Identification of type A and B isolates of Epstein-Barr virus by polymerase chain reaction

A method is described for the identification of type A and type B isolates of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by means of the polymerase chain reaction. The use of three pairs of primers specific for genomic sequences coding for the two forms of EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA), 2A and 2B, and for a DNA sequence from the BamZ/BamR region allows the reliable and rapid detection of type A and B viruses in as little as 1000 EBV positive cells

Graphischer Ausdruck und Erkennen von Gefühlsqualitäten

Kritzeln ist ein spontaner graphischer Ausdruck. Seine Bedeutung in der Psychologie liegt vor allem in der Echtheit dieses Ausdrucks, der sich unverfälscht, direkt und eindeutig darstellt. Ob sich Gefühlserleben im Kritzelausdruck verdichtet und für einen Betrachter auch erfassbar ist, wird in einer zweigeteilten empirischen Untersuchung überprüft. Im ersten Teil drücken 21 Vpn drei Grundgefühle (Wut, Trauer, Freude) in Kritzeldarstellungen aus, die im zweiten Teil von weiteren 50 Vpn in drei Durchgängen mit steigendem Schwierigkeitsgrad überzufällig oft richtig identifiziert wurden. Dieses Ergebnis bestätigt ältere Untersuchungen und ist für die Allgemeine Psychologie im Rahmen der Ausdruckspsychologie bedeutsam, jedoch auch für die Klinische Psychologie auf diagnostischer und therapeutischer Ebene.Scribbling is a spontaneous graphic expression. It is significant for psychology due to its genuineness which represents the inner experience of man in an undistorted, direct and unequivocal manner. An ex-periment in two parts investigates whether emotional experiences are condensed in such scribbles and whether observers can understand them. In the first part 21 subjects express three basic emotions (anger, sadness, joy) in scribbles, which in the second part are identified in three trials of increasing difficulty by another 50 subjects. The number of correct identifications was higher than what would be expected by chance. This result confirms former studies and is important not only for general psychology but also for clinical psychology on a diagnostic and therapeutic level

Support of the quality of life in the oncological area, especially with the prostate gland carcinoma

In der vorliegenden Bachelor-Thesis wird auf die Förderung der Lebensqualität im onkologischen Bereich, speziell beim Prostatakarzinom eingegangen. Zunächst werden die Krebssituation in Deutschland und Klassifikations-Systeme näher beleuchtet. Darauf folgend wird die Prävention und Aufklärung definiert und erklärt. In diesem Zuge werden verschiedene Marketing Strategien und Strukturen erläutert. Die Lebensqualität für und von betroffenen Patienten wird rörtert und später speziell beim Prostatakarzinom darauf eingegangen. Im Anschluss daran werden zwei bekannte Kliniken gegenübergestellt. Zum einen die Uniklinik Heidelberg und zum anderen die Klinik für Prostata Therapie, ebenfalls in Heidelberg, die ausschließlich Privatpatienten und Selbstzahler betreut. Ziel ist es u.a. herauszufinden, ob es Unterschiede in der Lebensqualität für die Patienten gibt. Zusammenfassend werden Handlungsempfehlungen für die Optimierung der Lebensqualität gegeben

Period1 gates the circadian modulation of memory-relevant signaling in mouse hippocampus by regulating the nuclear shuttling of the CREB kinase pP90RSK

Memory performance varies over a 24-h day/night cycle. While the detailed underlying mechanisms are yet unknown, recent evidence suggests that in the mouse hippocampus, rhythmic phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) are central to the circadian (~\ua024\ua0h) regulation of learning and memory. We recently identified the clock protein PERIOD1 (PER1) as a vehicle that translates information encoding time of day to hippocampal plasticity. We here elaborate how PER1 may gate the sensitivity of memory-relevant hippocampal signaling pathways. We found that in wild-type mice (WT), spatial learning triggers CREB phosphorylation only during the daytime, and that this effect depends on the presence of PER1. The time-of-day-dependent induction of CREB phosphorylation can be reproduced pharmacologically in acute hippocampal slices prepared from WT mice, but is absent in preparations made from Per1-knockout (Per1) mice. We showed that the PER1-dependent CREB phosphorylation is regulated downstream of MAPK. Stimulation of WT hippocampal neurons triggered the co-translocation of PER1 and the CREB kinase pP90RSK (pMAPK-activated ribosomal S6\ua0kinase) into the nucleus. In hippocampal neurons from Per1 mice, however, pP90RSK remained perinuclear. A co-immunoprecipitation assay confirmed a high-affinity interaction between PER1 and pP90RSK. Knocking down endogenous PER1 in hippocampal cells inhibited adenylyl cyclase-dependent CREB activation. Taken together, the PER1-dependent modulation of cytoplasmic-to-nuclear signaling in the murine hippocampus provides a molecular explanation for how the circadian system potentially shapes a temporal framework for daytime-dependent memory performance, and adds a novel facet to the versatility of the clock gene protein PER1. (Figure presented.) We provide evidence that the circadian clock gene Period1 (Per1) regulates CREB phosphorylation in the mouse hippocampus, sculpturing time-of-day-dependent memory formation. This molecular mechanism constitutes the functional link between circadian rhythms and learning efficiency. In hippocampal neurons of wild-type mice, pP90RSK translocates into the nucleus upon stimulation with forskolin (left), whereas in Period1-knockout (Per1) mice (right) the kinase is trapped at the nuclear periphery, unable to efficiently phosphorylate nuclear CREB. Consequently, the presence of PER1 in hippocampal neurons is a prerequisite for the time-of-day-dependent phosphorylation of CREB, as it regulates the shuttling of pP90RSK into the nucleus. Representative immunofluorescence images show a temporal difference in phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB; green color) levels in all regions of the dorsal hippocampus between a wild-type C3H mouse (WT; left) and a Period1-knockout (Per1; right) mouse. Images were taken 2\ua0h after lights on, thus, when fluctuating levels of pCREB peak in WT mouse hippocampus. Insets show a representative hippocampal neuron, in response to activating cAMP signaling, stained for the neuronal marker NeuN (red), the nuclear marker DAPI (blue) and the activated CREB kinase pP90RSK (green). The image was taken 2\ua0h after light onset (at the peak of the endogenous CREB phosphorylation that fluctuates with time of day). Magnification: 100X, inset 400X. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 650. Cover image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13332

First sequence-confirmed case of infection with the new influenza A(H1N1) strain in Germany

Here, we report on the first sequence-confirmed case of infection with the new influenza A(H1N1) virus in Germany. Two direct contacts of the patient were laboratory-confirmed as cases and demonstrate a chain of direct human-to-human transmission

Determinants of Long-term Protection After Hepatitis B Vaccination in Infancy: A Meta-analysis

Background: The duration of protection after hepatitis B vaccination in early infancy is unclear and may be related to vaccination schedule, dosage, vaccine type and population characteristics. Factors potentially influencing waning immunity were assessed. Methods: A systematic review was performed. The main outcomes were prevalence of anti-hepatits B antibodies >= 10 mIU/mL after primary or booster vaccination. Factors potentially influencing protection were assessed in an adjusted random-effects meta-analysis model by age for both outcomes. Results of both meta-analyses were combined in a prognostic model. Results: Forty-six studies reporting on the anti-hepatits B antibodies >= 10 mIU/mL 5 to 20 years after primary immunization and 29 on booster response were identified. The adjusted meta-analyses identified maternal carrier status (odds ratio OR]: 2.37 1.11; 5.08]), lower vaccine dosage than presently recommended (OR: 0.14 0.06; 0.30]) and gap time between last and preceding dose of the primary vaccine series (OR: 0.44 0.22; 0.86]) as determinants for persistence of anti-hepatits B antibodies >= 10. A lower vaccine dosage was also associated with failure to respond to booster (OR: 0.20 0.10; 0.38]). The prognostic model predicted long-term protection of 90% 77%; 100%] at the age of 17 years for offspring of noncarrier mothers vaccinated with a presently recommended dose and vaccination schedule. Conclusions: Based on meta-analyses, predictors of waning immunity after hepatitis B vaccination in infancy could be identified. A prognostic model for long-term protection after hepatitis B vaccination in infancy was developed

Potential for Increased Human Foodborne Exposure to PCDD/F When Recycling Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Land

Sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment is used in agriculture as a nutrient source and to aid in moisture retention. To examine the potential impact of sludge-amended soil on exposures to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from plant and animal foods, we conducted a review of published empirical data from international sources. Levels of PCDD/F in municipal sewage sludge ranged from 0.0005 to 8,300 pg toxic equivalents (TEQ)/g. Background levels in soil ranged from 0.003 to 186 pg TEQ/g. In sludge-amended soils, levels of PCDD/F ranged from 1.4 to 15 pg TEQ/g. Studies that measured levels before and after sludge treatment showed an increase in soil concentration after treatment. Relationships between PCDD/F levels in soil and resulting concentrations in plants were very weakly positive for unpeeled root crops, leafy vegetables, tree fruits, hay, and herbs. Somewhat stronger relationships were observed for plants of the cucumber family. In all cases, large increases in soil concentration were required to achieve a measurable increase in plant contamination. A considerably stronger positive relationship was observed between PCDD/F in feed and resulting levels in cattle tissue, suggesting bioaccumulation. Although PCDD/Fs are excreted in milk, no association was found between feed contamination and levels of PCDD/Fs measured in milk. There is a paucity of realistic data describing the potential for entry of PCDD/Fs into the food supply via sewage sludge. Currently available data suggest that sewage sludge application to land used for most crops would not increase human exposure. However, the use of sludge on land used to graze animals appears likely to result in increased human exposure to PCDD/F