Hematological Biomarkers Research Articles

Confounding role of comorbidities and COVID-19 vaccination uptake in clinical utility of hematological biomarkers in Cameroonian patients infected with SARS-CoV-2

ObjectivesTo analyze variations in blood profile, the extent of hematological disorders, and the impact of comorbidities and COVID-19 vaccination on blood profile parameters and their clinical value for prognostic of SARS-CoV-2 infection. MethodsThis cross-sectional study took place in Douala, Cameroon. A complete blood count and molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 were performed on patients. Clinical value was appraised using area under the curve (AUC) analysis. ResultsIn total, 420 participants were included. A significant reduction of hematological parameters such as lymphocytes (p < 0.0001), red blood cells (P = 0.0025), mean corpuscular hemoglobin count (P < 0.0001), and platelets (P = 0.02) was seen in SARS-CoV-2 (+) patients. Anisocytosis was the main hematological disorder (95.5%). Normocytic normochromic anemia was predominant in SARS-CoV-2 (+) (35.3%) while microcytic normochromic anemia was more frequently seen in SARS-CoV-2 (-) (16.5%). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) consistently showed statistically significant AUC ∼0.75 upon stratification for age, gender, and comorbidities, with the exception of COVID-19 vaccination uptake. ConclusionIn a context where molecular detection methods are difficultly affordable in health facilities in developing countries such as Cameroon, NLR could be clinically interesting for identifying SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, especially those with comorbidities.

Predicting the Cognitive Ability of Young Women Using a New Feature Selection Algorithm.

Cognitive abilities are the capabilities to perform mental processes that include executive function, comprehension, decision-making, work performance, and educational attainment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between several biomarkers and individuals' cognitive ability using various machine learning methods. A total of 144 young women aged between 18 and 24years old were recruited into the study. Cognitive performance was assessed using a standard questionnaire. A panel of biochemical, hematological, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers in serum and urine was measured for all participants. A novel combination of feature selection and feature scoring techniques within a hierarchical ensemble structure has been proposed to identify the most effective features in recognizing the importance of various biomarker signatures in cognitive abilities classification. Multiple feature selection methods were employed in conjunction with different classifiers to construct this model. In this manner, using three filter methods, the scores of each feature were considered. The combination of high-scoring features for each filter method was stored as the primary feature subset. A high-accuracy feature subset was selected by using a wrapper method. The collection of highly scored features from each filter method formed the primary feature subset. A wrapper method was also employed to select a feature subset with high accuracy. To ensure robustness and minimize random variations in the feature subset search process, a repeative tenfold cross-validation was conducted. The most frequently recurring features were determined. This iterative step facilitated the identification of an optimal feature subset, effectively reducing the dimensionality of features while maintaining accuracy. Among the 47 extracted factors, serum level of NOx (nitrite ± nitrate), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and phosphate as well as blood platelet count (PLT) was entered into the model of cognitive abilities with the highest accuracy of approximately 70.9% using a decision tree classifier. Therefore, the serum levels of NOx, ALP, phosphate, and blood PLT count may be important markers of the cognitive abilities in apparently healthy young women. These factors my provide a simple procedure to identify mental abilities and earlier cognitive decline in healthy adults.

Prognostic value of hematological parameters in older adult patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing coronary intervention: a single centre prospective study.

Cardiovascular disease is a significant contributor to the disease burden in geriatric patients. Underlying systemic inflammation is thought to be the cause of age-related changes in the bone marrow and a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. The purpose of the study was to assess the accuracy of these hematological biomarkers in predicting 30-day mortality in older patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This was a prospective observational study of 601 older adult patients (age > 60 years) with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention over two years (2017-2019). The relationship between baseline hematological parameters and mortality was assessed during the 30-day follow-up. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were done to evaluate for diagnostic accuracy of various hematological parameters. The mean age of presentation was 77 ± 17 years. The mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value was 5.07 ± 4.90 and the mean platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) value was 108.65 ± 85.82. On univariate analysis, total leucocyte count [odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, P = 0.021], hematocrit (OR = 0.91, P = 0.018), NLR (OR = 1.10, P = 0.001) and PLR (OR = 1.05, P = 0.001) were associated with mortality. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, NLR predicted mortality with 68.1% and PLR with 65.7% accuracy. On multivariate analysis, NLR (OR = 1.096, 95% CI: 1.006-1.15, P = 0.035) was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality. For the risk classification of all elderly ACS patients, we highly advise using NLR rather than the total white blood cell count.

Selected haematological markers and C-reactive protein, not AGTR1 SNP, are associated with essential hypertension in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Background: Essential Hypertension (EH) accounts for majority of hypertension cases globally. Genetic factors along with haematological and biochemical changes may underlie EH and these have not been well studied in Kenya. A meta-analysis in African populations (excluding East Africa) identified the 1166A&gt;C (rs5186) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (AGTR1) that encodes the angiotensin II type 1 receptor as likely to predispose some Africans to hypertension.&#x0D; Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine whether the AGTR1 (rs5186) mutation, C-reactive protein (CRP) and selected haematological biomarkers may be associated with the onset of EH in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya).&#x0D; Study Design: A case control study design was adopted.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted from March to July 2022 at Chuka County Referral Hospital in Tharaka Nithi County.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 272 participants, both hypertensive and normotensive, were recruited and blood samples obtained. DNA was extracted and analyzed by PCR RFLP. Independent T-test, Mann Whitney U test and Odds ratios were used to compare the two groups. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: Median values for Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), C-reactive Protein (CRP) and mean values for Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher (P &lt; .001) in hypertensive group compared to normotensive individuals. Mean Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) was not significantly different between cases and controls. (P=.519) There was no significant association between the AGTR1 1166A&gt;C (rs5186) SNP frequency and EH in both groups (P=0.6236, OR=0.4952(95%CI:0.0442-5.5456)&#x0D; Conclusion: The AGTR1 (rs5186) SNP is not associated with EH in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. EH is associated with elevated levels of CRP, RDW, MPV and NLR in the absence of other inflammatory and chronic diseases. Further studies of the genetics of hypertension in Kenya need to be conducted.

Dohongsamul-tang inhibits cardiac remodeling and fibrosis through calcineurin/NFAT and TGF-β/Smad2 signaling in cardiac hypertrophy

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDohongsammul-tang (DH) is a Korean traditional herbal medicine used to alleviate symptoms caused by extravasated blood. It is known to protect against cardiovascular diseases and promote blood circulation by activating blood circulation to dispel blood stasis. The DH based on the characteristics of its medicinal properties has discovered the potential of alleviating cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, this study was performed to verify the pharmacological effect of DH on improving cardiovascular disorders and to demonstrate its mutual improvement effect on renal function. Furthermore, aim of this study is founding the new potential beyond the traditional medicinal efficacy of DH, a traditional medicine. Aim of the studyIn cardiovascular disease, cardiac hypertrophy refers to a change in the shape of the heart's structure due to pressure overload. It is known that an increase in myofibrils causes thickening of the heart, resulting in high blood pressure. Therefore, suppressing cardiac hypertrophy may be a major factor in lowering the morbidity, mortality, and heart failure associated with cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the study was performed to investigate whether DH, traditionally used, has effects on improving and alleviating cardiac injury and fibrosis caused by cardiac hypertrophy. Materials and methodsDohongsamul-tang was composed of 6 herbal medicine and each material were boiled with 4 L distilled water for 2 h. The mixture for dohongsamul-tang centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min and concentrated. The concentrated dohongsamul-tang extraction freeze-dried and sotred at 70 °C. The powder of dohongsamul-tang was diluted with distilled water and administered orally. In this study, pressure overload was induced by tying the transverse aortic arch, which is connected to the left ventricle, to the thickness of a 27G needle by performing a surgical operation. The resulting cardiac hypertrophy and heart remodeling was induced and maintained for 8 weeks. ResultsThe study administered propranolol and dohongsamul-tang orally for 10 weeks to investigate their effects on cardiac hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic contraction (TAC) surgery. Results showed that TAC group increased the left ventricle weight and decreased cardiac function, but dohongsamul-tang treatment attenuated these effects. The pressure-volume curve experiment revealed that dohongsamul-tang improved cardiovascular function, which was worsened by TAC group. Dohongsamul-tang treatment also downregulated collagen I and III through the TGF-β/Smad2 signaling pathway and improved hematological biomarkers of cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, dohongsamul-tang treatment improved renal function-related biomarkers, such as blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, which were increased by TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy. ConclusionsTaken together, dohongsamul-tang treatment inhibited cardiac remodeling due to pressure overload in the TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy model, and this effect is thought to be manifested by improving the functional and morphological changes through the calcineurin/NFATc4 and reducing the cardiac fibrosis by suppressing TGF-β/Smad2 signaling pathways.

Effect of Inclisiran on Haematological and Immunological Biomarkers: A Pooled Analysis of ORION-9, -10 and -11 Trial Data

Effect of Inclisiran on Haematological and Immunological Biomarkers: A Pooled Analysis of ORION-9, -10 and -11 Trial Data

CARDIO-VASCULAR INVOLVEMENT AND CARDIAC REHABILITATION ON COVID-19 INDIAN PATIENTS: RECENT ADVANCES AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVE

Introduction: The novel corona virus disease 2019 -23 (COVID-19) pandemic so many Indian patients have experienced with their multisystem involvement, critically ill patients and treated with in intensive care units (ICUs), critical care unit (CCU) and even so many died as unable to get proper treatment and cardiac rehabilitations (CRs) at the acute infections and critically ill patients. Material and Methods:We have selected those patients having systemic effects, cardiac involvement patients prognosis and diagnosis with COVID-19 and their cardiac complicacy. Patients with COVID-19 develop cardiac complications are including with the heart failure, myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cardiac arrhythmias (CAMs), trigger and accompanying with cardiac diseases like coronary artery diseases (CAD) and coronary vascular diseases (CVD). We identify the recommendations of scientific and professional treatment and cardiac rehabilitations given by our organizations in the area of rehabilitation in our institutions respectively. We performed more than 500 cases in critical conditions and recovered in our main data bases. In our organizations were identified and selected as very specific contribution related to our study and excluded the single case reports and those are not interested to participate to our study. SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM, mild increases in the CD4+T cells, diverse changes in the several newly developed biochemical and haematological biomarkers are also studied. Results:Cardiac Rehabilitations (CRs) taken Patients with COVID-19 develop cardiac complications are including with the heart failure, myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cardiac arrhythmias (CAMs), trigger and accompanying with cardiac diseases like coronary artery diseases (CAD) and coronary vascular diseases (CVD) are improved more than (85%-95%). In hospitalized patients 10-15% with worse outcomes, longer stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) &amp; 5-8% in cardiac critical care (CCU), and higher risk of death ratio of COVID-19 cardiac involvement ranges between 0-10percent. Deconditioning rate is increased due to immobility and muscle involvement in the pre and post-COVID-19 management is very poor at that time. COVID-19 Patients need CRs facilities. Conclusion: Cardiac Rehabilitations (CRs) findings suggested that COVID-19 patients showed a gradual changes in improvement in exercise capacity of critically ill patients are significantly declined in the SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM, test reports are mild increase in CD4+ T cells, and diverse changes in several biochemical and hematological biomarkers after hospital discharge in 6-month. Cardiac Rehabilitations (CRs) effect on improving exercise capacity was observed in COVID-19 patients in a dose–response fashion after 6-months. CRs suggested that a batter innovation strategy to promote recovery in patients during/after acute COVID-19.Although higher certainty in the evidence in convalescent plasma for the treatment of individuals with moderate to severe diseases. It does not reduce mortality and has little to no impact on measures of clinical improvement. Cardiac Rehabilitations (CRs) taken Patients with COVID-19 develop cardiac complications got better treatment through the CR experts clinically and feeling good.

Influence of game side court on haematological and urinary biomarkers in professional padel players

Purpose: to analyze the influence of game side on court in haematological and urinary biomarkers after a simulated padel competition (SC) attending to possible gender differences. Method: pre- and post-SC serum creatinine, urea and creatine kinase (CK), and urine specific gravity and erythrocytes of twenty-nine professional padel players (16 women, 13 men) were quantified. A two-way ANOVA was used to show any differences in the studied variables (p values &lt; 0.05). Results: significant differences were found before and after the SC for creatinine (p &lt; 0.05) and erythrocytes (p &lt; 0.01). Differences were found for creatinine (p &lt; 0.001), CK (p &lt; 0.01) and specific gravity between sexes (p &lt; 0.05). No game side court effect was found. Conclusion: padel SC produced an increase in serum creatinine and hemolysis, probably caused by game dynamics. Sex differences were found in serum creatinine and CK, presumably due to anthropometric gender differences. Both sexes finished the SCs in a dehydrated state, affecting it more to men, something which should be considered to prevent and alleviate its potential negative effects in performance. More studies should be carried out to confirm these data.

Oxidative stress, hematological, biochemical, and hormonal alterations induced by exposure tilapia fish of Edko Lake, Egypt, to organochlorine pesticide residues in Edko Lake water.

Background: Organochlorine (OCl) pesticide residues, including gamma-HCH, beta-HCH, heptachlor epoxide, p, p DDE, Dieldrin, endrin aldehyde, endosulfan sulfate, and endrin ketone, were found in the water of Egypt's Edko Lake in the Beheira Governorate. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effect of these OCl pesticide residues on some hematological, biochemical, and hormonal indices of lake tilapia fish. Results: The impact on hematological parameters indicated that these OCl residues cause a significant increase in WBC counts, hematocrit (HCT) values in male and female fish and a considerable rise in HGB and lymphocytes (LYM) in male fish. Liver function biomarkers, such as aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alanine amino transaminase (ALT), increased significantly because of these OCl residues. In contrast, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) went down a lot. In addition, they decreased the level of glucose compared to the control. Levels of biomarkers related to kidney functions, i.e., uric acid and creatinine, increased significantly. Also, antioxidant enzymes like catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) increased. However, the activity of GST decreased a lot in both male and female fish, and the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was reduced in male fish. Results revealed an alteration in thyroid hormone levels (thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)) in fish plasma compared with the control. Also, a significant decrease in folic stimulation hormone (FSH) in female fish and a substantial reduction in progesterone and testosterone hormones in male fish. Conclusions: The OCl pesticide residues found in Edko Lake water directly induced significant adverse effects on hematological components and biomarkers of liver and kidney functions and may have caused hormonal disturbances that harm fish health.

Assessment of Biomarker Profile in Patients Post Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases are predominantly caused by atherosclerosis as a multifactorial chronic condition. Alterations in the hematological system and the blood vessel wall are considered as highly significant for onset and development of cerebrovascular disorders associated with atherosclerosis. Biomarkers as measurable indicators are to verify abnormal activity.&#x0D; Objective: to assess atherogenesis biomarkers in patients after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) as associated with development of cerebrovascular disease.&#x0D; Materials and methods. We evaluated 50 individuals (50% men, 50% women; average age 65.4 6.4 years) with established cerebrovascular disease associated with brain atherosclerosis. All of them had hemodynamically significant abnormalities in the internal carotid artery (ICA) with both symptomatic (stenosis 60% and more) and asymptomatic (stenosis 70% and more) stenoses confirmed by duplex scanning of the brachiocephalic arteries. All patients underwent CAS as indicated. Before and 1 year after the intervention, we performed clinical and neurological examinations, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and laboratory tests of atherogenesis biomarkers.&#x0D; Results. At baseline, all the individuals demonstrated a pro-atherogenic shift in the assessed indicators, predominantly markers of extracellular matrix degradation, inflammation and atherogenesis (including osteoprotegerin and chromogranin А). Additionally, we established a direct correlation between osteoprotegerin levels and the characteristics of mostly hyperechoic atherosclerotic plaques (r = 0.29; p 0.05). A year later, no signs of restenosis were shown in follow-up ultrasound assessment of stented arteries in any patient.&#x0D; In 1 year post CAS, we found significant changes in the levels of osteoprotegerin (decrease to 1.765 pg/mL [1.592; 1.937]; p 0.05) and chromogranin А (elevation to 31.3 g/L [13.9; 90.7]; p 0.05). Re-assessment demonstrated association between changes in the pattern of the nitrogen oxide system, which tends to improve (NO elevation to 38.23 mol/L [32.95; 43.51]; p 0.001), and atheroprotective shift in the morphology of atherosclerotic plaques and biomarker profile.&#x0D; Conclusion. Prospective, 1-year long observation for patients who underwent CAS for symptomatic/asymptomatic hemodynamically significant ICA stenoses revealed favourable atheroprotective shift in both ultrasound and hematological atherogenesis biomarker ratio. This shift contributed to the absence of cerebral atherosclerosis progression during the follow-up. The process may be mediated by chromogranin А and osteoprotegerin, and their further research is needed from perspective of atherogenesis.

Use of Ambroxol as Therapy for Gaucher Disease

Ambroxol was identified as an enhancer of stability and residual activity of several misfolded glucocerebrosidase variants in 2009. To assess hematologic and visceral outcomes, biomarker changes, and safety of ambroxol therapy for patients with Gaucher disease (GD) without disease-specific treatment. Patients with GD who could not afford enzyme replacement therapy were enrolled and received oral ambroxol from May 6, 2015, to November 9, 2022, at Xinhua Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. Thirty-two patients with GD (29 with GD type 1, 2 with GD type 3, and 1 with GD intermediate types 2-3) were enrolled. Of those, 28 patients were followed up for longer than 6 months; 4 were excluded due to loss of follow-up. Data analyses were performed from May 2015 to November 2022. An escalating dose of oral ambroxol (mean [SD] dose, 12.7 [3.9] mg/kg/d). Patients with GD receiving ambroxol were followed up in a genetic metabolism center. Biomarkers of chitotriosidase activity and glucosylsphingosine level, liver and spleen volumes, and hematologic parameters were measured at baseline and various time points throughout the ambroxol treatment. A total of 28 patients (mean [SD] age, 16.9 [15.3] years; 15 male patients [53.6%]) received ambroxol for a mean (SD) duration of 2.6 (1.7) years. Two patients with severe symptoms at baseline experienced deterioration of hematologic parameters and biomarkers and were deemed nonresponders; clinical response was observed in the other 26 patients. After 2.6 years of ambroxol treatment, the mean (SD) hemoglobin concentration improved from 10.4 (1.7) to 11.9 (1.7) g/dL (mean [SD], 1.6 [1.7] g/dL; 95% CI, 0.8-2.3 g/dL; P < .001), and the mean (SD) platelet count improved from 69 (25) to 78 (30) × 103/µL (mean [SD], 9 [22] × 103/µL; 95% CI, -2 to 19 × 103/µL; P = .09). The mean (SD) spleen volume decreased from 17.47 (7.18) to 12.31 (4.71) multiples of normal (MN) (mean [SD], -5.16 [5.44] MN; 95% CI, -10.19 to -0.13; P = .04), and the mean (SD) liver volume decreased from 1.90 (0.44) to 1.50 (0.53) MN (mean [SD], -0.39 [0.42] MN; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.04; P = .03). Biomarker median percentage changes from baseline were -43.1% for chitotriosidase activity (from 14 598 [range, 3849-29 628] to 8312 [range, 1831-16 842] nmol/mL/h; z = -3.413; P = .001) and -34.1% for glucosylsphingosine level (from 251.3 [range, 73.6-944.2] to 165.7 [range, 21.3-764.8] ng/mL; z = -2.756; P = .006). Patients were divided into subgroups according to age when initiating treatment; those who received treatment at a younger age (mean [SD] age, 6.3 [2.7] years) experienced more rapid improvements: hemoglobin concentration increased by 16.5% (from 10.3 [1.5] to 12.0 [1.5] g/dL; mean [SD] change, 1.6 [1.6] g/dL; 95% CI, 0.7-2.5 g/dL; P = .002), and platelet count increased by 12.0% (from 75 [24] to 84 [33] × 103/µL; mean [SD] change, 9 [26] × 103/µL; 95% CI, -5 to 24 × 103/µL; P = .17); whereas chitotriosidase activity decreased by 64.0% (from 15 710 [range, 4092-28 422] to 5658 [range, 1146-16 843] nmol/mL/h; z = -2.803; P = .005), and glucosylsphingosine level decreased by 47.3% (from 248.5 [range, 122.8-674.9] to 131.0 [range, 41.1-448.5] ng/mL; z = -2.385; P = .02). Three of the 28 patients experienced mild and transient adverse events. In this case series of ambroxol repurposing among patients with GD, long-term treatment with ambroxol was safe and associated with patient improvement. Improvements in hematologic parameters, visceral volumes, and plasma biomarkers were larger among patients with relatively mild symptoms of GD and patients who received initial treatment at younger ages.

Efficiency of hematological, enzymological and oxidative stress biomarkers of Cyprinus carpio to an emerging organic compound (alphamethrin) toxicity

Alphamethrin is one of the extensively used pyrethroids. Its non-specific mode-of-action might affect the non-target-organisms. Its toxicity data on aquatic organisms are lacking. We determined the toxicity (35 days) of alphamethrin (0.6 µg/L and 1.2 µg/L) on non-target-organisms by evaluating the efficiency of hematological, enzymological and antioxidants biomarkers of Cyprinus carpio. Compared with the control group, the efficiency of the biomarkers studied was significantly (p < 0.05) impaired in the alphamethrin treated groups. Alphamethrin-toxicity altered hematology, transaminases and the potency of LDH of fish. ACP and ALP activity and biomarkers of oxidative stress in the gills, liver and muscle tissues were affected. IBRv2 index reveals that the biomarkers were inhibited. The observed impairments were the toxicity effects of alphamethrin with respect to concentration and time. The effectiveness of biomarkers for alphamethrin toxicity was like the toxicity data available on other banned insecticides. Alphamethrin could cause multiorgan toxicity on aquatic organisms at µg/L level.

Experimentally exposed toxic effects of long-term exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of CIP in males and females of the silver catfish Rhamdia quelen

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is an antibiotic commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. It is present in the aquatic environment, but we still know very little about its effect on non-targeted organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to environmental CIP concentrations (1, 10, and 100 μg.L−1) in males and females of Rhamdia quelen. After 28 days of exposure, we collected the blood for the analysis of hematological and genotoxic biomarkers. Additionally, we measured 17 β-estradiol and 11 keto-testosterone levels. After the euthanasia, we collected the brain and the hypothalamus to analyze acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and neurotransmitters, respectively. The liver and gonads were assessed for biochemical, genotoxic, and histopathological biomarkers. At 100 μg.L−1 CIP, we observed genotoxicity in the blood, nuclear morphological changes, apoptosis, leukopenia, and a reduction of AChE in the brain. In the liver was observed oxidative stress and apoptosis. At 10 μg.L−1 CIP, leukopenia, morphological changes, and apoptosis were presented in the blood and a reduction of AChE in the brain. Apoptosis, leukocyte infiltration, steatosis, and necrosis occurred in the liver. Even at the lowest concentration (1 μg.L−1), adverse effects such as erythrocyte and liver genotoxicity, hepatocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and a decrease in somatic indexes were observed. The results showed the importance of monitoring CIP concentrations in the aquatic environment that cause sublethal effects on fish.

Impact of low-volume blood withdrawal on hematological biomarkers for the athlete biological passport.

This study investigated the impact of low-volume blood withdrawal on the hematological biomarkers currently considered for anti-doping purposes. After baseline measurement (D - 7), a 140 mL blood withdrawal was completed (D + 0) on 12 healthy volunteers, followed by weekly monitoring for 21 days (D + 7-21). Each visit consisted of a full blood count (Sysmex XN-1000) and duplicate blood volume measurements by CO-rebreathing. A significant decrease in total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) (-2.3%, p = 0.007) and red blood cell volume (RBCV) (-2.8%, p = 0.028) was reported at D + 7. Despite no atypical passport finding (ATPF) when considering the athlete biological passport adaptive longitudinal model, hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) increased significantly at D + 21 (+3.8%, p = 0.031). Besides, ferritin (FERR) was significantly downregulated at all points following blood withdrawal, with the largest decrease occurring at D + 7 (-26.6%, p < 0.001). Regardless of the presumable effect of blood reinfusion on ABP biomarkers, these results illustrate the challenge of monitoring hematological variables for the detection of low-volume blood withdrawal. Finally, this study outlines the sensitivity of FERR to altered erythropoiesis to support the implementation of iron markers as complementary variables for the longitudinal monitoring of blood doping, despite the potential influence of confounding factors (e.g., iron supplementations).

Spatial and individual factors mediate the tissue burden of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in adult and chick brown pelicans in the northern Gulf of Mexico

The northern Gulf of Mexico supports a substantial level of oil and gas extraction in marine waters and experiences acute and chronic exposure to marine pollution events. The region also supports a diverse array of breeding and migratory seabirds that are exposed to these pollutants during foraging and other activities. Among the pollutants of highest concern within the region are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which tend to be toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic. We assessed PAH loads in blood from adult brown pelicans and from feathers of adults and chicks of brown pelicans in relation to individual (e.g., body condition, sex) and spatial (e.g., breeding location within the Gulf, home range size, migration distance) factors. Of the 24 PAHs assessed, 17 occurred at least once among all samples. There were no PAHs found in chicks that were not also found in adults. Alkylated PAHs occurred more commonly and were measured at higher summed concentrations compared to parent PAHs in all samples, indicating that exposure to oil and/or byproducts of oil may have been a substantial source of PAH contamination for brown pelicans during this study. Within adults, PAHs were more likely to occur, and to increase in concentration, in blood samples of females compared to males, although no difference was found in feather samples. We also found that occurrence of and concentration of PAHs increased in adults that migrated longer distances. In adults and chicks, the background levels of oil and gas development within the region of the colony was not a consistent predictor of the presence of or concentration of PAHs. We also found correlations of PAHs with hematological and biochemical biomarkers that suggested compromised health. Our results indicate that both short- and long-term exposure (i.e., blood and feathers, respectively) are occurring for this species and that even nest-bound chicks can accumulate high levels of PAHs. Long-term tracking of PAHs, as well as an assessment of sublethal effects of PAHs on pelicans, could enhance our understanding of the persistence and effects of this contaminant in the northern Gulf as could increasing the breadth of species studied.

Prognostic value of neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio for predicting death in patients hospitalized for COVID-19

COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system and can cause changes in other systems. Early identification of patients with a higher potential for complications is critical to provide the best possible treatment to reduce the disease's lethality. This study aimed to analyze the behavior of hematologic biomarkers in predicting mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This retrospective cohort study used data from the medical records of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March and August 2020 in two referral hospitals for treatment of the disease in the city of Cuiabá (in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil). Clinical and laboratory characteristics related to cardiovascular involvement and death during hospitalization were evaluated. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, as well as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MRL), were used as potential biomarkers of death. A total of 199 patients were included (male: 113; mean age: 51.4 years). Leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts showed a statistically significant association with death, as did NLR and MRL. Satisfactory accuracy in predicting death was observed for leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, NLR, and MLR counts. The hematologic biomarkers studied may be useful for prognosticating hospitalized patients for the possibility of death from COVID-19.

Blood immune inflammatory indicators predict prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between the combined hematological parameters and echocardiography and long‐term prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear.MethodsWe examined the ability of hematological parameters to predict all‐cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) based on Lasso Cox regression analysis. The significant predictors of hematological parameters from the Lasso Cox model were analyzed via multivariate Cox regression analysis and by adjusting for echocardiographic data. We calculated the continuous net reclassification improvement (cNRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) of the hematological parameters to assess the improvement in prediction.ResultsA low hemoglobin and lymphocyte ratio and high hematocrit, red blood cell distribution width‐coefficient of variation, and monocyte ratio significantly increased the risk of MACE and death in CAD patients. Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio was associated with MACE but not death in CAD patients. After adjustment for echocardiographic parameters, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and lymphocyte ratio remained independently related to death and MACE. The addition of hematological and echocardiographic parameters to the Framingham risk score model significantly improved the area under the curve of mortality (0.794 vs. 0.713, p = 0.0007) and reclassification with cNRI of 30.6% (p = 0.002) and IDI of 0.055 (p &lt; 0.001). Mendelian randomization analyses identified that fibrinogen and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio were associated with increased brain natriuretic peptide and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the blood immune inflammatory indicators fibrinogen and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio were causally associated with the risk of heart failure after CAD. The combination of hematological biomarkers and echocardiography parameters as predictor variables is a useful predictive tool for all‐cause mortality in patients with CAD.

Anti-arthritic effects of geranium essential oil loaded chitosan nanoparticles in Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritic rats through down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines.

Geranium essential oil (GEO) has been widely used in aromatherapy and traditional medicines. Nanoencapsulation, a novel technique has emerged to overcome the environmental degradation and less oral bioavailability of essential oils. This work was undertaken to encapsulate geranium essential oil in chitosan nanoparticles (GEO-CNPs) by ionic gelation technique and to explore anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory potential in FCA-induced arthritic model in rats. The GEO was characterized by gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GCFID) and the nanosuspension was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-rays diffraction (XRD). The Wistar albino rats (n = 32) were separated into four groups; Group 1 and 2 were considered as normal and arthritic controls. Group 3 was positive control that received oral celecoxib for 21days while Group 4 was treated with oral GEO-CNPs after the induction of arthritis. Hind paw ankle joints diameters were weekly measured throughout the study and significant decrease (5.5 ± 0.5mm) was observed in GEO-CNPs treatment group in comparison to arthritic group (9.17 ± 0.52mm). Blood samples were drawn at end for evaluation of hematological, biochemical and inflammatory biomarkers. A significant upregulation of red blood cells and hemoglobin while downregulation of white blood cells, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) was observed. Ankles were transected for the histopathological and radiographic examination after animals were sacrificed which confirmed the alleviation of necrosis along cellular infiltration. It was concluded that GEO-CNPs were found to possess excellent therapeutic potential and promising candidates to reduce FCA-induced arthritis.

Sleep duration and inflammatory mediator levels associated with long-term prognosis in temporomandibular disorders.

Sleep disturbance is a systemic symptom and at the same time a major modulating factor of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Inflammation is known as a underlying mechanism involved in both poor sleep and increased pain. The relationship between long-term clinical characteristics and hematologic biomarkers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and inflammation in TMD patients according to sleep duration was investigated to verify the possible role of sleep disturbance and systemic inflammation in TMD. Inflammatory and stress mediator levels of venous blood samples were investigated in 63 female TMD patients along with comorbidity levels including stress, somatization, autonomic symptoms and sleep quality based on structured questionnaires. Differences in long-term clinical characteristics and hematologic variables following conservative treatment were analysed according to total sleep time as normal, short and long sleep groups. Also, clinical and hematologic indices related to favourable treatment response were sought out. Significantly less patients in the long sleep group reported pain on voluntary mandibular movement (p = .042) while depression (p = .043) and somatization levels (p = .002) were significantly higher in the short sleep group. Norepinephrine levels of the long sleep group were significantly lower than other groups. Decrease in pain intensity with treatment was smallest in the short sleep group. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was associated with significant pain improvement at 3 months post-treatment and interleukin-1β, -4, and -8 levels could predict favourable treatment response. Short sleep is associated with more comorbidities and unfavourable long-term treatment response in TMD which may be mediated by systemic inflammation. Effective management of sleep is necessary for successful TMD management.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are positively correlated with disease activity of bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a complex inflammatory process with elevated levels of autoantibodies, eosinophils, neutrophils, and various cytokines. Hematological inflammatory biomarkers can reflect inflammatory state in various diseases. Up to now, the correlations of hematological inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity of BP remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the associations between hematological inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity of BP. The levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) of 36 untreated BP patients and 45 age and gender matched healthy controls were detected by routine blood tests. The correlations between hematological inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics of BP were statistically analyzed. The Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) was used to measure disease activity of BP. The mean levels of NLR, PLR, PNR and MPV in 36 untreated BP patients were 3.9, 157.9, 45.7 and 9.4fl, respectively. Increased NLR (p < 0.001), PLR (p < 0.01), and MPV (p < 0.001) but decreased PNR (p < 0.001) were observed in BP patients when compared with healthy controls. In BP patients, the levels of NLR were positively correlated to BPDAI Erosion/Blister Scores (p < 0.01); and the levels of NLR and PLR were both positively correlated to BPDAI without Damage Score (both p < 0.05) and BPDAI Total Score (both p < 0.05). No correlation was found in other statistical analyses between hematological inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics in BP patients involved in the present study. Therefore, NLR and PLR are positively correlated with disease activity of BP.