Soluble form of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E- and L-selectin in human milk.

In breast milk and paired serum from 70 lactating women and 40 of their term, infection-free neonates, on the 2nd and 5th day postpartum slCAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE- and sL-selectin were measured by ELISA and compared with those in 26 healthy adults (controls). Seven infant formulas and fresh milk from five cows were also analyzed. Human colostrum values of slCAM-1, sVCAM-1 (similar to those in maternal and control serum), sE-selectin and sL-selectin (-10 and -100 times lower than in maternal and control serum) were significantly higher than those in milk, while they varied widely. None of the adhesion molecules was detected in fresh cow's milk or infant formulas. Exclusively breast-fed infants showed significantly higher values of slCAM-1 and sL-selectin on the 2nd day of life than those supplemented also with formula. Only slCAM-1 values correlated positively between colostrum and time-matched maternal serum. These findings show in human milk important amounts of slCAM-1 and sVCAM-1 but minimal amounts of sE- and sL-selectin, which could affect the immune system of the neonate

Inflammatory cytokines in newborn infants.

Serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured in 48 healthy, termed neonates on the 1st (N1), 5th (N5) and 40th (N40) day after birth, compared with those in maternal serum (MS), umbilical cord (UC) and adult controls. Cytokine values in N1 and N5 were significantly elevated, than those in UC and in controls (P<0.0001). IL-1beta and IL-6 declined significantly from N1 to N40 (P<0.0001), while TNF-alpha increased significantly from N1 to N5 and declined thereafter. MS infinity IL-1beta and IL-6, but not MS infinity TNF-alpha, were significantly higher than those of controls (P<0.0001). IL-1beta values depended on the mode of delivery. In conclusion, the increased concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha during the perinatal period might suggest their involvement in an inflammation-like process during normal parturition, and reflect also a newborn immune response to the stress of delivery and environmental changes

Evaluating alternate models to estimate genetic parameters of calving traits in United Kingdom Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The focus in dairy cattle breeding is gradually shifting from production to functional traits and genetic parameters of calving traits are estimated more frequently. However, across countries, various statistical models are used to estimate these parameters. This study evaluates different models for calving ease and stillbirth in United Kingdom Holstein-Friesian cattle.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from first and later parity records were used. Genetic parameters for calving ease, stillbirth and gestation length were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method, considering different models i.e. sire (−maternal grandsire), animal, univariate and bivariate models. Gestation length was fitted as a correlated indicator trait and, for all three traits, genetic correlations between first and later parities were estimated. Potential bias in estimates was avoided by acknowledging a possible environmental direct-maternal covariance. The total heritable variance was estimated for each trait to discuss its theoretical importance and practical value. Prediction error variances and accuracies were calculated to compare the models.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>On average, direct and maternal heritabilities for calving traits were low, except for direct gestation length. Calving ease in first parity had a significant and negative direct-maternal genetic correlation. Gestation length was maternally correlated to stillbirth in first parity and directly correlated to calving ease in later parities. Multi-trait models had a slightly greater predictive ability than univariate models, especially for the lowly heritable traits. The computation time needed for sire (−maternal grandsire) models was much smaller than for animal models with only small differences in accuracy. The sire (−maternal grandsire) model was robust when additional genetic components were estimated, while the equivalent animal model had difficulties reaching convergence.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>For the evaluation of calving traits, multi-trait models show a slight advantage over univariate models. Extended sire models (−maternal grandsire) are more practical and robust than animal models. Estimated genetic parameters for calving traits of UK Holstein cattle are consistent with literature. Calculating an aggregate estimated breeding value including direct and maternal values should encourage breeders to consider both direct and maternal effects in selection decisions.</p

New methods in peptide synthesis. Part IV. N → S transfer of N-o-nitrophenylsulphenyl groups in cysteine peptides

When the N-o-nitrophenylsulphenyl group is removed from cysteine peptides by means of hydrogen chloride in methanol or non-polar solvents, or by means of acids in aqueous methanol or acetone, an N → S transfer of the o-nitrophenylsulphenyl-group takes place, to give the corresponding S-o-nitrophenylsulphenyl derivative. Even in alkaline solution transfer of the o-nitrophenylsulphenyl group from the α-amino-group to the thiol can occur to some extent

Cyclic and individualized administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists plus progestogens: An alternative protocol for contraception

Twenty-one women presenting with different diseases, with absolute or relative contraindications to hormonal contraception or the use of intrauterine devices, received 300-600 mu g/day buserelin intranasally from the 1st to the 21st day, and 5 mg/day norethisterone acetate orally from the 16th to the 23rd day of the cycle for a total of 245 cycles. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol and testosterone were determined on days 3-5 and 13-15 of the cycle, while progesterone determinations and ovarian sonography were performed during the second half of the cycle. According to progesterone values, 92.7% of the treatment cycles were anovulatory, while in one cycle pregnancy was detected (0.4%). Values of serum LH, FSH and estradiol were low, and in most of the cycles ovarian follicular development was limited to follicles less than or equal to 11 mm. In 21 treatment cycles (9%), statistically significant increases in FSH (p &lt; 0.0001) and LH (p &lt; 0.02), as well as ovarian proliferation to preovulatory follicles or luteinized follicles, were found. It appears that in spite of the high cost of medication and monitoring of patients, this regimen could be useful as an alternative in cases where other forms of contraception are contraindicated or have failed