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Molecular Evolution And Intraclade Recombination Of Enterovirus D68 During The 2014 Outbreak In The United States., Yi Tan, Ferdaus Hassan, Jennifer E. Schuster, Ari Simenauer, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Rebecca A. Halpin, Xudong Lin, Nadia Fedorova, Timothy B. Stockwell, Tommy Tsan-Yuk Lam, James D. Chappell, Tina V. Hartert, Edward C. Holmes, Suman R. Das

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

In August 2014, an outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) occurred in North America, causing severe respiratory disease in children. Due to a lack of complete genome sequence data, there is only a limited understanding of the molecular evolution and epidemiology of EV-D68 during this outbreak, and it is uncertain whether the differing clinical manifestations of EV-D68 infection are associated with specific viral lineages. We developed a high-throughput complete genome sequencing pipeline for EV-D68 that produced a total of 59 complete genomes from respiratory samples with a 95% success rate, including 57 genomes from Kansas City, MO, collected during the 2014 …

Week Of February 8, 2016, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Prominent Yale Scientist Will Address the 28th Annual Graduate Student Research Forum
• AOA History of Medicine Visiting Professor Lecture Kicks Off Black History Month

The Significance Of A Common Idiotype (1f7) On Antibodies Against Human Immune Deficiency Virus Type 1 And Hepatitis C Virus, Sybille Muller, Matthew S. Parsons, Heinz Kohler, Michael Grant

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

In this review, we trace the concept and potential functional role of regulatory idiotypes in the immune response to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), simian immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV). A major idiotype involved in these viral infections is recognized and defined by a murine monoclonal antibody (1F7). Antibodies expressing the idiotype defined by 1F7 are dominant in HIV-1 infection and are also found on many broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. This regulatory idiotypic axis offers opportunities for exploitation in vaccine development for HIV-1, HCV, and other chronic viral infections.

Structural And Evolutionary Analyses Show Unique Stabilization Strategies In The Type Iv Pili Of Clostridium Difficile, Kurt H. Piepenbrink, Grace A. Maldarelli, Claudia F. Martinez De La Pena, Tanis C. Dingle, George L. Mulvey, Amanda Lee, Erik Von Rosenvinge, Glen D. Armstrong, Michael S. Donnenberg, Eric J. Sundberg

Food for Health: Publications

Type IV pili are produced by many pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and are important for processes as diverse as twitching motility, biofilm formation, cellular adhesion and horizontal gene transfer. However, many Gram-positive species, including C. difficile, also produce Type IV pili. Here, we identify the major subunit of the Type IV pili of C. difficile, PilA1, and describe multiple three-dimensional structures of PilA1, demonstrating the diversity found in three strains of C. difficile. We also model the incorporation of both PilA1 and a minor pilin, PilJ, into the pilus fiber. Although PilA1 contains no cysteine residues, and therefore cannot form the …

Safety And Immunogenicity Of Sequential Rotavirus Vaccine Schedules., Romina Libster, Monica Mcneal, Emmanuel B. Walter, Andi L. Shane, Patricia Winokur, Gretchen Cress, Andrea A. Berry, Karen L. Kotloff, Kwabena Sarpong, Christine B. Turley, Christopher J. Harrison, Barbara A. Pahud, Jyothi Marbin, John Dunn, Jill El-Khorazaty, Jill Barrett, Kathryn M. Edwards, Vteu Rotavirus Vaccine Study Work Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although both licensed rotavirus vaccines are safe and effective, it is often not possible to complete the schedule by using the same vaccine formulation. The goal of this study was to investigate the noninferiority of the immune responses to the 2 licensed rotavirus vaccines when administered as a mixed schedule compared with administering a single vaccine formulation alone.

METHODS: Randomized, multicenter, open-label study. Healthy infants (6-14 weeks of age) were randomized to receive rotavirus vaccines in 1 of 5 different schedules (2 using a single vaccine for all doses, and 3 using mixed schedules). The group receiving …

The Gras Sensor In Staphylococcus Aureus Mediates Resistance To Host Defense Peptides Differing In Mechanisms Of Action, Siyang Chaili, Ambrose L. L. Cheung, Arnold S. Bayer, Yan Q. Xiong, Alan Waring, Guido Memmi, Niles Donegan

Dartmouth Scholarship

Staphylococcus aureus uses the two-component regulatory system GraRS to sense and respond to host defense peptides (HDPs). However, the mechanistic impact of GraS or its extracellular sensing loop (EL) on HDP resistance is essentially unexplored. Strains with null mutations in the GraS holoprotein (ΔgraS) or its EL (ΔEL) were compared for mechanisms of resistance to HDPs of relevant immune sources: neutrophil α-defensin (human neutrophil peptide 1 [hNP-1]), cutaneous β-defensin (human β-defensin 2 [hBD-2]), or the platelet kinocidin congener RP-1. Actions studied by flow cytometry included energetics (ENR); membrane permeabilization (PRM); annexin V binding (ANX), and cell death protease activation (CDP). …

Gene Deletion By Fluorescence-Reported Allelic Exchange Mutagenesis In Chlamydia Trachomatis, Konrad E. Mueller, Katerina Wolf, Kenneth A. Fields

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Although progress in Chlamydia genetics has been rapid, genomic modification has previously been limited to point mutations and group II intron insertions which truncate protein products. The bacterium has thus far been intractable to gene deletion or more-complex genomic integrations such as allelic exchange. Herein, we present a novel suicide vector dependent on inducible expression of a chlamydial gene that renders Chlamydia trachomatis fully genetically tractable and permits rapid reverse genetics by fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM). We describe the first available system of targeting chlamydial genes for deletion or allelic exchange as well as curing plasmids from C. trachomatis …

Vaccines And The Looming Threat Of Syphilis, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

During the past several decades, syphilis has increased in the US and explosively so in China and Russia.While most current cases can be cured by penicillin or second line antibiotics, strains of the syphilis spirochete (Treponema pallidum) resistant to the latter have emerged.And the potential of strains to acquire resistance to penicillin via plasmids has recently been recognized.The 36 million-plus undertreated cases of syphilis in the world represent metaphorically a vast global 37°C incubator allowing exchange of antibiotic resistant genes among the human-borne bacteria and theoretically permitting the emergence of penicillin resistant strains.None has yet been identified but …

The Pseudorabies Virus Protein, Pul56, Enhances Virus Dissemination And Virulence But Is Dispensable For Axonal Transport, Gina R. Daniel, Patricia J. Sollars, Gary E. Pickard, Gregory A. Smith

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Neurotropic herpesviruses exit the peripheral nervous system and return to exposed body surfaces following reactivation from latency. The pUS9 protein is a critical viral effector of the anterograde axonal transport that underlies this process. We recently reported that while pUS9 increases the frequency of sorting of newly assembled pseudorabies virus particles to axons from the neural soma during egress, subsequent axonal transport of individual virus particles occurs with wild-type kinetics in the absence of the protein. Here, we examine the role of a related pseudorabies virus protein, pUL56, during neuronal infection. The findings indicate that pUL56 is a virulence factor …

Adjunctive Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Therapy Improves Antibiotic Response To Pulmonary Tuberculosis In A Rabbit Model, Selvakumar Subbian, Liana Tsenova, Jennifer Holloway, Blas Peixoto, Paul O'Brien, Veronique Dartois, Vikram Khetani, Jerome B. Zeldis, Gilla Kaplan

Publications and Research

Objectives: Adjunctive host-directed therapy is emerging as a new potential approach to improve the outcome of conventional antimicrobial treatment for tuberculosis (TB).We tested the ability of a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor (PDE4i) CC-11050, co-administered with the first-line anti-TB drug isoniazid (INH), to accelerate bacillary killing and reduce chronic inflammation in the lungs of rabbits with experimental Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection.

Methods: A rabbit model of pulmonary TB that recapitulates the pathologic manifestations seen in humans was used. Rabbits were infected with virulent Mtb by aerosol exposure and treated for eight weeks with INH with orwithout CC-11050, starting at fourweeks post infection. The …

Characterization Of Rna Helicase Csha And Its Role In Protecting Mrnas And Small Rnas Of Staphylococcus Aureus Strain Newman, Samin Kim, Anna-Rita Corvaglia, Stefano Léo, Ambrose Cheung, Patrice Francois

Dartmouth Scholarship

The toxin MazF_sa in Staphylococcus aureus is a sequence-specific endoribonuclease that cleaves the majority of the mRNAs in vivo but spares many essential mRNAs (e.g., secY mRNA) and, surprisingly, an mRNA encoding a regulatory protein (i.e., sarA mRNA). We hypothesize that some mRNAs may be protected by RNA-binding protein(s) from degradation by MazF_sa. Using heparin-Sepharose-enriched fractions that hybridized to sarA mRNA on Northwestern blots, we identified among multiple proteins the DEAD box RNA helicase CshA (NWMN_1985 or SA1885) by mass spectroscopy. Purified CshA exhibits typical RNA helicase activities, as exemplified by RNA-dependent ATPase activity and unwinding of …

Rnai-Mediated Gene Knockdown By Microinjection In The Model Entomopathogenic Nematode Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora., Ramesh Ratnappan, Jonathan Vadnal, Melissa Keaney, Ioannis Eleftherianos, Damien O'Halloran, John M. Hawdon

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Parasitic nematodes threaten the health of humans and livestock and cause a major financial and socioeconomic burden to modern society. Given the widespread distribution of diseases caused by parasitic nematodes there is an urgent need to develop tools that will elucidate the genetic complexity of host-parasite interactions. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is a parasitic nematode that allows simultaneous monitoring of nematode infection processes and host immune function, and offers potential as a tractable model for parasitic nematode infections. However, molecular tools to investigate these processes are required prior to its widespread acceptance as a robust model organism. In this paper we …

Exome Screening To Identify Loss-Of-Function Mutations In The Rhesus Macaque For Development Of Preclinical Models Of Human Disease, Adam Cornish, Robert M. Gibbs, Robert B. Norgren

Journal Articles: Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy

BACKGROUND: Exome sequencing has been utilized to identify genetic variants associated with disease in humans. Identification of loss-of-function mutations with exome sequencing in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) could lead to valuable animal models of genetic disease. Attempts have been made to identify variants in rhesus macaques by aligning exome data against the rheMac2 draft genome. However, such efforts have been impaired due to the incompleteness and annotation errors associated with rheMac2. We wished to determine whether aligning exome reads against our new, improved rhesus genome, MacaM, could be used to identify high impact, loss-of-function mutations in rhesus macaques that would …

Analysis Of Igm Antibody Production And Repertoire In A Mouse Model Of Sjogren's Syndrome, J. M. Kramer, N. E. Holodick, T. C. Vizconde, I. Raman, M. Yan, Q. Z. Li, D. P. Gaile, T. L. Rothstein

Journal Articles

This study tested the hypothesis that B cells from salivary tissue are distinct in terms of proliferative capacity, immunoglobulin M secretion, repertoire, and autoantibody enrichment in Sjogren's syndrome. We sorted purified B cells from the spleen, cervical lymph nodes, and submandibular glands of a primary Sjogren's syndrome mouse model (Id3-/-). Enzyme-linked immunospot and proliferation assays were performed with stimulated B cells. We single-cell sorted B cells from the spleen, cervical lymph nodes, and submandibular gland tissue from Sjogren's syndrome mice and sequenced immunoglobulin M heavy-chain variable regions. Finally, autoantigen arrays were performed using immunoglobulin M derived from sera, cervical lymph …

Cytokine-Specific Neurograms In The Sensory Vagus Nerve., B. E. Steinberg, H. A. Silverman, M. K. Gunasekaran, T. Tsaava, E. Battinelli, A. Stiegler, C. E. Bouton, S. S. Chavan, J. J. Tracey, P. T. Huerta, +1 Additional Author

Journal Articles

The axons of the sensory, or afferent, vagus nerve transmit action potentials to the central nervous system in response to changes in the body's metabolic and physiological status. Recent advances in identifying neural circuits that regulate immune responses to infection, inflammation and injury have revealed that vagus nerve signals regulate the release of cytokines and other factors produced by macrophages. Here we record compound action potentials in the cervical vagus nerve of adult mice and reveal the specific activity that occurs following administration of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Importantly, the afferent vagus neurograms …

Increased Il-17 And Tgf-Ss Serum Levels In Peripheral Blood Of Patients With Ss-Thalassemia Major: Implication For Continual Transfusions Role In T Helper 17-Mediated Proinflammatory Responses, Rasoul Baharlou, Mohammad Hassan Davami, Abbas Ahmadi-Vasmehjani, Morteza Ebrahimi

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Recent studies have shown that IL-17-producing CD4+ T helper (Th17) cells play an important role in proinflammatory processes. In this report we analyzed IL-17, IL-21, and TGF-β serum levels in the peripheral blood of Iranian beta-thalassemia major patients that clinically exhibited splenectomy and iron overload. Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected from 43 beta-thalassemia patients and 43 healthy individuals with no history of malignancies or autoimmune disorders. Then serum levels of IL-17, IL-21, and TGF-β were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The levels of IL-17 (P = 0.005) and TGF-β (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the thalassemia patients compared to the healthy control. No significant differences in the level of serum IL-21 was observed between the patients and controls. There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-17, IL-21, and TGF-β between patients with high or low serum levels of ferritin. Conclusion: Multiple blood transfusions cause constant immune stimulation, as a result of repeated exposure to new alloantigens. This might have significant effects on the stimulation of cytokine producing cells in those patients and cytokine profile can be used as a related marker for assessing disease severity and consequently therapeutic intervention.

Comparison Of Galactomannan, Beta-D-Glucan, And Aspergillus Dna In Sera Of High-Risk Adult Patients With Hematological Malignancies For The Diagnosis Of Invasive Aspergillosis, Gülçi̇n Bölük, Esra Kazak, Fahi̇r Özkalemkaş, Beyza Ener, Hali̇s Akalin, Harun Ağca, Yildiz Okuturlar, Kürşad Keski̇n, Başak Burgazlioğlu, Ridvan Ali̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

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Does The Course Of Laboratory Parameters Help Us To Predict The Outcome Of Cchf?, Sümeyye Kazancioğlu, Esragül Akinci, Ali̇ye Baştuğ, Bi̇rcan Kayaaslan, Ayşe But, Hali̇de Aslaner, Seli̇m Sirri Eren, Meltem Arzu Yetki̇n, Hurrem Bodur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Abstrat Background/aim: This study was performed to identify the characteristics distinguishing fatal and nonfatal cases of patients diagnosed with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Materials and methods: A total of 92 patients with confirmed diagnosis of CCHF in 2009-2013 were included in the study. Results: A high level of urea and aPTT on the third day of hospital stay, diarrhea, somnolence, and the interval from the beginning of the symptoms to hospital admission were independently associated with fatality. Each 10-unit increase in aPTT and urea levels increased the fatality rate by 3.379-fold and 1.236-fold, respectively. Delay in hospital admission increased the …

The Prevalence Of Tularemia In Occupational Groups That Have Contact With Animals, Fati̇h Büyük, Özgür Çelebi̇, Eli̇f Çeli̇k, Beki̇r Çelebi̇, Selçuk Kiliç, Ali̇ye Gülmez Sağlam, Doğan Akça, Mehmet Doğanay, Sali̇h Otlu, Mi̇tat Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of antibodies against Francisella tularensis in individuals in different occupations that have contact with animals in the Kars region of northeastern Turkey. Materials and methods: A total of 201 blood samples specifically including 103 farmers, 45 clinical veterinarians, 42 butchers, and 11 hunters were analyzed. The results of the study were reported in relation to some sociodemographic features (age, sex, occupation, and experience) of the volunteers. The presence of antibodies was determined by a microagglutination (MA) test. In addition, positive sera were confirmed using an ELISA kit. Results: …

The Role Of 18f-Fdg Pet-Ct In The Detection Of Unknown Primary Malignancy: A Retrospective Study, Olga Yaylali, Fatma Suna Kiraç, Doğangün Yüksel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in the detection of unknown primary tumor sites in patients with a suspicious malignancy. Materials and methods: We retrospectively examined the 18F-FDG PET/CT images of 50 unknown primary malignancy patients. The malignancy of the lesions with increased 18F-FDG uptake on PET images was defined by interpreting the nondiagnostic CT images that were obtained with the PET study. The primary tumor site was decided according to the combined PET/CT findings, and the results were subsequently confirmed with a histopathological examination. Results: Fifty patients (29 M; 21 F) aged …

Traditional Practices Of Konya Women During Pregnancy, Birth, The Postpartumperiod, And Newborn Care, Berri̇n Okka, Yasemi̇n Durduran, Nesli̇han Değerli̇ Kodaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The purpose of the present study was to identify traditional practices and the extent to which they are practiced by mothers during pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and newborn care. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the city center of Konya (Turkey). Data were collected through questionnaires completed by volunteers. The research sample comprised 450 mothers, all of whom had given birth to at least one live baby. The forms were completed during face-to-face interviews. Results: Some traditional pregnancy practices were followed by 70.7% of the participants. Of the women who performed these practices, 57.4% consciously chose …

The Utility Of The Timi Risk Index On Admission For Predicting Angiographic No-Reflow After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention In Patients With Stemi, Hali̇t Acet, Faruk Ertaş, Mehmet Ata Akil, Mehmet Zi̇hni̇ Bi̇li̇k, Mesut Aydi̇n, Ni̇hat Polat, Abdulkadi̇r Yildiz, Murat Yüksel, Leyla Çi̇ftçi̇, Necdet Özaydoğdu, Mehmet Özbek, Sai̇t Alan, Ni̇zametti̇n Toprak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score (TRS), and the TIMI risk index (TRI) have been reported in coronary artery disease patients. We investigated whether admission TRI is associated with no-reflow (NRF) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI). Materials and methods: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with p-PCI were included in the study. TRI was calculated on admission using specified variables. We defined the angiographic NRF phenomenon as a coronary TIMI flow grade of ≤2 after the vessel was recanalized or a TIMI flow grade of 3 together with a final myocardial blush grade …

Seroprevalence Of Measles, Mumps, Rubella, And Varicella Amongphysicians And Nurses In Jordan, Faris Ghalib Bakri, Zakaria Mohammad Abdelrahim, Alqahira Samih Alkalbani, Ghada Mohammad Khrais, Deena Shamroukh, Ferial Ahmad Hayajneh, Azmi Mahafza

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella can affect susceptible healthcare workers who might subsequently spread the infection to susceptible patients and workers. Here, we aim to determine the seroprevalence of these infections among physicians and nurses and to compare the history of varicella with the results of varicella antibodies among study participants. Materials and methods: Two randomly selected groups, one group of physicians and one of nurses, from a university hospital in Jordan were interviewed and their serum IgG antibodies were measured. Results: The physicians and nurses group had 252 and 241 participants, respectively. The physicians group had significantly more …

Evaluation Of Tetanus Antibody Levels In Adults In Yozgat, Turkey, Çi̇ğdem Kader, Mehmet Balci, Ayşe Erbay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To assess the immune status against tetanus in relation to self-declared vaccination status among an adult population in Yozgat, Turkey. Methods: Questionnaires and blood specimens were collected from 267 individuals over 18 years of age in Yozgat, Turkey. Antitetanus antibodies were determined quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Among the 267 subjects (mean age 43.4 ± 15.6; male:female, 133:134) 168 (62.9%) had protective level of tetanus antibody titers. There was a characteristic distribution of the tetanus antibody titers in different age groups as it dropped with increasing age. Protective immunity was obtained in 74.1% of urban and 47.9% of …

Potential Drug?Drug Interactions In A Medical Intensive Care Unit Of A University Hospital, Medi̇ne Gülçebi̇ İdri̇z Oğlu, Esra Küçüki̇brahi̇moğlu, Ati̇la Karaalp, Özlem Sarikaya, Mahluga Demirkapu, Fi̇li̇z Onat, Mehmet Zafer Gören

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can impact patient safety. Occurrence of clinically important DDIs is higher for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This observational study aimed to evaluate the potential DDIs in medical ICU patients of a university hospital. Materials and methods: The Medical Pharmacology Department organized consultation reports for ICU patients in order to detect the DDIs. To focus on clinically important DDIs, interactions in the C, D, or X risk rating categories of the Lexi-Interact online database were analyzed. Frequency and clinical risk rating categories of DDIs were detected. Relationship between number of prescriptions and DDIs were assessed. The …

Determination Of Virulence And Multidrug Resistance Genes With Polymerase Chain Reaction Method In Vancomycin-Sensitive And -Resistant Enterococci Isolated From Clinical Samples*, Şükran Saba Çopur, Fi̇kret Şahi̇n, Juli̇de Sedef Göçmen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Enterococci play an important role in nosocomial infections. Therefore, this study investigates multidrug resistance (MDR)1 gene areas in the pathogenicity of enterococci and virulence genes in both vancomycin-sensitive enterococci (VSE) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) strains. Materials and methods: Virulence genes and MDR genes of enterococci were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: We evaluated a total of 116 isolates, 93 being VRE and 23 being VSE. In this study, 95.6% of VRE (n = 93) were Enterococcus faecium (n = 89) and 4.3% were E. faecalis (n = 4), while 17.4% of VSE (n = 23) were E. …

Investigating The In Vitro Synergistic Activities Of Several Antibiotic Combinationsagainst Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolates, Sevi̇m Yavaş, Meltem Arzu Yetki̇n, Bi̇rcan Kayaaslan, Ali̇ye Baştuğ, Hali̇de Aslaner, Ayşe But, Di̇lek Kanyilmaz, Berri̇n Sari, Esragül Akinci, Hurrem Bodur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infectious agents worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro synergistic activities of several antibiotic combinations against carbapenem-resistant (CR) A. baumannii isolates. Materials and methods: Eighteen CR A. baumannii strains were isolated from the patients who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit between June 2012 and August 2012. The in vitro effects of single and binary combinations of meropenem (MEM), colistin (CST), tigecycline (TGC), and sulbactam (SUL) on these isolates were determined using the Epsilometer test (E-test) method. Results: All 18 isolates were …

Analyses Of Endothelial Cells And Endothelial Progenitor Cells Released Microvesicles By Using Microbead And Q-Dot Based Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis, Jinju Wang, Yun Zhong, Xiaotang Ma, Xiang Xiao, Chuanfang Cheng, Yusen Chen, Ifeanyi Iwuchukwu, Kenneth J. Gaines, Bin Zhao, Shiming Liu, Jeffrey B. Travers, Ji C. Bihl, Yanfang Chen

Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty Publications

Accurate analysis of specific microvesicles (MVs) from biofluids is critical and challenging. Here we described novel methods to purify and detect MVs shed from endothelial cells (ECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) by combining microbeads with fluorescence quantum dots (Q-dots) coupled nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). In the in vitroscreening systems, we demonstrated that 1) anti-CD105 (EC marker) and anti-CD34 (EPC marker) conjugated-microbeads had the highest sensitivity and specificity for isolating respective MVs, which were confirmed with negative controls, CD41 and CD235a; 2) anti-CD144 (EC marker) and anti-KDR (EPC marker) conjugated-Q-dots exhibited the best sensitivity and specificity for their respective …

Evaluation Of Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato Seroprevalencein The Province Of Bolu, Turkey, Özlem Bucak, Mücahi̇de Esra Koçoğlu, Teki̇n Taş, Firat Zafer Mengeloğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the city center and the province of Bolu, Turkey. Materials and methods: A stratified sampling method was used to determine the study population. A total of 196 blood samples were collected. A questionnaire was completed by each participant in the study. ELISA was performed and positive serologic results were confirmed using western blotting. Data were analyzed statistically using the chi-square test. Results: Seropositivity rates of B. burgdorferi IgM and IgG were determined as 14.8% (29/196) and 13.7% (27/196) respectively by ELISA. A …

Lineage-Specific Differences In The Gp120 Inner Domain Layer 3 Of Human And Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses, Shilei Ding, Halima Medjahed, Jérémie Prévost, Mathieu Coutu, Shi-Hua Xiang, Andrés Finzi

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Binding of HIV-1 and SIV gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein to CD4 triggers conformational changes in gp120 that promote its interaction with one of the chemokine receptors, usually CCR5, ultimately leading to gp41-mediated virus-cell membrane fusion and entry. We previously described that topological Layers (Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3) in the gp120 inner domain contribute to gp120-trimer association in the unliganded state but also help secure CD4 binding. Relative to Layer 1 of HIV-1 gp120, the SIVmac239 gp120 Layer 1 plays a more prominent role in maintaining gp120-trimer association but is minimally involved in promoting CD4 binding, which could …