Parenteral and mucosal delivery of a novel multi-epitope M protein-based group A streptococcal vaccine construct: investigation of immunogenicity in mice

Primary vaccine strategies against group A streptococci (GAS) have focused on the M protein-the target of opsonic antibodies important for protective immunity. We have previously reported protection of mice against GAS infection following parenteral delivery of a multi-epitope vaccine construct, referred to as a heteropolymer. This current report has assessed mucosal (intranasal (i.n.) and oral) delivery of the heteropolymer in mice with regard to the induction and specificity of mucosal and systemic antibody responses, and compared this to parenteral delivery. GAS-specific IgA responses were detected in saliva and gut upon i.n. and oral delivery of the heteropolymer co-administered with cholera toxin B subunit, respectively. High titre serum IgG responses were elicited to the heteropolymer following all routes of delivery when administered with adjuvant. Moreover, as with parenteral delivery, serum IgG antibodies were detected to the individual heteropolymer peptides following i.n. but not oral delivery. These data support the potential of the i.n. route in the mucosal delivery of a GAS vaccine. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Motor and functional skills of children with developmental coordination disorder: A pilot investigation of measurement issues

This paper reports on the motor and functional outcomes of 20 children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) aged 4-8 years consecutively referred to a pediatric physiotherapy service. Children with a Movement ABC (M-ABC) score less than the 15th percentile, and with no concurrent medical, sensory, physical, intellectual or neurological impairments, were recruited. The Motor Assessment Outcomes Model (MAOM) [Coster and Haley, Infants and Young Children 4 (1992) 11] provided the theoretical base for measurement selection, and preliminary findings at the activities and participation levels of the model are reported in this article. Children with DCD performed at the lower end of the normal range on the Pea-body Developmental Motor Scales (fine motor total score) (M = 85.65, SD = 12.23). Performance on the Visual Motor Integration Test (VMI) standard scores was within the average range (M = 96.15, SD = 10.69). Videotaped observations of the children's writing and cutting indicated that 29% were left-handed and that a large proportion of all children (31%) utilized unusual pencil grasp patterns and immature prehension of scissors. Measurement at the participation level involved use of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance (PCSA) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Overall, these young children rated themselves towards the more competent and accepted end of the PCSA over the dimensions of physical and cognitive competence and peer and maternal acceptance. The PEDI revealed generally average performance on social (M = 49.98, SD = 16.62) and mobility function (M = 54.71, SD = 3.99), however, self-care function was below the average range for age (M = 38.01, SD = 12.19). The utility of the MAOM as a framework for comprehensive measurement of functional and motor outcomes of DCD in young children is discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Numerical investigation of turbulent flow around a rotating stepped cylinder for corrosion study

Direct numerical simulation has been carried out for turbulent flow set up by a rotating cylinder with two backward-facing steps axisymmetrically mounted in the circumferential direction. This flow geometry creates a qualitatively similar flow pattern as observed near, a sudden, pipe expansion or a plane backward-facing step, characterized by flow separation and reattachment. A region of intense turbulence intensity and high wall-shear-stress fluctuations is formed in,the recirculating I region downstream of the step, where high mass-transfer capacity was also experimentally observed. Since, corrosion is frequently mass-transfer., controlled, our findings, put forward this apparatus as useful tool for future corrosion research.

Investigation of candidate division TM7, a recently recognized major lineage of the domain bacteria with no known pure-culture representatives

A molecular approach was used to investigate a recently described candidate division of the domain Bacteria, TM7, currently known only from environmental 16S ribosomal DNA sequence data, A number of TM7-specific primers and probes were designed and evaluated. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of a laboratory scale bioreactor using two independent TM7-specific probes revealed a conspicuous sheathed-filament morphotype, fortuitously enriched in the reactor. Morphologically, the filament matched the description of the Eikelboom morphotype 0041-0675 widely associated with bulking problems in activated-sludge wastewater treatment systems. Transmission electron microscopy of the bioreactor sludge demonstrated that the sheathed-filament morphotype had a typical gram-positive cell envelope ultrastructure. Therefore, TM7 is only the third bacterial lineage recognized to have gram-positive representatives. TM7-specific FISH analysis of two full-scale wastewater treatment plant sludges, including the one used to seed the laboratory scale reactor, indicated the presence of a number of morphotypes, including sheathed filaments. TM7-specific PCR clone libraries prepared from the two full-scale sludges yielded 23 novel TM7 sequences. Three subdivisions could be defined based on these data and publicly available sequences. Environmental sequence data and TM7-specific FISH analysis indicate that members of the TM7 division are present in a variety of terrestrial, aquatic, and clinical habitats. A highly atypical base substitution (Escherichia coli position 912; C to U) for bacterial 16S rRNAs was present in almost all TM7 sequences, suggesting that TM7 bacteria, like Archaea, may be streptomycin resistant at the ribosome level.

An investigation of magnetic antennas for ground penetrating radar

For ground penetrating radar (GPR), smaller antennas would provide considerable practical advantages. Some of which are: portability; ease of use; and higher spatial sampling. A theoretical comparison of the fundamental limits of a small electric field antenna and a small magnetic field antenna shows that the minimum Q constraints are identical. Furthermore, it is shown that only the small magnetic loop antenna can be constructed to approach, arbitrarily closely, the fundamental minimum Q limit. This is achieved with the addition of a high permeability material which reduces energy stored in the magnetic fields. This is of special interest to some GPR applications. For example, applications requiring synthetic aperture data collection would benefit from the increased spatial sampling offered by electrically smaller antennas. Low frequency applications may also benefit, in terms of reduced antenna dimensions, by the use of electrically small antennas. Under these circumstances, a magnetic type antenna should be considered in preference to the typical electric field antenna. Numerical modeling data supports this assertion.

The Lake Tekapo experiment (LTEX): An investigation of atmospheric boundary layer processes in complex terrain

A research program on atmospheric boundary layer processes and local wind regimes in complex terrain was conducted in the vicinity of Lake Tekapo in the southern Alps of New Zealand, during two 1-month field campaigns in 1997 and 1999. The effects of the interaction of thermal and dynamic forcing were of specific interest, with a particular focus on the interaction of thermal forcing of differing scales. The rationale and objectives of the field and modeling program are described, along with the methodology used to achieve them. Specific research aims include improved knowledge of the role of surface forcing associated with varying energy balances across heterogeneous terrain, thermal influences on boundary layer and local wind development, and dynamic influences of the terrain through channeling effects. Data were collected using a network of surface meteorological and energy balance stations, radiosonde and pilot balloon soundings, tethered balloon and kite-based systems, sodar, and an instrumented light aircraft. These data are being used to investigate the energetics of surface heat fluxes, the effects of localized heating/cooling and advective processes on atmospheric boundary layer development, and dynamic channeling. A complementary program of numerical modeling includes application of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to case studies characterizing typical boundary layer structures and airflow patterns observed around Lake Tekapo. Some initial results derived from the special observation periods are used to illustrate progress made to date. In spite of the difficulties involved in obtaining good data and undertaking modeling experiments in such complex terrain, initial results show that surface thermal heterogeneity has a significant influence on local atmospheric structure and wind fields in the vicinity of the lake. This influence occurs particularly in the morning. However, dynamic channeling effects and the larger-scale thermal effect of the mountain region frequently override these more local features later in the day.

Experimental investigation of criteria for continuous variable entanglement

We generate a pair of entangled beams from the interference of two amplitude squeezed beams. The entanglement is quantified in terms of EPR paradox and inseparability criteria, with both results clearly beating the standard quantum limit. We experimentally analyze the effect of decoherence on each criterion and demonstrate qualitative differences. We also characterize the number of required and excess photons present in the entangled beams and provide contour plots of the efficacy of quantum information protocols in terms of these variables.

Experimental investigation of continuous-variable quantum teleportation

We report the experimental demonstration of quantum teleportation of the quadrature amplitudes of a light field. Our experiment was stably locked for long periods, and was analyzed in terms of fidelity F and with signal transfer T-q=T++T- and noise correlation V-q=Vinparallel to out+Vinparallel to out-. We observed an optimum fidelity of 0.64+/-0.02, T-q=1.06+/-0.02, and V-q=0.96+/-0.10. We discuss the significance of both T-q>1 and V-q

An investigation of the thermal and tensile properties of PFA following γ-radiolysis

For some applications for fluoropolymers they must be subjected to high-energy radiation, e.g., when they are grafted with styrene using an irradiation method to produce fuel cell membranes or matrix supports for combinatorial chemistry. In some of these applications they may be subjected to mechanical stress or elevated temperature, so it is important to elucidate the effects of the radiolysis on these properties. In the present work the effect of gamma-radiolysis on the glass transition, melting behavior, and thermal stability of PFA has been studied as well as the effect of the radiolysis on the tensile properties of the polymer.

Investigation of the vapor-phase grafting of styrene onto PFA

Poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoropropyI vinyl ether), PFA, was grafted with styrene from the vapor phase using a simultaneous radiation grafting method. The graft yields were measured as a function of the dose and dose rate and were found to be initially linearly dependent on the dose and independent of the dose rate up to dose rates of similar to3 kGy/h. However, at a dose rate of 6.2 kGy/h, the slope of the yield-grafting time plot decreased. Raman depth profiles of the grafts showed that the polystyrene concentrations were greatest near the surface of the grafted samples and decreased with depth. The maximum penetration depth of the graft depended on the radiation dose for a fixed dose rate. Fmoc-Rink loading tests showed that the grafts displayed superior loading compared to grafts prepared from bulk styrene or from styrene solutions other than methanol.