N Context.-The Coulter DxH 800 hematology analyzer can determine leukocyte numerical parameters (total leukocyte counts and differentials). It also measures intrinsic biophysical properties of these cells in their near-native state. These morphologic measurements are known as cell population data (CPD).Objective.-To study, for the first time, the biological variations of morphologic parameters or CPD and reinvestigate numerical parameters using the newest Coulter hematology analyzer.Design.-Forty adult volunteers (21 women, 19 men) were included. All participants maintained their normal lifestyles. Blood samples were drawn in duplicate by a single experienced phlebotomist and analyzed within 2 hours using a single analyzer. Before each batch analysis, the instrument quality controls were performed using the same lots of reagents.Results.-Within-subject (CV I ) and between-subjects (CV G ) biological variations for numerical parameters are smaller than previously reported. Cell population data have much smaller overall CV I and CV G compared to numerical parameters, suggesting that these parameters are less variable around the homeostatic set point intraindividually and interindividually. Index of individuality (ratio of CV I /CV G ) for CPD was low. In addition, intraday and interday biological variations of all parameters are fairly constant.Conclusions.-These observations are clinically valuable. Data on CV I and analytical precision may be used to generate objective delta-check values for use in quality management. Comparing CV I and CV G on CPD may allow us to decide the utility of traditional population-based reference ranges. Documentation of CPD on biological variations is an essential prerequisite in the development of any new application clinically.

Context.—The Coulter DxH 800 hematology analyzer can determine conventional hematologic parameters. It also provides many new hematologic parameters, some of which show potential clinical utility. Objectives.—To study, for the first time, the biological variations of new hematologic parameters and reinvestigate the biological variations of conventional hematologic parameters using the newest Coulter hematology analyzer. Design.—Forty adult volunteers (21 women and 19 men) were included. All participants maintained their normal lifestyles. Blood samples were drawn in duplicate by a single experienced phlebotomist and analyzed within 2 hours using a single analyzer. Before each batch analysis, the instrument quality controls were performed using the same lots of reagents. Results.—Within-subject and between-subject biological variations for the conventional hematologic parameters were compatible with published data. The analytic variation of the DxH 800 for these parameters appeared smaller. Index of individuality (ratio of within-subject to between-subject biological variation) for all parameters was low. In addition, intraday and interday biological variations of most parameters studied are fairly constant among the population examined. Conclusions.—These observations are clinically valuable. Data on within-subject biological variation and analytic precision may be used to generate objective delta-check values for use in quality management. Comparing within-subject and between-subject biological variation on new parameters may allow us to decide the utility of traditional population-based reference ranges. Furthermore, documentation of biological variations of new parameters is an essential prerequisite in the development of any clinical application in the future.

Exosomes are being extensively studied as a source of valuable new biomarkers. The underlying mechanism of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may include changes in the circular RNAs (circRNAs) of exosomes. However, there is a lack of reports on the role of exosomal cirRNAs in the plasma of patients with AS. We isolated exosomes from the plasma of patients with AS and healthy individuals (controls). Subsequently, we investigated the circRNA profiles of the exosomes via high‐throughput RNA sequencing and identified 56 differentially expressed circRNAs in the exosomes of patients with AS compared with those of the healthy controls. Gene Ontology demonstrated that the differentially expressed circRNAs were mainly involved in the negative regulation of the activity of the transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB and bone remodelling that is potentially related to AS. Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genome demonstrated that the most highly AS‐correlated pathways that were identified were ‘notch signalling pathway’ and those primarily involved with ‘cholinergic synapse’. Finally, we validated five differentially expressed circRNAs using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and predicted their potential functions through the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network. Our study is the first to report changes in exosomal circRNAs from plasma samples of patients with AS, and provide novel targets for further investigation of molecular mechanisms and potential intervention therapy targets of AS.

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