Viral Superantigen Drives Extrafollicular and Follicular B Cell Differentiation Leading to Virus-specific Antibody Production

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV[SW]) encodes a superantigen expressed by infected B cells. It evokes an antibody response specific for viral envelope protein, indicating selective activation of antigen-specific B cells. The response to MMTV(SW) in draining lymph nodes was compared with the response to haptenated chicken gamma globulin (NP-CGG) using flow cytometry and immunohistology. T cell priming occurs in both responses, with T cells proliferating in association with interdigitating dendritic cells in the T zone. T cell proliferation continues in the presence of B cells in the outer T zone, and B blasts then undergo exponential growth and differentiation into plasma cells in the medullary cords. Germinal centers develop in both responses, but those induced by MMTV(SW) appear later and are smaller. Most T cells activated in the T zone and germinal centers in the MMTV(SW) response are superantigen specific and these persist for weeks in lymph nodes draining the site MMTV(SW) injection; this contrasts with the selective loss of superantigen-specific T cells from other secondary lymphoid tissues. The results indicate that this viral superantigen, when expressed by professional antigen-presenting cells, drives extrafollicular and follicular B cell differentiation leading to virus-specific antibody production

The mammals of Angola

Scientific investigations on the mammals of Angola started over 150 years ago, but information remains scarce and scattered, with only one recent published account. Here we provide a synthesis of the mammals of Angola based on a thorough survey of primary and grey literature, as well as recent unpublished records. We present a short history of mammal research, and provide brief information on each species known to occur in the country. Particular attention is given to endemic and near endemic species. We also provide a zoogeographic outline and information on the conservation of Angolan mammals. We found confirmed records for 291 native species, most of which from the orders Rodentia (85), Chiroptera (73), Carnivora (39), and Cetartiodactyla (33). There is a large number of endemic and near endemic species, most of which are rodents or bats. The large diversity of species is favoured by the wide range of habitats with contrasting environmental conditions, while endemism tends to be associated with unique physiographic settings such as the Angolan Escarpment. The mammal fauna of Angola includes 2 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, 11 Vulnerable, and 14 Near-Threatened species at the global scale. There are also 12 data deficient species, most of which are endemics or near endemics to the countryinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Baseline Report on ”Biomonitoring of Children” in the framework of the European Environment and Health Strategy: Revised baseline report

[Decision COM (2003) 338 final]. Editor: The Technical Working Group on Integrated Monitoring; Subgroup: Integrated Monitoring of Heavy Metals. Report to DG ENV, Commission of the European Communities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Baseline Report on ”Biomonitoring of Children” in the framework of the European Environment and Health Strategy: Draft baseline report

[Decision COM (2003) 338 final]. Editor: The Technical Working Group on Integrated Monitoring; Subgroup: Integrated Monitoring of Heavy Metals. Report to DG ENV, Commission of the European Communities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Baseline Report on ”Biomonitoring of Children” in the framework of the European Environment and Health Strategy: Executive Summary

[Decision COM (2003) 338 final]. Editor: The Technical Working Group on Integrated Monitoring; Subgroup: Integrated Monitoring of Heavy Metals. Report to DG ENV, Commission of the European Communities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Muscle full effect after oral protein: time-dependent concordance and discordance between human muscle protein synthesis and mTORC1 signaling

and mTORC1 signaling1–