Development Of Aid Research Articles

ON THE QUESTION OF THE PATHOGENESIS OF HIV-INFECTION: THE ROLE OF IMMUNE ACTIVATION IN PROGRESSION OF DISEASE

Hyperactivaion of immme system is considered by most investigators as importantfactor, contributing to progression of HIV-infection and development ofAIDS. In the review modern knowledge about mechanisms and results of activation of immune system during HIV-infection are presented. HIV itself, opportunistic pathogens and components of gut microbiota, first of all, endotoxins ofgram-negative bacteria are considered as probable "activators" of immune system. High levels of endotoxin and markers of immune activation are associated with an even greater rate of progression of HIV-infection.

The effects of predictive ability information, locus of control, and decision maker involvement on decision aid reliance

This study examines several factors that influence decision makers' willingness to rely on mechanical decision aids. The first experiment examined the effects of predictive ability information and locus of control on decision aid reliance. The results indicate that decision makers were more likely to rely on a decision aid when its predictive validity was not disclosed. Further, decision makers with an external locus of control relied more on the decision aid than those with an internal locus of control. The second experiment expanded upon this result to examine the interactive effects of decision maker involvement and locus of control. The results suggest that involving decision makers in the aid's development enhanced reliance. However, decision makers with an internal locus of control were more strongly influenced by this form of involvement (in terms of increasing their reliance on the decision aid) than decision makers with an external locus of control. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The relationship between beta-2-microglobulin, CD4 lymphocyte count, AIDS and death in HIV-positive individuals

The relationship, in 539 individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), between two prognostic markers, the CD4 count and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), and the development of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and death was investigated. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the risk of AIDS or death. In a multivariate model which adjusted for demographic factors and treatment, the most recent measurements of B2M (relative hazard (RH) 1.37 per g/l higher) and CD4 count (RH 2.17 per log-unit lower) were both significantly associated with the development of AIDS. Similarly, in a multivariate model which additionally adjusted for the development of AIDS as a time dependent covariate, there was a strong relationship with risk of death for the most recent measurements of B2M (RH 1.34 per g/l higher), and CD4 lymphocyte count (RH 1.91 per log-unit lower). A difference in the level of B2M could be used among patients with similar CD4 counts as an indicator of increased risk of progression to AIDS or death. Using the most recent values of these markers provides a better estimate of the risk of AIDS or death, compared to the more common method of analysis, where baseline values of the markers are used.

Hispanic Families Learning and Teaching About AIDS: A Participatory Approach at the Community Level

An AIDS research/education prevention strategy based on story telling and problem solving is being used with Hispanic families in Detroit, Michiganm The community worker tells stories involving AIDS and risk behaviors, whose central characters are children. Participants raise thematic questions and give advice to the characters. Through analysis and discussion the families explore their own knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors aboutAIDS as well as different ways of talking with their children about often delicate matters. Results are incorporated in educational materials. Follow-up activities are carried out and support is provided to facilitate the development ofAIDS prevention strategies.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS VARIANTS AND RISK FOR AIDS AND AIDS MORTALITY

49 individuals seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody were studied longitudinally for the relation between in-vitro properties of their sequential HIV isolates and clinical course before and after the development of AIDS. They were classified into three groups according to the syncytium-inducing capacity, replication rate, and host range of their HIV isolates. The most rapid progression to AIDS (median 15 months) and the lowest survival rate following AIDS diagnosis (median survival 12·5 months) were observed in individuals with high-replicating, syncytium-inducing HIV isolates, followed by individuals with high-replicating, non-syncytium-inducing isolates. In contrast, most individuals with low-replicating, non-syncytium-inducing HIV isolates remained symptom-free during the study period (median follow-up until AIDS diagnosis > 42 months), and the few individuals from this group in whom AIDS developed were still alive at the end of the study period (median survival >34 months). In addition, AIDS patients from the three groups differed with respect to their symptoms. Zidovudine treatment in the symptom-free period seemed to delay the onset of AIDS in all risk groups, although stabilisation of CD4 + cell numbers was observed only in individuals with non-syncytium-inducing HIV variants.

Some Observations on Anthropology in AID

United States anthropologists scattered in villages across Asia have been joined in recent years by a companion cohort working in Asian AID Missions. Eleven Ph.D. anthropologists are now working in AID's nine Asian Missions. Two more anthropologists serve in the Asia Bureau in Washington backing up the field workers. Anthropologists have replaced economists as the dominant social scientists in AID's development work.