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Suitably controlled serosurveillance surveys are essential for evaluating human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization programs. A panel of plasma samples from 18-year-old females was assembled, the majority of the samples being from recipients of the bivalent HPV vaccine. Antibody specificities were evaluated by three independent laboratories, and 3 pools that displayed no antibodies to any HPV type t
Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is presumed to be central to the altered responsiveness to recurrent infection in these patients. We examined the effects of smoke priming underlying the exacerbated response to viral infection in mice. Lack of interleukin-33 (IL-33) signaling conferred complete protection during exacerbation and prevented enhan
Background Achievement of global health goals will require assessment of progress not only nationally but also for population subgroups. We aimed to assess how the magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities in health changes in relation to different rates of national progress in coverage of interventions for the health of mothers and children. Methods We assessed coverage in low-income and middle-inc
Cell migration is a fundamental biological function, critical during development and regeneration, whereas deregulated migration underlies neurological birth defects and cancer metastasis. MARCKS-like protein 1 (MARCKSL1) is widely expressed in nervous tissue, where, like Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), it is required for neural tube formation, though the mechanism is unknown. Here we show th
In veal calf production, growth promoters are still illicitly used. Surveillance of misuse of such molecules is necessary to preserve human health. Methods currently adopted for their analysis are based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, but their efficacy can be affected by undetectable residual concentrations in biological matrices due to treatments at low-dosage or based on unkn
This study examines the motif of the Fallen World in Coleridge’s major poems The Ancient Mariner, Christabel and Kubla Khan . The use of Milton’s Paradise Lost as an intertextual foil throughout allows themes and metaphors inherent in the Fallen World motif to emerge in Coleridge’s poetry. A Fall presupposes a standard from which one has been separated downwards. Primarily, it is understood as man
The aim of this study is to examine the two novels Le Rouge et le Noir and La Chartreuse de Parme in the light of the theory of 'triangular desire', elaborated by René Girard in Mensonge romantique et vérité romanesque (1961). According to this theory, desire in Stendhal's novels – that is desire in a very general sense – is not spontaneous, but derived from a third part, that Girard labels the 'm
Highly malignant tumors, such as glioblastomas, are characterized by hypoxia, endothelial cell (EC) hyperplasia, and hypercoagulation. However, how these phenomena of the tumor microenvironment may be linked at the molecular level during tumor development remains ill-defined. Here, we provide evidence that hypoxia up-regulates protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2), i.e., a G-protein-coupled recept
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting cartilaginous joints but also extra-articular tissues such as the nose and upper respiratory tract. We have investigated extra-articular cartilage involvement in two commonly used animal models for RA, collagen-induced and pristane-induced arthritis, by immunizing rats with different susceptibility to disease (LEW.1 A,
HIV particles that use the chemokine receptor CXCR4 as a coreceptor for entry into cells (X4-HIV) inefficiently transmit infection across mucosal surfaces [1], despite their presence in seminal fluid and mucosal secretions from infected individuals [2] [3] [4]. In addition, although intestinal lymphocytes are susceptible to infection with either X4-HIV particles or particles that use the chemokine
Purpose: The aim of this work is to examine the relationship between aspects of objective and perceived housing and aspects of healthy aging, defined as independence in daily activities and subjective wellbeing. Furthermore, this research examined the comparability of relationships between housing and healthy aging in the five European countries. Design and Methods: Data were drawn from the ENABLE
Autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65Ab) are commonly believed to be a major characteristic for type 1 diabetes (T1D). We investigated the presence of GAD65Ab in healthy individuals (n = 238) and first-degree relatives (FDRs) of T1D patients (n = 27) who tested negative for GAD65Ab in conventional RIAs. Sera were applied to affinity columns coated with GAD65-specific mAbs to absorb a
Bikunin is a Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor, which is cross-linked to heavy chains via a chondroitin sulfate chain, forming inter-alpha-inhibitor and related molecules. Rat bikunin was produced by baculovirus-infected insect cells. The protein could be purified with a total yield of 20 mg/liter medium. Unlike naturally occuring bikunin the recombinant protein had no galactosaminoglycan chain. En
Bacteria-controlled regulation of host responses to infection is an important virulence mechanism that has been demonstrated to contribute to disease progression. Here we report that the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes employs the procarboxypeptidase TAR (thrombin-activatablefibrinolysis inhibitor) to modulate the kallikrein/kinin system. To this end, bacteria initiate a chain of events star
BACKGROUND. Serum response factor (SRF) is an important transcription factor in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Since CRPC is associated with androgen receptor (AR) hypersensitivity, we investigated the relationship between SRF and AR. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Transcriptional activity was assessed by luciferase assay. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT and flow cytometry. Protein expr
Streptococcus pyogenes is an important human pathogen that causes a variety of diseases including life-threatening invasive diseases, such as toxic shock and deep tissue infections. Although S. pyogenes are classically considered extracellular pathogens, a clinical significance of an intracellular source has been emphasized. In patients with deep tissue infections, an intracellular reservoir of S.
Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin is the most common neoplasm among the Caucasian population of the western world. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced p53 activation promotes cutaneous pigmentation by increasing transcriptional activity of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in the skin. Induction of POMC/alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) activates the melanocortin 1 recepto
Introduction of a conjugated vaccine against encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) has led to a dramatic reduction of invasive Hib disease. However, an increasing incidence of invasive disease by H. influenzae non-type b has recently been reported. Non-type b strains have been suggested to be opportunists in an invasive context, but information on clinical consequences and related medic
By the adoption of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Personswith Disabilities, many countries have committed to providing conditionsfor persons with disabilities to actively participate in the community. Thisarticle explores the meaning of active citizenship for persons withpsychosocial disabilities and focuses in particular on the role of thestate. Illustrated with examples from Swede
This paper valuates two different financial contracts, the European Call and the Spread option using the Fourier transform. In the European Call case the underlying asset is modelled by the geometric Brownian motion stochastic differential equation. All necessary conditions in order for the transform to exists are examined and it turns out that the payoff needs to be scaled by an exponential facto
