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.

HLA Class II Differentiates Between Thyroid and Polyglandular Autoimmunity.

Abstract: The HLA class II genes are susceptibility genes for autoimmune endocrine diseases; however, scarce data are available pertaining to the determinants of genetic susceptibility to polyglandular autoimmunity (PGA). A total of 300 consecutive and unselected patients with either PGA or monoglandular autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and 100 healthy control subjects were genotyped for the HLA class II DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 alleles. Compared to patients with AITD and controls, the HLA-DRB1*03 (pc =0.001), *04 (pc<0.001), -DQA1*03 (pc<0.001), and -DQB1*02 (pc =0.001) alleles were increased in patients with PGA. When dividing patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) into those with PGA (PGA-HT) vs. those with HT as monoglandular disease, significant differences for the DRB1*03 (pc=0.001) and DQA1*03 (pc=0.001) alleles were observed. In contrast, the DQB1*02 allele was more prevalent in PGA patients with Graves' disease (PGA-GD) vs. those with monoglandular GD (pc=0.002). The HLA-DRB1*15 (pc =0.001), -DQA1*01 (pc =0.001), -DQB1*05 (pc =0.002) and -DQB1*06 (pc =0.002) alleles were significantly less present in PGA compared to monoglandular AITD and controls, thus indicating protective alleles. The HLA class II alleles differentiate between mono- and polyglandular autoimmunity in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

The Impact of Using Genotyped Reagent Red Blood Cells in Antibody Identification.

Abstract: Background The detection and identification of antibodies to red blood cell (RBC) antigens is one of the most important and challenging issues in transfusion medicine. Up to date there are 354 RBC antigens recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). The reagent RBCs used in commercial antibody screening and identification panels however are usually serologically typed for up to 40 clinically important antigens. Thus the identification of many antibody specificities remains impossible when using reagent RBCs with only limited information about their antigens. To improve the pre-transfusion diagnostics, we developed antibody identification panels with reagent RBCs serologically typed for 26 antigens and additionally genotyped for 30 blood group alleles. Methods The reagent RBCs in the panels were characterized serologically for the clinically most significant 'standard' antigens. The reagent RBC donors were additionally genotyped by using in-house PCR-SSP methods. The antibody identification was performed in the indirect antiglobulin test using untreated and papain-treated RBCs in the gel technique. Antibodies identified due to the genotype information were confirmed by serology using appropriate reference RBCs. Results Within a time period of 3 years and 8 months, 16,878 blood samples from 8,467 patients were tested in our reference laboratory. In total, 21 different antibodies from 10 different blood group systems could be identified in 126 patients (1.5%) due to the genotype information obtained for the reagent RBCs. Antibodies to antigens from the Knops system (53 patients; 42%, 8 patients with anti-Knb) and to Cartwright antigens (31 patients; 25%) were the most frequent. Conclusion The use of genotyped reagent RBCs in antibody identification panels extends the range of detectable antibody specificities, accelerates the antibody identification, and improves the pre-transfusion diagnostics.

Pilot Experiences in Using Seamless Forecasts for Early Action: The “Ready-Set-Go!” Approach in the Red Cross

Abstract: To take early action before a potential disaster, humanitarians continually request several weeks of preparation time. This is currently outside the realm of traditional weather forecasts, and sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) forecasts are poised to meet this demand. This chapter provides a case study of a pilot project in Peru that used S2S forecasts to prepare for extreme rainfall, in conjunction with seasonal and weather forecasts. The forecast triggered action in vain at that time, but it also provided a window into the planning and skill needs of the humanitarian sector. A key recommendation is to provide skill estimates for operational S2S forecasts so that disaster managers can evaluate the type of action that would be merited based on the forecast information.