Comparison of marker-less and marker-based motion capture for baseball pitching kinematics.

The purpose of this study was to compare baseball pitching kinematics measured with marker-less and marker-based motion capture. Two hundred and seventy-five fastball pitches were captured at 240 Hz simultaneously with a 9-camera marker-less system and a 12-camera marker system. The pitches were thrown by 30 baseball pitchers (age 17.

Qigong exercise may improve sleep quality and gait performance in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.

Purpose: Parkinson's disease (PD) involves a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms, several of which, including gait abnormalities and sleep disorders, are generally not adequately managed with standard therapy. This study aimed to determine the impact of Qigong as a potential complementary therapy in the management of gait and sleep-related symptoms in PD.

Methods: Seven subjects (aged 66.

Quantitation of house dust mite allergens (Der f 1 and group 2) on the skin and hair of dogs.

Objective: To determine the concentration of house dust mite (HDM) allergens, Der f 1 and group 2, on the skin and hair of dogs and whether associations exist between the presence of Der f 1 and group 2 allergens on the skin and hair of dogs and household and dog characteristics.

Animals: 63 pet dogs from 50 homes.

Procedure: Dogs were weighed and body surface area in square meters was determined.

Quantitation of house dust mites and house dust mite allergens in the microenvironment of dogs.

Objective: To quantitate the density of Dermatophagoides farinae and D pteronyssinus and concentrations of house dust mite (HDM) allergens (Der f 1, Der p 1, and Group 2 allergens) in the indoor microenvironment of dogs.

Sample Population: 50 homes in Columbus, Ohio.

Procedures: In each home, samples of dust were collected from 3 locations in which dogs spent most time.

Quantitation of house dust mites and house dust mite allergens in the microenvironment of dogs.

Objective: To quantitate the density of Dermatophagoides farinae and D pteronyssinus and concentrations of house dust mite (HDM) allergens (Der f 1, Der p 1, and Group 2 allergens) in the indoor microenvironment of dogs. Sample Population-50 homes in Columbus, Ohio.

Procedures: n each home, samples of dust were collected from 3 locations in which dogs spent most time.

The use of a synthetic antigen for the serological diagnosis of human trichinellosis.

Hosts infected with Trichinella produce antibodies specific for an epitope common to the TSL-1 family antigens. This epitope contained uncommon terminal 3, 6-dideoxy-D-arabinohexose (so called tyvelose) residues. The disaccharide moiety was synthesized and an immunodiagnostic assay was developed, which was specific and sensitive in swine trichinellosis.

Measurement of canine IgE using the alpha chain of the human high affinity IgE receptor.

In vitro assays for allergen specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) are a convenient and reproducible alternative to intradermal skin testing in dogs. Such tests may be used to support a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and to define appropriate allergens for immunotherapy. Current in vitro assays rely upon monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies as IgE detection reagents.

Plasmodium yoelii: resistance to disease is linked to the mtv-7 locus in BALB/c mice.

We have identified congenic mouse strains that differ dramatically in resistance to infection with the murine malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii 17X. After infection, BALB/c mice develop severe anemia and a high degree of parasitemia which sometimes results in death. The mtv-7 congenic strain BALB.

Workshop on a detailed characterization of Trichinella spiralis antigens: a platform for future studies on antigens and antibodies to this parasite.

In order to characterize immunodominant components of T. spiralis a workshop was organized. In this the reactivity of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, provided by different research groups, towards total extracts from adult, new born larvae and muscle larvae as well as to excretory/secretory components of muscle larvae were tested by ELISA, Western blot and immunoprecipitation assays.

Host genetics and resistance to acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice: profiles and compartmentalization of IL-2-, -4-, -5-, -10-, and IFN-gamma-producing cells.

Survival of acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection by mice is influenced by genes inside and outside the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and genes associated with resistance must be expressed in both the MHC and the genetic background or the host will die within a few weeks of infection. Both the levels and the kinetics of cytokine production have also been implicated as important factors for resistance. Antigen-stimulated spleen cells from mice that express the resistant H-2q MHC haplotype produced significantly more interferon (IFN)-gamma than did cells from mice that share the susceptible H-2k haplotype.

Novel tyvelose-containing tri- and tetra-antennary N-glycans in the immunodominant antigens of the intracellular parasite Trichinella spiralis.

The larval stage of the intestinal nematode, Trichinella spiralis, secretes and displays on its cuticle a number of antigenically cross-reactive glycoproteins. These so-called TSL-1 antigens induce a powerful antibody response in parasitized animals. In rats, anti-TSL-1 antibodies mediate a protective immunity that expels invading larvae from the intestine.

Characterization of novel fucosyl- and tyvelosyl-containing glycoconjugates from Trichinella spiralis muscle stage larvae.

The monosaccharide composition of an affinity-purified family of antigenically-related Trichinella spiralis larval glycoproteins was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This group of 6 major glycoproteins, designated TSL-1, originates in the muscle stage (L1) larval stichosome. They are present on the L1 surface and in excretory/secretory products of L1 larvae, are stage-specific, and are highly immunodominant.

Immunoecological succession in host-parasite communities.

From the unique perspective of the parasite, each potential host exists as an ecosystem in its own right, comprised of biotic and abiotic components. If the parasite's limits of tolerance are not exceeded by the host environment, parasitism may occur. The organs of the host can be viewed as integrated communities comprised of distinct cell populations.

Plasmodium yoelii: cellular immune responses in splenectomized and normal mice.

Spleen and lymph node cells from Plasmodium yoelii 17X-infected, C57BL/6 (B6), and DBA/2 (D2) mice were cultured in vitro with parasite antigens. The ability of these cells to proliferate was quantified by uptake of [3H]thymidine and ELISA was used to measure secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-5. B6 mice are relatively susceptible to P.

Plasmodium yoelii: splenectomy alters the antibody responses of infected mice.

The antibody response to Plasmodium yoelii is altered in splenectomized mice. Sera were obtained from sham-operated or splenectomized DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mice on Days 11, 18, and 24 after infection with nonlethal P. yoelii 17x and used to precipitate metabolically radiolabeled parasite antigens.

Host genetics and resistance to acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice. I. Antibody isotype profiles.

Some strains of inbred mice survive acute infection with Trypanosoma cruzi while others die within a few weeks after infection. Mice which express B10 background genes and either the H-2q or H-2d haplotypes are resistant and survive. However, mice which share the B10 genetic background but express H-2k alleles die, usually within 4 weeks following infection.

Are antibodies important in mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii?

It is unwise to extrapolate results, even from one mouse strain to another, when attempting to define the mechanisms that control and effect anti-malaria immunity. It is important to better characterize the broad range o f possible responses that are likely to occur when individuals in an outbred population are infected. Here, Peter Sayles and Donald Wossom discuss briefly their views on the role of antibody in murine and human malaria infections, based on their work on mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii.

Influence of resistant and susceptible genotype, IL-1, and lymphoid organ on Trichinella spiralis-induced cytokine secretion.

The relative importance of cell-mediated inflammatory responses and antibody-mediated responses in controlling parasitic helminth infection is debated. To study the relationship between these responses and resistance or susceptibility to primary Trichinella spiralis infection, we infected resistant AKR mice and susceptible B10.BR mice and analyzed the lymphokines IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IL-5 produced by their T cells as a function of time and lymphoid organ.

Immunity to Trichinella spiralis infection in vitamin A-deficient mice.

Vitamin A-deficient (A-) mice make strikingly poor IgG responses when they are immunized with purified protein antigens. Previously, we showed that A- T cells overproduce interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), which then could inhibit interleukin 4 (IL-4)-stimulated B cell IgG responses. To determine if the altered IFN-gamma regulation pattern and its immunological consequences would extend to a natural infection, we studied mice infected with the parasitic helminth Trichinella spiralis.

Plasmodium yoelii: antibody response in resistant and susceptible mouse strains.

The numbers of antigen-reactive antibody-secreting cells, levels of parasite antigen-specific serum antibodies and numbers of red blood cells staining positive for surface immunoglobulin were determined for susceptible and resistant mouse strains following infection with Plasmodium yoelii 17x. As a control, these parameters also were measured using antigen prepared from normal red blood cells. The relatively susceptible C57BL/6 mice produced more antigen-specific antibody-secreting cells and had higher levels of immunoglobulin positive red blood cells than did DBA/2 mice, but the DBA/2 mice had more antigen-specific IgG in their sera.

IFN-gamma- and IL-5-producing cells compartmentalize to different lymphoid organs in Trichinella spiralis-infected mice.

The differential induction of cytokines associated with Th1 and Th2 subsets has recently been described during Trichinella spiralis infection. Increased levels of resistance appear to correlate with elevated levels of the Th1-associated cytokines, IFN-gamma and IL-2. In the present report, a filter immunoplaque assay is used to quantify the actual numbers of cells that secrete IFN-gamma and IL-5.

H-2 (I-A) control of the antibody repertoire to secreted antigens of Trichinella spiralis in infection and its relevance to resistance and susceptibility.

Humans infected with the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis vary in the specificity of their antibody responses to the antigens of the parasite. The possibility that such host variation in antigen recognition has a genetic basis was examined in infected inbred mice whose antigen recognition profiles were characterized by immunoprecipitation of biosynthetically labelled secreted materials of adult parasites and SDS-PAGE. The strains varied considerably in repertoire and none produced detectable antibody to all the potential antigens.

Trichinella spiralis: influence of an immunodominant, carbohydrate-associated determinant on the host antibody response repertoire.

Host antibody responses to the G2.1 epitope, a carbohydrate-associated determinant shared by several Trichinella spiralis glycoproteins, were examined by competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The G2.

A spleen is not necessary to resolve infections with Plasmodium yoelii.

The role of the spleen in resistance to infections with nonlethal Plasmodium yoelii 17x is dependent upon the genotype of the host. Thus, DBA/2 (D2) mice infected with P. yoelii 17x were not adversely affected by removal of the spleen, while splenectomized C57BL/6 (B6) or Balb/c mice failed to resolve their infections and eventually died.