Sample records for spring hb cs

  1. Detection of Hb Constant Spring [α142, Term→Gln, TAA>CAA (α2)] in heterozygotes combined with β-thalassemia.

    PubMed

    Li, You-Qiong; Li, Ru; Li, Dong-Zhi

    2013-01-01

    Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS, α142, Term→Gln, TAA>CAA (α2)] is a nondeletional form of α-thalassemia (α-thal) that is most prevalent in Southern Chinese and Southeast Asian populations. We previously found that Hb CS trait could efficiently be screened using Sebia Capillarys2. In this study, we report that Hb CS heterozygotes combined with β-thal could not be detected by the Sebia Capillarys2 method due to the very small amount of Hb CS.

  2. Comparison between capillary electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography for detection and quantification of Hb constant spring [Hb CS; α142, Term→Gln (TAA>CAA IN α2)].

    PubMed

    Waneesorn, Jarurin; Panyasai, Sitthichai; Kongthai, Kanyakan; Singboottra, Panthong; Pornprasert, Sakorn

    2011-01-01

    Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS; α142, Term→Gln (TAA>CAA in α2)] is often missed by routine laboratory testing since its mRNA as well as gene product are unstable and presented at a low level in peripheral blood. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for detecting and quantifying Hb CS in 19 heterozygotes and 14 homozygotes with Hb CS as well as 10 Hb H-CS disease subjects who were detected by molecular analysis. In the CE electrophoregram, Hb CS was seen at zone 2 and was observed in all samples, while the chromatogram of Hb CS peaks was found in 26.32% heterozygotes, 42.86% homozygotes and 90% Hb H-CS disease subjects, respectively. In addition, the Hb CS levels in each group of subjects quantified by CE were significantly higher than those quantified by HPLC. Based on the CE method, the lowest Hb CS level was found in the heterozygotes, whereas the highest level was found in the Hb H-CS disease patients. Therefore, the CE method was superior to the HPLC method for detecting Hb CS. Furthermore, the level of Hb CS quantified by CE proved useful in screening heterozygotes and homozygotes with Hb CS as well as Hb H-CS disease.

  3. Unmasking Hb Paksé (codon 142, TAA>TAT, α2) and its combinations in patients also carrying Hb Constant Spring (codon 142, TAA>CAA, α2) in northern Thailand.

    PubMed

    Pornprasert, Sakorn; Panyasai, Sitthichai; Treesuwan, Kallayanee

    2012-01-01

    The incidence of Hb Paksé (codon 142, TAA>TAT, α2) might have been underestimated due to misidentifying some cases as Hb Constant Spring (Hb CS, codon 142, TAA>CAA, α2) since both abnormal hemoglobins (Hbs) migrate to the same position on Hb electrophoresis or chromatography. Multiplex asymmetric allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification of Hb CS and Hb Paksé, and a real-time PCR (ReTi-PCR) with SYBR Green1 high resolution melting (HRM) analysis, for detection of the α-thalassemia-1 (α-thal-1) Southeast Asian (- -(SEA)/) type deletion, were performed on 114 blood samples collected from subjects who lived in northern Thailand. These samples were previously identified as carrying Hb CS by capillary electrophoresis (CE) or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Five out of 114 (4.4%) samples were found to carry Hb Paksé with four different genotypes including Hb Paksé trait, compound Hb CS/Hb Paksé, Hb H-Hb Paksé disease and Hb H-Hb Paksé-Hb E disease. These results suggested that Hb Paksé and its various combinations can be misidentified as Hb CS. Although the clinical symptoms of Hb Paksé and Hb CS are similar, to prevent erroneous epidemiological data on Hb CS as well as underestimating the prevalence of Hb Paksé in northern Thailand, DNA analysis is recommended to be performed in all cases when peaks of Hb CS/Hb Paksé are detected on CE or HPLC.

  4. Molecular screening of the Hbs Constant Spring (codon 142, TAA>CAA, α2) and Paksé (codon 142, TAA>TAT, α2) mutations in Thailand.

    PubMed

    Pichanun, Dalad; Munkongdee, Thongperm; Klamchuen, Sumonmaln; Butthep, Punnee; Winichagoon, Pranee; Fucharoen, Suthat; Svasti, Saovaros

    2010-01-01

    Hb Constant Spring [Hb CS, α142(H19)Term] and Hb Paksé [α142(H19)Term] occur from the mutation in the termination codon of the α2-globin gene, TAA>CAA (→Gln) and TAA>TAT (→Tyr), respectively. They are the most common nondeletional α-thalassemia (α-thal) variants causing Hb H disease in Southeast Asia. In this study, 587 cord blood samples were screened for the Hb CS and Hb Paksé mutations by a dot-blot hybridization technique using oligonucleotide probes specific for each mutation. The results showed that the prevalence of Hb CS and Hb Paksé in Central Thailand are 5.80 and 0.51%, respectively, which is in concordance with the results from previous studies.

  5. [Methodological study for detecting gene mutation of family with genotyping of compound heterogenicity of SEA alpha-thalassemia 1 and HbCS].

    PubMed

    Chen, Jian; Luo, Bi; Qi, Zhu; Huo, Pei-Dan; Zhang, Quan-Sheng; Wang, Hong

    2010-06-01

    This study was aimed to establish a method of PCR combination with PCR-RFLP for detecting the South-East Asian (SEA) deletion type alpha-thalassemia 1 and non-deletion mutation of Hb Constant Spring (CS), and to investigate the application value of this method. For the members of the families with alpha-thalassemia, SEA deletion mutation was detected by PCR, then the HbCS point mutation was screened by PCR-RFLP. The results indicated that 15 carriers with alpha-thalassemia (--(SEA)/) were found in 19 members from 7 families, and 2 families with genotype of --(SEA)/alpha(CS)alpha were screened out successfully. It is concluded that the PCR combination with PCR-RFLP is a simple, rapid, and reliable method for screening HbH disease with genotype of --(SEA)/alpha(CS)alpha.

  6. Simultaneous detection of Hb constant spring (α142, TAA>CAA, α2) and the α2 IVS-I donor site (-TGAGG) deletion by a simple polymerase chain reaction-based method in Iran.

    PubMed

    Akhavan-Niaki, Haleh; Banihashemi, Ali; Mostafazadeh, Amrollah; Kholghi Oskooei, Vahid; Azizi, Mandana; Youssefi Kamangar, Reza; Elmi, Maryam Mitra

    2012-01-01

    Hb Constant Spring (Hb CS, codon 142, TAA>CAA, α2) (HBA2:c.427T>C) and α2 IVS-I donor site (GAGGTGAGG>GAGG - - - - -) (HBA2:c.95+2_95+6delTGAGG) are nondeletional α-thalassemia (α-thal) mutations found all over the world. Identification of α-thal genotypes in at-risk couples for severe anemia or in highly heterogeneous populations requires rapid, accurate and cost-effective genotyping methods. In this study, a pair of primers were used to specifically amplify an 883 bp fragment from the α2-globin gene in order to simultaneously identify these two mutations by a PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) method. We determined the genotypic frequencies of Hb CS and the α2 IVS-I donor site mutations after amplification and enzymatic digestion with Tru9I in 238 northern Iranian samples referred for α-thal testing. Hb CS and the α2 IVS-I donor site mutations accounted for 21 (8.8%) and 29 (12.2%) of the nondeletional cases. This genotyping assay has proven to be a rapid, reliable and useful diagnostic tool for simultaneous detection of these two anomalies for genetic counseling or further prenatal diagnosis.

  7. Hemoglobinopathies and thalassemia screening among Senoi Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rong, Danny Koh Xuan; Ismail, Endom; Sabudin, Raja Zahratul Azma Raja; Hussin, Noor Hamidah; Othman, Ainoon

    2015-09-01

    Orang Asli are the minority indigenous people in Peninsular Malaysia and can be divided into 3 main groups (Negrito, Senoi and Proto Malay) with different six sub-ethnics under each group. Within the Senoi group, the six sub-ethnics are sub-ethnic Mah Meri, Semoq Beri, Che Wong, Jah Hut, Semai and Temiar. This study was aimed to investigate the current prevalence of α- and β-thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies and their mutation types among all six sub-ethnics of Senoi Orang Asli. Blood samples from 685 Senoi participants were collected and sent immediately for routine full blood count analysis and hemoglobin sub-typing. Of 378 subjects screened, 7 subjects were found to be Hemoglobin E (HbE) beta thalassemia carriers, 13 beta thalassaemic, 35 Hemoglobin Constant Spring (HbCS) carriers, 6 compound HbE and HbCS carriers, 32 with HbE disease and 163 HbE heterozygote carriers. The findings of high HbE among Temiars and Jah Huts and high HbCS exclusively in Jah Huts in this study suggest distinct differences across sub-ethnics under Senoi group. Understanding of prevalence and wide spectrum of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies among Senoi and Orang Asli is essential for national thalassaemia awareness and prevention program, especially in Orang Asli communities.

  8. Changing patterns of thalassemia worldwide.

    PubMed

    Vichinsky, Elliott P

    2005-01-01

    Thalassemia is a growing global public health problem with an estimated 900,000 births of clinically significant thalassemia disorders expected to occur in the next 20 years. This growth will occur in disorders previously uncommon in many parts of the world. In particular, hemoglobin (Hb) E-beta-thalassemia and Hb H disease account for much of the projected increases in thalassemia. Worldwide, Hb E-beta-thalassemia is one of the most frequent hemoglobinopathies. The incidence of Hb E approaches 60% of the populations in many regions of Southeast Asia. In coastal regions of North America, its prevalence is rapidly growing. The severity of Hb E-beta-thalassemia ranges from a complete lack of symptoms to transfusion dependence. alpha-Thalassemia diseases, often considered benign, are now recognized to be more severe than originally reported. Hb H, Hb H-Constant Spring (CS), and homozygous alpha-thalassemia affect at least a million people worldwide. California considers Hb H disease a public health problem and has initiated a neonatal screening program for Hb H and particularly Hb H-CS. Homozygous alpha-thalassemia, usually fatal, is also being more commonly detected. Several regions have initiated universal prenatal screening programs to address homozygous alpha-thalassemia. In summary, the prognosis for thalassemia disorders is improving, but prenatal diagnosis and neonatal screenings are needed. Comprehensive services that address language and social barriers as well as access to Hb F-enhancing agents and transfusions are needed.

  9. Development of hemoglobin typing control materials for laboratory investigation of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies.

    PubMed

    Pornprasert, Sakorn; Tookjai, Monthathip; Punyamung, Manoo; Pongpunyayuen, Panida; Jaiping, Kanokwan

    2016-01-01

    To date, the hemoglobin (Hb) typing control materials for laboratory investigation of thalassemia with low (1.8%-3.2%) and high (4%-6%) levels of HbA2 are available but there are no Hb typing quality control materials for analysis of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies which are highly prevalent in South-East Asian countries. The main aim of the present study was to develop the lyophilized Hb typing control materials for laboratory investigation of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies that are commonly found in South-East Asia. Erythrocytes of blood samples containing Hb Bart's, HbH, HbE, HbF, Hb Constant Spring (CS), Hb Hope, and Hb Q-Thailand were washed and dialysed with 0.85% saline solution. The erythrocytes were then lysed in 5% sucrose solution. The lyophilized Hb typing control materials were prepared by using a freeze drying (lyophilization) method. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of lyophilized Hb was performed after the storage at -20 °C for 1 year and also after reconstitution and storage at 4 or -20 °C for 30 days. In addition, the Hb analysis was compared between the three different methods of HPLC, low pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Following a year of storage at -20 °C, the HPLC chromatograms of lyophilized Hb typing control materials showed similar patterns to the equivalent fresh whole blood. The stability of reconstituted Hb typing control materials was also observed through 30 days after reconstitution and storage at -20 °C. Moreover, the Hb typing control materials could be analyzed by three methods, HPLC, LPLC and CE. Even a degraded peak of HbCS was found on CE electropherogram. The lyophilized Hb typing control materials could be developed and used as control materials for investigation of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies.

  10. Haemoglobinopathies in Southeast Asia

    PubMed Central

    Fucharoen, Suthat; Winichagoon, Pranee

    2011-01-01

    In Southeast Asia α-thalassaemia, β-thalassaemia, haemoglobin (Hb) E and Hb Constant Spring (CS) are prevalent. The abnormal genes in different combinations lead to over 60 different thalassaemia syndromes, making Southeast Asia the locality with the most complex thalassaemia genotypes. The four major thalassaemic diseases are Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis (homozygous α-thalassaemia 1), homozygous β-thalassaemia, β-thalassaemia/Hb E and Hb H diseases. α-Thalassaemia, most often, occurs from gene deletions whereas point mutations and small deletions or insertions in the β-globin gene sequence are the major molecular defects responsible for most β-thalassaemias. Clinical manifestations of α-thalassaemia range from asymptomatic cases with normal findings to the totally lethal Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome. Homozygosity of β-thalassaemia results in a severe thalassaemic disease while the patients with compound heterozygosity, β-thalassaemia/Hb E, present variable severity of anaemia, and some can be as severe as homozygous β-thalassaemia. Concomitant inheritance of α-thalassaemia and increased production of Hb F are responsible for mild clinical phenotypes in some patients. However, there are still some unknown factors that can modulate disease severity in both α- and β-thalassaemias. Therefore, it is possible to set a strategy for prevention and control of thalassaemia, which includes population screening for heterozygotes, genetic counselling and foetal diagnosis with selective abortion of affected pregnancies. PMID:22089614

  11. Clinical Course of Homozygous Hemoglobin Constant Spring in Pediatric Patients.

    PubMed

    Komvilaisak, Patcharee; Jetsrisuparb, Arunee; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Komwilaisak, Ratana; Jirapradittha, Junya; Kiatchoosakun, Pakaphan

    2018-04-17

    Hemoglobin (Hb) Constant Spring is an alpha-globin gene variant due to a mutation of the stop codon resulting in the elongation of the encoded polypeptide from 141 to 172 amino acid residues. Patients with homozygous Hb Constant Spring are usually mildly anemic. We retrospectively describe clinical manifestations, diagnosis, laboratory investigations, treatment, and associated findings in pediatric patients with homozygous Hb Constant Spring followed-up at Srinagarind Hospital. Sixteen pediatric cases (5 males and 11 females) were diagnosed in utero (N=6) or postnatal (n=10). Eleven cases were diagnosed with homozygous Hb Constant Spring, 4 with homozygous Hb Constant Spring with heterozygous Hb E, and 1 with homozygous Hb Constant Spring with homozygous Hb E. Three cases were delivered preterm. Six patients had low birth weights. Clinical manifestations included fetal anemia in 6 cases, hepatomegaly in 1 case, hepatosplenomegaly in 2 cases, splenomegaly in 1 case. Twelve cases exhibited early neonatal jaundice, 9 of which required phototherapy. Six cases received red cell transfusions; 1 (3), >1 (3). After the first few months of life, almost all patients had mild microcytic hypochromic anemia and an increased reticulocyte count with a wide red cell distribution (RDW), but no longer required red cell transfusion. At 1 to 2 years of age, some patients still had mild microcytic hypochromic anemia and some had normocytic hypochromic anemia with Hb around 10 g/dL, increased reticulocyte count and wide RDW. Associated findings included hypothyroidism (2), congenital heart diseases (4), genitourinary abnormalities (3), gastrointestinal abnormalities (2), and developmental delay (1). Pediatric patients with homozygous Hb Constant Spring developed severe anemia in utero and up to the age of 2 to 3 months postnatal, requiring blood transfusions. Subsequently, their anemia was mild with no evidence of hepatosplenomegaly. Their Hb level was above 9 g/dL with hypochromic microcytic blood pictures as well as wide RDW. Blood transfusions have not been necessary since then.

  12. Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Hemodynamics and Oxygenation After Cold-Spray Application as Monitored by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

    PubMed Central

    Shadgan, Babak; Pakravan, Amir H.; Hoens, Alison; Reid, W. Darlene

    2015-01-01

    Context Vapocoolant spray, commonly known as cold spray (CS), is a cryotherapy modality used in sports medicine, athletic training, and rehabilitation settings. Proposed physiologic effects of cryotherapy modalities include reductions in tissue blood flow, oxygenation, and cell metabolism in addition to attenuation of pain perception attributed to reduced superficial nerve conduction velocity. Objective To examine the effects of CS on subcutaneous and intramuscular blood flow and oxygenation on the thigh muscle using near-infrared spectroscopy, an optical method to monitor changes in tissue oxygenated (O2Hb), deoxygenated (HHb), and total (tHb) hemoglobin. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Muscle Biophysics Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants Participants were 13 healthy adults (8 men, 5 women; age = 37.4 ± 6 years, body mass index = 27.4 ± 2.6, adipose tissue thickness = 7.2 ± 1.8 mm). Intervention(s) Conventional CS was applied to the vastus medialis muscles. Main Outcome Measure(s) Changes in chromophore concentrations of O2Hb, HHb, and tHb at superficial and deep layers were monitored for 5 minutes using a 2-channel near-infrared spectroscopy. Results Thirty seconds after CS application, we observed a decrease from baseline in O2Hb and tHb only in the superficial layer that was maintained for 3 minutes. Conclusions Application of CS induced a transient change in blood flow and oxygenation of the superficial tissues with no change in deeper tissues over the healthy vastus medialis muscle. The limited physiologic effect of CS on the superficial hemodynamics and oxygenation of limb muscles may limit the therapeutic benefit of this cryotherapy modality to a temporary analgesic effect, a hypothesis that warrants a clinical trial on traumatized muscles. PMID:26098273

  13. Hemoglobin Differences in Uncomplicated Monochorionic Twins in Relation to Birth Order and Mode of Delivery.

    PubMed

    Verbeek, Lianne; Zhao, Depeng P; Te Pas, Arjan B; Middeldorp, Johanna M; Hooper, Stuart B; Oepkes, Dick; Lopriore, Enrico

    2016-06-01

    To determine the differences in hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the first 2 days after birth in uncomplicated monochorionic twins in relation to birth order and mode of delivery. All consecutive uncomplicated monochorionic pregnancies with two live-born twins delivered at our center were included in this retrospective study. We recorded Hb levels at birth and on day 2, and analyzed Hb levels in association with birth order, mode of delivery, and time interval between delivery of twin 1 and 2. A total of 290 monochorionic twin pairs were analyzed, including 171 (59%) twins delivered vaginally and 119 (41%) twins born by cesarean section (CS). In twins delivered vaginally, mean Hb levels at birth and on day 2 were significantly higher in second-born twins compared to first-born twins: 17.8 versus 16.1 g/dL and 18.0 versus 14.8 g/dL, respectively (p < .01). Polycythemia was detected more often in second-born twins (12%, 20/166) compared to first-born twins (1%, 2/166; p < .01). Hb differences within twin pairs delivered by CS were not statistically or clinically significant. We found no association between inter-twin delivery time intervals and Hb differences. Second-born twins after vaginal delivery have higher Hb levels and more often polycythemia than their co-twin, but not when born by CS.

  14. Magnetic field can alleviate toxicological effect induced by cadmium in mungbean seedlings.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yi-ping; Li, Ran; He, Jun-Min

    2011-06-01

    To alleviate toxicological effect induced by cadmium in mungbean seedlings, seeds were divided into four groups: The controls groups (CK, without treatment), magnetic field treated groups (MF), cadmium treated groups (CS), and magnetic field treated followed by cadmium treated groups (MF + CS).The results showed: (i) Compared with the controls, cadmium stress resulted in enhancing in the concentration of malondialdehyde, H(2)O(2) and O(2-), and the conductivity of electrolyte leakage while decreasing in the nitrice oxide synthase (NOS) activity, the concentration of nitrice oxide (NO), chlorophyll and total carbon and nitrogen, the net photosynthetic rate, the stomatal conductance, the transpiration rate, the water use efficiency, the lateral number and seedlings growth except for intercellular CO(2) concentration increase. However, the seedlings treated with 600 mT magnetic field followed by cadmium stress the concentration of malondialdehyde, H(2)O(2) and O(2-), and the conductivity of electrolyte leakage decreased, while the above mentioned NO concentration, NOS activity, photosynthesis and growth parameters increased compared to cadmium stress alone. (ii) Compared with the cadmium stress (CS), the seedling growth were inhibited when the seeds were treated with NO scavenger (hemoglobin, HB) and inhibition of NO generating enzyme (sodium tungstate, ST), conversely, the seedling growth were improved by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and CaCl(2). In the case of the HB and ST treatment followed by magnetic field and then the seedling subjected to CS, the seedlings growth was better than that of hemoglobin (HB) followed by CS and ST followed by CS. The seeds were treated with SNP and CaCl(2) followed by MF, and then subjected to CS, the seedlings growth were better than that of SNP followed by CS, and CaCl(2) followed by CS. These results suggested that magnetic field compensates for the toxicological effects of cadmium exposure are related to NO signal.

  15. [Effects of dietary fiber on the glucose tolerance in spontaneously diabetic rats--comparison among barley, rice, and corn starch].

    PubMed

    Li, Jue; Kaneko, Takashi; Wang, Yuan; Qin, Li-Qiang; Sato, Akio

    2003-05-01

    In this study, the effects of a barley diet containing high dietary fiber on the onset and development of diabetes mellitus in spontaneously diabetic rats was investigated by comparing with a rice diet containing low dietary fiber and an alpha-corn starch diet containing very low dietary fiber. 30 male Goto-Kakizaki (GK) strain rats (8 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to 3 groups; high barley (HB) group on a barley diet (dietary fiber intake, 1.79 g/day/rat), rice (R) group on a rice diet (dietary fiber intake, 0.46 g/day/rat), and alpha-corn starch (CS) group on an alpha-corn starch diet (dietary fiber intake, 0.24 g/day/rat). The carbohydrate (70%), fat (10%), and protein (20%) contents of these 3 diets were equal, and the rats were pair-fed each diet for 3 months. Feeding for 3 months showed that fasting plasma glucose level in the HB group was significantly lower than in the R and CS groups; the glucose tolerance in the HB group was markedly improved. Moreover, the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the HB group were significantly lower than those of the R and CS groups. Our findings demonstrated that barley enabled glycemic control and improved glucose tolerance compared with rice or alpha-corn starch.

  16. Molecular Characterisation of α- and β-Thalassaemia among Indigenous Senoi Orang Asli Communities in Peninsular Malaysia.

    PubMed

    Koh, Danny Xuan Rong; Raja Sabudin, Raja Zahratul Azma; Mohd Yusoff, Malisa; Hussin, Noor Hamidah; Ahmad, Rahimah; Othman, Ainoon; Ismail, Endom

    2017-09-01

    Thalassaemia is a public health problem in Malaysia, with each ethnic group having their own common mutations. However, there is a lack on data on the prevalence and common mutations among the indigenous people. This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the common mutations of α- and β-thalassaemia among the subethnic groups of Senoi, the largest Orang Asli group in Peninsular Malaysia. Blood samples collected from six Senoi subethnic groups were analysed for full blood count and haemoglobin analysis (HbAn). Samples with abnormal findings were then screened for α- and β-globin gene mutations. Out of the 752 samples collected, 255 showed abnormal HbAn results, and 122 cases showing abnormal red cell indices with normal HbAn findings were subjected to molecular screening. DNA analysis revealed a mixture of α- and β-globin gene mutations with 25 concomitant cases. The types of gene abnormalities detected for α-thalassaemia were termination codon (T>C) Hb CS (α CS α), Cd59 (G>A) haemoglobin Adana (Hb Adana) (α Cd59 α), initiation codon (ATG>A-G) (α IniCd α), two-gene deletion (- SEA ), and single-gene 3.7-kb deletion (-α 3.7 ). For β-thalassaemia, there were Cd26 (G>A) Hb E (β E ), Cd19 (A>G) Haemoglobin Malay (Hb Malay) (β Cd19 ), and IVS 1-5 (G>C) (β IVS 1-5 ). © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/University College London.

  17. A Comprehensive Molecular Investigation of α-Thalassemia in an Iranian Cohort from Different Provinces of North Iran.

    PubMed

    Eftekhari, Hajar; Tamaddoni, Ahmad; Mahmoudi Nesheli, Hassan; Vakili, Mohsen; Sedaghat, Sadegh; Banihashemi, Ali; Azizi, Mandana; Youssefi Kamangar, Reza; Akhavan-Niaki, Haleh

    2017-01-01

    α-Thalassemia (α-thal) is the most common monogenic disease that is caused by the absence or reduced expression of α-globin genes. The aim of this study was to investigate common α-globin mutations and their associated haplotypes in four northern provinces of Iran (Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Khorasan). One thousand, one hundred and ninety-one persons were tested for α-thal mutations by gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse dot-blot hybridization, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and sequencing. Of the nine different mutations found, the most frequent were -α 3.7 (rightward deletion) (45.6%), polyadenylation site (α p ° lyA2 α) (α2) (AATAAA>AATGAA; HBA2: c.*92 A>G) (15.27%), - - MED (Mediterranean deletion) (6.86%), -α 4.2 (leftward deletion), (6.17%), α CS α [Hb Constant Spring (Hb CS) (HBA2: c.427 T>C)] (4.62%), -α -5 nt (HBA2: c.95+2_95+6delTGAGG) (3.70%). All chromosomes bearing an α-globin point mutation [α p ° lyA2 α, -α -5 nt α, α CS α, α p ° lyA1 α (AATAAA> AATAAG; HBA2: c.*94 A>G)] showed only one haplotype that was present in most normal chromosomes, while the -α 3.7 deletion was associated with three distinct haplotypes. Our results indicate that α-thal mutations are heterogeneous and -α 3.7 and α p ° lyA2 α are the most prevalent mutations in this region. The presence of -α 3.7 with three different haplotypes suggests an older history for this mutation. The high prevalence of α p ° lyA2 α in Mazandaran Province, Iran compared to other parts of the country and the world, suggests a founder effect. Altogether, we here provide further data confirming the heterogeneity of the northern population of Iran. These data may contribute to the establishment of a national mutation database, more accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis (PND).

  18. Concentration, ozone formation potential and source analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a thermal power station centralized area: A study in Shuozhou, China.

    PubMed

    Yan, Yulong; Peng, Lin; Li, Rumei; Li, Yinghui; Li, Lijuan; Bai, Huiling

    2017-04-01

    Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two sampling sites (HB and XB) in a power station centralized area, in Shuozhou city, China, were sampled by stainless steel canisters and measured by gas chromatography-mass selective detection/flame ionization detection (GC-MSD/FID) in the spring and autumn of 2014. The concentration of VOCs was higher in the autumn (HB, 96.87 μg/m 3 ; XB, 58.94 μg/m 3 ) than in the spring (HB, 41.49 μg/m 3 ; XB, 43.46 μg/m 3 ), as lower wind speed in the autumn could lead to pollutant accumulation, especially at HB, which is a new urban area surrounded by residential areas and a transportation hub. Alkanes were the dominant group at both HB and XB in both sampling periods, but the contribution of aromatic pollutants at HB in the autumn was much higher than that of the other alkanes (11.16-19.55%). Compared to other cities, BTEX pollution in Shuozhou was among the lowest levels in the world. Because of the high levels of aromatic pollutants, the ozone formation potential increased significantly at HB in the autumn. Using the ratio analyses to identify the age of the air masses and analyze the sources, the results showed that the atmospheric VOCs at XB were strongly influenced by the remote sources of coal combustion, while at HB in the spring and autumn were affected by the remote sources of coal combustion and local sources of vehicle emission, respectively. Source analysis conducted using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model at Shuozhou showed that coal combustion and vehicle emissions made the two largest contributions (29.98% and 21.25%, respectively) to atmospheric VOCs. With further economic restructuring, the influence of vehicle emissions on the air quality should become more significant, indicating that controlling vehicle emissions is key to reducing the air pollution. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Management trajectories in the type 2 diabetes Integrated Delivery System project in Taiwan: accounting for behavioral therapy, nutrition education and therapeutics.

    PubMed

    Chang, Hsing-Yi; Wahlqvist, Mark L; Liu, Wen-Ling; Lee, Meei-Shyuan; Shin, Shyi-Jang; Li, Yu-Sheng; Chang, Chih-Jen; Chang, Chwen-Tzuei; Fuh, Mao-Tsu; Yang, Hung-Jen; Tai, Tong-Yuan; Hsu, Chih-Cheng

    2014-01-01

    Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) assessment is basic to diabetes management. Little is done to describe the whole spectrum of the trajectory, its related temporal patterns of metabolic indices, and comorbidities. This was a longitudinal study. In the Diabetes Management through Integrated Delivery System project in Taiwan, enrollees had diabetes, but no major comorbidities. They were randomized into intensive or conventional education (health, diet and exercise) groups. HbA1c was classified by a groupbased trajectory model on the basis of repeated six-monthly measurements. We analyzed data from 1091 subjects who had at least two measurements on HbA1c. HbA1c exhibited three distinct ranges of low (42-53 mmol/mol), intermediate (64-75 mmol/mol) and high (97 mmol/mol), all of which persisted for 4.5 years regardless of receiving intensive education or not. Temporal changes and a time-group interaction were found for triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C. The high trajectory was associated with the major co-morbidities of retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, stroke, hypoglycemia, and ketoacidosis. Patients in the intensive education group (62.4%), which were equally distributed in the three trajectories, had significantly lower HbA1cs (-0.14%= -1.5 mmol/mol, p=0.026). The intermediate trajectory patients with intensive education had HbA1cs higher than the low trajectory patients with conventional education (β=0.189, p=0.033). Though not significant, a similar pattern was found for DM education in the high group (β=0.223, p=0.154). Novel strategies beyond current education and pharmacotherapeutic regimens are needed to lower HbA1c at least 11 mmol/mol for the high HbA1c group to minimize comorbidities.

  20. A novel nitromethane biosensor based on biocompatible conductive redox graphene-chitosan/hemoglobin/graphene/room temperature ionic liquid matrix.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lu; Zhang, Xiuhua; Xiong, Huayu; Wang, Shengfu

    2010-11-15

    A novel amperometric biosensor for nitromethane (CH(3)NO(2)) based on immobilization of graphene (GR), chitosan (CS), hemoglobin (Hb) and room temperature ionic liquid (IL) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed for the first time. The surface morphologies of a set of representative membranes were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical performance of the biosensor was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry. A pair of stable and well-defined redox peaks of Hb with a formal potential of -0.240 V was observed at the GR-CS/Hb/GR/IL/GCE. The effects of phosphate buffer pH, scan rate, and temperature on the biosensor were investigated to provide optimum analytical performance. Moreover, several electrochemical parameters, e.g., the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k(s)), were calculated in detail. The presence of both GR and IL not only dramatically facilitated the electron transfer of Hb, but also greatly enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards CH(3)NO(2). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was down to 0.16 μM, indicating that the biosensor possessed high affinity to CH(3)NO(2). Besides this, the proposed biosensor exhibited fast amperometric response (<5s), low detection limit (6.0 × 10(-10)M), and excellent long-time storage stability for the determination of CH(3)NO(2). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Search for charged Higgs bosons in decays of top quarks in pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV.

    PubMed

    Aaltonen, T; Adelman, J; Akimoto, T; Alvarez González, B; Amerio, S; Amidei, D; Anastassov, A; Annovi, A; Antos, J; Apollinari, G; Apresyan, A; Arisawa, T; Artikov, A; Ashmanskas, W; Attal, A; Aurisano, A; Azfar, F; Azzurri, P; Badgett, W; Barbaro-Galtieri, A; Barnes, V E; Barnett, B A; Bartsch, V; Bauer, G; Beauchemin, P-H; Bedeschi, F; Beecher, D; Behari, S; Bellettini, G; Bellinger, J; Benjamin, D; Beretvas, A; Beringer, J; Bhatti, A; Binkley, M; Bisello, D; Bizjak, I; Blair, R E; Blocker, C; Blumenfeld, B; Bocci, A; Bodek, A; Boisvert, V; Bolla, G; Bortoletto, D; Boudreau, J; Boveia, A; Brau, B; Bridgeman, A; Brigliadori, L; Bromberg, C; Brubaker, E; Budagov, J; Budd, H S; Budd, S; Burke, S; Burkett, K; Busetto, G; Bussey, P; Buzatu, A; Byrum, K L; Cabrera, S; Calancha, C; Campanelli, M; Campbell, M; Canelli, F; Canepa, A; Carls, B; Carlsmith, D; Carosi, R; Carrillo, S; Carron, S; Casal, B; Casarsa, M; Castro, A; Catastini, P; Cauz, D; Cavaliere, V; Cavalli-Sforza, M; Cerri, A; Cerrito, L; Chang, S H; Chen, Y C; Chertok, M; Chiarelli, G; Chlachidze, G; Chlebana, F; Cho, K; Chokheli, D; Chou, J P; Choudalakis, G; Chuang, S H; Chung, K; Chung, W H; Chung, Y S; Chwalek, T; Ciobanu, C I; Ciocci, M A; Clark, A; Clark, D; Compostella, G; Convery, M E; Conway, J; Cordelli, M; Cortiana, G; Cox, C A; Cox, D J; Crescioli, F; Cuenca Almenar, C; Cuevas, J; Culbertson, R; Cully, J C; Dagenhart, D; Datta, M; Davies, T; de Barbaro, P; De Cecco, S; Deisher, A; De Lorenzo, G; Dell'orso, M; Deluca, C; Demortier, L; Deng, J; Deninno, M; Derwent, P F; di Giovanni, G P; Dionisi, C; Di Ruzza, B; Dittmann, J R; D'Onofrio, M; Donati, S; Dong, P; Donini, J; Dorigo, T; Dube, S; Efron, J; Elagin, A; Erbacher, R; Errede, D; Errede, S; Eusebi, R; Fang, H C; Farrington, S; Fedorko, W T; Feild, R G; Feindt, M; Fernandez, J P; Ferrazza, C; Field, R; Flanagan, G; Forrest, R; Frank, M J; Franklin, M; Freeman, J C; Furic, I; Gallinaro, M; Galyardt, J; Garberson, F; Garcia, J E; Garfinkel, A F; Genser, K; Gerberich, H; Gerdes, D; Gessler, A; Giagu, S; Giakoumopoulou, V; Giannetti, P; Gibson, K; Gimmell, J L; Ginsburg, C M; Giokaris, N; Giordani, M; Giromini, P; Giunta, M; Giurgiu, G; Glagolev, V; Glenzinski, D; Gold, M; Goldschmidt, N; Golossanov, A; Gomez, G; Gomez-Ceballos, G; Goncharov, M; González, O; Gorelov, I; Goshaw, A T; Goulianos, K; Gresele, A; Grinstein, S; Grosso-Pilcher, C; Grundler, U; Guimaraes da Costa, J; Gunay-Unalan, Z; Haber, C; Hahn, K; Hahn, S R; Halkiadakis, E; Han, B-Y; Han, J Y; Happacher, F; Hara, K; Hare, D; Hare, M; Harper, S; Harr, R F; Harris, R M; Hartz, M; Hatakeyama, K; Hays, C; Heck, M; Heijboer, A; Heinrich, J; Henderson, C; Herndon, M; Heuser, J; Hewamanage, S; Hidas, D; Hill, C S; Hirschbuehl, D; Hocker, A; Hou, S; Houlden, M; Hsu, S-C; Huffman, B T; Hughes, R E; Husemann, U; Hussein, M; Huston, J; Incandela, J; Introzzi, G; Iori, M; Ivanov, A; James, E; Jang, D; Jayatilaka, B; Jeon, E J; Jha, M K; Jindariani, S; Johnson, W; Jones, M; Joo, K K; Jun, S Y; Jung, J E; Junk, T R; Kamon, T; Kar, D; Karchin, P E; Kato, Y; Kephart, R; Keung, J; Khotilovich, V; Kilminster, B; Kim, D H; Kim, H S; Kim, H W; Kim, J E; Kim, M J; Kim, S B; Kim, S H; Kim, Y K; Kimura, N; Kirsch, L; Klimenko, S; Knuteson, B; Ko, B R; Kondo, K; Kong, D J; Konigsberg, J; Korytov, A; Kotwal, A V; Kreps, M; Kroll, J; Krop, D; Krumnack, N; Kruse, M; Krutelyov, V; Kubo, T; Kuhr, T; Kulkarni, N P; Kurata, M; Kwang, S; Laasanen, A T; Lami, S; Lammel, S; Lancaster, M; Lander, R L; Lannon, K; Lath, A; Latino, G; Lazzizzera, I; Lecompte, T; Lee, E; Lee, H S; Lee, S W; Leone, S; Lewis, J D; Lin, C-S; Linacre, J; Lindgren, M; Lipeles, E; Lister, A; Litvintsev, D O; Liu, C; Liu, T; Lockyer, N S; Loginov, A; Loreti, M; Lovas, L; Lucchesi, D; Luci, C; Lueck, J; Lujan, P; Lukens, P; Lungu, G; Lyons, L; Lys, J; Lysak, R; Macqueen, D; Madrak, R; Maeshima, K; Makhoul, K; Maki, T; Maksimovic, P; Malde, S; Malik, S; Manca, G; Manousakis-Katsikakis, A; Margaroli, F; Marino, C; Marino, C P; Martin, A; Martin, V; Martínez, M; Martínez-Ballarín, R; Maruyama, T; Mastrandrea, P; Masubuchi, T; Mathis, M; Mattson, M E; Mazzanti, P; McFarland, K S; McIntyre, P; McNulty, R; Mehta, A; Mehtala, P; Menzione, A; Merkel, P; Mesropian, C; Miao, T; Miladinovic, N; Miller, R; Mills, C; Milnik, M; Mitra, A; Mitselmakher, G; Miyake, H; Moggi, N; Moon, C S; Moore, R; Morello, M J; Morlock, J; Movilla Fernandez, P; Mülmenstädt, J; Mukherjee, A; Muller, Th; Mumford, R; Murat, P; Mussini, M; Nachtman, J; Nagai, Y; Nagano, A; Naganoma, J; Nakamura, K; Nakano, I; Napier, A; Necula, V; Nett, J; Neu, C; Neubauer, M S; Neubauer, S; Nielsen, J; Nodulman, L; Norman, M; Norniella, O; Nurse, E; Oakes, L; Oh, S H; Oh, Y D; Oksuzian, I; Okusawa, T; Orava, R; Osterberg, K; Pagan Griso, S; Palencia, E; Papadimitriou, V; Papaikonomou, A; Paramonov, A A; Parks, B; Pashapour, S; Patrick, J; Pauletta, G; Paulini, M; Paus, C; Peiffer, T; Pellett, D E; Penzo, A; Phillips, T J; Piacentino, G; Pianori, E; Pinera, L; Pitts, K; Plager, C; Pondrom, L; Poukhov, O; Pounder, N; Prakoshyn, F; Pronko, A; Proudfoot, J; Ptohos, F; Pueschel, E; Punzi, G; Pursley, J; Rademacker, J; Rahaman, A; Ramakrishnan, V; Ranjan, N; Redondo, I; Renton, P; Renz, M; Rescigno, M; Richter, S; Rimondi, F; Ristori, L; Robson, A; Rodrigo, T; Rodriguez, T; Rogers, E; Rolli, S; Roser, R; Rossi, M; Rossin, R; Roy, P; Ruiz, A; Russ, J; Rusu, V; Saarikko, H; Safonov, A; Sakumoto, W K; Saltó, O; Santi, L; Sarkar, S; Sartori, L; Sato, K; Savoy-Navarro, A; Schlabach, P; Schmidt, A; Schmidt, E E; Schmidt, M A; Schmidt, M P; Schmitt, M; Schwarz, T; Scodellaro, L; Scribano, A; Scuri, F; Sedov, A; Seidel, S; Seiya, Y; Semenov, A; Sexton-Kennedy, L; Sforza, F; Sfyrla, A; Shalhout, S Z; Shears, T; Shepard, P F; Shimojima, M; Shiraishi, S; Shochet, M; Shon, Y; Shreyber, I; Sidoti, A; Sinervo, P; Sisakyan, A; Slaughter, A J; Slaunwhite, J; Sliwa, K; Smith, J R; Snider, F D; Snihur, R; Soha, A; Somalwar, S; Sorin, V; Spalding, J; Spreitzer, T; Squillacioti, P; Stanitzki, M; St Denis, R; Stelzer, B; Stelzer-Chilton, O; Stentz, D; Strologas, J; Strycker, G L; Stuart, D; Suh, J S; Sukhanov, A; Suslov, I; Suzuki, T; Taffard, A; Takashima, R; Takeuchi, Y; Tanaka, R; Tecchio, M; Teng, P K; Terashi, K; Thom, J; Thompson, A S; Thompson, G A; Thomson, E; Tipton, P; Ttito-Guzmán, P; Tkaczyk, S; Toback, D; Tokar, S; Tollefson, K; Tomura, T; Tonelli, D; Torre, S; Torretta, D; Totaro, P; Tourneur, S; Trovato, M; Tsai, S-Y; Tu, Y; Turini, N; Ukegawa, F; Vallecorsa, S; van Remortel, N; Varganov, A; Vataga, E; Vázquez, F; Velev, G; Vellidis, C; Vidal, M; Vidal, R; Vila, I; Vilar, R; Vine, T; Vogel, M; Volobouev, I; Volpi, G; Wagner, P; Wagner, R G; Wagner, R L; Wagner, W; Wagner-Kuhr, J; Wakisaka, T; Wallny, R; Wang, S M; Warburton, A; Waters, D; Weinberger, M; Weinelt, J; Wester, W C; Whitehouse, B; Whiteson, D; Wicklund, A B; Wicklund, E; Wilbur, S; Williams, G; Williams, H H; Wilson, P; Winer, B L; Wittich, P; Wolbers, S; Wolfe, C; Wright, T; Wu, X; Würthwein, F; Xie, S; Yagil, A; Yamamoto, K; Yamaoka, J; Yang, U K; Yang, Y C; Yao, W M; Yeh, G P; Yoh, J; Yorita, K; Yoshida, T; Yu, G B; Yu, I; Yu, S S; Yun, J C; Zanello, L; Zanetti, A; Zhang, X; Zheng, Y; Zucchelli, S

    2009-09-04

    We report on the first direct search for charged Higgs bosons decaying into cs in tt events produced by pp collisions at square root s = 1.96 TeV. The search uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.2 fb(-1) collected by the CDF II detector at Fermilab and looks for a resonance in the invariant mass distribution of two jets in the lepton + jets sample of tt candidates. We observe no evidence of charged Higgs bosons in top quark decays. Hence, 95% upper limits on the top quark decay branching ratio are placed at B(t --> H(+)b)< 0.1 to 0.3 for charged Higgs boson masses of 60 to 150 GeV/c(2) assuming B(H(+) --> cs)=1.0. The upper limits on B(t --> H(+)b) are also used as model-independent limits on the decay branching ratio of top quarks to generic scalar charged bosons beyond the standard model.

  2. Overexpression of spinach non-symbiotic hemoglobin in Arabidopsis resulted in decreased NO content and lowered nitrate and other abiotic stresses tolerance

    PubMed Central

    Bai, Xuegui; Long, Juan; He, Xiaozhao; Yan, Jinping; Chen, Xuanqin; Tan, Yong; Li, Kunzhi; Chen, Limei; Xu, Huini

    2016-01-01

    A class 1 non-symbiotic hemoglobin family gene, SoHb, was isolated from spinach. qRT-PCR showed that SoHb was induced by excess nitrate, polyethylene glycol, NaCl, H2O2, and salicylic acid. Besides, SoHb was strongly induced by application of nitric oxide (NO) donor, while was suppressed by NO scavenger, nitrate reductase inhibitor, and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Overexpression of SoHb in Arabidopsis resulted in decreased NO level and sensitivity to nitrate stress, as shown by reduced root length, fresh weight, the maximum photosystem II quantum ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and higher malondialdehyde contents. The activities and gene transcription of superoxide dioxidase, and catalase decreased under nitrate stress. Expression levels of RD22, RD29A, DREB2A, and P5CS1 decreased after nitrate treatment in SoHb-overexpressing plants, while increased in the WT plants. Moreover, SoHb-overexpressing plants showed decreased tolerance to NaCl and osmotic stress. In addition, the SoHb-overexpression lines showed earlier flower by regulating the expression of SOC, GI and FLC genes. Our results indicated that the decreasing NO content in Arabidopsis by overexpressing SoHb might be responsible for lowered tolerance to nitrate and other abiotic stresses. PMID:27211528

  3. [Effects of ciclosporin and tacrolimus on replication of hepatitis B virus in vitro: a comparative study].

    PubMed

    Xia, Wei-liang; Xie, Hai-yang; Shen, Yan; Wu, Li-ming; Zhang, Feng; Zheng, Shu-sen

    2006-01-10

    To investigate the effects of ciclosporin (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506) on replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro. HBV genome permanently transfected human liver cancer cells of the line HepG2.2.15 were cultured. CsA and FK506 at different concentrations were added into the culture fluid so as to identify the nontoxic concentrations by MTT method. Then the HepG2.2.15 cells were treated by CsA and FK506 at different nontoxic concentrations respectively for 4 days. ELISA was used to detect the HB surface antigen (HBsAg) and HB e antigen (HBeAg) in the supernatant. The relative replication level of HBV DNA was detected by slot blot analysis. MTT method confirmed that the nontoxic concentrations of CsA and FK506 were 0-40.0 microg/ml and 0-400 ng/ml respectively. After the treatment of CsA at the concentration of 1.3, 2.5, and 5.0 microg/ml, in comparison to the control group, the suppression rates of HBsAg expression in the HepG2.2.15 cells were 16.5% +/- 9.4%, 21.5% +/- 8.9%, and 33.1% +/- 5.3% respectively (all P < 0.05); the suppression rates of HBeAg expression in the HepG2.2.15 cells were 7.8% +/- 2.2%, 11.0% +/- 2.3%, and 20.8% +/- 1.5% respectively (all P < 0.05); and the HBV DNA replication levels were 56 +/- 16, 42 +/- 11, and 40 +/- 10 respectively (P > 0.05, P < 0.05, and P > 0.05). However, FK506 at different nontoxic concentrations showed no significant inhibitory effect on the levels of HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA. CsA dose-dependently inhibits the HBV replication in vitro, and FK506 does not exercise similar effects.

  4. Atmospheric radioactivity of Cs-134/137 observed at Namie, Fukushima: seasonal variation and contribution of biological re-suspension.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kita, K.

    2015-12-01

    Radionuclides emitted by the accident in Fukushima dai-ichi nuclear power plant (FNDPP) have been deposited on the soil, ocean and vegetation. Even after about 4 years since the FNDPP accident significant activities of the radionuclides have been observed over severely contaminated areas. Re-suspension of radioactive cesium from the soil and vegetation to the atmosphere has been one of significant paths for its diffusion after the accident. Although the quantitative understanding of the re-suspensions is important for the prediction of future transition of radionuclides, its mechanism, identification of aerosol species which bring radioactive cesium, and the resuspension flux have not been understood in Fukushima.  We are continuously measuring atmospheric concentration of Cs-134/137 radioactivity at Tsushima, Namie-town, located about 30km northwest from FNDPP with high-volume air samplers. It showed clear seasonal variation: it increase from April to June, and decreased from September to December. In winter and spring, it was weakly but positively correlated with the surface wind speed. On the contrary, it did not depend on the wind speed in summer and autumn. It also has different diurnal variation: higher activities were observed in daytime in winter/spring, while the activities were obviously higher in nighttime in summer/autumn. The size distribution of aerosols contributing to the Cs-134/137 re-suspension has been measured using cascade impactors attached with high-volume air samplers, and it also shows different features in winter/spring and summer/autumn. These results indicate that the mechanism of the Cs-134/137 re-suspension is different with the season in Fukushima. Scanning electron microscope observation showed that most of suspended coarse particles were soil particles in spring and biogenic particles in autumn. Details on the Cs-134/137 re-suspension mechanisms revealed by our observations and contribution of biogenic emission will be presented in the meeting.

  5. Should Studies of Diabetes Treatment Stratification Correct for Baseline HbA1c?

    PubMed Central

    Jones, Angus G.; Lonergan, Mike; Henley, William E.; Pearson, Ewan R.; Hattersley, Andrew T.; Shields, Beverley M.

    2016-01-01

    Aims Baseline HbA1c is a major predictor of response to glucose lowering therapy and therefore a potential confounder in studies aiming to identify other predictors. However, baseline adjustment may introduce error if the association between baseline HbA1c and response is substantially due to measurement error and regression to the mean. We aimed to determine whether studies of predictors of response should adjust for baseline HbA1c. Methods We assessed the relationship between baseline HbA1c and glycaemic response in 257 participants treated with GLP-1R agonists and assessed whether it reflected measurement error and regression to the mean using duplicate ‘pre-baseline’ HbA1c measurements not included in the response variable. In this cohort and an additional 2659 participants treated with sulfonylureas we assessed the relationship between covariates associated with baseline HbA1c and treatment response with and without baseline adjustment, and with a bias correction using pre-baseline HbA1c to adjust for the effects of error in baseline HbA1c. Results Baseline HbA1c was a major predictor of response (R2 = 0.19,β = -0.44,p<0.001).The association between pre-baseline and response was similar suggesting the greater response at higher baseline HbA1cs is not mainly due to measurement error and subsequent regression to the mean. In unadjusted analysis in both cohorts, factors associated with baseline HbA1c were associated with response, however these associations were weak or absent after adjustment for baseline HbA1c. Bias correction did not substantially alter associations. Conclusions Adjustment for the baseline HbA1c measurement is a simple and effective way to reduce bias in studies of predictors of response to glucose lowering therapy. PMID:27050911

  6. Multiscale modelling of Flow-Induced Blood Cell Damage

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Yaling; Sohrabi, Salman

    2017-11-01

    We study red blood cell (RBC) damage and hemolysis at cellular level. Under high shear rates, pores form on RBC membranes through which hemoglobin (Hb) leaks out and increases free Hb content of plasma leading to hemolysis. By coupling lattice Boltzmann and spring connected network models through immersed boundary method, we estimate hemolysis of a single RBC under various shear rates. The developed cellular damage model can be used as a predictive tool for hydrodynamic and hematologic design optimization of blood-wetting medical devices.

  7. Highly sensitive amperometric biosensor based on electrochemically-reduced graphene oxide-chitosan/hemoglobin nanocomposite for nitromethane determination.

    PubMed

    Wen, Yunping; Wen, Wei; Zhang, Xiuhua; Wang, Shengfu

    2016-05-15

    Nitromethane (CH3NO2) is an important organic chemical raw material with a wide variety of applications as well as one of the most common pollutants. Therefore it is pretty important to establish a simple and sensitive detection method for CH3NO2. In our study, a novel amperometric biosensor for nitromethane (CH3NO2) based on immobilization of electrochemically-reduced graphene oxide (rGO), chitosan (CS) and hemoglobin (Hb) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was constructed. Scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical methods were used to characterize the Hb-CS/rGO-CS composite film. The effects of scan rate and pH of phosphate buffer on the biosensor have been studied in detail and optimized. Due to the graphene and chitosan nanocomposite, the developed biosensor demonstrating direct electrochemistry with faster electron-transfer rate (6.48s(-1)) and excellent catalytic activity towards CH3NO2. Under optimal conditions, the proposed biosensor exhibited fast amperometric response (<5s) to CH3NO2 with a wide linear range of 5 μM~1.46 mM (R=0.999) and a low detection limit of 1.5 μM (S/N=3). In addition, the biosensor had high selectivity, reproducibility and stability, providing the possibility for monitoring CH3NO2 in complex real samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Wide Area Recovery and Resiliency Program (WARRP) Knowledge Enhancement Events: Damage Assessment Building Abandonment After Action Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-04-17

    nitrate / Fuel oil (ANFO). The explosive and the shielded CsCl sources are packaged into bombs and loaded onto a truck. The total explosive yield in...Transportation Eric Jacobs State of Colorado Laura Johnston Dewberry Carl Miller Colorado Springs OEM John Miller American Red Cross Matthew...the health effects of the contamination will be. Scenario Terrorist obtain approximately 2,300 curies of 137 Cs (CsCl), and 1.5 tons of Ammonium

  9. Involving Undergraduates in Aging Research at a University in Transition: An AREA Award

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wood, Stacey

    2006-01-01

    Involving students in research with older adults at a university in transition has its unique challenges. The goal of this paper is to discuss some of the rewards and lessons learned in undertaking a research program involving undergraduates at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UC-CS). UC-CS is a regional university in transition from…

  10. Correlation between three-dimensional morphological changes of the hyoid bone with other skeletal maturation methods in adolescents.

    PubMed

    Shim, Jocelyne; Heo, Giseon; Lagravère, Manuel O

    2013-10-01

    The study compares growth changes of hyoid bone in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) with conventional skeletal maturation methods to examine their potential implications in the development of a three-dimensional method. Subjects (n = 62, 11-17 years of age) were exposed to CBCT at a six-month interval (T1/T2/T3). Ten-hyoid distances were compared with age, hand wrist skeletal maturation index (SMI), and cervical vertebral maturation stage (CS). The length of greater cornua (GC) was most frequently, moderate to highly correlated with age (right: 0.57/0.53/0.58; left: 0.45/0.50/0.48), SMI (right: 0.52/0.40/0.45; left: 0.42 at T3), and CS (right: 0.52 at T1), followed by the length of the hyoid bone with age (right: 0.50/0.49/0.47; left: 0.44/0.47 at T1/T2), SMI (right: 0.45/0.41 at T1/T2), and CS (right: 0.48 at T1). The width of body of the hyoid (HB) width was correlated with age (0.43/0.44/0.44). The GC-HB gap was correlated with age (right: -0.41 at T3) and SMI (right: -0.42 at T1). Peripubertal hyoid maturation did not yield sufficient diagnostic information for considerations in the development of a 3D-skeletal maturation method. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Cesium Speciation in Dust from Municipal Solid Waste and Sewage Sludge Incineration by Synchrotron Radiation Micro-X-ray Analysis.

    PubMed

    Shiota, Kenji; Takaoka, Masaki; Fujimori, Takashi; Oshita, Kazuyuki; Terada, Yasuko

    2015-11-17

    The chemical behavior of Cs in waste incineration processes is important to consider when disposing of radionuclide-contaminated waste from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in Japan. To determine the speciation of Cs, we attempted the direct speciation of trace amounts of stable Cs in the dust from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) and sewage sludge incineration (SSI) by micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) and micro-X-ray absorption fine structure (μ-XAFS) at the SPring-8 facility. The μ-XRF results revealed that locally produced Cs was present in MSWI and SSI dust within the cluster size range of 2-10 μm. The μ-XAFS analysis confirmed that the speciation of Cs in MSWI dust was similar to that of CsCl, while in SSI dusts it was similar to pollucite. The solubility of Cs was considered to be influenced by the exact Cs species present in incineration residue.

  12. Forage grasses with lower uptake of caesium and strontium could provide ‘safer’ crops for radiologically contaminated areas

    PubMed Central

    Beresford, Nicholas A.; Crout, Neil M. J.; Lovatt, J. Alan; Thomson, Russell; Broadley, Martin R.

    2017-01-01

    Substitution of a species or cultivar with higher uptake of an element by one with lower uptake has been proposed as a remediation strategy following accidental releases of radioactivity. However, despite the importance of pasture systems for radiological dose, species/cultivar substitution has not been thoroughly investigated for forage grasses. 397 cultivars from four forage grass species; hybrid ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. x Lolium multiflorum Lam.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.); were sampled from 19 field-based breeding experiments in Aberystwyth and Edinburgh (UK) in spring 2013 and analysed for caesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) concentrations. In order to calculate concentration ratios (CRs; the concentration of an element in a plant in relation to the concentration in the soil), soils from the experiments were also analysed to calculate extractable concentrations of Cs and Sr. To test if cultivars have consistently low Cs and Sr concentration ratios, 17 hybrid ryegrass cultivars were sampled from both sites again in summer 2013 and spring and summer 2014. Tall fescue cultivars had lower Cs and Sr CRs than the other species. Three of the selected 17 hybrid ryegrass cultivars had consistently low Cs CRs, two had consistently low Sr CRs and one had consistently low Cs and Sr CRs. Cultivar substitution could reduce Cs CRs by up to 14-fold and Sr CRs by 4-fold in hybrid ryegrass. The identification of species and cultivars with consistently low CRs suggests that species or cultivar substitution could be an effective remediation strategy for contaminated areas. PMID:28459808

  13. A New Baseline for the Inertial Navigation Strapdown Simulator Program. Volume 2. Analytical Development

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1978-07-01

    l)ground volocity-es ft/S VEL(2) ground velocity-north Wt/ VEL (3)’ ground velocity-up ft/S 4 .ASM) ft/s2 ABM (2 specific force a f,/.2 hB(3) -ft/S 2...Inertial Navigation Sytem Standardized Software _______________ Reej-977, C.S. Draper Lab., Softwre Deelopent, Fitnal Technical Report,, Cambridge

  14. Sex differences in fear discrimination do not manifest as differences in conditioned inhibition.

    PubMed

    Foilb, Allison R; Bals, Julia; Sarlitto, Mary C; Christianson, John P

    2018-01-01

    Distinguishing safety from danger is necessary for survival, but is aberrant in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD is more prevalent in women than men, research on sex differences in safety learning is limited. Here, female rats demonstrated greater fear discrimination than males in a CS+/CS- paradigm. To determine if this sex difference transferred to fear inhibition, rats were tested for conditioned inhibition in a summation test with the CS+ and CS- presented in compound; no sex difference emerged. The results suggest sex differences in the neural mechanisms of discrimination learning but not recall of a fear inhibitor. © 2018 Foilb et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

  15. Seasonal variation in biochemical indicators of physiological status in Euphausia superba from Port Foster, Deception Island, Antarctica

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cullen, M.; Kaufmann, R. S.; Lowery, M. S.

    2003-06-01

    Seasonal changes in biochemical indicators of physiological status were analyzed in abdominal muscle of the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, collected from Port Foster, Deception Island, an active volcano located in the Shetland Island chain west of the Antarctic Peninsula. Krill were collected with a 10 m 2 MOCNESS trawl during four cruises (November 1999, February, May, November 2000). RNA:DNA mirrored the chlorophyll a concentration, with the highest values found during seasons of abundant phytoplankton. Activities of the glycolytic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the mitochondrial enzyme citrate synthase (CS) were significantly higher in male krill when compared to females of similar size, indicating that their burst and aerobic swimming performance may be higher than females throughout the year. RNA:DNA ratio and enzyme activities were highly elevated in summer as compared to the earliest spring sampling period. Krill showed significant seasonal changes in LDH activity, with lowest values in spring and highest values in summer (females) or autumn (males). Krill showed significant seasonal changes in CS activity with highest values in summer. Protein and % water varied significantly among seasons for both males and females. Lower CS activity and RNA:DNA ratio suggest krill exhibit reduced metabolism during the winter when phytoplankton production is reduced, perhaps enhancing survival. Lower enzyme activities in female krill in early spring suggest they may achieve greater metabolic suppression during overwintering.

  16. The habenula governs the attribution of incentive salience to reward predictive cues

    PubMed Central

    Danna, Carey L.; Shepard, Paul D.; Elmer, Greg I.

    2013-01-01

    The attribution of incentive salience to reward associated cues is critical for motivation and the pursuit of rewards. Disruptions in the integrity of the neural systems controlling these processes can lead to avolition and anhedonia, symptoms that cross the diagnostic boundaries of many neuropsychiatric illnesses. Here, we consider whether the habenula (Hb), a region recently demonstrated to encode negatively valenced events, also modulates the attribution of incentive salience to a neutral cue predicting a food reward. The Pavlovian autoshaping paradigm was used in the rat as an investigative tool to dissociate Pavlovian learning processes imparting strictly predictive value from learning that attributes incentive motivational value. Electrolytic lesions of the fasciculus retroflexus (fr), the sole pathway through which descending Hb efferents are conveyed, significantly increased incentive salience as measured by conditioned approaches to a cue light predictive of reward. Conversely, generation of a fictive Hb signal via fr stimulation during CS+ presentation significantly decreased the incentive salience of the predictive cue. Neither manipulation altered the reward predictive value of the cue as measured by conditioned approach to the food. Our results provide new evidence supporting a significant role for the Hb in governing the attribution of incentive motivational salience to reward predictive cues and further imply that pathological changes in Hb activity could contribute to the aberrant pursuit of debilitating goals or avolition and depression-like symptoms. PMID:24368898

  17. DSE promotes aggressive glioma cell phenotypes by enhancing HB-EGF/ErbB signaling.

    PubMed

    Liao, Wen-Chieh; Liao, Chih-Kai; Tsai, You-Huan; Tseng, To-Jung; Chuang, Li-Ching; Lan, Chyn-Tair; Chang, Hung-Ming; Liu, Chiung-Hui

    2018-01-01

    Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumor microenvironment promotes glioma progression. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans appear in the ECM and on the cell surface, and can be catalyzed by dermatan sulfate epimerase to form chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) hybrid chains. Dermatan sulfate epimerase 1 (DSE) is overexpressed in many types of cancer, and CS/DS chains mediate several growth factor signals. However, the role of DSE in gliomas has never been explored. In the present study, we determined the expression of DSE in gliomas by consulting a public database and conducting immunohistochemistry on a tissue array. Our investigation revealed that DSE was upregulated in gliomas compared with normal brain tissue. Furthermore, high DSE expression was associated with advanced tumor grade and poor survival. We found high DSE expression in several glioblastoma cell lines, and DSE expression directly mediated DS chain formation in glioblastoma cells. Knockdown of DSE suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. In contrast, overexpression of DSE in GL261 cells enhanced these malignant phenotypes and in vivo tumor growth. Interestingly, we found that DSE selectively regulated heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF)-induced signaling in glioblastoma cells. Inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB2 with afatinib suppressed DSE-enhanced malignant phenotypes, establishing the critical role of the ErbB pathway in regulating the effects of DSE expression. This evidence indicates that upregulation of DSE in gliomas contributes to malignant behavior in cancer cells. We provide novel insight into the significance of DS chains in ErbB signaling and glioma pathogenesis.

  18. The Origin of Life in a Terrestrial Hydrothermal Pool? The Importance of a Catalytic Surface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sydow, L. A.; Bennett, P.

    2013-12-01

    A premise of one chemoautotrophic theory for the origin of life is that a recurring reaction catalyzed on the charged surfaces of pyrite served as the first metabolism and was later enveloped by a primitive cellular membrane. This proposed 'surface metabolism' is analogous to the reductive acetyl-CoA pathway (Wächtershäuser 1988) and requires the abiotic formation of methanethiol (CH3SH), the simplest of the alkyl thiols, which would serve the role of coenzyme-A in the surface metabolism. Abiogenic CH3SH has not previously been identified in terrestrial hot springs, but it has been produced in the laboratory under hydrothermal conditions in the presence of a catalyst, usually FeS. Its formation would occur via the following reactions, with reaction 2 requiring catalysis: CO2 + 2H2S --> CS2 + 2H2O (1) CS2 + 3H2 --> CH3SH + H2S (2) We have identified CH3SH in Cinder Pool, an acid-sulfate-chloride hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. This spring is unusual in that it contains a subaqueous molten sulfur layer (~18 m depth) and thousands of iron-sulfur-spherules floating on the surface, which are created by gas bubbling through the molten floor of the spring. Analysis with EDS has shown that cinder material, largely composed of elemental sulfur, also contains trace iron sulfide minerals, meaning it could serve as a reactive and catalytic surface for abiogenic CH3SH formation in Cinder Pool. Furthermore, the cinders themselves are highly porous, and these void spaces could trap necessary reactants near the catalytic surface. Gas samples were collected from Cinder pool in fall of 2011 using the bubble strip method. One sample contained measurable quantities of CH3SH, and all samples contained related reactant sulfur gases such as large amounts of H2S, and smaller amounts of CS2 and dimethyl disulfide. Laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted to replicate these findings in a sterile environment to ensure CH3SH generation was abiotic. Analog Cinder Pool water and either FeS, FeS2, or cinders collected from the pool itself were incubated with H2, CO2, and CS2 as reaction gases for over a week at pool temperatures. An experiment was also conducted without CS2 to see if the solid materials could act as the sole source of sulfur. All of the experimental solids were capable of catalyzing CH3SH production when CS2 was added. Without added CS2, however, only cinders produced CH3SH, while FeS and FeS2 bottles could only make small amounts of H2S. Presumably, the large amount of elemental sulfur in the cinders creates enough H2S for the subsequent generation of CS2 then CH3SH, which is catalyzed by the trace iron-sulfide they also contain. Cinders act as an excellent reaction surface for CH3SH generation, and a similar material may have played a significant part in the advent of life on earth.

  19. Investigation of miscibility of p(3hydroxybutyrate-co-3hydroxyhexanoate) and epoxidized natural rubber blends

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Akram, Faridah; Chan, Chin Han; Natarajan, Valliyappan David

    Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] produced by C. necator PHB{sup −}4 harboring phaC{sub cs} from crude palm kernel oil with 21 mol% of 3-hydroxyhexanoate and epoxidized natural rubber with 25 mol% of epoxy content (ENR-25) were used to study the miscibility of the blends by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polymers used were purified and the blends were prepared by solution casting method. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra confirm the purity and molecular structures of P(3HB-co-3HHx) and ENR-25. FTIR spectra for different compositions of P(3HB-co-3HHx) and ENR-25 blends show absorbance change of the absorbance bands but with nomore » significant shifting of the absorbance bands as the P(3HB-co-3HHx) content decreases, which shows that there is no intermolecular interaction between the parent polymer blends. On top of that, there are two T{sub g}s present for the blends and both remain constant for different compositions which corresponds to the T{sub g}s of the parent polymers. This indicates that the blends are immiscible.« less

  20. Genetic heterogeneity of hemoglobin AEBart's disease: a large cohort data from a single referral center in northeast Thailand.

    PubMed

    Chaibunruang, Attawut; Karnpean, Rossarin; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Fucharoen, Supan

    2014-04-01

    AEBart's disease is a thalassemia intermedia usually characterized by the interaction of α(0)-thalassemia with either deletional or non-deletional α(+)-thalassemia in Hb E heterozygote. Genotypic and phenotypic features are heterogeneous. We studied the hematologic and molecular characteristics of this disease in a cohort of 173 Thai patients encountered at our center in northeast Thailand. Hemoglobin and DNA analyses identified patients with deletional AEBart's disease (n=84), Hb Constant Spring AEBart's disease (n=81), Hb Paksé-AEBart's disease (n=5), AEBart's disease with codon 30 mutation (n=1) and two hitherto un-described forms of AEBart's disease due to interaction of Hb E heterozygote and α(0)-thalassemia with the -α(16.6)kb deletional α(+)-thalassemia (n=1) and Hb Q-Thailand (n=1). Different phenotypic expression of these AEBart's diseases with low Hb, Hct and MCV and increased RDW values with marked reduction in Hb E levels were observed. It was found that all these forms of AEBart's disease showed similar thalassemia intermedia phenotypes but those with non-deletional forms were relatively more anemic. Our data confirm that in such area with high prevalence of hemoglobinopathies such as Southeast Asia, identification of rare thalassemia alleles in a thalassemia intermedia patient should not be ignored. Careful consideration of different phenotypic expression may help in providing presumptive diagnosis of this disease where access to molecular testing is limited. However, molecular diagnostic is useful for predicting the clinical outcome and improving genetic counseling of these complex hemoglobinopathies. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Clinical course of dengue in patients with thalassaemia.

    PubMed

    Natesirinilkul, Rungrote; Tantiworawit, Adisak; Charoenkwan, Pimlak

    2013-02-01

    Dengue and thalassaemia are prevalent in tropical regions. Thalassaemia patients with dengue present with atypical clinical manifestations and may experience more severe disease and complications. To investigate the clinical manifestations and outcome in thalassaemia patients with dengue. Medical records of thalassaemia patients aged from birth to 18 years with serologically-confirmed dengue who were admitted to Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand from January 2005 to December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical presentation, laboratory results and outcome were analysed. Twenty patients were included and their mean (SD) age was 13·6 (3·1) years. Patients were as follows: haemoglobin H (HbH)/Hb Constant Spring disease 7, HbH disease 3, HbH disease/HbE trait one, beta-thalassaemia/HbE disease 7, beta-thalassaemia/HbS disease one and unspecified thalassaemia one. Four patients had primary and the others secondary dengue. Five patients (25%) had severe dengue, three with severe liver involvement, one with a massive upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage and one with acute interstitial nephritis, raised creatinine and seizures. Nineteen patients required red cells transfusions. All made a full recovery. Almost all patients presented with haemoglobin lower than baseline. While mean (SD) haemoglobin at baseline was 8·2 (1·6) g/dl, mean (SD) haemoglobin on admission was 6·4 (1·6) g/dl. Median maximum AST and ALT levels were 359 (range 42-5344) and 81 (12-1846) units/L, respectively. Thalassaemia patients with dengue present with anaemia rather than haemoconcentration. Most patients have markedly increased AST levels in relation to ALT, and severe dengue, especially severe liver involvement, is common. In patients with thalassaemia, awareness of the atypical manifestations should aid early recognition of dengue.

  2. Inferring the chemical form of 137Cs deposited by the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident by measuring (137)Cs incorporated into needle leaves and male cones of Japanese cedar trees.

    PubMed

    Kanasashi, Tsutomu; Takenaka, Chisato; Sugiura, Yuki

    2016-05-15

    We hypothesized that the water-soluble (ionic) and water-insoluble (stable) radiocesium from the initial fallout of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident was distributed in various proportions in the surrounding areas and that this distribution was reflected in the trees that suffered deposition from the initial fallout. This study attempted to evaluate local variations in the chemical form of (137)Cs derived from the initial fallout of the FDNPP accident and whether its chemical form affected the radiocesium concentration in the tissues currently growing in trees, even after the initial fallout ceased. For these estimations, the ratio between the (137)Cs concentration in Cryptomeria japonica needle leaves in the tree crown, which existed before the FDNPP accident and subsequently directly exposed to the initial fallout ((137)Cs pre-accident N), and the amount of (137)Cs in the initial fallout itself ((137)Cs fallout) was determined ((137)Cs pre-accident N/(137)Cs fallout) at 66 sites. In addition, the (137)Cs ratios between the male cones produced in 2012 ((137)Cs male cone) and needle leaves that had elongated in the spring of 2011 ((137)Cs 2011N) was determined at 82 sites ((137)Cs male cone/(137) Cs 2011N). Most of the sites with lower (137)Cs pre-accident N /(137)Cs fallout ratios were distributed in eastern Fukushima, relatively close to the Pacific Ocean coastline. Lower (137)Cs pre-accident N/(137)Cs fallout and higher (137)Cs malecone/(137)Cs 2011N were found to be associated with higher proportions of (137)Cs in ionic forms. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis, and likely reflect regional variations in the chemical form of the deposited radiocesium. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. 9. Photocopy of photograph showing myrtlecovered spring. The original photograph ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    9. Photocopy of photograph showing myrtle-covered spring. The original photograph was taken on May 21, 1936 by Edouard E. Exline and is one of five photographs in the album, 'A Sketch of Mountain Life: Great Smoky Mountains National Park', compiled by Edouard E. Exline and C.S. Grossman. The album is on file at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; the photograph number is II-B-(7)-8096. - Walker Family Farm (General views), Gatlinburg, Sevier County, TN

  4. G6PD Deficiency and Hemoglobinopathies: Molecular Epidemiological Characteristics and Healthy Effects on Malaria Endemic Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Min; Yang, Li Ye; Xie, Dong De; Chen, Jiang Tao; Nguba, Santiago-m Monte; Ehapo, Carlos Sala; Zhan, Xiao Fen; Eyi, Juan Urbano Monsuy; Matesa, Rocio Apicante; Obono, Maximo Miko Ondo; Yang, Hui; Yang, Hui Tian; Cheng, Ji Dong

    2015-01-01

    Background Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and hemoglobinopathies were the inherited conditions found mostly in African. However, few epidemiological data of these disorders was reported in Equatorial Guinea (EQG). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and healthy effects of G6PD deficiency and hemoglobinopathies among the people on malaria endemic Bioko Island, EQG. Materials and Methods Blood samples from 4,144 unrelated subjects were analyzed for G6PD deficieny by fluorescence spot test (FST), high-resolution melting assay and PCR-DNA sequencing. In addition, 1,186 samples were randomly selected from the 4,144 subjects for detection of hemoglobin S (HbS), HbC, and α-thalassemia deletion by complete blood count, PCR-DNA sequencing and reverse dot blot (RDB). Results The prevalence of malaria and anemia was 12.6% (522/4,144) and 32.8% (389/1,186), respectively. Overall, 8.7% subjects (359/4,144) were G6PD-deficient by FST, including 9.0% (249/2,758) males and 7.9% (110/1,386) females. Among the 359 G6PD-deficient individuals molecularly studied, the G6PD A- (G202A/A376G) were detected in 356 cases (99.2%), G6PD Betica (T968C/A376G) in 3 cases. Among the 1,186 subjects, 201 cases were HbS heterozygotes, 35 cases were HbC heterozygotes, and 2 cases were HbCS double heterozygotes; 452 cases showed heterozygous α-thalassemia 3.7 kb deletion (-α3.7 kb deletion) and 85 homozygous - α3.7 kb deletion. The overall allele frequencies were HbS 17.1% (203/1186); HbC, 3.1% (37/1186); and –α3.7 kb deletion 52.4% (622/1186), respectively. Conclusions High G6PD deficiency in this population indicate that diagnosis and management of G6PD deficiency is necessary on Bioko Island. Obligatory newborn screening, prenatal screening and counseling for these genetic disorders, especially HbS, are needed on the island. PMID:25915902

  5. G6PD Deficiency and Hemoglobinopathies: Molecular Epidemiological Characteristics and Healthy Effects on Malaria Endemic Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

    PubMed

    Lin, Min; Yang, Li Ye; Xie, Dong De; Chen, Jiang Tao; Nguba, Santiago-m Monte; Ehapo, Carlos Sala; Zhan, Xiao Fen; Eyi, Juan Urbano Monsuy; Matesa, Rocio Apicante; Obono, Maximo Miko Ondo; Yang, Hui; Yang, Hui Tian; Cheng, Ji Dong

    2015-01-01

    Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and hemoglobinopathies were the inherited conditions found mostly in African. However, few epidemiological data of these disorders was reported in Equatorial Guinea (EQG). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and healthy effects of G6PD deficiency and hemoglobinopathies among the people on malaria endemic Bioko Island, EQG. Blood samples from 4,144 unrelated subjects were analyzed for G6PD deficiency by fluorescence spot test (FST), high-resolution melting assay and PCR-DNA sequencing. In addition, 1,186 samples were randomly selected from the 4,144 subjects for detection of hemoglobin S (HbS), HbC, and α-thalassemia deletion by complete blood count, PCR-DNA sequencing and reverse dot blot (RDB). The prevalence of malaria and anemia was 12.6% (522/4,144) and 32.8% (389/1,186), respectively. Overall, 8.7% subjects (359/4,144) were G6PD-deficient by FST, including 9.0% (249/2,758) males and 7.9% (110/1,386) females. Among the 359 G6PD-deficient individuals molecularly studied, the G6PD A- (G202A/A376G) were detected in 356 cases (99.2%), G6PD Betica (T968C/A376G) in 3 cases. Among the 1,186 subjects, 201 cases were HbS heterozygotes, 35 cases were HbC heterozygotes, and 2 cases were HbCS double heterozygotes; 452 cases showed heterozygous α-thalassemia 3.7 kb deletion (-α3.7 kb deletion) and 85 homozygous - α3.7 kb deletion. The overall allele frequencies were HbS 17.1% (203/1186); HbC, 3.1% (37/1186); and -α3.7 kb deletion 52.4% (622/1186), respectively. High G6PD deficiency in this population indicate that diagnosis and management of G6PD deficiency is necessary on Bioko Island. Obligatory newborn screening, prenatal screening and counseling for these genetic disorders, especially HbS, are needed on the island.

  6. A Pharmacy Student-Facilitated Interprofessional Diabetes Clinic With the Penobscot Nation.

    PubMed

    Martin, Sarah Levin; Williams, Evan; Huerth, Benjamin; Robinson, J Daniel

    2015-11-05

    American Indians/Alaska Natives have a greater increased risk for diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Lifestyle interventions are effective in preventing and treating diabetes, and an interprofessional approach is important in diabetes management. The Penobscot Nation has a health center with a wide range of services. Our goal with the Nation was to 1) establish an interprofessional, student-facilitated diabetes clinic in the health center; 2) assess the clinic's preliminary impact. Relationship building and problem solving was instrumental in working toward the first goal. A survey was developed to assess satisfaction with the clinic. The clinical outcomes, mean and median values of HbA1c, were calculated at baseline (spring 2013) and were used to establish 2 groups of patients: those with controlled levels (<7%) and those with uncontrolled levels (≥ 7%). HbA1c was reassessed in fall 2013. Changes in HbA1c were calculated and compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The student-facilitated, interprofessional diabetes clinic has operated for 2 years, and changes are under way. More than 90% of participants reported being well satisfied with the clinic in the first year. Among the group with uncontrolled HbA1c (n = 18), mean HbA1c values declined from 9.3% to 7.6% (P = .004). Among the group with controlled HbA1c (n = 30), 83% were controlled at follow-up. The Penobscot diabetes clinic is evolving to meet the needs of community members, and pharmacy students have an interprofessional practice site well suited for experiential learning.

  7. Vertical profile of 137Cs in soil.

    PubMed

    Krstić, D; Nikezić, D; Stevanović, N; Jelić, M

    2004-12-01

    In this paper, a vertical distribution of 137Cs in undisturbed soil was investigated experimentally and theoretically. Soil samples were taken from the surroundings of the city of Kragujevac in central Serbia during spring-summer of 2001. The sampling locations were chosen in such a way that the influence of soil characteristics on depth distribution of 137Cs in soil could be investigated. Activity of 137Cs in soil samples was measured using a HpGe detector and multi-channel analyzer. Based on vertical distribution of 137Cs in soil which was measured for each of 10 locations, the diffusion coefficient of 137Cs in soil was determined. In the next half-century, 137Cs will remain as the source of the exposure. Fifteen years after the Chernobyl accident, and more than 30 years after nuclear probes, the largest activity of 137Cs is still within 10 cm of the upper layer of the soil. This result confirms that the penetration of 137Cs in soil is a very slow process. Experimental results were compared with two different Green functions and no major differences were found between them. While both functions fit experimental data well in the upper layer of soil, the fitting is not so good in deeper layers. Although the curves obtained by these two functions are very close to each other, there are some differences in the values of parameters acquired by them.

  8. Occult Cushing's syndrome in type-2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Catargi, Bogdan; Rigalleau, Vincent; Poussin, Agathe; Ronci-Chaix, Nathalie; Bex, Veronique; Vergnot, Vincent; Gin, Henri; Roger, Patrick; Tabarin, Antoine

    2003-12-01

    Subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) caused by adrenal incidentalomas is frequently associated with overweight and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome X may therefore be a clue to the presence of CS. However, the incidence of CS in this situation remains unknown. We have conducted a prospective study to evaluate the prevalence of occult CS in overweight, type-2 diabetic patients devoided of specific clinical symptoms of CS. Two hundred overweight, type-2 diabetic patients, consecutively referred for poor metabolic control (HbA(1C) > 8%), were studied as inpatients. A first screening step was performed with the 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) using a revised criterion for cortisol suppression (60 nmol/liter) to maximize the sensitivity of the procedure. A second confirmatory step of biochemical investigations (midnight plasma cortisol concentration, plasma cortisol circadian rhythm, morning plasma ACTH concentration, 24-h urinary free cortisol, and 4-mg i.v. DST) was performed in patients with impaired 1-mg DST. A third step of imaging studies was performed according to the results of second-step investigations. Fifty-two patients had impaired 1-mg DST. Among these, 47 were further evaluated. Thirty were considered as false positives of the 1-mg DST, whereas 17 displayed at least one additional biological abnormality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Definitive occult CS was identified in four patients (2% of the whole series) with Cushing's disease (n = 3) and surgically proven adrenal adenoma (n = 1). Definitive diagnosis remains to be established in seven additional patients (3.5%) with mild occult CS associated with unsuppressed plasma ACTH concentrations and a unilateral adrenal tumor of 10-29 mm in size showing prevalent uptake at radiocholesterol scintigraphy. In conclusion, a relatively high prevalence of occult CS was found in our study. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the cure of occult CS on obesity and diabetes mellitus in these patients. Such studies might provide a rationale for systematic screening of occult CS in this population.

  9. 75 FR 53665 - Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-01

    ..., National Ocean Service (NOS), NOAA (N/CS), 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; Telephone... Review Panel Meeting AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration..., National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2010-21882 Filed 8-31-10...

  10. Effectiveness of a structured educational intervention using psychological delivery methods in children and adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes: a cluster-randomized controlled trial of the CASCADE intervention.

    PubMed

    Christie, Deborah; Thompson, Rebecca; Sawtell, Mary; Allen, Elizabeth; Cairns, John; Smith, Felicity; Jamieson, Elizabeth; Hargreaves, Katrina; Ingold, Anne; Brooks, Lucy; Wiggins, Meg; Oliver, Sandy; Jones, Rebecca; Elbourne, Diana; Santos, Andreia; Wong, Ian C K; O'Neil, Simon; Strange, Vicki; Hindmarsh, Peter; Annan, Francesca; Viner, Russell M

    2016-01-01

    Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children and adolescents is increasing worldwide with a particular increase in children <5 years. Fewer than 1 in 6 children and adolescents achieve recommended glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. A pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy of a clinic-based structured educational group incorporating psychological approaches to improve long-term glycemic control, quality of life and psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents with T1D. 28 pediatric diabetes services were randomized to deliver the intervention or standard care. 362 children (8-16 years) with HbA1c≥8.5% were recruited. Outcomes were HbA1c at 12 and 24 months, hypoglycemia, admissions, self-management skills, intervention compliance, emotional and behavioral adjustment, and quality of life. A process evaluation collected data from key stakeholder groups in order to evaluate the feasibility of delivering the intervention. 298/362 patients (82.3%) provided HbA1c at 12 months and 284/362 (78.5%) at 24 months. The intervention did not improve HbA1c at 12 months (intervention effect 0.11, 95% CI -0.28 to 0.50, p=0.584), or 24 months (intervention effect 0.03, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.41, p=0.891). There were no significant changes in remaining outcomes. 96/180 (53%) families in the intervention arm attended at least 1 module. The number of modules attended did not affect outcome. Reasons for low uptake included difficulties organizing groups and work and school commitments. Those with highest HbA1cs were less likely to attend. Mean cost of the intervention was £683 per child. Significant challenges in the delivery of a structured education intervention using psychological techniques to enhance engagement and behavior change delivered by diabetes nurses and dietitians in routine clinical practice were found. The intervention did not improve HbA1c in children and adolescents with poor control. ISRCTN52537669, results.

  11. Co-inheritance of α-thalassaemia and β-thalassaemia in a prenatal screening population in mainland China.

    PubMed

    Li, Jian; Xie, Xing-Mei; Liao, Can; Li, Dong-Zhi

    2014-12-01

    To determine the prevalence of α-thalassaemia in β-thalassaemia individuals in a Chinese population. The standard diagnostic marker for β-thalassaemia was elevation of the Hb A2 level (>3.5%) with low mean corpuscular volume. The common α-thalassaemia mutations were studied by molecular analysis in all identified β-thalassaemia carriers. A prevalence rate of 3.3% for β-thalassaemia was found in our population; α- and β-thalassaemia interactions were found to co-exist in 17.8% of the β-thalassaemia carriers. The -SEA deletion was the most common α-thalassaemia mutation co-inherited with β-thalassaemia, followed by the -α3.7 deletion, the -α4.2 deletion, Hb Quong Sze, and Hb Constant Spring. Our results suggest that it could be valuable to study co-existing α-globin mutations in subjects with β-thalassaemia trait in a prenatal screening programme, especially in populations with a high prevalence of haemoglobinopathies. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

  12. Introgression lines of Triticum aestivum x Aegilops tauschii: Agronomic and nutritional value

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Eighty-five single homozygous substitution lines (SLs) of the Aegilops tauschii D genome in Chinese Spring (CS) hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genetic background were evaluated for agronomic, phenotypic and ionome profiles during three years of field experiments. An augmented design with a r...

  13. Corrective action investigation plan: Cactus Spring Waste Trenches. Revision 2

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    NONE

    This Correction Action Investigation Plan (CAIP) contains environmental sample collection objectives and logic for the CAU No. 426, which includes the Cactus Spring Waste Trenches, CAS No. RG-08-001-RG-CS. The Cactus Spring Waste Trenches are located at the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) which is part of the Nellis Air Force Range, approximately 255 kilometers (km) (140 miles [mi]) northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, by air. The purpose of this investigation is to generate sufficient data to establish the types of waste buried in the trenches, identify the presence and nature of contamination, determine the vertical extent of contaminant migration below themore » Cactus Spring Waste Trenches, and determine the appropriate course of action for the site. The potential courses of action for the site are clean closure, closure in place (with or without remediation), or no further action.« less

  14. Prevalence and real clinical impact of Cupressus sempervirens and Juniperus communis sensitisations in Tuscan "Maremma", Italy.

    PubMed

    Sposato, Bruno; Scalese, Macro

    2013-01-01

    The aim was to evaluate the impact of Cupressus sempervirens (Cs) and Juniperus communis (Jc) sensitisations in "Maremma" in southern Tuscany. 811 consecutive outpatients (357 F - 57.86%; age: 36.9 ± 16.6) with suspected allergic respiratory symptoms underwent skin prick tests (SPT) for common allergens and for Cs and Jc. SPT resulted negative in 295 (36.37%) subjects. A Cs/Jc sensitisation was found in 294 (36.25%): 289 (98.3%) were sensitised to Cs whereas 198 (67.34%) to Jc. There was a co-sensitisation between Cs and Jc in 193 (65.6%) subjects. Cs/Jc mono-sensitisation was found in 39 (13.6%) subjects. A higher number (p<0.0001) of Cs/Jc sensitised subjects reported winter (131-44.55%) and spring (124-42.2%) symptoms compared to Cs/Jc non-sensitised and non-allergic subjects. Most Cs/Jc sensitised subjects reported rhinitis and conjunctivitis (p<0.0001), whereas only few reported coughing and asthma (p<0.01). The most frequent co-sensitisation was with grass, olive and other trees in Cs/Jc subjects (p<0.001). Those who reported winter symptoms, likely influenced by Cupressaceae, rhinitis was the main symptom whereas asthma was less frequent. Cs/Jc sensitisation resulted to be a risk factor (OR: 1.73 [CI95% 1.18-2.55]) for rhinitis whereas the probability of being asthmatic was reduced (OR: 0.62 [CI95% 0.44-0.85]). The prevalence of Cs/Jc sensitisation is about 36% in "Maremma". However, only in 44% of the patients, Cs/Jc seem to cause typical winter symptoms. Rhinitis is the predominant symptom, whereas asthma is less frequent. Testing Cupressaceae sensitisation using Jc pollen extract, rather than Cs, may result to be less sensitive. Copyright © 2011 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  15. The impact of ambient temperature on HbA1c in Taiwanese type 2 diabetic patients: The most vulnerable subgroup.

    PubMed

    Tien, Kai-Jen; Yang, Chwen-Yi; Weng, Shih-Feng; Liu, Su-Yen; Hsieh, Ming-Chia; Chou, Chien-Wen

    2016-05-01

    The relationship between temperature variability and HbA1c has been reported in Caucasians, but not for Asians of Taiwanese origin. This study investigated the impact of temperature on HbA1c in various groups of Taiwanese with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan. For this longitudinal follow-up study which started in 2006, we recruited a total of 4399 patients with type 2 diabetes who had been regularly followed up at Chi Mei Medical Center and obtained local temperature data for 2006 to 2011 from Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau. We used a generalized estimated equation (GEE) to analyze the HbA1c level and its change over time with temperature and temperature changes, respectively. We found a negative correlation between HbA1c and temperature (R = -0.475, p = 0.001). For every 1°C decrement in temperature, there was an increase in the risk of having a HbA1c level >7% [p < 0.001, adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.01]. There was a significantly higher risk of HbA1c > 7% among those in the lowest quartile of temperatures than the highest quartile (p = 0.0038, adjusted OR: 1.13). Patients with diabetic patients were at higher risk of HbA1C > 7% in the winter and spring than those in the summer (adjusted OR: 1.13, p = 0.0027; adjusted OR: 1.14, p = 0.0022). After adjusting for various confounders, we found people who were younger than 65 years old, people who had diabetes for longer than 6 years, and people who had a body mass index (BMI) < 24 to be more susceptible to temperature changes (p = 0.0022, β: 0.0095; p < 0.0001, β: 0.0125; p < 0.0001, β: 0.016, respectively). Our study suggests cold weather may adversely affect HbA1c levels in Taiwanese people with type 2 diabetes, especially in people under 65 years old, people with diabetes for longer than 6 years, and those with a BMI < 24. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  16. Quantitation of Japanese cedar pollen and radiocesium adhered to nonwoven fabric masks worn by the general population.

    PubMed

    Higaki, Shogo; Shirai, Hideharu; Hirota, Masahiro; Takeda, Eisuke; Yano, Yukiko; Shibata, Akira; Mishima, Yoshitaka; Yamamoto, Hiromi; Miyazawa, Kiyoshi

    2014-08-01

    In the spring of 2012, a year after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, radiocesium-contaminated Japanese cedar pollen may have caused internal exposure to the general population by inhalation. To determine if pollen had been contaminated through uptake of radiocesium by Japanese cedars and was therefore contributing to inhalation doses, the authors measured radiocesium and Japanese cedar pollen adhered to masks worn by 68 human subjects residing in eastern Japan, including Fukushima prefecture, for 8 wk in the spring of 2012. The maximum cumulative Cs and Cs radioactivities on masks worn by an individual were 21 ± 0.36 Bq and 15 ± 0.22 Bq, respectively, and the estimated effective dose during the 8 wk was 0.494 μSv. The average estimated effective dose during the 8 wk was 0.149 μSv in Fukushima prefecture and 0.015 μSv in other prefectures, including Tokyo metropolitan. The correlation between radiocesium activity and the Japanese cedar pollen count was moderate. However, imaging-plate and light microscopy observations showed that the main source of radiocesium adhered to masks was fugitive dust.

  17. Biochemical effects of lead, zinc, and cadmium from mining on fish in the Tri-States district of northeastern Oklahoma, USA

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Schmitt, Christopher J.; Whyte, Jeffrey J.; Brumbaugh, William G.; Tillitt, Donald E.

    2005-01-01

    We assessed the exposure of fish from the Spring and Neosho Rivers in northeast Oklahoma, USA, to lead, zinc, and cadmium from historical mining in the Tri-States Mining District (TSMD). Fish (n = 74) representing six species were collected in October 2001 from six sites on the Spring and Neosho Rivers influenced to differing degrees by mining. Additional samples were obtained from the Big River, a heavily contaminated stream in eastern Missouri, USA, and from reference sites. Blood from each fish was analyzed for Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, and hemoglobin (Hb). Blood also was analyzed for ??-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity. The activity of ALA-D, an enzyme involved in heme synthesis, is inhibited by Pb. Concentrations of Fe and Hb were highly correlated (r = 0.89, p < 0.01) across all species and locations and typically were greater in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) than in other taxa. Concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd typically were greatest in fish from sites most heavily affected by mining and lowest in reference samples. The activity of ALA-D, but not concentrations of Hb or Fe, also differed significantly (p < 0.01) among sites and species. Enzyme activity was lowest in fish from mining-contaminated sites and greatest in reference fish, and was correlated negatively with Pb in most species. Statistically significant (p < 0.01) linear regression models that included negative terms for blood Pb explained as much as 68% of the total variation in ALA-D activity, but differences among taxa were highly evident. Positive correlations with Zn were documented in the combined data for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), as has been reported for other taxa, but not in bass (Micropterus spp.) or carp. In channel catfish, ALA-D activity appeared to be more sensitive to blood Pb than in the other species investigated (i.e., threshold concentrations for inhibition were lower). Such among-species differences are consistent with previous studies. Enzyme activity was inhibited by more than 50% relative to reference sites in channel catfish from several TSMD sites. Collectively, our results indicate that Pb is both bioavailable and active biochemically in the Spring-Neosho River system. ?? 2005 SETAC.

  18. Effectiveness of a structured educational intervention using psychological delivery methods in children and adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes: a cluster-randomized controlled trial of the CASCADE intervention

    PubMed Central

    Christie, Deborah; Thompson, Rebecca; Sawtell, Mary; Allen, Elizabeth; Cairns, John; Smith, Felicity; Jamieson, Elizabeth; Hargreaves, Katrina; Ingold, Anne; Brooks, Lucy; Wiggins, Meg; Oliver, Sandy; Jones, Rebecca; Elbourne, Diana; Santos, Andreia; Wong, Ian C K; O'Neil, Simon; Strange, Vicki; Hindmarsh, Peter; Annan, Francesca; Viner, Russell M

    2016-01-01

    Introduction Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children and adolescents is increasing worldwide with a particular increase in children <5 years. Fewer than 1 in 6 children and adolescents achieve recommended glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. Methods A pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy of a clinic-based structured educational group incorporating psychological approaches to improve long-term glycemic control, quality of life and psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents with T1D. 28 pediatric diabetes services were randomized to deliver the intervention or standard care. 362 children (8–16 years) with HbA1c≥8.5% were recruited. Outcomes were HbA1c at 12 and 24 months, hypoglycemia, admissions, self-management skills, intervention compliance, emotional and behavioral adjustment, and quality of life. A process evaluation collected data from key stakeholder groups in order to evaluate the feasibility of delivering the intervention. Results 298/362 patients (82.3%) provided HbA1c at 12 months and 284/362 (78.5%) at 24 months. The intervention did not improve HbA1c at 12 months (intervention effect 0.11, 95% CI −0.28 to 0.50, p=0.584), or 24 months (intervention effect 0.03, 95% CI −0.36 to 0.41, p=0.891). There were no significant changes in remaining outcomes. 96/180 (53%) families in the intervention arm attended at least 1 module. The number of modules attended did not affect outcome. Reasons for low uptake included difficulties organizing groups and work and school commitments. Those with highest HbA1cs were less likely to attend. Mean cost of the intervention was £683 per child. Conclusions Significant challenges in the delivery of a structured education intervention using psychological techniques to enhance engagement and behavior change delivered by diabetes nurses and dietitians in routine clinical practice were found. The intervention did not improve HbA1c in children and adolescents with poor control. Trial registration number ISRCTN52537669, results. PMID:27284455

  19. Hot-spring sinter deposits in the Alvord-Pueblo Valley, Harney County, Oregon

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cummings, M.L.; St. John, A.M.

    1993-04-01

    Silica sinter deposits occur at Borax Lake, Alvord Hot Springs, and Mickey Springs in the Alvord-Pueblo Valley. Although the sinter deposits occur in areas of active hot springs, sinter is not being deposited. Hot springs are localized along faults that have been active since the Pleistocene. The sinter deposits formed after the drying of glacial Lake Alvord, but before and during extensive wind deflation of glacial-lacustrine sediments. At Mickey Springs, sinter rests directly on unaltered, unconsolidated lithic-rich sand. At Borax Lake, sinter overlies unaltered diatomite, but some armoring, presumably by silica, of the 30 m vent has developed. Field relationsmore » suggest rapid dumping of silica from solution without alteration of the country rock at the vent. Discharge of thermal fluids and cold groundwater along the same structure may have produced colloidal silica carried in a solution stripped of dissolved silica. Sinter is composed of opal-a, traces of detrital feldspar and quartz, and evaporation-related boracite. The concentration of Sb is similar among the three sinter deposits (20 to 70 ppm); however, As, Cs, and Br are highest at Borax Lake (5 to 560 ppm; 26 to 118 ppm; 5 to 1,040 ppm) while Hg is highest at Mickey Springs (1.0 to 5.2 ppm).« less

  20. Patterns and dynamics of Cs-137 soil contamination on the plot scale of the Bryansk Region (Russia): the role of processes, connectivity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Linnik, Vitaly; Sokolov, Alexander; Saveliev, Anatoly

    2014-05-01

    Character of surface and subsurface water flow was studied using 137Cs as a marker on a forest plot with a size of 50x70 m in the western part of the Bryansk Region, situated in the lower part of a slope that has a southern exposition and is drained by a stream. The range of altitudinal levels of plot amounts to 152,68-154,68 m. The plot was surveyed with a terrain contour level equalling to 20 sm. The data of the survey were used to make a digital elevation model (DEM). The plot has a undulated relief with a general surface slope in southern and southeast directions, with some depressions ranging from dozens of centimeters to several meters and 20-40 cm deep, in which groundwater comes up straight to the surface in spring. 137Cs distribution was investigated using field radiometry survey by different steps: 10m for the total plot, and 2 m for the two local plots with the size of 10x10 m, and 0,5 m step for a subplot with the size of 3x4 m. The total quantity of measuring points was more than 200. For the total plot 137Cs mean value was 950 kBq/m2, min - 463 kBq/m2 and max- 1706 kBq/m2. Local plot in the depression, was characterized by the following levels of the 137Cs pollution: mean, max and min value accordingly were equal 682, 1280, 281 kBq/m2. At the initial period of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP (April-May 1986) the quantity of 137Cs water soluble form could reach 50%, therefore 137Cs could have been carried out because of a surface and subsurface water flow. The dependence of 137Cs distribution on microrelief has been examined. Values of Laplace operator obtained for a detailed (step of 0,1 m, Laplace1) and a generalized grid (step 0,25 m, Laplace2), as well as altitude were regarded as parameters which control 137Cs redistribution. Negative Laplacian corresponds to wash-out zones (convex microrelief) while positive Laplacian corresponds to accumulation zones (concave microrelief). To determine the relation of 137Cs distribution to the mentioned relief parameters, general additive models were used. According to results of modeling using a detailed and a generalized grid it has been found (Linnik, Saveliev et.al., 2007), that in accumulation zones (depressions) 137Cs deposit was lower when Laplace operator was positive (Laplace1>0=915 kBq/m2; Laplace2>0=921 kBq/m2) than in wash-out zones, singled out by negative values of Laplace operator (Laplace1<0=978 kBq/m2; Laplace2<0=979 kBq/m2). The inversion effect revealed in 137Cs deposit distribution could not be accounted for be processes of surface 137Cs wash-off as the chain of depressions was isolated. We found that connectivity of subsurface moving soil moisture saturation was made up by a number of small and shallow channels, covered by litter, they served as 137Cs travel paths at the period of spring wetting in April-May 1986. The total 137Cs output in soluble form from this plot calculated for the two models was 5,9% and 6,4%. References: Linnik V.G., Saveliev A.A., Govorun A.P., Ivanitsky O.M., Sokolov A.V. Spatial Variability and Topographic Factors of 137Cs Soil Contamination at a Field Scale// International Journal of Ecology & Development, 2007, Vol. 8, No.7, p.8-25.

  1. Seasonal 7Be and 137Cs activities in surface air before and after the Chernobyl event.

    PubMed

    Kulan, A

    2006-01-01

    Seasonal fluctuations of cosmogenic (7)Be (T(1/2)=53.4 days) and anthropogenic (137)Cs (T(1/2)=30 years) activities in surface air (aerosols) have been extracted from a long data record (1972-2000) at high latitude (56 degrees N-68 degrees N, Sweden). Normalization to weekly average values was used to control long-term trends so that cyclical trends could be investigated. Enhanced (7)Be activity was observed in spring and summer seasons and likely relates to the seasonal thinning of the tropopause. Variations in the (137)Cs activity record seem to reflect how the isotope was injected in the atmosphere (stratospheric from bomb tests and tropospheric from the Chernobyl accident) and subsequent transport mechanisms. Accordingly, until 1986, the surface air (137)Cs activity was strongly related to nuclear weapons test fallout and exhibits temporal fluctuations resembling the (7)Be. Conversely, since 1986 the Chernobyl-produced (137)Cs dominates the long-term record that shows annual cycles that are strongly controlled by atmospheric boundary layer conditions. Additionally, short-term data within the post-Chernobyl period suggest subtle intrusion of air masses rich in (137)Cs that may occur throughout the year, and differences resulting from spatial occurrence at these latitudes. This is an important observation that may have to do with year-to-year variation and calls for caution when interpreting short-term data records.

  2. Anemia and deficiencies of folate and vitamin B-6 are common and vary with season in Chinese women of childbearing age.

    PubMed

    Ronnenberg, A G; Goldman, M B; Aitken, I W; Xu, X

    2000-11-01

    Little is known about the micronutrient status of Chinese women of childbearing age. We assessed nonfasting plasma concentrations of folic acid, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate), hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin and transferrin receptor (TfR) in 563 nonpregnant textile workers aged 21-34 y from Anqing, China. All women had obtained permission to become pregnant and were participating in a prospective study of pregnancy outcomes. Mean (SD) plasma concentrations were 9.7 (4.1) nmol/L folic acid, 367 (128) pmol/L vitamin B-12, 40.2 (15.8) nmol/L vitamin B-6, 108 (12. 9) g/L Hb, 42.6 (34.2) microgram/L ferritin and 5.2 (2.7) mg/L TfR. Twenty-three percent of women had biochemical evidence of folic acid deficiency, 26% were deficient in vitamin B-6 and 10% had low vitamin B-12. Overall, 44% of women were deficient in at least one B vitamin. Although anemia (Hb < 120 g/L) was detected in 80% of women, only 17% had depleted iron stores (ferritin < 12 microgram/L); 11% had elevated TfR concentrations. Distinct seasonal trends were observed in the prevalence of moderate anemia (Hb < 100 g/L) and deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B-6, with significantly lower concentrations of folate and Hb occurring in summer and lower concentrations of vitamin B-6 occurring in winter and spring than in other seasons. We conclude that deficiencies of folic acid, vitamin B-6 and iron were relatively common in this sample of Chinese women of childbearing age and were contributing to the high prevalence of anemia. Without appropriate supplementation, these deficiencies could jeopardize the women's health and increase their risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

  3. 33 CFR Appendix A to Part 325 - Permit Form and Special Conditions

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...). () Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). () Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and... unpermitted activities or structures caused by the activity authorized by this permit. d. Design or... Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey, N/CS261, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910...

  4. 33 CFR Appendix A to Part 325 - Permit Form and Special Conditions

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...). () Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). () Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and... unpermitted activities or structures caused by the activity authorized by this permit. d. Design or... Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey, N/CS261, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910...

  5. 33 CFR Appendix A to Part 325 - Permit Form and Special Conditions

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...). () Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). () Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and... unpermitted activities or structures caused by the activity authorized by this permit. d. Design or... Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey, N/CS261, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910...

  6. 33 CFR Appendix A to Part 325 - Permit Form and Special Conditions

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...). () Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). () Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and... unpermitted activities or structures caused by the activity authorized by this permit. d. Design or... Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey, N/CS261, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910...

  7. CA6-02: Collaborative Goal Setting and HbA1c Control Among Patients With Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Lafata, Jennifer Elston; Dobie, Elizabeth; Morris, Heather; Heisler, Michele; Werner, Rachel; Divine, George; Thomas, Abraham

    2012-01-01

    Background/Aims Helping patients set and follow up on goals may be an effective way to help patients improve their confidence (self-efficacy) and commitment to improve diabetes self- management. We evaluate associations among patient-reported use of collaborative goal setting with clinicians, patient-reported self-efficacy, and clinical control (measured by HbA1c) among patients with diabetes. Methods A cohort of insured patients aged 18+ years with diabetes who initiated oral mono-therapy between 2000–2005 was surveyed in 2008. The survey included the 3 collaborative goal-setting items from the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC), a 4-item measure of self-efficacy, measures of socio-demographics, age of diabetes onset, and height/weight. Survey data were joined with automated laboratory and encounter data for the 12 months prior to and following survey administration. A structural equation model (SEM), using path analysis and adjusting for baseline patient characteristics (including HbA1c and diabetes-related co-morbidities and complications), was fit to investigate relationships among collaborative goal setting, self-efficacy and HbA1c control. Results Completed surveys were available for 1070 patients (n=956 mail and n=114 telephone; 77% response rate). Survey respondents were on average 68 years, half were female, 60% white, 31% black, and 57% reported low self-efficacy. On average, patients reported engaging in collaborative goal setting with their clinicians ‘sometimes’ (mean = 3.1, range 1 [never]-5 [always]). At baseline, mean HbA1c was 7.2%, with 22% =8%. Results from the SEM did not support a direct relationship between the collaborative goal setting factor (Cronbach Alpha=0.83) and HbA1c control, but did support an indirect relationship (asymmetric distribution of products 95% CI = −0.02, −0.002) with increases in collaborative goal setting positively associated with a greater likelihood of average or high self-efficacy (beta, p<0.01), and average or high self-efficacy associated with lower follow-up HbA1cs level (-beta, p<0.01). These relationships persisted after controlling for baseline HbA1c and other patient characteristics. Discussion While collaborative goal setting between patients with diabetes and their clinicians is not directly associated with better clinical control, it is associated with improved self-efficacy, which in turn, is associated with improved clinical control.

  8. Comments on Strontium-90 in Surface Air in Relation to Stratospheric Fallout.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rangarajan, C.; Eapen, C. D.

    1984-08-01

    The time variation of the spring peak of stratospheric fallout is examined with surface air data of Cs-137 concentrations from about 30 stations in the zone 9 to 75°N and 80°W to 115°E. This study is likely to be more realistic than one derived from data confined to a particular meridian, such as the United States 80th meridian fallout sampling network. It is seen from an examination of the data that the spring peak of stratospheric fallout is progressively delayed with increasing latitude from 9 to 50°N. At latitudes beyond 50°N, no clear trend can be postulated due to limited data. The reason for this progressive delay in the appearance of the spring peak is likely to be due to changes in the circulation pattern, rather than variations in precipitation scavenging, as regions with different distributions of rainfall have the same progressive delay in the spring peak.

  9. A Biophysical-Computational Perspective of Breast Cancer Pathogenesis and Treatment Response

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-03-01

    82. A.A. Rasmussen and K.J. Cullen, Breast Cancer Res Treat 47 (1998) 219- 33. 83. C. Kuperwasser, T. Chavarria, M. Wu, G. Magrane, J.W. Gray , L...24-34. 94. C.M. Lo, H.B. Wang, M. Dembo and Y.L. Wang, Biophys J 79 (2000) 144- 52. 95. D.S. Gray , J. Tien and C.S. Chen, J Biomed Mater Res A 66...Muller, G. Inghirami and F.G. Giancotti, Cell 126 (2006) 489-502. 103. C.C. Park, H. Zhang, M. Pallavicini, J.W. Gray , F. Baehner, C.J. Park and M.J

  10. Development and validation of PRISM: a survey tool to identify diabetes self-management barriers.

    PubMed

    Cox, Elizabeth D; Fritz, Katie A; Hansen, Kristofer W; Brown, Roger L; Rajamanickam, Victoria; Wiles, Kaelyn E; Fate, Bryan H; Young, Henry N; Moreno, Megan A

    2014-04-01

    Although most children with type 1 diabetes do not achieve optimal glycemic control, no systematic method exists to identify and address self-management barriers. This study develops and validates PRISM (Problem Recognition in Illness Self-Management), a survey-based tool for efficiently identifying self-management barriers experienced by children/adolescents with diabetes and their parents. Adolescents 13 years and older and parents of children 8 years and older visiting for routine diabetes management (n=425) were surveyed about self-management barriers. HbA1c was abstracted from the electronic health record. To develop PRISM, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used. To assess validity, the association of PRISM scores with HbA1c was examined using linear regression. Factor analyses of adolescent and parent data yielded well-fitting models of self-management barriers, reflecting the following domains: (1) Understanding and Organizing Care, (2) Regimen Pain and Bother, (3) Denial of Disease and Consequences, and (4) Healthcare Team, (5) Family, or (6) Peer Interactions. All models exhibited good fit, with χ(2) ratios<2.21, root mean square errors of approximation<0.09, Confirmatory Fit Indices and Tucker-Lewis Indices both >0.92, and weighted root mean square residuals<1.71. Greater PRISM barrier scores were significantly associated with higher HbA1cs. Our findings suggest at least six different domains exist within self-management barriers, nearly all of which are significantly related to HbA1c. PRISM could be used in clinical practice to identify each child and family's unique self-management barriers, allowing existing self-management resources to be tailored to the family's barriers, ultimately improving effectiveness of such services. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Development and Validation of PRISM: A Survey Tool to Identify Diabetes Self-Management Barriers

    PubMed Central

    Cox, Elizabeth D.; Fritz, Katie A.; Hansen, Kristofer W.; Brown, Roger L.; Rajamanickam, Victoria; Wiles, Kaelyn E.; Fate, Bryan H.; Young, Henry N.; Moreno, Megan A.

    2014-01-01

    Aims Although most children with type 1 diabetes don’t achieve optimal glycemic control, no systematic method exists to identify and address self-management barriers. This study develops and validates PRISM (Problem Recognition in Illness Self-Management), a survey-based tool for efficiently identifying self-management barriers experienced by children/adolescents with diabetes and their parents. Methods Adolescents 13 years and older and parents of children 8 years and older visiting for routine diabetes management (n=425) were surveyed about self-management barriers. HbA1c was abstracted from the electronic health record. To develop PRISM, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used. To assess validity, the association of PRISM scores with HbA1c was examined using linear regression. Results Factor analyses of adolescent and parent data yielded well-fitting models of self-management barriers, reflecting the following domains: 1) Understanding and Organizing Care, 2) Regimen Pain and Bother, 3) Denial of Disease and Consequences, and 4) Healthcare Team, 5) Family, or 6) Peer Interactions. All models exhibited good fit, with X2 ratios<2.21, root mean square errors of approximation<0.09, Confirmatory Fit Indices and Tucker-Lewis Indices both >0.92, and weighted root mean square residuals<1.71. Greater PRISM barrier scores were significantly associated with higher HbA1cs. Conclusions Our findings suggest at least six different domains exist within self-management barriers, nearly all of which are significantly related to HbA1c. PRISM could be used in clinical practice to identify each child and family’s unique self-management barriers, allowing existing self-management resources to be tailored to the family’s barriers, ultimately improving effectiveness of such services. PMID:24552680

  12. Variation in the response of an Arctic top predator experiencing habitat loss: feeding and reproductive ecology of two polar bear populations.

    PubMed

    Rode, Karyn D; Regehr, Eric V; Douglas, David C; Durner, George; Derocher, Andrew E; Thiemann, Gregory W; Budge, Suzanne M

    2014-01-01

    Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have experienced substantial changes in the seasonal availability of sea ice habitat in parts of their range, including the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering Seas. In this study, we compared the body size, condition, and recruitment of polar bears captured in the Chukchi and Bering Seas (CS) between two periods (1986-1994 and 2008-2011) when declines in sea ice habitat occurred. In addition, we compared metrics for the CS population 2008-2011 with those of the adjacent southern Beaufort Sea (SB) population where loss in sea ice habitat has been associated with declines in body condition, size, recruitment, and survival. We evaluated how variation in body condition and recruitment were related to feeding ecology. Comparing habitat conditions between populations, there were twice as many reduced ice days over continental shelf waters per year during 2008-2011 in the SB than in the CS. CS polar bears were larger and in better condition, and appeared to have higher reproduction than SB bears. Although SB and CS bears had similar diets, twice as many bears were fasting in spring in the SB than in the CS. Between 1986-1994 and 2008-2011, body size, condition, and recruitment indices in the CS were not reduced despite a 44-day increase in the number of reduced ice days. Bears in the CS exhibited large body size, good body condition, and high indices of recruitment compared to most other populations measured to date. Higher biological productivity and prey availability in the CS relative to the SB, and a shorter recent history of reduced sea ice habitat, may explain the maintenance of condition and recruitment of CS bears. Geographic differences in the response of polar bears to climate change are relevant to range-wide forecasts for this and other ice-dependent species. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  13. Variation in the response of an Arctic top predator experiencing habitat loss: Feeding and reproductive ecology of two polar bear populations

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Rode, Karyn D.; Regehr, Eric V.; Douglas, David C.; Durner, George M.; Derocher, Andrew E.; Thiemann, Gregory W.; Budge, Suzanne M.

    2014-01-01

    Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) have experienced substantial changes in the seasonal availability of sea ice habitat in parts of their range, including the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering Seas. In this study, we compared the body size, condition, and recruitment of polar bears captured in the Chukchi and Bering Seas (CS) between two periods (1986–1994 and 2008–2011) when declines in sea ice habitat occurred. In addition, we compared metrics for the CS population 2008–2011 with those of the adjacent southern Beaufort Sea (SB) population where loss in sea ice habitat has been associated with declines in body condition, size, recruitment, and survival. We evaluated how variation in body condition and recruitment were related to feeding ecology. Comparing habitat conditions between populations, there were twice as many reduced ice days over continental shelf waters per year during 2008–2011 in the SB than in the CS. CS polar bears were larger and in better condition, and appeared to have higher reproduction than SB bears. Although SB and CS bears had similar diets, twice as many bears were fasting in spring in the SB than in the CS. Between 1986–1994 and 2008–2011, body size, condition, and recruitment indices in the CS were not reduced despite a 44-day increase in the number of reduced ice days. Bears in the CS exhibited large body size, good body condition, and high indices of recruitment compared to most other populations measured to date. Higher biological productivity and prey availability in the CS relative to the SB, and a shorter recent history of reduced sea ice habitat, may explain the maintenance of condition and recruitment of CS bears. Geographic differences in the response of polar bears to climate change are relevant to range-wide forecasts for this and other ice-dependent species.

  14. Seasonal changes of 137Cs in benthic plants from the southern Baltic Sea.

    PubMed

    Zalewska, Tamara

    137 Cs activity concentrations were determined in samples of macrophytes Polysiphonia fucoides (red algae) and Zostera marina (vascular plant) collected during the entire vegetation season in the Gulf of Gdańsk in the southern Baltic Sea. The measurements showed considerable seasonality of 137 Cs activity in both species; an increase of cesium concentrations was observed from spring to autumn with maximal levels 49.1 ± 1.4 Bq kg d.w. -1 ( P. fucoides ) and 14.5 ± 1.0 Bq kg d.w. -1 ( Z. marina ) in late autumn. 137 Cs concentrations observed in a given season are the result of a number of processes, the intensity of which can differ depending on external environmental conditions. The effects of these processes can differ and their directions can frequently be opposite to one another. The examined macrophytobenthic plant species could serve as bioindicators of radionuclide pollution for monitoring purposes on condition that the samples of plants are taken within a strictly defined period of the year to give comparable results and to supply realistic information about pollution levels.

  15. Temperature and the respiratory properties of whole blood in two reptiles, Pogona barbata and Emydura signata.

    PubMed

    Stawski, Clare Y; Grigg, Gordon C; Booth, David T; Beard, Lyn A

    2006-02-01

    We investigated the capacity of two reptiles, an agamid lizard Pogona barbata and a chelid turtle Emydura signata, to compensate for the effects of temperature by making changes in their whole blood respiratory properties. This was accomplished by measuring the P50 (at 10, 20 and 30 degrees C), hematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in field acclimatised and laboratory acclimated individuals. The acute effect of temperature on P50 in P. barbata, expressed as heat of oxygenation (deltaH), ranged from -16.8+/-1.84 to -28.5+/-2.73 kJ/mole. P50 of field acclimatised P. barbata increased significantly from early spring to summer at the test temperatures of 20 degrees C (43.1+/-1.2 to 48.8+/-2.1 mmHg) and 30 degrees C (54.7+/-1.2 to 65.2+/-2.3 mmHg), but showed no acclimation under laboratory conditions. For E. signata, deltaH ranged from -31.1+/-6.32 to -48.2+/-3.59 kJ/mole. Field acclimatisation and laboratory acclimation of P50 did not occur. However, in E. signata, there was a significant increase in [Hb] and MCHC from early spring to summer in turtles collected from the wild (1.0+/-0.1 to 1.7+/-0.2 mmol/L and 4.0+/-0.3 to 6.7+/-0.7 mmol/L, respectively).

  16. Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. Volume 20, Number 11

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-11-01

    5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR),Armed Forces...Health Surveillance Center,11800 Tech Road, Suite 220 (MCAF-CS),Silver Spring,MD,20904 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING... performed to determine the circumstances surrounding the event, the week of train- ing (WOT) in which it occurred, comor- bid conditions diagnosed

  17. Class III correction using an inter-arch spring-loaded module

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background A retrospective study was conducted to determine the cephalometric changes in a group of Class III patients treated with the inter-arch spring-loaded module (CS2000®, Dynaflex, St. Ann, MO, USA). Methods Thirty Caucasian patients (15 males, 15 females) with an average pre-treatment age of 9.6 years were treated consecutively with this appliance and compared with a control group of subjects from the Bolton-Brush Study who were matched in age, gender, and craniofacial morphology to the treatment group. Lateral cephalograms were taken before treatment and after removal of the CS2000® appliance. The treatment effects of the CS2000® appliance were calculated by subtracting the changes due to growth (control group) from the treatment changes. Results All patients were improved to a Class I dental arch relationship with a positive overjet. Significant sagittal, vertical, and angular changes were found between the pre- and post-treatment radiographs. With an average treatment time of 1.3 years, the maxillary base moved forward by 0.8 mm, while the mandibular base moved backward by 2.8 mm together with improvements in the ANB and Wits measurements. The maxillary incisor moved forward by 1.3 mm and the mandibular incisor moved forward by 1.0 mm. The maxillary molar moved forward by 1.0 mm while the mandibular molar moved backward by 0.6 mm. The average overjet correction was 3.9 mm and 92% of the correction was due to skeletal contribution and 8% was due to dental contribution. The average molar correction was 5.2 mm and 69% of the correction was due to skeletal contribution and 31% was due to dental contribution. Conclusions Mild to moderate Class III malocclusion can be corrected using the inter-arch spring-loaded appliance with minimal patient compliance. The overjet correction was contributed by forward movement of the maxilla, backward and downward movement of the mandible, and proclination of the maxillary incisors. The molar relationship was corrected by mesialization of the maxillary molars, distalization of the mandibular molars together with a rotation of the occlusal plane. PMID:24934153

  18. The effect of flood events on the partitioning of labile and refractory carbon in the Missouri-Mississippi River system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roe, K. M.; Rosenheim, B. E.; Kolker, A.; Allison, M. A.; Nittrouer, J. A.; Duncan, D. D.; Nyman, J. A.; Butcher, K. A.; Adamic, J. F.

    2009-12-01

    The Missouri-Mississippi River system (MMRS) transports over 40% (4.0 x 109 kg) of the United States's annual input of total organic carbon (OC) from land to the marine environment, yet it is challenging to assess the MMRS’s exact role in the global carbon cycle because of the system’s complexity and temporal variability (i.e. high discharge events and low flow regimes). Determining the relative proportion of labile OC to refractory OC entrained in the MMRS during high and mean flow conditions would lend to the understanding of the MMRS’s role in the flux of carbon between the biospheric and atmospheric reservoirs, which is central to determining the role of anthropogenic CO2 in the global carbon cycle and in climate change. In this study, we investigate the relative proportion of labile OC to refractory OC in the lower MMRS during high and near-mean flow conditions in the springs of 2008 and 2009, respectively. The 2008 spring flood discharged 105 km3 of water, the maximum amount of water ever allowed out of the main channel, at a maximum rate of 4.3 x 104 m3s-1. Events of this scale have occurred only nine times in the past 80 years. Additionally, during the spring 2008 flood, bedload sand and large particulate OC transport rates were observed to increase exponentially. The following spring, high discharge rates returned to near-mean values with a peak discharge of 3.6 x 103 m3s-1. Using radiocarbon age and the thermal stability of organic matter (OM) as a proxy for lability, we evaluate the spectra of ages of particulate OM transported in the lower MMRS during these two flow regimes using a programmed-temperature pyrolysis/combustion system (PTP/CS) coupled with 14C determination. The PTP/CS utilizes the differences in thermal stability of acid insoluble particulate organic matter (AIPOM) to separate different components from the bulk. Employing PTP/CS on bulk AIPOM can complement experiments measuring small proportions of total OM such as compound specific isotopic analysis. In this study, we present, in terms of the spectra of ages present, a comparison of AIPOM transported down the lower MMRS during high and near-mean flow regimes in April 2008 and April 2009, respectively, and report the relative proportion of labile OC and refractory OC transported in the lower MMRS. Such research aims to help understand the complexities of the MMRS and its contribution to the global carbon cycle.

  19. Special Advanced Studies for Pollution Prevention. Delivery Order 0058: The Monitor - Spring 2000

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2001-04-01

    Process complexity ➨ Strippability ➨ Maturity ➨ Process type and chemistry ➨ Licensing requirements ➨ Vendor information ➨ Niplate 700 (Surface...Courses of Action 4 Identify & Evaluate Potential Alternatives 5 Select Best Alternative & Develop Project 6 Prioritize Projects by Commodity 7 Rank...Burden CS Priority Process Specific P2 OASolution Selection Solution Planning Solution Implementation Solution Evaluation Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 1

  20. Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. Volume 21, Number 3

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-03-01

    PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR),Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center,11800 Tech Road, Suite 220...MCAF-CS),Silver Spring,MD,20904 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR...travel, use of air con- ditioning, and other recreational activities that increase risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria (e.g., use of hot tubs

  1. Radiocaesium levels in game in the Czech Republic.

    PubMed

    Škrkal, Jan; Rulík, Petr; Fantínová, Karin; Mihalík, Ján; Timková, Jana

    2015-01-01

    The paper summarizes results of monitoring of (137)Cs activities in game species roaming in the woods over the territory of the Czech Republic for the time interval of 1986-2012. Geometric means and other statistical characteristics were estimated from the data sets on the assumption of log-normal distribution of the data from the time interval 2004-2012 where the character of data distribution had displayed no significant change. Geometric means (in Bq/kg) in meat were: wild boar 5.1, red deer 1.9, roe deer 0.77 and feathered game 0.14. The mean value in the less frequent game amounted to 0.36 Bq/kg. The geometrical standard deviation (GSD) widely varied from 1.6 to 21 for the studied species. Based on mass activity dependence on time, we assessed the effective and environmental half-lives of activity decline. For red deer and roe deer, the effective (137)Cs half-life was 2.9 and 3.2 years, and environmental half-life 3.2 and 3.6 years respectively. The effective half-life of (137)Cs in wild boar of 38 years was determined with large uncertainty and it shows constant influx of (137)Cs activity to the digestive tract of wild boars. A statistically significant season-based (137)Cs level was found in red deer and wild boar. Higher winter and spring activities of (137)Cs in wild boar are linked with decreasing access to naturally occurring food with lower (137)Cs content (chestnuts, acorns, and beech nuts), making boar grub around for ground-deposited food (often for mushrooms with higher activity). Higher winter activities of (137)Cs in red deer meat, most probably, are due to lower access to green diet in winter. The average annual committed effective dose for Czech population based on estimates of game species meat consumption between 2004 and 2012 was insignificant, only 0.03 μSv. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Relapse of extinguished fear after exposure to a dangerous context is mitigated by testing in a safe context.

    PubMed

    Goode, Travis D; Kim, Janice J; Maren, Stephen

    2015-03-01

    Aversive events can trigger relapse of extinguished fear memories, presenting a major challenge to the long-term efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Here, we examined factors regulating the relapse of extinguished fear after exposure of rats to a dangerous context. Rats received unsignaled shock in a distinct context ("dangerous" context) 24 h prior to auditory fear conditioning in another context. Fear to the auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) was subsequently extinguished either in the conditioning context ("ambiguous" context) or in a third novel context ("safe" context). Exposure to the dangerous context 30 min before a CS retention test caused relapse to the CS in the ambiguous and safe test contexts relative to nonextinguished controls. When rats were tested 24 h later (with or without short-term testing), rats tested in the ambiguous context continued to exhibit relapse, whereas rats tested in the safe context did not. Additionally, exposure of rats to the conditioning context--in place of the unsignaled shock context--did not result in relapse of fear to the CS in the safe testing context. Our work highlights the vulnerabilities of extinction recall to interference, and demonstrates the importance of context associations in the relapse of fear after extinction. © 2015 Goode et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

  3. Lake size and water-column stability affect the importance of methane for pelagic food webs of boreal lakes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kankaala, Paula; Lopez-Bellido, Jessica; Ojala, Anne; Tulonen, Tiina; Jones, Roger I.

    2013-04-01

    Physical forcing, related to lake size and morphometry, plays an important role in the landscape-scale biogeochemical processing and fluxes of terrestrial carbon in lakes. Boreal lakes are typically dimictic, with mixing of the water column in spring and autumn, but in small, sheltered, humic, forest lakes the spring mixing is often incomplete. This leads to a steep summer stratification and oxygen depletion in the hypolimnion of the lakes. As a result of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, high concentrations of CH4are typical in these lakes. At the oxic-anoxic interface zone methanotrophic microbes oxidize CH4 to CO2 and partly incorporate CH4-C into microbial biomass, and thus potentially provide a diet source for pelagic consumers. We studied production at the base of the pelagic food web by methane oxidising bacteria (MOB), heterotrophic bacteria (HB) and phytoplankton (PP) in five boreal lakes with a dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration varying between 7 and 25 mg C L-1 and an area ranging from 0.004 to 13.4 km2. High MOB activity was detected in the water columns of the three smallest lakes having anoxia in the hypolimnion during summer. The highest MOB activities (ca. 2-12 μmol L-1 d-1) were observed when the CH4:O2 ratio varied between ca. 0.5-12. Seasonally, the highest MOB activities were measured during late-summer mixed layer deepening and autumnal mixing of the whole water column. The proportion of MOB in the total basal production was highest in the two smallest lakes (24-56 and 13-36%), having the steepest summertime stratification. The proportion MOB in the basal production decreased with lake size being 70% of basal production was by PP. In all studied lakes HB contributed only 10-23% of the total basal production, suggesting that a transfer of allochthonous DOC via HB plays only a modest role for the nutrition of the higher trophic levels.

  4. Distribution of Alpha Thalassaemia Gene Variants in Diverse Ethnic Populations in Malaysia: Data from the Institute for Medical Research

    PubMed Central

    Ahmad, Rahimah; Saleem, Mohamed; Aloysious, Nisha Sabrina; Yelumalai, Punithawathy; Mohamed, Nurul; Hassan, Syahzuwan

    2013-01-01

    Alpha thalassaemia is highly prevalent in the plural society of Malaysia and is a public health problem. Haematological and molecular data from 5016 unrelated patients referred from various hospitals to the Institute for Medical Research for α thalassaemia screening from 2007 to 2010 were retrieved. The aims of this retrospective analysis were to describe the distribution of various alpha thalassaemia alleles in different ethnic groups, along with their genotypic interactions, and to illustrate the haematological changes associated with each phenotype. Amongst the patients, 51.2% (n = 2567) were diagnosed with α thalassaemia. Of the 13 α thalassaemia determinants screened, eight different deletions and mutations were demonstrated: three double gene deletions, – – SEA, – – THAI, ––FIL; two single-gene deletions, α–3.7 and – α4.2; and three non-deletion mutations, Cd59G > A (haemoglobin [Hb] Adana), Cd125T > C (Hb Quong Sze) and Cd142 (Hb Constant Spring). A high incidence of α–3.7 deletion was observed in Malays, Indians, Sabahans, Sarawakians and Orang Asli people. However, the – – SEA deletion was the most common cause of alpha thalassaemia in Chinese, followed by the α–3.7 deletion. As many as 27 genotypic interactions showed 1023 α thalassaemia silent carriers, 196 homozygous α+ thalassaemia traits, 973 heterozygous α0 thalassaemia carriers and 375 patients with Hb H disease. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the distribution of α thalassaemia determinants amongst the various ethnic groups. Hence, the heterogeneous distribution of common determinants indicated that the introduction of an ethnicity-targeted hierarchical α thalassaemia screening approach in this multi-ethnic Malaysian population would be effective. PMID:24025420

  5. Four Years of North Pacific Mode Water Evolution: A Fukushima Tracer Perspective

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Macdonald, Alison M.; Yoshida, Sachiko; Pike, Steven; Buesseler, Ken O.; Rypina, Irina I.; Jayne, Steven

    2017-04-01

    Here we presents the results of a investigation which uses the tracer information provided by the 2011 direct ocean release of radio-isotopes, (137Cs, 30-year half-life and 134Cs, 2-year half-life) from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to better understand the pathways, mixing and transport of water in the North Pacific Ocean. The main focus is the analysis of cesium observations obtained from the spring 2015 CLIVAR/GO-SHIP occupation of the P16N line in the eastern North Pacific. Nearly four hundred 20 L radionuclide samples were obtained on this cruise between 29 April and 26 June 2015 covering the 152°W line from 3°N to the Alaskan Shelf off Kodiak (56.4°N), crossing the Alaska Gyre at 55°N and making a short (200 nm) line extending from the outer edge of U.S. EEZ coming into Seattle, just to the south of the Canadian border and Line-P. Samples include both profiles from the surface to 1000 m and surface/subsurface pairs that provide an average 1° latitude spacing along 152°W. A clear Fukushima signal is apparent from the surface down to 400 m. The core signal lies at between 0-200 m at about 40°N where Subtropical Mode Water density water outcrops. The densest waters with Fukushima isotopes lie at 440 m in the bottom density range of Dense-Central Mode Water. There is a weak, but detectable signal in the Alaska Current to the north off both Kodiak and Sitka. The deepest detectable 137Cs (weapon's testing) signals are found at and to the north of 45°N at 900-1000 m. There is detectable, background level 137Cs as far south as 3°N, but as of spring 2015 the southernmost 134C signal was found above 200 m at 30°N. This horizontal and vertical pattern of Fukushima radionuclides traces the path of mode waters from their formation regions in the western North Pacific to their outcrop in eastern basin over the four years since their release.

  6. Atmospheric transport of radionuclides emitted due to wildfires near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2015

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Evangeliou, Nikolaos; Zibtsev, Sergey; Myroniuk, Viktor; Zhurba, Marina; Hamburger, Thomas; Stohl, Andreas; Balkanski, Yves; Paugam, Ronan; Mousseau, Timothy A.; Møller, Anders P.; Kireev, Sergey I.

    2016-04-01

    In 2015, two major fires in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) have caused concerns about the secondary radioactive contamination that might have spread over Europe. The total active burned area was estimated to be about 15,000 hectares, of which 9000 hectares burned in April and 6000 hectares in August. The present paper aims to assess, for the first time, the transport and impact of these fires over Europe. For this reason, direct observations of the prevailing deposition levels of 137Cs and 90Sr, 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu and 241Am in the CEZ were processed together with burned area estimates. Based on literature reports, we made the conservative assumption that 20% of the deposited labile radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr, and 10% of the more refractory 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu and 241Am, were resuspended by the fires. We estimate that about 10.9 TBq of 137Cs, 1.5 TBq of 90Sr, 7.8 GBq of 238Pu, 6.3 GBq of 239Pu, 9.4 GBq of 240Pu and 29.7 GBq of 241Am were released from both fire events. These releases could be classified as of "Level 3" on the relative INES (International Nuclear Events Scale) scale, which corresponds to a serious incident, in which non-lethal deterministic effects are expected from radiation. To simulate the dispersion of the resuspended radionuclides in the atmosphere and their deposition onto the terrestrial environment, we used a Lagrangian dispersion model. Spring fires redistributed radionuclides over the northern and eastern parts of Europe, while the summer fires also affected Central and Southern Europe. The more labile elements escaped more easily from the CEZ and then reached and deposited in areas far from the source, whereas the larger refractory particles were removed more efficiently from the atmosphere and thus did mainly affect the CEZ and its vicinity. For the spring 2015 fires, we estimate that about 80% of 137Cs and 90Sr and about 69% of 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu and 241Am were deposited over areas outside the CEZ. 93% of the labile and 97% of the refractory elements ended in Eastern European countries (including the CEZ). Similarly, during the summer 2015 fires, about 75% of 137Cs and 90Sr and 59% of the refractory radionuclides were exported from the CEZ, of which the majority was deposited in Belarus and Russia. However, Central (11% for 137Cs and 90Sr) and Southern European countries (5% of 137Cs and 90Sr) also received smaller amounts of the radioactive fallout. A radiological assessment of the exposure to the European population showed that effective doses were above 1 mSv y-1 in the CEZ, but much lower in the rest of Europe. The fires contributed an additional effective dose for the European population, which is equivalent to a medical X-ray image at most.

  7. Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 19, Number 11, November 2012

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-11-01

    REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2012 to 00-00-2012 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Medical Surveillance Monthly Report 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT...ADDRESS(ES) Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR),Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center,11800 Tech Road, Suite 220 (MCAF-CS),Silver Spring,MD...most apparent medical eff ects of the war – musculoskeletal and internal organ injuries, traumatic brain injuries, vision and hear- ing decrements

  8. Proteomic Analysis of Albumins and Globulins from Wheat Variety Chinese Spring and Its Fine Deletion Line 3BS-8

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Chao-Ying; Gao, Li-Yan; Li, Ning; Li, Xiao-Hui; Ma, Wu-Jun; Appels, Rudi; Yan, Yue-Ming

    2012-01-01

    The relationship between chromosome deletion in wheat and protein expression were investigated using Chinese Spring and fine deletion line 3BS-8. Through 2-DE (2-D electrophoresis) analysis, no differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were found in leaf samples; however, 47 DEPs showed at least two-fold abundance variation (p < 0.05) in matured wheat grains and 21 spots were identified by tandem MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. Among the identified spots, four were cultivar-specific, including three (spots B15, B16, and B21) in Chinese Spring and one in 3BS-8 (spot B10). Among variety-different DEPs between Chinese Spring and 3BS-8, most spots showed a higher express profile in CS; only four spots showed up-regulated expression tendency in 3BS-8. An interesting observation was that more than half of the identified protein spots were involved in storage proteins, of which 11 spots were identified as globulins. According to these results, we can presume that the encoded genes of protein spots B15, B16, and B21 were located on the chromosome segment deleted in 3BS-8. PMID:23202959

  9. Distribution of cultivated and uncultivated cyanobacteria and Chloroflexus-like bacteria in hot spring microbial mats

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ruff-Roberts, A. L.; Kuenen, J. G.; Ward, D. M.

    1994-01-01

    Oligodeoxynucleotide hybridization probes were developed to complement specific regions of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA sequences of cultivated and uncultivated cyanobacteria and Chloroflexus-like bacteria, which inhabit hot spring microbial mats. The probes were used to investigate the natural distribution of SSU rRNAs from these species in mats of Yellowstone hot springs of different temperatures and pHs as well as changes in SSU rRNA distribution resulting from 1-week in situ shifts in temperature, pH, and light intensity. Synechococcus lividus Y-7c-s SSU rRNA was detected only in the mat of a slightly acid spring, from which it may have been initially isolated, or when samples from a more alkaline spring were incubated in the more acid spring. Chloroflexus aurantiacus Y-400-fl SSU rRNA was detected only in a high-temperature mat sample from the alkaline Octopus Spring or when lower-temperature samples from this mat were incubated at the high-temperature site. SSU rRNAs of uncultivated species were more widely distributed. Temperature distributions and responses to in situ temperature shifts suggested that some of the uncultivated cyanobacteria might be adapted to high-, moderate-, and low-temperature ranges whereas an uncultivated Chloroflexus-like bacterium appears to have broad temperature tolerance. SSU rRNAs of all uncultivated species inhabiting a 48 to 51 degrees C Octopus Spring mat site were most abundant in the upper 1 mm and were not detected below a 2.5-to 3.5-mm depth, a finding consistent with their possible phototrophic nature. However, the effects of light intensity reduction on these SSU rRNAs were variable, indicating the difficulty of demonstrating a phototrophic phenotype in light reduction experiments.

  10. Seasonal variation of metabolism in lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii at high altitude.

    PubMed

    Liang, Shiwei; Li, Weixin; Zhang, Yang; Tang, Xiaolong; He, Jianzheng; Bai, Yucheng; Li, Dongqin; Wang, Yan; Chen, Qiang

    2017-01-01

    Seasonal acclimatization is important for animals to live optimally in the varying environment. Phrynocephalus vlangalii, a species of lizard endemic in China, distributes on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau ranging from 2000 to 4600m above sea level. To dissect how this lizard mediate metabolism to adapt various season, the preferred body temperature (Tb), standard metabolic rate (SMR), mitochondrial respiration rates and activities of four metabolic enzymes in this species were tested in different seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). The results showed that the preferred Tb was the lowest in spring and the highest in summer. SMR, maximal mitochondrial respiration rates in liver and skeletal muscle were the highest in spring. Similarly, higher activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activities of liver and skeletal muscle were observed in spring. However, β-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase (HOAD) activities of liver and skeletal muscle were higher in autumn. On the whole, seasonal variation of metabolism is the highest in spring and the lowest in summer. Seasonal variation of metabolism is the opposite of preferred body temperature, this may be one of the mechanisms to adapt to the environment in P. vlangalii. Our results suggested that P. vlangalii at high altitude has certain adaptive characteristics on metabolism in different seasons. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Identification of acute self-limited hepatitis B among patients presenting with hepatitis B virus-related acute hepatitis: a hospital-based epidemiological and clinical study.

    PubMed

    Han, Y-N

    2009-01-01

    This study aimed to identify acute self-limited hepatitis B (ASL-HB) among patients presenting with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute hepatitis. Data were available for 220 patients diagnosed with HBV-related acute hepatitis, of whom 164 had acute hepatitis B (AHB). Of these, 160 were confirmed as ASL-HB: three (1.9%) evolved to chronic hepatitis B and one (0.6%) developed fulminant hepatitis and died. Comparisons were also made between AHB and acute infections with hepatitis A (HA) and hepatitis E (HE) viruses. During the study period, the number of patients with AHB exceeded the sum of those with acute HA and acute HE infections. There was no distinct seasonal peak for AHB infection, whereas both acute HA and acute HE infections occurred more frequently in the spring. Clinical symptoms and physical signs were similar for all three types of hepatitis, but significant differences were seen in some biochemical parameters. In conclusion, this study suggests that symptomatic AHB is not rare in China but it seldom evolves to chronic hepatitis B.

  12. Inducing rye 1R chromosome structural changes in common wheat cv. Chinese spring by the gametocidal chromosome 2C of Aegilops cylindrica.

    PubMed

    Shi, Fang; Liu, Kun-Fan; Endo, Takashi R; Wang, Dao-Wen

    2005-05-01

    To generate 1 R deletion and translocation lines, we introduced a 2C chromosome,which was derived from Aegilops cylindrica and was known to have a gametocidal function when added monosomically into common wheat cv. Chinese Spring (CS) and its derivative, into a wheat-rye 1R chromosome disomic addition line (CS-1R"). When the individuals with chromosome constitution 21" + 1R" + 2C' (2n = 45) were selfed, the 1R chromosome structural changes were found to be induced with high frequency (24.1%) among the progenies. By using C-banding and GISH analysis, we analyzed 1R structural changes in 46 F3 individuals, which came from 23 F2 plants. The rearranged 1R chromosomes could be characterized in about 85% of the F3 individuals. This included telosome 1RL (39.1%), iso-chromosome 1 RL (2.2%), whole arm translocation involving 1RL (32.6%), telosome 1RS (4.3%), iso-chromosome 1RS (4.3%), and 1R deletion mutant with break point in the long arm (2.2%). The mutant 1R lines obtained in this study will potentially be useful in mapping the chromosome locations of agronomically important genes located in 1R. This study also demonstrated that molecular markers might be used to identify wheat chromosome arm involved in translocation with 1R.

  13. Landscape assessment of spatial Cs-137 connectivity patterns in arable land with gray loamy soils in the Bryansk Region (landscapes of the Opolje)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Linnik, Vitaly; Sokolov, Alexander; Saveliev, Anatoly; Mironenko, Iya

    2017-04-01

    As a result of the Chernobyl accident in 1986 landscapes of the Bryansk Region (Russia) were contaminated by Cs-137. In 1993 air-gamma survey with 100 m resolution was done in contaminated areas of the region, which revealed significant spatial heterogeneity of Cs-137 contamination. The initial "spotting" of contamination Cs-137, which in the spring of 1986 represented multi-scale complex patterns of contamination, was substantially transformed by 1993 as a result of erosion processes of various intensity. The purpose of this research was to obtain estimates of the transformation of initial Cs-137 patterns as influenced by different landscape factors. The study is based on the concept of sediment and hydrological connectivity. We apply GIS-based models considering lateral soil migration to analyze sediment cascade system. The study area is a test plot that has grey loamy soils (landscapes of the Opolje) with a size 10x16 km in the central part of the Bryansk Region, with more than 80% of the area under cultivation. Elevation levels are in the range of 140-210 m. Because of plowing, intense erosion processes have taken place. The slope angles in the lower parts of slopes reach 2-3 degrees. Maximum slopes in gullies reach 11,5 degrees. Cs-137 levels of contamination vary from 3,6 kBq/m2 to 35 3,6 kBq/m2. Over the past few decades the Cs-137 technique has been applied to determine net soil redistribution rates. It is applicable for medium long term (30 to 40 years) soil redistribution estimates. In this technique, the anthropogenic radionuclide Cs-137 is used as a sediment tracer from upland erosion studies to catchment sediment budgets, as well as to depositional areas in colluvial positions, valleys, river terraces, floodplains. The soil movement is primarily driven by water flow due to the gravity. The effect of gravity can be easily approximated using DEM derivatives. Cs-137 patterns have been investigated to estimate landscape connectivity and soil redistribution rates in different slope positions. In addition to the Cs-137 contamination, DEM parameters, such as slope angle, aspect, and different landscape indexes (wetness index etc.) have been estimated. Potential Cs-137 connectivity of hillslopes - floodplain or hillslopes -valley is characterized by lateral contributing area. To assess the relationship of Cs-137 with various landscape factors we used different statistical models. Analysis of the lateral redistribution of Cs-137 in the landscape is based on the assumption of primordial density in nonuniformity of Cs-137 deposition in different landscape positions. Relationship of Cs-137 connectivity for various landscape positions is presented. Fundamental differences of Cs-137 connectivity for slopes of southern and northern exposure are demonstrated.

  14. Engagement, Persistence, and Gender in Computer Science: Results of a Smartphone ESM Study.

    PubMed

    Milesi, Carolina; Perez-Felkner, Lara; Brown, Kevin; Schneider, Barbara

    2017-01-01

    While the underrepresentation of women in the fast-growing STEM field of computer science (CS) has been much studied, no consensus exists on the key factors influencing this widening gender gap. Possible suspects include gender differences in aptitude, interest, and academic environment. Our study contributes to this literature by applying student engagement research to study the experiences of college students studying CS, to assess the degree to which differences in men and women's engagement may help account for gender inequity in the field. Specifically, we use the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) to evaluate in real-time the engagement of college students during varied activities and environments. Over the course of a full week in fall semester and a full week in spring semester, 165 students majoring in CS at two Research I universities were "beeped" several times a day via a smartphone app prompting them to fill out a short questionnaire including open-ended and scaled items. These responses were paired with administrative and over 2 years of transcript data provided by their institutions. We used mean comparisons and logistic regression analysis to compare enrollment and persistence patterns among CS men and women. Results suggest that despite the obstacles associated with women's underrepresentation in computer science, women are more likely to continue taking computer science courses when they felt challenged and skilled in their initial computer science classes. We discuss implications for further research.

  15. Radiocesium fallout in the grasslands on Sakhalin, Kunashir and Shikotan Islands due to Fukushima accident: the radioactive contamination of soil and plants in 2011.

    PubMed

    Ramzaev, V; Barkovsky, A; Goncharova, Yu; Gromov, A; Kaduka, M; Romanovich, I

    2013-04-01

    The accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant has resulted in radioactive contamination of environmental media and food in the Far East of Russia, particularly in the Sakhalin Region. To obtain the knowledge about the (134)Cs and (137)Cs spatial distribution in the Sakhalin Region, soil samples were collected at 31 representative grassland sites on Sakhalin, Kunashir and Shikotan islands (43.80°-46.40° N and 142.73°-146.84° E) in the middle of May and around the end of September to early October 2011. In the autumn, vegetation samples (mixed grass/forb crop and bamboo, Sasa sp.) were collected together with soil samples. Maximum measured activity concentrations (on dry weight) of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in soil were 30 Bq kg(-1) and 210 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Within soil profile, (134)Cs activity concentrations declined rapidly with depth. Although for both sampling occasions (in the spring and autumn) the radionuclide was completely retained in the upper 3-4 cm of soil, a deeper penetration of the contaminant into the ground was observed in the autumn. In contrast with (134)Cs, activity concentrations of (137)Cs demonstrated a broad range of the vertical distribution in soil; at most sites, the radionuclide was found down to a depth of 20 cm. This resulted from interfering the aged pre-accidental (137)Cs and the new Fukushima-borne (137)Cs. To calculate contribution of these sources to the inventory of (137)Cs, the (134)Cs:(137)Cs activity ratio of 1:1 in Fukushima fallout (the reference date 15 March 2011) was used. The maximum deposition density of Fukushima-derived (137)Cs was found on Shikotan and Kunashir Islands with average density of 0.124 ± 0.018 kBq m(-2) and 0.086 ± 0.026 kBq m(-2), respectively. Sakhalin Island was less contaminated by Fukushima-derived (137)Cs of 0.021 ± 0.018 kBq m(-2). For the south of Sakhalin Island, the reference inventory of pre-Fukushima (137)Cs was calculated as 1.93 ± 0.25 kBq m(-2) (reference date 15 March 2011). For Shikotan and Kunashir Islands, the pre-Fukushima reference levels of (137)Cs ground contamination appeared to be higher: on average, 2.81 ± 0.35 kBq m(-2). Maximum measured activity concentrations (on wet weight) of (134)Cs and (137)Cs in the vegetation were 5 Bq kg(-1) and 18 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Soil-to-plant aggregated transfer factors, T(ag)s, for (134)Cs were more than an order of magnitude higher than those for (137)Cs. For the above-ground biomass density of 1 kg per m(2) (wet weight), plant contamination may contribute approximately 2% and 0.1% to the ground deposition of Fukushima-derived and pre-accidental (137)Cs, respectively. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Time changes in radiocesium concentration in aquatic systems affected by the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Onda, Yuichi; Taniguchi, Keisuke; Kato, Hiroaki; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Wakiyama, Yoshifumi; Iwagami, Sho; Tsujimura, Maki; Sakaguchi, Aya; Yamamoto, Masatoshi

    2015-04-01

    Due to Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, radioactive materials including Cs-134 and Cs-137 were widely distributed in surrounded area. The radiocesiums have been transported in river networks. The monitoring started at 6 sites from June 2011. Subsequently, additional 24 monitoring sites were installed between October 2012 and January 2013. Flow and turbidity (for calculation of suspended sediment concentration) were measured at each site, while suspended sediments and river water were collected every one or half month to measure Cs-134 and Cs-137 activity concentrations by gamma spectrometry. Also detailed field monitoring has been condcuted in Yamakiya-district, Kawamata town, Fukushima prefecture. These monitoring includes, 1) Radiocesium wash-off from the runoff-erosion plot under different land use, 2) 2. Measurement of radiocesium transfer in forest environment, in association with hydrological pathways such as throughfall and overlandflow on hillslope, 3) Monitoring on radiocesium concentration in soil water, ground water, and spring water, 4)Monitoring of dissolved and particulate radiocesium concentration in river water, and stream water from the forested catchment, and 5)Measurement of radiocesium content in drain water and suspended sediment from paddy field. Our monitoring result demonstrated that the Cs-137 concentration in eroded sediment from the runoff-erosion plot has been almost constant for the past 3 years, however the Cs-137 concentration of suspended sediment from the forested catchment showed slight decrease through time. On the other hand, the suspended sediment from paddy field and those in river water from large catchments exhibited rapid decrease in Cs-137 concentration with time. The decreasing trend of Cs-137 concentration were fitted by the two-component exponential model, differences in decreasing rate of the model were compared and discussed among various land uses and catchment scales. Such analysis can provide important insights into the future prediction of the radiocesium wash-off from catchments from different land uses. The decerasing trend of river system vaired with catchments. Our analysis suggest that these differences can be explained by upstream landuse with different decreasing trend.

  17. Study on molecular epidemiology of the alpha-thalassemias in Liuzhou City, Guangxi Autonomous Region, China.

    PubMed

    Cai, Ren; Liu, Jingzhong; Wang, Lirong; Liang, Xin; Xiao, Bai; Su, Liu; Zhou, Yan; Pan, Lizhen

    2004-01-01

    Guangxi is one of the provinces of Southern China with the highest incidence of alpha-thalassemia (thal). Liuzhou is the second biggest city in Guangxi. To find out the incidence of the various alpha-thal genotypes, and their distribution in the Liuzhou area, an F820 Blood Cell Analysis System was used to measure the parameters of red blood cells. A SPIFE Rapid Auto-Electrophoresis System was used to analyze the normal and abnormal hemoglobins (Hbs). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) was used to detect the alpha-globin genotypes. Thirty-two (2.05%) out of 7805 young couples undergoing pre-marriage counseling, were diagnosed as having an Hb H (beta4) disease. The study of 1228 cord blood samples revealed 138 newborn children carrying an alpha-thal determinant with nine different genotypes, thus making the total incidence of alpha-thal 11.24%. Among 185 cases of Hb H, 119 (64.1%) were confirmed as being deletional, and 66 cases (35.7%) nondeletional types. The severity of the Hb H diseases could be classified in the following order: alphaCSalpha/--SEA (alphaConstant (Spring)alpha/--Southeast Asia); alpha(-4.2)/--SEA; alpha(-3.7)/--SEA. Ten cases of alpha-thal determinants were found in combination with beta-thal. The mPCR technique can detect all kinds of combinations of the three common large deletions (--SEA, alpha(-4.2) and alpha(-3.7)) accurately and conveniently.

  18. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of recombinant phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase from the Thermophilic thermus thermophilus strain HB27

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Abramchik, Yu. A.; Timofeev, V. I., E-mail: tostars@mail.ru; Muravieva, T. I.

    2017-01-15

    Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetases (PRPP synthetases) are among the key enzymes essential for vital functions of organisms and are involved in the biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, coenzymes, and the amino acids histidine and tryptophan. These enzymes are used in biotechnology for the combined chemoenzymatic synthesis of natural nucleotide analogs. Recombinant phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase I from the thermophilic strain HB27 of the bacterium Thermus thermophilus (T. th HB27) has high thermal stability and shows maximum activity at 75°Ð¡, due to which this enzyme holds promise for biotechnological applications. In order to grow crystals and study them by X-ray crystallography, an enzyme sample,more » which was produced using a highly efficient producer strain, was purified by affinity and gel-filtration chromatography. The screening of crystallization conditions was performed by the vapor-diffusion technique. The crystals of the enzyme suitable for X-ray diffraction were grown by the counter-diffusion method through a gel layer. These crystals were used to collect the X-ray diffraction data set at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility (Japan) to 3-Å resolution. The crystals belong to sp. gr. P2{sub 1} and have the following unitcell parameters: a = 107.7 Å, b = 112.6 Å, c = 110.2 Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 116.6°. The X-ray diffraction data set is suitable for determining the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme at 3.0-Å resolution.« less

  19. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of recombinant phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase from the Thermophilic thermus thermophilus strain HB27

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abramchik, Yu. A.; Timofeev, V. I.; Muravieva, T. I.; Sinitsyna, E. V.; Esipov, R. S.; Kuranova, I. P.

    2017-01-01

    Phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetases (PRPP synthetases) are among the key enzymes essential for vital functions of organisms and are involved in the biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, coenzymes, and the amino acids histidine and tryptophan. These enzymes are used in biotechnology for the combined chemoenzymatic synthesis of natural nucleotide analogs. Recombinant phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase I from the thermophilic strain HB27 of the bacterium Thermus thermophilus ( T. th HB27) has high thermal stability and shows maximum activity at 75°C, due to which this enzyme holds promise for biotechnological applications. In order to grow crystals and study them by X-ray crystallography, an enzyme sample, which was produced using a highly efficient producer strain, was purified by affinity and gel-filtration chromatography. The screening of crystallization conditions was performed by the vapor-diffusion technique. The crystals of the enzyme suitable for X-ray diffraction were grown by the counter-diffusion method through a gel layer. These crystals were used to collect the X-ray diffraction data set at the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility (Japan) to 3-Å resolution. The crystals belong to sp. gr. P21 and have the following unitcell parameters: a = 107.7 Å, b = 112.6 Å, c = 110.2 Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 116.6°. The X-ray diffraction data set is suitable for determining the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme at 3.0-Å resolution.

  20. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction study of recombinant adenine phosphoribosyltransferase from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus strain HB27

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sinitsyna, E. V.; Timofeev, V. I.; Tuzova, E. S.; Kostromina, M. A.; Murav'eva, T. I.; Esipov, R. S.; Kuranova, I. P.

    2017-07-01

    Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) belongs to the type I phosphoribosyltransferase family and catalyzes the formation of adenosine monophosphate via transfer of the 5-phosphoribosyl group from phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate to the nitrogen atom N9 of the adenine base. Proteins of this family are involved in a salvage pathway of nucleotide synthesis, thus providing purine base utilization and maintaining the optimal level of purine bases in the body. Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase from the extremely thermophilic Thermus thermophilus strain HB27 was produced using a highly efficient E. coli producer strain and was then purified by affinity and gel-filtration chromatography. This enzyme was successfully employed as a catalyst for the cascade biosynthesis of biologically important nucleotides. The screening of crystallization conditions for recombinant APRT from T. thermophilus HB27 was performed in order to determine the enzyme structure by X-ray diffraction. The crystallization conditions, which were found by the vapor-diffusion technique, were then optimized to apply the counter-diffusion technique. The crystals of the enzyme were grown by the capillary counter-diffusion method. The crystals belong to sp. gr. P1211 and have the following unitcell parameters: a = 69.86 Å, b = 82.16 Å, c = 91.39 Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 102.58°. The X-ray diffraction data set suitable for the determination of the APRT structure at 2.6 Å resolution was collected from the crystals at the SPring-8 synchrotron facility (Japan).

  1. Physiological Properties and Genome Structure of the Hyperthermophilic Filamentous Phage φOH3 Which Infects Thermus thermophilus HB8.

    PubMed

    Nagayoshi, Yuko; Kumagae, Kenta; Mori, Kazuki; Tashiro, Kosuke; Nakamura, Ayano; Fujino, Yasuhiro; Hiromasa, Yasuaki; Iwamoto, Takeo; Kuhara, Satoru; Ohshima, Toshihisa; Doi, Katsumi

    2016-01-01

    A filamentous bacteriophage, φOH3, was isolated from hot spring sediment in Obama hot spring in Japan with the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8 as its host. Phage φOH3, which was classified into the Inoviridae family, consists of a flexible filamentous particle 830 nm long and 8 nm wide. φOH3 was stable at temperatures ranging from 70 to 90°C and at pHs ranging from 6 to 9. A one-step growth curve of the phage showed a 60-min latent period beginning immediately postinfection, followed by intracellular virus particle production during the subsequent 40 min. The released virion number of φOH3 was 109. During the latent period, both single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and the replicative form (RF) of phage DNA were multiplied from min 40 onward. During the release period, the copy numbers of both ssDNA and RF DNA increased sharply. The size of the φOH3 genome is 5688 bp, and eight putative open reading frames (ORFs) were annotated. These ORFs were encoded on the plus strand of RF DNA and showed no significant homology with any known phage genes, except ORF 5, which showed 60% identity with the gene VIII product of the Thermus filamentous phage PH75. All the ORFs were similar to predicted genes annotated in the Thermus aquaticus Y51MC23 and Meiothermus timidus DSM 17022 genomes at the amino acid sequence level. This is the first report of the whole genome structure and DNA multiplication of a filamentous T. thermophilus phage within its host cell.

  2. Novel Approaches to the Production of Higher Alcohols From Synthesis Gas. Quarterly report, January 1 - March 31, 1997

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Roberts, George W

    1998-12-11

    A modified analytical system was assembled and calibrated, in preparation for a second run with cesium (Cs)-promoted "zinc chromite" catalyst. A new column for the on-line gas chromatography (GC) was purchased for the analysis of various light olefin and paraffin isomers. A run was carried out in the continuous stirred autoclave using the Cs-promoted catalyst. Decahydronaphfialene was used as the slurry liquid. Reaction conditions were 375°C, 2000 psig total pressure, 0.5 H₂/CO ratio, and 5000 sL/Kg (cat.)-hr. Analysis of the data from this run is in progress. A manuscript on the thermal stability of potential slurry liquids was submitted tomore » 'Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research,' and a paper was presented at the 1997 Spring National Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Houston, Texas.« less

  3. Delay and trace fear conditioning in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice: issues of measurement and performance.

    PubMed

    Tipps, Megan E; Raybuck, Jonathan D; Buck, Kari J; Lattal, K Matthew

    2014-08-01

    Strain comparison studies have been critical to the identification of novel genetic and molecular mechanisms in learning and memory. However, even within a single learning paradigm, the behavioral data for the same strain can vary greatly, making it difficult to form meaningful conclusions at both the behavioral and cellular level. In fear conditioning, there is a high level of variability across reports, especially regarding responses to the conditioned stimulus (CS). Here, we compare C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice using delay fear conditioning, trace fear conditioning, and a nonassociative condition. Our data highlight both the significant strain differences apparent in these fear conditioning paradigms and the significant differences in conditioning type within each strain. We then compare our data to an extensive literature review of delay and trace fear conditioning in these two strains. Finally, we apply a number of commonly used baseline normalization approaches to compare how they alter the reported differences. Our findings highlight three major sources of variability in the fear conditioning literature: CS duration, number of CS presentations, and data normalization to baseline measures. © 2014 Tipps et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

  4. Comparison of diagnostic criteria to detect undiagnosed diabetes in hyperglycaemic patients with acute coronary syndrome.

    PubMed

    de Mulder, Maarten; Oemrawsingh, Rohit M; Stam, Frank; Boersma, Eric; Umans, Victor A

    2012-01-01

    Elevated plasma glucose levels on admission (APG) are very common in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and can be the first indication of diabetes mellitus. To provide insight into the prevalence of previously undiagnosed diabetes and to compare different methods of diagnosing diabetes in patients with ACS. Patients with ACS with elevated APG who participated in the BIOMArCS 2 glucose trial underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) prior to discharge. 130 patients were included who underwent metabolic assessment. Of these, 109 had an OGTT and 13 patients had pre-existing diabetes. The OGTT results were categorised as (previously) undiagnosed diabetes in 35% of patients (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥7.0 mmol/l or 2-h post-load glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l) and impaired glucose metabolism in 44% (FPG 6.1-6.9 mmol/l or post-load glucose 7.8-11.0 mmol/l), so only 21% had a normal glucose metabolism. Undiagnosed diabetes could not be adequately predicted with APG, FPG or HbA1c (area under the ROC curve 0.61, 0.75 and 0.72, respectively). Patients with abnormal glucose metabolism were significantly older, had higher admission HbA1c values, a higher Killip classification and more often had a prior stroke than patients with normal glucose metabolism. 79% of hyperglycaemic patients with ACS were found to have abnormal glucose metabolism. As APG, HbA1c and FPG had a low sensitivity to detect undiagnosed diabetes, an OGTT appears to be the best test to assess the presence of previously undiagnosed diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism in hyperglycaemic patients with ACS.

  5. Molecular characteristic of alpha thalassaemia among patients diagnosed in UKM Medical Centre.

    PubMed

    Azma, Raja Zahratul; Ainoon, Othman; Hafiza, Alauddin; Azlin, Ithnin; Noor Farisah, Abudul Razak; Nor Hidayati, Sardi; Noor Hamidah, Hussin

    2014-04-01

    Alpha (Α) thalassaemia is the most common inherited disorder in Malaysia. The clinical severity is dependant on the number of Α genes involved. Full blood count (FBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) analysis using either gel electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or capillary zone electrophoresis (CE) are unable to detect definitively alpha thalassaemia carriers. Definitive diagnosis of Α-thalassaemias requires molecular analysis and methods of detecting both common deletional and non-deletional molecular abnormailities are easily performed in any laboratory involved in molecular diagnostics. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 1623 cases referred to our laboratory in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) for the diagnosis of Α-thalassaemia during the period October 2001 to December 2012. We examined the frequency of different types of alpha gene abnormalities and their haematologic features. Molecular diagnosis was made using a combination of multiplex polymerase reaction (PCR) and real time PCR to detect deletional and non-deletional alpha genes relevant to southeast Asian population. Genetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of Α-thalassaemias in 736 cases. Majority of the cases were Chinese (53.1%) followed by Malays (44.2%), and Indians (2.7%). The most common gene abnormality was ΑΑ/--(SEA) (64.0%) followed by ΑΑ/-Α(3.7) (19.8%), -Α(3.7) /--(SEA) (6.9%), ΑΑ/ΑΑCS (3.0%), --(SEA)/--(SEA) (1.2%), -Α(3.7)/-Α(3.7) (1.1%), ΑΑ/-Α(4.2) (0.7%), -Α(4.2)/--(SEA (0.7%), -Α(3.7)/-Α(4.2) (0.5%), ΑΑ(CS)/-- SEA) (0.4%), ΑΑ(CS)/ΑΑ(Cd59) (0.4%), ΑΑ(CS)/ΑΑ(CS) (0.4%), -Α(3.7)/ΑΑ(Cd59) (0.3%), ΑΑ/ΑΑ(Cd59) (0.1%), ΑΑ(Cd59)/ ΑΑ(IVS I-1) (0.1%), -Α(3.7)/ΑΑ(CS) (0.1%) and --(SEA) /ΑΑ(Cd59) (0.1%). This data indicates that the molecular abnormalities of Α-thalassaemia in the Malaysian population is heterogenous. Although Α-gene deletion is the most common cause, non-deletional Α-gene abnormalities are not uncommon and at least 3 different mutations exist. Establishment of rapid and easy molecular techniques is important for definitive diagnosis of alpha thalassaemia, an important prerequisite for genetic counselling to prevent its deleterious complications.

  6. Effectiveness of nickel-titanium springs vs elastomeric chains in orthodontic space closure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Mohammed, H; Rizk, M Z; Wafaie, K; Almuzian, M

    2018-02-01

    The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of nickel titanium closing springs (NiTi-CS) and elastomeric power chains (EPC) in orthodontic space closure and to assess the adverse periodontal effects, cost efficiency and patient-centred outcomes between both of these methods. An electronic search of online databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS and Web of Science), reference lists and grey literature as well as hand search were conducted without language restriction up to November/2017. Two authors blindly and in duplicate were involved in study selection, quality assessment and the extraction of data. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. 95% confidence intervals and mean difference for continuous data were calculated. A meta-analysis that generated a random-effect model for the comparable outcomes was conducted, and heterogeneity was measured using I 2 statistic. Of 187 records, 4 RCTs met the criteria and were included in the quantitative synthesis featuring 290 test quadrants. Faster space closure with NiTi-CS was observed with a mean difference of (0.20 mm/month, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.28). Loss of anchorage appears to be similar within both groups when synthesized qualitatively. With exception to anchorage loss, secondary outcomes could not be investigated in the included trials. There is a moderate quality of evidence suggesting a faster orthodontic space closure with the NiTi-CS when compared to EPC. A comparable amount of anchorage loss was observed regardless of the utilized method of space closure. Further high-quality RCTs with parallel-groups, reporting on the adverse effects and patient-centred values, are recommended. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. Geochemistry and geobiology of a present-day serpentinization site in California: The Cedars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morrill, Penny L.; Kuenen, J. Gijs; Johnson, Orion J.; Suzuki, Shino; Rietze, Amanda; Sessions, Alex L.; Fogel, Marilyn L.; Nealson, Kenneth H.

    2013-05-01

    Ultra-basic (pH 11-12) reducing (-656 to -585 mV) groundwater springs discharging from serpentinized peridotite of The Cedars, CA, were investigated for their geochemistry and geobiology. The spring waters investigated were of meteoric origin; however, geochemical modeling suggests that there were two sources of groundwater, a shallow source with sufficient contact with The Cedars' peridotite body to be altered geochemically by serpentinization, and a deeper groundwater source that not only flows through the peridotite body but was also in contact with the marine sediments of the Franciscan Subduction Complex (FSC) below the peridotite body. We propose that the groundwater discharging from lower elevations (GPS1 and CS1) reflect the geochemistry of the deeper groundwater in contact with FSC, while groundwaters discharging from springs at higher elevations (NS1 and BSC) were a mixture of the shallow peridotite-only groundwater and the deeper groundwater that has been in contact with the FSC. Cell densities of suspended microbes within these waters were extremely low. In the NS1 and BSC spring fluids, cell densities ranged from 102 to 103 cells/ml, while suspended cells at GPS were lower than 10 cells/mL. However, glass slides incubated in the BSC and GPS1 springs for 2-3 weeks were colonized by cells with densities ranging from 106 to 107 cells/cm2 attached to their surfaces. All of the springs were very low (⩽1 μM) in several essential elements and electron acceptors (e.g. nitrate/ammonium, sulfate, and phosphate) required for (microbial) growth, which is not uncommon at sites of continental serpentinization. Gases rich in N2, H2, and CH4 were exsolving from the springs. The stable carbon isotope value (δ13CCH4 = -68 ± 0.6‰) and the CH4/C2+ (>103) of methane and other gaseous hydrocarbons exsolving from NS1 were typical of microbially sourced methane, whereas the isotope values and the CH4/C2+ of BSC and CS1 springs were more enriched in 13C and had CH4/C2+ < 103, suggesting a mixture of microbial and non-microbial methane. The concentrations of aromatic compounds, and ethane, propane, iso- and n-butane were well described by simple physical mixing between the aromatic- and alkane-poor, shallow groundwater and the relatively aromatic, and alkane-rich groundwater that flows through both the peridotite and the FSC suggesting that these aromatic and alkane compounds originated in the deeper FSC groundwater and are not produced in the shallow peridotite-only groundwater. The aromatic compounds most probably originated from the diagenesis/degradation of organic matter in the marine sediments below the peridotite body, while the gaseous alkanes may have multiple sources including thermal degradation of the organic matter in the marine sediments below the peridotite body and possibly by abiogenic reactions occurring within the peridotite body. This geochemical study demonstrates the complexity of The Cedars, and the possible sources of hydrocarbons at continental sites of serpentinization.

  8. Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of heme proteins immobilised in carbon-coated nickel magnetic nanoparticle-chitosan-dimethylformamide composite films in room-temperature ionic liquids.

    PubMed

    Wang, Ting; Wang, Lu; Tu, Jiaojiao; Xiong, Huayu; Wang, Shengfu

    2013-12-01

    The direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of heme proteins entrapped in carbon-coated nickel magnetic nanoparticle-chitosan-dimethylformamide (CNN-CS-DMF) composite films were investigated in the hydrophilic ionic liquid [bmim][BF4]. The surface morphologies of a representative set of films were characterised via scanning electron microscopy. The proteins immobilised in the composite films were shown to retain their native secondary structure using UV-vis spectroscopy. The electrochemical performance of the heme proteins-CNN-CS-DMF films was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. A pair of stable and well-defined redox peaks was observed for the heme protein films at formal potentials of -0.151 V (HRP), -0.167 V (Hb), -0.155 V (Mb) and -0.193 V (Cyt c) in [bmim][BF4]. Moreover, several electrochemical parameters of the heme proteins were calculated by nonlinear regression analysis of the square-wave voltammetry. The addition of CNN significantly enhanced not only the electron transfer of the heme proteins but also their electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of H2O2. Low apparent Michaelis-Menten constants were obtained for the heme protein-CNN-CS-DMF films, demonstrating that the biosensors have a high affinity for H2O2. In addition, the resulting electrodes displayed a low detection limit and improved sensitivity for detecting H2O2, which indicates that the biocomposite film can serve as a platform for constructing new non-aqueous biosensors for real detection. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Factors affecting Archaeal Lipid Compositions of the Sulfolobus Species

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, L.; Han, J.; Wei, Y.; Lin, L.; Wei, Y.; Zhang, C.

    2010-12-01

    Temperature is the best known variable affecting the distribution of the archaeal glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) in marine and freshwater systems. Other variables such as pH, ionic strength, or bicarbonate concentration may also affect archaeal GDGTs in terrestrial systems. Studies of pure cultures can help us pinpoint the specific effects these variables may have on archaeal lipid distribution in natural environments. In this study, three Sulfolobus species (HG4, HB5-2, HB9-6) isolated from Tengchong hot springs (pH 2-3, temperature 73-90°C) in China were used to investigate the effects of temperature, pH, substrate, and type of strain on the composition of GDGTs. Results showed that increase in temperature had negative effects on the relative contents of GDGT-0 (no cyclopentyl rings), GDGT-1 (one cyclopentyl ring), GDGT-2 and GDGT-3 but positive effects on GDGT-4, GDGT-4', GDGT-5 and GDGT-5'. Increase in pH, on the other hand, had negative effects on GDGT-0, GDGT-1, GDGT-4', GDGT-5 and GDGT-5', and positive effects on GDGT-3 and GDGT-4. GDGT-2 remained relatively constant with changing pH. When the HG4 was grown on different substrates, GDGT-5 was five time more abundant in sucrose-grown cultures than in yeast extract- or sulfur- grown cultures, suggesting that carbohydrates may stimulate the production of GDGT-5. For all three species, the ring index (average number of rings) of GDGTs correlated positively with incubation temperature. In HG4, ring index was much lower at optimal pH (3.5) than at other pH values. Ring index of HB5-2 or HB9-6 is higher than that of HG4, suggesting that speciation may affect the degree of cyclization of GDGT of the Sulfolobus. These results indicate that individual archaeal lipids respond differently to changes in environmental variables, which may be also species specific.

  10. Succession of phytoplankton assemblages in response to large-scale reservoir operation: a case study in a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Yan; Li, Zhe; Guo, Jinsong; Fang, Fang; Smith, Val H

    2016-03-01

    The Three Gorges Dam (TGD) has greatly altered ecological and environmental conditions within the reservoir region, but it is not known how these changes affect phytoplankton structure and dynamics. Here, a bimonthly monitoring program was implemented from 2007 to 2009 to study the impact of damming on phytoplankton assemblages in the backwater area of the Pengxi River (PBA). By application of the phytoplankton functional group (C strategists, competitive species; S strategists, stress-tolerant species; R strategists, rapid propagation species), seasonal changes in phytoplankton relative to environmental variations were evaluated using ordination analysis. Seasonal patterns of phytoplankton dynamics were detected during this study, with CS/S strategists causing algal blooms from mid-spring to early summer, CS/CR strategists often observed during flood season, and CS strategists dominant during mid-autumn. CR/R groups dominated during winter and caused algal blooms in February. Our results indicated that phytoplankton assemblages were directly related to reservoir operation effects. Generally, the TGD had a low water level during flood season, resulting in a relatively short hydraulic retention time and intensive variability, which supported the cooccurrence of CS and CR species. During the winter drought season, water storage in the TGD increased the water level and the hydraulic retention time in the PBA, enabling R/CR strategists to overcome the sedimentation effect and to out-compete S/CS species in winter. As expected, these diversity patterns were significantly correlated with the hydraulic retention time and nutrient limitation pattern in the PBA. This study provides strategic insight for evaluating the impacts of reservoir operations on phytoplankton adaptation.

  11. Variation of rock-forming metals in sub-annual increments of modern Greenland snow

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hinkley, T.K.

    1992-01-01

    Modern snowpack from central south Greenland was sampled in sub-seasonal increments and analysed for a suite of major, minor and trace rock-forming metals (K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, Ba). There is a sharp seasonal concentration maximum for all six metals that comes in summer, later than mid-June. Metal concentrations in all other parts of the year's snowpack are up to 10 or more times smaller. The concentration maximum is preceded by low values in autumn-winter, very low values in early-mid-spring, and moderate-to-high values in late spring early summer; this pattern is seen consistently in three separate time stratigraphic intervals representing the same seasonal periods, spanning the time interval 1981-1984. The absolute concentration values of the snow strata representing the low-concentration portion of the year, autumn-winter-spring, may vary substantially from year to year, by a factor of two, or more. The finding that all rock-forming metals are at a sharp concentration maximum in late summer contrasts with the interpretations of several other studies in high-latitude northern regions. Those studies have reported a broad maximum of continental dust-associated metals in late winter and spring. However samples of the other studies have mostly come from regions farther to the north, and the analyses have emphasized industrial pollutant metals rather than the matched rock-forming suite of the present study. The metals measured were chosen to give information about the origin and identity of the rock and soil dusts, and sea salts, present as impurities in the snow. Metal ratios indicate that the dusts in the snowpacks are of continental origin and from ferromagnesian rocks. Source rock types for dusts in central south Greenland snow contrast with the felsic rock dusts of the Sierra Nevada, CA, annual snowpacks, and with the very felsic rock dusts in large south central Alaskan mountain glaciers. Samples in which masses of sea salt are much larger than those of rock dusts may be identified by small changes in metal ratios caused by moderate increases of K and Ca from marine sources, nearly unaccompanied by the minor and trace metals Rb, Cs and Ba, that are very rare in the oceans. A sampling frequency, such as that of the present study, that divides a year's accumulation into 8-10 subsamples is sufficient to reveal details of the time pattern of variation in proportions and concentrations of metals that give information about atmospheric deposition of important types of earth materials.Modern snowpack from central south Greenland was sampled in sub-seasonal increments and analyzed for a suite of major, minor and trace rock-forming metals (K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, Ba). There is a sharp seasonal concentration maximum for all six metals that comes in summer, later than mid-June. Metal concentrations in all other parts of the year's snowpack are up to 10 or more times smaller. The concentration maximum is preceded by low values in autumn-winter, very low values in early-mid-spring, and moderate-to-high values in late spring-early summer; this pattern is seen consistently in three separate time stratigraphic intervals representing the same seasonal periods, spanning the time interval 1981-1984. The absolute concentration values of the snow strata representing the low-concentration portion of the year, autumn-winter-spring, may vary substantially from year to year, by a factor of two, or more. The finding that all rock-forming metals are at a sharp concentration maximum in late summer contrasts with the interpretations of several other studies in high-latitude northern regions. Those studies have reported a broad maximum of continental dust-associated metals in late winter and spring. However, samples of the other studies have mostly come from regions farther to the north, and the analyses have emphasized industrial pollutant metals rather than the matched rock-forming suite of the present study. The metals measured were chosen to give informati

  12. Engagement, Persistence, and Gender in Computer Science: Results of a Smartphone ESM Study

    PubMed Central

    Milesi, Carolina; Perez-Felkner, Lara; Brown, Kevin; Schneider, Barbara

    2017-01-01

    While the underrepresentation of women in the fast-growing STEM field of computer science (CS) has been much studied, no consensus exists on the key factors influencing this widening gender gap. Possible suspects include gender differences in aptitude, interest, and academic environment. Our study contributes to this literature by applying student engagement research to study the experiences of college students studying CS, to assess the degree to which differences in men and women's engagement may help account for gender inequity in the field. Specifically, we use the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) to evaluate in real-time the engagement of college students during varied activities and environments. Over the course of a full week in fall semester and a full week in spring semester, 165 students majoring in CS at two Research I universities were “beeped” several times a day via a smartphone app prompting them to fill out a short questionnaire including open-ended and scaled items. These responses were paired with administrative and over 2 years of transcript data provided by their institutions. We used mean comparisons and logistic regression analysis to compare enrollment and persistence patterns among CS men and women. Results suggest that despite the obstacles associated with women's underrepresentation in computer science, women are more likely to continue taking computer science courses when they felt challenged and skilled in their initial computer science classes. We discuss implications for further research. PMID:28487664

  13. Analysis of suspended-sediment concentrations and radioisotope levels in the Wild Rice River basin, northwestern Minnesota, 1973-98

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Brigham, Mark E.; McCullough, Carolyn J.; Wilkinson, Philip M.

    2001-01-01

    We examined historical suspended-sediment data and activities of fallout radioisotopes (lead-210 [210Pb], cesium-137 [137Cs], and beryllium-7 [7Be]) associated with suspended sediments and source-area sediments (cultivated soils, bank material, and reference soils) in the Wild Rice River Basin, a tributary to the Red River of the North, to better understand sources of suspended sediment to streams in the region. Multiple linear regression analysis of suspended-sediment concentrations from the Wild Rice River at Twin Valley, Minnesota indicated significant relations between suspended-sediment concentrations and streamflow. Flow-adjusted sediment concentrations tended to be slightly higher in spring than summer-autumn. No temporal trends in concentration were observed during 1973-98. The fallout radioisotopes were nearly always detectable in suspended sediments during spring-summer 1998. Mean 210Pb and 7Be activities in suspended sediment and surficial, cultivated soils were similar, perhaps indicating little dilution of suspended sediment from low-isotopic-activity bank sediments. In contrast, mean 137Cs activities in suspended sediment indicated a mixture of sediment originating from eroded soils and from eroded bank material, with bank material being a somewhat more important source upstream of Twin Valley, Minnesota; and approximately equal fractions of bank material and surficial soils contributing to the suspended load downstream at Hendrum, Minnesota. This study indicates that, to be effective, efforts to reduce sediment loading to the Wild Rice River should include measures to control soil erosion from cultivated fields.

  14. Herbicidal activity of slow-release herbicide formulations in wheat stands infested by weeds.

    PubMed

    Zhila, Natalia; Murueva, Anastasiya; Shershneva, Anna; Shishatskaya, Ekaterina; Volova, Tatiana

    2017-10-03

    The present study reports the herbicidal activity of metribuzin and tribenuron-methyl embedded in the degradable matrix of natural poly-3-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)/MET and P(3HB)/TBM]. The developed formulations were constructed as films and microgranules, which were tested against the weeds such as white sweet clover Melilotus albus and lamb's quarters Chenopodium album in the presence of soft spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. Altaiskaya 70) as the subject crop for investigation. The activity was measured in laboratory scale experiments by determining the density and weight of the vegetative organs of weeds. The study was also aimed at testing the effect of the experimental formulation on the growth of wheat crop as dependent on the method of herbicide delivery. The experimental MET and TBM formulations showed pronounced herbicidal activity against the weed species used in the study. The effectiveness of the experimental formulations in inhibiting weed growth was comparable to and, sometimes, higher than that of the commercial formulations (positive control). The amount of the biomass of the wheat treated with the experimental herbicide formulations was significantly greater than that of the wheat treated with commercial formulations.

  15. Intercomparison of fast response commercial gas analysers for nitrous oxide flux measurements under field conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rannik, Ü.; Haapanala, S.; Shurpali, N. J.; Mammarella, I.; Lind, S.; Hyvönen, N.; Peltola, O.; Zahniser, M.; Martikainen, P. J.; Vesala, T.

    2014-08-01

    Four gas analysers capable of measuring nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration at a response time necessary for eddy covariance flux measurements were operated from spring till winter 2011 over a field cultivated with reed canary grass (RCG, Phalaris arundinaceae, L.), a perennial bioenergy crop in Eastern Finland. The instruments were TGA100A (Campbell Scientific Inc.), CW-TILDAS-CS (Aerodyne Research Inc.), N2O/CO-23d (Los Gatos Research Inc.) and QC-TILDAS-76-CS (Aerodyne Research Inc.). The period with high emission, lasting for about two weeks after fertilization in late May, was characterised by an up to two orders of magnitude higher emission, whereas during the rest of the campaign the N2O fluxes were small, from 0.1 to 1 nmol m-2 s-1. Two instruments, CW-TILDAS-CS and N2O/CO-23d, determined the N2O exchange with minor systematic difference throughout the campaign, when operated simultaneously. TGA100A produced cumulatively highest N2O estimates (with 29% higher value during the period when all instruments were operational). QC-TILDAS-76-CS obtained 36% lower fluxes than CW-TILDAS-CS during the first period, including the emission episode, whereas the correspondence with other instruments during the rest of the campaign was good. The reason for these episodic higher and lower estimates by the two instruments is not currently known, suggesting further need for detailed evaluation of instrument performance under field conditions with emphasis on stability, calibration and, in particular, simultaneous accurate determination of water vapour concentration due to its large impact on small N2O fluxes through spectroscopic and dilution corrections. The instrument CW-TILDAS-CS was characterised by the lowest noise level (std around 0.12 ppb at 10 Hz sampling rate), as compared to N2O/CO-23d and QC-TILDAS-76-CS (around 0.50 ppb) and TGA100A (around 2 ppb). Both instruments based on Continuous-Wave Quantum Cascade Lasers, CW-TILDAS-CS and N2O/CO-23d, were able to determine the same sample of low N2O fluxes with high mutual coefficient of determination at 30 min averaging level and with minor systematic difference over the observation period of several months.

  16. Radionuclide concentrations in honey bees from Area G at TA-54 during 1997. Progress report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Haarmann, T.K.; Fresquez, P.R.

    Honey bees were collected from two colonies located at Los Alamos National Laboratory`s Area G, Technical Area 54, and from one control (background) colony located near Jamez Springs, NM. Samples were analyzed for the following: cesium ({sup 137}Cs), americium ({sup 241}Am), plutonium ({sup 238}Pu and {sup 239,240}Pu), tritium ({sup 3}H), total uranium, and gross gamma activity. Area G sample results from both colonies were higher than the upper (95%) level background concentration for {sup 238}Pu and {sup 3}H.

  17. Caesium-137 root uptake by agricultural and wild crops in post-Chernobyl landscape: the possibilities for phytoremediation?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paramonova, Tatiana; Shamshurina, Eugenia; Komissarova, Olga; Belyaev, Vladimir

    2015-04-01

    In spite of long term period after Chernobyl fallout (≈25 years after the accident) the level of Cs-137 in soils of contaminated landscapes remains several times more than radiation safety standard (= 37 kBq/m2). In particular, within the area of Plavsk radioactive hot spot (Tula region, Russia) current Cs-137 activities in soil are 460-500 Bq/kg (170-200 kBq/m2) on watershed, 580-680 Bq/kg (200-220 kBq/m2) in arable lower parts of slopes and 620-710 Bq/kg (210-280 kBq/m2) in untilled foots of slopes and river floodplains. To estimate the process of Cs-137 root uptake and incorporation of the radionuclide in plant tissues 6 agricultural crops of typical field rotation (spring barley, maize, summer rape, galega, potatoes, amaranth) as well as natural ecosystems of dry and wet meadows were selected for the detailed study. Total bioproductivity of agricultural crops varies between 1.7-3.9 kg/m2, natural grass ecosystems - 1.9-2.2 g/m2, and is obviously unaffected by radioactive land contamination. At the same time Cs-137 activity in total biomass slightly increases with Cs-137 activity in soil (correlation coefficient r=0.45) and with total biomass (correlation coefficient r=0.51) in the row: rape (5 Bq/kg) < amaranth, galega (17-19 Bq/kg) < barley, potatoes (31-37 Bq/kg) < maize (58 Bq/kg) < dry meadow (73 Bq/kg) < wet meadow (120 Bq/kg). Commonly, Cs-137 activity in vegetation of natural ecosystems with predominance of perennial grasses is significantly higher than in agrosystems with annual crops. But a substantial portion of Cs-137 in meadow vegetation is associated with belowground biomass, where the radionuclide's activity is 3-5 times greater than in the aboveground part. The distribution of Cs-137 activities between above- and belowground parts of agricultural crops greatly varies depending on the biological characteristics of plants: barley and maize (Gramíneae family) are also characterized by elevated Cs-137 concentrations in belowground parts (12-14 times higher than in shoots); rape (Brassicaceae family) and potatoes (Solanaceae family) are characterized by similar Cs-137 concentrations in the structural parts (but note, that belowground part of the last is mostly represented by modified shoots); while galega and amaranth (Fabaceae and Amaranthaceae families respectively) are characterized by higher Cs-137 activity in aboveground part (4-6 times more than in roots). Therefore, meadow grasses and cereals that are true accumulators of Cs-137 seem to be useless for phytoremediation purposes, as 86-97% of the radionuclide inventory is associated with roots and remains in soil after cutting of aboveground parts. On the other hand, galega and amaranth could be considered as agricultural crops potentially being used for phytoremediation, since 87-93% of Cs-137 inventory is located in shoots. Potatoes having rather high aboveground biomass and easily removed from soil underground part could be also used for phytoremediation. However, it should be clearly understood that in total Cs-137 inventory in "soil-plant" system the annual amount of the radionuclide's consumption (that may be alienated when harvesting) is less than 0.01%, while the rate of Cs-137 radioactive decay is estimated as about 2% per year. Study was conducted with the support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 14-05-00903).

  18. Provenance effect on carbon assimilation, photochemistry and leaf morphology in Mediterranean Cistus species under chilling stress.

    PubMed

    Puglielli, G; Cuevas Román, F J; Catoni, R; Moreno Rojas, J M; Gratani, L; Varone, L

    2017-07-01

    The potential resilience of shrub species to environmental change deserves attention in those areas threatened by climate change, such as the Mediterranean Basin. We asked if leaves produced under different climate conditions through the winter season to spring can highlight the leaf traits involved in determining potential resilience of three Cistus spp. to changing environmental conditions and to what extent intraspecific differences affect such a response. We analysed carbon assimilation, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F v /F m ) and leaf morphological control of the photosynthetic process in leaves formed through the winter season into spring in C. creticus subsp. eriocephalus (CE), C. salvifolius (CS) and C. monspeliensis (CM) grown from seed of different provenances under common garden conditions. Intraspecific differences were found in F v /F m for CE and CS. Carbon assimilation-related parameters were not affected by provenance. Moreover, our analysis highlighted that the functional relationships investigated can follow seasonal changes and revealed patterns originating from species-specific differences in LMA arising during the favourable period. Cistus spp. have great ability to modify the structure and function of their leaves in the mid-term in order to cope with changing environmental conditions. The F v /F m response to chilling reveals that susceptibility to photoinhibition is a trait under selection in Cistus species. Concerning carbon assimilation, differing ability to control stomatal opening was highlighted between species. Moreover, seasonal changes of the functional relationships investigated can have predictable consequences on species leaf turnover strategies. © 2017 German Botanical Society and The Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.

  19. Prevalence and characteristics of depressive disorders in type 1 diabetes

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Persons with diabetes and depression have increased risk of complications and increased mortality. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and impact with regard to glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of depressive disorders in persons with type 1 diabetes at an outpatient specialist diabetes clinic. Findings A total of 51 persons with type 1 diabetes were diagnosed according to Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I) with regard to dysthymia and previous or ongoing depressive episodes during spring 2005. HbA1c was measured at the day of the interview, and self-reported information on family history of depressive disorders was obtained. Eight persons (16%; 95% CI: 7%, 29%) were in the midst of a major depressive episode, 4 of these also reported a previous episode of depression. Seven of the 8 persons with an ongoing major depressive episode met the criteria for melancholia. Three persons (6%) met the criteria for dysthymia, and 6 persons (12%) had previous episode(s) of depression, without being currently depressed. The 17 (33%; 95% CI: 21%, 48%) persons with ongoing and/or previous depressive disorder had increased HbA1c (8.5%; 95% CI: 7.6%, 9.4%) compared to those without depressive disorders (7.9%; 95% CI: 7.5%, 8.3%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Persons with type 1 diabetes had a high prevalence of depressive disorders, mainly depressive episodes that also met the criteria for melancholia, a subtype often considered a more serious and “biologic” form of depression. We were not able to demonstrate that persons with depressive disorders had poorer regulated diabetes compared to those without depressive disorders. PMID:24354794

  20. Mapping of Ppd-B1, a Major Candidate Gene for Late Heading on Wild Emmer Chromosome Arm 2BS and Assessment of Its Interactions with Early Heading QTLs on 3AL.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Wei; Wu, Shasha; Ding, Mingquan; Li, Jingjuan; Shi, Zhaobin; Wei, Wei; Guo, Jialian; Zhang, Hua; Jiang, Yurong; Rong, Junkang

    2016-01-01

    Wheat heading date is an important agronomic trait determining maturation time and yield. A set of common wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Chinese Spring; CS)-wild emmer (T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccoides (TDIC)) chromosome arm substitution lines (CASLs) was used to identify and allocate QTLs conferring late or early spike emergence by examining heading date. Genetic loci accelerating heading were found on TDIC chromosome arms 3AL and 7BS, while loci delaying heading were located on 4AL and 2BS. To map QTLs conferring late heading on 2BS, F2 populations derived from two cross combinations of CASL2BS × CS and CASL3AL × CASL2BS were developed and each planted at two times, constituting four F2 mapping populations. Heading date varied continuously among individuals of these four populations, suggesting quantitative characteristics. A genetic map of 2BS, consisting of 23 SSR and one single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) marker(s), was constructed using these F2 populations. This map spanned a genetic length of 53.2 cM with average marker density of 2.3 cM. The photoperiod-sensitivity gene Ppd-B1 was mapped to chromosome arm 2BS as a SSCP molecular marker, and was validated as tightly linked to a major QTL governing late heading of CASL2BS in all mapping populations. A significant dominance by additive effect of Ppd-B1 with the LUX gene located on 3AL was also detected. CS had more copies of Ppd-B1 than CASL2BS, implying that increased copy number could elevate the expression of Ppd-1 in CS, also increasing expression of LUX and FT genes and causing CS to have an earlier heading date than CASL2BS in long days.

  1. Mapping of Ppd-B1, a Major Candidate Gene for Late Heading on Wild Emmer Chromosome Arm 2BS and Assessment of Its Interactions with Early Heading QTLs on 3AL

    PubMed Central

    Ding, Mingquan; Li, Jingjuan; Shi, Zhaobin; Wei, Wei; Guo, Jialian; Zhang, Hua; Jiang, Yurong; Rong, Junkang

    2016-01-01

    Wheat heading date is an important agronomic trait determining maturation time and yield. A set of common wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Chinese Spring; CS)-wild emmer (T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccoides (TDIC)) chromosome arm substitution lines (CASLs) was used to identify and allocate QTLs conferring late or early spike emergence by examining heading date. Genetic loci accelerating heading were found on TDIC chromosome arms 3AL and 7BS, while loci delaying heading were located on 4AL and 2BS. To map QTLs conferring late heading on 2BS, F2 populations derived from two cross combinations of CASL2BS × CS and CASL3AL × CASL2BS were developed and each planted at two times, constituting four F2 mapping populations. Heading date varied continuously among individuals of these four populations, suggesting quantitative characteristics. A genetic map of 2BS, consisting of 23 SSR and one single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) marker(s), was constructed using these F2 populations. This map spanned a genetic length of 53.2 cM with average marker density of 2.3 cM. The photoperiod-sensitivity gene Ppd-B1 was mapped to chromosome arm 2BS as a SSCP molecular marker, and was validated as tightly linked to a major QTL governing late heading of CASL2BS in all mapping populations. A significant dominance by additive effect of Ppd-B1 with the LUX gene located on 3AL was also detected. CS had more copies of Ppd-B1 than CASL2BS, implying that increased copy number could elevate the expression of Ppd-1 in CS, also increasing expression of LUX and FT genes and causing CS to have an earlier heading date than CASL2BS in long days. PMID:26848576

  2. Effects of hemoglobin variants HbJ Bangkok, HbE, HbG Taipei, and HbH on analysis of glycated hemoglobin via ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiu-Ming; Wen, Dong-Mei; Xu, Sheng-Nan; Suo, Ming-Huan; Chen, Ya-Qiong

    2018-01-01

    To explore the effects of HbJ Bangkok, HbE, HbG Taipei, and α-thalassemia HbH on the results of HbA1c assessment using ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (IE-HPLC). We enrolled five patients in which the results of the IE-HPLC HbA1c assay were inconsistent with the average levels of FBG. We performed hemoglobin capillary (Hb) electrophoresis using whole-blood samples. We also sequenced the genes encoding Hb using dideoxy-mediated chain termination and analyzed HbA1c using borate affinity HPLC (BA-HPLC) and turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA). Two patients had the HbJ Bangkok variant. Hb genotypes of these patients were β 41-42 /β J Bangkok and β N /β J Bangkok , and the content of HbJ Bangkok was 93.9% and 52.4%, respectively. The remaining three patients had the following: HbE (β N /β E Hb genotype, 23.6% HbE content), HbG Taipei (β N /β G Taipei Hb genotype, 39.4% HbG Taipei content), and α-thalassemia HbH (6.1% HbH content, 2.8% Hb Bart's content). In the patients with β-thalassemia and HbJ Bangkok variants, the presence of the variants interfered with the results of HbA1c analyses using IE-HPLC and TINIA; in the remaining four patients, there was interference with the results of HbA1c IE-HPLC but not with the TINIA assay. There was no interference with BA-HPLC HbA1c results. HbJ Bangkok, HbE, HbG Taipei Hb, and α-thalassemia HbH disease cause varying degrees of interference with the analysis of HbA1c using IE-HPLC. In these patients, we suggest using methods free from such interference for the analysis of HbA1c and other indicators to monitor blood glucose levels. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. Gamma-ray Astrophysics with AGILE

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Longo, Francesco; Tavani, M.; Barbiellini, G.

    2007-07-12

    AGILE will explore the gamma-ray Universe with a very innovative instrument combining for the first time a gamma-ray imager and a hard X-ray imager. AGILE will be operational in spring 2007 and it will provide crucial data for the study of Active Galactic Nuclei, Gamma-Ray Bursts, unidentified gamma-ray sources. Galactic compact objects, supernova remnants, TeV sources, and fundamental physics by microsecond timing. The AGILE instrument is designed to simultaneously detect and image photons in the 30 MeV - 50 GeV and 15 - 45 keV energy bands with excellent imaging and timing capabilities, and a large field of view coveringmore » {approx} 1/5 of the entire sky at energies above 30 MeV. A CsI calorimeter is capable of GRB triggering in the energy band 0.3-50 MeV AGILE is now (March 2007) undergoing launcher integration and testing. The PLSV launch is planned in spring 2007. AGILE is then foreseen to be fully operational during the summer of 2007.« less

  4. Mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, produces clinical and metabolic benefits in patients with Cushing's syndrome.

    PubMed

    Fleseriu, Maria; Biller, Beverly M K; Findling, James W; Molitch, Mark E; Schteingart, David E; Gross, Coleman

    2012-06-01

    Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to prolonged exposure to high cortisol concentrations. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in endogenous CS. We conducted a 24-wk multicenter, open-label trial after failed multimodality therapy at 14 U.S. academic medical centers and three private research centers. Participants included 50 adults with endogenous CS associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance (C-DM) or a diagnosis of hypertension alone (C-HT). Mifepristone was administered at doses of 300-1200 mg daily. We evaluated change in area under the curve for glucose on 2-h oral glucose test for C-DM and change in diastolic blood pressure from baseline to wk 24 for C-HT. In the C-DM cohort, an area under the curve for glucose (AUC(glucose)) response was seen in 60% of patients (P < 0.0001). Mean ± sd glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased from 7.43 ± 1.52% to 6.29 ± 0.99% (P < 0.001); fasting plasma glucose decreased from 149.0 ± 75.7 mg/dl (8.3 ± 4.1 mmol/liter) to 104.7 ± 37.5 mg/dl (5.8 ± 2.1 mmol/liter, P < 0.03). In C-HT cohort, a diastolic blood pressure response was seen in 38% of patients (P < 0.05). Mean weight change was -5.7 ± 7.4% (P < 0.001) with waist circumference decrease of -6.78 ± 5.8 cm (P < 0.001) in women and -8.44 ± 5.9 cm (P < 0.001) in men. Overall, 87% (P < 0.0001) had significant improvement in clinical status. Insulin resistance, depression, cognition, and quality of life also improved. Common adverse events were fatigue, nausea, headache, low potassium, arthralgia, vomiting, edema, and endometrial thickening in women. Mifepristone produced significant clinical and metabolic improvement in patients with CS with an acceptable risk-benefit profile during 6 months of treatment.

  5. Intercomparison of fast response commercial gas analysers for nitrous oxide flux measurements under field conditions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rannik, Ü.; Haapanala, S.; Shurpali, N. J.; Mammarella, I.; Lind, S.; Hyvönen, N.; Peltola, O.; Zahniser, M.; Martikainen, P. J.; Vesala, T.

    2015-01-01

    Four gas analysers capable of measuring nitrous oxide (N2O) concentration at a response time necessary for eddy covariance flux measurements were operated from spring until winter 2011 over a field cultivated with reed canary grass (RCG, Phalaris arundinacea, L.), a perennial bioenergy crop in eastern Finland. The instruments were TGA100A (Campbell Scientific Inc.), CW-TILDAS-CS (Aerodyne Research Inc.), N2O / CO-23d (Los Gatos Research Inc.) and QC-TILDAS-76-CS (Aerodyne Research Inc.). The period with high emissions, lasting for about 2 weeks after fertilization in late May, was characterized by an up to 2 orders of magnitude higher emission, whereas during the rest of the campaign the N2O fluxes were small, from 0.01 to 1 nmol m-2 s-1. Two instruments, CW-TILDAS-CS and N2O / CO-23d, determined the N2O exchange with minor systematic difference throughout the campaign, when operated simultaneously. TGA100A produced the cumulatively highest N2O estimates (with 29% higher values during the period when all instruments were operational). QC-TILDAS-76-CS obtained 36% lower fluxes than CW-TILDAS-CS during the first period, including the emission episode, whereas the correspondence with other instruments during the rest of the campaign was good. The reasons for systematic differences were not identified, suggesting further need for detailed evaluation of instrument performance under field conditions with emphasis on stability, calibration and any other factors that can systematically affect the accuracy of flux measurements. The instrument CW-TILDAS-CS was characterized by the lowest noise level (with a standard deviation of around 0.12 ppb at 10 Hz sampling rate) as compared to N2O / CO-23d and QC-TILDAS-76-CS (around 0.50 ppb) and TGA100A (around 2 ppb). We identified that for all instruments except CW-TILDAS-CS the random error due to instrumental noise was an important source of uncertainty at the 30 min averaging level and the total stochastic error was frequently of the same magnitude as the fluxes when N2O exchange was small at the measurement site. Both instruments based on continuous-wave quantum cascade laser, CW-TILDAS-CS and N2O / CO-23d, were able to determine the same sample of low N2O fluxes with a high mutual coefficient of determination at the 30 min averaging level and with minor systematic difference over the observation period of several months. This enables us to conclude that the new-generation instrumentation is capable of measuring small N2O exchange with high precision and accuracy at sites with low fluxes.

  6. Effects of common hemoglobin variants on HbA1c measurements in China: results for α- and β-globin variants measured by six methods.

    PubMed

    Xu, Anping; Chen, Weidong; Xia, Yong; Zhou, Yu; Ji, Ling

    2018-04-07

    HbA1c is a widely used biomarker for diabetes mellitus management. Here, we evaluated the accuracy of six methods for determining HbA1c values in Chinese patients with common α- and β-globin chains variants in China. Blood samples from normal subjects and individuals exhibiting hemoglobin variants were analyzed for HbA1c, using Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (C2FP), Bio-Rad Variant II Turbo 2.0, Tosoh HLC-723 G8 (ver. 5.24), Arkray ADAMS A1c HA-8180V fast mode, Cobas c501 and Trinity Ultra2 systems. DNA sequencing revealed five common β-globin chain variants and three common α-globin chain variants. The most common variant was Hb E, followed by Hb New York, Hb J-Bangkok, Hb G-Coushatta, Hb Q-Thailand, Hb G-Honolulu, Hb Ube-2 and Hb G-Taipei. Variant II Turbo 2.0, Ultra2 and Cobas c501 showed good agreement with C2FP for most samples with variants. HLC-723 G8 yielded no HbA1c values for Hb J-Bangkok, Hb Q-Thailand and Hb G-Honolulu. Samples with Hb E, Hb G-Coushatta, Hb G-Taipei and Hb Ube-2 produced significant negative biases for HLC-723 G8. HA-8180V showed statistically significant differences for Hb E, Hb G-Coushatta, Hb G-Taipei, Hb Q-Thailand and Hb G-Honolulu. HA-8180V yielded no HbA1c values for Hb J-Bangkok. All methods showed good agreement for samples with Hb New York. Some common hemoglobin variants can interfere with HbA1c determination by the most popular methods in China.

  7. Direct isolation of differentially expressed genes from a specific chromosome region of common wheat: application of the amplified fragment length polymorphism-based mRNA fingerprinting (AMF) method in combination with a deletion line of wheat.

    PubMed

    Kojima, T; Habu, Y; Iida, S; Ogihara, Y

    2000-05-01

    The amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)-based mRNA fingerprinting (AMF) method makes it possible systematically and conveniently to identify differentially expressed cDNAs with high reproducibility. We have applied the AMF method to the cloning of the Q gene of common wheat, which is located on the long arm of chromosome 5A and pleiotropically controls the spike morphology and the threshing character of seeds. Using the AMF method, we compared the fingerprints of mRNA samples extracted from the young spikes of Triticum aestivum cv. Chinese Spring (CS) carrying the Q gene to those of a chromosome deletion line of CS, namely, q5, which lacks 15% of 5AL including the Q gene. Approximately 12,200 fragments were produced after PCR with 256 primer combinations. Of these, 92 fragments were differentially expressed between CS and q5. Northern and Southern analyses showed that 16 fragments gave specific or relatively stronger transcript signals in CS, and these clones were present in single copy or in low copy numbers in the wheat genome. Four clones were genetically mapped to the region deleted in q5. Subsequently, one clone, pTaQ22, was mapped at the same locus as the Q gene, indicating that pTaQ22 corresponds to the Q gene or is tightly linked to it. DNA sequence data showed that pTaQ22 had no homology to any known genes, thus suggesting a novel function for this gene in flower morphogenesis. This AMF method might provide a straightforward method for isolating genes in the hexaploid background of common wheat.

  8. Time changes in radiocesium wash-off from various land uses after the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Onda, Yuichi; Kato, Hiroaki; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Tsujimura, Maki; Wakiyama, Yoshifumi; Taniguchi, Keisuke; Sakaguchi, Aya; Yamamoto, Masayoshi

    2014-05-01

    A number of studies have been conducted to monitor and model the time series change of radiocesium transfer through aquatic systems after significant fallout, especially from the Chernobyl disaster. However, no data is available for the temporal changes of radiocesium concentration in environmental materials such as soil and water after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Our research team has been monitoring the environmental consequences of radioactive contamination just after the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident in Yamakiya-district, Kawamata town, Fukushima prefecture. Research items are listed below. 1. Radiocesium wash-off from the runoff-erosion plot under different land use. 2. Measurement of radiocesium transfer in forest environment, in association with hydrological pathways such as throughfall and overlandflow on hillslope. 3. Monitoring on radiocesium concentration in soil water, ground water, and spring water. 4. Monitoring of dissolved and particulate radiocesium concentration in river water, and stream water from the forested catchment. 5.Measurement of radiocesium content in drain water and suspended sediment from paddy field. Our monitoring result demonstrated that the Cs-137 concentration in eroded sediment from the runoff-erosion plot has been almost constant for the past 3 years, however the Cs-137 concentration of suspended sediment from the forested catchment showed slight decrease through time. On the other hand, the suspended sediment from paddy field and those in river water from large catchments exhibited rapid decrease in Cs-137 concentration with time. The decreasing trend of Cs-137 concentration were fitted by the two-component exponential model, differences in decreasing rate of the model were compared and discussed among various land uses and catchment scales. Such analysis can provide important insights into the future prediction of the radiocesium wash-off from catchments with different land uses.

  9. Aircraft Landing Dynamic Analysis. Volume 1. Equations of Motion

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-11-09

    aQh Xp* (WB 1I H 3 Hh pg esd r f, d X, r B dIp ~ b X aH Hf (a, B + b B 3 b) + F d el 1N + b 60 The fB 2 equation is fBEB N G B f2B (M )CS a 1, N ] B...1 a a TBB (A s a’ Ga 3bg a=I a ah a C + F Hb ( B/eB ) B d 6be d H c + e TBg C l e H e 3 Hh Pg esdr x f ?Hd (a r + b XBr) 8 s ) H 3 f TB 1 b VB BY + g...nondecreasing on [a,b] then f is g integrable on [a,b] (Reference (3)). This is denoted by Jb f dg. In the special case where g = I (the identity

  10. Partial correlation-based functional connectivity analysis for functional near-infrared spectroscopy signals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Akın, Ata

    2017-12-01

    A theoretical framework, a partial correlation-based functional connectivity (PC-FC) analysis to functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data, is proposed. This is based on generating a common background signal from a high passed version of fNIRS data averaged over all channels as the regressor in computing the PC between pairs of channels. This approach has been employed to real data collected during a Stroop task. The results show a strong significance in the global efficiency (GE) metric computed by the PC-FC analysis for neutral, congruent, and incongruent stimuli (NS, CS, IcS; GEN=0.10±0.009, GEC=0.11±0.01, GEIC=0.13±0.015, p=0.0073). A positive correlation (r=0.729 and p=0.0259) is observed between the interference of reaction times (incongruent-neutral) and interference of GE values (GEIC-GEN) computed from [HbO] signals.

  11. Trapping of intermediates with substrate analog HBOCoA in the polymerizations catalyzed by class III polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthase from Allochromatium vinosum.

    PubMed

    Chen, Chao; Cao, Ruikai; Shrestha, Ruben; Ward, Christina; Katz, Benjamin B; Fischer, Christopher J; Tomich, John M; Li, Ping

    2015-05-15

    Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthases (PhaCs) catalyze the formation of biodegradable PHB polymers that are considered as an ideal alternative to petroleum-based plastics. To provide strong evidence for the preferred mechanistic model involving covalent and noncovalent intermediates, a substrate analog HBOCoA was synthesized chemoenzymatically. Substitution of sulfur in the native substrate HBCoA with an oxygen in HBOCoA enabled detection of (HB)nOCoA (n = 2-6) intermediates when the polymerization was catalyzed by wild-type (wt-)PhaECAv at 5.84 h(-1). This extremely slow rate is due to thermodynamically unfavorable steps that involve the formation of enzyme-bound PHB species (thioesters) from corresponding CoA oxoesters. Synthesized standards (HB)nOCoA (n = 2-3) were found to undergo both reacylation and hydrolysis catalyzed by the synthase. Distribution of the hydrolysis products highlights the importance of the penultimate ester group as previously suggested. Importantly, the reaction between primed synthase [(3)H]-sT-PhaECAv and HBOCoA yielded [(3)H]-sTet-O-CoA at a rate constant faster than 17.4 s(-1), which represents the first example that a substrate analog undergoes PHB chain elongation at a rate close to that of the native substrate (65.0 s(-1)). Therefore, for the first time with a wt-synthase, strong evidence was obtained to support our favored PHB chain elongation model.

  12. MPPhys—A many-particle simulation package for computational physics education

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Müller, Thomas

    2014-03-01

    In a first course to classical mechanics elementary physical processes like elastic two-body collisions, the mass-spring model, or the gravitational two-body problem are discussed in detail. The continuation to many-body systems, however, is deferred to graduate courses although the underlying equations of motion are essentially the same and although there is a strong motivation for high-school students in particular because of the use of particle systems in computer games. The missing link between the simple and the more complex problem is a basic introduction to solve the equations of motion numerically which could be illustrated, however, by means of the Euler method. The many-particle physics simulation package MPPhys offers a platform to experiment with simple particle simulations. The aim is to give a principle idea how to implement many-particle simulations and how simulation and visualization can be combined for interactive visual explorations. Catalogue identifier: AERR_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AERR_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 111327 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 608411 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: C++, OpenGL, GLSL, OpenCL. Computer: Linux and Windows platforms with OpenGL support. Operating system: Linux and Windows. RAM: Source Code 4.5 MB Complete package 242 MB Classification: 14, 16.9. External routines: OpenGL, OpenCL Nature of problem: Integrate N-body simulations, mass-spring models Solution method: Numerical integration of N-body-simulations, 3D-Rendering via OpenGL. Running time: Problem dependent

  13. Migratory preparation associated alterations in pectoralis muscle biochemistry and proteome in Palearctic-Indian emberizid migratory finch, red-headed bunting, Emberiza bruniceps.

    PubMed

    Banerjee, Somanshu; Chaturvedi, Chandra Mohini

    2016-03-01

    Avian migration is an exceptionally high-energy-demanding process, which is met by the accumulation and utilization of fuel stores as well as the alterations in muscle physiology prior to their flight. Pre-migratory fattening coupled with changes in flight muscle metabolic enzymes and proteome is required to provide the necessary fuel and muscle performance required for migration. We studied how the serum metabolites (urea, uric acid, and creatinine), pectoralis muscle metabolites (glycogen, glucose, and cholesterol), muscle metabolic enzymes (CPT, HOAD, CS, MDH, CCO, CK, LDH, PFK, MLPL, and PK), liver lipogenic enzyme (FAS), and pectoralis muscle proteins get altered in pre-migratory and non-migratory buntings. Significantly increased pectoralis muscle fatty acid oxidation (CPT and HOAD activity), aerobic/anaerobic capacity (CS, CCO, and MDH activity), glycolytic capacity (PFK and PK activity), lipolysis (muscle LPL), and burst power (CK activity) were observed prior to the spring migration in pre-migratory buntings, whereas significantly increased pectoralis muscle anaerobic capacity (LDH activity) was observed in non-migratory buntings. Significant increase in the liver FAS showed profound lipogenesis prior to the spring migration. In this study, we have also investigated whether muscle has differential protein content during the pre-migratory and non-migratory phases of the annual migratory cycle. Twenty-nine proteins are identified and well characterized varying in expression significantly during the pre-migratory and non-migratory phases. These findings indicate that significant pre-migratory fattening and alterations in flight (pectoralis) muscle biochemistry and proteome in between the non- and pre-migratory phases may play a significant role in pre-migratory flight muscle preparation in these long-route migrants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Hemoglobin encapsulation in vesicles retards NO and CO binding and O2 release when perfused through narrow gas-permeable tubes.

    PubMed

    Sakai, Hiromi; Okuda, Naoto; Sato, Atsushi; Yamaue, Tatsuya; Takeoka, Shinji; Tsuchida, Eishun

    2010-03-01

    Intravenous administration of cell-free Hb induces vasoconstriction and circulatory disorders, presumably because of the intrinsic affinities to endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) as vasorelaxation factors and because of the facilitated O(2) release that might induce autoregulatory vasoconstriction. We examined these gas reactions when Hb-containing solutions of four kinds were perfused through artificial narrow tubes at a practical Hb concentration (10 g/dl). Purified Hb solution, polymerized bovine Hb (Poly(B)Hb), encapsulated Hb [Hb-vesicles (HbV), 279 nm], and red blood cells (RBCs) were perfused through a gas-permeable narrow tube (25 microm inner diameter) at 1 mm/s centerline velocity. The level of reactions was determined microscopically based on the visible-light absorption spectrum of Hb. When the tube was immersed in NO and CO atmospheres, both NO binding and CO binding of deoxygenated Hb (deoxy-Hb) and Poly(B)Hb in the tube was faster than those of HbV and RBCs, and HbV and RBCs showed almost identical binding rates. When the tube was immersed in a N(2) atmosphere, oxygenated Hb and Poly(B)Hb showed much faster O(2) release than did HbV and RBCs. Poly(B)Hb showed a faster reaction than Hb because of the lower O(2) affinity of Poly(B)Hb than Hb. The diffusion process of the particles was simulated using Navier-Stokes and Maxwell-Stefan equations. Results clarified that small Hb (6 nm) diffuses laterally and mixes rapidly. However, the large-dimension HbV shows no such rapid diffusion. The purely physicochemical differences in diffusivity of the particles and the resulting reactivity with gas molecules are one factor inducing biological vasoconstriction of Hb-based oxygen carriers.

  15. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hemoglobin Index Measurement During Fluid Challenge: A Prospective Study in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

    PubMed

    Rebet, Olivier; Fischer, Marc-Olivier; Zamparini, Guillaume; Gérard, Jean-Louis; Fellahi, Jean-Luc; Hanouz, Jean-Luc

    2015-08-01

    Little is known about changes in near-infrared spectroscopy-derived tissue hemoglobin index (HbI). The authors tested the hypothesis that absolute values and changes in brain hemoglobin index (HbIb) and skeletal muscle hemoglobin index (HbIm) could differ from the reference arterial hemoglobin (Hb) during fluid challenge. A prospective, monocenter observational study. A 16-bed cardiac surgical intensive care unit in a teaching university hospital. Fifty consecutive adult patients. Investigation before and after a fluid challenge. Simultaneous comparative Hb, HbIb and HbIm data points were collected from a blood-gas analyzer and the EQUANOX device (Nonin Medical Inc., Plymouth, MN). Correlations were determined by linear regression. No significant relationship was found between absolute values of Hb and HbIb before (R(2)= 0.04, p = 0.627) and after (R(2) = 0.00006, p = 0.956) fluid challenge. No significant relationship was found between absolute values of Hb and HbIm before (R(2)= 0.030, p = 0.226) and after (R(2) = 0.05, p = 0.117) the fluid challenge. No significant relationship was found between changes in Hb and HbIb (R(2)= 0.26, p = 0.263) and between changes in Hb and HbIm (R(2) = 0.001, p = 0.801) after the fluid challenge. Bland-Altman analysis showed a poor concordance between changes in Hb and HbIb, and changes in Hb and HbIm, with large limits of agreement. HbIb and HbIm cannot be used to provide continuous noninvasive estimation of Hb, and trends in HbIb and HbIm cannot be considered as noninvasive surrogates for the trend in Hb after cardiac surgery. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Trending and accuracy of noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring in pediatric perioperative patients.

    PubMed

    Patino, Mario; Schultz, Lindsay; Hossain, Monir; Moeller, Jennifer; Mahmoud, Mohamed; Gunter, Joel; Kurth, C Dean

    2014-10-01

    Rainbow Pulse CO-Oximetry technology (Masimo Corporation, Irvine, CA) provides continuous and noninvasive measurement of arterial hemoglobin concentration (SpHb). We assessed the trending and accuracy of SpHb by this innovative monitoring compared with Hb concentration obtained with conventional laboratory techniques (Hb) in children undergoing surgical procedures with potential for substantial blood loss. Hb concentrations were recorded from Pulse CO-Oximetry and a conventional hematology analyzer. Regression analysis and 4-quadrant plot were used to evaluate the trending for changes in SpHb and Hb measurements (ΔSpHb and ΔHb). Bias, precision, and limits of agreement of SpHb and of in vivo adjusted SpHb (SpHb - first bias to HB) compared with Hb were calculated. One hundred fifty-eight SpHb-Hb data pairs and 105 delta pairs (ΔSpHb and ΔHb) from 46 patients aged 2 months to 17 years with Hb ranging from 16.7 to 7.9 g/dL were collected. To evaluate trending, the delta pairs (ΔSpHb and ΔHb) were plotted, which revealed a positive correlation (ΔSpHb = 0.022 + 0.76ΔHb) with correlation coefficient r = 0.76, 95% CI [confidence interval] = 0.57-0.86. The bias and precision of SpHb to Hb and in vivo adjusted SpHb were 0.4 ± 1.3 g/dL and 0.1 ± 1.2 g/dL, respectively; the limits of agreement were -2.0 to 3.2 g/dL before in vivo adjustment and -2.4 to 2.2 g/dL after in vivo adjustment (P value = 0.04). The mean percent bias (from the reference Hb concentration) decreased from 4.1% ± 11.9% to 0.7% ± 11.3% (P value = 0.01). No drift in bias over time was observed during the study procedure. Of patient demographic and physiological factors tested for correlation with the SpHb, only perfusion index at sensor site showed a weak correlation. The accuracy of SpHb in children with normal Hb and mild anemia is similar to that previously reported in adults and is independent of patient demographic and physiological states except for a weak correlation with perfusion index. The trending of SpHb and Hb in children with normal Hb and mild anemia showed a positive correlation. Further studies are necessary in children with moderate and severe anemia.

  17. Comparison of the characteristics of two hemoglobin variants, Hb D-Iran and Hb E, eluting in the Hb A2 window.

    PubMed

    Dass, Jasmita; Gupta, Aastha; Mittal, Suchi; Saraf, Amrita; Langer, Sabina; Bhargava, Manorama

    2017-06-01

    Cation exchange-high performance liquid chromatography (CE-HPLC) is most commonly used to evaluate hemoglobin (Hb) variants, which elute in the Hb A2 window. This study aimed to assess prevalence of an uncommon Hb variant, Hb D-Iran, and compare its red cell parameters and peak characteristics with those of Hb E that commonly elutes in the Hb A2 window. Generally, we assess abnormal Hb using CE-HPLC as the primary technique along with alkaline and acid electrophoresis. All cases with Hb A2 window >9%, as assessed by CE-HPLCs during 2009-2013, were selected. Twenty-nine cases with Hb D-Iran variant were identified-25 heterozygous, 2 homozygous, 1 compound heterozygous Hb D-Iran/β-thalassemia, and 1 Hb D-Iran/Hb D-Punjab. Overall prevalence of Hb D-Iran was 0.23%. Compared to patients with Hb E, those with Hb D-Iran had significantly higher Hb (12.1 vs. 11.3 g/dL, P =0.03), MCV (82.4 vs. 76.4 fL, P =0.0044), MCH (27.9 vs. 25.45 pg, P =0.0006), and MCHC (33.9 vs. 33.3 g/dL, P =0.0005). Amount of abnormal Hb (40.7 vs. 26.4%, P =0.0001) was significantly higher while retention time (3.56 vs. 3.70 min, P =0.0001) was significantly lower in Hb D-Iran than in Hb E. Hb D-Iran peak can be easily missed if area and retention time of the Hb A2 window are not carefully analyzed. To distinguish between variants, careful analysis of peak area and retention time is sufficient in most cases and may be further confirmed by the second technique-alkaline electrophoresis.

  18. Dietary and lifestyle determinants of acrylamide and glycidamide hemoglobin adducts in non-smoking postmenopausal women from the EPIC cohort

    PubMed Central

    Obón-Santacana, Mireia; Lujan-Barroso, Leila; Freisling, Heinz; Cadeau, Claire; Fagherazzi, Guy; Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine; Kaaks, Rudolf; Fortner, Renée T.; Boeing, Heiner; Quirós, J. Ramón; Molina-Montes, Esther; Chamosa, Saioa; Huerta Castaño, José María; Ardanaz, Eva; Khaw, Kay-Tee; Wareham, Nick; Key, Tim; Trichopoulou, Antonia; Lagiou, Pagona; Naska, Androniki; Palli, Domenico; Grioni, Sara; Tumino, Rosario; Vineis, Paolo; Santucci De Magistris, Maria; Bueno-de-Mesquita, H.B.; Peeters, Petra H.; Wennberg, Maria; Bergdahl, Ingvar A.; Vesper, Hubert; Riboli, Elio; Duell, Eric J

    2017-01-01

    Purpose Acrylamide was classified as ‘probably carcinogenic’ to humans in 1994 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In 2002, public health concern increased when acrylamide was identified in starchy, plant-based foods, processed at high temperatures. The purpose of this study was to identify which food groups and lifestyle variables were determinants of hemoglobin adduct concentrations of acrylamide (HbAA) and glycidamide (HbGA) in 801 non-smoking postmenopausal women from 8 countries in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Methods Biomarkers of internal exposure were measured in red blood cells (collected at baseline) by HPLC/MS/MS (high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry). In this cross-sectional analysis four dependent variables were evaluated: HbAA, HbGA, sum of total adducts (HbAA+HbGA), and their ratio (HbGA/HbAA). Simple and multiple regression analyses were used to identify determinants of the four outcome variables. All dependent variables (except HbGA/HbAA), and all independent variables were log-transformed (log2) to improve normality. Median (25th-75thpercentile) HbAA and HbGA adducts levels were 41.3 (32.8-53.1) pmol/g Hb and 34.2 (25.4-46.9) pmol/g Hb, respectively. Results The main food group determinants of HbAA, HbGA, HbAA+HbGA were biscuits, crackers, and dry cakes. Alcohol intake and body mass index were identified as the principal determinants of HbGA/HbAA. The total percent variation in HbAA, HbGA, HbAA+HbGA, and HbGA/HbAA explained in this study was 30%, 26%, 29%, and 13%, respectively. Conclusions Dietary and lifestyle factors explain a moderate proportion of acrylamide adduct variation in non-smoking postmenopausal women from the EPIC cohort. PMID:26850269

  19. Mechanisms of Enhanced Hemoglobin Electroactivity on Carbon Electrodes upon Exposure to a Water-Miscible Primary Alcohol.

    PubMed

    Tom, Justin; Jakubec, Philip J; Andreas, Heather A

    2018-05-01

    Exposing a carbon electrode to hemoglobin (Hb) and alcoholic solvents, such as methanol, ethanol or 1-propanol, drastically changes Hb electroactivity, but until this work, the important underlying mechanisms were unclear. For the first time, we show that these alcohols impact Hb electroactivity via three mechanisms: modification of the carbon surface oxides on the glassy carbon (GC) electrode, Hb film formation, and structural changes to Hb. C 1s X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided evidence for significant alcohol-induced modification of the carbon surface oxides, and differential pulse voltammetry showed links between these modifications and Hb electroactivity. Spectroscopic ellipsometry showed that Hb films formed during exposure to Hb- and alcohol-containing electrolytes increased in thickness with increasing alcohol content, although film thickness played only a minor role in Hb electroactivity. Alcohol-induced structural changes in Hb are confirmed with UV-visible absorption and fluorescence data, showing that Hb denaturation also was a significant factor in increasing Hb electroactivity. Carbon-surface-oxide modification and Hb denaturation worked in tandem to maximally increase the Hb electroactivity in 60% methanol. While in ethanol and 1-propanol, the significant increases in Hb electroactivity caused by Hb denaturation were offset by an increase in Hb-inhibiting carbon surface oxides. Knowledge of these mechanisms shows the impact of alcohols on both Hb and carbon electrodes, allows for thoughtful design of the Hb-sensing system, is vital for proper analysis of Hb electroactivity in the presence of these alcohols (e.g., when used as binder solvents for immobilizing Hb into films), and provides fundamental understanding of the Hb-carbon interactions.

  20. Nuclear translocation of the cytoplasmic domain of HB-EGF induces gastric cancer invasion.

    PubMed

    Shimura, Takaya; Yoshida, Michihiro; Fukuda, Shinji; Ebi, Masahide; Hirata, Yoshikazu; Mizoshita, Tsutomu; Tanida, Satoshi; Kataoka, Hiromi; Kamiya, Takeshi; Higashiyama, Shigeki; Joh, Takashi

    2012-05-30

    Membrane-anchored heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (proHB-EGF) yields soluble HB-EGF, which is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand, and a carboxy-terminal fragment of HB-EGF (HB-EGF-CTF) after ectodomain shedding. We previously reported that HB-EGF-CTF and unshed proHB-EGF which has the cytoplasmic domain of proHB-EGF (HB-EGF-C), translocate from the plasma membrane to the nucleus and regulate cell cycle after shedding stimuli. However, the significance of nuclear exported HB-EGF-C in human gastric cancer is unclear. We investigated the relationship between intracellular localization of HB-EGF-C and clinical outcome in 96 gastric cancer patients treated with gastrectomy. Moreover, we established stable gastric cancer cell lines overexpressing wild-type HB-EGF (wt-HB-EGF) and mutated HB-EGF (HB-EGF-mC), which prevented HB-EGF-C nuclear translocation after shedding. Cell motility between these 2 gastric cancer cell lines was investigated using a transwell invasion assay and a wound healing assay. Of the 96 gastric cancer cases, HB-EGF-C immunoreactivity was detected in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in 19 cases (19.8 %) and in the cytoplasm only in 25 cases (26.0 %). The nuclear immunoreactivity of HB-EGF-C was significantly increased in stage pT3/4 tumors compared with pT1/2 tumors (T1/2 vs. T3/4: 11.1 % vs. 36.4 %, P < 0.01). The growth of wt-HB-EGF- and HB-EGF-mC-expressing cells significantly increased compared with control cells, but the growth of HB-EGF-mC-expressing cells was significantly decreased compared with wt-HB-EGF-expressing cells. Gastric cancer cell invasion obviously increased in wt-HB-EGF-expressing cells, but invasion in HB-EGF-mC-expressing cells showed a slight increase compared with control cells. Moreover, wt-HB-EGF overexpression increased the effectiveness of wound healing, but had no significant effect in HB-EGF-mC-expressing cells. Both the function of HB-EGF as an EGFR ligand and a novel signal for HB-EGF-C nuclear translocation induce gastric cancer growth, whereas HB-EGF-C nuclear translocation independently plays a critical role in gastric cancer invasion. The present study demonstrated that HB-EGF-C nuclear translocation might be crucial in gastric cancer invasion. HB-EGF-C nuclear translocation may offer a prognostic marker and a new molecular target for gastric cancer therapy.

  1. Fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia: a glass half full?

    PubMed

    Steinberg, Martin H; Chui, David H K; Dover, George J; Sebastiani, Paola; Alsultan, Abdulrahman

    2014-01-23

    Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) modulates the phenotype of sickle cell anemia by inhibiting deoxy sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization. The blood concentration of HbF, or the number of cells with detectable HbF (F-cells), does not measure the amount of HbF/F-cell. Even patients with high HbF can have severe disease because HbF is unevenly distributed among F-cells, and some cells might have insufficient concentrations to inhibit HbS polymerization. With mean HbF levels of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, the distribution of HbF/F-cell can greatly vary, even if the mean is constant. For example, with 20% HbF, as few as 1% and as many as 24% of cells can have polymer-inhibiting, or protective, levels of HbF of ∼10 pg; with lower HbF, few or no protected cells can be present. Only when the total HbF concentration is near 30% is it possible for the number of protected cells to approach 70%. Rather than the total number of F-cells or the concentration of HbF in the hemolysate, HbF/F-cell and the proportion of F-cells that have enough HbF to thwart HbS polymerization is the most critical predictor of the likelihood of severe sickle cell disease.

  2. XM587E2/XM724 Electronic Time Fuzes: Developmental Test/Operational Test (DT/OT) II Test Phase

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1979-11-01

    unit - da.- aged setbac* spring Sunit - damAged setback pia 140 .4 C) Twenty-five units were subjected to variable testing "to determine tho G level...SAXIP ACCEPT REJECT NO. Ttf7l KSCRIFTI( AG sin4 go flj-. cEI~ *S-FOOTMOP TEsT o 0 (DROPPED IN FIVE DIFFRNT csIllvrATIaNS -- 1 PER OCRIMP... ascue bya i i*ctet FAILURE AND ACTION REPORT 71134 Jj 7113 .I ,...,-... 7 wow o ft.-I I The unIt will not tht. bte the the scalet inpf t to the.uner h

  3. Relationship between Hb and HbA1c in Japanese adults: an analysis of the 2009 Japan Society of Ningen Dock database.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Eiko; Moriyama, Kengo; Yamakado, Minoru

    2014-06-01

    We investigated the effect of Hb on HbA1c levels in 265,427 Japanese individuals. The divergence between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c levels increased with lower Hb, resulting in HbA1c levels that were higher in relation to than the FPG levels. Similarly, the correlation between FPG and HbA1c levels, stratified by Hb, weakened as Hb decreased. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Cold-batter mincing of hot-boned and crust-freezing air-chilled turkey breast improved meat turnover time and product quality.

    PubMed

    Medellin-Lopez, M; Sansawat, T; Strasburg, G; Marks, B P; Kang, I

    2014-03-01

    The purpose of this research was to evaluate the combined effects of turkey hot-boning and cold-batter mincing technology on acceleration of meat turnover and meat quality improvement. For each of 3 replications, 15 turkeys were slaughtered and eviscerated. Three of the eviscerated carcasses were randomly assigned to water-immersion chilling for chill-boning (CB) and the remaining were immediately hot-boned (HB), half of which were used without chilling whereas the remaining were subjected to crust-freezing air chilling (CFAC) in an air-freezing room (1.0 m/s, -12°C) with/without 1/4; sectioning (HB-1/4;CFAC, HB-CFAC). As a result, CB and HB breasts were minced using 1 of 5 treatments: (1) CB and traditional mincing (CB-T), (2) HB and mincing with no chilling (HB-NC), (3) HB and mincing with CO2 (HB-CO2), (4) HB and mincing after CFAC (HB-CFAC), and (5) HB and mincing after quarter sectioning and CFAC (HB-1/4;CFAC). Traditional water-immersion chilling took an average of 5.5 h to reduce the breast temperature to 4°C, whereas HB-CFAC and HB-1/4;CFAC took 1.5 and 1 h, respectively. The breast of HB-CFAC and HB-1/4;CFAC showed significantly higher pH (6.0-6.1), higher fragmentation index (196-198), and lower R-value (1.0-1.1; P < 0.05) than those of the CB controls. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in sarcomere length were seen between CB-T and HB-CFAC filets regardless of quarter sectioning. When muscle was minced, the batter pH (5.9) of CB-T was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those (6.1-6.3) of HB-NC, HB-CO2, and HB-1/4;CFAC, with the intermediate pH (6.0) seen for the HB-CFAC. When meat batters were cooked, higher cooking yield (90 - 91%; P < 0.05) was found in HB-CFAC, HB-1/4;CFAC, and HB-CO2, followed by HB-NC (90%) and finally CB-T (86%). Stress values (47-51 kPa) of HB-CFAC gels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of CB-T (30 kPa) and HB-NC (36 kPa). A similar trend was found in strain values.

  5. Measurement of HbA1c and HbA2 by Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing HbA1c programme for simultaneous management of diabetes and screening for thalassemia

    PubMed Central

    Ke, Peifeng; Liu, Jiawei; Chao, Yan; Wu, Xiaobin; Xiong, Yujuan; Lin, Li; Wan, Zemin; Wu, Xinzhong; Xu, Jianhua; Zhuang, Junhua; Huang, Xianzhang

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Thalassemia could interfere with some assays for haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement, therefore, it is useful to be able to screen for thalassemia while measuring HbA1c. We used Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (Capillarys 2FP) HbA1c programme to simultaneously measure HbA1c and screen for thalassemia. Materials and methods Samples from 498 normal controls and 175 thalassemia patients were analysed by Capillarys 2FP HbA1c programme (Sebia, France). For method comparison, HbA1c was quantified by Premier Hb9210 (Trinity Biotech, Ireland) in 98 thalassaemia patients samples. For verification, HbA1c from eight thalassaemia patients was confirmed by IFCC reference method. Results Among 98 thalassaemia samples, Capillarys 2FP did not provide an HbA1c result in three samples with HbH due to the overlapping of HbBart’s with HbA1c fraction; for the remaining 95 thalassaemia samples, Bland-Altman plot showed 0.00 ± 0.35% absolute bias between two systems, and a significant positive bias above 7% was observed only in two HbH samples. The HbA1c values obtained by Capillarys 2FP were consistent with the IFCC targets (relative bias below ± 6%) in all of the eight samples tested by both methods. For screening samples with alpha (α-) thalassaemia silent/trait or beta (β-) thalassemia trait, the optimal HbA2 cut-off values were ≤ 2.2% and > 2.8%, respectively. Conclusions Our results demonstrated the Capillarys 2FP HbA1c system could report an accurate HbA1c value in thalassemia silent/trait, and HbA2 value (≤ 2.2% for α-thalassaemia silent/trait and > 2.8% for β-thalassemia trait) and abnormal bands (HbH and/or HbBart’s for HbH disease, HbF for β-thalassemia) may provide valuable information for screening. PMID:28900367

  6. Measurement of HbA1c and HbA2 by Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing HbA1c programme for simultaneous management of diabetes and screening for thalassemia.

    PubMed

    Ke, Peifeng; Liu, Jiawei; Chao, Yan; Wu, Xiaobin; Xiong, Yujuan; Lin, Li; Wan, Zemin; Wu, Xinzhong; Xu, Jianhua; Zhuang, Junhua; Huang, Xianzhang

    2017-10-01

    Thalassemia could interfere with some assays for haemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) measurement, therefore, it is useful to be able to screen for thalassemia while measuring HbA 1c . We used Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (Capillarys 2FP) HbA 1c programme to simultaneously measure HbA 1c and screen for thalassemia. Samples from 498 normal controls and 175 thalassemia patients were analysed by Capillarys 2FP HbA 1c programme (Sebia, France). For method comparison, HbA 1c was quantified by Premier Hb9210 (Trinity Biotech, Ireland) in 98 thalassaemia patients samples. For verification, HbA 1c from eight thalassaemia patients was confirmed by IFCC reference method. Among 98 thalassaemia samples, Capillarys 2FP did not provide an HbA 1c result in three samples with HbH due to the overlapping of HbBart's with HbA 1c fraction; for the remaining 95 thalassaemia samples, Bland-Altman plot showed 0.00 ± 0.35% absolute bias between two systems, and a significant positive bias above 7% was observed only in two HbH samples. The HbA 1c values obtained by Capillarys 2FP were consistent with the IFCC targets (relative bias below ± 6%) in all of the eight samples tested by both methods. For screening samples with alpha (α-) thalassaemia silent/trait or beta (β-) thalassemia trait, the optimal HbA 2 cut-off values were ≤ 2.2% and > 2.8%, respectively. Our results demonstrated the Capillarys 2FP HbA 1c system could report an accurate HbA 1c value in thalassemia silent/trait, and HbA 2 value (≤ 2.2% for α-thalassaemia silent/trait and > 2.8% for β-thalassemia trait) and abnormal bands (HbH and/or HbBart's for HbH disease, HbF for β-thalassemia) may provide valuable information for screening.

  7. Accuracy of non-invasive continuous total hemoglobin measurement by Pulse CO-Oximetry in severe traumatized and surgical bleeding patients.

    PubMed

    Baulig, Werner; Seifert, Burkhardt; Spahn, Donat R; Theusinger, Oliver M

    2017-02-01

    The Masimo Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter (Masimo Corp., USA) non-invasively computes hemoglobin concentration (SpHb). SpHb was compared to Co-Oximeter readings (CoOxHb) of arterial samples in surgery patients of the emergency department. Forty-six patients were enrolled. The Masimo R1 25L (revision F and G) adult adhesive sensor was attached to the ring finger of the arterially cannulated hand. Before start, every 30 min during surgery and in the case of severe bleeding SpHb and CoOxHb values were documented. SpHb and post hoc adjusted SpHb (AdSpHb) values were analyzed. Linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman plot for agreement were performed. The detection failure rate of SpHb was 24.5 %. CoOxHb and SpHb showed a strong correlation (r = +0.81), but agreement was moderate [bias (LOA) of -0.6 (-3.0; +1.9)] g/dl. Positive and negative predicted value was 0.49 and 0.69. Exclusion of changes of CoOxHb values ≤1 g/dl resulted in a positive and negative predictive value of 0.66 and 1.00. Post hoc adjustment of the SpHb (AdSpHb) improved linear correlation of CoOxHb and AdSpHb [r = +0.90 (p < 0.001)] but less the agreement [bias (LOA) of CoOxHb and AdSpHb = -0.1 (-2.1/+1.9) g/dl]. SpHb agreed only moderately with CoOxHb values and predicted decreases of CoOxHb only if changes of SpHb ≤ 1.0 g/dl were excluded. The detection failure rate of SpHb was high. At present, additional refinements of the current technology are necessary to further improve performance of non-invasive hemoglobin measurement in the clinical setting.

  8. The Prevalence and Role of Hemoglobin Variants in Biometric Screening of a Multiethnic Population: One Large Health System's Experience.

    PubMed

    Wilburn, Clayton R; Bernard, David W; Zieske, Arthur W; Andrieni, Julia; Miller, Tara; Wang, Ping

    2017-06-01

    To characterize and quantitate hemoglobin (Hb) variants discovered during biometric hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) analyses in a large multiethnic population with a focus on the effect of variants on testing method and results. In total, 13,913 individuals had their HbA1c measured via ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography. Samples that had a variant Hb detected or HbF fraction more than 25% underwent variant Hb characterization and confirmation by gel electrophoresis. RBC indices were also evaluated for possible concomitant thalassemia. Of the 13,913 individuals evaluated, 524 (3.77%) had an Hb variant. The prevalence of each variant was as follows: HbS trait (n = 396, 2.85%), HbSS disease (n = 4, 0.03%), HbC trait (n = 85, 0.61%), HbCC disease (n = 2, 0.01%), HbSC disease (n = 5, 0.04%), HbE trait (n = 18, 0.13%), HbD or G trait (n = 9, 0.06%), HbS β-thalassemia + disease (n = 1, 0.01%), hereditary persistence of HbF (n = 2, 0.01%), and HbMontgomery trait (n = 1, 0.01%). Concomitant α-thalassemia was detected in 20 (3.82%) of the 524 individuals with an Hb variant. This study represents one of the largest epidemiologic investigations into the prevalence of Hb variants in a North American metropolitan, multiethnic workforce and their dependents and reinforces the importance of method selection in populations with Hb variants. © American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

  9. Structure of Greyhound hemoglobin: origin of high oxygen affinity.

    PubMed

    Bhatt, Veer S; Zaldívar-López, Sara; Harris, David R; Couto, C Guillermo; Wang, Peng G; Palmer, Andre F

    2011-05-01

    This study presents the crystal structure of Greyhound hemoglobin (GrHb) determined to 1.9 Å resolution. GrHb was found to crystallize with an α₁β₁ dimer in the asymmetric unit and belongs to the R2 state. Oxygen-affinity measurements combined with the fact that GrHb crystallizes in the R2 state despite the high-salt conditions used for crystallization strongly indicate that GrHb can serve as a model high-oxygen-affinity hemoglobin (Hb) for higher mammals, especially humans. Structural analysis of GrHb and its comparison with the R2-state of human Hb revealed several regions that can potentially contribute to the high oxygen affinity of GrHb and serve to rationalize the additional stability of the R2-state of GrHb. A previously well studied hydrophobic cluster of bar-headed goose Hb near α119 was also incorporated in the comparison between GrHb and human Hb. Finally, a structural comparison with generic dog Hb and maned wolf Hb was conducted, revealing that in contrast to GrHb these structures belong to the R state of Hb and raising the intriguing possibility of an additional allosteric factor co-purifying with GrHb that can modulate its quaternary structure.

  10. Interaction of Hb Grey Lynn (Vientiane) [α91(FG3)Leu>Phe (α1)] with Hb E [β26(B8) Glu>Lys] and α(+)-thalassemia: Molecular and Hematological Analysis.

    PubMed

    Singha, Kritsada; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Fucharoen, Supan

    2015-01-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) Grey Lynn is a Hb variant caused by a mutation at codon 91 of α1-globin gene whereas Hb E is a common β-globin chain variant among Southeast Asian population. We report two hitherto undescribed conditions of Hb Grey Lynn found in Thai individuals. The study was done on two unrelated Thai subjects. Hematological parameters were recorded and Hb analysis was carried out using automated Hb analyzers. Mutations were identified by DNA analysis. Hematological features of the patients were compared with those of various forms of Hb Grey Lynn documented previously. Hb and DNA analyses identified a heterozygous Hb Grey Lynn in one patient and a double heterozygous Hb Grey Lynn and Hb E with α(+)-thalassemia in another. Interaction of α(Grey Lynn) with β(E) chains leads to the formation of a new Hb variant, namely the Hb Grey Lynn E (α(GL)2β(E)2), detectable by liquid chromatography (10.3%) but masked by Hb E on capillary electrophoresis. Interaction of these multiple globin gene defects could lead to complex hemoglobinopathies requiring combined analysis with multiple Hb analyzers followed by DNA testing to provide accurate diagnosis of the cases.

  11. Haemoglobin J-Baltimore can be detected by HbA1c electropherogram but with underestimated HbA1c value.

    PubMed

    Brunel, Valéry; Lahary, Agnčs; Chagraoui, Abdeslam; Thuillez, Christian

    2016-01-01

    Glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) is considered the gold standard for assessing diabetes compensation and treatment. In addition, fortuitous detection of haemoglobin variants during HbA1c measurement is not rare. Recently, two publications reported different conclusions on accuracy of HbA(1c) value using capillary electrophoresis method in presence of haemoglobin J-Baltimore (HbJ).
Here we describe the fortuitous detection of unknown HbJ using capillary electrophoresis for measurement of HbA(1c). A patient followed for gestational diabetes in our laboratory presented unknown haemoglobin on Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing analyser which was identified as HbJ. HbJ is not associated with haematological abnormalities. High Performance Liquid Chromatography methods are known to possibly underestimate HbA(1c) value in the presence of this variant. This variant and its glycated form are clearly distinguished on electropherogram but HbJ was responsible for underestimating the true area of HbA(1c).
 Capillary electrophoresis is a good method for detecting HbJ but does not seem suitable for evaluation of HbA(1C) value in patients in presence of HbJ variant.

  12. Red blood cells donate electrons to methylene blue mediated chemical reduction of methemoglobin compartmentalized in liposomes in blood.

    PubMed

    Sakai, Hiromi; Li, Bing; Lim, Wei Lee; Iga, Yumika

    2014-07-16

    Electron-energy-rich coenzymes in cells, NADH and NADPH, are re-energized repeatedly through the Embden-Meyerhof and pentose-phosphate glycolytic pathways, respectively. This study demonstrates extraction of their electron energies in red blood cells (RBCs) for in vivo extracellular chemical reactions using an electron mediator shuttling across the biomembrane. Hemoglobin-vesicles (HbVs) are an artificial oxygen carrier encapsulating purified and concentrated Hb solution in liposomes. Because of the absence of a metHb-reducing enzymatic system in HbV, HbO2 gradually autoxidizes to form metHb. Wistar rats received HbV suspension (10 mL/kg body weight) intravenously. At the metHb level of around 50%, methylene blue [MB(+); 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazinium chloride] was injected. The level of metHb quickly decreased to around 16% in 40 min, remaining for more than 5 h. In vitro mixing of HbV/MB(+) with RBCs recreated the in vivo metHb reduction, but not with plasma. NAD(P)H levels in RBCs decreased after metHb reduction. The addition of glucose facilitated metHb reduction. Liposome-encapsulated NAD(P)H, a model of RBC, reduced metHb in HbV in the presence of MB(+). These results indicate that (i) NAD(P)H in RBCs reacts with MB(+) to convert it to leukomethylene blue (MBH); (ii) MB(+) and MBH shuttle freely between RBC and HbV across the hydrophobic lipid membranes; and (iii) MBH is transferred into HbV and reduces metHb in HbV. Four other electron mediators with appropriate redox potentials appeared to be as effective as MB(+) was, indicating the possibility for further optimization of electron mediators. We established an indirect enzymatic metHb reducing system for HbV using unlimited endogenous electrons created in RBCs in combination with an effective electron mediator that prolongs the functional lifespan of HbV in blood circulation.

  13. The Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A), Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Cutoff Points in Double Heterozygous Hb E/- -SEA α-Thalassemia-1 Carriers are Dependent on Hemoglobin Levels.

    PubMed

    Leckngam, Prapapun; Limweeraprajak, Ektong; Kiewkarnkha, Tiemjan; Tatu, Thanusak

    2017-01-01

    Identifying double heterozygosities in Hb E (HBB: c.79 G>A)/- - SEA (Southeast Asian) (α-thalassemia-1) (α-thal-1) in patients first diagnosed as carrying Hb E is important in thalassemia control. Low Hb E, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Hb) (MCH) levels have been observed in this double heterozygosity. However, the cutoff points of these parameters have never been systematically established. Here, we analyzed Hb E and red blood cell (RBC) parameters in 372 Hb E patients grouped by Hb levels, by the status of - - SEA and -α 3.7 (α-thal-2; rightward) deletions, to establish the cutoff points. Then, the established cutoff points were evaluated in 184 Hb E patients. It was found that the cutoff points of Hb E, MCV, MCH were significantly dependent on the Hb levels. In the group having Hb levels <10.0 g/dL, the cutoff points of Hb E, MCV and MCH were 21.2%, 64.9 fL and 21.0 pg, respectively, and were 25.6%, 72.8 fL and 23.9 pg, respectively, in the group having Hb levels 10.0-11.9 g/dL. Finally, in the group having Hb levels ≥12.0 g/dL, the cutoff points of Hb E, MCV and MCH were 27.1%, 76.7 fL and 25.3 pg, respectively. Thus, to screen for the double heterozygous Hb E/- - SEA anomaly in patients initially diagnosed as carrying Hb E, the Hb levels must be taken into account in choosing the suitable cutoff points of these three parameters.

  14. A review of variant hemoglobins interfering with hemoglobin A1c measurement.

    PubMed

    Little, Randie R; Roberts, William L

    2009-05-01

    Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is used routinely to monitor long-term glycemic control in people with diabetes mellitus, as HbA1c is related directly to risks for diabetic complications. The accuracy of HbA1c methods can be affected adversely by the presence of hemoglobin (Hb) variants or elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). The effect of each variant or elevated HbF must be examined with each specific method. The most common Hb variants worldwide are HbS, HbE, HbC, and HbD. All of these Hb variants have single amino acid substitutions in the Hb beta chain. HbF is the major hemoglobin during intrauterine life; by the end of the first year, HbF falls to values close to adult levels of approximately 1%. However, elevated HbF levels can occur in certain pathologic conditions or with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin. In a series of publications over the past several years, the effects of these four most common Hb variants and elevated HbF have been described. There are clinically significant interferences with some methods for each of these variants. A summary is given showing which methods are affected by the presence of the heterozygous variants S, E, C, and D and elevated HbF. Methods are divided by type (immunoassay, ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography, boronate affinity, other) with an indication of whether the result is artificially increased or decreased by the presence of a Hb variant. Laboratorians should be aware of the limitations of their method with respect to these interferences. 2009 Diabetes Technology Society.

  15. Zein/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) electrospun blend fiber scaffolds: Preparation, characterization and cytocompatibility.

    PubMed

    Zhijiang, Cai; Qin, Zhang; Xianyou, Song; Yuanpei, Liu

    2017-02-01

    In the present work, a series of Zein/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) blend fiber scaffolds have been prepared by electrospinning method. The electrospun fibers showed a circular and uniform morphology with random distribution. The blend fiber scaffolds possessed well interconnected porous fibrous network structure with high porosity and large aspect surface areas. The FTIR and XPS spectra of Zein/P(3HB-co-4HB) blend fibers demonstrated the same characteristics to that of pure Zein and P(3HB-co-4HB) electrospun fibers. However, Zein might hinder the crystallization of P(3HB-co-4HB) owing to the formation of weak intermolecular interactions, which can affect the preferential orientation of P(3HB-co-4HB) molecules. Only one glass transition temperature (Tg) can be detected for electrospun Zein/P(3HB-co-4HB) blend fiber scaffolds implying the miscibility of Zein and P(3HB-co-4HB) in the blend fibers. The Zein/P(3HB-co-4HB) blend fiber scaffolds showed about 50% of improvement in tensile strength and 400% of increase in elongation at break by increasing P(3HB-co-4HB) content from 20% to 80%. The cytocompatibility of the Zein/P(3HB-co-4HB) blend fiber scaffolds was preliminarily evaluated by cell culture in vitro. The as-prepared electrospun Zein/P(3HB-co-4HB) blend fiber scaffolds with the characteristics of good biocompatibility, excellent pore characteristic as well as sufficient mechanical properties should be more promising for applications as tissue engineering scaffold. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. An evaluation of the Diamat HPLC analyser for simultaneous determination of haemoglobins A2 and F

    PubMed Central

    Carpinelli, Assunta; Majavacca, Rita; Cantu'-Rajnoldi, Angelo; Garatti, Massimo; Paleari, Renata; Ferrari, Maurizio; Agape, Vittorio; Maccioni, Liliana; Pisano, Sandra; Galanello, Renzo

    1989-01-01

    The authors describe a modification of the instrumental parameters of the Diamat fully automated HPLC system for Hb A2 assay (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Milan, Italy) in order to obtain simultaneous determination of Hb A2 and Hb F. Hb A2 and Hb F measurements are reproducible (within-run CV 2.6%, with Hb A22.7%; 5.1%, with Hb F 1.3%) and accurate (from a comparison with two microchromatographic techniques for Hb A2: r = 0.9639 and 0.9755; with two alkali denaturation procedures for Hb F: r = 0.9990 and 0.9952; with radial immunodiffusion, r = 0.9877). Assay linearity has been confirmed for Hb A2 concentrations between 0 and 6.0%, and for Hb F between 0 and 60%. The data obtained from the analysis of some pathological samples for Hb Bart's, Hb H, Hb J Sardegna, Hb Lepore and Hb S are in agreement with cellulose acetate electrophoresis analysis. The Hb A2 reference intervals for normals (N = 597) and Beta-thalassemia carriers (N = 200) are respectively (95% limits) 2.02-3.27 and 3.92-5.90 in % units. Hb F values measured in normals (N = 968), in β-thal carriers (N = 302) and in δβ-thal carriers (N =3) have been found to be consistent with the usual diagnostic parameters. Some minor limitations emerged: the most relevant concerns Hb A1c, which is overestimated with respect to a reference method (y = 1.217x + 0.16; N = 79; r = 0.9235). A probable interference from labile fractions is responsible for this Hb A1c inaccuracy. PMID:18925255

  17. Complex polar lipids of a hot spring cyanobacterial mat and its cultivated inhabitants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ward, D. M.; Panke, S.; Kloppel, K. D.; Christ, R.; Fredrickson, H.

    1994-01-01

    The complex polar lipids of the hot spring cyanobacterial mat in the 50 to 55 degrees C region of Octopus Spring, Yellowstone National Park, and of thermophilic bacteria cultivated from this or similar habitats, were compared in an attempt to understand the microbial sources of the major lipid biomarkers in this community. Intact complex lipids were analyzed directly by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS), two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and combined TLC-FAB-MS. FAB-MS and TLC gave qualitatively similar results, suggesting that the mat contains major lipids most like those of the cyanobacterial isolate we studied, Synechococcus sp. strain Y-7c-s. These include monoglycosyl, diglycosyl, and sulfoquinosovyl diglycerides (MG, DG, and SQ, respectively) and phosphatidyl glycerol (PG). Though Chloroflexus aurantiacus also contains MG, DG, and PG, the fatty acid chain lengths of mat MGs, DGs, and PGs resemble more those of cyanobacterial than green nonsulfur bacterial lipids. FAB-MS spectra of the lipids of nonphototrophic bacterial isolates were distinctively different from those of the mat and phototrophic isolates. The lipids of these nonphototrophic isolates were not detected in the mat, but most could be detected when added to mat samples. The mat also contains major glycolipids and aminophospholipids of unknown structure and origin. FAB-MS and TLC did not always give quantitatively similar results. In particular, PG and SQ may give disproportionately high FAB-MS responses.

  18. Rice (Oryza) hemoglobins

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hemoglobins (Hbs) corresponding to non-symbiotic (nsHb) and truncated (tHb) Hbs have been identified in rice (Oryza). This review discusses the major findings from the current studies on rice Hbs. At the molecular level, a family of the nshb genes, consisting of hb1, hb2, hb3, hb4 and hb5, and a sin...

  19. HB-EGF function in cardiac valve development requires interaction with heparan sulfate proteoglycans.

    PubMed

    Iwamoto, Ryo; Mine, Naoki; Kawaguchi, Taichiro; Minami, Seigo; Saeki, Kazuko; Mekada, Eisuke

    2010-07-01

    HB-EGF, a member of the EGF family of growth factors, plays an important role in cardiac valve development by suppressing mesenchymal cell proliferation. Here, we show that HB-EGF must interact with heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) to properly function in this process. In developing valves, HB-EGF is synthesized in endocardial cells but accumulates in the mesenchyme by interacting with HSPGs. Disrupting the interaction between HB-EGF and HSPGs in an ex vivo model of endocardial cushion explants resulted in increased mesenchymal cell proliferation. Moreover, homozygous knock-in mice (HB(Delta)(hb/)(Delta)(hb)) expressing a mutant HB-EGF that cannot bind to HSPGs developed enlarged cardiac valves with hyperproliferation of mesenchymal cells; this resulted in a phenotype that resembled that of Hbegf-null mice. Interestingly, although Hbegf-null mice had abnormal heart chambers and lung alveoli, HB(Delta)(hb/)(Delta)(hb) mice did not exhibit these defects. These results indicate that interactions with HSPGs are essential for the function of HB-EGF, especially in cardiac valve development, in which HB-EGF suppresses mesenchymal cell proliferation.

  20. Traditional and Model Based Assay of Irregular Geometry Items

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    MOORE, FRANK S.; SALAYMEH, SALEEM

    The Analytical Development Section (ADS) of SRNL was requested to perform a waste disposal assay of two heater boxes which had been used in the HB Line dissolvers. They had been sent to SRNL for study to make recommendations on how to prevent future failure of the units when they were replaced. The study having been completed, the units needed to be characterized prior to sending to Solid Waste for disposal. An assay station consisting of a turntable, HPGe detector, CANBERRA Inspector, transmission source and a portable computer was set up to do the required assays. The assays indicate themore » presence of U-235, Pu-239 and Cs-137. No measurable amounts of U-235 or Pu-239 were found. Therefore the Minimum Detectable Activities for U-235 and Pu-239 were calculated. For Heater Box 1, 0.23 grams of U-235 and 0.24 grams of Pu-239. For Heater Box 2, the results were 0.21 grams of U-235 and 0.21 grams of Pu-239. This paper describes and documents the assays employed to determine the amount of U, Pu and Cs contents of the heater boxes. The paper provides results of SNM assays using traditional calibration of the system and on one based on modeling. It also provides the scientific community with data that will assist the user in determining the method of choice for assaying items with irregular geometries.« less

  1. Nitrosylation Mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Campylobacter jejuni Truncated Hemoglobins N, O, and P

    PubMed Central

    Ascenzi, Paolo; di Masi, Alessandra; Tundo, Grazia R.; Pesce, Alessandra; Visca, Paolo; Coletta, Massimo

    2014-01-01

    Truncated hemoglobins (trHbs) are widely distributed in bacteria and plants and have been found in some unicellular eukaryotes. Phylogenetic analysis based on protein sequences shows that trHbs branch into three groups, designated N (or I), O (or II), and P (or III). Most trHbs are involved in the O2/NO chemistry and/or oxidation/reduction function, permitting the survival of the microorganism in the host. Here, a detailed comparative analysis of kinetics and/or thermodynamics of (i) ferrous Mycobacterium tubertulosis trHbs N and O (Mt-trHbN and Mt-trHbO, respectively), and Campylobacter jejuni trHb (Cj-trHbP) nitrosylation, (ii) nitrite-mediated nitrosylation of ferrous Mt-trHbN, Mt-trHbO, and Cj-trHbP, and (iii) NO-based reductive nitrosylation of ferric Mt-trHbN, Mt-trHbO, and Cj-trHbP is reported. Ferrous and ferric Mt-trHbN and Cj-trHbP display a very high reactivity towards NO; however, the conversion of nitrite to NO is facilitated primarily by ferrous Mt-trHbN. Values of kinetic and/or thermodynamic parameters reflect specific trHb structural features, such as the ligand diffusion pathways to/from the heme, the heme distal pocket structure and polarity, and the ligand stabilization mechanisms. In particular, the high reactivity of Mt-trHbN and Cj-trHbP reflects the great ligand accessibility to the heme center by two protein matrix tunnels and the E7-path, respectively, and the penta-coordination of the heme-Fe atom. In contrast, the heme-Fe atom of Mt-trHbO the ligand accessibility to the heme center of Mt-trHbO needs large conformational readjustments, thus limiting the heme-based reactivity. These results agree with different roles of Mt-trHbN, Mt-trHbO, and Cj-trHbP in vivo. PMID:25051055

  2. Dynamics of planktonic prokaryotes and dissolved carbon in a subtropical coastal lake.

    PubMed

    Fontes, Maria Luiza S; Tonetta, Denise; Dalpaz, Larissa; Antônio, Regina V; Petrucio, Maurício M

    2013-01-01

    To understand the dynamics of planktonic prokaryotes in a subtropical lake and its relationship with carbon, we conducted water sampling through four 48-h periods in Peri Lake for 1 year. Planktonic prokaryotes were characterized by the abundance and biomass of heterotrophic bacteria (HB) and of cyanobacteria (coccoid and filamentous cells). During all samplings, we measured wind speed, water temperature (WT), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), precipitation, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and carbon dioxide (CO2). DOC was higher in the summer (average = 465 μM - WT = 27°C) and lower in the winter (average = 235 μM - WT = 17°C), with no significant variability throughout the daily cycles. CO2 concentrations presented a different pattern, with a minimum in the warm waters of the summer period (8.31 μM) and a maximum in the spring (37.13 μM). Daily trends were observed for pH, DO, WT, and CO2. At an annual scale, both biological and physical-chemical controls were important regulators of CO2. HB abundance and biomass were higher in the winter sampling (5.60 × 10(9) cells L(-1) and 20.83 μmol C L(-1)) and lower in the summer (1.87 × 10(9) cells L(-1) and 3.95 μmol C L(-1)). Filamentous cyanobacteria (0.23 × 10(8)-0.68 × 10(8) filaments L(-1)) produced up to 167.16 μmol C L(-1) as biomass (during the warmer period), whereas coccoid cyanobacteria contributed only 0.38 μmol C L(-1). Precipitation, temperature, and the biomass of HB were the main regulators of CO2 concentrations. Temperature had a negative effect on the concentration of CO2, which may be indirectly attributed to high heterotroph activity in the autumn and winter periods. DOC was positively correlated with the abundance of total cyanobacteria and negatively with HB. Thus, planktonic prokaryotes have played an important role in the dynamics of both dissolved inorganic and organic carbon in the lake.

  3. Dynamics of Planktonic Prokaryotes and Dissolved Carbon in a Subtropical Coastal Lake

    PubMed Central

    Fontes, Maria Luiza S.; Tonetta, Denise; Dalpaz, Larissa; Antônio, Regina V.; Petrucio, Maurício M.

    2013-01-01

    To understand the dynamics of planktonic prokaryotes in a subtropical lake and its relationship with carbon, we conducted water sampling through four 48-h periods in Peri Lake for 1 year. Planktonic prokaryotes were characterized by the abundance and biomass of heterotrophic bacteria (HB) and of cyanobacteria (coccoid and filamentous cells). During all samplings, we measured wind speed, water temperature (WT), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), precipitation, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and carbon dioxide (CO2). DOC was higher in the summer (average = 465 μM – WT = 27°C) and lower in the winter (average = 235 μM – WT = 17°C), with no significant variability throughout the daily cycles. CO2 concentrations presented a different pattern, with a minimum in the warm waters of the summer period (8.31 μM) and a maximum in the spring (37.13 μM). Daily trends were observed for pH, DO, WT, and CO2. At an annual scale, both biological and physical-chemical controls were important regulators of CO2. HB abundance and biomass were higher in the winter sampling (5.60 × 109 cells L−1 and 20.83 μmol C L−1) and lower in the summer (1.87 × 109 cells L−1 and 3.95 μmol C L−1). Filamentous cyanobacteria (0.23 × 108–0.68 × 108 filaments L−1) produced up to 167.16 μmol C L−1 as biomass (during the warmer period), whereas coccoid cyanobacteria contributed only 0.38 μmol C L−1. Precipitation, temperature, and the biomass of HB were the main regulators of CO2 concentrations. Temperature had a negative effect on the concentration of CO2, which may be indirectly attributed to high heterotroph activity in the autumn and winter periods. DOC was positively correlated with the abundance of total cyanobacteria and negatively with HB. Thus, planktonic prokaryotes have played an important role in the dynamics of both dissolved inorganic and organic carbon in the lake. PMID:23579926

  4. Chromatographic measurements of hemoglobin A2 in blood samples that contain sickle hemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Shokrani, M; Terrell, F; Turner, E A; Aguinaga, M D

    2000-04-01

    In the sickle cell syndromes, Hb A2 measurements aid in the differential diagnosis of sickle cell anemia from sickle-beta-thalassemia. The purpose of this study is to assess the Hb A2 levels in samples containing sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) by the use of an automated high performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC-Variant beta-thalassemia Short Program). The blood samples analyzed were from individuals of African descent living in the state of Tennessee who had either sickle cell trait (Hb AS), sickle cell disease (Hb SS), or sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease (Hb SC). Interestingly, the Hb A2 levels determined by HPLC were found elevated in samples containing Hb S. The Hb A2 mean in Hb AS samples (n=146) is 4.09% (SD +/- 0.42, range 2.20 to 5.20%); in Hb SS samples (n=33) it is 3.90% (SD +/- 1.08, range 0.60 to 5.90%); and in Hb SC samples (n=27) it is 4.46% (SD +/- 0.70, range 2.30 to 5.91%). The Hb A2 mean by HPLC in normal individuals (Hb AA, n=70) is 2.57% (SD +/- 0.25, range 2.1 to 3.0%), and the Hb A2 range in beta-thalassemia carriers is 4 to 9%. Our results show that the Hb A2 levels in Hb S-containing samples partially overlap with those expected from beta-thalassemia carriers. The hemoglobinopathy laboratory should be aware of this apparent elevation in Hb A2 levels determined by HPLC in individuals carrying Hb S. Other factors, such as family history and clinical symptoms, should be taken into account before a diagnosis of sickle cell trait, sickle-beta-thalassemia, or sickle cell anemia is made.

  5. Mechanisms involved in hemoglobin-mediated oxidation of lipids in washed fish muscle and inhibitory effects of phospholipase A2.

    PubMed

    Tatiyaborworntham, Nantawat; Richards, Mark P

    2018-05-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) is a lipid oxidation promoter in fish muscle. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2; EC 3.1.1.4) is linked to an increased resistance to lipid oxidation of frozen-thawed cod fillets via an unknown mechanism. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of Hb-mediated lipid oxidation with a focus on ferryl Hb and methemoglobin (metHb), the pro-oxidative Hb species, and to examine how porcine pancreatic PLA2 inhibits Hb-mediated lipid oxidation in washed cod muscle (WCM). Lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured as primary and secondary lipid oxidation products, respectively. The formation of metHb and ferryl Hb was also monitored. Ferryl Hb and metHb formed during the Hb-mediated lipid oxidation. PLA2 inhibited the formation of LOOHs and TBARS and suppressed the formation of metHb and ferryl Hb. WCM was pre-oxidized by hemin to increase the amount of LOOHs. PLA2 promoted the depletion of LOOHs in the pre-oxidized WCM with limited TBARS formation at the expense of the heme moiety of Hb. The results of the present study suggest that ferryl Hb may play a role in Hb-mediated lipid oxidation and that PLA2 from pig pancreas may work together with Hb as a novel antioxidant with an ability to remove pre-formed LOOHs from a lipid substrate. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

  6. Investigation of vitamin D status and its correlation with insulin resistance in a Chinese population.

    PubMed

    Han, Bing; Wang, Xiaojin; Wang, Ningjian; Li, Qin; Chen, Yi; Zhu, Chunfang; Chen, Yingchao; Xia, Fangzhen; Pu, Xiaoqi; Cang, Zhen; Zhu, Chaoxia; Lu, Meng; Meng, Ying; Guo, Hui; Chen, Chi; Tu, Weiping; Li, Bin; Hu, Ling; Wang, Bingshun; Lu, Yingli

    2017-06-01

    Although many studies worldwide have focused on the relationship between vitamin D and insulin resistance, results remain controversial. Furthermore, concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in the Chinese population are unclear. We aimed to investigate vitamin D status and its correlation with insulin resistance among a Chinese adult population. Serum 25(OH)D, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, glycated Hb (HbA1c) and other metabolic parameters were assessed. Neck circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, weight and height were also measured. Lifestyle factors including smoking and drinking status were obtained. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed by HbA1c according to the 2010 American Diabetes Association criteria. Eastern China. Of 7200 residents included, 6597 individuals were ultimately analysed. We enrolled 2813 males (mean age 52·7 (sd 13·5) years) and 3784 females (52·3 (sd 13·5) years); mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 43·1 (sd 11·6) and 39·6 (sd 9·8) nmol/l, respectively. Additionally, 83·3 % of participants were 25(OH)D deficient. A significant difference in 25(OH)D was observed between males and females in winter and spring (P<0·001). Furthermore, 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the overweight and pre-diabetic populations. After adjusting for several variables, 25(OH)D was significantly associated with HOMA-IR in winter. When 25(OH)D values were categorized into quartiles, HOMA-IR was significantly associated with decreasing 25(OH)D. The majority of the Chinese population was vitamin D deficient and this deficiency was negatively associated with insulin resistance, particularly in the overweight and pre-diabetic populations. Moreover, these associations might be more evident in the winter.

  7. CO binding improves the structural, functional, physical and anti-oxidation properties of the PEGylated hemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Wang, Qingqing; Hu, Tao; Sun, Lijing; Ji, Shaoyang; Zhao, Dawei; Liu, Jiaxin; Ma, Guanghui; Su, Zhiguo

    2015-02-01

    PEGylated hemoglobin (Hb) is a promising oxygen therapeutic agent for clinical application. However, it suffered from structural perturbation, functional instability and methemoglobin (metHb) formation. To improve the structural, functional, physical and anti-oxidation properties of the PEGylated Hb. PEGylation of Hb with CO binding (HbCO) was conducted using maleimide and acylation chemistry, respectively. Physical and chemical parameters were measured for Hb samples. The circular dichroism spectra, dynamic light scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation were used to investigate the structure and conformation of PEGylated HbCO. CO binding can inhibit the autoxidation of the PEGylated Hb, structurally stabilize its tetramer and improve its thermal and pH stability. Importantly, the circular dichroism spectra showed that CO binding can decrease the structural perturbation of Hb induced by PEGylation. The PEGylated HbCO with CO release showed slightly higher oxygen-delivery capacity than the PEGylated Hb. The PEGylated HbCO did not show metHb formation after 30-day storage at 4°C. CO binding structurally stabilized the PEGylated Hb, abolished its metHb formation, and significantly increased its physical stability. In particular, it also avoided the perturbation of PEG chains on the heme microenvironment. The functional property of the PEGylated HbCO can be maintained during its long-term storage, which is of great significance for field transfusion.

  8. Characterization of HbWRKY1, a WRKY transcription factor from Hevea brasiliensis that negatively regulates HbSRPP.

    PubMed

    Wang, Ying; Guo, Dong; Li, Hui-Liang; Peng, Shi-Qing

    2013-10-01

    Small rubber particle protein (SRPP) is a major component of Hevea brasiliensis (H. brasiliensis) latex, which is involved in natural rubber (NR) biosynthesis. However, little information is available on the regulation of SRPP gene (HbSRPP) expression. To study the transcriptional regulation of HbSRPP, the yeast one-hybrid experiment was performed to screen the latex cDNA library using the HbSRPP promoter as bait. One cDNA that encodes the WRKY transcription factor, designated as HbWRKY1, was isolated from H. brasiliensis. HbWRKY1 contains a 1437 bp open reading frame that encodes 478 amino acids. The deduced HbWRKY1 protein was predicted to possess two conserved WRKY domains and a C2H2 zinc-finger motif. HbWRKY1 was expressed at different levels, with the highest transcription in the flower, followed by the bark, latex, and leaf. Furthermore, the co-expression of pHbSRP::GUS with CaMV35S::HbWRKY1 significantly decreased the GUS activity in transgenic tobacco, indicating that HbWRKY1 significantly suppressed the HbSRPP promoter. These results suggested that HbWRKY1 maybe a negative transcription regulator of HbSRPP involved in NR biosynthesis in H. brasiliensis. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  9. Hb variants in Korea: effect on HbA1c using five routine methods.

    PubMed

    Yun, Yeo-Min; Ji, Misuk; Ko, Dae-Hyun; Chun, Sail; Kwon, Gye Cheol; Lee, Kyunghoon; Song, Sang Hoon; Seong, Moon Woo; Park, Sung Sup; Song, Junghan

    2017-07-26

    Quantification of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a challenge in patients with hemoglobin (Hb) variants. We evaluated the impact of various Hb variants on five routine HbA1c assays by comparing with the IFCC reference measurement procedure (RMP). Whole blood samples showing warning flags or no results on routine HPLC HbA1c assays were confirmed for Hb variants and were submitted to HbA1c quantification using Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing, Roche Tina-quant HbA1c Gen. 2, Bio-Rad Variant II Turbo 2.0, ADAMS HA-8180, Tosoh G8 standard mode, and IFCC RMP using LC-MS. Among 114 samples, the most common variants were Hb G-Coushatta (n=47), Queens (n=41), Ube-4 (n=11), Chad (n=4), Yamagata (n=4), G-His-Tsou (n=2), G-Taipei (n=1), Fort de France (n=1), Hoshida (n=1), and two novel variants (Hb α-globin, HBA 52 Gly>Cys and Hb β-globin, HBB 146 His>Asn). In terms of control samples, all the result of HbA1c were "acceptable", within the criteria of ±7% compared to IFCC RMP target values. However, percentage of "unacceptable" results of samples with Hb variants were 16% for Capillarys 2, 7% for Tina-quant, 51% for Variant II Turbo 2.0, 95% for G8 standard mode, and 89% for HA-8180. The Capillarys 2 and HA-8180 assay did not provide the results in 5 and 40 samples with Hb variants, respectively. HbA1c results from five routine assays in patients with relatively common Hb variants in Korea showed various degrees of bias compared to those of IFCC RMP. Therefore, laboratories should be aware of the limitation of their methods with respect to interference from Hb variants found commonly in their local population and suggest an alternative HbA1c quantification method.

  10. Circulatory oxygen transport in the water flea Daphnia magna.

    PubMed

    Bäumer, C; Pirow, R; Paul, R J

    2002-05-01

    To determine the contribution of circulatory convection to tissue oxygen supply in animals of Daphnia magna, heart rate ( f(H)), in-vivo Hb oxygen-saturation ( S(Hb)) and NADH fluorescence intensity ( I(NADH)) as a measure of the tissue oxygenation state were simultaneously measured using digital motion analysis, microabsorption spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. In addition, the relationship between stroke volume and body size was established. Groups of differently sized animals (small: 1.4-1.6 mm, medium: 2.7-2.9 mm, large: 3.3 mm) with either low (Hb-poor) or high Hb concentration (Hb-rich) in the hemolymph were exposed to a gradual decrease in ambient oxygen partial pressure ( P(O2amb)) between normoxia and anoxia. In all groups, f(H) increased in response to progressive hypoxia. The hypoxic maximum in f(H) was highest in medium-sized Hb-poor animals, whereas perfusion rate increased continuously with increasing body size in Hb-poor and Hb-rich animals. The P(O2amb) at which Hb in the heart region was half-saturated (in-vivo P(50)) was higher in medium-sized (Hb-poor: 3.2 kPa, Hb-rich: 2.0 kPa) than in small (Hb-poor: 2.1 kPa, Hb-rich: 1.5 kPa) and large animals (Hb-poor: 1.9 kPa). The in-vivo P(50) was always lower in Hb-rich than in Hb-poor animals. The I(NADH) indicated an impairment of tissue oxygenation starting at higher critical P(O2amb) with increasing body size and with lower Hb concentration. Model calculations suggest that at the respective critical P(O2amb), circulatory convection delivers less than half of the oxygen demand in Hb-poor animals. In contrast, in Hb-rich animals, the contribution of circulatory convection to tissue oxygen supply at respective critical P(O2amb) was much greater due to the higher concentration of Hb.

  11. Minearl associated microbial communities from The Cedars, associate with specific geological features

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rowe, A. R.; Wanger, G. P.; Bhartia, R.

    2017-12-01

    The Cedars, an area of active serpentinization located in the Russian River area of Northern California, represents one of the few terrestrial areas on Earth undergoing active serpentinization. One of the products of the serpentinization reaction is the formation of hydroxyl radicals making the springs of the Cedars some of the most alkaline natural waters on Earth. These waters, with very high pH (pH>11), low EH and, low concentrations of electron acceptors are extremely inhospitible; however microbial life has found a way to thrive and a distinct microbial community is observed in the spring waters. Previous work with environmental samples and pure culture isolates [3] derived from The Cedars has suggested the importance of minearal association to these characteristic microbes. Here we show the results combined spectroscopic and molecular studies on aseries of mineral colonization experiemnts performed with a pure culture Cedar's isolate (Serpentenamonas str. A1) and in situ at CS spring. Centimeter scale, polished coupons of a variety of mminerals were prepared in the lab, spectroscopically characterized (Green Raman, DUV Raman, and DUV Fluorescence maps) and deployed into the springs for three months. The coupons were recovered and the distribution of the microbes on the minerals was mapped using a deep-UV native fluorescent mapping sustem that allows for non-destructive mapping of organics and microbes on surfaces. Subsequently the DNA from the minerals was extracted for community structure analysis. The MOSAIC (i.e. deep UV Fluorescence) showed extensicve colonization of the minerals and in some cases we were able to correlate microbial assemblages with specific geological features. In one example, organisms tended to associate strongly with carbonate features on Chromite mineral surfaces (Figure 1). The 16s rDNA revealed the microbial assemblages from each slide was dominated by active Cedars community memebers (i.e., Serpentinamonas and Silanimonas species), however the relative distribution oc bacterial types varied across mineral type and from the original spring community itself.

  12. Can the Afinion HbA1c Point-of-Care instrument be an alternative method for the Tosoh G8 in the case of Hb-Tacoma?

    PubMed

    Lenters-Westra, Erna; Strunk, Annuska; Campbell, Paul; Slingerland, Robbert J

    2017-02-01

    Hb-variant interference when reporting HbA1c has been an ongoing challenge since HbA1c was introduced to monitor patients with diabetes mellitus. Most Hb-variants show an abnormal chromatogram when cation-exchange HPLC is used for the determination of HbA1c. Unfortunately, the Tosoh G8 generates what appears to be normal chromatogram in the presence of Hb-Tacoma, yielding a falsely high HbA1c value. The primary aim of the study was to investigate if the Afinion HbA1c point-of-care (POC) instrument could be used as an alternative method for the Tosoh G8 when testing for HbA1c in the presence of Hb-Tacoma. Whole blood samples were collected in K 2 EDTA tubes from individuals homozygous for HbA (n = 40) and heterozygous for Hb-Tacoma (n = 20). Samples were then immediately analyzed with the Afinion POC instrument. After analysis, aliquots of each sample were frozen at -80 °C. The frozen samples were shipped on dry ice to the European Reference Laboratory for Glycohemoglobin (ERL) and analyzed with three International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) Secondary Reference Measurement Procedures (SRMPs). The Premier Hb9210 was used as the reference method. When compared to the reference method, samples with Hb-Tacoma yielded mean relative differences of 31.8% on the Tosoh G8, 21.5% on the Roche Tina-quant Gen. 2 and 16.8% on the Afinion. The Afinion cannot be used as an alternative method for the Tosoh G8 when testing for HbA1c in the presence of Hb-Tacoma.

  13. The import of abdominal pain in adults with sickle cell disorder.

    PubMed

    Akinola, N O; Bolarinwa, R A; Faponle, A F

    2009-03-01

    The aetiology, clinical correlates and outcome of abdominal pain in Nigerian adults with sickle cell disorder (SCD) have not been extensively reported. To determine the prevalence of abdominal vasoocclusive crisis in sickle cell patients with abdominal pain and their clinical correlates if any. Clinical records of adults with SCD (Hb SS and Hb SC) attending the Haematology Outpatients' Clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Southwest Nigerian, over a ten-year period, were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data with respect to abdominal pain were retrieved. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 154 records (128 Hb SS and 26 Hb SC) were available for assessment. The patients mean ages were 22.5 +/- 7.3 years (Hb SS patients) and 24.2 +/- 9.7 years (Hb SC patients) (p > 0.05). The prevalence of abdominal pain was 39.1% and 30.8% in Hb SS and Hb SC respectively (p > 0.05). Pain was commonly in the epigastrium; dull in 35% Hb SS, but peppery/burning in 37.5% Hb SC. All patients with abdominal vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) had diffuse/generalised dull abdominal pains. A diagnosis of gastritis/peptic ulcer disease was made in 50% of Hb SC patients and 28% of Hb SS patients. Abdominal VOC was diagnosed in 26% Hb SS, but none in Hb SC patients. The size of the liver or spleen and the haematocrit of Hb SS patients did not correlate with the frequency of abdominal pain generally or abdominal VOC specifically. The prevalence rates and patterns of abdominal pain in Hb SS and Hb SC patients appear similar. Abdominal VOC characterised by diffuse/generalised dull abdominal pain occurred in only Hb SS patients and may be a marker of disease severity in these patients.

  14. Responses of normal and sickle cell hemoglobin to S-nitroscysteine: implications for therapeutic applications of NO in treatment of sickle cell disease.

    PubMed

    Bonaventura, Celia; Godette, Gerald; Ferruzzi, Giulia; Tesh, Shirley; Stevens, Robert D; Henkens, Robert

    2002-07-10

    Factors which govern transnitrosation reactions between hemoglobin (Hb) and low molecular weight thiols may define the extent to which S-nitrosated Hb (SNO-Hb) plays a role in NO in the control of blood pressure and other NO-dependent reactions. We show that exposure to S-nitrosylated cysteine (CysNO) produces equivalent levels of SNO-Hb for Hb A(0) and sickle cell Hb (Hb S), although these proteins differ significantly in the electron affinity of their heme groups as measured by their anaerobic redox potentials. Dolphin Hb, a cooperative Hb with a redox potential like that of Hb S, produces less SNO-Hb, indicating that steric considerations outweigh effects of altered electron affinity at the active-site heme groups in control of SNO-Hb formation. Examination of oxygen binding at 5-20 mM heme concentrations revealed increases due to S-nitrosation in the apparent oxygen affinity of both Hb A(0) and Hb S, similar to increases seen at lower heme concentrations. As observed at lower heme levels, deoxygenation is not sufficient to trigger release of NO from SNO-Hb. A sharp increase in apparent oxygen affinity occurs for unmodified Hb S at concentrations above 12.5 mM, its minimum gelling concentration. This affinity increase still occurs in 30 and 60% S-nitrosated samples, but at higher heme concentration. This oxygen binding behavior is accompanied by decreased gel formation of the deoxygenated protein. S-nitrosation is thus shown to have an effect similar to that reported for other SH-group modifications of Hb S, in which R-state stabilization opposes Hb S aggregation.

  15. Tangential Flow Filtration of Hemoglobin

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Guoyong; Harris, David R.

    2009-01-01

    Bovine and human hemoglobin (bHb and hHb, respectively) was purified from bovine and human red blood cells (bRBCs and hRBCs, respectively) via tangential flow filtration (TFF) in four successive stages. TFF is a fast and simple method to purify Hb from RBCs using filtration through hollow fiber (HF) membranes. Most of the Hb was retained in stage III (100 kDa HF membrane) and displayed methemoglobin levels less than 1%, yielding final concentrations of 318 and 300 mg/mL for bHb and hHb, respectively. Purified Hb exhibited much lower endotoxin levels than their respective RBCs. The purity of Hb was initially assessed via SDS-PAGE, and showed tiny impurity bands for the stage III retentate. The oxygen affinity (P50), and cooperativity coefficient (n) were regressed from the measured oxygen-RBC/Hb equilibrium curves of RBCs and purified Hb. These results suggest that TFF yielded oxygen affinities of bHb and hHb that are comparable to values in the literature. LC-MS was used to measure the molecular weight of the alpha (α) and beta (β) globin chains of purified Hb. No impurity peaks were present in the HPLC chromatograms of purified Hb. The mass of the molecular ions corresponding to the α and β globin chains agreed well with the calculated theoretical mass of the α-and β-globin chains. Taken together, our results demonstrate that HPLC grade Hb can be generated via TFF. In general, this method can be more broadly applied to purify Hb from any source of RBCs. This work is significant, since it outlines a simple method for generating Hb for synthesis and/or formulation of Hb-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). PMID:19224583

  16. Prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand

    PubMed Central

    Pharephan, Somphon; Sirivatanapa, Pannee; Makonkawkeyoon, Sanit; Tuntiwechapikul, Wirote; Makonkawkeyoon, Luksana

    2016-01-01

    Background & objectives: Alpha-thalassaemias are genetic disorders with high prevalence in northern Thailand. However, common genotypes and current data on the prevalence of α-thalassaemias have not been reported in this region. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of pregnant women who came to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai University Hospital during July 2009 to 2010. The common deletion and point mutation genotypes of α-thalassaemia were evaluated by gap- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: Genotypes of 638 pregnant women were: 409 samples (64.11%) being normal subjects (αα/αα) and 229 samples (35.89%) with α-thalassaemias. These 229 samples could be classified into deletional HbH disease (--SEA/-α3.7) for 18 samples (2.82%); heterozygous α0-thalassaemia --SEA type (--SEA/αα)) for 78 (12.23%); heterozygous α+-thalassaemia - α3.7 type (-α3.7/αα) for 99 (15.52%); homozygous α+-thalassaemia - α3.7 type (-α3.7/- α3.7) for five (0.78%); heterozygous α+-thalassaemia - α4.2 type (-α4.2/αα) for two (0.31%); and heterozygous HbCS (αCSα/αα) for 27 (4.23%) cases. Interpretation & conclusions: The prevalence of α-thalassaemias in pregnant women in northern Thailand was high. This finding supports the implementation of the prevention and control of this common genetic disorder by screening for α-thalassaemia genotypes. PMID:27241645

  17. Prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand.

    PubMed

    Pharephan, Somphon; Sirivatanapa, Pannee; Makonkawkeyoon, Sanit; Tuntiwechapikul, Wirote; Makonkawkeyoon, Luksana

    2016-03-01

    Alpha-thalassaemias are genetic disorders with high prevalence in northern Thailand. However, common genotypes and current data on the prevalence of α-thalassaemias have not been reported in this region. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of α-thalassaemia genotypes in pregnant women in northern Thailand. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of pregnant women who came to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai University Hospital during July 2009 to 2010. The common deletion and point mutation genotypes of α-thalassaemia were evaluated by gap- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genotypes of 638 pregnant women were: 409 samples (64.11%) being normal subjects (αα/αα) and 229 samples (35.89%) with α-thalassaemias. these 229 samples could be classified into deletional HbH disease (--SEA/-α3.7) for 18 samples (2.82%); heterozygous α0-thalassaemia --SEA type (--SEA/αα)) for 78 (12.23%); heterozygous α+-thalassaemia - α3.7 type (-α3.7/αα) for 99 (15.52%); homozygous α+-thalassaemia - α3.7 type (-α3.7/- α3.7) for five (0.78%); heterozygous α+-thalassaemia - α4.2 type (-α4.2/αα) for two (0.31%); and heterozygous HbCS (αCSα/αα) for 27 (4.23%) cases. The prevalence of α-thalassaemias in pregnant women in northern Thailand was high. This finding supports the implementation of the prevention and control of this common genetic disorder by screening for α-thalassaemia genotypes.

  18. Differential sensitivity of Chironomus and human hemoglobin to gamma radiation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gaikwad, Pallavi S.; Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085; Panicker, Lata

    Chironomus ramosus is known to tolerate high doses of gamma radiation exposure. Larvae of this insect possess more than 95% of hemoglobin (Hb) in its circulatory hemolymph. This is a comparative study to see effect of gamma radiation on Hb of Chironomus and humans, two evolutionarily diverse organisms one having extracellular and the other intracellular Hb respectively. Stability and integrity of Chironomus and human Hb to gamma radiation was compared using biophysical techniques like Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrometry and CD spectroscopy after exposure of whole larvae, larval hemolymph, human peripheral blood, purified Chironomus and human Hb.more » Sequence- and structure-based bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the sequence and structural similarities or differences in the heme pockets of respective Hbs. Resistivity of Chironomus Hb to gamma radiation is remarkably higher than human Hb. Human Hb exhibited loss of heme iron at a relatively low dose of gamma radiation exposure as compared to Chironomus Hb. Unlike human Hb, the heme pocket of Chironomus Hb is rich in aromatic amino acids. Higher hydophobicity around heme pocket confers stability of Chironomus Hb compared to human Hb. Previously reported gamma radiation tolerance of Chironomus can be largely attributed to its evolutionarily ancient form of extracellular Hb as evident from the present study. -- Highlights: •Comparison of radiation tolerant Chironomus Hb and radiation sensitive Human Hb. •Amino acid composition of midge and human heme confer differential hydrophobicity. •Heme pocket of evolutionarily ancient midge Hb provide gamma radiation resistivity.« less

  19. Role of α-globin H helix in the building of tetrameric human hemoglobin: interaction with α-hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP) and heme molecule.

    PubMed

    Domingues-Hamdi, Elisa; Vasseur, Corinne; Fournier, Jean-Baptiste; Marden, Michael C; Wajcman, Henri; Baudin-Creuza, Véronique

    2014-01-01

    Alpha-Hemoglobin Stabilizing Protein (AHSP) binds to α-hemoglobin (α-Hb) or α-globin and maintains it in a soluble state until its association with the β-Hb chain partner to form Hb tetramers. AHSP specifically recognizes the G and H helices of α-Hb. To investigate the degree of interaction of the various regions of the α-globin H helix with AHSP, this interface was studied by stepwise elimination of regions of the α-globin H helix: five truncated α-Hbs α-Hb1-138, α-Hb1-134, α-Hb1-126, α-Hb1-123, α-Hb1-117 were co-expressed with AHSP as two glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins. SDS-PAGE and Western Blot analysis revealed that the level of expression of each truncated α-Hb was similar to that of the wild type α-Hb except the shortest protein α-Hb1-117 which displayed a decreased expression. While truncated GST-α-Hb1-138 and GST-α-Hb1-134 were normally soluble; the shorter globins GST-α-Hb1-126 and GST-α-Hb1-117 were obtained in very low quantities, and the truncated GST-α-Hb1-123 provided the least material. Absorbance and fluorescence studies of complexes showed that the truncated α-Hb1-134 and shorter forms led to modified absorption spectra together with an increased fluorescence emission. This attests that shortening the H helix leads to a lower affinity of the α-globin for the heme. Upon addition of β-Hb, the increase in fluorescence indicates the replacement of AHSP by β-Hb. The CO binding kinetics of different truncated AHSPWT/α-Hb complexes showed that these Hbs were not functionally normal in terms of the allosteric transition. The N-terminal part of the H helix is primordial for interaction with AHSP and C-terminal part for interaction with heme, both features being required for stability of α-globin chain.

  20. Global standardisation of HbA1c.

    PubMed

    Lai, Leslie C

    2008-12-01

    HbA1c is used for assessing glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. It is also used for treatment goals and as a target for therapeutic intervention. The Direct Control and Complications Trial in the USA showed that HbA1c can be used to predict the risk of complications. Hence, it is important for HbA1c assays to be standardised. The National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) in the USA was formed in 1996 so that HbA1c results from different laboratories would be comparable to those reported in the DCCT study. There were also HbA1c standardisation programmes in Sweden and Japan. These three standardisation programmes are, in fact, direct comparison methods (DCMs), and yield different HbA1c results. In 1994, the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) established a Working Group on Standardisation of HbA1c. This working group has developed a global HbA1c reference system with very much improved intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation. Recommendations have been made to report HbA1c results as IFCC-HbA1c values in SI units (mmol HbA1c/mol Hb) and NGSP-HbA1c (%) as well as estimated average glucose (eAG), once a tight relationship has been shown to exist between eAG and HbA1c.

  1. A novel hemoglobin variant found on the α1 chain: Hb KSVGH (HBA1: p.Lys57_Gly58insSerHisGlySerAlaGlnValLys).

    PubMed

    Wang, Mei-Chun; Tsai, Kuo-Wang; Chu, Chih-Hsun; Yu, Ming-Sun; Lam, Hing-Chung

    2015-01-01

    Glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C) is a crucial indicator for the long-term control and the diagnosis of diabetes. However, the presence of hemoglobin (Hb) variants may affect the measured value of Hb A1C and result in an abnormal graph trend and inconsistency between the clinical blood sugar test and Hb A1C values. In this study, laboratory data of 41,267 patients with diabetes were collected. The Hb A1C levels and the graph results were examined. We identified 74 cases containing abnormal Hb A1C graph trends. The conducted blood cell counts and capillary Hb electrophoresis were used to analyze Hb variants. We also determined gene variation for the Hb variants by a sequence approach. Fifteen different types of Hb variants were identified in this study. Among these, we found a novel variant in which the α1 subunit of Hb showed an insertion of 24 nucleotides (nts) between the 56th and 57th residues. We named this novel variant Hb Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital (Hb KSVGH) (HBA1: p.Lys57_Gly58insSerHisGlySerAlaGlnValLys).

  2. Difference between observed and predicted glycated hemoglobin at baseline and treatment response to vildagliptin-based dual oral therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jun-Sing; Hung, Yi-Jen; Lu, Yung-Chuan; Tsai, Cheng-Lin; Yang, Wei-Shiung; Lee, Ting-I; Hsiao, Ya-Chun; Sheu, Wayne Huey-Herng

    2018-04-01

    We aimed to investigate the association of difference between observed and predicted glycated hemoglobin (dopHbA1c) and HbA1c reduction after vildagliptin-based oral therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This was a prospective observational study. Adults ≥ 20 years old with T2D and HbA1c ≧7% treated with oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) were eligible if their OADs were shifted to vildagliptin-based dual oral therapy. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c were recorded at baseline, week 12, and week 24. To determine baseline dopHbA1c, a predicted HbA1c was calculated by inserting baseline FPG into a regression equation (HbA1c = FPG ∗ 0.0225 + 4.3806) developed from linear relationship between HbA1c and FPG in an independent cohort of 3239 outpatients with T2D (dopHbA1c = observed HbA1c - predicted HbA1c). Patients were assigned to low (≦0) or high (>0) dopHbA1c group according to their baseline dopHbA1c levels. The study endpoint was changes from baseline to week 24 in HbA1c levels. A total of 1224 patients were enrolled. Patients with a dopHbA1c >0 had a greater HbA1c reduction after vildagliptin-based dual oral therapy than those with a dopHbA1c ≦0 (-1.5 ± 2.0 vs. -0.4 ± 1.0%, p < 0.001). Baseline dopHbA1c was positively associated with HbA1c reduction from baseline to week 24 (β coefficient 0.883, 95% CI 0.811 to 0.955, p < 0.001), and the association remained significant after adjustment for confounders. In T2D patients with an HbA1c ≧7%, a higher baseline dopHbA1c was associated with a greater HbA1c reduction after shifting to vildagliptin-based dual oral therapy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Maternal hemoglobin concentration and adverse pregnancy outcomes at low and moderate altitudes in Peru.

    PubMed

    Gonzales, Gustavo F; Tapia, Vilma; Gasco, Manuel; Carrillo, Carlos E

    2012-07-01

    To identify associations of maternal hemoglobin (Hb) with perinatal outcomes at low and moderate altitudes in Peru. Study of records with sequential information using perinatal database system. The study included 295 651 pregnant women with their products. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we estimated the probability of stillbirths, preterm and small for gestational age (SGA) births associated with maternal Hb levels at low (0-1999 m) and moderate altitudes (2000-2999 m). Maternal Hb decreased as pregnancy progressed from first to third trimester at both altitudes. Hb was higher at moderate than at low altitude (p < 0.001). Risks for stillbirths increased with low maternal Hb (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39 for Hb 9-9.9; OR: 1.84 for Hb 8-8.9; OR: 3.25 for Hb 7-7.9; and OR: 7.8 for Hb <7 g/dl); with Hb higher than 14.5 g/dl (OR: 1.31) and with altitudes ≥ 2000 m (OR: 1.2). High preterm rates were also observed with low Hbs (OR: 1.16 for Hb 9-9.9; OR: 1.64 for Hb 8-8.9; OR: 2.25 for Hb 7-7.9; and OR:2.87 for Hb<7 g/dl) and with Hb higher than 14.5 g/dl (OR: 1.14). High SGA rates were observed in neonates with maternal Hb of 7-7.9 (OR: 1.35) and <7 g/dl (OR:1.57), and higher than 14.5 g/dl (OR: 1.33), and with moderate altitudes (OR: 1.12). The cut-off points for lower risks of stillbirth and preterm births was 10 g/dl, and for SGA 9 g/dl of hemoglobin. Low and high maternal Hb levels and moderate altitude were independent risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes.

  4. Gene Duplication and the Evolution of Hemoglobin Isoform Differentiation in Birds*

    PubMed Central

    Grispo, Michael T.; Natarajan, Chandrasekhar; Projecto-Garcia, Joana; Moriyama, Hideaki; Weber, Roy E.; Storz, Jay F.

    2012-01-01

    The majority of bird species co-express two functionally distinct hemoglobin (Hb) isoforms in definitive erythrocytes as follows: HbA (the major adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the αA-globin gene) and HbD (the minor adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the αD-globin gene). The αD-globin gene originated via tandem duplication of an embryonic α-like globin gene in the stem lineage of tetrapod vertebrates, which suggests the possibility that functional differentiation between the HbA and HbD isoforms may be attributable to a retained ancestral character state in HbD that harkens back to a primordial, embryonic function. To investigate this possibility, we conducted a combined analysis of protein biochemistry and sequence evolution to characterize the structural and functional basis of Hb isoform differentiation in birds. Functional experiments involving purified HbA and HbD isoforms from 11 different bird species revealed that HbD is characterized by a consistently higher O2 affinity in the presence of allosteric effectors such as organic phosphates and Cl− ions. In the case of both HbA and HbD, analyses of oxygenation properties under the two-state Monod-Wyman-Changeux allosteric model revealed that the pH dependence of Hb-O2 affinity stems primarily from changes in the O2 association constant of deoxy (T-state)-Hb. Ancestral sequence reconstructions revealed that the amino acid substitutions that distinguish the adult-expressed Hb isoforms are not attributable to the retention of an ancestral (pre-duplication) character state in the αD-globin gene that is shared with the embryonic α-like globin gene. PMID:22962007

  5. Gene duplication and the evolution of hemoglobin isoform differentiation in birds.

    PubMed

    Grispo, Michael T; Natarajan, Chandrasekhar; Projecto-Garcia, Joana; Moriyama, Hideaki; Weber, Roy E; Storz, Jay F

    2012-11-02

    The majority of bird species co-express two functionally distinct hemoglobin (Hb) isoforms in definitive erythrocytes as follows: HbA (the major adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the α(A)-globin gene) and HbD (the minor adult Hb isoform, with α-chain subunits encoded by the α(D)-globin gene). The α(D)-globin gene originated via tandem duplication of an embryonic α-like globin gene in the stem lineage of tetrapod vertebrates, which suggests the possibility that functional differentiation between the HbA and HbD isoforms may be attributable to a retained ancestral character state in HbD that harkens back to a primordial, embryonic function. To investigate this possibility, we conducted a combined analysis of protein biochemistry and sequence evolution to characterize the structural and functional basis of Hb isoform differentiation in birds. Functional experiments involving purified HbA and HbD isoforms from 11 different bird species revealed that HbD is characterized by a consistently higher O(2) affinity in the presence of allosteric effectors such as organic phosphates and Cl(-) ions. In the case of both HbA and HbD, analyses of oxygenation properties under the two-state Monod-Wyman-Changeux allosteric model revealed that the pH dependence of Hb-O(2) affinity stems primarily from changes in the O(2) association constant of deoxy (T-state)-Hb. Ancestral sequence reconstructions revealed that the amino acid substitutions that distinguish the adult-expressed Hb isoforms are not attributable to the retention of an ancestral (pre-duplication) character state in the α(D)-globin gene that is shared with the embryonic α-like globin gene.

  6. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of hemoglobin peptides in tryptic digests of dried-blood spot extracts detects HbS, HbC, HbD, HbE, HbO-Arab, and HbG-Philadelphia mutations.

    PubMed

    Haynes, Christopher A; Guerra, Stephanie L; Fontana, Jessalyn C; DeJesús, Víctor R

    2013-09-23

    Hemoglobinopathies are mutations resulting in abnormal globin chain structure; some have clinically significant outcomes such as anemia or reduced lifespan. Five β-globin mutations are (c.20A>T, p.E6V), (c.19G>A, p. E6K), (c.79G>A, p.E26K), (c.364G>C, p.E121Q), and (c.364G>A, p.E121K), resulting in HbS (sickle-cell hemoglobin), HbC, HbE, HbD-Los Angeles, and HbO-Arab, respectively. One α-globin mutation is (c.[207C>G or 207C>A], p.N68K), resulting in HbG-Philadelphia. HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of dried-blood spot (DBS) punches from newborns extracted with a trypsin-containing solution provides greater than 90% coverage of α-, β-, and γ-globin amino acid sequences. Because the (c.20A>T, p.E6V), (c.19G>A, p. E6K), (c.79G>A, p.E26K), (c.364G>C, p.E121Q), (c.364G>A, p.E121K), and (c.[207C>G or 207C>A], p.N68K) mutations generate globin peptides with novel amino acid sequences, detecting one of these peptides in DBS extracts is indicative of the presence of a hemoglobinopathy in the newborn. The method described here can distinguish normal β-globin peptides from the mutant HbS, HbC, HbE, HbD-Los Angeles and HbO-Arab peptides, as well as normal α-globin peptide from the mutant HbG-Philadelphia peptide, allowing the identification of unaffected heterozygotes such as HbAS, and of compound heterozygotes such as HbASG-Philadelphia. This HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analytical approach provides information that is not available from traditional hemoglobin analyses such as isoelectric focusing and HPLC-UV. It is also capable of determining the amino acid sequence of hemoglobin peptides, potentially allowing the detection of numerous hemoglobinopathies resulting from point mutations. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  7. Sickle haemoglobin, haemoglobin C and malaria mortality feedbacks.

    PubMed

    Gonçalves, Bronner P; Gupta, Sunetra; Penman, Bridget S

    2016-01-12

    Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) and haemoglobin C (HbC) are both caused by point mutations in the beta globin gene, and both offer substantial malaria protection. Despite the fact that the blood disorder caused by homozygosity for HbC is much less severe than that caused by homozygosity for HbS (sickle cell anaemia), it is the sickle mutation which has come to dominate many old-world malarious regions, whilst HbC is highly restricted in its geographical distribution. It has been suggested that this discrepancy may be due to sickle cell heterozygotes enjoying a higher level of malaria protection than heterozygotes for HbC. A higher fitness of sickle cell heterozygotes relative to HbC heterozygotes could certainly have allowed the sickle cell allele to spread more rapidly. However, observations that carrying either HbC or HbS enhances an individual's capacity to transmit malaria parasites to mosquitoes could also shed light on this conundrum. A population genetic model was used to investigate the evolutionary consequences of the strength of malaria selection being correlated with either HbS frequency or HbC frequency. If the selection pressure from malaria is positively correlated with the frequency of either HbS or HbC, it is easier for HbS to succeed in the competitive interaction between the two alleles. A feedback process whereby the presence of variant haemoglobins increases the level of malaria selection in a population could have contributed to the global success of HbS relative to HbC, despite the former's higher blood disorder cost.

  8. The Prognostic Value of Hemoglobin Concentration in Postoperative Radiotherapy of 835 Patients With Laryngeal Cancer

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Rutkowski, Tomasz; Suwinski, Rafal; Idasiak, Adam

    2007-11-15

    Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in patients with laryngeal cancer treated with postoperative radiotherapy (pRT). Methods and Materials: The records of 835 patients who underwent pRT between 1980 and 2003 were reviewed. Most patients (526 of 835 patients; 63%) were in advanced clinical stages (T3-T4) and 371 of 835 patients (44%) were node positive. Total laryngectomy had been performed in 676 of 835 patients (81%). Median Hb concentration before (Hb0) and after pRT (Hb1) was the same (13.3 g/dl). However, individual differences between Hb1 and Hb0 (dHb) varied within a broad range (-8.8; 5.0 g/dl).more » Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables significantly associated with locoregional control (LRC), metastases-free survival, and overall survival. Results: Patients with dHb greater than 0 had significantly improved 5-year LRC compared with those with dHb of 0 or less (80% vs. 72%, p = 0.01). Conversely, when categorized, neither Hb0 nor Hb1 had a significant influence on LRC. In multivariate analysis, dHb remained a prognostic factor for LRC (p = 0.01) among the other variables, which included overall radiation treatment time and nodal status. None of the Hb-related variables significantly influenced metastases-free or overall survival. Conclusion: Individual change in Hb concentration during the course of pRT (dHb) rather than Hb level before or after pRT appeared as an independent prognostic factor for LRC in this set of patients.« less

  9. The effectiveness of an educational program on preventing and treating compassion fatigue in emergency nurses.

    PubMed

    Flarity, Kathleen; Gentry, J Eric; Mesnikoff, Nathan

    2013-01-01

    The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the treatment effectiveness of a multifaceted education program to decrease compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout (BO) symptoms and increase compassion satisfaction of emergency nurses participating in the training. The goal of the CF multifaceted intervention program was to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in the 3 CF subscales: an increase on the Compassion Satisfaction (CS) subscale and a decrease on the Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and BO subscales in the participants' pretest and posttest scores as measured by The Professional Quality of Life test (B. H. , ). The study sites were 2 emergency departments in Colorado Springs, CO. A convenience sample consisted of emergency nurses who self-selected to participate in the study. Univariate statistics were used, and data were examined for normalcy of distribution. Because these data were not distributed normally, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate the differences between the baseline and postintervention groups. The multifaceted education program resulted in a statistically significant increase in CS (p = 0.004) and a decrease in BO (p = 0.001 or less) and STS (p = 0.001) symptoms.

  10. Geology and surface geochemistry of the Roosevelt Springs Known Geothermal Resource Area, Utah

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lovell, J.S.; Meyer, W.T.; Atkinson, D.J.

    1980-01-01

    Available data on the Roosevelt area were synthesized to determine the spatial arrangement of the rocks, and the patterns of mass and energy flow within them. The resulting model lead to a new interpretation of the geothermal system, and provided ground truth for evaluating the application of soil geochemistry to exploration for concealed geothermal fields. Preliminary geochemical studies comparing the surface microlayer to conventional soil sampling methods indicated both practical and chemical advantages for the surface microlayer technique, which was particularly evident in the case of As, Sb and Cs. Subsequent multi-element analyses of surface microlayer samples collected over anmore » area of 100 square miles were processed to produce single element contour maps for 41 chemical parameters. Computer manipulation of the multi-element data using R-mode factor analysis provided the optimum method of interpretation of the surface microlayer data. A trace element association of As, Sb and Cs in the surface microlayer provided the best indication of the leakage of geothermal solutions to the surface, while regional mercury trends may reflect the presence of a mercury vapour anomaly above a concealed heat source.« less

  11. Knowledge Insufficient: The Management of Haemoglobin SC Disease

    PubMed Central

    Pecker, Lydia H.; Schaefer, Beverly A.; Luchtman-Jones, Lori

    2016-01-01

    Although haemoglobin SC (HbSC) accounts for 30% of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United States and United Kingdom, evidence-based guidelines for genotype specific management are lacking. The unique pathology of HbSC disease is complex, characterized by erythrocyte dehydration, intracellular sickling and increased blood viscosity. The evaluation and treatment of patients with HbSC is largely inferred from studies of SCD consisting mostly of haemoglobin SS (HbSS) patients. These studies are underpowered to allow definitive conclusions about HbSC. We review the pathophysiology of HbSC disease, including known and potential differences between HbSS and HbSC, and highlight knowledge gaps in HbSC disease management. Clinical and translational research is needed to develop targeted treatments and to validate management recommendations for efficacy, safety and impact on quality of life for people with HbSC. PMID:27982424

  12. Spin trapping combined with quantitative mass spectrometry defines free radical redistribution within the oxidized hemoglobin:haptoglobin complex.

    PubMed

    Vallelian, Florence; Garcia-Rubio, Ines; Puglia, Michele; Kahraman, Abdullah; Deuel, Jeremy W; Engelsberger, Wolfgang R; Mason, Ronald P; Buehler, Paul W; Schaer, Dominik J

    2015-08-01

    Extracellular or free hemoglobin (Hb) accumulates during hemolysis, tissue damage, and inflammation. Heme-triggered oxidative reactions can lead to diverse structural modifications of lipids and proteins, which contribute to the propagation of tissue damage. One important target of Hb׳s peroxidase reactivity is its own globin structure. Amino acid oxidation and crosslinking events destabilize the protein and ultimately cause accumulation of proinflammatory and cytotoxic Hb degradation products. The Hb scavenger haptoglobin (Hp) attenuates oxidation-induced Hb degradation. In this study we show that in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Hb and the Hb:Hp complex share comparable peroxidative reactivity and free radical generation. While oxidation of both free Hb and Hb:Hp complex generates a common tyrosine-based free radical, the spin-trapping reaction with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) yields dissimilar paramagnetic products in Hb and Hb:Hp, suggesting that radicals are differently redistributed within the complex before reacting with the spin trap. With LC-MS(2) mass spectrometry we assigned multiple known and novel DMPO adduct sites. Quantification of these adducts suggested that the Hb:Hp complex formation causes extensive delocalization of accessible free radicals with drastic reduction of the major tryptophan and cysteine modifications in the β-globin chain of the Hb:Hp complex, including decreased βCys93 DMPO adduction. In contrast, the quantitative changes in DMPO adduct formation on Hb:Hp complex formation were less pronounced in the Hb α-globin chain. In contrast to earlier speculations, we found no evidence that free Hb radicals are delocalized to the Hp chain of the complex. The observation that Hb:Hp complex formation alters free radical distribution in Hb may help to better understand the structural basis for Hp as an antioxidant protein. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Accuracy of non-invasive hemoglobin monitoring by pulse CO-oximeter during liver transplantation.

    PubMed

    Erdogan Kayhan, Gulay; Colak, Yusuf Z; Sanli, Mukadder; Ucar, Muharrem; Toprak, Huseyin I

    2017-05-01

    Hemoglobin level monitoring is essential during liver transplantation (LT) due to substantial blood loss. We evaluated the accuracy of non-invasive and continuous hemoglobin monitoring (SpHb) obtained by a transcutaneous spectrophotometry-based technology (Masimo Corporation, Irvine, CA) compared with conventional laboratory Hb measurement (HbL) during LT. Additionally, we made subgroup analyses for distinct surgical phases that have special features and hemodynamic problems and thus may affect the accuracy of SpHb. During LT, blood samples were obtained twice for each of the three phases of LT (pre-anhepatic, anhepatic, and neohepatic) and were analyzed by the central laboratory. The HbL measurements were compared with SpHb obtained at the time of the blood draws. A total of 282 data pairs obtained from 53 patients were analyzed. The SpHb values ranged from 6.9 to 17.7 g/dL, and the HbL values ranged from 5.4 to 17.1 g/dL. The correlation coefficient between SpHb and HbL was 0.73 (P<0.001), and change in SpHb versus change in HbL was 0.76 (P<0.001). The sensitivity value determined using a 4-quadrant plot was 79%. The bias and precision of SpHb to HbL were 0.86±1.58 g/dL; the limits of agreement were -2.25 to 3.96 g/dL. The overall correlation between SpHb and HbL remained stable in different phases of surgical procedure. SpHb was demonstrated to have a clinically acceptable accuracy of hemoglobin measurement in comparison with a standard laboratory device when used during LT. This technology can be useful as a trend monitor during all surgical phases of LT and can supplement HbL to optimize transfusion decisions or to detect occult bleeding.

  14. HB Puerta del Sol [HBA1:c.148A>C], HB Valdecilla [HBA2:c.3G>T], HB Gran Vía [HBA2:c.98T>G], HB Macarena [HBA2:c.358C>T] and HB El Retiro [HBA2:c.364_366dupGTG]: description of five new hemoglobinopathies.

    PubMed

    de la Fuente-Gonzalo, Félix; Nieto, Jorge M; Velasco, Diego; Cela, Elena; Pérez, Germán; Fernández-Teijeiro, Ana; Escudero, Antonio; Villegas, Ana; González-Fernández, Fernando A; Ropero, Paloma

    2016-04-01

    Structural hemoglobinopathies do not usually have a clinical impact, but they can interfere with the analytical determination of some parameters, such as the glycated hemoglobin in diabetic patients. Thalassemias represent a serious health problem in areas where their incidence is high. The defects in the post-translational modifications produce hyper-unstable hemoglobin that is not detected by most of electrophoretic or chromatographic methods that are available so far. We studied seven patients who belong to six unrelated families. The first two families were studied because they had peak abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) during routine analytical assays. The other four families were studied because they had microcytosis and hypochromia with normal HbA2 and HbF without iron deficiency. HbA2 and F quantification and abnormal Hb separation were performed by chromatographic and electrophoretic methods. The molecular characterization was performed using specific sequencing. The Hb Puerta del Sol presents electrophoretic mobility and elution in HPLC that is different from HbA and similar to HbS. The electrophoretic and chromatographic profiles of the four other variants are normal and do not show any anomalies, and their identification was only possible with sequencing. Some variants, such as Hb Valdecilla, Hb Gran Vía, Hb Macarena and Hb El Retiro, have significant clinical impact when they are associated with other forms of α-thalassemia, which could lead to more serious forms of this group of pathologies as for HbH disease. Therefore, it is important to maintain an adequate program for screening these diseases in countries where the prevalence is high to prevent the occurrence of severe forms.

  15. Attributes of lipid oxidation due to bovine myoglobin, hemoglobin and hemolysate.

    PubMed

    Yin, Jie; Zhang, Wenjing; Richards, Mark P

    2017-11-01

    Bovine hemolysate was purified by size exclusion chromatography, and one high molecular weight protein was detected relative to the hemoglobin (Hb) fraction. Purified Hb promoted lipid oxidation in washed muscle slightly but significantly better than hemolysate, which may have been due to the absence of catalase and peroxiredoxin in the purified Hb. Purified Hb auto-oxidized to metHb more rapidly than Hb in the hemolysate (P<0.05). OxyHb promoted lipid oxidation in washed muscle more effectively compared to oxyMb (P<0.05). This was ascribed to hemin, released from metHb, promoting lipid oxidation more readily than oxidative forms of Mb that retain their protoporphyrin moiety. A 3:1 ratio of Mb:Hb promoted lipid oxidation similarly compared to adding a 1:1 ratio of Mb:Hb to washed muscle. Lipid oxidation products due to Hb-mediated lipid oxidation were elevated 60-fold at pH 6.3 compared to pH 6.7. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. First case of Hb Fontainebleau with sickle haemoglobin and other non-deletional α gene variants identified in neonates during newborn screening for sickle cell disorders.

    PubMed

    Upadhye, Dipti S; Jain, Dipty; Nair, Sona B; Nadkarni, Anita H; Ghosh, Kanjaksha; Colah, Roshan B

    2012-07-01

    To evaluate the significance of non-deletional α gene variants identified in neonates during newborn screening for sickle cell disorders. 1534 newborn babies were screened in the last 2 years for sickle cell disease using a targeted screening approach. Investigations included a complete blood count, high performance liquid chromatography analysis, cellulose acetate electrophoresis (pH 8.9), heat stability test, restriction digestion and Amplified Refractory Mutation System for confirmation of sickle haemoglobin (Hb S), α genotyping by multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing. Three non-deletional α gene variants, Hb Fontainebleau, Hb O Indonesia and Hb Koya Dora, were identified in heterozygous condition in newborns. This is the first report of Hb Fontainebleau in association with Hb S. The baby had anaemia at birth (Hb 11.4 g/dl) with no cyanosis, icterus or need for transfusion. She had occipital encephalocoele and was operated on day 24 to remove the mass. The baby diagnosed with Hb O Indonesia in combination with Hb S also had a low haemoglobin level of 12.7 g/dl. Newborn screening for sickle cell disorders also enabled us to identify three α globin chain variants. Two babies who inherited Hb Fontainebleau and Hb O Indonesia along with Hb S had reduced Hb levels at birth and need to be followed up.

  17. Expression Profiles, Characterization and Function of HbTCTP in Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis)

    PubMed Central

    Deng, Zhi; Chen, Jiangshu; Leclercq, Julie; Zhou, Zhuangzhi; Liu, Changren; Liu, Hui; Yang, Hong; Montoro, Pascal; Xia, Zhihui; Li, Dejun

    2016-01-01

    As a highly conserved protein, the translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) carries out vital roles in various life processes. In rubber tree, two TCTP genes, HbTCTP and HbTCTP1, were cloned, but only HbTCTP1 was studied in details. In this study, cis-acting regulatory elements, expression patterns, subcellular localization, interacting proteins, and antioxidant activity of HbTCTP were systematically analyzed. Besides the common cis-acting regulatory elements, HbTCTP promoter also harbored various known cis-elements that respond to hormone/stresses. Being consistent with the aforementioned results, HbTCTP was regulated by drought, low temperature, high salt, ethylene (ET), wounding, H2O2, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments. HbTCTP was expressed throughout different tissues and developmental stages of leaves. In addition, HbTCTP was associated with tapping panel dryness (TPD). HbTCTP was localized in the membrane, cytoplasm and the nucleus, and interacted with four proteins rubber elongation factor (REF), 17.5 kDa heat shock family protein, annexin, and REF-like stress related protein 1. Being similar to HbTCTP1, HbTCTP also indicated antioxidant activity in metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system. Our results are useful for further understanding the molecular characterization and expression profiles of HbTCTP, but also lay a solid foundation for elucidating the function of HbTCTP in rubber tree. PMID:27375647

  18. D-beta-hydroxybutyrate extends lifespan in C. elegans

    PubMed Central

    Edwards, Clare; Canfield, John; Copes, Neil; Rehan, Muhammad; Lipps, David; Bradshaw, Patrick C.

    2014-01-01

    The ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and has been shown to be protective in many disease models, but its effects on aging are not well studied. Therefore we determined the effect of βHB supplementation on the lifespan of C. elegans nematodes. βHB supplementation extended mean lifespan by approximately 20%. RNAi knockdown of HDACs hda-2 or hda-3 also increased lifespan and further prevented βHB-mediated lifespan extension. βHB-mediated lifespan extension required the DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf longevity pathways, the sirtuin SIR-2.1, and the AMP kinase subunit AAK-2. βHB did not extend lifespan in a genetic model of dietary restriction indicating that βHB is likely functioning through a similar mechanism. βHB addition also upregulated βHB dehydrogenase activity and increased oxygen consumption in the worms. RNAi knockdown of F55E10.6, a short chain dehydrogenase and SKN-1 target gene, prevented the increased lifespan and βHB dehydrogenase activity induced by βHB addition, suggesting that F55E10.6 functions as an inducible βHB dehydrogenase. Furthermore, βHB supplementation increased worm thermotolerance and partially prevented glucose toxicity. It also delayed Alzheimer's amyloid-beta toxicity and decreased Parkinson's alpha-synuclein aggregation. The results indicate that D-βHB extends lifespan through inhibiting HDACs and through the activation of conserved stress response pathways. PMID:25127866

  19. The Hb A variant (beta73 Asp-->Leu) disrupts Hb S polymerization by a novel mechanism.

    PubMed

    Adachi, Kazuhiko; Ding, Min; Surrey, Saul; Rotter, Maria; Aprelev, Alexey; Zakharov, Mikhail; Weng, Weijun; Ferrone, Frank A

    2006-09-22

    Polymerization of a 1:1 mixture of hemoglobin S (Hb S) and the artificial mutant HbAbeta73Leu produces a dramatic morphological change in the polymer domains in 1.0 M phosphate buffer that are a characteristic feature of polymer formation. Instead of feathery domains with quasi 2-fold symmetry that characterize polymerization of Hb S and all previously known mixtures such as Hb A/S and Hb F/S mixtures, these domains are compact structures of quasi-spherical symmetry. Solubility of Hb S/Abeta73Leu mixtures was similar to that of Hb S/F mixtures. Kinetics of polymerization indicated that homogeneous nucleation rates of Hb S/Abeta73Leu mixtures were the same as those of Hb S/F mixtures, while exponential polymer growth (B) of Hb S/Abeta73Leu mixtures were about three times slower than those of Hb S/F mixtures. Differential interference contrast (DIC) image analysis also showed that fibers in the mixture appear to elongate between three and five times more slowly than in equivalent Hb S/F mixtures by direct measurements of exponential growth of mass of polymer in a domain. We propose that these results of Hb S/Abeta73Leu mixtures arise from a non-productive binding of the hybrid species of this mixture to the end of the growing polymer. This "cap" prohibits growth of polymers, but by nature is temporary, so that the net effect is a lowered growth rate of polymers. Such a cap is consistent with known features of the structure of the Hb S polymer. Domains would be more spherulitic because slower growth provides more opportunity for fiber bending to spread domains from their initial 2-fold symmetry. Moreover, since monomer depletion proceeds more slowly in this mixture, more homogeneous nucleation events occur, and the resulting gel has a far more granular character than normally seen in mixtures of non-polymerizing hemoglobins with Hb S. This mixture is likely to be less stiff than polymerized mixtures of other hybrids such as Hb S with HbF, potentially providing a novel approach to therapy.

  20. Comparison of the accuracy of hemoglobin point of care testing using HemoCue and GEM Premier 3000 with automated hematology analyzer in emergency room.

    PubMed

    Zatloukal, Jan; Pouska, Jiri; Kletecka, Jakub; Pradl, Richard; Benes, Jan

    2016-12-01

    The laboratory analysis provides accurate, but time consuming hemoglobin level estimation especially in the emergency setting. The reliability of time-sparing point of care devices (POCT) remains uncertain. We tested two POCT devices accuracy (HemoCue ® 201 + and Gem ® Premier™3000) in routine emergency department workflow. Blood samples taken from patients admitted to the emergency department were analyzed for hemoglobin concentration using a laboratory reference Beckman Coulter LH 750 (HB LAB ), the HemoCue (HB HC ) and the Gem Premier 3000 (HB GEM ). Pairwise comparison for each device and Hb LAB was performed using correlation and the Bland-Altman methods. The reliability of transfusion decision was assessed using three-zone error grid. A total of 292 measurements were performed in 99 patients. Mean hemoglobin level were 115 ± 33, 110 ± 28 and 111 ± 30 g/l for Hb HC , Hb GEM and Hb LAB respectively. A significant correlation was observed for both devices: Hb HC versus Hb LAB (r 2  = 0.93, p < 0.001) and HB GEM versus HB LAB (r 2  = 0.86, p < 0.001). The Bland-Altman method revealed bias of -3.7 g/l (limits of agreement -20.9 to 13.5) for HB HC and HB LAB and 2.5 g/l (-18.6 to 23.5) for HB GEM and HB LAB , which significantly differed between POCT devices (p < 0.001). Using the error grid methodology: 94 or 91 % of values (Hb HC and Hb GEM ) fell in the zone of acceptable difference (A), whereas 0 and 1 % (Hb HC and Hb GEM ) were unacceptable (zone C). The absolute accuracy of tested POCT devices was low though reaching a high level of correlation with laboratory measurement. The results of the Morey´s error grid were unfavorable for both POCT devices.

  1. Comparison of capillary electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography for detection and quantification of hemoglobin New York.

    PubMed

    You-Qiong, Li; Hui-Ping, Huang; Zhi-Zhong, Chen; Lin, Zhao; Liang, Liang; Gui-Fang, Qin; Yun, Mo

    2016-01-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) New York [β113 (G15) Val→Glu, GTG→GAG], also known as Hb Kaohsiung, is one of the most common Hb variants in South China. Currently, most used screening methods for hemoglobinopathies in South China are high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). However, there is no study comparing the performance of CE and HPLC in the detection of Hb New York. In total 15 samples (including 13 adult blood samples and 2 cord blood samples) with heterozygous Hb New York were analyzed by CE and HPLC. Levels of Hb New York, HbA2, Hb, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were compared within the two groups. All 15 cases (100%) were detected by CE, whereas none was detected by HPLC. Mean values of Hb New York and HbA2 in adult heterozygous group were (43.82±2.47)% and (2.85±0.31)%, respectively; mean values for cord blood group were (7.95±0.78)% and (0.30±0.14)%. CE allows the detection of Hb New York, while this variant is not separated from Hb A on HPLC. CE may be the preferred method for hemoglobinopathy screening in areas with high prevalence of Hb New York.

  2. Cation Homeostasis in Red Cells From Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Heterologous for HbS and HbC (HbSC Genotype).

    PubMed

    Hannemann, A; Rees, D C; Tewari, S; Gibson, J S

    2015-11-01

    Sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients of HbSC genotype is considered similar, albeit milder, to that in homozygous HbSS individuals--but with little justification. In SCD, elevated red cell cation permeability is critical as increased solute loss causes dehydration and encourages sickling. Recently, we showed that the KCl cotransporter (KCC) activity in red cells from HbSC patients correlated significantly with disease severity, but that in HbSS patients did not. Two transporters involved in red cell dehydration, the conductive channels Psickle and the Gardos channel, behaved similarly in red cells from the two genotypes, but were significantly less active in HbSC patients. By contrast, KCC activity was quantitatively greater in HbSC red cells. Results suggest that KCC is likely to have greater involvement in red cell dehydration in HbSC patients, which could explain its association with disease severity in this genotype. This work supports the hypothesis that SCD in HbSC patients is a distinct disease entity to that in HbSS patients. Results suggest the possibility of designing specific treatments of particular benefit to HbSC patients and a rationale for the development of prognostic markers, to inform early treatment of children likely to develop more severe complications of the disease.

  3. Estimation of the quantum efficiency of the photodissociation of HbO2 and HbCO

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gisbrecht, A. I.; Mamilov, S. A.; Esman, S. S.; Asimov, M. M.

    2016-01-01

    The paper presents our results on the study of the efficiency of inter-fractional changes in hemoglobin molecules depending on the laser radiation parameters. The evaluation of the quantum efficiency of light interaction in vivo with oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) in the blood at wavelengths for 525 and 605 nm is presented. The photodissociation yield of 11% for HbO2 and 79% for HbCO are measured at the wavelength of 525 nm and 10 % for HbO2 and 76 % for HbCO at a wavelength of 605 nm. Thus, the quantum yield of photodissociation of the HbCO is considerably higher, which ensures high efficiency of photodecomposition of the HbCO in the blood. The obtained results can be used in the clinical phototherapy practice for effective treatment of CO poisoning.

  4. Knowledge insufficient: the management of haemoglobin SC disease.

    PubMed

    Pecker, Lydia H; Schaefer, Beverly A; Luchtman-Jones, Lori

    2017-02-01

    Although haemoglobin SC (HbSC) accounts for 30% of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United States and United Kingdom, evidence-based guidelines for genotype specific management are lacking. The unique pathology of HbSC disease is complex, characterized by erythrocyte dehydration, intracellular sickling and increased blood viscosity. The evaluation and treatment of patients with HbSC is largely inferred from studies of SCD consisting mostly of haemoglobin SS (HbSS) patients. These studies are underpowered to allow definitive conclusions about HbSC. We review the pathophysiology of HbSC disease, including known and potential differences between HbSS and HbSC, and highlight knowledge gaps in HbSC disease management. Clinical and translational research is needed to develop targeted treatments and to validate management recommendations for efficacy, safety and impact on quality of life for people with HbSC. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. The accuracy of noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring using the radical-7 pulse CO-Oximeter in children undergoing neurosurgery.

    PubMed

    Park, Yong-Hee; Lee, Ji-Hyun; Song, Hyun-Gul; Byon, Hyo-Jin; Kim, Hee-Soo; Kim, Jin-Tae

    2012-12-01

    The most common method for determining the hemoglobin concentration is to draw blood from a patient. However, the Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter (Masimo Corporation, Irvine, CA) can noninvasively provide continuous hemoglobin concentration (SpHb). In our study we compared noninvasive measurements of SpHb with simultaneous laboratory measurements of total hemoglobin in arterial blood samples taken from children (tHb). Arterial blood samples were analyzed using a laboratory CO-oximeter, and SpHb was simultaneously recorded in pediatric patients undergoing neurosurgery. When patients met the criteria for hypovolemia, 10 mL/kg of colloids or red blood cells were administered over 10 minutes. SpHb and tHb data were collected before and after intravascular volume resuscitation. The relationship between SpHb and tHb was assessed using a 4-quadrant plot, linear regression, mixed-effect model, and modified Bland-Altman analyses. One hundred nineteen paired samples were analyzed. The correlation coefficient between SpHb and tHb was 0.53 (P < 0.001), whereas that of change in SpHb versus change in tHb was 0.75 (P < 0.001). The average difference (bias) between tHb and SpHb was 0.90 g/dL (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-1.32 g/dL) and 1 standard deviation of the difference (sd) was 1.35 g/dL. The concordance rate (a measure of the number of data points that are in 1 of the 2 quadrants of agreement) determined using a 4-quadrant plot was 93%. The correlation coefficient between SpHb and tHb after intravascular volume resuscitation was 0.58 (P < 0.001), whereas that of changes in SpHb and tHb was 0.87 (P < 0.001). The bias immediately after volume resuscitation was 1.18 g/dL (95% CI, 0.81-1.55 g/dL), and sd was 1.28 g/dL with a concordance rate of 94.4%. The bias was -0.03 g/dL when tHb was ≥11 g/dL, which was significantly lower in comparison with biases when tHb <9 g/dL (1.24 g/dL) and tHb was 9-11 g/dL (1.17 g/dL) (P = 0.004). The Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter can be useful as a trend monitor in children during surgery even immediately after intravascular volume expanders are administered. However, it is advisable to confirm the baseline hemoglobin level and to consider the influence of tHb level on the bias. In addition, one should be cautious with regard to using SpHb alone when making transfusion decisions.

  6. Mössbauer studies of hemoglobin in erythrocytes exposed to neutron radiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Niemiec, Katarzyna; Kaczmarska, Magdalena; Buczkowski, Mateusz; Fornal, Maria; Pohorecki, Władysław; Matlak, Krzysztof; Korecki, Józef; Grodzicki, Tomasz; Burda, Kvetoslava

    2012-03-01

    We studied radiation effects on the stability of various states of hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells (RBC) irradiated with a very low dose of neutron rays, 50 μGy. We investigated RBCs isolated from blood of healthy donors. Mössbauer spectroscopy was applied to monitor different forms of Hb. Our results show, for the first time, that oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) and deoxyhemoglobin (DeoxyHb) are two Hb forms sensitive to such a low neutron radiation. Both Hbs change into a new Hb form (Hbirr). Additionally, OxyHb transfers into HbOH/H2O, which under our experimental conditions is resistant to the action of neutron rays.

  7. Identification of haemoglobin New York by haemoglobin A1c measurement using the Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing system.

    PubMed

    Chao, Yan; Wan, Zemin; Wu, Xiaobin; Qiu, Feng; Wu, Xinzhong; Wang, Yunxiu; Ke, Peifeng; Xu, Jianhua; Zhuang, Junhua; Huang, Xianzhang

    2017-01-01

    Haemoglobinopathies may interfere with the haemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) measurement, leading to incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. It is essential that HbA 1c assays are capable of identifying haemoglobinopathies. We report two cases of haemoglobin New York (HbNY) discovered through HbA 1c analysis using capillary electrophoresis (Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing [C2FP], Sebia). We used these samples to evaluate the ability of three other HbA 1c assays to identify this variant: ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (Variant II Turbo [VII-T], Bio-Rad); boronate affinity high-performance liquid chromatography (Ultra 2 , Trinity Biotech) and immunoassay (Cobas c501 Tina-quant Generation 3, Roche Diagnostics). Each method was used for HbA 1c assay of in samples from two cases of heterozygous haemoglobinopathy: β 0 -thalassemia/HbNY (Case 1) and HbA/NY (Case 2). Only the C2FP system detected HbNY (an additional peak appeared between HbA 1c and HbA 0 ). Clinical laboratories should be aware of the limitations of their HbA 1c assay methods especially in geographic areas, where haemoglobinopathy prevalence is high.

  8. Sickle Cell Hemoglobin with Mutation at αHis-50 Has Improved Solubility.

    PubMed

    Tam, Ming F; Tam, Tsuey Chyi S; Simplaceanu, Virgil; Ho, Nancy T; Zou, Ming; Ho, Chien

    2015-08-28

    The unliganded tetrameric Hb S has axial and lateral contacts with neighbors and can polymerize in solution. Novel recombinants of Hb S with single amino acid substitutions at the putative axial (recombinant Hb (rHb) (βE6V/αH20R) and rHb (βE6V/αH20Q)) or lateral (rHb (βE6V/αH50Q)) or double amino acid substitutions at both the putative axial and lateral (rHb (βE6V/αH20R/αH50Q) and rHb (βE6V/αH20Q/αH50Q)) contact sites were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified for structural and functional studies. The (1)H NMR spectra of the CO and deoxy forms of these mutants indicate that substitutions at either αHis-20 or αHis-50 do not change the subunit interfaces or the heme pockets of the proteins. The double mutants show only slight structural alteration in the β-heme pockets. All mutants have similar cooperativity (n50), alkaline Bohr effect, and autoxidation rate as Hb S. The oxygen binding affinity (P50) of the single mutants is comparable with that of Hb S. The double mutants bind oxygen with slightly higher affinity than Hb S under the acidic conditions. In high salt, rHb (βE6V/αH20R) is the only mutant that has a shorter delay time of polymerization and forms polymers more readily than Hb S with a dextran-Csat value of 1.86 ± 0.20 g/dl. Hb S, rHb (βE6V/αH20Q), rHb (βE6V/αH50Q), rHb (βE6V/αH20R/αH50Q), and rHb (βE6V/αH20Q/αH50Q) have dextran-Csat values of 2.95 ± 0.10, 3.04 ± 0.17, 11.78 ± 0.59, 7.11 ± 0.66, and 10.89 ± 0.83 g/dl, respectively. rHb (βE6V/αH20Q/αH50Q) is even more stable than Hb S under elevated temperature (60 °C). © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  9. Capsicum annuum homeobox 1 (CaHB1) is a nuclear factor that has roles in plant development, salt tolerance, and pathogen defense

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Oh, Sang-Keun; Yoon, Joonseon; Choi, Gyung Ja

    Highlights: •The CaHB1 is a nuclear factor, belonging to HD-Zip proteins. •SA and ET, as signal molecules, modulate CaHB1-mediated responses. •Overexpression of CaHB1 in tomato resulted in a thicker cell wall. •CaHB1-transgenic tomato confers resistance to Phytophthora infestans. •CaHB1 enhanced tolerance to saline stress in tomato. -- Abstract: Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) family proteins are unique to plants, but little is known about their role in defense responses. CaHB1 is a nuclear factor in peppers, belonging to subfamily II of HD-Zip proteins. Here, we determined the role of CaHB1 in the defense response. CaHB1 expression was induced when pepper plants weremore » challenged with Phytophthora capsici, a plant pathogen to which peppers are susceptible, or environmental stresses such as drought and salt stimuli. CaHB1 was also highly expressed in pepper leaves following application of SA, whereas ethephon and MeJA had a moderate effect. To further investigate the function of CaHB1 in plants, we performed gain-of-function study by overexpression of CaHB1 in tomato. CaHB1-transgenic tomatoes showed significant growth enhancement including increased leaf thickness and enlarged cell size (1.8-fold larger than control plants). Microscopic analysis revealed that leaves from CaHB1-transgenic plants had thicker cell walls and cuticle layers than those from controls. Moreover, CaHB1-transgenic plants displayed enhanced resistance against Phytophthora infestans and increased tolerance to salt stress. Additionally, RT-PCR analysis of CaHB1-transgenic tomatoes revealed constitutive up-regulation of multiple genes involved in plant defense and osmotic stress. Therefore, our findings suggest roles for CaHB1 in development, salt stress, and pathogen defense.« less

  10. Heart failure and anemia: Effects on prognostic variables.

    PubMed

    Cattadori, Gaia; Agostoni, Piergiuseppe; Corrà, Ugo; Sinagra, Gianfranco; Veglia, Fabrizio; Salvioni, Elisabetta; Bonomi, Alice; La Gioia, Rocco; Scardovi, Angela B; Ferraironi, Alessandro; Emdin, Michele; Metra, Marco; Di Lenarda, Andrea; Limongelli, Giuseppe; Raimondo, Rosa; Re, Federica; Guazzi, Marco; Belardinelli, Romualdo; Parati, Gianfranco; Caravita, Sergio; Magrì, Damiano; Lombardi, Carlo; Frigerio, Maria; Oliva, Fabrizio; Girola, Davide; Mezzani, Alessandro; Farina, Stefania; Mapelli, Massimo; Scrutinio, Domenico; Pacileo, Giuseppe; Apostolo, Anna; Iorio, AnnaMaria; Paolillo, Stefania; Filardi, Pasquale Perrone; Gargiulo, Paola; Bussotti, Maurizio; Marchese, Giovanni; Correale, Michele; Badagliacca, Roberto; Sciomer, Susanna; Palermo, Pietro; Contini, Mauro; Giannuzzi, Pantaleo; Battaia, Elisa; Cicoira, Mariantonietta; Clemenza, Francesco; Minà, Chiara; Binno, Simone; Passino, Claudio; Piepoli, Massimo F

    2017-01-01

    Anemia is frequent in heart failure (HF), and it is associated with higher mortality. The predictive power of established HF prognostic parameters in anemic HF patients is unknown. Clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary-exercise-test (CPET) data were analyzed in 3913 HF patients grouped according to hemoglobin (Hb) values. 248 (6%), 857 (22%), 2160 (55%) and 648 (17%) patients had very low (<11g/dL), low (11-12 for females, 11-13 for males), normal (12-15 for females, 13-15 for males) and high (>15) Hb, respectively. Median follow-up was 1363days (606-1883). CPETs were always performed safely. Hb was related to prognosis (Hazard ratio (HR)=0.864). No prognostic difference was observed between normal and high Hb groups. Peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO 2 slope), plasma sodium concentration, ejection fraction (LVEF), kidney function and Hb were independently related to prognosis in the entire population. Considering Hb groups separately, peakVO 2 (very low Hb HR=0.549, low Hb HR=0.613, normal Hb HR=0.618, high Hb HR=0.542) and LVEF (very low Hb HR=0.49, low Hb HR=0.692, normal Hb HR=0.697, high Hb HR=0.694) maintained their prognostic roles. High VE/VCO 2 slope was associated with poor prognosis only in patients with low and normal Hb. Anemic HF patients have a worse prognosis, but CPET can be safely performed. PeakVO 2 and LVEF, but not VE/VCO 2 slope, maintain their prognostic power also in HF patients with Hb<11g/dL, suggesting CPET use and a multiparametric approach in HF patients with low Hb. However, the prognostic effect of an anemia-oriented follow-up is unknown. Copyright © 2016 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Classification of variant forms of haemoglobin according to the ratio of glycated haemoglobin to glycated albumin.

    PubMed

    Miyazaki, Ayako; Kohzuma, Takuji; Kasayama, Soji; Koga, Masafumi

    2012-09-01

    Asymptomatic variant haemoglobin is increasingly being found in the measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) for the management of diabetes mellitus. We compared the HbA(1c) concentrations measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and immunoassay and glycated albumin (GA) concentrations and calculated the respective ratios in order to classify the variant haemoglobin. Twenty different haemoglobin variants from 43 subjects were identified by mass spectrometry and DNA analysis. Since GA accurately reflects glycaemic control in patients with variant haemoglobin, we calculated respective ratios of HbA(1c) and GA. Haemoglobin variants causing a low ratio of HbA(1c) measured by HPLC (HPLC-HbA(1c)) to GA with a normal ratio of HbA(1c) measured by immunoassay (IA-HbA(1c)) to GA were classified as C1. A further classification of α and β was used with abnormalities of the α chain or β chain in the haemoglobin gene. Other haemoglobin variants were classified as non-C1. Eight diabetic patients with stable glycaemic control were used as controls. Twenty forms of variant haemoglobins were classified as C1α (2 variants; I-Interlaken and Hb J-Meerut), C1β (15 variants) and non-C1 (3 variants; Hb Himeji, Hb Woolwich, Hb Peterborough). Positive correlations between GA and HPLC-HbA(1c) or IA-HbA(1c) were seen in the C1β patients with diabetes mellitus. The regression line between GA and HPLC-HbA(1c), but not that between GA and IA-HbA(1c), showed a downward shift in comparison with the data obtained from the diabetic controls. Variant haemoglobin could be classified by calculating the ratios of HPLC-HbA(1c), IA-HbA(1c) and GA.

  12. Fetal hemoglobin regulation in β-thalassemia: heterogeneity, modifiers and therapeutic approaches.

    PubMed

    Sripichai, Orapan; Fucharoen, Suthat

    2016-12-01

    Stress erythropoiesis induces fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression in β-thalassemias, however the level of expression is highly variable. The last decade has seen dramatic advances in our understanding of the molecular regulators of HbF production and the genetic factors associated with HbF levels, leading to the promise of new methods of the clinical induction of HbF. Areas covered: This article will review the heterogeneity and genetic modifiers of HbF and HbF induction therapy in β-thalassemia. Expert commentary: One promising curative β-thalassemia therapy is to induce HbF synthesis in β-thalassemic erythrocytes to therapeutic levels before clinical symptom occurs. Further understanding of HbF level variation and regulation is needed in order to predict the response from HbF-inducing approaches.

  13. Hemoglobin-vesicle, a cellular artificial oxygen carrier that fulfils the physiological roles of the red blood cell structure.

    PubMed

    Sakai, Hiromi; Sou, Keitaro; Horinouchi, Hirohisa; Kobayashi, Koichi; Tsuchida, Eishun

    2010-01-01

    Hb-vesicles (HbV) are artificial O(2) carriers encapsulating concentrated Hb solution (35 g/dL) with a phospholipid bilayer membrane (liposome). The concentration of the HbV suspension is extremely high ([Hb] = 10 g/dL) and it has an O(2) carrying capacity that is comparable to that of blood. HbV is much smaller than RBC (250 vs. 8000 nm), but it recreates the functions of RBCs; (i) the slower rate of O(2) unloading than Hb solution; (ii) colloid osmotic pressure is zero; (iii) the viscosity of a HbV suspension is adjustable to that of blood; (iv) HbV is finally captured by and degraded in RES; (v) co-encapsulation of an allosteric effector to regulate O(2) affinity; (vi) the lipid bilayer membrane prevents direct contact of Hb and vasculature; (vii) NO-binding is retarded to some extent by an intracellular diffusion barrier, and HbV does not induce vasoconstriction. (viii) Both RBC and HbV can be a carrier of not only O(2) but also exogenous CO. However, HbV has limitations such as a shorter functional half-life when compared with RBCs. On the other hand, the advantages of HbV are that it is pathogen-free and blood-type-antigen-free; moreover, it can withstand long-term storage of a few years, none of which can be achieved by the RBC transfusion systems.

  14. A Biochemical-Biophysical Study of Hemoglobins from Woolly Mammoth, Asian Elephant, and Humans†

    PubMed Central

    Yuan, Yue; Shen, Tong-Jian; Gupta, Priyamvada; Ho, Nancy T.; Simplaceanu, Virgil; Tam, Tsuey Chyi S.; Hofreiter, Michael; Cooper, Alan; Campbell, Kevin L.; Ho, Chien

    2011-01-01

    This study is aimed at investigating the molecular basis of environmental adaptation of woolly mammoth hemoglobin (Hb) to the harsh thermal conditions of the Pleistocene Ice-ages. To this end, we have carried out a comparative biochemical-biophysical characterization of the structural and functional properties of recombinant hemoglobins (rHb) from woolly mammoth (rHb WM) and Asian elephant (rHb AE) in relation to human hemoglobins Hb A and Hb A2 (a minor component of human Hb). We have obtained oxygen equilibrium curves and calculated O2 affinities, Bohr effects, and the apparent heat of oxygenation (ΔH) in the presence and absence of allosteric effectors [inorganic phosphate and inositol hexaphosphate (IHP)]. Here, we show that the four Hbs exhibit distinct structural properties and respond differently to allosteric effectors. In addition, the apparent heat of oxygenation (ΔH) for rHb WM is less negative than that of rHb AE, especially in phosphate buffer and the presence of IHP, suggesting that the oxygen affinity of mammoth blood was also less sensitive to temperature change. Finally, 1H-NMR spectroscopy data indicates that both α1(β/δ)1 and α1(β/δ)2 interfaces in rHb WM and rHb AE are perturbed, whereas only the α1δ1 interface in Hb A2 is perturbed compared to that in Hb A. The distinct structural and functional features of rHb WM presumably facilitated woolly mammoth survival in the Arctic environment. PMID:21806075

  15. Pregnancy outcome in patients with sickle cell disease in the UK--a national cohort study comparing sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) with HbSC disease.

    PubMed

    Oteng-Ntim, Eugene; Ayensah, Benjamin; Knight, Marian; Howard, Jo

    2015-04-01

    We describe the findings from a national study of maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy in women with sickle cell disease (SCD). Data were collected via the United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System between 1 February 2010 and 31 January 2011 from 109 women, of whom 51 (46·8%) had HbSS and 44 (40·4%) had HbSC. Data included antenatal, maternal and fetal outcomes. Comparisons were made between women with HbSS and HbSC. Incidence of complications were acute pain (57%), blood transfusion (26%), urinary tract infection (UTI; 12%) and critical care unit admission (23%) and these were all more common in women with HbSS than HbSC. There was no difference in the incidence of acute chest syndrome, hypertension and venous thromboembolism between HbSS and HbSC. Women with HbSS were more likely to deliver at <37 weeks gestation (P = 0·01) and their babies were more likely to have reduced birth weight. Delivery at <34 weeks was increased in both HbSS and HbSC women (5·9% vs. 4·6%) compared to national data. This study confirms a high rate of maternal and fetal complications in mothers with SCD, even in women with HbSC, which has previously been considered to have a more benign phenotype in pregnancy. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. Haptoglobin Preserves Vascular Nitric Oxide Signaling during Hemolysis.

    PubMed

    Schaer, Christian A; Deuel, Jeremy W; Schildknecht, Daniela; Mahmoudi, Leila; Garcia-Rubio, Ines; Owczarek, Catherine; Schauer, Stefan; Kissner, Reinhard; Banerjee, Uddyalok; Palmer, Andre F; Spahn, Donat R; Irwin, David C; Vallelian, Florence; Buehler, Paul W; Schaer, Dominik J

    2016-05-15

    Hemolysis occurs not only in conditions such as sickle cell disease and malaria but also during transfusion of stored blood, extracorporeal circulation, and sepsis. Cell-free Hb depletes nitric oxide (NO) in the vasculature, causing vasoconstriction and eventually cardiovascular complications. We hypothesize that Hb-binding proteins may preserve vascular NO signaling during hemolysis. Characterization of an archetypical function by which Hb scavenger proteins could preserve NO signaling during hemolysis. We investigated NO reaction kinetics, effects on arterial NO signaling, and tissue distribution of cell-free Hb and its scavenger protein complexes. Extravascular translocation of cell-free Hb into interstitial spaces, including the vascular smooth muscle cell layer of rat and pig coronary arteries, promotes vascular NO resistance. This critical disease process is blocked by haptoglobin. Haptoglobin does not change NO dioxygenation rates of Hb; rather, the large size of the Hb:haptoglobin complex prevents Hb extravasation, which uncouples NO/Hb interaction and vasoconstriction. Size-selective compartmentalization of Hb functions as a substitute for red blood cells after hemolysis and preserves NO signaling in the vasculature. We found that evolutionarily and structurally unrelated Hb-binding proteins, such as PIT54 found in avian species, functionally converged with haptoglobin to protect NO signaling by sequestering cell-free Hb in large protein complexes. Sequential compartmentalization of Hb by erythrocytes and scavenger protein complexes is an archetypical mechanism, which may have supported coevolution of hemolysis and normal vascular function. Therapeutic supplementation of Hb scavengers may restore vascular NO signaling and attenuate disease complications in patients with hemolysis.

  17. Chromatofocusing and isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients compared for characterization of human hemoglobin variants.

    PubMed

    Paleari, R; Arcelloni, C; Paroni, R; Fermo, I; Mosca, A

    1989-03-01

    We compared the performance of two highly resolving methods, chromatofocusing (CRF) and isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients (IPGF), for the separation of human hemoglobin variants. Lysates containing 13 different hemoglobins, including variants of clinical and geographical importance, and four electrophoretically "silent" variants (Hb Brockton, Hb Cheverly, Hb Köln, and Hb Waco) were analyzed. Both techniques showed a good intrarun precision (CV = 0.87% for CRF, 0.27% for IPGF) and high and similar resolving power (0.010 pH units, with the pH gradients used in this work). The use of an ultranarrow IPGF range (pH 7.15-7.35; pH gradient = 0.019 pH/cm) allowed the resolution between Hb Brockton, Hb Köln, and Hb A. In some cases (Hb D-Los Angeles, Hb F, Hb Waco), the variants were separated from Hb A in different orders, depending on which technique was used, probably because of the different analytical principles of the two methods. As a second-level test, both procedures are informative for characterization of human hemoglobin variants.

  18. Trainability of hemodynamic parameters: A near-infrared spectroscopy based neurofeedback study.

    PubMed

    Kober, Silvia Erika; Hinterleitner, Vanessa; Bauernfeind, Günther; Neuper, Christa; Wood, Guilherme

    2018-05-18

    We investigated the trainability of the hemodynamic response as assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during one neurofeedback (NF) session. Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to four different groups that tried to either increase or decrease oxygenated (oxy-Hb) or deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) over the inferior frontal gyrus during imagery of swallowing movements. Deoxy-Hb could be successfully up-regulated while oxy-Hb could be successfully down-regulated during NF. Participants were not able to down-regulate deoxy-Hb or to up-regulate oxy-Hb. These results show that the natural course of oxy- and deoxy-Hb during movement imagery can be reinforced by providing real-time feedback of the corresponding NIRS parameter since deoxy-Hb generally increases and oxy-Hb decreases during imagery of swallowing. Furthermore, signal-to-noise ratio of deoxy-Hb but not of oxy-Hb improved during training. Our results provide new insights into the trainability of the hemodynamic response as assessed with NIRS and have an impact on the application of NIRS-based real-time feedback. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. CLD (chronic liver diseases)-HbA1C as a suitable indicator for estimation of mean plasma glucose in patients with chronic liver diseases.

    PubMed

    Koga, Masafumi; Kasayama, Soji; Kanehara, Hideo; Bando, Yukihiro

    2008-08-01

    In patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD), turnover of erythrocytes is increased whereas that of serum albumin is decreased. Thus, glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1C)) and glycated albumin (GA) cannot be used as adequate indicators for chronic plasma glucose control in diabetic patients with CLD. In this investigation, we have proposed CLD-HbA(1C), a novel long-term glycemic control marker by using measured HbA(1C) and GA. We studied 82 patients with CLD in whom glycemic control was regarded as to be stable. Daily plasma glucose profiles were monitored and estimated levels of HbA(1C) were calculated on the conversion formula established by Rohlfing et al. [C.L. Rohlfing, J.D. England, H.M. Wiedmeyer, A. Tennill, R.R. Little, D.E. Goldstein, Defining the relationship between plasma glucose and HbA1c, Diabetes Care 25 (2002) 275-278]. Cholinesterase (ChE) as an indicator for hepatic function was determined at the same time when HbA(1C) and GA levels were measured. CLD-HbA(1C) was defined as the average of measured HbA(1C) and GA/3, based upon the results that among healthy individuals, GA levels were roughly estimated at approximately threefold higher than HbA(1C) levels. While measured HbA(1C) levels in patients with CLD were generally lower than estimated HbA(1C) levels, GA/3 values were generally higher than estimated HbA(1C) levels. Such discrepancies lineally increased in accordance with a decrease in ChE levels. On the other hand, CLD-HbA(1C) levels were highly correlated with estimated HbA(1C) levels (R=0.883), while no significant correlation between CLD-HbA(1C) and ChE was noted. In conclusion, CLD-HbA(1C) has been found a superior chronic glycemic control marker than HbA(1C) or GA in diabetic patients with chronic liver diseases.

  20. Comparison of haemoglobin assessments by HemoCue and two automated haematology analysers in young Laotian children.

    PubMed

    Hinnouho, Guy-Marino; Barffour, Maxwell A; Wessells, K Ryan; Brown, Kenneth H; Kounnavong, Sengchanh; Chanhthavong, Bigphone; Ratsavong, Kethmany; Kewcharoenwong, Chidchamai; Hess, Sonja Y

    2017-12-02

    Haemoglobin (Hb) assessment by Hemocue is used widely for anaemia screening in both adults and children. However, few studies have compared the diagnostic accuracy of Hemocue with an automated haematology analyser in young children. To compare Hb concentrations by Hemocue Hb301 and two automated haematology analysers in young children in rural communities of Lao PDR. Capillary blood was collected from 6-month-old to 23-month-old children (n=1487) for determination of Hb concentration by Hemocue Hb301. On the same day, venous blood was collected for complete blood count using one of two haematology analysers (XT-1800i, Sysmex, and BC-3000Plus, Mindray Medical International). In a subsample of children (n=129), venous Hb was also measured by HemoCue Hb301. Agreement between the two methods was estimated using Bland-Altman plots. Mean capillary Hb by Hemocue was significantly higher than mean venous Hb by haematology analysers combined (108.4±10.3 g/L vs 102.3±13.1 g/L; P<0.001), resulting in a significantly lower anaemia prevalence (Hb <110 g/L) by Hemocue (53.7% vs 73.9%; P<0.001). The Bland-Altman assessment of agreement showed a bias of 6.1 g/L and limits of agreement were -11.5 g/L to 23.7 g/L. Mean venous Hb concentration by Hemocue Hb301 (113.6±14.0 g/L) was significantly higher than mean capillary Hb concentration by Hemocue Hb301 (110.0±10.7; P=0.03 g/L), which in turn was significantly higher than mean venous Hb concentration by the Mindray BC-3000Plus (102.3±17.4 g/L). Capillary and venous Hb concentrations assessed by Hemocue Hb301 showed poor agreement compared with venous Hb by automated haematology analysers, resulting in significantly different anaemia prevalences. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  1. Temporal profiles and 2-dimensional oxy-, deoxy-, and total-hemoglobin somatosensory maps in rat versus mouse cortex

    PubMed Central

    Prakash, Neal; Biag, Jonathan D.; Sheth, Sameer A.; Mitsuyama, Satoshi; Theriot, Jeremy; Ramachandra, Chaithanya; Toga, Arthur W.

    2007-01-01

    Background Mechanisms of neurovascular coupling—the relationship between neuronal chemoelectrical activity and compensatory metabolic and hemodynamic changes—appear to be preserved across species from rats to humans despite differences in scale. However, previous work suggests that the highly cellular dense mouse somatosensory cortex has different functional hemodynamic changes compared to other species. Methods We developed novel hardware and software for 2-dimensional optical spectroscopy (2DOS). Optical changes at four simultaneously recorded wavelengths were measured in both rat and mouse primary somatosensory cortex (S1) evoked by forepaw stimulation to create four spectral maps. The spectral maps were converted to maps of deoxy-, oxy-, and total-hemoglobin (HbR, HbO, and HbT) concentration changes using the modified Beer-Lambert law and phantom HbR and HbO absorption spectra. Results Functional hemodynamics were different in mouse versus rat neocortex. On average, hemodynamics were as expected in rat primary somatosensory cortex (S1): the fractional change in the log of HbT concentration increased monophasically 2 s after stimulus, whereas HbO changes mirrored HbR changes, with HbO showing a small initial dip at 0.5 s followed by a large increase 3.0 s post stimulus. In contrast, mouse S1 showed a novel type of stimulus-evoked hemodynamic response, with prolonged, concurrent, monophasic increases in HbR and HbT and a parallel decrease in HbO that all peaked 3.5–4.5 s post stimulus onset. For rats, at any given time point the average size and shape of HbO and HbR forepaw maps were the same, whereas surface veins distorted the shape of the HbT map. For mice, HbO, HbR, and HbT forepaw maps were generally the same size and shape at any post-stimulus time point. Conclusions 2DOS using image splitting optics is feasible across species for brain mapping and quantifying the map topography of cortical hemodynamics. These results suggest that during physiologic stimulation, different species and/or cortical architecture may give rise to different hemodynamic changes during neurovascular coupling. PMID:17574868

  2. Cation Homeostasis in Red Cells From Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Heterologous for HbS and HbC (HbSC Genotype)

    PubMed Central

    Hannemann, A.; Rees, D.C.; Tewari, S.; Gibson, J.S.

    2015-01-01

    Sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients of HbSC genotype is considered similar, albeit milder, to that in homozygous HbSS individuals — but with little justification. In SCD, elevated red cell cation permeability is critical as increased solute loss causes dehydration and encourages sickling. Recently, we showed that the KCl cotransporter (KCC) activity in red cells from HbSC patients correlated significantly with disease severity, but that in HbSS patients did not. Two transporters involved in red cell dehydration, the conductive channels Psickle and the Gardos channel, behaved similarly in red cells from the two genotypes, but were significantly less active in HbSC patients. By contrast, KCC activity was quantitatively greater in HbSC red cells. Results suggest that KCC is likely to have greater involvement in red cell dehydration in HbSC patients, which could explain its association with disease severity in this genotype. This work supports the hypothesis that SCD in HbSC patients is a distinct disease entity to that in HbSS patients. Results suggest the possibility of designing specific treatments of particular benefit to HbSC patients and a rationale for the development of prognostic markers, to inform early treatment of children likely to develop more severe complications of the disease. PMID:26870793

  3. Hemoglobin extravasation in the brain of rats exchange-transfused with hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers.

    PubMed

    Terraneo, Laura; Bianciardi, Paola; Malavalli, Ashok; Mkrtchyan, Gnel; Spann, Stephanie N; Lohman, Jeff; Samaja, Michele; Vandegriff, Kim D

    2017-06-01

    Haemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers are under consideration as oxygen therapeutics. Their effect on apoptosis is critical, because the onset of pro-apoptotic pathways may lead to tissue damage. MP4OX, a polyethylene glycol-conjugated human Hb preserves the baseline level of neuron apoptosis with respect to sham. Here we develop a method for measuring Hb extravasation in brain. We exchange transfused rats by haemorrhaging 50% of their blood with simultaneous, isovolemic replacement with Hextend (negative control), MP4OX, or αα-cross-linked Hb. Animals were sacrificed 2 h after transfusion, brain tissue was harvested and processed for double-staining immunofluorescence, whereby Hb ? chain and NeuN (a neuron protein) were stained and quantitated. Whereas Hextend did not induce Hb extravasation, in both MP4OX and ??Hb brains Hb molecules were detected outside neurons. The level of extravasated Hb chains was > 3-fold higher in Hb compared to MP4OX. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of protein related to redox imbalance (e.g., Nrf2, iNOS and ERK phosphorylation) were higher in ααHb than MP4OX. In conclusions, higher Hb extravasation in ααHb than MP4OX induces redox imbalance, which causes higher anti-oxidant response. Whereas Nrf2 response may be considered protective, iNOS response appears damaging.

  4. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor and enteric neural stem cell transplantation in the prevention of experimental necrotizing enterocolitis in mice.

    PubMed

    Wei, Jia; Zhou, Yu; Besner, Gail E

    2015-07-01

    Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with loss of neurons and glial cells in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Our goal was to determine whether enteric neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation, in conjunction with heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), could protect against experimental NEC. In vitro, HB-EGF on NSC proliferation and migration, and the effects of receptors utilized by HB-EGF to exert these effects, were determined. In vivo, mouse pups were exposed to experimental NEC and treated with NSC alone, HB-EGF alone, NSC+HB-EGF, or HB-EGF overexpressing NSC. NSC engraftment and differentiation into neurons in the ENS, intestinal injury, intestinal permeability, and intestinal motility were determined. HB-EGF promoted NSC proliferation via ErbB-1 receptors and enhanced NSC migration via ErbB-1, ErbB-4, and Nardilysin receptors. HB-EGF significantly enhanced the engraftment of transplanted NSC into the ENS during NEC. NSC transplantation significantly reduced NEC incidence and improved gut barrier function and intestinal motility, and these effects were augmented by simultaneous administration of HB-EGF or by transplantation of HB-EGF overexpressing NSC. HB-EGF promotes NSC proliferation and migration. HB-EGF and NSC reduce intestinal injury and improve gut barrier function and intestinal motility in experimental NEC. Combined HB-EGF and NSC transplantation may represent a potential future therapy to prevent NEC.

  5. Transfusion associated peak in hb HPLC chromatogram - a case report.

    PubMed

    Jain, Sonal; Dass, Jasmita; Pati, Hara Prasad

    2012-01-01

    High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrophoresis are commonly used to diagnose various hemoglobinopathies. However, insufficient information about the transfusion history can lead to unexpected and confusing results. We are reporting a case of Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) in which HbHPLC was done to quantify fetal hemoglobin (HbF). The chromatogram showed elevated HbF along with a peak in the HbD window. A transfusion acquired peak was suspected based on the unexpectedly low percentage of HbD and was subsequently confirmed using parental HbHPLC.

  6. Transfusion Associated Peak in Hb HPLC Chromatogram – a Case Report

    PubMed Central

    Jain, Sonal; Dass, Jasmita; Pati, Hara Prasad

    2012-01-01

    High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrophoresis are commonly used to diagnose various hemoglobinopathies. However, insufficient information about the transfusion history can lead to unexpected and confusing results. We are reporting a case of Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) in which HbHPLC was done to quantify fetal hemoglobin (HbF). The chromatogram showed elevated HbF along with a peak in the HbD window. A transfusion acquired peak was suspected based on the unexpectedly low percentage of HbD and was subsequently confirmed using parental HbHPLC. PMID:22348188

  7. Co-inheritance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency mutations and hemoglobin E in a Kachin population in a malaria-endemic region of Southeast Asia

    PubMed Central

    He, Lijun; Li, Qing; Wu, Yanrui; Luo, Lan; Li, Hong; Ma, Limei; Yang, Zhaoqing; He, Yongshu; Cui, Liwang

    2017-01-01

    Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and hemoglobin E (HbE, β26 Glu-Lys) are two common red cell disorders in Southeast Asia. G6PD deficiency produces hemolytic anemia, which can be triggered by certain drugs or infections. HbE is asymptomatic or is manifested as microcytic, minimally hemolytic anemia. The association between G6PD deficiency and HbE is little understood. This study aimed to investigate G6PD deficiency and HbE in a Kachin ethnic group in the China-Myanmar border area. G6PD enzyme activity was measured using a quantitative G6PD assay, G6PD variants genotyped by the SNaPshot assay, and an HbE gene mutation identified by an amplification refractory mutation system and subsequently confirmed by using a reverse dot blot hybridization assay from 100 unrelated individuals in the study area. G6PD enzyme activity ranged from 0.4 to 24.7 U/g Hb, and six males had severe G6PD deficiency (<0.12–1.2 U/g Hb), while six males and 12 females had mild G6PD deficiency (>1.2–4.5 U/g Hb). Among the 24 G6PD-deficient subjects, 22 (92%) had the Mahidol 487G>A mutation (12 male hemizygotes, one female homozygote, and nine female heterozygotes), while the G6PD genotypes in two female subjects were unknown. HbE was identified in 39 subjects (20 males and 19 females), including 15 HbEE (seven males and eight females) and 24 HbAE (13 males and 11 females). Twenty-three subjects co-inherited both G6PD deficiency and HbE (22 with HbAE and one with HbEE). Whereas mean Hb levels were not significantly different between the HbA and HbE groups, G6PD-deficient males had significantly lower Hb levels than G6PD-normal males (P < 0.05, t-test). However, it is noteworthy that two G6PD-deficient hemizygous males with HbAE were severely anemic with Hb levels below 50 g/L. This study revealed high prevalence of co-inheritance of G6PD deficiency with HbAE in the Kachin ethnicity, and a potential interaction of the G6PD Mahidol 487G>A and HbAE in males leading to severe anemia. The presence of 6% males with severe G6PD deficiency raised a major concern in the use of primaquine for radical cure of vivax malaria. PMID:28531196

  8. Co-inheritance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency mutations and hemoglobin E in a Kachin population in a malaria-endemic region of Southeast Asia.

    PubMed

    Deng, Zeshuai; Yang, Fang; Bai, Yao; He, Lijun; Li, Qing; Wu, Yanrui; Luo, Lan; Li, Hong; Ma, Limei; Yang, Zhaoqing; He, Yongshu; Cui, Liwang

    2017-01-01

    Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and hemoglobin E (HbE, β26 Glu-Lys) are two common red cell disorders in Southeast Asia. G6PD deficiency produces hemolytic anemia, which can be triggered by certain drugs or infections. HbE is asymptomatic or is manifested as microcytic, minimally hemolytic anemia. The association between G6PD deficiency and HbE is little understood. This study aimed to investigate G6PD deficiency and HbE in a Kachin ethnic group in the China-Myanmar border area. G6PD enzyme activity was measured using a quantitative G6PD assay, G6PD variants genotyped by the SNaPshot assay, and an HbE gene mutation identified by an amplification refractory mutation system and subsequently confirmed by using a reverse dot blot hybridization assay from 100 unrelated individuals in the study area. G6PD enzyme activity ranged from 0.4 to 24.7 U/g Hb, and six males had severe G6PD deficiency (<0.12-1.2 U/g Hb), while six males and 12 females had mild G6PD deficiency (>1.2-4.5 U/g Hb). Among the 24 G6PD-deficient subjects, 22 (92%) had the Mahidol 487G>A mutation (12 male hemizygotes, one female homozygote, and nine female heterozygotes), while the G6PD genotypes in two female subjects were unknown. HbE was identified in 39 subjects (20 males and 19 females), including 15 HbEE (seven males and eight females) and 24 HbAE (13 males and 11 females). Twenty-three subjects co-inherited both G6PD deficiency and HbE (22 with HbAE and one with HbEE). Whereas mean Hb levels were not significantly different between the HbA and HbE groups, G6PD-deficient males had significantly lower Hb levels than G6PD-normal males (P < 0.05, t-test). However, it is noteworthy that two G6PD-deficient hemizygous males with HbAE were severely anemic with Hb levels below 50 g/L. This study revealed high prevalence of co-inheritance of G6PD deficiency with HbAE in the Kachin ethnicity, and a potential interaction of the G6PD Mahidol 487G>A and HbAE in males leading to severe anemia. The presence of 6% males with severe G6PD deficiency raised a major concern in the use of primaquine for radical cure of vivax malaria.

  9. How "lucky" we are that the Fukushima disaster occurred in early spring: predictions on the contamination levels from various fission products released from the accident and updates on the risk assessment for solid and thyroid cancers.

    PubMed

    Evangeliou, Nikolaos; Balkanski, Yves; Cozic, Anne; Møller, Anders Pape

    2014-12-01

    The present paper studies how a random event (earthquake) and the subsequent disaster in Japan affect transport and deposition of fallout and the resulting health consequences. Therefore, except for the original accident in March 2011, three additional scenarios are assessed assuming that the same releases took place in winter 2010, summer 2011 and autumn 2011 in order to cover a full range of annual seasonality. This is also the first study where a large number of fission products released from the accident are used to assess health risks with the maximum possible efficiency. Xenon-133 and (137)Cs are directly estimated within the model, whereas 15 other radionuclides are calculated indirectly using reported isotopic ratios. As much as 85% of the released (137)Cs would be deposited in continental regions worldwide if the accident occurred in winter 2010, 22% in spring 2011 (when it actually happened), 55% in summer 2011 and 48% if it occurred during autumn 2011. Solid cancer incidents and mortalities from Fukushima are estimated to be between 160 and 880 and from 110 to 640 close to previous estimations. By adding thyroid cancers, the total number rises from 230 to 850 for incidents and from 120 to 650 for mortalities. Fatalities due to worker exposure and mandatory evacuation have been reported to be around 610 increasing total estimated mortalities to 730-1260. These estimates are 2.8 times higher than previously reported ones for radiocaesium and (131)I and 16% higher than those reported based on radiocaesium only. Total expected fatalities from Fukushima are 32% lower than in the winter scenario, 5% that in the summer scenario and 30% lower than in the autumn scenario. Nevertheless, cancer fatalities are expected to be less than 5% of those from the tsunami (~20,000). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Molecular Characteristics of Hb New York [β113(G15)Val→Glu, HBB: c.341T>A] in Thailand.

    PubMed

    Chaibunruang, Attawut; Singha, Kritsada; Srivorakun, Hataichanok; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Fucharoen, Supan

    2018-01-01

    Hb New York or Hb Kaohsiung [β113(G15)Val→Glu (GTG>GAG), HBB: c.341T>A] has been considered a rare β hemoglobin (Hb) variant found originally in an Iranian woman and later in diverse populations but its genetic origin has not been elucidated. Here we report molecular and hematological descriptions of this variant found in the Thai population. Among 5643 subjects referred for hemoglobinopathy investigation during January 2015 to September 2017, 183 (3.2%) were found to carry several Hb variants, including β chain variants (n = 135, 2.4%), α chain variants (n = 33, 0.6%), Hb Lepore-Hollandia (NG_000007.3: g.63290_70702del) and Hb Lepore-Boston-Washington (NG_000007.3: g.63632_71046del) (δβ hybrid Hb) (n = 12, 0.2%) and δ chain variants (n = 3, 0.05%). Of patients with β chain variants, six with normal high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) patterns, had an abnormal Hb in zone 11 of capillary electrophoresis (CE), the amounts of which ranged from 29.6-45.4% with normal levels of Hb A 2 and Hb F. DNA analysis identified a heterozygous Hb New York mutation in all cases. Further screening of α-thalassemia (α-thal) identified coinheritance of α + - and α 0 -thal in two of them who had reduced levels of Hb New York. Haplotype analysis suggested that the Thai Hb New York was likely associated with a single β-globin haplotype [+ - - - - + +], indicating that it was of the same origin. Hematological findings and simple DNA assay based on allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid detection of Hb New York are presented.

  11. Evolution, Three-Dimensional Model and Localization of Truncated Hemoglobin PttTrHb of Hybrid Aspen

    PubMed Central

    Dumont, Estelle; Jokipii-Lukkari, Soile; Parkash, Vimal; Vuosku, Jaana; Sundström, Robin; Nymalm, Yvonne; Sutela, Suvi; Taskinen, Katariina; Kallio, Pauli T.; Salminen, Tiina A.; Häggman, Hely

    2014-01-01

    Thus far, research on plant hemoglobins (Hbs) has mainly concentrated on symbiotic and non-symbiotic Hbs, and information on truncated Hbs (TrHbs) is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the origin, structure and localization of the truncated Hb (PttTrHb) of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × tremuloides Michx.), the model system of tree biology. Additionally, we studied the PttTrHb expression in relation to non-symbiotic class1 Hb gene (PttHb1) using RNAi-silenced hybrid aspen lines. Both the phylogenetic analysis and the three-dimensional (3D) model of PttTrHb supported the view that plant TrHbs evolved vertically from a bacterial TrHb. The 3D model suggested that PttTrHb adopts a 2-on-2 sandwich of α-helices and has a Bacillus subtilis -like ligand-binding pocket in which E11Gln and B10Tyr form hydrogen bonds to a ligand. However, due to differences in tunnel cavity and gate residue (E7Ala), it might not show similar ligand-binding kinetics as in Bs-HbO (E7Thr). The immunolocalization showed that PttTrHb protein was present in roots, stems as well as leaves of in vitro -grown hybrid aspens. In mature organs, PttTrHb was predominantly found in the vascular bundles and specifically at the site of lateral root formation, overlapping consistently with areas of nitric oxide (NO) production in plants. Furthermore, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside treatment increased the amount of PttTrHb in stems. The observed PttTrHb localization suggests that PttTrHb plays a role in the NO metabolism. PMID:24520401

  12. Role of β/δ101Gln in Regulating the Effect of Temperature and Allosteric Effectors on Oxygen Affinity in Woolly Mammoth Hemoglobin†

    PubMed Central

    Yuan, Yue; Byrd, Catherine; Shen, Tong-Jian; Simplaceanu, Virgil; Tam, Tsuey Chyi S.; Ho, Chien

    2013-01-01

    The oxygen affinity of woolly mammoth hemoglobin (rHb WM) is less affected by temperature change than that of Asian elephant hemoglobin (rHb AE) or human adult hemoglobin (Hb A). We report here a biochemical-biophysical study of Hb A, rHb AE, rHb WM and three rHb WM mutants with amino acid substitutions at β/δ101 (β/δ101Gln→Glu, Lys, or Asp) plus a double and a triple mutant, designed to clarify the role of the β/δ101 residue. The β/δ101Gln residue is important for responding to allosteric effectors, such as phosphate, inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), and chloride. The rHb WM mutants studied generally have higher affinity for oxygen under various conditions of pH, temperature, and salt concentration, and in the presence or absence of organic phosphate, than do rHb WM, rHb AE and Hb A. Titrations for the O2 affinity of these mutant rHbs as a function of chloride concentration indicate a lower heterotopic effect of this anion due to the replacement of β/δ101Gln in rHb WM. The alkaline Bohr effect of rHb WM and its mutants is reduced by 20–50% compared to that of Hb A and is independent of changes in temperature, in contrast to what has been observed in the hemoglobins of most mammalian species, including human. The results of our study on the temperature dependence of the O2 affinity of rHb WM and its mutant rHbs illustrate the important role of β/δ101Gln in regulating the functional properties of these hemoglobins. PMID:24228693

  13. Noninvasive Measurement of Hemoglobin Using Spectrophotometry: Is it Useful for the Critically Ill Child?

    PubMed

    Akyildiz, Basak

    2018-01-01

    This study compared the accuracy of noninvasively measuring hemoglobin using spectrophotometry (SpHb) with a pulse CO-oximeter and laboratory hemoglobin (Hb) measurements. A total of 345 critically ill children were included prospectively. Age, sex, and factors influencing the reliabilityof SpHb such as SpO2, heart rate, perfusion index (PI), and vasoactive inotropic score were recorded. SpHb measurements were recorded during the blood draw and compared with the Hb measurement. Thirteen patients (low PI in 9 patients and no available Hb in 4 patients) were excluded and 332 children were eligible for final analysis. The mean Hb was 8.71±1.49 g/dL (range, 5.9 to 12 g/dL) and the mean SpHb level was 9.55±1.53 g/dL (range, 6 to 14.2 g/dL). The SpHb bias was 0.84±0.86,with the limits of agreement ranging from -2.5 to 0.9 g/dL. The difference between Hb and SpHb was >1.5 g/dL for only 47 patients. Of these, 24 patients had laboratory Hb levels <7 g/dL. There was a weak positive correlation between differences and PI (r=0.349; P= 0.032). The pulse CO-oximeter is a promising tool for measuring SpHb and monitoring critically ill children. However, PI may affect these results. Additional studies investigating the reliability of the trend of continuous SpHb values compared with simultaneously measured laboratory Hb values in the same patient are warranted.

  14. Hemoglobin adducts in workers exposed to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate

    PubMed Central

    Flack, Sheila L.; Fent, Kenneth W.; Gaines, Linda G. T.; Thomasen, Jennifer M.; Whittaker, Stephen G.; Ball, Louise M.; Nylander-French, Leena A.

    2014-01-01

    We investigated the utility of 1,6-hexamethylene diamine (HDA) hemoglobin adducts as biomarkers of exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) monomer. Blood samples from 15 spray painters applying HDI-containing paint were analyzed for hemoglobin HDA (HDA-Hb) and N-acetyl-1,6-hexamethylene diamine (monoacetyl-HDA-Hb) by GC-MS. HDA-Hb was detected in the majority of workers (≤1.2–37 ng/g Hb), whereas monoacetyl-HDA-Hb was detected in one worker (0.06 ng/g Hb). The stronger, positive association between HDA-Hb and cumulative HDI exposure (r2 = 0.3, p < 0.06) than same day exposure (p ≥ 0.13) indicates long-term elimination kinetics for HDA-Hb adducts. This association demonstrates the suitability of HDA-Hb adducts for further validation as a biomarker of HDI exposure. PMID:21506697

  15. Is insulin the most effective injectable antihyperglycaemic therapy?

    PubMed

    Buse, J B; Peters, A; Russell-Jones, D; Furber, S; Donsmark, M; Han, J; MacConell, L; Maggs, D; Diamant, M

    2015-02-01

    The recent type 2 diabetes American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes (ADA/EASD) position statement suggested insulin is the most effective glucose-lowering therapy, especially when glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is very high. However, randomized studies comparing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) exenatide once-weekly [OW; DURATION-3 (Diabetes therapy Utilization: Researching changes in A1c, weight, and other factors Through Intervention with exenatide ONce-Weekly)] and liraglutide once-daily [OD; LEAD-5 (Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes)] with insulin glargine documented greater HbA1c reduction with GLP-1RAs, from baseline HbA1c ∼8.3% (67 mmol/mol). This post hoc analysis of DURATION-3 and LEAD-5 examined changes in HbA1c, fasting glucose and weight with exenatide OW or liraglutide and glargine, by baseline HbA1c quartile. Descriptive statistics were provided for change in HbA1c, fasting glucose, weight, and insulin dose, and subjects (%) achieving HbA1c <7.0%, by baseline HbA1c quartile. Inferential statistical analysis on the effect of baseline HbA1c quartile was performed for change in HbA1c. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model was used to evaluate similarity in change in HbA1c across HbA1c quartiles. At 26 weeks, in both studies, HbA1c reduction, and proportion of subjects reaching HbA1c <7.0%, were similar or numerically greater with the GLP-1RAs than glargine for all baseline HbA1c quartiles. Fasting glucose reduction was similar or numerically greater with glargine. Weight decreased with both GLP-1RAs across all quartiles; subjects taking glargine gained weight, more at higher baseline HbA1c. Adverse events were uncommon although gastrointestinal events occurred more frequently with GLP-1RAs. HbA1c reduction with the GLP-1RAs appears at least equivalent to that with basal insulin, irrespective of baseline HbA1c. This suggests that liraglutide and exenatide OW may be appropriate alternatives to basal insulin in type 2 diabetes, including when baseline HbA1c is very high (≥9.0%). © 2014 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Feng,L.; Gell, D.; Zhou, S.

    Hemoglobin A (HbA), the oxygen delivery system in humans, comprises two alpha and two beta subunits. Free alpha-hemoglobin (alphaHb) is unstable, and its precipitation contributes to the pathophysiology of beta thalassemia. In erythrocytes, the alpha-hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP) binds alphaHb and inhibits its precipitation. The crystal structure of AHSP bound to Fe(II)-alphaHb reveals that AHSP specifically recognizes the G and H helices of alphaHb through a hydrophobic interface that largely recapitulates the alpha1-beta1 interface of hemoglobin. The AHSP-alphaHb interactions are extensive but suboptimal, explaining why beta-hemoglobin can competitively displace AHSP to form HbA. Remarkably, the Fe(II)-heme group in AHSP boundmore » alphaHb is coordinated by the distal but not the proximal histidine. Importantly, binding to AHSP facilitates the conversion of oxy-alphaHb to a deoxygenated, oxidized [Fe(III)], nonreactive form in which all six coordinate positions are occupied. These observations reveal the molecular mechanisms by which AHSP stabilizes free alphaHb.« less

  17. BCL11A Enhancer Haplotypes and Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Anemia

    PubMed Central

    Sebastiani, P.; Farrell, J.J.; Alsultan, A.; Wang, S.; Edward, H. L.; Shappell, H.; Bae, H.; Milton, J. N.; Baldwin, C.T.; Al-Rubaish, A.M.; Naserullah, Z.; Al-Muhanna, F.; Alsuliman, A.; Patra, P. K.; Farrer, L.A.; Ngo, D.; Vathipadiekal, V.; Chui, D.H.K.; Al-Ali, A.K.; Steinberg, M.H.

    2015-01-01

    Background Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels in sickle cell anemia patients vary. We genotyped polymorphisms in the erythroid-specific enhancer of BCL11A to see if they might account for the very high HbF associated with the Arab-Indian (AI) haplotype and Benin haplotype of sickle cell anemia. Methods and Results Six BCL112A enhancer SNPs and their haplotypes were studied in Saudi Arabs from the Eastern Province and Indian patients with AI haplotype (HbF ~20%), African Americans (HbF ~7%), and Saudi Arabs from the Southwestern Province (HbF ~12%). Four SNPs (rs1427407, rs6706648, rs6738440, and rs7606173) and their haplotypes were consistently associated with HbF levels. The distributions of haplotypes differ in the 3 cohorts but not their genetic effects: the haplotype TCAG was associated with the lowest HbF level and the haplotype GTAC was associated with the highest HbF level and differences in HbF levels between carriers of these haplotypes in all cohorts was approximately 6%. Conclusions Common HbF BCL11A enhancer haplotypes in patients with African origin and AI sickle cell anemia have similar effects on HbF but they do not explain their differences in HbF. PMID:25703683

  18. Development and validation of an oxygen dissociation assay, a screening platform for discovering, and characterizing hemoglobin-oxygen affinity modifiers.

    PubMed

    Patel, Mira P; Siu, Vincent; Silva-Garcia, Abel; Xu, Qing; Li, Zhe; Oksenberg, Donna

    2018-01-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) is a critical molecule necessary for all vertebrates to maintain aerobic metabolism. Hb-oxygen (O 2 ) affinity modifiers have been studied to address various diseases including sickle cell disease, hypoxemia, tumor hypoxia, and wound healing. However, drug development of exogenous Hb modifiers has been hindered by the lack of a technique to rapidly screen compounds for their ability to alter Hb-O 2 affinity. We have developed a novel screening assay based upon the spectral changes observed during Hb deoxygenation and termed it the oxygen dissociation assay (ODA). ODA allows for the quantitation of oxygenated Hb at given time points during Hb deoxygenation on a 96-well plate. This assay was validated by comparing the ability of 500 Hb modifiers to alter the Hb-O 2 affinity in the ODA vs the oxygen equilibrium curves obtained using the industry standard Hemox Analyzer instrument. A correlation ( R 2 ) of 0.7 indicated that the ODA has the potential to screen and identify potent exogenous Hb modifiers. In addition, it allows for concurrent comparison of compounds, concentrations, buffers, or pHs on the level of Hb oxygenation. With a cost-effective, simple, rapid, and highly adaptable assay, the ODA will allow researchers to rapidly characterize Hb-O 2 affinity modifiers.

  19. Continuous monitoring of haemoglobin concentration after in-vivo adjustment in patients undergoing surgery with blood loss.

    PubMed

    Frasca, D; Mounios, H; Giraud, B; Boisson, M; Debaene, B; Mimoz, O

    2015-07-01

    Non-invasive monitoring of haemoglobin concentration provides real-time measurement of haemoglobin concentration (SpHb) using multi-wavelength pulse co-oximetry. We hypothesised that in-vivo adjustment using the mean of three haemoglobinometer (HemoCue®) measurements from an arterial blood sample at the first SpHb measurement (HCueART) would increase the accuracy of the monitor. The study included 41 adults for a total of 173 measurements of haemoglobin concentration. In-vivo adjusted SpHb was automatically calculated by the following formula: in-vivo adjusted SpHb = unadjusted SpHb - (SpHb - HCueART). The accuracy of in-vivo adjusted SpHb was compared with SpHb retrospectively adjusted using the same formula, except for haemoglobin level which was assessed at the central laboratory and then compared with all other available invasive methods of haemoglobin measurement (co-oximetry, HbSAT; arterial HemoCue, HCueART; capillary HemoCue, HCueCAP). Compared with laboratory measurement of haemoglobin concentration, bias (precision) for unadjusted SpHb, in-vivo adjusted SpHb, retrospectively adjusted SpHb, HbSAT, HCueART and HCueCAP were -0.4 (1.4), -0.3 (1.1), -0.3 (1.1), -0.6 (0.7), 0.0 (0.4) and -0.5 (1.2) g.dl(-1) , respectively. In-vivo adjustment of SpHb values using the mean of three arterial HemoCue measurements improved the accuracy of the device similar to those observed after a retrospective adjustment using central laboratory haemoglobin level. © 2015 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.

  20. Molecular weight-dependent degradation of D-lactate-containing polyesters by polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerases from Variovorax sp. C34 and Alcaligenes faecalis T1.

    PubMed

    Sun, Jian; Matsumoto, Ken'ichiro; Tabata, Yuta; Kadoya, Ryosuke; Ooi, Toshihiko; Abe, Hideki; Taguchi, Seiichi

    2015-11-01

    Polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerase derived from Variovorax sp. C34 (PhaZVs) was identified as the first enzyme that is capable of degrading isotactic P[67 mol% (R)-lactate(LA)-co-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate(3HB)] [P(D-LA-co-D-3HB)]. This study aimed at analyzing the monomer sequence specificity of PhaZVs for hydrolyzing P(LA-co-3HB) in comparison with a P(3HB) depolymerase from Alcaligenes faecalis T1 (PhaZAf) that did not degrade the same copolymer. Degradation of P(LA-co-3HB) by action of PhaZVs generated dimers, 3HB-3HB, 3HB-LA, LA-3HB, and LA-LA, and the monomers, suggesting that PhaZVs cleaved the linkages between LA and 3HB units and between LA units. To provide a direct evidence for the hydrolysis of these sequences, the synthetic methyl trimers, 3HB-3HB-3HB, LA-LA-3HB, LA-3HB-LA, and 3HB-LA-LA, were treated with the PhaZs. Unexpectedly, not only PhaZVs but also PhaZAf hydrolyzed all of these substrates, namely PhaZAf also cleaved LA-LA linkage. Considering the fact that both PhaZs did not degrade P[(R)-LA] (PDLA) homopolymer, the cleavage capability of LA-LA linkage by PhaZs was supposed to depend on the length of the LA-clustering region in the polymer chain. To test this hypothesis, PDLA oligomers (6 to 40 mer) were subjected to the PhaZ assay, revealing that there was an inverse relationship between molecular weight of the substrates and their hydrolysis efficiency. Moreover, PhaZVs exhibited the degrading activity toward significantly longer PDLA oligomers compared to PhaZAf. Therefore, the cleaving capability of PhaZs used here toward the D-LA-based polymers containing the LA-clustering region was strongly associated with the substrate length, rather than the monomer sequence specificity of the enzyme.

  1. Dietary determinants for Hb-acrylamide and Hb-glycidamide adducts in Danish non-smoking women.

    PubMed

    Outzen, Malene; Egeberg, Rikke; Dragsted, Lars; Christensen, Jane; Olesen, Pelle T; Frandsen, Henrik; Overvad, Kim; Tjønneland, Anne; Olsen, Anja

    2011-05-01

    Acrylamide (AA) is a probable human carcinogen that is formed in heat-treated carbohydrate-rich foods. The validity of FFQ to assess AA exposure has been questioned. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate dietary determinants of Hb-AA and Hb-glycidamide (GA) adducts. The study included 537 non-smoking women aged 50-65 years who participated in the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort (1993-97). At study baseline, blood samples and information on dietary and lifestyle variables obtained from self-administered questionnaires were collected. From blood samples, Hb-AA and Hb-GA in erythrocytes were analysed by liquid chromatography/MS/MS. Dietary determinants were evaluated by multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age and smoking behaviour among ex-smokers. The median for Hb-AA was 35 pmol/g globin (5th percentile 17, 95th percentile 89) and for Hb-GA 21 pmol/g globin (5th percentile 8, 95th percentile 49). Of the dietary factors studied, intakes of coffee and chips were statistically significantly associated with a 4 % per 200 g/d (95 % CI 2, 7; P < 0·0001) and an 18 % per 5 g/d (95 % CI 6, 31; P = 0·002) higher Hb-AA, respectively. This model explained 17 % of the variation in Hb-AA. Intakes of coffee and biscuits/crackers were statistically significantly associated with a 3 % per 200 g/d (95 % CI 1, 6; P = 0·005) and 12 % per 10 g/d (95 % CI 3, 23; P = 0·01) higher Hb-GA, respectively. This model explained 12 % of the variation in Hb-GA. In conclusion, only a few dietary determinants of Hb-AA and Hb-GA were identified. Thus, the present study implies that dietary intake measured by an FFQ explains only to a limited extent the variation in Hb-AA and Hb-GA concentrations.

  2. Characterization and Expression of the Lucina pectinata Oxygen and Sulfide Binding Hemoglobin Genes

    PubMed Central

    López-Garriga, Juan; Cadilla, Carmen L.

    2016-01-01

    The clam Lucina pectinata lives in sulfide-rich muds and houses intracellular symbiotic bacteria that need to be supplied with hydrogen sulfide and oxygen. This clam possesses three hemoglobins: hemoglobin I (HbI), a sulfide-reactive protein, and hemoglobin II (HbII) and III (HbIII), which are oxygen-reactive. We characterized the complete gene sequence and promoter regions for the oxygen reactive hemoglobins and the partial structure and promoters of the HbI gene from Lucina pectinata. We show that HbI has two mRNA variants, where the 5’end had either a sequence of 96 bp (long variant) or 37 bp (short variant). The gene structure of the oxygen reactive Hbs is defined by having 4-exons/3-introns with conservation of intron location at B12.2 and G7.0 and the presence of pre-coding introns, while the partial gene structure of HbI has the same intron conservation but appears to have a 5-exon/ 4-intron structure. A search for putative transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) was done with the promoters for HbII, HbIII, HbI short and HbI long. The HbII, HbIII and HbI long promoters showed similar predicted TFBSs. We also characterized MITE-like elements in the HbI and HbII gene promoters and intronic regions that are similar to sequences found in other mollusk genomes. The gene expression levels of the clam Hbs, from sulfide-rich and sulfide-poor environments showed a significant decrease of expression in the symbiont-containing tissue for those clams in a sulfide-poor environment, suggesting that the sulfide concentration may be involved in the regulation of these proteins. Gene expression evaluation of the two HbI mRNA variants indicated that the longer variant is expressed at higher levels than the shorter variant in both environments. PMID:26824233

  3. Molecular analysis of Hb Q-H disease and Hb Q-Hb E in a Singaporean family.

    PubMed

    Tan, J; Tay, J S; Wong, Y C; Kham, S K; Bte Abd Aziz, N; Teo, S H; Wong, H B

    1995-01-01

    Hb Q (alpha 74Asp-His) results from a mutation in the alpha-gene such that abnormal alpha Q-chains are synthesized. The alpha Q-chains combine with the normal Beta A-chains to form abnormal Hb alpha 2Q beta 2A (Hb Q). Hb Q-H disease is rare, and has been reported only in the Chinese. We report here a Chinese family, were the mother diagnosed with Hb Q-H disease and the father with Hb E heterozygosity and a child with Hb Q-E-thalassemia. Thalassemia screening of the mother's blood revealed a Hb level of 6.8g/dl with low MCV and MCH. Her blood film was indicative of thalassemia. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis showed Hb H and Hb Q with the absence of Hb A. Globin chain biosynthesis was carried out and alpha Q- and beta-chains were detected. Normal alpha- chains were absent. Digestion of the mother's DNA with Bam HI and Bgl II followed by hybridization with the 1.5 kb alpha-Pst probe showed a two alpha-gene deletion on one chromosome and the -alpha Q chain mutant with the -alpha 4.2 defect on the other chromosome. DNA amplification studies indicated the two-gene deletion to be of the -SEA/ defect. The patient was concluded to possess Hb Q-H disease (--SEA/-alpha 4.2Q). Cellulose acetate electrophoresis of the father's blood showed the presence of Hb A, F and E. Molecular analysis of the father's DNA confirmed an intact set of alpha-genes (alpha alpha/alpha alpha). Globin chain biosynthesis of fetal blood of their child showed gamma, beta A, beta E, alpha A and alpha Q-chains. Molecular analysis of the child's DNA showed one alpha-gene deletion, thus giving a genotype of alpha alpha/-alpha 4.2Q beta beta E.

  4. The Glycated Albumin (GA) to HbA1c Ratio Reflects Shorter-Term Glycemic Control than GA: Analysis of Patients with Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Koga, Masafumi; Inada, Shinya; Nakao, Taisei; Kawamori, Ryuzo; Kasayama, Soji

    2017-01-01

    Glycated albumin (GA) reflects shorter-term glycemic control than HbA1c. We have reported that HbA1c is paradoxically increased in diabetic patients whose glycemic control deteriorated before ameliorating. In this study, we analyzed paradoxical increases of glycemic control indicators after treatment in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1D). We also investigated whether the GA/HbA1c ratio may reflect shorter-term glycemic control than GA. Five FT1D patients whose post-treatment HbA1c and GA levels were measured were enrolled. We also used a formula to estimate HbA1c and GA from the fictitious models of changes in plasma glucose in FT1D patients. In this model, the periods during which HbA1c, GA, and the GA/HbA1c ratio were higher than at the first visit were compared. In addition, the half-life for the GA/HbA1c ratio was calculated in accordance with the half-lives for HbA1c and GA (36 and 14 days, respectively). In all FT1D patients, HbA1c levels 2-4 weeks after treatment were increased, with three patients (60%) experiencing an increase of GA levels. In contrast, an increase of the GA/HbA1c ratio was observed in only one patient. In all of the different models of changes in plasma glucose in FT1D patients, the length of time during which the values were higher than at the first visit was in the order of HbA1c > GA > GA/HbA1c ratio. The half-life for the GA/HbA1c ratio was 9 days, shorter than GA. These findings suggest that the GA/HbA1c ratio reflects shorter-term glycemic control than GA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Excess body weight affects HbA1c progression irrespective of baseline HbA1c levels in Japanese individuals: a longitudinal retrospective study.

    PubMed

    Nakajima, Kei; Suwa, Kaname

    2015-01-01

    Obese individuals with normal HbA1c levels and low-body-weight individuals with high-normal HbA1c levels are frequently encountered in clinical settings, but the effects of these phenotypes on the onset of diabetes are poorly understood. Therefore, we addressed this issue in a longitudinal study. We analyzed clinical parameters, including body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c levels, in 5325 non-diabetic Japanese people aged 20-75 years who underwent four medical checkups between 1999 (baseline) and 2007. The subjects were then classified into six baseline BMI categories, each of which was divided into two HbA1c groups, resulting in a total of 12 groups. In 405 obese subjects with a normal baseline HbA1c (BMI ≥ 27.0 kg/m(2), HbA1c 5.2-5.6%), the mean HbA1c level increased during the study period, and 50.9% developed prediabetes/diabetes. In contrast, in 77 low-body-weight subjects with a high-normal baseline HbA1c (BMI ≤ 18.9 kg/m(2), HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), the mean HbA1c level remained constant. Similar changes occurred in the other groups during the study, resulting in a linear increase in HbA1c levels with increasing BMI. Our results suggest that approximately half of the obese individuals with HbA1c in the normal range develop prediabetes or diabetes within 8 years, whereas low-body-weight individuals with high-normal HbA1c are less likely to exhibit worsening in glycemia. Thus, excess body weight may be the primary therapeutic target to prevent the early onset of diabetes, regardless of the individual's HbA1c.

  6. Study of a newly developed high-performance liquid chromatography analyser for glycosylated haemoglobin measurements in blood containing haemoglobin variants in the Japanese population.

    PubMed

    Miyashita, Tetsuo; Sugiyama, Takahiro; Yamadate, Shuukoh; Nagashima, Masaaki; Satomura, Atsushi; Nakayama, Tomohiro

    2014-09-01

    This study examined the new high-performance liquid chromatography analyser HLC-723GX (GX) and investigated its ability to both measure glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values and determine whether haemoglobin variants could cause interference with these measurements in the Japanese population. For the basic GX examination, the within- and between-run precision, linearity of measurements, correlation of HbA1c values with current systems and the interference of chemically modified haemoglobin were determined. GX interference caused by the haemoglobin variant was examined by analysing 39 clinical laboratory samples that contained haemoglobin variants. Good within- and between-run precision were found, with the coefficients of variation at ≤1.0%. A wide range of HbA1c measurement values were confirmed, with the HbA1c values strongly correlated with the results of the currently used HLC-723G8 system. Chemically modified haemoglobins were prepared by adding glucose, sodium cyanate, acetaldehyde or acetylsalicylic acid to normal blood samples. None of these samples had any influence on the HbA1c values determined by GX. GX analysis showed haemoglobin variants that eluted after HbA0 and were similar to HbD, or HbS had HbA1c values that were close to those measured by boronate affinity chromatography and immunoassay. GX found lower HbA1c values in blood that contained HbE or haemoglobin variants, which elute before or at nearly the same time as HbA0. GX is useful for the analysis of HbA1c samples that contain HbD, HbS, HbC and haemoglobin variants, even though the elution times are similar. However, a countermeasure is needed in order to avoid overlooking other haemoglobin variants in Japan. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

  7. Noninvasive Continuous Hemoglobin Monitoring in Combat Casualties: A Pilot Study.

    PubMed

    Bridges, Elizabeth; Hatzfeld, Jennifer J

    2016-09-01

    To describe the accuracy and precision of noninvasive hemoglobin measurement (SpHb) compared with laboratory or point-of-care Hb, and SpHb ability to trend in seriously injured casualties. Observational study in a convenience sample of combat casualties undergoing resuscitation at two US military trauma hospitals in Afghanistan. SpHb was obtained using the Masimo Rainbow SET (Probe Rev E/Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter v 7.6.2.1). Clinically indicated Hb was analyzed with a Coulter or iStat and compared with simultaneous SpHb values. Twenty-three patients were studied (ISS 20 ± 9.8; age 29 ± 9 years; male 97%; 100% intubated). Primary injury cause: improvised explosive device (67%) or gunshot (17%). There were 49 SpHb-Hb pairs (median 2 per subject). Bias: 0.3 ± 1.6 g/dL (95% LOA -2.4, 3.4 g/dL). The SpHb-Hb difference < ± 1 g/dL in 37% of pairs. Eighty-six percent of pairs changed in a similar direction. Using an absolute change in Hb of >1 g/dL, a concurrent absolute change in SpHb of >1 g/dL had a sensitivity: 61%, specificity 85%, positive predictive value: 80%, and a negative predictive value: 69%. The SpHb signal was present in 4643 of 6137 min monitored (76%). This was the first study to describe continuous SpHb in seriously injured combat casualties. Using a threshold of 1 g/dL previously specified in the literature, continuous SpHb is not precise enough to serve as sole transfusion trigger in trauma patients. Further research is needed to determine if it is useful for trending Hb changes or as an early indicator of deterioration in combat casualties.

  8. Point-of-Care Hemoglobin A1c Testing: An Evidence-Based Analysis

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background The increasing prevalence of diabetes in Ontario means that there will be growing demand for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing to monitor glycemic control for the management of this chronic disease. Testing HbA1c where patients receive their diabetes care may improve system efficiency if the results from point-of-care HbA1c testing are comparable to those from laboratory HbA1c measurements. Objectives To review the correlation between point-of-care HbA1c testing and laboratory HbA1c measurement in patients with diabetes in clinical settings. Data Sources The literature search included studies published between January 2003 and June 2013. Search terms included glycohemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c, point of care, and diabetes. Review Methods Studies were included if participants had diabetes; if they compared point-of-care HbA1c devices (licensed by Health Canada and available in Canada) with laboratory HbA1c measurement (reference method); if they performed point-of-care HbA1c testing using capillary blood samples (finger pricks) and laboratory HbA1c measurement using venous blood samples within 7 days; and if they reported a correlation coefficient between point-of-care HbA1c and laboratory HbA1c results. Results Three point-of-care HbA1c devices were reviewed in this analysis: Bayer's A1cNow+, Bio-Rad's In2it, and Siemens’ DCA Vantage. Five observational studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results showed a positive correlation between point-of-care HbA1c testing and laboratory HbA1c measurement (correlation coefficient, 0.967; 95% confidence interval, 0.960–0.973). Limitations Outcomes were limited to the correlation coefficient, as this was a commonly reported measure of analytical performance in the literature. Results should be interpreted with caution due to risk of bias related to selection of participants, reference standards, and the multiple steps involved in POC HbA1c testing. Conclusions Moderate quality evidence showed a positive correlation between point-of-care HbA1c testing and laboratory HbA1c measurement. Five observational studies compared 3 point-of-care HbA1c devices with laboratory HbA1c assays, and all reported strong correlation between the 2 tests. PMID:26316922

  9. Impact and Ballistic Response of Hybridized Thermoplastic Laminates

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-02-01

    hybrid panels exhibit the lowest dynamic and residual deflection through all samples. Kevlar and [0/90] HB25 layup are similar in performance...HB25 + 2 Layer K705 Phenolic 1422.00 15.646 15.1638 Shot on Aramid Face 60/40 Mix HB25/LF1 1424.06 15.646 16.256 Shot on HB25 Face Dyneema HB80...Carbon 1420.46 16.764 16.3576 Shot on Carbon Face HB25 + 3-ply LF1 1427.38 16.866 18.4404 Shot on LF1 Face HB25 + 2 Layer K745 Phenolic 1418.00

  10. Hb Valletta [beta87(F3)Thr-->Pro] and Hb Marseille/Long Island [beta2(NA2)His-->Pro; (-1)Met-(+1)Val-(+2)Pro-Leu], in a unique compound heterozygote with a normal hemoglobin phenotype.

    PubMed

    Galdies, Ruth; Cassar, Wilhelmina; Pizzuto, Monica; Scerri, Christian A; Felice, Nicholas; Cassar, Olivianne A; Buttigieg, George; Felice, Alex E

    2010-01-01

    This study refers to the quantitative hemoglobin (Hb) phenotype of a 19-year-old female with Hb Valletta [beta87(F3)Thr-->Pro] in association with Hb Marseille/Long Island [beta2(NA2)His-->Pro; (-1)Met-(+1)Val-(+2)Pro-Leu] and a normal Hb electrophoretogram. The data serve to alert investigators to the possibility that relatives with apparently normal Hb phenotypes may be transmitting mutant alleles and suggest methods for identification.

  11. Hemoglobin adducts in workers exposed to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate.

    PubMed

    Flack, Sheila L; Fent, Kenneth W; Gaines, Linda G T; Thomasen, Jennifer M; Whittaker, Stephen G; Ball, Louise M; Nylander-French, Leena A

    2011-05-01

    We investigated the utility of 1,6-hexamethylene diamine (HDA) hemoglobin adducts as biomarkers of exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) monomer. Blood samples from 15 spray painters applying HDI-containing paint were analyzed for hemoglobin HDA (HDA-Hb) and N-acetyl-1,6-hexamethylene diamine (monoacetyl-HDA-Hb) by GC-MS. HDA-Hb was detected in the majority of workers (≤1.2-37 ng/g Hb), whereas monoacetyl-HDA-Hb was detected in one worker (0.06 ng/g Hb). The stronger, positive association between HDA-Hb and cumulative HDI exposure (r(2) = 0.3, p < 0.06) than same day exposure (p ≥ 0.13) indicates long-term elimination kinetics for HDA-Hb adducts. This association demonstrates the suitability of HDA-Hb adducts for further validation as a biomarker of HDI exposure.

  12. The Long and Winding Road to Optimal HbA1c Measurement

    PubMed Central

    Little, Randie R.; Rohlfing, Curt

    2016-01-01

    The importance of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as an indicator of mean glycemia and risks for complications in patients with diabetes mellitus was established by the results of long-term clinical trials, most notably the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), published in 1993 and 1998 respectively. However, clinical application of recommended HbA1c targets that were based on these studies was difficult due to lack of comparability of HbA1c results among assay methods and laboratories. Thus, the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) was initiated in 1996 with the goal of standardizing HbA1c results to those of the DCCT/UKPDS. HbA1c standardization efforts have been highly successful; however, a number of issues have emerged on the “long and winding road” to better HbA1c, including the development of a higher-order HbA1c reference method by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), recommendations to use HbA1c to diagnose as well as monitor diabetes, and point-of-care (POC) HbA1c testing. Here, we review the past, present and future of HbA1c standardization and describe the current status of HbA1c testing, including limitations that healthcare providers need to be aware of when interpreting HbA1c results. PMID:23318564

  13. Preferred temperature of juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua with different haemoglobin genotypes at normoxia and moderate hypoxia.

    PubMed

    Petersen, Maria Faldborg; Steffensen, John Fleng

    2003-01-01

    Atlantic cod Gadus morhua has polymorphic haemoglobin, which can be separated into two homozygous types, HbI-1 and HbI-2, and one heterozygous type HbI-1/2. The geographical distribution of Atlantic cod with the different haemoglobin types varies, with the HbI(2) allele occurring at high frequency in northern regions, and the HbI(1) allele dominant in warmer areas. To determine if temperature is a selective parameter in the distribution of the haemoglobin types, the preferred temperature of the homozygous genotypes HbI-1 and HbI-2 was measured. We found that HbI-2 cod preferred a temperature of 8.2+/-1.5 degrees C while HbI-1 cod preferred 15.4+/-1.1 degrees C, and this preference was significant. The effect of hypoxia (35% oxygen saturation) on the preferred temperature was also measured. Previous studies showed that the preferred temperature of fish decreases during hypoxia, and this was the case for HbI-1 cod, which preferred 9.8+/-1.8 degrees C during hypoxia, whereas HbI-2 cod did not show this effect. The results indicate that environmental temperature changes will lead to a distributional change in the different haemoglobin types of Atlantic cod, global warming providing an advantage for HbI-1 cod. However, since HbI-1 cod prefer a low temperature under hypoxic conditions, a combination of increased water temperature and hypoxia could be unfavourable for Atlantic cod stocks.

  14. KLF1 gene and borderline hemoglobin A2 in Saudi population.

    PubMed

    Borgio, J Francis; AbdulAzeez, Sayed; Al-Muslami, Ahmed M; Naserullah, Zaki A; Al-Jarrash, Sana; Al-Suliman, Ahmed M; Al-Madan, Mohammed S; Al-Ali, Amein K

    2018-01-01

    Elevated HbA 2 (hemoglobin A 2 ) level is considered the most reliable hematological parameter for the detection of β-thalassemia carriers. However, some carriers are difficult to recognize because the level of HbA 2 is not in the distinctive carrier range, i.e. 4.0-6.0%; instead, some carriers have HbA 2 levels between normal and carrier levels, i.e. borderline HbA 2 (HbA 2 = 3.1-3.9%). Studies have shown that variations in the erythroid Krüppel-like factor ( KLF1 ) gene lead to borderline HbA 2 in β-thalassemia carriers from various populations. The incidence of borderline HbA 2 in Saudis is high. To confirm the influence of variations in KLF1 , HBA1 , HBA2 and HBB genes for the reduction of the level of HbA 2 in Saudi β-thalassemia carriers, we performed a direct sequence analysis of KLF1 , HBA1 , HBA2 and HBB genes from 212 healthy Saudis (88 subjects: HbA 2 < 3; 72 subjects: HbA 2 = 3.1 to 3.9; 52 subjects HbA 2 > 4.3). The presence of the borderline HbA 2 level is not specific to any type of β-thalassemia variation or β + -thalassemia variations in Saudis. Two exonic (c.304T>C and c.544T>C) and two 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) (c.*296G>A and c.*277C>G) variations have been identified in the KLF1 gene for the first time from an Arab population. None of these four variations in KLF1 genes are significantly associated with the Saudis with borderline HbA 2 . α Globin genotype, -α 2 3.7 /α 1 α 2 , is found to be the most frequent (55.55%) among healthy Saudis with borderline HbA 2 compared with the other groups (HbA 2 < 3 = 20.45%; HbA 2 > 4.3 = 13.51%). Further studies are necessary to determine the influence of other factors on the presence of borderline HbA 2 in 41.67% of Saudis.

  15. A potent anti-HB-EGF monoclonal antibody inhibits cancer cell proliferation and multiple angiogenic activities of HB-EGF.

    PubMed

    Sato, Shuji; Drake, Andrew W; Tsuji, Isamu; Fan, Jinhong

    2012-01-01

    Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the epidermal growth factor family and has a variety of physiological and pathological functions. Modulation of HB-EGF activity might have a therapeutic potential in the oncology area. We explored the therapeutic possibilities by characterizing the in vitro biological activity of anti-HB-EGF monoclonal antibody Y-142. EGF receptor (EGFR) ligand and species specificities of Y-142 were tested. Neutralizing activities of Y-142 against HB-EGF were evaluated in EGFR and ERBB4 signaling. Biological activities of Y-142 were assessed in cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis assays and compared with the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab, the HB-EGF inhibitor CRM197, and the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody bevacizumab. The binding epitope was determined with alanine scanning. Y-142 recognized HB-EGF as well as the EGFR ligand amphiregulin, and bound specifically to human HB-EGF, but not to rodent HB-EGF. In addition, Y-142 neutralized HB-EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGFR and ERBB4, and blocked their downstream ERK1/2 and AKT signaling. We also found that Y-142 inhibited HB-EGF-induced cancer cell proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF production more effectively than cetuximab and CRM197 and that Y-142 was superior to bevacizumab in the inhibition of HB-EGF-induced tube formation. Six amino acids in the EGF-like domain were identified as the Y-142 binding epitope. Among the six amino acids, the combination of F115 and Y123 determined the amphiregulin cross-reactivity and that F115 accounted for the species selectivity. Furthermore, it was suggested that the potent neutralizing activity of Y-142 was derived from its recognition of R142 and Y123 and its high affinity to HB-EGF. Y-142 has a potent HB-EGF neutralizing activity that modulates multiple biological activities of HB-EGF including cancer cell proliferation and angiogenic activities. Y-142 may have a potential to be developed into a therapeutic agent for the treatment of HB-EGF-dependent cancers.

  16. Change in HbA1c Levels between the Age of 8 Years and the Age of 12 Years in Dutch Children without Diabetes: The PIAMA Birth Cohort Study

    PubMed Central

    Jansen, Hanneke; Wijga, Alet H.; Scholtens, Salome; Koppelman, Gerard H.; Postma, Dirkje S.; Brunekreef, Bert; de Jongste, Johan C.; Smit, Henriëtte A.; Stolk, Ronald P.

    2015-01-01

    Objective HbA1c is associated with cardiovascular risk in persons without diabetes and cardiovascular risk accumulates over the life course. Therefore, insight in factors determining HbA1c from childhood onwards is important. We investigated (lifestyle) determinants of HbA1c at age 12 years and the effects of growth on change in HbA1c and the tracking of HbA1c between the age of 8 and 12 years. Study Design and Methods Anthropometric measurements were taken and HbA1c levels were assessed in 955 children without diabetes aged around 12 years participating in the PIAMA birth cohort study. In 363 of these children HbA1c was also measured at age 8 years. Data on parents and children were collected prospectively by questionnaires. Results We found no significant association between known risk factors for diabetes and HbA1c at age 12 years. Mean(SD) change in HbA1c between ages 8 and 12 years was 0.6(0.7) mmol/mol per year (or 0.1(0.1) %/yr). Anthropometric measures at age 8 and their change between age 8 and 12 years were not associated with the change in HbA1c. 68.9% of the children remained in the same quintile or had an HbA1c one quintile higher or lower at age 8 years compared to age 12 years. Conclusion The lack of association between known risk factors for diabetes and HbA1c suggest that HbA1c in children without diabetes is relatively unaffected by factors associated with glycaemia. HbA1c at age 8 years is by far the most important predictor of HbA1c at age 12. Therefore, the ranking of HbA1c levels appear to be fairly stable over time. PMID:25875773

  17. Autoxidation and Oxygen Binding Properties of Recombinant Hemoglobins with Substitutions at the αVal-62 or βVal-67 Position of the Distal Heme Pocket*

    PubMed Central

    Tam, Ming F.; Rice, Natalie W.; Maillett, David H.; Simplaceanu, Virgil; Ho, Nancy T.; Tam, Tsuey Chyi S.; Shen, Tong-Jian; Ho, Chien

    2013-01-01

    The E11 valine in the distal heme pocket of either the α- or β-subunit of human adult hemoglobin (Hb A) was replaced by leucine, isoleucine, or phenylalanine. Recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified for structural and functional studies. 1H NMR spectra were obtained for the CO and deoxy forms of Hb A and the mutants. The mutations did not disturb the α1β2 interface in either form, whereas the H-bond between αHis-103 and βGln-131 in the α1β1 interfaces of the deoxy α-subunit mutants was weakened. Localized structural changes in the mutated heme pocket were detected for the CO form of recombinant Hb (rHb) (αV62F), rHb (βV67I), and rHb (βV67F) compared with Hb A. In the deoxy form the proximal histidyl residue in the β-subunit of rHb (βV67F) has been altered. Furthermore, the interactions between the porphyrin ring and heme pocket residues have been perturbed in rHb (αV62I), rHb (αV62F), and rHb (βV67F). Functionally, the oxygen binding affinity (P50), cooperativity (n50), and the alkaline Bohr Effect of the three α-subunit mutants and rHb (βV67L) are similar to those of Hb A. rHb (βV67I) and rHb (βV67F) exhibit low and high oxygen affinity, respectively. rHb (βV67F) has P50 values lower that those reported for rHb (αL29F), a B10 mutant studied previously in our laboratory (Wiltrout, M. E., Giovannelli, J. L., Simplaceanu, V., Lukin, J. A., Ho, N. T., and Ho, C. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 7207–7217). These E11 mutations do not slow down the autoxidation and azide-induced oxidation rates of the recombinant proteins. Results from this study provide new insights into the roles of E11 mutants in the structure-function relationship in hemoglobin. PMID:23867463

  18. Behavioral and molecular studies of quantitative differences in hygienic behavior in honeybees.

    PubMed

    Gempe, Tanja; Stach, Silke; Bienefeld, Kaspar; Otte, Marianne; Beye, Martin

    2016-10-21

    Hygienic behavior (HB) enables honeybees to tolerate parasites, including infection with the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, and it is a well-known example of a quantitative genetic trait. The understanding of the molecular processes underpinning the quantitative differences in this behavior remains limited. We performed gene expression studies in worker bees that displayed quantitative genetic differences in HB. We established a high and low genetic source of HB performance and studied the engagements into HB of single worker bees under the same environmental conditions. We found that the percentage of worker bees that engaged in a hygienic behavioral task tripled in the high versus low HB sources, thus suggesting that genetic differences may mediate differences in stimulated states to perform HB. We found 501 differently expressed genes (DEGs) in the brains of hygienic and non-hygienic performing workers in the high HB source bees, and 342 DEGs in the brains of hygienic performing worker bees, relative to the gene expression in non-hygienic worker bees from the low HB source group. "Cell surface receptor ligand signal transduction" in the high and "negative regulation of cell communication" in the low HB source were overrepresented molecular processes, suggesting that these molecular processes in the brain may play a role in the regulation of quantitative differences in HB. Moreover, only 21 HB-associated DEGs were common between the high and low HB sources. The better HB colony performance is primarily achieved by a high number of bees engaging in the hygienic tasks that associate with distinct molecular processes in the brain. We propose that different gene products and pathways may mediate the quantitative genetic differences of HB.

  19. Association between glycated hemoglobin A1c levels with age and gender in Chinese adults with no prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

    PubMed Central

    MA, QINGLIN; LIU, HOUMING; XIANG, GUANGXIN; SHAN, WANSHUI; XING, WANLI

    2016-01-01

    The present cross-sectional study consisted of 18,265 Chinese patients not previously diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and who underwent physical examination at the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen between June 2014 and May 2015 (mean patient age, 51.312±15.252 years). The study was composed of 11,770 males and 6,495 females. The aim was to investigate the association between glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, gender and age. HbA1c values were measured using a Bio-Rad VARIANT™ II HbA1c Reorder Pack. All data was collected for analysis of the HbA1c levels in different gender and age groups, in order to investigate the association between HbA1c levels and age. Analysis of the 18,265 total cases and 16,734 cases with HbA1c levels <6.5%, demonstrated a positive correlation between levels of HbA1c and patient age. Linear regression for patient age and HbA1c levels demonstrated that HbA1c (%) = 0.020 × age (years) + 4.523 (r=0.369, P<0.0001) and HbA1c (%) = 0.014 × age (years) + 4.659 (r=0.485, P<0.0001), respectively. HbA1c levels of the male group were significantly higher than those of the female group (P<0.0001). Furthermore, in different gender groups, HbA1c levels gradually rose with increasing age. Therefore, HbA1c levels are associated with age and gender in Chinese populations, and this should be considered when selecting HbA1c as a criterion for future diabetes screening. PMID:27284415

  20. Quantitative, single-step dual measurement of hemoglobin A1c and total hemoglobin in human whole blood using a gold sandwich immunochromatographic assay for personalized medicine.

    PubMed

    Ang, Shu Hwang; Rambeli, Musalman; Thevarajah, T Malathi; Alias, Yatimah Binti; Khor, Sook Mei

    2016-04-15

    We describe a gold nanoparticle-based sandwich immunoassay for the dual detection and measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and total hemoglobin in the whole blood (without pretreatment) in a single step for personalized medicine. The optimized antibody-functionalized gold nanoparticles immunoreact simultaneously with HbA1c and total hemoglobin to form a sandwich at distinctive test lines to transduce visible signals. The applicability of this method as a personal management tool was demonstrated by establishing a calibration curve to relate % HbA1c, a useful value for type 2 diabetes management, to the signal ratio of captured HbA1c to all other forms of hemoglobin. The platform showed excellent selectivity (100%) toward HbA1c at distinctive test lines when challenged with HbA0, glycated HbA0 and HbA2. The reproducibility of the measurement was good (6.02%) owing to the dual measurement of HbA1c and total hemoglobin. A blood sample stability test revealed that the quantitative measurement of % HbA1c was consistent and no false-positive results were detected. Also, this method distinguished the blood sample with elevated HbF from the normal samples and the variants. The findings of this study highlight the potential of a lateral flow immunosensor as a simple, inexpensive, consistent, and convenient strategy for the dual measurement of HbA1c and total Hb to provide useful % HbA1c values for better on-site diabetes care. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Insufficiency of pro-heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor shedding enhances hypoxic cell death in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts via the activation of caspase-3 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

    PubMed

    Uetani, Teruyoshi; Nakayama, Hironao; Okayama, Hideki; Okura, Takafumi; Higaki, Jitsuo; Inoue, Hirofumi; Higashiyama, Shigeki

    2009-05-01

    Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a cardiogenic and cardiohypertrophic growth factor. ProHB-EGF, a product of the Hb-egf gene and the precursor of HB-EGF, is anchored to the plasma membrane. Its ectodomain region is shed by a disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs) when activated by various stimulations. It has been reported that an uncleavable mutant of Hb-egf, uc-Hb-egf, produces uc-proHB-EGF, which is not cleaved by ADAMs and causes dilation of the heart in knock-in mice. This suggests that the shedding of proHB-EGF is essential for the development and survival of cardiomyocytes: however, the molecular mechanism involved has remained unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between uc-proHB-EGF expression and cardiomyocyte survival. Human uc-proHB-EGF was adenovirally introduced into the rat cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2, and the cells were cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Uc-proHB-EGF-expressing H9c2 cells underwent apoptosis under normoxic conditions, which distinctly increased under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, we observed an increased Caspase-3 activity, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and an increased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity in the uc-proHB-EGF-expressing H9c2 cells. Treatment of the uc-proHB-EGF transfectants with inhibitors of Caspase-3, reactive oxygen species, and JNK, namely, Z-VAD-fmk, N-acetylcysteine, and SP600125, respectively, significantly reduced hypoxic cell death. These data indicate that insufficiency of proHB-EGF shedding under hypoxic stress leads to cardiomyocyte apoptosis via Caspase-3- and JNK-dependent pathways.

  2. Investigation of oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin ratios in right and left cardiac blood for diagnosis of fatal hypothermia and death by fire.

    PubMed

    Kanto-Nishimaki, Yuko; Saito, Haruka; Watanabe-Aoyagi, Miwako; Toda, Ritsuko; Iwadate, Kimiharu

    2014-11-01

    Few large-scale investigations have looked at the oxyhemoglobin ratio (%O2-Hb) or the carboxyhemoglobin ratio (%CO-Hb) in fatal hypothermia and death by fire as applicable to forensic medicine. We therefore retrospectively examined right and left cardiac blood samples for both %O2-Hb and %CO-Hb in 690 forensic autopsy cases. We therefore sought to establish reference values for the above forensic diagnoses, to compare %O2-Hb in fatal hypothermia with or without cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and to compare the relationship between %CO-Hb and smoking history. All %O2-Hb and %CO-Hb data were obtained during or immediately after autopsies using a portable CO-oximeter. Death by carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication and death by fire were excluded from the analysis involving smoking history. In fatal hypothermia, %O2-Hb in the left cardiac blood was significantly higher than that in the right cardiac blood, providing important evidence for fatal hypothermia. Furthermore, %O2-Hb in the left cardiac blood increases with CPR but that in the right cardiac blood increases in parallel. No correlation was observed between rectal temperature and %O2-Hb in the right and left cardiac blood, indicating that it is unlikely that postmortem cooling increases %O2-Hb in cardiac blood. %CO-Hb in smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers, although the number of cigarettes smoked did not appear to be significant. When assessing death by fire, we identified that %CO-Hb of >10% was a reliable marker of antemortem CO inhalation, regardless of smoking history. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Aldimine Formation Reaction, the First Step of the Maillard Early-phase Reaction, Might be Enhanced in Variant Hemoglobin, Hb Himeji.

    PubMed

    Koga, Masafumi; Inada, Shinya; Shimizu, Sayoko; Hatazaki, Masahiro; Umayahara, Yutaka; Nishihara, Eijun

    2015-01-01

    Hb Himeji (β140Ala→Asp) is known as a variant hemoglobin in which glycation is enhanced and HbA1c measured by immunoassay shows a high value. The phenomenon of enhanced glycation in Hb Himeji is based on the fact that the glycation product of variant hemoglobin (HbX1c) shows a higher value than HbA1c. In this study, we investigated whether aldimine formation reaction, the first step of the Maillard early-phase reaction, is enhanced in Hb Himeji in vitro. Three non-diabetic subjects with Hb Himeji and four non-diabetic subjects without variant hemoglobin were enrolled. In order to examine aldimine formation reaction, whole blood cells were incubated with 500 mg/dl of glucose at 37°C for 1 hour and were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Both HbA1c and HbX1c were not increased in this condition. After incubation with glucose, labile HbA1c (LA1c) fraction increased in the controls (1.1±0.3%). In subjects with Hb Himeji increases in the labile HbX1c (LX1c) fraction as well as the LA1c fraction were observed, and the degree of increase in the LX1c fraction was significantly higher than that of the LA1c fraction (1.8±0.1% vs. 0.5±0.2%, P<0.01). We have shown for the first time that aldimine (LX1c) formation reaction might be enhanced in Hb Himeji in vitro. The 140th amino acid in β chain of hemoglobin is suggested to be involved in aldimine formation reaction. © 2015 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.

  4. Role of Stem Cell Factor in the Reactivation of Human Fetal Hemoglobin

    PubMed Central

    Gabbianelli, Marco; Testa, Ugo

    2009-01-01

    In humans the switch from fetal to adult hemoglobin (HbF → HbA) takes place in the perinatal and postnatal period, determining the progressive replacement of HbF with HbA synthesis (i.e., the relative HbF content in red blood cells decreases from 80–90% to <1%). In spite of more than twenty years of intensive investigations on this classic model, the molecular mechanisms regulating the Hb switching, as well as HbF synthesis in adults, has been only in part elucidated. In adult life, the residual HbF, restricted to F cell compartment, may be reactivated up to 10–20% of total Hb synthesis in various conditions associated with “stress erythropoiesis”: this reactivation represented until now an interesting model of partial Hb switch reverse with important therapeutic implications in patients with hemoglobinopathies, and particularly in β-thalassemia. In vitro and in vivo models have led to the identification of several chemical compounds able to reactivate HbF synthesis in adult erythroid cells. Although the impact of these HbF inducers, including hypomethylating agents, histone deacetylase inhibitors and hydroxyurea, was clear on the natural history of sickle cell anemia, the benefit on the clinical course of β-thalassemia was only limited: particularly, the toxicity and the modest increase in γ-globin reactivation indicated the need for improved agents able to induce higher levels of HbF. In the present review we describe the biologic properties of Stem Cell Factor (SCF), a cytokine sustaining the survival and proliferation of erythroid cells, that at pharmacological doses acts as a potent stimulator of HbF synthesis in adult erythroid cells. PMID:21415991

  5. The relative trending accuracy of noninvasive continuous hemoglobin monitoring during hemodialysis in critically ill patients.

    PubMed

    Yamada, Hiroshi; Saeki, Minako; Ito, Junko; Kawada, Kazuhiro; Higurashi, Aya; Funakoshi, Hiromi; Takeda, Kohji

    2015-02-01

    The pulse CO-Oximeter (Radical-7; Masimo Corp., Irvine, CA) is a multi-wavelength spectrophotometric method for noninvasive continuous monitoring of hemoglobin (SpHb). Because evaluating the relative change in blood volume (ΔBV) is crucial to avoid hypovolemia and hypotension during hemodialysis, it would be of great clinical benefit if ΔBV could be estimated by measurement of SpHb during hemodialysis. The capability of the pulse CO-Oximeter to monitor ΔBV depends on the relative trending accuracy of SpHb. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the relative trending accuracy of SpHb by the pulse CO-Oximeter using Crit-Line as a reference device. In 12 patients who received hemodialysis (total 22 sessions) in the intensive care unit, ΔBV was determined from SpHb. Relative changes in blood volume determined from SpHb were calculated according to the equation: ΔBV(SpHb)=[starting SpHb]/[current SpHb] - 1. The absolute values of SpHb and hematocrit measured by Crit-Line (CL-Hct) showed poor correlation. On the contrary, linear regression analysis showed good correlation between ΔBV(SpHb) and the relative change in blood volume measured by Crit-Line [ΔBV(CL-Hct)] (r=0.83; P≤0.001). Bland-Altman analysis also revealed good agreement between ΔBV(SpHb) and ΔBV(CL-Hct) (bias, -0.77%; precision, 3.41%). Polar plot analysis revealed good relative trending accuracy of SpHb with an angular bias of 4.1° and radial limits of agreement of 24.4° (upper) and -16.2° (lower). The results of the current study indicate that SpHb measurement with the pulse CO-Oximeter has good relative trending accuracy.

  6. Measurements of red cell deformability and hydration reflect HbF and HbA2 in blood from patients with sickle cell anemia.

    PubMed

    Parrow, Nermi L; Tu, Hongbin; Nichols, James; Violet, Pierre-Christian; Pittman, Corinne A; Fitzhugh, Courtney; Fleming, Robert E; Mohandas, Narla; Tisdale, John F; Levine, Mark

    2017-06-01

    Decreased erythrocyte deformability, as measured by ektacytometry, may be associated with disease severity in sickle cell anemia (SCA). Heterogeneous populations of rigid and deformable cells in SCA blood result in distortions of diffraction pattern measurements that correlate with the concentration of hemoglobin S (HbS) and the percentage of irreversibly sickled cells. We hypothesize that red cell heterogeneity, as well as deformability, will also be influenced by the concentration of alternative hemoglobins such as fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and the adult variant, HbA 2 . To test this hypothesis, we investigate the relationship between diffraction pattern distortion, osmotic gradient ektacytometry parameters, and the hemoglobin composition of SCA blood. We observe a correlation between the extent of diffraction pattern distortions and percentage of HbF and HbA 2 . Osmotic gradient ektacytometry data indicate that minimum elongation in the hypotonic region is positively correlated with HbF, as is the osmolality at which it occurs. The osmolality at both minimum and maximum elongation is inversely correlated with HbS and HbA 2 . These data suggest that HbF may effectively improve surface-to-volume ratio and osmotic fragility in SCA erythrocytes. HbA 2 may be relatively ineffective in improving these characteristics or cellular hydration at the levels found in this patient cohort. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  7. Erroneous HbA1c results in a patient with elevated HbC and HbF.

    PubMed

    Adekanmbi, Joy; Higgins, Trefor; Rodriguez-Capote, Karina; Thomas, Dylan; Winterstein, Jeffrey; Dixon, Tara; Gifford, Jessica L; Krause, Richard; Venner, Allison A; Clarke, Gwen; Estey, Mathew P

    2016-11-01

    HbA1c is used in the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus (DM). Interference from hemoglobin variants is a well-described phenomenon, particularly with HPLC-based methods. While immunoassays may generate more reliable HbA1c results in the presence of some variants, these methods are susceptible to negative interference from high concentrations of HbF. We report a case where an accurate HbA1c result could not be obtained by any available method due to the presence of a compound hemoglobinopathy. HbA1c was measured by HPLC, immunoassay, and capillary electrophoresis. Hemoglobinopathy investigation consisted of a CBC, hemoglobin fractionation by HPLC and electrophoresis, and molecular analysis. HbA1c analysis by HPLC and capillary electrophoresis gave no result. Analysis by immunoassay yielded HbA1c results of 5.9% (Siemens DCA 2000+) and 5.1% (Roche Integra), which were inconsistent with other markers of glycemic control. Hemoglobinopathy investigation showed HbC with the hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin-2 Ghana deletion. Reliable HbA1c results may be unobtainable in the presence of some hemoglobinopathies. HPLC and capillary electrophoresis alerted the laboratory to the presence of an unusual hemoglobinopathy. Immunoassays generated falsely low results without warning, which could lead to missed diagnoses and under treatment of patients with DM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Effects of α-Thalassemia on HbA1c Measurement.

    PubMed

    Xu, Anping; Ji, Ling; Chen, Weidong; Xia, Yong; Zhou, Yu

    2016-11-01

    α-Thalassemia is a benign condition that is often present in patients with diabetes mellitus. Here, we evaluated the effects of different genotypes α-thalassemia on HbA 1c measurement. A total of 189 samples from nondiabetic patients were analyzed. HbA 1c analysis was performed by ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography, boronate affinity HPLC, immunoassay, and capillary electrophoresis. Fasting glucose, fructosamin, and HbA 2 were also performed. All samples were confirmed by genotyping for thalassemia. In patients with two or three functional α-genes, HbA 1c values were not significantly different from those of controls (P > 0.05); however, in individuals with α-thalassemia with one functional α-gene (i.e., HbH disease), HbA 1c levels were significantly different from those of controls (P < 0.01). HbA 1c values were significantly lower in individuals with HbH disease than in control individuals and patients in the other two α-thalassemia groups. For patients with HbH disease, there were no significant differences in the four HbA 1c measurement systems (P > 0.05). In this study, HbA 1c values in samples from individuals with two or three functional α-genes basically reflected the normal mean blood glucose level, while those in samples from individuals with one functional α-gene did not. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  9. Biphasic oxidation of oxy-hemoglobin in bloodstains.

    PubMed

    Bremmer, Rolf H; de Bruin, Daniel M; de Joode, Maarten; Buma, Wybren Jan; van Leeuwen, Ton G; Aalders, Maurice C G

    2011-01-01

    In forensic science, age determination of bloodstains can be crucial in reconstructing crimes. Upon exiting the body, bloodstains transit from bright red to dark brown, which is attributed to oxidation of oxy-hemoglobin (HbO(2)) to met-hemoglobin (met-Hb) and hemichrome (HC). The fractions of HbO(2), met-Hb and HC in a bloodstain can be used for age determination of bloodstains. In this study, we further analyze the conversion of HbO(2) to met-Hb and HC, and determine the effect of temperature and humidity on the conversion rates. The fractions of HbO(2), met-Hb and HC in a bloodstain, as determined by quantitative analysis of optical reflectance spectra (450-800 nm), were measured as function of age, temperature and humidity. Additionally, Optical Coherence Tomography around 1300 nm was used to confirm quantitative spectral analysis approach. The oxidation rate of HbO(2) in bloodstains is biphasic. At first, the oxidation of HbO(2) is rapid, but slows down after a few hours. These oxidation rates are strongly temperature dependent. However, the oxidation of HbO(2) seems to be independent of humidity, whereas the transition of met-Hb into HC strongly depends on humidity. Knowledge of these decay rates is indispensable for translating laboratory results into forensic practice, and to enable bloodstain age determination on the crime scene.

  10. NO and CO binding profiles of hemoglobin vesicles as artificial oxygen carriers.

    PubMed

    Sakai, Hiromi; Sato, Atsushi; Sobolewski, Peter; Takeoka, Shinji; Frangos, John A; Kobayashi, Koichi; Intaglietta, Marcos; Tsuchida, Eishun

    2008-10-01

    Hemoglobin vesicles (HbVs) are artificial oxygen carriers encapsulating purified and concentrated Hb solution in phospholipid vesicles (liposomes). We examined in-vitro reaction profiles of a formulation of HbV with NO and CO in anaerobic and aerobic conditions using stopped-flow spectrophotometry and a NO electrode. Reaction rate constants of NO to deoxygenated and oxygenated HbV were considerably smaller than those of cell-free Hb because of the intracellular NO-diffusion barrier. The reaction of CO with deoxygenated HbV was slightly slower than that of cell-free Hb solely because of the co-encapsulated allosteric effector, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The NO depletion in an aerobic condition in the presence of empty vesicles was monitored using a NO electrode, showing that the hydrophobic bilayer membrane of HbV, which might have higher gas solubility, does not markedly facilitate the O(2) and NO reaction, and that the intracellular Hb is the major component of NO depletion. In conclusion, HbV shows retarded gas reactions, providing some useful information to explain the absence of vasoconstriction and hypertension when they are intravenously injected.

  11. Introduction of a new regulatory mechanism into human hemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Fronticelli, Clara; Bobofchak, Kevin M; Karavitis, Michael; Sanna, Maria Teresa; Brinigar, William S

    2002-07-10

    Previous studies on bovine hemoglobin (HbBv) have suggested amino acid substitutions, which might introduce into human hemoglobin (HbA) functional characteristics of HbBv, namely a low intrinsic oxygen affinity regulated by Cl(-). Accordingly, we have constructed and characterized a multiple mutant, PB5, [beta(V1M + H2 Delta + T4I + P5A + A76K)] replacing four amino acid residues of HbA with those present at structurally analogous positions in HbBv, plus an additional substitution, beta T4I, which does not occur in either HbBv or HbA. This 'pseudobovine' hemoglobin has oxygen binding properties very similar to those of HbBv: the P(50) of HbA, PB5 and HbBv in the absence of Cl(-) are 1.6, 4.6 and 4.8 torr, respectively, and in 100 mM Cl(-) are 3.7, 10.5 and 12 torr, respectively. Moreover, PB5 has 3-fold slower autoxidation rate compared to HbA and HbBv. These are desirable characteristics for a human hemoglobin to be considered for use as a clinical artificial oxygen carrier. Although the functional properties of PB5 and HbBv are similar, van't Hoff plots indicate that the two hemoglobins interact differently with water, suggesting that factors regulating the R to T equilibrium are not the same in the two proteins. A further indication that PB5 is not a functional mimic of HbBv derives from PB5(control), a human hemoglobin with the same substitutions as PB5, except the beta T4I replacement. PB5(control) has a high oxygen affinity (P(50)=2.3 torr) in the absence of Cl(-), but retains the Cl(-) effect of PB5. The Cl(-) regulation of oxygen affinity in PB5 involves lysine residues at beta 8 and beta 76. PB4, which has the same substitutions as PB5 except beta A76K, and PB6, which has all the substitutions of PB5 plus beta K8Q, both have a low intrinsic oxygen affinity, like HbBv and PB5, but exhibit a decreased sensitivity to Cl(-). Since HbBv has lysine residues at both beta 8 and beta 76, these results imply that Cl(-) regulation in HbBv likewise involves these two residues. The mechanism responsible for the low intrinsic oxygen affinity of HbBv remains unclear. It is suggested that residues peculiar to HbBv at the alpha(1)beta(1) interface may play a role.

  12. HbA1c Variability as an Independent Correlate of Nephropathy, but Not Retinopathy, in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

    PubMed Central

    Penno, Giuseppe; Solini, Anna; Bonora, Enzo; Fondelli, Cecilia; Orsi, Emanuela; Zerbini, Gianpaolo; Morano, Susanna; Cavalot, Franco; Lamacchia, Olga; Laviola, Luigi; Nicolucci, Antonio; Pugliese, Giuseppe

    2013-01-01

    OBJECTIVE To examine the association of hemoglobin (Hb) A1c variability with microvascular complications in the large cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Renal Insufficiency And Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicenter Study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Serial (3–5) HbA1c values collected in a 2-year period before enrollment were available from 8,260 subjects from 9 centers (of 15,773 patients from 19 centers). HbA1c variability was measured as the intraindividual SD of 4.52 ± 0.76 values. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was assessed by dilated funduscopy. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined based on albuminuria, as measured by immunonephelometry or immunoturbidimetry, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine. RESULTS Median and interquartile range of average HbA1c (HbA1c-MEAN) and HbA1c-SD were 7.57% (6.86–8.38) and 0.46% (0.29–0.74), respectively. The highest prevalence of microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, reduced eGFR, albuminuric CKD phenotypes, and advanced DR was observed when both HbA1c parameters were above the median and the lowest when both were below the median. Logistic regression analyses showed that HbA1c-SD adds to HbA1c-MEAN as an independent correlate of microalbuminuria and stages 1–2 CKD and is an independent predictor of macroalbuminuria, reduced eGFR, and stages 3–5 albuminuric CKD, whereas HbA1c-MEAN is not. The opposite was found for DR, whereas neither HbA1c-MEAN nor HbA1c-SD affected nonalbuminuric CKD. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c variability affects (albuminuric) CKD more than average HbA1c, whereas only the latter parameter affects DR, thus suggesting a variable effect of these measures on microvascular complications. PMID:23491522

  13. Diagnostic applications of newborn screening for α-thalassaemias, haemoglobins E and H disorders using isoelectric focusing on dry blood spots.

    PubMed

    Jindatanmanusan, Punyanuch; Riolueang, Suchada; Glomglao, Waraporn; Sukontharangsri, Yaowapa; Chamnanvanakij, Sangkae; Torcharus, Kitti; Viprakasit, Vip

    2014-03-01

    Neonatal screening for haemoglobin (Hb) disorders is a standard of care in several developed countries with the main objective to detect Hb S. Such practice has not been established in Thailand where α-thalassaemia and haemoglobin E (Hb E) are highly prevalent. Early identification of thalassaemias could be helpful and strengthen the programme for prevention and control for severe thalassaemias. Data from isoelectric focusing (IEF) and Isoscan® for detecting types and amount (%) of each haemoglobin in 350 newborn's dried blood spots were analysed and compared with the comprehensive genotype analysis by DNA studies as a gold standard. Based on genetic profiles, there were 10 different categories: (1) normal (n = 227), (2) α(+)-thalassaemia trait (n = 14), (3) α(0)-thalassaemia trait (n = 13), (4) β(0)-thalassaemia trait (n = 7), (5) Hb E trait (n = 72), (6) Hb E trait with α(0)-thalassaemia or homozygous α(+)-thalassaemia (n = 5), (7) Hb E trait with α(+)-thalassaemia trait (n = 5), (8) homozygous Hb E (n = 3), (9) homozygous Hb E with α(0)-thalassaemia trait (n = 1) and (10) Hb H disease (n = 3). The presence of Hb Bart's and Hb E were used to identify cases with α-thalassaemia and Hb E, respectively. We set 0.25% of Hb Bart's and 1.5% of Hb E as a cut-off level to detect α(+)-thalassaemia trait (sensitivity 92.86% and specificity 74.0%) and Hb E trait with 100% of both sensitivity and specificity for IEF diagnosis. Although molecular diagnosis seems to be better for definitive diagnosis of thalassaemia syndromes at birth, however, using our reference range described herein, IEF can be applied in a resource-limiting setting with acceptable reliability.

  14. Patient blood transfusion management: discharge hemoglobin level as a surrogate marker for red blood cell utilization appropriateness.

    PubMed

    Edwards, Jason; Morrison, Chris; Mohiuddin, Maleeha; Tchatalbachev, Vladislav; Patel, Charmi; Schwickerath, Vicki L; Menitove, Jay E; Singh, Gurmukh

    2012-11-01

    Blood transfusion management strategies minimize transfusion-associated risks, enhance outcomes, and reduce costs. We explored an association of discharge hemoglobin (Hb) with pretransfusion Hb, transfusion indications, and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. We stipulate that patients with discharge Hb concentrations greater than 10.0 g/dL, or even 9.0 g/dL, received excessive RBC transfusions. We examined aggregate data from five hospitals and for one of the hospitals, the focus hospital, we reviewed patient records for a period of 6 months. Data analyses included number of RBC units transfused and Hb values before transfusion, after transfusion, and at discharge. In aggregate, 27% to 47% patients had discharge Hb levels greater than 10.0 g/dL. At the focus hospital, 27% had a discharge Hb level greater than 10 g/dL and 50.3% had a discharge Hb level greater than 9.0 g/dL. At the focus hospital, the mean Hb trigger for transfusion was a Hb level of 7.3 g/dL; the mean posttransfusion Hb level was 9.3 g/dL and mean discharge Hb level was 9.2 g/dL. Overall, 76% of the transfusions were of an even number of RBC units. In aggregate, overutilization exceeded 20%. At the focus hospital, approximately one-quarter of patients receiving transfusions had a Hb concentration greater than 10.0 g/dL at discharge. Transfused patients' discharge Hb concentration represents an effective indicator for retrospective monitoring of transfusion appropriateness. In light of the large number of patients receiving even number transfusions, reviewing Hb levels after transfusion of each RBC unit could reduce unnecessary transfusions. Retrospective review of discharge Hb data focuses providers on transfusion outcomes and affords an educational opportunity for blood utilization management. © 2012 American Association of Blood Banks.

  15. Glycemic control in diabetes in three Danish counties.

    PubMed

    Jørgensen, Lone G M; Petersen, Per Hyltoft; Heickendorff, Lene; Møller, Holger Jon; Hendel, Jørn; Christensen, Cramer; Schmitz, Anita; Reinholdt, Birgitte; Lund, Erik D; Christensen, Niels J; Hansen, Erik Kjaersgaard; Hastrup, Jens; Skjødt, Hanne; Eriksen, Ebbe Wendel; Brandslund, Ivan

    2005-01-01

    Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a proxy measure for glycemic control in diabetes. We investigated the trend for glycemic control in patients from three Danish counties using HbA1c measurements. We studied 2454 patients from a population of 807,000 inhabitants for whom routine monitoring of diabetes using HbA1c-DCCT aligned was initiated in 2001. We estimated the incidence of monitored patients in the population. The progress in patients with originally diabetic HbA1c levels was investigated by cumulative probability plots, and the individual trend in clinical outcome was investigated by a modified difference plot. The age-standardized incidence of monitored patients was <0.5% in all regions. Patients with diabetic first HbA1c concentrations (>or=6.62% HbA1c) showed on average 15% improved glycemic control in the first year. Further improvement was limited. The overall percentage above the treatment target (>or=6.62% HbA1c) was 51% in 2003 compared to 59% in 2001, and the percentage with poor glycemic control (>or=10.0% HbA1c) was reduced from 19% to 4%. Of patients with originally diabetic HbA1c levels, 15% showed progress in glycemic control, and 28% reached treatment targets. In patients with originally normal HbA1c, 75% showed an upward trend in HbA1c levels, which reached diabetic concentrations in 17%. Patients with diabetic first HbA1c concentrations (>or=6.62% HbA1c) showed on average 15% improved glycemic control in the first year. Further improvement was limited. In individual patients, 75% with originally diabetic HbA1c levels showed improved glycemic control after 3 years, while 78% with originally normal concentrations showed an upward trend in HbA1c levels.

  16. Different hemodynamic response of prefontal area for men and women to mental arithmetic: a near-infrared spectroscopy study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Hongyu; Zhou, Zhenyu; Liu, Yun; Ruan, Zongcai; Gong, Hui; Luo, Qingming; Lu, Zuhong

    2007-05-01

    A 16-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to measure concentration changes of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-HB and deoxy-HB) in prefrontal area while the subjects were performing mental works. Thirty healthy college participants were administered two mental arithmetic tasks while the changes of concentration on oxy-HB and deoxy-HB were measured. Oxy-HB increased during the mental works, and the increases of oxy-HB were greater in male subjects than in female subjects during the difficult task. These results suggest that NIRS is sensitive to evaluate the oxy-HB activity of prefrontal cortex during mental works.

  17. Coinheritance of Hb S [β6(A3)Glu→Val, GAG>GTG] with β0-thalassemia codon 17 (A>T) in a Thai patient.

    PubMed

    Pornprasert, Sakorn; Panyasai, Sitthichai; Kongthai, Kanyakan; Treesuwan, Kallayanee

    2012-01-01

    Hb S [β6(A3)Glu→Val, GAG>GTG] is a β-globin gene variant that has a very low incidence in the Thai population. Coinheritance of Hb S and β(0)-thalassemia (β-thal) can result in severe clinical conditions. This study reports the case of a Thai patient with a compound heterozygosity for Hb S and β(0)-thal codon 17 (A>T). His hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (packed cell volume, PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) levels were all less than the lower limits, while red cell distribution width (RDW) was higher than the upper limit. Levels of Hbs S, F and A(2) detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were comparable to those from capillary electrophoresis (CE). As Hb S has a similar electrophoretic mobility and the HPLC profile is also similar to those of Hb Tak [β147, Term→Thr (+AC)] and Hb D-Punjab [β121(GH4)Glu→Gln, GAA>CAA], DNA sequencing was then performed. This was to detect β(0)-thal, and to differentiate Hb S from the Hb Tak and Hb D-Punjab mutations. The β(0)-thal codon 17 and Hb S mutations were detected indicating that coinheritance of these two mutations can be found in the Thai population. Therefore, to provide proper clinical management and genetic counseling of this rare case, DNA analysis should be performed in all cases when a peak at the S-window is detected by HPLC or CE.

  18. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Takemura, Takayo; Yoshida, Yuichi; Kiso, Shinichi, E-mail: kiso@gh.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

    Highlights: •HB-EGF expression was increased during the development of liver fibrosis. •Conditional HB-EGF knockout mouse showed enhanced experimental liver fibrosis. •HB-EGF antagonized TGF-β-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells. •We report a possible protective role of HB-EGF in cholestatic liver fibrosis. -- Abstract: Our aims were to evaluate the involvement of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in liver fibrogenesis of humans and mice and to elucidate the effect of HB-EGF deficiency on cholestatic liver fibrosis using conditional HB-EGF knockout (KO) mice. We first demonstrated that gene expression of HB-EGF had a positive significant correlation with that of collagen in human fibroticmore » livers, and was increased in bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced fibrotic livers in mouse. We then generated conditional HB-EGF knockout (KO) mice using the interferon inducible Mx-1 promoter driven Cre recombinase transgene and wild type (WT) and KO mice were subjected to BDL. After BDL, KO mice exhibited enhanced liver fibrosis with increased expression of collagen, compared with WT mice. Finally, we used mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to examine the role of HB-EGF in the activation of these cells and showed that HB-EGF antagonized TGF-β-induced gene expression of collagen in mouse primary HSCs. Interestingly, HB-EGF did not prevent the TGF-β-induced nuclear accumulation of Smad3, but did lead to stabilization of the Smad transcriptional co-repressor TG-interacting factor. In conclusion, our data suggest a possible protective role of HB-EGF in cholestatic liver fibrosis.« less

  19. Socioeconomic inequality in Hepatitis B vaccination of rural adults in China.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Dawei; Guo, Na; Wang, Jian; Nicholas, Stephen; Wang, Zhen; Zhang, Guojie; Shi, Luwen; Wangen, Knut Reidar

    2018-02-01

    Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination is the most effective way to prevent HB virus infection. While measures taken to control the prevalence of HB have achieved significant results, HB prevalence in rural China among adults remains problematic. This study sheds new light on the determinants of HB vaccine uptake and its inequality according to socioeconomic status in rural areas of China. We interviewed 22,283 adults, aged 18-59 years, from 8444 households, in 48 villages from 8 provinces. Vaccination status was modeled by using two logistic models: whether take at least one HB vaccine and whether to complete the entire vaccination regime. The Erreygers' concentration index ([Formula: see text]) was used to quantify the degree of inequality and the decomposition approach was used to uncover the determinants of inequality in vaccine uptake. We found that the coverage rate of HB vaccination is 20.2%, and the completion rate is 16.0%. The [Formula: see text] of at least one dose (0.081) and three doses (0.076) revealed a substantial pro-rich inequality. Income contributed the largest percentage to HB vaccination inequalities (52.17% for at least one dose and 52.03% for complete vaccinations). HB awareness was another important cause of inequality in HB vaccination (around 30%). These results imply that rich had a greater tendency to vaccinate and inequality favouring the rich was almost equal for the complete three doses. While the factors associated with HB vaccination uptake and inequalities were multifaceted, income status and HB awareness were the main barriers for the poor to take HB vaccine by adults in rural China.

  20. Extension arm facilitated pegylation of alphaalpha-hemoglobin with modifications targeted exclusively to amino groups: functional and structural advantages of free Cys-93(beta) in the PEG-Hb adduct.

    PubMed

    Li, Dongxia; Hu, Tao; Manjula, Belur N; Acharya, Seetharama A

    2009-11-01

    Cys-93(beta) of hemoglobin (Hb) was reversibly protected as a mixed disulfide with thiopyridine during extension arm facilitated (EAF) PEGylation and its influence on the structural and functional properties of the EAF-PEG-Hb has been investigated. Avoiding PEGylation of Cys-93(beta) in the EAF-PEG-Hb lowers the level of perturbation of heme pocket, alpha1beta2 interface, autoxidation, heme loss, and the O(2) affinity, as compared to the EAF-PEG-Hb with PEGylation of Cys-93(beta).The structural and functional advantages of reversible protection of Cys-93(beta) during EAF PEGylation of oxy-Hb has been compared with Euro PEG-Hb generated by EAF PEGylation of deoxy Hb where Cys-93(beta) is free in the final product. The alphaalpha-fumaryl cross-linking and EAF PEGylation targeted exclusively to Lys residues has been combined together for generation of second-generation EAF-PEG-Hb with lower oxygen affinity. The PEG chains engineered on Lys as well as PEGylation of Cys-93(beta) independently contribute to the stabilization of oxy conformation of Hb and hence increase the oxygen affinity of Hb. However, oxygen affinity of the EAF-PEG-alphaalpha-Hb is more sensitive to the presence of PEGylation on Cys-93(beta) than that of the EAF-PEG-Hb. The present modified EAF PEGylation platform is expected to facilitate the design of novel versions of the EAF-PEG-Hbs that can now integrate the advantages of avoiding PEGylation of Cys-93(beta).

  1. Hemoglobin binding and catalytic heme extraction by IsdB near iron transporter domains.

    PubMed

    Bowden, Catherine F M; Verstraete, Meghan M; Eltis, Lindsay D; Murphy, Michael E P

    2014-04-15

    The Isd (iron-regulated surface determinant) system is a multiprotein transporter that allows bacterium Staphylococcus aureus to take up iron from hemoglobin (Hb) during human infection. In this system, IsdB is a cell wall-anchored surface protein that contains two near iron transporter (NEAT) domains, one of which binds heme. IsdB rapidly extracts heme from Hb and transfers it to IsdA for relay into the bacterial cell. Using a series of recombinant IsdB constructs that included at least one NEAT domain, we demonstrated that both domains are required to bind Hb with high affinity (KD = 0.42 ± 0.05 μM) and to extract heme from Hb. Moreover, IsdB extracted heme only from oxidized metHb, although it also bound oxyHb and the Hb-CO complex. In a reconstituted model of the biological heme relay pathway, IsdB catalyzed the transfer of heme from metHb to IsdA with a Km for metHb of 0.75 ± 0.07 μN and a kcat of 0.22 ± 0.01 s(-1). The latter is consistent with the transfer of heme from metHb to IsdB being the rate-limiting step. With both NEAT domains and the linker region present in a single contiguous polypeptide, high-affinity Hb binding was achieved, rapid heme uptake was observed, and multiple turnovers of heme extraction from metHb and transfer to IsdA were conducted, representing all known Hb-heme uptake functions of the full-length IsdB protein.

  2. The first case of Hb G-Honolulu [α30(B11)Glu→Gln (GAG>CAG); HBA2:c.91G>A] observed in association with Hb S [β6(A3)Glu→Val, GAG>GTG] in a healthy Italian child.

    PubMed

    Paleari, Renata; Caruso, Donatella; Giavarini, Flavio; Colzani, Carlo; Brunati, Pietro; Mosca, Andrea

    2012-01-01

    We report the first observation of Hb G-Honolulu [α30(B11)Glu→Gln (GAG>CAG); HBA2:c.91G>A] in a Caucasian family and the first case of this variant to be found in association with Hb S [β6(A3)Glu→Val, GAG>GTG]. The proband was a healthy 4-year-old Italian boy. His chromatographic hemoglobin (Hb) pattern showed an abnormal peak having the typical retention time of Hb S (25.6% ), a second abnormal peak eluted soon after (13.6%) and a third minor peak eluted at the end of the run (6.5%). Identification of Hb variants were performed by peptide mapping using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Two abnormal peptides at m/z 765.1 and 922 were found, corresponding to the αT-4 and βT-1 peptides characteristic for Hb G-Honolulu and Hb S, respectively. The third minor abnormal peak presumably corresponded to the hybrid molecule (α(G-Honolulu)/β(S)). The concomitant presence of Hb G-Honolulu and Hb S does not seem to produce any relevant clinical manifestation.

  3. Kinetics of NO and O2 binding to a maleimide poly(ethylene glycol)-conjugated human haemoglobin

    PubMed Central

    2004-01-01

    The hypertensive effect observed with most cell-free haemoglobins has been proposed to result from NO scavenging. However, a newly developed PEG [poly(ethylene glycol)]-conjugated haemoglobin, MalPEG-Hb [maleimide-activated PEG-conjugated haemoglobin], is non-hypertensive with unique physicochemical properties: high O2 affinity, low co-operativity and large molecular radius. It is therefore of interest to compare the ligand-binding properties of MalPEG-Hb with unmodified cell-free HbA (stroma-free human haemoglobin). NO association rates for deoxy and oxyMalPEG-Hb and HbA were found to be identical. These results confirm the lack of correlation between hypertension and NO for a similar modified haemoglobin with high molecular radius and low p50 (pO2 at which haemoglobin is half-saturated with O2) [Rohlfs, Bruner, Chiu, Gonzales, Gonzales, Magde, Magde, Vandegriff and Winslow (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 12128–12134]. The R-state O2 association kinetic constants were also the same for the two haemoglobins. However, even though the p50 of MalPEG-Hb is approx. half of that of HbA, the biphasic O2 dissociation rates measured at relatively high pO2 (150 Torr) were 2-fold higher, giving rise to a 2-fold lower R-state equilibrium association constant for MalPEG-Hb compared with HbA. Thus the O2 affinity of MalPEG-Hb is higher only at pO2 values lower than the intersection point of the O2 equilibrium curves for MalPEG-Hb and HbA. In summary, the present studies found similar rates of NO binding to HbA and MalPEG-Hb, eliminating the possibility that the lack of vasoactivity of MalPEG-Hb is simply the result of reduced molecular reactivity with NO. Alternatively, the unique O2-binding characteristics with low p50 and co-operativity suggest that the ‘R-state’ conformation of MalPEG-Hb is in a more T-state configuration and restricted from conformational change. PMID:15175010

  4. Inaccuracy of haemoglobin A1c among HIV-infected men: effects of CD4 cell count, antiretroviral therapies and haematological parameters

    PubMed Central

    Slama, Laurence; Palella, Frank J.; Abraham, Alison G.; Li, Xiuhong; Vigouroux, Corinne; Pialoux, Gilles; Kingsley, Lawrence; Lake, Jordan E.; Brown, Todd T.; Margolick, Joseph B.; Crain, Barbara; Dobs, Adrian; Farzadegan, Homayoon; Gallant, Joel; Johnson-Hill, Lisette; Plankey, Michael; Sacktor, Ned; Selnes, Ola; Shepard, James; Thio, Chloe; Wolinsky, Steven M.; Phair, John P.; Badri, Sheila; O'Gorman, Maurice; Ostrow, David; Palella, Frank; Ragin, Ann; Detels, Roger; Martínez-Maza, Otoniel; Aronow, Aaron; Bolan, Robert; Breen, Elizabeth; Butch, Anthony; Jamieson, Beth; Miller, Eric N.; Oishi, John; Vinters, Harry; Wiley, Dorothy; Witt, Mallory; Yang, Otto; Young, Stephen; Zhang, Zuo Feng; Rinaldo, Charles R.; Kingsley, Lawrence A.; Becker, James T.; Cranston, Ross D.; Martinson, Jeremy J.; Mellors, John W.; Silvestre, Anthony J.; Stall, Ronald D.; Jacobson, Lisa P.; Munoz, Alvaro; Abraham, Alison; Althoff, Keri; Cox, Christopher; D'Souza, Gypsyamber; Golub, Elizabeth; Schollenberger, Janet; Seaberg, Eric C.; Su, Sol; Huebner, Robin E.; Dominguez, Geraldina

    2014-01-01

    Background There is limited evidence that among HIV-infected patients haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values may not accurately reflect glycaemia. We assessed HbA1c discordance (observed HbA1c − expected HbA1c) and associated factors among HIV-infected participants in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Methods Fasting glucose (FG) and HbA1c were measured at each semi-annual MACS visit since 1999. All HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men for whom at least one FG and HbA1c pair measurement was available were evaluated. Univariate median regression determined the association between HbA1c and FG by HIV serostatus. The relationship between HbA1c and FG in HIV-uninfected men was used to determine the expected HbA1c. Generalized estimating equations determined factors associated with the Hb1Ac discordance among HIV-infected men. Clinically significant discordance was defined as observed HbA1c − expected HbA1c ≤−0.5%. Results Over 13 years, 1500 HIV-uninfected and 1357 HIV-infected men were included, with a median of 11 visits for each participant. At an FG of 125 mg/dL, the median HbA1c among HIV-infected men was 0.21% lower than among HIV-uninfected men and the magnitude of this effect increased with FG >126 mg/dL. Sixty-three percent of HIV-infected men had at least one visit with clinically significant HbA1c discordance, which was independently associated with: low CD4 cell count (<500 cells/mm3); a regimen containing a protease inhibitor, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or zidovudine; high mean corpuscular volume; and abnormal corpuscular haemoglobin. Conclusion HbA1c underestimates glycaemia in HIV-infected patients and its use in patients with risk factors for HbA1c discordance may lead to under-diagnosis and to under-treatment of established diabetes mellitus. PMID:25096078

  5. Effect of the synthesis of rice non-symbiotic hemoglobins 1 and 2 in the recombinant Escherichia coli TB1 growth

    PubMed Central

    Álvarez-Salgado, Emma; Arredondo-Peter, Raúl

    2016-01-01

    Non-symbiotic hemoglobins (nsHbs) are widely distributed in land plants, including rice. These proteins are classified into type 1 (nsHbs-1) and type 2. The O 2-affinity of nsHbs-1 is very high mostly because of an extremely low O 2-dissociation rate constant resulting in that nsHbs-1 apparently do not release O 2 after oxygenation. Thus, it is possible that the in vivo function of nsHbs-1 is other than O 2-transport. Based on the properties of multiple Hbs it was proposed that nsHbs-1 could play diverse roles in rice organs, however the in vivo activity of rice nsHbs-1 has been poorly analyzed. An in vivo analysis for rice nsHbs-1 is essential to elucidate the biological function(s) of these proteins. Rice Hb1 and Hb2 are nsHbs-1 that have been generated in recombinant Es cherichia coli TB1. The rice Hb1 and Hb2 amino acid sequence, tertiary structure and rate and equilibrium constants for the reaction of O 2 are highly similar. Thus, it is possible that rice Hb1 and Hb2 function similarly in vivo. As an initial approach to test this hypothesis we analyzed the effect of the synthesis of rice Hb1 and Hb2 in the recombinant E. coli TB1 growth. Effect of the synthesis of the O 2-carrying soybean leghemoglobin a, cowpea leghemoglobin II and Vitreoscilla Hb in the recombinant E. coli TB1 growth was also analyzed as an O 2-carrier control. Our results showed that synthesis of rice Hb1, rice Hb2, soybean Lb a, cowpea LbII and Vitreoscilla Hb inhibits the recombinant E. coli TB1 growth and that growth inhibition was stronger when recombinant E. coli TB1 synthesized rice Hb2 than when synthesized rice Hb1. These results suggested that rice Hb1 and Hb2 could function differently in vivo. PMID:26973784

  6. Potential Contribution of Iron Deficiency and Multiple Factors to Anemia among 6- to 72-Month-Old Children in the Kokang Area of Myanmar

    PubMed Central

    Zhao, Ai; Gao, Hongchong; Li, Bo; Yu, Kai; Win, Naing Naing; Zhang, Yumei; Wang, Peiyu

    2015-01-01

    The prevalence of anemia among children in Myanmar has been reported to be among the highest in the world. This study was conducted to determine 1) the prevalence of anemia in preschool children and 2) risk factors associated with anemia. A total of 138 children aged from 6 to 72 months were recruited through cluster sampling from six villages in Kokang. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, blood trace elements, and anthropometric indicators were measured. Feces samples were collected to examine for the presence of ascarid eggs. The overall prevalence of anemia in children was 61.6%, including 10.9% with severe anemia. Meanwhile, high prevalence of stunting (40.0%), underweight (22.4%), wasting (6.3%), and small head circumference (6.7%) was found. Children with anemia were more prone to stunting. Children with severe anemia and moderate anemia had significantly lower blood iron and zinc levels than children without anemia (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007). The prevalence of ascarid infection was 64.9%; however, it was not associated with anemia. Drinking spring water was positively associated with anemia (odds ratio [OR] = 6.368). This study demonstrated that anemia is an important public health problem among children from the Kokang area. Iron deficiency and drinking spring water may be the important causes of anemia among children. PMID:26195457

  7. Kidney Disease among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease, Hemoglobin SS and SC

    PubMed Central

    Drawz, Paul; Ayyappan, Sabarish; Nouraie, Mehdi; Saraf, Santosh; Gordeuk, Victor; Hostetter, Thomas; Gladwin, Mark T.

    2016-01-01

    Background and objectives Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited anemia that afflicts millions worldwide. Kidney disease is a major contributor to its morbidity and mortality. We examined contemporary and historical SCD populations to understand how renal disease behaved in hemoglobin SS (HbSS) compared with HbSC. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Kidney function was examined in the multicentered Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension and Sickle Cell Disease with Sildenafil Therapy (Walk-PHaSST) Trial (HbSS=463; HbSC=127; years 2007–2009) and historical comparator populations from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD; HbSS=708) and the Multicenter Study of Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Disease (MSH; HbSS=299). Results In adults with SCD, eGFR was lower among older individuals: −1.78 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year of age (95% confidence interval [95% CI], −2.06 to −1.50; Walk-PHaSST Trial), −1.75 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year of age (95% CI, −2.05 to −1.44; MSH), and −1.69 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year of age (95% CI, −2.00 to −1.38; CSSCD) in HbSS compared with −1.09 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year of age (95% CI, −1.39 to −0.75) in HbSC (Walk-PHaSST Trial). Macroalbuminuria was seen in 20% of participants with SCD (HbSS or HbSC; P=0.45; Walk-PHaSST Trial), but microalbuminuria was more prevalent in HbSS (44% versus 23% in HbSC; P<0.002). In the Walk-PHaSST Trial, albuminuria was associated with hemolysis (higher lactate dehydrogenase, P<0.001; higher absolute reticulocyte count, P<0.02; and lower Hb, P=0.07) and elevated systolic BP (P<0.001) in HbSS. One half of all participants with HbSS (20 of 39) versus one fifth without (41 of 228) elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (≥3 m/s; adverse prognostic indicator in SCD) had macroalbuminuria (P<0.001). In the CSSCD, overt proteinuria, detected (less sensitively) by urine dipstick, associated with higher 3-year mortality (odds ratio, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.07 to 5.77). Serum bicarbonate was lower in HbSS (23.8 versus 24.8 mEq/dl in HbSC; P<0.05) and associated with reticulocytopenic anemia and decreased renal function. Conclusions In SCD, albuminuria or proteinuria was highly prevalent, in HbSS more than in HbSC. Proteinuria associated with mortality in HbSS. Older individuals had a lower than expected eGFR, and this was more prominent in HbSS. Current management does not routinely address renal complications in SCD, which could plausibly reduce morbidity and mortality. PMID:26672090

  8. Measuring the learning effectiveness of Web-based teacher professional development in the hypothesis based learning method of teaching science

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilson, Penne L.

    2007-12-01

    This study was conducted as part of the five year evaluation of the Star Schools grant awarded to Oklahoma State University for the development on online teacher professional development in the Hypothesis Based Learning (HbL) method of science instruction. Participants in this research were five teachers who had completed the online workshop, submitted a lesson plan, and who allowed this researcher and other members of the University of New Mexico Evaluation Team into their classrooms to observe and to determine if the learning of the method from the online HbL workshop had translated into practice. These teachers worked in inner city, suburban, metropolitan, and rural communities in the U.S. Southwest. This study was conducted to determine if teachers learned the HbL method from the online HbL workshop, to examine the relationship of satisfaction to learning, and to determine the elements of the online workshop that led to teacher learning. To measure learning of HbL, three different assessment instruments were used: embedded assessments within the online HbL workshop that gave teachers a scenario and asked them to generate questions to facilitate the HbL process; the analysis of a lesson plan provided by teachers using a science concept that they wished to incorporate in their curriculum using an HbL lesson template provided at the HbL website; and, observations of teachers facilitating the HbL process conducted at three different times during the year that they began the HbL online workshop. To determine if teachers were satisfied with the learning environment, the online HbL workshop, and the product, HbL Method for Teaching Science, and to determine if teachers could identify the elements of the online workshop that led to learning, interviews with the participants were conducted. The research findings were presented in two parts: Part I is an analysis of data provided by the assessment instruments and a content analysis of the transcripts of the teacher interviews; Part II is a series of embedded, explanatory case studies which present an in-depth examination of three of the participants of this study to better understand the factors that influenced their learning of the HbL method of teaching science. Findings of this study indicate that teachers did learn the HbL method of teaching science through the online HbL workshop, the only place instruction in the HbL method was available. The structure of the online workshop which first introduced an element of the HbL process to teachers, next asked them to conduct a personal activity, and then to use a similar activity in their classrooms with students, and to reflect on the outcome of the activity, was successful in teaching the HbL method. Teachers expressed satisfaction with the structure of the online workshop and with the HbL method which they believed made learning science fun and which encouraged students to become more creative and critical thinkers, and also increased their knowledge of science concepts. The main motivation for learning HbL and the primary factor that led to teachers' satisfaction was the students' positive reaction to the HbL method. The teachers were encouraged because the students loved to do science after being introduced to HbL. Also identified in this study was the need by a participant for the inclusion of video models of teachers using the HbL method within the HbL online workshop. This suggestion demonstrated the need to incorporate more learning styles in the activities included in the HbL workshop in order to appeal to a wider audience of online learners.

  9. Familial congenital cyanosis caused by Hb-MYantai(α-76 GAC → TAC, Asp → Tyr)

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Methemoglobin (Hb-M) is a rare hemoglobinopathy in China. We hereby report on a family living in Yantai, East China, with congenital cyanosis due to Hb-M mutation. The proband, a 65-year-old female, presented 63% oxygen saturation. Both Hb-M concentration and arterial oxygen saturation remained unchanged, even following intravenous treatment with methylene blue. There was also no change in blood-color (chocolate-brown) after adding 0.1% KCN. A fast-moving band (Hb-X) in hemolysates was found by cellulose acetate electrophoresis, the Hb-X/Hb-A ratio exceeding 10%. GT transition at 131nt of exon 2, although present in one of the α2 -globin alleles, was not found in α1 -globin alleles as a whole. This mutation leads to the aspartic acid to tyrosine substitution (Asp76Tyr). In this family, the novel mutation in the α2 -globin gene resulted in a rare form of congenital cyanosis due to Hb-M. This hemoglobin was named Hb-M Yantai . PMID:21637412

  10. [About the HbA1c in the elderly].

    PubMed

    Farcet, Anaïs; Delalande, Géraldine; Oliver, Charles; Retornaz, Frédérique

    2016-03-01

    HbA1c product of non enzymatic glycation of HbA increases in relation with the mean blood glucose level during the former 2-3 months. HbA1c levels are correlated with the development of diabetic complications and HbA1c assessment is now the gold standard for evaluation of diabetes control. HbA1c level should not be higher than 7% to avoid these complications. However, in aged peoples, the objectives of diabetes control vary according to their health status. It must be good with HbA1c lower than 7-7.5% in healthy subjects and more relax in subjects with symptoms of frailty and risks of non perceived and self corrected hypoglycemia. Under these conditions, HbA1c values lower than 8 to 9% are advised. Nevertheless, hypoglycemia episodes may occur in patients with high HbA1c and capillary glucose follow-up is necessary for detection of such complications.

  11. Social conflict resolution regulated by two dorsal habenular subregions in zebrafish.

    PubMed

    Chou, Ming-Yi; Amo, Ryunosuke; Kinoshita, Masae; Cherng, Bor-Wei; Shimazaki, Hideaki; Agetsuma, Masakazu; Shiraki, Toshiyuki; Aoki, Tazu; Takahoko, Mikako; Yamazaki, Masako; Higashijima, Shin-ichi; Okamoto, Hitoshi

    2016-04-01

    When animals encounter conflict they initiate and escalate aggression to establish and maintain a social hierarchy. The neural mechanisms by which animals resolve fighting behaviors to determine such social hierarchies remain unknown. We identified two subregions of the dorsal habenula (dHb) in zebrafish that antagonistically regulate the outcome of conflict. The losing experience reduced neural transmission in the lateral subregion of dHb (dHbL)-dorsal/intermediate interpeduncular nucleus (d/iIPN) circuit. Silencing of the dHbL or medial subregion of dHb (dHbM) caused a stronger predisposition to lose or win a fight, respectively. These results demonstrate that the dHbL and dHbM comprise a dual control system for conflict resolution of social aggression. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  12. Heparin binding epidermal growth factor in renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

    PubMed

    Mulder, Gemma M; Nijboer, Willemijn N; Seelen, Marc A; Sandovici, Maria; Bos, Eelke M; Melenhorst, Wynand B W H; Trzpis, Monika; Kloosterhuis, Niels J; Visser, Lydia; Henning, Rob H; Leuvenink, Henri G D; Ploeg, Rutger J; Sunnarborg, Susan W; van Goor, Harry

    2010-06-01

    The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its ligands are crucially involved in the renal response to ischaemia. We studied the heparin binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), a major ligand for the EGF receptor, in experimental and human ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). HB-EGF mRNA and protein expression was studied in rat kidneys and cultured human tubular (HK-2) cells that were subjected to IRI and in human donor kidneys during transplantation. The effect of EGF receptor inhibition was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, urinary HB-EGF protein excretion was studied after renal transplantation. Finally, HB-EGF KO and WT mice were subjected to IRI to study the role of HB-EGF in renal injury. HB-EGF mRNA was significantly up-regulated in the early phase of IRI in rats, cells, and human donor biopsies. Treatment with PKI-166 reduces macrophage accumulation and interstitial alpha-SMA in the early phase of IRI in rats. In vitro, PKI-166 causes a marked reduction in HB-EGF-induced cellular proliferation. Urinary HB-EGF is increased after transplantation compared with control urines from healthy subjects. HB-EGF KO mice subjected to IRI revealed significantly less morphological damage after IRI, compared with WT mice. We conclude that IRI results in early induction of HB-EGF mRNA and protein in vivo and in vitro. Absence of HB-EGF and inhibition of the EGF receptor in the early phase of IRI has protective effects, suggesting a modulating role for HB-EGF.

  13. The homologous HD-Zip I transcription factors HaHB1 and AtHB13 confer cold tolerance via the induction of pathogenesis-related and glucanase proteins.

    PubMed

    Cabello, Julieta V; Arce, Agustín L; Chan, Raquel L

    2012-01-01

    Plants deal with cold temperatures via different signal transduction pathways. The HD-Zip I homologous transcription factors HaHB1 from sunflower and AtHB13 from Arabidopsis were identified as playing a key role in such cold response. The expression patterns of both genes were analyzed indicating an up-regulation by low temperatures. When these genes were constitutively expressed in Arabidopsis, the transgenic plants showed similar phenotypes including cell membrane stabilization under freezing treatments and cold tolerance. An exploratory transcriptomic analysis of HaHB1 transgenic plants indicated that several transcripts encoding glucanases and chitinases were induced. Moreover, under freezing conditions some proteins accumulated in HaHB1 plants apoplasts and these extracts exerted antifreeze activity in vitro. Three genes encoding two glucanases and a chitinase were overexpressed in Arabidopsis and these plants were able to tolerate freezing temperatures. All the obtained transgenic plants exhibited cell membrane stabilization after a short freezing treatment. Finally, HaHB1 and AtHB13 were used to transiently transform sunflower and soybean leading to the up-regulation of HaHB1/AtHB13-target homologues thus indicating the conservation of cold response pathways. We propose that HaHB1 and AtHB13 are involved in plant cold tolerance via the induction of proteins able to stabilize cell membranes and inhibit ice growth. © 2011 The Authors. The Plant Journal © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  14. beta-Thalassemia present in cis to a new beta-chain structural variant, Hb Vicksburg [beta 75 (E19)Leu leads to 0].

    PubMed Central

    Adams, J G; Steinberg, M H; Newman, M V; Morrison, W T; Benz, E J; Iyer, R

    1981-01-01

    Hemoglobin Vicksburg was discovered in a 6-year-old Black boy who had been anemic since infancy. Examination of his hemolysate revealed 87.5% Hb F, 2.4% Hb A2, and 7.6% Hb Vicksburg, which had the electrophoretic and chromatographic properties of Hb A. Structural analysis of Hb Vicksburg demonstrated a deletion of leucine at beta 75(E19), a new variant. Hb Vicksburg was neither unstable nor subject to posttranslational degradation. The alpha/non-alpha biosynthetic ratio was 2.6. Because the proband appeared to be a mixed heterozygote for Hb Vicksburg and beta 0-thalassemia, Hb Vicksburg should have comprised the major portion of the hemolysate. Thus, Hb Vicksburg was synthesized at a rate considerably lower than would be expected on the basis of gene dosage. There was no reason to suspect abnormal translation of beta Vicksburg mRNA; in individuals with Hb St. Antoine (beta 74 and beta 75 deleted), the abnormal hemoglobin comprised 25% of the hemolysate in the simple heterozygote yet was unstable. Deletion of beta 75, therefore, would not in itself appear to lead to diminished synthesis. There was a profound deficit of beta Vicksburg mRNA when measured by liquid hybridization analysis with beta cDNA. The most plausible explanation for the low output of Hb Vicksburg is that a mutation for beta +-thalassemia is present in cis to the structural mutation. PMID:6165992

  15. beta-Thalassemia present in cis to a new beta-chain structural variant, Hb Vicksburg [beta 75 (E19)Leu leads to 0].

    PubMed

    Adams, J G; Steinberg, M H; Newman, M V; Morrison, W T; Benz, E J; Iyer, R

    1981-01-01

    Hemoglobin Vicksburg was discovered in a 6-year-old Black boy who had been anemic since infancy. Examination of his hemolysate revealed 87.5% Hb F, 2.4% Hb A2, and 7.6% Hb Vicksburg, which had the electrophoretic and chromatographic properties of Hb A. Structural analysis of Hb Vicksburg demonstrated a deletion of leucine at beta 75(E19), a new variant. Hb Vicksburg was neither unstable nor subject to posttranslational degradation. The alpha/non-alpha biosynthetic ratio was 2.6. Because the proband appeared to be a mixed heterozygote for Hb Vicksburg and beta 0-thalassemia, Hb Vicksburg should have comprised the major portion of the hemolysate. Thus, Hb Vicksburg was synthesized at a rate considerably lower than would be expected on the basis of gene dosage. There was no reason to suspect abnormal translation of beta Vicksburg mRNA; in individuals with Hb St. Antoine (beta 74 and beta 75 deleted), the abnormal hemoglobin comprised 25% of the hemolysate in the simple heterozygote yet was unstable. Deletion of beta 75, therefore, would not in itself appear to lead to diminished synthesis. There was a profound deficit of beta Vicksburg mRNA when measured by liquid hybridization analysis with beta cDNA. The most plausible explanation for the low output of Hb Vicksburg is that a mutation for beta +-thalassemia is present in cis to the structural mutation.

  16. The super sickling haemoglobin HbS-Oman: a study of red cell sickling, K+ permeability and associations with disease severity in patients heterozygous for HbA and HbS-Oman (HbA/S-Oman genotype).

    PubMed

    Al Balushi, Halima W M; Wali, Yasser; Al Awadi, Maha; Al-Subhi, Taimoora; Rees, David C; Brewin, John N; Hannemann, Anke; Gibson, John S

    2017-10-01

    Studying different sickle cell genotypes may throw light on the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD). Here, the clinical profile, red cell sickling and K + permeability in 29 SCD patients (15 patients with severe disease and 14 with a milder form) of HbA/S-Oman genotype were analysed. The super sickling nature of this Hb variant was confirmed. The red cell membrane permeability to K + was markedly abnormal with elevated activities of P sickle , Gardos channel and KCl cotransporter (KCC). Results were consistent with Ca 2+ entry and Mg 2+ loss via P sickle stimulating Gardos channel and KCC activities. The abnormal red cell behaviour was similar to that in the commonest genotype of SCD, HbSS, in which the level of mutated Hb is considerably higher. Although activities of all three K + transporters also correlated with the level of HbS-Oman, there was no association between transport phenotype and disease severity. The super sickling behaviour of HbS-Oman may obviate the need for solute loss and red cell dehydration to encourage Hb polymerisation, required in other SCD genotypes. Disease severity was reduced by concurrent α thalassaemia, as observed in other SCD genotypes, and represents an obvious genetic marker for prognostic tests of severity in young SCD patients of the HbA/S-Oman genotype. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  17. Validation of noninvasive hemoglobin measurement by pulse co-oximeter in newborn infants.

    PubMed

    Nicholas, C; George, R; Sardesai, S; Durand, M; Ramanathan, R; Cayabyab, R

    2015-08-01

    To describe the accuracy of noninvasive hemoglobin (Hb) obtained with pulse co-oximeter (SpHb) compared with total Hb (tHb) from laboratory co-oximeter in neonates. Neonates with birth weight (BW) <3000 g admitted to LAC+USC Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit were included. SpHb was recorded using Masimo Radical-7 and compared with tHb. A total of three data sets were obtained for each patient. Regression analysis and Bland-Altman analysis were performed. Sixty-one patients (mean±s.d., BW 1177±610 g and gestational age 28.7±3.9 weeks) were enrolled. The mean tHb value was 13.9±2.0 g dl(-1) and the mean SpHb was 14.0±2.0 g dl(-1). There was a moderately positive correlation between SpHb and tHb (r=0.66, P<0.001) with a bias and precision of -0.09±1.67 g dl(-1). Data from a subgroup of infants with gestational age ⩽32 weeks (52/61 patients) were analyzed, and the correlation coefficient was moderately positive (r=0.69, P<0.001) with a bias and precision of -0.23±1.60 g dl(-1). Our results suggest that noninvasive SpHb may be considered as an adjunct to invasive tHb measurements in newborn infants <3000 g especially in preterm infants ⩽32 weeks of gestation.

  18. Occurrence of major ozone episodes and their time-series trends over the past decade in New England

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lai, Tzu-Ling

    The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the influence of meteorology on ozone (O3) magnitudes and variations over the past decade in the New England area. The major results are summarized as follows. First, the highest O3 episodes were driven by multi-scale processes, and the regional/local scale processes controlled the magnitude and timing of the local pollution episodes. For instance, the highest episode on 14 August 2002 at Thompson Farm (TF) was under a stagnant synoptic high-pressure which resulted in accumulation of pollutants in the boundary layer. Ozone mixing ratios in the 2002 episode showed continual high values (>100 ppbv) at the beginning of the episode, and reached 151 ppbv on August 14. At the same time, the mesoscale low-level-jet (LLJ) played an important role in transporting air masses from the polluted Mid-Atlantic areas to the Northeast. Local land-sea-breeze circulations also added to the impact on this episode. Another highest O 3 event on 22 July 2004 at Castle Springs (CS) was driven by two mechanisms, stratospheric intrusion and the Appalachian lee trough (APLT), which was not found during other O3 episodes at the site in the decade long data record. Second, decadal O3 trends revealed that daytime O 3 mixing ratios increased by ˜0.9 ppbv per year in spring and by ˜0.8 ppbv per year in winter, while it decreased by ˜0.2 ppbv per year in summer. The increasing O3 values in spring and winter coincided with warmer temperatures which increased +2.8 (°F/decade) in spring and +0.6 (°F/decade) in winter in New Hampshire (NH). Furthermore, trends in low-, medium-, and the daily maximum of O3 were increasing in both spring and winter with rates between 0.3 to 1.1 ppb per year. Summertime O3 trends either decreased or did not have significant changes. The decreasing summer O3 trends coincided with a weakening of the Bermuda High. Overall, average O3 exhibited higher O3 mixing ratios in spring than in other seasons. However, the highest episodes occurred in summer. Average diurnal patterns indicated that O3 was reduced to its lowest mixing ratios in summer during nighttime, with the strongest O 3 depletion in September.

  19. Extended Linkage Disequilibrium Surrounding the Hemoglobin E Variant Due to Malarial Selection

    PubMed Central

    Ohashi, Jun ; Naka, Izumi ; Patarapotikul, Jintana ; Hananantachai, Hathairad ; Brittenham, Gary ; Looareesuwan, Sornchai ; Clark, Andrew G. ; Tokunaga, Katsushi 

    2004-01-01

    The hemoglobin E variant (HbE; β26Glu→Lys) is concentrated in parts of Southeast Asia where malaria is endemic, and HbE carrier status has been shown to confer some protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. To examine the effect of natural selection on the pattern of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and to infer the evolutionary history of the HbE variant, we analyzed biallelic markers surrounding the HbE variant in a Thai population. Pairwise LD analysis of HbE and 43 surrounding biallelic markers revealed LD of HbE extending beyond 100 kb, whereas no LD was observed between non-HbE variants and the same markers. The inferred haplotype network suggests a single origin of the HbE variant in the Thai population. Forward-in-time computer simulations under a variety of selection models indicate that the HbE variant arose 1,240–4,440 years ago. These results support the conjecture that the HbE mutation occurred recently, and the allele frequency has increased rapidly. Our study provides another clear demonstration that a high-resolution LD map across the human genome can detect recent variants that have been subjected to positive selection. PMID:15114532

  20. Extended linkage disequilibrium surrounding the hemoglobin E variant due to malarial selection.

    PubMed

    Ohashi, Jun; Naka, Izumi; Patarapotikul, Jintana; Hananantachai, Hathairad; Brittenham, Gary; Looareesuwan, Sornchai; Clark, Andrew G; Tokunaga, Katsushi

    2004-06-01

    The hemoglobin E variant (HbE; ( beta )26Glu-->Lys) is concentrated in parts of Southeast Asia where malaria is endemic, and HbE carrier status has been shown to confer some protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. To examine the effect of natural selection on the pattern of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and to infer the evolutionary history of the HbE variant, we analyzed biallelic markers surrounding the HbE variant in a Thai population. Pairwise LD analysis of HbE and 43 surrounding biallelic markers revealed LD of HbE extending beyond 100 kb, whereas no LD was observed between non-HbE variants and the same markers. The inferred haplotype network suggests a single origin of the HbE variant in the Thai population. Forward-in-time computer simulations under a variety of selection models indicate that the HbE variant arose 1,240-4,440 years ago. These results support the conjecture that the HbE mutation occurred recently, and the allele frequency has increased rapidly. Our study provides another clear demonstration that a high-resolution LD map across the human genome can detect recent variants that have been subjected to positive selection.

  1. HbMADS4, a MADS-box Transcription Factor from Hevea brasiliensis, Negatively Regulates HbSRPP.

    PubMed

    Li, Hui-Liang; Wei, Li-Ran; Guo, Dong; Wang, Ying; Zhu, Jia-Hong; Chen, Xiong-Ting; Peng, Shi-Qing

    2016-01-01

    In plants MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in growth and development. However, no plant MADS-box gene has been identified to have a function related to secondary metabolites regulation. Here, a MADS-box TF gene, designated as HbMADS4 , was isolated from Hevea brasiliensis by the yeast one-hybrid experiment to screen the latex cDNA library using the promoter of the gene encoding H. brasiliensis small rubber particle protein (HbSRPP) as bait. HbMADS4 was 984-bp containing 633-bp open reading frame encoding a deduced protein of 230 amino acid residues with a typical conserved MADS-box motif at the N terminus. HbMADS4 was preferentially expressed in the latex, but little expression was detected in the leaves, flowers, and roots. Its expression was inducible by methyl jasmonate and ethylene. Furthermore, transient over-expression and over-expression of HbMADS4 in transgenic tobacco plants significantly suppressed the activity of the HbSRP promoter. Altogether, it is proposed that HbMADS4 is a negative regulator of HbSRPP which participates in the biosynthesis of natural rubber.

  2. Mechanisms of haptoglobin protection against hemoglobin peroxidation triggered endothelial damage.

    PubMed

    Schaer, C A; Deuel, J W; Bittermann, A G; Rubio, I G; Schoedon, G; Spahn, D R; Wepf, R A; Vallelian, F; Schaer, D J

    2013-11-01

    Extracellular hemoglobin (Hb) has been recognized as a disease trigger in hemolytic conditions such as sickle cell disease, malaria, and blood transfusion. In vivo, many of the adverse effects of free Hb can be attenuated by the Hb scavenger acute-phase protein haptoglobin (Hp). The primary physiologic disturbances that can be caused by free Hb are found within the cardiovascular system and Hb-triggered oxidative toxicity toward the endothelium has been promoted as a potential mechanism. The molecular mechanisms of this toxicity as well as of the protective activities of Hp are not yet clear. Within this study, we systematically investigated the structural, biochemical, and cell biologic nature of Hb toxicity in an endothelial cell system under peroxidative stress. We identified two principal mechanisms of oxidative Hb toxicity that are mediated by globin degradation products and by modified lipoprotein species, respectively. The two damage pathways trigger diverse and discriminative inflammatory and cytotoxic responses. Hp provides structural stabilization of Hb and shields Hb's oxidative reactions with lipoproteins, providing dramatic protection against both pathways of toxicity. By these mechanisms, Hp shifts Hb's destructive pseudo-peroxidative reaction to a potential anti-oxidative function during peroxidative stress.

  3. Interaction of Hb South Florida (codon 1; GTG-->ATG) and HbE, with beta-thalassemia (IVS1-1; G-->A): expression of different clinical phenotypes.

    PubMed

    Tan, Jin-Ai Mary Anne; Tan, Kim-Lian; Omar, Khairul Zaman; Chan, Lee-Lee; Wee, Yong-Chui; George, Elizabeth

    2009-09-01

    Interactions of different hemoglobin variants with thalassemia alleles can result in various clinical phenotypes. HbE-beta-thalassemia generally manifests with severe anemia where individuals exhibit beta-thalassemia major with regular blood transfusions or beta-thalassemia intermedia with periodic blood transfusions. This study presents a unique Malay family with three beta-globin gene defects-HbE, Hb South Florida, and IVS1-1 (G-->A). HbE activates a cryptic splice site that produces non-functional mRNAs. Hb South Florida is a rare beta-hemoglobin variant, and its interactions with other beta-thalassemia alleles have not been reported. IVS1-1 is a Mediterranean mutation that affects mRNA processing giving rise to beta(o)-thalassemia. Fifteen mutations along the beta-globin gene complex were analyzed using the amplification refractory mutation system. Hb South Florida was identified by direct sequencing using genomic DNA. The affected child with HbE/IVS1-1 produced a beta-thalassemia major phenotype. Compound heterozygosity for Hb South Florida/IVS1-1 produced a beta-thalassemia carrier phenotype in the mother.

  4. The yeast telomerase recruitment module requires a specific RNA architecture.

    PubMed

    Laterreur, Nancy; Lemieux, Bruno; Neumann, Hannah; Berger-Dancause, Jean-Christophe; Lafontaine, Daniel; Wellinger, Raymund J

    2018-05-18

    Telomerases are ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzymes that are related to reverse transcriptases. While they maintain genome stability, their composition varies significantly between species. Yeast telomerase RNPs contain an RNA that is comparatively large and its overall folding shows long helical segments with distal functional parts. Here we investigated the essential stem IVc module of the budding yeast telomerase RNA, called Tlc1. The distal part of stem IVc includes a conserved sequence element CS2a and structurally conserved features to which bind the Pop1/Pop6/Pop7 proteins and which together function analogously to the P3 domains of the RNase P/MRP RNPs. A more proximal bulged stem with the CS2 element is thought to associate with Est1. Previous data showed that changes in CS2a cause a loss of all of the proteins, not just the Pop-proteins, from stem IVc. The results here show that the association of Est1 with stem IVc indeed requires both the proximal bulged stem and the presence of the Tlc1 P3 domain with the associated Pop-proteins. Separating the P3-domain from the Est1 binding site by inserting only 2 base pairs into the helical stem between the two sites causes a complete loss of Est1 from the RNP and hence a telomerase-negative phenotype in vivo. Still, the distal P3 domain with the associated Pop-proteins remains intact. Moreover, the P3 domain also ensures Est2 stability on the RNP independently of the Est1 association. Therefore, the recruitment module of the Tlc1 RNA requires a very tight architectural organization for telomerase function in vivo. Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press for the RNA Society.

  5. [Clinical and molecular characteristics of hemoglobin New York in Guangxi populations].

    PubMed

    Li, You-qiong; Huang, Hui-pin; Yang, Wen-hui; Chen, Zhi-zhong; Zhao, Lin; Huang, Hua-yi; Qin, Gui-fang

    2013-08-01

    To analyze the clinical and molecular characteristics of hemoglobin New York in populations from Guangxi and provide reference data for screening thalassemia. A total of 30 691 samples were screened by capillary electrophoresis, and then suspicious samples of Hb New York were identified by DNA sequencing and analysis of blood cell count. Gap-PCR and reverse dot blot hybridization method were used for the detection of common mutations of α and β thalassemia in Chinese. The incidence of Hb New York was 0.12% in Guangxi. The hematological phenotype index (MCV, MCH, Hb New York, Hb A2) of 32 Hb New York heterozygous cases were (91.00±5.19)fl, (29.42±2.04)pg, (44.10±3.12)% and (2.80±0.29)% , respectively. The hematological phenotype index of 4 Hb New York composited SEA heterozygous patients were (68.20±5.26) fl, (21.78±2.15) pg, (36.60±2.00)% and (2.90±0.14)% , of 2 Hb New York composited WS heterozygous patients were (83.90±2.69) fl, (27.70±1.70) pg, (39.70±1.70)% and (3.50±0.21)%. There were statistical differences between three groups (P<0.05). HGB, MCV and MCH of Hb New York heterozygous and Hb New York composited WS heterozygous were normal, and patients with Hb New York composited SEA heterozygous showed mild anemia, decreased MCV and MCH. Most of Hb New York were heterozygous and no homozygotes in Guangxi. There were different hematological characteristics in different Hb New York heterozygous patients. Hb New York heterozygous had normal hematological phenotype, ant combined with other types of thalassemia could exhibit symptoms such as anemia.

  6. A Candidate Trans-acting Modulator of Fetal Hemoglobin Gene Expression in the Arab-Indian Haplotype of Sickle Cell Anemia

    PubMed Central

    Vathipadiekal, Vinod; Farrell, John J.; Wang, Shuai; Edward, Heather L.; Shappell, Heather; Al-Rubaish, A.M.; Al-Muhanna, Fahad; Naserullah, Z.; Alsuliman, A.; Qutub, Hatem Othman; Simkin, Irene; Farrer, Lindsay A.; Jiang, Zhihua; Luo, Hong-Yuan; Huang, Shengwen; Mostoslavsky, Gustavo; Murphy, George J.; Patra, Pradeep.K.; Chui, David H.K.; Alsultan, Abdulrahman; Al-Ali, Amein K.; Sebastiani, Paola.; Steinberg, Martin. H.

    2016-01-01

    Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels are higher in the Arab-Indian (AI) β-globin gene haplotype of sickle cell anemia compared with African-origin haplotypes. To study genetic elements that effect HbF expression in the AI haplotype we completed whole genome sequencing in 14 Saudi AI haplotype sickle hemoglobin homozygotes—seven selected for low HbF (8.2±1.3%) and seven selected for high HbF (23.5±.2.6%). An intronic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ANTXR1, an anthrax toxin receptor (chromosome 2p13), was associated with HbF. These results were replicated in two independent Saudi AI haplotype cohorts of 120 and 139 patients, but not in 76 Saudi Benin haplotype, 894 African origin haplotype and 44 Arab Indian haplotype patients of Indian descent, suggesting that this association is effective only in the Saudi AI haplotype background. ANTXR1 variants explained 10% of the HbF variability compared with 8% for BCL11A. These two genes had independent, additive effects on HbF and together explained about 15% of HbF variability in Saudi AI sickle cell anemia patients. ANTXR1 was expressed at mRNA and protein levels in erythroid progenitors derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and CD34+ cells. As CD34+ cells matured and their HbF decreased ANTXR1 expression increased; as iPSCs differentiated and their HbF increased, ANTXR1 expression decreased. Along with elements in cis to the HbF genes, ANTXR1 contributes to the variation in HbF in Saudi AI haplotype sickle cell anemia and is the first gene in trans to HBB that is associated with HbF only in carriers of the Saudi AI haplotype. PMID:27501013

  7. Molecular Cloning of HbPR-1 Gene from Rubber Tree, Expression of HbPR-1 Gene in Nicotiana benthamiana and Its Inhibition of Phytophthora palmivora

    PubMed Central

    Khunjan, Uraiwan; Ekchaweng, Kitiya; Panrat, Tanate; Tian, Miaoying; Churngchow, Nunta

    2016-01-01

    This is the first report to present a full-length cDNA (designated HbPR-1) encoding a putative basic HbPR-1 protein from rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) treated with salicylic acid. It was characterized and also expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana using Agrobacterium-mediated transient gene expression system in order to investigate the role of HbPR-1 gene in rubber tree against its oomycete pathogen Phytopthora palmivora and to produce recombinant HbPR-1 protein for microbial inhibition test. The HbPR-1 cDNA was 647 bp long and contained an open reading frame of 492 nucleotides encoding 163 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 17,681 Da and an isoelectric point (pI) of 8.56, demonstrating that HbPR-1 protein belongs to the basic PR-1 type. The predicted 3D structure of HbPR-1 was composed of four α-helices, three β-sheets, seven strands, and one junction loop. Expression and purification of recombinant HbPR-1 protein were successful using Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression and one-step of affinity chromatography. Heterologous expression of HbPR-1 in N. benthamiana reduced necrosis areas which were inoculated with P. palmivora zoospores, indicating that the expressed HbPR-1 protein played an important role in plant resistance to pathogens. The purified recombinant HbPR-1 protein was found to inhibit 64% of P. palmivora zoospore germination on a water agar plate compared with control, suggesting that it was an antimicrobial protein against P. palmivora. PMID:27337148

  8. Symptomatic erythrocytosis associated with a compound heterozygosity for Hb Lepore-Boston-Washington (δ87-β116) and Hb Johnstown [β109(G11)Val→Leu, GTG>TTG].

    PubMed

    Inoue, Susumu; Oliveira, Jennifer L; Hoyer, James D; Sharman, Mahesh

    2012-01-01

    Hb Johnstown [β109(G11)Val→Leu, GTG>TTG] has previously been described as a high oxygen affinity variant in a heterozygous state and in combination with β(0)-thalassemia (β(0)-thal). Because the variant does not separate from Hb A by routine methods it may be easily missed unless clinical suspicion is high. Hb Lepore-Boston-Washington (Hb LBW; δ87-β116) is a δβ hybrid variant that clinically manifests similarly to a β(+)-thal. Hb LBW is not detected by routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing but is easily detected by electrophoretic methods. We describe a 19-year-old African American male with a compound heterozygosity for Hb Johnstown and Hb LBW. The patient presented with progressively worsening chest pains, headaches and erythrocytosis. He was repeatedly phlebotomized with symptomatic improvement and subsequently was confirmed to have the high oxygen affinity hemoglobin (Hb) variant. The lowest Hb and hematocrit (packed cell volume, PCV) achieved by phlebotomy was 16.1 g/dL and 0.51 L/L, respectively. Currently, he is no longer being phlebotomized, and is feeling relatively well except for minor chest pain. It is unclear to what degree the phlebotomies contributed to his subjective improvement. The combination of Hbs Johnstown and LBW has not been heretofore described, and in this case, was associated with marked symptomatic erythrocytosis. This unique combination results in a more pronounced phenotype, similar to or slightly more severe than, compound Hb Johnstown/β(0)-thal. This compound hemoglobinopathy will likely not be correctly classified using a single method of Hb detection and underscores the need for multiple characterization methods when indicated by the clinical picture.

  9. Congolese children with sickle cell trait may exhibit glomerular hyperfiltration: A case control study.

    PubMed

    Aloni, Michel Ntetani; Ngiyulu, René Makwala; Nsibu, Célestin Ndosimao; Ekulu, Pépé Mfutu; Makulo, Jean Robert; Gini-Ehungu, Jean-Lambert; Nseka, Nazaire Mangani; Lepira, François Bompeka

    2017-11-01

    The prevalence of sickle cell trait is extremely high in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent studies have reported the impact of sickle cell carriers on renal function. However, data on renal abnormalities in children with sickle cell trait in this part of the world are unknown. In this report, we assess the glomerular function of children with sickle cell trait (SCT). A case control study was conducted to assess the glomerular function in 43 Congolese children with sickle cell trait (Hb-AS) matched for age to 65 children with sickle cell anemia in steady state (Hb-SS) and 67 normal controls (Hb-AA). There was a significant difference in the blood pressure levels between the Hb-AS group vs Hb-SS group (P<.05). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) corrected for body surface area was increased in Hb-AS group compared to Hb-AA group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=.48). At the same time, the eGFR was decreased, but no significantly so, in the Hb-AS group compared to the Hb-SS group (P=.19). The proportion of children with Hb-AS (16.3%) who had hyperfiltration was higher compared to the proportion (6.1%) found in the Hb-AA group, but lower compared to the proportion found in the Hb-SS group (30%). However, in both situations, the difference was not statistically significant. No case of proteinuria was detected in children with Hb-AS. It appears that at least one of six children with SCT had hyperfiltration. The findings could form a basis for further studies on this renal physiology among SCT individuals in Africa. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Use of Fructosyl Peptide Oxidase for HbA1c Assay

    PubMed Central

    Yonehara, Satoshi; Inamura, Norio; Fukuda, Miho; Sugiyama, Koji

    2015-01-01

    ARKRAY, Inc developed the world’s first automatic glycohemoglobin analyzer based on HPLC (1981). After that, ARKRAY developed enzymatic HbA1c assay “CinQ HbA1c” with the spread and diversification of HbA1c measurement (2007). CinQ HbA1c is the kit of Clinical Chemistry Analyzer, which uses fructosyl peptide oxidase (FPOX) for a measurement reaction. This report mainly indicates the developmental background, measurement principle, and future of the enzymatic method HbA1c reagent. PMID:25633966

  11. A comparative evaluation of the analytical performances of Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing, Tosoh HLC-723 G8, Premier Hb9210, and Roche Cobas c501 Tina-quant Gen 2 analyzers for HbA1c determination.

    PubMed

    Wu, Xiaobin; Chao, Yan; Wan, Zemin; Wang, Yunxiu; Ma, Yan; Ke, Peifeng; Wu, Xinzhong; Xu, Jianhua; Zhuang, Junhua; Huang, Xianzhang

    2016-10-15

    Haemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) is widely used in the management of diabetes. Therefore, the reliability and comparability among different analytical methods for its detection have become very important. A comparative evaluation of the analytical performances (precision, linearity, accuracy, method comparison, and interferences including bilirubin, triglyceride, cholesterol, labile HbA 1c (LA 1c ), vitamin C, aspirin, fetal haemoglobin (HbF), and haemoglobin E (Hb E)) were performed on Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (Capillarys 2FP) (Sebia, France), Tosoh HLC-723 G8 (Tosoh G8) (Tosoh, Japan), Premier Hb9210 (Trinity Biotech, Ireland) and Roche Cobas c501 (Roche c501) (Roche Diagnostics, Germany). A good precision was shown at both low and high HbA 1c levels on all four systems, with all individual CVs below 2% (IFCC units) or 1.5% (NGSP units). Linearity analysis for each analyzer had achieved a good correlation coefficient (R 2 > 0.99) over the entire range tested. The analytical bias of the four systems against the IFCC targets was less than ± 6% (NGSP units), indicating a good accuracy. Method comparison showed a great correlation and agreement between methods. Very high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol (≥ 15.28 and ≥ 8.72 mmol/L, respectively) led to falsely low HbA 1c concentrations on Roche c501. Elevated HbF induced false HbA 1c detection on Capillarys 2FP (> 10%), Tosoh G8 (> 30%), Premier Hb9210 (> 15%), and Roche c501 (> 5%). On Tosoh G8, HbE induced an extra peak on chromatogram, and significantly lower results were reported. The four HbA 1c methods commonly used with commercial analyzers showed a good reliability and comparability, although some interference may falsely alter the result.

  12. Encapsulation of concentrated hemoglobin solution in phospholipid vesicles retards the reaction with NO, but not CO, by intracellular diffusion barrier.

    PubMed

    Sakai, Hiromi; Sato, Atsushi; Masuda, Kaoru; Takeoka, Shinji; Tsuchida, Eishun

    2008-01-18

    One physiological significance of the red blood cell (RBC) structure is that NO binding of Hb is retarded by encapsulation with the cell membrane. To clarify the mechanism, we analyzed Hb-vesicles (HbVs) with different intracellular Hb concentrations, [Hb](in), and different particle sizes using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The apparent NO binding rate constant, k(on)('(NO)), of HbV at [Hb](in) = 1 g/dl was 2.6 x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1), which was almost equal to k(on)((NO)) of molecular Hb, indicating that the lipid membrane presents no obstacle for NO binding. With increasing [Hb](in) to 35 g/dl, k(on)('(NO)) decreased to 0.9 x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1), which was further decreased to 0.5 x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1) with enlarging particle diameter from 265 to 452 nm. For CO binding, which is intrinsically much slower than NO binding, k(on)('(CO)) did not change greatly with [Hb](in) and the particle diameter. Results obtained using diffusion simulations coupled with elementary binding reactions concur with these tendencies and clarify that NO is trapped rapidly by Hb from the interior surface region to the core of HbV at a high [Hb](in), retarding NO diffusion toward the core of HbV. In contrast, slow CO binding allows time for further CO-diffusion to the core. Simulations extrapolated to larger particles (8 mum) showing retardation even for CO binding. The obtained k(on)('(NO)) and k(on)('(NO)) yield values similar to those reported for RBCs. In summary, the intracellular, not extracellular, diffusion barrier is predominant due to the rapid NO binding that induces a rapid sink of NO from the interior surface to the core, retarding further NO diffusion and binding.

  13. An alternative approach to modelling HbA1c trajectories in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    McEwan, Phil; Bennett, Hayley; Qin, Lei; Bergenheim, Klas; Gordon, Jason; Evans, Marc

    2017-05-01

    Time-dependent HbA1c trajectories in health economic models of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are typically informed by the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS). However, this approach may not accurately predict HbA1c progression in patients who do not conform to the demographic profile of the original UKPDS cohort. This study aimed to develop an alternative mathematical model (MM) to simulate HbA1c progression in T2DM. A systematic literature review identified studies, published between 2005 and 2015, that reported HbA1c in adult T2DM patients over a minimum duration of 18 months. Pooled data from eligible studies were used to develop an alternative MM equation for HbA1c progression, which was then contrasted with the UKPDS 68 progression equation in illustrative scenarios. A total of 68 studies were eligible for data extraction (mean follow-up time 4.1 years). HbA1c progression was highly heterogeneous across studies, varying with baseline HbA1c, treatment group and patient age. The MM equation was fitted with parameters for mean baseline HbA1c (8.3%), initial change in HbA1c (-0.62%) and upper quartile of maximum observed HbA1c (9.3%). Differences in HbA1c trajectories between the MM and UKPDS approaches altered the timing of therapy escalation in illustrative scenarios. The MM represents an alternative approach to simulate HbA1c trajectories in T2DM models, as UKPDS data may not adequately reflect the heterogeneity of HbA1c profiles observed in clinical studies. However, the choice of approach should ultimately be determined by the characteristics of individual patients under consideration and the clinical face validity of the modelled trajectories. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Factors associated with reaching or not reaching target HbA1c after initiation of basal or premixed insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Scheen, A J; Schmitt, H; Jiang, H H; Ivanyi, T

    2017-02-01

    To evaluate factors associated with reaching or not reaching target glycated haemoglobin (HbA 1c ) levels by analysing the respective contributions of fasting hyperglycaemia (FHG), also referred to as basal hyperglycaemia, vs postprandial hyperglycaemia (PHG) before and after initiation of a basal or premixed insulin regimen in patients with type 2 diabetes. This post-hoc analysis of insulin-naïve patients in the DURABLE study randomised to receive either insulin glargine or insulin lispro mix 25 evaluated the percentages of patients achieving a target HbA 1c of <7.0% (<53mmol/mol) per baseline HbA 1c quartiles, and the effect of each insulin regimen on the relative contributions of PHG and FHG to overall hyperglycaemia. Patients had comparable demographic characteristics and similar HbA 1c and FHG values at baseline in each HbA 1c quartile regardless of whether they reached the target HbA 1c . The higher the HbA 1c quartile, the greater was the decrease in HbA 1c , but also the smaller the percentage of patients achieving the target HbA 1c . HbA 1c and FHG decreased more in patients reaching the target, resulting in significantly lower values at endpoint in all baseline HbA 1c quartiles with either insulin treatment. Patients not achieving the target HbA 1c had slightly higher insulin doses, but lower total hypoglycaemia rates. Smaller decreases in FHG were associated with not reaching the target HbA 1c , suggesting a need to increase basal or premixed insulin doses to achieve targeted fasting plasma glucose and improve patient response before introducing more intensive prandial insulin regimens. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  15. Acrylamide and glycidamide hemoglobin adducts and epithelial ovarian cancer: a nested case-control study in non-smoking postmenopausal women from the EPIC cohort

    PubMed Central

    Obón-Santacana, Mireia; Lujan-Barroso, Leila; Travis, Ruth C.; Freisling, Heinz; Ferrari, Pietro; Severi, Gianluca; Baglietto, Laura; Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine; Fortner, Renée T.; Ose, Jennifer; Boeing, Heiner; Menéndez, Virginia; Sánchez-Cantalejo, Emilio; Chamosa, Saioa; Huerta Castaño, José María; Ardanaz, Eva; Khaw, Kay-Tee; Wareham, Nick; Merritt, Melissa A.; Gunter, Marc J.; Trichopoulou, Antonia; Papatesta, Eleni-Maria; Klinaki, Eleni; Saieva, Calogero; Tagliabue, Giovanna; Tumino, Rosario; Sacerdote, Carlotta; Mattiello, Amalia; Bueno-de-Mesquita, H.B.; Peeters, Petra H.; Onland-Moret, N. Charlotte; Idahl, Annika; Lundin, Eva; Weiderpass, Elisabete; Vesper, Hubert W.; Riboli, Elio; Duell, Eric J

    2015-01-01

    Background Acrylamide was classified as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans (group 2A)’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the fourth cause of cancer mortality in women. Five epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between EOC risk and dietary acrylamide intake assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and one nested case-control study evaluated hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide (HbAA) and its metabolite glycidamide (HbGA) and EOC risk; the results of these studies were inconsistent. Methods A nested case-control study in non-smoking postmenopausal women (334 cases, 417 controls) was conducted within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between HbAA, HbGA, HbAA+HbGA, and HbGA/HbAA and EOC and invasive serous EOC risk. Results No overall associations were observed between biomarkers of acrylamide exposure analyzed in quintiles and EOC risk; however, positive associations were observed between some middle quintiles of HbGA and HbAA+HbGA. Elevated but non-statistically significant ORs for serous EOC were observed for HbGA and HbAA+HbGA (ORQ5vsQ1:1.91, 95%CI:0.96-3.81 and ORQ5vsQ1:1.90, 95%CI:0.94-3.83, respectively); however, no linear dose-response trends were observed. Conclusion This EPIC nested case-control study failed to observe a clear association between biomarkers of acrylamide exposure and the risk of EOC or invasive serous EOC. Impact It is unlikely that dietary acrylamide exposure increases ovarian cancer risk; however, additional studies with larger sample size should be performed to exclude any possible association with EOC risk. PMID:26376083

  16. Hemoglobin levels above anemia thresholds are maximally predictive for long-term survival in COPD with chronic respiratory failure.

    PubMed

    Kollert, Florian; Tippelt, Andrea; Müller, Carolin; Jörres, Rudolf A; Porzelius, Christine; Pfeifer, Michael; Budweiser, Stephan

    2013-07-01

    In patients with COPD, chronic anemia is known as an unfavorable prognostic factor. Whether the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and long-term survival is restricted to anemia or extends to higher Hb levels has not yet been systematically assessed. We determined Hb levels in 309 subjects with COPD and chronic respiratory failure prior to initiation of noninvasive ventilation, accounting for confounders that might affect Hb. Subjects were categorized as anemic (Hb < 12 g/dL in females, Hb < 13 g/dL in males), polycythemic (Hb ≥ 15 g/dL in females, Hb ≥ 17 g/dL in males), or normocythemic. In addition, percentiles of Hb values were analyzed with regard to mortality from any cause. Two-hundred seven subjects (67.0%) showed normal Hb levels, 46 (14.9%) had anemia, and 56 (18.1%) had polycythemia. Polycythemic subjects showed a higher survival rate than anemic (P = .01) and normocythemic subjects (P = .043). In a univariate Cox hazards model, Hb was associated with long-term survival (hazard ratio 0.855; 95% CI 0.783-0.934, P < .001). The 58th percentiles of Hb (14.3 g/dL in females, 15.1 g/dL in males) yielded the highest discriminative value for predicting survival (hazard ratio 0.463, 95% CI 0.324-0.660, P < .001). In the multivariate analysis this cutoff was an independent predictor for survival (hazard ratio 0.627, 95% CI 0.414-0.949, P = .03), in addition to age and body mass index. In subjects with COPD and chronic respiratory failure undergoing treatment with noninvasive ventilation and LTOT, high Hb levels are associated with better long-term survival. The optimal cutoff level for prediction was above the established threshold defining anemia. Thus, predicting survival only on the basis of anemia does not fully utilize the prognostic potential of Hb values in COPD.

  17. HbA2 levels in β-thalassaemia carriers with the Filipino β0-deletion: are the levels higher than what is found with non-deletional forms of β0-thalassaemia?

    PubMed

    George, E; Teh, Lai Kuan; Tan, Jama; Lai, Mei I; Wong, Lily

    2013-01-01

    Classical carriers of β-thalassaemia are identified by a raised HbA2 level. Earlier studies indicated that the Filipino β-deletion has high raised HbA2 levels. The introduction of automated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for thalassaemia screening is an important advance in technology for haematology laboratories. The BioRad Variant II Hb analyser is a common instrument used to quantify HbA2 levels in thalassaemia screening. This study aimed to determine HbA2 levels in carriers of Filipino β-mutation using the BioRad Variant II Hb analyser. The Filipino β-deletion was identified using gap-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the parents of transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia patients who were homozygous for the Filipino β-deletion in the indigenous population of Sabah, Malaysia. Hb subtypes were quantified on the BioRad Variant II Hb analyser. Concurrent α-thalassaemia was identified by multiplex gap-PCR for deletions and amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR for non-deletional mutations. The mean HbA2 level for Filipino β-thalassaemia trait was 5.9 ± 0.47 and with coinheritance of α-thalassaemia was 6.3 ± 0.44 (-α heterozygous) and 6.7 ± 0.36 (-α homozygous). The HbA2 levels were all >4% in keeping with the findings of classical β-thalassaemia trait and significantly higher than levels seen in non-deletional forms of β-thalassaemia. The HbA2 level measured on the BioRad Variant II Hb analyser was lower than the level in the first description of the Filipino β-thalassaemia. β-thalassaemia trait with coinheritance of α-thalassaemia (-α) is associated with significantly higher HbA2 level.

  18. Analytical evaluation of the ADAMS™ A1c HA 8180 thalassemia mode high-pressure liquid chromatography analyser for the measurement of HbA2 and HbF.

    PubMed

    Urrechaga, E

    2016-12-01

    ADAMS ™ A1cHA-8180T is a HPLC system; within 3.5 min, it quantifies HbF, HbA 2 , and HbA 0 and flags abnormal peaks. We evaluate its analytical performance for routine estimation of HbA 2 and HbF, and critical tests were performed for identifying β-thalassemia carriers. Trueness imprecision, carry over, linearity, and effect of anemia were evaluated according to ICLH, ICLS, or manufacture's guidelines. Comparison (ADAMS ™ A1c HA-8160T) was performed by running 400 samples from healthy subjects, 30 alpha and 80 beta carriers (range: 1.9-5.7 %). Trueness - HbA 2 2.7 %, bias 0.81 %; HbA 2 5.8 %, bias 0.38 %. HbA 2 4.0% is not affected by Hb in the range 221-40 g/L. Carry over was negligible. Within run: normal control - CV 1.5 %, high control - CV 0.9 %.Within laboratory: normal control - total CV% 1.59%; high control - 0.92 %. Linearity - y = 1.034x - 0.17, R 2  = 0.998 (range: 2.8-4.8%).Method comparison - y = 0.93x + 0.22, R 2  = 0.997. HbF imprecision CVs between 0.66 and 1.24% and trueness between 0 and 2.8%. Linearity - y = 1.088x - 0.27, R 2  = 0.999 (0.1-5.7%). ADAMS ™ A1c HA-8180T provides a rapid and reliable separation of HbA 2 . The measurement is accurate and reproducible, which is needed because of the slight difference between normal and pathological values. The gap in HbA 2 values between normal subjects and β-thalassemia carriers makes this an appropriate method for rapid screening for carriers. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  19. The influence of glycemic control on the oral health of children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1.

    PubMed

    Carneiro, Vera Lúcia; Fraiz, Fabian Calixto; Ferreira, Fernanda de Morais; Pintarelli, Tatiana Pegoretti; Oliveira, Ana Cristina Borges; Boguszewski, Margaret Cristina da Silva

    2015-12-01

    To evaluate the influence of disease control, expressed by the mean values of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), in the oral health of children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM). A cross sectional study involving 87 children and adolescents (59 girls), 10 ± 2.6 years old. The participants were divided into three groups: HbA1c ≤ 8%, 8% < HbA1c ≤ 10% and HbA1c > 10%. The duration of the disease, age and average HbA1c were obtained from their medical records. Oral health was evaluated according to the following indexes: Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S); Community Periodontal Index (CPI); Decayed, Missing or Filled Teeth Index (DMFT/dmft) for permanent and deciduous teeth; and the stimulated salivary flow rate (SSFR). The median SSFR was 1.1 mL/min in the group with HbA1c ≤ 8%, 0.7 mL/min in the intermediary group and 0.6 mL/min in the HbA1c > 10% group. A significant decrease in salivary flow was observed with an increase in HbA1c (p = 0.007). The DMFT/dmft and CPI indexes were higher in individuals with higher HbA1c values. More caries-free individuals were found in the group with HbA1c ≤ 8% compared to those with HbA1c > 10%. The group with HbA1c > 10% exhibited more caries and bleeding gums than the other groups. HbA1c values in girls were higher than in boys. Children and adolescents with unsatisfactory glycemic control, represented by higher HbA1c concentrations, exhibited a higher frequency of caries and gingivitis, and a reduction in salivary flow.

  20. Comparative haematological parameters of HbAA and HbAS genotype children infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Yemen.

    PubMed

    Albiti, Anisa H; Nsiah, Kwabena

    2014-04-01

    Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) is known to offer considerable protection against falciparum malaria. However, the mechanism of protection is not yet completely understood. In this study, we investigate how the presence of the sickle cell trait affects the haematological profile of AS persons with malaria, in comparison with similarly infected persons with HbAA. This study is based on the hypothesis that the sickle cell trait plays a protective role against malaria. Children from an endemic malaria transmission area in Yemen were enrolled in this study. Hematological parameters were estimated using manual methods, the percentage of parasite density on stained thin smear was calculated, haemoglobin genotypes were determined on paper electrophoresis, ferritin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum iron and TIBC were assayed using spectrophotometer, transferrin saturation index was calculated by dividing serum iron by TIBC and expressing the result as a percentage. Haematological parameters were compared in HbAA- and HbAS-infected children. Falciparum malaria parasitaemia was confirmed in the blood smears of 62 children, 44 (55.7%) of AA and 18 (37.5%) AS, so there was higher prevalence in HbAA children (P = 0.047). Parasite density was lower in HbAS- than HbAA-infected children (P = 0.003). Anaemia was prominent in malaria-infected children, with high proportions of moderate and severe forms in HbAA (P = 0.001). The mean levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, reticulocyte count, platelets count, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and serum iron were significantly lower while total leukocytes, immature granulocytes, monocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were significantly higher in HbAA-infected children than HbAS-infected children. Infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria caused more significant haematological alterations of HbAA children than HbAS. This study supports the observation that sickle cell trait seems to be a beneficial genetic factor that resists malaria, since inheriting it protects against significant haematological consequences of malaria.

  1. Infection levels and seasonality of monogeneans in the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Perciformes: Centrarchidae) from Nuevo León, Mexico.

    PubMed

    Galaviz-Silva, L; Iruegas-Buentello, F J; Escobar-González, B; Molina-Garza, Z J

    2016-11-01

    Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, is a native fish species with special importance for sport fishing competitions in Nuevo León, Mexico. However, no study has investigated the parasitic fauna of M. salmoides, and no reports are available on monogenean parasites in this fish species. Therefore, we described the monogenean parasites of M. salmoides and the effects of season and fish condition factor in five reservoirs: La Boca (LB), El Cuchillo-Solidaridad (CS), Sombreretillo (S), Laguna Salinillas (LS) and Cerro Prieto (CP). The monogeneans infecting M. salmoides were Clavunculus unguis and Acolpenteron ureteroecetes (collected in all localities), as well as Syncleithrium fusiformis, Haplocleidus furcatus, Clavunculus bifurcatus and Urocleidus principalis (CS). Clavunculus unguis had the highest prevalence in fish from all reservoirs. The abundance of monogeneans was generally greater in late spring to autumn than in winter. Although season was not correlated with abundance (r s = 0.0934, P <  0.0154), the months of highest temperature (from May to September) were positively correlated with parasite abundance. A significant association was observed between fish condition factor and the presence of monogeneans (P <  0.05), except for A. ureteroecetes. Our findings include five new geographic records for C. unguis, S. fusiformis, H. furcatus and C. bifurcatus.

  2. Cytogenetic and molecular markers for detecting Aegilops uniaristata chromosomes in a wheat background.

    PubMed

    Gong, Wenping; Li, Guangrong; Zhou, Jianping; Li, Genying; Liu, Cheng; Huang, Chengyan; Zhao, Zhendong; Yang, Zujun

    2014-09-01

    Aegilops uniaristata has many agronomically useful traits that can be used for wheat breeding. So far, a Triticum turgidum - Ae. uniaristata amphiploid and one set of Chinese Spring (CS) - Ae. uniaristata addition lines have been produced. To guide Ae. uniaristata chromatin transformation from these lines into cultivated wheat through chromosome engineering, reliable cytogenetic and molecular markers specific for Ae. uniaristata chromosomes need to be developed. Standard C-banding shows that C-bands mainly exist in the centromeric regions of Ae. uniaristata but rarely at the distal ends. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using (GAA)8 as a probe showed that the hybridization signal of chromosomes 1N-7N are different, thus (GAA)8 can be used to identify all Ae. uniaristata chromosomes in wheat background simultaneously. Moreover, a total of 42 molecular markers specific for Ae. uniaristata chromosomes were developed by screening expressed sequence tag - sequence tagged site (EST-STS), expressed sequence tag - simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR), and PCR-based landmark unique gene (PLUG) primers. The markers were subsequently localized using the CS - Ae. uniaristata addition lines and different wheat cultivars as controls. The cytogenetic and molecular markers developed herein will be helpful for screening and identifying wheat - Ae. uniaristata progeny.

  3. On the effects of cluster density and concentration on the horizontal branch morphology - The origin of the blue tails

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fusi Pecci, F.; Ferraro, F. R.; Bellazzini, M.; Djorgovski, S.; Piotto, G.; Buonanno, R.

    1993-01-01

    Possible relationships between horizontal branch (HB) morphology in Galactic globular clusters and the cluster structure and dynamical evolution are investigated. New HB observables are defined and determined using a theoretical framework deduced from HB models. Data for 53 Galactic globular clusters are used to obtain correlations between the observables. It is found that the net length of the HB and the presence and extent of blue tails in particular are correlated with the cluster density and concentrations, in the sense of more concentrated or denser clusters having bluer and longer HB morphologies. This effect is especially strong for the intermediate metallicity clusters. Thus, the cluster environment can affect the stellar evolution leading to the HB and therefore the HB morphology. This result is interpreted in terms of an enhanced mass removal from the HB progenitors.

  4. Development of Selective Excitation Methods in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Investigation of Hemoglobin Oxygenation in Erythrocytes Using Proton and Phosphorus -31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fetler, Bayard Keith

    1993-01-01

    Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) offers a potential method for making measurements of the percent oxygenation of hemoglobin (Hb) in living tissue non-invasively. As a demonstration of the feasibility of such measurements, we measured the percent oxygenation of Hb in red blood cells (erythrocytes) using resonances in the proton-NMR (^1H-NMR) spectrum which are characteristic of oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) and deoxyhemoglobin (deoxy-Hb), and are due to the unique magnetic properties of these molecules. To perform these measurements, we developed a new NMR method of selectively exciting signals in a region of interest with uniform phase and amplitude, while suppressing the signal of the water resonance. With this method, we are able to make exact calculations distinguishing between uniform phase excitation produced at large flip-angles using the non-linear properties of the Bloch equations, and uniform phase excitation produced at small flip-angles using asymmetric pulse excitation functions. We measured the percent oxygenation of three characteristic ^1H-NMR resonances of Hb: two from deoxy-Hb, originating from the N_delta H protons of histidine residue F8, which occur at different frequencies for the alpha and beta chains of Hb; and one from oxy-Hb, originating from the gamma_2 -CH_3 protons of valine residue E11. We performed experiments both on fresh erythrocytes and on erythrocytes depleted of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), and found that oxygen is more tightly bound to Hb in the former case. In both fresh and 2,3-DPG-depleted samples, we found that: (i) from the deoxy-Hb marker resonances, there is a small but significant difference in the oxygen saturation between the alpha and beta chains; (ii) the decrease in the areas of the deoxy-Hb marker resonances correlates well with the increase in the percent oxygenation of Hb as measured optically; (iii) the area of the oxy-Hb marker resonance may be up to ~15% less than the optically measured Hb saturation. We are thus able to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of using this method to measure the oxygen saturation of Hb using ^1H-NMR.

  5. Probing the diphosphoglycerate binding pocket of HbA and HbPresbyterian (beta 108Asn --> Lys).

    PubMed

    Gottfried, D S; Manjula, B N; Malavalli, A; Acharya, A S; Friedman, J M

    1999-08-31

    HbPresbyterian (beta 108Asn --> Lys, HbP) contains an additional positive charge (per alpha beta dimer) in the middle of the central cavity and exhibits a lower oxygen affinity than wild-type HbA in the presence of chloride. However, very little is known about the molecular origins of its altered functional properties. In this study, we have focused on the beta beta cleft of the Hb tetramer. Recently, we developed an approach for quantifying the ligand binding affinity to the beta-end of the Hb central cavity using fluorescent analogues of the natural allosteric effector 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) [Gottfried, D. S., et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 1571-1578]. Time-correlated single-photon counting fluorescence lifetime studies were used to assess the binding of pyrenetetrasulfonate to both HbA and HbP in the deoxy and CO ligation states under acidic and neutral pH conditions. Both the native and mutant proteins bind the probe at a weak binding site and a strong binding site; in all cases, the binding to HbP was stronger than to HbA. The most striking finding was that for HbA the binding affinity varies as follows: deoxy (pH 6.35) > deoxy (pH 7.20) > CO (pH 6.35); however, the binding to HbP is independent of ligation or pH. The mutant oxy protein also hydrolyzes p-nitrophenyl acetate, through a reversible acyl-imidazole pathway linked to the His residues of the beta beta cleft, at a considerably higher rate than does HbA. This implies a perturbation of the microenvironment of these residues at the DPG binding pocket. Structural consequences due to the presence of the new positive charge in the middle of the central cavity have been transmitted to the beta beta cleft of the protein, even in its liganded conformation. This is consistent with a newly described quaternary state (B) for liganded HbPresbyterian and an associated change in the allosteric control mechanism.

  6. Hydroxylamine-induced oxidation of ferrous carbonylated truncated hemoglobins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Campylobacter jejuni is limited by carbon monoxide dissociation.

    PubMed

    Ascenzi, Paolo; Ciaccio, Chiara; Gasperi, Tecla; Pesce, Alessandra; Caporaso, Lucia; Coletta, Massimo

    2017-08-01

    Hydroxylamine (HA) is an oxidant of ferrous globins and its action has been reported to be inhibited by CO, even though this mechanism has not been clarified. Here, kinetics of the HA-mediated oxidation of ferrous carbonylated Mycobacterium tuberculosis truncated hemoglobin N and O (Mt-trHbN(II)-CO and Mt-trHbO(II)-CO, respectively) and Campylobacter jejuni truncated hemoglobin P (Cj-trHbP(II)-CO), at pH 7.2 and 20.0 °C, are reported. Mixing Mt-trHbN(II)-CO, Mt-trHbO(II)-CO, and Cj-trHbP(II)-CO solution with the HA solution brings about absorption spectral changes reflecting the disappearance of the ferrous carbonylated derivatives with the concomitant formation of the ferric species. HA oxidizes irreversibly Mt-trHbN(II)-CO, Mt-trHbO(II)-CO, and Cj-trHbP(II)-CO with the 1:2 stoichiometry. The dissociation of CO turns out to be the rate-limiting step for the oxidation of Mt-trHbN(II)-CO, Mt-trHbO(II)-CO, and Cj-trHbP(II)-CO by HA. Values of the second-order rate constant for HA-mediated oxidation of Mt-trHbN(II)-CO, Mt-trHbO(II)-CO, and Cj-trHbP(II)-CO range between 8.8 × 10 4 and 8.6 × 10 7 M -1 s -1 , reflecting different structural features of the heme distal pocket. This study (1) demonstrates that the inhibitory effect of CO is linked to the dissociation of this ligand, giving a functional basis to previous studies, (2) represents the first comparative investigation of the oxidation of ferrous carbonylated bacterial 2/2 globins belonging to the N, O, and P groups by HA, (3) casts light on the correlation between kinetics of HA-mediated oxidation and carbonylation of globins, and (4) focuses on structural determinants modulating the HA-induced oxidation process.

  7. Effect of long-term glycemic variability on estimated glomerular filtration rate decline among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Insights from the Diabetic Nephropathy Cohort in Singapore.

    PubMed

    Low, Serena; Lim, Su C; Yeoh, Lee Y; Liu, Yan L; Liu, Jian J; Fun, Sharon; Su, Chang; Zhang, Xiao; Subramaniam, Tavintharan; Sum, Chee F

    2017-10-01

    In the present study, we examined the association between HbA1c variability and renal disease progression based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Singapore. Glycemic burden and renal function were retrospectively assessed in 1628 patients in 2002-2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationships between HbA1c variability (expressed as HbA1c coefficient of variation [HbA1c-CV] in quartiles), HbA1c intrapersonal mean (HbA1c-IM), and eGFR decline, adjusted for baseline covariates. Among patients with relatively good glycemic control (i.e. HbA1c-IM below the median cohort value [8.0%]), HbA1c-CV Quartile 4 was associated with eGFR decline (odds ratio [OR] 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-3.25). The OR for HbA1c-CV Quartile 4 was 2.20 (95% CI 1.24-3.89) after additional adjustment for HbA1c-IM. Where HbA1c-IM was above the median cohort value, HbA1c-CV Quartiles 3 and 4 were associated with eGFR decline, with ORs of 2.60 (95% CI 1.48-4.55) and 3.29 (95% CI 1.89-5.76) respectively. After further adjusting for HbA1c-IM, the ORs for Quartiles 3 and 4 were 2.69 (95% CI 1.53-4.74) and 3.51 (95% CI 1.98-6.21), respectively. Variability in HbA1c is strongly and independently associated with eGFR decline in patients with T2DM independent of mean HbA1c. The findings may highlight the importance of sustained stable glycemic control in management of diabetes mellitus. © 2016 Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

  8. Blood replacement with nanobiotechnologically engineered hemoglobin and hemoglobin nanocapsules

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Thomas Ming Swi

    2012-01-01

    Unlike donor red blood cells (RBCs), blood substitutes can be treated to remove infective agents and can be used on the spot or in the ambulance in emergency without the time-consuming typing and cross-matching. Donor RBC requires storage at 4° and is only good for 42 days, but blood substitutes can be stored for much longer time. For example, a bovine polyhemoglobin (PolyHb) can be stored at room temperature for more than 1 year. It has been shown as far back as 1957 that artificial RBC can be prepared with ultrathin polymer membranes of nanodimension thickness. To increase the circulation time, the first-generation engineered hemoglobin (Hb) is formed by using glutaraldehyde to crosslink Hb into soluble nanodimension PolyHb that has been tested clinically in patients. Further extension includes conjugated Hb, intramolecularly crosslinked Hb and recombinant Hb. For certain clinical uses, in addition to engineered Hb, we also need antioxidants to remove oxygen radicals to prevent injury from ischemia reperfusion. Thus, we use nanobiotechnology to prepare second-generation engineered Hb by assembling Hb together with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to form a nanodimension soluble complex of polyhemoglobin (PolyHb)-CAT-SOD. A third generation system is to prepare nanodimension complete artificial RBCs that can circulate for sufficient length of time after infusion. One approach uses lipid vesicles to encapsulate hemoglobin (Hb). Another approach is to use biodegradable polymer-like polylactic acid or a copolymer of polyethylene glycol-polylactide (PEG-PLA) to form the membrane of nanodimension complete artificial RBC (www.artcell.mcgill.ca). PMID:20564467

  9. Capsicum annuum homeobox 1 (CaHB1) is a nuclear factor that has roles in plant development, salt tolerance, and pathogen defense.

    PubMed

    Oh, Sang-Keun; Yoon, Joonseon; Choi, Gyung Ja; Jang, Hyun A; Kwon, Suk-Yoon; Choi, Doil

    2013-12-06

    Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) family proteins are unique to plants, but little is known about their role in defense responses. CaHB1 is a nuclear factor in peppers, belonging to subfamily II of HD-Zip proteins. Here, we determined the role of CaHB1 in the defense response. CaHB1 expression was induced when pepper plants were challenged with Phytophthora capsici, a plant pathogen to which peppers are susceptible, or environmental stresses such as drought and salt stimuli. CaHB1 was also highly expressed in pepper leaves following application of SA, whereas ethephon and MeJA had a moderate effect. To further investigate the function of CaHB1 in plants, we performed gain-of-function study by overexpression of CaHB1 in tomato. CaHB1-transgenic tomatoes showed significant growth enhancement including increased leaf thickness and enlarged cell size (1.8-fold larger than control plants). Microscopic analysis revealed that leaves from CaHB1-transgenic plants had thicker cell walls and cuticle layers than those from controls. Moreover, CaHB1-transgenic plants displayed enhanced resistance against Phytophthora infestans and increased tolerance to salt stress. Additionally, RT-PCR analysis of CaHB1-transgenic tomatoes revealed constitutive up-regulation of multiple genes involved in plant defense and osmotic stress. Therefore, our findings suggest roles for CaHB1 in development, salt stress, and pathogen defense. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Prevalence of Inherited Hemoglobin Disorders and Relationships with Anemia and Micronutrient Status among Children in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon

    PubMed Central

    Nankap, Martin; Ndjebayi, Alex; Oyono, Yannick; Tarini, Ann; Brown, Kenneth H.; Green, Ralph

    2017-01-01

    Information on the etiology of anemia is necessary to design effective anemia control programs. Our objective was to measure the prevalence of inherited hemoglobin disorders (IHD) in a representative sample of children in urban Cameroon, and examine the relationships between IHD and anemia. In a cluster survey of children 12–59 months of age (n = 291) in Yaoundé and Douala, we assessed hemoglobin (Hb), malaria infection, and plasma indicators of inflammation and micronutrient status. Hb S was detected by HPLC, and α+thalassemia (3.7 kb deletions) by PCR. Anemia (Hb < 110 g/L), inflammation, and malaria were present in 45%, 46%, and 8% of children. A total of 13.7% of children had HbAS, 1.6% had HbSS, and 30.6% and 3.1% had heterozygous and homozygous α+thalassemia. The prevalence of anemia was greater among HbAS compared to HbAA children (60.3 vs. 42.0%, p = 0.038), although mean Hb concentrations did not differ, p = 0.38). Hb and anemia prevalence did not differ among children with or without single gene deletion α+thalassemia. In multi-variable models, anemia was independently predicted by HbAS, HbSS, malaria, iron deficiency (ID; inflammation-adjusted ferritin <12 µg/L), higher C-reactive protein, lower plasma folate, and younger age. Elevated soluble transferrin receptor concentration (>8.3 mg/L) was associated with younger age, malaria, greater mean reticulocyte counts, inflammation, HbSS genotype, and ID. IHD are prevalent but contribute modestly to anemia among children in urban Cameroon. PMID:28671630

  11. Hemoglobin analyses in the Netherlands reveal more than 80 different variants including six novel ones.

    PubMed

    van Zwieten, Rob; Veldthuis, Martijn; Delzenne, Barend; Berghuis, Jeffrey; Groen, Joke; Ait Ichou, Fatima; Clifford, Els; Harteveld, Cornelis L; Stroobants, An K

    2014-01-01

    More than 20,000 blood samples of individuals living in The Netherlands and suspected of hemolytic anemia or diabetes were analyzed by high resolution cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Besides common disease-related hemoglobins (Hbs), rare variants were also detected. The variant Hbs were retrospectively analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and by isoelectric focusing (IEF). For unambiguous identification, the globin genes were sequenced. Most of the 80 Hb variants detected by initial screening on HPLC were also separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE), but a few variants were only detectable with one of these methods. Some variants were unstable, had thalassemic properties or increased oxygen affinity, and some interfered with Hb A2 measurement, detection of sickle cell Hb or Hb A1c quantification. Two of the six novel variants, Hb Enschede (HBA2: c.308G  > A, p.Ser103Asn) and Hb Weesp (HBA1: c.301C > T, p.Leu101Phe), had no clinical consequences. In contrast, two others appeared clinically significant: Hb Ede (HBB: c.53A > T, p.Lys18Met) caused thalassemia and Hb Waterland (HBB: c.428C > T, pAla143Val) was related to mild polycytemia. Hb A2-Venlo (HBD: c.193G > A, p.Gly65Ser) and Hb A2-Rotterdam (HBD: c.38A > C, p.Asn13Thr) interfered with Hb A2 quantification. This survey shows that HPLC analysis followed by globin gene sequencing of rare variants is an effective method to reveal Hb variants.

  12. Involvement of Difference in Decrease of Hemoglobin Level in Poor Prognosis of Stage I and II Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Implication in Outcome of Radiotherapy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gao Jin; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou; Department of Radiation Oncology, Anhui provincial hospital, Hefei

    2012-03-15

    Purpose: To investigate the effect of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the difference in its decrease during treatment on outcome of radiotherapy (RT) alone for patients with Stage I and II nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods and Materials: A total of 572 patients with Stage I-II nasopharyngeal carcinoma with RT alone between January 2001 and December 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, tumor variables, and Hb level, including pre-RT Hb, mid-RT Hb, and dynamic change of Hb between pre- and post- RT and its difference in decrease ( White-Up-Pointing-Small-Triangle Hb) were subjected to univariate and multivariable analysis to identify factors that predict disease-specificmore » survival (DSS), local regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and metastases-free survival (MFS). Results: The 5-year DSS was poorer in the Hb continuous decrease group than in the Hb noncontinuous decrease group (84% vs. 89%; p = 0.008). There was poorer 5-year DSS in patients with White-Up-Pointing-Small-Triangle Hb of >11.5 g/L than in those with White-Up-Pointing-Small-Triangle Hb of {<=}11.5 g/L (82% vs. 89%; p = 0.001), and poorer LRFS (79% vs. 83%; p = 0.035). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that Hb decrease difference with greater than 11.5 g/L was an independent prognostic factor for DSS and LRFS. Conclusions: The difference in decrease of Hb level during the course of radiation treatment appeared as a poor prognostic factor in Stage I and II nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.« less

  13. Nine known and five novel mutations in the erythroid transcription factor KLF1 gene and phenotypic expression of fetal hemoglobin in hemoglobin E disorder.

    PubMed

    Tepakhan, Wanicha; Yamsri, Supawadee; Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Xu, Xiangmin; Fucharoen, Supan

    2016-07-01

    Hemoglobin E is the most common Hb variant found in South East Asia. Variation of Hb F expression in Hb E syndrome is associated with several genetic modifiers. We report several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including nine known and five novel mutations of the Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1; an erythroid specific transcription factor) gene and determine their associations with phenotypic expression of Hb F in Hb E disorders. KLF1 mutations were examined using high resolution melting (HRM) assay and DNA sequencing in 575 homozygous Hb E, 278 heterozygous Hb E and 100 normal subjects. Fourteen mutations were mostly observed in subjects with elevated Hb F, including nine known mutations (G176AfsX179, T334R, R238H, -154 (C>T), A298P, S270W, R301H, -148 (G>A) and G335R and five novel mutations (Q217X, Q223X, Y290_S293del, K307N, and M358I). None of them, but the -148 (G>A), were observed in normal controls to have Hb F <1%. Combined KLF1 mutations with other SNPs including (G)γ-XmnI, BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB were associated with higher Hb F levels. KLF1 is therefore an important genetic factor associated with increased Hb F and in combination with other modifying factors could explain the phenotypic variation of Hb F expression in this common hemoglobinopathy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Depression, smoking, physical inactivity and season independently associated with midnight salivary cortisol in type 1 diabetes

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Disturbances of the circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion are associated with depression, coronary calcification, and higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The primary aim of this study was to test the associations between midnight salivary cortisol (MSC), depression and HbA1c, and control for behavioural, environmental and intra individual factors with possible impact on cortisol secretion, like smoking, physical inactivity, season, medication, diabetes duration, severe hypoglycemia episodes, age and gender in patients with type 1 diabetes. Secondary aims were to present MSC levels for a reference group of non-depressed type 1 diabetes patients with a healthy life style (physically active and non-smoking), and to explore seasonal variations. Methods A cross-sectional population based study of 196 patients (54% men and 46% women) aged 18–59 years that participated in a randomized controlled trial targeting depression in type 1 diabetes. Depression was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-depression subscale. MSC, HbA1c, serum-lipids, blood pressure, waist circumference and data from medical records and the Swedish National Diabetes Registry were collected. Results Thirty four patients (17%) had MSC ≥9.3 nmol/L, which was associated with smoking (AOR 5.5), spring season (AOR 4.3), physical inactivity (AOR 3.9), self-reported depression (AOR 3.1), and older age (per year) (AOR 1.08). HbA1c >70 mmol/mol (>8.6%) (AOR 4.2) and MSC ≥9.3 nmol/L (AOR 4.4) were independently linked to self-reported depression. Season was strongly associated with MSC levels and no other variables studied showed seasonal variations. In a reference group of 137 non-depressed patients with a healthy life style (physically active, non-smoking) the median MSC level was 4.6 nmol/L (range 1.9–23.0). Conclusions In this study of patients with type 1 diabetes high MSC was linked to smoking, physical inactivity, depression, season and older age. Thus a high cortisol value identified three major targets for treatment in type 1 diabetes. PMID:25224993

  15. Depression, smoking, physical inactivity and season independently associated with midnight salivary cortisol in type 1 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Melin, Eva O; Thunander, Maria; Landin-Olsson, Mona; Hillman, Magnus; Thulesius, Hans O

    2014-09-16

    Disturbances of the circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion are associated with depression, coronary calcification, and higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.The primary aim of this study was to test the associations between midnight salivary cortisol (MSC), depression and HbA1c, and control for behavioural, environmental and intra individual factors with possible impact on cortisol secretion, like smoking, physical inactivity, season, medication, diabetes duration, severe hypoglycemia episodes, age and gender in patients with type 1 diabetes. Secondary aims were to present MSC levels for a reference group of non-depressed type 1 diabetes patients with a healthy life style (physically active and non-smoking), and to explore seasonal variations. A cross-sectional population based study of 196 patients (54% men and 46% women) aged 18-59 years that participated in a randomized controlled trial targeting depression in type 1 diabetes. Depression was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-depression subscale. MSC, HbA1c, serum-lipids, blood pressure, waist circumference and data from medical records and the Swedish National Diabetes Registry were collected. Thirty four patients (17%) had MSC ≥9.3 nmol/L, which was associated with smoking (AOR 5.5), spring season (AOR 4.3), physical inactivity (AOR 3.9), self-reported depression (AOR 3.1), and older age (per year) (AOR 1.08). HbA1c >70 mmol/mol (>8.6%) (AOR 4.2) and MSC ≥9.3 nmol/L (AOR 4.4) were independently linked to self-reported depression. Season was strongly associated with MSC levels and no other variables studied showed seasonal variations. In a reference group of 137 non-depressed patients with a healthy life style (physically active, non-smoking) the median MSC level was 4.6 nmol/L (range 1.9-23.0). In this study of patients with type 1 diabetes high MSC was linked to smoking, physical inactivity, depression, season and older age. Thus a high cortisol value identified three major targets for treatment in type 1 diabetes.

  16. Extreme Levels of HbA1c Increase Incident ESRD Risk in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Competing Risk Analysis in National Cohort of Taiwan Diabetes Study

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Chiu-Shong; Huang, Chiu-Ching; Lin, Wen-Yuan; Chiang, Jen-Huai; Lin, Cheng-Chieh; Li, Tsai-Chung

    2015-01-01

    Background Whether HbA1c is a predictor of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in type 2 diabetes patients remains unclear. This study evaluated relationship between HbA1c and ESRD in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Patients aged ≥ 30 years who were free of ESRD (n = 51 681) were included from National Diabetes Care Management Program from 2002–2003. Extended Cox proportional hazard model with competing risk of death served to evaluate association between HbA1c level and ESRD. Results A total of 2613 (5.06%) people developed ESRD during a follow-up period of 8.1 years. Overall incidence rate of ESRD was 6.26 per 1000 person-years. Patients with high levels of HbA1c had a high incidence rate of ESRD, from 4.29 for HbA1c of  6.0%–6.9% to 10.33 for HbA1c ≥ 10.0% per 1000 person-years. Patients with HbA1c < 6.0% particularly had a slightly higher ESRD incidence (4.34 per 1000 person-years) than those with HbA1c  of 6.0%–6.9%. A J-shaped relationship between HbA1c level and ESRD risk was observed. After adjustment, patients with HbA1c < 6.0% and ≥ 10.0% exhibited an increased risk of ESRD (HR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.62–2.44; HR: 4.42, 95% CI: 3.80–5.14, respectively) compared with those with HbA1c of 6.0%–6.9%. Conclusions Diabetes care has focused on preventing hyperglycemia, but not hypoglycemia. Our study revealed that HbA1c level ≥ 7.0% was linked with increased ESRD risk in type 2 diabetes patients, and that HbA1c < 6.0% also had the potential to increase ESRD risk. Our study provides epidemiological evidence that appropriate glycemic control is essential for diabetes care to meet HbA1c targets and improve outcomes without increasing the risk to this population. Clinicians need to pay attention to HbA1c results on diabetic nephropathy. PMID:26098901

  17. MiR-155 enhances phagocytic activity of β-thalassemia/HbE monocytes via targeting of BACH1.

    PubMed

    Srinoun, Kanitta; Nopparatana, Chamnong; Wongchanchailert, Malai; Fucharoen, Suthat

    2017-11-01

    Abnormal red blood cell (RBC) clearance in β-thalassemia is triggered by activated monocytes. Recent reports indicate that miRNA (miR-) plays a role in monocyte activation. To study phagocytic function, we co-cultured monocytes of normal, non-splenectomized and splenectomized β-thalassemia/HbE individuals with RBCs obtained from normal, non-splenectomized and splenectomized β-thalassemia/HbE individuals. The phagocytic activity of β-thalassemia/HbE monocytes co-cultured with β-thalassemia/HbE RBCs was significantly higher than that of normal monocytes co-cultured with normal RBCs. Upregulation of monocyte miR-155 was observed in β-thalassemia/HbE patients. Increased miR-155 was associated with reductions in BTB and CNC Homology1 (BACH1) target gene expression and increased phagocytic activity of β-thalassemia/HbE monocytes. Taken together, these findings suggested that increased miR-155 expression in activated monocytes leads to enhanced phagocytic activity via BACH-1 regulation in β-thalassemia/HbE. This provides novel insights into the phagocytic clearance of abnormal RBCs in β-thalassemia/HbE.

  18. Different strategies for detection of HbA1c emphasizing on biosensors and point-of-care analyzers.

    PubMed

    Kaur, Jagjit; Jiang, Cheng; Liu, Guozhen

    2018-06-07

    Measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a gold standard procedure for assessing long term glycemic control in individuals with diabetes mellitus as it gives the stable and reliable value of blood glucose levels for a period of 90-120 days. HbA1c is formed by the non-enzymatic glycation of terminal valine of hemoglobin. The analysis of HbA1c tends to be complicated because there are more than 300 different assay methods for measuring HbA1c which leads to variations in reported values from same samples. Therefore, standardization of detection methods is recommended. The review outlines the current research activities on developing assays including biosensors for the detection of HbA1c. The pros and cons of different techniques for measuring HbA1c are outlined. The performance of current point-of-care HbA1c analyzers available on the market are also compared and discussed. The future perspectives for HbA1c detection and diabetes management are proposed. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Voltammetric studies of hemoglobin-coated polystyrene latex bead films on pyrolytic graphite electrodes.

    PubMed

    Sun, Hong; Hu, Naifei

    2004-08-01

    A novel hemoglobin (Hb)-coated polystyrene (PS) latex bead film was deposited on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrode surface. In the first step, positively charged Hb molecules in pH 5.0 buffers were adsorbed on the surface of negatively charged, 500 nm diameter PS latex beads bearing sulfate groups by electrostatic interaction. The aqueous dispersion of Hb-coated PS particles was then deposited on the surface of PG electrodes and, after evaporation of the solvent, Hb-PS films were formed. The Hb-PS film electrodes exhibited a pair of well-defined, quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric (CV) peaks at about -0.36 V vs. SCE in pH 7.0 buffers, characteristic of Hb heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couples. Positions of Soret absorption band of Hb-PS films suggest that Hb retains its near-native structure in the films in its dry form and in solution at medium pH. The Hb in PS films was also acted as a catalyst to catalyze electrochemical reduction of various substrates such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA), nitrite, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.

  20. Sickle cell disease caused by Hb S/Québec-CHORI: treatment with hydroxyurea and response.

    PubMed

    Tubman, Venée N; Bennett, Carolyn M; Luo, Hong-yuan; Chui, David H K; Heeney, Matthew M

    2007-08-01

    Sickle hemoglobin (Hb S;betaGlu 6 Val) is due to an A>T transversion in codon 6 of the beta-globin gene. Other variant hemoglobins mimic Hb A, S, or C on newborn screening and clinical laboratory diagnostic tools, thus making their correct identification potentially difficult. Sickling disorders can result in individuals who are compound heterozygous for beta-globin mutations (e.g., Hb SC, HbSO(Arab)). The authors report a second case of HbS/Québec-CHORI, a severe compound heterozygous sickling disorder and their experience managing this patient with hydroxyurea.

  1. Coinheritance of hemoglobin D-Punjab and β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion in a Thai girl

    PubMed Central

    Panyasai, Sitthichai; Rahad, Sarinna; Pornprasert, Sakorn

    2017-01-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) D. Punjab [β121(GH4) Glu→Gln; HBB: C.364G>C] and β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion are very rare in the Thai population. For the first time, the coinheritance of HbD-Punjab with β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion was reported in a 7-year-old Thai girl. She had mild anemia (Hb 115.0 g/L and mean corpuscular hemoglobin 18.1 pg) with red blood cell microcytosis (mean corpuscular volume 52.5 fL). By capillary electrophoresis (CE), HbD-Punjab was found at a migration position of 180 s with the value of 81.9% while the level of HbA2 was 7.3%. Based on the elevated HbA2, the molecular analysis for detection of β0-thalassemia mutations was performed. The 490 bp amplified fragments from β0-thalassemia 3.4 kb deletion was observed. Thus, the coinheritance of HbD-Punjab with β0-thalassemia can be found in the Thai population. The HbA2 measured on CE is a reliable parameter for differentiating the homozygote of HbD-Punjab and compound heterozygote of HbD-Punjab and β0-thalassemia. PMID:28970692

  2. The biosynthesis of human hemoglobin A1c. Slow glycosylation of hemoglobin in vivo.

    PubMed Central

    Bunn, H F; Haney, D N; Kamin, S; Gabbay, K H; Gallop, P M

    1976-01-01

    Hemoglobin A1c, the most abundant minor hemoglobin component in human erythrocytes, is formed by the condensation of glucose with the N-terminal amino groups of the beta-chains of Hb A. The biosynthesis of this glycosylated hemoglobin was studied in vitro by incubating suspensions of reticulocytes and bone marrow cells with [3H]leucine or 59Fe-bound transferrin. In all experiments, the specific activity of Hb A1c was significantly lower than that of Hb A, suggesting that the formation of Hb A1c is a posttranslational modification. The formation of Hb A1c in vivo was determined in two individuals who were given an infusion of 59Fe-labeled transferrin. As expected, the specific activity of Hb A rose promptly to a maximum during the 1st week and remained nearly constant thereafter. In contrast, the specific activity of Hb A1c and also of Hbs A1a and A1b rose slowly, reaching that of Hb A by about day 60. These results indicate that Hb A1c is slowly formed during the 120-day life-span of the erythrocyte, probably by a nonenzymatic process. Patients with shortened erythrocyte life-span due to hemolysis had markedly decreased levels of Hb A1c. PMID:932199

  3. Evaluation of Signaling Pathways Involved in γ-Globin Gene Induction Using Fetal Hemoglobin Inducer Drugs.

    PubMed

    Rahim, Fakher; Allahmoradi, Hossein; Salari, Fatemeh; Shahjahani, Mohammad; Fard, Ali Dehghani; Hosseini, Seyed Ahmad; Mousakhani, Hadi

    2013-01-01

    Potent induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production results in alleviating the complications of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). HbF inducer agents can trigger several molecular signaling pathways critical for erythropoiesis. Janus kinase/Signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), mitogen activated protein kinas (MAPK) and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) are considered as main signaling pathways, which may play a significant role in HbF induction. All these signaling pathways are triggered by erythropoietin (EPO) as the main growth factor inducing erythroid differentiation, when it binds to its cell surface receptor, erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) HbF inducer agents have been shown to upregulate HbF production level by triggering certain signaling pathways. As a result, understanding the pivotal signaling pathways influencing HbF induction leads to effective upregulation of HbF. In this mini review article, we try to consider the correlation between HbF inducer agents and their molecular mechanisms of γ-globin upregulation. Several studies suggest that activating P38 MAPK, RAS and STAT5 signaling pathways result in efficient HbF induction. Nevertheless, the role of other erythroid signaling pathways in HbF induction seems to be indispensible and should be emphasized.

  4. Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase cleaves off the NH2-terminal portion of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor and converts it into a heparin-independent growth factor.

    PubMed

    Koshikawa, Naohiko; Mizushima, Hiroto; Minegishi, Tomoko; Iwamoto, Ryo; Mekada, Eisuke; Seiki, Motoharu

    2010-07-15

    Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors (ErbB) and EGF family members represent promising targets for cancer therapy. Heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family and is an important target for therapy in some types of human cancers. Processing of HB-EGF by proprotein convertases, and successively, by ADAM family proteases, generates a soluble growth factor that requires heparin as a cofactor. Although heparin potentiates HB-EGF activity in vitro, it is not clear how the heparin-binding activity of HB-EGF is regulated. Here, we show that membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP; MMP14), a potent invasion-promoting protease, markedly enhances HB-EGF-dependent tumor formation in mice. MT1-MMP additionally cleaves HB-EGF and removes the NH(2)-terminal 20 amino acids that are important for binding heparin. Consequently, the processing of HB-EGF by MT1-MMP converts HB-EGF into a heparin-independent growth factor with enhanced mitogenic activity, and thereby, expression of both proteins costimulates tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. The ErbB family of receptors expressed in human gastric carcinoma cells play a role in mediating enhanced HB-EGF activity by MT1-MMP during invasive cell growth in collagen. Thus, we shed light on a new mechanism whereby HB-EGF activity is regulated that should be considered when designing HB-EGF-targeted cancer therapy. (c)2010 AACR.

  5. Significance of HbA1c and its measurement in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus: US experience.

    PubMed

    Juarez, Deborah Taira; Demaris, Kendra M; Goo, Roy; Mnatzaganian, Christina Louise; Wong Smith, Helen

    2014-01-01

    The 2014 American Diabetes Association guidelines denote four means of diagnosing diabetes. The first of these is a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >6.5%. This literature review summarizes studies (n=47) in the USA examining the significance, strengths, and limitations of using HbA1c as a diagnostic tool for diabetes, relative to other available means. Due to the relatively recent adoption of HbA1c as a diabetes mellitus diagnostic tool, a hybrid systematic, truncated review of the literature was implemented. Based on these studies, we conclude that HbA1c screening for diabetes has been found to be convenient and effective in diagnosing diabetes. HbA1c screening is particularly helpful in community-based and acute care settings where tests requiring fasting are not practical. Using HbA1c to diagnose diabetes also has some limitations. For instance, HbA1c testing may underestimate the prevalence of diabetes, particularly among whites. Because this bias differs by racial group, prevalence and resulting estimates of health disparities based on HbA1c screening differ from those based on other methods of diagnosis. In addition, existing evidence suggests that HbA1c screening may not be valid in certain subgroups, such as children, women with gestational diabetes, patients with human immunodeficiency virus, and those with prediabetes. Further guidelines are needed to clarify the appropriate use of HbA1c screening in these populations.

  6. HbA1c values calculated from blood glucose levels using truncated Fourier series and implementation in standard SQL database language.

    PubMed

    Temsch, W; Luger, A; Riedl, M

    2008-01-01

    This article presents a mathematical model to calculate HbA1c values based on self-measured blood glucose and past HbA1c levels, thereby enabling patients to monitor diabetes therapy between scheduled checkups. This method could help physicians to make treatment decisions if implemented in a system where glucose data are transferred to a remote server. The method, however, cannot replace HbA1c measurements; past HbA1c values are needed to gauge the method. The mathematical model of HbA1c formation was developed based on biochemical principles. Unlike an existing HbA1c formula, the new model respects the decreasing contribution of older glucose levels to current HbA1c values. About 12 standard SQL statements embedded in a php program were used to perform Fourier transform. Regression analysis was used to gauge results with previous HbA1c values. The method can be readily implemented in any SQL database. The predicted HbA1c values thus obtained were in accordance with measured values. They also matched the results of the HbA1c formula in the elevated range. By contrast, the formula was too "optimistic" in the range of better glycemic control. Individual analysis of two subjects improved the accuracy of values and reflected the bias introduced by different glucometers and individual measurement habits.

  7. Is insulin the preferred treatment for HbA1c >9%?

    PubMed

    Bloomgarden, Zachary

    2017-09-01

    The algorithms and guidelines of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Diabetes Association recommend that insulin administration be strongly considered for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with HbA1c levels exceeding 9.0% and 10%, respectively. Although the caveat is given in both sets of recommendations that this is particularly appropriate when patients are "symptomatic," referring to urinary frequency with increased thirst and appetite, weight loss, and ketosis, the clinical definition of such presentations may be ill-defined, and it is noteworthy that both documents consider insulin to offer particular benefit under such circumstances. However, with multiple options for glycemic treatment, it is of interest to reconsider this argument for insulin use. It should be recalled that in the UK Prospective Diabetes Study, diet alone was associated with a reduction in HbA1c from 9% to 7%. Drug-naïve people with T2D do often show surprisingly strong reductions in HbA1c with metformin-based dual-agent oral treatment approaches; a recent report showed that even with baseline HbA1c >11%, the combination of metformin with a sulfonylurea, pioglitazone, or sitagliptin was associated with reduction in HbA1c from 11.6% to 6.0%. A 32-week study of the combination of rosiglitazone with metformin in patients with mean baseline HbA1c 8.9% showed a mean HbA1c reduction of 2.3%, and an open-label cohort with baseline HbA1c 11.8% had a reduction in HbA1c to 7.8%. With metformin plus sitagliptin, a mean placebo-adjusted HbA1c reduction of 2.1% from a baseline of 8.8% was reported, with those patients with baseline HbA1c >9% having a 2.6% reduction in HbA1c, and an open-label cohort with baseline HbA1c 11.2% having a 2.9% reduction in HbA1c. Similar 2% HbA1c reductions from baseline levels of 9.1% were seen with metformin in initial combination with the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin. Although such dual oral agent approaches are more effective than monotherapy, with a combination regimen the HbA1c reduction will not be directly additive, because the expected reduction decreases at lower baseline HbA1c levels. As an example of this, administration of canagliflozin 300 mg daily to patients with baseline HbA1c >9% reduced levels from 9.6% by 1.8%, whereas at a baseline HbA1c of 10% either canagliflozin 300 mg or metformin 2 g/day reduced HbA1c by 2%; the addition of both agents led to an HbA1c reduction by somewhat less than 3%, which appears concordant with a reduction by the second agent from approximately 8% (10% to 2%). Similar less-than-additive effects of the addition of exenatide QW to dapagliflozin have been reported, with HbA1c reduction from a baseline of 10.0%-10.1% of 1.9% and 1.6% with the individual agents, respectively, and a reduction of 2.2% with their combination. However, one may consider these approaches inferior to the expected HbA1c reduction with insulin, suggesting that insulin should, indeed, be the preferred treatment for people with T2D and HbA1c >9%. Rather, studies comparing basal insulin directly with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RA) suggest that the latter agents may offer superior benefit. The Diabetes Therapy Utilization: Researching Changes in HBA1C, Weight, and Other Factors Through Intervention with Exenatide Once Weekly (DURATION)-3 and Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes (LEAD)-5 studies compared exenatide QW and liraglutide, respectively, with insulin glargine. Those study participants in the highest quartile of baseline HbA1c had levels ≥9.0% and ≥8.9%, with the GLP-1RA leading to 0.3% and 0.2% greater reductions in HbA1c, respectively, than insulin glargine. Another study comparing T2D patients receiving oral agents given liraglutide with those given insulin glargine showed that those in the highest baseline HbA1c quartile (mean 10.6%) had an HbA1c reduction of 3.1% with either agent. In the exenatide QW study, the reduction in HbA1c with this agent exceeded that with insulin glargine for those groups of study participants with HbA1c 9.0%-9.4%, 9.5%-9.9%, 10.0%-10.4%, 10.5%-10.9%, and even ≥11.0%. Similar superiority of the HbA1c-lowering effect of exenatide QW compared with that of insulin glargine was reported in a study with baseline HbA1c 8.5%. An individual-patient meta-analysis of six studies of another weekly GLP-1RA, namely dulaglutide, showed that at a baseline HbA1c of 10% the expected HbA1c reduction would be nearly 2.5%, and a study directly comparing dulaglutide with insulin glargine also showed a superior HbA1c-lowering effect of the former. Another advantage of the GLP-1RAs is their association with weight loss, rather than the weight gain associated with insulin treatment. An interesting potential combination is that of a GLP-1RA with a thiazolidinedione. In a study comparing the addition of exenatide QW and pioglitazone with the addition of basal-bolus insulin in 101 people receiving sulfonylureas and metformin with baseline HbA1c >10%, HbA1c fell from >11% by >4% compared with <4%, respectively, and the GLP-1RA plus thiazolidinedione treatment was associated with less weight gain and hypoglycemia. What can we conclude? Should HbA1c 11% be the new "use insulin" point? Insulin is an important part of our armamentarium for T2D, and is certainly needed for many patients, but with current therapeutic approaches including metformin, incretin-based treatments, SGLT2 inhibitors, and, possibly, thiazolidinediones, we can reconsider its use in many instances. Although there is no doubt that insulin is necessary for truly uncontrolled diabetes, we may wish to better define its correct indications. © 2017 Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

  8. Corrrective action decision document for the Cactus Spring Waste Trenches (Corrective Action Unit No. 426). Revision No. 1

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    NONE

    The Corrective Action Decision Document (CADD) for the Cactus Spring Waste Trenches (Corrective Action Unit [CAU] No. 426) has been prepared for the US Department of Energy`s (DOE) Nevada Environmental Restoration Project. This CADD has been developed to meet the requirements of the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) of 1996, stated in Appendix VI, {open_quotes}Corrective Action Strategy{close_quotes} (FFACO, 1996). The Cactus Spring Waste Trenches Corrective Action Site (CAS) No. RG-08-001-RG-CS is included in CAU No. 426 (also referred to as the {open_quotes}trenches{close_quotes}); it has been identified as one of three potential locations for buried, radioactively contaminated materials frommore » the Double Tracks Test. The trenches are located on the east flank of the Cactus Range in the eastern portion of the Cactus Spring Ranch at the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) in Nye County, Nevada, on the northern portion of Nellis Air Force Range. The TTR is approximately 225 kilometers (km) (140 miles [mi]) northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, by air and approximately 56 km (35 mi) southeast of Tonopah, Nevada, by road. The trenches were dug for the purpose of receiving waste generated during Operation Roller Coaster, primarily the Double Tracks Test. This test, conducted in 1963, involved the use of live animals to assess the biological hazards associated with non-nuclear detonation of plutonium-bearing devices (i.e., inhalation uptake of plutonium aerosol). The CAS consists of four trenches that received solid waste and had an overall impacted area of approximately 36 meters (m) (120 feet [ft]) long x 24 m (80 ft) wide x 3 to 4.5 m (10 to 15 ft) deep. The average depressions at the trenches are approximately 0.3 m (1 ft) below land surface.« less

  9. Morphological and metabolic adjustments in the small intestine to energy demands of growth, storage, and fasting in the first annual cycle of a hibernating lizard (Tupinambis merianae).

    PubMed

    do Nascimento, Lucas Francisco R; da Silveira, Lilian Cristina; Nisembaum, Laura Gabriela; Colquhoun, Alison; Abe, Agusto S; Mandarim-de-Lacerda, Carlos Alberto; de Souza, Silvia Cristina R

    2016-05-01

    Seasonal plasticity in the small intestine of neonatal tegu lizards was investigated using morphometry and analysis of enzymes involved in supplying energy to the intestinal tissue. In the autumn, the intestinal mass (Mi) was 1.0% of body mass and the scaling exponent b=0.92 indicated that Mi was larger in smaller neonates. During arousal from dormancy Mi was 23% smaller; later in spring, Mi increased 60% in relation to the autumn and the exponent b=0.14 indicated that the recovery was disproportionate in smaller tegus. During the autumn, the intestinal villi were greatly elongated; by midwinter, the Hv, SvEp, and VvEp were smaller than during the autumn (59%, 54%, 29%) and were restored to autumn levels during spring. In the active tegus, the maximum activity (Vmax) of enzymes indicated that the enterocytes can obtain energy from different sources, and possess gluconeogenic capacity. During winter, the Vmax of CS, HOAD, GDH, PEPCK was 40-50% lower in relation to the autumn and spring, while the Vmax of HK, PK, LDH, AST was unchanged. The hypoglycemia and the mucosal atrophy/ischemia during winter would prevent the enterocytes from using glucose, whereas they could slowly oxidize fatty acids released from body stores and amino acids from the tissue proteolysis to satisfy their needs of energy. Contrastingly, starvation during spring caused severe mass loss (50%); the tissue protein and the VvEp and VvLP did not change while the thickness of the muscular layer increased 51%, which suggested different effects along the length of the organ. In addition, the Vmax of the glycolytic enzymes was lower, indicating that a regulatory mechanism would spare blood glucose for vital organs during unanticipated food restriction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in South-East China, 1993-2005.

    PubMed

    Jin, Lei; Yeung, Lorraine F; Cogswell, Mary E; Ye, Rongwei; Berry, Robert J; Liu, Jianmeng; Hu, Dale J; Zhu, Li

    2010-10-01

    To report the prevalence of anaemia by demographic characteristics and its secular trend over 13 years for south-east Chinese pregnant women, and to determine the focus of anaemia prevention in Chinese pregnant women. Prospective study of the data on Hb concentration and other demographic information from a large-scale population-based perinatal health surveillance system in south-east China. Fourteen cities or counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. A total of 467 057 prenatal women who had participated in the perinatal health-care surveillance system and delivered babies from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2005 and had a record of Hb in all three pregnancy trimesters. The overall prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was 39.6 % from 1993 to 2005. Anaemia prevalence increased from the first (29.6 %) to the second (33.0 %) and third (56.2 %) trimesters. The prevalence of anaemia was higher in villagers, in women with less education and in women with higher gravidity or parity. The prevalence of anaemia in all of the trimesters was higher in the spring, summer and autumn and lower in the winter. The prevalence decreased from 1993 to 2005, from 53.3 % to 11.4 % for the first trimester, 45.6 % to 22.8 % for the second trimester and 64.6 % to 44.6 % for the third trimester. The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces decreased substantially from 1993 to 2005. However, anaemia in the third trimester is still a severe public health problem among pregnant women in these areas.

  11. Circulation kinetics and organ distribution of Hb-vesicles developed as a red blood cell substitute.

    PubMed

    Sou, Keitaro; Klipper, Robert; Goins, Beth; Tsuchida, Eishun; Phillips, William T

    2005-02-01

    Phospholipid vesicles encapsulating concentrated human hemoglobin (Hb-vesicles, HbV), also known as liposomes, have a membrane structure similar to that of red blood cells (RBCs). These vesicles circulate in the bloodstream as an oxygen carrier, and their circulatory half-life times (t(1/2)) and biodistribution are fundamental characteristics required for representation of their efficacy and safety as a RBC substitute. Herein, we report the pharmacokinetics of HbV and empty vesicles (EV) that do not contain Hb, in rats and rabbits to evaluate the potential of HbV as a RBC substitute. The samples were labeled with technetium-99m and then intravenously infused into animals at 14 ml/kg to measure the kinetics of HbV elimination from blood and distribution to the organs. The t(1/2) values were 34.8 and 62.6 h for HbV and 29.3 and 57.3 h for EV in rats and rabbits, respectively. At 48 h after infusion, the liver, bone marrow, and spleen of both rats and rabbits had significant concentrations of HbV and EV, and the percentages of the infused dose in these three organs were closely correlated to the circulatory half-life times in elimination phase (t(1/2beta)). Furthermore, the milligrams of HbV per gram of tissue correlated well between rats and rabbits, suggesting that the balance between organ weight and body weight is a fundamental factor determining the pharmacokinetics of HbV. This factor could be used to estimate the biodistribution and the circulation time of HbV in humans, which is estimated to be equal to that in rabbit.

  12. Investigation of the effect of hemoglobin F and A levels on development of retinopathy of prematurity.

    PubMed

    Erdöl, Hidayet; Hacioglu, Dilek; Kola, Mehmet; Türk, Adem; Aslan, Yakup

    2017-04-01

    To investigate the effect of hemoglobin F (HbF) and hemoglobin A (HbA) levels on development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants. In this prospective study, blood samples were collected from the side of the heel of 49 premature infants at postnatal months 0, 1, 2, and 3. HbF and HbA levels were measured in all samples and analyzed statistically. Furthermore, correlation analysis was performed regarding development of ROP, blood transfusion, and HbF and HbA levels. A total of 49 infants were included. The mean gestational age of the premature infants was 30.9 ± 2.7 weeks (range, 25-35 weeks); mean birth weight, 1542 ± 582 g (range, 520-3240 g). Of the 49 premature infants, stage 1 ROP or above developed in 26 (53%). Mean HbF levels were lower at postnatal months 1 and 2 in premature infants with ROP compared to those without ROP (P = 0.013 and 0.02, respectively); however, mean HbA levels were higher in the infants with ROP than the others (P = 0.034 and 0.029, respectively). Analysis of covariance that ignored transfusion revealed no difference between the means of Hb variants in the infants with and without ROP (P = 0.572 and 0.486). Blood transfusion significantly altered the levels of HbF and HbA in premature infants, and Hb variants have no direct effect on development of ROP. Copyright © 2017 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Sodium nitrite induces acute central nervous system toxicity in guinea pigs exposed to systemic cell-free hemoglobin

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Buehler, Paul W.; Butt, Omer I.; D'Agnillo, Felice, E-mail: felice.dagnillo@fda.hhs.gov

    Highlights: {yields} Toxicological implications associated with the use of NaNO{sub 2} therapy to treat systemic cell-free Hb exposure are not well-defined. {yields} Systemic Hb exposure followed by NaNO{sub 2} infusion induces acute CNS toxicities in guinea pigs. {yields} These CNS effects were not reproduced by the infusion of cell-free Hb or NaNO{sub 2} alone. {yields} NaNO{sub 2}-mediated oxidation of cell-free Hb may play a causative role in the observed CNS changes. -- Abstract: Systemic cell-free hemoglobin (Hb) released via hemolysis disrupts vascular homeostasis, in part, through the scavenging of nitric oxide (NO). Sodium nitrite (NaNO{sub 2}) therapy can attenuate themore » hypertensive effects of Hb. However, the chemical reactivity of NaNO{sub 2} with Hb may enhance heme- or iron-mediated toxicities. Here, we investigate the effect of NaNO{sub 2} on the central nervous system (CNS) in guinea pigs exposed to systemic cell-free Hb. Intravascular infusion of NaNO{sub 2}, at doses sufficient to alleviate Hb-mediated blood pressure changes, reduced the expression of occludin, but not zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) or claudin-5, in cerebral tight junctions 4 h after Hb infusion. This was accompanied by increased perivascular heme oxygenase-1 expression, neuronal iron deposition, increased astrocyte and microglial activation, and reduced expression of neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN). These CNS changes were not observed in animals treated with Hb or NaNO{sub 2} alone. Taken together, these findings suggest that the use of nitrite salts to treat systemic Hb exposure may promote acute CNS toxicity.« less

  14. Low modulus biomimetic microgel particles with high loading of hemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Chen, Kai; Merkel, Timothy J; Pandya, Ashish; Napier, Mary E; Luft, J Christopher; Daniel, Will; Sheiko, Sergei; DeSimone, Joseph M

    2012-09-10

    We synthesized extremely deformable red blood cell-like microgel particles and loaded them with bovine hemoglobin (Hb) to potentiate oxygen transport. With similar shape and size as red blood cells (RBCs), the particles were fabricated using the PRINT (particle replication in nonwetting templates) technique. Low cross-linking of the hydrogel resulted in very low mesh density for these particles, allowing passive diffusion of hemoglobin throughout the particles. Hb was secured in the particles through covalent conjugation of the lysine groups of Hb to carboxyl groups in the particles via EDC/NHS coupling. Confocal microscopy of particles bound to fluorescent dye-labeled Hb confirmed the uniform distribution of Hb throughout the particle interior, as opposed to the surface conjugation only. High loading ratios, up to 5 times the amount of Hb to polymer by weight, were obtained without a significant effect on particle stability and shape, though particle diameter decreased slightly with Hb conjugation. Analysis of the protein by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed that the secondary structure of Hb was unperturbed by conjugation to the particles. Methemoglobin in the particles could be maintained at a low level and the loaded Hb could still bind oxygen, as studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. Hb-loaded particles with moderate loading ratios demonstrated excellent deformability in microfluidic devices, easily deforming to pass through restricted pores half as wide as the diameter of the particles. The suspension of concentrated particles with a Hb concentration of 5.2 g/dL showed comparable viscosity to that of mouse blood, and the particles remained intact even after being sheared at a constant high rate (1000 1/s) for 10 min. Armed with the ability to control size, shape, deformability, and loading of Hb into RBC mimics, we will discuss the implications for artificial blood.

  15. Haptoglobin, hemopexin, and related defense pathways-basic science, clinical perspectives, and drug development.

    PubMed

    Schaer, Dominik J; Vinchi, Francesca; Ingoglia, Giada; Tolosano, Emanuela; Buehler, Paul W

    2014-01-01

    Hemolysis, which occurs in many disease states, can trigger a diverse pathophysiologic cascade that is related to the specific biochemical activities of free Hb and its porphyrin component heme. Normal erythropoiesis and concomitant removal of senescent red blood cells (RBC) from the circulation occurs at rates of approximately 2 × 10(6) RBCs/second. Within this physiologic range of RBC turnover, a small fraction of hemoglobin (Hb) is released into plasma as free extracellular Hb. In humans, there is an efficient multicomponent system of Hb sequestration, oxidative neutralization and clearance. Haptoglobin (Hp) is the primary Hb-binding protein in human plasma, which attenuates the adverse biochemical and physiologic effects of extracellular Hb. The cellular receptor target of Hp is the monocyte/macrophage scavenger receptor, CD163. Following Hb-Hp binding to CD163, cellular internalization of the complex leads to globin and heme metabolism, which is followed by adaptive changes in antioxidant and iron metabolism pathways and macrophage phenotype polarization. When Hb is released from RBCs within the physiologic range of Hp, the potential deleterious effects of Hb are prevented. However, during hyper-hemolytic conditions or with chronic hemolysis, Hp is depleted and Hb readily distributes to tissues where it might be exposed to oxidative conditions. In such conditions, heme can be released from ferric Hb. The free heme can then accelerate tissue damage by promoting peroxidative reactions and activation of inflammatory cascades. Hemopexin (Hx) is another plasma glycoprotein able to bind heme with high affinity. Hx sequesters heme in an inert, non-toxic form and transports it to the liver for catabolism and excretion. In the present review we discuss the components of physiologic Hb/heme detoxification and their potential therapeutic application in a wide range of hemolytic conditions.

  16. Hepatically-metabolized and -excreted artificial oxygen carrier, hemoglobin vesicles, can be safely used under conditions of hepatic impairment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Taguchi, Kazuaki; Miyasato, Mayumi; Ujihira, Hayato

    2010-11-01

    The hemoglobin vesicle (HbV) is an artificial oxygen carrier in which a concentrated Hb solution is encapsulated in lipid vesicles. Our previous studies demonstrated that HbV is metabolized by the mononuclear phagocyte system, and the lipid components are excreted from the liver. It is well-known that many hepatically-metabolized and -excreted drugs show altered pharmaceutics under conditions of liver impairment, which results in adverse effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether the administration of HbV causes toxicity in rats with carbon tetrachloride induced liver cirrhosis. Changes in plasma biochemical parameters, histological staining and the pharmacokinetic distribution of HbVmore » were evaluated after an HbV injection of the above model rats at a putative clinical dose (1400 mgHb/kg). Plasma biochemical parameters were not significantly affected, except for a transient elevation of lipase, lipid components and bilirubin, which recovered within 14 days after an HbV infusion. Negligible morphological changes were observed in the kidney, liver, spleen, lung and heart. Hemosiderin, a marker of iron accumulation in organs, was observed in the liver and spleen up to 14 days after HbV treatment, but no evidence of oxidative stress in the plasma and liver were observed. HbV is mainly distributed in the liver and spleen, and the lipid components are excreted into feces within 7 days. In conclusion, even under conditions of hepatic cirrhosis, HbV and its components exhibit the favorable metabolic and excretion profile at the putative clinical dose. These findings provide further support for the safety and effectiveness of HbV in clinical settings.« less

  17. Krüppel-like factor 1 mutations and expression of hemoglobins F and A2 in homozygous hemoglobin E syndrome.

    PubMed

    Tepakhan, Wanicha; Yamsri, Supawadee; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan; Fucharoen, Supan

    2015-07-01

    The basis for variability of hemoglobin (Hb) F in homozygous Hb E disease is not well understood. We have examined multiple mutations of the Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) gene; an erythroid specific transcription factor and determined their associations with Hbs F and A2 expression in homozygous Hb E. Four KLF1 mutations including G176AfsX179, T334R, R238H, and -154 (C-T) were screened using specific PCR assays on 461 subjects with homozygous Hb E and 100 normal controls. None of these four mutations were observed in 100 normal controls. Among 461 subjects with homozygous Hb E, 306 had high (≥5 %) and 155 had low (<5 %) Hb F. DNA analysis identified the KLF1 mutations in 35 cases of the former group with high Hb F, including the G176AfsX179 mutation (17/306 = 5.6 %), T334R mutation (9/306 = 2.9 %), -154 (C-T) mutation (7/306 = 2.3 %), and R328H mutation (2/306 = 0.7 %). Only two subjects in the latter group with low Hb F carried the G176AfsX179 and -154 (C-T) mutations. Significant higher Hb A2 level was observed in those of homozygous Hb E with the G176AfsX179 mutation as compared to those without KLF1 mutations. These results indicate that KLF1 is among the genetic factors associated with increased Hbs F and A2, and in combination with other factors could explain the variabilities of these Hb expression in Hb E syndrome.

  18. Labile glycated haemoglobin and carbamylated haemoglobin are still critical points for HbA1c measurement.

    PubMed

    Desmons, Aurore; Jaisson, Stéphane; Leroy, Nathalie; Gillery, Philippe; Guillard, Emmanuelle

    2017-06-15

    Haemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) is a key analyte for the monitoring of glycemic balance in diabetic patients and is used for diabetes diagnosis in many countries. The potential interference of carbamylated haemoglobin (cHb) and labile glycated haemoglobin (LA 1c ) on HbA 1c assays must remain a matter of vigilance. Such a situation has occurred in our laboratory with a kit replacement on the Bio-Rad Variant™ II testing system, a cation-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. With this method, LA 1c and cHb coeluted in a same peak which may have different consequences on HbA 1c values. The influence of increasing LA 1c and cHb values on HbA 1c results was studied with in vitro glycation and carbamylation of samples. Samples from patients with high and normal blood urea concentrations were assayed by HPLC and immunological assay. We observed that the degree of interference greatly varied depending on the nature of the interfering Hb fractions found under the so-called "LA 1c peak". Thus, we have decided to apply a decision tree using "LA 1c " thresholds depending on: (i) the retention time, (ii) the shape of the peak, (iii) other analytes, like urea. If the peak recognized as "LA 1c " is mainly formed by LA 1c, we consider that there is no interference until 4%. If the peak is mainly formed by cHb, we consider an interference threshold equal to 2%. This situation reminds that cHb and LA 1c remain critical issues in chromatography-based HbA 1c assays and that adapted criteria must be set up for result interpretation.

  19. Low Modulus Biomimetic Microgel Particles with High Loading of Hemoglobin

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Kai; Merkel, Timothy J.; Pandya, Ashish; Napier, Mary E.; Luft, J. Christopher; Daniel, Will; Sheiko, Sergei

    2012-01-01

    We synthesized extremely deformable red blood cell-like microgel particles and loaded them with bovine hemoglobin (Hb) to potentiate oxygen transport. With similar shape and size as red blood cells (RBCs), the particles were fabricated using the PRINT® (Particle Replication In Non-wetting Templates) technique. Low crosslinking of the hydrogel resulted in very low mesh density for these particles, allowing passive diffusion of hemoglobin throughout the particles. Hb was secured in the particles through covalent conjugation of the lysine groups of Hb to carboxyl groups in the particles via EDC/NHS coupling. Confocal microscopy of particles bound to fluorescent dye-labeled Hb confirmed the uniform distribution of Hb throughout the particle interior, as opposed to the surface conjugation only. High loading ratios, up to 5 times the amount of Hb to polymer by weight, were obtained, without a significant effect on particle stability, shape, though particle diameter decreased slightly with Hb conjugation. Analysis of the protein by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed that the secondary structure of Hb was unperturbed by conjugation to the particles. Methemoglobin in the particles could be maintained at a low level and the loaded Hb could still bind oxygen as studied by UV-vis spectroscopy. Hb-loaded particles with moderate loading ratios demonstrated excellent deformability in microfluidic devices, easily deforming to pass through restricted pores half as wide as the diameter of the particles. The suspension of concentrated particles with Hb concentration of 5.2 g/dL showed comparable viscosity to that of mouse blood, and the particles remained intact even after being sheared at a constant high rate (1,000 1/s) for 10 min. Armed with the ability to control size, shape, deformability, and loading of Hb into RBC mimics, we will discuss the implications for artificial blood. PMID:22852860

  20. Evaluation of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pattern and prevalence of beta-thalassaemia trait among sickle cell disease patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

    PubMed

    Adeyemo, Titilope; Ojewunmi, Oyesola; Oyetunji, Ajoke

    2014-01-01

    Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited disorder of haemoglobin worldwide. This study evaluated the chromatographic patterns and red blood cell indices of sickle cell patients to determine the co-inheritance of other haemoglobin(Hb) variants and β-thalassaemia trait. Red cell indices, blood film, sickle solubility test, Hb electrophoresis using alkaline cellulose acetate membrane, and chromatographic patterns using Bio Rad HPLC Variant II were evaluated for 180 subjects. Based on low MCV <76fL and MCH<25 pg, in the presence of elevated A₂ >4.0% on HPLC and Hb variants eluting outside the S and C windows, at least four haemoglobin phenotypes (SS: 87.7%; SC: 1.1%; SD Punjab: 0.6%; Sβ-thalassemia: 10.6%) were identified. Mean Hb F% was 8.1±5.1 (median 7.65) for Hb SS and 6.03±5.2 (median 3.9) for Hb Sβ-thalassemia trait. Majority of Hb SS (69.1%) had Hb F% less than 10 while 27.6% had 10-19.9 and 3.2% had ≥ 20. Mean Hb F% was higher in female Hb SS (9.55±5.09; mean age 7.4±3.8 years) than the males (7.63±4.80; mean age 6.9±3.8 years) (P=0.02). A borderline significant negative correlation between age and Hb F levels among Hb SS subjects (r= -0.169 P=0.038) was also observed. Our data suggests that α and β- thalassaemia traits, and other haemoglobin variants co-exist frequently with SCD in our population.

  1. Accuracy of non-invasive measurement of haemoglobin concentration by pulse co-oximetry during steady-state and dynamic conditions in liver surgery.

    PubMed

    Vos, J J; Kalmar, A F; Struys, M M R F; Porte, R J; Wietasch, J K G; Scheeren, T W L; Hendriks, H G D

    2012-10-01

    The Masimo Radical 7 (Masimo Corp., Irvine, CA, USA) pulse co-oximeter(®) calculates haemoglobin concentration (SpHb) non-invasively using transcutaneous spectrophotometry. We compared SpHb with invasive satellite-lab haemoglobin monitoring (Hb(satlab)) during major hepatic resections both under steady-state conditions and in a dynamic phase with fluid administration of crystalloid and colloid solutions. Thirty patients undergoing major hepatic resection were included and randomized to receive a fluid bolus of 15 ml kg(-1) colloid (n=15) or crystalloid (n=15) solution over 30 min. SpHb was continuously measured on the index finger, and venous blood samples were analysed in both the steady-state phase (from induction until completion of parenchymal transection) and the dynamic phase (during fluid bolus). Correlation was significant between SpHb and Hb(satlab) (R(2)=0.50, n=543). The modified Bland-Altman analysis for repeated measurements showed a bias (precision) of -0.27 (1.06) and -0.02 (1.07) g dl(-1) for the steady-state and dynamic phases, respectively. SpHb accuracy increased when Hb(satlab) was <10 g dl(-1), with a bias (precision) of 0.41 (0.47) vs -0.26 (1.12) g dl(-1) for values >10 g dl(-1), but accuracy decreased after colloid administration (R(2)=0.25). SpHb correlated moderately with Hb(satlab) with a slight underestimation in both phases in patients undergoing major hepatic resection. Accuracy increased for lower Hb(satlab) values but decreased in the presence of colloid solution. Further improvements are necessary to improve device accuracy under these conditions, so that SpHb might become a sensitive screening device for clinically significant anaemia.

  2. Oxygen binding to partially nitrosylated hemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Fago, Angela; Crumbliss, Alvin L; Hendrich, Michael P; Pearce, Linda L; Peterson, Jim; Henkens, Robert; Bonaventura, Celia

    2013-09-01

    Reactions of nitric oxide (NO) with hemoglobin (Hb) are important elements in protection against nitrosative damage. NO in the vasculature is depleted by the oxidative reaction with oxy Hb or by binding to deoxy Hb to generate partially nitrosylated Hb (Hb-NO). Many aspects of the formation and persistence of Hb-NO are yet to be clarified. In this study, we used a combination of EPR and visible absorption spectroscopy to investigate the interactions of partially nitrosylated Hb with O2. Partially nitrosylated Hb samples had predominantly hexacoordinate NO-heme geometry and resisted oxidation when exposed to O2 in the absence of anionic allosteric effectors. Faster oxidation occurred in the presence of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) or inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), where the NO-heme derivatives had higher levels of pentacoordinate heme geometry. The anion-dependence of the NO-heme geometry also affected O2 binding equilibria. O2-binding curves of partially nitrosylated Hb in the absence of anions were left-shifted at low saturations, indicating destabilization of the low O2 affinity T-state of the Hb by increasing percentages of NO-heme, much as occurs with increasing levels of CO-heme. Samples containing IHP showed small decreases in O2 affinity, indicating shifts toward the low-affinity T-state and formation of inert α-NO/β-met tetramers. Most remarkably, O2-equilibria in the presence of the physiological effector DPG were essentially unchanged by up to 30% NO-heme in the samples. As will be discussed, under physiological conditions the interactions of Hb with NO provide protection against nitrosative damage without impairing O2 transport by Hb's unoccupied heme sites. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. β-Globin gene sequencing of hemoglobin Austin revises the historically reported electrophoretic migration pattern.

    PubMed

    Racsa, Lori D; Luu, Hung S; Park, Jason Y; Mitui, Midori; Timmons, Charles F

    2014-06-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) Austin was defined in 1977, using amino acid sequencing of samples from 3 unrelated Mexican-Americans, as a substitution of serine for arginine at position 40 of the β-globin chain (Arg40Ser). Its electrophoretic migration on both cellulose acetate (pH 8.4) and citrate agar (pH 6.2) was reported between Hb F and Hb A, and this description persists in reference literature. OBJECTIVES.-To review the clinical features and redefine the diagnostic characteristics of Hb Austin. Eight samples from 6 unrelated individuals and 2 siblings, all with Hispanic surnames, were submitted for abnormal Hb identification between June 2010 and September 2011. High-performance liquid chromatography, isoelectric focusing (IEF), citrate agar electrophoresis, and bidirectional DNA sequencing of the entire β-globin gene were performed. DNA sequencing confirmed all 8 individuals to be heterozygous for Hb Austin (Arg40Ser). Retention time on high-performance liquid chromatography and migration on citrate agar electrophoresis were consistent with that identification. Migration on IEF, however, was not between Hb F and Hb A, as predicted from the report of cellulose acetate electrophoresis. By IEF, Hb Austin migrated anodal to ("faster than") Hb A. Hemoglobin Austin (Arg40Ser) appears on IEF as a "fast," anodally migrating, Hb variant, just as would be expected from its amino acid substitution. The cited historic report is, at best, not applicable to IEF and is probably erroneous. Our observation of 8 cases in 16 months suggests that this variant may be relatively common in some Hispanic populations, making its recognition important. Furthermore, gene sequencing is proving itself a powerful and reliable tool for definitive identification of Hb variants.

  4. Evaluation of the NZ guidelines for screening for persistent postpartum hyperglycaemia following gestational diabetes.

    PubMed

    Hughes, Ruth C E; Florkowski, Chris; Gullam, Joanna E

    2017-11-17

    Recent New Zealand guidelines recommend annual glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements from three months postpartum, replacing the glucose tolerance test (GTT) at six weeks, to screen for persistent hyperglycaemia following gestational diabetes. Data suggest that this screening approach may miss cases of type 2 diabetes, but are they detected at subsequent screening and will screening rates improve? Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of HbA1c monitoring in improving screening rates following gestational diabetes and in detecting postpartum hyperglycaemia. During 2015 in Christchurch, all women with gestational diabetes were offered HbA1c and GTT measurements at three months postpartum and subsequent annual HbA1c measurements were recommended. Data from electronic hospital records were collected for a minimum 18 months postpartum. Of the cohort of 333 women, 218 (65%) completed both HbA1c and GTT at three months postpartum, 74 (22%) HbA1c only, 16 (5%) GTT only, 25 (8%) no screening; 184 (55%) had subsequent HbA1c tests. Diabetes was detected by GTT in five (2%) women and by HbA1c in only one out of five (20%); the disagreement between tests resolved in three out of four (75%) women with subsequent testing. Prediabetes was detected by GTT in 30 (14%) women; however, HbA1c only detected five out of 30 (17%) and subsequent HbA1c testing identified a further two out of 30 with prediabetes. HbA1c measurement at three months postpartum had a good uptake. However, most cases of diabetes were identified by subsequent HbA1c testing, the uptake of which was suboptimal. The importance of annual HbA1c monitoring following gestational diabetes needs greater emphasis. © 2017 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

  5. The impact of glycaemic variability on wound healing in the diabetic foot - A retrospective study of new ulcers presenting to a specialist multidisciplinary foot clinic.

    PubMed

    Dhatariya, Ketan K; Li Ping Wah-Pun Sin, Edwin; Cheng, Joyce Oi Suet; Li, Francesca Yan Nok; Yue, Anson Wei Yue; Gooday, Catherine; Nunney, Ian

    2018-01-01

    Glycaemic variability - the visit-to-visit variation in HbA1c - plays a possible role in the development of micro and macrovascular disease in patients with diabetes. Whether HbA1c variability is a factor determining wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers remains unknown. We aimed to determine whether HbA1c variability is associated with foot ulcer healing time. A retrospective analysis of patients presenting to our specialist multidisciplinary foot clinic between July 2013 and March 2015, with at least three HbA1c measurements within five years of presentation and more than two follow-up reviews. HbA1c variation was measured by magnitude of standard deviation. 629 new referrals were seen between July 2013 and March 2015. Of these, 172 patients had their number of days to healing recorded and sufficient numbers of HbA1c values to determine variability. The overall geometric mean days to heal was 91.1 days (SD 80.8-102.7). In the low HbA1c variability group the geometric mean days to heal was 78.0 days (60.2-101.2) vs 126.9 days (102.0-158.0) in the high Hb1Ac variability group (p = .032). Those with low HbA1c (<58 mmol/mol) and low variability healed faster than those with high HbA1c and high variability (73.5 days [59.5-90.8] vs 111.0 days [92.0-134.0], p = .007). Additionally, our results show that time to healing is more dependent on the mean HbA1c than the variability in HbA1c (p = .007). Our data suggest that there was a significant association between HbA1c variability and healing time in diabetic foot ulcers. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Longitudinal trends in HbA1c patterns and association with outcomes: A systematic review.

    PubMed

    Luo, Miyang; Tan, Kristin Hui Xian; Tan, Chuen Seng; Lim, Wei Yen; Tai, E-Shyong; Venkataraman, Kavita

    2018-04-17

    This study aimed to review studies that identified patterns of longitudinal HbA 1c trends in patients with diabetes and to summarize factors and outcomes associated with distinct trajectory patterns. PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies examining HbA 1c trends among patients with diabetes from database inception through September 2017. Articles were included if they met the following inclusion criteria: (a) longitudinal study of subjects with diabetes only, (b) use of serial measurements of HbA 1c , and (c) analysis of the trend of HbA 1c using group-based trajectory approaches. Twenty studies were included, 11 on type 1 diabetes and 9 on type 2 diabetes. These studies identified 2 to 6 HbA 1c trajectory patterns. The most commonly identified patterns included stable HbA 1c around 7.0% and at levels between 8.0% and 9.9%, which usually captured the HbA 1c pattern among the majority of subjects in the study population. Unstable patterns identified included increasing HbA 1c trend, decreasing HbA 1c trend, and non-linear patterns. These patterns were associated with differential risk of disease outcomes, over and beyond single-point HbA 1c measures. Age, gender, ethnicity, diabetes duration, disease management frequency, cardiovascular risk factors, insulin treatment, family environment, and psychosocial factors were the most frequently reported factors associated with membership of specific HbA 1c pattern groups. Common patterns of longitudinal HbA 1c trends were identified despite heterogeneity among the studies. A better understanding of what underlies these different patterns may provide opportunities to tailor therapies and care for these patients to reduce adverse outcomes. © 2018 The Authors. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. Identifying the independent effect of HbA1c variability on adverse health outcomes in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Prentice, J C; Pizer, S D; Conlin, P R

    2016-12-01

    To characterize the relationship between HbA 1c variability and adverse health outcomes among US military veterans with Type 2 diabetes. This retrospective cohort study used Veterans Affairs and Medicare claims for veterans with Type 2 diabetes taking metformin who initiated a second diabetes medication (n = 50 861). The main exposure of interest was HbA 1c variability during a 3-year baseline period. HbA 1c variability, categorized into quartiles, was defined as standard deviation, coefficient of variation and adjusted standard deviation, which accounted for the number and mean number of days between HbA 1c tests. Cox proportional hazard models predicted mortality, hospitalization for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, and myocardial infarction or stroke and were controlled for mean HbA 1c levels and the direction of change in HbA 1c levels during the baseline period. Over a mean 3.3 years of follow-up, all HbA 1c variability measures significantly predicted each outcome. Using the adjusted standard deviation measure for HbA 1c variability, the hazard ratios for the third and fourth quartile predicting mortality were 1.14 (95% CI 1.04, 1.25) and 1.42 (95% CI 1.28, 1.58), for myocardial infarction and stroke they were 1.25 (95% CI 1.10, 1.41) and 1.23 (95% CI 1.07, 1.42) and for ambulatory-care sensitive condition hospitalization they were 1.10 (95% CI 1.03, 1.18) and 1.11 (95% CI 1.03, 1.20). Higher baseline HbA 1c levels independently predicted the likelihood of each outcome. In veterans with Type 2 diabetes, greater HbA 1c variability was associated with an increased risk of adverse long-term outcomes, independently of HbA 1c levels and direction of change. Limiting HbA 1c fluctuations over time may reduce complications. © 2016 Diabetes UK.

  8. A Large Cohort of Hemoglobin Variants in Thailand: Molecular Epidemiological Study and Diagnostic Consideration

    PubMed Central

    Srivorakun, Hataichanok; Singha, Kritsada; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Sanchaisuriya, Kanokwan; Fucharoen, Supan

    2014-01-01

    Background Hemoglobin (Hb) variants are structurally inherited changes of globin chains. Accurate diagnoses of these variants are important for planning of appropriate management and genetic counseling. Since no epidemiological study has been conducted before, we have investigated frequencies, molecular and hematological features of Hb variants found in a large cohort of Thai subjects. Materials and Methods Study was conducted on 26,013 unrelated subjects, inhabiting in all geographical parts of Thailand over a period of 11 years from January 2002-December 2012. Hb analysis was done on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or capillary electrophoresis (CE). Mutations causing Hb variants were identified using PCR and related techniques. Results Among 26,013 subjects investigated, 636 (2.4%) were found to carry Hb variants. Of these 636 subjects, 142 (22.4%) carried α-chain variants with 13 different mutations. The remaining included 451 (70.9%) cases with 16 β-chain variants, 37 (5.8%) cases with Hb Lepore (δβ-hybrid Hb) and 6 (0.9%) cases with a single δ-chain variant. The most common α-globin chain variant was the Hb Q-Thailand (α74GAC-CAC, Asp-His) which was found in 101 cases (15.8%). For β-globin chain variants, Hb Hope (β136GGT-GAT, Gly-Asp) and Hb Tak (β146+AC, Ter-Thr) are the two most common ones, found in 121 (19.0%) and 90 (14.2%) cases, respectively. Seven Hb variants have never been found in Thai population. Hb analysis profiles on HPLC or CE of these variants were illustrated to guide presumptive diagnostics. Conclusions Hb variants are common and heterogeneous in Thai population. With varieties of thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies in the population, interactions between them leading to complex syndromes are common and render their diagnoses difficult in routine practices. Knowledge of the spectrum, molecular basis, genotype-phenotype correlation and diagnostic features should prove useful for prevention and control of the diseases in the region. PMID:25244406

  9. Characterization of the rubber tree metallothionein family reveals a role in mitigating the effects of reactive oxygen species associated with physiological stress.

    PubMed

    Huang, Yacheng; Fang, Yongjun; Long, Xiangyu; Liu, Linya; Wang, Jia; Zhu, Jinheng; Ma, Yanyan; Qin, Yunxia; Qi, Jiyan; Hu, Xinwen; Tang, Chaorong

    2018-06-01

    Metallothioneins (MTs) as reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers play important roles in stress response and heavy metal homeostasis. In Hevea brasiliensis (the para rubber tree that is the source of commercial natural rubber) and in other trees, the functions of MTs are not well understood. Latex exudes when the rubber tree is tapped. The flow of latex and its regeneration can be enhanced by tapping, wounding and ethylene treatment, all of which produce ROS as a by-product. Here, we show the presence of four MT genes in H. brasiliensis, comprising three Type 2 (HbMT2, -2a and -2b) and one Type 3 (HbMT3L) isoforms, representing one of the smallest MT gene families among angiosperms. The four HbMTs exhibited distinct tissue expression patterns: HbMT2 and HbMT3L mainly in leaves, HbMT2a specifically in flowers and HbMT2b in diverse tissues. The expression of HbMT2b, an isoform present in latex, decreased significantly in the latex following the stress-inducing treatments of tapping, wounding and ethephon (an ethylene generator). The expressions of the leaf-abundant isoforms, HbMT2 and -3L were up-regulated following pathogenic fungus infection and high-temperature stress, but down-regulated by low-temperature stress. These reactions were consistent with multiple defense- and hormone-responsive cis-acting elements in the HbMT promoters. Nine transcription factors were shown to implicate in the high-temperature responsiveness of HbMT2 and -3L in leaves. Overexpression of HbMT2 in Escherichia coli enhanced the bacterium's tolerance to heavy metals and ROS, consistent with its predicted role as an ROS scavenger. Taken together, our results, along with other relevant studies, suggest an important role of HbMTs in latex regeneration as well as species adaptation via the regulation of ROS homeostasis.

  10. A rapid quantification method for the screening indicator for β-thalassemia with near-infrared spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Jiemei; Peng, Lijun; Han, Yun; Yao, Lijun; Zhang, Jing; Pan, Tao

    2018-03-01

    Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics was applied to rapidly analyse haemoglobin A2 (HbA2) for β-thalassemia screening in human haemolysate samples. The relative content indicator HbA2 was indirectly quantified by simultaneous analysis of two absolute content indicators (Hb and Hb • HbA2). According to the comprehensive prediction effect of the multiple partitioning of calibration and prediction sets, the parameters were optimized to achieve modelling stability, and the preferred models were validated using the samples not involved in modelling. Savitzky-Golay smoothing was firstly used for the spectral pretreatment. The absorbance optimization partial least squares (AO-PLS) was used to eliminate high-absorption wave-bands appropriately. The equidistant combination PLS (EC-PLS) was further used to optimize wavelength models. The selected optimal models were I = 856 nm, N = 16, G = 1 and F = 6 for Hb and I = 988 nm, N = 12, G = 2 and F = 5 for Hb • HbA2. Through independent validation, the root-mean-square errors and correlation coefficients for prediction (RMSEP, RP) were 3.50 g L- 1 and 0.977 for Hb and 0.38 g L- 1 and 0.917 for Hb • HbA2, respectively. The predicted values of relative percentage HbA2 were further calculated, and the calculated RMSEP and RP were 0.31% and 0.965, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for β-thalassemia both reached 100%. Therefore, the prediction of HbA2 achieved high accuracy for distinguishing β-thalassemia. The local optimal models for single parameter and the optimal equivalent model sets were proposed, providing more models to match possible constraints in practical applications. The NIR analysis method for the screening indicator of β-thalassemia was successfully established. The proposed method was rapid, simple and promising for thalassemia screening in a large population.

  11. Total haemoglobin mass, but not haemoglobin concentration, is associated with preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing-derived oxygen-consumption variables.

    PubMed

    Otto, J M; Plumb, J O M; Wakeham, D; Clissold, E; Loughney, L; Schmidt, W; Montgomery, H E; Grocott, M P W; Richards, T

    2017-05-01

    Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) measures peak exertional oxygen consumption ( V˙O2peak ) and that at the anaerobic threshold ( V˙O2 at AT, i.e. the point at which anaerobic metabolism contributes substantially to overall metabolism). Lower values are associated with excess postoperative morbidity and mortality. A reduced haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) results from a reduction in total haemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) or an increase in plasma volume. Thus, tHb-mass might be a more useful measure of oxygen-carrying capacity and might correlate better with CPET-derived fitness measures in preoperative patients than does circulating [Hb]. Before major elective surgery, CPET was performed, and both tHb-mass (optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method) and circulating [Hb] were determined. In 42 patients (83% male), [Hb] was unrelated to V˙O2 at AT and V˙O2peak ( r =0.02, P =0.89 and r =0.04, P =0.80, respectively) and explained none of the variance in either measure. In contrast, tHb-mass was related to both ( r =0.661, P <0.0001 and r =0.483, P =0.001 for V˙O2 at AT and V˙O2peak , respectively). The tHb-mass explained 44% of variance in V˙O2 at AT ( P <0.0001) and 23% in V˙O2peak ( P =0.001). In contrast to [Hb], tHb-mass is an important determinant of physical fitness before major elective surgery. Further studies should determine whether low tHb-mass is predictive of poor outcome and whether targeted increases in tHb-mass might thus improve outcome. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

  12. Carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin in asthma.

    PubMed

    Naples, Robert; Laskowski, Dan; McCarthy, Kevin; Mattox, Emmea; Comhair, Suzy A A; Erzurum, Serpil C

    2015-04-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) are synthesized at high levels in asthmatic airways. NO can oxidize hemoglobin (Hb) to methemoglobin (MetHb). CO binds to heme to produce carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). We hypothesized that MetHb and COHb may be increased in asthma. COHb, MetHb, and Hb were measured in venous blood of healthy controls (n = 32) and asthmatics (n = 31). Arterial COHb and oxyhemoglobin were measured by pulse CO-oximeter. Hb, oxyhemoglobin, and deoxyhemoglobin were similar among groups, but arterial COHb was higher in asthmatics than controls (p = 0.04). Venous COHb was similar among groups, and thus, arteriovenous COHb (a-v COHb) concentration difference was greater in asthma compared with controls. Venous MetHb was lower in asthma compared to controls (p = 0.01) and correlated to venous NO (p = 0.009). The greater a-v COHb in asthma suggests CO offloading to tissues, but lower than normal MetHb suggests countermeasures to avoid adverse effects of high NO on gas transfer.

  13. Carboxyhemoglobin and Methemoglobin in Asthma

    PubMed Central

    Naples, Robert; Laskowski, Dan; McCarthy, Kevin; Mattox, Emmea; Comhair, Suzy A. A.; Erzurum, Serpil C.

    2015-01-01

    Nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) are synthesized at high levels in asthmatic airways. NO can oxidize hemoglobin (Hb) to methemoglobin (MetHb). CO binds to heme to produce carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). We hypothesized that MetHb and COHb may be increased in asthma. COHb, MetHb, and Hb were measured in venous blood of healthy controls (n=32) and asthmatics (n=31). Arterial COHb and oxyhemoglobin were measured by pulse CO-oximeter. Hb, oxyhemoglobin, and deoxyhemoglobin were similar among groups, but arterial COHb was higher in asthmatics than controls (p=0.04). Venous COHb was similar among groups, and thus arteriovenous COHb (a-v COHb) concentration difference was greater in asthma compared with controls. Venous MetHb was lower in asthma compared to controls (p=0.01) and correlated to venous NO (p=0.009). The greater a-v COHb in asthma suggests CO offloading to tissues, but lower than normal MetHb suggests countermeasures to avoid adverse effects of high NO on gas transfer. PMID:25680415

  14. Reactivity and dynamics of H2S, NO, and O2 interacting with hemoglobins from Lucina pectinata.

    PubMed

    Ramos-Alvarez, Cacimar; Yoo, Byung-Kuk; Pietri, Ruth; Lamarre, Isabelle; Martin, Jean-Louis; Lopez-Garriga, Juan; Negrerie, Michel

    2013-10-08

    Hemoglobin HbI from the clam Lucina pectinata is involved in H2S transport, whereas homologous heme protein HbII/III is involved in O2 metabolism. Despite similar tertiary structures, HbI and HbII/III exhibit very different reactivity toward heme ligands H2S, O2, and NO. To investigate this reactivity at the heme level, we measured the dynamics of ligand interaction by time-resolved absorption spectroscopy in the picosecond to nanosecond time range. We demonstrated that H2S can be photodissociated from both ferric and ferrous HbI. H2S geminately rebinds to ferric and ferrous out-of-plane iron with time constants (τgem) of 12 and 165 ps, respectively, with very different proportions of photodissociated H2S exiting the protein (24% in ferric and 80% in ferrous HbI). The Gln(E7)His mutation considerably changes H2S dynamics in ferric HbI, indicating the role of Gln(E7) in controling H2S reactivity. In ferric HbI, the rate of diffusion of H2S from the solvent into the heme pocket (kentry) is 0.30 μM(-1) s(-1). For the HbII/III-O2 complex, we observed mainly a six-coordinate vibrationally excited heme-O2 complex with O2 still bound to the iron. This explains the low yield of O2 photodissociation and low koff from HbII/III, compared with those of HbI and Mb. Both isoforms behave very differently with regard to NO and O2 dynamics. Whereas the amplitude of geminate rebinding of O2 to HbI (38.5%) is similar to that of myoglobin (34.5%) in spite of different distal heme sites, it appears to be much larger for HbII/III (77%). The distal Tyr(B10) side chain present in HbII/III increases the energy barrier for ligand escape and participates in the stabilization of bound O2 and NO.

  15. Comparison of the gold standard of hemoglobin measurement with the clinical standard (BGA) and noninvasive hemoglobin measurement (SpHb) in small children: a prospective diagnostic observational study.

    PubMed

    Wittenmeier, Eva; Bellosevich, Sophia; Mauff, Susanne; Schmidtmann, Irene; Eli, Michael; Pestel, Gunther; Noppens, Ruediger R

    2015-10-01

    Collecting a blood sample is usually necessary to measure hemoglobin levels in children. Especially in small children, noninvasively measuring the hemoglobin level could be extraordinarily helpful, but its precision and accuracy in the clinical environment remain unclear. In this study, noninvasive hemoglobin measurement and blood gas analysis were compared to hemoglobin measurement in a clinical laboratory. In 60 healthy preoperative children (0.2-7.6 years old), hemoglobin was measured using a noninvasive method (SpHb; Radical-7 Pulse Co-Oximeter), a blood gas analyzer (clinical standard, BGAHb; ABL 800 Flex), and a laboratory hematology analyzer (reference method, labHb; Siemens Advia). Agreement between the results was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis and by determining the percentage of outliers. Sixty SpHb measurements, 60 labHb measurements, and 59 BGAHb measurements were evaluated. In 38% of the children, the location of the SpHb sensor had to be changed more than twice for the signal quality to be sufficient. The bias/limits of agreement between SpHb and labHb were -0.65/-3.4 to 2.1 g·dl(-1) . Forty-four percent of the SpHb values differed from the reference value by more than 1 g·dl(-1) . Age, difficulty of measurement, and the perfusion index (PI) had no influence on the accuracy of SpHb. The bias/limits of agreement between BGAHb and labHb were 1.14/-1.6 to 3.9 g·dl(-1) . Furthermore, 66% of the BGAHb values differed from the reference values by more than 1 g·dl(-1) . The absolute mean difference between SpHb and labHb (1.1 g·dl(-1) ) was smaller than the absolute mean difference between BGAHb and labHb (1.5 g·dl(-1) /P = 0.024). Noninvasive measurement of hemoglobin agrees more with the reference method than the measurement of hemoglobin using a blood gas analyzer. However, both methods can show clinically relevant differences from the reference method (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01693016). © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. Bacterially produced human B7-1 protein encompassing its complete extracellular domain maintains its costimulatory activity in vitro.

    PubMed

    Shen, W; Wang, Y; Geng, Y; Si, L

    2000-08-01

    To investigate which of the two immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, immunoglobulin variable region homologous domain IgV (hB7-1 IgV), or immunoglobulin constant region homologous domain IgC (hB7-1 IgC) on human B7-1 molecule contain the receptor binding sites, and to evaluate if the B7-1 molecule expressed in bacteria has biological activity. PCR was used to amplify three fragments of hB7-1 IgV, hB7-1 IgC and complete extracellular region of human B7-1 containing both the IgV and IgC domains (hB7-1 IgV + IgC). Three recombinants, pQE9-hB7-1 IgV, pQE9-hB7-1 IgC and pQE9-Hb7-1 (IgV + IgC) were generated by cloning the PCR products into a prokaryote expression plasmid (pQE-9) and were introduced into the host stain M15. The relevant target hexahistidine-tagged proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. With the presence of the first signal imitated by anti-CD3 antibody, T cell activation was observed by exposing purified T lymphocytes to each soluble form of the three bacterially-produced human B7-1 proteins and [3H]-TdR incorporation. Three recombinant proteins of human B7-1, hB7-1 IgV, hB7-1 IgC and hB7-1 (IgV + IgC) were produced and detected in both soluble and inclusive body forms from engineered bacterial cells. With the presence of anti-CD3 antibody, T lymphocytes proliferated when co-stimulated by bacterially produced hB7-1 (IgV + IgC), but not by either hB7-1 IgV or hB7-1 IgC. Functional glycoprotein human B7-1 could be produced in bacterial cells. Both extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains are necessary for B7-1 to react with its counter receptors.

  17. Possible discrepancy of HbA1c values and its assessment among patients with chronic renal failure, hemodialysis and other diseases.

    PubMed

    Inoue, Kaori; Goto, Atsushi; Kishimoto, Miyako; Tsujimoto, Tetsuro; Yamamoto-Honda, Ritsuko; Noto, Hiroshi; Kajio, Hiroshi; Terauchi, Yasuo; Noda, Mitsuhiko

    2015-12-01

    Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycated albumin (GA) are frequently used as glycemic control markers. However, these markers are influenced by alterations in hemoglobin and albumin metabolism. Thus, conditions such as anemia, chronic renal failure, hypersplenism, chronic liver diseases, hyperthyroidism, hypoalbuminemia, and pregnancy need to be considered when interpreting HbA1c or GA values. Using data from patients with normal albumin and hemoglobin metabolism, we previously established a linear regression equation describing the GA value versus the HbA1c value to calculate an extrapolated HbA1c (eHbA1c) value for the accurate evaluation of glycemic control. In this study, we investigated the difference between the measured HbA1c and the eHbA1c values for patients with various conditions. Data sets for a total of 2461 occasions were obtained from 731 patients whose HbA1c and GA values were simultaneously measured. We excluded patients with missing data or changeable HbA1c levels, and patients who had received transfusions or steroids within the previous 3 months. Finally, we included 44 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), 10 patients who were undergoing hemodialysis (HD), 7 patients with hematological malignancies and a hemoglobin level of less than 10 g/dL (HM), and 12 patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). In all the groups, the eHbA1c values were significantly higher than the measured HbA1c values. The median difference was 0.75 % (95 % CI 0.40-1.10 %, P for the difference is <0.001) in the CRF group, 0.80 % (95 % CI 0.30-1.65 %, P for the difference is 0.041) in the HD group, 0.90 % (95 % CI 0.90-1.30 %, P for the difference is 0.028) in the HM group, and 0.85 % (95 % CI 0.40-1.50 %, P for the difference is 0.009) in the CLD group. We found that the measured HbA1c values were lower than the eHbA1c values in each of the groups.

  18. Elevated HbA1c and Fasting Plasma Glucose in Predicting Diabetes Incidence Among Older Adults

    PubMed Central

    Lipska, Kasia J.; Inzucchi, Silvio E.; Van Ness, Peter H.; Gill, Thomas M.; Kanaya, Alka; Strotmeyer, Elsa S.; Koster, Annemarie; Johnson, Karen C.; Goodpaster, Bret H.; Harris, Tamara; De Rekeneire, Nathalie

    2013-01-01

    OBJECTIVE To determine which measures—impaired fasting glucose (IFG), elevated HbA1c, or both—best predict incident diabetes in older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS From the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study, we selected individuals without diabetes, and we defined IFG (100–125 mg/dL) and elevated HbA1c (5.7–6.4%) per American Diabetes Association guidelines. Incident diabetes was based on self-report, use of antihyperglycemic medicines, or HbA1c ≥6.5% during 7 years of follow-up. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race, site, BMI, smoking, blood pressure, and physical activity. Discrimination and calibration were assessed for models with IFG and with both IFG and elevated HbA1c. RESULTS Among 1,690 adults (mean age 76.5, 46% men, 32% black), 183 (10.8%) developed diabetes over 7 years. Adjusted odds ratios of diabetes were 6.2 (95% CI 4.4–8.8) in those with IFG (versus those with fasting plasma glucose [FPG] <100 mg/dL) and 11.3 (7.8–16.4) in those with elevated HbA1c (versus those with HbA1c <5.7%). When FPG and HbA1c were considered together, odds ratios were 3.5 (1.9–6.3) in those with IFG only, 8.0 (4.8–13.2) in those with elevated HbA1c only, and 26.2 (16.3–42.1) in those with both IFG and elevated HbA1c (versus those with normal FPG and HbA1c). Addition of elevated HbA1c to the model with IFG resulted in improved discrimination and calibration. CONCLUSIONS Older adults with both IFG and elevated HbA1c have a substantially increased odds of developing diabetes over 7 years. Combined screening with FPG and HbA1c may identify older adults at very high risk for diabetes. PMID:24135387

  19. Association of acrylamide hemoglobin biomarkers with obesity, abdominal obesity and overweight in general US population: NHANES 2003-2006.

    PubMed

    Huang, Mengmeng; Zhuang, Pan; Jiao, Jingjing; Wang, Jun; Zhang, Yu

    2018-08-01

    Exposure to chemical contaminants is considered as one of risk factors to the current epidemic of obesity. Acrylamide (AA) is a ubiquitous chemical contaminant in environmental waste, mainstream cigarette smoke and carbohydrate-rich foods, and widely used in industrial manufacturers and cosmetics. Few studies have highlighted the association of daily exposure to AA with obesity-related outcomes. We analyzed data from 8364 participants who aged 20-85years and were recruited in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2003-2006. We established the model of PROC Survey Logistic regressions via using AA biomarkers in blood, hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide and glycidamide (HbAA and HbGA), as the measure of internal exposure to AA, and assessing obesity, abdominal obesity and overweight with body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC). After the adjustment of sociodemographic variables, lifestyle behaviors, and health-related factors, the ratio of HbGA to HbAA (HbGA/HbAA) was significantly associated with obesity (p for trend<0.0001). The odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of HbGA/HbAA across increasing quartiles were 1.740 (1.413-2.144), 2.604 (2.157-3.144), and 2.863 (2.425-3.380) compared with the lowest quartile. HbGA was positively associated with obesity [OR (95% CI): 1.226 (1.041-1.443), 1.283 (1.121-1.468), and 1.398 (1.165-1.679); p for trend=0.0004], while HbAA was inversely associated with obesity [OR (95% CI): 0.839 (0.718-0.980), 0.713 (0.600-0.848), and 0.671 (0.554-0.811); p for trend<0.0001]. Negative associations were found between the sum of HbAA and HbGA (HbAA+HbGA) and the body weight outcomes. Similar associations were also observed between the hemoglobin biomarkers of AA and abdominal obesity as well as overweight. Thus, the hemoglobin adducts of AA as long-term internal exposure biomarkers are strongly associated with obesity-related outcomes in a population of US adults. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. The quaternary state of polymerized human hemoglobin regulates oxygenation of breast cancer solid tumors: A theoretical and experimental study

    PubMed Central

    Ju, Julia A.; Baek, Jin Hyen; Yalamanoglu, Ayla; Buehler, Paul W.; Gilkes, Daniele M.; Palmer, Andre F.

    2018-01-01

    A major constraint in the treatment of cancer is inadequate oxygenation of the tumor mass, which can reduce chemotherapeutic efficacy. We hypothesize that polymerized human hemoglobin (PolyhHb) can be transfused into the systemic circulation to increase solid tumor oxygenation, and improve chemotherapeutic outcomes. By locking PolyhHb in the relaxed (R) quaternary state, oxygen (O2) offloading at low O2 tensions (<20 mm Hg) may be increased, while O2 offloading at high O2 tensions (>20 mm Hg) is facilitated with tense (T) state PolyhHb. Therefore, R-state PolyhHb may deliver significantly more O2 to hypoxic tissues. Biophysical parameters of T and R-state PolyhHb were used to populate a modified Krogh tissue cylinder model to assess O2 transport in a tumor. In general, we found that increasing the volume of transfused PolyhHb decreased the apparent viscosity of blood in the arteriole. In addition, we found that PolyhHb transfusion decreased the wall shear stress at large arteriole diameters (>20 μm), but increased wall shear stress for small arteriole diameters (<10 μm). Therefore, transfusion of PolyhHb may lead to elevated O2 delivery at low pO2. In addition, transfusion of R-state PolyhHb may be more effective than T-state PolyhHb for O2 delivery at similar transfusion volumes. Reduction in the apparent viscosity resulting from PolyhHb transfusion may result in significant changes in flow distributions throughout the tumor microcirculatory network. The difference in wall shear stress implies that PolyhHb may have a more significant effect in capillary beds through mechano-transduction. Periodic top-load transfusions of PolyhHb into mice bearing breast tumors confirmed the oxygenation potential of both PolyhHbs via reduced hypoxic volume, vascular density, tumor growth, and increased expression of hypoxia inducible genes. Tissue section analysis demonstrated primary PolyhHb clearance occurred in the liver and spleen indicating a minimal risk for renal damage. PMID:29414985

  1. Analysis of HbA1c on an automated multicapillary zone electrophoresis system.

    PubMed

    Rollborn, Niclas; Åkerfeldt, Torbjörn; Nordin, Gunnar; Xu, Xiao Yan; Mandic-Havelka, Aleksandra; Hansson, Lars-Olof; Larsson, Anders

    2017-02-01

    Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a frequently requested laboratory test and there is thus a need for high throughput instruments for this assay. We evaluated a new automated multicapillary zone electrophoresis instrument (Capillarys 3 Tera, Sebia, Lisses, France) for analysis of HbA1c in venous samples. Routine requested HbA1c samples were analyzed immunologically on a Roche c6000 instrument (n = 142) and then with the Capillarys 3 Tera instrument. The Capillarys 3 Tera instrument performed approximately 70 HbA1c tests/hour. There was a strong linear correlation between Capillarys 3 Tera and Roche Tina-Quant HbA1c Gen 3 assay (y = 1.003x - 0.3246 R 2  = .996). The total CV for the 12 capillaries varied between 0.8 and 2.2% and there was a good agreement between duplicate samples (R 2  = .997). In conclusion, the Capillarys 3 Tera instrument has a high assay capacity for HbA1c. It has a good precision and agreement with the Roche Tina-Quant HbA1c method and is well suited for high volume testing of HbA1c.

  2. Determination of extinction coefficients of human hemoglobin in various redox states

    PubMed Central

    Meng, Fantao; Alayash, Abdu I.

    2017-01-01

    The role of hemoglobin (Hb) redox forms in tissue and organ toxicities remain ambiguous despite the well-documented contribution of Hb redox reactivity to cellular and subcellular oxidative changes. Moreover, several recent studies, in which Hb toxicity were investigated, have shown conflicting outcomes. Uncertainties over the potential role of these species may in part be due to the protein preparation method of choice, the use of published extinction coefficients and the lack of suitable controls for Hb oxidation and heme loss. Highly purified and well characterized redox forms of human Hb were used in this study and the extinction coefficients of each Hb species (ferrous/oxy, ferric/met and ferryl) were determined. A new set of equations were established to improve accuracy in determining the transient ferryl Hb species. Additionally, heme concentrations in solutions and in human plasma were determined using a novel reversed phase HPLC method in conjugation with our photometric measurements. The use of more accurate redox-specific extinction coefficients and method calculations will be an invaluable tool for both in vitro and in vivo experiments aimed at determining the role of Hb-mediated vascular pathology in hemolytic anemias and when Hb is used as oxygen therapeutics. PMID:28069451

  3. Purification of Hemoglobin by Tangential Flow Filtration with Diafiltration

    PubMed Central

    Elmer, Jacob; Harris, David R.; Sun, Guoyong; Palmer, Andre F.

    2009-01-01

    A recent study by Palmer et al. (2009) demonstrated that tangential flow filtration (TFF) can be used to produce HPLC-grade bovine and human hemoglobin (Hb). In this current study, we assessed the quality of bovine Hb (bHb) purified by introducing a 10 L batch-mode diafiltration step to the previously mentioned TFF Hb purification process. bHb was purified from bovine red blood cells (RBCs) by filtering clarified RBC lysate through 50 nm (stage I) & 500 kDa (stage II) hollow fiber (HF) membranes. The filtrate was then passed through a 100 kDa (stage III) HF membrane with or without an additional 10 L diafiltration step to potentially remove additional small molecular weight impurities. Protein assays, SDS-PAGE, and LC-MS of the purified bHb (stage III retentate) reveal that addition of a diafiltration step has no effect on bHb purity or yield; however, it does increase the methemoglobin level and oxygen affinity of purified bHb. Therefore, we conclude that no additional benefit is gained from diafiltration at stage III and a three-stage TFF process is sufficient to produce HPLC-grade bHb. PMID:19621471

  4. Methemoglobin Formation and Characterization of Hemoglobin Adducts of Carcinogenic Aromatic Amines and Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines.

    PubMed

    Pathak, Khyatiben V; Chiu, Ting-Lan; Amin, Elizabeth Ambrose; Turesky, Robert J

    2016-03-21

    Arylamines (AAs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are structurally related carcinogens formed during the combustion of tobacco or cooking of meat. They undergo cytochrome P450 mediated N-hydroxylation to form metabolites which bind to DNA and lead to mutations. The N-hydroxylated metabolites of many AAs also can undergo a co-oxidation reaction with oxy-hemolgobin (HbO2) to form methemoglobin (met-Hb) and the arylnitroso intermediates, which react with the β-Cys(93) chain of Hb to form Hb-arylsulfinamide adducts. The biochemistry of arylamine metabolism has been exploited to biomonitor certain AAs through their Hb arylsulfinamide adducts in humans. We examined the reactivity of HbO2 with the N-hydroxylated metabolites of 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP, HONH-ABP), aniline (ANL, HONH-ANL), and the HAAs 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC, HONH-AαC), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP, HONH-PhIP), and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx, HONH-MeIQx). HONH-ABP, HO-ANL, and HONH-AαC induced methemoglobinemia and formed Hb sulfinamide adducts. However, HONH-MeIQx and HONH-PhIP did not react with the oxy-heme complex, and met-Hb formation and chemical modification of the β-Cys(93) residue were negligible. Molecular modeling studies showed that the distances between the H-ON-AA or H-ON-HAA substrates and the oxy-heme complex of HbO2 were too far away to induce methemoglobinemia. Different conformational changes in flexible helical and loop regions around the heme pocket induced by the H-ON-AA or H-ON-HAAs may explain the different proclivities of these chemicals to induce methemoglobinemia. Hb-Cys(93β) sulfinamide and sulfonamide adducts of ABP, ANL, and AαC were identified, by Orbitrap MS, following the proteolysis of Hb with trypsin, Glu-C, or Lys-C. Hb sulfinamide and sulfonamide adducts of ABP were identified in the blood of mice exposed to ABP, by Orbitrap MS. This is the first report of the identification of intact Hb sulfinamide adducts of carcinogenic AAs in vivo. The high reactivity of HONH-AαC with HbO2 suggests that the Hb sulfinamide adduct of AαC may be a promising biomarker of exposure to this HAA in humans.

  5. Hemoglobin A1c Accurately Predicts Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Derived Average Glucose in Youth and Young Adults With Cystic Fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Chan, Christine L; Hope, Emma; Thurston, Jessica; Vigers, Timothy; Pyle, Laura; Zeitler, Philip S; Nadeau, Kristen J

    2018-04-19

    In cystic fibrosis (CF), HbA 1c is thought to underestimate glycemia. However, few studies have directly assessed the relationship between HbA 1c and average glucose in CF. We determined the relationships among glycemic markers-HbA 1c , fructosamine (FA), glycated albumin (%GA), and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG)-and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in CF, hypothesizing that alternate markers would better predict average sensor glucose (ASG) than HbA 1c . CF participants and a group of healthy control subjects (HC), ages 6-25 years, wore CGM for up to 7 days. Pearson correlations assessed the relationships between CGM variables and HbA 1c , FA, %GA, and 1,5-AG. The regression line between HbA 1c and ASG was compared in CF versus HC. Linear regressions determined whether alternate markers predicted ASG after adjustment for HbA 1c . CF ( n = 93) and HC ( n = 29) groups wore CGM for 5.2 ± 1 days. CF participants were 14 ± 3 years of age and 47% were male, with a BMI z score -0.1 ± 0.8 and no different from HCs in age, sex, or BMI. Mean HbA 1c in CF was 5.7 ± 0.8% (39 ± 9 mmol/mol) vs. HC 5.1 ± 0.2% (32 ± 2 mmol/mol) ( P < 0.0001). All glycemic markers correlated with ASG ( P ≤ 0.01): HbA 1c ( r = 0.86), FA ( r = 0.69), %GA ( r = 0.83), and 1,5-AG ( r = -0.26). The regression line between ASG and HbA 1c did not differ in CF versus HC ( P = 0.44). After adjustment for HbA 1c , %GA continued to predict ASG ( P = 0.0009) in CF. HbA 1c does not underestimate ASG in CF as previously assumed. No alternate glycemic marker correlated more strongly with ASG than HbA 1c . %GA shows strong correlation with ASG and added to the prediction of ASG beyond HbA 1c . However, we are not advocating use of HbA 1c for diabetes screening in CF based on these results. Further study will determine whether glycemic measures other than ASG differ among different types of diabetes for a given HbA 1c . © 2018 by the American Diabetes Association.

  6. TGF{beta} induces proHB-EGF shedding and EGFR transactivation through ADAM activation in gastric cancer cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ebi, Masahide; Kataoka, Hiromi, E-mail: hkataoka@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp; Shimura, Takaya

    2010-11-19

    Research highlights: {yields} TGF{beta} induces EGFR transactivation through proHB-EGF shedding by activated ADAM members in gastric cancer cells. {yields} TGF{beta} induces nuclear translocation of HB-EGF-CTF cleaved by ADAM members. {yields} TGF{beta} enhances cell growth by EGFR transactivation and HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation and ADAM inhibitors block these effects. {yields} Silencing of ADAM17 also blocks EGFR transactivation, HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation and cancer cell growth by TGF{beta}. {yields} ADAM17 may play a crucial role in this TGF{beta}-HB-EGF signal transduction. -- Abstract: Background and aims: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF{beta}) is known to potently inhibit cell growth. Loss of responsiveness to TGF{beta} inhibition on cellmore » growth is a hallmark of many types of cancer, yet its mechanism is not fully understood. Membrane-anchored heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (proHB-EGF) ectodomain is cleaved by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) members and is implicated in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation. Recently, nuclear translocation of the C-terminal fragment (CTF) of pro-HB-EGF was found to induce cell growth. We investigated the association between TGF{beta} and HB-EGF signal transduction via ADAM activation. Materials and methods: The CCK-8 assay in two gastric cancer cell lines was used to determine the effect for cell growth by TGF{beta}. The effect of two ADAM inhibitors was also evaluated. Induction of EGFR phosphorylation by TGF{beta} was analyzed and the effect of the ADAM inhibitors was also examined. Nuclear translocation of HB-EGF-CTF by shedding through ADAM activated by TGF{beta} was also analyzed. EGFR transactivation, HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation, and cell growth were examined under the condition of ADAM17 knockdown. Result: TGF{beta}-induced EGFR phosphorylation of which ADAM inhibitors were able to inhibit. TGF{beta} induced shedding of proHB-EGF allowing HB-EGF-CTF to translocate to the nucleus. ADAM inhibitors blocked this nuclear translocation. TGF{beta} enhanced gastric cancer cell growth and ADAM inhibitors suppressed this effect. EGFR phosphorylation, HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation, and cell growth were suppressed in ADAM17 knockdown cells. Conclusion: HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation and EGFR transactivation from proHB-EGF shedding mediated by ADAM17 activated by TGF{beta} might be an important pathway of gastric cancer cell proliferation by TGF{beta}.« less

  7. Habenula functional resting-state connectivity in pediatric CRPS.

    PubMed

    Erpelding, Nathalie; Sava, Simona; Simons, Laura E; Lebel, Alyssa; Serrano, Paul; Becerra, Lino; Borsook, David

    2014-01-01

    The habenula (Hb) is a small brain structure located in the posterior end of the medial dorsal thalamus and through medial (MHb) and lateral (LHb) Hb connections, it acts as a conduit of information between forebrain and brainstem structures. The role of the Hb in pain processing is well documented in animals and recently also in acute experimental pain in humans. However, its function remains unknown in chronic pain disorders. Here, we investigated Hb resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) compared with healthy controls. Twelve pediatric patients with unilateral lower-extremity CRPS (9 females; 10-17 yr) and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy controls provided informed consent to participate in the study. In healthy controls, Hb functional connections largely overlapped with previously described anatomical connections in cortical, subcortical, and brainstem structures. Compared with controls, patients exhibited an overall Hb rsFC reduction with the rest of the brain and, specifically, with the anterior midcingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor cortex, primary motor cortex, and premotor cortex. Our results suggest that Hb rsFC parallels anatomical Hb connections in the healthy state and that overall Hb rsFC is reduced in patients, particularly connections with forebrain areas. Patients' decreased Hb rsFC to brain regions implicated in motor, affective, cognitive, and pain inhibitory/modulatory processes may contribute to their symptomatology.

  8. Baroreflex dysfunction in sick newborns makes heart rate an unreliable surrogate for blood pressure changes.

    PubMed

    Govindan, Rathinaswamy B; Al-Shargabi, Tareq; Massaro, An N; Metzler, Marina; Andescavage, Nickie N; Joshi, Radhika; Dave, Rhiya; du Plessis, Adre

    2016-06-01

    Cerebral pressure passivity (CPP) in sick newborns can be detected by evaluating coupling between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cerebral blood flow measured by near infra-red spectroscopy hemoglobin difference (HbD). However, continuous MAP monitoring requires invasive catheterization with its inherent risks. We tested whether heart rate (HR) could serve as a reliable surrogate for MAP in the detection of CPP in sick newborns. Continuous measurements of MAP, HR, and HbD were made and partitioned into 10-min epochs. Spectral coherence (COH) was computed between MAP and HbD (COHMAP-HbD) to detect CPP, between HR and HbD (COHHR-HbD) for comparison, and between MAP and HR (COHMAP-HR) to quantify baroreflex function (BRF). The agreement between COHMAP-HbD and COHHR-HbD was assessed using ROC analysis. We found poor agreement between COHMAP-HbD and COHHR-HbD in left hemisphere (area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.68) and right hemisphere (AUC 0.71). Baroreflex failure (COHMAP-HR not significant) was present in 79% of epochs. Confining comparison to epochs with intact BRF showed an AUC of 0.85 for both hemispheres. In these sick newborns, HR was an unreliable surrogate for MAP required for the detection of CPP. This is likely due to the prevalence of BRF failure in these infants.

  9. Interaction of hemoglobin Grey Lynn (Vientiane) with a non-deletional α(+)-thalassemia in an adult Thai proband.

    PubMed

    Singha, Kritsada; Fucharoen, Goonnapa; Fucharoen, Supan

    2014-01-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) Grey Lynn is a Hb variant caused by a substitution of Phe for Leu at position 91 of α1-globin chain, originally described in individual of unknown ethnic background. This article addresses the interaction of Hb Grey Lynn with a non-deletional α(+)-thalassemia found in Thailand, a hitherto un-described condition. The proband was adult Thai woman referred for investigation of mild anemia with Hb 90 g/L. Hb analyses using low pressure liquid chromatography raised a suspicion of abnormal Hb presence, which was failed to demonstrate by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis. DNA sequencing identified a CTT (Leu) to TTT (Phe) mutation at codon 91 corresponding to the Hb Grey Lynn (Vientiane) [α91(FG3)Leu>Phe (α1) on α1-globin gene and a C deletion between codons 36 and 37 on α2-globin gene causing α(+)-thalassemia. As compared to those observed in a compound heterozygote for Hb Grey Lynn / α(0)-thalassemia reported previously, higher MCV (81.7 fL) and MCH (26.3 pg) values with a lower level of Hb Grey Lynn (19.7%) were observed in the proband. The normochromic normocytic anemia observed could be due to the interaction of Hb Grey Lynn with α(+)-thalassemia. The two mutations could be identified using PCR-RFLP and allele-specific PCR assays developed.

  10. A study of variations in the reported haemophilia B prevalence around the world.

    PubMed

    Stonebraker, J S; Bolton-Maggs, P H B; Michael Soucie, J; Walker, I; Brooker, M

    2012-05-01

    The objectives of this article were to study the reported prevalence of haemophilia B (HB) on a country-by-country basis and to analyse whether the prevalence of HB varied by national economy. The prevalence of HB is the proportion of diagnosed, reported cases of HB in a population at a specific point of time. We collected data on the HB prevalence for 105 countries from the World Federation of Hemophilia annual global surveys. Our results showed that the HB prevalence varied considerably among countries, even among the wealthiest of countries. The HB prevalence (per 100 000 males) for the highest income countries was 2.69 ± 1.61 (mean ± SD), whereas the prevalence for the rest of the world was 1.20 ± 1.33 (mean ± SD). Ireland had the highest reported HB prevalence of 8.07 per 100 000 males. There was a strong trend of increasing HB prevalence (per 100 000 males) over time. Prevalence data reported from the WFH compared well with prevalence data from the literature. The WFH annual global surveys have some limitations, but they are the best available source of worldwide haemophilia data. Prevalence data are extremely valuable information for the planning efforts of national healthcare agencies in setting priorities and allocating resources for the treatment of HB. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  11. Haptoglobin preferentially binds β but not α subunits cross-linked hemoglobin tetramers with minimal effects on ligand and redox reactions.

    PubMed

    Jia, Yiping; Wood, Francine; Buehler, Paul W; Alayash, Abdu I

    2013-01-01

    Human hemoglobin (Hb) and haptoglobin (Hp) exhibit an extremely high affinity for each other, and the dissociation of Hb tetramers into dimers is generally believed to be a prerequisite for complex formation. We have investigated Hp interactions with native Hb, αα, and ββ cross-linked Hb (ααXLHb and ββXLHb, respectively), and rapid kinetics of Hb ligand binding as well as the redox reactivity in the presence of and absence of Hp. The quaternary conformation of ββ subunit cross-linking results in a higher binding affinity than that of αα subunit cross-linked Hb. However, ββ cross-linked Hb exhibits a four fold slower association rate constant than the reaction rate of unmodified Hb with Hp. The Hp contact regions in the Hb dimer interfaces appear to be more readily exposed in ββXLHb than ααXLHb. In addition, apart from the functional changes caused by chemical modifications, Hp binding does not induce appreciable effects on the ligand binding and redox reactions of ββXLHb. Our findings may therefore be relevant to the design of safer Hb-based oxygen therapeutics by utilizing this preferential binding of ββXLHb to Hp. This may ultimately provide a safe oxidative inactivation and clearance pathway for chemically modified Hbs in circulation.

  12. Whole exome sequencing identifies novel genes for fetal hemoglobin response to hydroxyurea in children with sickle cell anemia.

    PubMed

    Sheehan, Vivien A; Crosby, Jacy R; Sabo, Aniko; Mortier, Nicole A; Howard, Thad A; Muzny, Donna M; Dugan-Perez, Shannon; Aygun, Banu; Nottage, Kerri A; Boerwinkle, Eric; Gibbs, Richard A; Ware, Russell E; Flanagan, Jonathan M

    2014-01-01

    Hydroxyurea has proven efficacy in children and adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA), but with considerable inter-individual variability in the amount of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) produced. Sibling and twin studies indicate that some of that drug response variation is heritable. To test the hypothesis that genetic modifiers influence pharmacological induction of HbF, we investigated phenotype-genotype associations using whole exome sequencing of children with SCA treated prospectively with hydroxyurea to maximum tolerated dose (MTD). We analyzed 171 unrelated patients enrolled in two prospective clinical trials, all treated with dose escalation to MTD. We examined two MTD drug response phenotypes: HbF (final %HbF minus baseline %HbF), and final %HbF. Analyzing individual genetic variants, we identified multiple low frequency and common variants associated with HbF induction by hydroxyurea. A validation cohort of 130 pediatric sickle cell patients treated to MTD with hydroxyurea was genotyped for 13 non-synonymous variants with the strongest association with HbF response to hydroxyurea in the discovery cohort. A coding variant in Spalt-like transcription factor, or SALL2, was associated with higher final HbF in this second independent replication sample and SALL2 represents an outstanding novel candidate gene for further investigation. These findings may help focus future functional studies and provide new insights into the pharmacological HbF upregulation by hydroxyurea in patients with SCA.

  13. The efficacy of noninvasive hemoglobin measurement by pulse CO-oximetry in neonates.

    PubMed

    Jung, Young Hwa; Lee, Juyoung; Kim, Han-Suk; Shin, Seung Han; Sohn, Jin A; Kim, Ee-Kyung; Choi, Jung-Hwan

    2013-01-01

    To evaluate clinical applicability of noninvasive hemoglobin (Hb) measurement with a pulse CO-oximeter in neonates. Prospective comparison study. Neonatal ICU. Fifty-six preterm and term infants with median age = 20 days (range = 1-98 days) and median weight = 1,440 g (range = 530-4,230 g). Hb measurements by Pulse CO-Oximetry (Masimo Radical-7) were recorded immediately prior to venous samplings. The collected data were compared with the corresponding venous Hb level obtained in laboratory testing, and a total of 137 data pairs were analyzed. Noninvasive Hb values measured with a pulse CO-oximeter were significantly correlated with the venous Hb levels (correlation coefficient, r = 0.758; p < 0.001). Hb values measured with a pulse CO-oximeter were higher than those measured with a laboratory hematology analyzer (13.3 ± 2.6g/dL vs. 12.5 ± 3.1g/dL). In terms of the agreement between the laboratory analyzer and the pulse CO-oximeter, 94.8% of the measurements fell within two standard deviations of the mean difference. Noninvasive Hb measurements with Pulse CO-Oximetry provide clinically acceptable accuracy, and they were significantly correlated with laboratory Hb measurement in neonates. In terms of the clinical applicability, noninvasive Hb monitoring with a pulse CO-oximeter could be useful in the early detection of Hb changes in neonates.

  14. Impact of cell-free hemoglobin on contracting skeletal muscle microvascular oxygen pressure dynamics.

    PubMed

    Ferguson, Scott K; Harral, Julie W; Pak, David I; Redinius, Katherine M; Stenmark, Kurt R; Schaer, Dominik J; Buehler, Paul W; Irwin, David C

    2018-06-01

    Free hemoglobin (Hb) associated with hemolysis extravasates into vascular tissue and depletes nitric oxide (NO), which leads to impaired vascular function and could impair skeletal muscle metabolic control during exercise. We tested the hypothesis that: 1) free Hb would extravasate into skeletal muscle tissue, reducing the contracting skeletal muscle O 2 delivery/O 2 utilization ratio (microvascular PO 2 , PO 2 mv) to a similar extent as that observed following NO synthase (NOS) blockade, and 2) that the Hb scavenging protein haptoglobin (Hp) would prevent Hb extravasation and inhibit these skeletal muscle tissue effects. PO 2 mv was measured in eight rats (phosphorescence quenching) at rest and during 180 s of electrically induced (1-Hz) twitch spinotrapezius muscle contractions (experiment 1). A second group of seven rats was also used to investigate the effects of Hb + Hp (experiment 2). For both experiments, measurements were made: 1) during control conditions, 2) following a bolus infusion of either Hb (50 mg/kg) or Hb + Hp (50 mg/kg), and 3) following local superfusion of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg). Additional experiments were completed to visualize Hb extravasation into the muscular tissue using Click chemistry techniques. There were no significant differences in the PO 2 mv observed at rest for any condition in either experiment (p > 0.05 for all). In experiment 1, both Hb and L-NAME reduced the PO 2 mv significantly during the steady-state of muscle contractions when compared to control conditions with no differences between Hb and L-NAME (control: 24 ± 1, Hb: 21 ± 1, L-NAME: 20 ± 1 mmHg, p < 0.05). In experiment 2, only L-NAME resulted in a significantly lower PO 2 mv during the steady-state of muscle contractions (control: 25 ± 1, Hb + Hp: 22 ± 2, L-NAME: 18 ± 1 mmHg, p < 0.05). Free Hb lowered the blood-myocyte O 2 driving force to a level not significantly different from L-NAME. However, infusing Hb bound to Hp resulted in no significant differences in steady-state PO 2 mv during muscle contractions when compared to control. Surprisingly, we did not observe Hb accumulation in skeletal muscle tissue. Taken together these data suggests that free Hb impairs O 2 delivery/utilization via a NO scavenging effect. Furthermore, the unchanged PO 2 mv steady-state observed following Hb + Hp further indicates that vascular compartmentalization of Hb by the scavenger protein haptoglobin may improve skeletal muscle metabolic control and potentially exercise tolerance in those afflicted with hemolytic diseases. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  15. GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR GOOD PRACTICES IN HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT UNITS.

    PubMed

    Sampietro-Colom, Laura; Lach, Krzysztof; Pasternack, Iris; Wasserfallen, Jean-Blaise; Cicchetti, Americo; Marchetti, Marco; Kidholm, Kristian; Arentz-Hansen, Helene; Rosenmöller, Magdalene; Wild, Claudia; Kahveci, Rabia; Ulst, Margus

    2015-01-01

    Health technology assessment (HTA) carried out for policy decision making has well-established principles unlike hospital-based HTA (HB-HTA), which differs from the former in the context characteristics and ways of operation. This study proposes principles for good practices in HB-HTA units. A framework for good practice criteria was built inspired by the EFQM excellence business model and information from six literature reviews, 107 face-to-face interviews, forty case studies, large-scale survey, focus group, Delphi survey, as well as local and international validation. In total, 385 people from twenty countries have participated in defining the principles for good practices in HB-HTA units. Fifteen guiding principles for good practices in HB-HTA units are grouped in four dimensions. Dimension 1 deals with principles of the assessment process aimed at providing contextualized information for hospital decision makers. Dimension 2 describes leadership, strategy and partnerships of HB-HTA units which govern and facilitate the assessment process. Dimension 3 focuses on adequate resources that ensure the operation of HB-HTA units. Dimension 4 deals with measuring the short- and long-term impact of the overall performance of HB-HTA units. Finally, nine core guiding principles were selected as essential requirements for HB-HTA units based on the expertise of the HB-HTA units participating in the project. Guiding principles for good practices set up a benchmark for HB-HTA because they represent the ideal performance of HB-HTA units; nevertheless, when performing HTA at hospital level, context also matters; therefore, they should be adapted to ensure their applicability in the local context.

  16. First reported case of Haemoglobin-M Hyde Park in a Malay family living in Malaysia.

    PubMed

    Loong, Tang Yee; Chong, Doris Lau Sie; Jamal, A Rahman A; Murad, Nor Azian Abdul; Sabudin, Raja Zahratul Azma Raja; Fun, Leong Chooi

    2016-01-01

    Haemoglobin (Hb)-M Hyde Park, also known as Hb-M Akita is a rare type of hereditary Hb M due to autosomal dominant mutation of CAC>TAC on codon 92 of β globin gene resulting in the replacement of histidine by tyrosine on β globin chain. This variant Hb has a tendency to form methaemoglobin (metHb). The iron ion in metHb is oxidized to ferric (Fe3+) which is unable to carry oxygen and the patients manifest as cyanosis clinically. A 9-year-old Malay girl was incidentally found to be cyanotic when she presented to a health clinic. Laboratory investigations revealed raised methaemoglobin levels and Hb analysis findings were consistent with Hb-M Hyde Park. β gene sequencing confirmed a point mutation of CAC>TAC on codon 92 in one of the β genes. The family study done on the individuals with cyanosis showed similar findings. A diagnosis of heterozygous Hb-M Hyde Park was made. Patients with this variant Hb usually presented with cyanosis with mild haemolysis and maybe misdiagnosed as congenital heart disease. No further treatment is needed as patients are relatively asymptomatic. Although the disease is harmless in the heterozygous carriers but the offspring of the carriers may suffer severe haemolytic anaemia when the offspring also inherit other β haemoglobinopathies/thalassemia. This can happen due to high prevalence of β thalassemia carrier (3.5-4 %) found in Malaysia. At the time of writing, this is the first case of hereditary Hb-M Hyde Park diagnosed in a Malay family living in Malaysia.

  17. Proficiency testing of Hb A1c: a 4-year experience in Taiwan and the Asian Pacific region.

    PubMed

    Shiesh, Shu-Chu; Wiedmeyer, Hsiao-Mei; Kao, Jau-Tsuen; Vasikaran, Samuel D; Lopez, Joseph B

    2009-10-01

    The correlation between hemoglobin A(1c) (Hb A(1c)) and risk for complications in diabetic patients heightens the need to measure Hb A(1c) with accuracy. We evaluated the current performance for measuring Hb A(1c) in the Asian and Pacific region by examining data submitted by laboratories participating in the Taiwan proficiency-testing program. Five fresh-pooled blood samples were sent to participating laboratories twice each year. The results were evaluated against target values assigned by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program network laboratories; a passing criterion of +/-7% of the target value was used. Measurement uncertainty at Hb A(1c) concentrations of 7.0% and 8.0% were determined. A total of 276 laboratories from 11 countries took part in the Hb A(1c) survey. At the Hb A(1c) concentrations tested method-specific interlaboratory imprecision (CVs) were 1.1%-13.9% in 2005, 1.3%-10.1% in 2006, 1.2%-8.2% in 2007, and 1.1%-6.1% in 2008. Differences between target values and median values from the commonly used methods ranged from -0.24% to 0.22% Hb A(1c) in 2008. In 2005 83% of laboratories passed the survey, and in 2008 93% passed. At 7.0% Hb A(1c), measurement uncertainty was on average 0.49% Hb A(1c). The use of accuracy-based proficiency testing with stringent quality criteria has improved the performance of Hb A(1c) testing in the Asian and Pacific laboratories during the 4 years of assessment.

  18. Quantitative neonatal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase screening: distribution, reference values, and classification by phenotype.

    PubMed

    Algur, Nurit; Avraham, Irit; Hammerman, Cathy; Kaplan, Michael

    2012-08-01

    To determine enzyme assay reference values for newborns in a Sephardic Jewish population at high risk for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Quantitative G6PD testing was performed on umbilical cord blood. The reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase, reflecting G6PD activity, was measured spectrophotometrically. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured on the same sample. G6PD activity was recorded as U/g Hb. Males (N = 1502) were separated into 2 distinct groups: those <7 U/g Hb (n = 243 [16.2%], median 0.28 U/g Hb), designated G6PD deficient, presumably hemizygotes; and those ≥ 9 U/g Hb (n = 1256 [83.8%], 18.76 U/g Hb), designated G6PD normal, presumably hemizygotes. Female (n = 1298) values were a continuum and were categorized based on the male distribution: those <7 U/g Hb (n = 81 [6.2%], 4.84 U/g Hb), G6PD deficient, probably homozogytes; those ≥ 9.5 U/g Hb, equivalent to 50% of the male normal value, (n = 1153 (88.8%), 18.36 U/g Hb), G6PD normal, probably homozygotes; and those with intermediate values (n = 64 [4.9%], 8.61 U/g Hb), probable heterozygotes. Accurate identification of the male G6PD-deficient state was possible despite high normal neonatal G6PD values. Female values were presented as a continuum preventing accurate classification but were classified based on male phenotype for practical use. Copyright © 2012 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor is present in human amniotic fluid and breast milk.

    PubMed

    Michalsky, M P; Lara-Marquez, M; Chun, L; Besner, G E

    2002-01-01

    Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family that has been implicated in the healing of various organ injuries. Endogenous HB-EGF production is upregulated in response to injury to the kidney, liver, brain, skin, and intestine. Exogenous administration of HB-EGF protects against intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and necrosis and intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study examines the presence of endogenous HB-EGF in human amniotic fluid and breast milk, fluids that are in intimate contact with the developing and neonatal gastrointestinal tract. Breast milk samples were collected from lactating women and amniotic fluid was gathered from full-term uteri (cesarian sections) or preterm uteri (amniocentesis). Crude and partially purified breast milk and amniotic fluid samples were analyzed for HB-EGF levels using an HB-EGF-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analysis results showed detectable HB-EGF levels in human amniotic fluid and breast milk, ranging from 0.2 to 230 pg/mL. Breast milk and amniotic fluid subjected to heparin affinity or HB-EGF-affinity column chromatography showed bioactivity eluting at positions consistent with those known for native HB-EGF. This study represents the first report of detectable HB-EGF in human amniotic fluid and breast milk. The presence of HB-EGF in these fluids may serve a role in the development of the gastrointestinal tract in utero, and in protection against gut mucosal injury after birth. Copyright 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company.

  20. Multicentre evaluation of the Premier Hb9210 HbA1c analyser

    PubMed Central

    John, W. Garry; Little, Randie; Sacks, David B.; Weykamp, Cas; Lenters-Westra, Erna; Hornsby, Theresa; Zhao, Zhen; Siebelder, Carla; Tennill, Alethea; English, Emma

    2017-01-01

    Background The accurate and precise quantification of HbA1c is essential for the diagnosis and routine monitoring of patients with diabetes. We report an evaluation of the Trinity Biotech Premier Hb9210 analyser (Bray, Ireland/Kansas City, US), a boronate affinity chromatography-based high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system for the measurement of glycated haemoglobin. Methods We evaluated the analytical performance of the Hb9210 as part of a multicentre evaluation. The effect of haemoglobin variants, other potential interferences and the performance in comparison to both the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) and National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) reference systems, was assessed. Most of the centres participating also act as reference laboratories for both the IFCC standardisation network for HbA1c and the NGSP. Results The combined data from all centres showed total CVs of 2.71%, 2.32% and 2.14% at low medium and high values respectively for mmol/mol (SI units) and 1.62%, 1.59% and 1.68% for % (NGSP units), which are well below the recommended upper limits of 3% CV for SI (IFCC) units and 2% CV for % (NGSP). The analyser showed a good correlation to HbA1c methods currently used in clinical practice and the IFCC reference method procedure. Haemoglobin variants AC, AS, AE and AD do not affect the measurement of HbA1c. Overall the Hb9210 performs well across the whole analytical range. Conclusions The Hb9210 performs well and is suitable for clinical application in the analysis of HbA1c. PMID:25274956

  1. A Mass Balance-Based Semiparametric Approach to Evaluate Neonatal Erythropoiesis.

    PubMed

    Kuruvilla, Denison J; Widness, John A; Nalbant, Demet; Schmidt, Robert L; Mock, Donald M; Veng-Pedersen, Peter

    2016-01-01

    Postnatal hemoglobin (Hb) production in anemic preterm infants is determined by several factors including the endogenous erythropoietin levels, allogeneic RBC transfusions administered to treat anemia, and developmental age. As a result, their postnatal Hb production rate can vary considerably. This work introduces a novel Hb mass balance-based semiparametric approach that utilizes infant blood concentrations of Hb from the first 30 postnatal days to estimate the amount of Hb produced and the erythropoiesis rate in newborn infants. The proposed method has the advantage of not relying on specific structural pharmacodynamic model assumptions to describe the Hb production, but instead utilizes simple mass balance principles and nonparametric regression analysis. The developed method was applied to the Hb data from 79 critically ill anemic very low birth weight preterm infants to evaluate the dynamic changes in erythropoiesis during the first month of life and to determine the inter-subject variability in Hb production. The estimated mean (±SD) cumulative amount of Hb produced by the infants over the first month of life was 6.6 ± 3.4 g (mean body weight, 0.768 kg), and the mean estimated body weight-scaled Hb production rate over the same period was 0.23 ± 0.12 g/day/kg. A significant positive correlation was observed between infant gestational age and the mean body weight-scaled Hb production rate over the first month of life (P < 0.05). We conclude that the proposed mathematical approach and its implementation provide a flexible framework to evaluate postnatal erythropoiesis in newborn infants.

  2. Effects of hydroxyurea treatment for patients with hemoglobin SC disease.

    PubMed

    Luchtman-Jones, Lori; Pressel, Sara; Hilliard, Lee; Brown, R Clark; Smith, Mary G; Thompson, Alexis A; Lee, Margaret T; Rothman, Jennifer; Rogers, Zora R; Owen, William; Imran, Hamayun; Thornburg, Courtney; Kwiatkowski, Janet L; Aygun, Banu; Nelson, Stephen; Roberts, Carla; Gauger, Cynthia; Piccone, Connie; Kalfa, Theodosia; Alvarez, Ofelia; Hassell, Kathryn; Davis, Barry R; Ware, Russell E

    2016-02-01

    Although hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease is usually considered less severe than sickle cell anemia (SCA), which includes HbSS and HbS/β(0) -thalassemia genotypes, many patients with HbSC experience severe disease complications, including vaso-occlusive pain, acute chest syndrome, avascular necrosis, retinopathy, and poor quality of life. Fully 20 years after the clinical and laboratory efficacy of hydroxyurea was proven in adult SCA patients, the safety and utility of hydroxyurea treatment for HbSC patients remain unclear. Recent NHLBI evidence-based guidelines highlight this as a critical knowledge gap, noting HbSC accounts for ∼30% of sickle cell patients within the United States. To date, only 5 publications have reported short-term, incomplete, or conflicting laboratory and clinical outcomes of hydroxyurea treatment in a total of 71 adults and children with HbSC. We now report on a cohort of 133 adult and pediatric HbSC patients who received hydroxyurea, typically for recurrent vaso-occlusive pain. Hydroxyurea treatment was associated with a stable hemoglobin concentration; increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV); and reduced white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and absolute reticulocyte count (ARC). Reversible cytopenias occurred in 22% of patients, primarily neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Painful events were reduced with hydroxyurea, more in patients >15 years old. These multicenter data support the safety and potentially salutary effects of hydroxyurea treatment for HbSC disease; however, a multicenter, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 clinical trial is needed to determine if hydroxyurea therapy has efficacy for patients with HbSC disease. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. Inequality in the hepatitis B awareness level in rural residents from 7 provinces in China.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Juan; Li, Quan; Wang, Jian; Zhang, Guojie; Wangen, Knut R

    2017-05-04

    The hepatitis B (HB) awareness level is an important factor affecting the rates of HB virus vaccination. To better understand income-related inequalities in the HB awareness level, it is imperative to identify the sources of inequalities and assess the contribution rates of these influential factors. This study analyzed the unequal distribution of the HB awareness level and the contributions of various influential factors. We performed a cross-sectional household survey with questionnaire-based, face-to-face interviews in 7 Chinese provinces. Responses from 7271 respondents were used in this analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used for the analysis of contributing factors, and the concentration index was used as a measure of HB awareness inequalities. The HB awareness level varied across participants with different characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression of the explanatory factors of the HB awareness level showed that several estimated coefficients and relative risk ratios were statistically significant for middle- and high-level awareness, except for sex, occupation, and household income. The concentration index of the HB knowledge score was 0.140, indicating inequality gradients disadvantageous to the poor. The contribution rate of socioeconomic factors was the largest (60.8%), followed by demographic characteristics (29.0%) and geographic factors (4.3%). Demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors are associated with the HB awareness inequality. Therefore, to reduce inequality, HB-related health education targeting individuals with low socioeconomic status should be performed. Less-developed provinces, especially with high proportions of poor residents, warrant particular attention. Our findings may be beneficial to improve the HB virus vaccination rate for individuals with low socioeconomic status.

  4. Ion mobility and clustering of sodium hydroxybenzoates in aqueous solutions: a molecular dynamics simulation study.

    PubMed

    Gujt, Jure; Podlipnik, Črtomir; Bešter-Rogač, Marija; Spohr, Eckhard

    2014-09-28

    The relative position of the hydroxylic and the carboxylic group in the isomeric hydroxybenzoate (HB) anions is known to have a large impact on transport properties of this species. It also influences crucially the self-organisation of cationic surfactants. In this article a systematic investigation of aqueous solutions of the ortho, meta, and para isomers of the HB anion is presented. Molecular dynamics simulations of all three HB isomers were conducted for two different concentrations at 298.15 K and using two separate water models. From the resulting trajectories we calculated the self-diffusion coefficient of each isomer. According to the calculated self-diffusion coefficients, isomers were ranked in the order o-HB > m-HB > p-HB at both concentrations for both the used SPC and SPC/E water models, which agrees very well with the experiment. The structural analysis revealed that at lower concentration, where the tendency for dimerisation or cluster formation is low, hydrogen bonding with water determines the mobility of the HB anion. o-HB forms the least hydrogen bonds and is therefore the most mobile, and p-HB, which forms the most hydrogen bonds with water, is the least mobile isomer. At higher concentration the formation of clusters also needs to be considered. The ortho isomer predominantly forms dimers with 2 hydrogen bonds per dimer between one OH and one carboxylate group of each anion. m-HB mostly forms clusters of sizes around 5 and p-HB forms clusters of sizes even larger than 10, which can be either rings or chains.

  5. Monitoring Cs-134 and 137 released by Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in ground, soil, and stream waters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsujimura, Maki; Onda, Yuichi; Hada, Manami; Ishwar, Pun; Abe, Yutaka

    2013-04-01

    Due to Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear power plant accident occurred in March 2011, large amount of radionuclides was released into the atmosphere and was fallen onto ground by rainfall. Few researches have monitored radioactive cesium dynamics in whole hydrological cycle system such as groundwater, soil water, spring water and stream water. Thus, the purpose of this study is to monitor concentration of radioactive cesium in those waters in time series in the headwaters. We have performed an intensive monitoring at three small mountainous catchments in Yamakiya district, Kawamata town, Fukushima prefecture, locating 35 km northwest from Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant since June 2011, also we consider the movement of radioactive cesium and its relation with the hydrological cycle.

  6. Dollar Summary of Federal Supply Classification and Service Category by Company. Part 3 (J066-S201)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-01-01

    8217 3’ O 0 Z- I-J 0 0 Q~ ,J< ,0 0 1- 1- u. cn bJb (- Q(< - f a d a U a 0 4< I- L < I 0 0 C 4 I I 0 I- 0 Z 4 0 cc I I- LA 4) w- L - 0 IU < LU 0r C) LA 2...8217 -0 00 m00 C) In0 .4 (o V~ 4t I’. V it 000 f’t m 9 4 ,. 7 𔃾 .4 Go CS 0 4 (0 Hh I .I_ . 14 _’_-_ .4 _4 -4 .4 -4. ’ 4-4 Nt r - up In 0 In o1 l0 I A u Z...m n m - Z = "r i 9. C. ¢/1 IJ Hb 0 LL r,, (a to3. Jb u- -, 0 , I -, w 0- .,1 w- 0/ x0 4) c z- =J 0 0 0 ..4 0"Z o -1 -H ... 4 go Z Z,4 € z- CA ( y 0

  7. Search for a light charged Higgs boson decaying to coverline{s} in pp collisions at √{s}=8 TeV

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khachatryan, V.; Sirunyan, A. M.; Tumasyan, A.; Adam, W.; Asilar, E.; Bergauer, T.; Brandstetter, J.; Brondolin, E.; Dragicevic, M.; Erö, J.; Flechl, M.; Friedl, M.; Frühwirth, R.; Ghete, V. M.; Hartl, C.; Hörmann, N.; Hrubec, J.; Jeitler, M.; Knünz, V.; König, A.; Krammer, M.; Krätschmer, I.; Liko, D.; Matsushita, T.; Mikulec, I.; Rabady, D.; Rahbaran, B.; Rohringer, H.; Schieck, J.; Schöfbeck, R.; Strauss, J.; Treberer-Treberspurg, W.; Waltenberger, W.; Wulz, C.-E.; Mossolov, V.; Shumeiko, N.; Suarez Gonzalez, J.; Alderweireldt, S.; Cornelis, T.; de Wolf, E. A.; Janssen, X.; Knutsson, A.; Lauwers, J.; Luyckx, S.; Rougny, R.; van de Klundert, M.; van Haevermaet, H.; van Mechelen, P.; van Remortel, N.; van Spilbeeck, A.; Abu Zeid, S.; Blekman, F.; D'Hondt, J.; Daci, N.; de Bruyn, I.; Deroover, K.; Heracleous, N.; Keaveney, J.; Lowette, S.; Moreels, L.; Olbrechts, A.; Python, Q.; Strom, D.; Tavernier, S.; van Doninck, W.; van Mulders, P.; van Onsem, G. P.; van Parijs, I.; Barria, P.; Brun, H.; Caillol, C.; Clerbaux, B.; de Lentdecker, G.; Fasanella, G.; Favart, L.; Grebenyuk, A.; Karapostoli, G.; Lenzi, T.; Léonard, A.; Maerschalk, T.; Marinov, A.; Perniè, L.; Randle-Conde, A.; Reis, T.; Seva, T.; Vander Velde, C.; Vanlaer, P.; Yonamine, R.; Zenoni, F.; Zhang, F.; Beernaert, K.; Benucci, L.; Cimmino, A.; Crucy, S.; Dobur, D.; Fagot, A.; Garcia, G.; Gul, M.; McCartin, J.; Ocampo Rios, A. A.; Poyraz, D.; Ryckbosch, D.; Salva, S.; Sigamani, M.; Strobbe, N.; Tytgat, M.; van Driessche, W.; Yazgan, E.; Zaganidis, N.; Basegmez, S.; Beluffi, C.; Bondu, O.; Brochet, S.; Bruno, G.; Caudron, A.; Ceard, L.; da Silveira, G. G.; Delaere, C.; Favart, D.; Forthomme, L.; Giammanco, A.; Hollar, J.; Jafari, A.; Jez, P.; Komm, M.; Lemaitre, V.; Mertens, A.; Nuttens, C.; Perrini, L.; Pin, A.; Piotrzkowski, K.; Popov, A.; Quertenmont, L.; Selvaggi, M.; Vidal Marono, M.; Beliy, N.; Hammad, G. H.; Aldá Júnior, W. L.; Alves, G. A.; Brito, L.; Correa Martins Junior, M.; Hamer, M.; Hensel, C.; Mora Herrera, C.; Moraes, A.; Pol, M. E.; Rebello Teles, P.; Belchior Batista Das Chagas, E.; Carvalho, W.; Chinellato, J.; Custódio, A.; da Costa, E. M.; de Jesus Damiao, D.; de Oliveira Martins, C.; Fonseca de Souza, S.; Huertas Guativa, L. M.; Malbouisson, H.; Matos Figueiredo, D.; Mundim, L.; Nogima, H.; Prado da Silva, W. L.; Santoro, A.; Sznajder, A.; Tonelli Manganote, E. J.; Vilela Pereira, A.; Ahuja, S.; Bernardes, C. A.; de Souza Santos, A.; Dogra, S.; Fernandez Perez Tomei, T. R.; Gregores, E. M.; Mercadante, P. G.; Moon, C. S.; Novaes, S. F.; Padula, Sandra S.; Romero Abad, D.; Ruiz Vargas, J. C.; Aleksandrov, A.; Hadjiiska, R.; Iaydjiev, P.; Rodozov, M.; Stoykova, S.; Sultanov, G.; Vutova, M.; Dimitrov, A.; Glushkov, I.; Litov, L.; Pavlov, B.; Petkov, P.; Ahmad, M.; Bian, J. G.; Chen, G. M.; Chen, H. S.; Chen, M.; Cheng, T.; Du, R.; Jiang, C. H.; Plestina, R.; Romeo, F.; Shaheen, S. M.; Tao, J.; Wang, C.; Wang, Z.; Zhang, H.; Asawatangtrakuldee, C.; Ban, Y.; Li, Q.; Liu, S.; Mao, Y.; Qian, S. J.; Wang, D.; Xu, Z.; Avila, C.; Cabrera, A.; Chaparro Sierra, L. F.; Florez, C.; Gomez, J. P.; Gomez Moreno, B.; Sanabria, J. C.; Godinovic, N.; Lelas, D.; Puljak, I.; Ribeiro Cipriano, P. M.; Antunovic, Z.; Kovac, M.; Brigljevic, V.; Kadija, K.; Luetic, J.; Micanovic, S.; Sudic, L.; Attikis, A.; Mavromanolakis, G.; Mousa, J.; Nicolaou, C.; Ptochos, F.; Razis, P. A.; Rykaczewski, H.; Bodlak, M.; Finger, M.; Finger, M.; Abdelalim, A. A.; Awad, A.; El Sawy, M.; Mahrous, A.; Radi, A.; Calpas, B.; Kadastik, M.; Murumaa, M.; Raidal, M.; Tiko, A.; Veelken, C.; Eerola, P.; Pekkanen, J.; Voutilainen, M.; Härkönen, J.; Karimäki, V.; Kinnunen, R.; Lampén, T.; Lassila-Perini, K.; Lehti, S.; Lindén, T.; Luukka, P.; Mäenpää, T.; Peltola, T.; Tuominen, E.; Tuominiemi, J.; Tuovinen, E.; Wendland, L.; Talvitie, J.; Tuuva, T.; Besancon, M.; Couderc, F.; Dejardin, M.; Denegri, D.; Fabbro, B.; Faure, J. L.; Favaro, C.; Ferri, F.; Ganjour, S.; Givernaud, A.; Gras, P.; Hamel de Monchenault, G.; Jarry, P.; Locci, E.; Machet, M.; Malcles, J.; Rander, J.; Rosowsky, A.; Titov, M.; Zghiche, A.; Antropov, I.; Baffioni, S.; Beaudette, F.; Busson, P.; Cadamuro, L.; Chapon, E.; Charlot, C.; Dahms, T.; Davignon, O.; Filipovic, N.; Florent, A.; Granier de Cassagnac, R.; Lisniak, S.; Mastrolorenzo, L.; Miné, P.; Naranjo, I. N.; Nguyen, M.; Ochando, C.; Ortona, G.; Paganini, P.; Pigard, P.; Regnard, S.; Salerno, R.; Sauvan, J. 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M.; Lanza, G.; Lista, L.; Meola, S.; Merola, M.; Paolucci, P.; Sciacca, C.; Thyssen, F.; Azzi, P.; Bacchetta, N.; Bellato, M.; Benato, L.; Bisello, D.; Boletti, A.; Branca, A.; Carlin, R.; Checchia, P.; Dall'Osso, M.; Dorigo, T.; Dosselli, U.; Fanzago, F.; Gasparini, F.; Gasparini, U.; Gozzelino, A.; Lacaprara, S.; Margoni, M.; Meneguzzo, A. T.; Pazzini, J.; Pozzobon, N.; Ronchese, P.; Simonetto, F.; Torassa, E.; Tosi, M.; Zanetti, M.; Zotto, P.; Zucchetta, A.; Zumerle, G.; Braghieri, A.; Magnani, A.; Montagna, P.; Ratti, S. P.; Re, V.; Riccardi, C.; Salvini, P.; Vai, I.; Vitulo, P.; Alunni Solestizi, L.; Biasini, M.; Bilei, G. M.; Ciangottini, D.; Fanò, L.; Lariccia, P.; Mantovani, G.; Menichelli, M.; Saha, A.; Santocchia, A.; Spiezia, A.; Androsov, K.; Azzurri, P.; Bagliesi, G.; Bernardini, J.; Boccali, T.; Broccolo, G.; Castaldi, R.; Ciocci, M. A.; Dell'Orso, R.; Donato, S.; Fedi, G.; Foà, L.; Giassi, A.; Grippo, M. T.; Ligabue, F.; Lomtadze, T.; Martini, L.; Messineo, A.; Palla, F.; Rizzi, A.; Savoy-Navarro, A.; Serban, A. T.; Spagnolo, P.; Squillacioti, P.; Tenchini, R.; Tonelli, G.; Venturi, A.; Verdini, P. G.; Barone, L.; Cavallari, F.; D'Imperio, G.; Del Re, D.; Diemoz, M.; Gelli, S.; Jorda, C.; Longo, E.; Margaroli, F.; Meridiani, P.; Organtini, G.; Paramatti, R.; Preiato, F.; Rahatlou, S.; Rovelli, C.; Santanastasio, F.; Traczyk, P.; Amapane, N.; Arcidiacono, R.; Argiro, S.; Arneodo, M.; Bellan, R.; Biino, C.; Cartiglia, N.; Costa, M.; Covarelli, R.; Degano, A.; Demaria, N.; Finco, L.; Kiani, B.; Mariotti, C.; Maselli, S.; Migliore, E.; Monaco, V.; Monteil, E.; Musich, M.; Obertino, M. M.; Pacher, L.; Pastrone, N.; Pelliccioni, M.; Pinna Angioni, G. 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V.; Vinogradov, A.; Baskakov, A.; Belyaev, A.; Boos, E.; Bunichev, V.; Dubinin, M.; Dudko, L.; Ershov, A.; Klyukhin, V.; Kodolova, O.; Lokhtin, I.; Myagkov, I.; Obraztsov, S.; Petrushanko, S.; Savrin, V.; Snigirev, A.; Azhgirey, I.; Bayshev, I.; Bitioukov, S.; Kachanov, V.; Kalinin, A.; Konstantinov, D.; Krychkine, V.; Petrov, V.; Ryutin, R.; Sobol, A.; Tourtchanovitch, L.; Troshin, S.; Tyurin, N.; Uzunian, A.; Volkov, A.; Adzic, P.; Ekmedzic, M.; Milosevic, J.; Rekovic, V.; Alcaraz Maestre, J.; Calvo, E.; Cerrada, M.; Chamizo Llatas, M.; Colino, N.; de La Cruz, B.; Delgado Peris, A.; Domínguez Vázquez, D.; Escalante Del Valle, A.; Fernandez Bedoya, C.; Fernández Ramos, J. P.; Flix, J.; Fouz, M. C.; Garcia-Abia, P.; Gonzalez Lopez, O.; Goy Lopez, S.; Hernandez, J. M.; Josa, M. I.; Navarro de Martino, E.; Pérez-Calero Yzquierdo, A.; Puerta Pelayo, J.; Quintario Olmeda, A.; Redondo, I.; Romero, L.; Santaolalla, J.; Soares, M. S.; Albajar, C.; de Trocóniz, J. 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A.; Casal, B.; Dissertori, G.; Dittmar, M.; Donegà, M.; Eller, P.; Grab, C.; Heidegger, C.; Hits, D.; Hoss, J.; Kasieczka, G.; Lustermann, W.; Mangano, B.; Marionneau, M.; Martinez Ruiz Del Arbol, P.; Masciovecchio, M.; Meister, D.; Micheli, F.; Musella, P.; Nessi-Tedaldi, F.; Pandolfi, F.; Pata, J.; Pauss, F.; Perrozzi, L.; Quittnat, M.; Rossini, M.; Starodumov, A.; Takahashi, M.; Tavolaro, V. R.; Theofilatos, K.; Wallny, R.; Aarrestad, T. K.; Amsler, C.; Caminada, L.; Canelli, M. F.; Chiochia, V.; de Cosa, A.; Galloni, C.; Hinzmann, A.; Hreus, T.; Kilminster, B.; Lange, C.; Ngadiuba, J.; Pinna, D.; Robmann, P.; Ronga, F. J.; Salerno, D.; Yang, Y.; Cardaci, M.; Chen, K. H.; Doan, T. H.; Jain, Sh.; Khurana, R.; Konyushikhin, M.; Kuo, C. M.; Lin, W.; Lu, Y. J.; Yu, S. S.; Kumar, Arun; Bartek, R.; Chang, P.; Chang, Y. H.; Chang, Y. W.; Chao, Y.; Chen, K. F.; Chen, P. H.; Dietz, C.; Fiori, F.; Grundler, U.; Hou, W.-S.; Hsiung, Y.; Liu, Y. F.; Lu, R.-S.; Miñano Moya, M.; Petrakou, E.; Tsai, J. F.; Tzeng, Y. M.; Asavapibhop, B.; Kovitanggoon, K.; Singh, G.; Srimanobhas, N.; Suwonjandee, N.; Adiguzel, A.; Bakirci, M. N.; Cerci, S.; Demiroglu, Z. S.; Dozen, C.; Dumanoglu, I.; Eskut, E.; Girgis, S.; Gokbulut, G.; Guler, Y.; Gurpinar, E.; Hos, I.; Kangal, E. E.; Onengut, G.; Ozdemir, K.; Polatoz, A.; Sunar Cerci, D.; Vergili, M.; Zorbilmez, C.; Akin, I. V.; Bilin, B.; Bilmis, S.; Isildak, B.; Karapinar, G.; Yalvac, M.; Zeyrek, M.; Albayrak, E. A.; Gülmez, E.; Kaya, M.; Kaya, O.; Yetkin, T.; Cankocak, K.; Sen, S.; Vardarlı, F. I.; Grynyov, B.; Levchuk, L.; Sorokin, P.; Aggleton, R.; Ball, F.; Beck, L.; Brooke, J. J.; Clement, E.; Cussans, D.; Flacher, H.; Goldstein, J.; Grimes, M.; Heath, G. P.; Heath, H. F.; Jacob, J.; Kreczko, L.; Lucas, C.; Meng, Z.; Newbold, D. M.; Paramesvaran, S.; Poll, A.; Sakuma, T.; Seif El Nasr-Storey, S.; Senkin, S.; Smith, D.; Smith, V. J.; Bell, K. W.; Belyaev, A.; Brew, C.; Brown, R. M.; Cieri, D.; Cockerill, D. J. A.; Coughlan, J. A.; Harder, K.; Harper, S.; Olaiya, E.; Petyt, D.; Shepherd-Themistocleous, C. H.; Thea, A.; Tomalin, I. R.; Williams, T.; Womersley, W. J.; Worm, S. D.; Baber, M.; Bainbridge, R.; Buchmuller, O.; Bundock, A.; Burton, D.; Casasso, S.; Citron, M.; Colling, D.; Corpe, L.; Cripps, N.; Dauncey, P.; Davies, G.; de Wit, A.; Della Negra, M.; Dunne, P.; Elwood, A.; Ferguson, W.; Fulcher, J.; Futyan, D.; Hall, G.; Iles, G.; Kenzie, M.; Lane, R.; Lucas, R.; Lyons, L.; Magnan, A.-M.; Malik, S.; Nash, J.; Nikitenko, A.; Pela, J.; Pesaresi, M.; Petridis, K.; Raymond, D. M.; Richards, A.; Rose, A.; Seez, C.; Tapper, A.; Uchida, K.; Vazquez Acosta, M.; Virdee, T.; Zenz, S. C.; Cole, J. E.; Hobson, P. R.; Khan, A.; Kyberd, P.; Leggat, D.; Leslie, D.; Reid, I. D.; Symonds, P.; Teodorescu, L.; Turner, M.; Borzou, A.; Call, K.; Dittmann, J.; Hatakeyama, K.; Kasmi, A.; Liu, H.; Pastika, N.; Charaf, O.; Cooper, S. I.; Henderson, C.; Rumerio, P.; Avetisyan, A.; Bose, T.; Fantasia, C.; Gastler, D.; Lawson, P.; Rankin, D.; Richardson, C.; Rohlf, J.; St. John, J.; Sulak, L.; Zou, D.; Alimena, J.; Berry, E.; Bhattacharya, S.; Cutts, D.; Dhingra, N.; Ferapontov, A.; Garabedian, A.; Hakala, J.; Heintz, U.; Laird, E.; Landsberg, G.; Mao, Z.; Narain, M.; Piperov, S.; Sagir, S.; Sinthuprasith, T.; Syarif, R.; Breedon, R.; Breto, G.; Calderon de La Barca Sanchez, M.; Chauhan, S.; Chertok, M.; Conway, J.; Conway, R.; Cox, P. T.; Erbacher, R.; Gardner, M.; Ko, W.; Lander, R.; Mulhearn, M.; Pellett, D.; Pilot, J.; Ricci-Tam, F.; Shalhout, S.; Smith, J.; Squires, M.; Stolp, D.; Tripathi, M.; Wilbur, S.; Yohay, R.; Cousins, R.; Everaerts, P.; Farrell, C.; Hauser, J.; Ignatenko, M.; Saltzberg, D.; Takasugi, E.; Valuev, V.; Weber, M.; Burt, K.; Clare, R.; Ellison, J.; Gary, J. W.; Hanson, G.; Heilman, J.; Ivova Paneva, M.; Jandir, P.; Kennedy, E.; Lacroix, F.; Long, O. R.; Luthra, A.; Malberti, M.; Olmedo Negrete, M.; Shrinivas, A.; Wei, H.; Wimpenny, S.; Yates, B. R.; Branson, J. G.; Cerati, G. B.; Cittolin, S.; D'Agnolo, R. T.; Holzner, A.; Kelley, R.; Klein, D.; Letts, J.; MacNeill, I.; Olivito, D.; Padhi, S.; Pieri, M.; Sani, M.; Sharma, V.; Simon, S.; Tadel, M.; Vartak, A.; Wasserbaech, S.; Welke, C.; Würthwein, F.; Yagil, A.; Zevi Della Porta, G.; Barge, D.; Bradmiller-Feld, J.; Campagnari, C.; Dishaw, A.; Dutta, V.; Flowers, K.; Franco Sevilla, M.; Geffert, P.; George, C.; Golf, F.; Gouskos, L.; Gran, J.; Incandela, J.; Justus, C.; McColl, N.; Mullin, S. D.; Richman, J.; Stuart, D.; Suarez, I.; To, W.; West, C.; Yoo, J.; Anderson, D.; Apresyan, A.; Bornheim, A.; Bunn, J.; Chen, Y.; Duarte, J.; Mott, A.; Newman, H. B.; Pena, C.; Pierini, M.; Spiropulu, M.; Vlimant, J. R.; Xie, S.; Zhu, R. Y.; Andrews, M. B.; Azzolini, V.; Calamba, A.; Carlson, B.; Ferguson, T.; Paulini, M.; Russ, J.; Sun, M.; Vogel, H.; Vorobiev, I.; Cumalat, J. P.; Ford, W. T.; Gaz, A.; Jensen, F.; Johnson, A.; Krohn, M.; Mulholland, T.; Nauenberg, U.; Stenson, K.; Wagner, S. R.; Alexander, J.; Chatterjee, A.; Chaves, J.; Chu, J.; Dittmer, S.; Eggert, N.; Mirman, N.; Nicolas Kaufman, G.; Patterson, J. R.; Rinkevicius, A.; Ryd, A.; Skinnari, L.; Soffi, L.; Sun, W.; Tan, S. M.; Teo, W. D.; Thom, J.; Thompson, J.; Tucker, J.; Weng, Y.; Wittich, P.; Abdullin, S.; Albrow, M.; Anderson, J.; Apollinari, G.; Banerjee, S.; Bauerdick, L. A. T.; Beretvas, A.; Berryhill, J.; Bhat, P. C.; Bolla, G.; Burkett, K.; Butler, J. N.; Cheung, H. W. K.; Chlebana, F.; Cihangir, S.; Elvira, V. D.; Fisk, I.; Freeman, J.; Gottschalk, E.; Gray, L.; Green, D.; Grünendahl, S.; Gutsche, O.; Hanlon, J.; Hare, D.; Harris, R. M.; Hasegawa, S.; Hirschauer, J.; Hu, Z.; Jindariani, S.; Johnson, M.; Joshi, U.; Jung, A. W.; Klima, B.; Kreis, B.; Kwan, S.; Lammel, S.; Linacre, J.; Lincoln, D.; Lipton, R.; Liu, T.; Lopes de Sá, R.; Lykken, J.; Maeshima, K.; Marraffino, J. M.; Martinez Outschoorn, V. I.; Maruyama, S.; Mason, D.; McBride, P.; Merkel, P.; Mishra, K.; Mrenna, S.; Nahn, S.; Newman-Holmes, C.; O'Dell, V.; Pedro, K.; Prokofyev, O.; Rakness, G.; Sexton-Kennedy, E.; Soha, A.; Spalding, W. J.; Spiegel, L.; Taylor, L.; Tkaczyk, S.; Tran, N. V.; Uplegger, L.; Vaandering, E. W.; Vernieri, C.; Verzocchi, M.; Vidal, R.; Weber, H. A.; Whitbeck, A.; Yang, F.; Acosta, D.; Avery, P.; Bortignon, P.; Bourilkov, D.; Carnes, A.; Carver, M.; Curry, D.; Das, S.; di Giovanni, G. P.; Field, R. D.; Furic, I. K.; Hugon, J.; Konigsberg, J.; Korytov, A.; Low, J. F.; Ma, P.; Matchev, K.; Mei, H.; Milenovic, P.; Mitselmakher, G.; Rank, D.; Rossin, R.; Shchutska, L.; Snowball, M.; Sperka, D.; Terentyev, N.; Thomas, L.; Wang, J.; Wang, S.; Yelton, J.; Hewamanage, S.; Linn, S.; Markowitz, P.; Martinez, G.; Rodriguez, J. L.; Ackert, A.; Adams, J. R.; Adams, T.; Askew, A.; Bochenek, J.; Diamond, B.; Haas, J.; Hagopian, S.; Hagopian, V.; Johnson, K. F.; Khatiwada, A.; Prosper, H.; Weinberg, M.; Baarmand, M. M.; Bhopatkar, V.; Hohlmann, M.; Kalakhety, H.; Noonan, D.; Roy, T.; Yumiceva, F.; Adams, M. R.; Apanasevich, L.; Berry, D.; Betts, R. R.; Bucinskaite, I.; Cavanaugh, R.; Evdokimov, O.; Gauthier, L.; Gerber, C. E.; Hofman, D. J.; Kurt, P.; O'Brien, C.; Sandoval Gonzalez, I. D.; Silkworth, C.; Turner, P.; Varelas, N.; Wu, Z.; Zakaria, M.; Bilki, B.; Clarida, W.; Dilsiz, K.; Durgut, S.; Gandrajula, R. P.; Haytmyradov, M.; Khristenko, V.; Merlo, J.-P.; Mermerkaya, H.; Mestvirishvili, A.; Moeller, A.; Nachtman, J.; Ogul, H.; Onel, Y.; Ozok, F.; Penzo, A.; Snyder, C.; Tan, P.; Tiras, E.; Wetzel, J.; Yi, K.; Anderson, I.; Barnett, B. A.; Blumenfeld, B.; Eminizer, N.; Fehling, D.; Feng, L.; Gritsan, A. V.; Maksimovic, P.; Martin, C.; Osherson, M.; Roskes, J.; Sady, A.; Sarica, U.; Swartz, M.; Xiao, M.; Xin, Y.; You, C.; Baringer, P.; Bean, A.; Benelli, G.; Bruner, C.; Kenny, R. P.; Majumder, D.; Malek, M.; Murray, M.; Sanders, S.; Stringer, R.; Wang, Q.; Ivanov, A.; Kaadze, K.; Khalil, S.; Makouski, M.; Maravin, Y.; Mohammadi, A.; Saini, L. K.; Skhirtladze, N.; Toda, S.; Lange, D.; Rebassoo, F.; Wright, D.; Anelli, C.; Baden, A.; Baron, O.; Belloni, A.; Calvert, B.; Eno, S. C.; Ferraioli, C.; Gomez, J. A.; Hadley, N. J.; Jabeen, S.; Kellogg, R. G.; Kolberg, T.; Kunkle, J.; Lu, Y.; Mignerey, A. C.; Shin, Y. H.; Skuja, A.; Tonjes, M. B.; Tonwar, S. C.; Apyan, A.; Barbieri, R.; Baty, A.; Bierwagen, K.; Brandt, S.; Busza, W.; Cali, I. A.; Demiragli, Z.; Di Matteo, L.; Gomez Ceballos, G.; Goncharov, M.; Gulhan, D.; Iiyama, Y.; Innocenti, G. M.; Klute, M.; Kovalskyi, D.; Lai, Y. S.; Lee, Y.-J.; Levin, A.; Luckey, P. D.; Marini, A. C.; McGinn, C.; Mironov, C.; Niu, X.; Paus, C.; Ralph, D.; Roland, C.; Roland, G.; Salfeld-Nebgen, J.; Stephans, G. S. F.; Sumorok, K.; Varma, M.; Velicanu, D.; Veverka, J.; Wang, J.; Wang, T. W.; Wyslouch, B.; Yang, M.; Zhukova, V.; Dahmes, B.; Evans, A.; Finkel, A.; Gude, A.; Hansen, P.; Kalafut, S.; Kao, S. C.; Klapoetke, K.; Kubota, Y.; Lesko, Z.; Mans, J.; Nourbakhsh, S.; Ruckstuhl, N.; Rusack, R.; Tambe, N.; Turkewitz, J.; Acosta, J. G.; Oliveros, S.; Avdeeva, E.; Bloom, K.; Bose, S.; Claes, D. R.; Dominguez, A.; Fangmeier, C.; Gonzalez Suarez, R.; Kamalieddin, R.; Keller, J.; Knowlton, D.; Kravchenko, I.; Lazo-Flores, J.; Meier, F.; Monroy, J.; Ratnikov, F.; Siado, J. E.; Snow, G. R.; Alyari, M.; Dolen, J.; George, J.; Godshalk, A.; Harrington, C.; Iashvili, I.; Kaisen, J.; Kharchilava, A.; Kumar, A.; Rappoccio, S.; Alverson, G.; Barberis, E.; Baumgartel, D.; Chasco, M.; Hortiangtham, A.; Massironi, A.; Morse, D. M.; Nash, D.; Orimoto, T.; Teixeira de Lima, R.; Trocino, D.; Wang, R.-J.; Wood, D.; Zhang, J.; Hahn, K. A.; Kubik, A.; Mucia, N.; Odell, N.; Pollack, B.; Pozdnyakov, A.; Schmitt, M.; Stoynev, S.; Sung, K.; Trovato, M.; Velasco, M.; Brinkerhoff, A.; Dev, N.; Hildreth, M.; Jessop, C.; Karmgard, D. J.; Kellams, N.; Lannon, K.; Lynch, S.; Marinelli, N.; Meng, F.; Mueller, C.; Musienko, Y.; Pearson, T.; Planer, M.; Reinsvold, A.; Ruchti, R.; Smith, G.; Taroni, S.; Valls, N.; Wayne, M.; Wolf, M.; Woodard, A.; Antonelli, L.; Brinson, J.; Bylsma, B.; Durkin, L. S.; Flowers, S.; Hart, A.; Hill, C.; Hughes, R.; Ji, W.; Kotov, K.; Ling, T. Y.; Liu, B.; Luo, W.; Puigh, D.; Rodenburg, M.; Winer, B. L.; Wulsin, H. W.; Driga, O.; Elmer, P.; Hardenbrook, J.; Hebda, P.; Koay, S. A.; Lujan, P.; Marlow, D.; Medvedeva, T.; Mooney, M.; Olsen, J.; Palmer, C.; Piroué, P.; Quan, X.; Saka, H.; Stickland, D.; Tully, C.; Werner, J. S.; Zuranski, A.; Malik, S.; Barnes, V. E.; Benedetti, D.; Bortoletto, D.; Gutay, L.; Jha, M. K.; Jones, M.; Jung, K.; Miller, D. H.; Neumeister, N.; Radburn-Smith, B. C.; Shi, X.; Shipsey, I.; Silvers, D.; Sun, J.; Svyatkovskiy, A.; Wang, F.; Xie, W.; Xu, L.; Parashar, N.; Stupak, J.; Adair, A.; Akgun, B.; Chen, Z.; Ecklund, K. M.; Geurts, F. J. M.; Guilbaud, M.; Li, W.; Michlin, B.; Northup, M.; Padley, B. P.; Redjimi, R.; Roberts, J.; Rorie, J.; Tu, Z.; Zabel, J.; Betchart, B.; Bodek, A.; de Barbaro, P.; Demina, R.; Eshaq, Y.; Ferbel, T.; Galanti, M.; Garcia-Bellido, A.; Han, J.; Harel, A.; Hindrichs, O.; Khukhunaishvili, A.; Petrillo, G.; Verzetti, M.; Demortier, L.; Arora, S.; Barker, A.; Chou, J. P.; Contreras-Campana, C.; Contreras-Campana, E.; Duggan, D.; Ferencek, D.; Gershtein, Y.; Gray, R.; Halkiadakis, E.; Hidas, D.; Hughes, E.; Kaplan, S.; Kunnawalkam Elayavalli, R.; Lath, A.; Nash, K.; Panwalkar, S.; Park, M.; Salur, S.; Schnetzer, S.; Sheffield, D.; Somalwar, S.; Stone, R.; Thomas, S.; Thomassen, P.; Walker, M.; Foerster, M.; Riley, G.; Rose, K.; Spanier, S.; York, A.; Bouhali, O.; Castaneda Hernandez, A.; Dalchenko, M.; de Mattia, M.; Delgado, A.; Dildick, S.; Eusebi, R.; Flanagan, W.; Gilmore, J.; Kamon, T.; Krutelyov, V.; Mueller, R.; Osipenkov, I.; Pakhotin, Y.; Patel, R.; Perloff, A.; Rose, A.; Safonov, A.; Tatarinov, A.; Ulmer, K. A.; Akchurin, N.; Cowden, C.; Damgov, J.; Dragoiu, C.; Dudero, P. R.; Faulkner, J.; Kunori, S.; Lamichhane, K.; Lee, S. W.; Libeiro, T.; Undleeb, S.; Volobouev, I.; Appelt, E.; Delannoy, A. G.; Greene, S.; Gurrola, A.; Janjam, R.; Johns, W.; Maguire, C.; Mao, Y.; Melo, A.; Ni, H.; Sheldon, P.; Snook, B.; Tuo, S.; Velkovska, J.; Xu, Q.; Arenton, M. W.; Boutle, S.; Cox, B.; Francis, B.; Goodell, J.; Hirosky, R.; Ledovskoy, A.; Li, H.; Lin, C.; Neu, C.; Sun, X.; Wang, Y.; Wolfe, E.; Wood, J.; Xia, F.; Clarke, C.; Harr, R.; Karchin, P. E.; Kottachchi Kankanamge Don, C.; Lamichhane, P.; Sturdy, J.; Belknap, D. A.; Carlsmith, D.; Cepeda, M.; Christian, A.; Dasu, S.; Dodd, L.; Duric, S.; Friis, E.; Gomber, B.; Grothe, M.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Herndon, M.; Hervé, A.; Klabbers, P.; Lanaro, A.; Levine, A.; Long, K.; Loveless, R.; Mohapatra, A.; Ojalvo, I.; Perry, T.; Pierro, G. A.; Polese, G.; Ruggles, T.; Sarangi, T.; Savin, A.; Sharma, A.; Smith, N.; Smith, W. H.; Taylor, D.; Woods, N.

    2015-12-01

    A search for a light charged Higgs boson, originating from the decay of a top quark and subsequently decaying into a charm quark and a strange antiquark, is presented. The data used in the analysis correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb-1 recorded in proton-proton collisions at √{s}=8 TeV by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The search is performed in the process toverline{t}to {W}^{± }{bH}^{∓}overline{b} , where the W boson decays to a lepton (electron or muon) and a neutrino. The decays lead to a final state comprising an isolated lepton, at least four jets and large missing transverse energy. No significant deviation is observed in the data with respect to the standard model predictions, and model-independent upper limits are set on the branching fraction B(tto {H}+b) , ranging from 1.2 to 6.5% for a charged Higgs boson with mass between 90 and 160 GeV, under the assumption that B({H}+to cs)=100% . [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  8. Hb Alesha [beta67(E11)Val-->Met, GTG-->ATG] in an Argentinean girl.

    PubMed

    Eberle, Silvia Eandi; Noguera, Nélida I; Sciuccati, Gabriela; Bonduel, Mariana; Díaz, Lilian; Staciuk, Raquel; Targovnik, Héctor M; Feliu-Torres, Aurora

    2007-01-01

    Hb Alesha is caused by a GTG-->ATG mutation at codon 67 of the beta-globin gene, resulting in abnormal beta-globin chains in which the normal beta67(E11) valine is changed to methionine. This hemoglobin (Hb) is also known as Hb Bristol, the first unstable Hb described, since in a fraction of the variant the methionine is modified into an aspartic acid by a posttranslational modification. This replacement disrupts the apolar bonds between the valine and the heme group, producing an unstable Hb and severe hemolysis. We have identified this rare hemoglobinopathy in an Argentinean girl with severe hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly and frequent requirement for red blood cell transfusions.

  9. Heterozygous Hb Hope [beta136(H14)Gly --> Asp] in association with heterozygous beta0-thalassemia with apparent homozygous expression, in a Spanish patient.

    PubMed

    Beneitez, David; Carrera, Alícia; Duran-Suárez, Joan Ramón; Paz, Victoria; León, Antonio; García Talavera, Juan

    2006-01-01

    Hb Hope [beta136(H14)Gly --> Asp (GGT --> GAT)] has been found alone or in combination with other globin gene mutations in several African-American families, as well as in Japanese, Thai, Laotian, Cuban and Mauritanian families. We report the hematological and molecular characteristics of a heterozygous association of Hb Hope with beta0-thalassemia (thal) in a Spanish patient, in whom the level of expression of abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) by cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrophoresis suggested initially a homozygous expression of the abnormal Hb, although sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified beta-globin gene demonstrated a heterozygous genotype for Hb Hope. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a case of Hb Hope in a Spanish family.

  10. The conceptual structure of hwa-byung in middle-aged Korean women.

    PubMed

    Park, Young-Joo; Kim, Hesook Suzie; Schwartz-Barcott, Donna; Kim, Jong-Woo

    2002-06-01

    The term hwa-byung (HB) as a culture-bound syndrome of Koreans has been used to refer to certain types of symptom complexes. However, there is an ambiguity in relation to what sorts of experiences and personal attributes can be identified for describing HB. Our study was designed to reexamine the conceptual structure of HB through a qualitative analysis of interview data with six middle-aged women experiencing HB. The emerging common themes of HB were identified in three dimensions: (a) those related to personal attributes or life situations such as quick-temperedness, strong commitment to traditional values, a hard or unhappy life, and conflicted marital relationship; (b) those related to experiential accounts such as deep sorrow (hahn in Korean), a feeling of victimization, anger, and enduring; and (c) HB symptoms. "Enduring" as one of the core concepts of HB viewed as the only way of life for these women needs further examination.

  11. [Frequency of hemoglobin abnormalities and hemoglobinopathies in Mozambique peoples (comparison between leprosy and non-leprosy subjects].

    PubMed

    Nowicki, L; Behnken, L; Martin, H

    1975-11-01

    In 588 bloodsamples of negride natives from Moçambique, preferably Chuabo and Macua, haemoglobin analyses were performed. In 21 cases an increase of Hb A2 was found, indicating the presence of heterozygous beta-thalassaemia, in one case the changes in Hb-analysis were typical for beta-delta-thalassaemia, 18 samples could be shown to contain Hb S, typical for the heterozygous sickle cell trait. Futhermore in 7 cases Hb A2' was found. In two bloodsamples haemoglobin variants were observed, which according to their electrophoretical mobility were assumed to represent Hb D in one case, and Hb G in the other. In the Chuabo population the frequency of the thalassaemia gene was found to be more than twice as high as in the Macua population. In non-lepers Hb S was observed with a remarkable higher incidence than in lepers.

  12. High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of human haemoglobins. Simultaneous quantitation of foetal and glycated haemoglobins.

    PubMed

    Bisse, E; Wieland, H

    1988-12-29

    A high-performance liquid chromatographic system, which uses a weak cation exchanger (PolyCATA) together with Bis-Tris buffer (pH 6.47-7.0) and sodium acetate gradients, is described. Samples from adults and newborns were analysed and a clean separation of many minor and major normal and abnormal haemoglobin (Hb) variants was greatly improved. The method allows the separation of minor foetal haemoglobin (HbF) variants and the simultaneous quantitation of HbF and glycated HbA. HbF values correlated well with those obtained by the alkali denaturation method (r = 0.997). The glycated haemoglobin (HbAIc) levels measured in patients with high HbF concentrations correlated with the total glycated haemoglobin determined by bioaffinity chromatography (r = 0.973). The procedure is useful for diagnostic applications and affords an effective and sensitive way of examining blood samples for haemoglobin abnormalities.

  13. Detection of Hemoglobin New York [β113 (G15) Val→Glu, GTG>GAG] in a Thai Woman by Capillary Electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Panyasai, Sitthichai; Pornprasert, Sakorn

    2016-12-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) New York [β113 (G15) Val→Glu, GTG>GAG] is a very rare β-chain variant found in Thailand. This variant is often missed by routine laboratory testing because Hb New York and Hb A have the identical retention time on high performance liquid chromatography. We reported here for the first time that the detection of Hb New York in a Thai woman by using capillary electrophoresis (CE). A peak of Hb New York located ahead of Hb A at the electrophoretic zone 11 with a level of 42.8 %. The DNA sequencing revealed the GTG>GAG mutation at codon 113 for Hb New York on one allele of β-globin gene. Therefore, the CE has a high efficiency to prevent the misinterpretation of hemoglobin analysis in patients who are heterozygote of this variant.

  14. Tuning the pH-shift protein-isolation method for maximum hemoglobin-removal from blood rich fish muscle.

    PubMed

    Abdollahi, Mehdi; Marmon, Sofia; Chaijan, Manat; Undeland, Ingrid

    2016-12-01

    A main challenge preventing optimal use of protein isolated from unconventional raw materials (e.g., small pelagic fish and fish by-products) using the pH-shift method is the difficulty to remove enough heme-pigments. Here, the distribution of hemoglobin (Hb) in the different fractions formed during pH-shift processing was studied using Hb-fortified cod mince. Process modifications, additives and prewashing were then investigated to further facilitate Hb-removal. The alkaline pH-shift process version could remove considerably more Hb (77%) compared to the acidic version (37%) when proteins were precipitated at pH 5.5; most Hb was removed during dewatering. Protein precipitation at pH 6.5 improved total Hb removal up to 91% and 74% during alkaline and acid processing, respectively. Adding phytic acid to the first supernatant of the alkaline process version yielded 93% Hb removal. Combining one prewash with phytic acid at pH 5.5 followed by alkaline/acid pH-shift processing increased Hb removal up to 96/92%. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Hb Dartmouth (HBA2: c.200T>C): An α2-Globin Gene Associated with Hb H Disease in One Homozygous Patient.

    PubMed

    Farashi, Samaneh; Faramarzi Garous, Negin; Ashki, Mehri; Vakili, Shadi; Zeinali, Fatemah; Imanian, Hashem; Azarkeivan, Azita; Najmabadi, Hossein

    2015-01-01

    Hb H (β4) disease is caused by deletion or inactivation of three out of four α-globin genes. A high incidence of Hb H disease has been reported all over the world. There is a wide spectrum of phenotypic presentations, from clinically asymptomatic to having significant hepatosplenomegaly and requiring occasional or even regular blood transfusions, even more severe anemia, Hb Bart's (γ4) hydrops fetalis syndrome that can cause death in the affected fetuses late in gestation. We here present a case who was diagnosed with Hb H disease that represents a new genotype for this hereditary disorder. Hb Dartmouth is a variant caused by a missense mutation at codon 66 of the α2-globin gene (HBA2: c.200T>C), resulting in the substitution of leucine by proline. We here emphasize the importance of this point mutation involving Hb H disease and also the necessity for prenatal diagnosis (PND) for those who carry this point mutation in the heterozygous state.

  16. Structural basis for ligand and innate immunity factor uptake by the trypanosome haptoglobin-haemoglobin receptor.

    PubMed

    Lane-Serff, Harriet; MacGregor, Paula; Lowe, Edward D; Carrington, Mark; Higgins, Matthew K

    2014-12-12

    The haptoglobin-haemoglobin receptor (HpHbR) of African trypanosomes allows acquisition of haem and provides an uptake route for trypanolytic factor-1, a mediator of innate immunity against trypanosome infection. In this study, we report the structure of Trypanosoma brucei HpHbR in complex with human haptoglobin-haemoglobin (HpHb), revealing an elongated ligand-binding site that extends along its membrane distal half. This contacts haptoglobin and the β-subunit of haemoglobin, showing how the receptor selectively binds HpHb over individual components. Lateral mobility of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored HpHbR, and a ∼50° kink in the receptor, allows two receptors to simultaneously bind one HpHb dimer. Indeed, trypanosomes take up dimeric HpHb at significantly lower concentrations than monomeric HpHb, due to increased ligand avidity that comes from bivalent binding. The structure therefore reveals the molecular basis for ligand and innate immunity factor uptake by trypanosomes and identifies adaptations that allow efficient ligand uptake in the context of the complex trypanosome cell surface.

  17. Accuracy of capillary blood 3-β-hydroxybutyrate determination for the detection and treatment of canine diabetic ketoacidosis.

    PubMed

    Bresciani, Francesca; Pietra, Marco; Corradini, Sara; Giunti, Massimo; Fracassi, Federico

    2014-01-01

    In human medicine, diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is usually based on measurement of capillary 3-β-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) with a hand held ketone sensor. This study was conducted to determine if measurement of capillary 3-HB could be useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of canine DKA. Fifteen dogs with diabetic ketosis and 10 with DKA were evaluated. Paired measurements of 3-HB of capillary and venous blood samples were analysed by the electrochemical sensor and reference method. Use of capillary 3-HB measurement during DKA management was then evaluated through simultaneous measurements of capillary 3-HB, urinary AcAc and venous blood gas analysis. Good agreement between capillary and venous 3-HB measurement was detected by the electrochemical sensor and reference method. Monitoring treatment of DKA revealed a significant correlation between capillary 3-HB and acidosis markers, while no significant correlation was observed between AcAc and acidosis markers. A cut-off value of capillary blood 3-HB > 3.8 mmol/L for diagnosis of DKA resulted in 70% and 92% sensitivity and specificity. The electrochemical sensor accurately measures 3-HB concentration in both capillary and venous blood samples, is accurate in diagnosing canine DKA, and appears to reflect the patient's metabolic status during DKA treatment.

  18. Thalassemia and Hemoglobin E in Southern Thai Blood Donors

    PubMed Central

    Kruachan, Kwanta; Sengking, Warachaya; Horpet, Dararat; Sungyuan, Ubol

    2014-01-01

    Thalassemia and hemoglobin E (Hb E) are common in Thailand. Individuals with thalassemia trait usually have a normal hemoglobin concentration or mild anemia. Therefore, thalassemic individuals who have minimum acceptable Hb level may be accepted as blood donors. This study was aimed at determining the frequency of α-thalassemia 1 trait, β-thalassemia trait, and Hb E-related syndromes in Southern Thai blood donors. One hundred and sixteen voluntary blood donors, Southern Thailand origin, were recruited for thalassemia and Hb E screening by red blood cell indices/dichlorophenolindophenol precipitation test. β-Thalassemia and Hb E were then identified by high performance liquid chromatography and 4 common α-thalassemia deletions were characterized by a single tube-multiplex gap-polymerase chain reaction. Overall frequency of hemoglobinopathies was 12.9%, classified as follows: homozygous α-thalassemia 2 (1.7%), heterozygous α-thalassemia 1 (1.7%), heterozygous β-thalassemia without α-thalassemia (0.9%), heterozygous Hb E without α-thalassemia (5.2%), double heterozygotes for Hb E/α-thalassemia 1 (1.7%), homozygous Hb E without α-thalassemia (0.9%), and homozygous Hb E with heterozygous α-thalassemia 2 (0.9%). The usefulness of thalassemia screening is not only for receiving highly effective red blood cells in the recipients but also for encouraging the control and prevention program of thalassemia in blood donors. PMID:25050123

  19. Maternal heparin-binding-EGF deficiency limits pregnancy success in mice.

    PubMed

    Xie, Huirong; Wang, Haibin; Tranguch, Susanne; Iwamoto, Ryo; Mekada, Eisuke; Demayo, Francesco J; Lydon, John P; Das, Sanjoy K; Dey, Sudhansu K

    2007-11-13

    An intimate discourse between the blastocyst and uterus is essential for successful implantation. However, the molecular basis of this interaction is not clearly understood. Exploiting genomic Hbegf mutant mice, we show here that maternal deficiency of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) defers on-time implantation, leading to compromised pregnancy outcome. We also demonstrate that amphiregulin, but not epiregulin, partially compensates for the loss of HB-EGF during implantation. In search of the mechanism of this compensation, we found that reduced preimplantation estrogen secretion from ovarian HB-EGF deficiency is a cause of sustained expression of uterine amphiregulin before the initiation of implantation. To explore the significance specifically of uterine HB-EGF in implantation, we examined this event in mice with conditional deletion of uterine HB-EGF and found that this specific loss of HB-EGF in the uterus still defers on-time implantation without altering preimplantation ovarian estrogen secretion. The observation of normal induction of uterine amphiregulin surrounding the blastocyst at the time of attachment in these conditional mutant mice suggests a compensatory role of amphiregulin for uterine loss of HB-EGF, preventing complete failure of pregnancy. Our study provides genetic evidence that HB-EGF is critical for normal implantation. This finding has high clinical relevance, because HB-EGF signaling is known to be important for human implantation.

  20. Gas-Phase and Solution-Phase Homolytic Bond Dissociation Energies of H-N(+) Bonds in the Conjugate Acids of Nitrogen Bases.

    PubMed

    Liu, Wei-Zhong; Bordwell, Frederick G.

    1996-07-12

    The oxidation potentials of 19 nitrogen bases (abbreviated as B: six primary amines, five secondary amines, two tertiary amines, three anilines, pyridine, quinuclidine, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane), i.e., E(ox)(B) values in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and/or acetonitrile (AN), have been measured. Combination of these E(ox)(B) values with the acidity values of the corresponding acids (pK(HB)(+)) in DMSO and/or AN using the equation: BDE(HB)(+) = 1.37pK(HB)(+) + 23.1 E(ox)(B) + C (C equals 59.5 kcal/mol in AN and 73.3 kcal/mol in DMSO) gave estimates of solution phase homolytic bond dissociation energies of H-B(+) bonds. Gas-phase BDE values of H-B(+) bonds were estimated from updated proton affinities (PA) and adiabatic ionization potentials (aIP) using the equation, BDE(HB(+))(g) = PA + aIP - 314 kcal/mol. The BDE(HB)(+) values estimated in AN were found to be 5-11 kcal/mol higher than the corresponding gas phase BDE(HB(+))(g) values. These bond-strengthening effects in solution are interpreted as being due to the greater solvation energy of the HB(+) cation than that of the B(+*) radical cation.

  1. Noninvasive optical evaluation of low frequency oscillations in prefrontal cortex hemodynamics during verbal working memory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Ting; Zhao, Yue; Li, Kai; Sun, Yunlong

    2014-03-01

    The low frequency oscillation (LFO) around 0.1 Hz has been observed recently in cerebral hemodynamic signals during rest/sleep, enhanced breathing, and head- up-tilting, showing that cerebral autoregulation can be accessed by LFOs. However, many brain function researches require direct measurement of LFOs during specified brain function activities. This pilot study explored using near-infrared spectroscopy/imaging (NIRS) to noninvasively and simultaneously detect LFOs of prefrontal cerebral hemodynamics (i.e., oxygenated/deoxygenated/total hemoglobin concentration: △[oxy-Hb]/ △[deoxy-Hb]/ △[tot-Hb]) during N-back visual verbal working memory task. The LFOs were extracted from the measured variables using power spectral analysis. We found the brain activation sites struck clear LFOs while other sites did not. The LFO of △[deoxy-Hb] acted as a negative pike and ranged in (0.05, 0.1) Hz, while LFOs of △[oxy-Hb] and △[tot-Hb] acted as a positive pike and ranged in (0.1, 0.15) Hz. The amplitude difference and frequency lag between △[deoxy-Hb] and △[oxy-Hb]/ △[tot-Hb] produced a more focused and sensitive activation map compare to hemodynamic amplitude-quantified activation maps. This study observed LFOs in brain activities and showed strong potential of LFOs in accessing brain functions.

  2. A Novel β-Globin Chain Hemoglobin Variant, Hb Allentown [β137(H15)Val→Trp (GTG>TGG) HBB: c.412_413delinsTG, p.Val138Trp], Associated with Low Oxygen Saturation, Intermittent Aplastic Crises and Splenomegaly.

    PubMed

    Collier, Anderson B; Coon, Lea M; Monteleone, Philip; Umaru, Samuel; Swanson, Kenneth C; Hoyer, James D; Oliveira, Jennifer L

    2016-01-01

    Hemoglobin (Hb) variants may be associated with low oxygen saturation and exacerbated episodes of anemia from common stressors such as viral infections. These attributes frequently cause increased clinical concern and unnecessary and expensive testing if not considered early in the evaluation of the patient. Some clinically significant Hb variants result in a normal Hb electrophoresis result, which can be method-dependent. Herein we describe a patient with low oxygen saturation and a history of hemolytic anemia who was subsequently found to carry a novel, unstable β-globin variant that we have named Hb Allentown [β137(H15)Val→Trp (GTG>TGG) HBB: c.412_413delinsTG, p.Val138Trp] for the place of identification of the variant. Hb Allentown is formed by a rare double nucleotide substitution within the same codon. Additionally, positive identification of rare Hb variants characterized by a single method is discouraged, as the Hb variant was misclassified as Hb S-South End or β6(A3)Glu→Val;β132(H10)Lys→Asn (HBB: c.[20A > T;399A > C]) by the initial laboratory.

  3. Methemoglobin measurements are underestimated by the Radical 7 co-oximeter: experience from a series of moderate to severe propanil poisonings.

    PubMed

    Hulse, Elspeth; Shihana, Fathima; Buckley, Nicholas A

    2016-11-01

    In Asia methemoglobinemia (MetHb) is commonly caused through self-poisoning with the pesticide propranil. MetHb can cause hypoxia, coma and death, but usually responds to methylene blue. It is therefore vital to have accurate methods to measure blood MetHb to guide appropriate treatments. The gold standard to measure MetHb utilizes a spectrophotometer, but recent bedside tests have been developed e.g., pulse co-oximeter probe and blood color chart. Nine propanil poisoned patients had data collected from hospitals in Sri Lanka during 2008. Several MetHb readings were taken from each patient from admission up to 50 hours using spectrophotometry (Unico UV-Vis model no. 2800), pulse co-oximetry (Radical-7, Masimo, CA), and color chart. The co-oximeter underestimated the MetHb percentage when compared with spectrophotometry and the color chart, especially when the average MetHb was greater than 20%. The color chart demonstrated acceptable accuracy compared with formal spectrophotometry with the majority of values showing no more than 10% difference. This small cohort highlights the potential for extreme inaccuracy of the Radical-7 co-oximeter, especially with a MetHb greater than 20%. Pulse co-oximeters should be required to be validated for the complete range of MetHb prior to regulatory approval.

  4. Determination of glycated hemoglobin in patients with advanced liver disease

    PubMed Central

    Lahousen, Theresa; Hegenbarth, Karin; Ille, Rottraut; Lipp, Rainer W.; Krause, Robert; Little, Randie R.; Schnedl, Wolfgang J.

    2004-01-01

    AIM: To evaluate the glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c) determination methods and to determine fructosamine in patients with chronic hepatitis, compensated cirrhosis and in patients with chronic hepatitis treated with ribavirin. METHODS: HbA1c values were determined in 15 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis and in 20 patients with chronic hepatitis using the ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography and the immunoassay methods. Fructosamine was determined using nitroblue tetrazolium. RESULTS: Forty percent of patients with liver cirrhosis had HbA1c results below the non-diabetic reference range by at least one HbA1c method, while fructosamine results were either within the reference range or elevated. Twenty percent of patients with chronic hepatitis (hepatic fibrosis) had HbA1c results below the non -diabetic reference range by at least one HbA1c method. In patients with chronic hepatitis treated with ribavirin, 50% of HbA1c results were below the non-diabetic reference using at least one of the HbA1c methods. CONCLUSION: Only evaluated in context with all liver function parameters as well as a red blood count including reticulocytes, HbA 1c results should be used in patients with advanced liver disease. HbA 1c and fructosamine measurements should be used with caution when evaluating long-term glucose control in patients with hepatic cirrhosis or in patients with chronic hepatitis and ribavirin treatment. PMID:15259084

  5. Evaluation of the HB&L System for the Microbiological Screening of Storage Medium for Organ-Cultured Corneas.

    PubMed

    Camposampiero, D; Grandesso, S; Zanetti, E; Mazzucato, S; Solinas, M; Parekh, M; Frigo, A C; Gion, M; Ponzin, D

    2013-01-01

    Aims. To compare HB&L and BACTEC systems for detecting the microorganisms contaminating the corneal storage liquid preserved at 31°C. Methods. Human donor corneas were stored at 4°C followed by preservation at 31°C. Samples of the storage medium were inoculated in BACTEC Peds Plus/F (aerobic microorganisms), BACTEC Plus Anaerobic/F (anaerobic microorganisms), and HB&L bottles. The tests were performed (a) after six days of storage, (b) end of storage, and (c) after 24 hours of preservation in deturgescent liquid sequentially. 10,655 storage and deturgescent media samples were subjected to microbiological control using BACTEC (6-day incubation) and HB&L (24-hour incubation) systems simultaneously. BACTEC positive/negative refers to both/either aerobic and anaerobic positives/negatives, whereas HB&L can only detect the aerobic microbes, and therefore the positives/negatives depend on the presence/absence of aerobic microorganisms. Results. 147 (1.38%) samples were identified positive with at least one of the two methods. 127 samples (134 identified microorganisms) were positive with both HB&L and BACTEC. 14 HB&L+/BACTEC- and 6 BACTEC+/HB&L- were identified. Sensitivity (95.5%), specificity (99.8%), and positive (90.1%) and negative predictive values (99.9%) were high with HB&L considering a 3.5% annual contamination rate. Conclusion. HB&L is a rapid system for detecting microorganisms in corneal storage medium in addition to the existing methods.

  6. Electron spin-echo techniques for the study of protein motion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kar, Leela; Johnson, Michael E.; Bowman, Michael K.

    Electron spin-echo (ESE) spectroscopy has been used to make the first direct measurements of spin-spin relaxation times of a spin-labeled protein at physiological temperatures. Results from experiments using maleimide-labeled deoxygenated hemoglobin (dHb) from individuals homozygous for sickle cell anemia (dHbS) have been compared with those from control experiments using dHb from normal adults (dHbA). Hb "immobilized" by ammonium sulfate precipitation and by siloxane polymer entrapment have been studied for a suitable "rigid" reference. Two-dimensional ESE (2D-ESE) experiments have been performed using all of these systems. The 2D contour plots show that 2D-ESE is sensitive to the slow motion of dHbS polymers and can differentiate it from both that of immobilized Hb and of HbA molecules in solution at the same temperature and concentration. More importantly, the 2D-ESE technique enables one to select for slower motion and thereby extract the dHbS polymer signal from the total signal generated by the heterogeneous system containing dHbS molecules in solution as well as in the polymer. Computer simulations using current slow motional theories show that detailed motional and structural information may be obtained by such studies. The considerable potential of 2D-ESE spectroscopy in the study of macromolecular motion is illustrated by comparing 2D-ESE with the nonlinear technique of saturation transfer electron paramagnetic resonance.

  7. Identification of a Novel Inhibitor against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Yaping; Zhang, Huaidong; Shi, Jian; Zhang, Zhe; Gong, Rui

    2017-01-01

    The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first isolated in 2012, and circulated worldwide with high mortality. The continual outbreaks of MERS-CoV highlight the importance of developing antiviral therapeutics. Here, we rationally designed a novel fusion inhibitor named MERS-five-helix bundle (MERS-5HB) derived from the six-helix bundle (MERS-6HB) which was formed by the process of membrane fusion. MERS-5HB consists of three copies of heptad repeat 1 (HR1) and two copies of heptad repeat 2 (HR2) while MERS-6HB includes three copies each of HR1 and HR2. As it lacks one HR2, MERS-5HB was expected to interact with viral HR2 to interrupt the fusion step. What we found was that MERS-5HB could bind to HR2P, a peptide derived from HR2, with a strong affinity value (KD) of up to 0.24 nM. Subsequent assays indicated that MERS-5HB could inhibit pseudotyped MERS-CoV entry effectively with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of about 1 μM. In addition, MERS-5HB significantly inhibited spike (S) glycoprotein-mediated syncytial formation in a dose-dependent manner. Further biophysical characterization showed that MERS-5HB was a thermo-stable α-helical secondary structure. The inhibitory potency of MERS-5HB may provide an attractive basis for identification of a novel inhibitor against MERS-CoV, as a potential antiviral agent. PMID:28906430

  8. Estimation of glycaemic control in the past month using ratio of glycated albumin to HbA1c.

    PubMed

    Musha, I; Mochizuki, M; Kikuchi, T; Akatsuka, J; Ohtake, A; Kobayashi, K; Kikuchi, N; Kawamura, T; Yokota, I; Urakami, T; Sugihara, S; Amemiya, S

    2018-04-13

    To evaluate comprehensively the use of the glycated albumin to HbA 1c ratio for estimation of glycaemic control in the previous month. A total of 306 children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus underwent ≥10 simultaneous measurements of glycated albumin and HbA 1c . Correlation and concordance rates were examined between HbA 1c measurements taken 1 month apart (ΔHbA 1c ) and glycated albumin/HbA 1c ratio fluctuations were calculated as Z-scores from the cohort value at enrolment of this study cohort (method A) or the percent difference from the individual mean over time (method B). Fluctuations in glycated albumin/HbA 1c ratio (using both methods) were weakly but significantly correlated with ΔHbA 1c , whereas concordance rates were significant for glycaemic deterioration but not for glycaemic improvement. Concordance rates were higher using method B than method A. The glycated albumin/HbA 1c ratio was able to estimate glycaemic deterioration in the previous month, while estimation of glycaemic improvement in the preceding month was limited. Because method B provided a better estimate of recent glycaemic control than method A, the individual mean of several measurements of the glycated albumin/HbA 1c ratio over time may also identify individuals with high or low haemoglobin glycation phenotypes in a given population, such as Japanese children with Type 1 diabetes, thereby allowing more effective diabetes management. © 2018 Diabetes UK.

  9. Overexpression of Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Growth Factor Mediates Liver Fibrosis in Transgenic Mice.

    PubMed

    Guo, Yongze; Ding, Qian; Chen, Lei; Ji, Chenguang; Hao, Huiyao; Wang, Jia; Qi, Wei; Xie, Xiaoli; Ma, Junji; Li, Aidi; Jiang, Xiaoyu; Li, Xiaotian; Jiang, Huiqing

    2017-08-01

    The role of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in liver fibrosis is not clear and is sometimes even contradictory. To clarify this role, a HB-EGF transgenic (Tg) mouse model was, for the first time, used to evaluate the functions of HB-EGF in liver fibrosis. For the in vivo study, carbon tetrachloride injection and bile duct ligation treatment were used to induce liver fibrosis in HB-EGF Tg mice and wild-type (WT) mice, respectively. Primary hepatic satellite cells (HSCs) were isolated from HB-EGF Tg and WT mice for the in vitro study. Compared with the WT mice, HB-EGF Tg mice were shown to develop more severe liver fibrosis when treated with carbon tetrachloride or bile duct ligation, with increased matrix metalloproteinases 13 activity and enhanced expression of fibrogenic genes including α-smooth muscle actin and collagen I. HB-EGF gene transfer led to an increase in proliferation and a decrease in apoptosis in primary HSCs. The ERK signaling pathway was more highly activated in primary HSCs from HB-EGF Tg mice than in those from WT mice. Our investigation confirmed the profibrotic effect of HB-EGF on the liver using a Tg mouse model. This result may contribute to the elucidation of HB-EGF as a therapeutic target in liver fibrosis. Copyright © 2017 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Healthy Dental Pulp Oxygen Saturation Rates in Subjects with Homozygous Sickle Cell Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Study Nested in a Cohort.

    PubMed

    Souza, Soraia de Fátima Carvalho; Thomaz, Erika Bárbara Abreu Fonseca; Costa, Cyrene Piazera Silva

    2017-12-01

    To compare the percentage of arterial oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) in healthy teeth with confirmed pulp vitality between individuals with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) and normal hemoglobin A (HbAA). This is a cross-sectional study nested within a cohort. Samples (n = 2543) comprised teeth with intact crowns and pulp vitality confirmed by thermal sensitivity tests and no history of caries, periodontal disease, or dental trauma. A total of 728 teeth of 113 individuals with HbSS and 1815 teeth of 246 individuals with HbAA were evaluated. Data analysis was performed using the χ 2 and Mann-Whitney tests and Spearman correlation analysis (α = 0.05). The study groups were comparable in terms of age, race, and sex (P > .05). Subjects with HbSS exhibited lower median SpO 2 levels in the body and upper teeth, excluding canines, than subjects with HbAA (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the evaluated parameters between the 2 groups (P > .05). Compared with individuals with HbAA, those with HbSS exhibited lower SpO 2 in maxillary teeth with confirmed pulp vitality, except in the canines. There was no correlation between SpO 2 levels of the body and dental pulp in individuals with HbSS or HbAA. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies Novel Genes for Fetal Hemoglobin Response to Hydroxyurea in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

    PubMed Central

    Sheehan, Vivien A.; Crosby, Jacy R.; Sabo, Aniko; Mortier, Nicole A.; Howard, Thad A.; Muzny, Donna M.; Dugan-Perez, Shannon; Aygun, Banu; Nottage, Kerri A.; Boerwinkle, Eric; Gibbs, Richard A.; Ware, Russell E.; Flanagan, Jonathan M.

    2014-01-01

    Hydroxyurea has proven efficacy in children and adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA), but with considerable inter-individual variability in the amount of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) produced. Sibling and twin studies indicate that some of that drug response variation is heritable. To test the hypothesis that genetic modifiers influence pharmacological induction of HbF, we investigated phenotype-genotype associations using whole exome sequencing of children with SCA treated prospectively with hydroxyurea to maximum tolerated dose (MTD). We analyzed 171 unrelated patients enrolled in two prospective clinical trials, all treated with dose escalation to MTD. We examined two MTD drug response phenotypes: HbF (final %HbF minus baseline %HbF), and final %HbF. Analyzing individual genetic variants, we identified multiple low frequency and common variants associated with HbF induction by hydroxyurea. A validation cohort of 130 pediatric sickle cell patients treated to MTD with hydroxyurea was genotyped for 13 non-synonymous variants with the strongest association with HbF response to hydroxyurea in the discovery cohort. A coding variant in Spalt-like transcription factor, or SALL2, was associated with higher final HbF in this second independent replication sample and SALL2 represents an outstanding novel candidate gene for further investigation. These findings may help focus future functional studies and provide new insights into the pharmacological HbF upregulation by hydroxyurea in patients with SCA. PMID:25360671

  12. Progress in vaccination towards hepatitis B control and elimination in the Region of the Americas.

    PubMed

    Ropero Álvarez, Alba Maria; Pérez-Vilar, Silvia; Pacis-Tirso, Carmelita; Contreras, Marcela; El Omeiri, Nathalie; Ruiz-Matus, Cuauhtémoc; Velandia-González, Martha

    2017-04-17

    Over recent decades, the Region of the Americas has made significant progress towards hepatitis B elimination. We summarize the countries/territories' efforts in introducing and implementing hepatitis B (HB) vaccination and in evaluating its impact on HB virus seroprevalence. We collected information about HB vaccination schedules, coverage estimates, and year of vaccine introduction from countries/territories reporting to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) through the WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form on Immunization. We obtained additional information regarding countries/territories vaccination recommendations and strategies through communications with Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) managers and national immunization survey reports. We identified vaccine impact studies conducted and published in the Americas. As of October 2016, all 51 countries/territories have included infant HB vaccination in their official immunization schedule. Twenty countries, whose populations represent over 90% of the Region's births, have included nationwide newborn HB vaccination. We estimated at 89% and 75%, the regional three-dose series and the birth dose HB vaccination coverage, respectively, for 2015. The impact evaluations of infant HB immunization programs in the Region have shown substantial reductions in HB surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence. The achievements of vaccination programs in the Americas suggest that the elimination of perinatal and early childhood HB transmission could be feasible in the short-term. Moreover, the data gathered indicate that the Region may have already achieved the 2020 WHO goal for HB control.

  13. Engineering Escherichia coli for poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) production guided by genome-scale metabolic network analysis.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Yangyang; Yuan, Qianqian; Yang, Xiaoyan; Ma, Hongwu

    2017-11-01

    Poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) is a promising biodegradable plastic synthesized from acetyl-CoA. One important factor affecting the P3HB production cost is the P3HB yield. Through flux balance analysis of an extended genome-scale metabolic network of E. coli, we found that the introduction of non-oxidative glycolysis pathway (NOG), a previously reported pathway enabling complete carbon conservation, can increase the theoretical carbon yield from 67% to 89%, equivalent to the theoretical mass yield from 0.48g P3HB/g glucose to 0.64g P3HB/g glucose. Based on this analysis result, we introduced phosphoketolase and enhanced the NOG pathway in E. coli. The mass yield in the engineered strain was increased from 0.16g P3HB/g glucose to 0.24g P3HB/g glucose. We further overexpressed pntAB to enhance the NADPH availability and down-regulated TCA cycle to divert more acetyl-CoA toward P3HB. The final construct accumulated 5.7g/L P3HB and reached a carbon yield of 0.43 (a mass yield of 0.31g P3HB/g glucose) in shake flask cultures in shake flask cultures. The introduction of NOG pathway could also be useful for improving yields of many other biochemicals derived from acetyl-coA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Li, Yan; Chen, Yue Yi; Yang, Shu Guang

    Metallothioneins (MTs) are of low molecular mass, cysteine-rich proteins. They play an important role in the detoxification of heavy metals and homeostasis of intracellular metal ions, and protecting against intracellular oxidative damages. In this study a full-length cDNA of type 2 plant metallothioneins, HbMT2a, was isolated from 25 mM Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) stressed leaves of Hevea brasiliensis by RACE. The HbMT2a was 372 bp in length and had a 237 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding for a protein of 78 amino acid residues with molecular mass of 7.772 kDa. The expression of HbMT2a in the detached leaves of rubber tree clone RY7-33-97more » was up-regulated by Me-JA, ABA, PEG, H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, Cu{sup 2+} and Zn{sup 2+}, but down-regulated by water. The role of HbMT2a protein in protecting against metal toxicity was demonstrated in vitro. PET-28a-HbMT2-beared Escherichia coli. Differential expression of HbMT2a upon treatment with 10 °C was observed in the detached leaves of rubber tree clone 93-114 which is cold-resistant and Reken501 which is cold-sensitive. The expression patterns of HbMT2a in the two rubber tree clones may be ascribed to a change in the level of endogenous H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. - Highlights: • Cloning an HbMT2a gene from rubber tree. • Analyzing expression patterns of HbMT2a upon abiotic stress and heavy metal stress. • Finding different expression patterns of HbMT2a among two Hevea germplasm. • The expressed protein of HbMT2a enhances copper and zinc tolerance in Escherichia coli.« less

  15. Evaluating the capacity to generate and preserve nitric oxide bioactivity in highly purified earthworm erythrocruorin: a giant polymeric hemoglobin with potential blood substitute properties.

    PubMed

    Roche, Camille J; Talwar, Abhinav; Palmer, Andre F; Cabrales, Pedro; Gerfen, Gary; Friedman, Joel M

    2015-01-02

    The giant extracellular hemoglobin (erythrocruorin) from the earth worm (Lumbricus terrestris) has shown promise as a potential hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) in in vivo animal studies. An important beneficial characteristic of this hemoglobin (LtHb) is the large number of heme-based oxygen transport sites that helps overcome issues of osmotic stress when attempting to provide enough material for efficient oxygen delivery. A potentially important additional property is the capacity of the HBOC either to generate nitric oxide (NO) or to preserve NO bioactivity to compensate for decreased levels of NO in the circulation. The present study compares the NO-generating and NO bioactivity-preserving capability of LtHb with that of human adult hemoglobin (HbA) through several reactions including the nitrite reductase, reductive nitrosylation, and still controversial nitrite anhydrase reactions. An assignment of a heme-bound dinitrogen trioxide as the stable intermediate associated with the nitrite anhydrase reaction in both LtHb and HbA is supported based on functional and EPR spectroscopic studies. The role of the redox potential as a factor contributing to the NO-generating activity of these two proteins is evaluated. The results show that LtHb undergoes the same reactions as HbA and that the reduced efficacy for these reactions for LtHb relative to HbA is consistent with the much higher redox potential of LtHb. Evidence of functional heterogeneity in LtHb is explained in terms of the large difference in the redox potential of the isolated subunits. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  16. Characterization of the methemoglobin forming metabolites of benzocaine and lidocaine.

    PubMed

    Hartman, Neil; Zhou, Hongfei; Mao, Jinzhe; Mans, Daniel; Boyne, Michael; Patel, Vikram; Colatsky, Thomas

    2017-05-01

    1. Topical anesthesia with benzocaine or lidocaine occasionally causes methemoglobinemia, an uncommon but potentially fatal disorder where the blood has a reduced ability to transport oxygen. Previous in vitro studies using human whole blood have shown that benzocaine causes more methemoglobin (MetHb) formation than lidocaine, and that both compounds require metabolic transformation to form the MetHb producing species. In the current investigation, the active species of benzocaine forming the MetHb was investigated. 2. HPLC analysis of benzocaine samples incubated with human hepatic S9 showed the formation of a peak with the same UV spectrum and retention time as benzocaine hydroxylamine (BenzNOH). To confirm the activity of BenzNOH, MetHb production following exposure to the compound was determined in whole human blood using an Avoximeter 4000 CO-oximeter. 3. BenzNOH produced MetHb in a concentration dependent manner without the need for metabolic activation. Benzocaine in the presence of metabolic activation required a concentration of 500 μM to produce a similar degree of MetHb formation as 20 μM BenzNOH without activation. Previous work suggested that two metabolites of lidocaine may also form MetHb; N-hydroxyxylidine and 4-hydroxyxylidine. Of these two metabolites 4-hydroxyxylidine produced the most MetHb in whole blood in vitro in the absence of metabolic activation, however BenzNOH produced up to 14.2 times more MetHb than 4-hydroxyxylidine at a similar concentration. 4. These results suggest that the ability of benzocaine to form MetHb is likely to be mediated through its hydroxylamine metabolite and that this metabolite is inherently more active than the potentially MetHb-forming metabolites of lidocaine.

  17. Characterization of the altered gene expression profile in early porcine embryos generated from parthenogenesis and somatic cell chromatin transfer.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Chi; Dobrinsky, John; Tsoi, Stephen; Foxcroft, George R; Dixon, Walter T; Stothard, Paul; Verstegen, John; Dyck, Michael K

    2014-01-01

    The in vitro production of early porcine embryos is of particular scientific and economic interest. In general, embryos produced from in vitro Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) manipulations, such as somatic cell chromatin transfer (CT) and parthenogenetic activation (PA), are less developmentally competent than in vivo-derived embryos. The mechanisms underlying the deficiencies of embryos generated from PA and CT have not been completely understood. To characterize the altered genes and gene networks in embryos generated from CT and PA, comparative transcriptomic analyses of in vivo (IVV) expanded blastocysts (XB), IVV hatched blastocyst (HB), PA XB, PA HB, and CT HB were performed using a custom microarray platform enriched for genes expressed during early embryonic development. Differential expressions of 1492 and 103 genes were identified in PA and CT HB, respectively, in comparison with IVV HB. The "eIF2 signalling", "mitochondrial dysfunction", "regulation of eIF4 and p70S6K signalling", "protein ubiquitination", and "mTOR signalling" pathways were down-regulated in PA HB. Dysregulation of notch signalling-associated genes were observed in both PA and CT HB. TP53 was predicted to be activated in both PA and CT HB, as 136 and 23 regulation targets of TP53 showed significant differential expression in PA and CT HB, respectively, in comparison with IVV HB. In addition, dysregulations of several critical pluripotency, trophoblast development, and implantation-associated genes (NANOG, GATA2, KRT8, LGMN, and DPP4) were observed in PA HB during the blastocyst hatching process. The critical genes that were observed to be dysregulated in CT and PA embryos could be indicative of underlying developmental deficiencies of embryos produced from these technologies.

  18. Association of glycated albumin to HbA1c ratio with diabetic retinopathy but not diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Umayahara, Yutaka; Fujita, Yohei; Watanabe, Hirotaka; Kasai, Noriko; Fujiki, Noritaka; Hatazaki, Masahiro; Koga, Masafumi

    2017-04-01

    The ratio of glycated albumin to HbA1c (GA/HbA1c ratio) is a known indicator that reflects fluctuations in plasma glucose. In this study, the association of the GA/HbA1c ratio to diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes was investigated. Among patients with type 2 diabetes, 613 patients (364 males and 249 females, aged 63.2±12.5, body mass index (BMI) 25.4±4.8kg/m 2 ) were enrolled. Patients with overt proteinuria, reduced renal function, or anemia were excluded. In a comparison between patients with and without diabetic nephropathy, significance was observed in insulin therapy, HbA1c, and GA. In addition, in a comparison between patients with and without diabetic retinopathy, the GA/HbA1c ratio along with insulin therapy, HbA1c, and GA showed significant differences. When the GA/HbA1c ratios were divided into three groups and compared, the rates of diabetic nephropathy did not show any significance, while the rate of diabetic retinopathy increased significantly as the GA/HbA1c ratio increased. In multivariable analyses, while insulin therapy and BMI were the significant independent variables for diabetic nephropathy, insulin therapy and the GA/HbA1c ratios were the significant independent variable for diabetic retinopathy. The GA/HbA1c ratio was associated with diabetic retinopathy, but not with diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results suggest that the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy is associated with plasma glucose fluctuations. Copyright © 2016 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Inequality in the hepatitis B awareness level in rural residents from 7 provinces in China

    PubMed Central

    Zheng, Juan; Li, Quan; Wang, Jian; Zhang, Guojie; Wangen, Knut R.

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT The hepatitis B (HB) awareness level is an important factor affecting the rates of HB virus vaccination. To better understand income-related inequalities in the HB awareness level, it is imperative to identify the sources of inequalities and assess the contribution rates of these influential factors. This study analyzed the unequal distribution of the HB awareness level and the contributions of various influential factors. We performed a cross-sectional household survey with questionnaire-based, face-to-face interviews in 7 Chinese provinces. Responses from 7271 respondents were used in this analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used for the analysis of contributing factors, and the concentration index was used as a measure of HB awareness inequalities. The HB awareness level varied across participants with different characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression of the explanatory factors of the HB awareness level showed that several estimated coefficients and relative risk ratios were statistically significant for middle- and high-level awareness, except for sex, occupation, and household income. The concentration index of the HB knowledge score was 0.140, indicating inequality gradients disadvantageous to the poor. The contribution rate of socioeconomic factors was the largest (60.8%), followed by demographic characteristics (29.0%) and geographic factors (4.3%). Demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic factors are associated with the HB awareness inequality. Therefore, to reduce inequality, HB-related health education targeting individuals with low socioeconomic status should be performed. Less-developed provinces, especially with high proportions of poor residents, warrant particular attention. Our findings may be beneficial to improve the HB virus vaccination rate for individuals with low socioeconomic status. PMID:28277091

  20. The Stricter the Better? The Relationship between Targeted HbA1c Values and Metabolic Control of Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

    PubMed

    Braun, Marcin; Tomasik, Bartlomiej; Wrona, Ewa; Fendler, Wojciech; Jarosz-Chobot, Przemyslawa; Szadkowska, Agnieszka; Zmysłowska, Agnieszka; Wilson, Jayne; Mlynarski, Wojciech

    2016-01-01

    It remains unclear how HbA1c recommendations influence metabolic control of paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. To evaluate this we compared reported HbA1c with guideline thresholds. We searched systematically MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies reporting on HbA1c in children with T1DM and grouped them according to targeted HbA1c obtained from regional guidelines. We assessed the discrepancies in the metabolic control between these groups by comparing mean HbA1c extracted from each study and the differences between actual and targeted HbA1c. We included 105 from 1365 searched studies. The median (IQR) HbA1c for the study population was 8.30% (8.00%-8.70%) and was lower in "6.5%" than in "7.5%" as targeted HbA1c level (8.20% (7.85%-8.57%) versus 8.40% (8.20%-8.80%); p = 0.028). Median difference between actual and targeted HbA1c was 1.20% (0.80%-1.70%) and was higher in "6.5%" than in "7.5%" (1.70% (1.30%-2.07%) versus 0.90% (0.70%-1.30%), resp.; p < 0.001). Our study indicates that the 7.5% threshold results in HbA1c levels being closer to the therapeutic goal, but the actual values are still higher than those observed in the "6.5%" group. A meta-analysis of raw data from national registries or a prospective study comparing both approaches is warranted as the next step to examine this subject further.

  1. The Fallacy of Average: How Using HbA1c Alone to Assess Glycemic Control Can Be Misleading.

    PubMed

    Beck, Roy W; Connor, Crystal G; Mullen, Deborah M; Wesley, David M; Bergenstal, Richard M

    2017-08-01

    HbA 1c is a v aluable metric for comparing treatment groups in a randomized trial, for assessing glycemic trends in a population over time, or for cross-sectional comparisons of glycemic control in different populations. However, what is not widely appreciated is that HbA 1c may not be a good indicator of an individual patient's glycemic control because of the wide range of mean glucose concentrations and glucose profiles that can be associated with a given HbA 1c level. To illustrate this point, we plotted mean glucose measured with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) versus central laboratory-measured HbA 1c in 387 participants in three randomized trials, showing that not infrequently HbA 1c may underestimate or overestimate mean glucose, sometimes substantially. Thus, if HbA 1c is to be used to assess glycemic control, it is imperative to know the patient's actual mean glucose to understand how well HbA 1c is an indicator of the patient's glycemic control. With knowledge of the mean glucose, an estimated HbA 1c (eA1C) can be calculated with the formula provided in this article to compare with the measured HbA 1c . Estimating glycemic control from HbA 1c alone is in essence applying a population average to an individual, which can be misleading. Thus, a patient's CGM glucose profile has considerable value for optimizing his or her diabetes management. In this era of personalized, precision medicine, there are few better examples with respect to the fallacy of applying a population average to a specific patient rather than using specific information about the patient to determine the optimal approach to treatment. © 2017 by the American Diabetes Association.

  2. Influence of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents on HbA1c and Fructosamine in Patients with Haemodialysis.

    PubMed

    Rasche, Franz Maximilian; Ebert, Thomas; Beckmann, Julia; Busch, Volker; Barinka, Filip; Rasche, Wilma Gertrud; Lindner, Tom H; Schneider, Jochen G; Schiekofer, Stephan

    2017-06-01

    HbA1c is the most accepted laboratory parameter for the long term observation of glucose control. There is still much of a debate about the use of HbA1c as a metabolic indicator in diabetic patients (DM) on haemodialysis (HD) and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy because of the altered erythrocyte turn over in patients with chronic kidney disease and haemodialysis (CKD5D). In 102 CKD5 patients with and without diabetes mellitus, we examined the dose dependent variability in HbA1c and fructosamine levels under haemodialysis and treated with epoetin α (n=48) and a new generation agent with continuous stimulation of methoxy polyethylene glycol epoetin beta (C.E.R.A.; n=54). HbA1c levels were affected by therapy with ESA treatments. ESA dose was inversely correlated with HbA1c and an escalation of 10.000 IU per week induced an estimated decrease of HbA1c of 0.6 percent. In addition, the increase of reticulocyte number as a marker for erythropoiesis was significantly inversely correlated with the increase of ΔHbA1c. ESA treatments had no such effect on the alternative metabolic parameter fructosamine. When compared, both therapeutic agents had comparable success in attaining haemoglobin (Hb) target values. C.E.R.A. showed better correlation and was more effective over a longer dose interval. Our results show that HbA1c levels in patients should be carefully interpreted based on interfering factors. Nevertheless, HbA1c is currently the most consistent parameter for use ascertaining metabolic status of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  3. Screening obese children and adolescents for prediabetes and/or type 2 diabetes in pediatric practices: a validation study.

    PubMed

    Brar, Preneet C; Mengwall, Lisa; Franklin, Bonita H; Fierman, Arthur H

    2014-07-01

    Increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) makes it important for pediatricians to use effective screening tools for risk assessment of prediabetes/T2DM in children. Children (n = 149) who had an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were studied. American Diabetes Association recommended screening criteria-HbA1c ≥5.7% and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥100 mg/dL-were compared against OGTT. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), a mathematical index derived from fasting insulin and glucose, was compared with OGTT. We studied whether combining screening tests (HbA1c and fasting glucose or HbA1c and HOMA-IR) improved accuracy of prediction of the OGTT. HbA1c of ≥5.7% had a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 57% when compared with the OGTT. Combining screening tests (HbA1c ≥5.7% and FPG ≥100 mg/dL; HbA1c ≥5.7% and HOMA-IR ≥3.4) resulted in improved sensitivity (95.5% for each), with the HbA1c-FPG doing better than the HbA1c-HOMA-IR combination in terms of ability to rule out prediabetes (likelihood ratio [LR]) negative. 0.07 vs 0.14). HbA1c of ≥5.7% provided fair discrimination of glucose tolerance compared with the OGTT. The combination of HbA1c and FPG is a useful method for identifying children who require an OGTT. © The Author(s) 2014.

  4. Pre-Treatment Anemia Is a Poor Prognostic Factor in Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients

    PubMed Central

    Szkandera, Joanna; Gerger, Armin; Liegl-Atzwanger, Bernadette; Stotz, Michael; Samonigg, Hellmut; Ploner, Ferdinand; Stojakovic, Tatjana; Leithner, Andreas; Pichler, Martin

    2014-01-01

    Background Anemia refers to low hemoglobin (Hb) levels, represents a common symptom and complication in cancer patients and was reported to negatively influence survival in patients with various malignancies. In the present study, we aimed to explore the prognostic impact of pre-operative Hb levels on clinical outcome in a large cohort of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients after curative surgery. Methods Retrospective data from 367 STS patients, which were operated between 1998 and 2013, were included in the study. Cut-off levels for anemia were defined as Hb<13 g/dl in males and Hb<12 g/dl in females according to the current WHO guidelines. The impact of pre-operative Hb levels on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Additionally, Hb levels were compared for the prognostic influence on CSS and OS applying univariate and multivariate Cox proportional models. Results Hb level was associated with established prognostic factors, including age, tumor grade, size and depth (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that low Hb levels were significantly associated with decreased CSS and OS in STS patients (p<0.001 for both endpoints, log-rank test). In multivariate analysis, we found an independent association between low Hb levels and poor CSS and OS (HR = 0.46, Cl 95% = 0.25–0.85, p = 0.012; HR = 0.34, Cl 95% = 0.23–0.51, p<0.001). Conclusion The present data underline a negative prognostic impact of low pre-operative Hb levels on clinical outcome in STS patients. Thus, Hb levels may provide an additional and cost-effective tool to discriminate between STS patients that are at high risk of mortality. PMID:25207808

  5. High Frequency of Hb E-Saskatoon (HBB: c.67G > A) in Brazilians: A New Genetic Origin?

    PubMed

    Wagner, Sandrine C; Lindenau, Juliana D; Castro, Simone M de; Santin, Ana Paula; Zaleski, Carina F; Azevedo, Laura A; Ribeiro Dos Santos, Ândrea K C; Dos Santos, Sidney E B; Hutz, Mara H

    2016-08-01

    Hb E-Saskatoon [β22(B4)Glu→Lys, HBB: c.67G > A] is a rare, nonpathological β-globin variant that was first described in a Canadian woman of Scottish and Dutch ancestry and has since then been detected in several populations. The aim of the present study was to identify the origin of Hb E-Saskatoon in Brazil using β-globin haplotypes and genetic ancestry in carriers of this hemoglobin (Hb) variant. Blood samples were investigated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using commercial kits. Hb E-Saskatoon was confirmed by amplification of the HBB gene, followed by sequence analysis. Haplotypes of the β-globin gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by digestion with specific restriction enzymes. Individual ancestry was estimated with 48 biallelic insertion/deletions using three 16-plex PCR amplifications. The IEF pattern was similar to Hbs C (HBB: c.19G > A) and Hb E (HBB: c.79G > A) [isoelectric point (pI): 7.59-7.65], and HPLC results showed an elution in the Hb S (HBB: c.20A > T) window [retention time (RT): 4.26-4.38]. DNA sequencing of the amplified β-globin gene showed a mutation at codon 22 (GAA>AAA) corresponding to Hb E-Saskatoon. A total of 11 cases of this variant were identified. In nine unrelated individuals, Hb E-Saskatoon was in linkage disequilibrium with haplotype 2 [+ - - - -]. All subjects showed a high degree of European contribution (mean = 0.85). Hb E-Saskatoon occurred on the β-globin gene of haplotype 2 in all Brazilian carriers. These findings suggest a different genetic origin for this Hb variant from that previously described.

  6. Haematological and electrophoretic characterisation of β-thalassaemia in Yunnan province of Southwestern China

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Jie; He, Jing; Mao, Xiaoqin; Zeng, Xiaohong; Chen, Hong; Su, Jie; Zhu, Baosheng

    2017-01-01

    Objectives β-Thalassaemia is widely found in Southwestern China. Characterisation of β-thalassaemia can improve screening and prenatal diagnosis for at-risk populations. Design A retrospective study. Methods In this study, the levels of haemoglobin alpha 2 (HbA2) and haemoglobin alpha (HbA) were analysed by gender for a total of 15 067 subjects screened by capillary electrophoresis. The cut-off value with the highest accuracy was established to identify β-thalassaemia in 723 patients suspected to have this disease. Haematological and electrophoretic characterisation of eight common types of β-thalassaemia were analysed in 486 β-thalassaemia subjects. Results HbA levels were significantly higher in men than in women, but there was no significant difference on HbA2 levels. A new cut-off value for the diagnosis of β-thalassaemia (HbA2≥4.0%) with the highest accuracy was proposed for the studied populations. Haemoglobin (Hb) was significantly higher in men compared with women (p<0.05), whereas no statistically significant differences were found for mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), HbA and HbA2. The haemoglobin E (HbE) group showed comparatively higher values for haematological indices (Hb, MCV and MCH) than the other genotypes in heterozygous β-thalassaemia groups (p<0.05), and −28 (A>G) (HBB (β-globin):c.−78A>C) had significantly higher HbA2 values compared with other β-thalassaemia. Conclusions Ethnic groups have diversified β-globin gene mutations and considerable haematological variations. Our study will lay the foundation for screening programmes and clinical management of thalassaemia in Southwestern China. PMID:28143837

  7. Haematological and electrophoretic characterisation of β-thalassaemia in Yunnan province of Southwestern China.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jie; He, Jing; Mao, Xiaoqin; Zeng, Xiaohong; Chen, Hong; Su, Jie; Zhu, Baosheng

    2017-01-31

    β-Thalassaemia is widely found in Southwestern China. Characterisation of β-thalassaemia can improve screening and prenatal diagnosis for at-risk populations. A retrospective study. In this study, the levels of haemoglobin alpha 2 (HbA 2 ) and haemoglobin alpha (HbA) were analysed by gender for a total of 15 067 subjects screened by capillary electrophoresis. The cut-off value with the highest accuracy was established to identify β-thalassaemia in 723 patients suspected to have this disease. Haematological and electrophoretic characterisation of eight common types of β-thalassaemia were analysed in 486 β-thalassaemia subjects. HbA levels were significantly higher in men than in women, but there was no significant difference on HbA 2 levels. A new cut-off value for the diagnosis of β-thalassaemia (HbA 2 ≥4.0%) with the highest accuracy was proposed for the studied populations. Haemoglobin (Hb) was significantly higher in men compared with women (p<0.05), whereas no statistically significant differences were found for mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), HbA and HbA 2 . The haemoglobin E (HbE) group showed comparatively higher values for haematological indices (Hb, MCV and MCH) than the other genotypes in heterozygous β-thalassaemia groups (p<0.05), and -28 (A>G) (HBB (β-globin):c.-78A>C) had significantly higher HbA 2 values compared with other β-thalassaemia. Ethnic groups have diversified β-globin gene mutations and considerable haematological variations. Our study will lay the foundation for screening programmes and clinical management of thalassaemia in Southwestern China. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

  8. Japanese haemodialysis anaemia management practices and outcomes (1999–2006): results from the DOPPS

    PubMed Central

    Akizawa, Tadao; Pisoni, Ronald L.; Akiba, Takashi; Saito, Akira; Fukuhara, Shunichi; Asano, Yasushi; Hasegawa, Takeshi; Port, Friedrich K.; Kurokawa, Kiyoshi

    2008-01-01

    Background. Japanese haemodialysis (HD) patients not only have a very low mortality and hospitalization risk but also low haemoglobin (Hb) levels. Internationally, anaemia is associated with mortality, hospitalization and health-related quality of life (QoL) measures of HD patients. Methods. Longitudinal data collected from 1999 to 2006 from 60 to 64 representative Japanese dialysis units participating in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) were used to describe anaemia management practices and outcomes for Japanese HD patients. Results. From 1999 to 2006, patient mean Hb increased from 9.7 g/dl to 10.4 g/dl, and the percentage of facilities with median Hb ≥10 g/dl increased from 27% to 75%. Hb was measured in the supine position for 90% of patients, resulting in substantially lower reported Hb values than those seen in other countries. As of 2006, erythropoietin (Epo) was prescribed to 83% of HD patients; mean Epo dose was 5231 units/week; intravenous (IV) iron use was 33% and median IV iron dose was 160 mg/month. Many patient- and facility-level factors were significantly related to higher Hb. A consistent overall pattern of lower mortality risk with higher baseline Hb levels was seen (RR = 0.89 per 1 g/dl higher Hb, P = 0.003). Facilities with median Hb ≥10.4 displayed a lower mortality risk (RR = 0.77, P = 0.03) versus facility median Hb <10.4 g/dl. Lower Hb levels were not significantly related to hospitalization risk, but were associated with lower QoL scores. Conclusions. These results provide detailed information on anaemia management practices in Japan and the relationships of anaemia control with outcomes, with implications of anaemia management worldwide. PMID:18577535

  9. Original Research: Use of hydroxyurea and phlebotomy in pediatric patients with hemoglobin SC disease

    PubMed Central

    Summarell, Carly C Ginter

    2016-01-01

    Hydroxyurea is an excellent therapeutic agent for the pharmacological induction of HbF in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, all completed clinical trials of hydroxyurea have excluded patients with hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease. HbSC differs significantly in pathophysiology from HbSS, as HbC does not sickle, but instead causes cellular dehydration which potentiates sickling of HbS. Many severely affected HbSC patients have been placed on hydroxyurea on a case by case basis, but there are no large scale prospective data on safety or efficacy of hydroxyurea in this subset of patients with SCD. Here, we report a case series of 14 pediatric patients with HbSC treated to maximum tolerated dose (MTD) with hydroxyurea. Those who failed to show clinical improvement after at least six months at MTD were offered phlebotomy in addition to hydroxyurea. Five out of 11 patients with HbSC who achieved MTD failed to demonstrate clinical improvement on hydroxyurea. Of the four placed on dual hydroxyurea and phlebotomy therapy, all showed at least partial clinical improvement. Percent dense red blood cells (%DRBC) were measured via an ADVIA hematology analyzer. A marked rise in percent dense cells preceded clinical complications in three patients. Dual therapy with hydroxyurea and phlebotomy may be an effective approach to patients with HbSC that do not experience improvement with hydroxyurea alone. Monitoring of %DRBC may predict adverse events and aid in assessing hydroxyurea compliance. Large scale clinical trials are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea and hydroxyurea with phlebotomy in patients with HbSC disease. PMID:26993671

  10. Original Research: Use of hydroxyurea and phlebotomy in pediatric patients with hemoglobin SC disease.

    PubMed

    Summarell, Carly C Ginter; Sheehan, Vivien A

    2016-04-01

    Hydroxyurea is an excellent therapeutic agent for the pharmacological induction of HbF in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, all completed clinical trials of hydroxyurea have excluded patients with hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease. HbSC differs significantly in pathophysiology from HbSS, as HbC does not sickle, but instead causes cellular dehydration which potentiates sickling of HbS. Many severely affected HbSC patients have been placed on hydroxyurea on a case by case basis, but there are no large scale prospective data on safety or efficacy of hydroxyurea in this subset of patients with SCD. Here, we report a case series of 14 pediatric patients with HbSC treated to maximum tolerated dose (MTD) with hydroxyurea. Those who failed to show clinical improvement after at least six months at MTD were offered phlebotomy in addition to hydroxyurea. Five out of 11 patients with HbSC who achieved MTD failed to demonstrate clinical improvement on hydroxyurea. Of the four placed on dual hydroxyurea and phlebotomy therapy, all showed at least partial clinical improvement. Percent dense red blood cells (%DRBC) were measured via an ADVIA hematology analyzer. A marked rise in percent dense cells preceded clinical complications in three patients. Dual therapy with hydroxyurea and phlebotomy may be an effective approach to patients with HbSC that do not experience improvement with hydroxyurea alone. Monitoring of %DRBC may predict adverse events and aid in assessing hydroxyurea compliance. Large scale clinical trials are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea and hydroxyurea with phlebotomy in patients with HbSC disease. © 2016 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.

  11. Integrating Evolutionary and Functional Tests of Adaptive Hypotheses: A Case Study of Altitudinal Differentiation in Hemoglobin Function in an Andean Sparrow, Zonotrichia capensis

    PubMed Central

    Cheviron, Zachary A.; Natarajan, Chandrasekhar; Projecto-Garcia, Joana; Eddy, Douglas K.; Jones, Jennifer; Carling, Matthew D.; Witt, Christopher C.; Moriyama, Hideaki; Weber, Roy E.; Fago, Angela; Storz, Jay F.

    2014-01-01

    In air-breathing vertebrates, the physiologically optimal blood-O2 affinity is jointly determined by the prevailing partial pressure of atmospheric O2, the efficacy of pulmonary O2 transfer, and internal metabolic demands. Consequently, genetic variation in the oxygenation properties of hemoglobin (Hb) may be subject to spatially varying selection in species with broad elevational distributions. Here we report the results of a combined functional and evolutionary analysis of Hb polymorphism in the rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis), a species that is continuously distributed across a steep elevational gradient on the Pacific slope of the Peruvian Andes. We integrated a population genomic analysis that included all postnatally expressed Hb genes with functional studies of naturally occurring Hb variants, as well as recombinant Hb (rHb) mutants that were engineered through site-directed mutagenesis. We identified three clinally varying amino acid polymorphisms: Two in the αA-globin gene, which encodes the α-chain subunits of the major HbA isoform, and one in the αD-globin gene, which encodes the α-chain subunits of the minor HbD isoform. We then constructed and experimentally tested single- and double-mutant rHbs representing each of the alternative αA-globin genotypes that predominate at different elevations. Although the locus-specific patterns of altitudinal differentiation suggested a history of spatially varying selection acting on Hb polymorphism, the experimental tests demonstrated that the observed amino acid mutations have no discernible effect on respiratory properties of the HbA or HbD isoforms. These results highlight the importance of experimentally validating the hypothesized effects of genetic changes in protein function to avoid the pitfalls of adaptive storytelling. PMID:25135942

  12. Prevalence of Anemia and Hemoglobin Disorders Among School Children in Myanmar.

    PubMed

    Wah, Saw Thu; Yi, Yoon Shwe; Khin, Aye Aye; Plabplueng, Chotiros; Nuchnoi, Pornlada

    2017-01-01

    The prevalence of anemia is high in the population of Myanmar and hypochromic microcytic anemia (HMA) is predominant. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of anemia and causes of HMA among school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 239 children from Thanlyin and Insein Townships, Yangon Region, Myanmar. Complete blood count (CBC) and blood film morphology was examined on venous blood samples. Hypochromic microcytic anemia cases were subsequently analyzed for serum ferritin and cellulose acetate hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis. The prevalence of anemia was 46.4%; 27.6% had mild, while 18.8% had moderate anemia, and no case of severe anemia was detected. The mean Hb concentration was 11.7 ± 0.9 g/dL. The younger age group (8-11 years) had a significantly higher prevalence of anemia than the older age group (12-15 years) (p = 0.029). Blood film morphology revealed a 50.6% red blood cell (RBC) disorder; HMA was the most common type (70.2%). Out of 85 children with HMA, three children (3.5%) had iron deficiency and all had comorbidity with Hb AE (β A /β E ) (Hb E trait). Hemoglobin electrophoresis illustrated that Hb AA (β A /β A ) (31, 36.5%) and Hb AE (β A /β E ) trait (31, 36.5%) were the most common types followed by β-thalassemia (β-thal) trait (19, 22.3%) and Hb EE (β E /β E ) (homozygous Hb E; HBB: c.79G>A) (three, 3.5%). Hematocrit [or packed cell volume (PCV)], mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) and mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC), showed a significant difference between Hb AE, Hb EE and β-thal trait (p = 0.029, 0.023, 0.015 and 0.01, respectively). Our findings will provide valuable information for the management of anemia in the Myanmar school-age population.

  13. Potential electron mediators to extract electron energies of RBC glycolysis for prolonged in vivo functional lifetime of hemoglobin vesicles.

    PubMed

    Kettisen, Karin; Bülow, Leif; Sakai, Hiromi

    2015-04-15

    Developing a functional blood substitute as an alternative to donated blood for clinical use is believed to relieve present and future blood shortages, and to reduce the risks of infection and blood type mismatching. Hemoglobin vesicle (HbV) encapsulates a purified and concentrated human-derived Hb solution in a phospholipid vesicle (liposome). The in vivo safety and efficacy of HbV as a transfusion alternative have been clarified. Auto-oxidation of ferrous Hb in HbV gradually increases the level of ferric methemoglobin (metHb) and impairs the oxygen transport capabilities. The extension of the functional half-life of HbV has recently been proposed using an electron mediator, methylene blue (MB), which acts as a shuttle between red blood cells (RBC) and HbV. MB transfers electron energies of NAD(P)H, produced by RBC glycolysis, to metHb in HbV. Work presented here focuses on screening of 15 potential electron mediators, with appropriate redox potential and water solubility, for electron transfer from RBC to HbV. The results are assessed with regard to the chemical properties of the candidates. The compounds examined in this study were dimethyl methylene blue (DMB), methylene green, azure A, azure B, azure C, toluidine blue (TDB), thionin acetate, phenazine methosulfate, brilliant cresyl blue, cresyl violet, gallocyanine, toluylene blue, indigo carmine, indigotetrasulfonate, and MB. Six candidates were found to be unsuitable because of their insufficient diffusion across membranes, or overly high or nonexistent reactivity with relevant biomolecules. However, 9 displayed favorable metHb reduction. Among the suitable candidates, phenothiazines DMB and TDB exhibited effectiveness like MB did. In comparison to MB, they showed faster reduction by electron-donating NAD(P)H, coupled with showing a lower rate of reoxidation in the presence of molecular oxygen. Ascertaining the best electron mediator can provide a pathway for extending the lifetime and efficiency of potential blood substitutes.

  14. Comparative Geno-Plasticity Analysis of Mycoplasma bovis HB0801 (Chinese Isolate)

    PubMed Central

    Qi, Jingjing; Guo, Aizhen; Cui, Peng; Chen, Yingyu; Mustafa, Riaz; Ba, Xiaoliang; Hu, Changmin; Bai, Zhidi; Chen, Xi; Shi, Lei; Chen, Huanchun

    2012-01-01

    Mycoplasma bovis pneumonia in cattle has been epidemic in China since 2008. To investigate M. bovis pathogenesis, we completed genome sequencing of strain HB0801 isolated from a lesioned bovine lung from Hubei, China. The genomic plasticity was determined by comparing HB0801 with M. bovis strain ATCC® 25523™/PG45 from cow mastitis milk, Chinese strain Hubei-1 from lesioned lung tissue, and 16 other Mycoplasmas species. Compared to PG45, the genome size of HB0801 was reduced by 11.7 kb. Furthermore, a large chromosome inversion (580 kb) was confirmed in all Chinese isolates including HB0801, HB1007, a strain from cow mastitis milk, and Hubei-1. In addition, the variable surface lipoproteins (vsp) gene cluster existed in HB0801, but contained less than half of the genes, and had poor identity to that in PG45, but they had conserved structures. Further inter-strain comparisons revealed other mechanisms of gene acquisition and loss in HB0801 that primarily involved insertion sequence (IS) elements, integrative conjugative element, restriction and modification systems, and some lipoproteins and transmembrane proteins. Subsequently, PG45 and HB0801 virulence in cattle was compared. Results indicated that both strains were pathogenic to cattle. The scores of gross pathological assessment for the control group, and the PG45- and HB0801-infected groups were 3, 13 and 9, respectively. Meanwhile the scores of lung lesion for these three groups were 36, 70, and 69, respectively. In addition, immunohistochemistry detection demonstrated that both strains were similarly distributed in lungs and lymph nodes. Although PG45 showed slightly higher virulence in calves than HB0801, there was no statistical difference between the strains (P>0.05). Compared to Hubei-1, a total of 122 SNP loci were disclosed in HB0801. In conclusion, although genomic plasticity was thought to be an evolutionary advantage, it did not apparently affect virulence of M. bovis strains in cattle. PMID:22693604

  15. Knowledge and Outcome Measure of HbA1c Testing in Asian Indian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes from a Tertiary Care Center

    PubMed Central

    Kumpatla, Satyavani; Medempudi, Srikanth; Manoharan, Deepa; Viswanathan, Vijay

    2010-01-01

    Aim: HbA1c test is considered to be the reliable measure for evaluating long-term glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether knowledge about HbA1c test is associated with a better glycemic control. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 480 (M:F; 287:193) adults with type 2 diabetes attending a tertiary care center during a period of four months. Baseline demographic and clinical data of all the subjects was obtained. Subject’s knowledge about HbA1c test and their target goal was assessed using a questionnaire. Recent HbA1c results were obtained from medical records. Results: Seventy four per cent of the subjects had awareness about HbA1c test and about 43% of those who knew HbA1c test also knew their target goal. 33% remember their last HbA1c result. The mean A1C of Group A was significantly lower when compared with Group B (8.1 ± 1.7 vs 9.2 ± 1.9, P<0.0001). Group C had lower A1C levels compared to Group D (7.7 ± 1.4 vs 8.5 ± 1.9, p<0.0001). Patients who kept their HbA1c less than 7% were significantly higher in Group C than in Group D. (37.8 vs 12.7%, p<0.00001). Subjects had good glycemic control with increasing levels of awareness about HbA1c. Conclusion: Majority of the diabetic patients who attended the tertiary care center for diabetes care knew HbA1c test and half of them were aware about their target goal. Awareness about HbA1c had a positive impact on maintenance of better glycemic control. PMID:20922109

  16. The Effect of Prolonged Glucosamine Usage on HbA1c Levels and New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Overweight and Obese Middle-Aged Women.

    PubMed

    Gommans, Yvonne M M; Runhaar, Jos; Jacobs, Marloes L; Bierma-Zeinstra, Sita M A

    2017-06-01

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a 2.5-year glucosamine sulfate intervention on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus over 6.5 years in middle-aged women with a body mass index ≥27 kg/m 2 . In total, 407 women were randomized into either oral crystalline glucosamine sulfate or placebo. At baseline, 1 year, 2.5 years, and 6.5 years, a blood sample for the HbA1c level was drawn and questionnaires were taken. After 6.5 years there were missing data for some variables, therefore, multiple imputation was used. With the imputed data, a generalized estimating equation was performed to analyze the effect of glucosamine sulfate usage over 6.5 years. Finally, these analyses were rerun for the 2 subgroups of participants with and without high HbA1c level (≥42 mmol/mol) at baseline. There was no significant effect of a 2.5-year glucosamine sulfate intervention on mean HbA1c level or on obtaining a high HbA1c level or new-onset diabetes mellitus over 6.5 years. The subgroup analyses of participants with and without high HbA1c level at baseline were also not statistically significant. However, participants with a high HbA1c level at baseline had higher odds ratios compared with the participants with a normal HbA1c at baseline. There was no effect of glucosamine sulfate on mean HbA1c level nor on obtaining a high HbA1c level or new-onset diabetes mellitus over 6.5 years, especially in participants with a normal HbA1c level at baseline. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Effect of iron deficiency anemia and iron supplementation on HbA1c levels - Implications for diagnosis of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus in Asian Indians.

    PubMed

    Madhu, S V; Raj, Abhishek; Gupta, Stuti; Giri, S; Rusia, Usha

    2017-05-01

    We investigated the effect of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) on levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and to compare its levels before and after iron supplementations. Age and sex matched subjects were enrolled and clustered in 2 groups: IDA (n=62) and healthy controls (HC; n=60). HbA1c levels were estimated by HPLC. Hemogram were estimated by hematology analyser. Serum ferritin (ELISA) and other parameters of iron profile were measured by standard guidelines of ICSH. HbA1c values and iron studies were repeated after 3months of iron supplementation to determine the effect of iron therapy on HbA1c levels. Significantly higher HbA1c levels were observed in IDA subjects compared to HC (5.51±0.696 v/s 4.85±0.461%, p<0.001). A significant negative correlation was observed between HbA1c and hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC count, MCH, MCHC and serum ferritin in IDA subjects (r=-0.632, -0.652, -0.384, -0.236, -0.192 and -0.441). Significant decline was noticed in HbA1c levels in IDA subjects after iron supplementation (5.51±0.696 before treatment v/s 5.044±0.603 post-treatment; p<0.001). Post treatment, 70% subjects (14/20) with HbA1c in pre-diabetes range normalised to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) range and out of 6 patients with pre-treatment HbA1c in diabetes range, 5 reverted to pre-diabetes range while 1 of them reverted to the NGT range. Caution must be exercised in interpreting the results of HbA1c in patients of IDA and iron deficiency must be corrected before diagnosing diabetes and pre-diabetes solely on the basis of HbA1c criteria. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  18. The relationship between hemoglobin level and the type 1 diabetic nephropathy in Anhui Han's patients.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Jun; Lei, Lan; Zhou, Xiaowan; Li, Peng; Wei, Ren

    2018-02-20

    Recent studies have shown that low hemoglobin (Hb) level promote the progression of chronic kidney disease. This study assessed the relationship between Hb level and type 1 diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Anhui Han's patients. There were a total of 236 patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus and (T1DM) seen between January 2014 and December 2016 in our centre. Hemoglobin levels in patients with DN were compared with those without DN. The relationship between Hb level and the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was examined by Spearman's correlational analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis. The binary logistic multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyze the correlated factors for type 1 DN, calculate the Odds Ratio (OR) and 95%confidence interval (CI). The predicting value of Hb level for DN was evaluated by area under receiver operation characteristic curve (AUROC) for discrimination and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test for calibration. The average Hb levels in the DN group (116.1 ± 20.8 g/L) were significantly lower than the non-DN group (131.9 ± 14.4 g/L) , P < 0.001. Hb levels were independently correlated with the urinary ACR in multiple stepwise regression analysis. The logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that the Hb level (OR: 0.936, 95% CI: 0.910 to 0.963, P < 0.001) was inversely correlated with DN in patients with T1DM. In sub-analysis, low Hb level (Hb < 120g/L in female, Hb < 130g/L in male) was still negatively associated with DN in patients with T1DM. The AUROC was 0.721 (95% CI: 0.655 to 0.787) in assessing the discrimination of the Hb level for DN. The value of P was 0.593 in Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. In Anhui Han's patients with T1DM, the Hb level is inversely correlated with urinary ACR and DN. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  19. Cross-resistance patterns to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides of flixweed (Descurainia sophia L.) conferred by different combinations of ALS isozymes with a Pro-197-Thr mutation or a novel Trp-574-Leu mutation.

    PubMed

    Deng, Wei; Yang, Qian; Zhang, Yongzhi; Jiao, Hongtao; Mei, Yu; Li, Xuefeng; Zheng, Mingqi

    2017-03-01

    Acetolactate synthase (ALS) is the common target of ALS-inhibiting herbicides, and target-site ALS mutations are the main mechanism of resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides. In this study, ALS1 and ALS2 genes with full lengths of 2004bp and 1998bp respectively were cloned in individual plants of susceptible (S) or resistant (R) flixweed (Descurainia sophia L.) populations. Two ALS mutations of Pro-197-Thr and/or Trp-574-Leu were identified in plants of three R biotypes (HB24, HB30 and HB42). In order to investigate the function of ALS isozymes in ALS-inhibiting herbicide resistance, pHB24 (a Pro-197-Thr mutation in ALS1 and a wild type ALS2), pHB42 (a Trp-574-Leu mutation in ALS1 and a wild type ALS2) and pHB30 (a Trp-574-Leu mutation in ALS1 and a Pro-197-Thr mutation in ALS2) subpopulations individually homozygous for different ALS mutations were generated. Individuals of pHB30 had mutations in each isozyme of ALS and had higher resistance than pHB24 and pHB42 populations containing mutations in only one ALS isozyme. Moreover, the pHB24 had resistance to SU, TP and SCT herbicides, whereas pHB24 and pHB42 had resistance to these classes of herbicides as well as IMI and PTB herbicides. The sensitivity of isolated ALS enzyme to inhibition by herbicides in these populations correlated with whole plant resistance levels. Therefore, reduced ALS sensitivity resulting from the mutations in ALS was responsible for resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in flixweed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Individual hemoglobin mass response to normobaric and hypobaric "live high-train low": A one-year crossover study.

    PubMed

    Hauser, Anna; Troesch, Severin; Saugy, Jonas J; Schmitt, Laurent; Cejuela-Anta, Roberto; Faiss, Raphael; Steiner, Thomas; Robinson, Neil; Millet, Grégoire P; Wehrlin, Jon P

    2017-08-01

    The purpose of this research was to compare individual hemoglobin mass (Hb mass ) changes following a live high-train low (LHTL) altitude training camp under either normobaric hypoxia (NH) or hypobaric hypoxia (HH) conditions in endurance athletes. In a crossover design with a one-year washout, 15 male triathletes randomly performed two 18-day LHTL training camps in either HH or NH. All athletes slept at 2,250 meters and trained at altitudes <1,200 meters. Hb mass was measured in duplicate with the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method before (pre) and immediately after (post) each 18-day training camp. Hb mass increased similarly in HH (916-957 g, 4.5 ± 2.2%, P < 0.001) and in NH (918-953 g, 3.8 ± 2.6%, P < 0.001). Hb mass changes did not differ between HH and NH ( P = 0.42). There was substantial interindividual variability among subjects to both interventions (i.e., individual responsiveness or the individual variation in the response to an intervention free of technical noise): 0.9% in HH and 1.7% in NH. However, a correlation between intraindividual ΔHb mass changes (%) in HH and in NH ( r = 0.52, P = 0.048) was observed. HH and NH evoked similar mean Hb mass increases following LHTL. Among the mean Hb mass changes, there was a notable variation in individual Hb mass response that tended to be reproducible. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to compare individual hemoglobin mass (Hb mass ) response to normobaric and hypobaric live high-train low using a same-subject crossover design. The main findings indicate that hypobaric and normobaric hypoxia evoked a similar mean increase in Hb mass following 18 days of live high-train low. Notable variability and reproducibility in individual Hb mass responses between athletes was observed, indicating the importance of evaluating individual Hb mass response to altitude training. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  1. Impact of Disease Management Programs on HbA1c Values in Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Germany.

    PubMed

    Kostev, Karel; Rockel, Timo; Jacob, Louis

    2017-01-01

    The aim was to analyze the impact of disease management programs on HbA1c values in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Germany. This study included 9017 patients followed in disease management programs (DMPs) who started an antihyperglycemic treatment upon inclusion in a DMP. Standard care (SC) patients were included after individual matching (1:1) to DMP cases based on age, gender, physician (diabetologist versus nondiabetologist care), HbA1c values at baseline, and index year. The main outcome was the share of patients with HbA1c <7.5% or 6.5% after at least 6 months and less than 12 months of therapy in DMP and SC groups. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted with HbA1c level as a dependent variable and the potential predictor (DMP versus SC). The mean age was 64.3 years and 54.7% of the patients were men. The mean HbA1c level at baseline was equal to 8.7%. In diabetologist practices, 64.7% of DMP patients and 55.1% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <7.5%, while 23.4% of DMP patients and 16.9% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <6.5% ( P values < .001). By comparison, in general practices, 72.4% of DMP patients and 65.7% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <7.5%, while 29.0% of DMP patients and 25.4% of SC patients had HbA1c levels <6.5% ( P values < .001). DMPs increased the likelihood of HbA1c levels lower than 7.5% or 6.5% after 6 months of therapy in both diabetologist and general care practices. The present study indicates that the enrollment of T2DM patients in DMPs has a positive impact on HbA1c values in Germany.

  2. Relative bioavailability of iron proteinate for broilers fed a casein-dextrose diet.

    PubMed

    Ma, X Y; Liu, S B; Lu, L; Li, S F; Xie, J J; Zhang, L Y; Zhang, J H; Luo, X G

    2014-03-01

    An experiment was carried out to determine the bioavailability of organic Fe as Fe proteinate (Alltech, Nicholasville, KY) relative to inorganic Fe source (FeSO4•7H2O) for broiler chicks fed a casein-dextrose diet. A total of 448 1-d-old Arbor Acres commercial male broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 1 of 8 replicate cages (8 chicks per cage) for each of 7 treatments in a completely randomized design involving a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 Fe sources (Fe proteinate and Fe sulfate) and 3 levels of added Fe (10, 20, or 40 mg of Fe/kg) plus a Fe-unsupplemented control diet containing 4.56 mg of Fe/kg by analysis. Feed and distilled-deionized water were available ad libitum for an experimental phase of 14 d. At 14 d of age, blood samples were collected for testing hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit, and calculating total body Hb Fe, whereas liver and kidney samples were excised for Fe analyses. The results showed that ADG, ADFI, blood Hb, hematocrit, and total body Hb Fe and Fe concentrations in liver and kidney increased linearly (P < 0.0001), whereas mortality decreased linearly (P < 0.0001) as dietary Fe level increased. However, only blood Hb concentration and total body Hb Fe differed (P < 0.004) between the 2 Fe sources. Based on slope ratios from the multiple linear regression of Hb concentration and total body Hb Fe on daily intake of analyzed dietary Fe, the bioavailability of Fe proteinate relative to FeSO4•7H2O (100%) was 117 and 114%, respectively (P < 0.009). The results indicated that blood Hb concentration and total body Hb Fe were sensitive indices in reflecting differences in bioavailability among different Fe sources, and Fe proteinate was significantly more available to broilers than inorganic Fe sulfate in enhancing Hb concentration and total body Hb Fe.

  3. Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Using Proposed HbA1c Diagnostic Criteria in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer–Norfolk Cohort

    PubMed Central

    Chamnan, Parinya; Simmons, Rebecca K.; Forouhi, Nita G.; Luben, Robert N.; Khaw, Kay-Tee; Wareham, Nicholas J.; Griffin, Simon J.

    2011-01-01

    OBJECTIVE To evaluate the incidence and relative risk of type 2 diabetes defined by the newly proposed HbA1c diagnostic criteria in groups categorized by different baseline HbA1c levels. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using data from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort with repeat HbA1c measurements, we estimated the prevalence of known and previously undiagnosed diabetes at baseline (baseline HbA1c ≥6.5%) and the incidence of diabetes over 3 years. We also examined the incidence and corresponding odds ratios (ORs) by different levels of baseline HbA1c. Incident diabetes was defined clinically (self-report at follow-up, prescribed diabetes medication, or inclusion on a diabetes register) or biochemically (HbA1c ≥6.5% at the second health assessment), or both. RESULTS The overall prevalence of diabetes was 4.7%; 41% of prevalent cases were previously undiagnosed. Among 5,735 participants without diabetes at baseline (identified clinically or using HbA1c criteria, or both), 72 developed diabetes over 3 years (1.3% [95% CI 1.0–1.5]), of which 49% were identified using the HbA1c criteria. In 6% of the total population, the baseline HbA1c was 6.0–6.4%; 36% of incident cases arose in this group. The incidence of diabetes in this group was 15 times higher than in those with a baseline HbA1c of <5.0% (OR 15.5 [95% CI 7.2–33.3]). CONCLUSIONS The cumulative incidence of diabetes defined using a newly proposed HbA1c threshold in this middle-aged British cohort was 1.3% over 3 years. Targeting interventions to individuals with an HbA1c of 6.0–6.4% might represent a feasible preventive strategy, although complementary population-based preventive strategies are also needed to reduce the growing burden of diabetes. PMID:20622160

  4. UK Renal Registry 16th annual report: chapter 10 haemoglobin, ferritin and erythropoietin amongst UK adult dialysis patients in 2012: national and centre-specific analyses.

    PubMed

    Rao, Anirudh; Gilg, Julie; Williams, Andrew

    2013-01-01

    Anaemia treatment in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients has changed dramatically since the implementation of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) and has shifted the emphasis from treating severe anaemia in dialysis patients to preventing anaemia. The aim of this chapter is to determine the extent to which the UK Renal Association (RA) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for anaemia management are met in the UK. Quarterly data were obtained for haemoglobin (Hb) and factors that influence Hb from UK renal centres for the incident and prevalent renal replacement therapy (RRT) cohorts for 2012. In the UK, in 2012, 51% of patients commenced dialysis therapy with Hb 100 g/L (median Hb 100 g/L). Of patients in the early presentation group, 54% started dialysis with Hb 100 g/L whilst 34% of patients presenting late started dialysis with Hb 100 g/L. The UK median Hb of haemodialysis (HD) patients was 112 g/L, with 82% of patients having Hb 100 g/L. The median Hb of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in the UK was 114 g/L, with 85% of patients having Hb 100 g/L. The median ferritin in HD patients in the UK was 431 µg/L and 95% of HD patients had a ferritin 100 µg/L. In EW&NI the median ferritin in PD patients was 285 µg/L (IQR 164-466) with 88% of PD patients having a ferritin 100 µg/L. In EW&NI the median ESA dose was higher for HD than PD patients (7,248 vs. 4,250 IU/week). The percentage of patients treated with an ESA and having Hb >120 g/L ranged between centres from 7-39% for HD and from 0-33% for PD. There was poor correlation between median Hb achieved and median ferritin and ESA usage across the EW&NI centres. There was also a significant variation between centres in the percentages of patients treated with an ESA and having Hb >120 g/L. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  5. CYP1A2 and NAT2 phenotyping and 3-aminobiphenyl and 4-aminobiphenyl hemoglobin adduct levels in smokers and non-smokers

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Sarkar, Mohamadi; Department of Pharmaceutics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298; Stabbert, Regina

    Some aromatic amines are considered to be putative bladder carcinogens. Hemoglobin (Hb) adducts of 3-aminobiphenyl (3-ABP) and 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) have been used as biomarkers of exposure to aromatic amines from cigarette smoke. One of the goals of this study was to determine intra- and inter-individual variability in 3-ABP and 4-ABP Hb adducts and to explore the predictability of ABP Hb adduct levels based on caffeine phenotyping. The study was conducted in adult smokers (S, n = 65) and non-smokers (NS, n 65). The subjects were phenotyped for CYP1A2 and NAT2 using urinary caffeine metabolites. Blood samples were collected twice withinmore » 6 weeks and adducts measured by GC/MS. The levels of 4-ABP Hb adducts were significantly (p < 0.0001) greater in S (34.5 {+-} 21.06 pg/g Hb) compared to NS (6.3 {+-} 3.02 pg/g Hb). The levels of 3-ABP Hb adducts were below the limit of quantification (BLOQ) in most (82%) of the NS and about 10-fold lower in S (3.6 {+-} 3.29 pg/g Hb) compared to 4-ABP Hb adducts. No differences were observed in the adduct levels between weeks 1 and 6 in the smokers, suggesting that a single sample would be adequate to monitor cigarette smoke exposure. The regression model developed with CYP1A2, NAT2 phenotype and number of cigarettes smoked (NCIG) accounted for 47% of the variability in 3-ABP adducts, whereas 32% variability in 4-ABP adducts was accounted by CYP1A2 and NCIG. The ratio of 4-ABP Hb adducts in adult S:NS was {approx} 5:1, whereas 3-ABP Hb adducts levels were BLOQ in some S, exhibited large interindividual variability ({approx} 91% compared to 57% for 4-ABP Hb) and poor dose response relationship. Therefore, 4-ABP Hb adduct levels may be a more useful biomarker of aminobiphenyl exposure from cigarette smoke.« less

  6. Do high blood glucose peaks contribute to higher HbA1c? Results from repeated continuous glucose measurements in children.

    PubMed

    Ulf, Samuelsson; Ragnar, Hanas; Arne, Whiss Per; Johnny, Ludvigsson

    2008-08-01

    HbA1c levels are influenced by the glycemic control of previous 2-3 months. Sometimes patients have surprisingly low HbA1c in spite of many correctly measured high blood glucose values, which is difficult to explain. As glucose sensors give an objective picture based on glucose readings several times per minute over 24 hours, we used the area under the curve (AUC) of such subcutaneous glucose profiles to evaluate their relationship with HbA1c. Thirty-two patients were randomized into two study arms, one open and the other blinded. Both arms had 8 pump users and 8 patients with multiple daily injections (MDI). After three months the two arms crossed over. Both study arms wore a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) for 3 days every 2 weeks. HbA1c was determined before and after each 3-month study period. There was no relationship between HbA1c and s.c. glucose AUC or between HbA1c and the number of peaks >15.0 mmol/L when all CGMS profiles during the 6 months were taken together. Children on MDI showed a positive relationship between HbA1c and AUC (P<0.01) as well as the number of peaks (P<0.01). Children with a negative relationship between HbA1c and AUC generally had fewer fluctuations in blood glucose values, whereas children with a positive relationship had wide fluctuations. between s.c. glucose AUC and HbA1c, the results indicate that wide blood glucose fluctuations may be related to high HbA1c values. Therefore, complications and therapeutic interventions should aim at reducing such fluctuations. Although there was no relationship between s.c. glucose AUC and HbA1c, the results indicate that wide blood glucose fluctuations may be related to high HbA1c values. Therefore, complications and therapeutic interventions should aim at reducing such fluctuations.

  7. A microfluidic device integrating dual CMOS polysilicon nanowire sensors for on-chip whole blood processing and simultaneous detection of multiple analytes.

    PubMed

    Kuan, Da-Han; Wang, I-Shun; Lin, Jiun-Rue; Yang, Chao-Han; Huang, Chi-Hsien; Lin, Yen-Hung; Lin, Chih-Ting; Huang, Nien-Tsu

    2016-08-02

    The hemoglobin-A1c test, measuring the ratio of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) to hemoglobin (Hb) levels, has been a standard assay in diabetes diagnosis that removes the day-to-day glucose level variation. Currently, the HbA1c test is restricted to hospitals and central laboratories due to the laborious, time-consuming whole blood processing and bulky instruments. In this paper, we have developed a microfluidic device integrating dual CMOS polysilicon nanowire sensors (MINS) for on-chip whole blood processing and simultaneous detection of multiple analytes. The micromachined polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microfluidic device consisted of a serpentine microchannel with multiple dam structures designed for non-lysed cells or debris trapping, uniform plasma/buffer mixing and dilution. The CMOS-fabricated polysilicon nanowire sensors integrated with the microfluidic device were designed for the simultaneous, label-free electrical detection of multiple analytes. Our study first measured the Hb and HbA1c levels in 11 clinical samples via these nanowire sensors. The results were compared with those of standard Hb and HbA1c measurement methods (Hb: the sodium lauryl sulfate hemoglobin detection method; HbA1c: cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography) and showed comparable outcomes. Finally, we successfully demonstrated the efficacy of the MINS device's on-chip whole blood processing followed by simultaneous Hb and HbA1c measurement in a clinical sample. Compared to current Hb and HbA1c sensing instruments, the MINS platform is compact and can simultaneously detect two analytes with only 5 μL of whole blood, which corresponds to a 300-fold blood volume reduction. The total assay time, including the in situ sample processing and analyte detection, was just 30 minutes. Based on its on-chip whole blood processing and simultaneous multiple analyte detection functionalities with a lower sample volume requirement and shorter process time, the MINS device can be effectively applied to real-time diabetes diagnostics and monitoring in point-of-care settings.

  8. Risk assessment and HbA1c measurement in Norwegian community pharmacies to identify people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes - A feasibility study.

    PubMed

    Risøy, Aslaug Johanne; Kjome, Reidun Lisbet Skeide; Sandberg, Sverre; Sølvik, Una Ørvim

    2018-01-01

    Determine the feasibility of using a diabetes risk assessment tool followed by HbA1c-measurement in a community-pharmacy setting in Norway. In this longitudinal study two pharmacists in each of three community pharmacies were trained to perform risk assessments, HbA1c-measurements and counselling. Pharmacy customers who were > 18 years old and could understand and speak Norwegian or English were recruited in the pharmacies during a two-months-period. Information about the service was presented in local newspapers, social media, leaflets and posters at the pharmacy. Customers wishing to participate contacted the pharmacy staff. Participants completed a validated diabetes risk test and a background questionnaire including a validated instrument for self-rated health. A HbA1c measurement was performed for individuals with a moderate to high risk of developing diabetes. If HbA1c ≥ 6.5% they were recommended to visit their general practitioner for follow-up. The pharmacies performed internal and external quality control of the HbA1c instrument. Of the 211 included participants 97 (46%) were > 50 years old. HbA1c was measured for the 47 participants (22%) with high risk. Thirty-two (15%) had HbA1c values < 5.7%, twelve (5.4%) had values between 5.7%-6.4%, and three (1.4%) had an HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. Two participants with HbA1 ≥ 6.5% were diagnosed with diabetes by their general practitioner. The third was lost to follow-up. Results from internal and external quality control for HbA1c were within set limits. The pharmacists were able to perform the risk assessment and measurement of HbA1c, and pharmacy customers were willing to participate. The HbA1c measurements fulfilled the requirements for analytical quality. Thus, it is feasible to implement this service in community pharmacies in Norway. In a large-scale study the inclusion criteria should be increased to 45 years in accordance with the population the risk test has been validated for.

  9. Early Glycemic Control and Magnitude of HbA1c Reduction Predict Cardiovascular Events and Mortality: Population-Based Cohort Study of 24,752 Metformin Initiators.

    PubMed

    Svensson, Elisabeth; Baggesen, Lisbeth M; Johnsen, Søren P; Pedersen, Lars; Nørrelund, Helene; Buhl, Esben S; Haase, Christiane L; Thomsen, Reimar W

    2017-06-01

    We investigated the association of early achieved HbA 1c level and magnitude of HbA 1c reduction with subsequent risk of cardiovascular events or death in patients with type 2 diabetes who initiate metformin. This was a population-based cohort study including all metformin initiators with HbA 1c tests in Northern Denmark, 2000-2012. Six months after metformin initiation, we classified patients by HbA 1c achieved (<6.5% or higher) and by magnitude of HbA 1c change from the pretreatment baseline. We used Cox regression to examine subsequent rates of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, or death, controlling for baseline HbA 1c and other confounding factors. We included 24,752 metformin initiators (median age 62.5 years, 55% males) with a median follow-up of 2.6 years. The risk of a combined outcome event gradually increased with rising levels of HbA 1c achieved compared with a target HbA 1c of <6.5%: adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.18 (95% CI 1.07-1.30) for 6.5-6.99%, HR 1.23 (1.09-1.40) for 7.0-7.49%, HR 1.34 (1.14-1.57) for 7.5-7.99%, and HR 1.59 (1.37-1.84) for ≥8%. Results were consistent for individual outcome events and robust by age-group and other patient characteristics. A large absolute HbA 1c reduction from baseline also predicted outcome: adjusted HR 0.80 (0.65-0.97) for Δ = -4, HR 0.98 (0.80-1.20) for Δ = -3, HR 0.92 (0.78-1.08) for Δ = -2, and HR 0.99 (0.89-1.10) for Δ = -1 compared with no HbA 1c change (Δ = 0). A large initial HbA 1c reduction and achievement of low HbA 1c levels within 6 months after metformin initiation are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events and death in patients with type 2 diabetes. © 2017 by the American Diabetes Association.

  10. Changes in HbA1c and Weight Following Transition to Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

    PubMed

    Mehta, Sanjeev N; Andersen, Henrik Ullits; Abrahamson, Martin J; Wolpert, Howard A; Hommel, Eva E; McMullen, William; Ridderstråle, Martin

    2017-01-01

    Historically, intensive insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D) has improved glycemic control at the risk of adverse weight gain. The impact of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy (CSII) on weight in the current era remains unknown. We assessed changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight in adults with T1D transitioning to CSII at 2 diabetes centers in Denmark and the United States. Patients with T1D, aged ≥18 years, managed with multiple daily injections (MDI) who transitioned to CSII between 2002 and 2013 were identified using electronic health record data from the Steno Diabetes Center (n = 600) and Joslin Diabetes Center (n = 658). Changes in HbA1c and weight after 1 year was assessed overall and by baseline HbA1c cut points. Multivariate regression assessed correlates of HbA1c reduction. In adults with T1D transitioning to CSII, clinically significant HbA1c reductions were found in patients with baseline HbA1c 8.0-8.9% (Steno, -0.7%; Joslin, -0.4%) and baseline HbA1c ≥9.0% (Steno, -1.1%; Joslin, -0.9%) ( P < .005 for all). Overall, there was no significant change in weight after 1 year at either center. Modest (<2%) weight gain was noted in patients with baseline HbA1c ≥9% at Steno (1.1 ± 0.3 kg, P < .0001) and Joslin (1.7 ± 1.1, P < .005). In multivariate models, HbA1c reduction was associated with higher HbA1c, older age, female sex at Steno ( R 2 = .28, P < .005), but only higher baseline HbA1c at Joslin ( R 2 = .19, P < .005). Adults with T1D with suboptimal glycemic control significantly improved HbA1c without a negative impact on weight 1 year after transitioning from MDI to CSII.

  11. Risk assessment and HbA1c measurement in Norwegian community pharmacies to identify people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes – A feasibility study

    PubMed Central

    Kjome, Reidun Lisbet Skeide; Sandberg, Sverre; Sølvik, Una Ørvim

    2018-01-01

    Objectives Determine the feasibility of using a diabetes risk assessment tool followed by HbA1c-measurement in a community-pharmacy setting in Norway. Methods In this longitudinal study two pharmacists in each of three community pharmacies were trained to perform risk assessments, HbA1c-measurements and counselling. Pharmacy customers who were > 18 years old and could understand and speak Norwegian or English were recruited in the pharmacies during a two-months-period. Information about the service was presented in local newspapers, social media, leaflets and posters at the pharmacy. Customers wishing to participate contacted the pharmacy staff. Participants completed a validated diabetes risk test and a background questionnaire including a validated instrument for self-rated health. A HbA1c measurement was performed for individuals with a moderate to high risk of developing diabetes. If HbA1c ≥ 6.5% they were recommended to visit their general practitioner for follow-up. The pharmacies performed internal and external quality control of the HbA1c instrument. Results Of the 211 included participants 97 (46%) were > 50 years old. HbA1c was measured for the 47 participants (22%) with high risk. Thirty-two (15%) had HbA1c values < 5.7%, twelve (5.4%) had values between 5.7%—6.4%, and three (1.4%) had an HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. Two participants with HbA1 ≥ 6.5% were diagnosed with diabetes by their general practitioner. The third was lost to follow-up. Results from internal and external quality control for HbA1c were within set limits. Conclusion The pharmacists were able to perform the risk assessment and measurement of HbA1c, and pharmacy customers were willing to participate. The HbA1c measurements fulfilled the requirements for analytical quality. Thus, it is feasible to implement this service in community pharmacies in Norway. In a large-scale study the inclusion criteria should be increased to 45 years in accordance with the population the risk test has been validated for. PMID:29474501

  12. Impact of HbA1c criterion on the definition of glycemic component of the metabolic syndrome: the China health and nutrition survey 2009.

    PubMed

    Sun, Xingxing; Du, Tingting; Huo, Rui; Yu, Xuefeng; Xu, Lixian

    2013-11-05

    In 2009, a unified definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was proposed, of which, the glycemic component is defined on the basis of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level. Recently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended the use of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as an alternative to FPG to define prediabetes. Hence, we aim to compare the performance of HbA1c and FPG in the definition of glycemic component of the MetS among Chinese adults. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 7641 Chinese participants aged ≥18 years using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2009. MetS was defined according to the consensus criteria in 2009. We compared the use of HbA1c versus FPG in the definition of the glycemic component of MetS. Increased HbA1c value was defined following the criterion of HbA1c cut-off point of ≥5.7% recommended by the ADA. Overall, 1136 (14.9%) had MetS according to FPG ≥ 5.6 mmol/l, and 1640 (21.5%) had MetS according to HbA1c ≥ 5.7%. Compared with individuals with FPG-based diagnosis of MetS, individuals with HbA1c-based diagnosis of MetS were older, had higher levels of LDL-C, magnesium, and transferrin, and lower levels of uric acid. Of those found to have MetS according to either FPG or HbA1c (n = 2008), overlap between HbA1c- and FPG-based diagnosis of MetS was limited (n = 768, 38.2%). The overlap index regarding MetS diagnosed by FPG or HbA1c persisted low in each evaluated subgroup (≤ 50.0%). We note limited overlap and poor agreement between FPG- and HbA1c-based diagnosis of MetS. Screening MetS through introduction of HbA1c in addition to FPG could contribute to identification of more people with MetS.

  13. On the Metabolism of Exogenous Ketones in Humans

    PubMed Central

    Stubbs, Brianna J.; Cox, Pete J.; Evans, Rhys D.; Santer, Peter; Miller, Jack J.; Faull, Olivia K.; Magor-Elliott, Snapper; Hiyama, Satoshi; Stirling, Matthew; Clarke, Kieran

    2017-01-01

    Background and aims: Currently there is considerable interest in ketone metabolism owing to recently reported benefits of ketosis for human health. Traditionally, ketosis has been achieved by following a high-fat, low-carbohydrate “ketogenic” diet, but adherence to such diets can be difficult. An alternative way to increase blood D-β-hydroxybutyrate (D-βHB) concentrations is ketone drinks, but the metabolic effects of exogenous ketones are relatively unknown. Here, healthy human volunteers took part in three randomized metabolic studies of drinks containing a ketone ester (KE); (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, or ketone salts (KS); sodium plus potassium βHB. Methods and Results: In the first study, 15 participants consumed KE or KS drinks that delivered ~12 or ~24 g of βHB. Both drinks elevated blood D-βHB concentrations (D-βHB Cmax: KE 2.8 mM, KS 1.0 mM, P < 0.001), which returned to baseline within 3–4 h. KS drinks were found to contain 50% of the L-βHB isoform, which remained elevated in blood for over 8 h, but was not detectable after 24 h. Urinary excretion of both D-βHB and L-βHB was <1.5% of the total βHB ingested and was in proportion to the blood AUC. D-βHB, but not L-βHB, was slowly converted to breath acetone. The KE drink decreased blood pH by 0.10 and the KS drink increased urinary pH from 5.7 to 8.5. In the second study, the effect of a meal before a KE drink on blood D-βHB concentrations was determined in 16 participants. Food lowered blood D-βHB Cmax by 33% (Fed 2.2 mM, Fasted 3.3 mM, P < 0.001), but did not alter acetoacetate or breath acetone concentrations. All ketone drinks lowered blood glucose, free fatty acid and triglyceride concentrations, and had similar effects on blood electrolytes, which remained normal. In the final study, participants were given KE over 9 h as three drinks (n = 12) or a continuous nasogastric infusion (n = 4) to maintain blood D-βHB concentrations greater than 1 mM. Both drinks and infusions gave identical D-βHB AUC of 1.3–1.4 moles.min. Conclusion: We conclude that exogenous ketone drinks are a practical, efficacious way to achieve ketosis. PMID:29163194

  14. Hemoglobin A1c variability as an independent correlate of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis of the Renal Insufficiency and Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicenter Study

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Previous reports have clearly indicated a significant relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) A1c change from one visit to the next and microvascular complications, especially nephropathy (albuminuria and albuminuric chronic kidney disease, CKD). In contrast, data on macrovascular disease are less clear. This study was aimed at examining the association of HbA1c variability with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the large cohort of subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Renal Insufficiency and Cardiovascular Events (RIACE) Italian Multicenter Study. Methods Serial (3–5) HbA1c values obtained during the 2-year period preceding recruitment, including that obtained at the enrolment, were available from 8,290 subjects from 9 centers (out of 15,773 patients from 19 centers). Average HbA1c and HbA1c variability were calculated as the intra-individual mean (HbA1c-MEAN) and standard deviation (HbA1c-SD), respectively, of 4.52±0.76 values. Prevalent CVD, total and by vascular bed, was assessed from medical history by recording previous documented major acute events. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was assessed by dilated fundoscopy. CKD was defined based on albuminuria, as measured by immunonephelometry or immunoturbidimetry, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, as calculated from serum creatinine. Results HbA1c-MEAN, but not HbA1c-SD, was significantly higher (P<0.0001) in subjects with history of any CVD (n. 2,133, 25.7%) than in those without CVD (n. 6,157, 74.3%). Median and interquartile range were 7.78 (7.04-8.56) and 7.49 (6.81-8.31), respectively, for HbA1c-MEAN, and 0.47 (0.29-0.75) and 0.46 (0.28-0.73), respectively, for HbA1c-SD. Logistic regression analyses showed that HbA1c-MEAN, but not HbA1c-SD (and independent of it), was a significant correlate of any CVD. Similar findings were observed in subjects with versus those without any coronary or cerebrovascular event or myocardial infarction. Conversely, none of these measures were associated with stroke, whereas both correlated with any lower limb vascular event and HbA1c-SD alone with ulceration/gangrene. All these associations were independent of known CVD risk factors and microvascular complications (DR and CKD). Conclusions In patients with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c variability has not a major impact on macrovascular complications, at variance with average HbA1c, an opposite finding as compared with microvascular disease, and particularly nephropathy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT00715481 PMID:23829205

  15. Adult neurobehavioral outcome of hyperbilirubinemia in full term neonates-a 30 year prospective follow-up study.

    PubMed

    Hokkanen, Laura; Launes, Jyrki; Michelsson, Katarina

    2014-01-01

    Background. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (HB) may cause severe neurological damage, but serious consequences are effectively controlled by phototherapy and blood exchange transfusion. HB is still a serious health problem in economically compromised parts of the world. The long term outcome has been regarded favorable based on epidemiological data, but has not been confirmed in prospective follow-up studies extending to adulthood. Methods. We studied the long term consequences of HB in a prospective birth cohort of 128 HB cases and 82 controls. The cases are part of a neonatal at-risk cohort (n = 1196) that has been followed up to 30 years of age. HB cases were newborns ≥ 2500 g birth weight and ≥ 37 weeks of gestation who had bilirubin concentrations > 340 µmol/l or required blood exchange transfusion. Subjects with HB were divided into subgroups based on the presence (affected HB) or absence (unaffected HB) of diagnosed neurobehavioral disorders in childhood, and compared with healthy controls. Subjects were seen at discharge, 5, 9 and 16 years of life and parent's and teacher's assessments were recorded. At 30 years they filled a questionnaire about academic and occupational achievement, life satisfaction, somatic and psychiatric symptoms including a ADHD self-rating score. Cognitive functioning was tested using ITPA, WISC, and reading and writing tests at 9 years of life. Results. Compared to controls, the odds for a child with HB having neurobehavioral symptoms at 9 years was elevated (OR = 4.68). Forty-five per cent of the HB group were affected by cognitive abnormalities in childhood and continued to experience problems in adulthood. This was apparent in academic achievement (p < 0.0001) and the ability to complete secondary (p < 0.0001) and tertiary (p < 0.004) education. Also, the subgroup of affected HB reported persisting cognitive complaints e.g., problems with reading, writing and mathematics. Childhood symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (p < 0.0001) and inattention (p < 0.02) were more common in HB groups, but in adulthood the symptoms were equal. The affected HB had lower scores in parameters reflecting life satisfaction, less controlled drinking, but not increased substance abuse. Discussion. Our results indicate that neonatal HB has negative consequences in adult age. A prospectively collected cohort with strict inclusion criteria enables to control most of the bias factors involved with retrospective data. The control and HB groups were remarkably similar at birth in terms of medical data, and the growth environment of the children, as well as the parents' social groups, education, size of family, type of housing at birth and at 9 years of age. Our findings bear resemblance to disorders of the fronto-striatal network, and also symptoms of the ADHD spectrum were frequent in the HB group suggesting a link of HB to other neurodevelopmental disorders.

  16. Adult neurobehavioral outcome of hyperbilirubinemia in full term neonates—a 30 year prospective follow-up study

    PubMed Central

    Launes, Jyrki; Michelsson, Katarina

    2014-01-01

    Background. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (HB) may cause severe neurological damage, but serious consequences are effectively controlled by phototherapy and blood exchange transfusion. HB is still a serious health problem in economically compromised parts of the world. The long term outcome has been regarded favorable based on epidemiological data, but has not been confirmed in prospective follow-up studies extending to adulthood. Methods. We studied the long term consequences of HB in a prospective birth cohort of 128 HB cases and 82 controls. The cases are part of a neonatal at-risk cohort (n = 1196) that has been followed up to 30 years of age. HB cases were newborns ≥ 2500 g birth weight and ≥ 37 weeks of gestation who had bilirubin concentrations > 340 µmol/l or required blood exchange transfusion. Subjects with HB were divided into subgroups based on the presence (affected HB) or absence (unaffected HB) of diagnosed neurobehavioral disorders in childhood, and compared with healthy controls. Subjects were seen at discharge, 5, 9 and 16 years of life and parent’s and teacher’s assessments were recorded. At 30 years they filled a questionnaire about academic and occupational achievement, life satisfaction, somatic and psychiatric symptoms including a ADHD self-rating score. Cognitive functioning was tested using ITPA, WISC, and reading and writing tests at 9 years of life. Results. Compared to controls, the odds for a child with HB having neurobehavioral symptoms at 9 years was elevated (OR = 4.68). Forty-five per cent of the HB group were affected by cognitive abnormalities in childhood and continued to experience problems in adulthood. This was apparent in academic achievement (p < 0.0001) and the ability to complete secondary (p < 0.0001) and tertiary (p < 0.004) education. Also, the subgroup of affected HB reported persisting cognitive complaints e.g., problems with reading, writing and mathematics. Childhood symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (p < 0.0001) and inattention (p < 0.02) were more common in HB groups, but in adulthood the symptoms were equal. The affected HB had lower scores in parameters reflecting life satisfaction, less controlled drinking, but not increased substance abuse. Discussion. Our results indicate that neonatal HB has negative consequences in adult age. A prospectively collected cohort with strict inclusion criteria enables to control most of the bias factors involved with retrospective data. The control and HB groups were remarkably similar at birth in terms of medical data, and the growth environment of the children, as well as the parents’ social groups, education, size of family, type of housing at birth and at 9 years of age. Our findings bear resemblance to disorders of the fronto-striatal network, and also symptoms of the ADHD spectrum were frequent in the HB group suggesting a link of HB to other neurodevelopmental disorders. PMID:24688870

  17. A novel nanobiotherapeutic poly-[hemoglobin-superoxide dismutase-catalase-carbonic anhydrase] with no cardiac toxicity for the resuscitation of a rat model with 90 minutes of sustained severe hemorrhagic shock with loss of 2/3 blood volume

    PubMed Central

    Bian, Yuzhu; Chang, Thomas Ming Swi

    2015-01-01

    Abstract We crosslink hemoglobin (Hb), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and carbonic anhydrase (CA) to form a soluble polyHb-SOD-CAT-CA nanobiotechnological complex. The obtained product is a soluble complex with three enhanced red blood cell (RBC) functions and without blood group antigens. In the present study, 2/3 of blood volume was removed to result in 90-min hemorrhagic shock at mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of 30 mmHg. This was followed by the reinfusion of different resuscitation fluids, then followed for another 60 min. PolyHb-SOD-CAT-CA maintained the MAP at 87.5 ± 5 mmHg as compared with 3 volumes of lactated Ringer's solution, 43.3 ± 2.8 mmHg; blood, 91.3 ± 3.6 mmHg; polyHb-SOD-CAT, 86.0 ± 4.6 mmHg; poly stroma-free hemolysate (polySFHb), 85.0 ± 2.5 mmHg; and polyHb, 82.6 ± 3.5 mmHg. PolyHb-SOD-CAT-CA was superior to the blood and other fluids based on the following criteria. PolyHb-SOD-CAT-CA reduced tissue pCO2 from 98 ± 4.5 mmHg to 68.6 ± 3 mmHg. This was significantly (p < 0.05) more effective than lactated Ringer's solution (98 ± 4.5 mmHg), polyHb (90.1 ± 4.0 mmHg), polyHb-SOD-CAT (90.9 ± 1.4 mmHg), blood (79.1 ± 4.7 mmHg), and polySFHb (77 ± 5 mmHg). PolyHb-SOD-CAT-CA reduced the elevated ST level to 21.7 ± 6.7% and is significantly (< 0.05) better than polyHb (57.7 ± 8.7%), blood (39.1 ± 1.5%), polySFHb (38.3% ± 2.1%), polyHb-SOD-CAT (27.8 ± 5.6%), and lactated Ringer's solution (106 ± 3.1%). The plasma cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level of polyHb-SOD-CAT-CA group was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of all the other groups. PolyHb-SOD-CAT-CA reduced plasma lactate level from 18 ± 2.3 mM/L to 6.9 ± 0.3 mM/L. It was significantly more effective (P < 0.05) than lactated Ringer's solution (12.4 ± 0.6 mM/L), polyHb (9.6 ± 0.7 mM/L), blood (8.1 ± 0.2 mM/L), polySFHb (8.4 ± 0.1 mM/L), and polyHb-SOD-CAT (7.6 ± 0.3 mM/L). PolyHb-SOD-CAT-CA can be stored for 320 days at room temperature. Lyophilized poly-Hb-SOD-CAT-CA can be heat pasteurized at 68F for 2 h. This can be important if there is a need to inactivate human immunodeficiency virus, Ebola virus, and other infectious organisms. PMID:25297052

  18. 75 FR 10863 - Savings Association Holding Company Report H-(b)11

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-09

    ... H-(b)11 AGENCY: Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comment... Holding Company Report H- (b)11. OMB Number: 1550-0060. Form Numbers: OTS Form H-(b)11. Regulation...) provide that each savings and loan holding company is required to file an annual report H-(b)11 within 90...

  19. Liquid-liquid separation in solutions of normal and sickle cell hemoglobin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Galkin, Oleg; Chen, Kai; Nagel, Ronald L.; Elison Hirsch, Rhoda; Vekilov, Peter G.

    2002-06-01

    We show that in solutions of human hemoglobin (Hb)oxy- and deoxy-Hb A or Sof near-physiological pH, ionic strength, and Hb concentration, liquid-liquid phase separation occurs reversibly and reproducibly at temperatures between 35 and 40°C. In solutions of deoxy-HbS, we demonstrate that the dense liquid droplets facilitate the nucleation of HbS polymers, whose formation is the primary pathogenic event for sickle cell anemia. In view of recent results that shifts of the liquid-liquid separation phase boundary can be achieved by nontoxic additives at molar concentrations up to 30 times lower than the protein concentrations, these findings open new avenues for the inhibition of the HbS polymerization.

  20. Influence of Soil Tillage Systems on Soil Respiration and Production on Wheat, Maize and Soybean Crop

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moraru, P. I.; Rusu, T.

    2012-04-01

    Soil respiration leads to CO2 emissions from soil to the atmosphere, in significant amounts for the global carbon cycle. Soil capacity to produce CO2 varies depending on soil, season, intensity and quality of agrotechnical tillage, soil water, cultivated plant, fertilizer etc. The data presented in this paper were obtained on argic-stagnic Faeoziom (SRTS, 2003). These areas were was our research, presents a medium multiannual temperature of 8.20C, medium of multiannual rain drowns: 613 mm. The experimental variants chosen were: A. Conventional system (CS): V1-reversible plough (22-25 cm)+rotary grape (8-10 cm); B. Minimum tillage system (MT): V2 - paraplow (18-22 cm) + rotary grape (8-10 cm); V3 - chisel (18-22 cm) + rotary grape (8-10 cm);V4 - rotary grape (10-12 cm); C. No-Tillage systems (NT): V5 - direct sowing. The experimental design was a split-plot design with three replications. In one variant the area of a plot was 300 m2. The experimental variants were studied in the 3 years crop rotation: maize - soy-bean - autumn wheat. To soil respiration under different tillage practices, determinations were made for each crop in four vegetative stages (spring, 5-6 leaves, bean forming, harvest) using ACE Automated Soil CO2 Exchange System. Soil respiration varies throughout the year for all three crops of rotation, with a maximum in late spring (1383 to 2480 mmoli m-2s-1) and another in fall (2141 to 2350 mmoli m-2s-1). The determinations confirm the effect of soil tillage system on soil respiration, the daily average is lower at NT (315-1914 mmoli m-2s-1), followed by MT (318-2395 mmoli m-2s-1) and is higher in the CS (321-2480 mmol m-2s-1). Productions obtained at MT and NT don't have significant differences at wheat and are higher at soybean. The differences in crop yields are recorded at maize and can be a direct consequence of loosening, mineralization and intensive mobilization of soil fertility. Acknowledgments: This work was supported by CNCSIS-UEFISCSU, project number PN II-RU 273/2010.

  1. Replication of Annual Cycles in Mn in Hudson River Cores: Mn Peaks During High Water Flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abbott, D. H.; Hutson, D.; Marrero, A. M.; Block, K. A.; Chang, C.; Cai, Y.

    2017-12-01

    Using the results from an ITRAX, XRF scanner, we previously reported apparent annual cycles in Mn in a single, high sedimentation rate Hudson River core, LWB1-8, taken off Yonkers, NY (Carlson et al., 2016). We replicated these results in three more high sedimentation rate cores and found stratigraphic markers that verify our inferences about the annual nature of the Mn cycles. The three new cores are LWB4-5 taken off Peekskill, NY, and LWB3-44 and LWB3-25, both taken in Haverstraw Bay. The cores are from water depths of 7-9 meters and all have high magnetic susceptibilities (typically > 30 cgs units) in their upper 1 to 2 meters. The high susceptibilities are primarily produced by magnetite from modern industrial combustion. One core, LWB1-8, has reconnaissance Cs dates that verify the annual nature of the cycles. More Cs dates are expected before the meeting. We developed several new methods of verifying the annual nature of our layer counts. The first is looking at the grain size distribution and age of layers with unusually high Mn peaks. Peaks in Si, Ni and Ti and peaks in percentage of coarse material typically accompany the peaks in Mn. Some are visible as yellow sandy layers. The five highest peaks in Mn in LWB1-8 have layer counted ages that correspond (within 1 year in the top meter and within 2 years in the bottom meter) to 1996, 1948, 1913, 1857 and 1790. The latter three events are the three largest historical spring freshets on the Hudson. 1996 is a year of unusually high flow rate during the spring freshet. Based on our work and previous work on Mn cycling in rivers, we infer that the peaks in Mn are produced by extreme erosional events that erode sediment and release pore water Mn into the water column. The other methods of testing our chronology involve marine storms that increase Ca and Sr and a search for fragments of the Peekskill meteorite that fell in October 1992. More information on the latter will be available by the meeting.

  2. Restructuring the CS 1 classroom: Examining the effect of open laboratory-based classes vs. closed laboratory-based classes on Computer Science 1 students' achievement and attitudes toward computers and computer courses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Henderson, Jean Foster

    The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of classroom restructuring involving computer laboratories on student achievement and student attitudes toward computers and computer courses. The effects of the targeted student attributes of gender, previous programming experience, math background, and learning style were also examined. The open lab-based class structure consisted of a traditional lecture class with a separate, unscheduled lab component in which lab assignments were completed outside of class; the closed lab-based class structure integrated a lab component within the lecture class so that half the class was reserved for lecture and half the class was reserved for students to complete lab assignments by working cooperatively with each other and under the supervision and guidance of the instructor. The sample consisted of 71 students enrolled in four intact classes of Computer Science I during the fall and spring semesters of the 2006--2007 school year at two southern universities: two classes were held in the fall (one at each university) and two classes were held in the spring (one at each university). A counterbalanced repeated measures design was used in which all students experienced both class structures for half of each semester. The order of control and treatment was rotated among the four classes. All students received the same amount of class and instructor time. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) via a multiple regression strategy was used to test the study's hypotheses. Although the overall MANOVA model was statistically significant, independent follow-up univariate analyses relative to each dependent measure found that the only significant research factor was math background: Students whose mathematics background was at the level of Calculus I or higher had significantly higher student achievement than students whose mathematics background was less than Calculus I. The results suggest that classroom structures that incorporate an open laboratory setting are just as effective on student achievement and attitudes as classroom structures that incorporate a closed laboratory setting. The results also suggest that math background is a strong predictor of student achievement in CS 1.

  3. Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Oxidative Stress in Guinea Pig after Systemic Exposure to Modified Cell-Free Hemoglobin

    PubMed Central

    Butt, Omer I.; Buehler, Paul W.; D'Agnillo, Felice

    2011-01-01

    Systemic exposure to cell-free hemoglobin (Hb) or its breakdown products after hemolysis or with the use of Hb-based oxygen therapeutics may alter the function and integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Using a guinea pig exchange transfusion model, we investigated the effect of a polymerized cell-free Hb (HbG) on the expression of endothelial tight junction proteins (zonula occludens 1, claudin-5, and occludin), astrocyte activation, IgG extravasation, heme oxygenase (HO), iron deposition, oxidative end products (4-hydroxynonenal adducts and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine), and apoptosis (cleaved caspase 3). Reduced zonula occludens 1 expression was observed after HbG transfusion as evidenced by Western blot and confocal microscopy. Claudin-5 distribution was altered in small- to medium-sized vessels. However, total expression of claudin-5 and occludin remained unchanged except for a notable increase in occludin 72 hours after HbG transfusion. HbG-transfused animals also showed increased astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and IgG extravasation after 72 hours. Increased HO activity and HO-1 expression with prominent enhancement of HO-1 immunoreactivity in CD163-expressing perivascular cells and infiltrating monocytes/macrophages were also observed. Consistent with oxidative stress, HbG increased iron deposition, 4-hydroxynonenal and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine immunoreactivity, and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Systemic exposure to an extracellular Hb triggers blood-brain barrier disruption and oxidative stress, which may have important implications for the use of Hb-based therapeutics and may provide indirect insight on the central nervous system vasculopathies associated with excessive hemolysis. PMID:21356382

  4. Medication Adherence Mediates the Association between Type D Personality and High HbA1c Level in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study

    PubMed Central

    Li, Xuemei; Gao, Min; Zhang, Shengfa; Xu, Huiwen; Zhou, Huixuan; Wang, Xiaohua; Qu, Zhiyong; Guo, Jing

    2017-01-01

    Aims. To examine the association between Type D personality and HbA1c level and to explore the mediating role of medication adherence between them in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. 330 patients went on to complete a self-report measure of medication adherence and the HbA1c tests. Chi-square test, T test, Ordinary Least Square Regression (OLS), and Recentered Influence Function Regression (RIF) were employed. Results. Patients with Type D personality had significantly higher HbA1c value (P < 0.01). When Type D personality was operationalized as a categorical variable, SI was associated with HbA1c (P < 0.01). When NA, SI, and their interaction term were entered into regression, all of them were no longer associated with HbA1c level (P > 0.1). On the other hand, when Type D personality was operationalized as a continuous variable, only SI trait was associated with HbA1c level (P < 0.01). When NA, SI, and NA × SI term together were entered into regression, only SI was not related to HbA1c level. Furthermore, medication adherence had a significant mediation effect between Type D personality and HbA1c, accounting for 54.43% of the total effect. Conclusion. Type D personality was associated with HbA1c in direct and indirect ways, and medication adherence acted as a mediator role. PMID:28280745

  5. Medication Adherence Mediates the Association between Type D Personality and High HbA1c Level in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study.

    PubMed

    Li, Xuemei; Gao, Min; Zhang, Shengfa; Xu, Huiwen; Zhou, Huixuan; Wang, Xiaohua; Qu, Zhiyong; Guo, Jing; Zhang, Weijun; Tian, Donghua

    2017-01-01

    Aims . To examine the association between Type D personality and HbA1c level and to explore the mediating role of medication adherence between them in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods . 330 patients went on to complete a self-report measure of medication adherence and the HbA1c tests. Chi-square test, T test, Ordinary Least Square Regression (OLS), and Recentered Influence Function Regression (RIF) were employed. Results . Patients with Type D personality had significantly higher HbA1c value ( P < 0.01). When Type D personality was operationalized as a categorical variable, SI was associated with HbA1c ( P < 0.01). When NA, SI, and their interaction term were entered into regression, all of them were no longer associated with HbA1c level ( P > 0.1). On the other hand, when Type D personality was operationalized as a continuous variable, only SI trait was associated with HbA1c level ( P < 0.01). When NA, SI, and NA × SI term together were entered into regression, only SI was not related to HbA1c level. Furthermore, medication adherence had a significant mediation effect between Type D personality and HbA1c, accounting for 54.43% of the total effect. Conclusion . Type D personality was associated with HbA1c in direct and indirect ways, and medication adherence acted as a mediator role.

  6. Hemoglobin Adducts of Benzene Oxide in Neonatal and Adult Dried Blood Spots

    PubMed Central

    Funk, William E.; Waidyanatha, Suramya; Chaing, Shu H.; Rappaport, Stephen M.

    2010-01-01

    Adducts of reactive chemicals with hemoglobin (Hb) or human serum albumin can be used as biomarkers of internal doses of carcinogens. Since dried blood spots (DBS) are easier to collect and store than conventional venous blood samples, they encourage applications of biomarkers of exposure in large epidemiology studies. Also, neonatal DBS can be used to investigate chemical exposures in utero. Here, we report a simple method to isolate Hb from DBS with high recovery and purity using the addition of ethanol to aqueous DBS extracts. To prove the concept that DBS-derived proteins can be used to assay for adducts, we measured Hb adducts of benzene oxide, a reactive metabolite of the ubiquitous air pollutant, benzene, in 9 neonatal and 9 adult DBS (from volunteer subjects), using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method that we had previously developed. For comparison, benzene oxide-Hb adducts (BO-Hb) were measured in the same 9 adult subjects, using Hb that had been isolated and purified using our conventional method for venous blood. The geometric mean BO-Hb levels in all DBS samples ranged from 27.7 to 33.1 pmol/g globin. Neither of the comparisons of mean (logged) BO-Hb levels between sources (adult conventional vs. adult DBS and adult DBS vs. newborn DBS) showed a significant difference. Based upon the estimated variance of the BO-Hb levels, we had 80% power to detect a 1.7-fold difference in geometric mean levels of BO-Hb in our samples of 9 subjects. PMID:18708378

  7. Lipid bilayer-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles carrying bovine hemoglobin towards an erythrocyte mimic.

    PubMed

    Tu, Jing; Bussmann, Jeroen; Du, Guangsheng; Gao, Yue; Bouwstra, Joke A; Kros, Alexander

    2018-05-30

    Hemoglobin (Hb)-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) coated with a lipid bilayer (LB-MSNs) were investigated as an erythrocyte mimic. MSNs with a large average pore size (10 nm) act as a rigid core and provide a protective environment for Hb encapsulated inside the pores. The colloidal stability of Hb-loaded MSNs was enhanced upon the application of a lipid bilayer, through fusion of PEGylated liposomes onto the exterior surface of Hb-loaded MSNs. The morphology and mesostructure of the MSNs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and surface area analysis. The Hb loading capacity (mg/g) in MSNs was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy revealed that Hb inside MSNs had an identical, but slightly broadened peak in the Soret region compared to free Hb. Furthermore the encapsulated Hb exhibits similar peroxidase-like activity in catalyzing the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) with hydrogen peroxide. The introduction of a supported lipid bilayer (LB) demonstrated the potential to prevent premature Hb release (the burst release decreased from 25.50 ± 0.33% to 6.73 ± 0.83%) and increased the colloidal stability of the Hb-loaded MSNs (hydrodynamic diameter remained ∼250 nm for at least one week). The in vivo systemic circulation and biodistribution of LB-MSNs were studied in optically transparent zebrafish embryos, revealing that LB-MSNs have the potential to act as an erythrocyte mimic in transfusion therapy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Dose, timing, schedule, and the choice of targeted epitope alter the efficacy of anti-CD22 immunotherapy in mice bearing human lymphoma xenografts.

    PubMed

    O'Donnell, Robert T; Ma, Yunpeng; McKnight, Hayes C; Pearson, David; Tuscano, Joseph M

    2009-12-01

    CD22 is a cell-surface adhesion molecule on most B-cell NHL, so it is a promising target for immunotherapy. HB22.7 is an anti-CD22 mAb that binds the two NH(2)-terminal immunoglobulin domains and specifically blocks the interaction of CD22 with its ligand. CD22-blocking mAbs induce apoptosis in neoplastic B-cells and are functionally distinguishable from other anti-CD22 mAbs. This study assessed the optimal dose, route, schedule, and the targeted CD22 epitope. Raji NHL-bearing nude mice were studied. A non-blocking anti-CD22 mAb (HB22.27) was used as a control. HB22.27 had minimal effect, whereas HB22.7 improved survival and shrank tumors substantially. HB22.7 doses greater than 1.4 mg/week did not further increase efficacy (or toxicity). Tumors less than 200 mm(3) had a higher response rate than did larger tumors. Various schedules of HB22.7 administration were tested; one dose every other week was more effective than more or less frequent dosing. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the half-life of HB22.7 was 28 days; this correlated with the time needed to re-populate cell-surface CD22 after treatment with HB22.7. Immuno-PET showed that NHL was rapidly and specifically targeted by copper-64-labeled-HB22.7. This study provided data as to an optimal dose, route, schedule and interval between doses of HB22.7.

  9. The Human Endogenous Protection System against Cell-Free Hemoglobin and Heme Is Overwhelmed in Preeclampsia and Provides Potential Biomarkers and Clinical Indicators

    PubMed Central

    Johansson, Maria E.; Edström-Hägerwall, Anneli; Larsson, Irene; Jälmby, Maya; Hansson, Stefan R.; Åkerström, Bo

    2015-01-01

    Preeclampsia (PE) complicates 3–8% of all pregnancies and manifests clinically as hypertension and proteinuria in the second half of gestation. The pathogenesis of PE is not fully understood but recent studies have described the involvement of cell-free fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Hypothesizing that PE is associated with prolonged hemolysis we have studied the response of the cell-free Hb- and heme defense network. Thus, we have investigated the levels of cell-free HbF (both free, denoted HbF, and in complex with Hp, denoted Hp-HbF) as well as the major human endogenous Hb- and heme-scavenging systems: haptoglobin (Hp), hemopexin (Hpx), α1-microglobulin (A1M) and CD163 in plasma of PE women (n = 98) and women with normal pregnancies (n = 47) at term. A significant increase of the mean plasma HbF concentration was observed in women with PE. Plasma levels of Hp and Hpx were statistically significantly reduced, whereas the level of the extravascular heme- and radical scavenger A1M was significantly increased in plasma of women with PE. The Hpx levels significantly correlated with maternal blood pressure. Furthermore, HbF and the related scavenger proteins displayed a potential to be used as clinical biomarkers for more precise diagnosis of PE and are candidates as predictors of identifying pregnancies with increased risk of obstetrical complications. The results support that PE pathophysiology is associated with increased HbF-concentrations and an activation of the physiological Hb-heme defense systems. PMID:26368565

  10. The effect of heartburn and acid reflux on the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

    PubMed Central

    Gill, Simerpal Kaur; Maltepe, Caroline; Koren, Gideon

    2009-01-01

    BACKGROUND: Heartburn (HB) and acid reflux (RF) in the non-pregnant population can cause nausea and vomiting; therefore, it is plausible that in women with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), HB/RF may increase the severity of symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether HB/RF during pregnancy contribute to increased severity of NVP. METHODS: A prospectively collected cohort of women who were experiencing NVP and HB, RF or both (n=194) was studied. The Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea (PUQE) scale and its Well-being scale was used to compare the severity of the study cohort’s symptoms. This cohort was compared with a group of women experiencing NVP but no HB/RF (n=188). Multiple linear regression was used to control for the effects of confounding factors. RESULTS: Women with HB/RF reported higher PUQE scores (9.6±2.6) compared with controls (8.9±2.6) (P=0.02). Similarly, Well-being scores for women experiencing HB/RF were lower (4.3±2.1) compared with controls (4.9±2.0) (P=0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that increased PUQE scores (P=0.003) and decreased Well-being scores (P=0.005) were due to the presence of HB/RF as opposed to confounding factors such as pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions/symptoms, hyperemesis gravidarum in previous pregnancies and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: The present cohort study is the first to demonstrate that HB/RF are associated with increased severity of NVP. Managing HB/RF may improve the severity of NVP. PMID:19373420

  11. Carbon monoxide-bound hemoglobin vesicles ameliorate multiorgan injuries induced by severe acute pancreatitis in mice by their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

    PubMed

    Nagao, Saori; Taguchi, Kazuaki; Sakai, Hiromi; Yamasaki, Keishi; Watanabe, Hiroshi; Otagiri, Masaki; Maruyama, Toru

    Carbon monoxide (CO) has attracted attention as a possible therapeutic agent for affecting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Previously, CO-bound hemoglobin vesicle (CO-HbV) was developed as a nanotechnology-based CO donor, and its safety profile and therapeutic potential as a clinically applicable carrier of CO were examined in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of CO-HbV against severe acute pancreatitis was examined with secondary distal organ-injured model mice that were fed with a choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented diet. A CO-HbV treatment significantly reduced the mortality of the acute pancreatitis model mice compared to saline and HbV. Biochemical and histological evaluations clearly showed that CO-HbV suppressed acute pancreatitis by inhibiting the production of systemic proinflammatory cytokines, neutrophil infiltration, and oxidative injuries in pancreatic tissue. Interestingly, CO-HbV also diminished the subsequent damage to distal organs including liver, kidneys, and lungs. This could be due to the suppression of neutrophil infiltration into tissues and the subsequently enhanced oxidative injuries. In contrast, O 2 -bound HbV, the inactive form of CO-HbV, was ineffective against both pancreatitis and distal organ injuries, confirming that CO was directly responsible for the protective effects of CO-HbV in acute pancreatitis. These findings suggest that CO-HbV has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics of CO and consequently exerts a superior protective effect against acute pancreatitis-induced multiorgan damage.

  12. Familial secondary erythrocytosis due to increased oxygen affinity is caused by destabilization of the T state of hemoglobin Brigham (α2β2Pro100Leu)

    PubMed Central

    Mollan, Todd L; Abraham, Bindu; Strader, Michael Brad; Jia, Yiping; Lozier, Jay N; Olson, John S; Alayash, Abdu I

    2012-01-01

    Hemoglobin Brigham (β Pro100 to Leu) was first reported in a patient with familial erythrocytosis. Erythrocytes of an affected individual from the same family contain both HbA and Hb Brigham and exhibit elevated O2 affinity compared with normal cells (P50 = 23 mm Hg vs. 31 mmHg at pH 7.4 at 37°C). O2 affinities measured for hemolysates were sensitive to changes in pH or chloride concentrations, indicating little change in the Bohr and Chloride effects. Hb Brigham was separated from normal HbA by nondenaturing cation exchange liquid chromatography, and the amino acid substitution was verified by mass spectrometry. The properties of Hb Brigham isolated from the patient's blood were then compared with those of recombinant Hb Brigham expressed in Escherichia coli. Kinetic experiments suggest that the rate constants for ligand binding and release in the high (R) and low (T) affinity quaternary states of Hb Brigham are similar to those of native hemoglobin. However, the Brigham mutation decreases the T to R equilibrium constant (L) which accelerates the switch to the R state during ligand binding to deoxy-Hb, increasing the rate of association by approximately twofold, and decelerates the switch during ligand dissociation from HbO2, decreasing the rate approximately twofold. These kinetic data help explain the high O2 affinity characteristics of Hb Brigham and provide further evidence for the importance of the contribution of Pro100 to intersubunit contacts and stabilization of the T quaternary structure. PMID:22821886

  13. Analytical performances of a new enzymatic assay for hemoglobin A1c.

    PubMed

    Jaisson, Stéphane; Desmons, Aurore; Renard, Benoît; Chevelle, Benjamin; Leroy, Nathalie; Gillery, Philippe

    2014-07-01

    HbA1c is considered the gold standard for the follow-up of diabetic patients and a new diagnostic tool for diabetes mellitus, which implies the availability of reliable assay methods. We have evaluated a new assay developed by Abbott Laboratories, based on the enzymatic quantification of HbA1c by a fructosyl dipeptide oxidase using Architect analyzers. Precision, linearity, correlation with a HPLC method, accuracy and potential impact interferences on HbA1c measurement have been evaluated. Intra-day and between-day CVs were lower than 1.2% and linearity was excellent from 19 mmol/mol (3.9%) to 163 mmol/mol (17.1%). The results were well correlated with those obtained by the HPLC (Variant II device, kit NU - BioRad): HbA1c [Architect, mmol/mol]=0.986×HbA1c [Variant II, mmol/mol]+0.713 (r=0.998, n=109). This method provided consistent results with IFCC titrated quality control samples. Classical interferences in HbA1c assays (i.e. labile HbA1c, carbamylated hemoglobin, triglycerides or bilirubin) did not have an impact on HbA1c quantification by this method. This new enzymatic assay proved to be a robust and reliable method for HbA1c measurement suitable for routine practice in clinical chemistry laboratories. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Maternal heparin-binding-EGF deficiency limits pregnancy success in mice

    PubMed Central

    Xie, Huirong; Wang, Haibin; Tranguch, Susanne; Iwamoto, Ryo; Mekada, Eisuke; DeMayo, Francesco J.; Lydon, John P.; Das, Sanjoy K.; Dey, Sudhansu K.

    2007-01-01

    An intimate discourse between the blastocyst and uterus is essential for successful implantation. However, the molecular basis of this interaction is not clearly understood. Exploiting genomic Hbegf mutant mice, we show here that maternal deficiency of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) defers on-time implantation, leading to compromised pregnancy outcome. We also demonstrate that amphiregulin, but not epiregulin, partially compensates for the loss of HB-EGF during implantation. In search of the mechanism of this compensation, we found that reduced preimplantation estrogen secretion from ovarian HB-EGF deficiency is a cause of sustained expression of uterine amphiregulin before the initiation of implantation. To explore the significance specifically of uterine HB-EGF in implantation, we examined this event in mice with conditional deletion of uterine HB-EGF and found that this specific loss of HB-EGF in the uterus still defers on-time implantation without altering preimplantation ovarian estrogen secretion. The observation of normal induction of uterine amphiregulin surrounding the blastocyst at the time of attachment in these conditional mutant mice suggests a compensatory role of amphiregulin for uterine loss of HB-EGF, preventing complete failure of pregnancy. Our study provides genetic evidence that HB-EGF is critical for normal implantation. This finding has high clinical relevance, because HB-EGF signaling is known to be important for human implantation. PMID:17986609

  15. Diagnostic and prognostic values of serum exosomal microRNA-21 in children with hepatoblastoma: a Chinese population-based study.

    PubMed

    Liu, Wanbo; Chen, Sheng; Liu, Bing

    2016-11-01

    Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver in young children. The aim of this study is to identify the diagnostic and prognostic values of serum exosomal miR-21 in Chinese patients with HB. We retrospectively reviewed 32 children with HB. The expressions of miR-21 were detected by real-time PCR. The comparison of diagnostic performance of plasmatic, exosomal miR-21 and AFP levels was measured using the Area Under ROC Curve. For patients in HB group, miR-21 concentration was significantly higher in the exosomes compared with the exosome-depleted supernatants and whole plasma. Expression of miR-21 was significantly higher in patients with HB compared with control group in both plasma and exosomes. With respect to the diagnosis of patients with HB, exosomal miR-21 was significantly more accurate compared with the Alpha-fetoprotein levels. Moreover, exosomal miR-21 was an independent predictor of Even-free survival for patients with HB. In this study, we found that expression of miR-21 was significantly higher in patients with HB compared with control group in both plasma and exosomes, and we confirmed that exosomal miR-21 could be defined as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for patients with HB.

  16. Can the Roche hemolysis index be used for automated determination of cell-free hemoglobin? A comparison to photometric assays.

    PubMed

    Petrova, Darinka Todorova; Cocisiu, Gabriela Ariadna; Eberle, Christoph; Rhode, Karl-Heinz; Brandhorst, Gunnar; Walson, Philip D; Oellerich, Michael

    2013-09-01

    The aim of this study was to develop a novel method for automated quantification of cell-free hemoglobin (fHb) based on the HI (Roche Diagnostics). The novel fHb method based on the HI was correlated with fHb measured using the triple wavelength methods of both Harboe [fHb, g/L = (0.915 * HI + 2.634)/100] and Fairbanks et al. [fHb, g/L = (0.917 * HI + 2.131)/100]. fHb concentrations were estimated from the HI using the Roche Modular automated platform in self-made and commercially available quality controls, as well as samples from a proficiency testing scheme (INSTAND). The fHb using Roche automated HI results were then compared to results obtained using the traditional spectrophotometric assays for one hundred plasma samples with varying degrees of hemolysis, lipemia and/or bilirubinemia. The novel method using automated HI quantification on the Roche Modular clinical chemistry platform correlated well with results using the classical methods in the 100 patient samples (Harboe: r = 0.9284; Fairbanks et al.: r = 0.9689) and recovery was good for self-made controls. However, commercially available quality controls showed poor recovery due to an unidentified matrix problem. The novel method produced reliable determination of fHb in samples without interferences. However, poor recovery using commercially available fHb quality control samples currently greatly limits its usefulness. © 2013.

  17. Hb Koln [β98(FG5) [GTG → ATG, Val → Met]: the first report from India.

    PubMed

    Warang, Prashant; Nair, Sona; Nadkarni, Anita; Kedar, Prabhakar; Bhave, Abhay; Ghosh, Kanjaksha; Colah, Roshan

    2014-06-01

    The group of unstable hemoglobins are associated with congenital non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia due to instability of the hemoglobin molecule. They often lead to formation of the characteristic inclusion bodies or Heinz bodies. To identity the cause of mild anemia, reticulocytosis, and hepatosplenomegly in a case of non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. A 34-year-old female patient originating from Maharashtra, western India presented with mild anemia and jaundice which had persisted since childhood. Investigations included a complete blood count, screening for red cell membrane protein defects, Hb analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and cellulose acetate electrophoresis (pH 8.9), heat instability test and DNA sequencing. Hemoglobin analysis by HPLC showed an abnormal peak in the Hb C window (9.8%) with a retention time of 4.90 minutes. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis (pH 8.9) showed a slow moving band (6.15%) between Hb A2 and Hb S. The heat instability test was positive. DNA analysis of α globin genes showed absence of both deletional and non- deletional α thalassemia. DNA sequencing of the β globin gene revealed heterozygosity for a mutation at codon 98 [GTG → ATG, Val → Met], which gives rise to Hb-Koln. Hb Koln is the commonest unstable Hb variant reported from many populations in the world. However, this is the first report of this unstable Hb variant from India.

  18. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test: MedlinePlus Lab Test Information

    MedlinePlus

    ... medlineplus.gov/labtests/hemoglobina1chba1ctest.html Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test To use the sharing features on this page, ... enable JavaScript. What is a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test? A hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures the amount ...

  19. Mild Microcytic Anemia in an Infant with a Compound Heterozygosity for Hb C (HBB: c.19G > A) and Hb Osu Christiansborg (HBB: c.157G > A).

    PubMed

    Boucher, Maria O; Chui, David H K; Woda, Bruce A; Newburger, Peter E

    2016-06-01

    We report an infant with a compound heterozygosity for Hb C (HBB: c.19G > A) and Hb Osu Christiansborg (HBB: c.157G > A) and a phenotype of mild microcytic anemia with target cell morphology but without overt hemolysis.

  20. Polar bear hemoglobin and human Hb A0: same 2,3-diphosphoglycerate binding site but asymmetry of the binding?

    PubMed

    Pomponi, Massimo; Bertonati, Claudia; Patamia, Maria; Marta, Maurizio; Derocher, Andrew E; Lydersen, Christian; Kovacs, Kit M; Wiig, Oystein; Bårdgard, Astrid J

    2002-11-01

    Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) hemoglobin (Hb) shows a low response to 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), compared to human Hb A0, even though these proteins have the same 2,3-DPG-binding site. In addition, polar bear Hb shows a high response to chloride and an alkaline Bohr effect (deltalog P50/deltapH) that is significantly greater than that of human Hb A0. The difference in sequence Pro (Hb A0)-->Gly (polar bear Hb) at position A2 in the A helix seems to be critical for reduced binding of 2,3-DPG. Our results also show that the A2 position may influence not only the flexibility of the A helix, but that differences in flexibility of the first turn of the A helix may affect the unloading of oxygen for the intrinsic ligand affinities of the alpha and beta chains. However, preferential binding to either chain can only take place if there is appreciable asymmetric binding of the phosphoric effector. Regarding this point, 31P NMR data suggest a loss of symmetry of the 2,3-DPG-binding site in the deoxyHb-2,3-DPG complex.

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