17 research outputs found
Serious Games Application for Memory Training Using Egocentric Images
Mild cognitive impairment is the early stage of several neurodegenerative
diseases, such as Alzheimer's. In this work, we address the use of lifelogging
as a tool to obtain pictures from a patient's daily life from an egocentric
point of view. We propose to use them in combination with serious games as a
way to provide a non-pharmacological treatment to improve their quality of
life. To do so, we introduce a novel computer vision technique that classifies
rich and non rich egocentric images and uses them in serious games. We present
results over a dataset composed by 10,997 images, recorded by 7 different
users, achieving 79% of F1-score. Our model presents the first method used for
automatic egocentric images selection applicable to serious games.Comment: 11 page
Prior Bordetella pertussis infection modulates allergen priming and the severity of airway pathology in a murine model of allergic asthma
Effective, Broad Spectrum Control of Virulent Bacterial Infections Using Cationic DNA Liposome Complexes Combined with Bacterial Antigens
Protection against virulent pathogens that cause acute, fatal disease is often hampered by development of microbial resistance to traditional chemotherapeutics. Further, most successful pathogens possess an array of immune evasion strategies to avoid detection and elimination by the host. Development of novel, immunomodulatory prophylaxes that target the host immune system, rather than the invading microbe, could serve as effective alternatives to traditional chemotherapies. Here we describe the development and mechanism of a novel pan-anti-bacterial prophylaxis. Using cationic liposome non-coding DNA complexes (CLDC) mixed with crude F. tularensis membrane protein fractions (MPF), we demonstrate control of virulent F. tularensis infection in vitro and in vivo. CLDC+MPF inhibited bacterial replication in primary human and murine macrophages in vitro. Control of infection in macrophages was mediated by both reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mouse cells, and ROS in human cells. Importantly, mice treated with CLDC+MPF 3 days prior to challenge survived lethal intranasal infection with virulent F. tularensis. Similarly to in vitro observations, in vivo protection was dependent on the presence of RNS and ROS. Lastly, CLDC+MPF was also effective at controlling infections with Yersinia pestis, Burkholderia pseudomallei and Brucella abortus. Thus, CLDC+MPF represents a novel prophylaxis to protect against multiple, highly virulent pathogens
Changed processing of visual sexual stimuli under GnRH-therapy – a single case study in pedophilia using eye tracking and fMRI
Ultra-low dose CT abdomen and pelvis for the detection of acute abdominal pathology in the emergency room: initial experience from an academic hospital
Prior Bordetella pertussis infection modulates allergen priming and the severity of airway pathology in a murine model of allergic asthma
Background It has been proposed that T helper (Th)2-driven immune deviation in early life can be
countered by Th1 inducing childhood infections and that such counter-regulation can protect against
allergic asthma.
Objective To test whether Th1-inducing infection with Bordetella pertussis protects against allergic
asthma using well-characterized murine models.
Methods Groups of mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) in the presence or absence of
B. pertussis, a well-characterized Th1 inducing respiratory infection. Immunological, pathological
and physiological parameters were measured to assess the impact of infection on immune deviation
and airway function.
Results We demonstrate that OVA sensitization does not affect the development of B. pertussisspecific
immune responses dominated by IgG2a and IFN-g and does not impair Th1-mediated
clearance of airway infection. In contrast, B. pertussis infection at the time of sensitization modulated
the response to OVA and significantly reduced total serum and OVA-specific IgE. The pattern of
cytokine responses, in particular OVA-specific IL-5 responses in the spleen was also modulated.
However, B. pertussis did not cause global suppression as IL-10 and IL-13 levels were enhanced in
OVA-stimulated spleen cell cultures and in lavage fluid from infected co-sensitized mice.
Histopathological examination revealed that B. pertussis infection prior to OVA sensitization
resulted in increased inflammation of bronchiolar walls with accompanying hyperplasia and mucous
metaplasia of lining epithelia. These pathological changes were accompanied by increased bronchial
hyper-reactivity to methacholine exposure.
Conclusion Contrary to the above premise, a Th1 response induced by a common childhood
infection does not protect against bronchial hyper-reactivity, but rather exacerbates the allergic
asthmatic response, despite modulation of immune mediators
Caspase-1-Independent Interleukin-1β Is Required for Clearance of Bordetella pertussis Infections and Whole-Cell Vaccine-Mediated Immunity
The Virulence Factors of Bordetella pertussis: Talented Modulators of Host Immune Response
Temporal signaling and differential expression of Bordetella iron transport systems: the role of ferrimones and positive regulators
Bordetella Pertussis virulence factors in the continuing evolution of whooping cough vaccines for improved performance.
Despite high vaccine coverage, whooping cough caused by Bordetella pertussis remains one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide. Introduction of whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines in the 1940s and acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines in 1990s reduced the mortality due to pertussis. Despite induction of both antibody and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses by aP and wP vaccines, there has been resurgence of pertussis in many countries in recent years. Possible reasons hypothesised for resurgence have ranged from incompliance with the recommended vaccination programmes with the currently used aP vaccine to infection with a resurged clinical isolates characterised by mutations in the virulence factors, resulting in antigenic divergence with vaccine strain, and increased production of pertussis toxin, resulting in dampening of immune responses. While use of these vaccines provide varying degrees of protection against whooping cough, protection against infection and transmission appears to be less effective, warranting continuation of efforts in the development of an improved pertussis vaccine formulations capable of achieving this objective. Major approaches currently under evaluation for the development of an improved pertussis vaccine include identification of novel biofilm-associated antigens for incorporation in current aP vaccine formulations, development of live attenuated vaccines and discovery of novel non-toxic adjuvants capable of inducing both antibody and CMI. In this review, the potential roles of different accredited virulence factors, including novel biofilm-associated antigens, of B. pertussis in the evolution, formulation and delivery of improved pertussis vaccines, with potential to block the transmission of whooping cough in the community, are discussed