Clinical and procedural evaluation of the Nile Croco® dedicated stent for bifurcations: a single centre experience with the first 151 consecutive non-selected patients.

Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the Nile Croco® coronary bifurcation stent system (Minvasys, Gennevilliers, France).

Methods And Results: The primary endpoint was to assess the acute device success and angiographic success with the use of the Nile Croco® stent system. Secondary endpoints included in-hospital and six month major cardiac events (MACE).

HIV knowledge among Canadian-born and sub-Saharan African-born patients living with HIV.

Research has revealed differences on scales measuring HIV knowledge between individuals from various ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Few studies have examined this knowledge with immigrant populations and persons living with HIV. This study examined HIV knowledge among persons living with HIV who were either born in Canada or in sub-Saharan Africa and, for comparison, in a sample of college students.

Parkinson's disease-linked LRRK2 is expressed in circulating and tissue immune cells and upregulated following recognition of microbial structures.

Sequence variants at or near the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) locus have been associated with susceptibility to three human conditions: Parkinson's disease (PD), Crohn's disease and leprosy. As all three disorders represent complex diseases with evidence of inflammation, we hypothesized a role for LRRK2 in immune cell functions. Here, we report that full-length Lrrk2 is a relatively common constituent of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) including affinity isolated, CD14(+) monocytes, CD19(+) B cells, and CD4(+) as well as CD8(+) T cells.

MRI discriminates thrombus composition and ST resolution after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Histological composition of material obtained by thrombus aspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) is highly variable. We aimed to characterize this material using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to correlate MRI findings with the success of PCI in terms of ST-segment resolution. Thrombus aspiration during primary or rescue PCI was attempted in 100 consecutive STEMI patients, of whom enough material for MRI was obtained in 59.

Cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women. Retrospective cohort study from a tertiary care HIV clinic.

OBJECTIVE To determine the rate of cervical screening among HIV-positive women who received care at a tertiary care clinic, and to determine whether screening rates were influenced by having a primary care provider.DESIGN Retrospective chart review.SETTING Tertiary care outpatient clinic in Ottawa, Ont.

A randomized controlled trial of HIV therapeutic vaccination using ALVAC with or without Remune.

Objectives: Therapeutic HIV vaccination during the time of virologic suppression may delay or blunt viral load rebound after interruption of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The use of ALVAC, to enhance cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses, with Remune, which provides CD4 T-cell help, may induce anti-HIV responses capable of controlling viral replication.

Methods: CTN173 was a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study in which effectively treated HIV-infected individuals (viral load <50 copies/ml for more than 2 years) with CD4 nadir more than 250 cells/μl and current CD4 cell counts more than 500 cells/μl were randomized to receive: ALVAC with Remune, ALVAC alone or matching placebos over 20 weeks.

A nasally administered trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine is well tolerated, stimulates both mucosal and systemic immunity, and potentially protects against influenza illness.

A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial of a nasally administered inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine formulated with partially purified meningococcal outer membrane proteins (OMP-TIV) was conducted in 1349 healthy adults aged 18-64 years. Subjects received either vaccine containing 15 μg of haemagglutinin (HA) of each of three influenza strains for the 2003-2004 season on days 0 and 14, or 30 μg on day 0 and saline placebo on day 14, or placebo on days 0 and 14. Vaccination was well tolerated, with similar reactogenicity as placebo.

IL-7-dependent STAT-5 activation and CD8+ T cell proliferation are impaired in HIV infection.

This study tests the hypothesis that IL-7 signaling and activity of CD8(+) T cells are impaired in HIV infection. IL-7 is necessary for optimal CTL activity and T cell survival and proliferation. Defects in IL-7R signaling may contribute to impaired activity of IL-7 observed in progressive HIV disease.

Membrane vesicles released by intestinal epithelial cells infected with rotavirus inhibit T-cell function.

Rotavirus (RV) predominantly replicates in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), and "danger signals" released by these cells may modulate viral immunity. We have recently shown that human model IEC (Caco-2 cells) infected with rhesus-RV release a non-inflammatory group of immunomodulators that includes heat shock proteins (HSPs) and TGF-β1. Here we show that both proteins are released in part in association with membrane vesicles (MV) obtained from filtrated Caco-2 supernatants concentrated by ultracentrifugation.

Patients with discordant responses to antiretroviral therapy have impaired killing of HIV-infected T cells.

In medicine, understanding the pathophysiologic basis of exceptional circumstances has led to an enhanced understanding of biology. We have studied the circumstance of HIV-infected patients in whom antiretroviral therapy results in immunologic benefit, despite virologic failure. In such patients, two protease mutations, I54V and V82A, occur more frequently.

Evidence that Gsta4 modifies susceptibility to skin tumor development in mice and humans.

Background: The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is equivalent to that of all other cancers combined. Previously, we mapped the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) skin tumor promotion susceptibility locus, Psl1, to distal chromosome 9 in crosses of sensitive DBA/2 mice with relatively resistant C57BL/6 mice. Here, we used the mouse two-stage skin carcinogenesis model to identify the gene(s) responsible for the effects of Psl1.

Altruism motivates participation in a therapeutic HIV vaccine trial (CTN 173).

This is the first study examining motivation to participate in an HIV therapeutic vaccine trial of Remune and ALVAC. Trial participants (N=49) completed psychological measures at baseline. While 69% reported some personal risk in participating, 100% felt hopeful for societal benefits.

Cardiovascular complications of Salmonella enteritidis infection.

Salmonella has the ability to adhere to damaged endothelium, predisposing individuals to complications rarely seen with other Gram-negative organisms. Potential complications include endocarditis, infected atheroma or aneurysms, myocarditis and pericarditis. The present report describes two cases of Salmonella enteritidis-associated cardiovascular disease.

A window of vulnerability: health insurance coverage among women 55 to 64 years of age.

Introduction: largely a consequence of historical gender differences in labor force attachment in the United States, many women rely on their spouse for health insurance coverage, particularly during late middle age. Prior research finds that this creates a window of vulnerability for women during late middle age who may lose their (older) spouse's employment-based coverage when he retires from the labor force and enrolls in Medicare. However, the few studies that have examined this window of vulnerability have been based primarily on white adults.

Optimal use of raltegravir (Isentress(R)) in the treatment of HIV-infected adults - Canadian consensus guidelines.

Background And Objectives: A meeting of a Canadian group with significant experience and knowledge in HIV management, consisting of five physicians, a pharmacist and an AIDS researcher, was convened. Their goal was to develop guidance for Canadian HIV-treating physicians on the appropriate use of raltegravir (MK-0518, Isentress(R), Merck Frosst Canada Inc) in HIV-infected adults.

Methods: Evidence from the published literature and conference presentations, as well as expert opinions of the group members, was considered and evaluated to develop the recommendations.

Shorter stay, longer life: age at migration and mortality among the older Mexican-origin population.

Objective: In this article, we investigate the association between age at migration and mortality during a 13-year period in a sample of Mexican American immigrants 65 and older at baseline.

Method: We employ the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-PESE) to control for mortality-related health and social factors.

Results: Our analyses show that the immigrant generation does not represent a homogeneous mortality risk category.

Interleukin-7 enhances memory CD8(+) T-cell recall responses in health but its activity is impaired in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Memory CD8(+) T cells regain function during a recall response, but the requirement of signals in addition to antigen during a secondary immune response is unknown. In this study, the ability of interleukin-7 (IL-7) to enhance memory CD8(+ ) CD45RA(- ) CD127(+) T-cell responses in health and in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was investigated. CD8(+) T-cell-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV(-) and untreated HIV(+) donors were pulsed with a cytomegalovirus/Epstein-Barr virus/influenza (CEF) peptide pool, and co-cultured with autologous memory CD8(+) T cells in the presence of IL-7.

Cone-beam computed tomography for analyzing variations in inferior alveolar canal location in adults in relation to age and sex.

Previous studies have indicated that the relative position of the inferior alveolar canal and its mental and mandibular foramina in adults vary with age and show sexual dimorphism. Conceivably, these purported differences could be of forensic value for determining identity of human remains. This study was designed to determine the influence of age and sex on the relative position of inferior alveolar canal and its foramina in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) studies of adults.

Cardiometabolic effects of rosiglitazone in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery bypass grafts: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of rosiglitazone on saphenous vein graft (SVG) atherosclerosis prevention and on modification of the global cardiometabolic risk profile.

Methods And Results: This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial which enrolled 193 post-CABG patients with type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerosis changes in one SVG were assessed with intravascular ultrasound at baseline and at 12 months.

Treatment of chronic nonhealing neurotrophic corneal epithelial defects with thymosin beta4.

Neurotrophic corneal defects are difficult to heal and all too often lead to scarring and vision loss. Medical management is often of limited success. We describe the results of nine patients (ages 37-84) with chronic nonhealing neurotrophic corneal epithelial defects who were treated with thymosin beta 4 (Tbeta4) sterile eye drops for 28 or 49 days with a follow-up period of 30 days.

Canadian consensus guidelines for the optimal use of etravirine in the treatment of HIV-infected adults.

Background And Objectives: A group of five Canadian physicians with significant experience in HIV management was convened. Their goal was to develop guidance specifically for Canadian HIV-treating physicians on the appropriate use of etravirine (TMC125, Intelence, Tibotec BVBA, Belgium) in adult HIV-infected patients.

Methods: Evidence from the published literature, conference presentations and expert opinions of the group members were used to develop the recommendations.

The Work/Health Insurance Nexus: A Weak Link for Mexican-origin Men.

OBJECTIVES: The employment based health insurance system of the United States means that those individuals who are disadvantaged in the labor market are also disadvantaged in terms of health insurance coverage. The Mexican-origin population has historically been disadvantaged in both domains. We examine the extent to which low rates of health insurance coverage among Mexican-origin adult male workers are the result of overrepresentation in the types of employment in which coverage is low for everyone.