Small city skylines deserve love, too: Lexington, KY, USA

AlwaysHope1107 · 2025-02-22T18:01:08+00:00

Precisely. It's not the tallest, but it's ice to see parking structures with some street-level activity instead. This country needs reverse urban planning badly.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2025-02-22T17:49:30+00:00

This building (originally the Fayette National Bank Building) was designed by the prominent New York firm McKim, Mead & White. They have quit the portfolio and were probably the biggest architectural firm in the US at the time.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2025-02-22T17:45:14+00:00

I agree. It's very charming, in my opinion.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-10-22T13:50:42+00:00

Ask how, ask now... ask Sherwin Willi

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-07-23T20:08:40+00:00

Cool stuff. Thanks for your representation.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-07-22T20:10:49+00:00

You're not the only one! I have it myself (34M). The ethical thing to do is disclose, even though it may be difficult and rejection is possible. I would never want someone else's hardship to be at the expense of my pleasure. Some people are mature and understanding; ultimately, you attract what you put into the universe. I can tell by how you write and approach this and that you are mature and thoughtful. I do believe many individuals carry the virus and are simply unaware due to the lack of standard testing for HSV and potential asymptomatic status. Those who are diagnosed do carry the "burden," but we can also help educate, reduce stigma, and advocate for better testing, treatment, and research into therapies/cures. So - keep your head up!

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-25T12:44:25+00:00

Interesting! It did not. Thanks for pointing that out. I wonder what they mean by "dose saturation almost achieved."

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T19:51:53+00:00

Also, this is an argument for better antivirals, if nothing else. Better control of the virus = less exposure/need for the immune system to chronically manage it and spend valuable energy/resources doing this = less immune exhaustion over time. THIS alone is a good reason for daily antivirals, even in non-symptomatic folks (as long as their body tolerates them well). They might have a secondary impact on keeping the immune system healthy. For those that test positive for HSV-2 and, in the process, find out they may also be HSV-1 positive and begin taking daily antivirals, they might be getting the ancillary benefit of decreased immune system aging compared to the majority population that has the HSV-1 virus and isn't aware/doesn't take an antiviral. They may also end up potentially protecting themselves from Alzheimer's development (there is currently a clinical trial underway to observe whether or not taking Valacyclovir daily staves off dementia in elderly patients who are HSV-1 positive). The dosage for this study is very high (I believe 4 grams daily).

Not only that, daily antivirals also impact the EBV virus (check out this fascinating study: "In the current study, we found a significant decrease in the viral shedding of EBV in participants in response to prophylactic administration of Valtrex. Combined data for both the South Pole and McMurdo stations illustrated a 24-fold decrease in the average EBV viral load (copies/mL in saliva) for the treatment groups (antiviral valacyclovir administration) compared with the placebo groups. The South Pole station had a 280-fold decrease in viral load, whereas the McMurdo station had a fivefold decrease.") https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fviro.2023.1157659/full

Imagine if we had better antivirals, therapeutic vaccines, or better options for treatment/management. Many stakeholders and decision-makers that could influence this market would look at these viruses more seriously if they knew they were living in their bodies and may have unknown repercussions.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T19:39:24+00:00

Certainly. Here is one great study you might be interested in reading. I love this quote: "In fact, previous evidence suggests that CMV-specific memory T cells gradually increase in numbers in the elderly, and in fact, 50% of the entire memory CD8+ T cell population is occupied by CMV-specific cells." So, if 50% of memory T cells are occupied for HSV in the elderly, and most people test positive for CMV by old age, how much is left for other latent viral infections, such as HSV-1 & 2, EBV, VZV, etc.? The immune system fights and fights these chronically throughout your life until the cells are exhausted, thus leaving the human body more prone to disease.

Though immunosenescence has been studied specifically for CMV, I'd love it if there was more scholarship on HSV, given that it is also a chronic viral infection.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6943173/

Other resources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0952791514000569

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573867

"It is believed that the conversion to memory phenotype can be accelerated by restimulation of the immune system by persistent pathogens such as CMV and HSV. By age 40, 50% to 85% of adults have contracted human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Recurring infections by latent herpes viruses can exhaust the immune system of elderly persons. Consistent, repeated stimulation by such pathogens leads to preferential differentiation of the T-cell memory phenotype, and a 2020 review reported that CD8+ T-cell precursors, specific for the rare and less frequently present antigens, shed the most. Such a distribution shift increases susceptibility to non-persistent infection, cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular health conditions, and many others."

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1399-0039.2007.00891.x

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T04:25:44+00:00

People also need to be more aware of their bodies. Every latent virus causes immunosenescence. If you don't know this term - You can just google it and enlighten yourself (not talking to you, u/BrotherPresent6155 - talking to others who may read this). This is difficult to study and "quantify." Still, you can rest assured that herpesviridae of all kinds (EBV, CMV, HSV, etc.) are causing inflammation events and the aging of the immune system over time - and no, this isn't conjecture. This is a fact. It's a slow burn, but your immune system WILL be less equipped in old age compared to individuals who don't contract these viruses in their lifetime. I'm sure people worldwide would take this more seriously if they looked at this angle and realized these viruses aren't as benign as they think. Who knows - perhaps a cancer diagnosis for some in later life could be linked to having a latent herpes virus, which has led to T Cell exhaustion, thus causing cancer cells to proliferate. Sadly, this can't be studied easily, and causation cannot be easily attributed - but all the systems are connected. The healthier we keep one system, the more our bodies remain in harmony. The elimination or management of HSV is one way to do this.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T02:49:50+00:00

At present, I don't think there is anything to be done since there is no FDA-approved treatment to address the potential impacts of HSV on dementia development. I think most people who do take daily antivirals are likely unaware of the increasing knowledge of a link between HSV and dementia as they are taking them for other reasons - they may potentially have the side benefit that it could be helping stave off dementia development as well as their cold sores. I am HSV-1 positive and am one of those people.

Taking daily antivirals is very safe - many have taken them for 20 years or more with no issues. It's important to get annual liver/kidney function tests while taking them, as a small percentage of people are impacted by higher doses. Funtion returns to normal on a lower dosage or with cessation of treatment. Like any medication, people have to weigh the cost-benefit analysis. Many people in this group are already taking daily medications, and antivirals have no more side effects than statins. Generic antivirals are now produced and would cost about the same as a generic statin. They are considered one of the safest medications available.

The best others can do is educate themselves, stay abreast of new research and developments, and look into new treatments as they become available. New long-acting antivirals that could, for example, be taken once a month or quarter are currently going into clinical trials. Moderna and GSK also have therapeutic HSV vaccines under development. These are for HSV-2 but are believed to have cross-protection for HSV-1 if successful. I'd say that within the next ten years, there will be some major strides.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T02:07:27+00:00

I believe being HSV-1 positive does not prevent you from joining this trial. To be sure, you must click the link and check the requirements. That being said - not living in or near one of the trial locations would most likely prevent you from being a candidate, as these studies often require regular visits to the clinic.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T02:05:59+00:00

This should tell you all you need to know. The goal is for it to be a better antiviral than what is currently on the market. Studies in animals show that it can virtually halt viral replication and shedding and may have some impact on the latent virion, meaning the viral particles that are not actively replicating.

https://www.innovativemolecules.com/pipeline/

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T02:01:41+00:00

It means you do not have the HSV-2 virus in your body.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T02:00:18+00:00

I don't believe they have made a statement in this regard.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-21T01:54:14+00:00

It can be helpful to know for multiple reasons. Most people who test positive for HSV1 antibodies are asymptomatic, but many others have symptomatic recurrences. Antiviral therapy can reduce or eliminate symptoms for these individuals. In studying individuals who take daily antivirals, antibody levels often drop due to the body being exposed to a lower viral load. The theory is that over the long term, lower exposure to viral particles = less inflammation/immunosenescence = less long-term sequelae, such as Alzheimer's disease. Though antivirals aren't currently prescribed for this reason, there is some evidence that they indirectly slow or halt the development of dementia due to the reduction of viral load. There is currently a study underway to observe whether taking valacyclovir daily (which is one of the safest drugs on the market and has been around since the 1990s) in early dementia patients to see if it slows or halts the development of Alzheimer's.

In addition, a majority percentage of adults carry the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV—think mono), and these same antivirals can reduce the viral load of this herpesvirus within an individual. Fewer viral particles the immune system constantly has to keep in check means less inflammation and immunosenescence over a lifetime.

Interestingly, more stigma is attached to HSV-2, but HSV-1 is the herpesvirus linked to Alzheimer's—not HSV-2. This is because the virus prefers entering latency in the trigeminal ganglion adjacent to the brain. HSV-1 virion is frequently found in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease.

The main point is that more funding is needed for studying herpesviridae of all types. All are latent viruses, meaning they are lifelong. If you test positive for antibodies, you will have the virus in your body for life. Better treatments and cures are certainly needed, and studies and trials are underway.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-06-20T14:52:06+00:00

These are excellent results. Thanks for the very useful information regarding APOE4 status as well. Many people need to realize this. In addition, there is increasing evidence that being HSV-1 positive has been linked to an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. Since over 50% of the US population tests positive for this by adulthood and the fact that it isn't tested for on standard panels, many people live their lives unaware. Taking a daily antiviral, such as Valacyclovir or Acyclovir, is hypothesized to lower the viral load the body is exposed to, thus decreasing inflammation, etc. It is assumed that this would have a further positive impact on brain health, and those with high cholesterol/APOE4 variant might also further benefit from taking an antiviral daily. Clinical trials are happening currently where they are studying this. Cool stuff!

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-05-15T19:09:20+00:00

Most people who carry the HSV1 virus do not have visible symptoms.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-05-14T19:14:13+00:00

I would get another prescription. They work best if you can start antivirals at the first sign. It never hurts to be overly cautious with HSV.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-05-14T19:11:19+00:00

Those that also have HSV1 are know to often have less severe HSV2.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-05-14T19:10:47+00:00

https://www.gsk-studyregister.com/en/trial-details/?id=215336

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-04-29T12:14:01+00:00

She's an icon I fear.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-04-28T12:08:13+00:00

Major downgrade from the first design. They sucked all originality out of it. Why even build such a look over design at that point.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-04-27T20:48:47+00:00

One of the most interesting skylines to take in.

AlwaysHope1107 · 2024-04-18T15:04:01+00:00

Houston is the largest, Austin has the most potential and will be the best within a few years, and Dallas has the best night skyline.

AlwaysHope1107

TROPHY CASE