Aqueous Blackcurrant Extract Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion and Modulates the Gut Microbiome in Non-Obese Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

This study was undertaken to determine whether aqueous blackcurrant extracts (BC) improve glucose metabolism and gut microbiomes in non-obese type 2 diabetic animals fed a high-fat diet and to identify the mechanism involved. Partially pancreatectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats were provided a high-fat diet containing 0% (control), 0.2% (L-BC; low dosage), 0.

Best serum biomarker combination for ovarian cancer classification.

Background: Screening test using CA-125 is the most common test for detecting ovarian cancer. However, the level of CA-125 is diverse by variable condition other than ovarian cancer. It has led to misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Occupational Risk of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Health Workers of 14 Military Hospitals.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a known occupational risk to health workers. Identifying risk factors in health care settings is critical to the prevention of TB for health workers and patients. In 2014, we carried out a TB screening and survey for 902 health workers from 14 selected military hospitals to determine the prevalence rate of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as well as occupational risk factors.

Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 with fetal cells in maternal blood using comparative genomic hybridization.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the clinical use of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for detection of fetal trisomy 21 from fetal ceIls (nucleated red blood cells; nRBCs) isolated from maternal peripheral venous blood.

Methods: Maternal peripheral venous blood samples were collected in sterile tubes containing heparin. After triple density gradient centrifugation, magnetic activated cell sorting using CD45 and CD71 was used to isolate the fetal nRBCs.

Rapid prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction with amplification of small tandem repeats and S100B in chromosome 21.

Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) is the most common congenital anomaly, and it occurs in one out of 700-1000 births. Current techniques such as amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling (CVS) require lengthy laboratory culture procedures and high costs. This study was undertaken to establish a rapid prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of fetal DNA from amniotic fluid.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal trisomy 21 from maternal peripheral blood.

This study was undertaken to establish a noninvasive prenatal genetic diagnostic method for trisomy 21 using the fetal nRBCs that is rarely present in maternal circulation. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from 30 women with an advanced maternal age, abnormal triple marker test results, or abnormal ultrasound findings such as an increased nuchal translucency. The blood samples were treated with heparin.