During severe infection, Streptococcuspneumoniae invades the myocardium, causing life-threatening cardiac complications. Bacterial genome-wide association studies implicate a specific allele of the gene encoding zinc metalloprotease B (ZmpB) as a key determinant of S. pneumoniae-mediated cardiac damage. In mouse models, ZmpB-deficient S. pneumoniae show reduced cardiac microlesion formation, and immunization with recombinant ZmpB confers protection. ZmpB-deficient S. pneumoniae are also attenuated in their ability…

Over the past 15 years, the evidence has clearly demonstrated that massive black hole (MBH) binary merger timescales depend strongly on the structural and kinematic properties of their host galaxy. Stellar density, gas content, shape and kinematics all play a role, combining in non-linear ways to effect the evolution of the binary. The binary properties themselves, such as eccentricity, mass ratio, and orbital plane, all matter as well. This makes it nontrivial to estimate accurate cosmological MBH binary merger r…

Abstract Background Estimating the time since HIV infection (TSI) at population level is essential for tracking changes in the global HIV epidemic. Most methods for determining TSI give a binary classification of infections as recent or non-recent within a window of several months, and cannot assess the cumulative impact of an intervention. Results We developed a Random Forest Regression model, HIV-phyloTSI, which combines measures of within-host diversity and divergence to generate continuous TSI estimates direct…

Using plasma NfL as a surrogate marker, a decrease in neuro-axonal injury was observed in a cohort of participants following ART initiation during PHI, with no evidence of neuro-axonal injury rebound following ART interruption for up to 12 weeks, despite viral rebound in the majority of participants.

Background Individuals who have recently acquired HIV represent a unique population because the time frame since HIV acquisition is relatively short and identification of missed HIV prevention opportunities is, therefore, closer to real time and less subject to recall bias. Identifying prevention measures used and missed opportunities for using them, can help stop further HIV transmission. Objectives This systematic review aims to synthesise current global evidence on uptake of HIV prevention methods among people …