The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • Page 7

THE SUN 7A Herpes drug can raise AIDS patients' life expectancy, Hopkins team says By Holly Selby Sun Staff Writer A drug used to treat herpes can increase the life expectancy of patients in the end-stages of AIDS by up to 1 XA years if used in conjunction with the anti-viral AZT, says a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. The study, released today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, included 786 HIV-positive men who were taking AZT. Among those patients, 488 took the anti-herpes drug, acyclovir, either to combat herpes or to treat HIV. The others took AZT alone. AIDS patients who began taking the combination therapy when they were diagnosed with very low levels of certain types of white blood cells critical to the function of the immune system, lived about 1,018 days beyond that diagnosis, he said.

Patients with the same blood counts who didn't take the two drugs survived only 544 days. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health as part of a long-term investigation of HTV in gay and bisexual men, was also conducted at Northwestern University and the University of Pittsburgh. Both drugs, acyclovir and AZT, are manufactured by Burroughs Wellcome. These results confirm data from fessor in the Hopkins epidemiology department In other segments of the population, the prevalence of herpes may range from 10 percent to 80 percent. Acyclovir helps herpes patients in two ways, said Dr.

Graham. It controls the replication of the herpes virus and It allows the patients, who often have lesions on the mouth or in the genital area, time to heal. However, the drug suppresses, rather than kills, the herpes virus. In both test-tubes and in studies in humans, herpes simplex seems to exacerbate the progress of HIV. Acyclovir may help AIDS patients by stopping this effect, he said.

The study also showed that lower doses than previously thought could benefit AIDS patients. As little as 600 to 800 milligrams a day of acyclovir were enough tor improve the survival rate of study participants, said Dr. Graham. In earlier studies, as much as 3,200 milligrams a day were administered. The study did not address whether acyclovir could help AIDS patients who cannot take AZT.

"We don't know If this effect would be just as strong in those patients." Dr. Graham said. "The ideal would be to combine the acyclovir, which suppresses herpes, with AZT, which suppresses HTV; then you would have a double-sided attack on the disease." 66 1 think there is enough evidence to recommend combining AZT and acyclovir in patients who have a history oj herpes.H DR. NEIL GRAHAM Co-author of study two previous clinical trials conducted in Europe and in Australia, said Dr. Neil Graham, an author of the journal article.

"Somewhat to our surprise, we found the same thing as In the two other studies," he said. "So I think there is enough evidence to recommend combining AZT and acyclovir In patients who have a history of herpes." Certain forms of herpes are extremely common In sexually active adults. Nearly 100 percent of gay men have either the antibodies for herpes or have shown symptoms of herpes, said Dr. Graham, an associate pro FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1994 hi Cowlings may not be prosecuted in Simpson case Decision delayed for third day The Baltimore location of Speedy is looking for a talented professional to oversee its operations as Shop Manager. Running the shop to achieve sales and profitability goals while attaining high levels of customer satisfaction, the selected individual will maintain high standards of service and customer satisfaction, developmotivate a staff and ensure proper maintenance of equipment.

To qualify, you will need 5 years of experience in the automotive repair industry, 2 of which have been in a supervisory position. The possibilities are exhaustive, and so are the rewards. We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Please send your resume to: Legal experts generally played down the significance of Ms. Clark's presence at the scene, saying that even if she were there before the service of the search warrant, that would not necessarily be a problem.

Ms. Clark could have been there to answer any legal questions by police officers or even to safeguard against any improper searches while awaiting the warrant, lawyers said. The district attorney's office released a brief written statement saying the television station's account was inaccurate. Bob Jordan, news director for KCBS, said the station stood by its report. 0 was not to commit suicide or to visit his former wife's grave but rather to flee.

And if that were the true motive, it could suggest that Mr. Cowlings was aiding a fugitive as police alleged when he was arrested rather than trying to keep his friend from committing suicide. Attorney Donald Re, who is representing Mr. Cowlings, said his client never meant to assist Mr. Simpson's flight and that even If the passport and money were recovered, Mr.

Cowlings had no knowledge of them. As they weighed their decision In the Cowlings case, officials in the district attorney's office also sought to fend off yet another flare-up at the margins of the case. pSpeecM Brake and Muffler 7603 Harford Rd. Suite 150 Baltimore, MD 21234 Equal Opportunity Employer ASSOCIATED PRESS On Wednesday night, KCBS-TV, the CBS affiliate In Los Angeles, broadcast footage of Deputy District Attorney Marcia Clark at Mr. Simp Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES Caught between competing Interests and faced with daunting legal complexities, prosecutors for a third straight day delayed a decision yesterday about whether to charge Al Cowlings with a crime for his role In O.

J. Simpson's bizarre trek across Southern California freeways last month. Even though Mr. Cowlings, a lifelong friend and former teammate of Mr. Simpson's, Is expected in court today, Los Angeles District Attorney's officials said they plan to ask for more time.

On one side, police want to see Mr. Cowlings prosecuted for aiding a fugitive, but on the other, prosecutors are concerned that prosecuting him might complicate their double-murder case against Mr. Simpson. For one thing, a prosecution could stymie their efforts to gain access to Mr. Cowlings who can legally refuse to testify In any trial as long as he is a potential criminal defendant.

A Cowlings prosecution also would take time and energy from prosecutors already racing to meet a speedy trial deadline in the Simpson case, and could give Mr. Simpson's defense lawyers access to discovery material and testimony that they son's home on the morning that police received a warrant to search the RANK'S' Prosecutor Marcia Clark reportedly was with police at O.J. Simpson's estate before a search warrant was issued. might not otherwise be able to get in preparation for the Simpson trial, legal experts said. Given all of that, experienced lawyers generally doubt that Mr.

Cowlings will be charged. The stakes for the district attorney were raised this week with the disclosure that a passport and nearly $10,000 were found in the Ford Bronco that Mr. Cowlings drove on the afternoon of the low-speed police chase. The passport and money could suggest that Mr. Simpson's motive property.

The station reported that Ms. Clark was pictured before the service of the warrant and suggested that her presence could raise problems for the prosecution specifically because It might allow defense attorneys to call her as a witness In their efforts to have the search warrant Invalidated. According to the station, the videotape of Ms. Clark at the scene was transmitted to the station at 10:28 a.m. on the day of the search, June 13.

The search warrant was signed by a Judge at 10:45 a.m. WJZ: 3 Group stations to join CBS billboards, radio and newspaper ads telling viewers where they can see their favorite shows," Mr. Stolz said. In terms of losses and gains for WJZ, the biggest losses are In network news and demographics. ABC, led by Peter Jennings and Ted Koppel, ranks first in news among viewers.

CBS, led by Dan Rather and Connie Chung, is second. This Morning" on CBS is the lowest-rated morning show; ABC's "Good Morning America" is first In prime time, CBS is still No. 1 in households but has the oldest audience. It is expected to lose its household lead to ABC this year. ABC has the best demographic profile of any network, meaning it has the most viewers in the 18 to 49 age group the group most attractive to advertisers.

Also, WJZ as a CBS affiliate will not have any football to replace ABC's "Monday Night Football." There is some good sports news for WJZ, though. The CBS-Group deal specifies that WJZ may continue to carry Orioles baseball not only through its current contract but as long as it wants, according to Mr. Alexander, the station's general manager. said Phil Stolz, WBAL's general manager. It would be ironic If WBAL and Fox wound up together.

That would mean NFL football comes back to Channel 1 1 after the hoopla of Fox's stealing pro football from CBS last year. ABC took on WMAR as its Baltimore affiliate last month, ending a 45-year association with WJZ. That alignment was a reaction to a deal between Mr. Murdoch and New World Television in early June that resulted in eight affiliates of ABC, NBC and CBS Jumping ship to sign with Fox. The goal of Mr.

Murdoch's raid was to upgrade in as many markets as he could from UHF to VHF stations. VHF stations the ones located on the lower end of the dial generally have a signal that travels farther and is received better. They are also generally more established in their markets and are worth more. WMAR, WJZ and WBAL are the VHF stations in Baltimore, while WBFF and WNUV are UHF stations. Mr.

Alexander and WBAL's Mr. Stolz said the changes in affiliation are likely to confuse viewers. "I guess everybody will be buying mmimmmmi gm From Page I A venture to acquire other major market TV stations, and a production company to make programs for both Group and CBS stations, Mr. Kom said. The seven CBS-owned stations and the five Group stations will reach about a third of the nation's television households.

In addition to WJZ, CBS will add WBZ-TV in Boston, the nation's sixth-largest market, and KYW-TV in Philadelphia, the fourth-largest market. Baltimore is the 22nd-larg-est market. The other two Group stations, already affiliated with CBS, are KPK-TV in San Francisco, the fifth-largest market, and KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, the 17th-largest market. None of the parties yesterday would discuss financial arrangements, but the deal will mean millions of dollars in increased compensation to the Group stations. "This effectively tosses the Baltimore TV market into turmoil," said Marcellus Alexander, WJZ's general manager.

"Competitively, as it relates to network change, it levels the playing field." WBAL, owned by the Hearst Broadcast Group, is likely to sign with NBC, which has been shopping for a Baltimore outlet since losing WMAR to ABC last month. But considering the restructuring of network affiliations, even a WBAL-NBC marriage is not a certainty. Rupert Murdoch, Fox's chief executive officer, said this week in Los Angples that his network is willing to consider affiliating with any strong VHtf station. Fox, currently aligned with WBFF in the Baltimore market (a UHF station), is expected to talk to Hearst about WBAL's affiliating with the network. "We'll now review all of our options, which are many.

And we'll choose the path that best suits the momentum we already enjoy with our Acquisition of 'Oprah' and such things as our weekend newscasts," Every Silk Flower Stem Frank's Lawn FOOd All Cut Ribbon By The Yard BUY ONE YARD AT REGULAR BUY ONE AT ff REGULAR Sy X. price, nj GET 2ND I I BUY ONE AT REGULAR PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST 61) bit All Preserved 4-oz. Eucalyptus Every Wicker Basket Every Silk Foliage Bush Every Adult Size T-Shlrt BUY ONE AT BUY ONE AT BUY ONE AT BUY ONE AT REGULAR REGULAR PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST REGULAR PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST REGULAR PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST ff ff ff If I 111 Mi IMM'GK) epson; Frank's Valupack Jewelry Findings Every Seasonal Plastic Planter Flowering, Shade Fruit frees Every Pkg. 4-oz. Spanish Moss CORRECTION BUY ONE AT BUY ONE AT BUY ONE AT BUY ONE AT REGULAR REGULAR PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST REGULAR PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST REGULAR PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST PRICE, GET 2ND FOR JUST IF ff ff SOFTWARE "75 OFF! am mmmmsmmmmmmab ON PAGE 5A OF THE SEARS THURSDAY, JULY 14, ADVERTISING SECTION YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED, THE MOTOROLA 3464434 (MFR.

34644) CELLULAR PHONE IS ADVERTISED FOR SALE. THE DISCLAIMER SHOULD HAVE READ "NO DEALERS, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES. EXCEPT IN PRICE AVAILABLE TO NEW CUSTOMERS WHO ACTIVATE WITH LISTED CARRIER THROUGH SEARS. MINIMUM SERVICE REQUIRED. WITHOUT ACTIVATION, ADD $300 PER PHONE.

AVAILABLE IN MOST LARGER STORES. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS." WE REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED OUR CUSTOMERS. MULTIMEDIA IUTS'S249! OWINGS MILLS 10550 Reisterstown. (410) 363-4498 MILFORD 8053 Liberty Rd. (410) 655-3800 CATONSVILLE 6503 Bait.

Nat'l Pike. (410) 744-4022 TOWSON 1524 E. Joppa Rd. (410) 825-2112 FALLSTON 2308 Bel Air Rd. (410) 838-7400 PERRY HALL (Ebenezer Road) Baltimore (410) 256-2011 EASTPOINT 7928 Eastern Blvd.

(410) 284-1202 DUNDALK 2825 Old North Point Rd. (410) 285-7070 GARDEN VILLE Belair Rd. Frankford. (410) 483-2013 GLEN BURNIE 6639 Ritchie Hwy. (410) 760-1489 PASADENA 8124 Ritchie Hwy.

(410) 647-2220 SEVERNA PARK 522 Ritchie Hwy. (410) 544-4242 EDGEWATER Rte. 214, west of Rte. 2. (410) 956-3350 LAUREL 201 Bowie Rd.

at U.S. 1. (301) 725-3200 Senior! Wednesdays get 10 off your total merchandise purchase. Must be age 60 or over. at all locations except Pasadena, Sevema Park, Edgewater and Laurel mmm STORE HOURS: Monday thru Saturday 9am to 9pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm.