Determination of Psychological Stress, Serum Immune Parameters, and Cortisol Levels in Patients With Human Papilloma Virus.

PURPOSE: Because the results of studies investigating the relation between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and the effects of psychological stress are inconsistent, this study was conducted to expand on previous research by analyzing patient stress levels, serum immune parameters, and cortisol levels in patients with clinical HPV manifestations. It also looked for differences in clinical manifestations of HPV depending on patient level of experienced stress. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 213 subjects (94 women and 119 men aged ≥18 years; average age, 41 years) with clinical manifestations of HPV infection (165 subjects with extragenital manifestations and 48 with genital manifestations) who were treated at the Department of Dermatovenerology, Karlovac General Hospital, from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2015. Psychological, neurohormonal and immune parameters (serum values of leukocytes, alpha2-globulins, beta-globulins, albumins, and proteins), and serum cortisol levels were analyzed. Questionnaires were used to determine patients' perception of stress: the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Brief Cope Test. One group of subjects had confirmed stressful experiences, defined by the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire as a period of 1 year with at least 500 life change units; the control group included patients with no significant stressful experiences. FINDINGS: Patients with confirmed significant stress experience had a statistically significant higher degree of perception of stress. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of the impact of stress on clinical HPV manifestations (genital and extragenital), sex, lesional duration, or recurrence. In patients with significant stress experience, significantly higher values of leukocytes (6.68 × 109/L), alpha2-globulins (6.85 g/L), and beta-globulins (7.33 g/L) were observed. Adaptive coping and a lower perception of stress significantly reduced the chances of having extragenital manifestations by 2.63 times. A higher perception of stress significantly increased the likelihood of genital manifestations. IMPLICATIONS: Although this study found that stress increased the values of leukocytes, alpha2-globulins, and beta-globulins, no evidence was found that it affected clinical manifestations of HPV infection. The redundancy of the immune system could account for this finding. This study is among the first to investigate the correlation between psychological, neurohormonal, and immune indicators of stress.

Proteomic analysis of coffee grains exposed to different drying process.

Many biochemical events occur inside grains during post-harvest processes. Several methods have been developed to relate the chemical composition of the coffee grain to the beverage quality, including identification of possible molecular markers for flavor characterizing. This study was aimed at evaluating the changes in the proteomic profile of pulped and natural C. arabica grains dried in a yard or dryer at 60°C. It was observed that fruits dried in a dryer at 60°C showed an altered proteomic profile, with a reduction in the most abundant proteins compared to those yard-dried grains. Among the identified proteins, those involved in the metabolism of sugars and stress response were highlighted. Results have shown that post-harvest processes that impact coffee quality are related to changes in protein abundance, indicating that proteomic analysis may be effective in the identification of biochemical changes in coffee grains subjected to different post-harvest processes.

[Effects of modified liangge powder contained serum on LPS stimulated TLR4 expression and release of cytokines in mouse platelets].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Modified Liangge Powder (MLP) on the expressions of platelet toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the release of platelet-derived cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8), beta platelet globulin (beta-TG), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). METHODS: The modulating effects on the release of cytokines from mice platelets by TLR4 ligand through monoclonal antibody blocking TLR4 on platelet were compared. The stimulated platelet by LPS was incubated with low (0.94 g/mL), medium (1.89 g/mL), and high (2.84 g/mL) dose of MLP contained serum. The changes of the platelet TLR4 expression and platelet-derived cytokines were observed. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of platelet TLR4 obviously decreased (P < 0.01) and the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets significantly increased (P < 0.01) after stimulated by LPS. However, the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets obviously decreased by TLR4 monoclonal antibody (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in IL-8 between before and after LPS stimulation (P > 0.05). Platelet TLR4 positive expression rate was significantly higher after incubated by medium and high doses of MLP contained serum (P < 0.01), and the releasing of sCD40L and beta-TG was lower in the serum contained groups. The inhibitory effects were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: LPS induced platelet activation by TLR4 and released sCD40L and beta-TG, while the release of platelet IL-8 was not dependent on platelet TLR4-LPS pathway. MLP could inhibit LPS-stimulated sCD40L and beta-TG, inhibit the binding of platelet TLR4 and LPS in a dose-dependent manner, thus reducing the release of platelet cytokines.

Measuring the level of agreement in hematologic and biochemical values between blood sampling sites in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea).

Conservation programs to protect endangered sea turtles are being instituted worldwide. A common practice in these programs is to collect blood to evaluate the health of the turtles. Several different venipuncture sites are used to collect blood from sea turtles for hematologic and biochemistry tests, depending on the species. To date, it is unknown what affect venipuncture site may have on sample results. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of agreement between hematologic and biochemistry values collected from the dorsal cervical sinus and the interdigital vein of leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles. Paired heparinized blood samples were obtained from the dorsal cervical sinus and the interdigital vein of 12 adult female nesting leatherback sea turtles on Keys Beach, St. Kitts, West Indies. Even though the sample population was small, the data for each chemistry were normally distributed, except for creatine kinase (CK). There was no significant difference when comparing biochemistry or hematologic values by venipuncture site, except for CK (P = 0.02). The level of agreement between sampling sites was considered good for albumin, calcium, globulin, glucose, packed cell volume, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, total protein, total solids, uric acid, white blood cell count, and all of the individual white cell types, while the level of agreement for aspartate aminotransferase and CK were considered poor. This information, coupled with the fact that the interdigital vein affords a less-invasive procedure, demonstrates that the interdigital vein is an appropriate location to use when establishing a hematologic and biochemical profile for leatherback sea turtles.

Effects of modified liangge powder contained serum on LPS stimulated TLR4 expression and release of cytokines in mouse platelets / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Modified Liangge Powder (MLP) on the expressions of platelet toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the release of platelet-derived cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8), beta platelet globulin (beta-TG), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The modulating effects on the release of cytokines from mice platelets by TLR4 ligand through monoclonal antibody blocking TLR4 on platelet were compared. The stimulated platelet by LPS was incubated with low (0.94 g/mL), medium (1.89 g/mL), and high (2.84 g/mL) dose of MLP contained serum. The changes of the platelet TLR4 expression and platelet-derived cytokines were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive expression rate of platelet TLR4 obviously decreased (P < 0.01) and the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets significantly increased (P < 0.01) after stimulated by LPS. However, the release of sCD40L and beta-TG from platelets obviously decreased by TLR4 monoclonal antibody (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in IL-8 between before and after LPS stimulation (P > 0.05). Platelet TLR4 positive expression rate was significantly higher after incubated by medium and high doses of MLP contained serum (P < 0.01), and the releasing of sCD40L and beta-TG was lower in the serum contained groups. The inhibitory effects were enhanced in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LPS induced platelet activation by TLR4 and released sCD40L and beta-TG, while the release of platelet IL-8 was not dependent on platelet TLR4-LPS pathway. MLP could inhibit LPS-stimulated sCD40L and beta-TG, inhibit the binding of platelet TLR4 and LPS in a dose-dependent manner, thus reducing the release of platelet cytokines.</p>

Effects of Iscador preparations on the reactivity of mouse immune system.

OBJECTIVES: Anticancer preparations made from plants have been an object of scientific interest for many years. It is worth noting that as many as 25% of cytostatics used in the anticancer chemotherapy are obtained from plants. One of the medical preparations which significantly influences cell metabolism is Iscador. Iscador preparations are used as complementary therapy in the conventional anticancer treatment. These are aqueous extracts of mistletoe (Viscum album L.). One repeatedly finds that mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts show immune-modulating effects. THE AIM at the present work was to study the influence of iscador Qu, M, P at a dose 5 mg/kg b.w., on the total protein concentration in blood serum and proportions of blood protein fractions determined by electrophoresis. Additionally leukocyte activity was estimated, which, served as indicators of the immune system reactivity in mice treated with anticancer preparations of vegetable origin. RESULTS: The experiment indicated statistically significant increase in albumin fraction level and lymphocyte count. Moreover, decrease of the total protein content, protein fractions globulins alpha2, beta, gamma and neutrophil, monocyte count in mouse serum was observed.

The effect of high-flux hemodialysis on dialysis-associated amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). In this study, depending on the idea that the clearance of middle and high molecular weight toxins could be improved, we aimed to investigate the effect of high-flux dialyzer on clearance of beta-2 microglobulin (beta2-MG) and calcium (Ca) phosphorus (P) metabolism in patients under HD treatment. Forty-eight patients with ESRD under chronic HD treatment were included in the study. All patients were randomized into two groups, and HD was performed with low-flux or high-flux dialyzer for 6 months. In the high-flux group, the reduction of beta2-MG and P levels during dialysis was significantly higher when compared with the low-flux group (p<0.001). During the follow-up period, while beta2-MG levels decreased significantly in the high-flux group (p<0.05), there was an increase in the low-flux group (p<0.05). As a result, our findings suggest that use of high-flux dialyzer can be an efficient alternative in terms of controlling the clearance of beta2-MG and impaired Ca and P metabolism. These beneficial effects of high-flux dialyzers are probably mediated by the improved clearance of middle and high molecular weight toxins.

Clinical phenotypes and molecular diagnosis in a hitherto interaction of Hb E/beta thalassemia syndrome (beta(E)/beta(-31), (A -->G)).

Molecular identification of affected alleles in the index family with rare mutation(s) and/or interaction(s) is an important prerequisite toward a proper genetic counseling. In Thailand, where more than 30% of the populations are heterozygotes for either alpha or beta thalassemia mutation(s). More than 60 different thalassemia syndromes resulting from the interactions of these heterogeneous alleles have been observed. The majority of patients in the hospital based-study are compound heterozygotes for beta thalassemia alleles and another hemoglobinopathy namely Hb E, highly prevalent in Thailand, gave rise to Hb E/beta thalassemia syndrome. The phenotypes of these syndromes vary from asymptomatic individual to a very severe phenotype mimic that of beta thalassemia major. In this report, we describe a three-year-old Thai girl presenting with mild hypochromic microcytic anemia since birth. She was born prematurely and developed anemia within the first week of life. The cause of anemia was suspected to result from prematurity and low intrauterine iron storage, however hypochromic anemia did not resolve after a three-month of iron supplement therapy. Subsequent studies indicated that the patient had Hb E/beta thalassemia disease and the molecular study revealed that the patient was a compound heterozygote for Hb E and a rare beta thalassemia mutation (beta(-31), A --> G). This hitherto genotype results in a relatively mild clinical symptom since the patient's baseline Hb values were around 9-10 g/dL with normal weight and height development during the follow-up period.

Long-term oral administration of ginseng extract decreases serum gamma-globulin and IgG1 isotype in mice.

Effects of long-term oral administration of ginseng extract on serum protein profile and immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes were studied in mice. Ginseng extract was orally administered to healthy female mice for 52 days at doses of 30 and 150 mg/kg per day and serum protein electrophoretograms and Ig isotypes levels were evaluated. Serum level of gamma-globulin was decreased dose dependently to 82% (P < 0.05) and 56% (P < 0.01) of control values at the doses of 30 and 150 mg/kg per day, respectively. Levels of total protein, albumin, alpha2- and beta-globulin fractions, as well as the ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G) did not change significantly. However, the alpha1-globulin level increased by 24% (P < 0.05) at the doses of 30 and 150 mg/kg per day. Among the Ig isotypes, including IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgM and IgA, serum IgG1 was dose dependently decreased to 68% (P < 0.05) of control values at the dose of 150 mg/kg per day without significant changes in other Ig isotypes. As IgG1 isotype is rarely cytotoxic and can act as a blocking antibody, it is suggested that the selective decrease in serum IgG1 induced by ginseng extract without changes in the cytotoxic antibodies such as IgG2a may be helpful for the prevention and inhibition of cancer.

[A 4-week repeated percutaneous dose toxicity study of calcipotriol (MC903) followed by a 4-week recovery test in rats].

A 4-week repeated percutaneous dose toxicity of calcipotriol (MC903), an anti-psoriasic agent, followed by a recovery for 4 weeks was studied in Slc:SD rats at doses of 4, 20 and 100 micrograms/kg/day as low, mid and high dose levels. 1. One male and female at high dose died probably due to stress and circulatory failure. One female at mid dose died with clonic convulsion considered to be results in attached error of a neck collar. Survival of rats showed reddish tear, reddening and desquamation of the skin at application site, and vocalization at all groups including control. Furthermore, abnormal gait, dirty hair, emaciation and opacity of the eyeball surface in both sexes were observed at high dose. 2. A decreased body weight and a slight increased water consumption in both sexes, and a decreased food consumption in males were observed at high dose. 3. An increased incidence of corneal opacity was noted significantly in both sexes as compared with control at high dose. Urinalysis revealed an increased Ca excretion in both sexes at more than mid dose, and lower pH in females at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose, and a decreased urinary volume in males at high dose. The increases of neutrophil and serum beta-globulin ratios in females, and serum Ca level in both sexes were observed at high dose. The increased mineralization of the cornea in males at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose, and of the Kidney in males at high dose were observed. At the skin of application site, cellular infiltration in the epidermis and dermis in both sexes at more than mid dose was observed. Furthermore, hyperplasia of the squamous cell in females, and hyperkeratosis in the epidermis and hypertrophy of the sebaceous gland in both sexes were observed at high dose. 4. After a 4-week recovery period, the changes related with application disappeared except for opacity of the eyeball surface and cornea, and mineralization of organs. 5. On the basis of results obtained in the present study, it is considered that 4 micrograms/kg/day is the no-toxic dose of MC903 applied percutaneously in both sexes of rats.

[Plasma proteins as biochemical markers of alcohol abuse]. / Bialka osocza jako biochemiczne markery naduzywania alkoholu.

Fractions of plasma proteins were marked in 135 alcohol dependent men. The increase in the level of beta globulins was found in 58%, a fall in the level of gamma globulins was found in 52% and in 26% of patients a fall in the level of albumin was recorded. Patients with a shorter period of dependence more frequently showed a lowering of the concentration of gamma globulin (59% of cases). Persons with a greater pathological pattern of dependence, however, showed an increase in the level of beta globulin (65% of cases). The joint use of beta globulin and gamma globulin as markers of alcohol abuse allowed for the detection of irregularities in the range of at least one of the above mentioned markers in 84% of the patients. The joint use of albumin, beta globulin and gamma globulin showed irregularities in at least one of these three tests in 90% of the patients. The authors conclude that marking the changes in the fraction of plasma proteins may be used as a biochemical marker of alcohol abuse.

[Changes in the severity of burn shock in irradiated animals under the influence of blood serum alpha- and beta-globulins]. / Izmenenie tiazhesti ozhogovogo shoka u obluchennykh zhivotnykh pod vliianiem al'fa- i beta-globulinov syvorotki krovi.

Injection of blood serum alpha-beta-globulins during burn shock normalizes the amount of middle mass molecular peptides, acid proteinase activity, acid-base balance, and hemodynamics in irradiated rats. The survival of animals in this period increases from 23% to 52%.

La diatese homeopathique: realite biologique ou mythe historique? / Homeopathic diathesis: biologic reality or historical myth?

La diathese homeopathique est une notion actuellement controversee par certains courants et ecoles homeopathiques. Apres une longue pratique des "profils protidiques" l'auteur emet l'hypothese que les proteines plasmatiques sont peut-etre un des reflets de ce "mode reactionnel individuel" decrit par les homeopathes. Dans une vision globale plus philosophique que scientifique, cette etude fait remarquer que l'on peut comparer deux systemes au depart tres differents: d'un cote le "profil protidique" construit avec des parametres abstraits, et de l'autre la "diathese homeopathique" construite avec des parametres concrets. L'observation montre que les proteines plasmatiques s'organisent selon quatre etats qui rappellent les quatre diatheses homeopathiques. Ce travail tente de rehabiliter la notion de mode reactionnel individuel

A serum-free medium with or without a carrier protein supports the growth of the Y-1 mouse adrenocortical cell line and its steroidogenic function.

The development of a method for the serum-free culture of the Y-1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cell line has permitted a detailed search for factors regulating cellular growth and steroidogenesis. The serum-free medium (SFM) was made of Ham's F10 basal medium supplemented with free fatty acids adsorbed on albumin. The SFM complemented with calcium, arachidonic acid and cholesterol, i.e. SFM-S, induced cell proliferation to a density at confluency higher than that obtained with 1% serum-supplemented medium (1%-SSM) and allowed to sustain cell growth for more than six passages. When albumin was replaced by a dextran polymer (Mr = 2 x 10(6)) used as a carrier of lipids instead of albumin (which resulted in a serum-free and protein-free medium, SPFM), the cell number was 75% of that observed with the SFM-S. The addition to SPFM of beta-globulin alone or combined with insulin caused a 2- or 3-fold increase in the final cell density, respectively. The ability of the Y-1 cell line to produce steroids in response to ACTH was found to be higher in SFM-S or SPFM than in 1%-SSM. Furthermore, the addition of beta-globulin to SPFM stimulated steroid hormone biosynthesis with a marked increase in 11 beta-hydroxylated steroid production. These studies demonstrate that the use of a defined mixture of nutriments and of few growth factors permits to sustain not only the cellular proliferation of the Y-1 cell line but also its differentiated function of ACTH-induced steroidogenesis.

Nucleotide sequence of cloned cDNA coding for pumpkin 11-S globulin beta subunit.

cDNA coding for preproglobulin beta, a precursor protein of 11-S globulin beta subunit, was cloned and the nucleotide sequence has been determined. The sequence covers the whole coding region (1440 base pairs) with 5' and 3' noncoding region (30 and 214 base pairs, respectively). The deduced amino acid sequence of preproglobulin beta consists of a 21-amino-acid N-terminal signal peptide, preceding the acidic gamma polypeptide region (275 amino acids) and the subsequent basic delta region (184 amino acids). The site for post-translational cleavage of the precursor polypeptide to make the gamma and delta chains is estimated to be located between the asparagine-glycine residues. The N-terminal amino acid of the gamma chain of mature 11-S globulin beta subunit was reported to be blocked by 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamic acid) [Ohmiya et al. (1980) Plant Cell Physiol. 21, 157-167]. It was shown that the blocked N-terminal amino acid is coded as a glutamine residue. The derived amino acid sequence was also compared with those of precursor proteins of other 11-S globulins such as soybean glycinin, cotton beta globulin, pea legumin and rape 11-S globulin by dot matrix analysis.

Effects of electroacupuncture on leukocytes and plasma protein in the X-irradiated rats.

The effects of electroacupuncture on leukocytes and plasma protein on the X ray-irradiated rats were investigated in the present study. The results showed that X-irradiation had an evident inhibitory effect on the counts of total leukocytes, lymphocytes and neutrocytes, and the concentration of the total plasma protein, plasma albumin, globulin and alpha- and beta-globulin in X-irradiated rats. The electroacupuncture was able to help the X-irradiated rats to recover the counts of the total leukocyte, lymphocyte and neutrocyte. The electroacupuncture had a helpful tendency to recover the concentration of the total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, and alpha- and beta-globulin in the irradiated rats.

Complete amino acid sequence of bovine beta 2-microglobulin.

beta 2-Microglobulin has been isolated and crystallized from bovine colostrum and represents the only crystalline form of this protein reported. The complete sequence of bovine beta 2-microglobulin was determined using only one proteolytic enzyme, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. Automated degradation of the intact molecule and two large peptides produced by enzymic digestion provided unequivocal placement of all residues. Bovine beta 2-microglobulin, molecular weight 11,630, contains 98 residues as compared with 99 for the human, rabbit, guinea pig, and murine proteins. The valine residue at position 49 in all the aforementioned species is deleted in the bovine variant. This crystalline protein is also uniquely characterized by three di-prolyl sequences in the first third of the molecule. beta 2-Microglobulin is a highly conserved protein, and in a comparison of absolute amino acid sequence differences among species, bovine beta 2- microglobulin ranges from a low of 24 substitutions as compared with the rabbit homologue and 26 for human to 32 for mouse and guinea pig.

beta 2-Microglobulin and its relationship to the immune system.

beta 2-Microglobulin has been isolated from several species, but only bovine beta 2-microglobulin, previously known as lactollin, has been crystallized. An improved method for its isolation from colostrum is described. The bovine homologue exhibits a concentration-dependent aggregation behavior. beta 2-Microglobulin is related to both immune and histocompatibility antigen systems. It exhibits homology with the constant domains of the immunoglobulin-G light and heavy chains and is an integral part of histocompatibility antigens bound to cell surface. beta 2-Microglobulin also occurs in the free state in various body fluids including milk and colostrum. The possible relationship of elevated free beta 2-microglobulin of pathological conditions is suggested for future research.