Clinical evaluation of 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (ribavirin) in a double-blind study during an outbreak of influenza.

1-beta-D-Ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (ribavirin) at a dosage of 300 mg/day, or disguised placebo was administered to patients in a closed population during an epidemic outbreak of influenza in Mexico City. Treatment consisted of capsules given three times daily for 5 days beginning with first signs of disease. The study was conducted in a double-blind fashion. Clinical manifestations of the disease, as well as in titer of recoverable virus and in specific serum antibody titer were significantly reduced in the ribavirin-treated group. None of the individuals in the study had any sign of toxic effects attributable to the drug. In the study, 21 patients received the drug and 24 received placebo.

HIV risk factors among Puerto Rican youth in drug treatment.

A cross-section of 250 youngsters enrolled in drug treatment programs in Puerto Rico were surveyed in 1991. Even though the surveyed youngsters are not intravenous drug users it was found that they have a high prevalence of behaviors considered by the Centers for Diseases Control as increasing the risk of HIV infection in youth. These behaviors include frequent experimentation with non-IV drugs, early onset of sexual behaviors (mean = 13.5 years) and drug use (mean = 13.8 years), and a high number of sexual partners (mean = 3.13) reported for the year preceding the interview. Infrequent use of contraceptives and condoms and ineffective practices to prevent STD/HIV were also reported. This subgroup of youngsters in drug treatment centers can be defined as a high risk group in need of HIV infection prevention services.

Influence of protein standardization by ultrafiltration on the viscosity, color, and sensory properties of skim and 1% milk.

Permeate and retentate (concentration factor ca. 2x) from UF of skim milk were combined, and cream was added to produce skim milk (0.1% fat) and 1% milk with a range of true protein contents (1.0 to 4.8%) within each fat level. A panel that had been trained for descriptive sensory analysis evaluated the appearance, aroma, flavor, and textural attributes of milks. Relative viscosity and Hunter color values for whiteness (L value), greenness to redness (a value), and blueness to yellowness (b value) increased when either protein or fat was increased. The rate of change of L, a, and b values as protein content changed was greater for skim milk than for 1% milk and was greater as protein contents decreased. Sensory scores for several descriptors of appearance, texture, and flavor had a stronger positive correlation with objective measurements of whiteness than with objective measurements of viscosity. Thus, the judgment of panelists about milk texture and flavor in milks that differed in protein content was influenced more by appearance than by viscosity. As the protein content of skim and 1% milk was increased from 2.9 to 4.8% true protein, the sensory properties of the milks were made more like those of higher fat milk, particularly those of skim milk, mainly because of whiter appearance. Panelists perceived changes in the sensory characteristics of both skim and 1% fat milk when the true protein content was increased by 0.9%, the smallest increase that was studied in the experiment.

ACT-asthma control y tratamiento para niños: a progress report.

A randomized clinical trial is in progress to evaluate an asthma educational program for Latino children and their parents. The intervention, "ACT-Asma Control y Tratamiento Para Niños," was adapted from ACT for Kids, an asthma self-management program for English-speaking families. Results of a pilot study indicated that socioeconomic status was a critical variable to be considered in the design of such programs. Latino children and parents encounter significant barriers to access and continuity of medical care. Therefore, the intervention was redesigned to include "linkages" using a nurse to reduce barriers and to coordinate care. The lesson plans emphasize concrete, experimental learning experiences, with repetition of key points in each session.

A nursery outbreak caused by Serratia marcescens--scalp-vein needles as a portal of entry.

Serratia marcescens rarely causes infections in newborn infants. We recently studied an epidemic caused by a multiply-resistant, serotype 014:H12 Serratia marcescens that involved 42 infants. Cutaneous abscesses at previous intravenous infusion sites occurred nine times, usually required surgical drainage, and were the most striking infections during the outbreak. Six infants developed Serratia bacteremia and two died with Serratia meningitis; 34 patients were colonized with Serratia but remained uninfected. An epidemiologic investigation of the 83 infants at risk in the nursery assessed factors predisposing them to colonization or infection with the epidemic organism. Colonization of the throat, umbilicus, gastrointestinal tract, or skin was frequent among infants as was carriage of Serratia on nursey employees' hands. Infected and colonized infants were the most important reservoir for Serratia in the nursery and cross-infection between infants readily occurred. Scalp-vein needles appeared to provide a portal of entry of Serratia in colonized infants, predisposing them to abscess formation and bacteremia.

Characterization of acute inhibition of Na/H exchanger NHE-3 by dopamine in opossum kidney cells.

BACKGROUND: Dopamine (DA) is a principal natriuretic hormone that defends extracellular fluid volume from a Na load. Natriuresis is effected partly through inhibiting the proximal tubule Na/H exchanger NHE-3. Changes in NHE-3 phosphorylation is one mechanism by which NHE-3 activity is regulated. METHODS: We used opossum kidney (OK) cells to characterize the differential and synergistic effects of DA receptor subtype-1 (DA1) and -2 (DA2) agonists and the effect of blockade of protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC) on NHE-3 activity and phosphorylation. RESULTS: DA and DA1 agonists inhibited NHE-3 activity, and DA1 antagonist blocked the effect of either DA or DA1 agonist. DA2 agonist alone had no effect, but DA2 antagonist reduced the DA effect on NHE-3 activity. DA1 and DA2 agonists together were more potent than DA1 alone. PKA inhibition eliminated the effect of DA1 agonist and partially blocked the effect of DA on NHE-3 activity. PKC inhibition did not block the DA effect. DA1 agonist and PKA activation phosphorylated NHE-3 on identical sites. Despite lack of effect on NHE-3 activity, DA2 agonists increased NHE-3 phosphorylation. DA-induced NHE-3 phosphorylation was distinct from DA1 and PKA but closely resembled DA2. CONCLUSION: We postulate the following: (1) DA modifies NHE-3 phosphorylation by activating PKA through DA1 and by other kinases/phosphatases via DA2. (2) DA1 is sufficient to inhibit NHE-3, while DA2 is insufficient but plays a synergistic role by altering NHE-3 phosphorylation.