Hematological and Biochemical Reference Values in Healthy Captive Tigers (Panthera tigris)

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is an endangered species. The health of individuals is important and any data on hematological and biochemical blood values can provide valuable information; when combined with physical assessment. This data assists in both the diagnosis of disease and some conservation strategies. The behavior of wild tigers makes it is extremely difficult to obtain biological samples from free-living subjects, therefore, data collected from captive tigers is highly valuable. The aim of this study was to provide additional information for the values of hematological and serum biochemical parameters in healthy captive tigers. Blood samples were collected from 22 clinically healthy tigers (Panthera tigris). The following parameters were analyzed: glucose, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and red cell indices; such as mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell Hb (MCH), mean cell Hb concentration (MCHC), platelet (PLT) and white blood cells (WBCs). The mean hematological values in our tiger population were not significantly different when compared with the same parameters in the previously studied tiger population. The mean values of RBCs and PLT were statistically significantly higher and the mean values of Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and WBC were lower than the mean values obtained in previous studies on the Amur tiger. Further investigation of captive and free-living tigers is needed to identify the normal ranges for parameters in this endangered species.

Haemato-biochemical and ionic regulatory responses of the hybrid catfish, Heteroclarias, to sublethal concentrations of palm oil mill effluents

Background Pollution arising from the noxiousness of palm oil mill effluent (POME) has become a serious threat to aquatic biotas. However, a paucity of information exists on fish response to POME-mediated oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, haemato-biochemical, enzymatic and ionic changes. This study, therefore, evaluates the effects of 28-day exposure of Heteroclarias, a hybrid catfish, to POME. Juvenile Heteroclarias (n = 350, average weight: 11.90 ± 0.70 g and average length: 9.04 ± 0.71 cm) were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0-control, 4.00, 8.00 and 12.00 mg/l) of POME to determine its effects on red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean cell volume (MCV). The activities of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), calcium (Ca+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+) and sodium (Na+) ions were also assayed in the gill and liver. Results Exposure to POME caused significant (p < 0.05) concentration-dependent decrease in RBC, HB, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC values, whereas a significant (p < 0.05) concentration-dependent increase in WBC was observed in POME-exposed fish compared to the control. ALT, AST, LDH, GPx, SOD and CAT activities in the gill and liver significantly (p < 0.05) increased in a concentration-dependent manner. MDA level significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the gill relative to control, while in the liver it was insignificantly different. Both tissues exhibited an increase in Ca+, K+, Mg2+ and Na+ levels at the highest toxicant concentration with a rise of 77.93, 38.46, 109.54 and 41.99% recorded for the electrolytes in the gill and 79.17, 26.92, 55.48 and 38.78% in the liver above the control value, respectively. The levels of all the electrolytes except K+ were higher in the gill than the liver and were in the order: Na+ > K+ > Mg+ > Ca2+ in both tissues. Conclusions These results may be used as a suitable tool for pollution assessment and policy formulation to mitigate the discharge of untreated POME into aquatic ecosystems and their impacts on resident organisms.

Length and Weight (LW) Related Variations on Haematological Parameters of Hetropneustes Fossilis (Bloch.)

The paper mainly described the haematological values of a fresh water catfish Hetropneustes fossilis (Bloch.) in relation to its length and weight which are the prime basic factor of the differences in blood parameters of any living creature including fishes. The hematological parameters showed significant differences with increase in length and weight of the fishes. Differential leucocytes count did not showed any significant differences except macrophages and differential erythrocytes count showed significant differences only in macrocytes. All three groups (Length and weight) of fishes showed significant positive correlations for total erythrocytes count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate while negative correlation was noted for mean corpuscular hemoglobin; mean cell volume. Among differential leukocytes count only neutrophil showed positive correlation, while other parameters did not show any significant correlation. In differential erythrocyte count only microcytes showed significant positive correlation.

Combining faecal immunochemical testing with blood test results to identify patients with symptoms at risk of colorectal cancer: a consecutive cohort of 16,604 patients tested in primary care

Objective: Faecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are used to triage primary care patients with low risk colorectal cancer symptoms for referral to colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine whether combining FIT with routine blood test results could improve the performance of FIT in the primary care setting. Design: Results of all consecutive FITs requested by primary care providers between March 2017 and December 2020 were retrieved from the Oxford University Hospital Trust. Demographic factors (age, sex), reason for referral, and results of blood tests within 90 days were also retrieved. Patients were followed up for incident colorectal cancer in linked hospital records. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FIT alone, FIT paired with blood test results, and several multivariable FIT models, were compared. Results: Among 16,604 eligible patients, 139 colorectal cancers were diagnosed (0.8%). Sensitivity and specificity of FIT alone at a threshold of 10 μg Hb/g were 92.1% and 91.5% respectively. Compared to FIT alone, blood test results did not improve the performance of FIT. Pairing blood test abnormalities with FIT reduced the number of abnormal results needed to detect one cancer but increased the number of cancers missed. Multivariable models retaining FIT, sex, and mean cell volume performed similarly to FIT alone. Conclusion: FIT is a highly sensitive tool for identifying higher risk individuals presenting to primary care with lower risk symptoms. Combining blood test results with FIT does not appear to lead to better discrimination for colorectal cancer than using FIT alone.

Haemoglobin and red blood cell reference intervals during infancy

ObjectivesThere is a need for updated haematological reference data in infancy. This study aimed to define intervals for haemoglobin and red blood cell biomarkers based on data from a large cohort of longitudinally followed Swedish infants.DesignLongitudinal cohort study.SettingTwo Swedish study centres.ParticipantsThree community-based populations including 442 presumably healthy infants born at term and with umbilical cord clamping delayed to 30 s or more after birth.MethodsBlood samples were collected from umbilical cord blood (a), at 48–118 hours (b), at 4 months (c) and at 12 months (d). Reference intervals as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were calculated in coherence with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.ResultsReference intervals for haemoglobin (g/L) were: (a) 116–189, (b) 147–218, (c) 99–130, (d) 104–134, and for mean cell volume (fL): (a) 97–118, (b) 91–107, (c) 71–85, (d) 70–83. Reference intervals for erythrocyte counts, reticulocyte counts, reticulocyte haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were also estimated. According to the WHO definition of anaemia, a haemoglobin value less than 110 g/L, 16% of this presumably healthy cohort could be classified as anaemic at 12 months.ConclusionWe found mainly narrower reference intervals compared with previously published studies. The reference intervals for each parameter varied according to the infants’ age, demonstrating the necessity of age definitions when presenting infant reference intervals. The discrepancy with the WHO classification for anaemia at 12 months, despite favourable conditions in infancy, needs future investigation.

62 Feeding Chicory-plantain Silage and Se-yeast to Lactating Ewes Subjected to Intramammary Infection: Effect on the Immune System

The objective was to test the effect on the immune status by feeding a combination of chicory-plantain and Se-yeast in lactating ewes subjected to intramammary infection (IMI) with 2×107CFU of Strep uberis in both glands. For the purpose we enrolled 28 Polypay lactating sheep from a prior study where they were randomly allocated to receive chicory (CS) or grass (GC) silage and either 3.6 mg of Se/day as Se-yeast (DiaMune, Diamond V) (Y) or isoenergetic-isonitrogenous alfalfa meal (C) for 2 months. For the present study, ewes were kept on the original dietary regiment except the CT group received a chicory-plantain silage(50% each). Blood was collected prior to and for 10 days after IMI for a complete blood count(VetScan HM5), leukocytes migration, and rectal temperature (RT). Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX (SAS)with time, silage type, and Se and their interactions as the fixed effects and ewe as random effect with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. RT was lower in chicory vs. grass before IMI and Se limited the RT increase after IMI. Total WBC levels tended (P = 0.06) to increase in animals fed with Se after IMI, which was driven by a larger number of lymphocytes. Hematocrit, red blood cells, and hemoglobin were strongly decreased by IMI. The mean cell volume was overall larger in ewes fed with chicory-plantain silage while mean cell hemoglobin was larger in animal fed with grass silage. The platelet distribution width was affected by silage*Se interaction due to a positive effect by Se in grass-fed but negative in chicory-plantain-fed ewes. Migration of neutrophils was larger in animals fed with chicory-plantain before IMI but similar between groups after IMI. Overall, these findings indicate that Se supplementation can increase lymphocytes with no effect on neutrophils while activity of neutrophils is positively affected by feeding chicory-plantain silage.

Anti-anaemic potential of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Waltheria indica (L) in albino rats with parasitaemia – induced anaemia

Anaemia has been reported to be the key feature of trypanosomiasis and is used as the primary indicator of when to treat the infection. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the anti-anaemic potential of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Waltheria indica in albino rats with parasitaemia – induced anaemia. Three groups of 6 rats each were challenged with Trypanosoma brucei brucei to induce anaemia and treated with 300mg/kg bw orally for 5 days, 3.5mg/kg Berenil® once intraperitoneally and distilled water. All the rats developed anaemia, manifested by significantly reduced values of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb)concentration and Red Blood Cells (RBC) count within 5 days of infection compared with the pre-infection values. Treatment with Berenil and Waltheria indica hydro-ethanolic extract at 300mg/kg bw led to remarkable improvement in the values of the PCV, Hb and RBC, however, the restoration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the animals treated with the ethanol extract of the plant. Results of the study also indicated the absence of the effect of both parasitaemia and treatment on the levels of erythrocyte indices (Mean Cell Volume, Mean Cell Haemoglobin and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration) of the infected rats. Therefore, the plant could be of use in the management of African sleeping sickness and other ailments related to anaemia.

An Exposome-Wide Association Study On Body Mass Index In Adolescents Using The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 And 2013-2014 Data

Background: Excess weight is a public health challenge affecting millions worldwide, including younger age groups. The human exposome concept presents a novel opportunity to comprehensively characterize all non-genetic disease determinants at susceptible time windows. Objective: Our study aimed to describe the association between multiple lifestyle and nutritional exposures and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents using the exposome framework. Methods: We conducted an exposome-wide association study using the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 survey for discovery of associations between the study population characteristics and BMI, and the 2013-2014 survey to replicate analysis. We included non-diabetic and non-pregnant adolescents aged 12-18 years. We analyzed variables available in both survey rounds, with <20% of missing values in relation to BMI z-scores. We performed univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, household smoking, and income to poverty ratio, and corrected for false-discovery rate (FDR). Results: A total of 1899 and 1224 participants were eligible from the 2003-2004 and 2013-2014 survey waves. The weighted proportions of overweight were 18.4% and 18.5% whereas those for obese were 18.1% and 20.6% in 2003-2004 and 2013-2014, respectively. Retained exposure agents included 63 dietary, 57 clinical and 1 physical activity variables. After FDR correction, univariable regression identified 35 and 18 predictors in the discovery and replication datasets, respectively, while multivariable regression identified 20 and 9 predictors in the discovery and replication datasets, respectively. Seven were significant in both datasets: alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, mean cell volume, segmented neutrophils number, triglycerides; uric acid and white blood cell count. Discussion: This is the first ExWAS study in NHANES describing associations between zBMI, nutritional and clinical factors in adolescents. Future studies are warranted to investigate the role of the identified predictors as early-stage biomarkers of increased BMI and associated pathologies among adolescents and to replicate findings to other populations.

Effects of Datura Metel Leaves Extract on Blood Parameters and Lipid Profile Using Albino Rats as Model

Datura metel is commonly found locally and it is readily available to the people, consequently, it is abused and deliberately used as poison. The aim of this study is to ascertain the effect of Datural metel through blood parameters and lipid profile when consumed through food intake using albino rat model. The leaves were extracted with ethanol and the phytochemical parameters determined. Different concentration of the extract were mixed with rat food and the food were fed to albino rats placed in four groups of five. The blood and lipid profile of rats were picked from each group determined at the end of week 1,2 and 3. Rats from each group was sacrificed and the blood was collected through cardiac puncture which was later analyzed for blood parameters and lipid profile. The results obtained from the first set of rats did not show any significant effect on the blood parameters and lipid profile, but the results obtained from subsequent sacrificed rats showed gradual increase in the values of the rate of haemoglobin (HB) 6.7 – 10G/DL, Red blood cells (RBC) 3.82 – 4.43 x 106µl and mean cell volume (MCV) 52.36 – 69.98FL. The results obtained for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) are irregular. There is gradual decrease in the results obtained for low density lipoproteins (LDL) 27.2 – 20.2 mg/dl and cholesterol 79 -71 mg/dl. This study suggests that the concentration of ethanolic extracts of Datura metel leaves have different active components that have diverse revamping effects on the blood parameters and lipid profile based on concentration of the extracts and duration of intake of the extract. This invariably portray that presence of Datura metel in food can enhance the quality of the food in the body and also maintain good cardiovascular wellbeing based on its concentration and timeline of consumption.

Effect of Smoked and Oven-dried Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) on Haematological Parameters, Liver and Antioxidant Enzymes of Wistar Rats

Catfish is a traditional part of the diet of a large section of the world’s population. This study compared the effect of smoked and oven-dried catfish on hematological parameters, liver and antioxidant enzymes of wistar rats. Catfish samples were processed by smoking and oven-drying and used for formulation of the experimental feeds. Twenty one wistar rats were acclimatized for seven (7) days, weighed and allotted into three dietary treatments; control (standard feed), smoked and oven-dried fed groups. The study was conducted for a period of 21 days. Haematological analysis was carried out using haematology auto-analyzer. Liver enzymes (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)) were assayed using standard assay kits while antioxidant enzymes were assayed using spectrophotometric method. The result revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the body weights of rats maintained on experimental feeds; oven-dried catfish fed group (240.83±6.13g), smoked catfish fed group (246.83±4.97g). There were no significant difference (P>0.05) in the haematological parameters of the treatment groups except in their total red blood cell counts, mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin. A non-significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) of the test groups, indicating the absence of oxidative stress. The results of this research showed that both drying methods (oven and smoke drying) did not affect the palatability of the diets as the experimental diets were accepted by the experimental animals and their weight significantly improved. However, both diets have deleterious effects on the blood; hence, individuals with severe cases of anaemia and other blood disorders are encouraged to avoid them.