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Purposes: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors threatening human beings and has a poor prognosis. Therefore, exploring unveiled biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of GC is crucial. Methods: A total of 5772 protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were aggregated from four latest large-scale proteomics cohorts. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (two-sample MR) was utilized to identify the causal effect of blood plasma proteins on GC. Heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and directionality analyses were employed to evaluate proteins identified via two-sample MR. The robustness of results was further validated via colocalization. The drug targets of proteins were evaluated to reveal the compounds that can interfere with these proteins. Results: Ten proteins with potential causations in relation to GC were identified: LY6D, SLURP1, MLN, PSCA, THSD1, CFTR, PPM1B, KDM3A, TSC1, and HCG22. Among these proteins, LY6D, SLURP1, and THSD1 were considered as the most reliable biomarkers of GC due to their significant H4 posterior probabilities in colocalization analysis and absence of pleiotropy. Compound 35, nitrosamide, and 0175029-0000 were potential drugs or small molecules targeting LY6D, SLURP1, and THSD1, respectively. Conclusion: This study identified several plasma proteins as potential biomarkers of GC and provided data support and new insights into the early diagnosis, intervention, and therapeutic targets of GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It remains challenging to translate the findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) into interventional targets, presumably due to the lack of knowledge on how the GWAS risk variants contribute to AIDs. In addition, current immunomodulatory drugs for AIDs are broad in action rather than disease-specific. We performed a comprehensive protein-centric omics integration analysis to identify AIDs-associated plasma proteins through integrating protein quantitative trait loci datasets of plasma protein (1348 proteins and 7213 individuals) and totally ten large-scale GWAS summary statistics of AIDs under a cutting-edge systematic analytic framework. Specifically, we initially screened out the protein-AID associations using proteome-wide association study (PWAS), followed by enrichment analysis to reveal the underlying biological processes and pathways. Then, we performed both Mendelian randomization (MR) and colocalization analyses to further identify protein-AID pairs with putatively causal relationships. We finally prioritized the potential drug targets for AIDs. A total of 174 protein-AID associations were identified by PWAS. AIDs-associated plasma proteins were significantly enriched in immune-related biological process and pathways, such as inflammatory response (P = 3.96 × 10–10). MR analysis further identified 97 protein-AID pairs with potential causal relationships, among which 21 pairs were highly supported by colocalization analysis (PP.H4 > 0.75), 10 of 21 were the newly discovered pairs and not reported in previous GWAS analyses. Further explorations showed that four proteins (TLR3, FCGR2A, IL23R, TCN1) have corresponding drugs, and 17 proteins have druggability. These findings will help us to further understand the biological mechanism of AIDs and highlight the potential of these proteins to develop as therapeutic targets for AIDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the latest cancer research data, there are a significant number of new cancer cases and a substantial mortality rate each year. Although a substantial number of clinical patients are treated with existing cancer drugs each year, the efficacy is unsatisfactory. The incidence is still high and the effectiveness of most cancer drugs remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, we evaluated the human proteins for their causal relationship to for cancer risk and therefore also their potential as drug targets. We used summary tumors data from the FinnGen and cis protein quantitative trait loci (cis-pQTL) data from a genome-wide association study, and employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the association between potential drug targets and nine tumors, including breast, colorectal, lung, liver, bladder, prostate, kidney, head and neck, pancreatic caners. Furthermore, we conducted MR analysis on external cohort. Moreover, Bidirectional MR, Steiger filtering, and colocalization were employed to validate the main results. The DrugBank database was used to discover potential drugs of tumors. Under the threshold of False discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05, results showed that S100A16 was protective protein and S100A14 was risk protein for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER-positive) breast cancer, phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) was risk protein for colorectal cancer, and melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) was protective protein for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). And there was no reverse causal association between them. Colocalization analysis showed that S100A14 (PP.H4.abf = 0.920) and S100A16 (PP.H4.abf = 0.932) shared causal variation with HER-positive breast cancer, and PDE5A (PP.H4.abf = 0.857) shared causal variation with colorectal cancer (CRC). The MR results of all pQTL of PDE5A and MIA were consistent with main results. In addition, the MR results of MIA and external outcome cohort were consistent with main results. In this study, genetic predictions indicate that circulating S100 calcium binding protein A14 (S100A14) and S100 calcium binding protein A16 (S100A16) are associated with increase and decrease in the risk of HER-positive breast cancer, respectively. Circulating PDE5A is associated with increased risk of CRC, while circulating MIA is associated with decreased risk of NSCLC. These findings suggest that four proteins may serve as biomarkers for cancer prevention and as potential drug targets that could be expected for approval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an aim to evaluate the culture potential of Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus grow-out farming trials were carried out under different salinity regimes and stocking densities across the coastal states of India (West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala). The growth performance and immunity status were assessed under two different stocking densities (low and high) at each salinity regime (S1: 3–7; S2: 8–15; S3:15–25; S4:25–35; and S5:40–60 ppt) for a period of 80–120 days. Significantly higher growth was observed in the salinity range of 15 to 35 ppt with average daily growth (ADG) up to 0.195 ± 0.032 compared to low ADG of 0.125 ± 0.021 in very low and very high salinity range (< 7 ppt and > 40 ppt). Similarly, the final mean harvest weight of P. indicus reared at 15–25 ppt salinity was significantly (p < 0.05) higher compared to other salinity ranges. The lower stocking density treatment ponds demonstrated higher mean harvest weight (18–30 g) with a production ranged from 2200.59 ± 331.09 kg/ha/crop to 3611.02 ± 218.23 kg/ha/crop compared to higher density ponds (12–20 g) which was ranged from 4338.67 ± 650.37 kg/ha/crop to 7817.31 ± 158.78 kg/ha/crop. The total productivity (kg/ha/crop) significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increase in stocking density by 20–30% while it was comparable between salinity ranges. The prophenoloxidase (PPO) activity gradually increased or decreased correspondingly to the salinity level with significantly lower PPO activity being observed at very low (5 ppt) and very high (60 ppt) than other salinity ranges. The serum protein and lysozyme also varied with the salinity range. Different densities did not affect immune parameters much, although lower stocking density was showing marginal increase. This study is based on large data from multi-location trials undertaken across different salinity ranges and stocking densities and provides a field-level assessment of growth potential of this native shrimp species in different geographic locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify increased or decreased levels of carboxymethyl lysine (CML)-modified proteins in the plasma of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and age-matched controls for the identification of possible plasma biomarkers of AMD and its progression. Plasma samples from patients with wet AMD with choroidal neovascularization (wAMD group) (n = 10), intermediate dry AMD (dAMD group) (n = 10), and age-matched controls (control group) (n = 10) were immunoprecipitated to select peptides with CML modification. LC-MS/MS was used to identify proteins in each group with CML modification. Among the identified CML enriched proteins, 6 commonly abundant proteins were identified in the plasma. There was no significant difference in amount of these proteins among the three groups, except CML-modified albumin, which was significantly decreased with progressed AMD ( P = 0.0015). Five proteins were identified in the control group only, and 10 other proteins were identified in the dAMD group, and 4 other proteins in the wAMD group. Proteins involved in inflammatory responses and immunologic response were found to contain CML in the less advanced dAMD group. In the more advanced wAMD group, intracellular proteins associated with transcription or molecular activation associated with angiogenesis or blood vessel formation were found to be altered with CML. Proteins involved in inflammatory and immunologic response were CML-modified in earlier dry AMD while proteins associated with angiogenesis and blood vessel formation were CML-modified in advanced wet AMD, suggesting the possible role of oxidative change of proteins with different functions as the pathophysiology of the development and progression of AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced sodium emulsified lamb sausages produced using addition of lamb plasma protein were evaluated for gel properties, sensory attributes, and microstructures. Hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, redness, yellowness, juiciness, and overall acceptability values of the emulsified lamb sausages containing 1.5% sodium chloride and more than 3% lamb plasma protein were significantly ( p<0.05) higher than values for sausages with 3.5% sodium chloride and no plasma protein. Sensory attributes indicated that lamb sausages with addition of 4% plasma protein and 1.5% sodium chloride had the greatest overall acceptability. Matrix morphological characteristics of sausages were affected by addition of plasma protein and sodium chloride. Lamb plasma protein enhanced the gel properties of emulsified lamb sausages and improved the sensory quality, providing a method to reduce the sodium chloride content of emulsified sausage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the interspecies variation of susceptibility to microcystins (MCs), fresh plasma and purified albumin from six kinds of mammals and fish were used in toxins-substances binding test. Protein contents in the test plasma were analyzed and the binding characteristics to MCs were compared. Two kinds of widely observed MCs, microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and microcystin-RR (MC-RR) were tested and data were collected through the method of equilibrium dialysis. It was found that total plasma protein and albumin content in mammals were nearly two times and four times higher than that in fish, respectively. In the test range of 0-100 μg/mL, binding rates of fish plasma to MCs were considered significant lower ( p < 0.01) than that of mammals. And human plasma demonstrated the highest binding rate in mammals. In all the test species, plasma protein binding rates of MC-RR were significantly higher than MC-LR ( p < 0.01). Besides, binding profiles of albumin were acquired under the protein content of 0.67 mg/mL. Human serum albumin demonstrated the highest affinity to MCs throughout the six species and differences among the other five species were considered not significant ( p > 0.05). From the view of protein binding, it is concluded that both the variation of plasma protein composition and albumin binding characteristic could influence the existing form of MCs in circulation, change MCs utilization, alter MCs half-life and further contribute to the difference of susceptibility between mammals and fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sublethal toxic potential of an organophosphorus pesticide, methyl parathion (MP), in altering certain haematological (Hb, Hct, RBC, WBC, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)) and biochemical (plasma protein and plasma glucose) parameters in an Indian major carp Catla catla was investigated under static conditions. The LC (96 h) of MP was found to be 0.09 ppm. Fish were exposed to sublethal concentration of MP (0.009 ppm) for a period of 35 days, and the alterations in haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed. A significant decrease was observed in values of haematological parameters like Hb, Hct, RBC and plasma protein throughout the exposure period. However, leucocyte count was gradually increased up to the 21st day and then recovered suddenly showing a significant decrease at the end of the 35th day. MCV and MCH indices showed a significant increase during the study period, whereas MCHC value was more or less similar to control group up to the 21st day, and then a significant decrease was observed in the remaining study period. Plasma glucose values increased up to the 28th day (13.37%) and then declined. The observations presented led us to conclude that the administration of sublethal MP has significant toxic effect on fishes. These parameters could be effectively used as potential biomarkers of interest for MP toxicity to the freshwater fish in the field of environmental biomonitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the effect of feeding probiotic diets on blood profiles in rainbow trout. Two experiments were performed: in the first, fish of average weight 75 g were offered either a commercial feed or the same incorporated with 10 CFU g of lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus for 30 days; in the second study performed for a similar duration, fish of average weight 126 g were offered formulated diets that either contained the same bacteria in heat-killed or freeze-dried form (nearly 10 CFU g), or the basal diet without the bacteria. Blood samples were collected at different times after commencement of probiotic feeding to determine the total cholesterol, triglyceride contents, the plasma alkaline phosphatase activity, plasma protein and hematocrit value. The plasma cholesterol significantly increased upon probiotic feeding in the first experiment. A significant elevation ( P < 0.05) of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride and alkaline phosphatase activity level was found in the freeze-dried probiotic fed groups at 20 and 30 days postfeeding. This was concomitant with the increased plasma protein and hematocrit values in FD group at 20 and 30 days. Likewise, the heat-killed probiotic fed group registered significantly high values of triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase activity, and plasma protein compared to the control diet fed groups after 20 days of feeding. Thus, alterations in the blood profiles could serve as supplementary information when examining the benefits of probiotics for fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma is recognized as a promising source of disease-related biomarkers, and proteomic approaches for identifying novel plasma biomarkers are in great demand. However, the complexity and dynamic protein concentration range of plasma remain the main obstacles for current research in this field. In this study, plasma proteins were prefractioned by immunodepletion and Protein Equalizer Technology to remove high abundant proteins, then labeled with an 8-plex isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) to improve the peptide ionization, and analyzed by strong-cation-exchange(SCX) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Our results showed that both prefraction methods were complementary, with regard to the number of identified proteins. Good chromatographic technique is important to further fractionate the iTRAQ labeling peptides, which allowed 320 and 248 different proteins to be characterized from two prefraction methods, respectively, encompassing a wide array of biological functions and a broad dynamic range of 10. Furthermore, the accuracy of iTRAQ relative quantitation for differentially expressed proteins is associated with the number of peptides hits per protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates are used in the treatment of patients with Hemophilia A. Human FVIII was purified directly from plasma using anion exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration. Three Q-Sepharose resins were tested, resulting in 40% recovery of FVIII activity using Q-Sepharose XL resin, about 80% using Q-Sepharose Fast Flow and 70% using the Q-Sepharose Big Beads. The vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors co-eluted with FVIII from the anion exchange columns. In the second step of purification, when Sepharose 6FF was used, 70% of FVIII activity was recovered free from vitamin K-dependent factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperatures, and the voluntary fasting that they induce, have been implicated in outbreaks of winter syndrome in farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Two experiments were performed with the objective of studying if a decrease in water temperature is sufficient to induce this disease or some of its associated signs. In the first experiment, water temperature was either acutely or gradually reduced to 8 °C. In the second experiment, fish were exposed to either 8 °C or 12 °C, or fasted at 14 °C.Although no mortalities due to winter syndrome were registered during any of the experiments, some of the signs described in affected sea bream were observed in 8 °C-exposed fish. Among the most relevant were the paleness and friability of the liver and the occurrence of fatty degeneration in the hepatocytes.During the experiments, the general state of health of fish was monitored by measuring hematic parameters and the plasma concentration of proteins, glucose and ions. Low temperatures (8 and 12 °C) and fasting at 14 °C resulted in significant decreases in the levels of the different plasma protein fractions. This drop was more important in all the 8 °C-exposed fish, due mainly to a higher descent of albumin, a1-globulins and fibrinogen. Moreover, 8 °C-exposed fish showed a fall in total white blood cells and a rise of plasma glycemia, as well as a significant drop of plasma potassium and calcium levels and a transient increase of plasma magnesium concentration. In 8 °C-exposed fish, the rate of water temperature descent did not modify the profiles of change of any of the studied parameters. These results indicate that at 8 °C gilthead sea bream are unable to maintain the levels of plasma protein fractions and ions present in control animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven native sheep, 1–2 years old, of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups, 6 sheep being allocated to the experimental group and 5 serving as controls. The sheep in the experimental group were fed 80% Tribulus terrestris and 20% alfalfa hay and wheat straw, while the control sheep were given a mixture of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% wheat straw. Clinical signs of hepatogenous photosensitivity were observed from day 11, including reddening and crust formation on the muzzle, nose, ears and eyelids, depression, weight loss, icterus, conjunctivitis, and yellow discoloration of the urine. Laboratory findings on weekly samples indicated significant differences ( p<0.05) in white blood cell count, total plasma protein and fibrinogen, total and direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, and aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. There were no significant differences in the packed cell volume, in the neutrophil, lymphocyte or eosinophil counts, or in the serum calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium or chloride concentrations. At necropsy of the experimental animals, there were various degrees of generalized icterus and the livers were swollen and discolored by bile pigment. Histopathological examination revealed varying amounts of crystalloid material in the bile ducts and renal tubules, hepatocellular degeneration, biliary fibrosis and proliferation, renal tubular necrosis and focal necrosis of cardiac muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This investigation was undertaken to study the relationship between plasma drug clearance and covalent protein-binding kinetics of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Methods. NAC was intravenously administered to rats via a bolus injection or continuous infusion. Plasma concentrations of protein-unbound and total NAC were analyzed using a compartment model, taking into consideration of the protein binding process, and the apparent first-order binding and dissociation rate constants (kon and koff) were obtained. Results. Plasma total NAC after a bolus injection showed biphasic elimination with an inflection point at 1 hr. After 1 hr, NAC was largely present in the covalent protein-bound form. During the steady state of the infusion, approximately 30%-40% of plasma NAC bound with protein covalently. The kon, koff, and the elimination rate constant of protein-unbound drug (ke) were 0.23, 0.57, and 4.3 hr-1. The dissociation half-life of NAC from protein estimated from koff was in agreement with the elimination half-life of plasma total NAC. This suggests that the dissociation of NAC from protein rate-limited the drug elimination in plasma (koff < ke). Conclusion. We demonstrated that plasma total drug clearance is kinetically limited by covalent protein binding. The compartmental model described here is useful for analyzing its kinetics in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blood profiles of the Nigerian White Fulani and N'dama breeds of cattle were compared. The White Fulani cattle had a significantly higher haemoglobin concentration ( p<0.001), mean corpuscular haemoglobin ( p<0.05), plasma sodium ( p<0.02), total protein ( p<0.01), albumin ( p<0.01) and globulin ( p<0.02), but lower neutrophil counts ( p<0.01) and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes than the N'dama cattle. The plasma potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, albumin/globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume, and the erythrocyte, leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil and monocyte counts were similar in the two breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma protein concentrate (PPC) was added as a gelation aid material to horse mackerel surimi, and changes in the physical properties of surimi during heating and reheating in a soy sauce-based liquid seasoning; this is, stewing, were investigated. The rigidity of 2% PPC gel was lower than 2 kPa, and yet the addition of PPC increased the surimi rigidity markedly. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the existence of PPC promoted protein molecular aggregation. During the stewing process, the decrease in water content and water activity of kamaboko sections with PPC added was slower than that of kamaboko without PPC. The gradually hardened matrix resulted in a higher cutting force, cohesiveness (chewiness) and reduced deformation in stewed products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggregation capacity of human erythrocytes lies between that of the non-aggregating bovine erythrocytes and the remarkably aggregating equine ones. As the ability to aggregate is attributed to cell factors and the composition of the plasma proteins, the role that plasma proteins play in the aggregation process in these three species was studied. Washed erythrocytes were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 7.4, 300 mOsm/L) plus polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in a suitable concentration to obtain an average intensity of aggregation (control media). The superimposed effect of replacing 80% of the medium by either autologous plasma, serum or albumin solution was studied. The plasma proteins appeared to enhance aggregation by human and equine erythrocytes, but impaired this process in bovine erythrocytes. Some evidence was obtained supporting the existence of serum factors capable of reducing aggregation of erythrocytes in cattle and it was concluded that the non-aggregating behaviour of bovine erythrocytes may be due to the cells interacting particularly with the macromolecules in the serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Four kinds of non-muscle proteins, including liquid egg white, plasma protein concentrate, wheat gluten and whey protein concentrate were added as gelation aid materials to horse mackerel surimi. Decrease in on-set temperature of first heat gelation and resolution degree were observed in the surimi containing these non-muscle proteins. Addition of plasma protein clearly increased the surimi rigidity, reflecting its excellent thermogelation ability. Addition of the proteins also enhanced the gel strength and cooking tolerance of heated surimi products (kamaboko). Plasma protein effectively increased the gel strength of kamaboko, giving a firm and elastic gel, which still had high gel strength in cooking under 70°C. Addition of the proteins also inhibited the browning of kamaboko during cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic polymorphism of an unidentified plasma protein (PX) is described for the first time in Salmo trutta (L.) by means of isoelectric focusing. The analysis of 414 individuals from different geographic origins in Portugal allowed the identification of nine alleles. Heterozygosity in natural populations is generally above 0.60, thus giving similar values to those reported for brown trout microsatellite loci. Substructuring of Portuguese brown trout is evident between northern and southern basins. Genetic affinities between the southernmost rivers and the hatchery stock were detected, suggesting the existence of recent stocking influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facilitated transport is characteristic of most living systems, and usually involves a series of consecutive adjacent transfer regions, each having different transport properties. As a first step in the analysis of the multiregional problem, we consider in a single unstirred layer the facilitated diffusion of fatty acid ( F) in albumin ( A) solution under conditions of slow versus rapid association–dissociation, accounting for differing diffusivities of the albumin-fatty acid complex ( AF). Diffusion gradients become established in an unstirred layer between a source of constant concentration of A, AF, and F in equilibrium, and a membrane permeable to F. The posited system does not reduce to a thin- or thick-layer approximation. The transient state is prolonged by slower on/off binding rates and by increasing the thickness of the unstirred layer. Solutions to transient and steady state depend upon the choice of boundary conditions, especially for thin regions. When there are two regions (each with its specific binding protein) separated by a permeable membrane, the steady-state fluxes and concentration profiles depend on the rates of association and dissociation reactions, on the diffusion coefficients, local consumption rates, and on the membrane permeability. Sensitivity analysis reveals the relative importance of these mechanisms. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC00: 8717Aa, 8715Kg [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug binding in the interstitial fluid as well as in the plasma must be taken into account when considering the pharmacokinetics of drugs which are highly bound to plasma proteins and have a relatively small apparent volume of distribution (V). The half-life and apparent volume of distribution of such a drug can be affected significantly by changes in the extent of binding of the drug in both the plasma and the interstitial fluid. An alteration in the fraction of drug in the tissues which is unbound will primarily affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs which have a relatively large apparent volume of distribution. The effect of changes in the plasma free fraction of drug (f) on tissue binding can be deduced from a plot of f versus V, but not from a plot of f versus β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacokinetics of prednisolone elimination have been studied in both arthritic patients and normal volunteers using tritiated prednisolone alone, and in conjunction with unlabelled prednisolone in doses of 0.15 mg·kg and 0.3 mg·kg body weight. With increasing dose there is prolongation of the plasma half-life and increase in the volume of distribution and plasma clearance of prednisolone. It is proposed that these changes in pharmacokinetic parameters may be associated with non-linear binding of the steroid to plasma proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen human proteins were found in plasma and cystic fluid of mice bearing human testicular yolk sac tumor. Six of them, α-fetoprotein, prealbumin, albumin, α1anti-trypsin, hemopexin and transfernn, had been previously demonstrated to be produced by yolk sac tumors. The syntheses of the remaining seven, namely apolipoprotein A1 retinol-binding protein, α2 HS-glycoprotein, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein B, C5 component and anti-hemophilic factor, have been demonstrated for the first time. Copyright © 1991 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preliminary light microscopic and biochemical study of the haemolymph of Oxya hyla hyla records the presence of five different types of haemocytes and gives a quantiative estimation of plasma proteins along with their gel electrophoretic band patterns. The higher number of total haemocyte count in adult female compared to that of immature one may be attributed to some kind of synthesis and transport of proteins or other yolk materials during vitellogenesis. High plasma protein concentration during monsoon may be associated with the reproductive maturity of these insects. The gel electrophoretic pattern of plasma proteins reveals the constant presence of two particular bands suggesting the occurrence of lipoprotein and juvenile hormone carrier protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the temperature-dependence of red cell aggregation 20 blood samples of normal donors and 20 blood samples of patients with venous ulcers of the leg were examined by photometric aggregometry at 3° C, 10° C, 20° C, 30° C and 37° C. With decreasing temperature red cell aggregates become more resistant to hydrodynamic dispersion and they become more prone to growing under low shear stress. It is concluded that a decrease in temperature causes an increase in adsorptive energy of red cell aggregation, which is most likely due to an increase in molecular adsorption stress. Red cell aggregate formation as an overall process is retarded by a decrease in temperature, which is primarily due to an increase in plasma viscosity causing increased damping of aggregate formation. Accordingly the rate constant of aggregate formation corrected for plasma viscosity increases with decreasing temperature. The temperature-dependence of the kinetic parameters can be explained by a theoretical model that suggests the increase in contact area between aggregating red blood cells as the rate-limiting step of red cell aggregation. As a whole red cell aggregation is favoured by lowering of temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitronectin is a major cell-adhesive protein in animal sera for tissue culture. This report describes an easy, inexpensive, and rapid method to purify vitronectins from a variety of animal sera and plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma αHS-glycoprotein is specifically accumulated in calcified tissues. In the present studies this glycoprotein was isolated from plasma and after iodination with iodine-125 was injected intravenously into young rabbits. The tissue distribution and plasma disappearance rate of this radioactively labeled material were determined. Of the various tissues studied, bone showed the greatest retention of labeled glycoprotein expressed as percentage of the injected dose per gram tissue relative to the plasma content. The rate of loss of iodinated αHS-glycoprotein from plasma was similar to that of αHS-glycoprotein labeled endogenously by usingC-glucosamine orH-glucosamine. The uptake of exogenously labeledI- αHS-glycoprotein into bone tissue expressed as a percentage of the injected dose was similar to that of endogenously labeledC- αHS-glycoprotein. These results suggest that theI-labeled material can be used to study further the metabolism of αHS-glycoprotein by bone tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of the Wap65 mRNA was compared between hepatopancreas, intestine, ovary, heart, gill, eye, skin, hemocytes, muscle, and brain from 30 °C-acclimated goldfish (Carassius auratus) by reverse transcription PCR, demonstrating the highest levels of expression of the gene in the hepatopancreas. Other tissues expressing the gene were ovary, gill, eye, and muscle, whereas Wap65 mRNA could not be detected in intestine, heart, skin, and brain. In Northern blot analysis, levels of Wap65 mRNA in the hepatopancreas increased after raising water temperature from 10 to 30 °C. The transcript levels reached a maximum of 40-fold on day 3 following temperature shift. On day 21 after raising water temperature, levels were 10-fold compared with those of the 10 °C-acclimated fish. Subsequently, in order to elucidate the transcriptional mechanisms of Wap65, a part of the Wap65 gene was cloned from a genomic library. The 5′-flanking region and introns of this gene contained enhancer motifs including cytokine responsive elements previously identified in mammals. The suggesting that some of these motifs are involved in the transcriptional regulation of Wap65, was tested by administering of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the 10 °C-acclimated goldfish. This resulted in the accumulation of Wap65 mRNA in the hepatopancreas, suggesting the involvement of immune associated factors in the regulation of transcription of Wap65. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histological changes of liver biopsy specimens were compared with functioning liver cell mass estimated by an index, ICG capacity, and with plasma levels of various proteins, in 85 patients with liver diseases. ICG capacity was inversely proportional to the degrees of liver cell degeneration and lymphocyte infiltration in the portal tracts and parenchyma, in contrast to plasma disappearance rate of ICG (K), which was inversely proportional to the degrees of portal tract fibrosis and bridge formation. Among the plasma proteins synthesized in the liver, the plasma levels of prealbumin, and α-acid glycoprotein showed the tendencies to decrease with the increase in the degrees of liver cell degeneration. The levels of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, βA/C and transferrin were proportional to the degree of the degeneration. Plasma albumin had no correlation to any histological change. The plasma levels of γ-globulin and IgG were both proportional to the degrees of portal tract fibrosis and bridge formation. IgM also paralleled to the degree of the fibrosis. The level of IgA was inversely proportional to the degree of liver cell swelling. The levels of γ-globulin and IgM were inversely proportional to the degree of fatty infiltration. It was concluded that quantitative estimations of some histological changes in the liver are valuable for the estimations of liver function and the grade of the diseases of the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of experiments were performed in an effort to demonstrate a role for plasma proteins in determining the amount of ivermectin available for transport across the blood-brain barrier of collie dogs sensitive to the effects of the compound. The solubility of ivermectin in plasma from non-sensitive and sensitive collies was measured and found to be identical at 100 μg/ml. An assay for measuring the low affinity binding interaction of ivermectin with plasma components was developed. The amount of ivermectin bound per unit of plasma was the same for samples from sensitive and non-sensitive dogs. Dog serum albumin and the high density lipoprotein portion of the plasma were both capable of binding ivermectin. No differences in the binding characteristics of ivermectin in plasma from ivermectin sensitive and non-sensitive collies were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of an ethanolic extract of the plant Trianthema portulacastrum L. on the CCI4-induced chronic hepatocellular damage of Swiss albino mice has been investigated. The normal mice received olive oil (0.2 ml/mouse) for five weeks. The CCI4 control mice, on the other hand, received CCI4 (0.05 ml/mouse) in olive oil for five weeks. The extract was administered at the dose of 100 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg for five weeks by gastric intubation in addition to CCI4 treatment. The CCI4 administraction alone caused hepatocellular necrosis, severe anemia, leucopaenia, lymphocytopaenia, neutrophilia, eosinophilia and haemoglobinaemia along with the alterations of plasma albumin and globulin. The administration of plant extract (at 100 or 150 mg/kg) restored the CCI4-induced alterations of the haematological parameters to the normal level. The extract of T. portulacastrum elicited a marked protection against CCI4-induced hepatotoxicity as indicated by the several haematological parameters, related indices of formed elements, and different fractions of plasma protein. We also observed the dose-dependent antihepatotoxic effect of the extraction on these mice. The 150 mg/kg of extract was found to be more effective in normalizing the toxic effects of CCI4 on the above parameters of mice. These results suggest that the hepatoprotective effect of T. portulacastrum could be caused by its critical involvement in modulating several factors associated with erythropoiesis, and the boosting of general immunity of the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The different proteins reached adult levels at different times during childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of hand-held refractometer in determining plasma protein concentrations in South American snake-necked turtle ( Hydromedusa tectifera) as compared with the standard biuret method. The results indicated that plasma protein values may be accurately determined in snake-necked turtle with a hand-held refractometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extractability ofI-labelled plasma albumin from bone pieces and from powdered bone has been compared after both in vivo and in vitro incorporation. The results show that albumin is more readily extracted from bone pieces than from bone powder which implies that tissue disruption exposes additional protein adsorption sites. It is suggested that incorporation of plasma albumin into calcified matrix during bone formation occurs mainly as a result of its strong interaction with bone mineral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]