Sustained increase of HDL cholesterol over a 72-week period in HIV-infected patients exposed to an antiretroviral regimen including lopinavir/ritonavir.

Metabolic disorders are a major concern during antiretroviral therapy, especially for their potential to increase cardiovascular disease risk. In a multicenter, prospective study conducted in patients exposed to an antiretroviral regimen including lopinavir boosted with ritonavir, an early and sustained increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed over a 72-week period. This increase was positively correlated with the exposure to lopinavir/ritonavir during the first 24 weeks.

[Evaluation of the health inpact of the floods in the Gard on respiratory health of disaster victims].

In 2002 the Gard was subjected to exceptional flooding, as much by their size as by the number of affected community victims, more than the Nimes floods in October 1988. No community was spared and more than 800 families had to be rapidly re-located. As the medical bibliography of the impact of the floods on respiratory heath was not conclusive we have proposed to the CHU of Nimes a hospital clinical research project undertaken by the members of RNSA, the Institute of Public Health of Brussels and the European Centre for Medical Bioclimate Research and Teaching, who have accepted to share their knowledge with the Gard.

Magnetic field (50 Hz) increases N-acetyltransferase, hydroxy-indole-O-methyltransferase activity and melatonin release through an indirect pathway.

Purpose: To examine whether magnetic fields (MF) affect N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxy-indole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity directly or exert their effect through a cellular pathway that indirectly regulates the activity of these enzymes and melatonin release.

Materials And Methods: The pineal glands from Wistar rats were isolated at 10:00 h and exposed to MF (50 Hz, 1 mT) for 4 h in vitro, with or without 1 micro M norepinephrine. An additional group of pineals was exposed to MF 30 min before norepinephrine addition.

[Creation and validation of the SPRING Internet site].

The Internet SPRING site has been created by five pollen european nets in relation with the spanish telephony firm: SADIEL. The aim of this project is to propose different services for persons concerned by pollen allergy (patients, scientists, pharmaceutical firms..

The role and therapeutic potential of 5-HT-moduline in psychiatry.

The endogenous neuropeptide, 5-HT-moduline, selectively and allosterically interacts with 5-HT(1B) receptors. By binding at a site distinct from that bound by 5-HT, 5-HT-moduline induces structural changes in 5-HT(1B) receptors or stabilizes a particular conformation of these receptors. These conformational changes ultimately lead to the prevention of 5-HT binding resulting in desensitization of these receptors and reduction of the serotonergic function.