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The papilloma- and polyomaviruses are small DNA viruses that infect humans. Some members of these virus families can cause cancer in experimental animals and some are also established as carcinogenic to humans. Detection of specific antibodies to these viruses allows tracking past and present infections to elucidate natural history and association of infection with subsequent disease. As there are
Detection of active tuberculosis (TB) before antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is important, but optimal diagnostic methods for use in resource-limited settings are lacking. We assessed the prevalence of TB, evaluated the diagnostic yield of Xpert MTB/RIF in comparison with smear microscopy and culture, and the impact of Xpert results on clinical management in HIV-positive adults eligible fo
The immobilization of functional biomolecules to surfaces is a critical process for the development of biosensors for disease diagnostics. In this work we report the patterned attachment of single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies to the surface of metal oxides by the photodeprotection of self-assembled monolayers, using near-UV light. The photodeprotection step alters the functionality at
Osteoblastoma is a bone forming tumor with histological features highly similar to osteoid osteoma; the discrimination between the tumor types is based on size and growth pattern. The vast majority of osteoblastomas are benign but there is a group of so-called aggressive osteoblastomas that can be diagnostically challenging at the histopathological level. The genetic aberrations required for osteo
OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a recombinant vaccine to attenuate inflammation in arthritis by sustained neutralization of the anaphylatoxin C5a. METHODS: We constructed and expressed fusion protein of C5a and maltose binding protein. Efficacy of specific C5a neutralization was tested using the fusion protein as vaccine in three different arthritis mouse models: collagen induced arthritis (CI
Psoriasis is a complex genetic disease of unresolved pathogenesis with both heritable and environmental factors contributing to onset and severity. In addition to a disfiguring skin inflammation, approximately 10-40% of psoriasis patients suffer from destructive joint involvement. Previously, we reported that the CD18 hypomorphic PL/J mouse carrying a mutation resulting in reduced expression of th
The immune system is remarkable in many ways. It exerts immunity to defend us from foreign pathogens, while it is also responsible for maintaining tolerance to avoid autoimmune diseases and allergy. This thesis includes three separate papers concerning both tolerance and immunity. In paper I we report that repeated antigen stimulation results in an increased proportion of Foxp3+ cells in the CD4+
Human monocytes are a heterogeneous cell population classified into three different subsets: Classical CD14++CD16-, intermediate CD14++CD16+, and non-classical CD14+CD16++ monocytes. These subsets are distinguished by their differential expression of CD14 and CD16, and unique gene expression profile. So far, the variation in inter-cellular gene expression within the monocyte subsets is largely unk
The classical pathway complement regulator C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is composed of two polypeptides (alpha- and beta-chains), which form three plasma oligomers with different subunit compositions (alpha(7)beta(1), alpha(7)beta(0), and alpha(6)beta(1)). We show in this article that the C4BP alpha(7)beta(0) isoform (hereafter called C4BP[beta(-)] [C4BP lacking the beta-chain]), overexpressed under
Objective: To examine the contents of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) by mapping it to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Methods: Each of the 30 scoreable items in the MPAI-4 was mapped to the most precise ICF categories. Results: All 30 items could be mapped to components and categories in the ICF. A total of 88 meaningful concepts wer
The objective of this study was to evaluate total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPH), and the identification of anthocyanidin and polyphenolic compounds in 13 colored potatoes collected from the Andean region of Bolivia, and understand how the chemical composition correlated with the botanical classification and molecular characterization of genes, ans (anthocyanidin synthase
Although Moraxella catarrhalis and Neisseria meningitidis are important human pathogens, they often colonize the human respiratory tract without causing overt clinical symptoms. Both pathogens express structurally unrelated proteins that share the ability to stimulate the adhesion molecule CEACAM1 expressed on human cells. Here we demonstrate that the interaction of CEACAM1 with ubiquitous surface
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in functional dyspepsia in different doses and compared with placebo. Design: The study was a controlled, prospective, randomized, and double blind trial. Participants: Patients with functional dyspepsia, divided into three groups with 44 individuals in each group (placebo, 16 mg, or 40 mg astaxan
Objective To describe the clinical history and ultrasound findings in women with ovarian Sertoli cell, Sertoli-Leydig cell and Leydig cell tumors. Methods Women with a histological diagnosis of Sertoli cell tumor, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor or Leydig cell tumor who bad undergone preoperative ultrasound examination were identified from the databases of each of three participating ultrasound centers.
Older people often have companion animals, and the significance of animals in human lives should be considered by nurses-particularly in relation to older people's health, which can be affected by diseases. The incidence of stroke increases with age and disabilities as a result of stroke are common. This study aimed to explore older people's experiences of living with companion animals after strok
Antibody microarray is a novel technology that will allow us to efficiently perform global proteome analysis. Performing rapid and multiplexed analysis on complex proteomes, such as human serum, targeting also low-abundant analytes will, however, place high demands upon the microarray design with respect to logistics, specificity and sensitivity. In this study, we have shown that non-purified affi
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) exist as more than 100 distinct types. Variants of HPVs appear to be common findings while HPV subtypes have been considered rare. New information about subtypes has recently been reported by us. Our characterisation of subtype HPV38b[FA125] and the identification of several HPV isolates representing putative subtypes have considerably extended the knowledge about thi
After infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, humans and mice under certain conditions develop arthritis. Initiation of inflammation is dependent on the migration of innate immune cells to the site of infection, controlled by interactions of a variety of adhesion molecules. In this study, we used the newly synthesized compound S18407, which is a prodrug of the active drug S16197, to analyze the funct
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth and is caused by, among other agents, Porphyromonas gingivalis. P. gingivalis is very resistant to killing by human complement, which is present in a gingival fluid at 70% of the serum concentration. We found that the incubation of human serum with purified cysteine proteases of P. gingivalis (gingipains) or P. ging
