Biochemical Patterns Research Articles

Label-Free SERS for Rapid Differentiation of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Serum Metabolic Profiles in Non-Hospitalized Adults.

COVID-19 represents a multi-system infectious disease with broad-spectrum manifestations, including changes in host metabolic processes connected to the disease pathogenesis. Understanding biochemical dysregulation patterns as a consequence of COVID-19 illness promises to be crucial for tracking disease course and clinical outcomes. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has attracted considerable interest in biomedical diagnostics for the sensitive detection of intrinsic profiles of unique fingerprints of serum biomolecules indicative of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a label-free format. Here, we applied label-free SERS and chemometrics for rapid interrogation of temporal metabolic dynamics in longitudinal sera of mildly infected non-hospitalized patients (n = 22), at 4 and 16 weeks post PCR-positive diagnosis, and compared them with negative controls (n = 8). SERS spectral markers revealed distinct metabolic profiles in patient sera that significantly deviated from the healthy metabolic state at the two sampling time intervals. Multivariate and univariate analyses of the spectral data identified abundance dynamics in amino acids, lipids, and protein vibrations as the key spectral features underlying the metabolic differences detected in convalescent samples and perhaps associated with patient recovery progression. A validation study performed using spontaneous Raman spectroscopy yielded spectral data results that corroborated SERS spectral findings and confirmed the detected disease-specific molecular phenotypes in clinical samples. Label-free SERS promises to be a valuable analytical technique for rapid screening of the metabolic phenotype induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection to allow appropriate healthcare intervention.

Effects of used and under-used doses of Transfluthrin-based insecticide on Caenorhabditis elegans metabolism

Different classes of insecticide compounds have been employed to control insects and mosquitoes; Pyrethroids are one of the most common used in both urban and rural household environments. This study investigated the effects of exposure of two doses of commercial transfluthrin-based insecticide (T-BI) on behavior (body bends, pharyngeal pumping rate, and feeding attributes) and biochemical biomarkers (AChE, PolyQ40 aggregations, HSP, antioxidative SOD, CTL, and GST) following three different protocols (transgenerational, neonatal, and lifespan) in Caenorhabditis elegans model system. The relative calculated dose (RCD) and relative calculated half dose (RCHD) of T-BI were compared with those of the control (water). T-BI reduced the health span of worms treated during their whole life and changed biochemical and behavioral patterns due to progenitors' uterine (transgenerational) and neonatal exposures. It was inferred that the effects of T-BI are transgenerational and persistent and can be harmful to non-target species, including humans. In addition, our findings highlight that T-BI contact by progenitors accelerates the establishment of Huntington's disease and causes a cholinergic outbreak in offspring adulthood.

Designing a novel tomato ideotype for future cultivation in space manned missions

Introduction: Methods for production of fresh, health food are needed in view of long-term, deep-space manned missions. To this end, crops tailored for better performance under non-terrestrial conditions may be obtained by the exploitation of biochemical patterns related to specialized metabolites known to confer protection against environmental challenges and to be beneficial to human health.Methods: In this work, for the first time, MicroTom plants have been engineered specifically for agrospace applications to express PhAN4, a MYB-like transcription factor able to regulate the biosynthesis of anthocyanins that influence tomato genes possibly involved in agrospace-relevant functions. Results:PhAN4 engineering underpinned the genetic background of the dwarf tomato MicroTom while maintaining yield and photosynthetic capacity. PhAN4 expression resulted in the accumulation of anthocyanins and polyphenols, a differential carotenoid profile, increased antioxidant scavenging capacities of fruits compared to the original genotype. Improved ability to counteract ROS generation and to preserve plant protein folding after ex-vivo gamma irradiation was observed.Discussion: These results highlights that the manipulation of specific metabolic pathways is a promising approach to design novel candidate varieties for agrospace applications.

Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics and Response Patterns of Salinity Stress Responsive Genes (SSRGs) in Wild Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.)

Cultivating salt-tolerant crops is a feasible way to effectively utilize saline-alkali land and solve the problem of underutilization of saline soils. Quinoa, a protein-comprehensive cereal in the plant kingdom, is an exceptional crop in terms of salt stress tolerance level. It seems an excellent model for the exploration of salt-tolerance mechanisms and cultivation of salt-tolerant germplasms. In this study, the seeds and seedlings of the quinoa cultivar Shelly were treated with different concentrations of NaCl solution. The physiological, biochemical characteristics and agronomic traits were investigated, and the response patterns of three salt stress-responsive genes (SSRGs) in quinoa were determined by real-time PCR. The optimum level of stress tolerance of quinoa cultivar Shelly was found in the range of 250–350 mM concentration of NaCl. Salt stress significantly induced expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and particularly betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH). BADH was discovered to be more sensitive to salt stress and played an important role in the salt stress tolerance of quinoa seedlings, particularly at high NaCl concentrations, as it displayed upregulation until 24 h under 100 mM salt treatment. Moreover, it showed upregulation until 12 h under 250 mM salt stress. Taken together, these results suggest that BADH played an essential role in the salt-tolerance mechanism of quinoa. Based on the expression level and prompt response induced by NaCl, we suggest that the BADH can be considered as a molecular marker for screening salt-tolerant quinoa germplasm at the early stages of crop development. Salt treatment at different plant ontogeny or at different concentrations had a significant impact on quinoa growth. Therefore, an appropriate treatment approach needs to be chosen rationally in the process of screening salt-tolerant quinoa germplasm, which is useful to the utilization of saline soils. Our study provides a fundamental information to deepen knowledge of the salt tolerance mechanism of quinoa for the development of salt-tolerant germplasm in crop breeding programs.

Cardiovascular and lipid-lowering effects of a marine lipoprotein extract in a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model.

Obesity is a major health challenge worldwide, with implications for diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Regular consumption of dark-meat fish is linked to a lower incidence of CVD and associated metabolic disorders due to the presence of long-chain omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters in fish oils. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a marine compound like a sardine lipoprotein extract (RCI-1502), regulates fat accumulation in the heart of a high-fat diet-induced (HFD) mouse model of obesity. To investigate its effects in the heart and liver, we conducted a randomized, 12-week placebo-controlled study in which we analyzed the expression of vascular inflammation markers, obesity biochemical patterns and related CVD pathologies. Male HFD-fed mice treated with a RCI-1502-supplemented diet showed reduced body weight, abdominal fat tissue and pericardial fat pad mass density without systemic toxicity. RCI-1502 significantly reduced triacylglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and total-cholesterol concentrations in serum, but increased HDL-cholesterol levels. Our data show that RCI-1502 is beneficial for reducing obesity associated with a long-term HFD, possibly by exerting a protective effect on lipidic homeostasis, indicated also by histopathological analysis. These results collectively indicate that RCI-1502 acts as a cardiovascular therapeutic nutraceutical agent, which modulates fat-induced inflammation and improves metabolic health.

Gene expression and biochemical patterns in the digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) exposed to 17α-ethinylestradiol

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are a class of chemicals that can spread throughout the environment and may cause adverse biological and ecological effects. While there are many different classes of CECs, one of the most well documented in the aquatic environment are pharmaceutical drugs, such as natural and synthetic estrogens. In particular, the widespread presence of the synthetic estrogen 17 α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water may lead to bioaccumulation in sediment and biota. EE2 is the primary component in contraceptive pills, and is a derivative of the natural hormone estradiol (E2). In this study, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was exposed to EE2 in a semi-static and time-dependent experiment, for a total exposure period of 28 days. Biochemical and transcriptomics analyses were performed on mussel digestive glands after exposure for 14 (T14) and 28 (T28) days. Metabolic and DNA impairments, as well as activation of antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes activation, were detected in T28 exposed mussels. RNA-Seq analysis showed significant differential expression of 160 (T14 compared to controls), 33 (T28 compared to controls) and 79 (T14 compared to T28) genes. Signs of stress after EE2 treatment included up-regulation of gene/proteins involved with immune function, lipid transport, and metabolic and antibacterial properties. This study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of EE2 in a filter feeding organisms to elucidate the effects of this human pharmaceutical on aquatic biota.

Comparative proteomic analysis and antioxidant enzyme activity provide new insights into the embryogenic competence of Guadua chacoensis (Bambusoideae, Poaceae)

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) involves modifications of cellular, biochemical, genetic, and epigenetic patterns. Our work investigated proteins as markers of embryogenic response and characterized the redox state of embryogenic cultures (EC) of Guadua chacoensis. We identified a total of 855 proteins; 129 were up- and 136 down-accumulated in EC as compared with non-embryogenic culture (NEC). Additionally, 37 and 22 proteins were identified as unique in EC and NEC, respectively. Heat-shock proteins as unique proteins and increased activity in Superoxide Dismutase and Guaiacol Peroxidase in EC suggest that the embryogenic response requires activation of the stress response mechanism. Ribosomal, translational, and glycolytic proteins in EC seem to be associated with protein synthesis and energy sources for embryo development, respectively. Accumulation of cell wall-related proteins, such as Arabinogalactan and Polygalacturonase inhibitors, and signaling transduction proteins, including Chitinase, Phospholipase, and Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins in EC seems to be associated with embryogenic response. Enhancement of H2O2 content in EC compared to NEC suggests a possible role as a secondary messenger in SE. Altogether, the present study identified marker proteins of embryogenic response in G. chacoensis and revealed the activation of ROS scavenging enzymes to assure cell redox homeostasis and SE responses. SignificanceSomatic embryogenesis is a promising technique for the propagation and conservation of bamboo species; however, this route has been the least understood and studied until now. This study corresponds to the first work approaching proteomics complemented with biochemical analyses in the somatic embryogenesis of bamboo, bringing robust and precise information that can improve our understanding of this complex morphogenetic route.

Emerging biomaterials and technologies to control stem cell fate and patterning in engineered 3D tissues and organoids.

The ability to create complex three-dimensional cellular models that can effectively replicate the structure and function of human organs and tissues in vitro has the potential to revolutionize medicine. Such models could facilitate the interrogation of developmental and disease processes underpinning fundamental discovery science, vastly accelerate drug development and screening, or even be used to create tissues for implantation into the body. Realization of this potential, however, requires the recreation of complex biochemical, biophysical, and cellular patterns of 3D tissues and remains a key challenge in the field. Recent advances are being driven by improved knowledge of tissue morphogenesis and architecture and technological developments in bioengineering and materials science that can create the multidimensional and dynamic systems required to produce complex tissue microenvironments. In this article, we discuss challenges for in vitro models of tissues and organs and summarize the current state-of-the art in biomaterials and bioengineered systems that aim to address these challenges. This includes both top-down technologies, such as 3D photopatterning, magnetism, acoustic forces, and cell origami, as well as bottom-up patterning using 3D bioprinting, microfluidics, cell sheet technology, or composite scaffolds. We illustrate the varying ways that these can be applied to suit the needs of different tissues and applications by focussing on specific examples of patterning the bone-tendon interface, kidney organoids, and brain cancer models. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future prospects in applying materials science and bioengineering to develop high-quality 3D tissue structures for in vitro studies.

Benincasa hispida extracts positively regulated high salt-induced hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats: Impact on biochemical profile and metabolic patterns.

Salt-induced hypertension is one of the major issues worldwide and one of the main factors involved in heart and kidney failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of Benincasa hispida extracts on high salt-induced hypertension in Dahl-salt sensitive (D-SS) rats and to find out the metabolic and biochemical pattern involved in the reduction of hypertension. Twenty-six Dahl salt-sensitive (D-SS) rats were selected and divided into four groups. The metabolic strategy was applied to test the extracts on salt-sensitive hypertension in kidney. Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the potent biochemical profile in renal medulla and cortex of rat kidneys. The differential metabolites of cortex and medulla, enrichment analysis and pathway analysis were performed using metabolomics data. The GC-MS data revealed that 24 different antihypertensive metabolites was detected in renal cortex, while 16 were detected in renal medulla between different groups. The significantly metabolic pathways namely citrate cycle, glutathione metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism in renal cortex and glycerolipid metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, citrate cycle, glycolysis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis in renal medulla were involved in the process of Hypertension. The results suggest that the extract mainly alter the metabolic pathways of amino acid in Dahl salt-sensitive rats and its antioxidant potential reduced the hypertension patterns of Salt-sensitive rat. The antihypertensive components malic acid, aspartic acid, and glycine of extract can be used as therapeutic drugs to protect kidneys from salt-induced hypertension. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Hypertension is a multifactorial disease and one of the risk factors for heart and kidney failure. Benincasa hispida is a widely used vegetable in China, which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammation and hypertension. The Benincasa hispida contains many compounds such as amino acids, carbohydrates, volatile compounds, vitamins, and minerals. The amino acid present in the pulp of Benincasa hispida are ornithine, threonine, aspartate, glutamate, serine, glycine, proline, alanine, valine, cysteine, isoleucine, tyrosine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, histidine, arginine, and γ-aminobutyric acid. Our results showed that Benincasa hispida is one of the potent natural antioxidants and can maintain normal blood pressure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (D-SS). In conclusion, the current results provide good theoretical basis for the development and research using Benincasa hispida as an effective natural antioxidant for hypertension.

Differential biochemical-inflammatory patterns in the astrocyte-neuron axis of the hippocampus and frontal cortex in Wistar rats with metabolic syndrome induced by high fat or carbohydrate diets

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a public health problem and a risk of developing cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. The biochemical-inflammatory impairment in brain areas related to learning and memory has not been differentiated between MetS models. We aimed to compare the effect of the MetS generated by consuming high-fat (HFD) or -carbohydrate diets (HCD) on the hippocampus and frontal cortex, related to astrocyte-neuron metabolism and neuroinflammation origin. Sixty male Wistar rats were separated into three groups: 1) control group, 2) HCD group, and 3) HFD group. After 3 months, we evaluated zoometry, a serum bioclinical profile, and in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, we performed biochemical assays (concentration of lactate, glutamate, fatty acids, and ASAT, ALAT, and LDH activity), immunoreactivity tests (GFAP, COX2, CD36, and BDNF), and immunoassays (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and PGE2). The bioclinical parameters showed that both diets induce MetS. At the brain level, it is noteworthy that the HCD group had an increase in lactate and glutamate concentration, reactive astrogliosis, immunoreactive COX2 neurons in the CA1 subfield hippocampus and frontal cortex, and high levels of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and low BDNF immunoreactivity. Meanwhile, the HFD is highlighted by increased fatty acid levels and CD36 expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, strong reactive astrogliosis and COX2 immunoreactivity, and the greatest inflammation with the lowest BDNF immunoreactivity. In conclusion, MetS induction by an HFD or HCD generates different biochemical, cellular, and inflammatory patterns in the hippocampus and frontal cortex.

Biochemical And Heamatological Evaluation Pattern Of Pentostam- Induced Hepatotoxicity And Nephrotoxicity In Albino Mice

This study was designed to examine the effect of different dose of Pentostam administration in male albino mice as a model, todetermine their effect on some biochemical and heamatological parameters. 28 adult male of BALB/c wild mice aged 8- 12 weeks andweighing 25-39 gm were used and i.p. injected with 10mg/kg, 20mg/kg, and 40mg/kg pentostam in addition to a control group. After28 therapeutic days, blood sample were collected from each animal. The result of Biochemical Index of the serum obtained showedthat there were increase significant differences between different concentration doses on AST, ALT, ALP, Urea, Creatinine and BUNas compare to control group at (p >0.01). Conversely in case of Albumin and Total protein were the result showed decrease significantdifference between different concentration doses on this parameter as compare to control group of the same at (p> 0.01). while nosignificant differences between the different concentrations group of doses on Total bilirubin, where the F value was (1.00). The resultof Hematological Index of blood sample showed that there were decrease significant difference at (P ≤ 0.01-0.05) in hemoglobin, HCT,WBCs, LYM and MON concentration in the different concentrations dose of treatment as compared to control group. Conversely, forMCHC, NEU and EOS there were increase significant difference at (P ≤ 0.05-0.01) as compared to the control group. While nosignificant changes (P ≤ 0.0-01.05) in the parameters of RBCs, MCV, MCH, BAS count and Platelet were found when compared withcontrol animals. Biochemical and hematological evaluation pattern still an important role to evaluate drug toxicity. However, theresults of this study concluded that, different doses of Pentostam can cause hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it will beimportant of change in anti-leishmanial regimen to reduce their side effect

Genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase deficiency.

Pathogenic biallelic variants in PCK1 coding for the cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) cause PEPCK-C deficiency, a rare disorder of gluconeogenesis presenting with hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and hepatopathy. To date, there has been no systematic analysis of its phenotypic, biochemical, and genetic spectrum. All currently published individuals and a novel patient with genetically confirmed PEPCK-C deficiency were included. Clinical, biochemical, and genetic findings were analyzed. Protein and in-silico prediction score modeling was applied to analyze potential variant effects. Thirty-two individuals from 25 families were found, including one previously unreported patient. The typical biochemical pattern was hypoglycemia triggered by catabolic situations, elevated urinary concentrations of tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites, mildly elevated alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and elevated lactate concentrations in serum. Plasma glutamine concentrations were elevated in some patients and may be a suitable marker for newborn screening. With adequate treatment, biochemical abnormalities usually normalized following a hypoglycemic episode. Symptom onset usually occurred in infancy with a broad range from neonatal age to adulthood. Regardless of the genotype, different phenotypes with a broad clinical spectrum were found. To date, eight genotypes with nine different PCK1 variants were identified, of which alleles with the recurrent variant c.925G > A; p.(Gly309Arg) are predominant and appear to be endemic in the Finnish population. Protein modeling suggests altered manganese- and substrate-binding as superordinate pathomechanisms. Environmental factors appear to be the main determinant for the phenotype in patients with biallelic variants in PCK1. Based on the biochemical pattern, PEPCK-C deficiency is a recognizable cause of childhood hypoglycemia. It is a treatable disease and early diagnosis is important to prevent metabolic derailment and morbidity. Newborn screening can identify at least a sub-cohort of affected individuals through elevated glutamine concentrations in dry blood.

Personalized Targeted Therapeutic Strategies against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. An Evidence-Based Review of Literature.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck, with a poor prognosis mainly due to recurrence and metastasis. Classical treatment modalities for OSCC like surgery and radiotherapy have difficulties in dealing with metastatic tumors, and together with chemotherapy, they have major problems related to non-specific cell death. Molecular targeted therapies offer solutions to these problems through not only potentially maximizing the anticancer efficacy but also minimizing the treatment-related toxicity. Among them, the receptor-mediated targeted delivery of anticancer therapeutics remains the most promising one. As OSCC exhibits a heterogeneous nature, selecting the appropriate receptors for targeting is the prerequisite. Hence, we reviewed the OSCC-associated receptors previously used in targeted therapy, focused on their biochemical characteristics and expression patterns, and discussed the application potential in personalized targeted therapy of OSCC. We hope that a better comprehension of this subject will help to provide the fundamental information for OSCC personalized therapeutic planning.

The Biochemical Pattern of Liver Function Tests in Adult Patients of Diabetes and the Association with Hypoglycemic Medications

Objective: To study the biochemical pattern of liver function tests in adult patients of diabetes and the association with hypoglycemic medications.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Creek General Hospital, Karachi Pakistan, from Jun 2021 to Sep 2021.
 Methodology: Two sixty patients were enrolled through consecutive non-probability sampling. Adult patients with diagnosed Type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study. While Type 1 diabetes patients, pregnant subjects, and people with diabetes with any other systemic disease or on any other non-diabetic medications or any history of drug abuse were excluded from the study.
 Results: Raised Alanine transaminase levels were seen in 193 (74%) patients, a high Alkaline Phosphatase in 208 (80%) and a high Aspartate Aminotransferase in 202 (77%) patients. Liver markers were higher in the middle age group, females, hypertensive, and with abdominal obesity. There was no association between glycemic control and the duration of diabetes. The number of subjects having raised ALT and ALP was higher in those taking oral hypoglycemic and lower in those with insulin.
 Conclusion: The liver markers are raised in patients with diabetes and can be the predictors of future hepatotoxicity.

AASLD practice guidance on drug, herbal, and dietary supplement-induced liver injury.

AASLD practice guidance on drug, herbal, and dietary supplement-induced liver injury.

In vitro spermiotoxicity and in vivo adults’ biochemical pattern after exposure of the Mediterranean mussel to the sunscreen avobenzone

Avobenzone (AVO) is one of the most frequent ultraviolet (UV) filters in personal care products (PCPs). The Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is a bioindicator often used for ecotoxicological research. Since UV filters reach higher peaks during summer in aquatic bodies, coincident with mussels' spawning period, and bivalves are sessile, both male gametes and adults of this species were used in this experiment. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess how AVO affects M. galloprovincialis at different biological levels. In vitro experiments on sperms (30 min-exposure) and in vivo experiments on adults (28 days-exposure) were carried out at 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μg/L of AVO concentrations. The oxidative and physiological status together with genotoxicity in exposed sperms were assessed. Several biochemical parameters related to enzymatic antioxidant defences, biotransformation enzymes, cell membrane damage, energy reserves, and neurotoxicity were evaluated in adult mussels. Results of in vitro sperm exposure to AVO showed significant overproduction of superoxide anions and DNA damages in all treatments and decrease in sperm viability at 1.0 and 10.0 μg/L. AVO exposure also led to complete inhibition of motility of sperms at the highest concentration, while a significant increase of curvilinear velocity and decrease of wobble occurred at 1.0 μg/L. In vivo exposed adults exhibited a significant decrease in metabolic capacity at 0.1 μg/L, a significant increase in the total protein content and enzymatic turnover as superoxide dismutase (antioxidant defence) at 10 μg/L. This study revealed an ecological concern related to the high sensitivity of sperms respectively to adults under environmentally relevant concentrations of AVO, underpinning an hypothesis of male reproductive function impairments.

EVALUATING SEPSIS CRITERIA IN DETECTING ALTERATIONS IN CLINICAL, METABOLIC, AND INFLAMMATORY PARAMETERS IN BURN PATIENTS.

Sepsis has become the leading cause of death in burn patients. Furthermore, sepsis and septic complications result in significant morbidities and longer hospitalization, which has profound impacts on the healthcare system. Despite this, sepsis in burn patients is surprisingly poorly understood and characterized. This retrospective, single-institution cohort study aimed to increase our understanding of the septic response after burns. We hypothesized that different sepsis definitions will results in distinctive septic trajectories and biochemical patterns after injury. Sepsis was defined by our burn center-specific prospective definition, the American Burn Association criteria, Sepsis-3 criteria, and the Mann-Salinas criteria. Applying these definitions, we compared clinical, metabolic, and inflammatory markers in septic and nonseptic burn patients. We found that the Sepsis-3 criteria are the most reliable screening tool used before clinical diagnoses for detecting sepsis trajectories and biochemical patterns. Moreover, we characterized distinct temporal alterations in biomarkers during the pre- and post-septic periods in burn patients, which may be incorporated into future sepsis definitions to improve the accuracy of a sepsis diagnosis in burn patients.

Hyponatraemia and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) in cancer.

Hyponatraemia is a common electrolyte abnormality seen in a wide range of oncological and haematological malignancies and confers poor performance status, prolonged hospital admission and reduced overall survival, in patients with cancer. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) is the commonest cause of hyponatraemia in malignancy and is characterised by clinical euvolaemia, low plasma osmolality and concentrated urine, with normal renal, adrenal and thyroid function. Causes of SIAD include ectopic production of vasopressin (AVP) from an underlying tumour, cancer treatments, nausea and pain. Cortisol deficiency is an important differential in the assessment of hyponatraemia, as it has an identical biochemical pattern to SIAD and is easily treatable. This is particularly relevant with the increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which can cause hypophysitis and adrenalitis, leading to cortisol deficiency. Guidelines on the management of acute, symptomatic hyponatraemia recommend 100 mL bolus of 3% saline with careful monitoring of the serum sodium to prevent overcorrection. In cases of chronic hyponatraemia, fluid restriction is recommended as first-line treatment; however, this is frequently not feasible in patients with cancer and has been shown to have limited efficacy. Vasopressin-2 receptor antagonists (vaptans) may be preferable, as they effectively increase sodium levels in SIAD and do not require fluid restriction. Active management of hyponatraemia is increasingly recognised as an important component of oncological management; correction of hyponatraemia is associated with shorter hospital stay and prolonged survival. The awareness of the impact of hyponatraemia and the positive benefits of active restoration of normonatraemia remain challenging in oncology.

Relationship between thermohaline and biochemical patterns in the levantine upper and intermediate water masses, Southeastern Mediterranean Sea (2013–2021)

The relationships between the interannual variations of the Levantine intermediate water (LIW) core properties and the corresponding biochemical variations in the euphotic zone were systematically studied in the Southeastern Mediterranean during 2013–2021 and since 2002 based on a previous study. Salinity and temperature interannual fluctuations in the LIW continue to follow the Adriatic–Ionian Bimodal Oscillating System (BiOS) mechanism, with salinity and temperature peaks in the years 2008–2010, 2014–2015, and 2018–2019 coinciding with periods of anticyclonic circulation of the North Ionian Gyre (NIG). During these anticyclonic periods, the transport of Atlantic Water into the Levant is reduced together with the transport of LIW out of the basin. These interannual fluctuations are superimposed on a long-term warming trend clearly evident from previous studies, showing a maximal temperature in 2018–2019, higher than the previously mentioned temperature peaks by ~0.7°C and ~0.4°C. The enhanced warming in 2018–2019 has caused a decrease in density (sigma) values of the LIW core, which gave way to the shallowest record of this water mass (~110-m depth), bringing it well within the lower photic zone. We suggest that a higher level of nutrients became available, supporting the observed long-term rise of the intergraded chlorophyll a (Chl.a) (0.89 mg m−2 year−1), with a maximum recorded during 2018–2019. The long-term record of the mixed layer depths shows no significant change; thus, the uplift of nutrients during winter mixing cannot support the trend and variations of the integrated Chl.a. Additional biological parameters of specific pico-phytoplankton populations and integrated bacterial production and abundance were measured in 2013–2021, but the measurements were too sparse to follow a clear interannual dynamics. Yet significantly higher average levels for integrated primary production and bacterial abundances were observed during the anticyclonic period (as for Chl.a). The combined impacts of the BiOS mechanism and global warming, and hence the increase in LIW residence time and buoyancy, may impact the primary producers’ biomass at the photic zone. This latter feedback may slightly counter the enhanced oligotrophication due to enhanced stratification.

Evaluation of Some Hepato- Renal Biochemical Parameters in Typhoid Fever Patients in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Nigeria

Introduction: Typhoid fever infection is one of the most prevalent diseases in developing countries. It is caused by Salmonella species and can affect multiple organs in the body if left untreated. The purpose of this study was to determine the biochemical patterns of renal and liver biochemical parameters in patients admitted with typhoid fever.
 Methodology: A total of 100 subjects were recruited for the study, with 50 typhoid-positive patients and 50 typhoid-negative individuals serving as controls. Blood samples collected from the subjects were analyzed for Salmonella Typhi titre, sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using WHO-approved methods. The data obtained were statistically evaluated in SPSS version 22.
 Results: The comparison between the positive and negative titres of Salmonella Typhi showed a significant increase in concentrations of creatinine and AST in the positive titres, whereas sodium decreased.
 Conclusion: This result suggests that patients with high titers of Salmonella Typhi are more susceptible to hepatocellular injury, muscle wasting, and hyponatremia. Therefore, liver and kidney function tests should be essential clinical tests for the management of typhoid fever.