Genotoxicity evaluation of drinking water sources in human peripheral blood lymphocytes using the comet assay

The potential harm of organic pollutants in drinking water to human health is widely focused on in the wodd; more and more pollutants with genotoxic substances are released into the aquatic environment. Water source samples were collected from 7 different localities of Nanjing City. The potential genotoxicity of organic extracts from drinking water sources were investigated by means of the comet assay in human peripheral lymphocytes. The results showed that all the organic extracts from all the water source samples could induce DNA damages of human peripheral blood lymphocytes at different levels. A significant difference （P 〈 0.01） was observed when compared with the solvent control, The DNA damage increased with the increase of the dosage of the original water source. Significant differences of DNA damage were observed in different drinking water sources, as shown by the multiple comparisons analysis at the dosage of 100x; the degree of DNA damage treated by Hushu waterworks （at town level） was the most serious, the arbitrary units （AU） was 141.62±6.96, however, that of Shangyuanmen waterworks （at city level） was only 109.64±2.97. The analysis also revealed that the genotoxicity of town＇s water sources was higher than that of the city. The results demonstrated that the comet assay can be successfully applied to the genotoxicity monitoring programs of drinking water sources.

DNA Damage Response in Resting and Proliferating Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Treated by Camptothecin or X-ray

DNA damage response （DDR） in different cell cycle status of human peripheral blood lymphocytes （PBLs） and the role of H2AX in DDR were investigated. The PBLs were stimulated into cell cycle with phytohemagglutinin （PHA）. The apoptotic ratio and the phosphorylation H2AX （S139） were flow cytometrically measured in resting and proliferating PBLs after treatment with camptothecin （CPT） or X-ray. The expressions of γH2AX, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected by Western blotting. DDR in 293T cells was detected after H2AX was silenced by RNAi method. Our results showed that DNA double strand breaks （DSBs） were both induced in quiescent and proliferating PBLs after CPT or X-ray treatment. The phosphorylation of H2AX and apoptosis were more sensitive in proliferating PBLs compared with quiescent lymphocytes （P0.05）. The expression levels of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 were reduced and cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased. No significant changes were observed in CPT-induced apoptosis in 293T cells between H2AX knocking down group and controls. It was concluded that proliferating PBLs were more vulnerable to DNA damage compared to non-stimulated lymphocytes and had higher apoptosis rates. γH2AX may only serve as a marker of DNA damage but exert no effect on apoptosis regulation.

Metallothionein 1 Isoform Gene Expression Induced by Cadmium in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Objective To study the gene expression of metallothionein 1 （MT-1） isoforms in human peripheral blood lymphocytes （HPBLs）. Methods The expression of mRNA representing the seven active MT-I genes was determined in HPBLs by quantitative RT-PCR before and after exposure to cadmium. Results Basal expressions of MT-IX, and MT-1A in HPBLs were similar to expression of housekeeping gene. In contrast, the basal gene expressions of MT- 1 H, IF, 1E, and 1G were a little transcripts in human HPBLs. No signal was detected for MT-1B. There was a sex difference （P〈0.05）. in basal gene expression of MT-1E. The levels of gene expression of MT-1A, 1E, IF, 1G, 1H, and 1X increased, but the level of MT-1B did not increase after exposure to cadmium. Conclusions Gene expressions of MT-1 G, MT-1 H, MT-1 F, and MT-1X in HPBLs can be used as a potential biomarker of cadmium exposure.

Early Changes of Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Patients with Occupational 2,4-dinitrophenol Poisoning

2,4-dinitrophenol （DNP）, an organic compound which frequently used in industry, is considered to have high toxicity. This study aimed to investigate the early changes of lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with occupational 2,4-DNP poisoning. Totally 9 patients with acute occupational 2,4-DNP poisoning and 30 healthy volunteers as control were enrolled. The patients received immediately comprehensive supportive treatments, including large-dose glucocorticoid and repeated hemoperfusion （HP）. The ratio of CD4＋/CD8＋ T cells were significantly higher in patients upon admission compared to healthy controls （P 〈 0.01）; however, counts of total lymphocytes, CD3＋, CD3＋CD4＋, CD3＋CD8＋, B （CD19＋）, and natural killer （NK） cells （CD16＋CD56＋） were significantly reduced （all P 〈 0.001）. The NK cell count was negatively correlated with initial plasma 2,4-DNP concentration （r = -0.750, P = 0.026）. Thus, acute occupational 2,4-DNP poisoning was accompanied by immediate complex immune cell reactions, especially NK cells might play important role in severe 2,4-DNP poisoning.

Day 100 Absolute Monocyte/Lymphocyte Prognostic Score and Survival Post Autologous Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Day 100 prognostic factors post-autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APBHSCT) to predict clinical outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients have not been studied. Thus, we retrospectively examined if day 100 absolute monocyte/lymphocyte prognostic score (AMLPS-100) affects clinical outcomes by landmark analysis from day 100 post-APBHSCT in DLBCL. Only DLBCL patients in complete remission at day 100 post-APBHSCT were evaluated. From 2000 to 2007, 134 consecutive DLBCL patients are qualified for the study. Patients with a day 100 absolute monocyte count (AMC-100) ≥ 630 cells/μL and day 100 absolute lymphocyte count (ALC-100) ≤ 1000 cells/μL experienced inferior overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). On multivariate analysis, the AMC-100 and ALC-100 remained independent predictors of OS and PFS. Combining both values into the AMLPS-100, the 5-year OS rates for low, intermediate, and high AMLPS-100 risk groups were 94% (95% CI, 83.0% - 98.1%), 70% (95% CI, 58.6% - 80.1%), and 13% (95% CI, 3.4% - 40.5%), respectively;and the 5-year PFS rates were 87% (95% CI, 74.0% - 94.1%), 68% (95% CI, 56.0% - 77.8%), and 13% (95% CI, 3.4% - 40.5%), respectively. The AMLPS-100 is a simple biomarker score that can stratify clinical outcomes from day 100 post-APBHSCT in DLBCL patients.

Blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts survival after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score-based analysis

AIM: To investigate whether an elevated preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) can predict poor survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 526 patients with HCC who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2011.RESULTS: Preoperative NLR ≥ 2.81 was an independent predictor of poor disease-free survival(DFS, P < 0.001) and overall survival(OS, P = 0.044). Compared with patients who showed a preoperative NLR < 2.81 and postoperative increase, patients who showed preoperative NLR ≥ 2.81 and postoperative decrease had worse survival(DFS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). Among patients with preoperative NLR ≥ 2.81, survival was significantly higher among those showing a postoperative decrease in NLR than among those showing an increase(DFS, P < 0.001; OS, P < 0.001). When elevated, alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) provided no prognostic information, and so preoperative NLR ≥ 2.81 may be a good complementary indicator of poor OS whenever AFP levels are low or high.CONCLUSION: Preoperative NLR ≥ 2.81 may be an indicator of poor DFS and OS in patients with HCC undergoing surgery. Preoperative NLR ≥ 2.81 may be a good complementary indicator of poor OS when elevated AFP levels provide no prognostic information.

The Importance of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Peripheral Blood Eosinophilia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients with Acute Exacerbation: Recent Studies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive respiratory disease and the third leading cause of respiratory disease mortality. The diagnosis of COPD is changed to acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) when respiratory symptoms become worse, beyond normal day-to-day variations and severely enough that changes in medication are required. Both neutrophils to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE) are rapid and relatively inexpensive tests that can be easily applied in the clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of AECOPD patients. Furthermore, current studies found that NLR and PBE had a higher accuracy rate than other traditional markers (Leukocyte count and C-reactive protein) for the diagnosis and management of AECOPD. Besides, recent studies determined that NLR and PBE can be used for prediction of future exacerbations in COPD patients. This review aims to explore the current knowledge about the significance of NLR and PBE in AECOPD patients.

Potassium channel in peripheral blood lymphocytes of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

In order to provide pertinent evidence of ion channel with immune response in the fish, whole cell patch-clamp technique was employed for potassium ion channel study in turbot （Scophthalmus maximus）. Lymphocytes were isolated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation from peripheral blood samples, and electrophysiological characters of the channel were analyzed. In the recorded cells, activated voltage of the channels was -42.5±3.7 mV and the average peak current was 313.12±28.2 pA. The channel was identified as voltage dependent, the current was outward and it could be inhibited by 10 mmol/dma TEA or 5 mmol/dm^3 4-AP, a specific potassium channel inhibitor, identifying the existence of potassium channel in peripheral lymphocytes of the turbot.

EXPRESSION OF IL-2R ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES OF PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Objective: To study expression of membrane receptors of interleukin-2 (CD25) on the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of patients with colorectal cancer and its clinical significance. Methods: CD25 percentages (CD25%) in PBL of 105 colorectal cancer patients before operation and 100 normal individuals were examined by flow cytometer, and the results were clinically and pathologically analyzed. Results: The mean of CD25% in PBL of the normal individuals was 17.24±5.33, it was significantly lower (P<0.01) than that of the colon cancer patients (21.29±7.95) or rectal cancer patients (21.62±6.11). In contrast to the normal individuals, the means of CD25% in PBL in ulcer type (20.53±6.50) or protruded type (21.56±6.16) colorectal cancer patients were notably elevated (P<0.01). The significant difference (P<0.01) of means of CD25% in PBL was observed between the normal individuals and patients with less than 4 cm mass (22.10±5.43) or 4cm–8cm mass (20.90±6.96). The significant difference (P<0.05) of means of CD25% in PBL was also observed between the normal individuals and patients with greater than 8 cm mass (21.56±5.41). The mean of CD25% in PBL in patients with well differentiation colorectal cancer was 22.20±5.50, it was significantly higher than that in normal individuals (P<0.05). The means of CD25% in PBL in patients with middle or poor differentiation colorectal cancer were 21.30±6.89 and 22.15±5.71 respectively, they were obviously higher than that in normal individuals (P<0.01). The significant difference (P<0.01) of means of CD25% in PBL was present between the colorectal cancer patients without metastatic lymph nodes (22.06±6.90) and normal individuals. The significant difference (P<0.05) of means of CD25% in PBL was present between the colorectal cancer patients with metastatic lymph nodes (20.73±6.40) and normal individuals. The means of CD25% in PBL in colorectal cancer patients in various clinic stages were significantly higher than that in the health subjects (P<0.01). The significant difference (P<0.01) of means of CD25% in PBL was present between the patients whose ages were equal to or less than 60 (21.00±5.76) and normal individuals in the same age group. The significant difference (P<0.05) of means of CD25% in PBL was also present between the patients whose ages were greater than 60 (22.54±7.75) and normal individuals in the same age group. The significant difference (P<0.01) of means of CD25% in PBL was present between the male patients (22.55±7.05) and normal men. The significant difference (P<0.05) of means of CD25% in PBL was also present between the female patients (20.09±5.48) and normal women. Conclusion: The mean of CD25% in PBL of colorectal cancer patients was significantly higher than that in health subjects. Abnormally elevated CD25% were correlative with site of tumor growth, macropathology type of tumor, the degree of tumor differentiation, clinical stage and patient’s age and sex. It may be helpful to detect CD25% in PBL of colorectal cancer patients before operation for diagnosis, immune treatment and judging prognosis.

Isolation of Sturgeon Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes and the Optimal Proliferation Response Conditions

In this study, sterlet （ Acipenser ruthenus ） was chosen as the model species of sturgeon, different solutions were used to isolate the sturgeon peripheral blood lymphocytes and study their optimal proliferate response condition. Phytohemagglutinin （PHA）, concanavalin A （ConA）and lipopolysaccharide （LPS） were used as lymphocyte proliferation mitogen, respectively. According to L 25 （5^6） five-factor five-level orthogonal experimental design, the conditions for sturgeons proliferation response of peripheral blood lymphocytes were optimized using enhanced cell counting Kit-8 （enhanced CCK-8 or WST-8）. Five factors were selected to explore the optimal response conditions, including culture time, culture temperature, cell concentration, fetal bovine serum （FBS） concentration, and mitogen concentration. The results showed that 70% Percoll （1.092 g/ml） used as the sturgeon lymphocyte separation solution had the best separating effect. The optimal proliferation conditions were as follows： 3.625×10 6 initial cells, 20 μg/ml PHA or 50 μg/ml ConA or 10 μg/ml LPS as mitogen, 10%-20% FBS, the temperature at 20-25 ℃, and the culture time of 2 d.

Study on Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes ChromosomeAbnormality of People Exposed to Cadmium in Environment

Chromosome aberration (CA) and micmnucleus (MN) tests were appied to investigate Peripheral blood lymphocytes in 56 people environmentally exposed to cadwhum (Cd) for a period up to 30years, and in 10 unexposed People as controls. As indicator of body-load of Cd, urineq Cd (UCd)concentrations were measured simultaneously. The People in polluted villages were divided into four groups according to vallous levels of UCd concentrations: ~ 2 .5, 2 .5 ~, 5 .0 ~, 10.0 ~ (μg/l).There was significant difference in MN rates between the exposed and control groups (3 .47, 5 .06,8.06, 12 .75‰ for the exposed groups respectively, and 3. 10‰ for the controls), and significant correlation between MN rates and UCd was observed. Although no markesd difference in CA rates was noted between UCd 5 .0 ~ and 10 .0 ~ groups, there was significant difference in CA rates between the exposed and control groups (3. 07,5. 21, 7. 21, 8. 50% for exposed groups respectively, and2 .33% for the controls) and significant correlation between CA rates and UCd. CA was presented mainly in the form of chromatid and chromosome gaps and breaks. Together with our another study 'An Investigation on Human Health Effects by Envimnmental Cadmium Pollution', the results suggest that Cd may injure human chromosomes and that the damage appears to be concentrated on cytogenetic material and may happen earlier than renal disfunction

Effect of continuous blood purification on T lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory response in patients with severe sepsis

Objective:To investigate the effects of continuous blood purification (CBP) on T lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory response in patients with severe sepsis, and to provide scientific evidence for the treatment of severe sepsis patients. Methods:96 cases of severe sepsis patients from June 2013 to June 2016 in Yulin First People's Hospital were as the research subjects, randomly divided into observation group and control group, 48 cases in each group. The control group received routine treatment of sepsis, while the observation group adopted CBP therapy on the basis of the control group, fasting venous blood was collected 7 d before and after treatment respectively, and the change of IL-6, TNF-α, CRP levels, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+lymphocyte percentage and ratio of CD4+/CD8+in two groups were compared before and after treatment in two groups. Results:Before treatment, there were no significant differences in IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP levels between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the IL-6 and TNF-αlevels of observation group and the control group were significantly decreased, CRP level in the observation group decreased significantly, and the IL-6, TNF-αand CRP levels were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no statistical difference in the percentage of T cell subsets between the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the two groups of patients with CD3+, CD4+, CD8+and CD4+/CD8+were significantly elevated (P<0.05). After treatment, the CD3+, CD4+and CD4+/CD8+were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions:CBP therapy can effectively reduce the level of inflammatory factors in patients with severe sepsis, reduce the inflammatory response, and can effectively improve the immune function of patients, and the effect is significant.

Correlation Study Between T Lymphocyte Subsets and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective:To study the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on rheumatoid arthritis and T-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to provide a new method for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by removing Helicobacter pylori from patients.Methods:60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis admitted to the hospital from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected for the study,and all patients underwent a 13-carbon urea breath test to detect gastric H.pylori and the test results showed that 20 cases were negative and 40 cases were positive.The 40 positive patients were divided into the treatment group(n=20)and non-treatment group(n=20)by random number table method and the treatment group was given anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment,and the non-treatment group was given maintenance rheumatoid basic treatment,comparing the anti-cyclic citrulline peptide(CCP),DS28 score,peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets(CD4^(+)T-lymphocytes,CD8^(+)T-lymphocytes,CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)ratio)before and after the treatment of patients by 13-carbon urea respiration test(pylori-negative group,20 patients)and those who were positive for the treatment of H pylori(pylori-positive group,40 patients).Besides,the correlation of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets and disease activity between treatment and non-treatment groups in the pylori-positive group was identified together with the correlation of DS28 scores,TNF-αlevels,sedimentation and immunoglobulin,lymphocyte subsets in the pylori-positive treatment group and positive non-treatment group as well as the level of globulin,lymphocyte subsets,and peripheral blood lymphocytes before and after treatment.Results:Before treatment,CCP,DS28 score,CD8^(+)T lymphocyte level of the pylori-negative group were lower than that of the positive group,and CD4^(+)T lymphocyte and CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)ratio were higher than that of the positive group(P<0.05);after treatment,the indexes of the pylori-positive group improved,and there was no significant difference in the comparison of the indexes with those of the pylori-negative group(P>0.05);the positive treatment group had a DS28(3.19±1.02)points,positive non-treatment group DS28(5.36±1.85)points,non-treatment group DS28 score and CD4^(+)T lymphocytes,CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)negative correlation with CD8^(+)T lymphocytes showed a positive correlation(P<0.05);before the treatment,pylori-positive treatment group and non-treatment group DS28 scores,TNF-αlevels,peripheral blood T lymphocyte subpopulation levels were not significantly different(P>0.05);after treatment,DS28 score,TNF-αlevel,CD8^(+)T of the treatment group were lower than those of the non-treatment group,and CD4^(+)T lymphocytes and CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)ratio were higher than those of the non-treatment group(P<0.05).Conclusion:H.pylori affects the level of T lymphocyte subsets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis,and there is a certain correlation between the two.Removal of H.pylori can improve the level of T lymphocyte subsets,which is important for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Cytogenetic Effects of Pulsing Electromagnetic Field on Domestic Pig Lymphocytes in Vitro

The effects of pulsing electromagnetic fields(PEMFs)on cells are very important subjects in the field of bioelectromagnetics.In this experiment,the cytogenetic effects of PEMF on domestic pig lymphocytes were tested in vitro.Pig lymphocytes in RPMI 1640 medium were exposed to PEMFs of 100 kHz and 200 kHz for 12,24 and 48 hours.Chromosomal aberrations(aneuploidy,breaks,gaps,et al)were significantly increased in exposed cultures,and of these aberrations,56%chromosomal or chromatid breaks and 42%gaps induced by PEMFs were the points of pig chromosomal fragile sites.The baseline frequency of sister chromatid exchange(SCE)increased after exposing lymphocytes continuously to PEMFs of 100 kHz and 200 kHz for 48 hours.These results suggested that the exposure to PEMFs might induce a type of DNA lesion and chromosomal aberrations.

Culturing adequate CAR-T cells from less peripheral blood to treat B-cell malignancies

Objective:Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T(CAR-T)cells have shown impressive results against relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies.However,the traditional manufacture of CAR-T cells requires leukapheresis to isolate large amounts of peripheral blood T cells,thus making some patients ineligible for the procedure.Methods:We developed a simple method for CAR-T cell preparation requiring small volumes of peripheral blood.First,CD3+T cells isolated from 50 mL peripheral blood from patients(B-cell malignancies)were stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3/RetroNectin in 6-well plates and then transduced with CAR-expressing lentiviral vector.After 4 d,the T cells were transferred to culture bags for large-scale CAR-T cell expansion.In vitro and animal experiments were performed to evaluate the activity of the manufactured CAR-T cells.Finally,29 patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL)and 9 patients with B-cell lymphoma were treated with the CAR-T cells.Results:The CAR-T cells were expanded to 1–3×10^(8) cells in 8–10 d and successfully killed B cell-derived malignant tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.For patients with B-ALL,the complete remission rate was 93%1 month after CAR-T cell infusion;after 12 months,the overall survival(OS)and leukemia-free survival rates were 69%and 31%,respectively.For patients with lymphoma,the objective response rate(including complete and partial remission)was 78%2 months after CAR-T cell infusion,and after 12 months,the OS and progression-free survival rates were 71%and 43%,respectively.Cytokine-release syndrome(CRS)occurred in 65.51%and 55.56%of patients with B-ALL and B-cell lymphoma,respectively;severe CRS developed in 20.69%of patients with B-ALL and in no patients with lymphoma.Conclusions:Our novel method can generate sufficient numbers of CAR-T cells for clinical use from 50–100 mL peripheral blood,thus providing an alternative means of CAR-T cell generation for patients ineligible for leukapheresis.

A Review: Interactions of Equine Herpesvirus-1 with Immune System and Equine Lymphocyte

Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) remains one of the most common viral pathogens affecting horses worldwide presenting as a persistent infection which can establish latency in nerve ganglia (trigeminal ganglion), lymphoid tissues of the respiratory tract and peripheral blood lymphocytes. EHV-1 infection induces both humoral and cellular immune responses in horses. Virus neutralising antibody, particularly in the nasopharynx, is to kill free virus shed from infected epithelial cells. Hence this antibody has important functions in reducing virus shedding and spreading infection to cohorts. Cellular immune responses, particularly those carried out by cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), have been shown to be effective in killing virus-infected cells in vitro. This review underlines the state of knowledge regarding immunity to EHV-1 and also its interaction with equine lymphocyte. Finally, the review also includes the importance of the viral immediate early (IE) protein in the pathogenesis of EHV-1. This information can be used as the basis for future research.

Effects of“Moxibustion Serum”on Proliferation and Phenotypes of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were cultured with “moxibustion serum”(MS), and the results were examined by flow cytometry. The results indicated that MS could enhance the proliferation of TIL,accelerate it to reach the exponential growth phase, and assist recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) to enhance successively the percentage of CD3^+ positive cells, maintain the number of CD4^+ positive T cells, promote greatly the percentage of CD8^+ positive T cells among TILs, and reverse the CD4^+/CD8^+ ratio. Such cooperative effects rely on relative specificity of acupoints. It is suggested that MS is beneficial to the growth of TIL both in the aspects of proliferation and phenotypes.

Effects of Soman on Lymphocyte Proliferation in Mice

Experiments to investisate the effects of soman on lymphocyte proliferation werecarried out on balb/c mice,which were injected subcutaneously with soman in the doseof 154μg/kg (0.8 LD50),96μg/kg (0.5 LD50) and 38.4μg/kg (0.2 LD50) respectively.Itwas found that from the 1st to the 7th day after poisoning with 154μg/kg soman,B-lymphocyte proliferation was severely inhibited （P【0.05）,and it returned to the controllevel on the 10th day.Con A-stimulated T-cell proliferation showed a diphasic change,increasing at first and then markedly decreasing thereafter,after soman poisoning.The re-sults imply that the mitogenic response of both B- and T- cells and the primary increaseof T- cell response are closely related to the dosage of soman but not with the changes ofwhole blood cholinesterase activity.

Surface Energetics Study and Determination of the Combined Negative Hamaker Coefficient for Hepatitis C Virus Infected Human Blood Cells

This study investigated the interactive effects of Hepatitis C virus on human cells using the contact angle approach. The methodology involves the use of sessile drop approach to determine the contact angle formed on the infected and uninfected blood cells in the presences of glycerin as the probe liquid. It was observed that the presence of the virus in the human blood cells depleted the immune system of infected cells giving rise to a decreased CD4 count on the average of 514.5 ± 243.10 when compared with the uninfected cells CD4 count of 1267.2 ± 368.27. The measurement of contact angle also unveils that among the blood components separated in the course of the experiment, the white blood cell is the principal target of the virus with the highest average contact angle of 63.4 ± 3.20 while the uninfected white blood cells have a lower contact angle of 48.5 ± 2.75. The result of the measured contact angle was used for MATLAB computation to determine the surface energy, force of adhesion and the Hamaker coefficient. Response surface methodology was also employed in this study to visualize the viral impact on the blood cells as well as generating model equations for prediction of the interaction between the virus and the blood cells. Infected surfaces on the average have higher values of Hamaker coefficient than uninfected surfaces. It was discovered that an increase in the contact angles causes a significant increase in Hamaker coefficient with a corresponding decrease in the CD4 counts on the infected surfaces. This increase is attributed to the presence of the HCV virus in the infected samples and the highest value was observed in the white blood cell component. Computation of the combined negative Hamaker coefficient revealed that there exists a possibility of separating the virus from the human lymphocyte, hence a negative value of the A132 of the infected sample was seen to be &minus;0.150 × 10&minus;18 mJ/m2 (&minus;0.150 × 10&minus;25 J). This is in agreement with the value reported in literature when an alternative method to contact angle was used (ultraviolent spectrophotometer approach) to investigate HIV infected human cells. The combined negative Hamaker coefficient of &minus;0.281 × 10&minus;25 J was obtained in that study. Both results have unveiled the possibility of applying the concept of combined negative Hamaker coefficient as a means of separating the virus from the lymphocytes. It therefore implies that additives in the form of drug(s) to the serum (as an intervening medium) which could alter the surface energy of the serum to a value of ≥&minus;0.150 × 10&minus;25 J can have the capability of totally isolating the virus from the lymphocytes.

Haematology Parameters of Apparently Healthy Prospective Whole Blood Donors in a Nigerian Hospital Setting

Background: Adequate selection of a prospective whole blood donor protects his health and safety of the recipient. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the haematology parameters of apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors. Participants and Methods: This was a hospital based prospective study carried out from August to October 2020 at the blood transfusion unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Nigeria. A structured pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. The socio demographic status and the haematology parameters of apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors who tested negative for HIV, hepatitis B and C markers were captured. Obtained data were analysed with the statistical package for the social scientist software version 20. Results: One hundred male (97.1%) and three female (2.9%) apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors were studied. The median age of study subjects was 30 years. Obtained median haematology parameter values were 13 g/dl, 40%, 4.9/nl and 203.9/nl for haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, total white cell and platelet counts respectively. The median values for the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of participants were 32.6 g/dl, 27.7 pg and 85.7 fl respectively. Observed prevalence of subnormal haematology parameters for haemoglobin concentration, total white cells, platelets were 12.6%, 25.2%, and 13.6% respectively. Also subnormal values for MCHC, MCH, MCV were 11.7%, 26.2%, and 16.5% respectively among prospective whole blood donors in this study. No higher than normal haematology parameter values were observed. Median values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 8.4 mm/hr. Conclusion: A significant percentage of apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors had subnormal haematology parameters values. Obtained normal values in our study are comparable with local reference range reports from previous studies in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. 124947 .