'Catching' the concept of spiritual care: implementation of an education programme.

This article will outline the achievements of a project group as they translate the recommendations set out in the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on spiritual care provision in clinical practice (NICE, 2004). It was evident that there was an opportunity to offer a comprehensive, competency-based course that developed recognition of the spiritual care needs of patients with cancer and their carers. A two-day experiential programme was devised that included role play, the evidence base, theory and fun, resulting in the acquisition of tacit and explicit knowledge.

HIV infection is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer, independent of smoking.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons have an elevated risk for lung cancer, but whether the increase reflects solely their heavy tobacco use remains an open question.

Methods: The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Link to the Intravenous Experience Study has prospectively observed a cohort of injection drug users in Baltimore, Maryland, since 1988, using biannual collection of clinical, laboratory, and behavioral data. Lung cancer deaths were identified through linkage with the National Death Index.

The quiet servant.

Chaplains have been involved in health care for hundreds of years. St Bartholomew's Hospital, in London, for example, was founded in 1123 by Rahere, a favourite courtier of Henry I who had taken monastic vows and who became the first prior of the hospital, managing the monks who cared for its patients.

Hepatitis C virus coinfection and HIV load, CD4+ cell percentage, and clinical progression to AIDS or death among HIV-infected women: Women and Infants Transmission Study.

Background: Despite previous study, it remains unclear whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection affects the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection. The Women and Infants Transmission Study provided an opportunity to assess this issue.

Methods: Longitudinal data on 652 HIV-1-infected women enrolled in the study before the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART; 1989-1995) were analyzed.

High rates of behavioral problems in perinatally HIV-infected children are not linked to HIV disease.

Objective: Descriptive studies and clinical reports have suggested that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive children are at risk for behavioral problems. Inadequate control groups and sample sizes have limited the ability of investigators to consider multiple influences that place HIV-positive children at risk for poor behavioral outcomes. We examined the unique and combined influences of HIV, prenatal drug exposure, and environmental factors on behavior in children who were perinatally exposed to HIV.

Cell-associated genital tract virus and vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in antiretroviral-experienced women.

To determine the association between genital tract shedding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and vertical transmission, a case-control substudy was conducted within the Women and Infants Transmission Study. Antenatal cervicovaginal lavage specimens were assessed for HIV-1 RNA in the supernatant and HIV-1 RNA and DNA in cell pellets. Multivariate analyses compared 26 women who transmitted HIV to their infants with 52 women who did not; 33% received combination antiretroviral therapy, and 65% received monotherapy.