Background: Production of cement is a dusty industrial process which includes emission of particulates, gases, solid waste, etc. Cement industries are regarded as one of the major source of environmental pollution. Cement factory workers are prone to occupational hazards. They encounter detrimental impact on their health due to prolong and repeated exposure to cement dust. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of cement dust exposure duration on liver function parameters (Serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) in cement factory workers. Materials and methods: Across-sectional comparative study design was adopted in this work. It was conducted in Department of Physiology, Chittagong Medical College in collaboration with Confidence cement factory Ltd. Chattogram from July 2022 to June 2023. Apparently healthy total 96 male subjects, aged between 20-50 years with BMI 18.5-27.5kg/m2 were included in this study by simple random sampling using lottery technique. Among them 48 cement factory workers, who were directly exposed to cement dust for at least 5 years and 48 subjects, engaged in desk job/office work, not directly exposed to cement dust in their working environment were enrolled in this study. To assess liver function serum ALT, AST, ALP and serum bilirubin were estimated. Unpaired Student’s t-test and ANOVA test were done for statistical analysis. Results: Mean values of serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in workers exposed for 10-14 years. Other parameters showed non significant changes between groups. Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that duration of exposure to cement dust might not cause significant differences in the liver function of cement factory workers. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.24 (2); July 2025; Page 47-51

This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Taxus cuspidata seed oil (TCSO) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. A mouse model of hepatic fibrosis was established by CCl4 induction, and the model mice were subsequently treated orally with high dose or low dose TCSO for eight weeks. The degree of liver fibrosis and the mechanism of action were assessed through organ indices, serum biochemical markers, oxidative stress levels, histopathological examination, and molecular biological analyses. The results demonstrated that TCSO significantly reduced serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Concurrently, it decreased the concentrations of liver fibrosis markers, including procollagen III (PC III), collagen IV (IV-C), hyaluronic acid (HA), and laminin (LN), and reduced hepatic collagen deposition. Furthermore, TCSO enhanced the activities of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) while inhibiting the production of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), and it ameliorated histopathological alterations in liver tissue. Additionally, TCSO markedly downregulated the expression of key fibrogenic proteins, such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), thereby effectively suppressing the progression of hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, TCSO ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in mice by reducing hepatotoxic enzyme activity and collagen deposition, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and downregulating the expression of fibrosis-related proteins.

This study aims to compare the efficacy of modified transumbilical single-port and conventional 3-port laparoscopic minimally invasive cholecystectomy based on the levels of inflammatory factors and serum amylase. Ninety-one patients with benign gallbladder diseases admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into group A (n = 45) and group B (n = 46) according to the surgical method. The group A accepted traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the group B accepted modified transumbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The perioperative indicators, degree of pain, levels of inflammatory factors, liver function, serum amylase level, immune function, patients’ satisfaction with aesthetic incision and incidence of complications were compared in both groups. Compared with group A, group B was associated with a longer operative time (95% confidence interval: −15.9 to −1.5; P = .018). Group B demonstrated significantly lower pain scores at both 12 hours (postoperative day [POD] 0.5) and 24 hours (POD 1) postoperatively (both P <.001), with multivariate analysis confirming these differences remained significant after adjustment for covariates ( P <.001). While both groups showed postoperative elevations in inflammatory markers [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)], liver enzymes [total bilirubin (TBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)], and serum amylase, Group B maintained significantly lower hs-CRP levels after adjustment ( P = .018). Immunological assessment revealed better-preserved immunoglobulin levels [Immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, IgM] in Group B at POD 7 (all P <.001). Patients receiving the single-port technique reported higher cosmetic satisfaction (95% confidence interval: −0.88 to −0.45, P <.001) and experienced fewer complications ( P <.05). No significant intergroup differences were observed in recovery milestones (first flatus, first defecation), hospital stay, or intraoperative blood loss (all P >.05). The modified transumbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy may reduce the degree of pain, reduce the inflammatory response, reduce serum amylase level, improve the liver function and immune function, promote patients’ satisfaction with aesthetic incision and reduce the incidence of complications. However, the retrospective design limits causal inferences and requires validation by prospective studies.

Ethanol-induced gastric ulcer is categorized via acute mucosal injury mediated by oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gastric barrier. Notoginsenoside R1 (NR) is a saponin that has shown the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects; however, its gastroprotective effect and mechanisms remain unclear. In this experimental study, we evaluate the gastroprotective effect of notoginsenoside R1 (NR) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers and evaluate the underlying mechanism. Orally administration of ethanol (5mL/kg) was used for induction of the gastric ulcers in the rats. Rats were pretreated with NR prior to ethanol exposure. Gastric damage was assessed via lesion score, ulcer index, pH, gastric juice volume, and total acidity. Biochemical analyses included hepatic, antioxidant, non-hepatic, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and inflammatory parameters that were analyzed. Key signaling genes were further evaluated at the mRNA level. NR treatment significantly (p < 0.001) improved body weight and altered organ weights (stomach and liver) as well as relative organ weight. NR pretreatment remarkably ameliorates ethanol-induced gastric injury, as evidenced by decreased ulcer index, lesion score, gastric juice, total acidity, and restoration of gastric pH. NR altered the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Notoginsenoside R1 treatment group rats significantly (p < 0.001) altered the levels of hepatic parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); non-hepatic parameters like total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, and A/G ratio; antioxidant parameters viz., malonaldehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH); inflammatory cytokines include tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-18 (IL-18); apoptosis parameters such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; inflammatory parameters such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Notoginsenoside R1 treatment significantly (p < 0.001) altered the mRNA expression of COX-2, iNOS, PGE2 synthase, NF-κB (p65), Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88). Notoginsenoside R1 exerts the gastroprotective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers via attenuation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, primarily via alteration of HO-1/Nrf2, VEGFR2/ERK, and NF-κB/TLR-2/Myd88 signaling pathway.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the histopathological and biochemical effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-associated liver injury in a rat model. Methods: PCOS was experimentally induced in rats, after which the animals were randomly assigned to three groups: control, PCOS, and PCOS treated with NMN. NMN was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day for seventeen consecutive days. Liver tissues were collected for histological analyses. General hepatic architecture and fibrotic alterations were evaluated using hematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining, respectively. Enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured as indicators of liver function. Results: Histopathological analysis demonstrated significant hepatic damage in the PCOS group, including hepatocellular ballooning, steatosis, spotty necrosis, portal and lobular inflammation, sinusoidal dilatation, increased apoptotic hepatocytes, and enhanced collagen deposition. Semi-quantitative scoring revealed significantly higher portal inflammation, ballooning degeneration, steatosis, spotty necrosis, and capsular inflammation scores in the PCOS group compared with controls. NMN treatment markedly ameliorated these histopathological alterations, as evidenced by reduced histopathological damage. Accordingly, semi-quantitative histopathological scores were significantly lower in the PCOS+NMN group than in the PCOS group. Consistent with histological findings, serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities were significantly elevated in the PCOS group but were significantly reduced following NMN administration, indicating an improvement in PCOS-associated hepatic injury. Also, NMN significantly attenuated PCOS-associated body weight gain. Conclusion: NMN treatment markedly alleviated PCOS-associated liver injury by improving hepatic histopathology and normalizing liver enzyme activities

Background Despite the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China, immune non-response (INR) remains critical for the long-term quality of life of people living with HIV (PLWH). Although the consensus on diagnosis and management of immunological non-responders in HIV infection (Version 2023) was published in China to standardize diagnostic criteria, prediction models for INR based on these criteria remain scarce. This study aims to develop and validate a nomogram model for early identification of INR risk based on the diagnostic criteria in this consensus, so as to facilitate clinical intervention. Methods In this retrospective study, the primary cohort included 615 PLWH who initiated ART and completed over 4 years of follow-up at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (January 2016 to May 2025). They were randomly split into a training set (n=433) and an internal validation set (n=182) in a 7:3 ratio. An external validation set comprised 213 PLWH from Xishui County People’s Hospital (January 2012 to August 2025). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of INR, and a nomogram was constructed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed to evaluate the discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of the model in the training set and validation sets, respectively. Results LASSO regression identified seven candidate variables: age at ART initiation, baseline CD4 + T cell count, body mass index (BMI), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage. Subsequent multivariable logistic regression confirmed baseline CD4 + T cell count (p &amp;lt; 0.001), age at ART initiation (p = 0.001), and AST level (p = 0.014) as independent INR predictors. The resulting nomogram demonstrated area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.896, 0.903, and 0.766 in the training, internal validation, and external validation sets, respectively. The calibration curve and DCA further indicated satisfactory consistency and clinical net benefit. Conclusion The developed nomogram effectively predicts INR risk in PLWH initiating ART, providing clinicians a practical tool for individualized management to improve patient prognosis.

Daidzein attenuates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury via HMGB1- TLR4 signaling pathway.

ALT-triggered reflex AST testing in health check-ups: A decision curve analysis.

Introduction: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) remain a leading cause of maternal and foetal morbidity worldwide. Given the rising burden of cardiovascular morbidity in India, there is a critical need to evaluate specific cardiac biomarkers to identify subclinical cardiac strain in regional clinical settings. Aim: To compare the serum level of cardiac biomarkers in pregnant women with and without hypertensive disorders attending Antenatal Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Central India. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2023 to May 2024 at Hamidia Hospital a Tertiary Care Hospital associated with Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Total 312 study participants were enrolled and divided into normotensive (n=239), Gestational Hypertension (GH) (n=33) and Preeclampsia (PE) (n=40). The cardiac biomarkers such as Creatine Phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Highsensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), glucose and creatinine were measured by fully automated biochemistry analyser and Troponin-I and NT-proBNP by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square test was used for comparison of data among groups. the p&lt;0.05 was considered as significant level. Results: No significant difference was found in age and Body Mass Index (BMI) among the groups. A significant, stepwise increase was found in the levels of multiple cardiac biomarkers as the severity escalated from GH to PE (p&lt;0.001 for all). Specifically, the median levels of NT-proBNP, a marker of ventricular wall stress, showed a dramatic surge from 29 pg/mL (Normotensive) to 40 pg/mL in GH group and a striking 155 pg/ mL in the PE group. Similarly, Troponin I (myocardial injury) and CPK-MB, SGOT, and LDH (tissue damage) were all significantly elevated in the HDP groups. Conclusion: HDP are associated with a progressive rise in cardiac and tissue injury biomarkers, with the highest levels observed in PE. The marked increase in NT-proBNP highlights significant cardiac stress and supports the potential role of these biomarkers in risk assessment and clinical monitoring. These findings advocate for the integration of specific biomarkers into routine screening to enable early risk stratification and improve maternal-foetal outcomes in HDP.

Xiaoyao powder attenuates acetaminophen-induced liver injury through modulating gut microbiota and upregulating GLYAT.

Urinary angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7) in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia subtypes: clinical and biochemical correlations.

Alteration of amino acid racemization rates of dentin via aspartate aminotransferase: A pilot study.

Acute injury of liver in hybrid groupers (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂×Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀) under high-dose Edwardsiella ictaluri infection.

Molecular hydrogen mitigates acetaminophen-induced liver injury and enhances the effects of N-acetylcysteine in diabetic mice.

Assessment of p-phenylenediamine toxicity in subcellular compartments of hepatic and ocular tissues in Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852).

TPPU alleviates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating macrophage polarization.

Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract mitigates alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety and oxidative stress in mice.

Amelioration of postpartum hyperketonemia using amino acids, cyanocobalamin, inositol, α-lipoic acid or monensin during the transition period of dairy cows.

Cichoriin suppresses hepatic lipid accumulation and fibrosis in mice metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis via the AMPK pathway.

Redox imbalance and NF-κB activation drives 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG)-induced hepatotoxicity in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): HSP70 as a protective therapeutic target.