Characterization of species B adenoviruses isolated from fecal specimens taken from poliomyelitis-suspected cases.

BACKGROUND: Human adenoviruses are classified into six species, A-F, and 51 serotypes are recognized. Adenoviruses can cause a broad range of diseases. Serotypes 3, 7 and 21 are most commonly associated with CNS disease. Serotype 21 (specie B) was isolated from brain tissue and CSF of patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Malaysia. OBJECTIVES: Characterize, by molecular methods, species B adenoviruses isolated from poliomyelitis-suspected cases and investigate the possible etiological role of adenoviruses in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). STUDY DESIGN: 622 virus isolates, including Sabin-related polioviruses, non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV) and adenoviruses, were recovered from fecal specimens in our laboratory during the period of 1997-2002 from AFP cases occurring in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. Negative controls consisted of 528 fecal specimens collected from healthy children <==5 of age. Of these, 478 were contacts of AFP negative cases and 50 were from a day-care center. RESULTS: Sixty-four adenovirus strains isolated in HEp2 (human laryngeal tumor cells) cells were confirmed as such by an adenovirus-group specific PCR. Nucleotide sequencing identified the following adenovirus species: A (3 isolates), B (20 isolates), C (38 isolates), D (2 isolates) and E (1 isolate). The following serotypes belonging to the species B were identified: Ad3 (1 strain), Ad7 (17 strains) and, Ad16 (2 strains). CONCLUSION: Other viral agents became more recognized in association with CNS diseases in areas where wild polioviruses have been eradicated. The possible role of species B adenoviruses in the etiology of AFP cases similar to that caused by wild poliovirus is discussed.     

Sensitivity of 'mu' rhythm modulation to the relevance of an observed movement but not to goal congruency

There is some dispute over whether the primary role of a system that processes both performed and observed actions (the mirror neuron system) is action understanding or the coordination of action with others. We present behavioural and EEG data from a motor priming task that shed some light on this debate. Participants are asked to make one of two simple actions whilst watching video clips of movements that differ in terms of their visuospatial overlap with, and goal-related relevance to, the required performed action. The reaction time data appear to support a direct matching account where visuospatial overlap is prioritised over relevance. However, the EEG data appear to reflect a system that is sensitive to the relevance of the observed movement and suggest an action prediction role for a mirror neuron system.     

Reference Values of CD4 T Lymphocytes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Adult Nigerians

A cross-sectional study that involved secondary analysis of data collected from 681 pregnant women and 183 miners (94 men and 89 women; ratio of men to women, 1:0.95) in Jos, Nigeria, was carried out to determine the reference ranges for CD4⁺-cell counts in healthy HIV-negative adult Nigerians. The main results of interest were CD4⁺-cell counts and odds ratios (ORs) of low CD4⁺-cell counts, defined as below 350 cells per μl. CD4⁺-cell counts were similar in men and nonpregnant women, with a mean (standard deviation) of 828 (203) cells per μl, but pregnant women had a lower value of 771 (250) cells per μl. None of the factors assessed was related to the odds of having a low CD4⁺-cell count among men and nonpregnant women, but age, age of marriage, and alcohol usage were significant predictors in pregnant women. Compared to pregnant women less than 20 years old, older women had significantly lower odds of a low CD4⁺-cell count (ORs were 0.06 for women aged 20 to 29 years and 0.22 for those aged 30 to 39 years). When compared with those pregnant women who were married before 20 years of age, those who married at 20 to 29 years and 30 to 39 years had odds ratios of 6.41 and 9.40, respectively. Previous alcohol use was also associated with low CD4⁺-cell counts (OR, 5.15). The 95% confidence interval for CD4⁺-cell counts in healthy adult Nigerians is 547 to 1,327 cells per μl, and this is the first time this has been determined.     

Towards Incorporation in Larger Architectures: A Polymeric Halogen Bond-Based Iridium Sensor

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of a "click-able" iridium(III) complex as halogen bond-based anion sensor. The functionalization is exemplarily demonstrated by the attachment of poly(ethylene glycol) azide via a "copper-click"-reaction. Subsequently, the polymeric XB donor complex is characterized in depth with ¹H NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, and MALDI-ToF-MS. Moreover, the anion binding capabilities are demonstrated with emission titrations revealing strong anion complexation. These findings emphasize the great potential of this approach to tune the complex's properties or include other functions such as cation complexation sites to exploit cooperative effects by using polymeric substituents on the iridium complex.