Bovine Colostrum: Its Constituents and Uses

Colostrum is the milk produced during the first few days after birth and contains high levels of immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors. Colostrum is important for supporting the growth, development, and immunologic defence of neonates. Colostrum is naturally packaged in a combination that helps prevent its destruction and maintain bioactivity until it reaches more distal gut regions and enables synergistic responses between protective and reparative agents present within it. Bovine colostrum been used for hundreds of years as a traditional or complementary therapy for a wide variety of ailments and in veterinary practice. Partly due to concerns about the side effects of standard Western medicines, there is interest in the use of natural-based products of which colostrum is a prime example. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated therapeutic benefits of bovine colostrum for a wide range of indications, including maintenance of wellbeing, treatment of medical conditions and for animal husbandry. Articles within this Special Issue of Nutrients cover the effects and use bovine colostrum and in this introductory article, we describe the main constituents, quality control and an overview of the use of bovine colostrum in health and disease.     

Association between Preoperative Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Oxidative Stress Immediately after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Study

Quadriceps muscle atrophy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be caused by tourniquet-induced ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury, which is often accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against IR injury, whereas n-6 LCPUFAs, particularly arachidonic acid (AA), exhibit pro-inflammatory effects and promote IR injury. This study aimed to examine whether preoperative serum EPA + DHA levels and the (EPA + DHA)/AA ratio are associated with oxidative stress immediately after TKA. Fourteen eligible patients with knee osteoarthritis scheduled for unilateral TKA participated in this study. The levels of serum EPA, DHA, and AA were measured immediately before surgery. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) were used as biomarkers for oxidative stress. The preoperative serum EPA + DHA levels and the (EPA + DHA)/AA ratio were found to be significantly negatively correlated with the serum d-ROM levels at 96 h after surgery, and the rate of increase in serum d-ROM levels between baseline and 96 h postoperatively. This study suggested the preoperative serum EPA + DHA levels and the (EPA + DHA)/AA ratio can be negatively associated with oxidative stress immediately after TKA.     

Limited Association between the Total Healthy Eating Index-2015 Score and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Individuals with Long-Standing Spinal Cord Injury: An Exploratory Study: An Exploratory Study

BackgroundThe healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015) reflects diet quality in reference to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Little is known regarding its application in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between diet quality as assessed by the HEI-2015 and cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with chronic SCI.DesignThis is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected from August 2017 through November 2019 for an interventional study that evaluates the effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet on cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with chronic SCI at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.Participants/settingTwenty-four free-living adults with SCI (mean age, 45 ± 12 y; 8F/16M, level of injury: nine cervical, 15 thoracic; mean duration of injury: 20 ± 13 y) were included.Main outcome measuresParticipants underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan. Dietary intake was assessed by three, 24-hour multiple-pass dietary recalls to calculate the HEI-2015 using the simple HEI scoring algorithm method.Data analysisMultiple linear regression analyses were performed to predict indices of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis and C-reactive protein (CRP) from the HEI-2015. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the number of covariates (level of injury, sex, and body fat percentage).ResultsOn average, participants’ diets were of low quality (HEI-2015, 47.2 ± 10.8). The regression models for fasting glucose (FG), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and CRP had moderate to large effect sizes (adjusted R² ≥ 13%), suggesting good explanatory abilities of the predictors. Small or limited effect sizes were observed for glucose tolerance, fasting insulin, triglycerides, and Matsuda index (adjusted R² < 13%). The HEI-2015 accounted for a moderate amount of variation in FG (partial omega-squared, ω_P² = 13%). Each 10-point HEI-2015 score increase was associated with a 3.3-mg/dL decrease in FG concentrations. The HEI-2015 accounted for a limited amount of variation in other indices (ω_P² < 5%).ConclusionsAmong participants with SCI, higher conformance to the 2015-2020 DGA was 1) moderately associated with better FG homeostasis; and 2) trivially associated with other cardiovascular risk factors. Because of the small sample size, these conclusions cannot be extrapolated beyond the study sample. Future larger studies are warranted to better understand the relationship between diet quality and cardiovascular disease risks in this population.     

Characterizing Emergency Department Use in Assisted Living

ObjectivesLittle is known about emergency department (ED) utilization among the nearly 1 million older adults residing in assisted living (AL) settings. Unlike federally regulated nursing homes, states create and enforce AL regulations with great variability, which may affect the quality of care provided. The objective of this study was to examine state variability in all-cause and injury-related ED use among residents in AL.DesignObservational retrospective cohort study.Setting and ParticipantsWe identified a cohort of 293,336 traditional Medicare beneficiaries residing in larger AL communities (25+ beds).MethodsWith Medicare enrollment and claims data, we identified ED visits and classified those because of injury. We present rates of all-cause and injury-related ED use per 100 person-years in AL, by state, adjusting for age, sex, race, dual-eligibility, and chronic conditions.ResultsRisk-adjusted state rates of all-cause ED visits ranged from 100.9 visits/100 AL person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 92.8, 109.9] in New Mexico to 162.3 visits/100 AL person-years (95% CI 154.0, 174.7) in Rhode Island. The risk-adjusted rate of injury-related ED visits ranged from 18.7 visits/100 AL person-years (95% CI 17.2, 20.3) in New Mexico to 35.7 visits/100 AL person-years (95% CI 34.7, 36.8) in North Carolina.Conclusions and ImplicationsWe observed significant variability among states in all-cause and injury-related ED use among AL residents. There is an urgent need to better understand why this variability is occurring to prevent avoidable visits to the ED.     

脊柱术后感染病原菌及CD64和中性粒细胞百分比的早期预测价值

目的分析脊柱术后医院感染患者病原菌分布特征及中性粒细胞64(CD64)和中性粒细胞百分比(NEU%)表达情况。方法选取2017年6月-2019年6月天津市天津医院收治的脊柱术后医院感染患者51例为感染组,并选取同期于医院就诊的脊柱术后未发生感染患者51例为未感染组。分析感染组患者病原菌情况,检测患者NEU和CD64水平;ROC曲线分析CD64和NEU%指标水平预测感染的诊断价值。结果 51例感染患者共培养分离病原菌78株,其中革兰阴性菌42株(53.85%)、革兰阳性菌33株(42.31%)、真菌3株(3.85%),以铜绿假单胞菌及金黄色葡萄球菌为主。术后7 d,感染组体温、WBC、中性粒细胞计数、CRP、ESR分别为(38.47±0.52)℃、(8.34±2.17)×109/L、(5.98±1.94)×109/L、(54.52±19.93)mg/L、(51.74±21.88)mm/h均高于非感染组(P<0.05)。术后7 d,感染组CD64、NEU%分别为(8.87±2.13)%、(84.93±13.39)高于非感染组(P<0.05)。CD64指数与NEU%水平诊断ROC曲线下面积分别为0.922、0.826。结论脊柱术后医院感染以革兰阴性菌为主,CD64及NEU%水平有助于脊柱术后医院感染的早期诊断。     

微核试验制片方法的改进

目的简化、优化微核试验方法。方法对微核试验的制片过程进行简化、优化,改进后在细胞培养结束后直接吸弃上清液,然后加入氯化钾溶液进行低渗处理,随后预固定、离心。离心完成后,细胞再固定一次即可滴片。结果改进法玻片背景清晰,细胞染色稍深,但不影响细胞和微核观察。双核细胞数量不少,能够满足计数要求。油镜和高倍镜下,图像更清楚、背景更干净。改进法胞浆完整率、细胞着色率和平均每高倍视野细胞个数与传统方法比较有统计学意义,概率P值分别为0.0051(χ²=7.8375)、0.0140(χ²=6.0437)和0.0025(t=3.0951)。微核细胞率和细胞成团指数与传统方法比较无统计学意义,概率P值分别为0.7749(χ²=0.0817)和0.5152(U=0.0000)。结论改进法制片方法简单易行、结果可靠,试验质量更容易控制,还节省了时间,节省了人力、物力。     

分析核磁共振技术诊断膝关节损伤的临床效果

目的:研究关于核磁共振技术对膝关节损伤进行诊断的临床诊断效果和价值。方法:本文调查时间选择2019年1月~2020年1月,将在此期间到本院接受膝关节损伤治疗的35例患者作为研究对象,分别对所有患者选择采用核磁共振技术和CT诊断技术行膝关节损伤的诊断,并分析比较两种不同诊断方法诊断的效果和价值。结果:经过比较分析可以得出,应用核磁共振诊断技术对膝关节损伤进行诊断的准确率明显高于CT诊断手段,两组数据进行统计学分析比较,P<0.05,存在统计学差异性。结论:通过核磁共振技术对膝关节损伤进行诊断能够有效地提升诊断的准确率,可以实现对于各类损伤类型的诊断,可以及时地帮助患者提供相关的治疗依据。     

TrkB在成年猫脊髓的表达

采用免疫组织化学方法探讨trkB在成年猫脊髓的分布。结果：trkB的免疫阳性反应物主要分布于脊髓灰质腹角、中间带及背角深浅部的神经元,胞浆染色,表明成年猫脊髓神经元含有trkB,提示trkB可能与成年猫脊髓神经元的生理功能有关。     

测定白血病脑脊液中SIL—2R，IL—6表达的临床意义

为了探讨急性淋巴细胞性白血病 (ALL)患者脑脊液中可溶性白介素 - 2受体 (SIL - 2R)、白介素 6(IL - 6)的表达及意义 ,采用双抗夹心ELISA法测定 3 0例ALL患者脑脊液 (CSF)中SIL - 2R ,IL - 6水平 ,并与 10名正常者进行对照 .结果 :ALL合并中枢神经系统白血病 (CNS -L)组较CNS -L已缓解及未合并CNS -L组二者水平显著升高 (P <0 0 1) ;CNS -L已缓解组二者水平接近对照组 (P >0 0 5 ) ;骨髓缓解及好转组二者水平低于治疗无效组 .结果表明 :监测二者水平变化有助于CNS -L早期诊断、估计预后、判断疗效 .     

rGH＋CLS减少电损伤组织坏死的研究

研究rGH CLS局部应用对减少高压电损伤组织进行性坏死的作用。使用该实验室已建立的重度高压电损伤模型,新西兰大白兔45只均分5组。治疗分别使用rCH CLS（1组）,CLS（2组）,rGH(3组）,盐水（4组）和5组对照,临床解剖探查、组织学和超微结构等方法观察。结果：治疗1组有明显的减少组织坏死作用。15d动物伤肢完整,而2,3和4组虽也各有不同程度延缓坏死的作用。但动物伤肢最终坏死丧失,5组7d大部软组织基本坏死,12d坏死离断,光电镜检查1组5d治疗后粒细胞浸润较少,炎性反应轻,有纤维组织细胞再生和新生的线粒体,10d修复过程明显,2,3,4组7d后坏死明显,5组肌坏死迅速,结果表明：CLS持续组织内透析冲洗和rGH局部肌注能有效地减少电损伤坏死速度和范围,值得研究应用。