Fine-mapping of genetic loci driving spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus infection.

Approximately three quarters of acute hepatitis C (HCV) infections evolve to a chronic state, while one quarter are spontaneously cleared. Genetic predispositions strongly contribute to the development of chronicity. We have conducted a genome-wide association study to identify genomic variants underlying HCV spontaneous clearance using ImmunoChip in European and African ancestries.

A 320 Year Ice-Core Record of Atmospheric Hg Pollution in the Altai, Central Asia.

Anthropogenic emissions of the toxic heavy metal mercury (Hg) have substantially increased atmospheric Hg levels during the 20th century compared to preindustrial times. However, on a regional scale, atmospheric Hg concentration or deposition trends vary to such an extent during the industrial period that the consequences of recent Asian emissions on atmospheric Hg levels are still unclear. Here we present a 320 year Hg deposition history for Central Asia, based on a continuous high-resolution ice-core Hg record from the Belukha glacier in the Siberian Altai, covering the time period 1680-2001.

Ice-core evidence of earliest extensive copper metallurgy in the Andes 2700 years ago.

The importance of metallurgy for social and economic development is indisputable. Although copper (Cu) was essential for the wealth of pre- and post-colonial societies in the Andes, the onset of extensive Cu metallurgy in South America is still debated. Comprehensive archaeological findings point to first sophisticated Cu metallurgy during the Moche culture ~200-800 AD, whereas peat-bog records from southern South America suggest earliest pollution potentially from Cu smelting as far back as ~2000 BC.

Pb pollution from leaded gasoline in South America in the context of a 2000-year metallurgical history.

Exploitation of the extensive polymetallic deposits of the Andean Altiplano in South America since precolonial times has caused substantial emissions of neurotoxic lead (Pb) into the atmosphere; however, its historical significance compared to recent Pb pollution from leaded gasoline is not yet resolved. We present a comprehensive Pb emission history for the last two millennia for South America, based on a continuous, high-resolution, ice core record from Illimani glacier. Illimani is the highest mountain of the eastern Bolivian Andes and is located at the northeastern margin of the Andean Altiplano.

Reducing state employee health insurance costs.

(1) States and their employees spent $30.7 billion on health insurance premiums for state employees in 2013. (2) State employee health plan cost-sharing arrangements and premiums vary widely by state.

West Nile virus nucleic acid persistence in whole blood months after clearance in plasma: implication for transfusion and transplantation safety.

Background: Previous reports of West Nile virus (WNV) RNA persistence in blood compartments have raised concerns around the remaining risk of WNV transfusion transmission. This study characterized the dynamics of WNV viremia in blood compartments in a longitudinal cohort of 54 WNV-infected blood donors.

Study Design And Methods: Blood samples were collected throughout the year after WNV RNA-positive blood donation (index) and characterized for WNV immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG antibodies and for WNV RNA by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Providing health care coverage for former inmates.

(1) Prisoners have a higher prevalence of behavioral health disorders and chronic and infectious disease than the general population. (2) Suspending, rather than terminating, an inmate's Medicaid eligibility during incarceration helps facilitate coverage upon parole. (3) Policymakers are working to connect former inmates to coverage as a way to increase access to needed health services, decrease admissions to hospitals and emergency rooms, and reduce recidivism.

Comparison of Hepatitis C Virus RNA and antibody detection in dried blood spots and plasma specimens.

Background: Current diagnostic tests for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) involve phlebotomy and serologic testing for HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) and RNA, which are not always feasible. Dried blood spots (DBS) present a minimally invasive sampling method and are suitable for sample collection, storage and testing.

Objectives: To assess the utility of DBS in HCV detection, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of DBS for anti-HCV and HCV RNA detection compared to plasma specimens.

Ice-core based assessment of historical anthropogenic heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Sb, Zn) emissions in the Soviet Union.

The development of strategies and policies aiming at the reduction of environmental exposure to air pollution requires the assessment of historical emissions. Although anthropogenic emissions from the extended territory of the Soviet Union (SU) considerably influenced concentrations of heavy metals in the Northern Hemisphere, Pb is the only metal with long-term historical emission estimates for this region available, whereas for selected other metals only single values exist. Here we present the first study assessing long-term Cd, Cu, Sb, and Zn emissions in the SU during the period 1935-1991 based on ice-core concentration records from Belukha glacier in the Siberian Altai and emission data from 12 regions in the SU for the year 1980.

Development of a contemporary globally diverse HIV viral panel by the EQAPOL program.

The significant diversity among HIV-1 variants poses serious challenges for vaccine development and for developing sensitive assays for screening, surveillance, diagnosis, and clinical management. Recognizing a need to develop a panel of HIV representing the current genetic and geographic diversity NIH/NIAID contracted the External Quality Assurance Program Oversight Laboratory (EQAPOL) to isolate, characterize and establish panels of HIV-1 strains representing global diverse subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), and to make them available to the research community. HIV-positive plasma specimens and previously established isolates were collected through a variety of collaborations with a preference for samples from acutely/recently infected persons.

Human leukocyte antigen B*57 does not fully explain hepatitis C clearance in HIV controllers.

Objective: HIV controllers demonstrate high rates of spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B*57 and other genetic polymorphisms on HCV clearance in HIV controllers.

Design: This is a prospective cohort study.

Genome-wide association study of spontaneous resolution of hepatitis C virus infection: data from multiple cohorts.

Unlabelled: Chinese translation

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections occur worldwide and either spontaneously resolve or persist and markedly increase the person's lifetime risk for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although HCV persistence occurs more often in persons of African ancestry and persons with genetic variants near interleukin-28B (IL-28B), the genetic basis is not well-understood.

Objective: To evaluate the host genetic basis for spontaneous resolution of HCV infection.

Frequent longitudinal sampling of hepatitis C virus infection in injection drug users reveals intermittently detectable viremia and reinfection.

Background: Detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection and intercalation (ie, intermittent recurrent bouts of viremia with homologous virus interspersed with aviremic periods) requires extensive and frequent evaluation and viral sequencing.

Methods: HCV infection outcomes were studied prospectively in active injection drug users with recurrent HCV RNA-positive tests after serial negative results. HCV viremia and viral sequences (Core/E1) were assessed from monthly blood samples.

Distinct roles of trauma and transfusion in induction of immune modulation after injury.

Background: Trauma and transfusion can both alter immunity, and while transfusions are common among traumatically injured patients, few studies have examined their combined effects on immunity.

Study Design And Methods: We tracked the plasma levels of 41 immunomodulatory proteins in 56 trauma patients from time of injury up to 1 year later. In addition, a murine model was developed to distinguish between the effects of transfusion and underlying injury and blood loss.

Three centuries of Eastern European and Altai lead emissions recorded in a Belukha ice core.

Human activities have significantly altered atmospheric Pb concentrations and thus, its geochemical cycle, for thousands of years. Whereas historical Pb emissions from Western Europe, North America, and Asia are well documented, there is no equivalent data for Eastern Europe. Here, we present ice-core Pb concentrations for the period 1680-1995 from Belukha glacier in the Siberian Altai, assumed to be representative of emissions in Eastern Europe and the Altai.

Epidemiologic and laboratory findings from 3 years of testing United States blood donors for Trypanosoma cruzi.

Background: At most blood centers in the United States routine testing of donations for Trypanosoma cruzi using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is followed by supplemental testing by radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA). The objective of this study was to report the results of routine testing and risk factor data from allogeneic blood donors.

Study Design And Methods: T.

Genetic diversity of recently acquired and prevalent HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections in US blood donors.

Background: Genetic variations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) can affect diagnostic assays and therapeutic interventions. Recent changes in prevalence of subtypes/genotypes and drug/immune-escape variants were characterized by comparing recently infected vs more remotely infected blood donors.

Methods: Infected donors were identified among approximately 34 million US blood donations, 2006-2009; incident infections were defined as having no or low antiviral antibody titers.

A solid phase extraction-liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of concentrations of GDC-0941, a small molecule class I phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, to support clinical development.

A solid phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of GDC-0941 concentrations in human plasma has been developed and validated to support clinical development. An Oasis MCX 10mg 96-well SPE plate was used to extract plasma samples (50 μL) and the resulting extracts were analyzed using reverse-phase chromatography and mass spectrometer coupled with a turbo-ionspray interface. The method was validated over the calibration curve range 0.

Iron deficiency in blood donors: the REDS-II Donor Iron Status Evaluation (RISE) study.

Background: Blood donors are at risk of iron deficiency. We evaluated the effects of blood donation intensity on iron and hemoglobin (Hb) in a prospective study.

Study Design And Methods: Four cohorts of frequent and first-time or reactivated (FT/RA) blood donors (no donation in 2 years), female and male, totaling 2425, were characterized and followed as they donated blood frequently.