bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Less Sensitivity for Late Airway Inflammation in Males than Females in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Hayashi T. , Adachi Y. , Hasegawa K. , Morimoto M. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractSeveral studies have investigated allergic airway inflammation, a T helper 2 (Th2)‐type immune response, using a mouse model of asthma. At present, however, no reports have described sex differences in the sensitivity of late airway inflammation (LAI). The LAI induced by ovalbumin in adult BALB/c mice was compared in males and females or sham‐operated males and castrated males. The males showed less severe bronchial‐bronchiolar inflammation with infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes and lower content of such cells in bronchoalveolar fluid than the females. Moreover, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) mRNA expression levels in splenic cells were lower in the males than in the females. Castrated males performed like the females. Moreover, when compared with the sham‐operated males, the castrated males showed lower testosterone levels in the blood. The present results suggest that less sensitivity for LAI in the males may be because of the decreased Th2 cell responses compared with the females. Moreover the testosterone, at least in part, may be responsible for the decreased Th2 cell responses in males in vivo.
On the Site of C4 Deposition upon Complement Activation via the Mannan‐Binding Lectin Pathway or the Classical Pathway
Authors: Møller‐Kristensen M. , Thiel S. , Hansen A. G. , Jensenius J. C. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThe mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) pathway and the classical pathway of complement activation are initiated by the binding of the recognition structure of the initiator complexes, MBL and C1q, respectively, to their ligands, i.e. carbohydrate structures or immune complexes. Proenzymes associated with MBL or C1q are then activated and generate C3 convertase through the activation of C4 and C2. The cleavage product of C4, C4b, attaches covalently to nearby hydroxyl or amino groups. The current picture is that C2 must then attach to C4b before being cleaved by the same associated proteases into the enzymatically active fragment, C2b. This suggests a stringent requirement for the deposition of C4b very close to the initiator complex, or indeed onto the initiator complex. We examined the possibility of C4b being bound to the initiator complex by a solid‐phase assay, allowing for the selective elution of the initiator complexes, followed by quantification of the C4b being eluted and the C4b remaining on the solid phase. Also, we estimated the generation of complexes between the released initiator complex and C4b. More than 99% of deposited C4b was bound directly to the solid phase rather than to the initiator complex. Our approach cannot answer the question of the whereabouts of the C2 when it is cleaved.
Affinity and Epitope Profiling of Mouse Anti‐CD40 Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Hager A.‐C. Malmborg , Ellmark P. , Borrebaeck C. A. K. , Furebring C. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThe CD40–CD40L interaction plays a critical role in both humoral and cellular immune responses and interfering antibodies have been suggested as an effective approach for the treatment of lymphomas and autoimmune diseases. In this study we have profiled a panel of mouse antihuman CD40 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), regarding their CD40 binding affinity and epitope‐specificity relative to the CD40L binding in relation to their cellular activating potential. Despite a rather similar domain‐recognition profile, the MoAbs blocked the CD40L binding to a varying degree, with MoAb 5C3 being the poorest inhibitor. There was no correlation between affinity and cellular activation potential. In contrast, a correlation between the ability to block CD40L‐binding and activation potential could be seen. We believe that this analysis of several mouse anti‐CD40 antibodies can be used to develop strategies for producing new human anti‐CD40 antibodies that can more effectively induce or block B‐cell proliferation.
Restoration of Human Immunodeficiency Virus‐1‐Specific Responses in Patients Changing from Protease to Non‐Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor‐Based Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Sullivan A. K. , Burton C. T. , Nelson M. R. , Moyle G. , Mandalia S. , Gotch F. M. , Gazzard B. G. , Imami N. 
Published: June 2003

AbstractThe effect of altering antiretroviral therapy (ART) on responses to viral, recall and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1‐specific recombinant antigens and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) in HIV‐1‐infected patients was assessed. A longitudinal cohort study in eight HIV‐1 infected individuals following a clinically indicated therapy change (seven for drug intolerance and one for virological failure) from protease inhibitor (PI) to non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based antiretroviral regimens was performed. CD4 T‐cell counts, viral loads, lymphoproliferative responses, cytokine production and latent proviral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were measured at baseline and at weeks 12 and 24 after therapy substitution. Following therapy‐switch there was a 33% proportional increase in mitogen response (95% confidence interval (CI), 3–33%) and a 31% increase (95% CI, 15–48%) in viral and recall‐antigen responses. Six patients developed proliferative responses to low concentration IL‐2 stimulation. All patients demonstrated an increase in median HIV‐1‐specific responses, as three had detectable virus at baseline (two being viral rebound); this may reflect an autovaccination effect. Proviral DNA changes largely reflected plasma HIV‐1 ribonucleic acid (RNA). In conclusion, NNRTI substitution for a PI may favour immune reconstitution with an improvement in HIV‐1‐specific responses, which may reflect differential effects on antigen processing and presentation, an autovaccination effect or alternatively a potential suppressive effect of the PI.
The origin of thermal waters from the eastern flank of the Dead Sea Rift Valley (western Jordan)
Authors: Capaccioni Bruno , Vaselli Orlando , Moretti Elvio , Tassi Franco , Franchi Roberto 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTThermal waters emerging along the eastern flank of the northernmost part of the Dead Sea Rift Valley close to the Yarmuk river are dilute, Ca–SO4–(HCO3) and Na–Cl water types with measured temperatures of 35–60 °C and estimated teperatures, according to silica solubility, of 60–110 °C. They are fed only by present‐day recharged meteoric waters (Wadi Hasa, Al Himma and North Shuna thermal baths) and by meteoric waters contaminated with saline waters (El Ma'in thermal Bath). Although they have been known for a long time, there is still dispute about their origins and the source of heat. On the basis of new chemical and isotopic analyses, the saline waters could represent residual pockets of groundwater in equilibrium with those filling the Dead Sea depression before the last retreat of Lake Lisan at 17–15 kyr bp or with the ancient seawaters of the Sedom Lagoon in the early Pleistocene, in both cases unaffected by significant evaporation processes but chemically and isotopically modified by water/rock interaction.
The Gangdese thrust: a phantom structure that did not raise Tibet
Authors: Aitchison Jonathan C. , Davis Aileen M. , Badengzhu  , Luo Hui 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTDetailed field investigations do not support the existence of a ‘Gangdese thrust’ along the Yarlung Tsangpo suture zone in southern Tibet. A relationship where Lhasa terrane rocks are thrust southwards over components of this zone was not observed over 2000 km of the suture. On the contrary, at the type locality of this ‘Gangdese thrust’, Miocene conglomerates unconformably overlie an eroded surface of Lhasa terrane rocks. Interpretations that invoke Late Oligocene – Early Miocene south‐directed thrusting on a ‘Gangdese thrust’ as a mechanism for uplift of the Tibetan Plateau must therefore be reassessed.
Loading of a seismic zone to failure deforms nearby volcanoes: a new earthquake precursor
Authors: Gudmundsson Agust , Brenner Sonja L. 
Published: June 2003

ABSTRACTThe South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) was loaded to failure in June 2000, resulting in two M6.6 earthquakes. The SISZ is an E–W‐trending zone with an overall sinistral movement. Numerical models indicate that, when the SISZ is loaded to failure, there are stress concentrations at its ends: tensile in the north‐east and south‐west quadrants, and compressive in the north‐west and south‐east quadrants. These model predictions fit well with observations. Geodetic measurements indicate considerable compression, uplift and associated intense seismicity in recent years in the volcanoes of Hengill and Eyjafjallajokull, located in the quadrants of compression, whereas there have been unusually frequent eruptions in the past decades in the Hekla Volcano, located in one of the quadrants of extension. The models predict that following the large June 2000 earthquakes, stress relaxation within the SISZ should lead to stopping of the intense seismicity and deformation in the volcanoes of Hengill and Eyjafjallajokull, again in agreement with observations. However, when similar episodes of deformation and seismicity start again, particularly in the Hengill Volcano, a large earthquake would be expected within several years in the SISZ. The numerical models, and the deformation and seismic data, indicate that monitoring of ‘soft’ inclusions such as volcanoes (many with magma chambers) in the vicinity of a seismic zone may serve as precursors to large earthquakes.
Short communication: Prevalence of typhoid fever in febrile patients with symptoms clinically compatible with typhoid fever in Cameroon
Authors: Nsutebu Emmanuel Fru , Martins Peter , Adiogo Dieudonne 
Published: June 2003

SummaryTyphoid fever is difficult to differentiate from other causes of infection such as malaria because their signs and symptoms often overlap. There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of typhoid fever cases diagnosed in Cameroon. Febrile patients are often treated for malaria and typhoid fever simultaneously. This cross‐sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of typhoid fever in 200 consecutive patients with fever and symptoms clinically compatible with typhoid fever to verify recent estimates of a high prevalence of typhoid fever in Cameroon. Patients were enrolled in three of the 10 provinces of Cameroon. Blood culture, thick and thin blood smears and Widal tests using acute sera were performed in all cases; stool culture for 120 patients. Typhoid fever was confirmed in only 2.5% as evidenced either by culture (four cases) or high salmonella antibody titres (one case); malaria was diagnosed in 94 (47%) patients. Typhoid fever is not as endemic in Cameroon as recently feared.
Self‐reported compliance with last malaria treatment and occurrence of malaria during follow‐up in a Brazilian Amazon population
Authors: Duarte Elisabeth C. , Gyorkos Theresa W. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryThe objective of this study was to describe the association between self‐reported compliance with last malaria treatment (CMT) and occurrence of malaria during follow‐up, controlling for current risk factors. We conducted a prospective open cohort study in Leonislândia, a rural area of Peixoto de Azevedo City, in the Amazon region of Mato Grosso, Brazil. A total of 414 individuals were interviewed at baseline regarding CMT and followed‐up for either 8 or 4 months to assess malaria incidence. The associations between CMT and occurrence of malaria were examined through multiple linear regression (when the outcome was malaria episode frequency) or Cox regression (when the outcome was time to malaria onset). Poor CMT (prior to baseline) was identified as an important predictor of the occurrence of subsequent malaria episodes during follow‐up among individuals with an indication of being less immune – those whose first malaria episode was relatively recent or those who had an increased number of malaria episodes during the last 2 years. Moreover, surprisingly, it seems that for individuals who are probably more immune (individuals who had experienced their first malaria episode more than 4.5 years previously or those with few or no malaria episodes during the last 2 years), CMT was found to be a poor predictor of increased risk of subsequent malaria. These findings provide compelling evidence for the need to further study CMT and its effect on malaria outcomes.
The association between protein–energy malnutrition, malaria morbidity and all‐cause mortality in West African children
Authors: Müller Olaf , Garenne Michel , Kouyaté Bocar , Becher Heiko 
Published: June 2003

SummaryBoth malaria and protein–energy malnutrition (PEM) are highly prevalent in young children of sub‐Saharan Africa, and the association between PEM and malaria continues to be discussed controversially. We analysed the association between PEM, malaria morbidity and all‐cause mortality in a cohort of 709 children aged 6–30 months in a malaria holoendemic rural area of Burkina Faso. Study children were followed over the main malaria transmission period (June–December) in 1999 through longitudinal malaria surveillance complemented by three cross‐sectional clinical surveys. There was no association between PEM and malaria morbidity, but malnourished children had a more than two‐fold higher risk of dying than non‐malnourished children.
Malaria dipsticks beneficial for IMCI in Cambodia
Authors: Rimón M. M. , Kheng S. , Hoyer S. , Thach V. , Ly S. , Permin A. E. , Pièche S. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryObjectives The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach and new clinical treatment guidelines to control malaria among children less than 5 years old were introduced recently in Cambodia. This study was conducted to finalize the malaria part of the national IMCI fever chart.Methods A total of 323 sick children 2–59 months old were studied at rural health centres in northern Cambodia from February to April 2000. Cases with fever (by axillary temperature or history) or anaemia (by palmar pallor) were tested with dipsticks for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in high and low malaria risk areas and, if positive, treated with anti‐malarials.Results The draft IMCI chart identified children with malaria safely and effectively (sensitivity 14 of 15, approximately 93% and specificity 292 of 308, approximately 95%). The study confirmed the potential of malaria dipsticks as a part of IMCI case management.Conclusion The Cambodian Ministry of Health will use the studied malaria chart during the Early Implementation Phase of IMCI. Dipsticks able to detect P. falciparum and P. vivax with high sensitivity and acceptable cost will be needed for this purpose. To promote the rational use of dipsticks, the National Centre for Malaria Control, Parasitology and Entomology (Centre National de Malaridogie, Parasitologie et Entomologie, CNM) should list all known malaria risk areas in the country and prepare detailed local maps guiding case management especially in transitional zones.
The prevalence of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in Sekong Province, Lao PDR in relation to malaria transmission
Authors: Vythilingam I. , Phetsouvanh R. , Keokenchanh K. , Yengmala V. , Vanisaveth V. , Phompida S. , Hakim S. L. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryA longitudinal study was conducted on the prevalence of Anopheles in three malaria endemic villages in Sekong province, in the southern region of Lao PDR, from August 2000 to October 2001. All night, human landing collections took place in August and October 2000 and April and October 2001, and blood smears were taken for malaria parasites during the same period. Mosquitoes were tested for sporozoite antigen using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In August 2000 (wet season) and April 2001 (dry season) the ovaries of the mosquitoes were examined for parity. A total of 16 species of Anopheles were caught in the study sites of which An. dirus A, An. maculatus sl and An. jeyporiensis were positive for sporozoites. The entomological inoculation rate (EIR) ranged from 0.06 to 0.25. There was a good correlation between EIR and vectorial capacity in the wet season, especially in Pai Mai where the prevalence of malaria was also high during the wet seasons (11.8 and 10.53). An. dirus A showed ambivalence in their choice of feeding as approximately 50% attacked man indoors and an equal proportion outdoors. An dirus A was the main vector in Pai Mai. The parous rate did not significantly differ between the wet and dry season, although it was higher in the dry season. In Takaio the parasite prevalence ranged from 8.7% (dry season) to 37.1% (wet season) and An. jeyporiensis was the vector, and the risk of infection was 0.85 in the dry season while 0.99 in the wet season. In Toumgno An. maculatus sl was the vector and infection was found only in August and October 2000. However, malaria prevalence ranged from 9.69 to 20.4% and was equally high in the dry season. Cattle were also present close to the houses in all the villages and this might be a contributory factor in the prevalence of malaria.
The relationship between age, sex, egg‐count and specific antibody responses against Schistosoma mansoni antigens in a Ugandan fishing community
Authors: Naus Cynthia W. A. , Booth Mark , Jones Frances M. , Kemijumbi Jovanice , Vennervald Birgitte J. , Kariuki Curtis H. , Ouma John H. , Kabatereine Narcis B. , Dunne David W. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryIn schistosomiasis endemic areas, antibody isotype responses against Schistosoma mansoni antigens vary with host age, sex and duration or intensity of infection, and are associated with susceptibility or resistance to infection. Identifying the quality and quantity of these responses is important to our understanding of the host–parasite relationship; however, the various host and parasite factors have a strong tendency to confound each other. We investigated the relationships and interactions between age, sex, faecal egg‐counts and specific antibody isotype (IgA, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgE, IgM) responses to S. mansoni worm (SWA) and egg (SEA) antigens, amongst 380 individuals aged 5–59 from a fishing community from Uganda. This community was characterized by high levels of exposure, and high infection intensities, with higher infection intensities in males than in females. Multivariate anova was conducted with interaction terms between the three categorized explanatory variables. Most anti‐SWA responses increased with age, whereas anti‐SEA responses tended to decline with age, especially after puberty. IgG1‐SWA, IgG4‐SWA, IgG4‐SEA, IgE‐SWA responses increased with egg count, whereas IgG2‐SEA decreased with egg count. IgG1‐SWA, IgG4‐SWA, IgE‐SWA and IgG4‐SEA responses were independently higher in males, whereas IgG2‐SEA responses were independently higher in females. The significant effects of sex on isotype responses to adult worm antigens may be partly because of different levels of cumulative exposure. IgG4‐SEA and IgG4‐SWA were both strongly correlated with egg count. Patterns of IgE‐SWA responses were qualitatively different to IgG4 responses, suggesting independent pathways of regulation.
Changes in house design reduce exposure to malaria mosquitoes
Authors: Lindsay S. W. , Jawara M. , Paine K. , Pinder M. , Walraven G. E. L. , Emerson P. M. 
Published: June 2003

SummaryHouse design may affect an individual's exposure to malaria parasites, and hence to disease. We conducted a randomized‐controlled study using experimental huts in rural Gambia, to determine whether installing a ceiling or closing the eaves could protect people from malaria mosquitoes. Five treatments were tested against a control hut: plywood ceiling; synthetic‐netting ceiling; insecticide‐treated synthetic‐netting ceiling (deltamethrin 12.5 mg/m2); plastic insect‐screen ceiling; or the eaves closed with mud. The acceptability of such interventions was investigated by discussions with local communities. House entry byAnopheles gambiae, the principal African malaria vector, was reduced by the presence of a ceiling: plywood (59% reduction), synthetic‐netting (79%), insecticide‐treated synthetic‐netting (78%), plastic insect‐screen (80%,P < 0.001 in all cases) and closed eaves (37%, ns). Similar reductions were also seen withMansoniaspp., vectors of lymphatic filariasis and numerous arboviruses. Netting and insect‐screen ceilings probably work as decoy traps attracting mosquitoes into the roof space, but not the room. Ceilings are likely to be well accepted and may be of greatest benefit in areas of low to moderate transmission and when used in combination with other malaria control strategies.
A Piot model to analyse case management in malaria control programmes
Authors: Mumba Mutale , Visschedijk Jan , Cleeff Maarten van , Hausman Benson 
Published: June 2003

SummaryAt the beginning of the 21st century, malaria remains one of the most important public health problems in the world. An important control strategy to address this burden is adequate case management of malaria patients. The success of this strategy, however, does not solely depend on diagnosis and treatment, but also on a sequence of steps that patients have to take when they are ill. Only when patients go through all these steps successfully will they be cured. In this paper, a model is presented in which these steps are described. The model provides a framework for analysing this type of malaria control strategy and for identifying the most critical challenges faced. Furthermore, the model is used to analyse recent literature on case management as part of malaria control programmes in order to highlight current knowledge, core issues and constraints, and to make recommendations for programme development and research.
Should family planning clinics provide clinical services for sexually transmitted infections? A case study from Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Lafort Yves , Sawadogo Youssouf , Delvaux Thérèse , Vuylsteke Bea , Laga Marie 
Published: June 2003

SummaryObjectives To evaluate the quality and usefulness of integrated sexually transmitted infection (STI) care at non‐governmental family planning (FP) clinics in Côte d'Ivoire.Methods Evaluation components included: (1) a survey measuring the prevalence of STI and the predictive value of the Ivorian vaginal discharge treatment algorithm, (2) client exit interviews, (3) direct observations of client–provider contacts, (4) the monitoring of the clinics’ workload and available equipment and supplies and (5) interviews of programme managers and FP providers.Results Among 368 FP clients surveyed, the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, B. vaginosis and Candida albicans were respectively 1.6, 5.7, 7.1, 44.8 and 5.2%. The positive predictive value of the national algorithm for the detection of cervicitis was only 6.3%, and was 17.9% among a subgroup of young, single women. Of 200 clients interviewed, 96% were satisfied with the services and 95% would return to the FP clinic if they had genital problems. In 215 observed client–provider contacts, 88% of 94 STI cases were correctly managed. Programme managers and providers reported no substantial work overload as a result of the integration of STI services.Conclusions The prevalence of cervical infections is relatively low in this population and the Ivorian algorithm that treats all women with vaginal discharge performs poorly. Over‐treatment of cervicitis can be reduced by modifying the algorithm, although improved diagnostic tools are urgently needed to detect cervicitis in this population. Continued STI case management at the FP clinics is nevertheless justified because there exists an easily identifiable group of higher risk women who need STI care; and because of the demand by a large proportion of clients, the high prevalence of vaginal pathogens, and the limited costs to the FP programme.