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Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2024The Postmortem Interval (PMI) is the time from the death of an animal to its discovery. From a veterinary forensic standpoint, an accurate estimation of the PMI is of...
The Postmortem Interval (PMI) is the time from the death of an animal to its discovery. From a veterinary forensic standpoint, an accurate estimation of the PMI is of particular importance, especially with the observed increase in deaths of domestic and wild animals. A preliminary study was conducted using the eyes of domestic pigs. A biochemical analysis was conducted on the vitreous humor of the eye, whilst a histological analysis was conducted on the retina. The eyes were stored at +4 °C and changes were assessed at time intervals of 0, 12, 24, 48, and 120 h. The biochemical analysis during the PMI established a decrease in sodium, chlorine, and glucose concentrations, and a rise in potassium concentration. Accordingly, a simple linear regression showed a significant correlation between changes in concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), and glucose, in relation to the PMI. The histological analysis showed evident morphological changes in the retina, which included homogenization of the rod and cone cells, pyknosis of the outer nuclear layer, homogenization of the outer plexiform layer, pyknosis of the inner nuclear layer, homogenization of the inner plexiform layer, and pyknosis of the nuclei of the ganglion layer of the retina.
PubMed: 38672338
DOI: 10.3390/ani14081190 -
Biochemia Medica Jun 2024This study aimed to examine whether the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) reference intervals for 19 commonly used biochemical...
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to examine whether the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER) reference intervals for 19 commonly used biochemical assays (potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorous, glucose, urea, creatinine, direct and total bilirubin, C-reactive protein (CRP), total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD)) could be applied to the newborn population of one Croatian clinical hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Reference interval verification was performed according to the CLSI EP28-A3c guidelines. Samples of healthy newborns were selected using the direct sampling method and analyzed on the Beckman Coulter AU680 biochemical analyzer. If verification wasn't satisfactory, further procedure included determination of own reference intervals by analyzing 120 samples of healthy newborns.
RESULTS
After the first set of measurements, 14/19 tested reference intervals were adopted for use: calcium, inorganic phosphorous, glucose, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, CRP, total protein, albumin, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP and LD. A second set of samples was tested for 5 analytes: potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium and direct bilirubin. The verification results of the additional samples for sodium and chloride were satisfactory, while the results for potassium, magnesium and direct bilirubin remained unsatisfactory and new reference intervals were determined.
CONCLUSIONS
The CALIPER reference intervals can be implemented into routine laboratory and clinical practice for the tested newborn population for most of the analyzed assays, while own reference intervals for potassium, magnesium and direct bilirubin have been determined.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Reference Values; Croatia; Bilirubin; Male; Female; C-Reactive Protein; Creatinine; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Alanine Transaminase; Blood Chemical Analysis; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Potassium; Magnesium; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Chlorides; Calcium; Blood Glucose; Sodium
PubMed: 38665867
DOI: 10.11613/BM.2024.020705 -
International Journal of Endocrinology... Jan 2024Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a clinical syndrome characterized by hypertension, suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA), elevated plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC),...
INTRODUCTION
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a clinical syndrome characterized by hypertension, suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA), elevated plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), and spontaneous hypokalemia.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present a 37-year-old normotensive female with hypokalemia, high plasma aldosterone level, and suppressed renin. The patient was treated with eplerenone and potassium chloride supplement. Further investigation with a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a mass in the left adrenal. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy led to the diagnosis of adrenal adenoma.
CONCLUSIONS
Primary aldosteronism should be among the differential diagnoses in normotensive patients presenting with severe hypokalemia.
PubMed: 38665148
DOI: 10.5812/ijem-138703 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Apr 2024St. Thomas cardioplegia is commonly administered to adults, yet repeated dosing at brief intervals is required. Del Nido's cardioplegic solution provides a prolonged... (Observational Study)
Observational Study Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
St. Thomas cardioplegia is commonly administered to adults, yet repeated dosing at brief intervals is required. Del Nido's cardioplegic solution provides a prolonged duration of safe myocardial arrest, yet it was primarily intended for pediatric cardiac surgery. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in using Del Nido's in adults; this might be due to its ease of administration and extended re-dosing intervals. This study contrasted Del Nido's to modified St. Thomas cardioplegia in adults.
METHODS
This study was conducted on 200 patients. Troponin-T was the primary outcome within the first 24 and 48 h post-surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, intraoperative use of inotropic support, defibrillator and/or intra-aortic balloon were the secondary outcomes of the study.
RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in post-operative Troponin-T levels in the first 24 and 48 h within Del Nido's group compared to the modified St. Thomas group. The cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were also found to be lower within Del Nido's group.
CONCLUSION
This study has demonstrated a significant reduction in early postoperative Troponin-T levels as well as operative times favoring Del Nido's in adults.
Topics: Humans; Heart Arrest, Induced; Retrospective Studies; Male; Female; Cardioplegic Solutions; Middle Aged; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Troponin T; Adult; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Aged; Potassium Chloride; Treatment Outcome; Mannitol; Sodium Bicarbonate; Bicarbonates; Solutions; Magnesium Sulfate; Calcium Chloride; Lidocaine; Electrolytes; Sodium Chloride; Magnesium
PubMed: 38664851
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02683-1 -
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 2024The potassium-chloride co-transporter 2, KCC2, is a neuron-specific ion transporter that plays a multifunctional role in neuronal development. In mature neurons, KCC2...
The potassium-chloride co-transporter 2, KCC2, is a neuron-specific ion transporter that plays a multifunctional role in neuronal development. In mature neurons, KCC2 maintains a low enough intracellular chloride concentration essential for inhibitory neurotransmission. During recent years, pathogenic variants in the KCC2 encoding gene affecting the functionality or expression of the transporter protein have been described in several patients with epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS), a devastating early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. In this study, we identified a novel recessively inherited c.692G>A, p. (R231H) variant in a patient diagnosed with severe and drug-resistant EIMFS and profound intellectual disability. The functionality of the variant was assessed by means of gramicidin-perforated patch-clamp experiments and ammonium flux assay, both of which indicated a significant reduction in chloride extrusion. Based on surface immunolabeling, the variant showed a reduction in membrane expression. These findings implicate pathogenicity of the variant that leads to impaired inhibitory neurotransmission, increasing probability for hyperexcitability and epileptogenesis.
PubMed: 38660387
DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1372662 -
Nature Communications Apr 2024The analysis of neural circuits has been revolutionized by optogenetic methods. Light-gated chloride-conducting anion channelrhodopsins (ACRs)-recently emerged as...
The analysis of neural circuits has been revolutionized by optogenetic methods. Light-gated chloride-conducting anion channelrhodopsins (ACRs)-recently emerged as powerful neuron inhibitors. For cells or sub-neuronal compartments with high intracellular chloride concentrations, however, a chloride conductance can have instead an activating effect. The recently discovered light-gated, potassium-conducting, kalium channelrhodopsins (KCRs) might serve as an alternative in these situations, with potentially broad application. As yet, KCRs have not been shown to confer potent inhibitory effects in small genetically tractable animals. Here, we evaluated the utility of KCRs to suppress behavior and inhibit neural activity in Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, and zebrafish. In direct comparisons with ACR1, a KCR1 variant with enhanced plasma-membrane trafficking displayed comparable potency, but with improved properties that include reduced toxicity and superior efficacy in putative high-chloride cells. This comparative analysis of behavioral inhibition between chloride- and potassium-selective silencing tools establishes KCRs as next-generation optogenetic inhibitors for in vivo circuit analysis in behaving animals.
Topics: Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Neurons; Optogenetics; Zebrafish; Channelrhodopsins; Humans; Drosophila; Potassium Channels; Chlorides; Animals, Genetically Modified; Behavior, Animal; HEK293 Cells; Drosophila melanogaster
PubMed: 38658537
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47203-w -
Canine and feline foetal fluids: Volume, hormonal and biochemical characterization during pregnancy.Veterinary Medicine and Science May 2024This study aimed to evaluate the volume, the concentration of steroid hormones, and biochemical composition of the foetal fluids at different gestational ages in dogs...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to evaluate the volume, the concentration of steroid hormones, and biochemical composition of the foetal fluids at different gestational ages in dogs and cats.
METHODS
Following the ovariohysterectomy, the allantoic and amniotic fluid samples were collected from pregnant bitches and queens and were assigned to different groups according to their gestational age.
RESULTS
The canine and feline allantoic fluid volume increased during pregnancy, reached its maximum values on days 40-49 and then decreased. The canine and feline amniotic fluid volume increased steadily by the last days of pregnancy. In spite of significant changes of sex hormones in the foetal fluids, their concentration and ratios were not significantly different between male and female fetuses. The canine amniotic cortisol concentration increased until days 40-49 and decreased significantly afterwards. The maximum cortisol concentrations in the feline allantoic and amniotic fluids were observed on days 50-60 and 40-49, respectively. During the canine pregnancy, the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, chloride, sodium, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein, albumin and the activities of aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), amylase and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the amniotic fluid were higher than the allantoic fluid. The magnesium, potassium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, creatine and lipase were higher in the allantoic fluid. In the feline allantoic fluid, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, creatinine, albumin and glucose concentrations and the activities of creatine kinase (CK), GGT, LDH and lipase were higher. The ALP, AST activities, sodium and calcium concentrations were higher in the amniotic fluid (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Volume of foetal fluids was determined in dogs and cats. Concentration of sex hormones did not different between male and female fetuses.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Female; Pregnancy; Amniotic Fluid; Male; Pregnancy, Animal; Gestational Age; Hydrocortisone; Allantois
PubMed: 38654677
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1452 -
Public Health Nutrition Apr 2024Switching regular salt (sodium chloride) to salt enriched with potassium chloride (25 % potassium chloride, 75 % sodium chloride) has been shown to reduce blood pressure...
OBJECTIVE
Switching regular salt (sodium chloride) to salt enriched with potassium chloride (25 % potassium chloride, 75 % sodium chloride) has been shown to reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We sought to define the potential for the current production of sodium chloride and potassium chloride to support a global switch to the use of potassium-enriched salt.
DESIGN
We summarised data from geological surveys, government reports and trade organisations describing the global production and supply of sodium chloride and potash (the primary source of potassium chloride) and compared this to potential requirements for potassium-enriched salt.
SETTING
Global.
PARTICIPANTS
Not applicable.
RESULTS
Approximately 280 million tonnes of sodium chloride were produced in 2020 with China and the USA the main producers. Global production of potash from which potassium chloride is extracted was about forty-four million tonnes with Canada, Belarus, Russia and China providing 77 % of the world's supply. There were forty-eight countries in which potassium-enriched salt is currently marketed with seventy-nine different brands identified. Allowing for loss of salt between manufacture and consumption, a full global switch from regular salt to potassium-enriched salt would require about 9·7 million tonnes of sodium chloride to be replaced with 9·7 million tonnes of potassium chloride annually.
CONCLUSIONS
Significant upscaling of the production of potassium chloride and the capacity of companies able to manufacture potassium-enriched salt, as well as a robust business case for the switch to potassium chloride, would be required.
Topics: Humans; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Potassium Chloride; Potassium, Dietary; Cardiovascular Diseases; China
PubMed: 38644629
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980024000922 -
Neurology and Therapy Jun 2024Most current treatment strategies and investigations on cryptococcal meningitis (CM) focus primarily on the central nervous system (CNS), often overlooking the complex...
INTRODUCTION
Most current treatment strategies and investigations on cryptococcal meningitis (CM) focus primarily on the central nervous system (CNS), often overlooking the complex interplay between the CNS and the peripheral system. This study aims to explore the characteristics of central and peripheral metabolism in patients with CM.
METHODS
Patients diagnosed with CM as per the hospital records of the Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, non-structural damage of the brain (NSDB) and structural damage of the brain (SDB), according to the presence of brain lesions as detected with imaging. Based on the presence of enlarged cerebral ventricles, the cases in the SDB group were classified into non-ventriculomegaly (NVM) and ventriculomegaly (VM). Various parameters of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood (PB) were analyzed.
RESULTS
A significant correlation was detected between CSF and PB parameters. The levels of CSF-adenosine dehydrogenase (ADA), CSF-protein, CSF-glucose, and CSF-chloride ions were significantly correlated with the levels of PB-aminotransferase, PB-bilirubin, PB-creatinine (Cr), PB-urea nitrogen, PB-electrolyte, PB-protein, and PB-lipid. Compared with NSDB, the levels of CSF-glucose were significantly decreased in the SDB group, while the levels of CSF-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and CSF-protein were significantly increased in the SDB group. In the SDB group, the levels of PB-potassium, PB-hemoglobin(Hb), and PB-albumin were significantly decreased in the patients with VM, while the level of PB-urea nitrogen was significantly increased in these patients.
CONCLUSION
Metabolic and structural alterations in the brain may be associated with peripheral metabolic changes.
PubMed: 38643256
DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00610-z -
Food Microbiology Aug 2024Food preservatives are crucial in controlling microbial growth in processed foods to maintain food safety. Bacterial biofilms pose a threat in the food chain by...
Food preservatives are crucial in controlling microbial growth in processed foods to maintain food safety. Bacterial biofilms pose a threat in the food chain by facilitating persistence on a range of surfaces and food products. Cells in a biofilm are often highly tolerant of antimicrobials and can evolve in response to antimicrobial exposure. Little is known about the efficacy of preservatives against biofilms and their potential impact on the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. In this study we investigated how Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium responded to subinhibitory concentrations of four food preservatives (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium nitrite or sodium lactate) when grown planktonically and in biofilms. We found that each preservative exerted a unique selective pressure on S. Typhimurium populations. There was a trade-off between biofilm formation and growth in the presence of three of the four preservatives, where prolonged preservative exposure resulted in reduced biofilm biomass and matrix production over time. All three preservatives selected for mutations in global stress response regulators rpoS and crp. There was no evidence for any selection of cross-resistance to antibiotics after preservative exposure. In conclusion, we showed that preservatives affect biofilm formation and bacterial growth in a compound specific manner. We showed trade-offs between biofilm formation and preservative tolerance, but no antibiotic cross-tolerance. This indicates that bacterial adaptation to continuous preservative exposure, is unlikely to affect food safety or contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Topics: Salmonella typhimurium; Food Preservatives; Biofilms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria
PubMed: 38637079
DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2024.104517