Field evaluation of the efficacy and immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine without HBIG in newborn Vietnamese infants

A study involving more than 2,000 infants was conducted in Vietnam to assess the field effectiveness and immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine given at birth, 1 month, 2 months, without concomitant hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). All received a 5 microg dose of H-B-VAX II at birth. Infants born to non-carrier mothers (Group 1; N = 1798) then received 2.5 microg doses at 1 and 2 months of age, while infants of HBeAg-negative (Group 2; N = 125) or HBeAg-positive (Group 3; N = 88) carrier mothers received 5 microg doses. No Group 1 or 2 vaccinees were infected. In Group 3, 12 (14.6%) of 82 infants did become infected (estimated efficacy 84%). 98.0-98.6% of uninfected infants who were tested for anti-HBs developed a seroprotective concentration > or = 10 IU/L. In hyperendemic Vietnam, where routine maternal screening and passive-active prophylaxis of high-risk infants with vaccine plus HBIG is not feasible, administration of vaccine alone to all newborns may control effectively HBV infection.     

Expression of the 40 kDa catecholamine regulated protein in the normal and injured rat retina

Catecholamine regulated protein 40 (CRP40) has been shown to be expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) of several mammalian species where it may function in a similar manner to members of the heat shock protein (HSP) family. Immunohistochemical and immunoblotting techniques were utilized to investigate whether CRP40 is expressed in normal rat retinas. In addition, changes in CRP40 expression were studied following optic nerve transection. The immunohistochemical results showed that CRP40 is expressed in the normal rat retina. The protein was found to be highly expressed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), the inner nuclear layer (INL) and the outer plexiform layer (OPL). In addition, a low level of CRP40 was found in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), and in the inner segment layer (ISL). No expression was found in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of normal rat retina. The immunoblotting results show that CRP40 expression decreased in a time-dependent fashion after the optic nerve transection. This decrease indicates that the expression of CRP40 is dependent on the neuron's normal physiological state and that it plays an important function in physiological and pathological conditions in the retina.     

X-ray investigation on highly oriented polyacetylene, 3 Crystal structure of the iodine/trans-polyacetylene complex

The crystal structure of iodine/trans-polyacetylene complexes (CHI_y)_x (y = 0,009, 0,035, 0,17 and 0,30) was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis of highly oriented samples. An iodine-containing phase (PAI) was observed in all cases, accompanied by residual crystallinity due to pristine polyacetylene (PA) for y < 0,17. A structural model is proposed for PAI, consisting of blocks of iodine-saturated PA (PAI_s) and blocks of PA, arranged in a mosaic-like lattice, paracrystalline in character. PAI_s, corresponding to (CHI_0,40)_x, is formed by layers of (CH)_x chains alternating with layers containing polyiodide chains, the latter being characterized by ordered stacking of sequentially disordered (I₃^?-I₅^?-I₃^?) groups. I… C non-bonded interactions are identified in the lattice, which may be responsible for the electron transfer from the polymer to the polyiodide anions. Short-range transverse correlation occurs within the polyiodide layers with a resulting quasi-regular two-dimensional lattice of iodines. The iodine and the polymer lattices are incommensurate along c. The model fits the experimental data from an X-ray fibre diagram. A mathematical expression is derived, which allows to evaluate the intensity scattered by the iodine lattice. An approximate expression of the non-equatorial intensity along the ξ reciprocal direction was obtained, which accounts for the modulation of the streaks observed in the fibre pattern.     

Fully automated, internally controlled quantification of hepatitis B Virus DNA by real-time PCR by use of the MagNA Pure LC and LightCycler instruments

We report on the development of a fully automated real-time PCR assay for the quantitative detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in plasma with EDTA (EDTA plasma). The MagNA Pure LC instrument was used for automated DNA purification and automated preparation of PCR mixtures. Real-time PCR was performed on the LightCycler instrument. An internal amplification control was devised as a PCR competitor and was introduced into the assay at the stage of DNA purification to permit monitoring for sample adequacy. The detection limit of the assay was found to be 200 HBV DNA copies/ml, with a linear dynamic range of 8 orders of magnitude. When samples from the European Union Quality Control Concerted Action HBV Proficiency Panel 1999 were examined, the results were found to be in acceptable agreement with the HBV DNA concentrations of the panel members. In a clinical laboratory evaluation of 123 EDTA plasma samples, a significant correlation was found with the results obtained by the Roche HBV Monitor test on the Cobas Amplicor analyzer within the dynamic range of that system. In conclusion, the newly developed assay has a markedly reduced hands-on time, permits monitoring for sample adequacy, and is suitable for the quantitative detection of HBV DNA in plasma in a routine clinical laboratory.     

Identification and characterization of a new variant of Shiga toxin 1 in Escherichia coli ONT:H19 of bovine origin

A new variant of Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1), designated Stx1d, which deviates considerably more than any other known variant from Stx1 encoded by phage 933J, was identified in an Escherichia coli strain, ONT:H19, isolated from bovine feces. The complete stx(1) gene of this strain was amplified and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence homology with stx(1) from phage 933J was only 91%, resulting in the substitution of 20 amino acids in the A subunit and 7 amino acids in the B subunit of the protein. Cell culture supernatant of this strain, which was negative for stx(2) by PCR testing, was cytotoxic to Vero cells and gave positive results in two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for Stx. PCR primers were constructed for the specific detection of the new variant. The findings of this study suggest that Stx1 is not as conserved as thought before and that there might be more variants which cannot be detected by commonly used PCR methods.     

Chronic social stress: effects on limbic brain structures

Different types of stressors are known to activate distinct neuronal circuits in the brain. Acute physiological stimuli that are life threatening and require immediate reactions lead to a rapid stimulation of brainstem and hypothalamus to activate efferent visceral pathways. In contrast, psychological stressors activate higher-order brain structures for further interpretations of the perceived endangerment. Common to the later multimodal stressors is that they need cortical processing and, depending on previous experience or ongoing activation, the information is assembled within limbic circuits connecting, e.g., the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex to induce neuroendocrine and behavioral responses. In view of the fact that stressful life events often contribute to the etiology of psychopathologies such as depressive episodes, several animal models have been developed to study central nervous mechanisms that are induced by stress. The present review summarizes observations made in the tree shrew chronic psychosocial stress paradigm with particular focus on neurotransmitter systems and structural changes in limbic brain regions.     

IFNgamma and TNFalpha account for a pro-clonogenic activity secreted by activated murine peritoneal macrophages

In the present study, we found that murine peritoneal macrophages elicited by BCG or Listeria monocytogenes release into the media an activity capable of stimulating the lung colonization as well as the expression of MHC class I antigens in B16 melanoma cells. A similar activity has previously been found in media conditioned by Corynebacterium parvum-elicited macrophages. Analysis by gel filtration chromatography of media conditioned by Corynebacterium parvum-, BCG- or Listeria monocytogenes-elicited macrophages revealed that the material responsible for the pro-clonogenic activity concentrated in chromatographic fractions corresponding to molecular weights (25 to 52 kDa) which are characteristic of certain cytokines. Thus, we challenged the various macrophage-conditioned media with polyclonal antibodies against IFNγand TNFα, and found that the macrophage pro-clonogenic activity was completely abolished in the presence of anti-IFNγantibodies, but only partially inhibited by anti-TNFαantibodies. This finding suggests a cooperative participation of the two cytokines to the pro-clonogenic activity of the media conditioned by Corynebacterium parvum-, BCG- or Listeria monocytogenes-elicited macrophages. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A female with X‐linked Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in a family with inherited central diabetes Insipidus: Case report and review of the literature

There are two forms of diabetes insipidus, central (neurohypophyseal), and nephrogenic, caused by pathogenic variants in the AVP gene and the AVPR2 or AQP2 genes, respectively. We report on a four‐generation family, seven individuals had central diabetes insipidus (CDI) and the female index patient seen from age 16 to 26 years had (mild) nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In her father with CDI, a known pathogenic heterozygous AVP variant c.232_234del p.(Glu78del) was identified, confirming the diagnosis of CDI in him and the other affected family members. In the proband, molecular analysis disclosed a novel heterozygous AVPR2 gene variant, c.962A > T p.(Asn321Ile) and an extremely skewed X‐inactivation, confirming X‐linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (XL‐NDI). Whole exome sequencing showed no further causative mutation. This is the first report on the co‐existence of CDI and NDI in one family. Our review of symptomatic female AVPR2 heterozygotes includes 23 families with at least one affected female (including this study). There were 21 different causative mutations. Mutation types in females did not differ from those in males. Both severe XL‐NDI and mild forms were reported in females. All six females with severe XL‐NDI had complete loss‐of‐function (null) mutations. The remaining 17 female probands had milder XL‐NDI caused by 14 missense variants and three null variants of the AVPR2 gene. X‐inactivation was studied in nine of these females; all showed extreme or slight skewing. The review underlines that XL‐NDI in female AVPR2 heterozygotes is always accompanied by skewed X‐inactivation, emphasizing a need for X‐inactivation studies in these females.     

Language processing from the perspective of electrical stimulation mapping

ABSTRACT

Electrical Stimulation (ES) is a neurostimulation technique that is used to localize language functions in the brain of people with intractable epilepsy and/or brain tumors. We reviewed 25 ES articles published between 1984 and 2018 and interpreted them from a cognitive neuropsychological perspective. Our aim was to highlight ES as a tool to further our understanding of cognitive models of language. We focused on associations and dissociations between cognitive functions within the framework of two non-neuroanatomically specified models of language. Also, we discussed parallels between the ES and the stroke literatures and showed how ES data can help us to generate hypotheses regarding how language is processed. A good understanding of cognitive models of language is essential to motivate task selection and to tailor surgical procedures, for example, by avoiding testing the same cognitive functions and understanding which functions may be more or less relevant to be tested during surgery.