Time course of antibody response to tetanus toxoid and pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in patients infected with HIV

The methods of measuring the affinity constants of anti-HIV-1 p17 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) using the double antibody methods in the liquid phase and the biomolecular interaction analysis by BIAcore system (Pharmacia Biosensor AB, Uppsala, Sweden) were compared. MAbs, HyHIV1-6, recognizing residues 12-29 (P12-29) of p17 and the naive protein, p17, were used. The kinetic association constants (KAs) obtained using the double antibody method were 2.40 x 10(7) - 1.40 x 10(8)M(-1) for P12-29, and 4.80 x 106 - 1.80 x 10(7) M(-1) for p17. In the BIAcore system where P12-29 or p17 was used as immobilized antigens onto the sensorchip, the KAs were 1.57 x 10(9) - 4.81 x 10(9) M(-1) for P12-29, and 1.52 x 10(9) - 1.21 x 10(10) M(-1) for p17. On the other hand, when MAbs were immobilized onto the sensorchip and P12-29 or rp17 was used as analyte, the KAs for P12-29 and p17 were in the region 3 x10(8) - 3 x 10(9), 1 x 10(8) - 3 x 10(9) M(-1), respectively. These data show that the KAs were higher than those obtained using the double antibody method, however, no significant difference could be observed. Moreover, the KAs obtained for p17 using MAbs as ligand were similar for BIAcore and the double antibody method except for HyHIV2. Therefore, the BIAcore system can be used for the affinity measurement instead of the double antibody method.     

Decline in meningococcal antibody levels in African children 5 years after vaccination and the lack of an effect of booster immunization

Antibodies to group A meningococcal polysaccharide were measured by hemagglutination (HA) and by ELISA in sera obtained from Gambian children before vaccination and 3 weeks, 2 years, and 5 years after vaccination with a group A + group C meningococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine. Children were 1-4 years old at the time of vaccination. Most showed a good initial response to vaccination, including those aged 1-2 years. However, antibody titers declined progressively during follow-up, and 5 years after vaccination, antibody titers measured by both HA and ELISA had returned to prevaccination levels. This decline was not influenced significantly by a booster dose of vaccine given 2 years after initial immunization. Administration of malaria chemoprophylaxis reduced the rate at which antibody levels fell after initial immunization. Sustained protection of children against group A meningococcal disease will require the development of vaccines that are immunogenic in infants and that can induce T cell memory.     

The control of instrumental action following outcome devaluation in young children aged between 1 and 4 years.

To determine the role of action-outcome learning in the control of young children's instrumental behavior, the authors trained 18- to 48-month-olds to manipulate visual icons on a touch-sensitive display to obtain different types of video clips as outcomes. Subsequently, one of the outcomes was devalued by repeated exposure, and children's propensity to perform the trained actions was tested in extinction. On test, children with a mean age greater than 2.5 years performed the action trained with the devalued outcome less than those trained with the still-valued outcome, thereby demonstrating that their actions were mediated by action-outcome learning. By contrast, the instrumental responses of younger children (mean age     

Serological response to tetanus toxoid: a field study in Pondicherry, India

To study the serological response to various doses of tetanus toxoid given to pregnant women, 320 samples of blood obtained from 173 pregnant women were analysed using the indirect haemagglutination technique. Two doses of toxoid were necessary to achieve protective titres in women who were previously unimmunized. The antibody levels appeared to persist for up to 4 years. During a subsequent pregnancy, a single booster dose of toxoid was sufficient to raise the titres adequately for protection. These findings are in accordance with the immunization programme followed for prophylaxis against tetanus among pregnant women.     

Mucosal and systemic antibody responses to a C4/V3 construct following DNA vaccination of rabbits via the Peyer's patch

A plasmid encoding T1-SP10MN(A), a peptide derived from immunodominant regions of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120, was delivered to rabbit Peyer's patches using a helium-driven gene gun. Six weeks thereafter, 2 of 5 animals were given an intradermal booster immunization. Blood, feces, and vaginal washes were collected weekly and assayed by ELISA. High titer T1-SP10MN(A)-specific fecal and vaginal secretory IgA responses were observed, and the response appeared to be augmented following dermal booster immunizations. Specific serum IgG was also detected within 1 week of immunization and remained elevated through week 20 in the 2 animals receiving dermal boosts (titers > or = 6400). This study establishes the Peyer's patch as a promising target tissue for DNA vaccination and demonstrates the efficacy of gene gun-mediated delivery of foreign DNA to a mucosal tissue for the induction of an immune response.     

Assessments of plasma HIV RNA and CD4 cell counts after combined Pneumovax and tetanus toxoid vaccination: no detectable increase in HIV replication 6 weeks after immunization

AIM: To study the cardiovascular effect of total soyabeans saponins (TS) in brain and its relationship with monoamines. METHODS: After injection of TS (75 micrograms) into ventriculus lateralis cerebri (VLC) the changes of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were observed and the contents of monoamines both in peripheral blood and brain (telencephalon, diencephalon, brainstem) were measured respectively by HPLC-ECD and fluorophotometry. RESULTS: After injection of TS into VLC, BP rise from 11.59 +/- 0.84 to 14.59 +/- 0.69 kPa; HR increased from 411 +/- 21 to 465 +/- 14 bpm; the contents of NE and E in peripheral blood increased from 6 +/- 3 to 64 +/- 44, from 6 +/- 2 to 38 +/- 34 nmol/L plasma, respectively, NE in brainstem increased from 14 +/- 0 to 18 +/- 3 nmol/g wet tissue respectively, but the contents of 5-HT in the 3 areas measured in the experiment decreased: in telecephalon from 9 +/- 1 to 5 +/- 1, in diencephalon from 14 +/- 2 to 7 +/- 2, in brainstem from 14 +/- 3 to 6 +/- 1 nmol/g wet tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The cardiovascular effects of TS in CNS were involved in the monoamine transmitters.     

Antibody responses to tetanus toxoid and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT)

OBJECTIVE: Although there are many anecdotal reports that psychological intervention is effective in enhancing adjustment to spinal cord injury (SCI), there are little data to support this assertion. To date, reports of few longitudinal-based controlled trials that assessed psychological outcomes for SCI persons have been published. This study was conducted to determine long-term efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy during rehabilitation. DESIGN: The study employed a nonrandomized controlled trial, and measures were taken on three occasions: before, immediately after, and 12 months after treatment. SETTING, OUTCOME MEASURES, AND INTERVENTION: Anxiety, depressive mood, and self-esteem were assessed in 28 SCI persons consecutively selected on admission to hospital, who participated in specialized group cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) during rehabilitation. CONTROLS: The intervention group's responses on the measures were compared with a control group of 41 SCI persons who only received traditional rehabilitation services during their hospitalization. RESULTS: There were no overall group differences on anxiety, depressive mood, and self-esteem, although there was a trend for the treatment group to have greater levels of improvement in depression scores across time in comparison to the control group. However, those in the treatment group who reported high levels of depressive mood before the CBT treatment were significantly less depressed 1 year after injury, compared to similar persons in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: While it appears not everyone who experiences SCI needs CBT, at least in the hospital phase of their rehabilitation, those who report high levels of depressive mood benefited greatly from CBT.     

Sale of cigarettes to school children aged 14 and 15 years in New Zealand

AIMS: To determine the sources of cigarettes and extent of illegal sales to 14 and 15 year old children, and to examine associated risk factors in order to more effectively reduce tobacco access to children. METHOD: Nationwide cross sectional survey of fourth form school children in New Zealand by means of an anonymous self administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Questionnaires from 14,097 fourteen and fifteen years olds were analysed, with over one third smokers. Twenty four percent of the whole group (3432) had bought cigarettes in the last year. Of smokers, 59.9% bought their own, with the great majority (68.9%) from dairies, particularly females. Ninety five percent said it was "easy" or "very easy" to buy cigarettes, and this was a major risk factor for this behaviour (relative risk (RR) = 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74, 2.32, RR = 2.54, CI 2.28, 2.83, respectively). Only 24.6% children had ever been refused cigarettes because of age and all points of sale were comparable in this respect. Heavy smokers and males were more likely to have been refused. While refusal was associated with a fourfold increase in the perception that it was difficult to buy cigarettes, there was only a minimal reduction in the risk of children buying their own cigarettes (RR = 0.95, CI 0.91, 1.00). CONCLUSION: We have shown that the illegal sale of cigarettes to children is unacceptably easy and accurately perceived as such by children who smoke. The active enforcement of existing or future legislation is essential, with prosecution of offending retailers, if we are to make any progress to reduce the high prevalence of smoking in New Zealand children.     

Behavioral symptoms among children and adolescents. Screening with the help of a questionnaire in a group of children aged 4 to 17 years

A Danish translation of "The Child Behavior Checklist" (CBCL), developed by Achenbach and Edelbrock in Vermont, was standardized on 1,300 children aged between four and 17 years in the county of Fyn. The response rate was 61.4% and lowest among boys. Responders were compared to non-responders on different variables generated by the Danish Statistical Institute. No significant differences emerged across the two groups with respect to analysed confounders. We found a mean total CBCL score of 15-20 out of 232 possible points with considerable variation. The 95 percentile reflects a possible cut-off score for behavioural deviance or "psychiatric abnormality". This varied from 35 points in four to five years old girls to 58 points in six to ten years old boys. Parents reported hyperactivity and restlessness in 6.8% of six to ten year-old boys. Depression and sadness were reported in about 2% of all children six years or older. Six point three percent of all girls of 11-16 years selfreported obsessions. The 11-16 year-olds generally reported more symptomatic behaviour than their parents and teachers did about them.     

Changes in specific anti-egg antibody levels following treatment with praziquantel for Schistosoma haematobium infection in children

Fifty-seven children 6-15 years old resident in a Schistosoma haematobium endemic area in eastern Zimbabwe were treated with praziquantel at 40 mg/kg body weight. Levels of IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, and IgM antibodies against soluble egg antigen (SEA) were assayed by ELISA before treatment and at 18 and 36 weeks following treatment. Prevalence of infection (as determined by urine egg counts) was 65% before treatment, all children were confirmed egg negative six weeks after treatment, and reinfection prevalence was 4% at 18 weeks and 21% at 36 weeks after treatment. At 18 weeks after treatment, there was a massive increase in IgG1 levels and significant increases in IgE and IgG4 levels and significant decreases in IgA and IgG2 levels. Similar patterns occurred at 36 weeks after treatment. Egg positive children showed a more marked increase in IgG1 and (for older children) a more marked decrease in IgG2 levels. There were no other effects of age or sex. IgA and IgG1 levels fell significantly between 18 and 36 weeks following treatment but not to pretreatment levels. The results show that specific anti-egg antibody responses are highly sensitive to the effects of praziquantel treatment. A possible consequence is that the susceptibility of children to infection with S. haematobium is altered by chemotherapy; this requires further investigation.     

Immunogenicity and tolerability of a trivalent influenza subunit vaccine (Influvac) in high-risk children aged 6 months to 4 years

The authors carried out an epidemiological survey from october 12 to december 4, 1995, at Medina's mother and Child care centre (MCC) in Dakar in order to assess chemoprophylaxis among pregnant women in Dakar. The midwife/pregnant women ratio is 0.08 The mentioned diagnosis criteria were relevant regards to the references established for most of the answers because since the latter base malaria diagnosis on the following signs: fever, chills, headaches and vomiting. 64.6% of them assume compliance to antimalarial chemoporphylaxis. Education level seems to be the main determining factor in this trend. Although chloroquine is the most widely used drug, nevertheless 11.9% of pregnant women assuming compliance use it at inappropriate posology. Besides, pyrimethamine is used by 12.3% of them. 34% of pregnant women do show chloroquine in urine. The plasmodial index is 1.4%. Only 8.1% of these women are supplied by health centres where shortages are noted.     

A patient showing increased T3 and T4 levels due to ALP-interfering substances and heterophilic antibody

A 73-year-old male, who underwent resection of soft palate cancer and was under treatment for esophageal ulcer at our medical department, complained of palpitation. On the suspicion of hyperthyroidism, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was performed. T3 and T4 were increased, and FT4 and TSH were normal. However, T3 and T4 measured again by radioimmunoassay (RIA) were normal. Therefore, the patient serum was examined for interfering substances such as antibody against bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and heterophilic antibody. Substances interfering with ALP and anti-rabbit IgG human antibody were detected. It is necessary to consider the possible presence of these substances when results of EIA are evaluated.     

Specific airway resistance, interrupter resistance, and respiratory impedance in healthy children aged 2-7 years

We report data on respiratory function in healthy children aged 2-7 years in whom we measured respiratory resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint); total respiratory impedance (Zrs), respiratory resistance (Rrs), and reactance (Xrs) by the impulse oscillation technique; and specific airway resistance (sRaw) by a modified procedure method in the whole body plethysmograph. Measurements were attempted in 151 children and were successfully obtained in 121 children with a mean (SD) age of 5.3 (1.5) years; no measurements were possible in 30 children (mean age 3 (0.9) years). The repeatability of measurements was independent of the age of the subjects, and the within-subject coefficient of variation was 11.1%, 8.1%, 10.8%, and 10.2% for sRaw, Rint, Zrs, and Rrs at 5 Hz (Rrs5), respectively. All lung function indices were linearly related to age, height, and weight. A significant negative correlation with age, height, and weight was found for Rint, Zrs, and Rrs5. Xrs5 was positively correlated to age and body size. The mean values of Rint, Rrs5, Xrs5, and Zrs in children younger and older than 5 years were 1.04, 1.38, -0.5, and 1.48 kPa x L(-1) x s and 0.9, 1.18, -0.37, and 1.23 kPa x L(-1) x s, respectively. sRaw showed no significant correlation with body size or age and the mean sRaw in children younger and older than 5 years was 1.09 and 1.13 kPa x s, respectively. None of the indices of respiratory function differed between boys and girls. Xrs and Rrs exhibited a significant frequency dependence in the range of 5-35 Hz. The techniques applied in this study require minimal cooperation and allow measurement of lung function in 80% of our population of awake young children. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potentials of the presently established reference values for clinical and epidemiological purposes.     

Ability of caregivers to recognise signs of pneumonia in coughing children aged below five years

OBJECTIVES: This survey was carried out to determine: 1. The ability of caregivers to recognise signs of pneumonia in children aged below five years who are coughing. 2. The proportion of caregivers who possess a watch and are able to use that watch to count respiratory rates in children. 3. The home remedies used for cough. DESIGN: A cross sectional study. SETTING: Three Primary Health Care Clinics and a tertiary level hospital in Harare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 413 children aged less than five years attending a health care centre for cough were studied. Socio-demographic and personal characteristics of both mother and child were documented. An inventory of home remedies that were being used since onset of cough was taken. The child was also examined for signs of pneumonia by both caregiver and research nurse. The sensitivity and specificity of the caregiver's ability to recognise signs of pneumonia compared to the research nurse was calculated. RESULTS: The ability of caregivers to recognise signs of pneumonia was high (sensitivity 95pc for hospitalized cases and 85pc for the clinic cases). Sensitivity tended to drop with increase in child's age. The caregiver's ability to recognise signs of pneumonia was not significantly related to the number of children she had or her level of education. Only 19.5pc of caregivers owned a watch and could use a watch to count respiratory rates correctly. Those who owned a watch were more likely to count respiratory rates correctly. Those who claimed ability to use a watch actually counted respiratory rates correctly. Sixty six pc had used some remedy to treat the cough at home. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers were able to recognise signs of pneumonia without a watch. Only a small proportion of caregivers own watches and are able to use them correctly to count respiratory rates. National ARI control programmes should emphasize caregivers observing breathing when a child has a cough and encourage seeking early and appropriate health care when pneumonia is detected. Watches or timers should be made available and be recommended for use by trained health workers in health centres only. Use of potentially harmful remedies should be discouraged.     

Depression, anxiety, and within-person variability in adults aged 18 to 85 years.

Mild depression and anxiety were investigated in relation to measures of within-person (WP) variability and mean reaction time from psychomotor, executive function, visual search, and word recognition tasks in a continuous age range (18?85 years, M = 50.33, SD = 20.37) of 300 community-dwelling adults. Structural equation modeling identified a significant Age × Depression interaction in relation to visual search for measures of WP variability but not for mean reaction time. Older more depressed adults exhibited greater variability. WP variability in executive function and other cognitive constructs covaried, and the significant Age × Depression interaction with visual search was accounted for by WP variability in executive control. The findings suggest that age- and depression-related reductions in attentional resources may contribute to increased variability in visual search and that variability in executive control may be the mechanism underlying these effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in haemoglobin and haematocrit values in children aged 6 to 13 1/2 years in Mexico City

Levels of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined in 523 boys and 350 girls, clinically healthy, ages 6-0 to 13-5 years, middle socio-economic class living in Mexico City. In girls no significant differences according to age were observed in Hb or MCHC; however, Ht was significantly greater at 10-5 than at 10-0 years, without subsequent modifications. In boys, Hb and Ht had a first increase between 10-5 and 11-0 years and a second rise from 12-5 years on: MCHC remained unchanged. Boys were six to twelve months behind girls in regard to Ht increase; however, Ht increased when boys and girls reached similar mean weights (34 kg), heights (138 cm) and surface areas (1-15 m2); concomitantly, they had progressed to stage 2 of sexual development. Clear sex differences began to appear at age 11-5 when boys had higher Hb and Ht values than girls. These data suggest that Hb and Ht changes in these children are not related to chronological age but can be better interpreted if compared to weight, height, surface area or stage of sexual development.     

Follow-up of a cohort of 422 children aged 6 to 13 years conceived by in vitro fertilization

OBJECTIVE: To contact the total cohort of children conceived by IVF-ET consecutively in our center between June 1981 and December 1988. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Infertility unit of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Antoine Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France. PATIENT(S): Complete information was obtained on 370 children. The percentage lost for follow-up was 9%. INTERVENTION(S): To assess the children's well-being, telephone interviews of the parents and questionnaires sent to the parents and/or pediatrician were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Surgical procedures, malformation, height and weight, school performance. RESULT(S): The physical growth of these children showed no major pathological features, with only 2.2% of them being below 2 SD for weight and 0.3% for height. The rates of malformation were not significantly different between these children and the general population. School performance was good, with 92.2% presenting encouraging outcome. Fifty-eight percent of the parents of children aged 6 to 10 years old did not inform their children about the IVF nor did 34% of the parents of children aged 11 to 13. Subsequent to the birth of the IVF child, 30 patients (8.9%) had a spontaneous pregnancy. However, five of them (15.1%) were ectopic. CONCLUSION(S): This study reports, for the first time, reassuring data on the long-term assessment of a large group of older IVF-ET children conceived consecutively, with a low percentage of subjects lost for follow-up.     

Antibody responses in serum and lung to intranasal immunization with Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide conjugated to cholera toxin B subunit and tetanus toxoid

AIM: Cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) has previously been used as a mucosal carrier for various vaccine candidate antigens. The objective of this study was to see if coupling a bacterial polysaccharide, Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (HibCPS), to CTB, either directly or through prior coupling to tetanus toxoid (TT), would improve the immunogenicity of HibCPS after nasal immunization. METHODS: HibCPS was conjugated to CTB, TT or via TT to CTB, using glutaraldehyde or 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDAC) and N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP). The conjugates were characterized and used for intranasal (IN) and subcutaneous (SC) immunizations of mice. The anti-Hib, -TT and -CTB antibody titers in serum and lungs after the immunizations were measured with ELISA. RESULTS: The HibCTB was poorly immunogenic both given IN and SC compared with HibTT and HibTTCTB, probably because of inefficient coupling. In contrast, the conjugation of CTB to the HibTT conjugate resulted in a preparation which was superior both to the HibTT and the HibCTB conjugates in inducing local IgA and IgG anti-HibCPS antibodies in the lungs. The anti-HibCPS serum IgG titers after IN immunization with the HibTTCTB conjugate were similar to the titers after IN immunization with HibTT, or SC immunization with a commercial HibCRM conjugate vaccine. In contrast to the other conjugates, the HibTTCTB conjugate also gave rise to anti-Hib serum IgA titers. CONCLUSION: We conclude that appropriate conjugation to CTB increases the mucosal immunogenicity of HibCPS, and that intranasal immunization with such a conjugate can give rise to both local and systemic anti-HibCPS antibody responses.