Lower Htc Research Articles

The Early Hematological Profile and Its Variations: A Useful Tool in the Prediction of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Extremely Preterm Infants.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study to investigate if the early variations in the hematological profile could be a useful tool in the prediction and evaluation of intraventricular hemorrhage. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022, in a tertiary academic center. In-born infants ≤ 28 weeks of gestation (n = 134) were enrolled. The study group of infants with all grades of IVH was further divided into mild IVH subgroups (grades 1 and 2) and severe IVH subgroups (grades 3 and 4); the control group included infants without IVH. Results: The prevalence of IVH was 35.8% (n = 48 of 134 infants-study group). We identified significantly lower median values of HGB (p = 0.0312) and HCT (p = 0.0172) in all grades of the IVH group at birth as compared with control, followed by a significantly higher drop in MCV (p = 0.0146) and MCH (p = 0.0002) in the fourth day of life. Conclusions: Extremely preterm infants with IVH may have lower HTC and HGB values at birth, together with a decrease in MCH and MCHC and increase in MPV. The predictive model based on logistic regression analysis could predict the probability of the occurrence of IVH according to their values.

Change of routine coagulation parameters in plasma samples with different hematocrit values

Abstract Aim There are many preanalytical variables affecting routine coagulation tests. Increased hematocrit (Htc) levels are one of these variables. However, no study has been conducted to determine the effect of low Htc values on coagulation tests. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate whether low Htc values affect coagulation tests besides high Htc values. Methods Standard human plasma was injected into coagulation tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate to reflect hematocrit rates of 5% to 75% and prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen measurements were performed. Results Three groups were formed according to Htc levels: A (5-25%), B (30-50%) and C (55-75%). PT (s) were found 13.7±0.30 in group A, 14.88±0.57 s in group B, 20.16 ±4.66 s in group C respectively. aPTT (s) results were 35.79±1.39 s in group A, 42.48 ± 3.51 s in group B and 76.47 ± 31.55 in group C. TT (s) results were found to be 26.42 ± 0.77 s (group A), 28.24±1.17 s (group B) and 32.02±2.60 (group C). Fibrinogen levels (g/L) were measured as 2.30 ± 0,05, 2.21 ± 0,07 and 1.90 ± 0.20 in groups A, B, C, respectively. For all measured parameters, group A reflecting low Htc was significantly (P < 0 ,0001) different from the other groups. Conclusion Previous studies have reported that high Htc (> 55%) levels affected routine coagulation tests. In our study, low Htc (5-25%) values were also shown to cause errors in the test results.

Selected hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables of Paso Fino horses living at different altitudes.

This study aimed at describing selected hematological, biochemical, and acid-base variables of adult horses living at sea level and comparing them to those living at 5 different altitudes. One hundred and thirty-eight healthy Paso Fino horses > 2years old were enrolled. Altitudes included the following: altitude A (0 to 50m above sea level, masl; n = 23), B (1000 to 1050masl; n = 25), C (1450masl; n = 30), D (1950 to 2050masl; n = 30), and E (2950 to 3100masl; n= 30). A portable blood gas analyzer was used to determine selected biochemical and acid-base variables. Hematocrit (Htc) was measured by blood centrifugation and total plasma protein as total solids using a refractometer. A one-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post hoc test or a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, depending of the normality of the data, was conducted to compare groups. Horses at sea level had lower Htc (25% ± 2) and Hb (8 ± 0.8mg/dL) concentration than those horses living ≥ 1000masl (P < 0.05, for all comparisons). No differences in Htc and Hb were identified in horses living between 1000 and 3000masl (P > 0.05, for all comparisons). The venous PvCO2 was significantly lower in horses living at altitudes ≥ 1000masl than those living at 0masl (42 ± 4.8mmHg) (P = 0.001, for all comparisons). No differences in PvCO2 were identified in horses living between 1000 and 3000masl. This study showed that the Htc, Hb, and PvCO2 of horses living at sea level were different compared to those in healthy horses living at altitudes ≥ 1000masl. However, differences in TPP and electrolyte concentrations were not identified.

MPN-376: The Clinical Impact of the Burden of JAK2V617F Mutated Allele in Philadelphia-Negative Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Context: Several studies reported the impact of JAK2V617F allele burden on phenotypic properties and clinical course in Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-negative MPNs). We aimed to analyze the association of mutated JAK2V617F allele burden with clinical phenotype and laboratory characteristics in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) patients. Objective: A total of 202 consecutive Philadelphia-negative MPN patients, 118 with ET and 84 with PMF, were included in this study. Methods: We used a real-time, semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with JAK2 MutaScreen assay (Ipsogen, Luminy Biotech, Marseille, France) to screen JAK2V617 mutations and mutant allele burden. Results: According to the JAK2V617F status, ET patients were stratified into three groups: JAK2V617F mutation-negative (n=54) and JAK2V617F-positive with mutant allele burden in the lower quartile (n=59) and upper quartile (n=5) ranges. ET patients with upper quartile JAK2V617F allele burden had significantly lower Hgb levels (p=0.001), lower Htc levels (p=0.001), and higher LDH levels (p=0.008) as compared to the other two groups. Also, ET patients with upper quartile JAK2V617F allele burden had significantly increased spleen size and higher bleeding complications (p=0.034; 0.002; respectively). We observed significant association between ET patients with high JAK2V617F allele burden and higher death rates (p=0.007). There was a trend towards higher incidence of venous thrombosis in ET patients with upper quartile JAK2V617F allele burden (p=0.057). According to JAK2V617F status, PMF patients were stratified into three groups: JAK2V617F mutation-negative (n=25) and JAK2V617F-positive with mutant allele burden in the lower quartile (n=41) and upper quartile (n=18) ranges. Comparison across all three groups revealed significant associations between upper quartile allele burden and higher leukocyte counts (p=0.001). Also, PMF patients with upper quartile JAK2V617F allele burden had significantly increased spleen size compared to the other two groups (p=0.018). We observed significant association between PMF patients with low JAK2V617F allele burden and higher incidence of venous thrombosis (p=0.035). Conclusion: Our study reported that presence of higher V617F allele burden in ET is associated with defined haematological and clinical markers indicative of a more aggressive behavior while, in PMF, low allele burden was found to be associated with higher incidence of venous thrombosis.

Optimization of FX-70 refrigerant evaporative heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics inside the corrugated tubes using multi-objective genetic algorithm

In this study, the heat transfer optimization (evaporation) and the specification of the FX-70 zeotropic refrigerant flow inside a corrugated pipe have been investigated. Despite the low HTC (HTC), this type of refrigerant is highly applicable in low or medium temperature engineering systems during the evaporation process. To eliminate this defect, high turbulence and proper mixing are required. Therefore, using heat transfer (HT) augmentation methods will be necessary and effective. In order to find the most favorable operating conditions that lead to the optimum combination of pressure drop (PD) and HTC, empirical data, neural networks, and genetic algorithms (GA) for multi-objective (MO) (NSGA II) are used. To investigate the mentioned cases, the geometric parameters of corrugated pipes, vapor quality, and mass velocity of refrigerant were studied. The results showed that with vapor quality higher than 0.8 and corrugation depth and pitch of 1.5 and 7 mm, respectively, we would achieve the desired optimum design.

Emergency surgery in geriatrics: A retrospective evaluation in a single center.

As life expectancy increases in humans, surgical procedures applied to the elderly people are also increasing in parallel with the developments in surgery and postoperative care. A significant number of studies investigating the morbidity-mortality of geriatric patients are related to patients who are undergoing emergency operations. The present study aims to investigate the factors affecting mortality and morbidity after emergency surgery in elderly people. The data of 200 patients aged 65 years and over who were operated under emergency conditions in the University of Health Sciences Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital between January and December 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Patient's demographic information, including age, gender, ASA physical status, comorbidities, functional dependency or non-dependency of patients, types of operation, anesthesia technique, duration of operation, intraoperative blood transfusion, the changes of hematocrit levels (during the perioperative period), the outcome after surgery (intensive care admission or ward transfer), were recorded. The risk prediction of short-term mortality has been estimated using CCI and APACHE II scoring systems. The mean age of the patients was 74.8±6.7 and the number of females (n=134, 67%) outweighed the males. Higher ASA physical status scores, dependent living conditions, long operation time, general anesthesia, intraoperative blood transfusion, low Htc values (<25%), high APACHE II scores and lower scores of 10-years survival by CCI were the factors that affected the acceptance into ICU.

Physiological response to a breed evaluation field test in Icelandic horses

This study examined the response in terms of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), haematocrit (Htc), rectal temperature (RT), and some plasma variables in Icelandic horses of different sexes and ages performing the riding assessment in a breed evaluation field test (BEFT). The study was conducted in Iceland on 266 horses (180 mares and 86 stallions, divided into four age groups; 4, 5, 6 and ⩾7 years old). RT and RR were recorded and blood samples were taken before the warm-up and after the riding assessment. Horse HR, velocity and distance were recorded during the warm-up, the riding assessment and a 5-min recovery period. The distance covered in the BEFT was 2.9±0.4 km (range: 1.8 to 3.8 km, n=248), the duration was 9:37±1:22 min:s (range: 5:07 to 15:32 min:s, n=260) and the average speed was 17.8±1.4 km/h (range: 13.2 to 21.3 km/h, n=248). Average HR was 184±13 b.p.m. (range: 138 to 210 b.p.m., n=102) and peak HR 224±9 b.p.m. (range: 195 to 238 b.p.m., n=102), and 36% of the BEFT was performed at HR ⩾200 b.p.m. Post-exercise plasma lactate concentration (Lac) was 18.0±6.5 mmol/l (range: 2.1 to 34.4 mmol/l, n=266), and there was an increase in total plasma protein, plasma creatine kinase and aspartate amino transferase concentration, as well as RR, RT and Htc. Stallions covered a longer total distance (in the warm-up and BEFT) (P<0.05), at a faster speed during BEFT (P<0.001) than mares and had higher Htc and lower HR and post-exercise Lac values. There were few effects of age, but the 4- and 5-year-old horses had lower Htc than older horses and 4-year-old horses had higher post-exercise RR than older horses, although they were ridden for a shorter distance, shorter duration and at lower peak velocity (P<0.1). The results showed that the riding assessment in the BEFT is a high-intensity exercise. The results also showed that aerobic fitness was higher in stallions and that age had a limited effect on the physiological response. It is suggested that these results should be used as a guide for the development of training programmes and fitness tests in Icelandic horses that would improve both performance and welfare of the horse.

Investigation of forced convection heat transfer of supercritical pressure water in a vertically upward internally ribbed tube

In the present paper, the forced convection heat transfer characteristics of water in a vertically upward internally ribbed tube at supercritical pressures were investigated experimentally. The six-head internally ribbed tube is made of SA-213T12 steel with an outer diameter of 31.8 mm and a wall thickness of 6 mm and the mean inside diameter of the tube is measured to be 17.6 mm. The experimental parameters were as follows. The pressure at the inlet of the test section varied from 25.0 to 29.0 MPa, and the mass flux was from 800 to 1200 kg/(m 2 s), and the inside wall heat flux ranged from 260 to 660 kW/m 2. According to experimental data, the effects of heat flux and pressure on heat transfer of supercritical pressure water in the vertically upward internally ribbed tube were analyzed, and the characteristics and mechanisms of heat transfer enhancement, and also that of heat transfer deterioration, were also discussed in the so-called large specific heat region. The drastic changes in thermophysical properties near the pseudocritical points, especially the sudden rise in the specific heat of water at supercritical pressures, may result in the occurrence of the heat transfer enhancement, while the covering of the heat transfer surface by fluids lighter and hotter than the bulk fluid makes the heat transfer deteriorated eventually and explains how this lighter fluid layer forms. It was found that the heat transfer characteristics of water at supercritical pressures were greatly different from the single-phase convection heat transfer at subcritical pressures. There are three heat transfer modes of water at supercritical pressures: (1) normal heat transfer, (2) deteriorated heat transfer with low HTC but high wall temperatures in comparison to the normal heat transfer, and (3) enhanced heat transfer with high HTC and low wall temperatures in comparison to the normal heat transfer. It was also found that the heat transfer deterioration at supercritical pressures was similar to the DNB at subcritical pressures.

Alterations in iron metabolism and the erythron in major depression: Further evidence for a chronic inflammatory process

There is now some evidence that major depression is accompanied by biochemical and immune changes pointing to the presence of a chronic inflammatory response. The latter condition is reportedly characterized by changes in iron (Fe) metabolism and the erythron, such as decreased serum Fe and transferrin (Tf) and increased serum ferritin, lower number of red blood cells (RBC), lower hematocrit (Htc) and hemoglobin (Hb). The aim of the present study was to examine Fe metabolism and the erythron in 38 major depressed subjects versus 15 normal volunteers, as well as the effects of antidepressant treatments on these variables. Major depressed subjects had significantly lower serum Fe and Tf, a lower number of RBC, lower Htc and Hb, and a significantly increased number of reticulocytes than normal controls. Serum ferritin was significantly higher in major depressed patients with melancholia than in those with simple major depression and normal controls. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), MC Hb (MCH), MC Hb concentration (MCHC) and RBC distribution width (RDW) were not significantly different between major depressed subjects and normal controls. Treatment with antidepressants during 5 weeks had no significant effect on the alterations in number of RBC and reticulocytes, Htc, Hb, Fe and Tf. There were significant relationships between the above Fe and erythron variables and established immune-inflammatory markers of major depression, e.g., lowered serum albumin and zinc and the increased electrophoretically-separated α 1-globulin fraction. The results suggest that the disorders in Fe metabolism and the erythron during major depression may be induced by the immune-inflammatory response in that illness.

The use of microfluorometry to study DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinomas: a possible prognostic tool?

A microfluorometric method was used to determine the nuclear DNA content in the nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) of 25 patients treated before 1983. Eleven patients are still alive with no evidence of disease (NED), while the rest died of their disease (DOD). All of the patients received a cycle of radiotherapy, while some also received chemotherapy or neck dissections. The neoplastic cells studied were taken from the original biopsy blocks, deparaffinized, isolated by enzymatic treatment and mechanical fragmentation, and then Feulgen-stained. The cytofluorometric measurement was carried out by a microphotometer equipped for fluorescence excitation and connected to a computer. This method allowed us to construct a histogram of the DNA content in the neoplastic cells. Different neoplastic classes were identified and represent the heteroclonality of the tumor, which can be expressed by the heteroclonality index (HCT). From the collected data it appears that the NED patients all had a low HTC (less than 1) and only 7 of the DOD patients had low HTCs (less than 1). Six of the DOD patients with a low HTC were in advanced stages of their tumor at the time of diagnosis, while the remaining patient did not complete his treatment. Our results show that the DNA analysis of the NPC cell population may offer a useful tool in predicting the biological behavior of this tumor and also improving its treatment.