HIV Prevalence and Incidence in a Cohort of Women at Higher Risk for HIV Acquisition in Chókwè, Southern Mozambique

Background

Reliable HIV incidence estimates for Mozambique are limited. We conducted a prospective HIV incidence study as part of a clinical research site development initiative in Chókwè district, Gaza Province, southern Mozambique.

Methods

Between June 2010 and October 2012, we recruited women at sites where women at higher risk of HIV infection would likely be found. We enrolled and tested 1,429 sexually active women in the screening phase and 479 uninfected women in the prospective phase. Participants were scheduled for 12+ months follow-up, when they underwent face-to-face interviews, HIV counseling and testing, and pregnancy testing. We observed a total of 373.1 woman-years (WY) of follow-up, with mean (median) of 9.4 (9.7) women-months per participant.

Results

The prevalence of HIV was 29.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.0–31.8%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors that remained significantly associated with prevalent HIV were: older age (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.7), lower educational level (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3–0.7), and using hormonal contraception (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4–0.7) or condoms (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3–0.7). We observed an HIV incidence rate of 4.6 per 100 WY (95% CI: 2.7, 7.3). The HIV incidence was 4.8 per 100 WY (95% CI: 2.5, 8.3) in women aged 18–24 years, 4.5 per 100 WY (95% CI: 1.2, 11.4) in women aged 25–29 years and 3.2 per 100 WY (95% CI: 0.1, 18.0) in the 30–35 years stratum. None of the demographic factors or time-varying behavioral factors examined was significantly associated with incident HIV infection in bivariable analysis at p≤0.10.

Conclusions

We found a high HIV incidence among sexually active young women in Chókwè, Mozambique. HIV prevention programs should be strengthened in the area, with more comprehensive reproductive health services, regular HIV testing, condom promotion, and messaging about multiple sexual partners.     

Genomic prediction in CIMMYT maize and wheat breeding programs

Genomic selection (GS) has been implemented in animal and plant species, and is regarded as a useful tool for accelerating genetic gains. Varying levels of genomic prediction accuracy have been obtained in plants, depending on the prediction problem assessed and on several other factors, such as trait heritability, the relationship between the individuals to be predicted and those used to train the models for prediction, number of markers, sample size and genotype × environment interaction (GE). The main objective of this article is to describe the results of genomic prediction in International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center''s (CIMMYT''s) maize and wheat breeding programs, from the initial assessment of the predictive ability of different models using pedigree and marker information to the present, when methods for implementing GS in practical global maize and wheat breeding programs are being studied and investigated. Results show that pedigree (population structure) accounts for a sizeable proportion of the prediction accuracy when a global population is the prediction problem to be assessed. However, when the prediction uses unrelated populations to train the prediction equations, prediction accuracy becomes negligible. When genomic prediction includes modeling GE, an increase in prediction accuracy can be achieved by borrowing information from correlated environments. Several questions on how to incorporate GS into CIMMYT''s maize and wheat programs remain unanswered and subject to further investigation, for example, prediction within and between related bi-parental crosses. Further research on the quantification of breeding value components for GS in plant breeding populations is required.     

Detectable serum flagellin and lipopolysaccharide and upregulated anti-flagellin and lipopolysaccharide immunoglobulins in human short bowel syndrome

Gut barrier dysfunction may occur in short bowel syndrome (SBS). We hypothesized that systemic exposure to flagellin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in SBS might regulate specific immune responses. We analyzed serial serum samples obtained from parenteral nutrition (PN)-dependent patients with SBS versus non-SBS control serum. Serum from 23 adult SBS patients was obtained at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 wk in a trial of modified diet with or without growth hormone. Control serum was obtained from 48 healthy adults and 37 adults requiring PN during critical illness. Serum flagellin was detected by an ELISA recognizing an array of gram-negative flagellins, and LPS was detected by limulus assay. Serum flagellin- and LPS-specific immunoglobulin levels (IgM, IgA, and IgG) were determined by ELISA. Serum flagellin and LPS were undetectable in control subjects. In contrast, serum flagellin, LPS, or both were detected in 14 SBS patients (61%) during one or more time points [flagellin alone, 5/23 (22%); LPS alone, 6/23 (26%); or flagellin + LPS, 3/23 (13%)]. Flagellin-specific serum IgM, IgA, and IgG levels were markedly increased in SBS patients compared with both control populations and remained elevated during the 6-mo study period. LPS-specific IgA was significantly higher in SBS patients compared with healthy controls; LPS-specific IgM, IgA, and IgG levels each decreased over time in association with PN weaning. We conclude that adults with PN-dependent SBS are systemically exposed to flagellin and LPS, presumably from the gut lumen. This likely regulates innate and adaptive immune responses to these specific bacterial products.     

The CAPN10 gene is associated with insulin resistance phenotypes in the Spanish population

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world. Familial aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors is a frequent finding, but genetic factors affecting its presentation are still poorly understood. The calpain 10 gene (CAPN10) has been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a complex metabolic disorder with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the CAPN10 gene has been associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in T2DM and in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this work, we have analysed whether the polymorphisms UCSNP44, -43, -19 and -63 are related to several cardiovascular risk factors in the context of MS. Molecular analysis of CAPN10 gene was performed in 899 individuals randomly chosen from a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological survey. We have found that CAPN10 gene in our population is mainly associated with two indicators of the presence of insulin resistance: glucose levels two hours after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HOMA values, although cholesterol levels and blood pressure values are also influenced by CAPN10 variants. In addition, the 1221/1121 haplogenotype is under-represented in individuals that fulfil the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) diagnostic criteria for MS. Our results suggest that CAPN10 gene is associated with insulin resistance phenotypes in the Spanish population.     

Temperature-dependent development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrolophus pygmaeus</Emphasis> and its applicability to biological control

A linear model and three nonlinear models (Logan type III, Lactin and Brière) were applied to Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) at constant temperatures and validated under diel temperature variation, and field conditions. Complete development from egg to adult, with >80% survivorship, occurred at nine constant temperatures between 15 and 32 °C. Total developmental time decreased from a maximum at 15 °C (68.48 days) to a minimum at 30 °C (18.69 days) and then increased at 32 °C (23.44 days). Optimal survival and the highest developmental rate occurred within the range of 27–30 °C. The adjusted determination coefficients were high for linear and nonlinear models (>0.89). Field validation showed high levels of accuracy in all models (≥93.4%). These valid mathematical models contribute to optimal application, field management, and mass rearing of M. pygmaeus for its applicability to biological control.     

Deep sequencing of mycovirus‐derived small RNAs from Botrytis species

RNA silencing is an ancient regulatory mechanism operating in all eukaryotic cells. In fungi, it was first discovered in Neurospora crassa, although its potential as a defence mechanism against mycoviruses was first reported in Cryphonectria parasitica and, later, in several fungal species. There is little evidence of the antiviral potential of RNA silencing in the phytopathogenic species of the fungal genus Botrytis. Moreover, little is known about the RNA silencing components in these fungi, although the analysis of public genome databases identified two Dicer‐like genes in B. cinerea, as in most of the ascomycetes sequenced to date. In this work, we used deep sequencing to study the virus‐derived small RNA (vsiRNA) populations from different mycoviruses infecting field isolates of Botrytis spp. The mycoviruses under study belong to different genera and species, and have different types of genome [double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), (+)single‐stranded RNA (ssRNA) and (–)ssRNA]. In general, vsiRNAs derived from mycoviruses are mostly of 21, 20 and 22 nucleotides in length, possess sense or antisense orientation, either in a similar ratio or with a predominance of sense polarity depending on the virus species, have predominantly U at their 5′ end, and are unevenly distributed along the viral genome, showing conspicuous hotspots of vsiRNA accumulation. These characteristics reveal striking similarities with vsiRNAs produced by plant viruses, suggesting similar pathways of viral targeting in plants and fungi. We have shown that the fungal RNA silencing machinery acts against the mycoviruses used in this work in a similar manner independent of their viral or fungal origin.     

Acetoacetate and beta-D-hydroxybutyrate as energy substrates during early bovine embryo development in vitro

We examined the effects of acetoacetate and other metabolic products of fatty acid oxidation on early bovine embryo development. In vitro produced bovine zygotes were cultured in modified-synthetic oviduct fluid medium supplemented with acetoacetate, acetoacetate derivatives, acetyl CoA precursors and lithium chloride. Acetoacetate and all acetoacetate derivatives, with the exception of the ethyl ester, supported in vitro development up to the hatched blastocyst stage at rates similar to that of controls supplemented with lactate/pyruvate. The optimal concentration of acetoacetate in supporting embryo development was 3.6 mM; addition of 1.8 and 3.6 mM lithium chloride did not significantly affect embryo development, while 7.2 mM was inhibitory. Hatched blastocysts cultured with 3.6 mM acetoacetate contained a similar number of cells as the lactate/pyruvate control group. It can be concluded that in vitro produced bovine embryos can develop using ketone bodies as energy substrates, which could be derived in vivo from endogenous lipids.     

Isolation and partial characterization of phages infectingCitrobacter intermedius C3

Several new bacteriophages infecting strain C3 ofCitrobacter intermedius have been isolated from fresh waters. The physicochemical properties, plaque morphology, growth characteristics, virion structure, and immunology of eight bacteriophage isolates are reported. The phages are classified into three groups according to their characteristics.     

Effect of epinephrine on the oxidative desaturation of fatty acids in the rat.

The effect of epinephrine on the oxidative desaturation of fatty acids by liver microsomal preparations of rats has been studied. Administration of epinephrine (1 mg/kg body weight) produced a significant decrease in desaturation of [l-14C]=linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid and of [L-14C]alpha-linolenic acid to actadeca-6,9,12,15-tetraenoic acid 12 hr after the infection. Lower doses produced a lesser effect on the delta6-desaturation activity. Epinephrine administration modified the V max of linoleic acid desaturation but not the K m. There was also a slight increase in palmityl desaturation activity. The effect of epinephrine on delta6-desaturation activity was postulated to be mediated through an enhancement of the intracellular cyclic AMP levels that lead to an increase of a glucose metabolite. This metabolite would inhibit delta6-desaturation activity.     

Freeze drying and freeze substitution combined with low temperature-embedding

Summary An X-ray microanalytical and morphological investigation was carried out on rapidly frozen freeze-dried or freeze-substituted tissues. A comparison was made between different embedding and polymerisation procedures following freeze substitution and freeze drying. The investigation also included an analysis of specimens which had been infiltrated, embedded and polymerised by ultraviolet irradiation at low temperatures with Lowicryl-HM20. The method of freeze drying, followed by embedding and polymerisation at low temperatures in vacuo was found to give satisfactory results, comparable with more tedious and hazardous freeze substitution technique.