Latest Umbilical Blood Research

Reticulocyte count and reticulocyte maturation profile in human umbilical cord blood from healthy newborns.
Primary Author: Mariacaterina Maconi
Primary Author: Department of Laboratory Medicine, AO Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia.
Date Published: 2010 03 12
Abstract: Most fetal hematologic parameters show a significant relationship with gestational age: a linear increase is evident throughout gestation for several hematologic parameters. A few reports have described reference values for umbilical cord blood reticulocyte counts performed with automated hematology analyzers. Our aim was to use automated hematology analyzers (ADVIA 120; Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) to establish reference intervals for reticulocyte parameters in cord blood from healthy newborns of 34 to 42 weeks of gestation. We also investigated whether differences in reticulocyte parameters exist between the sexes and between different weeks of gestation. We enrolled 98 healthy, appropriate for gestational age newborns. In term infants, the reticulocyte percentage, the absolute reticulocyte count, and the reticulocyte hemoglobin content decreased significantly as the gestational age increased, but the maturation subpopulations did not change significantly. We found no significant differences between the sexes. In conclusion, our results contribute to the establishment of reference intervals for cord blood from full-term newborns that are measured with an automated hematology analyzer.

Tissue watchdog warns against unlawful collection of umbilical cord blood.
Primary Author:
Primary Author: London.
Date Published: 2010 03 11
Abstract: Abstract not available

Stem-cell transplantation for sickle cell disease.
Primary Author: Mark C Walters
Primary Author:
Date Published: 2010 03 11
Abstract: Abstract not available

Establishment and characterization of multi-drug resistant, prostate carcinoma-initiating stem-like cells from human prostate cancer cell lines 22RV1.
Primary Author: Te Liu
Primary Author: School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China.
Date Published: 2010 3 12
Abstract: Multi-drug resistance is an important element which leads to ineffectiveness of chemotherapeutics. To identify subpopulations of cancerous prostate cells with mutli-drug resistance and cancer stem-cell properties has recently become a major research interest. We identified a subpopulation from the prostate cancer cell line 22RV1, which have high surface expression of both CD117 and ABCG2. We found this subpopulation of cells termed CD117(+)/ABCG2(+) also overexpress stem cells markers such as Nanog, Oct4, Sox2, Nestin, and CD133. These cells are highly prolific and are also resistant to treatment with a variety of chemotherapeutics such as casplatin, paclitaxel, adriamycin, and methotrexate. In addition, CD117(+)/ABCG2(+) cells can readily establish tumors in vivo in a relatively short time. To investigate the mechanism of aggressive tumor growth and drug resistance, we examined the CpG islands on the ABCG2 promoter of CD117(+)/ABCG2(+) cells and found they were remarkably hypomethylated. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed high levels of both histone 3 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation at the CpG islands on the ABCG2 promoter. Our these data suggest that CD117(+)/ABCG2(+) cells could be reliably sorted from the human prostate cancer cell line 22RV1, and represent a valuable model for studying cancer cell physiology and multi-drug resistance. Furthermore, identification and study of these cells could have a profound impact on selection of individual treatment strategies, clinical outcome, and the design or selection of the next generation of chemotherapeutic agents.