Obtained Blood Samples Research Articles

Assessment of Haematological Profiles in Apparently Healthy Male Kombai Dogs in Theni District, Tamil Nadu

The hematological profiles of apparently healthy male Kombai dogs in Theni district was studied in this research. Twelve male Kombai dogs had their cephalic veins venipunctured to obtain blood samples, which were then analysed. Red blood cell count, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and haemoglobin content were among the haematological parameters measured. The study also included a total white blood cell count, which includes eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, and platelets. This information may be helpful to veterinary clinicians and biomedical researchers.

Correlation and Prediction of IL-10Ra and DKK-4 Plasma Levels in Patients with Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis.

Calcium oxalate urolithiasis, commonly referred to as kidney stones, is a prevalent condition marked by the development of solid crystals within the urinary system. Currently, there is no established treatment to cure calcium oxalate urolithiasis. The underlying processes of calcium oxalate urolithiasis remain unclear, and the aim of this study was to clarify the correlation and prediction of IL-10Ra and DKK-4 plasma levels in patients with calcium oxalate urolithiasis. In this study, we explored the role of body mass index, eating habits score, levels of IL-10Ra and DKK-4, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, blood urea nitrogen, and blood uric acid in HCC. In total, 85 patients with COU, attending our hospitals between January 2022 and June 2023, were enrolled in this study as experimental group (n = 85), and 85 healthy individuals, who underwent physical examinations during the same period, were collected as control group (n = 85). The obtained blood samples were collected for further testing. Numerous assays, including ELISA assay, western blot, and qRT-PCR, were employed to investigate the role of IL-10Ra and DKK-4 in calcium oxalate urolithiasis. The results indicate that the upregulation of IL-10Ra and DKK-4 may accelerate the progression of calcium oxalate urolithiasis. The logistic regression analysis indicates that the levels of IL-10Ra and DKK-4 positively correlated with calcium oxalate urolithiasis. In summary, the expression levels of IL-10Ra and DKK-4 positively correlated with the progression of calcium oxalate urolithiasis, suggesting that IL-10Ra and DKK-4 could serve as potential predictive factors and risk factors for calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Characterization of clonal dynamics using duplex sequencing in donor-recipient pairs decades after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

After allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), a very small number of donor stem cells reconstitute the recipient hematopoietic system, whereas the donor is left with a near-normal pool of stem cells. We hypothesized that the increased replicative stress on transplanted donor cells in the recipient could lead to the disproportionate proliferation of clonal hematopoiesis (CH) variants. We obtained blood samples from 16 related donor-recipient pairs at a median of 33.8 years (range: 6.6 to 45.7) after HCT, including the longest surviving HCT recipients in the world. For 11 of 16 pairs, a donor sample from the time of HCT was available for comparison. We performed ultrasensitive duplex sequencing of genes recurrently mutated in myeloid malignancies and CH, as well as a set of functionally neutral genomic regions representative of human genomic content at large. CH variants were observed in all donors, even those as young as 12 years old. Where donor pre-HCT sample was available, the average mutation rate in donors compared to recipients post-HCT was similar (2.0% versus 2.6% per year, respectively) within genes recurrently mutated in myeloid malignancies. Twenty-two (5.6%) of the 393 variants shared between paired donors and recipients post-HCT showed ≥10-fold higher variant allele frequency (VAF) in the recipient. A longer time since HCT was positively associated with the expansion of shared variant VAFs in the recipient. In conclusion, even decades after HCT, there does not appear to be widespread accelerated clonal expansion in the transplanted cells, highlighting the immense regenerative capacity of the human hematopoietic system.

Epigenetic trajectory predicts development of clinical rheumatoid arthritis in ACPA+ individuals: Targeting Immune Responses for Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis (TIP-RA).

The presence of autoantibodies to citrullinated protein antigens (ACPAs) in the absence of clinically-apparent inflammatory arthritis (IA) identifies individuals "at-risk" for developing future clinical rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it is unclear why some ACPA+ individuals convert to clinical RA while others do not. We explored the possibility in the Targeting Immune Responses for Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis (TIP-RA) study that epigenetic remodeling is part of the trajectory from an at-risk state to clinical disease and identifies novel biomarkers associated with conversion to clinical RA. ACPA-Controls, ACPA+ At-Risk, and Early RA individuals were followed for up to 5 years, including obtaining blood samples annually and at RA diagnosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated into CD19+ B cells, memory CD4+ T cells, and naïve CD4+ T cells using antibodies and magnetic beads. Genome-wide methylation within each cell lineage was assayed using the Illumina MethylationEPIC v1.0 beadchip. ACPA+ At-Risk participants who did or did not develop RA were designated "Pre-RA" or "Non-converters", respectively.Differentially methylated loci (DML) were selected using the Limma software package. Using the Caret package, we constructed machine learning models in test and validation cohorts and identified the most predictive loci of clinical RA conversion. Cross-sectional differential methylation analysis at baseline revealed DMLs that distinguish the Pre-RA methylome from ACPA+ Non-converters, the latter which closely resembled ACPA-Controls. Genes overlapping these DMLs correspond to aberrant NOTCH signaling and DNA repair pathways in B cells. Longitudinal analysis showed that ACPA-Control and ACPA+ Non-converter methylomes are relatively constant. In contrast, the Pre-RA methylome remodeled along a dynamic "RA methylome trajectory" characterized by epigenetic changes in active regulatory elements. Clinical conversion to RA, defined based on diagnosis, marked an epigenetic inflection point for cell cycle pathways in B cells and adaptive immunity pathways in naïve T cells. Machine learning revealed individual loci associated with RA conversion. This model significantly outperformed autoantibodies plus acute phase reactants as predictors of RA conversion. DNA methylation is a dynamic process in ACPA+ individuals at-risk for developing RA that eventually transition to clinical disease. In contrast, non-converters and controls have stable methylomes. The accumulation of epigenetic marks over time prior to conversion to clinical RA conforms to pathways that are associated with immunity and can be used to identify potential pathogenic pathways for therapeutic targeting and/or use as prognostic biomarkers.

Exploring the Impact of Paternal B12 Levels During the Periconceptional Period on IUI Success

Background: The present study is a novel exploration of the effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on seminal fluid parameters and the outcomes of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Specifically, we aimed to evaluate the concentrations of vitamin B12 in blood and seminal plasma before and after two months of supplementation. Objectives: investigate the effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on the characteristics of seminal fluid parameters and IUI outcomes. Material and Methods: A randomized controlled experiment with 100 randomly selected infertile couples. The patients were divided into two equal groups according to their vitamin B12 dosage. Group A consists of 50 couples who are taking B12 supplements. Obtain blood and seminal plasma samples from couples to measure the level of vitamin B12. Group B consists of 50 couples and does not include any supplements. The couples in group B initiated ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI) during the same month as the medical examination without the use of any additional supplements. Still, after two months of vitamin B12 supplement, group A started ovulation induction. Result: Basal semen parameters for sperm count, sperm motility in grades, and sperm morphology in the study group have a higher sperm count than the control group. Vitamin B12 intake for two months improves sperm morphology and increases sperm motility in grades A and B, according to the current study. This has a favorable effect on sperm count overall. Conclusion: research will determine the positive effect of vitamin B12 supplements on sperm parameters and IUI results.

Mosquito bloodmeals can be used to determine vertebrate diversity, host preference, and pathogen exposure in humans and wildlife

The surveillance and detection of zoonotic pathogens in animals is essential for predicting disease transmission pathways and the risks of spillover, but challenges include the costs, ethics and technical expertise required for vertebrate trapping, serum sampling and antibody or virus screening. Surveillance using haematophagous arthropods as a sampling tool offers a unique opportunity to obtain blood samples from a wide range of vertebrate species, allowing the study of host-mosquito associations, and host exposure to pathogens. We explored vertebrate diversity and potential Ross River virus (RRV) transmission pathways by analysing blood-fed mosquitoes collected in Brisbane, Australia. Host origins were identified using barcode sequencing, and host exposure to RRV was assessed using a modified plaque reduction neutralisation test. In total, 480 blood-fed mosquitoes were collected between February 2021 and May 2022. The host origins of 346 (72%) bloodmeals were identified, with humans (73%) and cattle (9%) comprising the dominant hosts. RRV seroprevalence was high in both vertebrate species with evidence of RRV exposure in 70% (21/30) of cattle and 52% (132/253) of humans. This is a novel, non-invasive method of estimating seroprevalence in vertebrate host populations. Our results highlight the potential of blood-fed mosquitoes to provide species-specific insights into pathogen transmission dynamics.

Prevalence and Determinants of Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus: A Community-Based Study from Karnataka, India

Background: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is a significant health challenge, especially in developing countries. Factors contributing to it vary by region, making it crucial to understand them for effective blood sugar control. The study’s objectives were to estimate the prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and its determinants among residents of selected areas of Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. Methodology: This study was conducted from October 2021 to May 2023 among adult diabetics residing in the Jokatte and Madani Nagar areas of Dakshina Kannada. The required sample size was estimated at 180 and 90 diabetic patients were randomly selected from each study area. Data were collected by field workers using a pre-tested questionnaire, and a lab technician obtained blood samples for HbA1c. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Ver 27. Results: The study enrolled 180 diabetics with a mean (± S.D) age of 56.9 (±10.3) years. Uncontrolled diabetes was noted in 75.6% of diabetics. Significant determinants for uncontrolled diabetes were longer duration of diabetes, poor knowledge of blood sugar tests, irregular testing and insufficient physical activity. Conclusion: The study observed an alarming prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes and identified its key determinants. Healthcare providers must implement targeted interventions addressing these factors to achieve effective diabetes control.

Evaluation of Fasting Bile Acid Levels in Pregnant Women Diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Background: Hyperemesis gravidarum is a common cause of nausea and vomiting during the early gestational week. At the same time, it can also lead to an increase in liver enzyme values in patients due to or independently of underlying liver disease. This study aimed to evaluate fasting bile acid (FBA) levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total and direct bilirubin, and urine ketone levels in pregnant women diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Additionally, the study sought to investigate the relationship between HG and FBA levels. The diagnosis of HG remains primarily clinical, and identifying markers for disease severity is crucial. Methods: This retrospective cohort study obtained blood samples from 50 women diagnosed with HG and 25 healthy pregnant women. Serum levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin (TBS), direct bilirubin, urine ketones, and FBA were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 28.0. Results: FBA levels were significantly higher in pregnant women diagnosed with HG compared to the healthy control group. Additionally, FBA levels increased simultaneously with ketonuria in the patient group. Our findings suggest that FBA levels can serve as a biomarker for diagnosing HG and indicating early-stage liver damage. Unlike previous studies, our research focused on the relationship between FBA levels and HG, providing valuable insights for future studies. Conclusions: FBA levels show promise as an objective biomarker for diagnosing HG and indicating early-stage liver damage. Further research with larger cohorts is necessary to validate these findings.

The Self-Powered Thermoelectric System Driving an Electric Field for Raman-Spectrum Glucose Quantitative Analysis

For a long time, blood glucose monitoring has been a challenging issue in the field of medicine. Although it is possible to visit a hospital for regular blood tests to track blood sugar concentration, the physiological reactions triggered by blood collection might lead to feeling weak, dizzy, or even vomiting. Therefore, especially for diabetic patients, they need to frequently monitor their blood sugar concentration in their daily lives to ensure their health. Currently, the primary methods for blood glucose testing still rely on invasive techniques, such as using fingertip glucose meters and other methods which require skin puncture to obtain blood samples. Although these methods provide a quick assessment of current blood glucose concentration, they come with the pain and discomfort of blood collection process and the potential risk of infection. As a result, in recent years, many researchers have been dedicated to developing non-invasive blood glucose monitoring methods. However, accurately measuring glucose concentration inside the human body remains a challenging task. One of the primary issues is the presence of strong noise and background noise. To avoid this challenge, we have developed an innovative detection platform that is combines surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and external electric field sensing technology. With the electromagnetic effect, we add external electric field in our platform to excite more the surface plasmon resonance. By using this method, we can achieve signal amplification to detect lower concentrations of glucose. Now, we can detect down to 0.001mM of glucose. We also exhibit self-powered electric field system, using the flexible themoelctric device to combine our platform. By the property of self-powered, we success to create a self-powered electric field system. We focus on driving themoelectric through the temperature different between body temperature and environment. The approach is aimed at generating power from the human body, providing a self-powered thermoelectric system for Raman-spectrum glucose sensors. This innovative approach holds promise for advancing non-invasive blood glucose monitoring and benefiting a larger population of diabetes patients in the future.

Impacts of 1.5 T MRI Static Magnetic Field on Biochemical and Enzyme Activity Parameters on Radiology Department Workers.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic technique that uses powerful magnetic fields to generate detailed images of the human body. The aim of this study is to investigate to how static magnetic fields (SMF) affect the levels of trace elements and biochemical parameters in MRI staff' blood serum. This study examines the impacts of these exposures of 18 participants (9 males and 9 females) aged between 25 and 60.on the levels of trace elements in the blood serum and the biochemical parameters of the MRI staff at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok and Zakho General Hospital-Bidari in Zakho City. Eighteen participants, consisting of nine males and nine females aged between 25 and 60, were selected from these hospitals. The researchers obtained blood samples and conducted analysis to determine the presence of trace elements (sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride) as well as numerous biochemical markers. The results showed that potassium and calcium levels increased with age, and older females had considerable deviations. Chloride levels exhibited a significant increase with age in both males and females. Glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels showed an increase with age, suggesting the possible damage to kidney function caused by continuous exposure to MRI. Increased levels of liver enzymes (GPT, GOT, ALP) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were noticed, particularly in older females, indicating potential liver and thyroid dysfunction. These results highlight the importance of applying strict safety protocols and conducting regular health assessments for MRI personnel to minimize the possible hazards.

Double dosing ulipristal acetate emergency contraception for individuals with obesity: a randomised crossover trial

ObjectiveTo determine whether increasing the dose of ulipristal acetate (UPA)-containing emergency contraception (EC) improves pharmacodynamic outcomes in individuals with obesity.Study designWe enrolled healthy, regularly-cycling, confirmed ovulatory, reproductive-age individuals with body...

Randomized clinical trial of astaxanthin supplement on serum inflammatory markers and ER stress-apoptosis gene expression in PBMCs of women with PCOS.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is related to pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory conditions generated by Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This study aimed to determine the effect of Astaxanthin (ASX), as carotenoid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, on serum inflammatory markers, apoptotic factors and ER stress-apoptotic genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of women with PCOS. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial included 56 PCOS patients aged 18-40. For 8 weeks, subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: either 12 mg ASX (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28). Real-time PCR was used to quantify gene expression associated with ER stress-apoptosis in PCOS women's PBMCs. The levels of TNF-α, IL18, IL6 and CRP were determined by obtaining blood samples from all patients before and after the intervention using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, the levels of active caspase-3 and caspase-8 were detected in the PBMC by ELISA kit. Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of ASX on disease symptoms. Following the 8-week intervention, ASX supplementation was able to reduce the expression of GRP78 (p = 0.051), CHOP (p = 0.008), XBP1 (p = 0.002), ATF4 (0.038), ATF6 (0.157) and DR5 (0.016) when compared to the placebo. However, this decrease was not statistically significant for ATF6 (p = 0.067) and marginally significant for GRP78 (p = 0.051). The levels of TNF-α (p = 0.009), IL-18 (p = 0.003), IL-6 (p = 0.013) and active caspase-3 (p = 0.012) were also statistically significant lower in the therapy group. However, there was no significant difference in CRP (p = 0.177) and caspase-8 (p = 0.491) levels between the treatment and control groups. In our study, ASX had no significant positive effect on BMI, hirsutism, hair loss and regularity of the menstrual cycle. It appears that ASX may benefit PCOS by changing the ER stress-apoptotic pathway and reducing serum inflammatory markers; however, additional research is required to determine this compound's potential relevance.

Unraveling the genetic landscape of pulmonary arterial hypertension in Indian patients: A transcriptome study

BackgroundPulmonary hypertension (PH) is the abnormal elevation of pressure in the pulmonary vascular system, with various underlying causes. A specific type of PH is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe condition characterized by high pulmonary arterial pressure resulting from structural changes in distal pulmonary vessels, altered arterial tone, and inflammation. This leads to right ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. The molecular mechanisms behind PAH are not well understood. This manuscript aims to elucidate these mechanisms using the genetic tool, aiding in diagnosis and treatment selection. MethodIn our present study, we have obtained blood samples from both patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and healthy individuals. We conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis to identify genes that are either upregulated or downregulated in PAH patients when compared to the control group. Subsequently, we carried out a validation study focusing on the log2-fold downregulated genes in PAH, employing Quantitative Real-Time PCR for confirmation. Additionally, we quantified the proteins encoded by the validated genes using the ELISA technique. ResultsThe results of the transcriptome analysis revealed that 97 genes were significantly upregulated, and 6 genes were significantly downregulated. Among these, we chose to focus on and validate only four of the downregulated genes, as they were directly or indirectly associated with the hypertension pathway. We also conducted validation studies for the proteins encoded by these genes, and the results were consistent with those obtained in the transcriptome analysis. ConclusionIn conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that the four validated genes identified in the context of PAH can be further explored as potential targets for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

A fundamental study on postmortem submersion interval estimation by metabolomics analyzing of gastrocnemius muscle from submersed rat models in freshwater.

In forensic practice, determining the postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) and cause-of-death of cadavers in aquatic ecosystems has always been challenging task. Traditional approaches are not yet able to address these issues effectively and adequately. Our previous study proposed novel models to predict the PMSI and cause-of-death based on metabolites of blood from rats immersed in freshwater. However, with the advance of putrefaction, it is hardly to obtain blood samples beyond 3 days postmortem. To further assess the feasibility of PMSI estimation and drowning diagnosis in the later postmortem phase, gastrocnemius, the more degradation-resistant tissue, was collected from drowned rats and postmortem submersion model in freshwater immediately after death, and at 1day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, and 10 days postmortem respectively. Then the samples were analyzed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to investigate the dynamic changes of the metabolites. A total of 924 metabolites were identified. Similar chronological changes of gastrocnemius metabolites were observed in the drowning and postmortem submersion groups. The difference in metabolic profiles between drowning and postmortem submersion groups was only evident in the initial 1day postmortem, which was faded as the PMSI extension. Nineteen metabolites representing temporally-dynamic patterns were selected as biomarkers for PMSI estimation. A regression model was built based on these biomarkers with random forest algorithm, which yielded a mean absolute error (± SE) of 5.856 (± 1.296) h on validation samples from an independent experiment. These findings added to our knowledge of chronological changes in muscle metabolites from submerged vertebrate remains during decomposition, which provided a new perspective for PMSI estimation.

The Significance of Measuring Human Beta Defensin-2 in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Background: Approximately one out of every four diabetic patients will acquire a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in their lifetime. Human beta-defensin (HBD) promotes wound healing. Objective: To find the correlation between HBD-2 and ulcer grade, diabetic foot infection, and the type of bacterial isolates recovered from bacteriological culture. Methods: We included forty-nine patients with DFU and obtained blood samples and wound swabs from each participant between October 2023 and December 2023. We measure HBA1c using the ARCHITECT c4000 system, and HBD-2 using the ELISA technique. The classification of DFU was done based on Wagner’s method. Swabs from foot ulcers are used for isolation and preliminary identification of bacteria based on standard guidelines. The VITEK® 2 system confirmed the diagnosis. Results: The patients' mean age was 57.31 years, and the male/female ratio was 1.57. Grade 3 was the most common type (57.1%). We observed the highest significant level of HBD-2 in grade one, non-infected DFU patients, and ulcers infected with gram-positive bacteria. Patients infected with Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest HBD-2 level according to the type of isolate, while patients infected with Proteus mirabilis showed the lowest level. Conclusions: HBD-2 levels might reflect the impaired or dysregulated immune response in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and have a negative impact on wound healing. The type of bacteria influenced this level, with Staphylococcus aureus infections reporting the highest level.

Empagliflozin increases plasma levels of citrulline, histidine, and α-aminobutyric acid in patients with type 2 diabetes: effects of a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor on the plasma amino acid profile

ABSTRACT Background To investigate effects of empagliflozin on plasma amino acids in people with type 2 diabetes. Research design and methods In a randomized, active-controlled, open-label trial, 58 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to 10 mg/day empagliflozin (n = 29) or standard treatment without empagliflozin (control group, n = 29) and treated for 12 weeks. We obtained blood samples at baseline and 12 weeks and assessed the plasma amino acid profile by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry liquid chromatography. We also calculated the Fischer ratio (the ratio of branched-chain to aromatic amino acids). Results In the empagliflozin group but not in the control group, plasma levels of citrulline, histidine, and α-aminobutyric acid (AABA), the Fischer ratio, and serum high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin increased significantly (p = 0.0099, 0.0277, 0.0318, 0.0135, and 0.0304, respectively) and plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) decreased significantly (p = 0.0014). In the empagliflozin group, the change in plasma citrulline was positively correlated with the changes in HMW adiponectin (r = 0.488, p = 0.0084) and the Fischer ratio (r = 0.393, p = 0.0353) but negatively correlated with the change in ferritin (r= −0.533,p = 0.0051); the change in plasma histidine was negatively correlated with the change in PAI-1 (r= –0.398, p = 0.0397) and urinary albumin creatinine ratio (r= −0.478, p = 0.0088). Conclusion Empagliflozin significantly increases plasma citrulline, histidine, and AABA in people with type 2 diabetes. Clinical trial registration www.umin.ac.jp identifier is UMIN000025418.

Decreased exercise-induced natural killer cell redistribution in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundExercise may have beneficial effects in MS, remaining controversial its possible disease-modifying effects and which mechanisms might be involved. We evaluated whether exercise-induced lymphocyte redistribution differ in MS patients as compared to controls. MethodsExercise was assessed in 12 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 11 controls in a cycle ergometer, obtaining blood samples before exercise, at maximal exercise capacity (T1), and after resting (T2). Peripheral lymphocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry, assessing chemokine receptor expression to study cell trafficking properties. ResultsLymphocyte subsets in all cases increased after exercise and decreased at resting. However, total natural killer (NK) cells in patients as compared to controls had a lower exercise-induced redeployment at T1 (696 ± 581 cells/µL vs.1502 ± 641 cells/µL, p < 0.01). Evaluating NK cell subsets, CD56bright NK cells numbers decreased in peripheral blood in MS patients after resting (T2), contrasting with values remaining above baseline in healthy controls. NK cells mobilized after exercise at T1 in controls, as compared to patients, had a higher CX3CR1 expression (1402 ± 564/µL vs. 615 ± 548 cell//µL, p < 0.01). ConclusionExercise-induced redeployment of NK cells may be reduced in MS patients, as well as their migration capabilities, pointing to potential immunological mechanisms to be enhanced by exercise training programs.

To assess and compare supra-clavicular and infra-clavicular approaches to obtain blood samples from the subclavian vein in cadavers at autopsy

Objectives The study of microbes in the body of a person after death can be perhaps termed appropriately as Post-mortem Human Microbiology. Microbes can indicate the state of bacteremia at the time of death if the blood samples collected at autopsy are taken in an aseptic way from an appropriate sampling site. The aim of the study was to compare the sampling efficacy of the supraclavicular and infraclavicular approaches for both the left and right subclavian veins and determine the most effective approach among the four options. Material and Methods In this study, post-mortem blood samples were collected from both subclavian veins of 30 dead bodies to evaluate the effectiveness of approaches to subclavian veins. To achieve this, blood was collected from one side of the dead body through the supraclavicular approach and the other side through the infraclavicular approach, noting down the number of attempts which were required to successfully obtain at least 10 mL blood sample which is adequate for post-mortem microbiological examination. Results The study revealed that the supraclavicular approach is superior to the infraclavicular method. The left supraclavicular approach yielded maximum successful sample collection (100%) and also showed maximum successful single attempt sample collection (53%) compared to the other three approaches. Conclusion Following recommended aseptic procedures, using the procedure mentioned and obtaining blood samples from the left supraclavicular approach can improve the chances of getting a non-contaminated, adequate sample for Post-mortem Microbiology (PMM).

Transcriptomic Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Lower Extremity Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease.

The pathological damage mechanism of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and macroangiopathy is extremely complex, and T2D and arteriosclerosis obliterans have different biological behaviors and clinical features. To explore the mechanism of lower extremity arteriosclerosis occlusion (LEAOD) in T2D patients, we utilized RNA-seq to identify unique gene expression signatures of T2D and LEAOD through transcriptomic analysis. We obtained blood samples and performed RNA sequencing from four patients with T2D, five of whom had LEAOD. Another six age- and gender-matched blood samples from healthy volunteers were used for control. By exploring the general and specific differential expression analysis after transcriptome sequencing, specific gene expression patterns of T2D and LEAOD were verified. Transcriptome analysis found differentially expressed genes in T2D, and T2D + LEAOD (vs normal) separately, of which 35/486 (T2D/T2D + LEAOD) were up-regulated and 1290/2970 (T2D/T2D + LEAOD) were down-regulated. A strong overlap of 571 genes across T2D, LEAOD, and coexisting conditions was mainly involved in extracellular exosomes and the transcription process. By exploring the sex difference gene expression features between T2D, T2D + LEAOD, and healthy controls, we noticed that sex chromosome-associated genes do not participate in the sexual dimorphism gene expression profiles of T2D and LEAOD. Protein-Protein Interaction Network analysis and drug target prediction provided the drug candidates to treat T2D and LEAOD. This study provides some evidence at the transcript level to uncover the association of T2D with LEAOD. The screened hub genes and predicted target drugs may be therapeutic targets.

Risk of motor vehicle collision associated with cannabis and alcohol use among patients presenting for emergency care

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cannabis and alcohol use and occurrence of motor vehicle collision (MVC) among patients in the emergency department (ED). MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of visits to EDs in Denver, CO, Portland, OR, and Sacramento, CA by drivers who were involved in MVCs and presented with injuries (cases) and non-injured drivers (controls) who presented for medical care. We obtained blood samples and measured delta-9-THC and its metabolites. Alcohol levels were determined by breathalyzer or samples taken in the course of clinical care. Participants completed a research-assistant-administered interview consisting of questions about drug and alcohol use prior to their visit, context of use, and past-year drug and alcohol use. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the association between MVC and cannabis/alcohol use, adjusted for demographic characteristics. We then stratified participants based on levels of cannabis use and calculated the odds of MVC across these levels, first using self-report and then using blood levels for delta-9-THC in separate models. We conducted a case-crossover analysis, using 7-day look-back data to allow each participant to serve as their own control. Sensitivity analyses examined the influence of usual use patterns and driving in a closed (car, truck, van) versus open (motorcycle, motorbike, all-terrain vehicle) vehicle. ResultsCannabis alone was not associated with higher odds of MVC, while acute alcohol use alone, and combined use of alcohol and cannabis were both independently associated with higher odds of MVC. Stratifying by level of self-reported or measured cannabis use, higher levels were not associated with higher odds for MVC, with or without co-use of alcohol; in fact, high self-reported acute cannabis use was associated with lower odds of MVC (odds ratio [OR] 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05–0.65). In the case-crossover analysis, alcohol use alone or in combination with cannabis was associated with higher odds of MVC, while cannabis use alone was again associated with decreased odds of MVC. ConclusionsAlcohol use alone or in conjunction with cannabis was consistently associated with higer odds for MVC. However, the relationship between measured levels of cannabis and MVC was not as clear. Emphasis on actual driving behaviors and clinical signs of intoxication to determine driving under the influence has the strongest rationale.