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Mean Corpuscular Volume (mean + corpuscular_volume)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	63%
Earth and Environmental Science	23%
Life Sciences	13%

Selected Abstracts

Mean Corpuscular Volume and ADH1C Genotype in White Patients With Alcohol-Associated Diseases

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 5 2005
Leimin Sun
Background: Alcohol abuse is associated with several gastrointestinal diseases, such as esophageal carcinoma, chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, and liver cirrhosis. Increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has been recognized as a biomarker for alcohol abuse and heavy drinkers. Recent studies from Japan revealed that macrocytosis is related to ALDH-2/2 genotype, leading to increased acetaldehyde accumulation. It has also demonstrated that increased MCV values could also be an independent biomarker for esophageal cancer in Asians. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate possible associations of MCV value with polymorphisms of ADH1C in white patients with alcohol-associated esophageal carcinoma, chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis as well as in heavy drinkers without organ damage. Methods: In this study, a total of 510 alcoholic patients were enrolled with esophageal cancer (n= 98), chronic pancreatitis (n= 98), alcoholic liver cirrhosis (n= 151), and alcohol abuse without gastrointestinal disease (n= 163). ADH1C genotyping was performed by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis from whole blood. The relation between MCV and ADH1C gene polymorphisms (ADH1C*1 and 1C*2) controlled for the amount of drinking, smoking, and age were investigated using both univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: In univariate analysis, higher alcohol consumption was associated with increased MCV. Other variables were not associated with macrocytosis. In multiple linear regression analysis, after adjustment for age and smoking, higher alcohol consumption and female sex were independently associated with higher MCV values. No other variables, including which alcohol-associated disease the patient had, had an independent effect. Adding ADH genotype rendered no independent significant effect on MCV value. Conclusions: In a white population, MCV values were not associated with genotype polymorphisms of ADH1C. In contrast to findings in Asians, macrocytosis does not seem to be an independent biomarker for esophageal cancer. The role of ADH1C polymorphism in increasing MCV and the potential use of MCV as a marker for esophageal carcinoma are still pending. [source]

Mitigating stress effects during transportation of matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus Günther, 1869; Characidae) through the application of calcium sulfate

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
F. Bendhack
Summary This study verified the effects of CaSO4 on physiological responses of the tropical fish matrinxãBrycon amazonicus (200.2 ± 51.1 g) in water containing CaSO4 after a 4-h transportation at concentrations of: 0, 75, 150, and 300 mg L,1. Blood samples were collected prior to transportation (initial levels), immediately after packaging, at arrival, and 24 h and 96 h after transportation (recovery). Cortisol levels increased after packaging (118.2 ± 14.2 ng ml,1), and decreased slightly after transportation in water containing CaSO4 (106.8 ± 14.1), but remained higher than initial levels (21.0 ± 2.6 ng ml,1). Fish kept at 150 mg L,1 CaSO4 reached the pre-transportation levels at 24 h of recovery. Blood glucose increased after transportation in all treatments (8.2 ± 0.2 mmol L,1) and declined after full recovery to values below initial levels (4.8 ± 0.1 mmol L,1). Chloride levels did not change in CaSO4 treatments; serum sodium concentrations decreased after packaging and after transportation. Serum calcium levels did not differ among treatments, but decreased after packaging and increased at 96 h of recovery. Hematocrit and the number of red blood cells were higher in all treatments after packaging and arrival, except in fish exposed to 300 mg L,1 CaSO4. Mean corpuscular volume increased in 75 mg L,1 CaSO4, which reached the higher VCM after transportation. Hemoglobin levels increased only after transportation, regardless of calcium sulfate levels. Handling before transportation and transportation itself were both stressful to fish; calcium sulfate at concentrations tested in the present work had a moderate influence in the reduction of stress responses. [source]

Iron Status: A Possible Risk Factor for the First Febrile Seizure

EPILEPSIA, Issue 7 2002
Azhar S. Daoud
Summary: ,Purpose: We conducted a controlled study to investigate the relation of iron status and first febrile seizure (FFS). Methods: Measures of iron sufficiency including hemoglobin concentration (HB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and plasma ferritin (PF) were prospectively measured in 75 children with FFS and compared with 75 controls matched for age and sex with febrile illnesses without convulsions. Results: Mean ferritin level was significantly lower in cases with FFS (29.5 ± 21.3 ,g/L) than in controls (53.3 ± 37.6 ,g/L) with p = 0.0001. The proportion of subjects with a PF level ,30 ,g/L was significantly higher among children with FFS (49 of 75 vs. 24 of 75) than in controls (p = 0.000). Mean levels of HB, MCV, and MCH also were lower among FFS cases, but differences failed to attain statistical significance. A higher proportion of cases with FFS had an HB <110 g/L, MCV <72 fL, and MCH <24 pg than did the controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences between the cases and the controls in the mean peak temperature on admission, types of underlying illness, or family history of epilepsy and of febrile convulsion. Conclusions: PF level was significantly lower in children with FFS than in the reference group, suggesting a possible role for iron insufficiency in FFS. [source]

Co-inheritance of Hb Hershey [,70(E14) Ala,Gly] and Hb La Pommeraie [,133(H11)Val,Met] in a Sicilian subject

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
Antonino Giambona
Abstract Objectives:,This report represents the first observation in Sicily of two rare , -globin gene variants, Hb Hershey [,70(E14) Ala,Gly] and Hb La Pommeraie [,133(H11)Val,Met], found in a 35-year-old male patient from Messina, in the north-east of Sicily during population screening for hemoglobinopathies. Methods: The occurrence of the Hb variants was assessed by cation exchange chromatography while complete blood counts were obtained using automatic cell counters. Red cell lysates were analyzed by electrophoresis at alkaline and acid pH. Stability of hemoglobin was checked by the isopropanol precipitation test and by the heat tests while inclusion bodies and reticulocyte count were determined by incubation of blood samples with brilliant cresyl blue. Molecular analysis was performed by DNA sequencing of ,- and , -globin genes. Results: We observed an abnormally high performance liquid chromatography elution with a slight reduction in mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin parameters and mutations at codon 70 GCC,GGC (Hb Hershey) and at codon 133 GTG,ATG (Hb La Pommeraie) in , -globin gene. Conclusion: Family analysis of three generations demonstrated the presence of these two mutations in trans. So it was possible to describe the phenotypes of these variants in a heterozygous state and in double heterozygous state. [source]

Haematological reference values in Spanish adolescents: the AVENA study

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
Javier Romeo
Abstract Objectives:, To provide reference values for haematological indices in Spanish adolescents according to age and gender. Methods:, A cross sectional study conducted in five Spanish cities was performed. Blood was drawn from a representative sample of 581 adolescents with age ranging from 13 to 17,18.5 yr. Age- and gender-specific means, standard deviations and percentiles were determined for the following parameters: total red blood cell counts (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit percentage (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width and total white blood cell (WBC) counts as well as counts and percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils; platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume and plateletcrit percentage. Results:, Younger male subjects presented lower RBC, Hb, Hct and MCV means that their older counterpart. By contrast these differences were not observed in female subjects. As expected, RBC, Hb and Hct mean values in males were found significantly higher than in girls for all studied age groups. No significant differences were observed in WBC by age and gender. PLT values gradually decreased with age, except for females aged 17,18.5 yr. Conclusion:, The present study provides reference data on the distribution of haematological indices of Spanish adolescents. These data can be useful biomarkers of the nutritional status in adolescents. [source]

Serum transferrin receptor, ferritin, and reticulocyte maturity indices during the first year of life in ,large' preterm infants

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
Vassiliki Schiza
Abstract Background:, Preterm infants are at risk of developing iron deficiency; among the iron status and hemopoiesis indices the serum transferrin receptor (sTfr) has been shown to be a useful indicator in assessing iron status, while immature reticulocyte production is regarded as an estimator of erythropoiesis. Objective:, To investigate age-related changes in iron status infants born ,moderately' preterm, with a gestational age (GA) of 32,36 wk, and identify associations between sTfr and other hematological and biochemical iron indices. Design:, Hospital-based prospective, longitudinal study in preterm infants. Methods:, Iron and erythropoiesis parameters were evaluated in 181 formula-fed preterm infants at 2 and 6 wk and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months chronological age. Hemoglobulin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), reticulocytes, serum iron (sFe), serum ferritin (sFer), sTfr, and reticulocyte subpopulations were measured. Results:, A total of 756 measurements were performed. After an initial decline, Hb rose from month 3 to 12 of life. SFe and sFer and immature reticulocyte count decreased from the second week to the third month and remained stable thereafter. STfr was lower up to 6 wk and stable from month 3 to 12. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was found in 5.5% of infants. In 76 measurements sFer was <12 ,g/L, implying storage iron deficiency (SID). A negative correlation was observed between sTfr and other indices of iron status such as Hb, Hct, MCV, sFe, and sFer. Infants with sFer <12 ,g/L had lower sTfr than those with sFer >12 ,g/L. Reticulocyte production was positively associated with STfr, but this association was dependent on the chronological age of the infant. Conclusion:, Iron depletion is common in formula-fed preterm (32,36 wk GA) infants between month 3 and 12 of life. STfr appears to be an indicator of iron status in preterm infants during the first year of life. [source]

A novel mutation in the last exon of ATRX in a patient with , -thalassemia myelodysplastic syndrome

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Daniel B. Costa
Abstract:, We describe a patient with acquired alpha-thalassemia myelodysplastic syndrome (ATMDS). A previously healthy 66-year-old man presented with hemoglobin of 9.3 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume 59 fL, and a bone marrow aspirate with increased erythroid precursors and hypolobulated megakaryocytes. Hemoglobin H inclusions were seen in most red cells after 1% brilliant cresyl blue supravital stain of the peripheral blood. At the molecular level, we identified of a novel mutation in the most 3, exon of the ATRX gene (CGA,TGA substitution in codon 2407) resulting in a premature termination codon (p.R2407X). This case provides further evidence for a link between ATRX mutations and ATMDS, and suggests a possible role for the conserved Q-box element in ATRX function. [source]

CLINICAL STUDY/BIOMARKER: Phosphatidylethanol: normalization during detoxification, gender aspects and correlation with other biomarkers and self-reports

ADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Friedrich Martin Wurst
ABSTRACT Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct ethanol metabolite, and has recently attracted attention as biomarker of ethanol intake. The aims of the current study are: (1) to characterize the normalization time of PEth in larger samples than previously conducted; (2) to elucidate potential gender differences; and (3) to report the correlation of PEth with other biomarkers and self-reported alcohol consumption. Fifty-seven alcohol-dependent patients (ICD 10 F 10.25; 9 females, 48 males) entering medical detoxification at three study sites were enrolled. The study sample was comprised of 48 males and 9 females, with mean age 43.5. Mean gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 209.61 U/l, average mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was 97.35 fl, mean carbohydrate deficient transferrin (%CDT) was 8.68, and mean total ethanol intake in the last 7 days was 1653 g. PEth was measured in heparinized whole blood with a high-pressure liquid chromatography method, while GGT, MCV and %CDT were measured using routine methods. PEth levels at day 1 of detoxification ranged between 0.63 and 26.95 µmol/l (6.22 mean, 4.70 median, SD 4.97). There were no false negatives at day 1. Sensitivities for the other biomarkers were 40.4% for MCV, 73.1% for GGT and 69.2% for %CDT, respectively. No gender differences were found for PEth levels at any time point. Our data suggest that PEth is (1) a suitable intermediate term marker of ethanol intake in both sexes; and (2) sensitivity is extraordinary high in alcohol dependent patients. The results add further evidence to the data that suggest that PEth has potential as a candidate for a sensitive and specific biomarker, which reflects longer-lasting intake of higher amounts of alcohol and seemingly has the above mentioned certain advantages over traditional biomarkers. [source]

BIOMARKER: Phosphatidylethanol as a sensitive and specific biomarker,comparison with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, mean corpuscular volume and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin

ADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Susanne Hartmann
ABSTRACT Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a direct ethanol metabolite, is detectable in blood for more than 2 weeks after sustained ethanol intake. Our aim was to assess the usefulness of PEth [comparing sensitivity, specificity and the area under the curve (AUC)] as compared with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), calculating the results from sober patients against those from alcohol-dependent patients during withdrawal. Fifty-six alcohol-dependent patients (ICD-10 F 10.25) in detoxification, age 43 years, GGT 81 U/l, MCV 96.4 fl, %CDT 4.2, 1400 g ethanol intake in the last 7 days (median), were included in the study. Over the time of 1 year, 52 samples from 35 sober forensic psychiatric addicted in-patients [age 34 years, GGT 16 U/l, MCV 91 fl, CDT 0.5 (median)] in a closed ward were drawn and used for comparison . PEth was measured in heparinized whole blood with a high-performance liquid chromatography method. GGT, MCV and %CDT were measured using routine methods. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was carried out, with ,current drinking status' (sober/drinking) as the state variable and PEth, MCV, GGT and CDT as test variables. The resulting AUC was 0.974 (P < 0.0001, confidence interval 0.932,1.016) for PEth. At a cut-off of 0.36 µmol/l, the sensitivity was 94.5% and specificity 100%. The AUC for CDT, GGT and MCV were 0.931, 0.894 and 0.883, respectively. A significant Spearman's rank correlation was found between PEth and GGT (r = 0.739), CDT (r = 0.643), MVC (r = 0.639) and grams of ethanol consumed in the last 7 days (r = 0.802). Our data suggest that PEth has potential to be a sensitive and specific biomarker, having been found in previous studies to indicate longer lasting intake of higher amounts of alcohol. [source]

Alcoholic macrocytosis,is there a role for acetaldehyde and adducts?

ADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
Onni Niemelä
Although alcohol abuse is known to cause a wide array of adverse effects on blood cell formation, the molecular mechanisms by which alcohol exerts its toxic actions have remained poorly defined. Elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV), macrocytosis, is the most typical morphological abnormality induced by excessive ethanol consumption. This paper reviews recent data indicating that acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, may play a role in the haematological derangements in peripheral blood cells and in bone marrow of alcoholic patients. Studies in experimental animals and in human alcoholics have shown that acetaldehyde can bind to proteins and cellular constituents forming stable adducts. Elevated adduct levels have been found from the erythrocytes of alcohol abusers, which may also be associated with ethanol-induced effects in haematopoiesis and adverse consequences in cellular functions. [source]

Impact of Helicobacter pylori on the Development of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in the Absence of Gastric Atrophy

HELICOBACTER, Issue 6 2002
Ender Serin
Abstract Background. Cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. This study examined how serum vitamin B12 levels relate to gastric mucosa H. pylori density and histology, and to hematological findings in patients with minimal or no gastric atrophy. A second aim was to confirm that H. pylori eradication therapy increases serum B12. Materials and Methods. Biopsies of the gastric mucosa from a population of dyspeptic patients were graded for level of chronic inflammation, neutrophil activity, atrophy, and H. pylori density. A total of 145 H. pylori -infected patients with minimal or no atrophy were included in the study. Serum cobalamin level, hemoglobin level, and mean corpuscular volume were measured in the 145 patients before eradication therapy, and in 65 of the subjects after treatment. The hematologic findings before and after eradication therapy and correlations between serum vitamin B12 level and histologic parameters, hematologic findings, and patient age were statistically analyzed. Results. There was no significant correlation between serum cobalamin level and patient age. Before treatment all the histopathological scores were inversely correlated with serum vitamin B12 level (p < .01) on univariate analysis. Only H. pylori density was significantly associated with B12 level on multivariate analysis. Serum hemoglobin and cobalamin levels were significantly increased after treatment, regardless of H. pylori eradication status (p < .001). Conclusion. The findings provide strong evidence that H. pylori infection is associated with cobalamin deficiency, and show that this is true even in patients with nonulcer dyspepsia and minimal or no gastric atrophy. [source]

Relationships of serum free thyroxine and erythrocyte measures in euthyroid HFE C282Y homozygotes and control subjects: the HEIRS Study

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
J. C. BARTON
Summary Hemoglobin (Hb) levels and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) are abnormal in some persons with hemochromatosis or thyroid disorders. We sought to determine whether serum free thyroxine (T4) affects erythrocyte measures in euthyroid adults with or without C282Y homozygosity. We evaluated 488 white HFE C282Y homozygotes and controls (no HFE C282Y or H63D; normal serum iron measures) identified in screening; we excluded those with thyroid disorders, anemia, erythrocytosis, or serum ferritin (SF) <34 pmol/l. In the remaining 141 C282Y homozygotes and 243 controls, we evaluated correlations of log10 free T4 with Hb, RBC, MCV, and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). C282Y homozygotes had lower mean age, higher mean Hb, MCV, and log10 SF, and lower mean RBC and RDW than controls; mean log10 free T4 did not differ significantly. In HFE C282Y homozygotes, there was no significant correlation of log10 T4 with erythrocyte measures. In controls, there was a positive correlation of log10 T4 with Hb (P = 0.0096) and a negative correlation with RDW (P = 0.0286). Among euthyroid white adults without iron deficiency, there are significant correlations of log10 free T4 with Hb and RDW in controls, but not in HFE C282Y homozygotes. [source]

Performance evaluation of the PENTRA 60C+ automated hematology analyzer and comparison with the ADVIA 2120

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
K. GUERTI
Summary The PENTRA 60C+ hematology analyzer provides a complete blood cell (CBC) count, including a five-part differential (5-DIFF) count and two leukocyte subpopulations, i.e. large immature cells (LIC's) and atypical lymphocytes (ALY's). We evaluated its analytical performance and assessed agreement with the ADVIA 2120, in order to install the analyzer in a small satellite hematology laboratory. First we assessed repeatability, reproducibility and carry-over to evaluate the analytical performance. Then we used Pearson correlation coefficients, Passing and Bablok regression analysis and a graphical approach (n = 209) to evaluate agreement with the ADVIA 2120. Repeatability and reproducibility were excellent for the majority of CBC and 5-DIFF count parameters. Carry-over was negligible. Our data showed very good correlation for most CBC count parameters. Lower correlation coefficients were observed for red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular volume and mean platelet volume. As compared to the ADVIA 2120, the 5-DIFF count performed very well. Agreement was poorer for low-level eosinophils and basophils. Furthermore, the PENTRA 60C+ was equally able to identify pathological blood samples through the determination of LIC's and ALY's. Therefore, the PENTRA 60C+ is an eligible blood cell counter to be operational in a satellite laboratory setting. [source]

Evaluation of reticulocyte parameters in iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency and , -thalassemia minor patients

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
C. CEYLAN
Summary The aim of this study was to test the clinical utility of reticulocyte parameters in differential diagnosis in iron deficiency anemia (IDA), vitamin B12 deficiency (B12) and , -thalassemia minor (TM). We analyzed the percentage of reticulocyte, absolute reticulocyte count, mean content hemoglobin of reticulocyte (CHr), mean corpuscular volume of reticulocyte (MCVr), corpuscular hemoglobin concentration mean of reticulocyte (CHCMr), MCVr/MCV ratio, CHr/CH ratio and CHCMr/CHCM ratio in healthy donors (n = 34), iron deficiency (IDA) (n = 41), vitamin B12 deficiency (B12) (n = 22), and TM (n = 34). This study demonstrates that the cutoff value of CHr was 25.7 as indicative of IDA (85.4% sensitivity, 97.1% specificity). CHr and MCVr may be useful for TM (cutoff value , 24.8 for CHr) and B12 (>102.1, cutoff value for MCVr), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of these parameters were 90.9, 86.4% and 97.1, 82.4%, respectively. CHCMr is useful to differentiate IDA and TM from B12. While CHr was low value in microcytic groups (mean 21.8 ± 3.3 for IDA, 21.0 ± 2.9 for TM), it was high in B12 (mean 32.1 ± 5.7). However, that of CHr/CH ratio was only significantly in IDA group compared with the control (P < 0.05, mean 0.98). Therefore, there are limitations regarding CHr and CHr/CH ratio differential diagnosis in microcytic and macrocytic groups. CHr, MCVr, and CHCMr are not sufficiently sensitive and specific to differentiate TM from IDA. We conclude that measurement of reticulocyte count and parameters may be a very useful implement in the diagnosis of IDA and TM. [source]

Diagnostic clues to megaloblastic anaemia without macrocytosis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
C. W. J. CHAN
Summary Masking of the macrocytic expression of megaloblastic anaemia (MA) by coexisting thalassaemia, iron deficiency and chronic illness has been widely reported. We described the haematological and clinical features of 20 Chinese patients with MA presenting with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ,99 fl, and analysed the steps leading to the final diagnosis of MA with concomitant thalassaemia trait (n = 11), thalassaemia trait and iron deficiency (n = 3), iron deficiency (n = 4) and chronic illness (n = 2). We also compared the haematological characteristics of this group of patients with a group of normocytic anaemic patients without vitamin B12/folate deficiency, and identified certain laboratory information useful for differentiating the two groups. Statistically significant parameters included the mean values of haemoglobin, MCV, red cell distribution width (RDW), reticulocyte index, platelet count and serum bilirubin. All provided clues to maturation disorders within the marrow. A decision flowchart for the diagnosis of MA without macrocytosis was proposed. In the studied population, by using the parameters of haemoglobin <10 g/dl, MCV 80,99 fl, RDW , 16% and reticulocyte index , 2% as indicators, there was a 58% chance that a patient had MA without macrocytosis if he/she had all the four indicators, and a 2.2% chance of having it if he/she did not have these indicators. We emphasized the importance of including peripheral blood smear examination in the diagnostic procedures for such patients, as well as the importance of paying attention to patients' medical history, racial background and previous MCV value. [source]

Significant differences between capillary and venous complete blood counts in the neonatal period

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
S.M. Kayiran
Summary The normal capillary and venous hematologic values for neonates have not been defined clearly. It is well known that capillary blood has higher hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) values than venous blood. In a recent study, we reported differences between capillary and venous complete blood counts (CBC) in healthy term neonates on day 1 of life. The aim of this study was to extend our previous investigation. Term neonates (n=141) were stratified into four groups by days of postnatal age: group 2 (day 7, n=38), group 3 (day 14, n=35), group 4 (day 21, n=32) and, group 5 (day 28, n=36). Data from our previous study were included in the statistical analysis as group 1 (day 1, n=95). A CBC and differential count were carried out on each capillary and venous sample drawn simultaneously. Within each group, the mean and standard deviation for each parameter in capillary and venous blood were calculated and then compared using the paired sample t -test. In all groups, the capillary blood samples had higher Hb, Hct, red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and lymphocyte counts. In each group, venous platelet counts were significantly higher than the corresponding capillary values. There was also a trend toward higher venous mean corpuscular volume, higher capillary polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PML) count and mean platelet volume in all groups. In both capillary and venous blood, Hb, Hct, RBC, MCV values and WBC, lymphocyte, PML counts decreased and platelet counts increased steadily during neonatal period. This study reveals that CBC parameters and differential counts may differ depending on the blood sampling used. The findings underline the importance of considering the sample source when using hematologic reference ranges for healthy or septic neonates. When interpreting results, the term ,peripheral blood' should be replaced with ,capillary blood' or ,venous blood' so that an accurate assessment can be made. [source]

Respiratory changes in human red cells

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
G. Aliberti
To investigate physiological respiratory changes in human red cells, we measured automated red cell parameters in samples from the pulmonary and radial arteries of 86 patients undergoing aorto-coronary bypass and from the pulmonary artery and the aorta in 23 patients. Our results showed higher mean corpuscular volume (88.53 ± 5.06 fl vs. 88.12 ± 4.94 fl, P < 0.000001), haematocrit (0.369 ± 0.039 vs. 0.367 ± 0.038, P < 0.0005), red cell distribution width (43.38 ± 4.16 vs. 43.04 ± 4.05 fl, P < 0.000001) and a lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (338.3 ± 15.9 vs. 339.9 ± 16.8 g/l, P < 0.005) in pulmonary arterial as compared to radial arterial blood. There were no differences with respect to haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, or mean corpuscular haemoglobin. Similar differences were observed between pulmonary arterial and aortic blood. Our results suggest cyclic respiratory modifications of red cell parameters attributable to the CO2 Jacobs,Stewart cycle. [source]

The haematology of gynogenic tench, Tinca tinca L., and of recessively homozygous colour tench strains

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
M. Flaj
Summary Two wild-coloured strains of tench (the first meiotic gynogenic generation MeiG1, and their control diploid half siblings) and three recessively homozygous colour strains (golden, blue and alampic) were examined for the determination of basic haematological indices. The MeiG1 strain had higher erythrocyte counts than diploid controls or the blue and alampic strains (P < 0.001), and had a higher blood haemoglobin content than all three colour strains (P < 0.001). No differences were detected among strains for haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, or mean corpuscular volume. Both the lowest leucocyte count (P < 0.001) and leucocrit value (P < 0.001) were found in the alampic tench, and may result from a negative pleiotropic effect of this recessive homozygous genotype (bbgg). In agreement with previous findings in tench, the differential leucocyte count revealed lymphocytes to be the dominating white blood cells; their rate was about 90% in both the wild-coloured and blue strains, and less in the other two strains (83,84%). Neutrophil granulocytes were most abundant in the MeiG1 strain. Eosinophil granulocytes were detected only in the golden strain, and were not common (0.2%). [source]

Seabird predation by great skuas Stercorarius skua, intra-specific competition for food?

JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
Stephen C. Votier
Competition for food is widely cited as an important cost of coloniality among birds and much of the evidence in support of this hypothesis comes from studies of colonial piscivorous seabirds. However, for generalist seabirds able to switch between different prey types, the role of food availability in relation to colony size is unclear. Here we investigate patterns of the consumption of seabird prey in relation to colony size in a generalist seabird, the great skua Stercorarius skua, in Shetland, UK. At the population level skuas feed mainly on sandeels Ammodytes marinus and fishery discards, but respond to declines in fish availability to facultatively prey on other seabirds. By comparing the consumption of seabirds among seven different sized colonies, including one colony with artificially reduced numbers of skuas (Fair Isle), we investigate whether consumption of seabird prey is influenced by skua population size, while simultaneously measuring seabird prey availability. Data from five years also enables us to investigate the influence of annual variation in environmental conditions on seabird consumption. Using measures of body condition and reproductive performance we investigate the consequences of living in different sized colonies, which may provide insight into ultimate costs of nesting at high population density. Skua diets varied among colonies and the proportion of seabird prey in the diet was inversely related to skua colony size, despite similar per capita numbers of seabirds across colonies. At the colony where their numbers were artificially suppressed, skuas consumed a greater proportion of seabirds per capita. Highly significant year effects in seabird predation were observed but the pattern among colonies remained consistent over time. Two measures of adult body condition (pectoral muscle index and mean corpuscular volume) revealed that adult great skuas were in poorer condition at the largest colony (Foula), but reproductive performance did not alter significantly among colonies. This study provides evidence that intra-specific competition among skuas may limit opportunities for obtaining seabird prey, which may be particularly important during periods of poor availability of sandeels and fishery discards, and has implications for assessing the impact of skuas on seabird populations. [source]

A 3-year analysis of plateletpheresis donor deferral pattern in a tertiary health care institute: Assessing the current donor selection criteria in Indian scenario

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 4 2008
Rashmi Tondon
Abstract Introduction: This study reports the frequency and nature of plateletpheresis deferrals and evaluates donors with low platelet count and hemoglobin levels so as to assess the possibility of reentry without hampering donor safety. Materials and methods: Three-year retrospective data of plateletpheresis deferral was collected. Data from actual procedures was also reviewed to analyze the safety of performing plateletpheresis in donors with low hemoglobin and platelet values. Results: Four hundred sixteen donors were deferred for various reasons among 1,515 screened (27.5%), of which 69.7% deferrals were because of low platelet count (55.8%) and less hemoglobin levels. Among the low platelet count donor group, 20.3% had a count between 141 and 149 × 109/L and 41.8% below 120 × 109/L. Of the 14% donors deferred for low hemoglobin, 62.1% had values in the range of 11.5,12.4 g/dL with normal mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width in most (86.2%) of them. Expected blood loss in each procedure varied between 20 and 30 mL, whereas RBC contamination in the product varied from 0 to 1.6 mL in 538 procedures. There were 176 donations with predonation platelet count <180 × 109/L (32.7%). None of the 14 procedures performed on donors with platelet count of 150 × 109/L showed evidence of thrombocytopenia or donor reaction. Conclusion: Lowering the cut-off value for plateletpheresis from 12.5 g/dL to 11.5 g/dL has no deleterious effect on donor safety as the blood loss is minimal. One-fifth deferrals can be reconsidered if the criteria of plateletpheresis donor selection are relaxed for hemoglobin and platelet count. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Ten Years' Experience of Antenatal Mean Corpuscular Volume Screening and Prenatal Diagnosis for Thalassaemias in Hong Kong

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2000
Dr. S. Y. Sin
Abstract Objective: To determine the prevalence of thalassaemia carriers in Hong Kong. Subjects and Methods: From 1988 to 1997, 25834 (53.7%) of 48089 mothers were screened for thalassaemias by mean corpuscular volume (MCV) at the first antenatal visit. Results: In the screened population of 25834, 2229 (8.6%) had MCV , 75 fl. Of these, 1121 (4.3%) were ,-thal, 715 (2.8%) were ,-thal, 23 (0.1%) were ,,-thal, 57 (0.2%) were other haemoglobin variants, and 281 (1.1%) had either iron deficiency or uncertain causes. Out of 200 pregnancies at risk for homozygous ,-thal-1 and 32 at risk for ,-thal major, 27 homozygous ,-thal-1 and 7 ,-thal major were identified, compared favourably with the expected figures of 23 and 9. Conclusion: Antenatal screening for thalassaemias by MCV is simple, effective and reliable. Universal screening has a different impact as bone marrow or cord blood stem cell transplant provides cure for ,-thal major. At risk couples have, as an alternative to termination of pregnancy, the option of early detection and treatment for their affected newborns or fetuses. [source]

IgA Immune Responses Against Acetaldehyde Adducts and Biomarkers of Alcohol Consumption in Patients with IgA Glomerulonephritis

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2009
Kati Kaartinen
Background:, The pathogenesis of IgA glomerulonephritis (IgAGN) involves intense deposition of IgAs within the glomerulus. Although previous studies have shown that heavy drinking frequently leads to the generation of IgA antibodies against neo-antigens induced by ethanol metabolites and tissue deposition of IgAs, the associations between alcohol consumption, IgA immune responses, and kidney disease have not been examined. Methods:, A total of 158 IgAGN patients (96 men, 62 women) were classified as abstainers (n = 38), moderate drinkers (n = 114), and heavy drinkers (n = 6) based on self-reported alcohol consumption. The reference population included 143 individuals (99 men, 44 women) who were either apparently healthy abstainers (n = 31), moderate drinkers (n = 43), or heavy drinkers devoid of liver disease (n = 69). The assessments included various biomarkers of alcohol consumption: carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), glutamyl transferase, ,-CDT (combination of GGR and CDT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), tests for liver and kidney function, serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), and specific IgA antibodies against acetaldehyde,protein adducts. Results:, In male IgAGN patients, drinking status was significantly associated with MCV, p < 0.001; CDT, p < 0.01; and , -CDT, p < 0.05. In the reference population, all biomarkers and anti-adduct IgA levels were found to vary according to drinking status. In IgAGN patients, anti-adduct IgA levels were elevated in 63% of the cases but the titers did not associate with self-reported ethanol intake. Conclusions:, These data indicate high levels of IgA antibodies against acetaldehyde-derived antigens in IgAGN patients, which may hamper the use of the immune responses as markers of alcohol consumption among such patients. Future studies on the pathogenic and prognostic significance of anti-adduct immune responses in IgAGN patients are warranted. [source]

Screening Trauma Patients With the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Biomarkers of Alcohol Use

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 6 2009
Tim Neumann
Background:, Alcohol screening and brief interventions have been shown to reduce alcohol-related morbidity in injured patients. Use of self-report questionnaires such as the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) is recommended as the optimum screening method. We hypothesized that the accuracy of screening is enhanced by combined use of the AUDIT and biomarkers of alcohol use in injured patients. Methods:, The study was conducted in the emergency department of a large, urban, university hospital. Patients were evaluated with the AUDIT, and blood sampled to determine carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, gamma-glutamyl-transferase, and mean corpuscular volume. Alcohol problems were defined as presence of ICD-10 criteria for dependence or harmful use, or high-risk drinking according to World Health Organization criteria (weekly intake >420 g in males, >280 g in females). Screening accuracy was determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic curves. Results:, There were 787 males and 446 females in the study. Median age was 33 years. The accuracy of the AUDIT was good to excellent, whereas all biomarkers performed only fairly to poorly in males, and even worse in females. At a specificity >0.80, sensitivity for all biomarkers was <0.43, whereas sensitivity for the AUDIT was 0.76 for males and 0.81 for females. The addition of biomarkers added little additional discriminatory information compared to use of the AUDIT alone. Conclusions:, Screening properties of the AUDIT are superior to %CDT, MCV, and GGT for detection of alcohol problems in injured patients and are not clinically significantly enhanced by the use of biomarkers. [source]

Mean Corpuscular Volume and ADH1C Genotype in White Patients With Alcohol-Associated Diseases

Brief Intervention for Female Heavy Drinkers in Routine General Practice: A 3-Year Randomized, Controlled Study

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2000
Mauri Aalto
Background: Today, heavy drinking is a common health hazard among women. The evidence in favor of providing some kind of brief intervention to reduce drinking is quite convincing. However, we do not know if intervention works in a natural environment of routine health care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of long-lasting, brief alcohol intervention counseling for women in a routine general practice setting. Methods: In five primary care outpatient clinics in a Finnish town, 118 female early-phase heavy drinkers who consulted their general practitioners for various reasons were given brief alcohol intervention counseling. Intervention groups A (n= 40) and B (n= 38) were offered seven and three brief intervention sessions, respectively, over a 3-yr period. The control group C (n= 40) was advised to reduce drinking at baseline. Main outcome measures were self-reported weekly alcohol consumption, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Results: Depending on the outcome measure and the study group, clinically meaningful reduction of drinking was found in 27% to 75% of the heavy drinkers. Within all the groups, MCV significantly decreased. However, there were no statistically significant differences between study groups A, B, and C in the mean changes between the beginning and endpoint in the main outcome measures. Conclusions: The present study indicated that minimal advice, as offered to group C, was associated with reduced drinking as much as the brief intervention, as offered to groups A and B, given over a 3-yr period. Furthermore, in the routine setting of the general practice office, the effectiveness of the brief intervention may not be as good as in special research conditions. The factors possibly reducing the effectiveness in a routine setting are unknown. Thus, different methods of implementing brief intervention need to be evaluated to find better ways to support general practice personnel in their efforts to help heavy-drinking female patients to reduce their drinking. [source]

Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin (CDT) and HDL Cholesterol (HDL) Are Highly Correlated in Male Alcohol Dependent Patients

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2000
Armin Szegedi
Background: Serum levels of total HDL cholesterol (HDL) are reportedly influenced by recent alcohol intake. We examined the correlation between HDL cholesterol and widely used markers of excessive alcohol intake, such as carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), ,-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), or mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes (MCV), of which CDT is thought to be the most specific. Methods: Several serological markers [i.e., CDT, GGT, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), MCV, and HDL] were determined in 100 actively drinking male patients with alcohol dependence (DSM-IV) and in 27 non-alcohol-dependent controls, according to routine procedures. Spearman,s rank correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: We found a highly significant positive correlation between HDL and CDT (rs= 0.55;p < 0.0005) in patients, but not in controls (rs= 0.13;p= 0.51). HDL was also positively correlated with GGT, ALAT, ASAT, and MCV only in patients. Conclusions: HDL cholesterol, as a widely determined parameter, may represent a useful routine marker for recent excessive alcohol intake. High HDL cholesterol levels should alert clinicians to investigate a patient's recent pattern of alcohol consumption. [source]

Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Resistance to Streptococcus iniae of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, Fed Diets Containing Various Levels of Vitamins C and E

JOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2010
Chhorn Lim
Growth, immunity, and resistance of Nile tilapia to Streptococcus iniae challenge were evaluated after feeding diets supplemented with vitamin C (0, 100, 2000 mg/kg) and E (0, 50, 500 mg/kg) for 12 wk. Supplementation of 100 mg vitamin C/kg to the basal diet was sufficient to increase growth and feed efficiency. The amount of vitamin E present in the basal diet (23.1 mg/kg) was sufficient to promote good growth and feed efficiency, but adding 50 mg vitamin E/kg was necessary to increase survival. Liver vitamin C and E concentrations increased with increasing dietary concentrations of the corresponding vitamin. Dietary vitamin E concentrations had no effect on liver vitamin C concentration, but increasing dietary vitamin C increased liver vitamin E. Although hematology was generally unaffected by dietary vitamin E, significantly lower red blood cell count and hemoglobin and higher mean corpuscular volume were observed in fish fed the vitamin C-unsupplemented diets. Total immunoglobulin and lysozyme activity were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in fish fed 2000 mg/kg vitamin C diets. Vitamin E at 500 mg/kg diet significantly decreased alternative complement activity. Dietary concentrations of vitamin C had no effect on mortality following S. iniae challenge, but mortality significantly decreased in fish fed vitamin E,supplemented diets. [source]

Physiological Responses of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, Fed Vitamin C- and Lipid-Supplemented Diets and Submitted to Low-Temperature Stress,

JOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 2 2007
Dario R. Falcon
This study evaluated the effects of different levels of vitamin C and lipids on physiological responses of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, submitted to temperature stress. There were two phases: Phase I , preparing fish to store vitamin C and lipid at appropriate temperature, and Phase II , evaluating the contributions these reserves make to fish physiology under low-temperature stress. The experiment used a 3 × 2 factorial design with three vitamin C levels (300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg diet) and two lipid levels (8.0 and 12.0%), plus absence of nutrient test and a diet of 6.0% lipids and 125.0 mg/kg vitamin C. In Phase I, 192 fish were kept at 26.0 ± 1.0 C for 112 d, and in Phase II, 48 fish were kept at 18.0 ± 0.5 C for 32 d and at 15.0 ± 0.5 C for 11 d. Fish fed C0L0 diet showed lower erythrocytes values in both phases; higher vitamin C supplement determined higher red blood cell (RBC) number and higher hematocrit (Htc) (Phase II); Htc was significantly lower in Phase II; after temperature stress, fish fed C0L0 diet had higher mean corpuscular volume, lower hemoglobin corpuscular concentration, and significantly lower vitamin C concentration in the liver; and higher supplementation determined a higher concentration in the liver (Phases I and II). Higher plasmatic cortisol concentration was seen in fish fed C0L0 diet. In conclusion, our results show that the absence of vitamin C in diets impairs RBC formation and does not enable fish to cope with stress; excess vitamin C is efficient in mitigating stress and 600 mg/kg diet is economic and physiologically sufficient to prepare fish for coping with low-temperature stress. Lipid supplementation does not determine alterations in stress biochemical parameters. [source]

Effects of Nigella orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils on blood biochemistry in rats

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006
G. Kökdil
Abstract Nigella orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils were administered orally (1 mL/kg/day) to Wistar Kyoto rats for 4 weeks. The effects of the oils on biochemical parameters were compared with a control group that received distilled water under identical conditions. LDL-cholesterol level was decreased significantly in both oil groups while serum total cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol were decreased significantly following administration of only N. orientalis fixed oil when compared with the control group. The HDL-cholesterol levels were increased significantly in both oil groups. N. orientalis fixed oil significantly reduced Aspartateaminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and urea levels in rats. There was an increase in the albumin, uric acid and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) concentrations, while the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and RDW (red cell distribution width) levels decreased significantly. In N. segetalis fixed oil treated rats, the levels of ALP, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), MCHC, RDW were decreased significantly, whereas a significant increase was found in albumin, fibrinogen, Hematocrit (HCT) and MCV levels. The effects of 4 weeks oral intake of N. orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils on blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant status (TOS) were also investigated in rats. The study showed that the oils had no significant effect on MDA production. N. orientalis and N. segetalis fixed oils caused a significant increase in the total antioxidant status in rats. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Tolerance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to dietborne endosulfan assessed by haematology, biochemistry, histology and growth

AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 5 2010
A.-K. LUNDEBYE
Abstract The inclusion of plant-based ingredients in commercial fish feeds may pose a challenge because of the presence of undesirable substances, such as the pesticide endosulfan. Waterborne endosulfan is highly toxic to fish, whereas dietborne exposure has varied toxicity in different species. To investigate the systemic effects of endosulfan exposure, quadruplicate groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were fed either 0 (control), 0.005 mg kg,1; the European Union's maximum limit, or 10 or 20 times this level (0.05 and 0.1 mg kg,1 respectively) for 95 days. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in liver somatic index, spleen somatic index, condition factor or growth among treatments. There were no indications of liver damage in fish from any of the groups in the biomarkers measured: plasma aspartate aminotransferase, plasma alanine aminotransferase and histopathology. Similarly, there were no apparent treatment-related effects on the haematological parameters Hct, Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and blood sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride levels were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among groups. Lipid digestibility, but not energy, protein, or glycogen digestibility, was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced at the highest exposure concentration. However, no significant differences were observed in lipid production value or lipid efficiency ratio. In contrast to previous studies, clinical histological abnormalities were not observed in the intestine, liver or spleen of endosulfan-treated fish. [source]