Direct MALDI-MS analysis of the disulfide bonds in peptide using thiosalicylic acid as a reactive matrix.

The ability of a thiol-containing molecule, thiosalicylic acid (TSA), to function as a reactive matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry analysis of peptides has been investigated. Although TSA has reducing characteristics, the use of TSA did not cause a reduction-induced MALDI in-source decay, probably because of the weak interactions between the thiol group in TSA and the carboxyl oxygen in the peptide. In contrast, when peptides containing disulfide bonds were analyzed by MALDI with TSA as the matrix, the disulfide bond was partially cleaved owing to the reaction with TSA, producing TSA-adducted peptides. The reaction between the disulfide bond and TSA was suggested to be occurred in solution. The comparison of the MALDI mass spectra obtained using conventional matrix and TSA allows us to count the number of disulfide bonds in the peptides. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Diagnosis and treatment of bone metastasis: comprehensive guideline of the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology, Japanese Orthopedic Association, Japanese Urological Association, and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

Diagnosis and treatment of bone metastasis requires various types of measures, specialists and caregivers. To provide better diagnosis and treatment, a multidisciplinary team approach is required. The members of this multidisciplinary team include doctors of primary cancers, radiologists, pathologists, orthopaedists, radiotherapists, clinical oncologists, palliative caregivers, rehabilitation doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, medical social workers, etc. Medical evidence was extracted from published articles describing meta-analyses or randomised controlled trials concerning patients with bone metastases mainly from 2003 to 2013, and a guideline was developed according to the Medical Information Network Distribution Service Handbook for Clinical Practice Guideline Development 2014. Multidisciplinary team meetings are helpful in diagnosis and treatment. Clinical benefits such as physical or psychological palliation obtained using the multidisciplinary team approaches are apparent. We established a guideline describing each specialty field, to improve understanding of the different fields among the specialists, who can further provide appropriate treatment, and to improve patients' outcomes.

Effect of the mass of immunoglobulin (Ig)G intake and age at first colostrum feeding on serum IgG concentration in Holstein calves.

Forty-four Holstein calves (19 male and 25 female) were used in this study of the relationships among age at first colostrum feeding, IgG intake, and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption. Time of birth was recorded for each calf and the calves were fed colostrum ad libitum after birth at either 0930 or 1630 h. Blood samples were collected immediately before and 24h after colostrum feeding. Data from calves were then categorized into 4 groups representing time from birth to colostrum feeding: A=fed within 1h (n=5); B=fed from 1 to 6h (n=10); C=fed from 6 to 12 h (n=21); and D=fed from 12 to 18 h (n=8) after birth. Average total intake of colostrum was 3.6 ± 0.1L. Over 80% of the calves consumed ≥3 L of colostrum. Apparent efficiency of IgG absorption declined remarkably 12 h after birth. Mean apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG in group D (15.8 ± 3.0%) was lower than that in groups A (30.5 ± 3.9%) and B (27.4 ± 2.8%). Serum IgG concentration in calves was positively correlated with IgG intake in all groups. The relationship between mass of IgG consumed and calf serum IgG at 24 h was different for each time of colostrum feeding, with only limited differences observed between groups A and B. We concluded that failure of transfer of passive immunity in newborn calves may be avoided if calves consume ≥3 L of colostrum with IgG concentration >40 mg/mL within 6 h after birth. These findings help define the opportunity to minimize failure of transfer of passive immunity to newborn calves under management programs similar to those used on commercial dairy farms.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to determine which of the following three methods is the most effective for the treatment of bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE); combination of TAE and external radiotherapy; or external radiotherapy alone. Thirty-nine metastatic bone lesions from HCC in 33 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Each lesion underwent either TAE alone (group A, n = 11), TAE followed by radiotherapy (group B, n = 17), or radiotherapy alone (group C, n = 11). They were evaluated on the following subjects: pain relief; improvement of daily activities; and complications. Each treatment was effective for pain relief (89-94%) and improvement of daily activities (73-82%). The mean time interval from the beginning of each treatment to the onset of initial pain relief was 4.7 days in group A, 4.8 days in group B, and 15 days in group C. Recurrence of the pain after the initial pain relief was noted in 75% in group A, 20% in group B, and 88% in group C. Pyrexia and local pain commonly occurred after TAE. In conclusion, TAE is effective in relieving pain immediately and in improving the patients' daily activities. The combination of TAE and radiotherapy is recommended for permanent pain relief.

Acute axillosubclavian vein thrombosis (Paget-Schroetter syndrome) detected by Tc-99m MAA during pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy.

The authors describe a 24-year-old man who reported the sudden onset of dyspnea and swelling of his left upper arm. An area of increased activity in the left axillosubclavian region evident on pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy with Tc-99m MAA suggested Paget-Schroetter syndrome (primary deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity).

Mammary gland growth as influenced by litter size in lactating sows: impact on lysine requirement.

Twenty-eight primiparous sows were used to determine the effect of litter size on the growth of mammary glands and nursing pigs during lactation. Litter size was set to 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 pigs by cross-fostering immediately after birth. Four sows were allotted to each litter-size group. Sows were allowed to consume a daily maximum of 13.6 Mcal ME and 46.3 g of lysine during lactation. Sows were slaughtered on d 21 (20.6+/-1.1) of lactation. Mammary glands were collected at slaughter and trimmed of skin and the extraneous fat pad. Each gland was separated, weighed, and ground for chemical analysis. Dry matter, dry fat-free tissue (DFFT), crude protein, ash, and DNA contents were measured. Only glands known to have been nursed were included in the data set. Wet and dry weights and the amounts of DFFT, protein, DNA, ash, and fat in individual nursed mammary glands linearly decreased (P<.05) as litter size increased. Percentages of DFFT, protein, and DNA were quadratically affected (P<.05) by litter size on d 21 of lactation. Total mammary wet and dry weights and total DFFT, protein, DNA, fat, and ash amount of all nursed mammary glands of each sow were increased as litter size increased (P<.05). Changing litter size from 6 to 12 pigs resulted in 2,098, 432, 253, 227, 4.4, 178, and 20 g increases in the amounts of total mammary wet weight, dry weight, DFFT, protein, DNA, fat, and ash, respectively, on d 21 of lactation. Litter weight gain was 18.1 kg greater in sows with 12 pigs than in sows with 6 pigs. Sows with a larger litter size had a greater increase in total mass of mammary gland tissue and litter weight but had lower growth of individual nursed mammary glands and individual pigs than sows with the smaller litter size. The need for nutrients to support additional mammary gland and litter growth as litter size increases should be considered when estimating nutrient requirements for lactating sows. Sows need an additional .96 g lysine per day to account for mammary gland growth for each pig added to a litter.

Effects of heat exposure on plasma insulin, glucagon and metabolites in response to nutrient injection in heifers.

Effects of heat exposure on plasma insulin, glucagon, and metabolite responses following injection of various nutrients were investigated in heifers. Four heifers, fed hay wafer and a commercial concentrate, were exposed to thermoneutral (20 degrees C) and hot (30 degrees C) environments. Glucose, arginine and butyrate (each injection at 0.625 mmol/kg) and insulin (0.2 U/kg) were injected intravenously, and then blood samples were collected at regular intervals through jugular vein catheters. Insulin secretion in response to glucose and arginine injection was not affected by heat exposure. However, the insulin response following butyrate injection was inhibited in heifers exposed to heat. In the hot environment, glucagon responses following the arginine and butyrate injections were augmented significantly, however glucagon levels were inhibited following the glucose injection. It is concluded that heat stress causes an inhibition of the insulin response to butyrate injection, and an increase in the glucagon response following arginine and butyrate injection. Plasma metabolite concentrations altered in accordance with the changes in the concentration of pancreatic hormones.

Erythrocyte protoporphyrin test for occupational lead exposure.

Determination of erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels was performed in workers who are occupationally exposed to lead. The level of erythrocyte protoporphyrin was easily measured with microsamples of blood by utilizing a fluorescent assay. The log of erythrocyte protoporphyrin level was closely correlated to blood lead level (r = .72) in lead-exposed workers. The erythrocyte protoporphyrin test is especially useful in the detection of mild increases in blood lead concentration under conditions of occupational exposure.