Synthesis of a new hydroxyethylene dipeptide isostere Phe ψ[CH2CH(OH)]Phe as HIV-1 protease inhibitor

A new type of pseudodipeptide isostere exampled by Phe ψ[CH2CH(OH)]Phe was synthesized from phenylalanine. The H]V protease inhibitory activity (IC50) of Noa-His-Pheψ[CH2CH(OH)]Phe-Ile-Amp was 0. 8 pmol·L-1.     

Epidemiology and clinical manifestation of HIV infection in Northern Zaire

1275 patients were evaluated for HIV-1+2 seroprevalence and its association with clinical symptoms of HIV infection. Of 667 apparently healthy subjects, 8.2% had anti-HIV-1 antibodies. In 465 patients with clinical signs of AIDS, 39.4% were seropositive. 143 patients with miscellaneous symptoms had positive predictive values for HIV infection between 67% (vaginal ulcerations) and 20% (profound pyogenic abscesses). The WHO definition for AIDS had a specificity of 78.3%, a sensitivity of 72.2% and a predictive value of 61.6%.     

The effects of an HIV/AIDS educational programme on the anxiety level of nursing students

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a serious disease that has special concern for the health care provider. AIDS has continued to grow despite control efforts. As the disease infectivity period remains lengthy, and the heterosexual population is affected to a greater degree, the level of anxiety has also risen despite educational endeavours. Many fears and anxieties have been associated with AIDS patients by health care workers. The reduction of stress, perceived risk and discomfort following educational efforts have been supported in past research. Educational programmes will need to be given for current health care workers at all levels as well as nursing students. Future nurses must be prepared to meet this challenge. This study was conducted using a convenience sample of nursing students at a university in western United States. Its purpose was to assess any changes that occurred in state anxiety following an educational presentation. Spielberge's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used as the measurement instrument. Some anxiety levels were significantly reduced.     

Classification and diagnostic criteria for oral lesions in HIV infection

A consensus has been reached on the classification of the oral manifestations of HIV infection and their diagnostic criteria, based on presumptive and definitive criteria. The former relate to the initial clinical appearance of the lesion and the latter are often the result of special investigations. Candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, specific forms of periodontal disease [linear gingival erythema, necrotising-(ulcerative) gingivitis and necrotising(ulcerative) periodontitis], Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are strongly associated with HIV infection. Lesions less commonly associated with HIV infection and lesions seen in HIV infection, but not indicative of the disease, are also listed.     

Pilot study to enhance HIV care using needle exchange-based health services for out-of-treatment injecting drug users

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in marked reductions in mortality and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidence across all risk groups; however, the proportionate decrease among injecting drug users (IDUs) has been less impressive. Much of the disparity in benefit to IDUs has been a consequence of decreased access to and receipt of potent antiretroviral combinations. Strategies to increase access to and utilization of HAART have included entry into drug treatment and abstinence. Unfortunately, as few as 15%–20% of active drug users in the United States, and in many other countries, are in drug treatment at any one time. We report a pilot project among out-of-drug treatment IDUs infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); HIV therapy was successfully provided to active heroin injectors using the Community Health Care Van (CHCV) at sites of needle exchange. Subjects were willing to initiate, but were not receiving, recommended HIV therapy and were not interested in formal drug treatment. Antiretroviral therapy regimens were selected and linked to heroin injection timing. Weekly visits were scheduled by CHCV staff to assess adverse side effects and encourage adherence. Of the 13 participants, the mean baseline HIV-1 RNA level and CD4 lymphocyte count were 162,369 (log 5.21) copies per milliliter and 265 cells per milliliter, respectively. By 6 months, the proportion whose HIV-1 RNA was below the limits of detection (<400 copies/mL) was 85% (N=11); 77% (N=10) had nondetectable levels by 9 months. By 12 months, 54% (N=7) had a persistently nondetectable viral load, and the net increase in CD4 lymphocyte count was 150 cells per milliliter. As an additional and unintended benefit of this pilot project, 9 (69%) subjects chose to enter drug treatment after achieving a nondetectable viral load. Entry into drug treatment was associated with durability of viral suppression. This small pilot study suggests that health services based on needle exchange may enhance access to HAART among out-of-treatment HIV-infected IDUs. In addition, it demonstrates that this population can benefit from this therapy with the support of a nontraditional, community-based health intervention.     

降低医疗保健服务中HIV/AIDS相关歧视研究:背景、问题及研究框架

医疗保健领域中艾滋相关偏见与歧视问题已得到国际社会及众多艾滋病防治领域工作者的广泛关注。在欧洲联盟资助下,设计并实施了一个为期1年的行动性研究以探索如何降低医疗保健领域的偏见与歧视。本文回顾了偏见与歧视的概念以及UNAIDS提出的医疗保健领域艾滋相关歧视的主要表现形式,提出了本研究中的偏见与歧视的操作定义及范畴,并给出了本研究的背景及框架。     

艾滋病与千年发展目标

通过艾滋病的流行和传播与其他发展目标的相互影响,论证遏制并扭转艾滋病蔓延的紧迫性,同时采取多途径确保千年发展目标的最终实现。