title: FRUSTULAR MORPHOLOGY AND TAXONOMIC AFFINITIES OF NAVICULA COMPLANATOIDES (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)

text: Live and prepared cells of the marine pennate diatom Navicula complanatoides Hust. were examined with light and electron microscopy. It has narrowly lanceolate valves (26–55 μm long, 4–5 μm wide) and girdles 10–24 μm in depth. Striae are parallel at the center of the valve (24–28 in 10 μm), becoming slightly convergent toward the apices. Electron microscopy revealed that the external valve surface presents a longitudinally ribbed appearance (20–28 parallel ribs at its maximum width), whereas internally, rectangular areolae are occluded by ricae. The raphe slit lies in a narrow axial area, and one side of the raphe sternum is deeper and folds over the other, obscuring the internal opening. Internally, the central virga on one side of the raphe and two virgae on the other are somewhat broader. A conspicuous pore (stigma) is present between the two broadened virgae. The girdle consists of valvocopulae, copulae, and pleurae. There are 16–20 bands per cingulum. The valvocopulae and copulae are hollow tube‐like structures, with inner and outer portions contrsting in morphology. They decrease in diameter in an abvalvar direction. There are four pleurae. These are flat bands which facilitate overlap of the epicingulum and hypocingulum. Fundamental features of the valve and girdle reveal the distinctness of this species within Navicula. The areolae, external longitudinal ribs, and raphe structure suggest affinities with Pleurosigma, Gyrosigma, and Haslea. It is hypothesized that they share a derived state which indicates a recent common ancestor for these taxa. N. complanatoides and related species of the Naviculae microstigmatacae are distinctive enough to merit their own genus within the Naviculaceae.


title: Acquired immune‐mediated myasthenia gravis in a cat

text: Acquired myasthenia gravis was diagnosed in a four‐year‐old castrated male Somali in which the presenting signs consisted of progressive lameness, weakness, generalised muscle tremors, an inability to blink and voice loss. Clinical testing with edrophonium chloride, electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry and serum immunological techniques confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and proved its immune‐mediated nature. Clinical remission was achieved following long term immunosuppression with corticosteroids.


American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Research Abstract Program of the 13th Annual AC VIM Forum in Orlando, FL, May 18, 1995: Index of Abstracts


SMALL ANIMAL LITERATURE INDEX


2018 ACCP Global Conference on Clinical Pharmacy: October 20–23, 2018


docid: wqxdtgsd

title: Book Reviews

text: Book reviewed in this article: Feline medicine Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine:J. R. August Diagnostic ultrasonography Diagnostic Ultrasound in the Dog and Cat:F. Barr


title: Comparison of aroma characteristics of 16 fish species by sensory evaluation and gas chromatographic analysis

text: The aroma properties of fish broths prepared from 16 fish species (10 saltwater, three freshwater, two anadromous and one brackish water species) were described quantitatively by reference to 10 sensory attributes. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis of sensory attributes classified the fish into four groups. Group 1, characterised by a strong ‘green’ odour, comprised all three freshwater species (loach, pond smelt and carp), two saltwater whitefish species (snapper and conger) and eel. Group 2 included migratory coastal species (sardine, banded blue‐sprat and mackerel) and was distinguished by strong ‘fish oil’ and ‘grilled fish’ notes. Group 3 consisted of swordfish, sablefish and salmon, which exhibited a strong ‘fried chicken’ note. Group 4 included flounder, cod, tuna and goby, which were scored high for ‘cooked fish’, ‘roasted soy sauce’, ‘canned tuna’ and ‘sweet’ aromas. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models derived from selected influential peaks in the gas chromatograms of the volatile components in the broths for each attribute were highly predictive (R (2) ≥ 0.936). The selected peaks corresponded well to each sensory attribute. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry


title: Books Reviews

text: Science Writing for Beginners Microbiology. Essentials and Applications (1985). L. McKane & J. Kandel. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research Volume 178 Bluetongue and Related Orbiviruses (1985). Edited by T. Lynwood Barber, M. M. Jochim & B. I. Osburn. Antimicrobial Drug Resistance (1984) Edited by L. E. Bryan. Aspects of Microbial Metabolism and Ecology (1984). Edited by G. A. Codd. Progress in Leukocyte Biology Volume 1 Viral Mechanisms of Immunosuppression (1985). Edited by N. Gilmore & M. A. Wainberg. The Society for Applied Bacteriology Technical Series No. 19 Microbiological Methods for Environmental Biotechnology (1984). Edited by J. M. Grainger & J. M. Lynch. Scrapie Disease in Sheep (1983). H. B. Parry. Edited by D. R. Oppenheimer.


Clinical features and management


Global Supply Chains: Globalization Research in a Changing World


title: Acquired immune‐mediated myasthenia gravis in a cat associated with a cystic thymus

text: Acquired myasthenia gravis was diagnosed in a five‐year‐old domestic shorthair, neutered, female cat with generalised muscle weakness, tremors, dysphagia and alterations in voice. Radiographs indicated the presence of a mass in the anterior thorax. A response to edrophonium chloride, and raised levels of anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibodies in the serum, confirmed the diagnosis and indicated an immune‐mediated aetiology. Clinical remission occurred following thymectomy and the use of immunosuppressive corticosteroids. This is the first fully‐documented case of acquired feline myasthenia gravis associated with the presence of a thymic abnormality in the United Kingdom. The clinical features, laboratory findings and response to treatment are compared with those reported previously in cats and other species.


WORKSHOPS


Molecular biology of the human brain


docid: swezvujr

title: Cell biology of virus entry, replication and pathogenesis


Research Abstract Program of the 12(th) Annual ACVIM Forum


Electron microscopy as an aid to diagnosis


P124: Development of universal HCV vaccine by coupling HCV NS3 proteins to the surface of liposomes


title: Untersuchungen zur prophylaktischen Wirkung der Verfütterung eines Probiotikums und von erregerspezifischen Kolostrum‐ und Dotterantikörpern bei neugeborenen Kälbern

text: Studies on the prophylactic effect of feeding probiotics, pathogen‐specific colostrum antibodies or egg yolk antibodies in newborn calves The prophylactic efficacy of feeding probiotics, specific egg yolk antibodies and specific colostrum antibodies on neonatal diarrhoea was investigated in a field trial with calves, grouped (n = 39/40 per group) according to the following treatments: Group I: feeding no additive; Group II: feeding probiotics (5 g powder/day with Bacillus cereus var. toyoi); Group III: feeding egg powder (10 g/day with specific egg yolk antibodies against rotavirus, coronavirus and Escherichia coli F5); Group IV: feeding colostrum antibodies (10 ml/day containing 1 g bovine immunoglobulins with specific antibodies against rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli antigens); Group V: feeding egg powder together with probiotics (according to group II and III). The additives were given twice daily with the meal from day 2 to day 14 post‐natum. The presence of infectious agents was proved in fecal samples of all calves. Intestinal infections with rotavirus (30.8% of the calves) predominated compared to those with coronavirus (7.1%), E. coli F5 (1.5%) and cryptosporidia (24.2%). In contrast to earlier studies, the manifestation of diarrhoea did not differ significantly between the five groups. Only the growth rate of the calves between day 2 and day 14 of life as a measure of their welfare showed treatmentFspecific differences. The control group (I) showed the lowest body weight gain of about 5.8 kg (SD 5.0), whereas in the treated groups it averaged 6.3 kg (SD 4.1, p = 0,60; group II), 6.8 kg (SD 4.3, p = 0.36; group III), 6.9 kg (SD 4.7, p = 0.61; group IV) and 7.7 kg (SD 4.9, p = 0.08; group V). Considering only the rotavirus‐positive calves the body weight gain of the control group (I) was 3.5 kg (SD 4.8) and of the treated groups was 3.8 kg (SD 3.3, p = 0.65; II), 5.0 kg (SD 3.5, p = 0.54; III), 6.6 kg (SD 4.5, p = 0.05; IV) and 6.1 kg (SD 5.0, p = 0.13; V). Obviously, the feeding of antibodies from colostrum or from egg powder does increase the mean body weight gain. The feeding of probiotics alone has nearly no effect. However, in the combination with specific egg antibodies probiotics seem to have a synergistic effect. In serum from the 198 newborn calves the IgG concentration averaged 4.9 mg/ml serum (SD 3.3). From 93 dams of these calves a sample of the first colostrum could be obtained showing a mean IgG concentration of 22.0 mg/ml (SD 11.0). IgG levels in the colostrum and in the serum have been positively correlated (r = 0.37, p < 0.05). Calves with a high intensity of diarrhoea had a significantly (p = 0.01) lower mean IgG serum level (3.7 mg/ml; n = 36; SD 2.5) than calves without diarrhoea (5.6 mg/ml; n = 75; SD 4.0).


Molecular immunology of virus infections


title: New ideas for the dietary management of gastrointestinal tract disease

text: Drugs are often given inappropriate precedence in the treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases. Diet has a marked influence on gastrointestinal tract function and the manipulation of dietary composition provides clinicians with a powerful therapeutic tool. During acute gastroenteritis, a short period of fasting is recommended. ‘Feeding through’ diarrhoea (without a period of fasting) is recommended in human infants but has limited applicability in dogs and cats, primarily because different types of diarrhoea are commonly treated by veterinary surgeons compared to physicians. Following the fast, a change from the animal's regular food to a diet containing novel protein sources is advisable. This minimises the likelihood of acquired food allergies to staple proteins. Allergy avoidance may require special techniques such as rotation diets or protein hydrolysates. Dietary fat is usually kept to a minimum during gastrointestinal dysfunction as malabsorbed fatty acids and bile acids promote secretory diarrhoea in the large bowel. Recommendations to feed high fat rather than high carbohydrate diets to cats with diarrhoea need to be objectively examined. The type of fat fed may also prove to be an important consideration. Incorporation of omega‐3 fatty acids into the diet has been shown to have anti‐inflammatory effects on the gastrointestinal mucosa. In diseases of the small bowel, it is traditional to use low fibre diets. This recommendation needs re‐examination because the binding and gelling properties of fibre are of potential benefit in the treatment of small bowel diarrhoea. High fibre diets are useful in most large bowel diseases. Soluble (fermentable) fibres (eg, psyllium, oat bran and fibrim) rather than insoluble (non‐fermentable) fibres (eg, wheat bran) give better results in treating colitis. The benefits from soluble fibre probably relates to the binding of irritant bile acids and the generation of volatile fatty acids, such as butyrate, that nourish the colonic epithelium and encourage growth of normal bacterial flora.


Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus and camels


title: Book Reviews

text: Book reviewed in this article: Electron Microscopy in Diagnostic Virology—A Practical Guide and Atlas. By Frances W. Doane and Nan Anderson. The Ultrastructure and Phylogeny of Insect Spermatozoa. By Barrie G.M. Jamieson. Clastic Particles. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Shape Analysis of Sedimentary and Volcanic Clast.


Clinical Research Abstracts Presented at Bsava Congress 2001


AVEPA Valencia 1991


Protein transport and secretion


docid: ixyogdmy

title: ACVIM Forum Abstracts


title: Dermoid cyst of the spinal cord associated with ataxia in a cat

text: A young adult Balinese cat developed complete hindlimb paralysis which persisted for six weeks. Clinical findings suggested a lesion compressing the spinal cord and this was confirmed at necropsy. A dermoid cyst was present at the level of the third thoracic vertebra. The cyst was lined by stratified squamous epithelium and contained desquamated keratinised material and hair fragments. Sebaceous glands and hair follicles were present in the connective tissue wall. This is the first report of a dermoid cyst in the spinal cord of a cat. The lesion is considered to be a congenital anomaly.


title: Vaccination of the young kitten

text: This paper draws together those diseases of the cat where vaccination is either being practised in the UK or overseas, or is currently being considered. In the UK, vaccination is routinely carried out for feline panleucopenia, feline viral rhino‐tracheitis (FVR), and feline calicivirus infection, and in quarantine, cats are also vaccinated against rabies. In the USA and some other countries, vaccination is also carried out against feline leukaemia virus infection, feline Chlamydia psit‐taci infection and routinely against rabies. Attempts are also being made to develop vaccines for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), although there are a number of problems associated with the development of a successful FIP vaccine which will be referred to later. Factors important in prevention and control of the three diseases feline panleucopenia, FVR, and feline calicivirus infection for which vaccination in the UK is commonly practised will be discussed. For each disease, some background information on the virus and the epizootiology of the disease is given, which it is hoped will lead to greater understanding of the principles involved in prevention and control. A few points will then be made about vaccination in some of those diseases where vaccines are being developed or where it is carried out in other countries.


2013 ACVIM Forum Research Abstracts Program


Feline leukaemia prophylaxis


J. M. Faccini, D. P. Abbott and J. J. Paulus Mouse Histopathology. A Glossary for Use in Toxicity and Carcinogenicity Studies Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1990; 225 pp., 225 G


docid: qibsccvd

title: P115: Human pDC potentially carrying two alleles with reconstituted IFN‐λ4 gene function show reduced IFN‐ɑ induction upon stimulation with HCV infected hepatoma cells


Research Abstract Program of the 2011 ACVIM Forum Denver, Colorado, June 15–18, 2011


title: Nasopharyngeal stenosis in four cats

text: Nasopharyngeal stenosis secondary to chronic upper respiratory tract infection is described in four cats. The stenosis is caused by a thin but tough inflammatory membrane which develops across the proximal nasopharynx, partly or completely occluding it. Diagnosis is aided by use of a dental mirror for caudal rhinoscopy, together with test passage of a fine catheter through the ventral nasal meatus. All four cases were treated successfully by surgical resection of the membrane through an incision in the soft palate. Nasopharyngeal stenosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all chronic upper respiratory disease in cats.


docid: qgetttnd

title: Research Abstract Program of the 26th Annual ACVIM Forum San Antonio, TX, June 4 – June 7, 2008


Selected abstracts submitted for the 1987 international symposium on viral hepatitis and liver disease London, May 1987 (pp, A71–A145)


P123: An evolutionary approach of interspousal transmission of Hepatitis C Virus infection


title: Studies on Herpesvirus scophthalmi infection of turbot Scophthalmus maximus (L.) ultrastructural observations

text: Abstract. Recent heavy mortalities amongst O+ group turbot at a fish farm were found to be associated with a herpes‐type viral infection of the epithelia of the skin and gills. The morphology of the virus is described with ultrastructural observations on its morphogenesis and release from infected cells.


Positive strand RNA viruses


title: The Transboundary Crisis: Why we are unprepared and the road ahead

text: Modern societies rely on complex technological systems that are deeply intertwined with other complex systems that stretch across geographical, judicial and administrative borders. When threats emanate from this transboundary space, national governments are often surprised and discover that existing crisis management arrangements do not suffice. This article describes the political and administrative challenges that accompany transboundary crises. It argues that arrangements and processes that work reasonably well for “bounded” crises are unlikely to work in the case of transboundary crises. It formulates an agenda for political debate and academic research. The bottom line is that we need to rethink traditional crisis management arrangements in order to prepare for these increasingly common type of threats.


Molecular biology of RNA


Asbestiform fibers: Non‐occupational health risks? National research council report. National Academy Press, Washington D.C., 1984. £25.85


title: Chemotherapy of T b brucei infection: Use of DFMO, diminazene aceturate, alone and in combination

text: The therapeutic activity of diminazene aceturate, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and a combination of the two agents was investigated in experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infections in mongrel dogs. The criteria used in the assessment of the trypanocidal effect of these compounds included the examination of the blood for the parasite, as well as clinical and haematological changes at intervals following treatment. Diminazene aceturate (7 mg/kg intramuscularly), DFMO (300 mg/kg/day orally in three divided doses for six days) and the combination of diminazene aceturate (7 mg/kg intramuscularly) and DFMO (300 mg/kg/day orally for six days) produced an intermittent aparasitemia in the dogs. Relapse infection occurred in all the three groups, but the period of aparasitemia produced by the combination of the agents was longest. The packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red cell count values decreased after the dogs were inoculated with the parasite. The values improved slightly following the treatments with the agents or their combination. The total white blood cell counts in the infected dogs indicated leucocytosis, but this improved with drug treatment.


A. K. Armitage (ed.) Other People's Tobacco Smoke Galen Press, Beverly, 1991; 192 pp., £12.95


Genetic and in vitro analysis of cell compartmentalization


Molecular pathways of cytokine action


P117: Hepatitis C Virus mediates NRG1‐dependent down‐regulation of ErbB3, thereby modifies ErbB receptor family composition at the cell surface


title: Plant trait characteristics vary with size and eutrophication in European lowland streams

text: 1. Previous studies investigating community‐level relationships between plant functional trait characteristics and stream environmental characteristics remain scarce. Here, we used community‐weighted means to identify how plant traits link to lowland stream typology and how agricultural intensity in the catchment affects trait composition. 2. We analysed plant trait characteristics in 772 European lowland streams to test the following two hypotheses: (i) trait characteristics differ between plant communities in small and medium‐sized streams, reflecting adaptations to different habitat characteristics, and (ii) trait characteristics vary with the intensity of agricultural land use in the stream catchment, mediated either directly by an increase in productive species or indirectly by an increase in species that efficiently intercept and utilize light. 3. We found that the communities in small streams were characterized by a higher abundance of light‐demanding species growing from single apical meristems, reproducing by seeds and rooted to the bottom with floating and/or heterophyllous leaves, whereas the community in medium‐sized streams was characterized by a higher abundance of productive species growing from multi‐apical and basal growth meristems forming large canopies. 4. We also found indications that community trait characteristics were affected by eutrophication. We did not find enhanced abundance of productive species with an increasing proportion of agriculture in the catchments. Instead, we found an increase in the abundance of species growing from apical and multi‐apical growth meristems as well as in the abundance of species tolerant of low light availability. The increase in the abundance of species possessing these traits likely reflects different strategies to obtain greater efficiency in light interception and utilization in nutrient‐enriched environments. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our findings challenge the general assumption of the EU Water Framework Directive compliant assessment systems that plant community patterns in streams reflect the nutrient preference of the community. Instead, light availability and the ability to improve interception and utilization appeared to be of key importance for community composition in agricultural lowland streams. We therefore suggest moving from existing approaches building on species‐specific preference values for nutrients to determine the level of nutrient impairment to trait‐based approaches that provide insight into the biological mechanisms underlying the changes. We recommend that existing systems are critically appraised in the context of the findings of this study.


Oral Research Communications of the 21st ECVIM‐CA Congress


Moral Judgments and Works of Art: The Case of Narrative Literature


Research Abstract Program of the 10(th) Annual ACVIM Forum


Animal virus genetics


title: Using direct immunofluorescence to detect coronaviruses in peritoneal in peritoneal and pleural effusions

text: Twenty‐one cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) were diagnosed using a direct immunofluorescence test on cytocentrifuged pleural and peritoneal effusions from cats sampled in vivo (11 cases) and at necropsy (10 cases). A commercial fluorescent polyclonal antiserum of feline origin reacting with FIPV and cross reacting with transmissible gastroenteritis virus and canine coronavirus was used. Eleven cats with ascites of a different origin were used as negative controls. The direct immunofluorescence test was 97 per cent reliable (31 cases of 32) and can be used in routine diagnosis.


2005 ECVIM Abstracts


ACVIM ABSTRACTS


L. O. Nabors and R. C. Gelardi (eds). Alternative Sweeteners. Marcel Dekker, New York, 1986. 355 pp. £64.75 Hard cover


docid: vornoots

title: Prednisolone‐responsive neuropathy in a cat

text: Chronic relapsing polyneuropathy was diagnosed in a 15‐month‐old cat with a 12‐week history of limb weakness. The clinical course was punctuated by spontaneous remissions and relapse. There were two striking physical findings, weak withdrawal reflexes and atrophy of the proximal and distal limb muscles. Electrophysiological findings typical of a demyelinating motor neuropathy were present, namely small, dispersed compound muscle action potentials, markedly slow motor conduction and denervation potentials that were more prominent dis‐tally. Muscle biopsies showed changes consistent with denervation and a paucity of myelinated axons in intramuscular nerve bundles. The neuropathy responded rapidly and completely to prednisolone administration, which was slowly tapered over several months.


title: The relational activation of resilience model: How leadership activates resilience in an organizational crisis

text: We proposed the Relational Activation of Resilience model to explain how leaders could utilize relationships to activate resilience during crisis and illustrated it using an abbreviated case study of Tan Tock Seng Hospital during the severe acute respiratory syndrome crisis in Singapore in 2003. Early signs of the crisis were recognized by organizational leaders, who then ushered liminality—a period when routines were disrupted, and new relational connections were made to allow members to adjust psychologically, emotionally, and socially, to activate resilience. Within the liminal period, leaders influenced the formation of new connections through mutual and swift trust and utilized these networks to enable collective meaning‐making and sensemaking. In addition, leaders communicated mindfully via these networks to promote positive emotional connections among members. These leadership tasks resulted in the formation of relational networks that could serve as social, emotional, and cognitive resources for organizational resilience.


Research Abstract Program of the 20(th) Annual ACVIM Forum Dallas, TX, May 29‐June 1, 2002


title: Fractal Crises – A New Path for Crisis Theory and Management

text: This paper is a modest contribution to the vast exploration to be embarked upon as our maps appear increasingly outdated. We will first explore some outmoded ‘taken for granted’ assumptions and visions: this section aims to clarify why the crisis management world has profoundly changed and how the current understanding of crises and theoretical frameworks is becoming increasingly less adequate. Then, we will try to meet the second challenge of this special issue, by suggesting innovative approaches that will contribute to elaborate the building blocks of a theory of crisis management. We will propose a new theoretical framework, through the use of a fractal approach, following the footsteps of Benoit Mandelbrot, in order to rethink and capture the essence of the new theatre of operations that must be dealt with. Throughout, we will show how this original framework could be put into practice and what its limitations and perspectives are.


Abstracts from the bone and tooth society autumn meeting: September 18th and 19th 1996


title: Use of specific polyclonal antibodies to detect heat treatment of ovalbumin in mushrooms

text: Using ovalbumin as a model protein in pure solution it was found that affinity chromatography of antisera against either native ovalbumin (NOA) or heat‐denatured ovalbumin (HDOA) gave four different antibody populations AC(1 4) from each antiserum, with different binding properties to the related or unrelated antigen. Direct ELISA was shown to be useless for differentiating NOA from HDOA. Immunoprecipitation in solution is time consuming and, moreover, whereas NAC(1) was shown to be specific for NOA compared with HDOA, DAC(1), NAC(2) and DAC(2) were shown not to be fully specific for HDOA. In contrast, by using as capture antibodies either NAC(3) or DAC(4), a sandwich ELISA can be designed which is fully specific for NOA or HDOA, respectively. An approach to the identification of the temperature at which ovalbumin has been heated is described. This test will show whether ovalbumin has been heated to lower than 65°C or higher than 85°C. The test was applied to juices from canned mushrooms containing 2% ovalbumin.


Thomas E. Hamm Jr. (ed.). Complications of viral and mycoplasmal infections in rodents to toxicology research and testing (Chemistry Institute of Toxicology Series). Hemisphere Publishing, Washingon 1986. 191 p. £49.95. Hard Cover


A monthly record for all interested in chemical manufactures: Part 2


Oral Research Communications of the 22(nd) ECVIM‐CA Congress


title: The role of regional trading blocs in the development and management of tourism: an analysis of the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

text: The establishment of regional trading blocs is considered an important aspect of the process of economic and political globalisation. Focusing on the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, this paper considers whether the involvement of regional trading blocs in tourism is desirable and if so, what form future participation might take. Based on the findings from two qualitative studies, examples of best practice are identified and recommendations are made. Greater co‐operation over facilitating tourist movement and crisis management are suggested, but it is concluded that ultimately, the relevance of regional trading blocs in tourism needs further endorsement by the member states. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Breaking News


title: Resilience in risk communication networks: Following the 2015 MERS response in South Korea

text: This study investigates regional and local governmental agencies resilience in their use of risk communication with other governmental agencies. Analyses are based on the case of South Korea's response to the 2015 outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Based on a survey of governmental organizations, the study indicates that governmental agencies seek either reciprocal or redundant communication ties with other governmental agencies while they aim to secure crucial information from high‐level organizations to tackle the transboundary nature of the infectious disease during the outbreak response. Semi‐structured interviews with South Korean officials confirm that subnational governmental agencies rely on the national government and also seek information from other regional and local agencies to improve the resilience in interagency risk communication and to prevent the further transmission of the infectious disease in their local jurisdictions. This study empirically demonstrates how governmental agencies cope with the uncertainty of infectious disease transmission by expanding risk communication channels when hierarchical communication channels and information systems do not meet the needs of outbreak response. The research findings contribute to the understanding of the interactions across organizations in addressing the needs of public health crises that are transboundary in nature and provide important lessons for outbreak responses in South Korea as well as in other countries.


title: BOOK REVIEWS

text: Book reviewed in this article: Canine and Feline Geriatrics M. Davies Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine 3 Edited by J. R. August


J. Calabrese. Toxic susceptibility: Male/Female Differences. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1986, 336pp. $59.95. Hardcover


title: Responding to crisis: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and hotels in Singapore

text: The sudden outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Singapore in 2003 was a grave crisis for the tourism industry as a whole and highlights the importance of effectively managing and planning for such occurrences. This study looks at the particular consequences of the infectious virus for the hotel sector and reactions to the challenges posed. Further health‐related crises seem inevitable in the modern world and some guidelines for dealing with these are proposed, based on the Singapore experience and an existing framework for tourism crisis management. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Small Animal Literature Index


Molecular aspects of viral immunity


title: Prevalence of antibodies to four major canine viral diseases in dogs in a Liverpool hospital population

text: To determine the prevalence of antibodies to four major canine viruses, serum samples were obtained from 190 dogs presented to the Small Animal Hospital at the University of Liverpool. Antibodies to canine coronavirus (CCV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and rotavirus (RV) were assayed using serum neutralisation (CCV and CDV), haemagglutina‐tion inhibition (CPV) and indirect fluorescent antibody (RV) techniques. Overall 54 per cent of dogs were seropositive to CCV, 84 per cent to CDV, 70 per cent to CPV and 86 per cent to RV, The antibody titres obtained were analysed with respect to a number of different parameters including: age, sex, breed, vaccination status, exercise regime, diet, Liverpool district in which the dog resided and the presence of diarrhoea, The prevalence and titres of antibodies to CCV, CDV and RV appeared to be influenced by age, CDV by vaccination status, and CCV by the presence of diarrhoea; no other influencing parameters were found.


P116: The Impact of obesity‐related hormones on the HCV life‐cycle


Technological advances in vaccine development


title: The natural history of the major feline viral diseases

text: This paper discusses factors that are important in the natural history of five major feline viral diseases, namely, feline panleucopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline caliciviral disease, feline leukaemia virus infection, and feline infectious peritonitis. Each disease is considered in terms of the properties and infectivity of the infecting agent, the sources of infectious virus, the mode of transmission of the disease, and the methods by which the agent persists in the cat population. Finally, each disease is discussed in terms of immunity and the role of vaccination. All these factors affect the balance of the virus‐host relationship and are thus directly relevant to the epizootiology of these diseases and their control.


Blackwell's Five Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal


docid: sdgkinre

title: Domestic tourism destination choices — a choice modelling analysis

text: Tourism destinations compete with each other to attract visitors. Although international tourism has received a lot of attention, domestic tourism remains the mainstay for many destinations. To inform the basis on which destinations compete, an understanding of the determinants of destination choices is required. In this paper, the discrete choice modelling method is applied to investigate the determining factors underlying the short‐break holiday destination choices of prospective tourists from Melbourne, Australia. The results from an estimated nested logit model indicate the relative importance of a number of destination and trip attributes and respondent characteristics. The model results are used to simulate the effects on destinations' market shares resulting from various changes in attributes and tourist characteristics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Research Abstract Program of the 7(th) Annual ACVIM Meeting


title: Bioaerosol Transport Modeling and Risk Assessment in Relation to Biosolid Placement

text: A field study was performed in which bioaerosols were sampled at a field site undergoing land placement of anaerobically digested, de‐watered biosolid material. The data from these field studies were then used to generate microbial release rates from the biosolids for use in modeling bioaerosol transport. Continuous‐point sources represented by large biosolid piles (temporary storage before placement) in the field, and continuous‐area sources represented by large fields upon which biosolids were placed by spraying, were modeled using microbial transport models; and downwind microbial concentrations were generated. These quantified transport data were then entered into microbial dose‐response models in an attempt to characterize the risk of pathogenic bacteria and viruses infecting workers and nearby population centers. The risk of viral and bacterial infection to workers at biosolid land application sites is 3:100 and 2:100, respectively, under 2‐m/s wind conditions and 1 hr of exposure. The route of exposure proposed in this model is the transport, inhalation, deposition, and swallowing of bacterial or viral pathogens. Note that these risk models by nature would tend to overestimate the actual risk to populations (wastewater workers) consisting primarily of immunocompetent individuals. Under these low‐wind conditions, nearby population centers where such immunocompetent populations may exist (here considered to be 10 000 m from the land application sites) are predicted to be at little risk (1.95 × 10(−):100) of infection from aerosolized bacteria and at no risk from aerosolized viruses.


docid: feyodvgf

title: Comparative aspects and aetiology


Taxonomic Investigations on the Discomycetous Genus Lachnellula Karst.


Nutritional aspects of the feline urological syndrome (FUS): LECTURE TO UNIVERSITY OF GHENT VETERINARY SCHOOL, 6TH MARCH 1985


WHIPSNADE PARK


ACVIM Abstracts


title: Simultaneous quantification of cyclosporin A and its major metabolites by time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry utilizing data analysis techniques: Comparison with high‐performance liquid chromatography

text: Simultaneous quantification of cyclosporin A (CsA) and its major metabolite (AM1) in blood has been achieved using time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF‐MS). Previous investigations indicated that spectral interferences exist in the analysis of CsA blood samples by the above methods. In TOF‐SIMS, interference is caused by overlap of the Ag‐cationized internal standard, cyclosporin D (CsD), with the Ag‐cationized metabolite, AM1. To resolve this interference and obtain quantitative information, cross‐correlation analysis was applied to the TOF‐SIMS data. Application of damped non‐linear least squares curve‐fitting was carried out to resolve an interference in the MALDI/TOF‐MS data due to multiple cationization products (i.e. Na and K). Measurement of standard samples indicates that the minimum accuracy (95% confidence level) of the TOF‐SIMS method was better than 9% for CsA and 13% for AM1 using only one standard curve'. Similarly, the minimum accuracy of the MALDI/TOF‐MS method was determined to be 14% for CsA and better than 25% for AM1. Blood samples obtained from transplant patients receiving CsA were analyzed by polyclonal fluorescence polarization immunoassay, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and by both TOF‐MS methods. Both TOF‐MS results for CsA and mono‐hydroxylated CsA are in good agreement with the HPLC results.


docid: hofkpppf

title: Reply: Introducing special cutaneous “sign” tribute to healthcare workers managing new coronavirus disease (Covid −19)()()


docid: miadomgn

title: Public Policy and Constitutional Rights in Times of Crisis

text: Federal and provincial policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic raise a host of constitutional issues that decision makers must pay heed to or risk serious violations of individual rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This research note will examine a number of policy challenges as they relate to mobility rights (s. 6), legal rights (ss. 7 through 14), and equality rights (s. 15) and will articulate the factors that policy makers should consider in design and implementation. Other important constitutional questions, such as those relating to the division of powers, emergency powers and the relationship between the executive and Parliament, have also emerged in Canada but are beyond the scope of this note.


Standard Precautions and Infectious Disease Management


Haematological Diseases in the Tropics


docid: obupqcua

title: Leptospirosis


250 examens de laboratoire en pratique médicale courante


Pathologies infectieuses


Diseases of the Alimentary Tract: Nonruminant


Magazin


docid: fkikpauq

title: Avis relatif à la Téléconsultation en Santé au Travail, du 15 avril 2020


The 3rd Congress of Asian Society for Pediatric Research


title: Current treatments for lower respiratory tract infections

text: Lower respiratory tract infections are caused by a wide range of organisms and the appropriate choice of antibiotics is important. Our Drug review discusses the current recommended management of LRTIs in the community, followed by sources of further information in Resources. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd


title: The treatment of URTIs and otitis media in children

text: Despite the majority of infections being viral and self‐limiting, children are still frequently prescribed antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and acute otitis media. This article discusses how to assess whether an antibiotic is appropriate and when referral to secondary care may be necessary.


American Public Opinion and Health Care by Robert J. Blendon, Mollyann Brodie, John M. Benson, and Drew E. Altman


COMMENTARY ON ILANY KOGAN'S “ON BEING A DEAD, BELOVED CHILD”


docid: tqrhlejo

title: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTY‐FIRST MEETING OF THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY HELD AT QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST, 25–26 JUNE 1981


title: VEGETATION AND SOIL FACTORS ON A HEAVY METAL MINE SPOIL HEAP

text: The vegetation of a small Scottish metal‐mine spoil heap was sampled by means of 70 0.25‐m(2) quadrats and classified into three groups. The most common species were Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra which were important constituents of all three groups. Soil samples were collected from each quadrat and analysed for pH, loss‐on‐ignition, heavy metal and nutrient elements in the soil solution and for several physical properties. The mine spoil was physically and chemically heterogenous with many of the soil solution samples having potentially toxic concentrations of copper, lead and zinc. The vegetation data were ordinated: axis 1 of the ordination was significantly correlated (positively) with all three heavy metal concentrations, silt and sand, and (negatively) with loss‐on‐ignition and potassium concentration; axis 2 was significantly negatively correlated with pH and calcium, nitrate and phosphate concentrations. Consideration of this ordination and comparisons between soil parameters associated with each of the three vegetation groups and with non‐vegetated quadrats, suggest that lead and zinc may be the major determining factors of the spoil‐heap vegetation. Low nutrients (except phosphate) and in some cases adverse soil physical factors might be important also. The apparently small influence of copper is discussed. Above‐ground parts of five plant species were collected from the mine spoil and were shown often to have high heavy metal concentrations which differed between species. Finally we discuss some implications of interspecific differences in metal‐mine occurrence within the genera Agrostis and Festuca.


GENERAL DISCUSSION


Selected abstract


Deutsche Bunsen‐Gesellschaft für Physikalische Chemie


Proliferation and Differentiation of Neuroglial Cells Isolated during Demyelination and Remyelination


title: URTIs: recommended diagnosis and treatment in general practice

text: Upper respiratory tract infections collectively encompass a range of syndromes with various aetiologies. Our Drug review considers the common URTIs and their diagnosis and management, including when to prescribe antibiotics, followed by sources of further information in Resources. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd


Schutz vor und Hilfe bei Covid‐19‐Infektionen


title: Virale Ionenkanäle: Bildung, Modelling, Drug Targeting

text: Viren manipulieren den Stoffwechsel einer infizierten Zelle zu ihren Gunsten. Dafür nutzen sie kleine Proteine, die Ionenkanäle bilden. Doch wie lagern sich diese Proteine zu funktionellen, membrandurchspannenden Einheiten zusammen? Leitfähigkeitsmessungen und Computersimulation sind zwei der vielen Methoden, die dazu beitragen, die Vorgänge zu verstehen und letztlich neue antivirale Wirkstoffe zu entwerfen.


title: Emerging UK infections: identifying new threats early

text: Predicting which new and emerging pathogens will pose a threat to the UK population can be difficult. This article discusses the steps Public Health England and other government agencies are taking to identify new threats and protect the public against emerging infections.


title: Diagnosis and management of lower respiratory tract infections

text: Lower respiratory tract infections in the community lead to considerable morbidity and days off work. Our Drug review considers the assessment of disease severity, when to prescribe antibiotics and recommended management of LRTIs, followed by sources of further information.


title: Sucrose cycling, Rubisco expression, and prediction of photosynthetic acclimation to elevated atmospheric CO(2)

text: Photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO(2) cannot presently be predicted due to our limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms and metabolic signals that regulate photosynthetic gene expression. We have examined acclimation by comparing changes in the leaf content of RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) with changes in the transcripts of Rubisco subunit genes and with leaf carbohydrate metabolism. When grown at 1000 mm(3) dm(–3) CO(2), 12 of 16 crop species at peak vegetative growth had a 15–44% decrease in leaf Rubisco protein, but with no specific association with changes in transcript levels measured at midday. Species with only modest reductions in Rubisco content (10–20%) often had a large reduction in Rubisco small subunit gene mRNAs (> 30%), with no reduction in large subunit gene mRNAs. However, species with a very large reduction in Rubisco content generally had only small reductions in transcript mRNAs. Photosynthetic acclimation also was not specifically associated with a change in the level of any particular carbohydrate measured at midday. However, a threshold relationship was found between the reduction in Rubisco content at high CO(2) and absolute levels of soluble acid invertase activity measured in plants grown at ambient or high CO(2). This relationship was valid for 15 of the 16 species examined. There also occurred a similar, albeit less robust, threshold relationship between the leaf hexose/sucrose ratio at high CO(2) and a reduced photosynthetic capacity ≥ 20%. These data indicate that carbohydrate repression of photosynthetic gene expression at elevated CO(2) may involve leaf sucrose cycling through acid invertase and hexokinase.


Tagungskalender


title: THE HISTORY OF THE VEGETATION IN SW CONNEMARA (IRELAND)

text: The vegetation history of S.W. Connemara was reconstructed on the basis of the available palynological and palaeobotanical data of the region. In the Pre‐Boreal Period birch forests replaced the late‐glacial tundra‐like vegetation. In the early Boreal Period hazel immigrated and the eutraphent water plant communities reached their optimum. After that thermophilous deciduous forests gradually crowded out the birch woods and reached their optimum in the Atlantic Period. The lakes were increasingly filled with peat, the eutraphent character of the marsh vegetation weakened and ombrogenous bog communities spread across the region. Shortly before the Sub‐Boreal Period the first indications of human interference in the forests were detectable. During the Sub‐Boreal and Sub‐Atlantic Periods the forest area was reduced gradually as a result of human activities and the spreading of the bogs. A more or less complete forest clearance took place in the last thousand years.


title: Membranotropic peptides mediating viral entry

text: The means used by enveloped viruses to bypass cellular membranes are well characterized; however, the mechanisms used by non‐enveloped viruses to deliver their genome inside the cell remain unresolved and poorly defined. The discovery of short, membrane interacting, amphipathic or hydrophobic sequences (known as membranotropic peptides) in both enveloped and non‐enveloped viruses suggests that these small peptides are strongly involved in breaching the host membrane and in the delivery of the viral genome into the host cell. Thus, in spite of noticeable differences in entry, this short stretches of membranotropic peptides are probably associated with similar entry‐related events. This review will uncover the intrinsic features of viral membranotropic peptides involved in viral entry of both naked viruses and the ones encircled with a biological membrane with the objective to better elucidate their different functional properties and possible applications in the biomedical field.


Book Reviews: Microarrays in Clinical Diagnostics. By Thomas Joos and Paolo Fortina (Eds.)


title: Disordered epitopes as peptide vaccines

text: The development of clinically useful peptide‐based vaccines remains a long‐standing goal. This review highlights that intrinsically disordered protein antigens, which lack an ordered three‐dimensional structure, represent excellent starting points for the development of such vaccines. Disordered proteins represent an important class of antigen in a wide range of human pathogens, and, contrary to widespread belief, they are frequently targets of protective antibody responses. Importantly, disordered epitopes appear invariably to be linear epitopes, rendering them ideally suited to incorporation into a peptide vaccine. Nonetheless, the conformational properties of disordered antigens, and hence their recognition by antibodies, frequently depend on the interactions they make and the context in which they are presented to the immune system. These effects must be considered in the design of an effective vaccine. Here we discuss these issues and propose design principles that may facilitate the development of peptide vaccines targeting disordered antigens.


Book Reviews: Molecular Morphology in Human Tissues: Techniques and Applications. By Gerhard W. Hacker and Raymond Tubbs (Eds.)


docid: pyqxrisy

title: Synopses of papers


III. Abstracts


docid: srxnkgej

title: Poster Presentation Abstracts P121–P297


PAPERS BY AUTHOR


Infectious diseases: A global perspective (part 1)


DISCUSSION OF PRECEDING PAPERS


title: Current management of lower respiratory tract infections

text: Lower respiratory tract infections are caused by a wide range of pathogens and, where appropriate, antibiotic treatment should be chosen with resistance and side‐effects in mind. Our Drug review discusses recommended management of LRTIs in the community, followed by Resources and the Datafile. Copyright © 2006 Wiley Interface Ltd


docid: oxdsfxya

title: Recommended management of lower respiratory tract infections

text: Lower respiratory tract infections comprise a wide range of pathologies and causative pathogens that require differentiating in order to administer the most appropriate treatment. Our Drug review discusses the current recommended management of LRTIs in the community, followed by sources of further information in Resources. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd


Symposium summaries


SIOP 2015 Scientific Programme + Index


docid: bgdzlbnz

title: Selected Abstracts


title: Diagnosis and recommended treatment of common URTIs

text: Upper respiratory tract infections collectively encompass a range of syndromes with various aetiologies. Our Drug review considers the common URTIs and their diagnosis and management, including when to prescribe antibiotics, followed by sources of further information in Resources. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd


title: BOOK REVIEWS

text: Book reviewed in this article: Bradley W. G. Disorders of peripheral nerves Eliasson S. G., Prensky A. L. & Hardin W. B. Jr (eds) Neurological Pathophysiology Schenk E. Neurologische Untersuchungsmethoden


Abstracts of poster sessions


Symposia session summaries


text: Although antibiotics have only a minor role to play in the management of most upper respiratory tract infections, it can be difficult to recognise when there might be serious complications. In our Drug review the authors describe the features and usual treatment of common URTIs, followed by sources of further information.


title: Posters

text: No abstract is available for this article.


2017 ACCP Annual Meeting, October 7–10, 2017


docid: jbstwqbg

title: Synopses of papers presented at 150th Meeting of the Pathology Society of Great Britain and Ireland


PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTY‐FIRST MEETING OF THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL, 15–17 JULY 1976


‘It's a virus, Jim, but not as we know it…’


title: Stem and root nodules on the tropical wetland legume Aeschynomene fluminensis

text: Aeschynomene fluminensis Veil., originally obtained from flooded areas of the Pantanal Matogrossense region of Brazil, was grown under stem‐flooded or non‐flooded conditions for 70 d after inoculation with isolates of photosynthetic stem nodule rhizobia obtained from native A. fluminensis. Stem nodules formed only on submerged stems of flooded plants (mean of 25 per plant), and did not form on aerial parts, although they were capable of growing and fixing N(2) after drainage of the stems. Root nodules formed on both non‐flooded and flooded plants but were usually decreased in number by flooding (from means of 124 to 51 per plant, respectively). Flooding (and stem‐nodulation) resulted in an increase in shoot (and a decrease in root) dry weight, regardless of rhizobial isolate. Stem nodules were attached by a wide collar of aerenchymatous tissue at the base of the nodule. There were large air spaces in the stem where nodules were subtended and these were continuous with nodule aerenchyma/outer cortex. In addition, aerenchyma and spongy tissue at the base of the nodule connected both flooded and non‐flooded root nodules to large intercellular spaces in the root cortex. The stem and root nodules were ovoid in shape, and essentially aeschynomenoid in type, i.e. the central infected tissue was without uninfected, interstitial cells. Root nodules had a similar structure to stem nodules (although stem nodules were generally larger), and flooded root nodules were approximately twice the size of non‐flooded nodules. The infected tissue of root and stem nodules consisted of spherical, bacteroid‐containing cells containing one or two rod‐shaped bacteroids per peribacteroid unit and prominent organelles. Infection threads were observed in root but not in stem nodules. The cortex of stem and root nodules had an apparent oxygen diffusion barrier, consisting of concentric layers of small cells with interlocking cell walls and few intercellular spaces. Cell layers external to these consisted of larger cells and intercellular spaces, with some spaces being occluded with an electron‐dense material that contained a glycoprotein recognized by the monoclonal antibodies MAC236 and MAC265. The amount of glycoprotein occlusions did not appear to differ between nodule types or treatments, although stem nodules contained intracellular glycoprotein vesicles adjacent to cell walls. The exterior of the nodules consisted of an epidermis of thin flattened cells with occasional lenticels. Amyloplasts were common in lower stem and hypocotyl nodules, but fewer in flooded or non‐flooded root nodules. Upper stem nodules (i.e. those within 6 cm of the water surface) differed from more profoundly submerged stem nodules by having chloroplasts throughout the cortex. Root nodules did not contain chloroplasts, and undifferentiated plastids were found mainly in lower stem nodules.


Oral Presentation Abstracts P91–P118


Proceedings of the pathological society of Great Britain and Ireland. 5th and 6th January 1970


Analysis of the Humoral Immune Response in Vitro to Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus


Authors' Reply


Biowissenschaften


title: Briefing

text: Review coronavirus resources. Community college access benefits life. Transitions: Help new students connect with services around campus.


docid: enbwvymu

title: Tapping In


title: ‘Just don't eat chicken’: the challenge of engaging Australian adults in appropriate preventive behaviours for bird flu

text: Leading medical experts have cautioned about the risk of inappropriate behavioural responses as a result of fear of avian influenza (bird flu) even before a pandemic emerges, and have emphasised the need for appropriate risk communication strategies. There is a paucity of in‐depth qualitative research into the general public's understanding of, and reactions to, such potential health crises. Four focus groups were conducted in April 2006 and a further eight focus groups in July 2006, to examine people's knowledge, beliefs and behaviours in relation to avian influenza, with the primary aim being to inform the development of future communication strategies. It was clear from the focus groups that avian influenza is not a disease the participants perceive they are likely to acquire; it was not simply that Australia was far from mind when thinking of avian influenza, but that they also saw Australia as a haven protected from avian influenza. We found that, in general, participants see avian influenza as yet another example of media sensationalism—not as a disease that poses any real risk to Australia—and are clearly unprepared for a potential outbreak. Governments and health authorities should conduct further research to understand consumer perceptions of avian (or other pandemic) influenza, and attitudes towards the recommended protective behaviours, in order to pro‐actively develop communication strategies to rapidly inform the public and encourage appropriate behavioural responses in the event that the potential risk is realised. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


title: Biochemie und Molekularbiologie 2003

text: Hochdurchsatzmethoden führen zu ersten Erfolgen bei der Vorhersage der biologischen Aktivität funktionell nicht charakterisierter Proteine anhand von Strukturhomologien. Proteintherapeutika halten Einzug in den medizinischen Alltag. Die RNA, in ihrer Bedeutung lange unterschätzt, hat mit ihren verschiedenen Formen in Grundlagen‐ und Pharmaforschung ein Comeback erlebt.


title: Current management options for upper respiratory tract infection

text: Our Drug review discusses the diagnosis and current recommended management of common URTIs, followed by sources of further information and the Datafile. Copyright © 2006 Wiley Interface Ltd


title: Dose‐Optimal Vaccine Allocation over Multiple Populations

text: Vaccination is an effective way to prevent an epidemic. It results in immunity for the vaccinated individuals, but it also reduces the infection pressure for unvaccinated people. Thus people may actually escape infection without being vaccinated: the so‐called “herd effect.” We analytically study the relation between the herd effect and the vaccination fraction for the seminal SIR compartmental model, which consists of a set of differential equations describing the time course of an epidemic. We prove that the herd effect is in general convex‐concave in the vaccination fraction and give precise conditions on the epidemic for the convex part to arise. We derive the significant consequences of these structural insights for allocating a limited vaccine stockpile to multiple non‐interacting populations. We identify for each population a unique vaccination fraction that is most efficient per dose of vaccine: our dose‐optimal coverage. We characterize the solution of the vaccine allocation problem and we show the crucial importance of the dose‐optimal coverage. A single dose of vaccine may be a drop in the ocean, but multiple doses together can save a population. To benefit from this, policy makers should select a subset of populations to which the vaccines are allocated. Focusing on a limited number of populations can make a significant difference, whereas allocating equally to all populations would be substantially less effective.


eMJA: In other journals ‐ 5 May 2003


title: In Case You Haven't Heard…

text: A World Health Organization (WHO) official says the United States has the potential to become the new epicenter of the COVID‐19 crisis as a large acceleration of infections is occurring in the nation, Changing America reported March 24. “We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the U.S. So, it does have that potential,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told reporters when asked whether the United States could become the new epicenter, according to Reuters. At the time this issue of MHW went to press, the United States had more than 46,500 confirmed cases, with nearly 600 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. New York state on March 23 saw an increase of more than 4,000 confirmed cases since the day before, according to The New York Times. At press time, only China and Italy had recorded more cases than the United States. China had tallied more than 81,000 cases, with more than 3,200 deaths, while Italy had more than 63,900 confirmed cases, with more than 6,000 deaths. Worldwide, more than 395,000 cases have been confirmed, with more than 17,000 deaths.


From the CSIRO


docid: sjvckchr

title: In Other Journals


COMMENTS


title: Weighted (LF)‐spaces of Continuous Functions

text: [Chemical structure: see text].


title: Prioritizing investments in new vaccines against epidemic infectious diseases: A multi‐criteria decision analysis

text: BACKGROUND: In 2016, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) launched a call for proposals (CfP) for vaccine development against Lassa, MERS, and Nipah. CEPI is faced with complex decisions that involve confronting trade‐offs between multiple objectives, diverse stakeholder perspectives, and uncertainty in vaccine performance. OBJECTIVE: This study reports on a multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and its testing on CEPI decisions. METHODS: Consultations with CEPI's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and document reviews helped identify and structure the criteria against which to evaluate proposals. Forty four subject‐matter experts assessed performance of 18 proposals on multiple criteria. SAC preferences were elicited via a survey employing an adapted swing‐weighting technique and were incorporated into measures of value and cost‐to‐value. A Monte Carlo simulation estimated overall value and ranking probabilities by value and by cost‐to‐value for each proposal. RESULTS: Reviewer assessments and SAC preferences varied significantly. Despite this uncertainty, 14 preferred proposals emerged from the analysis and SAC recommendations on the basis of value and cost‐to‐value. In some cases, SAC recommendations deviated from the analysis because of: less emphasis on cost‐to‐value if budgets seemed underestimated by applicants, more emphasis on the likelihood of generating vaccines for target pathogens versus platform potential against unknown pathogens, and emphasis on funding a diversity of platforms per pathogen. CONCLUSIONS: Despite vaccine performance uncertainty and stakeholder preference heterogeneity, MCDA distinguished between options in a way that broadly corresponded to decisions. Divergence between the MCDA and the SAC point to potential updates needed to the model such as platform diversity trade‐offs.


docid: szhkvizb

title: CCD urges government support to treat disability population

text: The largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy on behalf of children and adults with disabilities is asking the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prevent discriminatory rationing of coronavirus treatment.


title: COVID‐19 causes more delay in managed care launch for Illinois youth

text: The state of Illinois is further delaying the transition to a managed care health coverage system for children in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), this time citing the COVID‐19 outbreak as the reason for delay, the Southern Illinoisan reported March 16. “Recognizing the unprecedented challenges families, medical providers, and state agencies are facing from COVID‐19, the launch of YouthCare services for DCFS youth in care will be postponed a minimum of 30 days,” the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said in a statement. Most Medicaid recipients in Illinois are already under a managed care system, known as IlliniCare. Under that system, the state pays a flat, monthly per‐patient fee to private insurance companies to manage the care of Medicaid patients. The state has been planning for some time to shift foster children and other minors in the custody of DCFS into a managed care system, YouthCare, but that transition was delayed several times. Those delays have mostly been out of concern that there won't be a large enough network of participating health care providers that can serve the unique physical, mental and behavioral health needs of that population. And so, for now, they remain in a traditional fee‐for‐service coverage plan, DHFS and DCFS officials stated.


SARS in a can!


docid: kfxgxije

title: The Middle Miocene freshwater mollusk fauna of Lake Gacko (SE Bosnia and Herzegovina): taxonomic revision and paleoenvironmental analysis

text: The early Middle Miocene Lake Gacko was part of the Dinaride Lake System (DLS) and gave rise to a poorly known freshwater mollusk fauna. This was subject to malacological studies from the late 19th century onwards. Herein, we provide the first thorough taxonomic survey of Lake Gacko including revisions of several taxa. A total amount of 1,077 specimens was obtained from 17 samples, comprising at least 11 freshwater and 2 terrestrial gastropod species and 6 bivalve species. So far, none of the described taxa has been documented outside the Dinarides and the DLS, respectively. The fauna shows variable overlap with other paleolakes of the DLS, proofing once more the complex biogeographic patchwork of this system. The current paleoenvironmental reconstructions are tested and refined by application of a statistical analysis. This confirms the partition of the sedimentary history of Lake Gacko into three major depositional phases responding to astronomically forced climate changes. The low diverse mollusk assemblage in the initial phase, with abundant pulmonate and rissooid gastropods, signals a more arid climate with lowered lake level. During the second interval, the fauna becomes more diverse with common rissooid and melanopsid gastropods. It represents a more humid interval with enhanced precipitation and increased lake level, entailing the installation of a perennial lacustrine environment. The final phase is a return to arid conditions with the same elements as in the initial pulmonate‐rissooid assemblage. The sphaeriid Pisidium vukovici n. sp. is introduced as new species. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


title: A Review of the African Adinopsis Species with Description of Two New Species from Northern Namibia. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae)

text: Two new Adinopsis species from the banks of the Kavango River and connected temporary lakes in the Caprivi strip in Northern Namibia are described and illustrated: A. maraisi spec. nov. and A. deckerti spec. nov. (type localities: Namibia, Kavango, Mahango Game Reserve, 18°17′S/21°43′E, respectively 18°14′S/21°43′E). The African Adinopsis species are reviewed, catalogued and keyed.


title: CMS approves additional state Medicaid waivers

text: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on March 26 approved an additional 10 state Medicaid waiver requests under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act (Act), bringing the total number of approved Section 1135 waivers for states to 23. The waivers were approved within days of states' submitting them, and offer states new flexibilities to focus their resources on combatting the outbreak and providing the best possible care to Medicaid beneficiaries in their states. The waivers were approved within days of states' submitting them, and offer states new flexibilities to focus their resources on combatting the outbreak and providing the best possible care to Medicaid beneficiaries in their states. These waivers support President Trump's commitment to a COVID‐19 response that is locally executed, state managed and federally supported. In addition, keeping with its commitment to ensure states have the necessary tools to respond to the COVID‐19 pandemic, CMS also approved one additional Appendix K Amendments requests to existing Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers under Section 1915 (c) of the Social Security Act (Act), bringing the total to six approved waivers to date. Appendix K is a tool states may use to temporarily modify approved HCBS Waivers during emergency situations.


Abstracts of QSAR‐related Publications 3/2006


Abstracts of QSAR‐related Publications 5/2005


Abstracts of QSAR‐related Publications 4/2005


title: Establishing a GLP compliance program for non‐toxicology safety studies

text: Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) were originally promulgated for regulating non‐clinical laboratory safety studies, specifically, toxicology studies. Since the introduction of GLPs, regulatory agencies worldwide have increasingly required additional types of safety studies, such as viral clearance studies for plasma‐derived and biotechnology products, to be performed in accordance with the principles of the GLP regulations. Establishment of a GLP compliance program for non‐toxicology safety studies, however, has many challenges. In a viral validation study, a bench‐scale model of a manufacturing step is developed and is used to evaluate virus clearance, and so, many GLP elements such as the definitions for test article and test system, are not directly applicable. In spite of these difficulties, GLP concepts can be implemented as much as possible to ensure the integrity of the study. A GLP compliance program, with application to a number of disciplines, including viral validation, was established at Bayer HealthCare Biological Products Division. Integral to the effort was a multi‐functional team comprised of members from the quality Assurance Unit (QAU) and different departments within Research and Development (R&D). The team is primarily responsible for preparing, reviewing, and harmonizing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) used in all regulated non‐clinical laboratory studies. Through the effective interactions between R&D and QAU, study participants gain essential knowledge and experience in GLPs. In addition to performing audits, the QAU plays an important role in the implementation of strategies for GLP compliance. As a result, significant progress has been made toward meeting the challenges of establishing a GLP compliance program for non‐toxicology safety studies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Abstracts of publications related to QASR


When sports is the most important utterly non-important thing in the world


The 44(th) Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation: Physicians Poster Sessions


Cell Biology/Immunology SIG


Primary Care SIG


Asthma & Allergy SIG 2 – Clinical Aspects of Asthma


Paediatric SIG


Caliciviruses


Asthma & Allergy SIG 1 – Asthma Basic Research


Sleep & Physiology SIG: Poster Session


Asthma & Allergy SIG: Poster Session 1. Basic Science


Asthma & Allergy SIG: Poster Session 2


Respiratory Nurses SIG: Poster Session


Interventional Pulmonology SIG: Poster Session


COPD SIG 2


Interventional Pulmonology/Lung Cancer SIGs


Cystic Fibrosis SIG: Poster Session


Lung Cancer/Bronchology SIGs: Combined Poster Session


Physiotherapy SIG: Poster Session


Oliv SIG: Poster Session


TSANZ Oral Abstracts


Respiratory Nurses SIG


Cystic Fibrosis SIG


Cell Biology/Immunology SIG: Poster Session


Oral Session


Respiratory Infectious Disease SIG


OELD/Population Health SIGs


Asthma & Allergy SIG: Poster Session 1


OUTBREAK OF HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS INFECTION OF CHILDREN IN BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA


Human coronaviruses: A brief review


Lung Cancer SIG: Poster Session


Calendar of international meetings


docid: nerlyeyr

title: Asthma & Allergy SIG: Poster Session 2. Genetics and Early Life and Epidemiological Studies


OLIV SIG Poster Session


Primary Care SIG: Poster Session


OLIV SIG: Poster Session


Asthma & Allergy SIG 3 – Paediatrics, Epidemiology and Physiology


Sleep & Physiology SIG


Asthma & Allergy SIG: Poster Session 3. Physiology, Environment, Investigation and Management


docid: akcutmpc

title: Rid Sig Poster Presentation


Oeld/Population Health SIG: Poster Session


title: Water regimes and littoral plants in four weir pools of the River Murray, Australia

text: The composition and distribution of littoral vegetation in four weir pools of the lower Murray were surveyed in summer 1994. Between‐weir gradients in the amplitude of water level fluctuations were reflected in the typical distributions of plants, with a 4–6 m elevational range in upper‐pool sites, where levels fluctuate most, and a 1–1.5 m band in the lower‐pool sites, where levels are more stable. Forty‐one of 48 species occurred across much of the longitudinal×elevational site matrix within this cone‐shaped distribution, indicating considerable tolerance to flooding and exposure; this was especially apparent for Phragmites australis, Cyperus spp. and Centipeda spp. The 41 species were represented in seven of nine water‐regime groups identified by cluster analysis. The remainder, found within ±1 m of the water surface in lower‐pool reaches, were aquatic macrophytes such as Vallisneria americana and Typha spp. and amphibious ‘mudmats’ such as Glossostigma elatinoides. Water regimes at given sites were measured by the number of days in 2 years flooded to any depth (>0 cm), or to 0–30 cm, and by days exposed by >100 cm. Inter‐pool differences in the median number of days flooded to >0 cm and 0–30 cm were 3–30% and <8%, respectively, for all species except Typha spp. but an order of magnitude for the number of days exposed by >100 cm. However, eight of 14 common or representative species analysed showed significant inter‐pool differences in the number of days flooded to >0 cm, indicating that sufficient variation exists to necessitate considerable intra‐pool replication to allow for the detection of statistical differences in a multi‐pool experiment. The practice of maintaining stable weir pool levels limits vegetation processes, e.g. germination, recruitment, decomposition. An increase in the amplitude of river level fluctuations during low flows, from the current 10–20 cm range to 20–50 cm, would reinstate water regimes suitable to the majority of species surveyed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


OLIV SIG 1 – ILD/PAH/Other


Asthma & Allergy SIG: Poster Session 3


CHAPTER 9: Viral pneumonia


Pulmonary Physiology & Sleep SIG: Poster Session


COPD SIG: Poster Session 1


title: A Review of Catastrophic Risks for Life Insurers

text: Catastrophic mortality events are characterized by a sudden and concentrated increase in mortality and as such present a major risk to life insurers. Such events include pandemics, war, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and industrial, transport, and other accidents. Of these, pandemics arising from influenza are considered the most significant threat to the life insurance industry due to their capacity to cause a major increase in claims. We review the features and mortality implications of an influenza pandemic for life insurers, and describe a range of other risks that are likely to emerge as well.


COPD SIG 1


Abstracts: 34th Annual Meeting of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Coeur D’Alene, ID, USA. October 22–25, 2003


Posters: Session A, Monday, 12 July 2004, 17.00–18.00


MONDAY: POSTERS


Abstracts: Annual Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Helsinki, Finland May 28–31, 2015


title: Partially latent class models for case–control studies of childhood pneumonia aetiology

text: In population studies on the aetiology of disease, one goal is the estimation of the fraction of cases that are attributable to each of several causes. For example, pneumonia is a clinical diagnosis of lung infection that may be caused by viral, bacterial, fungal or other pathogens. The study of pneumonia aetiology is challenging because directly sampling from the lung to identify the aetiologic pathogen is not standard clinical practice in most settings. Instead, measurements from multiple peripheral specimens are made. The paper introduces the statistical methodology designed for estimating the population aetiology distribution and the individual aetiology probabilities in the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health study of 9500 children for seven sites around the world. We formulate the scientific problem in statistical terms as estimating the mixing weights and latent class indicators under a partially latent class model (PLCM) that combines heterogeneous measurements with different error rates obtained from a case–control study. We introduce the PLCM as an extension of the latent class model. We also introduce graphical displays of the population data and inferred latent class frequencies. The methods are tested with simulated data, and then applied to Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health data. The paper closes with a brief description of extensions of the PLCM to the regression setting and to the case where conditional independence between the measures is relaxed.


Abstracts of the 26th Annual Congress of the ECVD‐ESVD, 19‐21 September 2013, Valencia, Spain


Abstracts: 48th Annual Conference of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Baltimore, MD October 11‐14, 2017


Abstracts: 46th Annual Meeting of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Coeur d'Alene, ID October 7–10, 2015


WEDNESDAY PLENARY SESSION 4 WEDNESDAY PARALLEL SESSIONS


ABSTRACTS FROM THE 2010 EVDI ANNUAL MEETING


TUESDAY PLENARY SESSION 3 TUESDAY: POSTERS


title: Apoptosis: A review of pro‐apoptotic and anti‐apoptotic pathways and dysregulation in disease

text: Objective – To review the human and veterinary literature on the biology of apoptosis in health and disease. Data Sources – Data were examined from the human and veterinary literature identified through Pubmed and references listed in appropriate articles pertaining to apoptosis. Human Data Synthesis – The role of apoptosis in health and disease is a rapidly growing area of research in human medicine. Apoptosis has been identified as a component of human autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and sepsis. Veterinary Data Synthesis – Research data available from the veterinary literature pertaining to apoptosis and its role in diseases of small animal species is still in its infancy. The majority of veterinary studies focus on oncologic therapy. Most of the basic science and human clinical research studies use human blood and tissue samples and murine models. The results from these studies may be applicable to small animal species. Conclusions – Apoptosis is the complex physiologic process of programmed cell death. The pathophysiology of apoptosis and disease is only now being closely evaluated in human medicine. Knowledge of the physiologic mechanisms by which tissues regulate their size and composition is leading researchers to investigate the role of apoptosis in human diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disease and sepsis. Because it is a multifaceted process, apoptosis is difficult to target or manipulate therapeutically. Future studies may reveal methods to regulate or manipulate apoptosis and improve patient outcome.


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title: Abstracts from the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium, the European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Annual Congress, and the ACVECC VetCOT Veterinary Trauma & Critical Care Conference 2018


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title: Abstracts: Annual Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Trieste, Italy, May 24 ‐ 27, 2012


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title: Posters: Session B, Wednesday, 14 July 2004, 17.00–18.00


Abstract of the 35(th) international congress of the ISBT


Abstracts: Annual Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Budapest, Hungary May 19‐22, 2016


TUESDAY: PLENARY SESSION 2 TUESDAY: PARALLEL SESSIONS


EDUCATION DAY MONDAY: PLENARY SESSION 1 MONDAY: PARALLEL SESSIONS


Abstracts from the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium and the European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society Annual Congress, 2013


European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ESVCP)/ European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) 15th Annual Congress


Diseases of the hematologic, immunologic, and lymphatic systems (multisystem diseases) [Image: see text]


Diseases of the gastrointestinal system [Image: see text]


title: Human Herpesvirus-6 Meningitis in a Premature Infant with Fevers: A Case and Literature Review

text: Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a common virus that can cause nearly universal infection in infancy and early childhood. It typically manifests as an acute febrile illness. We describe a case of a premature infant with congenital hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt in place who developed intermittent fevers while she was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. She was ultimately diagnosed with acute HHV-6 meningitis. In addition to this report, we present a literature review regarding this virus’s potential modes of transmission and forms of clinical presentation in the neonatal period.


docid: pvuhztnp

title: Certain Emerade adrenaline auto-injector pens being recalled in UK


title: Infliximab Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Simultaneously Increases TNF‐α Protein Levels and Reduces mRNA Expression in the Blood

text: Objective: Tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have investigated long‐term anti‐TNF‐α treatment with infliximab with respect to TNF‐α gene activity and protein levels in the blood of RA patients and disease activity score (DAS). Methods: TNF‐α mRNA and plasma protein in RA patients (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 24) was determined before and during treatment with infliximab (3 mg/kg) using real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and high sensitivity enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The disease activity of the patients was assessed as DAS value. Results: The TNF‐α mRNA levels of RA patients at baseline were higher than that of the control group (P = 0.0135) but were significantly reduced after initiation of treatment (P < 0.001). Low mRNA levels were sustained throughout the 54 weeks of the study. Baseline protein levels of RA patients were similar to the control group. After 2 weeks of treatment, the protein levels were significantly elevated from baseline (P = 0.0353) and increased throughout week 14. Clinical improvement for all RA patients was found upon infliximab treatment, as a reduction in DAS values (P < 0.001). The increase in protein and reduction in DAS value from week 2–14 was also correlated (P = 0.0374). Conclusion: During infliximab treatment of RA patients, there is an accumulation in immune‐reactive TNF‐α protein in blood plasma and simultaneously a reduction in TNF‐α gene expression in PBMC, which may in part explain the beneficial course of RA symptoms.


title: The Immunomodulatory Effect of Heat Shock Protein 70: Immunization with a DNA Construct Based on the Malarial Antigen Fused with a Fragment of HSP 70 Primes for a Th‐1 Type of Response

text: Finding an appropriate adjuvant for human vaccination is crucial. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) act as adjuvants when coadministered with peptide antigens or given as fusion proteins. However, there is a potential risk of autoimmunity when using the complete molecules, because HSPs are evolutionary conserved. To overcome this, we first evaluated the adjuvant effect against two different antigens of a less‐conserved fraction of Plasmodium falciparum HSP70 (Pf70C) and compared it to the whole HSP70 molecule from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcHSP70). We found that Pf70C exhibited similar adjuvant properties as the whole molecule. We later evaluated the adjuvant potential of Pf70C against the malarial antigen EB200 in a chimeric DNA construct. No appreciable levels of EB200‐specific antibodies were detected in mice immunized only with the DNA constructs. However, DNA primed the immune system, because subsequent challenge with the corresponding recombinant fusion proteins elicited a strong Th‐1 antibody response. In contrast, no priming effect was observed for ex vivo IFN‐γ production but stimulation with the HSP‐chimeric fusion protein induced a stronger secretion of IFN‐γin vitro than other proteins used. These results indicate that the use of HSPs is promising in the design of new vaccines.


title: Differential Requirements for Toll‐Like Receptor Signalling for Induction of Chemokine Expression by Herpes Simplex Virus and Sendai Virus

text: Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system, which recognize molecular structures on pathogens or cellular stress‐associated molecules. TLR–ligand interactions trigger activation of inflammatory signal transduction and expression of genes involved in host defense. In this study, we have examined the requirement for different TLR adaptor molecules in virus‐induced chemokine expression and are currently trying to identify the TLR involved. We have found that both a herpesvirus [herpes simplex virus (HSV)] and a paramyxovirus (Sendai virus) require a functional genome to induce expression or proinflammatory chemokines in human and murine monocytic cell lines. For both viruses, this is independent of the TLR adaptor molecules TRIF and Mal. However, overexpression of the Vaccinia virus‐encoded inhibitor of TLR‐signalling A52R or dominant‐negative MyD88 totally inhibited HSV‐induced RANTES expression but only partially prevented Sendai virus from inducing this chemokine. This suggests that HSV‐induced RANTES expression occurs via a TLR pathways, whereas Sendai virus utilizes both TLR‐dependent and ‐independent pathways to stimulate expression of RANTES. We are currently trying to identify the TLRs involved. Data from these studies will also be presented at the meeting.


title: Levels, Complement Activity and Polymorphisms of Mannan‐Binding Lectin in Patients of Bronchial Asthma with Allergic Rhinitis

text: Activation of complement pathways, leading to production of C3a and C5a anaphylatoxins, has been postulated in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic airway inflammation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), an initiator of the lectin pathway of complement, in asthma and allergic rhinitis. MBL levels and MBL‐induced complement activity were determined in 19 patients of bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis and 20 unrelated, age‐matched controls of Indian origin. MBL levels and activity were correlated with percent eosinophilia and percent predicted FEV1 values of the patients. Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 1 and intron 1 of the MBL with the disease, clinical markers, MBL levels and MBL‐induced complement activity was analysed using standard statistical tools. Significantly higher MBL levels and activity were observed in patients of bronchial asthma with allergic rhinitis as compared to the controls. We identified five SNPs, of which two, A816G in exon 1 and G1011A in intron 1 of the MBL, were novel. SNP G1011A was significantly associated with the disease (P = 0.0024, OR = 5.8696, 95% CI: 1.7316 < OR < 19.8963). Individuals with ‘A’ allele at position 1011 showed increased MBL levels, activity and disease severity. Our results suggest that ‘A’ allele at position 1011 leading to high MBL levels and complement activity may be contributing to the severity of bronchial asthma and allergic airway inflammation.


title: Lysine‐Dependent Binding of OspE to the C‐terminus of Factor H Mediates Complement Resistance in Borrelia burgdorferi

text: Serum resistance of Borrelia burgdorferi strains belonging to the B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto genospecies is dependent on binding of complement inhibitor factor H. We recently reported that factor H binding by B. burgdorferi is due to inducible expression of several approximately 20 kDa plasmid‐encoded, surface‐exposed lipoproteins related to OspE (e.g. ErpA, ErpP and P21). In addition, a second class of factor H‐binding proteins of approximately 27–35 kDa has been described. The OspE‐related lipoproteins are dramatically induced by B. burgdorferi during transmission from its tick vector into the mammalian host. The induction of OspE‐related lipoproteins during mammalian infection may play a key a role in the borrelial evasion of the host's immune system. The goal of the present study was to define the factor H‐binding regions of OspE‐related proteins using mutagenesis, peptide mapping and surface plasmon resonance analysis (Biacore). The combined studies revealed that the C‐terminal regions of both human and mouse factor H (SCRs 18–20) specifically bind to OspE‐related lipoproteins. We also found FHR‐1, whose C‐terminal SCRs 3–5 are homologous to SCRs 18–20 of factor H, to bind to OspE. Peptide mapping revealed five putative regions (designated I‐V) in OspE that could directly interact with factor H. Deleting the C‐terminal 15 amino acid residues from region V of P21 abolished its ability to bind factor H. At the same time, however, synthetic peptides corresponding to the C‐termini of OspE, P21 and ErpP did not inhibit factor H binding to OspE. Thus, the C‐terminal‐binding region V appears to be necessary but not sufficient for factor H binding. When a more specific mutation strategy was employed, where single amino acid residues in peptides spanning over the factor H‐binding regions were mutated to alanines, we observed that lysines in the factor H‐binding regions of OspE were required for factor H binding. The combined data have revealed that key lysine residues in OspE‐related lipoproteins and ionic interactions are crucial for factor H interactions. Furthermore, binding of OspE to the C‐termini of both mouse and human factor H suggests that Borrelia spirochetes utilize analogous complement resistance mechanisms in both rodents and man. In Borrelia garinii strains, which in in vitro analyses have been found to be sensitive to complement killing, differences in the OspE sequences as well as in the expression of factor H‐binding proteins may account for their susceptibility to serum lysis.


title: Citrullinated Proteins in Arthritis; their Presence in Joints and Effects on Immunogenicity

text: Autoantibodies directed against citrulline‐containing proteins have an impressive specificity of nearly 100% in RA patients and a suggestive involvement in the pathogenesis. The targeted epitopes are generated by a post‐translational modification catalysed by the calcium‐dependent enzyme peptidyl arginine deaminase that converts the positively charged arginine to polar but uncharged citrullin. The aim of this study was to analyse the presence of citrulline in the joints at different time points of collagen‐induced arthritis in DA rats by immunohistochemistry and to investigate how immunogenicity and arthritogenicity was affected by citrullination of rat serum albumin (RSA) and collagen type II (CII). Our results indicate that citrulline could be detected in joints of arthritic animals, first appearance at the onset of disease and increasing as disease progressed into a chronic state. Unimmunized animals or time points before clinical signs of arthritis were negative. By morphology, we state that some infiltrating macrophages as well as the cartilage surface stain positive for citrulline, while the major source of citrullinated proteins appears to be fibrin depositions. A specific Cit‐RSA T‐cell response was observed in animals challenged by citrullinated RSA, no response was recorded when RSA was used as a stimulus. The IgG analysis reveals not only a response towards the modified protein but also cross‐reactivity to native RSA. No T‐cell or B‐cell response was noted in animals injected with unmodified RSA. Cit‐CII induced a disease with higher incidence and earlier onset than did the native counterpart. We conclude that, in contrast to the human disease, citrulline does not seem to appear before clinical signs. As inflammation proceeds, citrulline is detected specifically in the joints. All other organs investigated were negative. We also conclude that citrullination of a protein can break tolerance and increase its arthritogenic properties.


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title: Monitoring Patients Treated with Type1 Interferons: Potential Reporter Genes in Patient Leucocytes

text: Interferon‐α/β (IFN‐α/β) is increasingly used as antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies. Unfortunately, bioavailability varies with IFN species and mode of administration, and all IFN species are potentially immunogenic. Assays for antiviral activity (IFN) and antiviral neutralization (antibodies, NAb) have been used for some time to monitor patients on IFN biologicals. These assays require laborious titrations making them unsuitable for large‐scale clinical use. Myxovirus A (MxA) is a resistance GTP‐binding protein that is specifically induced by treatment with type 1 IFNs. For example, IFN‐β‐induced MxA in blood leucocytes has been used as a biomarker in IFN‐β‐treated patients with multiple sclerosis. However, the degree of specificity of MxA in this regard is unclear, and measurements of MxA protein and/or mRNA are not yet suitable for routine clinical use. In an attempt to find new and better reporter genes (and, hopefully, genes and gene products with proven specificity for IFN‐α and ‐β), microarray screenings with U133A GeneChips (Affymetrix) were carried using human blood leucocytes and the human lung carcinoma cell line A549. We studied the simultaneous expression of 22,000 transcripts before and after exposure to human recombinant IFN‐α and IFN‐β and other antiviral and immunomodulatory cytokines. The results will be presented at the conference.


title: A Novel Adjuvant Allergen Complex, CBP‐Fel d 1, Induces Upregulation of CD86 and Cytokine Release in Human Dendritic Cells

text: Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) is commonly conducted with allergen extracts adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide (alum). Drawbacks linked to the use of alum, such as the formation of granuloma at the site of injection, have led to suggestions of novel allergen carriers. An alternative carrier is 2 μm carbohydrate‐based particles (CBPs). In mouse, allergen‐coupled CBPs have been demonstrated to skew the allergen‐specific immune response towards a Th1‐like activity (Grönlund et al. Immunology, 2002). We here coupled the recombinant major cat allergen Fel d 1 to CBPs (CBP‐Fel d 1) by cyanogen‐bromide activation, resulting in covalent binding. The effect of CBP‐Fel d 1 on monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) from healthy human blood donors was studied. We found that the majority of the CD1a(+) MDDCs were capable of taking up FITC‐labelled CBP‐Fel d 1, as demonstrated by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Furthermore, incubation with CBP‐Fel d 1 resulted in an upregulation of the costimulatory molecule CD86 on the MDDCs, which was not observed with Fel d 1 or CBPs alone. Finally, CBP‐Fel d 1 induced a fivefold increase in the release of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and a fourfold increase in the release of the chemokine interleukin‐8 from MDDCs. Taken together, the effects CBPs possess make them interesting as novel allergen carriers for SIT.


docid: qakqxmcy

title: The Invertebrate Defence Molecule Coelomic Cytolytic Factor, a Functional Analog of the Cytokine Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α, Interacts with Mammalian Cells through its Lectin‐Like Domain

text: Coelomic cytolytic factor (CCF) is a 42 kDa invertebrate pattern recognition molecule isolated from the coelomic fluid of the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Oligochaeta, Annelida). CCF displays a number of similarities with the mammalian cytokine tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) as a result of a shared N,N′‐diacetylchitobiose lectin‐like domain. However, these similarities are solely functional and are not based on any (DNA or amino acid) sequence homology, thus suggesting a form of convergent evolution. In particular, the lectin‐like domain of TNF‐α has been shown to induce membrane depolarization in various mammalian cell types, through interactions with endogenous amiloride‐sensitive ion channels. This nonreceptor‐mediated activity of TNF‐α has been reported to be involved in the resorption of oedema. Likewise, the lectin‐like domain of CCF also induces membrane depolarization in mammalian cells. Here, we show that CCF appears to be able to induce oedema resorption in an alveolar epithelial cell line through its lectin‐like domain. This lectin‐like domain of CCF interacts (directly or indirectly) with endogenous sodium and/or chloride channels, and not potassium channels, on mammalian cells. Additionally, we suggest that the JNK/SAPK and Erk1/2 pathways are involved in CCF‐induced macrophage activation. These results further establish the functional analogy between an invertebrate pattern recognition molecule and a mammalian cytokine and, from a more applied point of view, suggest the possibility of utilizing CCF in the treatment of oedema.


title: Preoperative Mannan‐Binding Lectin Pathway and Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer

text: Background: Deficiency of the mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) pathway of innate immunity leads to increased susceptibility to infections. In patients with colorectal cancer, postoperative infection is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate (1) the relation between the MBL pathway and postoperative infectious complications and survival of patients resected for colorectal cancer and (2) the role of MBL as acute phase reactant compared to CRP. Methods: Preoperative MBL concentration, MBL/MBL‐associated serine protease (MASP) activity and CRP were determined in serum from 611 patients and 150 healthy controls. The patients were observed for 8 years. Postoperative infections, recurrence and survival were recorded. Results: The MBL pathway components were increased in the patients (P < 0.0001) compared to healthy controls. Low MBL levels were predictive of pneumonia (P = 0.01), and pneumonia (n = 87) was associated with poor survival (P = 0.003, HR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–1.9). MBL and MBL/MASP activity could not predict postoperative overall infections. MBL showed no correlation (spearman's ρ = 0.02, 95% CI −0.06–0.10) with CRP. Conclusions: Low preoperative MBL levels are predictive of pneumonia, which is associated with poorer survival. MBL concentration and MBL/MASP activity was not predictive of other postoperative infections or long‐term prognosis. MBL apparently is not a surrogate measure of CRP.