The researchers hypothesize that Tibetans have a genetic mutation

The low barometric pressure of high altitudes generally causes low arterial oxygen content among Tibetans, yet the researchers have found that Tibetans consume oxygen at normal rates.
How can some people live at high altitudes and thrive while others struggle to obtain enough oxygen to function?The answer for Tibetans who live at altitudes around 14,000 feet is increased nitric oxide (NO) levels. High levels of NO circulate in various forms in the blood and produce the physiological mechanisms that cause the increased blood flow that maintains oxygen delivery despite hypoxia -- low levels of oxygen in the ambient air and the bloodstream.
In this research, blood flow is determined by the length, number and width of the diameter of blood vessels.
(www.case.edu)

ASH And ASCO Release Updated Guideline On The Use Of Chemotherapy-Related Anemia Treatments In Cancer Patients

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)The American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) have released an updated joint guideline on the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), a class of drugs that stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, to treat chemotherapy-related anemia. [click link for full article]

OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals Announces Positive Phase I Results With Fibrin Patch

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. ("OMRIX" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: OMRI), a biopharmaceutical Company that develops and markets biosurgical and passive immunotherapy products, announced the results of its prospective, open label, Phase I study of its novel Fibrin Patch. The results show that the Fibrin Patch appears to be safe as an adjunct to hemostasis. The fully absorbable Fibrin Patch, developed together with ETHICON, INC. [click link for full article]

Canadian Blood Services Honoured For Excellence In Strategy Management

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)Canadian Blood Services has become the first Canadian not-for-profit inducted into the Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame for Executing StrategyTM. The award program publicly honours organizations that are successfully using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) strategy framework to achieve and sustain breakthrough performance results. Last night, CEO Dr. Graham Sher accepted the award on behalf of the organization at the 2007 Global Public Sector Summit in Washington, DC. [click link for full article]

Cancer Cells In Blood Can Identify Risk Of Recurrence In Breast Cancer

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)Cancer cells circulating in the blood, or circulating tumour cells (CTCs), are known to be associated with a bad prognosis in women with metastatic breast cancer. Now, for the first time, a group of scientists have shown that they can also detect CTCs before and after chemotherapy treatment and hence may be able to identify those patients likely to have a recurrence of their cancer after such treatment in future.Dr. [click link for full article]

Cancer Cells In Blood Can Identify Risk Of Recurrence In Breast Cancer

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)Cancer cells circulating in the blood, or circulating tumour cells (CTCs), are known to be associated with a bad prognosis in women with metastatic breast cancer. Now, for the first time, a group of scientists have shown that they can also detect CTCs before and after chemotherapy treatment and hence may be able to identify those patients likely to have a recurrence of their cancer after such treatment in future.Dr. [click link for full article]

FDA Clears For Marketing First Rapid Test To Screen For Bacterial Contamination In Blood Platelets

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared for marketing the first rapid test to detect bacterial contamination in blood platelets prior to transfusion. The Platelet Pan Genera Detection (PGD) Test System is a disposable test strip for use in a hospital transfusion service setting. It is intended to supplement current quality control testing methods used by blood establishments following collection of platelets using an automated instrument. [click link for full article]

Citra Anticoagulants Announces CE Mark Approval For LOXXIT™ Catheter Lock Solution

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)Citra Anticoagulants, Inc. a leading, developer and worldwide distributor of citrate-based anticoagulants reported that it has received CE Mark approval for LOXXIT™ Catheter Lock Solution. This regulatory achievement clears the way for Citra to market and distribute this product throughout the European Union and in other countries that recognize the CE Mark. LOXXIT™ Catheter Lock Solution, 46. [click link for full article]

American Red Cross Honors Blood Collection Professionals During Blood

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)During the week of September 16-22, the American Red Cross will join other blood centers across the country in celebrating Blood Collectors Week, sponsored by AABB and Fenwal Blood Technologies. This annual recognition highlights the critical role blood collectors serve in helping to ensure blood is available to patients in need. Sampling blood from alternative sites may be desirable, but it may have some limitations. Blood in the fingertips show changes in glucose levels more quickly than blood in other parts of the body. This means that alternative site test results may be different from fingertip test results not because of the meter's ability to test accurately, but because the actual glucose concentration can be different. FDA believes that further research is needed to better understand these differences in test values and their possible impact on the health of people with diabetes.

FDA Licenses 15 New Blood Typing Tests - Tests Help Ensure Safe Blood

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)The U.S. Food and Drug Administration licensed 15 new blood typing tests that were previously unavailable in the United States.These tests, known as blood grouping reagents, are used to determine the blood type of blood donors, an essential step in ensuring safe blood transfusion for patients. If mismatched blood is administered to a patient, it may cause a serious and potentially fatal reaction. Less than a quarter of countries have achieved 100 per cent voluntary blood donation. Many countries still depend to varying degrees on blood donation by the friends or family of a patient needing transfusion and, in some countries, some donors are still paid to give blood.
Hundreds of thousands of people each year

receive blood components or blood products following accidents,

during surgery or for cancer treatments, burn therapy, haemophilia

and other blood-related diseases.

Give The Gift Of Life During Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)Sickle Cell Anemia affects more than 70,000 people in the United States, and most of them are African-American. September is Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month, a perfect time to make an appointment to give blood in support of the thousands of people across the country suffering from this disease. One in every 12 African Americans carries the trait for sickle cell disease. [click link for full article]

Commonwealth Provides 2m Dollars For Year Of The Blood Donor, Australia

(www.news.mayoclinic.com)The Commonwealth Government has decided to designate 2009 as the "Year of the Blood Donor" and will provide 2 million dollars to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) to support this initiative.The Government made the announcement at the launch of National Blood Donor Week, which recognises the contribution made to the Australian community by voluntary, unpaid blood donors. [click link for full article]