Dynamics of Specific cfDNA Fragments in the Plasma of Full Marathon Participants

Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is frequently analyzed using liquid biopsy to investigate cancer markers. We hypothesized that this concept might be applicable in exercise physiology. Here, we aimed to identify specific cfDNA (spcfDNA) sequences in the plasma of healthy humans using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and clearly define the dynamics regarding spcfDNA-fragment levels upon extreme exercises, such as running a full marathon. NGS analysis was performed using cfDNA of pooled plasma collected from healthy participants. We confirmed that the TaqMan-qPCR assay had high sensitivity and found that the spcfDNA sequence abundance was 16,600-fold higher than that in a normal genomic region. We then used the TaqMan-qPCR assay to investigate the dynamics of spcfDNA-fragment levels upon running a full marathon. The spcfDNA fragment levels were significantly increased post-marathon. Furthermore, spcfDNA fragment levels were strongly correlated with white blood cell and plasma myoglobin concentrations. These results suggest the spcfDNA fragments identified in this study were highly sensitive as markers of extreme physical stress. The findings of this study may provide new insights into exercise physiology and genome biology in humans.

Elevated accumulation of the toxic metal mercury in the Critically Endangered oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean

The oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus is a widely distributed large pelagic shark species once considered abundant in tropical and warm temperate waters, but recently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to drastic population declines associated with overfishing. In addition to risks posed to its populations due to overexploitation, oceanic whitetip sharks are also capable of accumulating elevated quantities of harmful environmental toxicants, placing them at special risk from anthropogenic pollution. Herein, we provide the first data on accumulation of the toxic, non-essential metal mercury (Hg) in northwest Atlantic (NWA) oceanic whitetip sharks, focusing on aggregations occurring at Cat Island, The Bahamas. Total Hg (THg) concentrations were measured in muscle of 26 oceanic whitetip sharks and compared with animal length and muscle δ15N to evaluate potential drivers of Hg accumulation. THg concentrations were also measured in fin and blood subcomponents (red blood cells and plasma) to determine their value as surrogates for assessing Hg burden. Muscle THg concentrations were among the highest ever reported for a shark species and correlated significantly with animal length, but not muscle δ15N. Fin, red blood cell, and plasma THg concentrations were significantly correlated with muscle THg. Fin THg content was best suited for use as a surrogate for estimating internal Hg burden because of its strong relationship with muscle THg levels, whereas blood THg levels may be better suited for characterizing recent Hg exposure. We conclude that Hg poses health risks to NWA oceanic whitetip sharks and human consumers of this species.

STUDI JUMLAH TROMBOSIT ANTARA PENDONOR LAKI-LAKI DAN PEREMPUAN PADA USIA YANG BERBEDA DI UNIT TRANSFUSI DARAH CABANG KOTA MALANG

<p>Blood is part of the body which has 6-8 % of total body weight which include of the blood cell and plasma. Thrombocyte is one of component in the blood which has an important function in blood coagulation. This study is aimed to evaluate the influence of the sex and age of donor on the number of thrombocyte. Blood sample were collected at Blood Transfusion Unit of Malang. This research using cases study whose use to observe the number of thrombocyte in man and woman donor at different age. Total of 40 sample (20 of each sex) whose classified as ≤31, 31-40, 41-50 and ≥ 51 years of age. The number of thrombocyte which determined by hemocytometer and observe under microscope (magnification: 100 ). The collected data where analyze by unpaired T-test for man and woman one. While Anova whose use to analyze the differences between ages interval both in the man and woman. Duncan test (5%) whose use to determine the significant different between ages group. The result show that the number of thrombocyte whose significantly higher (P&lt;0,05) than those in the woman (245.750 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 76300 vs 201.750 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> 61564). The age of donor whose significantly influence on the number of thrombocyte (P&lt;0,05) both in the man and woman. The number of thrombocyte degrees significantly by increasing the age. However for the both sex can donor the blood of more than 51 years of age.</p>