Articles tagged with Hemoglobin
A new study published in PNAS found that extreme-altitude birds on the Himalayan Plateau and Altiplano plateau evolved similar traits to capture oxygen, despite different molecular blueprints. The study identified multiple ways for closely related species to produce the same functional outcome.
Three companies - Crispr Therapeutics, Intellia Therapeutics, and Editas Medicine - are launching clinical trials using CRISPR to boost healthy hemoglobin levels in patients with blood diseases. Researchers are also conducting extensive computer predictions and in vitro tests to minimize the risk of accidents.
A global study of over 5,000 patients found that restrictive blood transfusion practices are safe and effective, reducing deaths, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failures. The study also reduced the number of transfusions by 28% and the amount of blood transfused by 30%.
A high dose of hydroxyurea significantly increased fetal hemoglobin levels and reduced hospitalizations among young sickle cell anemia patients. The study found that maximizing the dose resulted in a substantial reduction in hospitalizations, with nearly all patients experiencing improved health outcomes.
Researchers at MUSC are developing a gene-modifying treatment for sickle cell disease by targeting the LSD 1 enzyme. The potential breakthrough could lead to a disease-modifying treatment and fast-track human clinical trials in as few as three years.
Researchers developed a portable blood analyzer that can detect hemoglobin levels in whole blood samples using optical absorbance. The device is smaller than a toaster and can be used anywhere to monitor anemia prevalence and diagnose related conditions.
A new user-friendly interface allows cell biologists to create complex biological models using the Virtual Cell supercomputer, expanding access to modeling capabilities. The updated version of VCell enables users to define molecules and explain interactions with minimal coding, reducing complexity and increasing usability.
Researchers developed computer models that simulate the assembly of polymer fibers in sickle red blood cells, revealing new details about how different fiber structures produce abnormal cell shapes. The models can also be used to test new approaches to stopping the disease.
A large Chinese survey found a prevalence of diabetes as high as 10.9%, while prediabetes affected nearly 36% of the population, similar to US rates.
Researchers found that HbA1C levels are higher in blacks compared with whites for a given mean glucose level, suggesting racial differences in glycation of hemoglobin. This discrepancy highlights the need for clinicians to individualize care based on blood glucose levels rather than relying solely on HbA1C levels.
A promising artificial blood substitute has been developed using modified hemoglobin, effectively carrying oxygen and scavenging free radicals. The novel approach packaging hemoglobin in a benign envelope overcomes toxicity issues with traditional chemically modified hemoglobin.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a new mechanism regulating hemoglobin gene expression through stress response. Stress is necessary to produce hemoglobin, and its signal activates enzymes to facilitate splicing.
Research finds that individuals with sickle cell trait have a twofold increased risk of developing kidney failure, similar to the APOL1 gene variants. Hemoglobin C trait did not associate with kidney disease or kidney failure. Early screening and aggressive treatment can help mitigate this risk.
Researchers found that a specific mutation in hemoglobin makes it selectively bind to carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke, preventing oxidation and anemia. The father's smoking habit prevents him from developing the disease, while his daughter requires treatment with antioxidants to manage her condition.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have engineered a protein called Ngb H64Q that reverses carbon monoxide poisoning in mice, reducing CO half-life from 320 minutes to 23 seconds.
A new definition of pre-diabetes based on hemoglobin A1C levels can help identify individuals at high risk of developing long-term complications from diabetes. The study suggests that this more accurate predictor can encourage lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise, ultimately preventing the development of full-blown diabetes.
The new guidelines, published by JAMA, were developed after comprehensive research using over 60 years of red blood cell transfusion data and 31 clinical trials. Transfusions at a lower level are recommended for critical care patients as well as those undergoing orthopedic and cardiac surgery.
The updated AABB guidelines recommend a restrictive RBC transfusion threshold of 7-8 g/dl for hospitalized adult patients who are hemodynamically stable. The guidelines also suggest that patients should receive RBC units selected at any point within their licensed dating period, rather than limiting them to fresh units with a storage l...
A new blood sugar test method developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has been shown to cut diagnostic errors by more than 50% compared to current tests. The technique, which takes into account the age of red blood cells, offers personalized diabetes monitoring for over 400 million diabetics worldwide.
A new report published in Blood shows that some people with mildly symptomatic SCD may live long lives with proper management of the disease. Four women with milder forms of SCD surpassed the US median life expectancy, living up to 86 years old.
Researchers developed HemaApp to estimate hemoglobin concentrations and screen for anemia, with a 69-82% correlation to CBC tests. The mobile app uses a smartphone camera and external light sources to analyze finger colors and detect blood components.
Researchers developed a precision-engineered gene therapy virus that selectively silences BCL11A, reducing signs of sickle cell disease and increasing fetal hemoglobin production. The approach has the potential to substantially increase the ratio of non-sickling versus sickling hemoglobin.
Researchers found that anemia was present in about a quarter of patients with stroke upon admission, associated with a higher risk of death for up to one year following either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Elevated hemoglobin levels were also linked to poorer outcomes and a higher risk of death.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have found a way to use CRISPR gene editing to help fix sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia in blood cells isolated from patients. The study provides proof-of-principle for a new approach to treat common blood disorders by genome editing.
A team of international researchers has identified biophysical markers that could help assess the effectiveness of treatments for sickle cell disease. The study found improvements in red blood cells' shape and volume when treated with hydroxyurea, suggesting a new mechanism behind the drug's action.
Researchers have found that anemia can negatively impact patients with traumatic brain injuries, leading to poorer outcomes. For each increase in hemoglobin levels, the likelihood of a good outcome increased by 33 percent.
A randomized controlled trial found that threatening to lose a reward is more effective than earning one in increasing physical activity among overweight and obese adults. The study also suggests that the way financial incentives are framed is important to their effectiveness.
A clinical trial is planned to test the efficacy of pomalidomide, an FDA-approved multiple myeloma drug, on patients with sickle cell disease. The study shows that pomalidomide increases production of fetal hemoglobin, which can reverse the course of the disease.
A Rice University study found that hemoglobin content, platelet count, and WBC count vary significantly from drop to drop in fingerprick tests. To achieve accurate results, healthcare professionals must take care to avoid skewed data when designing new protocols and technologies.
Researchers found that deep-diving whales have ultra-stable versions of myoglobin, a protein that holds oxygen in muscle cells. This stability allows them to pack more myoglobin into their cells, enabling them to remain active while holding their breath. The discovery could lead to creating synthetic blood for human trauma patients.
The study found that approximately half of the US adult population has either diabetes or pre-diabetes, with a higher prevalence among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic participants. The prevalence of total diabetes increased significantly over the past few decades, but rates have plateaued in recent years.
A team of researchers found that snow leopard haemoglobin is equally as inefficient as the haemoglobins of all other big cats and structurally similar to those of house cats. The study suggests that animals may compensate for poor oxygen capacity by breathing harder, but further research is needed.
Danitza Nébor, a Jackson Laboratory postdoctoral associate, is driven by her personal connection to sickle-cell disease. She searches for genetic modifiers to reduce the severity of the disease in patients with two copies of the sickle-cell gene.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal found that nitrate supplementation can lower hemoglobin levels in normoxic animals and improve liver oxygenation. Researchers also discovered that higher doses of nitrate can increase erythropoietin expression, which may have implications for conditions like polycythemia.
Researchers have developed a novel vascular optical tomographic imaging system to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of peripheral artery disease in diabetics. The system uses near-infrared light to map hemoglobin concentration, revealing perfusion issues in extremities.
Low-dose iron supplements significantly reduced time to recover from hemoglobin decrease in donors with low or high ferritin levels. Without iron, most participants took over 168 days to recover their iron stores. Regular blood donation leads to progressive iron loss and anemia, emphasizing the importance of prompt recovery.
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that iron supplementation significantly reduced the time to recover lost iron and hemoglobin after blood donation. The study, supported by NHLBI, showed that donors taking iron supplements recovered lost iron more rapidly than those not receiving supplements.
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 simple, disposable testing device analyzes a single droplet of blood to diagnose anemia, with results available in about 60 seconds. The device has shown promising sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional hematology analyzers.
A study of 1,038 adults with diabetes found that diabetic macular edema (DME) prevalence is 3.8% overall, with higher odds among non-Hispanic black patients and those with longer diabetes duration and higher hemoglobin A1c levels.
Researchers use protein-engineering techniques to force chromatin fiber into looped structures that activate genes regulating fetal hemoglobin, which is not affected by the inherited mutation causing sickle cell disease. The approach may give rise to a new therapy for the debilitating blood disorder.
A randomized clinical trial of 200 patients with traumatic brain injury found that administering erythropoietin or maintaining a higher hemoglobin concentration did not improve neurological outcomes at 6 months. Transfusion thresholds also had no significant impact on recovery rates.
Researchers found that elephant seals have 10% carboxyhemoglobin, similar to someone smoking 40 cigarettes a day, and more than healthy humans. The study suggests carbon monoxide may be beneficial at low levels, preventing inflammatory responses and inhibiting cell death.
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.
EORTC analysis confirms performance status, tumor grading, and hemoglobin levels as key predictors of long-term outcomes in pazopanib-treated patients. Long-term responders and survivors accounted for 36% and 34% of patients respectively.
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.
Researchers present new pain management treatment for SCD patients using selectin inhibitors, while also exploring targeted gene therapy strategies to produce healthy hemoglobin. These advances aim to improve the long-term outlook and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide.
A UConn research team has found a way to stabilize hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier protein in the blood, by wrapping it in a polymer chain. This discovery could lead to the development of stable vaccines and affordable artificial blood substitutes.
A new report illustrates a surprisingly large global burden of anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin levels and impaired oxygen delivery to the body. Despite decreasing prevalence between 1990 and 2010, anemia remains a significant health issue, particularly among young children and women in low- and middle-income regions.
Researchers used light-scattering techniques to study the detailed thermodynamics of hemoglobin fibers in sickle cell disease. They found that hemoglobin molecules associate more easily in high temperatures and concentrated solutions, leading to stronger bonds between fibers.
Researchers have identified a genetic target, BCL11A enhancer, that controls hemoglobin production in red blood cells. This discovery opens the door to precise targeting of sickle cell disease with potential benefits without off-target effects.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that epoetin alfa can help alleviate anemia in high-risk breast cancer patients while maintaining overall and relapse-free survival rates. However, the treatment may increase the risk of thrombotic events.
Researchers have successfully used a genetic vector to efficiently transduce bone marrow cells from SCD patients, suggesting a potential treatment method. The study's findings support the use of autologous HSC transplant with genetically modified patient cells to treat sickle cell disease.
A recent study by Jay Storz and colleagues at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that the effects of individual mutations depend on the context in which they occur. The researchers used protein engineering to synthesize hemoglobin proteins with each naturally occurring mutation in all possible multi-site combinations, revealing t...
A study by University of Montreal researchers found a negative correlation between household income and glycated hemoglobin levels in children with type 1 diabetes. The difference in glycated hemoglobin levels corresponds to a doubling of the risk of eye damage, highlighting the need for greater support for low-income families
A global study found that children on dialysis with poor response to anemia medications are linked to inflammation, fluid retention, and hyperparathyroidism. High doses of anemia medications also increase the risk of premature death. The study provided valuable insights into anemia control in pediatric patients.
Researchers discover that tranylcypromine can reverse the effects of sickle cell disease in mice and human red blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for the life-threatening condition, which causes misshapen red blood cells to cause vascular damage and premature death.
A meta-analysis of 10 studies suggests that blood transfusions are associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with myocardial infarction. The analysis found a weighted absolute risk increase of 12% and a higher risk for subsequent myocardial infarction, highlighting the need for further research.
Researchers have demonstrated a feasibility study for activating hemoglobin unaffected by the sickle cell mutation using an animal model. The study showed a five- to 20-fold increase in fetal hemoglobin production, paving the way for further research on correcting disease using gene therapy.
Research reveals distinct genetic mechanisms behind similar adaptations to low oxygen levels in Tibetan and Ethiopian populations, shedding light on convergent evolution. The study finds no long-term adaptation among the Oromo group, highlighting variations in biological responses to high-altitude environments.