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Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria inhabiting water surface. They can increase to form a mass large enough, termed as cyanobacterial bloom. Cyanobacterial blooms can generate an array of harmful toxins, which may disturb water sources, subsequently posing frightful health threat to living organisms. The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms and cyanobacterial toxins are globally reported, mainly trigged by eutrophic conditions and climate change. The aim of this review was to provide the current knowledge on cyanobacterial blooms and toxins production; their occurrence and influencing factors. In addition this paper suggests some measures to ensure toxic blooms minimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR) is the most common microcystin (MC) variant produced during cyanobacteria blooms. Chronic and acute exposure to MC-LR is known to cause many health effects on mammalian organs including the heart. Studies suggested that aside the liver, cardiogenic complications may also occur from MC-LR intoxication. Thus, this paper reviews the various effects of MC-LR on cardiac toxicity. In addition, the various techniques used to assess cardiac toxicity induced by MC-LR were elucidated. Based on the MC analysis, this paper concludes that there is the need for a standardized animal model approach to investigate both chronic and acute MC-LR exposure to build convincing evidence to support cardiotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among assisted reproductive technologies, frozen thawed embryo transfer (FET) is associated with increased blood loss at delivery. Anesthesiologists need to be aware of new factors that affect postpartum blood loss. This study investigated whether FET cycles with or without hormonal support affect the amount of postpartum bleeding. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted for delivery at a single university hospital between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients were divided into no-assisted reproductive technology (No-ART), hormonal cycle FET (HC-FET) and natural cycle FET (NC-FET) group. The primary outcome was the amount of blood loss after delivery (median [interquartile range]), which was compared among the three groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors affecting blood loss. Results: Between 2015 and 2018, 3187 women delivered neonates. In vaginal delivery, postpartum blood loss in the HC-FET group (1060 [830] g) was significantly greater than in the NC-FET group (650 [485] g, P = 0.001) and in the No-ART group (590 [420] g P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HC-FET (P < 0.001) was one of the independent factors for the amount of bleeding. In cesarean delivery, the HC-FET group had more blood loss than the No-ART group (910 [676] g vs. 784 [524] g, P = 0.039). However, HC-FET was not an independent factor for postpartum blood loss. Conclusions: The HC-FET group had more blood loss than the No-ART group for both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. Furthermore, HC-FET was an independent factor that increased postpartum blood loss in vaginal deliveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]