Genetic diversity and antigenic polymorphism in Plasmodium falciparum: extensive serological cross-reactivity between allelic variants of merozoite surface protein 2

Diversity in the surface antigens of malaria parasites is generally assumed to be a mechanism for immune evasion, but there is little direct evidence that this leads to evasion of protective immunity. Here we show that alleles of the highly polymorphic merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP-2) can be grouped (within the known dimorphic families) into distinct serogroups; variants within a serogroup show extensive serological cross-reactivity. Cross-reactive epitopes are immunodominant, and responses to them may be boosted at the expense of responses to novel epitopes (original antigenic sin). The data imply that immune selection explains only some of the diversity in the msp-2 gene and that MSP-2 vaccines may need to include only a subset of the known variants in order to induce pan-reactive antibodies.     

Adherence-Facilitating Behaviors of a Multidisciplinary Pediatric Rheumatology Staff

Investigated the behaviors of pediatric rheumatology healthcare providers that were expected to be related to patient orparent adherence. Medical charts of 108 patients ages 1 to 20years diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis were examined.The 473 outpatient visits over 15 months yielded a total of2,578 treatment recommendations, but only 1,390 adherence-facilitatingbehaviors by medical staff were documented. Providing informationabout how often to perform the recommendation was the most commonstaff behavior. In contrast, care providers rarely indicatedthat they addressed their patients' concerns and barriers toimplementing the recommendations, or employed behavior modificationstrategies to increase adherence. Implications of these findingsfor development of programs designed to increase treatment adherencein children with chronic diseases requiring time-consuming,intrusive medical regimens are discussed.     

Transfection of Lepidopteran insect cells with Baculovirus DNA

Summary Several protocols are presented for preparation and transfection of Baculovirus and plasmid DNAs into Lepidopteran insect cells using the calcium-phosphate co-precipitation technique. Important parameters for optimum efficiency include the inherent susceptibility of the recipient cell line for transfection, and the method of preparation of viral and plasmid DNAs. The protocols presented provide reproducible high efficiencies for transfection of several Lepidopteran cell lines.     

Staphylococcus simulans septicemia in a patient with chronic osteomyelitis and pyarthrosis.

Staphylococcus simulans was identified as the etiological agent of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in an adult male who had sustained a fracture of the fibula and syndesmosis separation which required the installation of orthopedic hardware. Identifying characteristics and antibiograms for this organism, recovered from blood, wound exudate, and deep tissue samples, were determined. Recent evidence has linked slime production (adherence to smooth surfaces) by coagulase-negative staphylococci to infections by these organisms at sites where foreign bodies had been inserted. Tests for adherence showed this S. simulans strain to be a strong slime producer. This is the first reported case of osteomyelitis and septicemia due to S. simulans.     

Species-specific tissue antigens. II. A human species-specific antigen possessing esterase activity

An esterase that is limited in species distribution to human and monkey tissues was demonstrated by enzymoimmunoelectrophoresis and enzymoimmunodiffusion. The monkey esterase exhibited a slightly faster electrophoretic mobility than the human tissue esterase. An antigenically identical esterase found in concentrated human urine had a mobility slightly more anodal than the human tissue esterase. Despite the differences in electrophoretic mobility among the human tissue esterase, urinary esterase and monkey tissue esterase, they all reacted in enzymoimmunodiffusion with antiserum to cellular or urinary esterase to produce lines of immunologic identity. Tissues of the other species tested did not exhibit the human cathodal esterase.     

Antigenic and immunologic characterization of an allogeneic colon carcinoma vaccine

In the present prospective, census-based study we have investigated the prevalence of organ-specific and non-organ-specific autoantibodies (AAb) in 152 unselected Cameroonians aged 60 years and older living in the community. AAb were detected in 49% of the participants. Non-organ-specific AAb (47%) predominated over organ-specific AAb (7%). Anti-TPO, anti-Tm, anti-Tg and anti-PC AAb were completely absent. RF was the most frequent AAb, being found in 57 (38%) cases. The prevalences of anti-SMA and RF were significantly higher in women than in men (respectively, P=0.023 and P=0.016). Higher serum concentrations of gammaglobulins were accompanied by a higher prevalence of RF (P < 0.0001) and a lower prevalence of ANA (P=0.036). The overall prevalence of AAb was higher in the filaria-infected (60%) compared to the non-infected (42%) participants (P=0.046). There was no significant influence of the vitamin D status, number of pregnancies, physical activity or medication use on the prevalence of AAb. In this study a heterogeneous pattern for the presence of the various AAb was found. Some AAb, which are commonly encountered in other studies on elderly subjects, were completely absent in this population. This diversified pattern of AAb prevalence therefore argues in favour of exogenous influences in the occurrence of AAb in elderly populations.     

Optimizing Efforts to Promote Mental Health on College and University Campuses: Recommendations to Facilitate Usage of Services,Resources, and Supports

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research - Mental health has long been a challenge on college and university campuses. Though it has historically taken a back seat to physical...