Different qualitative and quantitative changes in platelets are involved in the pathophysiological processes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of Platelet mass Index (PMI) and other platelet parameters in assessment disease activity in patients with UC and CD. A cross-sectional, observational study consisted of 60 IBD patients (30 UC and 30 CD) and 30 healthy subjects (Control group). Patients were grouped according to disease activity into active and inactive (remission). Platelet count (PLC), Plateletcrit (PCT), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) and PMI were determined for all study participants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and their corresponding areas under the curve (AUC) were used to determine diagnostic accuracy. Although PLC had the highest AUC (0.756) compared to PCT (AUC: 0.731), PDW (AUC: 0.722) and PMI (AUC: 0.724), they all had fair diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing active and inactive UC patients. Discriminatory accuracy of PLC was excellent (AUC: 0.909), PCT and PMI good to excellent (AUC: 0.809 and AUC: 0.893, respectively) and PDW fair (AUC: 0.789) in classifying CD patients as active and inactive. Platelet parameters are simple, routinely available biomarkers more useful for assessing disease activity for patients with CD than for patients with UC. Our results indicate, for the first time, that PMI may serve as a novel and simple marker in identifying whether IBD patients are in the active or inactive phase of the disease.

Different qualitative and quantitative changes in platelets are involved in the pathophysiological processes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of Platelet mass Index (PMI) and other platelet parameters in assessment disease activity in patients with UC and CD. A cross-sectional, observational study consisted of 60 IBD patients (30 UC and 30 CD) and 30 healthy subjects (Control group). Patients were grouped according to disease activity into active and inactive (remission). Platelet count (PLC), Plateletcrit (PCT), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) and PMI were determined for all study participants. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and their corresponding areas under the curve (AUC) were used to determine diagnostic accuracy. Although PLC had the highest AUC (0.756) compared to PCT (AUC: 0.731), PDW (AUC: 0.722) and PMI (AUC: 0.724), they all had fair diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing active and inactive UC patients. Discriminatory accuracy of PLC was excellent (AUC: 0.909), PCT and PMI good to excellent (AUC: 0.809 and AUC: 0.893, respectively) and PDW fair (AUC: 0.789) in classifying CD patients as active and inactive. Platelet parameters are simple, routinely available biomarkers more useful for assessing disease activity for patients with CD than for patients with UC. Our results indicate, for the first time, that PMI may serve as a novel and simple marker in identifying whether IBD patients are in the active or inactive phase of the disease.

ABSTRACT Endangerment of fish habitats worldwide is a global problem. Breeding fish in restocking hatcheries is important for bioconservation of many fishes. Analysis of biochemical and hematological parameters provides important information on spawning performance and fish health. Variations of different serum biochemical constituents and increase in body length and mass of West Balkan trout were analyzed during spawning and postspawning. High body weight deviations of males were found in both periods. The body length and weight of males is higher compared to females. After spawning, higher growth was observed in males. Biochemical values are higher in females in relation to males. Low values of glucose, chloride, and potassium are present in the spawning phase. Decreases in protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, AST, sodium, and calcium levels were found in postspawning. Serum biochemical constituents of females vary significantly compared to males. Serum markers indicate a strong association with metabolic processes, which allows for better nutritional control and management of environmental factors, especially the presence of organic particles in the broodstock.

This research presents the first findings on thrombopoiesis for Wistar rats. Haemopoietic cells from the femur and the sternum were analysed by light microscopy in combination with infrared and near-ultraviolet light for fine cytoplasmic structure analysis. Five main types of thrombocyte precursor cells were identified in the bone marrow samples: megakaryoblast, promegakaryocyte and megakaryocyte (basophilic, acidophilic and thrombocytogenic). More intensive thrombopoiesis and morphologically differentiated cells were found in sternum samples.

This study represents the first data for size, morphology, surface area and a number of haemocytes in European hornet ( Vespa crabro ). Circulating haemocytes were microscopically characterized and their surface was determined by software for image analysis. Three types of haemocytes have been identified: granulocytes, basophilic haemocytes and plasmatocytes. Granulocytes are the dominant type of haemocytes with smallest surface area (54.10±2.42; A =25.79 μm 2 ), plasmatocytes are the largest circulating haematocytes (41.70±2.41; A= 123.56 μm 2 ), and basophilic haemocytes are the least represented (4.20±1.03; A= 49.35 μm 2 ). In addition to circulating haemocytes, we recorded two types of “giant” haematocyte, representing the first data in insects. These cells undergo various transformation stages and mature into large cells. The morphology of these haemocytes and the developmental stages indicate that they may originate from plasmatocytes and basophilic haemocytes. “Giant cell type I” probably originates from plasmatocyte and has a surface area A= 3664.62 μm2. „Giant cell type II“  is formed by the transformation of basophilic haematocyte and has surface area A= 8411.66 μm 2 . Phagocytosis was found in giant cells type II. The developmental stages of giant haematocytes are presumably result of physiological processes related to phagocytosis and their role in immunity. Future studies should provide more information about types, developmental stages of haemocytes including larval hemocytes and phagocytosis which will contribute to the understanding of many physiological and immune processes in these insects.

Tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol is an opioid that is composed of two different analgesics, tramadol (opioid, 37.5 mg) and paracetamol (non opioid, 325 mg). The study presents first data of tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol effects on haematological parameters and glucose levels in Wistar rats. Oral administration ad libitum of tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol was administered during a twenty days period. This research includes two groups of animals. Group I include animals that were administered tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol daily at dosage of 1.12 g/300 ml and group II that were administered daily at dosage of 1.68 g/300 ml of water. We analayzed 14 haematological parameters and glucose concentration. Significant changes were established for all analyzed parameters. Significantly low numbers of erythrocytes, leukocytes and lymphocytes were observed. Tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol has an extremely negative effect on haematological parameters in Wistar rats, particularily on the blood coagulation due to the thrombocitopenia, anaemia and weakened immunity. If properly administered, tramadol hydrochloride/paracetamol can be an effective analgesic but at high dosage and over a prolonged period it may cause adverse effects in Wistar rats.

Abstract Methadone eliminates heroin use, reduces death rates and criminality associated with heroin use, and improves patients’ health and social productivity. This study included long-term addicts who completed a methadone therapy program as well as relapsed patients. Liver and renal markers important for methadone metabolism were analyzed. Renal markers included urea and creatinine, while hepatic markers included total bilirubin, AST, ALT, γGT, and LDH as nonspecific but significant parameters of liver metabolism. The study included 34 male and 6 female heroin-dependent patients undergoing a rehabilitation program with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). During therapy, average values of all parameters remained within the reference interval but individual parameters in some patients were very high. Significant differences for urea (0.00) and very high individual variations in all parameters, especially γGT and LDH, were found in patients who were in relapse. Age of the patients did not show a correlation with the presence of significant differences in serum biochemical parameters during therapy. Prolonged use of methadone therapy stabilizes high variations of liver and renal markers. MMT achieves a stabilization of serum indicators relevant for methadone metabolism that correlates with the duration of consumption and the type of opioid substance. The most important hepato-renal markers as indicators of therapy success are γGT, LDH, and creatinine. The validity of former enzymatic tests (AST, ALP, and ALT) should be seriously reconsidered in terms of MTT treatment success and monitoring the health of heroin addicts.