University of Alabama

About: University of Alabama is a education organization based out in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 27323 authors who have published 48609 publications receiving 1565337 citations. The organization is also known as: Alabama & Bama.

Mechanisms for induction of acquired host immunity by neutrophil peptide defensins

Abstract: Human neutrophil peptide (HNP) defensins were studied to determine their potential effects on adaptive mucosal immunity. Intranasal delivery of HNPs plus ovalbumin (OVA) enhanced OVA-specific serum IgG antibody (Ab) responses. However, OVA-specific IgA Abs were not induced in mucosal secretions or in serum. CD4+ T cells of intranasally immunized mice displayed higher OVA-specific proliferative responses and elevated production of interferon γ, interleukin (IL) 5, IL-6, and IL-10 when compared with control groups receiving OVA alone. In vitro, HNPs also enhanced both proliferative responses and T helper (Th) cytokine secretion profiles of CD3ɛ-stimulated spleen- and Peyer’s patch-derived naive CD4+ T cells. HNPs modulated the expression of costimulatory molecules by lipopolysaccharide- or CD3ɛ-stimulated splenic and Peyer’s patch B or T cell populations, respectively. These studies show that defensins enhance systemic IgG, but not IgA, Ab responses through help provided by CD4+ Th1- and Th2-type cytokines and foster B and T cell interactions to link innate immunity with the adaptive immune system.

Patient-reported measurements of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy: Demonstration of increased frequency, severity, resistance to palliation, and impact on quality of life

Abstract: BACKGROUND. The risk, severity, and patient-reported outcomes of radiation-induced mucositis among head and neck cancer patients were prospectively estimated. METHODS. A validated, patient-reported questionnaire (OMDQ), the FACT quality of life (QOL), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) fatigue scales were used to measure mucositis (reported as mouth and throat soreness), daily functioning, and use of analgesics. Patients were studied before radiotherapy (RT), daily during RT, and for 4 weeks after RT. RESULTS. Contrary to previous reports, the risk of mucositis was virtually identical in the 126 patients with oral cavity or oropharynx tumors (99% overall; 85% grade 3-4) compared with 65 patients with tumors of the larynx or hypopharynx (98% overall; 77% grade 3-4). The mean QOL score decreased significantly during RT, from 85.1 at baseline to 69.0 at Week 6, corresponding with the peak of mucositis severity. The mean functional status score decreased by 33% from 18.3 at baseline to 12.3 at Week 6. The impact of mucositis on QOL was proportional to its severity, although even a score of 1 or 2 (mild or moderate) was associated with a significant reduction in QOL (from 93.6 at baseline to 74.7 at Week 6). Despite increases in analgesic use from 34% at baseline to 80% at Week 6, mean mucositis scores exceeded 2.5 at Week 6. CONCLUSIONS. Mucositis occurs among virtually all patients who are undergoing radiation treatment of head and neck cancers. The detrimental effects on QOL and functional status are significant, and opioid analgesia provides inadequate relief. Preventive rather than symptom palliation measures are needed. Cancer 2008;113:2704–13. � 2008 American Cancer Society.

Leader-member exchange and empowerment: Direct and interactive effects on job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and performance

Abstract: This study examined the moderating impact of empowerment on the relationships between leader–member exchange (LMX) quality and the self-rated outcomes of job satisfaction and turnover intentions, as well as the supervisor-rated outcomes of job performance and organizational citizenship behaviors. Two samples, with 244 and 158 employees respectively, were used to test our hypotheses. Our results provided evidence that in general, empowerment moderates the relationships between LMX and job outcomes. These findings are important as previous research has only tested these variables as independent predictors, but our results suggest the relationships these constructs have with important consequences are dependent on both variables. Practical implications and directions for future research are offered.