Measles Virus Replication in Cells of Myelomonocytic Lineage Is Dependent on Cellular Differentiation Stage

AbstractMeasles virus (MV)-infected monocytes may have a central role in virus-induced immunosuppression. Our understanding of MV replication in monocytic cells is, however, incomplete. In this work we have investigated MV replication in cells of human myelomonocytic lineage with different maturation stages in order to study the effect of cellular maturation on virus infection. MV was able to infect human bone marrow myeloid granulocyte–macrophage colony-forming cells (CFC-GM) as well as monocytes and macrophages, but the replication cycle seemed to be regulated by the maturation stage of the cells. Virus infection in CFC-GM was productive, unlike in monocytes and macrophages, where an extensive viral RNA synthesis occurred and high amounts of proteins were synthesised without a remarkable release of infectious virus. Efficiency of viral macromolecular synthesis in macrophages was comparable to that of promonocytic cell line U-937 and human epithelial cell line A549, but in contrast to macrophages the cell lines highly supported productive infection. On the other hand, chemically induced maturation of the human promyelocytic and promonocytic cell lines HL-60, THP-1, and U-937 to more mature macrophage-like forms did not markedly alter the replication cycle of MV in these cell lines. Our results showed that MV replication in myelomonocytic cells varied depending on the maturation stage of the cells. The immature myelomonocytic cells supported productive virus infection, but the maturation process lead to cellular changes that caused a restriction of MV replication cycle partly at posttranscriptional and partly at posttranslational level. The metabolic milieu of monocytes and macrophages as such was sufficient to support extensive viral macromolecular synthesis

Measles Virus Activates NF-κB and STAT Transcription Factors and Production of IFN-α/β and IL-6 in the Human Lung Epithelial Cell Line A549

AbstractEpithelial cells of the respiratory tract are the primary targets of measles virus (MV) infection. In this work we have studied the effect of MV infection on the activation of transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)-κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and the production of cytokines in the lung epithelial A549 cell line. NF-κB and STAT activation were induced by MV in A549 cells as analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. NF-κB activation was rapid and it was not inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, suggesting that MV directly activates NF-κB. In contrast, Stat1, Stat3, and interferon-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) DNA binding was induced by MV infection with delayed kinetics compared to NF-κB activation. MV infection also resulted in an efficient interferon (IFN)-α/β and interleukin-6 production. Cycloheximide and neutralizing anti-IFN-α/β antibodies inhibited MV-induced activation of Stat1, Stat3, and ISGF3 DNA binding in A549 cells. In conclusion, the results suggest that MV infection activates transcription factors involved in the initiation of innate immune responses in epithelial cells by two different mechanisms: directly by leading to NF-κB activation and indirectly via IFN-α/β leading to STAT activation

Simultaneous detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Hepatitis B virus infections using a dual-label time-resolved fluorometric assay

A highly specific and novel dual-label time-resolved immunofluorometric assay was developed exploiting the unique emission wavelengths of the intrinsically fluorescent terbium (Tb3+) and europium (Eu3+) tracers for the simultaneous detection of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, respectively. HIV-1 infection was detected using a double antigen sandwich format wherein anti-HIV-1 antibodies were captured using an in vivo biotinylated version of a chimeric HIV-1 antigen and revealed using the same antigen labeled with Tb3+ chelate. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which served as the marker of HBV infection, was detected in a double antibody sandwich using two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), one chemically biotinylated to capture, and the other labeled with Eu3+ nanoparticles, to reveal. The performance of the assay was evaluated using a collection (n = 60) of in-house and commercially available human sera panels. This evaluation showed the dual-label assay to possess high degrees of specificity and sensitivity, comparable to those of commercially available, single analyte-specific kits for the detection of HBsAg antigen and anti-HIV antibodies. This work demonstrates the feasibility of developing a potentially time- and resource-saving multiplex assay for screening serum samples for multiple infections in a blood bank setting

Physical and sensory properties of low-salt phosphate-free frankfurters composed with various ingredients

http://www.elsevier.com/locate/meatsciThe physical properties and sensory attributes of phosphate-free frankfurters were examined using response surface methodology by varying the amounts of five compositional variables: salt, modified tapioca starch-, sodium citrate (NaC)- and wheat bran and fat in the batter. Altogether, 20 different types of frankfurters were prepared. When the frankfurters were made without phosphate, additional non-meat ingredients were needed at salt contents of less than 1.5%. Modified tapioca starch and sodium citrate decreased frying loss, with the former also improving water and fat binding

Time-course of exercise and its association with 12-month bone changes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exercise has been shown to have positive effects on bone density and strength. However, knowledge of the time-course of exercise and bone changes is scarce due to lack of methods to quantify and qualify daily physical activity in long-term. The aim was to evaluate the association between exercise intensity at 3, 6 and 12 month intervals and 12-month changes in upper femur areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and mid-femur geometry in healthy premenopausal women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Physical activity was continuously assessed with a waist-worn accelerometer in 35 healthy women (35-40 years) participating in progressive high-impact training. To describe exercise intensity, individual average daily numbers of impacts were calculated at five acceleration levels (range 0.3-9.2 <it>g</it>) during time intervals of 0-3, 0-6, and 0-12 months. Proximal femur aBMD was measured with dual x-ray absorptiometry and mid-femur geometry was evaluated with quantitative computed tomography at the baseline and after 12 months. Physical activity data were correlated with yearly changes in bone density and geometry, and adjusted for confounding factors and impacts at later months of the trial using multivariate analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Femoral neck aBMD changes were significantly correlated with 6 and 12 months' impact activity at high intensity levels (> 3.9 <it>g</it>, <it>r </it>being up to 0.42). Trochanteric aBMD changes were associated even with first three months of exercise exceeding 1.1 <it>g </it>(<it>r </it>= 0.39-0.59, <it>p </it>< 0.05). Similarly, mid-femoral cortical bone geometry changes were related to even first three months' activity (<it>r </it>= 0.38-0.52, <it>p </it>< 0.05). In multivariate analysis, 0-3 months' activity did not correlate with bone change at any site after adjusting for impacts at later months. Instead, 0-6 months' impacts were significant correlates of 12-month changes in femoral neck and trochanter aBMD, mid-femur bone circumference and cortical bone attenuation even after adjustment. No significant correlations were found at the proximal or distal tibia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The number of high acceleration impacts during 6 months of training was positively associated with 12-month bone changes at the femoral neck, trochanter and mid-femur. These results can be utilized when designing feasible training programs to prevent bone loss in premenopausal women.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Clinical trials.gov NCT00697957</p

Human Metapneumovirus Infections in Children

Age-related incidence and effects of these infections are highest among children <2 years of age

Human Metapneumovirus Infections in Children

Age-related incidence and effects of these infections are highest among children <2 years of age

Oral health of Finnish prisoners

Abstract In Finland as well as elsewhere, prisoners are a marginal and commonly deprived group of people. Most of them are young or middle-aged males even though the mean age is increasing. Prisoners’ social status and educational background are inferior to the rest of the population. They have many health-related problems. The general health and oral health of prisoners has been previously investigated in other countries, but in Finland information on their oral health is so far scarce. The aim of this study was to obtain information on aspects of the oral health and associated factors of Finnish prisoners. The study focused on oral health, health- and oral health-related behaviours, dental fear, as well as general health issues. One hundred prisoners (89 male and 11 female) took part in the study between September 2014 and February 2015 in Pelso prison, Finland. A clinical examination including dental caries and erosive tooth wear, periodontal disease, and evaluating and diagnosing temporomandibular disorders was carried out on all participants (n=100). Half of them (46 males and 4 females) were interviewed using questionnaires and Motivational Interviewing Technique. With interviewing, prisoners’ socio-demographic background factors and information on substance abuse as well as other health- and oral health-related behaviours were obtained. Data on medications was acquired from the prisoners’ patient records. Dental fear and other general fears were surveyed with validated questionnaires. Substance abuse was common. Almost everyone smoked, and one in every five had used snuff. Pre-prison drug and alcohol use was widespread; drug use was even more prevalent than alcohol use. Almost everyone was taking some prescribed medicine, the most common being antipsychotics, painkillers and sleeping pills. Over half (56%) of the prisoners had hepatitis C. The oral health status of Finnish prisoners was poor. Almost everyone (81%) had a need for restorative treatment. Signs of periodontal disease were common, with severe periodontal problems found in 7% in the study population. Most required at least preventive treatment due to erosive tooth wear. Temporomandibular disorders, both clinically diagnosed and self-reported, were common. Alcohol use was associated with missed teeth (M). Dental fear was common. Few prisoners went regularly to a dentist. Most of them sought dental care when they had pain or other problems. Oral health among prisoners is poor and constitutes a risk for general health.Tiivistelmä Suomessa vangit ovat pieni erillisryhmä, joka poikkeaa monella tavalla muusta väestöstä. Suurin osa vangeista on joko nuoria tai keski-ikäisiä miehiä, vaikkakin vankien keski-ikä on nousussa. Vankien sosiaalinen asema ja koulutustausta ovat huonommat muuhun väestöön verrattuna. Vankien yleisterveyttä ja myös suunterveyttä on aiemmin tutkittu muualla, mutta Suomessa tietoa heidän suunterveydestään ja siihen liittyvistä tekijöistä on vähän. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli saada tietoa suomalaisten vankien suun ja hampaiston terveydestä ja siihen vaikuttavista taustatekijöistä. Tutkimuksessa kartoitettiin vankien suunterveyttä ja terveys- ja suunterveystottumuksia, hammashoitopelkoa sekä yleisterveyteen liittyviä seikkoja. Yhteensä 100 vankia, 89 miestä ja 11 naista, osallistui tutkimukseen syyskuun 2014 ja helmikuun 2015 välisenä aikana Pelson vankilassa. Kaikille (n=100) tehtiin kliininen tarkastus, johon sisältyi hampaiden kariologinen, parodontologinen ja erosiivisten vaurioiden tutkimus sekä purentafysiologinen tutkimus. Puolta tutkimusjoukosta (46 miestä ja 4 naista) haastateltiin käyttäen kyselylomakkeita ja motivoivaa haastattelutekniikkaa. Haastattelulla selvitettiin vankien sosiodemografisia taustatietoja, päihteiden käyttöä ja muuta terveys- ja suunterveyskäyttäytymistä. Hammashoitopelkoa ja muita yleisiä pelkoja selvitettiin erillisillä kyselylomakkeilla. Lähes kaikki tupakoivat, ja nuuskaa oli käyttänyt joka viides. Huumeiden ja alkoholin käyttö ennen vankeusaikaa oli ollut yleistä, huumeiden käyttö jopa alkoholin käyttöä yleisempää. Melkein kaikki käyttivät jotain reseptilääkettä; käytetyimpiä olivat psykoosi-, kipu- ja unilääkkeet. Tutkituista vangeista yli puolella (56%) oli C-hepatiitti. Suomalaisten vankien suunterveys on huono. Lähes kaikilla (81 %) oli hampaistossa korjaavan hoidon tarvetta. Iensairaudet olivat yleisiä, parodontiittia oli 7 %:lla tutkituista. Suurin osa tarvitsi vähintään ennaltaehkäiseviä toimenpiteitä hampaiden erosiivisen kulumisen takia. Alkoholin käytöllä oli yhteys hampaiden menetykseen (M). Purentaelimistön toimintahäiriöt, sekä kliinisesti diagnosoidut että itse raportoidut, olivat tavallisia. Hammashoitopelko oli jonkin verran yleisempää kuin saman ikäisillä suomalaisilla miehillä. Harva vanki kävi hammashoidossa säännöllisesti. Suurin osa hakeutui hammashoitoon, kun heillä oli suussaan särkyä tai muita vaivoja. Suunterveyteen liittyvät ongelmat ovat vangeilla yleisiä ja ne ovat riski yleisterveydelle