Neutrophils Research Articles

Ефективність вирощування молоді осетрових (Acipenseridae) видів риб за різної твердості води

Ефективність вирощування молоді осетрових (Acipenseridae) видів риб за різної твердості води

AUTOMATED AND MANUAL LEUKOCYTE DIFFERENTIAL COUNTS IN HEALTHY EQUINES

The speed and convenience provided by automated cell counters are reasons for the increasing use of this technology in veterinary practice, with impedance methodology being one of the most commonly used in Brazil. In this regard, the objective of this study was to compare the automated differential leukocyte count obtained by impedance with the manual count obtained from the evaluation of blood smears in healthy horses. For this purpose, the automated differential leukocyte count using a veterinary cell counter (Abx Micros ESV 60, Horiba) was compared to the manual count using optical microscopy in 545 blood samples from healthy horses. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests, Deming regression, Pearson or Spearman correlations, and Bland-Altman analysis were used, considering differences significant when p<0.05. The automated method showed higher concentrations of segmented neutrophils and monocytes, and lower concentrations of lymphocytes and eosinophils compared to the manual method. The mean error of the automated count was -10.26% for segmented neutrophils, 11.04% for lymphocytes, -41.39% for monocytes, and -10.84% for eosinophils, ranging from -200% to 161.4% depending on the cell type. There was a significant correlation between the methodologies only for the counts of segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. In conclusion, the manual differential leukocyte count in healthy horses cannot be replaced by the automated method, and the analysis of blood smears remains a fundamental tool for the proper interpretation of the leukogram in horses.

Can the use of whole-body CT be reduced in cases of kinetic-based polytrauma patients without a clinical severity criterion? A bi-center retrospective study

ObjectiveTo identify clinical and biological criteria predictive of significant traumatic injury in only kinetic-based polytrauma patients without clinical severity criteria.To propose a decisional algorithm to assist the emergency doctor in deciding whether or not to perform a WBCT in the above population. MethodsRetrospective bi-center study. 1270 patients with high velocity trauma without clinical severity criteria, for whom a WBCT was performed in 2017, were included. Patients with hemodynamic, respiratory or neurological severity criterion or those requiring pre-hospital resuscitation measures were excluded.Our primary endpoint was the identification of a significant lesion, i.e. any lesion that led to hospitalization > 24 h for monitoring or medico-surgical treatment. Data collected were age, sex, mechanism of injury, Glasgow Coma Scale score, number of symptomatic body regions, blood alcohol level, and neutrophil count. ResultsMultivariate analysis found independent predictors of significant injury: fall > 5 m (OR: 14.36; CI: 2.3–283.4; p = 0.017), Glasgow score = 13 or 14 (OR: 4.40; CI:1.30–18.52; p = 0.027), presence of 2 symptomatic body regions (OR: 10.21; CI: 4.66–23.72; p = 0.05), positive blood alcohol level (OR: 2.81; CI: 1.13–7.33; p = 0.029) and neutrophilic leukocytosis (OR: 8.76; CI: 3.94–21.27; p = 0.01).A composite clinico-biological endpoint predictive of the absence of significant lesion was identified using a Classification and Regression Tree: number of symptomatic regions < 2, absence of Neutrophilic leukocytosis and negative blood alcohol concentration. ConclusionA simple triage algorithm was created with the objective of identifying, in high velocity trauma without clinical severity criteria, those without significant traumatic injury.

Inertial label-free sorting and chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear neutrophil in sepsis patients based on microfluidic technology

Reduced chemotactic migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) in sepsis patients leads to decreased bacterial clearance and accelerates the progression of sepsis disease. Quantification of PMN chemotaxis in sepsis patients can help characterize the immune health of sepsis patients. Microfluidic microarrays have been widely used for cell chemotaxis analysis because of the advantages of low reagent consumption, near-physiological environment, and visualization of the migration process. Currently, the study of PMN chemotaxis using microfluidic chips is mainly limited by the cumbersome cell separation operation and low throughput of microfluidic chips. In this paper, we first designed an inertial cell sorting chip to achieve label-free separation of the two major cell types by using the basic principle that leukocytes (mainly granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes) and erythrocytes move to different positions of the spiral microchannel when they move in the spiral microchannel under different strength of inertial force and Dean's resistance. Subsequently, in this paper, we designed a multi-channel cell migration chip and constructed a microfluidic PMN inertial label-free sorting and chemotaxis analysis platform. The inertial cell sorting chip separates leukocyte populations and then injects them into the multi-channel cell migration chip, which can complete the chemotaxis test of PMN to chemotactic peptide (fMLP) within 15 min. The remaining cells, such as monocytes with slow motility and lymphocytes that require pre-activation with proliferative culture, do not undergo significant chemotactic migration. The test results of sepsis patients ( n=6) and healthy volunteers ( n=3) recruited in this study showed that the chemotaxis index (CI) and migration velocity ( v) of PMN from sepsis patients were significantly weaker than those from healthy volunteers. In conclusion, the microfluidic PMN inertial label-free sorting and chemotaxis analysis platform constructed in this paper can be used as a new tool for cell label-free sorting and migration studies.

Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumothorax and skin necrosis caused by IRIS to an Aspergillus flavus infection in a young patient with metamizole associated agranulocytosis

We report the case of a young female with steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis (UC) who developed a complex systemic infection with Aspergillus flavus. This occurred following a UC relapse while vacationing in the Middle East, leading to extended use of metamizole and subsequent agranulocytosis. On her return to Germany, she was hospitalized for neutropenic sepsis and later transferred to our hospital due to persistent cytopenia and suspected Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Despite initial stabilization with targeted treatment for pulmonary Aspergillus flavus infection, her condition rapidly deteriorated following the onset of an Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS), which manifested as skin necrosis and pneumothorax after the replenishment of neutrophil granulocytes. The patient eventually died from an unmanageable pulmonary hemorrhage. Microscopy of skin necroses showed a massive presence of Aspergillus flavus, but tissue culture remained negative, suggesting effective antifungal treatment yet delayed phagocytosis due to agranulocytosis. This case underscores the need to consider IRIS in immunosuppressed patients who worsen despite aggressive and appropriately targeted treatment, highlighting its potential beyond the commonly recognized context in HIV-positive patients.

Changes in the cellular composition of blood in horses in acute laminitis

Relevance. Equine laminitis is a multi-organ disease that can affect important systems of the horse’s body in the most neglected cases, but most often the hooves are affected, which in turn affects the economic component of the owner of the sick animal.Methods. The work was performed on two groups of horses. The first group included clinically healthy horses, the second group had clinical signs of laminitis. Blood for tests was taken in compliance with a starvation diet and the rules of asepsis and antiseptics from the jugular. The calculation of the leukocyte formula was carried out manually. The results were systematically evaluated and compared with each other to calculate the percentage ratio.Results. It was found that with laminitis there is a significant change in the cellular composition of the blood, in horses of the experimental group there is an increase in leukocytes (by about 302.5%), which may be associated with an inflammatory process in the body that triggers the active production of lymphocytes into the bloodstream. There is also an increase in segmented neutrophils when calculating the leukocyte formula (by 41.52%). This change is most likely caused by traumatic damage to the sole of the hoof. In this case, the increase in segmented neutrophils will be influenced by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), a hormone that stimulates the production and release of neutrophils from the bone marrow.

Blocking P2Y2 purinergic receptor prevents the development of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality resulting from a direct or indirect injury of the lung. It is characterized by a rapid alveolar injury, lung inflammation with neutrophil accumulation, elevated permeability of the microvascular-barrier leading to an aggregation of protein-rich fluid in the lungs, followed by impaired oxygenation in the arteries and eventual respiratory failure. Very recently, we have shown an involvement of the Gq-coupled P2Y2 purinergic receptor (P2RY2) in allergic airway inflammation (AAI). In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the contribution of the P2RY2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS mouse model. We found that the expression of P2ry2 in neutrophils, macrophages and lung tissue from animals with LPS-induced ARDS was strongly upregulated at mRNA level. In addition, ATP-neutralization by apyrase in vivo markedly attenuated inflammation and blocking of P2RY2 by non-selective antagonist suramin partially decreased inflammation. This was indicated by a reduction in the number of neutrophils, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in the BALF, microvascular plasma leakage and reduced features of inflammation in histological analysis of the lung. P2RY2 blocking has also attenuated polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) migration into the interstitium of the lungs in ARDS mouse model. Consistently, treatment of P2ry2 deficient mice with LPS lead to an amelioration of the inflammatory response showed by reduced number of neutrophils and concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. In attempts to identify the cell type specific role of P2RY2, a series of experiments with conditional P2ry2 knockout animals were performed. We observed that P2ry2 expression in neutrophils, but not in the airway epithelial cells or CD4+ cells, was associated with the inflammatory features caused by ARDS. Altogether, our findings imply for the first time that increased endogenous ATP concentration via activation of P2RY2 is related to the pathogenesis of LPS-induced lung inflammation and may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ARDS and predictably assess new treatments in ARDS.

Toxoplasmosis in jungle dog (speothos venaticus): case study

This clinical case describes a bush dog (Speothos venaticus), a vulnerable species in Ecuador. The objective was to document a case of toxoplasmosis in a captive specimen at the Yanacocha Animal Rescue Center in the Amazon region of Ecuador. A 2-year-old, 6.7 kg specimen was brought to the VitalPet specialty clinic in Ambato with symptoms of ataxia, lethargy, and anorexia of 24 hours’ duration. Clinical examinations and blood tests, including complete blood count, comprehensive blood chemistry, hemoparasite tests, and immunoglobulin analysis for toxoplasmosis, were performed. Results showed neutrophilic leukocytosis, a hematocrit of 50%, and slight hyperglycemia. Infections by Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Lyme, and Dirofilaria were ruled out. Clinical signs and high IgG and IgM antibody titers indicated that the patient was affected by toxoplasmosis

Reduction of IL-6, IL-8 and β2-ADRENOCEPTOR mRNA levels in circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes after adenotonsillectomy in children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

BackgroundObstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) affects approximately 1–5% of children and is linked to cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurobehavioral complications. Dysregulation of inflammatory process and sympathetic nervous system overstimulation leading to increased catecholamine production may contribute to OSAS pathogenesis. Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMN), key cells in the inflammatory process, express adrenergic receptors, including β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), which modulate their functions through an autocrine/paracrine loop. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between OSAS severity, ADRB2 expression in PMN and patient's inflammatory profile before and after adenotonsillectomy. Patients/methodsIn this pilot study we enrolled OSAS pediatric patients in which ADRB2, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression levels were evaluated in circulating PMN by RT-PCR. Results9 OSAS pediatric patients, ranged from 3 to 8 years of age, were enrolled in the study. We found that adenotonsillectomy significantly reduced ADRB2 as well as IL-6, IL-8 mRNA expression levels in PMN. ConclusionsThese findings offer valuable insights into the underlying immune and inflammatory mechanisms of OSAS and open the way for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Comparison of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Other Laboratory Parameters of Those Who Died From Coronavirus Disease and Those Who Were Discharged

Objectıve: In this study, we aim to compare the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) of patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, who were hospitalized and discharged, and those who died. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 474 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease. Information of 56 patients who died and 418 patients with COVID-19 who were discharged were obtained from the hospital information management system (HIMS) and analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between BNP, white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NEU), lymphocyte (LYM), platelet (PLT), Procalcitonin (PCT), High Sensitive Troponin I (hs Tn I), D-dimer and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels in deceased patients and discharged patients researched. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between women and men (p=0.385). There was no statistically significant difference in BNP, WBC, NEU, LYM, platelet, PCT and hs Tn I values between those who died and those who were discharged. D-dimer and CRP values of those who died and discharged were statistically significant (p&amp;lt; 0.031 and 0.020, respectively). Conclusions: Increased levels of CRP and D-dimer were found to be associated with mortality. More comprehensive studies are needed on this subject.

The performance of VCS(volume, conductivity, light scatter) parameters in distinguishing latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis by using machine learning algorithm

BackgroundTuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. It is still difficult to distinguish active TB from latent TB,but it is very important for individualized management and treatment to distinguish whether patients are active or latent tuberculosis infection.MethodsA total of 220 subjects, including active TB patients (ATB, n = 97) and latent TB patients (LTB, n = 113), were recruited in this study .46 features about blood routine indicators and the VCS parameters (volume, conductivity, light scatter) of neutrophils(NE), monocytes(MO), and lymphocytes(LY) were collected and was constructed classification model by four machine learning algorithms(logistic regression(LR), random forest(RF), support vector machine(SVM) and k-nearest neighbor(KNN)). And the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to estimate of the model’s predictive performance for dentifying active and latent tuberculosis infection.ResultsAfter verification,among the four classifications, LR and RF had the best performance (AUROC = 1, AUPRC = 1), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.967, AUPRC = 0.971), KNN (AUROC = 0.943, AUPRC = 0.959) in the training set. And LR had the best performance (AUROC = 0.977, AUPRC = 0.957), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.962, AUPRC = 0.949), RF (AUROC = 0.903, AUPRC = 0.922),KNN(AUROC = 0.883, AUPRC = 0.901) in the testing set.ConclusionsThe machine learning algorithm classifier based on leukocyte VCS parameters is of great value in identifying active and latent tuberculosis infection.

Clinical blood test interpretation. Part 1. Neutrophil granulocytes

INRODUCTION. Recent decades are characterized by a rapid introduction of modern automated analytical systems in clinical laboratory diagnostics such as hematology analyzers, which provide a high accuracy of results as well as additional (compared to routine tests) and often more valuable information. Automated blood test has made urgent the problem of interpreting both new tests and “routine” parameters that is relevant to any section of clinical medicine. Therefore, this lecture is aimed at doctors of different specialties.&#x0D; OBJECTIVE. Interpret a clinical blood test.&#x0D; DISCUSSION. It is hard to review all aspects of hematological analysis within the scope of one lecture, thus part 1 will investigate one of leukocyte populations – neutrophil granulocytes, which include stab and segmented neutrophils. The lecture presents well-known data about neutrophilic leukocytosis and neutropenia. The emphasis is placed on new parameters of automated blood test – IG (immature granulocytes), Neut-RI (reactivity index), Neut-GI (granularity index), MNV (the average volume of neutrophil), structurally dispersed characteristics (NE-WX, NE-SFL, NE-WZ) and some others. Along with modern parameters it was noted the importance of the traditional cytological examination of blood smear, enabling to detect anomalies of neutrophil (degenerative-dystrophic changes of cytoplasm, apoptosis, nucleus pathology).&#x0D; Overall, recent years have shown a significant improvement in laboratory diagnostic capabilities of reactive changes (with inflammation, injury, etc.) and blood diseases (anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, hemoblastosis, etc.), based on accumulated knowledge in the field of laboratory hematology, including clinical significance in evaluating neutrophils.

Inflammatory response modulation by epinephrine and norepinephrine

Relevance. Inflammation is a defense response of an organism to a pathogen. It appears in order to maintain homeostasis and is regulated by the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. The hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine are produced in the adrenal medulla and in the brain, and are universal messengers that trigger the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses, and also have a receptor-mediated effect on immunocompetent cells. The aim of this study was to investigate adrenergic pathway regulation of inflammation on the neutrophil granulocytes in the presence of activators of innate immunity receptors. Materials and Methods. Neutrophil granulocytes were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers in a density gradient of Histopaque 1077 and Histopaque 1119 (Sigma Aldrich, Steinheim, Germany), and cultured in the presence of LPS, GMDP, epinephrine and norepinephrine. The amount of human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP1-3) was examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the gene expression of TLR4, NOD2, ATF3 and A20 was determined using RT-PCR. Results and Discussion. Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) was found to decrease the synthesis of human neutrophils peptides 1-3 (HNP 1-3 defensins, alone and in the combination with agonists of TLR4 and NOD2 receptors - LPS and GMDP respectively. It was found out that there was no a statistically significant effect of epinephrine (adrenaline) on the production of HNP 1-3, including when combined with LPS and GMDP. As a result of the study, an increase in the levels of expression of the genes TLR4, NOD2 and regulator of inflammatory reactions A20 both in LPS- and GMDP- induced neutrophil culture were uncovered, while ATF3 was increased only in LPS-induced neutrophil culture. Epinephrine demonstrated the absence of a statistically significant effect on the expression of the studied genes. While norepinephrine significantly increased the expression of A20 genes. Conclusion. The data obtained shows that norepinephrine can reduce the synthesis of HNP 1-3, including the one induced by LPS and GMDP. Moreover, the ability of norepinephrine to induce the expression of A20 may play a significant role in modulation of inflammation.

Features of phagocytic and chemiluminescent activity of neutrophils when exposed to polyprenols &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;

Aim: Studying of the features of phagocytic activity and the state of the respiratory burst of neutrophils under the influence of polyprenols in vitro.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study involved 30 relatively healthy donors aged 23-59 years from whose peripheral blood neutrophilic granulocytes were isolated to determine phagocytic and chemiluminescent activity. The isolated cells were incubated for 30 minutes with polyprenols in vitro. The level of phagocytosis of immature and mature neutrophils was determined by flow cytometry using FITC-labeled staphylococcal protein A. The state of the respiratory burst was assessed using chemiluminescent analysis.&#x0D; Results. It was found that the levels of phagocytic index (PI) and number (PN) of mature neutrophils were reduced after incubation with polyprenols relative to initial and control values. The values of PI and PN of immature neutrophils under the influence of polyprenols and during control incubation were decreased relative to the initial values. The intensity maximum and area under the curve of spontaneous and zymosan-induced lucigenin- and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of the neutrophils were reduced after incubation with polyprenols.&#x0D; Conclusion. The effect of polyprenols on neutrophilic granulocytes in vitro leads to a decrease in activity in respiratory burst cells, which is realized in blocking by polyprenols the interaction of primary and secondary ROS with chemiluminescent indicators by the mechanism of primary antioxidants. The binding of ROS by polyprenols also manifests itself in a decrease in the phagocytic activity of mature neutrophils while maintaining the phagocytic activity of immature cells at the level of control incubation. In general, polyprenols exhibit anti-inflammatory activity when exposed in vitro to neutrophilic granulocytes.

The role of neutrophilic granulocytes and cationic proteins as biomarkers of the severity of the course of infectious and non-infectious animal diseases animal diseases

Innate immunity plays a decisive role in the primary reaction of the body to microbial agents. It is realized through the activation of cellular and humoral factors of nonspecific resistance – neutrophils, macrophages and antimicrobial and regulatory substances secreted by them, which, in turn, trigger a cascade of reactions involving lymphocytes. On the surface of the mucous membranes and in mucosal secretions, neutrophils realize their function not only through phagocytosis, but also through the release of DNA and bactericidal granules that form neutrophil extracellular traps. Violation of the functioning of these cells on the surface of the mucous membranes is considered as one of the factors of the formation of pathological microbial communities, leading to the development of dysbiosis and inflammation of various localization. The completed character of phagocytosis is provided by microbicidal systems of leukocytes: cationic proteins and myeloperoxidase. They have a special immunological significance and influence the course and outcome of the disease. Myeloperoxidase and cationic proteins are the main factors of bactericidal protection.

Clearance of Neutrophils From ICH-Affected Brain by Macrophages Is Beneficial and Is Assisted by Lactoferrin and CD91.

Within hours after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) onset, masses of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) infiltrate the ICH-affected brain. After degranulation involving controlled release of many toxic antimicrobial molecules, the PMNs undergo rapid apoptosis and then are removed by phagocytic microglia/macrophages (MΦ) through a process called efferocytosis. Effective removal of PMNs may limit secondary brain damage and inflammation; however, the molecular mechanisms governing these cleanup activities are not well understood. We propose that scavenger receptor CD91 on myeloid phagocytes especially in presence of CD91 ligand, LTF (lactoferrin, protein abundant in PMNs), plays an important role in clearance of dead apoptotic PMNs (ANs). Mice/rats were subjected to an autologous blood injection model of ICH. Primary cultured microglia were used to assess phagocytosis of ANs. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess CD91 expression and PMN infiltration. CD91 knockout mice selectively in myeloid phagocytes (Mac-CD91-KO) were used to establish the CD91/LTF function in phagocytosis and in reducing ICH-induced injury, as assessed using behavioral tests, hematoma resolution, and oxidative stress. Masses of PMNs are found in ICH-affected brain, and they contain LTF. MΦ at the outer border of hematoma are densely packed, expressing CD91 and phagocytosing ANs. Microglia deficient in CD91 demonstrate defective phagocytosis of ANs, and mice deficient in CD91 (Mac-CD91-KO) subjected to ICH injury have increased neurological dysfunction that is associated with impaired hematoma resolution (hemoglobin and iron clearance) and elevated oxidative stress. LTF that normally ameliorates ICH injury in CD91-proficient control mice shows reduced therapeutic effects in Mac-CD91-KO mice. Our study suggests that CD91 plays a beneficial role in improving ANs phagocytosis and ultimately post-ICH outcome and that the beneficial effect of LTF in ICH is in part dependent on presence of CD91 on MΦ.

Targeting neutrophils potentiates hitchhiking delivery of drugs and agonists for postsurgical chemo-immunotherapy

Tumor resection is usually associated with tumor recurrence due to the residual tumor cells. Improving the localized accumulation of therapeutics at the surgical sites is a promising approach for the inhibition of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Herein, we report an in situ hitchhiking strategy for postsurgical tumor therapy via targeting of therapeutics-loaded liposomes to neutrophils (NEs). Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and non-nucleotide stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist SR-717 are encapsulated into liposomes followed by surface modification with anti-Ly6G antibodies, which can target NEs in situ in blood stream for hitchhiking delivery to the postsurgical inflamed tumor sites. The delivered DOX can inhibit the growth of residual tumor cells and trigger the tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD) for tumor-specific immunity, while SR-717 can facilitate dendritic cell maturation and enhance antitumor immunity. Consequently, the in situ NE-hitchhiking delivery of therapeutics can efficiently suppress tumor recurrence and metastatic melanoma growth after tumor resection, which circumvents the complex ex vivo processes of separation, engineering, and refusion of leukocytes and represents a targeted delivery strategy for postsurgical cancer chemo-immunotherapy.

Machine Learning Radiomics Signature for Differentiating Lymphoma versus Benign Splenomegaly on CT.

We aimed to develop and validate a preoperative CT-based radiomics signature for differentiating lymphoma versus benign splenomegaly. We retrospectively analyzed CT studies from 139 patients (age range 26-93 years, 43% female) between 2011 and 2019 with histopathological diagnosis of the spleen (19 lymphoma, 120 benign) and divided them into developing (n = 79) and testing (n = 60) datasets. The volumetric radiomic features were extracted from manual segmentation of the whole spleen on venous-phase CT imaging using PyRadiomics package. LASSO regression was applied for feature selection and development of the radiomic signature, which was interrogated with the complete blood cell count and differential count. All p values < 0.05 were considered to be significant. Seven features were selected for constructing the radiomic signature after feature selection, including first-order statistics (10th percentile and Robust Mean Absolute Deviation), shape-based (Surface Area), and texture features (Correlation, MCC, Small Area Low Gray-level Emphasis and Low Gray-level Zone Emphasis). The radiomic signature achieved an excellent diagnostic accuracy of 97%, sensitivity of 89%, and specificity of 98%, distinguishing lymphoma versus benign splenomegaly in the testing dataset. The radiomic signature significantly correlated with the platelet and segmented neutrophil percentage. CT-based radiomics signature can be useful in distinguishing lymphoma versus benign splenomegaly and can reflect the changes in underlying blood profiles.

The Role of Neutrophils in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: The Pathogenic Role and Diagnostic Utility of Autoantibodies.

Recent years have brought progress in understanding the role of the neutrophil, dispelling the dogma of homogeneous cells mainly involved in the prime defence against pathogens, shedding light on their pathogenic role in inflammatory diseases and on the importance of antineutrophil-cytoplasmic antibodies' pathogenic role in ANCA-associated vasculitides vasculitis (AAV). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3) expressed in neutrophil granulocytes are the most common targets for ANCAs and contribute to the formation of MPO-ANCAs and PR3-ANCAs which, released to the bloodstream, become an excellent diagnostic tool for AAV. In this study, we focus on increasing the clinical and experimental evidence that supports the pathogenic role of ANCAs in AAV. Additionally, we discuss the diagnostic utility of ANCAs for disease activity and prognosis in AAV. Understanding the central role of ANCAs in AAV is crucial for advancing our knowledge of these complex disorders and developing targeted therapeutic strategies in the era of personalized medicine.

Impaired polymorphonuclear neutrophil functions in diabetics

Background and objectives: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are the first line of host resistance against infections. Diabetics are prone to both bacterial and fungal infections. The present study evaluated the phagocytic and killing activity of PMN in diabetics. Material and methods: Females aged 30 to 50 years with and without diabetes mellitus were enrolled. Functions of PMN were assessed by determining the phagocytic rate, phagocytic index and killing of C. albicans by PMN. Results: A total of 36 diabetic patients and 15 age matched non-diabetic healthy individuals were enrolled. Phagocytosis and killing of C. albicans by PMN were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to non-diabetic healthy individuals (86.5±14.6 vs. 94.5±4.2; 56.7±23.8 vs. 81.5±24.2). Conclusion: Phagocytic and killing functions of PMN were significantly reduced in patients with diabetes mellitus. IMC J Med Sci. 2024; 18(1):008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.18.008 *Correspondence:Tanzinah Nasrin, Microbiologist, Quality Control Laboratory, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Email: tanzinahn8@gmail.com