Menopause does not affect response to HIV treatment
August 1st edition of Clinical Infectious diseases.
Menopausal status does not effect responses to HIV treatment, US investigators report in the the largest ever study into the impact of menopause on the effectiveness of HIV treatment. The researchers found that CD 4 cell counts and viral loads were comparable in pre-and post menopausal woman two years after initiating potent HIV therapy.
HIV treatment and traditional risk factors causing hardening of the arteries
HIV treatment and traditional risk factors causing hardening of the arteries American Journal of Hypertension, online edition.
Treatment with antiretroviral drugs can cause hardening of the arteries, Greek investigators report. Traditional risk factors for hardening of the arteries, also known as arteriosclerosis, such as cholesterol and high blood pressure were also shown to be important. The Schick Foundation is embarking on a study using blue green algae supplement in HIV+ patients virologically suppressed on antiretroviral drugs. We have put forth theories why an anti inflammatory agent such as blue green algae which releases bone marrow stem cells into the circulation of up to 30 % higher than normal.
These theories include the algae can get into the reservoirs, the blue green algae can extend the life span of infected memory t cells, the blue green algae can block absorption of the virus from entering the GI tract and starting immune activation by microbial translocation, and finally with residual HIV present in suppressed patients the stem cell which is the center of the immune system might be able to regulate the eradication of the last virus present by an active immune system. There may be another benefit of the blue green algae and that is by its anti inflammatory manner it may stop many of the side effects of antiretroviral treatment such as vascular disease, and hypertension.
Treatment with antiretroviral drugs can cause hardening of the arteries, Greek investigators report. Traditional risk factors for hardening of the arteries, also known as arteriosclerosis, such as cholesterol and high blood pressure were also shown to be important. The Schick Foundation is embarking on a study using blue green algae supplement in HIV+ patients virologically suppressed on antiretroviral drugs. We have put forth theories why an anti inflammatory agent such as blue green algae which releases bone marrow stem cells into the circulation of up to 30 % higher than normal.
These theories include the algae can get into the reservoirs, the blue green algae can extend the life span of infected memory t cells, the blue green algae can block absorption of the virus from entering the GI tract and starting immune activation by microbial translocation, and finally with residual HIV present in suppressed patients the stem cell which is the center of the immune system might be able to regulate the eradication of the last virus present by an active immune system. There may be another benefit of the blue green algae and that is by its anti inflammatory manner it may stop many of the side effects of antiretroviral treatment such as vascular disease, and hypertension.
Removal of US entry ban for people with HIV moves a step closer
Removal of US entry ban for people with HIV moves a step closer NAM July 7,2009
Hopes that restrictions on entry to the US for pepe with HIV will final be removed were raised when the US government indicated that it had completed a review of the removal of HIV from the list of communicable diseases that prevent entry to the US. This is very good news for many reasons. Maybe the IAS can start having conferences in the USA instead of Cape town South Africa, and Vienna Austria.
Hopes that restrictions on entry to the US for pepe with HIV will final be removed were raised when the US government indicated that it had completed a review of the removal of HIV from the list of communicable diseases that prevent entry to the US. This is very good news for many reasons. Maybe the IAS can start having conferences in the USA instead of Cape town South Africa, and Vienna Austria.
High HIV incidence during pregnancy: compelling reason for repeat HIV testing Moodley et al AIDS
High HIV incidence during pregnancy: compelling reason for repeat HIV testing Moodley et al AIDS 2009 23:1255-1259
The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of HIV during pregnancy as defined by seroconversion using a repeat HIV rapid testing strategy during late pregnancy. These authors tested pregnant women again after first seen by OB--GYN physicians between 36 and 40 weeks of gestation. 2377 HIV-negative woman were tested at urban and rural health institutes. 72 women were positive were comprised 13% of the population which were negative at the start at tested positive during pregnancy. The conclusion of the study is that HIV incidence during pregnancy is four times higher than in the non-pregnant population reported in a recent survey. Repeat testing is indicated to prevent mother to child transmission and further horizontal transmission.
The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of HIV during pregnancy as defined by seroconversion using a repeat HIV rapid testing strategy during late pregnancy. These authors tested pregnant women again after first seen by OB--GYN physicians between 36 and 40 weeks of gestation. 2377 HIV-negative woman were tested at urban and rural health institutes. 72 women were positive were comprised 13% of the population which were negative at the start at tested positive during pregnancy. The conclusion of the study is that HIV incidence during pregnancy is four times higher than in the non-pregnant population reported in a recent survey. Repeat testing is indicated to prevent mother to child transmission and further horizontal transmission.
Stem Cells in Cosmetic Surgery Nathan Newman, MD Published in LA Health June 2009 Issue Bone marrow stem cells are attracting much attention in the scientific community. Ongoing studies are underway in Coronary Artery Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and other major illnesses. The area that some of the biggest advances so far is in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In reconstructive surgery autologous stem cells after liposuction from a persons body have been used after processing to reconstruct major Head and neck defects after trauma, and surgery for cancer. This article show another area where bone marrow stem cells are being used and that is in Cosmetic surgery.
The method is similar to that used in Head and Neck Reconstructive surgery. Body fat is the source of the rapidly dividing cells that can be processed in the laboratory into stem cells. The procedure for cosmetic surgery is to make a small incision over an area of fat most often in the abdomen, aspirate out some fat cells, take the fat cells to the laboratory, and process them into bone marrow stem cells.
These stem cells can be used to enhance and treat the eyes, forehead, temples, cheeks, laugh lines, down lines, jowls, jaw lines, chin, hand, buttocks, calves, celuliite, dimples and scar reduction. The stem cells are injected into these areas where they reshape the natural contour of these areas. This is an exciting area for many people because it is cheaper, less invasive, and not beset with such problems as a face lift.
HIV in South Africa 'levels off'
South Africa's HIV epidemic has levelled off at an infection rate of 10.9% for those aged two or older, according to a new study.
The survey also suggests the rate of infection in children and teenagers could be falling.
This could be partly attributed to increased use of condoms, it says. But the survey warned that the overall situation remained "dire". South Africa has the world's largest HIV-positive population, at 5.5 million. Women aged between 20 and 34 continued to be the worst affected, with 33% carrying HIV, the report by the Human Sciences Research Council said.
This could be partly attributed to increased use of condoms, it says. But the survey warned that the overall situation remained "dire". South Africa has the world's largest HIV-positive population, at 5.5 million. Women aged between 20 and 34 continued to be the worst affected, with 33% carrying HIV, the report by the Human Sciences Research Council said.
Olive Shisana, an author of the study of 20,826 people released on Tuesday, said there were "promising findings of a changing pattern of HIV infection among children and youth".
"The good news is that the change in HIV prevalence in children is most likely attributable to the successful implementation of several HIV-prevention interventions," she said.
Pressure grows for lifting of HIV travel ban to USA
In July 2008 it was announced that the travel ban on HIV positive people entering America would be lifted but a year later this has yet to be implemented.
Recently a British man, Paul Thorn, who is HIV positive was scheduled to speak at a conference in Seattle but, after filling out the visa form on entry into the country, was denied access. The news comes at the same time as the International AIDS Society reiterated its desire to hold its biannual conference in Washington D.C in 2012.
Despite the announcement that the ban would be lifted there has been no mention from the current administration of when this is going to happen and in the mean time HIV positive people continue to be denied entry unless they have previously obtained a special visa.
Recently a British man, Paul Thorn, who is HIV positive was scheduled to speak at a conference in Seattle but, after filling out the visa form on entry into the country, was denied access. The news comes at the same time as the International AIDS Society reiterated its desire to hold its biannual conference in Washington D.C in 2012.
Despite the announcement that the ban would be lifted there has been no mention from the current administration of when this is going to happen and in the mean time HIV positive people continue to be denied entry unless they have previously obtained a special visa.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
