AZT

AZT or zidovudine, drug used to treat patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS; also called azidothymidine. Originally developed in 1964 as an anticancer drug, AZT was never approved for that purpose. In 1984, Burroughs-Wellcome Company, which owned the rights to the drug, reexamined it as part of a search for any antiviral drug that might be effective against the AIDS virus. It was approved by the FDA in 20 months, rather than the usual 8 to 10 years, in part for humanitarian reasons; thousands of people were dying of AIDS, no other treatment was forthcoming, and AIDS activists were lobbying heavily for approval.

AZT affects HIV's ability to reproduce by inhibiting the transcription of RNA to DNA. Although AZT can be helpful in the short term by promoting weight gain, decreasing the number of opportunistic infections, and improving T4 (CD4) lymphocyte counts (see immunity), some researcher believe studies of its effectiveness to be flawed and regard the drug as too toxic for long-term use. There is also a question of whether it is helpful in HIV-positive, asymptomatic people. AZT does not cure or prevent AIDS, nor does it keep one from transmitting the virus to others, although some studies show that it does lessen the possibility that an HIV-infected mother will transmit the virus to her fetus.

Adverse effects include bone marrow depression, headache, nausea, muscle pain, and a reduction in the number of certain white blood cells. The risk of side effects increases when certain other drugs, including acetaminophen, are taken at the same time.

in full azidothymidine also known as zidovudine

Drug that has had success in delaying the development of AIDS in patients with HIV. Since its introduction in the mid 1980s, it has prolonged the lives of millions of patients. It is particularly effective in preventing transmission of HIV from infected pregnant women to their fetuses. Since it has a greater effect on the replication of viruses than of body cells, it has fewer side effects than most other AIDS drugs, though many patients nevertheless cannot tolerate it. Because HIV rapidly becomes resistant to any single antiretroviral drug, AZT is usually given in combination with other drugs.

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Tl'azt'en Nation is an Indian band located along the north shore of Stuart Lake in the northern interior of British Columbia. The two main villages belonging to Tl'azt'en Nation are Tache (often spelled Tachie in English), 60km northwest of Fort St. James and Binche (often spelled Pinchie in English), 40km northwest of Fort St. James. The small settlements of Middle River on Trembleur Lake and Grand Rapids, along the Tache River between Stuart Lake and Trembleur Lake also belong to Tl'azt'en Nation. The main administrative offices are in Tache, as are the elementary school, daycare, Head Start, health and RCMP offices. The village of Portage (in Carrier Yekooche) once belonged to Tla'zt'en Nation but separated in 1994. Prior to 1988 Tl'azt'en Nation was known as the Stuart-Trembleur band. Tl'azt'en Nation belongs to the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.

The people of Tl'azt'en Nation are called Dakelh in their own language, Carrier in English. Tl'azt'en means "person of the edge of the bay" in the Dakelh language. Approximately 1,400 people are members of Tl'azt'en Nation. Of these, roughly 600 live off reserve.

Tl'azt'en Nation holds Tree Farm License 42 and operates a logging company, Tanizul Timber. It manages the John Prince Research Forest jointly with the University of Northern British Columbia.

Prominent Members

• Edward John
• Justa Monk

External links

• Tl'azt'en Nation
• Band Profile
• Band Profile
• History of Yekooche
• Tl'azt'en Backgrounder
• Tree Farm License 42
• John Prince Research Forest