bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Justice and HIV Care in Africa—Antiretrovirals in Perspective
Authors: Houston Stan 
Published: May 2005

The immense burden of HIV disease in sub-Saharan Africa has focused international interest on HIV care, especially on the lack of access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Difficulties in implementing ART in Africa include drug costs, adequate long-term funding sources, assurance of drug quality, and rapid development of the human resources and healthcare infrastructure needed to deliver ART. Important questions requiring study are the minimum level of laboratory monitoring and clinical support consistent with good treatment outcomes, the impact of antiretroviral drug resistance on treated individuals and communities, and the effect of ART on transmission at a community level. There are some concerns and risks. First, a focus on treatment could compromise the commitment of individuals to risk-reduction, and of governments to prevention. Second, health equity could be reduced, by diverting scarce public funds from basic care for the poorest, to costly disease-suppressive care for a small and probably elite group. In conclusion, while prevention must be the first priority, care is also essential. The vast prevailing economic inequity between the world’s rich and poor is the fundamental determinant of inequities in health and healthcare, including care for HIV. The global community of health-care workers must focus its substantial influence on changing political and economic policies that foster injustice and AIDS.
Clinical Correlates to Muscle Biopsy Findings in HIV Patients Experiencing Fatigue: A case series
Authors: Zell Steven C. , Nielsen Surl 
Published: May 2005

Muscular fatigue may result from HIV infection, and may be associated with antiretroviral drug treatment. Clinical features linked to muscle biopsy findings may assist in determining etiology, and guide treatment decisions. This case series examined HIV patients in an ambulatory HIV clinic who received antiretroviral therapy, and complained of unexplained muscular fatigue. Clinical features with measurement of acid-base status, levels of lactate, aminotransferases, triglycerides and creatine kinase were correlated to light and electron microscopic results of muscle biopsy. Three patients with acquired mitochondrial changes on biopsy shared common features of lactatemia, elevated aminotransferases and triglycerides, and ultrasonographic hepatic steatosis. A fourth patient with normal mitochondria had myositis with fibrosis, but no systemic symptoms. Biochemical parameters were unremarkable, except for a high creatine kinase. Acquired mitochondrial disease may manifest as systemic illness and muscular fatigue. Unique metabolic changes and other organ dysfunction may precede overt physical signs of HIV myopathy.
Can Structured Treatment Interruptions (STIs) Be Used as a Strategy to Decrease Total Drug Requirements and Toxicity in HIV Infection?
Authors: Walmsley Sharon , Loutfy Mona 
Published: May 2005

Structured treatment interruptions (STIs) are a new strategy under investigation in clinical trials involving a number of different HIV-infected populations. These populations include patients with prolonged HIV RNA suppression who were treated in either seroconversion or later in disease, and patients with virologic failure despite HAART, prior to the initiation of a salvage regimen. The goals of STI vary in each of these groups. Until the results of clinical trials are available, the use of STIs must be considered experimental. There are a number of potential risks, including the loss of a significant number of CD4 cells with the development of opportunistic infections, rebound of HIV RNA, emergence of drug resistance, and reseeding of viral reservoirs. However, STIs also hold the promise for decreasing antiretroviral drug burden and toxicity, and improving quality of life. Given that much of the world’s population infected with HIV does not have access to continuous HAART, the development of strategies that could decrease overall drug burden and cost is important. This paper provides an update of the recently published and presented studies on the use of STIs in various populations of HIV-infected patients. In particular, it discusses what is known and unknown about the relative risks and benefits of this approach, and what studies are ongoing. Lastly, it identifies how the use of STIs could decrease drug burden and toxicity in patients receiving therapy.
CNS Cryptococcoma in an HIV-Positive Patient
Authors: Troncoso Alcides , Fumagalli Julio , Shinzato Ruben , Gulotta Héctor , Toller Marcela , Bava Javier 
Published: May 2005

This is the first case of brain cryptococcoma in an AIDS patient reported in Argentina. The patient was a 28-year-old white heterosexual man with AIDS who presented with altered mental status, seizures, visual hallucinations, headache, and fever without significant focal neurological deficit. He had a lumbar puncture, and was treated for cryptococcal meningitis. Subsequent brain CT scanning and MRI disclosed a mass lesion in the occipital lobe. Histopathological examination of biopsy was compatible with cryptococcoma, and tissue culture revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. Resolution of the mass and edema resulted after treatment with intravenous amphotericin B for six weeks, which was followed with maintenance oral fluconazole. Intracranial mass is an uncommon complication in AIDS patients with cryptococcosis, and cryptococcoma should be considered as differential diagnosis of brain mass lesion in these patients. The etiologic diagnosis is necessary because central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis, lymphoma, and tuberculoma can produce similar clinical syndromes and MRI or CT findings to cryptococcoma. Also, these pathologies may coexist with meningeal cryptococcosis.
Once-daily antiretroviral therapies for HIV infection: Consensus statement of an Advisory Committee of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
Authors: Cohen Calvin , Elion Richard A. , Frank Ian , Kloser Patricia , Sherer Renslow , Squires Kathleen E. , Steinhart Corklin , Tebas Pablo 
Published: May 2005

Objective: Adherence is essential to successful virologic outcome of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Documented factors contributing to poor adherence include toxicity, food requirements, and pill burden. Once-daily antiretroviral therapies for HIV infection offer potential benefit by decreasing pill burden and dosing frequency, which may subsequently improve treatment adherence. This Consensus Statement is intended to offer guidance to physicians actively involved in HIV/AIDS care. Participants: Eight physicians with expertise in HIV medicine were invited by the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) to serve on an ad hoc Advisory Committee. Consensus process: IAPAC convened the Advisory Committee in June 2002 to develop a draft Consensus Statement. Scientific and clinical research, and other data in published literature and abstracts from scientific conferences were considered by strength of evidence. A Subcommittee updated the Consensus Statement in October 2002 to reflect relevant data presented at the XIV International AIDS Conference and the 42nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. This document represents consensus agreement of the Advisory Committee. Conflict of interest disclosure: The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care sponsored and coordinated the development of this Consensus Statement with an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb. The opinions expressed in this Consensus Statement represent only those of the Advisory Committee.
Tuberculosis and HIV: A Partnership Against the Most Vulnerable
Authors: Cahn Pedro , Perez Hector , Ben Graciela , Ochoa Claudia 
Published: May 2005

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Each year, there are eight million new Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) infections and three million TB-related deaths. The catastrophic effects of TB are borne disproportionately among the most vulnerable. The HIV pandemic has further increased the burden so that the risk of TB reactivation from latency is 5 to 15 percent in HIV/TB coinfection. Tuberculosis reactivation fuels further primary infections, creating a vicious cycle of increasing infection, disease, and deaths. In addition, drug-resistant TB exacerbates this increasingly common problem. The clinical presentations of TB in relation to HIV and HIV-associated immune deficiency are discussed from the perspective of clinical diagnosis and treatment in patient care. Tuberculosis prophylaxis, concurrent drug treatment of TB and HIV, drug interactions, and overlapping toxicities are detailed for the practitioner. Immune reconstitution inflammatory reactions are now a common phenomenon in HIV treatment, where similar reactions have been less commonly described in TB treatment in the past. Global distributive injustices in wealth, the burden of disease, and the provision of healthcare are obvious in TB, and clearly show us that the needs of the most vulnerable populations must be met in order to address the problems.
Atazanavir—A Once-daily HIV Protease Inhibitor That Does Not Cause Dyslipidemia in Newly Treated Patients: Results from Two Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Cahn Pedro E. , Gatell José M. , Squires Kathleen , Percival Lisa D. , Piliero Peter J. , Sanne Ian A. , Shelton Sarah , Lazzarin Adriano , Odeshoo Linda , Kelleher Thomas D. , Thiry Alexandra , Giordano Michael D. , Schnittman Stephen M. 
Published: May 2005

Protease inhibitor (PI) treatment can result in dyslipidemia in a significant proportion of patients. Atazanavir (ATV) is a once-daily PI that has not been associated with clinically relevant increases in total cholesterol (TC), fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or fasting triglyceride (TG) concentrations. The objectives of this paper were to evaluate lipid profiles in untreated patients, and investigate the frequency and severity of dyslipidemia in the same individuals after treatment with ATV or nelfinavir (NFV) for 48 weeks. Two multinational, randomized, active-controlled, blinded trials compared the safety and efficacy of ATV and NFV in combination with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in antiretroviral (ARV)-naive patients. Serum lipid concentrations were analyzed in patients who had available measurements both at baseline and at week 48. Patients who had missing data at either time point were not included. Lipid levels remained within baseline ranges at week 48 with ATV treatment, whereas clinically relevant elevations in TC, fasting LDL-C, and fasting TG concentrations occurred with NFV treatment. Mean changes from pre-treatment baseline in fasting LDL-C ranged from -6 percent to +6 percent in the ATV-treatment groups, and from +27 percent to +31 percent in the NFV-treatment groups. After 48 weeks, there was a substantive increase in the proportion of NFV-treated patients who would be recommended for lipid-lowering treatment by National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines, whereas a lesser proportion of ATV-treated patients would be recommended for lipid-lowering treatment. Atazanavir does not lead to dyslipidemia in ARV-naive patients, and may limit the need for lipid-lowering strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Balanced expression of CXCR5 and CCR7 on follicular T helper cells determines their transient positioning to lymph node follicles and is essential for efficient B-cell help
Authors: Hardtke Svenja , Ohl Lars , Förster Reinhold 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
The production of high-affinity antibodies to T-dependent antigens requires the interaction of B cells and T helper cells expressing receptors specific for the same antigen. Although several mechanisms have been elucidated that regulate B-cell trafficking within lymphoid organs, less is known about molecular cues that guide the small subpopulation of CD4+ follicular T helper cells to B-cell follicles. Using adoptive transfer of transgenic T cells in mice, we demonstrate that antigen-induced activation leads to a finely tuned positioning of T cells either to the T-cell area or the B-cell follicle. We show that expression of CXCR5 is indispensable for T cells to enter B-cell follicles, whereas expression of CCR7 provides a counteracting signal to retain activated T cells in the T-cell area. Although only few T cells transiently migrate from the T-cell area to the B-cell follicle of peripheral lymph nodes following antigenic challenge, this step is essential to provide the help B cells require to produce antibodies efficiently. Thus, we demonstrate that the balanced expression of CCR7 and CXCR5 determines the positioning and proper function of follicular T helper cells.
Involvement of CD147 in overexpression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and enhancement of invasive potential of PMA-differentiated THP-1
Authors: Zhou Jun , Zhu Ping , Jiang Jian Li , Zhang Qing , Wu Zhen Biao , Yao Xi Ying , Tang Hao , Lu Ning , Yang Yong , Chen Zhi Nan 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
During infection and inflammation, circulating blood monocytes migrate from the intravascular compartments to the extravascular compartments, where they mature into tissue macrophages. The maturation process prepares the cells to actively participate in the inflammatory and immune responses, and many factors have been reported to be involved in the process. We found in our study that CD147 played a very important role in this process.

Results
By using PMA-differentiated human monocyte cells line THP-1, we found that CD147 mediated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression of the leukemic THP-1 cells and thus enhanced the invasiveness of THP-1 cells. After 24 hours of PMA-induced monocyte differentiation, the mean fluorescence intensity of CD147 in differentiated THP-1 cells (289.61 ± 31.63) was higher than that of the undifferentiated THP-1 cells (205.1 ± 19.25). There was a significant increase of the levels of proMMP-2, proMMP-9 and their activated forms in the differentiated THP-1 cells. Invasion assays using reconstituted basement membrane showed a good correlation between the invasiveness of THP-1 cells and the production of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The difference in the MMPs expression and the invasive ability was significantly blocked by HAb18G/CD147 antagonistic peptide AP-9. The inhibitory rate of the secretion of proMMP-9 in the undifferentiated THP-1 cells was 45.07%. The inhibitory rate of the secretion of proMMP-9, the activated MMP-9 and proMMP-2 in the differentiated THP-1 cells was 52.90%, 53.79% and 47.80%, respectively. The inhibitory rate of invasive potential in the undifferentiated cells and the differentiated THP-1 cells was 41.82 % and 25.15%, respectively.

Conclusion
The results suggest that the expression of CD147 is upregulated during the differentiation of monocyte THP-1 cells to macrophage cells, and CD147 induces the secretion and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and enhances the invasive ability of THP-1 cells. The matured monocytes / macrophages, via their high expression of CD147, may play an important role in promoting the tissue repair or tissue damage during their inflammatory response.
Role of core promoter sequences in the mechanism of swarmer cell-specific silencing of gyrB transcription in Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: England Jennifer C , Gober James W 
Published: May 2005

Abstract

Background
Each Caulobacter crescentus cell division yields two distinct cell types: a flagellated swarmer cell and a non-motile stalked cell. The swarmer cell is further distinguished from the stalked cell by an inability to reinitiate DNA replication, by the physical properties of its nucleoid, and its discrete program of gene expression. Specifically, with regard to the latter feature, many of the genes involved in DNA replication are not transcribed in swarmer cells.

Results
We show that for one of these genes involved in DNA replication, gyrB, its pattern of temporal expression depends upon an 80 base pair promoter region with strong resemblance to the Caulobacter crescentus σ73 consensus promoter sequence; regulation does not appear to be affected by the general strength of the promoter activity, as mutations that increased its conformity with the consensus did not affect its cell-cycle expression pattern. Transcription from the gyrB promoter in vitro required only the presence of the σ73 RNA polymerase (from E. coli) and the requisite nucleoside triphosphates, although a distinct binding activity, present in crude whole-cell extracts, formed a complex gyrB promoter DNA. We also assayed the effect on gyrB expression in strains containing mutations in either smc or dps, two genes encoding proteins that condense DNA. However we found there was no change in the temporal pattern of gyrB transcription in strains containing deletions in either of these genes.

Conclusion
These experiments demonstrate that gyrB transcription does not require any auxiliary factors, suggesting that temporal regulation is not dependent upon an activator protein. Swarmer-specific silencing may not be attributable to the observed physical difference in the swarmer cell nucleoid, since mutations in either smc or dps, two genes encoding proteins that condense DNA, did not alter the temporal pattern of gyrB transcription in strains containing deletions in either of these genes. Rather a repressor that specifically recognizes sequences in the gyrB promoter region that are also probably essential for transcription, is likely to be responsible for controlling cell cycle expression.
General practitioners' conceptions about treatment of depression and factors that may influence their practice in this area. A postal survey
Authors: Andersson Stig J , Troein Margareta , Lindberg Gunnar 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
The way GPs work does not appear to be adapted to the needs of depressive patients. Therefore we wanted to examine Swedish GPs' conceptions of depressive disorders and their treatment and GPs' ideas of factors that may influence their manner of work with depressive patients.

Methods
A postal questionnaire to a stratified sample of 617 Swedish GPs.

Results
Most respondents assumed antidepressive drugs effective and did not assume that psychotherapy can replace drugs in depression treatment though many of them looked at psychotherapy as an essential complement. Nearly all respondents thought that clinical experiences had great importance in decision situations, but patients' own preferences and official clinical guidelines were also regarded as essential. As influences on their work, almost all surveyed GPs regarded experiences from general practice very important, and a majority also emphasised experiences from private life. Courses arranged by pharmaceutical companies were seen as essential sources of knowledge. A majority thought that psychiatrists did not provide sufficient help, while most respondents perceived they were well backed up by colleagues.

Conclusion
GPs tend to emphasize experiences, both from clinical work and private life, and overlook influences of collegial dealings and ongoing CME as well as the effects of the pharmaceutical companies' marketing activities. Many GPs appear to need more evidence based knowledge about depressive disorders. Interventions to improve depression management have to be supporting and interactive, and should be combined with organisational reforms to improve co-operation with psychiatrists.
Suppression of colitis-related mouse colon carcinogenesis by a COX-2 inhibitor and PPAR ligands
Authors: Kohno Hiroyuki , Suzuki Rikako , Sugie Shigeyuki , Tanaka Takuji 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackgroundIt is generally assumed that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related carcinogenesis occurs as a result of chronic inflammation. We previously developed a novel colitis-related mouse colon carcinogenesis model initiated with azoxymethane (AOM) and followed by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). In the present study we investigated whether a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor nimesulide and ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), troglitazone (a PPARγ ligand) and bezafibrate (a PPARα ligand) inhibit colitis-related colon carcinogenesis using our model to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs in prevention of IBD-related colon carcinogenesis.MethodsFemale CD-1 (ICR) mice were given a single intraperitoneal administration of AOM (10 mg/kg body weight) and followed by one-week oral exposure of 2% (w/v) DSS in drinking water, and then maintained on the basal diets mixed with or without nimesulide (0.04%, w/w), troglitazone (0.05%, w/w), and bezafibrate (0.05%, w/w) for 14 weeks. The inhibitory effects of dietary administration of these compounds were determined by histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses.ResultsFeeding with nimesulide and troglitazone significantly inhibited both the incidence and multiplicity of colonic adenocarcinoma induced by AOM/DSS in mice. Bezafibrate feeding significantly reduced the incidence of colonic adenocarcinoma, but did not significantly lower the multiplicity. Feeding with nimesulide and troglitazone decreased the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-labeling index and expression of β-catenin, COX-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine. The treatments increased the apoptosis index in the colonic adenocarcinoma. Feeding with bezafibrate also affected these parameters except for β-catenin expression in the colonic malignancy.ConclusionDietary administration of nimesulide, troglitazone and bezafibrate effectively suppressed the development of colonic epithelial malignancy induced by AOM/DSS in female ICR mice. The results suggest that COX-2 inhibitor and PPAR ligands could serve as an effective agent against colitis-related colon cancer development.
Reevaluation of the 22-1-1 antibody and its putative antigen, EBAG9/RCAS1, as a tumor marker
Authors: Reimer Tatiana A , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Erdmann Bettina , Lehmann Insa , Stein Harald , Daniel Peter , Dörken Bernd , Rehm Armin 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
Tumor-associated antigens are appreciated as diagnostic markers, but they have also prompted tremendous efforts to develop tumor-specific immunotherapy. A previously cloned tumor-associated antigen, EBAG9, was initially defined by reactivity with the monoclonal antibody 22-1-1. Functionally, the EBAG9-encoded gene-product was believed to induce apoptosis in activated immune cells. However, using a cell-biological approach we identified EBAG9 as a Golgi-resident modulator of O-linked glycan expression, the latter product was then recognized by the 22-1-1 antibody. Secondly, EBAG9 expression was found physiologically in all murine tissues examined. This raised the question if EBAG9 is tumor-specific and mediates apoptosis itself or through O-linked glycans generated, among them the cognate 22-1-1 antigen Tn.

Methods
We have used immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of 22-1-1 and EBAG9 in various tissues. Correlation between expression of both antigens in cell lines was analysed by immunoblot and flow cytometry. Apoptosis was studied by using flow cytometry and Caspase-Glo™ 3/7 assay kit. Cellular distribution of EBAG9 was analysed by electron and confocal microscopy.

Results
Here, we compared expression of the 22-1-1 and EBAG9-defined antigens in normal and neoplastic tissues in situ. In contrast to 22-1-1 staining, EBAG9 is a ubiquitously expressed antigen in all normal and cancerous tissues. Functional studies on the role of 22-1-1 reactive material did not support any evidence for apoptosis induction. Employing electron and confocal microscopy, a refined subcellular localization of EBAG9 at the Golgi was obtained.

Conclusion
We suggest that the estrogen-inducible EBAG9 gene-product and the 22-1-1 defined antigen are structurally and functionally separate antigens.