The aim of the present study was to compare the concentrations of two acute phase proteins, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), in serum and milk of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows grouped according to somatic cell count thresholds (< 100,000 < 400,000 > 400,000 cells/ml) in composite milk samples. The SCC was assessed quantitatively by FOSSOMATIC 90 analyser; serum and milk Hp and SAA concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits (Tridelta Development, Ltd., Wicklow, Ireland). We have found a significantly higher Hp and SAA concentrations in the group with SCC > 400,000 cells/ml compared to groups with lower SCC thresholds in composite milk samples. In contrast, significant differences were not demonstrated between the groups in Hp and SAA concentrations determined in serum. The concentrations of Hp in serum and milk were found to be correlated (r = 0.69, P = 0.0003), whereas there was a lower correlation trend in the case of serum versus milk concentrations of SAA (r = 0.43, P = 0.0478). High significant correlations were observed either between milk haptoglobin values and SCC or milk serum amyloid A concentrations and SCC (r = 0.83, r = 0.81, P < 0.0001; respectively). An increase in SCC in cows suffering from mastitis has been accompanied by strong elevation of the milk Hp and SAA, significantly correlated with serum Hp (r = 0.64, P = 0.0014) and poorly correlated with SAA values determined in serum (r = 0.43, P = 0.0478). According to the results obtained in this study we can conclude that measurements of the acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A predominantly in milk, may be a useful tool in diagnosing mastitis and may be a useful marker of milk quality. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, mastitis

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to determine psychological, psychophysiological, and anthropometric factors connected with life events, level of depression, and quality of life in people at risk for cardiovascular disease and healthy controls.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study involving arterial hypertension patients and healthy controls. There were several measurements including physical, anthropological, cardiovascular, and psychophysiological measurements and administration of questionnaires.ResultsA total of 99 participants were recruited for this study, 54 healthy controls (mean age: 35.59±13.39 years) and 45 patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (mean age: 46.33±12.39 years). The healthy controls and the patients with CVD significantly differed in the mean total score of life events, level of depression, quality of life score, temperature, blood pressure (BP), pulse transit time, heart rate, high-frequency total power, heart rate variability total power, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage, fat control, pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index. In healthy subjects, the total score of the life events was not correlated with any cardiovascular or anthropometric factor. A score of depression significantly correlated with the WHtR, augmentation index, body fat percentage, and fat control. The quality of life – visual scale correlated with the body temperature, BP, and percentage of body fat. In the group of the patients with CVD, the score of the life events did not correlate with any measured cardiovascular or anthropometric factor. The level of depression correlated with the augmentation index. The quality of life – visual scale significantly correlated with body temperature, WHtR, and fat control.ConclusionThe patients with CVD reported higher scores of life events, worse quality of life, and a greater level of depressive symptoms than healthy controls. In healthy controls, a higher mean total score of life events significantly negatively correlated with high-frequency total power, and the degree of depression correlated with being overweight. In patients with CVD, a score of depression was linked to being overweight.

The conceptual model of schema therapy proposes that the unfulfilled need for secure attachments in childhood might lead to the development of Early Maladaptive Schemas. Yet to this day, there have been very few studies examining the relationships between Early Maladaprive Schemas, schema domains and different dimensions of attachment, as well as attachment styles. The objective of the present study was to review the findings from published studies regarding the relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and attachment. Thierteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings point to the significant role of the Abandonment schema and the Disconnection/rejection schema domain when it comes to attachment.

The aim of this article is to describe the protocol of a trial focusing on the psychological, anthropometric, cardiac, and psychophysiological factors contributing to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). As background, the article provides a short overview of research literature linking personal traits, maladaptive schemas, and coping styles with CVDs through reactivity of the autonomic nervous system.

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