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Nutritional status of children with leukemia.

Children with cancer represent a high-risk group for protein-energy malnutrition due to side effects associated with treatment. Assessment of nutritional status at the time of diagnosis and during treatment is, therefore, essential for planning nutritional intervention. We studied the nutritional status of 25 children with leukemia [9 newly diagnosed/relapsed (D/R) leukemic patients and 16 children with leukemia in remission (REM)]. Plasma proteins (prealbumin, PA; albumin, Alb; transferrin, Tr; retinol-binding protein, RBP) and acute phase-reactant proteins (alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, AGP; C-reactive protein, CRP; ceruloplasmin, CER) were measured by radial immunodiffusion. Results show that there were no significant deficits in anthropometric measurements among leukemic children. In contrast, the mean levels of all plasma proteins, especially PA (P < 0.005), were significantly lower in the D/R group than in the REM group. All D/R children, compared to 59% of those in remission, had PA levels < 20 mg/dl. Only the D/R group had abnormal levels of RBP, Tr, and Alb. Children who were treated with prednisone had significantly higher mean levels of PA, RBP, and AGP than those who were not receiving prednisone. The mean levels of acute phase-reactant proteins in these leukemic children were comparable to those of healthy children. We conclude that mild/moderate malnutrition is common in leukemic patients at D/R and that PA seems to be the most sensitive indicator of visceral protein status.

Adolescent↗

Characterization and genomic analysis of Bacillus halotolerans G3-2: a potential biocontrol agent against apple Alternaria leaf blotch disease.

BACKGROUND: Apple Alternaria leaf blotch (ALB) is a devastating disease threatening the apple industry worldwide. Biocontrol offers an effective and environmentally friendly alternative for disease management. RESULTS: Bacillus strain G3-2 exhibits strong antagonistic activity against Alternaria alternata (a major causal pathogen of ALB). In dual-culture assays, G3-2 inhibited A.&#x2009;alternata by 88.39%; in detached-leaf inoculation assays, it reduced the lesion area by >88%. 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis identified this strain as Bacillus halotolerans. Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing generated a 4.18-Mb complete genome (43.8% G&#x2009;+&#x2009;C) containing 4149 protein-coding genes, 30 rRNAs and 86 tRNAs. CAZy annotation identified 182 genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), including glycoside hydrolases, glycosyltransferase, and carbohydrate esterases, suggesting potential for glycosylated secondary metabolite production. AntiSMASH analysis detected nine biosynthetic gene clusters, including those for surfactin, fengycin, bacillaene and laterocidine. Plate assays confirmed that G3-2 has the ability to produce protease, cellulase and siderophore. Moreover, it exhibits ~70% inhibition against several other phytopathogenic fungi. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that G3-2 suppresses A.&#x2009;alternata through antibiosis (lipopeptides and polyketides), nutrient competition (siderophores) and cell-wall degradation (proteases and cellulases). Moreover, our study revealed that it has great potential to be used as a broad-spectrum, environmentally friendly biocontrol agent. &#xa9; 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Alternaria↗

Elevation of serum albumin by intrahepatic transplantation of albumin-producing cells does not correct quantitative abnormalities of non-albumin proteins in analbuminemic rats.

Nagase analbuminemic rats (NAR) show quantitative abnormalities of non-albumin serum proteins which could represent a compensatory response to the analbuminemia, although total serum protein levels are normal. When hyperplastic hepatic nodule (HPN) cells of F344 rats, which produce albumin, were infused into the portal vein of congenic analbuminemic rats (F344-alb) followed by treatment with the Solt and Farber dietary regimen, the transplanted cells grew within the livers, occasionally developing into hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). In the recipient F344-alb, while serum albumin was considerably elevated, the total serum protein was also increased. Moreover, the abnormal pattern of serum proteins in NAR was unchanged by the elevation of albumin. These results indicate that the unique pattern of serum proteins in NAR is constitutive and cannot be corrected by a continuous increase in albumin levels.

Animals↗

Urinary protein markers in pesticide applicators during a chlorinated hydrocarbon exposure.

A previous study of 16 pesticide applicators showed that N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) excretion during exposure to the soil nematocide, 1,3-dichloropropene (DCP), was correlated with DCP dose and the excretion of its major metabolite, N-acetyl-S-(cis-3-chloroprop-2-enyl)-cysteine (3CNAC). Using the same urine samples, two other proteins were measured: low concentrations of albumin ("microalbuminuria," ALB) and retinol-binding protein (RBP). For each worker there were five consecutive urine collection intervals (6-8 hr each): overnight prior to exposure, morning work shift, afternoon work shift, evening after work, and overnight. Paired comparisons of each interval to baseline (first interval) for each protein excretion (creatinine corrected) did not reveal significant increases. However, amounts of renal proteins per interval, in contrast to creatinine-corrected concentrations, were more strongly correlated with each other and with 3CNAC concentrations within samples. Clear dichotomous differences in urinary protein excretion were seen for high versus low exposure (< or > 1.5 mg 3CNAC excretion/day) for NAG and RBP, but not for ALB. Based on earlier findings of a slight elevation of NAG and the minimal changes reported herein for RBP, the possible effects of short-term workplace exposure to DCP on renal protein excretion appear to be mild.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Endoderm-specific gene expression in embryonic stem cells differentiated to embryoid bodies.

Mouse embryonic stem cells can differentiate into various cell types within cell aggregates called embryoid bodies (EBs). This structure consists of ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal tissues, which resemble the embryo of egg-cylinder stage. After 8-10 days in culture, about half of the EBs expand into large cystic structures homologous to visceral yolk sac of postimplantation embryos. To study endoderm differentiation at molecular level, we examined expression of endoderm marker genes during the processes of EB development. alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and transthyretin (TTR) transcripts increased at the stage when embryoid bodies began to form yolk-sac-like structures and were expressed strongly thereafter. Expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) 4, a variant form of HNF1 (also called HNF1beta), and HNF3beta started before the onset of AFP and TTR expression. HNF1 (also called HNF1alpha) expression began a few days after the onset of the expression of the transcription factors described above. Serum albumin (ALB) transcript was only found in late large cystic EBs. Also, AFP gene expression preceded ALB gene expression. These results suggest that the patterns of endoderm gene expression during EB development reflect the order found during mouse development in vivo, and EB formation may serve as an in vitro system to study the differentiation process.

Animals↗

Effects of profound hemodilution on small-intestinal wound healing in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Wound healing is influenced by tissue oxygen tension and blood perfusion, but not by moderate anemia or hemodilution. The effect of perioperative profound hemodilution on small-intestinal wound healing remains unclear. METHODS: We performed jejunectomy followed by end-to-end anastomosis in rabbits subjected to a variety of perioperative hemodilutions: HD((HES)), hemodiluted with hydroxyethylstarch; HD((P+HES)), hemodiluted with autologous plasma and hydroxyethylstarch; HD((HES))/R, hemodiluted with hydroxyethylstarch and retransfused afterward. Intraoperative hemoglobin levels were 5 g 100 ml(-1). On Postoperative Day 5, the tensile strength (TS) of the anastomosis was measured and histological specimen was obtained. The time courses of hemoglobin, serum albumin (Alb), plasma fibrinogen (Fbg), and plasma activity of factor XIII (F XIII) were measured. RESULTS: TS in HD((HES))/R (236.0 +/- 52.2 gf) was similar to that in control (266.5 +/- 41.6 gf); however, TS in HD((HES)) (179.8 +/- 17.9 gf) and HD((P+HES)) (165.5 +/- 14.7 gf) decreased significantly. The histological findings in HD((HES))/R were similar to those of control, whereas they demonstrated a delayed healing process in HD((HES)) and HD((P+HES)). Hemoglobin levels were still lower on Postoperative Day 5 in HD((HES)) and HD((P+HES)), but increased to 10.0 g 100 ml(-1) after retransfusion in HD((HES))/R. Hemodilution caused significant decreases in Alb, Fbg, and F XIII, but the values after retransfusion in HD((HES))/R were similar to postoperative values in HD((P+HES)). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative profound hemodilution does not interfere with small-intestinal wound healing as long as postoperative hemoglobin levels were maintained above 10 g 100 ml(-1). Postoperative levels of other plasma constituents may not influence wound healing.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

The effect of rebamipide on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of rebamipide (free radical scavenger) against the nephrotoxic effect induced by cisplatin in normal rats. Twenty-four male Wister albino rats were divided equally into four groups: control, rebamipide, cisplatin and cisplatin plus rebamipide-treated groups. Nephrotoxicity was induced with single intravenous (i.v.) cisplatin dose of 6 mg kg(-1)and measured through the estimation of kidney weight, serum albumin (Alb), serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production. In the cisplatin-treated group the kidney weight as a percent of the total body weight, serum Alb, serum Cr, BUN, GSH content and MDA amount were: 0.61+/-0.054%, 2.84+/-0.24 g dl(-1), 2.99+/-0.10 mg dl(-1), 147.08+/-7.46 mg dl(-1), 3.11+/-0.238 micromol g(-1)and 1449. 09+/-127.36 nmol g(-1), respectively. All the previous changes were significantly (P<0.01) different from the corresponding values in the control group. In addition, histopathological examination of the kidney tissue revealed degenerative cellular material and apoptotic tubular cells were seen in the renal tubules. Rebamipide treatment (140 mg kg(-1), i.p.) for 1 week ameliorated all the previous changes and the results recorded for the cisplatin plus rebamipide-treated group were: 0.45+/-0.035%, 4.17+/-0.091 g dl(-1), 1.37+/-0.209 mg dl(-1), 72.25+/-5.14 mg dl(-1), 5.063+/-0.269 micromol g(-1)and 560.23+/-21.98 nmol g(-1)for the previous tests, respectively. Furthermore, significant improvement in the kidney histopathology was observed. The results of this study clearly revealed that rebamipide protected the kidney against the nephrotoxic effect of cisplatin. These results suggest that lipid peroxidation is not the only mechanism by which cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. More investigations are needed to confirm the effect of rebamipide and at the same time to elucidate the exact mechanism by which cisplatin induces nephrotoxicity.

Alanine↗

Negative strand RNA synthesis by temperature-sensitive mutants of mouse hepatitis virus.

Mutants of the A59 strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) were studied to determine the effects of temperature shift on negative and positive strand RNA synthesis. Mutant LA 9 was originally reported to have a selective temperature sensitive defect in negative strand synthesis. We found that this mutant continued to synthesize negative strands for at least one hour after temperature shift. LA 6 was found to possess a temperature sensitive defect in negative strand synthesis. Following temperature shift, negative strand synthesis rapidly declined. The effect of temperature shift on negative strand synthesis by LA 6 was similar to the effect of cycloheximide treatment of the parental A59 virus. Temperature shift of Alb 16 infected cells did not stop negative strand synthesis but did prevent a corresponding rise in the rate of positive strand synthesis. Therefore, we suggest that Alb 16 is a conversion mutant because it cannot convert newly synthesized negative strands into templates for positive strand synthesis at the nonpermissive temperature.

Animals↗

[Base excess] vs [strong ion difference]. Which is more helpful?

Blood [base excess] ([BE]) is defined as the change in [strong acid] or [strong base] needed to restore pH to normal at normal PCO2. Some believe that [BE] is unhelpful because [BE] may be elevated with a "normal" [strong ion difference] ([SID]), where a strong ion is one that is always dissociated in physiological solution, and where [SID] = [strong cations]-[strong anions]. Using a computer simulation, the hypothesis was tested that [SID] = [SID Excess] ([SIDEx]), where [SIDEx] is the change in [SID] needed to restore pH to normal at normal PCO2. The most current version of the plasma [SID] ([SID]p) equation was used as a template, and an [SIDEx] formula, of the Siggaard-Andersen form, derived: [SIDEx]p = [HCO3-]p -24.72 + (pHp - 7.4) x (1.159 x [alb]p + 0.423 x [Pi]p). [SID] was compared to [SIDEx] over the physiologic range of plasma buffering, and it was found that [SIDEx] varied by approximately 15 mM at any given [SID], thereby faulting the hypothesis. It is concluded that [SID] can be "normal" with an elevated [SIDEx], the latter being an expression of the [BE] concept, and a more helpful quantity in physiology. The "metabolic" component of a given acid-base disturbance is usually estimated as whole blood [base excess] ([BE]WB), where [BE]WB is defined as the change in [strong acid] or [strong base] needed to restore plasma pH (pHp) to 7.4 at PCO2 of 40 Torr. However, the [BE] approach has been criticized as "inadequate for interpretation of complex acid-base derangements such as those seen in critically ill patients." The proposed alternative is the strong ion difference (SID) method, where a strong ion is one that is always dissociated in solution, and where [SID] = [strong cations] - [strong anions]. On the one hand, it does not seem possible, by the definitions of these entities, to change [SID] without also changing [BE]. On the other hand, a selected group of critically ill patients with hypoproteinemia has been reported in whom [SID] was "normal" (i.e. approximately 40 mEq.l-1) but [BE]WB clearly increased. The idea was that hypoproteinemia caused the alkalosis, due to a deficiency of plasma weak acid buffer, necessitating increased [HCO3-]p to maintain electrical neutrality. How could [SID] be "normal," but [BE] increased? The purpose of the current exercise was to address this question. An [SID excess] ([SIDEx]) formula was developed, conceptually identical to Siggaard-Andersen's [BE], and [SID] was compared to [SIDEx] over the physiological range of plasma [albumin] ([alb]p), plasma [phosphate] ([Pi]p), and plasma pH (pHp).

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Antigenic properties of human and animal bloodstains studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using various antisera against specific plasma proteins.

Antigenic properties of bloodstains of human and non-human primates as well as other animal bloodstains were investigated by the inhibition ELISA using commercially available anti-human albumin (Alb), alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), fibrinogen, transferrin, and immunoglobulin G. In general, chimpanzee bloodstains showed strong cross-reactions with these antisera, and the extent of the cross-reactions of other animal bloodstains decreased largely with the phylogenic order, i.e., agile gibbon (ape), Old World monkeys (Japanese monkey and hamadryas baboon), New World monkeys (night monkey and tufted capuchin monkey), prosimians (grand galago and ring-tailed lemur) and other animals (rat, cattle, swine, goat, dog, cat, and chicken). Among these antisera, anti-human alpha 2-M showed the weakest cross-reaction with chimpanzee bloodstains, and anti-human Alb showed next.

Animals↗

Genetic studies of water buffalo blood markers. I. Red cell acid phosphatase, albumin, catalase, red cell alpha-esterase-3, group-specific component, and protease inhibitor.

We have developed the methodologies for typing and family studies to establish the modes of inheritance of water buffalo red cell acid phosphatase (Acp), protease inhibitor (Pi), and group-specific component (Gc) on isoelectric focusing and albumin (Alb), red cell alpha-esterase-3 (Est-3), and catalase (Cat) on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Family studies showed that Pi, Gc, Alb, and Cat are coded by autosomal genes with two codominant alleles, while Est-3 is autosomal with two codominant alleles and a recessive null allele and Acp exhibits three codominant alleles.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Serotonin-immune interactions in major depression: lower serum tryptophan as a marker of an immune-inflammatory response.

Serum total tryptophan and the five competing amino acids (CAA), i.e., valine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, and isoleucine were determined in 35 major depressed subjects of whom 27 with treatment resistant depression (TRD), and 15 normal controls. Twenty-five of the depressed subjects had repeated measurements of the amino acids both before and after antidepressive treatment. The following immune-inflammatory variables were assayed in the above subjects: serum zinc (Zn), total serum protein (TSP), albumin (Alb), transferrin (Tf), iron (Fe), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), number of peripheral blood leukocytes, and the CD4+/CD8+ T cell (T-helper/T-suppressor) ratio. Serum tryptophan and the tryptophan/CAA ratio were significantly lower in major depressed subjects than in normal controls. The tryptophan/CAA ratio was significantly lower in patients with TRD than in patients without TRD and normal controls. There were no significant alterations in any of the amino acids upon successful therapy. There were significant correlations between serum tryptophan and serum Zn, TSP, Alb, Tf, Fe, and HDL-C (all positive), and number of leukocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio (all negative). The tryptophan/CAA ratio was significantly and negatively related to the number of leukocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. The results suggest that (a) TRD is characterized by lower availability of serum tryptophan; (b) the availability of tryptophan may remain decreased despite clinical recovery; and (c) the lower availability of tryptophan is probably a marker of the immune-inflammatory response during major depression.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

The molecular clock runs at different rates among closely related members of a gene family.

The serum albumin gene family is composed of four members that have arisen by a series of duplications from a common ancestor. From sequence differences between members of the gene family, we infer that a gene duplication some 580 Myr ago gave rise to the vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) gene and a second lineage, which reduplicated about 295 Myr ago to give the albumin (ALB) gene and a common precursor to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and alpha-albumin (ALF). This precursor itself duplicated about 250 Myr ago, giving rise to the youngest family members, AFP and ALF. It should be possible to correlate these dates with the phylogenetic distribution of members of the gene family among different species. All four genes are found in mammals, but AFP and ALF are not found in amphibia, which diverged from reptiles about 360 Myr ago, before the divergence of the AFP-ALF progenitor from albumin. Although individual family members display an approximate clock-like evolution, there are significant deviations-the rates of divergence for AFP differ by a factor of 7, the rates for ALB differ by a factor of 2.1. Since the progenitor of this gene family itself arose by triplication of a smaller gene, the rates of evolution of individual domains were also calculated and were shown to vary within and between family members. The great variation in the rates of the molecular clock raises questions concerning whether it can be used to infer evolutionary time from contemporary sequence differences.

Albumins↗

Alveolo-capillary protein permeability and lung function in patients with late pulmonary complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

A prospective study was performed to identify markers predictive for the development of pulmonary complications in the early (<50 days) and late (>50 days) phase after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The characterization of BMT patients with early or late pulmonary complications revealed clear-cut differences. Early and long term increase of alveolo-capillary protein permeability was associated with smoking and was found in 20 patients developing pulmonary complications within 50 days after BMT (group 1). The 22 patients who developed such complications thereafter (group 2) had more acute graft vs host disease than 66 patients who remained free of these complications for a minimum of 1 year. Concentrations of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid albumin (alb) and serum beta2-microglobulin (S-beta2m) were determined 10 days before BMT, on days 1, 30, and 40 after BMT, whereas lung function tests were performed before BMT, after discharge from the hospital, and 6 months as well 1 year after BMT. Using cut-off values for BAL fluid alb (>2.3 mg/dl) and S-beta2m (>0.8 mg/liter) we could significantly discriminate 12 patients out of 19 group 1 patients (early pulmonary complications) as well as 9 out of 21 group 2 patients (late pulmonary complications) from 12 out of 64 group 3 patients (without such complications) 1 day after BMT. Our results demonstrate that early increased alveolo-capillary protein permeability defines a patient population at risk to develop pulmonary complications later than 50 days after BMT with up to 1 year significantly decreased lung volumes (FEV1, 73% predicted, VC, 85% predicted).

Adolescent↗

[The Stewart model. "Modern" approach to the interpretation of the acid-base metabolism].

About twenty years ago, Peter Stewart had already published his modern quantitative approach to acid-base chemistry. According to his interpretations, the traditional concepts of the mechanisms behind the changes in acid-base balance are considerably questionable. The main physicochemical principle which must be accomplished in body fluids, is the rule of electroneutrality. There are 3 components in biological fluids which are subject to this principle: a)Water, which is only in minor parts dissociated into H+ and OH-, b)"strong", i.e. completely dissociated, electrolytes, which thus do not interact with other substances, and body substances, such as lactate, and c)"weak", i.e. incompletely dissociated, substances. Peter Stewart strictly distinguished between dependent and independent variables and thus indeed described a new order of acid-base chemistry. The 3 dependent variables (bicarbonate concentration [Bic(-)], pH, and with this also hydrogen ion concentration [H(+)]) can only change if the 3 independent variables allow this change. These 3 independent variables are: 1. Carbon dioxide partial pressure, 2.the total amount of all weak acids ([A-] (Stewart called these ATOT), and 3.strong ion difference (SID). [A(-)] can be calculated from the albumin (Alb) and the phosphate concentration (Pi): [A(-)]=[Alb x (0.123 x pH - 0.631)] + [Pi x (0.309 x pH - 0.469)]. An apparent SID (or "bedside" SID) can be calculated using measurable ion concentrations: SID=[Na(+)] + [K(+)] - [Cl(-)]-lactate. Regarding the metabolic disturbances of acid-base chemistry, according to Stewart's terminology, changes in pH, [H(+)], and [Bic(-)] are only possible if either SID or [A(-)] itself changes. If, for example, SID decreases (e.g. in case of hyperchloremia), this increase in independent negative charges leads to a decrease in dependent negative charges in terms of [Bic(-)] resulting in acidosis (and vice versa). Therefore, according to Stewart, the decrease in SID during hyperchloremic acidosis results from the increase in serum chloride concentration and is the causal mechanism behind this acidosis. Contrary for example, a decrease in [A(-)] (e. g. during hypoalbuminemia) leads to an increase in [Bic(-)] and therefore to an alcalosis (and vice versa). Thus, by Stewart's approach, completely new acid-base disturbances, like "hyperchloremic acidosis" or "hypoalbuminemic alcalosis" (which, of course, can also exist in combination) can be detected, which had been unrecognised by the classic acid-base concepts. Consequently, Stewart's analysis can lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the changes in acid-base balance.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Fractionation of protein adducts in rats and mice dosed with [14C]pentachlorophenol.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) induces liver cancer in mice, possibly due to covalent binding of PCP metabolites to critical macromolecules. In this work, covalent binding was related to PCP biotransformation and specific (cysteinyl) adducts of chlorinated quinones in liver and blood of Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice dosed with [(14)C]PCP. Using a sequential scheme of scintillation counting along with selective cleavage of cysteinyl adducts by Raney nickel, we quantified total radiobinding, total covalent binding, non-cysteinyl protein binding, and specific protein adducts in liver nuclei (Np), liver cytosol (Cp), hemoglobin (Hb), and serum albumin (Alb). Almost all of the radiobinding to Np (>98%) was attributed to covalent binding in both rats and mice. Regarding Cp, more covalent binding was observed in mice than in rats (100% versus 67%, P=0.015). Very little binding was attributed to serum Alb (rats 1.3%, mice 2.6%, P=0.046) or Hb (not detected in either species). These results indicate that the liver was the main organ for PCP metabolism and that relatively little of the dose of reactive metabolites became systemically available. Cysteinyl binding accounted for 76-91% of total covalent binding to Np and 68-76% of total covalent binding to Cp. In addition, five times more PCP was bioactivated in the livers of mice than in those of rats (2.14% of the dose bound to Cp in mice and 0.416% in rats). These results reinforce previous studies, suggesting that the liver was a target organ of PCP carcinogenicity and that mice were more susceptible to liver damage than rats. However, the sum of all quantified adducts accounted for only 7-8% of total cysteinyl binding to Np and 2% to Cp, suggesting that other uncharacterized binding species may be important to the toxicity of PCP.

Animals↗

Urinary proteins in multiple myeloma: correlation with clinical parameters and diagnostic implications.

Renal failure is one of the worst complications occurring in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. It does not affect survival if reverted by a prompt chemotherapy before the damage becomes irreversible; therefore, the early diagnosis of renal dysfunction is crucial. High and low molecular weight urinary proteins have proved to be helpful in diagnosing initial renal damage since they are more sensitive than urea and creatinine serum levels or creatinine clearance. We studied the renal function of 111 MM patients through serum creatinine, urea, urinary IgG, alpha(1)-microglobulin (alpha(1)-M), and albumin (Alb). Two successive controls were made in a subset of 30 patients, categorized in three groups (improved, stable, worsened) according to the behavior of tumor burden markers (bone marrow plasmacytosis, monoclonal component, and beta(2)-microglobulin). In every group, we evaluated the behavior of urinary proteins. Renal dysfunction evaluated with serum parameters was present in 19 patients (17%), while if studied with urinary proteins was revealed in 71 patients (64.5%). Urinary proteins statistically correlated with each other. They correlated with creatinine, IgG, and alpha(1)-M also with urea. By contrast, they showed a variable correlation with clinical parameters: alpha(1)-M correlated with bone marrow plasmacytosis (BMPC) ( p=0.02) and beta(2)-M ( p=0.000001), IgG with all three disease parameters (MC p=0.0005, BMPC p=0.009, beta(2)-M p=0.007), and Alb only with beta(2)-M ( p=0.0004). In the subset of 30 patients followed with two successive controls, urinary proteins showed a parallel behavior with the indices of tumor burden. In conclusion, IgG, alpha(1)-microglobulin, and albumin are reliable and sensitive to precociously reveal renal damage, and we recommend their routine use for the definition and monitoring of renal function in multiple myeloma patients, mainly those in early stage, to better identify initial signs of progression.

Adult↗

Identification and genetic mapping of bovine chemokine genes expressed in epithelial cells.

RNA fingerprinting by arbitrarily primed (RAP)-PCR was used to identify two bovine genes that were differentially expressed in epithelial cells during an inflammatory response. RNA fingerprints revealed two differentially amplified transcripts when monolayers of Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells were stimulated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in combination with cycloheximide (CX). Sequence analysis showed that both transcripts encoded members of the alpha C-X-C chemokine family; one was interleukin 8 (IL-8), and the other was a protein closely related to bovine growth-regulated protein (GRO)-gamma (89% identical). The latter putative epithelial cell inflammatory protein was designated ECIP-1. IL-8 and ECIP-1 genes were placed on the cattle genetic map with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers amplified from genomic DNA. Multi-point linkage analysis indicated that the gene locations were indistinguishable from those of serum albumin (ALB) and vitamin D-binding protein (GC) on bovine Chromosome (BTA) 6. In humans, ALB and GC are located near IL-8, GRO-gamma, and seven other alpha chemokines on Chr 4 (HSA 4q11-4q13), suggesting that this gene cluster has been conserved on BTA6. These results provide a starting point for characterizing allelic variation in chemokine genes and their role in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections in cattle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗