Amphipods (Amphipoda: Gammaridea) from the Piltun Gray Whale Pasturing Region, Northeastern Sakhalin Island (Sea of Okhotsk)

Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) depend on amphipods as a food source. At present there are only two pasturing regions of gray whales along the shore of Sakhalin Island, Sea of Okhotsk. The Piltun pasturing region characterized by a large supply of forage benthos, is the most traditionally used region. Macrobenthic samples were taken by collaborators at the Institute of Marine Biology for three years between 2003-2005 from the period from July to September during research expeditions to the region. About 46 species of amphipods belonging to 30 genera and 12 families were found at depths between 8-36m in the Piltun region. Only 5 species had a frequency of occurrence of more than 50%. They were: Monoporeia affinis (56%), Eohaustorius eous eous (79%), Eogammarus schmidti (81%) Grandifoxus longirostris (53%), Anonyx nugax (54%). The most abundant species in this region were: M. affinis, E. schmidti, E. eous eous, Anisogammarus pugettensis, Protomedeia fasciata and G. longirostris. The species M. affinis had high abundance (77% of total abundance) as well as great values of biomass (54% of total biomass). The species E. schmidti had low abundance (5%), but high biomass (30%). In contrast, the species E. eous eous had relatively high abundance (7%), but low biomass (3%). The sizestructure of three dominant species (M. affinis, E. schmidti, E. eous eous) was studied from more than 9000 individuals. The results showed that the size of M. affinis varied from 2.6 to 16.8mm, the size of E. schmidti from 8.5-27.0mm, and the size of E. eous eous from 1.6-8.2mm. Thus, the large size of the species M. affinis, E. schmidti may help there contribution to total biomass and abundance but the small species E. eous eous contributes to total abundance despite its size due to high densities

Patterns of HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV-infected patients receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy in Novosibirsk Region, Russia

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have played a vital role in controlling the HIV-1 epidemic; however, some challenges remain. ARV drugs vary in their ability to control HIV infection, displaying differences in treatment-limiting factors and genetic barriers to resistance. The current report assesses the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs) among patients who failed first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) and evaluates the genetic barrier of different regimens. Methods: The study cohort (n = 271) included HIV-infected individuals who visited the Novosibirsk, Russia, HIV/AIDS clinic in 2018–2022. All patients received first-line ART prior to virological failure. Sociodemographic and HIV-related data were collected from medical records and self-reported questionnaires. HIV-1 pol gene sequences were generated, and the presence of HIV-1 DRM was assessed. The genetic barrier to resistance was assessed by combining treatment regimen and adherence data. Results: Nonoptimal ART adherence was identified in 48.3% of patients and correlated with male sex, PWID, unemployment, and rural area residence. Most of the patients with high-level adherence were identified among those who were on TDF+3TC+DTG. HIV-1 DRMs were identified in 54.6% of the patients. The analysis of HIV-1 DRM, ART regimen, and adherence data classified TDF+3TC+DTG and TDF+3TC+LPV/r as treatment regimens with a high genetic barrier, whereas EFV-containing ART was classified as a regimen with a low genetic barrier. Conclusions: The current study delivers results on the efficacy of HIV-1 ART and treatment adherence in real-world practice settings. This report suggests that ART regimens with a high genetic barrier to resistance combined with improved treatment adherence may reduce the transmission of HIV-1 resistant variants