Microbiology Commons^™

The Potential Role Of Ledgf/P75 In Prostate Cancer, Tracy Ruth Daniels

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The serum autoantibody repertoire from cancer patients is currently being exploited for the identification of tumor associated antigens (TAA) and the design of TAA arrays. Such arrays would facilitate autoantibody profiling and potentially aid in the serological diagnosis and prognosis of tumors. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize prostate-specific TAA. We observed that while the general frequency and titers of autoantibodies in PCa patients were relatively similar to those in matched controls, significant differences could be detected between the two groups in the autoantibody response to the lens epithelial-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75). LEDGF/p75 is a …

Suppressive Effects Of Transforming Factor-Β And Interleukin-10 On The Cytolytic Activity Of Murine Macrophages And Reversal By Cytokines, Chin-Hung Lin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In this study, the suppressive effects of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) on peritoneal macrophage killing of H238 target cells and the potential for reversal of the immunosuppressive effect by IL-4 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were investigated. The responsiveness of naive and peptone-activated macrophages was compared. The cytolytic activity for tumor cells of these effector cells was measured by percent lysis of ³H-thymidine labeled Herpes simplex virus type 2-transformed tumor cells (H238). After 18-24 hours of incubation with TGF-β or IL-10, the cytolytic activity of macro-medium alone. The immunosuppressive effect of TGF-β or IL-10 on non-activated macrophages was …

Immunosuppressive Activity Derived From The Uc729-6 Lymphoblastoid And M21-Hpb Melanoma Cell Lines, Charlene J. Repique

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous work conducted in our laboratories, using a murine model, suggested that soluble factors secreted by tumor cells suppress lymphocyte responses. To apply this premise to human tumors, we studied the effects of UC729-6 (lymphoblastoid B-cell) and M21-HPB (malignant melanoma) conditioned media (CM) on lymphocyte proliferation assays, as well as on the growth of other cells. The CM was collected at 2-5 day intervals from cultures of UC729-6 and M21- HPB cells in serum-free media. In assays using phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA), mononuclear peripheral blood cells from healthy human donors showed decreased [³H]-thymidine ([³H]-Tdr) …

Effects Of Corticosteroids And Of Cyclosporin A On Trypanosoma Musculi In Mice And In Culture, Philip Stephen Schuyler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The in vivo and in vitro effects of cyclosporin A and corticosteroids on Trypanosoma musculi were examined. Mice that received continuous administration of 6 mg/liter/day of dexamethasone in drinking water and 200 mg/kg hydrocortisone acetate as a single dose 24 hrs prior to injection with T. musculi had significantly higher and longer parasitemias, than controls. Body and spleen weights and B cell responsiveness were lower in test animals and there were some deaths. Mice injected with T. musculi that received 100 mg/kg/day cyclosporin A had longer, but not higher, parasitemias than controls. Corticosteroids appear to partially inactive antibody production (i.e. …

A Rapid Concentration And Identification Technique For Human Malaria Infections Using A Mouse Model, Donald D. Barton

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Red blood cells infected with malaria parasites experience a change in density making them lighter (less dense). This paper reports a new, rapid diagnostic technique using this change in density in the infected red blood cell. It is not only easy to use, but it is also compatible with the technological conditions found where the malaria problem is most acute - in many developing countries of the world. A small sample of blood drawn from a simple finger stick can be concentrated and examined microscopically for malaria parasites within 10 minutes. The thick film slide preparation, presently used, takes a …

Cryptosporidiosis In The Immunosuppressed Mouse And In Cell Culture, Mercy Prabhu Das

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic infection primarily of animals that has been recently recognized as an important disease in immunocompromised humans. Most cases to date have occurred in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Persons with abnormal humoral or cellular immune function, and even normal subjects, have also been affected.

To determine whether or not mice, when experimentally immunosuppressed, would develop cryptosporidiosis, a test was designed using the AKR/J strain. This strain was selected because, it was previously reported that it was the strain shown to respond most readily to the production of disease caused by the opportunistic protozoan, Pneumocystis carinii …

The Effects Of Temperature And Ph On The Differentiation Of Trypanosoma Lewisi (Kent, 1880) Laveran & Mesnil, 1901, In A Defined Medium, Carolann R. Rosario

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Trypanosoma lewisi is an arthropod-transmitted protozoan parasite found in the bloodstream of rats. In its life cycle it undergoes cellular differentiation. It is primarily found as the trypomastigote form in the rat and as the epimastigote form in the arthropod, the rat flea. Various studies have been done on hemoflagellates to determine the factors responsible for stimulating the differentiation from one form to the other. Included in these factors are pH, temperature, and protein fractions from fetal calf serum. Recent efforts have also been aimed at developing simple or defined media for physiological or biochemical studies on hemoflagellates. The purpose …

Effects Of Trypanosoma Musculi Kendall, 1906 Immune Serum On The Reproduction Of Trichinella Spiralis (Owen, 1835) Railliet, 1896 In Mice, Samuel L. Chafin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The possible effects of ablastin, a reproduction-inhibiting antibody which is produced during the infection of the blood parasite, Trypanosoma musculi in the mouse, were investigated by fractionating the parasite into a supernatant fraction (designated as Group A test mice) and a pellet fraction (Group B test mice). These groups A and B mice were injected with the respective fractions, plus Freund’s Complete Adjuvant (FCA). Control mice were injected with FCA only. Sera from these three groups of mice were removed after the Group A and Group B mice were shown to be negative to T. musculi challenge, and Group A …

Effect Of Time And Diet On The Immune Status Of Mice Challenged With Herpes-Transformed Cells, Daila S. Gridley

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Human Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV 2)-transformed Balb/c mouse cells (H238 cells) are malignant in Balb/c mice. The immune stratus of mice bearing H238 cell-induced tumors was studied and changes in immune response with time and with altered diet of the mice were measured.

In the experiments dealing with the status of immunity with time after tumor cell injection, mice were fed Purina Laboratory Chow (P.L.C.), injected with H238 cells, and sacrificed three to eight weeks post-injection. In the diet experiments, groups of mice were fed either P.L.C. or one of six equicaloric diets, consisting of low or high …

Concurrent Infection Of Trypanosoma Musculi Kendell, 1906, And Schistosoma Mansoni Sambon, 1907 In Mice, Berhane Andeberhan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The possible effects of ablastin on Schistosoma mansoni were investigated by (1) establishing a concurrent infection of Trypanosoma musculi and Schistosoma mansoni in mice, and (2) by obtaining Trypanosoma lewisi immune rat serum (ablastin) and injecting it into S. mansoni infected mice. These procedures were followed on days 4, 14 and 28 of S. mansoni infection. For the groups that were given immune rat serum, controls were kept into which normal rat serum was injected.

Ablastin does not have any effect on the development or morphology of the S. mansoni worms as tested in this study. Although ablastin inhibits glycolytic …

Concurrent Infections Of Trypanosoma Equiperdum And Trichinella Spiralis In Mice, Pauline A. Nembhard

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In concurrent infections of Trichinella spiralis and Trypanosoma equiperdum, the survival times vary in the early stages of the Trichinella infection. On Days 1 and 4, the mean survival times are significantly increased, and on Days 3 and 7 they are markedly decreased. This decrease is probably due to intestinal tissue invasion. Mice infected with trypanosomes after the 7th day of the Trichinella infection have survival time increases to a significant point and a steady leveling off to Day 21. It is suggested that the antibodies produced against the Trichinella worms slow down multiplication of trypanosomes and increase the …

The Effect Of Elevated Glucose On Neutrophilic Phagocytosis In Genetically Diabetic Mice, Larry B. Thompson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Infiltration to an injury site or area of bacterial contamination by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (or neutrophils) is an early and essential phase of the early inflammatory reaction. Their action on foreign matter is the most critical step taken by body defense mechanisms in the first 24 hours. Anything which interferes with that action, phagocytosis, greatly hampers early inflammation. This study was designed to see the effect of elevated glucose levels on neutrophil phagocytosis in a unique strain of genetically diabetic mice.

Twenty-two diabetic and twenty-four control female mice were used. Blood glucose determinations and total white counts were made on each …

Infectivity And Development Of Trichinella Spiralis In Germ-Free, Monocontaminated And Conventional Mice, Daulat Sitanggang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of the experiment was to compare the development of Trichinella spiralis in germ-free, Lactobacillus casei monocontaminated, Escherichia coli monocontaminated and conventional mice. The criteria used in the experiments were the recovery of adults and larvae of T. spiralis after 72 hours and one month post-infection, respectively. which gave an indication of the effects of no bacteria or only a certain, single species of bacterium on the development of this nematode in mice.

Germ-free T. spiralis larvae were obtained by washing them several times with sterile normal saline, and treatment with antibiotics. The gavaging procedure was done without anesthetization …

Some Aspects Of Carbohydrate Metabolism In The Cercariae Of Schistosoma Mansoni Sambon, 1907, A. Eugene Dunham Jr.

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cercariac of Schistosoma mansoni were studied for glycogen utilization, uptake of glucose from solution, lactic acid production, and respiration.

Using the anthrone method of determination of carbohydrate, the amount of glycogen used by a single cercaria in 4 hours is determined as 43.2 x 10^-4 μg ± 6.6 x 10^-4 μg.

Glucose was not observed to have been used from solution under the conditions of the experiment, even in the presence of trehalose. The determinations were made by the Glucostat method.

After deproteinization and desugarization, aliquots of supernatant from cercarial suspensions were analyzed for lactic acid using p-phenylphenol …

The Effect Of Varying Protein Intake On Trichinella Spiralis Infection In Mice, Clare K. Kwan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Three hundred Swiss Webster albino mice three weeks of age were placed on low (8%), medium (24%), high (48%) protein levels and a commercial laboratory animal feed, Purina Chow for various lengths of time: (1) simultaneously with infection, and four weeks thereafter, (2) three weeks before infection and throughout the four-week infection period, and (3) six weeks prior to infection and during the infection period. The protein source was casein. Sixty of the 300 mice used served as noninfected controls, and the other 240 were each infected with 400 washed, suspended Trichinella spiralis larvae obtained from a rat by the …

Life History Of A Haemogregarine, Hepatozoon Sp. In The Chuckwalla: Sauromalus, John E. Lewis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]

Quantitative Evaluation Of Streptococcal Antibodies By A Serum Inhibition Fluorescent Antibody Tube Method, Charles Glenn Nichols

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The development and description of a quantitative method of evaluating streptococcal antibodies by inhibition of fluorescent staining is reported. Suspensions of Streptococcus pyogenes group A, treated with methyl alcohol to reduce auto-fluorescence, were used as antigen. The degree of inhibition of uptake of fluorescent labeled antibody produced by the presence of antibodies in the immune test sera was measured after elution of the labeled antibody. Comparisons were made with controls using normal sera containing no inhibiting antibodies. A method of reporting the results in terms of titer is described.

Streptococcal antibodies were demonstrated quantitatively by this inhibition test in sera …

Natural History Of Thelazia Californiensis Price, 1930 (Nematoda: Thelaziidae), A Mammalian Eye Worm, Warren E. Parmelee

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Various factors—embryology, host associations, and seasonal changes In eye worn populations—tending to promote the propagation of T. califomlensls were studied.

The early embryology closely parallels that of other nematode species.

The mature embryos remain alive in saline at 35°C as long as 5 days. Dead embryos can be distinguished from living ones by virtue of the rapid staining by methylene blue by the former. Parturient female thelazias release embryos into saline, and embryos are found regularly in tear secretions of infected laboratory rabbits.

Ovic embryos possess an enveloping egg membrane containing chitin. On this account, this eye worm species is …

Natural And Experimental Infections Of Thelazia Californiensis Price (1930, Nematoda: Thelaziidae) With Descriptions Of The Adult And Larval Parasites, Howard S. Burnett

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this work was to determine the extent and effects of infestation of the eye worm of mammals, Thelazia californiensis, and to elucidate through experimentation or observation the mode of transmission.

A survey of literature revealed that thelaziasie (infestation by Thelazia species) may cause serious pathological changes in the eye and its adnexa, sometimes resulting in blindness. It was found that reports of thelaziasis in the United States were (with two exceptions) of cases in California. It was further found that T. californiensis has been reported in a wider variety of host than has any of other …