Effect of a healthcare gender gap on progression of HIV/AIDS defined by clinical-biological criteria among adults from Cordoba City (Argentina) from 1995 to 2005

ObjetivosEstablecer la influencia de la condición médica al diagnóstico y del sexo en la evolución del VIH/Sida determinada por factores clínico-biológicos en pacientes de la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina, 1995–2005).MétodosEl sexo, los datos clínicos y los de laboratorio fueron evaluados por estadística descriptiva, análisis de supervivencia no paramétrico y modelos lineales generalizados al inicio (diagnóstico) y al final del estudio (registro hospitalario, 209 casos).ResultadosLas mujeres (n=28, 13,4%) tienen mayor probabilidad de estar asintomáticas que los hombres (n=181, 86,6%) en el momento del diagnóstico. La viremia alta está asociada con estadios clínicos avanzados, pero está inversamente relacionada con el de CD4. Las curvas truncadas de Kaplan-Meier son similares para ambos sexos. La probabilidad de no tener criterios de sida al final del estudio está incrementada para los pacientes diagnosticados sin ellos. Además, las mujeres tienen mayor probabilidad de presentar sida que los hombres al finalizar el seguimiento recuento. No obstante, ellos mostraron una elevada prevalencia de enfermedades venéreas (n=38, 21%), perfil dismetabólico (n=14, 7,7%) y serología para oportunistas (n=31, 17,1%). Las enfermedades marcadoras fueron principalmente micosis internas y síndrome consuntivo, aunque hallazgos menos específicos (anemia, lesiones orales) también se asociaban a la progresión.ConclusionesUtilizando un enfoque integrador, la viremia estuvo muy ligada al empeoramiento clínico y linfocitario, siendo el diagnóstico temprano un determinante mayor de evolución, con las mujeres teniendo peor pronóstico. Sin embargo, los hombres fueron diagnosticados avanzados clínicamente, con otros problemas no asociados al VIH que podrían afectar su evolución. Estos resultados deberían ser integrados en el planeamiento sanitario de prevención(AU)

ObjectiveTo establish the influence of clinical status at diagnosis and of gender on progression of HIV/AIDS determined by clinical-biological factors in patients from Cordoba City (Argentina) from 1995 to 2005).MethodsGender and clinical and laboratory data were evaluated by descriptive statistics, non-parametric survival analysis, and generalized linear models at the beginning of the study (diagnosis) and at the end (hospital records, n=209).ResultsAt diagnosis, women (n=28, 13.4%) had a higher probability of being asymptomatic than men (n=181, 86.6%). High viremia was associated with advanced clinical stages, but was inversely related to CD4 count. Truncated Kaplan-Meier curves were similar for both sexes. The probability of not having AIDS criteria at the end of the study was higher in patients without these criteria at diagnosis. Women had a higher probability of having AIDS at the end of the follow-up than men. In contrast, men had a higher prevalence of venereal diseases (n=38, 21%), dysmetabolic profile (n=14, 7.7%) and positive serology for opportunists (n=31, 17.1%). Marker diseases were mainly represented by internal mycosis and waste syndrome, although less specific findings (anemia, oral lesions) were also associated with progression.ConclusionsUsing an integrative approach, high viremia was critically linked to clinical and lymphocyte impairment. Early diagnosis was a major determinant of clinical course, with women having a worse prognosis. However, men were diagnosed in clinically advanced stages and with other non-HIV-related entities, which could affect progression. These findings should be integrated into the planning of preventive strategies(AU)

Effect of a healthcare gender gap on progression of HIV/AIDS defined by clinical-biological criteria among adults from Cordoba City (Argentina) from 1995 to 2005.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the influence of clinical status at diagnosis and of gender on progression of HIV/AIDS determined by clinical-biological factors in patients from Cordoba City (Argentina) from 1995 to 2005). METHODS: Gender and clinical and laboratory data were evaluated by descriptive statistics, non-parametric survival analysis, and generalized linear models at the beginning of the study (diagnosis) and at the end (hospital records, n=209). RESULTS: At diagnosis, women (n=28, 13.4%) had a higher probability of being asymptomatic than men (n=181, 86.6%). High viremia was associated with advanced clinical stages, but was inversely related to CD4 count. Truncated Kaplan-Meier curves were similar for both sexes. The probability of not having AIDS criteria at the end of the study was higher in patients without these criteria at diagnosis. Women had a higher probability of having AIDS at the end of the follow-up than men. In contrast, men had a higher prevalence of venereal diseases (n=38, 21%), dysmetabolic profile (n=14, 7.7%) and positive serology for opportunists (n=31, 17.1%). Marker diseases were mainly represented by internal mycosis and waste syndrome, although less specific findings (anemia, oral lesions) were also associated with progression. CONCLUSIONS: Using an integrative approach, high viremia was critically linked to clinical and lymphocyte impairment. Early diagnosis was a major determinant of clinical course, with women having a worse prognosis. However, men were diagnosed in clinically advanced stages and with other non-HIV-related entities, which could affect progression. These findings should be integrated into the planning of preventive strategies.

Changes in the swimming activity and the glutathione S-transferase activity of Jenynsia multidentata fed with microcystin-RR.

We report the effects of sublethal doses of microcystin-RR (MC-RR) on the swimming activity of Jenynsia multidentata as well as the simultaneous response of its detoxication system by measuring glutathion S-transferase (GST) activities in the liver and brain of fish. MC-RR was applied on the food pellets at doses of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 microg g(-1). Swimming activity was recorded 10 min each hour over 24h by using a computer-based image processing system, which facilitates quantification of two measures of fish swimming behaviour (average velocity, movement percentage). Results show that low levels of cyanotoxin increased the swimming activity, while the highest dose used produced significant changes with respect to control group only since approximately 20 h of exposure, when the swimming activity was decreased. On the other hand, GST activity was significantly increased only in the liver and brain of fish fed with the highest MC-RR dose. Both results suggest that fish are reacting to the stress caused by low doses of MC-RR by increasing their swimming activity, raising further questions on the probable neurotoxicity of MCs, and presenting the behavioural change as a good biomarker of early toxic stress. On the other hand, fish reduced their swimming speed at the highest MC-RR dose, when the detoxication activity began, which can be hypothesized to be a reallocation of their energy, favouring detoxication over swimming activity.

Aflatoxin production in six peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes infected with Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, isolated from peanut production areas of Cordoba, Argentina.

Aflatoxin contamination is one of the main factors affecting peanut seed quality. One of the strategies to decrease the risk of peanut aflatoxin contamination is the use of genotypes with resistance to Aspergillus infection. This laboratory study reports the resistance to Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin contamination of six peanut genotypes inoculated with 21 Aspergillus isolates obtained from the peanut production region of Cordoba, Argentina. The resistance was investigated in the seed coat and cotyledons of three resistant genotypes (J11, PI 337394, and PI 337409) and three breeding lines (Manfredi 68, Colorado Irradiado, and Florman INTA) developed at the Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA), Manfredi Experimental Station, Cordoba, Argentina. Resistance to fungal colonization and aflatoxin contamination was found to be associated with seed coat integrity in the PI 337394, PI 337409, and J11 genotypes, whereas the INTA breeding lines such as Colorado Irradiado showed a moderate resistance and the Manfredi 68 and Florman INTA genotypes the least resistance. Furthermore, another type of resistance associated with cotyledons was found only in the PI 337394 genotype.