AIDS Vaccines Fail To Make The Cut

In the lastest setback to AIDS research, the US-funded STEP and Phambili studies were shut down when it became clear the vaccines could leave patients more suceptible to the virus which attackes th immune system and which killed more than 2m victims last year - 320,000 of them being children. The fields tests enrolled volunteers on four continents.

The STEP study involved male homosexuals from North & South America, the Caribbean and Austraila. The Phambili trial, involving more than 3,000 men and women heterosexual volunteers in South Africa, was halted less than 1 year into its 4 year schedule after it too raised fears that the vaccines could endanger patients.  It was revealed that the vaccines not only fail to protect the virus but could also put them at greater risk of becoming infected. Both studies were stopped last September.

Half in each trail were randomly assigned to three shots of vaccines and half to  three of a placebo.

The AIDS Virus infects an estimated 33m people globally -most living in Africa. It has killed 25m people since 1981.

{Adapted from International Press Reports}

Drug Cartels Running Rampant

In its 127 page annual report, the UN’s International Narcotics Control Board {INCB} reported that governments across the world are failing to target cartels. Instead they are concentrating on small time users, which has led to the ‘rampant flow’ of drugs into fresh markets through new international trade routes.

For instance around 40% of the cocaine reaching Europe is shipped through longer established routes via the Caribbean. In 2006 Colombia accounted for 50% of the world coca cultivation, Peru 33%, Bolivia 17%. However the INCB report also found West Africa to be rapidly developing into a major drug smuggling route. Interpol estimates that 200-300 tonnes of cocaine from Latin America pass through such countries as Benin, CapeVerde, Mauritania and Senegal every year,then smuggled into Spain, Portugal and the UK.

The UN watchdog further states in its report that the illicit cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan has continued to increase ‘at a alarming level’. The total area use for illicit opium cultivation increased by 59% in 2006 and by a further 17% last year. That country now account for 93% of the global market in opiates – such as heroin, opium and morphine. Afghan opiates are smuggled to Iran, Pakistan and countries in Central Asia en route to Europe. Under article 14 of the UN  convention, the International Narcotics Control board can recommed an embargo against a country if its government fails to take remedial action to co-operate in the fight against drugs. As was taken against Afghanistan in 2000 when the Taliban was in power.

According to top UN drug enforcement offical in Afghan, Christina Oguz, the opium trade brings in about $4 billion each year to that country and that money makes the trafficking networks a powerful force in the improvished country. “The networks are powerful because these drug traders are linked to corrupt officials and to criminal networks outside Afghanistan.”

As of Europe, Britian appears to have the worst crack cocaine problem in Europe. “The abuse of crack cocaine continue to be marginal in all countries in Western Europe, with the possible exception of the UK” the report said.

{Adapted from International Press Reports}

Viagra Perks Up Dog

Viagra has gven Tasliker, a border collie from Northampton UK a new lease of life. 

Vets there prescribed the Viagra to improve blood flow to the heart of the dog, correcting a potentially fatal condition. The dog passe out when excited because his blood cannot pump quickly around his body.  Talisker’s owmer, Lesley Strong 58, said “It causes great hilarity at the chemist’s when I pick up the prescription.” I bet!!!!!.

             On a more serious note

Over in Gloucester,UK, OliverSherwood 2, have to take Viagra to keep him alive. That’s because he has a rare condition that causes chronic high blood pressure.

The condition – pulmonary hypertension – can be controlled with four doses of Viagra a day. Pulmonary hypertension causes the blood pressure in the arteries in the lungs to rise, straining the heart and reducing blood oxygen levels, causing breathless and exhausion. Symptoms include severe coughing and breathing problems as blood filled the lungs, constant nose bleed, dizziness and chest pain.

Most often use to boost erectile function, Viagra also opens the veins and capillaries to aid circulation in rare cases like Oliver’s. This month marks 10 years Viagra was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on March 27th 1998.

{Adapted from International Press Reports}