ABSTRACT Objective The interplaying relationship between anemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes is concerning to both short‐ and long‐term maternal and child health. Despite strong biological plausibility, a causal link has not been established for all outcomes. On the contrary, there are statements which state that higher maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentration increases risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Both low and high Hb concentrations should be identified as at‐risk groups and optimal level of Hb that would yield the best outcome should be included in guidelines for clinical practice. However, it is also not clear which trimester Hb should be taken as the standard for assessment. During pregnancy, fetal growth occurs in various phases and most of the micronutrient related issues occur in the third trimester. Hence, the aim of the study is to find the correlation of maternal Hb level during the third trimester on neonatal birth weight. Methods A hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted at Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Bharatpur Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal, after ethical approval. Pregnant ladies in their third trimester admitted to maternity ward of Bharatpur Hospital in the view of delivery from both Emergency Department (ED) and Out‐Patient Department (OPD), who met the inclusion criteria, were included in the study. Informed written consent was taken from all the participants. Routine panel of investigations as per hospital protocol were sent on admission which invariably included hemoglobin concentration. Estimated hematocrit (Hct) level was calculated from maternal Hb using a factor of 3. Birth weight of the newborn was measured using digital infant weighing scale and noted immediately after birth, if possible, otherwise within 24 h. Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between estimated Hct and neonatal birth weight. Results A total of 97 patients were included in the study. Our study showed that maternal hematological status in pregnancy affects neonatal birth weight. There was lower mean Birth weight of the neonates were lower than the mean in both high and low Hct group participants. A weak positive correlation between maternal Hct in third trimester and neonatal birth weight with p ‐value of 0.974 was analyzed. Pregnant individuals having higher mean Hct had assisted vaginal delivery/instrumental delivery. The study showed that there was a higher proportion of neonates with low Apgar scores in participants with high Hct ( ≥ 40%). Conclusion While our study observed a weak positive trend between maternal hematocrit and neonatal birth weight, this correlation was not statistically significant ( r = 0.003, p = 0.974), and thus no definitive association can be concluded. Pregnant individuals with high hematocrit appeared to have a higher proportion of assisted vaginal deliveries and neonates with lower birthweight and Apgar scores; however, these observations were not statistically significant and should be considered exploratory. Thus, this study suggests that further research with larger or multicenter sample is needed to clarify potential relationships.

Introduction: Nutrition during pregnancy plays a crucial role in maternal and foetal health. Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) remains a significant public health problem in India, contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Understanding dietary micronutrient intake in early pregnancy is essential for designing effective interventions. Aim: To evaluate dietary intake of key micronutrients (iron, folic acid, and Vitamin C) and assess their association with Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration during the first trimester of pregnancy in North Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 175 first-trimester pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANCs) at KLE Hospital and Research Centre, Belagavi, Karnataka, during June 2023 to May 2024. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Parameters studied included Hb levels and daily intakes of iron, folic acid, and Vitamin C. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 for the Chi-square test, Spearman’s rank correlation, one-sample t-test and Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA using Statista app. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 25.35±3.98 years, with a mean gestational age of 9.58±2.10 weeks. Mild anaemia was observed in 64 (36.57%) participants, moderate anaemia in 6 (3.43%), and 105 (60%) had normal Hb levels. Mean daily intakes of iron (7.84±3.20 mg), folic acid (58.33±25.67 mcg), and Vitamin C (28.70±18.68 mg) were significantly lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) (p-value <0.001 for all). Spearman’s correlation showed Hb levels in the study participants were not significantly associated with their dietary intake of iron (r-value=0.0023, p-value=0.9755), folic acid (r-value=0.0075, p-value=0.9219), or Vitamin C (r-value=–0.0309, p-value=0.6848). Conclusion: Micronutrient intake among pregnant women in early pregnancy was markedly inadequate, contributing to a significant burden of anaemia. There is an urgent need for targeted interventions such as dietary counselling, supplementation, and food fortification to improve maternal nutritional status and reduce anaemia-related risks.

Anemia is a condition where red blood cells (RBCs) are insufficient to deliver oxygen to tissues. Because this is difficult to measure, anemia is defined as a low hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (normally >11 g/dL), a normal red blood cell count (RBC) of 3.42-4.55 x 1012/L, and a hematocrit (Hct) of >33 (Wibowo et al., 2021). To determine the effect of education on consuming iron tablets on pregnant women's compliance with iron tablet consumption. This study used a quantitative method with a pre-experimental approach with a pre-test-post-test group design, covering both before and after education. The population and sample size in this study consisted of 34 respondents. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon test. The univariate study found that 22 pregnant women (64.7%) were compliant with iron tablet consumption. 30 pregnant women (88.2%) were compliant with iron tablet consumption with family support. 27 pregnant women (79.4%) had a good visit. The results showed a p-value of 0.000 (p<0.05). There was an effect of iron tablet consumption education on pregnant women's compliance with iron tablet consumption during pregnancy at the Penerokan Community Health Center in 2025.

Both low and high haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations associate with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, with the optimal Hb concentrations remaining elusive. This study investigated the associations between Hb concentrations and maternal/neonatal outcomes and determined optimal Hb ranges during the second and third trimesters. Retrospectively, data from 41,956 singleton live births delivered at Fuyang Women and Children's Hospital, a tertiary hospital in China, from 2018to 2023, were analysed. Poisson regression with restricted cubic splines was employed to associate Hb concentrations with maternal (gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM], preeclampsia, and postpartum haemorrhage [PPH]) and neonatal outcomes (preterm birth [PTB], small for gestational age [SGA] birth, and neonatal asphyxia), applying generalised estimating equations to account for repeated measures. Optimal Hb ranges were determined using interquartile ranges from a low-risk subgroup and thresholds identified via the combined risk curve method, incorporating PPH and neonatal outcomes. A total of 120,263 Hb measurements were analysed. U-shaped relationships emerged between Hb concentration and preeclampsia, PPH, PTB, SGA and neonatal asphyxia, whereas that with GDM was nearly linear. These patterns were consistent in both the second and third trimesters. The optimal ranges of 10.6-11.8 and 10.7-12.1 g/dL were identified by the low-risk subgroup approach for the second and third trimesters, respectively, whereas those by the combined risk curve method yielded slightly broader ranges of 9.6-11.7 g/dL and 9.9-12.0 g/dL, respectively. The findings of this study reveal U-shaped relationships between maternal Hb concentrations and maternal/neonatal outcomes, with 10.5-12.5 g/dL as the optimal Hb concentration during the second and third trimesters, considering combined risks and clinical feasibility. Future multicentre studies are warranted to validate these ranges in broader populations.

BackgroundMaternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and changes in Hb across trimesters have been linked to low birth weight (LBW) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA). However, these associations have shown inconsistent results and have not been investigated in pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We investigated the association between changes in Hb concentration during the first and second trimesters and birth weight, LBW, and SGA among pregnant women in the UAE.MethodsWe utilized data from the Mutaba’ah Study. Change in Hb was computed as the difference between the first and second trimester Hb concentrations. LBW and SGA were defined as birth weight below 2500 grams and birth weight below the 10th percentile, respectively. Multivariable regression models were used to investigate the association between changes in maternal Hb and birth weight, LBW and SGA.ResultsA total of 1500 pregnant women were included. The mean maternal age was 32 years (SD 6). Overall, Hb concentration declined from the first to the second trimesters by a median of −9 g/L (IQR: −14, −3). LBW and SGA were observed among 6% and 10% of the newborns, respectively. Pregnant women who experienced the least reduction or an increase in Hb concentration had a higher risk of both LBW (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.77 to 6.96) and SGA (aOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.28 to 3.40) compared to those with the greatest reduction in Hb concentration.ConclusionMinimal reductions in Hb levels from the first to the second trimester were associated with LBW and SGA. The average Hb levels during the second trimester were inversely associated with birth weight and SGA. Monitoring variations in maternal Hb early in pregnancy may enhance the early identification of pregnancies at risk.

Serum homocysteine, hemoglobin, and Alzheimer's biomarkers involved in the relationship of folate and vitamin B12 with cognitive function: Findings from the Hubei Memory and Aging Cohort Study.

Background.Ex-situ heart perfusion (ESHP) enables improved donor heart preservation, yet still suffers functional decline. The perfusate is 1 area that requires optimization, especially with regard to hemoglobin (Hb) content. We sought to compare performance of concentrated, physiologic, and dilute perfusates in minimally damaged hearts.Methods.Hearts of juvenile Yorkshire pigs (45–55 kg) were procured and subject to 11 h of working-mode ESHP in 1 of 4 groups varying in Hb: concentrated blood (CB, ~12 g/dL Hb, n = 4), whole blood (WB, ~8g/dL Hb, n = 6), plasma (~4g/dL Hb, n = 6, diluted with donor plasma), and control (~4g/dL Hb, n = 5, diluted with modified Krebs-Heinseleit). Functional, metabolic, and hemolytic markers were recorded and compared between groups statistically using appropriate statistical tests.Results.CB hearts exhibited worsened decline from baseline in cardiac index, dP/dT max/min, and stroke work (P < 0.05) and had greater elevations in hemolytic markers by end perfusion. Preservation of baseline cardiac index did not differ significantly between controls, WB, or plasma groups over time (P > 0.05). The CB group displayed elevated early oxygen consumption compared with controls (P < 0.05), with WB and plasma groups trending toward increased oxygen consumption. Lactate elevated over time in all groups, however, was not comparatively elevated within the CB group; it was reduced in the plasma group during early perfusion compared with control.Conclusions.Hb dilution appears to lower absolute output but preserves baseline function. Supraphysiologic Hb elevation or sublethal blood cell damage exacerbates hemolysis, which contributes to functional decline during ESHP. Lactate evolution did not appear to associate with the degree of functional loss.

Blood collection is a vital tool for diagnosis and treatment. Cardiac puncture is considered a suitable terminal technique to attain a single large and good quality blood sample at the end of an experimental period. The present study aimed to modify the cardiac puncture technique to make it a non-terminal multiple blood sampling method. Forty-eight adult Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly divided into four equal groups, each containing six animals for each sex. Cardiac puncture blood sampling, under anesthesia by 3–5% isoflurane, was executed once (group I), twice (group II), three times (group III), and four times (group IV), with a week interval from the first, second, third, and fourth groups, respectively, throughout five weeks. By the end of each group, rats were euthanized under anesthesia with a ketamine/xylazine cocktail to get the heart tissue samples. The hematological parameters, including red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts, hemoglobin (Hb) content, packed cell volume (PCV), and blood indices were investigated. Serum activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were estimated. The cardiac levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) were reported. Histopathological examination of the cardiac tissue was conducted. We found no significant differences in any of hematological, biochemical, or oxidative stress parameters. Histopathological analysis demonstrated relatively moderate, non-progressive cardiac alterations following repeated sampling, suggesting minimal tissue injury. The 3Rs principle for animal welfare is implemented through the use of the heart puncture technique, which can be modified to serve as a non-terminal approach for collecting multiple blood samples.

Background: Hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) reference intervals (RIs) are critical for diagnosing hematological disorders. However, existing reference values often do not account for demographic and environmental variability. Particularly in countries with altitude gradients, such as Colombia, the absence of locally adjusted intervals may lead to the misclassification of anemia and polycythemia. Therefore, this study aims to establish sex-, age-, and altitude-specific reference intervals for Hb and Hct within the Colombian adult population via an indirect, big-data-based methodology. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used 3.1 million Hb and Hct test results nationwide between 2022 and 2024. After applying the exclusion criteria, Hb data from 667,857 individuals and Hct data from 662,024 individuals were included. The population was stratified by sex, age, and altitude into <1100 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.), 1100-2000 m.a.s.l., and 2000-3000 m.a.s.l. Reference intervals (RIs) were estimated via the refineR algorithm, and the results were compared across altitude categories and against World Health Organization (WHO) anemia and polycythemia thresholds. Results: Hb and Hct concentrations increased with altitude in all sexes and age groups. Compared with women, men presented higher mean values and narrower RIs, whereas older adults presented greater variability. Compared with WHO thresholds, a significant proportion of individuals living above 2000 m exceeded polycythemia cutoffs without clinical evidence of disease, suggesting the need for altitude-adjusted diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: This study provides the first large-scale, data-driven reference intervals for Hb and Hct in Colombia, adjusted for altitude, sex, and age. The implementation of locally derived RIs may improve diagnostic accuracy and prevent the over- or underdiagnosis of hematological disorders, with direct implications for clinical decision-making and public health policy.

Proprioception is fundamental for accurate movements, balance, and postural control, ensuring stability and orientation in both static and dynamic tasks. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) may impair proprioceptive acuity, thereby affecting motor control. As physical training is known to improve proprioception in both healthy and clinical populations, combining exercise with iron supplementation may offer additional benefits. This study aimed to explore the effects of 8-week Tabata training based on plyometric exercises combined with iron supplementation on proprioceptive acuity in young women with IDA. This randomized controlled trial included young women with IDA (18–25 years) who were randomly allocated to a Tabata training group (TG; n = 18) or an untrained control group (UTG; n = 20). Both groups received iron supplementation (494.5 mg ferrous sulfate), while the TG additionally completed an eight-week Tabata-based plyometric training program. Hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels were assessed, as well as, fatigue, attentional capacity, and proprioceptive acuity were evaluated using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), an online simple reaction time test, and the weight discrimination test, respectively, at baseline and 72 h after the final intervention session. The results of this study demonstrated significantly higher improvements post intervention in most proprioceptive acuity increments [0.4 kg (P = 0.003), 0.28 kg (P = 0.023). 0.11 kg (P < 0.001)], Hb levels (P = 0.03), as well as in general and physical fatigue (P < 0.001) and reduced motivation (P = 0.003) scores in TG compared to UTG. The findings of this study revealed greater improvements in proprioceptive acuity in the TG compared to the UTG, highlighting the additional benefits of our combined training program compared to iron supplementation therapy alone, particularly on Hb concentrations, general and physical fatigue and motivation scores. This study was registered retrospectively on pan African clinical trials registry (ID: PACTR202507672075403; Date of Registration: 02/07/2025).

Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration is a fundamental physiological marker widely used in the diagnosis of anemia and the assessment of cardiovascular health. Although invasive blood testing provides high accuracy, its reliance on laboratory infrastructure limits scalability and real-time applicability. Here, we present Hb-PPG, a four-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) dataset designed to support research on non-invasive hemoglobin assessment and cardiovascular monitoring. The dataset comprises 1008 PPG signal segments acquired at 660, 730, 850, and 940 nm from 252 adult subjects, alongside reference measurements of hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and brachial artery systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Hb-PPG enables systematic investigation of wavelength-dependent PPG signal characteristics and their relationships with hematological and hemodynamic parameters. By providing high-quality, multi-wavelength optical signals with clinically grounded reference data, this dataset facilitates the development, validation, and benchmarking of non-invasive approaches for hemoglobin estimation and related vascular health applications. The dataset is intended to support algorithm development, benchmarking, and methodological studies in non-invasive hemoglobin estimation, rather than direct clinical diagnosis.

The hemoglobin/red blood cell distribution width (Hb/RDW) ratio has emerged as a potential biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI), particularly in patients with cardiovascular conditions. This study investigated the relationship between Hb/RDW ratio and AKI incidence in critically ill patients diagnosed with sepsis and heart failure (HF). A retrospective study was conducted with 119 critically ill patients with sepsis and 83 patients with HF, analyzed according to the presence or absence of kidney injury. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of AKI. Outcomes between higher and lower Hb/RDW groups were compared. Patients who developed AKI showed higher C-reactive protein levels, elevated RDW (15.7 ± 2.2 vs. 14.9 ± 1.8; p = 0.01), and higher SAPS 3 scores, along with markedly lower Hb concentrations and Hb/RDW ratios (75.1 ± 1.6 vs. 85.5 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, serum urea (OR 1.016; 95% CI 1.005-1.027 per mg/dL), SAPS 3, and Hb/RDW ratio (OR 0.977; 95% CI 0.959-0.996) were independently associated with AKI. Patients with a lower Hb/RDW ratio had higher frequencies of AKI, kidney-replacement therapy, red-cell transfusion, and mortality. During a 7-year follow-up, progression to dialysis-dependent stage V chronic kidney disease (CKD-V) occurred in 10.8% of HF patients and 2.5% of sepsis patients, indicating that a lower Hb/RDW ratio was also associated with worse long-term renal outcomes. The Hb/RDW ratio is independently associated with AKI and may also reflect long-term kidney prognosis, representing a cost-effective and readily available ICU marker to identify patients at risk for both acute and chronic renal deterioration in sepsis or HF.

Anaemia during pregnancy poses a major public health problem globally, with reported prevalences ranging from approximately 5.2% to 65.7%. A significant portion of this burden is borne by low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy and identify the factors associated with anaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy in a cohort of women in the rural Sylhet district, Bangladesh. We enrolled 3000 pregnant women between 8 and 19 weeks of gestational age (GA). Trained community health workers collected data on their sociodemographic, obstetric, nutritional, dietary, anthropometric, and household characteristics. Blood samples were collected at baseline (<20 weeks of gestation) and at a follow-up visit between 24-36 weeks of GA to measure haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. We classified them according to their anaemia status into no anaemia (Hb ≥11g/dl), mild (10 to <11 g/dl), and moderate to severe (<10g/dl) groups. We then used unadjusted and adjusted multinomial logistic regression models to calculate the relative risk ratios (RRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of potential risk factors for mild or moderate to severe anaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy. Of the 2679 women tested at enrolment, 1010 (38%) were anaemic, 634 (24%) had mild anaemia, and 376 (14%) had moderate to severe anaemia. At the third-trimester follow-up, 1950 (79%) of 2473 women were anaemic; 739 (30%) had mild anaemia, and 1211 (49%) had moderate to severe anaemia. Women with baseline mild anaemia had about a five-fold higher risk (RRR = 4.84; 95% CI = 3.64-6.46) and those with moderate to severe anaemia about an 11-fold higher risk (RRR = 10.78; 95% CI = 6.69-17.35) of having moderate to severe anaemia in the third trimester. Iron supplementation during pregnancy (RRR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.60-0.93) and drinking tubewell water (RRR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.60-0.96) were significantly associated with a lower risk of moderate to severe anaemia in the third trimester. We documented a high rate of anaemia in our sample, particularly during the third trimester of pregnancy, underscoring an urgent need for interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes, such as improved nutrition education, expanded access to and adherence with iron supplementation, and enhanced antenatal care.

PurposeTo evaluate whether an algorithm that quantifies changes in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in the optic nerve head (ONH) can detect progression in glaucomatous eyes with progressive visual field changes.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study involved eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Eyes were required to have at least five Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP) tests and three ONH photos during follow-up. ONH photos were processed using the Laguna ONhE software (Retinalyze, Spain). The software estimates Hb concentration at the ONH using automated colorimetric analysis. Visual field progression was defined based on the event-based algorithm provided by the guided progression analysis (GPA) software of the Humphrey perimeter. Changes in Hb levels from fundus photos during follow-up were calculated and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) regression models were used to assess the performance of Globin Individual Pointer (GIP) changes as an indicator of glaucomatous visual field progression.Results133 eyes of 102 subjects were included in the study, with 26 (20%) eyes demonstrating progression by the SAP GPA over an average follow-up time of 2.4 ± 1.6 years. The median (IQR) change in SAP mean deviation (MD) between the first and last visits was -2.20 (-4.65 to -0.62) dB in progressing and -0.01 (-1.17 to 1.03) dB in non-progressing eyes (P = 0.010). Progressing eyes had a median change of -4.9 (IQR: -10.4 to 3.1) GIP units, compared to -1.6 (IQR: -11.2 to 7.8) units for non-progressing eyes (P = 0.288). A statistically significant negative GIP slope (P < 0.05) was observed in two (7.7%) of the progressing eyes and 14 (13.1%) of the non-progressing eyes. Each 10-unit decrease in GIP during follow-up was associated with a 22% increase in the odds of progressing by GPA (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 0.98-1.52; P = 0.071), whereas a 10 unit/year faster slope was associated with 6% higher odds of visual field progression (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.90-1.26; P = 0.456). The area under the ROC curve to detect progression based on GIP change was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.39-0.60).ConclusionReductions in Hb concentration estimates from fundus photos were not significantly different between progressing and non-progressing eyes. GIP changes overtime were not associated with visual field progression. We believe that the ability to detect glaucoma progression with this method requires improvement.

Anemia is a widespread global health issue. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration measurement remains the most common method for anemia screening and diagnosis. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the development of noninvasive point-of-care technologies that eliminate the need for blood sampling. This pilot study explores the feasibility of using a noncontact photoplethysmography-based mobile app for Hb monitoring. Adult volunteers aged 18 years and older, of both sexes, were consecutively recruited. Participants were seated and allowed a 2-minute rest before measurements. During testing, they faced a smartphone running comestai.app, which used the front-facing camera to capture facial videos. Simultaneous readings were collected for Hb over approximately 90 seconds using the app. Ambient lighting was standardized for all remote photoplethysmography recordings. No medical decisions were made based on the app-generated data. A complete blood count, including Hb levels, was used as a reference for comparison with the data collected using comestai.app. A total of 555 (female: n=313, 56.4%; male: n=242, 43.6%) individuals participated in the study. The app achieved a mean absolute error of 1.46, a mean absolute percentage error of 11.26, a mean error of -0.67, and a root mean square error of 1.88. The Bland-Altman plot evaluated the agreement between the app-based and laboratory-based Hb measurements, with the mean difference between the 2 methods being -0.70 g/dL. The method demonstrated an overall accuracy of 75%. The area under the curve was 0.701 (95% CI 0.655-0.745). Comestai.app offers an innovative approach to wellness monitoring by providing noninvasive Hb estimation using the smartphone's front-facing camera. Continued development, including algorithmic refinement and larger-scale validation in diverse populations, will be key to enhancing accuracy and broadening its utility. By leveraging the ubiquity of smartphones, comestai.app contributes meaningfully to the democratization of health monitoring and the promotion of proactive self-care.

Anemia remains a persistent public health problem among adolescent girls, significantly affecting their growth, learning capacity, and overall quality of life. This community-based study aimed to evaluate the effects of mung bean extract and soy milk consumption on hemoglobin (Hb) levels among adolescent girls suffering from moderate anemia. The activity was conducted as part of a community health service program focused on improving nutritional awareness and reducing anemia prevalence through affordable local food sources. The intervention involved two adolescent participants with confirmed moderate anemia. One participant consumed mung bean extract, while the other consumed soy milk, each 250 ml twice daily for seven consecutive days. Hemoglobin levels were measured before and after the intervention using a portable hemoglobinometer. The results showed a substantial improvement in Hb concentration for both participants: the mung bean group experienced a 1.3 g/dL increase, and the soy milk group a 1.4 g/dL increase. Both participants reported reduced fatigue, improved concentration, and enhanced general well-being. These findings suggest that plant-based iron sources, such as mung beans and soy milk, are effective and affordable alternatives to conventional supplementation for managing anemia among adolescents. Furthermore, integrating such nutritional education into community outreach programs can raise awareness of balanced diets and iron-rich local foods. This initiative demonstrates that simple, sustainable dietary interventions can significantly contribute to improving adolescent health in the community

Comprehensive analysis of complement activation in a hydroxyurea-treated patient cohort with sickle cell disease.

Comparison of haemoglobin assessments with Hemo Control and Sysmex XN-1000™ in high altitude resident patients (Huancayo - Peru).

Arsenic (As) contamination in aquaculture systems poses a serious threat to fish health, food safety and sustainable production, yet effective nutritional strategies to mitigate its toxicity remain limited. This study evaluates the protective role of dietary spirulina against As-induced physiological and biochemical disturbances in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In this study, the Nile tilapia O. niloticus (0.65 ± 0.04g) were exposed to As with or without spirulina, representing control (no spirulina and As); T1, (spirulina 0g/kg and As 5mg/kg); T2 (spirulina 0g/kg and As 10mg/kg); T3 (20g/kg of spirulina and As 5mg/kg); and T4 (20g/kg of spirulina and As 10mg/kg) for 56 days. At the completion of the feeding trial, fish were analysed for growth, feed performance and haematological traits. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was observed with increasing dietary As levels when compared to the control group. However, dietary spirulina improved the negative effects on fish growth. Similarly, lower feed utilization observed in the fish fed non-spirulina As supplemented diet in comparison to spirulina supplemented diet. Haemoglobin (Hb) content significantly (p<0.05) lowered with the increase of As level in non-spirulina supplemented fish, however dietary spirulina improved the Hb level. On the other hand, opposite trend noticed in term of blood glucose levels. Moreover, dietary spirulina supplementation significantly lowered the As accumulation in fish muscle in comparison to non-spirulina supplemented group. The results of this study indicate that spirulina has a notable capacity to counteract the toxic effects of As in Nile tilapia.

Structure-dependent association between Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and hemoglobin in the Chinese population: insights from epidemiological analysis and molecular simulations.