Effect of dexamethasone on expression of AGR2 protein in asthmatic mice / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the expression of the anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) protein and Muc5ac protein in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice and the effect of dexamethasone, with an attempt to explore the role of AGR2 in the over-secretion of mucus in the airway. Eighteen BALB/c mice were divided into asthma group, control group and dexamethasone group. In dexamethasone group, dexamethasone was intraperitoneally administered. Expression of AGR2 protein and Muc5ac protein in the murine lung tissues was immunohistochemically detected. IL-13 level was determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by ELISA. The results exhibited that the expression of AGR2 protein in asthma group (0.522±0.041) was significantly higher than that in normal controls (0.361±0.047) (P<0.01) and bore a positive linear relationship to the expression of Muc5ac protein (r=0.873, P<0.05) and IL-13 level (r=0.828, P<0.05). Expression of AGR2 protein in the dexamethasone group (0.456±0.049) was significantly lower than that in the asthma group. It was concluded that: (1) the expression of AGR2 protein was significantly higher in asthmatic mice as compared with their normal counterparts; (2) the expression was obviously related to the expression of Muc5ac protein and IL-13; (3) dexamethasone could down-regulate the expression of AGR2 protein. Our findings suggested that AGR2 might be involved in the over-secretion of mucus in the airway in asthma.

Expression and lytic efficacy assessment of the Staphylococcus aureus phage SA4 lysin gene

Treatment of bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus (S.) aureus is becoming very difficult due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Hence, the search for novel therapeutic alternatives has become of great importance. Consequently, bacteriophages and their endolysins have been identified as potential therapeutic alternatives to antibiotic therapy against S. aureus. In the present study, the gene encoding lysin (LysSA4) in S. aureus phage SA4 was cloned and the nucleotide sequence was determined. Sequence analysis of the recombinant clone revealed a single 802-bp open reading frame encoding a partial protein with a calculated mass of 30 kDa. Results of this analysis also indicated that the LysSA4 sequence shared a high homology with endolysin of the GH15 phage and other reported phages. The LysSA4 gene of the SA4 phage was subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant LysSA4 induced the lysis of host bacteria in a spot inoculation test, indicating that the protein was expressed and functionally active. Furthermore, recombinant lysin was found to have lytic activity, albeit a low level, against mastitogenic Staphylococcus isolates of bovine origin. Data from the current study can be used to develop therapeutic tools for treating diseases caused by drug-resistant S. aureus strains.

Effect of bacteriophage lysin on lysogens

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of phage lysin on the growth of lysogens.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sputum specimens processed by modified Petroff's method were respectively treated with phagebiotics in combination with lysin and lysin alone. The specimens were incubated at 37 °C for 4 days. At the end of day 1, 2, 3 and day 4, the specimens were streaked on blood agar plates and incubated at 37 °C for 18-24 hours. The growth of normal flora observed after day 1 was considered as lysogens.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sputum specimens treated with phagebiotics-lysin showed the growth of lysogens. When specimens treated with lysin alone, lysogen formation was avoided and normal flora was controlled.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lysin may have no effect on the growth of lysogens.</p>

Urinary tract infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a minireview

Urinary tract infections [UTIs] are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year. Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Catheterization of the urinary tract is the most common factor, which predisposes the host to these infections. Catheter-associated UTI [CAUTI] is responsible for 40% of nosocomial infections, making it the most common cause of nosocomial infection. CAUTI accounts for more than 1 million cases in hospitals and nursing homes annually and often involve uropathogens other than Escherichia coli. While the epidemiology and pathogenic mechanisms of uropathogenic Escherichia coli have been extensively studied, little is known about the pathogenesis of UTIs caused by other organisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Scanty available information regarding pathogenesis of UTIs caused by P. aeruginosa is an important bottleneck in developing effective preventive approaches. The aim of this review is to summarize some of the advances made in the field of P. aeruginosa induced UTIs and draws attention of the workers that more basic research at the level of pathogenesis is needed so that novel strategies can be designed

Serum and tissue mucoproteins and sialic acid in thyroid diseases

To find the correlation coefficient of serum mucoproteins and sialic acid to thyroid tissue in thyroid diseases. The study was carried out at J.P.M.C, Karachi. A total of twenty four thyroid patients and twenty normal subjects were studied. The cases were divided into non toxic goiter fourteen, and toxic goiter ten on the basis of clinical and physical examination, thyroid scanning and hormone analysis. Thyroid hormones were estimated in serum. Mucoproteins and sialic acid were estimated in serum as well as in thyroid tissue. Estimations of thyroid hormones and thyroxine binding globulin [T.B.G.] are useful clinically to evaluate the functions status and diagnosis of different thyroid disorders. Thyroid tissue is mainly composed of glycoprotein, thyroglobulin, and different studies showed that serum glycoprotein fractions varied in different thyroid diseases. Significantly increased levels of T[4] were observed in toxic goiter group. The levels of TBG was significantly increased in non toxic goiter, toxic goiter patients while T[4]/TBG ratio was significantly decreased in non toxic goiter. Coefficient correlation [r] of serum to tissue mucoproteins shows an inverse relationship in non toxic goiter and toxic goiter patients. In non toxic goiter and toxic goiter patients the serum sialic acid levels to tissue sialic acid levels also shows an inverse relationship. Correlation coefficient analysis showed an inverse relationship of serum mucoproteins and sialic acid to thyroid tissue. It signifies that carbohydrate moieties are increased in the blood when the tissue are hyperactive and in the pathological state. It further concludes that thyrotoxic state might be converted into nodular form even into cancerous form later on

Role of cholesterol phospholipid cholic acid and mucoprotein in the crystallization of gallbladder stone / 生物医学工程学杂志

Normal feed and stone-leading feed were used respectively to raise guinea pigs in the control group and stone-causing group. The dynamic changes of total cholesterol, mucoprotein, total phospholipid and total cholic acid were measured during various raising periods. The formation of crystal nucleus and the growth of gallstone were studied under polarzing microscope. It was found that the contents of total cholesterol, mucoprotein, total phospholipid and total cholic acid in the gallbladder bile of control group were nearly the same during the whole feeding process, and no shaped stone crystal was formed. In the stone-causing group, however, the contents of total cholesterol and mucoprotein gradually went up and the contents of total phospholipid and total cholic acid gradually went down. After 10 days' feeding, significant difference was seen,and after 25 days' feeding, highly significant difference was noted. With the increase of feeding days, the liquid crystal vesicles in the bile increased, became bigger, gathered in strings, and then formed liquid crystal cells. The stone crystal growth along these nuclei of bile liquid crystal cells spread out rapidly, and the micro-crystal grains formed further in number. It was shown that, during the process of gallbladder stone formation, bile liquid crystal cells form a basic kind of nucleus, and the gathering and merging of bile liquid crystal vesicles be the key to crystal growth. So cholesterol and mucoprotein play the role of nucleation-leading factors in enhancing the gathering and merging of liquid crystal vesicles, and phospholipid and cholate play the role of anti-nucleation during the formation of gallbladder stone.

Expression of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 during small bowel graft rejection in rat / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1(MAdCAM-1) during small bowel graft rejection and the effects of MAdCAM-1 on the development of acute rejection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat heterotopic small bowel transplantation (SBT) was performed in F344/N rats with syngeneic and allogeneic (BN-F344/N) grafts. Bowel and gut-associated lymphoid tissue(GALT) samples were collected from small bowel transplants on postoperative day(POD) 1, 3, 5 and 7. Histopathology assessment of the grafts was conducted to identify the rejection. MAdCAM-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During acute rejection, MAdCAM-1 was highly-expressed on gut lamina propia and GALTs, particularly on vascular endothelial cells in the gut lamina propia. There were no change of MAdCAM-1 expression in syngeneic grafts from POD1 to POD7. In allogeneic grafts, MAdCAM-1 expression in mesenteric lymph nodes was down-regulated, while up-regulated on the vascular endothelial cells in the lamina propria during acute rejection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Alteration of MAdCAM-1 expression may be associated with the development of SBT graft rejection.</p>

Effect of an isotonic rehydration sports drink and exercise on urolithiasis in rats

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of physical exercise as well as the influence of hydration with an isotonic sports drink on renal function in male Wistar rats. Four groups were studied over a period of 42 days: 1) control (N = 9); 2) physical exercise (Exe, N = 7); 3) isotonic drink (Drink, N = 8); 4) physical exercise + isotonic drink (Exe + Drink, N = 8). Physical exercise consisted of running on a motor-driven treadmill for 1 h/day, at 20 m/min, 5 days a week. The isotonic sports drink was a commercial solution used by athletes for rehydration after physical activity, 2 ml administered by gavage twice a day. Urine cultures were performed in all animals. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected in metabolic cages at the beginning and at the end of the protocol period. Urinary and plasma parameters (sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, calcium) did not differ among groups. However, an amorphous material was observed in the bladders of animals in the Exe + Drink and Drink groups. Characterization of the material by Western blot revealed the presence of Tamm-Horsfall protein and angiotensin converting enzyme. Physical exercise and the isotonic drink did not change the plasma or urinary parameters measured. However, the isotonic drink induced the formation of intravesical matrix, suggesting a potential lithogenic risk.

Valor dos exames laboratoriais no diagnóstico e no seguimento de pacientes com febre reumática / Laboratory in rheumatic fever

Embora não haja provas laboratoriais patognomônicas para o diagnóstico de certeza da febre reumática, existem alguns achados de laboratório e algumas considerações que nos auxiliam tanto na conclusão de uma hipótese clínica como no acompanhamento e nos critérios de cura da doença. Por isso é sempre bom lembrar que o diagnóstico dessa doença se faz com um conjunto de dados clínicos como história e exame clínico, bem como de resultados de provas laboratoriais. Existem dois tipos de exames laboratoriais que são úteis no diagnóstico e na avaliação da evolução, assim como na cura: os que pesquisam processos imunogenéticos (celulares, mole culares e humorais) importantes para determinar a gênese da afecção, e os que reconhecem a existência de um processo inflamatório agudo, que seriam as chamadas reações da "fase aguda do soro". Dentre estas últimas encontram-se as muco proteínas e a fração alfa-2-globulina, que se comportam como provas seguras e sensíveis, devendo-se somente à normalização das mesmas o desaparecimento do processo inflamatório agudo.

Bronchospasm Caused by N-Acetylcysteine Intratracheal Instillation in a Patient with Bronchial Asthma: A Case Report / 대한마취과학회지

We report of a successfully treated case of fatal bronchospasm, which developed after N-acetylcysteine bolus intratracheal instillation in a 49-year-old female patient with bronchial asthma undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. N-acetylcysteine has been widely used as a potent mucolytic agent since 1963, with few reported adverse reactions. Its mucolytic action is due to the breakage of disulfide bonds in mucus mucoproteins. Most adverse reactions to N-acetylcysteine are usually mild and respond to the termination of the medication and symptomatic treatment with antihistamine. However, several cases of fatal bronchospasm have been reported in asthmatic patients after inhaled or intravenous N-acetylcysteine. N-acetylcysteine induced bronchospasm could be avoided in most asthmatic patients if its concentration is not allowed to exceed 10%, and concomitant beta2-selective bronchodilators are utilized. Nevertheless, asthma is still a potent risk factor and requires special precautions, including careful risk-versus-benefit assessment, close observation and the immediate availability of resuscitation equipment and staff in the event of life-threatening bronchospasm.

Mucoproteína versus alfa-1-glicoproteína ácida: o que quantificar? / Mucoprotein versus alpha-1-acid glycoprotein: what should be measured?

A quantificaçäo sérica da alfað1ðglicoproteína (GPA) ácida é útil no diagnóstico e no acompanhamento dos processos agudos resultantes de múltiplas causas. Esta proteína também pode ser estimada pela quantificaçäo da mucoproteína (Muco), ensaio que reflete as glicoproteínas com elevado teor de açúcar, entre as quais a GPA é majoritária. O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar a correlaçäo e a performance analítica das determinações de mucoproteína (Muco) e alfað1ðglicoproteína ácida (GPA), propondo uma equaçäo de regressäo linear. Amostras de soros e 540 pacientes, com idades entre 10 e 79 anos (média de 34,6), predominando mulheres (71,3 por cento), foram analisadas simultaneamente para Muco (Winzler, manual com reagentes próprios) e GPA (imunoturbidimetria automatizada, Roche; Cobas mira). A análise de regressäo, fixando a Muco como variável dependente, apresentou Muco (mg/dl em tirosina) = 0,031 x GPA (mg/dl) + 0,8 (r = 0,91); e, fixando o intercepto em zero, Muco = 0,039 x GPA (r = 0,98). A imprecisäo interensaio foi de 23,4 por cento e 5,2 por cento (coeficiente de variaçäo), respectivamente, para Muco e GPA. Conclusäo: a elevada variabilidade analítica da quantificaçäo da mucoproteína pelo método de Winzler recomenda que este ensaio seja substituído pela dosagem da alfað1ðglicoproteína ácida. Quanto necessário, recomendamos estimar a mucoproteína, quantificando a alfað1ðglicoproteína ácida com ensaios de mesmo desempenho que o do utilizado neste trabalho, e usar a equaçäo de regressäo AGP (mg/dl) x 0,039 = Muco (mg/dl em tirosina)

Niveles séricos de mucoproteínas y de proteínas combinadas con hexosas o con ácido siálico en escolares enfermos residentes en la ciudad de Mérida (Venezuela) / Mucoproteins serum levels and combination proteins with hexoses or with sialic acid the sick student resinding at the Mérida city (Venezuela)

En el presente trabajo se cuantificó el contenido sérico de las mucoproteínas y de las proteínas combinadas con hexosas (PBH) o con ácido siálico (PAS) en 440 escolares portadores de diversas patologías (GRUPO DE CASOS) y se comparó con los hallazgos obtenidos en 160 escolares sanos con características similares a los casos (GRUPO TESTIGO). Los valores de mucoproteínas, PBH y PAS en los escolares sanos fueron 15ñ9, 112ñ20 y 66ñ12 mg/dL, respectivamente, los cuales se utilizaron para comparar con los casos. En los escolares enfermos no tratados los niveles de estas seroglicoproteínas difieren significativamente (p<0.05), dependiendo de la patología en estudio, al comparar con los valores normales y de los escolares tratados. En las piodermitis y en las parasitosis se encuentran valores de PBH inferiores al rango normal, igual fenómeno se detectó con las mucoproteínas en las hepatitis virales e infecciones agudas. Cuando los tratamientos son adecuados, los valores alterados de las glicoproteínas rápidamente retornan a la normalidad. Se concluye que la determinación de estas seroglicoproteínas puede ser un auxiliar útil para evaluar la respuesta de los pacientes al tratamiento (s) y en casos de diagnóstico difícil, tal como sucede en los escolares ictéricos

O laboratório na fase aguda da febre reumática / Laboratory data in rheumatic fever

Os exames laboratoriais de fase aguda auxiliam no diagnóstico da febre reumática, contudo são a Anamnese e o Exame Clínico os fatores mais importantes na elaboração deste diagnóstico. A dosagem de anticorpos contra antígenos estreptococcus constitui evidência de estreptococcia prévia, enquanto as provas de atividade inflamatória denunciam atividade inflamatória inespecífica. Atividade essa que poderá "apontar" para Febre Reumática, se a Anamnese e o Exame Clínico sugerirem esse diagnóstico.

Acute-phase reactions, including cytokines, in patients bitten by Bothrops and Crotalus snakes in Brazil

Thirty-one patients bitten by venomous snakes in Botucatu area (State of Säo Paulo - Brazil), sixteen by Bothrops spp. and fifteen by Crotalus durissus terrificus, were studied. The group comprised twenty-nine males and two females, ranging from fourteen to sixty-three years of age (mean 33 ñ 15.Leukocytosis with neutrophilia and lymphopenia, increase of mucoproteins and C reactive protein, decrease of total serum protein and albumin, were observed on the first day after the accident. In addition, increased serum levels of the cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, but not of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, were observed. The alterations were generally more intense in patients bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus than by Bothrops spp. It is concluded that these snakebite envenomations closely resemble an acute trauma, inducing a typical acute-phase response.

Niveles séricos de mucoproteínas en escolares sanos residentes en la ciudad de Mérida: Venezuela / Mucoproteins serum levels in schools children from Mérida: Venezuela

El interés sobre las glicoproteínas séricas, incluyendo las mucoproteínas, se reflejan en la gran cantidad de publicaciones que existen sobre el tema. La mayoría de ellas se refiere a personas adultas no encontrándose ningún estudio completo sobre estos compuestos durante la niñez y la adolescencia. En la presente investigación se cuantificó el contenido sérico de las mucoproteínas en 320 escolares en buen estado de salud:160 niños y 160 niñas, entre 7 y 14 años de edad, procedentes de la ciudad de Mérida(Venezuela). Las mucoproteínas alcanzaron un promedio de 15ñ4mg/dl(rango=88-18), no demostrándose ninguna variación significativa en este valor en relación con la edad o con el sexo de los escolares sometidos al estudio

Evaluation of Ehrlich's test as screening test for cancer.

Ehrlich's test, serum mucoproproteins, phosphohexoisomerase (PHI), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were studied in patients with cancer and age matched controls. All parameters studied were found to be significantly increased in cancer. Evaluation of Ehrlich's test, PHI and LDH for their validity as screening tests revealed that Ehrlich's test is better suited as a screening test for cancer. A positive correlation observed in the study between serum mucoproteins and Ehrlich's test strengthens the postulation that mucoproteins are responsible for the colour development in Ehrlich's test.

Tratamento da paracoccidioidomicose: estudo retrospectivo de 500 casos; análise clínica laboratorial e epidemiológica / Treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis: retrospective study of 500 cases

Säo analisados retrospectivamente 500 protocolos clínicos de pacientes com paracoccidioidomicose do Hospital Evandro Chagas, Fundaçäo Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro observados no período de 1960 a 1986. A amostra estudada consta de 466 homens e 34 mulheres, com idades que variaram de quatro a 83 anos, tendo predominado a doença ema dultos masculinos, entre 30 e 60 anos, que exerciam ou exerceram atividades na lavoura. Os órgäos mais atingidos foram mucosa, pulmöes e linfonodos. Quanto à forma clínica, 465 casos do tipo adulto e 35 do juvenil, sendo neste tipo o sexo feminino proporcionalmente mais atingido

Mucoproteínas: novas contribuiçoes para um problema laboratorial / Mucoproteins: new assessments for a laboratorial problem

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a influência da concentraçäo do ácido perclórico e da temperatura de desproteinizaçäo, na determinaçäo das mucoproteínas séricas. Como o doseamento das mucoproteínas possui importância clínica no acompanhamento de doenças infecciosas e de vários distúrbios metabólicos, exige-se, desta forma, um controle minucioso de fatores externos que possam interferir na sua quantificaçäo.