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Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic multi-factorial disorder characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Variations at a large number of genes influence susceptibility to spontaneous autoimmune T1D in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, one of the most frequently studied animal models for human disease. The genetic analysis of these mice allowed the identification of many insulin-dependent diabetes (Idd) loci and candidate genes, one of them being Cd101. CD101 is a heavily glycosylated transmembrane molecule which exhibits negative-costimulatory functions and promotes regulatory T (Treg) function. It is abundantly expressed on subsets of lymphoid and myeloid cells, particularly within the gastrointestinal tract. We have recently reported that the genotype-dependent expression of CD101 correlates with a decreased susceptibility to T1D in NOD.B6 Idd10 congenic mice compared to parental NOD controls. Here we show that the knockout of CD101 within the introgressed B6-derived Idd10 region increased T1D frequency to that of the NOD strain. This loss of protection from T1D was paralleled by decreased Gr1-expressing myeloid cells and FoxP3+ Tregs and an enhanced accumulation of CD4-positive over CD8-positive T lymphocytes in pancreatic tissues. As compared to CD101+/+ NOD.B6 Idd10 donors, adoptive T cell transfers from CD101−/− NOD.B6 Idd10 mice increased T1D frequency in lymphopenic NOD scid and NOD.B6 Idd10 scid recipients. Increased T1D frequency correlated with a more rapid expansion of the transferred CD101−/− T cells and a lower proportion of recipient Gr1-expressing myeloid cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes. Fewer of the Gr1+ cells in the recipients receiving CD101−/− T cells expressed CD101 and the cells had lower levels of IL-10 and TGF-β mRNA. Thus, our results connect the Cd101 haplotype-dependent protection from T1D to an anti-diabetogenic function of CD101-expressing Tregs and Gr1-positive myeloid cells and confirm the identity of Cd101 as Idd10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a patient radiation dose monitoring program, which was established at a large urban academic medical center. Topics covered include a publication release by the Joint Commission in 2006 about radiation overdose, fluoroscopy exposure monitoring process and patient follow-up and consultation process, and rationale for establishing dose reference levels as a quality assurance measure.

Prescription medication use (other than antiretroviral therapy (ART)) is highly prevalent among people living with HIV. Prescription medications may be used medically or non-medically: non-medical use includes using more medication than prescribed, using medication prescribed to someone else, or using medication for a purpose other than its prescribed use. During 12 weeks in 2014–2015, we characterized medical and non-medical prescription medication use among HIV-positive patients attending an academic medical center (n = 149) and a community clinic (n = 105). Separately for the past year and the past month, these 254 participants self-reported their use of prescription opioids, sedatives, stimulants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotic medications, and erectile dysfunction medications. Respondents were largely male (91%), aged 40 or older (61%), identified as gay or bisexual (79%), and were men who have sex with men (85%). ART use was nearly universal (95%). Nearly half (43%) of participants reported medical use of prescription opioids; 11% of the opioid use was reported as non-medical use. Anti-anxiety medication use was also frequent, and differed by site: 41% of community-clinic responders reported medical use of anti-anxiety medications compared to 23% of hospital clinic respondents who reported medical use. Prescription sedative use was also approximately twice as high among community-clinic participants, with medical use reported by 43% of respondents and non-medical use by 12%; in comparison, at the hospital clinic, sedative use was reported by 18% (medical) and 7% (non-medical) of participants. Stimulant use was rare in both sites. No demographic characteristic was significantly associated with medical or non-medical use of any prescription medication. The current focus of many studies on only non-medical prescription medication use not only underestimates the widespread exposure of HIV-positive individuals to these drugs, but may also underestimate potential adverse effects of prescription medications in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research developed ranked lists of scholarly publication outlets for information security research, which is important for readers, authors, and institutions. We followed a two-step survey process: carrying out a free-recall survey to identify the "basket" of publication outlets for ranking, followed by a second survey to rank the outlets that were identified in the basket. The final ranking lists are supported by an average of n=111 respondents per venue, with some venues being evaluated by as many as n=267 respondents. The ranked lists accomplish the following: 1) reflect the computer science and information system perspectives both together and independently; 2) accommodate sub-discipline diversity within the field; 3) include conference and journal venues; and, 4) evaluate traditional and pure information security venues. Our findings suggest that several currently unranked information security publication outlets (so called "C-list" outlets) may be considered high-quality ("A-list"). We also found that the perceived quality of many pure information security venues exceeds traditional venues, and that the perceived quality of many information security conferences exceeds journal venues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the importance of security risk management (SRM) in human resource (HR) information systems. It notes the use of HR information systems in attracting job applicants, automating training and development, and managing employee performance. It also highlights the mechanisms of SRM that an organization implements to counter and prevent an information security related event. According to the authors, HR information systems also increase information accessibility and accuracy.

The author discusses the case of a women patient undergoing psychotherapy. He compares this case with the one he heard on radio about a psychotherapist who declared his love for her patient imaginarily. Topics discussed include the patient's recurring dream of being lost in the dark depicting loneliness, her irritation, and depression due to insecurity towards sustaining a relationship.

Security and privacy issues are often an afterthought when it comes to systems design. However, failure to address these issues during analysis and design could result in catastrophic effects such as an erosion of trust among those in the stakeholder community once a loss of privacy is experienced, along with the additional expenditures that are necessary to secure a system that has been compromised. We present a conceptual model for creating subsystems of security and privacy governance that are integral parts of the system architecture. Additionally, we propose that knowledge created or acquired during the development and use of the system, especially knowledge about security and privacy, be well documented and stored within a Knowledge Management System (KMS). Viewing, updating, and manipulating the knowledge database throughout the life of the system can enhance its success. In addition, as a knowledge repository, a KMS can contribute to best practices in the development of future systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article revisits the relationship between IT and productivity, and investigates the impact on information technology (IT) investments. Using the MARS techniques, we show that although IT Stock is the greatest predictor variable for productivity (VaIue Added), it is only significant as an interaction variable, combined with Non-IT Capital, Non-IT Labor Industry, or Size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune diseases are thought to result from imbalances in normal immune physiology and regulation. Here, we show that autoimmune disease susceptibility and resistance alleles on mouse chromosome 3 (Idd3) correlate with differential expression of the key immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2). In order to test directly that an approximately twofold reduction in IL-2 underpins the Idd3-linked destabilization of immune homeostasis, we show that engineered haplodeficiency of Il2 gene expression not only reduces T cell IL-2 production by twofold but also mimics the autoimmune dysregulatory effects of the naturally occurring susceptibility alleles of Il2. Reduced IL-2 production achieved by either genetic mechanism correlates with reduced function of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells, which are critical for maintaining immune homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The identification of causative genes for the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes (T1D) in humans and candidate genes in the NOD mouse has made significant progress in recent years. In addition to sharing structural aspects of the MHC class II molecules that confer susceptibility or resistance to T1D, genes and pathways contributing to autoimmune pathogenesis are held in common by the two species. There are data demonstrating a similar need to establish central tolerance to insulin. Gene variants for the interacting molecules IL2 and CD25, members of a pathway that is essential for immune homeostasis, are present in mice and humans, respectively. Variation of two molecules that negatively regulate T cells, CTLA-4 and the tyrosine phosphatase LYP/PEP, are associated with susceptibility to human and NOD T1D. These observations underscore the value of the NOD mouse model for mechanistic studies on human T1D-associated molecular and cellular pathways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents a case study describing one woman's surgical complications following a review of physiological needs and nursing interventions. Examples of iatrogenic wounds; Explanations for the frequency of dehisced incisions among morbidly obese patients; Formation of hematomas and seromas.

Discusses the healing process of skin wounds. Phases of the wound-healing process; Local factors that may impede the healing process; Systemic factors that affect wound healing.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) has been recognized by technologists as a major step in the evolution of public network architecture. However, a large percentage of network users do not recognize any bottom line improvements that can result from ISDN nor do they know how to exploit the benefits of the technology. This study evaluates and summarizes the ISDN implementation experiences of nine organizations that are currently using ISDN. Along with their experiences, the study also investigated potential problems and critical success factors associated with ISDN implementation. Understanding these critical issues provides IS management with new insight, enabling them to strategically expedite their ISDN implementation and diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health care professionals have the responsibility to be up-to-date in regard to informa tion about the HIV/AIDS disease process and the care of PWAs. As PWAs spend most of their time outside the acute-care setting and as acute-care facility (ACF) stays have decreased in length, the accountability of the home health care professional is increasingly significant. The author's focus is nursing management, as the disease is nursing intensive. However, the information presented is directly applicable to all home health care professionals. The author describes the continuum of HIV disease in both medical and nursing models. This directly applicable information will facilitate the home health professional's efforts to minimize ACF admissions for PWAs, to maximize the quality of community-based services available, and to promote the development of a case-management system to assist PWAs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article provides information on the collaboration between public and university library services in Yorkshire, England, aimed to develop a mystery visiting scheme which has led to changes in services and professional development of staff. The real customer experience can be discovered through mystery visiting. A great deal of planning and coordination was required in the project. Volunteers were recruited from the staff at each institution while the planning was talking place. The scheme requires the visitor to carry out one visit and one telephone call and the university libraries to specify the time of day the visit should take place. It was in spring 2004 that visits to the university libraries took place. Visits to the public libraries took the whole of 2004. Through the project, participating libraries obtained useful information which has resulted in changes to services.

Expression of the CTLA-4 gene is absolutely required for immune homeostasis, but aspects of its molecular nature remain undefined. In particular, the characterization of the soluble CTLA-4 (sCTLA-4) protein isoform generated by an alternatively spliced mRNA of CTLA4 lacking transmembrane-encoding exon 3 has been hindered by the difficulty in distinguishing it from the transmembrane isoform of CTLA-4, Tm-CTLA-4. In the current study, sCTLA-4 has been analyzed using novel mAbs and polyclonal Abs specific for its unique C-terminal amino acid sequence. We demonstrate that the sCTLA-4 protein is secreted at low levels following the activation of primary human CD4+ T cells and is increased only rarely in the serum of autoimmune patients. Unexpectedly, during our studies aimed to define the kinetics of sCTLA-4 produced by activated human CD4+ T cells, we discovered that Tm-CTLA-4 is associated with microvesicles produced by the activated cells. The functional roles of sCTLA-4 and microvesicle-associated Tm-CTLA-4 warrant further investigation, especially as they relate to the multiple mechanisms of action described for the more commonly studied cell-associated Tm-CTLA-4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]