Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a Microsporum canis metalloprotease subunit vaccine in guinea pigs.

in FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology (2004), 40(1), 75-80

In order to identify protective immunogens against Microsporum canis infection, a purified recombinant keratinolytic metalloprotease (r-MEP3) was tested as a subunit vaccine in experimentally infected ... [more ▼]

In order to identify protective immunogens against Microsporum canis infection, a purified recombinant keratinolytic metalloprotease (r-MEP3) was tested as a subunit vaccine in experimentally infected guinea pigs. Both humoral and cellular specific immune responses developing towards r-MEP3 were evaluated, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by in vitro lymphocyte transformation tests respectively. Vaccination induced a strong antibody response, and a significant but transient lymphoproliferative response against the protein. However, the protocol failed to prevent fungal invasion or development of dermatophytic lesions. These results show that under the present experimental conditions, r-MEP3 specific antibodies are not protective against a challenge exposure. They also suggest that in the same model, the induction of cell-mediated immunity towards r-MEP3 is not sufficient, indicating the need for further research in the field of specific immune mechanisms involved in M. canis dermatophytosis. [less ▲]

Evaluation of in Vitro Reconstituted Basement Membrane Assay to Assess the Invasiveness of Tumor Cells

in Invasion & Metastasis (1992), 12(3-4), 156-67

The crossing of tumor cells through basement membranes represents a critical step in the metastatic process. We have used a reconstituted basement membrane (matrigel) coated on filter in a Boyden chamber ... [more ▼]

The crossing of tumor cells through basement membranes represents a critical step in the metastatic process. We have used a reconstituted basement membrane (matrigel) coated on filter in a Boyden chamber to assess the invasive potential of tumor and normal cells. No correlation was found between chemoinvasion in vitro and the metastatic potential in vivo. Normal human fibroblasts and murine 3T3 fibroblasts penetrated filters coated with matrigel. On the other hand, the tumoral cells (MCF7, MCF7 gpt, MCF7 ras, BeWo, JAR, NUC-1 cells) were unable to cross the matrix. Our results suggest that in our conditions, this widely used model to assess tumoral invasion does not provide a universal assay to test the invasiveness of tumor cells. Penetration of the matrigel appears to be related to chemotactic or haptotactic responses depending upon cell types. Our data emphasize the variability of molecular events associated with basement membrane invasion. [less ▲]

Evaluation of instability hazards in rock masses influenced by mining works in the coal basin of Liege.

in Post-Mining 2008 (2008, February)

Evaluation of insuline-like growth horme-I (IGF-I) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) in pigs

in Archivio Veterinario Italiano (1996), 46

Evaluation of long-term functional deficits following transient cerebral ischemia in two mouse strains

Poster (2011, November 03)

Nowadays, no suitable animal model exists to assess long-term disabilities after cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to compare long-term behavioral and histological differences between two ... [more ▼]

Nowadays, no suitable animal model exists to assess long-term disabilities after cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to compare long-term behavioral and histological differences between two common mouse strains (129S2/SvPasCrl and C57BL6H) after 30 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Sensorimotor assessments were conducted at one and at three weeks post-surgery using accelerated Rotarod and open-field locomotion. Long-term behavioral testing began four weeks after MCAo using operant conditioning in a progressive fixed-ratio (FR) schedule. Experiments ended with volumetric determination of the infarcted area using NeuN immunostaining. Although no effect of ischemia was detected in 129S2 mice using these tests, in C57 mice, results showed obvious short-term motor and locomotor deficits. Furthermore, subtle but persistent disturbances of endurance and executive functioning were recorded by the progressive schedule tests but not highlighted by sensorimotor tests. Ischemic lesion extended to the dorsolateral part of the striatum in both strains and recurrent cortical damages were also observed in C57 mice. All those results are in accordance with inherent morphological and behavioral features of each strain. Since the motor cortex is spared by 30 minutes MCAo, functional disabilities could be related to striatal damages. In conclusion, C57BL/6H mouse strain, by offering an acceptable survival rate and enough sensitivity to MCAo, seems to be a mouse strain suitable to evaluate long-term deficits and possible functional recovery after cerebral ischemia. [less ▲]

Evaluation of low-molecular-weight heparin for the prevention of equine laminitis after colic surgery

in Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (2009), 19(1), 113-119

Objectives – The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of postoperative laminitis in colic cases and to determine if low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is effective in preventing this ... [more ▼]

Objectives – The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of postoperative laminitis in colic cases and to determine if low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is effective in preventing this complication. Design – Retrospective clinical study. Animals – Client-owned horses. Interventions – SC administration of enoxaparin during the postoperative period. Measurements and Main Results – Medical records of 360 horses undergoing surgery for colic and surviving at least 3 days were evaluated. Fifty-six horses admitted before 1995 did not receive LMWH (control group) and 304 admitted after 1995 received LMWH as a prophylaxis for laminitis (treatment group). Three grades of severity were defined for laminitis. Prevalence and severity of laminitis were compared between the 2 groups. Several parameters recorded on admission (sex, age, breed, site and nature of the disease, heart rate, PCV, gravity score, and shock score) and the administration of LMWH were tested as risk factors in the development of laminitis in a logistic regression procedure. Prevalence and grade of laminitis were significantly lower in the treatment group. Only the absence of LMWH was recognized as a significant risk factor in the logistic regression model. Conclusions – The administration of LMWH appears to be effective in the prophylaxis of laminitis following colic surgery and may be useful in the postoperative management of these horses. [less ▲]

Evaluation of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry for second-generation lignin analysis

in Analytical Chemistry Insights (2012), 7

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is evaluated as an elucidation tool for structural features and molecular weights estimation of some extracted ... [more ▼]

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is evaluated as an elucidation tool for structural features and molecular weights estimation of some extracted herbaceous lignins. Optimization of analysis conditions, using a typical organic matrix, namely CHCA (alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid), in combination with alpha-cyclodextrine, allows efficient ionization of poorly soluble lignin materials and suppression of matrix-related ions background. Analysis of low-mass fragments ions (m/z 100-600) in the positive ion mode offers a “fingerprint” of starting lignins that could be a fine strategy to qualitatively identify principal interunit linkages between phenylpropanoid units. The molecular weights of lignins are estimated using size exclusion chromatography and compared to MALDI-TOF-MS profiles. Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) and Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) lignins, recovered after a formic acid/acetic acid/water process or aqueous ammonia soaking, are selected as benchmarks for this study. [less ▲]

Evaluation of metabolic rates in various benthic communities in the Bay of Revellata (Corsica) using optodes

Poster (2011, April 08)

EVALUATION OF MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS BY MEANS OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN PRIOR TO THE DETERMINATION OF p-[18F]MPPF IN PLASMA

Poster (2006, September)

Evaluation of network equivalents for voltage optimization in multi-area power systems

in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems (2009), 24(2), 729-743

The paper addresses the problem of decentralized optimization for a power system partitioned into several areas controlled by different transmission system operators (TSOs). The optimization variables are ... [more ▼]

The paper addresses the problem of decentralized optimization for a power system partitioned into several areas controlled by different transmission system operators (TSOs). The optimization variables are the settings for taps, generators’ voltages and compensators’, and the objective function is either based on the minimization of reactive power support, the minimization of active power losses, or a combination of both criteria. We suppose that each TSO assumes an external network equivalent for its neighboring areas and optimizes without concern for the neighboring systems’ objectives its own optimization function. We study, in the context where every TSO adopts the same type of objective function, the performance of an iterative scheme, where every TSO refreshes at each iteration the parameters of its external network equivalents depending on its past internal observations, solves its local optimization problem, and then, applies its “optimal actions” to the power system. In the context of voltage optimization, we find out that this decentralized control scheme can converge to nearly optimal global performance for relatively simple equivalents and simple procedures for fitting their parameters. [less ▲]