Binding of Inhibitors to Nuclear Localization Signal Peptide from Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Capsid Protein Explored with All-Atom Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics.

Several small molecule inhibitors have been designed to block binding of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence to the importin-α nuclear transport protein. To probe the inhibition mechanism on a molecular level, we used all-atom explicit water replica exchange molecular dynamics to study the binding of two inhibitors, I1 and I2, to the coreNLS peptide, representing the core fragment of the VEEV NLS sequence. Our objective was to evaluate the possibility of masking wherein binding of these inhibitors to the coreNLS occurs prior to its binding to importin-α.

Competitive Binding of Viral Nuclear Localization Signal Peptide and Inhibitor Ligands to Importin-α Nuclear Transport Protein.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a highly virulent pathogen whose nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence from capsid protein binds to the host importin-α transport protein and blocks nuclear import. We studied the molecular mechanisms by which two small ligands, termed I1 and I2, interfere with the binding of VEEV's NLS peptide to importin-α protein. To this end, we performed all-atom replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations probing the competitive binding of the VEEV coreNLS peptide and I1 or I2 ligand to the importin-α major NLS binding site.

Thickness-dependent electronic relaxation dynamics in solution-phase redox-exfoliated MoS2 heterostructures.

Electronic relaxation dynamics of solution-phase redox-exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) monolayer and multilayer ensembles are described. MoS2 was exfoliated using polyoxometalate (POM) reductants. This process yields a colloidal heterostructure consisting of MoS2 2D sheet multilayers with surface-bound POM complexes.

Abigail Geisinger Primary Care Scholars: An Innovative Educational Program Addressing Critical Workforce Needs.

The number of primary care physicians in the United States is inadequate to meet current or projected needs. This is likely exacerbated by continuing increases in the cost of medical education and student debt. The Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine is part of an integrated care delivery system in which primary care is central to managing health, improving access, and advancing value-based care.

Ultrafast relaxation dynamics of Au(SCH) monolayer-protected clusters resolved by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy.

Electronic relaxation dynamics of neutral Au(SCH) monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs), following excitation of the mixed 15 875 cm charge transfer resonance, were studied using femtosecond transient absorption (fsTA) and two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES). The excited carriers relax by three different mechanisms, including an ∼100 fs HOMO to HOMO hole transfer, picosecond HOMO to HOMO hole transfer, and subsequent electron-hole recombination that persisted beyond the hundreds of picoseconds measurement range. The fsTA data revealed two transient bleach components at 15 820 and 15 625 cm, where the lower frequency component exhibited a delayed first-order buildup of 80 ± 25 fs that matched the decay of the high-energy bleach component (110 ± 45 fs).

Sociodemographic Correlates of Self-reported Discrimination in HIV Health Care Settings Among Persons With Diagnosed HIV in the United States, Medical Monitoring Project, 2018-2019.

Background: HIV-related discrimination in health care settings is associated with negative health outcomes among persons with HIV (PWH). This article describes and compares differences in the prevalence of self-reported experiences with discrimination in health care settings by sociodemographic and clinical care factors among persons with diagnosed HIV in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed interview and medical record data collected during June 2018-May 2019 from 3850 PWH who had received HIV care in the past 12 months.

Black men who have sex with men living in states with HIV criminalization laws report high stigma, 23 U.S. cities, 2017.

Objectives: To examine the association between HIV laws, perceived community stigma, and behaviors and to compare differences between and within Black and White men who have sex with men (MSM).

Design/methods: National HIV Behavioral Surveillance conducted interviews and HIV testing with MSM in 23 U.S.

Effectiveness of HIV Stigma Interventions for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) With and Without HIV in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.

Stigma may contribute to HIV disparities for men who have sex with men (MSM). This systematic review quantified the effects of HIV stigma interventions for MSM on stigma and sex risk. We conducted a systematic search to identify US-based studies published between 2000 and June 2019 focused on HIV and MSM, and either measured stigma pre-post or included a stigma intervention component.

Experienced Homophobia and HIV Infection Risk Among U.S. Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Meta-Analysis.

Experienced homophobia-negative treatment and perceptions that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) encounter because of their sexual orientations-may promote HIV infection among MSM. We conducted a rapid review and meta-analysis to examine experienced homophobia in relation to HIV infection risk. We searched Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts to acquire data from U.

Synthetic Control of Hot-Electron Thermalization Efficiency in Size-Tunable Au-Pt Hybrid Nanoparticles.

Gold nanoparticles are well-known to exhibit size-dependent properties that are responsible for their unique catalytic, optical, and electronic applications. However, electron-phonon coupling, which is important for photocatalysis and light harvesting, is one of the rare properties of gold that is size-independent above a threshold value, , for nanospheres larger than approximately 5 nm in diameter. Here, we show that when interfaced to a comparably sized Pt nanoparticle, the electron-phonon coupling constant of the hybrid material depends on the diameter of the Au domain.

Trends in Diagnosis of HIV Infection, Linkage to Medical Care, and Viral Suppression Among Men Who Have Sex with Men, by Race/Ethnicity and Age - 33 Jurisdictions, United States, 2014-2018.

During 2018, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 69.4% of all diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States (1). Moreover, in all 42 jurisdictions with complete laboratory reporting of CD4 and viral load results,* percentages of MSM linked to care within 1 month (80.

Resolving Electron-Electron Scattering in Plasmonic Nanorod Ensembles Using Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy.

The use of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) to study electron-electron scattering dynamics in plasmonic gold nanorods is described. The 2DES resolved the time-dependent plasmon homogeneous line width Γ(), which was sensitive to changes in Fermi-level carrier densities. This approach was effective because electronic excitation accelerated plasmon dephasing, which broadened Γ.

Associations Between Neighborhood Problems and Sexual Behaviors Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Deep South: The MARI Study.

There is a disproportionately high HIV incidence among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) despite equal or lower levels of HIV risk behaviors compared to White MSM. Due to high levels of racial segregation in the U.S.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men - 23 Urban Areas, 2017.

In 2017, preliminary data show that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 67% of new diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, that MSM who inject drugs accounted for an additional 3%, and that African American/black (black) and Hispanic/Latino (Hispanic) MSM were disproportionately affected (1). During 2010-2015, racial/ethnic disparities in HIV incidence increased among MSM; in 2015, rates among black and Hispanic MSM were 10.5 and 4.

Reducing the African American HIV Disease Burden in the Deep South: Addressing the Role of Faith and Spirituality.

Nearly half of HIV infections in the United States are concentrated among African Americans, and over half of new HIV infections occur in the South. African Americans have poorer outcomes in the entire continua of HIV and PrEP care. Complex social, structural, and behavioral factors contribute to our nation's alarming racial disparities in HIV infection, particularly in the Deep South.

Changes in Disparities in Estimated HIV Incidence Rates Among Black, Hispanic/Latino, and White Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in the United States, 2010-2015.

Background: During 2008-2015, the estimated annual HIV incidence rate in the United States decreased for each transmission risk category, except for men who have sex with men (MSM). Racial/ethnic disparities exist, with higher incidence rates for Black and Hispanic/Latino MSM.

Setting: This analysis examines changes, 2010-2015, in disparities of HIV incidence among Black, Hispanic/Latino and White MSM.

Recent US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Activities to Reduce HIV Stigma.

HIV stigma affects many persons living with HIV in the United States, and reducing stigma is central to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) mission to promote health and prevent HIV transmission. To this end, CDC funds and implements programmatic activities, research, communication campaigns, and monitoring through data collection and public health surveillance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded programs have developed promising interventions and educational materials for reducing HIV stigma.

Cross-site Monitoring and Evaluation of the Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project, 2012-2016: Selected Process and Short-term Outcomes.

Objective: The Care and Prevention in the United States (CAPUS) Demonstration Project was a 4-year (2012-2016) cross-agency demonstration project that aimed to reduce HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality among racial/ethnic minority groups in 8 states (Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia). Its goals were to increase the identification of undiagnosed HIV infections and optimize the linkage to, reengagement with, and retention in care and prevention services for people with HIV (PWH). We present descriptive findings to answer selected cross-site process and short-term outcome monitoring and evaluation questions.