A histoplasmose à uma das micoses sistÃmicas oportunistas mais associada à aids na atualidade no Brasil e no mundo. O Cearà à o estado do Brasil com a maior casuÃstica na Ãltima dÃcada da coinfecÃÃo HD/aids. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a morbimortalidade e sobrevida de pacientes com coinfecÃÃo HD/aids, apÃs o 1 evento de HD,atendidos em unidades de referÃncia para HIV/aids em Fortaleza/CearÃ. Realizou-se uma coorte retrospectiva de pacientes com coinfecÃÃo HD/aids, tendo o 1 episÃdio de HD ocorrido no perÃodo de 2002-2008. Os dados foram coletadas a partir do diagnÃstico de HD atà 31/12/2010. AnÃlise estatÃstica foi realizada por meio do programa STATA 9.0. Foram incluÃdos no estudo 145 pacientes. A maioria era de adultos jovens, com mÃdia de idade de 34,6 anos (IC 95%= 33,2-36,0), do sexo masculino (83,5%), e sem atividade de risco definida para histoplasmose (80%). A prevalÃncia da coinfecÃÃo foi de 38 casos/ano. HD foi 1 infecÃÃo oportunista definidora de aids em 59% dos pacientes. Anfotericina B foi utilizada em 97% dos pacientes como droga de induÃÃo, e itraconazol em 92%, em dose de manutenÃÃo. O tempo mÃdio de seguimento clÃnico foi de 3,38 anos (dp = 2,2; IC 95% = 3,01-3,75); 55,2% dos pacientes necessitaram de novos internamentos; 23,3% apresentaram recidiva da histoplasmose; 31,4% interromperam o uso de antifÃngicos conforme orientaÃÃo mÃdica. A mÃdia do acompanhamento apÃs a interrupÃÃo foi de 2,85 anos (IC 95% = 2,24-3,46). Somente um paciente recidivou apÃs a interrupÃÃo do antifÃngico. Os fatores riscos relacionados à recidiva foram nÃo adesÃo à TARV (p = 0,000), uso irregular de antifÃngico (p= 0,000), nÃo recuperaÃÃo do CD4+ (p = 0,000) e ter aids antes do diagnÃstico de HD (p =0,025). Somente nÃo adesÃo à TARV (OR = 4,96; IC 95% = 1,26-30,10; p = 0,026) foi fator de risco independente para recidiva. Aos 60 meses a probabilidade de remissÃo foi de 67%(IC 95%= 55% -76%). AdesÃo à TARV (94% vs. 51% - p = 0,000), uso regular de antifÃngico (87% vs. 48% - p = 0,000), recuperaÃÃo do CD4+ (83% vs. 45% - p = 0,000) e nÃo ter aids antes da HD (76% vs. 55% - p = 0,035) foram os principais fatores que contribuÃram para manutenÃÃo da remissÃo. Ãbito ocorreu em 30,2% dos pacientes; os fatores relacionados à mortalidade foram nÃo adesÃo ao tratamento da aids (p = 0,000), uso irregular de antifÃngico (p = 0,000), nÃo recuperaÃÃo do CD4+ (p = 0,000), ter tido um novo episÃdio de histoplasmose (p = 0,000) e ter aids antes da HD (p = 0,009). NÃo adesÃo à TARV foi o Ãnico fator de risco independente associado à mortalidade na anÃlise multivariada (OR = 5,24; IC 95% = 1,28-21,38; p = 0,021). A sobrevida aos 60 meses foi de 68% (IC 95% = 57%-76%). Pacientes com adesÃo à TARV (92% vs. 54% - p = 0,000) e sem episÃdio de recidiva (77%vs. 32% - p = 0,000), tiveram melhor probabilidade de sobrevida. Uso regular de antifÃngico (84% vs. 50% - p = 0,000) , ter tido recuperaÃÃo do CD4+ (89% vs. 54% - p = 0,000) e nÃo ter tido aids antes da HD (75% vs. 57% - p = 0,021) tambÃm foram fatores associados a uma melhor sobrevida. Portanto, verificou-se nesse estudo, elevada prevalÃncia de HD em pacientes com aids nessa regiÃo do Brasil, com altas taxas de recidiva e Ãbito. AdesÃo à TARV foi o Ãnico fator de risco independente associado aos desfechos, recidiva e Ãbito. A melhor sobrevida ocorreu em pacientes aderentes à TARV / Histoplasmosis is one of the most opportunistic systemic mycoses associated with AIDS today in Brazil and worldwide. Cearà is the state of Brazil with the largest case in the last decade this co-infection. The objective of this study was to characterize the survival and morbimortality of patients with co-infection HD/AIDS after the 1st HD event, served in in units of a reference for HIV/AIDS in Fortaleza/CearÃ. Retrospective cohort study of patients with co-infection HD/AIDS, when the first HD episode occurred between 2002-2008. The data were collected from the diagnosis of HD until 12/31/2010. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 9.0 program. The study included 145 patients. The majority were young adults with median age of 34.6 years (95%CI = 33.2-36.0), males (83.5%) and without risk activity associated with histoplasmosis (80%). The prevalence of co-infection was of 38 cases/year. HD was first defining opportunistic infection of AIDS in 59% of the patients. Amphotericin B was used in 97% of patients as induction drug and itraconazole in 92% on maintenance dose. The average clinical follow-up was 3.38 years (sd=2.2,95%CI= 3.01 to 3.75); 55.2% of patients needed for new admissions; 23.3% presented relapse of histoplasmosis; 31.4% discontinued the use of antifungal as medical advice. The average follow-up after the interruption was 2.85 years (95%CI= 2.24 to 3.46). Only one patient relapsed after stopping the antifungal. Risk factors related to relapse were not adhering to ART (p 0.000), irregular use of antifungal (e.g. 0.000), non-recovery of CD4 (p 0.000) and have AIDS before diagnosis of HD (0.025). Non-adherence to ART (OR 4.96; 95% CI = 1.26- 30.10; p = 0.026) was the only independent risk factor for relapse. To 60 months the likelihood of remission was 67% (95%IC = 55% -76%). Join the ART (94% vs. 51% - p = 0.000), regular use of antifungal (87vs. 48 - p = 0.000), recovery of CD4+ (83% vs. 45% â p =0.000) and not having AIDS before the HD (76% vs.55% - p = 0.035) were the main factors that contributed to maintenance of remission. Death occurred in 30.2% of patients; mortalityrelated factors were not adherence to treatment of aids (p = 0.000), irregular use of antifungal medication (p = 0.000), non-recovery of CD4+ (p = 0.000), have had a new episode of histoplasmosis (p = 0.000) and have AIDS before the HD (p = 0.009). Patients with adherence to ART (92% vs. 54% - p = 0,000) and without relapse episode (77% vs. 32% - p = 0,000), had better chances of survival. Regular use of secondary prophylaxis as a maintenance therapy in HD was a factor associated with lower probability of progression to death (p=0.000). The survival at 60 months was of 68% (95%CI = 57%-76%). Regular use of antifungal (84% vs. 50% - p = 0.000), have had CD4+ recovery (89% vs. 54% - p = 0.000)and not have had AIDS before the HD (75% vs. 57% - p = 0.021) also were factors associated with better survival. Therefore, it was found in this study, high prevalence of HD in patients with AIDS in this region of Brazil, with high rates of relapse and death. Join the ART was the only independent risk factor associated with outcomes, relapse and death. The best survival occurred in patients adhering to ART.

Master of Public Health - MPH / For more than two decades now, the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its etiological agent, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been a growing challenge that affects all segments of the global population. Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) is one of the many prevention and control strategies adopted globally and by the Government of the Republic of Zambia. VCT is the process by which an individual undergoes counseling to enable him/her to make an informed choice about being tested for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This decision must be entirely the choice of the individual and he or she must be assured that the process will be confidential. VCT is a key component of both HIV prevention and care programs. Although VCT is increasingly available in Zambia through public health facilities, VCT only or stand-alone sites and mobile counseling and testing services, there is still great reluctance among many people to be tested. Aim: This study explored factors affecting the utilization of VCT services in Mwense District, Zambia. Methodology: An explorative, qualitative study was conducted. Data was collected through focus group discussions with community members, and key informant interviews with lay counselors and health care workers. Thematic analysis of transcribed data was done to elucidate knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS and VCT services, factors facilitating uptake and barriers to utilization of VCT services and suggestions for improving VCT uptake. Results: The study found that HIV/AIDS was recognized as a major problem in the communities and that participants were aware of the availability and benefits of HIV counseling and testing services. The main reasons for seeking an HIV test included facilitating sexual behavior change to avoid infection, re-infection or infecting others with HIV. Facilitators to uptake of VCT services include accessing information on HIV/AIDS and other care and support services such as prevention of mother to child interventions, peer and social support systems, home-based care and early treatment with antiretroviral therapy if one is HIV positive. Community members indicated that VCT was an entry point to reaching out to the family and community for on-going counseling, which would lead to reduction in HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination. Several barriers to VCT were identified by the participants. At individual level, barriers included: the fear of the ramifications of a positive test; fear of HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination; doubt about the existence of HIV and AIDS; and fear of loss of control of life circumstances and destiny. Health facility level barriers included concerns about confidentiality of HIV-test results, familiarity with service providers, lack of promotional activities of the VCT services, shortage of testing logistics and commodities, and human resource shortages both in terms of numbers and confidence to promote VCT services. Community levels barriers included cultural beliefs and customs, gender imbalances, religious beliefs and stigma. Conclusions: There is urgent need for community sensitization about VCT and its benefits in HIV/AIDS control.

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW) / Botswana is experiencing high levels of HIV prevalence rate at 16.9% among the general population, 4.5% among adolescents aged 10-14 and 4.7% among adolescents aged 14-19. Adolescents are in a critically stage between childhood and adulthood and undergo a lot of developmental changes physically, sychologically and emotionally. The scourge of HIV/AIDS has also brought with it multiple challenges to adolescents as those who are HIV positive have to adhere to all the health requirements of being HIV positive and at the same time being pressurised by the societal expectations. Stigmatisation and discrimination are experienced as barriers against the fight towards HIV which is seen a major factor among adolescents. The aim of the study was to explore and describe adolescents’ perceptions and experiences of anti-retroviral therapy at a tertiary hospital in Francistown, Botswana. The study followed a qualitative research approach with an exploratory descriptive research design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Participants were school going adolescents aged between 13 and 19 years, who are on antiretroviral therapy and going for reviews at a tertiary hospital in Francistown, Botswana. Data were gathered though face to face semi structured interviews with each of the 24 participants. Data were analysed thematically. The following four themes emerged during the analysis: i. “ARVs control but don’t cure”; ii. “Why did it happen to me?-the reality of using ARVs”; iii. “I don’t want to take them for the rest of my life”; and iv. “No man is an island”, which addressed the research objectives. The findings led to the conclusion that, despite the fact that HIV has been around for over two decades and ARVs has been around for more than a decade, adolescents living with HIV still faces challenges such as stigmatisation due to social as well as clinical factors and adjusting to a lifelong treatment which made it difficult for them to adhere to their treatment. However, adolescents are happy as they are living a healthy and a fruitful life as a result of the ARVs. Ethical considerations were adhered too. Furthermore the findings of the study could assist the Ministries of Health, Education, Local Government and Rural Development to address these challenges experienced by the adolescents in the development of social programmes to improve the livelihood of the adolescents living with HIV/AIDS.

This descriptive study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices about AIDS among Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD} clinic attenders in the Cape Peninsula. A questionnaire containing open and closed questions in the appropriate language (English, Afrikaans or Xhosa) was administered by trained clinic staff to 306 patients in 9 of the 29 STD Clinics in the region. The study was requested by the local authorities to initiate and improve AIDS education programmes within the STD clinics. 306 patients were interviewed in 9 clinics. The median age of attenders was 25 years. The median period of residence in the peninsula was 7 years. Knowledge of AIDS is reasonably good when tested by true/false questions but much worse when tested by open questions. Knowledge bears little relationship to practice. There is inadequate awareness of the asymptomatic carrier state, the incurability of AIDS and ways to prevent AIDS. Sexual practice is high risk. Condom use is extremely low especially in the African areas where only 9,6% used a condom in the past year. Prostitution is perceived to be a common occurrence in attenders' communities. There is a low perception of risk to self. The most important beliefs militating against condom use are that they are unacceptable to partners and peer group. More information about AIDS was requested by 90% of patients and a strong preference was expressed for programmes to be conducted in the patient's home language. This study supports the urgent need for an AIDS education and counselling programmes for patients with STD's in the region. Recommendations include the need to address the emotions, attitudes and beliefs that affect behaviour as well as to convey knowledge. Condom acceptability poses a major problem that will need to be addressed. Patients with STDs represent an extremely important core group for HIV transmission to others in the community and need specific attention and resources.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has caused a global scare with mainly poor African countries suffering the greatest burden. Treatment of HIV is more of palliation rather than cure such that there is no room for treatment interruption if treatment goals are to be met. Antiretroviral treatment is associated with short term and long term side effects which have the potential to negatively impact on the high levels of adherence to treatment that is required to maintain virological suppression and may eventually lead to development of drug resistance and treatment failure. This research aims to identify the extent to which these side effects, through possible poor adherence, impact on treatment successes by measuring the risk that side effects contribute towards treatment failure. Methods Secondary data analysis was conducted on a cohort of patients who initiated ART between 2004 and 2010 at a large tertiary facility in Johannesburg. Patients who were switched to second line ART due to treatment failure were identified. Assessment of side effects on adherence was done. The hazards of side effects among patients switching and not switching to second line were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusting for other socio-demographic and clinical predictors for treatment failure. Interaction between side effects, gender, age and that of side effects and adherence was investigated. Time dependent covariates were also investigated. Confounding was controlled using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results There were 5285 patients in the baseline cohort with multiple entry points who contributed 16035 person-years of follow up. The cohort consisted of 63.2% females and 36.8% males. Of these 85.9% were initiated on stavudine (d4T)- based regimen, 7.1% on tenofovir (TDF), 6.3% on zidovudine (AZT)-based regimen and 0.7% on other regimens. The median and mean time at risk per subject was 2.2 and 2.3 years respectively. A total of 770 episodes of side effects due to first line ART were experienced with some patients recording multiple side effects at different time points. Adherence data were found to be missing and incoherent in some of the regimen dosages and could not be used to objectively compare patients. There were 430 patients who were switched to second line ART due to treatment failure. Relative to the group of no side effects, the adjusted hazard ratios for mild, moderate and severe side effects were 1.40 (95% CI=0.94-2.09) p=0.10; 1.72 (95% CI=1.35-2.20) p<0.01 and 1.24 (95% CI=0.65-2.35) p=0.52 respectively. Therefore, overally side effects did not seem to play a role in the time to switch to second line ART. Sex, baseline CD4 cell count, the period during which ART was initiated and the time between date of testing HIV positive and date of initiating were significantly associated with the time to switching to second line ART. Conclusion The study informs that side effects overally may not play a significant role in switching patients from first line to second line ART with the exception of moderate side effects. However, patients who experience side effects should be closely monitored and adequately counselled to help them cope with the side effects so that optimal adherence levels are maintained. Availability of adherence scores or additional information on pills that should have been taken on periods during which pills were reported to have been missed would have made the research more valuable by allowing objective comparison of adherence among patients.

by Au Yuk Sin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-113). / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / What is AIDS? --- p.1 / Situation in the World --- p.2 / Situation in Asia --- p.4 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- The AIDS Situation in Hong Kong --- p.8 / Historical Development of the AIDS Programme in Hong Kong --- p.8 / The Hong Kong AIDS Campaign (1987-1994) / Problem Definition Phase --- p.10 / Implementation Phase / Objectives --- p.11 / Targets --- p.12 / Channels --- p.12 / Media Package --- p.15 / Budget --- p.15 / Timing --- p.16 / Evaluation Phase / Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) / The Hong Kong AIDS Foundation --- p.16 / AIDS Concern / Hong Kong Ten Percent Club --- p.17 / The Horizons --- p.17 / The AIDS Trust Fund --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Theoretical Framework / Revised Protection Motivation Theory --- p.19 / Information / Persuasion Model --- p.22 / Review of Relevant Research Findings on Protection Motivation Theory --- p.24 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Literature Review / Global Research on AIDS / Positive Results --- p.27 / Mixed Results --- p.28 / Minimal Effects --- p.30 / Evaluation of Research Findings --- p.31 / Local Research on AIDS / CNTA Survey (Wave II)(May 1987) --- p.32 / CNTA Survey (Wave III)(March 1988) --- p.32 / KABP Study (February 1992) --- p.33 / HKIPM Survey (February 1992) --- p.34 / Survey on the Effectiveness of the APIs on AIDS (November 1992) --- p.35 / Evaluation of the School Education Programmes on AIDS (September-December 1993) --- p.36 / Evaluation of Local Research --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Methodology / Design --- p.38 / Sample --- p.40 / Hypotheses --- p.41 / Measurement --- p.44 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Findings --- p.46 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Discussion --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Conclusion --- p.73 / Appendix 1 Tables --- p.77 / Appendix 2 Organisational Structure of Hong Kong's AIDS Programme1994 --- p.83 / Appendix 3 (a) Questionnaire (English) --- p.84 / Appendix 3 (b) Questionnaire (Chinese) --- p.92 / Appendix 4 Field Report --- p.99 / Bibliography --- p.100

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2002. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.P.H.M.)--Mahidol University, 2000.

by Lam Tin Lun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-151). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgment --- p.I / Table of content --- p.II / List of Tables --- p.IX / List of Figures --- p.XI / Abbreviation --- p.XIII / Abstract --- p.XIV / 論文摘要 --- p.XVI / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- History of AIDS --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Definition of AIDS --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- HIV/AIDS Around the World --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- Hong Kong AIDS Update --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.4.2 --- AIDS Transmission --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.4.3 --- Main AIDS Complications Occur in Hong Kong --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Classification of HIV --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The Structure of HIV Virion --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- The HIV Genome --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- The Life Cycle of HIV --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.4.1 --- Invasion of the Cells --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.4.2 --- Integration into cell genome --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.4.3 --- Protease and assembly to the virus --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Three Essential Enzymes for HTV-1 Replication --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.5.1 --- HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.5.2 --- HIV-1 Integrase (HIV-1 IN) --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.5.3 --- HIV-1 Protease (HIV-1 PR) --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- The Different Stages of HIV Infection --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3 --- AIDS therapy --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Drugs Approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Vaccine --- p.26 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Chemokine Receptor Inhibitor --- p.27 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Antisense Oligonucleotides Therpay --- p.28 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) --- p.29 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objective of My Project --- p.32 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- SCREENING OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR HIV-1 PROTEASE INHIBITION --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Extraction Methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Aqueous Extraction --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Methanol Extraction --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Preparation of Recombinant HIV-1 Protease --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- Selection of Appropriate Clone --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- Large-scale Expression of Recombinant HIV-1 Protease --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- Purification of Recombinant HIV-1 Protease by DEAE Sepharose CL-6B Chromatography --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.3.4 --- Purification of Recombinant HIV-1 Protease by Mono-S Cation Chromatography --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.3.5 --- Refolding of Purified Recombinant HIV-1 Protease --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.3.6 --- Protein Concentration Determination --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.3.7 --- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Characterization of HTV-1 Protease --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- HIV-1 PR Fluorogenic Assays --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- HIV-1 PR Assay by Reverse Phase HPLC Separation of Cleavage Products of the Synthetic Peptide Substrate --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Functional Analysis of Recombinant HIV-1 PR Activity --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Screening of Crude Extracts for Inhibition of HIV-1 PR Activity --- p.48 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.53 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS FROM METHANOL EXTRACTS OF WOODWARDIA UNIGEMMATA AGAINST HIV-1 PROTEASE --- p.56 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Methods --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Methanol Extraction --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Removal of Tannins --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- Glucosidase Digestion --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.2.4 --- Analytical Thin Layer Chromatographic (TLC) --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.2.5 --- A cid Hydrolysis --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.2.6 --- Electrospray Mass Spectrometry --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.2.7 --- Dose-response Curve --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.2.8 --- Kinetic Studies --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.2.9 --- Activity of the HPLC-purified principle (s) on Other Aspartyl Proteases --- p.63 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Purification of Methanol Extracts of Woocdwardia unigemmata --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Removal of Tannins --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Glucosidase Digestion --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Acid Hydrolysis --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Analytical Thin Layer Chromatography --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Electrospray Mass Spectrometry --- p.80 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Dose-response Inhibition of HIV-1 Protease --- p.80 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Kinetic Studies --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Effects of HPLC-purified Active Principle on Other Aspartyl Proteases --- p.87 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.89 / Chapter CHATPER 4 --- IDENTIFICATION OF SELECTIVE RNA APTAMERS AGAINST HIV-1 PROTEASE BY SYSTEMATIC EVOLUTION OF LIGANDS BY EXPONENTIAL ENRICHMENT (SELEX) --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Materials --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Methods --- p.102 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- PCR Amplification for the Generation of a Double-Stranded DNA Library --- p.103 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Preparation of RNA Pools --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- In vitro Selection of RNA Ligands --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.2.4 --- Reverse Transcription Reaction of Selected RNA --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2.2.5 --- Cloning of the Amplified cDNA pools --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2.2.6 --- Subcloning of the digested DNA product into pBluescript® IIKS (-) --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2.2.8 --- RNA Labeling with Digoxigenin (DIG) --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2.2.9 --- Binding Affinity of RNA Ligands for HIV-1 PR --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2.2.10 --- Competition Binding Reactions --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.2.11 --- HIV-1 PR Inhibitory Activities of the Selected RNA Ligands --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- In Vitro Selection of RNA Ligands --- p.113 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Sequences of RNA Ligands --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Binding Affinity of RNA Ligands --- p.114 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Inhibitory Activity of RNA Ligands --- p.119 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.122 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- GENERAL DISCUSSION --- p.128 / REFERENCES --- p.132