Search Results
Abstract
Phage display technology is a powerful in vitro method for the identification of specific monoclonal antibodies (antibody fragments) to an antigenic target and allows the rapid generation and selection of high affinity, fully human antibodies directed toward any disease target appropriate for antibody therapy. In the present study, we exploited the phage display technology for the selection of an antigen binding fragment (Fabs) toward tetanus toxoid using human naïve phage antibody library constructed from peripheral blood lymphocytes of naïve human donors. The phages displaying Fab were subjected to three rounds of bio-panning with tetanus toxoid as antigen on a solid phase. The high affinity antibody fragments were expressed in HB2151 strain of Escherichia coli and purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. The binding activity and specificity of the antibody fragment was established by its reactivity toward tetanus toxoid and non-reactivity toward other related toxins as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis. The selected Fab fragment forming the antigen-binding complexes with the toxoid in flocculation assay indicates that the Fab may have a potential neutralizing ability toward antigen.
Abstract
Implicit cognitions may be involved in the development and maintenance of specific Internet use disorders such as problematic social network use (PSNU). In more detail, implicit attitude, attentional biases, approach and avoidance tendencies as well as semantic memory associations are considered relevant in the context of PSNU. This viewpoint article summarizes the available literature on implicit cognitions in PSNU. We systematically reviewed articles of implicit cognitions in PSNU from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases based on a targeted search strategy and assessed using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The present findings suggest that specific implicit cognitions are important in the context of PSNU and therefore show parallels to other addictive behaviors. However, the empirical evidence is limited to a few studies on this topic. Implicit cognitions in PSNU should be explored in more depth and in the context of other affective and cognitive mechanisms in future work.
In this study, the distribution of Central Nervous System (CNS) tissue contamination on the joints of beef during cutting of 88 carcass halves in a private slaughterhouse was investigated. In conclusion, the first time in Turkey, the level of contamination of spinal cord tissue as CNS tissue on the joints of beef during cutting the carcasses into the parts was shown. Additionally, high level of contamination risk via the knives used for cutting carcasses, the cutting tables, the moving cutting tables and the aprons was detected.
The authors screened 34 large cattle herds for the presence of Mycoplasma bovis infection by examining slaughtered cattle for macroscopic lung lesions, by culturing M. bovis from lung lesions and at the same time by testing sera for the presence of antibodies against M. bovis. Among the 595 cattle examined, 33.9% had pneumonic lesions, mycoplasmas were isolated from 59.9% of pneumonic lung samples, and 10.9% of sera from those animals contained antibodiesto M. bovis. In 25.2% of the cases M. bovis was isolated from lungs with no macroscopic lesions. The proportion of seropositive herds was 64.7%. The average seropositivity rate of individuals was 11.3% but in certain herds it exceeded 50%. A probability model was developed for examining the relationship among the occurrence of pneumonia, the isolation of M. bovis from the lungs and the presence of M. bovis specific antibodies in sera.
Background
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia is a rare phenomenon. Spurious pseudothrombocytopenia has also been described in other circumstances, while artifactual platelet count in whole blood samples anticoagulated with sodium citrate is an exceptional occurrence.
Case report
In this study, we describe the case of a 44-year-old ostensibly healthy woman who attended the local outpatient clinic for routine laboratory testing, including platelet count in EDTA and sodium citrate, for suspected artifactual pseudothrombocytopenia previously identified in another center. The results of hematological testing on both specimens were essentially normal, except for mild anemia. Nevertheless, the platelet number was 425 × 109/L in K2EDTA and 266 × 109/L (293 × 109/L after correcting for sample dilution) in sodium citrate, respectively. Microscopic revision of blood smears revealed the presence of platelet aggregates and satellitism only in the sodium citrate specimen.
Conclusion
Unlike previous occasional reports of concomitant EDTA- and sodium citrate-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia, we first describe a paradigmatic case of artifactual platelet count attributable to platelet clumping and satellitism, exclusively developing in blood anticoagulated with sodium citrate.
This part is a collection of short book reviews from the following authors: Biagio D'Angelo: Milongas y otros ritmos, Maria Luiza Guarnieri Atik: Vicente do Rego Monteiro-um brasileiro da França, Luciano Morbiato (ed.): Scartafaccio d'agricoltura. Manoscritto di un contadino di Spiné di Oderzo (1805-1810), Paul Richard Blum: Philosophieren in der Renaissance, Edit Bors: Az idő poétikája az önéletírásban. Rousseau, Gide, Sartre önéletírásának szövegnyelvészeti-pragmatikai elemzése.
Anthony Pym: The Moving Text Localization, Translation, and Distribution. Benjamins Translation Library 49 Amsterdam: John Benjamins. 2004, 223 pp. ISBN 902721655X; Sándor Albert: Fordítás és filozófia [Translation and Philosophy]. Budapest: Tinta Könyvkiadó. 2003, 154 pp. ISBN 963 9372 39 0; The translator. Studies in intercultural communication. Special Issue: Screen translation, Guest Editor: Yves Gambier, Volume 9, Number 2, 2003. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing. ISBN 1-900650-71-1; Barbara Kroll (ed.) Exploring the Dynamics of Second Language Writing. Cambridge: CUP. 2003, 342 pp. ISBN 0-521-52983-2;
Abstract
Perceptual learning is often considered one of the simplest and basic forms of learning in general. Accordingly, it is usually modeled with simple and basic neural networks which show good results in grasping the empirical data. Simple meets simple. Complex forms of perception and learning are, then, thought to rely on these simple networks. Here, we will argue that the simplicity is in fact the Achilles heel of models of perceptual learning. We propose, instead, that perceptual learning of simple stimuli cannot be modeled with simple networks. We will review some of the empirical results yielding to this conclusion.
Aims: The present theoretical paper introduces the smartphone technology as a challenge for diagnostics in the study of Internet use disorders and reflects on the term “smartphone addiction.”
Methods: Such a reflection is carried out against the background of a literature review and the inclusion of Gaming Disorder in ICD-11.
Results: We believe that it is necessary to divide research on Internet use disorder (IUD) into a mobile and non-mobile IUD branch. This is important because certain applications such as the messenger application WhatsApp have originally been developed for smartphones and enfold their power and attractiveness mainly on mobile devices.
Discussion and conclusions: Going beyond the argumentation for distinguishing between mobile and non-mobile IUD, it is of high relevance for scientists to better describe and understand what persons are actually (over-)using. This is stressed by a number of examples, explicitly targeting not only the diverse contents used in the online world, but also the exact behavior on each platform. Among others, it matters if a person is more of an active producer of content or passive consumer of social media.
Background and aims
Unregulated Internet pornography (IP) use is discussed as a clinically significant disorder. Because of its primarily rewarding nature, IP is a predestinated target for addictive behaviors. However, not every user develops an unregulated usage pattern. In fact, most users tend to use IP recreationally. Impulsivity-related constructs have been identified as promoters of addictive behaviors. It is unclear whether these impulsivity-related constructs are specific for unregulated IP use or also play a role in recreational but frequent behaviors. In this study, we investigated impulsive tendencies (trait impulsivity, delay discounting, and cognitive style), craving toward IP, attitude regarding IP, and coping styles in individuals with recreational–occasional, recreational–frequent, and unregulated IP use.
Methods
A total of 1,498 heterosexual males participated in an online survey. Groups of individuals with recreational–occasional use (n = 333), recreational–frequent use (n = 394), and unregulated use (n = 225) of IP were identified by screening instruments.
Results
Craving and attitude regarding IP as well as delay discounting and cognitive and coping styles differed between groups. Individuals with unregulated use showed the highest scores for craving, attentional impulsivity, delay discounting, and dysfunctional coping, and lowest scores for functional coping and need for cognition. Recreational–frequent users had the most positive attitude toward IP. Motor and non-planning impulsivity did not differ between groups.
Discussion and conclusions
The results indicate that some facets of impulsivity and related factors such as craving and a more negative attitude are specific for unregulated IP users. The results are also consistent with models on specific Internet use disorders and addictive behaviors.
