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Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gc) is a human-specific pathogen that causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. Gc survives in neutrophil-rich gonorrheal secretions, and recovered bacteria predominantly express phase-variable, surface-expressed opacity-associated (Opa) proteins (Opa+). However, expression of Opa proteins like OpaD decreases Gc survival when exposed to human neutrophils ex vivo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Polymorphic molecules expressed on the surface of certain blood cells are traditionally categorized as blood groups and human platelet or neutrophil antigens. CD36 is widely considered a platelet antigen (Nak a ) and anti-CD36 can cause foetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) in CD36-negative pregnant women. CD36 is used as a marker of differentiation in ear

Accurate and rapid detection of nucleic acid sequences is of utmost importance in various fields, including disease monitoring, clinical treatment, gene analysis and drug discovery. In this study, we developed a "turn-on" fluorescence biosensor that enables simple and highly efficient detection of nucleic acid biomarkers. Our approach involves the utilization of 6-carboxyfluorescein modified singl

To estimate intraobserver repeatability and interobserver agreement in assessing the presence of papillary projections in adnexal masses and in classifying adnexal masses using the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) terminology for ultrasound examiners with different levels of experience, to identify ultrasound findings that cause confusion and might be interpreted differently by differen

Background. We report a case of patient-to-surgeon transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the subsequent transmission of HCV to surgical patients. Methods. In 2007, a cardiac surgeon tested positive for hepatitis C. A complete look-back investigation was initiated that involved screening of all patients on the surgeon's operating lists between September 2004 and April 2007. Genotyping and ph

High-throughput multiplexed protein quantification using mass spectrometry is steadily increasing in popularity, with the two major techniques being data-dependent acquisition (DDA) and targeted acquisition using selected reaction monitoring (SRM). However, both techniques involve extensive data processing, which can be performed by a multitude of different software solutions. Analysis of quantita

Objectives: To estimate intra- and inter-observer reproducibility and reliability of assessment of the color content in adnexal masses at color/power Doppler ultrasound examination for observers with different levels of experience, and to determine if they change after a consensus meeting. Methods: Digital clips with color/power Doppler information of 103 adnexal masses were evaluated independentl

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation modulates antibody activity and represents a major source of heterogeneity within antibody preparations. Depending on their glycosylation pattern, individual IgG glycovariants present in recombinant antibody preparations may trigger effects ranging from enhanced pro-inflammatory activity to increased anti-inflammatory activity. In contrast, reduction of IgG gly

Evidence of a possible association of cutaneous human papillomavirus (HPV) types, especially members of the genus Betapapillomavirus, and the development of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is accumulating. Vaccination with virus-like particles (VLPs) consisting of self-assembled L1, the major capsid protein, has been introduced to control anogenital HPV infection. This study examined the serologic

Objectives To investigate changes in human placental oxygenation during maternal hyperoxia using non-invasive blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Eight healthy pregnant women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at gestational weeks 28-36 were examined with BOLD MRI, over two consecutive 5-min periods of different oxygenation: first normoxia (21% O-2)

Focusing clinical investigations on outcomes that are meaningful from an end-user perspective is central in clinical research, particularly in chronic disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known about how end-users such as people with PD (PwPD) and health care professionals (HCPs) view and prioritize therapeutic outcomes. To compare the perspectives of PwPD and HCPs regard

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by a chronic inflammation in conducting airways and the alveolar parenchyma. The inflammation, which is a consequence of inhalation of noxious gases like tobacco smoke, has traditionally been thought to be driven by innate immune responses. However, more recent studies have revealed an increase in lymphocyte-rich lymphoid aggregates (LA

Eae5 in rats was originally identified in two F-2 intercrosses, (DA x BN) and (E3 X DA), displaying linkage to CNS inflammation and disease severity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), respectively. This region overlaps with an arthritis locus, Pia4, which was also identified in the (E3 X DA) cross. Two congenic strains, BN.DA-Eae5 and BN.DA-Eae5.R1, encompassing the previously des

Objective To compare sonographic endometrial characteristics in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles between women who conceive and those who do not. Methods Thirty-five women undergoing IVF treatment participated in the study. Using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound, we assessed endometrial patterns, volume and vascularization, after follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation but

Objectives To develop normal reference ranges for cervical volume and vascular indices using three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasonograpby from 17 to 41 gestational weeks. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 352 nulliparous and 291 parous women who delivered at term and underwent transvaginal 3D power Doppler ultrasound examination of the cervix once at 17 to 41 weeks' gestation. We

The integrin CD103 is highly expressed at mucosal sites, but its role in mucosal immune regulation remains poorly understood. We have analyzed the functional role of CD103 in intestinal immune regulation using the T cell transfer model of colitis. Our results show no mandatory role for CD103 expression on T cells for either the development or CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (T reg) cell-mediated contro

In FDCP2 myeloid cells, IL-4 activated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases PDE3 and PDE4, whereas IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), and phorbol ester (PMA) selectively activated PDE4. IL-4 (not IL-3 or GM-CSF) induced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin-receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) and its association with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). TNF-alpha, AG-490 (Janus kinase inhibitor),

A simple assay was developed to estimate functional mannose-binding lectin (MBL) levels in serum based on the principle of yeast-induced bystander lysis of chicken erythrocytes (ChE). The assay is sensitive to inhibition by ethylene glycol bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) (which allows alternative pathway activation), ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), mannose,