German Red Cross

About: German Red Cross is a healthcare organization based out in Berlin, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Transplantation & Mesenchymal stem cell. The organization has 653 authors who have published 1146 publications receiving 40111 citations. The organization is also known as: Deutsches Rotes Kreuz & DRK.

Towards a Regional Registry of Extended Typed Blood Donors: Molecular Typing for Blood Group, Platelet and Granulocyte Antigens.

Abstract: Background The provision of compatible blood products to patients is the most essential task of transfusion medicine. Besides ABO and Rh, a number of additional blood group antigens often have to be considered for the blood supply of immunized or chronically transfused patients. It also applies for platelet antigens (HPA) and neutrophil antigens (HNA) for patients receiving platelet or granulocyte concentrates. Here, we describe the molecular screening for a number of blood group, HPA, and HNA alleles. Based on the screening results we are building up a regional blood donor registry to provide extended matched blood products on demand. Methods We developed and validated TaqMan™ PCR and PCR-SSP methods for genetic markers defining 37 clinically relevant blood group antigens (beyond ABO and Rh), 10 HPA, and 11 HNA. Furthermore, we describe a feasible method for fast molecular screening of the HNA-2null phenotype. All data were statistically evaluated regarding genotype distribution. Allele frequencies were compared to ExAC data from non-Finnish Europeans. Results Up to now more than 2,000 non-selected regular blood donors in south-west Germany have been screened for blood group, HPA, and HNA alleles. The screening results were confirmed by serology and PCR-SSP methods for selected numbers of samples. The allele frequencies were similar to non-finnish Europeans in the ExAC database except for the alleles encoding the S, HPA-3b and HNA-4b antigens, with significantly lower prevalence in our cohort, as well as the LU14 and the HNA-3b antigens, with a higher frequency compared to the ExAC data. We identified 71 donors with rare blood groups such as Lu(a+b-), Kp(a+b-), Fy(a-b-) and Vel-, and 169 donors with less prevalent HPA or HNA types. Conclusion Molecular screening for blood group alleles by using TaqMan™ PCR is an effective and reliable high-throughput method for establishing a rare donor registry.

Plasma Fibrinogen and sP-Selectin are Associated with the Risk of Lung Cancer in a Prospective Study.

Abstract: Background: While enhanced platelet activation and a procoagulant state may drive lung cancer progression and metastases, less is known about their role in earlier phases of cancer development. Thus, we evaluated whether pre-diagnostic biomarkers of platelet activation and coagulation are related to the risk of lung cancer in the prospective EPIC-Heidelberg Study using a case-cohort design. Methods: Levels of fibrinogen, soluble glycoprotein (sGP) IIb/IIIa, soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), and thrombopoietin (TPO) were measured in baseline plasma samples of a random subcohort (n=2,480) and incident cases of lung cancer (n=190). Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to obtain Hazard Ratios (HRs) of lung cancer across quartiles of biomarker levels. Results: Fibrinogen (HR highest vs. lowest quartile: 1.91 [95 % confidence interval: 1.09, 3.34]) and sP-Selectin (HR: 2.51 [1.39, 4.52]) were significantly associated with lung cancer risk in multivariable adjusted Cox regression models. Adding both biomarkers to the established PLCOm2012 algorithm, which alone showed a C-statistic of 0.788, led to a slight increment in lung cancer risk prediction, with a C-statistic of 0.814. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that enhanced platelet activation and a pro-coagulative state contribute to lung carcinogenesis. Impact: The present prospective study supports the hypothesis of increased coagulation being a possible driver of lung carcinogenesis, as strong positive associations were found between two procoagulative markers, sP-Selectin and fibrinogen, with lung cancer risk. Both biomarkers could improve lung cancer risk prediction, but external validation of the results is needed.

Managing multiple hazards: lessons from anticipatory humanitarian action for climate disasters during COVID-19

Abstract: In the face of climate change, development and humanitarian practitioners increasingly recognize the need to anticipate and manage multiple, concurrent risks. One prominent example of this increasi...