bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical immunology review series: an approach to desensitization
Authors: Krishna M T , Huissoon A P 
Published: December 2010

Summary
Allergen immunotherapy describes the treatment of allergic disease through administration of gradually increasing doses of allergen. This form of immune tolerance induction is now safer, more reliably efficacious and better understood than when it was first formally described in 1911. In this paper the authors aim to summarize the current state of the art in immunotherapy in the treatment of inhalant, venom and drug allergies, with specific reference to its practice in the United Kingdom. A practical approach has been taken, with reference to current evidence and guidelines, including illustrative protocols and vaccine schedules. A number of novel approaches and techniques are likely to change considerably the way in which we select and treat allergy patients in the coming decade, and these advances are previewed.
Increased frequency of immunoglobulin (Ig)A-secreting cells following Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 engagement in patients with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Giordani L , Quaranta M G , Marchesi A , Straface E , Pietraforte D , Villani A , Malorni W , Del Principe D , Viora M 
Published: December 2010

SummaryKawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis affecting mainly infants and children. Human B cells express Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9, whose natural ligands are unmethylated cytosine–guanine dinucleotide (CpG) motifs characteristic of bacterial DNA. The aim of this study was to clarify the pathogenesis of KD analysing the activation status of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), focusing on B lymphocyte activation and functions. Ten patients and 10 age-matched healthy donors were recruited from the Bambino Gesù Hospital of Rome, Italy and enrolled into this study. We determined phenotype profile and immunoglobulin (Ig) production of PBMC from KD patients and age-matched controls. We found that the frequency of CD19+ B lymphocytes and CD19+/CD86+ activated B lymphocytes from KD patients during the acute phase before therapy was increased significantly. Moreover, B lymphocytes of acute-phase KD patients were more prone to CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) activation compared with the age-matched controls, as assessed by a significant increase of the number of IgA-secreting cells (SC). In the same patients we found a marked increase of IgM, IgG, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α production compared with the control group. In addition, in two convalescent KD patients, conventional treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) restored the normal frequency of CD19+ B cells, the number of IgA-, IgM- and IgG-SC and the production of IL-6 and TNF-α. Our findings indicate that the percentages of peripheral B lymphocytes of acute-phase KD patients are increased and are prone to bacterial activation in terms of increased numbers of IgA-SC and increased production of IL-6 and TNF-α inflammatory cytokines. Thus, our data support the hypothesis of an infectious triggering in KD.
ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17) is naturally processed through major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and is a potential immunotherapeutic target in breast, ovarian and prostate cancers
Authors: Sinnathamby G , Zerfass J , Hafner J , Block P , Nickens Z , Hobeika A , Secord A A , Lyerly H K , Morse M A , Philip R 
Published: December 2010

Summary
Selection of suitable antigens is critical for the development of cancer vaccines. Most desirable are over-expressed cell surface proteins that may serve as targets for both antibodies and T cells, thus maximizing a concerted immune response. Towards this goal, we characterized the relevance of tumour necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme (ADAM17) for such targeted therapeutics. ADAM17 is one of the several metalloproteinases that play a key role in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling and has recently emerged as a new therapeutic target in several tumour types. In the present study, we analysed the expression profile of ADAM17 in a variety of normal and cancer cells of human origin and found that this protein is over-expressed on the surface of several types of cancer cells compared to the normal counterparts. Furthermore, we analysed the presentation of a human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted epitope from ADAM17 protein to specific T cells established from normal donors as well as ovarian cancer patients. Our analysis revealed that the HLA-A2-restricted epitope is processed efficiently and presented by various cancer cells and not by normal cells. Tumour-specific T cell activation results in the secretion of both interferon-γ and granzyme B that can be blocked by HLA-A2 specific antibodies. Collectively, our data present evidence that ADAM17 can be a potential target antigen to devise novel immunotherapeutic strategies against ovarian, breast and prostate cancer.
Serum amyloid A induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and proliferation of fibroblast
Authors: Hatanaka E , Dermargos A , Armelin H A , Curi R , Campa A 
Published: December 2010

SummarySerum amyloid A (SAA) levels are elevated highly in acute phase response and elevated slightly and persistently in chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Given that fibroblasts exert profound effects on progression of inflammatory chronic diseases, the aim of this study was to investigate the response of fibroblasts to SAA. A dose-dependent increase in O2- levels was observed by treatment of fibroblasts with SAA (r = 0·99 and P ≤ 0·001). In addition, the expression of p47-phox was up-regulated by SAA (P &lt; 0·001) and diphenyliodonium (DPI), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor, reduced the release of O2- by 50%. Also, SAA raised fibroblast proliferation (P &lt; 0·001) and this effect was completely abolished by the addition of anti-oxidants (P &lt; 0·001). These findings support the notion that, in chronic inflammatory sites, SAA activated fibroblast proliferation and ROS production.
Sequence of arrival determines plant‐mediated interactions between herbivores
Authors: Erb Matthias , Robert Christelle A.M. , Hibbard Bruce E. , Turlings Ted C.J. 
Published: December 2010

Summary 1. Induced changes in plant quality can mediate indirect interactions between herbivores. Although the sequence of attack by different herbivores has been shown to influence plant responses, little is known about how this affects the herbivores themselves. 2. We therefore investigated how induction by the leaf herbivore Spodoptera frugiperda influences resistance of teosinte (Zea mays mexicana) and cultivated maize (Zea mays mays) against root‐feeding larvae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The importance of the sequence of arrival was tested in the field and laboratory. 3. Spodoptera frugiperda infestation had a significant negative effect on colonization by D. virgifera larvae in the field and weight gain in the laboratory, but only when S. frugiperda arrived on the plant before the root herbivore. When S. frugiperda arrived after the root herbivore had established, no negative effects on larval performance were detected. Yet, adult emergence of D. virgifera was reduced even when the root feeder had established first, indicating that the negative effects were not entirely absent in this treatment. 4. The defoliation of the plants was not a decisive factor for the negative effects on root herbivore development, as both minor and major leaf damage resulted in an increase in root resistance and the extent of biomass removal was not correlated with root‐herbivore growth. We propose that leaf‐herbivore‐induced increases in feeding‐deterrent and/or toxic secondary metabolites may account for the sequence‐specific reduction in root‐herbivore performance. 5. Synthesis. Our results demonstrate that the sequence of arrival can be an important determinant of plant‐mediated interactions between insect herbivores in both wild and cultivated plants. Arriving early on a plant may be an important strategy of insects to avoid competition with other herbivores. To fully understand plant‐mediated interactions between insect herbivores, the sequence of arrival should be taken into account.
Seed availability constrains plant species sorting along a soil fertility gradient
Authors: Foster Bryan L. , Questad Erin J. , Collins Cathy D. , Murphy Cheryl A. , Dickson Timothy L. , Smith Val H. 
Published: December 2010

Summary 1. Spatial variation in species composition within and among communities may be caused by deterministic, niche‐based species sorting in response to underlying environmental heterogeneity as well as by stochastic factors such as dispersal limitation and variable species pools. An important goal in ecology is to reconcile deterministic and stochastic perspectives of community assembly and to assess the contribution of each class of processes to community dynamics and structure. 2. We present an 8‐year field experiment of grassland secondary succession that documents plant community differentiation in response to an experimental gradient of nitrogen (N) fertilization, factorially crossed with a manipulation of the available species pool achieved using a multi‐species seed sowing treatment. We evaluate the hypothesis, adapted from meta‐community theory, that seed availability limits the contribution of niche‐based, species sorting to patterns of community variation along an environmental gradient. 3. The magnitude of species sorting and community differentiation observed in response to N fertilization (measured as N effect size on multivariate community composition) became progressively more distinct and more statistically significant over time in experimental plots as succession proceeded. However, this response was significantly more pronounced among plots that had been exposed to experimentally enriched propagule pools. 4. Synthesis. Our findings support the hypothesis that dispersal limitations and species pools can mediate the contribution of niche‐based, species–environment sorting to plant community development and limit the extent to which underlying resource gradients become deterministically expressed in patterns of vegetation composition. We suggest that continued habitat destruction and fragmentation in the former prairie landscape where this study was conducted would further reduce native species pools and habitat connectivity, diminishing opportunities for species–environment sorting and compromising the capacity of these grassland systems to respond to environmental change.
Stories from the streets: people's experiences of homelessness
Authors: WILLIAMS S. , STICKLEY T. 
Published: December 2010

Accessible summary

This is a narrative research study examining how people talk about their experiences of homelessness. Eight people experiencing homelessness were interviewed. They were each asked to tell their stories of homelessness. The research focused upon how participants' experiences have affected their identity claims and their mental health.
The qualitative data were thematically analysed and the following themes are reported: identity, family breakdown, rejection and stigma, illicit substances and hope.
People's identities have been affected by their experiences, and because of the trauma and indignity of homelessness, their identities have had to be reshaped. Experiences of homelessness negatively affect people's sense of identity to destructive proportions.
Experiences of homelessness may have profound effects upon people's sense of identity both personally and socially. Helping people to find appropriate shelter must be a main priority for those working with people who are homeless as warmth and safety are basic human needs. Mental health nurses also need to address those factors that affect individual identity, such as loss of social role and loss of belonging. By working with people to help them to access education and employment, we are also helping them to improve the quality of their lives, support their mental health, helping to improve their status, social networks, personal identity and role. Nurses need to work with homeless people with warm human acceptance and understanding.

AbstractThis study explores how people speak about their experiences of homelessness, and how these experiences have affected their identity claims and their mental health. The mental health of the homeless population is a growing concern for the UK government and non‐governmental agencies. There is however, little research looking at the mental health needs of homeless people and their experiences. For this study, a qualitative, narrative approach was used. Eight people were interviewed who described themselves as homeless. The subsequent data were analysed through a narrative analysis process paying particular attention to how people construct their identities. Although each participant is homeless, they speak about their experiences very differently. People's identities have been affected by their experiences, and because of the trauma and indignity of homelessness, their identities have had to be reshaped. While it might be considered normal for people's identities to relate to families and occupation, homeless people construct identities around illness, drugs and exclusion. Experiences of homelessness negatively affect people's sense of identity to destructive proportions. Nevertheless, participants demonstrate a way of coping by forming strong opinions about policy and service provision.
The DNA‐binding activity of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae LexA orthologue NG1427 is modulated by oxidation
Authors: Schook Paul O. P. , Stohl Elizabeth A. , Criss Alison K. , Seifert H. Steven 
Published: December 2010

Summary Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a human‐specific organism that is not usually exposed to UV light or chemicals but is likely to encounter reactive oxygen species during infection. Exposure of N. gonorrhoeae to sublethal hydrogen peroxide revealed that the ng1427 gene was upregulated sixfold. N. gonorrhoeae was thought to lack an SOS system, although NG1427 shows amino acid sequence similarity to the SOS response regulator LexA from Escherichia coli. Similar to LexA and other S24 peptidases, NG1427 undergoes autoproteolysis in vitro, which is facilitated by either the gonococcal or E. coli RecA proteins or high pH, and autoproteolysis requires the active and cleavage site residues conserved between LexA and NG1427. NG1427 controls a three gene regulon: itself; ng1428, a Neisseria‐specific, putative integral membrane protein; and recN, a DNA repair gene known to be required for oxidative damage survival. Full NG1427 regulon de‐repression requires RecA following methyl methanesulphonate or mitomycin C treatment, but is largely RecA‐independent following hydrogen peroxide treatment. NG1427 binds specifically to the operator regions of the genes it controls, and DNA binding is abolished by oxidation of the single cysteine residue encoded in NG1427. We propose that NG1427 is inactivated independently of RecA by oxidation.
A primary care level algorithm for identifying HIV‐infected adolescents in populations at high risk through mother‐to‐child transmission
Authors: Ferrand Rashida A. , Weiss Helen A. , Nathoo Kusum , Ndhlovu Chiratidzo E. , Mungofa Stanley , Munyati Shungu , Bandason Tsitsi , Gibb Diana M. , Corbett Elizabeth L. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryObjective  To present an algorithm for primary‐care health workers for identifying HIV‐infected adolescents in populations at high risk through mother‐to‐child transmission.Methods  Five hundred and six adolescent (10–18 years) attendees to two primary care clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe, were recruited. A randomly extracted ‘training’ data set (n = 251) was used to generate an algorithm using variables identified as associated with HIV through multivariable logistic regression. Performance characteristics of the algorithm were evaluated in the remaining (‘test’) records (n = 255) at different HIV prevalence rates.Results  HIV prevalence was 17%, and infection was independently associated with client‐reported orphanhood, past hospitalization, skin problems, presenting with sexually transmitted infection and poor functional ability. Classifying adolescents as requiring HIV testing if they reported >1 of these five criteria had 74% sensitivity and 80% specificity for HIV, with the algorithm correctly predicting the HIV status of 79% of participants. In low‐HIV‐prevalence settings (<2%), the algorithm would have a high negative predictive value (≥99.5%) and result in an estimated 60% decrease in the number of people needing to test to identify one HIV‐infected individual, compared with universal testing.Conclusions  Our simple algorithm can identify which individuals are likely to be HIV infected with sufficient accuracy to provide a screening tool for use in settings not already implementing universal testing policies among this age‐group, for example immigrants to low‐HIV‐prevalence countries.
Factors associated with positive attitudes toward organ donation in Arab Americans
Authors: Padela Aasim I. , Rasheed Shoaib , Warren Gareth J. W. , Choi Hwajung , Mathur Amit K. 
Published: December 2010

Padela AI, Rasheed S, Warren GJW, Choi H, Mathur AK. Factors associated with positive attitudes toward organ donation in Arab Americans. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 800–808. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  The demand for transplantable organ continues to exceed supply, particularly in minority patient populations. We explored the factors influencing organ donation attitude within the Arab American community.Methods:  Secondary data analysis from a face‐to‐face survey administered in late 2003 to 1016 adults from a representative population‐based sample on Greater Detroit Arab Americans.Results:  Christian Arab Americans were more likely than Muslim Arab Americans, and women more than men, to believe organ donation after death was justifiable. Higher educational attainment and income, as well as greater acculturation into American society, were associated with greater odds of believing organ donation to be justified. Self‐reported health status and level of psychological distress and health insurance status were not associated with beliefs about organ donation.Conclusions:  A multifaceted approach toward increasing organ donation rates in this growing population requires targeted community‐health care system collaborations involving religious and civic leaders using Arabic language and culturally sensitive media.Summary:  Arab Americans represent a growing population about which little is known in regard to organ donation and transplantation. This population is not specifically captured within national and local transplantation databases, and little empiric work has assessed attitudes and barriers toward organ donation and transplantation within this community. Our work represents the first to use a representative population‐based sample to explore the modifiable and non‐modifiable characteristics of those who believe cadaveric organ donation to be justified.
Stevens–Johnson syndrome after Mycoplasma pneumonia infection in pediatric post‐liver transplant recipient: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Tomaino J. , Keegan T. , Miloh T. , Kerkar N. , Mercer S. , Birge M. , Rocca J. , Suchy F. , Arnon R. 
Published: December 2010

Tomaino J, Keegan T, Miloh T, Kerkar N, Mercer S, Birge M, Rocca J, Suchy F, Arnon R. Stevens–Johnson syndrome after Mycoplasma pneumonia infection in pediatric post‐liver transplant recipient: case report and review of the literature.Abstract:  Although Mycoplasma pneumonia infection is relatively common among school‐aged children, it rarely leads to SJS. Herein, we report a seven‐yr‐old girl who presented with a Mycoplasma pneumonia infection that progressed to SJS five months after liver transplant. We suggest that children presenting with symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia infection in the immunosuppressed post‐liver transplant setting be properly diagnosed and treated rapidly, as well as observed for symptoms of SJS and potentially serious extrapulmonary complications.
Reduced‐intensity conditioning for alternative donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with dyskeratosis congenita
Authors: Nishio Nobuhiro , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Ohashi Haruhiko , Doisaki Sayoko , Muramatsu Hideki , Hama Asahito , Shimada Akira , Yagasaki Hiroshi , Kojima Seiji 
Published: December 2010

Nishio N, Takahashi Y, Ohashi H, Doisaki S, Muramatsu H, Hama A, Shimada A, Yagasaki H, Kojima S. Reduced‐intensity conditioning for alternative donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with dyskeratosis congenita. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15:161–166. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  DC is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome mainly characterized by nail dystrophy, abnormal skin pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia. Bone marrow failure is the most common cause of death in patients with DC. Because previous results of HSCT with a myeloablative regimen were disappointing, we used a reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen for two patients with classic DC, and one patient with cryptic DC who harbored the TERT mutation. Graft sources included two mismatched‐related bone marrow (BM) donors and one unrelated BM donor. Successful engraftment was achieved with few regimen‐related toxicities in all patients. They were alive 10, 66, and 72 months after transplantation, respectively. Long‐term follow‐up is crucial to determine the late effects of our conditioning regimen.
Factors influencing the performance level of Candida mannan antigen testing in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients not receiving fluconazole prophylaxis
Authors: Nihtinen A. , Anttila V‐J. , Richardson M. , Ruutu T. , Juvonen E. , Meri T. , Volin L. 
Published: December 2010

A. Nihtinen, V.‐J. Anttila, M. Richardson, T. Ruutu, E. Juvonen, T. Meri, L. Volin. Factors influencing the performance level of Candida mannan antigen testing in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients not receiving fluconazole prophylaxis. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 266–272. All rights reservedAbstract: In this study, we evaluated the value of the Platelia®Candida mannan antigen (Ag) sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay test in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis (IC) and the degree of oral colonization by Candida species in 102 allogeneic stem cell transplantation recipients who were not receiving fluconazole prophylaxis. Of the 2071 serum samples, 98 (4.7%) yielded positive and 78 (3.8%) borderline results with a cut‐off value of 0.5 ng/mL. One patient had IC. In this patient, 6 out of 9 serum samples were positive, the first one 49 days before Candida albicans candidemia. False‐positive results occurred in 92 (4.4%) samples and in 54 (52.9%) patients. Use of valacyclovir and acyclovir was associated with false‐positive or borderline results. The median Ag concentration of the true‐positive results was significantly higher than the concentration of the false‐positive results (1.60 versus 0.62 ng/mL, P<0.001). With higher cut‐off values of 0.75 and 1.0 ng/mL, false‐positive Ag test results were seen in 17 and 7 patients, respectively. Of the 657 oral samples, a total of 92 (14%) samples in 39 (38.2%) patients turned out to be positive. C. albicans grew in 82 samples (89.1%), other Candida species in 9 (9.8%), and Aspergillus fumigatus in 1 sample (1.1%). In conclusion, despite the lack of fluconazole prophylaxis, the incidence of IC was low (1%). False‐positive Ag test results were common with a test cut‐off value of 0.5 ng/mL, and a single positive result does not seem to predict IC. Multiple positive results might predict IC, as 6 out of 9 samples were positive in the only patient with IC, the first one 7 weeks before positive blood cultures.