Giulia Della Chiara¹, Claudio Fortis², Giuseppe Tambussi³, Guido Poli^1,4

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.3, pp. 197-201, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2010.0199

Abstract In 1995, a breakthrough paper showed that intermittent cycles of interleukin-2 (IL-2), together with suboptimal ART, caused an unprecedented, stable increase in CD4+ T cell counts, without altering the steady state levels of viremia. At the time, this was somewhat obscured by the first successes of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, since then, numerous studies have confirmed this basic finding, open-ing up a new perspective in the long-term management of chronic HIV infection. One of the benchmarks of this experimental treatment is the expansion of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ T lymphocytes probably including T regulatory cells (Tregs). Based… More >

Jérôme Estaquier^1,2, John J. Zaunders³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.21, No.3, pp. 195-196, 2010, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2010.0200

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Caibin Zeng¹, Qigui Yang¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.59, No.1, pp. 65-78, 2010, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2010.059.065

Abstract In this paper, a fractional order model is established to describe HIV internal viral dynamics involving HAART effect. First, the model is proved to possess non-negative solutions as desired in any population dynamics. Then, a detailed analysis is carried out to study the stability of equilibrium points. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the stability analysis. More >

Herbert Tilg, Alexander R. Moschen, Arthur Kaser

European Cytokine Network, Vol.20, No.1, pp. 1-6, 2009, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2009.0141

Abstract Type I interferons (IFNs) are the first line of defence after various infections, and, as immuno-modulatory cytokines, bridge innate and adaptive immunity. IL-17, mainly secreted by specific T cells, has recently been identified regulating neutrophil-mediated inflammation, and has been implicated in the pathogen-esis of many acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. This cytokine is considered of critical importance for an effective anti-bacterial and anti-fungal immune response as needed subsequent to many viral infections. Recent studies have demonstrated that type I IFNs potently suppress IL-17 expression and Th17 differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, suppression of More >

Calin Popa^1,2, Pilar Barrera², Leo A. B. Joosten^1,2,3, Piet L. C. M. van Riel², Bart-Jan Kullberg^1,3, Jos W. M. van der Meer^1,3, Mihai G. Netea^1,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.20, No.2, pp. 88-83, 2009, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2009.0150

Abstract Infectious complications are not rare in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the susceptibility to infec-tions is increased during treatment with TNF blocking agents. As a possible mechanism contributing to that, we assessed the modulation of cytokine production induced by TNF neutralization. Methods. Whole blood cultures from six healthy volunteers and 13 RA patients starting therapy with either adalimumab (n = 7) or etanercept (n = 6) were stimulated with heat-killed Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus or with S. typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL10, IL-17, TNF, IL-8 and IFN-γ was measured by specific immunoassays. Results. Stimulation … More >

Anne K. Mongiu, Brain T. Helfand, Stephanie J. Kielb

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 4519-4521, 2009

Abstract Suprapubic tube placement is a common urological procedure with a low incidence of complications, including hematuria, catheter blockage, recurrent urinary tract infections, and rarely, injury to adjacent organs. Fortunately, most serious complications are discovered shortly after initial suprapubic tube placement and are readily corrected. Very few cases of delayed complications or injuries have been reported. We report a case of Foley perforation into the ileum during suprapubic tube exchange discovered more than 8 months after initial placement, and preceding numerous monthly changes that occurred without incident. While a rare complication, physicians should be conscious of More >

Jana Jass¹, Gregor Reid²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.16, No.6, pp. 4901-4907, 2009

Abstract Introduction/objective: Cranberries have been shown to produce urinary metabolites that influence uropathogen adhesion and prevent urinary tract infections. This study was designed to determine if consuming reconstituted, unsweetened cranberry drink from extract retained its bioactive properties by reducing uropathogen adhesion without adversely affecting urinary calcium, magnesium and the vaginal microflora.
Materials and methods: A randomized crossover study was undertaken in 12 healthy women consuming reconstituted unsweetened cranberry drink, CranActin or water. The urine was collected at 4 hours and 1 week of consumption and evaluated for antiadhesive properties and urinary pH, calcium and magnesium. Vaginal swabs were… More >

A. LÓPEZ-HERRERA^1*, J. RUIZ-SÁENZ², Y.P. GÓEZ³, W. ZAPATA³, P.A. VELILLA³, A.E. ARANGO³, S. URCUQUI-INCHIMA³

BIOCELL, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 121-132, 2009, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2009.33.121

Abstract To determine whether fibroblasts from Blanco Orejinegro cattle, exhibit any level of resistance to infection against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) serotypes Indiana (VSV-I) or New Jersey (VSVNJ), 30 fibroblast cultures were phenotyped to evaluate their resistance/susceptibility. Thirty three % of Blanco Orejinegro fibroblast cultures were classified as very resistant, 50% as resistant, and 17% as susceptible to VSV-I infection, whereas 20% were classified as very resistant, 50% as resistant and 30% as susceptible to VSV-NJ infection. Therefore, there appears to be a large variation in phenotypic polymorphism among the fibroblasts to infection by VSV. To More >

Yohsuke Imai, Hitoshi Kondo, Young Ho KANG, Takuji Ishikawa Chwee Teck Lim, Takami Yamaguchi

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.9, No.3, pp. 205-206, 2009, DOI:10.3970/icces.2009.009.205

Abstract Malaria is one of the most serious infectious diseases on earth. We have about five hundred million patients with two million deaths. When a malaria parasite invades and matures inside a red blood cell (RBC), the infected RBC (IRBC) becomes stiffer and cytoadherent. We propose a numerical model of hemodynamics arising from malaria infection. Our model is based on a Lagrangian and free mesh method (particle) method. A spring network model is employed to compute elastic force generated by the deformation of IRBC membrane. Adhesive property of IRBCs to surrounding cells is also expressed by More >

Chunhai Kou¹, Ye Yan², Jian Liu¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.39, No.3, pp. 301-318, 2009, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2009.039.301

Abstract In the paper, stability for fractional order differential equations is studied. Then the result obtained is applied to analyse the stability of equilibrium for the model of HIV. More >