Background: Some resources have suggested that genetically inactivated pertussis toxoid (PTs) bear a more protective effect than chemically inactivated products. This study aimed to produce new version of PT, by cloning an inactive pertussis toxin S1 subunit (PTS1) in a fusion form with N-terminal half of the listeriolysin O (LLO) pore-forming toxin. Methods: Deposited pdb structure file of the...

The Ophiostoma piceae complex forms a monophyletic group of insect-dispersed pyrenomycetes with synnemata (Pesotum) and micronematous (Sporothrix) synanamorphs. Other species of Ophiostoma outside of the 0. piceae complex that form synnemata lack the Sporothrix state. The nine recognized species within the 0. piceae complex are delimited by synnema morphology, growth rate at 32 C, mating reacti...

We used a mathematical model with processes reflecting larval mortality resulting from feeding on cross-pollinated ears or Bt ears of corn to analyze the risk of evolution of Cry-toxin resistance in Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). In the simulations, evolution of resistance was delayed equally well by both seed mixtures and blocks with the same proportion of refuge. Our results showed that Bt-poll...

Cholera is the prime example of blood-group-dependent diseases, with individuals of blood group O experiencing the most severe symptoms. The cholera toxin is the main suspect to cause this relationship. We report the high-resolution crystal structures (1.1-1.6 Å) of the native cholera toxin B-pentamer for both classical and El Tor biotypes, in complexes with relevant blood group determinants an...

1. Kinetic studies on the binding of 125I-streptolysin-O exhibited immediate fixation of activation toxin to natural and artificial membranes. Once fixed to the membrane no release of Streptolysin-O or Streptolysin-O-lipid-complexes has been observed. 2. In contrast to activated toxin (free SH-groups!), oxidized Streptolysin-O was shown to become also fixed to membranes, however, with different...

A new acute phase plasma component has been found in mice exposed to certain toxic materials and pathogenic bacteria. The abnormal component, detected by immunodiffusion employing absorbed antiserum, was chiefly studied in plasma of streptolysin O-treated mice where it appears within 24 hours after intravenous administration of a sublethal dose of the toxin. The new factor is a protein having t...

The health condition of the population of elms in the region of southern Bohemia was studied from the viewpoint of their decline, the occurrence of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) and the presence of other diseases. Of the total number of 105 elms in total 33 of them were without any symptoms of the disease or other damage. Elms regenerated quite spontaneously in the neighbourhood of mother trees and t...

Ostreopsis lenticularis Fukuyo 1981, is the major benthic dinoflagellate vector implicated in ciguatera fish poisoning in finfish on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Clonal laboratory cultures of O. lenticularis (clone 301) exposed to elevated temperatures (30-31 degrees C) for 33 and 54 days showed significant increases in the quantity of extractable toxin they produced as compared to their...