Biomedical subjects

Samantha Harris

Publications and source records attributed to Samantha Harris.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2025

Long-read DNA sequencing resolves a rare case of alloimmune hemolysis mimicking autoimmune hemolysis.

BACKGROUND: Immune hemolytic anemia poses a significant challenge in transfusion medicine, as identification of underlying alloantibodies can be masked by warm and/or cold autoantibodies. This increases the risk of transfusing incompatible blood, which can precipitate or exacerbate hemolysis. Identifying alloantibodies in the presence of autoantibodies remains difficult with standard serologic and genotypic methods, often delaying accurate diagnosis and appropriate transfusion strategies. CASE REPORT: We describe a 63-year-old woman with autoimmune hemolytic anemia who suffered near-fatal hemolysis following transfusion. Despite extensive serologic and genotypic testing, the cause of her hemolytic transfusion reactions remained elusive. Given her clinical course and transfusion history, we hypothesized that her acute hemolytic transfusion reactions could be due to immune sensitization to a high-incidence RBC antigen. Research whole-genome long-read sequencing (LRS) revealed homozygosity for a rare KEL*02N.16 allele, consistent with a rare Ko phenotype, which was validated by Sanger sequencing. Retrospective serologic testing with Ko RBCs further confirmed alloimmunization within the Kell system. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the limitations of conventional serologic and genotypic methods in detecting rare blood group phenotypes, and emphasizes the diagnostic power of long-read sequencing in transfusion medicine. Early molecular testing in complex hemolytic cases can facilitate targeted transfusion strategies, reduce the risk of severe hemolysis, and improve patient outcomes. As sequencing technologies become more accessible, they have the potential to revolutionize blood group typing and alloimmunization risk assessment in clinical practice.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Computational prediction and experimental evaluation of a photoinduced electron-transfer sensor.

An approach is presented for the design of photoinduced electron-transfer-based sensors. The approach relies on the computational and theoretical prediction of electron-transfer kinetics based on Rehm-Weller and Marcus theories. The approach allows evaluation of the photophysical behavior of a prototype fluorescent probe/sensor prior to the synthesis of the molecule. As a proof of concept, a prototype sensor for divalent metal ions is evaluated computationally, synthesized, and then analyzed spectroscopically for its fluorescence response to zinc. Calculations predicted that the system would show a competition between electron transfer and fluorescence in the free state. In the zinc-bound state, the compound was predicted to be more highly fluorescent, due to the inhibition of electron transfer. Both predictions were confirmed experimentally. A nonzero fluorescence signal was observed in the absence of zinc and an enhancement was observed in the presence of zinc. Specifically, a 56-fold enhancement was observed over a 10-fold increase in zinc concentration.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Role loss and emotional adjustment in chronic pain.

Chronic pain interrupts behaviour, interferes with functioning, and may affect a person's identity: their sense of self. We tested whether loss of role and personal attributes and current and past self-concept differentiation, predicted adjustment as indexed by measures of depression. Chronic pain patients (n=80) completed measures of pain (MPQ), disability (PDI), depression and anxiety (BDI, HADS). Measures of role and attribute loss and self-concept differentiation were derived from a Role-Attribute Test in which participants identified four social roles in four domains (friendship, occupation, leisure, family) and nominated two personal attributes in each role prior to pain onset and current. Participants reported mean losses of 3.38 roles, and 6.97 attributes. Greater losses were observed in friendship, occupation and leisure domains compared with the family domain. Multiple regression analyses revealed that after controlling for demographic and clinical differences, role and attribute loss predicted depression scores. There was no evidence that depression was associated with past self-concept differentiation. The results are discussed with reference to the methodology used and the relevance of self-identity to understand adjustment to chronic pain.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A bereavement after-care service for intensive care relatives and staff: the story so far.

The Intensive Care Society (1998) developed Guidelines for Bereavement Care in Intensive Care Units. In response to the guidelines, a group of nurses from the intensive care units at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester have developed a bereavement after-care service for relatives and staff. So far, the service has evaluated well from the feedback received from both relatives and staff, but evaluation is ongoing and the service is being continually developed.

Aftercare↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nurses' views on withdrawing ECMO: a grounded theory study.

It was observed in practice that the withdrawal of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was the cause of much ethical and moral discussion amongst nurses within the ITU where the study took place. No previous literature was located addressing the withdrawal of ECMO, from either a medical or nursing perspective. A grounded theory study was conducted to explore the experiences of nurses involved with the withdrawal of ECMO, focusing specifically on the withdrawal of this treatment from adult patients. Three major themes emerged: justification for withdrawal of treatment. the role of the nurse in decision-making. the involvement of others in decision-making. The core category that links the three categories is 'facilitating the decision making process' Recommendations for future practice included, the introduction of regular formal meetings and debriefing, and for further research to be conducted to explore 'corporeal anxiety' and the involvement of relatives in decision making.

Adult↗