Shion Imoto

Noninvasive monitoring of hemoglobin. The effects of WBC counts on measurement.

The efficacy of a noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring device (Astrin, Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) was evaluated for healthy volunteers and for patients with hematologic disorders. At the same time, the effects of WBC counts on noninvasive monitoring were studied by clinical evaluation and in ex vivo experiments. The hemoglobin levels determined by the device (Ast-Hb) and a conventional analyzer (T-Hb) were compared. The coefficient of correlation between findings with the Ast-Hb and the T-Hb for healthy volunteers was r = 0.626, whereas that for patients with hematologic disorders was r = 0.762. A comparison of the ratios of measurement errors in hemoglobin levels by Ast-Hb and T-Hb indicated that the number of WBCs had no effect on hemoglobin monitoring. Moreover, ex vivo studies using isolated WBCs and an optical model that imitates blood vessels and tissue in human fingers confirmed these results. Therefore, this new hemoglobin monitoring device can be expected to be useful for continuous hemoglobin monitoring.

Noninvasive Monitoring of Hemoglobin

The efficacy of a noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring device (Astrim, Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) was evaluated for healthy volunteers and for patients with hematologic disorders. At the same time, the effects of WBC counts on noninvasive monitoring were studied by clinical evaluation and in ex vivo experiments. The hemoglobin levels determined by the device (Ast-Hb) and a conventional analyzer (T-Hb) were compared. The coefficient of correlation between findings with the Ast-Hb and the T-Hb for healthy volunteers was r = 0.626, whereas that for patients with hematologic disorders was r = 0.762. A comparison of the ratios of measurement errors in hemoglobin levels by Ast-Hb and T-Hb indicated that the number of WBCs had no effect on hemoglobin monitoring. Moreover, ex vivo studies using isolated WBCs and an optical model that imitates blood vessels and tissue in human fingers confirmed these results. Therefore, this new hemoglobin monitoring device can be expected to be useful for continuous hemoglobin monitoring.

Application of a specific lectin hemagglutinin isolated from loach roe to abo blood typing.

Homogenate of matured roe of the female loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) was absorbed with the stromas of A and O red cells. A lectin could be obtained after centrifugation to remove the stromas. This crude lectin was further purified by column chromatography on DEAF-cellulose (DE-52). Agglutination was carried out by centrifugation after reaction with 5% washed RBC and 22% polymerized bovine albumin.This crude or partially purified lectin reacted with B and AB red cells but not A, O or acquired B red cells. The subgroups (B3, Bm, A1B3, A2B3, A1Bm A1Bx) of red cells could not react. This lectin was therefore defined as B-specific lectin.Agglutinating activity was inhibited by monosaccharides such as L-rhamnose and L-mannose more effective than by D-galactose, D-fucose, L-arabinose and L-lyxose. Other monosaccharides failed to inhibit agglutination. Oligosaccharides possessing a galactose residue as a terminus such as trisaccharide (raffinose) and tetrasaccharide (stachyose) also inhibited agglutinatin.This B-specific lectin may be suitable for application to ABO blood typing by a manual or automatic mechanical procedure like A1 or H lectin.