There is evidence that the initial interaction between HIV-1 and the host that is essential for infection is the specific binding of the viral envelope glycoprotein, gp120, to the CD4 molecule found on certain T cells and monocytes. Most individuals infected with HIV develop antibodies against the gp120 protein. Although in vitro treatment of CD4+ T cells with mAb to a specific epitope of the CD4 molecule (T4a) blocks virus binding, syncytia formation, and infectivity, it is unclear if antibodies to gp120 from an infected individual that can inhibit the binding of gp120 to CD4 is in any way related to the clinical course of disease. Our present study characterizes the binding of 125I-labeled rgp120 to CD4+ cells, and describes an assay system that measures a potentially relevant form of immunity to HIV infection, i.e., the blocking of HIV binding to CD4+ cells. Optimal binding conditions included a 2-h incubation at 22 degrees C, 4 x 10(6) CD4+ cells, and 1 nM gp120. The dissociation constant (KD) for gp120 binding to cell surface CD4 was 5 nM, and was inhibited by soluble CD4 and by mAb to T4a but not to T3 or T4. For the binding inhibition assay, negative controls included healthy seronegatives, seronegatives with connective tissue diseases, patients with HTLV-1 disease, and patients infected with HIV-2. In studying over 100 sera, the assay was highly sensitive (98%) and specific (100%). The majority of HIV+ sera could inhibit binding at dilutions of 1/100 to 1/1000. No correlation was noted between binding inhibition (BI) titer in this assay and clinical stage of HIV infection. In addition, there was no correlation between BI titer and HIV neutralizing activity. The BI titer was correlated with the titer of anti-gp160 (r = 0.63) and the titer of anti-gp120 (r = 0.52) antibodies determined by Western blot dilution. As with neutralizing antibodies and other forms of immune response to HIV, it is unclear what role antibody blocking of HIV binding to CD4+ cells may play in active immunity to HIV in infected individuals. This activity may prove to have some value in protection against initial HIV infection and, thus, the assay may be of use in monitoring vaccine trials.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Research into racism is required.

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Humans↗

PubMed1984

Anterior nongranulomatous uveitis: a seasonal variation.

A review of 348 consecutive cases of nontraumatic uveitis seen in the Wills Eye Hospital emergency room between Jan 1, 1981, and Dec 31, 1981, was conducted. Patients who presented with an initial episode of anterior nongranulomatous uveitis, without obvious etiology by history or clinical examination, were further evaluated for epidemiologic clues suggestive of a pathogenesis. This group consisted of 121 patients. A statistical analysis for seasonal variation suggested an increased occurrence during the summer months (p .01).

Female↗

PubMed1983

Patient-centred nursing care in a multi-racial society: the relevance of ethnographic perspectives in nursing curricula.

The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the importance of including cultural dimensions as a fundamental component of nursing curricula and to provide some indications as to how this may be achieved. The concept of 'institutionalized racism' is examined, with reference to the absence of the cultural dimension in nursing education, and it is suggested that nurses, as members of a 'caring profession', should be in the forefront in promoting mutual cultural understanding. The argument for promoting cultural awareness is developed in the context of individualized nursing care and the nursing process. The needs of ethnic minority learners are considered along with their potential role, and that of tutors, in breaking down barriers to the acceptance of cultural diversity. Some possible reasons for the failure to include ethnographic perspectives in nurse education programmes are postulated, and finally suggestions as to how this curriculum deficit may be rectified are made. The paper concludes that British nurse educators should ensure that the needs of learners and patients are better provided for in the future by directing more attention to ethnographic perspectives relating to learning and the provision of nursing care.

Culture↗

PubMed1968

The health teams' responsibility--the child with genetic defects in the community.

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Child Health Services↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Physiological sleep disturbance in children with atopic dermatitis: a case control study.

It is generally acknowledged that sleep disturbance commonly complicates atopic dermatitis (AD), but the nature of this disturbance, including its physiologic aspects, has been little studied, especially in children. The results of home polysomnography (PSG) were compared for 20 school-age children with AD and sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The findings provided objective confirmation of disruption of sleep by both brief and longer awakenings associated with scratching episodes. Sleep efficiency was reduced but other sleep variables were not significantly affected. Home sleep studies offer advantages for further investigation of the factors involved in the link between AD and sleep disturbance, and the assessment of the contribution made by this disturbance to the daytime psychological problems of children with AD.

Adolescent↗