Plants infected with non-toxic endophytes

A grass with improved environmental stress tolerance and low animal toxicity is disclosed where the grass is infected with an isolated endophyte selected from the groups consisting of: USDA-PI no. 269850; Ijoukak Morocco 92060; Quarzazate, Morocco KBG 5938; Oujda, Morocco KBG 5892; El-Kelaa-des-Mgouna, Morocco KBG 5914; Boumalne-de-Dades, Morocco KBG 5921; USDA-PIKBG 516560; Zeida, Morocco KBG 93001; Zeida, Morocco KBG 93002; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93006; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93007; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93008,Midelt (Zebzat), Morocco KBG 93010; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93011; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93012; mixtures and combinations thereof. A method for stably infecting the grasses is also disclosed

Non-toxic endophytes, plants infected therewith and methods for infecting plants

A grass with improved environmental stress tolerance and low animal toxicity is disclosed where the grass is infected with an isolated endophyte selected from the groups consisting of: USDA-PI no. 269850; Ijoukak Morocco 92060; Quarzazate, Morocco KBG 5938; Oujda, Morocco KBG 5892; El-Kelaa-des-Mgouna, Morocco KBG 5914; Boumalne-de-Dades, Morocco KBG 5921; USDA-PIKBG 516560; Zeida, Morocco KBG 93001; Zeida, Morocco KBG 93002; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93006; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93007; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93008,Midelt (Zebzat), Morocco KBG 93010; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93011; Midelt, Morocco KBG 93012; mixtures and combinations thereof. A method for stably infecting the grasses is also disclosed

Non-toxic endophytes, plants injected therewith and methods for injecting plants

A grass with improved environmental stress tolerance and low animal toxicity is disclosed where the grass is infected with an isolated endophyte selected from the groups consisting of USDA-PI no. 269850, Ijoukak, Morocco 92060, Boumalne-de-Dades, Morocco KBG 5921, USDA-PI no. 516560, Oujda, Morocco KBG 5892, and mixtures and combinations thereof. A method for stably infecting the grasses is also disclosed

Early human B cell response to Ebola virus in four U.S. survivors of infection

The human B cell response to natural filovirus infections early after recovery is poorly understood. Previous serologic studies suggest that some Ebola virus survivors exhibit delayed antibody responses with low magnitude and quality. Here, we sought to study the population of individual memory B cells induced early in convalescence. We isolated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from memory B cells from four survivors treated for Ebola virus disease (EVD) 1 or 3 months after discharge from the hospital. At the early time points postrecovery, the frequency of Ebola-specific B cells was low and dominated by clones that were cross-reactive with both Ebola glycoprotein (GP) and with the secreted GP (sGP) form. Of 25 MAbs isolated from four donors, only one exhibited neutralization activity. This neutralizing MAb, designated MAb EBOV237, recognizes an epitope in the glycan cap of the surface glycoprotein. In vivo murine lethal challenge studies showed that EBOV237 conferred protection when given prophylactically at a level similar to that of the ZMapp component MAb 13C6. The results suggest that the human B cell response to EVD 1 to 3 months postdischarge is characterized by a paucity of broad or potent neutralizing clones. However, the neutralizing epitope in the glycan cap recognized by EBOV237 may play a role in the early human antibody response to EVD and should be considered in rational design strategies for new Ebola virus vaccine candidates

Early human B cell response to Ebola virus in four U.S. survivors of infection

The human B cell response to natural filovirus infections early after recovery is poorly understood. Previous serologic studies suggest that some Ebola virus survivors exhibit delayed antibody responses with low magnitude and quality. Here, we sought to study the population of individual memory B cells induced early in convalescence. We isolated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from memory B cells from four survivors treated for Ebola virus disease (EVD) 1 or 3 months after discharge from the hospital. At the early time points postrecovery, the frequency of Ebola-specific B cells was low and dominated by clones that were cross-reactive with both Ebola glycoprotein (GP) and with the secreted GP (sGP) form. Of 25 MAbs isolated from four donors, only one exhibited neutralization activity. This neutralizing MAb, designated MAb EBOV237, recognizes an epitope in the glycan cap of the surface glycoprotein. In vivo murine lethal challenge studies showed that EBOV237 conferred protection when given prophylactically at a level similar to that of the ZMapp component MAb 13C6. The results suggest that the human B cell response to EVD 1 to 3 months postdischarge is characterized by a paucity of broad or potent neutralizing clones. However, the neutralizing epitope in the glycan cap recognized by EBOV237 may play a role in the early human antibody response to EVD and should be considered in rational design strategies for new Ebola virus vaccine candidates

Dynamic consent: a patient interface for twenty-first century research networks

Biomedical research is being transformed through the application of information technologies that allow ever greater amounts of data to be shared on an unprecedented scale. However, the methods for involving participants have not kept pace with changes in research capability. In an era when information is shared digitally at the global level, mechanisms of informed consent remain static, paper-based and organised around national boundaries and legal frameworks. Dynamic consent (DC) is both a specific project and a wider concept that offers a new approach to consent; one designed to meet the needs of the twenty-first century research landscape. At the heart of DC is a personalised, digital communication interface that connects researchers and participants, placing participants at the heart of decision making. The interface facilitates two-way communication to stimulate a more engaged, informed and scientifically literate participant population where individuals can tailor and manage their own consent preferences. The technical architecture of DC includes components that can securely encrypt sensitive data and allow participant consent preferences to travel with their data and samples when they are shared with third parties. In addition to improving transparency and public trust, this system benefits researchers by streamlining recruitment and enabling more efficient participant recontact. DC has mainly been developed in biobanking contexts, but it also has potential application in other domains for a variety of purposes