Light transmission aggregometry for platelet function testing: position paper on current recommendations and French proposals for accreditation.

Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is a method used to investigate platelet functions in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), notably when screening for platelet disorders. Various national guidelines and recommendations help in setting up the LTA test in specialized laboratories. However, due to the nature of the sample matrix and its subsequent specificities, more accurate positions are needed to achieve LTA accreditation according to the standard NF EN ISO 15 189.

F2c.*C20209T mutation in patients with a history of thrombosis: A case report, retrospective 2 site-results and review of the literature.

Introduction: G20210A (c.*97G>A) prothrombin gene variant, found in white population has been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Other rare polymorphisms in F2 gene (C20209T) have been reported, more rare and touching black people, but its potential association with VTE remain uncertain.

An model system for testing chemical effects on microbiome-immune interactions - examples with BPX and PFAS mixtures.

Introduction: More than 350,000 chemicals make up the chemical universe that surrounds us every day. The impact of this vast array of compounds on our health is still poorly understood. Manufacturers are required to carry out toxicological studies, for example on the reproductive or nervous systems, before putting a new substance on the market.

Single and mixture effects of bisphenol A and benzophenone-3 on in vitro T helper cell differentiation.

Immune homeostasis is key to guarantee that the immune system can elicit effector functions against pathogens and at the same time raise tolerance towards other antigens. A disturbance of this delicate balance may underlie or at least trigger pathologies. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are increasingly recognized as risk factors for immune dysregulation.

Single and combined exposures to bisphenol A and benzophenone-3 during early mouse pregnancy have differential effects on fetal and placental development.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) possess the capability to interfere with the endocrine system by binding to hormone receptors, for example on immune cells. Specific effects have already been described for individual substances, but the impact of exposure to chemical mixtures during pregnancy on maternal immune regulation, placentation and fetal development is not known. In this study, we aimed to investigate the combined effects of two widespread EDCs, bisphenol A (BPA) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3), at allowed concentrations on crucial pregnancy processes such as implantation, placentation, uterine immune cell populations and fetal growth.

An old friend with a new face: YB-1 and its role in healthy pregnancy and pregnancy-associated complications.

By promoting tissue invasion, cell growth and angiogenesis, the Y-box binding protein (YB-1) became famous as multifunctional oncoprotein. However, this designation is telling only part of the story. There is one particular time in life when actual tumorigenic-like processes become undoubtedly welcome, namely pregnancy.

Selected commensals educate the intestinal vascular and immune system for immunocompetence.

Background: The intestinal microbiota fundamentally guides the development of a normal intestinal physiology, the education, and functioning of the mucosal immune system. The Citrobacter rodentium-carrier model in germ-free (GF) mice is suitable to study the influence of selected microbes on an otherwise blunted immune response in the absence of intestinal commensals.

Results: Here, we describe that colonization of adult carrier mice with 14 selected commensal microbes (OMM + MC) was sufficient to reestablish the host immune response to enteric pathogens; this conversion was facilitated by maturation and activation of the intestinal blood vessel system and the step- and timewise stimulation of innate and adaptive immunity.

Perinatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and neurodevelopment: How articles of daily use influence the development of our children.

Substances that interfere with the body's hormonal balance or their function are called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Many EDCs are ubiquitous in the environment and are an unavoidable aspect of daily life, including during early embryogenesis. Developmental exposure to these chemicals is of critical relevance, as EDCs can permanently alter developmental programs, including those that pattern and wire the brain.

YB-1 Is Altered in Pregnancy-Associated Disorders and Affects Trophoblast in Vitro Properties via Alternation of Multiple Molecular Traits.

Cold shock Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) coordinates several molecular processes between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and plays a crucial role in cell function. Moreover, it is involved in cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. As trophoblast cells share similar characteristics with cancer cells, we hypothesized that YB-1 might also be necessary for trophoblast functionality.

Microbial short-chain fatty acids modulate CD8 T cell responses and improve adoptive immunotherapy for cancer.

Emerging data demonstrate that the activity of immune cells can be modulated by microbial molecules. Here, we show that the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) pentanoate and butyrate enhance the anti-tumor activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells through metabolic and epigenetic reprograming. We show that in vitro treatment of CTLs and CAR T cells with pentanoate and butyrate increases the function of mTOR as a central cellular metabolic sensor, and inhibits class I histone deacetylase activity.

Dietary cellulose induces anti-inflammatory immunity and transcriptional programs via maturation of the intestinal microbiota.

Although it is generally accepted that dietary fiber is health promoting, the underlying immunological and molecular mechanisms are not well defined, especially with respect to cellulose, the most ubiquitous dietary fiber. Here, the impact of dietary cellulose on intestinal microbiota, immune responses and gene expression in health and disease was examined. Lack of dietary cellulose disrupted the age-related diversification of the intestinal microbiota, which subsequently remained in an immature state.

High Prevalence of Acquired Thrombophilia Without Prognosis Value in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Background Recent literature reports a strong thrombotic tendency in patients hospitalized for a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This characteristic is unusual and seems specific to COVID-19 infections, especially in their severe form. Viral infections can trigger acquired thrombophilia, which can then lead to thrombotic complications.

Monitoring unfractionated heparin therapy. 4 hour-stability of anti-Xa activity in unspun citrated tubes.

Current guidelines recommend performing laboratory tests aimed at monitoring unfractionated heparin (UFH) treatments within a delay not exceeding 1 to 2 h(s) after sampling when blood is collected into citrated tubes. As such a short delay could be an issue, we evaluated the potential impact of longer delays. For that purpose, two citrated tubes were obtained from patients on UFH: one was centrifuged and tested for anti-Xa activity and aPTT within 1 h after collection (T1 h) and one was stored for 4 h at room temperature (T4 h) before being processed.

The NF-κB transcription factor c-Rel controls host defense against Citrobacter rodentium.

Mice lacking CD4 T cells or B cells are highly susceptible to Citrobacter rodentium infection. In this study, we show that the activity of the transcription factor c-Rel in lymphocytes is crucial for clearance of C. rodentium.

Intestinal development and homeostasis require activation and apoptosis of diet-reactive T cells.

The impact of food antigens on intestinal homeostasis and immune function is poorly understood. Here, we explored the impact of dietary antigens on the phenotype and fate of intestinal T cells. Physiological uptake of dietary proteins generated a highly activated CD44+Helios+CD4+ T cell population predominantly in Peyer patches.

Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus delbrueckii Strain #22 Isolated from a Patient with Short Bowel Syndrome and Previous d-Lactic Acidosis and Encephalopathy.

d-Lactic acidosis with associated encephalopathy caused by overgrowth of intestinal lactic acid bacteria is a rarely diagnosed neurological complication of patients with short bowel syndrome. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus delbrueckii strain #22 isolated from a patient with short bowel syndrome and previous d-lactic acidosis/encephalopathy.

Is anti-factor Xa chromogenic assay for Rivaroxaban appropriate in clinical practice? Advantages and comparative drawbacks.

Introduction: No routine monitoring is required with factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban. Yet, its titration must be adapted, and its misuse may lead to increased risk of bleeding; therefore, therapeutic rivaroxaban monitoring might help in specific situations.

Material And Methods: As asked by clinicians of our medical center, we measured rivaroxaban plasma concentrations in real conditions of use and checked their corresponding prescriptions.

Evaluation and performance characteristics of the Q Hemostasis Analyzer, an automated coagulation analyzer.

The Q Hemostasis Analyzer (Grifols, Barcelona, Spain) is a fully-automated random-access multiparameter analyzer, designed to perform coagulation, chromogenic and immunologic assays. It is equipped with a cap-piercing system. The instrument was evaluated in a hemostasis laboratory of a University Hospital with respect to its technical features in the determination of coagulation i.

Functional recovery in rats with chronic spinal cord injuries after exposure to an enriched environment.

Background/objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of environmental enrichment on the sensorimotor function of rats with chronic spinal cord injuries.

Design: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats received a contusive injury of moderate severity at vertebral level T8 using a weight-drop device. Three months after injury, 1 randomized group (n = 16) of rats was placed in an enriched environment, whereas the control group (n = 16) remained housed in standard laboratory cages (2/cage).

Evaluation and performance characteristics of the automated coagulation analyzer ACL TOP.

Introduction: The ACL TOP is a fully-automated random-access multiparameter coagulation analyzer equipped with a photo-optical clot-detection unit. It is designed to perform coagulation, chromogenic and immunologic assays with continuous loading capabilities for samples, reagents and disposables.

Materials And Methods: The instrument was evaluated in a coagulation laboratory of a university hospital with respect to its technical features in the determination of routine coagulation (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and single coagulation factor levels), chromogenic (anti-activated factor X, antithrombin and protein C activities) and immunologic assays (free protein S and von Willebrand factor antigen concentrations).

Evaluation of the automated coagulation analyzer Sysmex CA-7000.

The Sysmex CA-7000 is a fully automated multiparameter hemostasis analyzer equipped with a photo-optical clot detection unit and a cap-piercing system. It is designed to perform coagulation tests as well as chromogenic and immunologic assays. It was evaluated in a coagulation laboratory of a university hospital with respect to its technical characteristics in the determination of routine coagulation (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and single coagulation factors), chromogenic (antithrombin, and anti-FXa activity) and immunologic assays (von Willebrand factor).