AIDS Weekly articles from September 2003

AIDS Weekly archives from September 2003

HIV nef gene linked to vertical transmission.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The HIV nef gene appears to play a key role in mother-to-child transmission of the virus. HIV nef "is conserved among members of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses and may play an important...

TNF-alpha-inducible mutation in interferon gamma gene linked to rapid HIV progression.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A TNF-alpha-inducible mutation in the IFNG gene is linked to rapid disease progression in HIV patients. "A polymorphism, -179G/T, in the promoter of the interferon (IFN)-gamma gene (IFNG) confers...

Novel SHIV chimera may improve simian HIV models.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel SHIV strain may improve simian model of HIV infection. In a recent study from Japan, "a new simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) chimera with the reverse transcriptase (RT)-encoding...

Novel less-sensitive EIA may improve HIV infection tracking.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel immunoassay may improve epidemiological tracking of HIV infection. "The sensitive/less-sensitive (S/LS) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) testing strategy for discriminating 'early' from...

Novel stavudine derivatives synthesized.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A series of novel stavudine derivatives has been developed and tested for anti-HIV activity "The synthesis and biological evaluation of a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexene nucleoside designed as a...

Proflavine disrupts HIV Rev protein activity.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The novel antiretroviral agent proflavine efficiently disrupts the activity of the HIV Rev protein. "Rev is an essential regulatory HIV-1 protein that binds the Rev responsive element (RRE) within...

Research hampered by shortage of monkeys.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A nationwide shortage of rhesus macaque monkeys is hampering efforts to create cures from new information such as the human genome sequence, organ transplant techniques, and the use of stem cells to...

Novel DSTP derivative inhibits growth of HIV and herpesviruses.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel DSTP derivative strongly inhibits the cellular activity of HIV and a variety of herpesviruses. According to a study from Germany, "N,N'-bisheteryl derivatives of dispirotripiperazine (DSTP)...

FDA license granted for new HIV test kit.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., (BIO, BIO.B) has received a license from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its HIV-1/HIV-2 PLUS O EIA test kit used for diagnostic testing and the screening of blood...

Novel HIV-based cDNA cloning system may aid genetic research.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel HIV-based cDNA cloning system may aid genetic research. "Expression cloning of cDNAs is a powerful tool with which to identify genes based on their specific functional properties,"...

Pharmaceutical firm to help state AIDS programs.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) announced an agreement with the state-administered AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) to provide interim emergency relief to help address the funding crisis facing...

Grants to fund rapid, portable detection systems for HIV, blood lead.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Alderon Biosciences of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, announced the award of two new research grants. As the original developer and manufacturer of the LeadCare, a U.S. Food and Drug...

Kappa-opioid, prostanoid EP3 receptors mediate HIV gp120-induced allodynia.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Kappa-opioid and prostanoid EP3 receptors mediate pain caused by the HIV coat protein. "HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 administered intrathecally induces tactile pain (allodynia) in animals," scientists...

SPECT imaging may replace liver biopsies in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- SPECT imaging may offer a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsies in HIV patients with hepatitis C. "Performing a liver biopsy in patients infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is...

Finger-stick HIV test is accurate and acceptable to women in Thailand.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A rapid, accurate whole-blood finger-stick test for HIV antibody has been developed that is acceptable among women in Northern Thailand. According to recent research published in JAIDS - Journal of...

Resistance mutation patterns different in subtype B and E HIV strains.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The pattern of drug resistance mutations varies by HIV subtype. "An increasing number of HIV-1-infected patients living in developing countries now have access to antiretroviral drugs," scientists...

Prevalence of HIV infection increasing in older Americans.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The prevalence of HIV infection is increasing among older Americans. According to a study from the United States, "In the past 11 years, the cumulative number of AIDS cases reported to the Centers...

Small interfering RNAs protect stem cells from HIV infection.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Hematopoietic stem cells transduced with antiviral RNA become resistant to HIV infection. "The phenomenon of RNA interference mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) is a potent gene-silencing...

Anti-gp41 antibody and interleukin-16 have synergistic anti-HIV effects.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The cytokine interleukin (IL)-16 and an antibody targeting the HIV gp41 protein have synergistic antiviral effects. "HIV-1 replication is inhibited in T cells transfected with an anti-gp41 single...

Neuronal heat shock defenses not activated by HIV gp120.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The HIV coat glycoprotein gp120 does not activate neuronal heat shock defenses. HIV gp120 "can damage CNS neurons," scientists in California noted. "This appears to mostly involve an indirect...

EGFR is a human cytomegalovirus receptor.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- EGFR acts as a cellular cytomegalovirus receptor. "Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widespread opportunistic herpesvirus that causes severe and fatal diseases in immune-compromised individuals,...

Neutralizing antibodies don't prevent gB2 CMV reactivation in HIV patients.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Neutralizing antibodies fail to prevent gB2 CMV reactivation in HIV patients. "The incidence of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) genotype gB2 (UL55) is high in patients with human immunodeficiency virus...

Substance P expression linked to diarrhea severity during cryptosporidiosis.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Substance P (SP) expression is linked to diarrhea severity in cryptosporidiosis patients. "Cryptosporidiosis, caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, is self-limited in immunocompetent hosts but may cause...

Downregulation of cell surface CD4 needed for efficient HIV replication.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- CD4 downregulation by HIV-infected cells is needed for efficient viral replication. "Downregulation of virus receptors on the cell surface is considered to be important in preventing...

No direct interaction between Sp1 and HIV Tat proteins.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The interaction between the human transcription factor Sp1 and the HIV Tat protein after infection is mediated by other (as yet unknown) molecules. "The role of Sp1 in regulating the transactivating...

Sexual behavior labels usefulness limited in sexually active gay men.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Sexual behavior labels have limited usefulness in HIV-positive men who have sex with men. According to recent research from the United States, "Relatively little attention has been paid to the use...

HIV p24 levels linked to CD4 count change in successfully treated patients.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- HIV p24 levels are linked to changes in CD4+ T-cell counts in successfully treated patients. According to published research from Switzerland, "an HIV-1 p24 antigen test involving signal...

Markers of abacavir allergy versus influenza virus infection identified.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Symptoms useful for distinguishing between influenza virus infection and allergic reactions to the anti-HIV drug abacavir have been identified. "Differentiation between abacavir hypersensitivity and...

Novel HEPT analogs show improved antiretroviral activity.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A series of HEPT derivatives have improved antiretroviral activity compared to their parent compounds. In a recent study from China, "1-Alkoxymethyl-5-alkyl-6-naphthylmethyl uracils, which are...

Means of HIV transmission does not affect disease course.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The means of HIV transmission does not appear to affect the risk of disease progression or mortality. "Several reports on the course and progression of HIV infection with regard to the mode of...

Sexual transmission, not medical injections, main route of HIV spread in Zimbabwe.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Sexual transmission - rather than clinical injection - is the main route of HIV spread in Zimbabwe. "Medical injections have recently been suggested to cause a large proportion of African HIV...

Active case-finding needed to identify HIV patients with TB in Africa.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Active case-finding is needed to improve identification of HIV patients coinfected with tuberculosis in Africa. "HIV markedly increases the risk of tuberculosis," scientists explained. J....

BlockAide trial to begin in fourth quarter; scientific advisory board formed.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Adventrx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (AVRX) announced the formation of its new scientific advisory board, consisting of three well-known academic experts in the areas of anticancer and antiviral development....

Tat-expressing Sendai viral vector-booster does not increase protection.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- No significant enhancement of protection by Tat-expressing Sendai viral vector-booster occurred in a macaque AIDS model. According to a study from Japan, "We previously developed a...

South Africa's health ministry to work up plan for distributing AIDS drugs.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The South African government, under pressure to take stronger action against its AIDS pandemic, instructed the health ministry to develop a plan for distributing AIDS drugs. About one in nine South...

Herpesvirus 8 infection linked to hepatitis B and HIV infections in Ugandans.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Human herpesvirus 8 infection was associated with hepatitis B and HIV infections in Ugandan blood donors. According to recent research from the United States, "Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is...

E Med Future begins NeedleZap distribution in Uganda.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- E Med Future, Inc., (EMDF), a Columbus, Ohio-based manufacturer of NeedleZap, a medical device that disintegrates used hypodermic needles, announced the company's expansion into Uganda through its...

Patent pending for antibodies to treat solid organ, cell transplant rejection.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Advanced Biotherapy, Inc., (ADVB) announced that it has a patent application pending for the use of antibodies to gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and both...

Activists oppose state proposal to report names of HIV patients.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A state proposal to collect the names of all those who test positive for the HIV virus has drawn fire from AIDS and gay rights activists, who say patients may be afraid to seek testing and treatment if...

Pregnancy centers initiate program to reduce spread of STDs.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Community Pregnancy Centers (CPC) have launched a new program designed to educate and assist current Bay Area residents in reducing the number of sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases through...

Report finds low condom use, HIV testing in NYC.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A new report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that 42% of New Yorkers with multiple sexual partners said they did not use a condom the last time they had sex. The...

HIV-1-infected children have impaired immunological memory.
September 1, 2003... 2003 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- HIV-infected children who were immunized with "Haemophilus influenzae vaccine exhibited impaired immunological memory. According to a study from Greece, "Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)...

Most resistance to anti-HIV drugs created by good pill-taking patients.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Resistance mutations to anti-HIV medications are more likely to occur in patients who take most of their medications rather than in those who don't, according to AIDS specialists at the University of...

DIS stem loop not needed for HIV replication in PBMCs.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Contrary to conventional wisdom, the HIV DIS stem loop is not needed for viral replication in some cell types. "Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) contains two copies of genomic RNA that...

Structure of intracellular HIV reverse transcription complexes described.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The structure of intracellular HIV reverse transcription complexes has been characterized. "Retroviruses copy their RNA genome into a DNA molecule, but little is known of the structure of the...

Indirect IMGU measures not reliable in diabetic HIV patients.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Indirect IMGU measures can be unreliable in diabetic HIV patients. "Various indirect indices have been used in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals to assess insulin resistance,...

Murine CEM15 strongly inhibits wild-type HIV replication.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The murine version of a human protein strongly inhibits HIV replication. "The HIV-1 accessory protein Vif (virion infectivity factor) is required for the production of infectious virions by CD4+...

AMPLICOR, Quantiplex HIV assays suitable for use in Portugal.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AMPLICOR and Quantiplex HIV assays are suitable for use with children in Portugal. In a recent study, "the viral load assays AMPLICOR HIV-1 Monitor Test 1.5, Nuclisens HIV-1 QT, and Quantiplex HIV...

WHO promotes 100% condom use among sex workers in Asia.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- In an effort to slow the spread of AIDS in Asia, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently met in Laos to promote its policy of 100% condom use among sex workers. The 4-day meeting was held in...

Ethics of Botswana AIDS vaccine trials not assured, group says.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A Botswana human rights organization has criticized the government for not passing legislation protecting people participating in HIV/AIDS vaccine trials. Alice Mogwe, director of the Botswana...

Clinical trial to evaluate Viread and Emtriva versus Combivir.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Gilead Sciences (GILD) announced that the company has initiated enrollment in Study 934. This phase III study is designed to assess the efficacy of a once-daily regimen containing Viread (tenofovir...

Company puts focus on acquiring new technologies, initiating R&D.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- CytRx Corp. (CYTR), a biopharmaceutical company, announced financial results for the 3-month and 6-month periods ended June 30, 2003. For the second quarter of 2003, the company reported a net loss...

Natural mutation in HIV Tat enhances viral genome expression.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A mutation in HIV Tat has been found to enhance viral genome expression. "A natural amino acid substitution in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transcriptional activator Tat...

VScan test kits shipped to India, Thailand.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Medical Services International, Inc., (MSITF) said that, as a result of its recently signed sales agreement with Global Connect Technologies Corporation for India and Thailand, that the VScan rapid test...

NIH awards HIV vaccine development grant.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- As part of a multi-institutional $16 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), scientists in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory University...

Standard HIV tests show inaccurately low viral loads in patients with non-B serotypes.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Standard HIV tests often show an inaccurately low viral load in patients with non-B serotypes. "In a suburban teaching hospital clinic," scientists in Massachusetts "diagnosed human...

CD28 and ligands involved in AIDS- and EBV-associated lymphoma development.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The CD28 molecule appears to play a key role in the development of AIDS- and EBV-associated lymphoma. According to recent research from the United States, "CD28, which is expressed on most T cells,...

Versant HCV RNA 3.0v assay valuable for measuring HCV RNA levels in HIV patients.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel Versant HCV RNA assay is valuable for measuring HCV RNA levels in coinfected HIV patients. In a recent study from Italy, "the new generation assay Versant HCV RNA 3.0v (Bayer Diagnostics)...

Field evaluation of mobility assay for subtyping of HIV-1 described.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Field evaluation of the gag-based heteroduplex mobility assay for genetic subtyping of circulating recombinant forms of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 described in the Ivory Coast. According...

Oral HIV testing can increase belief in disease transmission through saliva.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Oral HIV testing can spread unfounded beliefs about viral transmission. In a recent study, scientists in Connecticut "assessed the effects of oral HIV testing on the belief that HIV can be...

HIV M184V mutation linked to viroimmunologic discordant response to HAART.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The M184V mutation in HIV reverse transcriptase is linked to a viroimmunologically discordant response to treatment. "Whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) should be modified in...

Standardized editing guidelines needed for HIV genotyping.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Standardized editing guidelines are needed for scientists performing HIV genotyping. "Sequencing-based human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genotyping assays require subjective interpretation...

With the help of P-TEFb, HIV Tat can activate latent viral reservoirs.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- With the help of P-TEFb, the HIV Tat protein can activate latent viral reservoirs. "The persistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in optimally treated infected individuals poses a major...

Early azole therapy effective against disseminated aspergillosis.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Early azole therapy is effective against disseminated aspergillosis in a novel murine model. According to published research from India, "the aim of this investigation was to create a reproducible...

Novel molecular assay improves clinical CMV genotyping.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel molecular assay may improve genotyping of CMV strains in AIDS patients. This "highly sensitive multiplex nested PCR assay has been developed for the simultaneous glycoprotein B (gB) typing...

Cholesterol depletion of lipid rafts inactivates HIV virions.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cholesterol depletion of lipid rafts can inactivate HIV virions. "Recent evidence suggests that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles assemble and bud selectively through areas in...

HIV transframe protein helps maintain dimerization in mutant protease.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The HIV transframe protein helps maintain dimerization activity in mutant protease (PR). HIV PR "is essential for viral replication: this aspartyl protease, active only as a dimer, is responsible...

Key side chains involved in HIV CA dimerization identified.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Key side chains involved in HIV CA dimerization have been identified. "Homo-dimerization of the capsid protein CA of human immunodeficiency virus through its C-terminal domain constitutes an early...

Novel HIV protease inhibitor highly active against PI-resistant viruses.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel HIV protease inhibitor is highly active against drug-resistant viral strains. "A biaryl pyridylfuran P-3 substituent on the hydroxyethylene isostere scaffold affords HIV protease inhibitors...

Novel amprenavir prodrug shows promise.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel prodrug of the antiretroviral agent amprenavir shows promise. Scientists in the United States have "developed a new approach to prodrugs, which utilizes a pH-induced intramolecular O-->N...

Unusual inflammatory PML seen in HIV patient on antiretroviral treatment.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- An unusual case of inflammatory PML has been observed in an HIV patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy. In a recent study from Germany, "a case of biopsy verified progressive multifocal...

Infection of macaques with SIV induces species-specific antibody response.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Infection of macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus induces a species-specific antibody response to major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules. According to a study from...

gp120 Thai E and SF2 vaccines elicits immune response in healthy Thai adults.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A combination of the gp120 Thai E and SF2 vaccines elicited a strong immune response in healthy Thai adults and should be considered for phase 3 clinical testing. According to recent research from...

BAFF protects Ig-producing plasmablasts arising from memory B cells.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The cytokine BAFF protects immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing plasmablasts arising from memory B cells. "The generation of Ig-secreting cells (ISCs) from memory B cells requires interactions between...

Biologist finds HIV gene makes a human gene turn bad.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A human gene named ATR normally protects people by preventing the replication of cells damaged by radiation or toxic chemicals. Now, Utah and New York researchers have discovered how a gene in the AIDS...

IBM to help find genetic links to immune system diseases.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center announced that its researchers are using IBM technology to help discover why some people are more susceptible than others to infectious and autoimmune diseases,...

Study finds no harm to HIV patients with short-term medical cannabis.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- University of California San Francisco (UCSF) researchers found no harmful changes in HIV virus levels in patients on combination antiretroviral therapy in a safety study looking at both smoked...

Researcher working on medical patch to deliver marijuana-like drug.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A University of Kentucky pharmacy researcher is working to create a prescription patch to deliver marijuana-like chemicals to ease nausea and stimulate appetite in people with AIDS and cancer. The...

Collaborative effort focuses on AIDS in Africa.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amid the human catastrophe that is AIDS in Africa, the absence of health care systems and practices that are taken for granted in other parts of the world routinely hampers efforts to care for patients...

Human trials begin on DB289 to treat PCP in AIDS patients.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Immtech International, Inc., (IMM) announced that the company commenced a phase IIb human clinical trial of an oral drug, DB289, to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). PCP is a fungus that...

HRSA awards $600,000 "twinning" grant to fight HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced a $600,000 Caribbean "twinning" program grant to Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, to improve the delivery and quality...

Kids with sick parents have normal rate of illness complaints.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Young people whose parents have HIV or AIDS are no more likely to develop physical symptoms of illness than their peers are, according to a recent study of New York families. "Even after a year of...

Scientists detect antibody link in viral infections.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, are unlocking the underlying mechanisms behind viral infections, which may help doctors one day detect and control viruses behind...

HIV-related mortality rate rising for pregnant women in South Africa.
September 8, 2003... 2003 SEP 8 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The risk of HIV-related mortality may be rising for pregnant women in South Africa. In a recent study, physicians "investigated maternal mortality at the Johannesburg Hospital, a 1100-bed academic...