Amino Transaminase Research Articles

Importance of fibrosis 4 index score and mode of anti-fungal treatment to the outcome of Cryptococcal meningitis in hepatitis B virus-infected patients

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the associated cirrhosis are risk factors for cryptococcal meningitis (CM). However, the clinical features of co-infection with HBV and CM are unclear.Methods: Seventy-nine HBV-infected CM patients and 79 HBV-uninfected CM patients were enrolled in a case-control matching study from 476 CM patients. Fibrosis 4 index (FIB4) was used for assessment of HBV-related fibrosis/cirrhosis. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, routine blood tests, liver function and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles were compared between the two groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess factors associated with 10-week mortality.Results: Male gender was associated with HBV-infected CM patients (p = .006). CM patients with HBV experienced similar frequencies of symptoms but had lower white blood cell (WBC) (p < .001), platelet (p < .001) and albumin (p = .012), and increased aspartate amino transaminase (AST) (p = .009) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels (p < .001). Patients with and without HBV infection had similar 10-week cumulative survival rates (85.9 ± 4.2% vs. 78.6 ± 5.4%, p = .569). The hazard ratio was 3.7 times higher for those with FIB4 ≥ 3.25 (p = .020) and 4.5 times higher for those with HBV infection not treated with Amphotericin B + flucytosine ± fluconazole (p = .023).Conclusion: HBV-infected CM population experience lower WBC, platelet and albumin, and higher AST and TBIL. Ten-week survival rate was similar between HBV-infected and HBV-uninfected CM patients. CM patients with high FIB4 or not treated with Amphotericin B + flucytosine ± fluconazole are at a higher risk of death.

The Earthworm (Lumbricus Rubellus) Extract Decreased Amino Transaminase Enzyme Level and Number of Bacterial Colony in Male Wistar Rats Infected With Salmonella Typhimurium

Lumbricus rubellus earthworm is known having antioxidant and antibacterial properties such as Polyphenolic, Glycoprotein G-90, and Lumbricin I. These substances also work as hepatoprotective agents in the parenchymal cell damage due to infection. This study aims to determine the antioxidant properties of earthworm extract (Lumbricus rubellus) in reducing the levels of ALT, AST, and a number of the bacterial colony in male Wistar rats infected by Salmonella thypimurium as a model of S.typhii infection. Posttest-only control group design method was carried out in 28 samples which divided into 4 treatment groups. The blood samples were taken for the ALT and AST measurement on day 18. The bacterial colony measurement was conducted by growing the bacteria in the feces with Total Plate Count (TPC) method. The ALT levels in T2 were significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05; 25.9 ± 5.50 U/L), followed by T1 (P&lt;0.05; 35.6 ± 1.46 U/L). The AST levels in the T2 and T1 groups were also significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05; 81.4 ± 13.44 U/L and 107.8 ± 9.45 U/L respectively). The bacterial colony of S.thypimurium was also significantly decreased in the T2 and T1 with the mean of 6.89 ± 2.06 x 10-1 and 8.38 ± 2.15 x 10-1 respectively. The Kruskal-Wallis test found a significant difference between variable groups (P &lt; 0.05), but the Mann-Whitney test showed no significant difference only between T1 and T2 group for the bacterial colonies (P = 0.180). The Lumbricus rubellus extract have a hepatoprotective and antibacterial properties by significantly reduce the levels of amino transaminase enzyme (ALT and AST) and bacterial colonies of S.thypimurium in male Wistar rats.

Functional and structural liver abnormalities in former PCB exposed workers – analyses from the HELPcB cohort

ABSTRACTThe effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) on liver function and structure are still under debate. Although higher transaminase activity and tumor promoting potential of PCB reported for animal and human studies was suggested, these studies were not able to provide definitive evidence on the ability of these chemicals to affect liver function and contribution to tumor development. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of PCB on liver function and morphology in a cohort of former PCB exposed workers. Over 5 years, a longitudinal analysis of the association between PCB concentration and hepatic transaminases such as alanine transaminase (ALT) aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (γGT), as well as liver size and structure was undertaken. Data demonstrated a significant inverse association between PCB concentration and γGT activity levels but there was no marked relationship with AST and ALT activities. Regarding sonographic examination, a significant association was found between liver size and PCB concentration. This association remained, even after adjusting for alcohol consumption, liver affecting drugs, timespan of internal exposure, or age. No marked correlation was noted between PCB concentration and liver structure changes. In summary, an association was observed between PCB concentration and γGT activity levels as well as liver size in humans. The long-term health consequences attributed to PCB on liver and in particular in tumorigenesis are not foreseeable in our cohort thus far, but remain a focus in further ongoing surveillance.

Protective effect of benzethonium chloride on diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of Benzethonium Chloride (BZC) on- diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‑induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Thirty-two male albino rats were used (eight animal per group). The hepatocarcinogenesis was induced in male Wistar albino rats by DEN (20 mg/kg b.w, orally (five times per week for 6 weeks). The treatment group rats received a similar dosage as above then injected with benzethonium chloride (5 mg/ kg b.w i.p.) for 4 weeks. Blood samples for serum parameters were collected or determination of biochemical markers such as alanine amino transaminase (ALT), aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin, albumin and total protein. Also, liver tissues were taken for histopathological investigation. The obtained result revealed that treatment with benzethonium chloride significantly reduced DEN-induced elevation of ALT, AST and ALP activities and total bilirubin concentration. However, significant increase in the serum albumin and total protein concentration were observed in benzethonium chloride-treated rats as compared with DEN‑treated group. The obtained results suggest that benzethonium chloride possesses chemopreventive activity against DEN‑induced liver cancer.

Biodistribution and Toxicity Assessment of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles In Vitro and In Vivo.

Biodistribution and toxicity assessment are critical for safe clinical use of newly developed medicines. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are effective carriers for targeted drug delivery. This study aimed to examine the toxicity and biodistribution of SPION coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) (SPION-PEI) designed for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery both in vitro and in vivo. SPION-PEI/siRNA complexes were prepared at different weight ratios. Cytotoxic effects of SPION-PEI/siRNA on HSC-T6 cell viability were determined by using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Rats were divided into three groups: a control group, a normal-saline group and a SPION-PEI/siRNA group. After a single intravenous injection, in vivo nanoparticle biodistribution and accumulation were evaluated by Prussian blue staining in the heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney 8 h, 24 h, and 7 days after the injection. Their distribution was histologically studied at the three time points by measuring ironpositive areas (μm2) in organ sections stained with Prussian blue. The same organs were analyzed by H&E staining for any possible histopathological changes. Furthermore, biochemical indexes such as alanine amino transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CREA) were also assessed at all experimental time points. Electrophoresis exhibited that the SPION-PEI could retard siRNA altogether at weight ratios above 4. MTT assay showed that SPION-PEI loaded with siRNA had low cytotoxicity. In vivo study revealed that the liver and spleen were the major sites of SPION-PEI/siRNA deposition. The iron content was significantly increased in the liver and spleen, peaking 24 h after intravenous injection and then declining gradually. No evidence was found of irreversible histopathological damage to any of the organs tested. These results suggested that most SPION-PEI/siRNA complexes were distributed in the liver and spleen, which might be the target organs of SPION-PEI/siRNA complexes. SPIONPEI/siRNA may serve as in vivo carrier for biomedical medicines.

KOPI DAPAT MENURUNKAN AKTIVITAS ALT DAN AST SERUM DARAH TIKUS WISTAR ALKOHOLIK

Ethanol can damage the liver, indicated by an increase of alanin amino transaminase (ALT) activity and aspartat amino transminase (AST) activity in the blood of alcohol-treated rats. Coffee is rich in antioxidants which are hepatoprotector agent. This study aimed to determine the effect of coffee to reduce alanin amino transaminase (ALT) activity and aspartat amino transminase (AST) activity in blood serum of alcohol-treated rats. The study used 32 male wistar albino rats (200±20g weight) which were divided into four treatment groups i.e. P0 (negative control which were treated with 1 mL of 30% ethanol/200g body weight (bw)/day), P1 (1 mL of 30% ethanol/200 g bw/day + coffee 0,1g/200g bw in 3,5 mL of water/200 g bw/day), P2 (1 mL of 30% ethanol/200g bw + coffee 0,15 g/200g bw in 3,5 mL of water/200g bw/day), dan P3 (1 mL of 30% ethanol/200g bw + coffee 0,2g/200g bw in 3,5 mL of water/200g bw/day). ALT and AST levels were measured by spectrophotometric method. Data analysis was done by ANOVA followed with LSD test and correlation analysis. The results showed that coffee reduced (P&lt;0.01) the activities of ALT and AST of rats blood serum. ALT and AST activities were significantly different (P&lt;0.01) among treatments and with control. Dose of coffee was negatively correlated with ALT activity with correlation coefficient (R) -0.978 and AST with correlation coefficient (R) -0.985 (P&lt;0,01). The lowest of ALT and AST activities were found at dose of coffee 0.2 g/200g body weight.&#x0D; Keywords: ethanol, ALT, AST, coffee&#x0D;

Effect of WiFi waves (2.45 GHz) on aminotransaminases(ALP, ALT and AST) in liver of rat

Different disorders and diseases are associated with liver thus liver enzymes are commonly evaluated. Amino transaminases are among the most important enzymes in the liver, which their serum levels can indicate liver’s health or abnormality. Environmental stimuli including electromagnetic field affect different cells and organs in the body including the liver. WiFi networks are among the most common inducers of electromagnetic field. In the present study, serum levels of three liver aminotransaminases including Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are assessed and histopathological evaluations are performed for four weeks in six groups of mice following WiFi 2.45GHz exposure. Then, we have analyzed the data ( t -test and one-way ANOVA; P <0.05). Our results show that amino transaminase levels are changed following WiFi 2.45GHz exposure compared to control group and that these changes are increased with time. Respectively, AST, ALT and ALP levels showed 11.38%, 18.63%, and 4.85% increase on average, during these four weeks of the experiment. ALT and AST sustain more changes compared to the ALP in the liver. Electromagnetic induction is related to AST, ALP and ALT catabolism. The WiFi exposure time is an important factor that affects the maximum amount of absorbed electromagnetic energy in a specific period.

Hepatoprotective effect of seabuckthorn leaf extract in streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats

Study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of Seabuckthorn leaf extract (SLE) supplementation on serum enzymatic levels in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats. Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups namely CON (negative control), SCO (Seabuckthorn control), DCO (Diabetic control), and DSL (Diabetic seabuckthorn treatment group). Diabetes mellitus was induced by single intra peritoneal injection of STZ @ 50 mg/kg body weight in DCO and DSL group of rats. SLE was administered orally @ 100mg/kg body weight for 40 days to SCO and DSL groups. CON served as the negative control. Blood samples were collected from experimental animals on zero, 20th, and 40th days of trial to study liver specific serum enzyme profile viz aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP). Significantly (P less than 0.01) higher levels of all the enzymes studied were observed in experimentally induced diabetic rats in comparison to normal rats. However, in SLE treated diabetic rats (DSL group), significant (P less than 0.01) improvement was observed in all the above enzymes. It may be concluded that SLE exerts hepatoprotective effect in STZ induce Diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats.

Blood biochemical profile of four fast-growing broiler strains under high ambient temperature

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of optimum and high ambient temperatures on biochemical parameter of four broiler strains. Broiler chicks (n = 242) of four different commercial strains (Ross, Hubbard, Cobb and Arber Acer) on day 15 were divided into two groups: thermo-neutral zone (TN) group and high ambient temperature zone (HAT) group. Chicks in TN group were housed at constant room temperature (25 °C ± 2 C° and RH 65 ± 5%) while chicks in HAT group were kept under HAT of summer. Chicks in each group were further divided into four subgroups, i.e., TN-Ross, TN-Hubbard, TN-Cobb, TN-Arber Acer and HAT-Ross, HAT-Hubbard, HAT-Cobb, HAT-Arber Acer. Each subgroup was further subdivided into four replicates having ten chicks per replicate. Blood was collected on day 21 and 42. Mean serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphates (ALP), glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in HAT group, while total serum protein and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TN group. In TN zone group, significantly (P < 0.05) lower AST, ALT, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL and significantly (P < 0.05) higher HDL and total protein were recorded for Cobb and Hubbard strains. In HAT zone group, significantly (P < 0.05) lower AST, ALT, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL and significantly (P < 0.05) higher HDL and total protein were recorded for Ross and Arber Acer strains. The findings of the present study suggested that Ross and Arber Acer strains were more tolerant to summer HAT of tropical areas than Cobb and Hubbard, while Cobb and Hubbard strains were more effective in TN environment.

Silver nanoparticles protect acetaminophen induced acute hepatotoxicity: A biochemical and histopathological approach

The present study was premeditated to demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Rats were treated with three different doses of AgNPs (50, 100 and 150 μg/kg, p.o.) after Acetaminophen (APAP; 2 g/kg, p.o. once only) intoxication. Treatment with AgNPs recouped the levels of serum aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol in dose dependent manner. Significant reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and restoration of reduced glutathione (GSH) was found in liver in AgNPs treated animals. Alleviated activities of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), glucose-6- phosphatase (G6Pase) and antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) due to APAP induced toxicity in liver were recovered by the treatment of AgNPs. Improvement in histoarchitecture of liver was also consistent with biochemical observations. The results revealed that AgNPs showed significant dose-dependent protection against APAP induced hepatocellular injury.

Prognostic Impacts of Increases in Amino Transaminases Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting on Mortality

To evaluate the prognostic impacts of postoperative increases in serum amino transaminases on 1-year mortality in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft. A retrospective analysis. A tertiary care university hospital. A total of 1,950 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft. None. Aspartate amino transaminase and alanine amino transaminase ratios were calculated as the ratio between the peak aspartate amino transaminase and alanine amino transaminase within the first 5 post-operative days and their respective upper limit of normal values. A ratio of 2.0 was seen to be the minimum for which a difference in 1-year mortality could be detected in univariate analysis, when considering simultaneously both aspartate amino transaminase and alanine amino transaminase ratios. Multivariable analysis showed an association between an aspartate amino transaminase ratio > 2.0 and increased 1-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42-5.05, P = 0.002), and also between both an aspartate amino transaminase and alanine amino transaminase ratio > 2.0 and increased 1-year mortality (HR 3.90, 95% CI 1.87-8.14, P < 0.001). However, increases in alanine amino transaminase only above the upper limit of normal were not associated with increased 1-year mortality. Postoperative increases in aspartate amino transaminase only and increases in both aspartate amino transaminase and alanine amino transaminase greater than twice the upper limit of normal were associated with increased 1-year mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft.

Changes of haemogram and serum biochemistry in neonatal piglet diarrhoea associated with porcine rotavirus type A.

Porcine rotavirus type A (RVA) is a major cause of neonatal piglet mortality in India. The effect of the disease on haemogram and serum biochemical profile is not well established in piglets. Accordingly, we assessed the haemogram and serum biochemical profile in the neonatal piglet diarrhoea with RVA infection (n=17). The diagnosis of RVA was confirmed using RNA-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (RNA-PAGE), commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Non-infected healthy piglets (n=6) served as control. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, alanine amino transaminase (ALT), aspartate amino transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in serum were measured by spectrophotometric method. Haemogram was done in the blood using sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na2 EDTA) as anticoagulant. The mean values of total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were significantly (P<0.001) decreased and concentrations of ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine were significantly increased (P<0.001) in the RVA-infected piglets. Haemogram showed marked haemoconcentration (P<0.001), leukopenia (P<0.01) and neutropenia (P<0.01) in the presence of RVA infection than healthy piglets. The results indicated a possible extra-intestinal spread of RVA in piglets during neonatal diarrhoea. The finding might be helpful to clinicians and while treating such type of clinical cases, incorporation of organ protective drugs will be helpful for better response in the treatment schedule.

Noninvasive Models to Predict Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: A Study from Turkey

Background: Many noninvasive methods, including aspartate amino transaminase (AST)/alanine amino transaminase (ALT) ratio (AAR), AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), Bonacini cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS), fibrosis-4 (FIB4) index, and age-platelet index (API), have been described to determine the stage of hepatic fibrosis. However, these methods are developed for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and produce conflicting results in the prediction of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between 7 noninvasive models, including AAR, APRI, CDS, API, FIB-4, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW)-to-platelet ratio (RPR) in patients with CHB. Methods: The study population included all patients with CHB, undergoing liver biopsy to determine HBsAg and HBV DNA positivity in more than 6 months. Results: A total of 2520 treatment-naive CHB patients from 40 different centers were included in the study. In total, 62.6% of the patients were male, and the mean age was 40.60 ± 12.34 years (minimum, 18 years; maximum, 77 years). The Ishak fibrosis score was ≥ 3 in 29.8% of the patients, indicating significant fibrosis. The mean API, APRI, CDS, NLR, FIB4, and RPR scores in the noninvasive models were significantly different between the groups with significant and low fibrosis (P < 0.05). All the noninvasive models (API, APRI, AAR, CDS, NLR, RPR, and FIB4) were found to be significant in the discrimination of cirrhosis (P < 0.05). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, CDS, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, neutrophil count, NLR, mean platelet volume (MPV), and FIB4 were independent indices for cirrhosis. Conclusions: In the present study, the role of noninvasive tests in the prediction of liver fibrosis stage and cirrhosis was evaluated in a large cohort of CHB patients. Overall, noninvasive models are gradually becoming more promising. Accordingly, the need for liver biopsy can be reduced with a combination of noninvasive methods in the future.

Disruption of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Rats Results in Faster Initiation of Compensatory Regeneration Despite Higher Liver Injury After Carbon Tetrachloride Treatment.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) is 1 of the 2 intracellular receptors for estrogen and is expressed by hepatocytes in the liver. The role of ESR1 in the regulation of toxicant-induced liver injury and compensatory regeneration is not completely clear. We investigated the role of ESR1 in liver regeneration after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury using wild type (WT) and ESR1 knockout (ESR1-KO) rats. Adult female WT and ESR1-KO rats were treated with 1 mL/kg CCl4 and euthanized over a time course of 0 to 48 hours. Liver injury measured by serum alanine amino transaminase, and histopathological analysis showed significantly higher liver injury in ESR1-KO as compared to WT rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed 2-fold higher necrosis and significant inflammatory cell infiltration in ESR1-KO rats. Chloracetate esterase staining revealed higher neutrophil infiltration in ESR1-KO rat livers. Interestingly, proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry showed that in spite of 2-fold higher liver injury, the ESR1-KO rats had equal liver regeneration as compared to WT rats. Western blot analysis of cyclin D1 and phosphorylated Rb, proteins involved in the initiation of the cell cycle, was significantly higher at all time points in ESR1-KO rats. Further analysis revealed faster activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin and NF-κB signaling in ESR1-KO rats characterized by higher activated β-catenin and phosphorylated p65 at 12 hours after CCl4 treatment. Taken together, these data indicate that ESR1-mediated signaling inhibits liver regeneration by downregulation of Wnt signaling resulting in lower cyclin D1 activation after chemical-induced liver injury.

Predictive model for inflammation grades of chronic hepatitis B: Large-scale analysis of clinical parameters and gene expressions.

Liver biopsy is the gold standard to assess pathological features (eg inflammation grades) for hepatitis B virus-infected patients although it is invasive and traumatic; meanwhile, several gene profiles of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have been separately described in relatively small hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected samples. We aimed to analyse correlations among inflammation grades, gene expressions and clinical parameters (serum alanine amino transaminase, aspartate amino transaminase and HBV-DNA) in large-scale CHB samples and to predict inflammation grades by using clinical parameters and/or gene expressions. We analysed gene expressions with three clinical parameters in 122 CHB samples by an improved regression model. Principal component analysis and machine-learning methods including Random Forest, K-nearest neighbour and support vector machine were used for analysis and further diagnosis models. Six normal samples were conducted to validate the predictive model. Significant genes related to clinical parameters were found enriching in the immune system, interferon-stimulated, regulation of cytokine production, anti-apoptosis, and etc. A panel of these genes with clinical parameters can effectively predict binary classifications of inflammation grade (area under the ROC curve [AUC]: 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77-0.93), validated by normal samples. A panel with only clinical parameters was also valuable (AUC: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65-0.86), indicating that liquid biopsy method for detecting the pathology of CHB is possible. This is the first study to systematically elucidate the relationships among gene expressions, clinical parameters and pathological inflammation grades in CHB, and to build models predicting inflammation grades by gene expressions and/or clinical parameters as well.

Prediction of complications in early-onset pre-eclampsia (PREP): development and external multinational validation of prognostic models

BackgroundUnexpected clinical deterioration before 34 weeks gestation is an undesired course in early-onset pre-eclampsia. To safely prolong preterm gestation, accurate and timely prediction of complications is required.MethodWomen with confirmed early onset pre-eclampsia were recruited from 53 maternity units in the UK to a large prospective cohort study (PREP-946) for development of prognostic models for the overall risk of experiencing a complication using logistic regression (PREP-L), and for predicting the time to adverse maternal outcome using a survival model (PREP-S). External validation of the models were carried out in a multinational cohort (PIERS-634) and another cohort from the Netherlands (PETRA-216). Main outcome measures were C-statistics to summarise discrimination of the models and calibration plots and calibration slopes.ResultsA total of 169 mothers (18%) in the PREP dataset had adverse outcomes by 48 hours, and 633 (67%) by discharge. The C-statistics of the models for predicting complications by 48 hours and by discharge were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.81–0.87; PREP-S) and 0.82 (0.80–0.84; PREP-L), respectively. The PREP-S model included maternal age, gestation, medical history, systolic blood pressure, deep tendon reflexes, urine protein creatinine ratio, platelets, serum alanine amino transaminase, urea, creatinine, oxygen saturation and treatment with antihypertensives or magnesium sulfate. The PREP-L model included the above except deep tendon reflexes, serum alanine amino transaminase and creatinine. On validation in the external PIERS dataset, the reduced PREP-S model showed reasonable calibration (slope 0.80) and discrimination (C-statistic 0.75) for predicting adverse outcome by 48 hours. Reduced PREP-L model showed excellent calibration (slope: 0.93 PIERS, 0.90 PETRA) and discrimination (0.81 PIERS, 0.75 PETRA) for predicting risk by discharge in the two external datasets.ConclusionsPREP models can be used to obtain predictions of adverse maternal outcome risk, including early preterm delivery, by 48 hours (PREP-S) and by discharge (PREP-L), in women with early onset pre-eclampsia in the context of current care. They have a potential role in triaging high-risk mothers who may need transfer to tertiary units for intensive maternal and neonatal care.Trial registrationISRCTN40384046, retrospectively registered.

Shape optimization as a tool to design biocatalytic microreactors

Reactor design is commonly constrained to already well-known reactor shapes. This article presents an innovative application of shape optimization techniques to design biocatalytic microreactors.Currently, the optimization of reactor performance is often done by considering solely the process conditions. However, common reactor types used in (bio)chemical processes do not always give the optimal conditions for executing the reaction, and it is therefore necessary to look into new approaches to further improve the performance of reactors. The new application of shape optimization described in this paper has as its main goal the design of a reactor by compensating for the limitations of the reaction system by modifying the reactor configuration. Random search was the optimization method chosen for transforming the initial reactor configuration to a more optimal one.The case study presented here investigates the impact of a change to the microreactor shape on the active mixing of two parallel streams (one containing an enzyme, amino transaminase, and the other the substrates, acetophenone and isopropylamine) and consequently its influence on the reaction yield. Compared to the original reactor configuration, the shape optimization resulted in changes of the microreactor wall surfaces leading to an 8.4-fold improvement of the reactor yield. This innovative optimization also offers the opportunity to obtain new structures which can later be tested experimentally.

Comprehensive growth performance, immune function, plasma biochemistry, gene expressions and cell death morphology responses to a daily corticosterone injection course in broiler chickens.

The massive meat production of broiler chickens make them continuously exposed to potential stressors that stimulate releasing of stress-related hormones like corticosterone (CORT) which is responsible for specific pathways in biological mechanisms and physiological activities. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate a wide range of responses related to broiler performance, immune function, plasma biochemistry, related gene expressions and cell death morphology during and after a 7-day course of CORT injection. A total number of 200 one-day-old commercial Cobb broiler chicks were used in this study. From 21 to 28 d of age, broilers were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups with 5 replicates of 20 birds each; the first group received a daily intramuscular injection of 5 mg/kg BW corticosterone dissolved in 0.5 ml ethanol:saline solution (CORT group), while the second group received a daily intramuscular injection of 0.5 ml ethanol:saline only (CONT group). Growth performance, including body weight (BW), daily weight gain (DG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FC), were calculated at 0, 3 and 7 d after the start of the CORT injections. At the same times, blood samples were collected in each group for hematological (TWBC’s and H/L ratio), T- and B-lymphocytes proliferation and plasma biochemical assays (total protein, TP; free triiodothyronine hormone, fT3; aspartate amino transaminase, AST; and alanine amino transaminase, ALT). The liver, thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen were dissected and weighed, and the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 gene (IGF-1) in liver and cell-death-program gene (caspase-9) in bursa were analyzed for each group and time; while the apoptotic/necrotic cells were morphologically detected in the spleen. From 28 to 35 d of age, broilers were kept for recovery period without CORT injection and the same sampling and parameters were repeated at the end (at 14 d after initiation of the CORT injection). In general, all parameters of broiler performance were negatively affected by the CORT injection. In addition, CORT treatment decreased the plasma concentration of fT3 and the mRNA expression of hepatic IGF-1. A significant increase in liver weight accompanied by an increase in plasma TP, AST and ALT was observed with CORT treatment, indicating an incidence of liver malfunction by CORT. Moreover, the relative weights of thymus, bursa and spleen decreased by the CORT treatment with low counts of TWBC’s and low stimulation of T & B cells while the H/L ratio increased; indicating immunosuppressive effect for CORT treatment. Furthermore, high expression of caspase-9 gene occurred in the bursa of CORT-treated chickens, however, it was associated with a high necrotic vs. low apoptotic cell death pathway in the spleen. Seven days after termination of the CORT treatment in broilers, most of these aspects remained negatively affected by CORT and did not recover to its normal status. The current study provides a comprehensive view of different physiological modulations in broiler chickens by CORT treatment and may set the potential means to mount a successful defense against stress in broilers and other animals as well.

Dietary hydroxycinnamates prevent oxidative damages to liver, spleen, and bone marrow cells in irradiation-exposed mice.

Dietary hydroxycinnamates are considered as attractive materials for radioprotection. This study explores whether hydroxycinnamates protect against γ-radiation-induced cellular damages and hematopoietic stem cell senescence. C57BL/6 mice were orally administered with each of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid (20mg/kg body weight) once per three days for five times before exposure to total body radiation (5 Gy). Irradiation increased the activities of alanine amino transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in blood serum but decreased the anti-oxidant defense enzyme activities in the liver and spleen tissues. Oral administration of the compounds almost completely prevented irradiation-mediated changes in these enzyme activities. The hydroxycinnamates also inhibited the irradiation-mediated increases in the mitochondrial superoxide anions of Lin-Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) cells and CD150+CD48- LSK cells in the bone marrow. These results suggest that dietary hydroxycinnamates protect against irradiation-mediated oxidative damages of tissues and bone marrow progenitor cells.

Evaluation of the growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood indices of broiler finishers fed graded levels of fermented &lt;i&gt;Mucuna sloanei&lt;/i&gt; seed meal

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal (FMSM) on growth, carcass characteristics and blood indices of finisher broilers. Fermented Mucuna Sloanei seeds were processed into meal and analyzed for proximate and phytochemical compositions. The meal was then used to make four broiler finisher diets at 0, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0% inclusion levels, respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 finisher broilers at 5 weeks old for 28 days using completely randomized design. Each group was further subdivided into three replicates of 10 birds each. Average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain decreased significantly (p 0.05). The urea concentration and the liver enzymes (alanine amino transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase) were not affected by dietary treatment. Blood indices affected were red blood cell, total proteins and creatinine which decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as the dietary inclusion of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal increased. Therefore, replacement of soya bean with Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal should not exceed 5% dietary level. Key words: blood indices, carcass, fermented mucuna, growth