Serological diagnostics of Lyme borreliosis: comparison of assays in twelve clinical laboratories in Northern Europe.

Lyme borreliosis (LB), caused by spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, is the most common tick-borne infection in Europe. Laboratory diagnosis of LB is mainly based on the patients' medical history, clinical signs and symptoms in combination with detection of Borrelia-specific antibodies where indirect enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the most widely used technique. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivities and specificities) of serological tests that are currently in use for diagnosis of LB in clinical laboratories in Northern Europe, by use of a large serum panel.

Rho GTPases link cellular contractile force to the density and distribution of nanoscale adhesions.

The ability of cells to adhere and to exert contractile forces governs their capacity to move within an organism. The cytoskeletal regulators of the Rho GTPase proteins are involved in control of the contractile forces of cells. To elucidate the basis of cell migration, we analyzed contractile forces and nanoscale adhesion-related particles in single cells expressing constitutively active variants of Rho GTPases by using traction-force microscopy and ultra-high-resolution stimulated emission depletion microscopy, respectively.

High-throughput live-cell imaging reveals differential inhibition of tumor cell proliferation by human fibroblasts.

Increasing evidence indicates that cancer development requires changes both in the precancerous cells and in their microenvironment. To study one aspect of the microenvironmental control, we departed from Michael Stoker's observation (Stroker et al, J Cell Sci 1966;1:297-310) that normal fibroblasts can inhibit the growth of admixed cancer cells (neighbour suppression). We have developed a high-throughput microscopy and image analysis system permitting the examination of live mixed cell cultures growing on 384-well plates, at the single cell level and over time.

PRIMA-1MET induces nucleolar translocation of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded EBNA-5 protein.

The low molecular weight compound, PRIMA-1MET restores the transcriptional transactivation function of certain p53 mutants in tumor cells. We have previously shown that PRIMA-1MET induces nucleolar translocation of p53, PML, CBP and Hsp70. The Epstein-Barr virus encoded, latency associated antigen EBNA-5 (also known as EBNA-LP) is required for the efficient transformation of human B lymphocytes by EBV.

Severe tick-borne encephalitis in a patient previously infected by West Nile virus.

We describe severe tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in a patient who had previously experienced West Nile fever, another flavivirus infection endemic in Hungary. Previous West Nile virus infection does not develop immunity either against TBE virus infection or the disease, and it does not mitigate its clinical course. The possibility of antibody-dependent enhancement is considered.