Vaccination with an Inactivated Virulent Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Engineered to Express High Levels of Env

An inactivated virus vaccine was prepared from a pathogenic isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus containing a mutation that eliminated an endocytic sorting signal in the envelope glycoprotein, increasing its expression on virions. Cats immunized with inactivated preparations of this modified virus exhibited strong titers of antibody to Env by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Evidence of protection following challenge demonstrated the potential of this approach to lentiviral vaccination

Radon in Chalk streams: Spatial and temporal variation of groundwater sources in the Pang and Lambourn catchments, UK.

Variations in dissolved 222Rn (radon) concentrations in rivers and groundwater are observed in the Cretaceous Chalk catchments of the Pang and Lambourn. Stream radon concentrations and flow data were used to model radon inputs to rivers from groundwater, with the modelled radon input concentrations (CI) varying between 0.2 Bq/l and 3.8 Bq/l, consistent with measured groundwater values. Groundwater in both catchments was found to have higher and more variable radon concentrations (2-12 Bq/l) in the near surface, weathered horizons, compared to a consistent 1 Bq/l from the solid Chalk. The variations in CI can be related to flow generation pathways and hydrological events. In the Lambourn, the radon budget is controlled by diffuse groundwater inputs, supporting the hypothesis that the alluvial aquifer plays a greater role during periods of high accretion. The Pang is more complex than the Lambourn having a combination of diffuse and point source inputs, with spring inputs dominating both flow and radon signatures in the lower part of the catchment. Significant temporal and spatial variations were determined for CI in both catchments reflecting their differing geologies and flow regimes. One use of radon in hydrology is the determination of groundwater discharges to rivers, but the observed variations in CI mean this approach may not be appropriate to all situations and that changes in source need further evaluation. Nonetheless, radon is shown to be a useful tracer of flow paths and processes within these catchments

Combined electrical resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar to map Eurasian badger (Meles Meles) burrows in clay-rich flood embankments (levees)

Globally, earth embankments are used to protect against flooding. Raised above the surrounding water table, these embankments make ideal habitats for many burrowing animals whose burrows can impact their structural integrity. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is commonly used to identify and map animal burrows and other small cavities. However, the depth of investigation of a GPR survey can be severely limited in saline and clay-rich environments, soil properties commonly associated with flood embankments. In contrast, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) can image subsurface voids in conductive ground conditions but has been rarely used to image animal burrows. Here we aim to assess the efficacy of ERT and GPR to image two badger burrow networks, called ‘setts’, located in clay embankments on the River Ouse, Yorkshire, UK. The two setts were excavated to validate the geophysical results, and the soil was characterised through logging and geotechnical analysis to develop a ground model of the site. We find that ERT can accurately resolve tunnels down to 1.5 m depth, map the structure of a multi-entrance badger sett and successfully identify the end of the tunnels. This result compares favourably to the GPR surveys, which mapped all but the deepest tunnels, limited by its penetration depth due to clay soils. Our results show that ERT can be used as a primary survey tool for animal burrows in clay-rich environments and can be validated using co-located GPR surveys if penetration depth is sufficient. The implications of this study may allow embankment managers to map burrow networks, assess flood embankment stability, minimise repair costs, and reduce unexpected failures during flood events. Additionally, a better understanding of how, for example, local heterogeneities impact badgers' burrow geometry may be achievable using these geophysical methods, as they provide a non-destructive, repeatable method for imaging setts

Parameters influencing measurement of the Gag antigen-specific T-proliferative response to HIV-1 infection

We have analyzed factors that might influence the in vitro quantitation of the T-proliferative response to HIV-1 Gag antigens, a common and increasingly used clinical measurement of helper T cell function in the context of HIV-1 infection. We have compared the rate and extent of T cell proliferation in freshly prepared and previously frozen PBMC samples, and have concluded that frozen cells can be used successfully; we have assessed whether the suppression of any HIV-1 replication in the PBMC cultures affects the extent of T cell proliferation; we have studied which forms of the Gag antigens are the most efficient at inducing T cell proliferation. From the latter experiments, we conclude that Gag proteins that include p17, and perhaps also p7, sequences flanking the central p24 capsid protein, are better stimulants than proteins that comprise only p24 sequences

Parameters influencing measurement of the Gag antigen-specific T-proliferative response to HIV-1 infection

We have analyzed factors that might influence the in vitro quantitation of the T-proliferative response to HIV-1 Gag antigens, a common and increasingly used clinical measurement of helper T cell function in the context of HIV-1 infection. We have compared the rate and extent of T cell proliferation in freshly prepared and previously frozen PBMC samples, and have concluded that frozen cells can be used successfully; we have assessed whether the suppression of any HIV-1 replication in the PBMC cultures affects the extent of T cell proliferation; we have studied which forms of the Gag antigens are the most efficient at inducing T cell proliferation. From the latter experiments, we conclude that Gag proteins that include p17, and perhaps also p7, sequences flanking the central p24 capsid protein, are better stimulants than proteins that comprise only p24 sequences