Balanced anesthesia in pigeons (): a protocol that ensures stable vital parameters and feasibility during long surgeries in cognitive neuroscience.

In neuroscience, numerous experimental procedures in animal models require surgical interventions, such as the implantation of recording electrodes or cannulas before main experiments. These surgeries can take several hours and should rely on principles that are common in the field of research and medicine. Considering the characteristics of the avian respiratory physiology, the development of a safe and replicable protocol for birds is necessary to minimize side effects of anesthetic agents, circumvent technical limitations due to the insufficient availability of patient monitoring, and to maintain stable intraoperative anesthesia.

Host genetic variation at a locus near CHD1L impacts HIV sequence diversity in a South African population.

It has been previously shown that genetic variants near on chromosome 1 are associated with reduced HIV VL in African populations. However, the impact of these variants on viral diversity and how they restrict viral replication are unknown. We report on a regional association analysis in a South African population and show evidence of selective pressure by variants near on HIV RT and gag.

Africa-specific human genetic variation near CHD1L associates with HIV-1 load.

HIV-1 remains a global health crisis, highlighting the need to identify new targets for therapies. Here, given the disproportionate HIV-1 burden and marked human genome diversity in Africa, we assessed the genetic determinants of control of set-point viral load in 3,879 people of African ancestries living with HIV-1 participating in the international collaboration for the genomics of HIV. We identify a previously undescribed association signal on chromosome 1 where the peak variant associates with an approximately 0.

Multiancestry sex-stratified genomic associations with HIV viral load and controller status from the ICGH.

Biological sex and host genetics influence HIV pathogenesis. Females have a higher likelihood of spontaneous viral control and lower set point viral load (spVL). No prior studies have assessed sex-specific genetics of HIV.

Trigeminal ganglion and sensory nerves suggest tactile specialization of elephants.

Sensory nerves are information bottlenecks giving rise to distinct sensory worlds across animal species. Here, we investigate trigeminal ganglion and sensory nerves of elephants. The elephant trigeminal ganglion is very large.

A hierarchical processing unit for multi-component behavior in the avian brain.

Multi-component behavior is a form of goal-directed behavior that depends on the ability to execute various responses in a precise temporal order. Even though this function is vital for any species, little is known about how non-mammalian species accomplish such behavior and what the underlying neural mechanisms are. We show that humans and a non-mammalian species (pigeons) perform equally well in multi-component behavior and provide a validated experimental approach useful for cross-species comparisons.

AAV1 is the optimal viral vector for optogenetic experiments in pigeons (Columba livia).

Although optogenetics has revolutionized rodent neuroscience, it is still rarely used in other model organisms as the efficiencies of viral gene transfer differ between species and comprehensive viral transduction studies are rare. However, for comparative research, birds offer valuable model organisms as they have excellent visual and cognitive capabilities. Therefore, the following study establishes optogenetics in pigeons on histological, physiological, and behavioral levels.

Minding the gap in HIV host genetics: opportunities and challenges.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been successful in identifying and confirming novel genetic variants that are associated with diverse HIV phenotypes. However, these studies have predominantly focused on European cohorts. HLA molecules have been consistently associated with HIV outcomes, some of which have been found to be population specific, underscoring the need for diversity in GWAS.

HLA Class II Antigens and Their Interactive Effect on Perinatal Mother-To-Child HIV-1 Transmission.

HLA class II antigens are central in initiating antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses to HIV-1. Specific alleles have been associated with differential responses to HIV-1 infection and disease among adults. This study aims to determine the influence of HLA class II genes and their interactive effect on mother-child perinatal transmission in a drug naïve, Mother-Child HIV transmission cohort established in Kenya, Africa in 1986.

Volcanism on Mars controlled by early oxidation of the upper mantle.

Detailed information about the chemical composition and evolution of Mars has been derived principally from the SNC (shergottite-nakhlite-chassignite) meteorites, which are genetically related igneous rocks of Martian origin. They are chemically and texturally similar to terrestrial basalts and cumulates, except that they have higher concentrations of iron and volatile elements such as phosphorus and chlorine and lower concentrations of nickel and other chalcophile (sulphur-loving) elements. Most Martian meteorites have relatively young crystallization ages (1.

Immunogenicity of sequences around HIV-1 protease cleavage sites: potential targets and population coverage analysis for a HIV vaccine targeting protease cleavage sites.

Developing an effective preventative vaccine against HIV-1 has proved to be a great challenge. The classical and proven vaccine approach has failed so far or produced a modest effect, new approaches are needed. In this study we evaluated the immunogenicity of the sequences around the protease cleavage sites (PCS) and the population coverage of a vaccine targeting HIV-1 PCS.

A genetic polymorphism of FREM1 is associated with resistance against HIV infection in the Pumwani sex worker cohort.

A subgroup of women enrolled in the Pumwani sex worker cohort remain seronegative and PCR negative for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 despite repeated exposure through high-risk sex work. Studies have shown that polymorphisms of genes involved in antigen presentation and viral restriction factors are associated with resistance to HIV infection. To discover other possible genetic factors underlying this HIV-resistant phenotype, we conducted an exploratory nonbiased, low-resolution, genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis comparing 60 HIV-resistant women to 48 HIV-infected controls.

The role of G protein gene GNB3 C825T polymorphism in HIV-1 acquisition, progression and immune activation.

Background: The GNB3 C825T polymorphism is associated with increased G protein-mediated signal transduction, SDF-1α-mediated lymphocyte chemotaxis, accelerated HIV-1 progression, and altered responses to antiretroviral therapy among Caucasian subjects. The GNB3 825T allele is highly prevalent in African populations, and as such any impact on HIV-1 acquisition or progression rates could have a dramatic impact. This study examines the association of the 825T polymorphism with HIV-1 acquisition, disease progression and immune activation in two African cohorts.

A TRIM5alpha exon 2 polymorphism is associated with protection from HIV-1 infection in the Pumwani sex worker cohort.

Objective: The innate immune component TRIM5alpha has the ability to restrict retrovirus infection in a species-specific manner. TRIM5alpha of some primate species restricts infection by HIV-1, whereas human TRIM5alpha lacks this specificity. Previous studies have suggested that certain polymorphisms in human TRIM5alpha may enhance or impair the proteins affinity for HIV-1.

Infant CD4 C868T polymorphism is associated with increased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) acquisition.

The C868T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CD4 receptor encodes an amino acid change that could alter its structure and influence human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection risk. HIV-1-infected pregnant women in Nairobi were followed with their infants for 1 year postpartum. Among 131 infants, those with the 868T allele were more likely than wild-type infants to acquire HIV-1 overall [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.