! The HIV Experience !'s topics - tribe.net

Magnetic Dating?

Dark — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:50:52 GMT

Alright, so I don't know if I'll be able to stay in this tribe after saying this, but I have to admit I'm not positive. I do have a reason for being here though. Here goes:

Been reading about serodiscordant couples, or magnetic couples quite a bit recently. There's a boy. There's always a boy. He's pretty fuckin' special. But can he really date me? I'm not asking if I can date him, because that I can figure out from my own heart and head. But, can he? You're probably going to say "only he can answer that for you." But the thing is, people don't always speak realities. Sometimes they say what's politically correct, and think/feel the opposite, but ignore that feeling. I feel like what I should be listening to is all of the success stories: We've been dating for 12 years, I'm pos, he's neg, we're happy as can be, and having the most wonderful protected sex, spicing up condoms in all sorts of ways, and gosh we're so so happy, you can be too.

What I'm actually listening to, is the other stories: It's too much to worry that I'll infect him, he could never understand me or what I'm going through, it's too much trouble for both of us. And, probably not a font of wisdom, but the storyline of Michael and Ben's magnetic relationship on Queer as Folk is pretty influential in the back of my head for me. The success stories sound great and all, but these sound a little more true, and much more real. In my anal way of academia, I've searched out every story I could find, every post from this tribe dating back years on the topic, everything.

So tell me if you can, and then I'll bow out of your tribe and apologize for being here . . . have you had a real, deep relationship with someone who's neg? Are those success stories real, or are they just gays trying to fluff up their reality, staying together to prove a point but wishing it were different? Should I put this out of my mind right now while that's still a whole lot easier to do? He doesn't seem to feel it's so large of a problem, but I don't know if I believe that, especially reading through topics from this tribe.

What is a boy to do?

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 28 replies

Burning Man

Philip — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:13:38 GMT

Hi guys. Going to Burning Man from San Diego and looking for a rider(s) to share the gas. Philip in San Diego

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 2 replies

Probably a standard question ..but ..I've been virus free for seven months

NewToTheZoo — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:19:27 GMT

And I'm feeling lonely the most sexuall thing I've done in the last three and half yrs has been to give a couple guy's head..I miss the intimacy of making out and strengething a bond with somebody.. I feel in a way it's been my pennance to be abstinate, but now I dont want to lose any more years not feeling full.. So I've been going out with a really cool guy and I havent told him about myself ..one big reason ..the subject does not come up most of the time ..it's not something I talk about to people I know, since I found that I dont really like pity party's..I'm passable and actually look health and feel good these day's ..after having through syphillis stage two , Pneumonia , Spinal Meningitis amongst other thing's ..My doctor's been pressuring me to take a test for colon cancer, I'm guessing that would be the next thing to fall in line after the other illnesses..I have hair ..which I lost couple time's allready,I'm 40, have full blown Aids which I found out about three and a half years ago , according to my doctor, have been positive about ten yrs, when I was first diagnosed . I was feeling run down and lackless for years and didnt even think that it was because I was positive ..like I through away a bunch of yrs ..now feeling good ..should it be about me now? I mean without infecting anyone..opinions please ..peace

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 3 replies

Newbie in the tribe

Yuozhoumel — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:33:45 GMT

I'm Yuo have been poz for well hmm lets see 1989 till now so 18 years lol sometimes I wonder where did my brain go. I did the HIV meds for awhile it gave me neuropathy from the neck down so Morphine and I have become great friends for 15 years or so far still. In the early years when I didn't understand about taking care of myself I spent 3-4 months in the hospital naming my t-cells however I made it through. Came out of the hospital for three days got hepatitis from a restaurant and went back into the hospital for another month or so. After I stopped listening to the doctors and listened to myself and to Spirit not only did I get better, I gave the HIV meds up years ago. I stopped drinking pretty much any alcohol at all and stayed away from all mind altering experiences most of the time. I say most of the time as Pot seems to help at times when you're not hungry or can't keep anything down and for me it helps me sleep and keep my morphine down. However through time I've even given that up and have found that through the variety of ways I take care of myself my T-cells are back up to where they no longer have names and even better I say I'm HIV now not AIDS all though they say you can't go back up. Uff who are they to say I can't, I did.
Now I find they are wanting me to be in some kind of a study group as my viral load seems to be very important to them. It doesn't exist, never has and yet my t-cells are what governs what truly is happening with me. Finding it odd as I've been told for years it's the opposite way around, it's not for me. Not sure if I'll take the study probably will as they think it will help others as well, since I'm still getting better and not on any meds, all they seem to do is scratch their heads.
The only thing that gets me now is understanding that the meds I took way back then caused this neuropathy and it's spreading still as now it may have gone to my hearing as well. hmm If so I can no longer say from the neck down lol. I tend to look at this with laughter and love as that is what has brought me through all these years. I can't say I hate it, for it has been a great teacher for me. It's also allowed me to help others which is priceless to me. So I guess that says it the study I'll be in if they still want me.
Life to me is about living in the moment. I have found my calling in life being a holistic healer and such traveling around the world being who I am, helping those I can, and staying true to my belief. It's interesting how HIV has opened my eyes to many things in life I have always taken for granted. I can't say much about hating it as for me I felt like it was a positive thing for me, it saved my life, helped me learn who I was, and helped me find my own strength to be who I am all the time from moment to moment, living life, loving life, being me.
I have a partner I found on Gay.com which was strange as we were neighbors lived right next door's, the country way. We've been together now 8 months and we seem to grow stronger each day. He watches me daily going like an energizer rabbit (I’m no bunny) and by the end of the night crawling into bed exhausted from all the things I do, from hiking, to photography, web design, massages and healings and all and he wonders how can I have all this energy. I wonder how he thinks he doesn't for he never stops as well. We don’t wonder where we will be in a year or ten years from now, we have this moment and that’s what we treasure, what we live, and enjoying the journey together is priceless.
I’m still thankfully he hasn't run, when my legs give out he catches me if I fall, or gives me a hand when I can't stand at all. Even those moments are priceless to me, it's a journey, its life and I treasure it all.
I have no friends who I have known over ten years now at all, all have made that transition over to Spirit, so now I make new friends where ever I go. So I find it doesn't matter if your poz or not, I've seen cancer, car accidents, shootings, and all kinds of things take one over to another journey in life. So to me it is the journey , it's this moment in life, right now, this moment that I treasure and I live for now. I don't hold on to the past it's not here any longer, nor is the future for the future not here, all we have is the now. Don’t get me wrong I have plenty of friends still and some of them are about to pass the ten year mark woo hoo.
Feel free to ask me questions if you have any, I’ve experienced many things; have learned all kind of things about HIV/Aids. I’m not a know it all, however what I do know I’ll share or teach for that’s how we all learn and grow. I’ve learned the holistic way and the medical way and understand what one does may not be the same for another, yet keep in mind there is more than one way of doing something and the doctors are not God/Spirit they too only do what they know or are taught. We are each different thank Spirit for I’d hate to be a robot and be the same. Dam couldn’t imagine having sex with myself all the time, hell I’d forget not to tie the knot to tight and be stuck to a tree or something. Oh well that’s life for now, as short as I can put it into a bundle.
So this is me, I'm Yuozhoumel or Yuo. Living life for now, in Albuquerque NM with my partner Eoin.
Thanks for letting me join the group.
Namaste’

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 2 replies

Poz Gay Men 4 Men Over 40

Just Mikey — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:57:51 GMT

The name Says it all: http://tribes.tribe.net/pozgaymen4menover40

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

Poz or not...

timothyb — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:53:44 GMT

http://www.posornot.com/

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 6 replies

The Final Edition of the ICP

Ron — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:53:04 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities:

It is with both joy and sadness that I am writing to announce the final edition of the ICP. After you receive this notice, I will delete the mailing list for the ICP from my files and you will no longer receive announcements about the project. I was placed on a new drug regimen about 2 months ago and have experienced a serious side effect to the new meds. I am no longer able to continue to maintain the project as a result.

Please know that it has been a joy to bring you the ICP for the past 2 years and that I wish I could continue the project into the future. However, my focus has to be on my own healing now. For those of you who have contributed or hosted the ICP, my heartfelt gratitude can hardly be expressed. For those who blog about HIV/AIDS and who fight to end the stigma of this disease, I urge you to continue your work. We are all in the fight of our lives.

Many, many thanks to Sokari at Blacklooks for hosting the final edition of the ICP at the following link:

http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/06/international_carnival_of_positives_-_final_edition.html

Please visit, read and leave your feedback for the host and the contributors in this, the last edition of the ICP.

I wish you all peace and health.

Much love.

Ron Hudson

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 3 replies

Despite HIV, fighting to maintain health and a positive attitude

Chachi-Corrigan — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:01:54 GMT

This, and the last two, are New York Times articles.

By SALLY SARA
Published: May 18, 2008

Patricia Clouden dresses in a whirl of color, from her bright African dress to her shiny green toenail polish. She is a grandmother of eight who gets noticed in her Harlem neighborhood and is not afraid to speak her mind.

“I’m not a ‘Yes, ma’am’ no more,” she told a group of about a dozen women seated around a boardroom table one recent afternoon. “I’m a warrior.”

Ms. Clouden was not speaking at a corporate team-building event but at a meeting of the Divas, a support group made up of African-American and Hispanic women over 50 who are H.I.V. positive. Many of these women contracted the virus from unfaithful partners, or from lacking the self-esteem to demand safe sex. The Divas, one of many support groups organized through Iris House, an AIDS service center in Harlem, is, more than anything, about rebuilding that self-esteem.

“H.I.V. saved my life,” said Ms. Clouden, who is 59 and received a diagnosis of H.I.V. after becoming ill in 2003, at the end of an abusive 20-year relationship. Her bright clothing is a kind of camouflage; her withered, blinded right eye is a permanent reminder of the violence she endured. Given her history, once she contracted H.I.V., Ms. Clouden said, “I didn’t expect I would see grandchildren.”

She and the other Divas represent the changing face of H.I.V. and AIDS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2005, 27 percent of people with AIDS were women, up from less than 5 percent two decades before, and that African-American women were 23 times more likely than white women to become infected. AIDS is the fourth-leading cause of death for black women older than 45 and Hispanic women aged 35 to 44, according to the C.D.C.; blacks and Hispanics make up 24 percent of the nation’s female population, but 82 percent of new AIDS diagnoses among women.

And the neighborhoods around Iris House have some of the highest infection rates in the country. In Harlem, 116 of every 100,000 people are H.I.V.-positive, compared with 46 per 100,000 in New York City and 18.5 in the nation.

“We like to call Central Harlem, East Harlem and the South Bronx ground zero,” said Ingrid Floyd, executive director of Iris House.

Noting that many of the clients she sees are poor and have experienced homelessness, domestic violence and drug addiction, Ms. Floyd said that low self-esteem continues to put obstacles in their path.

“They are not as empowered, not as educated as their Caucasian counterparts and hence they are being hit most with H.I.V.,” she said. “A lot of times we have clients who have gone into depression, and they isolate themselves. So, they stay in their apartments and they don’t come out, because they think they are going to die.”

Iris House, named for Iris de la Cruz, who died of AIDS in 1991 after working as an advocate for women with the disease, opened 15 years ago as one of the first women-centered AIDS groups in the nation. Financed by foundations and individuals, the organization distributes 100,000 condoms a month on neighborhood streets and provides counseling and cooking classes to people with H.I.V. and AIDS.

The Divas, one of half a dozen specialty groups that meet at Iris House, have discussions on Wednesdays about sexuality and sensuality, medication and mental health. Its members also take exercise classes and attend workshops on managing their finances. The oldest member is 76, the youngest 50. The name comes from a nickname for Frances Melendez, a psychologist who runs the group and acts the part.

Many of the Divas said that the group has helped them talk openly and honestly about sex for the first time in their lives. They not only look back on how they were infected, but also discuss expectations for future relationships.

At one recent group session, some of the women said they had been so burned by their past partners that they were now more interested in companionship than in sex.

“We need someone to hold us,” said one of the Divas, who learned that she was H.I.V. positive in 1995, a week before her companion died of AIDS, and spoke on the condition she not be named. “Sex is something we grew into and grew out of.”

Dr. Melendez gently guided the discussion, asking whether the women felt comfortable looking at themselves naked, noting that H.I.V. and age have done their damage. Some shook their heads, but one woman announced: “I love hugging myself.”

There was a pause, and then another leaned forward: “I’m a mirror person.”

Instead of nervous laughter, the women encouraged one another with a chorus of “Amen” and “Go ahead, baby.”

Dr. Melendez said that the aim of the group was to arm the women with renewed life-management skills and the strength and confidence to live beyond the initial shock and despair of the diagnosis. For some, learning of their H.I.V. status was such a shock that they have used it as a way to restart their lives.

“It is a very difficult decision to decide to live positively,” Dr. Melendez said. “It’s much easier to say ‘forget it’ and let the disease take its course.”

Kathy, 56, a plainly dressed woman with neat hair who spoke on the condition that her last name not be used, has been fighting her own battle against H.I.V. since she received the diagnosis in 1992.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

ACLU Tells Peace Corps To Stop Barring People With HIV From Serving As Volunteers

Chachi-Corrigan — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:56:29 GMT

NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to the Peace Corps today demanding that it change its policy of barring people with HIV from serving as volunteers. The ACLU sent the letter on behalf of a Denver volunteer who was sent home from his post in the Ukraine and terminated after he tested positive for HIV.

"I joined the Peace Corps because I wanted to learn more about the world and help people," said Jeremiah Johnson. "It was hard enough to learn that I had contracted HIV, but to then be shipped home and told I was unworthy of finishing my service was incredibly humiliating."

Johnson, now 25, began his tour as a Peace Corps volunteer in December 2006. He tested negative for HIV prior to beginning his service. For nearly thirteen months, he was the sole volunteer in Rozdilna, Ukraine, where he taught English to middle and high school students. In January 2008, Johnson, who was in Kiev to attend a Russian language program with other volunteers, received a midservice medical examination and opted to take an HIV test. After the results confirmed that he was positive for the disease, he was immediately told that he could no longer work in the country because of a Ukrainian law barring people with HIV from working in the country. He was also told he would not be able to finish his service elsewhere.

Although he had no health problems, he was only allowed to return to Rozdilna for two days to pack his bags and say goodbye to the people he had met during his tour. He was forced to abandon projects that he had been developing to help the community. Johnson was then sent to Washington, D.C., for an end-of-service medical exam. In DC, he again asked Peace Corps officials to explain why he was being terminated and asked if he could continue his service elsewhere, but these requests were denied. Instead, he was given an automatic medical termination, stating HIV as the reason for his termination. (A copy of the termination is available at:
http://www.aclu.org/hiv/discrim/34948res20080421.html)

The ACLU's demand letter charges that it is illegal under the Rehabilitation Act for the Peace Corps to discriminate against Johnson because he has HIV. The letter cites a recent federal appeals court decision finding that it is illegal for the Foreign Service to bar people with HIV from serving. In that case, the Foreign Service, which also sends workers around the globe, had argued that it was justified in barring people with HIV from service in order to protect the health of people with HIV who would be stationed in areas with limited access to medical treatment. The court rejected that rationale.

"There is not a single justifiable reason for the Peace Corp to bar people with HIV from serving as volunteers," said Rebecca Shore, an attorney with the ACLU's AIDS Project. "Jeremiah was, and continues to be, in good health, fully capable of performing his responsibilities. It is especially disappointing that an agent of our government would have an illegal and discriminatory policy barring people with HIV from trying to make the world better."

The ACLU's letter demands that the Peace Corps change its policy or confirm that it does not have a policy of automatically excluding all people with HIV. According to the ACLU, the Peace Corps must consider on an individualized basis whether an applicant with HIV can volunteer, including making every effort to place those who are able to serve in a country that doesn't bar people with HIV from working in the country.

"It was hard being sent home the way I was. I had no time to plan for my return. I was forced to have a lot of conversations I wasn't really ready to have. I had no money, no job and no place to live. Fortunately, my family welcomed me back with open arms and helped me get back on my feet," said Johnson. "But one thing I've come to realize is that having HIV won't stop me from realizing my dreams of helping others. I hope by bringing attention to what happened to me, the Peace Corp will realize that too."

A copy of the ACLU's demand letter and a copy of Johnson's termination papers are available at:
http://www.aclu.org/hiv/discrim/34948res20080421.html)

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

Spread of Tuberculosis Seen Slowing Progress on AIDS

Chachi-Corrigan — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:51:44 GMT

By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN
Published: June 10, 2008

Tuberculosis and AIDS are now epidemic in many areas of the world, and the two infectious diseases must be addressed together, said the officials, who spoke from the United Nations’ first high-level meeting on the interaction of the two diseases.

Tuberculosis, an airborne disease, is the most important medical complication of infection with H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS. Tuberculosis is also the No. 1 killer among H.I.V.-infected people in Africa and a leading cause of their death elsewhere, the officials said.

Jorge Sampaio, a former president of Portugal who serves as the United Nations’ special envoy to stop tuberculosis, said he and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had convened the meeting at the United Nations headquarters to gain political support for “a much-neglected problem.”

In addition, the officials said, because of the continued spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis, health workers may become increasingly reluctant to care for H.I.V.-infected patients.

Dr. Kevin M. DeCock, director of the H.I.V. department of the World Health Organization, a United Nations agency, said that health workers might accept the modest risk of becoming H.I.V.-infected through needles and blood. But, he added, “it is quite another thing if you are at risk by sharing air with patients with H.I.V. disease” who have tuberculosis that is resistant to standard and second-line drugs.

That, he said, “has the potential to change how health care workers look at the issue of AIDS care.”

Because tuberculosis is often neglected, people who are infected but have no symptoms often fail to receive a drug, isoniazid, that could help prevent development of the full-blown disease, the officials said.

At least 700,000 tuberculosis cases develop among H.I.V.-infected people each year, and this year an estimated 230,000 H.I.V.-infected people will die from tuberculosis. The number includes many who received standard antiretroviral drugs that can keep H.I.V. in check, but failed to receive drugs that can usually cure nonresistant tuberculosis, said Dr. Mario C. Raviglione, the director of tuberculosis control for the W.H.O.

Nearly 1,000 cases of the most drug-resistant form of tuberculosis have been detected throughout South Africa. Additional cases have been found to varying extents in other countries throughout the world.

Dr. DeCock likened the current situation in southern Africa to the recognition of drug-resistant tuberculosis in New York City and parts of Florida in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

All forms of tuberculosis can be transmitted to anyone, whether H.I.V.-infected or not, and can spread locally, regionally and elsewhere by air travel, Dr. DeCock said.

The dangers of transmission of resistant tuberculosis came to widespread attention at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto in 2006. There, researchers reported a recent outbreak in which 52 of 53 patients in a rural hospital in South Africa had died from the most resistant form of the disease.

Treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis is difficult and costly. Some patients can be treated successfully by manipulating combinations of drugs after extensive laboratory tests of the bacteria that infected them. But such tests are generally available only in rich countries.

A particular problem is that in 2006 worldwide, only 12 percent of reported tuberculosis cases were also tested for H.I.V.; in Africa the percentage was 22. But Dr. Raviglione noted a few signs of progress. He said that the percentage of tuberculosis patients tested for H.I.V. in Kenya rose to 70 in 2007 from 19 in 2004 and in Malawi to 83 from 25 in 2004. In Rwanda, the percentage rose to 89 from zero.

Dr. Raviglione and others called for strengthening the health infrastructure in many countries to detect additional cases. He also called for more research because standard tools and drugs are difficult to use in poor countries.

An investment of $19 billion through 2014 could cut deaths by 80 percent, the officials said.

Mr. Sampaio, the United Nations special envoy, said the “call for action” represented “the next inevitable step if we really want to control these two epidemics, because if we don’t do it, the economic, social and human rights situation will be much worse than it is today.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

San Francisco, CA

benjaminbunny — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:50:31 GMT

Hello all, I am wrting in the hope that some of you might be in California and can help me:

I have been living in Portland, OR for the last couple of years, during which time I began taking prescription meds for my HIV. I have been on them for over a year now, and have no plan any time soon of stopping.

However, in my *real* life (as opposed to the life I live worried about the virus) I am really wanting to leave Portland to return to San Francisco.

My big concern has to do with making sure I am able to keep taking my meds. I have benefits at my current job, and even if something were to happen, living in Portland I would be able to stay on my meds no matter what.

I have no idea what the situation is like in California. Here, the state would pay for them no questions asked if I did not have insurance. If I move to Cali without a job lined up, how could I make sure I can get my meds? Would I need to stay an Oregon resident, and have them mailed to a local address and then forwarded to Cali?

Can anyone help me with info? I'd much appreciate any input from guys who live there and have dealt with this. I hope to move back to Cali sometime in 09.

Thanks,
Benji

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 4 replies

a survey for bi/gay men.

Dave — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:31:15 GMT

http://www.healthsolutions.org/research/5part/

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 3 replies

How would I go about having a baby?

Mr Hyde — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:37:54 GMT

If a person is HIV positive, can they still have a child that is healthy or is there a way of preventing the infection from affecting the mother and child? If not, how are Poz folks going about having a baby of their own? Any input is welcome. ;)

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 19 replies

30% of gay porn stars are HIV+

timothyb — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:53:49 GMT

..well, according to an un-official anonymous survey done by thesword.com
http://www.thesword.com/2008/02/porn-stars-call-for-more-discussion-of-hiv-stds.html

Almost 30% of gay adult industry performers in the survey were either HIV positive or didn't know their status. While most were comfortable working with HIV positive performers, many were concerned about the lack of discussion surrounding HIV and STDs on set . Over 80% of performers strongly agreed or somewhat agreed that condom-using studios provided adequate safety measures to protect them from HIV, but little more than half of the respondents felt that the they were being protected adequately from non-HIV risks like hepatitis, HPV or syphilis.

If you dig a little deeper, they also go on to call Titan Media's position on BB porn to be two-faced as they have a few performers who also moonlight for some BB studios..

It would be nice if more studios put health concerns before profit motive, but it IS a factory of sorts..

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 6 replies

NEWS FLASH!! HIV does not transmit sexually without a viral load . . . .

sWitcheroo — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:57:51 GMT

I got the following info and link from my previous AIDS doc in NYC who is quoted inside this link - America has yet to accept/advertise the information (no surprise) but Swiss/European studies show CONDOM FREE sex is safe *if * . . . HIV+ person has no viral load for > 6 months, is on meds and monitored regularly, and no active STD co-infections. It''s a little imbedded in the page - look about 1/2 way down for the straight dope:

mpetrelis.blogspot.com/2008_0...ve.html

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 15 replies

ICP 2.11 is available

Ron — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:35:01 GMT

Hi guys,

Check out ICP 2.11 at the following link:

http://www.dropdeadhappy.com/dropdeadhappy/icp211.html

I have been trying to post these announcements as "listings" but the don't seem to show up. Sorry this one is so late.

Ron

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

Reasearchers Get Inside A Long Suspected HIV Hideout In Humans

Chachi-Corrigan — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:29:55 GMT

Researchers Get Inside A Long Suspected HIV Hideout In Humans

Article Date: 14 May 2008 - 5:00 PDT

Scientists have broken inside a cell long suspected of harboring HIV during drug treatment and determined it is indeed a reservoir of the virus in humans, where it remains highly infectious.

Researchers at Brigham Young University and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have discovered the genetic nature of HIV trapped by follicular dendritic cells, also called FDCs, which are located throughout the body in specialized sites known as lymphoid tissues.

Even during drug treatment, HIV trapped on the surface of FDCs remains highly infectious and genetically diverse. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Foundation for AIDS Research, will appear in the June issue of the Journal of Virology.

"One of the biggest obstacles in treating patients with HIV is the establishment of these reservoirs that resist treatment," said Greg Burton, a BYU biochemistry professor and principal investigator on the study. "The ability to understand the virus in these reservoirs, and to characterize the reservoir itself, provides information with which we can begin to try to devise strategies that target the virus in these reservoirs."

Two other types of cells, macrophages and the latently infected CD4+ T cell, have previously been shown to be reservoirs of HIV. With the BYU-Johns Hopkins study, FDCs conclusively join the list.

FDCs act as bank vaults storing material necessary to maintain the immune system's armies of antibodies. If the ranks of a particular antibody dwindle, FDCs release proteins that trigger an immune response boosting levels of specific antibodies.

The FDCs' vault mechanism works so well that trapped HIV particles remain out of reach of drugs flowing through the blood stream, contributing to persistent infection. Medical researchers also found it challenging to break inside to investigate whether FDCs harbor infectious forms of the virus.

"This is a rare cell, and its long arms tend to grab onto the tissues in which it is found," Burton said. "So when you try to get them to release those arms so we can separate the different cells, they don't like to do that and the cell can get destroyed in the process."

Researchers at Johns Hopkins teamed up with Burton to plot a way to open the vault from samples of HIV patients. Suzanne Gartner, an HIV virologist at Hopkins, says she and Burton "hit it off" instantly in 1995 based on their shared interest in FDCs' possible role.

Their method of getting inside involves gently digesting tissue with enzymes, then separating FDCs with a cell sorter and specific antibodies that react with FDCs. As predicted, the team found infectious HIV trapped on the surface of FDCs. The next step was figuring out whether FDCs were stocked with the virus upon infection and if they continued to acquire samples of the virus over time.

The genetic makeup of HIV changes as it multiplies inside the body, which is evident when comparing blood samples of a patient receiving treatment and one who is not. Untreated, the virus is free to roam and sees more genetic variations. When treated, the virus does not replicate as often and fewer mutations occur.

Using a pair of supercomputer clusters at BYU, biologist Keith Crandall constructed the viruses' family tree for three patients from Johns Hopkins. Blood samples taken at different points in time gave reference points to establish a time frame for different versions of the virus recovered from FDCs.

"It turned out the data matched the hypothesis that one, the FDC is a reservoir, and two, it's actually acquiring genetic variance throughout the course of mutation," Crandall said. "We saw the accumulation of drug-resistant mutation, and saw exceptionally high genetic variation. This makes treatment extremely difficult."

BYU graduate Trever Burgon worked on this part of the study, sequencing individual HIV genomes from FDCs to compare with samples from other tissues. Burgon, now seeking a Ph.D.in microbiology and immunology at Stanford School of Medicine, said his research experience as a BYU undergraduate yielded acceptances to every graduate program he applied.

The BYU-Johns Hopkins team is currently seeking another NIH grant to explore how to attack the viral reservoir in FDCs.

"As we learn about what this virus is doing with FDCs and our immune system, it opens up the door to understanding what happens with a lot of other diseases," Burton said.

Brigham Young University
C-327 ASB
Provo, UT 84602
United States
http://www.byu.edu

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 1 reply

Working to restore help for AIDS patients

Chachi-Corrigan — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:25:58 GMT

(New York Times)

By LINDA SASLOW
Published: May 4, 2008

NOW that Nassau and Suffolk Counties have won their lawsuit to restore full federal financing for helping those with AIDS and the H.I.V. infection, health and social service officials say they hope to boost medical and support services to Long Island patients.

An April 25 ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second District in the counties’ lawsuit against the United States Department of Health and Human Services restored what the court called “drastic and unauthorized” cuts to vital services for Long Islanders with AIDS and H.I.V. In 2006, Long Island received $6.1 million, but since March 1, 2007, when the region was reclassified by the Treatment Modernization Act of 2006, it lost $1.3 million in financing, as well as social support services.

Legislators and advocates for people with AIDS are working to figure out how much the region will get and how it can be spent.

The first priority is money for medical services, said Christopher Hahn, president and chief executive of United Way of Long Island. It administers the money, to 13 local agencies.

“Our next step is to work with Congress to change the legislation in order to allow us to provide support services such as child care, housing assistance, transportation, legal help and complementary therapies like acupuncture,” Mr. Hahn said.

Dan Aug, a spokesman for Suffolk County, said a number of categories would be designated for the restored money. Among them are mental health, oral health care, substance abuse outpatient treatment, nutritional therapy, health insurance, medical transportation and legal services, he said.

Atop the wish list of Greg Noone, program director of the AIDS advocacy organization Thursday’s Child of Long Island, is restoring the Emergency Financial Assistance program, which was dissolved in February 2007 because of the new legislation. The agency lost almost $300,000 in contracts for support services for Long Islanders with AIDS and H.I.V.

“Emergency financial assistance is the single most requested service,” said Mr. Noone, who added that 80 percent of his group’s clients lived on a fixed income or were working poor. “Under this program, we were able to provide them with extra food vouchers, assistance with their utilities and rental assistance.”

But while he called the latest court ruling a sweet victory, Mr. Noone is not celebrating, because of restrictions that require a direct medical need for reimbursement of services. “Unless we change the law, even if we get the extra funding, the odds are better than 50-50 that we won’t be allowed to spend it,” he said.

Under the 2006 law, a region is designated an Eligible Metropolitan Area when it meets one of two criteria: having at least 3,000 people living with AIDS, or 2,000 new cases reported during the last five years. Last year, in its interpretation of the law, the United States District Court in Mineola ruled that Long Island did not meet both criteria and was not eligible for some of the funding.

But the court overturned that decision, saying Long Island was eligible if it met one of the two criteria, and it did. There are more than 5,000 people with AIDS on Long Island, Mr. Noone and Mr. Hahn said. Between 2001 and 2005, 1,505 new cases were diagnosed in Nassau and Suffolk.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

Roll Call

Chachi-Corrigan — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:28:49 GMT

We have had alot of new members join up recently, so in the spirit of community, and talking amongst ourselves - to promote getting to know each other here - for friendship and support with our challenge - hiv. If you don't feel like talking, try to say hi anyway.....?

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 21 replies

New approaches to hiv prevention

Chachi-Corrigan — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:23:41 GMT

Here is a pdf article on new prevention strategies and such. give it a look and give us feedback guys.

www.paho.org/English/AD/FCH/AI/New%20Approaches%20to%20HIV%20Prevention.pdf -

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

New (2007) drug developments

Chachi-Corrigan — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:10:18 GMT

http://www.thebody.com/index/treat/newdrugs.html

this guide also has some good explanations for actions, and gives a nice ideas of what kind of things to talk with your HIV doctor about.

input? feedback?

have a great day guys.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 2 replies

ICP 2.10 now available at Mshairi

Ron — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:17:22 GMT

Hi Guys,

My listing post didn't seem to make it on here. The newest edition of the ICP is now available at the following link:

http://www.mshairi.com/blog/?p=448

Please have a read and leave us some feedback. I am also seeking contributors for the next edition and hosts for future editions. If interested, please drop me a note.

Ron

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 4 replies

Anti- HIV activity of medicinal herbs

Chachi-Corrigan — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:02:37 GMT

Anti-HIV Activity of Medicinal Herbs: Usage and Potential Development

This is a huge amount of pages concering hiv and plant drugs, things to
keep in mind when integreating alternative therapies to your hiv drug
regimen.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HKP/is_1_29/ai_73711304

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

HIV & Lithium Bicarbonate

SodomaApostasy — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:11:51 GMT

I'm Bi-Polar and have always taken Lithium Carbonate. I mysteriously have never had to take HIV meds. Recently I read that Lithium protects the brain's neurons from damage caused by HIV infection. I went off Lithium for a while and my viral-load went over 100,000 and my T-Cells went to 250. I started taking Lithium again and everything was fine in three weeks. Does anyone know of any research about Lithium and the treatment of HIV infection?

Sodoma

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 1 reply

Name change

Weirdo — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:03:22 GMT

So what's with the name change of the tribe? The HIV Experience...sounds like a Disney ride. I like it.

Moderator change? Did I miss something?

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 13 replies

Prostratin's information

Chachi-Corrigan — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:51:49 GMT

The University of California, Berkeley, has signed an agreement with the Samoan government to isolate from an indigenous tree the gene for a promising anti-AIDS drug and to share any royalties from sale of a gene-derived drug with the people of Samoa.

The agreement, announced today (Thursday, Sept. 30) in Apia, the capital of Samoa, supports Samoa's assertion of national sovereignty over the gene sequence of Prostratin, a drug extracted from the bark of the mamala tree (Homalanthus nutans). The drug currently is being studied by scientists around the world because of its potential to force the AIDS virus out of hibernation in the body's immune cells and into the line of fire of anti-AIDS drugs now in use.

"Prostratin is Samoa's gift to the world," explained Samoan Minister of Trade Joseph Keil. "We are pleased to accept the University of California as a full partner in the effort to isolate the Prostratin genes."

Despite Prostratin's promise as an anti-AIDS drug, its supply is limited by the fact that the drug has to be extracted from the bark and stemwood of the mamala tree. Researchers in the laboratory of Jay Keasling, UC Berkeley professor of chemical engineering, plan to clone the genes from the tree that naturally produce Prostratin and insert them into bacteria to make microbial factories for the drug. A similar technology is currently being explored to produce the anti-malarial drug artemisinin.

"A microbial source for Prostratin will ensure a plentiful, high-quality supply if it is approved as an anti-AIDS drug," said Keasling, who also is a faculty affiliate with the California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) and head of the Synthetic Biology Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. "We consider the actual gene sequences as part of Samoa's sovereignty, and every effort will be made to reflect this fact."

The agreement, signed by Prime Minister Tuila'epa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi of Samoa and UC Berkeley's Vice Chancellor for Research Beth Burnside, gives Samoa and UC Berkeley equal shares in any commercial proceeds from the genes. Samoa's 50 percent share will be allocated to the government, to villages, and to the families of healers who first taught ethnobotanist Dr. Paul Alan Cox how to use the plant. The agreement also states that UC Berkeley and Samoa will negotiate the distribution of the drug in developing nations at a minimal profit if Keasling is successful.

"This may be the first time that indigenous people have extended their national sovereignty over a gene sequence" said Cox, director of the Institute for Ethnobotany at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii. "It is appropriate, since the discovery of the anti-viral properties of Prostratin was based on traditional Samoan plant medicine."

The National Cancer Institute, which patented Prostratin's use as an anti-HIV drug, requires any commercial developer of Prostratin to first negotiate an equitable benefit-sharing agreement with Samoa.

"I think that UC Berkeley could set a precedent both for biodiversity conservation and genetic research by including indigenous peoples as full partners in royalties for new gene discoveries that result from their ancient medicines," Keasling said.

Keasling and a team of scientists led by Cox traveled to Samoa in early August to meet with leaders in three Samoan villages where the tree grows. They obtained the prior informed consent of the chief's council from each village to assist in the research in return for a share of the Prostratin gene proceeds. Dr. Gaugau Tavana, a Samoan educator from the National Tropical Botanical Garden, presented a Samoan-language PowerPoint presentation on genetic engineering in each village.

A previous royalty agreement on Prostratin was signed in 2001 by the Prime Minister of Samoa and the AIDS ReSearch Alliance, which is sponsoring clinical trials of Prostratin as an anti-AIDS therapy. That agreement would return 20 percent of any commercial profits arising from the plant-derived compound to the people of Samoa.

Keasling and his Samoan collaborators will freeze living cells from the mamala tree in liquid nitrogen so that extraction of the perishable RNA can be conducted in the laboratory. Then begins the process of tracking down the enzymes that actually build the molecule Prostratin.

Once Keasling has pinpointed the key enzymes and cloned their genes, he plans to insert the genes into a strain of E. coli bacteria that he has created to produce isoprenoid compounds like Prostratin. The product of more than 10 years of genetic engineering, the bacterial factories have already proven useful in producing precursors of the anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which he hopes to produce inexpensively for people in the developing world. The process also can be used to produce flavors and fragrances, many of which also are members of the class of chemical compounds called isoprenoids.

http://www.berkeley.edu

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=5196

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 2 replies

community viral load

digory — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:59:07 GMT

This is an article and interview that was posted on thebody.com
http://www.thebody.com/content/confs/retro2008/art45012.html

It addresses a issue in HIV prevention that I think often gets overlooked in the media and presents what I consider a far more logical plan for reducing HIV transmission rates. It specifically coins the phrase "community viral load". I was pretty excited to read those words because of the fact that most HIV transmission occurs when 1 partner does not know they are positive. If you look at the statistics, the rate of transmission from a person who knows they are positive, is on meds, and who has an undetectable viral load is minuscule. Its the unknowns or the people who falsely believe themselves negative and who have very high viral loads that cause the majority of M2M transmission.

I've long felt that the focus on HIV education should be on knowing your status and not the Nazi-esque focus on safer sex every time. I'm not saying this to de-emphasize the importance of safer sex, because it is enormously important...but I'm a realist. Safer sex among gay men is not happening every time and when you factor in drugs and alcohol it happens even less than people remember it happening. How many times have we heard the "the BEST way to prevent the spread of HIV is to use a condom"? I'd like to hear "the BEST way to prevent the spread of HIV is to know your status".

I also like how this discussion refuses to demonize the gay men who are still getting infected and who may have grown up knowing the facts about HIV. No one deliberately sets out to becoming infected with HIV... no matter who much the media loves to hype the idea of "bug chasers". I personally feel that most gay men are pretty responsible about having safer sex, but that mistakes happen and 100% adherence to safer sex practices is an unrealistic goal. The basic gist of this argument and the article is that to reduce new HIV infections you need to reduce the number of people with undiagnosed HIV and the sky high and consequently, highly transmittable, viral loads that go along with lack of testing and treatment. I really agree with the idea that the cumulative level of a community's viral load is a better indicator of how to reduce new HIV infections.

I'm a big fan of the "harm reduction" model of social services of which needle exchange is the classic example. It just refreshing to hear the idea being discussed in major HIV/AIDS conferencing and that it may filter down to a local level. I really feel that sero-sorting is a legitimate method of reducing HIV transmission rates. The reasoning behind this is because its looking at the idea of REDUCING and not eliminating new infections. I'd like to see self testing reach the point where its cheap enough and wide spread enough to become a natural part of getting reading for a night out...a tab under the tongue while doing your hair...that kind of thing. If this were coupled with wide spread, 24hr support for newly infected people I think you would see a significant drop in new infections.

Anyway, the article is a interesting read so check it out.

thanks,
dig

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 5 replies

Ling Zhi (Reishi) mushrooms, to enhance immune function

Chachi-Corrigan — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:02:15 GMT

This is alot of info, don't try to read it all at once, come back to it over a few sessions. This a truly helpful herb. And its one of a few that can give you energy when you are sooooo exhausted, and things aren't helping. Its non stimulant, and helps clean the liver....

***************************************************************************************************************************************
Red Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum), commonly known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, is a herbal mushroom known to have miraculous health benefits.

It has been used in Japan and China for over 2,000 years and thus making it the oldest mushroom known to have been used as medicine. Since ancient times, the Reishi mushroom was reserved for emperors and royalties. It has been revered as nature’s rarest and most beneficial herb. In the Superior category of Shen Nung Ben Cao Jing, the oldest and most famous medical text on Oriental herbal medicine, red Reishi is ranked as the number one herb, ahead of ginseng, because of its following qualities:

1. It is non-toxic and can be taken daily without producing any side effects.

2. When it is taken regularly, it can restore the body to its natural state, enabling all organs to function normally.

3. Immune modulator - regulates and fine tunes the immune system.
What are the benefits of Reishi?

Red Reishi is primarily composed of complex carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpeniods, proteins and amino acids. Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi that have anti-tumour, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects.

Another major active ingredient found in Red Reishi are triterpenes , called ganoderic acids. Preliminary studies indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions. Triterpenes are bitter in taste and the level of the triterpene content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness.

Regular consumption of red Reishi can enhance our body's immune system and improve blood circulation, thus improving better health conditions. Generally, Reishi is recommended as an adaptogen, immune modulator, and a general tonic. Red Reishi is also used to help treat anxiety, high blood pressure, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia, and asthma. A full list of reported benefits can be found here.
Is there any evidence?

A considerable number of studies in Japan , China , USA , and the UK in the past 30 years have shown that the consumption of red Reishi has been linked to the treatment of a vast range of diseases, common ailments, and conditions. From asthma to zoster, the applications of red Reishi seem to be related to a multitude of body organs and systems.

However, most of the scientific research that has been conducted appears to strongly support red Reishi's role as a normalizing substance - a nutritional supplement that can yield medical benefits through its normalization and regulation of the body's organs and functions.

The role of Red Reishi in maintaining a healthy lifestyle can best be explained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view because none of the known active components taken alone is as more effective than the consumption of Reishi itself. Whereas Western medicine focuses on the “cure” after the disease has already occurred, TCM, established through over 2,000 years of human observation, focuses on disease prevention by sustaining the right balance within the body through proper nutrition, exercise, and meditation. Reishi is an important adaptogenic herb in TCM in helping the body maintain this balance and also restore the balance when one is sick
****************************************************************************************************************

Inhibitory Effects of Components from Ganoderma lucidum
on the Growth of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
and the Protease Activity
Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku (Traditional Sino-Japanese Medicines)
Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University
Masao Hattori
1) Sahar El-Mekkawy, Meselhy and R. Meselhy
Abstract : A new highly oxygenated triterpene has been isolated from the methanol extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum together with twelve known compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic means including 2D-NMR. Ganoderiol F and ganodermanontriol were found active as anti-HIV with an inhibitory concentration of 7.8 m g/ml for both, and ganoderic acid B, ganoderiol B, ganoderic acid Cl, 3b -5a -dihydroxy-6b -methoxyergosta-7,22-diene, compound 1, ganoderic acid H and ganoderiol A were moderately active inhibitors against HIV-1 PR with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.17 mM.

INTRODUCTION

Over the past decade, substantial progress has been made in defining strategies for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) , where natural products can serve as a source of structurally novel chemicals that are worth investigating as specific inhibitors of HIV as well as its essential enzymes, protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT).

Ganoderma lucidum (Japanese name: Reishi) is one of the valuable crude drugs, which has long been used in China and Japan as a traditional Chinese medicine or a folk medicine for the treatment of various kinds of diseases1). Several biologically active triterpenes and sterols have been isolated from this mushroom and proved effective as cytotoxic2,3), antiviral4) and anti-inflammatory agents5,6). Besides, polysaccharides and glycoproteins possessing hypoglycemic7,8) and immunostimulant9-13) activities have also been isolated from its water extract. In the course of our continuing search for natural products as anti-HIV agents, the MEOH extract of the fruiting bodies was found to be moderately active against HIV-1 as well as its essential enzyme, protease (PR). Therefore this extract was selected for further fractionation. When subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation, the extract yielded several active compounds. This paper describes the isolation of thirteen compounds, and their inhibitory effects against HIV-1 and its enzyme PR.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Isolation and structure determination of compounds isolated from Ganoderma lucidum

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the MEOH extract enriched the anti- HIV and HIV-PR inhibitory effects in two fractions, B and C. Final purification of the active compounds was achieved by repeated column chromatography and HPLC to give thirteen compounds, 4, 5, 8 and 9 in fraction B, and 1-3, 6, 7 and 12 in fraction C. Three compounds (10, 11 and 13) were also obtained from fraction A. The structures of the known compounds were identified on the basis of their spectroscopic properties when compared with those reported for ganoderic acids A (2) 14-16), B (3)14-16), Cl (4)16,17) and ganoderic acid H (5)18,19), ganoderiols A (6)20) B (7)20)and F (8)21) , and ganodermanontriol (9)20), (all were previously isolated from the same mushroom). Besides, ergosterol (10), ergosterol peroxide (11, previously isolated from the sponge Ascidia nigra) 22), cerevisterol (12)23,24) and 3b -5a -dihydroxy-6b -methoxyergosta-7,22-diene (13) (both were previously isolated from the mushroom Agaricus blazei)24)

Compound 1 was obtained as an amorphous powder, [a ]D + 55.5° (CHCI3). A molecular formula Of C32H46O9 was estimated from a molecular ion at m/z 574 [M] + in its mass spectrum (MS). The ultra violet (UV) absorption (254 nm) and the infrared (IR) bands (1700 and 1660 cm-1) suggested the presence of a conjugated ketone (acid carbonyl stretching at 1750 cm-1 was also seen). The proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectrum of 1 analyzed by the aid of 1H 1H shift correlated spectroscopy (COSY) and heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) experiments showed signals for seven methyls

Fig.1
Structures of compounds isolated from the MeOH extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma Luciderm

(including two as doublet at (d 0.96 and 1.22), and three methine protons at d 3.20 (dd, J = 10.5 and 5 Hz), 4.80 (dd, J = 8.5 and 4.5 Hz) and 5.62 (s). In addition, a singlet at d 2.26 for an ester methyl was also seen (Fig. 1). The carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13 C NMR) and driven equilibrium Fourier transformation (DEPT) spectra demonstrated signals characteristic for eight methyls, seven methines (including three oxymethines at d 66.2, 77.3 and 79.1), and eleven quaternary carbons (including five carbonyls at d 170.2, 179.6, 193.0, 199.0 and 206.1) (Table 1). These data suggested a highly oxygenated lanostane-type triterpene close to the respective structures of 3, 5 and ganoderic acids G (15)18), and K (16)25). However, the chemical shift difference between C-8 and C-9 (about 6.0 ppm) in 1 and 5 relative to that reported for 3 and 14 (about 16.5 ppm), suggested a substitution pattern in rings B and C similar to that of 5. The mass spectrum (Fig. 2a) displayed prominent fragment ions at m/z 513 corresponding to the loss of an acetoxyl group (as acetic acid) from the molecule, and successive losses of 18 mass units (m/z 496 and 478) indicated the presence of two hydroxyl groups. The fragment ions m/z 417 [a]+ and 115[e]+ (resulted from the cleavage between C-22 and C-23) suggested the same side chain as in related ganoderic acids.

The precise connectivity of 1 was established by interpretation of HMBC data summarized in Table 1. Long-range correlations between H-5 and C-7 (or C-9); H32 and C-8; H-19 and C-9; and H-12 and C-11 confirmed the diketone substitution at C-7 and C-11. Correlations between H-18 and C-12, and H-12 and a carbonyl carbon signal at d 170.2 (IR 1730cm-1) revealed the connectivity of the acetoxyl group at C-12. Since H-5 and H-29 were coupled to C-3, a hydroxyl group was concluded to be located at C-3. On the other hand, the 1H-1H correlations between H-15 and H16a and H-16b led to the presence of the other hydroxyl group at C-15.

The relative stereochemistry of 1 was confirmed by measuring the NOESY and nuclear Oberhauser effect (NOE) difference spectra as shown in Fig. 2b. The spatial correlations observed between H-3, H-30 and H-5 confirmed the configuration of the hydroxyl group at C-3, which was equatorially oriented (ddd, J = 10.5, 5, 5 Hz). Similarly, b -configuration of the acetoxyl group at C-12 was inferred from the correlations observed between H-12 and the proton signal at d 1.49 (H-32). Appreciable enhancement of H-15 upon irradiation of H-32, vice versa, with no evidence of spatial correlation with H-18 or long-range correlations (in 1H 1H COSY) between H-15 and H-32, confirmed the G-configuration of a hydroxyl group at C-15. Correlations between H-17 and H-32, and H-18 and a proton signal at d 2.24 (H-20) confirmed the configurations at C-17 and C-20, respectively. What remained to be established was the stereochemistry at C-25, which was
Table 1. NMR Spectral Data of Compound 1 (in CDCI3)

atom 13 C 1 H HMBC

1 33.1 t
2 27.2 t 1.70, 1.64
3 77.3 d 3.20 ddd (10.5, 5, 5) C-2, C-5
4 40.3 s
5 51.2 d 1.56 dd (1 3.5, 3.5) C-3, C-7, C-9
6 36.6 t 2.65, 2.54 C-7, C-8
7 199.0 s
8 145.6 s
9 151.7 s
10 39.0 s
11 193.0 s
12 79.1 d 5.62 s C-9, C-11, C-17
13 47.9 s
14 58.5 s
15 66.2 d 4.80 dd (8.5, 4.5)
16 48.5 t 2.46, 2.30
17 44.6 d 2.55 C-20
18 12.1 q 0.96 s C-12, C-17
19 17.9 q 1.27 s C-5, C-9
20 29.4 d 2.24 C-23
21 21.5 q 0.96 d (6) C-17, C-22
22 38.0 t 2.75, 1,92
23 206.1 s
24 46.6 t 2.40, 2.80
25 35.1 d 2.91 C-23
26 179.6 s
27 17.1 q 1.22 d (7) C-26
30 27.8 q 1.03 s C-3, C-5
31 15.5 q 0.85 s C-3, C-5
32 20.9 q 1.49 s C-8, C-13, C-15
CH3CO 170.2 s
CH3CO 21.2 q 2.26 s C-12

suggested to be R, when compared with that of ganoderic acid H (3, given the name ganoderic acid C by Hirotani et al)25) having the same side chain which was confirmed by X-ray.
Fig. 2 a) Proposed mass fragmentation pattern of Compound 1.

b) Sterostructure for 1 as indicated by difference NOE and NOESY spectra.

Table 2. Inhibitory Activities of Compounds from Ganoderma lucidum against Protease and Proliferation of HIV-1
Item
HIV-1 PR
IC50 (mM)

IC (m g/ml)
HIV-1
CC (m g/ml)

MeOHext

47.7*

31.3#

125#
Compound (1)
0.19

NE

> 1000
Ganododeric acid A (2)
NE

(1000)

> 1000
Ganododeric acid B (3)
0.17

NE

> 1000
Ganoderic acid CI (4)
0.18

NE

> 1000
Ganoderic acid H (5)
0.20

NE

> 1000
Ganoderiol A (6)
0.23

NE

> 1000
Ganoderiol B (7)
0.17

(7.8)

500
Ganoderiol F (8)
0.32

7.8

15.6
Ganodermanontriol (9)
NE

7.8

15.6
Ergosterol (10)
NE

7NE

1000
Ergosterol peroxide (11)
NT

NE

15.6
Cerevisterol (12)
NE

NE

31.3
3b -5a -dihydroxy-6-B-methoxy

ergosta-7,22-dienne (13)

0.18

NE

15.6

IC, the minimum concentration for complete inhibition of HIV-1 induced CEP in MT-4 cells by microscopic observation. CC, the minimum concentration for appearance of MT-4 cell toxicity by microscopic observation. NE, not effective. ( ) , concentration at which weak anti-HIV-1 activity was observed.* %Inhibition at 100m g/ml. #As m g/ml

Inhibitory effects of isolated compounds on HIV and its enzymes

Investigation of anti-HIV and PR-inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds (1-13) yielded some compounds with moderate activities (Table 2). In the primary screening test for anti-HIV activity, compounds 8 and 9 were found to inhibit HIV1 induced cytopathic effect (CPE) in MT-4 cells with a 100% inhibitory concentration (IC) value of 7.8 m g/ml for both compounds, and the IC value for both was a half of the respective cytotoxic concentration (CC) value.

As for HIV-1 PR inhibitory effects, the PR activity was determined by analysing the hydrolysates of a synthetic substrate in the presence or absence of the isolated compounds using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Of the tested compounds, 3 and 7 were found to be the most active against HIV-1 PR enzyme with an IC50 of 0.17 mM for both compounds. Other compounds such as ganoderiol B, ganoderic acid Cl, 3b -5a -dihydroxy-6,b -methoxyergosta-7,22-diene, compound 1, ganoderic acid H and ganoderiol A inhibited the enzyme activity in a similar extent.

In the present experiment, we found that D7(8),D 9(11)-lanostadiene-type triterpenes had relatively strong anti-HIV activity. On the other hand, D8(9) -lanostene-type triterpenes and ergostane-type compounds 10-12 had no inhibition of HIV-induced cytopathic effects. As to HIV-protease, we could not obtain any conclusive findings on the structure-activity relationship. Lanostane-type triterpenes showed IC50 of 0.17-0.32 mM, while ergosterol derivatives had no inhibitory activity. However, it was reported that synthetic cosalane and its derivatives had an anti-HIV effect as well as inhibitory effects on RT and PR27) . Several triterpenes have been described as antiviral compounds. Glycyrrhizin displays some limited activity against a whole range of viruses including HIV-128). Salaspermic acid29) and suberol (a lanostane-type)30) inhibit HIV-1 in H9 cells in the upper micromolar range. Bile acid derivatives were found slightly active (at 10-4 M) against HIV-1 in MT-4 cells31). Betulinic acid derivatives (lupane-type) have been described as potent inhibitors of the cytopathogenicity of HIV-1 in CEM 4 and MT-4 cells without affecting HIV-1 RT or PR activity32).

When compared with other triterpenes reported, compounds 8 and 9 can be used as leads to develop other related compounds with potential anti-HIV activity. This subject will be of particular interest to be investigated in the future.

REFERENCES
1. Hanssen, H. P. (1988) Dtsch Apoth Ztg 128, 789-792.

2. Toth, J. 0., Luu, B. and Ourisson, G. (1983) Tetrahedron Letters 24, 1081-1084.

3. Kohda, H., Tokumoto, W., Sakamoto, K., Fujii, M., Hirai, Y., Yamasaki, K., Komoda, Y., Nakamura, H. Ishihara, S. and Uchida, M (1985) Chem. Pharm. Bull. 33, 1367-1373.

4. Lindequist, U., Lesnau, A., Teuscher, E. and Pilgrim, H. (1989) Pharmazie 44, 579-580.

5. Tasaka, K., Akagi, M., Miyoshi, K., Mio, M. and Makino, T. (1988) Agents Actions 23, 153-156.

6. Tasaka, K., Mio, M., lzushi, K., Akagi, M. and Makino, T. (1988) Agents Actions 23, 157-160.

7. Hikino, H. and Mizuno, T. (1989) Planta Medica 55, 358.

8. Hikino, H., Ishiyama, M., Suzuki, Y. and Konno, C. (1989) Planta Medica 55, 423-428.

9. Lei, L., S. and Lin, Z.,B. (1993) Yao-Hsueh-Hseuh-Pao 28, 577-582.

10. Lei, L., Lin, Z., Chen, Q., Li, R. and lie, Y. (1993) Zhongguo Yaolixue Yu Dulixue Zashi 7, 183.

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19. Kikuchi, T., Matsuda, S., Murai, Y. and Ogita, Z. (1985) Chem. Pharm. Bull. 33, 26242627.

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22. Gunatilaka, A. A. L., Gopichand, Y., Schmitz, F. J. and Djerassi, C. (1981) J. Org. Chem. 46, 3860-3866.

23. Iorizzi, M., Minale, L. and Riecio, R. (1988) J. Nat. Prod. 51, 1098-1103.

24. Kawagishi, H., Katsumi, R., Sazawa, T., Mizuno, T., Hagiwara, T. and Nakamura, T. (1988) Phytochemistry 27, 2777-2779.

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27. Cushman, M., Golebiewski, W. M., MeMahon, J. B., Buckheit, R. W. J., Clanton, D. J., Weislow, 0., Haugwitz, R. D., Bader, J., Graham, L. and Rice, W. G. (1994) J. Med. Chem. 37, 4030-3050.

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****************************************************************************************************************

Ganoderma has been recognized traditionally and scientifically as potentially useful in the treatment of cancer, but there is a notable discrepancy with the public's frequent impression that Ganoderma may be a cure for cancer and the lack of clinical trials demonstrating such efficacy. We intend to summarize the extent of available theoretical, experimental and clinical data for the use of Ganoderma supplementation in cancer and outline its indications, especially in the context of clinical results from bioactively similar polysaccharide derived biological response modifiers (BRM's) from other fungi (Mizuno 1996).

EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE OF GANODERMA'S POTENTIAL IN CANCER TREATMENT

Ikekawa et al. (1968) first reported on the efficacy of soluble extracts from Ganoderma in inhibiting transplanted sarcoma 180 in mice. This host-dependent antitumor activity has been subsequently confirmed to be from the polysaccharide fractions of Ganoderma (Sasaki et al., 1971). Multiple similar studies subsequently confirms this observation and antitumor efficacy of Ganoderma has been demonstrated from various species, at different stages of growth and using different solvents for extraction and different routes of administration. Antitumor activity has been demonstrated in vitro as well as in syngeneic tumor systems in animals. However, no human trials of Ganoderma against cancer in peer reviewed journals nor any controlled clinical trials in humans have yet been conducted or published.

From a theoretical point of view, it is important to note that other fungal polysaccharides of comparable structure and function as those found in Ganoderma have undergone rigorous clinical trials, including Lentinan, Sizofilan, PSK (Krestin), and PSP. Since it is now increasingly clear that immunostimulatory bioactivity from most beta-glucan based compounds function via a similar beta-glucan receptor (Czop 1985), it has been possible to hypothesize that Ganoderma polysaccharides should function similarly (Chang, 1996). Clinical effects of various glucan based BRM's should therefore be comparable. Results from Lentinan, Sizofilan, PSK and PSP human trials demonstrated the efficacy of these glucan BRM's in prolonging survival in recurrent or advanced gastric and colon cancer, lung cancer and gynecologic cancers. Data from such bioactively comparable compounds all suggest improved quality of life or survival for cancer patients may be possible with Ganoderma supplementation.

INDICATIONS AND EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE USE OF
GANODERMA SUPPLEMENTATION IN CANCER

Whilst some efficacy of Ganoderma in cancer is undoubted, it remains important to specify the various indications and cite the evidence to support its use. This can be discussed under four different circumstances:
A. As a supplement during chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce side-effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, hair loss, bone marrow suppression and risk of infection. There are studies demonstrating Ganoderma's efficacy against fatigue (Yang 1994), hair loss (Miyamoto et al. 1985), and bone marrow suppression (Jia et al. 1993) and the presence of similar clinical evidence for other glucan BRM's applied in the setting of cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy (Shi 1993) lends further support to the supplementation of Ganoderma in combination with cytotoxic cancer therapies. The recommended dose should be in the range of five to ten grams of fruiting body or equivalent per day (Chang 1994).

B. As a supplement for cancer patients to enhance survival and reduce likelihood of metastasis. While only anecdotal data exists that Ganoderma supplementation may enhance survival of cancer patients, this survival advantage has been demonstrated for a number of comparable glucan BRM'S. Specifically, Lentinan use in advantage at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years in a randomized control trial (Taguchi 1987). Sizofilan given together with chemotherapy enhanced survival of cervical cancers irrespective of stage in a prospective randomized controlled trial (Inoue et al. 1993), significantly enhanced survival (P < .01) in lung cancer patients (Honma 1982) and improved five year survival of head and neck cancer from 73.4 to 86.7% was noted in another small study (Kimura et al. 1994). More appropriate for comparison to Ganoderma is perhaps and PSK or PSP, which are orally administered. Mitomi et al. (1994) found significantly improved survival and disease-free survival (P=0.013) in resected colorectal cancer given PSK supplementation over three years when compared to control in a multi-center randomized controlled trial. In an animal model, Ganoderma has been demonstrated to effectively prevent metastasis (Lee 1984), and these results are comparable to those of Lentinan (Suga 1994). Other glucan BRM's have been demonstrated to effectively prevent or suppress pulmonary metastasis of methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas, human prostate cancer DU145M, and lymphatic metastasis of mouse leukemia P388 (Kobayashi et al. 1995). The recommended dose should be five to ten grams or more of fruiting body or equivalent per day, with a linear enhancement in efficacy expected up to 30 grams per day (Chang 1994).

C. As a supplement for cancer patients to improve quality of life. Again, only anecdotal information exists for Ganoderma in this situation but other oral glucan derivatives such as PSP has been found to be useful in improving quality of life in cancer patients (Yao 1993). Significantly, Ganoderma supplementation was noted to decrease pain in cancer patients (Kupin 1994). The recommended dose would be five to ten grams of fruiting body or equivalent per day (Chang 1994).

D. As a supplement for the prevention of occurrence or recurrence of cancer. Since immune stimulation, especially Natural Killer (NK) and Cytotoxic Lymphocyte (CTL) activation may be effective in the immune prevention of cancer by enhanced immune surveillance (Lotzova 1985), and Ganoderma has been demonstrated to enhance NK and CTL activity when administered orally (Won et al. 1989), it is thus a candidate for prevention of the occurrence or recurrence of cancer. Stavinoha et al. demonstrated the efficacy of Ganoderma in the preventing the progression of microadenomatous growths in animals (Stavinoha 1993), and the efficacy of other glucan BRM's in primary and secondary cancer prevention have been similarly demonstrated in vitro, in vivo and in clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

Although Ganoderma and its derivatives are not pharmaceuticals and have not undergone rigorous clinical trials to be tested against cancer, there is abundant in vitro, animal and indirect clinical evidence to support its supplemental use in cancer. Standardization in bioactive polysaccharide content and dosages will be necessary to assure its rational use, and clinical trials in select cancers with defined endpoints will confirm its efficacy.

Copyright © 2008 Utah Street Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 2 replies

Herbal Medicine Tribe

Chachi-Corrigan — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:07:14 GMT

Hey Guys-
This is an Herbal Medicine tribe that i moderate, and the folks there are good. So i want you all to feel free to come join, or just read. But i wanted you be able to ask about natural medicines or modalities that are helpful for many of the hiv related symptoms we deal with.

http://tribes.tribe.net/erbluv2refor

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 1 reply

In need of your help

Ron — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:22:59 GMT

Hi guys,

I am writing to encourage you all to share your experiences of living with HIV/AIDS via the International Carnival of Pozitivities. Our blog carnival is in need of new perspectives, and we encourage people to share their personal experiences, artwork, music, poetry or any other form of expression about how HIV/AIDS affects our lives. You can do so as yourself as that is the most powerful testament to fight stigma, or if needed, you can contribute your work under a pseudonym. You just have to decide it you are ready to be open with your status and go from there. Being who you are and sharing your message is important no matter how you identify yourself.

More and more frequently, my efforts with the ICP are being criticized by individuals within other tribes. It is often the case that the person who complains is an AIDS dissident. It would be helpful to me to get your input on how we can reach out to people who need to hear the messages of prevention, but who are tired of hearing about HIV/AIDS or who simply do not believe in the transmission of HIV. I think that those who fall into the latter group will not be swayed, but perhaps by sharing what it is like to live with stigma and medication side-effects, we can reach those not yet infected and help them resist temptation to put themselves at risk. On the other hand, use of fear is not a tactic I really prefer. How can we hone the message that AIDS is still a disease you don't want to contract without resorting to a method of scaring the living crap out of people?

With peace in mind for us all.

Ron

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 4 replies

Combination Change

Lashtal — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:44:19 GMT

Well, I just saw the doc again today. Still hanging in here with 473 t-cells and undetectable viral load.

Sustiva is still causing side-effects such as mood-swings in the evening hours (I get a bit touchy), ringing in the ears, vivid dreams (worse when attempting to take a nap) and insomnia. I've had to rely upon Ambien CR for sleeping.

So, we are going to try Viramune in place of the Sustiva. I found it odd tho that the doctor was unable to pick a combination at first and asked me repeatedly what I would like to try. I pointed out that I had NO IDEA what the next step was to be and that as far as I could tell it was a hit-and-miss choice made by many others. There is no one program. I insisted on her recommendation or I would opt to stay on Sustiva.

Viramune was her choice. That combined with Epizcom. More tests in 6 weeks.

I also noted that there is a big push to get people off of disability and back to work. Sounds very "Bush" to me.

Oh yes, there was also a flyer posted on the entry table in the IM ward of Fairmont hospital (San Leandro, CA) that stated (on #3 of the items): "HIV no longer means a Death sentence". I complained to the staff and pointed out that it was false - that no one has been cured and if one does not take their meds the will die due to an HIV infection. I made it clear and the nurse on staff agreed. Please pass this on - watch out for it and protest it.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 8 replies

The Lexicon Of Love

spiken816 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:22:42 GMT

Who needs fiction when you've got politics? You really can't make this stuff up.

As Gov. Eliot Spitzer's (D-NY) political career comes to an end for his involvement with a prostitution ring, Sen. David Vitter, (R-LA) of "DC Madame" fame, plans to amend the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to reinsert the 33 percent abstinence-only earmark.

Sen. Vitter, not exactly a model for abstinence, or being faithful, has the audacity to put his hypocritical ideology ahead of evidence-based public health strategies that tell us abstinence-only should be removed from PEPFAR. He puts ideology ahead of his own reality in the ultimate paternalistic perversion of "do as I say, not as I do."

Yet Democrats and some advocates choose to compromise the lives of Africans by running from a fight with hypocritical social ideologues.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will mark-up its version of PEPFAR on Thursday. The House has delayed action on the floor until after Spring recess.

Sen. Barbra Boxer (D-CA) will offer an amendment allowing PEPFAR to refer clients with family planning needs to NGO's providing those services. Family planning will be added to services like nutrition, income assistance, primary health care, maternal and child health care, diagnosis and treatment of STI/STD's, substance abuse and legal services.

The goal of the Boxer amendment is to allow grant recipients to refer clients to these services provided by other NGO's so PEPFAR does not have to pay for them. Currently, family planning programs are often the first responders in the health care system for women and girls needing HIV prevention services, and should be supported by PEPFAR funds. But Congress has yet to indicate it will do that, so this basic referral is a step toward efficient delivery service that can save lives.

The Boxer Amendment improves on the House Bill in which Democrats compromised with the White House prior to committee action, complicating PEPFAR by adding the Global Gag Rule, and substituting behavior change language for ab-only earmarks instead of following the advice of public health experts from the Institutes of Medicine and many other organizations. Removing all complex ideologically-driven behavior change mandates, including the ab-only earmark, allows country level teams of public health experts to determine what works best in any community.

Instead the current bills allow hypocritical Congressmen in the "Emperor's Club" that the American political elite occupy, to determine that impoverished people should not have access to essential prevention and health services.

So far there seems to be no legislator courageous enough to remove the anti-prostitution pledge, effectively tying the hands of public health organizations from delivery services to this most vulnerable population. If you've not read Bill Smith's post from Zambia on this issue, please do.

With all this talk about politicians and $3500 prostitutes, surely there is someone who will stand up for impoverished women and girls in Africa to allow PEPFAR to educate and treat them for HIV/AIDS in order to slow its spread.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 3 replies

ICP 2.9 now available at Creampuff Revolution

Ron — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:34:12 GMT

Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP):

It is a tremendous pleasure to announce the publication of edition 2.9 of the ICP at the following link:

http://rosemaryrowe.typepad.com/creampuff_revolution/2008/03/creampuff-welco.html

Creampuff, a.k.a., Roro, who hails from Vancouver, is our first repeat host from Canada. I encourage you to bookmark this edition and visit it over time so that you can enjoy each of the contributions from the world of HIV/AIDS. I hope that you will also join me in thanking Roro for her work this month. We “met” about 2 years ago during the NHL Hockey Championship between Edmonton and the Carolina Hurricanes and have been fast friends since despite some rather competitive invocation of mojo to make our teams win the Stanley Cup. Roro’s sense of compassion combined with her sense of humor makes me quite happy to count her among my friends.

This 21st consecutive edition of the ICP features personal accounts, video, a special musical contribution from UK band Slovo, self-help information and the latest in news from the HIV/AIDS community. I hope that you will spend some time reading and that you will leave comments for the contributors. It is through your comments that we can hone our messages and learn how you feel about our work. Please feel free to leave your thoughts with each of the contributors and for our gracious host.

Next Edition

Please visit the ICP homepage to learn more about this project and how you can contribute here:

http://www.internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com .

We are now accepting submissions for edition 2.10 to be hosted here, at Mshairi:

http://www.mshairi.com/blog

This will be Mshairi’s first stint as host of the ICP although she has been a frequent contributor in the past. Mshairi’s edition will mark the first time that the ICP will have been hosted by an African host. If you like poetry, you should scroll through her blog. A selection of her poetry also appears at one of my favorite sites, The Other Voices Poetry International Project, an anthology of poetry from around the world that has been recognized by UNESCO, here:

http://www.othervoicespoetry.org

Mshairi's work appears under the title “Footprints” here:

http://othervoicespoetry.org/vol27/mshairi/index.html .

Contribute Your Work

Please join the growing community of contributors and hosts for this important international forum for genuine voices of AIDS. If you are interested in hosting the ICP, please email me at ron.hudson@verizon.net with the subject listed as “Volunteering to Host the ICP” and I will make the process for you as fun and rewarding as possible. We urgently need new volunteer hosts for the ICP editions after April, 2008. I will work with you to make the process as painless as it can be whether you are a first-time or returning host.

Please Share with Your Friends

Please share this notice with your friends and consider posting announcements of our link on your blogs and websites. Our continuing presence is bolstered by your participation and outreach. Please help spread the word.

To be Removed From or Added To the ICP mailing list:

Please email me at ron.hudson@verizon.net to be added to or removed from the ICP mailing list. Please include the word subscribe or unsubscribe in your subject line to indicate your intent. I will use your source email address as indicated in your note. If you did not receive notice of the ICP from me via direct email, then I do not have your email address in the mailing list. Please note that I can not remove an email address that does not exist on the mailing list. Your privacy is absolutely critical and no email addresses will be shared, sold or given to any other source. I use blind-copy distribution technology to prevent your identity from being revealed.

Peace to you and yours.

Safe Journeys!

Ron Hudson

2sides2ron http://www.ronhudson.blogspot.com
Poundcake Love http://www.poundcakelove.blogspot.com
The International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP)
http://www.internationalcarnivalofpozitivities.blogspot.com

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

Nanotechnology May Yield Long-Lasting Meds

Kaimalino — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:25:22 GMT

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_rilpivirine_nanoparticles_1667_13977.shtml

February 7, 2008
By Tim Horn, Senior Writer & Editor

Some of the most exciting news to emerge from the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) this week in Boston involved the fruitful discoveries stemming from the fusion of two modern sciences: drug discovery and nanotechnology. As was evident in a handful of presentations at CROI, nanoparticles are being used to develop long-acting antiretrovirals—and possibly other medications used to treat HIV-positive people—that may only need to be administered once every few weeks or months.

Nanoparticles are microscopic polymers that are already being used in the production of various consumer- and health-related products. In cancer research, nanoparticles are being studied for their ability to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumors, thereby targeting the efficacy of the drugs while potentially limiting side effects. And in HIV, nanoparticles have been eyed as a way to administer antiretrovirals that are released slowly into the body and do away with cumbersome daily dosing requirements.

In a Wednesday, February 6, presentation at CROI, researchers at Tibotec discussed their experiences using nanoparticles containing rilpivirine (TMC278), the company’s experimental non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Tibotec’s Gerben van t’Klooster said that rilpivirine’s already favorable pharmacokinetics—in first-time treatment takers, once-daily 75 mg doses of the drug are all that’s necessary to treat HIV infection—made it an ideal candidate to study as a long-acting agent using nanotechnology.

Tibotec has conducted preliminary research of nanoparticles containing rilpivirine in rats, dogs and humans. In all study subjects, the drug was injected, either subcutaneously (SC) or intramuscularly (IM). Once the drug-containing nanoparticles are deposited under the skin or in the muscle, they are slowly broken down, gradually releasing their pharmaceutical payload.

In animals, SC injections resulted in more stable blood levels of the drug. In humans, stable blood levels were achieved with both injection types. However, the researchers noted that injection-site reactions—redness, swelling and hard lumps—were frequently observed in dogs and humans receiving SC injections. These injection-site reactions were not seen with the use of IM injections.

In dogs, high concentrations of rilpivirine were seen for up to three months. Between the third and sixth month after the injections, the release of rilpivirine from the nanoparticles was complete.

In HIV-negative study volunteers, peak concentrations of rilpivirine were documented approximately three days after injecting doses ranging from 200 mg to 600 mg. Blood concentrations fell off by 60 percent by day 14, after which slow gradual decline was noted.

Dr. van t’Klooster said that his group would continue experimenting with long-lasting rilpivirine formulations—and possibly other long-lasting antiretrovirals to combine with it—as well as nanoparticle formulations of drugs that may be used to prevent HIV transmission.

Tibotec is not alone in its exploration of the potential synergy between nanotechnology and HIV drug development. Researchers at Creighton University in Omaha reported in a poster presentation at CROI that their test tube studies involving nanoparticles containing the NNRTI efavirenz and the protease inhibitors lopinavir and ritonavir were successful.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 12 replies

NNRTI"s

timothyb — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:11:31 GMT

I was reading BETA and noticed there are three or four drugs in the pipeline to replace current NNRTI's like Viramune, Sustaiva, and Rescriptor.. The new NNRTI's have less side effects and less susceptibility for cross resistance... Etravirine (Intelence) and Rilipirvirine(TMC 278) are in third phase studies and are coming to a drugstore near you..

I've been taking Viramune for 10 years now and my liver would like a short break =D

BETA is a good read for those interested in what's coming down the pipeline..

http://www.sfaf.org/beta though they don't have the current Winter 08 issue up on the site yet..

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 2 replies

Big Brother, we're watching you...

timothyb — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:19:23 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNOfEGNpo8U

Wait for the 3 minute mark for some illuminating remarks about gay sex..

Some folks need to be edjumacated!

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 0 replies

barack obama's open letters to GLBT people

henryphillip — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:00:52 GMT

for what it's worth, he's pretty much the first presidential candidate who's bitten off this item and tried to specifically reach out to us:

Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT community

I'm running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all – a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.

Equality is a moral imperative. That's why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.

The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.

We also need a president who's willing to confront the stigma – too often tied to homophobia – that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones – and that's what I've done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign – from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.

Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.

Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 5 replies

Reminder

spiken816 — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:20:42 GMT

obviously there are some people out there who have things they need to work out within themselves. i want to take this time to remind everyone what this tribe is about.

this tribe is not for the purpose of spewing negativity towards others who are members here and it will not be tolerated

everyone is entitled to their opinion, and whether we agree with them or not, a person should not be attacked for what they feel is right. you can disagree diplomatically or just realize that you can agree to disagree and move on without setting someone aflame

this is also not a sex tribe. if you are on the prowl, do not post personal ads here. you can find hookups online elsewhere, including one of the numerous tribes geared specifically towards that purpose. there is a Private Message capability built into the functionality of this site. if you want to hook up with someone, I suggest you initiate contact via PM

if you can't be respectful of everyone else here, be gone, or you will be helped out.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 10 replies

Dead!

timothyb — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:44:32 GMT

William F. Buckley:

Back in the beginning of the AIDS crisis, Buckley suggested all HIV+ Americans get visibly tattoo to warn and protect the public. Very soon after this Machiavellian suggestion, Buckley had a biopsy sent to a laboratory where an AIDS activist from ACT-UP was a technician. When becoming aware it was Buckley’s biopsy, the diagnosis of “Kaposi Sarcoma” was sent out. To Buckley’s horror, that he may have contracted an AIDS related cancer, he was re-biopsied and coincidentally, the same lab tech received the specimen and the same diagnosis was sent.

posted in ! The HIV Experience ! - 1 reply

GIFT Giving...

spiken816 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:28:36 GMT

SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- The estate of Ric Weiland, a high school classmate of Microsoft Corp. founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen and one of the first five people to work at the software giant, has left $65 million to gay rights and HIV/AIDS organizations.

Ric Weiland, an early Microsoft employee, who left $65 million to gay rights and HIV/AIDS organizations.

The bequests were announced Sunday by the Pride Foundation of Seattle, where Weiland was a board member for several years. The foundation called it the largest single bequest ever given to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender causes.

Gates and Allen hired Weiland in 1975, the year they founded Microsoft. He worked as a project leader for the Microsoft Works word processing and spreadsheet software, and was a lead programmer and developer for the company's BASIC and COBOL systems, two of the first personal computing interfaces. He left Microsoft in 1988.

Weiland donated tens of millions to various organizations -- from gay rights groups to environmental and education organizations -- before he died in 2006. He committed suicide at age 53 after a long battle with depression, and survivors include his partner, Mike Schaefer.

The $65 million is among bequests totaling about $160 million -- the bulk of Weiland's estate -- to various charities and Stanford University, his undergraduate alma mater, according to an estimate provided by the Pride Foundation.

In the latest bequest, the Pride Foundation said Weiland's estate had established a fund at the foundation that would give $46 million over the next eight years to 10 national gay rights and HIV/AIDS groups, including Lambda Legal; the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays; the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; and amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.

His estate also bequeathed $19 million directly to the Pride Foundation for scholarships and grants supporting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the Pacific Northwest.

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