Association of Thyroid Nodules with Various Elements in Urine and Blood Serum: A Case-Control Study

Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem caused by various factors,including environmental and nutritional factors and genetic background.The environment can modulate and influence not only the risk of thyroid nodules but also the severity of disease in humans[1].The environment is awash with elements,and all mineral elements,including heavy metals and trace elements,are considered potentially toxic.A significantly higher incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported in populations exposed to low doses of metallic elements in volcanic areas over a long period[2].As research on thyroid disorders continues,it is becoming clear that abnormalities in trace elements in the body can affect the development of thyroid-related disorders.

Altered Levels of Blood Glucose and Serum Lipids in Sudanese Patients with Ovarian Cancer

Background: The etiology of ovarian cancer is not well-understood;numerous metabolomics profiling, epidemiological, and hospital-based case control studies have associated abnormal levels of blood glucose and serum lipids with the risk and the prognosis of various types of cancers including ovarian cancer. The association between the risk of the incidence of ovarian cancer and the alterations in the levels of blood glucose and serum lipids is not well defined. Objective: In this study we aimed to compare the levels of blood glucose, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with different stages of ovarian cancer and healthy controls to determine how they relate to the risk and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Methodology: In a case-control cross sectional study, we enrolled ninety-nine Sudanese women, diagnosed with ovarian cancer but had not received any kind of treatment as the study group, and a control group of forty-one age-matched, apparently healthy women. The patients were classified according to the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists staging system into two groups: early stages (stage I & II) and late stages (stages III & IV). Blood glucose and serum lipids;triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined by enzymatic colorimetric methods using commercially available analytical kits. The IBM SPSS version 20 software was used for statistical analysis. A Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of the median concentrations of blood glucose, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the study groups. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the relative risk of ovarian cancer in relation to levels of blood glucose and serum lipids. P value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Our data indicated significantly higher levels of blood glucose (p < 0.001), triacylglycerols (p = 0.002), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001), and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.023), in ovarian cancer patients compared to the control subjects. No significant difference was found in the levels of blood glucose or any of the serum lipids between patients in the early stages (stage I & II) and those in late stages (stage III & IV) of ovarian cancer. The logistic regression analysis indicated significant association between the elevated levels of the blood glucose, triacylglycerols and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk of the ovarian cancer. Conclusion: We conclude that the levels of blood glucose, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol differ significantly between ovarian cancer patients and the healthy control subjects. The risk of ovarian cancer was positively associated with the levels of blood glucose, triacylglycerols and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and negatively associated with levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore, determination of blood glucose and serum lipids, particularly, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol may be helpful as diagnostic indicators of ovarian cancer (OC).

Effect of Viscous Dissipation (Φ) on Temperature Distribution of Blood Plasma in Presence of a Magnetic Field

Applications of heat transfer show the variations in temperature of the body which is helpful for the purpose of thermal therapy in the treatment of tumor glands. This study considered theoretical approaches in analyzing the effect of viscous dissipation on temperature distribution on the flow of blood plasma through an asymmetric arterial segment. The plasma was considered to be unsteady, laminar and an incompressible fluid through non-uniform arterial segment in a two-dimensional flow. Numerical schemes developed for the coupled partial differential equations governing blood plasma were solved using Finite Difference scheme (FDS). With the aid of the finite difference approach and the related boundary conditions, results for temperature profiles were obtained. The study determined the effect of viscous dissipation on temperature of blood plasma in arteries. The equations were solved using MATLAB softwares and results were presented graphically and in tables. The increase in viscous dissipation tends to decrease blood plasma heat distribution. This study will find important application in hospitals.

Analysis of Serum Cys-C,TBA,and Routine Blood Parameters of Patients with Hepatitis B-Related Decompensated Cirrhosis

Objective:To study the levels of serum cystatin C(Cys-C),total bile acid(TBA),and other routine blood parameters on patients with decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods:Study group 1 consisted of 30 patients with hepatitis B-related decompensated cirrhosis,and study group 2 consisted of 30 patients with hepatitis B;while the control group consisted of 30 healthy people who underwent physical examination.The blood parameters were used to evaluate the clinical treatment effect of patients.Results:The TBA,Cys-C,alanine transaminase(ALT),total bilirubin(TBIL),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and international normalized ratio(INR)in study group 1 were significantly higher than those of study group 2 and the control group;while the platelet count(PLT),hemoglobin(Hb),albumin(ALB),and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)were significantly lower in the study group 1 compared to the control group and study group 2(P<0.05).The Cys-C,PLT,TBA,AST,TBIL,and INR of patients in study group 1 who were successfully treated were significantly lower than the patients who were not successfully treated(P<0.05).Conclusion:Serum Cys-C,TBA,and routine blood parameters are useful in predicting the condition and the prognosis of patients of hepatitis B-related decompensated cirrhosis.

Autologous peripheral blood-derived orthobiologics:Different types and their effectiveness in managing knee osteoarthritis

Knees are the most commonly impacted weight-bearing joints in osteoarthritis(OA),affecting millions of people worldwide.With increasing life spans and obesity rates,the incidence of knee OA will further increase,leading to a significant increase in the economic burden.Conventional treatment modalities utilized to manage knee OA have limitations.Over the last decade,the role of various autologous peripheral blood-derived orthobiologics(APBOs)for the treatment of knee OA has been extensively investigated.This editorial provided an overview and focused on defining and shedding light on the current state of evidence based on the most recent published clinical studies concerning the use of APBO for the management of knee OA.While numerous studies have demonstrated promising results for these preparations,a notable gap exists in the comparative analysis of these diverse formulations.This absence of head-to-head studies poses a considerable challenge for physicians/surgeons in determining the optimal preparation for managing knee OA and achieving sustained longterm results.Thus,more adequately powered,multicenter,prospective,doubleblind,randomized controlled trials with longer follow-ups are needed to establish the long-term efficacy and to aid physicians/surgeons in determining the optimal APBO for the management of knee OA.

Effects of Storage Duration and Temperature of Human Plasma and Serum on Red Blood Cell Aggregation and Shape

Platelet-free plasma of human blood (sodium citrate and EDTA as an anticoagulant) and serum were stored at 4°C, room temperature (25°C) and at 37°C for 24 hours. RBC aggregation decreased after incubation of plasma and serum at 37°C for 4 hours. The RBC shape was changed at the same time: discocytes transformed to echinocytes. Storage of plasma and serum at 4°C and room temperature did not lead to significant alterations of RBC aggregation. The RBC shape did not change in influence of such plasma and serum. The most considerable decrease of RBC aggregation and change of their shapes were observed in the plasma and serum incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Dilution of incubated plasma by fresh plasma led to consistent restoration of erythrocyte shape and their aggregation.

Effect of Wheat Based Diet Supplemented with Xylanase on Blood Sugar and Total Protein in Serum of Geese

[Objective] The effects of wheat based diet supplemented with xylanase on blood sugar and total protein in serum of geese were studied. [ Method ] By using the randomized design of single factor, the 1-day-old healthy goslings were divided into 6 groups and fed with corn based diet, wheat based diet and wheat based diet supplemented with xylanase at different concentrations respectively, the contents of blood sugar and total protein in serum were determined. [ Result] The wheat based diet supplemented with xylanase could increase the blood sugar and total protein in serum of geese and wheat based diet supplemented with 0.2% xylanase generated the best effect, which was higher than those of corn based diet group. As for the concentration of protein in serum, wheat based diet supplemented with 0.2% xylanase was significantly different from corn based diet and wheat based diet. [ Conclusion] The wheat based diet supplemented with xylanase could enhance geese production.

Modulatory effect of pineapple peel extract on lipid peroxidation,catalase activity and hepatic biomarker levels in blood plasma of alcoholinduced oxidative stressed rats

Objective:To investigate the ability of the methanolic extract of pineapple peel to modulate alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation,changes in catalase activities and hepatic biochemical marker levels in blood plasma.Methods:Oxidative stress was induced by oral administration of ethanol(20%w/v) at a dosage of 5 niL/kg bw in rats.After 28 days of treatment,the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed by cervical dislocation.Blood was collected with a 2 mL syringe by cardiac puncture and was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min.The plasma was analyzed to evaluate malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase activity,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) concentrations.Results:Administration of alcohol caused a drastic increase(87.74%) in MDA level compared with the control.Pineapple peel extract significantly reduced the MDA level by 60.16%at 2.S mL/kg bw.Rats fed alcohol only had the highest catalase activity,treatment with pineapple peel extract at 2.5 mL/kg bw however, reduced the activity.Increased AST,ALP and ALT activities were observed in rats fed alcohol only respectively,treatment with pineapple peel extract drastically reduced their activities. Conclusions:The positive modulation of lipid peroxidation,catalase activities as well as hepatic biomarker levels of blood plasma by the methanolic extract of pineapple peels under alcoholinduced oxidative stress is an indication of its protective ability in the management of alcoholinduced toxicity.

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of vitamin E in pharmaceuticals,milk powder and blood serum using potassium ferricyanide-Fe(Ⅲ) detection system

A simple and sensitive flow injection spectrophotometric method is reported for the determination of vitamin E using potassium ferricyanide-Fe(Ⅲ) detection system.In the presence of vitamin E,Fe(Ⅲ)/ferricyanide reduces.The in situ reduced ions are then reacted with unreduced portion of ferricyanide/Fe(Ⅲ) to make soluble Prussian blue,which is monitored at absorption wavelength of 735 nm.Linear calibration graph was obtained in the concentration range of 0.1-40μg mL^(-1).The relative standard deviations (n=4) were in the range of 1.1-3.6%,with limits of detection(3 s blank) of 0.04μg mL^(-1).The proposed method allowed 12 injections h^(-1).The method is applied to determine vitamin E in pharmaceuticals,infant milk and blood serum samples using hexane extraction with the recoveries in the range of 93±3 to 97.5±4%.The method is validated using certified reference materials SRM 968c for blood serum samples.

Study on Effect of Gd (III) Speciation on Ca (II) Speciationin Human Blood Plasma by Computer Simulation

Ca (II) speciation and effect of Gd (III) speciation on Ca (II) speciation in human blood plasma were studied by computer simulation. [CaHCO3](-) is a predominant compound species of Ca (II). Gd (III) can compete with Ca (II) for biological molecules. The presence of Gd (III) results in a increase of concentration of free Ca (II) and a decrease of concentration of Ca (II) compounds.

Study on the correlation and predictive value of serum pregnancyassociated plasma protein A, triglyceride and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a concern due to its rapid increase in incidence in recent years.AIM To investigate the correlation and predictive value of serum pregnancyassociated plasma protein A(PAPP-A),triglyceride(TG),and 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25-(OH)D]with GDM in early pregnancy.METHODS A total of 99 patients in early pregnancy admitted to Peking University International Hospital from November 2015 to September 2017 were included,and underwent a fasting glucose test and oral glucose tolerance test screening at 24-28 wk of pregnancy.Of these cases with GDM,51 were assigned to group A and the remaining 48 cases without GDM were enrolled in group B.Serum PAPP-A,TG and 25-(OH)D in the two groups were compared and their correlation with blood sugar was analyzed.In addition,their diagnostic value in GDM was determined using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.RESULTS Group A had markedly lower serum PAPP-A and 25-(OH)D levels and a significantly higher serum TG level than group B,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Furthermore,Pearson analysis identified that PAPP-A and 25-(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels(r=-0.605,P<0.001),(r=-0.597,P<0.001),while TG and FBG levels were positively correlated(r=0.628,P<0.001).The sensitivity,specificity,area under the curve(AUC)and optimal cut-off value of serum PAPP-A level in the diagnosis of GDM were 72.55%,82.35%,0.861 and 16.340,respectively,while the sensitivity of TG in diagnosing GDM was 86.27%,the specificity was 66.67%,the AUC was 0.813,with an optimal cut-off value of 1.796.The corresponding sensitivity,specificity,AUC and optimal cut-off value of serum 25-(OH)D were 64.71%,70.59%,0.721 and 23.140,respectively.Moreover,multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that FBG,vascular endothelial growth factor,Flt-1,serum PAPP-A,TG,and 25-(OH)D were related risk factors leading to GDM in patients.CONCLUSION Serum PAPP-A,TG,and 25-(OH)D levels are all correlated with blood glucose changes in GDM,and are independent factors affecting the occurrence of GDM and have certain value in the diagnosis of GDM.

Pulsed cold plasma-induced blood coagulation and its pilot application in stanching bleeding during rat hepatectomy

This paper presents plasma-induced blood coagulation and its pilot application in rat hepatectomy by using a home-made pulsed cold plasma jet. Experiments were conducted on blood coagulation in vitro, the influence of plasma on tissue in vivo, and the pilot application of rat hepatectomy. Experimental results show that the cold plasma can lead to rapid blood coagulation. Compared with the control sample, the plasma-induced agglomerated layer of blood is thicker and denser, and is mostly composed of broken platelets. When the surface of the liver was treated by plasma, the influence of the plasma can penetrate into the liver to a depth of about 500 μm. During the rat hepatectomy, cold plasma was proved to be effective for stanching bleeding on incision. No obvious bleeding was found in the abdominal cavities of all six rats 48 h after the hepatectomy. This implies that cold plasma can be an effective modality to control bleeding during surgical operation.

Serum outperforms plasma in small extracellular vesicle microRNA biomarker studies of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

BACKGROUND Circulating microRNAs(miRNAs)are potential biomarkers for many diseases.However,they can originate from non-disease specific sources,such as blood cells,and compromise the investigations for miRNA biomarkers.While small extracellular vesicles(sEVs)have been suggested to provide a purer source of circulating miRNAs for biomarkers discovery,the most suitable blood sample for sEV miRNA biomarker studies has not been defined.AIM To compare the mi RNA profiles between matched serum and plasma s EV preparations to determine their suitability for biomarker studies.METHODS Matched serum and plasma samples were obtained from 10 healthy controls and10 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.s EV isolates were prepared from serum and plasma using Exo Quick TM and quantified using Nano Sight.RNA was extracted from s EV preparations with the mi RNeasy Serum/Plasma kit and profiled using the Taqman Openarray q PCR.The overall mi RNA content and theexpression of specific mi RNAs of reported vesicular and non-vesicular origins were compared between serum and plasma s EV preparations.The diagnostic performance of a previously identified multi-mi RNA biomarker panel for esophageal adenocarcinoma was also compared.RESULTS The overall mi RNA content was higher in plasma s EV preparations(480 mi RNAs)and contained 97.5%of the mi RNAs found in the serum s EV preparations(412 mi RNAs).The expression of commonly expressed mi RNAs was highly correlated(Spearman’s R=0.87,P<0.0001)between the plasma and serum s EV preparations,but was consistently higher in the plasma s EV preparations.Specific blood-cell mi RNAs(hsa-mi R-223-3 p,hsa-mi R-451 a,mi R-19 b-3 p,hsa-mi R-17-5 p,hsa-mi R-30 b-5 p,hsa-mi R-106 a-5 p,hsa-mi R-150-5 p and hsa-mi R-92 a-3 p)were expressed at 2.7 to 9.6 fold higher levels in the plasma s EV preparations compared to serum s EV preparations(P<0.05).In plasma s EV preparations,the percentage of protein-associated mi RNAs expressed at relatively higher levels(Ct 20-25)was greater than serum s EV preparations(50%vs 31%).While the percentage of vesicle-associated mi RNAs expressed at relatively higher levels was greater in the serum s EV preparations than plasma s EV preparations(70%vs 44%).A 5-mi RNA biomarker panel produced a higher cross validated accuracy for discriminating patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma from healthy controls using serum s EV preparations compared with plasma s EV preparations(AUROC 0.80 vs 0.54,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Although plasma s EV preparations contained more mi RNAs than serum s EV preparations,they also contained more mi RNAs from non-vesicle origins.Serum appears to be more suitable than plasma for s EV mi RNAs biomarkers studies.

Clinical Observation on Influence of Chinese Medicines for Promoting Blood Circulation to Remove Blood Stasis on FIB and DD in Plasma of Patients with Cerebral Thrombosis

to study the influence of Chinese medicines for promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis on fibrinogen(FIB)and D-dimer(DD)in plasma of patients with cerebral thrombosis. Method:73 inpatients with acute cerebral thrombosis were randomly divided into a control group of 34 cases and a treatment group of 39 cases.The content of FIB and DD in plasma was detected before treatment and on the 7th and 14th days after treatment.Result:FIB content in plasma after treatment was lower than that before treatment in the control group(P<0.01)and more remarkable in the treatment group(P<0.001).There was an obvious difference in DD content before and after treatment in both groups.DD content on the 7th and 14th days after treatment in the treatment group was obviously higher than that in the control group(P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively). Conclusion:Chinese medicines for promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis can reduce the FIB content in plasma of patients with cerebral thrombosis,raise the DD content in plasma, cause the peak of DD content appear earlier and obviously improve hypercoagulability of blood in patients with cerebral thrombosis.

The effects of consumption of raw garlic on serum lipid level, blood sugar and a number of effective hormones on lipid and sugar metabolism in hyperglycemic and/or hyperlipidemic individuals ——Benefit of raw garlic consumption

Diabetes mellitus is one of the worldwide largest growing metabolic diseases. In this study the effects of consumption of raw garlic on serum lipid level, blood sugar and a number of effective hormones on lipid and sugar metabolism (thyroid hormones and insulin) in individuals either with high level of blood sugar or lipid were investigated. Eighty five volunteers having following clinical history enrolled in the study: Group 1: having blood sugar more than 126 mg/dl (30 vo-lunteers);Group 2: having cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl (30 volunteers);Group 3: having blood sugar over 126 mg/dl and cholesterol more than 245 mg/dl (25 volunteers). In group 1, there wasn’t a sig-nificant differences between biochemical factors be-fore and after garlic consumption, whereas, in the second group after 6 weeks of garlic consumption a decline in cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS and TG (P < 0.01) was observed but HDL-C (P < 0.001) was in-creased. Six weeks after termination of garlic con-sumption, cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS and TG (P < 0.05) were in- creased and HDL-C (P < 0.01) was de-creased. In the third group, total cholesterol (P < 0.001), FBS (P < 0.01) and HbA1c decreased while HDL-C was in- creased. Other factors, including thy-roid hormones (T3, T4), TSH and insulin showed no significant alte- ration. In conclusion our results shown that raw garlic consumption can reduce the FBS and Lipid in hyperglycemic and/or hyperlipidemic individuals.

Relationship between Obesity, Serum Uric Acid, Serum Potassium and Glomerular Filtration Rate with Electric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Blacks Central Africans with High Blood Pressure

The authors conducted a retrospective study over a period of 6 months in a hypertensive population in order to determine the correlation between serum uric acid on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and estimated serum potassium with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and obesity. This study enrolled 122 patients including 63 women (51.6%). The mean age was 55.9 ± 10.6 years (range 30 to 74 years). Obesity weight was found in 38 cases (31.1%) of which 20?were men (33.9%) and 18 women (28.6%). Abdominal obesity was found in 104 cases (85.2%). The average serum uric acid in patients with obesity weight was 63.3 ± 18.9 mg/L vs 62.4 ± 14.2 mg/L for no-obese patients (p?= 0.63). The average serum potassium in obese patients was 4.06 ± 0.42 mEq/L vs 4.02 ± 0.46 mEq/L for no-obese (p?= 0.65). The average GFR was 73.4 ± 21.4 ml/L in obese patients vs 66.6 ± 22.6 ml/min in no-obese (p?= 0.03). The LVH was found in 81 cases (66.4%). The LVH was found in 65 (62.5%) obese patients vs?16 (88%) non-obese patients (OR = 4.8, 95% 1.04?-?22?p?= 0.02). Only abdominal?obesity has been correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy after multivariate analysis. Emphasis must be focused on public health actions for effective and appropriate measures against obesity and hypertension, whose prevalence is increasing in our region.

Oligosaccharide and Creatine Supplementation on Glucose and Urea Nitrogen in Blood and Serum Creatine Kinase in Basketball Athletes

Summary： The effects of oligosaccharide and creatine （Cr） supplementation on glucose, lactic acid and urea nitrogen levels in blood and activity of serum creatine kinase （CK） were explored. Twenty CUBA male athletes were divided into 4 groups： group A （supplementation of Cr alone）, group B （supplementation of oligosaccharide）, group C （supplementation of oligosaccharide and Cr） and group D （placebo control group）. By using orthogonal L4 table （2a ）, the experiment was performed. There were factors including oligosaccharide （carbohydrate, CHO）, Cr and their correlation. Each factor had two levels： supplementation and no-supplementation. The results showed that the supplementation of CliO or Cr alone, combined supplementation of CHO and Cr could significantly reduce the glucose, urea nitrogen levels in blood and serum CK activity after competition in the athletes. Moreover, the effects of combined supplementation of CHO and Cr were more satisfactory. It was concluded that supplementation of CliO and Cr could promote the recovery of physical performance and athletic abilities after athletics in basketball athletes.

Hepatitis G Viral RNA Co-infection in Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Hepatitis C

The incidence of the co-infection of hepatitis G virus (HGV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its clinical implication was investigated and the difference in the positive rate of HGV RNA and HCV RNA between plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) observed. By using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, HCV-RNA and HGV-RNA in plasma and PBMCs of 72 patients with hepatitis C was detected. It was showed that HGV RNA was positive in plasma of 11 patients, in PBMCs of 15 patients, and simultaneously in both of plasma and PBMCs of 10 patients with the co-infection rate being 22.2 %. Nine patients were both HGV RNA and HCV RNA positive in plasma, 11 patients were both HGV RNA and HCV RNA positive in PBMC, and 6 patients were both HGV RNA and HCV RNA positive in both plasma and PBMC with the positive rate being 12.4 %,15.3 % and 8.3 % respectively. The positive rate of both HGV RNA and HCV RNA in PBMCs was higher than in plasma. It was concluded that the HGV co-infection rate in the patients with hepatitis C was 22.2 %. Simultaneous examination of plasma and PBMC can improve clinically detectable rate.

Modelling of the relationship between systolic blood pressure and glucose with the magnesium ion present in the blood plasma: an approach using artificial neural networks

Artificial neural networks became an attractive alternative for modeling and simulation of com- plex biological systems. In the present work, a blood plasma model based on artificial neural networks was proposed in order to evaluate the relationship between the magnesium ion pre-sent in the blood plasma and systolic blood pressure and glucose. Experimental and simu- lated data were used to construct and validate the model. It performed the analysis consider-ing the systolic blood pressure and glucose as a function of magnesium ion concentration at a fixed temperature (37oC). Predictions of these relationships through the proposed model produced errors, on average, below 1% com-pared against experimental data not presented in the training step. The proposed methodology revealed quantitative results and correctly pre-dicted behaviors and trends towards the asso-ciation between magnesium concentrations and systolic blood pressure, and glucose in far agreement with experimental results from lit-erature. These results indicated that artificial neural networks can successfully learn the complexity of the relationships among bio-logical parameters of distinct groups and can be used as a complementary tool to assist studies in which the role of magnesium in systolic blood pressure and glucose are con-sidered.

The Correlation between the Activities of Digestive Enzymes in the Pancreas and Blood Serum in Chicken

It is presently an established fact that pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase, and trypsin) can enter the bloodstream as well as the intestine. These enzymes normally circulate within the bloodstream in definite concentration ranges. There is a lack of available information on the interrelationships between the enzymatic activities in pancreatic juice and blood serum in poultry. The study presented was aimed at the determination of possible correlation between the activities of the digestive enzymes in pancreatic juice or pancreatic tissue and in blood serum in chicken. The study was performed on Leghorn cockerels with chronically fistulated main pancreatic duct, and broiler chicks at different ages (14, 24, 28, and 35 days). Activities of all digestive enzymes in pancreatic juice in cockerels were found to grow in 1 hr after the feeding: amylase by 1.8 times, lipase 1.5 times, and proteases 1.3 times compared to basal level (after starving). Activity of trypsin in serum significantly increased by 67.4% in 1 hr after the feeding (P 0.001) while activities of amylase and lipase remained at their respective preprandial levels. The activities of pancreatic enzymes in the pancreas and blood serum in broilers at different ages were positively correlated: r = 0.54 for amylase, r = 0.96 for lipase, and r = 0.99 for trypsin. The strong positive correlation between tryptic activities in the pancreas or pancreatic juice and in blood serum in chicken can be a starting point for further research on the functions of circulatory trypsin which can include the regulation of exocrine pancreatic activity and other vital functions.