A sandwich ELISA to detect VHSV and IPNV in turbot

Abstract: The recent demonstration that reared turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L) is a natural host for salmonid rhabdoviruses has made their rapid detection relevant to these fish species. A unique protocol to select and use non-competitive monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) for two high-sensitivity sandwich ELISAs has been developed to detect both infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) in turbot kidney extracts to assess the possibility of using them in field diagnosis. For maximum sensitivity, turbot kidney extracts can be two-fold diluted with high-ionic strength buffers and assayed for the presence of the major viral proteins (VMS rhabdovirus nucleoprotein N/Nx and/or IPN birnavirus protein VP3). The use of control plates coated with irrelevant mouse antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a) in parallel ELISAs allows for a precise estimation of possible false positives. Turbot kidney extracts with low levels of virus might now be assayed directly without using cell culture, with high precision and in a short time during the acute phase of these viral diseases in reared turbot.Acuidoro, SL; INI

Expression and antiviral activity of a β-defensin-like peptide identified in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) EST sequences

The in silico identification of a β-defensin-like peptide sequence (omBD-1) in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchuss mykiss) database of salmonid EST is reported here. We have studied the transcript expression of this β-defensin-like sequence in different organs and expressed the recombinant peptide in a fish cell line. Finally, we have demonstrated the in vitro antiviral activity of the recombinant trout β-defensin-like peptide against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV), one of the most devastating viruses for worldwide aquaculture. Thus, the resistance to VHSV infection of EPC cells transfected with pMCV 1.4-omBD-1 has been shown. Since EPC cells transfected with omBD-1 produced acid and heat stable antiviral activity and up regulation of Mx, a type I IFN-mediated mechanism of antiviral action is suggested. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing biological activity of a β-defensin-like peptide from any fish

Development of a Kinect-based exergaming system for motor rehabilitation in neurological disorders

The development of videogames for physical therapy, known as exergames, has gained much interest in the last years. In this work, a system for rehabilitation and clinical evaluation of neurological patients is presented. The Microsoft Kinect device is used to track the full body of patients, and three games were developed to exercise and assess different aspects of balance and gait rehabilitation. The system provides visual feedback by means of an avatar that follows the movements of the patients, and sound and visual stimuli for giving orders during the experience. Also, the system includes a database and management tools for further analysis and monitoring of therapies. The results obtained show, on the one side, a great reception and interest of patients to use the system. On the other side, the specialists considered very useful the data collected and the quantitative analysis provided by the system, which was then adopted for the clinical routine.Fil: Estepa, A.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas; ArgentinaFil: Spontón Píriz, Sergio Gustavo. Centro de Rehabilitación E Investigación:dr. L.maradona; ArgentinaFil: Albornoz, Enrique Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigación en Señales, Sistemas e Inteligencia Computacional. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas. Instituto de Investigación en Señales, Sistemas e Inteligencia Computacional; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, César Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigación en Señales, Sistemas e Inteligencia Computacional. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas. Instituto de Investigación en Señales, Sistemas e Inteligencia Computacional; Argentin

Zebrafish fin immune responses during high mortality infections with viral haemorrhagic septicemia rhabdovirus. A proteomic and transcriptomic approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite rhabdoviral infections being one of the best known fish diseases, the gene expression changes induced at the surface tissues after the natural route of infection (infection-by-immersion) have not been described yet. This work describes the differential infected versus non-infected expression of proteins and immune-related transcripts in fins and organs of zebrafish <it>Danio rerio </it>shortly after infection-by-immersion with viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis detected variations on the protein levels of the enzymes of the glycolytic pathway and cytoskeleton components but it detected very few immune-related proteins. Differential expression of immune-related gene transcripts estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays and hybridization to oligo microarrays showed that while more transcripts increased in fins than in organs (spleen, head kidney and liver), more transcripts decreased in organs than in fins. Increased differential transcript levels in fins detected by both arrays corresponded to previously described infection-related genes such as complement components (<it>c3b, c8 </it>and <it>c9</it>) or class I histocompatibility antigens (<it>mhc1</it>) and to newly described genes such as secreted immunoglobulin domain (<it>sid4</it>), macrophage stimulating factor (<it>mst1</it>) and a cluster differentiation antigen (<it>cd36</it>).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The genes described would contribute to the knowledge of the earliest molecular events occurring in the fish surfaces at the beginning of natural rhabdoviral infections and/or might be new candidates to be tested as adjuvants for fish vaccines.</p

The immunogenicity of viral haemorragic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV) DNA vaccines can depend on plasmid regulatory sequences

A plasmid DNA encoding the viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV)-G glycoprotein under the control of 5′ upstream sequences (enhancer/promoter sequence plus both non-coding 1st exon and 1st intron sequences) from carp β-actin gene (pAE6-GVHSV) was compared to the vaccine plasmid usually described the gene expression is regulated by the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter (pMCV1.4-GVHSV). We observed that these two plasmids produced a markedly different profile in the level and time of expression of the encoded-antigen, and this may have a direct effect upon the intensity and suitability of the in vivo immune response. Thus, fish genetic immunisation assays were carried out to study the immune response of both plasmids. A significantly enhanced specific-antibody response against the viral glycoprotein was found in the fish immunised with pAE6-GVHSV. However, the protective efficacy against VHSV challenge conferred by both plasmids was similar. Later analysis of the transcription profile of a set of representative immune-related genes in the DNA immunized fish suggested that depending on the plasmid-related regulatory sequences controlling its expression, the plasmid might activate distinct patterns of the immune system. All together, the results from this study mainly point out that the selection of a determinate encoded-antigen/vector combination for genetic immunisation is of extraordinary importance in designing optimised DNA vaccines that, when required for inducing protective immune response, could elicit responses biased to antigen-specific antibodies or cytotoxic T cells generation

La Innovación Educativa en Contextos Críticos y su Contribución al Desarrollo Comunitario

Este proyecto parte del supuesto de que las instituciones educativas tienen un papel determinante en la articulación y en el desarrollo de una comunidad social y que la comunidad puede contribuir igualmente al desarrollo y la mejora de los centros de enseñanza. Su propósito principal es facilitar la apropiación o recuperación por parte de comunidades sociales afectadas por condiciones socioeconómicas críticas, de sus instituciones educativas como recurso y motor básico del desarrollo. Para ello se plantea estudiar los vínculos que los centros educativos mantienen con la comunidad y fundamentar estrategias de innovación educativa que contribuyan al desarrollo de estos vínculos Dos hipótesis generales constituyen el punto de partida: (1) El desarrollo de la escuela y la mejora de la calidad de la educación se proyectan y al mismo tiempo se ven influidos por el desarrollo comunitario y que tanto el desarrollo de la escuela como el de la comunidad pueden potenciarse mediante estrategias que permitan coordinar los esfuerzos en ambos sentidos; y (2) El asesoramiento externo a los procesos de mejora y de innovación en la educación podrá contribuir a su éxito si consiguen movilizar los recursos internos de las instituciones educativas

Process-generated nanoparticles from ceramic tile sintering : Emissions, exposure and environmental release

The ceramic industry is an industrial sector in need of significant process changes, which may benefit from innovative technologies such as laser sintering of ceramic tiles. Such innovations result in a considerable research gap within exposure assessment studies for process-generated ultrafine and nanoparticles. This study addresses this issue aiming to characterise particle formation, release mechanisms and their impact on personal exposure during a tile sintering activity in an industrial-scale pilot plant, as a follow-up of a previous study in a laboratory-scale plant. In addition, possible particle transformations in the exhaust system, the potential for particle release to the outdoor environment, and the effectiveness of the filtration system were also assessed. For this purpose, a tiered measurement strategy was conducted. The main findings evidence that nanoparticle emission patterns were strongly linked to temperature and tile chemical composition, and mainly independent of the laser treatment. Also, new particle formation (from gaseous precursors) events were detected, with nanoparticles A potential risk for nanoparticle and ultrafine particle release to the environment was also identified, despite the fact that the efficiency of the filtration system was successfully tested and evidenced a >87% efficiency in particle number concentrations removal. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe