The 2011 Retrovirology Prize winner Masao Matsuoka: forward looking and antisense

Masao Matsuoka wins the 2011 Retrovirology Prize

Shear Strength Prediction for Two-Piles Caps Using Empirical Equations

This study involves analyzing of two piles-caps together with other available tested pile caps in literature. Many expressions are proposed in the current stydy to predict the diagonal cracking and ultimate shear strengths of pile caps using the nonlinear multiple-regression analysis to the available experimental data. The proposed expressions have minimum values of mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE), while they have maximum values for coefficient of multiple determinations (R2). For the prediction of diagonal cracking shear strength, two proposed expressions were compared with the available equations. The analysis of pile caps using these equations indicates that the proposed equations results in accurate values closer to experimental results than the available equations. While for the prediction of ultimate shear strength, two proposed expressions were compared with the available equations. The analysis of pile caps using these equations indicate that the proposed equations results in good agreement when compared with the results of the available equations

Endogenous Retroviruses: Thierry Heidmann wins the 2009 Retrovirology prize

Thierry Heidmann wins the 2009 Retrovirology prize

From Duke to King's: Michael Malim wins the 2010 Retrovirology prize

Michael H. Malim wins the Retrovirology prize

Aspirin related platelet reactivity as a determinant of ten year survival in high risk non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in Thrombosis Research on 10/09/2020, available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020.09.011 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Background Aspirin forms a cornerstone of management in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite proven efficacy, variability of aspirin response has long been recognised, with early studies suggesting rates of high on treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) as ranging between 5 and 45%. Whether aspirin responsiveness relates to long-term prognosis in patients with CVD is unknown. Methods A prospective, single-centre analysis of 224 troponin positive non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients undergoing coronary angiography. Aspirin-naive patients were loaded with 300 mg aspirin and maintained on 75 mg daily. Blood samples were obtained at the time of angiography and the VerifyNow Aspirin assay utilised to determine aspirin effect. The primary end point was all-cause mortality at 10 years. Results Time from aspirin loading (or admission on aspirin) to angiography was 4.9 ± 2.7 days. Platelet aggregation results, expressed as aspirin reaction units (ARU) were divided into tertiles: T1 (ARU 363–405) ( n = 76), T2 (ARU 406–436) (n = 76), T3 (ARU 437–596) ( n = 72). Higher ARU values were associated with increased mortality (log rank, p = 0.009), with those in the T3 having a 3-fold higher rate of events than those in the T1 (HR 3.03 [95% CI 1.33–6.99], p = 0.009) over a 10-year follow up. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that aspirin responsiveness is directly related to 10-year survival and may identify patients who may benefit from additional antithrombotic therapy. Further, ARU values less than the previously defined cut off 550 are associated with reduced survival at 10 years.Published versio

Frequent and Recent Human Acquisition of Simian Foamy Viruses Through Apes' Bites in Central Africa

Human infection by simian foamy viruses (SFV) can be acquired by persons occupationally exposed to non-human primates (NHP) or in natural settings. This study aimed at getting better knowledge on SFV transmission dynamics, risk factors for such a zoonotic infection and, searching for intra-familial dissemination and the level of peripheral blood (pro)viral loads in infected individuals. We studied 1,321 people from the general adult population (mean age 49 yrs, 640 women and 681 men) and 198 individuals, mostly men, all of whom had encountered a NHP with a resulting bite or scratch. All of these, either Pygmies (436) or Bantus (1085) live in villages in South Cameroon. A specific SFV Western blot was used and two nested PCRs (polymerase, and LTR) were done on all the positive/borderline samples by serology. In the general population, 2/1,321 (0.2%) persons were found to be infected. In the second group, 37/198 (18.6%) persons were SFV positive. They were mostly infected by apes (37/39) FV (mainly gorilla). Infection by monkey FV was less frequent (2/39). The viral origin of the amplified sequences matched with the history reported by the hunters, most of which (83%) are aged 20 to 40 years and acquired the infection during the last twenty years. The (pro)viral load in 33 individuals infected by a gorilla FV was quite low (<1 to 145 copies per 105 cells) in the peripheral blood leucocytes. Of the 30 wives and 12 children from families of FV infected persons, only one woman was seropositive in WB without subsequent viral DNA amplification. We demonstrate a high level of recent transmission of SFVs to humans in natural settings specifically following severe gorilla bites during hunting activities. The virus was found to persist over several years, with low SFV loads in infected persons. Secondary transmission remains an open question

Enhanced Dielectric Constant for Efficient Electromagnetic Shielding Based on Carbon-Nanotube-Added Styrene Acrylic Emulsion Based Composite

An efficient electromagnetic shielding composite based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-filled styrene acrylic emulsion-based polymer has been prepared in a water-based system. The MWCNTs were demonstrated to have an effect on the dielectric constants, which effectively enhance electromagnetic shielding efficiency (SE) of the composites. A low conductivity threshold of 0.23 wt% can be obtained. An EMI SE of ~28 dB was achieved for 20 wt% MWCNTs. The AC conductivity (σac) of the composites, deduced from imaginary permittivity, was used to estimate the SE of the composites in X band (8.2–12.4 GHz), showing a good agreement with the measured results