Effect of mycophenolate mofetil on the white blood cell count and the frequency of infection in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Leukopenia is a common manifestation of SLE. Addition of immunosuppressive therapy in a SLE patient who is already leukopenic is a clinical concern. It could worsen leukopenia, increase the risk of infection, or both. The aim of this study was to analyze the immediate effect of mycophenolate mofetil on the white blood cell count and the rate of infection in SLE patients. Two hundred and forty-four patients within the Hopkins Lupus Cohort who were newly started on mycophenolate mofetil were included in the study. The white blood cell count and interval infection history on the day mycophenolate mofetil was started were compared with the white blood cell count and interval infection history at the next visit. The study was based on 244 patients who began taking mycophenolate mofetil in the cohort. The study population included 47 % African Americans, 44 % Caucasians, and 9 % other ethnicities. There was a slight but not statistically significant increase in the white blood cell count (6.63 vs. 7.01), after starting mycophenolate mofetil. Patients with a baseline white blood cell count \u3c3000/mm(3) did have a statistically significant increase in the white blood cell count after starting mycophenolate mofetil (2.57 vs. 5.13, P = 0.0047). We also found a statistically significant increase in the risk of bacterial infection (but not viral infection) after starting mycophenolate mofetil (4 vs. 9 %, P = 0.0036). Leukopenia does not worsen with mycophenolate mofetil. However, mycophenolate mofetil appears to slightly increase the rate of bacterial (but not viral) infection

Efficacy of preoperative white blood cell count and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio in predicting post-lobectomy pneumonia

Background: This study aims to examine preoperative white blood cell count and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio and to investigate foreknown risk factors for pneumonia following lobectomy. Methods: Between January 2005 and May 2018, a total of 152 patients (135 males, 17 females; mean age: 61.9 +/- 7.5 years; range, 45 to 73 years) who underwent right lower lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Data including age, sex, preoperative white blood cell count and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, smoking, preexisting chronic diseases, body mass index, stage of lung cancer, the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, type of surgery, operation duration, blood transfusion, and postoperative intensive care unit admission were recorded. Results: Twenty-five (16.4%) patients developed postoperative pneumonia. Older patients presenting with elevated levels of preoperative white blood cell count and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, excessive tobacco consumption, prolonged operation duration, history of a chronic disease, a body mass index over 30 kg/m(2), advanced lung cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and intensive care unit admission after surgery were at high risk for postoperative pneumonia. There was no significant difference in sex, type of surgery (thoracotomy versus thoracoscopy), and the use of blood products. In predicting the development of postoperative pneumonia, lymphocyte/monocyte ratio had 85.% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity, while white blood cell count had 72.5% sensitivity and 77.5% specificity. Conclusion: Preoperative white blood cell count and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio provide supporting evidence in predicting pneumonia following lobectomy contributing to the existing risk identification criteria

Effect of an 1800 MHz electromagnetic field emitted during embryogenesis on the blood picture of one-day-old domestic hen chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields emitted mainly by mobile telephony has been steadily increasing with the development of modern technology. Haematological indices are among the most common indicators of the body’s physiological status. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of an 1800 MHz electromagnetic field emission on the blood picture of one-day-old domestic hen chicks. During the experiment, chick embryos were exposed to artificial electromagnetic fields throughout incubation for 13 ´ 2 min/day, 4 ´ 10 min/day and 1 ´ 40 min/day. After hatching, blood was collected from 10 one-day-old chicks from each group to determine: red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, and leukocyte differential count. In addition, the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was calculated. The present study is probably the first to show an increase in the red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, white blood cell count, segmented heterophils and the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, and a decrease in lymphocyte percentage of embryos exposed to an 1800 MHz electromagnetic field. The observed changes may be indicative of the stress-inducing effect of EMF on living organisms

Effects of aqueous extract of Basella alba leaves on haematological and biochemical parameters in albino rats

The effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Basella alba on haematological and biochemical parameters were studied in Wistar strain albino rats. Twenty four (24) Wistar strain albino rats were randomly distributed into four groups of six (6) rats each. Group I rats served as control and received 10 ml/kg of normal saline, while group II, III and IV received 60, 80 and 100 mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of B. alba, respectively, for two weeks. Administration of the extract was done orally. At the end of the treatment period, haematological parameters (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration) and biochemical parameters (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST)) were determined. The results showed that B. alba significantly increased (p < 0.05, 0.01) red blood cell count, white blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and platelet count. However, the extract significantly (p < 0.05, 0.01) reduced the activity of the liver enzymes such as ALP, ALT and AST. The decreases were dose dependent. In conclusion, adding B. alba leaves as part of daily diet may reduce anaemia and maintain good health.Key words: Basella alba, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters, albino rats

Preparation of Blood-Deficient Model and Research of Angelica Polysaccharide on Enriching Blood in Chickens

In this study cyclophosphamide was used to prepare the blood-deficient model. The red blood cell count and hemoglobin content were measured. The experimental chickens presented the symptoms of blood-deficient syndrome, dullness, shrinkinginto oneself, broken winded, loose feather, waxy eyelid, and pale tongue. At the same time, red blood cell count and hemoglobin content decreased significantly. Angelica polysaccharide as the effective component of Angelica Sinensis could significantly increase the red blood cell count and the hemoglobin content of blood-deficient chickens. The results indicated that cyclophosphamide could significantly reduce the red blood count and hemoglobin content, and make the ideal blood-deficient model successfully. Angelica polysaccharide had the function of enriching blood in different ways. On the one hand Angelica polysaccharide enriched he blood directly, increased the number of RBC and hemoglobin; on the other hand it regulated the hematopoietic factors, enriched the blood indirectly

Hematology and serum chemistry reference values of stray dogs in Bangladesh

Hematology and serum chemistry values were obtained from 28 male and 22 female stray dogs in Chittagong Metropolitan area, Bangladesh. The goal of the study was to establish reference value for hematology and serum chemistry for these semi wild animals in relation to age, sex, reproductive stage and body condition. No significant differences were found for mean values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, differential leukocyte count, total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, phosphorus and potassium among or between sexes, ages, reproductive states or body conditions. Significant differences were noted for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.02) between sexes. Among different age groups significant differences were found for total red blood cell count (p<0.001). Different body conditions have significant differences in red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p<0.001). Pregnant and non-pregnant females differed significantly in their red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p<0.001)

Dementia and Primary-Care Health Measures:Hearing, Gait, and Markers of Inflammation

Dementia is a syndrome associated with declining cognitive function that has a variety of types and causes, and is encountered frequently in general medical practice. Researchers are actively exploring possible risk factors for dementia. The St. Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam is a dementia-screening exam used in primary care visits to detect cognitive impairment that may be a sign of dementia. This study compared scores on the SLUMS exam to other measures recorded in a typical primary care visit in 86 patients of age 65 and older to look for correlations between indicators of health, such as physical examination measures and complete blood count panels, and cognitive impairment, as measured by score on the SLUMS exam. Abnormal gait was associated with a lower score on the SLUMS exam compared to normal (p=.006), failure of the hearing test in both ears was associated with a lower score on the SLUMS exam compared to patients passing the hearing test in one or both ears (p=.046), red blood cell count was positively correlated with SLUMS exam score (p=.020), white blood cell count was negatively correlated with SLUMS exam score (p=.003), and serum albumin levels were negatively correlated with SLUMS exam score (p=.002). These data support the view that both physical impairments and markers of an inflammatory response are related to dementia

White blood cell count and risk of incident lung cancer in the UK Biobank

Background The contribution of measurable immunological/inflammatory parameters to lung cancer development remains unclear, particularly among never-smokers. We investigated the relationship between total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts and incident lung cancer risk overall and among subgroups defined by smoking status and sex in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods We evaluated 424,407 adults aged 37-73 years from the UK Biobank. Questionnaires, physical measurements, and blood were administered/collected at baseline in 2006-2010. Complete blood cell counts were measured using standard methods. Lung cancer diagnoses and histological classifications were obtained from cancer registries. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of incident lung cancer in relation to quartiles (Q) of total WBC and subtype-specific counts, with Q1 as the reference. Results There were 1,493 incident cases diagnosed over an average 7-year follow-up. Overall, the highest quartile of total WBC count was significantly associated with elevated lung cancer risk (HRQ4=1.67, 95% CI:1.41-1.98). Among women, increased risks were found in current-smokers (ncases/n=244/19,464, HRQ4=2.15, 95% CI:1.46-3.16), former-smokers (ncases/n=280/69,198, HRQ4=1.75, 95% CI:1.24-2.47), and never-smokers without environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ncases/n=108/111,294, HRQ4=1.93, 95% CI:1.11-3.35). Among men, stronger associations were identified in current-smokers (ncases/n=329/22,934, HRQ4=2.95, 95% CI:2.04-4.26) and former-smokers (ncases/n= 358/71,616, HRQ4=2.38, 95% CI:1.74-3.27) but not in never-smokers. Findings were similar for lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma and were driven primarily by elevated neutrophil fractions. Conclusions Elevated WBCs could potentially be one of many important markers for increased lung cancer risk, especially among never-smoking women and ever-smoking men

Analysis of platelet-rich plasma extraction variations in platelet and blood components between 4 common commercial kits

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been extensively used as a treatment in tissue healing in tendinopathy, muscle injury, and osteoarthritis. However, there is variation in methods of extraction, and this produces different types of PRP. Purpose: To determine the composition of PRP obtained from 4 commercial separation kits, which would allow assessment of current classification systems used in cross-study comparisons. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Three normal adults each donated 181 mL of whole blood, some of which served as a control and the remainder of which was processed through 4 PRP separation kits: GPS III (Biomet Biologics), Smart-Prep2 (Harvest Terumo), Magellan (Arteriocyte Medical Systems), and ACP (Device Technologies). The resultant PRP was tested for platelet count, red blood cell count, and white blood cell count, including differential in a commercial pathology laboratory. Glucose and pH measurements were obtained from a blood gas autoanalyzer machine. Results: Three kits taking samples from the “buffy coat layer” were found to have greater concentrations of platelets (3-6 times baseline), while 1 kit taking samples from plasma was found to have platelet concentrations of only 1.5 times baseline. The same 3 kits produced an increased concentration of white blood cells (3-6 times baseline); these consisted of neutrophils, leukocytes, and monocytes. This represents high concentrations of platelets and white blood cells. A small drop in pH was thought to relate to the citrate used in the sample preparation. Interestingly, an unexpected increase in glucose concentrations, with 3 to 6 times greater than baseline levels, was found in all samples. Conclusion:This study reveals the variation of blood components, including platelets, red blood cells, leukocytes, pH, and glucose in PRP extractions. The high concentrations of cells are important, as the white blood cell count in PRP samples has frequently been ignored, being considered insignificant. The lack of standardization of PRP preparation for clinical use has contributed at least in part to the varying clinical efficacy in PRP use. Clinical Relevance: The variation of platelet and other blood component concentrations between commercial PRP kits may affect clinical treatment outcomes. There is a need for standardization of PRP for clinical use

Growth performance and haematology of Isa-brown pullets fed diets containing graded levels of Centrosema pubescens leaf meal

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary levels of Centrosema pubescens leaf meal (CLM) on the growth performance and haematological parameters of pullets. Twenty-four, five weeks old Isa-Brown pullets were weighed and randomly allotted into three dietary treatment groups and was replicated twice with eight pullets per treatment and four pullets per replica in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated two times giving four birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Pullets were fed dietary levels of CLM at 0, 2.5 and 5% in T1, T2 and T3 respectively from the 5th week of age. Results on growth performance showed significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in average daily feed intake. T3 had the highest average daily feed intake of 209.5±0.00 g. Results on haematology showed significant (P&lt;0.05) differences in packed cell volume, red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count and lymphocyte. T3 had the highest packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration (29.00±0.58%, 29.00, 10.62±0.23x106/mm3 and 8.55±0.15g/100ml, respectively). T1 recorded the highest white blood cell count (11650±95.74x103/mm3). T1 and T2 had the highest lymphocyte levels (79.00±0.58). In conclusion, CLM should be incorporated in the diets of pullets up to 5% inclusion level to improve their average daily feed intake and some haematological parameters. Keywords: Pullets; Isa-Brown; Centrosema pubescens; Growth performance; Haematology; Die