Publications (2)4.23 Total impact
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Article: Interferon-gamma receptors in HIV-1 infection.
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ABSTRACT: We studied in vitro production of interferon-gamma and expression of interferon-gamma receptors (R1 and R2) by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 24 HIV-1-infected patients and 12 healthy volunteers. Interferon-gamma production was lower in HIV-1-infected patients compared with healthy volunteers (p < 0.05), and it further declined in patients with lower CD4+ T-cell counts. In contrast, expression of interferon-gamma R1 by CD4+ T lymphocytes was higher in HIV-infected patients than healthy volunteers (25% versus 10%, p < 0.05). In the HIV-infected group, interferon-gamma R1 expression increased with a decline in CD4+ T-cell count (r = -0.64, p < 0.001). Interferon-gamma R2 expression directly correlated with interferon-gamma R1 expression (p < 0.001). When stimulated with heat-killed Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and phorbol myristic acetate (PMA), the mononuclear cells of patients with advanced HIV-1 infection had lowered ability to produce additional interferon-gamma (either MAC or PMA) and interferon-gamma receptors (MAC). In conclusion, with progression of HIV-1 infection, interferon-gamma production declines whereas expression of interferon-gamma receptors (R1 and R2) increases. Persistent upregulation of both interferon-gamma R1 and R2 receptors probably favors development of type 2 T-helper cells environment and promotes viral replication. This dysfunction in the interferon-gamma pathway contributes to a further impairment in cellular immune function in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection, which may further increase susceptibility to opportunistic infections.AIDS research and human retroviruses 07/2008; 24(8):1097-102. · 2.18 Impact Factor -
Article: Carvedilol suppresses intractable hiccups.
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ABSTRACT: Carvedilol (6.25 mg, 4 times daily) relieved 2 years of constant hiccupping, marked tardive dyskinesia, compulsive self-induced vomiting, and feelings of hopelessness and low mood in a 59-year-old African-American man. He previously failed trials of ranitidine, chlorpromazine, promethazine, tegaserod, ondansetron, metoclopramide, pantoprazole, pyloric injections of botulinum toxin A, and a vagal nerve stimulator. At a 5-month follow-up, improvement was maintained; there had been several instances of rapid relapse on carvedilol discontinuation.The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 19(4):418-21. · 2.05 Impact Factor
