ABSTRACT
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is the most used and reliable method to determine the percentage of serum protein subfractions. The interpretation of the kinetics of total proteins and albumin and globulin fractions is receiving increased attention in wild animals, as well as in domestic animals, due to the possibility of identifying typical pathologic patterns. However, the interpretation of these data had to be performed in light of an appropriate method-and species- specific reference intervals (RIs). In marine mammals, as well as other non-domestic species, specific attention should also be given to the different environment (free ranging vs. human managed) and the associated different exposure to environmental stimuli. The aim of this report was to establish RIs for the serum protein fractions evaluated using agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) in bottlenose dolphins under human care. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 40 bottlenose dolphins during standard veterinary procedures to evaluate their health status. Total protein concentration was determined using the biuret method while AGE was performed using an automated system. A pooled dolphin's serum sample was used to determine the intra-assay and inter-assay imprecision of AGE. The RIs were calculated using an Excel spreadsheet with the Reference Value Advisor set of macroinstructions. The intra and inter-assay imprecisions were 1.2% and 2.5%, respectively, for albumin; 2.9% and 5.7%, respectively, for α-globulins; 3.8% and 4.0%, respectively, for ß-globulins; and 3.4% and 4.8%, respectively, for γ-globulins. The total protein, albumin, α-globulin, ß-globulin, and γ-globulin concentrations were 65.5 ± 5.4 g/L, 45.5 ± 4.9 g/L, 8.0 ± 1.0 g/L, 5.0 ± 2.0 g/L, and 7.0 ± 2.0 g/L, respectively. We established the RIs for the total protein and serum protein fractions using AGE in bottlenose dolphins under human care.
ABSTRACT
Background: Children in mixed dentition are highly at risk for dental caries, which is a major health issue worldwide. Despite their effect in controlling dental caries, using probiotics can be challenging. Therefore, it has been advised to use their inanimate forms, called postbiotics. We hypothesize that postbiotics can enhance the oral immunity. Methods: The aim of this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is to investigate the effect of postbiotic-toothpaste (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis) on salivary levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and pH in children. Using comparing two means formula to calculate the sample size, for this trial 80 healthy 6- to 12-year-old children during mixed dentition with no cavitated dental caries will be selected by convenience sampling method and randomly allocated to two groups, postbiotic-toothpaste or placebo-toothpaste. Saliva samples will be gathered at baseline and four weeks after the intervention. The level of salivary IgA will be determined by ELISA and salivary pH will be measured using a pH meter. Data will be compared within and between groups using independent t-test and paired t-test, in case of normality, with a p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Discussion: If postbiotics-toothpaste prove to be effective in improving the oral immunity, they can be used to prevent dental caries and other oral diseases. The result of this study can help researchers who are working on the immunomodulatory effects of postbiotics in children. Trial registration number: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20191016045128N2. Registered on 7 March 2022.
ABSTRACT
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis requires a combined assessment of all individual test findings in an integrated total report in order to achieve a reliable and specific diagnostic conclusion. Such a standard assessment strategy allows the identification of disease-typical result patterns and plausibility checks to avoid analytical errors. The integrated total report consists of 1) a basic CSF program with cytological and protein chemical parameters, 2) an expanded CSF program with special parameters for detection of pathogens and markers of neurodegeneration and 3) a final contextual interpretation considering methodological and clinical aspects.
Subject(s)
Blood Proteins/analysis , Cerebrospinal Fluid/chemistry , Cerebrospinal Fluid/microbiology , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/methods , Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological , Neurodegenerative Diseases/cerebrospinal fluid , Biomarkers/cerebrospinal fluid , Humans , Neurodegenerative Diseases/diagnosis , Neurodegenerative Diseases/microbiologyABSTRACT
Background: There are no studies probing if patients in sepsis or septic shock with lower levels of total plas-matic globulins and/or lymphocyte count have higher mortality. Patients and Method: Prospective cohort study of 103 patients admitted in Intensive Care Unit followed daily at the Dr. Gustavo Fricke Hospital between June and November of 2009, with sepsis or septic shock criteria. Results: There was association between mortality and lymphocytic count measured from the third day of their hospitalization (P < 0.05), but not when compared with the plasmatic globulin measurements (P > 0.05). The area under ROC curve for the mean lymphocyte count at the third day was 0.68 (95% CI 0.53-0.82), with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 52%, LR(+) 1.57 and LR(-) 0.48 for a cut-off at 510 lymphocytes/mm³, behaving also as an independent risk factor of mortality (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.03-13.1). Discussion: Lymphocyte count is early and independently associated with increased mortality in patients with sepsis or septic shock.
Introducción: No existen estudios que demuestren si pacientes en sepsis o shock séptico que presentan globulinas plasmáticas totales y/o recuento linfocitario plasmático disminuidos, tendrían mayor mortalidad. Pacientes y Método: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo de 103 pacientes ingresados a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, que cumplían criterios de sepsis o shock séptico, seguidos diariamente en el Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke entre junio y noviembre de 2009. Resultados: Hubo asociación entre mortalidad y recuento linfocitario medido a partir del tercer día (valor p < 0,05), pero no al comparar mortalidad con mediciones de globulinas plasmáticas (valor p > 0,05). El área bajo la curva ROC del recuento linfocitario medido al tercer día fue 0,68 (IC 95% 0,530,82), con una sensibilidad de 75%, especificidad 52%, LR(+) 1,57 y LR(-) 0,48 para un punto de corte de 510 linfocitos/mm³, comportándose además como factor de riesgo independiente de mortalidad (OR 3,67, IC 95% 1,03-13,1). Discusión: El recuento linfocitario se asocia precozmente y en forma independiente al pronóstico de mayor mortalidad en estos pacientes.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Globulins/analysis , Lymphocyte Count , Sepsis/mortality , Biomarkers/blood , Epidemiologic Methods , Intensive Care Units , Prognosis , Sepsis/blood , Shock, Septic/blood , Shock, Septic/mortalityABSTRACT
CONTEXTO: Tem sido descrita correlação entre os níveis séricos de globulinas e o grau de fibrose hepática nas hepatites crônicas, mas não se encontram relatos na esquistossomose mansônica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis séricos de globulinas e de IgG, e a intensidade da fibrose periportal mensurada pela ultrassonografia em pacientes com esquistossomose mansônica. MÉTODOS: Entre novembro de 2006 e fevereiro de 2007, foram estudados 41 pacientes que preencheram ficha clínica e realizaram dosagens de IgG por imunoturbidimetria e de globulinas indiretamente pelo método do biureto. A ultrassonografia foi realizada por um único pesquisador, seguindo os protocolos do Cairo e de Niamey. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 41 anos, sendo 25 pacientes (61 por cento) do sexo feminino. Dez dos 41 pacientes (24 por cento) apresentaram elevação dos níveis séricos de globulinas e 21 (51 por cento) dos de IgG. Conforme a classificação do Cairo, 21 pacientes apresentaram grau I de fibrose, 18 grau II e 2 grau III, e pela classificação de Niamey 8 apresentavam padrão C, 20 D e 13 E. Aqueles com graus II ou III de fibrose tiveram maiores níveis de IgG do que os de grau I (P = 0,047), assim como aqueles que apresentaram padrões D e E em relação ao C (P = 0,011). Não houve associação entre os níveis de globulinas e o grau ou padrão de fibrose. CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com esquistossomose mansônica, observou-se elevação dos níveis séricos de IgG de acordo com a progressão do grau e do padrão de fibrose periportal, mas o mesmo não se observou com os níveis de globulinas.
BACKGROUND: A correlation between the levels of serum globulins and the hepatic fibrosis degree in chronic hepatitis was described, but reports in schistosomiasis mansoni have not been found. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum globulins and IgG levels, and periportal fibrosis intensity measured by ultrasound in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. METHODS: Between November, 2006 and February 2007, 41 patients which were eligible, filled them a questionnaire and had their levels of serum IgG measured by immunoturbidimetry and globulins indirectly measured by the Biuret method. The ultrasound was carried out by a single researcher, according to the Cairo and Niamey protocols. RESULTS: The average age was 41 years old and 25 female patients (61 percent). Ten patients (24 percent) from 41 showed serum globulins levels raised and 21 (51 percent) presented elevated IgG levels. According to the Cairo classification, 21 patients showed grade I of fibrosis, 18 grade II and 2 grade III; and by the Niamey classification 8 showed standard C, 20 D, and 13 E. Those with grade II or III of fibrosis had higher IgG levels than the ones with grade I (P = 0,047), as well as those who showed standards D and E as compared to C (P = 0,011). There was no association between the globulins levels and the intensity of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: In patients with schistosomiasis mansoni, an increase of the IgG serum levels was observed according to the progression from periportal fibrosis intensity, but the same was not founded with globulins levels.
