as an addendum to the mention of KS return.
 
it appears to be mild cases and easily treatable, as well as still rare.
 
read more:
 
http://12.42.224.225/healthnews/healthday/070926HD608579.htm
 
Joe

---

Connect to the next generation of MSN Messenger  Get it now!

 SEIZE THE DAY! ENJOY TODAY, SMELL THE ROSES AND HUG YOURSELF

I have had PMMA used to correct facial lipoatrophy.  I have had no
hardening or other negative sensations from the treatments, and the
injections were done over 3 years ago.

My partner is considering having PMMA used for some minor buttock
restoration.  His primary concern is the possibility of the treated
area becoming unnaturally "hard" to the touch due to the concentration
of the material used.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had buttock restoration
using PMMA and their experiences.  Particularly has anyone experienced
the treated area becoming hardened sometime years or more in the future?

Thanks for your feedback in advance.

Tom

Vitamin E Trials 'Fatally Flawed'




   Science Daily —
Generations of studies on vitamin E may be largely meaningless,
scientists say, because new research has demonstrated that the levels
of this micronutrient necessary to reduce oxidative stress are far
higher than those that have been commonly used in clinical trials.







   In a new study and commentary in Free Radical
Biology and Medicine, researchers concluded that the levels of vitamin
E necessary to reduce oxidative stress -- as measured by accepted
biomarkers of lipid peroxidation -- are about 1,600 to 3,200 I.U.
daily, or four to eight times higher than those used in almost all past
clinical trials.
This could help explain the inconsistent results
of many vitamin E trials for its value in preventing or treating
cardiovascular disease, said Balz Frei, professor and director of the
Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, and co-author of
the new commentary along with Jeffrey Blumberg, at the Jean Mayer USDA
Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
"The
methodology used in almost all past clinical trials of vitamin E has
been fatally flawed," said Frei, one of the world's leading experts on
antioxidants and disease. "These trials supposedly addressed the
hypothesis that reducing oxidative stress could reduce cardiovascular
disease. But oxidative stress was never measured in these trials, and
therefore we don't know whether it was actually reduced or not. The
hypothesis was never really tested."
The level of vitamin E that
clearly can be shown to reduce oxidative stress, new research is
showing, is far higher than the level that could be obtained in any
diet, and is also above the "tolerable upper intake level" outlined by
the Institute of Medicine, which is 1,000 I.U. a day. OSU researchers
are not yet recommending that people should routinely take such high
levels, but they do say that controlled clinical trials studying this
issue should be aware of the latest findings and seriously consider
using much higher vitamin E supplement levels in their studies.
In
lab, animal or human studies, there's evidence that vitamin E can
reduce oxidative stress, inhibit formation of atherosclerotic lesions,
slow aortic thickening, lower inflammation, and reduce platelet
adhesion. Some human studies using lower levels of vitamin E
supplements, such as 100 to 400 I.U. a day, have shown benefits in
reducing cardiovascular disease risk, and others have not. An
underlying assumption was that these levels were more than adequate to
reduce oxidative stress, since they far exceeded the "recommended
dietary allowance" or RDA for the vitamin, a level adequate to prevent
deficiency disease.
"What's now clear is that the amount of
vitamin E than can conclusively be shown to reduce oxidative stress is
higher than we realized," Frei said. "And almost none of the studies
done with vitamin E actually measured the beginning level or reduction
of oxidative stress."
Proper studies of vitamin E, researchers
say, must be done carefully and take into account the newest findings
about this micronutrient. It's now known that natural forms of the
vitamin are far more readily absorbed than synthetic types. It's also
been discovered that supplements taken without a fat-containing meal
are largely useless, because in the absence of dietary fat vitamin E is
not absorbed.
Some clinical trials may wish to study the long
term effect of vitamins on healthy individuals. But if a clinical trial
seeks to learn the value of reducing oxidative stress, they should
select patients in advance for those who have high, measurable
oxidative stress -- often people who are older or have a range of heart
disease risk factors, such as obesity, poor diet, hypertension or other
problems. Cognizance should also be taken of people with health issues
that may further increase their vitamin needs, such as smokers.
"A
pill count simply isn't enough to determine the value of vitamin E,"
Frei said. "We need to select people for trials properly, make sure
they are taking the right form of the vitamin, at the right levels and
at the right time, and then verify the metabolic results with
laboratory testing."
"Only when we do these studies right will we
answer questions about the value of vitamin E in addressing
cardiovascular disease," he said. "So far we've been flying blind."
A
parallel, Frei said, would be presuming to test the value of a statin
drug, which lowers cholesterol, without ever measuring cholesterol
levels in the test subjects, neither at the beginning nor at the end of
the study. Such trials would be ridiculed in the science community.
So far, that's the way vitamin E has been studied.
The
use and intake of vitamins, experts say, has traditionally been thought
of in terms of overt deficiency -- for example, not enough vitamin C
causes scurvy. Much less research has been done on the levels that can
help create optimum health. The issue is of special importance with
modern populations that have very different diets, activity levels and
increased lifespan, and are dying from much different causes --
predominantly heart disease and cancer -- than people of past
generations.


   Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by Oregon State
University.













Regards,
Nelson Vergel
powerusa dot org

You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks -- With The Right Diet




   Science Daily —
These supplements, acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid, are
continuing to be studied in work with humans, and scientists believe
they may provide a new approach to the neurodegeneration and cognitive
decline common with aging.



Supplements
of two antioxidant compounds -- acetyl-l-carnitine and alpha lipoic
acid -- have been found to significantly increase the ability of
"geriatric" beagle dogs to learn a new task. (Credit:
iStockphoto/Joshua Blake)




   The newest study was just
published in FASEB Journal, produced by the Federation of American
Societies for Experimental Biology, by researchers from the Linus
Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, the University of
Toronto, University of California/Berkeley, Children’s Hospital Oakland
Research Institute, and Juvenon, Inc.
It found that supplements
of these two antioxidant compounds, which are believed to play a role
in slowing mitochondrial decay in the cell, significantly increased the
ability of “geriatric” beagle dogs to learn a new task.
The study
builds on similar findings made several years ago, done with mice and
published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In that
research, the activity and energy level of old rats taking these same
supplements almost doubled, and memory and cognitive function improved.
“The
prospects for cognitive improvement from use of these supplements is
both fascinating and exciting,” said Tory Hagen, an associate professor
in OSU’s Linus Pauling Institute, and recognized expert on the
biological processes of aging.
“This is the first time these two
compounds, by themselves, have been tested in canines, which have
brains that are more biologically similar to humans than some other
animal models,” Hagen said. “The results should be relevant to what we
could expect with humans, and are very encouraging.”
In this
study, an inbred line of older, very similar beagle dogs were taught
how to find a food treat by identifying certain markers, such as a
yellow wooden peg. Applied scents were used to control for any tip-off
by sense of smell. Some dogs received short-term dietary
supplementation with acetyl-l-carnitine and lipoic acid, and others did
not.
On one task, four of six dogs receiving supplements quickly
learned to find the food treat by identifying the correct marker, while
only two of six dogs on normal diet succeeded. After 15 more weeks of
training, more than 80 percent of supplemented dogs were successful,
while only 50 percent of those not receiving supplements could learn
the new task.
“We’ve shown in some previous animal work that
these supplements could improve memory and energy level,” Hagen said.
“Now we’re seeing that animals receiving supplements are much more
readily able to learn new things as well, even at an advanced age.”
In
these tests, the effects of supplementation with these compounds
appeared to work fairly quickly, in a matter of days or weeks, the
scientists said. Some other studies, however, have required much longer
periods of supplementation for various antioxidants to improve
cognitive performance.
Humans also experience loss of the type of
object and spatial discrimination that was improved by supplements in
these animal tests – it’s often one of the early signs of human
dementia.
The scientists suggested in the paper that long-term
supplementation “may be effective in attenuating age-associated
cognitive decline by slowing the rate of mitochondrial decay and
cellular aging.” Enhancing the function of mitochondria - which provide
almost all of a cell’s energy - could literally be providing animals
with more “mental energy,” leading to improved memory and learning, the
study indicated. The compounds may also cause increased synthesis of a
neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.
An increasing body of
research suggests that mitochondria may be an “Achilles heel” for
absorbing age-related damage, as part of the natural process of
oxidation in the body and the related “free radicals” that are produced
and can cause cellular damage. As the power plant of cells,
mitochondria perform many of the roles critical to cell function, use
up to 90 percent of the oxygen humans breathe, but are also among the
first cellular components to be damaged by reactive radical oxygen
species.
This study was funded by private industry, including companies that produce the
compounds being studied.
Clinical experiments with humans using these supplements are already under way,
scientists said.


   Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by Oregon State
University.

Regards,
Nelson Vergel
powerusa dot org

     I see that last year a few studies were posted regarding the efficacy of Chantix as a smoking cessation medication.

     Well...it works.  I smoked two packs a day for years.  I loved smoking.  Recently however a health issue arose which clearly dictated that I must stop.  I went on Chantix Sept. 20.  For the first week it is okay to still smoke...I averaged five cigarettes a day during that time (a 88% decrease.)  On day eight, one is supposed to stop.  This is my fourth smoke-free day.  The cravings at worst have only been moderate, and that's been transitory.  Yesterday was easier.

     Chantix is a great medication.  It works by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain.  Downside is that it costs $100/mo. and is customarily taken for three months.  It wasn't on my HMO drug formulary.

     You do have to want to quit.  No drug will create the motivation.  But a potentially serious smoking-related health issue sure the heck will!

    If you want to quit, please give Chantix a try.  (As an aside...unlike some former smokers, I will never belittle or criticize smokers.)

Gary

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Lipoatrophy and social isolation...
    Posted by: "RW736@..." RW736@... 
    Date: Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:57 am ((PDT))

Pozgroup members:
 
 
   This recent thread concerning lipoatrophy and social interaction
 caught my 
attention. I
 recently dated a really nice guy whom liked me from day
 one. We 
dated for a couple of months before he stopped being intimate with me.
 This is 
something I was not used to at all, being a sexual person. He is very
 hot and 
it was hard not to wanna rape him! However, he said he just wasn't
 interested 
in intimacy -- period. Well, then I caught him cruisin the Internet for
 sex 
-- right after being rejected by him. This happened twice (I took him
 back, 
like an idiot). He is newly on Meds, a big guy, and not suffered any
 wasting. I 
however, have substantial lower body wasting. It turned him off and
 hurt me 
horribly in the process. After a year and a half of waiting this out, I
 dumped 
him. I still have issues about it and feel like crawling under a rock.
 With 
gayland and society as a rule so dependent on looks, lipo is a horrible
 affliction 
to suffer. After surviving so long (most lipo
 sufferers are long term 
survivors), and suffering so much with treatment, opportunistics, and
 watching all 
your friends die -- now this!
    This is a horrible affliction to deal with, Lipodystrophy is a real
 and 
dangerous side effect of long term treatment and survival with HIV. It
 took the 
medical community way too long to take it seriously - which I believe
 was 
prejudice rooted. It isn't all about "looks," now they see the
 consequences. I 
can longer sit comfortably, I have diabetes, high cholesterol,
 neorapathy, and 
many other debilitating issues related to surviving where others have
 not. I 
just hope others can come to grips with their personal journey with
 HIV, and 
sepport if they need it. Go to a support group or seek out online
 forums such as 
PozGroup to help cope. Ricky in Michigan



************************************** See what's ne

I have been on HAART for 2 years now and my viral load is undetectable
but my CD4 counts hover around the 200 mark. I am taking Truvada,
Norvir and Reyataz. My ID Doctor is stumped about this and I was

wondering if anyone could recommend anything to get my CD4s on the rise?

The spread of this utter crap about Gardasil is the work of weirdos
from the radical Christian right and other morons from "alternative"
medicine, who are just opposed to vaccines.

The deaths and morbidities attributed to gardasil are at best
distortions and most of them are just plain outright lies.

and people wonder why I get upset about the crap masquerading as
"alternative" medicine.


JB

Several studies have shown that  people with HIV have lower bone density. A
study showed an incidence of osteopenia of 42 %. It seems that it is not caused
by meds but by HIV infection itself, with meds making it worse in some cases.

I would get a full body DEXA scan if I was you two, and get on some
calcium/vitamin D, resistance training, and a bone density drug like Fosamax if
you can. Also get your testosterone and thyroid levels checked.

Regards,
Nelson Vergel
powerusa dot org

----- Original Message ----
From: la1982guy <la1982guy@...>
To: PozHealth@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 6:06:30 PM
Subject: [PozHealth] Bones Breaking

My partner and I are 25+ year survivors. Is anyone else out there
having problems with bone density being normal, but ribs and vertabrae
breaking for no apparent reason? My partner's thoracic vertabrae are
compression fracturing for no reason. His neurosurgeon deosn't even
have an explanation.



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List Founder and Moderator

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My partner and I are 25+ year survivors. Is anyone else out there
having problems with bone density being normal, but ribs and vertabrae
breaking for no apparent reason? My partner's thoracic vertabrae are
compression fracturing for no reason. His neurosurgeon deosn't even
have an explanation.

Selenium
    Posted by: "cacrcoastal" cacrcoastal@... cacrcoastal
    Date: Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:16 pm ((PDT))

Just a quick note:  Selenium could be toxic if taken in large doses, 
and I beleive it doesn't take much more to become toxic and potentially
 
dangerous.  That said, we had a HIV
 neurologist speak at a recent 
gathering a few months back and selenium was mentioned I beleive as a 
good thing.  However, I wouldn't recommend more than 200 mcg per day.  

Whether it builds up in the body to become toxic, I don't know.  But 
my 'gut'  feeling is that if you can get those 200mcg in a multi 
vitamin, then go for it.  But by itself, seems to me like taking a 
bunch of Zinc pills.  Good for you,but also bad for  you.  Kinda like 
my typing! :-)!

Starting OCtober 1st, San Francisco-based Project Inform is accepting
on line and telephone inquiries from local S.F. Bay area residents
interested in volunteering for our National HIV/AIDS Treatment
Hotline. The orientation and training will take place at our San
Francisco office, on Thursday evening, November 15 and continue on
Saturday, November 17. Volunteers will be oriented on Project
Inform’s services and our mission- which for over twenty years has
been providing information about the treatment and monitoring of HIV
disease; advocating to facilitate research toward a cure and for
appropriate regulatory policies, legislation and funding for HIV
research, treatment, and care; and, inspiring people living with and
affected by HIV/AIDS to make informed choices, taking effective
action in the fight against HIV, and choosing hope over despair.

Operators speak with callers from the U.S., Canada and elsewhere
answering questions about treatments and assisting with referrals for
finding delivery of health care services and programs. Training
includes PI’s five-part model which frames many of our conversations:

1. Health Maintenance;
2. Supportive Care;
3. Antiretroviral Strategy;
4. Opportunistic Infection Strategy; and
5. Immune Health.

Volunteers should be available for a weekly, three-hour hotline shift
between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday with a six month
commitment.

Jonathan Goldman, the Hotline Manager had been a volunteer operator
for ten years before becoming a full-time staff member in October
2006. PI’s small group of dedicated staff, led by Founding Director,
Martin Delaney is most nurturing of its volunteers.

Richard, a newer operator states, “volunteering on the Hotline with
so much current and correct information available, whether to assist
callers in sorting through the glut of data and circulating reports,
offering the latest treatment developments, or finding a specific
referral, has been very rewarding.”  With the anticipated FDA
approval of a new class of drug, the upcoming majorly-revised Federal
Treatment Guidelines due in late October plus changes to Medicare
Part D, P.I. expects increases in our call volume.

Project Inform encourages inquiries from women, men, transgender,
youth, gay, lesbian, straight, questioning, people of color,
differently-abled persons including HIV and those who are bilingual,
especially with Spanish skills.

Please contact Jonathan Goldman at jgoldman@...;
415-558-8669, x215 or via the Hotline at either 1-866-HIV-INFO or
415-558-9051.

National HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline
1-866-HIV-INFO (448-4636)




Healthfully & electronically,
      Jonathan "Gravy Boat" Goldman
         Project Inform Hotline Manager
            415.558.8669, x215
         National HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline 800.822-7422
             jgoldman@... / www.projectinform.org


"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all
doubt."
attributed to Abraham Lincoln