Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0409974 (lupus)
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This study reports the partial isolation and characterization of plasma DNA by phenol extraction and concentration of the extract. DNA, identified by immunologic and chemical methods, was found in plasma from both normal persons and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in amounts varying from 0.004 to 0.4 micrograms/ml. The DNA was predominantly of low molecular weight, approximating 100 to 200 base pairs. Patients with lupus tended to have higher concentrations of plasma DNA than normal persons, with considerable overlap between the groups. Plasma DNA concentrations correlated inversely with titers of antibody to DNA but not strongly enough for prediction of either variable in individual cases. Many patients had high levels of plasma DNA and its antibody without clinical nephritis. These results indicate the ubiquity of plasma DNA and suggest the necessity of factors other than mere presence of DNA and its antibody for initiation of glomerular damage in systemic lupus erythematosus.
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PMID:Partial purification and characterization of plasma DNA and its relation to disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. 674 82

Low-consistency, high-moisture feces have been observed in large dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), compared with small dogs, and particularly in sensitive breeds (e.g., German Shepherd dogs). The aim of this work was to determine if greater colonic protein fermentation is responsible for poorer fecal quality in large sensitive dogs. Twenty-seven bitches were allotted to 4 groups based on size and digestive sensitivity: small, medium, large tolerant, and large sensitive. Five experimental diets varying in protein source [highly digestible wheat gluten (WG) vs. medium digestible poultry meal (PM), and protein concentration from 21.4 to 21.6 (LP) to 38.2 to 39.2% CP (HP)] were tested. Diets were fed for 14 d and followed by a 12-d transition period. Digestive fermentation by-products were investigated in fresh stools [ammonia, phenol, indole, and short chain fatty acids including acetate, propionate, and butyrate (C2 to C4 SCFA), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), and valerate] and in urine (phenol and indole). Bacterial populations in feces were identified. The PM diets resulted in greater fecal concentrations of ammonia, BCFA, valerate, indole, and C2 to C4 SCFA than WG diets (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.039, P = 0.003, and P = 0.012, respectively). Greater concentrations of ammonia, BCFA, and valerate were found in the feces of dogs fed HP compared with LP diets (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.012, respectively). The concentrations of ammonia, valerate, phenol, and indole in feces of large sensitive dogs were greater (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.019, respectively) compared with the other groups. The Enterococcus populations were greater in feces of dogs fed with PMHP rather than WGLP diets (P = 0.006). Urinary phenol and indole excretion was greater when dogs were fed PM than WG diets (P < 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively) and HP than LP diets (P = 0.001 and P = 0.087, respectively). Large sensitive dogs were prone to excrete a greater quantity of phenol in urine (P < 0.001). A diet formulated with highly digestible protein, such as WG, led to reduced concentrations of protein-based fermentation products in feces together with improved fecal quality in dogs, especially in large sensitive ones. Poor fecal quality in large sensitive dogs could be partly related to the pattern of protein fermentation in the hindgut.
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PMID:Influence of dietary protein content and source on colonic fermentative activity in dogs differing in body size and digestive tolerance. 2232 24

Dear Editor, Tattooing is a global and ancient practice that has endured until the present day. It was originally used to indicate religious beliefs, tribal affiliation, loyalty to a leader, or had a therapeutic function. Adverse reactions from tattooing are common, and cutaneous reactions to red pigment have been widely reported (1,2). Herein we report a case of a 30-year-old female patient admitted to our Department of Dermatology for a reaction to a tattoo localized at the violet and black areas of the tattoo on the upper part of her left leg. The patient reported that the tattoo had been made two years earlier, but the cutaneous alterations appeared after she decided to change the color from pink to violet. On physical examination, multiple erythematous nodular itching lesions were present at the areas of the tattoo in which the violet and black color were used (Figure 1). She had undergone antibiotic therapy without resolution after which topical corticosteroids were applied with temporary remission of signs and symptoms. Personal and familial medical history were negative. The patient reported a jewelry allergy that had never been investigated. Based on the suspicion of an allergic reaction we decided to execute a patch test SIDAPA series and patch test special tattoo series (copper sulfate 1% water, dimetilaminoazobenzene-p 1%, aminoazotoluene-o 1%, blue scattered 3 1%, blue scattered 124 1%, yellow scattered 3 1%, orange scattered 3 1%, red scattered 1 1%, gentian violet 2%, cadmium chloride 1% in water, nickel sulphate 5%, iron chloride 2% in water, potassium dichromate 0.5%, chromium trichloride 2%, aminoazobenzene-p 0.25%, cobalt chloride 1%, aluminum chloride 2%, titanium dioxide 0.1%, zinc 2.5%, mercury chloride 0.05% in water, kathon cg 0.01% in water, phenol 0.5%, ethylenediamine hydrochloride1%, phenylenediamine base-p 1%, formaldehyde 1% in water, phthalic anhydride 1%, rosin 20%, dibutyl phthalate 5%, hexamethylenetetramine 1%, benzophenone 5%). Both series of patch test showed positivity for nickel sulfate 5% at 48 hours (++) and 72 hours (+++). We then performed a 4 mm punch biopsy of the nodular lesions localized at the black and violet areas. The histological examination revealed dermal sclerosis characterized by inflammatory reaction with lympho-mononuclear infiltration in the perivasal zone. Macrophages with red and black pigment were present. The histological pattern was compatible with a granulomatous reaction. Tattooing can result in a wide variety of complications, whose prevalence and incidence still remain unclear. Some authors (3) classify such cutaneous complications in various ways, such as according to: - the length of their evolution: acute and chronic reactions; - the delay of onset after tattooing: early - during the healing phase - or delayed - after tattoo healing; - the type of reaction: infection, hypersensitivity reaction, etc. The practice of tattooing may have local or systemic complications. Dermatoses such as psoriasis, systemic erythematous lupus, sarcoidosis, lichen planus, and pseudo-epitheliomatous hyperplasia can be localized in the area of the tattoo, but allergic sensitivity to one of the pigments is the most frequent cause of dermatological reactions in the site of tattoo (4,5). In fact, adverse reactions to tattoo pigments, especially the red one, are well-described in literature. Furthermore, these compounds frequently contain components which are not systematically characterized. In our case, the granulomatous reaction did not correspond to an allergic reaction to the pigment. In fact, the patch test was negative for all pigments investigated, only showing a positive result for nickel sulfate. However, the specific and well-defined localization of the nodular lesions on the black and violet areas led us to hypothesize that the tattoo pigments in these areas contained some unknown component causing the reaction. In our opinion, a possible explanation could be that the new pigment that had been used contained a small amount of nickel sulfate, which caused the granulomatous reaction. In conclusion, we presented this clinical case to emphasize the widespread incidence of tattoo-related adverse effects, which are mostly caused by red pigment. Dermatologists should constantly strive familiarize themselves with current research on this practice and its complications. On the other hand, people with potential risk factors for adverse reactions should refer to a specialist before getting tattoos. Tattooists should use a checklist and informed consent to screen people with such potential risk factors. Furthermore, it is necessary to perform additional studies concerning ink and pigment components, with the aim of systemically characterizing the substances used in tattoos. Lastly, as emphasized by our case, patients at risk should referred to the dermatologist not only before getting a new tattoo but also in case of color changes in a pre-existing tattoo.
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PMID:Tridimensional Matryoshka Tattoo: An Important. 3154 68