The 14th International Aids Conference: 'Knowledge,commitment and action'

During the world AIDS conference in Barcelona it became clear that the worst-case scenario of 10 years ago has become a reality: the HIV epidemic is continuing to spread. Also in industrialised countries the incidence of HIV infections among homosexual men is once again increasing. An HIV vaccine is still not available. Although the development of antiretroviral therapy continues, HIV inhibitors do not result in an eradication of HIV. It is still not clear as to when therapy can best be started and what the consequences are of temporarily withdrawing therapy. In countries where HIV inhibitors are widely available, the life expectancy of HIV-infected persons is increasing. The life expectancy of HIV patients will possibly decrease again due to an increased resistance towards the currently available antiretroviral drugs.     

Paracoccidioidomycosis mortality in Brazil (1980-1995)

This study analyzes 3,181 deaths from paracoccidioidomycosis in Brazil, based on 16 years of sequential data (from 1980 to 1995). During this period paracoccidioidomycosis showed considerable magnitude and low visibility, representing the eighth most common cause of death from predominantly chronic or recurrent types of infectious and parasitic diseases. It also had the highest mortality rate among the systemic mycoses. The mean annual mortality rate was 1.45 per million inhabitants, indicating a downward long-term trend (reduction of 31.28%), while spatial distribution among the different regions and States of Brazil was non-homogenous. The South (with the highest regional rate) and the Southeast showed a downward trend, while the Central West had the second highest rate in the country. At least one-fifth of Brazilian municipalities (or 22.71% of the country's total area) reported deaths from paracoccidioidomycosis. Overall nationwide mortality per area was 3.73/10,000km2. The disease was endemic in non-metropolitan areas. The majority of deaths occurred in males (84.75%), and there was a sex ratio of 562 men/100 women. The 30-59-year and over-60-year age groups were the most affected. The study showed that the mortality rate justifies classifying this disease as a major health problem in Brazil.     

Conformational diversity of T-kinin in DMSO, water and HFA

T-kinin (Ile-Ser-BK) is related to BK in its biological profile, but unlike BK, is more resistant to the action of ACE. A detailed NMR and molecular modeling study of T-kinin has been carried out in three diverse media: water (pH 4.0), DMSO-d(6) and HFA solution. In DMSO-d(6), T-kinin adopts a structure with two tandem beta-turns: the first at the mid segment tetrad Pro(4)-Pro(5)-Gly(6)-Phe(7) (type I) and the C-terminal end Ser(8)-Pro(9)-Phe(10)-Arg(11) harbors the second turn (also type I). While the first beta-turn is lost in presence of water, the second persists. In HFA, NMR reveals a alpha-helix like structure spanning residues Arg(3) to Arg(11). Structures with cis peptide bonds (XX-Pro) have been observed for T-kinin in DMSO-d(6) but not in water and HFA. Differences in the structures of BK and T-kinin in water may explain their susceptibility/resistance to the action of ACE.     

Dissection of the intracranial internal carotid artery producing isolated oculomotor nerve palsy with sparing of pupil

Dissection of the internal carotid artery usually occurs in the cervical segment, but rarely may involve the artery in the intracranial course (1). The clinical course of intracranial dissection is often catastrophic, with rapid onset of profound neurological deficit, as a result of middle and/or anterior cerebral artery involvement. When this occurs the mortality rate is generally considered high. We describe a case of intracranial internal carotid artery dissection following trivial trauma presented with an isolated painful pupillary sparing oculomotor nerve palsy.     

Recessive ataxia with ocular apraxia: review of 22 Portuguese patients

BACKGROUND: The recessive ataxias are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by cerebellar ataxia associated with a number of different neurologic, ophthalmologic, or general signs. They are often difficult to classify in clinical terms, except for Friedreich ataxia, ataxia-telangiectasia, and a relatively small group of rare conditions for which the molecular basis has already been defined. OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical presentation and to define diagnostic criteria in a group of Portuguese patients with ataxia and ocular apraxia, an autosomal recessive form without the essential clinical and laboratory features of ataxia-telangiectasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 22 patients in 11 kindreds, identified through a systematic survey of hereditary ataxias being conducted in Portugal. RESULTS: Age at onset ranged from 1 to 15 years, with a mean of 4.7 years. The duration of symptoms at the time of last examination varied from 5 to 58 years. All patients presented with progressive cerebellar ataxia, the characteristic ocular apraxia, and a peripheral neuropathy. Associated neurologic signs included dystonia, scoliosis, and pes cavus. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 16 patients, all of whom showed cerebellar atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Ataxia with ocular apraxia may be more frequent than postulated before, and may be identified clinically using the following criteria: (1) autosomal recessive transmission; (2) early onset (for most patients in early childhood); (3) combination of cerebellar ataxia, ocular apraxia, and early areflexia, with later appearance of the full picture of peripheral neuropathy; (4) absence of mental retardation, telangiectasia, and immunodeficiency; and (5) the possibility of a long survival, although with severe motor handicap.     

A hidden HIV epidemic among women in Vietnam

Background  

The HIV epidemic in Vietnam is still concentrated among high risk populations, including IDU and FSW. The response of the government has focused on the recognized high risk populations, mainly young male drug users. This concentration on one high risk population may leave other populations under-protected or unprepared for the risk and the consequences of HIV infection. In particular, attention to women's risks of exposure and needs for care may not receive sufficient attention as long as the perception persists that the epidemic is predominantly among young males. Without more knowledge of the epidemic among women, policy makers and planners cannot ensure that programs will also serve women's needs.     

Gossypol blood levels and inhibition of spermatogenesis in men taking gossypol as a contraceptive. A multicenter, international, dose-finding study

The safety and efficacy of gossypol continues to be controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate gossypol as a contraceptive pill for men at doses lower than those previously prescribed and in men from various ethnic origin. A total of 151 men from Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, and China were divided into two groups. Both groups received 15 mg gossypol/day for 12 or 16 weeks to reach spermatogenesis suppression. Subjects were then randomized to either 7.5 or 10 mg/day for 40 weeks. In addition, 51 men were enrolled as a control group. In all, 81 subjects attained spermatogenesis suppression. Only one man discontinued treatment because of tiredness. Potassium levels fluctuated within the normal range. FSH increased consistently. Testicular volume decreased, but after discontinuation, values returned to levels not statistically different from admission. Of 19 subjects on the 7.5 mg/day dose group, 12 recovered sperm counts >20 million/mL within 12 months of discontinuing gossypol. In the 10 mg/day group, sperm counts recovered in only 10 of 24 subjects. Eight of the 43 patients remained azoospermic 1 year after stopping gossypol. All men diagnosed with varicocele failed to reverse spermatogenesis suppression. Gossypol blood levels indicated that sperm suppression occurs independently of concentration, whereas spermatogenesis recovery appears to be concentration-dependent. Gossypol may become a medical alternative to surgical vasectomy when the delay in onset of infertility is acceptable. When taken for 1 year, gossypol causes no reduction in sexual desire or frequency of intercourse. The possibility of reversal, occurring in 51% of the men on this regimen within 1 year after stopping gossypol, is an advantage of this compound as compared with surgical sterilization in many parts of the world.