HIV-1 infection in South Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo): high genotypic resistance to antiretrovirals.

Background: Panzi General Reference Hospital (HGR Panzi) in the Democratic Republic of Congo follows a large number of patients living with HIV-1 (PLWHIV). Although antiretrovirals (ARVs) are available, HIV-1 viral load (HIV-VL) measurement has only been implemented in the hospital since 2018. No data on ARV resistance levels and ARV dosage in plasma have yet been published for this region.

Splenic clearance of rigid erythrocytes as an inherited mechanism for splenomegaly and natural resistance to malaria.

Background: In malaria-endemic areas, subjects from specific groups like Fulani have a peculiar protection against malaria, with high levels of IgM but also frequent anaemia and splenomegaly. The mechanisms underlying this phenotype remain elusive.

Methods: In a cohort study set up in Benin, West Africa, after a careful evaluation of malaria-related phenotypes, we measured the deformability of circulating erythrocytes in genetically distinct groups (including Fulani) living in sympatry, using ektacytometry and microsphiltration, a mimic of how the spleen clears rigid erythrocytes.

Emergence of E484K Mutation Following Bamlanivimab Monotherapy among High-Risk Patients Infected with the Alpha Variant of SARS-CoV-2.

An Emergency Use Authorization was issued in the United States and in Europe for a monoclonal antibody monotherapy to prevent severe COVID-19 in high-risk patients. This study aimed to assess the risk of emergence of mutations following treatment with a single monoclonal antibody. Bamlanivimab was administered at a single dose of 700 mg in a one-hour IV injection in a referral center for the management of COVID-19 in France.

Hypothyroid dependent myocardial angiotensin receptor trafficking is involved in improved cardiac performance after heat acclimation.

Aims: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a key role in heat acclimation, a process which induces adaptive changes in cardiac function. These changes are mediated in part by reduced thyroid hormone activity and improve myocardial function during and following exposure to various (non-heat) stresses such as ischemia. The aim of this study was to examine the role of RAS in the development of the heat acclimated protected heart.

Reactive oxygen species contribute to contractile dysfunction following rapid ventricular pacing in dogs.

Background: Ventricular tachyarrhythmias may produce subsequent myocardial dysfunction through the formation of oxygen-derived free radicals. We tested the hypothesis that the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine enhances recovery of contractile function after rapid ventricular pacing.

Methods: Barbiturate-anesthetized dogs were instrumented for measurement of systemic and coronary hemodynamics and subendocardial segment shortening (%SS).

Dilution of respiratory solutes in exhaled condensates.

Most exhaled water is produced as gaseous water vapor, which can be collected in cooled condensers. The presence of nonvolatile solutes in these condensates suggests that droplets of respiratory fluid (RF) have also been collected. However, calculation of RF solute concentrations from condensates requires estimation of the dilution of RF droplets by water vapor.

Desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane affect left atrial active and passive mechanical properties and impair left atrial-left ventricular coupling in vivo: analysis using pressure-volume relations.

Background: The effects of volatile anesthetics on left atrial function in vivo have not been described. The authors tested the hypothesis that desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane alter left atrial mechanics evaluated with invasively derived pressure-volume relations.

Methods: Barbiturate-anesthetized dogs (n = 24) were instrumented for measurement of aortic, left atrial, and left ventricular pressures (micromanometers) and left atrial volume (orthogonal sonomicrometers).

Conscious sedation with midazolam or propofol does not alter left ventricular diastolic performance in patients with preexisting diastolic dysfunction: a transmitral and tissue Doppler transthoracic echocardiography study.

Unlabelled: The effects of midazolam and propofol on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function have not been evaluated in humans. We tested the hypothesis that midazolam and propofol alter LV diastolic function evaluated with transmitral and tissue Doppler transthoracic echocardiography in patients with normal LV systolic function in the presence and absence of preexisting diastolic dysfunction. After IRB approval and informed consent, patients (n = 34) with normal or reversed transmitral blood flow velocity E-to-A ratios received 3 escalating doses of midazolam (0.

Ethanol enhances the functional recovery of stunned myocardium independent of K(ATP) channels in dogs.

Chronic, intermittent exposure to small amounts of ethanol reduces myocardial infarct size in vivo. We tested the hypothesis that acute administration of ethanol enhances the functional recovery of stunned myocardium and that adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium (K(ATP)) channels mediate this beneficial effect. Barbiturate-anesthetized dogs were instrumented for measurement of aortic and left ventricular pressure, +dP/dt(max), and subendocardial segment shortening (%SS) and were subjected to five 5-min periods of coronary artery occlusion, each separated by 5 min of reperfusion followed by a 3-h final reperfusion.

K(ATP) channels mediate the beneficial effects of chronic ethanol ingestion.

Chronic ingestion of low doses of ethanol protects the myocardium from ischemic injury by activating adenosine receptors and protein kinase C. We tested the hypothesis that ATP-dependent potassium (K(ATP)) channels mediate these beneficial effects. Dogs were fed with ethanol (1.

The renal effect of low-dose dopamine in high-risk patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine the potential renal protective effect of low-dose dopamine in high-risk patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: Contrast nephropathy is prevalent in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and/or diabetes mellitus (DM). Decreased renal blood flow due to vasoconstriction was suggested as a contributory mechanism.

Stimulation of the dopamine 1 receptor increases lung edema clearance.

We previously reported that lung edema clearance was stimulated by dopamine (DA). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the DA-mediated stimulation of edema clearance occurs via an adrenergic or dopaminergic regulation of alveolar epithelial Na, K-ATPase. When isolated perfused rat lungs were coinstilled with DA and SCH 23390 (a specific D(1) receptor antagonist), there was a dose-dependent attenuation of the stimulatory effects of DA.

Molecular genetics of familial hypercholesterolemia in Israel.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a multitude of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) mutations. The purpose of the current investigation was to define the spectrum of mutations causing FH in Israel and determine their relative distribution among diverse origin groups. A total of 193 FH families were recruited in Israel, 54 of them through the MED PED (Make Early Diagnosis Prevent Early Death) FH program.

Unresponsiveness of rat peritoneal mast cells to immunologic reactivation.

Rat peritoneal mast cells cocultured with 3T3 fibroblasts (MC/3T3) were activated with Ag or with anti-IgE antibodies in the presence of Ca2+, and their responsiveness to a second similar challenge was evaluated. MC/3T3 were presensitized with IgE anti-DNP antibodies and activated with DNP-human serum albumin. When these MC/3T3 were reactivated with the same Ag 2 and 6 h later, they released only a minimal percentage of histamine.