Abstract

Background: The main purpose of this manuscript is to introduce a biophysics based mechanism of the role of magnetism in temporary cell deformation. Biomagnetism: Biomagnetism has been slowly introduced in the medical literature as follows: The diamagnetic nature of blood reported in1936, the recording of organ emissions from the human body also published in the second half of the last century. It could stated that the same way molecular cross talk influence cells signaling, biomagnetic cross talk could also influence cells functions. Introduction: This manuscript introduces the effect of externally applied magnetic fields (diamagnetic or paramagnetic) causing temporary Red Blood Cells (RBCs) deformations. Results from experiments using diamagnetic material such as human blood with the property of repelling an opposing magnetic field; and paramagnetic material such as carbon based graphite or iron particles are reported. Methods: The work herein presented entailed the trapping (between two similar glass slides) of fresh human blood smear with fine exogenous metal, such as iron filings or graphite powder. The technique requires a standard video microscope and an image recording equipment. Provocative placement of ferromagnetic or diamagnetic material in in vitro blood smears preparations were found to exhibit temporary in vivo characteristics quoted Temporary In Vivo Blood Smears (TBIS). Established protocol calls for fresh blood smears to be set-aside 5 minutes prior to staining. During the first 2 minutes of the set-aside period, in a typical monolayer smear, one can observe an initial brief time period of approximately 1’ ± 30” of a drying cycle. Usually, a moisture sheen boundary is seen gradually moving from the slide’s edges towards the center. Results: The main findings include a demonstration that both diamagnetic and pararmagnetic material deform RBCs in a variety of shapes. The paramagnetism (attraction) and diamagnetism of graphite powder induced temporary RBCs deformation in the form of teardrops. For the first time, an ongoing cellular deformation process was captured in video recordings. Conclusions: When in vivo cells in blood smears, such as RBCs, are fronted by exogenous magnetic fields, temporary cell deformation occurs.

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