What happens post-pilot testing? A model for revising a disability awareness and competency training program

Disability awareness and competency trainings are an important component of addressing ableism and health equity in the health promotion context. This commentary describes our process of developing, implementing, and refining a disability competency training, the Inclusive Community Exercise Training, for community-based group exercise instructors. The training originated from a partnership between academic researchers, community organizations, and individuals with disabilities. After initial pilot testing, we used feedback from participants to enhance the training. To optimize successful dissemination of this training, we utilized the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, which is widely used in public health. The revision process focused on generalizing content to suit a wider audience, utilizing an eLearning platform for dissemination, and optimizing interactivity to improve learning effectiveness. The commentary emphasizes the lessons learned and the significance of systematic program revision, considering diverse expertise, content tailoring, and the benefits of accessible eLearning platforms.

A Rare Bird: Diagnosis of Psittacosis Meningitis by Clinical Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing

Psittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the transmission of Chlamydia psittaci; it often presents as a pulmonary infection but rarely as disseminated disease. Because diagnoses of psittacosis are often underreported due to infrequent pathogen-specific testing, clinical metagenomic next-generation sequencing may be helpful to diagnose such an uncommon syndrome.

Establishment and cryptic transmission of Zika virus in Brazil and the Americas

Transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas was first confirmed in May 2015 in northeast Brazil. Brazil has had the highest number of reported ZIKV cases worldwide (more than 200,000 by 24 December 2016) and the most cases associated with microcephaly and other birth defects (2,366 confirmed by 31 December 2016). Since the initial detection of ZIKV in Brazil, more than 45 countries in the Americas have reported local ZIKV transmission, with 24 of these reporting severe ZIKV-associated disease. However, the origin and epidemic history of ZIKV in Brazil and the Americas remain poorly understood, despite the value of this information for interpreting observed trends in reported microcephaly. Here we address this issue by generating 54 complete or partial ZIKV genomes, mostly from Brazil, and reporting data generated by a mobile genomics laboratory that travelled across northeast Brazil in 2016. One sequence represents the earliest confirmed ZIKV infection in Brazil. Analyses of viral genomes with ecological and epidemiological data yield an estimate that ZIKV was present in northeast Brazil by February 2014 and is likely to have disseminated from there, nationally and internationally, before the first detection of ZIKV in the Americas. Estimated dates for the international spread of ZIKV from Brazil indicate the duration of pre-detection cryptic transmission in recipient regions. The role of northeast Brazil in the establishment of ZIKV in the Americas is further supported by geographic analysis of ZIKV transmission potential and by estimates of the basic reproduction number of the virus.

A hospital-wide screening programme to control an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a large tertiary hospital in Hong Kong

INTRODUCTION

Apart from individual small-scale outbreaks, infections with vancomycin-resistant enterococci are uncommon in Hong Kong. A major outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, however, occurred at a large tertiary hospital in 2013. We describe the successful control of this outbreak and share the lessons learned.

METHODS

In 2013, there was an abnormal increase in the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci carriage compared with baseline in multiple clinical departments at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. A multipronged approach was adopted that included a 10-week hospital-wide active screening programme, which aimed to identify and isolate hidden vancomycin-resistant enterococci carriers among all in-patients. The identified carriers were completely segregated in designated wards where applicable. Other critical infection control measures included directly observed hand hygiene and environmental hygiene. A transparent and open disclosure approach was adopted throughout the outbreak.

RESULTS

The infection control measures were successfully implemented. The active screening of vancomycin-resistant enterococci was conducted between 30 September and 10 November 2013. A total of 7053 rectal swabs were collected from patients in 46 hospital wards from 11 departments. The overall carriage rate of vancomycin-resistant enterococci was 2.8% (201/7053). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed a predominant outbreak clone. We curbed the outbreak and kept the colonisation of vancomycin-resistant enterococci among patients at a pre-upsurge low level.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the largest cohesive effort to control spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Hong Kong. Coupled with other infection control measures, we successfully controlled vancomycin-resistant enterococci to the pre-outbreak level. We have demonstrated that the monumental tasks can be achieved with meticulous planning, and thorough communication and understanding between all stakeholders.

Nutrient intake among US adults with disabilities

BACKGROUND

Physical, mental and financial barriers among persons with disabilities limit their access to healthier diet. The present study investigated the relationship between disabilities and nutrient intake among US adults.

METHODS

Data originated from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 waves (n = 11,811). Five disability categories include activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), leisure and social activities (LSAs), lower extremity mobility (LEM) and general physical activities (GPAs). Nutrient intakes from food and dietary supplements were calculated from 24-h dietary recalls. Adherence to dietary reference intakes and dietary guideline recommendations was compared between people with and without disabilities and across disability categories in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

GPAs, IADLs, LSAs, LEM and ADLs occupied 24.5%, 13.3%, 9.9%, 9.2% and 9.2% of US adults, respectively (not mutually exclusive). Only 42.3%, 11.3%, 63.8%, 47.7%, 48.7%, 9.7%, 48.7%, 90.7%, 21.7% and 4.7% of adults had saturated fat, fibre, cholesterol, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, iron, sodium and potassium intakes from food within recommended levels, respectively. Dietary supplement use moderately improved vitamin C, vitamin D and calcium intakes. People with disabilities were less likely to meet recommended levels on saturated fat, fibre (except GPAs), vitamin A (except GPAs), vitamin C (except GPAs), calcium and potassium intakes than persons without disability. Nutrient intake differed across disability categories, with ADLs least likely to meet recommended intakes.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions targeting persons with disabilities through nutrition education and financial assistance are warranted to promote healthy diet and reduce disparities.

Magnetic response of an ultrathin cobalt film in contact with an organic pentacene layer

To emulate the interfacial regimes of a Co/Pc/Co spin-valve structure, we fabricated ultrathin pentacene/cobalt (Pc/Co) and cobalt/pentacene (Co/Pc) bilayers. Through measurement of the magneto-optical Kerr effect, we found the Co layer has its magnetic properties depend strongly upon the order of deposition. Further x-ray spectroscopy and microscopy investigation indicated Co/Pc was chemically stable, whereas Pc/Co was reactive and exhibited complex magnetization pattern. The different chemistry and magnetic configurations at interfaces could cause additional complication for spin injection.

A potential dating technique using 228Th/228Ra ratio for tracing the chronosequence of elemental concentrations in plants

We propose a radiometric method based on measurement of the radioactivity of the naturally occurring radionuclides (228)Ra and 228)Th and the derived (228)Th/(228)Ra ratios in plant samples to estimate plant age and the corresponding nutritional conditions in a field-growing fern, Dicranopteris linearis. Plant age (tissue age) was associated with the (228)Th/(228)Ra ratio in fronds, which implies the accumulation time of immobile elements in the plant tissue or the life span of the fronds. Results indicated that the accumulation of alkaline earth elements in D. linearis is relatively constant with increased age, while the K concentration is reversed with age because of translocation among plant tissues. Estimation of dating uncertainty based on measurement conditions revealed that the radiometric technique can be applied to trace chronosequential changes of elemental concentrations and environmental pollutants in plants with ages of less than 10-15 years.

Two novel mutations in the MEN1 gene in subjects with multiple endocrine neoplasia-1

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is characterized by parathyroid, enteropancreatic endocrine and pituitary adenomas as well as germline mutation of the MEN1 gene. We describe 2 families with MEN1 with novel mutations in the MEN1 gene. One family was of Turkish origin, and the index patient had primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) plus a prolactinoma; three relatives had PHPT only. The index patient in the second family was a 46-yr-old woman of Chinese origin living in Taiwan. This patient presented with a complaint of epigastric pain and watery diarrhea over the past 3 months, and had undergone subtotal parathyroidectomy and enucleation of pancreatic islet cell tumor about 10 yr before. There was also a prolactinoma. Sequence analysis of the MEN1 gene from leukocyte genomic DNA revealed heterozygous mutations in both probands. The Turkish patient and her affected relatives all had a heterozygous A to G transition at codon 557 (AAG-->GAG) of exon 10 of MEN1 that results in a replacement of lysine by glutamic acid. The Chinese index patient and one of her siblings had a heterozygous mutation at codon 418 of exon 9 (GAC-->TAT) that results in a substitution of aspartic acid by tyrosine. In conclusion, we have identified 2 novel missense mutations in the MEN1 gene.

Measurement of 224Ra uptake in a fern actively accumulating radium

A method is proposed for determining the level of 224Ra in plant samples by measuring its descendant nuclide 212Pb at 239 keV by gamma-ray spectrometry. Variations of 224Ra and 212Pb over time during sample preparation and counting were delineated prior to gamma-ray measurement. The 224Ra concentrations in plant samples were measured by their direct uptake from soil, which could be determined and distinguished from that resulting from decay of 228Th inside the plants. We propose that a field-growing Dicranopteris linearis, which actively accumulates radium, can be used as an indicator of the nutritional transportation and metabolic rate of radium and other alkaline earth elements. We investigated the influence of rainfall on 224Ra concentrations in fronds of D. linearis and the corresponding uptake rates. 224Ra could serve as a natural tracer of growth in plants over a several days. Its presence and content in plants implies a temporal mineral metabolic rate, which can provide useful information for plant physiological and environmental investigations.

Decomposition of 2-mercaptothiazoline in aqueous solution by ozonation

This study investigates the ozonation of 2-mercaptothiazoline (2-MT). The 2-MT is one of the important organic additives for the electroplating solution of the printed wiring board industry and has been widely used as a corrosion inhibitor in many industrial processes. It is of concern for the aquatic pollution control especially in the wastewaters. Semibatch ozonation experiments in the completely stirred tank reactor are performed under various concentrations of input ozone. The concentrations of 2-MT, sulfate, and ammonium are analyzed at specified time intervals to elucidate the decomposition of 2-MT during the ozonation. In addition, the time variation of the dissolved ozone concentration (C(ALb)) is continuously monitored in the course of experiments. Total organic carbon (TOC) is chosen and measured as a mineralization index of the ozonation of 2-MT. The results indicate that the decomposition of 2-MT is efficient, while the mineralization of TOC is limited via the ozonation only. Simultaneously, the yield of sulfate with the maximum value of about 47% is characterized by the increases of TOC removal and ozone consumption. These results can provide some useful information for assessing the feasibility of the treatment of 2-MT in the aqueous solution by the ozonation.

Dynamic behavior of ozonation with pollutant in a countercurrent bubble column with oxygen mass transfer

The dynamic behavior of ozonation with pollutants in a countercurrent bubble column is studied for the model establishment. Bubble columns have been widely used for an ozonation system in the plants and laboratories. In addition, a countercurrent bubble column has been commonly recommended than a cocurrent one because it has a higher ozone transfer efficiency. Therefore, the investigation of this paper focuses on the countercurrent bubble column. As an ozonation process starts, the gas mixture of ozone and oxygen is introduced into the bottom of a column, and then transferred into the liquid. The pollutants in the wastewater are eliminated subsequently via oxidation by the dissolved ozone. There certainly exists a temporary and unsteady period before the ozonation system reaches steady state. However, available ozonation models employed to describe ozone and pollutant profiles have commonly been developed for steady state. The treating qualities of wastewater in the early stage of ozonation are usually not predicted, and the time required for the steady-state establishment remains to be determined. Moreover, oxygen mass transfer is usually neglected in previous ozonation models so that the increase of dissolved oxygen is uncertain. These information is desirable for the proper design and operation of ozonation system in a bubble column. Thus, the aim of this study is to model and investigate the dynamic processes of ozonation with pollutants including oxygen mass transfer. The dynamic axial dispersion model proposed is employed to predict the variation of the ozone, pollutant, and oxygen concentrations profiles. The validity of the model was demonstrated by comparing the predicted results with the experimental data. The o-cresol was chosen as the model pollutant. The temporal concentration variations of the residual o-cresol and dissolved oxygen in the effluent liquid, and the off-gas ozone in the free volume were measured accordingly. Furthermore, the variation of the enhancement factor of ozone and the amount of off-gas were predicted. Note that it usually needs 2-5 hydraulic retention times to approach steady state under the conditions of this study. Further, the effects of dimensionless system parameters on the performance of the ozonation processes are examined. As a result, the proposed dynamic model of ozonation with pollutants is useful for proper prediction of the variables of an ozonation system in a countercurrent bubble column.

Decomposition of 2-naphthalenesulfonate in aqueous solution by ozonation with UV radiation

This study investigates the ozonation of 2-naphthalenesulfonate (2-NS) combined with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Naphthalenesulfonic acids are of importance as dye intermediates for the dye and textile auxiliary industries. Its derivatives, such as 2-NS, have been found in rivers and tannery effluents causing pollution problems. Thus, the 2-NS is of concern for the aquatic pollution control especially in the surface and waste waters. Ozonation combined with UV radiation is employed for the removal of 2-NS in the aqueous solution. Semibatch ozonation experiments were proceeded under different reaction conditions to study the effects of ozone dosage and UV radiation on the oxidation of 2-NS. The concentrations of 2-NS and sulfate are analyzed at specified time intervals to elucidate the decomposition of 2-NS. In addition, values of pH and oxidation reduction potential are continuously measured in the course of experiments. Total organic carbon is chosen as a mineralization index of the ozonation of 2-NS. The mineralization of 2-NS via the ozonation is remarkably enhanced by the UV radiation. These results can provide useful information for the proper removal of 2-NS in the aqueous solution by the ozonation with UV radiation.

Combination gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy for metastatic or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: report of a phase II study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy in metastatic or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-four patients of Chinese ethnicity with metastatic or recurrent NPC received ambulatory GC chemotherapy every 28 days (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) days 1, 8 and 15; cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8). There were 40 male and four female patients with a mean age of 47.4 years. More than half (54.5%) of the patients had received either prior platinum-based chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to target lesions.

RESULTS

There were nine complete responses and 23 partial responses in the 44 patients, achieving an overall response rate of 73% (78% for the 41 assessable patients). The mean duration of response was 5.3 months. Improved subjective symptom-control scores were found in 78% of patients with pre-existing symptoms, while 64% of patients experienced improved general well-being scores. Toxicity was mainly hematological: grade III/IV anemia, granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were found in 11, 37 and 16% of cycles, respectively. With a median follow-up of 17.2 months, 62% survived 1 year while 36% were alive and progression free.

CONCLUSIONS

Gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy offers a satisfactory overall response rate, subjective patient improvement and safety profile for metastatic and recurrent NPC.

Discriminative facility and its role in the perceived quality of interactional experiences

Discriminative facility refers to an individual's sensitivity to subtle cues about the psychological meaning of a situation. This research aimed at examining (a) the conceptual distinctiveness of discriminative facility, (b) the situation-appropriate aspect of this construct, and (c) the relationship between discriminative facility and interpersonal experiences. Discriminative facility was assessed by a new measure of situation-appropriate behaviors across a variety of novel stressful situations. Results from study 1 showed that discriminative facility had weak positive relationships with cognitive complexity and nonsignificant relationships with self-monitoring and social desirability, indicating that discriminative facility is a unique construct. Results from Study 2 revealed that higher levels of discriminative facility were associated with higher levels of perceived social support and a greater number of pleasant interpersonal events experienced, thus providing support for the theoretical proposition that discriminative facility is an aspect of social intelligence.

Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of three lots of intranasal trivalent influenza vaccine among young children

BACKGROUND

Trivalent formulations of an experimental, cold-adapted, intranasal influenza (CAIV) vaccine have been shown to be safe, immunogenic and efficacious in young children.

METHODS

We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of three consistency lots of CAIV in children 12 to 36 months of age randomized to one of five groups: Groups 1, 2 and 3 received separate lots containing A/Shenzhen/227/95 (H1N1), A/Wuhan/359/95(H3N2) and B/Harbin/7/94-like viral strains. Group 4 received an earlier efficacy trial lot which included a different H1N1 strain (A/Texas/36/91-like); and Group 5 received placebo. We performed strain-specific serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody levels against type A (H3N2 or H1N1) or type B as appropriate.

RESULTS

Overall 474 children received 2 doses, 2 months apart. Each lot was well-tolerated, and there were no significant group differences between consistency lots in the proportion of children with fever and local or systemic reactions after vaccination. The 3 consistency lots were not statistically different with regard to immunogenicity as measured by seroconversion or absolute geometric mean titer. Immune responses were more robust among initially seronegative children and for H3N2 and B strains than for H1N1 strains. After 2 doses of vaccine 97, 84 and 62% had hemagglutination inhibition titers > or = 1/32 against A/H3N2, B and H1N1 strains, respectively. For A/H3N2 only, immune responses after 1 dose of vaccine are similar to those seen after 2 doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Each consistency lot of CAIV is as or more immunogenic than a lot used in a large efficacy trial.

Staffing exercise sessions in pulmonary rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

There is no published standard for the ratio of staff to patients during exercise sessions in outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. This lack of a standard raises concern about patient safety and the ability to monitor patients adequately.

OBJECTIVE

Determine a staff-to-patient ratio standard by examining current practice.

METHODS

The directors of the 46 outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programs in Ohio were surveyed. Directors of 40 (87%) programs responded, and the responses from the 36 programs that conducted pulmonary exercise sessions separately from cardiac sessions were analyzed.

RESULTS

The maximum number of staff in an exercise session was 2, with a median of 1. The maximum number of patients in a session was 20, with median of 4. Directors were also asked to rank the importance of 8 factors in determining the reported ratio. From highest to lowest importance, the factors were patient safety, severity of pulmonary disease, availability of space or equipment, entry test data, pulmonary diagnosis, presence of cardiac problems, convenience, and other. Sixty percent of programs restricted the number of patients per session based on staff-to-patient ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Statewide practice for staff-to-patient ratio in Ohio was described. The most common staff-to-patient ratio during exercise sessions was 1:4 or less (78%). Exercise staff work with small groups in order to assure patient safety, to deal with patients' health problems, and to provide adequate facilities. A majority of programs restrict the number of patients per session so as to enforce the reported ratio.

The association of heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (Go) with microtubules

The heterotrimeric GTP-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) play an important role in the regulation of membrane signal transduction. Recently, we identified the association of Go protein with mitotic spindles. Here we have investigated the relationship between Go protein and microtubules. We used temperature-dependent reversible assembly and taxol methods to purify microtubules from bovine brains. Goalpha and Gbeta proteins were identified in the microtubular fraction by both methods. The Goalpha subunit in the microtubular fraction could be ADP ribosylated by pertussis toxin. Co-immunoprecipitation data also revealed that Go protein can interact with microtubules. Exogenous Go protein could be incorporated into the assembled microtubular fraction, and 5 microg/ml (60 nM) of Go protein inhibited 40% of microtubule assembly. Western blot analysis of Goalpha-1 and Goalpha-2 in microtubular fractions showed that only Goalpha-1 is associated with microtubules. We conclude that the Goalpha-1betagamma proteins are associated with microtubules and may play some role in regulating the assembly and disassembly of microtubules.

G protein beta2 subunit antisense oligonucleotides inhibit cell proliferation and disorganize microtubule and mitotic spindle organization

The association of G protein beta2 subunit (Gbeta2) with mitotic spindles in various mammalian cells has been demonstrated previously. Recently, we have identified the association of Gbeta2 protein with microtubules (Wu et al., [1998] J. Cell. Biochem. 70: 552-562). In the present experiment we have demonstrated the possible functional role of Gbeta2 in microtubule and mitotic spindle organization in mammalian cells. When Gbeta2 antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides were transfected into mammalian cells, inhibition of cell proliferation with cell death after a 4-day treatment was observed. If the transfected cells were incubated for two days and their Gbeta2 and microtubules were examined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence localization, marked reduction of the Gbeta2 protein, fragmentation and disassembly of cytoplasmic microtubules, and disorganized mitotic spindles were found. We conclude that the Gbeta2 protein is closely associated with microtubule assembly and may play a potential role in the regulation of cell proliferation and microtubule and mitotic spindle organization in mammalian cells.

Structural analysis of a fiber-pseudotyped adenovirus with ocular tropism suggests differential modes of cell receptor interactions

Adenovirus (Ad) entry into cells is initiated by the binding of the fiber knob to a cell surface receptor. The coxsackie- and adenovirus receptor (CAR) functions as the attachment receptor for many, but not all, Ad serotypes. Ad type 37 (Ad37), a subgroup D virus that causes keratoconjunctivitis in humans, does not infect cells via CAR despite demonstrated binding of the Ad37 knob to CAR. We have pseudotyped a fiber deletion Ad5 vector with the Ad37 fiber (Ad37f), and this vector retains the ocular tropism of Ad37. Here we present a cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction of Ad37f that shows the entire Ad37 fiber, including the shaft and knob domains. We have previously proposed that Ad37 may not utilize CAR for cell entry because of the geometric constraints imposed by a rigid fiber (E. Wu, J. Fernandez, S. K. Fleck, D. Von Seggern, S. Huang, and G. R. Nemerow, Virology 279:78-89, 2001). Consistent with this hypothesis, our structural results show that the Ad37 fiber is straight and rigid. Modeling of the interaction between Ad37f and host cell receptors indicates that fiber flexibility or rigidity, as well as length, can affect receptor usage and cellular tropism.

Uterine artery embolisation for treatment of fibroids: experience in Chinese women

Twelve women with symptomatic fibroids were treated with transcatheter uterine artery embolisation with the use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. For the nine women who were due for follow-up, reduction in uterine volume and dominant fibroid size were observed on magnetic resonance imaging. All the nine women had normal luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels before the procedure and during the follow-up. Seven of the nine women reported noticeable symptomatic improvement during the follow-up. Pain experienced was of variable level, but well controlled. Adequate analgesia is essential for the procedure. Longer follow-up and prospective fertility studies are required to evaluate the long-term effects before this procedure could be safely extended to younger age groups.

Paradoxical vocal cord adduction mimicking as acute asthma in a pediatric patient

We report an adolescent girl with paradoxical vocal cord adduction who presented with acute onset of hyperventilation, wheezing and stridor that did not respond to bronchodilator and anti-inflammation therapy. The paradoxical vocal cord motion was confirmed by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination. We found the stridor was induced by hyperventilation, and was caused by paradoxical vocal cord movement. The abnormal cord motion may be psychogenic and could be misdiagnosed as asthma. It is important to investigate the underlying background and social history and to avoid unnecessary use of beta-agonists, steroids, and even endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.

Specificity of auditory implicit and explicit memory: is perceptual priming for environmental sounds exemplar specific?

Previous research (Stuart & Jones, 1995) has suggested that identification of environmental sounds may be mediated by abstract sound recognition units. This article reports the results of four repetition priming experiments that find evidence to the contrary. Participants attempted to identify environmental sounds from the initial sound stems (Experiments 1 and 2) or when the sounds were embedded in white noise (Experiments 3 and 4). Repetition of an identical exemplar sound led to more priming than did exposure to a different exemplar, provided that the perceptual difference between the two different exemplars was sufficiently large. Such an exemplar specificity effect was independent of the depth of prior encoding. A similar exemplar specificity effect was also found in explicit stem-cued recall (Experiments 1 and 2) and recognition (Experiment 3). Depth of encoding dissociated performance on tests of repetition priming and explicit memory. These results suggest that a significant amount of specific information is remembered, both implicitly and explicitly, to characterize individual exemplars of a sound category.

Multicultural minds. A dynamic constructivist approach to culture and cognition

The authors present a new approach to culture and cognition, which focuses on the dynamics through which specific pieces of cultural knowledge (implicit theories) become operative in guiding the construction of meaning from a stimulus. Whether a construct comes to the fore in a perceiver's mind depends on the extent to which the construct is highly accessible (because of recent exposure). In a series of cognitive priming experiments, the authors simulated the experience of bicultural individuals (people who have internalized two cultures) of switching between different cultural frames in response to culturally laden symbols. The authors discuss how this dynamic, constructivist approach illuminates (a) when cultural constructs are potent drivers of behavior and (b) how bicultural individuals may control the cognitive effects of culture.

Multicultural minds. A dynamic constructivist approach to culture and cognition

The authors present a new approach to culture and cognition, which focuses on the dynamics through which specific pieces of cultural knowledge (implicit theories) become operative in guiding the construction of meaning from a stimulus. Whether a construct comes to the fore in a perceiver's mind depends on the extent to which the construct is highly accessible (because of recent exposure). In a series of cognitive priming experiments, the authors simulated the experience of bicultural individuals (people who have internalized two cultures) of switching between different cultural frames in response to culturally laden symbols. The authors discuss how this dynamic, constructivist approach illuminates (a) when cultural constructs are potent drivers of behavior and (b) how bicultural individuals may control the cognitive effects of culture.

Digitally collected cryo-electron micrographs for single particle reconstruction

Several advantages and disadvantages have been cited for image collection with a slow-scan CCD camera. Here we explore its use for cryo-EM single particle reconstruction and present two practical examples. The icosahedral adenovirus (Ad) type 2 ( approximately 150 MDa) was reconstructed from 396 particle images. The Fourier shell correlation (FSC) 0.5 threshold and the Fourier shell phase residual (FSPR) 45 degrees criterion yielded 17 AA resolution for the ordered viral capsid. Visual comparison with the filtered Ad2 crystallographic hexon confirmed a resolution range of 15-17 A. The asymmetric DNA-PKcs protein (470 kDa) was reconstructed from 9,473 particle images, using a previously published reconstruction based on class-sum images as an orientational search model [Chiu et al. (1998) J. Mol. Biol. 284:1075-1081]. FSC and FSPR methods yielded 17 A resolution for the new DNA-PKcs reconstruction, indicating a small but noticeable improvement over that of the class-sum based reconstruction. Despite the lack of symmetry for DNA-PKcs and its lower image contrast compared to Ad2 (0.8% vs. 2.5%), the same resolution was obtained for both particles by averaging significantly more DNA-PKcs images. Use of the CCD camera enables the microscopist to adjust the electron beam strength interactively and thereby maximize the image contrast for beam sensitive samples. On-line Fourier transformation also allows routine monitoring of drift and astigmatism during image collection, resulting in a high percentage of micrographs suitable for image processing. In conclusion, our results show that digital image collection with the YAG-scintillator slow-scan CCD camera is a viable approach for 3D reconstruction of both symmetric and asymmetric particles.

Motivated cultural cognition: the impact of implicit cultural theories on dispositional attribution varies as a function of need for closure

The authors propose that need for closure (NFC) leads attributors to respond to an ambiguous social event by increasing reliance on implicit theories received from acculturation. Hence, the influence of NFC should be shaped by chronically accessible knowledge structures in a culture, and, likewise, the influence of culture should be moderated by epistemic motives such as NFC. The specific hypotheses drew on past findings that North American and Chinese attributors possess differing implicit social theories, North Americans conceiving of individuals as autonomous agents and Chinese conceiving of groups as autonomous. The present studies found the predicted pattern that among North American participants, NFC increased attributions to personal but not group dispositions. Among Chinese participants, NFC increased attributions to group but not personal dispositions. The findings are discussed in light of an emerging dynamic account of culture and cognition.

Motivated cultural cognition: the impact of implicit cultural theories on dispositional attribution varies as a function of need for closure

The authors propose that need for closure (NFC) leads attributors to respond to an ambiguous social event by increasing reliance on implicit theories received from acculturation. Hence, the influence of NFC should be shaped by chronically accessible knowledge structures in a culture, and, likewise, the influence of culture should be moderated by epistemic motives such as NFC. The specific hypotheses drew on past findings that North American and Chinese attributors possess differing implicit social theories, North Americans conceiving of individuals as autonomous agents and Chinese conceiving of groups as autonomous. The present studies found the predicted pattern that among North American participants, NFC increased attributions to personal but not group dispositions. Among Chinese participants, NFC increased attributions to group but not personal dispositions. The findings are discussed in light of an emerging dynamic account of culture and cognition.

Review: resolution issues in single-particle reconstruction

Specific factors that affect the resolution of single-particle reconstructions are discussed. We present reconstructions of six particles (DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, alphaB-crystallin, the ribonucleoprotein vault, hepatitis A virus, adenovirus type 2, and the adenovirus type 12/alpha(v)beta5 integrin complex), which have a variety of symmetries (asymmetric to 60-fold) and a wide range of molecular masses (470 kDa to 150 MDa). In the case of icosahedral viruses, we have found that applying a "soft" mask to remove regions of disordered density improves the resolution given by the Fourier shell correlation 0.5 criterion. This masking procedure is also useful during refinement to improve the quality of the reference model and thus aid in precise alignment of the particle images. For asymmetric particles, we note that image classification, although often a necessary step to generate a first reconstruction, can limit the achievable resolution. The diameter of the particle and the available computational power can also affect the resolution, as can structural variability within the particle.

Cloning and characterization of T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2 (TIAM2), a novel guanine nucleotide exchange factor related to TIAM1

TIAM1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that was identified in a screen for genes that increase the invasiveness of T lymphoma cell lines (Habets et al., 1994, Cell 77(4): 537-549). We have identified a gene, T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 2 (HGMW-approved symbol TIAM2), with significant identity to the carboxyl-terminal region of the TIAM1 and mapped it to 6q25. TIAM2 is expressed as an approximately 3.3-kb transcript in cerebrum and as an approximately 4.4-kb transcript in the cerebellum and testis. The approximately 4. 4-kb message encodes a longer form of the approximately 3.3-kb mRNA predicted protein, and both contain homology to the Dbl-homologous region (70%) and Pleckstrin-homologous (54%) regions of TIAM1. We have purified TIAM2 and shown it to have GDP-GTP exchange activity. In situ hybridizations demonstrate TIAM2 expression in the E13.5 telencephalon of mouse embryos and in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and ependyma of adult mouse brains.

Structure of adenovirus complexed with its internalization receptor, alphavbeta5 integrin

The three-dimensional structure of soluble recombinant integrin alphavbeta5 bound to human adenovirus types 2 and 12 (Ad2 and -12) has been determined at approximately 21-A resolution by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM). The alphavbeta5 integrin is known to promote Ad cell entry. Cryo-EM has shown that the integrin-binding RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) protrusion of the Ad2 penton base protein is highly mobile (P. L. Stewart, C. Y. Chiu, S. Huang, T. Muir, Y. Zhao, B. Chait, P. Mathias, and G. R. Nemerow, EMBO J. 16:1189-1198, 1997). Sequence analysis indicated that the Ad12 RGD surface loop is shorter than that of Ad2 and probably less flexible, hence more suitable for structural characterization of the Ad-integrin complex. The cryo-EM structures of the two virus-receptor complexes revealed a ring of integrin density above the penton base of each virus serotype. As expected, the integrin density in the Ad2 complex was diffuse while that in the Ad12 complex was better defined. The integrin consists of two discrete subdomains, a globular domain with an RGD-binding cleft approximately 20 A in diameter and a distal domain with extended, flexible tails. Kinetic analysis of Ad2 interactions with alphavbeta5 indicated approximately 4.2 integrin molecules bound per penton base at close to saturation. These results suggest that the precise spatial arrangement of five RGD protrusions on the penton base promotes integrin clustering and the signaling events required for virus internalization.

A helper-independent adenovirus vector with E1, E3, and fiber deleted: structure and infectivity of fiberless particles

The adenovirus (Ad) fiber protein largely determines viral tropism through interaction with specific cell surface receptors. This molecule may also be involved in virion assembly or maturation, as some previously characterized fiber mutants were defective for processing of viral structural proteins. We previously described packaging cell lines that express Ad type 5 (Ad5) fiber and can complement the temperature-sensitive Ad fiber mutant H5ts142. We have now used these packaging cells to construct a new adenoviral vector (Ad5.betagal.DeltaF) with E1, E3, and L5 (fiber) deleted and analyzed the fiber null phenotype. Ad5.betagal.DeltaF growth was completely helper independent, and fiberless particles were produced by a single final round of growth in 293 cells. Cryoelectron microscopic studies and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the structure and composition of these particles was nearly identical to those of first-generation Ad vectors. As expected, fiberless particles had reduced infectivity on epithelial cells, but they retained the ability to infect monocytic cells via an integrin-dependent pathway. These studies provide a novel approach to developing retargeted Ad gene therapy vectors.

Cryo-EM imaging of the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays an important role in mammalian DNA double-strand break repair and immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. The DNA-PK holoenzyme is activated by assembly at DNA ends and is comprised of DNA-PKcs, a 460 kDa protein kinase catalytic subunit, and Ku, a 70 kDa/80 kDa heterodimeric DNA-targeting component. We have solved the three-dimensional structure of DNA-PKcs to approximately 21 A resolution by analytically combining images of nearly 9500 individual particles extracted from cryo-electron micrographs. The DNA-PKcs protein has an open, pseudo 2-fold symmetric structure with a gap separating a crown-shaped top from a rounded base. Columns of density are observed to protrude into the gap from both the crown and the base. Measurements of the enclosed volume indicate that the interior of the protein is largely hollow. The structure of DNA-PKcs suggests that its association with DNA may involve the internalization of double-stranded ends.

Modification of a receptor-binding surface of epidermal growth factor (EGF): analogs with enhanced receptor affinity at low pH or at neutrality

Six mutants of human epidermal growth factor (EGF), which carry single point substitutions within a surface patch proposed to juxtapose the bound receptor, were prepared and characterized for receptor affinity and mitogenicity. Receptor affinities relative to EGF are G12Q > H16D > Y13W > Q43A approximately = H16A approximately = EGF >> L15A. Notably, the reduced receptor affinity of mutant L15A indicates that Leu15 probably contributes substantially to receptor binding whereas unaltered receptor affinities observed for analogs H16A and Q43A indicate that neither His16 nor Gln43 contributes significantly to this interaction. On the other hand, the observed enhanced receptor affinities of analogs G12Q, Y13W and H16D highlight surface loci where additional productive receptor-binding contacts can be introduced. Interestingly, at acidic pH analog H16A reveals substantially greater receptor affinity than that of EGF, a property which may offer enhanced therapeutic utility in acidic environments in vivo.

Phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides: large-scale synthesis and analysis, impurity characterization, and the effects of phosphorus stereochemistry

Large-scale synthesis of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides on Tentagel using a 'batch mode' synthesizer and beta-cyanoethyl phosphoramidite coupling followed by sulfurization with bis(O,O-diisopropoxy phosphinothioyl) disulfide (S-tetra) provides stepwise yields of 98-99% and results in phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides that are 93-97% pure, as determined by PAGE, after reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and 'downstream' processing. The purity of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides synthesized on Tentagel is significantly higher than those synthesized on controlled pore glass. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of the n-1 impurity isolated by preparative PAGE was used to establish that the n-1 impurity is a heterogeneous mixture of all possible single-deletion sequences, relative to the parent phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide, and results from minor, though repetitive, imperfections in the synthesis cycle. Acid-catalysed depurination was found to occur both during the synthesis and during the post-synthesis detritylation, following RP-HPLC. Studies of hybridization affinity and biological mechanism of action using independently synthesized n-1 phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides relative to the 15 mer LR-3280 showed that, in this case, the majority of the n-1 sequences had more than a 10 degrees C decrease in melting temperature with sense RNA compared to the n-mer, and they did not cause detectable cleavage of RNA by RNase H in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukaemia cells. P stereoregular phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides are not significantly more active than their stereorandom counterparts and thus their use in clinical studies seems unwarranted.

Lay dispositionism and implicit theories of personality

Lay dispositionism refers to lay people's tendency to use traits as the basic unit of analysis in social perception (L. Ross & R. E. Nisbett, 1991). Five studies explored the relation between the practices indicative of lay dispositionism and people's implicit theories about the nature of personal attributes. As predicted, compared with those who believed that personal attributes are malleable (incremental theorists), those who believed in fixed traits (entity theorists) used traits or trait-relevant information to make stronger future behavioral predictions (Studies 1 and 2) and made stronger trait inferences from behavior (Study 3). Moreover, the relation between implicit theories and lay dispositionism was found in both the United States (a more individualistic culture) and Hong Kong (a more collectivistic culture), suggesting this relation to be generalizable across cultures (Study 4). Finally, an experiment in which implicit theories were manipulated provided preliminary evidence for the possible causal role of implicit theories in lay dispositionism (Study 5).

Lay dispositionism and implicit theories of personality

Lay dispositionism refers to lay people's tendency to use traits as the basic unit of analysis in social perception (L. Ross & R. E. Nisbett, 1991). Five studies explored the relation between the practices indicative of lay dispositionism and people's implicit theories about the nature of personal attributes. As predicted, compared with those who believed that personal attributes are malleable (incremental theorists), those who believed in fixed traits (entity theorists) used traits or trait-relevant information to make stronger future behavioral predictions (Studies 1 and 2) and made stronger trait inferences from behavior (Study 3). Moreover, the relation between implicit theories and lay dispositionism was found in both the United States (a more individualistic culture) and Hong Kong (a more collectivistic culture), suggesting this relation to be generalizable across cultures (Study 4). Finally, an experiment in which implicit theories were manipulated provided preliminary evidence for the possible causal role of implicit theories in lay dispositionism (Study 5).

Cryo-EM visualization of an exposed RGD epitope on adenovirus that escapes antibody neutralization

Interaction of the adenovirus penton base protein with alpha v integrins promotes virus entry into host cells. The location of the integrin binding sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) on human type 2 adenovirus (Ad2) was visualized by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and image reconstruction using a mAb (DAV-1) which recognizes a linear epitope, IRGDTFATR. The sites for DAV-1 binding corresponded to the weak density above each of the five 22 A protrusions on the adenovirus penton base protein. Modeling of a Fab fragment crystal structure into the adenovirus-Fab cryo-EM density indicated a large amplitude of motion for the Fab and the RGD epitope. An unexpected finding was that Fab fragments, but not IgG antibody molecules, inhibited adenovirus infection. Steric hindrance from the adenovirus fiber and a few bound IgG molecules, as well as epitope mobility, most likely prevent binding of IgG antibodies to all five RGD sites on the penton base protein within the intact virus. These studies indicate that the structure of the adenovirus particle facilitates interaction with cell integrins, whilst restricting binding of potentially neutralizing antibodies.

Reduction of intussusception by ultrasound-guided saline enema

There were 59 cases with 62 episodes of sonogram-proven intussusception between July 1990 and November 1995 at the Department of Pediatrics of the Pingtung Christian Hospital. Except 2 episodes transferred and 4 episodes which reduced spontaneously, ultrasound-guided saline enema was performed in 56 episodes. The whole procedure was monitored and adequately controlled by real-time sonography. Fifty-one of 56 episodes of intussusception were successfully reduced with no complication. The overall success rate was 91.1%. Among the five failed cases, reduction with barium enema had been tried in four at another hospital; one had succeeded but three failed. Because of absence of radiation exposure, easy observation of the patient's condition during the procedure, as well as high success rate, ultrasound-guided saline enema may be one of the most promising methods useable in nonoperative treatment of intussusception.

Comparative safety and immunogenicity of two recombinant hepatitis B vaccines given to infants at two, four and six months of age

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relative safety and immunogenicity of the two recombinant hepatitis B vaccines licensed in the United States with doses recommended for routine immunization of low risk infants and a schedule that corresponds with routine pediatric visits.

METHODS

Healthy infants were immunized at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with hepatitis B vaccine manufactured by either SmithKline Beecham (Engerix-B, 10 micrograms/dose, n = 228) or Merck and Co. (Recombivax HB, 2.5 micrograms/dose, n = 200). Adverse reactions were ascertained by parental reports and interviews and by review of medical records. Antibody concentrations to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) were measured in sequential serum specimens by enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Adverse reactions were mild and the rates were not significantly different between the two groups. After the first and second doses the rates of seropositivity (> or = 10 mIU/ml) and seroprotection (> or = 10 mIU/ml) were significantly higher in infants given SmithKline Beecham vaccine (P < 0.01). After the second and third doses infants given SmithKline Beecham vaccine also had significantly higher geometric mean anti-HBs concentrations compared with those given Merck vaccine (348.0 mIU/ml vs. 66.9 and 1914.8 mIU/ml vs. 514.8 mIU/ml, respectively, P < 0.001). Nevertheless after the third dose 99% of infants in both vaccine groups achieved seroprotective antibody concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Both recombinant hepatitis B vaccines were safe and immunogenic when administered concurrently with other pediatric vaccines at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, but earlier protective responses were observed with the SmithKline Beecham vaccine than with the Merck vaccine.

Safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine administered to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. The Kaiser-UCLA Vaccine Study Group

A recombinant hepatitis B vaccine was administered to over 5000 infants in a prospective, randomized and blinded study. Infants were given either recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, 10 micrograms dose-1) or a Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months of age simultaneously with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and oral polio vaccines. Adverse reactions were ascertained by parental reports and interviews, and review of medical records. Blood specimens collected from 269 infants given hepatitis B vaccine were assayed for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) by enzyme immunoassay. Infants given hepatitis B vaccine experienced low rates of adverse reactions that were similar or lower than the rates in infants given Hib conjugate vaccine. The geometric mean anti-HBs concentrations were 9.6 mIU ml-1 after one dose, 333 mIU ml-1 after two doses and 1812 mIU ml-1 after three doses (99% had levels > or = 10 mIU ml-1). Antibody responses to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids were unaffected by simultaneous administration of hepatitis B or Hib conjugate vaccine. Engerix-B vaccine was safe and immunogenic when given with other routine childhood immunizations at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, and should provide long-term protection against hepatitis B virus infection.

Safety and immunogenicity of a serogroups A/C Neisseria meningitidis oligosaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine in young children. A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and immunogenicity of a bivalent serogroups A/C meningococcal oligosaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine compared with the licensed meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

STUDY POPULATION

Ninety healthy 18- to 24-month-old children who were seen at a southern California Kaiser Permanente clinic.

INTERVENTIONS

Vaccination with either the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (at 1 of 2 dosages) or the polysaccharide vaccine, with 2 doses given 2 months apart.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Immune response to each vaccine dose as determined by measurement of serogroup-specific total antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by assessment of serum bactericidal activity.

RESULTS

Both vaccines appeared to be safe, and nearly all children responded with greater than 4-fold increases in antibody levels. The 2 dosages of the conjugate vaccine induced similar antibody responses; therefore, the data for the 2 conjugate vaccine groups were combined. Following 2 doses, ELISA antibody levels against group C meningococcus were significantly higher in conjugate vaccine recipients than in polysaccharide vaccine recipients (16.66 microg/mL vs. 8.31 microgm/mL; P<.001), but antibody levels against group A were not significantly different 22.75 microg/mL vs 21.24 microg/mL; P=.70). The serum bactericidal assays showed striking differences between the conjugate and polysaccharide vaccine groups. Geometric mean serum bactericidal titers were significantly higher in conjugate vaccine recipients (755.6 vs 37.6 for group A, P<.001; 3197.9 vs 11.4 for group C, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The immune response induced by this meningococcal oligosaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine was qualitatively different from that induced by the polysaccharide vaccine, and the antibodies it elicited provided greater functional activity.

Oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates as antisense agents

Uniformly modified oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates, where every 3'-oxygen is replaced by a 3'-amino group, were synthesized. These compounds have very high affinity to single-stranded RNAs and thus have potential utility as antisense agents. As was shown in this study, the oligonucleotide phosphoramidates are resistant to digestion with snake venom phosphodiesterase, to nuclease activity in a HeLa cell nuclear extract, or to nuclease activity in 50% human plasma, where no significant hydrolysis was observed after 8 h. These compounds were used in various in vitro cellular systems as antisense compounds addressed to different targeted regions of c-myb, c-myc and bcr-abl mRNAs. C-myb antisense phosphoramidates at 5 microM caused sequence and dose-dependent inhibition of HL-60 cell proliferation and a 75% reduction in c-myb protein and RNA levels, as determined by Western blot and RT-PCR analysis. Analogous results were observed for anti-c-myc phosphoramidates, where a complete cytostatic effect for HL-60 cells was observed at 1 microM concentration for fully complementary, but not for mismatched compounds, which were indistinguishable from untreated controls. This was correlated with a 93% reduction in c-myc protein level. Moreover, colony formation by the primary CML cells was also inhibited 75-95% and up to 99% by anti-c-myc and anti-bcr-abl phosphoramidate oligonucleotides, respectively, in a sequence- and dose-dependent manner within a 0.5 nM-5 microM dose range. At these concentrations the colony-forming ability of normal bone marrow cells was not affected. The presented in vitro data indicate that oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates could be used as specific and efficient antisense agents.

Synthesis and characterization of a monomeric mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase with partially reconstituted enzymic activity

A monomeric analog of human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (F50E/G51E SOD), previously characterized and found to have reduced enzymic activity, was here further modified by replacing Glu133 with Gln. This substitution does not dramatically affect the coordination geometry at the active site, but enhances enzymic activity, and also increases the affinity for anions at the active site. This behavior parallels earlier published results in which this point mutation was made in the dimeric wild-type enzyme. The analog described here has afforded for the first time a monomeric superoxide dismutase with substantial activity. This point mutation does not significantly influence the protein structure but interactions with anions, including superoxide, are altered with respect to the monomeric form. The present monomeric Glu133Gln mutant has partially restored enzymic activity. The diminished activity of the monomeric analogs is discussed in the light of possible minor structural changes and some of their characteristics are compared with those of naturally occurring mutants associated with various neurological diseases.

Auditory priming for nonverbal information: Implicit and explicit memory for environmental sounds

Three experiments examined repetition priming for meaningful environmental sounds (e.g., clock ticking, tooth brushing, toilet flushing, etc.) in a sound stem identification paradigm using brief sound cues. Prior encoding of target sounds together with their associated names facilitated subsequent identification of sound stems relative to nonstudied controls. In contrast, prior exposure to the names alone in the absence of the environmental sounds did not prime subsequent sound stem identification performance at all (Experiments 1 and 3). Explicit and implicit memory were dissociated such that sound stem cued recall was higher following semantic than nonsemantic encoding, whereas sound priming was insensitive to manipulations of depth of encoding (Experiments 2 and 3). These results extend the findings of long-term repetition priming into the auditory nonverbal domain and suggest that priming for environmental sounds is mediated primarily by perceptual processes.

High yields of interleukin-8 produced by a synthetic gene expressed in Escherichia coli and purified with a single antibody affinity column

We developed a highly efficient expression system for the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in Escherichia coli. A synthetic gene used in the vector was designed to code for the 72-amino-acid form of IL-8 and incorporate additional new restriction sites. IL-8 was expressed in very large amounts in the periplasmic space and extracted by a gentle method which did not utilize denaturants. About 69% of the protein extracted from the periplasmic space was properly processed IL-8. A single anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography column yielded homogeneous IL-8 as determined by HPLC molecular sieve chromatography and amino-terminal sequencing. Between 14 and 22 mg of IL-8 was purified per liter of bacterial culture, in which the wet weight of E. coli was 7.6 g/liter. The recombinant IL-8 was fully active compared to published data and a commercially available preparation of recombinant IL-8. Our IL-8 and the commercial product had identical neutrophil binding isotherms, chemotactic activities, and enzyme release properties.

Yeast expression and phagemid display of the human urokinase plasminogen activator epidermal growth factor-like domain

The human urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) epidermal growth factor-like domain (residues 1-48) and a variant with a C-terminal epitope tag have been secreted from recombinant yeast. Purified human uPA 1-48 and uPA 1-48glu complete for binding to the human uPA receptor with Kds of 180 and 400 pM respectively, in an in vitro assay using an immobilized recombinant uPA receptor. A synthetic gene encoding human uPA 1-48 with an N-terminal epitope tag was inserted into a phagemid expression vector as a fusion with residues 249-406 of the M13 pIII protein with an intervening amber codon (TAG). Phagemid production led to infectious particles which were selectively bound and eluted from both epitope tag antibody and urokinase receptor. Sequential binding to this antibody and receptor demonstrated a substantial enrichment, where up to 10% of the infectious particles were then retained on urokinase receptor-coated plates. A PCR strategy was used to convert previously described peptide bacteriophage ligands for the urokinase receptor to phagemid display. The yields of these peptide phagemids and the uPA 1-48 phagemid showed a correlation with peptide affinity, in contrast to when the peptides are multivalently displayed on a bacteriophage.

Effect of neonatal immunization with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids on antibody responses to Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines

We randomly assigned 150 newborn infants to receive diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT) or Hib oligosaccharide conjugate (HbOC) at birth to determine whether exposure to the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines' carrier proteins would enhance immune responses to subsequent administrations of HbOC or PRP-tetanus toxoid conjugate (PRP-T) at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Their antibody responses were compared with those of 100 children immunized with HbOC or PRP-T beginning at 2 months of age. No serious adverse reactions were associated with neonatal vaccination. Administration of HbOC at birth did not lead to earlier or higher antibody levels. Newborn immunization with DT did not prime children for enhanced antibody responses. Moreover, Hib antibody levels were lower in DT-primed children than in children immunized beginning at 2 months of age. Diphtheria antibody levels, but not tetanus antibody levels, were also lower in children immunized with DT at birth. We conclude that neonatal immunization with Hib conjugate vaccines is not a means to provide earlier protection against invasive Hib disease. Newborn DT administration does not enhance subsequent antibody responses to Hib conjugate vaccines, and may lead to suppression of Hib and diphtheria antibody responses.

Enhanced antibody responses in infants given different sequences of heterogeneous Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines

To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of differing sequences of heterogeneous Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines, we randomly assigned 300 infants to one of six vaccination schedules. At 2, 4, and 6 months of age, subjects were given single or heterogeneous vaccines: Hib polysaccharide (PRP) conjugated to mutant diphtheria toxin (HbOC), PRP conjugated to outer-membrane protein of Neisseria meningitidis (PRP-OMP), or PRP conjugated to tetanus toxoid (PRP-T). No serious reactions were attributable to immunization with heterogeneous vaccines, and there were few significant differences in the rates of minor adverse reactions among groups. PRP-OMP was the only vaccine that induced an antibody response after the first dose, but significant booster responses were not seen after the second and third doses. Subjects given PRP-T vaccine responded well after two doses, but three doses of HbOC vaccine were needed for an equivalent antibody response. All the Hib vaccine schedules evaluated were immunogenic, and schedules initiated by PRP-OMP vaccine at 2 months of age, followed by two doses of either HbOC or PRP-T vaccine at 4 and 6 months of age, induced the highest antibody levels after each dose. Such schedules may be the best for protecting infants and children who are at greatest risk of having invasive Hib disease, such as American Indian children.