Search

Background: Emergent transfusion is carried out without standard pre‐transfusion serologic testing to detect alloantibodies in patient plasma. Transfusion of red blood cells positive for antigens incompatible with a patient's current or historical alloantibodies risks acute and delayed hemolysis, which may be fatal. Symptomatic and prophylactic treatment of hemolysis secondary to transfusion of incompatible non‐ABO antigens using automated red cell exchange has been rarely reported. Case Report: A 77‐year‐old female with extensive hemorrhage from a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm received a massive transfusion of uncrossmatched blood. Although subsequent testing of a pre‐transfusion sample was inconclusive, a search of a patient alloantibody registry showed a history of anti‐E, anti‐Fya, and anti‐Jk(a) antibodies, which were subsequently confirmed and proven incompatible with all 10 transfused red blood cell units in various combinations. Prior to the completion of repeat serologic testing, the historical alloantibody profile was used to allocate antigen‐negative units for automated red cell exchange to treat progressive transfusion‐related hemolysis. Treatment was completed without complications, and hemolysis gradually resolved without progression of hemodynamic instability. Conclusions: This case demonstrates successful automated red cell exchange following massive transfusion of red blood cells including a combination of three clinically significant incompatible antigens. Access to a patient alloantibody registry facilitates timely evaluation and management of transfusion‐associated adverse events which may otherwise be unavoidable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article in the British Journal of Haematology discusses a case of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) with trisomy 12 in a 76-year-old woman. The patient presented with anaemia, fatigue, and atypical lymphocytes with nuclear atypia. The article emphasizes the importance of distinguishing CLL with trisomy 12 from large cell lymphoma due to the marked nuclear atypia observed. The findings highlight the significance of accurate diagnosis and management in such cases. [Extracted from the article]

We present new HI observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array and deep optical imaging from OmegaCam on the VLT Survey Telescope of NGC 1427A, an arrow-shaped dwarf irregular galaxy located in the Fornax cluster. The data reveal a star-less HI tail that contains ~10 per cent of the atomic gas of NGC 1427A as well as extended stellar emission that shed new light on the recent history of this galaxy. Rather than being the result of ram pressure induced star formation, as previously suggested in the literature, the disturbed optical appearance of NGC 1427A has tidal origins. The galaxy itself likely consists of two individual objects in an advanced stage of merging. The HI tail may be made of gas expelled to large radii during the same tidal interaction. It is possible that some of this gas is subject to ram pressure, which would be considered a secondary effect and implies a north-west trajectory of NGC 1427A within the Fornax cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolated H I clouds with no optical counterparts are often taken as evidence for galaxy-galaxy interactions, though an alternative hypothesis is that these are primordial 'dark galaxies' that have not formed stars. Similarly, certain kinematic features in H I streams are also controversial, sometimes taken as evidence of dark galaxies but also perhaps explicable as the result of harassment. We numerically model the passage of a galaxy through the gravitational field of cluster. The galaxy consists of smoothed particle hydrodynamics particles for the gas and N-bodies for the stars and dark matter, while the cluster includes the gravitational effects of substructure using 400 subhaloes (the effects of the intracluster medium are ignored). We find that harassment can indeed produce long H I streams and these streams can include kinematic features resembling dark galaxy candidates such as VIRGOHI21. We also show that apparent clouds with diameter <20 kpc and velocity widths <50 km s-1 are almost invariably produced in these simulations, making tidal debris a highly probable explanation. In contrast, we show that the frequency of isolated clouds of the same size but velocity width >100 km s-1 is negligible - making this a very unlikely explanation for the observed clouds in the Virgo cluster with these properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used data from the Next Generation Virgo Survey to investigate the dwarf galaxy population of the Virgo cluster. We mask and smooth the data, and then use the object detection algorithm SEXTRACTOR to make our initial dwarf galaxy selection. All candidates are then visually inspected to remove artefacts and duplicates. We derive parameters to best select low surface brightness galaxies using central surface brightness values of 22.5 ≤ μ0g ≤ 26.0 µg and exponential scale lengths of 3.0 ≤ h ≤ 10.0 arcsec to identify 443 cluster dwarf galaxies - 303 of which are new detections, with a surface density that decreases with radius from the cluster centre. We also apply our selection algorithm to 'background', non-cluster, fields and find zero detections. In combination, this leads us to believe that we have isolated a cluster dwarf galaxy population. The range of objects we detect is limited because smaller scale sized galaxies are confused with the background, while larger galaxies are split into numerous smaller objects by the detection algorithm. Combining our data with that from other surveys, we find a faint-end slope to the luminosity function of -1.35 ± 0.03, which is not significantly different to what has previously been found, but is a little steeper than the slope for field galaxies. There is no evidence for a faint-end slope steep enough to correspond with galaxy formation models, unless those models invoke either strong feedback processes or use warm dark matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the H I Arecibo Galaxy Environment Survey (AGES), we have observed 5 × 4 deg of sky centred on M33, reaching a limiting column density of ~1.5 × 1017 cm-2 (line width of 10 km s-1 and resolution 3.5 arcmin). We particularly investigate the absence of optically detected dwarf galaxies around M33, something that is contrary to galaxy formation models. We identify 22 discrete H I clouds, 11 of which are new detections. The number of objects detected and their internal velocity dispersion distribution is consistent with expectations from standard galaxy formation models. However, the issue remains open as to whether the observed velocity dispersions can be used as a measure of the H I clouds total mass, i.e. are the velocities indicative of virialized structures or have they been influenced by tidal interactions with other structures in the Local Group? We identify one particularly interesting H I cloud, AGESM33-31, that has many of the characteristics of H I distributed in the disc of a galaxy, yet there is no known optical counterpart associated with it. This object has a total H I mass of 1.22 × 107 M⊙ and a diameter of 18 kpc if at the distance of M33 (DM33 = 840 kpc). However, we also find that there are numerous other H I clouds in this region of sky that have very similar velocities and so it is plausible that all these clouds are actually associated with debris from the Magellanic stream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used the Arecibo L-band Feed Array (ALFA) to map three regions, each of 5 deg2, around the isolated galaxies NGC 1156, UGC 2082, and NGC 5523. In the vicinity of these galaxies we have detected two dwarf companions: one near UGC 2082, previously discovered by the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) survey, and one near NGC 1156, discovered by this project and reported in an earlier paper. This is significantly fewer than the 15.4+1.7 -1.5 that would be expected from the field HI mass function from ALFALFA or the 8.9±1.2 expected if the HI mass function from the Local Group applied in these regions. The number of dwarf companions detected is, however, consistent with a flat or declining HI mass function as seen by a previous, shallower, HI search for companions to isolated galaxies. We attribute this difference in HI mass functions to the different environments in which they are measured. This agrees with the general observation that lower ratios of dwarf to giant galaxies are found in lower density environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extreme heat events (EHEs), driven by anthropogenic climate change, exacerbate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. A possible mechanism leading to heat-related CVD is disturbances in sleep health, which can increase the risk of hypertension, and is associated with ideal cardiovascular health. Thus, our objective was to systematically review the peer-reviewed literature that describes the relationship between EHEs, sleep health, and cardiovascular measures and outcomes and narratively describe methodologies, evidence, and gaps in this area in order to develop a future research agenda linking sleep health, EHEs, and CVD., Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in the following databases from inception-June 2023: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies retrieved were then screened for eligibility against predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Then studies were described qualitatively in relation to study design, findings, and the evidence linking the relationship between sleep health, EHEs, and CVD., Results: Of the 2035 records screened, only three studies met the inclusion criteria. In these three studies, EHE was measured as absolute temperatures (greater than 30 °C) or relative temperatures (i.e., 90th percentile daily maximum temperature within the region). Cardiovascular (CV) measures described included blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and HR variability (no CVD outcomes were described), and objective and subjective measurements of sleep health outcomes included sleep duration, calmness, ease of falling asleep, ease of awakening, freshness after awakening, and sleep satisfaction. Two studies were controlled trials, and one was a cohort study. During EHEs, individuals slept for shorter periods of time and less efficiently, with greater degrees of HR variability in two of the three studies lasting at most 1-2 days; BP (both systolic and diastolic) significantly decreased during EHEs in two of the studies. No formal assessment of a mediating relationship between EHE exposure, sleep outcomes, and CV measures was undertaken., Conclusions: Few studies examine the link between CVD, sleep, and extreme heat as a possible mechanism of elevated CVD risk during EHEs, despite a strong physiological rationale. Our findings highlight an important gap in the literature that should be closely examined as EHEs become more frequent and their harmful impacts of health increase., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: Allocating incompatible platelet components to avoid product wastage must be balanced against the risk of reduced efficacy and adverse outcomes. The impact of platelet compatibility in association with product irradiation or pathogen reduction is unknown. This study aims to determine the combined and independent impact of platelet compatibility and component modification on transfusion reaction rate., Study Design and Methods: A retrospective review of all adult platelet transfusions from 2020 to 2022 was performed, including all reported reactions. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the significance of ABO compatibility and unit modification for reaction rate., Results: Out of 21,330 transfusions to 3450 patients, 285 (1.33%) reactions were reported and 178 (0.83%) were diagnosed as related to transfusion, predominantly febrile nonhemolytic (n = 59) and allergic (n = 102). The compatibility of transfusion was 67.7% ABO identical, 13.8% ABO minor incompatible, 17.2% ABO major incompatible, and 1.4% ABO bidirectionally incompatible. Irradiated, unmodified, and pathogen-reduced single-donor platelets were transfused in 70.9%, 21.8%, and 7.3% of cases, respectively. Univariable regression demonstrated increased odds of reaction for major incompatibility vs. ABO identical (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.36-2.71) and irradiated vs. unmodified (OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.45-3.91), which were confirmed by multivariable analysis. The effect of compatibility and unit modification were independent in all analyses., Conclusions: The results demonstrate a trend of increasing reaction rate associated with major incompatibility and product irradiation. This study provides additional data to inform institutional policies guiding product selection for individual patients., (© 2025 AABB.)

Background: The study of the epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile in populations is greatly facilitated by the ability to isolate and further characterize individual organisms, which requires effective culture protocols. In cattle, where little is known about the epidemiology of C. difficile, no studies have assessed or compared the performance of different assays for detecting C. difficile., Objectives: This study compared two culture protocols for detecting C. difficile in bovine faeces from 121 gestating cows and 70 of their neonatal calves, while situating results obtained with each protocol relative to those obtained with shotgun metagenomic sequencing., Methods: Protocol 1 involved direct plating enrichment onto taurocholine-cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (TCCFA), while Protocol 2 included an ethanol shock step before plating on CCFA/ChromID agar. For both protocols, one aliquot underwent broth enrichment prior to plating, while the other aliquot did not., Results: Clostridioides difficile was detected following broth enrichment in two of the same calf samples using both protocols, and an additional cow sample was found to be positive with Protocol 2, though the difference in detection rates was not statistically significant (p = 1.0)., Conclusions: The detection of C. difficile in a much high number of these samples by shotgun metagenomics, albeit at low levels of relative abundance, suggests that neither of these culture protocols is sensitive when levels of abundance are low., (© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in human health and disease. Microbial community assembly and succession early in life are influenced by numerous factors. In turn, assembly of this microbial community is known to influence the host, including immune system development, and has been linked to outcomes later in life. To date, the role of host-mediated nutritional immunity and metal availability in shaping microbial community assembly and succession early in life has not been explored in depth. Using a human infant cohort, we show that the metal-chelating protein calprotectin is highly abundant in infants. Taxa previously shown to be successful early colonizers of the infant gut, such as Enterococcus , Enterobacteriaceae, and Bacteroides, are highly resistant to experimental metal starvation in culture. Lactobacillus , meanwhile, is highly susceptible to metal restriction, pointing to a possible mechanism by which host-mediated metal limitation shapes the fitness of early colonizing taxa in the infant gut. We further demonstrate that formula-fed infants harbor markedly higher levels of metals in their gastrointestinal tract compared to breastfed infants. Formula-fed infants with high levels of metals harbor distinct microbial communities compared to breastfed infants, with higher levels of Enterococcus , Enterobacter, and Klebsiella , taxa which show increased resistance to the toxic effects of high metal concentrations. These data highlight a new paradigm in microbial community assembly and suggest an unappreciated role for nutritional immunity and dietary metals in shaping the earliest colonization events of the microbiota.IMPORTANCEEarly life represents a critical window for microbial colonization of the human gastrointestinal tract. Surprisingly, we still know little about the rules that govern the successful colonization of infants and the factors that shape the success of early life microbial colonizers. In this study, we report that metal availability is an important factor in the assembly and succession of the early life microbiota. We show that the host-derived metal-chelating protein, calprotectin, is highly abundant in infants and successful early life colonizers can overcome metal restriction. We further demonstrate that feeding modality (breastmilk vs formula) markedly impacts metal levels in the gut, potentially influencing microbial community succession. Our work suggests that metals, a previously unexplored aspect of early life ecology, may play a critical role in shaping the early events of microbiota assembly in infants., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

This research tested the hypothesis that mindful-gratitude practice attenuates the robust association between collective narcissism and prejudice. In Study 1 (a between-subjects study using a nationally representative sample of 569 Polish adults; 313 female), 10 min of mindful-gratitude practice-compared to mindful-attention practice and control-did not decrease prejudice (anti-Semitism), but weakened the positive link between collective narcissism and prejudice. In Study 2 (a preregistered, randomized, controlled-trial study using a convenience sample of 219 Polish adults; 168 female), a 6-week mobile app supported training in daily mindful-gratitude practice decreased prejudice (anti-Semitism, sexism, homophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment) and its link with collective narcissism compared to a wait-list control. The hypothesis-consistent results emphasize the social relevance of mindful-gratitude practice, a time- and cost-effective intervention.