Cortisol upregulates HIV p24 antigen production in cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages.

HIV infection is associated with hypercortisolemia. Since glucocorticoids have been shown to stimulate the replication of several viruses, we examined the effects of cortisol on HIV replication in cultured monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), a cell type that has been proposed to serve as a viral reservoir. Our data revealed that physiological concentrations of cortisol upregulate viral replication in MDM.

HIV-associated distal symmetrical polyneuropathy: clinical features and nursing management.

DSPN is a common manifestation of HIV infection and/or its treatment that can have adverse effects on quality of life and functional status. The pathogenesis remains unclear but likely involves the elaboration of neurotoxic inflammatory cytokines and their metabolites. DSPN is often refractory to available pharmacological treatments, although new treatments involving NGF hold promise for effecting sustained symptom relief and reversing axonal degeneration.

Transcranial power-mode duplex ultrasound in two patients with moyamoya syndrome.

Moyamoya syndrome is characterized by the reticulated collateralization of the intracranial vasculature distal to an occlusion of proximal intracranial vessels. In the present study this pathology was visualized in 2 patients, aged 29 and 32 years, using transcranial color Doppler imaging (TCDI). Digital subtraction angiography in both patients revealed stenosis of the intracranial portion of the internal carotid arteries, occlusion and stenosis of several cerebral arteries, and a bilateral reticulated collateral network particularly in the region of both basal ganglia, typical of moyamoya syndrome.

Differential immune recognition of LCMV nucleoprotein and glycoprotein in transgenic mice expressing LCMV cDNA genes.

We have generated doubly transgenic (DT) mice that independently express cDNA genes for the nucleocapsid protein (NP) and the surface glycoproteins (GP) of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). By RT-PCR, transcription of both transgenes was detected at low levels in brain and kidney but was not observed in the thymus. Additionally, transcription of the GP transgene was observed in the spleen.

Schwannomatosis: a clinical entity distinct from neurofibromatosis type 2.

Background: Schwannomatosis includes multiple cutaneous schwannomas, central nervous system tumors and various neurologic deficits.

Objective: To specify the clinical presentation of schwannomatosis, excluding neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2).

Methods: Patients with at least 2 cutaneous schwannomas were evaluated for NF2 criteria.

Usefulness of screening investigations in neurofibromatosis type 1. A study of 152 patients.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of screening investigations in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Design: Clinical and screening data were retrospectively collected from a case series of patients with NF1. Screening investigations included an opthalmologic consultation, chest x-ray film, abdominal ultrasonography, cerebral imaging, and analysis of urinary catecholamine levels.

Basilar artery blood flow during head rotation in vertebrobasilar ischemia.

Patients And Methods: Forty-six patients with vertebrobasilar ischemia and 40 control subjects were examined during head rotation using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography.

Results: In the control group, no difference in blood flow velocity through the BA was found between the neutral and rotated positions. Based on these data, a blood flow reduction in the BA of more than 20% was considered to be significantly abnormal (p < 0.

The influence of stress management training in HIV disease.

A pretest-posttest design (with a 6-week wait-list control and a 6-month comparison group) was used to compare the effectiveness of a 6-week stress management training program with standard outpatient care for 45 men with HIV disease. Outcomes included stress levels, coping patterns, quality of life, psychological distress, illness-related uncertainty, and CD4+ T-lymphocyte levels. At 6 weeks, intervention was associated with increases in the emotional well-being dimension of quality of life.

Psychoneuroimmunology: an emerging framework for nursing research.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is concerned with the mechanisms of bidirectional communication between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. Investigators in other disciplines have used this framework to guide the examination of possible relationships between behavioural factors and the progression of immunologically mediated illnesses and to evaluate the role of immune products in central nervous system disturbances. Nurse scientists have an opportunity to make unique contributions to the growing field of PNI.

[Neonatal hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus].

Neonatal hyperglycaemia may be permanent or, more often, transient. Transient hyperglycaemia occurs mainly in premature and low-birth-weight neonates, especially if they are stressed or receive endovenous glucose. There is no clinical or biological sign allowing to predict these children future at the time of diagnosis, even if the seriousness of hyperglycemia, the collapse of insulin secretion, and the association to complex pathologies is more usual in permanent diabetes.

Power Doppler--a new tool for transcranial duplex assessment of intracranial vasculature.

The present study was undertaken to assess the clinical use of power Doppler (PD) as a new tool for transcranial vessel imaging. Power Doppler displays the integrated power of the Doppler signal instead of the Doppler frequency shift used in the conventional color flow Doppler (CFD) technique. Twenty-one patients were evaluated who had intracranial malformations or arterial stenoses [4 middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenoses, 2 intracranial carotid stenoses, 7 arteriovenous malformations (AVM), 5 intracranial carotid aneurysms, 3 Moya-Moya syndromes].

Immunological and virological markers of HIV-disease progression.

This review, based upon scientific literature, evaluates a number of immunological and virological markers for their usefulness as prognostic indicators for progression of HIV disease. The most widely studied marker, the CD4 positive T lymphocyte count, is perhaps the best single indicator of stage of illness. Serum factors such as neopterin and beta-2 microglobulin, alone and in combination with CD4 cell counts, have been shown to have good predictive value.

Developing a quality indicator logbook for the postanesthesia care unit setting.

In the interest of quality care, it is important for health care practitioners to examine practice and identify methods for improvement. Gathering data is one way to impact changes in practice. Recognizing that a simple, efficient method for gathering data was needed, a logbook was developed to replace the more time-consuming quality assurance form currently used at our northwest institution.

Stable isotope determination of plasma lactate conversion into glucose in fasting infants.

To quantify lactate gluconeogenesis, we developed a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method based on the infusion of [6,6-2H2]glucose and [3-13C]lactate tracers to 12 infants aged 1-25 mo fasting for 11.5 +/- 1.5 h.

[Exclusive nodular plexiform neurofibroma. An unusual case of neurofibromatosis type 1].

Introduction: Type 1 neurofibromatous tumours (NF) are benign skin tumours which include cutaneous, subcutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas. Plexiform neurofibromas are either diffuse or nodular, the latter form being much more frequent.

Case Report: We observed a particular form of neurofibroma in an 18-year-old patient who developed large deep subcutaneous which histology examination revealed to be exclusively nodular plexiform neurofibromas.

Intestinal spirochetosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: ultrastructural studies of two cases.

Two cases of intestinal spirochetosis (IS) with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are reported. In case 1, a 48-year-old homosexual black man presented with a 1-month history of alternating watery diarrhea and constipation, which dissipated following the removal of two colonic hyperplastic polyps containing IS. In case 2, a 26-year-old homosexual black man presented with a 3-month history of persistent bloody diarrhea and was found to have chronic shigellosis and IS.

[Persistent müllerian duct syndrome (males with uterus): a pediatric problem].

Background: The persistent müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is characterized by the persistence of the uterus and Fallopian tubes in otherwise normally virilized boys. Its diagnosis is usually made during a surgical procedure for inguinal hernia or cryptorchidism. We report six recent cases of PMDS, in which we have studied anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) serum levels.

[Neonatal hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus].

Background: Hyperglycemia in the neonate may be permanent or more frequently transient. Its treatment is still debated.

Patients And Methods: The files of 19 infants with hyperglycemia were retrospectively analysed.