1.
Serum vaccine antibody concentrations in children exposed to perfluorinated compounds.
Source
Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Dr, EOME 3E-110, Boston, MA 02215, USA. pgrand@hsph.harvard.edu
Abstract
CONTEXT:
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have emerged as important food contaminants. They cause immune suppression in a rodent model at serum concentrations similar to those occurring in the US population, but adverse health effects of PFC exposure are poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE:
To determine whether PFC exposure is associated with antibody response to childhood vaccinations.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
Prospective study of a birth cohort from the National Hospital in the Faroe Islands. A total of 656 consecutive singleton births were recruited during 1999-2001, and 587 participated in follow-up through 2008.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Serum antibody concentrations against tetanus and diphtheria toxoids at ages 5 and 7 years.
RESULTS:
Similar to results of prior studies in the United States, the PFCs with the highest serum concentrations were perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Among PFCs in maternal pregnancy serum, PFOS showed the strongest negative correlations with antibody concentrations at age 5 years, for which a 2-fold greater concentration of exposure was associated with a difference of -39% (95% CI, -55% to -17%) in the diphtheria antibodyconcentration. PFCs in the child's serum at age 5 years showed uniformly negative associations with antibody levels, especially at age 7 years, except that the tetanus antibody level following PFOS exposure was not statistically significant. In a structural equation model, a 2-fold greater concentration of major PFCs in child serum was associated with a difference of -49% (95% CI, -67% to -23%) in the overall antibody concentration. A 2-fold increase in PFOS and PFOA concentrations at age 5 years was associated with odds ratios between 2.38 (95% CI, 0.89 to 6.35) and 4.20 (95% CI, 1.54 to 11.44) for falling below a clinically protective level of 0.1 IU/mL for tetanus and diphtheria antibodies at age 7 years.
CONCLUSION:
Elevated exposures to PFCs were associated with reduced humoral immune response to routine childhood immunizations in children aged 5 and 7 years.
[Sensitivity to latex and the dosage of specific antibodies in professionals in the area of health].
Source
Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitória, ES, 29075-910.
Abstract
The scope of this study was to verify the occurrence of sensitivity to latex and conduct dosage of anti-latex antibodies in health professionals of the Dental, Medical and Nursing Schools of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitoria, ES, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional observational study. The intentional sample was composed of 295 professionals. Sensitivity was evaluated by means of a structured and validated questionnaire and the presence of IgE-latex by means of collection of 10 ml of blood submitted to analysis using the Immunocap-pharmacia® system. The IgE-latex values were categorized in different groups. Results: 22.4% (n=66) showed latex sensitivity, class V of the IgE latex (17.5-42 KUA\L); 77.6 % (n=229) showed no sensitivity, class 0 or 1 of the IgE-latex (<0.35KUA\L-8,6KUA\L). Fisher's test showed a significant correlation statistic (p<0.05) in relation to the following variables: gender; atopy; eczema of the hands; allergy to medicination; chronic illness; use of anti-inflammatory; prior surgeries. Conclusion: Positive values of IgE were observed in the professionals with sensitivity, suggesting the adoption of prophylactic measures for the prevention and or adaptation of the work environment, preserving the health of these workers.
Rubella immune status among immigrant and nonimmigrant women in Spain.
Source
Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain. jramosrincon@yahoo.es.
Abstract
A cross-sectional study of seroprevalence of rubella antibodies was carried out in all immigrant pregnant women (1,627) from February 2006 to June 2010. For each immigrant woman one Spanish pregnant woman was recruited. The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against rubella in immigrant women was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.4-93.3), and in native women was 97.7% (95%CI: 96.7-98.4) (P < 0.001). Immunity against was lowest among women from Latin America (odds ratio [OR]: 0.17), followed by women from Asia (OR: 0.20), Sub-Saharan Africa (OR: 0.27) and Northern Africa (OR: 0.37). Female immigrants from developing countries should be targeted for immunization to reduce the risk of congenital rubella. J. Med. Virol. 84:548-550, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
[Potential usefulness of human iPS cells on the generation of platelets].
Source
Stem Cell Bank, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo.
Abstract
Repetitive transfusion of platelets expressing HLA not corresponded to recipient matched often induces anti-HLAantibody-based undesired events including unresponsiveness in platelet transfusion therapy. It is desirable to use platelets derived from HLA-matched iPS cells. In this context, we have recently established an in vitro culture system whereby human pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into'unique sac-like structures' (ES-/iPS-sacs) containing hematopoietic progenitors generating platelets. Among various iPS clones, we also found critical role of c-MYC in human megakaryopoiesis, leading to efficient platelet production with an intact in vivo functionality of hemostasis and thrombosis within the vessel. We propose that use of HLA-matched hiPS cells may be one of useful strategies for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients requiring repeated transfusion.
- PMID:
- 22242314
- [PubMed - in process]
Histological features and immune cell changes in skin lesions of engraftment syndrome of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Source
Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
Various skin eruptions are encountered during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) of children with hematologic malignancies. Engraftment syndrome (ES) is a disease characterized by fever, weight gain, maculopapular skin rash and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. ES occurs during neutrophil recovery without identifiable causes of infection. Early detection of ES is critical to reduce mortality and morbidity, but identical morphologic changes found in skin lesions from ES and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are a challenging problem for histology-based diagnosis. To resolve this issue, immunopathologic changes in skin lesions of ES were studied. Five skin biopsies from patients with symptoms clinically compatible with ES were retrieved and compared to 15 age- and sex-matched cases of acute GVHD with antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD1a. Mean numbers of epidermal CD8+ cells and CD1a+ cells were lower in ES than in GVHD. However, there were no significant differences in mean score of GVHD grade, mean numbers of lymphoid cells, CD3+ cells, or CD4+ cells. In the setting of HSCT in children, the dominance of CD4+ cells and a decreased number of CD1a+ cells in the epidermis are specific features for the skin lesions of ES.
Intravenous immunoglobulins prevent the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier in experimentally induced sepsis.
Source
From the Departments of Anesthesiology (FE, ES, PEO), Histology and Embryology (BA), Forensic Medicine (NA), and Physiology (MK), Institute of Experimental Medicine (NO, MK), Istanbul University, and Dr. SadiKonuk Training and Research Hospital (OE), Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
INTERVENTIONS:
The effects of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M on blood-brain barrier integrity and survival rates in septic rats were comparatively investigated.
MEASUREMENTS:
Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation in Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into the following groups: sham, cecal ligation and perforation, cecal ligation and perforation plus immunoglobulin G (250 mg/kg, intravenous), and cecal ligation and perforation plus immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M (250 mg/kg, intravenous). Immunoglobulins were administered 5 mins before cecal ligation and perforation and the animals were observed for behavioral changes for 24 hrs following cecal ligation and perforation. Blood-brain barrier permeability was functionally and structurally evaluated by determining the extravasation of Evans Blue and horseradish peroxidase tracers, respectively. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for occludin were performed.
MAIN RESULTS:
The high mortality rate (34%) noted in the septic rats was decreased to 15% and 3% by immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M, respectively (p < .01). Both immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M alleviated the symptoms of sickness behavior in the septic rats, with the animals becoming healthy and active. Increased extravasation of Evans Blue into the brain tissue of the septic rats was markedly decreased with the administration of both immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M (p < .01). Occludin expression remained essentially unchanged in all groups, including the cecal ligation and perforation group. In the cecal ligation and perforation group, increased luminal and abluminal vesicles containing electron-dense horseradish peroxidase-reaction product were noted in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells located in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. Tight junction was ultrastructurally intact, suggesting that the transcellular pathway is responsible for the blood-brain barrier breakdown in sepsis. Following immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M treatment, no ultrastructural evidence of leaky capillaries in the brain was observed in the septic rats, indicating the blockade of the transcellular pathway by immunoglobulins administration.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our study suggests that immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M improve the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and inhibits cecal ligation and perforation-induced symptoms of sickness behavior in rats.
Effect of bilastine upon the ocular symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
Source
Allergy Unit, Department of Pneumology and Respiratory Allergy, Clinic Institute of Thorax (ICT), Clinical and Experimental Respiratory Immunoallergy (IDIBAPS), Clinic Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. jbartra@clinic.ub.es
Abstract
Ocular symptoms often accompany allergic rhinitis and can be as or even more bothersome for the patient than the actual nasal symptoms. Ocular manifestations of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis may result from both direct allergen-mediated mast cell stimulation on the surface of the eye and naso-ocular reflexes--histamine being one of the mediators of symptoms onset. An H1 antihistamine would be the first line treatment for allergic conjunctivitis. Since allergic conjunctivitis is always (or almost always) accompanied by nasal symptoms, a second-generation H1 antihistamine administered via oral route is the drug of choice for jointly managing both the nasal and the ocular symptoms--minimizing the impact of the effects inherent to first-generation H, antihistamine, including particularly drowsiness. Bilastine is a new H1 antihistamine with an excellent safety profile, developed for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria, with potency similar to that of cetirizine and desloratadine, and superior to that of fexofenadine. This new drug has been shown to be effective in controlling the ocular symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
- PMID:
- 22185047
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Prolonged control of replication-competent dual tropic human immunodeficiency virus-1 following cessation of highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
While initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during primary HIV-1 infection occasionally results in transient control of viral replication after treatment interruption, the vast majority of patients eventually experience a rebound in plasma viremia.
RESULTS:
Here we report a case of a patient who was started on HAART during symptomatic primary infection and who has subsequently maintained viral loads of < 50 copies/ml for more than nine years after the cessation of treatment. This patient had a high baseline viral load, and has maintained a relatively high frequency of latently infected CD4+ T cells. In addition, he does not have any known protective HLA alleles. Thus it is unlikely that he was destined to become a natural elite controller or suppressor (ES). The mechanism of control of viral replication is unclear; he is infected with a CCR5 /CXCR4 dual tropic virus that is fully replication-competent in vitro. In addition, his spouse, who transmitted the virus to him, developed AIDS. The patient's CD4+ T cells are fully susceptible to HIV-1 infection, and he has low titers of neutralizing antibodies to heterologous and autologous HIV-1 isolates. Furthermore, his CD8+ T cells do not have potent HIV suppressive activity.
CONCLUSION:
This report suggests that some patients may be capable of controlling pathogenic HIV-1 isolates for extended periods of time after the cessation of HAART through a mechanism that is distinct from the potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated suppression that has been reported in many ES.
Regulation of mucosal IgA responses: lessons from primary immunodeficiencies.
Source
Municipal Institute for Medical Research-Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain. acerutti@imim.es
Abstract
Adaptive co-evolution of mammals and bacteria has led to the establishment of complex commensal communities on mucosal surfaces. In spite of having available a wealth of immune-sensing and effector mechanisms capable of triggering inflammation in response to microbial intrusion, mucosal immune cells establish an intimate dialogue with microbes to generate a state of hyporesponsiveness against commensals and active readiness against pathogens. A key component of this homeostatic balance is IgA, a noninflammatory antibody isotype produced by mucosal B cells through class switching. This process involves activation of B cells by IgA-inducing signals originating from mucosal T cells, dendritic cells, and epithelial cells. Here, we review the mechanisms by which mucosal B cells undergo IgA diversification and production and discuss how the study of primary immunodeficiencies facilitates better understanding of mucosal IgA responses in humans.
© 2011 New York Academy of Sciences.
Isolation of Novel Multipotent Neural Crest-Derived Stem Cells from Adult Human Inferior Turbinate.
Source
University of Bielefeld, Molecular Neurobiology, Universitaetsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany, 33615, +495211065629, +495211065654; stefan.hauser@uni-bielefeld.de.
Abstract
Adult human neural crest-derived stem cells are of extraordinary high plasticity and promising candidates for the use in regenerative medicine. Here we describe for the first time a novel neural crest-derived stem cell population within the respiratory epithelium of human adult inferior turbinate. In contrast to superior and middle turbinates, high amounts of source material could be isolated from human inferior turbinates. Using minimally-invasive surgery methods isolation is efficient even from older patients. Within their endogenous niche, inferior turbinate stem cells (ITSCs) expressed high levels of nestin, p75NTR and S100. Immuno-electron microscopy using anti-p75 antibodies displayed that ITSCs are of glial origin and closely related to non-myelinating Schwann cells. Cultivated ITSCs were positive for nestin and S100 as well as the neural crest markers Slug and SOX10. Whole genome microarray analysis showed pronounced differences to human ES cells in respect to pluripotency markers OCT4, SOX2, LIN28 and NANOG, whereas expression of WDR5, KLF4 and c-MYC was nearly similar. ITSCs were able to differentiate into cells with neuro-ectodermal and mesodermal phenotype. Additionally ITSCs are able to survive and perform neural crest typical chain migration in vivo when transplanted into chicken embryos. However ITSCs do not form teratomas in SCID mice. Finally, we developed a separation strategy based on magnetic cell sorting of p75NTR positive ITSCs, which formed larger neurospheres and proliferated faster than p75NTR negative ITSCs. Taken together our study describes a novel, readily accessible source of multipotent human neural crest-derived stem cells for potential cell-replacement therapy.
Fabrication of immunosensor microwell arrays from gold compact discs for detection of cancer biomarker proteins.
Source
Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3060, USA.
Abstract
A simple method is reported to fabricate gold arrays featuring microwells surrounding 8-electrodes from gold compact discs (CDs) for less than $0.2 per chip. Integration of these disposable gold CD array chips with microfluidics provided inexpensive immunoarrays that were used to measure a cancer biomarker protein quickly at high sensitivity. The gold CD sensor arrays were fabricated using thermal transfer of laserjet toner from a computer-printed pattern followed by selective chemical etching. Sensor elements had an electrochemically addressable surface area of 0.42 mm(2) with RSD <2%. For a proof-of-concept application, the arrays were integrated into a simple microfluidic device for electrochemical detection of cancer biomarker interleukin-6 (IL-6) in diluted serum. Capture antibodies of IL-6 were chemically linked onto the electrode arrays and a sandwich immunoassay protocol was developed. A biotinylated detection antibody with polymerized horseradish peroxidase labels was used for signal amplification. The detection limit of IL-6 in diluted serum was remarkably low at 10 fg mL(-1) (385 aM) with a linear response with log of IL-6 concentration from 10 to 1300 fg mL(-1). These easily fabricated, ultrasensitive, microfluidic immunosensors should be readily adapted for sensitive detection of multiple biomarkers for cancer diagnostics.
The effect of total cumulative dose, number of treatment cycles, interval between injections, and length of treatment on the frequency of occurrence ofantibodies to botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of muscle spasticity.
Source
aWest Midland Rehabilitation Centre, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Birmingham bToxin Science Limited, Wrexham, UK.
Abstract
A large cumulative dose of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A), frequent injections, a short interval between treatment cycles, and a long duration of treatment have all been suggested, but not confirmed, to be associated with a high incidence of neutralizing antibodies to the neurotoxin. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these variables predispose to BoNT-A neutralizing antibody formation. A mouse protection (neutralization) bioassay was used for the detection of BoNT-A antibodies in 17 patients who received large doses of BoNT-A, over at least 10 consecutive treatment cycles or for 5 years or more. BoNT-A antibodies were not detected in any of the study patients. The study findings did not confirm an association between the above-mentioned variables and BoNT-A antibody formation.Es gibt nicht bestätigte Anzeichen dafür, dass eine große kumulative Dosis Botulinumtoxin Typ A (BoNT-A), häufige Injektionen, ein kurzes Intervall zwischen den einzelnen Behandlungszyklen und eine lange Behandlungsdauer mit einer hohen Inzidenz neutralisierender Antikörper gegen das Neurotoxin in Verbindung stehen. Anhand der vorliegenden Studie sollte untersucht werden, ob diese Variablen zu einer BoNT-A-neutralisierenden Antikörperbildung prädisponieren. Ein Maus-Schutz- bzw. -Neutralisations-Bioassay wurde bei 17 Patienten zur Detektion von BoNT-A-Antikörpern durchgeführt. Diese erhielten große Dosen BoNT-A über mindestens 10 konsekutive Behandlungszyklen oder über 5 Jahre oder länger hinweg. Bei keinen der Probanden konnten BoNT-A-Antikörper nachgewiesen werden. Die Studienergebnisse lieβen keinen Rückschluss auf eine Verbindung zwischen den o. g. Variablen und der BoNT-A-Antikörperbildung zu.Existen afirmaciones, todavía sin confirmar, que asocian la administración de una dosis acumulativa alta de toxina botulínica de tipo A (BoNT-A), inyecciones frecuentes, un intervalo corto entre los ciclos de tratamiento y un tratamiento de larga duración, con una alta incidencia de anticuerpos neutralizantes de dicha neurotoxina. El objetivo de este estudio fue averiguar si las variables anteriores predisponen la formación de anticuerpos neutralizantes de BoNT-A. Se realizó un bioensayo de protección (neutralización) en el ratón para la detección de anticuerpos BoNT-A en 17 pacientes que habían recibido dosis altas de BoNT-A durante un mínimo de 10 ciclos de tratamiento consecutivos o un mínimo de 5 años. No se detectaron anticuerpos BoNT-A en ninguno de los pacientes. Los resultados del estudio no confirmaron la existencia de una relación entre las variables mencionadas anteriormente y la formación de anticuerpos BoNT-A.Il a été suggéré, sans confirmation toutefois, qu'une forte dose cumulée de toxine botulique de type A (BoNT-A), des injections fréquentes, un court intervalle entre les cycles de traitement et une longue durée de traitement étaient associés à une incidence élevée d'anticorps neutralisants à la neurotoxine. Cette étude avait pour objet d'étudier si ces variables prédisposaient à la formation d'anticorps BoNT-A neutralisants. Un titrage biologique de protection (neutralisation) des souris a été utilisé pour la détection des anticorps de BoNT-A chez 17 malades qui ont reçu d'importantes doses de BoNT-A sur au moins 10 cycles de traitement consécutifs ou pendant au moins 5 ans. Aucun anticorps BoNT-A n'a été détecté chez les patients participant à l'étude. Les résultats de l'étude n'ont pas confirmé d'association entre les variables susmentionnées et la formation d'anticorps BoNT-A.
- PMID:
- 22108625
- [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
High-throughput multiplex PCR genotyping for 35 red blood cell antigens in blood donors.
Source
Vienna Blood Centre, Blood Service, Austrian Red Cross, Vienna, Austria Department of Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract
Background and Objectives One to two per cent of patients in need of red cell transfusion carry irregular antibodies to red blood cell (RBC) antigens and have to be supplied with specially selected blood units. To be able to respond to those requests, blood centres have to screen a significant number of donors for a variety of antigens serologically, which is a costly and through the shortage of reagents, also limited procedure. To make this procedure more efficient, the Austrian Red Cross has developed a genotyping assay as an alternative approach for high throughput RBC typing. Materials and Methods A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed for typing 35 RBC antigens in six reaction mixes. The assay includes both common as well as high-frequency-alleles: MNS1, MNS2, MNS3 and MNS4; LU1, LU2, LU8 and LU14; KEL1, KEL2, KEL3, KEL4, KEL6, KEL7, KEL11, KEL17 and KEL21; FY1, FY2, FYB(WK) and FY0 (FYB(ES) ); JK1 and JK2; DI1, DI2, DI3 and DI4; YT1 and YT2; DO1 and DO2; CO1 and CO2; IN1 and IN2. The assay was validated using 370 selected serologically typed samples. Subsequently 6000 individuals were screened to identify high frequency antigen (HFA)-negative donors and to facilitate the search for compatible blood for alloimmunized patients. Results All controls showed complete concordance for the tested markers. The screening of 6000 donors revealed 57 new HFA-negative donors and the blood group database was extended by approximately 210 000 results. Conclusion The study shows that in practice, this high-throughput genotyping assay is feasible, fast and provides reliable results. Compared to serological testing, this molecular approach is also very cost-efficient.
© 2011 The Author(s). Vox Sanguinis © 2011 International Society of Blood Transfusion.
Seroprevalence of dengue infection: a cross-sectional survey in mainland Tanzania and on Pemba Island, Zanzibar.
Source
National Institute for Infectious Diseases, "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy; Italian Development Cooperation, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome, Italy; Italian Development Cooperation, PO Box 2106, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Evidence available to date indicates that dengue viruses 1, 2, and 3 could be among the causes of acute fever in eastern Africa. Recently, four reports on dengue infection in travelers and residents have raised concerns over the occurrence of dengue fever in mainland Tanzania and in Zanzibar. The objective of this study was to provide seroprevalence data on dengue infection in Tanzania.
METHODS:
This study was conducted in 2007 at two peripheral hospitals, one on Pemba Island, Zanzibar and one in Tosamaganga, Iringa Region, mainland Tanzania. Two hundred and two consecutive febrile outpatients were studied forantibodies and viral RNA to assess the circulation of dengue virus in Tanzania.
RESULTS:
A seroprevalence of 7.7% was found on Pemba Island and of 1.8% was found in Tosamaganga. No acute cases and no previous infections among patients under 11 years of age were detected.
CONCLUSION:
These findings provide the first baseline data on dengue seroprevalence in the country. No recent dengue virus circulation in Tanzania and in the Zanzibar archipelago up until the early 1990s is reported.
Copyright © 2011 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Mesothelial cell and anti-nuclear autoantibodies associated with pleural abnormalities in an asbestos exposed population of Libby MT.
Source
Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 South 8th Ave., Pocatello, ID 83209, USA.
Abstract
Despite data linking amphibole asbestos exposure with production of autoantibodies, the role of autoantibodies in subsequent disease is unknown. Residents of Libby, Montana have experienced significant exposure to amphibole asbestos due to the mining of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite near the community over several decades. This population predominantly exhibits pleural disease, and an autoimmune-like disorder that has yet to be well defined. This study sought to determine whether autoantibodies from asbestos-exposed subjects were associated with pleural lesions. Serum samples of subjects from Libby were evaluated for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and mesothelial cell autoantibodies (MCAA) using cell based ELISA. The presence of radiographic abnormalities detected during the time frame of serum collection was determined from screening records. In accord with previous studies, 61.3% (76/124) of the Libby samples were ANA positive, a frequency much higher than expected for a healthy population. The odds of having pleural or interstitial abnormalities in Libby was nearly 3.55 times greater for individuals that tested positive for ANA compared with individuals negative for ANA (p=0.004). MCAA were also detected at a strikingly high frequency (18.5%; 23/124) in samples from Libby. Individuals with MCAA had 4.9 times the risk of having pleural abnormalities compared to MCAA-negative subjects (p=0.044). In conclusion, ANA and MCAA were elevated in a study population that was known to have chronic exposure to asbestos, and these autoantibodies were associated with pleural abnormalities, the predominant finding in the asbestos-exposed population of Libby. Additional research is needed to determine the role these autoantibodies may play in pulmonary disease.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of the performance of 5 commercialized enzyme immunoassays for the detection of Taenia solium antibodies and for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.
Source
Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, BP 1274 Antananarivo 101, Madagascar. jfcarod@yahoo.es
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate 5 enzyme immunoassays for detecting human antibodies against Taenia solium in human serum and for the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NCC): DRG™, RIDASCREEN™, NOVATECH™, CYPRESS™, and IVD™. A collection of 114 reference serum samples were used. All sera were tested both by ELISA and by an immunoblot method (enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot [EITB]). When compared with EITB, the Ridascreen™ test had the best positive concordance rate (85.1-91.2%) and the NovaLisa test™ showed the optimal negative concordance rate (93.7-95.6%). All tests had a sensitivity under 72% and a specificity above 60%. The best sensitivity was obtained using Ridascreen™ test (71.4%). An optimal specificity was achieved by the NovaLisa test™. T. solium-positive sera all cross-reacted with E. granulosus positive samples. In the commercial assays evaluated here, the most appropriate ELISA test for screening may be the Ridascreen™ assay. Antibody detection seems to be not appropriate for NCC diagnosis because of its overall lack of sensitivity.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Putative CENP-B paralogues are not present at mammalian centromeres.
Source
Chromosome and Chromatin Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia, owen.marshall@mcri.edu.au.
Abstract
Although centromere protein B (CENP-B) is a highly conserved mammalian centromere protein, its function remains unknown. The presence of the protein is required to form artificial satellite DNA-based centromeres de novo, yet cenpb knockout mice are viable for multiple generations with no mitotic or meiotic defects, and the protein is not present at fully functional neocentromeres. Previous studies have suggested that the presence of functionally redundant paralogues of CENP-B may explain the lack of a phenotype in knockout mice, and the related Tigger-derived (TIGD) family of proteins has been implicated as the most likely candidate for such paralogues. Here, we describe an investigation of the centromere-binding properties of the three TIGD proteins most highly related to CENP-B through phylogenetic analysis through EGFP fusion studies and immunocytochemistry. Although two of the three proteins bound to human centromeres with low affinity when overexpressed as fusion proteins, the strongest candidate, TIGD3, demonstrated no native centromeric binding when using raised antibodies, either in human cells or in cenpb (-/-) mouse ES cells. We conclude that the existence of functional CENP-B paralogues is highly unlikely and that CENP-B acts alone at the centromere. Based on these data, we suggest a new, meiotic drive model of CENP-B action during centromere repositioning in evolution.
Flow cytometry counting of bronchoalveolar lavage leukocytes with a new profile of monoclonal antibodies combination.
Source
Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain. lourdes.tricas@sespa.princast.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Differential cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has an important role in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases. Optical microscopy method is usually chosen to identify BAL leukocyte populations despite its technical limitations. As there are no guidelines to make this analysis by flow cytometry (FCM), we propose a new monoclonal antibodies combination for this analysis.
METHODS:
Thirty-four BAL samples were stained with the monoclonal antibodies combination CD15/CD16/CD45/HLA-DR and analyzed in a 2-laser cytometer (FACSCalibur). The results were compared with those obtained by optical microscopy.
RESULTS:
Both methods showed a good correlation, but FCM overestimates lymphocyte population and conversely underestimates alveolar macrophage population.
CONCLUSIONS:
The proposed monoclonal antibodies combination is effective and reliable to identify leukocyte populations in BAL. © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society.
Copyright © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society.
Anti-TNF antibody therapy in Crohn's disease: the risk of a switch.
Source
Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clinic, C/Villarroel, 170, Barcelona 08036, Spain; jpanes@clinic.ub.es.
Herpes simplex virus type-2 and human immunodeficiency virus infections in a rural population in Kilimanjaro Tanzania.
Source
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbilu University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O.Box 65015, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. eliajelia@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To estimate the seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Type 2 (HSV-2) and its association with Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections in rural Kilimanjaro Tanzania.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Oria village from March to June 2005 involving all individuals aged 15-44 years with permanent address in the village. Following an informed written consent, participants gave blood for HIV-1 testing and further interviewed regarding their risk behaviours. All HIV cases and randomly selected controls were tested for HSV-2 antibodies.
RESULTS:
The weighted HSV-2 seroprevalence estimate in the whole population was 33.2%. The HSV-2 seroprevalence was 87.5% and 29.5% among HIV-1 seropositive cases and seronegative controls respectively (Odds ratio (OR) 2.9; 95% Confidence interval: 1.9-4.3). After adjusting for sexual risk behaviors, the association between HSV-2 and HIV-1 infections remained strong (adjusted OR 14.1; CI: 5.0-28.3). Multiple sexual partners, transactional sex and unprotected casual sex were independently associated with HIV-1 infection.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results demonstrate that HSV-2 is highly prevalent in rural communities in Tanzania and strongly associated with HIV-1 infection. Sexual risk behaviours may play a major role in the transmission of both HSV-2 and HIV-1 infection. Due to lack of HSV-2 suppressive antiretroviral therapy in this and similar communities, prevention through promotion of behavioural change might be the most important strategy to mitigate HSV-2 and HIV-1 transmission.
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