Background: The Jr a antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr a (anti-Jra ) have potential clinical significance.Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jr a were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a–) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a–) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a–) RBC- and anti-Jra -confirmed samples that showed concordant Jr a genotyping and direct sequencing results.Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a–) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care.

Background: The Jr a antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr a (anti-Jra ) have potential clinical significance.Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jr a were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a–) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a–) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a–) RBC- and anti-Jra -confirmed samples that showed concordant Jr a genotyping and direct sequencing results.Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a–) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care.

Background: The Jr a antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr a (anti-Jra ) have potential clinical significance.Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jr a were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a–) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a–) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a–) RBC- and anti-Jra -confirmed samples that showed concordant Jr a genotyping and direct sequencing results.Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a–) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care.

Background: The Jr a antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jr a (anti-Jra ) have potential clinical significance.Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jr a were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a–) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a–) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a–) RBC- and anti-Jra -confirmed samples that showed concordant Jr a genotyping and direct sequencing results.Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a–) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care.

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.

The Jr(a+) antigen is one of the high-frequency antigens belonging to the JR blood group system. Although the clinical significance of anti-Jra is not well defined, cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn and hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-Jra have been reported. This review introduces the genetic background of the JR blood group, the frequency of Jr(a＋), and the clinical significance of anti-Jra based on existing literature.Additionally, it summarizes the identification of anti-Jra and the transfusion strategies that can be adopted for patients with anti-Jra alloantibodies.

Purpose: BVAC-B is an autologous B cell– and monocyte-based immunotherapeutic vaccine that contains cells transfected with a recombinant human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene and loaded with the natural killer T cell ligand alpha-galactosylceramide. Here, we report the first BVAC-B study in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Patients with advanced gastric cancer refractory to standard treatment with HER2+ immunohistochemistry ≥ 1 were eligible for treatment. Patients were administered low (2.5×107 cells/dose), medium (5.0×107 cells/dose), or high dose (1.0×108 cells/dose) of BVAC-B intravenously four times every 4 weeks. Primary endpoints included safety and maximum tolerated BVAC-B dose. Secondary endpoints included preliminary clinical efficacy and BVAC-B-induced immune responses. Results: Eight patients were treated with BVAC-B at low (n=1), medium (n=1), and high doses (n=6). No dose-limiting toxicity was observed, while treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed in patients treated with medium and high doses. The most common TRAEs were grade 1 (n=2) and grade 2 (n=2) fever. Out of the six patients treated with high-dose BVAC-B, three had stable disease with no response. Interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 increased after BVAC-B treatment in all patients with medium and high dose, and HER2-specific antibody was detected in some patients. Conclusion BVAC-B monotherapy had a safe toxicity profile with limited clinical activity; however, it activated immune cells in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer. Earlier treatment with BVAC-B and combination therapy is warranted for evaluation of clinical efficacy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine person-centered care, nursing professionalism, the nursing work environment, and empathy capacity among hospice ward nurses and to identify the factors affecting person-centered care. Methods: Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire completed by 120 nurses at 30 inpatient hospice institutions in South Korea from August 24, 2020 to September 8, 2020. The independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The scores were 3.76±0.45 for person-centered care, 3.58± 0.47 for nursing professionalism, 3.24±0.57 for the nursing work environment, and 4.00± 0.46 for empathy capacity. There were positive correlations between the variables. Factors that influenced the person-centered care of hospice nurses were being a manager (β=0.20, P=0.002), high nursing professionalism (β=0.20, P=0.012), a better nursing work environ-ment (β=0.15, P=0.033), and high empathy capacity (β=0.51, P＜0.001). The explanatorypower was 65.3%. Conclusion To reinforce the person-centered care competency of hospice nurses, it is necessary to improve nursing professionalism, the nursing work environment, and empathy competency. Opportunities for nurses to practice independently must be expanded for nurses to develop nursing professionalism. Sufficient nursing personnel and material resources must be provided to nurses to cultivate a positive work environment.Empathy should be improved by implementing integrated education programs that include nursing practice situations.