Extensive antigenic and genetic variation among foot-and-mouth disease type A viruses isolated from the 1994 and 1995 foci in São Paulo, Brazil

Nine foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type A isolates recovered from the field FMD foci in São Paulo State, Brazil, during 1994 and 1995 (a period preceding the last reported focus of FMD in 1996 in this state) were compared among themselves and with the reference vaccine strain A(24)Cruzeiro. The techniques used were sandwich ELISA, virus neutralization (VN), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of the structural polypeptides and direct sequencing of the VP1-coding region (1D gene). Results of VN were recorded as serological relationships R and those from ELISA were expressed as percentage of the homologous reaction r. ELISA and VN gave comparable results (correlation coefficient, 0.936) allowing assignment of these field viruses to four groups which were distinct from the A(24)Cruzeiro strain. PAGE and ID nucleotide sequencing were also able to distinguish between these viruses. The high level:of genetic and antigenic variation found when comparing the A(24)Cruzeiro vaccine strain and type A strains recovered, from the last identified foci of FMD came from a formerly endemic area where vaccination with polyvalent vaccines (O(1)Campos, A(24)Cruzciro and C(3)Indaial) had been extensively applied. The similarity between the results of the serological and genetic analyses suggest that the antigenic differences found are mainly located in the 1D protein. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemotherapeutic Agents in Noncytotoxic Concentrations Increase Antigen Presentation by Dendritic Cells via an IL-12-Dependent Mechanism

Antineoplastic chemotherapeutic agents may indirectly activate dendritic cells (DCs) by inducing the release of danger signals from dying tumor cells. Whereas the direct cytotoxic or inhibitory effect of conventional chemotherapy on DCs has been reported, modulation of DC function by chemotherapeutic agents in low noncytotoxic concentrations has not yet been investigated. We have tested the effects of different classes of antineoplastic chemotherapeutic agents used in low noncytotoxic concentrations on the Ag-presenting function of DCs. We revealed that paclitaxel, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, and methotrexate up-regulated the ability of DCs to present Ags to Ag-specific T cells. Stimulation of DC function was associated with the up-regulation of expression of Ag-processing machinery components and costimulatory molecules on DCs, as well as increased IL-12p70 expression. However, the ability of DCs treated with paclitaxel, methotrexate, doxorubicin, and vinblastine to increase Ag presentation to Ag-specific T cells was abolished in DCs generated from IL-12 knockout mice, indicating that up-regulation of Ag presentation by DCs is IL-12-dependent and mediated by the autocrine or paracrine mechanisms. At the same time, IL-12 knockout and wild-type DCs demonstrated similar capacity to up-regulate OVA presentation after their pretreatment with low concentrations of mitomycin C and vincristine, suggesting that these agents do not utilize IL-12-mediated pathways in DCs for stimulating Ag presentation. These findings reveal a new mechanism of immunopotentiating activity of chemotherapeutic agents-a direct immunostimulatory effect on DCs (chemomodulation)-and thus provide a strong rationale for further assessment of low-dose chemotherapy given with DC vaccines for cancer treatment. The Journal of Immunology, 2009, 183: 137-144.

Distinct localization of T cell Agrin during antigen presentation - evidence for the expression of Agrin receptor(s) in antigen-presenting cells

Agrin is over-expressed by activated and autoimmune T cells, and synergizes with the T cell receptor (TCR) to augment cell activation. In the present study, we show that Agrin accumulates to distinct areas of the plasma membrane and that cell activation causes its redistribution. During antigen presentation, Agrin primarily accumulates to the periphery of the mature immunological synapse, mostly in lamellipodia-like protrusions that wrap around the antigen-presenting cell and, conversely, anti-Agrin sera induced a significant redistribution of TCR at the plasma membrane. We also provide evidence for the expression of Agrin receptors in peripheral blood monocytes, dendritic cells and a fraction of B cells. Interestingly, interferon-a treatment, which induces the expression of Agrin in T cells, also augmented Agrin binding to monocytes. Stimulation of monocytes with recombinant Agrin induced the clustering of surface receptors, including major histocompatibility complex class II, activation of intracellular signalling cascades, as well as enhanced dsRNA-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-a. Collectively, these results confirm the location of Agrin at the immunological synapse between T cells and antigen-presenting cells and justify further characterization of its receptors in the immune system.

The Perception of Smile Attractiveness Variations from Esthetic Norms, Photographic Framing and Order of Presentation

Objectives: To evaluate the attractiveness of a smile according to variations from esthetic norms, photographic framing, and the order of the presentation of photographs.Materials and Methods: A photograph of an individual was selected and digitally manipulated to create the following smiles: an ideal control smile (I), a smile with diastema (D1), a smile with midline deviation (LM3), a smile with deviation from the long axes of the lateral incisors (10D), and a smile with an inverted smile arc (LSRV). The manipulated photographs were developed in framings of the face and of the mouth and evaluated by 20 laypeople. For half the evaluators, the presentation started with facial photographs and, for the other half, the presentation began with the mouth shots. Evaluators were asked to rank the photographs from the least to the most attractive; then, each photograph was awarded a mark (scale of 0.0 to 10.0).Results: In both presentations, the smiles I, LM3, 10D, and LSRV received favorable ratings, whereas the D1 smile got poor ratings. The photographic framings used (face vs mouth) and the order of presentation of the photographs did not influence the rankings.Conclusion: The absence of variations from beauty norms of a smile has a positive impact on its esthetic perception, but variations from the norms do not necessarily result in reduced attractiveness. (Angle Orthod. 2009;79:634-639.)

Antigenic typing of brazilian rabies virus samples isolated from animals and humans, 1989-2000

Amostras de vírus rábico isoladas de animais e humanos no período de 1989 a 2000 foram tipificadas antigenicamente com a utilização de um painel de anticorpos monoclonais contra a nucleoproteína viral, pré-estabelecido para o estudo da epidemiologia molecular do vírus rábico isolado nas Américas. As amostras testadas foram isoladas no laboratório de diagnóstico do Instituto Pasteur e outros centros de diagnóstico de raiva no Brasil. Além das cepas de vírus rábico fixo CVS-31/96-IP, mantida em cérebro de camundongos e a PV-BHK/97, mantida em cultura de células, cepas de vírus rábico isoladas de cães, gatos, bovinos, eqüinos, morcegos, ovinos, caprino, suínos, raposa, sagüí, coatí, guaxinim e humanos, totalizaram 330 amostras. Seis variantes antigênicas foram definidas, compatíveis com perfís observados no painel de anticorpos monoclonais pré-estabelecido utilizado, as de número 2 (cão), 3 (Desmodus rotundus), 4 (Tadarida brasiliensis), 5 (Vampiro da Venezuela), 6 (Lasiurus cinereus) e Lab (reagente a todos os anticorpos utilizados), além de outros seis perfís desconhecidos, não compatíveis com aqueles observados no painel utilizado. A maior variabilidade foi observada entre as amostras isoladas de morcegos insetívoros e a variante mais comum isolada entre as espécies foi a variante 3 (Desmodus rotundus). Estes fatos podem representar a existência de múltiplos ciclos de transmissão independentes, envolvendo diferentes espécies de morcegos.

Antigenic similarities to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in thermo-dependent dimorphic fungi isolated from soil in Botucatu, SP, Brazil

We compared the antigenic characteristics of two thermo-dependent dimorphic fungi isolated from soil in Botucatu, an endemic area of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The soil isolates grew as cerebriform colonies at 37 degrees C (yeast form) and as cottonous colonies at 25 degrees C (mycelial form). No pathogenicity for ddY mice or hamsters were observed. In immunodiffusion test, there were precipitation bands between the 2 soil isolates and pooled PCM patient sera. There were also common precipitation bands at 21, 50 and 58 kDa between the soil isolates antigens and PCM patient sera by Western-blotting, but no gp43 kDa band. No gene for gp43 kDa protein was detected in the soil isolates by PCR. The fact that these isolates were obtained from an endemic area of PCM and there were some antigenic similarities between the soil isolates and P. brasiliensis in immunodiffusion test and Western-blotting may have some importance in epidemiological surveys done with paracoccidioidin as well interfering with the immune response of the exposed population.

Localization of Antigenic Sites in Unfed Nymphs of Amblyomma triste Koch 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks by Immunohistochemistry

P>The reactivity of sera collected from guinea pigs after three infestations with Amblyomma triste nymphs on histological sections of the same tick species was investigated through immunohistochemistry to identify potential target cells and tissues. Six guinea pigs were infested thrice, at 30 day intervals, with 30 nymphs of A. triste per animal per infestation. Blood samples were collected from the guinea pigs 15 days after each infestation for serum separation; normal serum was obtained before the first infestation as control. Unfed A. triste nymphs' histological sections were submitted to indirect immunohistochemistry technique by using normal or hyperimmune guinea pig serum as primary antibody and a goat IgG-alkaline phosphatase-APase conjugate as secondary antibody. A weak to moderate APase activity was observed in cells of salivary glands, midgut and haemolymph of unfed nymphs incubated with hyperimmune serum.

Management of an Unusual Presentation of Ascher Syndrome

Ascher syndrome is defined by the association between double lip, blepharochalasis, and nontoxic goiter. Because it is a rare disease, it is most often misdiagnosed, despite its implications for quality of life. We report a variation of an incomplete type of Ascher syndrome affecting the upper lip, upper eyelids, and lateral canthi of a young male patient. The surgical management, follow-up, and a brief overview of the syndrome are described. The results presented show an aesthetic and functional improvement of the facial deformities.

Western blot analysis of tick antigens from a Rhipicephalus sanguineus unfed larval extract and identification of antigenic sites in tick sections using immunohistochemistry. A comparative study between resistant and susceptible host species

Most parasite-host relationships are characterized by the development of resistance by the host, thus limiting the number of parasites. However, some cases are very unusual. In the relationship of the domestic dog with the brown dog-tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus this does not occur, whereas guinea pigs develop efficient resistance. Sera from domestic dogs, crab-eating foxes and guinea pigs collected before and after infestation with R. sanguineus ticks, and after immunization with a whole tick adult or larval homogenate, were used in Western blot analysis to compare and identify potential important antigens from a tick larval homogenate. The same sera were tested in an indirect immunohistochemistry assay in an attempt to compare relevant antigenic sites on histological tick sections. The immunoblotting displayed antigens recognized only by the guinea pigs, as well as several shared antigens between host species, depending on the kind of immunization. Immunohistochemistry revealed probable antigenic sites on the cells and tissues of ticks, which varied depending on the kind of immunization (infestation or vaccination) and the animal species involved.

Electrophoretic patterns of lipopolysaccharides and antigenic analysis of soybean bradyrhizobia

Several serological methods have been used for the characterization and identification of soybean bradyrhizobia. However, some problem were non-reactivity of certain strains and cross-reactivity among others. Since lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can often be used in strain identification, the objective was to investigate the antigenic properties and polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic pattern of 12 Brazilian strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum that nodulate soybean and to compare them to standard strains. The close correlation between the LPS patterns obtained by SDS-PAGE and the serological analysis permitted us to assign the strains to nine groups different or the same as the standard strains.

Post-ganglionic Horner's syndrome: An unusual presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

In this paper, we present the rare case of a patient with cervical lymphadenopathy diagnosed as a T-cell-rich B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that manifested Horner's syndrome due to a post-ganglionic sympathetic neuron lesion caused by the tumor. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.