Serum Amyloid P Aids Complement-Mediated Immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae

The physiological functions of the acute phase protein serum amyloid P (SAP) component are not well defined, although they are likely to be important, as no natural state of SAP deficiency has been reported. We have investigated the role of SAP for innate immunity to the important human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Using flow cytometry assays, we show that SAP binds to S. pneumoniae, increases classical pathway–dependent deposition of complement on the bacteria, and improves the efficiency of phagocytosis. As a consequence, in mouse models of infection, mice genetically engineered to be SAP-deficient had an impaired early inflammatory response to S. pneumoniae pneumonia and were unable to control bacterial replication, leading to the rapid development of fatal infection. Complement deposition, phagocytosis, and control of S. pneumoniae pneumonia were all improved by complementation with human SAP. These results demonstrate a novel and physiologically significant role for SAP for complement-mediated immunity against an important bacterial pathogen, and provide further evidence for the importance of the classical complement pathway for innate immunity

Quantitative MRI Measurement of Binder Distributions in Green-State Ceramics

Development of reliable and improved structural ceramics for advanced heat engines and other applications requires process diagnostics and materials evaluation from powder preparation to green-body forming to final sintering. Injection molding is a promising processing method being developed for mass production of complex-shaped heat engine components such as turbochargers (rotors and stator vanes) and engine valves. Major processing steps in injection-molded ceramic manufacturing include preparation of ceramic powders and organic binders, mixing, molding, binder removal, sintering, and finishing [1]. While materials evaluation and diagnostics are needed throughout the process, it is particularly important to evaluate the distributions of binders/plasticizers in as-molded green bodies [2]. Poor distribution of these organics in a green body can lead to a final part that is defective or that has poor mechanical properties after it is sintered

Complement Activation Determines the Therapeutic Activity of Rituximab In Vivo

Rituximab is an anti-CD20 chimeric mAb effective for the treatment of B-NHL. It can lyse lymphoma cells in vitro through both C- and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The mechanism of action of rituximab in vivo is however still unclear. We have set up a new in vivo model in nonimmunodeficient mice by stable transduction of the human CD20 cDNA in the murine lymphoma line EL4. Animals injected i.v. with the EL4-CD20+ lymphoma cells died within 30 days with evident liver, spleen, and bone marrow involvement, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and PCR analysis. A single injection of rituximab or the murine anti-CD20 Ab 1F5, given i.p. 1 day after the tumor, cured 100% of the animals. Indeed, at week 4 after tumor cell inoculation, CD20+ cells were undetectable in all organs analyzed in rituximab-treated animals, as determined by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Rituximab had no direct effect on tumor growth in vitro. Depletion of either NK cells or neutrophils or both in tumor-injected animals did not affect the therapeutic activity of the drug. Similarly, rituximab was able to eradicate tumor cells in athymic nude mice, suggesting that its activity is T cell independent. In contrast, the protective activity of rituximab or the 1F5 Ab was completely abolished in syngeneic knockout animals lacking C1q, the first component of the classical pathway of C (C1qa−/−). These data demonstrate that C activation is fundamental for rituximab therapeutic activity in vivo

Critical Micronutrients in Pregnancy, Lactation, and Infancy: Considerations on Vitamin D, Folic Acid, and Iron, and Priorities for Future Research

The Early Nutrition Academy and the European Commission-funded EURRECA Network of Excellence jointly sponsored a scientific workshop on critical micronutrients in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy. Current knowledge and unresolved questions on the supply of vitamin D, folic acid, and iron for pregnant women, lactating women, and infants, and their health effects were discussed. The question was addressed of whether, and under which circumstances, supplementation with these micronutrients in addition to usual dietary intakes is advisable. The workshop participants concluded that public health strategies for improving supplementation with these micronutrients in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy are required. Further research priorities should focus on adequately powered human intervention trials to obtain a stronger evidence base for the amounts of vitamin D, folic acid, and iron that have optimal effects on health. The conclusions of the workshop should help to inform the scientific community as well as public health policy strategies. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Influence of low-ph beverages on the two-body wear of cad/cam monolithic materials

The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the effect of different acidic media on volumetric wear and surface roughness of CAD/CAM monolithic materials. Forty-eight rectangular specimens were prepared using different CAD/CAM monolithic materials: nanohybrid composite (Grandio Blocks, Voco), resin-based composite (Cerasmart, GC), lithium disilicate (E-Max, Ivoclar), and high-translucency zirconia (Katana STML, Kuraray Noritake). After storage in distilled water at 37◦ C for two days, the specimens were tested using a chewing machine with a stainless-steel ball as an antagonist (49N loads, 250,000 cycles). Testing was performed using distilled water, Coca-Cola, and Red Bull as abrasive media. Wear and surface roughness analyses of the CAD/CAM materials were performed using a 3D profilometer and analyzed with two-way analysis of variance and post hoc pairwise comparison procedures. Worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Resin-based materials suffered higher volumetric wear than ceramics (p = 0.00001). Water induced significantly less volumetric wear than the other tested solutions (p = 0.0014), independent of the material tested. High-translucency zirconia showed less surface roughness than all the other materials tested. The selection of monolithic CAD/CAM materials to restore worn dentition due to erosive processes could impact restorative therapy stability over time. Resin-based materials seem to be more influenced by the acidic environment when subjected to a two-body wear test

Primera cita de <i>Quadrastichus mendeli</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) de Argentina, asociado a agallas de <i>Leptocybe invasa</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae)

Se cita por primera vez en la Argentina la presencia de Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) asociada a agallas producidas por Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) en eucaliptos de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Quadrastichus mendeli es originaria de Australia y fue introducida en Israel en el año 2007, para ser utilizada como biocontrolador de la «avispa de la agalla», importante plaga de los cultivos de Eucalyptus.First record of Quadrastichus mendeli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) in Argentina associated with galls of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae)». Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) is reported for the first time in Argentina, associated to galls produced by Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae). It was found in Eucalyptus crops in Buenos Aires province. Quadrastichus mendeli is native to Australia and it was introduced into Israel in 2007 to be used as anatural enemy of the eucalyptus gall wasp.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Primera cita de <i>Quadrastichus mendeli</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) de Argentina, asociado a agallas de <i>Leptocybe invasa</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae)

Se cita por primera vez en la Argentina la presencia de Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) asociada a agallas producidas por Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) en eucaliptos de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Quadrastichus mendeli es originaria de Australia y fue introducida en Israel en el año 2007, para ser utilizada como biocontrolador de la «avispa de la agalla», importante plaga de los cultivos de Eucalyptus.First record of Quadrastichus mendeli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) in Argentina associated with galls of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae)». Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) is reported for the first time in Argentina, associated to galls produced by Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae). It was found in Eucalyptus crops in Buenos Aires province. Quadrastichus mendeli is native to Australia and it was introduced into Israel in 2007 to be used as anatural enemy of the eucalyptus gall wasp.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Primera cita de <i>Quadrastichus mendeli</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) de Argentina, asociado a agallas de <i>Leptocybe invasa</i> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae)

Se cita por primera vez en la Argentina la presencia de Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) asociada a agallas producidas por Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) en eucaliptos de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Quadrastichus mendeli es originaria de Australia y fue introducida en Israel en el año 2007, para ser utilizada como biocontrolador de la «avispa de la agalla», importante plaga de los cultivos de Eucalyptus.First record of Quadrastichus mendeli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) in Argentina associated with galls of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae)». Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) is reported for the first time in Argentina, associated to galls produced by Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae). It was found in Eucalyptus crops in Buenos Aires province. Quadrastichus mendeli is native to Australia and it was introduced into Israel in 2007 to be used as anatural enemy of the eucalyptus gall wasp.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore