Mortality estimates of the 1984-85. Ethiopian famine

A brief summary of famine and drought from a historical perspective is given. In an attempt to estimate the magnitude of deaths due to the 1984-85 famine in Ethiopia, a survey was conducted among the resettled famine victims. The results show that the expected life at birth among the male and female famine victims was 6.2 and 5.7 years, respectively. When compared with the highest mortality rates ever recorded (that is Coale-Demeny, West Model Life Table level 1), the Ethiopian famine induced rate seems to be considerably higher. Regional variations between the two famine affected regions show that mortality in Tigrai was slightly higher than that of Wello. Also prefamine socio-economic differentials between households did not seem to have an effect on mortality. The results suggest that as much as 700,000 excess deaths might have occurred during the 1984-85 famine period in Ethiopia.     

PCR-Based assay to quantify human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

An assay that quantifies the amount of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been developed. PCR amplification of the HIV-1 DNA is performed in the presence of an internal quantitation standard, and colorimetric detection of the amplified product is performed with microwell plates. The copies of HIV-1 DNA are normalized to total genomic DNA input. The assay has an analytical sensitivity of 10 input copies per amplification reaction and a three-log detection range. In an analysis of sequential samples from patients on combination therapy, HIV-1 DNA was quantifiable for all individuals tested, including those with undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA. In a separate study, a comparison of HIV-1 DNA levels was made with a group of long-term survivors and progressors. The mean HIV-1 DNA levels were lower in the long-term survivors than in the progressors (P, 0.04). The mean HIV-1 RNA levels were also lower, but the difference was not statistically significant (P, 0.164). A quantitative DNA assay will provide an additional tool to gain insight into the natural history of infection and the continued efficacy of potent antiretroviral therapies.     

Does Tweeting Improve Citations? One-Year Results From the TSSMN Prospective Randomized Trial

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Combinatorial Approaches to Enhance DNA Damage following Enzyme-Mediated Depletion of L-Cys for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

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HIV mediates a productive infection of the brain.

BACKGROUND: Approximately one quarter of patients with AIDS develop severe cognitive deficits called HIV-associated dementia complex. There is some controversy regarding the importance of viral load and distribution in mediating this neurologic disease. OBJECTIVE: Brain HIV proviral and RNA loads were compared to define the molecular nature of HIV infection of the brain. METHOD: Neuropathologic examination was performed on brains from 10 autopsies of patients with AIDS that had short post-mortem intervals and no evidence of opportunistic infection. Viral DNA and RNA were extracted and quantified from multiple brain regions. These findings were compared with triple-label immunofluorescence for viral and cell markers. RESULTS: Brains with histopathologic evidence of HIV encephalitis contained abundant HIV RNA and DNA. Regions without productive HIV infection showed minimal proviral load. By immunocytochemistry, only brain macrophages/microglia double labeled for viral proteins. CONCLUSIONS: HIV mediates a productive infection of brain macrophages/microglia. There was no evidence supporting the hypothesis of substantial neuronal or macroglial infection, or evidence of substantial proviral burden prior to the development of productive infection.     

Plasticity in the melanotrope neuroendocrine interface of Xenopus laevis

Melanotrope cells of the amphibian pituitary pars intermedia produce alpha-melanophore-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a peptide which causes skin darkening during adaptation to a dark background. The secretory activity of the melanotrope of the South African clawed toad Xenopus laevis is regulated by multiple factors, both classical neurotransmitters and neuropeptides from the brain. This review concerns the plasticity displayed in this intermediate lobe neuroendocrine interface during physiological adaptation to the environment. The plasticity includes dramatic morphological plasticity in both pre- and post-synaptic elements of the interface. Inhibitory neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, designated suprachiasmatic melanotrope-inhibiting neurons (SMINs), possess more and larger synapses on the melanotrope cells in white than in black-background adapted animals; in the latter animals the melanotropes are larger and produce more proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the precursor of alpha-MSH. On a white background, pre-synaptic SMIN plasticity is reflected by a higher expression of inhibitory neuropeptide Y (NPY) and is closely associated with postsynaptic melanotrope plasticity, namely a higher expression of the NPY Y1 receptor. Interestingly, melanotrope cells in such animals also display higher expression of the receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and urocortin 1, two neuropeptides that stimulate alpha-MSH secretion. Possibly, in white-adapted animals melanotropes are sensitized to neuropeptide stimulation so that, when the toad moves to a black background, they can immediately initiate alpha-MSH secretion to achieve rapid adaptation to the new background condition. The melanotrope cell also produces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is co-sequestered with alpha-MSH in secretory granules within the cells. The neurotrophin seems to control melanotrope cell plasticity in an autocrine way and we speculate that it may also control presynaptic SMIN plasticity.     

Female genital tuberculosis in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the occurrence of female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) in Ethiopia and to compare the different methods available for its diagnosis. METHODS: Biopsy or curettage samples from 25 clinically suspected cases of FGTB were investigated with histopathology, smear microscopy, TB culture and PCR for mycobacteria. HIV status was determined by ELISA. CD4:CD8 ratio was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Among the 25 clinically suspected patients investigated, only one was AFB smear positive, three were culture positive, seven were histology positive and 12 were positive by PCR (a total of 16 positives). Samples taken from the fallopian tube were more frequently positive than those from the endometrium. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that FGTB is a significant clinical problem in Ethiopia. A combination of PCR with the other available methods was found to be the best alternative to achieve sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of FGTB in this setting.