Reconciling conflicting clinical studies of antioxidant supplementation as HIV therapy: a mathematical approach

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Small, highly reactive molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in cell signalling and infection control. However, high levels of ROS can cause significant damage to cell structure and function. Studies have shown that infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in increased ROS concentrations, which can in turn lead to faster progression of HIV infection, and cause CD4⁺T-cell apoptosis. To counteract these effects, clinical studies have explored the possibility of raising antioxidant levels, with mixed results.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this paper, a mathematical model is used to explore this potential therapy, both analytically and numerically. For the numerical work, we use clinical data from both HIV-negative and HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs) to estimate model parameters; these groups have lower baseline concentrations of antioxidants than non-IDU controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our model suggests that increases in CD4⁺T cell concentrations can result from moderate levels of daily antioxidant supplementation, while excessive supplementation has the potential to cause periods of immunosuppression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We discuss implications for HIV therapy in IDUs and other populations which may have low baseline concentrations of antioxidants.</p

A 'snip' in time: what is the best age to circumcise?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Circumcision is a common procedure, but regional and societal attitudes differ on whether there is a need for a male to be circumcised and, if so, at what age. This is an important issue for many parents, but also pediatricians, other doctors, policy makers, public health authorities, medical bodies, and males themselves.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We show here that infancy is an optimal time for clinical circumcision because an infant's low mobility facilitates the use of local anesthesia, sutures are not required, healing is quick, cosmetic outcome is usually excellent, costs are minimal, and complications are uncommon. The benefits of infant circumcision include prevention of urinary tract infections (a cause of renal scarring), reduction in risk of inflammatory foreskin conditions such as balanoposthitis, foreskin injuries, phimosis and paraphimosis. When the boy later becomes sexually active he has substantial protection against risk of HIV and other viral sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes and oncogenic human papillomavirus, as well as penile cancer. The risk of cervical cancer in his female partner(s) is also reduced. Circumcision in adolescence or adulthood may evoke a fear of pain, penile damage or reduced sexual pleasure, even though unfounded. Time off work or school will be needed, cost is much greater, as are risks of complications, healing is slower, and stitches or tissue glue must be used.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Infant circumcision is safe, simple, convenient and cost-effective. The available evidence strongly supports infancy as the optimal time for circumcision.</p

Elaboração e aplicação de um instrumento de avaliação no pós-operatório imediato com base no protocolo do Advanced Trauma Life Suport Elaboración y aplicación de un instrumento de evaluación en el post operatorio inmediato con base en el protocolo del Advanced Trauma Life Suport Elaboration and application of an evaluation instrument in the immediate postoperative period, based on the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol

OBJETIVO: Elaborar e aplicar um instrumento de avaliação do paciente no pós-operatório imediato (POI) de anestesia geral baseado no protocolo do Advanced Trauma Life Suport. MÉTODOS: Foi criado um instrumento baseado no ABCDE do Trauma e aplicado na Sala de Recuperação Pós-Anestésica em todos os pacientes adultos submetidos a cirurgias sob efeito de anestesia geral no período de setembro a novembro de 2007. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que 93,5% dos pacientes tinham vias aéreas pérvias, porém 92,2% necessitaram de oxigênio suplementar. Houve alteração na ausculta pulmonar de 15,6% dos pacientes, hipotensão em 16,9% e hipotermia em 23,4%. Observou-se também uma diferença estatisticamente significativa sugerindo que as mulheres apresentam melhores condições de recuperação que os homens. CONCLUSÃO: O exame físico na seqüência proposta pelo ABCDE do Trauma permitiu identificar as principais alterações fisiológicas no POI contribuindo para a assistência de enfermagem.<br>OBJETIVO: Elaborar y aplicar un instrumento de evaluación del paciente en el post operatorio inmediato (POI) de anestesia general basado en el protocolo do Advanced Trauma Life Suport. MÉTODOS: Fue creado un instrumento fundamentado en el ABCDE del Trauma y aplicado en la Sala de Recuperación Post-Anestésica a todos los pacientes adultos sometidos a cirugías que se encontraban bajo efecto de la anestesia general en el período de setiembre a noviembre del 2007. RESULTADOS: Se observó que el 93,5% de los pacientes tenían vías aéreas permeables, sin embargo el 92,2% necesitó de oxígeno suplementario. Hubo alteración en la auscultación pulmonar del 15,6% de los pacientes, hipotensión en el 16,9% e hipotermia en el 23,4%. Se observó también una diferencia estadísticamente significativa, sugiriendo que las mujeres presentan mejores condiciones de recuperación que los hombres. CONCLUSIÓN: El examen físico en la secuencia propuesta por el ABCDE del Trauma permitió identificar las principales alteraciones fisiológicas en el POI contribuyendo, por tanto, a la asistencia de enfermería.<br>OBJECTIVE: Elaborating and applying a patient evaluation instrument in the immediate postoperative period (IPOP) after general anesthesia, based on the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. METHODS: An instrument was created, based on the Trauma ABCDE and applied in the post-anesthetic recovery room in all adult patients submitted to surgeries under the effect of general anesthesia, from September to November, 2007. RESULTS: 93.5% of the patients were observed to have pervious airways; however, 92.2% of them needed oxygen supplementation. There were alterations in pulmonary auscultation in 15.6% of the patients, hypotension in 16.9% and hypothermia in 23.4%. A statistically significant difference was also observed, suggesting that women have better recovery conditions than men. CONCLUSION: The physical exam in the sequence proposed by the Trauma ABCDE allowed for the identification of the main physiological alterations in the IPOP, contributing for nursing care