Applications of artificial intelligence in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery: a systematic review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Arguably one of the most disruptive innovations in medicine of the past decade, artificial intelligence is dramatically changing how healthcare is practiced today. A systematic review of the most recent artificial intelligence advances in facial plastic surgery is presented for surgeons to stay abreast of the latest in our field.

RECENT FINDINGS

Artificial intelligence applications developed for use in perioperative patient evaluation and management, education, and research in facial plastic surgery are highlighted. Selected themes include automated facial analysis with landmark detection, automated facial palsy grading and emotional assessment, generation of artificial facial profiles for testing and model training, automated postoperative patient communications, and improving ethnicity-sensitive facial morphometry norms. Inherent bias can exist in artificial intelligence models, and care must be taken to utilize algorithms trained with diverse datasets.

SUMMARY

Artificial intelligence tools are helping clinicians provide more standardized, objective, and efficient care to their patients. Increasing surgeon awareness of available tools, and their widespread implementation into clinical workflows are the next frontier. Ethical considerations must also shape the adoption of any artificial intelligence functionality. As artificial intelligence applications become a fixture in medicine, surgeons must employ them effectively to stay at the vanguard of modern medicine.

The Effect of Patient Positioning on Intraoperative Neuromonitoring During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has been accepted as a routine adjunct among surgeons who perform thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. Thyroid and parathyroid surgeries use various patient positioning strategies that have poorly understood effects on IONM. The aim of this study was to compare IONM signals between the transaxillary and transcervical approaches.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we evaluated 463 adult patients who underwent a total of 502 procedures. The procedures performed included total thyroidectomy, right or left hemithyroidectomy, and parathyroidectomy. Vagus nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) latency and amplitude measurements were analyzed intra-operatively. The distances between the vagus nerve and the trachea were measured via ultrasound during transaxillary procedures.

RESULTS

Compared to the transcervical approach, the right vagus nerve latency was significantly decreased in the transaxillary approach. Transaxillary surgery was not associated with increased latency or decreased amplitude on IONM. The distance between the vagus nerve and trachea was significantly decreased post-positioning during transaxillary approaches.

DISCUSSION

Despite differences in patient positioning, a transaxillary approach was not associated with increased stress on the vagus nerve or RLN, according to IONM data. The decreased right vagus nerve latency associated with a transaxillary approach highlights the importance of considering patient positioning and laterality while interpreting IONM data.

The effect of race, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity on patients afflicted with COVID 19: A Local Perspective

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to further examine the associations of race, socioeconomic factors, and comorbidity with COVID-19 health outcomes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of 309 PCR confirmed COVID-19 positive adults who presented to Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, from March 9 to May 29, 2020. The primary outcomes investigated were need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and in-hospital mortality. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine socioeconomic and medical risk factors for IMV and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Compared to white patients, Black patients were more likely to present younger, female, obese, unemployed, and underinsured. However, when controlled for common risk factors, Black and white patients had similar risk for IMV and mortality. Increased age (≥65 years), obesity, and increased comorbidity were associated with increased risk for IMV and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Race and socioeconomic factors may increase risk for COVID-19 infection but did not affect health outcomes within the hospital setting. Therefore, the higher rates of COVID-19 infection and mortality in vulnerable populations may be better explained by lower socioeconomic status, with subsequent higher comorbidity, in these populations. Community health initiatives should be prioritized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adolescent childbearing in a Brazilian border municipality: the new mother’s profile

Background

Adolescent childbearing is considered a public health problem, due to the often associated social impacts. Understanding the phenomenon is necessary to support intervention proposals aimed at reducing its incidence.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study we investigated all adolescent mothers living in Foz do Iguassu that gave birth in the 2013-2017 period. Data from a governmental database were used and descriptive analysis was performed.

Results

Between 2013 and 2017, 3,207 adolescent mothers gave birth to a live child, of which 135 aged 10 to 14 years and 3,072 aged 15 to 19 years. 51.3% of the mothers were white, and 22.1% had previous pregnancy experience. 68.4% had a vaginal delivery, and 80.6% had full-term pregnancies. Among the women aged 10 to 14 years, 57.8% started prenatal care in the first trimester and 47.4% had 7 or more prenatal consultations. Among women aged between 15 and 19 years, 73.7% started prenatal care in the first trimester and 53.4% had 7 or more prenatal consultations. Additionally, at least 49% of the adolescents were delayed in school.

Conclusions

In Foz do Iguassu, adolescent mothers are predominantly white. At least half are delayed in school, and more than 1 in 5 already had previous pregnancy experience. Parturients between 15 and 19 years old start prenatal earlier and attend more prenatal consultations than parturients aged 10 to 14 years. Prematurity is more frequent among adolescents.

Key messages

Adolescents receive poor prenatal care, especially the younger ones. Adolescent pregnancy is not a synonym to unintended pregnancy, and its relationship should be further investigated.

Birth defects in the Brazilian side of the triple border: a population-based cross-sectional study

Background

Major birth defects are characterized by its severity and are a public health challenge since it chronically affects the population. Foz do Iguassu is located in Brazili's largest international border and presents a birth defect rate 50% greater than the country's average.

Methods

Identifying factors associated to birth defects is important to guide preventive actions toward modifiable risk factors and target the most susceptible population. In this cross-sectional study we measured the prevalence of major birth defects and associated maternal sociodemographic factors in Foz do Iguassu. Data were collected from a governmental registry and included all births that occurred in the city between 2012 to 2017. The variables measured were maternal education, maternal race, country of residence, maternal parity and onset of prenatal care. Data were analyzed through logistic regression models to verify the maternal sociodemographic factors associated with major birth defects.

Results

26,214 births were analyzed; among the 305 birth defects registered, 140 (46%) corresponded to a major birth defect. Cleft lip and/or palate and gastroschisis were the most prevalent major birth defect (9.5/10,000 live births and 6.83/10,000 live births, respectively). Maternal education up to 7 years was the only variable associated with the major birth defects (ORadj=1.58; CI = 1.07-2.33; p = 0.02). Maternal age was associated with gastroschisis (mean: 21.5 years; p = 0.002) and Down syndrome (mean: 33.5 years; p = 0.007).

Conclusions

In this area, cleft lip and/or palate and gastroschisis are the most common major birth defects, and maternal education is weakly associated with major birth defects.

Key messages

The epidemiology of major birth defects in this area differs from Brazil’s. Future research should focus on inherent risk factors for congenital defects and exposure to teratogens.

Cenicriviroc, a dual CCR2 and CCR5 antagonist leads to a reduction in plasma fibrotic biomarkers in persons living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy

Background: Chronic HIV is associated with increased inflammation and tissue fibrosis despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). Monocytes and macrophages have been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, facilitated by chemokine receptor interactions.Methods: We assessed systemic fibrotic biomarkers (transforming growth factor beta-1 [TGF-β1], thrombospondin-1 [TSP-1], C-terminal pro-peptide of collagen type I [CICP], and IL-11) in banked plasma from a previously published 24-week open-label trial of cenicriviroc (CVC), a dual CCR2/CCR5 antagonist, among persons living with HIV (PLWH) on stable ART with undetectable plasma HIV RNA (<50 copies/mL). Fibrotic markers were assessed by ELISA and Luminex. Untreated HIV-seronegative individuals (n = 6) of similar age and demographics served as a comparator group.Results: Median age of PLWH was 55 years. At baseline, PLWH had higher median TGF-β1 (2.11 vs 1.62 ng/mL, p = 0.01), TSP-1 (236.74 vs 83.29 ng/mL, p < 0.0001), and CICP (200.46 vs 111.28 ng/mL, p = 0.01), but lower IL-11 (36.00 vs 53.74 pg/mL, p = 0.01) compared to HIV-uninfected individuals. Over 24 weeks, median TGF-β1 (-0.74 ng/mL, p = 0.006), TSP-1 (-52.12 ng/mL, p < 0.0001), and CICP (-28.12 ng/mL, p < 0.0001) decreased and IL-11 (28.98 pg/mL, p < 0.0001) increased in PLWH. At week 24, TGF-β1, CICP, and IL-11 were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05), while TSP-1 remained elevated in PLWH (p = 0.009) compared to controls.Conclusions: PLWH had higher levels of the plasma fibrotic markers TGF-β1, TSP-1, and CICP. After 24 weeks of CVC, fibrotic markers generally returned to levels comparable to HIV-uninfected controls. Dual CCR2 and CCR5 blockade may ameliorate the detrimental fibrotic events that persist in treated HIV.

Polyploid Superficial Cells that Maintain the Urothelial Barrier Are Produced via Incomplete Cytokinesis and Endoreplication

The urothelium is an epithelia barrier lined by a luminal layer of binucleated, octoploid, superficial cells. Superficial cells are critical for production and transport of uroplakins, a family of proteins that assemble into a waterproof crystalline plaque that helps protect against infection and toxic substances. Adult urothelium is nearly quiescent, but rapidly regenerates in response to injury. Yet the mechanism by which binucleated, polyploid, superficial cells are produced remains unclear. Here, we show that superficial cells are likely to be derived from a population of binucleated intermediate cells, which are produced from mononucleated intermediate cells via incomplete cytokinesis. We show that binucleated intermediate and superficial cells increase DNA content via endoreplication, passing through S phase without entering mitosis. The urothelium can be permanently damaged by repetitive or chronic injury or disease. Identification of the mechanism by which superficial cells are produced may be important for developing strategies for urothelial repair.

Epidemiology of Upper Extremity Injuries in NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey

BACKGROUND

Ice hockey is a physically demanding sport where athletes are susceptible to a variety of injuries. Several studies reported the overall injury rates in ice hockey; however, there is a paucity of information on upper extremity (UE) injuries among collegiate ice hockey players.

PURPOSE

To describe the epidemiology of UE injuries among collegiate male and female ice hockey players with NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) injury surveillance data from 2004-2005 to 2013-2014.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive epidemiology study.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program for all UE injuries sustained during the academic years 2004-2005 to 2013-2014. Injury rates, rate ratios (RRs), and injury proportion ratios were reported with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

During the 10 years studied, the overall rate of UE injuries for men was higher than that for women (236 vs 125 injuries per 100,000 athlete-exposures [AEs]; RR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.67-2.15). UE injuries sustained during either pre- or postseason were approximately 3 times higher for men than for women (preseason: 149 vs 53 per 100,000 AEs; RR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.69-4.74; postseason: 143 vs 49 per 100,000 AEs; RR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.33-6.38). The overall injury rate was highest during the regular season (men: 257 per 100,000 AEs; 95% CI, 242-272; women: 143 per 100,000 AEs; 95% CI, 126-160). Additionally, the injury rate for men and women was higher during competition than practice (men: 733 vs 83 per 100,000 AEs; 95% CI, 687-780 and 75-92; women: 303 vs 64 per 100,000 AEs; 95% CI, 259-348 and 52-76). The most common injury observed was acromioclavicular joint sprain (men, 29.1%; women, 13.8%). For both groups, acromioclavicular joint injuries accounted for most non-time loss, moderate time loss (2-13 days), and severe time loss (≥14 days) injuries.

CONCLUSION

Men and women sustained a significant number of UE injuries playing collegiate ice hockey during the period studied, with acromioclavicular joint sprain being the most common UE injury and the one that most frequently led to significant time loss. These data may provide insight for future injury prevention and guide improvements in training.

A mucosal imprint left by prior Escherichia coli bladder infection sensitizes to recurrent disease

Recurrent bacterial infections are a significant burden worldwide, and prior history of infection is often a significant risk factor for developing new infections. For urinary tract infection (UTI), a history of two or more episodes is an independent risk factor for acute infection. However, mechanistic knowledge of UTI pathogenesis has come almost exclusively from studies in naive mice. Here we show that, in mice, an initial Escherichia coli UTI, whether chronic or self-limiting, leaves a long-lasting molecular imprint on the bladder tissue that alters the pathophysiology of subsequent infections, affecting host susceptibility and disease outcome. In bladders of previously infected versus non-infected, antibiotic-treated mice, we found (1) an altered transcriptome and defects in cell maturation, (2) a remodelled epithelium that confers resistance to intracellular bacterial colonization, and (3) changes to cyclooxygenase-2-dependent inflammation. Furthermore, in mice with a history of chronic UTI, cyclooxygenase-2-dependent inflammation allowed a variety of clinical E. coli isolates to circumvent intracellular colonization resistance and cause severe recurrent UTI, which could be prevented by cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition or vaccination. This work provides mechanistic insight into how a history of infection can impact the risk for developing recurrent infection and has implications for the development of therapeutics for recurrent UTI.

Utilização de embalagens Tetra Pak® como isolante térmico no revestimento de escamoteadores para leitões

RESUMOForam conduzidos dois experimentos em laboratório e em condições de campo para avaliação da eficiência térmica da embalagem Tetra Pak(r)como isolante térmico em escamoteadores aquecidos. No experimento em laboratório, foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, adotando-se dois tratamentos (com e sem revestimento de embalagens Tetra Pak(r)) com 15 repetições (dias). O experimento em condições de campo foi conduzido na sala de maternidade de suínos. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, adotando-se dois tratamentos com 12 repetições. Os tratamentos foram: escamoteadores aquecidos com e sem revestimento interno com embalagem Tetra Pak(r). Foram medidos os dados de temperatura ambiente, umidade relativa do ar, temperatura superficial do piso, temperatura superficial da pele, comportamento e ganho de peso dos leitões lactentes. O uso da embalagem Tetra Pak(r)como isolante térmico no revestimento de escamoteadores manteve a temperatura ambiente confortável (32°C), proporcionando conforto térmico aos leitões lactentes.

Characterization of three novel HLA alleles with silent nucleotide substitutions

Characterization of the novel HLA alleles B*35:11:03, B*42:01:03, and B*51:01:35 is described.

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy with positive antinuclear antibodies: case report

A male Afro-descendant patient, 57 years old, complaining of polyarticular involvement and weight loss for 18 months, with a load of 13.5 pack years of smoking. On physical examination there was pain on palpation of the right knee and right leg, with signs of inflammation on the knee. We also observed digital clubbing in all fingers. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-Sm antibodies were positive. X-rays of the legs and arm showed cortical thickening of long bones. The computed tomography demonstrated a large mass located in the middle lobe of the right lung. The anatomopathological study revealed a bronchial adenocarcinoma. The history of polyarticular involvement associated with positive anti-Sm and ANA antibodies could lead to an erroneous diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Considering the bad consequences of delayed diagnosis in this patient, the medical team should be alerted for suspecting and look for a lung cancer under these circumstances.

Acetyl-l-carnitine and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-associated neuropathy in HIV infection

OBJECTIVES

Antiretroviral toxic neuropathy (ATN) is associated with dideoxynucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor use in patients infected with HIV, possibly as a result of mitochondrial toxicity. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) has been linked to symptomatic improvement in ATN. We present an open-label single-arm pilot study to evaluate changes in intra-epidermal nerve fibre (IENF) density and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies/cell among subjects treated with 3000 mg ALC daily.

METHODS

Punch skin biopsies were examined at baseline and after 24 weeks of therapy. Participants reported neuropathic symptoms using the Gracely Pain Intensity Score. Neurological examinations were completed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one subjects completed the study. ALC was generally well tolerated. The IENF density did not change in cases completing 24 weeks of ALC therapy, with median (90% confidence interval) IENF changes of -1.70 (-3.50, infinity) (P=0.98) and 2.15 (-0.10, infinity) (P=0.11) for the distal leg and proximal thigh, respectively. Fat mtDNA copies/cell did not change with therapy. Improvements in neuropathic pain (P<0.01), paresthesias (P=0.01), and symptoms of numbness (P<0.01) were noted. Similarly, improvement was noted on the Gracely Pain Intensity Score.

CONCLUSIONS

ALC therapy coincided with improvements in subjective measures of pain in this open-label single-arm study. However, changes were not observed in objective measures of IENF density or mtDNA levels, providing little objective support for use of ALC in this setting.

HIV disease progression and limited antiretroviral treatment options for a HIV-1 infected individual with myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged red fibers

We describe a 50-year-old Caucasian man with a family history of myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged red fibers (MERRF) and a diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The patient had multiple risk factors for contracting HIV and was being followed in our clinic at the time of his diagnosis. Initial testing following seroconversion revealed a baseline CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of 652 x 10(6)cells/l and a HIV-1 RNA of 14,781 copies/ml. He reported exercise intolerance and had mild neurologic deficits, which worsened around the time of HIV seroconversion. These symptoms led to his subsequent diagnosis of MERRF by the detection of the A8344G point mutation in the tRNA(Lys) gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The baseline estimated proportion of mutant genome was 39%. He showed a rapid course of HIV disease progression with a CD4+ T-lymphocyte nadir of 174 x 10(6) cells/l associated with a HIV-1 RNA of 238,178 copies/ml, within 17 months following HIV seroconversion. To avoid further mitochondrial insult, which could result from the use of a standard nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-containing regimen, a protease inhibitor regimen consisting of hard-gel saquinavir (Invirase), and lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) was chosen for this patient. The patient's CD4+ T-lymphocyte count increased to 282 x 10(6)cells/l and his viral load became undetectable 7 months following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. His neurologic symptoms did not worsen on this antiretroviral regimen. When initiating HIV therapy in individuals with metabolic myopathies related to mitochondrial dysfunction, it may be important to design an antiviral regimen that minimizes mitochondrial damage, yet effectively maintains durable viral suppression.

IC14, an anti-CD14 antibody, inhibits endotoxin-mediated symptoms and inflammatory responses in humans

CD14 is a receptor for cell wall components of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria that has been implicated in the initiation of the inflammatory response to sepsis. To determine the role of CD14 in LPS-induced effects in humans, 16 healthy subjects received an i.v. injection of LPS (4 ng/kg) preceded (-2 h) by i.v. IC14, a recombinant chimeric mAb against human CD14, at a dose of 1 mg/kg over 1 h, or placebo. In subjects receiving IC14, saturation of CD14 on circulating monocytes and granulocytes was >90% at the time of LPS injection. IC14 attenuated LPS-induced clinical symptoms and strongly inhibited LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine release, while only delaying the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokines soluble TNF receptor type I and IL-1 receptor antagonist. IC14 also inhibited leukocyte activation, but more modestly reduced endothelial cell activation and the acute phase protein response. The capacity of circulating monocytes and granulocytes to phagocytose Escherichia coli was only marginally reduced after infusion of IC14. These data provide the first proof of principle that blockade of CD14 is associated with reduced LPS responsiveness in humans in vivo.

Hypertrichosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

We describe a 14-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involving the skin, joints and central nervous system who developed hypertrichosis of the upper eyelashes. This clinical finding has been observed in immunocompromised patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), malnutrition, cancer or kala-azar. Although the pathogenic mechanism for this type of hypertrichosis is unknown, we believe the immunological defects seen in SLE may be responsible for such manifestation in our patient.

Breastfeeding training for health professionals and resultant changes in breastfeeding duration

CONTEXT

Promotion of breastfeeding in Brazilian maternity hospitals.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify changes in the breastfeeding duration among mothers served by hospitals exposed to the Wellstart-SLC course, comparing them with changes among mothers attended by institutions not exposed to this course.

DESIGN

Randomized Institutional Trial.

SETTING

The effects of training on breastfeeding duration was assessed in eight Brazilian hospitals assigned at random to either an exposed group (staff attending the Wellstart-SLC course) or a control group.

SAMPLE

For each of the eight study hospitals, two cohorts of about 50 children were visited at home at one and six months after birth. The first cohort (n = 494) was composed of babies born in the month prior to exposure to the Wellstart-SLC course, and the second cohort (n = 476) was composed of babies born six months subsequent to this exposure.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to describe the weaning process and log-rank tests were used to assess statistical differences among survival curves. Hazard ratio (HR) estimates were calculated by fitting Cox proportional hazard regression models to the data.

RESULTS

The increases in estimated, adjusted rates for children born in hospitals with trained personnel were 29% (HR = 0.71) and 20% (HR = 0.80) for exclusive and full breastfeeding, respectively. No changes were identified for total breastfeeding.

CONCLUSION

This randomized trial supports a growing body of evidence that training hospital health professionals in breastfeeding promotion and protection results in an increase in breastfeeding duration.

A broadband phased-array system for direct phosphorus and sodium metabolic MRI on a clinical scanner

Despite their proven gains in signal-to-noise ratio and field-of-view for routine clinical MRI, phased-array detection systems are currently unavailable for nuclei other than protons (1H). A broadband phased-array system was designed and built to convert the 1H transmitter signal to the non-1H frequency for excitation and to convert non-1H phased-array MRI signals to the 1H frequency for presentation to the narrowband 1H receivers of a clinical whole-body 1.5 T MRI system. With this system, the scanner operates at the 1H frequency, whereas phased-array MRI occurs at the frequency of the other nucleus. Pulse sequences were developed for direct phased-array sodium (23Na) and phosphorus (31P) MRI of high-energy phosphates using chemical selective imaging, thereby avoiding the complex processing and reconstruction required for phased-array magnetic resonance spectroscopy data. Flexible 4-channel 31P and 23Na phased-arrays were built and the entire system tested in phantom and human studies. The array produced a signal-to-noise ratio improvement of 20% relative to the best-positioned single coil, but gains of 300-400% were realized in many voxels located outside the effective field-of-view of the single coil. Cardiac phosphorus and sodium MRI were obtained in 6-13 min with 16 and 0.5 mL resolution, respectively. Lower resolution human cardiac 23Na MRI were obtained in as little as 4 sec. The system provides a practical approach to realizing the advantages of phased-arrays for nuclei other than 1H, and imaging metabolites directly.

Cleavage of tertiary amidomethyl ester prodrugs of carboxylic acids by rat liver homogenates

The hydrolysis of tertiary amidomethyl ester prodrugs of carboxylic acids by rat liver homogenates is reported. Amidomethyl esters are rapidly and quantitatively converted to the corresponding acid and secondary amide. Reactivity is inversely dependent upon the molar refractivity and lipophilicity of the ester, as well as with steric bulk in the carboxylic acid moiety. In contrast to chemical and plasma hydrolyses, no dependence upon the pK(a) of the carboxylate leaving group was observed, nor was there any dependence upon the amide N-substituent. The rate of decomposition was inhibited by the carboxylesterase inhibitor eserine but not by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor SKF-525A, indicating the involvement of esterases in the hydrolysis reaction. These results indicate that amidomethyl esters may be expected to be readily cleaved in vivo.

Fasting hyperinsulinemia and increased waist-to-hip ratios in non-wasting individuals with AIDS

OBJECTIVE

To identify metabolic and body composition changes associated with HIV-1 infection in a cross-sectional study of individuals stratified by immunologic status and body mass.

DESIGN

Metabolic abnormalities including glucose intolerance and changes in body morphology have recently been described in HIV-1-infected individuals following therapy with protease inhibitor-containing highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Although this is suggestive of a direct drug effect, the possibility that HIV infection may induce a tendency towards such underlying derangements should be considered. HIV-infected patients are heterogeneous with respect to immunologic status and body mass. In examining the underlying effect of HIV-1 on metabolic and body composition parameters, stratification by various immunologic and body mass categories may give divergent results that would not be detected otherwise.

METHODS

Thirty male participants were categorized into four cohorts: non-wasting HIV-seronegative controls, non-wasting HIV-infected patients with relatively intact immune function (CD4 cell count > 500 x 10(6)/l); non-wasting individuals with AIDS (CD4 cell count < 200 x 10(6)/l); and individuals with AIDS wasting.

RESULTS

Increased fasting plasma insulin and waist-to-hip ratios were found specifically in non-wasting individuals with AIDS compared with HIV-negative controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study emphasises the importance of both body mass and immune function in studying metabolic and body composition abnormalities associated with HIV-1 infection. The association of increased waist-to-hip ratios and hyperinsulinemia suggestive of insulin resistance in non-wasting individuals with AIDS suggest that the tendency towards these metabolic abnormalities may be related to the HIV infectious process or to factors associated with immunologic dysfunction.

[Prevalence of dyslipidemias in adult ambulatory laboratory tests from different health care providers]

OBJECTIVE

To detect differences in the prevalence of dyslipidemia in adult ambulatory laboratory tests from three different health care providers, in Salvador-Brazil, 1995.

METHODS

The study was carried out using a probabilistic sample of 24 out of 104 laboratories (approximately equal to 25%) which performed the same enzymatic method for lipid tests with the same quality control. Laboratory tests results were separated into three groups, according to health care provider: Sistema Unico de Saúde (SUS, governamental), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), and Private or Patients Health Insurance (PHI). Criteria for dyslipidemias in mg/dl were: total cholesterol > or = 240; LDL-c > or = 160; HDL-c < 35 and triglycerides > or = 200. Prevalence rates, 95% confidence intervals (CI) and chi (2) test were used in the analysis.

RESULTS

From the 5464 adult subjects, 14.8% were from SUS, 31.6%. from HMO and 53.6% PHI. The highest prevalence for hypercholesterolemia--28.0% (CI 24.0; 32.0) and for LDL-c > or = 160mg/dL--30.4% (CI 27.6; 33.2), were found in the HMO group. PHI had the highest prevalence for HDL-c < 35mg/dL--12.3% (CI 10.0; 13.8), and for hypertrygliceridemia--17.8% (CI 16.3; 19.3). Most of the differences among health providers were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The best lypid profile observed in subjects from SUS suggests social differences in the prevalence of dyslipidemias. As compared to other dyslipidemias, HDL-c < 35mg/dL prevalence was lower than expected in all three groups. The data may provide insights to medical doctors and other health care professionals regarding the questions of dyslipidemias. It can also provide objective information to the patients and encourage them to change their life styles.

[Prevalence of dyslipidemias in adults in laboratory tests from Salvador, Brazil]

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in non-hospital laboratory tests of adults from Salvador, Brazil.

METHODS

The study was carried out in subjects from a probabilistic sample of 25% of a total of 104 local laboratories that used the same enzymatic method for lipid analysis with the quality control as recommended by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Analyses. These represented 93% of all non-hospital laboratories of Salvador in 1995. The odd months of 1995 were selected for sampling in the present study. Criteria for dyslipidemias were: total cholesterol > or = 240; LDL > or = 160; HDL < 35 and triglycerides > or = 200 mg/dl. Prevalence rates and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) and chi 2 test were used in the analyses.

RESULTS

Tests from two of the 26 laboratories were not used in the analyses due to file problems or refusal. 7,392 adults were screened, 65% female. We observed prevalence (95% CI) of hypercholesterolemia in 30.0 (27.8; 32.2)%, high LDL in 30.1 (30.8; 35.4)% and hypertriglyceridemia in 30.4 (29.0; 31.4)% of the females. As to the male subjects, prevalences were; 24.0 (20.5; 27.5)% for hypercholesterolemia, 26.1 (22.4; 29.3)% for high LDL, 27.6 (25.7; 29.5)% for hypertriglyceridemia. All gender differences were significant. Low HDL occurred in 15.9 (14.2; 17.8)% of males and in 8.0 (7.1; 8.9)% of females.

CONCLUSION

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor observed in non-hospital laboratory tests of men and women in Salvador. Our data may provide physicians and other health care professionals with objective information to encourage life-style changes.

Species Specificity of the Primate Growth Hormone Receptor

Unlike other mammals, primates can respond to growth hormone (GH) only of primate origin. This species specificity results from the incompatibility of the positively charged arginine found uniquely in primate GH receptors with histidine in the GH molecules in all nonprimates in place of the aspartate found in primate GHs.

PPD skin reactivity and anergy in HIV-infected patients in Hawaii

This study was a prospective screening study for PPD and anergy skin test reactivity in 304 HIV-positive individuals. A PPD positivity rate of 4.1% and an anergy rate of 50.5% were observed. The Hawaii HIV population has a relatively low prevalence of latent TB compared with the high prevalence of TB in the Hawaii population at large.

In vitro mutagenesis of growth hormone receptor Asn-linked glycosylation sites

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to replace asparagine (Asn) residues with glutamine (Gln) at the five potential N-linked glycosylation sites located at positions 28, 97, 138, 143, and 182 in the extracellular domain of the porcine growth hormone receptor (pGHR). These mutated pGHR cDNAs were stably expressed in mouse L cells. Single substitution of the Asn residues did not alter growth hormone binding when compared to cells which express native pGHR (KD approximately 1 nM). However, substitution of the five potential Asn-linked sites together (pGHR delta 5) resulted in a 20-fold reduced GH binding affinity (KD = 20 nM). Residues Asn97, Asn138, and Asn182 were apparently glycosylated and upon cross-linking with 125I-labeled pGH migrated as a molecular complex of approximately 130 kDa. Native pGHR and pGHR analogs with substitutions of N28Q and N143Q when cross-linked to 125I-labeled pGH, migrated with a Mr of 138 kDa. The fully deglycosylated cross-linked receptor, pGHR delta 5, migrated as a complex of 108 kDa. Therefore, each carbohydrate moiety contributed approximately 10 kDa to the total molecular mass of the pGHR, in sum contributing 30 kDa to the total Mr of the glycosylated pGHR. pGHR delta 5 was able to internalize nearly all the bound 125I-labeled pGH within 10 min, whereas native pGHR and individual Asn substituted pGHR analogs internalized 25% of bound 125I-labeled pGH at 10 min. Also, mutagenesis of the pGHR five potential Asn-linked glycosylation sites, either singly or together, did not alter the ability of GH to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of a 95-kDa protein. Together, the results indicate that three of the five pGHR Asn residues are apparently glycosylated and are necessary for maintenance of a high affinity GH binding site and for GH internalization. However, glycosylation of the pGHR is not critical for eliciting tyrosine phosphorylated proteins following the GH/GHR interaction.