Cord Blood News Volume 5.26 | Jul 4 2013

Healthy Neonates Possess a CD56-Negative NK Cell Population with Reduced Anti-Viral Activity
Neonatal Natural Killer (NK) cells show functional impairment and expansion of a CD56 negative population of uncertain significance. NK cells were isolated from cord blood and from adult donors. NK subpopulations were identified as positive or negative for the expression of CD56 and characterized for expression of granzyme B and surface markers by multi-parameter flow cytometry. [PLoS One] Full Article

Effects of Cryopreservation on Microbial-Contaminated Cord Blood
Investigators aimed to determine whether contaminating organisms in cord blood units survive the cryopreservation, frozen storage, and subsequent thawing conditions before infusion. [Transfusion] Abstract

Successful Cord Blood Transplantation after Repeated Transfusions of Unmobilized Neutrophils in Addition to Antifungal Treatment in an Infant with Chronic Granulomatous Disease Complicated by Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
A two-week-old girl developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which rapidly progressed to respiratory failure. At the age of two months, she was diagnosed with p67phox-deficient chronic granulomatous disease. Rituximab was administered to reduce alloimmunization to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) after the eighth granulocyte transfusion, resulting in their absence of anti-HLA before and after cord blood transplantation (CBT). A marked improvement in her invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was achieved, although the first CBT was rejected. Complete hematopoietic recovery was obtained after the second CBT. [Transfusion] Abstract

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Umbilical Cord Multipotent Stromal Cell Infusion for the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia – A Single-Center Experience
Researchers observed the outcome of co-transfusion of umbilical cord multipotent stromal cells and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the treatment of heavily-transfused patients with severe aplastic anemia. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Characterization of Hepatic Markers in Human Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
An in-depth analysis of the expression of liver-specific transcription factors and other key hepatic markers in human Wharton’s Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells was evaluated at both the mRNA and protein level. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

Cord Blood Monocytes, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes from Preterm and Full-Term Neonates Show Multiple Aberrations in Signaling Profiles Measured Using Phospho-Specific Whole Blood Flow Cytometry
Immaturity of the immune system renders newborns susceptible to infections. The authors searched for aberrations in leukocyte signaling profiles, using phospho-specific whole blood flow cytometry, in cord blood of nine preterm (two born before 32nd gestational week) and nine full-term infants, born by caesarean section. [Scand J Immunol] Abstract

Production, Characterization, and Cytocompatibility of Porous Titanium-Based Particulate Scaffolds
Three Ti-6Al-4V materials were metal injection molded and tailored porosities were effectively achieved. After microstructural and mechanical characterization, two different primary cells of mesenchymal origin (human umbilical cord perivascular cells and human bone derived cells which revealed to be two pertinent models) as well as one cell line originated from primary osteogenic sarcoma, Saos-2, were bestowed to investigate cell-material interaction on genomic and proteome levels. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

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BioBridge Global Announced as Holding Company Name for South Texas Blood & Tissue Center and Affiliates
BioBridge Global was announced as the name of the non-profit holding company that includes South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, QualTex Laboratories and GenCure. The new name reflects the organization’s mission to bridge the critical needs in the medical industry and build global partnerships that save lives, according to Board Chair Dennis Stahl and Linda Myers, CEO of BioBridge Global. [South Texas Blood & Tissue Center] Press Release

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Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoiesis & Leukemogenesis (University of Massachusetts Medical School)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Biology and Epigenetics (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Basic and Translational Hemato-Oncology (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute)

Laboratory Manager – Basic and Translational Hemato-Oncology (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute)

PhD Student Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

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