bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Evaluation of Whole-Blood Gamma Interferon Release for Clinical Assessment of Cellular Immunity in Patients with Active Coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Ampel Neil M. , Nelson Daniel K. , Chavez Suzette , Naus Kathryn A. , Herman Amanda B. , Li Lijin , Simmons Keira A. , Pappagianis Demosthenes 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

Assessment of the cellular immune response in coccidioidomycosis has epidemiologic and prognostic importance. Measurement of delayed-type hypersensitivity to skin testing has been used in the past to determine cellular immunity in coccidioidomycosis. However, no skin tests are currently available in the United States. Assay of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release in whole blood in response to incubation with antigen has been used to assess cellular immunity in tuberculosis. We used a similar assay using the coccidioidal antigen preparation T27K to measure the in vitro cellular immune responses among a cohort of 69 subjects with active coccidioidomycosis. IFN-γ release was bimodal, with concentrations above and below 5 IU/ml. Using multivariate logistic regression, underlying disease and disseminated or chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis was significantly associated with the release of IFN-γ at a concentration of <5 IU/ml (
P
= 0.02 or 0.05, respectively). In addition, the release IFN-γ concentration was <5 IU/ml in all subjects with a clinical severity score of ≥6 (
P
= 0.02). The release IFN-γ concentration correlated with expression of CD69 on T lymphocytes in an in vitro assay using T27K as the antigen (Spearman's rho = 0.59;
P
< 0.01). These results suggest that the IFN-γ release assay with T27K as the antigen may be a useful clinical test for assessing cellular immunity in patients with active coccidioidomycosis.
Inhibitory Receptors CD85j, LAIR-1, and CD152 Down-Regulate Immunoglobulin and Cytokine Production by Human B Lymphocytes
Authors: Merlo Andrea , Tenca Claudya , Fais Franco , Battini Lorenzo , Ciccone Ermanno , Grossi Carlo E. , Saverino Daniele 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTClass switching consists in the substitution of the heavy-chain constant region of immunoglobulin M (IgM) with that of IgG, IgA, or IgE. This enables antibodies to acquire new effector functions that are crucial to combat invading pathogens. Class switching usually requires engagement of CD40 on B cells by CD40 ligand (CD40L) on antigen-activated CD4+T cells and the production of cytokines. The process must be regulated tightly because abnormal IgG and IgA production favors the onset of autoimmunity, whereas increased switching to IgE leads to atopy. These inflammatory disorders can be triggered or exacerbated by costimulatory signals. Although thoroughly investigated on T cells, the roles of the inhibitory receptors CD85j, LAIR-1, and CD152 on B-cell functions have not been fully elucidated. In this study we show that cross-linking of the B-cell inhibitory receptors by specific monoclonal antibodies inhibits IgG and IgE production, reduces the percentage of IgG- and IgE-expressing B cells, and down-regulates interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha production. These effects were demonstrated using different B-cell stimulatory pathways (recall antigens, CD40L-transfected cells plus IL-4, and lipopolysaccharide plus IL-4). It thus appears that CD85j, LAIR-1, and CD152 play a central role for the control of IL-4-driven isotype switching.
Protective Antigen and Toxin Neutralization Antibody Patterns in Anthrax Vaccinees Undergoing Serial Plasmapheresis
Authors: Pittman Phillip R. , Leitman Susan F. , Oro Julio G. Barrera , Norris Sarah L. , Marano Nina M. , Ranadive Manmohan V. , Sink Bonnie S. , McKee Kelly T. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTRecipients of licensed anthrax vaccine (AVA; Biothrax) could serve as a source of hyperimmune plasma and immunoglobulin for therapy and prophylaxis. We measured serum antibodies during serial weekly to biweekly plasmapheresis in 38 individuals previously vaccinated with 4 to 27 doses of AVA. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) to protective antigen (PA) and toxin neutralization assay (TNA) antibody levels were highly correlated (r= 0.86930 andP< 0.0001 for anti-PA concentration versus TNA concentration). Significant decreases in antibody titer and concentration were observed over time when compared for the number of days from the last AVA injection (P< 0.0001 for both anti-PA and TNA concentration) and for the number of days from the first plasmapheresis (P= 0.0007 for anti-PA concentration andP= 0.0025 for TNA concentration). The rate of the decrease in total IgG concentration (half-life [t1/2] = 198.90 days after first plasmapheresis) was significantly less than the decrease in anti-PA IgG (t1/2= 63.53 days) (P< 0.0001), indicating that the reduction in anti-PA IgG was more likely due to natural decay than plasmapheresis. The time since the last injection and the time after initial plasmapheresis are important elements in considering an optimal schedule for collecting anthrax hyperimmune plasma. Good correlation between IgG to PA and TNA antibodies suggests that the anti-PA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay can be used as a high-throughput screen for functional immune reactivity in donor plasma units.
Effects of Absorption with Pneumococcal Type 22F Polysaccharide on Maternal, Cord Blood, and Infant Immunoglobulin G Antipneumococcal Polysaccharide Antibodies
Authors: Inostroza J. , Villanueva S. , Mason K. , Leiva L. E. , Sorensen R. U. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of absorption with pneumococcal type 22F polysaccharide on antipneumococcal antibody titers in unimmunized Chilean pregnant women and on antibodies in their offspring at birth and 3, 6, and 12 months of age. Sera from 10 healthy pregnant women and from their offspring at birth and at 3, 6, and 12 months of age were studied. Immunoglobulin G antibodies against serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18, 19F, and 23F were measured by a standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. All sera were absorbed with polysaccharide C, and aliquots of each serum were absorbed with polysaccharide 22F. Individual results were expressed in μg/ml based on the standard serum pool 89-SF. Absorption with polysaccharide 22F reduced antibody concentrations in all samples and to all 10 serotypes studied. Reduction was highest in maternal sera and in cord blood, but it was also present at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. The percent reduction ranged from 24% for serotype 14 to 50% for serotype 1 in maternal samples and from 20% for serotype 18C to 49% for serotype 4 in cord blood samples. The percentages of transplacental transmission were similar for nonabsorbed and absorbed maternal fetal pairs. Absorption with serotype 22F had a significant impact on antipneumococcal antibody concentrations in unimmunized pregnant women and in their offspring. Our results suggest that absorption with 22F polysaccharide needs to be performed in studies of transplacental transmission of antipneumococcal antibodies.
Borreliacidal OspC Antibodies Specific for a Highly Conserved Epitope Are Immunodominant in Human Lyme Disease and Do Not Occur in Mice or Hamsters
Authors: Lovrich Steven D. , Jobe Dean A. , Schell Ronald F. , Callister Steven M. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

Humans produce highly specific borreliacidal antibodies against outer surface protein C (OspC) shortly after infection with
Borrelia burgdorferi
sensu stricto. We previously demonstrated the epitope recognized by immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG OspC borreliacidal antibodies was located within the 50 amino acids nearest the carboxy (C) terminus. In this study, we show the immunodominant epitope is located in the highly conserved region within the seven C-terminal amino acids. Six early Lyme disease sera that contained borreliacidal activity and IgM and/or IgG OspC antibodies were chosen randomly and adsorbed with truncated OspC containing the 16 or 7 amino acids nearest the C terminus. Adsorptions with each truncated protein abrogated the borreliacidal activity completely. In addition, only small concentrations of OspC antibodies remained detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Moreover, borreliacidal OspC antibodies were not induced in laboratory mice or hamsters despite heavy infections with
B. burgdorferi
spirochetes. These findings confirm that borreliacidal antibodies comprise the majority of the IgM and IgG OspC antibody response in human Lyme disease and that the epitope is located in the highly conserved C terminus. In addition, rodent animal models appear to be inappropriate subjects for assessing the effectiveness of the epitope for serodiagnosis or as a human Lyme disease vaccine.
Demonstration of Components of Antigen 85 Complex in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Tuberculous Meningitis Patients
Authors: Kashyap Rajpal S. , Dobos Karen M. , Belisle John T. , Purohit Hemant J. , Chandak Nitin H. , Taori Girdhar M. , Daginawala Hatim F. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most common form of chronic infection of the central nervous system. Despite the magnitude of the problem, the general diagnostic outlook is discouraging. Specifically, there is no generally accepted early confirmative diagnosis protocol available for TBM. Various
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
antigens are now recognized as potential markers for diagnosis of TBM. However, their presence remains questionable, and many of these antigens are reported in the blood but not in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study identifies a specific protein marker in CSF which will be useful in early diagnosis of TBM. We have demonstrated the presence of a 30-kDa protein band in CSF of 100% (
n
= 5) of confirmed and 90% (
n
= 138) of suspected TBM patients out of 153 TBM patients. The 30-kDa band was excised from the gel, destained extensively, and digested with trypsin. The resulting peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Partially purified proteins from CSF samples of TBM were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to confirm the presence of proteins in the 30-kDa protein band. The antigen 85 (Ag 85) complex was detected in CSF of TBM patients by indirect ELISA using antibodies against Ag 85 complex. The results of this study showed the 30-kDa protein band contained MTB proteins Rv3804c (Ag85A) and Rv1886c (Ag 85B), both members of the Ag85 complex. This was also confirmed by using immunotechniques such as indirect ELISA and the dot immunobinding assay. Detection of Ag85 complex was observed in CSF of 89% (71 out of 80) of suspected TBM patients that were 30-kDa protein positive. The observed 30-kDa protein in the CSF is comprised of the MTB Ag85 complex. This protein was earlier reported to be present in the blood of patients with extra-central nervous system tuberculosis. Therefore, this finding suggests that this protein can be used as a molecular marker for any type of tuberculous infection. It also provides a more sensitive immunoassay option for the early and confirmatory diagnosis of TBM.
Evaluation of PCR-Based Assay for Diagnosis of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis in Human Serum Samples
Authors: Choi Yeon-Joo , Lee Seung-Hyun , Park Kyung-Hee , Koh Young-Sang , Lee Keun-Hwa , Baik Hyung-Suk , Choi Myung-Sik , Kim Ik-Sang , Jang Won-Jong 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

A nested PCR assay was developed for the detection of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in serum samples. The assay was based on specific primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene (
rompB
) of
Rickettsia conorii
. An SFG rickettsia-specific signal is obtained from
R. akari
,
R. japonica
,
R. sibirica
, and
R. conorii
. Other bacterial species tested did not generate any signal, attesting to the specificity of the assay. As few as seven copies of the
rompB
gene of
R. conorii
could be detected in 200 μl of serum sample. The assay was evaluated with a panel of sera obtained from patients with acute-phase febrile disease tested by immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA). The SFG rickettsia-specific DNA fragment was detected in 71 out of 100 sera, which were proven to have immunoglobulin M antibodies against SFG rickettsial antigen by IFA. The results were further confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing analysis of the DNA fragments. The results indicated that this PCR assay is suitable for the diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Korea.
Antibody Response to
Actinomyces
Antigen and Dental Caries Experience: Implications for Caries Susceptibility
Authors: Levine Martin , Owen Willis L. , Avery Kevin T. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

Fluoridated dentifrices reduce dental caries in subjects who perform effective oral hygiene.
Actinomyces naeslundii
increases in teeth-adherent microbial biofilms (plaques) in these subjects, and a well-characterized serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response (
Actinomyces
antibody [A-Ab]) is also increased. Other studies suggest that a serum IgG antibody response to streptococcal
d
-alanyl poly(glycerophosphate) (S-Ab) may indicate caries experience associated strongly with gingival health and exposure to fluoridated water. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between A-Ab response, oral hygiene, S-Ab response, and caries experience. Measurements were made of A-Ab and S-Ab concentrations, caries experience (number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth [DMFT], number of teeth surfaces [DMFS], and number of decayed teeth needing treated [DT]), exposure to fluoridated water (Flu), mean clinical pocket depth (PD; in millimeters), and extent of plaque (PL) and gingival bleeding on probing (BOP). A-Ab concentration, the dependent variable in a multiple regression analysis, increased with S-Ab concentration and decreased with PL and DMFT adjusted for Flu (
R
2
= 0.51,
P
< 0.002). Residual associations with age, DMFS, DT, and BOP were not significant. In addition, an elevated A-Ab response, defined from immunoprecipitation and immunoassay measurements, indicated a significant, 30% reduction in DMFT after adjustment for significant age and Flu covariance (analysis of variance with covariance F statistic = 10.6,
P
< 0.003; S-Ab response and interactions not significant). Thus, an elevated A-Ab response indicates less caries in subjects performing effective oral hygiene using fluoridated dentifrices. Conversely, a low A-Ab response is suggestive of decreased
A. naeslundii
binding to saliva-coated apatite and greater caries experience, as reported by others.
Antibody Responses to Recombinant Protein Fragments of the Major Outer Membrane Protein and Polymorphic Outer Membrane Protein POMP90 inChlamydophila abortus-Infected Pregnant Sheep
Authors: Livingstone Morag , Entrican Gary , Wattegedera Sean , Buxton David , McKendrick Iain J. , Longbottom David 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTChlamydophila abortusis one of the major causes of infectious abortion in pregnant sheep (enzootic abortion of ewes or EAE) worldwide. Organisms shed in infected placentas and uterine discharges at lambing time are the main sources of environmental contamination, responsible for transmission to susceptible animals and possible human contacts. In the present study, a recently developed test, based on a recombinant fragment of the polymorphic outer membrane protein POMP90 (rOMP90-4 indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [iELISA]) and one based on the variable segment 2 (VS2) region of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) (MOMP VS2 iELISA) were compared using sera fromC. abortus-infected ewes at different stages throughout pregnancy. The rOMP90 iELISA detected antibody much earlier in pregnancy than the MOMP iELISA, which, like the complement fixation test, detected antibody only at the time of abortion or lambing. No anti-MOMP antibody response could be detected in three of seven experimentally infected ewes. Furthermore, the rOMP90 iELISA detected antibody in an animal that seroconverted during the course of the study, which the MOMP iELISA failed to detect. Overall, the results show that the rOMP90-4 iELISA is considerably more sensitive than the MOMP VS2 iELISA for identifying animals infected withC. abortus. Earlier detection of infection will allow appropriate control measures to be taken to reduce environmental contamination, thus limiting the spread of infection, financial losses, and the possible risks of zoonotic transmission to humans.
Several Recombinant Capsid Proteins of Equine Rhinitis A Virus Show Potential as Diagnostic Antigens
Authors: Li Fan , Stevenson Rachel A. , Crabb Brendan S. , Studdert Michael J. , Hartley Carol A. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

Equine rhinitis A virus
(ERAV) is a significant pathogen of horses and is also closely related to
Foot-and-mouth disease virus
(FMDV). Despite these facts, knowledge of the prevalence and importance of ERAV infections remains limited, largely due to the absence of a simple, robust diagnostic assay. In this study, we compared the antigenicities of recombinant full-length and fragmented ERAV capsid proteins expressed in
Escherichia coli
by using sera from experimentally infected and naturally exposed horses. We found that, from the range of antigens tested, recombinant proteins encompassing the C-terminal region of VP1, full-length VP2, and the N-terminal region of VP2 reacted specifically with antibodies present in sera from each of the five experimentally infected horses examined. Antibodies to epitopes on VP2 (both native and recombinant forms) persisted longer postinfection (>105 days) than antibodies specific for epitopes on other fragments. Our data also suggest that B-cell epitopes within the C terminus of VP1 and N terminus of VP2 contribute to a large proportion of the total reactivity of recombinant VP1 and VP2, respectively. Importantly, the reactivity of these VP1 and VP2 recombinant proteins in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) correlated well with the results from a range of native antigen-based serological assays using sera from 12 field horses. This study provides promising candidates for development of a diagnostic ERAV ELISA.
Opsonization Effects onMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-Macrophage Interactions
Authors: Hostetter J. , Kagan R. , Steadham E. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTHigh antibody titers in ruminants infected withMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosiscorrelates with disease progression. Effects of humoral responses during mycobacterial infection are not completely understood. This study suggests that activation status may be an important factor in determining macrophage ability to limit proliferation of opsonizedM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis.
Surface Envelope Glycoprotein Is B-Lymphocyte Immunodominant in Sheep Naturally Infected with Ovine Progressive Pneumonia Virus
Authors: Herrmann Lynn M. , McGuire Travis C. , Hötzel Isidro , Lewis Gregory S. , Knowles Donald P. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

The B-lymphocyte-immunodominant antigen involved in naturally ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV)-infected mature sheep remains unknown. Therefore, the amount of antibody in sera from 10 naturally OPPV-infected sheep was evaluated by immunoprecipitation (IP) of the major viral proteins in [
35
S]methionine/cysteine-labeled OPPV (whole virus) lysate. Using an excess of OPPV proteins in whole-virus lysate, 8 out of 10 sheep had the highest serum antibody IP endpoint titers to the gp135 surface envelope glycoprotein (SU). Also, 2 out of 10 sheep had equivalent serum antibody IP endpoint titers to the transmembrane glycoprotein oligomer (TM90) and SU. Since these data indicate that SU is the immunodominant protein in most mature sheep persistently infected with OPPV, SU-specific diagnostic serological assays can be utilized for OPPV diagnosis.
TRANSFORMING AGREEMENTS INTO CONTRACTS
Authors: HOFFNER YIGAL , FIELD SIMON 
Published: June 2005

During the life cycle of a service consumer-provider relationship, agreements are reached in a variety of areas covering technical, service, business and legal issues. Although some of these agreements may be viewed as legally binding, it is unlikely that any of them will constitute a legal contract in the full sense of the word. It is often expedient to gather these agreements and create a legal contract out of them. Automating this process of contract generation can speed up the process and reduce the cost of legal expenses. In fact, the process of automated contract generation can also be useful outside the realm of web services, when agreements are made directly among people. We propose a way of transforming such agreements into contracts in a dynamic, efficient and speedy manner, using advanced forms of matchmaking technology in a novel way. This complements the other directions in which the agreements are to be used, namely configuration, instantiation, enactment supervision and relationship termination and evaluation.
STRENGTHENING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION THROUGH COMMUNITY-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE INDIA ECODEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Authors: RAJVANSHI ASHA 
Published: June 2005

The India Ecodevelopment Project supported from Global Environmental Facility funds has been a major conservation initiative of the Government of India that was initiated in 1997 in seven protected areas (PAs) in the country. This project aimed to strengthen biodiversity conservation by establishing critical links between conservation and community well-being. The objective of environmental review of the project in the seven PA sites was to review the success of enabling strategies and interventions under the project in effectively addressing biodiversity conservation and optimising benefits to local communities through measurable improvements. Strategic environmental assessment, along with other indicators of success that have been adopted worldwide for evaluating integrated conservation and development projects, was used for the environmental review of the project. The prioritisation of investments in activities under the project was found to be in accordance with the ecological profile and in conformity with the objectives of conservation in each PA. Although most of the activities identified under the project are beneficial and provide evidence of their positive impacts on biodiversity conservation, the project at large had pitfalls and success in varying proportions in different sites. The India Ecodevelopment Project has been particularly limited in scope to address biodiversity threats from unplanned development and incompatible landuse practices around PAs, which pose far more significant threats to conservation.
PRINCIPLES FOR THE USE OF STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AS A TOOL FOR PROMOTING THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY
Authors: TREWEEK JO , THERIVEL RIKI , THOMPSON STEWART , SLATER MARTIN 
Published: June 2005

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) has been identified as an important tool for helping to ensure that development is planned and implemented for the benefit of biodiversity by the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention and the Convention for Migratory Species. SEA is seen as a way to overcome many limitations of project-level environmental impact assessment by allowing consideration of biodiversity at higher tiers of decision-making and planning. This paper identifies some important principles that should be taken into account to ensure that biodiversity considerations are appropriately addressed in SEA, so that the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are pursued as fundamental objectives of strategic decision-making. The paper also sets out key considerations to take into account at different stages in the SEA process. The principles explored in this paper should be applicable in any country where SEA is practiced, even though legislation, methodologies and procedures vary widely.