190 research outputs found
Students And Eli Weisel at the 1993 Commencement Ceremony
No full textNobel-prize winning author, Eli Weisel, at the 1993 Commencement Ceremony, with students
Eli Weisel and University President Francis J. Mertz at 1993 Commencement
No full textNobel-prize winning author, Eli Weisel, at the 1993 Commencement Ceremony, shaking hands with University President Francis J. Mertz
A single subcutaneous or intranasal immunization with adenovirus‐based SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine induces robust humoral and cellular immune responses in mice
Get PDFOptimal vaccines are needed for sustained suppression of SARS-CoV-2 and other novel coronaviruses. Here, we developed a recombinant type 5 adenovirus vector encoding the gene for the SARS-CoV-2 S1 subunit antigen (Ad5.SARS-CoV-2-S1) for COVID-19 immunization and evaluated its immunogenicity in mice. A single immunization with Ad5.SARS-CoV-2-S1 via S.C. injection or I.N delivery induced robust antibody and cellular immune responses. Vaccination elicited significant S1-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a endpoint titers as early as 2 weeks, and the induced antibodies were long lasting. I.N. and S.C. administration of Ad5.SARS-CoV-2-S1 produced S1-specific GC B cells in cervical and axillary LNs, respectively. Moreover, I.N. and S.C. immunization evoked significantly greater antigen-specific T-cell responses compared to unimmunized control groups with indications that S.C. injection was more effective than I.N. delivery in eliciting cellular immune responses. Mice vaccinated by either route demonstrated significantly increased virus-specific neutralization antibodies on weeks 8 and 12 compared to control groups, as well as BM antibody forming cells (AFC), indicative of long-term immunity. Thus, this Ad5-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate showed promising immunogenicity following delivery to mice by S.C. and I.N. routes of administration, supporting the further development of Ad-based vaccines against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases for sustainable global immunization programs.</p
Memory B Cells of Mice and Humans
No full text We comprehensively review memory B cells (MBCs), covering the definition of MBCs and their identities and subsets, how MBCs are generated, where they are localized, how they are maintained, and how they are reactivated. Whereas naive B cells adopt multiple fates upon stimulation, MBCs are more restricted in their responses. Evolving work reveals that the MBC compartment in mice and humans consists of distinct subpopulations with differing effector functions. We discuss the various approaches to define subsets and subset-specific roles. A major theme is the need to both deliver faster effector function upon reexposure and readapt to antigenically variant pathogens while avoiding burnout, which would be the result if all MBCs generated only terminal effector function. We discuss cell-intrinsic differences in gene expression and signaling that underlie differences in function between MBCs and naive B cells and among MBC subsets and how this leads to memory responses. </jats:p
Characterization of the Dust/Smoke Aerosol that Settled East of the World Trade Center (WTC) in Lower Manhattan after the Collapse of the WTC 11 September 2001
No full textThe explosion and collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) was a catastrophic event that produced an aerosol plume impacting many workers, residents, and commuters during the first few days after 11 September 2001. Three bulk samples of the total settled dust and smoke were collected at weather-protected locations east of the WTC on 16 and 17 September 2001; these samples are representative of the generated material that settled immediately after the explosion and fire and the concurrent collapse of the two structures. We analyzed each sample, not differentiated by particle size, for inorganic and organic composition. In the inorganic analyses, we identified metals, radionuclides, ionic species, asbestos, and inorganic species. In the organic analyses, we identified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, pesticides, phthalate esters, brominated diphenyl ethers, and other hydrocarbons. Each sample had a basic pH. Asbestos levels ranged from 0.8% to 3.0% of the mass, the PAHs were > 0.1% of the mass, and lead ranged from 101 to 625 µg/g. The content and distribution of material was indicative of a complex mixture of building debris and combustion products in the resulting plume. These three samples were composed primarily of construction materials, soot, paint (leaded and unleaded), and glass fibers (mineral wool and fiberglass). Levels of hydrocarbons indicated unburned or partially burned jet fuel, plastic, cellulose, and other materials that were ignited by the fire. In morphologic analyses we found that a majority of the mass was fibrous and composed of many types of fibers (e.g., mineral wool, fiberglass, asbestos, wood, paper, and cotton). The particles were separated into size classifications by gravimetric and aerodynamic methods. Material 53 µm in diameter. The results obtained from these samples can be used to understand the contact and types of exposures to this unprecedented complex mixture experienced by the surviving residents, commuters, and rescue workers directly affected by the plume from 11 to 12 September and the evaluations of any acute or long-term health effects from resuspendable dust and smoke to the residents, commuters, and local workers, as well as from the materials released after 11 September until the fires were extinguished. Further, these results support the need to have the interior of residences, buildings, and their respective HVAC systems professionally cleaned to reduce long-term residential risks before rehabitation.Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health PerspectivesFunded in part by supplemental funds from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to the NIEHS Centers at EOHSI (ES05022-12) and the NYU Institute of Medicine (ES00260). NYU is also funded in part by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PM Center Grant (R827351). P.J. Lioy was also supported in part by a U.S. EPA University Partnership (CR827033)
Pyrethroid insecticide biomarker analyses by gas chromatography - ion trap mass spectrometry: novel aspects of method development and application in at-risk populations
No full textThis study's main objective was to develop and validate novel pyrethroid exposure biomarkers and assess novel aspects of pyrethroid exposure characterization. This was achieved by 1) developing and applying a sensitive method to measure six pyrethroid metabolites in umbilical cord serum, 2) developing and validating a method to detect six pyrethroid metabolites in saliva of occupationally exposed workers, and 3) comparing performance of two gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GCITMS) instruments based on ion source placement. Aim 1 validated a novel method to detect pyrethroid metabolites in cord serum samples. Of the six pyrethroid metabolites analyzed for, five were found in 62 samples analyzed from maternal-fetal dyads from central New Jersey, USA. Non-specific metabolites, 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), trans and cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (t- and c-DCCA), and trans-chrysanthemum dicarboxylic acid (t-CDCA) were found in 32%, 16%, 8% and 8% of samples, respectively, while specific metabolites, 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (FPBA) and cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (c-DBCA) were detected in 3% and 0% of the samples, respectively. The geometric mean for 3-PBA was 0.11 ng/mL and below limit of detection (<LOD) for the remaining metabolites. Overall, this method was sensitive enough to detect pyrethroid metabolites at biologically relevant concentrations found in umbilical cord serum of exposed maternalfetal dyads.
Aim 2 validated a novel method to extract and analyze six common pyrethroid metabolites in saliva by GC-ITMS. Eighteen saliva and 18 urine samples were collected from nine pest control operators (PCOs) for analysis. Urinary 3PBA concentrations >LOD were found in 100% of the population. 3PBA was present in saliva <LOD in two of three workers who had workday exposures detected in urine (n=3). This novel method was able to detect salivary metabolite concentrations, although they were under the detection limit.
Aim 3 assessed detection and quantification of pyrethroid and pyrethroid metabolite due to differing ionization conditions between two GC-ITMS. Intra- and inter-day variation, as well as differences in mass spectrometric parameters, were compared between two instruments, one fitted with an external ionization source, and the other with an internal source. Fragmentation patterns differed between instruments, where smaller fragments were generated by internal ionization as compared to external. External ionization improved sensitivity and precision for pyrethroids between 2 – 10x. Metabolite sensitivities and precision were either comparable or improved using external ionization, except for c-DBCA. This study emphasizes the importance of ionization source placement in instrument performance when detecting pyrethroid insecticides and their metabolites by GC/ITMS.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical reference
Childhood asthma and environmental exposures at swimming pools: state of the science and research recommendations.
Get PDFOBJECTIVES: Recent studies have explored the potential for swimming pool disinfection by-products (DBPs), which are respiratory irritants, to cause asthma in young children. Here we describe the state of the science on methods for understanding children's exposure to DBPs and biologics at swimming pools and associations with new-onset childhood asthma and recommend a research agenda to improve our understanding of this issue. DATA SOURCES: A workshop was held in Leuven, Belgium, 21-23 August 2007, to evaluate the literature and to develop a research agenda to better understand children's exposures in the swimming pool environment and their potential associations with new-onset asthma. Participants, including clinicians, epidemiologists, exposure scientists, pool operations experts, and chemists, reviewed the literature, prepared background summaries, and held extensive discussions on the relevant published studies, knowledge of asthma characterization and exposures at swimming pools, and epidemiologic study designs. SYNTHESIS: Childhood swimming and new-onset childhood asthma have clear implications for public health. If attendance at indoor pools increases risk of childhood asthma, then concerns are warranted and action is necessary. If there is no such relationship, these concerns could unnecessarily deter children from indoor swimming and/or compromise water disinfection. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence of an association between childhood swimming and new-onset asthma is suggestive but not conclusive. Important data gaps need to be filled, particularly in exposure assessment and characterization of asthma in the very young. Participants recommended that additional evaluations using a multidisciplinary approach are needed to determine whether a clear association exists
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