HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Stefan.M.Gorsch@dartmouth.edu (Stefan M. Gorsch)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Elevated GGTP enzyme a problem?
Date: 30 Dec 92 01:40:47 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
X-Posted-From: InterNews1.0a5@newshost.dartmouth.edu

In article <C00DEw.KrF@techbook.com>
szabo@techbook.com (Nick Szabo) writes:

> On a blood chemistry test (cholesterol, bilirubins, alkaline
> phosphate, AST/SGOT, GGTP, etc.) all numbers turned up well
> within normal range except GGTP (67, reference 0-45) and
> triglycerides (196, reference 30-150).  Glucose was slightly
> low but within reference (72, 65-110).
> 
> Patient is male, 30, about 80 lbs. overweight, and had an acute 
> relapse of mononucleosis symptoms five years ago after one night of heavy 
> alchohol consumption during recovery from mono.  Currently patient 
> complains of heartburn, anxiety, apathy, frequent thirst & urination,
> episodes of depression.   Should there be any concern here (liver 
> damage, hypoglycemia, diabetes, etc.?)  

Based on the information supplied above, the two most probable
explanations for the minimal elevation in GGT are either fatty
infiltration of the liver or alcohol ingestion. However, it should be
kept in mind that the so-called normal range represents a theoretical
95% confidence interval and hence 5% of a helathy population would be
expected to have values above or below the given range. While the list
of things which can result in elevations of the GGT are too numerous to
recite, one might consider repeating the test after prolonged
abstinence from alcohol and appropriate weight loss.

stefan.m.gorsch@dartmouth.edu
----
The above is not to be construed as professional advice, nor is it
meant to substitute for appropriate consultation with a physician.
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: jha@maui.cs.ucla.edu (Vikas Jha)
Subject: Request for information on herniated disk
Organization: UCLA, Computer Science Department
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 92 03:15:56 GMT

Hi!

A friend of mine has been diagnosed to have an herniated
disk in the lumbar region. A back surgery is one option
that has been suggested. I would appreciate if you can 
help us in making an informed decision by providing
information about any of the following:

1. detailed information about the herniated disk condition, 
2. current surgical and non-surgical methods of treatment,
   and their effectiveness,
3. issues to think about in choosing between surgery and
   non-surgery,
4. issues of concern (risks etc) in the surgical procedure 
   itself,
5. post-surgery convalescence: time spent in hospital, time
   immobile, time displaced from work etc.

References to literature, and personal experiences are most
welcome.

Please post your replies and/or email your replies to
jha@cs.ucla.edu

Thanks.

Vikas Jha
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Billi Goldberg <bigoldberg@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Levy's New CD8 Study
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6682
Organization: unspecified
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 92 11:55:02 PST

Another just published study on the importance of CD8+ cells in the 
control of HIV and AIDS-related pathogens. I wonder if it is possible 
that these individuals who have AIDS and no positive tests for HIV may 
be having the virus surpressed by CD8+ cells. It also makes me wonder 
about the individuals who have claimed that certain unusual treatments 
have cleared the virus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Castro BA, Homsy J, Lennette E, Murthy KK, Eichberg JW, Levy J. HIV-1 
Expression in Chimpanzees Can Be Activated by CD8+ Cell Depletion or CMV 
Infection. Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology. 1992; 65(3): 
227-233.

Abstract: CD8+ cell antivral activity and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were 
investigated in vivo as possible cofactors influencing the outcome of 
HIV-1 infection. The role of CD8+ suppression of HIV replication was 
evaluated by depleting CD8+ cells in two infected chimpanzees by 
inoculation with monoclonal anti-CD8 antibodies. Two other infected 
animals were infected with chimpanzee CMV (CCMV)-infected human 
fibroblasts to determine if exposure to this virus would induce HIV 
replication. Treatment with anti-CD8 antibody resulted in recovery of 
virus from the CD4+ lymphocytes of one animal at 1, 4, and 6 months, and 
from a second animal at 1 month postinoculation. In contrast, virus had 
been recovered only once or not all from these infected chimpanzees for 
4 years prior to treatment. Similarly, HIV was recovered the CD4+ cells 
of the two animals 2 to 3 months after inoculation of control uninfected 
fibroblasts. These studies suggest that CD8+ cell-mediated suppression 
and the presence of other viruses (such as CMV) could act as cofactors 
in influencing the extent of HIV-1 replication in vivo and, possible, 
progression to disease.
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Charles W. Elliott <celliott@igc.apc.org>
Subject: HIV antibody testing (Abbott)
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6668
Organization: unspecified
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 13:48:31 PST

Can someone out there explain to me how the cutoff value and
control range values are established for the ABBOTT HIV-antibody
blood screening test? Or how I can find out? E-mail is fine. Thanks
for any help someone can give me.
Charles Elliott

Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: GLADSTONE%CSMCMVAX.BITNET@VM.USC.EDU
Subject: Re: (6691) DNCB ???
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6694
Organization: unspecified
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 15:05 PDT

this old orphan proves more usefull than the current results of millions
of dollars in pharmacuetical research.  It would certainly have uses other
than HIV treatment if it works.  Are there any clinical trials underway?
        Concerning the news in the CDC journal about Marinol, I am curious
about the legal status of this compound.  Is THC still a schedule I
substance?  How does the FDA and the DEA permit it's use?  Do they use
the investigational drug exemption, or the compassionate use rule(?)
or what?  It used to be that any FDA approved drug could be used for
any purpose an MD sees fit.  Is there some sort of conditional or limited
approval ?  An email response would be fine if posting is not appropriate.
Thank you for any information.

Joe Gladstone>  <GLADSTONE@CSMCMVAX.BITNET>
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Billi Goldberg <bigoldberg@igc.apc.org>
Subject: AZT Resistance
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6702
Organization: unspecified
Date: Fri, 1 Jan 93 09:07:31 PST

The following has been summarized and excerpted from the San Francisco 
Chronicle, Friday, January 1, 1993.

It makes very interesting reading. I am very curious how the AZT "spin 
doctors" will handle the reality that AZT is not working. Considering 
the number of deaths of people who have used AZT, I have doubts that it 
ever did anything more than suppress the immune system. A new research 
focus at NIH is using AZT as soon as possible after an individual sero-
converts. Then they checked the lymph nodes to see how effective the AZT 
treatment was. Believe it or not, the AZT treatment was totally 
ineffective. Big surprise! 

I wonder what will happen to AIDS research when the money from Burroughs
Wellcome dries up? Most of the antiviral research and trials in this 
country involves the combination of AZT with everything but the kitchen 
sink. There will be quite a few doctors, scientists, and researchers out 
of work.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MORE AIDS PATIENTS SHOW RESISTANCE TO AZT

More AIDS patients are showing early resistance to AZT, the drug most 
commonly used against the disease, and researchers say there is an 
urgent need to develop new drugs to combat the epidemic.

Dr. Wendell T.W. Ching of the School of Medicine at the University of 
California at Los Angeles said blood tests are turning up increasing 
numbers of AIDS-infected patients who have never taken AZT and are sick 
with a virus that is naturally resistant to the drug.

"Some of the patients may have gotten the virus from other patients who 
had been taking AZT and who are now transmitting the resistant virus," 
Ching said. A report on the blood test study appears today in the 
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Ching said earlier studies had attributed AZT resistance to long-term 
use of the drug. The new study shows the resistance may occur naturally 
in patients who have never taken AZT, or that the resistant virus can 
spread from a patient who has taken the drug to one who had been 
disease-free.

AZT is the common name for zidovudine, the first anti-viral drug 
approved for use against the AIDS virus. There now are two other drugs, 
called ddI and ddC, but AZT remains the primary drug.

Resistance to drugs is a common phenomenon in medicine, Ching said.

Researchers said their studies suggest that "with widespread use of 
AZT," the modest beneficial effect of the drug may diminish in time.

"This concern emphasizes the urgent need to quickly develop other anti-
HIV drugs for clinical use," the study said.
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Billi Goldberg <bigoldberg@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Shark's Cartilage
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6696
Organization: unspecified
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 92 08:42:40 PST

            SHARKS CARTILAGE AND KAPOSI'S SARCOMA

Shark's cartilage is being used as a possible systemic treatment for 
Kaposi's sarcoma. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

My guess would be that the best thing to do is to inject the shark's 
cartilage directly into the KS lesion. Systemic use for localized KS 
appears to be counterproductive and wasteful. Since cartilage is 
avascular, it would act as a block to the angiogenesis factors after 
they are produced by macrophages and endothelial cells and not in anyway 
inhibit the actual production of the angiogenesis factors. Therefore, 
the cartilage should not in any way have a negative effect on the immune 
system. A local subcutaneous injection of cartilage, since it is 
xenogeneic, might result in a delayed-type hypersensitivity response at 
the local site of use. This could help in clearing the lesion.

The book mentioned below is very, very interesting. Since I believe that 
cancer and AIDS have much in common, I am learning many new things about 
the immune response from a different approach.
************************************************************************
The following is a quote from "Biologic Therapy of Cancer" edited by
Vincent T. DeVita, Jr., Samuel Hellman, Steven A. Rosenberg published by 
J.B. Lippincott Company in 1991. It is in Chapter 30 "Antiangiogenesis" 
by M. Judah Folkman, Andrus Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Professor of 
Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Harvard Medical School, Senior Assiciate 
in Surgery, Director, Surgical Research Laboratory, The Children's 
Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

An Angiogenesis Inhibitor in Cartilage

The first angiogenesis inhibitor was found in cartilage, an avascular 
tissue that resists invasion by many tumors.(1,2) The partially purified 
inbhibitor suppressed tumor growth when it was infused into the vascular 
bed of murine and rabbit tumors.(3) The inhibitor is a peptide of 28,000 
daltons, which has now been purified and partially sequenced.(4) 
Sufficient inhibitor is not yet available to test it by systemic 
administration in tumor-bearing animals.

1.Eisenstein R, Sorgente N, Soble L, et al: The resistance of certain 
tissues to invasion: Penetrability of explanted tissues by vascularized 
mesenchyme. Am J. Pathol 1973;73:765.

2.Brem S, Finkelestein D, Chen C, et al: Retinal neovascularization: 
Experimental induction by intravitreal tumor. Invest Opthalmol Suppl 
1975:14:21.

3.Langer R, Conn H, Vacanti J, et al: Control of tumor growth in animals 
by infusion of an angiogenesis inhibitor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 
1980;77:4331.

4.Moses MA, Sudhalter J, Behm J, et al: A cartilage-derived collagenase 
inhibitor co-purifies with an inhibitor of bovine capillary endothelial 
cell proliferation. Fed Pro 1987:46:1991.

Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: carlton@gopher.ccbr.umn.edu (Carlton Hogan)
Subject: Prevalence of Anti-viral Usage
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6693
Organization: CPCRA Statistical Center
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 17:04:02 GMT

Does anybody out there have any kind of working estimate of how many
persons
in the united states are receiving Antiretroviral Treatment? Or, even
better,
how many people took ddI, ddC, or AZT in the year 1992 (or even 1991)?
If you have such an estimate, could you send it to me. along with a brief
description of how you arived at it? ...A million thanks in advance

Carlton Hogan    (carlton@gopher.ccbr.umn.edu)
Statistical Center,
Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS
Coordinating Center for Biometric Research
University of MN
2221 University Ave SE, Suite 200
Mpls, MN 55414
Voice (612) 626-8899    Fax: (612) 626-8892
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: davison@sfu.ca (R. Davison)
Subject: fleas as vector for AIDS?
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6708
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 20:14:47 GMT

I have been reading "Living Things We Love To Hate" by Des Kennedy.
They have a chapter devoted to Fleas, and some of the diseases they
have been instumental in turning into epidemics; the Bubonic Plague
among others.  There is no mention in this reference of AIDS, or HIV,
but it left we wondering if this is real threat.

Do any of the experts here know whether this is something to consider?
Have any studies been done?
As far as I have heard, AIDS has only afflicted primates, is this correct?
Would dogs, cats, rats, or other flea hosts have to carry the HIV viris
for this to be real threat?
Or does the flea itself have to be infected to act as a vector?  My
current understanding is that it does not.

Rod Davison
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Ken Miller <KMILLER%BROWNVM.BITNET@mvs.oac.ucla.edu>
Subject:      Re: (6695) The New Activism
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6699
Organization: unspecified
Date:         Thu, 31 Dec 92 12:43:26 EST

>   The Establishment's failure to cure this disease has largely been a
>by-product of institutional territoriality between virologists,
>molecular biologists and oncologists.

  Would it be too bold to suggest that the "establishment's" failure
to "cure this disease" has instead been a product of BIOLOGY?  There
are no true "cures" for ANY viral disease, and therefore one might
suggest that basic science, not political infighting, is needed to
cure AIDS.
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Neon@cup.portal.com
Subject: Re: CMV
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6669
Organization: unspecified
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 23:35:13 PST

In an article 12/20/92 11:12 page@writer.yorku.ca (Page Westcott) writes:

>A friend of mine who has been taking foscarnet for almost a year for
>CMV Retinitis has recently been asked to take part in a study which
>involves injecting gancyclovir directly into the eyeball and reducing
>the amount of foscarnet taken daily.  I believe he is taking 350ml of
>foscarnet daily, 5 days a week and will reduce this frequency to only
>twice a week.
>
>Has anyone heard of this treatment and if so the success rate?  His
>sight has not deteriorated very much in the past 12 months, and it
>seems to me it would be better to leave well enough alone at this
>point in his treatment.
>
>Thanks, P.
Well since no one else has taken you up on this, I'll put my 2 cents in.

Standard therapy for CMV retinitis is IV infusions of either foscarnet or
gancyclovir.  12 months seems like a long time to be on foscarnet or even
gancylovir, though treatment is lifelong.

Both drugs have serious side effects and the attempt to reduce systemic
levels of foscarnet while still protecting the retina are probably
worthwhile.  Orthodox treatment of eye infections in HIV negative patients
sometimes includes injecting antibiotics directly into the eye.

The experimental treatment that I have heard about in reference to CMV
retinitis involves implanting a capsule into the eye which gradually
releases gancyclovir into the occular fluid and hopefully would be active
in preventing or retarding further damage to the retina for weeks or months
at a time.  The standard procedures would require injections frequently and
would, of course, not be acceptable to most patients as the procedure would
have to done indefinitely.  It might be tolerated in infections affecting
people with normal immune systems because only a limited number of
injections would be needed.

PLEASE NOTE:  I am neither a doctor nor a medical researcher but simply a
PWA who has tried to keep up with current medical practice and research as
best I can.  If anyone has more accurate or more detailed information,
please correct me if I've erred.

Tony Bruder - neon@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Billi Goldberg <bigoldberg@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Estrogen Article in SF Sentinel
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6673
Organization: unspecified
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 20:40:02 PST

The following article was printed in the San Francisco Sentinel on 
Thursday, December 24, 1992. It is being posted with the permission of 
the author, Charles R. Caulfield.
************************************************************************
             Female Hormones Show Immune Modulation
                     by Charles R. Caulfield

 Some interesting new data documented in the medical literature has 
demonstrated that taking the female hormone estrogen may in some way 
stimulate the immune system, and have some activity against HIV in the 
body.

 According to the Encyclopedia of Immunology, Academic Press, 1992, 
estrogen exhibits a profound effect on the macrophage, an important 
immunological white blood cell, in laboratory animals. According to the 
text, "Estrogen treatment of male rats increases macrophage 
numbers...and modulate macrophage activity." It goes on to state that 
"Macrophages from estrogen treated animals show increased lysis 
(destruction) of tumors, and inhibit the growth of tumor cells. 
Estrogens stimulate the production of IL-1 by macrophages." IL-1 or 
Interleukin 1 is an immunologic protein produced by macrophages which 
signals the proliferation of T-lymphocytes.

 Three recently published papers in the medical literature have 
described the activity in humans of estrogen against HIV in certain 
blood cells. The results reported in the abstract of one of the articles 
suggests that in vivo low doses of female steroids may display specific 
antiviral activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

 Another published article has reported that the female hormone 
estradiol demonstrated an inhibitory effect against the 
immunosuppressive effects  of cyclosporine A, an anti-inflammatory 
steroid known to profoundly suppress the immune system, demonstrating an 
immunostimulant effect of this female hormone.

 Although this data has received little mention in the popular press, it 
may hold out profound significance for the treatment of HIV disease. 
Certainly, the demonstrated antiviral and immune modulating properties 
of these hormones warrants further investigation in the search for 
effective AIDS treatments.
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Billi Goldberg <bigoldberg@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Romagnani and Th1/Th2 Subsets
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6689
Organization: unspecified
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 92 20:58:57 PST

The evidence is building up slowly but surely for the existence of Th1 
and Th2 subsets in humans as in murine samples. Again, Th1 appears to be 
the only way to control the intracellular pathogens involved in AIDS. 
The antibody (Th2) response appears to work in HIV+ individuals; it is 
only the Th1 or cell mediated response that is impaired.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romagnani S. Human TH1 and TH2 Subsets: Regulation of Differentiation 
and Role in Protection and Immunopathology. International Archives of 
Immunology December 1992;98:279-285.

Correspondence to: Dr. S. Romagnani, Division of Clinical Immunology and 
Allergy, University of Florence, Institute of Clinical Medicine 3 85, 
Viale Morgagni, I-50134 Florence (Italy).

Abstract: A large body of evidence has accumulated suggesting the 
existence of human TH1 and TH2 subsets, reminiscent of those described 
for mouse T cells. Human TH1 cells develop in response to intracellular 
bacteria and viruses, do not provide help for IgE synthesis and are 
cytolytic. Human TH2 cells develop in response to allergens and helminth 
components, provide help for IgM, IgG, IgA, and IgE synthesis and lack 
cytolytic potential. The cytokine profile of 'natural' immunity (high 
IFN-gamma and no IL-4 production) evoked by intracellular bacteria and 
viruses that activate both macrophage and NK cells, probably determines 
the phenotype of the subsequent specific TH1 response. Absence or low 
concentration of IFN-gamma and early production of IL-4 by non-T cells 
or by T cells themselves, that occur in response to allergens and 
helminth components, probably favor the development of TH2 cells. TH1 
and TH2 cells play different roles not only in protection against 
exogenous offending agents, but also in immunopathology. TH1 cells are 
involved in contract dermatitis, organ-specific autoimmunity and 
allograft rejection. TH2 cells are responsible for the initiation of the 
allergic cascade.
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: Billi Goldberg <bigoldberg@igc.apc.org>
Subject: CFS and AIDS
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6703
Organization: unspecified
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 93 06:55:50 PST

             CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND AIDS: SIMILAR??

Some doctors, etc. have been suggesting to patients with Chronic Fatigue 
Syndrome that they try DNCB.

Guess what? The DNCB is helping; the patients are feeling much better 
and have had considerable gains in energy. They seem to get a very 
strong reaction to the sensitizing does of 10% in about ten days. Once 
that abates, they feel much and the continued weekly applications 
continue to boost their energy levels. 

The reason could be that the macrophages are infected with various 
pathogens such as viruses and bacteria (congested) and are unable to 
become activated. The DNCB, because of the known systemic non-specific 
activation caused by delayed type hypersensitivity, are giving the 
macrophages a "kick in the rear" to get them going.

The New York Native has been preaching for years about the similarities 
between CFS and AIDS. The similarity may be due to the immunosuppression 
caused by both syndromes and inability of the immune system to respond. 
Of course, CFS does not result in destruction of T lymphocytes but does 
result in profound immunosuppression without the horrific OIs seen in 
AIDS.

Billi Goldberg