T-lymphocytes (T-cells) trafficking in the lymph nodes (LNs) is key for T-cells activation and their effector functions in adaptive immune responses. T-cells enter the LNs through high endothelial venules (HEVs) and interact with dendritic cells (DCs) for cognate antigens in the T-cell zone (TCZ). After scanning the TCZ for antigens, T-cells leave the LNs through efferent lymphatic vessel. CCR7 and its ligands, CCL19 and CCL21 are involved in the recruitment and compartmentalization of T-cells in LNs. However, their specific role(s) in mediating T-cells migration in LNs sub-regions remain unclear. In addition, the mechanism behind the passage of T-cells from the TCZ to the abluminal side of medullary sinuses (for their exit through medullary sinuses) is not well understood. Here, I hypothesize that different CCL19 and CCL21 fields in LNs sub-regions, orchestrate T-cells sub-regional migration in LNs.. In this study, I examined the CCL19 and CCL21 distribution profiles in mouse LNs sub-regions by immunofluoroscence staining and confocal microscopy. Using microfluidic devices that can flexibly configure well-defined single and co-existing chemical concentration gradients, I quantitatively analyzed the migration of activated human blood T-cells in LNs relevant CCL19 and CCL21 fields. The results suggested a novel CCL19 and CCL21 based combinatorial guiding mechanism for T-cells migration in different LNs sub-regions. In particular, this mechanism operates in the TCZ periphery region to guide T-cells migration away from the TCZ. Furthermore, the CCL19 and CCL21 fields mimicking the region beyond the TCZ toward the medulla result in disturbed chemotaxis, which prevents T-cells from being attracted back to the TCZ. Taken together, this microfluidics-based in vitro study shows the coordinated T-cells migration in different single and combined CCL19 and CCL21 fields, leading to interesting new insights into the guiding mechanisms for T-cells trafficking in LNs sub-regions.

This multi-phase project was designed (1) to evaluate existing post-harvest process controls and intervention strategies used to reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7, (2) to evaluate the impacts of cattle source and environmental factors on Salmonella prevalence in bovine lymph nodes, and (3) to evaluate sanitary conditions of feedyards in South Texas. The ultimate goal of this project was to identify and implement measures that reduce E. coli O157:H7 in beef harvest facilities, and Salmonella prevalence in feedyards. To evaluate process control of E. coli O157:H7 throughout the beef harvest process, samples were collected from harvest floor processing areas at two commercial beef slaughter establishments, and enumerated for aerobic plate counts, E. coli/coliform, and Enterobacteriaceae. To survey existing Salmonella prevalence, bovine lymph nodes (n = 307) were collected from beef carcasses at a commercial beef processing plant. Lymph nodes were extracted from cattle sourced from seven feedyards. Salmonella prevalence in lymph nodes was found to be 0% in cattle sourced from only one of the seven yards. Lymph nodes from cattle sourced from the other feedyards yielded positive samples, with varying prevalence. Of the remaining six feedyards, one feedyard yielded 88.2% prevalence of Salmonella in bovine lymph nodes, which was significantly higher than all other feedyards (42.9, 40.0, 40.0, 24.0, and 4.0%). The prevalence of Salmonella in the feedlot environment was compared among three feedyards; one yard had 65.0% environmental prevalence of Salmonella, which was statistically higher than the other feedyards surveyed. Of the two remaining yards, one had 0% prevalence of Salmonella in fecal and soil samples, which was also the feedyard with 0% prevalence of Salmonella in lymph nodes. Findings include (1) the significance of effective sanitary dressing procedures and intervention strategies in a beef harvest environment, (2) that there is clear feedyard-to-feedyard variation with relation to Salmonella prevalence in bovine lymph nodes, and (3) that differences in environmental factors existed among feedyards although the reasons remain unclear.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.I.P.H.)--School of Public Health, University of Sydney, 2004. / "This treatise is submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the Degree of Master of International Public Health (Hons), University of Sydney". Bibliography: leaves 10-15.

Thesis (M.I.P.H.)--University of Sydney, 2004. / Title from title screen (viewed 14 May 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of International Public Health (Hons) to the School of Public Health. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-169).

Thesis (M. S.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006. / Nolan Hertel, Committee Chair ; John Aarsvold, Committee Co-Chair ; Rebecca Howell, Committee Member.

Undergraduate honors paper--Mount Holyoke College, 2007. Dept. of Biological Sciences. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-70).

Histopathology of a murine lymph node, 9 days post infection with Coccidioides. Magnification 10X

Orientador: Antônio José Maria Cataneo / Resumo: Introdução: No melanoma primário, a aplicabilidade da biópsia de linfonodo sentinela (BLS), seguida ou não de esvazimento linfonodal (EL) é conhecida. Na recidiva locorregional (RL) de melanoma, alguns serviços tendem a indicá-la, buscando estadiamento mais acurado para embasar condutas individualizadas aos pacientes, ainda que as evidências sejam insuficientes. Objetivo: Avaliar o sucesso da BLS no encontro do linfonodo sentinela (LNS) e sua positividade na RL. Comparar a sobrevida entre os pacientes com LNS positivo e negativo. Verificar diferença na sobrevida pós EL. Métodos: Revisão sistemática, através das bases MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE e CENTRAL, buscando estudos experimentais e observacionais sobre BLS na RL de melanoma. Desfechos avaliados: sucesso na BLS pelo encontro do LNS, positividade para melanoma no LNS; sobrevida no subgrupo LNS positivo comparado com o negativo; sobrevida livre de doença no subgrupo LNS positivo comparada com o negativo; sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos ao EL. Para metanálises, utilizaram-se RevMan 5.3 e StatsDirect 3.0.121. Resultados: Foram identificados 1872 estudos, destes, seis estudos observacionais foram incluídos, totalizando 449 pacientes. O LNS foi encontrado em 98% das BLS (IC 95-100%, I2=53,7% - seis estudos). LNS com 32% de positividade para melanoma (IC 19-47%, I2= 84,6% - seis estudos). A chance de sobrevida global em cinco anos foi 2,49 vezes maior no subgrupo com LNS negativo (IC 95% 1,41-4,38, I2=0% - qua... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Background: In primary melanoma, the applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLB), followed or not by complete lymph node dissection (CLND) is known. In locoregional recurrence (LR) of melanoma, some groups may indicate it for more accurate staging to support individualized management, even with scarce evidence. Objective: To evaluate success in SLB and its positivity in LR. Compare survival between patients with positive and negative sentinel lymph node (SLN). Check for survival modification after CLND. Methods: Systematic review through databases such as MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE and CENTRAL, searching for experimental and observational studies on SLB in melanoma LR. Outcomes assessed: success in SLB by finding the SLN, positivity for melanoma in the SLN; survival in the positive SLN subgroup compared to the negative one; disease-free survival in the positive versus negative SLN subgroup; survival of patients undergoing CLND. For meta-analyzes, RevMan 5.3 and StatsDirect 3.0.121 were used. Results: The total number of patients in six observational studies was 449, over 1872 studies indentified. The SNL was found in 98% of SLB (95-100% CI, I2 = 53.7%, 6 studies). SLB detected 32% positivity for melanoma on SNL (CI 19-47%, I2 = 84.6%, 6 studies). The chance of five year overall survival was 2,49 higher in the negative SNL subgroup (95% CI 1.41-4.38, I2 = 0%, 4 studies). Meta-analyzes were not performed due to lack of objective data for disease-free survi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor