Retinal fundus photographs capture hemoglobin loss after blood donation

Recently it was shown that blood hemoglobin concentration could be predicted from retinal fundus photographs by deep learning models. However, it is unclear whether the models were quantifying current blood hemoglobin level, or estimating based on subjects' pretest probability of having anemia. Here, we conducted an observational study with 14 volunteers who donated blood at an on site blood drive held by the local blood center (ie, at which time approximately 10% of their blood was removed). When the deep learning model was applied to retinal fundus photographs taken before and after blood donation, it detected a decrease in blood hemoglobin concentration within each subject at 2-3 days after donation, suggesting that the model was quantifying subacute hemoglobin changes instead of predicting subjects' risk. Additional randomized or controlled studies can further validate this finding.

Comparison of the activation capabilities of hemosorbents by adhesion rate of blood cells in vitro

Background: The relevance of the work lies in the search for new hemocontact drugs with hemocompatibility and a pronounced activation effect on the cellular and humoral blood systems for their possible use in clinical practice during low-volume hemoperfusion.The aim of this work was to assess the activation capabilities of three granular hemosorbents by the rate of adhesion of blood cellular elements to the surface of granules in vitro.Materials and methods. When using the method of low-volume hemoperfusion (LVH) in the clinic it is important to take into account the activation properties of solid-phase granular drugs. Blood-contact interaction was carried out in bench conditions with the use of donated blood in rotary mode. Blood samples were taken before the experiment and after 5, 20, 40 and 60 minutes. Changes in blood cell and subcellular populations were evaluated using the Sysmex XT 1800i hematological analyzer (26 parameters), which made it possible to indirectly judge the activation of blood cells. 30 experiments were conducted. To analyze the activation functions of the hemocontact preparations the speed-time adhesive profile of blood cells on the sorbent was used.Results. The effect of using the preparations Silochrome S-120 and SPS in comparison with SСT-6A HP as contact hemoactivators can be more pronounced, since the activation potential of these sorbents for blood cells is much higher. Silochrome S-120 has the highest activation capabilities compared to SPS and SKT-6A HP.Conclusion. Adhesion rate indicators can be indicators of the activation of blood cells upon contact with foreign surfaces and serve as a criterion for assessing the activation capabilities of these surfaces when using the LVH method in the clinic.

Results of the Study of Morphological Features and Serotonin Accumulative Function of Platelets in Blood Donors

Blood transfusion service and its social component – donorship must be the priority areas of the state policy because the results of its work are of paramount importance. The main task of the blood transfusion service is supply of high quality components for blood transfusion therapy. Quality of blood components is compliance of properties and specifications of the blood component supplied to the recipient with the set standards. Strict order of conformance with the approved regulations and procedures is important at all technological states and is a cornerstone of blood transfusion service products quality. All actions, planned and implemented, starting with planning donorship and ending with the finished product manufacturing and storage conditions, are important for ensuring the quality as the final result. The purpose of the study was to determine the content of total, platelet and free serotonin in the plasma of primary and active blood donors for further use of the studied parameters to assess the quality of platelet concentrate. Materials and methods. 160 blood donors (118 men and 42 women) were examined, including 110 active donors (85 men and 25 women) who donated blood regularly at least 3 times a year and 50 primary reserve donors (32 men and 18 women), who donated blood for the first time. Primary reserve donors formed a control group. For the convenience of systematization and reproduction of scientific research results, objectification in comparing research data, all examined active donors, depending on the duration of donor experience and, accordingly, increasing the probability of occurrence of hidden platelet metabolism disorder, were divided into three subgroups: subgroup I – 51 donors (39 men and 12 women), whose donor experience lasted from 2 to 5 years; subgroup II – 31 donors (24 men and 7 women), duration of donor experience which ranged from 6 to 9 years; subgroup III – 28 donors (22 men and 6 women), whose donor experience lasted 10 years or more. The method of fractional determination of biological amines – serotonin – is presented in preliminarily dried biostrate specimens. The method described includes some extraction procedures with optimal controlled pH values necessary for isolating serotonin, producing fluorophors in accordance with orthophtaldialdehide and ninhydrin, the subsequent fluorimetric estimation of their levels being performed on the native fluorometer «БИАН». Results and discussion. It was found that active donors compared to control, have a level of free serotonin in peripheral blood platelets which was significantly higher. Biochemical shifts were revealed in the background of certain morphological changes of platelets. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms of the detected changes are discussed in the article. Conclusion. Active blood donation is accompanied by significant changes in the morphological parameters of platelets and the content of free serotonin in peripheral blood platelets. Further study of platelet hematopoiesis of active blood donors is required

A Study to Assess the Barriers And Facilitators of Blood Donation Among University Students Of South India

Introduction: Donated blood is very crucial and life-saving for those who require large volumes of blood in any medical emergency. Many blood donation camps are routinely organized to fill this void of demand and supply. In a university campus associated with a hospital, it is important that student volunteers should contribute towards the increase in demand for blood during times of crisis. This makes it imperative to understand their perception of this noble cause. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 volunteers of a university campus using convenience sampling. The primary outcome was to assess the factors that influence voluntary blood donation among the volunteers. The adjusted association was performed using logistic regression. R Console was used for statistical analysis. Odds ratios and p-value < 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the level of significance. Results: A total of 354 responses were received and analysed. Among these, 38.98%, (n=138) participants had donated blood at least once. Factors that were significantly associated with blood donation were gender, being a member of an NGO, frequency of volunteering activities, fear of needles, and belief that they would acquire the disease during blood donation. Conclusion: The majority of the participants had good knowledge of blood donation, but their attitude and practice did not fall along the same lines. The study also highlighted that attitude towards donating blood is high among the participants who are associated with the NGOs or participate in voluntary activities. Voluntary work induces a ‘sense of giving something to the society which appears to be facilitating factor and an effective measure to encourage blood donation among youth.

Seroprevalence of Transfusion Transmissible Infections Among Voluntary Blood Donors at an Indian Hospital

Background: The knowledge of the incidence of blood Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, malaria and syphilis is essential for monitoring the safety of blood supply. Objective: To describe the prevalence of TTIs for monitoring blood supply safety and evaluating the efficacy of screening procedures. Methods: A five-year retrospective study spanning January 2016 to December 2020 was carried out on voluntary blood donors at blood donation camps organised by Adesh Medical College and Hospital, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India, and from donors at the hospital’s blood bank. The donated blood was tested for Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), malaria and syphilis. Results: There were a total of 10,468 voluntary blood donors during the period of study. Out of all the donors, 0.4% tested positive for at least one of the TTIs, including 0.06% testing positive for HIV, 0.21% for Hepatitis-B virus (HBV) infection (Hepatitis-B Surface Antigen) and 0.13% for Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection (Anti HCV Antibodies). None of the voluntary donors was positive for malaria or syphilis. There were no co-infections. Conclusions: The prevalence of TTIs among voluntary blood donors was low hence the advocation for blood from this group of donors. Donated blood specimens should be more effectively screened, and blood should be rationally used.

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF BLOOD DONATION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN ACS MEDICAL COLLEGE & HOSPITAL

OBJECTIVE: To determine the awareness and knowledge of blood donation among undergraduate medical students MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted at ACS Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, from st nd rd th January to March 2021.The study population was 400 medical students of 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 year. Pre-tested and self-structured equestionnaire was sent to the study population and the responses were viewed using a separate email id. RESULTS: Of the 400 medical students, 41.5% males and 58.5% females. The mean age is 20.6 years. 368 (92.0 %) are aware of voluntary blood donation. Online platforms or web portals are used by 267 (66.8 %) to assess information about Voluntary Blood Donors. Only 11 (2.7 %) have donated blood regularly. CONCLUSION: We infer that the knowledge and awareness on voluntary blood donation was comparatively higher among males and nal year students. The facts pertaining to voluntary blood donation, when conveyed by the online platforms were found to have greater impact on the current youth generation. Hence, this study recommends organising regular talks and interactive sessions as a must to bridge the gap in knowledge, to identify and remove misconceptions and motivate them for voluntary blood donation on a regular basis.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Isotypes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Prior to Vaccination: Associations With Disease Activity, Antinuclear Antibodies, and Immunomodulatory Drugs During the First Year of the Pandemic

ObjectivesImpact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on individuals with arthritis has been highlighted whereas data on other rheumatic diseases, e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), are scarce. Similarly to SLE, severe SARS-CoV-2 infection includes risks for thromboembolism, an unbalanced type I interferon response, and complement activation. Herein, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in longitudinal samples collected prior to vaccination were analyzed and compared with SLE progression and antinuclear antibody (ANA) levels.MethodsOne hundred patients (83 women) with established SLE and a regular visit to the rheumatologist (March 2020 to January 2021) were included. All subjects donated blood and had done likewise prior to the pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 antibody isotypes (IgG, IgA, IgM) to the cell receptor-binding S1-spike outer envelope protein were detected by ELISA, and their neutralizing capacity was investigated. IgG-ANA were measured by multiplex technology.ResultsDuring the pandemic, 4% had PCR-confirmed infection but 36% showed SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of ≥1 isotype; IgA was the most common (30%), followed by IgM (9%) and IgG (8%). The antibodies had low neutralizing capacity and were detected also in prepandemic samples. Plasma albumin (p = 0.04) and anti-dsDNA (p = 0.003) levels were lower in patients with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Blood group, BMI, smoking habits, complement proteins, daily glucocorticoid dose, use of hydroxychloroquine, or self-reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms (except fever, &gt;38.5°C) did not associate with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.ConclusionOur data from early 2021 indicate that a large proportion of Swedish SLE patients had serological signs of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 but apparently with a minor impact on the SLE course. Use of steroids and hydroxychloroquine showed no distinct effects, and self-reported COVID-19-related symptoms correlated poorly with all antibody isotypes.

Structure of Usutu virus SAAR-1776 displays fusion loop asymmetry

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging arbovirus in Europe that has been increasingly identified in asymptomatic humans and donated blood samples and is a cause of increased incidents of neuroinvasive human disease. Treatment or prevention options for USUV disease are currently nonexistent, the result of a lack of understanding of the fundamental elements of USUV pathogenesis. Here, we report two structures of the mature USUV virus, determined at a resolution of 2.4 Å, using single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy. Mature USUV is an icosahedral shell of 180 copies of envelope (E) and membrane (M) proteins arranged in the classic herringbone pattern. However, unlike previous reports of flavivirus structures, we observe virus subpopulations and differences in the fusion loop disulfide bond. Presence of a second, unique E glycosylation site could elucidate host interactions, contributing to the broad USUV tissue tropism. The structures provide a basis for exploring USUV interactions with glycosaminoglycans and lectins, the role of the RGD motif as a receptor, and the inability of West Nile virus therapeutic antibody E16 to neutralize the mature USUV strain SAAR-1776. Finally, we identify three lipid binding sites and predict key residues that likely participate in virus stability and flexibility during membrane fusion. Our findings provide a framework for the development of USUV therapeutics and expand the current knowledge base of flavivirus biology.

Determination of carboxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin levels in donated blood

To determine the percentages of carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and methaemoglobin (MeHb) in donor blood and to compare these levels between smokers and nonsmokers at different time points during blood storage. Blood donors were recruited from Haematology Service, University Hospital Alzira Velano, Alfenas-MG. The blood was kept in collecting ducts (noodles) containing citrate, phosphate and dextrose (CPD) and stored at 4°C throughout the storage period. Since the noodles kept the characteristics of the bags, COHb and MeHb levels were analysed on the day of donation and after 20 days of storage. Levels of COHb and MeHb were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Non-parametric Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests were employed to compare COHb and MeHb levels before and after the storage and groups of smokers and nonsmokers, respectively. Levels of COHb and MeHb in the blood collected from smokers and nonsmokers were statistically different (p< 0.05; Mann- Whitney test) when the samples were analyzed before the storage. In blood of smokers, COHb levels were no different over a 20-day storage period (p= 0.7009; Friedman test). On the other hand, MeHb levels were significant different over a 20-day storage period (p< 0.05). The results suggest the need to regularly assess COHb and MeHb levels in donor blood stored in blood banks.