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Chronic human liver fluke infections caused by 'Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis' can last for decades and cause liver and biliary diseases, including life-threatening pathology prior to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). CCA generally has a poor prognosis. Serological diagnosis can support parasitological examination in diagnosing disease and screening for the risk of CCA. Here, we present an improved and innovative lateral flow immunochromatographic test (ICT) kit that uses whole- blood samples (WBS) rather than serum to diagnose human 'opisthorchiasis', which also successfully diagnosed human clonorchiasis. This ICT includes a soluble worm extract of O. viverrini adults and colloidal-gold-labeled conjugates of the IgG antibody to evaluate the diagnostic values with simulated WBS (n = 347). Simulated WBS were obtained by the spiking infection sera with red blood cells. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy for detecting opisthorchiasis were 95.5%, 87.0%, 80.5%, 97.2%, and 90.1%, respectively. For clonorchiasis, these findings were 85.7%, 87.0%, 53.6%, 97.2%, and 86.8%, respectively. Combined for both diseases, they were 93.2%, 87.0%, 84.0%, 94.6%, and 89.6%, respectively. The ICT kit can possibly replace the ICT platforms for antibody detection in serum samples in field surveys in remote areas where sophisticated equipment is not available.

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem that compromises the empirical treatment of infections, resulting in a lack of effective antibiotics and high medical expenses. Here, we aimed to monitor the trends in antimicrobial resistance among Enterobacteriaceae isolated from blood samples in mainland China. A total of 2240 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from blood were collected from hospitalized patients at 19 tertiary hospitals between October 2004 and June 2014. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of all isolates were determined using the agar dilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2016 guidelines. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli, compromising 47.0% (1053/2240) of the total isolates, followed by Klebsiella spp. (26.3%), Salmonella spp. (10.4%), and Enterobacter spp. (9.2%). The detection rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) among E. coli were 68.9% (2004-2005), 73.2% (2007-2008), 67.9% (2009-2010), 72.6% (2011-2012), and 58.4% (2013-2014), whereas those in ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were slightly decreased (75.9%, 50.0%, 41.4%, 40.2%, and 43.0%, respectively). Carbapenems were the most potent agents against the Enterobacteriaceae isolates, followed by moxalactam, tigecycline, and amikacin. However, there was a decrease in the susceptibility rates for carbapenems in all species, particularly K. pneumoniae(decreased by 10.6% for imipenem) and Enterobacter aerogenes (decreased by 21.1% for imipenem). Reviving antibiotics (tigecycline and polymyxins) showed good in vitro activity against Enterobacteriaceae. The activity of antibiotics against Enterobacteriaceae isolated from blood was decreased overall. Large proportions of ESBL-producing isolates were identified among E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Carbapenem-resistant isolates have become a major challenge in the treatment of infections.

Blood sample collection and rapid separation—critical preanalytical steps in clinical chemistry—can be challenging in decentralized collection settings. To address this gap, the Torq™ zero delay centrifuge system includes a lightweight, hand-portable centrifuge (ZDrive™) and a disc-shaped blood collection device (ZDisc™) enabling immediate sample centrifugation at the point of collection. Here, we report results from clinical validation studies comparing performance of the Torq System with a conventional plasma separation tube (PST). Blood specimens from 134 subjects were collected and processed across three independent sites to compare ZDisc and PST performance in the assessment of 14 analytes (K, Na, Cl, Ca, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, albumin, total protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides). A 31-subject precision study was performed to evaluate reproducibility of plasma test results from ZDiscs, and plasma quality was assessed by measuring hemolysis and blood cells from 10 subject specimens. The ZDisc successfully collected and processed samples from 134 subjects. ZDisc results agreed with reference PSTs for all 14 analytes with mean % biases well below clinically significant levels. Results were reproducible across different operators and ZDisc production lots, and plasma blood cell counts and hemolysis levels fell well below clinical acceptance thresholds. ZDiscs produce plasma samples equivalent to reference PSTs. Results support the suitability of the Torq System for remotely collecting and processing blood samples in decentralized settings.

This study was conducted to detect the prevalence of Babesiosis in different areas at Baghdad city, by using microscopic examination ;180 sheep’s head blood samples were collected from each local breed (122 males and 58 females) with different age groups from 6 months to more than one year old, during the period extended from 1/October2019 to end of April 2020.Giemsa stained blood smears were done for detection Babesia spp. ; The overall rate of  infection with Babesia spp. in sheep was 15.55% (28/180), significant differences P≤0.05 was  recorded between male 19.67% ( 24/122) and female 6.89% ( 4/58 ), and sheep with  equal or more than one year old  registered higher rate of  infection 18.18% (2/11) , also highest rate of infection recorded in April 45% (9/20) with highly significant differences P≤0.01 between months of study.

Background Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD) with unclear aetiopathogenesis. Disease prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment are challenging, thus mandating the discovery of reliable biomarkers to improve patient care. Candidate biomarkers have been proposed in the literature, and this study aimed to validate some of them in an easily accessible tissue. Methods We collected peripheral blood samples from patients with SSc and other rheumatic diseases, and extracted total RNA. We assessed the expression levels of selected molecules with real-time PCR and performed statistical analysis to identify significant differential expression of molecules among the study groups. Enrichr Web server was used for pathway analysis of differentially expressed molecules. Results We confirmed the overexpression of two molecules (Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI1) and Tropomyosin alpha-4 chain (TPM4)) in patients with SSc compared to healthy controls or individuals with other rheumatic diseases. We further used the Enrichr Web server for pathway analysis, which revealed that these molecules are implicated in pathways that might be involved in disease pathogenesis. Conclusions We conclude that TPI1 and TPM4 are reliable and specific biomarkers for SSc, and can be measured in blood samples with minimal risk to patients, thereby facilitating a cost-effective and timely diagnosis.

Introduction A recent study recommended 5.2 mmol/L as a cutoff for fetal blood sample (FBS) lactate in labor for the StatStrip Lactate®/Lactate Xpress® lactate meter. In the present study, we validated FBS lactate cutoffs in a larger population‐based setting, with different CTG guidelines, testing external validity. Material and Methods We conducted a prospective population‐based study at Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway, a tertiary referral obstetric department with 7000 annual deliveries. Women with a singleton fetus in cephalic presentation in gestational week ≥36 + 0 were included in the analyses. We used ROC curves to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and estimate the optimal cutoff for the following adverse neonatal outcomes: Umbilical cord pH ≤7.10, umbilical cord pH ≤7.05, metabolic acidosis (pH <7.0 and Base deficitextracellular fluid > 12 mmol/L), 1‐minute Apgar score <4, 5‐min Apgar score <7, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit. Analyses were restricted to women with a FBS lactate within 25 min prior to delivery. The study is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04779294). Results Of 7816 included women, 1466 (19%) had a FBS lactate measurement within 25 min prior to delivery. The calculated optimal cutoff for FBS lactate varied by outcomes: 5‐min Apgar score <7: AUC 0.69 (0.57–0.80), cutoff 4.0 mmol/L; metabolic acidosis: AUC 0.92 (0.78–1.00), cutoff 7.0 mmol/L; hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: AUC 0.95 (0.86–1.00), cutoff 4.7 mmol/L. Sensitivity increased for some of the outcomes with a decreasing cutoff. Specificity increased for all outcomes with an increasing cutoff. Conclusions We consider an FBS lactate cutoff of ≥5.2 mmol/L a good balance between high sensitivity for adverse neonatal outcomes and an acceptable number of needed interventions. A fetal blood sample lactate cutoff of ≥5.2 mmol/L balances the need for a high sensitivity for adverse neonatal outcomes with an acceptable number of needed interventions.

This study assesses the feasibility of extracting high-quality DNA from blood samples stored at – 20 °C for up to 21 years under suboptimal conditions. It addresses sample mishandling in research, where many samples lack proper biobank protocols. Prior studies focused on short-term storage and controlled conditions, highlighting the negative effects of freeze–thaw cycles. This study evaluates whether DNA from long-term stored samples under suboptimal conditions can still meet quality standards for research purposes. Genomic DNA was extracted from 1012 capillary blood samples from the Diabetes Prediction in Skåne study. Samples were stored at – 20 °C for 7–21 years, and DNA was isolated using QIAamp DNA Blood Mini kits. DNA quantity, purity, and quality were analysed using spectrophotometry and automated electrophoresis. Overall, 75.7% of samples met quality standards for DNA quantity (≥ 20 ng/µL) and purity (A260/280 ratio 1.7–1.9), with the highest proportion in 12-year samples (83.5%). DNA quality was further assessed in 270 samples, where 57.8% had a DNA Integrity Number (DIN) of 7 or higher. This study suggests that historical blood samples stored under suboptmal conditions can still be viable for modern genomic analyses.

The prevalence of diabetes has reached alarming levels in India, making it essential to understand the concentration of nutritional-trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr. and Se) in blood samples from diabetic adults. In this study, 208 whole blood samples from diabetic ( n  = 104) and non-diabetic ( n  = 104) adults across various age groups were analyzed using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy with a sample dilution method. Statistical analysis was performed to assess descriptive statistics and determine a significant correlation between elemental concentrations in the blood samples of diabetic and non-diabetic adults. The mean concentration of nutritional-related trace elements in diabetic blood was as follows: Fe (46 ± 5) > Zn (1.28 ± 0.14) > Cu (0.10 ± 0.01) > Cr (0.05 ± 0.004) > Se (0.013 ± 0.001) in mg/L, respectively. Additionally, this study investigated the influence of nutrition-related trace element concentrations across various age groups such as 25–40 years (young adults), 41–55 years (middle-aged adults), and 56–70 years (older adults). In this investigation, Zn ( p  < 0.001) and Cr ( p  < 0.05) concentrations differed significantly between diabetic and non-diabetic adults aged 56–70 years. These findings will help us to understand age-dependent changes in element concentrations, clarify their role in diabetes, and improve risk factor management associated with diabetes.

Previous studies have shown that several microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in the whole blood as well as diverse cells and tissues from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The aim of the current study was to determine if the expression of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 in whole blood of RA patients could confer potential markers in evaluating of activity-severity of the disease in RA patients with established disease. Whole blood samples were obtained from 30 RA patients and 30 healthy subjects. The RNA content of blood samples was isolated, cDNA was synthesized, and transcript levels of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 were determined using Real-time PCR. The clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were also evaluated. It was detected that expression level of miR-146a (fold change=1.85, =0.004), miR-103a (fold change=2.44, =0.0018), and miR-155 (fold change=1.94, =0.0025) were significantly upregulated in the whole blood samples of RA patients in comparison to that of healthy subjects. Expression level of miRNAs was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics of the patients, including Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI), 28Tender Joint Count (TJC-28), 28Swollen Joint Count (SJC-28), C-reactive protein (CRP), Rheumatoid factor (RF), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. Upregulated levels of miR-146a, miR-103a, and miR-155 in the whole blood samples of RA patients could confer a potential marker of activity-severity of the disease in RA patients with established disease.

•A multiplex methylation SNaPshot assay was replicated in blood samples.•Postmortem changes can alter the methylation status among specific loci in blood.•Differences in the methylation levels occur between different populations.•The multiplex methylation SNaPshot is a useful method for age estimation. Many studies in the forensic field have reported that analysis of DNA methylation is the most reliable method of predicting age. In a previous study, 5 CpG sites located in ELOVL2, FHL2, KLF14, C1orf132 and TRIM59 genes were tested for age prediction purposes in blood, saliva and buccal swab samples from Korean individuals using a multiplex methylation SNaPshot assay. The main goals of the present study were i) to replicate the same multiplex SNaPshot assay in blood samples from Portuguese individuals, ii) to compare DNA methylation status between two different populations and iii) to address putative differences in the methylation status between blood from living and deceased individuals. Blood samples from 59 living individuals (37 females, 22 males; aged 1–94 years-old) and from 62 deceased individuals (13 females, 49 males; aged 28–86 years-old) were evaluated. The specific primers were those previously described. Linear regression models were used to analyse relationships between methylation levels and chronological age using IBM SPSS software v.24. Our results allowed to build a final age prediction model (APM) for blood samples of living individuals with 3 CpG sites, at ELOVL2, FHL2 and C1orf132 genes, explaining 96.3% of age variation, with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) from chronological age of 4.25 years. Some differences were found in the extent of the age association in the targeted loci comparing Portuguese with Korean individuals. The final APM built for deceased individuals included 4 CpG sites, at ELOVL2, FHL2, C1orf132 and TRIM59 genes, explaining 79.3% of age variation, with a MAD of 5.36 years. Combining both sets of samples from living and deceased individuals, the most accurate APM with 4 CpGs, at ELOVL2, FHL2, C1orf132 and TRIM59 genes, explained 92.5% of variation in age, with a MAD of 4.97 years. In conclusion, our study replicated in blood samples of Portuguese living individuals a previous SNaPshot assay for age estimation. The possibility that age markers might be population specific and that postmortem changes can alter the methylation status among specific loci was suggested by our data. Our study showed the usefulness of the multiplex methylation SNaPshot assay for forensic analysis in blood samples of living and deceased individuals.