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This preliminary research aimed to determine if a forensically useful human DNA profile could be obtained from latent blood past the point at which the blood could be visualized with luminol. Five participants with differing physical characteristics created shoeprints from fresh human blood over concrete, linoleum and carpet. The amount and distribution of both visible blood and chemiluminescence emanating from latent blood were documented. DNA analysis was performed on samples taken from the fifth last latent shoeprint to show chemiluminescence and the first and tenth steps after which chemiluminescence no longer occurred. DNA from the blood source was obtained past the point of visualization using luminol, with 2 of the 30 samples generating full STR DNA profiles, 18 generating partial profiles of 4 or more alleles, and 3 generating between 1 and 3 alleles. Of the 7 samples which did not generate a profile, 6 came from the concrete. Higher amounts of DNA, and more full and partial profiles, were obtained from linoleum compared to concrete or carpet. Participant effect was not observed. These findings demonstrate that it may be possible to obtain forensically useful DNA from crime scenes even when blood is not able to be visualized with chemiluminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is internationally recognized to use clinical decision limits (CDL) when interpreting the lipid levels in both adults and children, even though the evidence for children is scarce. The purpose of this study is to describe how lipid levels progress in healthy Danish children ages 5 to 17 years. This study is based on the Childhood Health, Activity, and Motor Performance School Study Denmark (CHAMPS-study DK) consisting of 1456 observations of schoolchildren aged 5 to 17 years. Participants have been tested for blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and remnant cholesterol levels are calculated. Finally, sex-specific percentile reference curves are presented. Percentile reference curves stratified by sex were generated for all cholesterols and showed that the total cholesterol level peaks at 4.32 mmol/l in 10-year-old boys and 4.46 mmol/l in nine-year-old girls. HDL levels in boys peak at 1.72 mmol/l in nine-year-old boys. HDL levels in girls and LDL levels in both sexes are nearly constant. Triglycerides kept rising to the age of 17 years in both sexes and remnant cholesterol decreased from age 5 to 17 years in both sexes. BMI z-score adjustment revealed no significant association with total cholesterol in both sexes but a significant association between HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and remnant cholesterol. This study is the first to generate percentile reference curves for blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and remnant cholesterol in a cohort of healthy Danish children aged 5 to 17 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid and precise modified QuEChERS method for extraction was developed for simultaneous quantitation of multi-class pesticide residues in human biological matrices, viz. blood, serum and urine. In the modified QuEChERS method, targeted analytes in biological sample were extracted using acidified solution of acetonitrile and ethyl acetate along with anhydrous MgSO4. The collected aqueous layer was evaporated and dispersive solid-phase extraction clean-up was performed. The pesticide residues were assessed using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring mode. The developed method was validated as per European Union SANTE/12682/2019 guidelines and the evaluated method validation parameters, viz. linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, accuracy, %relative standard deviation and matrix effect were found to be satisfactory. The proposed method is easy, comprehensible and efficient for simultaneous analysis of diverse range of pesticide residues within similar class. Hence, the present solitary method can be used for systematic analysis of biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat transfer improvement in industrial and engineering applications has attained a lot of interest from investigators in recent years. This is due to fact that the improvement of the much equipment in this sector such as electronic devices and heat exchangers are highly dependent on rate of the thermal transport. Due to their low thermal conductivity, base fluids such as oil, water, and ethylene glycol limit the heat transport rate. Because of its many functions in various manufacturing problems, hybrid convective heat transfer has piqued the interest of many engineers. The heat transfer flow with magnetic dipole features in hybrid nanoparticles $ ({\textrm{CuO} - \textrm{CoF}{\textrm{e}_\textrm{2}}{\textrm{O}_\textrm{4}}}) $ (CuO − CoF e 2 O 4 ) , $ ({\textrm{CoF}{\textrm{e}_\textrm{2}}{\textrm{O}_\textrm{4}}}) $ (CoF e 2 O 4 ) and used blood as a base fluid over a spreading sheet are investigated. The flow problem of PDEs is transmuted into structure of nonlinear ODEs by employing suitable similarity conversions. For numerical solution, bvp4c solver in MATLAB computing software is considered. Graphs depict the effects of important controlling flow parameters on velocity distribution and temperature profile. Furthermore, the table discusses the thermo physical characteristics of nanoparticles and hybrid nanofluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During adolescence, individuals experience rapid changes in physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social aspects of their life. Due to certain risks which arise during the developmental period of adolescence, substance use and addiction are encountered as a public health problem. Studies on biochemical parameters and puberty are limited. In this study, adolescents with substance use disorder were compared to healthy individuals in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and serum irisin and caspase-9 levels. Methods: The study group consisted of 32 adolescents with substance use disorder and the control group was comprised of 29 healthy adolescents. The sociodemographic characteristics and serum irisin and caspase-9 levels of the groups were compared. Results: The study group performed lower than the control group in terms of duration of education and continuing education. Serum caspase-9 levels were found to be significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. There was no difference in irisin levels of the groups. Conclusions: It was determined that substance use negatively affects educational aspects and may also lead to certain destructive biological effects in adolescents. In order to reveal the effect of substance use on adolescents in more detail, studies with larger samples are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of ghrelin on oxidative stress, working memory, inflammatory parameters, and neuron degeneration. TBI was produced with the weight-drop technique. Rats in the G+TBI and TBI+G groups received ghrelin for 7 or 2 days, respectively. The control group received saline. On the 8th day of the study, the brain and blood tissue were taken under anesthesia. A significant increase in brain GSH-PX, MDA, IL-1β, TGF-β1, and IL-8 levels and a significant decrease in CAT levels were found in the TBI group compared to the control. Serum MDA, GSH, IL-1β, and IL-8 levels were increased with TBI. Ghrelin treatment after TBI significantly increased the serum GSH, CAT, GSH-PX, and brain GSH and CAT levels, while it significantly decreased the serum MDA, IL-1β, and brain MDA, TGF-β1, and IL-8 levels. Histological evaluations revealed that ghrelin treatment led to a reduction in inflammation, while also significantly ameliorating TBI-induced neuron damage and vascular injuries. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that GFAP staining intensity was significantly increased in the cortex and hippocampus in TBI, and GFAP immunoreactivity was decreased with ghrelin treatment. The results from this study suggested that ghrelin may have curative effects on TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his preface to Thérèse Raquin (1867), Zola declares he will expose the inner truth of his characters. In the novel, however, it is the heroine's exterior that is scrutinised. Thérèse is physiognomically European, and her appearance hides the passionate disposition she has inherited from her indigenous Algerian mother. Her whiteness, Zola suggests, is merely a performance. Zola's treatment of Thérèse is consistent with the anxiety around racial purity propagated by pseudoscientific circles of his time, and Zola's Naturalist method can be seen as a highly racialising process that patrols the boundaries of whiteness, which mixed-race bodies threaten to transgress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have reported the cardiovascular health effects of different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols among sedentary young women. We investigated the impact of a traditional HIIT programme and a high-intensity circuit training (HICT) programme on lipid profiles and inflammatory cytokine levels in sedentary young women. Forty-two women were randomly assigned to HICT (body weight-based training), HIIT (cycling-based training), or control groups (n = 14 each). HICT and HIIT participants completed an 8-week training programme of three sessions per week. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high- and low-density lipoprotein, leptin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8, and interferon-gamma levels were measured before and after the intervention. Post-intervention, TC and leptin were decreased in the HICT group. The HICT group also demonstrated increased lean mass, upper and lower limb strength, and balance, while the HIIT group displayed improved lower limb strength. Additionally, the control group showed significant increases in triglyceride levels, weight, body mass index, and fat mass. In conclusion, although both HICT and HIIT interventions showed improvements in cardiovascular health and physical fitness, participants in the HICT group experienced more health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soyhulls with different particle sizes on the growth performance, blood indices and gut microbiota of yellow feather broilers. 2. Total of 240 healthy, one-day-old, yellow feather broilers were randomly divided into four groups, with six pen replicates within each group and ten birds per pen. The control group birds were fed the basal diet (Control). For the treatment groups, 5% soyhulls with different particle sizes were included in the basal diet. The particle size geometric mean diameters (dgw) of the soyhulls in the three treatment groups were 299.69 μm (LowPS), 489.85 μm (MediumPS) and 734.83 μm (HighPS) with geometric standard deviation (Sgw) 1.75 μm, 1.62 μm and 1.67 μm, respectively. 3. Results showed that the growth performance variables and organ indices were not different among the four groups. The MediumPS group had increased TG, T-CHO, ALT, HDL-C, and GSH-PX levels and decreased T-AOC levels, whereas LowPS and HighPS groups had increased HDL-C and GSH-PX levels (p < 0.05). Microbial diversity analysis showed that the intestinal microbiota of yellow feather broilers mainly included Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Inclusion of 5% soyhulls with different particle size had no effect on alpha diversity indices of caecal microbiota. The HighPS group had significantly higher relative abundance of Firmicutes spp. and lower Bacteroidetes spp. compared with the LowPS and MediumPS group but this was not different from the Control group. The relative abundance of Cyanobacteria spp. was significantly higher in the HighPS group than the other three groups. LEfSe analysis showed that there were more enriched biomarker taxa in the groups with soyhulls than the control group. 4. Overall, the inclusion of soyhulls with different particle sizes had limited effects on growth performance, blood indices and caecal microbiota composition of yellow feather broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionClinical Trials RegistrationPatients with fibromyalgia experience chronic, widespread pain. It remains a misunderstood disorder with multimodal treatments providing mixed results.To examine the effects of radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) compared to placebo on pain, pain catastrophizing, psychological indices, blood markers, and neuroimaging. Study-related experiences were also explored qualitatively.Quantitative sensory testing (QST), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beighton Scoring Screen (BSS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), blood biomarker (Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10), and brain fMRI were measured pre- and post-treatment along with a post-treatment survey. The RSWT group received five treatments (one week apart over five-week period) to the three most painful areas (500 shocks at 1.5 bar and 15 Hz, then 1000 shocks at 2 bar and 8 Hz, and finally 500 shocks at 1.5 bar and 15 Hz) versus sham treatment for the placebo group.There were no statistically significant differences in the BSS for hypermobility (p = .21; d = .74), PCS (p = .70; d = .22), VAS (p = .17–.61; d = .20–.83) scores, QST for skin temperature and stimuli (p = .14–.65; d = .25–.88), and for the pressure pain threshold (p = .71–.93; d = .05–.21). The VAS scores had clinically significant changes (MCID greater than 13.90) with improved pain scores in the RSWT group. Neuroimaging scans revealed no cortical thickness changes. Post-treatment surveys revealed pain and symptom improvements and offered hope to individuals.RSWT was implemented safely, without any negative treatment effects reported, and acted as a pain modulator to reduce sensitivity.ClinicalTrials.gov identification number NCT02760212 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dream of making a conscious humanoid – whether as servant, guard, entertainer, or simply as testament to human creativity – has long captivated the human imagination. However, while past attempts were performed by magicians and mystics, today scientists and engineers are doing the work to turn myth into reality. This essay introduces the fundamental concepts surrounding human consciousness and machine consciousness and offers a theological contribution. Using the biblical association of the soul to blood, it will be shown that the Bible provides evidence of a scientific claim, while at the same time, science provides evidence of a biblical claim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was performed to determine the influence of dietary levels of Azolla on growth performance, blood parameters and digestive enzymes of growing geese. At 4 weeks old, 120 Egyptian goslings were randomly distributed to 4 groups, 30 to each group. Geese were fed four levels of Azolla (0, 4, 8 and 16%) during the experimental period (4–12 weeks of age). No significant differences were noticed among the experimental groups on growth parameters except body weight gain (BWG) during 4–8 wk of age and feed intake (FI) at 8–12 wk of age. Plasma total protein (TP), globulin, total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly increased by 8% Azolla level. However, urea level was significantly decreased in geese fed on 8% and 16% Azolla levels compared to 4% level and control group. Super oxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), immunoglobulin (IgG), and lysozyme were significantly reduced by all dietary Azolla levels supplementation. Digestive enzymes were statistically affected by Azolla levels. It can be concluded that use of Azolla in Egyptian geese diets at 8 and 16% achieved positive effects on growth performance and most of blood biochemical parameters during the fattening period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to explore the influence of organic acids cocktail (lactic-L plus formic-F acid, LF) in broiler diets on feed utilization, growth rate, blood indices and carcass traits. A total of 300 chicks were used and allotted to five treatment groups. The rations contained 0 additives (negative control-NC), basal diet + 0.5 g Colistin® (positive control-PC); LF2, LF4 and LF6: basal diet + 2, 4 and 6 cm3 LF/kg diet, respectively. There were no differences in feed consumption and feed conversion due to LF treatments at all ages except FI at 1–2 wks of age which was significantly affected by gradual levels of LF (p < 0.05). All carcass traits were statistically significant (p < 0.05) differed due to LF treatments. The alterations in urea, creatinine total protein, globulin and albumin in addition to the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in broiler chicks were significantly different when compared to controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA) slightly decreased with an increase in the level of formic plus lactic. Based on our results, the highest and middle levels (6 and 4 cm3 LF/kg diet) are recommended for the best performance and health aspects of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is known for releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from tumor cells. We aimed to find ICD signals by assessing the variation of plasmatic DAMPs (HMGB1, S100A8) before-after standard of care (SoC) systemic treatment in patients with advanced solid tumors. Patients scheduled to start a new line of systemic treatment were included. Plasmatic concentrations of HMGB1 and S100A8 were measured (ng/mL) before and after three months of treatment. Fifty-two patients were included. Forty-four patients (85%) had metastases, and 8 (15%) were treated for stage III tumors. The most frequent tumor sites were colorectal (35%) and lung (25%). Forty-two patients (81%) received this treatment in the first-line setting. Thirty-six patients (69%) were treated chemotherapy (CT) alone, ten (19%) CT plus targeted therapy, two (3.8%) carboplatin-pemetrexed-pembrolizumab, three (5.8%) pembrolizumab alone and one (1.9%) cetuximab alone. Median plasmatic concentration of S100A8 was significantly higher before than after treatment in the whole population (3.78 vs. 2.91 ng/mL; p = 0.011) and more markedly in the subgroups of patients who experienced RECIST-assessed tumor response (5.70 vs. 2.63 ng/mL; p = 0.002). Median plasmatic concentration of HMGB1was not significantly different before and after treatment (10.23 vs. 11.85 ng/mL; p = 0.382) and did not differ depending on tumor response. Median PFS was not significantly different between patients whose plasma HMBG1 concentration decreased or increased (8.0 vs. 10.6 months; p = 0.29) after treatment. Median PFS was significantly longer in those patients in whom the plasma concentration of S100A8 decreased after treatment (12 vs. 4.7 months; p < 0.001). Median OS was not significantly different between patients whose plasma HMBG1 concentration decreased or increased (13.1 vs. 14.7 months; p = 0.46) after treatment. Median OS was significantly longer in those patients in whom the plasma concentration of S100A8 decreased after treatment (16.7 vs. 9.0 months; p < 0.001). Signals of ICD were not observed. S100A8 behaves as an inflammatory marker with decreased concentration after treatment, mostly in RECIST-responders. PFS and OS were significantly prolonged in those patients who experienced a decrease of S100A8 compared with those patients who experienced increase of plasma S100A8 at three months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing probiotics and concentrates on intake and growth performance of Sahelian does fed Brachiaria decumbens grass. Twenty-four Sahelian does averaging one year and weighing 13.3 ± 1.16 kg were assigned randomly in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement to four treatments in a Completely Randomized Design with 6 replicates and used to measure intake and live weight changes for 14 weeks. The factors were levels of concentrate and probiotics. Blood samples were taken for the determination of haematological and biochemical parameters. The results revealed differences (P < 0.05) in total dry matter intake, live weight changes and feed conversion ratio attributable to treatment effects. The differences observed in total dry matter intake led to improvements in average daily gain, feed conversion ratio and growth rate. All blood haematological indices with the exception of mean cell volume were impacted positively by treatment effects. White blood cell and total protein contents improved linearly with probiotics and higher level of concentrate supplementation, while total cholesterol content declined (P < 0.05). The results highlighted the positive impact of probiotics and higher level of concentrate supplementation on growth performance and blood profile of growing Sahelian does on a basal diet of Brachiaria decumbens grass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the inclusion of a selected herbal mixture consisting of fenugreek, garlic and coriander (FGC) in different levels of growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and blood biochemicals in broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were studied in a 42-day experiment on 360 broilers, which were grouped into 4 treatments. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (control) and the same diet with the addition of FGC at rates of 1%, 2%, and 3%. The results showed that the treatment groups exhibited a significantly lower feed intake (P < .01) than the control group. However, significantly (P < .05) higher weight gain was recorded in birds fed with a 1% and 3% mixture of FGC. Significantly (P < .05) higher digestibility of nutrients was found in birds fed with a 1% herbal mixture. The results showed that the blood cholesterol profile was significantly (P < .05) lower in birds fed with a 1% mixture of herbs. In conclusion, an improvement in performance, nutrient digestion and lipid profile was observed in broilers when the herbal mixture of fenugreek, garlic and coriander was added to their diet at the rate of 3%, However, blood lipid profile was better when in response to 1% mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay explores interactions between five people – Inuit, Scottish, and American – in Nunavut and Aberdeen, Scotland, between the late 1830s and the 1860s. The fact that these people all knew each other, or of each other, provides an opportunity to investigate a rich network of communication between them over a twenty-year period. The main primary sources investigated include the first biography of a young Inuk, written by a Scottish doctor; an American explorer's tale of his Life with the Esquimaux; and the personal journal of a Scottish whaling captain's wife. The investigation focuses on five subjects which occur persistently across these works: blood, mapping, tea, maktaaq and other country food, and the act of leave-taking. The topics form nodes, sometimes of incommensurability between Inuit and Qallunaat (an Inuktitut word designating non-Inuit, usually white, people) but they can also become areas through which misunderstanding and separation give way to understanding and close bonds. The fact that in these sources Inuit voices are ventriloquized by white Scottish and American writers greatly increases the risk that Inuit historical voices could be misrepresented and misheard. As a non-Inuit scholar, I am acutely aware that I may mishear or misunderstand these voices myself. In my analyses of the source material, I can bring the close attention of a scholar of nineteenth-century literature to attend to tone, ambiguity, the historical period, genre, and also to the occlusions and confusion in the writing that may obscure (often unconsciously) the redaction of veritable, if not entirely verifiable, Inuit voices from the nineteenth century. But I may be wrong, and this uncertainty is fundamental to my methodology. The expectation of scholarly writing in the academy is that it will be presented in an authoritative voice, but my methodology while listening for historical Inuit voices in the chosen sources must entail uncertainty. Research in the following essay is an open letter to other scholars, and especially to indigenous scholars and readers, who may agree or disagree with what I hear and interpret of Inuit voices in some lesser-known works of the mid-nineteenth-century historical record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review surveys Infrared, Raman/SERS and Brillouin spectroscopies for medical diagnostics and detection of biomarkers in biofluids, that include urine, blood, saliva and other biofluids. These optical sensing techniques are non-contact, noninvasive and relatively rapid, accurate, label-free and affordable. However, those techniques still have to overcome some challenges to be widely adopted in routine clinical diagnostics. This review summarizes and provides insights on recent advancements in research within the field of vibrational spectroscopy for medical diagnostics and its use in detection of many health conditions such as kidney injury, cancers, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. The six comprehensive tables in the review and four tables in summarize a few dozen experimental papers in terms of such analytical parameters as limit of detection, range, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and other figures of merits. Critical comparison between SERS and FTIR methods of analysis reveals that on average the reported sensitivity for biomarkers in biofluids for SERS vs FTIR is about 103 to 105 times higher, since LOD SERS are lower than LOD FTIR by about this factor. High sensitivity gives SERS an edge in detection of many biomarkers present in biofluids at low concentration (nM and sub nM), which can be particularly advantageous for example in early diagnostics of cancer or viral infections. Raman, Infrared spectroscopies use low volume of biofluidic samples, little sample preparation, fast time of analysis and relatively inexpensive instrumentation. Applications of SERS may be a bit more complicated than applications of FTIR (e.g., limited shelf life for nanoparticles and substrates, etc.), but this can be generously compensated by much higher (by several order of magnitude) sensitivity in comparison to FTIR. High sensitivity makes SERS a noninvasive analytical method of choice for detection, quantification and diagnostics of many health conditions, metabolites, and drugs, particularly in diagnostics of cancer, including diagnostics of its early stages. FTIR, particularly ATR-FTIR can be a method of choice for efficient sensing of many biomarkers, present in urine, blood and other biofluids at sufficiently high concentrations (mM and even a few µM) Brillouin scattering spectroscopy detecting visco-elastic properties of probed liquid medium, may also find application in clinical analysis of some biofluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid and urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to study the impact of low-CP protein diets with different sources of zinc (zinc oxide-ZnO and zinc methionine-Zn-Met) on performance, lipid profile, immune and antioxidant parameters of quail breeders. A total number of 216 Japanese quail at 8 weeks of age were randomly distributed into nine (3 × 3) groups, with four replicates, each of six quails (four females and two males). Quails were fed three levels of CP (16, 18, and 20%) and three sources of Zn (0, 0.1 g ZnO, and 0.1 g Zn-Met/kg diets). No significant differences in daily feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and egg mass are due to the main effect of protein levels or zinc sources at all ages. Dietary CP (16 and 20%) in growing quail diets increased SOD and GSH, while IgG levels were improved by 18%. Finally, it can be recommended that 16% CP and zinc source (Zn-Met or ZnO) can maintain egg mass, as well as lipid profile, immunological and antioxidant parameters in Japanese quails breeders. This level (16% CP) is enough during the production stage and a valuable way for mitigating ammonia pollution and reducing feeding costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess stress in horses, a method of monitoring eye blinks (full and half) and eyelid twitches while collecting saliva and blood samples before and after annual intensive police training was carried out. This noninvasive monitoring method was used to determine whether blood collection, which is considered invasive, is more stressful for horses than saliva collection. We discovered no significant difference in stress related manifestations between saliva sampling and blood collection in our study. In both cases, sampling (blood and saliva) reduced the number of full and half eye blinks. Based on our hypothesis, we expected a statistically significant changes in the number of eye blinks and eyelid twitches as the number of potential stressors increased (in our case, we considered police training and sampling). Saliva cortisol levels, on the other hand, revealed that police training for horses was not stressful. The method of measuring eye blinks and eyelid twitches appears to be an appropriate alternative method for monitoring stress factors in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mooncalf is a biological art project that employs the seemingly progenitive properties of menstrual fluid, hearkening back to matrilineal cultural beliefs that human embryos were created from or nurtured by menstrual blood. The generative properties of menstrual fluid are not in its haemoglobin content; rather, in still-viable cells and tissues shed with blood, vaginal secretions, and unique proteins. The concept of blood-generated progeny, historian Melissa L. Meyer explained, underlies many menstrual taboos, some of which continue to impact biocultural notions of menstruation. These taboos may shape biotechnological development, which Mooncalf addresses through TechnoFeminism. Use of my body materials in biotech processes is imperative to a TechnoFeminist ethos of creating new, embodied knowledge and wielding technology towards autonomy in hegemonic technoscientific spaces. Meyer suggested that menstrual taboos may have emerged not only to symbolically protect non-menstruators, but also to practically manage or control human reproduction. This economic function is a topic I expand upon within the context of reproductive labour and applications thereof in a technocratic world. With Mooncalf, I manipulate menstrual taboo to my advantage, towards self-determination through experimentation in a tissue culture lab, and further towards developing critique of technoscientific industry and its gendered sociocultural and economic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) are membrane molecules formed from phosphatidylcholine and ethanol through transphosphatidylation catalyzed by phospholipase D. Measurement of the main PEth form 16:0/18:1 is used as a specific and sensitive alcohol biomarker, since its formation requires ethanol, it accumulates in the blood upon repeated ethanol exposure, and it is only slowly eliminated during abstinence. PEth formation correlates with alcohol intake at the population level, albeit with considerable inter-individual variation as for the half-life during withdrawal. Over the past decade, the use of PEth has increased significantly and the applications have broadened. In Sweden, routine decision limits and the interpretation of test results for PEth were harmonized in 2013, using < 0.05 µmol/L (∼35 µg/L) as the recommended lower reporting limit and values > 0.30 µmol/L (∼210 µg/L) to indicate regular high alcohol intake. Routine test results show a large variation with about half being < 0.05 µmol/L and some even exceeding 10 µmol/L. In 2013, an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for PEth 16:0/18:1 measurement in whole blood was also started (Equalis, Uppsala, Sweden), presently involving 56 laboratories from 13 countries. The agreement of PEth results between the laboratories has gradually improved to a CV < 15%. The current clinical and scientific information suggests that PEth values below the lower reporting limit (typically ∼0.03–0.05 µmol/L, or ∼20–35 µg/L) indicates sobriety or only low or occasional alcohol consumption, while regular high alcohol intake at levels corresponding to harmful drinking is required in most cases to reach PEth values > 0.30 µmol/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current study was to determine the impact of lactic acid (LAC) as an antibiotic alternative in broiler diets on growth performance, carcass traits, blood indices and intestinal microbial load. A total of 300 broiler chicks one day old (Ross 208) were allotted to five experimental groups in a complete randomized design experiment. Each group was subdivided into six replicates, each of ten unsexed chicks. The treatments were as follows: NC: negative control (basal diet); PC: positive control (basal diet + 0.5 g Colistin® antibiotic/kg diet); LAC2, LAC4, and LAC6: basal diet + 2, 4, and 6 cm3 lactic acid/kg diet, respectively. Results showed no significant effects of dietary treatments (antibiotic or lactic acid) on growth performance traits (body weight, BW; daily body weight gain, DBWG; feed intake, FI and feed conversion ratio, FCR) and carcass characteristics except for Thigh %. All blood biochemical traits were affected (p > 0.01) by dietary treatments. The highest values of blood total protein and albumin were found in birds of LAC2 group. Adding graded doses of LAC to broiler diets inhibited the activity of liver enzymes and reduced the concentration of blood urea. The positive effect of LAC supplementation excelled that of antibiotics regarding the antioxidant status parameters. The lowest pathogenic bacteria (E. coli and Salmonella) were recorded by LAC4 and LAC6 groups. It could be concluded that dietary supplementation of lactic acid did not significantly affect most growth performance traits. But its use could have beneficial impacts on blood parameters, oxidative status and intestinal microbial counts. Based on our results, the highest level (6 cm3 LAC/kg diet) is the recommended level for the best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

APMAP is single transmembrane arylesterase which plays a cardinal role in adipogenesis. In this experiment, three tissue and blood samples of Rex rabbits at 3 growing periods were selected. The expression levels of APMAP gene in different tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and the content of APMAP in the blood was detected by Elisa. The results showed that fat deposition, the expression of APMAP in muscle and the content of APMAP in the blood increased rapidly during the growth of Rex rabbits. The correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficient between APMAP content in the blood and the expression level of APMAP gene in longissimus lumborum muscle was 0.75(p < 0.05); the correlation coefficients between APMAP content in the blood and intramuscular fat and 24-hour pH were 0.90 (p < 0.01) and 0.75 (p < 0.05), respectively. According to the analysis results, we inferred APMAP content in the blood in Rex rabbits may influence meat quality and the meat quality of high APMAP content in the blood in Rex rabbits is better. These results revealed APMAP content in the blood may be one of the important signs for meat quality traits of molecular markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of gallic acid on levels of ferric reducing antioxidant power, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and the viability of broiler blood cells (BBCs) when exposed to high ambient temperature. 2. The BBCs were maintained at 41.5°C (control group, CG) or at ambient temperatures ranging from 41.5°C to 46°C. At 41.5°C to 46°C, BBCs were diluted with gallic acid at 0 (positive control group, PCG), 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 µM, respectively. Ferric reducing antioxidant power, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and viability of BBCs were investigated. 3. Hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide for the CG was lower than PCG (P < 0.05). However, the viability of CG was higher than PCG (P < 0.05). At 41.5 to 46°C, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide of BBCs diluted with gallic acid were lower compared to PCG (P < 0.05). Viability of BBCs diluted with gallic acid was higher than PCG (P < 0.05). 4. These results indicated that gallic acid could reduce the adverse oxidative effects of high ambient temperature on BBCs, with an optimum dilution rate of 12.5 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, thus representing a significant global health burden. Early detection and monitoring of GC are essential to improve patient outcomes. While traditional cancer biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19–9, and CA 72–4 are widely used, their limited sensitivity and specificity necessitate the exploration of alternative biomarkers. This review comprehensively analyzes the landscape of GC protein biomarkers identified from 2019 to 2022, with a focus on tissue, blood, urine, saliva, gastric juice, ascites, and exhaled breath as sample sources. We address the potential clinical applications of these biomarkers in early diagnosis, monitoring recurrence, and predicting survival and therapeutic response of GC patients. The discovery of novel protein biomarkers holds great promise for improving the clinical management of GC. However, further validation in large, diverse cohorts is needed to establish the clinical utility of these biomarkers. Integrating these biomarkers with existing diagnostic and monitoring approaches will likely lead to improved personalized treatment plans and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a higher level of physical activity (PA) is inversely associated with a higher breast cancer (BC) risk, the health benefits of daily steps on obesity-related BC biomarkers remain unclear. We aimed to understand the associations of changes in step counts with levels of five obesity-related BC biomarkers during a two-year follow-up. In total, 144 non-cancer women (47.96 ± 5.72) were observed on both 2019 and 2021. A structured questionnaire, daily steps and fasting blood samples were collected before (t0, 2019) and after (t1, 2021). Levels of biomarkers (IGF-binding proteins 3, adiponectin, soluble leptin receptor, C-reactive protein, and resistin) were assayed by ELISA. Participants were divided into persistent low steps, decreasing steps, increasing steps, and persistent high steps. Associations of categories on proposed biomarkers were estimated using linear regression models, with persistent low steps as reference. Associations between time-varying step counts with biomarkers were quantified using mixed linear models. Compared with persistent low steps, increasing steps is associated with a reduction in C-reactive protein level (β=−0.74, 95%CI=−1.23-−0.26, P-value = 2.98 × 10−3). An inverse association between time-varying step counts with C-reactive protein level was identified, consistent across different obesity types and baseline step level categories. No association with daily step counts was observed for other proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a numerical technique for simulating non-Newtonian blood flow in human's arteries driven by an oscillating pressure gradient. The blood is considered as a thixotropic fluid and its structural properties are considered to obey Moore's thixotropic model as a constitutive equation. The equations of motion are simplified considering the flow laminar, axisymmetric and the fluid incompressible. A numerical solution is presented using finite difference method in order to compute the velocity field and wall shear stress distribution. The numerical results obtained have been validated with the analytical solution available in the literature. Furthermore, the effect of the structural properties, the average of the pressure gradient and the external acceleration on the velocity and wall shear stress distribution is investigated. These results reveal the influence of the different parameters studied on the pipe flow response of the thixotropic fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the differences in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels and clinical symptoms with first-episode depression at different ages. Ninety patients (15–60 years old) diagnosed with first-episode depression were enrolled as the study group, and they were divided into early-onset, adult and late-onset groups. The age-matched control groups were healthy volunteers. Serum BDNF and GDNF concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). GraphPad Prism 9 was used for t tests, one-way ANOVAs, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses. p < 0.05 indicated significant differences. Serum BDNF and GDNF levels were lower in the whole study group and the three subgroups than in the healthy groups. Illness severity, anxiety and education were higher in the early-onset than late-onset patients. Serum BDNF levels were lower in the adult than late-onset patients. Serum BDNF levels were negatively correlated with patient CGI-SI scores. After the LSD test for multiple comparisons, the results were also significant. Low serum BDNF and GDNF levels may be involved in the pathophysiology of first-episode depression, and there were differences in serum BDNF levels at different ages, verifying that serum BDNF and GDNF could serve as potential biomarkers of depression. Depression is often conceptualised as a systemic illness with different biological mechanisms, but satisfactory explanations have not been provided thus far. The aim of our study was to investigate differences in serum BDNF and GDNF levels and their relationships with clinical symptoms in patients with first-episode depression at different ages. The potential of the neurotrophic factor hypothesis to advance the diagnosis and treatment of depression will be a very exciting new strategy for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High ambient temperature has emerged as a major constraint for the future development of the poultry industry, especially in the tropics and subtropics. The scarcity of resources coupled with harsh environmental conditions is the most crucial predicaments in the way to rationalize optimum production of broiler. Heat stress disturbs the physiological biochemistry of the broiler which ultimately reduces feed intake and feed efficiency which ultimately results in reduced performance and productivity. Under hot environmental conditions, feed utilization is disturbed by the deposition of fat and oxidative stress. In addition, changes in blood cells, acid-base balance, immune response, liver health, and antioxidant status are some of the major dynamics altered by heat stress. The broilers have a narrow range of temperatures to withstand heat stress. In this review, we have discussed the various physicochemical changes during heat stress, their possible mechanisms, and mitigation strategies to reduce heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accounting for challenges with HIV transmission and testing, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) transitioned toward eliminating race as a risk categorization in 2005 and actively recruiting black donors. I trace the racialization and nationalization of blood through an analysis of this transition, outreach efforts, and data from fieldwork with blood donors and SANBS staff. I examine indexicality as a semiotic means of in/ex-clusion in blood donation. Due to the sociocultural and medical significance of blood, an ethnographic account of blood services provides insights into biological citizenship and the dynamics of justice and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolving knowledge of genetics and improved clinical care have re-shaped life choices for those suffering from chronic, incurable conditions and their families. Yet the realisation of care requires complex navigation to access vital therapies which is often difficult for individuals or their family carers. In the article, we explore the struggles and strategies of parents of children with thalassemia (a genetically inherited blood disorder) in a North Indian city, who have come together to ensure better long-term health of their children. A focus on the ways in which families come together and remain apart in their quest for guaranteed access to life-saving substances such as filtered blood, provides insight into the diversity of bio-social strategies at work. It is not only family relationships and kinship, we suggest, but bio-sociality itself which is reshaped with the advent of new rights-based languages, evolving therapies and state support which hold out new possibilities for young people with thalassemia to live as normal a life-course as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs) represent a major reservoir for biomarker discovery. Unfortunately, their implementation in clinical practice is limited due to a profound lack of reproducibility. The great technical variability linked to major pre-analytical and analytical caveats makes the interpretation of circulating cell-free miRNA data challenging and leads to inconsistent findings. Additional efforts directed to standardization are fundamental. Several well-established protocols are currently used by independent groups worldwide. Nonetheless, there are some specific aspects in specimen collection and processing, sample handling, miRNA quantification, and data analysis that should be considered to ensure reproducibility of results. Here, we have addressed this challenge using an alternative approach. We have highlighted and discussed common pitfalls that negatively impact the robustness of circulating miRNA quantification and their application for clinical decision-making. Furthermore, we provide a checklist usable by investigators to facilitate and ensure the control of the whole miRNA quantification and analytical process. We expect that these recommendations improve the reproducibility of findings, and ultimately, facilitate the incorporation of circulating miRNA profiles into clinical practice as the next generation of disease biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of radon concentration (alpha particles) on cancer patients in the Kurdistan Iraq region; therefore, this study was carried out to detect and measure the concentration of radon in powdered blood samples from the humans who have cancer in Kurdistan Iraqi region (Sulaymaniya and Erbil) using CR-39 NTD (passive method). The results showed the activity concentrations of radon in the blood of cancer patients ranged from the highest value of 146.328 Bq m−3 in CP26-Colon cancer in Mawat to the lowest value of 7.376 Bq m−3 in CP32-Lung cancer in Zargatay taza with an average value of 34.312 Bq m−3 in Sulamaniya governorate (Hewa center for cancer) and concentrations of radon ranged from highest value of 56.996 Bq m−3 to lowest value 11. 610 Bq m−3 with an average value of activity concentrations of radon 29.183 Bq m−3 in Erbil governorate (Nana kaly center for cancer). The results showed that the radon concentration in powdered blood samples was lower than the global permissibility limiting of exposure to radon 200 Bq m−3, and the average annual effective dose in the studied blood samples was in the range of about 0.635 mSvy−1, which was below the range of 3–10 mSvy−1 reported by the ICRP (1993). The variation in concentrations of radon in different locations may be arisen due to the difference in the nature of blood samples and nuclei content in these samples, also depending on the allergic reaction of the body to radiation. This work owes its importance to the fact that it aims at knowing and measuring the concentrations of radon in the blood samples and its impact on cancer in particular. Knowledge of these concentrations is extremely important since it reveals whether the human has received the radiation in high value or not. The issues in this research are very important in strengthening the link between radon, radon progeny, uranium, and blood of patients with cancer in the Kurdistan Iraqi region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-four male New Zealand White rabbits, 4 weeks old, were used to study the effects of feed restriction (FR) on growth performance, carcass traits, and some blood parameters. Rabbits were randomly allotted to 4 equal groups. The first group was fed ad libitum (control group). The second, third, and fourth groups were restricted from 4 to 8 (R4–8), 8 to 12 (R8–12), and 4 to 12 (R4–12) weeks of age, respectively. Restricted groups were fed 85% of the control. Means of live body weights (LBW), average daily gain weights (ADGW), relative growth rate (RGR) were calculated. Carcass traits and blood parameters were measured. Results showed that, FR reduced LBW, ADGW and RGR in R4–8 and R4–12 groups. However, FR did not impair the previous traits in R8–12 group. Carcass weight was not impaired in R8–12 group. However, FR reduced kidney fat in all restricted groups. Feed restriction reduced hemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC) and platelet levels in R4–8 and/or R4–12 groups. However, RBC and platelet levels were not altered in R8–12 group. Conclusively, FR impaired growth performance, carcass weight and blood parameters in R4–8 and R4–12 groups, however, the previous traits were not impaired in R8–12 group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Familiarity breeds complacency. One case of sore throat can start to sound like another. However, even common viral and bacterial infections can lead to serious sequelae. Clinicians cannot make a diagnosis if they do not consider it in their differential. Case: The presentation – and subsequent hospitalization – of a septic 19 year-old male college student is described. Despite brief interval improvement, he became hypoxic one week after developing a sore throat and was ultimately diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome (septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein) via blood cultures and advanced imaging. Conclusions: Though rare, Lemierre's syndrome carries a high mortality rate. It should be considered an emergent complication of head and neck infections, particularly in young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of dietary zinc on the immune function of equines have not been evaluated in detail so far. In the present study, eight healthy adult ponies and two healthy adult horses were fed a diet supplemented with either zinc chloride hydroxide or zinc methionine in six feeding periods of four weeks each (according to maintenance zinc requirement, 120 mg zinc/kg dry matter, and 240 mg zinc/kg dry matter, for both dietary zinc supplements, respectively). All animals received the six diets, with increasing amounts of zinc chloride hydroxide in the feeding periods 1–3, and with increasing amounts of zinc methionine in the feeding periods 4–6. At the end of each feeding period, blood samples were collected for a blood profile and the measurement of selected immune variables. Increasing dietary zinc chloride hydroxide doses increased the glutathione concentrations in the erythrocyte concentrate and the glutathione peroxidase activity in the erythrocyte lysate, decreased the numbers of total leukocytes and granulocytes in the blood, and also decreased the interleukin-2 concentrations in the plasma of the animals. The dietary supplementation of increasing doses of zinc methionine enhanced the mitogen-stimulated proliferative activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and decreased the glutathione concentrations in the erythrocyte concentrate and the glutathione peroxidase activity in the plasma of the animals. The percentage of blood monocytes with oxidative burst after in vitro stimulation with E. coli decreased with increasing dietary zinc concentrations, independently of the zinc compound used. The blood profile demonstrated effects of the zinc supplements on the red blood cells and the bilirubin metabolism of the horses and ponies, which require further investigation. Overall, high doses of dietary zinc modulate the equine immune system, for the most part also depending on the zinc compound used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

to verify the effects of aerobic exercise training in circulating BDNF, VEGF165 and IGF-1 plasma levels and cognitive function in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients. 34 AD patients participated in the study, divided in two groups: Control Group (CG; n = 16) and Training Group (TG; n = 18 – Moderate aerobic training on the treadmill, three times a week, for 12 weeks). BDNF, VEGF165, and IGF-1 plasma levels were considered as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included cognitive functions and aerobic fitness. After 12 weeks, maintenance of executive functioning in the TG was found, yet no significant changes on circulating neurotrophins levels were identified. For aerobic fitness, there was an increment in TG group. Twelve weeks of aerobic training were neither effective in improving cognitive functioning significantly, nor influential on circulating neurotrophins levels in AD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The oral microbiome is closely associated with systemic diseases, indicating the presence of bacteremia and inflammatory mediators in the systemic circulation. Our research aims to investigate the relationship between the oral microbiome and other microbial habitats. Methods: We analyzed 180 specimens from 36 patients, including saliva, buccal swab, plaque, stool, and blood samples from a healthy group (Non_PD, n = 18) and a periodontitis group (PD, n = 18). The final analysis included 147 specimens, with varying sample sizes for each group. Metagenomic analysis was performed using prokaryotic 16S rRNA on the MiSeq platform (Illumina). Results: PD saliva showed significant richness differences (P's < 0.05), similar to plaque. Buccal swabs had slight variations. Microbial network analysis revealed altered microbial interactions in the PD group, with decreased interactions in saliva and buccal swabs, and increased interactions in plaque. In our analysis of nine specimens where all paired habitat samples could be analyzed, microorganisms linked to oral periodontitis were found in sterile blood samples, resembling the oral cavity's composition. Conclusions: Microbiome differences should consider overall microbial-environment interactions, alongside diversity and richness. Our data cautiously suggest that disease-related changes in the salivary microbiome may be reflected in blood specimens through the oralblood axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex is a major biological factor in the development and physiology of a sexual reproductive organism, and its role in the growing process is needed to be investigated in various species. We compare blood transcriptome between 5 males and 5 females in 4-week-old Rhode Island Red chickens and perform functional annotation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The results are as follows. 141 and 109 DEGs were located in autosomes and sex chromosomes, respectively. The gene ontology (GO) terms are significantly (p < 0.05) enriched, which were limb development, inner ear development, positive regulation of dendrite development, the KEGG pathway the TGF-beta signaling pathway, and melanogenesis (p < 0.05). These pathways are related to morphological maintenance and growth of the tissues. In addition, the SMAD2W and the BMP5 were involved in the TGF-beta signaling pathway, and both play an important role in maintaining tissue development. The major DEGs related to the development of neurons and synapses include the up-regulated NRN1, GDF10, SLC1A1, BMP5, NBEA, and NRXN1. Also, 7 DEGs were validated using RT-qPCR with high correlation (r2 = 0.74). In conclusion, the differential expression of blood tissue in the early growing chicken was enriched in TGF-beta signaling and related to the development of neurons and synapses including SMAD2W and BMP5. These results suggest that blood in the early growing stage is differentially affected in tissue development, nervous system, and pigmentation by sex. For future research, experimental characterization of DEGs and a holistic investigation of various tissues and growth stages will be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urocortins are polypeptides belonging to the corticotropin-releasing hormone family, known to modulate stress responses in mammals. Stress, whether induced physically or psychologically, is an underlying cause or consequence of numerous clinical syndromes. Identifying biological markers associated with the homeostatic regulation of stress could provide a clinical laboratory approach for the management of stress-related disorders. The neuropeptide, urocortin 3 (UCN3), and the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2) constitute a regulatory axis known to mediate stress homeostasis. Dysregulation of this peptide/receptor axis is believed to play a role in several clinical conditions including post-traumatic stress, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems related to stress. Understanding the physiology and measurement of the UCN3/CRHR2 axis is important for establishing a viable clinical laboratory diagnostic. In this article, we focus on evidence supporting the role of UCN3 and its receptor in stress-related clinical syndromes. We also provide insight into the measurements of UCN3 in blood and urine. These potential biomarkers provide new opportunities for clinical research and applications of laboratory medicine diagnostics in stress management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If an event triggers Article V and NATO is drawn into defensive combat operations, there could well be more dead and wounded than the West has encountered before. Most casualties will result from combat trauma and require both surgery and blood transfusion to survive. Under NATO's split "collective-individual" responsibility system, should national blood logistic systems be unable to deliver; and with NATO unable to exercise overall coordination, serious consequences for individual morale, the will to fight, and overall combat capability will occur, producing dire strategic outcomes. This article focusses on NATO blood supply logistics and highlights current deficiencies, using Estonian Defence Force blood supply logistics as its working example. The article's principal argument is that blood supply logistics has "tactical-level" effects which have critical flow-on strategic effects on issues such as force preservation and morale. Blood supply logistics is a complex issue urgently requiring concerted NATO, multinational, and national attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Veratrum genus is composed of plants containing a diverse set of steroidal alkaloids. Veratrum plant material has been utilized for centuries as herbal medicines, however the alkaloids have such a low therapeutic index that they are not used in modern medicine. Here we report an incident of inadvertent ingestion of V. parviflorum by hikers in Georgia that allowed detection, and in several instances identification of alkaloids from the plant, and correlated their presence within patient blood and breast milk specimens. Eight patients, three male and five female, presented in the spring of 2020 and 2021 with symptoms requiring emergent medical attention after ingestion of Veratrum parviflorum. All patients believed the plants to be a local native species of wild leek, Allium tricoccum, locally known as ramps. Plants were identified using photographs as well as fresh and cooked plant material provided by patients, in consultation with botanists at the University of Georgia Herbarium. Written consent was obtained from all patients for collection of blood and breast milk specimens for laboratory identification of Veratrum alkaloids. V. parviflorum plant material, and patient serum and breast milk were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF) to identify steroidal alkaloids. The V. parviflorum extract was confirmed to contain cyclopamine, veratramine, jervine, and muldamine. Two out of the eight patients had detectable concentrations of Veratrum alkaloids. Of the alkaloids identified in the plant, cyclopamine and jervine were detected within patient serum, and cyclopamine and veratramine were observed to be present in breast milk. Toxicity resulting from Veratrum steroidal alkaloids has primarily been reported from V. album and V. viride. This is the second report of V. parviflorum poisoning. The present work reports for the first time the presence of muldamine and jervine within V. parviflorum. This work provides the first instance of identification of Veratrum alkaloids in breast milk. Thus, the findings presented herein add to literature record causative agents contributing to the toxicity of V. parviflorum when ingested and potential for secondary poisoning through breastfeeding. V. parviflorum toxicity was observed to cause nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, abdominal pain, light-headedness, blurred vision, and tingling in the arms. Patients experiencing mild symptoms improved with supportive care, IV fluids, and antiemetics, but hemodynamically unstable patients required atropine and vasopressors. This study demonstrated that more lipophilic Veratrum alkaloids can be passed along in breast milk, which suggests additional precautions may be critical to limit further poisonings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients with retinoblastoma, gains of chromosome 6p have been associated with less differentiated tumors. In cell-free DNA from the aqueous humor (AH), 6p gain has been associated with an increased risk of enucleation. While the identification of somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) via the AH has been well established, these alterations are not routinely identified in the blood due to low tumor fraction. SCNAs were considered positive at 20% deflection from the baseline. Somatic RB1 pathogenic variants were identified with targeted sequencing using a panel including all RB1 exons. A 24-month-old patient presented with unilateral retinoblastoma (Group D/AJCC Stage cT2B) and was treated with primary enucleation. In the peripheral blood, a heterozygous mutation (c.3920T>A) in the APC gene was reported. Genomic analysis of the tumor and AH revealed two novel somatic RB1 mutations (c.1589_1590del and c.2330dupC). Both also demonstrated highly recurrent RB-related SCNAs. Chromosome 6p gain was detected in the blood with an amplitude suggesting approximately 12% tumor fraction. At a follow-up of 24 months, there has been no evidence of metastatic disease. To our knowledge, this is the first time an SCNA has been detected in the blood of an RB patient, suggesting in some advanced eyes there may be a high enough tumor fraction to detect these alterations (>5% needed). It remains unclear whether 6p gain or increased tumor fraction in the blood is indicative of increased risk of metastatic disease or new primary cancer; studies to address this are ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), though emerged as a novel marker in gynecological cancers, is yet to be recognized in clinical diagnostics. Eligible studies were sorted from multiple online databases, namely PubMed, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, and Opengrey. From six studies, histopathologically diagnosed cases without prior treatment, and with diagnostic accuracy data for GDF-15 in gynecological cancers, were included. Our meta-analysis shows that GDF-15 has pooled diagnostic odds ratio of 12.74 at 80.5% sensitivity and 74.1% specificity, and an area under the curve of 0.84. Hence, GDF-15 is a potential marker to differentiate gynecological malignancy from non-malignant tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the effect of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) on plasma BDNF levels in patients with resistant schizophrenia. It was a cohort study that included 60 patients with resistant schizophrenia fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria of schizophrenia and APA criteria of resistant schizophrenia. They were divided into two groups, followed over 4 weeks, and compared to their baseline assessment. Group (A) included 45 patients who received 4–10 sessions of ECT while Group (B) included 15 patients who received the usual treatment with antipsychotics without ECT. The assessment included the severity of psychotic symptoms assessed by the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) in addition to plasma BDNF level. Patients in Group (A) had an increased level of BDNF after treatment with a statistically significant difference in comparison to their baseline BDNF level (P = 0.027). Meanwhile, patients in group (B) showed a non-significant increase in BDNF. Patients in both groups improved significantly in all PANSS subscales after treatment. It was concluded that plasma BDNF levels in patients with resistant schizophrenia increase after electroconvulsive therapy in association with clinical improvement. BDNF increases after ECT treatment of resistant schizophrenia. BDNF is not correlated with the severity of psychotic symptoms Patients treated with ECT showed a better response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trial was conducted to access the impact of varying levels of dietary protein (CP) and cold-pressed oil on hematological parameters, liver and kidney function, antioxidant and immunoglobulin indices and lipid profile of Japanese quail at the laying period. A number of 324 mature ten-week of age Japanese quails (216 females and 108 males) were selected. The red blood cells were increased in response to marjoram and thyme oil applied separately or together when comparing with control group (p < 0.05). Cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and total lipid levels were decreased significantly in response to these oils in birds 2 to 5 month of age compared to the comparing group. Superoxide dismutase activity increased in response to dietary supplementation with marjoram and thyme compared to zero additives group and other groups (p < 0.01). The glutathione and malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.01) decreased due to supplementation with thyme oil alone and in combination with marjoram oil compared to the control and other groups in 2- to 5-month-old birds. It could be concluded quails fed a diet encompassing 18 or 20% CP or supplemented with marjoram or thyme oil exhibited improved antioxidant indices and lipid profile without any harmful influence on the other parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) spectra are rich in latent chemical information, biometal spectral signatures from body fluids are subtle (peak-free) and hardly discernible against the background. Trace analysis requires considerable development in the measurement strategy. The preliminary performance of peak-free LIBS was explored with chemometrics for the direct rapid determination of malarial diagnostic trace biometals copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) in blood. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and partial least squares (PLS) calibration strategies exploiting spectral feature selection were developed and their analytical performance evaluated. The model regression coefficients were 0.990, 1.000, 1.000, and 0.973 for Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mg respectively for ANN and 0.960, 0.985, 0.986, and 0.993 for PLS. The root mean square errors were respectively 0.012, 0.026, 0.036, and 0.870 for Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mg for ANN and 0.056, 0.032, 0.030, and 0.243 for Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mg for PLS. The accuracy by which the biometals may be determined in blood was established by analyzing animal serum and was 73%, 68%, and 99% for Zn, Cu, and Fe, respectively, for ANN; and 70%, 68% and 95% for PLS. These results show proof-of-concept for single-shot chemometric peak-free LIBS for direct determination of biometals in blood with potential for malaria diagnostics based on the concentrations together with analyte alterations and multivariate correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: An altered lipid profile may lead to the development of CVD. Objective: We evaluated the protective role of baicalein (BAC) against lipidemic and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic challenged Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were given a high-fat diet (HFD) (suspension (w/v) of 0.5% cholesterol, 3% coconut oil and 0.25% cholic acid for 30 days) to create a hyperlipidemic model. BAC was supplemented to experimental rats (80 mg/kg body weight). Biomarkers of oxidative stress including ROS, FRAP, GSH, PMRS, AGE, MDA, PCO, AOPP, and other parameters (Paraoxonase-1, SGOT, SGPT) including TNF-α and IL-6, were estimated in blood. Results: Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were significantly increased in the HFD treated group. BAC treatment protected rats from HFD mediated alterations. Discussion & conclusion: Our results indicate that baicalein provides protection against hyperlipidemic stress and redox imbalance induced by HFD in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the cut off value of blood CMV load to indicate CMV retinitis and its relationships with ocular features. Patients were divided into non-CMV and CMV retinitis groups. A logistic regression model was applied to estimate the association of each variable with CMV retinitis. Spearman correlation was used to estimate the correlation between the blood and aqueous CMV load. Blood CMV load higher than 4log10 (OR, 6.897; CI: 2.813–16.910; P <.001) was the major predictor of CMV retinitis. Blood CMV load wasn't different between the initial and early stage (P =.066). No correlation was observed between the blood and aqueous CMV load (P =.083, r = 0.228). Blood CMV load higher than 4log10 is an important predictor for CMV retinitis in HIV/AIDS patients, but it couldn't indicate the ocular features. Ophthalmologic screening is still necessary. Abbreviations: CMV: Cytomegalovirus; CMVR: Cytomegalovirus retinitis; HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus; AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; ART: Antiretroviral therapy; EOD: End-organ diseases; PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction; OR: Odds Ratio; CI: 95% Confidence Interval; IQR: Interquartile range [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]