HIV Removed from Animal Genes

HIV is a virus that has plagued many in the LGBT community as well as in drug users who share needles. It is not a pretty virus, no virus is. This virus robs a person's of his/her immune system allowing all kinds of infections and other viruses and bacteria to invade with ease. For decades, the HIV virus has outsmarted the brightest of minds in medicine. Well the tables seem to be turning, so to speak.

American scientists have figured out how to remove HIV virus DNA from the genomes of animals. The experiment was a success and may lead to a cure if it can be successfully reproduced in human beings. Human beings are animals as well, so the success of this procedure is extremely probable.

Scientists at Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine were able to remove the HIV-1 DNA from mice and rats.  Professor Kamel Khalil who was the leader of this study stated, “In a proof-of-concept study, we show that our gene editing technology can be effectively delivered to many organs of two small animal models and excise large fragments of viral DNA from the host cell genome.”

Hopefully one day this will work in human beings and put an end to HIV once and for all.





Source:


https://www.rt.com/usa/343841-hiv-cure-animals-dna/

http://geneticexperts.org/hiv-dna-removed-from-animals-using-crispr-cas9-for-the-first-time/

http://globalnews.ca/news/2715711/americans-scientists-successfully-cut-out-hiv-genes-from-infected-animals/

HIV Weakness Found

HIV is a virus that caused scientists and biologists to scratch their heads over how to combat it. This virus infiltrates the body's T cells.  T cells are the white blood cells that attack intruding virus and bacteria that invade the body.  HIV hacks the human T-Cells and uses them against the body.  Since it hacks the T-cells, the immune system becomes ineffective and lets HIV multiply in the blood stream without interruption.

After studying an HIV positive patient whose body makes antibodies that fight part of the virus that normal antibodies attack, scientists noticed something. This patient's body makes a new kinds of antibody which they named N123-VRC34.01, or VRC34.01. This antibody goes after the fusion peptide which is a string of amino acids totally eight.  This peptide is like the glue that allows the HIV virus to link with a human cell.  VRC34.01 has shown that it prevents HIV from infecting a human cell which is a big discovery.  









Source:

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/352/6287/828

http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-just-set-their-sights-on-a-new-target-for-a-hiv-vaccine

https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2016/Pages/HIV-1-fusion-peptide.aspx

http://www.newnownext.com/scientists-discover-new-hiv-weakness-that-could-lead-to-vaccine/05/2016/?xrs=synd_facebook_logo

Charlie Sheen Has HIV

Yesterday rumors were circulating the actor Charlie Sheen was going to make a big announcement about his HIV status.  Today, Charlie Sheen announced on the Today Show that he is in fact HIV positive. He came out now with the news after being blackmailed by individuals who learned of his diagnosis and wanted 10 million dollars in return for their silence.  Sheen stated that he would get severe headaches and would have cold sweats. He thought that he had a brain tumor but doctors revealed that he has HIV. Sheen released a statement after his Today Show appearance.

Charlie Sheen was born Carlos Irwin Estevez in 1965 in New York City of Spanish and Irish descent and raised Catholic. He is well known for playing the 'handsome bad boy type' guy and for starring in hit 80's movies such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Wraith and sitcoms Two and a Half Men and Anger Management.

Luckily, Sheen has a low HIV body count which makes the virus undetectable.  Chances of him passing it on to another individual are very slim.  Sheen has struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for years as well as depression which he stated were the consequences of learning of his HIV diagnosis.  

We must pray for Sheen and everyone infected with HIV or AIDS.  The disease is not something to be taken lightly. Those who promote 'safe sex' education make light of the disease by pretending that a 'rubber' will make things fine when it does not. According to aids.gov, "Although highly effective when used consistently and correctly, there is still a chance of getting HIV if you only use condoms, so adding other prevention methods can further reduce your risk. (https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/using-condoms/)

Anyone who is sexually active must get tested regularly.  This would ensure that if infected, proper treatment is given. With the medications today, those with HIV can be expected to live nearly as normal of a life as one without the virus. HIV should not be seen as a death sentence. Each one of us will eventually die. How we die is up how we live our lives, chance and of course whatever God willed.

I understand many people will get depressed if diagnosed with HIV; however, they should not be. Eventually we will find a cure for it so it is important that those infected keep their hopes up and fight it with medication and healthy living.

A couple of friends of mine have revealed to me their status and were depressed about it.  One in particular, revealed he was gay. He had gay sex with his partner who is deceased now and contracted HIV.  During this time, he was embarrassed to ask me to go to the wake believing that my Catholic faith prohibited it, but I went to it and prayed with the gays and relatives present.  My friend became depressed and wanted to commit suicide numerous times. Thank God for giving me the words, emotions and body language necessary to convince him not to commit suicide and not to feel like he was condemned for being gay. I told him that God forgives all wrong. No sin is greater than God's mercy unless we simply reject God's mercy which is the sin against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29).

Like my gay friend, Sheen deserves our mercy, prayers and love, not judgment.  Yes he lived a wild life with women and what not, we all do crazy things; but God is the judge of our lives.  We have to live with the consequences of our choices.  No one on Earth is worthy to cast the first stone, so to speak.







Source:

https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/charlie-sheen-reveals-he-has-hiv-124700393.html

https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/in-an-open-letter-charlieasheen-writes-his-hiv-170453002.html

http://www.today.com/health/charlie-sheen-reveals-hes-hiv-positive-today-show-exclusive-t56391

Llamas & HIV

They are big and goofy looking, hairy and hungry and recently had cops chasing after them. What am I referring to?  Well, llamas.  However, they may serve human beings with HIV one day.  It turns out that llamas are immune to HIV.

A team of researchers from the University College in London, Harvard Medical School and Argentina's Center of Animal Virology found that llamas develop a specific antibody when exposed to HIV that neutralizes bout 95% of the virus. The research is explained more in detail in the paper entitled, "Molecular Evolution of Broadly Neutralizing Llama Antibodies to the CD4-Binding Site of HIV-1."

Unlike antibodies created in the human immune system when the body comes in contact with HIV and which fail to stop the virus despite evolving to do so, the antibody created by the llama's immune system does.  The llama's immune system makes an antibody (VHH) that has a shorter single chain or proteins which attack the HIV virus more effectively and directly.  Human protein chains are both long and short and disperse when attacking viruses.  This technique is not effective when attacking HIV.

Hopefully with this research, scientists may be able to figure out how to replicate these antibodies in the human organism so that it too can attack HIV more effectively and neutralize it.









Source:

http://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1004552

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/150222/aids-hiv-llamas-vaccine

http://www.mintpressnews.com/scientists-hope-an-aids-vaccine-lies-in-llamas/202386/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141218141002.htm

http://scienceblogs.com/lifelines/2015/01/02/how-llamas-may-help-the-fight-against-hiv/

Blocking HIV

Research regarding HIV is coming up with possibly new ways to treat, prevent and even block the virus.  A new study entitled, "AAV-expressed eCD4-Ig provides durable protection from multiple SHIV challenges" presents new data on a protein compound (eCD4-Ig) found in muscle cells which block the HIV virus from attaching itself to a cell.  If proven successful with all cells, then this would leave the HIV virus unable to attach itself to any cell. ThHe body's immune system will then search it out and kill it as it does with other viruses and bacteria.

This study was conducted on our cousins, monkeys. However, it may be a reality in human beings since we share similar genes.  This new artificial compound protected monkeys for 40 weeks. ECD4-Ig is so strong that it may even slow down or eradicate the virus in human beings already infected with it.  The research looks promising, but there is still much that needs to be studied in order to finalize some cure or treatment that is compatible with human beings.








Source:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature14264.html

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/scientists-create-powerful-new-hiv-blocking-protein-021815

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/health/new-approach-to-blocking-hiv-raises-talk-of-an-aids-vaccine.html?_r=0

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-new-twist-on-hiv-vaccines-shows-results-in-monkeys-study-says/2015/02/18/ac01ca34-b7a6-11e4-a200-c008a01a6692_story.html    

HIV Deleted

Since it has surfaced, HIV has been a mystery. HIV enters the body via blood or other fluids during sexual activity or drug use. It can even be passed on to unborn children if the mother has it. HIV takes over a human cell and attaches its genome to the DNA of the infected person. The virus begins to turn off the immune system of the person rendering him or her vulnerable to other infections.  At this state, it becomes AIDS; or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

While there is no cure yet, scientists at the Temple University School of Medicine were able to find a way to "erase" HIV by using the enzyme nuclease which disconnects nucleic acids. The nuclease goes directly to the gRNA and removes the genome of the HIV virus where it had attached itself. Once removed, human cells begin their natural repair function and restore themselves back to normal. This can lead to a person being completely free of HIV.  However, there is much to be done before biologists can shout, "we have a cure!"  Nevertheless, the research is promising.  Dr. Kamel Khalili who is Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Temple remarked,  "This is one important step on the path toward a permanent cure for AIDS."  The research can be found here: RNA-directed gene editing specifically eradicates latent and prevents new HIV-1 infection.

Millions worldwide have succumbed to HIV-AIDS since the 1980's.  This research shows promise. However, since the human immune system does not know how to fight and kill HIV, then it will be difficult to eradicate the virus within the body even with reprogrammed nuclease enzymes.













Source:

http://www.pnas.org/content/111/31/11461

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2701304/Scientists-delete-HIV-virus-human-DNA-time.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140721151905.htm

http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/22/researchers-delete-hiv-from-cells/

John Cardinal O' Connor

Today was born one of the greatest priests of the Catholic Church who died a Prince of the Church.

John Joseph O'Connor was born on January 15, 1920 to Mary Gomble O' Connor and Thomas O' Connor.  He was the fourth of five children in a working class family.  John O'Connor was educated by the Christian brothers and felt called to religious life.  At the tender age of 16, he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.  It took nine years of study and he was ordained on December 15, 1945 at the age of 25.  He would later work as a diocesan priest.

O' Connor was then called to minister to our armed service men.  Cardinal Spellman, the Archbishop of New York at the time needed chaplains for the Armed Forces and Father O'Connor did not hesitate to answer the need and would work in the Navy as chaplain.  He remained there for 27 years and was even made a Rear Admiral and Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy.  In 1979, he was ordained an auxiliary Bishop and worked under Cardinal Cooke in the Military Vicariate.

As bishop, he would take the helm as Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1983. However, God had other plans and only a year later he would be named Archbishop of New York; a position that some people call the equivalent of being the "pope" of the United States of America.  In 1985, Blessed Pope John Paul II would name Archbishop a Cardinal of the Catholic Church.  He would
remain Archbishop of New York until the year 2000 when he passed on to meet His Lord.

Cardinal O'Connor was the embodiment of what Pope Francis is asking priests, religious and laity to be today.
He worked for the poor, the sick - especially the disabled who he was fond on.  His mother became blind when he was young and this left an impact on him. He made it a priority to be there for the disabled and always celebrated their Confirmation.  Cardinal O' Connor ministered to the poor and was close friends with Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  The Cardinal approved the first specialized AIDS unit to provide care to AIDS patients which was the first of its kind.  There he would care for AIDS patients by cleaning their bedpans and even their sores, many who were gay.

GAYS
The LGBT community did not like him at all despite his care of gay AIDS patients.  They would mock him during "Pride parade" events and even disrupted Mass at St. Patrick's cathedral when a group of gays from ACT UP entered the historic building, some chained themselves to pews, others took Holy Communion, smashed it in their hands, threw the remains, spat and stomped on the sacred species while saying, "this is what I think of your God."  Despite this, Cardinal O' Connor forgave them and made it clear by staying, "I must preach what the church preaches, teach what the church teaches."

The Cardinal was very outspoken against homosexuality and this earned him many enemies in the LGBT, Pro-Abortion and liberal factions including radio personality Don Imus. Nevertheless, he did not shy away from the teachings of the Church on this issue or on other issues such as abortion, contraception and euthanasia.  

To date, the NYPD places barricades to protect Catholics from the gay community during their "Pride" events.  Even after his death, the LGBT community still held a grudge. A gay publication published a satire image celebrating his death by "dancing on his grave."

Time Out New York published an article expressing joy and relief after his death and wrote: "The press eulogized him as a saint, when in fact, the pious creep was a stuck-in-the-1950s anti-gay menace. Good riddance!"  Carmen Vazques of the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center stated that the Cardinal made the lives of the LGBT people miserable with his comments and opposition to their way of life.


ABORTION and other ISSUES
There probably has not been a prelate so aggressive in the Pro-Life movement than His Eminence, John Cardinal O' Connor.  O' Connor was firm on his adherence to the Church's teachings on life and abortion.

He was so dedicated to this that he founded the Sisters for Life who exist to help pregnant women and to discourage abortion. The Cardinal even offered to take care of expenses for any woman seeking an abortion, even providing a car to help them.  It was he who ordained the well known Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life and allowed him to work at Priests for Life as director.

Aside from wearing his clerical collar and suit, he would wear a rose lapel pin with the words "LIFE."  He fought for those who were targets for euthanasia and emphasized the Church's teachings without compromise.  Cardinal O' Connor coined the phrase "Cafeteria Catholic" when he said, "The Church is not a salad bar, from which to pick and choose what pleases you."

He did not waiver in his role as shepherd and evangelist. When President Clinton was pushing his pro-abortion agenda which threatened Catholic hospitals with legal action as well as free speech, the Cardinal responded with, "Jail Me."  He also made it clear that he will close hospitals if necessary to prevent them from becoming havens for abortion, euthanasia and contraception.
 

END OF AN EARTHY JOURNEY

As required by Canon Law, Cardinal O' Connor submitted his resignation at age 75 to the Vatican.  Blessed John Paul II did not accept it and asked him to stay on longer which Cardinal O' Connor did.  In 1999 he was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was inoperable. Like Blessed John Paul II, he did not hide from the public.

He celebrated Mass, and continued his schedule despite health visibly deteriorating. The Cardinal who was known to be agile and have a "New York" swag-walk in his step, was having difficulty standing and even fell at the Cathedral during Mass.  He swelled up due to the cancer treatment and even joked about it by referring himself as "fat head."

The Cardinal met his Lord on May 3, 2000.  His funeral Mass was packed to capacity with dignitaries such as President Clinton. When his work against abortion was mentioned, the people stood up in an ovation that lasted over five minutes which left President Clinton and other pro-abortion politicians dumbfounded and embarrassed.  He was laid to rest in the crypt under the high altar.


AWARDS

He received the Jackie Robinson Empire State MEdal of Freedom by Governor Pataki and the Congressional Gold Medal by the US Congress and President Clinton by unanimous vote. A campus in the Bronx of the College of New Rochelle on 149 street was named after him.


Cardinal John Joseph O' Connor is a model prelate that should be imitated. He was stern when he needed to be and gentle at all times.  Like Pope Francis and previous recent Popes, he only wished to be known as a simple priest who worked humbly in the Lord's vineyard. The Cardinal courageously defended the unborn, the poor, the disabled, AIDS patients and the Catholic Church's teachings without compromise. He was a true shepherd and faithful priest who did not water down the doctrines and dogmas of the 2000 + year old Catholic Church of Christ in order to conform to the times.

May he rest in peace and pray for the Militant Church still in the war on Earth against evil, the culture of death and immorality.

 






More Information:
http://www.ewtn.com/Memoriam/oconnor/life/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Joseph_O'Connor

Funeral Mass
       

HIV Vaccine

Clinical trials for a HIV vaccine has been successful!

A new HIV vaccine has been tested in Canada by the Western University of Ontario which is produced by Sumagen Co.  The vaccine was effective and has not shown any side effects.  This is good news for all people who are at high risk for HIV infection; in particular, gays, promiscuous individuals, Caucasians, African Americans and others.

The clinical trial was started in March of last year and ended last month of this year.  The vaccine was given intramuscular to asypmotomatic men and women, ages 18 to 50 years.  More tests need to be conducted in order to see if this vaccine is indeed effective for all peoples and can deliver without side effects.

Hopefully this vaccine when perfected will be distributed FREE to all peoples.    


Source:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/new-hiv-vaccine-proves-successful-phase-1-human-trial-255439

HIV injected into Dying Girl

Recently, an article circled around the internet claiming that doctors injected HIV into a girl dying of cancer.  The HIV supposedly is killing off the cancer and helping the young girl recover.

However, there is a problem with this story.  The reality is that HIV as we know of it was never actually used.  A lentivirus was altered in such a way that it aids the immune system's ability to attack another disease.  Lentivirus' are part of a genus of viruses that like HIV can fool the cells of a body.

Some of the girl's T cells were removed and "reprogrammed" with the modified HIV-lentivirus.  This in turns allows these cells to create proteins called chimeric antigen receptors which attach themselves to cancer cells.  Once attached, these cells begin killing off the cancer cells.  The procedure seems effective and more research is being done to see if this can work on all cancer types.

This reminds me of Will Smith's movie, "I am Legend" where a geneticist creates a cure for cancer by manipulating the genetic material from the measles disease.  The cure seems to work until human beings begin to transform into these light sensitive super humans that do not speak but seem to still have some intelligence and sense of social structure.  Will Smith's character is one of the last human beings left and eventually finds a cure that will return the mutated human beings back to normal.

I digress...

While the procedure I write on here seems promising, it is important that geneticists study well what is being done and any future consequences.  Nature is known to bring about surprises in regards to viruses.  One small mistake and the human race can become extinct.  However, I don't see "I am Legend" happening with this research.
 



Source:

http://firsttoknow.com/doctors-inject-hiv-into-dying-girl-youll-be-glad-they-did/
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/lifestyle/2013/06/24/doctors-inject-hiv-into-dying-girl-youll-be-glad-they-did/
http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2013/06/25/no-doctors-did-not-inject-hiv-into-a-dying-girl-to-treat-her-cancer/

HO41

If humanity did not have enough sexually transmitted diseases, now they have another one to worry about.  The gonorrhea strand HO41 is spreading around and has been nick named the "super sex bug."  This strand is extremely resistant to antibiotics currently available.  It can kill those infected within a week via septic shock.

Experts believe this strand is worse than HIV and will become an epidemic considering the mentality today in regards to licentiousness.  Sex is no longer seen in popular culture as something worth waiting for with the one you love and marry.  It is now a pastime.  It is no wonder why this new strand appeared.  Perhaps nature is trying to keep humanity in check?

"Safe sex" does not work, nor does this hedonistic mentality that is being indoctrinated into our youth.      




Source:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100685883

Cure For HIV Coming Soon

According to Danish scientists from the Aarhus University Hospital, a cure is in the works and may debut in about four months.  This is good news indeed.  HIV, a mysterious virus has been plaguing people throughout the world, in particular homosexuals, prostitutes, babies born from an infected mother and drug users who inject with unclean needles.

The cure entails the removal of HIV from DNA by forcing it to come onto the surface of cells.  The immune system is then aided with a vaccine in attacking the HIV virus killing it like it would any other foreign body.

Tests are being conducted to see if there is any success.  While the cure may seem "too simple," it is possible.  We can only hope and pray that success will come so that this cure can be made available to the millions around the globe who have HIV.

Hopefully this cure will be FREE.  



Source:

http://www.libertycrier.com/health/hiv-cure-2013-news-update-breakthrough-cure-coming-within-months-say-danish-scientists/

http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/danish-breakthrough-for-hiv-cure-expected-within-months-20130428-2imnp.html

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/130428/hiv-cure-aids-danish-dna-treatment

http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/news/20130429/hiv-cure-looks-promising-danish-scientists-contend

"Eggs Benedict"

I love art.  Art is one of the ways to best express ourselves intellectually and emotionally.  However, some things that are presented as art are not.  They are depictions of ignorance, hatred and narrow mindedness.

Niki Johnson, 25 created a display of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI using 17,000 condoms.  Johnson claims the display came about after hearing Pope Benedict XVI's message regarding condom use in Africa.  The Pope Emeritus received a lot of criticism for his remarks on condoms and how they are not helping bring down HIV infection.

He was indeed right!  There is so much promotion of condoms throughout the world and yet HIV is still rising, especially among the LGBT community.  The media ignores this for obvious reasons.

Johnson's display is not art, it is garbage.  It is offensive and shows the ignorance this person has regarding the issue.  Instead of wasting time constructing this offensive thing, Johnson should dedicate time in studying the facts and seeing why Pope Emeritus said what he said.  Condoms are not doing anything to prevent or slow down HIV.  Condoms create an atmosphere of promiscuity and lasciviousness.  Persons cease being persons and become sex objects.

I urge all my brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church as well as my friends of other faiths to protest this artist and this disturbing work.


Source:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/milwaukee-artist-debuts-pope-benedict-condom-portrait-article-1.1296818

Vatican: Free HIV Meds

During the 8th international AIDS Conference in Rome, officials from the Vatican urged that medicines to treat the disease should be free.  Cardinal Bertone said that "treatment should be universal" and should "begin with mothers and children."  

I agree 100% with this.  AIDS is on the rise despite the promotion of condoms.  Much is done to attempt to prevent it by these weak means but hardly anything is being done to treat the people who acquire the disease.

Medicines must be free if we are to help these people live dignified strong lives.  I am hopeful that this will be the case and that soon a cure will be found that will put to death the HIV/AIDS virus once and for all.  God's will be done!

Source:

http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=120003

Stems Cells Kill HIV in Mice

Stem cells were genetically engineered to kill cells infected with HIV.  This is a big discovery but still a long way from finding a cure for the virus.  Viruses constantly change.  This presents a difficult task trying to eradicate them for good.

Moreover, the risk of tampering with genetics is always present as with the issue with the banana which is about to go to extinct due to the disruption of natural selection.

Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/16/stem-cell-aids-hiv-study-ucla_n_1428660.html