The Effect of American Society of Anesthesiologists Score and Operative Time on Surgical Site Infection Rates in Major Abdominal Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two crucial variables, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and operative time, on the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in the context of major abdominal surgical procedures. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional research study involved patients undergoing various gastrointestinal surgical procedures. Surgical details, procedure duration, and ASA score were meticulously documented. Patients were observed for surgical site infections (SSIs) during their inpatient stay until discharge. Following their discharge, patients were monitored in the outpatient department for a minimum of 30 days post-surgery, and those who underwent mesh procedures were observed for one year. RESULTS: In the overall study population, surgical site infections were identified in 42 cases, constituting 6.7%. There was a significant association between ASA grade and the incidence of surgical site infections (p=0.001), indicating a higher prevalence of infections in cases with elevated ASA grades. Furthermore, a statistically significant association exists between the average duration of surgery and the occurrence of surgical site infections (p=0.001). The mean surgery duration for cases with infections is reported as 206.33 min, with a standard deviation of 103.73, while for cases without infections, the mean duration is 99.72 min, with a standard deviation of 79.71. In the multivariate analysis, it was found that an ASA score of 3 or higher and operative time exceeding 90 min were identified as independent factors for predicting the likelihood of surgical site infections. CONCLUSION:  The significant associations identified between the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, average surgery duration, and SSIs underscore the importance of comprehensive preoperative assessment and procedural management in infection prevention.

Toxic effect of heavy metals on ovarian deformities, apoptotic changes, oxidative stress, and steroid hormones in rainbow trout.

BACKGROUND: As is well known, the pollution in the aquatic environment in which fish grow has a direct impact on aquaculture practices. Pollution in aquatic systems because of multiple adverse effects on fish metabolic processes, especially the reproductive systems. AIM: The goal of this study was to assess the severity of pollution impact in two different hatcheries, Verinag hatchery, Site 1 (S1) and Panzath hatchery, Site 2 (S2) in Anantnag region, using histopathological, ultrastructural, oxidative stress, genotoxic, and hormonal analysis in rainbow trout gonad (ovary). M&M: Fish were collected between May 2018 and April 2019 from two locations, Verinag hatchery (S1) and Panzath hatchery (S2), which were affected by heavy metals. RESULTS: The histological and ultrastructural examination of rainbow trout ovaries from the Verinag hatchery (S1) revealed normal structure in growing oocytes in rainbow trout at various stages based on morphological features while the fish ovaries in the Panzath hatchery (S2) showed various deformities and irregularly shaped oocytes. The surfaces of some of these oocytes were wrinkled, rough, or distorted. Apoptotic studies revealed that the frequency of apoptotic cells collected from S2 water was significantly increased in ovarian cells (P < 0.05). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were found to be increased in fish collected from S1 but decreased in fish collected from S2. In S2 caught fish, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were found to increase gradually, and the degree of heavy metal stress was positively correlated (p < 0.05). The comet assay was used to determine the induction of DNA damage in ovarian cells. The induction of DNA damage was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in S2 fish specimens compared to fish from S1. On comparing the DNA damage of the rainbow trout from the two sampling sites, it was revealed that the fish is much more sensitive to aquatic contaminants. Regarding steroid hormones, higher levels of progesterone and estrogen were reported in the fish samples collected from S1 as compared to S2 captured fish. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the comparative study of fish from two different sites viz. Verinag hatchery (S1) and Panzath hatchery (S2) revealed that S2 sampled fish suffered more heavy metal damage, including cellular deformities, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and altered steroid hormones.

The role of embryonic stem cells, transcription and growth factors in mammals: A review.

Mammals represent a relevant species in worldwide cultures with significant commercial value. These animals are considered an attractive large animal model for biomedical and biotechnology research. The development of large animal experimental models may open alternative strategies for investigating stem cells (SCs) physiology and potential application in the veterinary field. The embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are known to possess natural pluripotency that confers the ability to differentiate into various tissues in vivo and in vitro. These notable characteristics can be useful for research and innovative applications, including biomedicine, agriculture and industry. Transcription factors play a crucial role in preserving stem cell self-renewal, whereas growth factors are involved in both growth and differentiation. However, to date, many questions concerning pluripotency, cellular differentiation regulator genes, and other molecules such as growth factors and their interactions in many mammalian species remain unresolved. The purpose of this review is to provide an overall review regarding the study of ESCs in mammals and briefly discuss the role of transcription and growth factors.

Effects of heavy pollution in different water bodies on male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reproductive health.

This research aimed to investigate the influence of heavy metals on the reproductive health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) captured from two locations, Verinag (S1) and Panzath (S2). Sixty (n. 60) mature rainbow trout samples (30 from each site) with body weights ranging from 400 to 650 g were collected from Verinag hatchery, which was less polluted (S1), and Panzath hatchery, which was more polluted (S2). The findings revealed significant differences between the two sites, S1 (less polluted) and S2 (more polluted), as well as significant variations within the tissues. Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) were found to be highest in sampling water as well as in fish tissues sampled from S2 sites. Similarly, concerning S1 captured fishes, histopathological examination of testes from S2 captured fish was found. Testicular abnormalities that included disorganization of the seminiferous tubules, reduction in the number of germ cells (sperm cells, spermatozoa), vacuolization, and large empty areas in the seminiferous epithelium were found. In testicular cells, the frequency of apoptotic cells collected from S2 water increased significantly (P < 0.05). SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity increased in S1 captured fishes but decreased in S2 captured fishes. MDA levels gradually increased in S2 captured fish, and the degree of heavy metal stress was positively correlated (P < 0.05). In male rainbow trout, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone levels increased substantially in S1 captured fishes. While the fatty acids of testes in S2 fishes decreased with respect to S1 fishes. In conclusion, S2 captured fish suffered more damage due to heavy metals including cellular damage, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and altered steroid hormones when compared to fish from S1 waters.

Water quality and health risk assessment of trace elements in surface water at Punjnad Headworks, Punjab, Pakistan.

Pollution of the aquatic ecosystem due to different trace elements has become a global concern which has raised health-related issues for both aquatic and human life. Industrial and agricultural water run-off drained into the rivers and deposit trace elements in water, sediments and planktons. This study was designed to calculate the burden of trace elements such as aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) in the river water of Punjnad Headworks, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Samples were collected from surface water, bed sediments and planktons during autumn, winter and spring seasons (September 2018 to May 2019). The results showed that the concentration of Pb was highest in surface water (453.87 mg L-1), while that of Al was highest in sediments (370.24 µg g-1) and plankton (315.05 µg g-1). A significant difference was found in metal concentrations among surface water, bed sediments and plankton at different sampling stations during various seasons. Importantly, the Exping (0.71, 1.23-3, 0.34, 0.02 for Pb, As, Al, and Ba, respectively) and Expderm (7.09-8, 1.2310, 3.42-8, and 2.48-9 for Pb, As, Al, and Ba, respectively) for trace elements were below 1.0 suggesting non-significant adverse effects of trace elements on human health. This study provided better understanding of various pollutants and their concentrations in water sources at the studied location.

A study on steroidogenic elaborations of stroma and their regulation in response to ovarian hormones in goats.

Stromal tissue is an essential componenlt of the ovary not only for providing structural support but also for contributing to the early follicular growth with their bi-directional paracrine signaling. Estradiol is a major female hormone mainly secreted by the follicular cells in the ovary. To examine the relationship between 17ß-estradiol and the factors involved in androgen production in stromal cells, ovarian stromal cells were cultured in the graded concentrations (50 and 100 ng/mL) of 17ß-estradiol for varying time periods (24 and 48 h). The cells were processed for transmission electron microscopy to study the changes in steroidogenic functions of the cells. The effect of estradiol treatment was also evaluated on the quantity of androgen production and abundance of steroidogenic enzymes and proteins. The results indicated 17ß-estradiol increased androgen production in ovarian stromal cells. In addition to enhanced androstenedione and testosterone production, estradiol stimulation was also based on the marked increase in abundance of mRNA transcript of steroidogenic enzymes [Star (Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein), Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, and hsd3b1 (3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase)], as well as abundances of StAR and CYP11A1 protein. Thus, 17ß-estradiol enhanced steroidogenesis in ovarian stromal cells. This study provided a basis for further exploration of regulation of steroidogenesis in ovarian stromal cells and the feedback mechanisms in association with estradiol.

Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status in breast cancer in relation to age, histological grade, size of lesion and lymph node involvement.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy of women in Kashmir. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing hormone receptor positivity and its correlation with age at diagnosis, tumor size, histological grade and lymph node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 132 newly diagnosed cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, SKIMS, Srinagar, JandK, were included after excluding biopsies, in-situ lesions and recurrence cases. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 48.2 years, 59.1% being ≤ 50 years of age. Mean duration of symptoms was 6.32 months. Most lesions (65.1%) were 2-5 cm and 16.7% were ≥ 5.0 cm in greatest dimension. The predominant (80.3%) morphology was IDC-NOS. The majority of the cases presented as grade II (52.1%) lesions and lymph node involvement was present in 65.2%. ER and PR were positive in 66.3% and 63.4% cases, respectively, increasing with rising age. High grade lesions and larger size tumors were more likely to be ER and PR negative. No correlation was found between ER/PR status and lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: ER and PR expression in breast cancers in the current study was found to be higher than studies done in India/Asia but lower than studies conducted in the West, even on Indian/Asian immigrants. Markedly lower receptor expression in Indian/Asian studies is likely due to preanalytic variables, thresholds for positivity, and interpretation criteria. American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists Guideline Recommendations for Immunohistochemical Testing of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Breast Cancer are strongly advocated for standardization of receptor evaluation and for clinical management of breast cancer patients to provide best therapeutic options.