Platelet counts and mean platelet volume in association with serum magnesium in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION Platelet dysfunction is responsible for increased bleeding tendency of chronic renal failure patients. Magnesium (Mg) retention can occur in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. OBJECTIVES Studies concerning the impact of magnesium disturbances on platelet counts and mean volume in hemodialysis are quiet scarce. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 36 (f= 15, m= 21), HD patients were included. The mean patients' age was 46 (±16) years. The mean length of time patients had received hemodialysis was 32 (±36) (median: 19) months. RESULTS The mean platelet count was 165 (±70) (median: 163) [x10(3)μ/L]. The mean platelet volume was 9 (±1) (median: 9.2) fl. The mean Mg was 9.2 ±1.4 (median: 2.4) mg/dl. In this study a significant inverse correlation of platelet count with mean platelet volume (r= -0.39, p= 0.017) was seen. A significant inverse correlation of serum Magnesium with mean platelet volume (r= -0.37, p= 0.025) was seen. There was not significant association of serum Mg and PLT count was found too (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION A significant inverse correlation of serum Magnesium with mean platelet volume needs further investigations to clarify the clinical significance of this finding

Increased mean platelet volume in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: Platelet functions have important roles in the development of vascular complications in diabetic patients. Platelets with increased volume have increased activity compared to smaller ones; therefore, mean platelet volume (MPV) is used as a marker for platelet activity. In the present study, we evaluated MPV in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associations with diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. Methods: Consecutive type II diabetic patients were screened from outpatient clinic of Internal Medicine Department of Diskapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Education and Researsch Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. A total of 48 patients with type II DM and 30 age and gender matched healthy subjects constituted the study population. For all subjects a complete blood count including MPV, fasting blood glucose level and lipid parameters were studied. In diabetic patients, duration of diabetes and HbA1C level, presence of microvascular and macrovascular complications were noted additively. Mean platelet volume was compared between diabetic patients and healthy counterparents. Then, among diabetic patients, MPV was compared between the ones with and without microvascular and macrovascular complications. Results: Mean platelet volume was found significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic healthy subjects. Diabetic patients with at least one of the microvascular complications had significantly higher MPV than those without microvascular damage.Higher MPV levels have also been shown in diabetics with macrovascular complications compared to the ones without macrovascular disease. Conclusion: Mean platelet volume was found to be higher in type II diabetics and those having any of microvascular or macrovascular diabetic complications

Prominent features of platelet count, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in pulmonary tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the relation of platelet count (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) with other acute phase reactants and radiological extent in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: One hundred patients with PTB (Group 1), 50 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (Group 2) and 28 healthy control individuals (Group 3) were included in this analytic study. RESULTS: WBC (White Blood Cell), ESR (Eritrocyte Sedimentation Rate), CRP (C-Reactive Protein), PLT and PCT values were both in Group 1 and Group 2 than in Group 3. PDW values were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 3. WBC, ESR and CRP values were lower, while PLT and PCT values were higher in the Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p < 0.001). PLT was positively correlated with CRP and ESR values in the tuberculosis group (p < 0.001), while it was not correlated with CRP and ESR in the pneumonia group (p > 0.05). ESR, CRP, PLT and PCT values were found higher in radiological advanced stage (Stage 3) patients with PTB, while hemoglobin (Hb) was found lower (p < 0.05). Higher WBC, ESR, CRP and PCT values as well as radiological advanced stage were more common in PTB patients with thrombocytosis compared to the patients with normal platelet count, whereas Hb was found lower in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that reactive thrombocytosis and higher PCT and PDW develop frequently in PTB and there is a relation between thrombocytosis and acute phase reactants, that is the inflammatory response. In addition, tuberculosis with radiological advanced stage is seen more frequently in the patients with thrombocytosis and higher PCT, drawing attention to the possible role of platelets in the cell-based immune process of tuberculosis

An overview of platelet indices for evaluating platelet function in children with scorpion envenomation

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between platelet indices and scorpion envenomations (SE). Medical records of 76 children who were hospitalised for scorpion stings in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between February 2013 and November 2013, and 55 healthy children who were similar to the patient group in terms of age and sex, were analysed retrospectively. The leucocyte (WBC), thrombocyte (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) values of the 76 children with SE were recorded. These values were compared with the healthy control group. Significantly higher WBC and PDW values were noted in patients with SE in comparison to the controls. Patients with SE had significantly lower mean MPV values compared to the healthy controls (9.03 ± 1.26 compared to 10.43 ± 1.44 fL, respectively; p < 0.001). Although the mean platelet count was slightly elevated in the SE group, no statistically significant difference existed between the two groups (p = 0.097). Furthermore, the mean PCT values in the SE group compared to the control group were slightly decreased, but this decrease was not statistically significant (p = 0.141). A significant inverse correlation existed between the MPV values and the WBC (r = -0.450, p < 0.01) and PLT counts (r = -0.420, p < 0.01). The PLT values were significantly correlated with the PCT values (r = 0.687, p < 0.01). This study demonstrated that SE may lead to several alterations in platelet indices. Significantly lower values of MPV and higher values of PDW were detected in SE patients. However, the increase in the platelet counts and the decrease in the PCT values were not significant

The importance of mean platelet volume in early mortality of pulmonary embolism

Objective: In this study whether mean platelet volume(MPV) is associated with early period hospital mortalityor not in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) was investigated.Methods: Data of patients that hospitalized in chest diseasesclinic with the diagnosis of PE between the years2009-2012 were screened retrospectively from digital archivesystem. The demographic data, symptoms, treatmentoutcomes and MPV values in complete blood countof patients were recorded.Results: The mean age was 57.93 ± 18.52 years (16-91).The number of patients is 143 and 91 women (63.9%),52 men (36.4%), respectively. MPV values were availablefor 137 of 143 patients. 129 of patients were discharged,and 8 had died in the early period of hospitalization. Themean MPV value was 7.85 ± 1.40 fL in patients who experiencedand 9.08 ± 1.61 fL in died respectively. The differencewas statistically significant (p = 0.01).Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that increasedMPV value may be used as a marker for earlyhospital mortality in patients with PE. J Clin Exp Invest2013; 4 (3): 298-301Key words: Mean platelet volume, mortality, pulmonary embolis

Validation of the Medonic CA620/530 Vet 20-ml microcapillary sampler system for hematology testing of feline blood

The aim of the current study was to compare feline hematologic variables in blood collected in microcapillary tubes (20 ml) and conventional blood tubes with the Medonic CA620/530 Vet in-house hematologic analyzer. A comparison of results obtained in 60 cats presented at the clinics of the veterinary school showed that the correlations between the 2 methods were 0.97 for white blood cell, 0.95 for red blood cell, and 0.93 for platelet counts; 0.92 for hemoglobin concentration; and 0.99 for mean corpuscular volume. No clinically relevant differences between the 2 blood sampling techniques were observed for any variable, which suggests that both techniques are interchangeable in cats. Moreover, microcapillary tubes would allow easier repeated sampling in the same cat and would likely be useful in other small species

Functional characteristics of S-59 photochemically treated platelet concentrates derived from buffy coats

Background: A photochemical treatment (PCT) process for inactivation of infectious pathogens and leukocytes has been developed and evaluated using single-donor platelet concentrates. This study assessed the application of PCT to platelets prepared from pooled buffy coats. In this study, in vitro functional characteristics of PCT platelets were compared to control platelets prepared from pooled buffy coats using the approved platelet-additive solution T-Sol®. Platelets in platelet PAS III additive solution without PCT were evaluated as well. PCT also included the use of a psoralen (S-59) reduction device (SRD). Materials and Methods: Four types of platelet concentrates were compared: (1) platelet concentrate in plasma/T-Sol; (2) platelet concentrate in plasma/PAS III; (3) platelet concentrate in plasma/PAS III, PCT, 9 h SRD and (4) platelet concentrate in plasma/PAS III, PCT, 16 h SRD. PCT occurred on the day after whole-blood collection. In vitro assay parameters included: pH, pO 2, pCO 2, HCO 3,/ - platelet count, mean platelet volume, plasma glucose, plasma lactate, total ATP, expression of p-selectin, hypotonic shock response and electron microscopy. Results: The results indicate that PCT is compatible with platelet concentrates prepared from pooled buffy coats for up to 7 days of storage. Conclusion: The PCT process resulted in acceptable in vitro platelet functional characteristics and is currently in clinical trials to evaluate the haemostatic efficacy of PCT platelets in thrombocytopenic patients requiring multiple platelet transfusions. Copyrigh

Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient‐restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica‐SUBNUT than in Pirenaica‐CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short‐term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long‐term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF‐1 and higher levels of cortisol.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Business and the European Union Regional Development Funds (INIA RTA 2013‐00059‐C02 and INIA RZP 2015‐001) and the Government of Aragon under the Grant Research Group Funds (A14_17R). A. Noya received a PhD grant from INIA‐Government of Aragon

The actin binding proteins cortactin and HS1 are dispensable for platelet actin nodule and megakaryocyte podosome formation

A dynamic, properly organised actin cytoskeleton is critical for the production and haemostatic function of platelets. The Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) and Actin-Related Proteins 2 &amp; 3 Complex (Arp2/3 complex) are critical mediators of actin polymerisation and organisation in many cell types. In platelets and megakaryocytes, these proteins have been shown to be important for proper platelet production and function. The cortactin family of proteins (Cttn &amp; HS1) are known to regulate WASp-Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerisation in other cell types and so here we address the role of these proteins in platelets using knockout mouse models. We generated mice lacking Cttn and HS1 in the megakaryocyte/platelet lineage. These mice had normal platelet production, with platelet number, size and surface receptor profile comparable to controls. Platelet function was also unaffected by loss of Cttn/HS1 with no differences observed in a range of platelet function assays including aggregation, secretion, spreading, clot retraction or tyrosine phosphorylation. No effect on tail bleeding time or in thrombosis models was observed. In addition, platelet actin nodules, and megakaryocyte podosomes, actin-based structures known to be dependent on WASp and the Arp2/3 complex, formed normally. We conclude that despite the importance of WASp and the Arp2/3 complex in regulating F-actin dynamics in many cells types, the role of cortactin in their regulation appears to be fulfilled by other proteins in platelets

The Effects of Fire Fighting and On-Scene Rehabilitation on Hemostatis

Fire fighting is a dangerous occupation – in part because firefighters are called upon to perform strenuous physical activity in hot, hostile environments. Each year, approximately 100 firefighters lose their lives in the line of duty and tens of thousands are injured. Over the past 15 years, approximately 45% of line of duty deaths have been attributed to heart attacks and another 650-1,000 firefighters suffer non-fatal heart attacks in the line of duty each year. From 1990 to 2004, the total number of fireground injuries has declined, yet during this same period, the number of cases related to the leading cause of injury - overexertion/strain – remained relatively constant. It is well recognized that fire fighting leads to increased cardiovascular and thermal strain. However, the time course of recovery from fire fighting is not well documented, despite the fact that a large percentage of fire fighting fatalities occur after fire fighting activity. Furthermore, on scene rehabilitation (OSR) has been broadly recommended to mitigate the cardiovascular and thermal strain associated with performing strenuous fire fighting activity, yet the efficacy of different rehabilitation interventions has not been documented. Twenty-five firefighters were recruited to participate in a “within-subjects, repeated measures” study designed to describe the acute effects of fire fighting on a broad array of physiological and psychological measures and several key cardiovascular variables. This study provided the first detailed documentation of the time course of recovery during 2½ hours post-fire fighting. Additionally, we compared two OSR strategies (standard and enhanced) to determine their effectiveness.published or submitted for publicationnot peer reviewe