[ effect of physical activity on spontaneous electroencephalographic activity in rat]

Exercise and physical activity are important factors for human health. It has been reported that exercise can be considerably useful in the treatment of psychological diseases. In the present study the effect of running on Spontaneous electroencephalographic activity [EEG] of rats was investigated. Male wistar rats weighting 190-250 gr were selected and divided into control and exercise groups. The animals of exercise group were run on treadmill [I hour a day] for duration of two weeks. Then the animals in both groups were anesthetized with urethane and EEGs of them were recorded. In the exercise group alpha, beta and theta waves significantly increased and delta waves deceased in comparison to the control group. In the present study high frequency- low voltage waves increased and low frequency-high voltage waves decreased in the exercise group. This provides further support to the earlier supposition that increase in high frequency- low voltage waves represent promotion of consciousness. It seems that exercise could increase alertness

[ response to Hepatitis B virus vaccine in HIV-infected patients [HIV/AIDS counseling and care center in Kermanshah]]

Background and Objective: HBV infection is preventable by effective vaccination in general population, but response to vaccine among HIV infected people seems to be low

Methods: In this prospective study, 48 HIV position patients with anti HBs-Ab and HBs Ag had hepatitis B vaccination [0, 1, 6 months]. Anti-HBs levels were measured two months after the last dose by ELISA method. Cellular immunity was evaluated by flowcytometry

Findings: Only 14 [29.1%] of vaccinated HIV-infected patients had positive anti-HBs titers [11 males, 3 females]. Among them, 4 [28.6%] were over 40 years and from 34 HIV positive patients who did not respond to hepatitis B vaccine, 10 [29.4%] were over 40 years old. The mean number of CD4+ T lymphocytes was 352.5 in responders and 283.9 in non-responders. 2 [17.6%] of 17 HIV positive patients with CD4+ T <200 AND 6 [31.5%] of 19 HIV positive patients with 200500 responded to hepatitis B vaccine

Conclusion: Hepatitis B vaccination is better to be administered at the early stage of HIV infection. Conventional dose HIV vaccine is not enough for immunity. Therefore, it is recommended two-fold dose and repeated conventional dose or increasing interval administration of hepatitis B vaccine

Reduction of clinical tuberculosis in HIV-infected males with isoniazid prophylaxis

Isoniazid [INH] chemoprophylaxis has a positive impact on the development of clinical tuberculosis. Due to the increased prevalence of tuberculosis among HIV-infected individuals, we evaluated the effect of INH on the prevention of clinical tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients. We administered 300 mg of INH daily to 246 HIV-infected, tuberculin skin test-positive patients for 12 months. During 3 years of follow-up, 41 participants died and 94 were lost to follow up. Of the 111 patients followed for the 3 years, 12 developed tuberculosis which is lower than might be expected in an untreated group. INH prophylaxis appears to be an effective method to prevent clinical tuberculosis among HIV-infected, tuberculin skin test-positive patients

Thrombocytopenia in HIV-infected patients, Islamic Republic of Iran

Thrombocytopenia is a blood dyscrasia common in AIDS patients that may result from increased viral load and diminished CD4 T lymphocytes. We evaluated the rate of thrombocytopenia [platelet count < 100 000/microL] in 170 HIV-infected patients [161 males and 9 females] from May 2000-April 2001 in Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran. All except 7 females were injecting drug users. While 34 patients had thrombocytopenia, 3 had severe thrombocytopenia [platelet count < 20 000/microL]. Although prevalence was similar in various stages of HIV infection [18.5%-22.5%], severe thrombocytopenia was in patients with CD4 T cell count < 200 cells/microL. There were no other associated conditions. Mild thrombocytopenia is common in HIV-infected patients in our region