AB Group Research Articles

P-1834. An Enteric Bacterial Infection Disrupts Brain Homeostasis and Induces Chronic Neuroinflammation by Breaching the Gut-Brain Axis in 3xTg-AD Transgenic Mice

Abstract Background In previous studies, we found that an enteric infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) not only disturbs the balance of gut microbiome but also translocates to the brain, leading to inflammation and impairments in neurobehavior. Methods Triple-transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice were split into three categories: those infected with Kpn (Kpn group), a subset of Kpn mice treated with antibiotics to induce dysbiosis (Kpn+Ab group), and a control group receiving no treatment (TgCt group). Metabolomic and inflammation profiles of gut, serum, and brain samples collected six weeks after infection were evaluated using NMR-based metabolomic analysis and transcriptomics analysis conducted with the NanoString nCounter system. Results Significant shifts were observed in gut metabolites, while serum metabolites showed minor changes, particularly with an upward trend in branched-chain amino acids in Kpn-treated mice. In the gut, an inflammatory response was evident, characterized by the increased expression of inflammatory genes such as Cd14, Ptgs2, and Il6st. Transcriptomic analysis of the brain revealed disrupted homeostasis, with heightened neuropathological processes, including oxidative stress and cytokines, and reduced structural and anti-pathological functions, particularly notable in the Kpn+Ab group. Specifically, genes associated with inflammation and neurodegeneration, such as Il1r1 and Ptgs2, were upregulated in the Kpn+Ab group, suggesting a chronic inflammatory state potentially worsening neuropathology. Indeed, elevated levels of total tau were observed in the brains of Kpn+Ab mice. Furthermore, dysregulation in redox signaling linked to the malate-aspartate shuttle was evident, as indicated by increased levels of aspartate and N-acetylaspartate alongside decreased serine concentrations. Conclusion The results indicate that Kpn enteric infection leads to persistent inflammation in both the gut and the brain, disrupting essential pathways for brain homeostasis. This disruption may contribute to the buildup of AD pathologies and impairments in neurobehavioral function. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Effects of exercise intensity on nutritional status, body composition, and energy balance in patients with COPD: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHigh-intensity exercise is recommended for the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, it can cause an energy imbalance due to increased energy expenditure. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of reducing exercise intensity on energy balance in patients with COPD experiencing high-intensity training-induced weight loss.MethodsAll participants underwent high-intensity endurance and resistance training for a 2-week preliminary period. Those who lost more than 1% of their weight were then randomized to either continue high-intensity exercise (AA group) or switch to low-intensity exercise (AB group) for another 2 weeks (experimental period).ResultsThe analysis included 30 participants (AA, n = 15; AB, n = 15). The AA group showed significant increases in body composition, dietary intake, nutritional status, muscle strength, and exercise capacity at week 4 than at week 2, with no significant changes in the AB group. After the experimental period, a greater proportion of the AA group had energy intake exceeding expenditure than did the AB group (80% vs. 40%).ConclusionsIn patients with COPD who lost body weight during pulmonary rehabilitation with high-intensity exercise, continuing this exercise had a more positive effect on body composition, nutritional status, physical function, and energy balance than did reducing exercise intensity. These results suggest the importance of continuing high-intensity exercise, while taking into consideration energy intake and nutritional therapy, even when body weight loss occurs during pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD.Trial registrationThis study was retrospectively registered on the UMIN-CTR as UMIN000050976 on May 5, 2023.

METHOD FOR PHENOTYPIC IDENTIFICATION OF ACINETOBACTER SEIFERTII BACTERIA

Abstract. The aim of the study is to increase the accuracy of Acinetobacter seifertii species identification by the phenotypic method. Study objects: 5 strains of A. seifertii (3 isolated in the microbiological laboratory at the Military Medical Academy, 2 strains obtained from the Pasteur Institute (St. Petersburg)). Clinical strains of the A. baumannii group (Ab group) isolated at the Military Medical Academy in 2023-2024 were also studied: A. baumannii (n=152), of which 37 strains of the tryptophandestruens biovar, A. nosocomialis (n=12), A. pittii (n=6), 3 strains of A. calcoaceticus from the Neva River. The type of such strains was determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The belonging of the strains to the Ab group was established by taxonomic tests. The biovar A. baumannii bv. tryptophandestruens was determined by a chromogenic reaction on sodium benzoate-containing nutrient medium. Urease of rapid activity was detected by a micro-volumetric method assessed 3 hours later. Utilization of D-xylose as the only carbon source was determined on a nutrient medium containing (g/l): D-xylose 2.0; NH4CI 5.0; NH4NO3 1.0; Na2SO4 2.0; K2HPO4 3.0; KH2PO4 1.0; MgSO4 0.1; bromothymol blue 1.6% aqueous solution 4 ml; bacteriological agar 15.0; distilled water 1 l; pH 7.2 ± 0.2; sterilization at 112oC 20 min. A pure bacterial culture was studied, in which signs of the Ab group and growth on a sodium acetate-containing nutrient medium were previously detected (control of no auxotrophy). The agar bacteria culture was suspended in 0.1 ml of 0.85% sodium chloride solution, one loop of bacterial suspension was sown with a stroke on a nutrient medium with D-xylose and a medium without D-xylose (control), incubated aerobically at 30oC 24-48 hours. The absence of bacterial growth on a medium with D-xylose and a medium without D-xylose in the presence of their growth on a nutrient medium with sodium acetate indicates belonging to the species A. seifertii. Studies showed that all A. seifertii strains do not utilize D-xylose, and all strains of other species of the Ab group utilize D-xylose. A. seifertii bacteria do not utilize L-arabinose, however, 29.6±3,7% of A. baumannii strains do not utilize L-arabinose, including all 37 strains of the tryptophandestruens biovar, which determines the unreliability of this test for the identification of A. seifertii. Most strains of A. seifertii (4 out of 5) have a urease of rapid activity, which suggests their proximity to the species A. nosocomialis. A method has been developed for identification of A. seifertii bacteria based on a set of phenotypic features of Ab group bacteria with a test for D-xylose utilization. It has been established that the use of the D-xylose utilization test in conjunction with the detection of rapid urease activity allows to accurately identify the bacteria A. seifertii and A. nosocomialis among other species of the Ab group.

Neural correlates of basketball proficiency: An MRI study across skill levels.

Basketball is an attractive sport required both cooperative and antagonistic motor skills. However, the neural mechanism of basketball proficiency remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the brain functional and structural substrates underlying varying levels of basketball capacity. Twenty advanced basketball athletes (AB), 20 intermediate basketball athletes (IB) and 20 age-matched non-athlete individuals without basketball experience (NI) participated in this study and underwent T1-weighted MRI and resting-state fMRI scanning. Voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC), amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF), and gray matter (GM) density were calculated and compared among the three groups. The VMHC in the bilateral postcentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus, as well as the GM density in the right precentral gyrus, exhibited a hierarchical structure of AB>IB>NI. Compared with NI group, AB and IB groups showed strengthened VMHC in supplementary motor area, paracentral lobule and superior frontal gyrus. Additionally, the ALFF of left middle occipital gyrus and right hippocampal and the GM density of left medial superior frontal gyrus exhibited differences in AB-IB and AB-NI comparisons. By conducting the cross-sectional comparison, this study firstly identifies the varying levels of basketball proficiency related brain resting-state functional and structural plasticity. Especially, the regions associated with motor perception and control, including bilateral postcentral gyrus, middle and superior temporal gyrus and right precentral gyrus, are involved in the key neural mechanisms of basketball proficiency. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to further validate these findings.

Association of ABO and Rh blood groups with retinal structural indices

Purpose: To determine the association between ABO and Rh blood groups with retinal structural indices including macular thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling in a tertiary referral eye hospital in Tehran, Iran. Study participants were referred to the hospital laboratory to test their blood group. Ocular examinations were performed including measurement of visual acuity, auto‐refraction, subjective refraction, and slit‐lamp biomicroscopes. Retinal imaging was carried out using Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography under dilated papillary conditions.Results: According to the multiple linear regression model, the global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness [coefficient: ‐3.05 (95% confidence interval: ‐5.30 to ‐0.74); p = 0.010] and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the superior [coefficient: ‐4.65 (95% confidence interval: ‐8.40 to ‐0.89), p < 0.001] and inferior [coefficient: ‐4.00 (95% confidence interval: ‐7.81 to ‐0.19); p = 0.040] quadrants were significantly thinner in individuals with blood type B compared to those with other ABO blood groups. The average [coefficient: 12.69 (95% confidence interval: 4.12‐21.64); p = 0.004) and central [coefficient: 16.21 (95% confidence interval: 6.44‐25.97); p = 0.001) macular thicknesses were significantly thicker in AB group compared to other blood groups. The average macular thickness was significantly thinner in Rh+ compared to the Rh‐ group [coefficient: ‐8.33 (95% confidence interval: ‐15.4 to ‐1.25); p = 0.021].Conclusions: Retinal structural indices are related to blood groups implying a genetic linkage. Clinicians should consider blood groups in the clinical evaluation of retinal structural indices to avoid misdiagnoses. It is also recommended that the optical coherence tomography devices include the blood group in their databases.

Association between alpha blocker use and the risk of fractures in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cohort study

BackgroundAlpha blockers (ABs) are frequently prescribed to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is often complicated by refractory hypertension (HT). Although there have been several reports on the association between AB use and the risk of fractures, their conclusions have not yet been drawn. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between AB use and the risk of fractures in patients with CKD.MethodThis population-based cohort study used patient data obtained between April 2008 and August 2021 from a large-scale Japanese medical claims database. Consecutive patients with CKD who were newly prescribed ABs or non-AB antihypertensive drugs were included; males and females were analysed separately. The AB group was then divided into AB for HT and voiding dysfunction (VD) groups according to the drug approval in Japan. The primary outcome was the first hospitalisation due to fracture, and the variables were evaluated with weighted Cox proportional hazard model using overlap weights.ResultsA total of 65,012, 4,723, and 10,958 males constituted the non-AB, AB for HT (doxazosin), and AB for VD (naftopidil, silodosin, tamsulosin, or urapidil) groups, respectively. A total of 31,887, 2,409, and 965 females constituted the non-AB, AB for HT (doxazosin or guanabenz), and AB for VD (urapidil) groups, respectively. In males, hazard ratio (HR) for primary outcome was not increased in the non-AB and AB for VD groups compared with the AB for HT group (HR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–1.28 and HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.67–2.66, in the non-AB and AB for VD groups, respectively). Whereas, in females, although HR for the primary outcome was not increased in the non-AB group (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.56–1.99), it was significantly increased in the AB for VD group (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.01–5.16) compared with the AB for HT group.ConclusionAB use in patients with CKD did not increase the risk of fractures when used for the treatment of HT; however, it increased the risk of fractures when used for the treatment of VD in females. These results suggest that ABs should be used with caution in these patients.

ABO blood type is not a risk factor of outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

BackgroundThe association between ABO blood types and outcome of aneurysm subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has not reached a conclusion. This study was performed to testify the difference of outcome between ABO blood types.Methods663 aSAH patients hospitalized in the West China hospital were enrolled. The association between ABO blood types and outcomes including mortality and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) was verified by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at discharge, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay were also compared between different ABO blood types.Results663 aSAH patients were divided into four groups according to their ABO blood types: AB type (46, 6.9%), A type (211, 31.8%), B type (169, 25.4%),O type (237, 35.7%). The GCS, WFNS, Hunt Hess, modified Fisher, aneurysm location and incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage did not show different distribution among ABO blood types. Among four coagulation indexes, only the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) showed different distribution among ABO blood types (p < 0.001). The AB group had the lowest level of APTT while O group had the highest level of APTT. Outcomes including delayed cerebral ischemia, mortality, GOS, length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay did not show any significant differences among ABO types. Univariate logistic regression showed the ABO blood type was not associated with the development of DCI (p = 0.654) and the mortality (p = 0.430). The multivariate logistic regression showed ABO blood types were still not associated with DCI and mortality after adjusting confounding effects of significant risk factors.ConclusionsThe ABO blood type is not associated with the prognosis of aSAH patients. ABO blood types may not be helpful on risk stratification of aSAH.

Efficacy and safety of atezolizumab-bevacizumab vs pembrolizumab-lenvatinib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective, cohort study.

The relative superiority of atezolizumab-bevacizumab versus pembrolizumab-lenvatinib in treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain. This study aims to compare the efficacy of atezolizumab-bevacizumab and pembrolizumab-lenvatinib in first-line treatments for unresectable HCC. A total of 72 patients receiving pembrolizumab-lenvatinib (PL group) and 92 patients receiving atezolizumab-bevacizumab (AB group) between January 2019 and June 2023 were included in this study. By employing propensity score matching (PSM), we compared the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between the two groups. After PSM, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 70.4%, 54.5%, and 40.0% in the PL group, and 88.4%, 44.2%, and 44.2% in the AB group, respectively. The 6-, 12-, and 18-month PFS rates were 56.9%, 43.0%, and 32.1% in the PL group, and 74.2%, 40.9%, and 30.7% in the AB group, respectively. No significant differences were observed in both OS (HR, 0.498; 95% CI, 0.217-1.143; P = 0.1) and PFS (HR, 0.913; 95% CI, 0.512-0.1.629; P = 0.758) between the two groups. Through subgroup analysis, we developed a Cirrhosis-Portal vein invasion-ALBI (CPA) score and identified that the AB group exhibited significantly longer OS than the PL group in the CPA high population (HR, 0.219; 95% CI, 0.075-0.637; P = 0.005). The treatment-related adverse events between the PL group and the AB group were comparable. This study suggests that the efficacy of pembrolizumab-lenvatinib and atezolizumab-bevacizumab is comparable in first-line treatment of unresectable HCC, the atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination may confer additional benefits for patients with high CPA scores compared to pembrolizumab-lenvatinib.

IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTIVITY AND REACTIVE RESPONSE OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD NEUTROPHILIC GRANULOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 DEPENDING ON THEIR BLOOD GROUP

At the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a potential link between ABO blood type and susceptibility to the disease was reported. The evidence supporting this link is strengthening as the volume and quality of research expand. Recently, interest has shifted from merely examining susceptibility to exploring the severity of the disease and the immune response characteristics of patients in relation to their blood groups. Objective: to investigate the immunological reactivity and reactive response of peripheral blood neutrophilic granulocytes in patients with COVID-19 patients based on their blood group. Materials and methods. This prospective study included 198 patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia of mild, moderate, and severe degrees. The cohort comprised 50.51% (100) men and 49.49% (98) women, with an average age of 54.18 ± 7.25 years (range: 18 to 80 years). The distribution of blood groups according to the ABO system was as follows: 0 (I) - 37.37% (74 patients), A (II) - 37.37% (74 patients), B (III) - 18.18% (36 patients), and AB (IV) - 7.07% (14 patients). The immunological reactivity and reactive response of neutrophilic granulocytes were assessed through the analysis of 14 integral leukocyte indices, including the leukocyte shift index, the ratio of the absolute number of leukocytes to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the lymphocyte-granulocyte index, the lymphocyte index, the index of immunological resistance, and reactivity, among others. Results. In moderate and severe coronavirus infection, the indices of cellular and total immune reactivity and resistance are significantly lower compared to mild coronavirus infection: 1.35-3.08 times (p≤0.042-0.001) for resistance, 2.02-3.87 times (p&lt;0.001) for reactivity, respectively, showing the highest activity among them in the owners of blood group 0 (I), with significantly lower values for A (Ⅱ), B (Ⅲ) and AB (Ⅳ) group variants by 3.94-19.10%. Whereas, with increasing severity of the disease, the reactive response of neutrophilic granulocytes, on the contrary, increases significantly compared to the mild degree: in moderate disease by 43.79-87.62% (p≤0.018-0.005), in severe disease by 1.62-2.11 times (p≤0.012-0.001), with the highest average value in AB (Ⅳ) blood group owners – by 46.69-68.44% (p≤0.017-0.005). Conclusions. The highest index of immunological reactivity is observed in individuals with blood group AB (IV) experiencing a mild clinical course of the disease. Conversely, the lowest index of immunological reactivity is found in patients with blood group A (II) who have a moderate clinical course. Additionally, the reactive response of neutrophilic granulocytes significantly increases in patients with a severe clinical course, with the highest average value recorded in those with blood group AB (IV).

Exploring the Link between ABO Blood Groups and Obesity among Young Adults

Objective: To explore the link between the ABO blood groups and obesity among young adults of Hyderabad district, Sind, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022, and included 582 randomly selected participants, including 301 males and 281 females, aged between 18 to 40 years, from various institutions of district Hyderabad, including students, faculty members, and employee of universities, colleges, hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was used for the collection of data. Before induction, verbal consent was taken from all the participants. Data was collected by a self-structured questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics. A brief history was taken relevant to the parameters of the study followed by measuring Body Mass Index, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio. BMI was categorized with South Asian standards. Data collected through structured questionnaires and anthropometric parameters were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. Results: In this study, the data of 582 participants were included out of 600 participants, as the remaining 18 could not provide complete data. The mean age in male participants was 27.83 ± 5.478 and in females was 22.27 ± 4.730. The average BMI in male participants was 25.81 ± 5.08 and in females was 24.00 ±4.90. Overall, 205 B blood group participants were found obese, which included 111 male participants and 94 female participants, followed by blood 197 group O participants, 130 A blood group participants, and 50 AB group individuals. In total, there were 536 Rh positives, and only 42 Rh negatives. Individuals with blood group B and Rh-positive status were identified at being greater risk of developing higher BMI, waist-hip ratio, and waist circumference. Conclusion: The evidence found in this study proved a positive association of the types of blood groups with BMI, waist-hip ratio, and waist circumference.

ABO blood groups and platelet reactivity in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention treated with clopidogrel

Abstract Background The association between ABO blood groups and the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in patients with coronary artery disease has been of interest for many years, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Aim To investigate the relationship between the ABO blood groups and the platelet reactivity in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treated with clopidogrel. Methods We examined 10,724 consecutive PCI patients in China from January 2013 to December 2013.Among them, 6,740 patients had the results of thromborlastogram (TEG) and the ABO blood groups. Low on-treatment platelet reactivity (LTPR) was defined as adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet maximum amplitude of TEG&amp;lt;31mm. Results A total of 6,740 PCI patients (mean age, 58.23±10.27; male, 77.6%) treated with clopidogrel were finally enrolled for analysis. There were 2560 (37.98%) patients in LTPR group. In this group, the multivariate logistic regression showed that the blood group A (OR: 0.885, 95%CI 0.789-0.993, p=0.038) was independent protective factor in the A/non-A model (model 1). Then, we further divided the non-A groups into B, O, AB groups to set the model 2. In model 2, compared to A, multivariate logistic regression showed that only the blood group B (OR: 1.157, 95%CI 1.015-1.320, p=0.030) was independent risk predictors for LTPR, representing a higher risk of bleeding. Conclusions In the large sample real-world study, we reported the relationship between ABO blood groups and platelet reactivityin PCI patients treated with clopidogrel for the first time. Blood group A was an independent protective factor for LTPR, representing a lower risk of bleeding, whereas blood group B was an independent risk factor for LTPR, representing a higher risk of bleeding. These results provide an interesting perspective on blood groups and individualized antithrombotic therapy in patients with coronary artery disease, and further elucidation of the mechanisms is still needed in the future.

Peculiarities of the format of genetic blood systems in patients with oral lichen planus

The number of patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) has increased due to the raise of aggressive forms of the disease (erosive, ulcerative and hyperkeratotic forms) with a possible risk of malignancy. There are isolated researches which indicate a genetic determinism to OLP, but more often these conclusions are based on insufficiently adequate and out of date methods, which make it impossible to correctly interpret the obtained data. The aim was to identify a genetical predisposition with a programmed risk to the oral lichen planus. The main group – 278 patients with the OLP (aged 26-65 years). The control group – 298 people (blood donors) who didn’t have dental diseases, as well as diseases of internal organs and systems. The groups were homogeneous by gender and age. In our research we used such methods: clinical, radiological, immunogenetic, statistical methods were used. The erosive form of OLP was associated with 0(I) group in 54.2±0.4% of cases, while the hyperkeratotic form was associated with group 0(I) only in 28.7±1.8% of cases. B(ІІІ) and AB(ІB) groups were less often associated with the erosive form of OLP and were observed in 17.3±0.1% and 2.0±0.1% of cases, respectively. The integration of A(ІІ) group in the erosive form of OLP was 30.5±0.1%, but the indicator was higher than in individuals with B(III) and AB(IV) groups. Hyperkeratotic form of OLP was more often observed in A(II) carriers than in 0(I) and was 44.1±0.1% versus 28.7±1.8%, respectively. With blood group B (ІІІ), the relationship with OLP is not traced. Correlative relationship with erythrocyte blood antigens of the ABO system in patients with oral lichen planus was established. Risk groups for the development of erosive and hyperkeratotic forms of lichen planus in patients with gastrointestinal tract pathology O(I)&gt;A(II)&gt;B(III) – with erosive form and A(II)&gt;O(I)&gt;B(III)) – with hyperkeratosis.

A retrospective study on ABO Blood Groups and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases.

Objective: To investigate the potential association between ABO blood groups and the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a population from Hyderabad, Pakistan.Methodology: This was a retrospective comparative type of study conducted in the pulmonology OPD (Out Patient Department) of the Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from June 2023 to September 2023. Five hundred and thirty (n =530) patients who visited pulmonology OPD were selected. Three hundred male and 230 female patients who visited the Pulmonology OPD for different respiratory illnesses were included in this study. COPD was diagnosed by the historyof illness and x-ray chest posterior-anterior (P/A) view. Blood groups were determined by the blood agglutination method.Results: The results show that most COPD male patients (13.20%) contain the O group, 8.45% have the A group, 5.66% have the B group, and 0.56% have the AB group. The P value was &gt; 0.05, which was relatively higher in the O group patient when Fischer’s exact test was applied.Conclusion: The study concludes that there was a potential association between ABO blood group O and an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), warranting further research to confirm these findings. Key words: Blood group, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Rhesus group, Hyderabad, Pakistan.

Physical, functional and bioactive properties of microencapsulated powders from banana pseudostem and inflorescence extracts

Application of agricultural by-products in the functional food and beverage industry is currently gaining prominence. Banana (Musa spp) is a popular tropical fruit with global production of 124.97 million tonnes. The banana production industry contributes to large amount of solid waste/ banana by-products, such as, pseudostem and inflorescence. Palayankodan (Musa × paradisiaca Mysore AAB group), Nendran (Musa × paradisiaca AAB group) and Njalipoovan (Musa × paradisiaca AB group) are three popular and common cultivars in Kerala, a state in South India. The present study was aimed to extract the potential bioactive compounds from the pseudostem and inflorescence of the above-mentioned cultivars and to standardise the process of microencapsulation using spray drying. Ultrasonication assisted extraction using ethanol as solvent was carried out. The extract and wall material parameters were standardised for microencapsulation. The encapsulated powders were analysed for encapsulation yield, retention efficiency, physical properties, phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential and anti-diabetic activity. The encapsulation yields and retention efficiencies of the encapsulated powders were found to be approximately 75 and 70.51%, respectively. Results revealed that the powders exhibited lower bulk density, good solubility and reconstitutability. Scanning electron microscopy was also conducted to reveal the particle morphology. All the powders exhibited smooth, spherical shape, with no pores. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of the encapsulated pseudostem and inflorescence extract powders ranged from 2.75 to 3.13 mg GAE/ g of powder and 34.83 to 46.67 mg QE/g of powder, respectively. The present study also reported the in vitro bioactive properties, in terms of antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities of the encapsulated powders. The HPLC analysis of the microencapsulated powders revealed the presence of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, trans cinnamic acid, trans ferulic acid, epicatechin and syringic acid. It is clear from the study that the encapsulated powders from banana by-products have a great potential to be utilised by the functional food industry.Graphical

AUDIT OF INFECTION CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS AND ANTIMICROBIAL DRUGS ADMINISTRATION IN UKRAINE: A PROSPECTIVE FOLLOW-UP

Indicators of antibiotic resistance in the world and in Ukraine are steadily increasing. As of 2021, there is a national standard in Ukraine that recognizes the deescalation of antibiotic therapy, but the war in Ukraine has significantly disrupted the supply of essential services. War-related infections and antimicrobial resistance are seriously affecting the health of people in Ukraine and beyond, forming a great reservoir of multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections Aims: monitor the effectiveness of infection control and antibiotic administration in the Public Health Department of Ukraine. Methods: Based on the Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care of the PDO National Medical University named after O.O. Bogomolets, a prospective observational study was carried out - an anonymous audit of doctors, anesthesiologists and doctors of other specialties who work at the Public Health Service of Ukraine from the beginning of 2024. The investigation was carried out on the online platform Google-form. After the completion of the tracking period, all completed data was transferred to an Excel table and analyzed using additional descriptive statistics for parametric data. Results: The results of 214 participants from different regions of Ukraine were collected. Half of the respondents reported that the department of infection control functions effectively - 105 (49.2 %), formally important - 85 (39.9 %), and does not function in 3 (1.5 %) Cefazolin as the first choice AB (57.7 %), using of Ceftriaxone (18.6 %) or Cefuroxime (7.9 %) as the 1st line of AB prophylaxis. About not using the protocol tell for us the choice of AB 2-line AB prevention and treatment of Gram+ and Gram-infection. The most common resistant pathogens in the Ukrainian health care sector were: Klebsiella pneumonia 140 (65.4 %) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 99 (46.3 %) species. Most respondents also reported the expansion of three courses of AB therapy: 7-10 days in 97 (45.5 %) and 10 days and more – 85 (39.9 %) types. Conclusion: most health protection regulations in Ukraine today include the creation of infection control and approval of local documents (new clinical protocols, patient routes) from infection control and administration Instruction of AB. However, wider problems are avoided without the continuation of specific protocols, the use of AB group reserve for AB prophylaxis, the choice of non-optimal empirical AB therapy, the wider acceptance of combination therapy without indications, trivial courses therapy and type of de-escalation.

Characteristics of the hemostatic system “P-selectin — von Willebrand factor — metalloprotease ADAMTS13” during childbirth

Introduction. The physiological task of the blood coagulation system during childbirth is to prevent excessive blood loss.Aim: to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative characteristics in the system P-selectin-von Willebrand factor (vWF)-metallo-protease ADAMTS13 during natural and uncomplicated childbirth in women with a physiological pregnancy.Materials and methods. The study included 40 pregnant women without somatic pathology, with a physiologically progressing pregnancy that ended with physiological birth (general group). Of these, 16 women had their first birth (group 1), 18 had their second birth (group 2) and 6 had their third birth (group 3). Venous blood sampling was performed at three points throughout the study: 1st point — the onset of labor, 2nd point — 2 hours after childbirth and 3rd point — 24 hours after child -birth. The control group consisted of 25 healthy non-pregnant women. The blood samples were examined for: vWF antigen (vWF:Ag), binding ability of vWF to platelet receptor GPIb (vWF:GPIb), binding ability of vWF to collagen type I (vWF:CBAI) and type III (vWF:CBAIII), antigen and activity ADAMTS13 (ADAMTS13:Ag and ADAMTS13:AC), antibodies to ADAMTS13 (ADAMTS13:AB) and P-selectin.Results. The medians of the studied vWF characteristics in the genera l group were statistically significantly higher compared to the control group at all study points, with the exception of the medians of the vWF:GPIb/vWF:Ag ratio, which in the general group were statistically significantly lower at all study points when compared with the control group. The median values of vWF:GPIb and vWF:Ag in women in the second group were statistically significantly higher at all points of the study, compared with similar indicators in both the first and third groups. The median values of ADAMTS13:AC and ADAMTS13:AB in the overall group were statistically significantly higher when compared with the control group at all study points. Median ADAMTS13:Ag and ADAMTS13:AC/ADAMTS13:Ag ratios were statistically significantly lower at all study points. Individual P-selectin values varied widely from 212.1 to 1398 ng/ml, but the medians of this indicator were statistically significantly higher in all study groups and at all study points compared to the control group.Conclusion. The increase in platelet-binding and collagen-binding abilities of vWF suggests that these adhesive properties of the hemostatic protein play an important role in preventing excessive bleeding during labor. Taking into account the decrease in the vWF:GPIb/vWF:Ag ratio compared to the control group, the adhesion of vWF to collagen is more important under these conditions. Despite the fact that ADAMTS13 concentration does not decrease, an actual twofold increase in its activity provides a sufficient antithrombotic effect. The interaction between vWF and ADAMTS13 under conditions of physiological labor does not lead to excessive formation and accumulation of high-affinity antibodies to ADAMTS13.

Beverage of Brazil Nut and Bocaiuva Almond Enriched with Minerals: Technological Quality and Nutritional Effect in Male Wistar Rats.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the properties of beverages formulated with Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl) and bocaiuva almonds (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. Ex Mart.). Five beverages were developed with Brazil nut, bocaiuva almond, and water (m/m/v), as follows: (i) NB, nut:water, 1:10; (ii) AB, almond:water, 1:10; (iii) NAB1, 1:0.1:10, nut:almond:water; (iv) NAB5, nut:almond:water, 1:0.5:10; and (v) NAB10, nut:almond:water, 1:1:10. The physicochemical, chemical, technological, and microbiological parameters were evaluated. After heat treatment (HT) and enrichment with minerals, the beverages that demonstrated stability in these characteristics were tested in a biological assay. The physical and biochemical parameters of male Wistar rats were evaluated after administering beverages for 28 days. HT decreased the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity; however, it guaranteed microbiological safety. Mineral supplementation changed the colors and increased the pH values of the beverages. After the beverages were administered, the Wistar rats in the (i) NB group showed decreases in retroperitoneal adipose tissue, total cholesterol, and triglycerides; (ii) those in the AB group exhibited decreased triglycerides contents; and (iii) those in the NAB10-group presented decreased liver weights. The beverages evaluated in this study demonstrate a protective effect against risk factors such as fat accumulation in the liver, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, and hypercholesterolemia.

Replacement Dose for Overt Hypothyroidism Induced by Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Antibodies May Be Higher than Recommended.

The present recommendations, consensus, or guidelines for the replacement dosage for hypothyroidism induced by programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy are not uniform, and there are very few special clinical trials that have examined the replacement dosage for it. This article illustrates the clinical characteristics of hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 antibodies (Abs) and reports the recommended replacement dosage for hypothyroidism. Eighteen patients with overt primary hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 Abs (group 1) were selected from 655 patients with different tumor types. Retrospective analysis was performed on patients in group 1 and 18 patients with natural courses of overt primary hypothyroidism who were age- and sex-matched with the patients in group 1 (group 2). The replacement dosages required for the patients in the two groups were compared. Thyroid dysfunction occurred in group 1 after approximately 3.0 ± 1.4 cycles of PD-1 therapy (1-6 stages), with a median time of 61.5 days. The median time of onset of hypothyroidism among all patients was 87.5 days (30-240 days). Most of the patients with hypothyroidism were asymptomatic, and the onset of hypothyroidism was independent of age, sex, TPOAb, TgAb and TSH in group 1 (P>0.05). The average replacement dosage for patients in group 1 was 1.8 ± 0.6 μg/kg/d (0.6-3.2 μg/kg/d). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that sex, age, TPOAb, TgAb and TSH were not correlated with drug dosage. It seemed that the average maintenance dosage of levothyroxine might need to be 1.8 μg/kg/day for patients with overt hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 Abs.

Analysis of macular thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in various ABO and Rh blood groups

PurposeTo determine the association between ABO and Rh blood groups with retinal structural indices including macular thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling in a tertiary referral eye hospital in Tehran, Iran. Study participants were referred to the hospital laboratory to test their blood group. Ocular examinations were performed including measurement of visual acuity, auto-refraction, subjective refraction, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Retinal imaging was carried out using Spectral-domain OCT under dilated papillary conditions.ResultsThree hundred and twenty-eight individuals were recruited in this study. Of these, 219 (60.7%) were female and the mean age of the participants was 63.29 ± 5.57 years (range: 56 to 83 years). According to the multiple linear regression model, the global peripapillary RNFL thickness [coefficient: -3.05 (95% CI: -5.30 to -0.74); P = 0.010] and peripapillary RNFL thickness in the superior [coefficient: -4.65 (95% CI: -8.40 to -0.89), P < 0.001] and inferior [coefficient: -4.00 (95% CI: -7.81 to -0.19); P = 0.040] quadrants were significantly thinner in individuals with blood type B compared to those with other ABO blood groups. The average [coefficient: 12.69 (95% CI: 4.12–21.64); P = 0.004) and central [coefficient: 16.21 (95%: 6.44–25.97); P = 0.001) macular thicknesses were significantly thicker in AB group compared to other blood groups. The average macular thickness was significantly thinner in Rh + compared to the Rh- group [coefficient: -8.33 (95% CI: -15.4 to -1.25); P = 0.021].ConclusionRetinal structural indices may be related to blood groups implying a genetic linkage. Considering the lack of consistency among various studies, larger trials are needed to explore the effect of ABO and Rh grouping on peripapillary RNFL and macular thicknesses.

Associations of air pollution with acute coronary syndromes based on A/B/AB versus O blood types: case-crossover study

Short-term exposure to air pollutants may contribute to an increased risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study assessed the role of short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as well as fine and coarse PM (PM10) air pollution in ACS events and the effect of blood groups on this phenomenon. A retrospectively collected database of 9026 patients was evaluated. The study design was a case-crossover using a conditional logistic regression model. The main analysis focused on PM2.5 levels with a 1 day lag until the ACS event, using threshold-modelled predictor for all patients. Secondary analyses utilized separate threshold-modelled predictors for 2–7-days moving averages and for patients from specific ABO blood groups. Additional analysis was performed with the non-threshold models and for PM10 levels. Short-term exposure to increased PM2.5 and PM10 levels at a 1-day lag was associated with elevated risks of ACS (PM2.5: OR = 1.012 per + 10 µg/m3, 95% CI 1.003, 1.021; PM10: OR = 1.014 per + 10 µg/m3, CI 1.002, 1.025) for all patients. Analysis showed that exposure to PM2.5 was associated with increased risk of ACS at a 1-day lag for the A, B or AB group (OR = 1.012 per + 10 µg/m3, CI 1.001, 1.024), but not O group (OR = 1.011 per + 10 µg/m3, CI 0.994, 1.029). Additional analysis showed positive associations between exposure to PM10 and risk of ACS, with 7-days moving average models stratified by blood group revealing that exposures to PM2.5 and PM10 were associated with elevated risk of ACS for patients with group O. Short-term exposures to PM2.5 and PM10 were associated with elevated risk of ACS. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 was positively associated with the risk of ACS for patients with A, B, or AB blood groups for a 1-day lag, while risk in O group was delayed to 7 days.