High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) laboratory assays are used to rule out myocardial infarction (MI) on presentation, but prolonged result turnaround times can delay patient management. Our ...primary aim was to identify patients at low risk of index MI using a rapid point-of-care (POC) whole-blood hs-cTnI assay at presentation with potential early patient discharge.
Consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department from 2 prospective observational studies with suspected acute coronary syndrome were enrolled. A POC hs-cTnI assay (Atellica VTLi) threshold using whole blood at presentation, which resulted in a negative predictive value of ≥99.5% and sensitivity of >99% for index MI, was derived (SEIGE Safe Emergency Department Discharge Rate) and validated with plasma (SAMIE Suspected Acute Myocardial Infarction in Emergency). Event adjudications were established with hs-cTnI assay results from routine clinical care. The primary outcome was MI at 30 days.
A total of 1086 patients (8.1% with MI) were enrolled in a US derivation cohort (SEIGE) and 1486 (5.5% MI) in an Australian validation cohort (SAMIE). A derivation whole-blood POC hs-cTnI concentration of <4 ng/L provided a sensitivity of 98.9% (95% CI, 93.8%-100%) and negative predictive value of 99.5% (95% CI, 97.2%-100%) for ruling out MI. In the validation cohort, the sensitivity was 98.8% (95% CI, 93.3%-100%), and negative predictive value was 99.8% (95% CI, 99.1%-100%); 17.8% and 41.8%, respectively, were defined as low risk for discharge. The 30-day adverse cardiac events were 0.1% (n=1) for SEIGE and 0.8% (n=5) for SAMIE.
A POC whole-blood hs-cTnI assay permits accessible, rapid, and safe exclusion of MI and may expedite discharge from the emergency department.
URL: https://www.
gov; Unique identifier: NCT04772157. URL: https://www.australianclinicaltrials.gov.au/anzctr_feed/form; Unique identifier: 12621000053820.
Numerous human activities and poor sanitation management cause public health concern, particularly in rural communities without reliable water supply systems and resources for the monitoring of the ...quality of their water sources. This study assessed the relationship between observed sanitary risks and hydrogen sulphide (H
S) strip test results in the identification of faecal contamination of various water sources used at household level in rural areas of the Vhembe District Municipality. The highest percentage sanitary risk scores ranging from 50 to 100% were recorded for both river and dam water commonly used by the households for multiple purposes, including drinking. All the surface water samples (100%) also tested positive for H
S production, which is linked to the contamination of water sources by bacteria of faecal origin. The overall results showed a significant and positive correlation (r = 0.623, p = 0.003 in the wet season and r = 0.504, p = 0.017 in the dry season) between sanitary risk scores and H
S strip test results. In low resource settings, the use of sanitary inspections combined with the inexpensive and easy-to-use H
S strip tests can be effective as drinking water quality management tools to raise an awareness among community members of the faecal contamination of their water sources.
Background. With the recent increase in antibiotic resistance to conventional antibiotics, gold nanoparticles, and medicinal plants, extracts present an interesting alternative. Objectives. This ...study aimed to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate Pyrenacantha grandiflora Baill extracts and gold nanoparticle conjugates against pathogenic bacteria. Methods. We synthesized gold nanoparticles by chemical and biological methods. The nanoparticles were characterized by the use of UV-visible spectrophotometry, followed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Gold nanoparticles were conjugated to plant extracts and analyzed with a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). We determined the antimicrobial activity of the conjugates using well diffusion and the microdilution assays. Results. The UV–visible spectra of gold nanoparticles showed a synthesis peak at 530 nm. FTIR analysis indicated functional biomolecules that were associated with plant extract conjugated gold nanoparticles; the formation of C–H group and carbonyl (C=O) groups, –OH carbonyl, and C≡C groups were also observed. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles were star-shaped when observed by TEM with an average size of 11 nm. Gold nanoparticles synthesized with P. grandiflora water extracts showed the largest zone of inhibition (22 mm). When the gold nanoparticles synthesized by the biological method were conjugated with acetone extracts of P. grandiflora, MIC as low as 0.0063 mg/mL was observed against beta-lactamase producing K. pneumonia. The activity of acetone extracts was improved with chemically synthesized gold nanoparticles particularly when beta-lactamase producing E. coli and MRSA were used as test organisms. A synergistic effect was observed against all tested bacteria, except for MRSA when gold nanoparticles were conjugated with acetone extract. Conclusion. Overall, P. grandiflora tuber extracts conjugated with gold nanoparticles showed a very good antibacterial activity that improved both plant extract and gold nanoparticle’s individual activity.
With the increasing concerns over food safety during these years, there has been an intense effort for substituting (eliminating) antibiotic growth promoters in poultry feeds. Therefore, in order to ...investigate the effect of natural alternatives for antibiotics, an experiment was conducted to examine the effect of virginiamycin, a prebiotic (Fructomix), and peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil on productive performance, digestibility, intestinal morphology and immune response of broilers. A total of 240 Ross 308 male broilers were randomly (completely randomized design) allotted to five treatments, with four replicates per treatment (12 chickens per pen). Birds were offered either a maize-soybean meal basal diet (control, CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 200mg/kg virginiamycin (VM); 200mg/kg peppermint oil (PO1); 400mg/kg peppermint oil (PO2); or 500mg/kg Fructomix (FM). After 6 weeks, daily live weight gain and feed intake were higher (P<0.001) for VM-fed birds compared with other groups. Feed conversion ratio was better (P=0.039) in chicks fed the VM (1.74), and PO1 diet (1.75) compared with birds in the CON (1.84) and PO2 (1.86) groups. Primary antibody titers against sheep red blood cell were higher (P<0.001) in broilers fed FM (6.37) compared with other groups. At 21d of age, crude protein digestibility was higher (P=0.001) in PO1 group (0.8645) compared with other groups except VM (0.8505). Finally, higher ether extract digestibility (P=0.040) was detected in birds fed VM (0.8831) compared with PO2 (0.7940), and FM (0.7561) fed birds. In duodenum, villus height: crypt depth was higher (P=0.008) in VM supplemented group (7.07) in comparison with other groups. In conclusion, this study showed that neither PO nor FM could be suggested as effective alternative for VM.
Abstract Background and Aims Strategies to assess patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a point-of-care (POC) high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay may ...expedite emergency care. A 2-h POC hs-cTnI strategy for emergency patients with suspected AMI was derived and validated. Methods In two international, multi-centre, prospective, observational studies of adult emergency patients (1486 derivation cohort and 1796 validation cohort) with suspected AMI, hs-cTnI (Siemens Atellica® VTLi) was measured at admission and 2 h later. Adjudicated final diagnoses utilized the hs-cTn assay in clinical use. A risk stratification algorithm was derived and validated. The primary diagnostic outcome was index AMI (Types 1 and 2). The primary safety outcome was 30-day major adverse cardiac events incorporating AMI and cardiac death. Results Overall, 81 (5.5%) and 88 (4.9%) patients in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively, had AMI. The 2-h algorithm defined 66.1% as low risk with a sensitivity of 98.8% 95% confidence interval (CI) 89.3%–99.9% and a negative predictive value of 99.9 (95% CI 99.2%–100%) for index AMI in the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort, 53.3% were low risk with a sensitivity of 98.9% (95% CI 92.4%–99.8%) and a negative predictive value of 99.9% (95% CI 99.3%–100%) for index AMI. The high-risk metrics identified 5.4% of patients with a specificity of 98.5% (95% CI 96.6%–99.4%) and a positive predictive value of 74.5% (95% CI 62.7%–83.6%) for index AMI. Conclusions A 2-h algorithm using a POC hs-cTnI concentration enables safe and efficient risk assessment of patients with suspected AMI. The short turnaround time of POC testing may support significant efficiencies in the management of the large proportion of emergency patients with suspected AMI.
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L.) on performance, intestinal Escherichia coli count and morphology of jejunal epithelial ...cells in laying hens. A total of 100 Leghorn laying hens (Hy‐Line W‐36) of 49 weeks old were randomly distributed among five cage replicates of five birds each. Experimental diets consisted of different levels (0%, 1%, 2% and 3% of diet) of dietary black cumin inclusion. The experimental period lasted for a total of 10 weeks, and egg quality indexes and laying hens' performance were measured as two 35‐day trial periods. At the final day, two hens per replicate were slaughtered to investigate the influence of dietary treatments on intestinal E. coli colonization and morphology of jejunal cells. Although dietary black cumin in all supplementation levels decreased (p < 0.05) the enumeration of ileal E. coli, the morphological and histological alterations in small intestine such as enhancement of villus height to crypt depth ratio, increased goblet cell numbers and proliferation of lamina propria lymphatic follicles were observed after dietary supplementation with at least 2% black cumin. Dietary treatments decreased (p < 0.05) the concentration of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and increased (p < 0.05) serum HDL concentration and relative weight of pancreas; however, the egg yolk cholesterol was not influenced by dietary treatments. In addition, dietary supplementation with black cumin improved (p < 0.05) eggshell quality and Haugh unit. The best feed conversion ratio was obtained when diets were supplemented with 2% black cumin. This improvement was due to the increase (p < 0.05) in egg mass and contemporaneous decrease (p < 0.01) in feed consumption. The present results indicated that regardless of supplementation level, dietary inclusion of black cumin decreased E. coli enumeration in ileal digesta and improved serum lipid profile and eggshell quality, whereas the best intestinal health indices and haying hens' performance were obtained by at least 2% black cumin seeds.
A plethora of growth factors regulate keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation that control hair morphogenesis and skin barrier formation. Wavy hair phenotypes in mice result from naturally ...occurring loss-of-function mutations in the genes for TGF-α and EGFR. Conversely, excessive activities of TGF-α/EGFR result in hairless phenotypes and skin cancers. Unexpectedly, we found that mice lacking the
Trpv3 gene also exhibit wavy hair coat and curly whiskers. Here we show that keratinocyte TRPV3, a member of the
transient
receptor
potential (TRP) family of Ca
2+-permeant channels, forms a signaling complex with TGF-α/EGFR. Activation of EGFR leads to increased TRPV3 channel activity, which in turn stimulates TGF-α release. TRPV3 is also required for the formation of the skin barrier by regulating the activities of transglutaminases, a family of Ca
2+-dependent crosslinking enzymes essential for keratinocyte cornification. Our results show that a TRP channel plays a role in regulating growth factor signaling by direct complex formation.
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► Mice deficient in TRPV3, EGFR, or TGF-α exhibit wavy hair coat and curly whiskers ► Activation of EGFR leads to increased TRPV3 channel activity in keratinocytes ► Activation of TRPV3 channel stimulates TGF-α release in keratinocytes ► TRPV3 regulates transglutaminase activity and skin barrier formation
•Phlorotannin (PT) and Momordica charantia polysaccharides (MCP) showed antibacterial and antioxidative activities.•MCP was used as the matrix of nanofibers to encapsulate phlorotannin.•The release ...efficiency of PT from nanofibers was improved by cold plasma treatment.
Momordica charantia polysaccharide (MCP) has been repeatedly reported due to its anti-diabetic properties. Up to our knowledge, no research has discussed the use of MCP as a nanofiber matrix in an active food packaging. As an antibacterial and anti-oxidant agent, phlorotannin (PT) was encapsulated in MCP nanofibers to promote these activities. Nanofiber membranes were treated with cold plasma to increase their application performance. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of PT and MCP against Escherichia coli O157:H7 were individually evaluated. The prepared nanofibers were assessed for their physical and mechanical properties in order to select the better-characterized ones. The successfulness of PT loading into MCP nanofibers was confirmed using SEM, AFM, TGA and DSC. After cold plasma treatment, the release efficiency of PT from the nanofibers was enhanced by 23.5 % (4 °C) and 25 % (25 °C), respectively. Correspondingly, both antibacterial and anti-oxidant activities of PT/MCP nanofibers were markedly improved.
The environmental impact and denaturing propensity of organic solvents in the extraction of plant bioactives pose great challenges in extraction systems. As a result, proactive consideration of ...procedures and evidence for tuning water properties for better recovery and positive influence on the green synthesis of products become pivotal. The conventional maceration approach takes a longer duration (1-72 h) for product recovery while percolation, distillation, and Soxhlet extractions take about 1 to 6 h. An intensified modern hydro-extraction process was identified for tuning water properties with an appreciable yield similar to organic solvents within 10-15 min. The percentage yield of tuned hydro-solvents achieved close to 90% recovery of active metabolites. The additional advantage of using tuned water over organic solvents is in the preservation of the bio-activities and forestalling the possibility of contamination of the bio-matrices during extractions with an organic solvent. This advantage is based on the fast extraction rate and selectivity of the tuned solvent when compared to the traditional approach. This review uniquely approaches the study of biometabolite recovery through insights from the chemistry of water under different extraction techniques for the very first time. Current challenges and prospects from the study are further presented.
The environmental impact and denaturing propensity of organic solvents in the extraction of plant bioactives pose great challenges in extraction systems.
Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows were used to investigate the effects of chromium-l-methionine (Cr-Met) supplementation and dietary grain source on performance and lactation during the ...periparturient period. Cows were fed a total mixed ration consisting of either a barley-based diet (BBD) or a corn-based diet (CBD) from 21 d before anticipated calving through 28 d after calving. The Cr-Met was supplemented at dosages of 0 or 0.08mg of Cr/kg of metabolic body weight. The study was designed as a randomized complete block design with 2 (Cr-Met levels) × 2 (grain sources) factorial arrangement. There was no Cr effect on prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) or postpartum DMI, body weight (BW), net energy balance, and whole tract apparent digestibility of nutrients. Prepartum DMI as a percentage of BW tended to increase with Cr-Met. Supplemental Cr-Met tended to increase milk yield whereas milk protein percentage decreased. Pre- and postpartum DMI, BW, net energy balance, milk yield, and milk composition were not affected by substituting ground barley with ground corn. The addition of Cr-Met increased prepartum DMI and tended to increase postpartum DMI of the BBD but not the CBD. The change in prepartum DMI was smaller when the BBD was supplemented with Cr-Met but remained unchanged when the CBD was supplemented with Cr-Met. Yields of crude protein and total solids in milk and prepartum digestibility of DM and organic matter tended to increase when Cr-Met was added to the BBD but remained unchanged when added to the CBD. Periparturient cows failed to respond to the grain source of the diet, whereas they showed greater response in milk yield to diets supplemented with Cr-Met. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that the beneficial effect of Cr-Met supplementation during the periparturient period to improve feed intake may depend on the grain source of the diet.
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