scholarly journals No Evidence of Uptake or Propagation of Reindeer CWD Prions in Environmentally Exposed Sheep

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erez Harpaz ◽  
Cecilie Ersdal ◽  
Michael Tranulis ◽  
Arild Espenes ◽  
Øyvind Salvesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lymphoid Tissue ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Lymphoid Follicle ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Gps Data ◽  
Wasting Disease ◽  
Spatial Overlap ◽  
Summer Pasture ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease of cervids. In 2016, CWD was discovered for the first time in reindeer. The affected population was situated in Nordfjella mountain region in Norway. In an attempt to eradicate the disease, all reindeer in the region were culled during winter 2017-18. Because many sheep have their summer pasture in Nordfjella, concern exists about the potential cross-species transmission of CWD to sheep. In this study, global positioning system (GPS) data from sheep and reindeer from the relevant time frame were analyzed to determine spatial overlap. Samples of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) from 503 lambs and sheep having grazed in the region were analyzed for the presence of prions. The rectoanal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) from all animals and ileal Peyer's patch (IPP) from 37 of them, were examined by histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: GPS data showed a direct overlap in area use between an infected reindeer and some of the sampled sheep. Generally, the sampled sheep herding areas were used intensively by reindeer before culling. No prions were detected in the GALT of sheep. The mean lymphoid follicle number per sample was 22.6 for RAMALT and 37.5 for IPP. Conclusion: Despite evidence of close reindeer to sheep interaction and spatial overlap in Nordfjella, prions were not detected in the GALT of sheep.. We document that the easily accessible RAMALT tissue at the mucocutaneous border is well suitable for slaughterhouse screening of prions in sheep.

scholarly journals Hemoglobin and Ferritin Concentrations in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. NMI.S23302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adewumi Adediran ◽  
Ebele Uche ◽  
Akinsegun Akinbami ◽  
Akin Dada ◽  
Tamunomieibi Wakama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Full Blood Count ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
First Time ◽  
F 14 ◽  
Made In

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a clinical condition characterized by insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity, has been linked with raised levels of serum ferritin (Sfr) concentrations. Objectives This study was carried out to compare hemoglobin (Hb) and Sfr concentrations in patients with MetS, regular donors and first-time donors. Materials and Methods A total of 102 subjects who were between 18 and 60 years were enrolled for the study. They were divided into three groups. The first group ( n = 20) was made up of 5 males and 15 females, all who met the criteria that define MetS. The second group ( n = 52; M = 34, F = 18) were regular donors, while the last group ( n = 30; M = 16, F = 14) were first-time donors or those who had not donated before. Following an overnight fast, 20 mL of venous blood was drawn from each subject. About 5 mL of this was put into sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) specimen bottles for the full blood count parameters with Sysmex KX-21N hematology analyzer (made in Japan). The remaining 15 mL had serum separated for Sfr assay using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a commercial assay kit manufactured by Teco Diagnostics. Results Significant difference was found in the mean Sfr concentration of subjects with MetS (163 ± 136.92 ng/mL) and regular donors (41.46 ± 40.33 ng/mL), P = 0.001. The mean Sfr concentrations of subjects with MetS (163 ± 136.92 ng/mL) were also higher than that of first-time donors (102.46 ± 80.26 ng/mL), but it was not statistically significant, P = 0.053. The Hb concentrations of the three groups were not significantly different. Conclusion Sfr concentrations of regular donors were lower than that of subjects with MetS and first-time donors. The difference between regular donors and subjects with MetS was statistically significant. However, there is no significant difference in the Hb concentrations in the three groups. MetS is not associated with anemia or hyperferritinemia.

TBE in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽  
Specific Immunoglobulin ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus ◽  
First Time

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was isolated for the first time in Sweden in 1958 (from ticks and from 1 tick-borne encephalitis [TBE] patient).1 In 2003, Haglund and colleagues reported the isolation and antigenic and genetic characterization of 14 TBEV strains from Swedish patients (samples collected 1991–1994).2 The first serum sample, from which TBEV was isolated, was obtained 2–10 days after onset of disease and found to be negative for anti-TBEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas TBEV-specific IgM (and TBEV-specific immunoglobulin G/cerebrospinal fluid [IgG/CSF] activity) was demonstrated in later serum samples taken during the second phase of the disease.

RESULTS OF INTRALESIONAL TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR CHALAZION TREATMENT

2011 ◽  
pp. 100-104
Author(s):  
Thi Thu Nguyen ◽  
Viet Hien Vo ◽  
Thi Em Do
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Triamcinolone Acetonide ◽  
Lower Eyelid ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Interventional Trial ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

The study use intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection proceduce for chalazion treatment.1. Objectives: To evaluate results of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment. 2. Method: This noncomparative prospective interventional trial included 72 chalazions of 61 patients. 3. Results: 61 patients (72 chalazions) with 19 males (31.1%) và 42 females (68.9%), the mean age was 24 ± 9,78 years. 31.1% patients was the first time chalazion and 68.9% patients was more than one times chalazion including 78.6% patients was recurrent at the first position and 21.4% patients occur at new position. 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions was treated before and 56 (77.8%) chalazions wasn’t done that. 72 chalazions with 49 chalazions (68.1%) are local in upper eyelid and 23 chalazions (31.9%) are local in lower eyelid. The mean of chalazion diameter is 6.99 ± 3.03mm. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is injected to treat 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions are injected through the route of skin and 56 (77.8%) chalazions are injected through the route of conjunctiva. After 2 weeks follow-up, the success rate was 93.1% and 6.9% failed. 4. Conclusion: intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment is really effective. Key words: chalazion, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide.

Synthesis of a silymarin-gold nanoparticle conjugate and analysis of its liver-protecting activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Staroverov ◽  
Sergey Kozlov ◽  
Alexander Fomin ◽  
Konstantib Gabalov ◽  
Alexey Volkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Carbon Tetrachloride ◽  
Glutathione Depletion ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Experimental Hepatitis ◽  
Acute Liver Disease ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Extent Of Damage ◽  
First Time

Background: The liver disease problem prompts investigators to search for new methods of liver treatment. Introduction: Silymarin (Sil) protects the liver by reducing the concentration of free radicals and the extent of damage to the cell membranes. A particularly interesting method to increase the bioavailability of Sil is to use synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as reagents. The study considered whether it was possible to use the silymarin-AuNP conjugate as a potential liver-protecting drug. Method: AuNPs were conjugated to Sil and examine the liver-protecting activity of the conjugate. Experimental hepatitis and hepatocyte cytolysis after carbon tetrachloride actionwere used as a model system, and the experiments were conducted on laboratory animals. Result: For the first time, silymarin was conjugated to colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electron microscopy showed that the resultant preparations were monodisperse and that the mean conjugate diameter was 18–30 nm ± 0.5 nm (mean diameter of the native nanoparticles, 15 ± 0.5 nm). In experimental hepatitis in mice, conjugate administration interfered with glutathione depletion in hepatocytes in response to carbon tetrachloride was conducive to an increase in energy metabolism, and stimulated the monocyte–macrophage function of the liver. The results were confirmed by the high respiratory activity of the hepatocytes in cell culture. Conclusion: We conclude that the silymarin-AuNP conjugate holds promise as a liver-protecting agent in acute liver disease caused by carbon tetrachloride poisoning.

scholarly journals Is it time to administer acellular pertussis vaccine to childbearing age/pregnant women in all areas using whole-cell pertussis vaccination schedule?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 251513552110158
Author(s):  
Abdoulreza Esteghamati ◽  
Shirin Sayyahfar ◽  
Yousef Alimohamadi ◽  
Sarvenaz Salahi ◽  
Mahmood Faramarzi
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Vaccination Schedule ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Whole Cell ◽  
Childbearing Age Women ◽  
The Mean

Background: Whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccine administration is still advocated for children under 7 years of age in Iran. However, there is no recommendation for the administration of a dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to childbearing age/pregnant women in the Iranian vaccination program and it has increased the risk of infection through waning immunity during women’s childbearing age life. The study aimed to assess the levels of anti- Bordetella pertussis antibodies in childbearing age women of different ages in Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total number of 360 childbearing age women divided into six age groups, with 5-year intervals from 15 to 45 years old, in 2018–2019. Then, the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against B. pertussis were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 16.0) (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.01 ± 8.35 years (range 14–45 years). All the cases were IgM negative, but two IgA-positive individuals (in the age groups of 14–19 and 30–34 years) were reported. Overall, 239 (66.4%) cases were IgG positive. The mean age of IgG-positive cases was 30.37 ± 8.37 years. The IgG-positive cases were mostly in the age groups of 30–34 and 35–39 years [43 (71.1%)]. The odds of IgG positivity were 1.97. The highest odds of IgG positivity were seen in 30–34 and 35–39 years groups (2.52) and the lowest odds were seen in the 20–24 and 25–29 years groups (1.60). Using the Jonckheere–Terpstra test, the increasing trend of IgG changes in different age groups was not statistically significant (Tπ=5.78, p = 0.09). Conclusion: The infants of women of childbearing age might be prone to pertussis in countries using the wP vaccination schedule. It is suggested to administer a dose of Tdap to women before or during pregnancy to increase the immunity of their infants against this disease during early infancy.

scholarly journals The Assessment of IL-21 and IL-22 at the mRNA Level in Tumor Tissue and Protein Concentration in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 3058
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz ◽  
Celina Kruszniewska-Rajs ◽  
Marta Smycz-Kubańska ◽  
Jarosław Strzelczyk ◽  
Wojciech Szanecki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Peritoneal Fluid ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
First Time ◽  
Ovarian Serous Cancer

The aim of the analysis was for the first time to assess the expression of genes encoding IL-21 and IL-22 at the mRNA level in ovarian tumor specimens and the concentration of these parameters in serum and peritoneal fluid in patients with ovarian serous cancer. The levels of IL-21 and IL-22 transcripts were evaluated with the use of the real-time RT-qPCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentration of proteins. Quantitative analysis of IL-21 gene mRNA in the tumor tissue showed the highest activity in the G1 degree of histopathological differentiation and was higher in G1 compared to the control group. The concentration of IL-21 and IL-22 in the serum and in the peritoneal fluid of women with ovarian cancer varied depending on the degree of histopathological differentiation of the cancer and showed statistical variability compared to controls. The conducted studies have shown that the local and systemic changes in the immune system involving IL-21 and IL-22 indicate the participation of these parameters in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, and modulation in the IL-21/IL-22 system may prove useful in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies used in patients, which require further research.

scholarly journals Neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the population mean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaigham Tahir ◽  
Hina Khan ◽  
Muhammad Aslam ◽  
Javid Shabbir ◽  
Yasar Mahmood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Mean Square Error ◽  
Auxiliary Information ◽  
Population Parameter ◽  
Uncertain Information ◽  
Population Mean ◽  
Classical Statistics ◽  
Neutrosophic Statistics ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Type Data ◽  
First Time

AbstractAll researches, under classical statistics, are based on determinate, crisp data to estimate the mean of the population when auxiliary information is available. Such estimates often are biased. The goal is to find the best estimates for the unknown value of the population mean with minimum mean square error (MSE). The neutrosophic statistics, generalization of classical statistics tackles vague, indeterminate, uncertain information. Thus, for the first time under neutrosophic statistics, to overcome the issues of estimation of the population mean of neutrosophic data, we have developed the neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the mean of the finite population utilizing auxiliary information. The neutrosophic observation is of the form $${Z}_{N}={Z}_{L}+{Z}_{U}{I}_{N}\, {\rm where}\, {I}_{N}\in \left[{I}_{L}, {I}_{U}\right], {Z}_{N}\in [{Z}_{l}, {Z}_{u}]$$ Z N = Z L + Z U I N where I N ∈ I L , I U , Z N ∈ [ Z l , Z u ] . The proposed estimators are very helpful to compute results when dealing with ambiguous, vague, and neutrosophic-type data. The results of these estimators are not single-valued but provide an interval form in which our population parameter may have more chance to lie. It increases the efficiency of the estimators, since we have an estimated interval that contains the unknown value of the population mean provided a minimum MSE. The efficiency of the proposed neutrosophic ratio-type estimators is also discussed using neutrosophic data of temperature and also by using simulation. A comparison is also conducted to illustrate the usefulness of Neutrosophic Ratio-type estimators over the classical estimators.

Pilot study for cystic fibrosis neonatal screening: the Cuban experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 1857-1864
Author(s):  
Elisa M. Castells ◽  
Aramis Sánchez ◽  
Amarilys Frómeta ◽  
Yanin Mokdse ◽  
Nelson Ozunas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Dried Blood Spots ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Perinatal Factors ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Unequal Variance ◽  
National Network ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
The Mean

AbstractBackgroundIn Cuba, no screening program for cystic fibrosis (CF) has been implemented yet. The ultramicro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (UMELISA)® TIR NEONATAL has been developed for the measurement of immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) in dried blood spots on filter paper. The analytical performance of the kit was evaluated in the national network of laboratories.MethodsNewborn dried blood samples (DBS) were evaluated in 16 laboratories. An IRT/IRT/DNA protocol was followed using a cut-off value of 50 ng/mL. The mean, median and percentiles of the distribution were calculated and a two-sample t-test with unequal variance was used for statistical analysis. Influence of perinatal factors on IRT levels was analyzed.ResultsFrom January to June 2018, 6470 newborns were studied, obtaining a mean IRT value of 12.09 ng/mL (ranging 0–358 ng/mL) and a median of 8.99 ng/mL. Fifty-two samples (0.78%) were above the cut-off level and 16 samples (0.24%) were elevated in the re-screening process. One of them was confirmed positive by molecular biology (phe508del/c.3120 + 1G > A), constituting the first newborn screened and diagnosed early in Cuba. Second DBS samples were collected on average at 14 days and processed in the laboratory at 16 days of birth. Significant differences were observed (p < 0.05) when evaluating the influence of gender, birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) on the IRT values. Lower IRT concentrations were found in samples processed after 10 days of collection.ConclusionsThe performance of UMELISA® TIR NEONATAL in the laboratories has been satisfactory; hence CF newborn screening (NBS) was extended throughout the country from January 2019.

scholarly journals P1398 Echocardiographic continuous monitoring of exercise stress test using probe fixation device

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Wdowiak-Okrojek ◽  
P Wejner-Mik ◽  
Z Bednarkiewicz ◽  
P Lipiec ◽  
J D Kasprzak
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
Exercise Stress Test ◽  
Bicycle Ergometer ◽  
Exercise Stress ◽  
Fixation Device ◽  
The Mean ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background Stress echocardiography (SE) plays an important role among methods of noninvasive diagnosis of ischemic disease. Despite the advantages of physical exercise as the most physiologic stressor, it is difficult (bicycle ergometer) or impossible (treadmill) to obtain and maintain the acoustic window during the exercise. Recently, an innovative probe fixation device was introduced and a research plan was developed to assess the feasibility of external probe fixation during exercise echocardiography on a supine bicycle and upright treadmill exercise for the first time. Methods 37 subjects (36 men, mean age 39 ± 16 years, 21 healthy volunteers, 16 patients with suspected coronary artery disease) were included in this study. This preliminary testing stage included mostly men due to more problematic probe fixation in women. All subjects underwent a submaximal exercise stress test on a treadmill (17/37) or bicycle ergometer (11/37). Both sector and matrix probes were used. We assessed semi-quantitatively the quality of acquired apical views at each stage – the four-point grading system was used (0-no view, 1-suboptimal quality, 2-optimal quality, 3-very good quality), 2-3 sufficient for diagnosis. Results The mean time required for careful positioning of the probe and image optimization was 12 ± 3 min and shortened from 13,7 to 11,1 minutes (mean) in first vs second half of the cohort documenting learning curve. At baseline, 9 patients had at least one apical view of quality precluding reliable analysis. Those patients were excluded from further assessment. During stress, 17 patients maintained the optimal or very good quality of all apical views, whereas in 11 patients the quality significantly decreased during the stress test and required probe repositioning. The mean image quality score at baseline was 2,61 ± 0,48 and 2,25 ± 0,6 after exercise. Expectedly, good image quality was easier to obtain and maintain in the supine position (score 2,74 ± 0,44) points as compared with upright position (score 2,25 ± 0,57). Conclusion This preliminary, unique experience with external probe fixation device indicates that continuous acquisition and monitoring of echocardiographic images is feasible during physical exercise, and for the first time ever - also on the treadmill. This feasibility data stem from almost exclusively male patients and the estimated rate of sufficient image quality throughout the entire test is currently around 60%. We are hoping, that gaining more experience with the product could increase the success rate on exercise tests. Abstract P1398 Figure. Treadmill and ergometer stress test

scholarly journals Role of Cardiac Biomarkers in the Assessment of Acute Cerebrovascular Accident

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. 106-111
Author(s):  
Srinivasan Radhakrishnan ◽  
Swathy Moorthy ◽  
Sudish Gadde ◽  
Krishnaswamy Madhavan
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Cerebrovascular Accident ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cardiac Enzymes ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Creatine Kinase Mb ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Stroke (cerebrovascular accident) has for long been a global burden in terms of its morbidity and mortality. Serum levels of cardiac enzymes such as creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) component, troponin T, and brain natriuretic peptide have been found to be elevated among the patients with stroke and also serve to prognosticate these patients. The serum levels of these enzymes correlate directly to the severity of stroke in these patients. Objective Elevated cardiac enzymes among patients with acute cerebrovascular accidents are not uncommon despite the patients not having any cardiac problems. We aimed to identify the occurrence of elevated cardiac enzymes among patients with acute stroke and their correlation with the severity of stroke. Materials and Methods Our study included 100 patients of acute stroke with no previous history of cardiac ailments. Serum levels of troponin I and CK-MB were analyzed among these patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method within the first 2 hours of admission. Patients outcome during the hospital stay were analyzed. Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institute of Health Stroke score (NIHS score) and the modified Rankin Score (mRS). The cardiac enzyme levels were correlated with these scores. Results Twenty-eight percent of patients had elevated troponin I, while 72% patients had normal levels with the mean values of 10.36 to 106.54 ng/mL and 0.00 to 0.02 ng/mL, respectively. CK-MB levels were found elevated among 14% patients and normal among 86% patients with mean values of 5.8 to 124.36 and 0.0 to 4.3 ng/mL, respectively. Among the six patients who succumbed to death, three patients had increased troponin I and four had elevated CK-MB. NIHS scores of 21.0357±6.79 and 105.277±5.564 were seen in patients with elevated and normal troponin I, whereas NIHS scores of 20.4285±8.658 and 11.8721±9.273 were seen among patients with increased and normal CK-MB, respectively. The mRS scores were 4.3214±0.367, 2.4305±1.374, 4.2143±1.412, and 2.756±1.749 ng/mL among the patients with elevated and normal troponin I and CK-MB, respectively. Conclusion The mean values of cardiac enzymes troponin I and CK-MB were higher among patients with higher scores of NIHS and mRS. Among them, troponin I was very significant and it may serve as an early biomarker for the severity of stroke and hint on early cardiac evaluation among these patients.

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