Identification of a novel CCR7 gene in rainbow trout with differential expression in the context of mucosal or systemic infection.

In mammals, CCR7 is the chemokine receptor for the CCL19 and CCL21 chemokines, molecules with a major role in the recruitment of lymphocytes to lymph nodes and Peyer's patches in the intestinal mucosa, especially naïve T lymphocytes. In the current work, we have identified a CCR7 orthologue in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that shares many of the conserved features of mammalian CCR7. The receptor is constitutively transcribed in the gills, hindgut, spleen, thymus and gonad.

The heterotrimeric laminin coiled-coil domain exerts anti-adhesive effects and induces a pro-invasive phenotype.

Laminins are large heterotrimeric cross-shaped extracellular matrix glycoproteins with terminal globular domains and a coiled-coil region through which the three chains are assembled and covalently linked. Laminins are key components of basement membranes, and they serve as attachment sites for cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. In this work, we produced a recombinant fragment comprising the entire laminin coiled-coil of the α1-, β1-, and γ1-chains that assemble into a stable heterotrimeric coiled-coil structure independently of the rest of the molecule.

Proton transfer voltammetry at electrodes modified with acid thiol monolayers.

By combining a description of the potential profile at electrodes coated with acid thiol monolayers with a quadratic relationship between activation energy and electrode potential, a rather simple expression for proton transfer voltammograms is derived. Our electrostatic analysis shows that proton transfer can only produce narrow voltammetric peaks when the immobilized acid groups lie close to the metal substrate. Quantitative fits of experimental voltammograms obtained with an Au(111) electrode modified with a 11-mercaptoundecanoic monolayer at pH 8.

Improved stability of multivalent antibodies containing the human collagen XV trimerization domain.

We recently described the in vitro and in vivo properties of an engineered homotrimeric antibody made by fusing the N-terminal trimerization region of collagen XVIII NC1 domain to the C-terminus of a scFv fragment [trimerbody (scFv-NC1) 3; 110 kDa]. Here, we demonstrated the utility of the N-terminal trimerization region of collagen XV NC1 domain in the engineering of trivalent antibodies. We constructed several scFv-based trimerbodies containing the human type XV trimerization domain and demonstrated that all the purified trimerbodies were trimeric in solution and exhibited excellent antigen binding capacity.

Risks of using antifouling biocides in aquaculture.

Biocides are chemical substances that can deter or kill the microorganisms responsible for biofouling. The rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry is having a significant impact on the marine ecosystems. As the industry expands, it requires the use of more drugs, disinfectants and antifoulant compounds (biocides) to eliminate the microorganisms in the aquaculture facilities.

Effects of dietary inulin and heat-inactivated Bacillus subtilis on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) innate immune parameters.

In the present study, a feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of inulin and heat-inactivated Bacillus subtilis, single or combined, on several innate immune activities of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Forty-eight specimens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: 0 (control), inulin (10 g/kg, prebiotic group), B. subtilis (10(7) cfu/g, probiotic group), or B.

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species in immunocompetent individuals.

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida species in samples of nasal mucosa from 100 immunocompetent subjects of both sexes, aged 18-70 years, during stomatological clinical examination. Samples were taken from the mucosa of both nasal fossae using sterile swabs. Samples were observed fresh, stained with Gram and Giemsa, and cultured on selective differential media at 37 degrees C to isolate and identify the selected microorganisms; conventional biochemical tests and commercial equipment and molecular studies using PCR were performed.

The axonal repellent Slit2 inhibits pericyte migration: potential implications in angiogenesis.

The Slit family of secreted proteins acts through the Roundabout (Robo) receptors to repel axonal migration during central nervous system development. Emerging evidence shows that Slit/Robo interactions also play a role in angiogenesis. The effect of Robo signaling on endothelial cells has been shown to be context-dependent.

Adsorbed formate: the key intermediate in the oxidation of formic acid on platinum electrodes.

The electrooxidation of formic acid on Pt and other noble metal electrodes proceeds through a dual-path mechanism, composed of a direct path and an indirect path through adsorbed carbon monoxide, a poisoning intermediate. Adsorbed formate had been identified as the reactive intermediate in the direct path. Here we show that actually it is also the intermediate in the indirect path and is, hence, the key reaction intermediate, common to both the direct and indirect paths.

Antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in oral mucosa and pockets of patients with gingivitis-periodontitis.

Both oral cavity and subgingival pocket are ecological niches conducive to hosting microorganisms that may act as opportunistic pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Early detection of MRSA is a matter of concern to Public Health. The aim of our study was to determine phenotypic and genotypic detection of methicillin resistance of S.

Atomic ensemble effects in electrocatalysis: the site-knockout strategy.

During an electrocatalytic reaction bonds are broken and formed, and this requires that the reactants, the intermediates formed at the elementary reaction steps, and the products interact with a given number of surface atoms of the catalyst. Modifying the number of groups with an adequate number of surface atoms in a suitable geometric arrangement for a determined reaction step to proceed may affect the activity and/or selectivity of the catalyst. Although separating purely geometric atomic ensemble effects from electronic effects is not straightforward, the insights extracted from a detailed investigation of atomic ensemble effects can have a profound impact in the determination of electrocatalytic reaction mechanisms and in the design of more active and more selective electrocatalysts.

Study of boron behaviour in two Spanish coal combustion power plants.

A full-scale field study was carried out at two Spanish coal-fired power plants equipped with electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and wet flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) systems to investigate the distribution of boron in coals, solid by-products, wastewater streams and flue gases. The results were obtained from the simultaneous sampling of solid, liquid and gaseous streams and their subsequent analysis in two different laboratories for purposes of comparison. Although the final aim of this study was to evaluate the partitioning of boron in a (co-)combustion power plant, special attention was paid to the analytical procedure for boron determination.

Viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) up-regulates the cytotoxic activity and the perforin/granzyme pathway in the rainbow trout RTS11 cell line.

A survey of immune-relevant genes that might be up-regulated in response to viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) in the rainbow trout monocyte-macrophage cell line, RTS11, unexpectedly revealed an increased expression of perforin (PRF) and granzyme (GRZ) genes, which represent components of the major cytotoxic pathway. The natural killer-enhancing factor (NKEF), also known to modulate cytotoxic activity, was up-regulated at the gene but strikingly down-regulated at protein level. The expression of these genes was not affected in head kidney leukocytes (HKLs) infected with VHSV, leading us to evaluate the potential cytotoxic activity of RTS11 and HKLs.

In situ powder diffraction study of belite sulfoaluminate clinkering.

Belite sulfoaluminate (BSA) cements have been proposed as environmentally friendly building materials, as their production may release up to 35% less CO(2) into the atmosphere when compared with ordinary Portland cement fabrication. However, their formation mechanism has not been studied in detail so far. Here, an in situ high-temperature high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study is reported.

Molecular and functional characterization of the gilthead seabream β-defensin demonstrate its chemotactic and antimicrobial activity.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important mediators of the innate immune response against bacteria and viruses. We have found a β-defensin (BD) gene searching the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of the teleost fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). The clone contains an open reading frame of 201 bp mRNA that encodes a putative seabream β-defensin (saBD) propeptide of 66 amino acids containing the six conserved cysteines as the main signature of this AMP.

Digoxin and its derivatives suppress TH17 cell differentiation by antagonizing RORγt activity.

CD4(+) T helper lymphocytes that express interleukin-17 (T(H)17 cells) have critical roles in mouse models of autoimmunity, and there is mounting evidence that they also influence inflammatory processes in humans. Genome-wide association studies in humans have linked genes involved in T(H)17 cell differentiation and function with susceptibility to Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Thus, the pathway towards differentiation of T(H)17 cells and, perhaps, of related innate lymphoid cells with similar effector functions, is an attractive target for therapeutic applications.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Secondary to Duodenal Cystic Dystrophy in Heterotopic Pancreas.

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall (CDDW) is a complication of heterotopic pancreatic tissue located in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by the presence of multiple small cysts, usually found in the wall of the second part of the duodenum. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to CDDW is a rare complication. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for persistent vomiting.

The multicompartmental p32/gClqR as a new target for antibody-based tumor targeting strategies.

Tumor-associated cell surface antigens and tumor-associated vascular markers have been used as a target for cancer intervention strategies. However, both types of targets have limitations due to accessibility, low and/or heterogeneous expression, and presence of tumor-associated serum antigen. It has been previously reported that a mitochondrial/cell surface protein, p32/gC1qR, is the receptor for a tumor-homing peptide, LyP-1, which specifically recognizes an epitope in tumor cells, tumor lymphatics, and tumor-associated macrophages/myeloid cells.

The introduction of multi-copy CpG motifs into an antiviral DNA vaccine strongly up-regulates its immunogenicity in fish.

The protection conferred by antiviral DNA vaccines in fish is known to rely greatly on innate immune responses. Since oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (CpG motifs) have been shown to induce potential innate immune responses, we have introduced several copies (either two or four) of a fragment containing multiple CpG sequences of known immunostimulatory effects into a DNA vaccine against viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV). We have determined the effects of this introduction on the vaccine immunogenicity, measured as immune gene induction, serum neutralizing activity and antigen-dependent proliferation.

Enhanced electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction based on patterning of platinum surfaces with cyanide.

The slow rate of the oxygen reduction reaction in the phosphoric acid fuel cell is the main factor limiting its wide application. Here, we present an approach that can be used for the rational design of cathode catalysts with potential use in phosphoric acid fuel cells, or in any environments containing strongly adsorbing tetrahedral anions. This approach is based on molecular patterning of platinum surfaces with cyanide adsorbates that can efficiently block the sites for adsorption of spectator anions while the oxygen reduction reaction proceeds unhindered.

Prevalence of Staphylococcus spp and Candida spp in the oral cavity and periodontal pockets of periodontal disease patients.

The oral cavity can act as a reservoir of certain pathogens that can cause systemic infections. The periodontal pocket is an ecological niche appropriate for hosting microorganisms that could act as opportunistic pathogens. The ability of Staphylococcus spp and Candida spp to form a biofilm and live within certain niches allows them to develop mechanisms that increase persistence, such as the evasion of host defenses and antibiotic efficacy.

Antiviral DNA vaccination in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) affects the immune response in the ovary and partially blocks its capacity to support viral replication in vitro.

DNA vaccination has proved a very effective method for controlling viral infections in fish, especially those provoked by rhabdovirus such as viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV). Recently, an effective DNA vaccine against infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) that codes for the viral polyprotein, and exerts its activity through a different mode of action than rhabdoviral vaccines has been developed. Despite their known protective capacity, whether DNA vaccines completely protect fish from viral replication or on the contrary allow residual replication levels that could give rise to asymptomatic carriers has never been clearly studied.