Articles tagged with Erythrocytes
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have identified a critical host factor, CD55, that enables the malaria parasite to invade human red blood cells. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing therapies to treat and prevent malaria.
Researchers have pinpointed a new mechanism responsible for the progression of malaria, which could lead to new therapies. The study found that nanoscale knobs on infected red blood cells cause cell stiffening and reduced blood flow.
Researchers developed a model of a malaria-infected red blood cell to understand the mechanism behind stiffening and stickiness. The model found that protein nodules called knobs contribute to stiffness, suggesting a promising approach to treat the disease by softening the cells.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a novel method for preserving donor livers, significantly extending their viability and improving transplant outcomes. By cooling organs to 22°C and supplementing with red blood cells, the team achieved remarkable success rates, even with organs obtained after cardiac arrest.
Researchers found that a reduced red blood cell clearance rate is associated with increased risk of serious diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease. This biomarker could improve disease diagnosis and prognosis by identifying early warning signs in healthy individuals.
Researchers discover nitric oxide plays key role in controlling blood flow to tissues, enabling oxygen delivery; low levels linked to heart diseases and blood disorders. Nitric oxide-deficient mice exhibit impaired oxygenation and increased risk of heart attacks.
Researchers found that certain red blood cell variants, such as HbAS, correlated with protection from malaria in early childhood. Additionally, a genetic condition known as homozygous X-linked G6PD deficiency reduced malaria risk in girls, while HbC-trait increased risk.
A study comparing two transfusion strategies for patients with severe trauma found that a balanced ratio of plasma, platelets, and red blood cells resulted in fewer deaths from exsanguination and improved hemostasis within 24 hours. No significant differences were observed in overall mortality at 24 hours or 30 days.
New research from Wake Forest University confirms the conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide by deoxygenated hemoglobin reduces platelet activation, affecting blood flow and clotting. The findings have implications for treating sickle cell disease and stroke.
A promising anti-malarial compound, (+)-SJ733, has been identified that rapidly destroys malaria-infected red blood cells by recruiting the immune system. The compound's mechanism of action is expected to slow and suppress development of drug-resistant parasites, making it a potential addition to global malaria eradication efforts.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a method to rapidly prepare frozen red blood cells for transfusions, reducing the time-consuming process of thawing and removing glycerol from the blood. This breakthrough could make it feasible to use frozen blood in emergency situations, solving inefficiencies in the current system.
Researchers quantify physical changes in red blood cells as they mature, finding that surface area loss is the primary factor, despite initial thought to be vesicle shedding. The study's findings could aid in early detection of clinical conditions with altered maturation patterns.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that acetate supplements stimulate the formation of new red blood cells in mice with anemia. This could lead to alternative treatments for anemia, potentially reducing side effects associated with current therapies.
A nationwide team of experts led by UT Southwestern hematologist Dr. George Buchanan developed the first comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines for managing sickle cell disease from birth to end of life. The guidelines consist of over 500 specific directions for physicians caring for patients with sickle cell disease.
Researchers found that banked blood membranes become stiffer over time, decreasing the cells' functionality and ability to carry oxygen into tiny microcapillaries. This decrease in functionality can lead to major clinical problems, such as impaired oxygen transport in the brain.
A new test for sickle cell disease can identify the condition in just 12 minutes and costs as little as 50 cents, offering hope for rural clinics around the globe. The test is based on separating cells by density using polymers and water, making it simple and low-cost to run.
Researchers have developed a new malaria diagnosis technique using magnetic resonance relaxometry (MRR) to detect hemozoin crystals produced by the Plasmodium parasite. This method offers a more reliable and minimally invasive way to diagnose malaria, with potential for low-cost field deployment.
Researchers used laser optical tweezers to study interactions between malaria parasites and red blood cells, revealing new insights into the disease process. The study found that attachment is mediated by multiple weak interactions, which could potentially be blocked by a combination of drugs or antibodies.
Researchers found a red blood cell folate concentration range of 1,000 to 1,300 nmol/L may prevent neural tube defects. This biomarker could inform folic acid fortification programs and monitor their success.
Austrian researchers found that fresh, young red blood cells can counterbalance the negative effects of jetlag on the cardiovascular system. Blood donations may help reduce the risk of heart disease in shift workers by stimulating the generation of new, healthy erythrocytes.
Whitehead Institute scientists have genetically modified red blood cells to carry valuable payloads, including drugs, vaccines, and imaging agents. The approach uses sortagging, a protein-labeling technique that establishes strong chemical bonds between surface proteins and therapeutic substances.
A new study found that red blood cell transfusions may benefit patients at high risk of death after trauma, but harm those at low risk. The study analyzed data from the CRASH-2 trial, which included 20,127 trauma patients from 40 countries.
Researchers discovered malaria-infected red blood cells exhibit altered motion patterns, affecting flow dynamics. This discovery may lead to better-targeted drug treatments for malaria.
Researchers have discovered a protein essential for malaria-causing parasites to escape from red blood cells. Antibodies to this protein trap the parasite inside these cells, preventing its progression and potentially leading to a vaccine. The study found zero cases of severe malaria in children with antibodies to the protein.
Researchers found that Hybrid SPECT-CT was 100% accurate in localizing gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with prior surgeries. The technology has the potential to improve clinical care by resolving ambiguities in planar scintigraphy.
A study at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that recycling a patient's lost blood during heart surgery results in healthier blood cells able to carry oxygen more effectively. Patients who received only their own recycled red blood cells had normal cell behavior, while those who received banked blood showed reduced flexibility and function.
A UH biomedical engineer is working on a device to separate well-preserved red blood cells from potentially harmful materials in blood transfusions. The system uses microfluidic technology to scale up the separation process, making it safer and more efficient.
A study published in Blood demonstrated that the C1s antibody prevents the destruction of human red blood cells exposed to patient autoantibodies in cold agglutinin disease. The antibody inhibits Complement deposition on the red blood cell membrane, preventing macrophage engagement and lysis.
Researchers developed a novel molecular blood group typing technique that offers blood banks the possibility of extensive screening of blood donors at a relatively low cost. This technology can reduce adverse reactions and decrease blood bank costs by facilitating support for patients undergoing long-term transfusions.
A new study found that the more red blood cells patients receive through transfusions, the higher their risk of developing infections. Elderly patients undergoing hip or knee surgeries were most susceptible, with a 30% lower risk of infection when fewer transfusions were used.
A study found that restrictive RBC transfusion strategies reduce the risk of health care-associated infections by 11.8% compared to liberal strategies. Patients with specific conditions, such as orthopedic surgery or sepsis, also benefited from restrictive transfusions.
Researchers found that low oxygen and nitric oxide levels increase red blood cell adhesion to blood vessel walls, leading to debilitating pain crises in sickle cell patients. Restoring normal nitric oxide levels can substantially reduce this adhesion, making it a potentially new therapeutic target.
A study analyzing over 2 million patients who underwent PCI found a significant association between blood transfusion and an increased risk of in-hospital heart attack, stroke, or death. The analysis also showed considerable variation in red blood cell transfusion practices among hospitals across the US.
A Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology study found that consuming strawberries reduced total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides in healthy volunteers. The antioxidant properties of strawberries were also linked to improved cardiovascular health parameters.
Scientists at MIT have developed a strain of mice that mimics the human immune system, allowing them to study the interaction between the host and the malaria parasite. The research reveals that natural killer cells play a crucial role in controlling infection early on.
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the mechanism of a common form of malaria. The study reveals that the parasite attaches to red blood cells using a two-step process involving two copies of a parasite protein coming together like tongs around two copies of a host protein.
Researchers discovered a novel clot structure involving polyhedrocytes in contracted clots, making them less responsive to medications. T2HemoStat enabled the detection of this unique structure, which could lead to better diagnostic tools and therapeutic choices.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered a new shape of red blood cells when they are compressed during clot formation. The polyhedral structures, also known as polyhedrocytes, are tightly packed within the clot interior and may help explain why clots develop resistance to thrombolytic agents.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are working on a new device that can predict when patients with sickle cell disease will suffer an acute crisis and monitor the effectiveness of treatments. The device measures the physical properties of red blood cells, which become sticky and block blood flow during a crisis.
Researchers discovered a narrow window of 2,000 to 2,500 meters above sea level offers the best performance enhancement compared to higher or lower elevations. This finding could help competitive endurance athletes develop effective altitude training regimens.
Scientists at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reprogrammed gene expression to produce fetal hemoglobin, which is unaffected by the genetic defect in sickle cell disease. This approach may open the door to a new treatment option for patients with this debilitating blood disorder.
A Kyoto University research team developed a method to produce erythrocyte progenitor cells with almost unlimited replication ability in vitro. These cells were successfully differentiated into mature erythrocytes with oxygen-carrying capacity, showing potential for a reliable transfusion system.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute discovered a link between high RDW levels and increased risk of depression in heart patients. Elevated RDW is associated with poor outcomes, including heart attacks and death, and may indicate anemia or other underlying conditions.
Researchers have discovered genetic mutations in Plasmodium vivax that may be causing a rise in infections among Duffy negative individuals. The mutations include a duplication of the Duffy binding protein and two new proteins that resemble those used by related malaria parasites to enter red blood cells.
Researchers found that hemin injection caused labored breathing, lung injury and rapid death in sickle mice, but not in control mice. Hemopexin was an effective treatment against hemin-induced lung injury.
Researchers discovered that prostacyclin analogs and PDE5 inhibitors synergistically stimulate enhanced ATP release from human red blood cells, a potent vasodilator. This finding has implications for the development of new treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Two Tufts University biomedical graduate students, Seblewongel Asrat and Jennifer Nwankwo, have been awarded HHMI International Student Research Fellowships to study Legionnaires' disease and sickle cell disease. The fellowships provide $43,000 in funding for the first year, with renewal opportunities for two additional years.
Researchers created a simplified computer model of the Fæhråe-Lindqvist layer, a thin plasma layer controlling platelet speed in blood vessels. The model predicts how different red blood cell shapes affect blood flow and can help design artificial platelets and treatments for trauma injuries.
Researchers used iPS cells from a CAMT patient to study the disease, finding that thrombopoietin receptor signaling is crucial for megakaryocyte and erythrocyte production. Compensatory transduction of receptors normalized these processes, highlighting the potential for thrombopoietin-like drugs to treat anemia.
A new test could use sound waves to diagnose blood-related diseases by analyzing the shape and size of red blood cells. Researchers have developed a method that can identify irregularly shaped red blood cells with high confidence, which is a significant indicator of blood-related diseases.
Engineers at Queen Mary University created a highly accurate simulation of how damaged and healthy red blood cells interact with each other in the body. This new technology could aid medical professionals in visualizing oxygen flow and identifying areas where patients may be suffering from inadequate oxygen supply after heart surgery.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a therapeutic approach to restore nitric oxide levels in donated blood, improving tissue oxygen delivery and kidney function. The treatment, called renitrosylation therapy, may hold great promise for millions of patients who receive regular blood transfusions.
Researchers from Brown University have developed computer models that show how different types of red blood cells interact to cause sickle cell crisis. The findings suggest that softer, deformable red blood cells known as SS2 cells start the process by sticking to capillary walls, leading to blockages.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have identified a protein that is the target of glucocorticoids, which increase red blood cell production in patients with certain types of anemia. The discovery could lead to the development of drugs capable of increasing this protein's production without causing severe side effects.
A novel approach to create human red blood cells and platelets in vitro has been identified by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine. This finding could potentially reduce the need for blood donations, speed up research on therapies to treat diseases such as sickle cell disease.
The Lancet Series on transfusion medicine examines the use of restrictive transfusion practices, innovative solutions to address the growing demand for blood products, and alternative ways to manage the blood supply. The series aims to reduce unnecessary blood transfusions, improve patient safety, and cut costs.
Engineers at UC San Diego have developed nanosponges that can neutralize a wide range of pore-forming toxins, including those produced by MRSA, E. coli, and poisonous snakes and bees. The nanosponges are designed to absorb toxins and divert them away from their cellular targets, with promising results in mouse studies.
Researchers at Lund University have discovered a new protein that controls the presence of the Vel blood group antigen on red blood cells. The discovery makes it possible to use simple DNA testing to find blood donors for patients who lack the Vel antigen and need a blood transfusion.
Researchers discovered a genetic deletion in the SMIM1 gene responsible for the Vel blood group, allowing for more accurate DNA testing and reducing the risk of severe reactions during blood transfusions. The study also sheds light on how this gene influences red blood cell traits and haemoglobin levels.
Researchers have developed a new technology called photoacoustic flowoxigraphy that allows for the measurement of oxygen in individual red blood cells in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of oxygen delivery to normal and diseased tissues, as well as how different disease therapies impact oxygen levels.