A comprehensive compilation of research techniques necessary for investigating the virology, immunology and molecular biology of HIV-1. Protocols are also provided which represent state of the art approaches to a wide spectrum of HIV related issues.

Quantitative Methods in HIV/AIDS Research provides a comprehensive discussion of modern statistical approaches for the analysis of HIV/AIDS data. The first section focuses on statistical issues in clinical trials and epidemiology that are unique to or particularly challenging in HIV/AIDS research; the second section focuses on the analysis of laboratory data used for immune monitoring, biomarker discovery and vaccine development; the final section focuses on statistical issues in the mathematical modeling of HIV/AIDS pathogenesis, treatment and epidemiology. This book brings together a broad perspective of new quantitative methods in HIV/AIDS research, contributed by statisticians and mathematicians immersed in HIV research, many of whom are current or previous leaders of CFAR quantitative cores. It is the editors’ hope that the work will inspire more statisticians, mathematicians and computer scientists to collaborate and contribute to the interdisciplinary challenges of understanding and addressing the AIDS pandemic.

The worldwide impact of infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV- is reflected in the cumulative number ofHIV- 1 infections, which is now predicted to exceed 40 million by the year 2000---equivalent to the n- ber of humans who perished in World War II. The medical and scientific - sponse to the HIV-1 pandemic has steadily grown since its recognition in 1981. The outlay by the United States alone for HIV research funded by the National Institutes of Health in 1997 was $1. 4 billion. Laboratory-based HIV research has brought together academic clinicians, retrovirologists, molecular biologists, and immunologists in the formation of research teams attempting to dissect the viral and host factors contributing to disease pathogenesis. Increasing focus is being placed on those aspects of viral biology and host immune responses that bear on the development of vaccines to prevent HIV infection. HIVProtocols reflects the state of HIV research in several ways. First, chapters are organized into four sections: Virology, Molecular Biology, Humoral Immunology, and Cellular Immunology. This organization is a natural consequence of the diverse scientific disciplines that have been attracted to HIV research. Second, the chapters reflect such diverse research directions as viral coreceptor usage, quantitation of viral genomes, HIV promoter function, B-cell epitope mapping, and measurements of T-cell function, each of which bears on the goal of understanding the viral and host immune responses that will be critical to the design of effective preventive vaccines.

With insightful discussion of program evaluation and the efforts of the Centers for Disease Control, this book presents a set of clear-cut recommendations to help ensure that the substantial resources devoted to the fight against AIDS will be used most effectively. This expanded edition of Evaluating AIDS Prevention Programs covers evaluation strategies and outcome measurements, including a realistic review of the factors that make evaluation of AIDS programs particularly difficult. Randomized field experiments are examined, focusing on the use of alternative treatments rather than placebo controls. The book also reviews nonexperimental techniques, including a critical examination of evaluation methods that are observational rather than experimentalâ€"a necessity when randomized experiments are infeasible.

This volume addresses the interface of two major national problems: the epidemic of HIV-AIDS and the widespread use of illegal injection drugs. Should communities have the option of giving drug users sterile needles or bleach for cleaning needs in order to reduce the spread of HIV? Does needle distribution worsen the drug problem, as opponents of such programs argue? Do they reduce the spread of other serious diseases, such as hepatitis? Do they result in more used needles being carelessly discarded in the community? The panel takes a critical look at the available data on needle exchange and bleach distribution programs, reaches conclusions about their efficacy, and offers concrete recommendations for public policy to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. The book includes current knowledge about the epidemiologies of HIV/AIDS and injection drug use; characteristics of needle exchange and bleach distribution programs and views on those programs from diverse community groups; and a discussion of laws designed to control possession of needles, their impact on needle sharing among injection drug users, and their implications for needle exchange programs.

During the early years of the AIDS epidemic, thousands of Americans became infected with HIV through the nation's blood supply. Because little reliable information existed at the time AIDS first began showing up in hemophiliacs and in others who had received transfusions, experts disagreed about whether blood and blood products could transmit the disease. During this period of great uncertainty, decision-making regarding the blood supply became increasingly difficult and fraught with risk. This volume provides a balanced inquiry into the blood safety controversy, which involves private sexual practices, personal tragedy for the victims of HIV/AIDS, and public confidence in America's blood services system. The book focuses on critical decisions as information about the danger to the blood supply emerged. The committee draws conclusions about what was doneâ€"and recommends what should be done to produce better outcomes in the face of future threats to blood safety. The committee frames its analysis around four critical area: Product treatmentâ€"Could effective methods for inactivating HIV in blood have been introduced sooner? Donor screening and referralâ€"including a review of screening to exlude high-risk individuals. Regulations and recall of contaminated bloodâ€"analyzing decisions by federal agencies and the private sector. Risk communicationâ€"examining whether infections could have been averted by better communication of the risks.

With the advent of new technologies in big data science, the study of medical problems has made significant progress. Connecting medical studies and computational methods is crucial for the advancement of the medical industry. Big Data Analytics in HIV/AIDS Research provides emerging research on the development and implementation of computational techniques in big data analysis for biological and medical practices. While highlighting topics such as deep learning, management software, and molecular modeling, this publication explores the various applications of data analysis in clinical decision making. This book is a vital resource for medical practitioners, nurses, scientists, researchers, and students seeking current research on the connections between data analytics in the field of medicine.