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This study evaluated the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) and undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) on eating behavior, ruminal fermentation and motility, barrier function, blood metabolites, and total tract nutrient digestibility for finishing cattle. Six Simmental heifers (668 ± 28.4 kg BW) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square (21 d periods) balanced for carry-over effects. Treatments included a control (CON ; Table 1) with no forage peNDF and minimal uNDF (peNDF: 0.0%, and uNDF: 4.88 ± 0.01; 95.15% barley grain, 4.51% vitamin and mineral supplement, and 0.34% urea on a DM basis). Pelleted wheat straw (PELL) was included at 10% of dietary DM by replacing barley grain to provide added uNDF but no forage peNDF (peNDF: 0.00%, and uNDF: 6.78 ± 0.02%). Finally, chopped wheat straw (STR) was included as a replacement for pelleted wheat straw to provide forage peNDF and uNDF (peNDF: 1.74 ± 0.06%, and uNDF: 6.86 ± 0.03%). Dry matter intake was not affected (P = 0.93) by treatments. Cattle fed CON spent less time ruminating (P = 0.010) and had less meals/d (P = 0.035) when compared with cattle fed STR, with those fed PELL being intermediate but not different from other treatments. Cattle fed CON had lesser ruminal pH (P = 0.020), and a greater duration that pH was < 5.5 (P = 0.020) as compared to cattle fed STR, with those fed PELL being intermediate but not different. Cattle fed CON and PELL had greater total short-chain fatty acid concentration (P = 0.003) and molar proportion of propionate (P < 0.001) when compared with cattle fed STR. Cattle fed STR had greater (P = 0.010) total ruminal pool size when compared with cattle fed CON and PELL. Cattle fed CON had greater (P = 0.043) duration between ruminal contractions when compared with cattle fed STR, with those fed PELL being intermediate. Cattle fed CON had greater serum amyloid A (P = 0.003) and haptoglobin (P < 0.001) concentration when compared with the other treatments. Cattle fed CON had greater dry matter (P < 0.001) digestibility when compared with the other treatments. In conclusion, inclusion of PELL and STR impacted eating behavior, but only STR affected ruminal fermentation, ruminal motility, systemic inflammation, and total tract nutrient digestibility in finishing cattle. These results are interpreted to suggest that the combination of peNDF and uNDF may be better than uNDF alone to adequately capture biological effects of NDF in high-concentrate diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of injectable trace minerals (ITM) on measures of trace mineral stattis and performance in pre- and postweaned Brangus-crossbred beef calves. In Exp. 1, calves were assigned to treatments in alternating birth order (n = 150; 75/treatment), consisting of a 1-mL subcutaneous injection of ITM (MultiMin 90; MultiMin USA, Inc., Fort Collins, CO) or sterile saline. The ITM formulation consisted of 60, 10, 15, and 5 mg/ mL of Zn, Mn, Cu, and Se. Treatments were readministered at 100 and 200 d of age. Calf BW was recorded at birth and on d 100, 150, 200, and 250 (weaning). Trace mineral status was assessed in liver biopsy samples (n = 12/treatment) collected on d 150, 200, and 250. Administration of ITM had no impact on BW gain (P ≥ 0.55) but did result in greater (P ≤ 0.02) concentrations of liver Cu and Se and lesser (P = 0.05) liver Fe concentrations compared to saline-injected calves. In Exp. 2, 24 heifers were selected from the weaned calves of Exp. 1 (,n = 12/treatment) and transported 1,600 km. Remaining on their original treatments, heifers were administered 5 mL of ITM or saline following transport (d 0). Blood samples, for acute phase protein (APP) analysis, were collected on d 0, 1,3, 6, 9, and 13 and liver biopsy samples for assessment of trace mineral status on d 13. Plasma APP concentrations increased in all calves following weaning and transport but concentrations were greatest (P< 0.05) in ITM- vs. saline-injected heifers on d 6 and 9. Liver concentrations of Cu, Se, and Zn were greater (P < 0.04) but ADG lesser (P = 0.05) for heifers receiving ITM vs. saline. In Exp. 3, 34 heifers, without previous exposure to ITM, were enrolled in a 177-d development study (n = 17/treatment). Treatments consisted of 2.5-mL injections of ITM or sterile saline on d 0, 51, and 127. Humoral immune response to an injection of porcine red blood cells (PRBC) was evaluated on d 51. Trace mineral status was evaluated in liver biopsy samples collected on d 177. Overall heifer ADG, PRBC antibody titers, and liver Se concentrations were greatest (P≤ 0.06) for ITM vs. control heifers. Collectively, these studies demonstrate an increased trace mineral status, a greater humoral response to novel antigen, and a heightened APP response to weaning and transport stress in pre- and postweaned beef calves administered ITM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute phase proteins ( APPs) and immune responses in pigs after experimental infection with H1 N2 swine influenza virus ( Sw H1 N2) were studied. Eight piglets were infected intranasally with Sw H1 N2. Four served as controls. Antibodies against swine influenza virus ( SIV)s were measured by hemagglutination inhibition assay. The proliferation assay was used to measure influenza-specific cell-mediated response. Hematological parameters were measured on a hematology analyzer. C-reactive protein ( CRP), haptoglobin ( Hp), serum amyloid A ( SAA) and pig major APP ( Pig- MAP) concentrations in serum were measured using commercial ELISAs. Antibodies against Sw H1 N2 in the serum of infected pigs were detected from 7 dpi. Sw H1 N2-specific T-cell response was observed from 5 dpi. A significant drop in lymphocyte numbers and an increase in medium-sized cell ( MID) counts with no accompanying leukopenia was observed in all infected pigs from 3 to 7 dpi. In infected pigs, concentrations of CRP, Hp and SAA increased significantly when the greatest amounts of virus were shed (from 1 to 3 dpi). The level of Pig- MAP remained unchanged during study. The significant positive correlation found between maximum concentrations of SAA in serum and lung scores, makes SAA a potentially useful indicator in experimental infection studies (e.g. vaccine efficiency investigations) or as a marker for disease severity, but to confirm this hypothesis more studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subacute ruminal acidosis can result in increased flow of fermentable substrates to the hindgut, which can negatively affect animal health and productivity. However, animal responses to increased hindgut fermentation independent of subacute ruminal acidosis have rarely been evaluated. This study determined the impact of abomasal dosage of a fermentable carbohydrate on animal performance and blood and fecal variables. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein steers fed a lactating dairy cow ration were used in a crossover design study with 14-d periods. On d 13 of each period, steers were infused abomasally with a pulse dose of 0 (control) or 1 (Oligo) g of oligofructose/kg of BW. Blood samples collected at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h after abomasal oligofructose dose were evaluated for metabolites (blood urea N, β-hydroxybutyric acid, and NEFA) and systemic inflammatory markers (Cu, serum amyloid A, and haptoglobin). Fecal samples, rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were taken at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 48 h after abomasal dosage. Fecal samples were assayed for pH, DM percentage, consistency score (1 = liquid to 5 = coarse), and organic acid concentrations. Data were evaluated using a model including the fixed effects of treatment, time after dosage, and their interaction. Effects of treatment or treatment × time were not significant for DMI, blood variables, rectal temperature, or respiratory rate. Fecal pH was slightly reduced for Oligo compared with control steers (6.76 vs. 7.02; P = 0.04). A treatment × time interaction occurred for fecal DM (P < 0.001). Compared with control steers, DM content of feces was reduced in Oligo steers at 6 h (12.6 vs. 15.2%) but increased at 9 h (16.3 vs. 15.0%) and 12 h (16.5 vs. 15.0). Fecal consistency score was reduced by the Oligo treatment at 6 h (1.44 vs. 2.83; P < 0.001) and 9 h (1.83 vs. 2.67; P = 0.005). A treatment × time interaction was detected for fecal concentrations of lactate and acetate (P < 0.05) and tended to occur for propionate and butyrate (P < 0.10). The greatest difference for all organic acids occurred at 12 h, when fecal concentrations of lactate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate were 0.5, 47, 11, and 4.0 mM in control steers and 5.3, 76, 15, and 6.8 mM in Oligo steers, respectively. In summary, abomasal dosage of 1 g of oligofructose/kg of BW increased fecal excretion of microbial fermentation products in steers without causing metabolic acidosis, metabolic disruption, or inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

tocilizumab (TCZ) greatly inhibits inflammatory markers, methods of evaluating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity that include inflammatory markers may overestimate the effect of TCZ treatment. We have evaluated the impact of inflammatory markers on the efficacy of TCZ by comparing the efficacy indicated by the 28-joint disease activity score using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) with that indicated by the clinical and simplified disease activity indexes (CDAI and SDAI, respectively) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) core set criteria in a double-blind study of TCZ-the SATORI study. The Spearman correlation coefficient between DAS28-ESR and CDAI was comparable between that at week 24 and that at baseline [correlation coefficient at baseline and week 24 was 0.823 ( p < 0.0001) and 0.818 ( p < 0.0001), respectively]. A large difference between the DAS28 remission rate and CDAI remission rate was observed at week 24. However, these results are comparable to those of a previous study conducted with non-TCZ-treated patients. Moreover, the same results were obtained in the comparison between the DAS28-ESR and SDAI, even though the SDAI includes an inflammatory parameter as a component. These results confirm that the DAS28-ESR has a validity comparable to that of other methods in terms of evaluating the RA treatment efficacy of TCZ, despite its strong inflammatory marker-inhibiting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this investigation was to determine associations among rumen endotoxin, plasma serum aniyloid A (SAA), and C-reactive protein (CRP) with plasma Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu in lactating cows challenged with graded amounts of rolled barley grain in the diet (i.e., 0, 15, 30, and 45% of DM1). Correlative relationships among variables were determined by linear and nonlinear regression procedures adjusted for the effects of day, animal, and experimental period. Increasing the amount of grain in the diet was successful in inducing an acute phase response, as assessed by augmentation of rumen endotoxin and plasma CRP and SAA (P < 0.01). The correlative analysis revealed inverse, nonlinear relationships of rumen endotoxin and plasma SAA with circulating Ca. Interestingly, plasma Ca reached the asymptotic plateau at 10.6 rng/dL. The increase in rurnen endotoxin was associated with an abrupt decrease in plasma Fe (R² = 0.91; P < 0.001). A similar relationship, although at a reduced estimation accuracy (R² = 0.21; P < 0.01), was observed between rumen endotoxin and plasma Zn. Augmentation of rumen endotoxin and plasma CRP resulted in a positive, biphasic response of plasma Cu. In conclusion, the increase in rumen endotoxin in response to high-grain diets, and the resulting increases in plasma SAA and CRP, were strongly correlated with fluctuations of plasma minerals. Results suggest that new feeding strategies should be developed to curb the release of endotoxin in the rumen fluid to prevent perturbing minerals in the plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The production of acute phase proteins during infection is an important part of innate immunity and limits inflammation. However, little is known of the acute phase response in malaria. We measured acute phase proteins in plasma in children attending clinics and admitted to hospital with acute malaria in Papua New Guinea. Plasma ferritin concentration increased progressively with disease severity with markedly elevated levels in the most severely ill children. Plasma ferritin was >500ng/ml in 7/99 (7.1%) outpatients with uncomplicated malaria, 22/100 (22.0%) hospital non-severe cases, 64/175 (36.6%) severe malaria cases who survived and 7/9 (77.8%) severe malaria deaths (P <0.001). The greatest concentration of ferritin (3561ng/ml) was observed in a child who died. By contrast, C-reactive protein concentration was markedly increased in 153 children with uncomplicated malaria [median 203 (interquartile range 51–365) μg/ml] but, surprisingly, was only moderately increased in 135 children with one or more severe manifestations of malaria [47 (17–97) μg/ml; P <0.001] and in 6 children who died [41 (22–280) μg/ml]. Excessive free-radical damage resulting from a combination of iron-induced oxidant stress and reduced levels of C-reactive protein may be an important pathological mechanism in severe malaria and amenable to therapeutic intervention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of feeding backgrounding and finishing diets on selected acute phase proteins in the plasma of feedlot steers. Two groups of 12 steers each, at the backgrounding and finishing stages, were offered either a backgrounding (45% barley grain-based concentrate and 55% barley silage on a DM basis) or a finishing (91% barley grain-based concentrate and 9% barley silage) diet for 12 and 15 wk, respectively. Steers at the backgrounding and finishing stages had initial BW of approximately 250 and 380 kg, respectively, at the beginning of the experiment. Blood samples were obtained from a jugular vein at 3-wk intervals during the experimental period beginning at wk 3 or 0 for the backgrounding and finishing periods, respectively. Plasma samples were analyzed for serum amyloid A (SAA), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), haptoglobin, and α1-acid glycoprotein. Steers fed the finishing diet showed peak plasma SAA, LBP, and haptoglobin with- in 3 wk from the initiation of the diet (20, 23, and 1,940 μg/mL for SAA, LBP, and haptoglobin, respectively). Although plasma α1-acid glycoprotein reached a peak concentration (449 μg/mL) at the beginning of the finishing phase, no diet effect was obtained for this variable. Steers fed the backgrounding diet showed less variation in the concentrations of plasma acute phase proteins measured; plasma haptoglobin reached a peak concentration (1,720 μg/mL) 9 wk after the beginning of this diet. In conclusion, feeding feedlot steers the backgrounding or finishing diet was associated with increased peak concentrations of acute phase proteins in the plasma. More research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind the inflammatory responses observed in feedlot steers and their implications for health issues and the production efficiency of feedlot operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over. 2 yr, a total of 96 steers (approximately 7 mo of age) were allocated to 1 of 4 weaning management strategies: 1) control: weaned on the day of shipping; 2) creeped: allowed free-choice access to concentrate before weaning and shipping; 3) preweaned: weaned and provided supplemental concentrate on pasture before shipping; and 4) early-weaned: weaned at 70 to 90 d of age and kept on pasture. On the day of shipping, steers were loaded together onto a commercial livestock trailer and transported 1,600 km over 24 h before being received into the feedlot. At the feedlot, steers were penned by treatment (4 pens/treatment) and provided access to free-choice hay and concentrate in separate feeding spaces. Samples of blood were collected on d 0, 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 29 relative to shipping. Steer performance was assessed over the receiving period, including DM1 of hay and concentrate, ADG, and G:F. Predetermined contrasts included control vs. early-weaned, creep-fed vs. preweaned, and control vs. creep-fed and preweaned. Overall ADG was greater (P < 0.01) for early-weaned vs. control steers (1.39 vs. 0.88 kg). In wk 1, early-weaned steers consumed more concentrate and less hay compared with control steers (P < 0.03), and preweaned steers consumed more concentrate (P < 0.01) but a similar amount of hay (P = 0.75) compared with creep-fed steers. Average DM1 was greater for preweaned compared with creep-fed steers (2.84 vs. 2.50% of BW; P = 0.01) and tended to be greater for early-weaned compared with control steers (2.76 vs. 2.50% of BW; P = 0.06). Feed efficiency of early-weaned steers was greater than that of control steers (G:F = 0.17 vs. 0.12; P < 0.01) but similar for preweaned compared with creep-fed steers (P = 0.72). Plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations were less (P < 0.05) in control vs. early-weaned steers on d 0, but increased sharply after shipping and were greater in control vs. early-weaned steers on d 15 and 22 (P < 0.05). Creep-fed steers also experienced greater (P < 0.05) plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations than preweaned steers on d 29. These data suggest that early-weaned steers have improved performance in the feedlot compared with steers weaned directly before transport and feedlot entry. Differences in preshipping management appear to significantly affect measures of the acute phase protein response in steers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective herein was to estimate heterosis and breed effects in purebred and crossbred Romosinuano, Brahman, and Angus calves on acute phase protein response to weaning and transportation. Calves (n = 1,032) were weaned in September of 2002, 2003, and 2004 at approximately 7 mo of age. Approximately 28 d after weaning, steer calves (n = 482) were transported 1,800 km (20 h) to Oklahoma. Concentrations of 3 acute phase proteins (ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, and haptoglobin) were measured in blood samples. Calves (steers and heifers) were sampled at weaning, and 24 and 72 h postweaning. For separate analyses, steers sent to Oklahoma were sampled before shipment, upon arrival, and 24 and 72 h after arrival. Combinations of the following fixed effects were investigated: sire breed, dam breed, sampling time, birth location, calf sex (weaning only), year, cow age, and interactions. Effects of special interest were sire breed × dam breed as an indication of breed group of calf, and the interaction of sire and dam breeds with sampling time. Weaning age and BW were investigated as linear and quadratic covariates. Sire of calf within sire breed was a random term. The correlation structure of repeated measures was determined by comparison of information criterion values for different structures within each analysis. In general, plasma acute phase protein concentrations in weaned calves increased with sampling time. Concentrations in the transported steers increased through sampling at 24 h after arrival, and were lower at 72 h. Significant estimates of heterosis were detected for Brahman-Angus haptoglobin concentrations at weaning (0.38 ± 0.14 mg/dL × 100; 44%), and for Romosinuano-Angus fibrinogen concentrations at weaning (11.4 ± 5.5 mg/dL; 10%) and in transported steers (22.5 ± 8.4 mg/dL; 20%). The direct effect of Romosinuano was to increase (P < 0.004) ceruloplasmin concentrations of weaned calves (4.1 ± 0.9 mg/dL) and of transported steers (3.9 ± 1.3 mg/dL). The direct effect of Angus was to lower ceruloplasmin concentrations in weaned calves (-3.9 ± 1.2; P = 0.001). Significant maternal effects were detected at weaning for ceruloplasmin concentrations in Romosinuano (-1.4 ± 0.5 mg/dL) and Angus (1.6 ± 0.7 mg/dL) and fibrinogen concentrations in Brahman calves (-17.7 ± 8.8 mg/dL). These data imply that acute phase protein concentrations in response to weaning and transportation are impacted by cattle breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of the lactic-acid-producing bacterium Enterococcus faecium EF212 alone or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) on mediators of the acute phase response in feedlot steers. Eight fistulated steers were used to study the effects of E. faecium alone or with yeast in a crossover design with 2 Latin squares, 4 steers within each square, and 2 periods. The length of each period was 3 wk, with a 10-d adaptation and an 11-d measurement period. The experimental diet contained 87% steam-rolled barley, 8% whole-crop barley silage, and 5% supplement (DM basis). In Exp. 1, treatments were control vs. the lactic-acid-producing bacterium E. faecium (6 × 1010 cfu/d). In Exp. 2, treatments were control vs. E. faecium (6 × 1010 cfu/d) and S. cerevisiae (6 × 1010 cfu/d). The bacteria and yeast supplements were blended with calcium carbonate to supply 6 × 1010 cfu/d when top-dressed into the diet once daily at the time of feeding (10 g/d). Steers fed the control diet received only carrier (10 g/d). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein on d 17 and 21 of each period, and serum amyloid A (SAA), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), haptoglobin, and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AGP) were measured. Supplementation of feed with E. faecium had no effect on concentrations of SAA, LBP, haptoglobin, or α1-AGP in plasma compared with those of controls. However, feeding E. faecium and yeast increased (P = 0.02) plasma concentrations of SAA, LBP, and haptoglobin but had no effect on plasma α1-AGP. In conclusion, oral supplementation of E. faecium alone had no effect on the mediators of the acute phase response that were measured, whereas feeding of E. faecium and yeast induced an inflammatory response in feedlot steers fed high-grain diets. Further research is warranted to determine the mechanism(s) by which E. faecium and yeast stimulated production of acute phase proteins in feedlot steers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied here the effect of the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) on the oxidative burst of neutrophils. Incubation of neutrophils with SAA increased the rate of oxygen uptake and the production of reactive oxygen species of neutrophils activated with opsonized zymosan (OZ). The increment in the neutrophil oxidative burst was dependent on SAA concentration in the range of 3–33 μg protein ml−1 and was observed only in the presence of a relatively low amount of OZ (1×106 particles ml−1). SAA did not affect oxygen consumption and reactive oxygen production triggered by other stimuli, such as f-Met-Leu-Phe, phorbol myristate acetate or non-opsonized zymosan. Our finding points to a priming effect of SAA probably associated with mobilization of receptors for opsonized particles and strengthens the role of SAA as an effector of neutrophil functions in inflammation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Sgp-1c trait is associated with H-2s and relates to the small content of serum gp70 as well as the lack of serum gp70 responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Northern hybridization of RNA from B10.S liver and its hybrid with NZB showed that the suppression of gp70 in Sgp-1c carrying mice can be regulated at the transcriptional level. However, the inheritance of this trait shows the complicated manner of segregation in certain crosses. All (B10.S × NZB) F1 hybrid mice and F1 × B10.S back-cross mice had low amounts of serum gp70 and did not respond to LPS with increased levels of serum gp70. In contrast, F1 × NZB back-cross progeny varied widely in serum gp70 levels. The serum gp70 levels of most F1 × NZB back-cross mice was increased by LPS, although the range of increases was broad. These results indicate that the Sgp-1c alone is not sufficient to lower serum gp70 levels, unless B10 background is present. The expression of Sgp-l system, which is linked with the H-2 region, requires non-H-2-linked genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin 6 (lL-6) has manifold biological functions involved in the immune or inflammatory responses of the host lo various stimuli. Here we asked whether IL-6 might be responsible for manifestations of Kawasaki disease (KD), such as immunoglobulin hypersecretion. lymphocyte activation and systemic vasculitis. IL-6 activity in the serum was determined by a sensitive colorimetric assay using an IL-6-dependent murine hybridoma clone. Usually sera from healthy or afebrile donors contained only negligible levels of IL-6 activity below the detection threshold of the assay. Importantly it was found that serum IL-6 was markedly elevated in all patients with acute KD. Serum levels of IL-6 activity gradually diminished during the course of the disease and reached undetectable or lower levels at the convalescent phase. However, such elevated levels of serum IL-6 activity were also observed in the majority of other febrile diesases, such as bacterial or viral infections, indicating that the appearance of IL-6 in the serum could generally occur in febrile or inflammatory disease conditions. Serum IL-6 activity correlated with serum concentrations of some acute phase proteins (APP), such as C-reactive protein, haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein, implying its role for modulating induction of APP in vivo. IL-6 is well known to be secreted by a variety of cell types. Further studies, including immunohistochemical analysis using anti-IL-6 antibody, will be necessary to examine whether the .source of serum IL-6 in KD might be different from that seen in other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pig counterpart of human IHRP has been isolated from pig serum, and cDNA clones encoding this counterpart were isolated and characterized. The amino acid sequence of pig IHRP predicted from the nucleotide sequence of its cDNA shows reasonable homology to that of human IHRP. The nucleotide sequence of pig IHRP cDNA is identical to that of the mRNA partially determined to be the heavy chain of pig I'll [Buchman et al. (1990) Surgery 108,560-666]; it is one of the major mRNAs induced in pig liver on cardiogenic shock. Thus we concluded that the reported mRNA should code for IHRP and not for the heavy chain of ITI. The pig IHRP also seems to be identical to pig-MAP, which was recently reported to be a major acute phase serum protein in pig [Gonzalez-Roman et al (1995) FEBS Lett. 371, 227–230]. The results suggest that IHRP might be involved in acute phase reactions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied anti- antibodies (APA), isolation of , and their relation to various measures of RA disease activity. Seventy RA patients with a CRP>10 mg/l had higher APA titres than 17 RA patients with CRP≤10 mg/1 ( = 0.006), and 36 non-RA controls ( = 0.003). However, in a cross-sectional study of the RA group, there was no correlation between APA and a number of clinical and laboratory measures of disease activity, including the CRP and Stoke RA activity index. A longitudinal study showed no correlation between changes in these measures of disease activity and change in APA titre. We were unable to isolate in the urine or faeces of RA patients more frequently than controls, and the isolation of did not correlate with serum APA titres. Urinary APA was present in equal frequencies in RA and non-RA patients. NSAIDs, DMARDs and steroids did not appear to influence APA titres in the RA group. These results suggest that APA may act as an acute phase protein, distinct from CRP, but not correlating with RA disease activity in its broadest context. The fact that the antibody we are measuring binds to may be irrelevant, and the study does not support a role for in RA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background C-reactive protein (CRP) level correlates with parasitemia and severity of malaria, but whether this reflects causality remains unknown. Methods Using CRP-transgenic and CRP-deficient mice we compared the onset and severity of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA). Results CRP-deficient mice were most resistant to ECM. Conclusions CRP might contribute to the development of cerebral malaria, rather than protect against it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of animal handling procedures on animal physiology should be considered. Haptoglobin (Hp) is known as an acute phase protein, and its level may increase during stressful and acute conditions (e.g., disease, infection, injury, stress). The objective was to evaluate the serum Hp concentrations at determined time points of 18 water buffaloes heifers (Bubalus bubalis; 19 ± 1.53 mo of age and 403 ± 36 kg BW). Heifers were randomly assigned by BW and divided into 2 treatments: vaccinated (VAC; n = 9) or not (CON; n = 9). Animals were maintained on pasture (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés; 3.36 ha) provided with natural shade, water trough, and mineral feeder. Heifers from the VAC treatment received a vaccination against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, bovine viral diarrhea, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza 3 virus, and Leptospira spp. (5 mL, subcutaneous; CattleMaster Gold FP 5/L5; Zoetis) on d 0. Rectal temperatures (RT) and blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 d from heifers of both treatments. Serum Hp concentrations were determined using commercial kit ("PHASE" Haptoglobin Assay, Tridelta Development Limited). Data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure (SAS; SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with the term day used for repeated measures. A treatment × day interaction was detected for serum Hp (P < 0.01). Vaccinated heifers had greater (P = 0.02) Hp concentrations from d 1 to 7 and tended (P = 0.10) to have greater Hp concentration on d 10 compared with CON heifers. The Hp concentration of CON heifers also increased during the study, probably caused by the handling used. A treatment × day interaction was also detected for RT (P = 0.02). Vaccinated heifers had greater (P = 0.02) RT on d 1 than CON heifers. In conclusion, the handling procedures impacted serum haptoglobin concentrations, suggesting that the animal management should be carried out with the aim of reducing stress and possible undesirable effects it may cause on production of water buffaloes heifers (Table 877). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]