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[A]lthough erythrocytes have traditionally been considered relatively inert cellular containers of hemoglobin, they are in fact active in a variety of physiologic processes.  L. Calhoun and L. D. Petz(p1843) | Blood groups are characterized by erythrocyte (red blood cell) antigens with common immunologic properties (eg, group A). Blood group systems are series of such antigens encoded by a single gene or by a cluster of 2 or 3 closely linked homologous genes (eg, ABO system). There are about 600 recognized erythrocyte antigens. The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) designates around 270 blood group antigens. Of these, around 250 belong to Less

Physicians and other health care professionals, patients, researchers, manufacturers, and the public may refer to drugs by several names, including the nonproprietary name (often referred to as the generic name) and at least 1 proprietary (brand) or trademark name selected by the manufacturer of the drug. Other drug identifiers include chemical names, trivial (unofficial) names, and code designations.(pp12-15) However, only 1 drug name, the nonproprietary name, is regulated internationally to ensure consistent usage and no duplication with other drugs. Once a drug has been assigned a nonproprietary name, the nonproprietary name should always be used to refer to the drug. Less

UPDATE: Equipment, Devices, and Reagents, we will no longer require the inclusion of the location of the manufacturer. This is so easy to look up online, should anyone desire more specific details, that we believe it is not necessary to continue to require this. This change was made October 4, 2011.As with drugs and isotopes, nonproprietary names or descriptive phrasing is preferred to proprietary names for devices, equipment, and reagents, particularly in the context of general statements and interchangeable items (eg, urinary catheters, intravenous catheters, pumps). However, if several brands of the same product are being compared or if the Less

Several areas of cardiology use simple letter terms and alphanumeric terms that need not be expanded at first mention. | International standardization of electrocardiographic nomenclature dates back to the mid-20th century. The preferred abbreviation for electrocardiogram and electrocardiographic in JAMA and the Archives Journals is ECG, not EKG. In the following examples of ECG terms note the use of capitals, lowercase letters, subscripts, and hyphens. Leads (recording electrodes) are designated as follows: Example: The abnormality appeared in leads V3 through V6 [not V3-V6 or V3-6]. The main deflections of the ECG (see Figure ) are named in alphabetical sequence (P, Less

Blood groups are characterized by erythrocyte (red blood cell) antigens with common immunologic properties (eg, group A). Blood group systems are series of such antigens encoded by a single gene or by a cluster of 2 or 3 closely linked homologous genes (eg, ABO system). There are about 600 recognized erythrocyte antigens. The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) designates around 270 blood group antigens. Of these, around 250 belong to 1 of 29 systems., (Other antigens remain in officially designated series or collections.) Some antigens are erythrocyte-specific; others appear widely, but specifically, on cells of other organs and tissues. Less

The current system of human platelet antigen (HPA) nomenclature, adopted in 1990, is overseen by the Platelet Nomenclature Committee of the ISBT and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. As with blood groups, there are platelet antigen systems and specific antigens within those systems. The HPA nomenclature pertains to “all protein alloantigens expressed on the platelet membrane, except those coded by genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).”(p241) (See , Immunology, HLA/Major Histocompatibility Complex.) Currently, there are 6 HPA systems: HPA-1, HPA-2, HPA-3, HPA-4, HPA-5, and HPA-15. Complete tables of HPA terms are available at the IPD-HPA Database, http://www.ebi.ac.uk/ipd/hpa/. Less

The Granulocyte Antigen Working Party of the ISBT has formulated rules for well-defined human neutrophil antigens (HNAs), as presented in the following tabulation, although at this writing they have not met with universal acceptance., See also , Immunology, Immunoglobulins, for Fc receptor terminology and , Immunology, Lymphocytes, for CD terminology. | Less

Cancer stages are expressed with the use of capital roman numerals: stage I stage II stage III stage IV The term “stage 0” usually indicates carcinoma in situ. Histologic grades are expressed with arabic numerals, eg, grade 2. Letter and numerical suffixes, usually set on the line, may be added to subdivide individual cancer stages, as in the following examples: stage 0a stage 0is stage IA stage IE stage IB2 stage IIIE+S stage IVA stage IVB (E indicates extralymphatic spread; S, splenic involvement [as seen in Hodgkin disease]; “is,” in situ.) | Less

The TNM staging system is an internationally standardized system for the staging of cancer and is in its seventh decade of continuing formulation. The TNM classification is put forth by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC; http://www.uicc.org). The AJCC’s Cancer Staging Manual and the UICC’s TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours present the stages of cancer as defined by TNM classifications. The TNM definitions and stage groupings are based on prognostic outcome. Information about TNM may be accessed at the UICC website, http://www.uicc.org/index.php?id=508. The TNM symbols follow. ▪ T: tumor (indicates size, extent, Less