Comparison of HIV-1 specific T cell immunity in the female genital tract and blood of HIV-infected women : impact of in vitro T cell expansion on HIV-specific T cell specificity, maturational status and functional complexity

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-184).This study shows that HIV-specific cervical T cells can be isolated by cytobrushing and in vitro polyclonal expansion is a useful approach to increase the number of T cells available from mucosal sites. Dynal beads (1:1) in the presence of IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 resulted in the best yields of cervical T cells while anti-CD3 in the presence of IL-2 best conserved the ex vivo T cell profile. Expanded T cell lines, irrespective of expansion method used, generally maintain their cytokine response profile to HIV anti- gens. This study shows that HIV Gag-specific blood and cervical T cells were largely mono-functional with polyfunctional T cells being detected in women with high blood CD4 count and low plasma viral load. This study confirms that HIV-specific Gag T cell responses detected in the polyclonal expanded female genital tract T cells are associated with those measured in blood during HIV infection

Penerapan Teknologi Inseminasi Buatan pada Ternak Babi Duroc di UPT Intalasi Tarus

Tujuan kegiatan pengabdian ialah meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilan mahasiswa dalam pelaksanaan Inseminasi Buatan (IB) pada ternak babi di kalangan peternakan rakyat dan Unit Pelaksana Teknis-Intalasi Tarus, Dinas Peternakan Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur. Metode yang digunakan ialah magang melalui demonstrasi dilapangan secara berulang yakni melakukan pengamatan siklus birahi dan mempraktekkan teknologi Inseminasi buatan pada ternak babi Duroc dan upaya pemecahan masalah yang terjadi di lapangan. Mahasiswa memiliki pengalaman, pengetahuan dan keterampilan inseminasi buatan pada ternak babi pada bidang bioteknologi reproduks ternaki. Peningkatan keterampilan dan keahlian mahasiswa dalam inseminasi buatan dapat dicapai melalui program magang secara terjadwal dan berkelanjutan, guna menghasilkan tenaga inseminator yang terampil dalam mendukung perkembangbiakan ternak bab

Effect of female genital schistosomiasis and anti-schistosomal treatment on monocytes, CD4+ T-cells and CCR5 expression in the female genital tract

BACKGROUND: Schistosoma haematobium is a waterborne parasite that may cause female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), characterized by genital mucosal lesions. There is clinical and epidemiological evidence for a relationship between FGS and HIV. We investigated the impact of FGS on HIV target cell density and expression of the HIV co-receptor CCR5 in blood and cervical cytobrush samples. Furthermore we evaluated the effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on these cell populations. Design The study followed a case-control design with post treatment follow-up, nested in an on-going field study on FGS. METHODS: Blood and cervical cytobrush samples were collected from FGS negative and positive women for flow cytometry analyses. Urine samples were investigated for schistosome ova by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: FGS was associated with a higher frequency of CD14 + cells (monocytes) in blood (11.5% in FGS+ vs. 2.2% in FGS-, p = 0.042). Frequencies of CD4 + cells expressing CCR5 were higher in blood samples from FGS+ than from FGS- women (4.7% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.018). The CD14 + cell population decreased significantly in both compartments after anti-schistosomal treatment (p = 0.043). Although the frequency of CD4+ cells did not change after treatment, frequencies of CCR5 expression by CD4+ cells decreased significantly in both compartments (from 3.4% to 0.5% in blood, p = 0.036; and from 42.4% to 5.6% in genital samples, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that FGS may increase the risk of HIV acquisition, not only through damage of the mucosal epithelial barrier, but also by affecting HIV target cell populations, and that anti-schistosomal treatment can modify this

Effect of a Primary Care-Based Psychological Intervention on Symptoms of Common Mental Disorders in Zimbabwe: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Depression and anxiety are common mental disorders globally but are rarely recognized or treated in low-income settings. Task-shifting of mental health care to lay health workers (LHWs) might decrease the treatment gap. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted psychological intervention for common mental disorders delivered by LHWs in primary care. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cluster randomized clinical trial with 6 months' follow-up conducted from September 1, 2014, to May 25, 2015, in Harare, Zimbabwe. Twenty-four clinics were randomized 1:1 to the intervention or enhanced usual care (control). Participants were clinic attenders 18 years or older who screened positive for common mental disorders on the locally validated Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ-14). Interventions: The Friendship Bench intervention comprised 6 sessions of individual problem-solving therapy delivered by trained, supervised LHWs plus an optional 6-session peer support program. The control group received standard care plus information, education, and support on common mental disorders. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was common mental disorder measured at 6 months as a continuous variable via the SSQ-14 score, with a range of 0 (best) to 14 and a cutpoint of 9. The secondary outcome was depression symptoms measured as a binary variable via the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, with a range of 0 (best) to 27 and a cutpoint of 11. Outcomes were analyzed by modified intention-to-treat. Results: Among 573 randomized patients (286 in the intervention group and 287 in the control group), 495 (86.4%) were women, median age was 33 years (interquartile range, 27-41 years), 238 (41.7%) were human immunodeficiency virus positive, and 521 (90.9%) completed follow-up at 6 months. Intervention group participants had fewer symptoms than control group participants on the SSQ-14 (3.81; 95% CI, 3.28 to 4.34 vs 8.90; 95% CI, 8.33 to 9.47; adjusted mean difference, -4.86; 95% CI, -5.63 to -4.10; P < .001; adjusted risk ratio [ARR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.29; P < .001). Intervention group participants also had lower risk of symptoms of depression (13.7% vs 49.9%; ARR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.34; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Among individuals screening positive for common mental disorders in Zimbabwe, LHW-administered, primary care-based problem-solving therapy with education and support compared with standard care plus education and support resulted in improved symptoms at 6 months. Scaled-up primary care integration of this intervention should be evaluated. Trial Registration: pactr.org Identifier: PACTR201410000876178

Prevalence of P. falciparum Gametocyte Carrying between Two Sympatric Ethnic Groups Living in Seasonal Malaria Transmission Setting of Burkina Faso after Universal Bed Nets Coverage Campaigns

Aims: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of P. falciparum gametocyte carriage in two sympatric ethnic groups living in seasonal malaria transmission setting in Burkina Faso. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to November 2017 in children aged from 2 to 12 years and living in Barkoundouba, avillage located at the Northeast part of Ouagadougou, capital city of Burkina Faso. The study participants were subject to clinical examination including axillary temperature. Blood samples were collected from finger pricks to performed RDT and blood smears for malaria diagnosis and on filter paper for molecular detection of the parasite. Any case of fever (temperature ≥ 37.5°C) with RDT positive was treated according to national guideline. Methodology: We included 461 patients in this study. P. falciparum presence and densities were determined by microscopy using Giemsa-stained thick blood smears. The nested PCR was used to confirm the presence of the asexual parasites assessed by the microscopy. Results: P. falciparum prevalence assessed by microscopy was 83 (32.55%) and 103 (50%) for Fulani and Mossi respectively, whereas the prevalence by nested PCR was 88 (39.11%) for Fulani and 121 (68.75%) for Mossi. The gametocyte carriage in the two ethnic groups was: 3.53% for Fulani and 11.65% for Mossi. The prevalence ratio for P. falciparum asymptomatic and gametocyte carriers was 1.5 and 3 in favor of Mossi group respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that the Fulani have a lower prevalence of P. falciparum compared to the Mossi group despite the decrease of parasitemia and prevalence in both groups compared to previous studies

Strengthening HIV surveillance in the antiretroviral therapy era: rationale and design of a longitudinal study to monitor HIV prevalence and incidence in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

CAPRISA, 2015.Abstract available in pdf

Misdiagnosis of HIV infection during a South African community‐based survey : implications for rapid HIV testing.

CAPRISA, 2017.Abstract available in pdf

Morphometric Analysis in Determining Body Score Index of Male Duroc Pigs

This research aims to determine the index score of male Duroc pigs. The research was carried out at Mitra Tani Farm, Wewiku District, Malaka Regency. The livestock used in this research were 80 1 year old male Duroc pigs. The variable observed in this research is the Salako cumulative index which consists of weight index, height slope index, length index, width slope index, depth index, foreleg length index, balance and cumulative index which will be analyzed using the Salako (2006) formula to see the cumulative index to determine the index score of the livestock. The results of the study showed that the average morphometric size of male Duroc pigs was body weight 46.56 ± 24.00 kg, body length 58.43 ± 16.88 cm, shoulder height 50.78 ± 11.83 cm, hip height 52.00 ± 12.66 cm, chest circumference 77.90 ± 26.50 cm, chest width 18.45 ± 5.78 cm, chest depth 36.32 ± 12.95 cm, hip length 16.36 ± 4.67 cm, and hip width 12.28 ± 2.24 cm. The average weight index, height slope index, length index, width slope index, depth index, foreleg length index, and balance of male Duroc pigs from the research were respectively 14882.30 ± 8387.32; 1.23 ± 1.97; 1.14±0.13; 0.75±0.32; 0.70±0.14; 14.56±7.90; and 1.29 ± 0.70 with a cumulative index of 5.20 ± 2.35. Based on the research results obtained, it was concluded that the high cumulative index value of male pigs can be used to determine the body index score in livestock selection. This can be used as one of the selection criteria in improving the quality of pigs at Mitra Tani Farm Wewiku, Malaka Regency

Effect of Female Genital Schistosomiasis and Anti-Schistosomal Treatment on Monocytes, CD4+ T-Cells and CCR5 Expression in the Female Genital Tract

Background Schistosoma haematobium is a waterborne parasite that may cause female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), characterized by genital mucosal lesions. There is clinical and epidemiological evidence for a relationship between FGS and HIV. We investigated the impact of FGS on HIV target cell density and expression of the HIV co-receptor CCR5 in blood and cervical cytobrush samples. Furthermore we evaluated the effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on these cell populations. Design The study followed a case-control design with post treatment follow-up, nested in an on-going field study on FGS. Methods Blood and cervical cytobrush samples were collected from FGS negative and positive women for flow cytometry analyses. Urine samples were investigated for schistosome ova by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results FGS was associated with a higher frequency of CD14+ cells (monocytes) in blood (11.5% in FGS+ vs. 2.2% in FGS-, p = 0.042). Frequencies of CD4+ cells expressing CCR5 were higher in blood samples from FGS+ than from FGS- women (4.7% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.018). The CD14+ cell population decreased significantly in both compartments after anti-schistosomal treatment (p = 0.043). Although the frequency of CD4+ cells did not change after treatment, frequencies of CCR5 expression by CD4+ cells decreased significantly in both compartments (from 3.4% to 0.5% in blood, p = 0.036; and from 42.4% to 5.6% in genital samples, p = 0.025). Conclusions The results support the hypothesis that FGS may increase the risk of HIV acquisition, not only through damage of the mucosal epithelial barrier, but also by affecting HIV target cell populations, and that anti-schistosomal treatment can modify this