Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Three antigenic variants of the K88 fimbrial adhesin exist in nature, K88ab, K88ac, and K88ad. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains that produce these fimbriae cause life-threatening diarrhea in some but not all young pigs. The susceptibility of pigs to these organisms has been correlated with the adherence of bacteria to isolated enterocyte brush borders. Whether that correlation holds for multiple K88 variants and over a broad genetic base of pigs is unknown and was the impetus for this study. We also desired to examine the correlation of the expression of a porcine intestinal brush border mucin-type glycoprotein (IMTGP) which binds K88ab and K88ac with the susceptibility of piglets to K88(+) ETEC. Of 31 neonatal gnotobiotic pigs inoculated with K88ab+ or K88ac+ ETEC, 13 developed severe diarrhea, became dehydrated, and died or became moribund. Another pig became severely lethargic but not dehydrated. In vitro brush border adherence analysis was not possible for 10 of the severely ill pigs due to colonization by challenge strains. However, of the 17 pigs that did not become severely ill, 8 (47%) had brush borders that supported the adherence of K88ab+ and K88ac+ bacteria in vitro, suggesting a poor correlation between in vitro brush border adherence and piglet susceptibility to K88(+) ETEC. By contrast, the expression of IMTGP was highly correlated with susceptibility to K88(+) ETEC. Of the 12 pigs that produced IMTGP, 11 developed severe diarrhea. The other pig that produced IMTGP became lethargic but not severely diarrheic. Only 2 of 18 pigs that did not produce IMTGP became severely diarrheic. Colonizing bacteria were observed in histologic sections of intestines from all pigs that expressed IMTGP except for the one that did not develop severe diarrhea. However, colonizing bacteria were observed in histologic sections from only one pig that did not produce IMTGP. The bacterial concentration in the jejuna and ilea of pigs expressing IMTGP was significantly greater (P < 0.005) than that in pigs not expressing IMTGP. These observations suggest the IMTGP is a biologically relevant receptor for K88ab+ and K88ac+ E. coli or a correlate for expression for such a receptor.
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PMID:Expression of mucin-type glycoprotein K88 receptors strongly correlates with piglet susceptibility to K88(+) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, but adhesion of this bacterium to brush borders does not. 971 46

Zinc is an essential trace element of all highly proliferating cells in the human body. It is essential to the development and growth of all organisms. Zinc plays a critical role in modulating resistance to infectious agents and reduces the duration, severity, and risk of diarrheal disease via improved regeneration of intestinal epithelium, improved absorption of water and electrolytes, increased levels of brush border enzymes, and, possibly, an enhancement in the immune response allowing better clearance of pathogens. On the cellular level, zinc finger motifs play various roles including diverse functions that involve specific gene expression for ion channels throughout the body. It maintains the function and the structure of the membrane barrier by contributing to host defense, which is particularly crucial in the intestines due to the continuous exposure to noxious agents and pathogens. Zinc deficiency is characterized by impaired immune function, loss of appetite, and growth retardation. More severe cases cause diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation, hair loss, eye and skin lesions, impotence and hypogonadism in males, as well as weight loss, taste abnormalities, delayed healing of wounds, and mental lethargy. The objective of this study is a critical review of the molecular and genetic regulation of zinc in various cellular processes and organs, the association between zinc and diarrheal disease, the recommended dietary zinc intake, and the effects of zinc deficiency on the human body.
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PMID:Role of Zinc in Mucosal Health and Disease: A Review of Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Processes. 3257 55