Rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA virus composed of 3 protein layers. These layers contain structural proteins (eg, VP4, VP6, and VP7) that are involved in the induction of immunity. Despite extensive research in animal models and humans, the mechanisms and effectors of protection against rotavirus after either natural infection or vaccination remain unclear. Complicating factors include the v...

The National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program was implemented in Jiangsu Province, China in 2005. We conducted a retrospective, open cohort study to determine treatment failure rates and associated risk factors. Data were obtained from the national web-based antiretroviral treatment database. WHO criteria were used to define immunologic treatment failure. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to ...

BACKGROUND Many clinical trials had repeatedly shown that fast-track perioperative care and laparoscopic surgery are both preferred in the treatment of colorectal cancer. But few studies were designed to explore the diverse biochemical impacts of the two counterparts on human immunologic and nutritional status. METHODS Ninety-two cases of colorectal cancer patients meeting the inclusion crite...

The acquisition and extinction of the conditioned suppression or enhancement of one or another parameter of antigen-specific and nonspecific defense system responses have been documented in different species under a variety of experimental conditions. Similarly, stressful stimulation influences antigen-specific as well as nonspecific reactions. Moreover, both conditioning and stressful stimulat...

Chronic renal allograft disease remains a leading cause of graft loss. Immunologic and non-immunologic risk factors are related to its development and may be present before or develop after transplantation. Histological evaluation of renal tissue has an important role in the management, especially for the evaluation of immune activity against the graft and toxicity of immunosuppressive drugs. M...

Acne vulgaris is a self-limiting skin disorder seen primarily in adolescents, whose aetiology appears to be multifactorial. The four main aetiological factors are hypercornification of the pilosebaceous duct, increased sebum production, colonization with Propionibacterium acnes, and subsequently the production of inflammation. Considerable investigation has addressed the immunologic reaction to...

Staphylococcus aureus can cause numerous different diseases, which has been attributed to its large repertoire of virulence factors, many of which are under the control of the accessory gene regulator (agr) quorum sensing system. Under conditions of high cell density, agr increases the production of many virulence factors, decreases expression of several colonization factors, and is intimately ...

The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence and aetiology of mastitis in sheep from farms in the region of Évora, Portugal; to detect virulence factors expressed by causative micro-organisms and deepen the knowledge about the defence mechanisms of the mammary gland in sheep. This knowledge may contribute to consider innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of mastitis, ...

Improved work organisation could be of importance for decreased bullying in workplaces. Participants in the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) responded to questions about work and workplace and whether they had been bullied during the past year in 2006. Those in worksites with at least five employees who did not report that they had been bullied in 2006 and without work...