A new hot spot for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE): A marked increase of TBE cases in France in 2016.

Objectives: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a zoonotic agent causing severe encephalitis. In 2016, in Northeastern France, we faced a TBEV infection increase, leading to a warning from the Regional Health Agency. Here, we report the confirmed TBE cases diagnosed between January 2013 and December 2016, with particular emphasis on the year 2016.

Travel-associated and autochthonous Zika virus infection in mainland France, 1 January to 15 July 2016.

During summer 2016, all the conditions for local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) are met in mainland France: a competent vector, Aedes albopictus, a large number of travellers returning from ZIKV-affected areas, and an immunologically naive population. From 1 January to 15 July 2016, 625 persons with evidence of recent ZIKV infection were reported in mainland France. We describe the surveillance system in place and control measures implemented to reduce the risk of infection.

Characterization of the structure and glycosylation properties of intracellular and cell surface rat hepatic prolactin receptors.

In this study we examined the structure of the PRL receptor of rat liver. We used immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies to binding and nonbinding site epitopes of the PRL receptor to assess receptor subtypes in different hepatic subcellular fractions. Analysis of frozen-thawed cell fractions revealed 40- and 42-kilodalton (kDa) species.

Multiple regulation of prolactin receptor gene expression in rat liver.

Sex steroids are major regulators of PRL receptor expression in rat liver. Using a probe encoding the rat PRL receptor we have studied receptor mRNA levels in female rat liver during ontogeny and in response to estrogen treatment. Steady state mRNA levels were determined by Northern blot and densitometric analysis.

Characterization and applications of monoclonal antibodies to the prolactin receptor.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced in BALB/c mice immunized with partially purified PRL receptors from rat liver. Two mAbs (T1 and T6) were able to completely inhibit [125I]ovine PRL ([125I]oPRL) binding to solubilized rat liver PRL receptors, while two other mAbs (U5 and U6) showed only a small effect on PRL binding, but were able to precipitate hormone-receptor complexes. Scatchard analysis of [125I]oPRL binding to rat liver microsomes in the presence of mAbs resulted in a decrease in the number of sites without changing the affinity of PRL binding by T1 and T6, whereas U5 and U6 altered neither parameter.