Differential Expression of Type III Effector BteA Protein Due to IS481 Insertion in Bordetella pertussis

BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis is the primary etiologic agent of the disease pertussis. Universal immunization programs have contributed to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality of pertussis; however, incidence of the disease, especially in adolescents and adults, has increased in several countries despite high vaccination coverage. During the last three decades, strains of Bordetella pertussis in circulation have shifted from the vaccine-type to the nonvaccine-type in many countries. A comparative proteomic analysis of the strains was performed to identify protein(s) involved in the type shift. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING: Proteomic analysis identified one differentially expressed protein in the B. pertussis strains: the type III cytotoxic effector protein BteA, which is responsible for host cell death in Bordetella bronchiseptica infections. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the prominent expression of BteA protein in the nonvaccine-type strains but not in the vaccine-type strains. Sequence analysis of the vaccine-type strains revealed an IS481 insertion in the 5' untranslated region of bteA, -136 bp upstream of the bteA start codon. A high level of bteA transcripts from the IS481 promoter was detected in the vaccine-type strains, indicating that the transcript might be an untranslatable form. Furthermore, BteA mutant studies demonstrated that BteA expression in the vaccine-type strains is down-regulated by the IS481 insertion. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The cytotoxic effector BteA protein is expressed at higher levels in B. pertussis nonvaccine-type strains than in vaccine-type strains. This type-dependent expression is due to an insertion of IS481 in B. pertussis clinical strains, suggesting that augmented expression of BteA protein might play a key role in the type shift of B. pertussis

Integrated optical and electronic interconnect PCB manufacturing research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the research in a project aimed at developing manufacturing techniques for integrated optical and electronic interconnect printed circuit boards (OPCB) including the motivation for this research, the progress, the achievements and the interactions between the partners. Design/methodology/approach – Several polymer waveguide fabrication methods were developed including direct laser write, laser ablation and inkjet printing. Polymer formulations were developed to suit the fabrication methods. Computeraided design (CAD) tools were developed and waveguide layout design rules were established. The CAD tools were used to lay out a complex backplane interconnect pattern to meet practical demanding specifications for use in a system demonstrator. Findings – Novel polymer formulations for polyacrylate enable faster writing times for laser direct write fabrication. Control of the fabrication parameters enables inkjet printing of polysiloxane waveguides. Several different laser systems can be used to form waveguide structures by ablation. Establishment of waveguide layout design rules from experimental measurements and modelling enables successful first time layout of complex interconnection patterns. Research limitations/implications – The complexity and length of the waveguides in a complex backplane interconnect, beyond that achieved in this paper, is limited by the bend loss and by the propagation loss partially caused by waveguide sidewall roughness, so further research in these areas would be beneficial to give a wider range of applicability. Originality/value – The paper gives an overview of advances in polymer formulation, fabrication methods and CAD tools, for manufacturing of complex hybridintegrated OPCBs. © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limite

Glanders & Melioidosis: A Zoonosis and a Sapronosis—“Same Same, but Different”

Glanders, caused by infection with Burkholderia mallei, primarily causes infection in equines, but may be transmitted to humans, and thus qualifies as a true zoonosis. Melioidosis Melioidosis is caused by B. pseudomallei, genetically very similar to B. mallei, but which is an environmental saprophyte capable of infecting humans and a wide range of other animals. Good evidence of animal-to-human, or even human-to-human, transmission of melioidosis is lacking, and so it most appropriately referred to as a sapronosis, or at most a sapro-zoonosis. Although rare in Western countries, both micro-organisms have recently gained much interest because of their potential use as bioterrorism agents Bioterrorism. The increasing recognition of melioidosis in humans and recent outbreaks of glanders Glanders in animals have led to their description as emerging or re-emerging diseases. Laboratory-associated infections with both organisms have also occurred, resulting in their categorisation as Hazard Group 3 pathogens. In this chapter we review the epidemiology of animal and human cases of glanders and melioidosis, the evidence for different modes of transmission, pathogenesis and clinical features, diagnosis and treatment, as well as public health and disease control issues