Early HIV-1 Envelope-specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses in Vertically Infected Infants

High frequencies of cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTLp) recognizing HIV-1 laboratory strain gene products have been detected in adults within weeks of primary infection. In contrast, HIV-1–specific CTLp are uncommonly detected in infants younger than 6 mo. To address the hypothesis that the use of target cells expressing laboratory strain env gene products might limit the detection of HIV-1 env-specific CTLp in early infancy, recombinant vaccinia vectors (vv) expressing HIV-1 env genes from early isolates of four vertically infected infants were generated. The frequencies of CTLp recognizing target cells infected with vv-expressing env gene products from early isolates and HIV-1 IIIB were serially measured using limiting dilution followed by in vitro stimulation with mAb to CD3. In one infant, the detection of early isolate env-specific CTLp preceded the detection of IIIB-specific CTLp. CTLp recognizing HIV-1 IIIB and infant isolate env were detected by 6 mo of age in two infants. In a fourth infant, HIV-1 IIIB env and early isolate env-specific CTLp were simultaneously detected at 12 mo of age. These results provide evidence that young infants can generate HIV-1–specific CTL responses and provide support for the concept of neonatal vaccination to prevent HIV-1 transmission. However, the early predominance of type-specific CTL detected in some young infants suggests that the use of vaccines based on laboratory strains of HIV-1 may not protect against vertical infection

A Model and Test of Individual and Organization Factors Influencing Individual Adaptation to Change

This study analyzed the antecedents and outcomes of individual adaptation to a changing work environment. We developed and tested a model of both individual factors and organizational factors affecting individual responses to change. We hypothesized that individuals reporting higher levels of the antecedent variables would also report higher levels of adaptability. We also hypothesized better adaptors would perceive better work outcomes. The model was tested in a field study of 169 participants across four different organizations experiencing varying changes. Results indicated participation, role clarity, and optimism were positively related to adaptability. Further, we found that better adaptors were more satisfied with their jobs, were less likely to quit the organization, and perceived higher performance after the change. Change managers can take heart in that most of the variables associated with successful adaptation are under the organization’s influence, so facilitating change is not an impossible task

The Shepherd Mountain Iron Ore Deposit in Southeast Missouri, USA – an Extension of the Pilot Knob Magmatic-Hydrothermal Ore System: Evidence from Iron Oxide Chemistry

The Southeast Missouri Iron Metallogenic Province in the Midcontinent USA contains seven major and several minor IOA/IOCG-type deposits and a series of shallow vein-type deposits/prospects, all of which are spatially and temporally associated with early Mesoproterozoic (1500–1440 Ma) magmatism in the St. Francois Mountains terrane. One of the vein-type deposits is the Shepherd Mountain deposit, which consists of two northeast-trending ore veins dominated by magnetite and lesser amounts of hematite. Here we report the findings of a study that investigates the origin of the Shepherd Mountain deposit and a possible genetic link to the nearby (i.e., away) magmatic to magmatic-hydrothermal Pilot Knob ore system that comprises the massive-to-disseminated Pilot Knob Magnetite deposit and the overlying bedded and brecciated Pilot Knob Hematite deposit. Petrographic observations, whole-rock data and the trace element and Fe isotope composition of magnetite and hematite show that the Shepherd Mountain deposit formed from at least five pulses of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids with different compositions and physicochemical parameters. Integration of the data for the Shepherd Mountain deposit with new and published data from the Pilot Knob Magnetite and Pilot Knob Hematite deposits shows that the three deposits are genetically linked through two local faults. The Ironton and Pilot Knob faults provided fluid pathways that connected the Pilot Knob Magnetite deposit to the shallower Shepherd Mountain and Pilot Knob Hematite deposits. Consequently, we argue that the Shepherd Mountain and Pilot Knob Hematite deposits are near-surface extensions of the same magmatic to hydrothermal plumbing system that formed the Pilot Knob Magnetite deposit at depth

Feasibility and acceptability of a televideo physical activity and nutrition program for recent kidney transplant recipients

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Background Post-transplant weight gain affects 50–90% of kidney transplant recipients adversely affecting survival, quality of life, and risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diet modification and physical activity may help prevent post-transplant weight gain. Methods for effective implementation of these lifestyle modifications are needed. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely delivered nutrition and physical activity intervention among kidney transplant recipients. Secondary aims were to estimate the effectiveness of the intervention in producing changes in physical activity, qualify of life, fruit and vegetable intake, and consumption of whole grains and water from baseline to 6 months. Methods A randomized controlled study for stable kidney transplant recipients between 6 and 12 months post-transplantation was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to a technology-based, lifestyle modification program (intervention) or to enhanced usual care (control). Results The first 10 kidney transplant recipients screened were eligible and randomized into the intervention and control groups with no significant between-group differences at baseline. Health coaching attendance (78%) and adherence to reporting healthy behaviors (86%) were high. All participants returned for final assessments. The weight in controls remained stable, while the intervention arm showed weight gain at 3 and 6 months. Improvements were found for physical activity, quality of life, and fruit and vegetable intake in both groups. All participants would recommend the program to other transplant recipients. Conclusions Our data suggest that a remotely delivered televideo nutrition and physical activity intervention is feasible and valued by patients. These findings will aid in the development of a larger, more prescriptive, randomized trial to address weight gain prevention

A Chronic Care Model Program Incorporating Group Office Visits for Obesity Treatment in Primary Care

Background. Obesity is a chronic disease of epidemic proportions. Primary care providers are on the front line of diagnosing and treating obesity and need better tools to deliver top-notch obesity care. Methods. A pilot randomized trial was conducted to test a chronic care model (CCM) program for obesity compared to usual care. Primary care patients, 18 years and older, with a body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 45 were enrolled. Sixteen weekly 90-minute group office visits were structured with the first 30 minutes encompassing individualized clinical assessments and the final 60 minutes containing the group-based standardized intensive lifestyle training. The primary outcome was weight change at 16 weeks. Secondary outcomes were weight change at 24 weeks, change in diet and physical activity behaviors, self-efficacy for weight control behaviors, and physiologic markers of cardiovascular risk at 16 and 24 weeks. Results. The participants (19 in the active arm and 10 in the control arm) were 49.8 ± 11.5 years old (mean ± SD), 97% women, 55% white, and 41% black. Weight change in the control arm at week 16 was 0.25+ 2.21 kg (mean + SD) and that for the active arm was -5.74 + 4.50 kg (n=16). The difference between the two arms was significant (p = 0.0002). Both the intent-to-treat analysis using the last observation carried forward approach and the analysis including completers only provided similar siginificant results. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that a CCM program incorporating group office visits was feasible and effective for obesity treatment in primary care settings

Genesis Of The 1.45 Ga Kratz Spring Iron Oxide-Apatite Deposit Complex In Southeast Missouri, USA: Constraints From Oxide Mineral Chemistry

Seven major and numerous lesser Fe oxide occurrences within the 1.47 Ga St. Francois Mountains terrane in Missouri (USA) have previously been described as iron oxide-apatite (IOA) and iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits. Researchers speculate that these contain significant amounts of critical minerals, most notably rare earth elements and cobalt. One of the less-studied deposits in the region is the 1.455 Ga Kratz Spring deposit. The deposit consists of two steeply dipping magnetite bodies beneath 450 m of sedimentary cover. The genesis of the Kratz Spring deposit and its relationship to nearby IOA-IOCG deposits remains poorly constrained. To better understand the formation of the Kratz Spring deposit, the authors integrated stratigraphic, petrographic, and bulk rock studies within situ trace element and Fe isotope chemistry of magnetite and hematite. These data show that the Kratz Spring deposit is hydrothermal in origin but is divided into two sub deposits according to different fluid sources and formation conditions: (1) a deep but cooler hydrothermal Kratz Spring South deposit with a juvenile fluid source and (2) a shallow but hotter magmatic-hydrothermal Kratz Spring North deposit with variable fluid sources. Our genetic model suggests the two Kratz Spring deposits are local expressions of the same mineralization system, i.e., the Kratz Spring South deposit is a distal, lower-temperature offshoot of the feeder system that formed the Kratz Spring North deposit. Understanding the magmatic-hydrothermal plumbing system that formed Missouri\u27s IOA-IOCG deposits is important to guiding critical mineral exploration efforts in the region

A Randomized, Controlled, Supervised, Excerise Trial in Young Overweight Men and Women: The Midwest Exercise Trial II (MET2)

We evaluated weight loss response to 16 months of supervised exercise (45 minutes/d, 5 d/wk, 75% heart-rate-reserve) in sedentary, overweight/obese participants without energy restriction in the Midwest Exercise Trial (MET1). Results indicated men lost weight, women did not. The gender differences were associated with differences in the energy expenditure of exercise (EEEx) (men = 667 ± 116; women = 439 ± 88 kcal/session) when exercise was prescribed by frequency, intensity and duration. MET2 is a randomized control trial designed and powered to examine differences in weight loss and gender in response to EEEx for men and women of 400 or 600 kcal/session, 5d/wk, for 10 months without energy restriction. One hundred forty one participants will be randomized to 1 of 2 exercise groups or a non-exercise control. EEEx will be verified by indirect calorimetry monthly during the intervention. This study will evaluate: (1) the weight change response to two levels of EEEx versus non-exercise control; (2) gender differences in weight response to two levels of EEEx; (3) potential compensatory changes in energy intake and/or daily physical activity that may explain the observed weight changes. Results from this study may impact how exercise is prescribed for weight loss and prevention of weight regain and may clarify if men and women differ in response to exercise

A Grounded Qualitative Analysis of the Effect of a Focus Group on Design Process in a Virtual Internship

A key component associated with the development of an entrepreneurial mindset is the ability to understand customerneeds and consider this when developing a product. This study sought to understand whether the inclusion of a customerfocus group as part of a virtual internship created any differences in the design processes of sophomore engineeringstudents (114 students). The Nephrotex virtual internship requires that students design a dialysis membrane by optimizinga selection of four components: membrane polymer, polymerization process, processing surfactant, and carbon nanotubepercentage. We found that sophomores who engaged in a focus group during the virtual internship Nephrotex showed(statistically) equal focus on cost versus technical measures of design performance during the focus group. Despite this,design cost was lower in the section that participated in a focus group, with no decrease in product quality. This indicatesthat customer voice may be an important factor in decreasing product cost. We also found that sophomore studentsprioritized their interviewing of customers within the focus group towards end users, such as the patient and nephrologist.Qualitative analysis of sophomore responses demonstrated that they found utility in the focus group (30% of participants)but did not necessarily believe that the customers had useful knowledge of the relevant design attributes (17% ofparticipants). Such realizations may have contributed to the equivalent quality and decreased costs associated with thedesigns of sophomores who participated in a focus group

A televideo exercise and nutrition program for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in maintenance therapy: design and methods

Changes in nutrient intake and decreased exercise resulting from cancer therapies as well as their side effects may be contributing factors in the increased body weight and differences in physical fitness observed in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This article will describe the study protocol for an intervention program designed to improve the physical activity and nutrition behaviors of ALL survivors. Twenty-four children aged between 4 years and 12 years with ALL will be randomized to a 6-month technology-based exercise and nutrition program (TLC4ALLKids) or to enhanced usual care (eUC). The participants randomized to the TLC4ALLKids will participate in weekly, 1-hour coaching sessions on nutrition and physical activity and 1-hour physical activity classes delivered by group video conferencing. Participants will be provided with iPad tablets loaded with video conferencing software and the Healthy Lifestyle Tracking calendar to track daily nutrition and physical activity goals and weight. Both groups will be provided with Fitbit™ Zip to monitor physical activity. To assess feasibility, participant recruitment (achievement of proposed sample size), attendance (per weekly online sessions/assessment sessions), and adherence (number of families at 3 and 6 months) will be evaluated. Outcome measures to assess the intervention will include anthropometrics (weight, height, and waist circumference), physical activity (accelerometry), energy and macronutrient intake (food records), sleep habits (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire), and quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) will be obtained at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Semi-structured interviews will be used to gather information about ways to improve the program and overcome barriers to participation. If successful, the TLC4ALLKids intervention will provide a means to educate and improve the health behaviors of ALL survivors that can be delivered remotely and conveniently to participants