Proteomics Mapping of Cord Blood Identifies Haptoglobin “Switch-On” Pattern as Biomarker of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Preterm Newborns

Intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation (IAI) are important causes of preterm birth and early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). A prompt and accurate diagnosis of EONS is critical for improved neonatal outcomes. We sought to explore the cord blood proteome and identify biomarkers and functional protein networks characterizing EONS in preterm newborns.We studied a prospective cohort of 180 premature newborns delivered May 2004-September 2009. A proteomics discovery phase employing two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and mass spectrometry identified 19 differentially-expressed proteins in cord blood of newborns with culture-confirmed EONS (n = 3) versus GA-matched controls (n = 3). Ontological classifications of the proteins included transfer/carrier, immunity/defense, protease/extracellular matrix. The 1(st)-level external validation conducted in the remaining 174 samples confirmed elevated haptoglobin and haptoglobin-related protein immunoreactivity (Hp&HpRP) in newborns with EONS (presumed and culture-confirmed) independent of GA at birth and birthweight (P<0.001). Western blot concurred in determining that EONS babies had conspicuous Hp&HpRP bands in cord blood ("switch-on pattern") as opposed to non-EONS newborns who had near-absent "switch-off pattern" (P<0.001). Fetal Hp phenotype independently impacted Hp&HpRP. A bayesian latent-class analysis (LCA) was further used for unbiased classification of all 180 cases based on probability of "antenatal IAI exposure" as latent variable. This was then subjected to 2(nd)-level validation against indicators of adverse short-term neonatal outcome. The optimal LCA algorithm combined Hp&HpRP switch pattern (most input), interleukin-6 and neonatal hematological indices yielding two non-overlapping newborn clusters with low (≤20%) versus high (≥70%) probability of IAI exposure. This approach reclassified ∼30% of clinical EONS diagnoses lowering the number needed to harm and increasing the odds ratios for several adverse outcomes including intra-ventricular hemorrhage.Antenatal exposure to IAI results in precocious switch-on of Hp&HpRP expression. As EONS biomarker, cord blood Hp&HpRP has potential to improve the selection of newborns for prompt and targeted treatment at birth

A review of data on abundance, trends in abundance, habitat utilisation and diet for Southern Ocean ice-breeding seals

The development of models of marine ecosystems in the Southern Ocean is becoming increasingly important as a means of understanding and managing impacts such as exploitation and climate change. Collating data from disparate sources, and understanding biases or uncertainties inherent in those data, are important first steps for improving ecosystem models. This review focuses on seals that breed in ice habitats of the Southern Ocean (i.e. the crabeater seal, Lobodon carcinophaga; Ross seal, Ommatophoca rossii; leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx; and Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii). Data on populations (abundance and trends in abundance), distribution and habitat use (movement, key habitat and environmental features) and foraging (diet) are summarised, and potential biases and uncertainties inherent in those data are identified and discussed. Spatial and temporal gaps in knowledge of the populations, habitats and diet of each species are also identified

Vitamin D Uptake in Patients Treated with a High-Dosed Purified Omega-3 Compound in a Randomized Clinical Trial Following an Acute Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundFish is the natural dietary source of vitamin D. Reports on the influence of purified omega-3 fatty acids on its uptake are scarce.ObjectivesWe investigated the impact of a purified high-dose omega-3 compound compared to corn oil on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels following an acute myocardial infarction.Methods228 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive a daily dose of either 4 g omega-3 (OMACOR®) or an equal dose of corn oil, administered double-blindly for 12 months. Total omega-3 and omega-6 measurements were available in 40 randomly picked patients.ResultsThere was no significant intergroup difference in 25(OH)D changes at 12 months follow-up (p = 0.12), but there was a minor statistical significant intragroup increase in 25(OH)D in both intervention arms (p &lt; 0.001 for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and p = 0.013 for corn oil, respectively). A positive correlation was noted between 25(OH)D and omega-3 prior to inclusion; r = 0.418, p = 0.007, attenuated at 12 months by purified omega-3 intervention; r = 0.021, p = 0.93. No positive correlation was observed between omega-6 and 25(OH)D.ConclusionLong-term treatment with a high dose of purified omega-3 as compared to corn oil did not improve serum concentrations of vitamin D.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01422317