jeff238

Found this interesting article from THE SCIENTIST magazine. published Dec, 2013. I never heard of these studies and their findings before now. They suggest that there may be an accessible and inexpensive treatment to HIV caused CD4 T cell mass death. A few excerpts, since the article is quite long. "...HIV leads to AIDS primarily because the virus destroys essential immune cells called CD4 T cells, but precisely how these cells are killed has not been clear. Two papers published simultaneously today (December 19) in Nature and Science reveal the molecular mechanisms that cause the death of most CD4 T cells in lymphoid tissues, the main reservoir for such cells, during infection. ...The death of CD4 T cells during HIV infection has generally been attributed to plain old apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Problem is, most studies have focused on active cells in the blood, which are “productively infected” by HIV, meaning that the virus has integrated with host-cell genome and can make copies of itself. In a 2010 study, Greene and his colleagues showed that 95 percent of CD4 T cells in lymphoid tissue, by contrast, are bystander cells that are “abortively infected”—the virus penetrates but can’t integrate or replicate. To better understand HIV pathogenesis, Greene sought to figure out how this particular population of immune cells dies during HIV infection. ...For the study published in Nature, the team looked at human spleen and tonsil tissue cultured in the lab and spiked with HIV. The researchers found that when the virus productively infects the few permissive CD4 T cells present, death occurs through apoptosis mediated by an enzyme called caspase-3. But when HIV abortively infects nonpermissive CD4 T cells, death occurs by pyroptosis, which depends on the activation of caspase-1. It turns out that the vast majority—roughly 95 percent—of CD4 T cell death in lymphoid tissues is driven by caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis. ...In bacterial infection, the release of inflammatory signals is thought to promote clearance by attracting more immune cells to help. In a pathogenic inflammation scenario like HIV infection, however, the strategy backfires. Instead of clearing the infection, proinflammatory signals released by pyroptosis attract more cells into the infected tissue to die and, in turn, produce more inflammation. “The cavalry come riding in and fall victim to this same form of fiery cell death, turning their rifles on themselves,” says Greene. ...The discoveries could help researchers come up with new treatments that restrain the hosts’ destructive response to HIV rather than the virus itself. The authors showed in the Nature study that an existing caspase-1 inhibitor—a drug already shown to be safe in humans—suppressed CD4 T-cell death and inflammation in cell culture. They are now planning a Phase II clinical trial to test its capacity to block pyroptosis in HIV-infected patients. Fauci said such an approach would not replace antiretrovirals (ARVs), which suppress HIV replication and halt disease progression. But it could be used in combination in people who are dealing with highly resistant HIV strains to reduce the destruction of CD4 T cells and inflammation. “One of the things about blocking the host response is that it's very difficult for the virus to mutate to counteract it,” added Fauci. Greene pointed out that a caspase-1 inhibitor might also provide a bridge therapy for the millions of people without access to ARVs. He added that such drugs might even prevent expansion of the reservoir of latent virus that lies low in memory CD4 T cells, which has so far precluded a cure for HIV/AIDS. The dysregulated action of cytokines during chronic inflammation might stimulate the homeostatic proliferation of memory CD4 T cells. “If we get rid of chronic inflammation, will we stop the homeostatic proliferation and degrade the latent reservoir?” asked Greene. “That’s something we can test. If it does, caspase-1 inhibitors might—and I emphasize might—become a component of a curative cocktail.” So naturally I looked to see what caspase inhibitor they might be talking about. There is really only one. CrmA, derived from the cow pox virus, inhibits caspase 1,8,10. All very interesting stuff. A study, just using the anti-inflamitory caspase inhibitor could actually arrest the progression of HIV infection. The person would still be a carrier, but would show little to no symptoms, by way of letting productively infected cells (5%) die, while saving the other 95% from pyroptosis. At least that's my take on it.

Another spin on PrEP, at least in my mind, is that now I get to have no limits sex with guys that are poz, regardless of their VL. The guys most likely to be more adventurous. I absolutely love poz talk during sex. Not going to get that with many neg guys. Vanilla, just doesn't come close to doing it for me, unless I have a real intellectual connection with a person, which for me isn't likely. I have my own business. A one man show, so I can't afford to be sick. If it wasn't for PrEP, I just wouldn't be having sex. HIV has robbed me of most of my penetrative sex life. I have never had sex with condoms, as a top, and only a few times as a bottom. I just hate it.

Yeah, I want them to tell me, so I know I'm getting what I want. If they want me to beg for it, so much the better. I really love to worship a poz cock before I get fucked. Really, I want the guy to tell me he's poz even if he isn't. Role play is fine with me. The more talk the better for me.

Can't upload any pics. Have been trying for a few weeks. The link opens the file but never finishes downloading. Couldn't find a How-To on pics.

Haha, I'm not even on it yet and the implications have me horny AF. Better living through chemistry

Emotional and physical connection for me. I can't get enough of the guy I'm with, and want him to have as much of me as he wants. No limits whatsoever. Even when I go to the baths, I want as many hands on me as guys want to do. Anything more than that without my permission I see as disrespectful tho.

What you are saying, I think. is that you would want that hot woman's body, but with a man's "I want to fuck everything" mind. If that's true, count me in. But, If I had to deal with the psycho brain of a woman too, FORGET IT.

I have also had this fantasy of a mall like setting that is more or less anything goes, clothing optional, and had stores, restaurants arcades, bars etc. The mall proper would be a main street kind of thing with pavement, streetlights, curbs and a park. A logistical nightmare, I know, but would be hot as hell.

Nice start. I can relate

Not at all. He doesn't want to hear it. Small town doc. He's a good MD but too closed minded straight. I asked for an HIV test once. He said I had to go to counciling before I could have the test done. Such bs. Looking for a new doc now, but hard when u live in the stix.

First time was bare. I was 35. Was supposed to hook up with a guy from gay.com, but when I got to his house he had left for another hookup. His roommate was there and we chatted a bit before I started sucking his 7". He fucked me bare and gave me his load. Never did get the guy I made the date with. He was poz and didn't disclose when we made the date, so it all worked out.

Interesting topic. I have been thinking about starting a new sauna/baths/whatever for some time. Just a pipe dream really, but I have been thinking alot about it. I think that bathhouses are in more demand BECAUSE of the internet. I have noticed that A: no one wants to host an encounter, B: there are more "DL" straight guys getting into the market, C: there are lots of guys looking for 3 and more ways, which are hard to set up through CL or whatever, D: It's easier for younger guys to "feel better" about their choice of having sex with another guy and neither of them having a place to get it done, other than car or park play. Anyway, even just a simple place with a few cubbys and a shower/bathroom area would get some traffic. Something like that would be easy to do and low overhead. It would probably be possible to do it covert, like a rave. The entry fee could be handled through a phone app, and automatic entry through an electronic door. I used to go to the baths years ago, and loved the experience despite the poor condition of some of the infrastructure. I think baths will prosper like the movie industry did after video tapes came out. Just lots more people in the market. The nearest baths is 2.5hr away from where I live now