Preventative Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenyl Ester on Cadmium Intoxication Induced Hematological and Blood Coagulation Disturbances and Hepatorenal Damage in Rats

The preventative effect of caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) against hematological, blood coagulation, and hepatorenal disturbances in cadmium (Cd) intoxication was investigated in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into control group, Cd-group, and Cd + CAPE group. Cd intoxication was induced by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of CdCl2 (1 mg/kg/day) for 21 days, and CAPE was daily given (10 micromol/kg; i.p.) for also 21 days. The results showed that Cd intoxication impaired hepatorenal function and significantly prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and decreased fibrinogen level, red blood cells and platelets counts, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Interestingly, all these hematological, blood coagulation, and hepatorenal deteriorations of Cd toxicity were significantly prevented by CAPE. Additionally, CAPE significantly reversed the significant decreases in levels of total reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase and increases in levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances that were observed in the sera and liver and kidney homogenates of Cd group. It is concluded that CAPE is a promising compound that can counteract the hematological and blood coagulation disturbances, oxidative stress, and hepatorenal damages in Cd intoxication. However, further studies are crucially needed to improve this treatment in patients.

Relevant Aspects of Centrifugation Step in the Preparation of Platelet-Rich Plasma

Introduction. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is rich in growth factors, playing important role in tissue healing. The wide variation of reported protocols for preparation of PRP leads to variable compositions, which induce different biological responses and prevent results comparison. This study aims to highlight relevant aspects of the centrifugation step to obtain reproducible results and overall quality. Material and Methods. Samples of blood were collected from 20 healthy donors that have signed free informed consent. Two centrifugation steps (spins) were analyzed for the influence of centrifugal acceleration, time, processed volume, and platelet gradient. The Pure Platelet-Rich Plasma (P-PRP) was characterized as platelet concentration, integrity, and viability (sP-selectin measurement). Results. Lower centrifugal accelerations favour platelet separation. The processing of 3.5 mL of blood at 100 ×g for 10 min (1st spin), 400 ×g for 10 min (2nd spin), withdrawing 2/3 of remnant plasma, promoted high platelet recovery (70–80%) and concentration (5x) maintaining platelet integrity and viability. The recovery of platelets was reduced for a larger WB volume (8.5 mL) processed. Conclusion. Centrifugal acceleration, time, WB processed volume, and minimization of the platelet gradient before sampling are relevant aspects to ensure reproducible compositions within the autologous nature of PRP.

Phagocytized Neutrophil Fragments in the Bone Marrow: A Phenomenon Most Commonly Associated with Hodgkin Lymphoma

Bone marrow macrophages containing other cells, or large pieces of other cells, represent a distinctive feature of diseases such as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and Rosai-Dorfman disease. We describe a distinct variation of phagocytic histiocyte morphology, featuring histiocytes containing predominantly fragments of neutrophil nuclei. We retrospectively reviewed initial bone marrow samples for Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, Ewing sarcoma, or evaluation for nonneoplastic conditions, scoring the presence or absence of the above-described histiocytes. We find that these histiocytes, which we term “fragmentophages,” are associated with staging marrow sampling for malignancy, especially Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin lymphoma: 28/34 or 82.4%, Ewing sarcoma: 11/26 or 42.3%, Burkitt lymphoma: 4/13 or 30.8%). These cells are significantly less common in marrow samples for nonneoplastic conditions (4/21 or 19.0%). Fragmentophages are significantly associated with malignancy, especially Hodgkin lymphoma, and their recognition has the potential to provide a clue to an underlying malignancy.

Coexisting Iron Deficiency Anemia and Beta Thalassemia Trait: Effect of Iron Therapy on Red Cell Parameters and Hemoglobin Subtypes

Background. Coexistence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta thalassemia trait (BTT) has been the topic of few studies. However, no study from our country was found evaluating the effect of iron therapy in patients with concomitant IDA and BTT. Methods. Over a period of two years, 30 patients with concomitant IDA and BTT were included. All the patients had a complete blood count, serum iron studies, and thalassemia screening using BIORADTM hemoglobin testing system. The patients received oral iron therapy in appropriate dosages for a period of twenty weeks, after which all the investigations were repeated. Appropriate statistical methods were applied for comparison of pre- and posttherapy data. Results. All except two patients were adults with a marked female preponderance. Oral iron therapy led to statistically significant improvement in hemoglobin, red cell indices (P<0.05), and marked change in serum iron, ferritin, and HbA2 levels (P<0.001). There was a significant reduction in the total iron binding capacity levels. Conclusion. The present study shows the frequent occurrence of iron deficiency anemia in patients with beta thalassemia trait, which can potentially confound the diagnosis of the latter. Hence, iron deficiency should be identified and rectified in patients with suspicion of beta thalassemia trait.

Prevalence of Deletional Alpha Thalassemia and Sickle Gene in a Tribal Dominated Malaria Endemic Area of Eastern India

Inherited hemoglobin disorders like alpha thalassemia and sickle gene are common in the Indian subcontinent. These disorders in the heterozygous state act as malaria resistance genes and influence the susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. There is inadequate knowledge about the epidemiology of these malaria resistance genes in the tribal dominated malaria endemic region of the state of Odisha in eastern India. A cross sectional prevalence study was undertaken in 594 subjects in five tribal populations in this region, namely, Sahara (42.4%), Kutia Kandha (30.0%), Kuda (15.8%), Gond (9.8%), and Oraon (2.0%). Sickling test, Hb electrophoresis, HPLC, and molecular studies were undertaken to diagnose the prevalence of sickle allele, β-thalassemia allele, and deletional alpha thalassemia. Sickle and β thalassemia alleles were found in 13.1% and 3.4% of subjects, respectively. Sickle allele was found both in heterozygous (10.1%) and homozygous state (3.03%). The prevalence of alpha thalassemia was 50.84% with an allelic frequency of 0.37. Both α−3.7 and α−4.2 alpha thalassemia were detected with an allele frequency of 0.33 and 0.04, respectively. The high prevalence of alpha thalassemia and sickle gene in this population is probably due to selection pressure of endemic malaria in this part of India.

Pretransplant Comorbidities Maintain Their Impact on Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Outcome 5 Years Posttransplant: A Retrospective Study in a Single German Institution

The introduction of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens has allowed elderly patients with preexisting comorbidities access to the potentially curative allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Patient’s comorbidities at the time of treatment consideration play a significant role in transplant outcome in terms of both overall survival (OS) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM). The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI) quantifies these patient specific risks and has established itself as a major tool in the pretransplant assessment of patients. Many single center and multicenter studies have assessed the HCT-CI score and reported conflicting outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the HCT-CI in a single large European transplant centre. 245 patients were retrospectively analyzed and the predictive value of the score was assessed with respect to OS and NRM. We confirm that the HCT-CI predicts outcome for both OS and NRM. Moreover, we identified age of the patient as an independent prognostic parameter for OS. Incorporation of age in the HCT-CI would improve its ability to prognosticate and allow the transplant physician to assess the patient specific risks appropriately at the time of counseling for transplant.

Oral and Dental Considerations in Pediatric Leukemic Patient

Throughout the world, there have been drastic decline in mortality rate in pediatric leukemic population due to early diagnosis and improvements in oncology treatment. The pediatric dentist plays an important role in the prevention, stabilization, and treatment of oral and dental problems that can compromise the child’s health and quality of life during, and follow up of the cancer treatment. This manuscript discusses recommendations and promotes dental care of the pediatric leukemic patients.

The Problem of Anaemia in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Background. Surgical patients are often anaemic preoperatively subsequently requiring blood transfusion. The aim of this study was to assess the problem of anaemia and transfusion rates in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Methods. Haemoglobin levels and transfusion requirements were assessed retrospectively in 199 sequential patients operated on for colorectal cancer. This was followed by prospective analysis of 147 patients to correlate preoperative anaemia, stage of bowel cancer, and operation performed with rates of blood transfusion and length of hospital stay. Results. Preoperatively 44% patients were anaemic retrospectively and 60% prospectively. Anaemia increased the risk of transfusion in both studies (69% anaemic versus 31% nonanaemic, P=0.002 in retrospective series, and 83.7% versus 16.3%, P<0.0001 in prospective series). Anaemia was proportionally higher in patients with Dukes B (65.2%) and Dukes C (66.6%) than in patients with Dukes A (28.5%). Length of stay was prolonged in transfused patients excluding those requiring major blood transfusion (median 13 versus 7 days, P<0.0001). Transfusion was also associated with higher mortality (P=0.05). Conclusion. Anaemia is common in patients with colorectal cancer. Anaemic patients were at high risk of receiving blood transfusion, which in turn increased length of stay and mortality.

Evaluation of the Utility of Thromboelastography in a Tertiary Trauma Care Centre

Background. Thromboelastography (TEG) unlike conventional coagulation assays evaluates the dynamic interaction of clotting factors and platelets indicating an overall clot quality. Literature assessing the efficacy of TEG in identifying trauma associated bleeding is lacking. Aim. To compare TEG with conventional plasma based coagulation tests and assess whether TEG can serve as a screening test or replace the conventional routine test. Materials. Retrospective data was collected for 150 severe trauma patients. Patients with known evidence of severe comorbidities, which may influence the outcome, were excluded. Detailed evaluation of the patient’s clinical and laboratory records was conducted. Diagnostic characteristics such as sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated. Results. Fifty-one patients were defined as coagulopathic by the conventional coagulation test, 30 by the laboratory established range for TEG indices and 105 by manufactures range. Specificity and sensitivity for the laboratory established range for TEG were 29.4% and 84.8%; for manufactures range sensitivity was 74.5%, specificity was 32.3%. Conclusion. We observed that conventional coagulation assays are the most sensitive tests for diagnosis of coagulopathy due to trauma. However in emergency trauma situations, where immediate corrective measures need to be taken, coagulation parameters and conventional coagulation tests may cause delay. TEG can give highly specific results depicting the underlying coagulopathy.

Association of Body Mass Index with Hemoglobin Concentration and Iron Parameters in Iranian Population

Background. Studies have reported that obesity has an adverse effect on iron metabolism. Obesity is characterized by chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation and anemia of chronic disease with elevated serum ferritin and decreased level of serum iron, transferrin saturation, and hemoglobin. Therefore, we examined the association of body mass index with hemoglobin concentration and iron parameters in this study. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Yazd to assess the relation of body mass index with hemoglobin and iron parameters among 406 adult patients 18–65 years old. Diabetes and conditions that could influence body iron stores were excluded. Results. There is no difference in hemoglobin concentrations, MCV, serum iron, TIBC, transferrin saturation index, and ferritin between normal weight, overweight, and obese persons. Conclusion. Nutritional status of persons and intake of high iron foods by obese persons should be considered. Also, other inflammatory markers should be evaluated in the future studies.