HCV coinfection of the HIV-infected patients with discordant CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript> T-cell response to antiretroviral therapy leads to intense systemic inflammation

The level of proinflammatory markers was assessed in HIV-infected patients that were coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and had failed to restore the CD4⁺ T cell counts (immunological nonresponders, INR) during the antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among four patient groups (HIV⁺HCV^– and HIV⁺HCV⁺ subjects with the concordant response to ART; HIV⁺HCV^– and HIV⁺HCV⁺ subjects that were INR), the greatest systemic inflammation was in the latter group. The maximum difference was between the subjects HIV⁺HCV^–INR and HIV⁺HCV⁺ INR: the blood of coinfected patients contained significantly higher concentrations of the IP-10, sCD163, sTNF-RI, and sTNF-RII and of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Systemic inflammation in HIV/HCV coinfected patients with the discordant response to ART is probably caused by a breach of hepatic barrier for the intestine products.     

Acceptor specificity of the human leukocyte alpha3 fucosyltransferase: role of FucT-VII in the generation of selectin ligands

The alpha3 fucosyltransferase, FucT-VII, is one of the key glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of the sialyl Lewis X (sLex) antigen on human leukocytes. The sialyl Lewis X antigen (NeuAcalpha(2-3)Galbeta(1-4)[Fucalpha(1-3)]GlcNAc-R) is an essential component of the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of inflammation, mediating the primary interaction between circulating leukocytes and activated endothelium. In order to characterize the enzymatic properties of the leukocyte alpha3 fucosyltransferase FucT-VII, the enzyme has been expressed in Trichoplusia ni insect cells. The enzyme is capable of synthesizing both sLexand sialyl-dimeric-Lexstructures in vitro , from 3'-sialyl-lacNAc and VIM-2 structures, respectively, with only low levels of fucose transfer observed to neutral or 3'-sulfated acceptors. Studies using fucosylated NeuAcalpha(2-3)-(Galbeta(1- 4)GlcNAc)3-Me acceptors demonstrate that FucT-VII is able to synthesize both di-fucosylated and tri-fucosylated structures from mono- fucosylated precursors, but preferentially fucosylates the distal GlcNAc within a polylactosamine chain. Furthermore, the rate of fucosylation of the internal GlcNAc residues is reduced once fucose has been added to the distal GlcNAc. These results indicate that FucT-VII is capable of generating complex selectin ligands, in vitro , however the order of fucose addition to the lactosamine chain affects the rate of selectin ligand synthesis.      

An Examination of the Association between 5-HTTLPR,Combat Exposure,and PTSD Diagnosis among U.S. Veterans

Objective

To examine the association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene, combat exposure, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and among two samples of combat-exposed veterans.

Method

The first sample included 550 non-Hispanic Black (NHB) combat-exposed veterans. The second sample included 555 non-Hispanic White (NHW) combat-exposed veterans. Participants were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 variants of the SLC6A4 gene. A structured clinical interview was used to diagnose PTSD. Combat and civilian trauma exposure were assessed with validated self-report instruments. Logistic regression was used to test for main effects of 5-HTTLPR on PTSD diagnosis as well as gene x environment (GxE) interactions after adjusting for sex, ancestry proportion scores, civilian trauma exposure, and combat exposure.

Results

Within the NHB sample, a significant additive effect was observed for 5-HTTLPR (OR = 1.502, p = .0025), such that the odds of having a current diagnosis of PTSD increased by 1.502 for each additional S’ allele. No evidence for an association between 5-HTTLPR and PTSD was observed in the NHW sample. In addition, no evidence for combat x 5-HTTLPR effects were observed in either sample.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that there may be an association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and PTSD diagnosis among NHB veterans; however, no evidence for the hypothesized 5-HTTLPR x combat interaction was found.     

The taxonomic status and relationships of stichaeid fish of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Opisthocentrus,Pholidapus</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Askoldia</Emphasis> Genera (Perciformes: Stichaeidae)

The taxonomic status and relationships of the Askoldia, Pholidapus, and Opisthocentrus genera of the subfamily Opisthocentrinae are discussed based on comparative morphological and molecular genetic analysis. Isolation of the Pholidapus from the Opisthocentrus and the greater similarity of the former with the Askoldia were revealed. Morphological and genetic differences could not allow one to consider the Pholidapus as being within the Opisthocentrus. O. ocellatus and O. tenuis were closer within the Opisthocentrus and O. zonope was significantly different from these two species.     

Population structure of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta in the Russian Far East, as revealed by microsatellite markers

Chum salmon populations in the Russian Far East have a complex multi-level genetic structure. A total of 53 samples (2446 fish) were grouped into five major regional clusters: the southern Kurils, eastern Sakhalin, southwestern Sakhalin, the Amur River, and a northern cluster. The northern cluster consists of chum salmon populations from a vast geographical region, including Chukotka, Kamchatka, and the continental coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. However, the degree of its genetic differentiation is low, 1.9%. In contrast, the southern population cluster exhibits much higher variation; for example, differentiation between chum salmon groups within Sakhalin Island reaches 4.6%, and the differentiation between Iturup Island and Sakhalin Island chum salmon is 7.7%. This suggests that southern populations of Asian chum salmon have a more ancient evolutionary history than northern populations. In contrast to the available data, our study indicates a great deviation of southwestern Sakhalin populations from other Sakhalin chum salmon. The Russian Far East chum salmon are genetically diverse and show statistically significant differentiation even within small geographic localities. This can be used to assign samples of unknown origins to definite local populations.     

The Challenges of Vaccine Development against Betacoronaviruses: Antibody Dependent Enhancement and Sendai Virus as a Possible Vaccine Vector

Molecular Biology - To design an effective and safe vaccine against betacoronaviruses, it is necessary to use their evolutionarily conservative antigenic determinants that will elicit the...     

Position of the genera Lycenchelys gill and Lycodapus gilbert in the family Zoarcidae (Perciformes: Zoarcoidei) inferred from molecular genetic analysis

Sequence variation ofthe mitochondrial COI, cytochrome b, and 16S RNA genes, as well as nuclear RNF213 gene was examined in the genera Lycenchelys and Lycodapus with the purpose of determination of their positions in the system of the family Zoarcidae. It was demonstrated that the genus Lycodapus was considerably closer to the generic group of Lycogramminae (Lycogrammoides, Bothrocara, Allolepis, Bothrocarhichthys) than the genus Lycenchelys. However, on the phylogenetic trees both of these genera were located in the clade of the subfamily Lycodinae. Genetic heterogeneity of the genus Lycenchelys, represented by two species groups differing in distribution patterns (northeastern Pacific and Antarctic) and showing more profound differences than the genera of subfamily Lycodinae, was demonstrated.