Improving the Deformability and Recovery Moment of Shape Memory Polymer Composites for Bending Actuators: Multiple Neutral Axis Skins and Deployable Core.

Shape memory polymer composite (SMPC) actuators have received significant attention for applications in space deployable structures because of their light weight and simple actuating process without any additional components. However, conventional SMPC actuators exhibit limited deformation owing to damages caused by the slight elongation of fibers and microbuckling. In this study, we designed a sandwich-structured SMPC bending actuator to increase deformability and the recovery moment with two novel features: multiple neutral axis (MNA) skins and a deployable core.

Effect of genetic background and delivery route on the preclinical properties of a live attenuated RSV vaccine.

A safe and effective vaccine against RSV remains an important unmet public health need. Intranasally (IN) delivered live-attenuated vaccines represent the most extensively studied approach for immunization of RSV-naïve infants and children, however, achieving an effective balance of attenuation and immunogenicity has proven challenging. Here we report pre-clinical immunogenicity and efficacy data utilizing a live-attenuated vaccine candidate, RGΔM2-2, which was obtained by deleting the M2-2 open reading frame from the genome of the MSA1 clinical isolate.

CX3CR1 Is Expressed in Differentiated Human Ciliated Airway Cells and Co-Localizes with Respiratory Syncytial Virus on Cilia in a G Protein-Dependent Manner.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the principal cause of bronchiolitis in infants and a significant healthcare problem. The RSV Glycoprotein (G) mediates attachment of the virus to the cell membrane, which facilitates interaction of the RSV Fusion (F) protein with nucleolin, thereby triggering fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. However, a host protein ligand for G has not yet been identified.

Evaluation of virulent and live Shigella sonnei vaccine candidates in a gnotobiotic piglet model.

Newborn gnotobiotic (GB) piglets given virulent Shigella orally develop many of the clinical symptoms and gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations that mimic human shigellosis. Shigella sonnei virulent strain Moseley, a mutant ShET2-1,2, lacking enterotoxin SenA and its paralog SenB, and vaccine candidates WRSS1 and WRSs3 were evaluated in this model for rates of diarrhea, colonization and other GI symptoms and pathology. Moseley-infected piglets developed diarrhea from 1 to 7 days, with the highest rates seen on days 2-4 after inoculation.

Biodistribution and elimination kinetics of systemic Stx2 by the Stx2A and Stx2B subunit-specific human monoclonal antibodies in mice.

Background: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) leading to acute kidney failure, is a condition linked to the production of primarily Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) by some E. coli serotypes. We have previously shown that Stx2 A subunit-specific human monoclonal antibody (HuMAb) 5C12, and B subunit-specific HuMAb 5H8 inhibit cultured cell death, and protect mice and piglets from fatal Stx2-intoxication.

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Objective: Many reviews have been previously published on the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in the management of knee OA. However, their results regarding pain and function yielded conflicting conclusions. Therefore this study was conducted to determine the efficacy of PEMF as compared with a placebo.

In vitro and in vivo protective efficacies of antibodies that neutralize the RNA N-glycosidase activity of Shiga toxin 2.

Background: Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2), one of two Stx liberated by Stx-producing Escherichia coli, is composed of an A subunit monomer and a B subunit pentamer, and is directly linked with hemolytic uremic syndrome in children. The pentameric B subunit binds to its cell surface receptor Gb3 for toxin internalization, and the A subunit follows intracellular retrograde transport to the cytosol where its RNA N-glycosidase activity (RNA-NGA) shuts down the protein synthesis, and leads to cell death. The present study investigated the ability of 19 Stx2 A subunit-specific human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) to neutralize the RNA-NGA, and the association this neutralizing activity with protection of HeLa cells and mice against Stx2-induced death.

Shiga toxin 2-specific but not shiga toxin 1-specific human monoclonal antibody protects piglets challenged with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli producing shiga toxin 1 and shiga toxin 2.

Escherichia coli strains that produce Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) are isolated from hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) cases more frequently than are strains that produce both Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and Stx2, whereas strains that produce only Stx1 are rarely isolated from HUS cases. Studies have implicated Stx2 as the sole contributor to acute kidney failure and other systemic complications in humans. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Stx2-specific antibody would be as effective against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains that produce both Stx1 and Stx2 as it is against strains that produce only Stx2, compared with Stx1-specific antibody.

A piglet model of acute gastroenteritis induced by Shigella dysenteriae Type 1.

Background: The lack of a standardized laboratory animal model that mimics key aspects of human shigellosis remains a major obstacle to addressing questions about pathogenesis, screening therapeutics, and evaluation of vaccines.

Methods: We characterized a piglet model for Shigella dysenteriae type 1.

Results: Piglets developed acute diarrhea, anorexia, and dehydration, which could often be fatal, with symptom severity depending on age and dose.

An oral versus intranasal prime/boost regimen using attenuated human rotavirus or VP2 and VP6 virus-like particles with immunostimulating complexes influences protection and antibody-secreting cell responses to rotavirus in a neonatal gnotobiotic pig model.

We determined the impact of mucosal prime/boost regimens and vaccine type (attenuated Wa human rotavirus [AttHRV] or nonreplicating Wa 2/6 rotavirus-like particles [VLP]) on protection and antibody-secreting cell (ASC) responses to HRV in a neonatal gnotobiotic pig disease model. Comparisons of delivery routes for AttHRV and evaluation of nonreplicating VLP vaccines are important as alternative vaccine approaches to overcome risks associated with live oral vaccines. Groups of neonatal gnotobiotic pigs were vaccinated using combinations of oral (PO) and intranasal (IN) inoculation routes as follows: (i) 3 oral doses of AttHRV (AttHRV3xPO); (ii) AttHRV3xIN; (iii) AttHRVPO, then 2/6VLP2xIN; (iv) AttHRVIN, then 2/6VLP2xIN; and (v) mock-inoculated controls.

Transfer of maternal cytokines to suckling piglets: in vivo and in vitro models with implications for immunomodulation of neonatal immunity.

Maternal cytokines may play instructive roles in development of the neonatal immune system. However, cytokines in colostrum and milk and their transfer from mothers to neonates have not been well documented, except for TGF-beta. Swine provide a unique model to study lactogenic cytokines because the sow's impermeable placenta prohibits transplacental passage.

High titers of circulating maternal antibodies suppress effector and memory B-cell responses induced by an attenuated rotavirus priming and rotavirus-like particle-immunostimulating complex boosting vaccine regimen.

We investigated maternal antibody (MatAb) effects on protection and immune responses to rotavirus vaccines. Gnotobiotic pigs were injected intraperitoneally at birth with pooled serum from sows hyperimmunized with human rotavirus (HRV); control pigs received no sow serum. Pigs with or without MatAbs received either sequential attenuated HRV (AttHRV) oral priming and intranasal boosting with VP2/VP6 virus-like particle (VLP)-immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) (AttHRV/VLP) or intranasal VLP-ISCOM prime/boost (VLP) vaccines at 3 to 5 days of age.

Cytokine responses of bovine macrophages to diverse clinical Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis strains.

Background: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent of Johne's disease (JD) persistently infects and survives within the host macrophages. While it is established that substantial genotypic variation exists among MAP, evidence for the correlates that associate specific MAP genotypes with clinical or sub-clinical disease phenotypes is presently unknown.

Low titer maternal antibodies can both enhance and suppress B cell responses to a combined live attenuated human rotavirus and VLP-ISCOM vaccine.

We investigated effects of low titer (Lo) circulating MatAb on protection and immunogenicity of attenuated (Att) human rotavirus (HRV) priming and 2/6-virus-like particle (VLP)-immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) boosting (AttHRV/VLP) or VLP-ISCOM alone vaccines. LoMatAb had both enhancing and suppressing effects on B cell responses, depending on tissue, antibody isotype and vaccine. Differential effects of LoMatAb on IgA responses in different tissues suggest that LoMatAb did not suppress induction of IgA effector and memory B cells but impaired homing of these cells to secondary lymphoid or effector tissues, reducing IgA antibody secreting cells and antibodies at these sites.

Mucosal and systemic antibody responses and protection induced by a prime/boost rotavirus-DNA vaccine in a gnotobiotic pig model.

A live rotavirus prime/DNA boost vaccine regimen was evaluated in a gnotobiotic pig model for human rotavirus (HRV) diarrhea. Plasmid DNA expressing rotavirus inner capsid VP6 was administered to pigs intramuscularly (IM) twice after oral priming with attenuated (Att) Wa strain HRV (AttHRV/VP6DNA2x). Other groups included: (1) VP6 DNA IM 2x then AttHRV orally (VP6DNA2x/AttHRV); (2) VP6 DNA IM 3x (VP6DNA3x) and controls.

Lectin histochemistry of Peyer's patches in the porcine ileum.

Lectin staining pattern in Peyer's patches of porcine ileum was studied using twenty one biotinylated-labeled lectins as cell markers which were visualized with avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method (ABC). WGA appears to be a selective marker for tingible body macrophages in the porcine germinal centers. ConA may be a positive marker for the lymphoid tissues, whereas 9 lectins (DBA, SBA, SJA, s-WGA, PNA, ECL, UEA-I, PHA-E, and PHA-L) may be negative markers for the lymphoid tissues in all areas.

Regional variations in the distributions of small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes in germ-free and specific pathogen-free mice.

Previously, we reported the regional variations in intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the small intestine of mice. To clarify the effects of intestinal bacteria on the distribution of IELs, regional variations in IELs were examined using germ-free (GF) and specific pathogen-free (SPF) BALB/cA mice. The small intestine was taken and divided equally into three parts (the proximal, middle, and distal parts).

Systemic and intestinal antibody secreting cell responses and protection in gnotobiotic pigs immunized orally with attenuated Wa human rotavirus and Wa 2/6-rotavirus-like-particles associated with immunostimulating complexes.

The undesirable side effects and variable efficacy of some oral live rotavirus vaccines in infants have necessitated alternative vaccine approaches. We evaluated a recombinant RFVP2/WaVP6 rotavirus-like-particle (2/6VLP) oral vaccine, using an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) matrix as adjuvant, in a gnotobiotic (Gn) pig model of human rotavirus (HRV) disease. The 2/6VLPs adhered to the ISCOM-matrix (2/6VLP-ISCOM ) and were antigenic, but they failed to induce protection.