Search

Introduction: Erythropoiesis slowly decreases with increasing age, which may be reflected in red blood cell (RBC) parameters. This multicentre collaborative study aimed to investigate the changes in erythropoiesis with increasing age in a healthy Chinese population., Methods: A total of 14,591 healthy individuals (6,713 aged at least 60 y and 7,878 aged below 60 y) from seven cities across China were enrolled. K2-EDTA anticoagulant blood samples were analysed. The results are presented as median and 2.5-97.5th percentile., Results: RBC parameters showed some differences between the two groups divided by the age of 60 in the Chinese population. The median, 2.5th and 97.5th percentile values of RBC, haemoglobin (HGB) and haematocrit (HCT) in patients aged ≥ 60 y were significantly lower than in those ˂ 60 y. The values of mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and red cell distribution width (RDW) were higher in the group aged ≥ 60 y. Men had significantly higher RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH and RDW indices than women. The prevalence of anaemia gradually increased with age in men and was higher than that in women after 50. The median haemoglobin and MCV in Nanning and Guangzhou were lower than those in other regions., Conclusion: RBC parameters varied with increasing age and differed between males and females, indicating that erythropoiesis decreases in the elderly Chinese population. Subsequent studies should be conducted for age- and sex-specific reference intervals in healthy elderly Chinese populations., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a parameter of the heterogeneity of circulating erythrocyte size. Recent researches have pointed out a link among RDW, chronic kidney disease, and inflammation. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of baseline RDW in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP). Methods: Our study included 337 peritonitis episodes experienced by 202 patients who were undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) at a single center from 2013 to 2018. Episodes were categorized according to the tertiles of baseline RDW levels (T1, <13.2%; T2, 13.2-14.3%; T3, >14.3%). Routine logistic regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were used to estimate the association between RDW and treatment failure, which was defined as relapse/recurrent episodes, catheter removal, or death during therapy. Results: After adjusting for other potential predictors, RDW exhibited an incremental relationship with the risk of treatment failure. The baseline RDW of T3 indicated a 43% and 52% increased venture of treatment failure in logistic and GEE analyses, respectively, compared with T1. As a continuous variable, the fitting curve based on restricted cubic spiline showed that the relationship was nonlinearly but positively correlated. The multivariate model A (combined RDW with baseline age, albumin, serum ferritin, and duration on CAPD) showed an area under the curve of 0.671 (95% confidence interval, 0.5920.749) for the prediction of treatment failure. Conclusions: A Higher baseline level of RDW was significantly associated with a greater rate of treatment failure among PDAP episodes independent of other potential predictors.

Introduction: The effect of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) on long-term major cardiac and cardiovascular event (MACCE) in patients with off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) has not been adequately studied. We investigated the relationship between RDW and the risk of MACCE in patients who underwent OPCAB., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 440 consecutive, nonanemic patients (362 males; 82.27% and mean age 60.8 ± 8.9 years) who underwent OPCAB between October 2009 and September 2012 in Fuwai Hospital. Long-term follow-up was obtained through phone calls, hospital records, and clinic visits. MACCE (death, ST elevated infarction, repeat coronary revascularization, stroke) was determined., Results: Over a median of 7.0-year follow-up, 80 incident MACCE events were identified. The RDW levels on admission were significantly higher in MACCE group than non-MACCE group (13.1 ± 0.7 vs 12.8 ± 0.7; P = .005). Using the Cox proportional hazards models, we found that per 1% increment of RDW, the incident of MACCE was increased in different models (hazard ratio [HR] was 1.520, 1.532, and 1.795, respectively; P = .002, .004, and .002). The receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed an RDW cut-off value of 13% predicting MACCE. Therefore, patients were grouped on this cut-off value. The Kaplan-Meier plot revealed significantly lower event-free survival in the higher RDW group (P = .0158). Compared with subjects in the RDW <13% in full model, subjects in the RDW ≥13% had an HR of 1.829 (95% confidence interval, 1.103-3.032; P = .019)., Conclusions: An RDW level greater than 13% in hospital admission is independently associated with an increased incidence of long-term MACCE after OPCAB., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) and yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) are economically important fishes in China. Fish hematological features, especially the type and number of peripheral blood cells, are crucial for the evaluation of fish health and the diagnosis of fish diseases. Since the automatic blood cell count equipment for human is not suitable for fishes, the manual method is critical in the quantification of fish blood cells. To make sense of the comparison and interpretation of the blood cell count studies in different articles, the standardization of blood cell classification is necessary. In this study, erythrocytes (red blood cell, RBC), thrombocytes (TC) and leucocytes (i.e. white blood cells, WBC, including lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes) were well distinguished in blood smears with Giemsa staining and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. RBC, TC and WBC were directly counted with an improved Neubauer counting chamber in a modified diluting solution. The differential leucocyte count (DLC) was carried out in blood smears. In view of the labeling characteristics of peroxidase (PO) positivity in neutrophils and non-specific esterase (α-ANAE) positivity in monocytes, PO positive cell percentage and α-ANAE positive cell percentage were also determined in cytochemistry staining smears. No difference was found for the percentages of neutrophils and monocytes between Giemsa staining and cytochemistry staining. The standardized classification, normal count ranges and sizes of the peripheral blood cells by the present systemic studies will provide useful references for monitoring the health status of grass carp, blunt snout bream and yellow catfish., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The yak is a valuable species in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying its adaptation to high-altitude environments remain largely unknown. In the present study, comparative transcriptome sequencing was performed for lung and gluteus tissues from two species of low-altitude cattle (Sanjiang and Holstein cattle), Tibetan cattle (living at a moderate altitude), and yak (living at a high altitude) and the differentially expressed genes were validated using real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that CD36 antigen was up-regulated and CD59 antigen was down-regulated in yak in comparison to the other animals, which might promote the development of red blood cells and inhibit the development of lymphocytes in yak. In addition, thrombospondin type 1, coagulation factor 5/8, and fibronectin were all down-regulated, but serpin and alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2M) were up-regulated. These differences would inhibit blood coagulation, thus reducing the risk of pulmonary edema. The expression levels of the calcium-release, potassium, and transient receptor potential channels decreased in yak, minimizing membrane depolarization and the harmful effects of pulmonary edema. Eleven KEGG pathways associated with innate immunity were more activated in yak and Tibetan cattle than in other cattle strains, which should reduce their risk of infection and disease. These changes together might facilitate the adaptation of yak and Tibetan cattle to live in high-altitude habitats.

Aims: To investigate the association between red cell distribution width (RDW) and elevation of glucose/glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)., Methods: An analysis was conducted using data from a prospective cohort study of adults. People without prediabetes or diabetes (n=7,795) were followed for a mean of 2.90years (range: 1-7years, 95% confidence interval: 2.86-2.94years). Glucose elevation is defined as fasting glucose levels exceeding 5.6mmol/l, or 2-hour glucose values in the oral glucose tolerance test exceeding 7.8mmol/l. HbA1c elevation is defined as a HbA1c value exceeding a normal limit of 39mmol/mol (5.7%). Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association between RDW quartiles and elevation of HbA1c/glucose., Results: The multiple-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of HbA1c elevation for increased quartiles of RDW were 1.00 (reference), 1.08 (0.89, 1.30), 1.28 (1.07, 1.54), and 1.54 (1.29, 1.85) (P for trend<0.0001). However, no significant association was observed between RDW and blood glucose (fasting and postprandial)., Conclusions: Elevated RDW is independently related to future HbA1c elevation, but not to glucose elevation. This suggests that RDW may associate with HbA1c through a non-glycemic way, which should be taken into consideration when using HbA1c as a diagnostic criterion of prediabetes or diabetes., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: We propose a novel prognostic parameter for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)-hemoglobin/red cell distribution width (HB/RDW) ratio. Its clinical prognostic value and relationship with other clinicopathological characteristics were investigated in ESCC patients., Results: The optimal cut-off value was 0.989 for the HB/RDW ratio. The HB/RDW ratio (P= 0.035), tumor depth (P = 0.020) and lymph node status (P<0.001) were identified to be an independent prognostic factors of OS by multivariate analysis, which was validated by bootstrap resampling. Patients with a low HB/RDW ratio had a 1.416 times greater risk of dying during follow-up compared with those with a high HB/RDW (95% CI = 1.024-1.958, P = 0.035)., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 362 patients who underwent curative treatment at a single institution between January 2007 and December 2008. The chi-square test was used to evaluate relationships between the HB/RDW ratio and other clinicopathological variables; the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the 5-year overall survival (OS); and the Cox proportional hazards models were used for univariate and multivariate analyses of variables related to OS., Conclusion: A significant association was found between the HB/RDW ratio and clinical characteristics and survival outcomes in ESCC patients. Based on these findings, we believe that the HB/RDW ratio is a novel and promising prognostic parameter for ESCC patients., Competing Interests: There are no existing or potential conflicts of interest to declare.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising disease biomarkers. However, the influence of high-altitude hypoxic environments on plasma miRNA profiles remains unknown. This study included a total of 509 plasma samples from 278 native Tibetans and 80 newly arrived migrant Han Chinese (Tibet Han) residing at 3560 m and 151 Han Chinese residing at 8.9 m (Nanjing Han). The levels of 754 miRNAs were initially determined using a TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA) in two pooled samples from 50 Tibet Han and 50 Nanjing Han individuals. Some markedly altered miRNAs in Tibet Han were subsequently measured in all 509 plasma samples by individual qRT-PCR. Compared with the Nanjing Han, 172 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the Tibet Han (105 upregulated and 67 downregulated). The correlation coefficient for the two groups was 0.72. Several upregulated miRNAs were randomly selected for analysis by qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with those identified by TLDA. These miRNAs were also significantly increased in the Tibetans compared with the Nanjing Han. Furthermore, these altered miRNAs showed strong positive correlations with red blood cell counts and hemoglobin values. These data are the first to provide clear evidence that a high-altitude hypoxic environment significantly affects human plasma miRNA profiles.

Background: The data from apparently healthy individuals with thalassemia has been demonstrated to have an effect on the reference intervals for the erythrocyte indices in areas with a high incidence of thalassemia., Methods: Six clinical centers screened apparently healthy individuals using a questionnaire and a physical examination. Then, the qualified reference individuals were selected by hematological indices and a genotypic thalassemia diagnosis. Statistical comparisons were conducted for the erythrocyte reference intervals in the Chinese population with and without thalassemia. The constituent ratios and the mean (SD) of erythrocyte indices according to the thalassemia genotype were calculated. The relationship between the MCV values and the thalassemia genotype was also estimated., Results: 4,636 reference individuals were included using hematological indices and genotypic thalassemia screening. The results of the erythrocyte reference intervals for individuals in Guangzhou with thalassemia demonstrated that the RBC, MCV, and MCH values significantly differed by gender compared with other regions (p < 0.01). In contrast, for individuals without thalassemia, the results tended to be similar and clinically acceptable. In addition, the results of the erythrocyte indices revealed significant differences among α-thalassemia patients, β-thalassemia patients, and the control group., Conclusions: Apparently healthy individuals with thalassemia in the high prevalence zone of thalassemia could not be excluded by the questionnaire, physical examination or laboratory indices (Fe < 6 μmol/L, Hb < 90 g/L). The screening of genotypic thalassemia based on the MCV or MCH values to exclude unqualified individuals is the most effective way to obtain accurate and reliable reference intervals for the erythrocyte indices.

Objective: Prospective studies have supported the beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acid consumption on cardiac deaths, but limited data focused on atherosclerosis. We investigated the associations between n-3 fatty acids in erythrocytes and atherosclerosis in middle-aged and older Chinese., Methods: 847 subjects (285 men and 562 women), aged 40-65 years, from Guangzhou, China were included in this community-based cross-sectional study between December 2005 and January 2008. The levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in erythrocytes were measured by gas chromatography. Carotid ultrasound examination was conducted to obtain intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and the carotid bifurcation. Dietary data and other covariates were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires., Results: After adjustment for age, sex, and other confounders, negative dose-response associations between the contents of individual n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the erythrocyte membrane and the prevalence of carotid artery wall thickening and plaque were observed. A comparison in the highest and lowest tertiles gave odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for thickening in the walls of the common carotid artery of 0.58 (0. 34-0.97; P-trend = 0. 037) for DHA, and 0.39 (0.23-0.67; P-trend < 0.001) for ALA. However, EPA was not significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis. Similar results were found for thickening at the carotid bifurcation and the occurrence of carotid artery plaque., Conclusions: Higher levels of DHA and ALA in the erythrocyte membrane were significantly associated with a lower burden of subclinical atherosclerosis., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study was purposed to investigate the relationship between HLA-A, B allele polymorphisms and red blood cell parameters of patients with --(SEA/αα) subtype of α(0)-thalassemia in Han ethnic population of Wuzhou city. The HLA genetic polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) in 57 patients with --(SEA/αα) subtype of α(0)-thalassemia of Han ethnic population in Wuzhou city, Guangxi province, China. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were detected by automatic blood analyzer system. HbA2 were detected by electrophoretic method. The statistical analysis was performed by ordinal polytomous logistic regression. The results showed that Hb and HbA2 levels were significantly lower in patients positive for HLA-A*33:03, B*15:01 or B*55:02, and were significantly higher in patients positive for B*15:02 (P < 0.05). It is concluded that several HLA alleles may be associated with Hb level of --(SEA/αα) subtype of α(0)-thalassemia of Han ethnic population in Wuzhou city. This result has the value for understanding phenotype-genotype relationships in thalassemia.

Urea transporters are a group of proteins that facilitate urea movement across biological membranes. Kidd blood group (Jk antigen) and urea transporter of human erythrocytes are carried by the same protein UT-B. To investigate the molecular basis of the Jk null phenotype in the Chinese population, blood samples from Chinese individuals were screened using the 2 mol/L urea solution hemolysis test. Urea and water permeability of erythrocytes membrane was measured by stopped-flow light scattering. Genomic DNA was extracted from lymphocytes. UT-B gene of JKnnu's family was analyzed using genomic PCR by primers designed to cover sequences of all exons and exon-intron boundaries in human UT-B gene. One Jk null subject was found from twenty thousand screened Chinese individuals, and it was confirmed that this individual did not express the erythrocyte urea transporter. Genomic sequence analysis of the Jk null individual showed that there were two point mutations, G-->C, which is novel, and G-->A, at the 3'-acceptor splice site (AG) of intron 5 of UT-B gene. Exon 6 is spliced out in the UT-B transcript due to either of these mutations. Water permeability in Jk null erythrocytes (Pf, -0.00037 cm/s) was significantly lower than that in normal erythrocytes (Pf, -0.00062 cm/s) after HgCl2 incubation, providing evidence for UT-B facilitated water transport in human erythrocytes.

The frequencies of six platelet-specific antigens among Chinese in Taiwan are reported, which have not previously been well studied. HPA-1a (PlA1) antigen was positive in all 1100 Chinese tested. HPA-4b (Yukb) antigen was positive in all 100 persons tested. HPA-2b (Ko(a), Sib(a)) antigen was positive in 9 percent of 100 persons tested, HPA-3a (Bak(a)) in 77 percent, and NAKa in 96 percent. HPA-4a (Yuk(a)) antigen occurred in 0 percent in this study but is estimated to be present in 0.5 percent of the Taiwanese population.