Potential Impacts of Free Trade Areas and Common Currency on Sustainable Agricultural Export in Africa

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Hormonas sexuales y factor reumatoide: un posible vínculo entre los patrones de hormonas reproductivas y la aparición de artritis reumatoide entre las mujeres de Jartum, Sudán

Background: Sex hormones are believed to contribute to the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of the disease's female preponderance, especially during the child-bearing years, and because of the dramatic improvements seen during pregnancy. Objective: To investigate the association between reproductive hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) patterns and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis disease among females in Khartoum, Sudan. Participants and methods: The study involved a total of 76 healthy females during their fertile years and age between 18-45years. Reproductive hormones (FSH, LH and PRL) were obtained using the enzyme-immunoassay method by Cobas e411or Tosho Biosciences AIA 360 full automated analyzers. Then RF levels were examined using latex card qualitative method and those which were confirmed positive were further estimated using semi-quantitative method. Results: 11 (14.86%) females participants showed positive RF results. The risk of RA appeared to be increased among women with elevated reproductive hormones levels. In which the positive RF women showed mostly increased hormonal levels when compared to RF negative women. 12 females participants who have had an increased reproductive hormones levels have completed a life style related questionnaire and the data revealed that most of them were living unhealthy life style including unhealthy food, lack of exercise and high caffeine consumption. Conclusion: Further researches are required to explore the biological mechanisms behind these findings, but our results contribute to the knowledge of hormonal/reproductive factors, and their impact on the RA development

Effects of hydroxychloroquine on immune activation and disease progression among HIV-infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy: a randomized controlled trial

CONTEXT Therapies to decrease immune activation might be of benefit in slowing HIV disease progression. OBJECTIVE To determine whether hydroxychloroquine decreases immune activation and slows CD4 cell decline. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial performed at 10 HIV outpatient clinics in the United Kingdom between June 2008 and February 2011. The 83 patients enrolled had asymptomatic HIV infection, were not taking antiretroviral therapy, and had CD4 cell counts greater than 400 cells/μL. INTERVENTION Hydroxychloroquine, 400 mg, or matching placebo once daily for 48 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was change in the proportion of activated CD8 cells (measured by the expression of CD38 and HLA-DR surface markers), with CD4 cell count and HIV viral load as secondary outcomes. Analysis was by intention to treat using mixed linear models. RESULTS There was no significant difference in CD8 cell activation between the 2 groups (-4.8% and -4.2% in the hydroxychloroquine and placebo groups, respectively, at week 48; difference, -0.6%; 95% CI, -4.8% to 3.6%; P = .80). Decline in CD4 cell count was greater in the hydroxychloroquine than placebo group (-85 cells/μL vs -23 cells/μL at week 48; difference, -62 cells/μL; 95% CI, -115 to -8; P = .03). Viral load increased in the hydroxychloroquine group compared with placebo (0.61 log10 copies/mL vs 0.23 log10 copies/mL at week 48; difference, 0.38 log10 copies/mL; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.63; P = .003). Antiretroviral therapy was started in 9 patients in the hydroxychloroquine group and 1 in the placebo group. Trial medication was well tolerated, but more patients reported influenza-like illness in the hydroxychloroquine group compared with the placebo group (29% vs 10%; P = .03). CONCLUSION Among HIV-infected patients not taking antiretroviral therapy, the use of hydroxychloroquine compared with placebo did not reduce CD8 cell activation but did result in a greater decline in CD4 cell count and increased viral replication. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN30019040

Níveis plasmáticos de vitamina A, carotenóides e proteína ligadora de retinol em crianças com infecções respiratórias agudas e doenças diarréicas Plasma levels of vitamin A, carotenoids and retinol binding protein in children with acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases

Planejou-se um estudo com o objetivo de se avaliar os níveis plasmáticos de vitamina A, carotenóides e proteína ligadora de retinol (RBP) em 311 crianças, de 7 meses a onze anos de idade, com história de infecções das vias aéreas superiores (IVAS), pneumonia e diarréia, residentes na área urbana da Cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, e atendidas no serviço de pediatria de um hospital-escola. As dosagens de vitamina A e carotenóides realizaram-se pelo método de Neeld-Pearson e o RBP pelo método de Mancini. Os níveis plasmáticos de vitamina A (µg/dl) e RBP (mg/dl) foram mais baixos (p<0,05) nos grupos diarréia e pneumonia (15,2 µg/dl e 1,7 µg/dl; 15,2 µg/dl; 2,6 mg/dl, respectivamente), quando comparados com os grupos IVAS e testemunha (19,0 µg/dl; 2,4µg/dl e 18,8µg/dl; 2,6mg/dl, respectivamente. Os níveis de carotenóides foram mais baixos nos três grupos de estudo em relação ao grupo testemunha (p<0,05). Os baixos níveis de vitamina A verificados nas crianças estudadas estão em concordância com outras pesquisas que encontraram diminuição dos níveis de vitamina A durante as infecções.<br>The present study was carried out in order to assess the plasma levels of vitamin A, carotenoids and retinol binding protein (RBP) of three-hundred and eleven children aged from seven months to eleven years, who had a history of upper respiratory infection (URI), pneumonia and diarrhoea. The children were resident in the urban area of the Municipality of S. Paulo, Brazil, and were seen at the pediatric service of the one school-hospital. The data show that plasma vitamin A (µg/dl) and RBP (mg/ dl) levels in the diarrhoea (15.2 µg/dl; 1.7 mg/dl) and pneumonia (15.2 µg/dl; 0.7 mg/dl) groups were lower (p<0.05) than those observed in the control (18.8 µg/dl; 2.6 mg/dl) and URI (19.0 µg/dl; 2.4 mg/dl) groups. The plasma carotenoid levels were lower in all groups than in the control group (p<0.05). These findings corroborate the results that show low levels of vitamin A in circulation during period of infection