Blood Hemolysis Research Articles

Growth performance and hematological and antioxidant characteristics of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, fed diets supplemented with Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa

Herbal feed additives are important growth-promoters and health-boosters in aquaculture. The present study aimed to assess the effects of dietary Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa, supplementation on growth performance, blood stress, and hematological and antioxidant markers in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Fish were fed 0% Roselle meal (the control), 0.5% Roselle meal (0.5RP), 1% Roselle meal (1RP), and 2% Roselle meal (2RP) diets for 60 days. Growth performance, feed efficiency, survival, stress markers, hematological characteristics, and antioxidant responses were then determined. The highest growth performance (P ≤ 0.001), survival (P = 0.005), blood erythrocyte (P < 0.001), hematocrit (Hct) (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (Hb) (P < 0.001), plasma and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.001), and catalase (CAT) (P < 0.001) were observed in the 0.5RP treatment (P < 0.05). This treatment also exhibited lower plasma cortisol (P = 0.006), glucose (P = 0.025), hepatic MDA content (P < 0.001), and hemolysis rate (P < 0.001) than that of the control treatment. The 1RP treatment exhibited lower plasma glucose (P = 0.025), hepatic MDA (P < 0.001), and blood hemolysis rate (P < 0.001); as well as higher blood RBC (P < 0.001), Hct (P < 0.001), Hb (P < 0.001), plasma CAT (P < 0.001), and plasma and hepatic SOD (P < 0.001) compared to that of the control. There were no significant differences in any parameters between the control and 2RP treatments, except for the higher blood CAT of the 2RP supplement. The present study demonstrates that RP is a suitable growth-promoter and health-boosting agent in rainbow trout, most likely attributable to its antioxidant properties. Dietary supplementation of 0.5% RP is, therefore, recommended for trout feed supplementation.

Application of Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Technology in the Detection of Total IgE of Hemolytic Blood after Death.

Objective To investigate the treatment effect of hollow fiber ultrafiltration technology on hemolytic samples and the differences between IgE concentration and serum concentration before hemolysis in ultrafiltrate. Methods The 33 postmortem blood samples of non-frozen corpses within 72 hours after death were collected, 4 mL blood was taken from each case, among which 1 mL was centrifuged to get serum, and the remaining 3 mL blood was frozen-thawed 3-5 times to cause complete hemolysis. The 2 mL hemolytic samples were processed by hollow fiber ultrafiltration to obtain ultrafiltrate. The hemoglobin concentration in serum, complete hemolytic sample and ultrafiltrate was determined by Van-Zij solution-cyanated methemoglobin assay method, and the total IgE in serum and ultrafiltrate was determined by electrochemical luminescence method. Results The hemoglobin concentration in ultrafiltrate was significantly lower than that in complete hemolytic samples （P<0.05）. There was a good correlation between the total IgE detection values of ultrafiltrate and serum （r=0.984）. The difference between the serum and the value of IgE in ultrafiltrate after correction had no statistical significance, and the differences between the two in positive rates had no statistical significance （P>0.05）. Conclusion Ultrafiltration technology has a good treatment effect on complete hemolytic samples, and the correction value of ultrafiltrate detection is close to the serum level before hemolysis, and therefore, it can be applied to the detection of total IgE of frozen corpse hemolytic samples.

Incidentally discovered cold hemagglutinin disease with massive blood clots in the cardioplegia line and coronary artery, during coronary artery bypass graft

BackgroundCold hemagglutinin disease (CHAD) is a rare autoimmune disease, in which patients manifest symptoms when the body temperature decreases. It causes critical problems with blood clotting and hemolysis during hypothermia in cardiac surgery. Although various methods are recommended, the CHAD discovered incidentally during cardiac surgery is still a clinical challenge.Case presentationA 76-year-old male visited our hospital for chest pain. Angiography revealed unstable angina, left-main and three-vessel disease. We performed coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass after heparin injection. Shortly after aorta cross-clamping (ACC) and infusion of cold blood cardioplegia, we found massive blood clots in the cardioplegia line. Upon suspicion of CHAD, we raised the temperature and infused warm blood cardioplegia in a retrograde manner. After performing cardiac arrest, we opened the coronary artery and found blood clots in the coronary artery. We eliminated the clots and washed with warm crystalloid cardioplegia simultaneously in an antegrade and retrograde manner. During the ACC, warm cardioplegia was infused every 15 min, via retrograde and antegrade techniques simultaneously. After distal anastomosis of the saphenous venous graft (SVG) to the coronary artery, we performed a direct SVG warm cardioplegia infusion. Finally, before the proximal SVG anastomosis to the aorta, we used warm cardioplegia to eliminate the remaining microemboli. The cold reactive protein test showed a positive result. The patient was discharged without any complications.ConclusionIn this rare case, we incidentally discovered CHAD associated with massive blood clots in the cardioplegia line and the coronary artery, during CABG. However, we performed CABG without any complications using a reasonable and appropriate cardioplegia infusion technique, including direct SVG warm cardioplegia infusion.

Effect of hemolysis on Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra of blood plasma

Hemolysis is a very common phenomenon and is referred as the release of intracellular components from red blood cells to the extracellular fluid. Hemolyzed samples are often rejected in clinics due to the interference of hemoglobin and intracellular components in laboratory measurements. Plasma and serum based vibrational spectroscopy studies are extensively applied to generate spectral biomarkers for various diseases. However, no studies have reported the effect of hemolysis in blood based vibrational spectroscopy studies. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of hemolysis on infrared and Raman spectra of blood plasma. In this study, prostate cancer plasma samples (n = 30) were divided into three groups (nonhemolyzed, mildly hemolyzed, and moderately hemolyzed) based on the degree of hemolysis and FTIR and Raman spectra were recorded using high throughput (HT)-FTIR and HT-Raman spectroscopy. Discrimination was observed between the infrared and Raman spectra of nonhemolyzed and hemolyzed plasma samples using principal component analysis. A classical least square fitting analysis showed differences in the weighting of pure components in nonhemolyzed and hemolyzed plasma samples. Therefore, it is worth to consider the changes in spectral features due to hemolysis when comparing the results within and between experiments.

Influence of measurement principle on total hemoglobin value

BackgroundTotal hemoglobin (tHb) measurement is indispensable for determining the patient’s condition (hemorrhagic vs. ischemic) and need for blood transfusion. Conductivity- and absorbance-based measurement methods are used for blood gas analysis of tHb. For conductivity-based measurement, tHb is calculated after converting blood conductivity into a hematocrit value, whereas absorbance measurement is based on light absorbance after red blood cell hemolysis. Due to changes in plasma electrolytes and hemolysis, there is a possibility that conductivity- and absorbance-based measurement methods may cause a difference in tHb.MethodsIn this study, test samples with controlled electrolyte changes and hemolysis were created by adding sodium chloride, distilled water or hemolytic blood to blood samples collected from healthy volunteers, and tHb values were compared between both methods.ResultsConductivity-based measurement revealed reduced tHb value (from 15.49 to 13.05 g/dl) following the addition of 10% sodium chloride, which was also reduced by the addition of hemolysate. Conversely, the addition of distilled water significantly increased tHb value than the expected value. In the absorbance method, there was no significant change in tHb value due to electrolyte change or hemolysis.ConclusionsWe have to recognize unexpected conductivity changes occur at all times when tHb is measured via conductivity- and absorbance-based measurement methods. The absorbance method should be used when measuring tHb in patients with expected blood conductivity changes. However, when using this method, the added contribution of hemoglobin from hemolytic erythrocytes lacking oxygen carrying capacity must be considered. We recognize that discrepancy can occur between conductivity- and absorbance-based measurement methods when tHb is measured.

Keratin-Poly(2-methacryloxyethyl phosphatidylcholine) Conjugate-Based Micelles as a Tumor Micro-Environment-Responsive Drug-Delivery System with Long Blood Circulation.

Drug-loaded micelles with long circulation time in blood and stimuli-responsiveness under the tumor micro-environment can significantly enhance therapeutic efficacy. In this report, human hair keratin was extracted with a reduction method and then conjugated with zwitterionic poly(2-methacryloxyethyl phosphatidylcholine, MPC) via thiol chain transfer polymerization (thiol CTP). Subsequently, keratin-polyMPC conjugates (KPC) were prepared into micelles and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) by self-assembly. These micelles exhibited pH, glutathione (GSH), and enzyme triple-responsiveness as well as charge reversibility under the tumor micro-environment. In addition, these micelles showed high toxicity against A549 cells while low toxicity to normal cells. In vivo anticancer efficacy results revealed that these micelles showed better therapeutic efficiency than free DOX. Furthermore, these carriers exhibited prolonged circulation time, good stability, and no hemolysis in blood. Based on the results, these drug delivery systems of micelles were proper candidates as drug carriers.

A simple method to monitor hemolysis in real time

Blood damage (hemolysis) can occur during clinical procedures, e.g. dialysis, due to human error or faulty equipment, and it can cause significant harm to the patient or even death. We propose a simple technique to monitor changes in hemolysis levels continuously and in real time. As red blood cells rupture, the overall conductivity of the blood increases. Here, we demonstrate that small changes in porcine blood hemolysis can be detected through a simple resistance measurement.

Architecture based selectivity of Amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(ε-caprolactone) for drug delivery

Architecture of amphiphilic block copolymers is an important parameter that affects their critical micelles concentration (CMC), drug loading capacity and drug release behavior. In this context, 4-arm star-shaped block copolymers comprising of poly(ethylene oxide) as a hydrophilic segment and poly(ε-caprolactone) as a hydrophobic part, 4 s-P(CL-b-EO), is compared with its linear counterpart having otherwise similar total molar mass, chemical composition and molar mass of individual components (PCL-b-PEO-b-PCL). As a first step, the micelles prepared by linear block copolymer (LPM) and star-shaped block copolymer (SPM) were compared for CMC, drug encapsulation capacity, and drug release behavior. Micelles based on star-shaped polymers were found to have low CMC, high drug encapsulation capacity and better sustained release behavior. Blood hemolysis and cytotoxicity studies of both linear and star-shaped block copolymers revealed that these are safer to use for biological applications. Micelles based on star shaped polymers (SPM) and linear block copolymer (LPM) were further employed for individual delivery of cefixime (CEF) and its co-delivery with clarithromycin (CLA). Finally, growth inhibition efficiency of SPM, LPM, CEF, CLA, CEF-SPM, CEF-LPM, CEF-CLA-SPM, and CEF-CLA-LPM are evaluated against S. pneumoniae and S. pneumoniae (resistant) by antibacterial assay and morphological topography imaging by AFM. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50) of drugs encapsulated in SPM is found to be considerably lower compared to direct application of drugs and drug encapsulated in LPM.

Anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanol extract from Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz based on in vitro and in vivo studies

Ethnopharmacological relevanceClerodendrum cyrtophyllum Turcz, a plant belonging to the Verbenaceae family, has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases in many Asian countries.Aim of the study: The study aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanol extract from Clerodendrum cyrthophyllum Turcz leaves (EE-CC) through in vitro and in vivo models. Material and methodsTotal phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract were determined using colorimetric methods and HPTLC. In red blood cell membrane stabilization model, rat erythrocyte suspension was treated with crude ethanol extract at different concentrations, the hemoglobin content of the supernatant solution released by red blood hemolysis was estimated. We also evaluated the effects of the ethanol extract from this plant on the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In order to elucidate its anti-inflammatory molecular mechanisms, we further evaluated the effects of the EE-CC on the expression of the inflammatory genes in inflammation-induced zebrafish model by tail-cutting using qPCR analysis. ResultsColorimetric methods and HPTLC revealed high phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract. In the red blood cell membrane stabilization model, the amount of hemoglobin released by red blood hemolysis significantly decreased in the presence of EE-CC, demonstrating a strong membrane stabilizing activity. EE-CC did not cause any toxic effect on cell viability but strongly inhibited NO and TNF-ɑ release due to LPS induction. The association with EE-CC significantly reduced the expression of cox-2, pla2, c3a, il-1(il1fma), il-8 (cxcl8b.1), tnf-α, and nf-ƙb, while increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine il-10 gene in cut-tail induced inflammation of zebrafish model. ConclusionsTaken together, the results suggest that the raw ethanol extract from C. cyrtophyllum Turcz leaves presents potent anti-inflammatory activities and may be useful for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

SCREENING OF BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCTION BY BACTERIAL STRAINS ISOLATED FROM {SUDHANSHU SHEKHAR, 2015 #18}OIL CONTAMINATED SITES NEAR GAS STATIONS IN EGYPT.

Biosurfactant producing bacteria (28 isolates) were isolated from 30 oil contaminated soils and tested for production of biosurfactant by different screening methods. About 75% of the isolated bacteria showed no blood hemolysis and their emulsification index for hexane and xylene ranges from 28-35% and 30-45% respectively. Biosurfactant producing ability was confirmed by other tests where about 40% of isolates showed positive oil spreading activity, hydrocarbon overlay and 67% showed to be positive for drop collapsing test. 16s RNA sequencing of the most active isolates revealed one Stenotrophomonas maltophila, two Bacillus spp. and two Achromobacter spp. Biosurfactants extracted from these isolates showed variable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study demonstrated that the biosurfactants produced by these bacteria could be used in combination with antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Further study is required for enhancing biosurfactant production by bacterial isolates to be used environmentally for bioremediation of oil contaminated soils.

Synthesis of biocompatible triazole based non-ionic surfactant and its vesicular drug delivery investigation

Numerous nanotechnological approaches have been widely practiced to improve the bioavailability of less aqueous soluble drugs; phospholipid based vesicles (liposomes) being the most widely applied drug delivery system. However; due to stability issues, large scale production limitations, sterilization and long term storage problems; non-ionic surfactant based vesicles (niosomes) are considered their excellent counterparts. Niosomes are vesicles of non-ionic surfactants having the ability to carrying both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs in their inner aqueous or lipid bilayer compartments. In this research work, triazole based non-ionic surfactant (TBNIS) was synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques and then screened for biocompatibility using NIH 3T3 cell line, blood hemolysis assay and acute toxicity in mice. The synthesized surfactant was then checked for niosomes’ formation, Amphotericin B loading and entrapment efficiency, drug release, stability and bioavailability of the drug was assessed and compared with free drug solution. The synthesized surfactant was found biocompatible and caused less blood hemolysis, greater cell vial ability and negligible toxicity in animals. The size of drug loaded niosomal vesicles of TBNIS based surfactant was 179.9 ± 3.23 nm with smaller size distribution i.e. 0.29 ± 0.02. The triazole based surfactant vesicles showed 88.76 ± 3.45 % drug entrapment efficiency, sustained drug release profile and stability. The drug in TBNIS based vesicles has greater oral bioavailability 0.099 ± 0.03 as compared to plan drug solution 0.012 ± 0.023 μg/mL. Results of this study suggests that the newly synthesized triazole based surfactant can be used in drug delivery for improving bioavailability of less water soluble drugs like Amphotericin B.

Synthesis and biocompatibility of self-assembling multi-tailed resorcinarene-based supramolecular amphiphile

Nano-vesicles of multi-tailed macrocycle molecules have demonstrated a great ability to enhance the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. In this study, amphiphilic multi-tailed resorcinarene (MTR) derivative was synthesised in two steps reaction by O-alkylation of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and then condensation with resorcinol. The synthesised amphiphilic macrocycle was characterized by 1H-NMR, FT-IR and mass spectrometry. Self-assembly and aggregation behaviour of amphiphilic macrocycle was studied in aqueous medium and vesicles were characterised for morphology, critical micelle concentration (CMC), size and surface potential and cellular biocompatibility. The self-assembling ability of MTR was used for one-step loading of hydrophobic drug, i.e. clarithromycin. MTR presented a low CMC value, i.e. 0.055 mM and formed niosomal vesicles with a mean diameter of 210 ± 2 nm, narrow size distribution and 65.12 ± 3.31% drug entrapment efficiency. MTR vesicles showed sustained in vitro drug release while maximum drug release was achieved at 8 h. Biocompatibility of MTR was investigated with blood haemolysis and cytotoxicity assays. The results indicated suitability of MRT as amphiphilic macromolecular surfactant.

Alcoholic Extract of Shilajit as Anti Protein Denaturation, Anti Blood Hemolysis, and Anti Microbial

Alcoholic Extract of Shilajit as Anti Protein Denaturation, Anti Blood Hemolysis, and Anti Microbial

A trans-dichloridoplatinum(II) complex of a monodentate nitrogen mustard: Synthesis, stability and cytotoxicity studies

A trans-dichloridoplatinum(II) complex, trans-[PtIICl2(L)(DMSO)] (1) of a monodentate nitrogen mustard, bis(2-chloroethyl)amine (L), was synthesized by the reaction of cis-[PtIICl2(DMSO)2] &L.HCl in presence of Et3N. 1 was characterised by NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. L is unstable in aqueous solution while 1 displayed moderate stability. In aqueous buffer solution of pD 7.4, 1 starts to loose L slowly upon dissolution and even after 48 h there is still intact/aquated complex present in solution. 1 interacts with the model nucleobase 9-ethyl guanine. The ligand L was non-toxic against MCF-7, A549, HepG2 & MIA PaCa-2 up to 200 μM. In contrast, the Pt(II) complex 1 showed an excellent IC50 (ca. 600 nM) against MIA PaCa-2 and also displayed good IC50 value (3–7 μM) against the other cancer cell lines probed. The in vitro cytotoxicity of 1 is better than cisplatin against each of the treated cancer cell lines and it is not affected by hypoxia as per the in vitro studies. Complex 1 displays higher cellular accumulation than cisplatin and arrests the cell cycle in both S & G2/M phase inducing apoptotic cell death. The G2/M phase arrest is dominant at higher concentrations. The depolarisation of mitochondria by 1 combined with activation of caspase-7 indicates apoptotic cell death. Complex 1 induces low hemolysis of human blood signifying excellent blood compatibility.

Biosurfactant-producing and anthracene-degrading bacteria from oil contaminated soil

Anthracene, together with other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is a persistent and toxic soil contaminant because its low water solubility and high hydrophobicity. The effectiveness of PAH degradation could be enhanced by using biosurfactant. In this study, we isolated bacteria that were able to degrade anthracene and also produce biosurfactant. Samples were taken from oil contaminated soil at Jakarta Bay. Isolation was done in a Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) supplemented with 1% crude oil. Screening methods for biosurfactant production include Blood Hemolysis, Drop Collapse Assay and Oil Displacement Assay. Three isolates which have biosurfactant production and anthracene degradation capability was identified based on 16SrRNA gene. These isolates were identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium AMA9, Ochrobactrum tritici CHA60, and Pseudomonas stutzeri CRA7. Based on GC-MS analysis, Ochrobactrum intermedium AMA9 showed high ability to degrade 84,79% anthracene in liquid MSM medium supplemented by 100 ppm anthracene after seven days incubation.

Computational hemodynamic investigation of a new bileaflet mechanical heart valve

In this paper, we perform a numerical analysis for simulating steady, two-dimensional, laminar blood flow through our proposed design, known as the Butterfly mechanical heart valve, where the leaflets are fully opened. Blood has been assumed to be Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid using the Casson model for shear-thinning behavior. A non-uniform Cartesian grid generation technique is presented to generate a two-dimensional grid for the irregular geometry of the Butterfly valve. The governing Navier–Stokes equations of flow, written in a stream function–vorticity formulation, are solved by the finite difference method with hybrid differencing of the convective terms. The computed results show that the blood’s non-Newtonian nature significantly affects the flow field with the existence of recirculation and consequently stagnation causing thrombus formation, as well as an increase of the shear stress along the wall, which contributes to hemolytic blood damage. The results demonstrate that the model is capable of predicting the hemodynamic features most interesting to physiologists. It can be used to assess thromboembolic problems occurring with heart valves and in the design of cardiac prostheses.

Anti-CD47 Antibody, CC-90002, in Combination with Rituximab in Subjects with Relapsed and/or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (R/R NHL)

Anti-CD47 Antibody, CC-90002, in Combination with Rituximab in Subjects with Relapsed and/or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (R/R NHL)

Sickle-Cell Disease Patients' Attitudes Towards Their Treatment with Hydroxycarbamide

Hydroxyurea (HU) is approved in the EU and USA for prevention of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) including acute chest syndromes (ACS) in patients over 2 years with sickle-cell disease (SCD). The major benefits of HU in SCD are directly related to its abilities to increase HbF, decrease sickling of red blood cells and hemolysis, leading to reduction of vaso-occlusive episodes, need for blood transfusions and consequently reduction of morbidity and mortality. Adherence to the treatment is paramount for effectiveness, but in spite of proven benefits, barriers to adherence persist.[1] ESCORT-HU study (European Sickle Cell Disease COhoRT - HydroxyUrea), is a multicentric, prospective, non-interventional European study designed to evaluate the safety profile of HU in real life. Patients were enrolled from January 2009 to June 2017 with a follow-up of up to 10 years. All interruptions and resumptions of HU treatment exceeding 15 days were recorded in this study. We hereby present the analysis of the group of patients who self-discontinued HU at least once during the study before informing their caregiver, with a view to identify potential barriers to long-term adherence. In total, 1906 patients were enrolled in ESCORT-HU from 63 centers in France, Germany, Greece and Italy. Of these, 619 patients (32%) stopped HU for over 15 days at least once, and around a third (11% of all patients) were due to patient's will. The mean duration of HU treatment before the first discontinuation was 4.8 ± 5.1 years. Data are summarized in table 1. Compared to the rest of the cohort, the 'treatment discontinuation' group had similar distribution by gender and indication for HU prescription, but a higher proportion of adults stopped HU more than 15 days. It is notable that the proportion of patients with SC genotype was higher in the 'treatment discontinuation' group (4.5% vs 1.7%). The patients in the 'treatment discontinuation' group had more frequent SCD symptoms before enrolment in the study (table 2). Hematological and clinical improvement compared to the baseline was observed in both groups. However, average mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Fetal Hemoglobin percentage (HbF%) were lower and mean percentages of patients with SCD symptoms were higher over the three years of follow-up in the 'treatment discontinuation' group, suggesting that HU daily dose was insufficient (table 2). Sixty patients have no treatment resumption date reported which suggest a permanent interruption of their treatment. Among them 32% preferred to switch to another HU medicinal product and 13% have safety issue (table 3). Understanding and managing self-discontinuation of HU before taking medical advice is challenging for the physician. It is tempting to speculate that it may be due, at least in part, to lack of effectiveness potentially due to an underdosage of the treatment. Resistance to the treatment may also be suggested based on past literature data revealing a great variability in the response (determined by HbF%) to HU therapy. There is evidence that genetic modifiers affect individual response to HU.[2],[3] Finally, weariness from long-term use may also explain the patient's wish to discontinue HU. But treatment at optimal effective should be the primary goal of caregivers. [1]Smaldone A., Manwani D., Green NS, Greater number of perceived barriers to hydroxyurea associated with poorer health-related quality of life in youth with sickle cell disease, Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2019 [2] Steinberg MH, Voskaridou E, Kutlar A, Loukopoulos D, Koshy M, et al. (2003). Concordant fetal hemoglobin response to hydroxyurea in siblings with sickle cell disease. Am J Hematol 72: 121-126 [3] Ware RE, Despotovic JM, Mortier NA, Flanagan JM, He J, et al. (2011) Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenetics of hydroxyurea treatment for children with sickle cell anemia. Blood 118: 4985-4991 Disclosures Galactéros: Addmedica: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Voskaridou:Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Protagonist: Research Funding; Genesis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Acceleron: Consultancy, Research Funding; Addmedica: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Cannas:Addmedica: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Potential anticancer activity of protocatechuic acid loaded in montmorillonite/Fe3O4 nanocomposites stabilized by seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii.

Superparamagnetic magnetite nanocomposites (Fe3O4-NCs) were successfully synthesized, which comprised of montmorillonite (MMT) as matrix support, Kappaphycus alvarezii (SW) as bio-stabilizer and Fe3O4 as filler in the composites to form MMT/SW/Fe3O4-NCs. Nanocomposite with 0.5 g Fe3O4 (MMT/SW/0.5Fe3O4) was selected for anticancer activity study because it revealed high crystallinity, particle size of 7.2 ± 1.7 nm with majority of spherical shape, and Ms = 5.85 emu/g with negligible coercivity. Drug loading and release studies were carried out using protocatechuic acid (PCA) as the model for anticancer drug, which showed 19% and 87% of PCA release in pH 7.4 and 4.8, respectively. Monolayer anticancer assay showed that PCA-loaded MMT/SW/Fe3O4 (MMT/SW/Fe3O4-PCA) had selectivity towards HCT116 (colorectal cancer cell line). Although MMT/SW/Fe3O4-PCA (0.64 mg/mL) showed higher IC50 than PCA (0.148 mg/mL) and MMT/SW/Fe3O4 (0.306 mg/mL, MMT/SW/Fe3O4-PCA showed more effective killing towards tumour spheroid model generated from HCT116. The IC50 for MMT/SW/Fe3O4-PCA, MMT/SW/Fe3O4 and PCA were 0.132, 0.23 and 0.55 mg/mL, respectively. This suggests the improved penetration efficiency and drug release of MMT/SW/Fe3O4-PCA towards HCT116 spheroids. Moreover, concentration that lower than 2 mg/mL MMT/SW/Fe3O4-PCA did not result any hemolysis in human blood, which suggests them to be ideal for intravenous injection. This study highlights the potential of MMT/SW/Fe3O4-NCs as drug delivery agent.

Modifying the surface of a titanium alloy with an electron beam and a-C:H:SiOx coating deposition to reduce hemolysis in cardiac assist devices

The use of implantable mechanical pumps to support stable heart function saves lives to a large number of patients. The priority goal of research in this area is to develop advanced pumps that will ensure minimal injuries and fractures of blood cells. A combined method of modifying the surface of disk pump parts made of titanium alloy VT-6 has been developed to reduce blood hemolysis. The method includes material pretreatment with a high-current low-energy electron beam and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of a-C:H:SiOx coating. The effect of such electron beam parameters as the energy density and the number of pulses on the surface morphology, hardness, plasticity index, friction coefficient and wear rate of the titanium alloy was studied. The effect of the 1.6-μm-thick a-C:H:SiOx coating on the surface morphology, mechanical and tribological properties of VT-6 samples subjected to preliminary electron beam processing was also investigated. Parts of the disk pump were modified according to the proposed technology and pump was tested on the degree of red blood cell destruction. After modifying the surface of pump parts, the destruction of red blood cells did not occur during the 4-h experiment, unlike a similar pump without surface modification. It is shown that the physical properties of the surface are one of the most important factors affecting hemolysis in mechanical pumps to support stable heart function.