bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-Dependent Levels of Select Immunological Mediators in Sera of Healthy Children
Authors: Sack Ulrich , Burkhardt Ullrich , Borte Michael , Schädlich Hiltrud , Berg Kerstin , Emmrich Frank 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
Serum cytokine levels were measured in 275 healthy children of different ages (3 to 17 years). Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), soluble IL-2R (sIL-2R) (sCD25), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), soluble TNF receptor type II (sTNF-RII) (sCD120b), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) (sCD54), soluble E selectin (sE-selectin) (ELAM-1; sCD62E), sCD14, and neopterin were measured with commercial test kits. The mean levels of IL-1RA, sIL-2R, TNF-α, sICAM-1, sE-selectin, and sCD14 were higher than in healthy adults. In contrast, IFN-γ and IL-8 were hardly detectable in children and thereby significantly lower than in adults. In the case of TNF-α, sICAM-1, sE selectin, and sCD14, there was a high interindividual variability, apparently unrelated to disease. The profiles of some cytokines, i.e., IL-1RA, IL-6, and TNF-α, showed age-related increases that overlapped with known patterns of physical growth. Of note, sIL-2R and sE-selectin instead declined with time. Because of the remarkable age-dependent variability in healthy pediatric subjects, disease-related changes, as well as therapy-dependent alterations, should be considered with caution.
Antifungal Activity of a Human Antiglucuronoxylomannan Antibody
Authors: Zhong Zhaojing , Pirofski Liise-anne 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTThe human immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal antibody (MAb) 2E9 binds the glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) ofCryptococcus neoformansserotypes A, B, and D. This study was undertaken to determine the opsonic efficacy of 2E9 and its ability to promote the antifungal activity of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) againstC. neoformans. We incubated purified PMNs with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeledC. neoformanscells that were treated with the GXM IgM 2E9, IgM antibodies that do not bind GXM, and rabbit and human factor-B-deficient serum as complement sources. PMN-associatedC. neoformanscells fluoresced and were detected with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The amount of phagocytosis was defined as the percent fluorescing PMNs, which was 37% for yeast cells opsonized with 2E9 plus rabbit serum and 57% for yeast cells opsonized with 2E9 plus factor-B-deficient serum. Phagocytosis was significantly greater for yeast cells that were treated with 2E9 plus a complement source than for yeast cells treated with the complement sources alone or treated with the control IgMs alone or with the complement sources. Fluorescence quenching and light and electron microscopy of the phagocytosis mixtures revealed that 2E9-opsonized yeast cells were internalized by PMNs. Maximal inhibition ofC. neoformansgrowth occurred when PMNs were cocultured with yeast cells that were opsonized with 2E9 plus a complement source. Our data demonstrate that the human GXM IgM 2E9 can mediate PMN phagocytosis andC. neoformansgrowth inhibition in vitro. These findings strongly suggest that antibody-mediated deposition of complement components on the cryptococcal capsule can augment PMN complement receptor-mediated antifungal activity. Antibody activation of complement-mediated effector cell antifungal mechanisms may play a role in host defense against cryptococcosis and represents a goal for the use of MAbs to treat or prevent humanC. neoformansinfections.
Induction of Fimbriated
Vibrio cholerae
O139
Authors: Ehara Masahiko , Iwami Mamoru , Ichinose Yoshio , Hirayama Toshiya , Albert M. John , Sack R. Bradley , Shimodori Shoichi 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Several fimbriated phases of
Vibrio cholerae
O139 strains were selectively induced and compared immunologically and biochemically with those of
V. cholerae
O1. Fimbrial antigens were detected on the surfaces of vibrio cells colonizing the epithelial cells of a rabbit small intestine. Convalescent-phase sera from six individuals infected with
V. cholerae
O139 revealed the development of antibody against the fimbrillin. These findings suggest that the fimbriae of
V. cholerae
O1 and O139 are expressed in vivo during infection and that consideration must be given to the use of fimbrial antigens as components of vaccines against cholera.
Heterogeneity of Immunoglobulin G Response to
Helicobacter pylori
Measured by the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Averages
Authors: Mayo Kathryn , Pretolani Stefano , Gasbarrini Giovanni , Ghironzi Giancarlo , Megraud Francis 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

The heterogeneity of the immune response to
Helicobacter pylori
has always been noticed but has never been evaluated by obtaining a quantitative measure. For this purpose, sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and 207 positive serum specimens were subsequently tested by immunoblotting. The presence or absence of six specific bands was noted. The homology of the different profiles of bands was measured by calculating the Dice coefficient, and a dendrogram was constructed. Thirty-four profiles were found, with each profile containing from 1 to 43 serum specimens. At a level of 72% similarity, 115 of the serum specimens studied fell into eight profiles. At a level of 48% similarity, 186 of the serum specimens studied fell into 22 profiles. The difference in immunoblot profiles was probably linked to the host immune response, but infection with strains carrying different antigens cannot be ruled out.
Decline of Measles-Specific Immunoglobulin M Antibodies after Primary Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination
Authors: Helfand Rita F. , Gary Howard E. , Atkinson William L. , Nordin James D. , Keyserling Harry L. , Bellini William J. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
Detection of measles-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) has become the standard diagnostic method for laboratory confirmation of measles. In outbreaks, the interpretation of an IgM-positive result can be complicated when persons with suspected measles receive a dose of measles vaccine as part of outbreak control measures. This investigation evaluated the decay of measles-specific IgM antibodies 1 to 4 months after primary vaccination with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMRII). Serum samples were obtained from 536 infants vaccinated when they were 15 months old as part of a study to assess primary and secondary measles vaccine failure. Sixty serum specimens per week were selected from specimens collected between 4 and 9 weeks after MMRII vaccination; all 176 available serum specimens collected between 10 and ≥16 weeks were included. Specimens were tested for the presence of measles-specific IgM by an antibody-capture enzyme immunoassay. The proportion of IgM-positive specimens dropped from 73% at 4 weeks after vaccination to 52% at 5 weeks after vaccination and then declined to 7% by 8 weeks after vaccination. Less than 10% of children remained IgM positive between 9 and 11 weeks. An IgM-negative result helps rule out the diagnosis of measles in a person with suspected infection and a history of recent vaccination. The interpretation of a positive IgM result from a person with a clinically suspected case of measles and a recent history of measles vaccination (especially within 8 weeks) is problematic, and the diagnosis of measles should be based on epidemiologic linkage to a confirmed case or on detection of wild-type measles virus.
Diversity of Hemagglutination Phenotypes among P-Fimbriated Wild-Type Strains of
Escherichia coli
in Relation to
papG
Allele Repertoire
Authors: Johnson James R. , Brown Jennifer J. , Ahmed Parvia 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Data regarding the hemagglutination (HA) patterns of the three variants (classes I, II, and III) of the
Escherichia coli
adhesin PapG are conflicting. These HA patterns usually have been assessed for each
papG
allele separately with recombinant strains in slide HA assays. We rigorously evaluated an alternative microtiter tray HA assay and then used it to assess the HA of four erythrocyte types (human A
1
P
1
and OP
1
, rabbit, and sheep erythrocytes) by multiple wild-type
E. coli
strains representing the four naturally occurring combinations of the
papG
alleles, i.e., class I plus III, class III only, class II plus III, and class II only. The microtiter tray HA assay displayed significantly better reproducibility of intraobserver (83%) and interobserver (86%) results than did slide HA assays (39 and 73%, respectively). Novel findings from the study of 32 wild-type P-fimbriated strains included reproducible determinations of phenotypic diversity among different
papG
categories, among strains within each
papG
category, and from day to day for individual strains. There was also substantial overlap of phenotypes between
papG
categories I plus III and III only and between II plus III and II only. A class III
papG
recombinant strain’s HA pattern differed significantly from that of the wild-type class III strains. These data demonstrate that HA phenotypes of wild-type P-fimbriated
E. coli
strains can be reproducibly assessed by a microtiter HA assay and that they correspond broadly to
papG
genotype but in a more complex and varied fashion than previously recognized.
Immunodepression Induced byTrypanosoma cruziand Mouse Hepatitis Virus Type 3 Is Associated with Thymus Apoptosis
Authors: Verinaud Liana , Da Cruz-Höfling Maria Alice , Sakurada Júlia K. , Rangel Humberto A. , Vassallo José , Wakelin Derek , Sewell Herb F. , Camargo Irineu J. B. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTTrypanosoma cruzi-infected mice show disturbance in the peripheral immune system such as polyclonal lymphocyte activation, autoantibody production, and immunosuppression of T lymphocytes. Previous observations in our laboratory showed that some stocks ofT. cruzican be contaminated with mouse hepatitis virus type 3 (MHV-3). Literature has shown that MHV-3 infection induces immunologic disorders characterized by thymic involution with marked cell depletion. However, the effects of interactions between MHV-3 and the parasite on the immune system are not well understood. In the present study specific-pathogen-free CBA mice were inoculated with MHV-3, alone or associated with different stocks ofT. cruzi. Concurrent murine virus infection resulted in increased pathogenicity ofT. cruziinfection shown by profound thymic atrophy; loss of cortical thymocytes; depletion of Thy1.2+, CD4+, and CD8+cells; enhancement of in situ labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation; and eventually, death of the animals. Such lines of evidence show that the mechanism underlying this thymic atrophy is associated with apoptosis. These results also suggest that MHV-3 can account for the increased immunosuppression observed during experimental infection with the parasite.
PCR Detection of Human Cytomegalovirus DNA in Clinical Specimens Using Novel UL37 Exon 3 and US3 Primers
Authors: Lesperance Marci M. , Contopoulos-Ioannidis Despina G. , Gutiérrez María del Pilar , Colberg-Poley Anamaris M. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
The sensitivity and specificity of novel UL37 exon 3 (UL37x3) and US3 immediate-early (IE) gene PCR primers to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in clinical specimens are comparable to those of HCMV DNA polymerase (UL54) primers. The use of these IE primers increases the diagnostic performance of HCMV PCR.
Interleukin-1β Expression after Inhibition of Protein Phosphatases in Endotoxin-Tolerant Cells
Authors: Yoza Barbara K. , Wells Jon D. , McCall Charles E. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTEndotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) is a potent activator of a number of inflammatory genes in blood leukocytes, including interleukin-1 (IL-1). Blood leukocytes isolated from patients with septic shock fail to produce IL-1 in response to LPS, a phenomenon known as endotoxin tolerance. To study the regulation of IL-1 expression in endotoxin-tolerant cells, the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid was used to examine the effects of protein phosphorylation on IL-1β gene expression. We found that endotoxin-tolerant cells produced normal levels of IL-1β when protein phosphatases were inhibited. In the human pro-monocytic cell line THP-1, okadaic acid increased mRNA accumulation and synthesis of IL-1β protein. Normal and endotoxin-tolerant THP-1 cells accumulated IL-1β mRNA and protein with similar delayed kinetics. Okadaic acid stabilization of IL-1β mRNA appears to be the primary mechanism through which endotoxin-tolerant cells accumulate IL-1β mRNA and protein. Endotoxin-tolerant cells were unable to activate transcription in response to okadaic acid. However, the transcription factor NF-κB, which is known to be involved in IL-1β expression, was translocated to the nucleus in both normal and endotoxin-tolerant cells after treatment with okadaic acid. These studies revealed that protein phosphorylation can affect gene expression on at least two distinct levels, transcription factor activation and mRNA stability. Endotoxin-tolerant cells have decreased transcription activation potential, while IL-1β mRNA stability remains responsive to protein phosphorylation.
Development and Evaluation of a Chromatographic Procedure for Partial Purification of Substance P with Quantitation by an Enzyme Immunoassay
Authors: Fehder William P. , Ho Wen-Zhe , Campbell Donald E. , Tourtellotte Wallace W. , Michaels Lisa , Cutilli Joann R. , Uvaydova Marina , Douglas Steven D. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTWe have developed a simple chromatographic procedure for the partial purification of substance P (SP) from acidified plasma and serum samples. We have evaluated a sensitive antigen competition enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the quantitation of SP. The chromatographic procedure has recovery efficiencies ranging from 94.8 to 125%. The immunoreactivity of unknown amounts of purified SP subjected to the preparative procedure yielded a coefficient of variance of 9.4%. The EIA yielded reproducible standard curves having an interassay (n= 8) correlation coefficient of 0.984. The evaluation of normal adult control serum yielded a mean value of 51 pg/ml (range, 35 to 61 pg/ml). The evaluation of 3.33× concentrates of serum-derived partially purified SP provided uncorrected SP values of 117 to 201 pg/ml, which fell within the midpoint of the three-decalog standard curve. These studies indicate that both the preparative and quantitative procedures are required for the detection of SP in plasma or serum samples collected from patients with several clinical disorders.
Comparison of Immunodot and Western Blot Assays for Diagnosing Lyme Borreliosis
Authors: Fawcett Paul T. , Rosé Carlos D. , Gibney Kathleen M. , Doughty Robert A. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Two commercially available serologic tests for use in diagnosing Lyme borreliosis were evaluated by using a test panel comprised of sera from patients diagnosed with Lyme borreliosis, non-Lyme disease controls, and healthy subjects. The test methods examined were a Western blot assay and an immunodot assay. The study was initiated to determine how the immunodot assay, which contains purified and recombinant proteins to those borrelial antigens recommended for immunoglobulin M (IgM) detection in the Dearborn criteria, would compare with the Western blot assay as a confirmatory method for serologic diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis. Results obtained showed that the two test methods performed comparably for detecting IgG antibodies. For IgM antibody detection, the immunodot and Western blot assays had similar sensitivities; however, the immunodot assay was more specific and had greater positive predictive value than the Western blot assay. The results obtained indicate that the immunodot assay performs as well as or better than the Western blot assay for diagnosing Lyme borreliosis. Furthermore, because it uses a limited panel (
n
= 5) of antigens, the immunodot is easier to read and interpret than standard Western blots.
Comparison of an Amplified Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay with Procedures Based on Molecular Biology for Assessing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Viral Load
Authors: Goldschmidt Pablo L. , Devillechabrolle Andrée , Ait-Arkoub Zaina , Aubin Jean-Thierry 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

The sensitivity of the enzyme-linked amplified sorbent test (ELAST) was compared with those of other classic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), with or without previous acidic immunocomplex dissociation (ICD), in a series of samples at different stages of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. The limit of viral detection of ELAST was assessed with fresh HIV-1 preparations quantified by reverse transcription-PCR and with the P24 antigen (Ag) Sanofi Pasteur Calibrator containing lyophilized virus. The P24 Ag detection capacity of ELAST was compared with that of NASBA in samples obtained from infected subjects with less than 250 CD4
+
cells. The results of the present study show that ELAST was the most sensitive method for detecting P24 Ag compared to classic ELISA and ICD plus ELISA. ELAST was able to detect 0.5 pg of P24 Ag per ml in a whole virus preparation and the equivalent of 330 to 1,000 RNA copies/ml of HIV. The rate of detection of P24 Ag was always higher in subjects with low levels of anti-P24 antibodies. The number of positive results was dramatically enhanced (from 37% to 94% for subjects with <250 CD4
+
cells) when the incubation period was prolonged from 1 to 16 h. In a third series of 84 samples (<250 CD4
+
cells) tested in parallel, NASBA yielded 83% of the positive results and ELAST yielded 79%. Considering the high sensitivity, low cost, simplicity of equipment (only a plate reader), and possibility for full automation, ELAST appears to be a promising new tool for measuring viral load, especially in areas with few resources, in which the procedures based on molecular biology techniques may be difficult to install.
Detection of HumanToxoplasma-Specific Immunoglobulins A, M, and G with a RecombinantToxoplasma gondiiRop2 Protein
Authors: Martin Valentina , Arcavi Miriam , Santillan Graciela , Amendoeira Maria Regina R. , De Souza Neves Elizabeth , Griemberg Gloria , Guarnera Eduardo , Garberi Juan C. , Angel Sergio O. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTTheToxoplasma gondiirhoptry protein Rop2 was expressed inEscherichia colias a fusion protein containing 44 kDa of the 55-kDa mature Rop2, supplied with six histidyl residues at the N-terminal end (Rop2196–561). Humoral response duringToxoplasmainfection of humans was analyzed by immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with Rop2196–561as the antigen substrate. The analyzed sera were divided according toT. gondii-specific serological tests (IgG, IgA, or IgM indirect immunofluorescence and IgA or IgM immunosorbent agglutination assay) as group A (IgG+IgA−IgM−;n= 35), group B (IgG+IgA+IgM+;n= 21), group C (IgG+IgA+IgM−;n= 5), and group D (IgG+IgA−IgM+;n= 16). Twenty-sixT. gondii-seronegative sera from individuals with other infections were also included (group E). Anti-Rop2 IgG antibodies were detected in 82.8% of group A sera and in 97.6% of the sera with acute-phase marker immunoglobulins (groups B, C, and D). The percentage of IgA antibody reactivity against Rop2196–561was 17.1% in group A, 50% in group D, and 80.8% in groups B and C. The percentage of IgM antibody reactivity was 0% in groups A and C and 62% in groups B and D. Sera from group E failed to show IgA, IgM, or IgG antibody reactivity. SinceT. gondiiRop2 elicits a strong humoral response from an early stage of infection, it is suggested that recombinant Rop2196–561would be suitable for use in diagnostic systems, in combination with otherT. gondiiantigens, to detect specific IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies.
Low Relative Frequencies of CD26
+
CD4
+
Cells in Long-Term Nonprogressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Subjects
Authors: Broström Christina , Sönnerborg Anders , Lindbäck Stefan , Gaines Hans 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

A broad antibody panel was used for immunophenotyping of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients who were long-term nonprogressors (LTNP). The LTNP were compared with patients in the early phase of infection and patients who had progressed to advanced immunodeficiency. Changes in CD8
+
subset distribution were observed mainly at acquisition of HIV-1 infection, whereas CD4
+
subset changes appeared during progression of HIV-1 infection. The decreasing levels of CD4
+
cells were characterized by an increasing frequency of cells expressing the activation markers HLA-Dr and CD45RO but not the CD28 surface antigen. The LTNP exhibited significant changes compared to HIV-negative patients in almost all markers. Compared to patients in the early phase of infection, the only difference was a relatively lower frequency of CD4
+
cells expressing CD26 among the LTNP. The results show that HIV-1-infected persons who have no signs of immunodeficiency despite many years of infection have an immunophenotypic pattern that is substantially different from that of noninfected persons. Despite the long duration of infection, the LTNP exhibit a pattern similar to that of newly infected persons, with the exception of lower expression of CD26 on CD4
+
cells.
Role of Arachidonic Acid and Its Metabolites in the Priming of NADPH Oxidase in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes by Peritoneal Dialysis Effluent
Authors: Daniels I. , Lindsay M. A. , Keany C. I. C. , Burden R. P. , Fletcher J. , Haynes A. P. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTPeritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) contains a low-molecular-weight solute that will activate and prime the NADPH oxidase of human neutrophils via a phospholipase A2(PLA2)-dependent mechanism. Since the products of PLA2are known to activate and prime the oxidase we have investigated their role in the dialysis effluent-mediated activation and priming of human neutrophils. NADPH oxidase activity of PDE-primed and -unprimed neutrophils was measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence in the presence of known inhibitors of the arachidonic acid cascade. Incubation of neutrophils with the nonselective PLA2inhibitor quinacrine (0 to 100 μM) reduced oxidase activity in both primed and unprimed cells. Furthermore, primed cells were more sensitive to the action of quinacrine than were unprimed cells. We were unable to determine the relative roles of secretory PLA2(sPLA2) and cytosolic PLA2(cPLA2) since the selectivesPLA2inhibitor scalaradial (0 to 100 μM) inhibited oxidase activity in both groups of cells by similar degrees, while the specificcPLA2inhibitor AACO-CF3(0 to 50 μM) failed to affect activity in either group. Inhibition of platelet-activating factor (PAF), cycloxygenase, and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein by hexanolamino-PAF (0 to 25 μM), flurbiprofen (0 to 25 μM), and MK886 (0 to 5 μM), respectively, had no effect upon oxidase activity. However, the direct inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase by caffeic acid or lipoxin A4resulted in a similar concentration-dependent attenuation of oxidase activity in both primed and unprimed cells. Leukotriene B4(LTB4) release from primed neutrophils was comparable to that from unprimed cells with the exception of phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated cells, which released fivefold more LTB4than control. Taken together, these results suggest that it is arachidonic acid per se, and not its metabolites, that is important in priming of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase by dialysis effluent.