Prevalence of Antibodies against Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus among Cullers and Poultry Workers in Ho Chi Minh City, 2005

Background

Between 2003 and 2005, highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses caused large scale outbreaks in poultry in the Ho Chi Minh City area in Vietnam. We studied the prevalence of antibodies against H5N1 in poultry workers and cullers who were active in the program in Ho Chi Minh City in 2004 and 2005.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Single sera from 500 poultry workers and poultry cullers exposed to infected birds were tested for antibodies to avian influenza H5N1, using microneutralization assays and hemagglutination inhibition assay with horse blood. All sera tested negative using microneutralization tests. Three samples showed a 1∶80 titer in the hemagglutination inhibition assay.

Conclusions/Significance

This study provides additional support for the low transmissibility of clade 1 H5N1 to humans, but limited transmission to highly exposed persons cannot be excluded given the presence of low antibody titers in some individuals.     

Females prefer the scent of outbred males: good-genes-as-heterozygosity?

Background  

There is increasing interest to determine the relative importance of non-additive genetic benefits as opposed to additive ones for the evolution of mating preferences and maintenance of genetic variation in sexual ornaments. The 'good-genes-as-heterozygosity' hypothesis predicts that females should prefer to mate with more heterozygous males to gain more heterozygous (and less inbred) offspring. Heterozygosity increases males' sexual ornamentation, mating success and reproduction success, yet few experiments have tested whether females are preferentially attracted to heterozygous males, and none have tested whether females' own heterozygosity influences their preferences. Outbred females might have the luxury of being more choosey, but on the other hand, inbred females might have more to gain by mating with heterozygous males. We manipulated heterozygosity in wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus musculus) through inbreeding and tested whether the females are more attracted to the scent of outbred versus inbred males, and whether females' own inbreeding status affects their preferences. We also tested whether infecting both inbred and outbred males with Salmonella would magnify females' preferences for outbred males.     

Molecular details of spontaneous insertion and interaction of HCV non‐structure 3 protease protein domain with PIP2‐containing membrane

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), known as the leading cause of liver cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, has been affecting more than 150 million people globally. The HCV non‐structure 3 (NS3) protease protein domain plays a key role in HCV replication and pathogenesis; and is currently a primary target for HCV antiviral therapy. Through unbiased molecular dynamics simulations which take advantage of the novel highly mobile membrane mimetic model, we constructed the membrane‐bound state of the protein domain at the atomic level. Our results indicated that protease domain of HCV NS3 protein can spontaneously bind and penetrate to an endoplasmic reticulum complex membrane containing phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2). An amphipathic helix α₀ and loop S1 show their anchoring role to keep the protein on the membrane surface. Proper orientation of the protein domain at membrane surface was identified through measuring tilt angles of two specific vectors, wherein residue R161 plays a crucial role in its final orientation. Remarkably, PIP2 molecules were observed to bind to three main sites of the protease domain via specific electrostatic contacts and hydrogen bonds. PIP2‐interaction determines the protein orientation at the membrane while both hydrophobic interplay and PIP2‐interaction can stabilize the NS3 ‐ membrane complex. Simulated results provide us with a detailed characterization of insertion, orientation and PIP2‐interaction of NS3 protease domain at membrane environment, thus enhancing our understanding of structural functions and mechanism for the association of HCV non‐structure 3 protein with respect to ER membranes.     

Characterization of a hyper-viscoelastic phantom mimicking biological soft tissue using an abdominal pneumatic driver with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)

The purpose of this study was to create a polymer phantom mimicking the mechanical properties of soft tissues using experimental tests and rheological models. Multifrequency Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MMRE) tests were performed on the present phantom with a pneumatic driver to characterize the viscoelastic (μ, η) properties using Voigt, Maxwell, Zener and Springpot models. To optimize the MMRE protocol, the driver behavior was analyzed with a vibrometer. Moreover, the hyperelastic properties of the phantom were determined using compressive tests and Mooney-Rivlin model. The range of frequency to be used with the round driver was found between 60 Hz and 100 Hz as it exhibits one type of vibration mode for the membrane. MRE analysis revealed an increase in the shear modulus with frequency reflecting the viscoelastic properties of the phantom showing similar characteristic of soft tissues. Rheological results demonstrated that Springpot model better revealed the viscoelastic properties (μ=3.45 kPa, η=6.17 Pas) of the phantom and the Mooney-Rivlin coefficients were C(10)=1.09.10(-2) MPa and C(01)=-8.96.10(-3) MPa corresponding to μ=3.95 kPa. These studies suggest that the phantom, mimicking soft tissue, could be used for preliminary MRE tests to identify the optimal parameters necessary for in vivo investigations. Further developments of the phantom may allow clinicians to more accurately mimic healthy and pathological soft tissues using MRE.