New Treatment For HIV Involves Transfusion Of Synthetic Antibody
A new type of HIV treatment involving the transfusion of a synthetic antibody designed to prevent the virus from attacking human cells has shown startling trial results.
Patients injected with the antibody saw a 300-fold reduction in their viral “load” – the amount of HIV circulating in their blood. The antibody has been specifically designed to block the key viral protein receptor needed to infect human blood cells.
Previous tests on HIV antibodies had produced disappointing results. But the latest clinical trial resulted in a dramatic lowering of the virus, which was maintained for several weeks after the initial injection for some patients.
The researchers believe that using synthetic antibodies designed to become attached to the surface proteins on the outer membrane of HIV could provide an alternative form of treatment to anti-retroviral drugs, and may also help to design therapeutic vaccines.
The antibody is a protein that attaches to the key receptor on the outer protein coat of the HIV virus which binds to the membrane of the human T-cells it infects. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Government Allots RON200M To Support Farmers
Romania’s Government has decided to allocate RON200 million to support farmers. Funds were unlocked from the 2015 state budget, through a memorandum.
Funds will be used to grant national transient aid in the vegetal sector for the 2014 campaign and in the animal breeding sector for bovine.
Funds will also be used to cover the state aid for diesel gas used in agriculture in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, the de minimis aid granted for vegetable farms registered in the ecological agriculture system and the de minimis aid used to offset the effects of hydro and meteorological conditions in the vegetal sector, between January and August 2014. (Curierul National)
S&P Affirms Romania Rating For Short And Long-Term Debt At BBB-/A-3
Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has affirmed Romania’s rating to ‘BBB-/A-3. The rating refers to the short-term and long-term debt in local and foreign currency.
The country outlook is stable, due to the economic growth perspectives which could offset the impact of tax cuts which the Government announced.
S&P estimates that Romania’s economy would grow by about 3% a year between 2015 and 2018. In 2014, Romania’s economy rose 3%, due to an increase in private sector consumption.
The low absorption of EU funds or low foreign direct investments could limit Romania’s economic growth. (Puterea)
Romania To Join Euro-Area After 2020, Analysts Say
Romania will join the euro-zone no sooner than 2020, most economist say, as the deadline announced by the local authorities, 2019, is mainly formal without a clear strategy and agenda.
“The year 2019 is a very ambitious goal, no doubt, but it was just an announced target, without an agenda. In order to meet the goal, Romania must come with a structural reform agenda, which needs implementation,” said Ionut Dumitru, Fiscal Council chairman and chief-economist of Raiffeisen Bank Romania.
“Romania needs real convergence, healthy and sustainable, and to maintain macroeconomic balance,” Dumitru told a debate on euro-zone issues, organized by the central bank.
In his turn, financial analyst Florin Citu said Romania has to choose when to reach convergence, before or after joining the single-currency area. (Adevarul)
Lawmakers May Receive Special Pensions – Draft
Lawmakers in Romania may receive special pensions, according to a draft act currently debated upon by parliamentary groups.
Social democrat deputy Petre Daea said a special pension may reach RON4,000 for a dignitary who held three seats. The draft was signed by 250 lawmakers, including those of the opposition.
The special pension will be calculated by multiplying 0.55% of the monthly gross lawmaker indemnity by the number of seats held. The pension will be updated anytime lawmakers’ indemnities are increased or indexed and will be cumulated with any type of pension in the public pension system, the draft says. (Adevarul)