Physiological and Neurobehavioral Disturbances Induced by Al2O3 Nanoparticle Intoxication in Nile Tilapia Fish: Benefits of Dietary Chamomile Essential Oil

Despite the usage of nanoparticles (NPs) is rapidly increasing, several experts have noted the risk of their release into ecosystems and their potential negative impacts on biological systems. However, the available studies on the neurobehavioral impacts of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) on aquatic organisms are little. Hence, this study targeted to ascertain the harmful effects of Al2O3NPs on behavioral characteristics and genotoxic and oxidative damages in Nile tilapia fish. In addition, the beneficial role of chamomile essential oil (CEO) supplementation in reducing these effects was also investigated. In the current study, fish were distributed into 4 equal groups (n = 60 fish per group). The control group was fed a plain diet only, the CEO group received a basic diet complemented with CEO at a level of 2 mg/kg diet, the ALNP group received a basic diet and was exposed to an approximate concentration of 1/10th LC50 of ALNPs nearly 5.08 mg/L, and the combination group (ALNPs/ CEO group) received a basal diet coadministered with ALNPs and CEO at the aforementioned percentages. The findings revealed that O. niloticus exhibit neurobehavioral changes along with changes in the level of GABA, monoamines in the brain tissue, and serum amino acid neurotransmitters, besides a reduction of AChE and Na+/K+-ATPase activities. In addition to brain tissue oxidative damage with upregulation of proinflammatory and stress genes, such as HSP70 and caspase-3, supplementation of CEO significantly reduced the negative impacts of ALNPs. These results showed that CEO has neuroprotective, antioxidant, genoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties in fish that have been exposed to ALNPs. Therefore, we advise its usage as a valuable addition to fish diet

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association analyses improve resolution of genes and pathways influencing lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk

Lung-function impairment underlies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and predicts mortality. In the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of lung function to date, comprising 580,869 participants, we identified 1,020 independent association signals implicating 559 genes supported by ≥2 criteria from a systematic variant-to-gene mapping framework. These genes were enriched in 29 pathways. Individual variants showed heterogeneity across ancestries, age and smoking groups, and collectively as a genetic risk score showed strong association with COPD across ancestry groups. We undertook phenome-wide association studies for selected associated variants as well as trait and pathway-specific genetic risk scores to infer possible consequences of intervening in pathways underlying lung function. We highlight new putative causal variants, genes, proteins and pathways, including those targeted by existing drugs. These findings bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying lung function and COPD, and should inform functional genomics experiments and potentially future COPD therapies

Weaning induces changes in behavior and stress indicators in young New Zealand rabbits

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of weaning on the abnormal behavior, behavioral problems and some stress indicators in young rabbits. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on seventy two New Zealand rabbit kits which were divided into two groups, one reared with their dams (Unweaned rabbits) and the other group reared without their dams (Weaned rabbits). Rabbits are reared on traditional wire net batteries. A scan sample technique was used during the observation period of the recorded traits. Rabbits behavior was observed three times per day at (from 8.00 to 9.00 h.), (from 12.00 to 13.00 h) and (from 15.00 : 16.00 h) for three days weekly to each group during the experimental period (6 weeks). The observed activities were recorded at 10 min interval for rabbits in each subgroup (6 subgroups for each group). Two blood samplings were taken after weaning process for monitoring some stress indicators. Results: The results showed that the bare biting and lixite bite were significantly affected by weaning which were increased in the weaned group than the unweaned group. Other abnormal behavioral traits and behavioral problems were not influenced by weaning process. The results found that cortisol, growth hormone levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities were significantly increased in serum after weaning. Conclusion: The weaning process has negative effect on some behavioral and physiological responses. So, rearing the young rabbits with their mothers is advantageous from the viewpoint of animal welfare. The findings of this study may help to find out suitable strategies to minimize post weaning stress in both human beings and domestic animals. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 166-172

Acetylsalicylic Acid Compared with Enoxaparin for the Prevention of Thrombosis and Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) is a well-known and frequently studied drug for primary and secondary prevention of disease due to its anti-inflammatory and coagulopathic effects. COVID-19 complications are attributed to the role of thrombo-inflammation. Studies regarding the use of low-dose ASA in COVID-19 are limited. For this reason, we propose that the use of low-dose ASA may have protective effects in COVID-19-related thromboembolism and lung injury. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of low-dose ASA compared with enoxaparin, an anticoagulant, for the prevention of thrombosis and mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on COVID-19-confirmed hospitalized patients at the Mansoura University Quarantine Hospital, outpatients, and home-isolated patients from September to December 2020 in Mansoura governorate, Egypt. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effect of ASA compared with enoxaparin on thromboembolism, and mechanical ventilation needs. RESULTS: This study included 225 COVID-19 patients. Use of ASA-only (81-162 mg orally daily) was significantly associated with reduced thromboembolism (OR 0.163, p = 0.020), but both low-dose ASA and enoxaparin, and enoxaparin-only (0.5 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) daily as prophylactic dose or 1 mg/kg SC every 12 hours as therapeutic dose) were more protective (odds ratio [OR] 0.010, OR 0.071, respectively, p \u3c 0.001). Neither ASA-only nor enoxaparin-only were associated with a reduction in mechanical ventilation needs. Concomitant use of low-dose ASA and enoxaparin was associated with reduced mechanical ventilation (OR 0.032, 95% CI 0.004-0.226, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose ASA-only use may reduce the incidence of COVID-19-associated thromboembolism, but the reduction may be less than that of enoxaparin-only, and both ASA and enoxaparin. Concomitant use of ASA and enoxaparin demonstrates promising results with regard to the reduction of thrombotic events, and mechanical ventilation needs

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association analyses improve resolution of genes and pathways influencing lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk

Funder: British Lung Foundation (BLF); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000351Funder: DH | National Institute for Health Research (NIHR); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000272AbstractLung-function impairment underlies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and predicts mortality. In the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of lung function to date, comprising 580,869 participants, we identified 1,020 independent association signals implicating 559 genes supported by ≥2 criteria from a systematic variant-to-gene mapping framework. These genes were enriched in 29 pathways. Individual variants showed heterogeneity across ancestries, age and smoking groups, and collectively as a genetic risk score showed strong association with COPD across ancestry groups. We undertook phenome-wide association studies for selected associated variants as well as trait and pathway-specific genetic risk scores to infer possible consequences of intervening in pathways underlying lung function. We highlight new putative causal variants, genes, proteins and pathways, including those targeted by existing drugs. These findings bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying lung function and COPD, and should inform functional genomics experiments and potentially future COPD therapies.</jats:p

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially