| 21. |
- Blomström, Anne-Lie
(författare)
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Non-Structural Proteins of Arthropod-Borne Bunyaviruses: Roles and Functions
- 2013
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Ingår i: Viruses. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4915. ; 5, s. 2447-2468
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Viruses within the Bunyaviridae family are tri-segmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses. The family includes several emerging and re-emerging viruses of humans, animals and plants, such as Rift Valley fever virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, La Crosse virus, Schmallenberg virus and tomato spotted wilt virus. Many bunyaviruses are arthropod-borne, so-called arboviruses. Depending on the genus, bunyaviruses encode, in addition to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the different structural proteins, one or several non-structural proteins. These non-structural proteins are not always essential for virus growth and replication but can play an important role in viral pathogenesis through their interaction with the host innate immune system. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge and understanding of insect-borne bunyavirus non-structural protein function(s) in vertebrate, plant and arthropod.
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| 22. |
- Hägglund, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Characterization of an Experimental Vaccine for Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus
- 2014
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Ingår i: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. - 1556-6811 .- 1556-679X. ; 21:7, s. 997-1004
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) are major causes of respiratory disease in calves and children, respectively, and are priorities for vaccine development. We previously demonstrated that an experimental vaccine, BRSV-immunostimulating complex (ISCOM), is effective in calves with maternal antibodies. The present study focuses on the antigenic characterization of this vaccine for the design of new-generation subunit vaccines. The results of our study confirmed the presence of membrane glycoprotein (G), fusion glycoprotein (F), and nucleoprotein (N) proteins in the ISCOMs, and this knowledge was extended by the identification of matrix (M), M2-1, phosphoprotein (P), small hydrophobic protein (SH) and of cellular membrane proteins, such as the integrins alpha(V)beta(1), alpha(V)beta(3), and alpha(3)beta(1). The quantity of the major protein F was 4- to 5-fold greater than that of N (similar to 77 mu g versus similar to 17 mu g/calf dose), whereas G, M, M2-1, P, and SH were likely present in smaller amounts. The polymerase (L), M2-2, nonstructural 1 (NS1), and NS2 proteins were not detected, suggesting that they are not essential for protection. Sera from the BRSV-ISCOM-immunized calves contained high titers of IgG antibody specific for F, G, N, and SH. Antibody responses against M and P were not detected; however, this does not exclude their role in protective T-cell responses. The absence of immunopathological effects of the cellular proteins, such as integrins, needs to be further confirmed, and their possible contribution to adjuvant functions requires elucidation. This work suggests that a combination of several surface and internal proteins should be included in subunit RSV vaccines and identifies absent proteins as potential candidates for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals.
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| 23. |
- Handlin, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Associations between the Psychological Characteristics of the Human-Dog Relationship and Oxytocin and Cortisol Levels
- 2012
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Ingår i: Anthrozoos. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0892-7936 .- 1753-0377. ; 25:2, s. 215-228
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to explore possible correlations between dog owners' relationships with their dogs, as measured with the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS), and oxytocin and cortisol levels in both the owners and their dogs. Ten female owners of male Labrador Retrievers completed the MDORS. The scores obtained from the single items, subscales, and total score of the MDORS were calculated. Ten blood samples were collected from each dog owner and her dog during a 60-minute interaction. Blood samples were analyzed for oxytocin and cortisol by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) and mean values of oxytocin and cortisol were calculated in both owners and dogs. The MDORS scores obtained were correlated with basal and mean oxytocin and cortisol levels. The correlation analysis revealed some relationships between the scores of items in the MDORS that reflect the character of the dog-owner-relationship and the owners' hormone levels. For example, higher oxytocin levels in the owners were associated with greater frequency in kissing their dogs (rs = 0.864, p = 0.001). Lower cortisol levels in the owners were associated with their perception that it will be more traumatic when their dog dies (rs = -0.730, p = 0.025). The correlation analysis also revealed some relationships between the scores of items in the MDORS and the dogs' hormone levels. For example, greater frequency in owners kissing their dogs was associated with higher oxytocin levels in the dogs (rs = 0.753, p = 0.029). Six items in the subscale Perceived Costs, as well as the subscale itself, correlated significantly with the dogs' oxytocin levels (rs = 0.820, p = 0.007), that is, the lower the perceived cost, the higher the dogs' oxytocin levels. In addition, significant correlations between the oxytocin levels of the owners and the dogs were demonstrated. Possible mechanisms behind these correlations are discussed. In conclusion, the scores of some items and the subscales of the MDORS correlated with oxytocin, and to a lesser extent cortisol, levels in both the owners and dogs.
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| 24. |
- Handlin, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Short-Term Interaction between Dogs and Their Owners : Effects on Oxytocin, Cortisol, Insulin and Heart Rate-An Exploratory Study
- 2011
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Ingår i: Anthrozoos. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0892-7936 .- 1753-0377. ; 24:3, s. 301-315
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this exploratory study was to determine heart rate and the levels of oxytocin, cortisol, and insulin in dogs and their owners in response to a short-term interaction. In addition, the dogs' behavior was studied. The owners' responses were compared with those obtained from a control group. Ten female volunteers and their own male Labrador dogs participated in an experiment during which the owner stroked, petted, and talked with her dog during the first 3 minutes. Blood samples were collected from both dog and owner before (0) and at 1, 3, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the start of the interaction. Blood samples were analyzed by EIA. Heart rate was monitored telemetrically. The data were analyzed using linear mixed models and paired t-tests. The dogs' oxytocin levels were significantly increased 3 minutes after the start of the interaction (p = 0.027). Cortisol levels were significantly increased after 15 and 30 minutes (p = 0.004 and p = 0.022, respectively), and heart rate was significantly decreased after 55 minutes (p = 0.008). The dogs displayed normal behaviors during the experiment. The owners' oxylocin levels peaked between 1 and 5 minutes after interaction (p = 0.026). No such effect was seen in the controls. Cortisol levels displayed a significant decrease at 15 or 30 minutes in both owners and controls, and insulin levels did so at 60 minutes (p = 0.030, p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, p < 0.0001, respectively). Heart rate decreased significantly in the owners at 55 and 60 minutes (p = 0.0008) but not in the controls. In conclusion, short-term sensory interaction between dogs and their owners influences hormonal levels and heart rate. However, further studies need to be performed in order to better understand the effects of interaction between dogs and their owners.
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| 25. |
- Johnsson, Anna-Ida, et al.
(författare)
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Specific SCAR markers and multiplex real-time PCR for quantification of two Trichoderma biocontrol strains in environmental samples
- 2011
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Ingår i: BioControl. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1386-6141 .- 1573-8248. ; 56, s. 903-913
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several strains from the genus Trichoderma (Ascomycetes, Hypocreales) are commercially used as biocontrol agents, e.g. in formulations containing the two Trichoderma strains IMI206039 (Hypocrea parapilulifera B.S. Lu, Druzhinina & Samuels) and IMI206040 (T. atroviride P. Karst). To quantify the presence of the two isolates after application, we developed primers for SCAR markers (Sequence-Characterised Amplified Region). In order to quantify both fungal strains simultaneously, we also designed fluorophore-labelled probes distinguishing the two strains, to be used in combination with the SCAR primers. In incubations of two different soils, artificially inoculated and maintained under controlled conditions, the quantification through amplification with the SCAR markers in qPCR and through colony-forming units from plate counting correlated well. Further tests of the markers on samples taken from a golf green treated with a product containing both strains indicated that the two biocontrol strains did not establish, either on the golf green or in the surrounding area.
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| 26. |
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| 27. |
- Von Rosen, Dietrich
(författare)
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Non-negative estimation of variance components in heteroscedastic one-way random-effects ANOVA models
- 2010
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Ingår i: Statistics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0233-1888 .- 1029-4910. ; 44, s. 557-569
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a considerable amount of literature dealing with inference about the parameters in a heteroscedastic one-way random-effects ANOVA model. In this paper, we primarily address the problem of improved quadratic estimation of the random-effect variance component. It turns out that such estimators with a smaller mean squared error compared with some standard unbiased quadratic estimators exist under quite general conditions. Improved estimators of the error variance components are also established.
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
- Anderson, Jenna
(författare)
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Development and evaluation of a subunit DIVA vaccine against bluetongue virus serotype 8 in cattle
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bluetongue virus (BTV) causes the primarily vector-borne bluetongue disease of ruminants, which poses a permanent threat to Europe since new serotypes and strains are frequently introduced. Vaccination of cattle is essential to control BTV outbreaks. Commercial attenuated and inactivated vaccines are efficacious in reducing BTV spread and disease, but do not fulfil all safety, adaptability, or production requirements. Additionally, no current vaccines allow the differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). DIVA vaccines enable surveillance of BTV epidemiology and vaccine efficacy, and facilitate a quick return for countries to a BTV-free status. This thesis presents the development and evaluation of a novel subunit DIVA vaccine against BTV serotype 8 (BTV-8) in cattle. Five His-tagged recombinant BTV proteins (VP2, VP5 of BTV-8; NS1, NS2, NS3 of BTV-2) were produced in baculovirus or E. coli expression systems. Purification protocols were optimized for all but VP5. Based on the feasibility of protein production and the capability of the remaining four proteins to induce humoral or cellular immune responses in mice, VP2, NS1, and NS2 were selected to formulate an experimental vaccine combined to an ISCOM-matrix adjuvant (SubV). Next, cattle were immunized twice at a three-week interval with SubV, a commercial inactivated vaccine, or a placebo. SubV induced humoral immune responses, including virus-neutralizing antibodies, against all three proteins, as well as a cellular immune response directed against NS1. These responses were of similar type and comparable magnitude between both vaccines, suggesting that SubV might provide protection that is at least as effective as the commercial vaccine. Finally, the protective efficacy of SubV was evaluated and complete virological and clinical protection against virulent BTV-8 challenge was observed following vaccination in calves. This was likely due to the induction of virus-neutralizing antibodies directed against VP2 of BTV-8 and cross-serotype T cell responses directed against NS1 and NS2 of BTV-2. Furthermore, SubV was shown to be DIVA-compliant based on the detection of antibodies directed against VP7, by using commercially-available diagnostic assays. This novel BTV subunit vaccine is a promising candidate and should be further developed.
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| 30. |
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