Viral load,CD4 percentage,and delayed-type hypersensitivity in subjects receiving the HIY-1 Immunogen and antiviral drug therapy

Two trials of subjects inoculated with the inactivated, gp120-depleted HIV-1 Immunogen are reported. In one study, in which 19 subjects received ZDV and 8 subjects received ddI, treatment with the HIV-1 Immunogen did not affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of the antiviral drugs. In another study, 65 subjects who were previously immunized with the HIV-1 Immunogen over a mean period of 4.0 years (range, 1.2–5.4 years) received inoculations at 0 and 6 months. At some point during this 48-week study, 72% of the subjects (47/65) were receiving antiviral drug therapy. The HIV-1 DNA load in CD4 cells and CD4 percentage were found to be stable over the 48-week period. Delayed-type hypersensitivity to HIV-1 antigens increased after two inoculations with the HIV-1 Immunogen. In these two trials, no serious treatment-related adverse events were documented in the subjects. The two studies presented herein are the first to suggest that an immune-based therapy such as the HIV-1 Immunogen can be combined safely with antiviral drugs, supporting further study to evaluate the clinical utility of this approach.     

IL-4–BATF signaling directly modulates IL-9 producing mucosal mast cell (MMC9) function in experimental food allergy

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Energy Balance,Eating Disorder Risk,and Pathogenic Behaviors Among Athletic Trainers

ContextResearch exists on energy balances (EBs) and eating disorder (ED) risks in physically active populations and occupations by settings, but the EB and ED risk in athletic trainers (ATs) have not been investigated.ObjectiveTo assess ATs'' energy needs, including the macronutrient profile, and examine ED risk and pathogenic behavioral differences between sexes (men, women) and job statuses (part time or full time) and among settings (college or university, high school, nontraditional).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingFree living in job settings.Patients or Other ParticipantsAthletic trainers (n = 46; male part-time graduate assistant ATs = 12, male full-time ATs = 11, female part-time graduate assistant ATs = 11, female full-time ATs = 12) in the southeastern United States.Main Outcome Measure(s)Anthropometric measures (sex, age, height, weight, body composition), demographic characteristics (job status [full- or part-time AT], job setting [college/university, high school, nontraditional], years of AT experience, exercise background, alcohol use), resting metabolic rate, energy intake (EI), total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), EB, exercise energy expenditure, macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats), the Eating Disorder Inventory-3, and the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 Symptom Checklist.ResultsThe majority of participants (84.8%, n = 39) had an ED risk, with 26.1% (n = 12) engaging in at least 1 pathogenic behavior, 50% (n = 23) in 2 pathogenic behaviors, and 10.8% (n = 5) in >2 pathogenic behaviors. Also, 82.6% of ATs (n = 38) presented in negative EB (EI < TDEE). Differences were found in resting metabolic rate for sex and job status (F_1,45 = 16.48, P = .001), EI (F_1,45 = 12.01, P = .001), TDEE (F_1,45 = 40.36, P < .001), and exercise energy expenditure (F_1,38 = 5.353, P = .026). No differences were present in EB for sex and job status (F_1,45 = 1.751, P = .193); χ² analysis revealed no significant relationship between ATs'' sex and EB (= 0.0, P = 1.00) and job status and EB ( = 2.42, P = .120). No significant relationship existed between Daily Reference Intakes recommendations for all macronutrients and sex or job status.ConclusionsThese athletic trainers experienced negative EB, similar to other professionals in high-demand occupations. Regardless of sex or job status, ATs had a high ED risk and participated in unhealthy pathogenic behaviors. The physical and mental concerns associated with these findings indicate a need for interventions targeted at ATs'' health behaviors.     

Does pertussis infection induce manifestation of allergy?

Summary To evaluate whether pertussis induces the development of allergy, a prospective study was performed in 25 children aged 0.8–12.2 years. The patients underwent allergy diagnostics during pertussis infection and at a follow-up visit 8–14 months later. Diagnostic criteria included the medical history of the patients and their families, a modified skin prick test, measurement of serum IgE and radio-allergosorbent test screening for specific sensitizations. At the time of pertussis, serum IgE concentration in the study group was 62+ 30 kU/ml. At the follow-up visit, there was a significant increase in serum IgE to 137 ± 51 kU/ml, which was also significantly higher than IgE in an age-matched control group. Children at a significantly higher risk for developing IgE increase or new allergic sensitizations were those with a family history of allergy or potentially allergic disease in their personal history. Our results indicate that pertussis may induce IgE production in affected children.Abbreviation SPT skin prick test Dedicated to Prof. Dr. N. Zöllner on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Skeletal differences between black and white men and their relevance to body composition estimates

Skeletal differences exist between closely matched Black and White women, although it is unknown if similar differences also exist between Black and White men after controlling for age, body weight, and stature. The aim of this study was twofold: to test the hypothesis that Black men have greater bone mass, higher bone mineral density, and longer limbs compared to White men of similar age, weight, and height; and second, to establish if ethnic variation in skeletal characteristics has an impact on the models upon which three widely used methods for estimating total body fat are based. Twenty-four healthy Black men were matched by age (±5 years), height (±3 cm), and weight (±2 kg) to 24 healthy White men. Skeletal characteristics and body composition were studied using anatomical and compartment estimates derived by anthropometry, ³H₂O dilution, hydrodensitometry, whole-body ⁴⁰K counting, and dual photon systems. Black men had greater bone mineral mass (P = 0.007), higher bone density (P = 0.054), longer femurs (P = 0.002), longer anthropometric arm and thigh lengths (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively), lower spine to femur ratio (P = 0.004), and similar spine length (P = 0.271) compared to White men. Total body fat and fat-free body mass (FFM) were estimated in the men using a four-compartment model. Black and White men had similar total body fat, K (TBK), water (TBW), and FFM. Density of FFM and TBK/FFM were also similar between Black and White men, suggesting that current two-compartment hydrodensitometry and TBK models for estimating fat may not require adjustments for ethnicity. The TBW/FFM ratio, which is the main assumed steady-state relation for the two-compartment TBW method of estimating fat, was modestly increased (P = 0.05) in Black men (x? ± SD, 0.744 ± 0.018) compared to White men (0.732 ± 0.021). These results confirm that Black and White men differ significantly in some skeletal characteristics and these differences have implications in the study of both osteoporosis and human body composition. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Predominance of Ehrlichia ewingii in Missouri dogs

To investigate the species distribution of Ehrlichia present in Missouri dogs, we tested 78 dogs suspected of having acute ehrlichiosis and 10 healthy dogs. Blood from each dog was screened with a broad-range 16S rRNA gene PCR assay that detects known pathogenic species of Ehrlichia and ANAPLASMA: The species was determined by using species-specific PCR assays and nucleotide sequencing. Ehrlichia antibody testing was performed by using an indirect immunofluorescence assay with Ehrlichia chaffeensis as the antigenic substrate. The broad-range assay detected Ehrlichia or Anaplasma DNA in 20 (26%) of the symptomatic dogs and 2 (20%) of the asymptomatic dogs. E. ewingii accounted for 20 (91%), and E. chaffeensis accounted for 1 (5%) of the positives. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was detected in one dog, and the sequences of regions of the 16S rRNA gene and the groESL operon amplified from the blood of this dog matched the published sequences of this organism. Antibodies reactive with E. chaffeensis were detected in 14 (67%) of the 21 PCR-positive dogs and in 12 (19%) of the 64 PCR-negative dogs. Combining the results of PCR and serology indicated that 33 (39%) of 85 evaluable dogs had evidence of past or current Ehrlichia infection. We conclude that E. ewingii is the predominant etiologic agent of canine ehrlichiosis in the areas of Missouri included in this survey. E. canis, a widely recognized agent of canine ehrlichiosis, was not detected in any animal. The finding of E. ewingii in asymptomatic dogs suggests that dogs could be a reservoir for this Ehrlichia species.     

Pulmonary response of rats exposed to titanium dioxide (TiO2) by inhalation for two years

Rats were exposed to TiO2 by inhalation exposure to concentrations of 0, 10, 50, and 250 mg/m3 for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 2 years. There were no abnormal clinical signs, body weight changes, or excess mortality in any exposed group. Exposed groups showed slight increases in the incidence of pneumonia, tracheitis, and rhinitis with squamous metaplasia in the anterior nasal cavity. The pulmonary response at 10 mg/m3 satisfied the biological criteria for a "nuisance dust." The lung reaction was characterized by dust-laden macrophage (dust cell) infiltration in the alveolar ducts and adjoining alveoli with hyperplasia of Type II pneumocytes. Rats at 50 and 250 mg/m3 exposure concentrations revealed a dose-dependent dust cell accumulation, a foamy macrophage response, Type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, alveolar proteinosis, alveolar bronchiolarization, cholesterol granulomas, focal pleurisy, and dust deposition in the tracheobronchial lymph nodes. Minute collagenized fibrosis occurred in the alveolar walls enclosing large dust cell aggregates. The pulmonary lesions with massive dust accumulation appeared to be the result of an overwhelmed lung clearance mechanism at 250 mg/m3 exposure. Bronchioloalveolar adenomas and cystic keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas occurred at 250 mg/m3 exposure, while no compound-related lung tumors were found in rats exposed to either 10 or 50 mg/m3. In addition to excessive dust loading in the lungs of rats exposed chronically at 250 mg/m3, the lung tumors were different from common human lung cancers in terms of tumor type, anatomic location, tumorigenesis, and were devoid of tumor metastasis. Therefore, the biological relevance of these lung tumors and other pulmonary lesions for man is negligible.