The effect of a church-based breast cancer screening education program on mammography rates among African-American women

This study examines the effectiveness of breast cancer screening education programs on mammography rates among African-American women 40 years of age and over. We conducted two types of educational programs in community settings, primarily in African-American churches. Three-month follow-up interviews were used to determine whether women who participated in programming were more likely to get a mammogram if they had not had a mammogram in the last year. Our results demonstrate that the educational programs significantly increased the likelihood of getting a mammogram when compared to a control group that received no educational programming. Further, we found that the programs were effective for motivating breast cancer screening in housing projects as well as in the churches, and that the effectiveness of the programs remained even when we controlled for socioeconomic status, depression, and age.     

Thymic stromal cell specialization and the T-cell receptor repertoire

Ten years ago, we proposed a model for thymus function in which thymic epithelial cells are primarily responsible for imprinting major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted specificity, and bone marrow-derived macrophages or dendritic cells are responsible for the induction of self-tolerance. Since then, transgenic and knockout models have allowed for a dissection of thymic stromal components in vivo, leading to a new understanding of their specialized functions. We have determined that with regard to class II-restricted CD4 T-cell development, two distinct subsets of thymic epithelium help shape the repertoire: Cortical epithelium appears solely responsible for positive selection, whereas a fucose-bearing subset of medullary epithelium is specialized for negative selection. This absolute separation of positive and negative selection into two distinct spatial and temporal compartments leads to a much simpler view of the process of repertoire selection. Finally, a novel view of the function of the thymic medulla is discussed.     

Brain oscillatory responses to an auditory-verbal working memory task in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

We report preliminary findings on EEG oscillatory correlates of working memory in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Event-related desynchronization (ERD) and synchronization (ERS) of the 1-20 Hz EEG frequencies were studied using wavelet transforms in elderly controls, MCI patients and mild probable AD patients performing an auditory-verbal Sternberg memory task. Behaviourally, the AD patients made more errors than the controls and the MCI group. Statistically significant differences during the encoding of the memory set were found between the controls and the MCI group, such that the latter group showed ERD in the approximately 10-20 Hz frequencies. The findings may reflect different, compensatory encoding strategies in MCI. During retrieval, the most obvious differences were observed between the controls and the AD group: the ERD in the approximately 7-17 Hz frequencies was absent in the AD group particularly in anterior and left temporal electrode locations. This finding might indicate that AD is associated with deficient lexical-semantic processing during the retrieval phase in working memory tasks. Future studies with larger patient groups are needed to establish the diagnostic value of ERD/ERS patterns in MCI and AD.     

Different strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cause various spectrums of disease in the rabbit model of tuberculosis

The rabbit model of tuberculosis has been used historically to differentiate between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis based on their relative virulence in this animal host. M. tuberculosis infection in market rabbits is cleared over time, whereas infection with M. bovis results in chronic, progressive, cavitary disease leading to death. Because of the innate resistance of commercial rabbits to M. tuberculosis, 320 to 1,890 log-phase, actively growing inhaled bacilli were required to form one grossly visible pulmonary tubercle at 5 weeks. The range of inhaled doses required to make one tubercle allows us to determine the relative pathogenicities of different strains. Fewer inhaled organisms of the M. tuberculosis Erdman strain were required than of M. tuberculosis H37Rv to produce a visible lesion at 5 weeks. Furthermore, with the Erdman strain, only 7 of 15 rabbits had healed lesions at 16 to 18 weeks; among the other animals, two had chronic, progressive cavitary disease, a phenotype usually seen only with M. bovis infection. Genotypic investigation of the Erdman strain with an H37Rv-based microarray identified gene differences in the RD6 region. Southern blot and PCR structural genetic analysis showed significant differences between M. tuberculosis strains in this region. Correlation of the relative pathogenicity, including disease severity, in the rabbit model with the strain genotype may help identify stage-specific M. tuberculosis genes important in human disease.     

Regulatory role of interleukin-10 in experimental group B streptococcal arthritis

Intravenous inoculation of CD-1 mice with 10(7) CFU of type IV group B Streptococcus (GBS) results in a high incidence of diffuse septic arthritis, associated with high levels of systemic and local production of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6. In this study, the role of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the evolution of GBS systemic infection and arthritis was evaluated. IL-10 production was evident in sera and joints of GBS-infected mice. Neutralization of endogenous IL-10 by administration of anti-IL-10 antibodies (1 mg/mouse) at the time of infection resulted in worsening of articular lesions and 60% mortality associated with early sustained production of IL-6, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The effect of IL-10 supplementation was assessed by administering IL-10 (100, 200, or 400 ng/mouse) once a day for 5 days, starting 1 h after infection. Treatment with IL-10 had a beneficial effect on GBS arthritis, and there was a clear-cut dose dependence. The decrease in pathology was associated with a significant reduction in IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha production. Histological findings showed limited periarticular inflammation and a few-cell influx in the articular cavity of IL-10-treated mice, confirming clinical observations. In conclusion, this study provides further information concerning the role of IL-10 in regulating the immune response and inflammation and calls attention to the potential therapeutic use of IL-10 in GBS arthritis.     

Thymus Ontogeny in Frogs: T-Cell Renewal at Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis in amphibians presents a unique problem for the developing immune system. Because tadpoles are free-living, they need an immune system to protect against potential pathogens. However, at metamorphosis, they acquire a variety of new adultspecific molecules to which the tadpole immune system must become tolerant. We hypothesized that Xenopus laevis tadpoles may avoid potentially destructive antiself responses by largely discarding the larval immune system at metamorphosis and acquiring a new one. By implanting triploid (3N) thymuses into diploid (2N) hosts, we examined the influx and expansion of host T-cell precursors in the donor thymus of normally metamorphosing and metamorphosis-inhibited frogs. We observed that donor thymocytes are replaced by host-derived cells during metamorphosis, but inhibition of metamorphosis does not prevent this exchange of cells. The implanted thymuses export T cells to the spleen. This donor-derived pool of cells declines after metamorphosis in normally developing frogs but is retained to a greater extent if metamorphosis is inhibited. These studies confirm previous observations of a metamorphosis-associated wave of expansion of T cells and demonstrate that it is not dependent on the relatively high concentrations of thyroid hormones required for metamorphosis. Although some larval T cells persist through metamorphosis, others may be destroyed or the larval population is significantly diluted by the expanding adult population.     

The magnitude and encephalogenic potential of autoimmune response to MOG is enhanced in MOG deficient mice

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a minor component of central nervous system myelin presumably implicated in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Immunization with MOG leads to the development of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), the experimental model of MS. It has been suggested that its encephalitogenic potential may be due to the lack of MOG self-immune tolerance. To clarify this, we have generated a MOG deficient mouse (MOG(-/-)) strain. Surprisingly, MOG(35-55)specific proliferation and Th1-type cytokine production were markedly enhanced in MOG(-/-)mice compared to wild type control. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of MOG(35-55)specific T cells, isolated from MOG deficient mice, into wild-type recipients resulted in the development of a more severe disease, indicating a high capacity of MOG(-/-)T cells to initiate effector responses. Interestingly, T cell reactivity to overlapping MOG peptides in MOG(-/-)mice did not reveal new potential immunodominant epitopes in H-2(b)mice. Taken together, our data suggests that MOG self-tolerance modulates the encephalitogenic potential of autoreactive MOG T cells in the periphery.     

Monoclonal anti-(T,G)-A—L antibodies: Characterization of fine specificity and idiotype expression

The technique of polyethylene glycol mediated cell fusion was used to establish 22 monoclonal cell lines secreting anti-(T,G)-A—L antibody. Cell lines were derived from C3H.SW and B10 mice and produced antibody with light chains and predominantly γ₁, heavy chains. Fine-specificity analysis demonstrated that 15 cell lines made antibodies that also recognize a determinant present on GAT, GT (9:1) and GT (1:1), whereas little, if any, serum antibody demonstrates this cross-reaction. Fourteen antibodies, derived from both B10 and C3H.SW mice, bear idiotypic determinants defined by Lewis anti-[B10 anti-(T,G)-A—L], but only two, both from C3H.SW mice, react with Lewis anti-[C3H.SW anti-(T,G)-A—L]. Adsorption studies indicate that no hybridoma tested bore the complete set of idiotypic determinants defined by either serum.     

Rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy: a safe and practical protocol for high-risk patients

BACKGROUND: Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy in allergic patients is a well-established treatment modality for the prevention of systemic anaphylactic reactions caused by insect stings. A variety of therapy regimens exists, from conventional to rush and ultrarush modalities that operate on continuous or intermittent schedules. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the 8-year experience with our rush venom immunotherapy regimen in predominantly high-risk patients and to compare data on safety and convenience with the results of 26 studies published from 1978 to 2001. METHODS: One hundred one patients allergic to bee, yellow jacket, or hornet venom were treated with rush Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy. Diagnosis and selection of patients for venom immunotherapy were carried out according to the recommendations of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. We used a 4-day regimen, and the incidence and nature of systemic reactions (SRs) were documented. Fifty-two patients were treated with honeybee venom, and 49 were treated with yellow jacket venom. RESULTS: One hundred (99%) patients reached the maintenance dose. We observed 8 injection-related SRs (0.47% of all injections given) in 7 (6.9%) patients. The number of SRs was higher in patients treated with bee venom extract (12%) compared with in patients receiving yellow jacket venom extract (2%). There was no significant difference in the risk of SRs between female and male patients. The incidence of SRs was considerably lower than the average of 17.8% reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: With a rush immunotherapy regimen over a time period of 8 years in predominantly high-risk patients, the incidence of SRs was low, despite the high number of patients with bee venom allergy, who are more likely to have side effects. Epinephrine as rescue medication was never necessary, and the regimen proved to be safe and convenient for both the patients and the medical staff.