The Antibacterial Activity of Erythrocytes From Goose (Anser domesticus) Can Be Associated With Phagocytosis and Respiratory Burst Generation

In the lumen of blood vessels, there are large numbers of erythrocytes, which are approximately 95% of the total blood cells. Although the function of erythrocytes is to transport oxygen in the organism, recent studies have shown that mammalian and teleost erythrocytes are involved in the immune response against bacterial infections. However, the immune mechanisms used by avian erythrocytes are not yet clear. Here, we demonstrated that erythrocytes from goose have the ability to phagocytose as well as conduct antimicrobial activity. Firstly, we revealed the phagocytosis or adhesion activity of goose erythrocytes for latex beads 0.1-1.0 μm in diameter by fluorescence microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The low cytometry results also proved that goose erythrocytes had a wide range of phagocytic or adhesion activity for different bacteria. Followed, the low cytometry analysis data further explored that the goose erythrocytes contain the ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in response to bacterial stimulation, and also up-regulated the expression of NOX family includes NOX1 and NOX5. Finally, we also found that goose erythrocytes showed a powerful antibacterial activity against all the three bacteria, meanwhile the stimulation of three kinds of bacteria up-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors, and increased the production of antioxidant enzymes to protect the cells from oxidative damage. Herein, our results demonstrate that goose Erythrocytes possess a certain phagocytic capacity and antioxidant system, and that the antimicrobial activity of erythrocytes can occurred through the production of unique respiratory burst against foreign pathogenic bacteria, which provides new clues to the interaction between bacteria and avian erythrocytes.

Evaluation of tranexamic acid after total hip arthroplasty over 60 years old in China: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Review question / Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid after total hip arthroplasty in patients older than 60 years old in China by meta-analysis. Participant or population: All trials included in our study meet the following criteria: (1) All studies were original RCTs; (2) The mean age of patients for each study was ≥ 60 years old; (3) Patients were received total hip arthroplasty in all studies; (4) All studies included oral and iv or topical groups, with a comparison of outcomes between the two groups; (5) The full text of the included literature can be obtained, and the measurement data of hemoglobin drop, total blood loss, transfusion rate, complication, length of stay can be extracted. The following studies were excluded from the meta-analysis: nonrandomized studies; the patients with age<60; studies not suitable with the inclusive criteria; and articles for which we were unable to obtain the full text and relevant data for pooled analysis.

Tranexaminezuur in de gynaecologische en senologische heelkunde: een literatuuroverzicht

Tranexamic acid in gynecological and breast surgery: a literature review In gynecological and breast surgery, intra- or postoperative blood loss can cause many complications. A large number of interventions have already been described in literature to limit intraoperative blood loss. Tranexamic acid significantly reduces the amount of vaginal blood loss in women with menorrhagia and is also recommended as a treatment for postpartum hemorrhage. Tranexamic acid has been shown to be safe and efficient in limiting blood loss in many other surgical disciplines. In this literature review, the different applications of the use of tranexamic acid in gynecological and breast surgery are explained. The conclusion is that tranexamic acid can be a safe additional treatment that can reduce the total blood loss and the risk of postoperative complications and blood transfusion in various types of gynecological and breast surgery.

Proficiency-based progression intern training to reduce critical blood sampling errors including ‘wrong blood in tube’

Background: Blood sampling errors including ‘wrong blood in tube’ (WBIT) may have adverse effects on clinical outcomes. WBIT errors occur when the blood sample in the tube is not that of the patient identified on the label. This study aims to determine the effect of proficiency-based progression (PBP) training in phlebotomy on the rate of blood sampling errors (including WBIT). Methods: A non-randomised controlled trial compared the blood sampling error rate of 43 historical controls who had not undergone PBP training in 2016 to 44 PBP trained interventional groups in 2017. In 2018, the PBP training programme was implemented and the blood sampling error rate of 46 interns was compared to the 43 historical controls in 2016. Data analysis was performed using logistic regression analysis adjusting for sample timing. Results: In 2016, 43 interns had a total blood sample error rate of 2.4%, compared to 44 interns in 2017, who had error rate of 1.2% (adjusted OR=0.50, 95% CI 0.36-0.70; <0.01). In 2018, 46 interns had an error rate of 1.9% (adjusted OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.65-1.21; p=0.46) when compared to the 2016 historical controls. There were three WBITs in 2016, three WBITs in 2017 and five WBITs in 2018. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that PBP training in phlebotomy has the potential to reduce blood sampling errors. Trial registration number: NCT03577561

Innovative Blood Antioxidant Test in Standardbred Trotter Horses

In athletic horses, prolonged and intense training gives rise to an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant molecules, leading to oxidative stress. Considering the relation between exercise and oxidative stress in horses, the present work aims to validate the Kit Radicaux Libres (KRL) test as a tool to verify the influence of taming, training and racing on the total blood antioxidant activity and some haematochemical parameters. Five Italian Standardbred racehorses (two males and three females, aged 12 ± 1 months) from the same training center were selected and monitored upon arrival and during the following year until the racing season. Blood samples were obtained at different timepoints, corresponding to different steps of training. The data showed that KRL values were higher (p < 0.001) before the beginning of the taming period and at 60 days of taming, compared with the training and racing periods; additionally, the total protein value was affected by the training program, whereas no effects of training on muscle enzymes were detected. These results confirm that exercise plays a role in the production of free radicals and show that the KRL test may represent a valid method to determine oxidative stress in athletic horses.

Evaluation of Variations in the Various Blood Indices in COVID-19 Recovered Patients

Introduction: In December 2019, cases of pneumonia with an unknown cause were reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Novel coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) has been spreading worldwide and tracking laboratory indexes during the diagnosis and treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 can provide a reference for patients in other countries and regions. The disease is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus according to studies, and the World Health Organization just dubbed it coronavirus disease 2019. Aim: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate COVID-19 patients' blood parameters changes in comparison with healthy controlled patients. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 10 patients in which 5 are COVID-19 recovered patients and 5 are healthy controls. For these blood samples TBC (Total Blood Count) was taken and the readings of RBC, hemoglobin, WBC, lymphocyte, granulocyte and platelets count was recorded. Independent t-test was done to obtain the results. SPSS software Version 23 was used to give the output comparison as error bar charts. Results: The patients have increased RBC count, increased hemoglobin and reduced WBC count with reduced lymphocytes and Granulocytes counts. Here it can be concluded that COVID-19 recovered patients should take care of themselves by having proper care, doctor consultation and follow up. Conclusion: From this study it can be understood that COVID-19 recovered patients have increased RBC count and hemoglobin percentage. The recovered patients have reduced WBC, lymphocytes and Granulocytes percentage.

3D Structural Model and Visualization of Blood Vessels Based on L-System

The insight in structures of the blood vessels is a basis for study of blood flows to help understanding the abnormalities of blood vessels that can cause vascular diseases. Basic concept used for constructing structures of blood vessels in organs is arterial branching, which is usually characterized by fractal similarity in the bifurcation pattern. In this work, the concept of Lindenmayer system (L-system) is modified for three-dimensional (3D) tree-like structures to model structures of blood vessels in organs, and then, applied to construct and visualize structural blood vessels via our software created based on openGL and Lazarus program. The structure of blood vessels is constructed based on the physiological law of arterial branching proposed Murray (Murray’s law) under additional assumptions and constraints such as the spreading of blood vessels to cover all directions, the angle condition and the non-overlapping vessels condition. The concept is applied to simulate structures of blood vessels in 3 study cases, including symmetric arterial branching, non-symmetric arterial branching and structure of blood vessel on different domains. The results of structures of blood vessels generated from all cases are measured based on the number of segments, the total blood volume and the fractal dimension. The results of modeling and simulation in this work are illustrated by comparing with other results appeared literature. Moreover, the constructed structures of the blood vessels based on this 3D L-system could be useful for future research such as blood flow, pressure and other properties involving in structures of blood vessels in different organs of human and animals. HIGHLIGHTS A new 3D L-system is developed based on directional vectors for construction of 3D tree-like structures such as structures of blood vessels The model of structures of blood vessels is constructed based on the physiological laws of arterial branching (Murray’s law) with additional assumptions on the spreading of blood vessels, the angle condition, and the non-overlapping of blood vessels Algorithm and software are developed based on L-system to simulate and visualize 3D structures of blood vessels GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

A Student-Directed Community Cardiovascular Screening Project at a Regional Campus

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important threat to public health, especially in rural communities. Clinical medical students at a rural regional campus can be a valuable resource to plan and implement CVD risk factor case finding project in the host community. Methods Directed by a representative county advisory council and supervised by a regional dean, clinical medical students designed and implemented CVD screenings at several public locations, recording health history and measurements of blood glucose, total blood cholesterol, and blood pressure. Those screened with abnormal readings were directed to definitive care including the local student-directed free clinic. Students were surveyed using a Likert scale before and after participation to assess their confidence in executing a community health project. The Baptist Health Madisonville IRB approved the protocol as exempt and the authors have no conflicts of interest. Results Over a period of almost two years in 2017-2019, 572 participants were screened. The demographics reflected those of the entire county, except screening was focused on adults. High blood pressure was found in 43%, high glucose in 28%, and high cholesterol in 48%. These values were similar to published countywide prevalence proportions. The student pre- to post- increase in confidence was remarkable (p< 0.000). Conclusions Our results show that regional campus medical students directed by a representative county advisory council and supervised by a regional dean can successfully implement a community CVD screening effort. The students also expressed a dramatic increase in their confidence in designing and implementing such a project. Lessons learned are shared for consideration by those at other regional health campuses.