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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Schistosoma Mansoni U6 Gene Promoter-Driven Short Hairpin Rna Induces Rna Interference In Human Fibrosarcoma Cells And Schistosomules, Clarence Lee
Clarence Lee
RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by short hairpin-RNA (shRNA) expressing plasmids can induce specific and long-term knockdown of specific mRNAs in eukaryotic cells. To develop a vector-based RNAi model for Schistosoma mansoni, the schistosome U6 gene promoter was employed to drive expression of shRNA targeting reporter firefly luciferase. An upstream region of a U6 gene predicted to contain the promoter was amplified from genomic DNA of S. mansoni. A shRNA construct driven by the predicted U6 promoter targeting luciferase was assembled and cloned into plasmid pXL-Bac II, the construct termed pXL-BacII_SmU6-shLuc. Luciferase expression in transgenic fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells was significantly reduced …
Treatment Options For Hepatitis C And The Rationale For Low Response Rates In African Americans, Cheu Patricia Manka, Ralph Gomes, Rebecca Reviere, Clarence Lee
Treatment Options For Hepatitis C And The Rationale For Low Response Rates In African Americans, Cheu Patricia Manka, Ralph Gomes, Rebecca Reviere, Clarence Lee
Clarence Lee
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the leading cause for liver transplantation, is emerging as1 of the infections that pose public health problems in the world since about 170 million people worldwide are infected with this virus. Inequality in addressing racial/ethnic disparities in treatment for hepatitis C is a pressing problem. HCV is more common among African Americans than among other racial groups in the United States. Although African Americans have been shown to have a lower rate of viral clearance and a higher rate of chronic hepatitis C, they may have at the same time a much lower rate of fibrosis …
Amebiasis And Comparison Of Microscopy To Elisa Technique In Detection Of Entamoeba Histolytica And Entamoeba Dispar, Clarence Lee
Amebiasis And Comparison Of Microscopy To Elisa Technique In Detection Of Entamoeba Histolytica And Entamoeba Dispar, Clarence Lee
Clarence Lee
The analysis of records of amoebal infection in various hospitals in Kilimanjaro indicated frequent occurrence of amebiasis. The population over the age of five years had higher rate of amoebal infection compared to less than that of a five-year-old population; however, both age groups had similar patterns of amebiasis during January 1999 to June 2001. To investigate misdiagnosis of amebiasis, 226 patients (passive cases) in three hospitals and 616 individuals (active cases) from three different localities in Kilimanjaro were examined. In passive cases, the prevalences of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar were 1% and 7.3%, respectively. Among active cases, 1% …
Isolation And Analysis Of Nephritic-Producing Immune Complexes In Plasmodium Berghei-Infected Mice, Clarence Lee, Eric J. Toran
Isolation And Analysis Of Nephritic-Producing Immune Complexes In Plasmodium Berghei-Infected Mice, Clarence Lee, Eric J. Toran
Clarence Lee
A nephritic condition was developed by infecting Swiss Webster albino mice with the malarial parasite Plasmodium berghei NK 65. These animals were tested for urinary protein and the presence of circulating immune complexes using reagent strips and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation assay. The circulating immune complexes were isolated from the sera using both affinity chromatography and PEG precipitation and from the kidney by acid elution. The isolated complexes were dissociated into their individual components and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The components of the complexes were transferred to nitrocellulose sheets and probed for the presence of …
Trypanosoma Lewisi: Effects Of Trace Metal Contaminants On Immunological Responses, Yvonne Hogan, Clarence Lee
Trypanosoma Lewisi: Effects Of Trace Metal Contaminants On Immunological Responses, Yvonne Hogan, Clarence Lee
Clarence Lee
The effects of trace metal contaminants (lead, cadmium, and mercury) on the immunologic responses of rats infected with Trypanosoma lewisi were investigated to determine whether chronic exposures to subclinical levels of these metals have adverse effects on the host's ability to respond to an infective agent.Earlier and higher levels of parasitemia were detected in animals exposed to cadmium, lead, and mercury. The variability in length of trypanosome cells in metal-exposed animals became constant at a later time and persisted for a longer time, indicating a delay in antibody synthesis. Serum levels of IgG and IgM were increased in infected animals …
Interaction Of Trace Metal Contaminants On Hematological Responses: Influence Of Infection With Trypanosoma Lewisi, Yvonne Hogan, Clarence Lee
Interaction Of Trace Metal Contaminants On Hematological Responses: Influence Of Infection With Trypanosoma Lewisi, Yvonne Hogan, Clarence Lee
Clarence Lee
The influence of trace metal contaminants (lead, cadmium, and mercury) on Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated to determine whether subclinical levels of these metals might have adverse effects on the host's ability to respond to an infective agent.In the present study, a trace metal contaminant-trypanosome system was employed to observe the hematological changes in rats infected with Trypanosoma lewisi. The animal groups were: (1) lead (Pb), (2) cadmium (Cd), (3) mercury (Hg), and (4) controls (animals not exposed to trace metals).Regardless of the trace metals, infected animals showed decreases in total erythrocyte counts and lower hematocrit values. Generally, infected animals also …
Interaction Of Nutrition And Infection: Effect Of Zinc Deficiency On Immunoglobulin Levels In Trypanosoma Musculi Infection, Clarence Lee, Patricia A. Humphrey, Georgiana Aboko-Cole
Interaction Of Nutrition And Infection: Effect Of Zinc Deficiency On Immunoglobulin Levels In Trypanosoma Musculi Infection, Clarence Lee, Patricia A. Humphrey, Georgiana Aboko-Cole
Clarence Lee
Accumulative evidence in the scientific literature relating malnutrition and susceptibility to infection in human beings and animals has contributed significantly to the understanding of the maladies among the malnourished of the world. In the dispensation of health care systems around the world, little or no emphasis has been placed on trace-element nutrition. This paper adds to the available evidence by using a metabolic imbalance technique to investigate the effects zinc deficiency exert on the course of a parasitic infection. A model composed of zinc-deficient mice and Trypanosoma musculi was used to study changes in serum immunoglobulins.
Immunobiology Of Schistosomiasis, Clarence Lee, Mohamed A. Elhelu, Georgiana Aboko-Cole
Immunobiology Of Schistosomiasis, Clarence Lee, Mohamed A. Elhelu, Georgiana Aboko-Cole
Clarence Lee
Although malaria and hookworm disease appear to be on the decline, another dreaded parasitic disease-schistosomiasis-is on the increase. Presently, the number of infected individuals with schistosomes is estimated to be 250 million, and even though only a small proportion of them become sick and die, schistosomiasis remains a medical problem of great significance. The high incidence of infection of man with Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum or Schistosoma haematobium, as well as the chronic debilitating diseases produced, places these organisms among the world's most important infectious agents. This paper discusses the nature of immunity to schistosomiasis.
Immunobiology Of Malaria, Clarence Lee, Yvonne Hogan, Georgiana Aboko-Cole
Immunobiology Of Malaria, Clarence Lee, Yvonne Hogan, Georgiana Aboko-Cole
Clarence Lee
Malaria, the number one disease in the world, is caused by intracellular protozoans belonging to the Subphylum, Sporozoa; Suborder, Haemosphoridia; and Family, Plasmodiidae. The four classical organisms producing disease in man are Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae, and P. ovale. Although malaria has been known to man for centuries, attempts are still being made to control and eliminate its devastating effects in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Current active interest in malarial immunology and immunopathology derives from two main facts: (1) that human malaria is still one of the chief health problems in a broad tropical and …