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(University of rochester medical Center) The University of Rochester Medical Center today announced that it has received one of 104 grants, each of $100,000, from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Harold C. Smith, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, has received the institution's first individual grant from the Gates Foundation to pursue an unorthodox approach to the problem of viral resistance to current AIDS drugs.

Background: The aetiology of severe gastroenteritis leading to hospitalisation in adults frequently remains unclear. Our objective was to study the causes and characteristics of community-acquired, acute gastroenteritis in adult hospitalized patients to support the clinical management of these patients. Methods: From August 2005 to August 2007, we conducted a prospective cohort study among patients greater than or equal to 18y hospitalized with community-acquired gastroenteritis in a university hospital in Berlin, Germany. Stool specimens were examined for 26 gastrointestinal pathogens, supplemented by serologic tests for antibodies to Campylobacter spp., Yersinia spp., and Entamoeba histolytica. Patient data on demographics and clinical presentation were recorded and analyzed. Coexisting medical conditions were assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index score. Results: Of 132 patients presenting with acute community-acquired gastroenteritis, 104 were included in the study. A non-in

CytoDyn, Inc. is preparing for its next clinical trial of Cytolin, the breakthrough drug for HIV/AIDS that uses the body's own immune system to fight the virus. The preparations come at a time when CytoDyn, Inc. is making big changes that include relocating to a larger facility to accommodate expanded business activities. (PRWeb Oct 22, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Cytolin/clinical-trial/prweb1501134.htm

(NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., will speak during the opening session of ICAAC/IDSA 2008. His keynote lecture at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, is titled Global health and Infectious Diseases: A Look to the Future. Other NIAID scientists are scheduled to present findings during the four-day meeting as well. The range of topics covered reflects the broad scope of NIAID's research efforts aimed at better understanding, treating and preventing infectious and immune-mediated diseases.

Background: Protease inhibitors (PIs) have been associated with metabolic complications. There is a trend to switch to simpler therapy to improve these disturbances. We report a case-series describing the effects in metabolic abnormalities in seven HIV-infected children, previously treated with protease inhibitor (PI) after switching to nevirapine. Methods: Seven children with stable PI-containing regimen and a long lasting HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml were switched to nevirapine. All patients were naive to non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. PIs were switched to nevirapine. Preentry nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors were maintained. The substitution of PIs with nevirapine was made when the patient showed hyperlipidemia or lipodystrophy or the physician and/or the patient's willingness to simplify. Clinical, laboratory data and anthropometric parameters were assessed every 3 months. Dual- energy X-Ray absorptiometry scans (DXA) was performed at baseline and at 12 month

(Ohio State University) Scientists have taken a critical step toward the development of new and more effective antibacterial drugs by identifying exactly how a specific antibiotic sets up a road block that halts bacterial growth. The antibiotic, myxopyronin, is a natural substance that is made by bacteria to fend off other bacteria. Scientists already knew that this antibiotic inhibited the actions of an enzyme called RNA polymerase, which sets gene expression in motion and is essential to the life of any cell.

(The Earth Institute at Columbia University) Columbia University's International Research Institute for Climate and Society has received $900,000 from Google.org to improve the use of climate information to predict disease outbreaks in East Africa. The award is part of a wider Google program that funds projects to map hot spots of emerging diseases and improve early-warning systems in resource-poor countries.