BUSCADOR RECOLECTA

We have previously shown that an HIV vaccine regimen including three doses of HIV-modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector expressing HIV-1 antigens from clade B (MVA-B) was safe and elicited moderate and durable (1 year) T-cell and antibody responses in 75% and 95% of HIV-negative volunteers (n = 24), respectively (RISVAC02 study). Here, we describe the long-term durability of vaccine-induced responses and the safety and immunogenicity of an additional MVA-B boost., Peer reviewed

Maitotoxins (MTXs) are among the most potent toxins known. These toxins are produced by epi-benthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa and may play a role in causing the symptoms associated with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning. A recent survey revealed that, of the species tested, the newly described species from the Canary Islands, G. excentricus, is one of the most maitotoxic. The goal of the present study was to characterize MTX-related compounds produced by this species. Initially, lysates of cells from two Canary Island G. excentricus strains VGO791 and VGO792 were partially purified by (i) liquid-liquid partitioning between dichloromethane and aqueous methanol followed by (ii) size-exclusion chromatography. Fractions from chromatographic separation were screened for MTX toxicity using both the neuroblastoma neuro-2a (N2a) cytotoxicity and Ca2+ flux functional assays. Fractions containing MTX activity were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to pinpoint potential MTX analogs. Subsequent non-targeted HRMS analysis permitted the identification of a novel MTX analog, maitotoxin-4 (MTX4, accurate mono-isotopic mass of 3292.4860 Da, as free acid form) in the most toxic fractions. HRMS/MS spectra of MTX4 as well as of MTX are presented. In addition, crude methanolic extracts of five other strains of G. excentricus and 37 other strains representing one Fukuyoa species and ten species, one ribotype and one undetermined strain/species of Gambierdiscus were screened for the presence of MTXs using low resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LRMS/MS). This targeted analysis indicated the original maitotoxin (MTX) was only present in one strain (G. australes S080911_1). Putative maitotoxin-2 (p-MTX2) and maitotoxin-3 (p-MTX3) were identified in several other species, but confirmation was not possible because of the lack of reference material. Maitotoxin-4 was detected in all seven strains of G. excentricus examined, independently of their origin (Brazil, Canary Islands and Caribbean), and not detected in any other species. MTX4 may therefore serve as a biomarker for the highly toxic G. excentricus in the Atlantic area.

Maitotoxins (MTXs) are among the most potent toxins known. These toxins are produced by epi-benthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa and may play a role in causing the symptoms associated with Ciguatera Fish Poisoning. A recent survey revealed that, of the species tested, the newly described species from the Canary Islands, G. excentricus, is one of the most maitotoxic. The goal of the present study was to characterize MTX-related compounds produced by this species. Initially, lysates of cells from two Canary Island G. excentricus strains VGO791 and VGO792 were partially purified by (i) liquid-liquid partitioning between dichloromethane and aqueous methanol followed by (ii) size-exclusion chromatography. Fractions from chromatographic separation were screened for MTX toxicity using both the neuroblastoma neuro-2a (N2a) cytotoxicity and Ca2+ flux functional assays. Fractions containing MTX activity were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to pinpoint potential MTX analogs. Subsequent non-targeted HRMS analysis permitted the identification of a novel MTX analog, maitotoxin-4 (MTX4, accurate mono-isotopic mass of 3292.4860 Da, as free acid form) in the most toxic fractions. HRMS/MS spectra of MTX4 as well as of MTX are presented. In addition, crude methanolic extracts of five other strains of G. excentricus and 37 other strains representing one Fukuyoa species and ten species, one ribotype and one undetermined strain/species of Gambierdiscus were screened for the presence of MTXs using low resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LRMS/MS). This targeted analysis indicated the original maitotoxin (MTX) was only present in one strain (G. australes S080911_1). Putative maitotoxin-2 (p-MTX2) and maitotoxin-3 (p-MTX3) were identified in several other species, but confirmation was not possible because of the lack of reference material. Maitotoxin-4 was detected in all seven strains of G. excentricus examined, independently of their origin (Brazil, Canary Islands and Caribbean), and not detected in any other species. MTX4 may therefore serve as a biomarker for the highly toxic G. excentricus in the Atlantic area.

El Mar del Norte alberga importantes bancos de pesca. Es un ecosistema diverso en el que se producen complejas interacciones en la cadena trófica que han sido objeto de estudio por un grupo de científicos de distintos países entre los que se encuentra Marcos Llope, del Instituto Español de Oceanografía. Con él hablamos en nuestro viaje de hoy.

Especial del programa "Fora d'hores" de Ràdio 4 produït pel "Laboratori de Produccions Sonores de Ficció i Entreteniment" de la Llicenciatura de Comunicació Audiovisual de la UAB, Emès el dia 24 de abril de 2006, Duració: 005550

Especial del programa "Fora d'hores" de Ràdio 4 produït pel "Laboratori de Produccions Sonores de Ficció i Entreteniment" de la Llicenciatura de Comunicació Audiovisual de la UAB, Presentació: Albert Segura, Lídia Sanchez, Emès el dia 1 de maig de 2006, Duració: 005455

Especial del programa "Fora d'hores" de Ràdio 4 produït pel "Laboratori de Produccions Sonores de Ficció i Entreteniment" de la Llicenciatura de Comunicació Audiovisual de la UAB, Presentació: Albert Segura, Lídia Sanchez, Emès el dia 15 de maig de 2006, Duració: 005313

Especial del programa "Fora d'hores" de Ràdio 4 produït pel "Laboratori de Produccions Sonores de Ficció i Entreteniment" de la Llicenciatura de Comunicació Audiovisual de la UAB, Presentació: Xavier Lozano, Emès el dia 21 de maig de 2006, Duració: 005630

Especial del programa "Fora d'hores" de Ràdio 4 produït pel "Laboratori de Produccions Sonores de Ficció i Entreteniment" de la Llicenciatura de Comunicació Audiovisual de la UAB, Presentació: Albert Segura, Lidia Sanchez, Emès el dia 28 de maig de 2006, Duració: 005730

Especial del programa "Fora d'hores" de Ràdio 4 produït pel "Laboratori de Produccions Sonores de Ficció i Entreteniment" de la Llicenciatura de Comunicació Audiovisual de la UAB, Presentació: Xavier Lozano, Emès el dia 18 de setembre de 2006, Duració: 005546