2006年VOA标准英语-Research Into Anti-HIV Microbicides Gather

By Delia Robertson
Johannesburg
25 April 2006

In South Africa a conference on the development of microbicides to combat the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is underway.    
 
  
  
More than 1300 scientists from across the globe are gathered in Cape¹ Town to review progress in research into microbicides, products that would be used primarily by women to prevent infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.  It is also hoped that they will be effective in preventing infections between males.

Microbicides are compounds that contain molecular² ingredients shown in the laboratory and in animal studies to be active against HIV at the cellular³ level.  Some may also be anti-spermicidal and thus also serve the purpose of contraception.

Research into microbicides began when it became clear that in sub-Saharan Africa in particular, disproportionately high numbers of women were becoming infected with HIV.  Research showed that women in poor, underdeveloped communities and those in male dominated societies have limited sexual choices and are often unable to negotiate the use of condoms with their partners.

Professor Helen Rees of the University of the Witwatersrand, says that scientists realized that it was important to develop products that would benefit women in such circumstances.

"So, it is very important that we try and find alternative HIV prevention methods, in addition to condoms- - male and female condoms and the other technologies that we are trying to introduce," she says. "It's very important that we try and identify some that truly could be a female-controlled method and for women who can't negotiate or discuss this with a partner, something that could also be concealed⁴ from a male partner."

There are currently five clinical trials underway testing products that have demonstrated anti-HIV activity in the laboratory and in animal tests and which have also proven to be safe in animals and humans.  The trials involve thousands of non-infected women, mostly in southern Africa, who have also been given condoms and intensively counseled about using them.  

Rees, who is one of the conveners of the Cape Town conference, says that all of the trial products are vaginally-administered in pre-filled applicators and must be used within one hour of intercourse⁵.

"The other thing though, is that further down the line, if we can find an effective microbicide we would also want to get a product that isn't so coitally dependent - that it isn't something that has to be administered just before you have sex;  something perhaps that could be administered and would stick around for 24 hours, or even longer, a week, or even longer," she says.

Rees also notes parallel research is also underway to find inexpensive application methods that could be easily manufactured.

Research into microbicides, which may also one day be used to combat other sexually transmitted infections, began just 15 years ago.  But Rees tells VOA that it is fast gathering⁶ momentum⁷.

"There is this sense of optimism," Rees says. "There is also a sense that the science in the field is now really expanding and moving and its become a field that was previously⁸ perhaps something that wasn't attracting a lot of attention and now people are saying, hang on this is really a possibility and these could be literally⁹ lifesaving technologies, if we can develop them."

The first results from the current trials will be available in 2008.  Researchers say it is unlikely that a usable microbicide will be available this decade.

1 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

2 molecular   

adj.分子的；克分子的

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
• For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

3 cellular   

adj.移动的；细胞的，由细胞组成的

参考例句：

• She has a cellular telephone in her car.她的汽车里有一部无线通讯电话机。
• Many people use cellular materials as sensitive elements in hygrometers.很多人用蜂窝状的材料作为测量温度的传感元件。

4 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

5 intercourse   

n.性交；交流，交往，交际

参考例句：

• The magazine becomes a cultural medium of intercourse between the two peoples.该杂志成为两民族间文化交流的媒介。
• There was close intercourse between them.他们过往很密。

6 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

7 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

8 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

9 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。