74 research outputs found
Geology of New Athens West Quadrangle, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois
Relief shown by contours and spot heightsIncludes text, location map, and index to adjoining quadrangle
Bedrock geology of Pomona Quadrangle, Jackson County, Illinois
Relief shown by contours and spot heights"Geology based on field work by M. Seid, J. Nelson, and J. Devera , 2007.""Digital cartography by J. Domier, M. Widener, S. Geegan, and A. Schultz, Illinois State Geological Survey.""Base map compiled by Illinois State Geological Survey ... ."Sheet 2 includes 1 cross section, 1 stratigraphic column, and textIncludes location map and index to adjoining quadrangle
Clemson veterans project
The Clemson Veterans Project exist to honor the stories of combat veterans from conflicts throughout our country\u27s history and do so in a professional manner expected from a university with such a rich military heritage. The project collected over 70 interviews in HD video. All videos have been made public on Youtube. The project was started to assist the Library of Congress with its own Veterans History Project. Before interviewing each student must take an exam on the digital file preparation process, interview courtesy, and then conduct a practice interview where they behave exactly as if it was a real interview. The videos are put onto DVDs along with accompanying documentation and then shipped in bulk. Going above the requirements for the LoC, each shipment contains a flash drive with every video and document in a digital format. Special interviews are selected for post-production including a custom made introduction
Regulation of Anthrax Toxin-Specific Antibody Titers by Natural Killer T Cell-Derived IL-4 and IFNÎł
Activation of Natural Killer-like T cells (NKT) with the CD1d ligand α-GC leads to enhanced production of anthrax toxin protective Ag (PA)-neutralizing Abs, yet the underlying mechanism for this adjuvant effect is not known. In the current study we examined the role of Th1 and Th2 type responses in NKT-mediated enhancement of antibody responses to PA. First, the contribution of IL-4 and IFNÎł to the production of PA-specific toxin-neutralizing Abs was examined. By immunizing C57Bl/6 controls IL-4â/â mice and IFNÎłâ/â mice and performing passive serum transfer experiments, it was observed that sera containing PA-specific IgG1, IgG2b and IgG2c neutralized toxin in vitro and conferred protection in vivo. Sera containing IgG2b and IgG2c neutralized toxin in vitro but were not sufficient for protection in vivo. Sera containing IgG1 and IgG2b neutralized toxin in vitro and conferred protection in vivo. IgG1 therefore emerged as a good correlate of protection. Next, C57Bl/6 mice were immunized with PA alone or PA plus a Th2-skewing α-GC derivative known as OCH. Neutralizing PA-specific IgG1 responses were modestly enhanced by OCH in C57Bl/6 mice. Conversely, IgG2b and IgG2c were considerably enhanced in PA/OCH-immunized IL-4â/â mice but did not confer protection. Finally, bone marrow chimeras were generated such that NKT cells were unable to express IL-4 or IFNÎł. NKT-derived IL-4 was required for OCH-enhanced primary IgG1 responses but not recall responses. NKT-derived IL-4 and IFNÎł also influenced primary and recall IgG2b and IgG2c titers. These data suggest targeted skewing of the Th2 response by α-GC derivatives can be exploited to optimize anthrax vaccination
Bacillus anthracis Lethal Toxin Disrupts TCR Signaling in CD1d-Restricted NKT Cells Leading to Functional Anergy
Exogenous CD1d-binding glycolipid (α-Galactosylceramide, α-GC) stimulates TCR signaling and activation of type-1 natural killerâlike T (NKT) cells. Activated NKT cells play a central role in the regulation of adaptive and protective immune responses against pathogens and tumors. In the present study, we tested the effect of Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin (LT) on NKT cells both in vivo and in vitro. LT is a binary toxin known to suppress host immune responses during anthrax disease and intoxicates cells by protective antigen (PA)-mediated intracellular delivery of lethal factor (LF), a potent metalloprotease. We observed that NKT cells expressed anthrax toxin receptors (CMG-2 and TEM-8) and bound more PA than other immune cell types. A sub-lethal dose of LT administered in vivo in C57BL/6 mice decreased expression of the activation receptor NKG2D by NKT cells but not by NK cells. The in vivo administration of LT led to decreased TCR-induced cytokine secretion but did not affect TCR expression. Further analysis revealed LT-dependent inhibition of TCR-stimulated MAP kinase signaling in NKT cells attributable to LT cleavage of the MAP kinase kinase MEK-2. We propose that Bacillus anthracisâderived LT causes a novel form of functional anergy in NKT cells and therefore has potential for contributing to immune evasion by the pathogen
Programmable antivirals targeting critical conserved viral RNA secondary structures from influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2
Influenza A virusâs (IAVâs) frequent genetic changes challenge vaccine strategies and engender resistance to current drugs. We sought to identify conserved and essential RNA secondary structures within IAVâs genome that are predicted to have greater constraints on mutation in response to therapeutic targeting. We identified and genetically validated an RNA structure (packaging stemâloop 2 (PSL2)) that mediates in vitro packaging and in vivo disease and is conserved across all known IAV isolates. A PSL2-targeting locked nucleic acid (LNA), administered 3 d after, or 14 d before, a lethal IAV inoculum provided 100% survival in mice, led to the development of strong immunity to rechallenge with a tenfold lethal inoculum, evaded attempts to select for resistance and retained full potency against neuraminidase inhibitor-resistant virus. Use of an analogous approach to target SARS-CoV-2, prophylactic administration of LNAs specific for highly conserved RNA structures in the viral genome, protected hamsters from efficient transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 USA_WA1/2020 variant. These findings highlight the potential applicability of this approach to any virus of interest via a process we term âprogrammable antiviralsâ, with implications for antiviral prophylaxis and post-exposure therapy
Influence of variables on centrifuge-flotation technique for recovery of Toxocara canis eggs from soil
Contamination of public parks and squares from Guarulhos (SĂŁo Paulo State, Brazil ) by Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp.
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