Bacteria Genome Research Could Save Orchards And Assist Blood Transfusions
Research led by the University Warwick into the genomes of two bacteria could save orchards from a previously almost incurable disease and also assist in treating complications arising from human blood transfusions.

Anesiva Completes Enrollment in Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Zingo(TM) to Treat Pain Associated With Venous Access Procedures in Adults
Zingo, a fast-acting topical, needle-free system for local analgesia, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the pain associated with venous access procedures, such as IV insertions or blood draws, in children ages three to 18

Covalon Advances its Antimicrobial Coating to be Non-Blood-Clotting for Venous Access Catheters and Devices
Covalon Technologies Ltd. announced a significant development by producing a covalently-bonded, silver-ion releasing antimicrobial and low-blood-clotting coating that can be applied to a wide variety of blood-contacting catheters and devices in order to minimize potential for blood-clot formation.

Got Blood? Good. Got Bacteria? Not So Much.
In a recent study, researchers with Canadian Blood Services intentionally contaminated platelets with Staphylococcus epidermis, commonly found on the skin, to see how formidable a foe the bacteria can be.

Microchips to be Implanted in Dialysis Patients
The Independent Dialysis Foundation (IDF), a not-for-profit organization affiliated with the University of Maryland, says it will partner with the VeriChip Corp. , a provider of RFID systems, to examine the use of implantable RFID microchips in dialysis patients.

Blood Banks Testing RFID System
Three medical institutions in the country are testing out a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system for blood banks.

Rare Procedure Fights Rare Condition
Many people struggle with high cholesterol. But by eating right, working out, and taking medication, they can keep those numbers near normal. But one woman with a rare condition has to drive five hours one way every two weeks just to manage her cholesterol levels.

ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization and Collection Efficacy is Not an Independent Prognostic Factor for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
The successful mobilization and collection of hematopoietic stem cells are dependent on a number of clinical factors such as previous chemotherapy and disease stage. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether the effectiveness of mobilization and collection is an independent prognostic factor for autologous stem cell transplantation outcome.

Peripheral Blood Progenitor Uncontrolled-Rate Freezing: a Single Pediatric Center Experience
Controlled-rate freezing (CRF) followed by storage in liquid nitrogen is employed by most centers as the standard procedure for peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) cryopreservation. Uncontrolled-rate freezing (URF) at −80°C is more simple, time-saving, less expensive, and, possibly, as effective as CRF.

Why do Some Apheresis Donors Donate Blood Just Once?
More knowledge about the reasons for non-return of blood donors (BD) would enable blood donation services (BDS) to improve the efficacy of recruitment and retention programmes. We interviewed returning (RBD) and non-returning apheresis BDs (NRBD) of our university hospital-based BDS.

DomaniCell Now Collecting and Banking Immune System and Stem Cells for the Entire Family
DomaniCell, LLC, the leading service provider in the field of cell collection, processing, storage and therapies, is now expanding its service to the collection and storage of stem cells and immune system cells for adults who choose to proactively store their cells, while they are healthy and younger, for potential future use.

TLC Vision Corporation Amends Agreement on Sale of OccuLogix Stock
TLC Vision Corporation, North America's premier eye care services company, today announced that it has amended the agreement regarding the sale of the remaining shares of OccuLogix, Inc.

GE, Sprint to Offer Wireless Services for Hospitals
GE Healthcare and Sprint have teamed up to launch new in-building wireless services for hospitals.

MGI Pharma Buys Rights to New Blood Treatment
The company says the experimental drug for treating blood disorders could have a $1 billion U.S. market. MGI Pharma says an experimental drug treating blood disorders could have a $1 billion U.S. market.

Haemonetics Announces New Subsidiary
Haemonetics Corporation announced the formation of Haemonetics Software Solutions, Inc. to provide innovative information technology solutions to the blood and plasma collection industries.

NeoStem Hires Industry Veteran Renee Cohen as Vice President of Operations & Corporate Strategy
NeoStem, Inc., the first company to specialize in the collection, processing and storage of stem cells from healthy adult donors for personal use in times of critical medical need, announced further strides in its program to commercialize the Company's proprietary processes and first-to-market competitive advantage to a nationwide consumer base with the hiring of Renee Cohen as Vice President of Operations and Corporate Strategy.

Immucor Signs Deal With Red Cross
Blood-testing equipment maker Immucor Inc. said that it had agreed to supply 19 of the American Red Cross's systems at five U.S. laboratories.

Food and Drug Administration (United States of America)

Medical Devices 101: An Educational Forum; Public Workshop

FDA Approves Second West Nile Virus Screening Test for Donated Blood and Organs

Medical Devices Regulated by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; Availability of Summaries of Safety and Effectiveness Data for Premarket Approval Applications

Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Blood and Blood Components; Notification of Consignees and Transfusion Recipients Receiving Blood and Blood Components at Increased Risk of Transmitting Hepatitis C Virus Infection (``Lookback'')

Revisions to the Requirements Applicable to Blood, Blood Components and Source Plasma

Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services (United States of America)

Physician Self-Referral Regulations (as revised under Phase III)

Medicare Says It Won’t Cover Hospital Errors
In a significant policy change, Bush administration officials say that Medicare will no longer pay the extra costs of treating preventable errors, injuries and infections that occur in hospitals, a move they say could save lives and millions of dollars.

Events and Sights in Galveston

The 2008 ASFA Annual Meeting will be held at the beautiful Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort in Galveston, TX from April 9-12, 2008.

Galveston, a small romantic island tucked deep within the heart of south Texas possessing all the charm of a small southern town, is one of America's prime destinations for any need.

Check out a sampling of the many attractions in the great city of Galveston on the ASFA website.

Registration to Open Soon

Registration for ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting will open soon. Check the website regularly for updates about the meeting.
 

Make Your Hotel Reservation Today

ASFA has secured special room rates at the San Luis Resort, Hilton Galveston Island Resort and Holiday Inn in Galveston, TX for attendees of the 2008 Annual Meeting.

To receive the conference rate, please ensure that you make your hotel booking no later than March 14, 2008 as the San Luis Resort, Hilton and Holiday Inn will not guarantee this special room rate after that date. Although ASFA has reserved a block of rooms at each of these hotels for conference delegates, the rooms are assigned on a 'first come, first served' basis. Therefore, we encourage you to make your hotel reservation early to avoid disappointment. Contact the appropriate hotel, stating that you are attending the ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting to make your reservation today!

Submit an Abstract

ASFA invites apheresis professionals to submit abstracts for presentation at the ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting.

Physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals are encouraged to submit abstracts on all aspects of apheresis, including research, clinical, educational, or administrative topics/projects.

Abstracts will be accepted beginning: September 10, 2007

Abstract Submission Deadline: December 10, 2007

Take the guess-work out of recruiting for apheresis-related job openings

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Each unique career posting receives the following profile:

• An exclusive webpage on the Apheresis News website;
• Inclusion in the Apheresis News e-newsletter, receiving 3300 unique visits monthly; and
• Inclusion on the American Society for Apheresis website, receiving more than 400 unique visits daily, all from individuals with an interest in the field of apheresis.

This unique recruiting opportunity is available for only $500 per career posting.

Click here to begin recruiting today!