| |||
Blood Serum (blood + serum)
Kinds of Blood Serum Selected AbstractsPrinciple of a New Immunoassay Based on Electrophoretic Mobility of Poly(styrene/, - tert -butoxy- , -vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol) Microspheres: Application for the Determination of Helicobacter pylori IgG in Blood SerumMACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 1 2005Teresa Basinska Abstract Summary: The principle of a novel latex diagnostic test for the determination of antibodies against Helicobacter pylori in blood sera is described. The test is based on the measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of the microspheres with immobilized H. pylori antigens. The electrophoretic mobility of these microspheres depends on the concentration of the antibodies against H. pylori in suspending medium. Particles with hydrophilic polyglycidol in the surface layer were used for the test. The microspheres were obtained by an emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and , - tert -butoxy- , -vinylbenzyl-polyglycidol macromonomer (,=,220 nm, diameter polydispersity factor ,=,1.02). Activation of polyglycidol hydroxyl groups with cyanuric chloride allowed for covalent immobilization of H. pylori antigens. The fraction of H. pylori not specifically adsorbed onto the microspheres was negligible. Changes of the electrophoretic mobility of the microspheres with the surface concentration of the covalently immobilized H. pylori antigens ,,=,(1.6,±,0.3),·,10,3 g m,2 were suitable for the detection of the antibodies in the sera of patients with titer in the range (determined by the indirect ELISA test) from 1:500 to 1:32,000. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Maternal Blood Serum and Plasma Human Tumor-Associated Antigen RCAS1 During the Course of Uncomplicated Pregnancies: A Prospective StudyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Ekaterine Tskitishvili Citation Tskitishvili E, Sharentuya N, Tsubouchi H, Kinugasa-Taniguchi Y, Kanagawa T, Shimoya K, Tomimatsu T, Kimura T. Maternal blood serum and plasma human tumor-associated antigen RCAS1 during the course of uncomplicated pregnancies: a prospective study. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 218,224 Problem, We aimed to investigate the expression of the tumor-associated RCAS1 protein in maternal blood of uncomplicated pregnancies. Method of study, Maternal blood was obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies (N = 43) at 11,13, 20,22, 32,34, 37,38 weeks of gestation, and immediately after delivery. Serum RCAS1 concentration was studied by ELISA, and plasma mRNA was subjected to real-time (RT)-PCR. Results, Serum RCAS1 protein concentration was significantly up-regulated at 11,13 and 20,22 weeks than that at 32,34 weeks and after delivery. RCAS1 mRNA level was significantly increased at 11,13 weeks than that at 37,38 weeks. A significant positive correlation was defined between RCAS1 serum concentration at 11,13 weeks and gestational age at delivery and that between plasma RCAS1 mRNA levels at 37,38 weeks and umbilical cord blood base excess. A significant negative correlation was found between RCAS1 serum concentration at 37,38 weeks and umbilical cord blood pH at delivery. Conclusions, RCAS1 protein might have importance in the development of uncomplicated pregnancies and for the prediction of pregnancy outcome. [source] Blood serum branched chain amino acids and tryptophan modifications in horses competing in long-distance rides of different lengthJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2004A. Assenza Summary During long-distance exercise, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism could lead to an increase in the blood tryptophan/BCAA ratio and an early onset of ,central fatigue'. Based on these considerations, we studied the modifications of blood serum BCAA and tryptophan (Try) levels in 30 endurance horses competing in rides varying in distance from 20 to 72 km. From all horses, blood samples were drawn just before and just after the end of the ride. Samples were analysed for their leucine (Leu), valine (Val), isoleucine (Iso) and Try levels. Data were processed by anova, using sampling moment and ride as factors, and by LSD post hoc test. Significant differences were recorded among the different distance rides for Leu, Val, Iso, Try, Try/BCAA ratio; the same trend was recorded between samples taken at the start and the end of the race for Val and Leu. The main effect observed was an increase of BCAA levels for all rides, except the 72-km ride; for Try, a significant increase was present in all races, except the 50-km ride. The Try/BCAA ratio decreased in 20- and 50-km races and increased in the others. These data confirm that long-distance exercise involves a mobilization of BCAA. The utilization of BCAA seems to be important in prolonged exercise: in the 72-km ride, we observed a decrease in BCAA blood serum levels, while a major role of Try was indicated by its increase, resulting in a rise of the Try/BCAA ratio. [source] Xanthine Sensors Based on Anodic and Cathodic Detection of Enzymatically Generated Hydrogen PeroxideELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 6 2007Aminur Rahman Abstract A xanthine biosensor was fabricated by the covalent immobilization of xanthine oxidase (XO) onto a functionalized conducting polymer (Poly-5, 2,: 5,, 2,-terthiophine-3-carboxylic acid), poly-TTCA through the formation of amide bond between carboxylic acid groups of poly-TTCA and amine groups of enzyme. The immobilization of XO onto the conducting polymer (XO/poly-TTCA) was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The direct electron transfer of the immobilized XO at poly-TTCA was found to be quasireversible and the electron transfer rate constant was determined to be 0.73,s,1. The biosensor efficiently detected xanthine through oxidation at +0.35,V and reduction at ,0.25,V (versus Ag/AgCl) of enzymatically generated hydrogen peroxide. Various experimental parameters, such as pH, temperature, and applied potential were optimized. The linear dynamic ranges of anodic and cathodic detections of xanthine were between 5.0×10,6,1.0×10,4 M and 5.0×10,7 to 1.0×10,4,M, respectively. The detection limits were determined to be of 1.0×10,6,M and 9.0×10,8,M with anodic and cathodic processes, respectively. The applicability of the biosensor was tested by detecting xanthine in blood serum and urine real samples. [source] Charge density profiling of circulating human low-density lipoprotein particles by capillary zone electrophoresisELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 17 2004Mine-Yine Liu Abstract Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been utilized to profile the low-density (LDL) particles in human blood serum in this study. A 5 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.40, was chosen as the most suitable CE buffer and an extensive ultrafiltration (UF) procedure was applied to purify the LDL sample. Two LDL particle species, LDL with lower mobility and LDL, with higher mobility were observed. The electropherograms were highly reproducible with good precision of effective mobilities, corrected peak areas (CPAs) and CPA ratio of LDL,/LDL. LDL particles shown on the electropherogram were also characterized by several procedures. The applications of Sigma HDL cholesterol reagent and CE on-line 2-propanol precipitation indicated that the two particle species shown in the electropherogram belong to LDL. The LDL particles were found to associate with the buoyant LDL fraction and the LDL, particles associate with the dense LDL fraction. This study utilizes CZE for the profiling of LDL isoforms and provides a new analytical method for the resolution of LDL subspecies. It demonstrates a high-mobility LDL particle which circulates in healthy subjects and diminishes in atherosclerotic patients. Diminution of the high-mobility LDL subspecies may be linked to minimal formation of arterial plaque in atherosclerotic patients. [source] Role of topical and nutritional supplement to modify the oxidative stress,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 6 2002P. Morganti Synopsis Background: Evidence suggests that signs of skin ageing such as wrinkling, ragging and actinic lentigines, may be connected to cumulative oxidative damage incurred throughout our lifetimes. To counteract this oxidative injury, skin is equipped with a network on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, such as tocopherols, ascorbate polyphenols. All these compounds administered topically by cosmetics or by oral route by diet supplements, have been shown to exert an antioxidant/protective effect in skin or skin cells. Objective: The object of this study was to evaluate both in vitro and in vivo the activity performed by different topical antioxidants and nutritional supplements. Methods: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was carried out for 8 weeks on 30 dry-skinned elderly volunteers, women aged between 48 and 59 years, with moderate xerosis and photoageing. Surface skin lipids, skin hydration and MDA determination were topically detected by 3C System. ROS was evaluated on the blood serum and on IL-3 stimulated human leukocytes by ROS Meter System at 505 nm. All the subjects applied twice a day for 2 months a nanocolloidal gel and/or take a diet supplement by oral route at the quantity of two capsules per day. All the formulations used were antioxidant-enriched (ascorbic acid, tocopherol, alpha-lipoic acid, melatonin, emblica). Results: Oxidative stress and consequently lipids peroxidation decreased from 30 to 40% (P < 0.005) in blood serum of all the subjects treated with antioxidant compounds topically and by oral route. Both free radicals recovered in blood serum and on skin (in vivo) and ROS induced by irradiation of leucocytes with UVB light (in vitro), appear sensibly lower in subjects antioxidant-treated. Conclusions: From the obtained data, it seems possible to conclude that all the compounds used play interesting role as topical and systemic photoprotectants, thanks to their interesting antioxidant property. Moreover, the antioxidant treatment seems to be a promising therapeutic approach also in reducing the oxidative stress of people affected by photoaging. Résumé Les faits semblent montrer que les signes du vieillissement cutané tels que les rides, la perte d'élasticité ou les taches de vieillesse, peuvent être liés aux effets oxydants cumulés subis tout au long de la vie. Pour contrer ces effets oxydants, la peau est équipée d'un réseau de systèmes antioxydants enzymatiques et non enzymatiques tels que les tocophérols, l'ascorbate et les polyphénols. Tous ces composés, administrés par voie topique par des cosmétiques ou par voie orale avec des suppléments alimentaires, se sont révélés exercer un effet antioxydant/protecteur sur la peau ou les cellules de la peau. L'objet de cette étude était d'évaluer aussi bien in-vitro qu'in-vivo l'activité de différents antioxydants topiques et suppléments alimentaires. Une étude randomisée contre placebo en double aveugle a été conduite sur 8 semaines avec 30 volontaires,gés à peau sèche, des femmes de 48 à 59 ans, présentant une xérose et un viellissement modéré. Les lipides à la surface de la peau, l'hydratation de la peau et la MDA ont été suivis de façon topique par le SYSTEM 3 C. Les ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) ont été déterminés dans le sérum sanguin et sur les leucocytes humains 12-3 stimulés par un SYSTEM ROS-METER à 505 nm. Tous les sujets ont appliqué deux fois par jour pendant deux mois un gel nanocolloïdal et/ou pris des suppléments alimentaires par voie orale à raison de deux gélules par jour. Toutes les formulations utilisées étaient enrichies en antioxydant (acide ascorbique, tocophérol, acide alpha-lipoïque, mélatonine, emblica). Le stress oxydant et par conséquent la péroxydation des lipides diminue de 30 à 40% (p < 0.005) dans le sérum sanguin de tous les sujets traités avec des composés antioxydants par voie topique ou orale. Les radicaux libres retrouvés aussi bien dans le sérum sanguin que dans la peau (in-vivo) et la ROS induite par l'irradiation des leucocytes avec la lumière ultraviolette (in-vitro) apparaissent significativement moins élevés chez les sujets traités aux antioxydants par voie topique ou orale. D'après les données obtenues il semble possible de conclure que tous les composés utilisés jouent un rôle intéressant comme photoprotecteurs topiques et systémiques grâce à leurs intéressantes propriétés antioxydantes. De plus, le traitement antioxydant semble être une approche thérapeutique prometteuse en ce qu'elle réduit aussi le stress oxydant des personnes touchées par le vieillissement. [source] Amino acid concentrations in blood serum of horses performing long lasting low-intensity exerciseJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-6 2005D. Bergero Summary The aim of this work was to evaluate the changes in the concentrations, after two rides different for distance covered, of different amino acids in endurance horses. Blood samples have been collected from horses just before the start, at the top of a steep slope (819 m difference in height) and just at the end of a 32-km endurance ride. A second group, competing in a 72 km endurance ride, has also been sampled immediately before and after the race. In serum samples, the concentrations of alanine, arginine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine have been measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). anova and t -test have been used to study the differences in the concentrations of the amino acids. The pre-ride concentrations of the free amino acids were different between the two races, except for methionine and leucine. Differences between start and end race have been found for both groups for all the considered parameters except asparagine, isoleucine, leucine and lysine for the 72 km ride. Increases have been recorded for the shorter and decreases for the longer ride in the blood serum concentrations. Significant increases have also been found between the starting sampling and the second, at the top of the slope, only for alanine, arginine, asparagines, phenylalanine and lysine. The ride length has a significant impact on blood serum amino acids mobilization and uptake; in the shorter race the increases stand only for mobilization, whereas in the longer the decrease can be considered the effect of the onset of the amino acids catabolism. [source] Concentration of aluminium in breast cyst fluids collected from women affected by gross cystic breast diseaseJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Ferdinando Mannello Abstract Gross cystic breast disease (GCBD) is the most common benign breast disorder, but the molecular basis of cyst formation remains to be identified. If the use of aluminium-based antiperspirant salts is involved in the etiology of gross breast cyst formation, it might be expected that aluminium would be at elevated levels in human breast cyst fluid (BCF). Aluminium was measured by ICP-MS in 48 samples of BCF, 30 samples of human blood serum and 45 samples of human breast milk at different stages of lactation (colostrum, intermediate, mature). The median level of aluminium in apocrine type I BCF (n = 27, 150 µg l,1) was significantly higher than in transudative type II BCF (n = 21, 32 µg l,1; P <0.0001). By comparison, aluminium measurements gave a median concentration of 6 µg l,1 in human serum and 25 µg l,1 in human breast milk, with no difference between colostrum, intermediate and mature milk. Levels of aluminium were significantly higher in both types of BCF than in human serum (P <0.0001). However when compared with human breast milk, aluminium levels were only significantly higher in apocrine type I BCF (P <0.0001) and not in transudative type II BCF (P = 0.152). It remains to be identified why such high levels of aluminium were found in the apocrine type I BCF and from where the aluminium originated. However, if aluminium-based antiperspirants are found to be the source and to play any causal role in development of breast cysts, then it might become possible to prevent this common breast disorder. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Inorganic analysis of biological fluids using capillary electrophoresisJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 11 2008Andrei R. Timerbaev Abstract This review article focuses on recent advances of CE in determination of inorganic species in biological fluids and covers the years of dedicated research in the field since 2001 when a previous similar review was published [1]. The most productive area, in which CE has distinctively progressed over the review period, encompasses assaying major inorganic anions and cations in blood serum and urine. Other applications include assessing less abundant analytes, e. g., heavy metals or seleno-compounds, and less abundant body fluids (saliva, sweat, etc.). Special emphasis is placed on developments in CE methodology that comprised modifications of separation and detection hardware and using specific electrolyte modifiers to enhance the resolution of a CE system. Significant progress in the application of in-line preconcentration methods in order to move CE ahead closer to trace analyte levels is also brought into focus. A series of tables detailing highly developed CE procedures and the analytical figures of merit accomplished are included. Finally discussed are further strategies for the method's expansion in the practice of biomedical and clinical laboratories where CE could likely acquire the status of a benchmark analytical technique. [source] Determination of iron in blood serum using ,ow injection with luminol chemiluminescence detectionLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 6 2004A. Waseem Abstract A simple and rapid ,ow injection method is reported for the determination of iron in blood serum after acid digestion with HNO3 and HClO4, based on luminol CL detection in the absence of added oxidant. The detection limit (3 s) was 1.0 nmol/L with a sample throughput of 120/h. The calibration graph was linear over the range 0.001,1.0 µmol/L (r2 = 0.9974), with relative standard deviations (RSD) (n = 4) in the range 3.2,5%. The effect of interfering cations (Ca(II), Mg(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Fe(III)) and anions (Cl,, SO42,, HCO3,, NO3,, NO2,) were studied using a luminol CL system for Fe(II) determination. The method was applied to normal blood serum and the results (1.32 ± 0.08,1.74 ± 0.05 mg/L) were compared with those from a spectrophotometric reference method (1.34 ± 0.06,1.80 ± 0.10 mg/L), which agree fairly well with the overall reference range in blood. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Modifications and oxidation of lipids and proteins in human serum detected by thermochemiluminescenceLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 2 2003Sergei Shnizer Abstract Detection of electronically excited species (EES) in body fluids may constitute an important diagnostic tool in various pathologies. Examples of such products are triplet excited carbonyls (TEC), which can be a source for photon emission in the 400,550,nm range. The aim of the present study was to determine the actual contribution of lipid and protein components (protein carbonyls) to photon emission generated by thermochemiluminescence (TCL) during the heating of biological fluids. In this study, a new TCL Photometer device, designed by Lumitest Ltd, Israel, was used. Samples were heated to a constant temperature of 80,±,0.5°C for 280,s and photon emission was measured at several time points. In order to compare the results of TCL measurements to conventional methods of detecting lipid and protein oxidation, each examined sample was also heated in a waterbath at 80°C for 10,280,s. Lipid and protein oxidation were subsequently measured using conventional methods. The TCL of four polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with three to six double bonds was measured. The elevation of the PUFA TCL amplitude correlated with the increase in the number of double bonds of PUFA. A correlation between the increase in TCL intensity and protein carbonyl generation in bovine serum albumin (BSA) was also observed. In the venous blood serum, our study showed that an increase of TCL intensity during heating reflected the cleavage of TEC of lipid origin. Our study suggests that biological molecules such as proteins, lipids and other molecules, which may become unstable during heating, are capable of generating EES. We demonstrated that a TCL curve can be used as a kinetic model for measuring oxidative processes, which reflects modifications of different molecules involved in the oxidative stress phenomena. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] DIET-TISSUE FRACTIONATION OF STABLE CARBON AND NITROGEN ISOTOPES IN PHOCID SEALSMARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2002VÉRONIQUE Lesage Diet-tissue isotopic fractionation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes in short- and longer-term diet integrators of diet (i. e., blood serum and red cells), that involve non-invasive sampling techniques was examined using three species of phocid seals (harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals) fed a known diet. Variability in diet-tissue fractionation values within and between species was also scrutinized to determine the legitimacy of using values obtained from one species to explore trophic positions and diets of other related species. All captive seals raised on a constant diet had tissues enriched in 13C and 15N relative to their diet. Diet-tissue isotopic fractionation values were generally consistent among conspecifics and among phocid species for a given tissue. Trophic isotopic enrichment in 13C was significantly higher in red blood cells (+1.5%±) than in blood serum (+0.8%±), whereas the reverse was observed for nitrogen isotopes (+1.7%± in red cells vs. +3.1%± in serum). However, 13C-depleted lipids were not extracted from blood tissues in this study. This results in a downward bias in the diet-tissue fractionation factors for carbon for both red cells and blood serum, particularly the latter because of their significantly higher lipid contents (x,± SD = 14.6 ± 2.3%; n= 20; red blood cells 3.8 ± 0.9%±; n= 50, muscle 7.7 ± 2.0; n= 21) in marine mammals. [source] Umbilical serum concentrations of chemokines (RANTES and MGSA/GRO-,) in preterm and term neonatesPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2006BARBARA KRÓLAK-OLEJNIK Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between labor (preterm and term) and umbilical blood serum regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and melanoma growth stimulatory activity/growth-related oncogene-a (MSGA/GRO-,) concentration, and to determine whether early sepsis and pneumonia are associated with changes in concentrations of the chemokines (RANTES and MSGA/GRO-,) in umbilical blood serum. Methods: Umbilical blood was obtained from 67 neonates in the following groups: (i) preterm neonates with early sepsis; (ii) preterm neonates with pneumonia; (iii) non-infected preterm neonates; and (iv) full-term healthy neonates. RANTES and MGSA/GRO-, concentrations were determined by use of a commercially available immunoassay kit. Results: Non-infected preterm neonates had lower RANTES concentrations than healthy term neonates. Preterm infected neonates (pneumonia or sepsis) did not have higher RANTES concentrations than non-infected preterm neonates. In contrast, non-infected preterm neonates had higher MSGA/GRO-, concentrations than full-term healthy neonates. And preterm neonates with sepsis had higher MGSA/GRO-, concentrations than preterm ones with pneumonia and non-infected preterm ones. Conclusions: Preterm neonates had constitutively lower RANTES concentrations than term ones and it seems that during infection RANTES concentrations did not increase. MGSA/GRO-a concentrations were constitutively higher in preterm than term neonates, and septic events further increased its concentrations in preterm neonates. [source] A chloroplast transgenic approach to hyper-express and purify Human Serum Albumin, a protein highly susceptible to proteolytic degradationPLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003Alicia Fernández-San Millán Summary Human Serum Albumin (HSA) accounts for 60% of the total protein in blood serum and it is the most widely used intravenous protein in a number of human therapies. HSA, however, is currently extracted only from blood because of a lack of commercially feasible recombinant expression systems. HSA is highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation in recombinant systems and is expensive to purify. Expression of HSA in transgenic chloroplasts using Shine-Dalgarno sequence (SD), which usually facilitates hyper-expression of transgenes, resulted only in 0.02% HSA in total protein (tp). Modification of HSA regulatory sequences using chloroplast untranslated regions (UTRs) resulted in hyper-expression of HSA (up to 11.1% tp), compensating for excessive proteolytic degradation. This is the highest expression of a pharmaceutical protein in transgenic plants and 500-fold greater than previous reports on HSA expression in transgenic leaves. Electron micrographs of immunogold labelled transgenic chloroplasts revealed HSA inclusion bodies, which provided a simple method for purification from other cellular proteins. HSA inclusion bodies could be readily solubilized to obtain a monomeric form using appropriate reagents. The regulatory elements used in this study should serve as a model system for enhancing expression of foreign proteins that are highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation and provide advantages in purification, when inclusion bodies are formed. [source] A well-characterised peak identification list of MALDI MS profile peaks for human blood serumPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 18 2010Ali Tiss Abstract MALDI MS profiling, using easily available body fluids such as blood serum, has attracted considerable interest for its potential in clinical applications. Despite the numerous reports on MALDI MS profiling of human serum, there is only scarce information on the identity of the species making up these profiles, particularly in the mass range of larger peptides. Here, we provide a list of more than 90 entries of MALDI MS profile peak identities up to 10,kDa obtained from human blood serum. Various modifications such as phosphorylation were detected among the peptide identifications. The overlap with the few other MALDI MS peak lists published so far was found to be limited and hence our list significantly extends the number of identified peaks commonly found in MALDI MS profiling of human blood serum. [source] Proteomic changes in rat serum, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocytes after chronic nicotine administrationPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 5 2005Chiara Piubelli Abstract In order to gain information about the effect triggered at the molecular level by nicotine, its neuroimmunomodulatory properties and its impact on the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, peripheral blood serum and leukocytes of rat submitted to passive nicotine administration were subjected to proteomic investigation. Serum, polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear (MN) leukocytes from chronically treated animals and from control animals were analysed by a two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis/mass spectrometry approach to detect differentially expressed proteins. The nicotine regimen selected is known to have a stimulatory effect on locomotor activity and to produce a sensitisation of the mesolimbic dopamine system mechanism involved in addiction development. After 2-D gel analysis and matching, 36,spots in serum, seven in PMN and five in MN were found to display a statistical difference in their expression and were subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry peptide fingerprinting for protein identification. Fifteen different proteins were identified. The results indicate an overall impact of nicotine on proteins involved in a variety of cellular and metabolic pathways, including acute phase response (suggesting the effect on inflammatory cascades and more in general on the immune system), oxidative stress metabolism and assembly and regulation of cytoskeleton. In particular, the observed changes imply a general reduction in the inflammatory response with a concomitant increased unbalance of the oxidative stress metabolism in the periphery and point to a number of potential noninvasive markers for the central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS mediated activities of nicotine. [source] Generalizable mass spectrometry mining used to identify disease state biomarkers from blood serumPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 9 2003Padraic Neville Abstract We bring a "spectrum" of classical data mining and statistical analysis methods to bear on discrimination of two groups of spectra from 24 diseased and 17 normal patients. Our primary goal is to accurately estimate the generalizability of this small dataset. After an aggressive preprocessing step that reduces consideration to only 55 peaks, we conduct over 35 out-of-sample cross-validation simulations of logistic regression, binary decision trees, and linear discriminant analysis. Misclassification rates grow worse as the size of the holdout sample increases, with many exceeding 30 percent. The ability to generalize is clearly tempered by the statistical, instrumentation, and biophysical characteristics of the study. [source] Proteome analysis of the thermoreceptive pit membrane of the western diamondback rattlesnake Crotalus atroxPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 1 2003Hans Zischka Abstract Rattlesnakes detect their prey's temperature by means of a cavern-like structure, the pit organ. The sensory component of this organ lies within a thin membrane called the pit membrane. Proteome analysis conducted on this neurosensory tissue revealed only a relatively small number of proteins, thereby depicting its high degree of specialization. In addition to containing blood serum and structural proteins, the proteome of this membrane appears to be strikingly similar to that of isolated rattlesnake brain mitochondria. Indeed, our results show that over 80% of the detected tissue proteins are of mitochondrial origin. Fluorescence microscopy studies of these organelles indicate their dense arrangement and accumulation in structures which have been previously reported to be the terminal ends of free nerve fibers of the innervating trigeminal branches. Thus, original ultrastructural observations are paralleled by our findings at the molecular level. [source] Body Condition Change Ante- and Postpartum, Health and Reproductive Performance in German Holstein CowsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2 2009M Hoedemaker Contents The effects of body condition score (BCS) change and status ante- and postpartum (pp) on health and reproductive performance in 234 German Holstein cows from eight dairy farms were evaluated. BCS was determined from 6 weeks antepartum until 20 weeks pp in 2-week intervals. Three and 5 weeks pp progesterone concentrations in blood serum were determined to detect the presence of luteal tissue as an indicator of cyclicity. The incidence of various diseases, percent cycling cows, reproductive measures and culling rate were assessed. Data were subjected to logistic regression to account for possible herd and lactation number effects. Cows with a low BCS status (<3.0) at calving and during early lactation (4,10 weeks pp) were at a higher risk of suffering from lameness (OR 2.9,9.4), not being cycling at 3 and/or 5 weeks pp (OR 2.24,3.99) and being culled (OR 2.56,2.79) than cows in better body condition (,3.0) In addition, cows with a low BCS status at parturition were at a higher risk of developing endometritis (OR 2.95) and becoming pregnant later than 105 days pp (OR 5.92) than cows with a BCS , 3.0. At 10 weeks pp, the risk of dystocia (OR 4.10) or retained placenta (OR 2.78) at the preceding calving and not being pregnant at 200 days pp (OR 2.42) was higher in cows with a BCS < 3.0 than with a BCS , 3.0. Cows with no BCS loss antepartum were more likely to have an interval from calving to first artificial insemination of <80 days and <105 days open, to be cycling at 3 and 5 weeks pp and to be pregnant at 200 days pp than cows with a BCS loss of >0.25 (OR 2.44,6.67). Furthermore, cows with no BCS loss from calving to 4 weeks pp had a lower risk of suffering from displaced abomasum than cows with a slight or a severe BCS loss (OR 0.09,0.07 respectively). In conclusion, our results suggest that body condition loss during the antepartal period affected BCS status at parturition and to a certain extent during lactation which was linked to a higher incidence of reproductive disorders and lameness, a higher culling rate and lower reproductive performance. [source] Gene therapy for psoriasis in the K14-VEGF transgenic mouse model by topical transdermal delivery of interleukin-4 using ultradeformable cationic liposomeTHE JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Jiong Li Abstract Background Topical transdermal gene delivery to the skin shows great potential for painless, non-invasive administration of vaccines and therapeutic agents. Interleukin (IL)-4 strategies have shown a good antipsoriatic effect in clinic trials. To date, no information has been acquired on the effectiveness of gene therapy for psoriasis in the K14-VEGF transgenic mouse model by topical transdermal penetration of murine IL-4 (mIL-4) using ultradeformable cationic liposome (UCL). Methods In the present study, we synthesized an UCL and determined a suitable formula for transdermally delivering plasmid DNA to mouse skin. We then tested the antipsoriatic efficacy in the K14-VEGF transgenic mouse model by transdermal delivery of mIL-4 using UCL. Results We found that plasmid DNA was transdermally delivered to vicinal sites of epidermis and hair follicles using this optimized formula. Plasmid DNA expression was detected in ear skin. Twenty-four hours after topical application, plasmid DNA was not detected in blood serum and liver, which may decrease the risk of insertion of promoter from plasmid to genomic DNA. Mice treated with UCL/mIL-4 displayed a mild psoriasis phenotype. Histological analysis of pathological score using the Baker scoring system revealed an antipsoriatic effect. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that hyperplastic and inflamed vessels were suppressed. Conclusions These observations provide evidence of antipsoriatic efficacy by topical transdermal delivery of mIL-4. Therefore, topical transdermal gene transfer is attractive and offers future potential for application in human patients with other dermatogic diseases. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Lentiviral gene delivery to CNS by spinal intrathecal administration to neonatal miceTHE JOURNAL OF GENE MEDICINE, Issue 4 2006Elena Fedorova Abstract Background Direct injection of lentivectors into the central nervous system (CNS) mostly results in localized parenchymal transgene expression. Intrathecal gene delivery into the spinal canal may produce a wider dissemination of the transgene and allow diffusion of secreted transgenic proteins throughout the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Herein, we analyze the distribution and expression of LacZ and SEAP transgenes following the intrathecal delivery of lentivectors into the spinal canal. Methods Four weeks after intrathecal injection into the spinal canal of newborn mice, the expression of the LacZ gene was assessed by histochemical staining and by in situ polymer chain reaction (PCR). Following the spinal infusion of a lentivector carrying the SEAP gene, levels of enzymatically active SEAP were measured in the CSF, blood serum, and in brain extracts. Results Intrathecal spinal canal delivery of lentivectors to newborn mice resulted in patchy, widely scattered areas of ,-gal expression mostly in the meninges. The transduction of the meningeal cells was confirmed by in situ PCR. Following the spinal infusion of a lentivector carrying the SEAP gene, sustained presence of the reporter protein was detected in the CSF, as well as in blood serum, and brain extracts. Conclusions These findings indicate that intrathecal injections of lentivectors can provide significant levels of transgene expression in the meninges. Unlike intracerebral injections of lentivectors, intrathecal gene delivery through the spinal canal appears to produce a wider diffusion of the transgene. This approach is less invasive and may be useful to address those neurological diseases that benefit from the ectopic expression of soluble factors impermeable to the blood-brain barrier. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Maternal Blood Serum and Plasma Human Tumor-Associated Antigen RCAS1 During the Course of Uncomplicated Pregnancies: A Prospective StudyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Ekaterine Tskitishvili Citation Tskitishvili E, Sharentuya N, Tsubouchi H, Kinugasa-Taniguchi Y, Kanagawa T, Shimoya K, Tomimatsu T, Kimura T. Maternal blood serum and plasma human tumor-associated antigen RCAS1 during the course of uncomplicated pregnancies: a prospective study. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 218,224 Problem, We aimed to investigate the expression of the tumor-associated RCAS1 protein in maternal blood of uncomplicated pregnancies. Method of study, Maternal blood was obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies (N = 43) at 11,13, 20,22, 32,34, 37,38 weeks of gestation, and immediately after delivery. Serum RCAS1 concentration was studied by ELISA, and plasma mRNA was subjected to real-time (RT)-PCR. Results, Serum RCAS1 protein concentration was significantly up-regulated at 11,13 and 20,22 weeks than that at 32,34 weeks and after delivery. RCAS1 mRNA level was significantly increased at 11,13 weeks than that at 37,38 weeks. A significant positive correlation was defined between RCAS1 serum concentration at 11,13 weeks and gestational age at delivery and that between plasma RCAS1 mRNA levels at 37,38 weeks and umbilical cord blood base excess. A significant negative correlation was found between RCAS1 serum concentration at 37,38 weeks and umbilical cord blood pH at delivery. Conclusions, RCAS1 protein might have importance in the development of uncomplicated pregnancies and for the prediction of pregnancy outcome. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Differences in the Soluble HLA-G Blood Serum Concentration Levels in Patients with Ovarian Cancer and Ovarian and Deep EndometriosisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Pawel Mach Citation Mach P, Blecharz P, Basta P, Marianowski P, Skret-Magierlo J, Kojs Z, Grabiec M, Wicherek L. Differences in the soluble HLA-G blood serum concentration levels in patients with ovarian cancer and ovarian and deep endometriosis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010 Problem, The relationship between endometriosis and cancer has been widely discussed in the literature but is still not well clarified. Perhaps significantly, soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) has been identified in the microenvironment of both ovarian cancer and endometrioma. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the sHLA-G levels in the blood sera of women with deep endometriosis and ovarian endometrioma over the course of the menstrual cycle and to compare to the levels of sHLA-G in the blood sera of women with ovarian cancer. Method of study, In our study, we examined the blood sera obtained from 123 patients operated on because of ovarian cancer (65 cases), ovarian endometrioma (30 cases), and deep endometriosis (28 cases). We decided to compare the levels of sHLA-G in patients with endometriosis to those found in patients with ovarian cancer with respect to the menstrual cycle phases. The sHLA-G concentration level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results, The level of sHLA-G concentration in the blood serum of patients with deep endometriosis fluctuates over the course of the menstrual cycle, and during the proliferative and secretory phases, it remains at a high level comparable to that found in patients with ovarian cancer. By contrast, the level of sHLA-G concentration in the blood serum of patients with ovarian endometrioma fluctuates minimally over the course of the different menstrual cycle phases and, as in patients with ovarian cancer, it remains at high level during the proliferative phase. Conclusion, sHLA-G blood serum concentration levels would seem to provide important information regarding the degree of immune system regulation disturbance in both ectopic endometrial cells and the cancer cell suppressive microenvironment. [source] The antioxidant capacity response to hypoxia stress during transportation of characins (Hyphessobrycon callistus Boulenger) fed diets supplemented with carotenoidsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2010Chih-Hung Pan Abstract This study aimed to determine whether dietary carotenoid (CD) supplements could affect the antioxidant capacity of characins Hyphessobrycon callistus upon hypoxia stress at live transportation. Two types of CD [astaxanthin (AX), ,-carotene (BC)] and their 1:1 combination (MX) at three concentrations (10, 20 and 40 mg kg,1) were supplemented, resulting in nine CD diets. After 8 weeks' rearing, the resulting fish were divided into two subgroups and exposed to hypoxia or normoxia. Hypoxia involved a gradual decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO) from 6.5 to <1.0 mg L,1. Normoxia was DO kept in saturation. Hypoxia led to an increase in the total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidases (GPx) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity of blood serum in fish, but had no effect on alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Under hypoxia, fish fed CD diets had lower SOD, GPx and ALT activity than control fish, showing that dietary CD could increase the antioxidant capacity and protection of the liver. Dietary AX was more effective for antioxidant capacity than BC and MX when under hypoxia stress, because GPx, ALT and AST were lower in AX-fed fish. Except TAS, the other four enzyme activities showed decreasing trends with increasing dietary CD concentrations. [source] Determination of amino acid enantiomers in human urine and blood serum by gas chromatography,mass spectrometryBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2001Hans Brückner Amino acid (AA) enantiomers were determined as N(O) -pentafluoropropionyl-(2)-propyl esters by chiral gas chromatography,mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in 24,h samples of the urine of three healthy volunteers and in their blood sera. In urine the largest amounts were determined for D -Ser (64,199,µmol/day) and D -Ala (24,138,µmol/day). In blood sera, D -Ala (2.3,4.2,µmol/L) and D -Ser (1.0,2.9,µmol/L) were most abundant. Varying amounts of the D -enantiomers of Thr, Pro, Asx, Glx, Phe, Tyr, Orn and Lys were also found, albeit not in all urines and sera. Further, enantiomers were quantified in urine samples of two volunteers fasting for 115,h. Quantities of renally excreted D -AAs decreased in fasting, although amounts of D -Ser (69 and 77,µmol/L urine) as well as other D -AAs were still detectable. Time-dependent analyses of urine showed that D -AAs are continuously excreted. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Protective effects of melatonin and indole-3-propionic acid against lipid peroxidation, caused by potassium bromate in the rat kidneyCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 6 2006gorzata Karbownik Abstract Potassium bromate (KBrO3) is classified as a carcinogenic agent. KBrO3 induces tumors and prooxidative effects in kidneys. Melatonin is a well known antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), an indole substance, also reveals antioxidative properties. Recently, some antioxidative effects of propylthiouracil (PTU),an antithyroid drug,have been found. The aim of the study was to compare protective effects of melatonin, IPA, and PTU against lipid peroxidation in the kidneys and blood serum and, additionally, in the livers and the lungs, collected from rats, pretreated with KBrO3. Male Wistar rats were administered KBrO3 (110 mg/kg b.w., i.p., on the 10th day of the experiment) and/or melatonin, or IPA (0.0645 mmol/kg b.w., i.p., twice daily, for 10 days), or PTU (0.025% solution in drinking water, for 10 days). The level of lipid peroxidation products,malondialdehyde,+,4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA,+,4-HDA),was measured spectrophotometrically in thyroid homogenates. KBrO3, when injected to rats, significantly increased lipid peroxidation in the kidney homogenates and blood serum, but not in the liver and the lung homogenates. Co-treatment with either melatonin or with IPA, but not with PTU, decreased KBrO3 -induced oxidative damage to lipids in the rat kidneys and serum. In conclusion, melatonin and IPA, which prevent KBrO3 -induced lipid peroxidation in rat kidneys, may be of great value as protective agents under conditions of exposure to KBrO3. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cross-Reactive Sensor Arrays for the Detection of Peptides in Aqueous Solution by Fluorescence SpectroscopyCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 1 2010Sébastien Rochat Abstract A simple but powerful method for the sensing of peptides in aqueous solution has been developed. The transition-metal complexes [PdCl2(en)], [{RhCl2Cp*}2], and [{RuCl2(p -cymene)}2] were combined with six different fluorescent dyes to build a cross-reactive sensor array. The fluorescence response of the individual sensor units was based on competitive complexation reactions between the peptide analytes and the fluorescent dyes. The collective response of the sensor array in a time-resolved fashion was used as an input for multivariate analyses. A sensor array comprised of only six metal,dye combinations was able to differentiate ten different dipeptides in buffered aqueous solution at a concentration of 50,,M. Furthermore, the cross-reactive sensor could be used to obtain information about the identity and the quantity of the pharmacologically interesting dipeptides carnosine and homocarnosine in a complex biological matrix, such as deproteinized human blood serum. The sensor array was also able to sense longer peptides, which was demonstrated by differentiating mixtures of the nonapeptide bradykinin and the decapeptide kallidin. [source] Immobilization and Characterization of Glucose Oxidase on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Its Application to Sensing GlucoseCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2007Shu-Na Liu Abstract The negatively charged (at pH 8.2) glucose oxidase (GOx, pI ca. 4.2) was assembled onto the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), which was covered (or wrapped) by a layer of positively charged polyelectrolyte poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA), via the electrostatic interaction forming GOx-PDDA- SWNT nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the growth processes of the nanocomposites. The results indicated that GOx retained its native secondary conformational structure after it was immobilized on the surface of PDDA-SWNT. A biosensor (Nafion-GOx-PDDA-SWNT/GC) was developed by immobilization of GOx-PDDA-SWNT nanocomposites on the surface of glassy carbon (GC) electrode using Nafion (5%) as a binder. The biosensor showed the electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of glucose under the presence of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid (FcM) as an electroactive mediator with a good stability, reproducibility and higher biological affinity. Under an optimal condition, the biosensor could be used to detection of glucose, presenting a typical characteristic of Michaelis-Menten kinetics with the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of KappMca. 4.5 mmol/L, with a linear range of the concentration of glucose from 0.5 to 5.5 mmol/L (with correlation coefficient of 0.999) and the detection limit of ca. 83 µmol/L (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3). Thus the biosensor was useful in sensing the glucose concentration in serum since the normal glucose concentration in blood serum was around 4.6 mmol/L. The facile procedure of immobilizing GOx used in present work would promote the developments of electrochemical research for enzymes (proteins), biosensors, biofuel cells and other bioelectrochemical devices. [source] Dietary Lycopene: Its Properties and Anticarcinogenic EffectsCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2008Preeti Singh ABSTRACT:, Lycopene is the principal pigment of the carotenoids naturally found in tomatoes and is important not only because of the color it imparts but also because of the recognized health benefits associated with its presence. Red tomatoes typically contain about 95% of their lycopene as the all -trans isomer, the most stable form. In tangerine tomatoes, on the other hand, the lycopene is present as tetra-cis -lycopene, a geometric isomer of all -trans lycopene. Lycopene is a major component found in blood serum. This carotenoid has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. Prevention of heart disease has been shown to be another antioxidant role played by lycopene because it reduces the accumulation of platelets that eventually lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. In contrast to many other food phytonutrients whose effects have only been studied in animals, lycopene from tomatoes has been repeatedly studied in humans and found to be protective against several cancers, which now include colorectal, prostate, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. This review outlines the background information dealing with lycopene and presents the most comprehensive and current understanding of its potential functional role in human health. [source] |