By: lovingitall0
09 Jul 2004, 07:53 AM EDT
Msg. 160104 of 160387
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New type of AIDS drug offers hope

09 July 04

A drug that stops the HIV from stitching itself into chromosomes helps monkeys fight a simian version of AIDS, suggests a new study. The approach may offer a new type of drug to fight AIDS in humans, in the face of emerging drug-resistant HIV strains.

Monkeys receiving the drug soon after infection with HIV were able to maintain a healthy immune system and fight the virus. The drug works by attacking an HIV enzyme called integrase that the virus uses to splice its genes into a cell's DNA

The integrase inhibitor was developed by Steven Young and his colleagues at the pharmaceutical company Merck in West Point, Pennsylvania, US. Young says the monkey drug is not the only integrase inhibitor Merck now has in the pipeline. "Integrase inhibitors designed specifically for human trials are moving forward," says Young. Several compounds are already in human phase I safety trials and results may be released early in 2005.

"It's good to see this work published and see integrase inhibitors marching forward," says Carl Dieffenbach who directs basic AIDS research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Washington, DC. "At this point, Merck is so far ahead of anyone else."

HIV integrase is an attractive target for antiviral therapy because it is one of three enzymes the virus depends on to complete its lifecycle along with reverse transcriptase (RT), which helps copy the virus's genome, and HIV protease, which alters viral proteins.

Forestall disease

RT and protease inhibitors are now the backbone of HIV therapy. Cocktails of these drugs have been able to bring some patients back from the brink of death and forestall disease for decades in many HIV-infected people.

However, the rapid emergence of drug-resistant HIV strains has scientists hunting for new medications to throw into the mix. But the development of integrase drugs has lagged far behind because the biochemistry of genome splicing is very complex and many details of the mechanism of integrase and even of the protein's 3-D structure remain elusive.

The Merck team reported a major advance in 2000 when they discovered a new class of potent integrase inhibitors, which led to the development of the drug used in the current study.

Crucial immune cells

To test the drug in animals, Young's team infected rhesus macaque monkeys with an engineered version of HIV which also contains genes from a related monkey virus. Within a few weeks, millions of copies of this hybrid virus thrive in every millilitre of the monkey's blood and crucial immune cells called CD4 cells are almost completely destroyed, mimicking the immune decline in human AIDS.

But when six monkeys were fed integrase inhibitors before their CD4 counts dropped, the treatment protected these immune cells. Levels of the virus in the blood also dropped in the treated monkeys, in four cases to undetectable levels. The results were less dramatic and more variable if treatment was delayed until months after CD4 levels fell.

"This is a great step forward for the monkey data," says Dieffenbach. "The next big step is to show that in humans these drugs can be used safely and effectively." For that reason, Young says his team is now testing a number of candidates in humans, to find ones with the best antiviral activity and least side effects.

Journal reference: Science (DOI: 10.1126/science1098632)




 
By: mind31
09 Jul 2004, 08:08 AM EDT
Msg. 160105 of 160387
(This msg. is a reply to 160104 by lovingitall0.)
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Interesting article luvit- of course as usual it has nothing to do with ADVR but it is interesting none the less.
 
By: lovingitall0
09 Jul 2004, 08:26 AM EDT
Msg. 160106 of 160387
(This msg. is a reply to 160105 by mind31.)
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"of course as usual it has nothing to do with ADVR "

mindless: I'm sure that your/rar/jmr/sue's Tomfoolery imposter posting as the legendary FoxChase has far for important relevance to you.

Keep it up. It's your investment to trash and you all do that very well.

Luv
 
By: lovingitall0
09 Jul 2004, 08:28 AM EDT
Msg. 160107 of 160387
(This msg. is a reply to 160106 by lovingitall0.)
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...correct that to read: MORE important relevance.
 
By: lovingitall0
09 Jul 2004, 08:42 AM EDT
Msg. 160108 of 160387
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Lack Of Immune System Protein Prevents Lupus-Like Condition In Mice

7/8/2004

Source: Washington University School of Medicine


Removal of an immune system signaling protein prevents the development of a lupus-like condition in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the National Institutes of Health have found. If additional studies in other animal models and humans confirm that SLAM-associated protein (SAP) is a primary contributor to lupus, it may be an ideal target for the development of new drug treatments, scientists said.

"What's perhaps most exciting is that normal immune system functions were still largely intact in the experimental mice that lacked SAP," says Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine in rheumatology and of pathology and immunology and lead investigator for the study. "Other immune system proteins are potential targets for new autoimmune disease treatments, but they all affect large portions of the immune system, making weakened immune function a potential side effect of any new drug. Targeting SAP for treatment may avoid that risk."

Scientists have used several animal models to study the immunological underpinnings of human lupus, a condition that afflicts approximately 1.5 million Americans with arthritis, prolonged fatigue, skin rashes, kidney damage, anemia and breathing pain.

In one of these models, exposing mice to a hydrocarbon oil known as pristane causes mice to develop a condition with many similarities to human lupus, including kidney disease and arthritis. But in the new study, available in the July 15 issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, a genetically modified line of mice continued to be fit even after pristane exposure. Created by National Institutes of Health researcher and coauthor Pamela L. Schwartzberg, the mice lack the SAP gene.

"The mice appear to be generally healthy," Peng says. "They have none of the lupus-like symptoms of the control group, and their immune systems generally respond to vaccinations like those of normal mice."

SAP, also known to scientists as SH2D1A, affects the activity of a number of surface molecules on immune system cells known as lymphocytes. Earlier research had shown that higher levels of SAP were present in animals with autoimmune conditions than in normal animals.

Instead of disabling whole groups of immune system cells, SAP's removal seems to disrupt communication between two different types of immune cells, T and B cells. Scientists have long known that T cells help B cells produce antibodies meticulously customized to destroy the last scattered remnants of a persistent invader. But they've had a hard time determining the details of how those interactions take place.

"We know a lot of molecules that are important to the activation of T and B cells, but we have never understood what was important for their interaction," Peng says. "SAP may give us an important first insight into how these interactions occur."

Peng and his colleagues plan to study how SAP removal or suppression affects other animal models of lupus, and to test if SAP is present at unusually high levels in human patients with lupus.

"Each of the animal models of lupus has slightly different clinical aspects to it, probably because they represent a slightly different facet of the human disease. It's therefore going to be very interesting to test if this is a finding that can apply to lupus generally or if it is limited to a subset of lupus," Peng says.

Based on how thoroughly SAP's removal appears to disrupt T and B cell interactions, which are essential to producing the pathogenic antibodies seen in lupus, Peng suspects the finding will be generally relevant.

Peng also wants to explore potential connections between SAP and other autoimmune diseases including allergies and myasthenia gravis.

"Like lupus, these other autoimmune conditions involve the immune system producing antibodies that are closely customized to attack targets they shouldn't be attacking," he explains. "So SAP may be a contributor to these conditions as well."


 
By: shaggydogs
09 Jul 2004, 10:55 AM EDT
Msg. 160119 of 160387
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OT: More on naked shorting & USXP’s Richard Altomare

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 2004--Universal Express, Inc. (OTCBB:USXP - News), hearing that the Security and Exchange Commission despite its 4-day work week has announced its intention to hire a $148,000 per year psychologist* for the morale, stress, burn-out and internal conflicts of the agency; Universal Express' Chairman Richard A. Altomare and recent litigant with the SEC has offered his services for free. "I know how to aid morale. I'll recommend consistent rules and procedures. I also know how to prevent burnout from good employees - I'll remove the incompetent and dishonest ones. I can also remove their stress by having them admit past mistakes and professionally deal with naked short selling and electronic trading oversights. Internal conflicts will disappear when they curtail their new marketing policy of issuing negative press releases instead of first utilizing the legal system set up for such discussions," said Richard A. Altomare.

"When you're in the right - you don't need psychological assistance. When you know that the system is inconsistent and not being enforced fairly - you'll need to speak to someone. That's what, in my opinion, their announcement means," stated Richard A. Altomare.

"The Congress of the United States has rightfully empowered the SEC to regulate our trading system of capitalism. Who is regulating our SEC? A psychologist? I hope future anthropologists have a sense of humor when they read that the SEC claims it is in need of psychological help," stated Richard A. Altomare.

"Sometimes we can love our country and our capitalistic system enough to fight agencies out of control or out of integrity, Universal Express has sued the SEC http://www.usxp.com/SECmemoinop.pdf for much more than a psychologist's salary. I suggest that they save their money," concluded Richard A. Altomare, President & CEO.

 
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By: lovingitall0
09 Jul 2004, 11:00 AM EDT
Msg. 160121 of 160387
(This msg. is a reply to 160117 by Ourobouros.)
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"Look to management (and perhaps the worthiness of the drug) for understanding of why the PPS is so low."
-------------------------------

It's been a long haul for all of us, and we still have a long way to go. Frustration is at an all time high. I feel it as much as anyone else does. I just won't bash my investment by trashing the company I'm still invested in. That's not my style.

My articles here are purely for the interest of whomever cares to read them. They make a lot more sense and better reading than most of the nonsense and crap that goes on here all day by the same brainless group of 4 baiting their selected Longs until they can get them terminated so they won't have any interference with their continued idiocy.

I don't consider you in any way to be in that category, although at times I was as sick of reading your repetitious thoughts as you were/are my C&P's. But you've been around here long enough to have these strong opinions, and I can appreciated this. You make some very valid points that I don't disagree with.

At least when you talk, you're credible. You say what some feel all of the time and what others feel some of the time.
You're also mature enough not to dabble in games played here, although I found many of your comments to me/us offensive. Yet, you have the right to say what you want. I just think sometimes there's as much loyalty here as there is in the frozen pizza industry, and that's "none".

Friendship can't be here, and there, or maybe and possibly. It is or it isn't, with no mister in between.
We all were friends, good friends, fun friends from afar.
Strangers that enjoyed each other. We were all of these things and more of these things, but no longer. Life has many twists and turns.

I'm glad you did so well with HLSH. Billy also. It certainly was time to have your investment work for you in such a profitable manner.

Best of continued good luck!

Luv

 
By: wkoz
09 Jul 2004, 11:14 AM EDT
Msg. 160122 of 160387
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Yahoo Group email received...Re: Upcoming Conference Call

Just conjecture here--but the company announced the Conference Call
30 days before the call. Why? Three CEO presentations were made
available to shareholders residing close to Boca Raton, New York
and Boston--and this Conference Call is to permit shareholders
outside of the areas to have some access to Dr. Hawkins. Four weeks
to schedule maybe for a reason --perhaps to allow time for news to
be released that would make Dr. Hawkin's presentation a little more
palatable. Again , this is only conjecture--but would not be
surprised to see ADVR to have news released soon.

The Number One question in the three CEO presentations has
been "When will the company file with the US FDA?" That question
may be answered publicly BEFORE July 21.

Conference Call specifics....

4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, July 21st 2004.

Dr. Hawkins will discuss the ASCO presentation and the significance
of the data from Israel. The conference call is expected to last one
hour and will include a brief question and answer period.

ADVR invites all interested parties to participate in the conference
call. Participants will be able to access via the Internet or by
dialing in to a conference bridge. For those who cannot participate
on the live call ADVR will have the call available for replay on the
conference line or on http://www.adviral.com the following day.

Instructions for hearing the conference call:


Call 1-800-901-5231 in the United States or Canada or
Call 1- 617-786-2961 internationally
Pin Code: 61291146

Instructions for hearing the conference call replayed:
Dates available July 21st-28th
Call 1-888-286-8010 in the United States or Canada or
Call 1-617-801-6888
Pin Code: 61291146
-----
 
By: tadly
09 Jul 2004, 11:25 AM EDT
Msg. 160123 of 160551
(This msg. is a reply to 160122 by wkoz.)
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Good conjecture. This stock like most penny's could go zooming up. Right now the Bio stocks are getting ready to cycle back. in my opinion, It's a gamble, however the next wave will be in BIO / MED U.S. and China Stocks.... Again just my opinion.
I like GMED,AVN,BLSI,ABRX,PPHM.....

(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Buy; LT Rating- Buy)

 
By: Ourobouros
09 Jul 2004, 11:26 AM EDT
Msg. 160124 of 160552
(This msg. is a reply to 160121 by lovingitall0.)
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Appreciate the comments - and for what it's worth, I strongly feel that many invested here (and much of what is invested besides cash) have become irrational in evaluating the worthiness of both the product, as well as the company itself.

I feel that most financially well balanced persons would have placed much less weight on their "emotional attachment" to the company and the so-called drug than what is displayed here. That so many have CHOSEN to remain invested - some over eight or so years, without using any KEEN sense of reasonable evaluatory process (other than stubbornness) - belays a reasonable sense of sanity.

In any case, I was lucky to get out and to be able to have re-invested in a worthy company. Had I not, I simply would have been able to - at least - write off much of the loss over MANY years. I can't tell you the sense of light-headedness I had the day I dropped my shares in ADVR, as if a huge chain had been removed from my neck. It took many months of trepidation and - in the end - I decided that the attachment I had here was more an addiction than any focus on real potential financial gain. The cloud around my head regarding being unable to REALLY evaluate the value of investing here was almost impenetrable. But I DID manage to fumigate it for a long enough period to sell.

I AM free now...and it feels o so good!

Sorry for the sermon, all!

Good luck to those still invested.

(Voluntary Disclosure: ST Rating- Strong Sell; LT Rating- Strong Sell)


 
By: nvphyl
09 Jul 2004, 02:29 PM EDT
Msg. 160137 of 160551
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A three bagger!!!

1) PR next week.
2) CC following week.
3) Plant Open House week after.

I wonder what the PR will announce.

Israeli enrollment nearing completion?

Gates poniies up?

New Trial announced? In China?

C.S.O. contract extended?

AVR 118 so far is shown to be non-toxic?

So many exciting possibilities!! "What a Country." What a Company?

(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long)

 
By: ejagacki
09 Jul 2004, 03:29 PM EDT
Msg. 160163 of 160552
(This msg. is a reply to 160087 by Ourobouros.)
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Bernie,

This just is not true.

To say that anecdotal evidence does not fly with the FDA and that it won't get the drug to market or that it will not have any lasting effect on the pps is true.

To say that "'we' don't have a clue as to whether the drug works" is absolutely not true.

...unless I'm discluded in the "we" because there is no vacillation in my assessment that it (avr118) greatly mitigated (or helped my immune systemn to greatly mitigate) the side-effects of my weekly does of interferon and my twice daily dosages of ribivirin.

To say that "'we' don't have a clue as to whether the drug works" is to say that because someone else did not have the same results that I had, therefore neither did I.

Believe me, my friend, the results were very real for me - and non-toxic, as well.



Peace,
Ed



 
By: Ourobouros
09 Jul 2004, 03:54 PM EDT
Msg. 160168 of 160552
(This msg. is a reply to 160163 by ejagacki.)
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"To say that anecdotal evidence does not fly with the FDA and that it won't get the drug to market or that it will not have any lasting effect on the pps is true."

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

All I can say, Ed, is after 50 years of GREAT anecdotal evidence that the drug works, the FDA has yet to approve it,the PPS is a tad over 10 cents per share - and it is not even close to being on the market.

I rest my case.

That you are using the drug and you feel it works is wonderful, seriously.

However, your singular results - accumulated with ALL the others - do not mean a twit, insofar as the FDA and investors go.

The rest is history and we is where we is...a company without any real direction and a PPS that satisfies no one other than day traders who love this stock - and a product not approved for use ANYWHERE in the world!

(Voluntary Disclosure: ST Rating- Strong Sell; LT Rating- Strong Sell)


 
By: mind31
09 Jul 2004, 04:14 PM EDT
Msg. 160169 of 160552
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Ed, in the long run it will not matter if 118 DOES work - by the time we go belly up or get sold, long term investors will lose essentially everything they have invested here IMO. It is almost as if the company has intentionally avoided the kind of FDA approved testing that might lead somewhere. Why?
- - - - -
 
By: nvphyl
09 Jul 2004, 08:32 PM EDT
Msg. 160253 of 160551
(This msg. is a reply to 160169 by mind31.)
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Hmmmm Barry strikes a nerve!!


"...It is almost as if the company has intentionally avoided the kind of FDA approved testing that might lead somewhere. Why?"

It is hard to disregard what many Company Officials have done in the recent past to enrich themselves and harm shareholders. As far as ADVR is concerned one wonders if some things that have been said in the past by management were "intentionally mis-leading." I have been asking for years the question about intellectual property in case of bk. Wouldn't it frost yer azz if after all this time we were sold "down the river" only to find out it actually does "work". At lease now Corporate Officials are being tried and face loooooooooooooong prison terms. It must be of some concern to a few muckity mucks here. 150 years in jail for "intentionally mis-leading" or as some would say lying to shareholders? Seems fair to me!

(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long)