Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Melissa Azul, Eudorah F. Vital, Wilbur A. Lam, David K. Wood, Joan D. Beckman
Summary: This article provides an overview of the etiology and biological consequences of sickle cell disease. It also discusses the application and potential development of microfluidic technologies in sickle cell disease research.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Hematology
Russell E. Ware, Stephen D. Dertinger
Summary: Hydroxyurea is effective in treating SCA by inducing HbF and improving symptoms, but concerns about its mutagenic and carcinogenic risks have limited its broad use. However, current data suggest that hydroxyurea does not directly bind DNA or exhibit mutagenic activity.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Jeremie H. Estepp, Ze Cong, Irene Agodoa, Guolian Kang, Juan Ding, M. Beth McCarville, Jane S. Hankins, Winfred C. Wang
Summary: Children with sickle cell anaemia and conditional TCD flow velocities are at increased risk of stroke. The SCCRIP study demonstrated that increases in haemoglobin and fetal haemoglobin can lead to decreased TCD velocities in these children. Pharmacological intervention to increase haemoglobin and fetal haemoglobin was shown to normalize TCD velocities in this real-world dataset.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Shehu U. Abdullahi, Binta W. Jibir, Halima Bello-Manga, Safiya Gambo, Hauwa Inuwa, Aliyu G. Tijjani, Nura Idris, Aisha Galadanci, Mustapha S. Hikima, Najibah Galadanci, Awwal Borodo, Abdulkadir M. Tabari, Lawal Haliru, Aisha Suleiman, Jamila Ibrahim, Brittany C. Greene, Djamila L. Ghafuri, Mark Rodeghier, James C. Slaughter, Fenelia J. Kirkham, Kathleen Neville, Adetola Kassim, Edwin Trevathan, Lori C. Jordan, Mulctar H. Aliyu, Michael R. DeBaun
Summary: In Africa, there is no significant difference in stroke incidence rate between children with sickle cell anemia and abnormal transcranial Doppler velocities who receive initial moderate-dose or low-dose hydroxyurea therapy. However, moderate-dose hydroxyurea therapy may lower the incidence rate of all-cause hospitalizations.
LANCET HAEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Asmaa M. Zahran, Khaled Saad, Khalid Elsayh, Shaimaa M. Khalaf, Khaled Hashim Mahmoud, Amira Elhoufey, Helal F. Hetta
Summary: Among children with SCD, HU treatment exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative effects on Tregs. HU treatment in SCD decreases the frequency of Tregs, as well as the levels of the most suppressive Tregs: HLA-DR+, CD39+, and CD69+. At the same time, HU increases the proportion of naive CD45RA+ Tregs. Our study showed the impact of HU therapy on Tregs in children with SCD.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Shehu U. Abdullahi, Surayya Sunusi, Mohammed Sani Abba, Saifuddeen Sani, Hauwau Aminu Inuwa, Safiya Gambo, Awwal Gambo, Bilya Musa, Brittany V. Covert Greene, Adetola A. Kassim, Mark Rodeghier, Nafiu Hussaini, Mariana Ciobanu, Muktar H. Aliyu, Lori C. Jordan, Michael R. DeBaun
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of fixed oral moderate-dose hydroxyurea compared with fixed oral low-dose hydroxyurea for secondary stroke prevention in children with sickle cell anemia. The results showed that there was no evidence to support the superiority of moderate-dose hydroxyurea in reducing the risk of stroke or death compared to low-dose hydroxyurea.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Sunusi Rimi Garba, Christian Chigozie Makwe, Vincent Oluseye Osunkalu, Olufunto Olufela Kalejaiye, Adaiah Priscillia Soibi-Harry, Amina Umar Aliyu, Bosede Bukola Afolabi
Summary: The study demonstrated a decreased ovarian reserve in women with sickle cell anemia compared to age-matched women without the disease.
JOURNAL OF OVARIAN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Wally R. Smith, Donna K. McClish, Richard Lottenberg, India Y. Sisler, Daniel Sop, Shirley Johnson, Anthony Villella, Darla Liles, Elizabeth Yang, Ian Chen
Summary: Patients eligible for hydroxyurea treatment who were exposed to patient navigators showed improvements in starting hydroxyurea treatment and adherence, but there were no significant differences in hematological parameters between the experimental and control groups at 12 months.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Laxminath Tumburu, Shohini Ghosh-Choudhary, Fayaz T. Seifuddin, Emilia A. Barbu, Simon Yang, Maliha M. Ahmad, Lauren H. W. Wilkins, Ilker Tunc, Ishwarya Sivakumar, James S. Nichols, Pradeep K. Dagur, Shutong Yang, Luis E. F. Almeida, Zenaide M. N. Quezado, Christian A. Combs, Eric Lindberg, Christopher K. E. Bleck, Jun Zhu, Arun S. Shet, Jay H. Chung, Mehdi Pirooznia, Swee Lay Thein
Summary: Sickle cell disease is driven by chronic inflammation associated with elevated cell-free DNA, specifically mitochondrial DNA, in patients. The abnormal retention of mitochondria in circulating red blood cells of patients contributes to the increased levels of cf-mtDNA. High levels of cf-mtDNA in patient plasma trigger the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, implicating activation of the cGAS-STING pathway.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xu Zhang, Jihyun Song, Binal N. Shah, Jin Han, Taif Hassan, Galina Miasniakova, Adelina Sergueeva, Sergei Nekhai, Roberto F. Machado, Mark T. Gladwin, Santosh L. Saraf, Josef T. Prchal, Victor R. Gordeuk
Summary: The transcriptional changes in compensatory erythropoiesis in sickle cell anemia (SCA) and their impact on the disease remain unclear. Comparison between hemoglobin SS reticulocytes and non-anemic hemoglobin AA controls revealed 1226 differentially expressed genes. Analysis of these genes in hemoglobin AA erythroblasts indicated enhanced terminal differentiation in early erythroblasts in SCA. A comparison with Chuvash erythrocytosis identified 453 SCA-specific changes associated with compensatory erythropoiesis. Additionally, erythroid gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SCA patients showed an enrichment of genes related to the ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process. The expression of one of these genes, LNX2, was associated with severe pain episodes in SCA patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Daniela Anderson, Katie Lien, Chibueze Agwu, Phillip S. Ang, Nabil Abou Baker
Summary: This article explores the historical context of sickle cell disease in the United States, discusses specific issues related to biases, social and self-stigma, inequities in access to care, and research funding, and highlights recent interventions that address racial biases and stigma.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Monica L. Hulbert, Melanie E. Fields, Kristin P. Guilliams, Priyesha Bijlani, Shalini Shenoy, Slim Fellah, Alison S. Towerman, Michael M. Binkley, Robert C. McKinstry, Joshua S. Shimony, Yasheng Chen, Cihat Eldeniz, Dustin K. Ragan, Katie Vo, Hongyu An, Jin-Moo Lee, Andria L. Ford
Summary: This study investigated the effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) on cerebral hemodynamics in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). It found that HSCT normalized cerebral blood flow and oxygen extraction fraction in SCD children, reducing the risk of strokes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abhishek Gour, Pankul Kotwal, Ashish Dogra, Dilpreet Kour, Sumit Dhiman, Amit Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar Digra, Ajay Kumar, Gurdarshan Singh, Utpal Nandi
Summary: Andrographolide shows significant antisickling activity and may be a potential adjuvant therapy for sickle cell anemia. However, caution should be taken when used concomitantly with hydroxyurea.
Article
Hematology
Amina Nardo-Marino, Jesper Petersen, John N. Brewin, Henrik Birgens, Thomas N. Williams, Jorgen A. L. Kurtzhals, David C. Rees, Andreas Glenthoj
Summary: This study found a significant correlation between Oxygenscan-derived biomarkers and modifiers of disease severity in SCA, but failed to find any independent predictive value of Oxygenscan in clinical outcomes.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Sindy N. Escobar Alvarez, Elizabeth R. Myers
Summary: The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation provided funding for sickle cell disease (SCD) research through the Innovations in Clinical Research Awards program, resulting in substantial advancements in diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The research investment showed substantial financial return and led to significant innovations in the field.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Shuhao Ma, Shuo Wang, Xiaojing Qi, Keqin Han, Xiaoqing Jin, Zhen Li, Guoqing Hu, Xuejin Li
Summary: This study investigates the deformation and viscoelastic properties of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bloodstream. The findings show that RBC membrane rigidity increases with fatigue damage but at a slower rate than membrane viscosity. Moreover, the study reveals that the loss modulus of the RBC membrane is significantly larger than the storage modulus, particularly under enhanced cytoskeletal network connectivity.
COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuo Wang, Shuhao Ma, Rongxin Li, Xiaojing Qi, Keqin Han, Ling Guo, Xuejin Li
Summary: Red blood cell-surface hitchhiking nanoparticles have shown great potential for targeted drug delivery. In this study, computational simulations were performed to investigate the detachment process of nanoparticles from red blood cells under shear flow. The results revealed a shear-dependent detachment mechanism, with an optimal adhesion strength range identified for improving the performance and targeting efficiency of the composite supercarriers. Furthermore, the stiffness and shape of nanoparticles were found to affect the detachment efficiency by altering the contact area with red blood cells. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of shear-driven nanoparticle release strategies for targeted and localized drug delivery.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lujuan Li, Shuo Wang, Keqin Han, Xiaojing Qi, Shuhao Ma, Li Li, Jun Yin, Dechang Li, Xuejin Li, Jin Qian
Summary: Platelet margination and adhesion in thrombus formation were investigated using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method. The shear-induced RBC-platelet collisions were found to significantly affect platelet margination. The lateral motion of individual platelets and platelet adhesive dynamics were characterized, revealing the impact of wall-induced lift force, shear-induced displacement, and fibrinogen concentration on platelet distribution and adhesion. The findings provide insights into the initial stage of thrombus formation.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Guansheng Li, Ting Ye, Bo Yang, Sitong Wang, Xuejin Li
Summary: Hematocrit, as an important indicator of human health, shows the capability of blood to deliver oxygen. Recent studies have found that temporal-spatial heterogeneity is a major feature of hematocrit in microvascular networks. This study uses numerical simulations to investigate the temporal-spatial heterogeneity, and the results show that it is more pronounced in networks with smaller vessel diameters or more complex geometry. This research has significant clinical implications for more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuhao Qiang, Abdoulaye Sissoko, Zixiang L. Liu, Ting Dong, Fuyin Zheng, Fang Kong, John M. Higgins, George E. Karniadakis, Pierre A. Buffet, Subra Suresh, Ming Dao
Summary: This article introduces the clearance of altered red blood cells by the spleen and the mechanisms underlying these processes. By studying sickle cell disease, it is found that the retention and adhesion of red blood cells are faster in blood samples from patients with sickle cell disease compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, under hypoxic conditions, the phagocytosis process of sickled red blood cells is different from non-sickled red blood cells. It is also observed that reoxygenation significantly alleviates RBC retention and leads to rapid unsickling of ingested sickled red blood cells. These findings provide insights into the maintenance of homeostatic balance in the spleen and the potential clinical manifestations in hematologic diseases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shou-Yi Chang, Yi-Chung Huang, Shao-Yi Lin, Chia-Ling Lu, Chih Chen, Ming Dao
Summary: The nanoscopic deformation of < 111 > nanotwinned copper nanopillars under different strain rates was investigated using in situ transmission electron microscopy. The study found that the deformation mechanism, including dislocation activity and twin boundary migration, is influenced by strain rates. At higher strain rates, dislocations accumulate in the nanotwinned copper, resulting in significant hardening. At lower strain rates, detwinning occurs and the hardening is reduced. Different deformation mechanisms, such as dislocation activity and twin boundary migration via atom motion, are proposed based on the experimental results.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zihan Tang, Xuejin Li, Dechang Li
Summary: Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is a mesoscopic coarse-grained simulation method for studying the dynamic behaviors of soft matter and complex fluids. It updates the position and momentum of coarse-grained particles at discrete time steps and uses simplified pairwise interacting conservative, dissipative, and random forces. Compared to molecular dynamics, DPD simulation has significantly reduced computational cost and allows the study of static and dynamic behaviors of complex fluids and soft matter systems.
CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Keqin Han, Shuhao Ma, Jiehui Sun, Miao Xu, Xiaojing Qi, Shuo Wang, Li Li, Xuejin Li
Summary: The rheological properties of blood from individual patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were studied using a computational model. The model accurately predicted the blood viscosity at both low and high shear rates, showing agreement with clinical laboratory-measured data.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Guansheng Li, Yuhao Qiang, He Li, Xuejin Li, Ming Dao, George Em Karniadakis
Summary: Erythrophagocytosis is a critical process in the spleen for removing senescent and diseased red blood cells from circulation. However, the biophysical interaction between red blood cells and macrophages in pathological conditions like sickle cell disease has not been well studied. This study combines computational simulations and microfluidic experiments to investigate the adhesion dynamics between red blood cells and macrophages under flow conditions similar to those in the spleen.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Keqin Han, Wenwen Zhou, Shuhao Ma, Shuo Wang, Xiaojing Qi, Ling Guo, Xuejin Li
Summary: Patients with COVID-19 may experience changes in the mechanical and rheological properties of their blood cells, leading to microvascular dysfunction and other vascular complications. An increase in fibrinogen concentration is associated with elevated plasma viscosity, blood cell aggregation, and elevated blood viscosity. Changes in cell adhesion can affect microvascular blood flow, with the recruitment of white blood cells and platelets slowing down blood flow and potentially leading to complete blood occlusion.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL-SPECIAL TOPICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mario Carucci, Julien Duez, Joel Tarning, Irene Garcia-Barbazan, Aurelie Fricot-Monsinjon, Abdoulaye Sissoko, Lucie Dumas, Pablo Gamallo, Babette Beher, Pascal Amireault, Michael Dussiot, Ming Dao, Mitchell V. Hull, Case W. McNamara, Camille Roussel, Papa Alioune Ndour, Laura Maria Sanz, Francisco Javier Gamo, Pierre Buffet
Summary: Malaria parasites multiply in red blood cells, but can be eliminated when the cells become stiff. Through screening, two safe drugs were found that can block the transmission of malaria.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiaodong Wei, Xiaolong Wang, Ce Zhang, Ming Dao, Xiaobo Gong
Summary: In this study, we investigated the morphological changes and mechanical behavior of red blood cells (RBCs) during aging using an in vitro mechanical fatigue model. We identified three typical shape transformations of RBCs during mechanical fatigue, which are strongly associated with the loss of surface area. Mathematical models were constructed to describe the evolution of surface area and membrane shear modulus, and an ensemble parameter was developed to quantitatively evaluate the aging status of RBCs. This study provides a novel in vitro fatigue model for studying the mechanical behavior of RBCs and a quantitative index for differentiating individual RBCs based on their age and physical properties.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ting Yang, T. A. Venkatesh, Ming Dao
Summary: In this study, the mechanical responses of materials with graded nanostructured surfaces during fretting sliding are compared to homogeneous materials. The results show that metallic materials with a graded nanostructured surface exhibit superior fretting damage resistance by reducing the plastically deformed surface areas and volumes by more than 80%. By decreasing the friction coefficient, optimal fretting resistance can be achieved in the graded nanostructured material.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Shuhao Ma, Xiaojing Qi, Keqin Han, Shuo Wang, Guoqing Hu, Xuejin Li
Summary: Red blood cells (RBCs) change shape and deformability with age, making them more likely to be trapped in the splenic slits (IESs) and removed from circulation. Existing evidence suggests that cell size and viscoelastic properties are altered during aging, making it challenging to identify the determinants of mechanical retention of aged RBCs in the spleen.
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2023)
