Levels Of Acute Phase Proteins Research Articles

Age, sex and breed effect on laboratory parameters in natural Babesia canis infection

We tested the hypothesis that age, breed, and sex are related to hematology, biochemistry, acute phase proteins (APPs), seroreactivity and level of parasitemia in dogs with an acute phase response (APR) due to Babesia canis infection. The study enrolled 61 privately owned dogs that naturally acquired B. canis infection. Groups were formed according to the age: young dogs less than one year, and adult dogs more than one year old. Moreover, the group of males was compared to females and purebred to mixed breed dogs. Seroreactivity was tested with immunofluorescence antibody test, level of parasitemia with real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), hematology, and biochemistry with automatic analyzers, serum amyloid A with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fibrinogen with heat precipitation and ceruloplasmin and paraoxonase-1 with manual spectrophotometric methods. For protein separation agarose gel electrophoresis was used. The main changes in the whole population of B. canis-infected dogs were fever, pancytopenia, and change in APPs level. One-third of young, and 96% of adult dogs were seropositive (P < 0.001). The level of parasitemia was higher in the young dogs (P < 0.001). Erythroid lineage parameters (P < 0.01), and leukocytes (P < 0.05) were lower in the young, when compared to the adult dogs. Young dogs had lower total globulins (P < 0.001), β- and γ-globulins (P < 0.001), and higher α-globulins (P = 0.022) than adult dogs. Young dogs had higher concentrations of phosphate (P = 0.003) and cholesterol (P < 0.001) and lower amylase (P = 0.014) and lipase activity (P = 0.020) than adult ones. Male dogs had lower neutrophil count than females (P = 0.035), and purebred dogs had more band neutrophils than mixed breed dogs (P = 0.004). In conclusion, dogs with natural Babesia canis infection at a young age have more severe anemia and APR including leukopenia than adults. Male and purebred dogs might also have more severe APR than females and mix-breeds, as they have more pronounced changes related to the myeloid lineage.

Results of treatment of diffuse purulent peritonitis in children

BACKGROUND: Despite significant achievements in surgery and in antibiotic therapy, management of children with severe purulent complications of surgical diseases in the abdominal cavity remains an important issue. Due to the polyetiology of diffuse purulent peritonitis, sometimes not enough attention is paid to metabolism correction, especially in children. Optimization of comprehensive therapy in the diffuse purulent peritonitis promotes better outcomes in this group of patients. AIM: To assess results of the treatment of children with diffuse purulent peritonitis applying the optimized pathogenetic therapy which includes a differentiated approach to the preoperative preparation, active correction of dysmetabolic disorders in the postoperative period as well as selection of the criteria for abdominal cavity sanation bearing in mind the degree of intra-abdominal hypertension. METHODS: Outcomes of 339 patients, aged 1–14 years, with diffuse peritonitis of various etiology were analyzed. The patients were hospitalized to pediatric surgical departments in Samara in 2006–2022. The studied group included 237 children with diffuse purulent peritonitis who were prescribed the optimized comprehensive therapy. Control group included 102 children with diffuse purulent peritonitis who were prescribed traditional therapy according to the generally accepted standards. In the studied group, patients' therapeutic tactics included a therapeutic and diagnostic algorithm developed by the authors. Complex examination registered the dynamics of biochemical blood parameters: total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, as well as indicators of endotoxicosis (C-reactive protein and procalcitonin). RESULTS: After studying the dynamics of transaminases, we concluded that in children with widespread peritonitis in the main group, despite the initial severity of endotoxicosis, there was a faster decrease in the level of liver enzymes, indicating a more effective restoration of cell membranes. The dynamics of the level of total protein and albumin revealed a faster recovery of protein-synthetic liver function in children of the main group, including antitoxic, which was reflected in the improvement of the general condition of patients and stabilization of hemostasis indicators, a decrease in the levels of acute phase proteins. The analysis of the results of the complex treatment of children with advanced peritonitis revealed a statistically significant decrease in the main group: the duration of stay of patients in the intensive care unit after surgery, the timing of infusion therapy in the postoperative period, as well as the duration of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Thus, less stay in the intensive care unit in the postoperative period, less terms of infusion therapy as well as less length of stay in children with diffuse peritonitis demonstrate better effectiveness of the proposed comprehensive management of children with the discussed pathology.

Steroid responsiveness in alcohol-associated hepatitis is linked to glucocorticoid metabolism, mitochondrial repair, and heat shock proteins.

Alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) is one of the clinical presentations of alcohol-associated liver disease. AH has poor prognosis, and corticosteroids remain the mainstay of drug therapy. However, ~40% of patients do not respond to this treatment, and the mechanisms underlying the altered response to corticosteroids are not understood. The current study aimed to identify changes in hepatic protein expression associated with responsiveness to corticosteroids and prognosis in patients with AH. Patients with AH were enrolled based on the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism inclusion criteria for acute AH and further confirmed by a diagnostic liver biopsy. Proteomic analysis was conducted on liver samples acquired from patients with AH grouped as nonresponders (AH-NR, n = 7) and responders (AH-R, n = 14) to corticosteroids, and nonalcohol-associated liver disease controls (n = 10). The definition of responders was based on the clinical prognostic model, the Lille Score, where a score < 0.45 classified patients as AH-R and a score > 0.45 as AH-NR. Primary outcomes used to assess steroid response were Lille Score (eg, improved liver function) and survival at 24 weeks. Reduced levels of the glucocorticoid receptor and its transcriptional co-activator, glucocorticoid modulatory element-binding protein 2, were observed in the hepatic proteome of AH-NR versus AH-R. The corticosteroid metabolizing enzyme, 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, was increased in AH-NR versus AH-R along with elevated mitochondrial DNA repair enzymes, while several proteins of the heat shock pathway were reduced. Analysis of differentially expressed proteins in AH-NR who survived 24 weeks relative to AH-NR nonsurvivors revealed several protein expression changes, including increased levels of acute phase proteins, elevated coagulation factors, and reduced mast cell markers. This study identified hepatic proteomic changes that may predict responsiveness to corticosteroids and mortality in patients with AH.

A Study of the Effect of Glycodelin on the Level of T-Regulatory Lymphocytes and Acute Phase Proteins in Wistar Rats during the Administration of Allogenic Bone Marrow Cells

A Study of the Effect of Glycodelin on the Level of T-Regulatory Lymphocytes and Acute Phase Proteins in Wistar Rats during the Administration of Allogenic Bone Marrow Cells

Impacts of genetic polymorphisms and cancer cachexia on naldemedine pharmacokinetics and bowel movements in patients receiving opioid analgesics.

Clinical responses to naldemedine vary between individuals with advanced cancer. This is a prospective, single-center, observational study aimed to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms and cachexia status on plasma naldemedine and clinical responses. Forty-eight patients being treated with naldemedine for opioid-induced constipation under treatment of cancer pain were enrolled. Plasma naldemedine concentrations were determined on the fourth day or later after administration of naldemedine, and the associations with genotypes, cachexia status, and clinical responses were assessed. Cancer patients exhibited a large variation in the plasma naldemedine concentrations, and it was correlated with serum total protein level. Patients who were homozygous CYP3A5*3 had a higher plasma concentration of naldemedine than those with the *1 allele. ABCB1 genotypes tested in this study were not associated with plasma naldemedine. A negative correlation was observed between the plasma naldemedine concentration and 4β-hydroxycholesterol level. The plasma naldemedine concentration was lower in patients with refractory cachexia than in those with precachexia and cachexia. While serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and acute-phase proteins were higher in patients with refractory cachexia, they were not associated with plasma naldemedine. A higher plasma concentration of naldemedine, CYP3A5*3/*3, and an earlier naldemedine administration after starting opioid analgesics were related to improvement of bowel movements. Plasma naldemedine increased under deficient activity of CYP3A5 in cancer patients. Cachectic patients with a higher serum IL-6 had a lower plasma naldemedine. Plasma naldemedine, related to CYP3A5 genotype, and the initiation timing of naldemedine were associated with improved bowel movements.

Acute phase proteins in patients with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective. Study of initial levels of acute phase proteins in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis with and without relapse as predictors of unfavorable disease progression. Materials and methods. 2 groups of patients were examined: the base group - 55 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis with relapse and the control group - 55 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis without relapse. Acute phase protein content was studied in patients before and after the intensive phase of treatment. The content of complement factors C3 and C4, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, properdin, C-reactive protein, IL-6, VSH, leukocyte content was studied. Results. The obtained results reveal that acute phase proteins can be considered basic predictors of ineffective antituberculosis treatment: the high indices of leukocyte, C-reactive protein, IL-6, ESR, and haptoglobin.

A Comparative Study on the Mechanism of Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Mediated by the Recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Fusion Protein ESAT6-CFP10 and Purified Protein Derivative

While purified protein derivative (PPD) is commonly used as skin diagnostic reagent for tuberculosis (TB) infection, it cannot distinguish effectively Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex and nontuberculous mycobacteria infection. The new skin reagent ESAT6-CFP10 (EC) has favorable sensitivity and specificity, which can overcome limitations associated with PPD. At present, EC skin test reactions are mainly characterized by erythema, while PPD mainly causes induration. We conducted a comparative study on the potential differences between EC-induced erythema and PPD-induced induration using a guinea pig model. The size of EC-dependent erythema was similar to that of PPD-induced induration, and an inflammatory response characterized by the infiltration of monocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as tissue damage, appeared at the injection site. The lymphocytes included CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells, which released IFN-γ as the main cytokine. Both EC erythema and PPD induration could lead to increased levels of acute-phase proteins, and the differential pathways were similar, thus indicating that the main induced immune pathways were similar. The above results indicated that erythema produced by EC could generate the main delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response characteristic of PPD induration, thereby suggesting that erythema might also have a certain diagnostic significance and provide a possible theoretical basis for its use as a diagnostic indicator for detecting MTB infection.

Investigation of Acute Phase Proteins in Cattle Infected with Mycobacterium bovis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious and zoonotic disease that adversely affects human and animal health, caused by the formation of tubercules in a caseous character in the lungs, other tissues and organs. The causative of the disease is Mycobacterium bovis. An increase or decrease in acute phase protein (APP) levels is observed in various bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases in cattle. Therefore, in this study, it was aimed to determine the changes in the levels of AFPs in cattle infected with M. bovis. In the study, 26 tuberculosis suspected and 10 healthy cattle blood serums collected from various enterprises in Samsun were used. Rose bengal plate test and complement fixation test were applied in serum by taking blood into heparin containing tubes from vena jugularis of cattle. Whole blood samples were subjected to gamma interferon ELISA test. Haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), albumin and total protein (TP) levels, which are among the acute phase proteins, were determined in the blood serums taken from the groups. As a result of the analysis, when the AFP levels of the cattle infected with M. bovis and the cattle in the healthy group were compared, it was determined that haptoglobin (p &lt; 0.01), serum amyloid A (p &lt; 0.01) and total protein (p &lt; 0.01) levels, which are AFPs increased statistically significantly compared to the healthy group, while the albümin (p &gt; 0.05) level decreased, but there was no statistically significant difference.&#x0D; Keywords: acute phase protein (APP); cattle; mycobacterium bovis; tuberculosis (TB),

Effect of Glycodelin on the Level of T-Regulatory Lymphocytes and Acute Phase Proteins in Wistar Rats after Introduction of Allogenous Bone Marrow Cells

Amniotic variant of glycodelin (GdA) has pronounced immunomodulatory properties, participating in the formation of immune tolerance during pregnancy. We investigated the effect of glycodelin on the level of T regulatory lymphocytes (Treg) and the level of acute phase proteins (α-2-macroglobulin (α-2M), orosomucoid, C-reactive protein (CRP)) upon administration of allogeneic red bone marrow (BM) cells to Wistar rats in a dynamic experiment in vivo. It was found that the introduction of GdA in animal whith allogeneic BM led to an increase in the proportion of peripheral Treg among CD4+ lymphocytes at the end of the experiment (on the 21st day) in comparison with the group that was injected with BM. It was shown that glycodelin reduced the level of CRP and α-2M, but increased the level of orosomucoid in the serum of experimental animals at the beginning of the experiment (day 3), however, by the end of the experiment (day 21), normalization of protein values was observed in all groups of experimental animals acute phase to the level of intact animals. Thus, glycodelin is able to realize an immunosuppressive effect on allogeneic cells through an increase in the level of Treg and orosomucoid, as well as a decrease in the concentration of CRP and α-2M.

Inflammatory tone in liver and adipose tissue in dairy cows experiencing a healthy transition from late pregnancy to early lactation

The transition from late pregnancy (LP) to early lactation (EL) in dairy cows is characterized by a major reorganization of the metabolic activities of liver and adipose tissue in support of milk synthesis. This reorganization has been attributed in large part to variation in the plasma concentration and actions of growth hormone, insulin, and other metabolic hormones. A role for the immune system has also been suggested by a near-universal rise in circulating levels of liver-derived acute-phase proteins (APP) in early lactating cows. However, less attention has been devoted to the possibility that resident macrophages of liver and adipose tissue adopt a proinflammatory state (referred herein as inflammatory tone) in parallel with the rise in plasma APP. We addressed this question by measuring the expression of genes expressed predominantly in the resident macrophage population of liver and adipose tissue and indicative of a proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6, IL-12, resistin, and cluster of differentiation 80 [CD80]) or anti-inflammatory state (IL-10 and chitinase-3-like protein 1 [CHI3L1]). In a first group of cows, none of these inflammatory gene markers were regulated in liver between LP on d -29 (relative to parturition) and on d 8 of EL despite 1.7 to 5.6-fold upregulation in the expression of the APP (haptoglobin, serum amyloid α, and orosomucoid 1). In a second group of healthy cows, expression of the inflammatory gene markers did not differ between livers with low (<5.3%) or high (>11.5%) triglyceride content on d 7 of EL. In adipose tissue, a modest increase in inflammatory tone was suggested between LP and EL by increased CD80 expression and decreased CHI3L1 expression in EL. To assess the possibility that inflammatory tone would be more prominent if assayed in a cell compartment enriched with macrophages, adipose tissue was obtained in LP on d -28 and in EL on d +10 from cows experiencing a healthy transition period and fractionated into its adipocyte and stromal vascular cell (SVC) compartments. Expression of inflammatory gene markers was higher in SVC than adipocytes but remained unregulated in SVC between LP and EL. Overall, these results suggest little change in the inflammatory tone of resident macrophages in liver and adipose tissue of healthy transition dairy cows and do not support a role for the local immune system in the reorganization of metabolism in these tissues at the onset of lactation.

Investigation of some acute phase protein levels in cattle infected with Brucella abortus

Investigation of some acute phase protein levels in cattle infected with Brucella abortus

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: СLINICAL AND LABORATORY CHANGES AND POTENTIAL FOR IMMUNE DISORDERS

Background. The spread of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and overcoming its consequences, including immune-related disorders, is one of the critical issues requiring extensive study and resolution in practical medicine, particularly under present conditions in Ukraine.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 79 (27.5%) patients with verified PTSD: 46 (58.2%) female and 33 (41.8%) male, with an average age of 38.7±7.2 years; a control group of 20 apparently healthy people was used. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) American National Center for PTSD (2013) questionnaire was used to verify PTSD. In addition, history taking, clinical examination, general and biochemical laboratory tests, and statistical analysis were performed.&#x0D; Results. All patients with PTSD experienced clinical disorders and changes in laboratory indicators, with a probable increase in absolute and relative values of neutrophils and mononuclear cells, an increase in the levels of acute phase proteins, and activation of transaminases. In addition, these patients were characterized as immunocompromised patients with the potential to study immunological disorders.&#x0D; Conclusions. The results of the review of the scientific literature and the clinical and paraclinical manifestations that we found in patients with PTSD indicate the role of immune mechanisms in the development of this syndrome and necessitate expanding diagnostic measures among such patients with the different pathogenetic approach of their management.

Circadian disruption and psychostimulants dysregulates plasma acute-phase proteins and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA

BackgroundPrevious studies have indicated a close link between the inflammatory response, exacerbated by circadian disruption and psychostimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine (METH). Indicators of this inflammation include cortisol and acute-phase proteins (APPs) like C-reactive protein (CRP), complement C3 (C3), and serum amyloid A (SAA). The connection between these inflammation markers and circulating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been gaining attention. However, the specific influence of cocaine and METH on APP, cortisol, and mtDNA levels in mice with disturbed circadian rhythm has yet to be explored, which is the main aim of this research. MethodsIn our study, we employed 10–12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice, which underwent an imposed 6-h phase advance every six days for a total of eight cycles. This process led to the formation of mice with disrupted circadian rhythm and sleep disorders (CRSD). We administered 11 dosages of cocaine and METH 15 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, respectively to these CRSD mice over the course of 22 days. Quantitative assessments of CRP, C3, SAA, cortisol, and cell-free circulating mtDNA were conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western Blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) techniques. ResultsThe experiment revealed that disruption in circadian rhythm alone or cocaine or METH on their own increased CRP, C3, SAA, and cortisol levels in comparison with the control group. CRSD mice, exposed to cocaine and METH, showed a significant rise in CRP, C3, and SAA, while those without exposure remained stable. We also found a reduction in circulating cell-free mtDNA in all CRSD mice, regardless of cocaine and METH exposure. ConclusionsThe findings of our study affirm that the levels of CRP, C3, SAA, and cortisol, which reflect inflammation, are enhanced by circadian disruption, cocaine, and METH, and these levels show a strong correlation with the content of circulating cell-free mtDNA. Furthermore, it also shows the potential link between the disruption of the circadian clock and the inflammatory response triggered by cocaine and METH.

Feeding Flaxseed and Lupins during the Transition Period in Dairy Cows: Effects on Production Performance, Fertility and Biochemical Blood Indices

Flaxseed and lupin seed were offered as an alternative dietary approach in dairy cows, through the partial substitution of soybean meal. Milk production and fertility traits were investigated. A total of 330 animals were allocated into two groups, treated (n = 176) and control (n = 154). From each group, 30 animals were selected for hematological and cytological studies. The experimental feeding period lasted for 81 days (25 days prepartum and 56 days postpartum). The control ration (group C) contained corn, barley, soybean meal, rapeseed cake, corn silage and lucerne hay; whereas, in the treatment group (group T), 50% of the soybean meal was replaced by an equal mixture of flaxseed and lupins. The two rations were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Milk samples were analyzed for chemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC) content and total colony forming units (CFU). Blood samples were collected, and serum was analyzed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), acute phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid) and lipid oxidation indices, namely thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and catalase activity. To assess polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) numbers, endometrial samples from each cow were collected on days 21 and 42. No difference was recorded between groups in milk yield (p &gt; 0.05). In multiparous cows, NEFA (mMol/L) concentrations were significantly lower in group T than in group C on day 14 (p &gt; 0.009) and on day 42 (p = 0.05), while no difference was detected in the group of primiparous cows. At all time points, serum TBARS and catalase values were similar in both groups (p &gt; 0.05). Multiparous cows in group T expressed the first postpartum estrus and conceived earlier than cows in group C (p ≤ 0.05). Between days 21 to 42 postpartum, the PMN reduction rate was higher in group T animals (p ≤ 0.05). Acute phase protein levels were in general lower in group T animals, and at specific time points differed significantly from group C (p ≤ 0.05). It was concluded that the partial replacement of soybean meal by flaxseed and lupins had no negative effect on milk yield or milk composition, and improved cow fertility; which, along with the lower cost of flaxseed and lupins mixture, may increase milk production profitability.

Analysis of clinical and paraclinical findings in children with community-acquired pneumonia and comorbid chronic tonsillitis

Background. Respiratory morbidity is the most frequent cause for children consulting a doctor, accounting for about one-quarter of primary care consultations. The current research aimed to analyze the clinical and paraclinical features of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with comorbid chronic tonsillitis in children and to assess the prognostic value of the proposed diagnostic procedures to optimize the management of patients. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Pulmonology and Allergology and Infectious Department of the Municipal Medical Establishment “Chernivtsi Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital”, Ukraine. Clinical group I included 20 children (mean age 9.40 ± 1.56 years) with uncomplicated community-acquired pneumonia and concomitant chronic tonsillitis, and the clinical group II consisted of 16 patients (mean age 9.60 ± 1.13 years) with CAP without concomitant pathology of the upper respiratory tract. Results. Community-acquired pneumonia in children with comorbid chronic tonsillitis is characterized by an intense proinflammatory response in the airways, which manifests itself in fever (odds ratio (OR) 6.0), malaise and fatigue (OR 14.3), persistent cough and dyspnea (OR 3.7), leukocytosis (OR 2.0), high levels of acute phase proteins (OR 4.5), activation of the oxidative protein modification according to the exhaled breath condensate examination (OR 6.0–30.0), and more frequent fungal-bacterial association according to the microbiological examination of sputum and oropharyngeal swab (OR 11.1). The obtained data suggest that parenteral antibiotic therapy was used in 20 % of patients from group I and 12.5 % from group II, while 6.3 % of children from group II received only oral antibiotics. In children with CAP and chronic tonsillitis versus comparison group, the ОR of receiving parenteral antibiotic therapy for longer than 7 days reached 10.0, and the OR of oral antibiotic therapy for longer than 5 days reached 4.0. Conclusions. The results obtained from the study show that children with CAP and comorbid chronic tonsillitis have more pronounced clinical symptoms, accompanied by paraclinical signs of inflammation that last longer during hospital treatment and require comprehensive therapy (OR 3.3) of longer duration (OR 4.0–10.0).

Effect of Periodontitis and Periodontal Treatment on Positive Acute Phase Proteins

Background Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with the production of cytokines that can lead to local and systemic inflammatory responses. On the other hand, during systemic inflammation in the body, the levels of acute phase proteins (APPs) can change. APPs include positive and negative types, which in response to inflammatory conditions, the concentration of positive types increases and negative types decreases. Therefore, examining changes in APPs can be used as a marker during periodontitis and periodontal treatment. Objective The purpose of this review article was to investigate the effect of periodontitis and periodontal treatment on positive APPs. The distinguishing feature of this article is the investigation of the effect of periodontal disease and its treatment on positive APPs. In addition, the introduction of new positive APPs in the future can be used to conduct new studies. Methods In this study, the keywords periodontitis, acute phase proteins, periodontal debridement, and inflammation mediators in English were searched in Google Scholar and PubMed and Scopus databases from 2000 to 2022. Among the found articles, finally, 65 related articles were selected and reviewed. Results Periodontal treatment can reduce the levels of positive APPs increased during periodontitis. Conclusion Periodontitis as an inflammatory disease can lead to changes in the levels of positive APPs leading to an increase in the levels of these proteins. Periodontal treatment, which includes non-surgical treatment (the first step of periodontal treatment and the gold standard of this treatment is scaling above and below the gums and leveling the root surfaces to remove etiological factors) and, if necessary, surgical treatment can lead to the reduction of their levels.

Risk Factors and Immunoinflammatory Mechanisms Leading to Atherosclerosis: Focus on the Role of Oral Microbiota Dysbiosis.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including myocardial infarction and stroke, are currently the leading cause of morbidity, disability and mortality worldwide. Recently, researchers have focused their attention on the alterations of the gut and oral microbiota, investigating the possible role of their dysbiosis in the pathogenesis and/or progression of CVD. In this regard, it has been shown that endothelial dysfunction, a major feature of CVD, can also be induced by chronic periodontal infection, due to a systemic pro-inflammatory condition, as suggested by increased plasma levels of acute phase proteins, IL-6 and fibrinogen. Moreover, proatherogenic dysfunctions can also be promoted by direct bacterial invasion of the endothelium. This review reports the current evidence about the possible role of oral microbiota dysbiosis and the related immunoinflammatory components in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and associated CVD. It is concluded that integration of oral microbiota sampling into clinical practice may result in a more accurate assessment of CV risk in patients and even modify their prognosis.

Circulating oxidative stress and acute phase protein levels in horses infested with ticks.

Ticks have saliva rich in immunoregulatory molecules that interfere with the host's physiology in order to feed. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of acute phase proteins and circulating oxidative stress in response to infestation by Amblyomma sculptum and Dermacentor nitens in two breed horses, Mangalarga Marchador and Breton Postier, to define resistance or susceptibility to ticks. Among the oxidative stress markers, we observed lower malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in horses with tick infestation, consequently not altering the antioxidant enzymes. Breton Postier with tick infestation showed a reduction in the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), which may be due to lower feeding of the host due to the stress caused by the infestation or even to sequestration of components induced by the tick during blood feeding. The alpha-1-antitrypsin, an acute phase protein, showed an increase in Mangalarga Marchador with tick infestation; curiously it is related to a protective action against tissue damage, pathogens and parasites. We could assume that Mangalarga Marchador showed a better response to ticks when compared to Breton Postier. However, it is still early to define the resistance or susceptibility to ticks, as we did not observe significant changes in most of the analyzed variables. Further studies are needed to understand the compounds and mechanisms of action of the tick saliva in the acute phase proteins and the possible relationships of oxidative stress in the host and the tick during blood feeding.

Assessment of the risk factors determining the prognosis of major and minor limb amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global health problem, and its incidence is growing. Depending on this increase, the number of diabetes-related complications will also rise. This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with major and minor amputations resulting from diabetes. Patients diagnosed with diabetic foot complications (n = 371) and hospitalized between January 2019 and March 2020 were retrospectively evaluated using information obtained from the database of Diabetic Foot Wound Clinic. Examination of the data identified 165 patients for inclusion in the study, who were stratified into major amputation (group 1, n = 32), minor amputation (group 2, n = 66) and non-amputation (group 3, n = 67) groups. Of the 32 patients who underwent major amputations, 84% had a below-knee amputation, 13% had an above-knee amputation and 3% had knee disarticulation. At the same time, 73% of 66 patients who underwent minor amputation had a single-finger amputation, 17% had a multiple-finger amputation, 8% had a transmetatarsal amputation, and 2% had Lisfranc amputation. Laboratory results showed high acute phase protein and low albumin (ALB) levels in patients from group 1 (p < 0.05). Although Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common infectious agent, Gram-negative pathogens were dominant (p < 0.05). Also, there was a significant cost difference between the groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, those aged over 65 had a high Wagner score, high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), long diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) duration, and high white blood cell (WBC) count, all of which were risk factors for major amputation (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated an increased Wagner staging and incidence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in major amputation patients. In addition, the rate of distal vessel involvement was high in major amputation patients, with elevated acute phase proteins and low ALB levels crucial in laboratory findings.

Effects of improved early-life conditions on health, welfare, and performance of pigs raised on a conventional farm

Nowadays, most pigs are raised indoors, on intensive farms providing a poor environment. In these conditions, the risk of the occurrence of damaging behaviours is high, with dramatic consequences for animal health and welfare as well as economic losses for farmers. Early-life conditions may predispose individuals to develop damaging behaviours later in life. In contrast, reinforcing affiliative behaviours between piglets before weaning might help to prevent tail-biting episodes. In this field study, we aimed at improving early-life conditions of piglets on a commercial farm by completely suppressing painful procedures and staggering their exposure to weaning stress factors. The alternative early-life management strategy combined housing in free-farrowing pens with temporary crating of the sow, socialisation during the lactation period with whole-life maintenance of the hierarchical groups, and delayed transfer to the postweaning room after sow removal. Control conditions included birth in farrowing crates, tail docking, absence of socialisation during the lactation period, abrupt weaning with immediate transfer to the postweaning room and mixing with non-littermates. We evaluated the health, welfare, and performance of alternatively raised pigs (n = 80) as compared to controls (n = 75). Visits were made throughout the lifespan of individuals to evaluate their growth and health status. Body and tail lesions were scored as proxy measures of aggressiveness and impaired welfare. Blood and bristle samples were periodically collected to evaluate stress, inflammation and immune competence. While the whole-life performance of pigs was similar among groups, the alternative early-life conditions prevented the growth slowdown usually observed after weaning. In addition, alternatively raised pigs displayed more neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes the day after weaning, as well as higher C-Reactive Protein levels. One week later, their monocytes displayed greater phagocytic capacity. Altogether, these data suggest an enhanced innate immune competence for alternatively raised pigs around weaning. Piglets reared under alternative conditions also exhibited fewer and less severe body lesions than standard pigs, one week after weaning. In contrast, they showed more tail lesions on days 36 and 66 associated with greater levels of acute phase proteins (C-Reactive Protein and haptoglobin). To conclude, alternative early-life management better prepared piglets for weaning. However, the whole-life maintenance of early-established social groups was not sufficient to prevent the occurrence of damaging behaviours in undocked pigs.