Serological and virological investigation of the role of the herpesviruses EBV, CMV and HHV-6 in post-infective fatigue syndrome.

Multiple previous studies have sought evidence for ongoing, active infection with, or reactivation of, Herpesviruses in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), with conflicting results. This study aimed to clarify this by studying 20 patients enrolled in a well-characterized model of the onset and evolution of CFS, the prospective cohort of the Dubbo Infection Outcomes Study (DIOS). The patients selected for examination included five CFS patients with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection; five CFS patients with acute viral infection not caused by EBV; and 10 matched controls with prompt resolution of primary EBV infection.

Elevated anti-Zta IgG levels and EBV viral load are associated with site of tumor presentation in endemic Burkitt's lymphoma patients: a case control study.

Background: Endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is an extranodal tumor appearing predominantly in the jaw in younger children while abdominal tumors predominate with increasing age. Previous studies have identified elevated levels of antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum schizont extracts and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigens (VCA) in endemic BL relative to malaria exposed controls. However, these studies have neither determined if there were any differences based on the site of clinical presentation of the tumor nor examined a broader panel of EBV and P.

No evidence for intrathecal IgG synthesis to Epstein Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Recent studies suggest an intrathecal IgG response against Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis (MS), implicating a pathogenic role for the virus in MS.

Objectives: To determine the spectrum of anti-EBV antibodies and B-cell epitopes within EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1). Furthermore, to determine whether EBNA-1-specific IgG is produced intrathecally.

Combination of Epstein-Barr virus scaffold (BdRF1/VCA-p40) and small capsid protein (BFRF3/VCA-p18) into a single molecule for improved serodiagnosis of acute and malignant EBV-driven disease.

Current single Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) markers fail to reach 100% sensitivity for serodiagnosis of acute and malignant diseases associated with EBV infection. Previous study had identified immunodominant epitopes of VCA-p40 and VCA-p18, and indicated that these two VCA antigens may have diagnostic value for EBV-related diseases. A recombinant protein of the full-length BdRF1 fused to the immunodominant domain of BFRF3 as 6-his tagged protein in Escherichia coli was developed.

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 is not associated with vessel density nor with hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and the neo-angiogenic factors induced as a result of hypoxia-inducible factor transcriptional activation may contribute to tumorigenesis by inducing vessel formation that in turn provides oxygen and nutrients promoting tumor expansion. In vitro studies of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), an aggressive malignancy that is nearly always infected by Epstein-Barr virus, show HIF-1alpha is upregulated by viral latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). The current study used immunohistochemistry to examine the extent to which HIF-1alpha and LMP1 are co-expressed in naturally infected NPC tissues.

Immunohistochemical characterization of the out-of frame splice variants GFAP Delta164/Deltaexon 6 in focal lesions associated with chronic epilepsy.

GFAP Delta164/Deltaexon 6 are two out-of frame splice variants of GFAP. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of GFAP Delta164/Deltaexon 6 expressing cells, in focal lesions associated with chronic intractable epilepsy, in light of the increasing interest in the role of specific astrocyte subtypes in epilepsy. Immunocytochemical analysis, using an antibody against Delta164 and Deltaexon6 (GFAP+1), was performed in surgical specimens of patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), focal cortical dysplasia type IIB (FCD), cortical tubers of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), glioneuronal and glial tumors.

Clinical outcome in neonates with twin anemia-polycythemia sequence.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate neonatal outcome of monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS).

Study Design: A cohort of consecutive monochorionic twins with TAPS with double survivors was included in the study. Each twin pair with TAPS was compared with 2 monochorionic twin pairs who were unaffected by TAPS or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and who were matched for gestational age at birth.

Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence: diagnostic criteria, classification, perinatal management and outcome.

Monochorionic twins share a single placenta with intertwin vascular anastomoses, allowing the transfer of blood from one fetus to the other and vice versa. These anastomoses are the essential anatomical substrate for the development of several complications, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). TTTS and TAPS are both chronic forms of fetofetal transfusion.

Functional delivery of viral miRNAs via exosomes.

Noncoding regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) of cellular and viral origin control gene expression by repressing the translation of mRNAs into protein. Interestingly, miRNAs are secreted actively through small vesicles called "exosomes" that protect them from degradation by RNases, suggesting that these miRNAs may function outside the cell in which they were produced. Here we demonstrate that miRNAs secreted by EBV-infected cells are transferred to and act in uninfected recipient cells.

Longterm quiescent cells in the aged human subventricular neurogenic system specifically express GFAP-delta.

A main neurogenic niche in the adult human brain is the subventricular zone (SVZ). Recent data suggest that the progenitors that are born in the human SVZ migrate via the rostral migratory stream (RMS) towards the olfactory bulb (OB), similar to what has been observed in other mammals. A subpopulation of astrocytes in the SVZ specifically expresses an assembly-compromised isoform of the intermediate filament protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP-delta).

Haemorrhagia post partum; an implementation study on the evidence-based guideline of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (NVOG) and the MOET (Managing Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma-course) instructions; the Fluxim study.

Background: One of the most important causes of maternal mortality and severe morbidity worldwide is post partum haemorrhage (PPH). Factors as substandard care are frequently reported in the international literature and there are similar reports in the Netherlands. The incidence of PPH in the Dutch population is 5% containing 10.

TAPS and TOPS: two distinct forms of feto-fetal transfusion in monochorionic twins.

Monochorionic twins share a single placenta with inter-twin vascular anastomoses, allowing the transfer of blood from one fetus to the other and vice versa. These anastomoses are the essential anatomical substrate for the development of severe complications, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and twin-anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). TTTS and TAPS are both chronic forms of feto-fetal transfusion.

Epstein-Barr virus infection in immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelial cells: regulation of infection and phenotypic characterization.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been postulated to be an early event involved in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). The lack of representative premalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cell system for EBV infection has hampered research investigation into the regulation and involvement of EBV infection in NPC pathogenesis. We have compared the efficiency of EBV infection in nasopharyngeal epithelial cells with different biological properties including immortalized, primary and cancerous nasopharyngeal epithelial cells.

Hematological characteristics in neonates with twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS).

Objective: To evaluate the neonatal hematological features of monochorionic twins with twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) and to determine the additional diagnostic value of reticulocyte count measurement.

Methods: A cohort of consecutive monochorionic twins with TAPS (n = 19) was included in the study and each twin pair was compared with two monochorionic twin pairs (n = 38) unaffected by TAPS or twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), matched for gestational age at birth. We measured full blood counts on day 1 and determined the incidence of anemia, polycythemia, reticulocytosis and thrombocytopenia.

GFAPdelta in radial glia and subventricular zone progenitors in the developing human cortex.

A subpopulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-expressing cells located along the length of the lateral ventricles in the subventricular zone (SVZ) have been identified as the multipotent neural stem cells of the adult mammalian brain. We have previously found that, in the adult human brain, a splice variant of GFAP, termed GFAPdelta, was expressed specifically in these cells. To investigate whether GFAPdelta is also present in the precursors of SVZ astrocytes during development and whether GFAPdelta could play a role in the developmental process, we analyzed GFAPdelta expression in the normal developing human cortex and in the cortex of foetuses with the migration disorder lissencephaly type II.

Specific human astrocyte subtype revealed by affinity purified GFAP antibody; unpurified serum cross-reacts with neurofilament-L in Alzheimer.

The human GFAP splice variants GFAPDelta164 and GFAPDeltaexon6 both result in a GFAP protein isoform with a unique out-of-frame carboxy-terminus that can be detected by the GFAP+1 antibody. We previously reported that GFAP+1 was expressed in astrocytes and in degenerating neurons in Alzheimer's disease brains. In this study we aimed at further investigating the neuronal GFAP+1 expression and we started by affinity purifying the GFAP+1 antibody.

A phase I trial of epstein-barr virus gp350 vaccine for children with chronic kidney disease awaiting transplantation.

BACKGROUND.: Vaccination against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), inducing an antibody response to the envelope glycoprotein gp350, might protect EBV-negative children with chronic kidney disease from lymphoproliferative disease after transplantation. METHODS.

Short- and long-term outcome in stage 1 twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome treated with laser surgery compared with conservative management.

Objective: We sought to compare short- and long-term outcome in Quintero stage 1 twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), managed with laser surgery or conservatively.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective study of all monochorionic twin pregnancies with stage 1 TTTS referred to our center. Primary outcomes were perinatal survival, neonatal morbidity, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome.

Epstein-barr virus latency in B cells leads to epigenetic repression and CpG methylation of the tumour suppressor gene Bim.

In human B cells infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), latency-associated virus gene products inhibit expression of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-family member Bim and enhance cell survival. This involves the activities of the EBV nuclear proteins EBNA3A and EBNA3C and appears to be predominantly directed at regulating Bim mRNA synthesis, although post-transcriptional regulation of Bim has been reported. Here we show that protein and RNA stability make little or no contribution to the EBV-associated repression of Bim in latently infected B cells.

Stage-specific inhibition of MHC class I presentation by the Epstein-Barr virus BNLF2a protein during virus lytic cycle.

The gamma-herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) persists for life in infected individuals despite the presence of a strong immune response. During the lytic cycle of EBV many viral proteins are expressed, potentially allowing virally infected cells to be recognized and eliminated by CD8+ T cells. We have recently identified an immune evasion protein encoded by EBV, BNLF2a, which is expressed in early phase lytic replication and inhibits peptide- and ATP-binding functions of the transporter associated with antigen processing.

Expression patterns of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-delta in epilepsy-associated lesional pathologies.

Aims: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-delta is a novel isoform that differs in its C-terminal sequence from other GFAP isoforms. Previous studies suggest restriction of expression to the subpial layer, subventricular zone and the subgranular zone astrocytes, with an absence in pathological conditions causing reactive gliosis. GFAP-delta is speculated to have roles in regulation of astrocyte size and motility and a subpopulation of GFAP-delta-positive glia may be multipotent stem cells.

Serological evidence for long-term Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in children living in a holoendemic malaria region of Kenya.

To study the long term the effects of chronic exposure to P. falciparum malaria on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation in children, EBV-specific antibody levels were measured in a cross-sectional survey of two groups of Kenyan children with divergent malaria exposure, varying in age from 1 to 14 years. A total of 169 children were analyzed within three age groups (1-4 years, 5-9 years and 10-14 years).

Intermediate filament transcription in astrocytes is repressed by proteasome inhibition.

Increased expression of the astrocytic intermediate filament protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a characteristic of astrogliosis. This process occurs in the brain during aging and neurodegeneration and coincides with impairment of the ubiquitin proteasome system. Inhibition of the proteasome impairs protein degradation; therefore, we hypothesized that the increase in GFAP may be the result of impaired proteasomal activity in astrocytes.

Two-step Epstein-Barr virus immunoglobulin A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system for serological screening and confirmation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC; WHO type III) is 100% associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and the fourth most prevalent cancer in Indonesian males. Therapy failure is high, since most patients come to the hospital at an advanced stage of disease. Screening for early-stage NPC is needed.