The surface treatment of polystyrene, which is required to make polystyrene suitable for cell adhesion and spreading, was investigated. Examination surfaces treated with sulfuric acid or various oxidizing agents using (a) x-ray photoelectron attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (b) measurement carboxyl-, hydroxyl-, sulfur-containing groups by radiochemical methods showed that produces an insignificant number sulfonic on polystyrene. This technique together oxidation techniques render...

Poxviridae is a family of enveloped, brick-shaped or ovoid viruses. The genome linear molecule dsDNA (128–375 kbp) with covalently closed ends. includes the sub-families Entomopoxvirinae , whose members have been found in four orders insects, and Chordopoxvirinae, are mammals, birds, reptiles fish. Poxviruses important pathogens various animals, including humans, typically result formation lesions, skin nodules, disseminated rash. Infections can be fatal. This summary International Committee...

ABSTRACT The parapoxvirus orf virus encodes a novel soluble protein inhibitor of ovine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). GM-CSF- IL-2-inhibitory (GIF) gene was expressed as an intermediate-late viral in virus-infected cells. GIF formed homodimers tetramers solution, it bound GM-CSF with K d 369 pM IL-2 1.04 nM. did not bind human or spite the fact that is pathogen. detected afferent lymph plasma draining skin site reinfection associated...

Abstract Infectious disease introduced by non‐native species is increasingly cited as a facilitator of native population declines, but direct evidence may be lacking due to inadequate and prevalence data surrounding an outbreak. Previous indirect theoretical models support squirrelpox virus ( SQPV ) being potentially involved in the decline red squirrels Sciurus vul garis) following introduction gray squirrel carolinensis United Kingdom. The major UK conservation concern understanding its...

Parapoxviruses (PPV), of the family Poxviridae, cause a pustular cutaneous disease in sheep and goats (orf virus, ORFV) cattle (pseudocowpoxvirus, PCPV bovine papular stomatitis BPSV). Here, we present first genomic sequence reference strain (VR634) along with PPV (F00.120R) isolated Finland from reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). The F00.120R VR634 genomes are 135 145 kb length contain 131 134 putative genes, respectively, their genome organization being similar to that other PPVs....

Circulating monocytes in several mammalian species can be subdivided into functionally distinct subpopulations based on differential expression of surface molecules. We confirm that bovine express CD172a and MHC class II with two populations CD14+CD16low/-CD163+ CD14−CD16++CD163low- cells, a more diffuse population CD14+CD16+CD163+ cells. In contrast, ovine consisted only major CD14+CD16+ subset very low percentage CD14−CD16++cells. The subsets expressed similar levels CD80, CD40 CD11c...

Cases of papular stomatitis in Finnish reindeer have been reported for many years. The causative agent was thought to be Orf virus (ORFV), one the Parapoxviridae , although this assumption based mainly on clinical symptoms, pathology and electron microscopy. Here sequence analyses viral DNA isolated from a recent outbreak disease 1999–2000 are presented comparison that earlier outbreaks 1992–1994. results show is most closely related Pseudocowpox whereas those previous years grouped with...

The case of a marine mammal technician who sustained seal‐bite to the hand that produced lesion clinically very similar orf is described. Sequence analysis viral DNA amplified from by polymerase chain reaction indicated it was sealpox virus in origin. This first report providing unequivocal evidence may be transmitted humans and causes lesions orf.

The genome of a virulent squirrelpox virus (SQPV) isolate was characterized in order to determine its relationship with other poxviruses. Restriction enzyme analysis suggested length approximately 158 kb, whilst sequence the two ends indicated G+C composition 66 %. Two contiguous stretches 23 and 37 kb at left-hand right-hand genome, respectively, were sequenced allowing identification least 59 genes contained therein. partial further 15 determined by spot sequencing restriction fragments...

The parapoxvirus orf virus was resistant to type 1 (IFN‐α) and 2 (IFN‐γ) interferons in cultures of ovine cells. recently identified OV20.0L gene exhibits 31% predicted amino acid identity the vaccinia E3L interferon‐resistance gene, is referred as (putative) (OVIFNR). objective this study determine whether OVIFNR involved interferon resistance. Recombinant a thioredoxin fusion protein (OVIFNR–Tx) inhibited activation (by autophosphorylation) an interferon‐inducible, double‐stranded (ds)...

The first report of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-like gene in Orf virus included the surprising observation that genes from two isolates (NZ2 and NZ7) shared only 41.1% amino acid sequence identity. We have examined this disparity by determining VEGF 21 derived diverse sources. Most carried NZ2-like but their predicted sequences varied up to 30.8% with an average identity between pairs 86.1%. This high rate variation is more similar interspecies than intraspecies variability....

Permeabilisation of PC12 cells with digitonin allowed a direct study the intracellular action botulinum neurotoxin A, one group dichain proteins produced by Clostridium that causes fatal neuroparalytic condition, botulism. Release [ 3 H]noradrenaline from these permeabilised could be evoked Ca 2+ and this was inhibited specifically in dose‐dependent manner (half‐maximal dose ~2 nM under conditions used). Inclusion reducing agent dithiothreitol (up to 10 mM) had no effect on level inhibition....

ABSTRACT Virus infection of humans and livestock can be devastating for individuals populations, sometimes resulting in large economic societal impact. Prevention virus disease by vaccination or antiviral agents is difficult to achieve. A notable exception was the eradication human smallpox over 30 years ago. Today, animals remain susceptible poxvirus infections, including zoonotic transmission. Here we identified a small molecule, bisbenzimide (bisbenzimidazole), its derivatives as potent...

A parapoxvirus has been implicated in the decline of red squirrel United Kingdom. Virus was isolated from an outbreak lethal disease squirrels north-east England. Experimental infection captive-bred confirmed that this virus cause severe skin lesions observed. Electron microscopic examination showed it had a morphology typical parapoxviruses whilst preliminary sequence data suggested genomic G+C composition approximately 66 %, again similar to found other parapoxviruses. However Southern...

Orf virus is the prototype parapoxvirus that causes contagious skin disease orf. It encodes an orthologue of cytokine interleukin (IL)-10. Recombinant orf viruses were constructed in which viral interleukin-10 (vorfIL-10) was disabled (vorfIL-10ko) and reinserted (vorfrevIL-10) at same locus compared to wild-type for their ability induce lesions sheep. After either primary infection or reinfection, smaller less severe recorded vorfIL-10ko-infected animals with vorfIL-10-intact virus-infected...

The dramatic decline of the native red squirrel in UK has been attributed to both direct and disease-mediated competition with grey where competitor acts as a reservoir host squirrelpox virus (SQPV). SQPV is threatening conservation efforts, yet little known about its epidemiology. We analysed seroprevalence antibody against squirrels from northern England Scottish Borders relation season, weather, sex, body weight using Generalized Linear Models conjunction Structural Equation Modelling....

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) declined in Great Britain and Ireland during the last century, due to habitat loss introduction of grey carolinensis), which competitively exclude red squirrel act as a reservoir for squirrelpox virus (SQPV). The disease is generally fatal their ecological replacement by up 25 times faster where present. We aimed determine: (1) seropositivity prevalence SQPV DNA invasive native species at regional scale; (2) possible transmission routes; and, (3) degradation...