PALEOENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF A LOWER CRETACEOUS PALEOLAKE FROM THE IGUATU BASIN BASED ON ITS OSTRACOD FAUNA AND XRF DATA

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a paleoenvironmental study of two Hauterivian–Aptian adjacent sections (Transnordestina A/B) of the Iguatu Basin using ostracods and aided by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), total organic carbon (TOC), total sulfur (S), and spectral analyses. Cluster analysis divided the 10 genera found into two main groups: one composed of Alicenula-Pattersoncypris?-Brasacypris-Hastacypris-Ilyocypris?, and the second composed of Cypridea-Looneyellopsis-Rhinocypris?. The first group is interpreted as representing paleoenvironments with permanent waterbodies, such as lakes, and the second as being indicative of ephemeral settings, such as temporary pools in an inundation plain. XRF analysis using the positive peaks of Ca/Ti and Ca/ΣTi, Fe, Al ratios show a few dry periods, particularly in the lower and middle part of Transnordestina A, between 0 to 175 m and 385 to 475 m, which also display a small number of ostracods. Total S shows several high peaks which might be indicative of gypsum deposition during droughts. Spectral analysis of molar Ti/Al ratio shows two intervals with different sedimentation rates, between 0 and 233 m, and 233 to 836 m. For the first interval, six 100 ka eccentricity cycles were identified; the low number of ostracods for the interval and highly variable Ca/Ti and Ca/ΣTi, Fe, Al values indicate a different sedimentation rate in a drier environment. For the second interval, ten 405 ka cycles were identified; its higher ostracod count and more stable Ca/Ti and Ca/ΣTi, Fe, Al values could be indicative of increasing humidity.

Preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis predicts deep vein thrombosis following total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE: To thoroughly evaluate preoperative risk factors for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with knee rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Clinical data of 106 patients with knee RA who underwent unilateral TKA from August 2014 to October 2020 were collected. All patients received ultrasonic examination of the veins of both lower extremities on the third day after TKA and were divided into DVT and non-DVT groups. The associations between age, gender, body mass index (BMI), history of diabetes/hypertension, common serum lipid levels, indicators related to coagulation function, blood viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and postoperative DVT were statistically compared and analyzed. RESULTS: ESR was significantly correlated with DVT risk after TKA (OR = 1.844, 95% CI = 1.022–2.981, P = 0.019). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed the optimal cut-off point of ESR for predicting DVT was 42 mm/h with a sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 66.7% . CONCLUSION: An increased preoperative ESR value is a risk factor for DVT in patients with knee RA following unilateral TKA. Pre-surgery control of ESR level and prevention of postoperative DVT in these patients are worthy of attention.

The inflammatory profile of chronic kidney disease patients

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health issue which is associated with an increased risk of end-stage renal failure and cardiovascular disease. Systemic inflammation exists during chronic renal failure. Recent researches have highlighted the pivotal role of inflammation between renal and cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study is to determine the inflammatory profile of the patient suffering from chronic kidney disease and the influence of hemodialysis on this profile. Methods: We carried out a cross sectional study on 93 patients in the Nephrology Department at Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, South of Tunisia. Among those patients, 72 patients underwent hemodialysis and 21 patients had chronic kidney disease at stage 3. Clinical data and antecedents were collected. Biological samples were taken after informing the patients and taking their consent. Biological data consisted in lipid profile, albumin rate, hemoglobin rate, uric acid concentration and the usual markers of inflammation noting sedimentation rate, C - reactive protein and orosomucoid. Results: Hemodialysis group of the 72 patients had mean hemodialysis vintage of 54.6 ± 43 months. The inflammatory profile was worse in hemodialysis patients compared to chronic kidney disease patients. Both sedimentation rate, C - reactive protein and orosomucoid were higher in hemodialysis group than in chronic kidney disease group with 71 ± 35.3 mm vs. 42.1 ± 15.5 mm (p < 0.05); 14.6 ± 28.7 mg/l vs. 6.7 ± 8 mg/l (p = 0.02); 1.3 ± 0.7g/l vs. 0.9 ± 0.4 g/l (p = 0.01), respectively. Conclusion: Inflammation increases in dialysis patient. It deserves the nephrologist’s consideration in order to minimize its harmful effects. The monitoring of inflammation markers must be integrated into the nephrologist’s medical practice.

A Descriptive Study on Hematological Changes in Brucellosis Infected Individuals

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic organism that causes diseases in both animals and humans. Human contact with infected domestic animals is often a transmission route of Brucellosis infection. This infection affects hematological parameters of the patients. We carried this study to determine the changes in various hematological parameters in our study subjects. Patients and Methodology: This study was carried out in Nangarhar regional hospital and safi medical complex on 45 Afghani people from December 2018 up to December 2020. The study design was prospective. A total of 45 patients (Cases) with confirmed diagnosis of Brucellosis on the basis of serology enrolled in the study. Complete blood count and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate studies are also performed. Considered hematological parameters includes Hemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cell count (WBC), Platelet count (PLT) and ESR. As well interview was done with each patient and a questionnaire was used. The collected data was analyzed with Microsoft excel program Autosum statistics. Results. A total of 45 patients were enrolled. The mean age±SD of the patients under the study were (28.74±15.22) years. The most common hematological changes observed were; anemia (57.7%), thrombocytopenia (24%), leucocytosis (13.3%), pancytopenia (24.4%), lymphocytopenia (31.1%), lymphocytosis (55.5%) & leucopenia (40%). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated in about 66% of patients. Fever and headache were the most common presenting symptoms (73%) and (82%) respectively. Night sweats in (40%), joint pain (53%), muscle pain (53%) and lymphadenopathy in 46% of patients. Conclusion: This result of this study shows that Brucellosis commonly affects people of low socioeconomical states, female sex, uneducated, those consuming contaminated dairy products, peoples living in rural areas and those having consuming or contact with animal. Salmonella typhi causes changes in the hematological parameters due to involvement of bone marrow.

Estimation of Variations in the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in COVID-19 Recovered Patients

Background: A cluster of patients with pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome developed in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and infection with a novel coronavirus virus called COVID -19 was later verified. Although fever and cough were the most common early signs and symptoms of COVID -19, extrapulmonary symptoms have also been reported. Many studies demonstrate that called COVID -19 swiftly progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome and even multiple organ dysfunction. Aim:The study aims to evaluate the erythrocyte sedimentation rate count in COVID -19 recovered individuals and compare it with healthy controls. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study in 5 healthy COVID -19 uninfected and 5 COVID -19 recovered individuals was conducted, the blood samples were collected and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was calculated for each set of controls and samples. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. An independent t-test was done to compare the results. Results: The mean value of the control participants was found to be 8.08 ± 4.38 and the mean value of COVID -19 recovered patients was 20.60 ± 1.81. The difference in Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) values between control individuals and COVID -19 recovered patients was statistically significant with p value of less than 0.005. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, we conclude that the COVID -19 recovered patients has higher ESR values compared to the healthy uninfected individuals.

Comparison of K2 and K3 EDTA Anticoagulant on Complete Blood Count and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

The use of anticoagulants is one of the important pre-analytic factors in hematological tests. Both dipotassium (K2) andtripotassium (K3) Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) are widely used anticoagulants. International CouncilStandardization of Hematology (ICSH) and several researchers recommend the use of K2 EDTA due to its less hyperosmolareffect on blood cells compared to K3 EDTA. This study aimed to compare the results of Complete Blood Count (CBC) andErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) using anticoagulant K2 EDTA and K3 EDTA. This study was an analytic observationalstudy with a cross-sectional design conducted from April to December 2018. The subject of the study were 103 healthyadults selected by consecutive sampling. Blood samples were collected in both anticoagulant tubes with a volume of 3 mLeach. Samples were tested twice, in the first 0 hours and the next 6 hours using Sysmex XN 1000 and Alifax Roller 20 LC.Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, paired T-test and Wilcoxon rank test were used for statistical analysis. The agreement testbetween both anticoagulants was carried out using the Bland Altman plot for parameters with a significant difference. Therewas a significant difference between both anticoagulants for the parameters of hemoglobin, hematocrit MCV, MCHC, RDW,PDW, MPV, PLC-R, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in both the first and second tests. The agreement test using the BlandAltman plot showed that the difference in these parameters was within the Limit of Agreement (LOA) range of 95%. Thisstudy showed that there were differences in some parameters of complete blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation ratebetween the two anticoagulants (K2 K3 EDTA), but these differences were within the LOA range.

Formulation and Pharmaceutical Assessment of Annona muricata Oral Capsules and Suspension as Antidiarrhea Dosage Forms

Annona muricata (Annonaceae) is a tropical plant widely known for its edible fruits. Recent scientific studies have confirmed the folkloric use of its seeds as an antidiarrheal agent. This study sought to formulate capsules and suspensions using the ethanolic extract from Annona muricata seeds. The dried ethanolic extract was formulated into granules and subsequently encapsulated. The suspension formulated was assessed for sedimentation rate, sedimentation volume, viscosity, dissolution, drug content, and flow rate, while pharmacopeia tests such as disintegration, dissolution, uniformity of weight, and drug content were carried out on the formulated capsules. The formulated suspension passed the drug content and in vitro release studies. Annona muricata suspension exhibited pseudoplastic flow with good sedimentation rate and sedimentation volume. The formulated capsules passed the in vitro dissolution studies, weight uniformity, disintegration, and drug content tests. The ethanolic extract of Annona muricata seeds was appropriately formulated into standardized solid and liquid oral dosage forms.