Social determinants of participation in genetic research among Puerto Ricans and in the Puerto Rican diaspora.

Puerto Ricans are underrepresented in genetic research. This underrepresentation denies Puerto Ricans the benefit from therapeutic developments that could mitigate health disparities arising from conditions for which genetically-derived treatments exist. The Puerto Rican diaspora, especially post-2017 due to economic and environmental crises, has expanded within the USA.

Identification and molecular characterization of SIV Vpr R50G mutation associated with long term survival in SIV-infected morphine dependent and control macaques.

Viral protein R (Vpr) is an accessory protein of HIV and SIV involved in the pathogenesis of viral infection. In this study, we monitored SIV evolution in the central nervous system and other organs from morphine-dependent and control animals by sequencing vpr in an attempt to understand the relationship between drug abuse, disease progression, and compartmentalization of viral evolution. Animals in the morphine group developed accelerated disease and died within twenty weeks post-infection.

Accelerated evolution of SIV env within the cerebral compartment in the setting of morphine-dependent rapid disease progression.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) have been shown to compartmentalize within various tissues, including the brain. However, the evolution of viral quasispecies in the setting of drug abuse has not been characterized. The goal of this study was to examine viral evolution in the cerebral compartment of morphine-dependent and control macaques to determine its role in rapid disease progression.