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Abstract: In this article, some points concerning the self-sufficiency in Europe will be discussed. After the definition of the self-sufficiency, the situation in Central and Eastern Europe will be briefly presented, as well as the problems connected with national and community self-sufficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this article, some points of the patchwork of Transfusion Medicine in Europe will be briefly discussed: ● blood organizations; ● donor selection and blood donation; ● training and education; ● hemovigilance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Eastern Austria is neighbouring regions with ongoing West Nile virus (WNV) transmissions. Three human WNV infections had been diagnosed during the past decade in Austria. The Austrian Red Cross Blood Service (ARC-BS) started a first voluntary screening for WNV in blood donors from Eastern Austria by Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) in June 2014. This is also the most extensive WNV surveillance programme in humans in Austria so far. In August 2014, one autochthonous WNV infection was detected in a blood donor from Vienna. By now, one in 67,800 whole blood donations was found to be positive for WNV RNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The DNA commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) was convened at the 21st congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics held between 13 and 17 September in the Azores, Portugal. The purpose of the group was to agree on guidelines to encourage best practice that can be universally applied to assist with mixture interpretation. In addition the commission was tasked to provide guidance on low copy number (LCN) reporting. Our discussions have highlighted a significant need for continuing education and research into this area. We have attempted to present a consensus from experts but to be practical we do not claim to have conveyed a clear vision in every respect in this difficult subject. For this reason, we propose to allow a period of time for feedback and reflection by the scientific community. Then the DNA commission will meet again to consider further recommendations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The DNA Commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) regularly publishes guidelines and recommendations concerning the application of DNA polymorphisms to the problems of human identification. A previous recommendation published in 2001 has already addressed Y-chromosome polymorphisms, with particular emphasis on short tandem repeats (STRs). Since then, the use of Y-STRs has become very popular, and a numerous new loci have been introduced. The current recommendations address important aspects to clarify problems regarding the nomenclature, the definition of loci and alleles, population genetics and reporting methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents questions and answers regarding the detection of platelet-reactive antibodies inpatients who are refractory to platelet transfusions. Selection of compatible donors; Technique in the detection of human leukocyte antibodies (HLA) class I; Requirementsfor the cellpanels in the detection of HLA class I; Association between the antibodies and the refractoriness.

Provides the nomenclature for factors of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. Naming of additional genes within the HLA region; Naming of additional alleles; Renaming of alleles and removal of incorrect alleles; Extension of HLA allele names.

Background: The aim of this study was to demonstrate how ultrastructural morphology of platelets stored in different media correlate with the appearance of particular activation markers on their cell surface.Study Design and Methods: Concentrates of buffy coat-derived platelets were stored in plasma or a glucose-free citrate-acetate-NaCl platelet additive solution (PAS2, Baxter Healthcare Corp.). Activation markers on platelets were measured by flow cytometry and compared with changes in the platelet cell surface as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Levels of the vasoactive cytokines vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) were determined in the storage medium of the platelet concentrate.Results: The activation markers CD62P and CD63 and the binding of thrombospondin measured by flow cytometry were expressed to a higher extent in the PAS2 group compared with the plasma group. The difference reached significance on Day 3 (CD62P: 66.37 +/- 2.44 vs. 37.83 +/- 2.03, p < 0.001; CD63: 42.11 +/- 3.29 vs. 34.84 +/- 2.04, p < 0.05; and thrombospondin binding: 18.84 +/- 3.9 vs. 13.98 +/- 3.87, p < 0.001, respectively). The form factor that is related to changes of the platelet shape was determined by image analysis and correlated significantly with the cell surface expression of CD62P (p < 0.001) and with CD63 (p < 0.05) and with thrombospondin binding (p < 0.05). The chemokines VEGF and RANTES were measured at higher levels in the PAS2 group.Conclusions: With exception of baseline activation probably due to necessary handling procedures, platelets remain relatively unaltered and more stable in plasma in comparison to storage in PAS2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a nomenclature for factors of the HLA histocompatibility antigen system, released by the World Health Organization in 2000. Naming of new alleles; Serological specificities associated with alleles; Names for genes in the HLA region.

Presents a nomenclature for factors of the HLA system submitted by the WHO Nomenclature Committee at the ASHI congress in Vancouver, Canada. Names of the genes; Revision of the naming policy; Serological specificities of the genes.

Presents a nomenclature for factors of the HLA system submitted by the WHO Nomenclature Committee at the ASHI congress in Vancouver, Canada. Names of the genes; Revision of the naming policy; Serological specificities of the genes.

Abstract: This study reports a case where early detection of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was possible by STR (short tandem repeat) analysis and demonstrates the value of this analysis for differential diagnosis. The aspects of artificial chimerism after solid organ transplantation for forensic investigations are pointed out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Linkage disequilibria between 3 STR loci (C1_4_4, C2_4_4 and C3_3_6) situated in the HLA class I region and 3 STR loci (D6S389, D6S1051 and D6S2822) located in the HLA class II region on chromosome 6 were investigated. In the class I region, some significant linkage disequilibria could be observed but not in the class II region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two cases of apparent mother/child mismatch because of opposite homozygosity at a single STR-locus are described. They were observed at the D3S1358 locus after amplification with the AmpFlSTR®Identifiler™ PCR Amplification Kit and at the SE33 (ACTBP2) locus after a singleplex-PCR with commonly used primers. Sequencing revealed point mutations near the 3′ end of the primers leading to a failure of amplification in both cases. Strategies to resolve such cases are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, we investigated the loci SE33, D12S391 and D8S1132 in a triplex-PCR and the locus D6S389 in a singleplex-PCR, which were analyzed simultaneously in a single run, within a sample of 342 unrelated Austrian Caucasoid individuals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Population genetics and sequence structure of the tetranucleotide short tandem repeat locus D6S2822 were investigated in an Austrian Causasoid population sample in order to reveal information about its usefulness for HLA haplotyping, linkage analyses and forensic testing. Seven different sized alleles additionally showing sequence polymorphism could be detected. As for allele distribution and statistic parameters D6S2822 turned out to be a moderately repetitive and informative marker. Due to the A/G SNP adjacent to the repeat region this locus might also be of interest for phylogenetic studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The locus ACTBP2 (SE33) is localized on chromosome 6 (band 6q14). This has been demonstrated by typing a large Caucasoid three-generation kindred of Austrian origin for SE33 and several chromosome 6 markers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new human leukocyte allele HLA-B*8102 has been identified in a cell provided by the UCLA International Cell Exchange scheme. The nucleotide sequences of exons 2 and 3 of the new allele are identical with HLA-B*8101. Four nucleotide differences, however, are observed in exon 1, three of them representing non-synonymous base changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unusual peak height ratios of the two amplified fragments in the X–Y homologous amelogenin gene in two multiplex STR kits (16 loci) required further investigations in three male Caucasoid individuals. Mosaicism is discussed as a possible reason for these findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The tetranucleotide repeat loci D6S389 and D6S1051 situated nearby the HLA class II region (6p) were investigated in an Austrian Caucasoid population sample. Typing of the amplification products and cycle sequencing were carried out using denaturing capillary electrophoresis. For D6S389 and D6S1051, 19 and 7 different alleles were observed. Sequencing of D6S389 revealed a (GAAA)n repeat pattern in the common alleles. Additionally, infrequent “.1” alleles were seen. Alleles of D6S1051 showed a simple (GATA)n repeat structure and an A/G-SNP next to the repeat region as well as a T/C-SNP in the 3′-flanking region. D6S389 proved to be a highly polymorphic marker. D6S1051 is less polymorphic, but interesting because of the existing SNPs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

On the occasion of a study on mutation rates of human STR loci, numerous alleles have been sequenced. Several new sequence or length variant alleles were found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we investigated the short tandem repeat loci C1_4_4, C2_4_4 and C3_3_6 situated in the HLA class I region in a sample of 153 unrelated Austrian Caucasoid individuals by multiplex PCR. The sequence structure of C1_4_4 and C3_3_6 alleles is described, as well as the sequence of a new C2_4_4 allele, allele 23. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The microheterogeneity of the tetranucleotide repeat locus C2_4_4 situated in the HLA class I region (6p21.3) was investigated by sequencing 50 alleles in an Austrian population sample of 240 unrelated Caucasoid individuals. Several different sequences were found in alleles of the same length. Analysis of the associations between the sequenced C2_4_4 alleles and HLA class I showed a strong linkage disequilibrium between the C2_4_4*9 sequence variants and two different HLA class I haplotypes, as well as between the most common *17 sequence and one HLA-ABC haplotype. No clear cut association could be observed in C2_4_4*16 and *18. The results of this study demonstrate that the exclusive use of microsatellite polymorphisms for the definition of HLA haplotypes is generally not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A triplex-PCR (SE33, D12S391 and D8S1132), which can be detected simultaneously with a singleplex-PCR (D6S389) in the same electrophoresis run, has been established as a “screening method” for paternity cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Samples taken from different tissues of five bone marrow transplanted patients at least 5 years after successful bone marrow transplantation were investigated by STR-typing in order to find out whether or not donor cells can also be found in tissues other than blood. Donor alleles were detected in blood, buccal swabs and fingernails, but not in hair samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]