Correlation of heavy metals and theirs impact to epidemiological survey in the miners blood donors and other human population

Introduction: Miners who are blood donors, and work in mines for lead-zinc ores are constantly exposed to heavy metals (lead, zinc and cadmium) and this aspect is expected to increase or decrease many hematological parameters. Aim of the Study: The concentration of lead, zinc and cadmium was studied in exposed blood donors and non-exposed blood donors (control group). Knowing the structure of various heavy metals, all of the analysis was carried out to examine the impact of these heavy metals on the occurrence and severity of certain epidemiological diseases and hematological parameters on the miners who are blood donors. Material and Methods: In this research 120 miners were included who were blood donors (mining for lead and zinc) from the Republic of Macedonia and a control group of 30 participants that included blood donors not directly exposed to heavy metals, while living in the immediate vicinity of the lead and zinc mine. In this research biochemical analysis (inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) one of the most sensitive analytical techniques for the determination of elements in biological materials was applied and the basic haematological parameters were determined. Results: The observation of increased blood lead level on blood donors in the exposed group (mean = 0.089 mg/l) and 20% on blood donors in the control group (mean = 0066), increased blood zinc level in the exposed (mean = 1391) and in the control group (mean = 1074), increased blood cadmium level in 62% of exposed (mean = 0007) and in 50% of the control group (mean = 0006); If the normal BLL (blood lead level) is 0.04–0.07 mg/l, we concluded that all male blood donors in the exposed group had above normal BLL. In the control group 20% of male blood donors had above normal BLL; if the normal BZL (blood zinc level) is 0.1 mg/l, we concluded that all male blood donors exposed in the control group had above normal BZL. If the normal BCL is 0.005 mg/l, we concluded that 62% of the male blood donors in the exposed group had above normal BCL. In the control group 50% of male blood donors had above normal BCL; The blood lead, zinc and cadmium level will rise during exposure at work. forty eight percent of miners (exposed group) had an exposure period of 20 years, 29% between 10 and 20 years and the remaining 23% an exposure period under 10 years. Results showed negative correlation between the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin and blood levels of heavy metals; positive correlation between the number of leukocytes and blood heavy metals levels. Epidemiological survey showed that nearly all workers complained of headache. While 25 of 70 miners who were blood donors (with long exposure) were found to be suffering from various diseases such as asthma, respiratory tract, irritation and watering of eyes. Conclusion: The research confirms that the increased content of heavy metals in blood donors affects the concept of professional risk that involves probability that as a result of exposure of workers to certain harmful agents in the work environment negative effects are manifested on their health. The change of some haematological parameters in the blood donors, results in the emergence of certain diseases with complex etiologies and risks to their health

Prevention from transfusion transmissive diseases in the regional center for transfusion medicine in Stip, Republic of Macedonia for the period 2009-2010

Introduction: Blood transfusion is a transplantation of fluid tissue or an introduction of human biological material that needs to survive in the donor organism and to play important biological functions. During the blood and blood products transfusion, it is possible to transmit many transfusion transmissive diseases, which increases the need of securing safe blood transfusion. Objective: To present the procedures and measures taken in order to prevent the transmission of transfusion transmissive diseases in the blood and blood products donors at the Clinical Hospital in Stip. Materials and methods: Each blood unit was mandatory tested for HBSAG, anti- HCV, anti-HIV and Treponema pallidum antibodies at the Regional center for transfusion medicine. The testing was done with the ELISA technique by using the Dade Berhing BEP 200 instrument and the tests from Siemens and Ortho for anti-HCV. The confirmation tests were done at the Institute of Transfusion Medicine in the capital Skopje. Results: In total, 6067 blood samples were tested. The presence of HBAGS was detected in 81 sample (1.33%), anti-HCV in 19 (0.313%), anti-HIV in one (0,016%) and Treponema pallidum antibodies in 5 samples (0.082%). Discussion and conclusion: In order to achieve high level of security of the transfusion blood and blood products it is essential to use highly specific and sensitive tests, modern equipment, well trained health personnel and sufficient financial resources allocated specifically for that aim

A synopsis of current care of thalassaemia major patients in Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE: To provide a synopsis of current thalassaemia major patient care in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: All haematology units of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: All patients with thalassaemia major with regular transfusion. RESULTS: To date, there were 363 thalassaemia major patients under the care of the Hospital Authority. Prenatal diagnosis has helped to reduce the number of indigenous new cases, but in recent years immigrant cases are appearing. The patients have a mean age of 23 (range, 1-52) years, and 78% of them are adults. In 2009, they received 18 782 units of blood. This accounted for 9.5% of all blood consumption from the Hong Kong Red Cross. In the past, cardiac iron overload was the major cause of death (65%) and few patients survived beyond the age of 45 years. The availability of cardiac iron assessment by magnetic resonance imaging (T2 MRI) to direct the use of oral deferiprone chelation has reduced the prevalence of heart failure and cardiac haemosiderosis, which should reduce mortality and improve life expectancy. CONCLUSION: The future for thalassaemia care in Hong Kong is bright. With better transfusion and chelation, it should be possible to avoid growth and endocrine deficiencies in younger patients.published_or_final_versio

Immature Granulocytes are Closely Associated with the Development of Maternal Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of dysglycaemia that occurs for the first time or is first detected during pregnancy. GDM causes various complications for both the mother and fetus. Immature granulocytes (IGs) may enter the peripheral blood in response to infection, inflammation, or other stimuli. In this study, we delve into the role of IGs in the occurrence and development of GDM as well as their correlation with pregnancy outcomes. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as well as the correlation between immature granulocytes (IGs) and maternal pregnancy outcome. Methods: This study was conducted between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 at the Womens Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University. We collected maternal demographic data and clinical information on major adverse pregnancy outcomes from medical records. We implemented multiple logistic regression models to determine the association between maternal IGs and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results: A total of 9558 pregnant women, including 7613 controls (those without GDM) and 1945 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM. We found that compared to those without GDM (control group), GDM patients exhibited a significantly higher percentage of immature granulocytes (1.22% ± 1.03% vs. 1.34% ± 1.26%, p < 0.01), and absolute immature granulocyte count (0.12 ± 0.13 × 109/L vs. 0.14 ± 0.15 × 109/L, p < 0.001). Furthermore, GDM patients manifested substantially higher rates of premature birth (6.96% vs. 10.13%, p < 0.001), macrosomia (4.39% vs. 5.55%, p < 0.05), and cesarean section (34.6% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.001). We found that after adjusting for potential confounding variables, IGs were found to be associated with a high risk for GDM (absolute value of IGs, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.265; percentage of IGs [aOR = 1.100]), preterm birth (absolute value of IGs, aOR = 5.325; percentage of IGs, aOR = 1.209), and macrosomia (absolute IG count, aOR = 1.503). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates an association between IGs and GDM. Furthermore, IGs can serve as a risk factor associated with preterm delivery and macrosomia

Establishment and Clinical Application of Rh Blood Group Bank in the East China Region

Yiming Jin,1,* Xiaoyan Fu,2,* Shuhong Xie,3 Zhen Liu,1 Zihao Xu,1 Mingyuan Wang,1 Yihan Wang,1 Rong Lu,1 Lingling Wang1 1Department of Blood Screening Test, Suzhou Blood Center, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Blood Screening Test, Tai Cang Blood Branch Station, Tai Cang, People’s Republic of China; 3Division of Transfusion Medicine, Suzhou Blood Center, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Lingling Wang; Rong Lu, Department of Blood Screening Test, Suzhou Blood Center, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: To investigate the expression and distribution of Rh phenotypes (C, c, D, E, e) among voluntary blood donors in a specific region of East China, to establish a regional Rh phenotype database, and to enhance the precision and efficacy of clinical blood transfusions.Patients and Methods: A total of 28979 blood samples were collected from voluntary donors at a central blood station in East China between May 2023 and December 2023. An automated blood type analyzer was used to determine Rh phenotypes, which were then applied clinically for ABO and Rh blood type-matching in transfusions.Results: Analysis of 28672 RhD-positive donors identified 13 RhD variants and eight Rh phenotypes, with the most common being CCee (42.69%) and CcEe (35.27%). Antigen frequencies were e (92.07%), C (87.85%), c (56.75%), and E (47.65%). Among 307 RhD-negative donors, seven Rh phenotypes were identified, with ccee (60.26%) and Ccee (29.32%) being the predominant ones. Antigen frequencies were e (99.67%), c (96.09%), C (34.53%), and E (6.84%). These findings supported 1834 ABO- and Rh- blood type-matching transfusions, but no significant difference was observed between ABO-compatible and dual-system compatible transfusions (p > 0.05). Additionally, it was found that there are significant differences compared to populations from India and other regions (p > 0.05).Conclusion: In this region of East China, the prevalence of RhD variants among voluntary blood donors was 0.045%. The predominant Rh phenotypes were CCDee and CcDEe, with the highest frequencies observed for the e and C antigens. And the frequency of Rh phenotypes in this region differs from related studies in other areas. It is essential to strengthen the establishment of a rare blood type database in East China to provide data support for clinical compatible blood transfusion.Keywords: Rh phenotype, Rh antigen, Rh antibody, compatible blood transfusio

Systematic review of outcomes in studies of reproductive genetic carrier screening: Towards development of a core outcome set.

PURPOSE: Current practice recommendations support the widespread implementation of reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS). These consensus-based recommendations highlight a research gap, with findings from current studies being insufficient to meet the standard required for more rigorous evidence-based recommendations. This systematic review assessed methodological aspects of studies on RGCS to inform the need for a core outcome set. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search to identify peer-reviewed published studies offering population-based RGCS. Study designs, outcomes, and measurement methods were extracted. A narrative synthesis was conducting using an existing outcome taxonomy and criteria used in the evaluation of genetic screening programs as frameworks. RESULTS: Sixty-five publications were included. We extracted 120 outcomes representing 24 outcome domains. Heterogeneity in outcome selection, measurement methods and time points of assessment was extensive. Quality appraisal raised concerns for bias. We found that reported outcomes had limited applicability to criteria used to evaluate genetic screening programs. CONCLUSION: Despite a large body of literature, diverse approaches to research have limited the conclusions that can be cumulatively drawn from this body of evidence. Consensus regarding meaningful outcomes for evaluation of RGCS would be a valuable first step in working towards evidence-based practice recommendations, supporting the development of a core outcome set