Epidemiological features and dynamic changes in blood biochemical indices for COVID-19 patients in Hebi

BACKGROUND Millions of people have died of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-Co V-2)infection,and retrospective studies of the disease in local regions are necessary.AIM To characterize the epidemiological features and dynamic changes in blood biochemical indices for SARS-Co V-2-infected patients in Hebi,a representative city with a large floating population in North China.METHODS From January 25 to February 10,2020,the clinical data of patients who tested positive for SARS-Co V-2 by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in Hebi city(China)were evaluated at admission,and laboratory data for hematologic parameters,inflammatory indices,coagulation function indices,liver function indices,blood lipid indices,renal function indices,myocardial enzyme activities and five blood biochemical markers of immunity were evaluated at admission,upon hospitalization and before discharge.RESULTS Sixteen confirmed COVID-19 patients developed pneumonia but were cured after adequate treatment.Fever and fatigue were the common symptoms.The most common laboratory abnormalities of patients at admission were leukopenia,eosinopenia,decreased percentage of eosinophils,elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels,hypoalbuminemia,mildly increased aspartate transferase activity and levels of bilirubin,and increased levels ofβ2-microglobulin.Importantly,aggravated liver dysfunction was detected in most patients,which may be partially attributed to virus infection as well as medicinal treatment.CONCLUSION This study provides several potential diagnostic markers and dynamic biochemical indices of disease progression to better prevent,diagnose and treat COVID-19 infection.

Correlation analysis of TCM syndrome types with T lymphocytes and biochemical indices in patients with HBV-related primary liver cancer

Objective:To investigate the correlation between T lymphocytes and biochemical indices in patients with Primary liver cancer(PLC)associated with hepatitis B virus(HBV)and TCM syndrome differentiation.Methods:263 HBV-related PLC patients who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected.There were 127 cases of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome(48.3%),48 cases of spleen deficiency and dampness syndrome(18.3%),31 cases of liver and gallbladder dampness and heat syndrome(11.8%),35 cases of liver and blood stasis syndrome(13.3%),and 22 cases of liver and kidney Yin deficiency syndrome(8.4%).The general data,T cell subsets,oncology and virology indicators,oncology characteristics,biochemical indicators and other data were counted.Epidata and Excel were used to collect and summarize the data,and SPSS26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:There was no significant difference in gender and age distribution among the five syndrome types(χ^(2)=5.462,F=1.979,ALL P>0.05).The differences among T lymphocyte count(χ^(2)=57.785,P<0.001),CD4(+)T cell count(χ^(2)=47.103,P<0.001)and CD8(+)T lymphocyte count(F=12.760,P<0.001)were statistically significant.The T lymphocyte count,CD4(+)T lymphocyte count and CD8(+)T lymphocyte explicit count in patients with liver and kidney Yin deficiency syndrome were significantly lower than those in the other four syndrome types.AFP(χ^(2)=89.986,P<0.001),CEA(χ^(2)=95.501,P<0.001),CA199(χ^(2)=30.044,P<0.001)of the five syndrome types increased successively from the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency to the syndrome of liver and kidney Yin deficiency,and the difference was statistically significant.There were statistically significant differences in the inner diameter of main portal vein,portal vein cancer thrombin and extrahepatic metastasis among the five syndrome types(ALL P<0.001).The main symptoms of portal vein cancer thrombin and extrahepatic metastasis were liver-gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome and liver-blood stasis syndrome.The differences among PLT(χ^(2)=39.234,P<0.001),Alb(χ^(2)=75.171,P<0.001),TBil(χ^(2)=51.140,P<0.001),AST(χ^(2)=55.881,P<0.001),PT(χ^(2)=21.515,P<0.001)were statistically significant.PLT and Alb decreased successively from the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency to the syndrome of liver and kidney Yin deficiency.PLT and Alb of the syndrome of liver depression and spleen deficiency were significantly higher than those of the other four groups,and TBil and AST of the syndrome of liver and gallbladder dampness and heat were significantly higher than those of the other four groups.PT of liver and kidney Yin deficiency was significantly higher than that of the other four groups.The lymphocyte count,CD4(+) lymphocyte count and CD8(+) lymphocyte count were negatively correlated with AFP,PT and TBil(ALL P<0.05),and positively correlated with PLT(P<0.05).T lymphocyte count was positively correlated with AIb(P<0.05).Conclusion:This study found that patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome have better cellular immune function,liver function and prognosis.Patients with liver and kidney Yin deficiency have lower cellular immunity,worse liver function,and worse prognosis.Portal vein carcinoma embolus and extrahepatic metastasis were mainly characterized by dampness and heat of liver and gallbladder and blood stasis of liver.Patients with lower lymphocyte counts have poorer blood clotting,worse the liver reserve,and the higher the risk of further cancer.

Effects of dietary arginine levels on growth performance,body composition, serum biochemical indices and resistance ability against ammonia-nitrogen stress in juvenile yellow catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary arginine levels on growth performance, body composition, serum biochemical indices and resistance ability against ammonia-nitrogen stress in juvenile yellow catfish(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets(42%protein and 9% lipid) were formulated to contain graded levels of arginine(2.44%, 2.64%, 2.81%, 3.01% and3.23% of diet), by supplementing L-Arginine HCI. Seven hundred juvenile yellow catfish with an initial average body weight of 1.13 ± 0.02 g were randomly divided into 5 groups with 4 replicates of 35 fish each and each group was fed one of the diets. After 56 d feeding, fish were exposed to 100 mg/L of ammonia-nitrogen for 72 h. The results showed that weight gain(WG) and specific growth rate(SGR) in2.64% and 2.81% groups were significantly higher than those in 3.23% group(P < 0.05). The feed conversation ratio(FCR) in 2,64%, 2,81% and 3.01% groups was significantly decreased when compared with3,23% group. The protein efficiency ratio(PER) in 2.64% group was significantly higher than that in 2.44%and 3.23% groups(P < 0.05). The condition factor(CF) of fish was significantly higher in 2.81% group than that in 2,44% group(P < 0.05). Dietary arginine levels had no significant effect on hepatosomatic index(HSI), viscerosomatic index(VSI), and whole-body dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, ash contents, as well as serum total protein(TP), triglyceride(TG), glucose(GLU), urea nitrogen(UN) contents and aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activities(P> 0.05). After the fish were challenged to ammonia-nitrogen for 72 h, their cumulative mortality rate in 2.81% group was significantly lower than that in 2.44% group(P < 0.05). The results suggested that dietary arginine level at 2.81%could optimize anti-ammonia-nitrogen stress ability of juvenile yellow catfish and a level of 3.23%arginine seemed to depress the growth performance of fish and decreased their tolerance to the ammonia-nitrogen stress under current study. A quadratic regression analysis based on WG indicated that the optimal dietary arginine requirement of juvenile yellow catfish was estimated to be 2.74% of the diet(6.45% of dietary protein) under current culture conditions.

Study on Growth,Serum Biochemical and Antioxidant Enzyme Indices of Juvenile Siganus guttatus Fed with Enteromorpha prolifra and Artificial Feed

In order to provide reference for using Siganus guttatus to control overgrowth of Enteromorpha prolifra,the growth,serum biochemical and antioxidant enzyme indices of juvenile S.guttatus respectively fed with E.prolifra and artificial feed were studied.One hundred and eighty individuals were cultivated for 90 days in six 2.5 m × 1.5 m × 1.5 m cages (30 ind.per cage) which mesh size were 0.5 mm.The experimental animals were divided into two dietary groups (three cages for each group) that were fed with E.prolifra and artificial feed respectively.During the culture period,temperatures ranged from 23.0 to 26.5℃,p H was between 7.8 and 8.2,dissolved oxygen was more than 5.0 mg/L.The weight gain rate,specific growth rate,relative growth rate,hepato-somatic index of juvenile S.guttatus fed with E.prolifra were significantly lowe than that fed with artificial feed (P<0.05).The total protein (TP),urea nitrogen (UN)and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) of juvenile S.guttatus fed with E.Prolifra were significantly higher than that fed with artificial feed (P<0.05),while glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST/GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT/GPT) of juvenile S.guttatus fed with E.prolifra were significantly lower than that fed with artificial feed (P<0.05).SOD,GPX and anti-superoxide anion radical activity in liver,kidney,gill and muscle of juvenile S.guttatus fed with E.prolifra were higher than that fed with artificial feed,and these antioxidant enzyme activities in kidney of juvenile S.guttatus fed with E.prolifra was significantly higher than that fed with artificial feed (P<0.05),while CAT and hydroxyl radical-inhibiting activity in liver of juvenile S.guttatus fed with artificial feed were significantly higher than that fed with E.prolifra (P<0.05).Juvenile S.guttatus fed with E.prolifra showed poor growth performance but better antioxidant defense system.S.guttatus is easily raised and has stronger ability of digestion and absorption of E.Prolifra.The technique that uses S.guttatus to control E.prolifra deserves deeply study.

Relationship of the preoperative NRS 2002 score,PG-SGA score,and serum indices with postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer

Objective To examine the utility of the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002(NRS 2002),Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment(PG-SGA)and serum factors for the preoperative evaluation of gastric cancer patients.Methods We examined 181 gastric cancer patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2015 to January 2018.Nutritional assessments were administered within 48 h of admission.The body mass index(BMI)and serum factors were measured,and information on preoperative nutritional support and postoperative complications was recorded.Results Both the NRS 2002 and PG-SGA had positive correlations with age(P<0.05),and negative correlations with albumin,prealbumin,transferrin,hemoglobin,BMI,and bodyweight(P<0.05).The NRS 2002 and PG-SGA scores were positively correlated with each other(r=0.683,P<0.01),but had poor consistency(κ=0.357,P<0.01).During the preoperative period,33.2%of patients received nutritional support,mainly enteral nutrition.The nutritional risk group(NRS 2002≥3)received more support than the group without nutritional risk(NRS 2002<3;P<0.05).Patients with nutritional risk or malnutrition who received preoperative nutritional support had fewer postoperative complications than unsupported patients.The overall rate of complications was 12.2%,and the rate of severe complications(gradeⅢor above)was 5.5%.The malnutrition and nutritional risk groups had higher rates of severe complications.Conclusions The combined application of the NRS 2002,PG-SGA,BMI,and serum nutritional indices was useful for the nutritional screening and assessment of preoperative gastric cancer patients.The NRS 2002 and PG-SGA provided guidance on the need for nutritional support during the preoperative period.

Blood Calcium as a Protective Factor against Traumatic Fracture

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the predictive value of blood calcium in the prognosis of traumatic fracture. Methods: A retrospective experimental design was employed, 112 cases (52 non-fracture and 60 traumatic fracture) were randomly selected. The type of fracture complies with WHO-recommended (2019) diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis combined with fracture. The blood pressure (BP) was measured by OMRON’s HEM-7136 model electronic blood pressure monitor. Blood calcium (Ca2+), and blood phosphorus (P) values were measured using Colorimetric Roche kits on a Roche/Hitachi fully automated biochemical analyzer. Data collection and analysis followed. Results: Higher levels of age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found in the traumatic fracture group compared to the control group, whereas weight, height, and blood phosphorus did not differ significantly (P adjusting for age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and blood phosphorus, binary logistic regression analysis revealed that blood calcium was a protective factor against traumatic fracture (β = -26.85, OR = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00 -0.02, P = 0.022). Conclusion: The findings suggest that high and low blood calcium levels may serve as useful indicators in predicting the prognosis of fractures resulting from trauma.

The Influence of Lairage Conditions for Finishing Pigs on Behavior,Biochemical Indicators and Meat Quality

A total of 60 crossbred(Large White×Landrace) pigs of halothane genotype NN(castrated males and females) were allotted to three treatments:3 h lairage with toys,3 h lairage and 0 h lairage in a randomized complete block design and used to evaluate the influence of lairage conditions on behavior, biochemical indicators and meat quality for finishing pigs at slaughter.Behavior of the pigs was scored subjectively during lairage.Blood samples were taken at exsanguination s to measure blood temperature, plasma Cortisol,ACTH,glucose,lactate,plasma enzymes and hematological indices.Post-mortem meat quality measurements included muscle colour value(MCV),electrical conductivity(EC),pH at 45 min and 24 h from Longissimus thoracis(LM) and Semimembranosus(SM) mucles and drip loss from LM. The results showed that 3 h lairage group with toys demonstrated significantly improved behavior than the group without toys at 3 sampling times.All the pigs showed increasing calmness as the time of lairage progressed.The omission of lairage increased plasma Cortisol,ACTH,glucose and lactate(P【0.05),and decreased plasma lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and creatine kinase(CK)(P【0.05).No biochemical index was influenced by the presence or absence of toys during lairage(P【0.05).Muscle colour value, electrical conductivity,pH at 45 min and 24 h from LM and SM and drip loss were not affected by any treatment(P【0.05).Pigs provided 3 h lairage,with or without toys,exhibited lower red blood cell(RBC), hemoglobin(HGB),and haematocrit(HCT) when compared to 0 h lairage.3 h lairage with or without toys resulted in higher white blood cell(WBC) and lymphocyte(W-SCC) levels than 0 h lairage.None of the hemocytic indices in pigs given lairage was affected by the presence or absence of toys.We conclude from this pilot study that in local commercial conditions,from the point of view of animal welfare and meat quality,lairage time of 3 h after short travel was beneficial.Pigs resting showed increased relief from stress and a recovery in immune competence.Holding pigs in lairage with toys for a few hours after arrival at the abattoir may be beneficial for the animal’s well-being.

Brassinosteroids Mediate Endogenous Phytohormone Metabolism to Alleviate High Temperature Injury at Panicle Initiation Stage in Rice

High temperatures cause physiological and biochemical changes and significantly affect young panicle development of rice(Oryza sativa L.).Brassinosteroids play important roles in enhancing crop stress resistance.In this study,we subjected rice cultivars Huanghuazhan(heat-resistant)and IR36(heat-sensitive)to high temperature(HT,40 oC)or normal temperature(NT,33 oC)for 7 d at the panicle initiation stage,in conjunction with application of 24-epibrassinolide[EBR,a synthetic brassinolide(BR)]or brassinazole(BRZ,a BR biosynthesis inhibitor)at the beginning of the treatments.HT exacerbated spikelet degeneration and inhibited young panicle growth,which were partially prevented by EBR application,while BRZ application aggravated the reduction in spikelet number.HT decreased the contents of BR,active cytokinins(aCTK),active gibberellins(aGA)and indole-3-acetic acid(IAA),but increased the content of abscisic acid(ABA)in young panicles.The activities of key enzymes involved in sucrose hydrolysis,glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in young panicles were decreased with the change of endogenous hormone levels under HT.In addition,the contents of H2O2 and malondialdehyde(MDA)were increased and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreased in young panicles.Exogenous application of EBR induced the expression of phytohormone biosynthesis-related genes and down-regulated the expression of phytohormone catabolism-related genes to increase the contents of endogenous BR,aCTK,aGA and ABA,thus promoting the decomposition and utilization of sucrose in young panicles,enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase,catalase and peroxidase,and reducing the accumulation of H2O2 and MDA in young panicles,whereas application of BRZ had the opposite physiological effects.These results showed that brassinosteroids mediate endogenous phytohormone metabolism to alleviate HT injury at the panicle initiation stage in rice.

指纹光谱特征揭示叶斑病时空动态发展以实现显症前诊断

植物病原菌不断危害农业生产和粮食安全。因此,病害发展早期的动态表征对病变监测和显症前诊断至关重要。高光谱成像(HSI)在跟踪病害初始侵染部位的动态进程以进行显症前诊断方面具有巨大潜力。然而,目前尚无相关文献提取出早期感染阶段活体叶片病变组织的指纹光谱特征(FSS),也没有探究HSI的检测机制。其中FSS是指能够表征特定植物病害的独特、有代表性的光谱特征。在本研究中,基于时序HSI数据分析,提取了接种Bipolaris sorokiniana的大麦叶片的FSS,以表征叶斑病症状发展,实现显症前诊断。还研究了叶斑病早期发展阶段叶片的光谱和生化响应。本文所提取的全波段FSS能够捕捉病变发展过程中褪绿组织和坏死组织的独特特征,从而原位可视化植物-病原菌像素级的早期互作动态进程。进一步,实现了接种后24 h叶斑病的显症前诊断,比传统的聚合酶链反应(PCR)测定或生化测定提前了12 h。为了揭示HSI显症前诊断的机制,还建立了叶片的平均光谱响应与其生化指标(叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、丙二醛、抗坏血酸和还原型谷胱甘肽)之间的定量关系,回归模型在预测集上的Rp2均高于0.84。总体结果表明,HSI反映了活体植物特性的变化,所提取的FSS可成功跟踪叶斑病发生发展的时空动态进程,实现显症前诊断。在其他植物病害上的试验表明,该方法在植物病害早期控制方面具有较大的推广潜力。

Effects of 1-aminobenzotriazole on the growth and physiological characteristics of Tamarix chinensis cuttings under salt stress

vegetation restoration is a main ecological remediation technology for greening saline and alkaline soils.The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of1-aminobenzotriazole(ABT-1) on the growth and physiology of Tamarix chinensis under salt stress and to determine a suitable ABT-1 concentration and soil salinity(Sc) for propagating T.chihehsis-cuttings.Cuttings were soaked in water and ABT-1 solutions at three concentrations(50,100,and 200 mg L^(-1)) and propagated in pots containing four soil salinity levels,mild(0.3%),moderate(0.6%),and severe(0.9% and 1.2%),and compared with a control.The cuttings were measured to determine growth indices and physiological and biochemical indices(e.g.,chlorophyll content,superoxide dismutase activity,peroxidase activity,and malondialdehyde content).ABT-1 was effective in improving survival,growth,and physiological processes of cuttings under salt stress.However,there was a threshold effect when using ABT-1 to facilitate propagation under salt stress.ABT-1 effects were insignificant when applied at low concentrations(<100 mg L^(-1)).At a high concentration(> 100 mg L^(-1)),ABT-1 limited growth and physiological activities.Under a salt stress level(Sc ≤0.9%),ABT applied at a 100 mg L^(-1)concentration increased chlorophyll content and superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities in the leaves and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation and membrane lipid peroxidation effects.As a result,ABT-1 enhanced the resistance of T.chinensis to salt stress.However,under high salt stress(>0.9%) and ABT-1 concentration(> 100 mg L^(-1)),the physiological regulatory ability of T.chinensis seedlings weakened.T.chinensis grew well at a salt stress ≤0.9% and ABT ≤100 mg L^(-1) and exhibited relatively high physiological regulatory ability and high salt adaptability.

Effects of Low-temperature and Herbicide on Membrane Stability, Antioxidant Capacity, and Product of Metabolism in Barley Seedlings

In order to investigate the physiological injury of barley caused by the low temperature after herbicides, tillering barley seedlings planted in plastic cups were pretreated in illumination incubator at 15℃ and 12 h-light per day for 7 days, and then subjected to herbicide treatment, prometryn (with the concentrations of 0, 0.15%, 0.30%, and 0.45%) or isoproturon (with the concentrations of 0, 0.30%, 0.60%, and 0.90%), and the SOD activity, the CAT activity, the POD activity, the MDA content, proline content, soluble protein content, electrical conductivity, and the rate of O2-were determined and analyzed. The results showed that the low-temperature was the most important, and the treatment-time of low-temperature was another significant influencing factor on the physiological and biochemical indices of barley seedlings. However, all of the physiological and biochemical indices determined were not affected by the kinds of herbicides and herbicide concentrations, and the SOD was stable and should play the more prominent role on extracting of free radicals according to the stepwise regression and correlation. The herbicide concentrations should be increased in the future research for truly reflecting the effects of the herbicide concentration on the physiological and biochemical indices of barley seedlings.

Physiological and Molecular Analyses of Low-Salinity Stress Response in the Cuttlefish(Sepia pharaonis)Juveniles

As a stenohaline species,the survival of Sepia pharaonis can be affected by salinity significantly.This study aimed to explore the function of decreasing salinity on the survival of Sepia pharaonis,which can provide an advanced production guide on the culture of S.pharaonis in the rainy season.Salinity was gradually decreased from 29 to 22 within 48 h to acclimate S.pharaonis to a low-salinity environment.After ten days of breeding under low-salinity of 22,the death rate was high.In this process,changes in tissue and cell structures in the larval liver,biochemical indicators,and osmoregulation-related gene expression were examined.In-terestingly,hepatocytes in the low-salinity group were irregular,had dissolved tissue inclusions,and contained vacuolized cells.There-fore,low salinity caused severe damages at a cellular level that can elevate the mortality rate.A gradual decline in salinity limited the full adaptation of S.pharaonis.Biochemical indicators and osmoregulation-related gene expression changed similarly.For instance,the trend of malondialdehyde(MAD)as a product of lipid peroxidation reflected the degree of damage to the body by free radicals.The antioxidant system of S.pharaonis could cope with oxidative stress caused by the change in salinity to a certain extent.Osmo-regulation-related genes’expression also showed an optimistic result,that is,S.pharaonis responded positively to the change in sali-nity by adjusting the expression of osmoregulation-related genes.Conversely,the increase in mortality at day 10 also proved the weak adaptation capability of S.pharaonis.This study indicated that S.pharaonis can adapt to a low-salinity environment with a li-mited extent.

Physiological, Enzymatic and Molecular Changes of Acipenser schrencki Induced by Heat Exposure

[Objective] The paper was to understand the physiological, enzymatic and molecular changes of Acipenser schrencki induced by heat exposure. [Method] The effects of heat exposure on A. schrencki were investigated. The temperature was increased from(18± 0.5) ℃ by 0.08 ℃/min and respectively kept at(32±0.5) ℃ for 2, 4 and 6 h. The respiration rate, related biochemical indicators and heat shock protein 70(Hsp 70) mR-NA expression were investigated. [Result] At(32±0.5) ℃, the activities of total protein, albumin, globulin, urea nitrogen, ceatinine, malondialde-hyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase fluctuated dramatically from 2 h to 6 h. Meanwhile, the respi-ration rate and Hsp 70 m RNA expression in heart, liver and spleen were significantly increased from 2 h to 6 h. In comparison, the lower respira-tion rate and tiny fluctuations in activities of biochemical indicators were consistent with the lower Hsp 70 expression. [Conclusion] During the process of heat stress, A. schrencki seems to be sensitive to such temperature, and manifests generally consistent gill breathing, biochemical indica-tors and Hsp70 gene expression, implying better heat tolerance.

Changes in clinical indicators among human immunodeficiency virus patients who failed in antiretroviral therapy during 2004–2016 in Yunnan, China: an observational cohort study

Background:This study aimed to investigate the changes in the clinical indicators and influencing factors of treatment duration among human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)patients in whom antiretroviral therapy(ART)was unsuccessful.Methods:In this retrospective study,a total of 9,418 HIV patients who failed in ART during 2004–2016 were included and divided into two treatment groups—Group 1(treatment time≤3 years,n1=5,218)and Group 2(treatment time>3 years,n2=4,200).Patient follow-up data,including age,cluster of differentiation 4(CD4)count,and viral load,glucose,creatinine,and triglyceride levels,were extracted from electronic health record databases.Covariance analysis for repeated measures was used to analyze the biochemical indicators,and multiple logistic regression modeling was used to compare relevant data extracted from the Group 1 and Group 2 HIV patient cohorts with different treatment time.Results:The median initial CD4 count was 175.0 cells/μl(interquartile range,77.0–282.0),while the initial CD4 counts for Group 1 were lower than those for Group 2(P<0.05).A significant interaction between group and time effects was observed(P<0.05)in total cholesterol(TC).Changes in hemoglobin level among HIV patients were also significantly associated with treatment time(P=0.001).The initial CD4 count(odds ratio[OR]=0.756),female sex(OR=0.713),Zerit(d4T)(OR=1.443),TC(OR=1.285),and aspartate aminotransferase level(OR=1.002)were significantly associated with the survival time of dead patients with HIV(P<0.05).Additionally,the initial CD4 count(OR=1.456),age(OR=1.022),time interval(OR=0.903),patient’s living status(OR=0.597),d4T(OR=2.256),and triglyceride(OR=0.930)and hemoglobin levels(OR=0.997)were significantly associated with the treatment time of HIV patients with drug withdrawal(P<0.05).Conclusion:The initial biochemical parameters can affect the survival and treatment time of HIV patients.With a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and biochemical indicators of patients,we can reduce the probability of drug withdrawal and prolong the survival time of HIV patients.

Aberrations of biochemical indicators in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Accumulating evidence has suggested that the pathological changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)are not only confined to the central nervous system but also occur in the peripheral circulating system.Here,we performed a meta-analysis based on the PubMed,EMBASE,EBSCO,and CNKI databases,to find out biochemical indicators associated with energy metabolism,iron homeostasis,and muscle injury that are altered in ALS patients and their correlations with ALS phenotypes.Forty-six studies covering 17 biochemical indicators,representing 5454 ALS patients and 7986 control subjects,were included in this meta-analysis.Four indicators,including fasting blood glucose level(weighted mean difference[WMD]=0.13,95%CI[0.06-0.21],P=0.001),serum ferritin level(WMD=63.42,95%CI[48.12-78.73],P<0.001),transferrin saturation coefficient level(WMD=2.79,95%CI[1.52-4.05],P<0.001),and creatine kinase level(WMD=80.29,95%CI[32.90-127.67],P<0.001),were significantly higher in the ALS patients,whereas the total iron-binding capacity(WMD=-2.42,95%CI[-3.93,-0.90],P=0.002)was significantly lower in ALS patients than in the control subjects.In contrast,the other 12 candidates did not show significant differences between ALS patients and controls.Moreover,pooled hazard ratios(HR)showed significantly reduced survival(HR=1.38,95%CI[1.02-1.88],P=0.039)of ALS patients with elevated serum ferritin levels.These findings suggest that abnormalities in energy metabolism and disruption of iron homeostasis are involved in the pathogenesis of ALS.In addition,the serum ferritin level is negatively associated with the overall survival of ALS patients.

Effects of dietary methionine supplementation on growth performance of cubs,nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and serum biochemical indicators of female blue foxes(Alopex lagopus)

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of methionine(Met) supplementation on growth performance of cubs, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and serum biochemical parameters of female blue foxes. One hundred primiparous female blue foxes that were similar in breeding date, pedigree, age, and weight were selected for the trial. The foxes were randomly assigned to four groups(n = 25 each group) and fed diets supplemented with Met at 2(Met2), 4(Met4), 6(Met6)and 8 g/kg(Met8), respectively, for 40 days. Our data showed that body weights at 20 and 40 d were significantly higher in the Met4 group than in the Met2 group(P < 0.05). The Met4 group also had the highest apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein compared with either the Met2, Met6, or Met8 group(P< 0.05). The serum Met and isoleucine(Ile) concentrations were significantly higher in the Met4 group than in the Met6 or Met8 group(P < 0.05). In summary, these data indicate that supplementary Met improves growth performance of cubs likely due to increased crude protein and dry matter and increased nitrogen retention of female blue foxes. The optimal amount of Met supplementation is10 g/kg basal diet.

Effect of different sources and levels of iron in the diet of sows on iron status in neonatal pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effects of maternal dietary supplementation of ferrous glycine chelate(Fe-Gly) and ferrous sulfate monohydrate(FeSO_4·H_2O) on the relative organ weight, tissue iron contents, red blood cells(RBC), hemoglobin concentration(HGB) and hematocrit(HCT) in blood, as well as ferritin(Fn), serum iron(SI), and total iron binding capacity(TIBC) in serum of newborn piglets.Forty-five sows(Landrace × Large white, mean parity 3 to 4, no significant differences in BW) were randomly allotted to 9 treatments(n=5 sows/treatment): control(basal diet with no Fe supplementation), the basal diet supplemented with 50, 80, 110 or 140 mg Fe/kg as Fe-Gly, and the basal diet supplemented with 50, 80, 110 or 140 mg Fe/kg as FeSO_4·H_2O.The neonatal piglets(n=45) were used to determine the relative organ weight, tissue iron contents and blood biochemical indices.Compared with the control, the relative weight of spleen and kidney were significantly increased(P < 0.05) in the Fe-Gly groups.The iron contents in liver,spleen, kidney and femur were also found increased(P < 0.05) in the Fe-Gly groups.The RBC(d 1 and 21),HGB(d 1 and 21) and HCT(d 1 and 21) in blood and Fn(d 1) and SI(d 1 and 21) significantly increased(P < 0.05), but the TIBC(d 1 and 21) in serum decreased(P < 0.05) in the Fe-Gly groups.Moreover, the kidney relative weight, iron content in liver, spleen, kidney and femur, RBC(d 1) and HGB(d 21) in blood, and SI(d 1)in the Fe-Gly groups increased(P < 0.05) compared with the FeSO_4·H_2O treatment.Linear and quadratic responses of the kidney relative weight, the iron content in liver, spleen, kidney and femur, RBC(d 1 and 21),HGB(d 1 and 21) and HCT(d 1 and 21) in whole blood, SI(d 1) and TIBC(d 1 and 21) in the Fe-Gly groups were observed(P < 0.05).Linear responses of Fn(d 1 and 21) and SI(d 21) in the Fe-Gly groups, and spleen relative weight, HCT(d 1), Fn(d 1) and TIBC(d 1 and 21) in the FeSO_4·H_2O groups were observed(P < 0.05).These finding suggest that Fe-Gly supplemented at the level of 110 mg/kg in the diet of sows in this experiment is superior to other forms of supplementation, based on HGB concentration, the relative organ weight, tissue iron contents and blood biochemical indices of piglets.