Soybean meal (SBM) prepared by soybean crushing is the most popular protein source in the poultry and livestock industries (Cai et al., 2015) due to its economic manufacture, high protein content, and good nutritional value. Despite these benefits, SBM contains various antigen proteins such as glycinin and β-conglycinin, which account for approximately 70% of the total proteins of the SBM and reduce digestibility and damage intestinal function (Peng et al., 2018). Treating SBM with proteases (neutrase, alcalase, and trypsin) or fermentation can eliminate these antigen proteins (Contesini et al., 2018). Because of its safety and rapid growth cycle, Bacillus strains are considered ideal for the fermentation industry (Yao et al., 2021). SBM fermented by Bacillus yields products with high nutritional value and low levels of antinutritional factors (ANFs), stimulating research in this area (Yuan et al., 2017). Kumari et al. (2023) demonstrated that fermentation with Bacillus species effectively degrades antigen proteins and increases crude protein content. The degradation of antigen proteins relies on protease hydrolysis. Low protease production is the major obstacle hindering the widespread use of microbial fermentation techniques.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens/metabolism* ; Fermentation ; Glycine max/metabolism* ; Soybean Proteins/metabolism* ; Peptide Hydrolases/metabolism* ; Ribosomes/metabolism* ; Globulins ; Antigens, Plant ; Seed Storage Proteins

Objective: To investigate the relationship between positive anti-Ro/Sjögren syndrome antigen type A (SSA) antibody and anti-La/Sjögren syndrome antigen type B (SSB) antibody in pregnant women and neonatal adverse outcomes. Methods: This study was a retrospective study, and 145 deliveries of 136 anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibody positive pregnant women were selected who had prenatal examination and delivered in Peking University First Hospital from January 2017 to June 2022. According to whether adverse neonatal outcomes occurred, 145 deliveries were divided into adverse outcome group (26 cases) and no adverse outcome group (119 cases). According to the time when anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies were found positive, 145 deliveries were divided into the antibody positive during pregnancy group (69 cases) and the pre-pregnancy antibody positive group (76 cases). The pregnancy outcomes, treatment and maternal and infant antibody levels of pregnant women between the adverse outcome group and no adverse outcome group, between antibody positive during pregnancy group and the pre-pregnancy antibody positive group were compared. Results: (1) Most of the pregnant women with positive anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies were diagnosed as undifferentiated connective tissue disease, accounting for 40.4% (55/136), followed by Sjogren's syndrome (25.0%, 34/136), systemic lupus erythematosus (23.5%, 32/136), antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (6.6%, 9/136), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (1.5%, 2/136), and 4 cases were not diagnosed. (2) The titers of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies in the first trimester and the second trimester were compared, and there were no statistical significances (all P>0.05). (3) The proportion of high level anti-Ro/SSA antibody (>100 kU/L), positive level of anti-La/SSB antibody and positive rate of anti-La/SSB antibody in the adverse outcome group were higher than those in the no adverse outcome group, and the birth weight of newborns and live birth rate in the adverse outcome group were lower than that in the no adverse outcome group, all with statistical significances (all P<0.05). The anti-Ro/SSA antibody level, the proportion of drug treatment (hydroxychloroquine, glucocorticoid, gamma globulin), the incidence of fetal growth restriction (FGR), the rate of preterm birth, and the positive level of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies in newborns were compared between the two groups, and there were no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). (4) The anti-Ro/SSA antibody level of pregnant women in the pre-pregnancy antibody positive group, the proportion of hydroxychloroquine and glucocorticoid treatment, and the anti-Ro/SSA antibody positive rate of newborns were higher, while the incidence of FGR and gamma globulin treatment rate of newborns in the antibody positive during pregnancy group were higher, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of anti-La/SSB antibodies in pregnant women, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies in newborns, the positive rate of anti-La/SSB antibodies in newborns and the incidence of adverse outcomes were compared between the antibody positive during pregnancy group and the pre-pregnancy antibody positive group, and there were no statistical significances (all P>0.05). Conclusions: High concentrations of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and co-positive anti-La/SSB antibodies during pregnancy may increase the incidence of adverse neonatal outcomes. There is no significant difference in the incidence of adverse neonatal outcomes between antibody positive pregnant women and antibody positive pregnant women who were first found during pregnancy after comprehensive treatment in the rheumatology and immunology department.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Sjogren's Syndrome/drug therapy* ; Pregnant Women ; Hydroxychloroquine/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; Premature Birth/epidemiology* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy* ; Pregnancy Outcome ; gamma-Globulins

To investigate the application of bromocresol green Colorimetry (BCG) method in measuring serum albumin (ALB) and to evaluate its influencing factors in different diseases. This study was a cross-sectional study that included 128 people admitted to the department of nephrology, department of general surgery, department of infectious diseases and other departments of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in July 2021. They were divided into groups according to disease types, including chronic kidney disease group (47 cases), liver disease group (40 cases), other diseases group (41 cases), serum ALB was detected by BCG method and immunoturbidimetry at the same time, and the results were expressed as ALB_BCG and ALB_I respectively, each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to ALB_I results: relatively high-value subgroup, relatively intermediate-value subgroup and relatively low-value subgroup of albumin. ALB_I and ALB_BCG were compared in all groups and subgroups. Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman diagram analysis were used to evaluate the application of ALB_BCG in each group. Immunoturbidimetry was used as a reference method to evaluate the bias of ALB_BCG, and the differences between ALB_I and ALB_BCG were shown as follows:ΔALB= ALB_BCG-ALB_I. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess the correlation between ΔALB and ALB autoconcentration (ALB_I), α₁-globulin, α₂-globulin, β₁-globulin, β₂-globulin, γ-globulin, creatinine (Cr), urea (UN), uric acid (UA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.The results showed that ALB_BCG were higher than ALB_I in the relative low subgroups of total patients group, chronic kidney disease group, liver disease group and other disease groups, and the differences were statistically significant (t value was 8.025, 6.878, 2.628, 4.915, respectively, P<0.05). In the relatively high value subgroup, ALB_BCG was lower than ALB_I, and the differences were statistically significant in the relative high value subgroup of total patients group, liver disease group and other disease groups (t value was -4.388, -2.927, -3.979, P<0.05). Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis showed that the BCG method had proportional bias. In the chronic kidney disease group, the concentrations of ALB_I and Cr had the greatest influence on BCG bias, and the regression model equation was ΔALB=5.437-0.146× Alb_I-0.001 ×Cr, R²=0.505. In the liver disease group, the concentrations of ALB_I, α₁-globulin, β₁-globulin had the greatest influence on BCG bias, and the regression model equation was ΔALB=3.652-0.230×ALB_I+0.398×α₁-globulin+1.171×β₁-globulin, R²=0.658. In the other disease group, the concentration of ALB_I and α₂-globulin had the greatest influence on BCG bias, and the regression equation was ΔALB=5.558-0.225×Alb_I-0.281×α₂-globulin, R²=0.646. The BCG method has a proportion error, and its bias may lead to unacceptable differences. BCG method is mainly affected by the concentration of ALB itself, and may also be affected by α₁-globulin, α ₂-globulin, β₁-globulin, Cr.
BCG Vaccine ; Bilirubin ; Bromcresol Green ; Colorimetry ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Globulins ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Serum Albumin/analysis*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women complicated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The clinical data of 3 pregnant women with COVID-19 admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 19 to February 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There was one case in the first-trimester pregnancy (case 1), one in the second-trimester pregnancy (case 2) and one in third-trimester pregnancy (case 3). Cough, fever, fatigue, lung imaging changes were the main manifestations. The white cell count, lymphocyte percentage had no significantly changes in case 1 and case 3, while the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IL-6 and IL-10 elevated. The lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage decreased and the inflammatory indicators significantly increased in case 2. All patients were treated with antiviral, antitussive, oxygen inhalation; case 3 received glucocorticoids, case 2 with severe illness received glucocorticoids and additionally gamma globulin. All three cases were cured and discharged. Case 1 with early pregnancy chose to terminate pregnancy after discharge; case 2 chose to continue pregnancy without obstetric complications; and case 3 had cesarean section delivery due to abnormal fetal heart monitoring. CONCLUSIONS The report shows that COVID-19 in pregnancy women could be cured with active treatment, and the maternal and fetal outcomes can be satisfactory.
Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; isolation & purification ; Cesarean Section ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Oxygen ; therapeutic use ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; gamma-Globulins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect of simply hormone and combined gamma globulin and thrombopoietin(TPO) on primary immune thrombocytopenia(PITP). METHODS: 100 patients with PITP were divided into simply drug groups, and combined drug group each for 50 cases. The patients in single drug group were given simply hormone therapy, the patients in combined drug group were given gamma globulin and thrombopoietin. The levels of TPO, platelet activating factor (PAF) were detected by DAS-ELISA. The differences of clinical curative effect, clinical indicators, biochemical indexes and adverse reactions between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The total effective rate of combined drug group (90.00%) was obviously higher than that in single drug group (66.00%)(P<0.05). Amount of platelet infusion in combined drug group was obviously less than that in single drug group, platelet recovery time and effect onset time in combined drug group were significantly shorter than those in single drug group, and the maintaining time in combined drug group was obviously longer than that in single drug group. At the same time, the platelet peak in combined drug group was higher than that in single drug group (P<0.05). The levels of TPO, PAF between the two groups did not show statisticall significant differences before treatment (P>0.05), however, the above-mentioned indexes of two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), among them, the indexes in combined drug group were obviously lower ttan those in sigle drug group (P<0.05). The adverse reaction and mortality rate between the two groups did not show statistically significant differences(P>0.05), the recurrence rate in combined drug group(2%) was obviously lower than that in single group(14.00%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The curative effect of hormone, as well as gamma globulin combined with TPO to treat PITP are satisfying, can obviously improve the levels of TPO, PAF, and the drug safety is higher. but the efficacy of combined drug is surperior to single drug.
Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Thrombopoietin ; gamma-Globulins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of insulin like growth factor I(IGF-I), β2-microglobulin (β2MG) and serum ferritin (SF) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and their ralationship with clinical staging.

METHODSSeventy-seven patients with MM treated in Depertment of Hematology of Shanghai 10th hospital and Oncology of Shanghai Armed Police Hospital from August 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled in MM group, at same period 77 healthy volunteers were enrolled in normal control group. The diagnostic value of IGF-I, β2-MG and SF for MM, and their levels in different stages of MM were compared.

RESULTSThe ROC analysis showed that β2-MG and SF alone as well as their combination had the diagnostic significance for MM, moreover the diagnostic value of IGF-I, β2-MG and SF combination was highest, but the single IGF-I did not possess diagnostic significance for MM. The comparison of IGF-I, β2-MG and SF levels in different stages of MM showed that the β2-MG and SF levels in I stage were higher than those in normal control group (P<0.05), but lower than those in II and III stages (P<0.05). The IGF-I level in I stage was not statistically and significantly different from IGF-I level in normal control group (P>0.05), but lower than those in II and III stage (P<0.05). The relationship analysis between IGF-I and β2-MG, SF in different stages showed that the IGF-I related with SF in I stage (r=0.417), but did not relate with β2-MG; the IGF-I in II stage related with β2-MG and SF in II stage (r=0.543, r=0.426); IGF-I related with β2-MG and SF in III stage (r=0.425 and r=0.672).

CONCLUSIONThe diagnostic value of IGF-I, β2-MG and SF alone does not high for MM, but their combination can significantly enhance the occurate rate of MM diagnosis. The levels of IGF-I, β2-MG and SF in II and III stages of MM all increase, moreover the level of IGF-I correlates with the levels of β2-MG and SF.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), an alpha globulin glycoprotein, is a member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily. The clinical significance of AAT is highlighted by AAT deficiency. Genetic deficiency of AAT can present as several neutrophilic diseases associated with emphysema, liver cirrhosis, panniculitis, and systemic vasculitis. Recently, animal and human studies have shown that AAT can control inflammatory, immunological, and tissue-protective responses. In addition, AAT treatment can prevent overt hyperglycemia, increase insulin secretion, and reduce cytokine-mediated apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells in diabetes. These multifunctional roles of AAT draw attention to the glycoprotein's therapeutic potential for many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases beyond AAT deficiency. As underlying mechanisms, recent studies have suggested the importance of serine protease inhibitory activity of AAT in obesity-associated insulin resistance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis. In this review, we explore the multiple functions of AAT, in particular, the anti-inflammatory and serine protease inhibitory functions, and AAT's therapeutic potential in a variety of human diseases through published literature.
alpha 1-Antitrypsin ; Alpha-Globulins ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cystic Fibrosis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Emphysema ; Glycoproteins ; Humans* ; Hyperglycemia ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Neutrophils ; Panniculitis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Serine Proteases ; Systemic Vasculitis ; Therapeutic Uses

Three dogs were evaluated for severe hyperproteinemia and hyperglobulinemia secondary to Leishmania infantum. Double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) was performed in two dogs at days 1, 2, and 6 after presentation. The third dog received DFPP at days 1 and 3 after presentation and eleven hemodialysis treatments. Significant reduction in serum total protein (p < 0.0001), alpha-1 (p = 0.023), alpha-2 (p = 0.018), gamma globulins (p = 0.0105), and a significant increase in albumin/globulin ratio (p = 0.0018) were found. DFPP may be a promising therapeutic technique for rapid resolution of signs of hyperproteinemia in dogs affected by L. infantum.
Animals ; Dogs ; Filtration ; gamma-Globulins ; Leishmania infantum ; Leishmania ; Plasmapheresis ; Renal Dialysis

PURPOSE: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations, molecular features, and treatment status of XLA in Korean patients at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. METHODS: Fourteen Korean boys with XLA showing serum agammaglobulinemia, non-detectable to less than 2% of peripheral B-cells, and mutation of the Btk gene were enrolled. We observed the clinical features, laboratory findings, status of treatment, and complications in these XLA patients. RESULTS: All XLA patients had a history of recurrent bacterial infections before diagnosis, and 20% of them had a neutropenia. Of the XLA patients 35.7% had a family history of XLA and 75% of their mothers were carriers. Btk gene analysis showed variable gene mutations in Xq22 including 9 amino acid substitutions, 3 frameshifts, 1 premature stop codon, and 1 splice defect. After intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy, infection episodes decreased, but complications such as bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis remained. CONCLUSIONS: In patients less than 4 years of age with recurrent infection, analysis of serum gamma globulin levels and the Btk gene are recommended for the early diagnosis of XLA and for the appropriate prevention of recurrent infection.
Agammaglobulinemia* ; Amino Acid Substitution ; B-Lymphocytes ; Bacterial Infections ; Bronchiectasis ; Codon, Nonsense ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; gamma-Globulins ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Mothers ; Neutropenia ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Seoul ; Sinusitis

PURPOSE: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations, molecular features, and treatment status of XLA in Korean patients at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. METHODS: Fourteen Korean boys with XLA showing serum agammaglobulinemia, non-detectable to less than 2% of peripheral B-cells, and mutation of the Btk gene were enrolled. We observed the clinical features, laboratory findings, status of treatment, and complications in these XLA patients. RESULTS: All XLA patients had a history of recurrent bacterial infections before diagnosis, and 20% of them had a neutropenia. Of the XLA patients 35.7% had a family history of XLA and 75% of their mothers were carriers. Btk gene analysis showed variable gene mutations in Xq22 including 9 amino acid substitutions, 3 frameshifts, 1 premature stop codon, and 1 splice defect. After intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy, infection episodes decreased, but complications such as bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis remained. CONCLUSIONS: In patients less than 4 years of age with recurrent infection, analysis of serum gamma globulin levels and the Btk gene are recommended for the early diagnosis of XLA and for the appropriate prevention of recurrent infection.
Agammaglobulinemia* ; Amino Acid Substitution ; B-Lymphocytes ; Bacterial Infections ; Bronchiectasis ; Codon, Nonsense ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; gamma-Globulins ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Mothers ; Neutropenia ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Seoul ; Sinusitis