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Biomedical subjects

D Condoluci

Publications and source records attributed to D Condoluci.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Use of noninvasive electroacupuncture for the treatment of HIV-related peripheral neuropathy: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that low-voltage non-invasive electroacupuncture will improve the condition of neuropathic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. DESIGN: A prospective study using HIV/AIDS patients who had antiretroviral drug-induced neuropathy. Eleven patients were enrolled, but complete data was obtained from only 7. Non-invasive skin electrodes were placed on leg acupuncture points BL60, ST36, K1, LIV3, and low-voltage current passed for 20 minutes every day for 30 days. Patients were assessed preintervention and postintervention with MOS-HIV 30-item instrument questionnaire and tibial H-reflex was similarly recorded from the right calf muscle. RESULTS: There was improvement in the condition of all 7 patients. They felt much better and reported feelings of increased physical strength. Outcomes on MOS-HIV 30-item instrument showed significant overall improvement in functional activities (pre 33+/-10, post 38.4+/-9.6, p = 0.02 MANOVA). This was confirmed by postintervention H-reflex parameters; H-max and direct muscle response (M-response) amplitudes were potentiated in relation to pretreatment values (H-max: pre = 1.19+/-1.2, post = 2.68+/-1.9, p<0.05; M-response: pre = 0.93+/-1.1, post = 2.34+/-1.8, p<0.05); M-response latency decreased in relation to pretreatment value (pre = 9.7+/-1.8, post = 7.8+/-1.9, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results support the hypothesis that low-voltage electroacupuncture will improve the condition of the neuropathic HIV/AIDS patient.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

Simple guidelines for HIV testing in the physician's practice.

This monthly series was developed from the AOA Task Force on AIDS Writers' Workshop, held August 16 to 18, 1991, in New York. The workshop was sponsored by an education grant from Burroughs Wellcome. It will provide brief clinical updates and perspectives on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Readers may request tear sheets from the AOA editorial offices.

HIV Antibodies↗

Seronegative acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The case reported here fulfilled the Centers for Disease Control surveillance case definition for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome without laboratory evidence of human immunodeficiency virus. The patient, a 63-year-old man, had received transfusions of several units of packed red blood cells after a coronary bypass graft. He had recurrent fever and lymphopenia. He had a depressed helper T-cell count, esophageal and tracheobronchial candidiasis, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Results of all tests for human immunodeficiency virus were negative or inconclusive. However, the patient may have been seroconverting at the time of his death.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

Protein and energy substrate metabolism in AIDS patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate protein and glucose metabolism in ambulatory, asymptomatic acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Nine asymptomatic AIDS patients were compared against 13 controls. We measured whole-body protein synthesis (PSRM), breakdown (PBRM), and the fractional fibrinogen synthesis rate with 15N glycine, glucose cycling from the difference between the glucose appearance rates as measured with 2-d (Ra2-d)- and 6,6-d2 (Ra6,6-d)-labeled glucose. All of these parameters are increased with hypermetabolism and decreased with undernutrition. In addition, we also determined the plasma aminogram. The principal findings were (1) whole-body protein synthesis and breakdown and the fibrinogen fractional synthesis rate were significantly lower in the AIDS patients; (2) glucose cycling was markedly lower in the AIDS patients, and most of this effect was due to a decrease in Ra2-d; there was no difference in the endogenous glucose production rate, Ra6,6d; and (3) the plasma aminogram showed decreased total amino acids and a reduced ratio of essential to nonessential amino acids in the AIDS group. We concluded that the AIDS patients showed a starvation-type response. While the depressed protein synthesis and energy substrate cycling are not likely to be the primary cause of immunodeficiency, they may represent an important facilitating factors contributing to the decreased ability of the patient to respond effectively to opportunistic infections.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗