Booster effect of canine distemper, canine parvovirus infection and infectious canine hepatitis combination vaccine in domesticated adult dogs

Domesticated adult dogs with antibody titer classified as below 'high' to one or more of canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV-2) and canine adenovirus type-1 (CAdV-1) were then given an additional inoculation, and the effectiveness of this booster evaluated 2 months later. Consequently, CDV and CAdV-1 antibody titer experienced a significant increase, but the same effect was not observed in the antibody titer of CPV-2. These findings suggest that with additional inoculation, a booster effect may be expected in increasing antibody titers for CDV and CAdV-1, but it is unlikely to give an increase in CPV-2 antibody titer.     

The environmental fate and behaviour of antifouling paint booster biocides: A review

Antifouling paint booster biocides are a group of organic compounds added to antifouling paints to improve their efficacy. They have become prevalent since the requirement for alternative antifouling paints formulations for small boats (< 25 m). This need followed a ban on the use of triorganotin biocides in antifouling paints for small boats, in the late 1980's. Worldwide, around eighteen compounds are currently used as antifouling biocides, viz. benzmethylamide, chlorothalonil, copper pyrithione, dichlofluanid, diuron, fluorofolpet, Irgarol 1051, Sea‐Nine 211, Mancozeb, Polyphase, pyridine‐triphenyl‐borane, TCMS (2,3,5,6‐tetrachloro‐4‐methylsulfonyl) pyridine, TCMTB [2‐(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothia‐zole], Thiram, tolyfluanid, zinc pyrithione (ZPT), ziram and Zineb. Any booster biocide released into the environment is subjected to a complex set of processes. These processes include transport mechanisms, transformation, degradation, cross media partitioning, and bioaccumulation. This paper reviews the fate and behaviour data currently available in the public domain concerning antifouling paint booster biocides.     

Controlled evaluation of thermal biofeedback in treatment of elevated blood pressure in unmedicated mild hypertension

In the first of two studies, 42 unmedicated mild hypertensives completed either 16 sessions of thermal biofeedback (TBF) training for hand (7 sessions) and foot (9 sessions) warming or 8 weeks of monitoring BPs at home. There was a trend (p<.10) for more of those treated (57.1%) to have DBPs lower than 90 mm Hg than for those only monitoring BPs at home (33%). Analyses of clinic BP values from random zero sphygmomanometer measurements, from 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, and from home BP measurements made by the patient showed no advantage for treatment versus BP monitoring. Sixteen of the 21 patients in BP monitoring were later treated. Analyses of treatment effects across all treated subjects by gender revealed a significant (p=.02) decrease in DBP for treated female subjects (n=13) but not for males (n=24). In the second study the 22 initial treatment successes, that is, those whose DBP was below 90 mm Hg at posttreatment (59.4% of those who completed treatment), were randomized to an intensive follow-up (monthly visits for 6 months, then visits every two months) emphasizing regular home practice with an electronic TBF device or regular follow-up (visits every 3 months). Twelve of the 22 were still normotensive at 12 months. There were no differences at any point during the follow-up between the two conditions in success rate or BPs despite a numerical advantage in reported frequency of home practice by those in the intensive follow-up condition.This research was supported by a grant from NHLBI, HL-31189.     

Mucosal vaccination with a recombinant OprF-I vaccine of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in healthy volunteers: comparison of a systemic vs. a mucosal booster schedule

We compared the immunogenicity of two vaccination schedules with either a systemic or a mucosal booster, both following a mucosal primary vaccination with a recombinant outer membrane fusion protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OprF-I) in 12 healthy volunteers. The systemic booster induced higher levels of OprF-I-specific serum antibodies of IgG isotype, with a mean+/-S.E.M. of 32.6+/-7.8x10(7) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) units (EU) as compared to the nasal booster with 14.6+/-2.1x10(7) EU (P=0.05). Specific serum IgA antibodies and antibodies in saliva did not differ between the two vaccination groups. We conclude that a combined mucosal/systemic vaccination with the OprF-I vaccine may offer an enhanced systemic immunogenicity. Further studies on the long-term immunogenicity and induction of antibodies on the respiratory airway surface are warranted.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel hydroxy-phenyl-1H-benzimidazoles as radical scavengers and UV-protective agents

An ever-increasing incidence of skin neoplastic diseases is registered. Therefore, it is important to protect the skin from the UV radiation that reaches the epidermis and dermis but also to block ROS generated by them. Our attention was attracted in developing new compounds provided with both UV filtering and antioxidant capacities. To this end, 2-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA), a known UV filter, was selected as lead compound for its lack of antioxidant activity, high water solubility and good safety profile. PBSA was sequentially modified introducing hydroxyls on the phenyl ring and also substituting the functional group in position 5 of the benzimidazole ring. At the end of the synthetic study, a new, very potent class of antioxidants has been obtained. Surprisingly some of the developed molecules, while devoid of significant UV-filtering activity was endowed with potent UV-filtering booster capability if associated with known commercial UVB and UVA filters.     

Absence of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 N protein in COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases

Understanding the risk factors for breakthrough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (BC19) is critical to inform policy. Herein, we assessed Delta (Lineage B.1.617.2) variant-specific effectiveness of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer) vaccine and characterized Delta-driven BC19 cases (fully vaccinated individuals who get infected) with known-time-since-vaccination. In this longitudinal prospective study (January 21–October 30, 2021), 90 naïve and 15 convalescent individuals were enrolled at the initiation of vaccination. Samples from 27 unvaccinated individuals with previous laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were collected at a single time point. Longitudinal serology profile (antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] S and N proteins) and live-virus-based neutralization capacities were assessed while controlling for age. Sex, age, history of reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, and viral neutralization capacities were identified as significant risk factors for breakthrough COVID-19. At 8 months postvaccination, male sex, individuals ⩾65 years of age, and individuals who experienced noticeable side effects with the COVID-19 vaccine were at 5.47 (p-value = 0.0102), 4.33 (p-value = 0.0236), and 4.95 (p-value = 0.0159) fold greater risk of BC19 as compared to their peers, respectively. Importantly, every five-fold increase in viral neutralization capacities (by live-virus-based assays) was significantly associated with ~4-fold reduction in the risk occurrence of breakthrough COVID-19 (p-value = 0.045). Vaccine boosting remarkably increased these viral neutralization capacities by 16.22-fold (p- value = 0.0005), supporting the importance of the BNT162b2 booster in efforts to control the incursion of future variants into the population at large. Strikingly, BC19 cases exhibited a delayed/absent antibody response to the N protein, suggesting limited exposure to the virus. Since antibodies against N protein are widely used to evaluate the extent of virus spread in communities, our finding has important implications on the utility of existing serological diagnostic and surveillance for COVID-19.     

The transformation booster sequence from Petunia hybrida is a retrotransposon derivative that binds to the nuclear scaffold

The transformation booster sequence (TBS) from Petunia hybrida enhances transformation frequencies in P. hybrida, Nicotiana tabacum and Zea mays. TBS also stimulates homologous inter- and intramolecular recombination in P. hybrida, the molecular basis for this stimulation is not known. We investigated whether TBS contains sequence elements that might contribute to the stimulation of recombination and whether its recombinogenic potential reflects a biological function of TBS. We identified a scaffold attachment region (SAR) within TBS and analysed its distribution in the genome and its homologies to other genomic sequences. A 516 by subfragment of TBS binds to the nuclear scaffold. The sequence of the TBSSAR fragment shows strong homologies to retroviral elements from plants, suggesting that TBS is an inactive derivative of a retrovirus that still promotes DNA recombination.     

Species-specific PCR primers for Pythium developed from ribosomal ITS1 region

AIMS: To develop a specific method for distinguishing and detecting Pythium species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty PCR primers were designed from the sequences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region from 34 Pythium species. The specificity of these forward primers paired with ITS2 or ITS4 and reverse universal primers was tested. Five species-specific primers were obtained, other primers showed different specificity to Pythium species. The specific amplifications enabled nine Pythium species to be differentiated. Specific detection of Pythium aphanidermatum from infested plants and P. dimorphum from soil was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: A method for identifying nine Pythium species using specific PCR amplification was achieved. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Because of its rapidness and ease, the results of PCR amplified with different primers can be a powerful method for identifying Pythium species and detecting or monitoring the target fungus directly from plant material, soil and water samples.     

Recipients of COVID-19 vaccines face challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has been rampant since 2019, severely affecting global public health, and causing 5.75 million deaths worldwide. So far, many vaccines have been developed to prevent the infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the emergence of new variants may threat vaccine recipients as they might evade immunological surveillance that depends on the using of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody to neutralize the viral particles. Recent studies have found that recipients who received two doses of vaccination plus an additional booster shoot were able to quickly elevate neutralization response and immune response against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus and some initially appeared viral variants. In this review, we assessed the real-world effectiveness of different COVID-19 vaccines by population studies and neutralization assays and compared neutralization responses of booster vaccines in vitro. Finally, as the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine is expected to decline over time, continued vaccination should be considered to achieve a long-term immune protection against coronavirus.     

Immunogenicity of a recombinant MVA and a DNA vaccine for Japanese encephalitis virus in swine

We previously reported that mice immunized with recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) encoding Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) prM and E genes were completely protected against JEV challenge (Nam, J.H., Wyatt, L.S., Chae, S.L., Cho, H.W., Park, Y.K., Moss, B. Vaccine 1999,17: 261-268). In this study, we examined the immunogenicity in swine of this recombinant MVA (vJH9) or a DNA vaccine (pcJH-1) expressing the same JEV genes. Although the booster effect in mice with a combination of vJH9, pcJH-1 and inactivated JEV commercial vaccine was not apparent by measuring JEV antibodies, the recombinant MVA vaccine (vJH9) and the DNA vaccine (pcJH-l) efficiently produced neutralizing antibodies in swine and 2 doses of each showed a booster effect in mice and swine. Therefore, both vJH9 and pcJH-1 are good candidates for a second generation JEV vaccine.     

Detection of the low-germination-rate resting oospores of Pythium myriotylum from soil by PCR

AIMS: To establish a sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for detecting Pythium myriotylum in soils. METHODS AND RESULTS: Oospores of P. myriotylum were separated from large soil particles by flotation in sucrose solution. The thick-walled oospores were disrupted by vortex with sea sand and its DNA was extracted by the Cetyl trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) method. The recovered DNA was verified by PCR amplification of a 150-bp target sequence of P. myriotylum. Samples of 10 g of soil were assayed; thus, the detection limit by PCR-based method was 10 oospores per gram soil. The method was successfully applied for the detection of P. myriotylum in soils collected in March, prior to planting of ginger crops. CONCLUSIONS: A PCR-based method for detecting P. myriotylum from soil was achieved. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The PCR method has allowed us to monitor the presence of P. myriotylum in soil prior planting season as a way of reducing or eliminating disease.     

Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses of COVID-19 vaccines against SARS-Cov-2 Omicron variant: a systemic review

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has undergone multiple mutations since its emergence, and its latest variant, Omicron (B.1.1.529), is the most contagious variant of concern (VOC) which poses a major and imminent threat to public health. Since firstly reported by World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2021, Omicron variant has been spreading rapidly and has become the dominant variant in many countries worldwide. Omicron is the most mutated variant so far, containing 60 mutations in its genome, including 37 mutations in the S-protein. Since all current COVID-19 vaccines in use were developed based on ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains, whether they are protective against Omicron is a critical question which has been the center of study currently. In this article, we systemically reviewed the studies regarding the effectiveness of 2- or 3-dose vaccines delivered in either homologous or heterologous manner. The humoral and cellular immune responses elicited by various vaccine regimens to protect against Omicron variant are discussed. Current understanding of the molecular basis underlying immune escape of Omicron was also analyzed. These studies indicate that two doses of vaccination are insufficient to elicit neutralizing antibody responses against Omicron variant. Nevertheless, Omicron-specific humoral immune responses can be enhanced by booster dose of almost all type vaccines in certain degree, and heterologous vaccination strategy may represent a better choice than homogenous regimens. Intriguingly, results of studies indicate that all current vaccines are still able to elicit robust T cell response against Omicron. Future focus should be the development of Omicron variant vaccine, which may induce potent humoral as well as cellular immune responses simultaneously against all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.     

Boosting with variant-matched or historical mRNA vaccines protects against Omicron infection in mice

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An abietane diterpenoid is a potent activator of systemic acquired resistance

Abietane diterpenoids are major constituents of conifer resins that have important industrial and medicinal applications. However, their function in plants is poorly understood. Here we show that dehydroabietinal (DA), an abietane diterpenoid, is an activator of systemic acquired resistance (SAR), which is an inducible defense mechanism that is activated in the distal, non-colonized, organs of a plant that has experienced a local foliar infection. DA was purified as a SAR-activating factor from vascular sap of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves treated with a SAR-inducing microbe. Locally applied DA is translocated through the plant and systemically induces the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), an important activator of defense, thus leading to enhanced resistance against subsequent infections. The NPR1 (NON-EXPRESSOR OF PR GENES1), FMO1 (FLAVIN-DEPENDENT MONOOXYGENASE1) and DIR1 (DEFECTIVE IN INDUCED RESISTANCE1) genes, which are critical for biologically induced SAR, are also required for the DA-induced SAR, which is further enhanced by azelaic acid, a defense priming molecule. In response to the biological induction of SAR, DA in vascular sap is redistributed into a SAR-inducing 'signaling DA' pool that is associated with a trypsin-sensitive high molecular weight fraction, a finding that suggests that DA-orchestrated SAR involves a vascular sap protein(s).     

Interval between prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and booster vaccination impacts magnitude and quality of antibody and B cell responses

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Durability of neutralization against Omicron subvariants after vaccination and breakthrough infection

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Antigen presentation dynamics shape the antibody response to variants like SARS-CoV-2 Omicron after multiple vaccinations with the original strain

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Efficient recall of Omicron-reactive B cell memory after a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine

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Inactivation of transforming DNA by ultraviolet light. I. Near-UV action spectrum for marker inactivation

The storage effect is defined as an increase of mutational damage after cessation of treatment. It differs from other kinds of delayed effect (replication errors, replicating instabilities) in not requiring replication of DNA. In Neurospora ad3A 38701 inos 37401 diepoxybutane (DEB) yields a storage effect for adenine reversions, but none for inositol reversions. The storage effect takes place in treated washed spores that are sedimented in a centrifuge tube, but not in spores that are agitated in water. Under the latter conditions, response to storage is gradually lost. The storage effect can be imitated by administering very small amounts of DEB to cells that had been previously treated with a moderately high dose (booster effect). During post-treatment shaking in water, responses to booster and to storage conditions disappear together; response to booster disappears at the same rate in spores that are sedimented in centrifuge tubes. No mutagenic action could be detected in eluates from heavily treated cells. We have concluded that treatment with DEB sensitizes the conidia to further small doses of DEB whether these are administered extraneously as booster or present intracellularly during storage. Sensitization is lost in the course of a few hours in shaken as well as in sedimented spores. Thus, while the storage effect is due to traces of mutagen, its gradual disappearance after treatment is not due to loss of these traces.Correlated with the ability to yield a storage effect, and probably part of the storage effect, is the response to temperature between treatment and plating. Conidia that can give a storage effect yield fewer mutations when spread on cold agar than when inplated into warm agar or heat-shocked before spreading; the excess of mutation under the latter two conditions forms part of the final storage effect. The true base line for calculation of the storage effect is therefore mutation frequency among spread spores.For DEB as mutagen, response to storage by the adenine locus and lack of response by the inositol locus are correlated with the responses of these two loci to dose of DEB and to combination treatment of DEB with UV, or DEB with nitrous acid (NA). This makes it possible to fit all observations into the picture of a general hypothesis on the cellular effects of DEB. Because of the differential response of the two loci, storage and plating procedures offer two additional means for manipulating specificity in this system.