Perspectives on HIV/AIDS epidemiology and prevention from the Eighth International Conference on AIDS.

The Eighth International AIDS Symposium in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, provided updated scientific and programmatic information on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to thousands of interested participants. As in the other scientific areas, the amount of information presented in epidemiology and prevention was overwhelming; however, the scientific progress described was steady but incremental. This commentary summarizes progress made in three selected areas that were highlighted during the meeting's scientific session and a fourth that received widespread media attention: (1) the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in heterosexual women; (2) tuberculosis as an increasing opportunistic pathogen in HIV-infected persons; (3) prevention research, practice, and policy; and (4) preliminary reports of severe immunodeficiency in persons without evident HIV infection. In order to stem HIV transmission worldwide, a safe and effective vaccine is urgently needed. Currently, in the absence of such a vaccine, it is crucial for all of the world's communities to apply the best science-based prevention methods available.     

Clinical features and outcome of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood with respect to alterations at the TAL1 locus: a Pediatric Oncology Group study

Alteration of the TAL1 locus is the most common nonrandom genetic defect in childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). To determine if rearrangements of the TAL1 proto-oncogene confer a distinct leukemic phenotype, we studied leukemic peripheral blood or bone marrow samples from 182 children with newly diagnosed T-ALL enrolled on Pediatric Oncology Group treatment protocols. Forty-eight (26%) of the samples had a local rearrangement of the TAL1 locus. Demographic and clinical features were compared for patient subgroups with and without TAL1 rearrangements. The only clinical correlates that were significantly associated with TAL1 gene rearrangements were higher white blood cell count (P = .017) and higher hemoglobin (P = .007) at diagnosis. Immunophenotypically, samples with altered TAL1 were more likely to be CD2+ (P = .001) and lack CD10 (cALLa) expression (P = .007) than those without the rearrangement. There was a trend toward improved event-free survival (EFS) in patients with TAL1 rearrangements (4-year EFS was 44% +/- 7% for patients without the rearrangements v 59% +/- 11% for those with rearrangements), but the difference was not significant (P = .34). The role of TAL1 in leukemogenesis has yet to be clearly defined, and the prognostic significance of TAL1 gene rearrangements in T-ALL deserves further study.     

Abnormal eating and dissociative experiences

A total of 656 male and female college students completed the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and a modified version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (M-DES). There were significant correlations between dissociative experiences and each of the EDI subscales, especially for women. Even among women, however, dissociation was more strongly related to aspects of ego dysfunction than to abnormal eating per se. This finding sets limits on the hypothesized association between dissociative disorder and eating disorder. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

新疆和田老人血管紧张素转换酶基因插入/缺失多态性与长寿的关系

目的 研究血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)基因插入/缺失(I/D)多态性与新疆和田长寿地区维吾尔族老人长寿、寿命间关系。方法 长寿组(n=37),高龄组(n=40),老年组(n=41)均用聚合酶链反应法(PCR)扩增ACE基因第16内含子多态性位点的序列,并比较各年龄组ACE基因型及等位基因频率。结果 长寿组Ⅱ型基因频率及Ⅰ型等位基因频率高于老年组,长寿组D型等位基因频率显著低于老年组。结论 ACE基因插入/缺失多态性与维吾尔族老人长寿、寿命间有关系。