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Haptoglobin, coded by the HP gene, is a plasma protein that acts as a scavenger for free heme, and haptoglobin-related protein (coded by the HPR gene) forms part of the trypanolytic factor TLF-1, together with apolipoprotein L1 (ApoL1). We analyse the polymorphic small intragenic duplication of the HP gene, with alleles Hp1 and Hp2, in 52 populations, and find no evidence for natural selection either from extended haplotype analysis or from correlation with pathogen richness matrices. Using fiber-FISH, the paralog ratio test, and array-CGH data, we also confirm that the HPR gene is copy number variable, with duplication of the whole HPR gene at polymorphic frequencies in west and central Africa, up to an allele frequency of 15 %. The geographical distribution of the HPR duplication allele overlaps the region where the pathogen causing chronic human African trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, is endemic. The HPR duplication has occurred on one SNP haplotype, but there is no strong evidence of extended homozygosity, a characteristic of recent natural selection. The HPR duplication shows a slight, non-significant undertransmission to human African trypanosomiasis-affected children of unaffected parents in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, taken together with alleles of APOL1, there is an overall significant undertransmission of putative protective alleles to human African trypanosomiasis-affected children.

Sahabat Ternak is one of the Etawah crossbreed (PE) goat farm groups in Sleman. This farm group focuses on goat milk production and processed goods. Problems that commonly arise in dairy goat farms are the cases of subclinical mastitis, which are quite high. This disease may cause a decrease in milk production and quality. The mastitis subclinical detection method which is often used by the farming community is the somatic cell count (SCC) and California mastitis test (CMT). However, both tests have low accuracy. Recently, a new method named GAMA Anti-Haptoglobin, which is more accurate and can be done easily has been established by livestock farmers. This community service aims to empower livestock farmers in applying GAMA Anti-Haptoglobin as a sensitive, rapid, and accurate subclinical mastitis detection kit in Sahabat Ternak goat farm. The method used in this activity consisted of discussion, socialization, and training for livestock farmers, as well as laboratory testing, evaluation of test findings, and treatment for PE goats. After the training, the livestock farmers were able to apply GAMA Anti-Haptoglobin mastitis detection method effectively. The implementation of this easy and accurate field mastitis detection method, as well as personnel with reliable skills, will support in the decrease of mastitis cases and increase milk production and quality, as well as community welfare.

Acute phase reactants (APRs) have not been investigated in white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). This study aimed to identify clinically useful APRs in this species. Reference intervals (RIs) were generated for albumin, fibrinogen, haptoglobin, iron and serum amyloid A (SAA) from 48 free-ranging animals, except for SAA (n = 23). APR concentrations between healthy animals and those with tissue injury (inflammation) (n = 30) were compared. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression analyses. RIs were: albumin 18–31 g/L, fibrinogen 1.7–2.9 g/L, haptoglobin 1.0–4.3 g/L, iron 9.7–35.0 μmol/L, SAA 4.7 g/L were significant predictors of inflammatory status and together correctly predicted the clinical status of 91% of cases. SAA > 20 mg/L had a specificity of 100%. In conclusion, albumin and iron are negative and fibrinogen, haptoglobin and SAA positive APRs in the white rhinoceros. The combination of iron and haptoglobin had an excellent diagnostic accuracy for detecting inflammation. ; The Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority of South Africa, Tridelta Development Limited, the South African government through the South African Medical Research Council and the National Research Foundation. ; https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science# ; am2020 ; Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies ; Companion Animal Clinical Studies

The obesity epidemic is a global challenge, and the velocity of propagation is high in the population at reproductive age. Overweight and obesity during pregnancy have been associated with high birth weight and an increased risk of childhood obesity, reinforcing the risk of other non-communicable diseases. Obesity involves chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. New biomarkers for early detection of obesity risk are urgently required. The aim of this study was to identify the connection between pregestational BMI (pre-BMI) status and inflammatory biomarkers during the third trimester of pregnancy and their association with intestinal microbiota composition. Fifty-four pregnant women were classified according to pre-pregnancy BMI as normoweight, overweight, or obese. Weight gain, inflammatory biomarkers (hs_CRP, haptoglobin, and suPAR), and microbiota composition were assessed during the third trimester. A significant lower weight gain for obese mothers and a positive correlation between pre-BMI and inflammatory biomarkers were detected (Spearman's correlation). Haptoglobin levels were significantly higher in overweight and obese mothers. Higher Firmicutes levels and a higher ratio Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes were observed in the overweight and obese subjects. High hs_CRP and haptoglobin levels were also correlated with decreased microbiota diversity (Shannon index), whereas haptoglobin and hs_CRP values were correlated with several microbiota components, such as Ruminococcus gnavus and Faecalibacterium, and with specific phyla in the normoweight and overweight mothers; no significant associations with microbiota were found for suPAR. In conclusion, haptoglobin and hs_CRP reflected pregestational BMI status and related microbiota components, but haptoglobin was a better biomarker for microbiota associated with overweight. suPAR was associated with low grade inflammation dependent on pre-pregnancy BMI, but it was not related to deviated microbiota profiles. ; This work was funded by TEKES (Grant N° 3825/31/2015, Finland). TEKES is not a commercial source but a government funding agency and this funding does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies. As for the authors (Flinck, H and Aittoniemi, J) employed by the company Fimlab Laboratories Ltd, the firm is the laboratory service of the Tampere University Hospital and only provided support in the form of salaries for authors but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. ; Peer Reviewed

This study aimed to evaluate the hematologic response and the serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) proteinogram of cattle affected by digestive diseases. Twenty-seven animals were distributed in two groups: GI (intestinal diseases) and GII (traumatic reticuloperitonitis, TRP). The animals were previously submitted to a physical exam. Subsequently, blood samples were collected to perform the complete blood count, determine the plasma protein and fibrinogen, and obtain the serum for proteinogram in polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE). Simultaneously, PF was collected to perform physical and chemical evaluation and the electrophoretic profile (SDS-PAGE). ANOVA at the 5% probability level was used to compare the groups. The animals showed signs of apathy, dehydration, and gastrointestinal hypomotility in both groups. However, GI animals showed more significant clinical changes. The blood count of both groups (P > 0.05) showed leukocytosis due to neutrophilia and a regenerative left shift with hyperfibrinogenemia. The proteinogram of both body fluids allowed the identification of proteins albumin (ALB), transferrin (TRF), ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, ?1-acid glycoprotein (?1-AGP), MW 23000 Da, ?1-antitrypsin, IgA, and IgG. The [PT] PF/[PT] blood serum ratio of each of the identified proteins increased, showing statistical differences between groups (P < 0.05) regarding PT, ALB, TRF, ?1-AGP, and IgG values, with GI animals showing the highest ratio. Intestinal diseases and TRP triggered a systemic and local response characterized by clinical, hematological, and serum and PF proteinogram alterations. The proteins ?1-GPA, haptoglobin, and TRF measured in PF were good inflammation biomarkers and useful as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of digestive diseases in cattle.

Intravascular haemolysis has been found to result from prolonged endurance competition, rigorous military training and participation in impact sports. Haematological research involving the recreational runner is sparse. Recreational runners frequently vary their training to avoid monotony and improve endurance capacity. This study investigated the haematological effects of a typical day of increased distance training in 15 male recreational runners (62.4(3.1) ml kg-1 min-1 treadmill VO2max; 44.6(8.4) km per week training (means(s.d.)). Venous blood samples were collected before, immediately after, 1 day, 4 days, and 10 days after a 13-km training run (about twice the subjects' typical running distance) and analysed for changes in bilirubin, serum potassium, haematocrit, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, haptoglobin, poikilocytosis and reticulocytosis. Urine samples were collected at the same times as the blood samples and analysed for urobilinogen. Significant (P less than 0.05) 1-day and 4-day decreases in mean haemoglobin, red blood cell count, and haptoglobin values, compared to before training venous blood values and significant (P less than 0.05) post-training increases in bilirubin, serum potassium, urobilinogen and poikilocytosis provided evidence for increased intravascular haemolysis. After 10 days the values for haematocrit, bilirubin, serum potassium, red blood cell count, urobilinogen and poikilocytosis were not significantly (P less than 0.05) different from pre-training values while haemoglobin remained significantly (P less than 0.05) lower, exhibiting a constant but not significant increase over the period from 1 to 10 days. The results indicate that mild intravascular 'footstrike' haemolysis can occur in the recreational runner when typical training distance is increased. This condition appears to be transient and benign.

Publisher's version (útgefin grein) ; Worldwide, up to 20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders, which are the leading cause of disability in young people. Research shows that serum zonulin levels are associated with increased intestinal permeability (IP), affecting neural, hormonal, and immunological pathways. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to summarize evidence from observational studies on IP in children diagnosed with mental disorders. The review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, and the Web of Science identified 833 records. Only non‐intervention (i.e., observational) studies in children (<18 years) diagnosed with mental disorders, including a relevant marker of intestinal permeability, were included. Five studies were selected, with the risk of bias assessed according to the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS). Four articles were identified as strong and one as moderate, representing altogether 402 participants providing evidence on IP in children diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). In ADHD, elevated serum zonulin levels were associated with impaired social functioning compared to controls. Children with ASD may be predisposed to impair intestinal barrier function, which may contribute to their symptoms and clinical outcome compared to controls. Children with ASD, who experience gastro‐intestinal (GI) symptoms, seem to have an imbalance in their immune response. However, in children with OCD, serum zonulin levels were not significantly different compared to controls, but serum claudin‐5, a transmembrane tight‐junction protein, was significantly higher. A meta‐analysis of mean zonulin plasma levels of patients and control groups revealed a significant difference between groups (p = 0.001), including the four studies evaluating the full spectrum of the zonulin peptide family. Therefore, further studies are required to better understand the complex role of barrier function, i.e., intestinal and blood–brain barrier, and of inflammation, to the pathophysiology in mental and neurodevelopmental disorders. This review was PROSPERO preregistered, (162208). ; This manuscript was partially funded by grant European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, grant GEMMA 825033 as well as by the University of Iceland Research Fund. ; Peer Reviewed

Autolyzed yeast is a supplement option for calves due to its ability to stimulate the immune system and performance; however, there are few studies about the effect of different yeast derivatives. Autolyzed yeast is rich in immunomodulatory substances, such as mannan oligosaccharides and β-glucans. These substances enhance the innate and humoral immunity of calves, resulting in greater intestinal and respiratory health. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate whether supplementation with autolyzed yeast improves the health of calves, in the challenge of naturally acquired Eimeriosis and bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Twenty Holstein calves aged 15 days, which had already suckled colostrum, were studied for 36 days. At 15 days of life all animals had naturally acquired Eimeriosis. They were challenged with an intranasal BRD vaccine at 30 days of age. The Supplemented group (n=10) received autolyzed yeast (10 g animal -1 day -1), once a day in milk for 36 days, and the Control group (n=10) was not supplemented throughout the experiment. Blood neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio, oxidative metabolism of neutrophils (OM), serum immunoglobulins and haptoglobin, occurrence of diarrhea, BRD, and weight gain were measured. After vaccination, all animals increased the blood neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio, but only the control group showed a 20% reduction in OM three days after the vaccine. The supplement affected the immune response, preserving OM, increasing serum IgA levels by 10% (P=0.006), and reducing haptoglobin serum levels (P=0.05). In addition, the supplement attenuated diarrhea and BRD, which allowed for greater weekly weight gain (difference of 2 kg between treatments, P<0.05), concluding that the autolyzed yeast showed some evidence that it can increase the health of calves challenged with Eimeriosis and the BRD vaccine.

Identification of individual animals is important in order to evaluate age-specific survival rates, onset of sexual maturity and reproductive rates in wildlife populations. Of the various methods available to researchers, hot branding is the most effective, although somewhat controversial, tool available. The physiological effects of hot-iron branding (n = 7) were assessed using temporarily captive juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) (n = 22). Sea lions showed statistically significant increases in white blood cell count, platelet levels, globulin and haptoglobin concentration up to two weeks after branding. No significant differences were found in serum cortisol levels. The changes in health parameters we saw after branding were consistent with minor tissue trauma and indistinguishable from baseline levels after 7–8 weeks.

This paper discusses generally the potential effects of genetic markers on individual differences in cognitive performance. Research on the role of two genetic markers related to the immune system—complement factor C3 and haptoglobin—and one genetic marker—apolipoprotein E (ApoE)—and the interaction with environmental conditions of cognitive support at memory encoding and retrieval are discussed in particular. Data from an ongoing longitudinal study are used to illustrate that the two markers of the immune system are strongly associated with performance in episodic memory tasks, although there is no association to semantic memory. Cross-sectional data reveal a relatively weak association between apolipoprotein E and memory performance. Preliminary analyses of longitudinal data reveal a somewhat stronger association between this genetic marker and some aspects of episodic memory performance.

This article reviews the key biochemical mechanisms that govern O(2) transport, NO scavenging, and oxidative degradation of acellular hemoglobin and how these ideas have been used to try to develop strategies to engineer safer and more effective hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). Significant toxicities due to acellular hemoglobin (Hb) have been observed after the administration of HBOCs or after the lysis of red cells, and include: (a) rapid clearance and kidney damage due to dissociation into dimers, haptoglobin binding, and macrophage activation; (b) early O(2) release leading to decreased tissue perfusion in capillary beds; (c) interference with endothelial and smooth muscle signaling due to nitric oxide (NO) scavenging; (d) autooxidization of heme iron followed by production of reactive oxygen species; and (e) iron overload symptoms due to hemin loss, globin denaturation, iron accumulation, and further inflammation. Protein engineering can be used to mitigate some of these side effects but requires an in-depth mechanistic understanding of the biochemical and biophysical features of hemoglobin that regulate quaternary structure, O(2) affinity, NO dioxygenation, and resistance to oxidation, hemin loss, and unfolding.