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M Koopmans

Publications and source records attributed to M Koopmans.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Subgenomic RNA sequence of human astrovirus supports classification of Astroviridae as a new family of RNA viruses.

We report the sequence of the subgenomic RNA of human astrovirus serotype 2. This 2,484-nucleotide RNA contains a single open reading frame, which encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 88 kDa. We propose that this protein is the 90-kDa capsid precursor observed in infected cells. The deduced protein sequence does not contain conserved amino acid patterns reported for the capsid proteins of picornaviruses or caliciviruses, consistent with the classification of astroviruses as a new family of RNA viruses, designated Astroviridae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mental disorder and the perception of family characteristics: an assessment of the relationships in childhood and adolescence.

To assess whether the presence or absence of symptoms of mental disorder in childhood and adolescence is associated with perception of the family of origin in early adulthood, 168 undergraduates completed a questionnaire containing a checklist of symptoms of mental disorder and two family assessment instruments. Respondents who had never experienced symptoms of mental disorder rated their families of origin as more cohesive and reported less confusion of kinship relations. No significant differences were found between the two groups on the perceived adaptability of the family.

Adolescent↗

[The significance of bredavirus as a diarrhea agent in calf herds in Lower Saxony].

The objective of this investigation was to determine the distribution of Bredavirus in cattle herds in Lower Saxony and to evaluate its significance as potential cause of diarrhea in calves. Fecal samples and paired blood samples of 119 diarrheic and 46 healthy calves up to two months of age were collected from herds where diarrhea of calves was a problem. Fecal samples were examined for Breda-, rota- and coronavirus by solid phase immune electron microscopy and by ELISA, for K99-positive E. coli and salmonella by microbiological methods, and for cryptosporidia in smears. Antibody titers against Bredavirus, total serum protein and serum gamma globulin content were evaluated in the blood samples. Bredavirus was found in fecal samples from 5% (n = 6) of diarrheic calves which came from four different herds, but not in healthy calves. Rotavirus (31.9%), coronavirus (18.5%) and cryptosporidia (29.9%) were detected more frequently in fecal samples than Bredavirus. In this investigation rotavirus, coronavirus and cryptosporidia were present in addition in all herds where Bredavirus was found. In contrast to the low percentage of fecal samples containing Bredavirus, antibody titers in 75% of calves confirmed the high prevalence of Bredavirus infection in the cattle population of Lower Saxony.

Animals↗

cDNA probes for the diagnosis of bovine torovirus (Breda virus) infection.

A genomic cDNA library of RNA from Breda virus (BRV), a bovine torovirus, was prepared. The nucleotide sequence of the 3' end of the genome was found to be highly conserved (93% identical) between BRV and Berne virus, the torovirus prototype. Cross-hybridization experiments were performed to select Berne virus cDNA clones for use as probes in a dot hybridization assay; the objective was to detect heterologous torovirus RNA in fecal material. A rapid RNA extraction method was employed to make the test applicable for routine diagnosis. Samples from calves after experimental and natural infection with BRV were assayed to establish the sensitivity and specificity of the test and to compare the test with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antigen detection. For this purpose, 53 samples from seven infected calves were tested with both methods. In the ELISA, BRV was detected in six fecal samples from three inoculated calves. By use of the hybridization test, 16 samples from seven calves reacted positively. With one exception, only postinoculation samples were found positive in hybridization. No signal was seen in feces from uninoculated calves or from calves infected with rotavirus or coronavirus.

Animals↗

Association of diarrhea in cattle with torovirus infections on farms.

An epidemiologic survey was performed to determine the incidence of torovirus infections in 2 disease entities of cattle: diarrhea of replacement calves up to 2 months old, and winter dysentery of adult cattle. Samples were obtained from 187 diarrheal and 115 healthy calves from 15 farms, as well as 149 diarrheal and 67 healthy cows from 27 farms with or without winter dysentery. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of torovirus, rotavirus, and coronavirus antigen in feces, and of torovirus and coronavirus antibodies in serum were used to monitor infections in these groups. Torovirus was detected in 9 of the 15 farms in the study, and in 6% of calves with diarrhea, which was significantly higher than in healthy calves (2%). Seroconversion to torovirus was found significantly more often after winter dysentery episodes than on farms without a disease history; coronavirus seroconversion was less common.

Animals↗

Syllogistic reasoning in Puerto Rican bilingual elementary school children.

The purpose of the present study was to measure the effects of language proficiency and grade (age) on the reasoning of Puerto Rican bilingual children in elementary school. 20 syllogisms were administered, 10 in English and 10 in Spanish, and accuracy of and strategy for solution were examined. Solutions were more often accurate, and the proportion of theoretical explanations given for them was higher in Spanish. Differences by grade were not significant except a higher proportion of theoretical explanations were given by children in Grade 5 for syllogisms in Spanish.

Child↗

Breda virus (Toroviridae) infection and systemic antibody response in sentinel calves.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were established to detect Breda virus antigen in feces and homologous antibodies of the IgG1, IgM, and IgA isotypes in serum. With the aid of solid-phase immune-electron microscopy, torovirions in fecal material were observed. The course of natural infection was studied in 10 sentinel calves that had been obtained from different farms, and housed together at 1 week of age. They were separated from other cattle until the age of 10 months. Up to the age of 4 months, all calves regularly excreted Breda virus in the feces. Irrespective of the existence of IgG1 isotype maternal antibodies, all calves had early IgM responses in serum, but lack of IgA seroconversion. In 7 calves, antibody titer decreased below detection, whereas 3 calves had an isotype switch, resulting in persistent IgG1 titer. After introduction into the dairy herd at 10 months of age, all calves had diarrhea, and shedding of Breda virus was observed in 8 of them. Seroconversion for all antibody isotypes was observed, indicating lack of mucosal memory. In contrast, coronavirus infection in the presence of maternal antibodies led to isotype switch in all calves but one, and a memory response was observed after introduction into the dairy herd.

Animals↗

Seroepidemiology of Breda virus in cattle using ELISA.

Two direct blocking enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to Breda virus in sera of cattle were compared. An ELISA with consecutive addition of antigen and test serum to an antibody-coated plate gave higher positive: negative absorbence ratios than an ELISA in which antigen and test serum were added simultaneously. Sera collected from breeding and fattening herds in The Netherlands (n = 1313) and the F.R.G. (n = 716) were tested, and antibodies to Breda virus were demonstrated in 94% of adult cattle. Ninety percent of newborn calves had high levels of maternal antibodies, which waned until the age of 3 months. Active seroconversion occurred between 7 and 24 months in most animals.

Animals↗

Surface proteins of Breda virus.

The serotypes 1 and 2 of Breda virus from feces of experimentally infected gnotobiotic calves were studied with respect to their sedimentation and density properties in sucrose gradients and their structural polypeptides; Berne virus, the proposed prototype of the new family Toroviridae, was included for comparison. After Breda-1 virus had been stored at 4 C for a prolonged period, it showed a heterogeneous sedimentation behavior (480 to 520 Svedberg units [S]) and density (1.18 to 1.21 g/ml) indicative of its poor state of preservation. In contrast, freshly prepared Breda-2 virus sedimented at 350 S and showed a buoyant density of 1.18 g/ml; these values compare well with those of Berne virus (400 S and 1.16 g/ml, respectively). Efficient purification of the Breda viruses could be achieved by a 2-step method, involving pelleting by ultracentrifugation followed by isokinetic and isopyknic sucrose gradient centrifugation. Radioiodinated purified virus showed polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 105,000, 85,000 37,000, and 20,000; another labeled protein of 65,000 D is of doubtful virus specificity. Mouse immune serum raised against Breda-2 virus recognized the polypeptides of the homologous virus and the 2 highest molecular weight proteins of Breda 1 virus in radioimmune precipitation. The same serum inhibited hemagglutination of the heterologous serotype to a low, but significant, degree and efficiently neutralized the infectivity of Berne virus. These observations are taken as indications that the 105,000- and 85,000-D polypeptides represent surface structures of torovirions, probably peplomeric proteins.

Animals↗

Post-translational assembly of lens alpha-crystallin in the reticulocyte lysate and in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Lens mRNA was translated in reticulocyte lysate predominantly into monomeric alpha-crystallin chains. Lens polyribosomes added to the cell-free system produced the same polypeptides, but these were detected predominantly in alpha-crystallin aggregates. Lens mRNA, after microinjection into Xenopus laevis oocytes, produced alpha-crystallin subunits that were exclusively found in the form of high-molecular-weight complexes. Also after injection of the purified 14-S mRNA, coding for the alphaA subuint, the synthesized alpha-A polypeptides were incorporated into high-molecular-weight aggregates. In contrast, the synthesis of alphaB subunits, directed by a 10-S mRNA, did not result in aggregate formation. The experiments thus suggest that aggregate formation of alpha-crystallin is triggered by its alphaA subunits, which are then joined by the alphaB subunits. This process occurs partly in the cell-free system and completely in Xenopus oocytes.

Animals↗