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1. A minimum of three distinct basic proteins have been chromatographically separated from a neutral, low ionic strength extract of human grey matter, using a discontinuous eluant series. 2. These chromatographic subfractions have been characterized by gradient elution chromatography and each subfraction analysed for distinct antigenic characteristics. 3. Evidence was adduced for the presence of a minimum of three distinct basic protein antigens, all of which may be specific to human brain but not to human liver. None of them appear to be human serum proteins.

1. Using chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, a neutral, low ionic strength extract of human grey matter has been separated into fractions of proteins with basic and progressively acidic groups. 2. The reactions of each group with rabbit antiserum against the original extract, in double-diffusion tests, suggest the presence of a minimum total of thirteen distinct antigens between them. These results are supported by immunoelectrophoretic findings, which indicate the basic group to contain five, and the progressively acidic group seven to eight distinct antigens. These antigens do not appear to be human serum proteins. 3. Antigens belonging to the BE class (resistant to boiling and relatively soluble in ethanol) are present among the progressively acidic proteins, and possibly among the basic proteins also.

Background: Communication and interpersonal skills are important for effective patient care but are difficult to measure. Unannounced standardized patient encounters (USPEs) have the benefit of providing a standardized situation and provide a representation of usual care rather than best behavior, while also allowing for video recording without violating patient privacy. We conducted a feasibility pilot study to examine the use of videotaped USPEs in resident education of interpersonal and communication skills and specifically empathy., Methods: This was a pilot study conducted at an urban community teaching hospital. About 16 first-year emergency medicine engaged in four videotaped USPEs during their normal clinical shifts during 1 academic year. All visible recording equipment was concealed from the residents. The standardized patients completed two assessment forms after each encounter to measure empathy., Results: All 16 residents engaged in four videotaped USPEs for a total of 64 encounters., Conclusions: We were able to successfully demonstrate the feasibility of using USPEs for assessment of resident interpersonal and communication skills., (© 2019 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.)

In this study, the sequence of the H5 and PB1 genes of the low-pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAI) A/Black Duck/NC/674-964/06 isolate were determined for replikin peptides and used to design and chemically synthesize a vaccine. The vaccine was used to immunize specific-pathogen-free (SPF) leghorn chickens held in Horsfall isolation units, by the upper respiratory route, at 1, 7, and 14 days of age. The birds were challenged at 28 days of age with 1 x 10(6) 50% embryo infective dose of the LPAI Black Duck/NC/674-964/06 H5N1 virus per bird. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were collected at 2, 4, and 7 days postinoculation (PI) for virus detection by real-time RT-PCR. Serum was collected at 7, 14, and 21 days PI and examined for antibodies against avian influenza virus by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. Tissue samples for histopathology were collected from three birds per group at 3 days PI. The experimental design consisted of a negative control group (not vaccinated and not challenged) and a vaccinated group, a vaccinated and challenged group, and a positive control group (challenged only). None of the nonchallenged birds, the vaccinated birds, or the vaccinated and challenged birds showed overt clinical signs of disease during the study. A slight depression was observed in the nonvaccinated challenged birds on day 2 postchallenge. Although the numbers of birds per group are small, no shedding of the challenge virus was detected in the vaccinated and challenged birds, whereas oropharyngeal and cloacal shedding was detected in the nonvaccinated and challenged birds. HI antibodies were detected in the vaccinated and nonchallenged group as well as in the vaccinated and challenged group, but rising antibody titers, indicating infection with the LPAI challenge virus, were not detected. Rising HI titers were observed in the nonvaccinated and challenged group. In addition, no antibodies were detected in the nonchallenged birds. Noteworthy microscopic lesions were not observed in the vaccinated and challenged birds, whereas nonvaccinated-challenged birds had microscopic lesions consistent with infection with LPAI viruses. Taken together, these data indicate that a replikin peptide vaccine, specifically made against the H5N1 Black Duck/NC/674-964/06 isolate, and administered three times to the upper respiratory tract, was capable of protecting chickens from infection and from shedding of the homologous virus, which is extremely important because reduced virus shedding and transmission decreases the potential for H5 LPAI viruses to become HPAI viruses. The study is also important because it shows that the vaccine can be effectively mass-delivered to the upper respiratory tract.