Needlepoint is worked upon specialized types of stiff canvas that have openings at regular intervals. Embroidery that is not needlepoint often uses soft cloth and requires an embroidery hoop.
It is often ordered in conjunction with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as part of a liver panel or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) to screen for and/or help diagnose liver disease. ALT is an enzyme found mostly in the cells of the liver and kidney. When the liver is damaged, ALT is released into the blood. This makes ALT a useful test for early detection of liver damage. AST and ALT are considered to be two of the most important tests to detect liver injury, although ALT is more specific to the liver than is AST.
According to Tietz 4th edition there aren't really any clinical conditions which are associated with a low AST value all by itself. AST is measured by physicians to determine liver damage. An increased AST is associated with a damaged liver, which is why we check it. There are a few things which will cause the AST value to come out low when tested however.