A role for cell migration in the sexual transmission of HIV-1?

The issue of how human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) enters the body following sexual contact has been the subject of considerable controversy. Several possible routes for the initial infection have been suggested [1-6], including the possibility that the transmission is mediated by HIV-1-infected lymphocytes or macrophages in serum and female genital tract secretions, rather than by free virus. We recently reported that HIV-1-infected, activated primary monocytes can migrate between epithelial cells grown in confluent monolayer cultures in vitro [7]. We report here on experiments carried out in mice to test the hypothesis that mononuclear blood cells are capable of migrating through intact epithelia, and thus of carrying a virus into an animal. We placed double-stained, activated mononuclear blood cells into the vaginas of mice; four hours later, numerous double-stained cells were observed in the connective tissue beneath the vaginal epithelium and the iliac lymph nodes of the experimental mice. We speculate that such migration may be involved in the sexual transmission of HIV-1.     

Problem of biliourolithiasis-does it exist?

The analysis of 190 case records and 112 clinical cases of the patients with combination of biliary--and urolithiasis (biliourolithiasis-BUL) was carried out. Besides, for proving frequency of combined disease the differential analysis of 2300 case records of urolithiasis and biliary lithiasis separately was carried out as well. It was determined that this combination occurs in 10%. The purposeful, precise definition of complains, anamnesis of the illness, ultrasound and x-ray examination of biliary and urologic system are of paramount importance in timely diagnosis of such combined diseases. Diagnostic and tactic errors committed by surgeons as well as by urologists are often explained by insufficient knowledge of physicians about rather common combination of bilio- and urolithiasis. Among 112 patients 25 were admitted as urgent, the others--according to planned order--with various diagnoses, and their combined pathology was diagnosed at clinic only after purposeful precise examination. Urgent operations on biliary system were carried out in 21 patients. 84 patients underwent elective operations on biliary and urologic system, simultaneous operations of them being carried out in 31 patients. 7 patients due to their severe cardio-vascular disease underwent conservative treatment. Postoperative lethality made up 0.9%. From 190 patients (archives data) 162 have been operated on. Postoperative lethality made up 3.4%. Cost effect of simultaneous combined operations made up 1,168,000 roubles. It is advisable for patients with BUL diseases, taking into account function of the liver and kidney, their organs blood flow, to perform simultaneous of consecutive surgical interventions on biliary as well as on the urologic system which contribute to the well-timed social and professional rehabilitation of the patients.     

Tuberculosis and iron overload in Africa: a review

Both pulmonary tuberculosis and dietary iron overload are common conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. The incidence of tuberculosis has increased markedly over the last decade, primarily as a result of the rapid spread of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Dietary iron overload affects up to 10% of adults in rural populations and is characterized by heavy iron deposition both in parenchymal cells and in macrophages. Mycobacterium tuberculosis grows within macrophages and, at the same time, the antimicrobial function of macrophages is important in the body's defence against tuberculosis. In vitro, the loading of macrophages with iron reduces the response of these cells to activation by interferon-gamma and diminishes their toxicity against micro-organisms. In the clinical setting, dietary iron overload appears to increase the risk for death from tuberculosis even in the absence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The combination of dietary iron overload and infection with the HIV, with impaired function of both macrophages and T-cells, may make patients especially vulnerable to tuberculosis. It is possible that the prevention and treatment of dietary iron overload could contribute to the control of tuberculosis in African populations.     

GALVANOMAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF METALS AT BOILING OF LIQUID HELIUM

1.IntroductionTheproblemofheatgenerationduet0J0uleenergydissipationexistsatlowtemper-aturegalvan0magneticmeasuremeflts.Especiallythispr0blemisactualathighcurrentdensityandlargeresistivity.Thephenomena0ftemperaturechargeandheattransferinmetaJsareknownt0bedeterminedmainlybyanelectr0nsysteminacc0rdancewithitsdispersionlawandscatteringmechanisms-Usuallyaheateliminationregime0fasampleisnotsimpleandis0tr0picbecausespecimensareplacedinliquid'heliumcavitywithhelpoflowtemperatureinsetwhereasampleism0u…     

Focal areas of increased renal tracer uptake on bone scans can mimic metastases in the lower ribs

Focal renal concentration of radioactivity can simulate metastatic deposits in the lower ribs on bone scintigrams. 400 consecutive bone scintigrams were reviewed for focal areas of increased tracer activity in the kidneys. 62 patients (15.5%) had at least one renal hot spot. In 42 of these 62 patients (67.7%) there was an increased focal uptake in the left kidney (18 upper pole, 18 middle pole and six lower pole). 50 out of 62 bone scans (80.7%) showed increased activity in the right kidney (14 upper pole, 32 middle pole and four lower pole). With the incidence of focal areas of activity in the upper poles of the kidneys being 8%, the interpretation of a single focal abnormality projected over the lower ribs should be made with particular care, especially in cancer patients.     

The interaction of ethanol and delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in man: effects on perceptual, cognitive and motor functions

Twelve paid student volunteers (8 male, 4 female) were used in a double-blind crossover experiment to investigate the effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone, and in combination with ethanol, on human perceptual, cognitive and motor functions. Both THC (10 mg/70 kg) and ethanol (0-5 g/kg) had little effect when administered alone. The combination of drugs, however, induced a significnat decrement in performance in some of the tests and this interaction was considered to be at least additive. The peak blood ethanol concentration was higher (P = 0-05) when subjects received both ethanol and THC than when they received ethanol alone.