HIV-1-Transmitted Drug Resistance and Transmission Clusters in Newly Diagnosed Patients in Portugal Between 2014 and 2019

Objective: To describe and analyze transmitted drug resistance (TDR) between 2014 and 2019 in newly infected patients with HIV-1 in Portugal and to characterize its transmission networks. Methods: Clinical, socioepidemiological, and risk behavior data were collected from 820 newly diagnosed patients in Portugal between September 2014 and December 2019. The sequences obtained from drug resistance testing were used for subtyping, TDR determination, and transmission cluster (TC) analyses. Results: In Portugal, the overall prevalence of TDR between 2014 and 2019 was 11.0%. TDR presented a decreasing trend from 16.7% in 2014 to 9.2% in 2016 (p for-trend = 0.114). Multivariate analysis indicated that TDR was significantly associated with transmission route (MSM presented a lower probability of presenting TDR when compared to heterosexual contact) and with subtype (subtype C presented significantly more TDR when compared to subtype B). TC analysis corroborated that the heterosexual risk group presented a higher proportion of TDR in TCs when compared to MSMs. Among subtype A1, TDR reached 16.6% in heterosexuals, followed by 14.2% in patients infected with subtype B and 9.4% in patients infected with subtype G. Conclusion: Our molecular epidemiology approach indicates that the HIV-1 epidemic in Portugal is changing among risk group populations, with heterosexuals showing increasing levels of HIV-1 transmission and TDR. Prevention measures for this subpopulation should be reinforced.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modulation of Small RNA Signatures in Schwann-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor and Sortilin

Schwann cells (SCs) are the main glial cells of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and are known to be involved in various pathophysiological processes, such as diabetic neuropathy and nerve regeneration, through neurotrophin signaling. Such glial trophic support to axons, as well as neuronal survival/death signaling, has previously been linked to the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and its co-receptor Sortilin. Recently, SC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) were shown to be important for axon growth and nerve regeneration, but cargo of these glial cell-derived EVs has not yet been well-characterized. In this study, we aimed to characterize signatures of small RNAs in EVs derived from wild-type (WT) SCs and define differentially expressed small RNAs in EVs derived from SCs with genetic deletions of p75NTR (Ngfr−/−) or Sortilin (Sort1−/−). Using RNA sequencing, we identified a total of 366 miRNAs in EVs derived from WT SCs of which the most highly expressed are linked to the regulation of axonogenesis, axon guidance and axon extension, suggesting an involvement of SC EVs in axonal homeostasis. Signaling of SC EVs to non-neuronal cells was also suggested by the presence of several miRNAs important for regulation of the endothelial cell apoptotic process. Ablated p75NTR or sortilin expression in SCs translated into a set of differentially regulated tRNAs and miRNAs, with impact in autophagy and several cellular signaling pathways such as the phosphatidylinositol signaling system. With this work, we identified the global expression profile of small RNAs present in SC-derived EVs and provided evidence for a regulatory function of these vesicles on the homeostasis of other cell types of the PNS. Differentially identified miRNAs can pave the way to a better understanding of p75NTR and sortilin roles regarding PNS homeostasis and disease

The drivers of tree cover expansion: Global, temperate, and tropical zone analyses

This paper uses new, high resolution satellite-derived data to explore recent cross-national differences in expanding tree cover. Increases in tree cover have concentrated in nations with recent histories of extensive deforestation, humid climates, high crop yields, and small numbers of farm workers. The associations of expanded tree cover with high yields for cereal crops and small populations of cultivators suggests a dynamic, sometimes referred to as a forest transition, in which urbanization and industrialization promote a long-term expansion in tree cover on certain types of land. The association of tree cover gains with tree cover losses and humid climates suggests a second dynamic, a churning, treadmill-like production of wood products from lands subjected to recurring harvests of wood products followed by tree cover gains in the recently harvested areas. The forest transition dynamic suggests that many smallholders would allow tree cover to expand on their lands if payments for environmental services were available. The salience of the treadmill dynamic of tree cover losses followed by tree cover gains underscores the importance of questions about the implications of commercial tree monocultures for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and social justice. © 2016 Elsevier Lt