet-injection system that can deliver various quantities of drugs directly into the bloodstream at different depths. The device could have applications in insulin delivery and the prevention of needle-stick injuries. CrazyEngineers (05/24)
10. Doctors develop stem cell treatment for patients with hip damage
AABB SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
British doctors have developed a stem cell procedure that may help patients with hip damage avoid hip replacements. The procedure involves taking stem cells from the bone marrow of patients with osteonecrosis and combining the cells with cleaned and crushed bone from another patient. Several patients who have undergone the procedure are responding well, according to a surgeon. Google (05/28)
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