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Copyright of Environnement, Risques & Santé is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of portable hemoglobin measuring devices is widespread. In this context, the company HemoCue® has put on the market a new device, the Hb801. It uses a whole blood absorbance measurement method and not the azidmethemoglobin measurement method used by HemoCue's older devices. We evaluated this new equipment on EDTA venous blood. Hb801 is lightweight, compact, requires a volume of 10 μL of blood and renders its result in less than a second. The repeatability and intermediate precision are close to the values expected according to Ricos, with coefficients of variation respectively for a low level of hemoglobin: 2.1% and 1.9%, for an average level: 0.8% and 1.5% and for a high level: 1.5% and 1.3%. Comparison to our laboratory reference method (XN-10 Sysmex®) and HemoCue® Hb201+ was performed on 96 samples. Bias (SD) found were: XN-10: +0.42 g/dL (0.17), HemoCue® Hb201+: +0.17 g/dL (0.41). Clinically acceptable performance (within ± 1 g/dL of reference hemoglobin) was high: 93.8%. In the end, this device seems to us to be suitable for hemoglobin point-of-care testing.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the commonest genetic causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. In resource-limited settings, SCD prevention through public education and screening could be a significant strategy to curb its prevalence. The study aimed at determining the distribution of haemoglobin genotypes among unmarried youths in Buea, Cameroon as well as their knowledge, attitude and practices towards SCD. METHODS: a community-based, analytic, cross-sectional study was conducted within the city of Buea. Data was collected from 410 youths using self-administered questionnaires. Of the 410 youths, 100 were selected by purposive random sampling and their haemoglobin genotyping was done using haemoglobin electrophoresis. The data was analysed using the statistical software Epi Info Version 7. RESULTS: the majority (51.5%) of the 410 respondents were females. The modal age range was 18- 21 years (46.8%) and 60.4% had tertiary education. Less than one quarter (20.5%) had good knowledge of SCD. Only 13.2% knew their genotype and 59.3% were willing to avoid carrier marriages. Out of the 100 participants for genotyping, 84.0% had normal haemoglobin (HbAA) and 16.0% had the sickle cell trait (HbAS). CONCLUSION: most of the respondents had moderate knowledge of SCD. Only a few knew their haemoglobin genotype and more than half were willing to avoid carrier marriages. The prevalence of sickle cell trait is high in Buea. The promotion of preventive methods like public education and genetic screening is recommended to reduce the burden of SCD in Cameroon.

Résumé La prévention de l’anémie du donneur de sang est un enjeu essentiel pour la sécurité du donneur mais aussi pour l’autosuffisance quantitative et qualitative en produits sanguins labiles. Cette prévention repose, d’une part, sur l’ajournement des donneurs dont le taux d’hémoglobine est en dessous du seuil réglementaire, et d’autre part, sur la prévention de la carence en fer. Des populations de donneurs sont plus à risque de carence en fer et des conséquences cliniques de cette carence : les femmes en âge de procréer ; les donneurs dont le taux d’hémoglobine est juste au-dessus du seuil d’éligibilité et ceux qui donnent fréquemment. Plusieurs mesures peuvent être utilisées : l’accroissement de l’intervalle minimal entre deux dons de ST et/ou la réduction de la fréquence annuelle maximale de dons ; le dosage de la ferritine sérique mesurant les réserves en fer et enfin la supplémentation en fer des donneurs. The prevention of anemia of blood donor is a main issue for donor safety and self-supplying. This prevention is done in one hand by donor deferral whose haemoglobin level is under defined threshold and in other hand by preventing iron deficiency. Some subgroups of donors are at increased risk for developing iron deficiency and adverse effects of iron deficiency: premenopausal females; donors with haemoglobin values near the minimum for eligibility and frequent donors. Different interventions could be used: lengthening the inter-donational interval and/or decreasing the number of donations per year; donor ferritin testing to evaluate iron store and at least donor iron supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: iron deficiency is a major public health concern. Globally, iron deficiency ranks number 9 and is responsible for about 60% of all anemia cases among preschool children. In Africa iron deficiency is 43-52% while in Kenya, children under 5 years constitute the largest burden with 69% of them being deficient. There is limited iron deficiency data in Kenya. This study determined haemoglobin levels, serum ferritin levels, nutritional status and P.falciparum malaria infection in preschool children.

INTRODUCTION: Anaemia is one of the most frequent haematological complications in HIV-infected persons. Understandingfactors associated with recovery from anaemia during ART is vital in improving clinical outcomes since anaemia is a strong predictor of mortality. METHODS: Cohort study of 12,441 HIV-infected adults initiating ART between 2004- 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. A further 2,489 patients with prevalent anaemia at ART initiation were examined to determine the incidence and predictors of recovery from anaemia. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to investigate predictors of recovery from anaemia. RESULTS: Of the 2,489 patients with prevalent anaemia, most patients (n=2,225, 89.4%) recovered from anaemia. Median time to anaemia recoverywas 3.9 months (IQR: 3.22-6.20) and incidence rate was 180 per 100person years (95% CI: 172-187). In univariateanalysis, sex, CD4 count, BMI, WHO stage, employment status, smoking status and presence of tuberculosis at initiation ofART were significant predictors of recovery from anaemia. However in multivariateanalysis, predictors of recovery from anaemia were: male sex- HR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.29-1.59) p=0.001, advanced WHO stage III/IV - HR: 1.17 (95% CI: 1.07-1.29) p=0.001). There was no significant association with CD4 count in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of HIV infected patients with anaemia at baseline recover early during the course of ART. Females and those with less advanced WHO stage seem to be at higher risk of poor recovery from anaemia. Understanding the predictors for poor recovery from anaemia would allow closer follow-up and more targeted interventions thus reducing excess anaemia and mortality burden.

INTRODUCTION: Full blood count (FBC), one of the most frequently requested for laboratory investigations, is a simple, fast and cheap test and is a reliable indicator of health. Due to its usefulness in the assessment of health status of individuals, its parameters in cord blood, a major source of haemopoietic stem cell transplantation and an ideal source for laboratory investigations for newborns were determined to provide a useful guide to local neonatologists and stem cell transplant physicians. METHODS: Three millilitres of umbilical cord blood was collected from 130 normal birth weight newborns (69 males and 61 females) whose cord were clamped immediately after delivery, at a teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria and full blood count parameters were determined using Sysmex autoanalyzer, model KX-21N. Consented mothers of the newborns were selected based on, age between 18 and 45 years; uneventful pregnancy and delivery and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration e" 10 g/dL. RESULTS: There were no statistical gender differences in the mean values of Hb concentrations (M=13.27 ,1.60 g/dL; F=13.32,1.61g/dL; p=0.93), total white cell count (M=3.16,5.43 , 109/L; F=13.07,4.98 , 109/L; p= 0.92), platelet count (M= 223.64, 64.21 , 109/L; F=226.69,80.83 , 109/L; p=0.81) and other parameters. CONCLUSION: Mean values of full blood count parameters obtained in this study are comparable to reports from other studies in developing countries and could be a useful guide for neonatologists and stem cell transplant physicians in our geographical location.

Introduction: Iron deficiency is a major public health concern. Globally, iron deficiency ranks number 9 and is responsible for about 60% of all anemia cases among preschool children. In Africa iron deficiency is 43-52% while in Kenya, children under 5 years constitute the largest burden with 69% of them being deficient. There is limited iron deficiency data in Kenya. This study determined haemoglobin levels, serum ferritin levels, nutritional status and P.falciparum malaria infection in preschool children. Methods: A household cross sectional study was undertaken among 125 preschoolers in Western province, drawn from 37 clusters. Systematic random sampling was used for sample selection. Data was collected using pretested structured questionnaires, entered in Microsoft package. Data analysis was done in Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression and differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency (Serum ferritin <12mg/l), anaemia (Hb<110g/l) and plasmodium falciparum malaria were 20.8%, 25% and 6.8% respectively. There was a significant association between iron deficiency and anaemia (OR=3.43, 95% CI: 1.33-8.84, p=0.008). A preschool child with anaemia was 3.43 times likely to be iron deficient compared to a preschool child who was not anaemic. Conclusion: Iron deficiency, anaemia and plasmodium falciparum malaria was prevalent among preschool children. The findings revealed a significant association between iron deficiency and anaemia. Therefore effective interventions to improve iron status will have large health benefits by greatly reducing anaemia in preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Néphrologie & Thérapeutique is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: The study was carried out among 90 pregnant women divided equitably into three groups (30 pregnant women of three months and 30 of pregnant women of six months, 30 of other pregnant women of nine months) recruited at the hospital and a private laboratory located at Blida near Algiers. The definite World Health Organisation anemia at the pregnant women showing lower rate has 11g/dl. The prevalence of martial deficiency is 10% for groups G1 and G2 and G3 respectively. The results showed us a high prevalence of anaemia (10%, 33.33%, 46.66%) for the three, six and nine month of pregnancy. The prevalence of anaemia is all the more high as the age of the pregnancy is more advanced. However, it appears essential to consider a program of systematic iron supplementation from the second quarter of the pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Revue Francophone des Laboratoires is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of IBS, Immuno-analyse & Biologie Specialisee is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims. – Draw up the inventory of various methods able to increase the oxygen transport by the blood and present methods and strategy of detection.Current knowledge. – Maximal oxygen uptake is the major performance limiting factor in endurance sports. Sophisticated training methods have been developed to increase this variable. On the other hand, attempts have been made to improve maximal oxygen uptake by artificial means: blood doping, administration of human recombinant erythropoietin (rhu-Epo) and, probably, by the use of a new class of therapeutic agents: the artificial oxygen carriers. All these substances and methods are prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. But, until now, the detection of the misuse of these compounds is a problem: there is no detection method for blood doping, the current test method for rhu-Epo can do false negative cases and no screening methods are performed for oxygen carriers.Points of views and plans. – Despite the emergence of the oxygen carriers, in fact easy to detect, the use of r-HuEpo seems the most efficient practice. Today there is a test to detect abuse of r-HuEpo, that’s why the cheats should have recourse to red blood cells transfusion. However concomitant injections of r-HuEpo and GH or IL-3 should use least doses and so to make the detection more difficult. Although indirect methods will be refined, this approach will likely insufficient by itself. A careful definition of an individual’s hematologic profile, the so-called “hematologic passport”, should form the basis for a more successful application of any indirect method and should disturb recourse to doping. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Haemoglobins from unicellular organisms, plants or animals, share a common structure, which results from the folding, around the heme group, of a polypeptide chain made from 6–8 helices. Nowadays, deciphering the genome of several species allows one to draw the evolutionary tree of this protein going back to 1800 millions of years, at a time when oxygen began to accumulate in the atmosphere. This permits to follow the evolution of the ancestral gene and of its product. It is likely that, only in complex multicellular species, transport and storage of oxygen became the main physiological function of this molecule. In addition, in unicellular organisms and small invertebrates, it is likely that the main function of this protein was to protect the organism from the toxic effect of O2, CO and NO•. The very high oxygen affinity of these molecules, leading them to act rather as a scavenger as an oxygen carrier, supports this hypothesis. Haemoglobins from microorganisms, which may probably be the closest vestiges to the ancestral molecules, are divided into three families. The first one is made from flavohaemoglobins, a group of chimerical proteins carrying a globin domain and an oxido-reduction FAD-dependant domain. The second corresponds to truncated haemoglobins, which are hexacoordinated with very high oxygen-affinity molecules, 20–40 residues shorter than classical haemoglobins. The third group is made from bacterial haemoglobins such as that of Vitreoscilla. Some specific structural arrangements in the region surrounding the heme are cause of their high oxygen affinity. In plants, two types of haemoglobins are present (non-symbiotic and symbiotic), that arose from duplication of an ancestral vegetal gene. Non-symbiotic haemoglobins, which are probably the oldest, are scarcely distributed within tissues having high energetic consumption. Conversely, symbiotic haemoglobins (also named leghaemoglobins) are present at a high concentration (mM) mostly in the rhizomes of legumes, where they are involved in nitrogen metabolism. In some species, haemoglobin was proposed to be an oxygen sensor bringing to the organism information to adjust metabolism or biosynthesis to the oxygen requirement. Elsewhere haemoglobin may act as final electron acceptors in oxido-reduction pathways. Evolution of haemoglobin in invertebrates followed a large variety of scenarios. Some surprising functions as sulphide acquisition in invertebrates living near hydrothermal vents, or a role in the phototropism of worm need to be mentioned. In invertebrates, the size of haemoglobin varies from monomers to giant molecules associating up to 144 subunits, while in vertebrates it is always a tetramer. In some species, several haemoglobins, with completely different structure and function, may coexist. This demonstrates how hazardous may be to extrapolate the function of a protein from only structural data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The interpretation of the variation between the results of two dosages performed on the same patient is generally quite empirical. It is usually based on the experience of the biologist or physician. Through two examples, total PSA and hemoglobin, we hoped to set up an indicator of the significance variation between results: The Reference change value or RCV to provide assistance to the validator biologist and prescriber based on measured statistical arguments. This article describes the methodology used for the RCV calculation, the formatting on analysis reports and the limitations of the system.

Introduction: Anemia occurs commonly in COPD and is associated with a poor prognosis. The role of comorbidities in this is suspected but poorly characterized and the economic implications of anemia combined with COPD in France have not been studied. The healthcare resource utilization and cost impact of anemia remain to be investigated., Methods: One hundred and fifty-one COPD patients attending a pulmonology outpatient department during a 6 months period were retrospectively selected if they had undergone a pulmonary function test, a blood gas analysis or a blood count. The Charlson comorbidity index, resource utilization and economic data from the year before the diagnosis of anemia were compared between anemic and non-anemic patients as well as 3-year survival analysis., Results: The prevalence of anemia was 18.5% and was not influenced by GOLD stage. The identification of anemia was similar from blood gas results and full blood count analysis. Comorbidities - mainly cardiovascular - were found in 86% of the anemic patients. The Charlson index was 5.4±2 in the anemic group compared to 4.1±1.5 in the non-anemic group (P<0.01). The Charlson index was the only predictive factor of anemia using logistic regression analysis. The 3-year mortality was 36% in the anemic versus 7% in the non-anemic group (P<0.05). The main factor identified which predicted 3-year mortality was the presence of anemia using logistic regression. Healthcare costs the year prior to the diagnosis of anemia were not significantly different between groups, but there was a tendency to an increase in the cost of the hospitalizations in the anemic group., Conclusions: Anemia is easy to diagnose in COPD from the blood gas analysis. It is frequently linked to the presence of comorbidities - mainly cardiovascular diseases - and is the more important predictive factor of the 3-year mortality. There was a tendency towards an increase in the costs of hospitalizations in anemic patients but this remains to be confirmed in a larger economic study., (Copyright © 2015 SPLF. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)