Evolutionary dynamics of genetic variation in Epstein-Barr virus isolates of diverse geographical origins: evidence for immune pressure-independent genetic drift

The question whether immune pressure exerted by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) can influence the long-term evolution of genetically stable viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has generated considerable scientific interest, primarily due to its important implications for the overall biology of the virus. While arguing for a role of CTLs in the evolution of viruses, it is important to differentiate between genetic variation in virus and immune recognition of these variant virus by CTLs. To assess the role of genetic selection in the long-term evolution of EBV, we have analyzed a large panel of type 1 EBV isolates from African, Southeast Asian, Papua-New Guinean (PNG), and Australian Caucasian individuals. Seven different regions of the EBV genome, which include nine CTL epitopes restricted through a range of HLA class I alleles, were sequenced and compared. Although numerous nucleotide changes were identified within these isolates, comparison of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions in the CTL epitope indicated that the genetic variation was generated mostly independently of immune selection pressure. Surprisingly, an inverse correlation between genetic variation within certain CTL epitopes and the frequency distribution of HLA alleles that present the CTL epitopes was seen, suggesting that the evolutionary pressures on the CTL epitopes of the virus may be toward their conservation rather than their inactivation. Furthermore, molecular evolutionary genetic analysis of nucleotide sequences revealed that viral isolates from PNG are evolving as a lineage distinct from isolates from African, Southeast Asian, and Australian Caucasian individuals.     

HIV risk reduction for incarcerated women: A comparison of brief interventions based on two theoretical models.

Although female inmates are seropositive at rates that exceed those of male inmates, few studies have evaluated HIV risk reduction interventions for incarcerated women. This demonstration project compared an intervention based on social cognitive theory against a comparison condition based on the theory of gender and power. Incarcerated women (N?=?90) were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and again 6 months later. Both interventions produced increased self efficacy, self-esteem, Attitudes Toward Prevention Scale scores, AIDS knowledge, communication skill, and condom application skills that maintained through the 6-month follow-up period. Participants in the intervention based on social cognitive theory showed greater improvement in condom application skills, and women in the program based on the theory of gender and power evidenced greater commitment to change. The results suggests brief interventions in prison settings are feasible and beneficial. However, it is not yet known whether the changes will generalize into the natural environment after the women' s release into the community. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Adults' interpretation of infants' acts.

Adults are often viewed as skilled interpreters who understand infants' acts even when they are unconventional and diffuse. The first step in interpretation—the selection of acts from the stream of behavior—is examined here. One hundred forty adults (mothers and fathers and other men and women) viewed videotapes of 9-, 15-, and 21-month-old infants. One half of the subjects were asked to note times when they thought the baby performed a meaningful act; the other half of the subjects were asked to note an intentionally communicative act. Times were recorded by a microcomputer. Parents selected more meaningful acts than nonparents and agreed more about selection of all acts. All subjects agreed more about intentionally communicative than about meaningful acts, at least for older infants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Genetic Algorithm Hybrid for Constructing Optimal Response Surface Designs

Hybrid heuristic optimization methods can discover efficient experiment designs in situations where traditional designs cannot be applied, exchange methods are ineffective, and simple heuristics like simulated annealing fail to find good solutions. One such heuristic hybrid is GASA (genetic algorithm–simulated annealing), developed to take advantage of the exploratory power of the genetic algorithm, while utilizing the local optimum exploitive properties of simulated annealing. The successful application of this method is demonstrated in a difficult design problem with multiple optimization criteria in an irregularly shaped design region. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gastrointestinal manifestations of vascular anomalies in childhood: varied etiologies require multiple therapeutic modalities

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Vascular anomalies, including hemangiomas and vascular malformations afford complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges when gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are present. METHODS: Twenty-one patients evaluated or treated in our Vascular Anomalies Program from 1993 through 1997 were reviewed retrospectively with regard to presentation, treatment modalities, and outcome. RESULTS: Four patients had hemangiomas, and 17 had various vascular malformations. GI symptoms began in infancy or early childhood in all patients. Manifestations included GI bleeding (n = 15), obstruction (n = 2), diarrhea (n = 2), ascites (n = 2), pain (n = 1), emesis (n = 1), ileo-ileal intussusception (n = 1), protein-losing enteropathy (n = 1), and hypersplenism (n = 1). Four patients had proven portal hypertension. Fourteen had associated musculoskeletal or cutaneous lesions. Congestive heart failure, partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, pulmonary edema, and pleural or pericardial effusion occurred in one patient each. Bleeding was the most common symptom of both hemangiomas and malformations. Of four patients with hemangiomas, three were treated with corticosteroids or interferon. Endoscopic banding and embolization of an associated arterioportal hepatic shunt were each used in one patient. One patient died. The malformations were treated with resection (n = 8), endoscopic banding or sclerosis (n = 7), percutaneous or intraoperative sclerosis (n = 5), embolization or device interruption (n = 3), and portosystemic shunt (n = 2). GI symptoms were ameliorated in 12 patients with malformation, improved in two, unchanged in two, and one died after prolonged palliation. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular anomalies with gastrointestinal manifestations are heterogeneous in their presentation and type. Although bleeding is the most common symptom of both hemangiomas and vascular malformations, treatment differs. Pharmacological angiogenesis inhibition is the mainstay of hemangioma therapy. Resection, endoscopic or radiologic vascular obliteration, and portal decompression are important in treating vascular malformations. An individualized and interdisciplinary approach is often required to successfully diagnose and treat these complex lesions.     

Violence and risk of PTSD, major depression, substance abuse/dependence, and comorbidity: Results from the National Survey of Adolescents.

With a national household probability sample of 4,023 telephone-interviewed adolescents ages 12-17, this study provides prevalence, comorbidity, and risk-factor data for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive episode (MDE), and substance abuse/dependence (SA/D). Roughly 16% of boys and 19% of girls met criteria for at least 1 diagnosis. Six-month PTSD prevalence was 3.7% for boys and 6.3% for girls, 6-month MDE prevalence was 7.4% for boys and 13.9% for girls. and 12-month SAM prevalence was 8.2% for boys and 6.2% for girls. PTSD was more likely to be comorbid than were MDE and SA/D. Results generally support the hypothesis that exposure to interpersonal violence (i.e., physical assault, sexual assault, or witnessed violence) increases the risk of these disorders and of diagnostic comorbidity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The determination of the atmospheric optical thickness over Western Europe using SeaWiFS imagery

The first results obtained from the aerosol-cloud retrieval algorithm (developed at the University of Bremen) are presented. The algorithm enables the observation of the regional characteristics of aerosol and cloud optical thickness both over land and ocean surfaces. The aerosol and cloud optical thickness over Western Europe is derived from the high-resolution SeaWiFS data for October 11, 2001 (11:30 UTC). The most probable value of the aerosol optical thickness was found to be equal approximately 0.25. The frequency distributions of the aerosol and cloud optical thickness are skewed and have long tails for larger optical thickness. It was found that retrieved values of the aerosol optical thickness at wavelengths 0.412 and 0.440 /spl mu/m are close to those measured by five ground-based instruments placed at different locations. The problems related to the retrieval of the atmospheric optical thickness from space are discussed.     

Stereotypic and nonstereotypic sex role trait and behavior orientations: Implications for personal adjustment.

We tested three competing hypotheses: traditional assumptions that sex-typed traits and behaviors are necessary for optimal adjustment (sex role congruence model); the contemporary androgyny hypothesis, which posits that transcendence of narrow sex typing permits enhanced psychological functioning; and the empirically based masculinity model, which states that psychological health in both men and women is primarily a function of masculine, instrumental traits. Measures of sex role traits, attitudes, and behaviors and scales assessing self-esteem and adjustment were administered to 411 college men and women. Sex role attitudes did not covary with individual differences in adjustment, but sex role traits and behaviors did. Masculine traits and behaviors had broadly positive implications for self-esteem and adjustment for women as well as for men. Feminine qualities did not relate to the adjustment indices as strongly or consistently as masculine ones did, but they did contribute positively to most indices and played a central role in communal self-esteem components. Overall, no support was found for the traditional congruence model, but both the androgyny and masculinity models were supported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)