Aldagen's Adult Stem Cell Populations Shown to Regenerate Vascular Function and Repair Liver Damage
Aldagen, Inc. has announced that researchers presented results demonstrating that the potent adult stem cell population isolated using Aldagen’s technology (ALDHbr cells) is able to regenerate vascular function and repair liver damage in preclinical models.

Abaxis Nears OK on ‘Disruptive’ Blood Test
After 18 years of unfulfilled promises and disappointing setbacks, Abaxis Inc. of Union City has hit pay dirt with a just-approved FDA waiver for its trademark product: a toaster-size machine that runs a battery of common blood tests in 12 minutes flat.

Sysmex America Receives FDA Clearance for New Hematology Analyzer
Sysmex America, Inc. has announced that its Sysmex XE-5000 Automated Hematology Analyzer has been cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale in the U.S.

Blood Transfusions Linked To Surgery Complications In Women 
Women die and get infections more often than men after heart surgery because they tend to receive more blood transfusions, which boost the risks of bad outcomes.

Blood Transfusions Benefit Children With Sickle Cell Disease, Silent Strokes
A group of children who have sickle cell disease and who experience silent strokes showed some relief from the silent strokes with blood transfusion therapy, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

Wearable Hemodialysis Device Delivers Promising Results In Pilot Trial
A wearable hemodialysis device aimed at improving the quality of life of kidney failure patients has had some promising results.

Machine Injects Efficiency
St. John’s Regional Medical Center unveiled a $1.5 million automated blood-specimen processing system last week. It is designed to reduce laboratory errors.

New Blood Tracking System Used Across Europe
An image-based blood tracking data capture solution is helping to save lives and reduce waste in hospitals across Europe.

Blood Bank Welcomes Donors with Tattoos
Siouxland Community Blood Bank has announced new rules for donor restrictions concerning tattoos. As of Dec. 3, individuals who received a tattoo from a state-licensed and state-inspected facility are now eligible to donate blood.

Stolen Laptop Contained Blood Donor Data
Memorial Blood Centers in Minnesota is notifying 268,000 donors of theft of their Social Security numbers.

China's Deadly Trade
In China, a network of private and government traders sometimes known as "blood chiefs" or "blood heads" exists to buy up blood and meet the demand for transfusions and blood-based medical products.

ABSTRACTS, REVIEWS AND SPECIAL REPORTS

Comparison of Acute Non-haemolytic Transfusion Reactions in Female and Male Patients Receiving Female or Male Blood Components
Although the anti-HLA antibodies were detected more frequently in females than males, no significant association of ANHTRs including TRALI with gender, not only for patients, but also for donors, could be shown in this study.

Periodic Erythroexchange is an Effective Strategy for High Risk Paediatric Patients with Sickle-cell Disease
The researchers performed an 11 year retrospective study on 34 sickle-cell paediatric patients, focusing on efficacy, safety and costs of an exchange transfusion program in 13 high risk patients.

Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation Completes Acquisition of Nabi Biologics Business Unit
Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation has announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Nabi Biopharmaceuticals Biologics business unit for $185 million in cash.

LABS Inc. Acquisition of Assets of Laboratories at Bonfils is Finalized
LABS Inc. has finalized the agreement to acquire the assets of Laboratories at Bonfils, a subsidiary of Bonfils blood center. The parties closed the final agreement on November 30th, 2007.

Boston Scientific Agrees To Sell Fluid Management and Venous Access Businesses to Avista Capital Partners for $425 Million
Boston Scientific Corporation and Avista Capital Partners have jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which Avista will acquire from Boston Scientific its Fluid Management and Venous Access businesses for $425 million in cash.

bioMérieux to Gradually Close its Boxtel Site in the Netherlands
bioMérieux announced that it will phase out activities at its Boxtel site in the Netherlands by the end of 2009.

bioMérieux Opens South African Subsidiary
bioMérieux has announced the opening of a subsidiary in South Africa. Based in Johannesburg, the new subsidiary will provide support to all of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Launches State-Of-The-Art Blood Mobile
The 35-foot self-contained coach joins a previously purchased truck that can transport all of the equipment necessary to hold an off-site blood drive involving up to 120 donors.

Robert Wood Johnson Gives $10M to Curb Nursing Shortage
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced it is providing $10 million to help create a center that will address the nursing shortage threatening the quality of patient care.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRTRATION (United States of America)

Recall: Tubing Sets used with COBE Spectra Apheresis System, Trima and Trima Accel Automated Blood Collection Systems

Substantially Equivalent 510(k) Device - Galileo Automated Blood Bank System – Add the Reverse ABO Group Assay - Immucor, Inc

Important Notification: Blood Grouping Reagent Anti-Lea BioClone 2.0 - Updated lot information

Cleared Biological 510(k) Device Applications - Update

Approved Biological Premarket Approval (PMA) Device Applications - Update

Withdrawal of Guidance for Industry: Recommendations for Management of Donors at Increased Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Group O Infection

HEALTH CANADA (Canada)

Official Language Rules Block Immigrants from Donating Blood, Stem Cells
Canadian immigrants who don't speak English or French are being blocked from donating blood or registering as stem cell and bone marrow donors.

Register Today!

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

Medical Liaison
Palm Isle Search Consultants

Therapeutic Apheresis RN
New Brunswick Affiliated Hospitals Blood Center

Therapeutic Apheresis Specialist - Registered Nurse
Oklahoma Blood Institute

Apheresis Career Fair at the ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting

Are you interested in recruiting for an apheresis-related position for your company or institution?

The inaugural Apheresis News and ASFA Career Fair is the perfect opportunity to highlight your organization, profile open positions, and recruit highly qualified apheresis professionals from a captive audience of over 700 delegates at the ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting and to over 4,000 recipients of Apheresis News.

Enhanced Career Posting Package ($500)

Job postings will receive the following profile:

• An exclusive webpage on the Apheresis News website, and posting on ASFA’s career webpage
• Distribution via email to all ASFA members, ASFA annual meeting delegates, and Apheresis News subscribers
• Inclusion in ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting delegate bags in a special print issue of the ASFA Newsflash

Career Fair Sponsor ($1000)

Career Fair Sponsors receive the following benefits:

• Enhanced Career Posting Package
• 1 table top exhibit space in the Exhibit Hall at the ASFA 2008 Annual Meeting exclusively for recruitment purposes
• Opportunity to meet with potential candidates in a semi-private room setting

To take advantage of this offer, complete the Apheresis Career Fair Application Form and send, along with payment information, via email to asfa@apheresis.org or via fax to 604.874.4378.