Most Clicked AABB SmartBrief Stories
1. Study: Platelet-rich plasma better than cortisone for plantar fasciitis
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
U.S. researchers found that platelet-rich plasma injections were significantly more effective and longer lasting than cortisone for patients with severe chronic plantar fasciitis that resisted traditional nonsurgical management. Patients who received a single injection of methylprednisolone saw less improvement than patients who got one injection of unbuffered autologous platelet-rich plasma, according to a study presented at a meeting of orthopedic surgeons. PhysiciansBriefing.com (02/07)
2. Two cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob diagnosed in Calif.
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
California health officials reported that two people in the state have been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and one has died as a result. Officials think the cases are not related, and it was unclear whether the variant or nonvariant form of CJD was involved. Variant CJD is rare and related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, while the nonvariant form is slightly more common and not related to BSE. Only three people in the U.S. have ever been diagnosed with vCJD, and they were believed to have contracted the disease while living abroad. Marin Independent Journal (Calif.) (02/08)
3. Official: Patient's Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was nonvariant form
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
One of the two cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease diagnosed recently in Marin County, Calif., is not the type associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, according to laboratory tests. The county's interim public health officer said a deceased patient appeared to have contracted the nonvariant form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Marin Independent Journal (Calif.) (02/09)
4. Trials of marrow transplant method set for sickle cell disease
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
Doctors from the University of Mississippi and Tulane University medical schools are taking part in a nationwide study that will test a new method to treat sickle cell disease. The method involves eliminating only part of a patient's bone marrow before a transplant. Different combinations of radiation and immunosuppressants will be tested. Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.), The (02/12)
5. Microfluidic device can detect malaria-infected blood cells
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 10, 2012
Canadian researchers have developed a microfluidic device that can help distinguish changes in red blood cells infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The device has the potential to be modified for use in drug testing not only for malaria but diseases such as sickle cell anemia, according to a U.S. expert. Royal Society of Chemistry (02/09)
6. Researchers develop gel that can heal bone fractures
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
U.S. researchers have created a gel with fracture-healing properties using a protein developed from adult stem cells. The gel, dubbed "fracture putty," fully healed rats with fractures after two weeks. The researchers said tests on larger animals are going well. Daily Mail (London), The (02/08)
7. Study: Bleeding risk is lower with planned cesarean sections
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 08, 2012
Severe postpartum bleeding is less likely after a planned cesarean section, according to a study in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Danish researchers compared the use of red blood cell transfusion in 382,266 women based on intended delivery method. The transfusion rate was 1.24% for intended cesarean versus 2.09% for intended vaginal delivery among low-risk, first-time mothers. OnMedica (02/08)
8. Patients' own heart cells used to treat cardiac scars
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 14, 2012
Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles used stem cells from patients' own heart tissue to reverse the damage caused by a heart attack. Heart scars in patients who received stem cell infusions were reduced in size from 24% to 12% of the heart, according to the study published in The Lancet. The lead researcher said the study shows the heart can regrow healthy tissue, contrary to popular belief that cardiac scarring is permanent. Los Angeles Times (02/13)
9. Minnesota brings HIPAA action against business associate
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 13, 2012
An enforcement action brought last month by Minnesota's attorney general is the first HIPAA enforcement against a business associate, according to this article. The alleged violation involved the theft of a laptop with unencrypted patient records. JDSupra.com (02/07)
10. Carter BloodCare to establish new blood center
AABB SmartBrief | Feb 09, 2012
Carter BloodCare is planning to build a new facility in Woodway, Texas, that will include a bigger blood donation center to accommodate a growing donor base. The facility will also house administrative and recruitment offices, as well as training and staging areas for mobile collections. KXXV-TV (Waco, Texas) (02/08)
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