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CD8+ T-cell functions are critical for preventing chronic viral infections by eliminating infected cells. For healthy immune responses, beneficial destruction of infected cells must be balanced against immunopathology resulting from collateral damage to tissues. These processes are regulated by factors controlling CD8+ T-cell function, which are still incompletely understood. Here, we show that the interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and its cooperating binding partner B-cell-activating transcription factor (BATF) are necessary for sustained CD8+ T-cell effector function. Although Irf4-/- CD8+ T cells were initially capable of proliferation, IRF4 deficiency resulted in limited CD8+ T-cell responses after infection with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Consequently, Irf4-/- mice established chronic infections, but were protected from fatal immunopathology. Absence of BATF also resulted in reduced CD8+ T-cell function, limited immunopathology, and promotion of viral persistence. These data identify the transcription factors IRF4 and BATF as major regulators of antiviral cytotoxic T-cell immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway important for cellular homeostasis, mammalian development, cancer and immunity. Many molecular components of autophagy have been identified, but little is known about regulatory mechanisms controlling their effector functions. Here, we show that, in contrast to other p38 MAP kinase activators, the growth arrest and DNA damage 45 beta (Gadd45β)-MAPK/ERK kinase kinase 4 (MEKK4) pathway specifically directs p38 to autophagosomes. This process results in an accumulation of autophagosomes through p38-mediated inhibition of lysosome fusion. Conversely, autophagic flux is increased in p38-deficient fibroblasts and Gadd45β-deficient cells. We further identified the underlying mechanism and demonstrate that phosphorylation of the autophagy regulator autophagy-related (Atg)5 at threonine 75 through p38 is responsible for inhibition of starvation-induced autophagy. Thus, we show for the first time that Atg5 activity is controlled by phosphorylation and, moreover, that the spatial regulation of p38 by Gadd45β/MEKK4 negatively regulates the autophagic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diets restricted in potassium are often necessary for an individual living with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, there is limited material available for educating such a restricted and complex nutrition prescription. The purpose of this project was to design a low-literacy educational tool on the basis of potassium intake regulation for some patients with stage 5 CKD using The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF-K/DOQI) stages. The participants were registered dietitians in renal practice solicited from listserv through the American Dietetic Association. The survey results (n = 64) were positive regarding the tool's format and design. With a P < .05, 2 variables (the tool being set at a fifth-grade reading level or below) were statistically significant and independently associated with other variables. Respondents found that the tool was effectively designed for CKD populations with low literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequestration of neutrophils and release of histotoxic mediators are considered important for the development of pathologic alterations of the lung defined as adult respiratory distress syndrome. Mechanisms of inflammatory lung injury caused by abdominal sepsis were investigated using the colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP) model that closely mimics the human disease. In the CASP model, a continuous leakage of intraluminal bacteria into the peritoneal cavity is induced by implantation of a stent in the ascending colon, generating a septic focus. In contrast to the cecal ligation and puncture model of peritonitis, survival of mice following CASP surgery is dependent on IFN-γ, but independent of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Here we show that the systemic inflammation induced by CASP surgery results in a rapid and profound increase of lung vascular permeability that was associated with the activation and recruitment of neutrophils to the lung. Activation of circulating granulocytes was characterized by increased production of serine proteinases and reactive oxygen metabolites, as well as elevated expression of cell surface Mac-1. Expression of MIP-2, KC, MIP-1α and E-selectin mRNA in lung was strongly increased within 3 h following CASP surgery, whereas up-regulation of IP-10, MCP-1 and P-selectin was delayed. In contrast, induction of RANTES, LIX, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA was weak or not detectable after CASP surgery. Importantly, recruitment of leukocytes to the lung was normal in lipopolysaccharide-resistant mice, and was not affected by antibody neutralization of TNF or the chemokines MIP-2 and KC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sex-identification and sex-typing were examined in some Nigerian primary school children using Draw- A- Person. Subjects were from the Yoruba ethnic group. Sex-role differentiation in the Yoruba culture was outlined. The effects of sex and social class on sex-identification and sex-typing were examined. The results suggest that Yoruba girls are less likely to show own-sex identification than Yoruba boys (p<.001) and that this tendency is more marked for low-income than 'elite' girls (p<.01). Regarding sex-typing, marginal sex differences were observed though the number of drawings amenable for analysis was too small for meaningful statistical comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed the human figure drawings of 125 Yoruba children, approximately 8 years of age and from two social settings (61 middle income and 64 low income). A highly significant difference was found between middle- and low-income children's drawings for both male and female figures. Low-income children were found to draw significantly more Nigerian dress than were middle-income children. No significant difference was found in style of dress between the male and female figures in the middle-income group. A significant difference was found, however, in the low-income group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]