An assessment of haematological and serum biochemical indices in Salmo trutta caspius

Haematological and biochemical serum analyses were carried out in 131 fish specimens in three age and size groups including smolt, juvenile and breeder. Of these groups, smolt fish were 40 specimens in the average total length range 195.45±12.426mm and had an average weight of 84±15.5g, juvenile fish were 25 individuals and their average total length and weight were 267±20.877mm and 217.20±22.013g, respectively. The 41 breeder fish had an average total length of 578.24±68.487mm and an average weight of 1994.2±775.379g. Another 25 breeder fish were also sampled in the spawning season for blood biochemical analyses had an average total length range of 617±59.9mm and weighed on average 2227.5±647.5g each. Red blood cell counts were 866600 per mm super(3) and 1259400 per mm ^(3) in smolt and breeder fish respectively. The average hematocrit was 48.39% in smolt and 44.29% in breeder fish. The average hemoglobin was 8.85g/dl in smolt and 10.91g/dl in breeder fish. White blood cell count was 8781.58 per mm ^(3) in smolt and 5217.65 per mm ^(3) in breeder fish. Other measurements were as follows: Lymphocyte 90.57% in smolt and 73.22% in breeders, Neutrophil 5.12% in smolt and 16.92% in breeders, Monocyte 1.27% in smolt and 4.24% in breeders, and clotting time was 282.34 seconds in smolt and 291.47 seconds in breeder fish. We also measured MCV, MCH and MCHC in smolt and breeder fish along with biochemical parameters. The glucose level was 2.97mmol/1 in juvenile and 1.99mmol/1 in breeder fish. The cholesterol level was 4.26mmol/l in juvenile and 7.06mmol/1 in breeders. The triglyceride amount was 2.35mmol/l in juvenile and 2.47mmol/l in breeder specimens and the calcium level was 2.44 in juvenile and 2.61 mmol/1 in breeder fish

Novel electronic adherence monitoring devices in children with asthma: a mixed-methods study

Introduction: Adherence monitoring to inhaled corticosteroids is an essential component of asthma management. Electronic monitoring devices (EMD) provide objective data on date, time and number of actuations. However, most give no information on inhalation. Novel EMD (NEMD) platforms have the potential to monitor both activation and inhalation. Aim: To assess the feasibility of NEMDs, in terms of usability, acceptability to patients and healthcare professionals and accuracy. Methods: This was an open-label, prospective, mixedmethods, pragmatic randomised study. Children with asthma attending specialist tertiary care were randomised to one of four NEMD: Remote Directly Observed Therapy (R-DOT), Hailie Smartinhaler, INhaler Compliance Assessment device (INCA) and the Rafi-tone App. Following monitoring, participants were invited to focus groups or one-to-one interviews. Usability and acceptability were evaluated using themes identified from the focus groups and interviews. Adherence accuracy was determined using adherence data from each NEMD. Results: Thirty-five children were recruited; 18 (51%), (11 males, median age 13.5 (7–16) years) completed monitoring, 14 (78%) provided feedback. Participants identified various features such as ease of use and minimal effort as desirable criteria for an NEMD. The Hailie and INCA fulfilled these criteria and were able to record both actuation and inhalation. Negative themes included a ‘Big Brother’ effect and costs. Conclusion: There was no ‘one size fits all’, as participants identified advantages and disadvantages for each NEMD. Devices that can easily calculate adherence to activation and inhalation have the potential to have greatest utility in clinical practice. Each NEMD has different functionality and therefore choice of platform should be determined by the needs of the patient and healthcare professional

Novel electronic adherence monitoring devices in children with asthma: a mixed-methods study

INTRODUCTION: Adherence monitoring to inhaled corticosteroids is an essential component of asthma management. Electronic monitoring devices (EMD) provide objective data on date, time and number of actuations. However, most give no information on inhalation. Novel EMD (NEMD) platforms have the potential to monitor both activation and inhalation. AIM: To assess the feasibility of NEMDs, in terms of usability, acceptability to patients and healthcare professionals and accuracy. METHODS: This was an open-label, prospective, mixed-methods, pragmatic randomised study. Children with asthma attending specialist tertiary care were randomised to one of four NEMD: Remote Directly Observed Therapy (R-DOT), Hailie Smartinhaler, INhaler Compliance Assessment device (INCA) and the Rafi-tone App. Following monitoring, participants were invited to focus groups or one-to-one interviews. Usability and acceptability were evaluated using themes identified from the focus groups and interviews. Adherence accuracy was determined using adherence data from each NEMD. RESULTS: Thirty-five children were recruited; 18 (51%), (11 males, median age 13.5 (7-16) years) completed monitoring, 14 (78%) provided feedback. Participants identified various features such as ease of use and minimal effort as desirable criteria for an NEMD. The Hailie and INCA fulfilled these criteria and were able to record both actuation and inhalation. Negative themes included a 'Big Brother' effect and costs. CONCLUSION: There was no 'one size fits all', as participants identified advantages and disadvantages for each NEMD. Devices that can easily calculate adherence to activation and inhalation have the potential to have greatest utility in clinical practice. Each NEMD has different functionality and therefore choice of platform should be determined by the needs of the patient and healthcare professional

Co-evolution of matrisome and adaptive adhesion dynamics drives ovarian cancer chemoresistance

Due to its dynamic nature, the evolution of cancer cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) crosstalk, critically affecting metastasis and treatment resistance, remains elusive. Our results show that platinum-chemotherapy itself enhances resistance by progressively changing the cancer cell-intrinsic adhesion signaling and cell-surrounding ECM. Examining ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) transcriptome and histology, we describe the fibrotic ECM heterogeneity at primary tumors and distinct metastatic sites, prior and after chemotherapy. Using cell models from systematic ECM screen to collagen-based 2D and 3D cultures, we demonstrate that both specific ECM substrates and stiffness increase resistance to platinum-mediated, apoptosis-inducing DNA damage via FAK and β1 integrin-pMLC-YAP signaling. Among such substrates around metastatic HGSCs, COL6 was upregulated by chemotherapy and enhanced the resistance of relapse, but not treatment-naïve, HGSC organoids. These results identify matrix adhesion as an adaptive response, driving HGSC aggressiveness via co-evolving ECM composition and sensing, suggesting stromal and tumor strategies for ECM pathway targeting. </p

Electronic monitoring of adherence to inhaled corticosteroids: an essential tool in identifying severe asthma in children

International guidelines recommend that severe asthma can only be diagnosed after contributory factors, including adherence, have been addressed. Accurate assessment of adherence is difficult in clinical practice. We hypothesised that electronic monitoring in children would identify nonadherence, thus delineating the small number with true severe asthma.Asthmatic children already prescribed inhaled corticosteroids were prospectively recruited and persistence of adherence assessed using electronic monitoring devices. Spirometry, airway inflammation and asthma control were measured at the start and end of the monitoring period.93 children (62 male; median age 12.4 years) were monitored for a median of 92 days. Median (range) monitored adherence was 74% (21-99%). We identified four groups: 1) good adherence during monitoring with improved control, 24% (likely previous poor adherence); 2) good adherence with poor control, 18% (severe therapy-resistant asthma); 3) poor adherence with good control, 26% (likely overtreated); and 4) poor adherence with poor control, 32%. No clinical parameter prior to monitoring distinguished these groups.Electronic monitoring is a useful tool for identifying children in whom a step up in treatment is indicated. Different approaches are needed in those who are controlled when adherent or who are nonadherent. Electronic monitoring is essential in a paediatric severe asthma clinic