Seasonal variation of haemoglobin A1c in a Portuguese adult population

Haemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) is routinely used for monitoring glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Hb A1c seasonal fluctuations can be directly related to different biological, geographical and cultural influences. Our purpose was to evaluate seasonal variation of Hb A1c in a hospital-based adult population over a period of 5 years.

Validation of the haemoglobin colour scale for screening blood donors in Malawi

Background In 2009 Malawi introduced a new protocol to screen potential blood donors for anaemia, using the WHO Haemoglobin Colour Scale (HCS) for initial screening. Published studies of the accuracy of the HCS to screen potential blood donors show varying levels of accuracy and opinion varies whether this is an appropriate screening test. The aim of the study was to assess the validity of the HCS, as a screening test, by comparison to HemoCue in potential blood donors in Malawi. Study design and Methods This was a blinded prospective study in potential blood donors aged over 18 years, at Malawi Blood Transfusion Service in Blantyre, Malawi. Capillary blood samples were analysed using the HCS and HemoCue, independent of each other. The sensitivity and specificity of correctly identifying ineligible blood donors (Hb≤12g/dL) were calculated. Results From 242 participants 234 (96.7%) were correctly allocated and 8 (3.3%), were wrongly allocated on the basis of the Haemoglobin Colour Scale (HCS) compared to HemoCue, all were subjects that were wrongly accepted as donors when their haemoglobin results were ≤12.0g/dL. This gave a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 96.7% to detect donor eligibilty. The negative predictive value of the HCS was 100% but the positive predictive value to identify ineligible donors on the basis of anaemia was only 20%. Conclusions Initial screening with the HCS correctly predicts eligibility for blood donation in the majority of potential blood donors at considerable cost saving compared with use of HemoCue as the first line anaemia screening test, however, by this method a small number of anaemic patients were allowed to donate blood.

Crystallization, preliminary X-ray analysis and molecular-replacement solution of haemoglobin-II from the fish matrinxa (Brycon cephalus)

Haemoglobins constitute a set of proteins with interesting structural and functional properties, especially when the two large animal groups reptiles and fishes are focused on. Here, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of haemoglobin-II from the South American fish matrinxa (Brycon cephalus) is reported. X-ray diffraction data have been collected to 3.0 Angstrom resolution using synchrotron radiation (LNLS). Crystals were determined to belong to space group P2(1) and preliminary structural analysis revealed the presence of two tetramers in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined using the standard molecular-replacement technique.

Variant Rh Alleles And Rh Immunisation In Patients With Sickle Cell Disease.

Alloimmunisation is a major complication in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) receiving red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and despite provision of Rh phenotyped RBC units, Rh antibodies still occur. These antibodies in patients positive for the corresponding Rh antigen are considered autoantibodies in many cases but variant RH alleles found in SCD patients can also contribute to Rh alloimmunisation. In this study, we characterised variant RH alleles in 31 SCD patients who made antibodies to Rh antigens despite antigen-positive status and evaluated the clinical significance of the antibodies produced. RHD and RHCE BeadChip™ from BioArray Solutions and/or amplification and sequencing of exons were used to identify the RH variants. The serological features of all Rh antibodies in antigen-positive patients were analysed and the clinical significance of the antibodies was evaluated by retrospective analysis of the haemoglobin (Hb) levels before and after transfusion; the change from baseline pre-transfusion Hb and the percentage of HbS were also determined. We identified variant RH alleles in 31/48 (65%) of SCD patients with Rh antibodies. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of partial RHD alleles and variant RHCE alleles associated with altered C and e antigens. Five patients were compound heterozygotes for RHD and RHCE variants. Retrospective analysis showed that 42% of antibodies produced by the patients with RH variants were involved in delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions or decreased survival of transfused RBC. In this study, we found that Rh antibodies in SCD patients with RH variants can be clinically significant and, therefore, matching patients based on RH variants should be considered.

Epicardial And Pericardial Fat In Type 2 Diabetes: Favourable Effects Of Biliopancreatic Diversion.

Ectopic fat is often identified in obese subjects who are susceptible to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The ectopic fat favours the decrease in insulin sensitivity (IS) and adiponectin levels. We aimed to evaluate the effect of biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) on the accumulation of ectopic fat, adiponectin levels and IS in obese with T2DM. A nonrandomised controlled study was performed on sixty-eight women: 19 lean-control (23.0 ± 2.2 kg/m(2)) and 18 obese-control (35.0 ± 4.8 kg/m(2)) with normal glucose tolerance and 31 obese with T2DM (36.3 ± 3.7 kg/m(2)). Of the 31 diabetic women, 20 underwent BPD and were reassessed 1 month and 12 months after surgery. The subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, epicardial adipose tissue and pericardial adipose tissue were evaluated by ultrasonography. The IS was assessed by a hyperglycaemic clamp, applying the minimal model of glucose. One month after surgery, there was a reduction in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues, whereas epicardial and pericardial adipose tissues exhibited significant reduction at the 12-month assessment (p < 0.01). Adiponectin levels and IS were normalised 1 month after surgery, resembling lean-control values and elevated above the obese-control values (p < 0.01). After 12 months, the improvement in IS and adiponectin was maintained, and 17 of the 20 operated patients exhibited fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin within the normal range. After BPD, positive physiological adaptations occurred in grade I and II obese patients with T2DM. These adaptations relate to the restoration of IS and decreased adiposopathy and explain the acute (1 month) and chronic (12 months) improvements in the glycaemic control.

Relationships of blood lead to calcium, iron, and vitamin C intakes in Brazilian pregnant women

Background & aims. This study aimed to determine the relationship between blood lead concentrations and calcium, iron and vitamin C dietary intakes of pregnant women. Methods. Included in the study were 55 women admitted to a hospital, for delivery, from June to August 2002. A food frequency questionnaire was applied to determine calcium, iron and vitamin C intakes, and a general questionnaire to obtain data on demographic-socioeconomic condition, obstetric history, smoking habit, and alcohol intake. Blood lead and haemoglobin were determined, respectively, by atomic absorption spectrometry and by the haemoglobinometer HemoCue®. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between blood lead and calcium, iron and vitamin C intakes, and haemoglobin levels, controlling for confounders. Results. The final model of the regression analysis detected an inverse relationship between blood lead and age of the women (p=0.011), haemoglobin (p=0.001), vitamin C (p=0.012), and calcium intake (p<0.001) (R2=0.952). One hundred percent, 98.2% and 43.6% of the women were below the adequate intake (AI) for calcium, and below the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for iron, and vitamin C, respectively. Conclusion. Despite the small sample size, the results of this study suggest that maternal age, haemoglobin, vitamin C intake, and calcium intake may interfere with blood concentrations of lead

Influence of a light meal on routine haematological tests

Introduction Patient-related variables such as physical exercise stress and fasting status are Important sources of variability in laboratory testing However no clear indications about tasting requirements exist for routine haematological tests nor has the influence of meals been assessed Methods We studied 17 healthy volunteers who consumed a light meal containing a standardized amount of carbohydrates, protein and lipids Blood was taken for routine haematological tests before the meal and 1 2 and 4 hours thereafter Results One hour after the meal neutrophil count and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MHC) increased significantly whereas lymphocyte and monocyte counts red blood cell distribution width, haematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume decreased significantly A clinically significant variation was only observed for lymphocytes Two hours after the meal a significant increase was observed for neutrophils and MCH whereas lymphocytes eosinophils, haemoglobin and haematocrit decreased significantly Clinically significant variations were recorded for lymphocytes red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin haematocrit and MCH Four hours after the meal MCH was significantly increased while lymphocytes eosinophils, RBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit were significantly decreased Clinically significant variations were recorded for neutrophils eosinophils RBC hematocrit and MCH Conclusion The significant variation of several haematological parameters after a light meal demonstrates that the fasting time needs to be carefully considered in order to interpret the results of haematological tests correctly

Growth and haematology of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, fed diets with varying protein to energy ratio

Haematopoiesis and blood cells` functions can be influenced by dietary concentration of nutrients. This paper studied the effects of dietary protein:energy ratio on the growth and haematology of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus. Fingerling pacu (15.5 +/- 0.4 g) were fed twice a day for 10 weeks until apparent saciety with diets containing 220, 260, 300, 340 or 380 g kg(-1) crude protein (CP) and 10.88, 11.72, 12.55, 13.39, 14.22 MJ kg(-1) digestible energy (DE) in a totally randomized experimental design, 5 x 5 factorial scheme (n=3). Weight gain and specific growth rate were affected (P < 0.05) by protein level only. Protein efficiency ratio decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary protein at all levels of dietary energy. Daily feed intake decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary energy. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was affected (P < 0.05) by DE and interaction between dietary CP and DE. Total plasma protein increased (P < 0.05) with dietary protein and energy levels. Plasma glucose decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary protein. The CP requirement and optimum protein:energy ratio for weight gain of pacu fingerlings, determined using broken-line model, were 271 g kg(-1) and 22.18 g CP MJ(-1) DE respectively. All dietary CP and DE levels studied did not pose damages to fish health.