Acute phase proteins in calves naturally infected with cryptosporidium

Infectious diarrhea remains one of the most important health challenges in dairy industries during the first four weeks of life, with Cryptosporidium infection as one of the main causes of this diarrhea. This study aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of some acute phase proteins in calves naturally infected with Cryptosporidium. Ninety-six, 1 day to 4 week-old Holstein calves were allotted into a control group (G1 n=48 healthy calves) and calves infected with Cryptosporidium (G2 n=48). Blood and fecal samples were collected from each calf on the same day. Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to estimate serum levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), while gel electrophoresis was used to determine serum level of fibrinogen. Serum SAA, Hp, and fibrinogen significantly increased in infected calves, whereas there was no significant difference in serum level of TNFα between the two groups

Detection of AFM1 in Milk and Some Dairy Products in Iraq using different techniques

The 130 samples of milk and some dairy products were randomly collected from Baghdad markets from September 2014 to June 2015 and distributes into imported and local samples include: liquid and powder milk, white and soft cheese in addition to yoghurt. The samples were analyzed to qualitative and quantitative detection of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) using different techniques {Thin layer chromatography- TLC (qualitative), High performance liquid chromatography- HPLC and Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay- ELISA (quantitative}. The positive results (contaminated with AFM1),  showed  as 50 (38.5%), 65 (50 %) and 70 (53.8%) respectively,  furthermore,  yogurt and cheese showed more contamination with AFM1 than other products and the highest concentration of AFM1 in the local cheese reached 300.7ng/L and 939.67ng/L when detected with HPLC and ELISA techniques respectively. We concluded that ELISA technique was found to be most advisable for detection of low-level AFM1 contamination in milk and dairy products . On other side the local products were contaminated with AFM1 than imported products , in addition to  yogurt and cheese were more contaminated with AFM1 than other samples. Key words: Detection, AFM1, TLC, HPLC , ELISA, Milk, Dairy Products, Ira

Evaluation the Non-Thermal Plasma Application Activity in AFB1 Detoxification

Contamination raw agricultural materials has been a food safety concern for human and animals. A non thermal plasma or cold plasma  is a novel antimicrobial intervention, that can be reduce the level of aflatoxin B1(AFB1) in complete cow's feed samples .AFB1 are carcinogenic compound produce primarily by two certain strain of Aspergillus include A. flavus and A. parasiticus , the  contamination of feed is arise for  animals health. Fifty samples from complete cow's feed were designated into imported 15 samples and local 35 samples , obtained randomly from different region in Baghdad from March 2014 to February 2015. Samples were tested for AFB1 by ELISA and HPLC technique and exposure to application cold plasma protocol to treatment of AFB1 contamination the samples in different time (5, 10 and 15) seconds at 3.5 cm between the plasma source and samples then tested by ELISA and HPLC. There are appears the best time successful in reducing levels of toxin at 10 sec. in local samples 3.12, 0.05 ng / g imported samples 1.21, 6.19 ng / g in HPLC and ELISA. In local and imported samples at 10 sec and that was 15 sec less time periods ability to reduce toxin level in local and imported samples, that indicated the length of exposure to NTP application is not necessary to reduce toxin level. According to the study we observed that the results from ELISA method were more sensitive, accuracy and simplicity when compared with results from HPLC technique. Keyword: Cold plasma, decontamination,AFB1, HPLC, ELISA

Measuring the coupling of procedural programs

Coupling is one of two attributes of software that have great impact on software quality. Quite a few methods have been established to quantify the measurement of coupling. This paper presents a new method that provides coupling measurement of procedural programs. The first step of this method populates a description matrix that describes the software system that is being evaluated capturing all system attributes that affect coupling. Factors that affect coupling were studied and a scheme to reflect them in the description matrix was developed. A method has also been developed to calculate coupling between each two components of the system. The second step uses this method to populate a coupling matrix that indicates the coupling measurement between each two components of the system. Other metrics such as calculating the overall coupling of the system can be evaluated from the generated matrix. One of the strengths of this approach is that it can be used to measure coupling of software of the procedural languages as well as object-oriented languages. The procedures that populate the description matrix are different for the two different paradigms but everything else is the same. A comparison with three other software metrics is illustrated with the result of two experiment

Measuring the coupling of procedural programs

Coupling is one of two attributes of software that have great impact on software quality. Quite a few methods have been established to quantify the measurement of coupling. This paper presents a new method that provides coupling measurement of procedural programs. The first step of this method populates a description matrix that describes the software system that is being evaluated capturing all system attributes that affect coupling. Factors that affect coupling were studied and a scheme to reflect them in the description matrix was developed. A method has also been developed to calculate coupling between each two components of the system. The second step uses this method to populate a coupling matrix that indicates the coupling measurement between each two components of the system. Other metrics such as calculating the overall coupling of the system can be evaluated from the generated matrix. One of the strengths of this approach is that it can be used to measure coupling of software of the procedural languages as well as object-oriented languages. The procedures that populate the description matrix are different for the two different paradigms but everything else is the same. A comparison with three other software metrics is illustrated with the result of two experiment

Novel derivative of aminobenzenesulfonamide (3c) induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells through ROS generation and inhibits cell migration

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common type of cancer worldwide. New anti-cancer agents are needed for treating late stage colorectal cancer as most of the deaths occur due to cancer metastasis. A recently developed compound, 3c has shown to have potent antitumor effect; however the mechanism underlying the antitumor effect remains unknown. Methods: 3c-induced inhibition of proliferation was measured in the absence and presence NAC using MTT in HT-29 and SW620 cells and xCELLigence RTCA DP instrument. 3c-induced apoptotic studies were performed using flow cytometry. 3c-induced redox alterations were measured by ROS production using fluorescence plate reader and flow cytometry and mitochondrial membrane potential by flow cytometry; NADPH and GSH levels were determined by colorimetric assays. Bcl2 family protein expression and cytochrome c release and PARP activation was done by western blotting. Caspase activation was measured by ELISA. Cell migration assay was done using the real time xCELLigence RTCA DP system in SW620 cells and wound healing assay in HT-29. Results: Many anticancer therapeutics exert their effects by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we demonstrate that 3c-induced inhibition of cell proliferation is reversed by the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that 3c acts via increased production of ROS in HT-29 cells. This was confirmed by the direct measurement of ROS in 3c-treated colorectal cancer cells. Additionally, treatment with 3c resulted in decreased NADPH and glutathione levels in HT-29 cells. Further, investigation of the apoptotic pathway showed increased release of cytochrome c resulting in the activation of caspase-9, which in turn activated caspase-3 and −6. 3c also (i) increased p53 and Bax expression, (ii) decreased Bcl2 and BclxL expression and (iii) induced PARP cleavage in human colorectal cancer cells. Confirming our observations, NAC significantly inhibited induction of apoptosis, ROS production, cytochrome c release and PARP cleavage. The results further demonstrate that 3c inhibits cell migration by modulating EMT markers and inhibiting TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Samd3. Conclusions: Our findings thus demonstrate that 3c disrupts redox balance in colorectal cancer cells and support the notion that this agent may be effective for the treatment of colorectal cancer

Health and wellbeing amongst older people research in Northamptonshire

The Ageing Research Centre of the University of Northampton (2014-current), in collaboration with the East Midlands Research into Ageing Network (EMRAN) is pleased to compile this brochure on research activity associated with older people across the county of Northamptonshire. This provides a comprehensive overview of activity that is relevant and of value to practice, identifying research outcomes that have real significance to age-related health and wellbeing. The brochure provides a summary of research activity over the last five years from academic, clinical and professional colleagues and demonstrates cross sector networks of collaboration around the common agenda of aging. Such collaboration will enhance the capacity of research understanding across the county and provide information and support for the needs of older people, their families and carers. The translation of research outcomes into practice is essential if we are to promote wellness, independence and healthy aging within the county and beyond and I would like to thank all contributors for their commitment and hard work in the production of this brochure

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks