Distinct cellular immune responses following primary and secondary influenza virus challenge in cotton rats

To evaluate cell-mediated immunity in influenza-infected cotton rats, we compared the cellular composition of spleen, mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) after primary and secondary infection. There was an increase in cellularity in the MLN after primary infection that was further expanded upon rechallenge. CD4(+) T cells expanded after primary infection, but there was preferential increase in the number of CD4-negative T cells following secondary challenge. After primary infection, a large proportion of the monocytes and NK cells were present in the BAL while a T cell population dominated after secondary infection. CD4(+) T cells were predominant in this population unless the animals had been challenged with heterosubtypic influenza A virus. These studies are the first to show evidence of a memory T cell response to influenza infection in cotton rats and show quantitative and qualitative differences between the recall response to homosubtypic and heterosubtypic viruses.     

Flagellin and outer surface proteins from Borrelia burgdorferi are not glycosylated

We investigated the presence of glycoproteins in Borrelia burgdorferi. We did not find any evidence for glycosylation of the major outer membrane proteins OspA and OspB or the structural flagellar proteins FlaB and FlaA. We suggest that glycoproteins present on the surface of B. burgdorferi may be tightly bound culture medium glycoproteins.     

Chemical Characterization of Lipid A from Some Marine Proteobacteria

Lipids A from type and wild strains of marine Proteobacteria belonging to Alteromonadaceae (Alteromonas (1 species), Idiomarina (1 species), and Pseudoalteromonas (8 species) genera) and Vibrionaceae (Shewanella (1 species) and Vibrio (1 species) genera) families and Marinomonas genus (1 species) were isolated by hydrolysis of their respective lipopolysaccharides with 1% acetic acid. Based on thin-layer chromatography data, the lipids A studied had low heterogeneity and generated family-specific patterns varying in numbers of bands and their chromatographic mobility. Total chemical analysis of the compounds showed that they contained glucosamine, phosphate, and fatty acids with decanoate (I. zobellii KMM 231^T lipid A) or dodecanoate (lipids A of the other bacteria) and 3-hydroxy alkanoates as the major fatty acid components. Unlike terrestrial bacterial lipids A, lipids A of marine Proteobacteria had basically monophosphoryl (except V. fluvialis AQ 0002B lipid A with its two phosphate groups) and pentaacyl (except S. alga 48055 and V. fluvialis AQ 0002B lipids A which were found to have six residues of fatty acids per molecule of glucosamine disaccharide) structural types, low toxicity, and may be useful as potential endotoxin antagonists.     

A comparative study in vitro of physiological activity of triterpene glycosides of marine invertebrates of echinoderm type

1. The cytostatic and antimicrobial activity of triterpene glycosides of 19 holothurian species of the Pacific tropical zone has been studied. 2. It has been demonstrated that yeast and tumor cells display a comparable sensibility to the action of triterpene oligosides of sea cucumbers. 3. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are not sensible to the action of glycosides in doses to 500 mkg/ml. 4. Triterpene glycosides-stichoposides, thelothurins and oligosides of Holothuria of genus Bohadschia are the most active in relation to fungal, yeast microflora and tumor cells.     

Patterns of goal attainment among young mothers in a home visiting program

This paper examined heterogeneity in parents’ patterns of goal attainment following home visiting. Young mothers (n = 696) participating in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation of a statewide home visiting program were classified, using latent class analysis (LCA), according to their pattern of goal attainment (i.e., educational attainment, employment, parenting, personal functioning) two years postpartum. We explored direct and indirect (via social connectedness) associations between program participation and goal attainment. LCA revealed four classes: (a) High Education & Employment/High Parenting & Personal Functioning (n = 286, 41%); (b) High Education & Employment/Low Parenting & Personal Functioning (n = 212, 30%); (c) Low Education & Employment/Low Parenting & Personal Functioning (n = 71, 10%); and (d) Low Education & Employment/High Parenting & Personal Functioning (n = 127, 18%). Home visiting was not directly associated with class membership, but indirectly through social connectedness. This paper contributes to understanding home visiting impacts.