bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TLR2-Mediated Activation of Neutrophils in Response to German Cockroach Frass
Authors: Page Kristen , Lierl Kristin M. , Hughes Valerie S. , Zhou Ping , Ledford John R. , Wills-Karp Marsha 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
It is becoming increasingly clear that innate immune mediators play a role in regulating adaptive immune responses in asthma pathogenesis. Cockroach exposure is a major risk factor for the development of asthma. In this study we asked whether German cockroach (GC) feces (frass) could initiate an innate immune response. Naive BALB/c mice were challenged with a single intratracheal inhalation of GC frass. Proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 3 h and were maintained at higher than baseline levels for at least 24 h. Neutrophil migration into the airways was evident as early as 3 h but was maximal between 6 and 24 h postinhalation. The early increase in cytokine expression was independent of TLR2 or TLR4. Newly infiltrated airway neutrophils were responsible for maintaining high levels of cytokines in the airways. Using neutrophils as an early marker of the innate immune response, we show that show that neutrophils isolated from the airways following GC frass inhalation express TLR2 and release cytokines. GC frass directly affected neutrophil cytokine production via TLR2, but not TLR4, as evidenced by the use of TLR-neutralizing Abs and neutrophils from TLR-deficient mice. Activation of cytokine expression occurred via GC frass-induced NF-κB translocation and DNA binding. These data show that GC frass contains a TLR2 agonist and, to our knowledge, this is the first report of an allergen directly activating cells of the innate immune system via TLR2 and suggests an important link between innate and adaptive immunity.
IL-27 Activates Human Monocytes via STAT1 and Suppresses IL-10 Production but the Inflammatory Functions of IL-27 Are Abrogated by TLRs and p38
Authors: Kalliolias George D. , Ivashkiv Lionel B. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
IL-27 is a member of the IL-12 family of cytokines that activates the Jak-STAT signaling pathway in a context-dependent manner and has pleiotropic effects on acquired immunity. IL-27 has the capacity to promote early stages of Th1 generation, but recent evidence has suggested a predominant suppressive effect on Th1, Th2, and Th17 differentiation. Although modest suppressive effects of IL-27 on myeloid lineage cells have been observed, there is limited knowledge about the role of IL-27 in the regulation of innate immunity. In this study we report that although in resting murine macrophages IL-27 had minimal if any effects, in resting human monocytes IL-27 had profound proinflammatory functions. IL-27 activated a STAT1-dominant pattern of signaling in human monocytes with the consequent activation of STAT1-dependent inflammatory target genes. IL-27 primed monocytes for augmented responses to TLR stimulation in a STAT1-dependent manner, altered IL-10 signaling, and attenuated IL-10-induced gene expression. Strikingly, IL-27 strongly suppressed TLR-induced IL-10 production in human monocytes. However, the proinflammatory effects of IL-27 on human monocytes were rapidly abrogated by LPS via a p38-mediated mechanism that inhibited IL-27 signaling. Our findings identify a predominantly proinflammatory function for IL-27 in human monocytes and suggest a mechanism by which the activating effects of IL-27 on innate immunity are attenuated as an immune response proceeds and IL-27 transitions to predominantly suppressive effects on acquired immunity.
Use of Allograft Biopsies to Assess Thymopoiesis after Thymus Transplantation
Authors: Markert M. Louise , Li Jie , Devlin Blythe H. , Hoehner Jeffrey C. , Rice Henry E. , Skinner Michael A. , Li Yi-Ju , Hale Laura P. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Thymus allograft biopsies were performed in athymic infants with complete DiGeorge anomaly after thymus transplantation to assess whether the thymus allograft tissue was able to support thymopoiesis. Forty-four consecutive infants were treated with postnatal cultured thymus allografts. Thirty biopsies and six autopsies evaluating the allograft site were obtained in 33 infants, 23 of whom survive. The allograft was examined by immunohistochemistry for evidence of thymopoiesis. Grafted thymus tissue was found in 25 of 30 biopsies, 23 of which showed thymopoiesis. All 19 survivors with thymopoiesis on biopsy developed naive T cells and T cell function. Autopsies were done in six subjects, three of whom had biopsies. All autopsy samples contained thymus tissue including one for which the biopsy had not contained graft. Of the six autopsies, one had evidence of thymopoiesis. Epithelium without thymopoiesis was seen in two of 25 biopsies in which thymus tissue was detected and in five of six autopsies. Graft rejection was seen in one autopsy. Biopsies were important for showing the following: 1) the damaging effect of pulse steroids on thymopoiesis; 2) the need for adequate immunosuppression of atypical subjects; and 3) the presence of thymopoiesis in the presence of ongoing immunosuppression. In addition, the biopsy could rule out graft rejection in the atypical subjects who had oligoclonal T cells that could cause rejection. In summary, combining biopsy and autopsy data, allogeneic thymus tissues showed thymopoiesis in 24 of 29 (86%) evaluable transplants. The results of these biopsies led to improved care of these complex patients.
Humoral Immune Responses against the Immature Laminin Receptor Protein Show Prognostic Significance in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Friedrichs Birte , Siegel Sandra , Kloess Marita , Barsoum Adel , Coggin Joseph , Rohrer James , Jakob Ilja , Tiemann Markus , Heidorn Klaus , Schulte Christoph , Kabelitz Dieter , Steinmann Jörg , Schmitz Norbert , Zeis Matthias 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a highly variable clinical course. The role of an autologous tumor-specific immune control contributing to the variable length of survival in CLL is poorly understood. We investigated whether humoral immunity specific for the CLL-associated Ag oncofetal Ag/immature laminin receptor (OFA/iLR) has a prognostic value in CLL. Among sera of 67 untreated patients with CLL, 23 (34.3%) had detectable OFA/iLR Abs that were reactive for at least one specific OFA/iLR epitope. Patients with humoral responses compared with patients with nonreactive sera had a longer progression-free survival (p = 0.029). IgG subclass analyses showed a predominant IgG1 and IgG3 response. OFA/iLR Abs were capable of recognizing and selectively killing OFA/iLR-expressing CLL cells in complement-mediated and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxi cityassays. In the analysis of 11 CLL patients after allogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation, 8 showed high values for OFA/iLR Abs that specifically recognized the extracellular domain of the protein, suggesting a potential role of anti-OFA/iLR-directed immune responses to the graft-vs-leukemia effect in CLL. Our data suggest that spontaneous tumor-specific humoral immune responses against OFA/iLR exist in a significant proportion of CLL patients and that superior progression-free survival in those patients could reflect autologous immune control.
Blocking NK Cell Inhibitory Self-Recognition Promotes Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Model of Anti-Lymphoma Therapy
Authors: Binyamin Liat , Alpaugh R. Katherine , Hughes Tracey L. , Lutz Charles T. , Campbell Kerry S. , Weiner Louis M. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Human NK cells lyse Ab-coated target cells through the process of Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Improving ADCC responses is desirable because it is thought to be an important antitumor mechanism for some Abs. NK cell inhibitory receptors, such as killer cell Ig-like receptors, engage with MHC class I molecules on self-cells to block NK cell activation. Accordingly, we enhanced ADCC responses by blocking NK cell inhibitory receptors, thus perturbing induction of the self-recognition signal. In a cell line model of anti-lymphoma therapy, the combination of rituximab with an Ab that blocks inhibitory self-recognition yielded increased NK cell-mediated target cell lysis when compared with rituximab alone. To validate this proof-of-concept, we then used a more representative approach in which an individual’s fresh primary NK cells encountered autologous, EBV-transformed B cells. In this system, rituximab and a combination of Abs that block NK cell inhibitory receptors yielded improved NK cell-mediated lysis over rituximab alone. The results show, for the first time, that disruption of inhibitory self-recognition can efficiently promote ADCC in a human model, applying an autologous system in which physiologic checkpoints are in place. This method provides an alternative approach to potentiate the therapeutic benefit of antitumor Abs that mediate ADCC.
Correlation of Blood T Cell and Antibody Reactivity to Myelin Proteins with HLA Type and Lesion Localization in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Greer Judith M. , Csurhes Peter A. , Muller Diane M. , Pender Michael P. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. The numbers of autoimmune T cells and Abs specific for proteins of CNS myelin are increased in the blood in some patients with MS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are correlations between the specificity of the autoimmune responses in the blood, the HLA molecules carried by the patient, and the clinical features of MS, because studies on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS, indicate that autoimmune responses targeting particular myelin proteins and the genetic background of the animal play a role in determining the pattern of lesion distribution. We tested blood T cell immunoreactivity to myelin proteins in 100 MS patients, 70 healthy controls, and 48 patients with other neurological disorders. Forty MS patients had strongly increased T cell reactivity to one or more myelin Ags. In these 40 patients, the most robust correlation was between CD4+ T cell reactivity to myelin proteolipid protein residues 184–209 (PLP184–209) and development of lesions in the brainstem and cerebellum. Furthermore, carriage of HLA-DR4, -DR7, or -DR13 molecules by MS patients correlated with increased blood T cell immunoreactivity to PLP184–209, as well as the development of lesions in the brainstem and cerebellum. Levels of PLP190–209-specific Abs in the blood also correlated with the presence of cerebellar lesions. These findings show that circulating T cells and Abs reactive against specific myelin Ags can correlate with lesion distribution in MS and suggest that they are of pathogenic relevance.
Epidemiological study of Rift Valley fever virus in Kigoma, Tanzania
Authors: Kifaro Emmanuel G. , Nkangaga Japhet , Joshua Gradson , Sallu Raphael , Yongolo Mmeta , Dautu George , Kasanga Christopher J. 
Published: April 2014

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an acute, zoonotic viral disease caused by a Phlebovirus, which belongs to the Bunyaviridae family. Among livestock, outbreaks of the disease are economically devastating. They are often characterised by large, sweeping abortion storms and have significant mortality in adult livestock. The aim of the current study was to investigate RVFV infection in the Kigoma region, which is nestled under the hills of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania. A region-wide serosurvey was conducted on non-vaccinated small ruminants (sheep and goats, n = 411). Sera samples were tested for the presence of anti-RVFV antibodies and viral antigen, using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The overall past infections were detected in 22 of the 411 animals, 5.4% (Confidence Interval (CI) 95% = 3.5% – 8.1%). The Kigoma rural area recorded the higher seroprevalence of 12.0% (CI 95% = 7.3% – 18.3%; p < 0.0001), followed by Kibondo at 2.3% (CI 95% = 0.5% – 6.5%; p > 0.05) and the Kasulu district at 0.8% (CI 95% = 0.0% – 4.2%; p > 0.05). The prevalence was 12.5% and 4.7% for sheep and goats, respectively. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction results indicated that only eight samples were found to be positive (n = 63). This study has confirmed, for the first time, the presence of the RVFV in the Kigoma region four years after the 2007 epizootic in Tanzania. The study further suggests that the virus activity exists during the inter-epizootic period, even in regions with no history of RVFV.
The risk factors for human cysticercosis in Mbulu District, Tanzania
Authors: Mwang'onde Beda J. , Nkwengulila Gamba , Chacha Mwita 
Published: April 2014

The objective of this study was to explore the reasons for the persistence of human cysticercosis (HCC) transmission in Mbulu District, northern Tanzania. The study was carried out in 25 villages, whereby five major risks were identified. The risks were indiscriminate defaecation and improper use of toilets; a free-range system of keeping pigs; indiscriminate or unregulated slaughtering and inadequate meat hygiene and inspection; consumption of undercooked and porcine cysticerci infected pork; and social structure and roles. All of the identified risks were backed up by the immanent lifestyles of the community involved. These findings are important for the development of intervention strategies in the study area.
Spatial and temporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease virus in the lake zone of Tanzania
Authors: Genchwere Joseph M. , Kasanga Christopher J. 
Published: April 2014

This study was conducted to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) serotypes and evaluate the awareness of livestock keepers about FMD in Tanzania. An observational prospective study involving serological analysis, FMDV antigen detection and questionnaire survey was carried out in the lake zone of Tanzania. Seroprevalence of antibodies to the nonstructural protein 3ABC of FMDV and serotype-specific antigen detection were investigated by using SVANOVIR® FMDV 3ABC-Ab ELISA and indirect-sandwich ELISA (sELISA), respectively, whilst a structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the awareness of livestock keepers about FMD. During the period of 2010–2011, both serum and tissue (foot-and-mouth epithelia) samples were collected from cattle suspected of FMD in 13 districts of the four regions of the lake zone. A total of 107 (80.5%) out of 133 tested serum samples were seropositive to nonstructural protein 3ABC, with at least one sample being positive from all 10 districts screened. Fifteen (53.6%) out of 28 tissue epithelial samples collected from FMD cases in eight districts during the course of this study were positive to serotype O FMDV antigen. Of these eight districts, serotype O FMDV antigens were detected from seven districts and no other serotypes were recovered from animal samples screened. Questionnaire surveys in six districts indicated that livestock keepers in the lake zone were aware of the clinical manifestations (26/29 = 90.0%) and economic impact (23/29 = 79.0%) of FMD in the region. The questionnaire data showed that FMD outbreaks often occurred after rainy seasons (22/29 = 75.9%), with the highest peaks predominantly occurring just after the long rains in May and June, and at the end of the short rains in November and December of each year. The spatial distribution of the FMD cases suggested that serotype O virus exposure was the only widespread cause of the 2010–2011 outbreaks in the lake zone.
The business case for One Health
Authors: Grace Delia 
Published: April 2014

This article outlines a pathway to develop the business case for One Health. It describes the origin and development of One Health and then identifies five potential areas where One Health can add value and reduce costs. These are: (1) sharing health resources between the medical and veterinary sectors; (2) controlling zoonoses in animal reservoirs; (3) early detection and response to emerging diseases; (4) prevention of pandemics; and (5) generating insights and adding value to health research and development. Examples are given for each category along with preliminary estimates of the potential savings from adopting the One Health approach. The literature reviewed suggests that one dollar invested in One Health can generate five dollars worth of benefits and a global investment of US$25 billion over 10 years could generate benefits worth at least US$125 billion. Conservation implications: the time has come to make the bigger case for massive investment in One Health in order to transform the management of neglected and emerging zoonoses and to save the lives of millions of people and hundreds of millions of animals whose production supports and nourishes billions of impoverished people per annum.
The benefits of ‘One Health’ for pastoralists in Africa
Authors: Greter Helena , Jean-Richard Vreni , Crump Lisa , Béchir Mahamat , Alfaroukh Idriss O. , Schelling Esther , Bonfoh Bassirou , Zinsstag Jakob 
Published: April 2014

‘One health’ is particularly suited to serve mobile pastoralists. Dinka pastoralists in Sudan inspired Calvin Schwabe to coin the term ‘one medicine’, indicating that there is no difference in paradigm between human and veterinary medicine. Our contemporary definition of ‘one health’ is any added value in terms of improved health of humans and animals or financial savings or environmental services resulting from a closer cooperation of human and animal health sectors. Here we present a summary of ‘one health’ studies with mobile pastoralists in Africa which were done in research partnership, demonstrating such an added value. Initial joint human and animal health studies revealed higher livestock vaccination coverage than in the pastoralist community, leading to joint animal and human vaccination intervention studies which demonstrated a better access to primary health care services for pastoralists in Chad. Further simultaneous animal and human serological studies showed that camel breeding was associated with human Q-fever seropositivity. In Borana communities in Ethiopia, human cases of Mycobacterium bovis infection could be related to strains isolated from cattle. A challenge remained with regard to how to assess vaccination coverage in mobile populations. With the advent of mobile phones, health and demographic surveillance could be established for mobile pastoralists and their animals. This presents vast possibilities for surveillance and control of human and animal diseases. Pastoralists prefer a ‘one health’ approach and therefore contribute toward the validation of this concept by showing real added value of the cooperation between human and animal health services.
Molecular survey for foot-and-mouth disease virus in livestock in Tanzania, 2008–2013
Authors: Sallu Raphael S. , Kasanga Christopher J. , Mathias Mkama , Yongolo Mmeta , Mpelumbe-Ngeleja Chanasa , Mulumba Misheck , Ranga Ezekia , Wambura Philemon , Rweyemamu Mark , Knowles Nick , King Donald 
Published: April 2014

Phylogeography data are of paramount importance in studying the molecular epidemiology dynamics of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). In this study, epithelial samples and oesophageal-pharyngeal fluids were collected from 361 convalescent animals (cattle and buffaloes) in the field throughout Tanzania between 2009 and 2013. The single plex real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay for rapid and accurate diagnosis of FMDV employing the Callahan 3DF-2, 3DF-R primers and Callahan 3DP-1 probe were used. Preparation of the samples was performed according to the OIE manual, with a Kenya O serotype obtained from the attenuated vaccine serving as a positive control and samples collected from healthy animals serving as true negatives. The results indicated that 53.49% of samples (n = 176) were positive for FMDV genome by qRT-PCR, with Ct values ranging from 14 to 32. In addition, molecular typing of the FMDV genome positive samples using serotype specific primers revealed the existence of several serotypes: serotype South Africa Territory 1 (SAT1) (34.25%, n = 60), serotype A (68.92%, n = 98), serotype O (59.20%, n = 98) and SAT2 (54.54%, n = 96). The virus protein 1 sequences analysis for 35 samples was performed and the collective results indicated: 54.28% serotype O, 25.71% serotype A, 14.28% serotype SAT1 and 2.85% serotype SAT2. Therefore in this study, both the phylogenetic trees and spatial distribution of serotypes elucidated the phylodynamics of multiple FMDV field strains in Tanzania and neighbouring countries.
Intelligence and Security: Ingredients for Stable Polity, Food Security and Sustainable Growth.
Authors: Omobuwajo OA 
Published: April 2014

The evolution of Intelligence and Security services in Nigeria is similar to that of other third world countries, its development has been slow and it became a veritable instrument of oppression in hands of governments who were mostly militaryliitical and tyrannical until the ascendancy of pro-democratic governments in Africa from the early 1990s. In Nigeria, intelligence, especially military intelligence became like the Gestapo of Adolf Hitler during the regime of General Sani Abacha. Their allegiance was blindly to the government of the day, constructive intelligence gathering and Analysis was relegated to the background. The country became stagnant and moved backwards in political and economical developments, the intelligence agencies could not take advantage of modern innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).However, the return to democracy and relative rule of law in 1999 has brought some positive development to the practices of Intelligence in Nigeria; the military institution itself has laid emphasis on professionalism and combat readiness. Intelligence personnel are being trained abroad in exchange programmes and exposed to sophisticated surveillance techniques and other strategic equipments used in espionage and information accessibility. The American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is in close collaboration with the relevant agencies in Nigeria as it repositions for the defence and security challenges of the 21st century, which will ensure stability and development in the country. Few researches had been conducted on the intelligence services in Nigeria; this paper critically examines the roles of Intelligence services in security and, more importantly, that of stability and growth. The method employed is both the historical method and descriptive analysis. The paper made use of data from journals, textbooks, government policy documents and newspapers with the use of Control analysis method, which is an objective and systematic examination of the content of secondary data like internet, text books, newspapers, journals, recorded information and so on(Mbachu,2005:89).Key words: Inteligence; security; political stability; food security; sustainable growth