Sera of some urinary schistosomiasis subjects affect migration and intracellular killing by leucocytes

Leucocyte migration- and bactericidal- indices were determined to establish the effect of sera from urinary schistosomiasis subjects on host defense mechanism. Both leucocyte migration and bacterial activity were diminished by sera from 66% of children with untreated urinary schistosomiasis subjects (uUSS), 25% of praziquantel treated urinary schistosomiasis subjects (TUSS) and 13% of the controls. The serum substance was observed to be a high molecular weight (76-108 KD) glycoprotein which migrates with alpha 2a and gamma –globulins. It is possible that the serum substance which affects leucocyte phagocytosis is one of the regulatory mechanisms adopted by Schistosoma Haematobium parasite to evade host immunity. Key Words: Serum substance, Leucocyte migration, Urinary Schistosomiasis Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol.1 2003: 33-3

Spleen Weight, Liver Weight And Levels Of Circulating Immune Complexes In Vitamin Deficient Mice Infected With Plasmodium berghei

Three groups of mice viz: well fed mice, vitamin deficient mice and vitamin deficient Plasmodium berghei infected mice were studied. In these groups of mice, the weights of the liver and spleen were determined using a weighing balance and the levels of circulating immune complexes (CICS) measured spectrophotometrically using polyethylene glycol precipitation method. The mean spleen weight, liver weight and CICs of vitamin deficient mice or vitamin deficient P. berghei infected mice were reduced compared with those of well-fed mice. However, the reduction in spleen weight was significant in vitamin deficient mice from day 15-post vitamin deficiency compared with well-fed mice. Also, the reduction in liver weight was significant in vitamin deficient mice at day 5- and day 10-post vitamin deficiency compared with well-fed mice while the reduction in liver weight was significant in vitamin deficient P. berghei infected mice at day 5-, day 10-, day 15- and day 20- post P. berghei infection compared with well-fed mice. The reductions in the levels of CICs were significant in both vitamin deficient mice and vitamin deficient P. berghei infected mice compared with well-fed mice from day 5-post P. berghei infection or day 5-post vitamin deficiency. The observed decreased CICs in vitamin deficient mice accompanied by reduction in liver and spleen weights showed that vitamin is essential in mounting effective immune response against malaria. Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 95-9

FcRn: From Molecular Interactions to Regulation of IgG Pharmacokinetics and Functions

The neonatal Fc receptor, FcRn, is related to MHC class I with respect to its structure and association with β2microglobulin (β2m). However, by contrast with MHC class I molecules, FcRn does not bind to peptides, but interacts with the Fc portion of IgGs and belongs to the Fc receptor family. Unlike the 'classical' Fc receptors, however, the primary functions of FcRn include salvage of IgG (and albumin) from lysosomal degradation through the recycling and transcytosis of IgG within cells. The characteristic feature of FcRn is pH-dependent binding to IgG, with relatively strong binding at acidic pH (&lt;6.5) and negligible binding at physiological pH (7.3-7.4). FcRn is expressed in many different cell types, and endothelial and hematopoietic cells are the dominant cell types involved in IgG homeostasis in vivo. FcRn also delivers IgG across cellular barriers to sites of pathogen encounter and consequently plays a role in protection against infections, in addition to regulating renal filtration and immune complex-mediated antigen presentation. Further, FcRn has been targeted to develop both IgGs with extended half-lives and FcRn inhibitors that can lower endogenous antibody levels. These approaches have implications for the development of longer lived therapeutics and the removal of pathogenic or deleterious antibodies.</p

DESA1002 'Continuous City' <Danielle Gardner>

My familiarity of the design process has been extended and I have found this semester to be a rewarding and worthwhile experience where I have been challenged and have begun to have a clearer understanding of the different approaches and techniques used in design and architecture. The exercises have been valuable with ongoing weekly research benefiting us with our independence in following up queries on our own and improving our critical thinking. The experience of presenting in front of a group of people in the design classes is an area that I needed to improve on and something that I have appreciated. At times I have found myself to be nervous and uncomfortable about having to express my opinions although doing this repetitively has enhanced my capabilities and given me confidence. I have enjoyed the experience of seeing a project through from the beginning, starting with the selection of an appropriate site and balancing up the options of orientation, site size, accessibility in order to come to an appropriate resolution. As I have progressed through I have changed my design in accordance with feedback and formed new ideas and concepts that eventuated through this design process