Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation - Volume 81, issue 4

Authors: Wang, Jianing | Li, Jia | Yin, Xiaoping | Zhou, Huan | Zheng, Yating | Liu, Huaijun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the application value of three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging in detecting cerebral hemodynamics of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). METHODS: Sixty normal full-term neonates and 60 HIE neonates were enrolled in this study and were respectively divided into three groups: the 1–3 days group, the 4–7 days group, and the 8–15 days group. The brains of these neonates were scanned with the 3D ASL sequence, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) images were obtained. The CBF values of the bilateral symmetrical brain regions and brain stem were measured on CBF images, …and the values were averaged. The cerebral blood flow of HIE neonates in the 1–3 days group, the 4–7 days group, and the 8–15 days group was compared with normal neonates at matched ages, and the characteristics of cerebral hemodynamics in HIE neonates at different ages were summarized. RESULTS: The CBF values of the basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem in the 1–3 days HIE group were higher than normal neonates at matched ages, and the CBF value of the frontal lobe was lower than the normal group, and the differences were statistically significant (P  < 0.05). The CBF values of the basal ganglia, thalamus, corona radiata, and frontal lobe in the 4–7 days HIE group were lower than the normal group, and the differences were statistically significant (P  < 0.05). There were no significant differences in CBF values of different brain regions between the 8–15 days HIE and normal groups (P  > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early hyperperfusion of the basal ganglia and thalamus is helpful for early diagnosis and prognosis of HIE. Show more

Keywords: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, arterial spin labeling imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral blood flow

DOI: 10.3233/CH-211324

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 271-279, 2022

Authors: Wang, Haiyan | Wang, Yuchun | Liang, Xiuying | Zhang, Chunyan | Guo, Binfang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Scoring neonatal acute physiology is significant for improving the survival rate of neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) has been used to evaluate physiology of multiple diseases. However, the value of RPR as a predictor for morbidity and mortality in NICU remains unclear. The score for neonatal acute physiology and perinatal extension II (SNAPE-II) was used to evaluate the physiology and separate neonates into Mild (n  = 45), Moderate (n  = 45) and Severe (n  = 45) groups. White blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in cord blood were …examine. Spearman’s correlation and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to demonstrated the correlations of these indicators. There was a positive correlation between the SNAPE-II scores and RPR in neonates in NICU. The WBC, PCT and CRP levels increased with the upregulation of SNAPE-II scores in neonates in NICU and there were positive correlations between RPR and WBC, PCT and CRP, respectively. RPR could be used as a supplementary predictor for the evaluation of neonatal morbidity and mortality in NICU beside SNAPE-II. Show more

Keywords: Red cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio (RPR), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), white blood cell count (WBC), c-reactive protein (CRP)

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221388

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 281-291, 2022

Authors: Park, Il Rae | Choi, Jimi | Ha, Eun Young | Chung, Seung Min | Moon, Jun Sung | Shin, Sehyun | Kim, Sin Gon | Won, Kyu Chang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) have been widely used to identify and manage diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, classifications based on these two indices do not always concur in terms of DKD diagnosis; for example, cases of high ACR with normal GFR or normal ACR with low GFR may occur. A recent study suggested that critical shear stress (CSS), a hemorheological parameter to represent aggregating force of red blood cells (RBCs), is a potential screening index for DKD. In the present study, we investigated the diagnostic potential of CSS for DKD according to the KDIGO …2012 Guideline. METHODS: A total of 378 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited Yeungnam University Hospital between 2014 and 2017 were included. CSS was measured using a transient microfluidic hemorheometer, Rheoscan-D300® (Rheomeditech, Seoul, Republic of Korea) with whole blood. Patients who were DKD negative (green zone) were compared with patients who were DKD positive (red zone) as Model 1 and patients at risk for (orange zone) and red zones as Model 2, respectively. RESULTS: After exclusion criteria such as eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 , alcoholism, and macrovascular complications were applied, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 77.8% for Model 1 and 75.0% and 72.0% for Model 2, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy measures of the CSS for Model 1 were found to be highly accurate or have the potential to alter clinical decisions. Similarly, the diagnostic accuracy measures of CSS for Model 2 were found to provide useful information, despite them expanding to the orange and red zones. CONCLUSION: DKD was successfully identified using a novel integrated hemorheological index of CSS that satisfied both ACR and GFR criteria. Therefore, CSS may be useful for the additive diagnosis of DKD with GFR and uACR. Show more

Keywords: Diabetic kidney disease, screening, critical shear stress, RBC, biomarker

DOI: 10.3233/CH-211326

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 293-303, 2022

Authors: Han, Ling | Guo, Meiliang | Wang, Bing | Meng, Qinqin | Zhu, Jie | Huang, Qiong | Zhang, Zhenghua | Fang, Xu | Yang, Ke | Wu, Siyuan | Zheng, Zhizhong | Yawalkar, Nikhil | Deng, Hui | Yan, Kexiang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methotrexate (MTX) is often used as a first-line system therapy and there is a need to determine its effect on whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV) in psoriasis. METHODS A prospective, single-center, interventional study with a total of 111 psoriatic patients who received MTX therapy from October 22, 2018, to December 28, 2019, and 111 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Changes in WBV, PV, blood counts, liver and renal function were evaluated. RESULTS Psoriatic patients had significantly higher levels of WBV and …relative viscosity (RV) at low shear rate (LSR), erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI), and PV than sex and age-matched healthy controls. PV was positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ESR was positively correlated with high sensitive C-reactive protein (hCRP). But only hCRP was positively associated with psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score. MTX significantly decreased the levels of PV, ESR, hCRP, and blood pressure (BP) in male patients, and the level of WBV in female patients. CONCLUSION: Sex-specific downregulation of MTX on WBV, PV, hCRP, and BP, indicating that the effect of MTX on the risk of cardiovascular disease was related with sex. Show more

Keywords: Methotrexate, psoriasis, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation index

DOI: 10.3233/CH-211343

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 305-314, 2022

Authors: Cucuruz, B. | Kopp, R. | Hampe-Hecht, H. | Andercou, O. | Schierling, W. | Pfister, K. | Koller, M. | Noppeney, T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Neuromodulation is a therapeutic option to improve limb salvage in end-stage peripheral arterial disease (PAD), but there is no consensus on its indication for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in PAD patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present the outcome of end-stage PAD patients treated with SCS. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis based on a local prospective registry. Neuromodulation was performed if there was: 1) no revascularisation option, 2) no septicemia, 3) and Rutherford stage 4–6. The primary endpoint of the study was limb salvage. Secondary endpoints were reduction in pain …or simply pain reduction pain (assessed using a visual anlog scale/VAS) and improvement in walking distance. RESULTS: Limb salvage was reached in 30/34 patients (88%). Patients reported a significant reduction in pain on the 10-point VAS scale from baseline (median = 7.5, IQR = 7–8) to follow-up at 2 years (median = 0, IQR 0–2.75), p  < 0.001. Walking distance also improved from preoperative (median = 50 m, IQR = 20–50 m) to follow-up at 2 years (median = 150 m, IQR 50–272 m), p  < 0.001. RESULTS: SCS implantation in patients with end-stage PAD can enable limb salvage in a high percentage of cases and increase mobility due to pain reduction. The role of microcirculation in these improvements needs to be investigated in further studies. Show more

Keywords: Neuromodulation, spinal cord stimulation, end-stage peripheral artery disease, chronic critical limb ischemia

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221436

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 315-324, 2022

Authors: Antonova, Nadia | Velcheva, Irena | Paskova, Vasilka

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the blood vessels the impaired hemorheological parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) could lead to elevated flow resistance, increased forces at the endothelial wall and to microvascular disturbances. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the hemorheological variables and the changes of the skin blood flow responses to cold stress in T2DM patients. METHODS: The basic hemorheological parameters: hematocrit (Ht), fibrinogen (Fib), whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV) were examined in 20 patients with T2DM and a control group of 10 healthy age and sex matched controls. …The mechanisms of vascular tone regulation were investigated using the wavelet analysis of the skin temperature oscillations (WAST). The degrees of the microvascular tone changes were determined during a cold test in the endothelial (0.02–0.0095 Hz), neurogenic (0.05– 0.02 Hz) and myogenic (0.05– 0.14 Hz) frequency ranges. RESULTS: Significant increase of Fib and WBV in the patients in comparison to controls was found. The mean values of the amplitudes of the skin temperature (ST) pulsations decreased significantly during the cold stress only in the endothelial frequency range for the diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study reveal parallel impairment of the blood rheological parameters and the cutaneous microcirculation in T2DM patients. Show more

Keywords: Hemorheology, diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), whole blood viscosity, red blood cell (RBC) deformability, RBC aggregation, peripheral microcirculation, skin temperature oscillations, cold test

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221393

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 325-341, 2022

Authors: Wang, Yueru | Chen, Xiaoyan | Lu, Zhikai | Lai, Chunlin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Compelling evidence demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) were involved in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the role of circ_0093887 in the progression of AS is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of circ_0093887 in oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). METHODS: HAECs were stimulated by ox-LDL to simulate AS-like injury in vitro . Circ_0093887, microRNA-758-3p (miR-758-3p), and BMP And Activin Membrane-Bound Inhibitor (BAMBI) levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2, and BAMBI protein levels were detected by western …blot. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. Tube formation assay was used to assess tube formation. The levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β were detected by corresponding ELISA kits. The relationship between miR-758-3p and circ_0093887 or BAMBI was tested via dual-luciferase reporter analysis and RNA immunoprecipitation. Oxidative stress related indexes (ROS and MDA) were detected by corresponding kits. RESULTS: The expression levels of circ_0093887 and BAMBI were prominently downregulated in ox-LDL-induced HAECs compared with control, whereas the expression of miR-758-3p was upregulated. Overexpression of circ_0093887 promoted HAECs viability and tube formation, and restrained cell apoptosis in ox-LDL-induced HAECs compared with untreated HAECs. Mechanistically, circ_0093887 regulated the expression of BAMBI through miR-758-3p. Further experiments showed that upregulation of miR-758-3p reversed changes in cell function induced by circ_0093887. In addition, reduced BAMBI salvaged miR-758-3p knockdown mediated effects on cell function. CONCLUSION: Circ_0093887 demonstrated its diagnostic and therapeutic value in AS by promoting the role of the miR-758-3p/BAMBI axis in the ox-LDL-induced endothelial injury of HAECs. Show more

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, circ_0093887, ox-LDL, miR-758-3p, BAMBI

DOI: 10.3233/CH-221445

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 343-358, 2022

Authors: Jacoub, Khaldun | Al-Eisawi, Zaynab

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Beside the role of ABO group in immunohaematology, there is accumulating evidence that the ABO blood group also plays a key role in various human disorders. The interest in blood groups and their association with disease stems from the awareness that blood group antigens are incredibly important components in the process of cell maturation and control. Studies have indicated a link between cancer and the ABO blood group. The appearance or disappearance of blood type antigens is now considered a hallmark of malignancy in many common cancers. Several tumour markers are in fact known blood group antigens. The aim of …this review is to describe the history and possible functions of the ABO group and then summarize the association between blood groups and skin cancers. Show more

Keywords: ABO, blood group, cancer, skin

DOI: 10.3233/CH-211290

Citation: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 359-371, 2022