A role for mucosal IL-22 production and Th22 cells in HIV-associated mucosal immunopathogenesis.

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a cytokine with epithelial reparative and regenerative properties that is produced by Th22 cells and by other immune cell subsets. Therefore, we explored the hypothesis that disruption of the gut barrier during HIV infection involves dysregulation of these cells in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Sigmoid IL-22-producing T cell and Th22 cells were dramatically depleted during chronic HIV infection, epithelial integrity was compromised, and microbial translocation was increased. These alterations were reversed after long-term antiretroviral therapy. While all mucosal IL-22-producing T-cell subsets were also depleted very early during HIV infection, at these early stages IL-22 production by non-T-cell populations (including NKp44+ cells) was increased and gut epithelial integrity was maintained. Circulating Th22 cells expressed a higher level of the HIV co-receptor/binding molecules CCR5 and α4ß7 than CD4+ T-cell subsets in HIV-uninfected participants, but this was not the case after HIV infection. Finally, recombinant IL-22 was protective against HIV and tumor necrosis factor-α-induced gut epithelial damage in a validated in vitro gut epithelial system. We conclude that reduced IL-22 production and Th22 depletion in the gut mucosa are important factors in HIV mucosal immunopathogenesis.

Improved observer dependent perception of weak edges when scanning an image in real time indicated by introducing 1/f noise into the primary visual cortex V1. Theory and experimental support.

We present results of a new process for generating 1/f type noise sequences and introducing the noise in the primary visual cortex which then enables improved perception of weak edges when an observer is scanning a complex image in real time to detect detail such as in mammogram reading sessions. It can be explained by an adaptation of information theory for functional rather than previous task-based methods for formulating processes for edge formation in early vision. This is enabled from a two "species" classification of the interaction of opposing on-centre and off-centre neuron processes. We show that non-stationary stochastic resonances predicted by theory can occur with 1/f noise in the primary visual cortex V1 and suggest that signalling exchanges between V1 and the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus can initiate neural activity for saccadic action (and observer attention) for weak edge perception. Improvements predicted by our theory were shown from 600 observations by two groups of observers of limited experience and an experienced radiologist for reference (but not for diagnosis). They scanned and rated the definition of microcalcification in clusters separately rated by the experienced radiologist. The results and supporting theory showed dependence on the observer's attention and orderly scanning. Using a compact simplified equipment configuration the methodology has important clinical applications for conjunction searches of features and for detection of objects in poor light conditions for vehicles.

[Postoperative depression after open heart surgery]. / Posztoperatív depresszió nyitott szívmútétek után.

Rehabilitation of the patients following open heart surgery is strongly influenced by the psychological conditions. Depression plays a crucial negative role in this process. Depression score was measured in patients taking part in the rehabilitation course of our institute last year (1998), 6 weeks after discharge from the hospital. Unfortunately preoperative score was not done. Beck Depression Inventory (BI) test was used. Following factors were investigated: age, gender, cross clamp and bypass time, type of anaesthesia (propofol, isoflurane or midazolam, all combined with fentanyl), ICU stay, hospital stay, hypotension, cardioversion during hospital stay and neurological disorders. Statistical analyses were performed with forward stepwise regression and ANOVA tests. 74 patients were investigated. BI score under 10 points is considered to be normal. Depression scores were significantly affected by the gender (females: r: 0.85, p = 0.005), and the ICU stay (r: 0.76, p = 0.007). Type of anaesthesia, age, hospital stay, and neurological disorders did not affected the depression score. Our results indicate, that females and patients with longer ICU stay require special attention during the perioperative period in psychological respect.

[Social factors and arterial hypertension]. / Czynniki socjalne i cisnienie tetnicze.

Hypertension in Hungary is classed as a potentially prevalent disease both because of its incidence and social consequences. Its origins can be traced back to environmental, economic and social changes. The aim of our analysis is: -to show the connections between hypertension development and the characteristics of social structure, life style and awareness. -to define social determination of hypertension and to evaluate it in view of applicability in prevention and treatment. Screening examination and sociological data collection was conducted in the 17th district of Budapest in 1982-83 in a random sample of patients between 20-64 years of age. While screening besides blood pressure measurement weight and height were measured, blood sugar content and serum lipid were determined and anamnestic particulars were recorded. Groups of topics of the sociological interview: -characteristics of social stratification and mobility -nutritional habits -smoking habits -leisure time physical activity -characteristics of work performed -social connections -critical personality traits -health care culture The 20-64 population of the 17th district is 39,456. Our analysis concerns 1,600 persons selected on a statistical basis. In the present lecture we analyse the connection between social stratification and life style and hypertension. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures are analysed separately as their biological characteristics are different. In our analysis blood pressure was treated as a continuous variable or was classified as normal marginal or high based on WHO criteria.2+ Systolic blood pressure of the surveyed population shown in Table I. Multiple regression or multivariable discriminant analyses were used to examine factors affecting classification into each group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)