There's always room for some excitement. If the Miami airport wasn't enough between having to walk the entire concourse 3 times until I finally found the right gate, and having to go through 4 checkpoints (the security began to recognize by the last time through)...I finally boarded the plane to Antigua...only to find out that it would land around 11PM and then there would be no place to stay.
Well...that wasn't a problem...REALLY...as once arrived at the Antigua airport, we stood in the immigration line for almost 1 1/2 hours, and then again in customs for an additional hour. All tolled, I only had to sleep in a chair in the ticketing area untail 4AM when I was able to again get in line and get a ticket to come back to Grenada. Was I happy to feel the wheels hit the ground at Point Saline? You can be sure of it! But it was worth it...the people, the discussion, the experience of sharing academic information. What a feeling!
I would be terribly ungrateful if I did not take this public opportunity to thank everyone who supported me in any way, especially to my daughter who puts up with me and gives me excellent advise, my supervisor Peter and chair, Dr.H., and of course the administrative Dean Dr.P who approves all our work, and his able staff who coordinate our travels. I could never have accomplished it without you!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hasta LaVista Conference Day 3
Well...It was absolutely Marvelous! A wonderful experience, alot of excellent people, a wealth of knowledge acquired! And...a chance to present information which hopefully be viewed as innovative in prevention and effectual in disease education.
All that said, I am off to the airport and will be traveling through Miami on my way back to Grenada. Thanks for the memories!!!
All that said, I am off to the airport and will be traveling through Miami on my way back to Grenada. Thanks for the memories!!!
Poster Session Conference Day 3
Now thanks to the administratoin and staff who supported me at St. George's University, I was able to present the poster which the International AIDS Conference approved and now has listed on their CD files from the program, and also will be given to all conference participants for further reviewing.
The poster was possible through my work with the Prison Peer Educator Project, "Project START- A Peer Education Program on HIV Outreach, Prevention and Stigma Reduction", and was funded by the National AIDS Directorate through a grant written for such, and approved by the Ministry of Health. The project spanned over 6 months and included training inmates and staff about HIV and STI's, and provided them also with group facilitation skills workshops so that they would then be able to present the material to their peers. The prison administration initially identified 8 inmates, but expanded it to 21 (both male and female) who graduate the progtram.
The outcomes of the program included but not limited to:
1- increased respect by individual inmate and fellow inmates
2- education of at least 50% of the prison populatoin (actualize 97.3%)
3- acquisition of voluntary HIV testing of prison inmates of at least 20% (actualized 95%) with weekly availability for further testing of inmates, guards and new intakes
4- coordination with community agencies upon discharge of inmates for continuance of skills with community HIV educatoin programs
The complete evaluation of the project is available through the NAD office with surveys, statistics, etc. It has been viewed as such great success through the associated factions of NAD and UNGASS, that now it is being distributed to other Caribbean countries for use as demonstration projects in their penal systems as a prevention strategy for disease management.
(Note the notification for the abstract:
AIDS 2008 - Your abstract number [A-072-0167-01226]
AIDS 2008 Abstract Team
ViewWednesday, June 25, 2008 10:00:21 AM
To:docepocrates@yahoo.com
Dear Dr. Marianne SzauerArritt, AIDS 2008 is approaching and we are hereby sending you the final abstract number for your abstract accepted for publication: Abstract title: Project START: prison peer education program on HIV outreach, prevention and stigma reductionAbstract number: CDC0576.
We would also like to remind you of the conference embargo policy:An abstract cannot be submitted if it has been previously published or presented, unless there are major updates in the data. If preliminary or partial data has been published, the author is required to indicate the details of the conference, meeting or journal. The content of an abstract is under embargo from the time of submission until notification of acceptance.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or need further information.
Yours sincerely,
Nicholas Durand, Chair
AIDS 2008 Abstract Team)
The poster was possible through my work with the Prison Peer Educator Project, "Project START- A Peer Education Program on HIV Outreach, Prevention and Stigma Reduction", and was funded by the National AIDS Directorate through a grant written for such, and approved by the Ministry of Health. The project spanned over 6 months and included training inmates and staff about HIV and STI's, and provided them also with group facilitation skills workshops so that they would then be able to present the material to their peers. The prison administration initially identified 8 inmates, but expanded it to 21 (both male and female) who graduate the progtram.
The outcomes of the program included but not limited to:
1- increased respect by individual inmate and fellow inmates
2- education of at least 50% of the prison populatoin (actualize 97.3%)
3- acquisition of voluntary HIV testing of prison inmates of at least 20% (actualized 95%) with weekly availability for further testing of inmates, guards and new intakes
4- coordination with community agencies upon discharge of inmates for continuance of skills with community HIV educatoin programs
The complete evaluation of the project is available through the NAD office with surveys, statistics, etc. It has been viewed as such great success through the associated factions of NAD and UNGASS, that now it is being distributed to other Caribbean countries for use as demonstration projects in their penal systems as a prevention strategy for disease management.
(Note the notification for the abstract:
AIDS 2008 - Your abstract number [A-072-0167-01226]
AIDS 2008 Abstract Team
ViewWednesday, June 25, 2008 10:00:21 AM
To:docepocrates@yahoo.com
Dear Dr. Marianne SzauerArritt, AIDS 2008 is approaching and we are hereby sending you the final abstract number for your abstract accepted for publication: Abstract title: Project START: prison peer education program on HIV outreach, prevention and stigma reductionAbstract number: CDC0576.
We would also like to remind you of the conference embargo policy:An abstract cannot be submitted if it has been previously published or presented, unless there are major updates in the data. If preliminary or partial data has been published, the author is required to indicate the details of the conference, meeting or journal. The content of an abstract is under embargo from the time of submission until notification of acceptance.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or need further information.
Yours sincerely,
Nicholas Durand, Chair
AIDS 2008 Abstract Team)
Conference Session Day 3
Buenos Dias...even though I don't speak Spanish...it actually comes fairly easily as Mexicans speak more closely actual Spanish. And so day 3, I only have the morning here and must also present my poster.
The first session related new material on the viral evolution in acute disease (AHI).Fro this we gleaned the relationships between the linkage and characterization of transmitted virus during acute infection. We then continued the discussion to transmission of HIV-1 Gag but not Nef immune escape mechanisms as associated with reduced viral loads in those with HIV infection, and the relationship and differences between those identified resistance mutations in acute and latent viral infections. This session finished off with a hearty discussion about relatoin of viral fitness and HIV transmission and features of HIV-1 subtype C virus and the idea of compartmentalism in male secretions as increasing the virulence of the virus transmission.
Interestingly we also had a chance to review all the findings on the modified CD38 peptide inhibiting HIV attachment through the involvement of a lysine (K57) residue and its' potential as an active microbicide based on the above discussion of increased male viral virulence in semen.
The first session related new material on the viral evolution in acute disease (AHI).Fro this we gleaned the relationships between the linkage and characterization of transmitted virus during acute infection. We then continued the discussion to transmission of HIV-1 Gag but not Nef immune escape mechanisms as associated with reduced viral loads in those with HIV infection, and the relationship and differences between those identified resistance mutations in acute and latent viral infections. This session finished off with a hearty discussion about relatoin of viral fitness and HIV transmission and features of HIV-1 subtype C virus and the idea of compartmentalism in male secretions as increasing the virulence of the virus transmission.
Interestingly we also had a chance to review all the findings on the modified CD38 peptide inhibiting HIV attachment through the involvement of a lysine (K57) residue and its' potential as an active microbicide based on the above discussion of increased male viral virulence in semen.
Evening Conference Day 2
Okay this evening, I decided I would take a journey down the streets of Mexico City...perhaps I was "stepping back into the past" for myself. I started walking toward the center of the city, having heard that there was an ancient Aztec Temple Ruin near the edge of the town. So, I started walking...and I walked...and I walked...about 15 blocks (and they think they can only call NY blocks long!). Well, I arrived down in Centro Plaza...what a sight. There had to easily be a few thousand people migrating around everywhere. Vendors, street singers, old-fashioned Organ grinders, cathedrals, ministry buildings...not to mention the enchilada, pastilla, empenada smells and blue corn tacos being made right on the corners. The smells, the sights were a veriable feast for eye and nose.
But then I saw it...way in the back behind a large cathedral SanFransisco and San Mateo...the Aztec Temple Ruins. An, if that wasn't enough to begin my senses flailing, I smelled incense buring and followed my nose. No, it wasn't from the Cathedral, it was from behind the temple runis where there were a group of descendants of the Inca/Aztecs preparing to perform a ritual dance for the Harvest (done only once yearly...by the way it is almost in correlation with the Feast of Succoth in Judasim)...so I stood and took LOTS of pictures. Wahat an absolute treat! This ritual took almost 2 hours, so by the time I got back to the hotel, it was dark, and I was really hungry...so I hit the nearest blue taco stand and emjoyed! ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz
But then I saw it...way in the back behind a large cathedral SanFransisco and San Mateo...the Aztec Temple Ruins. An, if that wasn't enough to begin my senses flailing, I smelled incense buring and followed my nose. No, it wasn't from the Cathedral, it was from behind the temple runis where there were a group of descendants of the Inca/Aztecs preparing to perform a ritual dance for the Harvest (done only once yearly...by the way it is almost in correlation with the Feast of Succoth in Judasim)...so I stood and took LOTS of pictures. Wahat an absolute treat! This ritual took almost 2 hours, so by the time I got back to the hotel, it was dark, and I was really hungry...so I hit the nearest blue taco stand and emjoyed! ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Morning Conference Day 2
Lots of meetings...lots of sessions...This is GREAT! They sessions start promptly at 8:30 and they end around 6:30 (yes, I did say 6:30, and that's PM). WOW! These people are really at the top of their class. There are people from NIH, WHO, UNAIDS, UNGASS, Emory University, UTMBC, Harvard, UNC, just to mention a few, And they span the gamet of Directors to post doctoral (MD and PhD) attendees. I had the opportunity to sit in meeting with Drs. Eric Huner and Carlos DelRio following the presentation by Dr. Michael Cohen entitled "HIV transmission: Redux 2008 and the lessons learned from the NIH Center for Vaccine immunology (CHAVI). What an academic electrifying experience.
The following sessions were veritable intellecutal and scientific delicacies for a mind as mine, as I swirled molecular configurations of alternative models for vaccines and microbicides in relation to antibodies and mucosal transmission.The lectures then proceeded to further elucidate and tintillate my mind with pox vector vaccines, t-cell vaccines, and neutralizing antibodies and variations of antimcirobial combinatoin for neutralizing the HIV virus.
After lunch ( and they do take long lunches with a a siesta break), we continued the veritable feast of information in discussions of epidemiology and evaluatoin of HIV transmission. The most interesting session was on evaluating HIV DNA provirus nested PCR techniques for early diagnosis in children and elderly, which proved what is already documented for adults, in that RT-PCR is standard for verification of the HIV virus across the world. And, if used as such, would eliminate the need for repetitive testing of newborns and toddlers (as well as elderly with lower blood counts) decreasing the algorithm for absolute positive to two tests only.
If this is still not enough, after an early evening break, we re-convened for discussions about Modeling of HIV transmission, where the theory of concurrency was discussed and proven by far an incredibly accurate tool for estimating HIV transmission among related, inter-related and even non-related cohorts. Following this session, the Markov model approach was discussed as it relates to timely diagnosis reducing mortality. And we finished off the evening reviewing cost-effectiveness of the ever impending TB epidemic using a well-respected QuantiFERON TB Gold assay. Thanks Dr. Martin for all the time you spend reviewing assays and PCR...this really came in handy understanding all the technical information and putting it into perspective clinically.
The following sessions were veritable intellecutal and scientific delicacies for a mind as mine, as I swirled molecular configurations of alternative models for vaccines and microbicides in relation to antibodies and mucosal transmission.The lectures then proceeded to further elucidate and tintillate my mind with pox vector vaccines, t-cell vaccines, and neutralizing antibodies and variations of antimcirobial combinatoin for neutralizing the HIV virus.
After lunch ( and they do take long lunches with a a siesta break), we continued the veritable feast of information in discussions of epidemiology and evaluatoin of HIV transmission. The most interesting session was on evaluating HIV DNA provirus nested PCR techniques for early diagnosis in children and elderly, which proved what is already documented for adults, in that RT-PCR is standard for verification of the HIV virus across the world. And, if used as such, would eliminate the need for repetitive testing of newborns and toddlers (as well as elderly with lower blood counts) decreasing the algorithm for absolute positive to two tests only.
If this is still not enough, after an early evening break, we re-convened for discussions about Modeling of HIV transmission, where the theory of concurrency was discussed and proven by far an incredibly accurate tool for estimating HIV transmission among related, inter-related and even non-related cohorts. Following this session, the Markov model approach was discussed as it relates to timely diagnosis reducing mortality. And we finished off the evening reviewing cost-effectiveness of the ever impending TB epidemic using a well-respected QuantiFERON TB Gold assay. Thanks Dr. Martin for all the time you spend reviewing assays and PCR...this really came in handy understanding all the technical information and putting it into perspective clinically.
Repose...Late Day 1
Okay...now I AM tired...up all day, meeting dignitaries, getting prepared for the sesions tomorrow...and walking in on of the most interesting cities in the world! So here it is pictures of my room. ZZzzzzzzzzzzz
Walking outside the Hotel
Not being one to stay put after a meal...and since it was too early as yet to retire, I decided to take a short walk outside the hotel and see what direction I would map out taking in some culture. There was a magnificent central park right across the street...and so off I went to see vendors, people, police, and beautiful scultpures.
Early Evening Day 1
Once I arrived at the Conference Center, I met many interesting people, as there was a coincidental conference for dignitaries and country officials during the same times. I was able to meet with Minister Hood from Grenada, as well as a few other Country Presidents from Africa, and Latin and South America. We spent a few hours discussing the intertwinings of the political process with the scientific/technical developments and how all will be refined into policy during the next few years, and the overall impact upon nations, the individuals, and the providers and scientists.
The Trip to Mexico City- Day 1
Flights can be interesting...and in this case I was routed through Grenada to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Dallas Fort Worth to Mexico City. The pictures are interesting (as I have not taken shots from the air before). No problems getting into Mexico City...just learning the Spanish. The taxis are "beetle" VW's that just never grow old.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
3rd Annual HIV Scientific Conference
I was invited to submit a poster related to the work with HIV prevention which I have initiated here on the island of Grenada. I accepted and entered my Prison "Project START" HIV peer educator program which took place last year between August and December 2007.
An extremely successful project, I was funded by the National AIDS Directorate and also my company Angel Mountain for all expenses.
The poster was to be presented at the XVIIth Annual International AIDS Conference, and was accepted as such. I optioned for presentation at the "pre-conference being the 3rd Annual HIV Scientific Conference, as I also was accepted to co-host the webcast from the IAS at St. George's University. This way I able to be part of both and have more access to all the participants as well as the conference information.
I will be documenting my experiences with both text and photos, and will include the conference review and also the "after" conference sightseeing I was able to do as well.
An extremely successful project, I was funded by the National AIDS Directorate and also my company Angel Mountain for all expenses.
The poster was to be presented at the XVIIth Annual International AIDS Conference, and was accepted as such. I optioned for presentation at the "pre-conference being the 3rd Annual HIV Scientific Conference, as I also was accepted to co-host the webcast from the IAS at St. George's University. This way I able to be part of both and have more access to all the participants as well as the conference information.
I will be documenting my experiences with both text and photos, and will include the conference review and also the "after" conference sightseeing I was able to do as well.
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