Broad and potent neutralizing human antibodies to tick-borne flaviviruses protect mice from disease

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an emerging human pathogen that causes potentially fatal disease with no specific treatment. Mouse monoclonal antibodies are protective against TBEV, but little is known about the human antibody response to infection. Here, we report on the human neutralizing antibody response to TBEV in a cohort of infected and vaccinated individuals. Expanded clones of memory B cells expressed closely related anti-envelope domain III (EDIII) antibodies in both groups of volunteers. However, the most potent neutralizing antibodies, with IC₅₀s below 1 ng/ml, were found only in individuals who recovered from natural infection. These antibodies also neutralized other tick-borne flaviviruses, including Langat, louping ill, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, Kyasanur forest disease, and Powassan viruses. Structural analysis revealed a conserved epitope near the lateral ridge of EDIII adjoining the EDI–EDIII hinge region. Prophylactic or early therapeutic antibody administration was effective at low doses in mice that were lethally infected with TBEV.     

Larvicidal activity of lipophilic extract of Hypericum carinatum (Clusiaceae) against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and benzophenones determination

In this study, the larvicidal activity of an enriched fraction of the major lipophilic phenolic compounds from Hypericum carinatum Griseb. (Clusiaceae) was investigated against larvae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), the main vector of dengue virus in Brazil. The larval mortality rate ranged 37.33 to 72.00 % at concentrations of 66–200 μg/mL. The effect demonstrated to be dose-dependent. The lethal concentration 50 % and confidence interval were 100 and 88–111 μg/mL, respectively. The results could be attributed to the presence of cariphenone A and cariphenone B in concentrations of 1.24?±?0.04 and 0.56?±?0.01 %, respectively, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Besides, the results reinforce the potential of genus Hypericum as source of alternative insecticides.     

Magnetic Polymer/Nickel Hybrid Nanoparticles Via Miniemulsion Polymerization

This work shows a method to synthesize and encapsulate magnetic nickel nanocrystals into polymeric colloidal particles through miniemulsion polymerization. The nickel nanoparticles are produced by a thermal decomposition method in the presence of oleylamine and triphenylphosphine, which results in a hydrophobic surface. However, being compatible with the monomer does not ensure a successful encapsulation by miniemulsion polymerization, as the nickel nanoparticles are expelled from the polymer particles with increasing styrene conversion due to the poor adhesion interaction between the organic shells of the nickel nanoparticles and the polystyrene. Changing the hydrophobic polystyrene to a polymer with higher polarity such as poly(methyl methacrylate) proves to be efficient for encapsulation of nickel nanoparticles when employing a hydrophilic initiator. After encapsulation, these nanoparticles show magnetic response.

     

Six weeks of aerobic training improves VO2max and MLSS but does not improve the time to fatigue at the MLSS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6-week aerobic training period on the time to fatigue (t _lim) during exercise performed at the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). Thirteen untrained male subjects (TG; age 22.5 ± 2.4 years, body mass 72.9 ± 6.7 kg and VO_2max 44.9 ± 4.8 mL kg^?1 min^?1) performed a cycle ergometer test until fatigue at the MLSS power output before and after 6 weeks of aerobic training. A group of eight control subjects (CG; age 25.1 ± 2.4 years, body mass 70.1 ± 9.8 kg and VO_2max 45.2 ± 4.1 mL kg^?1 min^?1) also performed the two tests but did not train during the 6-week period. There were no differences between the groups with respect to the VO_2max or MLSS power output (MLSSw) before the treatment period. The VO_2max and the MLSSw of the TG increased by 11.2 ± 7.2 % (pre-treatment = 44.9 ± 4.8 vs. post-treatment = 49.8 ± 4.5 mL kg^?1 min^?1) and 14.7 ± 8.9 % (pre-treatment = 150 ± 27 vs. post-treatment = 171 ± 26 W), respectively, after 6 weeks of training. The results of the CG were unchanged. There were no differences in t _lim between the groups or within groups before and after training. Six weeks of aerobic training increases MLSSw and VO_2max, but it does not alter the t _lim at the MLSS.     

Primary versus post-treatment apical periodontitis: microbial composition,lipopolysaccharides and lipoteichoic acid levels,signs and symptoms

Clinical Oral Investigations - To compare the microbial load and composition and to determine the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) concentrations found in primary apical...     

Gremlin promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

Recent reports highlight the importance of BMP in the vasculature. We investigated the expression pattern and role of the BMP antagonist gremlin in VSMC. We detected gremlin mRNA constitutive expression in adult and embryonic rat aortic VSMC, and in rat carotids. In vitro analysis demonstrated that angiotensin II, TGF-β1 and PDGF induced significant changes in gremlin mRNA expression. Gremlin stable overexpression in A7r5 cells blocked BMP signaling. BMP-induced reduction in VSMC DNA synthesis was markedly inhibited by gremlin overexpression. In fact, gremlin overexpression increased DNA synthesis and cell counts, and accelerated cell cycle progression of VSMC, through mechanisms that include p27^kip1 down-regulation. Gremlin also led to marked increments in VSMC migration. In addition, gremlin gene silencing promoted a significant blockade on cell proliferation and migration. In vivo studies disclosed increased gremlin protein expression in the neointima of balloon-injured carotid arteries. In summary, the BMP antagonist gremlin is constitutively expressed in the normal vasculature. Gremlin induces VSMC proliferation and migration and is significantly regulated by growth factors and injury. We postulate that gremlin plays a part in the development of pathological phenotypic changes of adult VSMC.