Serum Biochemical Tests Research Articles

HPLC and GC-MS Analysis of Saussurea hypoleuca spreng. root with Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract The current study was designed to investigate HPLC and GC-MS analysis of Saussurea hypoleuca root extract with hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities against paracetamol (PCM) induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. The root methanolic and ethyl acetate (E.A) extracts (400 mg/kg) were administered orally along with standard and control groups by recommended methods for 14days. Serum biochemical tests were performed after blood sampling at 15th day which has shown that PCM intoxicated liver, drastically elevated the levels of SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), DB (Direct bilirubin), TB (Total bilirubin), GGT (Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase), TC (Total cholesterol), LDL (low density lipoprotein), VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) while reduced the levels of albumin, HDL (High density lipoprotein), TP (Total protein) and GSH (Glutathione) in comparison to normal rats. Co administration of Sausssurea root extracts and silymarin significantly normalize these heptomarkers by reducing the drastically increased levels of SGOT (79.9 IU/mL), SGPT (29.3 IU/mL), ALP (211.9 IU/mL), DB (0.4 mg/dL), TB (0.5 mg/dL), GGT (20.2 IU/mL), TC (135.9 mg/dL), LDL (73.6 mg/dL), VLDL (24.02 mg/dL), MDA (35.2 µg/mL) and increased the levels of albumin (38.2 mg/dL), HDL (7.0 mg/dL), TP (2.7 g/L) and GSH (109.9 µg/mL) which directed that plant root has strong hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities. HPLC and GC-MS profiling indicated the presence of various phytochemicals. All these verdicts entitled that plant root holds resilient hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities.

Clinical and Laboratory Predictors of Mortality in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a variety of symptoms and laboratory and radiologic features whose identification can help diagnose and manage patients with COVID-19 more effectively. Objective: This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features of patients with COVID-19, compare clinical features of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with those of non-ICU admitted patients, and define mortality risk factors for this disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 781 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Rasool Akram Medical Complex, Tehran, Iran, from February to May 2020. Patients’ epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory findings were collected. Routine blood tests included complete blood count, coagulation profile, and serum biochemical tests. Confirmed infection was defined as positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to SARS-CoV-2 in their nasopharyngeal specimens or typical clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of COVID-19 infection altogether. All data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 21). Results: In this study, the majority of patients were male (n=470, 60.2%) and the remainder were female. The median age of the patients was 64 years. Hypertension (31.8%) and tuberculosis (1.4%) were the most common and the least common underlying condition among the patients, respectively. Moreover, cough and seizure were the most common (75.7%) and the least common (2.4%) symptoms in patients. The history of diabetes mellitus, the presence of dyspnea, loss of taste, and the occurrence of seizure were associated with a higher risk of ICU admission. On the other hand, advanced age, positive PCR, presence of dyspnea, myalgia, loss of taste, and elevated liver enzymes, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were associated with a higher risk of mortality. Based on the results, smoking had a preventive effect on mortality (OR=0.292, P=0.048); however, it had no significant effect on ICU admission. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, positive PCR and initial symptoms of dyspnea and myalgia were associated with increased odds of mortality by two times. In addition, elevated alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were associated with a higher rate of mortality. ICU admission was the main variable to increase the odds of mortality. Eventually, smoking might play a protective role against COVID-19 mortality.

Haemato-Biochemical Studies on Theileria Equi Infection in Seropositive Horses

This study aimed to know the haemato-biochemical changes associated with Theileria equi (T. equi) infection in five horse-populated areas/district of Rajasthan viz., Bikaner, Ajmer, Barmer, Nagaur, and Pali. Total 151 horses, irrespective of age and sex, were screened for T.equi infection. Whole blood and sera samples of all these horses were studied for haematology (Hb, PCV, total RBC, and WBC count), serum biochemistry (SGOT, ALP, GGT, and total bilirubin), and serological test like c-ELISA. On the basis of c-ELISA test, the overall seroprevalence of T. equi was 49.66%. Haemato-biochemical studies in seropositive horses revealed none significantly low value of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, and none significantly higher GGT, ALP, and total bilirubin when compared with apparently healthy seronegative horses. Haemato-biochemical studies in seropositive horses revealed a significantly lower value of total leucocyte count and a significantly higher value of SGOT than apparently healthy seronegative horses.

Seksenbeş Yaş ve Üzerindeki İleri Yaşlı Hastalarda Kemik İliği Değerlendirilmesi: Endikasyonlar, Morbidite ve Tanı

As a result of the population aging, the incidence of both hematologic and non-hematologic diseases of elderly gets higher, requiring bone marrow (BM) aspirations and biopsies be implemented also in the geriatric patients. Our aim in this study is to address BM examination in the geriatric patients aged 85 and over, describing its indications and morbidity and discussing the established diagnoses and outcomes of applied therapies based on BM examinations in comparison to the available literature which is actually limited in number particularly in this patient group. We have retrospectively reviewed the BM aspiration/biopsy results of 114 patients aged ≥ 85 years who were followed-up by hematology department of a university hospital from 2010 to 2020. The patients were selected through the internal data handling system of the hospital using the entry codes corresponding to BM aspiration and biopsy and those at the age of 85 or older were identified. Demographic features, primary diagnosis, any comorbidities, complete blood count (CBC) details, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), red blood cell indices, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels, any abnormal results in serum biochemistry testing, the indication(s) for and the result(s) from BM aspiration/biopsy, and the treatments applied based on those result(s) were recorded for each patient as well as the rates of and reasons for mortality. In our cohort of 114 patients with a mean age of 86.3±1.7 (85-93) years, 64.9% (n=74) were males. None of the patients experienced any serious complication during BM aspiration and biopsy. First three indications in our cohort for BM aspiration/biopsy in decreasing order of frequency were cytopenia in 48.2% (n=55), anemia + elevated ESR in 18.4% (n=21), and leukocytosis + anemia + thrombocytopenia in 15.8% (n=18). BM aspiration/biopsy results gave rise to a pathologic or hematologic diagnosis in 85.9% (n=98) and 78.9% (n=90) of patients, respectively. Most frequent hematologic malignancies were myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and multiple myeloma (MM). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed hemoglobin (Hb) and LDH levels as prognostic factors with an impact on mortality. Prognostic factors with an impact on mortality based on multivariate stepwise Cox regression analysis, on the other hand, were uric (p= 0.018, hazard ratio (HR)= 1.134, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.022-1.258), LDH (p=0.092, HR=1.001, 95% CI= 1.000-1.002), and platelet levels (p=0.007, HR=1.000, 95% CI=1.000-1.000). BM examination should definitely be performed in patients aged ≥ 85 years, particularly in the event of cytopenia, unexplained anemia, and elevated ESR both for diagnostic purposes and to prolong life expectancy through administration of modified therapies depending on the performance status. In such patients uric acid, LDH and platelet levels should be closely followed-up as independent prognostic variables which effect mortality.

Metabolic changes from exposure to harmful Maillard reaction products and high-fat diet on Sprague-Dawley rats

Rats were fed a high-fat diet and treated with acrylamide (21 mg/kg BW), harmane (7 mg/kg BW), NƐ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML; 10 mg/kg BW), or the co-accumulation of the three chemicals to investigate the effects of harmful Maillard reaction products (MRPs) generated by heat processing of potatoes. Damage to the liver, kidney, gastrocnemius, and nervous system was confirmed by serum biochemical testing and histopathology examination after six weeks of feeding. Serum metabolomic analysis was performed using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOF–MS). The metabolites detected by GC–TOF–MS were processed using chemometric techniques, and the results were evaluated using a t-test (p < 0.05) and calculated variable importance in projection (VIP) value (>1.5). Significant changes (increase or decrease) were identified in 13 metabolites, compared with the control. These metabolites were gluconolactone, tyrosol, 5-hydroxytryptophan, erythrose 4-phosphate, quinolinic acid, 2-ketobutyric acid, tyrosine, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid, desaminotyrosine, L-cysteine, ribonic acid, cysteamine, and tryptophan. Among these, cysteamine and tryptophan are metabolites unique to the co-accumulation of all three test compounds in the treated rats. This study demonstrates that these harmful MRPs exert toxic effects on the liver, kidney, and nervous system via different metabolic pathways. Moreover, co-accumulation of these harmful MRPs caused differing toxic effects and changes in a variety of metabolites. These changes may contribute to the interaction of those harmful MRPs and also affect toxicity at the metabolic level.

Extradural Synovial Cyst of the Cervical Spine in a Saint Bernard

Background: Extradural synovial cysts (ESC) originate from an extrusion of the synovium in unstable or degenerated joints. In the spine, this condition can cause neurological signs such as hyperesthesia, proprioceptive ataxia and paresis. Since extradural presentations of synovial cysts are unusual in dogs, the aim of this manuscript is to report a case of extradural synovial cyst of the cervical spine, as well as the clinical findings, diagnosis, surgical treatment and clinical evolution after therapy.Case: A 3-year-old spayed Saint Bernard weighing 60 kg was presented to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with a history of acute paraparesis that evolved to non-ambulatory tetraparesis five days after the appearance of the first clinical signs. Neurological examination revealed non-ambulatory tetraparesis, normal muscle tone and segmental spinal reflexes in the thoracic and pelvic limbs, as well as cervical pain associated with limited neck movement. According to the neurological examination, the likely lesion location was the C1-C5 spinal cord segment. The differential diagnosis list included intervertebral disc disease, caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy, neoplasm, infectious or noninfectious inflammatory disease, and cystic diseases. Complete blood (cell) count and serum biochemistry tests were within reference limits. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed 35 mg/dL of protein (&lt; 30 mg/dL) and 27 cells (up to 5 cells/mm3) with a predominance of lymphocytes. In plain radiography, bone proliferations of the C4 (caudal) C5 (cranial) articular processes were observed and, in myelography, extradural spinal cord compression was evident between C4-C5 on the right side. The animal underwent dorsal laminectomy for spinal cord decompression. An extradural synovial cyst and proliferated articular processes were removed. At 1,281 days after surgery, the dog was clinically normal and presented no neurological deficits.Discussion: The etiology of synovial cysts has not been well established. However, it is believed that osteoarthritic degeneration associated with joint mobility could cause a rupture in the articular capsule, leading to a synovial membrane protrusion, which would fill with synovial fluid and compress spinal structures. ESC in the cervical region have been reported, often associated with cervical neoplasm. The case we report had no evidence of bone or intervertebral disc compression in myelographic and radiographic exams, abnormalities that would appear in cervical neoplasm. The patient underwent dorsal laminectomy to confirm the presumptive diagnosis and decompress the spine. In the histopathological exam, the cystic material consisted of connective fibrous tissue with a synovial cell lining layer, compatible with synovial cysts. The fluid drained during surgery was also analyzed, showing similarities to synovial fluid drained from other conventional joints. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mononuclear pleocytosis, a common finding in ESC. The ESC should be included in the differential diagnosis of dogs with cervical myelopathy, especially in young animals and large breeds. A myelographic exam is an important but not definitive auxiliary tool for diagnosis and the therapeutic plan. Dorsal laminectomy is an effective technique for treating ESC.

Ameliorative Effects of Spirulina platensis and Ulva sp. on Biochemical Aspects and Residues of Lambda-Cyhalothrin in the Water of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was designed to assess the ameliorative effects of Spirulina platensis (SP) and Ulva sp. (US), as feed additives into a fish commercial feed, for reducing pesticide lambda cyhalothrin-residues in water and fish muscles. In the present experiment, the concentration tested was 2.325 μg/l as 1/10 of the determined LC50 - 96 hours was used for 28 days. The experimental design represents 6 groups: group 1 was control (cont.), group 2 was treatment with lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) and two algae species with two concentrations each (5% and 10% of diet + lambda-cyhalothrin) are the other four groups. After the experimental period, serum biochemical tests (Glucose, Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, AST, ALT, Urea, Creatinine and lipid profile) were determined. All biochemical analysis showed significantly varied in-between treatment except urea levels, while, these parameters were in normal rang in fish groups fed by both concentrations of SP and US. The residue levels of lambda-cyhalothrin in water samples were decrease in 10% concentration compared with 5% concentration in both algae. SP and US with two concentrations can efficiently remove lambda-cyhalothrin residues in fish muscles. Water quality (temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH) were no significant differences between all treatments from the beginning till the end of the experimental period. Conclusion: Spirulina platensis and Ulva sp have a big role in the reduction in the effect of lambda-cyhalothrin on fish and the improvement of water quality.

Plasma‐free amino acid (PFAA) profile is a potential blood‐based biomarker for detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

AbstractBackgroundPrimary prevention of cognitive decline is important while development of disease modifying drugs for early Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is progressing rapidly. As a screening tool for early detection of cognitive decline, blood‐based biomarkers prior to invasive testing such as cerebral spinal fluid examination and positron emission tomography scanning could be beneficial. In our small‐scale pilot study, plasma‐free amino acid (PFAA) profiles of AD patients and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD were shown to be significantly different from those of cognitively healthy elderly. In order to examine the clinical significance of PFAAs as a novel biomarker, we started an MCI cohort study that enrolls hundreds of MCI subjects to determine practical biomarkers for MCI screening among generally healthy subjects, and to distinguish stable MCI and AD‐converted MCI. The results of interim baseline analysis regarding MCI screening will be presented here.MethodMCI subjects from 6 medical sites in Japan (MCI, n=117) and age‐gender‐matched community dwellers in 3 different cities in Japan (healthy control, n=117) were included in the current analysis. At baseline visit, plasma samples were collected under fasting condition. The concentrations of PFAAs and plasma amines were analyzed with LC/MS or LC/MS/MS and serum biochemistry tests were done. Observation of the clinical status of MCI subjects for 3 years after the blood collection is ongoing.ResultSeveral PFAAs including essential amino acids of MCI subjects were significantly lower than those of healthy control. There were no significant differences in plasma amine concentrations between MCI and control group. In addition, several serum biochemistry parameters including serum albumin of MCI subjects were significantly lower. These differences were independent of age and gender.ConclusionBoth PFAAs including essential amino acids and serum biochemistry including albumin were shown to be potential biomarkers for MCI screening. The validation of this results will be conducted in another subset in this MCI cohort study. For further investigation, we will conduct multivariable analysis and create the robust algorithm for MCI screening. Also, observation of the clinical status of MCI subjects will continue to distinguish stable MCI and AD‐converted MCI.

In vitro differentiation effect of CCL4-induced liver injured mice serum on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells toward hepatocytes like cells.

Liver dysfunction is a major health problem worldwide. Stem cells therapy has opened up new avenues for researches to treat liver diseases due to their multi lineage differentiation. As mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be differentiated into hepatic lineages in the presence of different exogenous factors, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver injured mice serum on MSCs differentiation toward hepatocytes in vitro. Male Balb/c mice were treated for liver injury with CCl4 as determined through biochemical tests spectrophotometrically and different growth factors (EGF, HGF) quantification through Sandwich ELISA in both normal and CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum. Mice bone marrow derived-MSCs at second passage were treated with normal and CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum. After 7days, serum treated MSCs were investigated for hepatocytes like characteristics through RT-PCR. Serum biochemical tests (Bilirubin, ALT and ALP) and sandwich ELISA results of EGF and HGF showed marked increase in CCl4 treated mice serum as compared to normal mice serum. Periodic acid Schiff's staining and urea assay kit confirmed high level of glycogen storage and urea production in cells treated with CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum. RT-PCR results of CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum treated cells also showed expression of hepatic markers (Albumin, Cyto-8, Cyto-18, and Cyto-19). This study confirmed that CCl4-induced liver injured serum treatment can differentiate MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro.

Erythropoietin, Vitamin D3 and Parathormone level associated with kidney lesions in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Many diseases, including renal disorders in ruminants, appear in subclinical form and lead to reduced production without causing clinical signs. In this research, blood and tissue samples of kidney were taken from 102 buffaloes from Ahvaz industrial abattoir and sent to the laboratory for biochemical and histopathological analysis. After preparing the pathological sections from kidney specimens, conventional and specific staining and microscopic examination, 41 samples had no kidney lesion was considered as control and 61 specimens as the lesion group. The samples with renal lesions were divided into 4 subgroups including acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis, Urinary tubular inflammation, and Congestion. The samples were also divided and compared to males and females. In blood samples, serum biochemical tests including parathyroid hormone, erythropoietin, and vitamin D3 were measured by using ELISA-specific commercial kits. After statistical analysis, the results of vitamin D3 in the studied groups did not show any significant difference. However, erythropoietin and parathormone values in buffaloes with renal lesions were significantly lower and higher than those in control animals respectively. The results of this study showed that most of the kidney lesions in the studied buffaloes including the mentioned above have led to a decrease in the production of erythropoietin hormone following the occurrence of these lesions and its functional effects on the kidneys. Naturally, the effects of this hormone deficiency are expected to be reflected in the hemogram and eventually, anemia resulting from it may affect overall body health.

Prognostic Value of a Novel Nomogram Combining 18F-Alfatide PET/CT with Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Advanced NSCLC Receiving Bevacizumab Combination Therapy

Imaging of angiogenesis based on 18F-alfatide PET/CT could predict the tumor sensitivity to CCRT and antiangiogenic therapy. We attempted to evaluate its predictive role in advanced NSCLC patients treated by bevacizumab and chemotherapy. Serum inflammatory biomarkers, representing the systemic status, are shown to have complicated relationships with tumor angiogenesis. A novel nomogram integrating molecular imaging with 18F-alfatide PET/CT and serum inflammation biomarkers was built to explore its predictive role. Patients with advanced NSCLC underwent 18F-RGD PET/CT examination and serum biochemistry test before the start of bevacizumab combination therapy. PET/CT parameters including maximum and mean standard uptake values (SUVmax/SUVmean), peak standard uptake values (SUVpeak) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of contoured tumor lesions and inflammation biomarkers including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were systemic collected. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine accuracy in predicting response. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were used for Progression (PFS) analyses to determine the independent prognosis factors. Nomograms were then established for predicting prognosis. 22 patients with 40 measurable lesions met the inclusion criteria in present study. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 3 months (95% confidence interval, 0.37-10.2). The SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVpeak and MTV were significantly higher in responding tumors than in non-responding tumors (p = 0.001, p = 0.007, p = 0.005, p = 0.003, respectively). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.7294 (p = 0.038), 0.7061 (p = 0.626), 0.7419 (p = 0.029) and 0.7957 (p = 0.008) for SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVpeak and MTV, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that SUVmax, MTV and LMR were independent predictors of PFS (p = 0.022, p = 0.032, and p = 0.009, respectively). The nomogram for PFS was established by combining all significant markers. The concordance index (C-index) for PFS was 0.861 (95%CI 0.828-0.894), which showed superior discriminatory power. 18F-RGD uptake on PET/CT imaging can effectively predict the response of bevacizumab combination therapy. The proposed nomogram based on molecular imaging with 18F-RGD PET/CT and serum inflammatory biomarkers with superior prediction ability could provide guidance for treatment decisions.

Clinical and Laboratory Predictors of Mortality in Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes numerous symptoms, and laboratory and radiologic features can help diagnose and manage the patients with COVID-19. Objectives: The present study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features and outcomes of COVID-19 patients and compare clinical features between the intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU admitted patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 781 patients hospitalized following COVID-19 in Rasoul Akram Hospital from February to May…Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, therapeutic, and outcomes of patients were collected. Routine blood tests included complete blood count, coagulation profile, and serum biochemical tests. Confirmed infection was defined as positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to SARS-CoV-2 in their nasopharyngeal specimens or typical clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of COVID-19 infection altogether. All data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21). Results: In the current study, 225 patients died during hospitalization and 556 patients were discharged. The mean age of the patients was 64 years. PCR test was performed for all patients, and the test result was positive for 120 (15.36%) patients. Hypertension (31.8%) and tuberculosis (1.4%) were the most and least common underlying diseases among patients. Demographic characteristics and underlying diseases of the patients in the two groups of positive and negative PCR did not significantly differ (P&gt;0.05). Cough (75.7%) and seizure (2.4%) were the most and least commonly observed symptoms. Moreover, the distribution of cases presented with fatigue and diarrhea was significantly higher in the group with negative PCR, compared to the positive PCR group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, the mere PCR cannot be a reliable criterion for the diagnoses of COVID-19. Seizure as the rarest symptom cannot differentiate between COVID-19 and other infections. Positive PCR, dyspnea, and myalgia can increase the odds of mortality by two times. Hospitalization in ICU was the main variable that increased the odds of death by 10 times.

Bismuth‐Based Mesoporous Nanoball Carrying Sorafenib for Computed Tomography Imaging and Synergetic Chemoradiotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Sorafenib (SOR), a multi-kinase inhibitor for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), reveals a limited therapeutic effect due to a lack of selectivity and evident drug resistance. In the present study, bismuth-based mesoporous nanomaterial (NBOF) is loaded with SOR and then coated with polyethylene glycol and folic acid conjugates (P-FA) to form an NBOF@SOR-P-FA nanocarrier system. The system achieves significantly enhanced anti-cancer efficacy by combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy. To evaluate the effect of synergistic treatment, cytotoxicity detection, Live/Dead staining, apoptotic assay, and Western blot analysis are performed. The results suggest that NBOF@SOR-P-FA significantly inhibits HCC cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis. Also, the NBOF@SOR-P-FA exhibits excellent biocompatibility by hemolysis and serum biochemical tests and produces a substantially enhanced contrast efficiency as compared to iohexol by computed tomography imaging. More importantly, the profound suppression of tumor growth and potentiation of apoptosis are observed in a mouse subcutaneous tumor model. Collectively, these results indicate that the bismuth-based nanotheranostic platform could enhance the therapeutic effect of sorafenib and serve as an innovative method for HCC treatment.

Bone mineral density in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients and its associated factors in Southern Iran.

Despite the significant improvements in the management of transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), there are growing concerns regarding their long-term complications. This cross-sectional study included 615 TDT patients who were registered and followed in a comprehensive thalassemia clinic in Southern Iran. We measured serum biochemical tests and bone mineral density in all patients. We recorded physical activity and sun exposure subjectively, and an endocrinologist visited and examined all the patients. A group of age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers participated in the study as the control group. The mean age of the studied population was 28.4 ± 7.7 years, and 55.8% were female. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 45.6% and 54.4% in TDT patients and the control group. A portion of TDT patients suffered from different endocrinopathies, which included hypogonadism (49.8%), diabetes mellitus (17.2%), hypoparathyroidism (14.6%), and hypothyroidism (6.3%). The prevalence of low bone mass in patients with TDT was 48.3 and 74.6% in the femoral and lumbar bones, respectively. Low physical activity, insufficient sun exposure, diabetes mellitus, and hypogonadism were associated with low bone mass. Low bone mass is highly prevalent among TDT patients in Southern Iran. Insufficient physical activity and hypogonadism are the main possible associated factors, followed by DM and insufficient sun exposure.

Subacute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Freeze-Dried Powder of Locusta migratoria.

Novel food sources have enormous potential as nutritional supplements. For instance, edible insects are considered as an alternative food source due to their higher protein content; moreover, they are economically efficient reproducers and have high in nutritional value. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of the freeze-dried powder of Locusta migratoria (fdLM), known to contain rich proteins as well as fatty acids. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the subacute toxicity of fdLM in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The SD rats were divided into four groups based on the dosage of fdLM administered: dosage of 0 (vehicle control), 750, 1,500, and 3,000 mg/kg/day were administered for 28 days. Toxicological assessments including observations on food consumption, body and organ weights, clinical signs, mortality, ophthalmologic tests, urinalyses, hematologic tests, clinical chemistry tests, gross findings, and histopathology tests were performed. Clinical signs, urinalyses, hematology, serum biochemistry tests, and organ weight examinations revealed no fdLM-related toxicity. The no-observed-adverse-effect level for fdLM was higher than 3,000 mg/kg/day in rats of both sexes; therefore, fdLM, in conclusion, can be considered safe as an edible alternative human and animal food source material.

COVID-19 and kidney transplantation: Results from the TANGO International Transplant Consortium.

Kidney transplant recipients may be at a high risk of developing critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) illness due to chronic immunosuppression and comorbidities. We identified hospitalized adult kidney transplant recipients at 12 transplant centers in the United States, Italy, and Spain who tested positive for COVID‐19. Clinical presentation, laboratory values, immunosuppression, and treatment strategies were reviewed, and predictors of poor clinical outcomes were determined through multivariable analyses. Among 9845 kidney transplant recipients across centers, 144 were hospitalized due to COVID‐19 during the 9‐week study period. Of the 144 patients, 66% were male with a mean age of 60 (±12) years, and 40% were Hispanic and 25% were African American. Prevalent comorbidities included hypertension (95%), diabetes (52%), obesity (49%), and heart (28%) and lung (19%) disease. Therapeutic management included antimetabolite withdrawal (68%), calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal (23%), hydroxychloroquine (71%), antibiotics (74%), tocilizumab (13%), and antivirals (14%). During a median follow‐up period of 52 days (IQR: 16‐66 days), acute kidney injury occurred in 52% cases, with respiratory failure requiring intubation in 29%, and the mortality rate was 32%. The 46 patients who died were older, had lower lymphocyte counts and estimated glomerular filtration rate levels, and had higher serum lactate dehydrogenase, procalcitonin, and interleukin‐6 levels. In sum, hospitalized kidney transplant recipients with COVID‐19 have higher rates of acute kidney injury and mortality.

Noninvasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis: Current and Future Clinical and Molecular Perspectives.

Liver fibrosis is one of the risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. The staging of liver fibrosis can be evaluated only via a liver biopsy, which is an invasive procedure. Noninvasive methods for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis can be divided into morphological tests such as elastography and serum biochemical tests. Transient elastography is reported to have excellent performance in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and has been accepted as a useful tool for the prediction of HCC development and other clinical outcomes. Two-dimensional shear wave elastography is a new technique and provides a real-time stiffness image. Serum fibrosis markers have been studied based on the mechanism of fibrogenesis and fibrolysis. In the healthy liver, homeostasis of the extracellular matrix is maintained directly by enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). MMPs and TIMPs could be useful serum biomarkers for liver fibrosis and promising candidates for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Further studies are required to establish liver fibrosis-specific markers based on further clinical and molecular research. In this review, we summarize noninvasive fibrosis tests and molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis in current daily clinical practice.

Liver and kidney serum profile abnormalities in workers exposed to aflatoxin B1 in urban solid waste management centers.

Many workers are exposed to health problems arising from molds, fungi, and their toxins during waste processing. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) level in airborne and settled dust, aflatoxin B1-albumin (AFB1-Alb) adduct in serum, liver and kidney biochemical tests, and body redox change of workers in municipal dry waste-processing sites were investigated. The surface, personal, and area air dust and the blood of workers' samples were collected from the plastic and bread waste-sorting sections in three recycling municipal dry waste sites. Digestion (only for serum samples), passed through SPE cartridge, elution, and collection with methanol, immune-affinity column clean-up, and HPLC system equipped with post-column derivatization method and fluorescence detection were performed for determination of AFB1 and AFB1-Alb levels in the samples. The mean level of dust and AFB1 in the personal and area air, and in the settled dust and the AFB1-Alb in the serum of workers in the bread waste sorting, was higher than plastic waste-sorting samples, in all of the sites. The differences in the biochemical profiles of subjects exposed to aflatoxin B1 as compared to the control group especially in liver and kidney function parameters as well as antioxidant factors of the serum were significant. The workers in handling of municipal waste may be exposed to potentially hazardous levels of aflatoxin B1. The adverse effects of AFB1 on the kidney and liver may be caused by changes in the redox system.

Evaluation of fucoidan from Sargassum duplicatum on performance immune responses, serum biochemical, and hematological testing in rats

This study investigates the hematological and serum biochemical effects of the fucoidan to ascertain the safety of fucoidan from Sargassum duplicatum. Fucoidan from S. duplicatum was extracted using water as a solvent and precipitated with calcium chloride. The parameters of the fucoidan quality test included water content, total carbohydrate, total sulfate, moisture content, and uronic acid. The extract was used for in vivo immunostimulant test using Sprague Dawley rats for 14 days with four treatments. The experimental rats were fed with fucoidan solvent as a control (P0) and fucoidan for the treatment at a dose of 1 (P1), 2 (P2), and 4 g/kg body weight (BW) (P3). Serum biochemical and hematological test parameters included liver function [(serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase () and glutamic-oxoloacetic transaminase ()]), kidney function, red blood counts, and white blood differentials. The results of the chemical composition of fucoidan show that it contains uronic acid of 0.28%, sulfate of 11.2%, moisture content of 8.25%, and total polysaccharide of 60.5% ± 4.5%. Immunostimulant activity results showed an increase in macrophage activity in the fucoidan-treated rats but did not affect kidney function. In vivo immunostimulant test results in white rats show that giving fucoidan 1 g/kg BW can increase the immune system two times higher.

Evaluation of fucoidan from Sargassum duplicatum on performance immune responses, serum biochemical, and hematological testing in rats

The antioxidant and anticoagulant activities of polysaccharides isolated from the brown algae Dictyopteris polypodioides growing on the Lebanese coastNadine Karaki, Carine Sebaaly, Nathalie Chahine, Tarek Faour, Alexandre Zinchenko, Samar Rachidand Hussein Kanaan