Deskriptive Untersuchungen zur Erythropoese bei schwerer Malaria-Anämie

Die Malaria ist die Infektion mit der weltweit höchsten Morbidität und Mortalität und also die wichtigste parasitäre Erkrankung des Menschen. Malaria ist eine Protozoen-Infektion, die Erythrozyten befällt und durch die weibliche Anopheles-Mücke übertragen wird. Die mit der Malaria assoziierten Todesfälle sind fast ausnahmslos auf Infektionen mit Plasmodium falciparum zurückzuführen, das die sogenannte Malaria tropica auslöst. Eine der wichtigsten Komplikationen der Malaria tropica ist die schwere Malaria-Anämie, besonders bei Kindern im Alter bis sechs Jahre. Die Anämie ist aufgrund fehlender Transfusionsinfrastruktur oft nur schlecht behandelbar. In dieser Arbeit wurde bei 91 Kindern im Alter bis sechs Jahre die Erythropoese bei Malaria-Anämie untersucht. Auf der Ebene der Erythropoese lässt sich allerdings die Schwere der Anämie nicht allein erklären, sondern auch Erythrophagozytose und Hämolyse spielen eine wesentliche Rolle bei der Pathogenese der schweren Malaria-Anämie

The Origin and Development of the Geometrical Ideas in Arabic Mathematics : The Synopsis of the Geometrical Works of al-Quhi

Arabic Mathematics has been characterized as algebra. Compared with this, Arabic geometry had not influence on the later mathematics, and has not been studied so much. However without this geometry, no solution of cubic equations has not completed in Arabic mathematics. We sketch here the synopsis of the geometrical works of Abu Sahl al-Quhl (second half of the tenth century), 'one of the most eminent mathematicians in Iraq', and investigate the origin and development of his geometrical ideas. Thirty three mathematical works are attributed to him, and almost of them are geometrical. His ideas were from Archimedes, Euclid and Apollonius. The opus magnum of the last one is indispensable for al-Quhl's works, and in the field of conic sections he contributed much. He completed the lacuna of the Greek mathematics, and developed it further. For showing this aspect four treatises are presented with partial translations. 'On Tangent Circles' investigated Apollonian circle problems further, and 'On the Trisection of Angle' solved the famous problem by Apollonian conic sections. 'On the Motion' was a unique treatise in Arabic mathematics, for it dealt with infinity which had been avoided in Greek mathematics. 'On the Perfect Compass (an instrument to draw conies by continuous moving)' gave an idea on the new classification of curves, which anticipates the seventeenth-century European mathematics. The problems and method which he used seems to be analytical and purely Greek, and he might be called as the last Greek-style mathematician. The atmosphere where he studied shows that Arabic science developed under a kind of patronage, and the manuscripts containing his treatises shows that Greek geometry was well established at his times. In conclusion, geometry flourished in Arabic world of the tenth century, and its results were over the Greek ones, and might be compared to the early modern mathematics in Europe

Hemolysis Is Associated with Low Reticulocyte Production Index and Predicts Blood Transfusion in Severe Malarial Anemia

Background: Falciparum Malaria, an infectious disease caused by the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is among the leading causes of death and morbidity attributable to infectious diseases worldwide. In Gabon, Central Africa, one out of four inpatients have severe malarial anemia (SMA), a life-threatening complication if left untreated. Emerging drug resistant parasites might aggravate the situation. This case control study investigates biomarkers of enhanced hemolysis in hospitalized children with either SMA or mild malaria (MM). Methods and Findings: Ninety-one children were included, thereof 39 SMA patients. Strict inclusion criteria were chosen to exclude other causes of anemia. At diagnosis, erythrophagocytosis (a direct marker for extravascular hemolysis, EVH) was enhanced in SMA compared to MM patients (5.0 arbitrary units (AU) (interquartile range (IR): 2.2–9.6) vs. 2.1 AU (IR: 1.3–3.9), p<0.01). Furthermore, indirect markers for EVH, (i.e. serum neopterin levels, spleen size enlargement and monocyte pigment) were significantly increased in SMA patients. Markers for erythrocyte ageing, such as CD35 (complement receptor 1), CD55 (decay acceleration factor) and phosphatidylserine exposure (annexin-V-binding) were investigated by flow cytometry. In SMA patients, levels of CD35 and CD55 on the red blood cell surface were decreased and erythrocyte removal markers were increased when compared to MM or reconvalescent patients. Additionally, intravascular hemolysis (IVH) was quantified using several indirect markers (LDH, alpha-HBDH, haptoglobin and hemopexin), which all showed elevated IVH in SMA. The presence of both IVH and EVH predicted the need for blood transfusion during antimalarial treatment (odds ratio 61.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.9–427). Interestingly, this subpopulation is characterized by a significantly lowered reticulocyte production index (RPI, p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results show the multifactorial pathophysiology of SMA, whereby EVH and IVH play a particularly important role. We propose a model where removal of infected and non-infected erythrocytes of all ages (including reticulocytes) by EVH and IVH is a main mechanism of SMA. Further studies are underway to investigate the mechanism and extent of reticulocyte removal to identify possible interventions to reduce the risk of SMA development

Feasibility of a physical exercise intervention for patients on a palliative care unit: a critical analysis

Abstract Background Recent exercise intervention studies have shown promising results in improving quality of life (QoL) and physical function (PF) in diverse chronic disease and advanced cancer patients. However, the effects of structured exercise in palliative care patients, having different therapeutic needs, lower life expectancies and PFs remain unknown. This study primarily aimed to assess the feasibility of an exercise intervention with follow-up by analysing recruitment numbers, screening procedures, acceptability, preferences, and safety of the exercise intervention as well as retention in follow-up. Our secondary aims related to changes in QoL and PF. Methods This study comprised of a one-arm design without a control group. Over 6 months, every in-hospital palliative care unit (PCU) patient was screened for eligibility. Eligible patients were asked to participate in a 2-week exercise intervention consisting of resistance training and/or endurance training with moderate or high intensity based on personal preferences and a 4-week follow-up. Before and after the exercise intervention, QoL and PF were assessed and a qualitative interview after the intervention addressed expectations and experiences of the exercise intervention. For follow-up, patients were provided with information on independent training and after 1 and 4 weeks a QoL assessment and qualitative interview were conducted. Results Of 124 patients screened, 10 completed the intervention with an adherence rate of (80 ± 25%), of which 6 patients completed follow-up. Endurance training was the most performed training type and only a few minor adverse events occurred in certain or likely connection to the exercise intervention. While physical QoL and PF measured by arm curl strength and time up and go performance improved, mental QoL and the other PF tests remained unchanged. Conclusion Despite the challenges that were faced in our screening and testing process, that are specific to the palliative patient population with their unique therapeutic requirements and varying mental-/ physical capabilities, we discovered the 2-week exercise intervention to be feasible, safe, and well tolerated by palliative care patients. Moreover, it seems that short-term improvements in QoL and PF are possible. Further full scale studies are required to confirm our findings. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered on 25.01.2022 in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027861

IC50 determination ixazomib [n = 2] for TOM-1 and BV-173.

Ph+ cells BV-173 and TOM-1 were treated with DMSO and bortezomib at day 0, CCK8 assay was performed at day 1,2 and 3. The IC50 is depicted in a non-linear regression curve with the point of inflections representing the respective IC50. The calculated IC50 values are shown in the table and ranged around 57nM for TOM-1 at d2 and 41.2nM for BV-173 at day 2. Errobars = SD, n = 2 for each treatment. (TIF)</p