Search Results (2,567)

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment, particularly during pregnancy and early childhood. It is essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and nervous system function. Maternal B12 levels are particularly important, as they influence fetal brain development. Inadequate maternal intake during pregnancy may lead to altered neurodevelopmental trajectories and increase the risk of ASD. Postnatally, insufficient dietary cobalamin in infants and young children could further contribute to cognitive and behavioral impairments. One potential mechanism linking low B12 levels to ASD involves its role in the gut microbiota balance. Dysbiosis, commonly observed in individuals with ASD, is associated with increased gut permeability, low-grade inflammation, and disruptions in the gut–brain axis, all of which may contribute to ASD symptoms. Additionally, B12 is essential for neurotransmitter metabolism, particularly in the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood, cognition, and behavior. Cobalamin also plays a key role in neuronal myelination, which ensures efficient signal transmission in the nervous system. Disruptions in these processes could underlie some of the cognitive and behavioral features associated with ASD. Despite growing evidence, the link between B12 and ASD remains inconclusive due to inconsistent findings across studies. Research suggests that B12 levels may serve as a potential biomarker for disease progression and treatment response. However, many studies rely on single-time-point measurements, failing to account for individual variability, genetic predispositions, dietary intake, and environmental factors, all of which can influence B12 levels and ASD risk. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify this relationship. Full article

Analyses of the hematological statuses of animals inhabiting areas of anthropogenic pollution may provide valuable insights into the extent of disturbance of their living conditions and the mechanisms of adaptation to various environmental stressors. The current work compares the erythrogram and erythrocyte-metric parameters of marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) inhabiting the polluted sedimentation lake of Brikel TPP in southern Bulgaria to those in frogs inhabiting a relatively clean habitat (reference population). The study includes a total of 120 individuals (30 females and 30 males from each site). For all of them, total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were evaluated via standard laboratory techniques. All erythrocyte metrics were determined microscopically in two blood smears from each animal. Our study reveals alterations in the erythrogram parameters and the erythrocyte sizes in marsh frogs living in conditions of chronic pollution with industrial wastewater compared to the animals from the reference site. The mean values for all erythrocyte morphology parameters are significantly lower in both female and male individuals inhabiting the polluted area compared to those originating from the reference one. Conversely, three erythrogram parameters—erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit—appeared significantly higher in females and males from the polluted site. The observed changes in the erythrogram parameters and erythrocyte sizes result from the deteriorated water quality of the sedimentation lake. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), synthesised using Chlorella vulgaris algal extract and silver nitrate, are studied in medicine for their antibacterial properties in poultry. This study assessed the effect of AgNPs on bacterial inhibition and early development and blood parameters in Ross 308 chicken embryos. AgNPs were characterised using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with a focused ion beam, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and a zetasizer. The antibacterial properties of the AgNP colloid against S. enterica were assessed using minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bacterial concentration, and PrestoBlue assays. AgNP colloid (2 mg/L) was injected into egg albumen on day 0. Chicken embryos were incubated for 3 and 16 d. The effect of AgNPs on 3 d old embryos was evaluated based on mortality and somite count using the Hamburger–Hamilton classification. For older embryos, mortality, dimensions, anatomical changes, organ mass, plasma liver enzymes and antioxidants, and red blood cell morphology were determined. Blood samples from the control group embryos were assessed for the impact of AgNPs on hemolysis. AgNPs inhibited S. enterica growth at concentrations >6.75 mg/L. A 3 d exposure to AgNPs caused an insignificant decrease in the number of somites without affecting embryo mortality. However, a 16 d exposure to AgNPs reduced live embryos and plasma antioxidants, changed the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, altered red blood cell morphology, and caused hemolysis. Toxicity of AgNPs was model-dependent, whereby the chicken embryo was more sensitive to AgNPs than the bacterium. Full article

Background: Hyperimmune response and cytokine release post-reperfusion might occur after orthotopic heart transplantation (HTx). Intraoperative hemoadsorption (HA) has been introduced to remove such elevated cytokines. We aimed to analyze the effect of intraoperative HA in patients undergoing orthotopic HTx. Methods: Between 2018 and 2022, 40 consecutive orthotopic HTx patients who underwent intraoperative hemoadsorption HA integrated into the cardiopulmonary bypass were compared to 41 historical controls. Primary outcome measures included postoperative hemodynamic stability and blood product requirements, while secondary outcomes were the incidence of acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (AKI-d) and 30-day mortality. Results: Postoperatively, the vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) did not significantly differ between the groups. However, the use duration for milrinone and dobutamine was shortened by one day compared to controls. The HA group had fewer red blood cell transfusions (765 vs. 1330 mL, p = 0.01) and lower fresh frozen plasma requirements (945 vs. 1200 mL, p = 0.04). Mechanical ventilation duration was reduced (22 vs. 28 h, p = 0.02). AKI-d rates were similar, and 30-day mortality favored non-significantly the HA group (5% vs. 14.6%, p = ns). No device-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion: These findings suggest that intraoperative HA might improve immediate postoperative outcomes; however, further validation in larger randomized controlled trials is warranted. Full article

This study employs numerical techniques to investigate the motion characteristics of red blood cells (RBCs) and drug carriers (DCs) within microvessels. A coupled model of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and immersed boundary method (IBM) is proposed to investigate the migration of particles in blood flow. The lattice Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (LBGK) model is utilized to simulate the flow dynamics of blood. While the IBM is employed to simulate the motion of particles, using a membrane model based on the finite element method. The present model was validated and demonstrated good agreements with previous theoretical and numerical results. Our study mainly examines the impact of the Reynolds number, DC size, and stiffness. Results suggest that these factors would influence particles’ equilibrium regions, motion stability and interactions between RBCs and DCs. Within a certain range, under a higher Reynolds number, the motion of DCs remains stable and DCs can swiftly attain their equilibrium states. DCs with smaller sizes and softer stiffness demonstrate a relatively stable motion state and their interactions with RBCs are weakened. The findings would offer novel perspectives on drug transport mechanisms and the impact of drug release, providing valuable guidance for the design of DCs. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the adequacy of the liberal transfusion strategy applied in patients undergoing endoscopy-assisted Metopic, Coronal, or Sagittal craniosynostosis surgery according to the Pre-Transfusion and Post-Transfusion Estimated Red Blood Cell Mass (ERCM) ratios. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at the Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine (2017–2023), utilized anesthesia, surgical records, and hospital electronic data of patients undergoing endoscopic craniosynostosis surgery. The primary endpoints were the rates of Post-Transfusion 1st-hour ERCM/Pre-Transfusion ERCM (%) and Post-Transfusion 24th-hour ERCM/Pre-Transfusion ERCM (%). The secondary endpoints were determined as Hemoglobin (Hb) and Hematocrit (Hct) values at the 1st and 24th hours after surgery, Calculated Blood Loss (CBL) during surgery (%), total 24 h CBL (%), ERCM (%), and Estimated Blood Loss (EBV) during surgery and total 24 h transfusions, Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) (mL/kg) amounts during surgery, and total 24 h transfusions. Results: A total of 86 pediatric craniosynostosis cases were evaluated and categorized into Metopic (n = 38), Sagittal (n = 33), and Coronal (n = 15) groups, with Post-Transfusion evaluation conducted across these groups. Post-Transfusion 1st-hour ERCM/Pre-Transfusion ERCM ratios were found to have median values of 90.70% in the Metopic group, 91.61% in the Sagittal group, and 93.09% in the Coronal group. Post-Transfusion 24th-hour ERCM/Pre-Transfusion ERCM ratios were found to be median values of 94.05% in the Metopic group, 88.3% in the Sagittal group, and 87.08% in the Coronal group. Conclusions: The liberal transfusion strategy provided adequate transfusion, maintaining ERCM ratios within the 85–115% range across all groups. Significant decreases in Hb and Hct levels were observed from preoperative to postoperative measurements at 1 and 24 h. Changes in CBL, ERCM, EBV, and PRBC volumes were noted between the postoperative 1 h and 24 h measurements across all groups. Full article

Background/Objectives: COVID-19 is associated with multiple systemic effects, including cardiovascular complications. However, its interplay with cardiac conduction abnormalities remains underexplored. We compared the clinical profile of COVID-19 patients with pre-existing left bundle branch block (LBBB) or right bundle branch block (RBBB) at hospital admission. Methods: This study included 100 COVID-19 patients with antecedent BBB (50 LBBB, 50 RBBB). Critical cardiometabolic, renal, hematological, and inflammatory markers were measured. Logistic regression was used to identify key predictors differentiating COVID-19 patients with LBBB and RBBB. Spearman’s correlations were applied to assess intra-strata associations for these variables. Results: COVID-19 patients with LBBB patients were significantly more likely to display lower systolic blood pressure (p = 0.012) but greater left atrial size (p = 0.008), left ventricular diameter (p = 0.001), and interventricular septal thickness (p = 0.023). Hematological and inflammatory markers differed, with LBBB patients being prone to exhibit higher red cell distribution width (p = 0.005), lymphocyte count (p < 0.001), neutrophil count (p = 0.045), and C-reactive protein (p < 0.001). This group also tended to show lower erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.013) and glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.045) but higher random glucose (p = 0.014). Absolute lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, and left ventricular diameter were the most robust predictors distinguishing LBBB from RBBB. Significant associations were found exclusively for LBBB, all of them being weak. These predominantly negative relationships indicated an inflammatory origin, and most of them occurred for lymphocyte count. Conclusions: COVID-19 patients with LBBB and RBBB present distinct clinical profiles at hospital admission. The former group demonstrates a more adverse baseline clinical profile, particularly in terms of cardiac and inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that pre-existing BBB type may influence disease progression, potentially helping in risk stratification for COVID-19 patients. Full article

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a promising tool for drug delivery due to their unique chemical properties that make them biocompatible and easy to functionalize. However, when AuNPs are introduced into biological systems, they are coated by the so-called protein corona (PC), which affects their biodistribution and limits their therapeutic efficacy. The functionalization of AuNPs with endogenous carbohydrates can be a possible strategy to reduce immune recognition, thus enhancing their biocompatibility and circulation time. Suitable candidates for this approach are the ABO blood sugar antigens, di- and tri-saccharides that represent the terminal portion of some glycolipids and glycoproteins present on the surface of human red blood cells and other tissues. In this work, we illustrate the synthesis of trisaccharide antigen A derivative, whose last step is worthy of investigation. During the final hydrogenolysis reaction, intended to remove protecting groups, an unexpected side reaction occurred, the isolated product bearing an N,N-dimethyl moiety on the anomeric propyl linker. This side reaction might be ascribed to the in situ formation of formaldehyde and successive imine formation and reduction. The obtained compound can be used as a monomeric control compound in biochemical and structural biology studies involving ABO blood sugar antigens. Full article

Water molecules in the cytosol of red blood cells (RBCs) may exist in a free or bound state. The ratio between the free and bound water depends on the composition of the cytoplasm, particularly on the hemoglobin concentration. Microwave dielectric spectroscopy (MDS) provides information on the state of intracellular water in red blood cell suspension and the erythrocyte cytosol state. In the presented study, we used MDS to assess the differences in the free-to-bound water ratio in subpopulations of freshly donated human erythrocytes of different ages (young, mature, and senescent cells) obtained by fractionation in a Percoll density gradient. The obtained MDS parameters (dielectric strength ∆ε, the relaxation time τ, and the broadening parameter α) were compared with the red blood cell indices and single cell deformability measurements obtained for each subpopulation. We demonstrated that the unique hematological indices and deformability of red blood cells of different ages are well-correlated with the specific values of dielectric fitting parameters. The obtained results indicate that the dielectric properties of cytosolic water can serve as a sensitive marker of changes occurring in the cytosol of red blood cells during cell aging. Full article

Non-invasive blood analysis has the power to completely change how doctors identify and track illnesses. This study presents a novel approach for the non-invasive monitoring of red blood cell (RBC) mobility and concentration within capillaries, using photon absorption as a key diagnostic tool. The research combines optical modeling with the diffusion equation for light propagation, leveraging COMSOL simulations to create a comprehensive framework for understanding RBC dynamics. A two-dimensional geometric model of capillaries with RBCs is developed, where blood flow is modeled as a laminar, incompressible fluid. The Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) formulation is employed to account for the fluid–structure interactions, while photon attenuation by the RBCs is analyzed to investigate wavelength-dependent absorption characteristics. The methodology is implemented through a workflow developed with MATLAB’s S-Function builder, consisting of three main components: mesh generation, fluence computing, and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) verification. The mesh generation process adapts to the target architecture using COMSOL Multiphysics for fluid–structure interaction (FSI) modeling. The fluence computing function solves the diffusion equation to model light intensity attenuation due to RBCs, and the SIL function compares computed results with real-time measurements, ensuring accuracy for potential real-time embedded system applications. The results demonstrate significant wavelength-dependent variations in photon absorption by RBCs, providing insights into the optical behavior of blood in microvascular structures. The findings have important implications for medical imaging, photodynamic therapy, and diagnostic tools, emphasizing the potential of integrating computational models with real-time systems for enhanced performance in biomedical applications. Full article

This study evaluates the effects of intramuscular injection or oral supplementation of iron on the growth performance, iron homeostasis, and redox status of suckling piglets. A total of 94 newborn piglets, selected from 8 healthy sows, were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups during the lactation period, receiving injections of normal saline without iron (CON, n = 23), intramuscular dextran injection of bound iron at 2 mL (200 mg Fe) on postnatal day 3 (PND 3) (FeDex, n = 24), oral supplementation from PND 2 to 13 with 10 g of FerkoFer^® containing 2.2 g Fe per day (FeOra, n = 23), or both FeDex and FeOra (FeDPO, n = 24). Piglets were weighed individually at birth and PND 21. Blood samples were collected on PNDs 1, 7, 14, and 21. Piglets in the CON group had lower body weight on PND 21 compared with piglets in the FeDex, FeOra, and FeDPO groups (0.46–1.05 kg decrease, p < 0.05), while piglets in the FeDPO group had the highest weaning weight across all groups (p < 0.05). The levels of hemoglobin (HGB) and serum iron (SI) in FeDPO piglets were significantly higher than in all other groups on PNDs 14 and 21 (p < 0.05). Moreover, the red blood cell (RBC) levels in the FeDPO and FeOra piglets were significantly higher than that in FeDex piglets on PND 21 (p < 0.05). In addition, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in both FeOra and FeDPO piglets were significantly higher than those of piglets in CON and FeDex piglets on PND 21 (p < 0.05), whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content in FeDex piglets was higher than that in CON piglets (p < 0.05). Collectively, the current results indicate that the combination of intramuscular injection and oral supplementation is a more effective strategy to improve the growth performance of suckling piglets, associated with higher hemoglobin and serum iron levels, as well as the optimal redox status. Full article

Background: The role of radioiodine (RAI) therapy for differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) is still a matter of debate. Low-dose RAI (LDRAI) therapy is a possible treatment for patients at low–intermediate risk of recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of post-RAI therapy clinical and biochemical side effects with respect to its dosage. Methods: We retrospectively examined 142 patients who had been administered RAI therapy for DTCs and carried out at least a 12-month follow-up. The incidence of clinical adverse events (CAEs: xerophthalmia, xerostomia, and dysgeusia) and values for hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets (PLTs) during the first year of follow-up were compared between patients who underwent standard-dose RAI (SDRAI) therapy and LDRAI therapy. Results: Of the 142 patients, 66 were treated with LDRAI and 76 with SDRAI. A higher incidence of CAEs was found in the SDRAI group than in the LDRAI group (p = 0.002). An administered dose above 2849 MBq was associated with CAEs (sensitivity 88.89%, specificity 54.03%, p < 0.001). We found a slight decrease in Hb (p = 0.008), RBCs (p = 0.013), WBCs (p = 0.004) and PLTs (p < 0.001) in the SDRAI group, while in the LDRAI group only WBCs showed a minimal decrease (p = 0.027) with any occurrence of overt bone-marrow disease. Conclusions: According to our data, LDRAI therapy seemed to be associated with a lower incidence of CAEs than SDRAI therapy. Both methods showed an excellent safety profile in terms of hematopoietic effects. However, the effect of SDRAI therapy in this setting might have been more positive than that of LDRAI therapy. Full article

Immunosuppression increases disease risk, and the natural compound polydatin (PD) has been reported to modulate immune-related disorders. In cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice, PD was evaluated for its immunomodulatory effects. Immune organ indices were measured, while H&E staining and ELISA assessed spleen pathology and serum cytokine levels. The proliferation of splenic lymphocytes, both total and subpopulation, was determined using concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide stimulation, with flow cytometry analyzing peripheral blood and splenic lymphocytes, thymic T cell subtypes, cell cycling, and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Western blotting was used to assess Ki67, PCNA expression, and MAPK activation. PD significantly alleviated cyclophosphamide-induced reductions in spleen and thymus indices, improved the organization of red and white pulp in the spleen, and restored TNF-α and IFN-γ levels. It reversed cyclophosphamide-induced cell cycle arrest, characterized by increased PCNA and decreased Ki67, and corrected the diminished numbers of B and T cells and the reduced CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio in the thymus. In vitro, PD directly promoted splenic lymphocyte proliferation and cell cycling via MAPK activation. Overall, our findings demonstrated that PD alleviated mouse immunosuppression by activating splenic lymphocyte proliferation and re-organizing thymic T cell development and differentiation. Full article

Hemorrhagic shock from traumatic injury results in a massive systemic response with activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, pro-thrombotic and clot-lysis pathways as well as development of an endotheliopathy. With ongoing hemorrhage, these responses become dysregulated and are associated with worsening coagulopathy, microvascular dysfunction, and increased transfusion requirements. Our transfusion practices as well as our understanding of the molecular response to hemorrhage have undergone significant advancement during war. Currently, resuscitation practices address the benefit of the early recognition and management of acute coagulopathy and advocates for balanced resuscitation with either whole blood or a 1:1 ratio of packed red blood cells to fresh frozen plasma (respectively). However, a significant volume of evidence in the last two decades has recognized the importance of the early modulation of traumatic endotheliopathy and the HPA axis via the early administration of plasma, whole blood, and adjunctive treatments such as tranexamic acid (TXA) and calcium. This evidence compels us to rethink our understanding of ‘balanced resuscitation’ and begin creating a more structured practice to address additional competing priorities beyond coagulopathy. The following manuscript reviews the benefits of addressing the additional interrelated physiologic responses to hemorrhage and seeks to expand beyond our understanding of ‘balanced resuscitation’. Full article

Accurate separation in microfluidic devices is crucial for biomedical applications; however, enhancing their performance remains challenging due to computational and experimental constraints. This study aims to optimize microfluidic devices by systematically refining spiral microchannel configurations for the segregation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) through detailed variable analysis and resource-efficient techniques. The spiral design was developed into six variations, considering loop numbers (2, 3, and 4), aspect ratios (2.333, 3.333, and 5), spiral radii (5, 6, and 7 mm), flow rates (1.5, 2, and 3 mL/min), surface roughness levels (0, 0.5, and 1 μm), and particle sizes (12, 18, and 24 μm). Simulations were conducted in COMSOL Multiphysics and evaluated using the Taguchi method to determine the optimal configuration, reducing the analysis set from 216 to 27 through an efficient experimental design approach. The results identified the optimal structure as having an aspect ratio of 3.333, four loops, a spiral radius of 6–7 mm, a flow rate of 3 mL/min, a surface roughness of 1 μm, and a particle diameter of 24 μm. Among the evaluated parameters, aspect ratio (61.2%) had the most significant impact, followed by the number of loops (13.9%) and flow rate (9.4%). The optimized design demonstrated high separation efficiency and purity, achieving 97.5% and 97.6%, respectively. The fabrication process involved 3D-printing the channel mold, followed by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) casting, validating the durability and scalability of the proposed design. This study integrates simulation and experimental results, providing a robust framework for developing next-generation microfluidic devices and advancing diagnostic and targeted therapeutic applications. Full article