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Biomedical subjects

R Wood

Publications and source records attributed to R Wood.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Evidence for distinct cytokine expression in allergic versus nonallergic chronic sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between tissue cytokine expression and the cellular infiltrate present in chronic hyperplastic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CHS/NP) and to compare the immunopathology and cytokine profile of patients with allergy versus patients without allergy. METHODS: Nasal polyp tissue samples from 12 patients with CHS/NP and nasal turbinate biopsy specimens from 10 normal control patients were examined for the expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-gamma cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) species by in situ hybridization. These data were analyzed in conjunction with data previously reported for the cytokine mRNA species granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-3, and IL-5 and the immunocytochemical profile of the inflammatory cell infiltrate. Patients with allergy were distinguished from those without allergy on the basis of allergy skin tests. RESULTS: Tissue eosinophilia was a prominent feature of both allergic and nonallergic CHS/NP and correlated in both subgroups with the density of GM-CSF and IL-3 mRNA+ cells. In comparison with normal controls, patients with allergic CHS/NP had significantly higher CHS/NP had significantly higher tissue densities of GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-4, and IL-5 (p < or = 0.025). In contrast, patients with nonallergic CHS/NP had significantly higher tissue densities of GM-CSF, IL-3, and IFN-gamma (p < or = 0.001). The allergic and nonallergic subgroups showed distinct cytokine profiles with the most distinguishing cytokines of the allergic subgroup being IL-4 (p = 0.001) and IL-5 (p = 0.017) and of the nonallergic subgroup being IFN-gamma (p = 0.004). Furthermore, patients with allergic CHS/NP showed an increased density of CD3+ T lymphocytes compared with either controls or patients with nonallergic CHS/NP (p = 0.03). The density of CD3+ T lymphocytes was the only significant difference between patients with allergic and nonallergic CHS/NP. A clinical history of aspirin sensitivity was strongly correlated with nonallergic CHS/NP, as well as the nonallergic CHS/NP profile of cytokines, including IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: We conclude that distinct mechanisms of eosinophilia exist in patients with allergic versus nonallergic CHS/NP. The allergic mechanism involves production of TH2-type cytokines, including GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-4, and IL-5, by infiltrating T lymphocytes. The nonallergic mechanism remains unknown but does involve production of GM-CSF, IL-3, and IFN-gamma. However, nonallergic eosinophilia is independent of IL-4 and IL-5, cytokines that contribute to tissue eosinophilia in allergic inflammation. Aspirin sensitivity is strongly correlated with nonallergic CHS/NP and production of the nonallergic CHS/NP profile of cytokines, including IFN-gamma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The health beliefs and behaviors of three groups of complementary medicine and a general practice group of patients.

Patients (n = 256), consulting either a general practitioner (GP) or one of three complementary practitioners (osteopath, homeopath, or acupuncturist), completed a seven-part questionnaire that looked at demographic data, medical history, familiarization with complementary therapies, health beliefs and life-style, health locus of control, scientific health beliefs, and their perceptions of the consultation style of general and complementary practitioners. The four subject groups did not differ significantly on the demographic variables of sex, years of schooling, whether or not they had a degree, marital status, or income, but did differ on age and number of children. The effects of both the significant demographic variables and some aspects of patients medical history were controlled for in subsequent analyses. Acupuncture patients stood out as having the most different chronic medical history. They were also least satisfied with their GP, had least confidence in prescribed drugs, and were most concerned with leading a healthy life-style. The acupuncture patients were most skeptical about orthodox medicine. The main finding was that patients of complementary practitioners are not a homogeneous group, but do differ in their views on satisfaction with GPs, healthy life-style, global environmental issues, confidence in prescribed drugs, faith in medical science, importance of a "healthy mind," harmful effects of medical science, and scientific methodology. The results imply that patients consult different practitioners, general or alternative, on the basis of a combination of their level of skepticism about orthodox medicine, their life-style, and other health beliefs. To talk of patients of complementary practitioners as a homogeneous group is fundamentally wrong.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1995

Is HIV/AIDS a primary-care disease? Appropriate levels of outpatient care for patients with HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the proportion of outpatient visits that could be managed at a primary-care level, by World Health Organization (WHO) clinical staging. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive study. Six medical doctors in a tertiary hospital HIV ambulatory clinic recorded clinical diagnoses, WHO clinical staging and their recommendation regarding the appropriate level of care for each outpatient seen. SETTING AND STUDY POPULATION: All HIV-infected patients attending a public-sector, urban, South African, referral and teaching hospital HIV outpatient clinic between September and November 1992. PARTICIPANTS: There were 238 visits by 148 patients during the study period. RESULTS: Of 238 visits, 165 (69.3%) were deemed suitable for treatment at the primary-care level. After allowing for contradictory responses, at least 141 visits (59.2%) could be appropriately treated at the primary-care level. Although all six doctors assessed more than half of their visits as suitable for primary care, there were significant differences among them. In total, 83 visits (34.8%) needed a medical specialist, and 45 (18.9%) required tertiary-care facilities. Of all the visits, 58 (24.9%), 51 (21.9%), 60 (25.8%) and 64 (27.4%) were classified as WHO stages 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. For these stages, 55 (94.8%), 38 (74.5%), 42 (70.0%) and 26 (40.5%) visits, respectively, were suitable for treatment at a primary-care facility. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the outpatient visits to this outpatient specialist clinic could have been safely cared for at a primary-care level. As the severity of the disease increases, there is a decrease in the proportion of patients that can be treated at a primary-care level.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Bronchospasm and cough as adverse reactions to the ACE inhibitors captopril, enalapril and lisinopril. A controlled retrospective cohort study.

1. We report a controlled retrospective cohort study of respiratory adverse reactions to ACE inhibitors. Bronchospasm and cough occurred at a higher rate in patients treated with ACE inhibitors, no links with sex, past history of bronchospasm, drug type or dose were found. 2. Cohorts of 1013 patients on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and 1017 patients on lipid lowering drugs (LLDs) were compared for the occurrence of new bronchospasm, relapse of previous bronchospasm, increase of current bronchospasm, and cough. 3. The prevalence of bronchospasm was 5.5% for patients on ACE inhibitors and 2.3% for patients on LLDs, P < 0.001. The relative risk of a bronchospasm adverse reaction for a patient on an ACE inhibitor compared with a patient on a LLD was 2.39, 95% confidence interval 1.47 to 3.90. 4. No ACE inhibitor specificity, or significant sex differences were found in the prevalence of bronchospasm or cough after correcting for bias implicit in the original cohorts. The bronchospastic reactions were not dose dependent. 5. The prevalence of a past history of bronchospasm in patients reporting ACE inhibitor-induced bronchospasm (16%) was not significantly different from the prevalence in patients on ACE inhibitors without an adverse reaction (13%), P = 0.447. 6. The prevalence of ACE inhibitor cohort cough was 12.3% and 2.7% in the patients on LLDs, P < 0.0001. Cough did not occur more commonly in patients on ACE inhibitors who had experienced any bronchospasm (28%) than in patients on LLDs with bronchospasm (27%).

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Metocurine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in goats.

Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants can facilitate surgery and anaesthesia in numerous species. and volatile inhalational anaesthetics such as isoflurane potentiate their action. We studied the effect of isoflurane on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of metocurine in six goats. Each was studied twice: once during barbiturate-opiate anaesthesia and once during isoflurane anaesthesia. The evoked response to sciatic nerve stimulation was measured using a force transducer attached to the hoof. Metocurine was infused until approximately 80-90% blockade. Plasma metocurine concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Isoflurane increased the potency of metocurine significantly; IC50 (the concentration in the effect compartment at 50% paralysis) was 70 +/- 15 ng/mL during isoflurane anaesthesia and 129 +/- 42 ng/mL during barbiturate-opiate anaesthesia (P < 0.03). Volume of distribution (63 +/- 18 mL/kg), clearance (1.6 +/- 0.4 mL/min.kg) and elimination half-life (99 +/- 9 min) during barbiturate-opiate anaesthesia were not significantly different during isoflurane anaesthesia: 64 +/- 25 mL/kg, 1.5 +/- 0.7 mL/kg.min, 116 +/- 16 min respectively. We conclude that, relative to barbiturate-opiate anaesthesia, isoflurane potentiates metocurine in goats.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1995

Cell envelope and cell wall immunization of Macaca fascicularis: effect on the progression of ligature-induced periodontitis.

The nonhuman primate, Macaca fascicularis, was used to study the role of immunization with selected members of the periodontopathic microbiota in the longitudinal progression of ligature-induced periodontitis. Animals were immunized with cell envelope antigens prepared from Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, and a mixture prepared from Fusobacterium nucleatum, Campylobacter rectus, and Actinomyces viscosus. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM and IgA isotype antibodies increased significantly in all immunization groups and were specific for each of the immunogens. P. gingivalis and P. intermedia immunization resulted in a stabilization of the proportions of these species throughout most of the experiment. The high P. gingivalis antibody titer resulted in low P. gingivalis numbers being recovered. P. gingivalis immunization, while lowering recoverable viable P. gingivalis, resulted in significantly increased levels of Prevotella loescheii, Prevotella buccae, Bacteroides macacae and Prevotella melaninogenica compared with preligation and preimmunization levels. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga spp. and Eikenella spp. remained at preligation levels postimmunization. Campylobacter spp. increased significantly during the course of the experiment in all groups, whereas the levels of Fusobacterium spp. decreased. Plaque indices and bleeding on probing showed significant increases in all groups following ligation, with the placebo group showing the greatest increase. Pocket depth measurements revealed that , whereas the placebo animals showed an approximate 5% increase, the P. gingivalis- and P. intermedia-immunized groups showed nearly a 20% increase in pocket depth. Attachment level measurements showed significantly greater attachment loss in the P. gingivalis- and P. intermedia-immunized groups, and the F. nucleatum + C. rectus + A. viscosus immunization appeared to prevent significant changes in pocket depth/attachment level loss. Radiographic measurement of bone loss by computer-assisted densitometric image analysis revealed that the placebo group lost bone throughout the experiment. P. gingivalis- and P. intermedia-immunized groups showed an exacerbated loss of bone density and the group immunized with F. nucleatum + C. rectus + A. viscosus exhibited significantly lower amounts of bone loss when analyzed by computer-assisted densitometric image analysis, compared with the other immunized groups. Although immunization with P. gingivalis and P. intermedia cell envelope antigens had an effect on their emergence in the complex microbiota of the developing periodontal pocket, this immunization also resulted in greater bone loss than immunization with F. nucleatum + C. rectus + A. viscosus, suggesting that, whereas selective members of the putative periodontopathic microbiota may play a direct role in periodontal tissue destruction, the complexity of the subgingival microbiota dictates that considerable scrutiny is required to select useful immunogens that can elicit functional protection from periodontal tissue destruction induced by oral microorganisms that already colonize or infect the host.

Actinomyces viscosus↗
PubMed1995

Diaphragmatic flutter presenting as inspiratory stridor.

Diaphragmatic flutter is a rarely reported disorder in which the diaphragm involuntarily contracts at a rapid rate. We report a unique case in which diaphragmatic flutter was associated with inspiratory stridor and was severely disabling. A new approach to the treatment of this condition, phrenic nerve crush, provided an optimal outcome, with resolution of symptoms and the return of normal diaphragmatic function. Pathophysiology and treatment of this condition are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Brief behavioral treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

7 latency-age children received brief behavioral therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The intervention included reinforcing appropriate behaviors and punishing negative behaviors, skills training, and parental education. There were significant decreases in impulsivity at home and school after intervention. These results suggest that brief behavioral interventions might decrease impulsivity in ADHD children over the short term, but the sample was small and heterogeneous, so replication on a larger sample is required.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1994

Mutation and expression of the XPA gene in revertants and hybrids of a xeroderma pigmentosum cell line.

A series of ultraviolet (UV)-resistant cell lines have been generated from a UV-sensitive XP group A cell line homozygous for a stop codon (TGA) in the chromosome 9 XPA gene. Three lines generated by chemical mutagenesis acquired the ability to excise (6-4) photoproducts but not cyclobutane dimers from the whole genome; two lines generated by a fusion procedure with hamster cells acquired the ability to excise both (6-4) photoproducts and cyclobutane dimers from the whole genome. A central region of the hamster XPA gene was cloned and sequenced. With the use of species-specific primers in the polymerase chain reaction, we found that the hybrid cell lines do not contain a hamster XPA gene. Sequence analysis showed that all of the UV-resistant cell lines contain reversions of the human stop codon, resulting in missense mutations (glycine or leucine for arginine) or wild-type sequences. The concentration of XPA protein in revertant cell lines was about one-half that in normal cells, which would be expected from heterozygous cells; there was no evidence that the mutant proteins were less stable than the wild-type proteins. These results are consistent with the idea that the XPA protein initiates repair by binding to damaged sites with various affinities, depending on the photoproduct and the transcriptional state of the region. A concentration of XPA protein near 50% is needed before repair can proceed into nontranscribed regions of the genome. The revertant cell lines represent a class of missense mutations in the XPA gene that may have altered specificity and that can be used to understand some of the regulatory differences in repair of photoproducts in various regions of the genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

An unusual complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is gaining increasing acceptance as a mode of minimally invasive surgery. We describe a peculiar gynecologic complication following uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our patient presented with a four-month history of subacute pelvic pain, primarily located in the right lower quadrant, two years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a hemaclip embedded in the right ovarian capsule of an otherwise normal pelvis. The hemaclip had probably dislodged from its original site of placement in the upper abdomen, and migrated to the dependent portions of the pelvis, where it implanted in a follicular stigma and became affixed to the ovarian capsule. The hemaclip was removed without complications, and the patient's symptoms improved.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Failure of short-term CD4-PE40 infusions to reduce virus load in human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons.

The safety, immunologic, and antiviral effects of a recombinant biologic product that combines the second and third domains of the CD4 molecule and Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE40) were evaluated in 21 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects in a phase III open-label dose-ranging study. Subjects with CD4+ lymphocyte counts of 100-500/mm3 received CD4-PE40 at 40, 80, or 160 micrograms/m2 by infusion three to seven times over 10 days. At the maximum tolerated dose (80 micrograms/m2), peak CD4-PE40 levels were 65-130 ng/mL with a serum half-life of 3.6 +/- 1.5 h. Toxicity, primarily increased hepatic transaminases, was dose-related and reversible. HIV DNA proviral levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma HIV RNA remained stable during and after CD4-PE40 infusions. The relative resistance of clinical isolates of HIV, limits of the tolerated dose, and the immunogenicity and short half-life of the protein may explain the lack of in vivo antiviral effect of CD4-PE40.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗
PubMed1993

Donor cell infiltration of recipient tissue as an indicator of small bowel allograft rejection in the rat.

This study assessed whether screening of host tissues for graft cells could be used as an effective monitor of rejection following small bowel transplantation. Allogeneic rat small bowel transplantation was performed with or without cyclosporin (CyA) immunosuppression and cellular infiltration of host tissues assessed by immunohistological staining. Without immunosuppression, grafts were completely rejected within 1 week. CyA treatment for 7 days preserved the graft for 28 days although there was histological evidence of mild rejection in some of the animals studied. Continuous CyA treatment preserved the graft for up to 56 days. The peripheral lymph nodes and spleens of untreated animals were transiently infiltrated by low numbers of donor cells that disappeared by day 6. There was a marked donor cell infiltration of the lymph nodes and spleens of 7-day. CyA-treated animals that was maintained during the administration of immunosuppressive therapy but that declined thereafter. Continuous CyA treatment sustained donor cell infiltration up to day 56. These findings suggest the presence of donor cells in recipient lymph nodes and spleen to be indicative of effective control of rejection and their disappearance to be predictive of developing rejection responses. Examination of recipient peripheral tissues for donor cells may provide an improved technique for monitoring clinical small bowel transplantation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Chronic hyperplastic sinusitis: association of tissue eosinophilia with mRNA expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-3.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association among tissue eosinophilia, cellular infiltration, and cytokine mRNA expression in chronic hyperplastic sinusitis (CHS). METHODS: Percutaneous biopsies of the maxillary sinuses and nasal polyps were performed in 12 adult patients (six men and six women) of whom seven were nonallergic and 11 were asthmatic. Tissues were compared with biopsy specimens from the inferior and middle turbinates of normal control subjects. RESULTS: Histologically, an eosinophil-predominant inflammatory infiltrate was seen in 10 of 12 patients, whereas a mild to moderate neutrophilic infiltrate was seen in 4 of 12 patients. As determined by immunocytochemistry, diseased tissues and normal control tissues differed significantly in terms of the number of activated (EG2+) eosinophils (p = 0.005) but not in terms of CD3+ or CD4+ T lymphocytes, elastase-positive neutrophils or CD68+ macrophages. The number of eosinophils did not correlate with that of any other cell type. By in situ hybridization, CHS tissues showed significantly higher numbers of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-3 mRNA-positive cells than normal control tissues (p = 0.002 and 0.0005, respectively) per high-powered field. There was a significant correlation between the number of infiltrating EG2+ eosinophils and cells that expressed mRNA for GM-CSF (r = 0.60, p = 0.041) or IL-3 (r = 0.69, p = 0.013). Furthermore, epithelial cells did not show detectable mRNA expression for GM-CSF or IL-3. No significant correlation was found between IL-5 mRNA expression and infiltrating EG2+ eosinophils in diseased tissues. However, the IL-5 density was significantly higher in the five patients with CHS who had positive allergy skin test results than in the seven patients with negative skin test results (p = 0.017) or in normal control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support a role for GM-CSF and IL-3 in the eosinophilia characteristic of CHS and show that IL-5 mRNA expression is not a prominent feature of nonallergic inflammation. The cellular sources of GM-CSF and IL-3 in CHS remain to be definitely determined.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Safety and efficacy of polyethylene glycol-modified interleukin-2 and zidovudine in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection: a phase I/II study.

The safety and efficacy of combined therapy with polyethylene glycolated (PEG) interleukin (IL)-2 and zidovudine was assessed in 19 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-seropositive subjects in a phase I/II open-label dose-ranging study. During courses of three weekly infusions of PEG IL-2, dose-limiting side effects were seen at 5 x 10(6) IU/m2 and reversible encephalopathy in 1 subject at 3 x 10(6) IU/m2. Significant increases were seen in CD4 cell counts (P < .01), NK cell activity (P < .05), and HIV-specific cytotoxicity (P < .01). Virologic monitoring (quantitative DNA polymerase chain reaction and p24 antigen assay) showed no evidence of increased HIV activation. Patients with CD4 cells < 200/mm3 were entered into a chronic dosing phase. PEG IL-2 was given at 14-day intervals at doses of 10(6) IU/m2 for 8 weeks and 3 x 10(6) IU/m2 for up to 16 weeks, resulting in mean CD4 cell count elevations of 16% and 33%, respectively. PEG IL-2 appears to warrant further investigation, especially in subjects with CD4 cell counts < 200/mm3, to determine whether increased lymphocyte numbers will translate into improved clinical outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Association of anal dysplasia and human papillomavirus with immunosuppression and HIV infection among homosexual men.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and quantify the association between anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASIL), anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and immunosuppression among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative homosexual men. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study among homosexual men presenting at a community-based clinic for HIV serologic screening. RESULTS: Anal HPV DNA was detected in 55 and 23% of 285 HIV-seropositive and 204 HIV-seronegative men, respectively, by Southern transfer hybridization (STH) [odds ratio (OR), 4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.7-6.2], and in 92 and 78% by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.6-5.8). ASIL was noted in 26% of HIV-seropositive men and in 8% of HIV-seronegative men (compared with men with negative cytologic findings: OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 3.0-10.5), with high-grade lesions noted in 4% of HIV-seropositive and in 0.5% of HIV-seronegative men. Among HIV-infected men, ASIL, detection of specific anal HPV types, and detection of high levels of anal HPV DNA (i.e., levels of HPV DNA detectable by both STH and PCR) were all associated with immunosuppression. Nevertheless, HIV-seropositive men with CD4 counts > 500 x 10(6)/l had a higher prevalence of both anal HPV and ASIL than men without HIV infection. Overall, detection of HPV at high levels was associated with ASIL. However, after adjustment for level of detectable HPV DNA, the risk of ASIL among HIV-seropositive men with CD4 counts < 500 x 10(6)/l was increased 2.9-fold (95% CI, 1.4-6.2) over that of HIV-seropositive men with CD4 counts > 500 x 10(6)/l. CONCLUSION: Given the high rates of ASIL in HIV-seronegative and both immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed HIV-seropositive homosexual men, natural history studies are now needed to assist in the development of strategies for the detection and management of such lesions. The increased prevalence of ASIL seen among immunosuppressed HIV-seropositive men may be the result of both a non-specific increase in productive HPV infection and HIV-induced immune alterations of HIV-related neoplasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proviral DNA quantification by polymerase chain reaction: relationship to immunodeficiency and drug effect.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was quantitated in 61 HIV-1-seropositive individuals by a nonisotopic polymerase chain reaction assay. Primers from the gag region (SK38, SK39) were used to determine the log10 HIV-1 proviral copy number per 10(6) CD4+ T lymphocytes (peripheral blood proviral load). A standard curve was generated for each assay by using ACH-2 cell DNA. The peripheral blood proviral load was followed in 15 individuals in a longitudinal study and was measured in 45 individuals in a cross-sectional analysis. Three of four untreated patients who were followed for 14 months had stable PBMC proviral loads and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts; one untreated patient had a sustained increase in PBMC proviral load followed 5 months later by a significant decline in the CD4+ T lymphocyte count. Eleven previously untreated individuals were monitored for 1 year following initiation of zidovudine and/or 2',3'-dideoxyinosine therapy. The mean log10 number of proviral HIV-1 copies per 10(6) CD4+ T cells decreased from 4.3 +/- 0.4 at the baseline to 3.5 +/- 0.6 after 2 to 4 months of therapy (P < 0.01). This initial 0.8 log10 fall in the PBMC proviral load after the initiation of therapy was followed by a rise in the PBMC proviral load by the sixth month of therapy. The PBMC proviral load in 45 subjects, both treated (n = 25) and untreated (n = 20), correlated inversely with the CD4+ T lymphocyte count (P < 0.01, R = 0.49). PBMC proviral DNA quantification by a nonisotopic polymerase chain reaction assay correlates with HIV-1 disease progression and could be used to monitor the effect of antiretroviral therapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Effect of butter, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched butter, trans fatty acid margarine, and zero trans fatty acid margarine on serum lipids and lipoproteins in healthy men.

The effect of diets containing 50% of fat calories from butter, butter enriched with mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and margarines with and without trans fatty acids on the serum lipids of 38 healthy men in a free-living condition have been determined. Serum lipid responses to the high level of individual dietary fats were unexpectedly small. The butter diet produced a small, but significant rise (5%) in the total serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, relative to all other diets. Enrichment of butter with either olive oil (50/50) or sunflower oil (50/50) failed to reduce serum lipid levels below habitual diet values. Hard margarine, containing 29% trans fatty acids, caused a decrease in apolipoprotein A-I and B levels, but did not change total serum cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol levels, relative to habitual diet values. A soft margarine, high in linoleate, with no trans fatty acids reduced total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B significantly, relative to all diets. Soft margarine high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels remained unchanged, but apolipoprotein A-I values were decreased relative to habitual and butter diets. The quantities of saturated fatty acids and the sum of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids consumed on the hard and soft margarines were equal; therefore, the different response of serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol between these two diets is attributable to the trans fatty acids in the hard margarine. The data indicate that trans fatty acids are not metabolically equivalent to the natural cis isomers and that they affect the serum lipid profile adversely.

Adult↗