Fresh Blood Research Articles

Clinical Impact and Predictors of Aneurysmal Rebleeding in Poor-Grade Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Results From the National POGASH Registry.

Scarce data are available regarding rebleeding predictors in poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). To investigate predictors and clinical impact of rebleeding in a national multicentric poor-grade aSAH. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the multicentric Poor Grade Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Study Group (POGASH) registry of consecutive patients treated from January 1, 2015, to June 30th, 2021. Grading was defined as pretreatment World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grading scale IV-V. Ultra-early vasospasm (UEV) was defined as luminal narrowing of intracranial arteries not due to intrinsic disease. Rebleeding was defined as clinical deterioration with evidence of increased hemorrhage on subsequent computed tomography scans, fresh blood from the external ventricular drain, or deterioration before neuroradiological evaluation. Outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale. Among 443 consecutive World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades IV-V patients with aSAH treated within a median of 5 (IQR 4-9) hours since onset, rebleeding occurred in 78 (17.6%). UEV (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% CI 3.2-14.4; P < .001) and presence of dissecting aneurysm (adjusted OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3-9.3; P = .011) independently predicted rebleeding while history of hypertension (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.8; P = .011) independently reduced its chances. 143 (32.3) patients died during hospitalization. Rebleeding emerged, among others, as an independent predictor of intrahospital mortality (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.1; P = .009). UEV and presence of dissecting aneurysms are the strongest predictors of aneurysmal rebleeding. Their presence should be carefully evaluated in the acute management of poor-grade aSAH.

Highlighted research articles

In This Issue| April 03 2023 Highlighted research articles Author & Article Information Online ISSN: 2159-8290 Print ISSN: 2159-8274 ©2023 American Association for Cancer Research2023American Association for Cancer Research Cancer Discov (2023) 13 (4): 799–800. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-13-4-ITI Related Content This is a related article to: Dynamics of Age- versus Therapy-Related Clonal Hematopoiesis in Long-term Survivors of Pediatric Cancer This is a related article to: Intratumoral Heterogeneity and Clonal Evolution Induced by HPV Integration This is a related article to: Antibody–Exatecan Conjugates with a Novel Self-immolative Moiety Overcome Resistance in Colon and Lung Cancer View more This is a related article to: Blocking Genomic Instability Prevents Acquired Resistance to MAPK Inhibitor Therapy in Melanoma This is a related article to: Genomic Instability and Protumoral Inflammation Are Associated with Primary Resistance to Anti–PD-1 + Antiangiogenesis in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma This is a related article to: LKB1-Dependent Regulation of TPI1 Creates a Divergent Metabolic Liability between Human and Mouse Lung Adenocarcinoma This is a related article to: Extrachromosomal DNA Amplification Contributes to Small Cell Lung Cancer Heterogeneity and Is Associated with Worse Outcomes This is a related article to: Targeting Microglial Metabolic Rewiring Synergizes with Immune-Checkpoint Blockade Therapy for Glioblastoma View less Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Article Versions Icon Versions Version of Record April 3 2023 Citation Highlighted research articles. Cancer Discov 1 April 2023; 13 (4): 799–800. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-13-4-ITI Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest Search Advanced Search Pediatric cancer survivors are at risk of accelerated physiologic aging. Hagiwara and colleagues profiled 2,860 long-term survivors by deep sequencing and detected clonal hematopoiesis (CH) in 15% of survivors, which is significantly higher than in community controls (8.5%). CH in survivors is associated with exposures to alkylating agents, radiation, and bleomycin and is significantly enriched in TP53 and STAT3. Mutations in STAT3, characterized as a CH gene specific to Hodgkin lymphoma survivors, occur predominantly in T cells and are contributed by SBS25, a mutational signature associated with procarbazine exposure. Longitudinal monitoring is recommended to ascertain the long-term effects of CH in pediatric cancer survivors. See article, p. 844. Antiangiogenics potentiate immune checkpoint blockade efficacy in advanced mesotheliomas, but a majority of patients present primary resistance to this combination. Danlos and colleagues analyzed sequential fixed, frozen, and fresh blood and tumor samples from patients with mesothelioma treated with pembrolizumab... You do not currently have access to this content.

Parasitological and Hematological Study of Children Infected with Intestinal Parasites in Baquba City

The intestinal parasite infection is a significant health issue in developing countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. About 3.7 billion individuals are thought to be affected annually, most of cases are children, including children in Iraq, and Baquba city. According to researchers, the main intestinal parasites affecting humans include Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lambellia. The present research was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections that causes serious problems among children aged (&gt;1 – 15 years old) and to investigate the relationship between parasitic infestation among children and their immunity (i.e., IgE), the levels of Vit D3, and Zinc. About 300 samples were collected from hospitalized and non-hospitalized children and 100 control. A fresh stool and blood sample were taken from each child during the period from 1st of November 2021 to 31st of May 2022. The collected samples were examined microscopically for identifying the parasite and examined for immunological and hematological parameters. The result showed a significant variation among children from different age groups, the age group (1&gt;-5) years old had the highest infection with intestinal parasites. In terms of gender, males had the highest intestinal parasitic infections than females. The levels of Vitamin D3 and Zinc decreased in infected children with intestinal parasitic comparing to the control. While IgE indicated higher levels in infected children than in the controls

Adverse drug reactions monitoring among breast cancer patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Breast cancer is responsible for 13% of deaths among women globally. The present study aimed to assess adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in breast cancer patients receiving treatment in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in the oncology department at sree mookambika institute of medical sciences, Kulasekharam, covering six months from May 2022 to November 2022. The study includes patients of any age diagnosed with breast cancer, treated with chemotherapy, and who developed at least one ADR during or after treatment. Patients who developed ADRs due to fresh blood or blood product infusion and had a history of drug abuse or accidental poisoning were excluded from the study. Results: Three hundred fifty-eight breast cancer patients were evaluated, of which 142 developed ADRs. The study revealed that breast cancer was most prevalent among women aged 41-50. Seven (4.92%) had a history of tobacco smoking, 129 (90.85%) patients were married, and only 13 (9.15%) were unmarried. The most commonly prescribed chemotherapeutic drug for breast cancer patients was docetaxel (19.01%), Cyclophosphamide (15.49%) and nab. paclitaxel (12.67%). The study found that the most frequent ADR observed among the patients was febrile neutropenia (18.30%), followed by nausea and vomiting 14.79%). Causality assessment reported that 61.27% (87) of the ADRs were probable, and 29.58% (42) were possible. Conclusions: Spontaneous adverse drug reporting and structured management are essential for monitoring the safe use of drugs. The findings suggest the need for effective pharmacovigilance programs and improved patient care in administering chemotherapeutic agents.

Whole-transcriptome sequencing identifies key differentially expressed circRNAs/lncRNAs/miRNAs/mRNAs and linked ceRNA networks in adult degenerative scoliosis.

Adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) is forecast to be a prevalent disabling condition in an aging society. Universally, its pathogenesis is perceived as intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), however, a thought-provoking issue is why precisely a subset of patients with disc degeneration develop ADS. Exploring the diversities between common IDD and ADS would contribute to unraveling the etiological mechanisms of ADS. Therefore, we aimed to integrate the circRNA, lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression profiles from normal adults (Normal), patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and ADS by whole transcriptome sequencing, which identifies critical functional ncRNA and ceRNA networks and crosstalk between the various transcripts. The fresh whole blood samples (n = 3/group) were collected from ADS patients, LDH patients, and healthy volunteers (Normal group), which were examined for mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA expression and screened for differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses were performed for gene annotation and enrichment pathways on the DE RNAs, which were constructed as a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. Eventually, DE RNAs were validated by qRT-PCR targeting disc nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue in ADS and LDH group (n = 10/group). Compared to the LDH group, we identified 3322 DE mRNAs, 221 DE lncRNAs, 20 DE miRNAs, and 15 DE circRNAs in the ADS. In contrast to Normal, 21 miRNAs and 19 circRNAs were differentially expressed in the ADS. The expression of multiple differentially expressed ncRNAs was confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis to be consistent with the sequencing results. In addition, GO, and KEGG analysis demonstrated that most DE mRNAs and ncRNAs target genes are involved in various biological processes, including Endocytosis, Apoptosis, Rap1 signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, and others. The constructed lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression network was primarily related to angiogenesis and regulation. By focusing on comparing asymmetric and symmetric disc degeneration, whole-transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis systematically screened for key ncRNAs in the development of ADS, which provided an abundance of valuable candidates for the elucidation of regulatory mechanisms. The DE ncRNAs and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network are intrinsically involved in the regulation of mediator and angiogenesis, which may contribute to the insight into the pathogenesis of ADS.

High-throughput measurement of double strand break global repair phenotype in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after long-term cryopreservation.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are a useful model for biochemical assays, particularly for etiological studies. We describe here a method for measuring DNA repair capacity (DRC) in archival cryogenically preserved PBMCs. To model DRC, we measured γ-H2AX repair kinetics in thawed PBMCs after irradiation with 3Gy gamma rays. Time-dependent fluorescently labeled γ-H2AX levels were measured at five time points from 1 to 20 h, yielding an estimate of global DRC repair kinetics as well as a measure of unrepaired double strand breaks at 20 h. While γ-H2AX levels are traditionally measured by either microscopy or flow-cytometry, we developed a protocol for imaging flow cytometry (IFC) that combines the detailed information of microscopy with the statistical power of flow methods. The visual imaging component of the IFC allows for monitoring aspects such as cellular health and apoptosis as well as fluorescence localization of the γ-H2AX signal, which ensures the power and significance of this technique. Application of a machine-learning based image classification improved flow cytometry fluorescent measurements by identifying apoptotic cells unable to undergo DNA repair. We present here DRC repair parameters from 18 frozen archival PBMCs and 28 fresh blood samples collected from a demographically diverse cohort of women measured in a high-throughput IFC format. This thaw method and assay can be used alone or in conjunction with other assays to measure etiological phenotypes in cryogenic biobanks of PBMCs.

Cultivation of Protozoa Parasites In Vitro: Growth Potential in Conventional Culture Media versus RPMI-PY Medium.

The in vitro cultivation of Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of parasitic diseases. Although Evans's modified Tobie and Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle media, for Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively, are the two commonly used media for both isolation and maintenance of strains in vitro, their preparation is expensive and laborious and requires fresh rabbit blood from housed animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro growth of both parasites with an alternative monophasic, blood-free, easy, and affordable medium called RPMI-PY, which was previously demonstrated suitable for the in vitro growth of Leishmania infantum. The potential growth of different Leishmania species and Trypanosoma cruzi was evaluated in traditional culture media versus RPMI-PY medium, and we recorded the protozoa parasites' morphology via orange acridine-ethidium bromide staining. The results of our study show that RPMI-PY medium can be used for Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania amazonensis, Leishmania major, and Leishmania tropica species since in all the species except Leishmania braziliensis, the exponential growth of the parasite was observed, in many cases higher than conventional media. The staining confirmed not only their growth during the 72 h investigation but also the optimal morphology and viability of the protozoa in the RPMI-PY medium.

Improving Bioactive Characteristics of Small Diameter Polytetrafluoroethylene Stent Grafts by Electrospinning: A Comparative Hemocompatibility Study.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a commonly used biomaterial for the manufacturing of vascular grafts and several strategies, such as coatings, have been explored to improve the hemocompatibility of small-diameter prostheses. In this study, the hemocompatibility properties of novel stent grafts covered with electrospun PTFE (LimFlow Gen-1 and LimFlow Gen-2) were compared with uncoated and heparin-coated PTFE grafts (Gore Viabahn®) using fresh human blood in a Chandler closed-loop system. After 60 min of incubation, the blood samples were examined hematologically and activation of coagulation, platelets, and the complement system were analyzed. In addition, the adsorbed fibrinogen on the stent grafts was measured and the thrombogenicity was assessed by SEM. Significantly lower adsorption of fibrinogen was measured on the surface of heparin-coated Viabahn than on the surface of the uncoated Viabahn. Furthermore, LimFlow Gen-1 stent grafts showed lower fibrinogen adsorption than the uncoated Viabahn®, and the LimFlow Gen-2 stent grafts showed comparable fibrinogen adsorption as the heparin-coated Viabahn®. SEM analysis revealed no sign of thrombus formation on any of the stent surfaces. LimFlow Gen-2 stent grafts covered with electrospun PTFE exhibited bioactive characteristics and revealed improved hemocompatibility in terms of reduced adhesion of fibrinogen, activation of platelets, and coagulation (assessed by β-TG and TAT levels) similar to heparin-coated ePTFE prostheses. Thus, this study demonstrated improved hemocompatibility of electrospun PTFE. The next step is to conduct in vivo studies to confirm whether electrospinning-induced changes to the PTFE surface can reduce the risk of thrombus formation and provide clinical benefits.

Assessment of immunostimulatory responses to the antimiR-22 oligonucleotide compound RES-010 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

microRNA-22 (miR-22) is a key regulator of lipid and energy homeostasis and represents a promising therapeutic target for NAFLD and obesity. We have previously identified a locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified antisense oligonucleotide compound complementary to miR-22, designated as RES-010 that mediated robust inhibition of miR-22 function in cultured cells and in vivo. In this study we investigated the immune potential of RES-010 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We treated fresh human peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from six healthy volunteers with different concentrations of the RES-010 compound and assessed its proinflammatory effects by quantifying IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IFN-α2a, IFN-β, IL-10, and IL-17A in the supernatants collected 24h of treatment with RES-010. The T-cell activation markers, CD69, HLA-DR, and CD25 were evaluated by flow cytometry after 24 and 144h of treatment, respectively, whereas cell viability was assessed after 24h of treatment with RES-010. Our results show that RES-010 compound does not induce any significant immunostimulatory responses in human PBMCs in vitro compared to controls, implying that the proinflammatory potential of RES-010 is low.

Effect of Blood and Synthetic Tissue Fluid on Marginal Adaptation and Surface Microstructure of Different Root-end Filling Materials: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of blood and synthetic tissue fluid on marginal adaptation and surface microstructure of Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Endosequence root repair material (ERRM Putty).&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Sixty human single-rooted teeth were endodontically treated, and root-end cavities were prepared to 3 mm depth. The teeth were divided randomly into three groups (n = 20) based on the contamination, and each group was again divided into two subgroups (n=10) based on the root-end filling material used.&#x0D; Group I (Blood Exposed): The root-end cavities were filled with fresh blood then gently aspirated. The retro cavities were then filled with MTA and ERRM putty and placed in molds containing heparinized blood.&#x0D; Group II (STF-Exposed): STF was mixed accordingly and the retro cavities were then filled with STF and then gently aspirated. The cavities were now filled with MTA and ERRM putty and placed in molds containing STF.&#x0D; Group III (Control): The root end cavities were not contaminated with any fluid and were filled with MTA and ERRM putty in this group. All samples were viewed Under SEM at 2000x magnification and statistically analyzed with Tukey post hoc test.&#x0D; Results: Mean gap width in microns (SEM) was blood with MTA(22.12), followed by blood with ERRM putty (18.89), Control with ERRM putty (14.53), STF with MTA (6.86), Control with MTA (6.85) and STF with ERRM putty (3.78). A significant difference was observed among the three groups (Blood, STF and Control) with gap width in microns (SEM) at 5% level of significance. &#x0D; Conclusions: The samples contaminated with blood showed more gap width, and ERRM putty exhibited better marginal adaptation.

Frozen fresh blood plasma preserves the functionality of native human α2-macroglobulin

Human α2-macroglobulin (hα2M) is a large homotetrameric protein involved in the broad inhibition of endopeptidases. Following cleavage within a bait region, hα2M undergoes stepwise transitions from its native, expanded, highly flexible, active conformation to an induced, compact, triggered conformation. As a consequence, the peptidase is entrapped by an irreversible Venus flytrap mechanism. Given the importance of hα2M, biochemical studies galore over more than seven decades have attempted to ascertain its role, typically using authentic hα2M purified from frozen and non-frozen fresh blood plasma, and even outdated plasma. However, hα2M is sensitive once isolated and purified, and becomes heterogeneous during storage and/or freezing, raising concerns about the functional competence of frozen plasma-derived hα2M. We therefore used a combination of native and sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, affinity and ion-exchange chromatography, multi-angle laser light scattering after size-exclusion chromatography, free cysteine quantification, and peptidase inhibition assays with endopeptidases of two catalytic classes and three protein substrates, to characterize the biochemical and biophysical properties of hα2M purified ad hoc either from fresh plasma or frozen fresh plasma after thawing. We found no differences in the molecular or functional properties of the preparations, indicating that protective components in plasma maintain native hα2M in a functionally competent state despite freezing.

Removal of an impacted migrated biliary stent with cholangioscopy: lights, camera, action.

A 50-year-old woman was referred for removal of an internally migrated biliary stent. Fluoroscopy showed the migrated biliary stent and cholecystectomy clips ([Fig. 1]). She underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and a biliary balloon was passed over the guidewire. Balloon sweeping was done; however, on sweeping, fresh blood was noticed emerging through the papilla. The procedure was therefore abandoned and a 7-Fr, 10-cm double-pigtail plastic stent (DPPS) was placed alongside the migrated stent. On day 3, the patient presented with severe anemia and hypotension. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm, with an adjacent hematoma. She underwent conventional angiography and angioembolization with cyanoacrylate ([Fig. 2]).

COMPLETE RECTAL PROLAPSE WITH CONCOMITANT RECTO-SIGMOIDOANAL INTUSSUSCEPTION - A RARE CASE REPORT

Intussusception is more common in the pediatric age group and very rare in adults. The presentation, etiology and treatment of adult intussusception is different from that in pediatric age group. Adult colonic Intussusceptions account for only 5% of all cases, out of which only 1% present as obstruction. Often the diagnosis in adults is delayed due to vague, chronic and non-specic symptoms that are either ignored or treated symptomatically. Rectal prolapse is more common in geriatric age group compared to younger population. Colonic intussusception can be associated with a rectal prolapse. In children the symptoms of intussusception include palpable abdominal mass, fresh blood in stools and colicky abdominal pain. However, in adults, symptoms consist of bloody stool, constipation or symptoms suggestive of malignancy such as weight loss, altered bowel habits and loss of appetite. We present a case of a complete rectal prolapse with strangulated rectosigmoid intussusception for which sigmoid resection was done with reduction of rectal prolapse, rectosigmoid anastomosis, mesh rectopexy and diverting transverse colostomy

Noninvasive Image Reconstruction of Flowing Thrombus With Electrical Capacitance Tomography

A method for noninvasive real-time measurement of blood cardiopulmonary bypass is proposed by electrical capacitance tomography (ECT). An eight-electrode sensor ECT data acquisition system is designed, including sensor design and data acquisition module design. The system has a real-time imaging speed of 40 frames per second (FPS) and an average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 64.59 dB per channel, which has been experimentally verified. First, the system is able to detect 6.25%–42.25% of the target area ratio (AR) when the sensor inner diameter is 20 mm, the outer diameter is 25 mm, and the image correlation coefficient (ICC) is not less than 0.7, which obtained by static experiments. Second, the corresponding voltage sum curve is different when different sizes of targets flow through the electrode coverage area. Dynamic experiments have verified that the sum of voltage curve for each frame image is available to further determine the size of the thrombus generated during the circulation process. Finally, dynamic experiments were performed using fresh porcine blood clots to mimic thrombus, which verified the feasibility of using ECT for in vitro thrombus detection.

Epigenetic immune monitoring for COVID-19 disease course prognosis.

The course of COVID-19 is associated with severe dysbalance of the immune system, causing both leukocytosis and lymphopenia. Immune cell monitoring may be a powerful tool to prognosticate disease outcome. However, SARS-CoV-2 positive subjects are isolated upon initial diagnosis, thus barring standard immune monitoring using fresh blood. This dilemma may be solved by epigenetic immune cell counting. In this study, we used epigenetic immune cell counting by qPCR as an alternative way of quantitative immune monitoring for venous blood, capillary blood dried on filter paper (dried blood spots, DBS) and nasopharyngeal swabs, potentially allowing a home-based monitoring approach. Epigenetic immune cell counting in venous blood showed equivalence with dried blood spots and with flow cytometrically determined cell counts of venous blood in healthy subjects. In venous blood, we detected relative lymphopenia, neutrophilia, and a decreased lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio for COVID-19 patients (n =103) when compared with healthy donors (n = 113). Along with reported sex-related differences in survival we observed dramatically lower regulatory T cell counts in male patients. In nasopharyngeal swabs, T and B cell counts were significantly lower in patients compared to healthy subjects, mirroring the lymphopenia in blood. Naïve B cell frequency was lower in severely ill patients than in patients with milder stages. Overall, the analysis of immune cell counts is a strong predictor of clinical disease course and the use of epigenetic immune cell counting by qPCR may provide a tool that can be used even for home-isolated patients.

Buffy Coat Processing Impacts on Monocytes’ Capacity to Present Lipid Antigens

Buffy Coats, generated from a blood donor's whole blood bag unit, are commonly used in biomedical research as a source of leukocytes due to the high number of cells that can be recovered from each Buffy Coat. Buffy Coats are leukocyte-enriched residual units obtained by centrifugation of whole blood. At the blood bank, blood can be processed using two different protocols according to the time interval between blood collection and processing. When blood collection and processing occur on the same day, it gives rise to Fresh Blood Buffy Coats. Alternatively, if blood processing only happens on the day after blood collection, Overnight Blood Buffy Coats are created. In this study, we aimed to address whether these two different Buffy Coat-processing protocols could differently impact monocyte function as antigen-presenting cells. For this purpose, we analyzed in the same experiment monocytes isolated from Fresh Blood and from Overnight Blood Buffy Coats. We assessed lipid antigen presentation by CD1d to invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells. CD1d is a non-polymorphic MHC class I-like protein, which facilitates the study of antigen presentation among allogeneic samples. The results show that monocytes from Fresh Blood Buffy Coats have a better capacity to present antigens by CD1d, and consequently to activate iNKT cells, when compared to monocytes from Overnight Blood Buffy Coats. The differences observed were not explained by disparities in monocyte viability, CD1d expression, or basal activation state (monocyte expression of CD40 and CD80). Buffy Coats are a valid source of blood cells available daily. Hence, the type of protocol for Buffy Coat processing should be carefully considered in day-to-day research, since it may lead to different outcomes.

The Miracle of the Bloody Foreskin at the Council of Charroux in 1082: Legatine Authority, Religious Spectacle, and Charismatic Strategies of Canonical Reform in the Era of Gregory VII

In 1082, at the council of Charroux convened by the papal legate Amatus of Oloron, astonished witnesses observed the Holy Prepuce, a rare body relic of Christ himself, to be miraculously spotted with fresh blood. This spectacular miracle holds implications for our understanding of charismatic strategies of religious reform in France in the era of Pope Gregory VII. Gregory’s use of standing legates with regional mandates, such as Amatus, was a novelty in papal administration, but the legates, though empowered as proxies of the pope, were often weak lieutenants. When they could not induce or coerce cooperation, they frequently confronted the impotence of their legal–canonical mandates. The miracle at Charroux, I will show, exemplifies an alternative charismatic strategy, harnessing liturgical art and spectacle to magnify the legate’s stature as an authority in the context of the Eucharistic controversy and religious reform.

Expression Profiles of Hepatic Immune Response Genes in HEV Infection.

Hepatitis E is a liver inflammation caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Every year, there are an estimated 20 million HEV infections worldwide, leading to an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E. HEV viral load has been studied about the disease progression; however, hepatic the host gene expression against HEV infection remains unknown. Methods: We identified the expression profiles of hepatic immune response genes in HEV infections. Fresh blood samples were collected from all the study subjects (130 patients and 124 controls) in 3ml EDTA vacutainers. HEV viral load was determined by a real-time PCR. The total RNA was isolated from the blood using the TRIZOL method. The expression of theCCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, CXCL16, TNF, IFNGR1, and SAMSN1 genes was studied in the blood of 130 HEV patients and 124 controls using a real-time PCR. Results: Gene expression profiles indicate high levels of CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, CXCL16, TNF, IFNGR1, and SAMSN1 genes that might lead to the recruitment of leukocytes and infected cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated distinct differences in the expression profiles of host immune response-related genes of HEV infections and provided valuable insight into the potential impact of these genes on disease progression.

Vaginal varices in post-menopausal woman: A rare entity

Post-menopausal bleeding occurs in 4-11% of post-menopausal women with the most common cause being endometrial atrophy followed by malignancies of genital tract. Vaginal varices are a rare cause and are usually seen in pregnant women. They are less common than vulval varicosities which occur in 2-4%of pregnancies. Other causes of vaginal varices are portal hypertension, pelvic congestion syndrome and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Here we report a post-menopausal woman with vaginal varices without any evidence of liver disease nor pelvic congestion syndrome. A 71-year-old multipara presented with complaints of post-menopausal bleeding for 2 years. She gave typical history of passage of gush of fresh blood followed by spontaneous resolution within minutes. She had these episodes at an interval of 2 to 3 weeks for which she underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. There was no evidence of malignancy in histopathology. However, 7 months following surgery the symptoms recurred. On examination she was not pale and a pelvic examination was unremarkable except a 3*3 cm bluish swelling seen in the anterior vaginal wall. Ultrasound with doppler revealed increased vascularity around vagina. CT angiography was performed which showed a vaginal varix draining into left internal iliac vein. The patient was planned for embolization by transfemoral catheterization and feeding vessel was selectively embolized. Post -embolization the varix resolved, patient was discharged and is currently asymptomatic. Vaginal varices should be kept as a differential in post-menopausal bleeding especially when the discharge consists of fresh blood. Early recognition and treatment can also avoid unwanted hysterectomies.

Effects of Age, Gender and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection on Prevalence of Plasmodium Infection among Population Living in Bata District, Equatorial Guinea.

Malaria and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) co-infection is an important parasitic infection affecting populations in co-endemic countries including Equatorial Guinea. To date, the health impact of STH and malaria co-infection is inconclusive. The current study aimed to report the malaria and STH infection epidemiology in the continental region of Equatorial Guinea. We performed a cross-sectional study between October 2020 and January 2021 in the Bata district of Equatorial Guinea. Participants aged 1-9 years, 10-17 years and above 18 were recruited. Fresh venous blood was collected for malaria testing via mRDTs and light microscopy. Stool specimens were collected, and the Kato-Katz technique was used to detect the presence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm spp. and intestinal Schistosoma eggs. A total of 402 participants were included in this study. An amount of 44.3% of them lived in urban areas, and only 51.9% of them reported having bed nets. Malaria infections were detected in 34.8% of the participants, while 50% of malaria infections were reported in children aged 10-17 years. Females had a lower prevalence of malaria (28.8%) compared with males (41.7%). Children of 1-9 years carried more gametocytes compared with other age groups. An amount of 49.3% of the participants infected with T. trichiura had malaria parasites compared with those infected with A. lumbricoides (39.6%) or both (46.8%). The overlapping problem of STH and malaria is neglected in Bata. The current study forces the government and other stakeholders involved in the fight against malaria and STH to consider a combined control program strategy for both parasitic infections in Equatorial Guinea.