Optimizing and accelerating the assignation of lineages in Mycobacterium tuberculosis using novel alternative single-tube assays.

The assignation of lineages in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) provides valuable information for evolutionary and phylogeographic studies and makes for more accurate knowledge of the distribution of this pathogen worldwide. Differences in virulence have also been found for certain lineages. MTB isolates were initially assigned to lineages based on data obtained from genotyping techniques, such as spoligotyping or MIRU-VNTR analysis, some of which are more suitable for molecular epidemiology studies.

Mast cell infiltration discriminates between histopathological phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: COPD is a complex disease with heterogeneous manifestations. Attempts have been made to define different phenotypes that could guide toward better disease understanding. We described before that smokers can develop either panlobular (PLE) or centrilobular emphysema (CLE).

The use of monoclonal antibodies anti-lectin from freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (DeMan, 1879) in the recognition of protein with lectin activity in Decapod's hemolymph.

We determined the cross-reactivity of a monoclonal antibody against the Macrobrachium rosenbergii lectin with proteins in the hemolymph from Procambarus clarkii (Pc), Procambarus americanus (Pa), Litopenaeus setiferus (Ls), and Pseudothelphusa americana (Psa). Crustaceans' hemolymph agglutinated erythrocytes from rat, mouse, guinea pig, and rabbit. Decapods' hemolymph hemagglutinating activity was inhibited by N-acetylated carbohydrates as well as by antibodies.