Low CD4 T cell counts before HIV-1 seroconversion do not affect disease progression in Ethiopian factory workers

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-uninfected Ethiopians have lower CD4 T cell counts than do other populations in Africa and industrialized countries. We studied whether this unique immunological profile results in shorter survival times in HIV-1-infected Ethiopians. METHODS: Data from an open cohort study of 149 HIV-1-infected factory workers in Ethiopia for 1997-2002 were used. To estimate survival times, a continuous-time Markov model was designed on the basis of CD4 T cell counts and World Health Organization clinical staging. By use of a random-effects model, decline in CD4 T cell counts was compared between HIV-1-infected Ethiopian and Dutch individuals. RESULTS: Median survival times were in the range of 9.1-13.7 years, depending on the approach used. This range is similar to that for populations in industrialized countries before the advent of antiretroviral therapy. Ethiopians had a lower annual decline in CD4 T cell counts than did Dutch individuals, which remained when groups with similar CD4 T cell count categories were compared. Moreover, the slower decline in CD4 T cell counts was not due merely to lower HIV-1 RNA loads or an absence of syncytium-inducing/X4 HIV-1 subtype C strains in Ethiopians. CONCLUSIONS: Low baseline CD4 T cell counts do not imply shorter survival times in Ethiopians than in other populations, presumably because of a slower decline in CD4 T cell counts.     

Oxygen reduction reaction on Pt-skin Pt3V(111) fuel cell cathode: a density functional theory study

Pt-non-precious transition metals (Pt-NPTMs) alloy electrocatalysts have gained considerable attention to develop cheaper and efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this report, density functional theory (DFT) has been applied to study the catalytic activity of Pt-skin Pt₃V(111) electrocatalyst for ORR in PEMFCs. The results revealed that the ORR intermediates (O, OH and OOH) have lower binding energies on Pt-skin Pt₃V(111) compared to pure Pt(111) surface. The ORR on Pt-skin Pt₃V(111) surface proceed via OOH dissociation with an activation energy of 0.33 eV. The formation of OH is found to be the rate determining step with an activation energy of 0.64 eV, which is even lower than in pure Pt(111) surface (0.72 eV). This indicates a better performance of Pt-skin Pt₃V(111) for ORR compared to pure Pt(111) surface. Moreover, the DFT results revealed that the negative formation energy of the Pt₃V alloy and the positive dissolution potential shift of the surface Pt atoms revealed the better stability of Pt-skin Pt₃V(111) surface over pristine Pt(111) surface. Due to the improved activity and better stability, the new Pt₃V alloy electrocatalyst is very promising for the development of low-cost and efficient PEMFCs.

Pt-non-precious transition metals (Pt-NPTMs) alloy electrocatalysts have gained considerable attention to develop cheaper and efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).     

Mediators of socioeconomic inequalities in dietary behaviours among youth: A systematic review

Children and adolescents with a lower socioeconomic position have poorer dietary behaviours compared to their counterparts with a higher socioeconomic position. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind such socioeconomic inequalities is vital to identify targets for interventions aimed at tackling these inequalities. This systematic review aimed to summarize existing evidence regarding the mediators of socioeconomic differences in dietary behaviours among youth. A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases yielded 20 eligible studies. The dietary behaviours included in the reviewed studies were the intake of fruit and vegetables, sugar‐sweetened beverages, unhealthy snacks/fast food and breakfast. The consistent mediators of the effects of socioeconomic position on dietary behaviours among youth were: self‐efficacy, food preferences and knowledge at the intrapersonal level; and availability and accessibility of food items at home, food rules and parental modelling at the interpersonal level. Few studies including mediators at the organisational, community or policy levels were found. Our review found several modifiable factors at the intrapersonal and interpersonal levels that could be targeted in interventions aimed at combating inequalities in dietary behaviours among youth. Rigorous studies exploring organisational, community and policy level mediators are warranted.     

Boron and pyridinic nitrogen-doped graphene as potential catalysts for rechargeable non-aqueous sodium–air batteries

In this work, we performed density functional theory (DFT) analysis of nitrogen (N)- and boron (B)-doped graphene, and N,B-co-doped graphene as potential catalysts for rechargeable non-aqueous sodium–air batteries. Four steps of an NaO₂ growth and depletion mechanism model were implemented to study the effects of B- and N-doped and co-doped graphene on the reaction pathways, overpotentials, and equilibrium potentials. The DFT results revealed that two-boron- and three-nitrogen (pyridinic)-doped graphene exhibited plausible reaction pathways at the lowest overpotentials, especially during the charging process (approximately 200 mV), thus, significantly improving the oxygen reduction and oxidation reactions of pristine graphene. In addition, pyridinic nitrogen-doped graphene meaningfully increased the equilibrium potential by approximately 0.30 eV compared to the other graphene-based materials considered in this study. This detailed DFT study provides valuable data that can be used for the successful development of low-cost and efficient graphene-based catalysts for sodium–air battery systems operating with non-aqueous electrolyte.

We performed density functional theory analysis of heteroatom doped graphene as potential catalysts for rechargeable non-aqueous sodium–air batteries. Pyridinic nitrogen and boron doped graphene exhibited too low overpotential reaction pathways.     

Major histocompatibility complex class II antigen expression in nerves in leprosy; an immunoelectronmicroscopical study

A technique for immunoelectronmicroscopy has been used to investigate major histocompatibility class II expression in leprosy nerves. In normal nerves, endothelial cells and occasional endoneural cells (not Schwann cells) were constitutively class II positive. In both paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy nerve biopsies, infiltrating leukocytes were positive but class II-positive Schwann cells were not seen. These observations indicate that Schwann cells may not be involved in presenting Mycobacterium leprae antigens to T cells in leprosy. This conflicts with evidence from in vitro studies, but may be explained by the fact that in vivo Schwann cells are surrounded by basement membranes and are closely associated with axons.     

Cytomegalovirus colitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Twenty-four AIDS patients, who underwent gastrointestinal evaluation, died from their disease and were autopsied. Seven had Cytomegaloviruscolitis (group I) and 17 did not (group II). Clinical manifestations, digestive lesions, and infections were compared in the two groups. Chronic watery diarrhea was present in all the patients with colitis but was also present in 65% of the patients without colitis. Hematochezia was present only in the group with colitis (one of seven patients) but appeared late in the diarrheal course, due to necrotizing colitis. No other difference were noted between the two groups (mean duration of diarrhea, frequency and nature of the other infections). As for group I specifically,colonic ulcerations due to Cytomegaloviruswere present in all the patients, varying from punctate and superficial erosions to deep ulcerations, with granular and friable intervening mucosa. Severe colonic lesions appeared during the course of Cytomegaloviruscolitis in two patients who developed lethal necrotizing colitis. Finally, the clinical and pathologic features of these seven cases were compared to other reports of Cytomegalovirusinfection of the colon.     

Post-migration changes in gender relations among Ethiopian couples living in Canada.

The Ethiopian community ofToronto, Canada, has identified the prevention of marital conflict and partner abuse as a priority issue. Previous research and community discussions suggested that changes in gender relations following migration contribute to both marital conflict and partner abuse. The objective of this community-based pilot study was to explore post-migration changes in gender relations among Ethiopian couples in order to inform the development of violence-prevention strategies. Qualitative research methods and analyses were used. In-depth interviews and focus-group discussions were conducted with 8 couples who had been married in Ethiopia and migrated to Toronto. The findings indicate changes in gender relations following migration as well as concordant and discordant patterns of change. Change was found to be associated with factors such as age, number of years married, experience in a third country, and gender-role socialization. Implications for future research and nursing practice are discussed.     

A harmful traditional practice exposing young girls to experience virgin pregnancy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Shilshalo</Emphasis>): a qualitative study in Argoba community,Amhara National Regional State,Ethiopia

Background

There are various harmful traditional practices and beliefs across the different parts of Ethiopia. Shilshalo, which is yet little known about, is one of these practices existing in Argoba, a community in Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia. This study was conducted to explore the various features associated with the practice of Shilshalo.

Methods

To address the objective of the study, qualitative approach with case study design was employed. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants of the study. Data were collected through interview and focus group discussion and analyzed using thematic qualitative analysis technique.

Results

This study found that Shilshalo is practiced by unmarried young boys and girls as a substitute for sexual intercourse. The actors conduct all activities performed during sexual intercourse except inserting the boy’s genital organ (penis) into the girl’s (vagina). The activities include warming up the girls’ body by hand, kissing and brushing the girl’s thigh and the areas around the outer part of the vagina with the erected penis. Shilshalo is practiced in two ways, i.e. between a boy and a girl, and between boys and a girl. This study also indicated that most members of the Argoba community including the actors consider Shilshalo as a beneficial cultural practice, yet the most shocking story is that some teenage girls experienced unwanted pregnancy without losing their virginity. In addition to virgin pregnancy, Shilshalo exposed girls to STIs, psycho-social problems and physical injuries.

Conclusion

This study concluded that Shilshalo is a harmful traditional practice that severely affects the lives of girls. The overall health and social well beings of girls are affected by different saddles that came from it. It brings almost all kinds of consequences that the other harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriage bring. It is also worse than the other harmful traditional practices as it poses virgin pregnancy as an additional consequence. Therefore, it is suggested that international and national organizations working on issues related to harmful traditional practice should pay due attention to Shilshalo just like what they are doing with female genital mutilation and early marriage.