Antibodies to Core Lipopolysaccharide Determinants: Absence of Cross-reactivity with Heterologous Lipopolysaccharides

Using monoclonal antibodies directed against defined epitopes of endotoxin core, this study demonstrated that the presentation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to antibodies is critical for measuring the specific binding of antibodies to LPS structures. False cross-reactive reactions apparently were observed when free core LPS or lipid A were used as antigens in ELISA, whereas coating with complexes of high-density lipoproteins with core LPS increased both the sensitivity and the specificity of the test compared with coating with free core LPS, so that nonspecific binding of antibodies was largely avoided. Using this technique, it was not possible to find broadly cross-reactive core LPS antibodies after immunization of rabbits and humans with rough mutants of gram-negative bacteria. These observations underscore the need for careful evaluation of the potential for cross-reactivity of antisera and of monoclonal antibodies directed against endotoxin cor

Antibodies to core lipopolysaccharide determinants: absence of cross-reactivity with heterologous lipopolysaccharides

Using monoclonal antibodies directed against defined epitopes of endotoxin core, this study demonstrated that the presentation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to antibodies is critical for measuring the specific binding of antibodies to LPS structures. False cross-reactive reactions apparently were observed when free core LPS or lipid A were used as antigens in ELISA, whereas coating with complexes of high-density lipoproteins with core LPS increased both the sensitivity and the specificity of the test compared with coating with free core LPS, so that nonspecific binding of antibodies was largely avoided. Using this technique, it was not possible to find broadly cross-reactive core LPS antibodies after immunization of rabbits and humans with rough mutants of gram-negative bacteria. These observations underscore the need for careful evaluation of the potential for cross-reactivity of antisera and of monoclonal antibodies directed against endotoxin core

Safety and Efficacy of an Atraumatic Uterine Cervical Traction Device: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Alignment of the uterine cervix with the vaginal canal is often required during insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). Currently available instruments are traumatic tenacula, which can cause pain and bleeding and represent an obstacle for certain patients to pursue their medical follow-up. A novel investigational cervical vacuum tenaculum, enables atraumatic traction of the cervix using a semi-circular suction pad, designed to conform to the anatomical shape of the external cervical os. Suction is generated by manually pulling out a sliding tube in a vacuum chamber. Methods: We performed a single arm non-comparative pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of the cervical vacuum tenaculum in 13 women receiving an IUD. Data on procedural efficacy, safety, patient-reported pain scores at specific time points during IUD insertion procedure and patient satisfaction were collected prospectively. Results: Insertion of IUD was successful with use of the study device in 7 of the 13 enrolled patients (54%). No bleeding or only limited ecchymosis were caused by the device. No adverse events were reported. Participants reported very little pain (mean Visual Analog Scale <10) when applying the device. Participants who achieved IUD insertion with the device reported strong overall satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusions: The suction-based atraumatic tenaculum can be used to manipulate the cervix during IUD insertion with satisfactory efficacy and safety. The results of this pilot study support further studies of this device in larger populations comparing with standard single-tooth tenaculum. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04441333

Extending Levelt's Propositions to perceptual multistability involving interocular grouping.

Levelt's Propositions are central to understanding a wide range of multistable perceptual phenomena, but it is unclear whether they extend to perceptual multistability involving interocular grouping. We presented split-grating stimuli with complementary halves of the same color (either red or green) to human subjects. The subjects reported four percepts in alternation: the two stimuli presented to each eye (half red and half green), as well as the two single color (all red or all green), interocularly grouped percepts. Increasing color saturation lead to increased reports of the single color percept in most subjects, indicating increased predominance of grouped percepts (Levelt's Proposition I). This increase in predominance was due to a decrease in the average dominance duration of single-eye percepts, with grouped percept dominance largely unaffected. This agrees with a generalization of Levelt's Proposition II, as the average dominance duration of the stronger (in this case single-eye) percept was primarily affected by changes in stimulus strength. Moreover, in agreement with Levelt's Proposition III the alternation rate between percepts increased as the difference in the strength of the percepts decreased

MicroRNA-151 and its hosting gene FAK (focal adhesion kinase) regulate tumor cell migration and spreading of hepatocellular carcinoma

CITATION: Giliomee, J. H. 2013. Entomology in South Africa: where do we come from, where are we now and where are we going? South African Journal of Science, 109(1/2), Art. #a004, doi: 10.1590/sajs.2013/a004.The original publication is available at http://sajs.co.zaEntomology in South Africa can be traced back to the mid-18th century when Ryk Tulbagh was governor at the Cape from 1751 to 1771. Tulbagh was interested in nature and instructed his gardener, J.A. Auge, to collect plants, insects and other animals for scientists at European universities. He also sent specimens to Linnaeus in Sweden, with whom he as a Dutchman corresponded in Latin, their only common language. To thank and honour him, Linnaeus named for him the plant genus Tulbaghia as well as the beautiful Mountain Pride butterfly Aeropetes tulbaghia L. (Lepidoptera: Satyridae) that occurs along the slopes of Table Mountain.http://sajs.co.za/entomology-south-africa-where-do-we-come-where-are-we-now-and-where-are-we-going/jan-h-giliomeePublisher's versio