PozHealth : Messages : 28344-28373 of 31313

I take 8500 IU per day based on blood tests that showed I had not
attained optimal anti-cancer dosing at 5000 IU per day - where blood
levels are optimized. I am taking this and will re-test soon. I
decided on this dose after hearing that world authority Rheinhold
Vieth takes 8000 IU himself based on his study with humans who took
10,000 IU per day and showed no biochemical evidence of any imbalance.
The lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for vitamin D is 3800
IU. This is a dose the government says may produce toxicity "rarely,
when taken long-term, but for some sensitive populations that can
cause adverse effects."

My suggestion is to ask your doctor for the OH-vitamin D blood test to
check your level, before and after you begin taking any dose higher
than 2500 IU per day, the dose called the no observed adverse effect
level (NOAEL).

Vitamin D supports anti-microbial (and immune) activity in the body
and it seems that it may have significantly more effect against colds,
flu, herpes, etc.. (maybe even HIV??) than other nutrients like vitamin C.

Also only take vitamin D3, not D2, which is significantly less efficient.

Michael Mooney
www.michaelmooney.net
www.medibolics.com

--- In PozHealth@yahoogroups.com, PoWeRTX@... wrote:
>
> First Report of Dose/Response Data of HIV-infected Men Treated with
Vitamin D3 Supplements
>
> Reported by Jules Levin
> CROI 2009 Feb 8-12 Montreal
>
> from Jules: one should consider researching safety of such high dose
vitamin D before embarking on such high dosing.
>
> Kathryn Childs*, S Fishman, S Factor, D Dieterich, M Mullen, and A
Branch
> Mt Sinai Sch of Med, New York, NY, US
>
> Background:  Among the general public, low vitamin D levels have
many adverse health effects including enhanced inflammation. HIV
infection causes inflammation and may increase the importance of
optimal vitamin D, defined as 30 to 60 ng/mL of 25-hydroxyvitamin D
(25[OH]D). Studies are needed to determine the doses of vitamin D3
(VD3) required by HIV patients.
>
> Methods:  With investigational review board (IRB) approval, 25(OH)D
status was assessed in 74 HIV-infected men during the winter in New
York of whom 51 with 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL were prescribed daily oral VD3
at doses based on the baseline 25(OH)D level:  2800 IU for <10 ng/mL
(severe deficiency); 1800 IU for 10 to 20 ng/mL (deficiency); 800 IU
for 20 to 30 ng/mL (insufficiency). All subjects were prescribed 1 g
of calcium, as calcium citrate. The level of 25(OH)D was measured at a
median follow up of 16 weeks, during summer.
>
> Results:  Most of the 74 men (84%) were Caucasian. The median CD4
count was 444 cells/µL. Among the 51 (69%) prescribed VD3, 25(OH)D
increased by a median of 7.2 ng/mL (from 15 to 23 ng/mL) on an
intention-to-treat basis (p <0.001; table). Among the 20 subjects who
reported 100% adherence, 25(OH)D rose by 15 ng/mL (from 15 ng/mL to 30
ng/mL), allowing 8 of 20 (40%) to achieve optimal 25(OH)D status. As
expected, the greatest increases in serum 25(OH)D occurred in the men
with the lowest baseline levels. These men were prescribed 2800 IU
VD3/day, the highest dose (figure). Only 1 of the 12 non-adherent men
(8%) achieved an optimal 25(OH)D level in the summer. Serum calcium
remained below the ULN in all subjects prescribed VD3. Surprisingly,
no winter to summer seasonal increase occurred among the 23 men with
25(OH)D>30 ng/mL at baseline (who were not prescribed VD3). Rather,
median winter and summer levels were 42 and 41 ng/mL, respectively;
the median change was �"7.3 ng/mL. Of 23 (65%) men, 15 with 25(OH)D
levels >30 at baseline had a winter-to-summer decrease.
>
> Conclusions:  To our knowledge, our study provides the first
dose/response data for oral VD3 in HIV patients. Doses as high as 14
times the Recommended Daily Allowance were safe and did not lead to
hypercalcemia in any subject. VD3 increased 25(OH)D levels, allowing 8
of 20 (40%) fully adherent subjects to achieve 25(OH)D levels in the
optimal range. The dose/response effects we observed indicate that
many HIV patients can achieve optimal vitamin D status by using oral
VD3.  Of note for future dose/response studies, minimal seasonal
variation in 25(OH)D occurred in untreated patients. 
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nataphcvhiv@...
>
> Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:25:55
> To: <hiv@...>; <nataphcvhiv@...>; <natapindustry@...>;
<natapdoctors@...>
> Subject: NATAP/CROI: Vitamin D Supplementation in HIV+
>
>
> NATAP http://natap.org/
> _______________________________________________
>

#28372

From: nursemanv@...
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:17 pm
Subject: Re:Black

nursemanv

Offline

It is relevant what race they are referring to. Unfortunately, HIV/AIDS DOES affect different races differently. Don't be too quick to judge what intentions the person that posted had in mind.

A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!

#28371

From: "Al " <al@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:00 pm
Subject: Information on EECP

albert.benson

Offline

Recent data documenting the effectiveness of Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) for the treatment of angina has failed to bring this apparently effective procedure into the mainstream of cardiology practice. In this article, DrRich discusses what EECP is, how it works, and why cardiologists are avoiding this FDA approved, insurance and Medicare reimbursable, safe, noninvasive treatment like the plague.

What is EECP?

EECP is a mechanical procedure in which long inflatable cuffs (like blood pressure cuffs) are wrapped around both of the patient’s legs. While the patient lies on a bed, the leg cuffs are inflated and deflated with each heartbeat. This is accomplished by means of a computer, which triggers off the patient’s ECG so that the cuffs deflate just as each heartbeat begins, and inflate just as each heartbeat ends. When the cuffs inflate they do so in a sequential fashion, so that the blood in the legs is “milked” upwards, toward the heart.

EECP has two potentially beneficial actions on the heart. First, the milking action of the leg cuffs increases the blood flow to the coronary arteries. (The coronary arteries, unlike other arteries in the body, receive their blood flow after each heartbeat instead of during each heartbeat. EECP, effectively, “pumps” blood into the coronary arteries.) Second, by its deflating action just as the heart begins to beat, EECP creates something like a sudden vacuum in the arteries, which reduces the work of the heart muscle in pumping blood into the arteries. Both of these actions have long been known to reduce cardiac ischemia (the lack of oxygen to the heart muscle) in patients with coronary artery disease. Indeed, an invasive procedure that does the same thing, intra-aortic counterpulsation (IACP, in which a balloon-tipped catheter is positioned in the aorta, which then inflates and deflates in time with the heartbeat), has been in widespread use in intensive care units for decades, and its effectiveness in stabilizing extremely unstable patients is well known.

While a primitive form of external counterpulsation has also been around for a long time, it has not been very effective until recently. Thanks to new computer technology that allows the perfect timing of the inflation and deflation of the cuffs, and produces the milking action, modern EECP has been greatly enhanced.

EECP is administered as a series of outpatient treatments. Patients receive 5 one-hour sessions per week, for 7 weeks (for a total of 35 sessions). The 35 one-hour sessions are aimed at provoking long lasting beneficial changes in the circulatory system.

How effective is it?

EECP now appears to be quite effective in treating chronic stable angina. A randomized trial with EECP, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiologyin 1999, showed that EECP significantly improved both the symptoms of angina (a subjective measurement) and exercise tolerance (a more objective measurement) in patients with coronary artery disease. EECP also significantly improved “quality of life” measures, as compared to placebo therapy.

More recent data show that this improvement in symptoms following a course of EECP seems to persist for up to five years.

Furthermore, there is also preliminary data suggesting that EECP may be useful for treating unstable angina, as adjunctive therapy after revascularization (i.e., with angioplasty, stent, and/or bypass surgery), and even as first-line (instead of last resort) therapy for more routine forms of angina. (Read about EECP as early therapy for angina here.)

Who is likely to benefit from EECP?

Based on what is already known, EECP should be considered in anybody who still has angina despite maximal medical therapy and prior revascularization. No cardiologist could argue logically against this. And, frankly, if a patient insisted on trying EECP prior to agreeing to purely elective revascularization for chronic stable angina, the cardiologist might not like it, but would be hard pressed to give anything beyond a purely emotional reason as to why this should not be tried.

Why does EECP work?

The mechanism for the sustained benefits seen with EECP still amount to speculation. Everyone can agree that there are good reasons for EECP (just as for IACP) to benefit the heart while the therapy is actually taking place. But as to why the benefit of EECP persists even after the therapy is finished, no one can say for sure.

There are preliminary data suggesting that EECP can help induce the formation of collateral vessels in the coronary artery tree, by stimulating the release of nitric oxide and other growth factors in within the coronary arteries. There is also evidence that EECP may act as a form of “passive” exercise, leading to the same sorts of persistent beneficial changes in the autonomic nervous system that are seen with real exercise.

Can EECP be harmful?

EECP can be somewhat uncomfortable (it is said to be more difficult to watch – what with the patient being noticeably jostled due to the milking action of the inflatable leg cuffs – than it is to actually have it done), but is not painful. In fact, it is apparently very well tolerated by the large majority of patients.

But not everyone can have it. People probably should not have EECP if they have certain types of valvular heart disease (especially aortic insufficiency), or if they have had a recent cardiac catheterization, an irregular heart rhythm, severe hypertension, significant blockages in the leg arteries, or a history of deep venous thrombosis (blood clots in the legs). For anyone else, however, the procedure appears to be quite safe.

Despite its increasingly apparent potential usefulness, EECP is hardly taking the cardiology world by storm. In fact, it seems that for most cardiologists EECP is not even on the list of potential treatments for coronary artery disease. Why is that?

There are several possible reasons. Let us dispense with the most obvious first, namely, that EECP doesn’t pay well. A series of 35 treatments costs $5000 to $6000 dollars. That’s not chicken feed, but keep in mind that we’re talking about 35 hours of therapy over 7 weeks, which involves not only the doctor’s time but also the time of office staff, nursing personnel, etc., etc. Still not a terrible return, but when you consider that a cardiologist can often bill that much by spending a morning in the cath lab, well - - -.

Then there’s the fact that EECP remains somewhat intellectually unsatisfying. To your average cardiologist, there’s no reason at all that anyone should have thought it would work in the first place – that temporarily providing counterpulsation would have lasting effects. And the fact that it apparently does work is merely blind luck, and leaves investigators scrambling ridiculously to explain why it does. This is a less than satisfying way to advance science.

In addition, to most cardiologists, EECP is logistically difficult. To accommodate patients for EECP, they would not only have to purchase expensive equipment, but also would have to radically change the organization of their offices, their office staff, and their space.

Finally, and most importantly, EECP has nothing in common with what cardiologists do. Cardiologists study and treat the heart, for goodness sake. They stress it, image it, measure it, pace it, shock it, stent it, ablate it, revascularize it, and bathe it in drugs. What they do takes years of specialized training and expertise, millions of dollars of high-tech equipment, and tremendous manual dexterity, and it brings them significant prestige, even within the medical community.

Now they’re supposed to drop all that? In order to attach fancy balloons to peoples’ legs, throw a switch, watch them bounce around for an hour, then say, “See you tomorrow?” That’s not cardiology. That’s glorified physical therapy.

This, in DrRich’s estimation, is the real reason the average cardiologist is completely ignoring EECP, as if it doesn’t even exist. They simply can’t believe anyone really expects them to do this.

In any case, you may need to raise your cardiologist’s consciousness. If you have coronary artery disease that has proved difficult to treat, then you need to bring EECP up yourself.

Once enough patients show themselves to be aware of this new therapy and to be expecting it, suddenly EECP will no longer be beneath cardiologists, and they’ll eagerly find a way to incorporate it into their practices.

How can you receive EECP?

If you are a candidate for EECP and wish to pursue it, start with your doctor. If your doctor discourages you from pursuing EECP, make sure he/she gives you a good reason for discouraging it. Good reasons would include: you don’t have the sort of coronary artery disease or angina that would benefit from EECP; your coronary artery disease is of the type that requires revascularization; or you have one of the contraindications (listed above) for having EECP. (Good reasons would not include: it’s unproven; it doesn’t work; it’s voodoo; or I’ve never heard of it.)

There are fewer than 200 places today performing EECP, though the number is growing rapidly. If your doctor can’t think of a place to refer you for EECP, go online. The best place to start online would be EECP.com. This is a website run by Vasomedical, Inc., the company that makes the equipment for EECP, so it is not unbiased. But it does offer an excellent means of finding a place where you can get EECP in your area.

Your insurance carrier should cover EECP, though these fine humanitarians might well deny coverage initially. Medicare has approved EECP for reimbursement, and once Medicare approves a new treatment, insurance companies normally fall in line quite quickly. In the case of EECP, however, many insurance companies are still balking at paying, perhaps because their cardiology consultants are telling them it’s not really a serious therapy. Don’t let this discourage you. If you are turned down for reimbursement, appeal the decision. Most insurance companies count on patients failing to appeal (which is why they so frequently deny therapy that is obviously needed), and with Medicare supporting your contention that EECP ought to be covered, odds are that if you appeal you’ll win.

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#28370

From: PoWeRTX@...
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:52 pm
Subject: Fw: NATAP/CROI: Vitamin D Supplementation in HIV+

nelsonvergel

Offline

First Report of Dose/Response Data of HIV-infected Men Treated with Vitamin D3 Supplements

Reported by Jules Levin

CROI 2009 Feb 8-12 Montreal

from Jules: one should consider researching safety of such high dose vitamin D before embarking on such high dosing.

Kathryn Childs*, S Fishman, S Factor, D Dieterich, M Mullen, and A Branch

Mt Sinai Sch of Med, New York, NY, US

Background:� Among the general public, low vitamin D levels have many adverse health effects including enhanced inflammation. HIV infection causes inflammation and may increase the importance of optimal vitamin D, defined as 30 to 60 ng/mL of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D). Studies are needed to determine the doses of vitamin D3 (VD3) required by HIV patients.

Methods:� With investigational review board (IRB) approval, 25(OH)D status was assessed in 74 HIV-infected men during the winter in New York of whom 51 with 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL were prescribed daily oral VD3 at doses based on the baseline 25(OH)D level:� 2800 IU for <10 ng/mL (severe deficiency); 1800 IU for 10 to 20 ng/mL (deficiency); 800 IU for 20 to 30 ng/mL (insufficiency). All subjects were prescribed 1 g of calcium, as calcium citrate. The level of 25(OH)D was measured at a median follow up of 16 weeks, during summer.

Results:� Most of the 74 men (84%) were Caucasian. The median CD4 count was 444 cells/�L. Among the 51 (69%) prescribed VD3, 25(OH)D increased by a median of 7.2 ng/mL (from 15 to 23 ng/mL) on an intention-to-treat basis (p <0.001; table). Among the 20 subjects who reported 100% adherence, 25(OH)D rose by 15 ng/mL (from 15 ng/mL to 30 ng/mL), allowing 8 of 20 (40%) to achieve optimal 25(OH)D status. As expected, the greatest increases in serum 25(OH)D occurred in the men with the lowest baseline levels. These men were prescribed 2800 IU VD3/day, the highest dose (figure). Only 1 of the 12 non-adherent men (8%) achieved an optimal 25(OH)D level in the summer. Serum calcium remained below the ULN in all subjects prescribed VD3. Surprisingly, no winter to summer seasonal increase occurred among the 23 men with 25(OH)D>30 ng/mL at baseline (who were not prescribed VD3). Rather, median winter and summer levels were 42 and 41 ng/mL, respectively; the median change was �7.3 ng/mL. Of 23 (65%) men, 15 with 25(OH)D levels >30 at baseline had a winter-to-summer decrease.

Conclusions:� To our knowledge, our study provides the first dose/response data for oral VD3 in HIV patients. Doses as high as 14 times the Recommended Daily Allowance were safe and did not lead to hypercalcemia in any subject. VD3 increased 25(OH)D levels, allowing 8 of 20 (40%) fully adherent subjects to achieve 25(OH)D levels in the optimal range. The dose/response effects we observed indicate that many HIV patients can achieve optimal vitamin D status by using oral VD3.� Of note for future dose/response studies, minimal seasonal variation in�25(OH)D occurred in untreated patients.�

#28369

From: "Al " <al@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:26 pm
Subject: In defence of anger

albert.benson

Offline

Funny that the work of Dr. George Solomon, my mentor, the father of

psycho-neuro-immunology and a man who has a chair at UCLA and also

the man who coined the term PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), felt

differently about this issue...the data from his Long Term

survivors clinical study I participated in showed that anger and

aggressiveness are a big part in improved immune function, elevated

NK cells and present in ALL long term survivors of HIV. We have a

lot to be pissed at.

Those who do not have that anger, or are so repressed that that cannot

show anger and then get over it, are the ones most likely to die sooner and

turn to drugs to dull the pain of their insufferably frustrating existence.

In Los Angeles I know Boxer who is perhaps the angriest man alive

(my closest friend). He buried several lovers and lost virtually

everything important in his life. But he is an angry cuss and NEVER

let HIV destroy him and he bounced back to hit new highs in his

life. He shows anger every day and is healthy as a horse teaching

boxing for 8-9 hours daily.

Those who chose to let a smile be their umbrella and take sedatives

and go with the flow will prove to be living examples of evolution

in action...that is, as Dr. Solomon showed, they won't live as long

or live as well. (by 'well' I am not talking about owning a Lexus

or a condo, but the ability to feel the powerful joy of being alive

instead of a victimized lost soul.

Remember: ANGER IS AN ENERGY...rock on!

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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (5)

#28368

From: John Barrow <pozbod@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:00 pm
Subject: Re:Anger and hostility hurt those who participate

johnftl59

Offline

"The more hostile a man's personality, the more his body mass index
(BMI) increased over the following two decades, Dr. Hermann Nabi of
Hopital Paul Brousse in Villejuif, France and his colleagues found.
BMI is the ratio of height to weight, used to determine if someone is
within a normal weight range or is underweight, overweight or obese."

This is fascinating. It begins to suggest that the "anger hormones" do something very basic.............

#28367

From: John Barrow <pozbod@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:57 pm
Subject: Re:Black

johnftl59

Offline

"Why is it necessary to mention race?
What difference does it make knowing the race of the person you are talking about?"

Well, what harm does it do? I see what you are saying, but

1. medical people are used to giving patient histories, which always include age, gender, and race. I think it was normal for Charles to introduce race in a "medical" note.

2. I would bet that this list is overwhelmingly male and white. Perhaps, even here, it's not a bad thing to be reminded from time to time how many millions of women and people of color are affected and infected, around the world.

We do live in a world where race is difficult to address, but I don't find it inappropriate to mention it.

#28366

From: julev <JuLev@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:17 pm
Subject: NATAP/CROI: HIV Drug Pipeline....not what it was

jules72orange

Offline

Phase 1, Single Ascending Oral Dose Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of MPC-9055 a Novel HIV-1 Maturation Inhibitor in HIV Negative Healthy Subjects�- (02/27/09)

HIV Drug Pipeline at CROI

--for patients with extensive drug resistance a little is ongoing.......

Reported by Jules Levin

CROI 2009 Feb 8-12 Montreal

For early-line therapy there are several new twists. For patients with pan-class HIV drug resistance as I see there are a few but limited promising new developments, there is GSK's 2 integrase inhibitors, if they are active against raltegravir resistance, which in vitro they appear to be but this has to be tested in patients, so these integrase inhibitors could also be for early therapy, perhaps firstline. There is the Tanox drug which is an infusion, there is PRO140 which is in reality a CCR5 inhibitor which may be active against CCR5 drug maraviroc resistance which I don't think has been tested yet in patients but still PRO140 is an infusion even if perhaps subcutaneous; there are the 2 Ardea NNRTIs, in the poster it says RDEA427 retains activity against "many of the recently identified etravirine mutations" which is a key question so they will have to prove this in patients. There is also the Idenix NNRTI which was bought recently by GSK, and again a key question is can they prove it's activity against etravirine resistance mutations. There is CMX 157 which is merely a new perhaps improved of tenofovir, yet to be proven. There is the Merck RNase program which displayed its first poster at a major conference, see link below, but is in preclinical and in very early development; as they identified a series of compounds with HIV activity in cell culture, I don't know how close this could be. Then there are the maturation inhibitors, Panacos' bevirimat now at Myriad and the back up maturation inhibitors at Myriad and at Panacos. Bevirimat appears to be a reasonable candidate but whether it can be used by a patient appears to require a lab test to see if a patient has certain polymotphism mutations, so the drug will be active for about 50% of patients. Myriad has an additional maturation inhibitor program that includes MPC-9055 which is early clinical development and Myriad said they plan to start a new bevirimat study and develop MPC-9055 as well. In sum, there are several possibilities for patients with extensive HIV drug resistance and with pan-class resistance. The most promise at this time for the near future is that the GSK integrase inhibitors, they have 2 in early clinical patient studies, will be active against raltegravir resistance. And if they prove the new NNRTIs from Idenix/GSK and Ardea are active against etravirine mutations in patients with etravirine resistance these are promising. �There still is CCR5 maraviroc and soon vicriviroc, for CCR5-tropic patients. If the maturation inhibitors work out that would provide helpful therapy but bevirimat has limited promise, for 50% of patients, if it gets developed. The Myriad maturation inhibitors are further behind and perhaps that will work out. Panacos has a second generation maturation inhibitor program and an oral fusion inhibitor, but as you know the company is almost bankrupt and looking to sell its assets. Several years ago we had an exciting and explosive new drug development situation for pan-resistant patients with several very good drugs in development-- darunavir, etravirine, raltegravir, maraviroc and prior to that T-20 and tipranavir. Don't lose these drugs, adherence is the key. Right now future options appears limited for bright and novel developments. The only new class in clinical development is maturation inhibitors. Why? Coming up with new ideas is not easy. It's much harder to develop new drugs, it's expensive and the field of available drugs is very crowded, so there is limited opportunity to make much profit. J&J and Tibotec displayed guts, a big commitment to HIV, and were fortunate to be able to develop their new drugs including TMC278 out of the Belgium labs co-founded by Rudi Pauwels and Paul Stoffels in the 1990s, where J&J got these drugs, thank them all for their foresight and skills. Both Virco & Tibotec co-founded by Pauwels & Stoffels in the 1994/1995 were acquired by J&J in 2002. I recall participating in the early scientific meetings in Europe during the 1990s organized by Pauwels and other resistance scientists before they discovered darunavir (TMC114) and etravirine (TMC125), where resistance testing was first discussed. These meetings were in the pre-discovery days of resistance testing, they helped to develop and promote resistance testing. Merck as well displayed guts & determination & a big commitment. The Merck integrase program started at least 10 years ago hit a wall many times over the years appearing to be stalled. The development team at Merck deserves much credit for sticking this out. There have been a number of big drug companies that discovered but sold new HIV drugs because they did not want to get into HIV, or did not want to make any commitment to invest at all in HIV drug discovery. As well Pfizer and Schering have demonstrated commitment to their CCR5 programs. A full new drug development program is very expensive and in order to make a commitment you need a drug or a new class of drugs with great promise, and it has become much harder to find these.. Patients who still have not used Fuzeon can still use it. We can hope that novel major breakthroughs might occur but right now the future has a few hopeful opportunities for new therapy, but it's not like it was several years ago with the explosion of new potent drugs from Merck & Tibotec.. But don't forget Pfizer's CCR5 drug maraviroc and Schering Plough's vicriviroc. For the CCR5-tropic patient this remains a viable treatment option, particularly pan-class resistant.. CCR5 drugs are a new class with no cross-resistance with other HIV drug classes. It was a big discovery and promise for patients. Recently Pfizer reported positive safety data and are following through with their 5-year safety data commitment. As well, Schering will provide similar safety data. Sure you have to take a test, the Tropism assay to see if a patients is CCR5-tropic to see if you can use the drug, but if you need a new drug and you are CCR5-tropic these drugs are potent and maraviroc has demonstrated a good side effects and clean lipids profile in patients in Phase 3. Here are links to reports from CROI with more detailed reports forthcoming for Myriad maturation inhibitor and Ardea NNRTI programs. Jules

New HIV Agents�- written by Joe Eron, MD, University of North Carolina - (02/25/09)

Weekly and Biweekly Subcutaneous PRO 140 Demonstrates Potent, Sustained Antiviral Activity: 2-week study�- (02/26/09)

New HIV Drug Candidates in Pre-Clinical Development�- (02/24/09)

TNX-355 survives�Tanox: new Phase 2 Dose-Finding StudyStudy

TaiMed Biologics Inc. will conduct clinical trials of TNX-355 -- also known as Ibalizumab -- from a location on the West Loop near the former�Tanox�...
www.natap.org/2009/HIV/012809_01.htm

Anti-viral Characterization in vitro of a Novel Maturation Inhibitor, MPC-9055�- (02/27/09)

RDEA427 and RDEA640 are Novel NNRTIs with Potent Anti-HIV Activity Against NNRTI-Resistant Viruses�- (02/27/09)

In Vitro Resistance Selection Study and Favorable Human Pharmacokinetic Properties of RDEA427, a New HIV NNRTI�- (02/27/09)

A Single-dose Escalation Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of OBP-601, a Novel NRTI, in Healthy Subjects�- (02/24/09)

CMX157 Conjugate of tenofovir, prodrug: Hexadecyloxypropyl Tenofovir Associates Directly with HIV and Subsequently Inhibits Viral Replication in Untreated Cells�- (02/24/09)

Inhibitors of the RNase H Activity of Reverse Transcriptase as an Approach to New HIV-1 Antiretroviral Agents: Merck program�- (02/24/09)

New HIV Drugs: NNRTI, PRO140, Maturation, 2 New Ardea NNRTIs�(02/19/09)

#28365

From: George Carter <fiar@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:57 am
Subject: Re: Black

lalzephyr

Offline

It does make a difference, as it does whether someone is straight or LGBT, male, female or third gender.

I know what you mean though. Shouldn't we be color blind? In some essential ways, yes, of course. We exist with equal potential, regardless of ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation and we should be accorded the same rights, respect and sense of dignity.

Yet at the same time, we celebrate our differences. Our cultural differences in the traditions of music, food, clothing that an ethnic background brings us--or the gay culture created here in the United States (but that exists around the world in its own forms). This diversity can make us strong.

It is also what is used to divide us into "better" and "inferior" through constructs exploited by jerks like Hitler, Pol Pot and slave owners.�

But it is also a physiologically relevant issue. For example, African Americans and Latinos with type 1 Hepatitis C virus infection have about half the sustained viral response rate as Caucasians or Asians. So there are differences in metabolism of which a good clinician should be aware.�

Note that I avoided the use of the term "race" as this is part of the construct of division that embeds political or eugenic superiority in its meaning and is thus arbitrary. What is the Black Race? Does it include Hutus and Tutsis? How about Tamil Indians? Or Australian Aboriginals? Are Caucasians just Norwegians and English? How about Italians? Or Iranians?�

Race is a stupid notion. We all have the capacity to excel! We all have the capacity to exhibit bigotry and hate because of the FEAR of difference and diversity that characterizes some individuals (e.g., homophobes, white supremacists, repugnicans).

George M. Carter

On Feb 27, 2009, at 3:35 PM, Mister wrote:

Why is it necessary to mention race?
What difference does it make knowing the race of the person you are talking about?

#28364

From: "Michael" <michael@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:07 am
Subject: Anger and hostility hurt those who participate

medibolics_m...

Online Now

Get over it or it'll get you!
-------------------------------

Hostile men more prone to weight gain, study shows
Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:33pm EST

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hostile men may pack on more pounds over
time than their less hostile, more laid-back peers, new research shows.

The more hostile a man's personality, the more his body mass index
(BMI) increased over the following two decades, Dr. Hermann Nabi of
Hopital Paul Brousse in Villejuif, France and his colleagues found.
BMI is the ratio of height to weight, used to determine if someone is
within a normal weight range or is underweight, overweight or obese.

The researchers looked at data on 6,484 men and women participating in
a UK study of socioeconomic status and health. Study participants
ranged in age from 35 to 55 at the study's outset. They completed a
standard scale measuring hostility at the beginning of the study,
while their BMI was determined at four points over 19 years.

At the beginning of the study, the researchers found, both men and
women with higher hostility levels also had higher BMIs. BMIs rose
over time.

While the relationship between BMI and hostility remained constant for
women, hostility seemed to accelerate weight gain over time in the men.

Hostility could affect BMI in many ways, Nabi and his colleagues note
in a report of the study appearing in the American Journal of
Epidemiology. For example, hostile people may be less likely to follow
health guidelines on diet and exercise, or be more likely to be depressed.

Prior studies have linked hostility to heart disease, high blood
pressure, and a greater overall mortality risk, the researchers also note.

SOURCE: American Journal of Epidemiology, February 1, 2009.

#28363

From: "Al " <al@...>
Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:16 am
Subject: LA doctor admits giving diluted AIDS meds

albert.benson

Offline

LA doctor admits giving diluted AIDS meds

Thursday, February 26, 2009

(02-26) 18:05 PST Los Angeles, CA (AP) --

A doctor has pleaded guilty in Los Angeles to administering diluted doses of medicine to patients with HIV, AIDS or hepatitis and improperly billing Medicare at least $350,000.

Dr. George Kooshian of La Quinta pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of health care fraud.

His assistant, Virgil Opinion of Anaheim, previously pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme to administer watered-down medications and billed patients' insurance companies for the full dose. The treatments were given at four offices in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Kooshian admitted that he and his assistant continued to bill for the treatments even after the patients were no longer taking the drugs.

Prosecutors say the government's losses could be as much as $660,000.

avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean.

Virus Database (VPS): 090227-0, 02/27/2009
Tested on: 2/27/2009 6:16:26 PM
avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2009 ALWIL Software.

#28362

From: "Michael" <zestymike48@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:48 pm
Subject: SOUTH TEXAS volunteers needed!

zestymike48

Offline

Whether you personally are HIV+ or not, IF you are a "kind supporter"
of those who are living with HIV/AIDS, please do consider becoming a
member of one, or all of my online groups:

My groups:

FOR SOUTH TEXAS, CORPUS CHRISTI AND RIO GRANDE VALLEY ONLY (OVER 50
MEMBERS):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pozitivelyfriendsSTX/

A GROUP TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HIV FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR SHARED
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS (500 MEMBERS- NATIONWIDE):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pozhousing/

AN ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP NATION WIDE (150+ MEMBERS):

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pozwithproblems/

A GROUP FOR SINGLES AND DATING WITHIN TEXAS ONLY (100 MEMBERS):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/texaspozromance/

Thanks for considering joining any or all of my groups.  If you aren't
interested, perhaps you might know of friends who would be?

Please send questions or comments to zestymike48@....  I will
help in any way that I possibly can!

Also, I met personally with Bill Hoelser; Client Services Coordinator
at CBAF (Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation) this past Thursday, and he has
asked me repeatedly to "head up" our new Social Group here in town.  I
told him that I wanted to coordinate my online groups to work with the
offline group.  CBAF has given US, the clients and members A SUITE ON
THE 3RD FLOOR of the CBAF building, downtown on Mann St.  Bill said
that he wants the group to be FOR and RUN BY the clients rather than
by CBAF itself.  YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE REALLY NEEDED in
order to plan and make all of this a success and something that you
would want to participate in.  I also need a lady volunteer to step up
and head out the "ladies outreach" part of the social group.

Hugz,
Mike

#28361

From: "joey" <yourbudjoey@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:30 pm
Subject: tired, weak, loss of muscle

yourbuddyjoe

Offline

Hey guys..hope all are doin well. Poz since 2001, undetectable and
healthy.. kindof,(couple of herniated discs) Meds I'm taking are
Truvada,Reyataz,and Norvir.  My issue is that I'm constantly tired,
especially after a meal. I workout, but cannot gain any muscle, and am
very weak. No matter how much I run and do cardio, I still remain
flabby. I have had my doc check my testosterone level, which he says
is in the normal range. Im so frustrated.  My previous doc (now
retired) had me on androgel, which made all the difference in the
world. But the new doc doesnt feel that I need it... any suggestions?
I read posts of members taking Nandrolone, etc. Are these prescribed
or bought 'from a friend'? Im not looking to get huge or look good at
the club,  just feel better about myself and make it thru the day
without a couple naps.  Thanks for any help.

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (6)

#28360

From: Mister <chango73@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:35 pm
Subject: Black

chango73

Offline

Why is it necessary to mention race?
What difference does it make knowing the race of the person you are talking about?

--- On Fri, 2/27/09, Nutrishn@... <Nutrishn@...> wrote:

From: Nutrishn@... <Nutrishn@...>
Subject: [PozHealth] CD4 Count Still < 100 after 3 years undetectable
To: PozHealth@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, February 27, 2009, 4:52 AM

One of my most successful T cell reconstitution patients is a 45 year old Black woman, who had 25 T cells when we met. She has 1125 now. She has just been on what is now Atripla for the past 7 years.

The nutritional elements that I think have generated this stunning rebound are:

1.     B-complex vitamins. She takes The Perfect Blend multivitamin, 2 pills per day

2.     L-carnitine , 1 gram per day.

3.     Co-enzyme Q10, 100 mg per day

4.     L-glutamine, 5 grams per day.

The reasons for this regime.

1. Rapidly dividing cell systems need more vit B6, B12, and folic acid. The Perfect Blend provides this. The Vitamin Shoppe sells a product: Two Per Day Tablets, made by Life Extension, that works well too.

2. All cells have a �self-kill� switch, (apoptosis switch) that they can activate when they feel like they are not pulling their weight. HIV infection causes healthy T cells to flip that �self-kill� switch. L-carnitine blocks that suicide switch.

3. Natural Killer cells play a bigger role in managing HIV than previously thought. Coenzyme Q10 is fuel for NK cells. Co Q10 is also fuel for antigen presentation cells. All in all, it improves total immune function.

4. L-glutamine, helps T cells mature, and is fuel for them.

Try this regime, it can take 3 - 6 months to show good support of T cell count, and the full effect can take a year or more to evolve.

(For people with chronic liver disease, we see that T cell recovery can be slower.

Charlie Smigelski RD
www.eatupbooks. com

************ **
Get a jump start on your taxes. Find a tax professional in your neighborhood today. (http://yellowpages .aol.com/ search?query= Tax+Return+ Preparation+ %26+Filing&ncid=emlcntusyelp00 000004)

#28359

From: julev <JuLev@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:52 pm
Subject: NATAP/CROI: Microicide PRO 2000 Shows Promise

jules72orange

Offline

Begin forwarded message:

From: julev <julev@...>
Subject: NATAP/CROI: Microicide PRO 2000 Shows Promise
Date: February 27, 2009 10:04:59 AM EST
To: hiv@...,�nataphcvhiv@...,�natapindustry@...,�natapdoctors@...
Attachments: 1 Attachment, 1.1 MB
Microbicide PRO 2000/0.5% Gel Shows Promise�-- see the attached report which contains slides and shows that the overall finding of 30% protection from HIV infection was not statistically significant but when they looked at subgroups they did find statistically significant protection: 78% reduction in HIV-infection in high gel use group
"Safety and Effectiveness of Vaginal Microbicides BufferGel and 0.5% PRO 2000/5 Gel for the Prevention of HIV Infection in Women: Results of the HPTN 035 Trial"

Reported by Jules Levin,�CROI 2009 Feb 8-12 Montreal
�
We could be looking at in the future combinations of microbicide gel and ART oral and gel interventions with Truvada, tenofovir, maraviroc and other ART possibilities.
�
Salim Abdool Karim*1, A Coletti2, B Richardson3, G Ramjee4, I Hoffman5, M Chirenje6, T Taha7, M Kapina8, L Maslankowski9, and L Soto-Torres10
1Ctr for the AIDS Prgm of Res in South Africa, Durban; 2Family Hlth Intl, Medford, MA, US; 3Univ of Washington, Seattle, US; 4South African Med Res Council, Durban; 5Univ of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US; 6Univ of Zimbabwe, Harare; 7Johns Hopkins Univ Bloomberg Sch of Publ Hlth, Baltimore, MD, US; 8Ctr for Infectious Disease in Zambia, Lusaka; 9Univ of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, US; and 10NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, US
Background:��The development of female initiated HIV prevention methods is a high priority. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of 2 microbicides�BufferGel and 0.5% PRO 2000/5 gel�for the prevention of male to female HIV transmission.
Methods:��A phase 2/2B, four-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the US. The 3 study gel arms were double-blinded, while the no gel arm was open label. The study participants were followed monthly for pregnancy, safety assessments, and study product resupply; and quarterly to assess gel and condom use and HIV infection. Gel products were temporarily discontinued at the time of first positive pregnancy test. The primary analysis of HIV effectiveness is a comparison of HIV incidence, in each active gel arm compared to each control arm.
Results:��We randomized 3099 women and followed them for an average of 20.4 months with a retention rate of 93.6%. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse events. Adherence to gel use was 81% across gel arms. Condom use was 72% in gel arms and 81% in no gel arm (p <0.05). There were 610 pregnancies for a rate of 11.3 per 100 woman-years. In a per-protocol analysis excluding time off product (5.9% of total woman-years of those on gel), 0.5% PRO 2000/5 Gel was 36% protective against HIV compared to no gel (p = 0.04). The 0.5% PRO 2000/5 Gel was most effective among women who reported low condom use and high gel adherence.

Conclusions:��Women in the 0.5% PRO 2000/5 Gel arm had a 30% lower rate of HIV acquisition compared to controls, although not statistically significant in the intent-to-treat analysis. BufferGel did not alter the risk of HIV infection. Both products were safe.

#28358

From: julev <JuLev@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:51 pm
Subject: NATAP: Aging Review CROI 2009-Increased Deaths

jules72orange

Offline

Begin forwarded message:

From: julev <julev@...>
Subject: NATAP: Aging Review CROI 2009-Increased Deaths
Date: February 27, 2009 9:11:41 AM EST
To: hiv@...,�nataphcvhiv@...,�natapindustry@...,�natapdoctors@...
Aging Summary CROI 2009

Reported by Jules Levin

Isn't it obvious that all these increases in non-AIDS events being reported now for 3 years will translate into increases in early deaths soon. I have spoken with all the drug companies about the aging issues and I don't think any of them really want to take on the challenges I present to them in turns of what studies need to be done. I have also spoken to many researchers and mostly the research community has not yet stepped up to the plate to address the real key questions that need to be studied, I'm not sure they really grasp the real questions that need to be studied. They are too concerned with accumulating more evidence that non-AIDS events are occurring more and patients are dying earlier, and these events are occuring more in HIV+ compared to HIV-negatives. But the questions that are key is how HIV itself is causing these events and how can we intervene, and very few researchers and drug company researchers appear to me to get this or are willing to address these questions. For the very few researchers who are aware & looking at these issues, they are not moving this important research quickly, they are allowing it to just sit there. These questions are a key to addressing aging: inflammation, premature aging of t-cells to make them prematurely senescent, and immune activation-- these are keys to why HIV+ individuals are aging more quickly, thus developing non-AIDS events earlier than HIV-negatives.�Patients will start dying earlier as large numbers start getting into their 60s, perhaps then researchers will take note of it then, when its too late.��To their credit NIAIDS recently issued 3 Aging requests for funding for studies. However, I think more commitment is required to what I think will soon be obvious that this is a major problem and very challenging. It is clear to me that earlier death will stat occurring in large numbers soon due to non-AIDS events and then researchers, drug companies and government officials will pay attention, but by then it will be too late.. All available resources should be mobilized now to begin addressing these problems. I forget but something reminds me that all of this is about the patients; sometimes careers, profits, ACTG agenda, politics appear to be more important. NO, this is not about doctors, government, getting published,�THIS IS ABOUT THE PATIENTS!!!�Jules

Aging with HIV - Lessons from CROI 2009�- Victor Valcour MD - (02/27/09)

Cognitive Impairment & Neuropathy Persist Despite HAART and Are Associated With Metabolic Syndrome�- (02/27/09)
Despite a sustained response to cART,�neurocognitive disorders are more frequent in old HIV+ patients than in the general aging population, but are underdiagnosed by their physicians....DSPN remains highly prevalent in the era of cART...The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy increases with time after ARV initiation in ARV-na�ve patients despite increased virologic control and immune function, and the decline of n-ARV use. Age and n-ARV use are notable risk factors for N and SPN....significant predictors of DSPN included older age (OR 2.1 per 10-year increase, 95%CI 1.8 to 2.4), lower CD4 nadir (OR 1.2 per 100 cell decrease, 95%CI 1.1 to 1.2), current ARV use (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.5 to 1.7), past dideoxynucleoside-containing drug use (OR 1.9

Neurocognitive (and neuropathy) Impairment Rate Remains High in Diverse US Cohort�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/18/09)

HIV Infection May Make the Brain 15 to 20 Years Older: HIV slows cerebral blood flow and stimulus response in MRI study�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/23/09)

Neurocognitive (and neuropathy) Impairment Rate Remains High in Diverse US Cohort�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/18/09)

Antiretrovirals Have Not Banished Brain Injury in 7-Center US Imaging Study: brain damage persists despite HAART- inflammation and neuronal damage�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/18/09)

Immune Activators Stay High Despite Long-Term HIV Suppression With Antiretrovirals: affects CD4 recovery�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/20/09)

Immune Senescence, Activation, and Abnormal T Cell Homeostasis despite Effective HAART, a Hallmark of Early Aging in HIV Disease: "HIV-infected subjects (median 56 years) with good immune reconstitution and viral suppression had immune changes comparable to older (median 88 years) HIV-negative subjects"�- (02/20/09)

HIV-1 INFECTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH ACCELERATED VASCULAR AGING(02/18/09)

Studies and Cohort Studies Reporting Increased 'Non-AIDS' Comorbidities and Deaths Associated with 'Non-AIDS' Comorbidiries and This is Occurring at Young Ages
If you read through these studies reported at CROI you will note the average ages of patients getting non-AIDS events and death due to them at young ages, in their 40s. So what will happen 5 years from now, what do you think!!!

Update on Kidney Disease in HIV Infection: CROI 2009�- written by Christina M.. Wyatt and Paul E. Klotman, Mt Sinai Hospital, New York City - (02/26/09)

Two Inflammation Markers (hsCRP & IL-6) Predict Higher Risk of Opportunistic Disease in SMART�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/18/09)

Markers of Inflammation, Coagulation and Renal Function in HIV-infected Adults in SMART and in two Large Population-Based Studies, CARDIA and MESA: HIV+ have higher levels of inflammatory markers on and off HAART, "markers appear to predict mortality & disease progression in HIV"�(02/19/09)

Serious Fatal and Non-fatal Non-AIDS-defining Illnesses in Europe: most common no-AIDS events malignancies/CVD/liver in EuroSida�- (02/25/09)

Causes of Death in Patients Treated with ART (IDUs vs non-IDUs), 1996 to 2006: Collaborative Analysis of 13 Cohort Studies�- (02/25/09)

Effects of Aging on HIV Pathogenesis: aging is associated with higher t-cell activation in women than men, effects of menopause on inflammation and immune activation...."�(02/23/09)

Multicohort D:A:D Study Pinpoints Non-HIV Death Risk Factors People Can Change�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/13/09)

HIV Has as Much Impact on Heart Health as Traditional Risk Factors�FRAM, Grunfeld-�written by Mark Mascolini - (02/13/09)

Risk of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Death Still Higher With HIV Infection�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/12/09)
Infection-related Non-AIDS-defining Cancer Risk in HIV-infected and -uninfected Persons: Increased Rates in HIV+ vs HIV-negatives in Kaiser�-�(02/25/09)

Non-AIDS Illness More Common Than AIDS--and More Deadly--in EuroSIDA�- written by Mark Mascolini - (02/12/09)

HIV & HAART Interruption Increase Inflammation and Disease�- (02/26/09)

#28357

From: Nelson Vergel <nelsonvergel@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:45 pm
Subject: Fear of Foreigners: HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay, and residence

nelsonvergel

Offline

http://www.jiasociety.org/content/11/1/8

�

Regards,

Nelson Vergel
powerusa dot org

#28356

From: Nelson Vergel <nelsonvergel@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:43 pm
Subject: is a vaccine against HIV possible?

nelsonvergel

Offline

http://www.jiasociety.org/content/12/1/2

�

Regards,

Nelson Vergel
powerusa dot org

#28355

From: julev <JuLev@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:43 pm
Subject: NATAP/CROI: Metabolic Syndrome/Cognitive Impairment

jules72orange

Offline

Begin forwarded message:

From: "NATAP HIV mailing list" <hiv@...>
Subject: NATAP/CROI: Metabolic Syndrome/Cognitive Impairment
Date: February 27, 2009 12:39:26 PM EST
To: hiv@...,�nataphcvhiv@...,�natapindustry@...,�natapdoctors@...
Attachments: 1 Attachment, 308.5 KB
NATAP http://natap.org/ _______________________________________________
Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes, and Cognitive Impairment�in the Era of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy -- see attached full poster report
�
Reported by Jules Levin�CROI 2009�Feb 8-12 Montreal
Allen McCutchan1, Jennifer Marquie-Beck1, Scott Letendre1, Robert K. Heaton1, Tanya Wolfson1, Debra Rosario1, Terry Alexander1, Christina Marra2, Beau Ances3, Igor Grant1 and the CHARTER Group.�1University of California, San Diego, 2University of Washington, Seattle, 3Washington University
h
AUTHOR SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
In HIV patients, Type 2 diabetes (DM II) and multiple components of metabolic syndrome were associated with prevalent cognitive impairment in IV-infected persons, but the mechanism is unclear (from Jules: in HIV-unifected I recall mechanisms discussed in published literature)
In contrast to findings in an older Hawaian cohort, increased insulin resistance, a causal mechanism for DMII, did not correlate with cognitive impairment
Thus, CART drugs that are less likely to induce the metabolic syndrome might reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in HIV-infected persons.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship of cognitive impairment in HIV-infection to components of the metabolic syndrome (MS).
�
BACKGROUND & SIGNIFICANCE
Metabolic syndrome, a common complication of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), includes components such as:
--insulin resistance (glucose intolerance and type II diabetes),
--dyslipidemias (high total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL and low HDL), --lipodystrophy (truncal obesity), and
--hypertension

In HIV-uninfected populations, both diabetes and high body mass index (BMI) have been correlated with prevalent cognitive impairment

In two studies of the Hawaii Aging with HIV Cohort, diabetes, insulin resistance and elevated glucose levels were linked to dementia in older HIV+ patients.

We examined the relationship of cognitive impairment to components of the metabolic syndrome in a substudy of the CHARTER Cohort...
_______________________________________________
NATAP HIV mailing list -- HIV@...

This is an annoucement-only mailing list. Do not reply.

To unsubscribe: send a blank email to hiv-request@... with a subject of unsubscribe.

For more information, see http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/hiv

_______________________________________________

#28354

From: nelsonvergel@...
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:35 pm
Subject: Fw: NATAP/CROI: Fatigue & Brain Dysfunction

nelsonvergel

Offline

Fatigue in HIV-infected Individuals Enrolled in A5090: Clinical, Laboratory, and Neuroimaging Characteristics:
"Lower cellular energy levels in the basal ganglia, as measured by MRS creatine concentration, suggest that energy dysmetabolism in this brain region may play a role in the central mechanisms of fatigue."

Reported by Jules Levin

CROI 2009

Giovanni Schifitto*1, L Deng2, T-M Yeh2, S Evans2, and D Clifford3

1Univ of Rochester, NY, US; 2Harvard Sch of Publ Hlth, Boston, MA, US; and 3Washington Univ, St Louis, MO, US

Background: Fatigue is among the most common symptoms reported by HIV-infected individuals. Reports suggest that the prevalence of fatigue varies by disease status with rates near 80% in patients with AIDS. Most studies have not been conducted in the setting of a controlled trial and have not assessed the association of fatigue with cellular markers of brain activity.

Methods: Data for this study were derived from baseline evaluations in AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5090, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the selegiline transdermal system (STS) for the treatment of HIV-associated cognitive impairment. Fatigue was assessed using the fatigue severity scale (FSS) with scores of >4 considered “fatigued”; 44 participants underwent brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) imaging, an in vivo method for assessing brain metabolites associated with neuronal and glia activity. Differences between fatigued and non-fatigued participants were evaluated with respect to demographics and clinical characteristics, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV-1 RNA concentration, CD4 counts, and brain metabolites using Kruskal-Wallis, exact, or score tests for continuous, nominal, and ordinal factors, respectively.

Results: We enrolled 128 participants (88% male, 51% white, median age 45, median CD4 425, and 55% with HIV-1 RNA ≤50 copies/mL); 82 participants (64%, 95%confidence interval 55%, 72%) were “fatigued” at baseline. Fatigued participants were significantly younger (p = 0.01), had lower Karnofsky scores (p = 0.015), and had higher levels of depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (p <0.001), than non-fatigued participants. Statistically significant differences between fatigued and non-fatigued groups were not detected for plasma and CSF HIV-1 RNA concentration, CD4 counts or on neuropsychological tests. MRS revealed significantly lower levels of the cellular energy marker creatine (p = 0.002) in the basal ganglia of fatigued participants. Statistically significant differences in other brain metabolites were not detected.

Conclusions: Fatigue was present in 64% of A5090 study participants, a rate similar to previous reports. Younger participants were more likely to display fatigue symptoms, possibly reflecting higher functional expectations. Lower cellular energy levels in the basal ganglia, as measured by MRS creatine concentration, suggest that energy dysmetabolism in this brain region may play a role in the central mechanisms of fatigue.

#28353

From: Nutrishn@...
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:52 am
Subject: CD4 Count Still < 100 after 3 years undetectable

Nutrishn@...

One of my most successful T cell reconstitution patients is a 45 year old Black woman, who had 25 T cells when we met. She has 1125 now. She has just been on what is now Atripla for the past 7 years.

The nutritional elements that I think have generated this stunning rebound are:

1.     B-complex vitamins. She takes The Perfect Blend multivitamin, 2 pills per day

2.     L-carnitine , 1 gram per day.

3.     Co-enzyme Q10, 100 mg per day

4.     L-glutamine, 5 grams per day.

The reasons for this regime.

1. Rapidly dividing cell systems need more vit B6, B12, and folic acid. The Perfect Blend provides this. The Vitamin Shoppe sells a product: Two Per Day Tablets, made by Life Extension, that works well too.

2. All cells have a “self-kill” switch, (apoptosis switch) that they can activate when they feel like they are not pulling their weight. HIV infection causes healthy T cells to flip that “self-kill” switch. L-carnitine blocks that suicide switch.

3. Natural Killer cells play a bigger role in managing HIV than previously thought. Coenzyme Q10 is fuel for NK cells. Co Q10 is also fuel for antigen presentation cells. All in all, it improves total immune function.

4. L-glutamine, helps T cells mature, and is fuel for them.

Try this regime, it can take 3 - 6 months to show good support of T cell count, and the full effect can take a year or more to evolve.

(For people with chronic liver disease, we see that T cell recovery can be slower.

Charlie Smigelski RD
www.eatupbooks.com

**************
Get a jump start on your taxes. Find a tax professional in your neighborhood today. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=Tax+Return+Preparation+%26+Filing&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000004)

#28352

From: PoWeRTX@...
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:00 am
Subject: My lecture with Dr Schrader tonight - handout attached

nelsonvergel

Offline

Here it is

Nelson

Looking for work? Get job alerts, employment information, career advice and job-seeking tools at AOL Find a Job.

#28351

From: hoppefaith@...
Date: Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:57 pm
Subject: Re:HIV, Minocycline, the Brain... and Reyataz (and other PI's?)

bjncarlsbad

Offline

I went on minocin for the brain protection.. but had to stop bec. it made me agitated, anxious.. Has anyone had this problem.. I had taken monocin as a teen.. for acne. but now it made me anxious,, etc.. any thoughts??

A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#28350

From: Robert Desmarais Sullivan <aiglefort@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:20 am
Subject: Re : My last chance to get it right

aiglefort

Offline

Nelson,

If the Force can be with us in the energy fields we create, I am sending you and all of us energy in prayers and intention.

I don't even know what all that means, but it feels right.

ROBERT DESMARAIS SULLIVAN of New Orleans

De : Nelson <nelsonvergel@...>
� : PozHealth@yahoogroups.com
Envoy� le : mercredi 25 f�vrier 2009, 20 h 44 min 05 s
Objet : [PozHealth] My last chance to get it right

Today I started the CD4 antagonist IV drip plus Selsentry, Intelence
and a background of Viread and Isentress. So far, so good. I am
starting at 200 CD4 cells and 1020 viral load, so hopefully I will be
undetectable again (I have only been undetectable for 6 months once
before in my 25 year HIV poz life). We will have no new drugs in new
classes for 3-4 years, so this is really my last chance to "get it
right" with two (may be three) active agents.

I am the only person I know who is taking two CD4 related entry
inhibitors together, so it will be interesting to see what happens

It is amazing that my virus is R5 tropic after 20+ years. Selsentry
may increase my CD4 cells by 48+ cells, as shown in some studies. I
may not have activity to Intelence ( there is not way to find out with
archived old NNRTI mutations)

For more info on the CD4 receptor antagonist
http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Ibalizumab

I have to go to the doctor every two weeks to get this IV drip for
the next 48 weeks and spend there two hours. So I will get to see my
doctor and his staff a lot :)

I will let you guys know how my adventure turns out.

Nelson

D�couvrez les photos les plus int�ressantes du jour!

#28349

From: "d_timlewis@..." <d_timlewis@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:37 am
Subject: Volunteers?

d_timlewis...

Offline

I am doing a study about how work may affect the course of HIV as part
of my graduate school requirements. I've worked in several clinic
programs with people with HIV and am interested in how lifestyle
choices and mood can contribute to better health. Please consider
taking part in a short, 5 minute, totally anonymous survey if you have
stopped working at any time since being diagnosed. You can currently be
working or not. Just paste the link below into your browser. Thanks for
your consideration.
Tim

surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IVf35Ne63_2bhlCn_2fntQLQ1Q_3d_3d

#28348

From: Rhino88 <rhino88@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:25 am
Subject: Vitamin D and colds

rhino88@...

I'm glad to see this article linking low vitamin D to the common cold. I think I am living proof!! All my life i have been very, very prone to catching colds. I typically get them 5 times a year and feel like I've spent half my life blowing my nose into a Kleenex! 18 months ago, on the advice of my doctor, i started taking Vitamin D supplements (one drop a day mixed with water). It has now been 18 months and i have not had a single cold. I've never gone this long in my life without a sore throat or a stuffed nose. Its a miracle! I suppose it could all be just a coincidence - but the day i started taking Vitamin D - I stopped getting colds!

derek in Toronto

#28347

From: richard kearns <rk@...>
Date: Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:09 am
Subject: aids-write breaking news: USAG Eric Holder: DEA medical cannabis raids to end

captnsaintlu...

Offline

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjZeW2fcQHM

pozhealth chers---

new federal medical cannabis policy!

namaste

---rk

�

�

Attorney General�Eric Holder declared today that ending DEA medical�marijuana raids ��is now American policy.� He spoke at a press conference with DEA�administrator Michelle Leonhart.

A reporter asked, �shortly after the�inauguration there were raids on California�medical marijuana dispensaries�do you expect�these to continue?�, noting that the President�had promised to end the raids in the campaign.

Holder responded, �What the President said�during the campaign --- you will be surprised to know [humorous --- rk] --- will be consistent with what we�will be doing here in law enforcement. �He was my�boss in the campaign. He is formally and technically and by law my boss now. �What�he said in the campaign is now American policy.�

--
dark and bright
deep and clouded
sinister and resilient
sung and un
piece by piece
picture the truth
� � ---richard kearns

rk@...
http://aids-write.org

#28346

From: John Barrow <pozbod@...>
Date: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:32 pm
Subject: Re:CD4 Count Still < 100 after 3 years undetectable

johnftl59

Offline

"My problem right now is that my CD4 count has
not risen all that much in 3 years (it rose initially from 8 to 76 and then
to 99). It has remained below 100 for the whole time and I am getting very
concerned about the risk of other OI's and cancer etc. if I can't get my
immune health back on track."

David,

Not everyone has an immediate return to high t cell counts on starting HAART. While your CD4 counts have risen slowly, they have gone up.

There are subsets of patients in your position.

It is possible that your T cell counts are actually rising in the lymph nodes and gut, where they are not counted by tests, and you may find that over time, your T cells do continue a slow rise.

In the meantime, focus on the progress you've made, you're doing fine. PCP is a bitch, and your immune system was very damaged when you started treatment.

You are in much better health today, and your health will continue to improve, even if not as fast as you would like.

#28345

From: John Barrow <pozbod@...>
Date: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:27 pm
Subject: Re:Anger really can kill you: study

johnftl59

Offline

"I read the posting about anger and how it can have a negative impact on health. I was wondering how stress fits into that equation. It would seem to me that anger is a form of stress. Recently, I believe there was an article in Newsweek, or another magazine similar in format, that indicated there was no clear relationship between stress and any negative impact on health. In fact I even believe it suggested just the opposite, that stress can actually be healthy. Any comments?"

I think that the recent articles about "anger" and heart disease are pretty specific for the nearly uncontrollable emotion of rage, not the chronic demands of stress.

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#28344

From: nelsonvergel@...
Date: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:30 pm
Subject: Fw: NATAP: New Fed AIDS Office Head Named by Obama

nelsonvergel

Offline

Obama picks top advisor to head HIV/AIDS efforts

CNN

"Jeffrey Crowley brings the experience and expertise that will help our nation address the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis and help my administration develop policies that will serve Americans with disabilities," said Obama in a statement released by the White House. "In both of these key areas, we continue to face serious challenges and we must take bold steps to meet them. I look forward to Jeffrey?s leadership on these critical issues."

Crowley, a fourteen year public health veteran who's worked to improve access to health and social services for people living with HIV/AIDS and those with physical and mental disabilities, will coordinate federal policies on HIV/AIDS and help guide the administration's development of disability policies.

The newly named director will also work on education initiatives to help reduce the number of HIV infections and coordinate with international institutions to combat the global issue.

Gay man appointed to Obama administration post

by Nick Cargo

http://pageoneq.com

The Obama administration has gained another openly gay member, the White House announced Thursday.

Jeffrey S. Crowley, MPH has been named Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy. Crowley is currently Senior Research Scholar at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute and Senior Scholar at Georgetown's O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He also sits on the faculty of George Washington University's HIV/AIDS Institute. Among Crowley's previous posts is as Deputy Executive Director of the National Association of People with AIDS.

The Peace Corps alumnus has also worked as a volunteer teacher at the Nsongweni High School in Swaziland. His education includes a Master's degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College.

"Jeffrey Crowley brings the experience and expertise that will help our nation address the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis and help my administration develop policies that will serve Americans with disabilities," the President said. "In both of these key areas, we continue to face serious challenges and we must take bold steps to meet them. I look forward to Jeffrey's leadership on these critical issues."

Crowley's areas of expertise include Medicare and Medicaid policy, including prescription drug policies, as informal advisor to the HIV Medicaid and Medicare Working Group and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. During his time at NAPWA, he helped usher in initiatives such as the National HIV Testing Day Campaign and the Ryan White National Youth Conference.

"The announcement of Jeffrey Crowley signals that HIV/AIDS issues will be an integral part of health care reform in the Obama Administration," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Throughout his campaign, President Obama called for the development of a bold national AIDS strategy. With Crowley's leadership, we look forward to working with the Office of National AIDS Policy in setting an aggressive agenda to combat HIV/AIDS in our country."

Crowley comes recommended by the LGBT Presidential Appointments Project.

Obama appoints gay man to head White House AIDS policy office

by Lisa Keen

http://www.baywindows.com

Thursday Feb 26, 2009

President Obama today announced the appointment of an openly gay man with deep connections in the AIDS service community to head the White House Office of National AIDS Policy.

Jeffrey Crowley, a former officer at the National People With AIDS Association and a current research scholar at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, will head up the Obama administration?s efforts to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The position will also now be linked to efforts to help all people with disabilities -an expansion applauded by AIDS activists.

"It?s exactly the kind of integration that folks in HIV community have been talking about for a while," said Earnest Hopkins, federal policy official for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Hopkins said the choice of Crowley for the position is "really good news."

"He?s a good friend, he?s smart, he goes very deep, as far as his knowledge base," said Hopkins. "He?s been one of the external consultants to all the national AIDS folks who do AIDS work day to day. He?s really an expert. We can be pretty assured the administration is going to support something that is supporting the needs of people with HIV."

Crowley, a former Peace Corps worker, earned a master?s in public health from Johns Hopkins University and served as deputy executive director for programs at the National Association of People with AIDS. While at NAPWA, he helped with both the National HIV Testing Day campaign and the Ryan White National Youth Conference.

A spokesperson for the White House said Crowley starts work today.

In announcing Crowley?s appointment, the White House also made clear that, despite some confusion over a recent executive order, the Office of National AIDS Policy "is part of the Executive Office of the President?s Domestic Policy Council."

A Feb. 5 executive order indicated that the position of AIDS Policy Coordinator - the head of the Office of National AIDS Policy - was to be struck from the membership of the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Carl Schmid, director of federal affairs for The AIDS Institute, said he hopes Crowley will be able to get to work immediately on developing a national AIDS strategy - a strategy that Obama said would be a goal for his first year in office.

"We?ll hope he makes sure that gets off the ground, and we hope he?ll be able to make sure there are increases for HIV prevention and Ryan White in the president?s budget." The White House is releasing today a summary of its federal budget for FY 2010, but details are not expected until April.

Schmid said he hopes Crowley will also be able to advocate for directing some money from the stimulus package to go to HIV work. A specific earmark for some $400 million to go to HIV prevention efforts was lost after some Republicans claimed it amounted to spending millions of dollars on condoms.

Crowley to Direct Office of National AIDS Policy

Wash Post

By Rob Stein

President Obama has named a new director of the Office of National AIDS Policy -- Jeffrey Crowley, who is currently a senior research scholar at Georgetown University.

In addition to coordinating the federal government's efforts to battle HIV, Crowley will also help "guide the administration's development of disability policies," according to the White House statement announcing the appointment.

The Office of National AIDS Policy is supposed to coordinate the federal government's efforts to stem the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through education programs and help coordinate the care and treatment of people with HIV and AIDS.

The director also serves on the president's Domestic Policy Council.

"Jeffrey Crowley brings the experience and expertise that will help our nation address the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis and help my administration develop policies that will serve Americans with disabilities," Obama said. "In both of these key areas, we continue to face serious challenges and we must take bold steps to meet them. I look forward to Jeffrey's leadership on these critical issues."

Crowley has authored numerous reports and policy briefs, has testified before various congressional committees and the Institute of Medicine on several occasions, according to the White House statement. His primary areas of expertise are Medicaid policy, including Medicaid prescription drug policies; Medicare policy; and consumer education and training.

Crowley previously served as the deputy executive director for programs at the National Association of People with AIDS, where he was involved in a variety of efforts, including the National HIV Testing Day Campaign and the Ryan White National Youth Conference.

Although new treatments are allowing people infected with HIV to live longer, more than 1 million Americans are living with HIV and more than 56,000 get infected with the virus in the United States each year, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New AIDS Czar Widely Praised by Advocates

http://rhrealitycheck.org

�February 26, 2009 - 12:15pm

Today, the Obama Administration announced the appointment of longtime HIV/AIDS health care advocate Jeff Crowley to head the long-vacant Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP), which is charged with developing the National AIDS Strategy

Crowley, M.P.H., is a Senior Research Scholar at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute and a Senior Scholar at the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University Law Center.

"This is brilliant," was the reaction of David Munar, who chairs the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), where Crowley worked from 1994-2000. "The Administration made a strategic choice about someone who knows health care above all else, so they got a two-fer: he is passionate about HIV, and he knows health care systems. This means the office will be relevant. He will champion us and our needs in the health care reform process."

Advocates note that ONAP had already gained relevance in the eyes of the Administration due to the AIDS community's work to secure $1.4 million for the development of the National AIDS Strategy (NAS) in the upcoming omnibus budget bill, which is poised go into effect on March 6 when the continuing resolution ends.

The Domestic Policy Council, where ONAP is based, had been eviscerated during the Bush years, and those who have spoken with Council staff have said that they are appreciative of the resources and are committed to the NAS process.

Advocates anticipate that the funding, which has to be obligated (committed to specific spending if not literally spent) by the end of the fiscal year on September 30, could pay for a six or seven staff members for ONAP.. It could also go towards the additional costs of establishing a cross-government/community panel, which is the structure that the Coalition for a National AIDS Strategy (of which I am a member) has recommended to develop and monitor the NAS.

"Clearly, health care will be a cornerstone of a successful NAS," noted Chris Collins, "Jeff's appointment is great news and I look forward to working with him to create a NAS that brings more accountability, coordination and an orientation to outcomes in our response to HIV in the United States."

Collins was one of the other candidates interviewed for the ONAP post. For the past week, those involved in Federal AIDS policy had heard that the appointment was imminent, and that a small number of people had been interviewed for the position, including Collins and Jesse Milan, chair of the board of Black AIDS Institute. But many advocates expressed surprise at Crowley's appointment, as there had been no buzz that he was a candidate or they had assumed he would be appointed at the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS).

The White House release cites Crowley's primary areas of expertise as "Medicaid policy, including Medicaid prescription drug policies; Medicare policy; and consumer education and training."

And indeed, those who have worked with him on these issues were clearly excited, even gushing, about the appointment, including Robert Greenwald, Director of the Treatment Access Expansion Project (TAEP).

"I think it's amazing," said Greenwald. "He is one of the most hardworking, diligent, non-ego-involved people I've ever worked with, just a good person. I can't even believe it. He's incredibly plugged into the community."

While Crowley helped to develop the National HIV Testing Day Campaign during his tenure at NAPWA, those who have worked closely with him in recent years do note that prevention is not his main area of expertise.

But Munar, calling Crowley an "instrumental team player," says he expects that, far from having a deaf ear towards prevention, Crowley recognizes its importance, will bring in those who know it well and will talk about it from a health care perspective, emphasizing a cost-savings paradigm that he believes will resonate well.�