Immune System Diseases Commons^™

Race And Sexual Identity: Perceptions About Medical Culture And Healthcare Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men, David J. Malebranche, John L. Peterson, Robert E. Fullilove, Richard W. Stackhouse

David J Malebranche

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV. Using a qualitative approach, the authors describe the healthcare experiences of BMSM in New York State and Atlanta, GA, exploring the social issues that influence barriers to care, communication, and adherence in medical settings. Racial and sexual discrimination socially displace BMSM, and are often compounded by negative encounters within medical institutions. The internalization of these experiences influences healthcare utilization, HIV testing, communication, and adherence behaviors among members of this population. Increasing the number of ethnic and sexual minority providers, expanding current definitions of …

Learning About Medicine And Race, David J. Malebranche

David J Malebranche

No abstract provided.

Cd43 Modulates Severity And Onset Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis., Thandi M. Onami, M. L. Ford, A. Sperling, R. Ahmed, B. D. Evavold

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model of multiple sclerosis characterized by infiltration of activated CD4(+) T lymphocytes into tissues of the CNS. This study investigated the role of CD43 in the induction and progression of EAE. Results demonstrate that CD43-deficient mice have reduced and delayed clinical and histological disease severity relative to CD43(+/+) mice. This reduction was characterized by decreased CD4(+) T cell infiltration of the CNS of CD43(-/-) mice but similar numbers of Ag-specific T cells in the periphery, suggesting a defect in T cell trafficking to the CNS. The absence of CD43 also affected cytokine production, …

Cd43 Modulates Severity And Onset Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis., Thandi M. Onami, M. L. Ford, A. Sperling, R. Ahmed, B. D. Evavold

Thandi M. Onami

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model of multiple sclerosis characterized by infiltration of activated CD4(+) T lymphocytes into tissues of the CNS. This study investigated the role of CD43 in the induction and progression of EAE. Results demonstrate that CD43-deficient mice have reduced and delayed clinical and histological disease severity relative to CD43(+/+) mice. This reduction was characterized by decreased CD4(+) T cell infiltration of the CNS of CD43(-/-) mice but similar numbers of Ag-specific T cells in the periphery, suggesting a defect in T cell trafficking to the CNS. The absence of CD43 also affected cytokine production, …

Inside Unlv, Cate Weeks, Diane Russell, Carol C. Harter, Martin Watson

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Ua61/6 Newsletter, Issue 2, Wku Institute For Rural Health Development & Research

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about the Institute for Rural Health Development & Research. This issue contains:

• College of Health & Human Services Has New Dean – John Bonaguro
• Simpson, Staci. Institute Aims to Improve Oral Health of Children
• Whitfield, Beth. WKU Mobile Unit KICS Off Dental Event with Webster County – Kentucky Interdisciplinary Community Screening
• Stone, Glynda. TEACH KY: Teachers Exploring & Advocating Careers in Health in Kentucky
• Institute Sponsors Hispanic Health Fair
• HIV Prevention Counseling & Testing Training Program Initiated at WKU
• New Web-based Course Offered Through Communications Disorders Department at WKU
• Lashley, Donita. Child Passenger Safety Training
• Handy, …

Multiple Psychosocial Factors As Predictors In The Progression Of Hiv-1 To Aids, Robert Louis Dutile

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nearly 3.1 million individuals have died of AIDS as of December 2002 and more than 38.6 million individuals were identified as being infected with HIV (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AEDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO) 2002). Psychoneuroimmunology is a discipline that increases our understanding of the relationships between psychosocial factors, the central nervous system, the immune system, and disease. From this perspective, this study reviews the biopsychosocial medical model and components of the stress-immunity-health (SET) model. The constructs of stress and social support are discussed and defined referencing current theory and research. In addition, physiological mechanisms of stress …

Potential Mechanisms Explaining The Antitumor Effect Of Total-Body Irradiation, Glen Michael Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

While numerous reports have documented that radiation exposure increases the risk for malignancy and suppresses immune mechanisms, increasing evidence has suggested that low-dose total-body irradiation (TBI) may alter leukocyte composition and function leading to heightened immune responsiveness and long-term remission of certain cancers. Having observed that moderate-dose TBI produces an antitumor effect in the Lewis lung carcinoma (EEC) model, the major goal of this study was to determine whether changes in tumor growth could be correlated with radiation-induced alterations of immune system parameters. The governing hypothesis was that selective immune augmentation, i.e. upregulation of specific leukocyte subsets, is primarily responsible …

Regulation And Localization Of Endogenous Human Tristetraprolin, Anna-Marie Fairhurst, John E. Connolly, Katharine A Hintz, Nicolas J Goulding

Dartmouth Scholarship

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been implicated in the development and pathogenicity of infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, such as septic shock and arthritis. The zinc-finger protein tristetraprolin (TTP) has been identified as a major regulator of TNF biosynthesis. To define its intracellular location and examine its regulation of TNF, a quantitive intracellular staining assay specific for TTP was developed. We establish for the first time that in peripheral blood leukocytes, express

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (Snp) Analysis Of Tumor Necrosis Factor (Tnf)-Α In Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infections (Pandas) Subjects, Corinna Wilhelmina Vonniederhausern

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In an ongoing research project, the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University, in collaboration with Dr. Susan E. Swedo at the National Institute of Mental Health, is evaluating genetic factors affecting the development of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections). PANDAS is manifested in a group of prepubertal children who develop obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) following infection with Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcal (GABHS) bacteria. We are assessing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and other cytokines known to be important in autoimmune diseases.

Primary And Secondary Immunocompetence In Mixed Allogeneic Chimeras, Thandi M. Onami, M. A. Williams, A. B. Adams, M. B. Walsh, N. Shirasugi, T. C. Pearson, R. Ahmed, C. P. Larsen

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

Targeted disruption of T cell costimulatory pathways, particularly CD28 and CD40, has allowed for the development of minimally myeloablative strategies for the induction of mixed allogeneic chimerism and donor-specific tolerance across full MHC barriers. In this study we analyze in depth the ability of mixed allogeneic chimeras in two strain combinations to mount effective host-restricted and donor-restricted antiviral CD4 and CD8 responses, as well as the impact of development of mixed chimerism on the maintenance of pre-existing memory populations. While antiviral CD8 responses in mixed chimeras following acute viral infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus Armstrong or vaccinia virus are largely …

Primary And Secondary Immunocompetence In Mixed Allogeneic Chimeras, Thandi M. Onami, M. A. Williams, A. B. Adams, M. B. Walsh, N. Shirasugi, T. C. Pearson, R. Ahmed, C. P. Larsen

Thandi M. Onami

Targeted disruption of T cell costimulatory pathways, particularly CD28 and CD40, has allowed for the development of minimally myeloablative strategies for the induction of mixed allogeneic chimerism and donor-specific tolerance across full MHC barriers. In this study we analyze in depth the ability of mixed allogeneic chimeras in two strain combinations to mount effective host-restricted and donor-restricted antiviral CD4 and CD8 responses, as well as the impact of development of mixed chimerism on the maintenance of pre-existing memory populations. While antiviral CD8 responses in mixed chimeras following acute viral infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus Armstrong or vaccinia virus are largely …

Tcr Signal Transduction In Antigen-Specific Memory Cd8 T Cells, Thandi M. Onami, Ellen N. Kersh, Susan M. Kaech, Miriana Moran, E. John Wherry, M. Carrie Miceli, Rafi Ahmed

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

Memory T cells are more responsive to Ag than naive cells. To determine whether memory T cells also have more efficient TCR signaling, we compared naive, effector, and memory CD8 T cells of the same antigenic specificity. Surprisingly, initial CD3 signaling events are indistinguishable. However, memory T cells have more extensive lipid rafts with higher phosphoprotein content before TCR engagement. Upon activation in vivo, they more efficiently induce phosphorylation of-LAT (linker for activation of T cells), ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), and p38. Thus, memory CD8 T cells do not increase their TCR sensitivity, but are better …

Tcr Signal Transduction In Antigen-Specific Memory Cd8 T Cells, Thandi M. Onami, Ellen N. Kersh, Susan M. Kaech, Miriana Moran, E. John Wherry, M. Carrie Miceli, Rafi Ahmed

Thandi M. Onami

Memory T cells are more responsive to Ag than naive cells. To determine whether memory T cells also have more efficient TCR signaling, we compared naive, effector, and memory CD8 T cells of the same antigenic specificity. Surprisingly, initial CD3 signaling events are indistinguishable. However, memory T cells have more extensive lipid rafts with higher phosphoprotein content before TCR engagement. Upon activation in vivo, they more efficiently induce phosphorylation of-LAT (linker for activation of T cells), ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), and p38. Thus, memory CD8 T cells do not increase their TCR sensitivity, but are better …

Inside Unlv, Richard Jensen, Donna Mcaleer, Jennifer Vaughan, Cate Weeks, Carol C. Harter, Jeffrey Koep

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Aids, Orphans, And Development In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review Of The Dilemma Of Public Health And Development, Joe Lugalla

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

HIV/AIDS is having devastating consequences on families, young children, and other vulnerable social groups. In this paper, I review the impact of HIV/AIDS on families and development in sub-Saharan Africa. I begin by showing the magnitude of the problem and the factors that have led to rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in this sub-continent. I discuss gender inequality, poverty, social inequality, and globalization, and show how these facilitate the rapid spread of the epidemic. I show how AIDS is creating a mass of orphans on the one hand, and how it is impacting development and creating new public health contradictions on …

Male Condom Use In Tanzania: Results From A National Survey, Joe Lugalla, Saidi Kapinga

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Objective: To determine factors associated with male condom use in Tanzania.

Methods: Data from the 1996 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) was used.

In this survey, a national representative sample of sexually active men (N= 1898) and women (N=7027) were interviewed to obtain information about potential predictors of sexual practices and condom use.

Results: Two hundred and ninety (4.1%) women and 288 (15.2%) men had used condoms during their last sexual encounter. Men aged 20-24 years and women aged 15-19 years reported the highest rate of condom use. In both men and women, condom use increased with increasing level …

Reproductive Health Services In Kwazulu Natal, South Africa: A Situation Analysis Study Focusing On Hiv/Aids Services, Lewis Ndhlovu, Catherine Searle, Robert A. Miller, Andrew A. Fisher, Ester Snyman, Nancy L. Sloan

HIV and AIDS

This Horizons report examines the readiness of reproductive health services in South Africa, which are primarily geared to women, to deliver HIV and AIDS treatment, care, and prevention services. The goal of the study was to obtain information from a representative sample of provincial health care facilities offering reproductive health services in KwaZulu Natal to meet the growing demand for HIV/AIDS-related services. Ninety-eight hospitals, community health centers, and clinics participated in the situation analysis that identified gaps in service delivery and determined priorities for service integration. Results of the study were presented to a large audience of Department of Health, …

Microfinance And Households Coping With Hiv/Aids In Zimbabwe: An Exploratory Study, Carolyn Barnes, Erica Keogh, Nontokozo Nemarundwe, Loveness Nyikahadzoi, Ellen Weiss

HIV and AIDS

This study, conducted in Zimbabwe, sought to better understand the relationship between a microfinance program, Zambuko Trust, and how microentrepreneurs’ households cope with the impact of HIV/AIDS. The study examined how HIV/AIDS is affecting Zambuko’s operations and what microfinance institutions (MFIs) can do to lessen the impact of HIV/AIDS on their clients and operations. The findings indicate several small yet important ways that MFI programs help microentrepreneurs and their families respond to these impacts through access to credit and business management training. Participation in a microfinance program led to income smoothing and better financial management, which can help households mitigate …

Empowering Communities To Respond To Hiv/Aids: Ndola Demonstration Project On Maternal And Child Health: Operations Research Final Report, Hope Humana, Linkages, National Food And Nutrition Commission, Ndola District Health Management Team, Horizons Program, Zambia Integrated Health Project

HIV and AIDS

A pre–post intervention study conducted in Zambia by Horizons and local NGOs and governmental organizations demonstrated that HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and infant feeding counseling (IFC) to mothers attending maternal and child health (MCH) clinics are vital components of any mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) reduction strategy, whether or not antiretrovirals (ARVs) are available. These interventions enable mothers to make informed and healthy decisions. Data from the Ndola Demonstration Project yielded encouraging results from efforts to improve the capacity of mothers to make informed decisions about their own health and the health of their infant. The interventions succeeded in raising …

Black Men Who Have Sex With Men And The Hiv Epidemic: Next Steps For Public Health, David J. Malebranche

David J Malebranche

No abstract provided.

Psychosocial Predictors Of Survival In Persons With Hiv Or Aids, Carlos A. Escoto

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The HIV pandemic is in its second decade of existence. HIV has distinguished itself by effecting every part of the globe. It is estimated that there are currently over 40 million people living with HIV or AIDS diagnoses in the world today. Great strides have been made in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. Combination therapy of drugs has been shown to keep viral replication at very low levels. The result of drug therapies has resulted in keeping persons with HIV from progression to full blown AIDS. Also, drug therapies are responsible for a significant drop in mortality rates from …

Cutting Edge: Persistent Viral Infection Prevents Tolerance Induction And Escapes Immune Control Following Cd28/Cd40 Blockade-Based Regimen, Thandi M. Onami, M. A. Williams, A. B. Adams, M. M. Durham, T. C. Pearson, R. Ahmed, C. P. Larsen

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

A continuing concern with CD28 and/or CD40 blockade-based strategies to induce tolerance and mixed chimerism is their potential to disrupt protective immunity to preexisting infections. In this report, we find that preexisting persistent infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13 prevents the induction of tolerance, mixed chimerism, and donor-reactive T cell deletion. Mice continue to be refractory to tolerance induction even after viremia has been resolved and virus is present only at very low levels in peripheral tissues. Conversely, we find that the full tolerance regimen, or costimulation blockade alone, specifically inhibits already ongoing antiviral immune responses, leading to …

Cutting Edge: Persistent Viral Infection Prevents Tolerance Induction And Escapes Immune Control Following Cd28/Cd40 Blockade-Based Regimen, Thandi M. Onami, M. A. Williams, A. B. Adams, M. M. Durham, T. C. Pearson, R. Ahmed, C. P. Larsen

Thandi M. Onami

A continuing concern with CD28 and/or CD40 blockade-based strategies to induce tolerance and mixed chimerism is their potential to disrupt protective immunity to preexisting infections. In this report, we find that preexisting persistent infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13 prevents the induction of tolerance, mixed chimerism, and donor-reactive T cell deletion. Mice continue to be refractory to tolerance induction even after viremia has been resolved and virus is present only at very low levels in peripheral tissues. Conversely, we find that the full tolerance regimen, or costimulation blockade alone, specifically inhibits already ongoing antiviral immune responses, leading to …

Molecular Cloning And Characterization Of A Novel Mouse Macrophage C-Type Lectin, Mmgl2, Which Has A Distinct Carbohydrate Specificity From Mmgl1, Thandi M. Onami, M. Tsuiji, M. Fujimori, Y. Ohashi, N. Higashi, S. M. Hendrick, T. Irimura

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

A novel mouse macrophage galactose-type C-type lectin 2 (mMGL2) was identified by BLAST analysis of expressed sequence tags. The sequence of mMGL2 is highly homologous to the mMGL, which should now be called mMGL1. The open reading frame of mMGL2 contains a sequence corresponding to a type II transmembrane protein with 332 amino acids having a single extracellular C-type lectin domain. The 3'-untranslated region included long terminal repeats of mouse early transposon. The Mgl2 gene was cloned from a 129/SvJ mouse genomic library and sequenced. The gene spans 7,136 base pairs and consists of 10 exons, which is similar to …

Molecular Cloning And Characterization Of A Novel Mouse Macrophage C-Type Lectin, Mmgl2, Which Has A Distinct Carbohydrate Specificity From Mmgl1, Thandi M. Onami, M. Tsuiji, M. Fujimori, Y. Ohashi, N. Higashi, S. M. Hendrick, T. Irimura

Thandi M. Onami

A novel mouse macrophage galactose-type C-type lectin 2 (mMGL2) was identified by BLAST analysis of expressed sequence tags. The sequence of mMGL2 is highly homologous to the mMGL, which should now be called mMGL1. The open reading frame of mMGL2 contains a sequence corresponding to a type II transmembrane protein with 332 amino acids having a single extracellular C-type lectin domain. The 3'-untranslated region included long terminal repeats of mouse early transposon. The Mgl2 gene was cloned from a 129/SvJ mouse genomic library and sequenced. The gene spans 7,136 base pairs and consists of 10 exons, which is similar to …

Generation Of Mice Deficient For Macrophage Galactose- And N-Acetylgalactosamine-Specific Lectin: Limited Role In Lymphoid And Erythroid Homeostasis And Evidence For Multiple Lectins, Thandi M. Onami, M. Y. Lin, D. M. Page, S. A. Reynolds, C. D. Katayama, J. D. Marth, T. Irimura, A. Varki, N. Varki, S. M. Hedrick

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

Macrophage receptors function in pattern recognition for the induction of innate immunity, in cellular communication to mediate the regulation of adaptive immune responses, and in the clearance of some glycosylated cells or glycoproteins from the circulation. They also function in homeostasis by initiating the engulfment of apoptotic cells. Evidence has suggested that macrophage receptors function to recognize cells that are destined for programmed cell death but not yet overtly apoptotic. We have examined the function of a macrophage receptor specific for unsialylated glycoproteins, known as the mouse macrophage galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectin (mMGL) (Ii et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:11295-11298, …

Generation Of Mice Deficient For Macrophage Galactose- And N-Acetylgalactosamine-Specific Lectin: Limited Role In Lymphoid And Erythroid Homeostasis And Evidence For Multiple Lectins, Thandi M. Onami, M. Y. Lin, D. M. Page, S. A. Reynolds, C. D. Katayama, J. D. Marth, T. Irimura, A. Varki, N. Varki, S. M. Hedrick

Thandi M. Onami

Macrophage receptors function in pattern recognition for the induction of innate immunity, in cellular communication to mediate the regulation of adaptive immune responses, and in the clearance of some glycosylated cells or glycoproteins from the circulation. They also function in homeostasis by initiating the engulfment of apoptotic cells. Evidence has suggested that macrophage receptors function to recognize cells that are destined for programmed cell death but not yet overtly apoptotic. We have examined the function of a macrophage receptor specific for unsialylated glycoproteins, known as the mouse macrophage galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectin (mMGL) (Ii et al., J. Biol. Chem. 265:11295-11298, …

Dynamic Regulation Of T Cell Immunity By Cd43, Thandi M. Onami, L. E. Harrington, M. A. Williams, M. Galvan, C. P. Larsen, T. C. Pearson, N. Manjunath, L. G. Baum, B. D. Pearce, R. Ahmed

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

During a viral response, Ag-specific effector T cells show dramatically increased binding by the mAb 1B11 and the lectin peanut agglutinin (PNA). We investigated the contribution of CD43 expression to 1B11 and PNA binding as well as its role in generation and maintenance of a CD8 T cell response. Analysis of CD43(-/-) mice revealed no increased 1B11 binding and reduced PNA binding on virus-specific CD8 T cells from -/- mice compared with +/+ mice. Furthermore, we examined the role of CD43 in the kinetics of an immune response. We show that CD43 expression modestly effects generation of a primary virus-specific …

Dynamic Regulation Of T Cell Immunity By Cd43, Thandi M. Onami, L. E. Harrington, M. A. Williams, M. Galvan, C. P. Larsen, T. C. Pearson, N. Manjunath, L. G. Baum, B. D. Pearce, R. Ahmed

Thandi M. Onami

During a viral response, Ag-specific effector T cells show dramatically increased binding by the mAb 1B11 and the lectin peanut agglutinin (PNA). We investigated the contribution of CD43 expression to 1B11 and PNA binding as well as its role in generation and maintenance of a CD8 T cell response. Analysis of CD43(-/-) mice revealed no increased 1B11 binding and reduced PNA binding on virus-specific CD8 T cells from -/- mice compared with +/+ mice. Furthermore, we examined the role of CD43 in the kinetics of an immune response. We show that CD43 expression modestly effects generation of a primary virus-specific …