MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'aids/hiv'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:58:12 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4821151&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FhvNfgdpH4DY%2F This study confirms that getting people on treatment sooner rather than later, could break the back of the epidemic. Here in Khayelitsha, South Africa, we are seeing early signs that HIV infections have been on the decline since the introduction of large-scale HIV/AIDS programs that have put many people on treatment. This means that treatment is a form of prevention,” says Gilles van Cutsem, DWB’s medical coordinator in South Africa. “The bottom line is that this new research shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” These 11 HIV drugs were used in various combinations: •atazanavir (300 mg once daily) •didanosine (400 mg once daily) •efavirenz (600 mg once daily) •emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (200 mg emtricitabine/300 mg tenofovir... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4821151 Thu, 12 May 2011 16:28:39 +0100 4821151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813668&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FHnEthXoRVjU%2F Nearly a month has passed without a recall from Johnson & Johnson. This may cause recall withdrawal - pun intended - among those closely tracking the plethora of goods the health care giant has yanked over the past year; over-the-counter meds, hip replacement devices, contact lenses, prescription drugs and surgical sutures. But never fear. Bill Weldon may still be ceo, but the problems continue. Today, the Johnson & Johnson is recalling lots comprising an estimated 2,000 or so bottles of its Prezista HIV 400mg med after consumers noticed a musty odor emanating from the packaging. The recalls are taking place in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Canada. Why? Johnson & Johnson points to trace amounts of TBA found in bottles sourced from a common supplier (see the stateme... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813668 Wed, 11 May 2011 14:09:09 +0100 4813668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775399&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F05%2F02%2Fhivaids-in-africa-caused-through-doctors-vaccinating-with-contaminated-needles%2F In 1998 the San Francisco Chronicle published an article by Reynolds Holding and William Carlsen entitled ‘DEADLY NEEDLES Fast Track to Global Disaster’. The article describes how children in Nairobi were combing through piles of rubbish in search of used hypodermic syringes to sell to private clinics in Kenya and India. A photo of a small child surrounded by filth and squalor holding a used syringe, complete with needle, to sell to private clinics is the powerful image used for the piece. The caption reads: “Nairobi child scavenges for used syringes. Private clinics sometimes buy them. “It’s a big secret,” said trash worker Jeremiah Musyimi.“ The authors reported news of an internal World Health Organization study which had revealed that every year as... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775399 Mon, 02 May 2011 14:32:26 +0100 4775399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696657&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F5kxJsutsgug%2Fmargulis_does_it_again.php We all know of once-respected scientists who ended up going off the deep end, adhering to an unproven idea despite massive evidence to the contrary. Linus Pauling and his advocacy of megadoses of Vitamin C, or Peter Duesberg's descent into HIV denial. It's all the more disappointing when the one taking a dive is a woman, since there are, compared to men, relatively fewer female "big names" in the sciences. So when one goes from views that were, perhaps, outside of the mainstream (but later proven largely correct) to complete science denialism, it makes it all the more depressing. Even worse, mainstream popular science magazines like Scientific American (with this article by Peter Duesberg) and Discover (Duesberg again) give these ideas reputable press. And now Discover has done it again by... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696657 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4696657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664477&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F0PSQdhxfE7c%2F Several dozen people protested around London earlier today over the ongoing refusal by Johnson & Johnson to partipicate in the Medicines Patent Pool, which is an initiative designed to streamline patent licensing for producing generics of patented HIV meds and offering lower prices in poor countries. Unlike several other drugmakers that have agreed to hold talks, Johnson & Johnson’s Tibotec unit has not agreed to negotiate and recently struck a separate licensing deal with several generic drugmakers to make, market and distribute an investigational an HIV med in India, sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries. The move has been interpreted by some as a way to undermine the MPP initiative (see this). The talks with the other drugmakers, meanwhile, got under way recently... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664477 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:11:15 +0100 4664477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615102&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmolecular-condoms-and-controlling-the-spread-of-hivaids-in-women%2F2011.03.19 National Women and Girls AIDS Awareness Day, a nationwide observance that raises awareness and promotes action in the fight against HIV/AIDS, took place on March 10. As the nation turns its attention to this important cause, women and girls around the world continue to be affected by HIV/AIDS in high numbers. According to reports from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive age across the globe. HIV is a virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, a disease that diminishes the body’s ability to fight off infection. Unprotected intercourse is the primary way HIV is spread, but it can also be shared through IV drug use, blood transfusion or from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615102 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4615102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377788&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FLVa0QUUikmo%2F A year after UNITAID approved an international patent pool to bolster access to needed HIV and AIDS meds in developing countries (read here), the US government has gotten behind the initiative and is now urging the World Health Organization to embrace the concept. The move, which comes three months after the National Institutes of Health signed on by licensing a drug (back story), was disclosed in this statement delivered earlier this week by Nils Daulaire, director of the Office of Global Health Affairs at the US Department of Health and Human Services, who was speaking to the WHO’s executive board. In his remarks, Daulaire noted that differential pricing “does not always have the impact on the pricing of medicines that robust generic competition does, but the patent pool &#82... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377788 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:03:10 +0100 4377788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214123&cid=t_351163_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FumKW6D_Fh9Q%2F Wednesday, December 1st is World AIDS Day --- a day to raise awareness for the ongoing AIDs pandemic around the world and to remember the past. I spent 3 months in Zambia in 2002, a time that really opened my eyes up to what AIDS was doing to the world. Much has changed since then, yet the disaster continues and the burden of AIDS has now persisted for 3 decades. This is what I wrote about my experience and views on the AIDS crisis in Zambia back in 2002. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214123 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:17:29 +0100 4214123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3899419&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F7R3SiuCCZ94%2Ftwittering_in_the_classroom.php Readers may be interested in participating in this, from Dave Wessner at Davidson College: Building on a project I piloted last fall, I will explore the potential role of Twitter more intentionally this fall in a course I teach on HIV/AIDS at Davidson College. I invite you to join me in this exploration. Here are a few details: Basically, I am interested in extending the class conversation outside the classroom walls and beyond the appointed class hours. I want the students to begin thinking on their own about what aspects of the subject (HIV/AIDS, in this case) truly interest them. I want to move away from the professor as purveyor of all information model. I want students to improve their ability to critically analyze information from disparate sources. With Twitter, students can gath... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3899419 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:13:58 +0100 3899419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790666&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fnew-vaginal-gel-helps-prevent-hiv-infection%2F AIDS researchers have finally developed a vaginal gel that can help protect women against HIV infection, after years of failed clinical trials. The husband-and-wife team, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, PhD, and Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PHD, of the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and Columbia University, announced their progress at the start of the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria last week. The gel, which uses an anti-HIV drug called tenofivir, only offers limited protection: It offers about 39% protection, and according to Quarraisha Abdool Karim, it can offer about 54% protection for women who are highly adherent. The gel is meant to be applied 12 hours before having sex and 12 hours after having sex, and isn’t meant to be used mor... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790666 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:21:00 +0100 3790666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3732931&cid=t_351163_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2F3ti2E5M06Sc%2F Readers of virology blog often request explanations of specific experimental techniques. Methods such as complement fixation, deep sequencing, ELISA, PCR and many others are frequently mentioned on this blog without discussion. To do so would interrupt the scientific discourse and make for lengthly posts. To remedy this shortcoming, I have added a new tab to the first page of virology blog called Virology Toolbox. This page will be populated with explanations of experimental techniques used for the study of viruses. Today’s technique is the western blot. Western blot analysis (also known as immunoblotting) is used to detect a specific protein in a cell, tissue, organ, or body fluid. The technique depends on the reaction of an antibody with a protein that is immobilized on a thin memb... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3732931 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:59:34 +0100 3732931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629602&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fannie-lennox-for-the-join-united-nations-program-on-aidshiv-daily-do-gooder%2F Annie Lennox was named the International Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Program on AIDS/HIV (UNAIDS). She plans to be a special advocate for women and girls, promoting gender equality and education to better empower women to protect themselves against HIV. Post from: BlissTree Annie Lennox for the Join United Nations Program on AIDS/HIV: Daily Do-Gooder (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629602 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:30:37 +0100 3629602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538384&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FoV2lnj4DpJk%2F The ruling came after challenges that claimed the patent on the Valcyte AIDS med was awarded improperly three years ago and, moreover, lacked the necessary innovation to prove therapeutic efficacy over existing drugs and qualify for marketing exclusivity. Patient groups, which argued the Valcyte was an old form of a new drug, were motivated by what they called exorbitant pricing. “This shows patents are being granted without proper examination,” says Anand Grover, who fought the case on behalf of two HIV patient groups. Loon Gangte, of the DNP patient group adds that “we are very happy that the Chennai patent office has set a good precedent that patient groups are interested parties. Finally, it has been recognized that patients who are adversely affected by the high prices of medici... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538384 Thu, 06 May 2010 12:47:22 +0100 3538384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487094&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F_vvU_G5LT10%2Fhivaids_prevention_time_for_ch.php Student guest post by Francis Mawanda. HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem worldwide. To date, it is estimated that more than 60 million people have been infected with HIV and more than 25 million people have died as a result of HIV/AIDS worldwide1. Despite the high prevalence and mortality rates that are associated with HIV/AIDS, and after more than 29 years of aggressive research efforts, there is still no cure or vaccine to prevent against HIV/AIDS. And although the introduction of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the mid 1990s greatly improved the outlook, health and quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS, ARV drugs are associated with issues of viral resistance, serious side effects and high costs which render them unavailable in developing countries with the greatest HIV... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487094 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:10:11 +0100 3487094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463791&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35262&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsurvivinghiv.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fupdate-on-medicares-decision-to-help.html (Source: Nelson Vergel's HIV Blog) Nelson Vergel's HIV Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463791 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:35:00 +0100 3463791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231759&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35262&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsurvivinghiv.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Flecture-survivor-health-wisdom-strive.html (Source: Nelson Vergel's HIV Blog) Nelson Vergel's HIV Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231759 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:23:00 +0100 3231759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100305&cid=t_351163_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FmFvypk-3ps8%2F In the summer of 1989, two papers about viruses were published in high-profile journals. One described the engineering of a recombinant poliovirus bearing on its surface an antigen from HIV-1. The second paper claimed that transgenic mice could be made by adding DNA to sperm before using them to fertilize eggs. Both reports played a role in a television interview I did with Earl Ubell of CBS News. I was reading the Cell paper describing a new way to make transgenic mice when I received a call from CBS News. They wanted me to comment on a report that had just been released by the journal Nature, describing the production of a recombinant poliovirus bearing an antigen from HIV-1. When rabbits were inoculated with the recombinant poliovirus (the authors called it a chimeric virus), antibodies... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100305 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:31:12 +0100 3100305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089551&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FYnD3uuYiKX8%2F Amid ongoing controversy, UNITAID has signed off on a patent pool that will start operating in mid-2010 with $4 million. Drugmakers will be asked to place patents for 19 HIV meds into a pool that could be licensed to select generic makers, which would pay inventors a small royalty and sell copycats only in certain developing countries. Presumably, prices would fall sharply, but inventors would still get some revenue. “This is an historic day,” Philippe Douste-Blazy, who chairs UNITAID’s executive board, in a statement. “UNITAID has now put in place a mechanism that will make medical advances work for the poor, while compensating companies for sharing their technology.” But hard work is still ahead. UNITAID hopes the pool will facilitate development of fixed-dose cominbation... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089551 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:30:50 +0100 3089551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071155&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fsw7IBW4Idyw%2F The following guest post by Peg Willingham, Senior Director for External Affairs for Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Shortly, I will be heading to Cancun, Mexico, for the 40th Union World Conference on Tuberculosis and Lung Health.  The meeting will bring together hundreds of dedicated researchers, project implementers, World Health Organization officials and advocates who have committed themselves to stopping tuberculosis, which is second only to HIV/AIDS as the most infectious disease killer globally.  Yet decades after the first meeting of this august body, we are still using the same outdated, inefficient and marginally effective tools to fight TB.  M... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071155 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:58:39 +0100 3071155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044713&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8089 Just a reminder that today, December 1, is World Aids Day A Wolfram Alpha search shows that AIDS in Malaysia - causes 2184 deaths a year - or 9 deaths per 100,000 persons a year If you want to get involved or know more, visit the Malaysian AIDS Council Website This World AIDS Day, save a life! from the Malaysian Medical Resources World AIDS Day 2009 (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044713 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3044713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3016936&cid=t_351163_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FrnCcpjG082c%2F 1. Some parasitic wasps lay eggs in caterpillars, where they mature into adult wasps. The wasp eggs contain a virus, encoded in the wasp genome, which prevents the caterpillar from rejecting the eggs. 2. There are a million virus particles per milliliter of seawater – for a global total of 1030 virions! Lined up end to end, they would stretch 200 light years into space. 3. The genetic information of viruses can be DNA or RNA; single or double stranded; one molecule or in pieces. 4. The name virus was coined from the Latin word meaning slimy liquid or poison. 5. Walter Reed discovered the first human virus, yellow fever virus, in 1901. 6. Viruses are not alive – they are inanimate complex organic matter. They lack any form of energy, carbon metabolism, and cannot replicate or evolve. Vi... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3016936 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:22:16 +0100 3016936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2883212&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FWuMqHNs49Bs%2F Questions over undisclosed study results, as it turns out, aren’t confined to companies that make medicines. An interesting piece in The Wall Street Journal reports that researchers from the U.S. Army and Thailand didn’t publicly disclose a second analysis of the first vaccine that provided some protection against HIV, and this analysis suggested the results may have been a fluke. Why? It showed the results weren’t statistically significant, meaning they may have been due to change and the vaccine may not be effective. The additional data were available to the researchers on Sept. 24 when they announced the results, but they chose not to disclose them, Jerome Kim, a scientist with the U.S. Army who was involved in the study, told the paper. News of the second analysis was... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2883212 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:41:30 +0100 2883212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828478&cid=t_351163_167_f&fid=36988&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.happynutritionistsnuggets.com%2F2009%2F09%2Favoiding-need-for-hiv-or-aids-vaccine.html Research is a wonderful thing, and to wake up to news that some progress has been made toward a vaccine for a disease as terrible as AIDS is encouraging, but the results of a study done in Thialand are quite modest. There were about 16,000 participants in the study within an age range of about 18-30, all HIV negative when they started. About 1/2 were given a placebo, and the other half a mixture of vaccines. About 50 in the vaccinated group eventually got HIV while in the placebo group, about 74 got the disease. Is this a dramatic? I'm inclined to say no, but I'm not a scientist and don't know every detail that goes into a study (a lot of money for sure), so cannot judge. My focus is always more toward prevention.STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) are not something I spend a lot of time... Happy Nutritionist's Nuggets blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828478 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:45:00 +0100 2828478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2527467&cid=t_351163_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Finsomnia-hiv.html Today is National HIV Testing Day. The CDC estimates that 1.1 million adults and teens in the U.S. were living with HIV at the end of 2006. Twenty-one percent of these people had not been diagnosed.A review in the June 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reports that insomnia is common in people with HIV. Some studies estimate that as many as 70 percent of people with HIV have insomnia at some point during their illness. Research also suggests that HIV may directly lead to changes in sleep.Insomnia can reduce the quality of life of people who are HIV positive. It also can have a negative effect on their adherence to HIV treat­ment.The review reports that few studies have evaluated insomnia treatments in people with HIV. One study tested a five-week acupuncture interventi... Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2527467 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:24:00 +0100 2527467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2416822&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6997 Just reading a book review in Nature magazine and thought some might be interested in what has been happening in South Africa. Here’s an excerpt from the review: Inadequate health policies in South Africa have reportedly led to some 330,000 unnecessary AIDS deaths and a spike in infant mortality, according to estimates by South African and US researchers. This carnage exceeds the death toll in Darfur, yet it has received far less attention. Seth Kalichman, a US clinical psychologist, shows in Denying AIDS how words can kill. His marvellous book should be read alongside Nicoli Nattrass’s Mortal Combat, covering similar ground but from the perspective of a South African. The tragic events in South Africa have been exacerbated by AIDS ‘denialists’ who, Kalichman alleges, assert th... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2416822 Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2416822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405196&cid=t_351163_93_f&fid=36982&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprep4md.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fhiv-new-facts-and-stunning-data-visuals.html Hans Rosling unveils new data visuals that untangle the complex risk factors of one of the world's deadliest (and most misunderstood) diseases: HIV. He argues that preventing transmissions -- not drug treatments -- is the key to ending the epidemic.Thanks for reading :) ... http://prep4md.blogspot.com/ (Source: My M.D. Journey!) My M.D. Journey! blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405196 Wed, 13 May 2009 21:34:00 +0100 2405196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306919&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fthe-big-snog-log%2F If you’re interested in the kissing habits of others, check out the recent  Big Snog Log , a survey of  4,000 people across the United Kingdom about their lip-locking habits. Commissioned by The Body Shop and MTV, it reveals that… Nearly a third perfect our kissing techniques using our hands, which is the highest in the country, while 10% admit they have kissed photographs and posters of sexy celebrities in a bid to up their game. A fifth of people have read up on techniques or used the web to improve their puckering up prowess Nearly a third of people (31%) admit that they are more likely to have a one night stand with a stranger if they’re a good kisser More than quarter of people say they kiss members of the same sex for fun - with a third of men admitting to snog... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306919 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:01:28 +0100 2306919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284424&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fthe-monday-sidebarreligion-and-health%2F Some sad but true actions by religious leaders that, in my opinion, really does nothing to help improve the world’s health. Back in 2003,  imams in northern Nigeria  claimed that polio vaccinations were part of a western plot aimed to make Muslims infertile or infect them with AIDS.  This resulted in large scale boycotting of the vaccines and an almost doubling of children crippled with polio the following year. (the good news - a big new anti-polio push is currently under way in Nigeria and this time, many of the Muslim imams are advocating for people to have the vaccination.) Meanwhile, the Pope, during his recent visit to Africa stated that ‘condoms are not the answer’ to fighting AIDS.  Not only that, he went on to add that it (condoms) only increases the probl... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284424 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:37:04 +0100 2284424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2100860&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2Fjg9lCWSa1SI%2Fchristine_maggiore_dies_from_p.php Well, shit. Just as I mentioned ERV's post on HIV denial today, I read over at Respectful Insolence that Christine Maggiore has died from pneumonia. Maggiore, you may recall, made national news by refusing to take AZT while pregnant (although she was HIV positive). Her daughter, Eliza Jane, died at the age of 3 in 2005 from AIDS-related pneumonia. It would appear that her mother succumbed to the same illness: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2100860 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:00:00 +0100 2100860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011135&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5475 More than 33 million people around the world are currently living with HIV and AIDS. Strikingly, many adults with HIV or AIDS don’t know that they are carrying the virus. US doctors now propose expanding the use of HIV tests to slow the spread of infection.read more | digg story a Should Everyone Have an HIV Test? (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011135 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2011135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2005815&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5460 a LVADs Do Not Improve Post-Surgery Survival, Continued Tocolysis Does Not Prolong Pregnancy, Universal HIV Testing Could Eliminate AIDS (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2005815 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2005815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1998960&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5448 December 1st is World AIDS Day. The ongoing theme carried forward from the previous year is “Leadership” and this years campaign slogan is “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.”” a World AIDS Day 2008 (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1998960 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1998960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996329&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5432 In the ultimate Nazi-inspired exercise of destruction of the most basic human rights, Indonesian politicians are planning to tag all HIV/AIDS patients with radio frequency identification chips. Their objective is to monitor people who had shown “actively sexual behavior”. The Himmler-wannabe proposing the law has no qualms in explaining it:read more | digg story a HIV/AIDS Patients to Be Tagged with RFID Chips (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996329 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1996329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1990722&cid=t_351163_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fmathematics-of-hiv-infection.html A new mathematical model suggests that the HIV virus could be virtually eliminated in 10 years if every person in every country with high infection rates was tested and treated.Published in "The Lancet", the study is indeed intriguing, and the World Health Organization promises to examine the findings more closely. The model includes voluntary testing of every citizen, with AIDS drugs prescribed for any patient testing positive for the HIV virus, regardless of whether they are symptomatic or not. (Current practices often dictate withholding treatment until a patient has symptoms, or when their T-cells---immune cells that fight opportunistic infection---fall below a certain level.)At this time, the price tag for such a strategy is estimated at $3.4 billion per year initially, with costs dec... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1990722 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:28:00 +0100 1990722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1859791&cid=t_351163_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fcanadian-researchers-demand-end-to.html Two can play at this game, it seems.Medical researchers and scientists upset by the "politicization of science" in Canada have decided to turn the tables by interjecting themselves into the political scene as the October 14 federal election draws near.A petition protesting the "recent mistreatment" of scientific research will be sent to all major federal political party leaders in the coming days, Canadian Medicine has learned.The petition was drafted by a group of doctors and researchers that has routinely butted heads with Stephen Harper's Conservative government over the last two and a half years: Julio Montaner (above), Thomas Kerr and Evan Wood.Dr Montaner has become an academic of worldwide renown as the recently appointed president of the International AIDS Society. The three men ar... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1859791 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:24:00 +0100 1859791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382494&cid=t_351163_107_f&fid=38577&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbiosingularity.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F05%2Fsearching-for-hivs-achilles-heel%2F Why is it so hard to make an HIV vaccine? Dr. John Coffin, who is one of the fathers of modern retrovirology,  Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology at Tufts University asks in his insightful blog article, full of humor and historical metaphors. Dr. Coffin proposes that the answer to this question, which has eluded [...] (Source: Biosingularity) Biosingularity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382494 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:24:18 +0100 2382494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655473&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D3834 HIV/AIDS denialists should reform their evil ways. The facts are now very clear. Anti-HIV Therapy Boosts Life Expectancy More Than 13 Years The life expectancy for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased by more than 13 years since the late 1990s thanks to advancements in antiretroviral therapy, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. Improved survival has led to a nearly 40 percent drop in AIDS deaths among 43,355 HIV-positive study participants in Europe and North America, bolstering the call for improved anti-HIV efforts worldwide, the study authors said. The study was published recently in The Lancet: Life expectancy of individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy i... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655473 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1655473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1439201&cid=t_351163_86_f&fid=34468&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbrowsing.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2F25-years-since-discovery-of-hiv-as.html When I was working in my first library job, a one year post between University and library diploma, there was much talk of AIDS, not all of it terribly enlightening. There had recently been the two research groups that had isolated HIV - HTLV-3, I think was a name that was given to it by one group - and I had work colleagues who could stop themselves thinking about it seriously by viewing it only as a "gay disease" (straight colleagues, presumably - perhaps there still are such people). Anyway, I am made to ramble like this by an editorial in Science, looking at where HIV and AIDS research has got to in those 25 years.The editorial is:Bernstein A. AIDS and the Next 25 Years. Science 2008; 320(5877): 717. Available at: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/320/5877/717This will w... Browsing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1439201 Tue, 13 May 2008 12:59:00 +0100 1439201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1432788&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F287009337%2F In December 2003, Abbott Labs raised the price of its Norvir AIDS drug, which is commonly used in HIV drug cocktails, by 400 percent, creating a firestorm in the AIDS community. The mark-up prompted the Service Employees International Union Health & Welfare Fund to file a class-action lawsuit the next year that alleges the price hike violated antitrust laws. How so? Abbott sells a combo pill called Kaletra that includes Norvir and its own protease inhibitor. The lawsuit claims Abbott raised Norvir’s price - but not the Kaletra price - in order to boost Kaletra sales at the expense of other protease inhibitors that require Norvir as a booster. In other words, Abbott allegedly tried to use Norvir to create a monopoly over the market for protease inhibitors. The maneuver caused outra... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1432788 Fri, 09 May 2008 18:20:04 +0100 1432788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1363856&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F267923559%2F Protease inhibitors are associated with higher levels of fibrinogen, a clotting factor linked to coronary artery disease, according to a study by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, who say the findings are the first to demonstrate a possible reason for the previously observed association between the meds and an increased risk of heart attacks. At the same time, the study also shows a link between another common HIV treatment, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and lower fibrinogen levels. The study appears in the March 30, 2008 issue of AIDS. “Most of the patients we treat for HIV/AIDS are at low risk for heart disease,” says senior investigator Carl Grunfeld, a staff physician at SFVAMC and professor of medicine at the University of Californ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1363856 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:48:18 +0100 1363856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320561&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D738 High rates among Natives mark National Native HIV/AIDS awareness day Thu, March 20, 2008 Posted in Alaska News Today [thursday] has been designated National Native HIV/AIDS awareness day. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) recently won passage of a resolution supporting the designation to help encourage the coordination of services. CDC research finds that Native people have the 3rd highest infection rates behind Blacks and Hispanics. Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1320561 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:03:24 +0100 1320561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1317815&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D737 National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day The four seasons are highly respected in many cultures because they so closely represent the cycle of life. Spring represents a time of equality and balance. It is a time of profound change, new beginnings and birth. For these reasons, spring was chosen as the time to hold the first National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in 2007. Every ethnic and racial group in America has been affected by HIV/AIDS, but individual experiences, impacts, responses, and the legacy of the disease are distinctively different. This day is a day that brings national attention to the plight of Native communities and their struggles against the epidemic. We hope this date will raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among Native people—Native Americans, Native Alaskans, and Native H... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1317815 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:41:12 +0100 1317815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1316654&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35262&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsurvivinghiv.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fgay-mens-health-crisis-hiv.html ConclusionWe have learned a lot during the past 10 years about body changes associated with HIV, but many more questions remain. It is the hope that those new to HAART therapy will not have to suffer the devastating drug side effects that their predecessors have had to contend with in the past 20 years. As patients, it is our responsibility to stay educated and learn from others about emerging options that may make it possible one day to live fully without HIV related body changes and other side effects.For more information visit: http://www.facialwasting.org/ or to subscribe to the largest internet HIV health discussion group send a blank email to pozhealth-subscribe@yahoogroups.comNelson Vergel is director of Program for Wellness Restoration.A syndrome of peripheral fat wasting (lipodyst... Nelson Vergel's HIV Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316654 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:07:00 +0100 1316654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1306563&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D732 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 Creampuff Revolution. 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 ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1306563 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:13:29 +0100 1306563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1261691&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D716 schwarzenegger’s proposed FY2008-09 HIV/AIDS & Medi-Cal cuts: special 6-part report (791) schwarzenegger seeks to dump HIV/AIDS patients from CA FY2008-09 healthcare budget (790) Earlier this year, we experienced outrage when we saw news coverage [NPR, LATimes, aids-write.org] that included videotaped footage of Kaiser Permanente’s Bellflower hospital dumping a senile, 63-year-old homeless woman named Carol Reyez, clad only in her thin cotton hospital gown and socks, on San Pedro Street in skid row street near the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. Why are we not outraged when we see such “treatment” planned on a massive scale? Planned for us? kearns writes protest to HIV/AIDS & Medi-Cal cuts from cedars emergency room (789) I am a 56-year-old gay man alive w... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1261691 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:14:15 +0100 1261691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1256311&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D703 HIV treatment becoming profitable By Daniel Costello, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer February 21, 2008 . . . something unexpected is happening: As treatment of HIV patients in the U.S. and abroad continues to improve, it has turned into a growing profit center for the drug industry. . . . At the same time, hopes for an HIV vaccine have faded and rates of new infections in some communities are climbing after years of stabilizing. Although some of those developments might be bad news for public health, they’re benefiting companies such as Foster City-based Gilead, whose name refers to a medicinal balm in the Bible. The firm saw revenue reach $4.3 billion last year, up a third from 2006. HIV product sales in 2007 were $3.14 billion, an increase of 48% compared with a year earlier.... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1256311 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:09:08 +0100 1256311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1219942&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D702 ERs fail as the nation’s safety net Survey of doctors finds life-threatening overcrowding and long waits in emergency rooms are common. By Mary Engel and Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers February 9, 2008 The long waits that government inspectors say endanger emergency room patients at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center can also be found in backlogged hospitals across the country, according to emergency care experts who have been trying for years to draw attention to the nation’s overloaded safety net. “Overcrowding in our emergency departments is a national crisis,” said Dr. Linda Lawrence, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, an advocacy group based in Washington D.C. “We no longer have the capacity to serve as the safety ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1219942 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:31:21 +0100 1219942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1219943&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D701 It’s 4706, the Year of the Rat, and the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9-10 in Los Angeles’ Chinatown will be a festival of cultural entertainment and exciting events highlighted by the annual Firecracker Run followed by the Golden Dragon Parade and the Chinese New Year Festival. Streets will be closed and parking will be limited, but Metro can take you to the Chinatown Metro Gold Line Station—within easy walking distance from the festivities. The 30th annual Firecracker 10K race Feb. 10 will include a 5k Fun Walk and Kiddie Run and is expected to draw 20,000. Register by visiting www.firecracker10k.org, and now through Feb. 6, get $3 discount by registering online using the promotional code “gometro.” Another 50,000 visitors will attend the 109t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1219943 Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:14:31 +0100 1219943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1213272&cid=t_351163_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F230533560%2Finfants_can_contract_hiv_from.html Researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting the AIDS virus can be spread to a child by its mother pre-chewing its food.According to the CDC three such cases were reported in the U.S. between 1993 and 2004. However, it is blood, not saliva, that carried the virus from the mother to the child. In two of the cases the mothers had bleeding gums or mouth sores. At the time of the infections all three children were teething, a time when the children likely had open wounds in their mouths which would have increased the chances of acquiring the HIV virus.Pre-chewing food is uncommon in the U.S. as it is a practice usually conducted in developing nations where there is little if any access to baby food and mothers are required to pre-chew adult food to... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1213272 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:00:13 +0100 1213272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1212115&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D697 chers— see you there. namasté —rk HIV DATE $11 MILLION SLASHED FROM CA HIV/AIDS BUDGET EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING Wednesday, February 6, 2008 from 9:30am to 1:30pm Precious Blood Church 435 S. Occidental Blvd., LA, 90057 **there is free ample parking in the lot ane on the street** 4 ADPA contract approved HIV training hours RSVP to hivdatfla@yahoo.com or susan at 323.461.3161 ext. 14 CUT: $7 million ADAP CUT: $22 million Education & Prevention CUT: $1 million: Care, including • $400,000 Community-Based Care • $200,000 Early Intervention • $122,000 Residential AIDS Facilities aids-write.org report to follow link to metro trip planner (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1212115 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:42:10 +0100 1212115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1208102&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F229552550%2F The latest pills from Pfizer and Schering-Plough may stop working in some patients because a test identifying who should get the medicines isn’t always accurate, Bloomberg News reports. The meds work work by blocking a chemical entryway known as CCR5 that the virus uses to infect cells. In about 10 percent of cases, a Monogram Biosciences test incorrectly identifies patients who will benefit, according to scientists at an AIDS meeting. New research on Pfizer’s Selzentry and Schering’s vicriviroc, as well as the test’s reliability, will be presented today at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston. While the pills promise to fight HIV in patients who can’t take older medicines, the new drugs’ effectiveness depends on accurat... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1208102 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:18:46 +0100 1208102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182871&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D692 His needle plan has touched a nerve A Texas lay chaplain faces jail time for handing out clean syringes to drug addicts to curtail the spread of HIV. By Miguel Bustillo, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer January 28, 2008 SAN ANTONIO — Bill Day doesn’t fancy himself an outlaw — and with his Mr. Rogers demeanor, he definitely doesn’t look the part. But soon the 73-year-old lay chaplain could spend up to a year in jail for breaking a law that he considers immoral. Day hands out clean needles to drug addicts on some of the seediest streets in this south Texas city. He does it because he’s convinced that it reduces human suffering by curtailing the spread of HIV, a view that has been supported by medical research for more than a decade. However, Day’s acti... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182871 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:05:44 +0100 1182871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182873&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D690 AIDS Patients Face Downside of Living Longer By JANE GROSS January 6, 2008 CHICAGO — John Holloway received a diagnosis of AIDS nearly two decades ago, when the disease was a speedy death sentence and treatment a distant dream. Yet at 59 he is alive, thanks to a cocktail of drugs that changed the course of an epidemic. But with longevity has come a host of unexpected medical conditions, which challenge the prevailing view of AIDS as a manageable, chronic disease. Mr. Holloway, who lives in a housing complex designed for the frail elderly, suffers from complex health problems usually associated with advanced age: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, kidney failure, a bleeding ulcer, severe depression, rectal cancer and the lingering effects of a broken hip. Those illnes... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182873 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:44:56 +0100 1182873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1176117&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D687 my world AIDS day 07 text message poem [765]: my world AIDS day 07 txt msg poem: nu fone 2day. i trnsfr AIDS- dead cntacts w/the living. miss u, want u back. what profit can b in no cure? med cannabis keeps us aliver. –richard kearns & weho/la mmj cmnty dire passages: kearns sidelined 51 days from g-tube infection (764) chers on thanxg— just a getting well thanks note. today, thanksgiving, thursday nov 22, 2007, here in lthe la/weho greater metropolitan area, i have been sidelined for 51 days from infection in & accompanying abcess around g-tube placed october 11. hospitalized in cedars 23-oct to 6-nov and bouncing back and forth between the nursing home wing and my regular assisted-care haunts where i live. have started to gain weight. in the meantime, tube in pl... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1176117 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:45:29 +0100 1176117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146758&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F215037484%2F Using a new type of genetic screen, researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified 273 proteins that the AIDS virus needs to survive in human cells, opening up new potential targets for drugs, The New York Times writes. Their work, published online on by Science magazine, used RNA interference to screen thousands of protein-making genes; previously, scientists had identified only 36 human proteins that the virus uses to break into cells, hijack their machinery and start reproducing. “This is just terrific work,” Robert C. Gallo, director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland and a co-discoverer of the virus, tells the paper. “I think it’s destined to be one of the top papers in this field for the decade.” Anthony Fauci, director of the National ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146758 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:22:52 +0100 1146758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1096198&cid=t_351163_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomensbioethics.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fdeadly-misdiagnosis.html (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1096198 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:34:00 +0100 1096198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084160&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F198260350%2Fhuckabee_supported_isolation_f.php Still playing end-of-year catch-up with grants and manuscripts so posting will be sporadic, but I'd be remiss not to mention this story regarding presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's past views on HIV/AIDS: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084160 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:41:00 +0100 1084160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1040106&cid=t_351163_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F187895209%2Freport_finds_92_vaccines_and_m.html According to a report released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) there are currently 92 vaccines and medicines in development for HIV/AIDS.Of the 92 product in development PhRMA found that researchers are studying 46 antivirals and 20 vaccines which are either in clinical human studies or awaiting U.S. FDA approval."We are greatly encouraged by the new, critically-important medicines and vaccines in development to treat and prevent HIV infection," says PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin. "Pharmaceutical researchers are continuing their efforts to develop new therapies and vaccines to improve and lengthen the lives of HIV-infected patients."December 1 will mark the 20th anniversary of "World AIDS Day" and though th... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1040106 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:00:47 +0100 1040106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1012484&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F181264814%2F Two weeks ago, we wrote that Merck’s failed HIV vaccine may have actually caused some clinical trial participants to become infected, and the 3,000 volunteers should be tested. As it turns out, a subset of patients developed the virus at a higher rate than those given a placebo, and all of them were HIV-negative at the start of the trial. Most likely, the vaccine made the body’s immune system more vulnerable. For a vaccine that was tested for prevention, this is a cruel irony. And the numbers are sobering. Overall, as of mid-October there were 49 cases of HIV infection among the 914 male volunteers in the vaccine group, compared with 33 cases among the 922 males in the placebo group, according to a Merck statement. The participants who were more suspectible began the study wit... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1012484 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:33:43 +0100 1012484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1009364&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F180678492%2Fmbeki_still_in_denial.php In our paper on HIV denial, Steven and I started the introduction off with a note about South African president Thabo Mbeki: This denial was highlighted on an international level in 2000, when South African president Thabo Mbeki convened a group of panelists to discuss the cause of AIDS, acknowledging that he remained unconvinced that HIV was the cause. His ideas were derived at least partly from material he found on the Internet. Though Mbeki agreed later that year to step back from the debate, he subsequently suggested a re-analysis of health spending with a decreased emphasis on HIV/AIDS. Though he's not been publicly vocal about his views in recent years, it has been suggested that they've not changed--that he still remains unconvinced, at best, of HIV causation of AIDS. An article i... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1009364 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:45:00 +0100 1009364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979119&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F174994748%2Fbbc_apologizes_for_promotion_o.php For those of you who might not brave the comments threads on any HIV post, you may have missed this tidbit of information. I've written about "investigative journalist" Liam Scheff previously; he's an HIV "dissident" and author of a story from a few years back titled "The House that AIDS Built". In this, he claimed that HIV+ children had been removed from their parents' homes and force-fed "toxic" drugs to treat their condition (which of course, he claims is based on "inaccurate" HIV testing in the first place): The drugs being given to the children are toxic - they're known to cause genetic mutation, organ failure, bone marrow death, bodily deformations, brain damage and fatal skin disorders. If the children refuse the drugs, they're held down and have them force fed. If the children con... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979119 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:10:00 +0100 979119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979403&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F174964186%2F That’s the concern, because more than 3,000 people who volunteered to get vaccinated are being told to come back and get extra tests. Researchers stress that they do not yet have enough info to say whether those who were vaccinated are now more susceptible to HIV infection, but they say initial info from the trial, which was stopped suddenly last month, is worrisome. “At present, there is a tremendous amount of data being analyzed from the … trial to see if there is, in fact, any greater risk of infection in those volunteers who received the vaccine,” Dr. Mark Feinberg, vice president of medical affairs and public health for Merck, said in an e-mail letter to Reuters. Merck stopped two studies last month after the independent board monitoring one of the trials notic... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979403 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:18:03 +0100 979403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=943171&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F168423685%2F Last week, we wrote that a coalition of AIDS groups worried about the cost of Isentress, a novel HIV med that’s expected to be approved by the FDA this month, is orchestrating an Internet protest asking the drugmaker to “set a price that offers a reasonable profit without worsening the economic problems faced by patients and payers.” In talks with those activists, Merck apparently indicated it would price Isentress in line with similar meds, which raised red flags What do some other AIDS meds cost? This morning, The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) follows up and notes that Pfizer Selzentry, which won FDA approval this summer, costs about $10,600 a year wholesale. Roche’s Fuzeon, which came out in 2003, costs about $24,500 a year wholesale. And two relatively new AID... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=943171 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:13:21 +0100 943171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941773&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F168073992%2Fdenialism_they_dont_remember.php A reader passed along a link to this post on Short memories: AIDS denialism and vaccine resistance. The author learned that a friend had dated an AIDS denialist: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=941773 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:35:00 +0100 941773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=933034&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F166523150%2F Disappointment, but no despair, at least not yet. That’s how researchers at various institutions try to come off as they discuss the recent end to Merck’s efforts to develop an HIV vaccine. And so they’re displaying a collective stiff upper lip. Here’s what a few told The Philadelphia Inquirer… “I must admit I was shocked when I saw the outcome. It was the most promising vaccine we had,” says Hildegund C.J. Ertl, an immunologist at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia who is preparing to test another HIV vaccine. (That’s Ertl in the middle). “To paraphrase some of my colleagues, the trial shows a failure of a specific product but not a failure of the concept,” says Gary Nabel, director of the Vaccine Research Center of the Nationa... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=933034 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 13:10:27 +0100 933034 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=928823&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D683 Recent Releases | IAS Report Summarizes Research Presented at International AIDS Conference [Oct 04, 2007] “New Research and its Implications for Policy and Practice,” International AIDS Society: The report summarizes key research findings presented at the 4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in July in Sydney, Australia. It also provides an analysis of data presented concerning basic science, clinical research, treatment and care, and biomedical prevention(IAS report, 2007). (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=928823 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 04:20:08 +0100 928823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=926267&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D681 Posted by John S James AIDS Treatment News FDA considers a third drug category: Behind-the-counter USA Today October 3, 2007 “Such drugs would be available without a prescription but only after asking a pharmacist for it, according to a Federal Register notice announced Wednesday. ‘FDA is exploring the public health benefit of certain drugs being available BTC (behind-the-counter) that were previously prescription medications,’ it says. “The FDA will seek public response at a meeting in Washington Nov. 14 and accept written comments until Nov. 28.” Comment: This looks like a good idea — move selected drugs from prescription status to allowing patients to buy them after discussion with a pharmacist. It can be a big wait, hassle, and expense just to g... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=926267 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 07:52:48 +0100 926267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=915388&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D680 The termination of Merck’s STEP HIV vaccine study last Friday has sent shock waves through the research world. This vaccine was expected to work, based on animal studies and early human studies. But it didn’t. Not only did it fail to protect against HIV infection, it also failed to moderate viral load levels in people who became infected during the study. The vaccine was being developed in an ambitious vaccine programme by Merck, which clearly wanted the scientific kudos of being the first to develop an HIV vaccine. It was designed to stimulate cellular immune responses from CD4 and CD8 cells to HIV proteins contained in the vaccine, in the hope that these would either prevent infection or control viremia if infection took place. The initial result of the STEP study suggests this ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=915388 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:35:53 +0100 915388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=915389&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D679 Posted by John S James at 7:55 PM Friday, September 28, 2007 AIDS Treatment News Achieving health equity: from root causes to fair outcomes The Lancet September 27, 2007 “This paper is an abridged version of the Interim Statement of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health” “More than any other global health endeavour, the Commission focuses on the “causes of the causes”—the fundamental structures of social hierarchy and the socially determined conditions these create in which people grow, live, work, and age. … The outcry against inequity has been intensifying for many years from country to country around the world. These cries are forming a global movement. The Commission on Social Determinants of Health places action to ensure fair health at the ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=915389 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:09:30 +0100 915389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908466&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F162126220%2Fnot_again.php Via (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908466 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 20:17:42 +0100 908466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=891919&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F159571665%2F This is a big blow to the drugmaker, which has been chasing an HIV vaccine for two decades and regularly boasted of its commitment to combating AIDS. But the trial was ended after an independent safety monitoring board decided the vaccine was ineffective and would fail to meet mid-stage trial goals. The study was designed to determine whether the vaccine prevented HIV and reduced the amount of virus in those who developed infection. “We share in the disappointment of the research and HIV communities today. Sadly, developing an effective AIDS vaccine remains one of the most challenging tasks facing modern medicine,” says Peter Kim, Merck’s chief scientist, in a statement. Adds Glenda Gray, the principal investigator of the trial, which was sponsored by the HIV Vaccine Tria... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=891919 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:04:54 +0100 891919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=889640&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D678 heads up: a new poem Lawrence Ferlinghetti read on Democracy Now! in an hour-long interview with Amy Goodwin 9-3 Pity the Nation Pity the nation whose people are sheep, and whose shepherds mislead them. Pity the nation whose leaders are liars, whose sages are silenced, and whose bigots haunt the airwaves. Pity the nation that raises not its voice, except to praise conquerors and acclaim the bully as hero and aims to rule the world with force and by torture. Pity the nation that knows no other language but its own and no other culture but its own. Pity the nation whose breath is money and sleeps the sleep of the too well fed. Pity the nation — oh, pity the people who allow their rights to erode and their freedoms to be washed away. My country, tears of thee, sweet land of liberty. ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=889640 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:03:36 +0100 889640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=870328&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F156407341%2Fhiv_denial_international_flavo.php Just a quick post to note that fellow ScienceBlogger Nick Anthis has up a post on HIV denial in South Africa. Though this is a topic I've touched on, he goes into a deeper history of it, including more about the cultural reasons for denial (whereas I typically focus more on the science). In other news, I have an editorial today in the The Times Higher Education Supplement in London. You can find it here (registration required). Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=870328 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:30:00 +0100 870328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=863809&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D673 New Kaiser Tracking Poll Finds Health Care Follows Only Iraq Among Issues The Public Wants Presidential Candidates to Talk About In the Campaign Health Care Second To Iraq Among Both Republicans and Independents, While Democrats For the First Time Rank The Two Issues Equally Among Topics They Want Candidates To Discuss Thursday, August 30, 2007 In order to assess what issues are on the public’s agenda, polling organizations including Kaiser usually ask about priorities for government or Congressional action or priorities for people’s vote. In our August tracking poll, Iraq continues to lead the list of issues the public most wants the government to address, with 42 percent naming it as one of the top two issues. Health care is once again the second most mentioned issue, and the top d... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=863809 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:33:57 +0100 863809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=858414&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D672 Larry Craig is So Not Gay “I am not Gay.” “I never have been Gay,” Sen. Larry Craig Today’s statement from Senator Larry Craig that he is “not Gay” is yet another reminder of how our current use of language isn’t helpful. Craig claimed he is not Gay after pleading guilty and paying over $1500 in fines in connection with a charge of lewd conduct in an airport restroom in Minneapolis. The story has been all over the media the last few days with perhaps the best prize for freudian slip going to Craig’s spokesperson who claimed that the whole incident was just a case of “he said/he said.” Comedy writers couldn’t make this stuff up. And why, O why, is Jon Stewart off this week of all weeks?! Now, Larry Craig, is a ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=858414 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:20:45 +0100 858414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=856824&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D671 PENSITO REVIEW Four More Top GOP Outings Could Be in the Offing Posted by Jon Ponder | Sep. 4, 2007, 11:43 am In the wake of closeted Sen. Larry Craig’s self-outing in an airport men’s room this summer, Mike Rogers, the Washington-based publisher of blogActive who outed Craig, is threatening to reveal the secret sexual identities of two leading GOP senators, while two allegedly gay Republican congressmen are making headlines and drawing unwelcome attention to themselves, the timing of which could not be worse. The senators are Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, from Kentucky. More about them below but first let’s look at two allegedly closeted members of the House, representatives Patrick McHenry and David Drier, who have been in ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=856824 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:10:33 +0100 856824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=856825&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D670 americablog Saturday, September 08, 2007 Saturday night open thread by Pam Spaulding • 9/08/2007 10:24:00 PM ET From your favorite fundies over at WingNutDaily. ________________________________________ QUEERLY BELOVED California Senate OKs ‘gay’ marriage Vote substitutes ‘two persons’ for ‘man and wife’ in state law ________________________________________ September 8, 2007 By Bob Unruh The California Senate has approved a plan to replace “man and woman” in state references to marriage with “two persons,” establishing a same-sex marriage procedure in the state that just seven years ago voted to limit marriage to one man and one woman. The 22-15 vote came on homosexual Assemblyman Mark Leno’s proposal to open marria... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=856825 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:58:28 +0100 856825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=853581&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D669 ‘Wide stance’ can’t straddle gay gap BY LEONARD PITTS JR. KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS September 8, 2007 Not even the Hulk has a stance wide enough to make that story plausible. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, congratulations on waking up from that coma. The rest of us have been grappling with the tale of Sen. Larry Craig, a conservative Republican from Idaho, who was arrested in June for allegedly propositioning an undercover cop in an airport restroom. According to police, Craig tapped his foot against the foot of the man in the next stall, peered inside and ran his hand beneath the divider. These, we are told, are signals used by men seeking sex in public restrooms. After the officer identified himself, Craig allegedly produced his Senate business... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=853581 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:48:38 +0100 853581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=853582&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D668 Minneapolis’ Newest Tourist Attraction: “Yes…Yes it is.” What to do on your next layover, so to speak. Larry Craig: Slog Reader Visits the Scene of the Crime Posted by Dan Savage on September 5 at 12:57 PM Slog reader Zach writes… I found myself in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Aiport over the Labor Day weekend and couldn’t resist searching out the famous gay bathroom in which Sen. Larry Craig tapped his closeted little foot into infamy. The internet said the cruisy men’s room is located in the middle of Northstar Crossing, a shopping area just past the main security checkpoint as you’re heading to your gate. It was real easy to find. As I stood there snapping photos with my camera phone an guy driving one of those little airport passenger cars slowe... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=853582 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:31:20 +0100 853582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=853157&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D667 ‘Giving’ by Bill Clinton The former president says that by donating time and money, each of us can change the world. By Joe Conason, Special to The Times September 8, 2007 . . . in his new book, “Giving,” Clinton doesn’t quite come to grips with the hard questions. He prefers cheerleading to analysis, lavishing indiscriminate praise on everyone from the plucky little girl who picks up litter on the beach to the friendly billionaires who finance scholarships and microcredit loans in poor countries. Although the book is nominally divided into chapters highlighting different kinds of giving, the dozens of philanthropic stories that Clinton recounts in these pages swiftly blend into a fuzzy, feel-good blur. Most conclude with the same homily: If only everybody... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=853157 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:05:58 +0100 853157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=844128&cid=t_351163_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F152638761%2F There wasn’t much suspense surrounding this meeting. The FDA advisory committee voted unanimously that Isentress, a novel type of HIV med, should be approved for AIDS patients who fail to respond to other treatments. The panel also recommended accelerated approval for the pill to be used in combination with other HIV med. Panel members were continuing to discuss the recommended label and the appropriate patient population for the drug, given certain risks that include an increased incidence of cancer in treated patients, Reuters reports. “There’s no doubt this is a great drug,” says panel member Peter Havens, a professor of pediatrics at Medical College of Wisconsin, Bloomberg News reports. “It is very useful for patients who have experienced a lot of failure.... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=844128 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:30:37 +0100 844128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=821368&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35263&url=http%3A%2F%2Fronhudson.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fjourneying-toward-awareness.html I have been asked to write about spirituality for a couple of publications and have found that I am struggling to do so. I realize that part of the issue for me is that I am in a bit of a funk—I won’t call it a depression, because I know that I am fortunate and enjoy many things in my life, most especially my relationship with my partner. However, the ongoing heat wave we have experienced, the drought that is drying up my shrubbery (I live in the North Carolina), the sense that this bad weather is a clear sign of the state of global ecological health, the socio-political climate where it seems that the Bush administration can and will do whatever the hell it wants without any oversight, my ongoing struggle with HIV/AIDS, niggling little infections that occur from week to week and that ... 2sides2ron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=821368 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:04:00 +0100 821368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=816709&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D662 List of military personnel killed between of 7/17/07 and 8/20/07 as reported by the Department of Defense. Total deaths as of Monday, 8/20/07: 4,003 Cpl. Steve Edwards, 35 Spc. Zachariah J. Gonzalez, 23 Pfc. Charles T. Heinlein Jr, 23 Pfc. Alfred H. Jairala, 29 Sgt. Stephen R. Maddies, 41 Sgt. Bradley W. Marshall, 37 Spc. Daniel F. Reyes, 24 Cpl. Jason M. Kessler, 29 Cpl. Sean A. Stokes, 24 Pfc. Cody C. Grater, 20 Staff Sgt. Wilburto Suliveras, 38 Pvt. Michael A. Baloga, 21 Spc. Charles E. Bilbrey Jr., 21 Sgt. William R. Howdeshell, 37 Spc. Jaime Rodriguez Jr., 19 Spc. Daniel A. Leckel, 19 Sgt. Courtney D. Finch, 27 Spc. Camy Florexil, 20 Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, 20 Staff Sgt. Joshua P. Mattero, 29 Cpl. James H. McRae, 22 Hospitalman Daniel S. Noble, 21 Cpl. Matthew R. Zindars, 21 Sg... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=816709 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:15:46 +0100 816709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814106&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F146652824%2Fhiv_denial_article_in_plos_med.php Since there are already several threads on HIV running, and I'm loathe to have another, I'll post this up for consumption but leave the comments for one of the other threads. While I was in New York over the weekend, PLoS Medicine published an article authored by myself and Steven Novella (also of the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe): HIV Denial in the Internet Era. (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814106 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:00:00 +0100 814106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=803532&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F144771483%2Fpost_44.php A reader pointed this out to me awhile back, and it's just too absurd not to mention. You may or may not be familiar with Gary Null. He's a self-proclaimed "natural living" guru, and the writer/director of the recent HIV denial documentary, AIDS Inc.: AIDS, Inc. is a film about the multi-billion dollar AIDS industry, and how it profits from continuing fears and misconceptions about the disease....Could it be that after so many years of research, and so much money being spent, that the entire orthodox medical establishment has been wrong about AIDS, or even worse, has sought to profit on a system that it knew was flawed from the beginning? ...The film challenges the entrenched notion that AIDS or HIV is an African monkey virus that is spread sexually and can be "treated" with harmful drugs... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=803532 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:00:00 +0100 803532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795039&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F143643820%2Fhiv_denial_update_1_shakeup_in.php There have been some interesting updates in the field of HIV politics and denial recently. First, after having several months of moving forward with a real plan to combat AIDS in South Africa, the deputy minister of health, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, has been fired. For those who follow this area, Madlala-Routledge stepped into the limelight when she took over for her boss, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, while she had surgery. Tshabalala-Msimang, you may recall, is the one who sided with President Thabo Mbeki regarding causes of AIDS (and cures for it), advocating treatments such as a recipe of garlic, beetroot, lemon and African potatoes to combat AIDS while underplaying the role of anti-retroviral drugs. Madlala-Routledge had been working to swing things the other way, and it seems this is a ... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795039 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:00:00 +0100 795039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795150&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D659 Vote of Confidence by Kellee Terrell How two HIV-positive mayors–John Duran of West Hollywood, California, and Larry Gierar of Oakland Park, Florida–outran stigma on Election Day Larry: How’s the weather out there in West Hollywood, John? John: Probably as sunny and warm as in Florida… Larry: Great. So who should go first? Let’s see—who’s older? John: A lady never talks about her age. Larry: Well, age goes before beauty. I was born in the ’50s. I’m 51. John: I was also born in the ’50s. But I’m 47. Larry: I guess I have to go first. John: Age before beauty. [Laughs] Why don’t you start by telling me about yourself? Larry: I just became mayor in March! It’s funny—being a former actor and model, I never would have thought I’d end up i... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795150 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:17:02 +0100 795150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795151&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D658 FDA Approves Maraviroc, First Drug in New Class of Anti-HIV Medications On August 6, 2007, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved maraviroc (Selzentry), the first drug to be approved in the CCR5 coreceptor antagonist class of anti-HIV medications. Maraviroc has been approved for use in conjunction with other antiretrovirals in treatment-experienced adults who have exclusively CCR5-tropic HIV virus, evidence of viral replication, and resistance to multiple antiretroviral medications. More information about maraviroc and related topics is also available: • FDA: Official maraviroc approval press release • AIDSinfo: Drug database featuring an updated maraviroc drug record and information on other approved and investigational entry and fusion inhibitors • AI... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795151 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:52:32 +0100 795151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795152&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D657 Global Challenges | Medical Workers Sentenced to Death in HIV Infection Case Were Tortured During Incarceration, Gaddafi’s Son Says [Aug 10, 2007] The six medical workers released recently from Libyan prison after being sentenced to death for allegedly intentionally infecting hundreds of children with HIV were tortured during their incarceration, Seif Al-Islam Gaddafi — head of the Gaddafi Development Foundation and son of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi — said Wednesday on Al-Jazeera television, the Washington Post reports (Moore, Washington Post, 8/10). The five Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor in May 2004 were sentenced to death by firing squad for allegedly infecting 426 children with HIV through contaminated blood products at Al Fateh Children’s... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795152 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:22:18 +0100 795152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795154&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D655 The objective of the Indian patent act, they said, was also to “provide easy access to citizens to life-saving drugs”. “We disagree with this ruling, however we likely will not appeal to the Supreme Court,” a Novartis spokeswoman said by phone from Basel, in Switzerland. “We await the full decision to better understand the court’s position.” A statement from Novartis said that the ruling would “have long-term negative consequences for research and development into better medicines for patients in India and abroad”. Novartis says the Indian patent system stifles innovation, such as making a drug more heat-resistant or able to be swallowed rather than injected. Critics say changes to the law would mean drug companies could extend thei... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795154 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:35:11 +0100 795154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795155&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D654 Newspapers are changing to suit readers’ tastes By TIM RUTTEN, REGARDING MEDIA August 11, 2007 SOONER rather than later, the newspaper you’re holding in your hands will be very different than it is today. A couple of fascinating new studies out this week suggest just how profound — and potentially troubling — some of those differences may be. One of those surveys comes from Britain, where the media research firm Nielsen/NetRatings reports that the online editions of Britain’s two largest “quality” newspapers — the Guardian and the Times of London — now have more American than British readers. The Independent, a smaller serious daily, already has twice as many readers in the U.S. as it does in Britain, and, if the current trend holds... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795155 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:24:17 +0100 795155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795156&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D653 Candidates Hold Court at Presidential Forum on LGBT Issues from towleroad Below are some links to both liveblogging and MSM reports on the event. The Advocate Insider has a report on the post-debate fundraisers. Visible Vote 08 [logo online] Democratic candidates talk gay issues in historic presidential forum [the advocate] Democrats Voice Support of Gay Rights in TV Forum [nyt] Dems Take To The Airwaves To Woo Gay Voters [huffington post] Dems walk fine line at gay issues forum [chicago tribune] requires registration U.S. gay voters scrutinize Democrats in TV forum [reuters] The August 9 Democratic Debate [time] HRC/LOGO Visible Vote ‘08 Live-Blogging The Dems [joemygod] LiveBlog of Gay Issues Debate [lane hudson and katherine zaleski - huffington post] Open thread - li... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795156 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:08:51 +0100 795156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788242&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D649 This article appeared on page A - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788242 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:22:21 +0100 788242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788201&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35263&url=http%3A%2F%2Fronhudson.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fcombating-hivaids-in-bangladesh-guest.html The following is an article written by Mohammad Khairul Alam of Bangladesh for inclusion in the International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP). Please welcome him and his work about HIV/AIDS in his home country.RonHIV/AIDS epidemic is described as the worst difficulty in the history of health. In fact, human beings have been having great problems since time immemorial but there had never been the worst complexity like AIDS. HIV/AIDS is similar to war but it is worse than war in that when armies fight, it is mostly the men who are killed but HIV/AIDS kills women and children. HIV/AIDS kills people in the prime of their life. HIV/AIDS has no existing cure but there are several ways it can effectively be controlled. After all, common adage has it that prevention is better than cure. If an indiv... 2sides2ron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788201 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:28:00 +0100 788201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=765791&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D646 Attached are a few images of me being removed from in front of the row of departing DEA SUVs. These images are causing concern about the level of training and preparedness the LAPD has for handling passive resistant protesters in addition to the outrage that these rookies were put in the position to being the bouncers for the DEA. Thanks again for all the love and support. Degé bonus photo: lapd/dea cross-deputy dennis packer (wearing dea t-shirt) consults colleague (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=765791 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:33:17 +0100 765791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=762943&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F138056473%2Fthe_discovery_of_xdrtb.php XDR-TB has been in the news quite a bit lately, largely thanks to Andrew Speaker's notoriety. Even though his TB was later re-classified as "just" multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) instead of the initial extremely drug resistant (XDR) type, it did serve to raise awareness about the issues public health authorities face when dealing with something like tuberculosis--and where the gaps are in the control of its spread. (Indeed, a breaking story out of Taiwan shows how difficult it can be to enforce a travel ban). However, while XDR-TB is rather new on the radar of the general public (and even many infectious disease folks), it was first recognized over 2 1/2 years ago in Africa. This month's issue of the Yale Alumni Magazine has the story of its discovery; more after the jump. Read the rest o... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=762943 Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:15:00 +0100 762943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=756724&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35263&url=http%3A%2F%2Fronhudson.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fcrape-myrtle-festival-and-names-project.html The following is a Press Release from the Alliance Of AIDS Services--Carolina.Crape Myrtle Festival This WeekendJoin our good friends at The Crape Myrtle Festival this weekend. In the summer of 1981, a small group of friends gathered in a backyard for a little party. In that same period, the Center for Disease Control first recognized an epidemic that would - and has - changed the world. All these years later, the Crape Myrlte Festival (CMF) has grown from that backyard party into a celebrated AIDS-related fundraiser. We hope you will join us in supporting CMF - especially since CMF has long supported AASC. The Crape Myrtle FestivalSaturday, July 28th 2007Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh7PM - 12AM Starring American Idol finalist and chart topping CURB recording artist Kimberly Locke ______________... 2sides2ron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=756724 Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:01:00 +0100 756724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=755563&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F136883678%2Ftripoli_sixhome_and_free.php After 8 1/2 years of imprisonment, torture in jail, and a death sentence hanging over their heads, the Tripoli Six (collected links) are back home, and have been granted pardons from the Bulgarian president. Revere, again, has the details; more at the BBC and New York Times. Many kudos go out to both Revere and Nature reporter Declan Butler for spreading this story out through the blogosphere, and sighs of relief out to the workers themselves and their families and loved ones. Image from http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/07/24/world/24cnd-libya2.large.jpg Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=755563 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:45:00 +0100 755563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=747681&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D632 List of military personnel killed between of 6/19/07 and 7/16/07 as reported by the Department of Defense. Total deaths as of Monday, 7/16/07: 3,900 Staff Sgt. Robb L. Rolfing, 29 Spc. James L. Adair, 26 Sgt. William W. Crow Jr., 28 Pfc. Cory F. Hiltz, 20 Pvt. Scott Kennedy, 20 Cpl. Paul Joszko, 28 Pvt. James (Jamie) Kerr, 20 Sgt. Michael J. Martinez, 24 Sgt. Giann C. Joya Mendoza, 27 (North Hollywood, CA) Spc. Dustin L. Workmann II, 19 Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Newsome, 27 Cpl. Derek C. Dixon, 20 Sgt. 1st Class Nathan L. Winder, 24 Pfc. Andre Craig Jr., 24 Sgt. Trista L. Moretti, 27 Pfc. Henry G. Byrd III, 27 Spc. Carter A. Gamble Jr., 24 Sgt. William E. Brown, 25 Spc. Derek A. Calhoun, 23 Sgt. Joel A. Dahl, 21 Sgt. Chris Davis, 35 Sgt. Joel A. House, 22 Spc. Joseph P. Kenny, 20 Sgt. Jimy M... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=747681 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:56:57 +0100 747681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=747682&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D631 List of military personnel killed between of 6/4/07 and 6/18/07 as reported by the Department of Defense. Total deaths as of Monday, 6/18/07: 3,826 Lance Cpl. James Cartwright, 21 Maj. Kevin H. Sonnenberg, 42 Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bechert, 24 Spc. Joasiah W. Hollopeter, 27 Pfc. Casey S. Carriker, 20 Spc. Damon G. LeGrand, 27 Pvt. William C. Johnson, 22 Lance Cpl. Johnny R. Strong, 21 Lt. Col. Glade L. Felix, 52 Cameron K. Payne, 22 Airman 1st Class Eric M. Barnes, 20 Cpl. Llythaniele Fender, 21 Spc. Adam G. Herold, 23 Staff Sgt. Brian M. Long, 32 Cpl. Meresebang Ngiraked, 21 Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, 23 Pvt. Scott A. Miller, 20 Senior Airman William N. Newman, 23 Cpl. Rodney Wilson, 30 Staff Sgt. Timothy B. Cole Jr., 28 Pfc. Shawn D. Gajdos, 25 Sgt. Matthew Soper, 25 Sgt. 1st Class Greg Sut... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=747682 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:54:10 +0100 747682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=742538&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F135023390%2Ftripoli_sixmoving_toward_resol.php The strange and tragic case of the Tripoli Six, a group of 5 Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor working in Tripoli, Libya, is finally drawing to a close. The six health workers had been found guilty of infecting up to 400 children in the hospital where they worked with HIV, and had previously been sentenced to death--even though the science had shown that the epidemic began prior to the arrival of the workers. This saga has been dragging on for the better part of a decade (Declan Butler at Nature has a very nice story here discussing the various twists and turns along the way), but now, as Revere reports (continued below): Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=742538 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:10:00 +0100 742538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729871&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D628 Meeting Report posted at PozHealth yahoo group (subscription address below) Report from the XVI International HIV Drug Resistance Workshop An expert’s take on the most clinically relevant findings from this year’s resistance meeting Many new agents from novel drug classes are now available through expanded access and are expected to gain FDA approval within the next year. Having so many new agents available at the same time means that clinicians can finally construct salvage regimens that maximize the likelihood of full virologic suppression while minimizing further resistance. Still, resistance to these new agents is inevitable, as indicated by many presentations at this year’s International HIV Drug Resistance Workshop, which took place in mid-June in Barbados. The findings desc... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729871 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:25:32 +0100 729871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729872&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D627 Tell Your Senators To Reject Holsinger’s Nomination as Surgeon General! Action Alert via AIDS Project Los Angeles Greetings, On May 24, President Bush nominated Dr. James Holsinger to serve as 18th Surgeon General of the United States. As America’s chief health educator, the Surgeon General must be devoted to helping all Americans lead healthy lives and must be committed to science. Among the stated duties of the post is to provide leadership in promoting health initiatives such as HIV prevention efforts. In the past, Dr. Holsinger has exhibited a prejudice against homosexual men. His efforts to put a scientific veneer on his prejudices (as evidenced in a 1991 paper for the United Methodist Church) call into serious question his ability to advocate for sensible HIV care an... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729872 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:30:20 +0100 729872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729873&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D626 Politics and Policy | HIV Medicine Association, Other Groups Oppose Bush Surgeon General Nominee [Jul 12, 2007] The HIV Medicine Association and other groups — including the American Public Health Association and some gay and lesbian organizations — have announced their opposition to President Bush’s surgeon general nominee, James Holsinger, ahead of his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, Reuters/Scientific American reports (Dunham, Reuters/Scientific American, 7/11). Thirty-five House members also have expressed their opposition to Holsinger’s nomination, according to the AP/International Herald Tribune (AP/International Herald Tribune, 7/12). Bush nominated Holsinger on May 24 to succeed former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, who ended his term last ye... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729873 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:52:53 +0100 729873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729771&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F132998959%2Fpost_43.php Traveling yet again today (things finally calm down in September, I think). In the meantime, here are a few posts from elsewhere I've been meaning to highlight: Some more background for those of you who may not be up to speed on HIV/AIDS: AJ Cann explains what we know (and don't know) about how HIV causes AIDS. Speaking of HIV, ERV has 4 years to come up with an HIV vaccine, and another bad story about science in the media. David asks if biologists have physics envy. I think I just have other-fields-of-biology envy, and want to do it all. PZ has a very nice posts explaining the folly of debating creationists, along with alternatives to debate that will still allow scientists to get their message out. And finally, Revere has the latest news on the Tripoli Six. Read the comments on ... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729771 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:00:00 +0100 729771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=726330&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D625 (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=726330 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:55:09 +0100 726330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=726332&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D623 [PART ONE] Crystal Meth Uncensored: Susan Kingston’s Remarks from the June 27 Center on Halsted Event The following is the first installment of Susan Kingston’s remarks from her talk at the Center on Halsted June 27 titled: “Crystal Meth Uncensored - What the DEA and the Gay Media Won’t Tell You.” Click here for her full remarks, posted on Crystal Breaks. click here for part one. click here for part two. click here for part three. click here for brother blogger rod rushing at kickin’ tina: a report on susan kingston’s HIV & crystal meth presentation in chicago 6-28 (689) ————————- The most addictive drug is the one you are addicted to. Intro I’ve been working exclusively on gay meth use for... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=726332 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:50:16 +0100 726332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=723151&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F132035073%2Fhiv_toddler_booted_from_campgr.php Last year, Seed magazine and Scienceblogs noted the 25th anniversary of the recognition of AIDS. You'd think that in all that time, especially with the identification of HIV and all the public education campaigns in the 1980s, people would realize by now that HIV isn't spread by casual contact. You can't get it by sharing drinking glasses, by coughing and sneezing around others, by being in the same swimming pool. However, the message still hasn't gotten out in some areas, it would seem, as a two-year old HIV+ boy was restricted from using the pool and showers at an Alabama campground. More information and video after the jump. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=723151 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:00:00 +0100 723151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=721379&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D619 My friend and comrade Ferd Eggan died this morning at 7 minutes before 7 on the 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year of this millennium. I guess he wanted to have an auspicious send off into wherever his spirit and energy goes next! He was a warrior, strategist, writer, artist, activist, friend … in the political, social and intellectual movements for liberation of our time. He was engaged wholeheartedly and variously in the southern US civil rights movement, the anti-Vietnam War movement, women’s and gay liberation, Weather Underground, Puerto Rican Independence, political art (as a writer, actor, film maker, website and blog creator), queer and critical theory, ACT UP, harm reduction, “post-Marxist” anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism, trans and gender variant ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=721379 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:45:14 +0100 721379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=719442&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D618 Bill Gates acquires major stake in gay publisher PlanetOut 4th July 2007 22:40 PinkNews.co.uk writer Just days after shares in Gay.com publisher, PlanetOut rose 20 per cent on Nasdaq, a company that invests the wealth of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, has purchased a major stake in the company. PlanetOut, which also owns the Adovocate and RSVP Cruises, floated in October 2004 at a share price of $9 (£4.48), it quickly rose to $14.26 (£7.10) in November. Tonight, shares closed up at $1.69 (£0.83), a marked improvement on its 52 week low of $0.86 (£0.43). Cascade Investments LLC who manage the fortune of Bill Gates has previously invested in Six Flags, Four Seasons Hotels and Pacific Ethanol. It joined with a number of other private equity vehicles including Special Situations Funds, ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=719442 Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:50:53 +0100 719442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=718856&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D616 chers— this is a poem in drag. am posting “wash” in six 2-column jpeg panels because i can’t make html do the formatting. here is an unformatted excerpt: i watch our sheet billow in the shed in the winter by the fire drying our first it came with my dowry i have never used it for rags or bandages i have patched it my husband paints it in the spring with totem figures raven badger bear frog otter gentle smiling beaver that fade after a season never quite completely a wavering landscape of shadows and ghosts enfolding us as we sleep as we heal and other things i will not say whispering times past and clan legends and more advice than is necessary namaste &#8212... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=718856 Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:03:35 +0100 718856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=718095&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D613 chers— news from canorml of a new donald abrams study study to be published in journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (jaids). thanks to degé for the heads-up. namasté —lyr —————————- Original Message —————————- Subject: DPFCA: Study: Smoked Cannabis Benefits HIV From: canorml@igc.org Date: Thu, June 28, 2007 10:40 am —–Forwarded Message—– From: Paul Armentano Sent: Jun 28, 2007 10:13 AM ————————————————————————– Colleagues, In a just published e-pub [electronic publication ahead o... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=718095 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:23:37 +0100 718095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=714674&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F130542736%2Fwhat_is_health.php I know many of the HIV threads here get very tedious and repetitive, but occasionally interesting things come out of them. Believe it or not, I've learned a lot about HIV denial over the past year and a half or so. I've long been familiar with Duesberg's objections, but it wasn't until more recently that I realized there still were active denial groups around, and even wholesale germ theory deniers. So to me, the threads aren't all wasted. Anyway, in one of the ongoing threads, there was discussion of one commenter's "natural" remedies, and her claim that "Germs cannot get a strong-hold in a healthy environment." I noted that wasn't true, and that healthy people came down with illness every day, giving the example of the role a robust immune system played in the 1918 influenza pandemic.... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=714674 Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:00:00 +0100 714674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=711756&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D612 martin luther king: a vocation of agony & the fierce urgency of now (698) Some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak. . . . kearns’ collected widgets @ aids-write (7-02-07) (697) kearns to see michael moore’s “sicko” this week; will no doubt have something to say (696) liza forman at london timesonline: sicko premiers in los angeles at union rescue mission monday (695) kaisernetwork covers australian AIDS conference, offers special free daily update 7-22 through 7-25 (694) rk’s note— Kaisernetwork.org will issue a free Daily Update email for the 4th IAS Conference On HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, in sydney, australia, broadcast during the w... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=711756 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 07:19:28 +0100 711756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=711757&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D611 chers (especially jim)— saw the following article in the july/august 2007 issue of foreign policy magazine: What happens when you take a 40-year-old CIA memo on losing a war and replace the word “Vietnam” with the word “Iraq”? The result is a set of conclusions that are just as true today. which is all well and good, but a memo to the cia is not my idea of a good time in prose. let’s try re-contextualizing and meditating on a more readable text. Some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak. . . . the war in iraq: If we continue, there will be no doubt in my mind and in the mind of the world that we have no honorable intentions in [Vietnam] IRAQ. If we do no... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=711757 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 06:52:17 +0100 711757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=710323&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D609 sicko: the one movie we must see this summer ‘SiCKO’ opening June 29, 2007 The words “health care” and “comedy” aren’t usually found in the same sentence, but in Academy Award winning filmmaker Michael Moore’s new movie ‘SiCKO,’ they go together hand in (rubber) glove. Opening with profiles of several ordinary Americans whose lives have been disrupted, shattered, and—in some cases—ended by health care catastrophe, the film makes clear that the crisis doesn’t only affect the 47 million uninsured citizens—millions of others who dutifully pay their premiums often get strangled by bureaucratic red tape as well. After detailing just how the system got into such a mess (the short answer: profits and Nixon), we are whi... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=710323 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:53:16 +0100 710323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=710324&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D608 Ministering to the Sicko Michael Moore shuns a glittering premiere to unveil his critique of US health care before the down-and-outs of Los Angeles Liza Foreman Skid Row, the centre of home-lessness in Los Angeles, is not usually known for Hollywood premieres. But that all changed on Monday when Michael Moore unspooled Sicko, his exposé of the American health care system, at the Union Rescue Mission. “The Hollywood premiere was scheduled for tomorrow night. But I said the real premiere should take place at the mission,” Moore told the crowd – some of the 50 million people in the US who have no health care. . . . There were gasps as the crowd recognised one of their own on screen, a woman dumped here by a local hospital; cries as a mother’s baby died in casualty; outrage at 9... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=710324 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:21:34 +0100 710324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=710325&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D607 4th IAS Conference On HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention 7/22/2007 International AIDS Society and Australasian Society for HIV Medicine, Sydney, Australia Kaisernetwork.org, a free online health news and information service operated by the Kaiser Family Foundation is partnering with the International AIDS Society (IAS) as the official webcaster of the 4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Sydney, Australia, July 22-25, 2007. Held every two years, the conference unites scientists, clinicians, public health experts and community leaders to examine the latest developments in HIV-related research, and to explore how scientific advances can inform the global response to HIV/AIDS. The Foundation, working in collaboration with IAS and the Australasian Soc... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=710325 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:21:53 +0100 710325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=710326&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D606 Justice Stevens Calls On History He Lived ‘Bong Hits’ Dissent Points to Prohibition By Charles Lane Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, June 27, 2007; Page A17 . . . On Monday, [justice john paul] Stevens dissented in the case of the Alaska teenager who was suspended for displaying a “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” banner at a school event. While a majority of the court said the Constitution does not protect pro-drug student speech, Stevens took the historic view. Harking back to Prohibition, which began three months before Stevens’s birth and ended a month before he turned 13 in 1933, Stevens compared the current marijuana ban to the abandoned alcohol ban and urged a respectful hearing for those who suggest “however inarticulately” that the ban is &#82... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=710326 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:46:33 +0100 710326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=708850&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D605 Across The Nation | South Carolina Gov. Sanford Approves $4M for HIV/AIDS Treatment [Jul 02, 2007] South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) on Wednesday approved a measure that will provide $3 million annually, as well as a one-time grant of $1 million, to provide increased access to HIV/AIDS treatment in the state, the Columbia State reports. The funds also will be used to reduce the number of people on the waiting list for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. As of June 29, the state’s ADAP waiting list stood at 362 people (Reid, Columbia State, 6/29). ADAPs are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. South Carolina has the largest ADAP waiting list nationwide. HHS in ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=708850 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:38:47 +0100 708850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=708750&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F129745711%2Fwhy_deny_only_one_part_of_scie.php Over at Uncommon Descent, the blog of William Dembski and friends, a contributor has a post up discussing Peter Duesberg's aneuploidy hypothesis for cancer (which Orac discussed here for more background). The post itself is a bit confusing--it's titled "When Darwinism Hurts," and according to the author's clarification, it's about "Darwinism" leading us down the wrong path as far as cancer research goes. (Though whether cancer would be due to mutations in specific genes or in chromosomes, it's still an evolutionary process, but I digress...) To me, anyway, the more interesting portion was in the comments section, where both DaveScot and Sal Cordova imply also that HIV might not cause AIDS; more after the jump. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aeti... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=708750 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:00:00 +0100 708750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=708851&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D602 U.S. hospital, doctor visits balloon, survey finds By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor Fri Jun 29, 5:12 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hospital and doctor visits in the United States have surged by 20 percent in the past five years and the most commonly prescribed medications are antidepressants, according to statistics published on Friday. The survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found most people who visited emergency rooms had private health insurance, although the uninsured were twice as likely to use emergency services as people with insurance. The report estimates that 1.2 billion visits were made to hospitals, emergency rooms and physicians’ offices in 2005. “It was only a few years ago that we released that the total number of visit... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=708851 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 06:32:28 +0100 708851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=705918&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D600 Indians use condoms as toys By Rahul Bedi in New Delhi Last Updated: 3:28am BST 30/06/2007 India is struggling to prevent millions of condoms from being made into toys or sold as balloons. The contraceptives were distributed free to control the country’s population and restrict the Aids virus. However, they are being used instead to strengthen roads, provide extra waterproofing for houses and to carry water. Health activists said millions of condoms were melted down for their latex and made into toys. Others were dyed and sold as balloons. In rural areas, villagers used them as water containers. India’s soldiers covered their gun barrels with condoms as protection against dust. Only a quarter of about 1.5 billion condoms made each year were “properly utilised&#8221... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=705918 Sat, 30 Jun 2007 05:06:06 +0100 705918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=705762&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D599 bewitched Wednesday, June 13, 2007 I have decided to take a working vacation and spend some time in my home town of Chicago. The evening session at the National Testing Day Event at the new Center on Halsted holds some promise of great interest for me. Susan Kingston really has pioneered some amazing work and the programs in King County are exemplary. She is the featured speaker for the third session that day. I wonder sometimes, if she is more than a mere mortal. She seems to see truths before others do and tells it as she sees it and so eloquently to boot. And I am completely vexed. Here’s just a single example of the great work at Seattle King County. When Your Friend Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem A Guide for Gay and Bisexual Men Meth Expert to Speak at Chicago Conference Wed... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=705762 Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:22:07 +0100 705762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=705764&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D597 To take the on-line lube survey, click on this sentence & visit Lifelube.org; the link to the survey is on the right side of the screen. Thursday, June 28, 2007 HEALTH / Lubricant testing may not be all it’s cracked up to be Miriam Boon / Xtra / Thursday, June 28, 2007 Would you put lipstick up your ass? How about exfoliant cream? Yet you put lube up your ass and it’s classified as a cosmetic under Canada’s Food And Drug Act. “Lubricants are generally classified as cosmetics since they are intended for use on the skin,” says Health Canada spokesperson Renee Bergeron. “[The] vagina and rectum are considered as part of the skin.” Although we put lube up our love holes all the time, they are not required to be tested or approved for internal... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=705764 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:55:24 +0100 705764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=705765&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D596 Opinion | Development of HIV/AIDS Vaccine Crucial to Fight Against Pandemic, Letter to Editor Says [Jun 29, 2007] A recent Washington Post article “shed welcome light on how, despite advances in access to AIDS treatment in the developing world, the disease is overwhelming efforts to combat it,” Seth Berkley, president and CEO of the AIDS Vaccine Initiative, writes in a Post letter to the editor. However, the article “failed to explore how these facts underscore the imperative for doing everything possible to find a safe, effective vaccine for AIDS,” according to Berkley. He adds that researchers have “made significant progress addressing the scientific challenges to designing an AIDS vaccine” and that more than “30 clinical vaccine trials are ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=705765 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:08:44 +0100 705765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=705766&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D595 chers— from ajax stamos at ajax in the city: “One Way Or The Other.” then the link to and an excerpt from david france’s gaydar article. namasté —lyr Jun. 19th, 2007 Gay. Or straight. When it comes to bi, I’m not a believer. Unless… You’re a woman. Chicks are more fluid. Men? Men… Not so much. Check out the Science of Gaydar. But even without that – Ask an ex-con. He’ll tell you. In prison… He went gay. Out of prison, either he’s straight. Or he was a fag to begin with. Oh, and all those bi - strippers, go-go boys and porn stars you’re acquainted with, they’re Buy sexual. Not Bi. It’s either gay. Or straight. Not both. But, sometimes… It’s hard to tell - Str(ay) or G(aight)? ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=705766 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:15:08 +0100 705766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=704381&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F128992088%2Fintroduction_to_hiv_and_hiv_de.php I don't often provide a lot of background into HIV science or HIV denial, instead referencing previous posts I've made or websites such as AIDStruth.org or the NIAID fact sheet. For those of you who may be looking for more background in a nice, concise format, HealthDot has a 20-minute interview with John Moore and Jeanne Bergman (both who help run AIDStruth.org) regarding the issues of HIV science and HIV denial--including a few minutes on what journalists can do. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=704381 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:00:00 +0100 704381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=700684&cid=t_351163_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fnational-hiv-testing-day-june-27th.html Today is National HIV Testing Day, originated by the National Association of People with AIDS-US (NAPWA-US) in 1995. The US Department of Health and Human Services offers this site in relation to today's events, and the CDC's information can be found here.Outreach to communities of color and vulnerable populations like teenagers and the elderly is still central to the efforts to confront the pandemic's trajectory here in the United States. While HIV/AIDS is decimating populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, infection rates in the US are still unquestionably high. The popular notion that AIDS is now a chronic treatable illness has by some accounts emboldened certain segments of the population to engage in high-risk behaviors. Despite the fact that many antiretroviral drugs are available on the m... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=700684 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:22:00 +0100 700684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=699343&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D593 The HIV / AIDS news headlines shown above are provided courtesy of Medical News Today and are subject to the terms and conditions stated on the Medical News Today website. HIV / AIDS News from Medical News Today Please click on this sentence and donate tax-deductibly to aids-write.org. adventures in unimaginable numbers: from the npp (national priorities project), a nifty little counter of the ever-accumulating dollar-cost of the iraq war. npp estimates the war money could have fully funded world-wide aids/hiv programs for 27 years, though that much bang for warbucks difficult to imagine. the need is so underestimated. i thought medicine was expensive. war is obscenely expensive, unless you are ceo of halliburton as well as vp. then it can’t cost enough. original text and gra... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=699343 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:26:35 +0100 699343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=693293&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D589 Evangelical voters may not help GOP Opinion > op/ed Originally published Jun 20, 2007 in the baltimore sun by Thomas F. Schaller Here’s a bold prediction: Evangelicals will present few if any obstacles for the Democrats in next year’s presidential race, but may prove problematic for the Republican nominee. I’m not suggesting that a majority of evangelicals will vote Democratic next year. What I am saying is the 2008 presidential race could be a turning point for evangelical politics in America. . . . “Evangelicals - especially the new generation of pastors and young people - are deserting the religious right in droves,” wrote Jim Wallis, author of God’s Politics, in a February commentary in Time. “The evangelical social agenda is now much bro... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=693293 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:19:45 +0100 693293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=690063&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D587 Politics and Policy | House Approves Bill That Would Allow for Waiver of PEPFAR’s Abstinence Spending Requirements [Jun 22, 2007] The House on Thursday voted 241-178 to approve the fiscal year 2008 foreign aid spending bill (HR 2764), the Washington Post reports (Williamson, Washington Post, 6/22). The bill would allow President Bush and future presidents to waive the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s abstinence spending requirement. By law, at least one-third of HIV prevention funds that focus countries receive through PEPFAR must be used for abstinence-until-marriage programs. Rep. Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), who helped draft the original abstinence spending requirement, said that he is confident the Bush administration will continue to promote the requirement.... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=690063 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:21:34 +0100 690063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=689940&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F127022776%2Fhivaids_denial_featured_in_sci.php While I was out last week, I completely missed this Science article all about HIV denial and the AidsTruth.org website, and features frequent commenter Richard Jeffreys: For 20 years, a small but vocal group of AIDS "dissenters" has attracted international attention by questioning whether HIV causes the disease. Many AIDS researchers from the outset thought it best to ignore these challenges. But last year, another small and equally vocal group decided to counter the dissenters--whom they call "denialists"--with a feisty Web site, AIDSTruth.org. It has started to attract international attention itself. "It's great," says Mark Wainberg, head of the McGill AIDS Centre in Montreal, Canada. "We really need to get more people to understand that HIV denialism does serious harm. And we were in d... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=689940 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:00:00 +0100 689940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=688651&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D585 i write on the page i feel its emptiness fill & when i read i stand not in the room but there in ruins in battered fields in harvest in lost in burnt in unfindable wreckage home —rk (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=688651 Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:12:07 +0100 688651 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=683373&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D584 the process of preparing for a big event (like for me, the pride parade) requires rest. there can be any number of modalities. unconsciousness is one of the tried-&-true, but the drawback is time slips away too quickly. ditto many forms of meditation. time & consciousness often disagree. or refuse to speak to one another. dreamtime stuff. one of the more fun and awake resting techniques is based on the principle of active rest, back from the days when i was a personal trainer and “group exercise” instructor at the gym. active rest. when you train for a physical event, like a 1.7-mile-long proud marathon in daylight, you want your training to include elements of rest, both before and after the big moment. so, instead of sitting at home staring at the tv, you delve into a co... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=683373 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:52:55 +0100 683373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=675846&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35263&url=http%3A%2F%2Fronhudson.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fblogcarnival-honor-bestowed-on-icp.html The International Carnival of Pozitivities (ICP) has been selected by Blog Carnival as their featured carnival for today, June 15, 2007. I am thrilled that the ICP has received this honor, especially since it highlights the work of our last host, James Wortz, and all of the contributors to this volunteer project. Many, many kudos to all of you who have contributed in the past.Please visit Blogcarnival.com and check out the other carnivals that exist. You might just find another carnival that fits your lifestyle.Categories: blogcarnival.com blog carnival International+Carnival+of+Pozitivities ICP HIV/AIDS HIV AIDS (Source: 2sides2ron) 2sides2ron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=675846 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:36:00 +0100 675846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=674422&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F124503989%2Fmalaria_to_cure_hiv.php Over at The Examining Room of Dr. Charles, the good doc brings up another instance of quackery from an unexpected source: Dr. Henry Heimlich, originator of the Heimlich maneuver for choking. While that procedure has clearly saved many lives, Dr. Heimlich doesn't stop there--he advocates using his maneuver for drowning victims and asthmatics, neither of which have been scientifically proven (and indeed, major medical associations have spoken out against them). Dr. Charles also reveals that Heimlich also carries out other questionable research, including deliberately infecting HIV+ individuals with malaria, which he touts and a cheap and effective cure for AIDS. More after the jump.... Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=674422 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:30:00 +0100 674422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=674426&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F123911930%2Fdavid_crowe_way_beyond_hiv_den.php HIV "dissident" David Crowe is like the gift that just keeps on giving. Last year, I mentioned a paper he'd written in the journal Medical Hypotheses, suggesting that influenza serotype H5N1 doesn't exist. Well, it just keeps getting better. Now, it seems he's writing a book on "the infectious myth"--like previous commenter jspreen, he's going to write about how the germ theory is wrong. Read more about it below... Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=674426 Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:30:00 +0100 674426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658606&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F122385064%2Fchristine_gormans_global_healt.php Time journalist (and newly minted Nieman fellow in global health) Christine Gorman recently gave a talk at the Global Health Council's annual meeting. Christine discussed topics that get a lot of press--such as HIV/AIDS--and others that occasionally bubble up to the surface, such as malaria and non-infectious global health issues like female genital mutilation. However, she also noted stories that are rare or missing in mainstream health journalism--more on those after the jump. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658606 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:30:00 +0100 658606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=659381&cid=t_351163_93_f&fid=35707&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhemodynamics.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fin-brief-poz-blog-carnival-internship.html 1. The International Carnival of Pozitivities was kind enough to include my AIDS vaccine post in its recent round-up of blog posts related to HIV, AIDS, and especially, living with HIV.2. I went to pick up my Advanced Cardiac Life Support manual from the hospital. Walking back from getting the ACLS manual, I saw a woman and a man walking in the corridor in the opposite direction; the man was in scrubs and was carrying a portable defibrillator. As they passed me, she said, "So, you're going to do the spiel to the new interns, right?" "Yeah," he said. She said, "That's a big one. Like, 200 MDs."I thought:--People are preparing for us showing up, and it's a big event....and...--Ha! She said, "MDs!" She meant us! Ha ha ha! ... oh crap! I realized that other people think of us as doctors, more ... hemodynamics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=659381 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:10:00 +0100 659381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=650574&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F121107108%2Fpost_37.php Today is the kids' last day of school, and just happens to be an early dismissal as well, so I'll be busy with them and not tied to the computer this morning/afternoon. However, there are tons of good things to read elsewhere. First, Orac has a long-awaited update on the Tripoli Six: the group of nurses and doctors accused of killing children in Libya by deliberately infecting them with HIV. The science exonerated them, but that didn't change the court outcome, and I've not seen updates until now. Next, Revere writes about the H7N2 influenza outbreak in Wales, reminding us (as as I've mentioned before as well) that we need to keep an eye on all emerging influenza viruses, not just H5N1. I mentioned I briefly ran into Chris Mooney at the American Institute of Biological Sciences meeti... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=650574 Thu, 31 May 2007 16:05:00 +0100 650574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=638313&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D572 RIP TOD [may 21, 2007] All patients are devastated by the untimely death of Tod H Mikuriya,MD ,,community organizer & psycharist and dear friend It was my pleasure to work and travel with him since the early 60s. He truly was the grandfather of our cause He created the concept of patients rights for medical cannabis and along with Dr Berman was the pioneer medical expert on our issues. Always a courageously fearless organizer who first spoke on our behalf in Sacramento and Washington DC He will always be with us as we continue his work of patients rights. !! humbly,Jaime In Memoriam: Tod Mikuriya Posted by CN Staff on May 21, 2007 at 20:55:13 PT By David F. Duncan, DrPH, FAAHB Source: National Association of Public Health USA — Pioneering researcher on marijuana and cannab... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=638313 Sat, 26 May 2007 08:48:04 +0100 638313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=637634&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F119585242%2Fwaiting_for_antivirals.php A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I reviewed the HIV/AIDS chapter in Tom Bethell's book, "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science." I discussed his characterization of AIDS in Africa: As the chapter title suggests, Bethell claims that AIDS in Africa is a made-up epidemic; AIDS is really due to simple malnutrition and dirty water supplies, rather than a virus. Government officials, scientists, and journalists are either too brainwashed or too scared to speak against the "AIDS orthodoxy." The evil liberals aren't concerned about AIDS because the real concern of the left, according to Bethell, is overpopulation in Africa (and hence the emphasis on condom use to prevent AIDS). Public health officials aren't actually concerned about disease in Africa--just overpopulation. Others ... Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=637634 Fri, 25 May 2007 14:00:00 +0100 637634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=638315&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D570 from kaiser family network: Politics and Policy | California Counties Facing Federal HIV/AIDS Funding Cuts; Pelosi Sends Letter to HHS Secretary [May 24, 2007] Programs for HIV-positive residents in three California counties are facing cuts in some services after HHS officials announced funding allocations that will result in an annual loss of $8.6 million in federal funds for the counties, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties receive funding for HIV/AIDS services under the Ryan White Program. However, the Ryan White Reauthorization Bill (HR 6143), which President Bush signed into law in December 2006, redistributes some funds from cities to rural areas. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday sent a letter to HHS Secretary Mike ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=638315 Thu, 24 May 2007 19:19:07 +0100 638315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629361&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D565 Top HIV/Aids Drug Rankings for: May 2007 We have 17 branded HIV/Aids drugs in our rankings for the month of May and 17 generic HIV/Aids drugs. The Top branded HIV/Aids drug is Kaletra made by Abbott followed by Sustiva made by Bristol Meyers Squibb and then Combivir made by GlaxoSmithKline. In our rankings for May the top generic drug for HIV/Aids is Zidovudine followed by Didanosine and we have Nevirapine in the third spot. Most Popular AIDS/HIV Medications (week of 05/20/2007) #1 Kaletra (Lopinavir and Ritonavir) #2 Sustiva (Efavirenz) #3 Combivir (Lamivudine and Zidovudine) #4 Viramune (Nevirapine) #5 Viread (Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) #6 Epivir (Lamivudine) #7 Zidovudine #8 Viracept (Nelfinavir Mesylate) #9 Norvir (Ritonavir) #10 Zerit (Stavudine) #11 Retrovir (Zidovu... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629361 Mon, 21 May 2007 06:28:43 +0100 629361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623824&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D562 Tale of last 90 minutes of woman’s life County officials express dismay at the events surrounding the recent controversial death at King-Harbor hospital. One nurse has resigned. By Charles Ornstein Times Staff Writer May 20, 2007 In the emergency room at Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital, Edith Isabel Rodriguez was seen as a complainer. “Thanks a lot, officers,” an emergency room nurse told Los Angeles County police who brought in Rodriguez early May 9 after finding her in front of the Willowbrook hospital yelling for help. “This is her third time here.” The 43-year-old mother of three had been released from the emergency room hours earlier, her third visit in three days for abdominal pain. She’d been given prescription medication and a doctor&#8... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623824 Sun, 20 May 2007 17:48:48 +0100 623824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620425&cid=t_351163_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D560 kearns @ pan/aids-write reads open poem to la-city plum committee 5-15-07: “who are you to tell me how to sing the blues?” (646) . . . who are you to tell me how to sing the blues? i am the blues i ring the blues out loud for you: hear me now these are the 1983 denver AIDS principles in song: we are persons with AIDS, we are, we must be expert voices hearkened to in all public health policy dialogs about our lives & deaths & our disease the refrain is the same for medical cannabis here are the blues i sing to you our city must be not only a good place to live but also also a good place to die . . . adjournment list of military dead at weho cc meeting (5-7-07) (645) jordan rau @ the la times: schwarzenegger proposes 2% physician tax for medi-cal (5-14-07) (644) kaise... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620425 Thu, 17 May 2007 17:19:00 +0100 620425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=611209&cid=t_351163_99_f&fid=34589&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Faetiology%2F%7E3%2F117425945%2Fon_hiv_vaccines.php There were a few comments in the vaccine creation post asking about HIV vaccines. I've not had the time to get back to them yet, but in lieu of my response (and since I'm not 100% up-to-date on all the HIV vaccine literature anyway) I'll offer up a new review from the latest issue of the New England Journal on "HIV Vaccines--Evolving Concepts." Read the comments on this post... (Source: Aetiology) Aetiology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=611209 Thu, 17 May 2007 13:30:00 +0100 611209