HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, often infiltrates the brains of infected patients, causing everything from cognitive decline to death.
Now, new research in mice suggests the virus doesn't just kill brain cells but also prevents replacement cells from developing.
The new research is in mice, and many medical discoveries don't translate from rodents to humans. But Lipton said he expect humans to be similar to mice when it comes to this particular kind of research.
According to Lipton, the next step is to figure out a way to develop a drug with a "double bang" that would stop HIV from attacking both existing brain cells and stem cells that could become brain cells. Scientists are already working on drugs that target an enzyme that's involved in that process, he noted.read more
Saturday, August 18, 2007
News - Row over HIV charity condom name
Sexual health group Yorkshire Mesmac issues condoms to gay and bisexual men under a scheme called Confi’doms.
But Britannia Medicare, which makes condoms under the Confident brand, has ordered the charity to sign away its name by Monday or end up in court.
The charity says it can prove it was using the Confi’dom name in late 2001, before Middlesex-based Britannia registered the Confident name in May 2002.
Leading trademark lawyer Lindsey Wrenn, based at the Leeds offices of solicitors Pinsent Masons, has offered her services free of charge to the charity.
read more
But Britannia Medicare, which makes condoms under the Confident brand, has ordered the charity to sign away its name by Monday or end up in court.
The charity says it can prove it was using the Confi’dom name in late 2001, before Middlesex-based Britannia registered the Confident name in May 2002.
Leading trademark lawyer Lindsey Wrenn, based at the Leeds offices of solicitors Pinsent Masons, has offered her services free of charge to the charity.
read more
Male Circumcisions May Not Reduce HIV Rate In SGL Males
What seemed like a possible strategy to combat AIDS is now being questioned. Men in Africa who have been circumcised reportedly have a reduced chance of contracting HIV from a HIV+ woman. However, men having sex with men show no such reduction. 1,427 HIV negative Australian men were studied starting in the year 2001 to 2004. In that time period, 49 seroconversions occurred with 29 being circumcised and 13 uncircumcised.
Researcher David Templeton of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, reported no statistically significant "difference in the incidence of HIV infection between circumcised and uncircumcised men. This remained true when the analysis controlled for age, anorectal sexually transmitted infections, and insertive or receptive unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with someone who was HIV-positive." Story found on GayWired.com.read more
Researcher David Templeton of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, reported no statistically significant "difference in the incidence of HIV infection between circumcised and uncircumcised men. This remained true when the analysis controlled for age, anorectal sexually transmitted infections, and insertive or receptive unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with someone who was HIV-positive." Story found on GayWired.com.read more
Drug Addicts Routinely Denied Anti-HIV Medicines
The strength or weakness of a person’s immune system is calculated on the basis of CD4 count. The normal range is between 600-1,500 cells per cu mm of blood. The count helps health providers decide when to put an HIV positive person on anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
For the HIV prevention programmes to be effective, says Azam, these should reach out to IDUs specially.
In the last one year, ten people under his treatment died after they were refused treatment at the state-run hospitals. "About eight months ago, I had to bribe a doctor in Civil Hospital by paying him Rs 4,000 (66 US dollars)) just to operate on one of my clients which should have been done free of charge. Recently, one client died because the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre refused admission on one pretext or the other and, without informing us, shifted him to a shelter run by the Edhi Foundation charity, where his condition deteriorated and he slipped into coma. This is nothing new and happening all the time," Azam said.
The vice-president of the National Association of People Living with AIDS Farid Ahmed Memon faces the same discriminatory attitude. ‘’The Sindh AIDS Control Programme (SACP) told me I don’t need to get the CD4 test done. Imagine if it’s happening to me -- and I know most doctors there -- what the others must be going through."read more
For the HIV prevention programmes to be effective, says Azam, these should reach out to IDUs specially.
In the last one year, ten people under his treatment died after they were refused treatment at the state-run hospitals. "About eight months ago, I had to bribe a doctor in Civil Hospital by paying him Rs 4,000 (66 US dollars)) just to operate on one of my clients which should have been done free of charge. Recently, one client died because the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre refused admission on one pretext or the other and, without informing us, shifted him to a shelter run by the Edhi Foundation charity, where his condition deteriorated and he slipped into coma. This is nothing new and happening all the time," Azam said.
The vice-president of the National Association of People Living with AIDS Farid Ahmed Memon faces the same discriminatory attitude. ‘’The Sindh AIDS Control Programme (SACP) told me I don’t need to get the CD4 test done. Imagine if it’s happening to me -- and I know most doctors there -- what the others must be going through."read more
Friday, August 17, 2007
HIV among religion
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati are conducting a two-year study funded by NIH to determine how to provide HIV support and education in a faith-based setting, which sometimes can contradict religious doctrine, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
In a study published in December 2006 and conducted by the University of Cincinnati's Institute for the Study of Health, about 80% of HIV-positive people surveyed indicated a specific religious preference; however, 24% said they felt alienated in their religious communities. Sixty percent said they did not feel welcome, and 10% reported leaving their churches because of their HIV-positive status, according to the study.
According to the Enquirer, the researchers hope to identify practices and behaviors of religious organizations that encourage acceptance of and education about HIV/AIDS. The researchers will not identify the clergy members being interviewed when the study concludes but will create a reference source for HIV-positive people that will include religious organizations providing faith-based education and support, the Enquirer reports (Howell, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8/10).
read more
In a study published in December 2006 and conducted by the University of Cincinnati's Institute for the Study of Health, about 80% of HIV-positive people surveyed indicated a specific religious preference; however, 24% said they felt alienated in their religious communities. Sixty percent said they did not feel welcome, and 10% reported leaving their churches because of their HIV-positive status, according to the study.
According to the Enquirer, the researchers hope to identify practices and behaviors of religious organizations that encourage acceptance of and education about HIV/AIDS. The researchers will not identify the clergy members being interviewed when the study concludes but will create a reference source for HIV-positive people that will include religious organizations providing faith-based education and support, the Enquirer reports (Howell, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8/10).
read more
Vulnerable Women As Face of HIV/Aids
Women necessarily take the centre stage in any attempt at halting the spread of HIV/AIDS for obvious reasons. They are the most affected when issues of the pandemic manifest in public health
According to UNAIDS 2004 report on global AIDS pandemic, women and girls are more vulnerable and susceptible to HIV/AIDS infection than men. In sub-Saharan Africa, women are 30 per cent more likely to be infected than men and 15-24 year-old women are 3 times more likely to be infected than their male counterparts.
Leaders across the world agree that women are more infected, more affected and bear the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic yet little progress has been made in the area of addressing the rights of women which has been affected with HIV/AIDS.read more
According to UNAIDS 2004 report on global AIDS pandemic, women and girls are more vulnerable and susceptible to HIV/AIDS infection than men. In sub-Saharan Africa, women are 30 per cent more likely to be infected than men and 15-24 year-old women are 3 times more likely to be infected than their male counterparts.
Leaders across the world agree that women are more infected, more affected and bear the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic yet little progress has been made in the area of addressing the rights of women which has been affected with HIV/AIDS.read more
Protesters to gather at RV park that turned away HIV-positive 2-year-old
Following national outrage when an HIV-positive 2-year-old boy was denied use of a public pool, the Campaign to End AIDS is holding a "family reunion" to protest the RV park where the incident occurred.
An expected 150 attendees plan to use the pool and showers at Wales West RV Park in Silver Hill, Ala., while wearing bathing suits that read "HIV Positive." On September 3, at least 100 people living with HIV/AIDS will arrive at the park via caravans originating in Washington, D.C.; Nashville; Miami; Houston; Dallas; and Little Rock, Ark.
The owner of Wales West RV Park, Ken Zadnichek, said he welcomes the Campaign to End AIDS to the facilitiesread more
An expected 150 attendees plan to use the pool and showers at Wales West RV Park in Silver Hill, Ala., while wearing bathing suits that read "HIV Positive." On September 3, at least 100 people living with HIV/AIDS will arrive at the park via caravans originating in Washington, D.C.; Nashville; Miami; Houston; Dallas; and Little Rock, Ark.
The owner of Wales West RV Park, Ken Zadnichek, said he welcomes the Campaign to End AIDS to the facilitiesread more
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