The slide-latex test for C-reactive protein (CRP) takes a few minutes per sample, but the critical timing involved makes it unsuited for use with large numbers of samples. In addition, almost 40% of CRP-positive samples give negative results by either nephelometry or CRP enzyme-linked immunoassay (1). By using microwells instead of slides, increasing the time of the reaction from 3 to 60 mm, an...

We evaluated a 33-valent polyclonal indirect immunofluorescent-reagent kit (Merifluor-Legionella; Meridian Diagnostics Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) made for the detection of Legionella species by testing bacterial isolates, seeded sputum, and negative sputum samples. Use of the reagent according to the directions of the manufacturer gave false-negative staining of homologous culture isolates due to ...

PURPOSE Soccer referees' physical match performances at the start of the second half (46-60 min) were evaluated in relation to both the corresponding phase of the first half (0-15 min) and players' performances during the same match periods. METHODS Match analysis data were collected (Prozone, UK) from 12 soccer referees on 152 English Premier League matches during the 2008/09 soccer season. ...

Recent clinical data indicate that the measurement of the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) requires a higher sensitivity and wider dynamic range than most of the current methods can offer. Our goal was to develop a totally automated and highly sensitive CRP assay with an extended range on the Dimension((R)) clinical chemistry system based on particle-enhanced turbidimetric-immunoassay ...

CBA/J mice were highly susceptible to intratracheal (i.t.) Cryptococcus neoformans infection relative to BALB/c mice, while both strains were equally susceptible to intravenous (i.v.) infection. Increased susceptibility in i.t. infection was associated with higher brain CFU, lower serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG responses to glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), lack of IgE regulation during infectio...

The HMW1/HMW2-like adhesion proteins of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) are expressed by 75% of NTHI strains. Antibodies directed against these proteins are opsonophagocytic in vitro and are protective in an animal model of infection. The objective of the present study was to determine the opsonophagocytic activity of high-titer anti-HMW1/HMW2 immune sera against both homologous and h...

In terms of analyzing soccer matches, two of the most important factors to consider are: 1) the formation the team played (e.g., 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2 etc.), and 2) the manner in which they executed it (e.g., conservative sitting deep, or aggressive pressing high). Despite the existence of ball and player tracking data, no current methods exist which can automatically detect and visualize forma...

Abstract Background Elevated serum concentrations of Anti- Streptolysin-O(ASO) can be used to provide serologic evidence past or present infection by β-Hemolytic Streptococci. Increasing ASO antibodies are produced in response exotoxins secreted the bacteria. Measurement antibody levels as an aid diagnosis diseases such glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, bacterial endocarditis, tonsillitis, a...