Pulmonary expression of CXC chemokine ligand 13, CC chemokine ligand 19, and CC chemokine ligand 21 is essential for local immunity to influenza.

CXC chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), and CCL19 are constitutively expressed in secondary lymphoid organs, where they control the placement of lymphocytes and dendritic cells. However, these chemokines are also inducibly expressed in the lung after influenza infection. Here we show that, in the absence of spleen and lymph nodes, the expression of homeostatic chemokines in the lung is essential for local B and T cell responses to influenza and for the development and organization of inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT).

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) gene expression is induced by estrogen in human and mouse primary hepatocytes.

Choline is an essential nutrient for humans, though some of the requirement can be met by endogenous synthesis catalyzed by phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT). Premenopausal women are relatively resistant to choline deficiency compared with postmenopausal women and men. Studies in animals suggest that estrogen treatment can increase PEMT activity.

Does ovarian cancer treatment and survival differ by the specialty providing chemotherapy?

Purpose: Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is usually administered by medical oncologists (MOs) or gynecologic oncologists (GOs). GOs perform a broad spectrum of surgical and medical activities while managing a limited number of diseases; MOs specialize in the administration of chemotherapy but manage a broad array of diseases. We asked whether survival, treatment, and toxicity differed according to the type of specialist providing the chemotherapy after surgery.

IL-23 and IL-17 in the establishment of protective pulmonary CD4+ T cell responses after vaccination and during Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge.

Interferon-gamma is key in limiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Here we show that vaccination triggered an accelerated interferon-gamma response by CD4(+) T cells in the lung during subsequent M. tuberculosis infection.

Role of lymphotoxin and homeostatic chemokines in the development and function of local lymphoid tissues in the respiratory tract.

Secondary lymphoid organs are strategically placed to recruit locally activated antigen presenting cells (APCs) as well as naïve, recirculating T and B cells. The structure of secondary lymphoid organs - separated B and T zones, populations of specialized stromal cells, high endothelial venules and lymphatic vessles - has also evolved to maximize encounters between APCs and lymphocytes and to facilitate the expansion and differentiation of antigen-stimulated T and B cells. Many of the general mechanisms that govern the development and organization of secondary lymphoid organs have been identified over the last decade.

Inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT) in patients with pulmonary complications of rheumatoid arthritis.

Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was originally described as a mucosal lymphoid organ in the lungs of some species. However, while the lungs of naive mice and humans typically lack BALT, pulmonary infection in mice leads to the development of inducible BALT (iBALT), which is located in peribronchial, perivascular, and interstitial areas throughout the lung. Here we investigated whether iBALT forms in patients with a variety of interstitial lung diseases.

Variation in chemotherapy utilization in ovarian cancer: the relative contribution of geography.

Objective: This study investigates geographic variation in chemotherapy utilization for ovarian cancer in both absolute and relative terms and examines area characteristics associated with this variation.

Data Sources: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Medicare data from 1990 to 2001 for Medicare patients over 65 with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer between 1990 and 1999. Chemotherapy within a year of diagnosis was identified by Medicare billing codes.

Persistence and responsiveness of immunologic memory in the absence of secondary lymphoid organs.

Secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) promote primary immune responses by recruiting naive lymphocytes and activated APCs. However, their role in the persistence or responsiveness of memory lymphocytes is unclear. We tested whether memory cells were maintained and could respond to challenge in the absence of SLOs.

Suppressed insulin signaling and increased apoptosis in CD38-null islets.

CD38 is a multifunctional enzyme capable of generating metabolites that release Ca2+ from intracellular stores, including nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). A number of studies have led to the controversial proposal that CD38 mediates an alternate pathway for glucose-stimulated insulin release and contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes. It has recently been shown that NAADP mediates Ca2+ mobilization by insulin in human pancreatic beta-cells.

Pain and overall health status in older people with hip and knee replacement: a population perspective.

Objective: To investigate the health-related quality of life and presence of hip or knee pain according to whether or not people had had previous hip or knee arthroplasty.

Study Design And Setting: Cross-sectional survey representing randomly selected sample of 5500 elderly (65+) people. Pain prevalence rates obtained from standard screening questions.

B cells are required for generation of protective effector and memory CD4 cells in response to Pneumocystis lung infection.

B cell-deficient mice are susceptible to infection by Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. muris (PC).

Panel 2.7: first 30 days: organizing rapid responses.

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.7, First 30 Days: Organizing Rapid Response of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04-06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to organizing rapid responses as pertain to the responses to the damage created by the Tsunami.

Receiving bad news: patients with haematological cancer reflect upon their experience.

The literature on breaking bad news (BBN) tends to focus on professional consensus rather than empirical patient evidence--the 'giver' rather than the 'receiver'. Using semi-structured interviews, this study explores the experiences of patients with haematological cancer as they reflect on the process and content of receiving bad news. Fifteen patients with a diagnosis of leukaemia or lymphoma were recruited through a haematology service during a routine clinical visit, with the decision to participate being made later.

Osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis in pregnancy.

Background: Pubic symphysis osteomyelitis during the antepartum period of pregnancy is rare.

Case: We report a patient in the third trimester who presented with pubic pain, low-grade fever, and altered gait. She was found to have a retropubic abscess at the time of cesarean delivery.

Saphenous vein sparing during inguinal lymphadenectomy to reduce morbidity in patients with vulvar carcinoma.

Objectives: To compare short- and long-term morbidity associated with saphenous vein sparing versus ligation during inguinal lymphadenectomy for vulvar carcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation of patients with carcinoma of the vulva that underwent inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed. Operative reports were evaluated and patients were divided into those who had sparing of the saphenous vein versus ligation.

Prevalence and incidence of adults consulting for shoulder conditions in UK primary care; patterns of diagnosis and referral.

Objectives: To estimate the national prevalence and incidence of adults consulting for a shoulder condition and to investigate patterns of diagnosis, treatment, consultation and referral 3 yr after initial presentation.

Methods: Prevalence and incidence rates were estimated for 658469 patients aged 18 and over in the year 2000 using a primary care database, the IMS Disease Analyzer-Mediplus UK. A cohort of 9215 incident cases was followed-up prospectively for 3 yr beyond the initial consultation.

CD4 T cell-independent antibody response promotes resolution of primary influenza infection and helps to prevent reinfection.

It is generally believed that the production of influenza-specific IgG in response to viral infection is dependent on CD4 T cells. However, we previously observed that CD40-deficient mice generate influenza-specific IgG during a primary infection, suggesting that influenza infection may elicit IgG responses independently of CD4 T cell help. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis and show that mice lacking CD40 or CD4 T cells produce detectable titers of influenza-specific IgG and recover from influenza infection in a manner similar to that of normal mice.

Role of CXC chemokine ligand 13, CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 19, and CCL21 in the organization and function of nasal-associated lymphoid tissue.

Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) orchestrates immune responses to Ags in the upper respiratory tract. Unlike other lymphoid organs, NALT develops independently of lymphotoxin-alpha (LTalpha). However, the structure and function of NALT are impaired in Ltalpha(-/-) mice, suggesting a link between LTalpha and chemokine expression.

Uneven distribution of MHC class II epitopes within the influenza virus.

The identification of T cell epitopes is crucial for the understanding of the host immune response during infection. While much is known about the MHC class I-restricted response following influenza virus infection of C57BL/6 mice, with over 16 CD8 epitopes identified to date, less is known about the MHC class II-restricted response. Currently, only a few I-A(b)-restricted T helper epitopes have been identified.

Assessment of the Lequesne index of severity for osteoarthritis of the hip in an elderly population.

Objective: To assess the measurement properties of the Lequesne index of severity for osteoarthritis of the hip (LISOH) together with its overall usefulness with reference to the original stated aims.

Method: Postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 5500 Oxfordshire residents, aged 65 and above. Respondents with hip symptoms at baseline (but without verification of a diagnosis) were sent an identical follow-up questionnaire 12 months later.

Production of calcium-mobilizing metabolites by a novel member of the ADP-ribosyl cyclase family expressed in Schistosoma mansoni.

ADP-ribosyl cyclases are structurally conserved enzymes that are best known for catalyzing the production of the calcium-mobilizing metabolite, cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR), from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)). However, these enzymes also produce adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP(+)), both of which have been shown to modulate calcium mobilization in vitro. We have now characterized a new member of the cyclase family from Schistosoma mansoni, a member of the Platyhelminthes phylum.

Impact of persistent hip or knee pain on overall health status in elderly people: a longitudinal population study.

Objective: To investigate hip or knee symptoms in older persons from a longitudinal, population perspective, and to determine the impact of persistent hip or knee pain on general health status over time.

Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 5,500 individuals ages > or = 65 years containing the Short Form 36 (SF-36) general health survey, Lequesne hip and knee indices, and a hip/knee pain severity item. Respondents reporting hip or knee symptoms at baseline received an identical questionnaire 12 months later.

Population survey comparing older adults with hip versus knee pain in primary care.

Background: Knee pain is nearly twice as prevalent as hip pain in elderly people, yet knee replacement is far less common than hip replacement.

Aim: To investigate whether systematic differences in the primary care management of hip versus knee problems might explain the disparate rates of joint replacement.

Design Of Study: Cross-sectional, population-based postal survey.