Publications by authors named "W Aird"
Article Synopsis
- Platelet homeostasis is vital for blood vessel stability and immune response, but the mechanisms behind the replenishment of their precursor cells (megakaryocytes) are not well understood.
- Researchers used intravital imaging to discover that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) act as sensors in the bone marrow that detect dying megakaryocytes and stimulate the proliferation of their progenitor cells through the release of IFNα.
- The study highlights that while pDCs usually help fight viral infections, their activation by viruses like SARS-CoV-2 disrupts their monitoring function, leading to an overproduction of megakaryocytes.
Visualizing cell behavior and effector function on a single cell level has been crucial for understanding key aspects of mammalian biology. Due to their small size, large number and rapid recruitment into thrombi, there is a lack of data on fate and behavior of individual platelets in thrombosis and hemostasis. Here we report the use of platelet lineage restricted multi-color reporter mouse strains to delineate platelet function on a single cell level.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPatients frequently visit the emergency department with conditions that place them at risk of worse outcomes when accompanied by coagulopathy. Routine tests of coagulation-prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelets, and fibrinogen-have shortcomings that limit their use in providing emergency care. One alternative is to investigate coagulation disturbance with viscoelastic monitoring (VEM), a coagulation test that measures the timing and strength of blood clot development in real time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study looked at patients discharged after being treated for COVID-19, identifying that 26% of them had been in intensive care and followed up about 30 days later.
- - The results showed a 2.5% rate of thrombosis (clots) and a very low 0.6% rate for venous thromboembolism within the month after discharge.
- - It suggests that rates of clotting and bleeding complications post-discharge are relatively low, highlighting the need for more research to guide potential post-discharge treatment strategies.
Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a recognized prothrombotic state. Patients hospitalized with active cancer are predisposed to thrombosis but whether active cancer further amplifies thrombotic risk with COVID-19 is not known.
Objectives: To evaluate cumulative incidences of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without active cancer at 28 days.