THE VIRUS

HCV is a small (40 to 60 nanometers in diameter), enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae and genus hepacivirus. Because the virus mutates rapidly, changes in the envelope proteins may help it evade the immune system. There are at least six major genotypes and more than 50 subtypes of HCV. The different genotypes have different geographic distributions. Genotypes 1a and 1b are the most common in the United States (about 75 percent of cases). Genotypes 2 and 3 are present in only 10 to 20 percent of patients. There is little difference in the severity of disease or outcome of patients infected with different genotypes. However, patients with genotypes 2 and 3 are more likely to respond to interferon treatment

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/chronichepc/

[Rockerforlife]

Viral levels as measured by HCV RNA do not correlate with the severity of the hepatitis or with a poor prognosis (as in HIV infection); but viral load does correlate with the likelihood of a response to antiviral therapy. Rates of response to a course of peginterferon and ribavirin are higher in patients with low levels of HCV RNA. There are several definitions of a “low level” of HCV RNA, but the usual definition is below 800,000 IU (~ 2 million copies) per mL.

[Rockerforlife]

My baseload VL count is 21 million....i just hope the PI`s i am abouit to take this friday will knock that number down to zero

[Rockerforlife]

Ribavirin is excreted largely by the kidneys. Patients with renal disease can develop hemolysis that is severe and even life-threatening. Patients who have elevations in serum creatinine above 2.0 mg per deciliter (dL) should not be treated with ribavirin.

[Marcia2202]

Don't worry bro', you're gonna knock the krap out of them viruses.... After the glimpse I got, I can assure you that! When them viruses get a glimpse of you, they will run away feeling so ug and embarrassed hanging around a handsome guy like that....

[Rockerforlife]

Dosing
Two forms of peginterferon have been developed and studied in large clinical trials: peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys: Hoffman La Roche, Nutley, NJ) and peginterferon alfa-2b (Pegintron: Schering-Plough Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ). These two products are roughly equivalent in efficacy and safety, but have different dosing regimens.

Peginterferon alfa-2a is given subcutaneously in a fixed dose of 180 micrograms (mcg) per week.

Peginterferon alfa-2b is given subcutaneously weekly in a weight-based dose of 1.5 mcg per kilogram (kg) per week (thus in the range of 75 to 150 mcg per week).

Ribavirin is an oral medication, given twice a day in 200-mg capsules for a total daily dose based upon body weight. The standard dose of ribavirin is 1,000 mg for patients who weigh less than 75 kg (165 pounds) and 1,200 mg for those who weigh more than 75 kg. In certain situations, an 800-mg dose (400 mg twice daily) is recommended (see Duration).

[Rockerforlife]

I cant believe im about to shot #5 already....and start the Boceprerir this friday....the BOC is a red blood cell killer,just like the riba....im ready for the epo too...if needed....best thing its supplied free too...i cant believe they supply the rescue drugs as well...they must want our business bad

[Rockerforlife]

You should see my baby brother...hes the spitting image of Mel Gibson

[Rockerforlife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4y-RzVGrHg

[Marcia2202]

That's great news that you get the rescues. What a great trial! I know you will beat it this time!

I'll pass on Mel Gibson.... Sorry about that

[Rockerforlife]

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS....GIVES MY GOOSEBUMPS UP MY ARMS AND NECK.....this band is from vancouver canada


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76i6aZgo2io

[Marcia2202]

Thanks for the tunes Rock...

[Rockerforlife]

Hey....not a problem....thats why im here.....LOL

[Rockerforlife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsN5MtKtWcg



a feel good song

[Rockerforlife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsN5MtKtWcg

[Rockerforlife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsN5MtKtWcg

[geterdone]

And just think it only took 20/30 years to get us here to this point. Good Luck with the Boceprerir induction and may the sides be minimual.

jasper

[Rockerforlife]

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v158315782kfjCE7k?rank=120&jsonParams=%7B%22numResults%22%3A20%2C%22rlmin%22%3A0%2C%22query%22%3A%22PINK+FLOYD%22%2C%22rlmax%22%3Anull%2C%22veohOnly%22%3Atrue%2C%22contentRatingId%22%3A2%2C%22order%22%3A%22default%22%2C%22range%22%3A%22a%22%2C%22sId%22%3A%22212026817431610417%22%2C%22offset%22%3A120%7D&searchId=212026817431610417&rank=121

[Rockerforlife]

I HAVE NO SIDES on the SOC drugs....i pray for the same with the BOC drugs....i get the funny feeling im goona be hit hard

[Rockerforlife]

1 CUP FROZEN VEGGIES
4 CUPS WATER
1 ORGANIC BULLION CUBE
1/2 CUP PASTA



DONE DEAL

[geterdone]

you might want to strap in real tight. Not much has been said about the BOC trials and it might get a little rocky.

jasper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB_ZlORvD4c&feature=related

[Rockerforlife]

There is some research done on the PI drugs...havnt they been in the making for a few years now?....short term sx are well tolerated its been published....its the long term ones im worried about....just dont want to end up a zombie 10 yeras form now

[Rockerforlife]

BTW...that video is pretty depressing

[sunshine585]

I'm familiar with Nickelback, I'm in Van. I really like the Ronan Keating song, it's a happy song.

[geterdone]

Sorry about that, I could not just get the frames of the two shuttle launches that would signify your up coming BOC additive in addition to the SOC currently being undertaken.

jasper

[Marcia2202]

Too bad that we don't have smileys on MH. If not the evil smile would have been perfect for the situation.

[Rockerforlife]

AWWWWW....thats what the video was about....yep..the BOC drugs will de a blast off for sure...can you say..KICK WHEN THERE DOWN

[Rockerforlife]

My apologies...at first i thought the video was about war...i never even watched the whole thing before i commented onit...i just watched it all and it was pretty cool....i gotta keep my big foot outta my mouth

[Rockerforlife]

Life is a roller coaster for sure.Ronan Keating is not bad...Nickelback rocks....BTW...i lived on Granville street back in the early 80`s....what a blast that was.....it was like living in the sixties...drugs and sex and rock and roll everywhere

[epiphiny]

Off topic but on topic:  the HCV virus is smaller than the airborne flu virus.  Just a piece of useless but interesting information.  Happy Sunday to all!

Epi :)

[Marcia2202]

no wonder it hangs out in our brains

[Rockerforlife]

"
MAYBE THIS WILL GET YOUR BRAINS IN GEAR


"Viruses exist in two distinct states. When not in contact with a host cell, the virus remains entirely dormant. During this time there are no internal biological activities occurring within the virus, and in essence the virus is no more than a static organic particle. In this simple, clearly non-living state viruses are referred to as 'virions'. Virions can remain in this dormant state for extended periods of time, waiting patiently to come into contact with the appropriate host. When the virion comes into contact with the appropriate host, it becomes active and is then referred to as a virus. It now displays properties typified by living organisms, such as reacting to its environment and directing its efforts toward self-replication". From The Bacteriophage T4 Virus


http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/yellowstone/viruslive.html

[Rockerforlife]

ARE VIRUSES ALIVE

Are Viruses Alive? By Bo Howes The word virus means “poi-son” in Latin. Viruses are submicro-scopic intracellular parasites that consist of either RNA or DNA, and a protective coat of protein. It has caused countless diseases in vari-ous organisms. The term virus was first used in the 1890s to describe agents that caused diseases that were smaller than bacteria. The ex-istence of viruses was established in 1892, when Russian scientist Dimity I. Ivanovsky discovered microscopic particles later known as the tobacco mosaic virus. Over the years, scientists have debated whether viruses are alive. Some scientists argue that the virus is lifeless. On the other hand, other scientists argue that viruses are lifeforms and should be classified into a kingdom. However, many sci-entists have agreed that things must have seven characteristics of life to be considered alive. The character-istics of life are all living things are composed of cells, all organisms are organized at cellular and molecular levels, energy use, and response to the environment, growth, reproduc-tion, and adaptation. From research and observa-tion, scientists have found that vi-ruses can perform some of the life processes. They found that viruses have organization, the ability to re-produce, and adaptations. First, they found that viruses are generally organized and composed of a nu-cleic acid core, either RNA or DNA, surrounded by protein. Next, they found that viruses could reproduce. It does not reproduce by sexual or asexual production, but by injecting its genetic material into the nucleus of a living cell. Finally, they found out that viruses have adaptations. They have the ability to mutate into different strains to resist man-made drugs. In short, these are some views and facts about the virus. To this day, scientists are still fiercely debating whether viruses are alive. Should we consider them alive since they perform some life processes or simply consider them lifeless?




http://www.freeessays.cc/db/3/alw9.shtml

[Rockerforlife]

A rock is not alive. A metabolically active sack, devoid of genetic material and the potential for propagation, is also not alive. A bacterium, though, is alive. Although it is a single cell, it can generate energy and the molecules needed to sustain itself, and it can reproduce. But what about a seed? A seed might not be considered alive. Yet it has a potential for life, and it may be destroyed. In this regard, viruses resemble seeds more than they do live cells. They have a certain potential, which can be snuffed out, but they do not attain the more autonomous state of life

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=are-viruses-alive-2004&page=2

[epiphiny]

I think that because the virus can replicate itself ie: reproduce, therefore increase it's presence, ergo GROW then I think it can be termed alive when actively reproducing and dead when stripped of it's ability to reproduce.

[Rockerforlife]

i agree...it needs a host to be come active(alive)....just like a seed needs water...maybe like a how a human needs love to live....maye us humans are just virsues in this vast universe     till we find love...we are dead

[epiphiny]

Love sure does make us thrive :)

[Marcia2202]

Beautiful! I like that theory.

[Rockerforlife]

Without love...we are dead....(.FACT)

R.S

[Rockerforlife]

Life is a school

  The reason we are here in this physical world is for soul growth. This physical world is the ideal place for this. Spiritual growth in the spirit realms is more difficult. The reason is that the influence of our physical bodies gives us the opportunity for a full range of love (a child's love, marital love, and parental love) which is ideally available here. Love that is misused or misdirected is best corrected in the here. In this physical world, there is the full range of physical and spiritual senses with which to act and communicate

[Marcia2202]

So true...

[Rockerforlife]

I better tone down....some of these things im posting now on love may not go over well with some people here...there is a fine line between love and "religion" and spiritually

[Rockerforlife]

The most important thing in life is love

[Marcia2202]

and spirituality.

[Rockerforlife]

Lets see how this goes over

Love is God and loving others and everything is all that really matters. Everything else, our achievements and material wealth, is totally irrelevant. The important thing is to love people, nature, animals, and everything in creation. Whether people realize it or not, love is what we seek and need to sustain us. Although love is too immense and profound to be fully known in one lifetime, without love we are nothing. To love everyone as ourselves, we must love ourselves else our love for others is false. It is impossible to be really happy if we only have love for ourselves. Until we give attention to others, we will not be able to grow spiritually. Our choice is between the spirit of God (self-love, love for others) and the spirit of self (selfishness, love only for self). By conquering self, we can change and grow easily, and know ourselves to be ourselves, yet one with the Whole. When we do unto others, the same will be done unto us.

[Rockerforlife]

ill be booted off soon....LOL

[Marcia2202]

It goes over very well, I say.

[Rockerforlife]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4y-RzVGrHg



play it again sam

[Marcia2202]

Maybe we should lighten it up with a song....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TbK7XM1LYc

Here are the lyrics while we're at it.

Future Love Paradise

But if only you could see them
You would know from their faces
There were kings and queens
Followed by princes and princesses
There were future power people
From the loved to the loveless
Shining a light 'cause they wanted it seen
Well there were cries of why
Followed by cries of why not
Can I
Reach out for you if that feels good to me
And the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise
No the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise
Paradise yeah
Don't you know that racism in among future kings
Can only lead to no good
to no good
Besides your sons and daughters
already know how that feels
One day (One day)
All the queens will gather round
Spreading love and unity so it can be found
Well then all the riders say it's all to do with drugs
Well inject me
With your love
Inject me with your love alright
And the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only drug they'll find is paradise
Future love paradise
No the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise
Future love paradise
No the riders will not stop us
paradise
The only love they'll find is paradise
Paradise yea
Love paradise
One in and out is gonna make you feel good
paradise
Coming at you like a hurricane would
paradise
Stay close to me I'll always be by your side
Save paradise
Save it baby you know that it's all right
You remind me of a girl I knew paradise
So beautiful once inside you
paradise
You make me feel like I need your love love love
Want to fill me with your love
Fix me with your love all right
And the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only love they'll find is paradise
is paradise
Future love paradise
No the riders will not stop us
'Cause the only drug they'll find is paradise
Oh we'll belivin' in a paradise
The riders will not stop us
'cause the only love they'll find is paradise
Future love paradise
They will never make you feel surely
Like you've felt never felt before I'll
Give myself
To you
And if you change your mind
I'll do anything
Just to make the world peaceful
Just to make life wonderful
I will drown all your sorrows
In a future love paradise
Future love paradise
Future love paradise
They will never make you feel surely
Like you've never felt before
I'll
give myself

[Rockerforlife]

try this one...another artist from vancouver canada....nice tune

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqMKW9RgWXg

[Rockerforlife]

the above song is by....THEORY OF A DEADMAN

[Marcia2202]

Nice...

We were crossing each other posting songs... lol

[Rockerforlife]

Seal is a great artist....i think he married a famous white actress....music is the language of the soul

[Rockerforlife]

Supermodel Hiedi Klum and singer Seal


Shes german too

http://www.lovetripper.com/bridalstars/wedding-database/heidi-klum-seal.html

[Marcia2202]

I know. They have some cute kids, too.