Wake Forest Researchers Discover New Hemoglobin Process
A team of researchers from Wake Forest University, the National Institutes of Health and other institutions has discovered a previously undetected chemical process within the oxygen-carrying molecule hemoglobin that could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

New Blood Substitutes Promise Relief for Sagging Blood Banks
Researchers are stepping up efforts to develop a safe blood substitute amid a growing demand and dwindling supply of the real thing to treat trauma victims and blood disorders such as potentially deadly types of anemia.

New Anemia Measure Predicts Risk Of Death In Dialysis Patients
A new indicator of variations in hemoglobin level over time is a strong predictor of the risk of death among patients receiving dialysis for end-stage renal disease, reports a study in the December Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Roche: FDA Approves Mircera Renal Anemia Drug
Roche Holding AG said the Food and Drug Administration approved its MIRCERA drug for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure in adults.

Affymax(R) Announces Hematide(TM) Successfully Restores Hemoglobin in Patients with Pure Red Cell Aplasia
Affymax, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Today Announced Results From a Phase 2 clinical Trial of Hematide(TM) to Treat Anemia in Dialysis and Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients With Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA, Anti-erythropoietin antibody-mediated).

The Aethlon Hemopurifier(R) Reverses Immune Suppression in Cancer
Aethlon Medical, Inc., a pioneer in developing medical devices to treat infectious disease, announced today that researchers have documented the Aethlon Hemopurifier(R) is able to remove the immunosuppressive activity normally found in the fluid of cancer patients.

Canadian Cord Blood Bank Could Solve Transplant Problems: Doctor
A bone and marrow transplant specialist at a Toronto children's hospital says for every three successful transplants performed, one patient on the waiting list dies for lack of an appropriate match — a problem that could be helped if Canada had a national cord blood bank.

China Capital Seeks "Rare" Blood for Olympics Inrush
China's capital on Wednesday urged residents with a blood type rare among Chinese people but common among Caucasians and many Africans to donate blood as it seeks to stockpile reserves for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Aethlon Medical Announces HIV-AIDS Research Collaboration
Aethlon Medical, Inc. , announced it has initiated a research collaboration to study the in vitro effectiveness of the Aethlon Hemopurifier(R) to clear the Human Immunodeficiency Virus from blood.

ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Immunoadsorbent Apheresis Eliminates Pathogenic IgG in Childhood Lupus Nephritis
It is suggested that the highly cation-charged fraction of the IgG and IgG3 subclasses may play a pathogenic role in lupus nephritis. In contrast, immunoadsorbent therapy using a sodium dextransulfate fixed cellulose gel column–low invasive selective immunoadsorbent apheresis therapy (SDSC-IAT) has been applied to lupus nephritis with favorable results.

Chronic Green Tea Extract Supplementation Reduces Hemodialysis-Enhanced Production of Hydrogen Peroxide and Hypochlorous Acid, Atherosclerotic Factors, and Proinflammatory Cytokines1,2,3
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with decaffeinated green tea extract (catechins) on hemodialysis-induced reactive oxygen species, atherosclerotic disease risk factors, and proinflammatory cytokines.

Arteriocyte Medical Systems Forms Strategic Partnership with Medtronic Including Acquisition of the Magellan Platelet Rich Plasma Business
Arteriocyte Medical Systems announced that the company has struck a Strategic Partnership with Medtronic that includes the acquisition of the Magellan Platelet Business, a worldwide exclusive distribution agreement in the Cardiac Surgery Market for the next five years, and a manufacturing services agreement for the Magellan products.

Label for Anemia Drugs Likely Won't Help Sales
The Food and Drug Administration toughened safety warnings on blockbuster anemia drugs, in a move that looked unlikely to help drug makers in their quest to liberalize Medicare payments for the medicines.

Argos Therapeutics and Therakos, Inc. Enter Exclusive Agreement for Regulatory T Cell Technology
Argos Therapeutics announced that it has granted Therakos, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, an exclusive license for the research and development of novel treatments based on regulatory T cell technology developed by Argos.

Nephros Receives Approval to Market OLpur(TM) MD Hemodiafilter Series in Canada
Nephros, Inc. announced that the Company has received approval from the Therapeutic Products Directorate of Health Canada, the Canadian health regulatory agency, to market its OLpur(TM) MD hemodiafilter series in Canada.

BBTS James Blundell Award 2008

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRTRATION (United States of America)

Circulatory System Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

Approved Biological Premarket Approval (PMA) Device Applications - Update

Substantially Equivalent 510(k) Device - PROGESA 4.4h - MAK-System

Requirements for Human Blood and Blood Components Intended for Transfusion or for Further Manufacturing Use; Proposed Rule

Background Information Regarding the ISBT Label

CENTRES FOR MEDICARE ANE MEDICAID SERVICES (United States of America)

2008 PQRI Provisions Announced in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

Countdown for Current Medicare-Approved Transplant Centers to Request Certification
Under New Rule All hospital transplant centers currently approved for Medicare participation (approved either under the ESRD Conditions of Coverage or the National Coverage Decisions) must submit a request for new approval under the Conditions of Participation established by the new regulation that was issued by CMS on March 30, 2007.

Registration is Now Open!

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

Registration is now open -- be sure to register before February 27, 2008 to take advantage of the early registration fees.

The ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting Preliminary Program is also available to view and download from the Society's website, www.apheresis.org.

We look forward to seeing you in Galveston!

Register for the Clinical and Technical Rounds

Participate in a clinical and technical round table discussion with experts in the field. As seats are limited to 10 participants for each table, register early as seats are assigned on a 'first come, first served' basis. Please note that you must register online on the ASFA website at www.apheresis.org

Abstract Submission Deadline is Only 3 Weeks Away!

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.
Submissions will be accepted until December 10, 2007

Please visit the ASFA website at www.apheresis.org to submit an abstract for this exciting conference!

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