Serum Protein Constituents Research Articles

The synergistic effects of dietary protein and stocking density on performance, digestive enzymes, and hemato-biochemistry parameters of juvenile striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

This experiment was designed to examine the impacts of different dietary protein levels (DPLs) and their interaction on the growth and some physiological indices of juvenile striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, reared at different stocking densities (SDs) for 15 weeks. A total of 1440 striped catfish (initial weight = 10.0 ± 2.2 g) were randomly allocated into six equal treated groups (three replicates per treated group). Fish were fed two DPLs of 25 % and 30 % and reared under different SDs of 20, 40, and 60 fish/m3. The obtained results indicated that with increasing DPL, growth parameters, and digestive enzyme activities, the liver function enzyme activities, serum protein constituents' levels, and concentrations of thyroid hormones significantly increased, while levels of serum glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides remarkably decreased. On the other hand, increasing SD negatively affects growth, digestive and liver enzyme activities, some hematological parameters, and fish-body chemical analysis. The interaction between DPLs and different SDs significantly improved the most estimated parameters with increasing DPLs despite intensifying SDs. In general, afforded striped catfish diets containing 30 % DPL and stocked at 20 fish/m3 presented the best performance, consumed feed efficiency, and health status. Thus, the interaction between DPLs and SDs demonstrated the favorable benefits of increasing DPLs by diminishing some of the adverse impacts generated by high SDs, which may subsequently lead to high production and increased revenues for fish farmers.

The effect of dietary administration of Saussurea lappa root on performance, blood biochemical indices, redox status, innate immune response, intestinal microbial population and resistance against A. hydrophila infections of Tilapia Fingerlings

AbstractThis experiment was performed to identify the influence of dietary Saussurea lappa root (SLR) on the performance and general health status of Nile Tilapia fingerlings (O. niloticus). Four formulated diets with different SLR levels of 0.0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg, respectively, were afforded to fingerling fish (15.42 ± 0.05 g) for 8 weeks. The feed efficiency ratio (FER), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio varied with dietary SLR level in a linear model and a high feed efficiency rate was recorded at the 10 g/kg group, while FI and FCR exhibited an opposite trend (P < 0.001). Dietary SLR level influenced serum protein constituents, liver and renal function enzymes, triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose (P < 0.001). Serum Catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) remarkedly increased with dietary SLR level and attained a level at 10 g/kg. Furthermore, serum lysozyme, complement C3 (C3), IgA and IgD were stimulated by 10 g/kg SLR. Intestinal digestive enzymes (lipase and amylase) increased with SLR level up to 10 g/kg. As the dietary SLR level raised, the cumulative survival percentage aginst A. hydrophila challenge increased and then reached a maximum at 10 g/kg SLR group. Moreover, gene expression of pro‐inflammation cytokines (TNF‐2a, IL‐1β, and IL‐10) in liver and kidney transcriptomes demonstrated effective immunostimulant capabilities of greater SLR inclusion levels in fish diet. Meanwhile, intestinal microbial investigation, revealed that high levels of SLR in tilapia fish feed significantly suppressed total bacterial count, and pathogenic bacterial count (such as, E. coli, Coliform, Aeromonas spp, Pseudomonas spp.), and stimulated lactic acid bacteria development. Finally, it is recommended to include a high level of SLR (5 or 10 g/kg) in the diet of O. niloticus fingerlings to enhance feed efficiency, antioxidant characteristics, and immunological response against bacterial infections.

Effects of dietary Thalassodendron Ciliatum supplementation on biochemical-immunological, antioxidant and growth indices of Oreochromis niloticus exposed to ammonia toxicity

Aquatic plants are potent antioxidants that might promote health and reduced oxidative damage induced by a variety of ecological pollutants in aquatic organisms. The privileges of dietary Thalassodendron Ciliatum intervention were assessed in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) pre- and post-acute ammonia exposure. A total of 160 healthy male juveniles (weighing 12.4 ± 0.01 g) were allocated randomly into four equal groups (each group containing four replicates). The feeding trial lasted for 8 weeks; the first group served as a control (fed a basal diet), while, the remaining three groups were fed diets supplemented with 1, 3 or 5% T. ciliatum extract (TCE1%, TCE3% and TCE5% respectively). By the end of the feeding trial, all fish groups had been exposed to a 6-h acute ammonia exposure with 5 mg TAN per Liter, relying on pH level and water temperature degree. Prior to the ammonia toxicity test, all performance data indicated that a low dosage of TCE (1 or 3%) resulted in significant improvements (P > 0.01 or 0.001). Meanwhile, fish assigned TCE5%-rich diets reported the highest levels of crude protein and lowest lipid percentages when compared to the control group. Furthermore, fish administered a high dose of TCE had significantly (P < 0.001) higher serum protein constituents, interleukin-1 (IL-1), immunoglobulins M and G, and lysozyme levels and reduced liver enzyme and total necrosis factor-2α contents pre- and post-ammonia exposure. Pre- and post-ammonia toxicity, TCE incorporation into fish diet significantly (P < 0.001) promoted the antioxidant activity along with stimulating the transcription of the IL-8, GSH and CAT genes. Moreover, the TCE5% fish group showed higher effectiveness in mitigating the ammonia toxicity risks on the gill structure and displayed apparently normal structure. Finally, although it may be suggested that including small quantities of TCE (1 to 3%) into fish diets might promote growth under conventional aquaculture systems, higher TCE levels (5%) were proven to be essential in triggering immunological and antioxidant responses under intensive culture systems.

The effects of sex, body length, and different habitats on the serum protein electrophoresis of the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris).

Knowledge of mammalian inflammatory responses is vast; however, many aspects of the inflammatory response in non-mammalian vertebrates, such as reptiles, remain unclear, including those regarding acute-phase proteins (APPs). Recent studies have focused on the use of serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) to assess inflammatory responses in the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) and other reptiles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sex, body length, and different habitats on SPE patterns in Clatirostris using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). A total of 40 animals of both sexes and varying body lengths were collected; of these, 23 were free-living in an industrial complex (site 1), and 17 were captive on a rural property (site 2). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed to fractionate different serum protein constituents. Sex affected protein levels, with females showing higher serum levels of total protein, as well as the 90-, 66-, and 58-kDa proteins compared with males. Similarly, body length affected protein levels, with male adults >1.70m in length showing the lowest serum levels of 152-, 58-, 54-, and 27-kDa proteins of all other animals. Finally, habitat affected protein levels, with animals at site 1 showing higher serum levels of 152- and 41-kDa proteins compared with those at site 2. This preliminary study was the first to evaluate the SPE of Clatirostris using SDS-PAGE. Further studies to identify the proteins in each band with more specific and sensitive techniques (eg, mass spectrometry) should be conducted to elucidate the standard of APPs in reptiles better.

Growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed graded levels of dietary fumonisin B1

Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus were used to evaluate the effect of dietary fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides, on growth, haematological and serum biochemical parameters. The fingerlings were sorted, weighed and randomly stocked in 16 plastic tanks at the rate of 20 fingerlings per tank. Fusarium-cultured maize grains containing FB1 were used to formulate three diets containing approximately 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0mg FB1/kg, constituting diets 2, 3, and 4 respectively. These three diets, plus diet 1, which contained non-Fusarium cultured maize grains that served as the control, were used in a 6-week feeding trial. The final weight gains by the fingerlings were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by FB1. The final weights of the fingerlings fed diets 2, 3 and 4 ranged from 70.07 to 87.10% of the controls. The haematocrit, erythrocytes, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and the serum protein constituents (total protein, albumin and globulin) values significantly (P < 0.05) decreased, while the leucocytes, MCV and MCH increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increase in the dietary FB1. The total serum protein values of the fingerlings fed diets 2, 3 and 4 were 34.53, 39.42 and 50.17% lower than the total serum protein values of those fed the control diet. These results indicate that Fusarium-contaminated diets containing about 5.0mg or more FB1/kg reduced weight gain and significantly altered haematological parameters and serum protein constituents in the fingerlings. These may have a significant impact on physiological activities and may be vital in immunosuppression in the fingerlings with a strong negative impact on subsequent performance of the fish.

Standardization of laboratory data and establishment of reference intervals in the Fukuoka Prefecture: a Japanese perspective.

Standardization of 22 clinical chemistry analytes and five serum protein constituents has been performed in the Fukuoka Prefecture, which has a population of approximately five million. The standardization project was established to determine reference intervals for these analytes by educating physicians, medical technologists and staff of medical institutions, and by daily or monthly monitoring the use of common control samples through e-mail. Standardization extended to 97% of the institutions in the prefecture. Results for 14 of the 22 clinical chemistry analytes have become highly reliable and differences between institutions decreased. Standardization of other analytes is now in progress. Regional collaboration based on international guidelines led to a significant improvement in interlaboratory comparability. Areas where further improvements are needed have been identified.

Comparison of hemolymph proteins from resistant and susceptible oysters, Crassostrea virginica, exposed to the parasite Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX)

Serum protein constituents in laboratory-reared stocks of oysters, Crassostrea virginica, susceptible to mortality caused by the parasite Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) were compared with constituents in resistant oysters exposed to the same level of infection activity. Virtually all of the susceptible oysters became infected and 71% died by the end of the 9-month study, while only half of the resistant group had patent H. nelsoni infections and only 7% died. Total serum protein concentrations fell sharply and in approximate proportion to disease intensity in oysters with systemic H. nelsoni infections. Oysters with heavy parasitism had about one-third the protein levels of uninfected individuals. When infections were confined to the gill, however, as was the case with mortality-resistant oysters, there was no depression of protein levels. In all oysters examined, SDS electrophoresis showed three rapidly migrating proteins, with molecular weights between 25,000 and 75,000, that comprised nearly all the total protein. Up to 12 larger proteins, with molecular weights up to 500,000, were also present, but with considerable individual variability in number and concentration. There was no obvious correlation of electrophoresis patterns with H. nelsoni disease or with genetic background. Results of the study suggest that depletion of certain metabolic substrates such as circulating protein and/or interruption of biosynthetic pathways by the parasite may be a primary cause of death in infected oysters.

Clinical applications of two-dimensional electrophoresis.

High-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis has been used in our institute to study sera from patients with multiple myelomas; cerebrospinal fluid from patients with different neurological disorders; blister fluid, dermis, and epidermis from patients with skin diseases; and biopsies from brain tumors; and to search for tumor-associated proteins in cancer biopsies and pre-cancer sera. The method differentiates between all main types of immunoglobulins and gives rise to protein patterns for cerebrospinal fluid that may carry diagnostic information. The pattern of proteins in serum and blister fluid is almost identical, confirming that the latter is a filtrate of serum. We also analyzed sera collected from patients several years before it was clinically recognized that they had cancer (JANUS serum bank), in an attempt to find tumor-associated proteins in serum at an early stage of the disease. We encountered difficulties in detecting trace proteins, due to masking effects of such major serum-protein constituents as albumin. A combination of computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis is capable of mapping compounds of both low and high molecular mass. Used in combination with pattern-recognition analysis, the complete multicomponent analytical system opens the possibility of diagnosing diseased cells solely on the basis of differences in their biochemical composition.

A simple and rapid method for isolation of serum lipoproteins from the other serum protein constituents

A simple and rapid method for isolation of serum lipoproteins from the other serum protein constituents

Relationship of Blood Serum Protein and Protein Fractions to Milk Constituents and Temperature-Season

Blood serum protein and protein fractions were determined in 265 samples from 62 lactating Holstein cows over one calendar year. Temperature-seasonal changes (cool, optimum, hot) were responsible for significant linear and quadratic fluctuation in serum protein fractions. Serum albumin, β-globulin, α2- globulin, and the A:G ratio significantly decreased as seasons progressed from cool to hot. Further, globulin and γ-globulin both increased significantly from cool to hot seasons. An a1bumin:globulin ratio (.56:1) was inverted.Milk fat percentage was positively correlated with serum albumin percentage and a1bumin:globulin ratio and negatively correlated with total serum protein, and serum globulin and γ-globulin percentages. No correlations were significant between Wisconsin Mastitis Test or Direct Microscopic Somatic Cell Count and any of the serum protein constituents or total serum protein. Monthly 4% fat-corrected milk was negatively correlated with total serum protein and serum globulin percentage and positively correlated with serum α2-globulin percentage.

Effects of Diet and Time on Blood Serum Proteins in the Newborn Calf

The effect of colostrum on serum protein constituents during the first seven and one-half hours after birth was studied in 11 calves removed from their dams immediately after birth and bled every half hour. Calves received pooled colostrum (0.7kg) after the first bleeding and again five and one-half hours later. At Time Zero, a small amount of γ-globulin (0.02 g/100ml) was detected, indicating that calves do not obtain all their serum γ-globulin by colostrum absorption. Serum γ-globulin increased linearly (P<0.01) over the seven and one-half-hour period to 0.19 g/100ml after feeding colostrum. Serum albumin increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas serum protein, α-1,2, and β-globulin remained constant.The concentration of serum protein constituents was also studied in calves which did not receive colostrum until 24 hours, postnatally. The small amount of serum γ-globulin at birth remained constant over the 31 hours in calves fed glucose or nothing. Feeding of pooled colostrum at the 24th hour of life after receiving nothing or glucose for 24 hours did not alter the serum γ-globulin by the 31st hour of life (0.02 g/100ml). This suggests that the gut was impermeable to colostral proteins by the 24th hour after birth. y-Globulin level was significantly higher by seven hours after birth in calves fed pooled colostrum than calves nursing their damns. However, serum γ-globulin levels in nursing calves were higher at 24 to 31 hours than in calves fed pooled colostrum (0.57 versus 0.29 g/100ml).

Advances in rheumatic fever, 1940-1961. Epidemiological and clinical studies of patients during the first five decades of life.

Dr. May Wilson, prominent and productive investigator of rheumatic fever for almost 50 years, has written this monograph as a supplement, revision, of her earlier book published 20 years ago. Among the new data are long-term observations of survival and cardiac changes, studies of age susceptibility, serum protein constituents, and ecologic and genetic factors in rheumatic fever. Her current diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are completely described. Dr. Wilson does accept the validity of certain recent conceptual doctrines. Most other workers now believe that acute rheumatic fever is always part of the spectrum of complications triggered by Group A streptococcal infections in susceptible hosts and that continuous antimicrobial prophylaxis should be given indefinitely to all rheumatic patients. Dr. Wilson believes the initiating role of the streptococcus is not as yet based on conclusive evidence, and prefers to treat streptococcal infections as they are discovered, since she regards

Paper electrophoretic study of serum proteins in children with leukemia

Summary<ul><li>1.Serum protein analyses by paper electrophoresis on twenty-three children with leukemia have been presented.</li><li>2.Normal serum protein patterns were frequently observed. Variations from normal consisted of low albumin and gamma globulin and occasionally an increase in alpha₁ and alpha₂ globulins in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. In acute myelogenous leukemia a decrease in the albumin fraction and an increase in alpha₁ and alpha₂ globulins occurred. A low albumin and beta globulin and occasional elevation of the alpha₂ globulin were sometimes seen in patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia. The one patient studied with chronic lymphocytic leukemia showed a normal serum protein pattern.</li><li>3.The mean values for each serum protein constituent in each group of leukemia patients studied fell within the normal range; however, wide variations from the mean plus or minus (±) 1.96 standard deviations of the mean were encountered.</li><li>4.No direct correlation could be made between the alteration of serum protein constituents and the drugs employed in the therapy of these patients except for a decrease in the albumin fraction during steroid therapy.</li><li>5.Alterations in the normal serum protein fractions in patients with leukemia is probably of a nonspecific nature and may be related to tissue destruction, fever, or infection.</li><li>6.Changes in the electrophoretic serum protein components in the present study were of little value in the diagnosis of leukemia; however, the presence of abnormal patterns may lead one to suspect a relapse and progression of the disease.</li></ul>

Triethylene Melamine in the Treatment of Neoplastic Disease

Triethylene Melamine in the Treatment of Neoplastic Disease