bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model for Predicting Architect's Performance in Building Delivery Process
Authors: Oyedele Lukumon O. , Wai Tham Kwok , Jaiyeoba Babatunde E. , Fadeyi Moshood O.
Published: October 2008

The aim of this study is to construct a model that can be used to predict the architect's overall performance in the Nigeria building delivery process and to provide adequate understanding of the criteria which constitute the model. Architect performance criteria were identified from existing literature within the domain of architect responsibilities and developed into a two‐part questionnaire survey. The survey involves clients of recently completed building projects in Nigeria. The first part of the questionnaire survey consists of 71 clients which were used to construct the model while the second part consists of another 17 clients which were used to validate the model. Based on this data, a predictive discriminant analysis model of two‐group cases (good and poor performance) was developed. The model shows that the predicted architect's overall performance is significantly correlated with the actual validated client ratings (0.783 at 99% confidence interval). The results show that if architects want to achieve good performance, they should give a high level of performance to ‘effective communication of design to contractor and other participants’; ‘effective constructability review’; ‘assistance in quality management strategies and clarity and consistency of specification with drawings’. The study would give architects a fore knowledge on how to ensure good performance in their future enterprise.
The Records Management Business in Japan
Authors: Tatsuya Tsubosaka
Published: October 2008

A view is held that the information society equals a society with a surplus of information, or overflowing with information. On the other hand, all walks of business and government agencies have come to consider management information an indispensible “management resource”, along with those resources of people, money and things, and there has come to be a demand for efficient management of it. All organizations are grappling in earnest with office automation, to preserve and raise their productivity. In concrete terms, they are striving to accelerate the construction of data bases, as well as to be able to look up necessary information promptly and accurately, and to plan for the cummunalization of business know‐how. They are also devoting energy to stemming the flood of papers in the office, to the efficient use of space, and to the improvement of the environment. To succeed in these efforts, they must rapidly remove obstructive factors, and carry out basic preparations for Office Automation and office renewal.
Correlation of faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin with an endoscopic score for Crohn’s disease and histological findings
Authors: SIPPONEN T. , KÄRKKÄINEN P. , SAVILAHTI E. , KOLHO K.‐L. , NUUTINEN H. , TURUNEN U. , FÄRKKILÄ M.
Published: October 2008

Background  Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin increasingly serve as surrogate markers of disease activity in IBD. Data on the correlation of these markers with simple endoscopic score for Crohn’s disease (SES‐CD) and with histological findings are as yet limited.

Aim  To study the correlation of faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin with SES‐CD and histology.

Methods  During 87 consecutive ileocolonoscopies, SES‐CD was calculated and biopsy specimens were obtained from the ileum, colon and rectum. Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin were measured.

Results  In ileocolonic or colonic disease, both faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin correlated significantly with colon SES‐CD (P < 0.001) and colon histology (P < 0.001). In patients with normal calprotectin or lactoferrin levels, endoscopic and histology scores were significantly lower than in those with elevated concentrations (P < 0.001). In ileal CD, ileal SES‐CD correlated with histology (P < 0.001), but not with faecal calprotectin (P = 0.161) or lactoferrin (P = 0.448).

Conclusion  In ileocolonic and colonic disease, endoscopic score SES‐CD and histological findings correlated significantly with faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin. A normal faecal‐marker concentration was a reliable surrogate marker for endoscopically and histologically inactive CD. Ileal endoscopic score and histological findings failed, however, to correlate with faecal markers.
A model of the long‐term cost effectiveness of scheduled maintenance treatment with infliximab for moderate‐to‐severe ulcerative colitis
Authors: TSAI H. H. , PUNEKAR Y. S. , MORRIS J. , FORTUN P.
Published: October 2008

Background  Infliximab (IFX) has been shown to be efficacious in moderate‐severe ulcerative colitis (UC).

Aim  To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of a scheduled maintenance treatment (SMT) with IFX in moderate‐severe UC patients.

Methods  A Markov model was constructed to simulate the progression of a cohort of moderate‐severe UC patients treated with IFX (5 mg/kg) SMT. Transitions were estimated from two phase III trials of IFX (ACT I and ACT II). Standard care, comprising immunomodulators and/or corticosteroids was used as a comparator. Two separate treatment strategies were evaluated – continued treatment in IFX responders and continued treatment in IFX patients achieving remission. The dose of IFX was estimated for a 73 kg typical UC patient in the UK. The results were calculated over 10 years using a discount rate of 3.5% for costs and outcomes. The outcome measure was quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) estimated using EQ‐5D. Sensitivity analyses explored the uncertainty around the results.

Results  The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) for IFX was £27 424 in the responder strategy and £19 696 in the remission strategy at 10 years. In sensitivity analysis, the ICER for IFX in the responder strategy ranged from £21 066 to £86 322 and in the remission strategy ranged from £14 728 to £46 765. The model time horizon and patient body weight were important factors affecting results.

Conclusion  Eight‐week SMT with IFX appears to be a cost‐effective treatment option for adult patients suffering from moderate to severe UC.
Anti-calreticulin immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in refractory coeliac disease
Authors: Sánchez D , Palová-Jelínková L , Felsberg J , Šimšová M , Pekáriková A , Pecharová B , Swoboda I , Mothes T , Mulder C J J , Beneš Z , Tlaskalová-Hogenová H , Tučková L
Published: October 2008

Refractory coeliac disease (RCD) is a very rare and dangerous form of CD, in which gluten-free diet loses its therapeutic effect and the damage of intestinal mucosa persists. Because of the adherence to the diet, serological markers of CD [immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies against gliadin, tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and endomysium] are often missing in RCD patients. We found substantially elevated levels of IgA anti-calreticulin (CRT) antibodies in the sera of almost all RCD patients tested. These sera were negative for IgA antibodies to gliadin and tTG and only some of them showed IgA antibodies to enterocytes. Analysis of patients' IgA reactivity to CRT fragments (quarters and halves) by Western blotting revealed differences in the specificity of IgA antibodies between RCD and CD patients. We therefore used the Pepscan technique with synthetic overlapping decapeptides of CRT to characterize antigenic epitopes recognized by serum IgA antibodies of RCD patients. Employing this method we demonstrated several dominant antigenic epitopes recognized by IgA antibodies of RCD patients on the CRT molecule. Epitope GVTKAAEKQMKD was recognized predominantly by serum IgA of RCD patients. Our results suggest that testing for serum IgA antibodies against CRT and its selected peptide could be a very useful tool in RCD differential diagnosis.
Membrane water permeability related to antigen-presenting function of dendritic cells
Authors: Wang G F , Dong C L , Tang G S , Shen Q , Bai C X
Published: October 2008

Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) is one of the water channel proteins which participate in a wide array of physiological processes and are primary determinants of membrane osmotic water permeability. The AQP5 gene is located in human chromosome 12q, the same region as the location of the major asthma susceptibility loci. In this study we try to determine whether the AQP5 knock-out has some effect on allergen-induced asthma. With a mouse asthma model induced by ovalbumin (OVA), we found that deletion of AQP5 reduced some major characteristic features of asthma, such as less inflammation cell infiltration in lung tissues, lower cytokine expression and fewer inflammation cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids compared with those from wild-type (WT) mice. Because it was found that mice injected intratracheally with OVA-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs), the AQP5 gene knock-out (AQP5−/−) ones presented fewer inflammation cells. Because DCs are major antigen-presenting cells that play an important role in antigen-induced asthma, we also probed into the possible effect of gene knock-out on DCs. Surprisingly, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis showed high levels of AQP5 on the surface of DCs from in vivo or bone marrow monocyte-derived DCs (mDC) in vitro. Immature mDC from AQP5 knock-out mice (AQP5−/−) showed decreased expression of CD80 and CD86 and endocytosis ability compared with that from WT, but the difference disappeared after mDCs matured with lipopolysaccharide. AQP5-mediated water transmembrane may play some role in the function of DCs. However, the mechanism of the effect of AQP5 on the DCs' function needs to be investigated further.
T cell cytokine polarity as a determinant of immunoglobulin A (IgA) glycosylation and the severity of experimental IgA nephropathy
Authors: Chintalacharuvu S R , Yamashita M , Bagheri N , Blanchard T G , Nedrud J G , Lamm M E , Tomino Y , Emancipator S N
Published: October 2008

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) glycosylation, recognized as an important pathogenic factor in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), is apparently controlled by the polarity of T helper (Th) cytokine responses. To examine the role of cytokine polarity in IgAN, inbred mice were immunized by intraperitoneal priming with inactivated Sendai virus (SeV) emulsified in either complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), which promote Th1- or Th2-immune response, respectively, and then boosted identically twice orally with aqueous suspensions of inactivated virus. Next, some mice were challenged intranasally with infectious SeV. Mice primed with CFA or IFA had equal reductions in nasal viral titre relative to non-immune controls, and equally increased serum levels of SeV-specific IgA antibody. Mice primed with CFA showed higher SeV-specific IgG than those with IFA. Splenocytes from mice primed with IFA produced copious amounts of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, but little interferon-γ and IL-2; those primed with CFA had reciprocal cytokine recall responses. Total serum IgA and especially SeV-specific IgA from mice primed with IFA showed a selective defect in sialylation and galactosylation. Although the frequency and intensity of glomerular deposits and haematuria did not differ, glomerulonephritis in mice primed with IFA and challenged with infectious virus was more severe than in those given CFA, as judged by serum creatinine level. We conclude that the polarity of T cell cytokines controls the pattern of IgA glycosylation and exerts direct or indirect effects on functional glomerular responses to immune complex deposition.
Influx of recent thymic emigrants into autoimmune thyroid disease glands in humans
Authors: Armengol M P , Sabater L , Fernández M , Ruíz M , Alonso N , Otero M J , Martínez-Cáceres E , Jaraquemada D , Pujol-Borrell R
Published: October 2008

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are considered as prototypic organ-specific autoimmune diseases, yet their underlying aetiology remains poorly understood. Among the various pathophysiological mechanisms considered, a failure of central tolerance has received little attention. Here we present evidence in favour of dysregulated thymic function playing a role in AITD. Flow-cytometric analyses conducted in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 58 AITD patients and 48 age- and-sex-matched controls showed that AITD patients have significantly higher blood levels of CD4+CD45RA+, CD4+CD31+ and CD4/CD8 double-positive T lymphocytes, all markers of recent thymic emigrants (RTE). In addition, the α-signal joint T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) content (a molecular marker of RTEs) was higher in the group of AITD patients older than 35 years than in age-matched controls. This was independent from peripheral T cell expansion as assessed by relative telomere length. Comparisons of TREC levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes and intrathyroidal lymphocytes in paired samples showed higher levels within the thyroid during the initial 30 months of the disease, indicating an influx of RTE into the thyroid during the initial stages of AITD. Additionally, a lack of correlation between TREC levels and forkhead box P3 expression suggests that the intrathyroidal RTE are not natural regulatory T cells. These results uncover a hitherto unknown correlation between altered thymic T cell export, the composition of intrathyroidal T cells and autoimmune pathology.
Appearance of B220low autoantibody-producing B-1 cells at neonatal and older stages in mice
Authors: Tachikawa S , Kawamura T , Kawamura H , Kanda Y , Fujii Y , Matsumoto H , Abo T
Published: October 2008

In this study, normal adult mice carried B220high conventional B cells in the spleen and liver, but carried both B220high and B220low in the bone marrow. However, at the neonatal stage, only B220low unconventional B cells were found in all these organs. This pattern continued up to 2 weeks after birth, and at this stage autoantibodies were detected in the sera. This phenomenon was seen in all tested young mice (1–2 weeks), irrespective of their gender. Furthermore, at older stages (more than 20 weeks), B220low cells reappeared in the spleen and liver, and these B220low cells became dominant in the bone marrow. Autoantibodies also reappeared in the sera of these older mice. Cell-sorting experiments revealed that B220low cells were able to produce autoantibodies upon lipopolysaccharide stimuli in vitro. These results suggest that B220low cells appear at both neonatal and older stages as physiological responses and eventually produce autoantibodies.
Allergy as an organ and a systemic disease
Authors: Pucci S , Incorvaia C
Published: October 2008

Allergic disorders are viewed generally as organ diseases and thus referred to organ specialists, such as the ear, nose and throat specialist for rhinitis, the pulmonologist for asthma, the dermatologist for dermatitis, and so on. Indeed, the systemic nature of allergy is made evident by the fact that the same individual may develop during the life different manifestations to a given allergen. This is true for example in sensitisation to house dust mites, which may start in childhood as atopic dermatitis and later express as asthma or rhinitis.

The major player in driving the immune response is the T lymphocyte, and the T helper subpopulations – Th1 and Th2 – as well as the T regulatory cells, are involved in orienting tolerance or reactivity to allergens. Interesting observations on the systemic or organ-specific actions of T cells were obtained by transplantations from allergic donors to non-allergic recipients. Bone marrow is able to transfer all allergic manifestations, while lung transplantation transfers only asthma. A number of factors are involved in the expression of allergy as a systemic or organ disease and deserve deeper investigations. They include the antigen presenting cells, the homing of T cells, the cytokine and chemokine pattern, and the adhesion molecules.
Allergy and the lung
Authors: Passalacqua G , Ciprandi G
Published: October 2008

Among the ‘allergic’ conditions involving the lung, asthma is the more frequent and the most extensively investigated, although asthma itself may be caused by different disorders. The triggering event in allergic subjects is the reaction allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) that activates mast cells and initiates a complex and redundant inflammatory process, where cells, cytokines and adhesion molecules are involved at different stages. In fact, mucosal eosinophilic inflammation is one of the distinctive features of asthma and the particular T helper type 2 (Th2) phenotype of allergic patients favours it. In general, the clinical severity of asthma correlates well with the degree of inflammation. None the less, other phenomena such as non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness and remodelling intervene in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma. These phenomena are only partially inflammation-related. In particular, the remodelling of the bronchial wall seems to start very early in life and also seems to be a distinctive histological feature of the asthmatic bronchus. The recent introduction of biological treatments (monoclonal antibodies) has allowed elucidation of some of the pathogenic features of allergic asthma.
Alteration of the immunological synapse in lung cancer: a microenvironmental approach
Authors: Derniame S , Vignaud J-M , Faure G C , Béné M C
Published: October 2008

This study was designed to investigate the immunological properties of stroma reaction T cells and tumoral cells by comparison with non-tumoral lung tissue and local lymph nodes in order to explore interactions between tumour cells and the immune system. Immunodetection of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, CD3/T cell receptor (TCR) complex and T cell subsets markers was carried out in situ on frozen sections, and the semi-quantitative expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 was examined in flow cytometry on lymphocytes of nodal, tumoral and healthy lung tissue from 62 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. This study showed alterations on lymphocytes and tumour cells in lung cancer, consistent with an impairment of T cell activation. CD3, TCRαβ and accessory molecules expression is down-modulated on peri- or intra-tumoral lymphocytes. MHC class I and class II molecules are down-modulated significantly on tumour cells. Other differences were noted, such as the reversed CD4/CD8 ratio of tumour infiltrating cells, compared to healthy lung tissues, consistent with the development of cytotoxic anti-tumoral responses. This study reports on the presence of a strong in vivo immunomodulating effect of tumour cells in human non-small cell lung cancer, likely to impair proper formation of the immunological synapse.
CD8 chemokine receptors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Smyth L J C , Starkey C , Gordon F S , Vestbo J , Singh D
Published: October 2008

Increased lung CD8 cells and their expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 have been previously reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Alterations of CD8-CCR3 and -CCR4 expression and their ligands in COPD patients have not been fully investigated. The objective of this study was to assess in COPD patients: (i) broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) CD8 CCR3 and CCR4 expression in COPD patients; and (ii) airway levels of the CCR3 ligands, CCL11 and CCL5. Multi-parameter flow cytometric anlaysis was used to assess BAL CD3 and CD8-chemokine receptor expression in COPD patients, smokers and healthy non-smokers (HNS). CCL5 and CCL11 levels were measured in BAL, and from the supernatants of lung resection explant cultures. CD8-CCR3 and -CCR5 expression (means) were increased in COPD patients (22% and 46% respectively) and smokers (20% and 45%) compared with HNS (3% and 22%); P < 0·05 for all comparisons. CD3CXCR3 expression was raised in smokers and COPD while CD8CXCR3 and CD3 and CD8 CCR4 expression was similar between groups. CD8CCR5 expression correlated to smoking pack years (r = 0·42, P = 0·01). COPD explants released more CCL5 compared with smokers (P = 0·02), while there was low level CCL11 production. CD8CCR3 and CCR5 expression appear to be regulated by cigarette smoke exposure. We show that COPD lung tissue released more CCL5, suggesting a role for CCL5–CCR3 signalling in pulmonary CD8 recruitment in COPD.
Expansion of a unique macrophage subset in rheumatoid arthritis synovial lining layer
Authors: Tanaka M , Nagai T , Tsuneyoshi Y , Sunahara N , Matsuda T , Nakamura T , Tsuyama S , Hasui K , FitzGerald O , Matsuyama T
Published: October 2008

The Z39Ig protein (complement receptor for C3b and iC3b) is expressed on resident tissue macrophages in various tissues. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of Z39Ig+cells and their phenotypic features in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium, in comparison with those of osteoarthritis (OA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) synovium. Monoclonal anti-Z39Ig antibody was produced by immunizing Z39Ig transfected murine pre B cells and used for the identification of Z39Ig+cells. Z39Ig+cells were further stained with antibodies to macrophages, fibroblast-like synoviocytes, complement receptors and dendritic cells by using the double immunostaining method in normal, RA, OA and PsA synovium. RA synovial mononuclear cells were double-stained using anti-Z39Ig and anti-CD11c antibodies and sorted into Z39Ig+CD11c+cells and Z39Ig+CD11c−cells. These cell populations were then analysed by electron microscopy. The expression of the Z39Ig protein was limited to intimal macrophages in normal, RA, OA and PsA synovium. The numbers of Z39Ig+CD11c+cells and the ratios of Z39Ig+CD11c+cells to Z39Ig+cells were increased in the synovial lining layer of RA as compared with those of OA and PsA. The ultrastructural analysis of Z39Ig+CD11c+cells showed the character of macrophages with many secondary lysosomes and swelling of mitochondria. Z39Ig+ cells appeared to be useful for identification of resident tissue macrophages in normal synovium and the corresponding macrophages in the synovial lining layer of inflammatory arthritis. Expansion of Z39Ig+CD11c+cells was characteristic of RA synovial lining layer.
Human spleen contains different subsets of dendritic cells and regulatory T lymphocytes
Authors: Velásquez-Lopera M M , Correa L A , García L F
Published: October 2008

Most knowledge about dendritic cells (DCs) and regulatory T cells in humans has been gathered from circulating cells but little is known about their frequency and distribution in lymphoid organs. This report shows the frequency, phenotype and location of DCs and regulatory T cells in deceased organ donors' spleens. As determined by flow cytometry, conventional/myeloid DCs (cDCs) CD11chighHLA-DR+CD123−/low were 2·3 ± 0·9% and LIN- HLA-DR+CD11chigh 2·1 ± 0·3% of total spleen cells. Mature CD11chighHLA-DR+CD83+ were 1·5 ± 0·8% and 1·0 ± 1·6% immature CD11chighHLA-DR+CD83- cDC. There were 0·3 ± 0·3% plasmacytoid DCs (pDC) CD11c−/lowHLA-DR+CD123high and 0·3 ± 0·1% LIN-HLA-DR+CD123high. Cells expressing cDCs markers, BDCA-1 and BDCA-3, and pDCs markers BDCA-2 and BDCA-4 were observed in higher frequencies than DCs with other phenotypes evaluated. CD11c+, CD123+ and CD83+ cells were located in subcapsular zone, T cells areas and B-cell follicles. CD4+CD25high Tregs were 0·2 ± 0·2% and CD8+CD28- comprised 11·5 ± 8·1% of spleen lymphocytes. FOXP3+ cells were found in T- and B-cell areas. The improvement in cell separation, manipulation and expansion techniques, will facilitate the manipulation of donor spleen cells as a part of protocols for induction and maintenance of allograft tolerance or treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Prognostic value of phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes in sepsis. Correlation to CD64 and CD14 antigen expression
Authors: Danikas D D , Karakantza M , Theodorou G L , Sakellaropoulos G C , Gogos C A
Published: October 2008

The role of the phagocytic function of monocytes and neutrophils in sepsis has been poorly investigated. The present study evaluated the impact of the phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes on the outcome of patients with severe sepsis. Thirty-one patients and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. The phagocytic activity of monocytes and neutrophils was evaluated during 24 h after admission and the results were correlated to the expression of CD64 on neutrophils and monocytes, CD14 antigen on monocytes, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and the patients' survival. A reduced phagocytic activity of neutrophils during the first 24 h after admission was a negative predictor for survival. Increased expression of CD64 antigen on polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and monocytes was favourably correlated to the patients' survival. In multivariate analysis the phagocytic activity of PMNs was the only independent predictor factor for survival. Patients with PMN phagocytic activity <37% had lower expression of CD64 on monocytes and PMNs and worse outcome, while those with phagocytic activity >37% had higher expression of CD64 on monocytes and PMNs and better outcome. Reduced phagocytic activity of neutrophils may represent a state of neutrophil inactivation similar to that previously described for monocytes during the compensatory anti-inflammatory response.
Hypothetical review: thymic aberrations and type-I interferons; attempts to deduce autoimmunizing mechanisms from unexpected clues in monogenic and paraneoplastic syndromes
Authors: Meager A , Peterson P , Willcox N
Published: October 2008

In sporadic autoimmune disorders, dendritic cells are increasingly being incriminated as agents provocateurs. However, the mechanisms and any ‘danger signals’ that induce them to autoimmunize remain enigmatic. Here, we focus on unexpected clues from two prototypic/ highly informative autoimmune syndromes, acquired thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis and the monogenic autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1 (APS1), caused by mutations in the AutoImmune Regulator (AIRE). Both involve the thymus, and in both we find early, persistent, highly prevalent and high-titre neutralizing autoantibodies against type-I interferons, regardless of the exact AIRE genotype or the characteristically variable clinical phenotype in APS1. Thus these key innate↔adaptive immune intermediaries are now implicated in APS1 and paraneoplastic myasthenia as well as in systemic lupus erythematosus and other sporadic autoimmune disorders. The currently accepted notion that autoimmunization proceeds automatically (by ‘default’) does not explain how, when or where autoimmune responses are initiated against which targets in APS1, or whether exogenous or internal danger signals are involved, or predict whether the primary auto-immunogenic targets are AIRE-dependent. As the parallels between these syndromes must hold novel clues to these puzzles, they demand explanations. To unify these and other findings, we propose that autoimmunization occurs centrally in aberrant thymic environments rendered ‘dangerous’ by AIRE-deficiency (possibly by excess undegraded nucleic acids/dead cell debris). The ensuing autoreactivity focuses early on the locally abundant type I interferons and then on other peripheral tissue autoantigens that are still expressed despite the absence of AIRE. These ideas raise numerous questions that others may already have the materials to address.
25 years of HIV research on virology, virus restriction, immunopathogenesis, genes and vaccines
Authors: Scherer E , Douek D , McMichael A
Published: October 2008

From 19 to 21 May 2008 an important meeting was held at the Pasteur Institute in Paris to mark the 25th Anniversary of the discovery of HIV as the aetiological agent of AIDS. This review summarizes the historical findings, recent work and future directions presented at this meeting.
Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides infection and polyparasitism associated with poor cognitive performance in Brazilian schoolchildren
Authors: Jardim‐Botelho Anne , Raff Sophia , DeÁvila Rodrigues Renato , Hoffman Heather J. , Diemert David Joseph , Corrêa‐Oliveira Rodrigo , Bethony Jeffrey Michael , Gazzinelli Maria Flávia
Published: October 2008

Objective  To investigate the relationship between hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides infection and performance on three subsets of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – third edition (WISC‐III) (Digit Span, Arithmetic and Coding) and Raven Colored Progressive Matrices.

Methods  Cross‐sectional study of 210 children between the ages of 6 and 11 years in Americaninhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Separate proportional odds models were used to measure the association between the intensity of helminth infections and poor performance on each of the four cognitive tests.

Results  After adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic status and other helminth infections, moderate‐to‐high‐intensity hookworm infection was associated with poor performance on the WISC‐III Coding subtest [OR = 3.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.43–7.17], low intensity of hookworm infection was associated with poor performance on the WISC‐III Coding subtest [odds ratio (OR) = 3.71; 95% CI = 1.80–7.66] and moderate‐to‐high‐intensity A. lumbricoides infection was associated with poor performance on the Raven test (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.04–3.99), all in comparison with uninfected children. Children co‐infected with A. lumbricoides infection and hookworm infection had greater odds of poor performance on some WISC‐III subtests than children with only A. lumbricoides infection.

Conclusions  These findings suggest that hookworm infection may be associated with poorer concentration and information processing skills, as measured on the WISC‐III Coding subtest, and that A. lumbricoides infection may be associated with poorer general intelligence, as measured through the Raven Colored Progressive Matrices. This study also presents evidence that polyparasitized children experience worse cognitive outcomes than children with only one helminth infection.
Sensitivity and specificity of an index for the diagnosis of TB meningitis in patients in an urban teaching hospital in Malawi
Authors: Checkley Anna M. , Njalale Yasin , Scarborough Matthew , Zjilstra Eduard E.
Published: October 2008

Tuberculous (TB) meningitis is difficult to diagnose and has a high mortality rate, particularly when presentation is delayed. A diagnostic index developed in Vietnam, an area of low‐HIV seroprevalence, has been proposed as a means to differentiate TB meningitis from acute bacterial meningitis using clinical and laboratory features. We applied this index over a 4‐month period to adults presenting with meningitis to an urban teaching hospital in Malawi, where HIV seroprevalence is 70% among medical inpatients. Eighty‐five consecutive eligible patients were studied. Nine had TB meningitis, 64 bacterial meningitis and 12 cryptococcal meningitis. The sensitivity of the diagnostic index for predicting TB meningitis was 78%, with a specificity of 43%, too low to be used in the diagnosis of TB meningitis in this setting. This finding is likely to be generalizable to other southern African countries with similarly high‐HIV seroprevalences.
The outcomes and outpatient costs of different models of antiretroviral treatment delivery in South Africa
Authors: Rosen Sydney , Long Lawrence , Sanne Ian
Published: October 2008

Objective  Estimate the average outpatient cost per patient in care and responding to treatment 1 year after initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) under different models of treatment delivery in South Africa.

Methods  At each site, medical records for a sample patients of were reviewed 1 year after ART initiation. Each subject was assigned to one outcome category: in care and responding (IC); in care but not responding (NR); or no longer in care at study site (NIC). Average cost per outcomes category was estimated based on resource utilisation.

Results  Site 1 was an urban public hospital; Site 2 a programme that contracts private general practitioners; Site 3 a rural non‐governmental (NGO) AIDS clinic; and Site 4 a peri‐urban NGO primary care clinic. At month 12, IC, NR and NIC rates were 67%, 7% and 26% (Site 1); 52%, 3%, and 45% (Site 2); 63%, 9% and 28% (Site 3); and 76%, 11%, and 13% (Site 4). The average outpatient cost per patient initiated was $756 (Site 1), $896 (Site 2), $932 (Site 3) and $1,126 (Site 4). When all costs and all outcomes were taken into account, the average cost to produce an IC patient was $1,128 (Site 1), $1,723 (Site 2), $1,480 (Site 3), and $1,482 (Site 4).

Conclusion  If all ART patients remain in care and responding, total costs will increase but the average cost to produce an IC patient will fall. The cost per ART patient treated varies moderately among sites. Cost differences increase markedly when patient outcomes are taken into account.
Serum leptin and adiponectin levels and their association with allergic sensitization
Authors: Radon K. , Schulze A. , Schierl R. , Dietrich‐Gümperlein G. , Nowak D. , Jörres R. A.
Published: October 2008

Background:  Obesity and respiratory allergies have increased in parallel in industrialized countries. We have recently shown an association between obesity and allergic sensitization whereby obesity diminished the protective effect of childhood farm contact.

Objective:  To assess whether taking obesity into account allergic sensitization is associated with adipokine levels in blood and whether this effect is modified by childhood farm contact.

Methods:  Serum samples of 231 adult participants (age 18–45 years) of the Lower Saxony Lung Study were analysed for leptin and adiponectin by ELISA. Subjects were elected to represent equal‐sized groups with respect to obesity (<30 vs≥30 kg/m2), childhood farm contact, specific IgE to ubiquitous allergens and sex. Multiple logistic regression models were adjusted for potential confounders.

Results:  Leptin levels were positively related to the prevalence of sensitization (highest vs lowest quartile odds ratio 6.7, 95% confidence interval 2.0–22.4). For adiponectin levels, a weak, not statistically significant inverse association with sensitization was shown (highest vs lowest quartile 0.4, 0.2–1.1). The association between leptin and sensitization appeared to be more pronounced in subjects with farm contact; however, the effect modification was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that adipokines might be involved in the causal pathway between obesity and allergic sensitization.
Pregnancy IFN‐γ responses to foetal alloantigens are altered by maternal allergy and gravidity status
Authors: Breckler L. A. , Hale J. , Taylor A. , Dunstan J. A. , Thornton C. A. , Prescott S. L.
Published: October 2008

Background:  During pregnancy, variations in maternal–foetal cellular interactions may influence immune programming. This study was carried out to determine if maternal responses to foetal alloantigens are altered by maternal allergic disease and/or previous pregnancies.

Methods:  For this cohort study, peripheral blood was collected from allergic (n = 69) and nonallergic (n = 63) pregnant women at 20, 30, 36‐week gestation and 6‐week postpartum (pp). Cord blood was collected at delivery. Mixed lymphocyte reactions were used to measure maternal cytokine responses [interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐10, IL‐13 and (interferon‐γ) IFN‐γ] at each time point towards foetal mononuclear cells.

Results:  Maternal cytokine responses during pregnancy (20, 30 and 36 weeks) were suppressed compared to the responses at 6‐week pp. The ratio of maternal IFN‐γ/IL‐13 and IFN‐γ/IL‐10 responses were lower during pregnancy. Allergic mothers had lower IFN‐γ responses at each time‐point during pregnancy with the greatest difference in responses observed at 36‐week gestation. When allergic and nonallergic women were further stratified by gravidity group, IFN‐γ responses of allergic multigravid mothers were significantly lower than nonallergic multigravid mothers during pregnancy.

Conclusions:  During normal pregnancy, peripheral T‐cell cytokine responses to foetal alloantigens may be altered by both allergic status of the mother and previous pregnancies. These factors could influence the cytokine milieu experienced by the foetus and will be further explored in the development of allergic disease during early life.
Array‐based profiling of ragweed and mugwort pollen allergens
Authors: Gadermaier G. , Wopfner N. , Wallner M. , Egger M. , Didierlaurent A. , Regl G. , Aberger F. , Lang R. , Ferreira F. , Hawranek T.
Published: October 2008

Background:  Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen is the main cause of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn. The differential diagnosis between ragweed and mugwort pollen allergy is a frequent problem encountered by allergologists in areas where both plants are present due to shared antigenic structures and overlapping flowering seasons.

Objective:  To evaluate the sensitization pattern of weed allergic patients towards a large panel of purified allergens in the microarray format and by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Methods:  Eight ragweed and six mugwort pollen allergens were purified from natural source or expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Allergens were spotted on protein microarray slides or coated onto ELISA plates. Sera from 19 ragweed and/or mugwort allergic individuals were used to determine the reactivity towards single molecules in both assays.

Results:  All ragweed allergic individuals were sensitized to Amb a 1, among them 30% were monosensitized to the major ragweed allergen. Art v 1 and Art v 3 were recognized by 89% of mugwort pollen‐allergic patients. Extensive cross‐reactivity was observed for both patient groups mainly involving the pan‐allergens profilin and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins. Comparable IgE profiles were obtained with both allergen microarray and ELISA methods.

Conclusions:  Molecule‐based diagnosis provides essential information for the differential diagnosis between ragweed and mugwort pollen allergy and for the selection of the appropriate allergen source for specific immunotherapy.
Specific IgE to allergens in cord blood is associated with maternal immunity to Toxoplasma gondii and rubella virus
Authors: Ege M. J. , Herzum I. , Büchele G. , Krauss‐Etschmann S. , Lauener R. P. , Bitter S. , Roponen M. , Remes S. , Vuitton D. A. , Riedler J. , Brunekreef B. , Dalphin J‐C. , Braun‐Fahrländer C. , Pekkanen J. , Renz H. , Von Mutius E. ,   the PASTURE Study group
Published: October 2008

Background:  Various studies have found reduced prevalences of atopic sensitization and atopic diseases in children previously exposed to infections or living conditions with a high microbial burden, such as the farming environment.

Objective:  We sought to determine the relationships of cord blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) with maternal health conditions before and during pregnancy.

Methods:  Pregnant women living in rural areas in five European countries were recruited in the third trimester of pregnancy. Information on maternal health during pregnancy was collected from maternity records and by questionnaires (n = 497). Specific IgE for inhalant and food allergens was assessed in cord blood and peripheral blood samples of the mothers.

Results:  Inverse associations of cord blood IgE to seasonal allergens with positive maternal records for Toxoplasma gondii (adjusted odds ratio = 0.37 [0.17–0.81]) and rubella virus (adjusted odds ratio = 0.35 [0.13–0.96]) were found. The previously described effect of prenatal farm exposure on IgE to seasonal allergens was partly confounded by a positive maternal record for T. gondii. The number of maternal siblings, maternal contact to cats during pregnancy or during her first year of life, predicted a positive maternal record for T. gondii.

Conclusions:  Maternal immunity to T. gondii and rubella may impact on atopic sensitization in the fetus. A positive T. gondii record explained the previously identified effect of prenatal farm exposure on IgE to seasonal allergens only to a minor extent.
Sediment phosphorus characteristics in the clearwater state of Lake Mogan, Turkey
Authors: Pulatsü Serap , Kırkaǧaç Akasya Topçu Mine , Köksal Gülten
Published: October 2008

This study examined the vertical distributions of total phosphorus (TP) and phosphorus fractions, and the iron and organic matter, in the littoral sediment in a macrophyte‐dominated, clearwater state in Lake Mogan between September 2005 and August 2006. Benthic macroinvertebrates and total bacteria in the sediment also were determined. No clear seasonal or depth‐related (0–20 cm) patterns were found in sediment concentrations for the measured parameters. The phosphorus release was quantitatively very low, and a negative phosphorus release (–0.132 µg m−2 day−1) was measured during the summer months. The TP concentrations of the sediment samples ranged between 675.00 and 1463.80 µg g−1 dry weight (DW), and the trophic level of the lake was eutrophic. On average, inorganic phosphorus fractions comprised the largest fraction (63%), while organic‐bound phosphorus (Org ≈ P) constituted 37% of the TP in Lake Mogan. The most important phosphorus‐immobilizing factors are high iron content (14 200–47 750 µg g−1 DW), the sediment's clay content (47.80–51.80%), and an abundance of macrophytes at the sampling station. The low abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (510–850 individuals m−2), which depend on sediments with high iron and low organic matter (5.42–13.30%), played a role in the sediment phosphorus retention. Although bacterial abundance in the surficial sediment appeared to be positively correlated to temperature, the overlying water did not experience anoxic conditions, supporting a state in which bacteria were able to retain phosphorus in their cell structures. Long‐term changes in the sediments of Lake Mogan must be monitored lake. In order to optimize the management of the lake, and to determine the longevity of a clearwater state following management measures and continued external phosphorus loading, long‐term changes in the sediments of Lake Morgan must be monitored.
Comparison of electrofishing and NORDIC gillnets for sampling littoral fish in boreal lakes
Authors: Sutela Tapio , Rask Martti , Vehanen Teppo , Westermark Ari
Published: October 2008

Parallel sampling of fish, using electrofishing and NORDIC multimesh gillnets, was performed in the littoral areas of eight boreal lakes. Some fish species were caught only by electrofishing (e.g. bullhead, Cottus gobio (L.); burbot, Lota lota (L.)), while some were caught only with gillnets (e.g. pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.); smelt, Osmerus eperlanus (L.)). The fish species that were caught with both methods (e.g. perch, Perca fluviatilis (L.) exhibited gear‐specific length distributions. A combination of NORDIC gillnetting (passive gear) and electrofishing (active gear) is suggested to reasonably well cover the entire species composition in the littoral zones (≈ 0–3 m depth) of boreal lakes. This gear combination is recommended for evaluating the ecological status of lakes within the European Water Framework Directive.
Developing a monitoring strategy for phytoplankton community structure in a large water‐storage reservoir: Lake Mulwala, Australia
Authors: Baldwin Darren S. , Boulding Amy N.
Published: October 2008

Phytoplankton are an important element in the ecology of lakes and reservoirs and therefore often included in lake monitoring programmes. However, algal distribution is often highly variable in both time and space, thereby posing difficulties when designing lake monitoring strategies. This study describes the spatial distribution of both total phytoplankton community structure and cyanobacterial biovolume during a period of high algal abundance in Lake Mulwala, a water‐storage reservoir in Australia. The distribution of phytoplankton is then used for the rational design of monitoring strategies with sufficient statistical power to determine both changes in overall phytoplankton community structure over time, as well as to fulfil statutory cyanobacterial biovolume monitoring obligations.
Modelling the effects of surface finish on fatigue limit in austenitic stainless steels
Authors: KURODA M. , MARROW T. J.
Published: October 2008

Existing short fatigue crack models have been reviewed to determine the most suitable fatigue model to analyse the effect of the surface finish on the fatigue limit of Type 304 austenitic stainless steels. A mechanistic model firstly proposed by Navarro and Rios (N‐R model) was selected as the most suitable generic model, because the model can include the effects of surface finishing parameters such as surface roughness and residual stress depth profile on the fatigue limit. The N‐R model has been implemented for fatigue specimens with various surface finishing conditions, and the effect of the surface finish on the fatigue limit was simulated. The material/surface properties required for the implementation were fully characterized by experiments. The applicability of the model to this study was also discussed. It is concluded that a development of the model would be required for proper prediction of the surface effects on fatigue in austenitic stainless steels.
Life assessment of multiaxially cyclic loaded turbine components
Authors: RAUCH M. , ROOS E.
Published: October 2008

Rotors of turbines are exposed to high thermo‐mechanical loads, especially during start‐up and shut‐down procedures. Especially in the notched region of the blade‐connection to the rotor a complex multiaxial elastic‐plastic stress state is present. The reason is the multi‐surface contact in combination with fatigue and creep‐fatigue load. Within the scope of this work the blade‐disc‐connection of a gas turbine made of the nickel‐based alloys IN792 (blades) and IN718 (disc) was investigated at typical local service temperature of 550 °C. The aim was the investigation of mutual influence of adjoining blades as well as the effect on cycles to failure by variation of friction behaviour due to different coatings on the surface of the blade root. An already existing life assessment method based on a local strain approach could be confirmed for this more complex loading situation.

In contrast to this, a blade‐shaft‐connection of a steam turbine made of X12CrMoWVNbN10‐1‐1 was investigated at its typical service temperature of 600 °C. During cyclic loading, the martensitic 10Cr steel reacts with ongoing cyclic softening. The fundamental result of the work discussed here is the development of a new life assessment method based on a damage parameter, which is a function of accumulated plastic strain. This damage parameter is included in a complex material model considering static, cyclic and viscoplastic materials behaviour. Thus, the life assessment method could be verified with inelastic finite element calculations of the model specimens, which were especially designed for the low‐cycle fatigue tests of blade‐shaft‐connection presented in this paper.
Determination of the bilinear stress‐crack opening curve for normal‐ and high‐strength concrete
Authors: FATHY A. M. , SANZ B. , SANCHO J. M. , PLANAS J.
Published: October 2008

An improved version of the method proposed to ACI committee 446 and to RILEM TC 187‐SOC to determine the fracture parameters of concrete is applied in this study to several mixtures of normal and high‐strength concretes. The results are processed with a C++ program developed by the authors to automatise the mathematical operations required to obtain the bilinear softening curve of concrete from the experimental results. Numerical simulations of the tests are also carried out using finite elements with an embedded cohesive crack. The comparison between numerical and experimental results confirms that the experimental and numerical procedures are appropiate for normal‐strength concretes and high‐strength concretes.