Survey of Aujeszky's Disease Virus in Hunting Dogs from Spain

Direct contact with swine infected by Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) represents a potential risk of transmission to carnivore species, in which the infection is normally fatal. We assessed exposure to ADV in hunting dogs in an area where the virus is highly endemic in wild boar populations. Two out of 466 (0.43%; 95% CI 0.00-1.02%) hunting dogs analyzed were positive by gE-bELISA, gB-bELISA and the virus neutralization test. The seroprevalence levels detected, as well as the absence of reports of clinical cases in the hunting dog groups tested, indicate limited contact of this species with ADV in the study area. Further studies are warranted to assess the pathogenicity of Aujeszky's disease virus strains infecting wild boar.

Management of hunting waste as control measure for tuberculosis in wild ungulates in south-central Spain

In recent decades, habitat change and the intensive management of wild ungulates for hunting have led to an increase in their populations in south-central Spain. This implies a higher generation of hunting waste, which can favour the transmission of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the proper disposal of hunting waste as TB control measure in wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) during the 2008/2009 to 2016/2017 hunting seasons. Blood samples from 664 wild boar and 934 red deer were obtained in 14 game estates in two provinces in Andalusia (Area 1), where the disposal of hunting waste was implemented since the 2012/2013 hunting season. Besides, six game estates in the province of Ciudad Real, in Castilla-La Mancha (Area 2), an adjacent region where this management measure was not implemented during the studied period, were used as controls, sampling 277 wild boar and 427 red deer sera. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), seroprevalence detected in wild boar from Area 1, was significantly higher before the disposal of big game hunting by-products (82.8%; 2008/2009-2012/2013) compared to the second period (61.8%; 2013/2014-2016/2017) (p < .001), after this control measure became established. By contrast, no significant differences between periods were found in wild boar (41.3% versus 44.8%; p = .33) and red deer (14.9% versus 11.6%; p = .19) from Area 2 as well as in red deer (10.8% versus 10.5%; p = .48) from Area 1. The proper disposal of hunting waste contributed to achieve a 25% reduction in MTC seroprevalence in wild boar. These results are of particular relevance regarding wild boar in the current context of re-emerging and emerging diseases such as TB and African Swine Fever in Europe. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of this measure on the health status of livestock and other wildlife species.

Absence of circulation of Pestivirus between wild and domestic ruminants in southern Spain

Ruminant pestiviruses (family Flaviviridae) affect both wild and domestic ruminants worldwide, causing reproductive disorders and severe economic losses. Wild (n=1442) and domestic (n=373) ruminants from southern Spain were tested for the presence of antibodies to pestiviruses. Seropositivity was detected by both ELISA and virus neutralisation test in 1/892 (0.1 per cent) red deer, 29/125 (23.2 per cent) cattle and 17/157 (10.8 per cent) sheep. Pestivirus-specific antibodies to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and border disease virus (BDV) genotypes 1, 4 and 5 were detected. Significantly higher antibody titres to BDV-4 compared with BVDV-NADL were found in one cattle farm. Results indicate that wild ruminants may act as spillover hosts from domestic ruminants, and therefore they do not represent a risk for domestic ruminants in southern Spain. The wide distribution of pestiviruses among sheep and cattle suggests that transmission between these species may occur.

Spatial-temporal Trends and Factors Associated with the Bluetongue Virus Seropositivity in Large Game Hunting Areas from Southern Spain

An epidemiological study was carried out to determine the spatial-temporal trends and risk factors potentially involved in the seropositivity to bluetongue virus (BTV) in hunting areas with presence of red deer (Cervus elaphus). A total of 60 of 98 (61.2%; CI95% : 51.6-70.9) hunting areas sampled presented at least one seropositive red deer. Antibodies against BTV were detected in juvenile animals during the hunting seasons 2007/2008 to 2013/2014 in 15 of 98 (15.3%) hunting areas, which indicates an uninterrupted circulation of BTV in this period. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that the red deer density at hunting area level (>22 individuals/km(2) ), the annual abundance of Culicoides imicola (>1.4 mosquitoes/sampling) and the goat density at municipality level (>24.1 individuals/km(2) ) were factors significantly associated with BTV seropositivity in hunting areas. Control measures against BTV in the studied area include vaccination programmes in wild and domestic ruminants, movement control in areas with high densities and abundance of red deer and C. imicola, respectively. Considering the potential risk of BTV re-emergence, red deer should be included in the BT surveillance programmes in regions where these species share habitats with livestock.

New contributions to granite characterization by ultrasonic testing

Ultrasound evaluation permits the state of rocks to be determined quickly and cheaply, satisfying the demands faced by today's producers of ornamental stone, such as environmental sustainability, durability and safety of use. The basic objective of the present work is to analyse and develop the usefulness of ultrasound testing in estimating the physico-mechanical properties of granite. Various parameters related to Fast Fourier Transform (FFTs) and attenuation have been extracted from some of the studies conducted (parameters which have not previously been considered in work on this topic, unlike the ultrasonic pulse velocity). The experimental study was carried out on cubic specimens of 30 cm edges using longitudinal and shear wave transducers and equipment which extended the normally used natural resonance frequency range up to 500 kHz. Additionally, a validation study of the laboratory data has been conducted and some methodological improvements have been implemented. The main contribution of the work is the analysis of linear statistical correlations between the aforementioned new ultrasound parameters and physico-mechanical properties of the granites that had not previously been studied, i.e., resistance to salt crystallization and breaking load for anchors. Being properties that directly affect the durability and safety of use of granites, these correlations consolidate ultrasonics as a nondestructive method well suited to this type of material.

Further evaluation of the synthetic peptide vaccine S3Pvac againstTaenia soliumcysticercosis in pigs in an endemic town of Mexico

Taenia soliumcysticercosis is a parasitic disease frequently affecting human health and the pig industry in many developing countries. A synthetic peptide vaccine (designated S3Pvac) against porcine cysticercosis has been developed previously as an aid to interrupt transmission and has been shown to be effective. The results of the present study support the effectiveness of the vaccine under endemic field conditions. However, given the time-frame of the vaccination trial, no changes in the local levels of transmission were detectable before and after vaccination using sentinel pigs. Thus, this investigation shows the limited usefulness of single vaccination as the sole means of interruptingTaenia soliumtransmission in an endemic region.

[Hemodialysis prospective multicentric quality study]

In medicine a considerable amount of resources are used in research, but very little attention is paid to ensuring that the findings of research are implemented in routine clinical practice. This prospective study has the aim to evaluate the efficiency of some clinical management strategies (feedback, benchmarking and improving plans) on haemodialysis treatment results in 4 different dialysis centres. We collected consensus data related to haemodialysis results every 6-8 months and informed each centre about its own results (feedback) and how these related to the others(benchmarking). We designed improving plans for any bad result detected. By the end of two years of follow up, 294 patients had been included in the study. The results obtained at the end of the study had improved in comparison with those obtained at the beginning (statistically significant) for the following indicators: % of patients with Hb< 11 g/dl, % patients with Kt/v < 1.2, mean Kt/v, mean albumin, % patients with albumin< 3.5 g/dl y % patients with C reactive protein (CRP) > 5 mg/dl. No statistical changes were found in: mean erythropoietin (EPO) doses, blood pressure (BP), phosphorus plasmatic,calcium-phosphorus product, parathormone (PTHi) and vascular access distribution. We explained the absence of any improvement because of adequate start indicators in some areas (BP and vascular access), therapy with limited efficiency (calcitriol, calcium carbonate and others), lack of support resources (dietetic unit) or inadequate design/implementation of improving plans.In conclusion, our intervention illustrates that combined clinical management strategies(feedback, benchmarking and improving plans) are efficiency in improving some areas of haemodialysis treatment (anaemia, dialysis dose, nutrition and inflammation), although it does not improve calcium phosphate metabolism related indicators.

Manifestaciones otológicas en la enfermedad de Fabry-Anderson

Anderson-Fabry disease in an inherited X-linked metabolic disorder involving glycosphingolipid metabolism. Few data are available regarding cochlear involvement. Clinical manifestations of Fabry disease appeared on the first decade of life. The prognosis of males with Fabry disease is serious and life expectancy is limited; clinical evolution of heterozygous females is clearly better. We report a family with Fabry disease in several members. The mother, already dead, had two child which have been examined in our department; the male, without a risk of ototoxicity, or acoustic trauma, has progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and dizinness sometimes; the daughter, without a history of deafness, shows unilateral hearing loss on high-tone frequencies. It is important to emphasize these data to those physicians expert in children with Fabry disease because early enzyme replacement therapy intervention should offer increased possibilities of regression of the disease.

Scorpion envenoming in two regions of Colombia: clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic aspects

To determine clinical and epidemiological features of scorpion stings in two departments of Colombia, a descriptive study was performed in the hospitals of 10 towns from Antioquia (2 256 071 inhabitants) and five from Tolima (630 424 inhabitants). One hundred and twenty-nine cases were admitted during one year, 51 in Antioquia, 78 in Tolima and 41 were children less than 15 years old. Most stings (70.5%) occurred inside the house; 27.9% were on the hands and 26.4% on the feet. The scorpion species involved were Tityus pachyurus (51), Centruroides gracilis (31), T. fuehrmanni (29), T. asthenes (7) and Chactas spp. (1). In 10 cases the scorpion involved was not identified. Systemic envenoming signs (e.g. vomiting, tachypnea) were significantly more frequent in children than in adults (P < 0.05). Four children had hypertension, but none developed pulmonary oedema. One 3-year-old girl, stung by T. asthenes, had acute oedematous pancreatitis. Ninety-eight patients had mild envenoming. Moderate (27 patients) and severe (four patients) envenoming was significantly more frequent in children than in adults (P = 0.003; relative risk = 2.97). A pepsin-digested anti-Centruroides spp. antivenom was administered to 19 of 31 patients presenting systemic envenoming signs. No adverse reactions to antivenom were observed.

Consensus on Drug Treatment, Definition and Diagnosis for Insomnia

Thirty-four experts and a literature supervisor got together in order to reach a 'consensus' regarding the definition, diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of insomnia. Insomnia is a subjective perception of dissatisfaction with the amount and/or quality of sleep. It includes difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep or early awakening with inability to fall asleep again. It is associated with complaints of non-restorative sleep and dysfunction of diurnal alertness, energy, cognitive function, behaviour or emotional state, with a decrease in quality of life. The diagnosis is based on clinical and sleep history, physical examination and additional tests, although polysomnography is not routinely indicated. Therapy should include treatment of the underlying causes, cognitive and behavioural measures and drug treatment. Hypnotic therapy can be prescribed from the onset of insomnia and non-benzodiazepine selective agonists of the GABA-A receptor complex are the drugs of first choice. It is recommended that hypnotic treatment be maintained in cases where withdrawal impairs the patient's quality of life and when all other therapeutic measures have failed. Experience suggests that intermittent treatment is better than continuous therapy. The available data do not confirm safety of hypnotics in pregnancy, lactation and childhood insomnia. Benzodiazepines are not indicated in decompensated chronic pulmonary disease but no significant adverse effects on respiratory function have been reported with zolpidem and zopiclone in stable mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in treated obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Data for zaleplon are inconclusive. If the patient recovers subjective control over the sleep process, gradual discontinuation of hypnotic treatment can be considered.

Identification of peptide sequences specific for serum antibodies from human papillomavirus-infected patients using phage display libraries

Three random phage display peptide libraries were screened with sera from human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected patients to characterize the specificities of antibodies present in patients' sera and to identify molecules that correspond to or mimic natural epitopes; 141 phage clones were randomly selected in three rounds of bioselection and their binding properties were analyzed in ELISA using sera from 36 patients with confirmed HPV 16 infection and 24 healthy control female blood donors. Sixteen of 36 (44%) patients' sera reacted with at least 1 phage clone, and only 2 of 24 female donors' sera showed positive reaction with 1 of the selected clones. We conclude that the combination of various disease-specific epitopes generated by screening of phage display peptide libraries may potentially lead to a multicomponent diagnostic assay for the early detection of HPV infection and precancerous cervical lesions, making possible the prevention of one of the most common cancers in women.

Self-sustaining Mars colonies utilizing the North Polar Cap and the Martian atmosphere

A revolutionary new concept for the early establishment of robust, self-sustaining Martian colonies is described. The colonies would be located on the North Polar Cap of Mars and utilize readily available water ice and the CO2 Martian atmosphere as raw materials to produce all of the propellants, fuel, air, water, plastics, food, and other supplies needed by the colony. The colonists would live in thermally insulated large, comfortable habitats under the ice surface, fully shielded from cosmic rays. The habitats and supplies would be produced by a compact, lightweight (~4 metric tons) nuclear powered robotic unit termed ALPH (Atomic Liberation of Propellant and Habitat), which would land 2 years before the colonists arrived. Using a compact, lightweight 5 MW (th) nuclear reactor/steam turbine (1 MW(e)) power source and small process units (e.g., H2O electrolyzer, H2 and O2 liquefiers, methanator, plastic polymerizer, food producer, etc.) ALPH would stockpile many hundreds of tons of supplies in melt cavities under the ice, plus insulated habitats, to be in place and ready for use when the colonists landed. With the stockpiled supplies, the colonists would construct and operate rovers and flyers to explore the surface of Mars. ALPH greatly reduces the amount of Earth supplied material needed and enables large permanent colonies on Mars. It also greatly reduces human and mission risks and vastly increases the capability not only for exploration of the surrounding Martian surface, but also the ice cap itself. The North Polar Cap is at the center of the vast ancient ocean that covered much of the Martian Northern Hemisphere. Small, nuclear heated robotic probes would travel deep (1 km or more) inside the ice cap, collecting data on its internal structure, the composition and properties of the ancient Martian atmosphere, and possible evidence of ancient life forms (microfossils, traces of DNA, etc.) that were deposited either by wind or as remnants of the ancient ocean. Details of the ALPH system, which is based on existing technology, are presented. ALPH units could be developed and demonstrated on Earth ice sheets within a few years. An Earth-Mars space transport architecture is described, in which Mars produced propellant and supplies for return journeys to Earth would be lifted with relatively low DeltaV to Mars orbit, and from there transported back to Earth orbit, enabling faster and lower cost trips from Earth to Mars. The exploration capability and quality of life in a mature Martian colony of 500 persons located on the North Polar Cap is outlined.

Seasonal variations in radionuclide transfer in a Mediterranean grazing-land ecosystem

We made quarterly determinations of the transfer coefficients and effective transfer coefficients for the radionuclides 137Cs, 90Sr, 40K, 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th over a full annual cycle, in a Mediterranean grazing-land ecosystem. The input and output fluxes of the radionuclides between the different compartments of this ecosystem were quantified for the following processes: root uptake; variation in root and aerial biomass; pasture production; translocation; leaf fall; efflux due to grazing action; resuspension and subsequent aerial deposition of radionuclides. We observed there to be a marked seasonal variation for this type of ecosystem in both the transfer coefficients and the radionuclide fluxes, which impedes the soil-plant transfer being characterized on the basis of values that are constant with time.

Molecular identification of Dunaliella sp. utilizing the 18S rDNA gene

The utilization of micro-algae for the production of food and fine chemicals is growing in importance. However, confusion of names and species makes comparison of results by different authors very difficult. In this work, five species of Dunaliella were characterized using their 18S ribosomal RNA genes. Conserved oligonucleotides complementary to 5' and 3' termini of the 18S rDNAs were designed and utilized to amplify theme, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the polymerase chain reaction products was developed. Species-specific primers were also designed and utilized to corroborate the identification.

[The prognostic value of dobutamine echocardiography after an uncomplicated acute myocardial infarct]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The identification of patients at risk for future events after an infarction is mandatory. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography after an uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty five patients (mean age 65 +/- 11 years, males 82%) underwent dobutamine-echo within ten days after an uncomplicated myocardial infarction. Four myocardial responses were identified: a) negative; b) sustained improvement of myocardial contractility; c) initial improvement followed by worsening, and d) worsening at a distance or in the infarcted zone.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 7.4 +/- 4.6 months. An adverse outcome occurred in 47 patients: non cardiac death in 3, cardiac death in 6, myocardial infarction in 5, angina in 21, congestive heart failure in 2, and in 10 patients revascularization. Cox regression analysis showed that worsening of contractility was the best predictor for adverse events (p < 0.0001, relative risk 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.7-4.5). Non-smoking and previous angina were also predictors of adverse events (p = 0.003 and p = 0.04, respectively). Similar results were obtained after excluding the revascularized patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Sustained improvement of contractility in the infarcted region is not a predictor of adverse events. Asynergy at a distance or in the infarcted region during dobutamine echocardiography within ten days after an uncomplicated myocardial infarction predicts adverse cardiac events during follow-up. Therefore, dobutamine echocardiography could be used for risk stratification after acute myocardial infarction.

Immunogenicity of a Salmonella typhi CVD 908 candidate vaccine strain expressing the major surface protein gp63 of Leishmania mexicana mexicana

Attenuated Salmonella typhi are attractive for use as live vector vaccines to express protozoal antigens and deliver them to the human immune system. The gene encoding the mature form of Leishmania mexicana mexicana gp63 under control of tac promoter was integrated into the delta aroC locus of the chromosome of attenuated delta aroC, delta aroD S. typhi strain CVD 908. After oral immunization of BALB/c mice with two 1 x 10(9) colony forming unit doses given 21 days apart, CVD 908 omega (delta aroC::Ptac-gp63) elicited a broad T cell-mediated immune response against L. m. mexicana gp63 as demonstrated by: (1) lymphoproliferative response to fixed whole L. m. mexicana promastigotes; (2) activation of IL-2 (but not IL-4)-producing lymphocytes; (3) appearance of cytotoxic T cells against mouse mastocytoma cells expressing gp63. This T-cell mediated immune response was associated with significant protection in F1 (BALB/cXC57Bl/6) mice challenged in their footpads with a wild type strain of L. m. mexicana.

[Image processing in the primary visual cortex]

INTRODUCTION

Area 17 or the primary visual area forms the first link in the chain of cerebral analysis of a visual image. The neurones forming the primary visual cortex are characterized by the extreme precision of their connections, functional specialization and hierarchic organization. The spatial precision of the connections within the system for vision permit retinotopic representation in the visual cortex, so that each point of the retina is projected into a specific area of the cortex. The cortical neurones which analyze the characteristics of the image situated in a precise zone of the visual field are themselves organized into a basic functional unit known as a hypercolumn. Within each hypercolumn there are various columnar cell systems with receptive fields having similar characteristics. Thus, each hypercolumn is made up of multiple orientation columns, two ocular dominance columns and 'blob' regions. All these systems permit the analysis of different aspects of the image. The neurones belonging to the orientation columns are sensitive to the orientation, spatial frequency and movement of a visual stimulus; those of the 'blob' regions to colour, and the binocular neurones of the ocular dominance columns to depth. Within each column, the hierarchical pattern of neurone interconnections determines the successive appearance of cells with receptive fields having new properties.

Prevalence of antibodies against Entamoeba histolytica in Mexico measured by ELISA

The prevalence of antibodies against Entamoeba histolytica was studied in the Mexican population using an immunoenzyme assay in solid phase (ELISA) and semiautomatic equipment. The antigen was a mixture of membrane proteins obtained by Triton X-100 extraction from an axenic culture of Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS. The method was standardized by comparing serum samples from amoebic liver abscess patients with healthy volunteers. From the 60,538 samples supplied by the National Seroepidemiology Survey, antibodies were found in 4.49% (4.32-4.65% at 95% confidence limit). More significant titres occurred in the central region of the country. The ratio female to male was 1.25:1. The population living in metropolitan areas had probably been infected at a younger age than those living in the country. Important differences were found in the seroprevalence obtained by ELISA compared with a study which used indirect haemagglutination (IHA) in the same sample frame.

Lymphocytic proliferative response to outer-membrane proteins isolated from Salmonella

Porins isolated from Salmonella typhi have been demonstrated to protect against the challenge with this bacteria in mice. The mechanism has not been clarified, but could be associated with activation of both humoral and cellular immunity. In order to evaluate the induction of specific T cell responses, the lymphocytic proliferation to porins isolated from Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli was examined by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay in mice immunized with three different antigens: acetone-killed S. typhimurium, its porins, or outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) isolated from S. typhi. Higher proliferative responses were observed in mice immunized with porins and OMPs compared with those which received the acetone-killed bacteria. Although cross-reactivity was observed between porins, they were not mitogenic. Moreover, porins were able to activate T lymphocytes isolated from mice immunized with S. typhi OMPs. These results suggest that T cell activation, through the release of lymphokines, may play a role in the induction of protective immunity with porins.

Thoracic complications of deeply situated serous neck infections

Nine cases of complicated deep neck infections, occurring during a period of twelve years are presented. Complications observed were cervico-thoracic necrotizing fasciitis in 3 cases, purulent pleural effusion in 6 cases, pericardial effusion in 2, mediastinitis in 8 cases, jugular vein thrombosis and rupture of the innominate artery in one case each. Although 2 cases were managed initially with blind endotracheal intubation, all cases finally required tracheostomy. A cervico-mediastinal approach was useful for the early mediastinal involvement. Two patients died because of inadequacy of the multiple surgical procedures resulting in persistent infection and multi-organ failure and one because of uncontrollable bleeding after innominate artery rupture.

[Conjugate vaccines against bacterial infections: typhoid fever]

Capsular polysaccharides have been studied as possible vaccines against infectious diseases. However, they are capable to induce only short-run protection because of their T-independent properties and they would not be protective against infection in high-risk populations. The alternative to face this problem is to develop methods to join covalently the polysaccharide and proteins to both increase the immunogenicity of and to confer the property of T-dependence to this antigen. In order to obtain a conjugate vaccine against typhoid fever, in our laboratory we have tried to synthesize a conjugate immunogen between the Vi antigen and porins from Salmonella typhi.

[Factors of Salmonella typhi virulence in relation to the development of new vaccines]

Although many vaccines against typhoid fever have been developed, none have been adapted for their further application on developing countries. In order to get better vaccines, the virulence factors of both S. typhi and S. typhimurium have been studied. Thus, some protection assays have been made using surface antigens involved on virulence or using live attenuated vaccines of bacteria mutated on virulence genes. Here we present a brief review about virulence factors studied so far for the development of new vaccines.

Active protection of mice against Salmonella typhi by immunization with strain-specific porins

NIH mice were immunized with between 2.5 and 30 micrograms of two highly purified porins, 34 kDa and 36 kDa, isolated from the virulent strain Salmonella typhi 9,12, Vi:d. Of mice immunized with 10 micrograms of porins, 90% were protected against a challenge with up to 500 LD50 (50% lethal doses) of S. typhi 9,12,Vi:d and only 30% protection was observed in mice immunized with the same dose of porins but challenged with the heterologous strain Salmonella typhimurium. These results demonstrate the utility of porins for the induction of a protective status against S. typhi in mice.

[Monoclonal antibodies against the lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella typhi 9,12,VI:d. Analysis of passive protection in a mouse model of typhoid fever]

The current work was undertaken in order to assess the role of the monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Salmonella typhi in the induction of passive protection against the challenge with the bacteria in a mice model. BALB/c mice were immunized with the whole bacteria, mice with high anti-LPS antibody titers were killed, the spleens were removed and splenocytes were fused with the mouse plasmocytoma SP2/0. Two IgM monoclonal antibodies against porins were developed. Each one of these Mabs recognized the polysaccharide region of LPS. Passive immunization with supernatant fluid of mice with one of these monoclonal antibodies did not protect against challenged with 20 LD50 and 100 LD50 of Salmonella typhi. The results suggest that LPS is not valuable immunogen for the induction of a protective status against typhoid fever.

[Elaboration of an immunosorbent for the purification of porins from Salmonella typhi 9, 12, Vi:d]

The current work was undertaken to purify porins of Salmonella typhi, which are outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that induce protection in mice against challenge with the bacteria in mucin. OMPs, isolated with a non-ionic detergent, had a 4% contamination with LPS (endotoxin) and molecular sizes ranging from 17 to 70 KDa. Porins (Mw 38-41 KDa) were isolated from OMPs preparative SDS-PAGE. Anti-porins antisera were raised in rabbits and specific IgG was purified, which was coupled to Sepharose-CNBr. This immunosorbent was used to purify LPS-free porins.

[Study of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids), plasma lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol) and apoproteins (apo A and apo B in patients with acute myocardial infarction]

Several lipid parameters were evaluated in 88 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A reduction in cholesterol and phospholipid level was observed, with minimal values between the days 10-20, followed by a subsequent increase. Triglycerides increased after 12-14 hours, with a maximal value after 20-30 days. Cholesterol bound to high-density lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol) decreased after 24 hours, with a minimal value after 20-30 days. Apoprotein A decreased from the initial measurement until days 20-30. The initial lipid profile (indicating the risk of coronary artery disease) was constituted by high cholesterol (particularly in males below 60 years), high triglyceride and low HDL-cholesterol levels. The latter finding was more marked and characteristic in the overall group of evaluated patients. All values were compared with a control group of 24 healthy persons. Relevant data for prognosis included the following: males above 60 years had a greater reduction in cholesterol and apoprotein A during AMI; the males who died had lower apoprotein A levels than the survivors; females with higher haptoglobin levels also had higher apoprotein B levels. All these findings were statistically significant (p less than 0.01).

Protection against Salmonella typhi infection in mice after immunization with outer membrane proteins isolated from Salmonella typhi 9,12,d, Vi

The current studies were undertaken to assess the ability of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Salmonella typhi to induce protection against challenge with the bacteria in mucin. OMPs were isolated as described by Schnaitman (J. Bacteriol. 108:553-556, 1971) and were found to be contaminated with approximately 4% lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Immunization with as little as 30 micrograms of OMPs conferred 100% protection to mice challenged with up to 1,000 50% lethal doses (LD50) of two strains of S. typhi (9,12,d, Vi and Ty2). In addition, 30% protection against challenge with up to 500 LD50 of Salmonella typhimurium was achieved. Immunization with LPS at doses equivalent to those found in the OMPs was considerably inferior to the OMPs in the induction of an immune status. Moreover, LPS was effective only when the challenge was performed with S. typhi 9,12,d, Vi (40% protection to 100 LD50). An antiserum raised in rabbits reacted mainly against the bands of the molecular weights corresponding to the so-called porins contained in the OMP preparation as shown by Western blotting (immunoblotting). This rabbit antiserum protected 100% of mice against challenge with 100 LD50 of either strain of S. typhi and 80% of mice against challenge with the same LD50 of S. typhimurium. These results indicate the usefulness of OMPs in the induction of active immunity against S. typhi in mice.