Focused Examination of the Intestinal lamina Propria Yields Greater Molecular Insight into Mechanisms Underlying SIV Induced Immune Dysfunction

Background: The Gastrointestinal (GI) tract is critical to AIDS pathogenesis as it is the primary site for viral transmission and a major site of viral replication and CD4 + T cell destruction. Consequently GI disease, a major complication of HIV/SIV infection can facilitate translocation of lumenal bacterial products causing localized/systemic immune activation leading to AIDS progression. Methodology/Principal Findings: To better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying GI disease we analyzed global gene expression profiles sequentially in the intestine of the same animals prior to and at 21 and 90d post SIV infection (PI). More importantly we maximized information gathering by examining distinct mucosal components (intraepithelial lymphocytes, lamina propria leukocytes [LPL], epithelium and fibrovascular stroma) separately. The use of sequential intestinal resections combined with focused examination of distinct mucosal compartments represents novel approaches not previously attempted. Here we report data pertaining to the LPL. A significant increase (61.7-fold) in immune defense/inflammation, cell adhesion/migration, cell signaling, transcription and cell division/differentiation genes were observed at 21 and 90d PI. Genes associated with the JAK-STAT pathway (IL21, IL12R, STAT5A, IL10, SOCS1) and T-cell activation (NFATc1, CDK6, Gelsolin, Moesin) were notably upregulated at 21d PI. Markedly downregulated genes at 21d PI included IL17D/IL27 and IL28B/IFNc3 (anti-HIV/viral), activation induced cytidine deaminase (B-cell function) an

Technical and financial feasibility of a stand-alone photovoltaic system for rural electrification in the Andean South region of Peru

The Andean South is one of the poorest regions of Peru. Only 44% of the rural inhabitants of this area have electricity. This paper describes an investigation into the technical and financial feasibility of stand-alone photovoltaic systems in this region. The feasibility study was undertaken for a typical village of Andean South. The village of Churrubamba Alta in the province of Andahuaylas, departamento de Apurimac (department of Apurimac) was selected. The TRNSYS software tool was used for performance analysis and identifying the optimal size of the system. The feasibility study showed that the best option is a 13.7 kW PV array and 180 kWh battery bank for the daily supply of 42.2 kWh electricity to 62 households and a community centre. The financial analysis demonstrated a net present value of US$186 918, internal rate of return of 28$0.30 per kWhe