Longitudinal population analysis of dual infection with recombination in two strains of HIV type 1 subtype B in an individual from a phase 3 HIV vaccine efficacy trial

This study documents a case of coinfection (simultaneous infection of an individual with two or more strains) of two HIV-1 subtype B strains in an individual from a Phase 3 HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trial, conducted in North American and the Netherlands. We examined 86 full-length gp120 (env) gene sequences from this individual collected from nine different time points over a 20-month period. We estimated evolutionary relationships using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods and inferred recombination breakpoints and recombinant sequences using phylogenetic and substitutional methods. These analyses identified two strongly supported monophyletic clades (clades A and B) of 14 and 69 sequences each and a small paraphyletic recombinant clade of three sequences. We then studied the genetic characteristics of these lineages by comparing estimates of genetic diversity generated by mutation and recombination and adaptive selection within a coalescent and maximum likelihood framework. Our results suggest significant differences on the evolutionary dynamics of these strains. We then discuss the implications of these results for vaccine development

Convocation

Program listing performers and works performe

Convocation

Program listing performers and works performe

Sex differences in limb and joint stiffness in recreational runners

Purpose. Female runners are known to be at greater risk from chronic running injuries than age-matched males, although the exact mechanisms are often poorly understood. The aim of the current investigation was to determine if female recreational runners exhibit distinct limb and joint stiffness characteristics in relation to their male counterparts. Methods. Fourteen male and fourteen female runners ran over a force platform at 4.0 m · s–1. Lower limb kinematics were collected using an eight-camera optoelectric motion capture system operating at 250 Hz. Measures of limb and joint stiffness were calculated as a function of limb length and joint moments divided by the extent of limb and joint excursion. All stiffness and joint moment parameters were normalized to body mass. Sex differences in normalized limb and knee and ankle joint stiffness were examined statistically using independent samples t tests. Results. The results indicate that normalized limb (male = 0.18 ± 0.07, female = 0.37 ± 0.10 kN · kg · m–1) and knee stiffness (male = 5.59 ± 2.02, female = 7.34 ± 1.78 Nm · kg · rad–1) were significantly greater in female runners. Conclusions. On the basis that normalized knee and limb stiffness were shown to be significantly greater in female runners, the findings from the current investigation may provide further insight into the aetiology of the distinct injury patterns observed between sexes. Key words: running, sex, limb stiffness, biomechanic

The Effects of Maternal Education and Healthcare Utilization on Childhood Undernutrition in Post-Conflict Liberia

Childhood undernutrition continues to be one of the largest contributors to overall morbidity and mortality worldwide. Post conflict settings remain hardest hit due to a variety of factors. Maternal education has been linked to improved childhood health outcomes in developing countries, but there is a lack of studies as to the nature of its protective ability in post-conflict settings, with no studies examining whether healthcare service utilization can mediate the associations between maternal education on child undernutrition. The purpose of this study is to examine how maternal education, maternal knowledge of child treatment practices, and healthcare services utilization in Liberia (a post conflict country) affect childhood undernutrition. This research is a secondary data analysis using cross-sectional linked data from the Demographic Health Surveys Phase-V 2007 Liberia Household Survey and the Demographic Health Survey’s Child Survey. A total of 6,584 children under five years of age were included in this analysis. Data analysis guided by the Conceptual Model of Nursing and Population Health was used in this study. Descriptive analyses were performed to examine the characteristics of the sample. The relationship between maternal education and maternal knowledge of child treatment practices and childhood undernutrition was examined using multivariable logistic regression, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables such as mother’s characteristics (age at first parity, exposure to mass media), household characteristics (rural/urban residence, wealth index), and child’s characteristics (gender, age, disease status). Similar analyses were performed to examine the relationship between healthcare service utilization and childhood undernutrition. Mediation analysis was performed to investigate mediation effects of healthcare service utilization on the relation between maternal education and childhood nutrition outcomes

Defying legal protection of Atlantic forest in the transforming landscape around the Atibainha reservoir, Southeastern Brazil

Remnants of Atlantic Forest occupy approximately 50% of the land surrounding Atibainha reservoir in Brazil. They are legally protected due to their location on margins of rivers and reservoirs, steep slopes and hilltops or, according to federal rules, when in medium or advanced stage of regeneration. Identifying where and to what extent forest legislation is being ignored is necessary to inform future land-use policy. Using data derived from aerial photographs, combined with ground surveys of forest fragments, we determined forests that should be protected due to their stage of regeneration. We then evaluated whether land use within the 188 catchments that surround the Atibainha reservoir is consistent with restrictions on deforestation determined by their location. Most forest fragments in the region are in medium stage of regeneration and therefore legally protected. The extent of illegal deforestation among catchments differed significantly based on the location criteria. Forest cover was higher where combinations of these criteria apply, such as steep slopes alongside rivers or reservoir. While this might reflect increased propensity to respect forest regulations where multiple restrictions apply, it is also possible that such locations coincide with the low attractiveness for agriculture and other economic activities at such areas