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The soil organic matter (SOM) and soil total nitrogen (STN) is a significant concern in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. This study analysed the spatial distribution of SOM and STN and determined their influencing factors to support the conservation of cultivated soil and development of sustainable agricultural strategies in the Plateau. In total, 120 soil samples were collected from the 0–20-cm soil layer in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province. Traditional statistical and geostatistical methods were used to analyse the spatial distribution of SOM and STN; a geographical detector (GeoDetector)was used to explore the factors influencing the spatial variation. The SOM and STN concentrations were 6.92–44.57 and 0.52–2.54 g/kg, respectively. The Cokriging interpolation map showed a similar spatial distribution pattern for SOM and STN concentrations, which decreased from the northeast to southwest directions in the study area. GeoDetector results revealed that the three primary factors influencing the spatial variability of SOM and STN were soil type, annual accumulated precipitation and elevation, with their explanatory power ranging between 38.4% and 59.5%. Two-factor interactions enhanced the explanatory power of the spatial variability of SOM and STN. The research results provide a reference for conservation tillage and precision agriculture.

Abstract Cardiac fibrosis is associated with activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), a pathological, phenotypic transition that is widely believed to be irreversible in the late stages of disease development. Sensing of a stiffened mechanical environment through regulation of integrin-based adhesion plaques and activation of the Piezo1 mechanosensitive ion channel is known to factor into this transition. Here, using integrated in vitro and in silico models, we discovered a mutually reinforcing, mechanical positive feedback loop between integrin β1 and Piezo1 activation that forms a bistable switch. The bistable switch is initiated by perturbations in matrix elastic modulus that amplify to trigger downstream signaling involving Ca2+ and YAP that, recursively, leads fibroblasts to further stiffen their environment. By simultaneously interfering with the newly identified mechanical positive feedback loop and modulating matrix elastic modulus, we reversed markers of phenotypical transition of CF, suggesting new therapeutic targets for fibrotic disease.

Accurate computational models of sintering behavior would assist to enhance sinter quality and are anticipated to play a role in yield prediction. Sintering is a vital process in the manufacturing of iron and steel. As a consequence, the primary objective of these models will be a thorough simulation of mass and heat transport during the sintering process. In this paper, based on the examination and integration of previous studies, the fundamental physical formula and chemical reactions of the numerical simulation of the sintering process are introduced in depth with mechanism analysis. Furthermore, in view of the current numerical simulation methods and sintering process technology innovation development, the studies on sintering numerical simulation are reviewed from different angles, of which the main methods and assumptions are discussed. Finally, the current state of sintering simulation including the numerical simulation of innovative algorithm and optimized sintering technology is discussed in detail, along with potential implications for model development.

ObjectiveACAN gene variants are an important cause of familial short stature (FSS). Appropriate growth-promoting therapies effectively improve the patient height. Here, we report a therapeutic assessment of cases of seven families of FSS patients with heterozygous ACAN variants. Our findings provide a valuable theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.MethodsFrom December 2020 to June 2021, 32 FSS patients were examined in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital (Tianjin, China) by whole-exome sequencing to determine whether ACAN variants were present. Their clinical data were summarized and scrupulously analyzed.ResultsWe found seven novel heterozygous ACAN variants: c.1051 + 2T > A, c.313T > C (p.S105P), c.2660C > G (p.S887X), c.2153C > A (p. T718K), c.7243delG (p.D2415Tfs*4), c.2911G > T (p.G971X), c.758-7T > C. All seven patients had proportionate short stature and mild skeletal dysplasia. Endocrine examination results were normal. Only one of the patients had an advanced bone age (1.1 years older than chronological age), whereas the other patients had normal bone ages. All of them had a family history of short stature, with or without osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease. All seven patients accepted treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and were regularly followed up. One patient did not come at the follow-up visit. The height of the remaining six patients before and after the treatment was −2.89 ± 0.68 SDS, −1.91 ± 0.93 SDS, respectively, with a treatment course of 1.85 ± 1.91 years. A good therapeutic response was observed in all of them.ConclusionsIn this study, seven novel heterozygous variants in ACAN were discovered, which expanded the spectrum of the already established ACAN pathogenic variants. In FSS cohort, the proportion of ACAN variants accounted was large. The treatment with rhGH effectively increased the patient height, but further studies with longer follow-up periods and more extensive observations are required to elucidate the long-term effect.

In recent years, with the increasing of wind power development, the demand for low voltage ride-through (LVRT) technology was proposed to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the power system. The key issue of LVRT strategy for doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) varies according to the network synchronisation modes. Firstly, the existed LVRT technologies when DFIG is connected to AC network are surveyed. Then relevant literatures about LVRT are summarised and analysed in regard to power surplus of two-terminal system and DC voltage control of multi-terminal system, respectively, when the wind farm is integrated with VSC-high-voltage direct current (HVDC). In the end, the coordinated control strategy of multi-terminal VSC–HVDC system and LVRT technology for islanded system are prospected in this study.

Effect of the use of biochar and leaves of Tithonia diversifolia combined with mineral fertilizer on maize (Zea mays L.) and the properties of ferralitic soil in Kinshasa (DRC). Description. This article deals with the improvement of the productivity of (poor) sandy and acidic soils in Kinshasa (DRC) using local natural resources in addition to mineral fertilization. Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ground charcoal (biochar) and Tithonia diversifolia leaves combined with mineral fertilizer on soil properties and on the performance of the maize crop. Method. Five treatments and an eyewitness: T0 (control), T1 (N120 P141 K134), T2 ([N60 P71 K67] + 30 t·ha-1 biochar), T3 ([N60 P71 K67] + 8 t·ha-1 T. diversifolia), T4 ([N120 P141 K134] + 30 t·ha-1 biochar), T5 (N160 P188 K179) repeated four times were compared in a randomized complete block. Physical and/or chemical analyses were carried out on the ground, on T. diversifolia leaves and on maize biomass. Results. The results showed that application of biochar and T. diversifolia leaves combined with mineral fertilizers increased the carbon content, the potassium content and the cation exchange capacity of the soil as well as grain yield, exports of mineral elements and the apparent coefficient of mineral elements use by the crop. Treatments under biochar reduced acidity and aluminum saturation with an improvement of the soil's phosphorus availability. Taking into account the acceptability index, the T3 (AI = 3.06), T4 (AI = 2.92) and T2 (AI = 2.14), it would be possible for these treatments to be easily accepted by farmers. Conclusions. The results of this study provide an opportunity to improve the productivity of poor soils in Kinshasa and to increase the crop performance for a period of two campaigns with the use of biochar and T. diversifolia leaves in addition to mineral fertilizer.

This study aims to investigate the effect of water on the properties of cast in situ foamed concrete with a dry density of 300–800 kg/m3 (100 kg/m3 is a gradient). Firstly, the shrinkage deformation with the curing time and the volumetric moisture content is studied by the drying shrinkage test and improved drying shrinkage test. Secondly, the influence of volumetric moisture content on mechanical properties is assessed. At last, the effects of immersion time and immersion type on the mechanical properties of foamed concrete are studied by considering the water-level conditions. The achieved results show that the shrinkage deformations increase with the curing time for the drying shrinkage test and the improved drying shrinkage test, while the variations are different. The shrinkage deformation increases with the decrease of volumetric moisture content for six dry densities of foamed concrete. Besides, it gradually changes in the early stage, while it changes fast in the later stage. The compressive strength and elastic modulus decrease with the increase of volumetric moisture content for each density. For the water-level unchanged condition, the compressive strength and elastic modulus initially decrease and then slowly increase with the increase of the immersion time. For the water-level changed condition, the compressive strength and elastic modulus of foamed concrete decrease with the increase of immersion time for each dry density, and the rate of early attenuation is high, whereas the rate of later attenuation is limited.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein Ab disease, and autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) are autoantibody-mediated neurologic conditions where autoantibodies can induce Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a NK cell-mediated effector function. However, whether ADCC is a pathogenic mechanism in patients with these conditions has not been confirmed. We sought to characterize circulatory NK cells using functional assays, phenotyping, and transcriptomics to elucidate their role in pathology. NK cells from NMOSD patients and MG patients with elevated disease burden exhibited reduced ADCC and CD56dimCD16hi NK cells, along with an elevated frequency of CD56dimCD16dim/- NK cells. We determined that ADCC induces a similar phenotypic shift in vitro. Bulk RNA sequencing distinguished the CD56dimCD16dim/- population from the canonical CD56dimCD16hi cytotoxic and CD56hiCD16- immunomodulatory subsets, as well as CD56hiCD16+ NK cells. Multiparameter immunophenotyping of NK cell markers, functional proteins, and receptors similarly showed that the CD56dimCD16dim/- subset exhibits a unique profile while still maintaining expression of characteristic NK markers CD56, CD94, and NKp44. Notably, expression of perforin and granzyme is reduced in comparison with CD56dimCD16hi NK cells. Moreover, they exhibit elevated trogocytosis capability, HLA-DR expression, and many chemokine receptors, including CCR7. In contrast with NMOSD and MG, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein Ab disease NK cells did not exhibit functional, phenotypic, or transcriptomic perturbations. In summary, CD56dimCD16dim/- NK cells are a distinct peripheral blood immune cell population in humans elevated upon prior cytotoxic activity by the CD56dimCD16hi NK cell subset. The elevation of this subset in NMOSD and MG patients suggests prior ADCC activity., (Copyright © 2024 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

How to develop highly informative serology assays to evaluate the quality of immune protection against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has been a global pursuit over the past years. Here, a microfluidic high-plex immuno-serolomic assay is developed to simultaneously measure50 plasma or serum samples for50 soluble markers including 35proteins, 11 anti-spike/receptor binding domian (RBD) IgG antibodies spanningmajor variants, and controls. This assay demonstrates the quintuplicate test in a single run with high throughput, low sample volume, high reproducibilityand accuracy. It is applied to the measurement of 1012 blood samples including in-depth analysis of sera from 127 patients and 21 healthy donors over multiple time points, either with acute COVID infection or vaccination. The protein analysis reveals distinct immune mediator modules that exhibit a reduced degree of diversity in protein-protein cooperation in patients with hematologic malignancies or receiving B cell depletion therapy. Serological analysis identifies that COVID-infected patients with hematologic malignancies display impaired anti-RBD antibody response despite high level of anti-spike IgG, which can be associated with limited clonotype diversity and functional deficiency in B cells. These findings underscore the importance to individualize immunization strategies for these high-risk patients and provide an informative tool to monitor their responses at the systems level., (© 2023 The Authors. Small Methods published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

BACKGROUNDWhile B cell depletion is associated with attenuated antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, responses vary among individuals. Thus, elucidating the factors that affect immune responses after repeated vaccination is an important clinical need.METHODSWe evaluated the quality and magnitude of the T cell, B cell, antibody, and cytokine responses to a third dose of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 mRNA vaccine in patients with B cell depletion.RESULTSIn contrast with control individuals (n = 10), most patients on anti-CD20 therapy (n = 48) did not demonstrate an increase in spike-specific B cells or antibodies after a third dose of vaccine. A third vaccine elicited significantly increased frequencies of spike-specific non-naive T cells. A small subset of B cell-depleted individuals effectively produced spike-specific antibodies, and logistic regression models identified time since last anti-CD20 treatment and lower cumulative exposure to anti-CD20 mAbs as predictors of those having a serologic response. B cell-depleted patients who mounted an antibody response to 3 vaccine doses had persistent humoral immunity 6 months later.CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrate that serial vaccination strategies can be effective for a subset of B cell-depleted patients.FUNDINGThe NIH (R25 NS079193, P01 AI073748, U24 AI11867, R01 AI22220, UM 1HG009390, P01 AI039671, P50 CA121974, R01 CA227473, U01CA260507, 75N93019C00065, K24 AG042489), NIH HIPC Consortium (U19 AI089992), the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (CA 1061-A-18, RG-1802-30153), the Nancy Taylor Foundation for Chronic Diseases, Erase MS, and the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at Yale (P30 AG21342).

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an inflammatory demyelinating CNS condition characterized by the presence of MOG autoantibodies. We sought to investigate whether human MOG autoantibodies are capable of mediating damage to MOG-expressing cells through multiple mechanisms. We developed high-throughput assays to measure complement activity (CA), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of live MOG-expressing cells. MOGAD patient sera effectively mediate all of these effector functions. Our collective analyses reveal that (a) cytotoxicity is not incumbent on MOG autoantibody quantity alone; (b) engagement of effector functions by MOGAD patient serum is bimodal, with some sera exhibiting cytotoxic capacity while others did not; (c) the magnitude of CDC and ADCP is elevated closer to relapse, while MOG-IgG binding is not; and (d) all IgG subclasses can damage MOG-expressing cells. Histopathology from a representative MOGAD case revealed congruence between lesion histology and serum CDC and ADCP, and we identified NK cells, mediators of ADCC, in the cerebrospinal fluid of relapsing patients with MOGAD. Thus, MOGAD-derived autoantibodies are cytotoxic to MOG-expressing cells through multiple mechanisms, and assays quantifying CDC and ADCP may prove to be effective tools for predicting risk of future relapses.

T cell-B cell interaction is the key immune response to protect the host from severe viral infection. However, how T cells support B cells to exert protective humoral immunity in humans is not well understood. Here, we use COVID-19 as a model of acute viral infections and analyze CD4 + T cell subsets associated with plasmablast expansion and clinical outcome. Peripheral helper T cells (Tph cells; denoted as PD-1 high CXCR5 - CD4 + T cells) are significantly increased, as are plasmablasts. Tph cells exhibit "B cell help" signatures and induce plasmablast differentiation in vitro. Interestingly, expanded plasmablasts show increased CXCR3 expression, which is positively correlated with higher frequency of activated Tph cells and better clinical outcome. Mechanistically, Tph cells help B cell differentiation and produce more interferon γ (IFNγ), which induces CXCR3 expression on plasmablasts. These results elucidate a role for Tph cells in regulating protective B cell response during acute viral infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests D.A.H. has received research funding from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Sanofi, and Genentech. He has been a consultant for Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, Compass Therapeutics, EMD Serono, Genentech, Juno Therapeutics, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Proclara Biosciences, Sage Therapeutics, and Sanofi Genzyme. Further information regarding funding is available at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/physician/166753/general-payments. N.K. reports personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Third Rock, Pliant, Samumed, NuMedii, Indalo, Theravance, LifeMax, Three Lake Partners, and RohBar in the last 36 months and Equity in Pliant. N.K. is also a recipient of a grant from Veracyte and non-financial support from Miragen. In addition, N.K. has patents on New Therapies in Pulmonary Fibrosis and ARDS (unlicensed) and Peripheral Blood Gene Expression as biomarkers in IPF (licensed to biotech), all outside the submitted work. S.H.K. receives consulting fees from Northrop Grumman. K.B.H. receives consulting fees from Prellis Biologics., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Anthropogenic activity is a major driving factor of greenhouse gas emission, leading to climate change worldwide. So, the best natural approach to lowering the carbon from the atmosphere is mangroves which have more potential to sequestrate carbon. But mangroves are under threat due to land use land cover change. This research has been carried out on the mangroves of Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India, where anthropic activity is affecting the mangrove forest cover with spatiotemporal heterogeneity. In the present study, multi-temporal high-resolution satellite data AVNIR-2 (Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type-2) and LISS-4 (Linear Imaging Self-Scanning Sensors-4) were used for the demarcation of various land use/land cover class (LULC), and change analysis and assessment of mangroves health for the years 2009, 2014, and 2019. The impact of saltpan/aquaculture on mangroves growth and its health status has been calculated by various MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite data products such as gross primary productivity (GPP), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and leaf area index (LAI) in Google Earth Engine (GEE), and field-based method was also considered. This study suggests that there is a marginal increase (17.11 km 2 ) in mangrove cover during the assessment period 2009-2019; on other side, 65.42 km 2 was degraded also. However, increase in saltpan/aquaculture is imposing an adverse effect on mangroves' basal area, plant density, and productivity. Change analysis also suggests a reduction in healthy mangrove area (from 25.20 to 2.84 km 2 ), which will have an impact on ecosystem services., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

B cell depletion in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) markedly prevents new MRI-detected lesions and disease activity, suggesting the hypothesis that altered B cell function leads to the activation of T cells driving disease pathogenesis. Here, we performed comprehensive analyses of CD40 ligand- (CD40L-) and IL-21-stimulated memory B cells from patients with MS and healthy age-matched controls, modeling the help of follicular helper T cells (Tfh cells), and found a differential gene expression signature in multiple B cell pathways. Most striking was the impaired TIGIT expression on MS-derived B cells mediated by dysregulation of the transcription factor TCF4. Activated circulating Tfh cells (cTfh cells) expressed CD155, the ligand of TIGIT, and TIGIT on B cells revealed their capacity to suppress the proliferation of IL-17-producing cTfh cells via the TIGIT/CD155 axis. Finally, CCR6+ cTfh cells were significantly increased in patients with MS, and their frequency was inversely correlated with that of TIGIT+ B cells. Together, these data suggest that the dysregulation of negative feedback loops between TIGIT+ memory B cells and cTfh cells in MS drives the activated immune system in this disease.

The COVID 19 pandemic led to lockdown and restrictions on anthropogenic activities not only in India but all over the world. This provided an opportunity to study positive effects on environment and subsequent impact on terrestrial ecosystems such as urban, peri-urban, forest and agriculture. A variety of studies presented so far mainly include improved air quality index, water quality, reduced pollutants etc. The present study focused on few novel parameters from both polar and geostationary satellites that are not studied in context to India, and also attempts deriving/quantifying benefits rather than merely indicating qualitative improvements. Due to lack of anthropogenic activities during complete lockdown-1 (21 days from 25 March 2020) in India nighttime cooling of land surface temperature (LST) of the order of 2-6 K was observed. Amongst 10 major cities, Bhopal showed highest nighttime cooling. The cooling effect in LST was evident in 80% of industrial units distinctly indicating cooling trend. Vegetation fires were analyzed in 10 fire-prone states of India. Compared to past four-years average number of occurrences, only 45% fire occurrences occurred during lockdown, indicating strong effect of lockdown. The study also revealed that, there is increase in gross primary production in forest ecosystem to the tune of maximum 38%, during this period. Though delay in rabi crop harvest date by 1-2 weeks in majority of north Indian states was observed rise in rabi crop productivity of the order of maximum 34% was observed which is attributed to favorable environmental conditions for net carbon uptake. About 18% reduction in volumetric agricultural water demand was estimated in Indo-Gangetic region, parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Apart from controlling the spread of the disease, the lockdown restrictions were thus also able to show positive effects on the environment and ecosystem which might influence to rethink on strategies for sustainable development., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known conflict of financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Land use and land cover changes over 1973-2017 period in peripheral Delhi were mapped based on digital classification of satellite data and their driving forces ascertained. Urban area expanded and agricultural area diminished at annual rates of 38.6% and 2.1%, respectively, during the 1973-2017 period. Urban expansion occurred more in scrub and sparse vegetation areas than in cultivated lands or ponds. Loss of cultivated land happened mostly due to abandonment of cropping and tree planting in farmhouses developed by the urban elites. Improvement in the state of forests in terms of their expansion as well as densification offsets their loss due to urbanisation, encroachment and logging. The increment in the green cover was due to strict enforcement of compensatory afforestation/forest conservation law, growing demand of ecotourism, emergence of tree-clad farmhouses and increased environmental awareness and surveillance. This research will help in comprehending policies favouring sustainable urban development.

In France, around 25% of the estimated number of people living with HIV are migrants, of whom three quarters are from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Our objective was to determine factors associated with virological rebound (VR) at the occasion of a transient stay to the country of origin. HIV-positive migrants from SSA participating to the ANRS-VIHVO adherence study between 2006 and 2009, on effective ART with controlled pre-travel HIV-1 plasma viral load (VL), were included. Outcome was VR, defined as VL ≥ 50 copies/ml at the post-travel visit during the week following the return to France. Among 237 persons (61.6% female, median age 41 years (IQR, 35-47), median time on ART 4.2 years (IQR, 2.2-7.1), 27 (11.4%) experienced VR. The main purpose of the travel was to visit family and median time spent abroad was 5.3 weeks (IQR, 4.1-8.8). The travel was extended longer than anticipated by at least 1 week in 42 individuals (17.7%). In multivariable logistic model, risk factors for VR were male sex [adjusted OR (aOR) 5.1; 95% CI 1.6-16.2)], no employment in France (aOR 2.0; 1.2-3.5), self-reported non-adherence during the trip (aOR 14.9; 4.9-45.9) and PI-containing regimen (aOR 4.6; 1.2-17.6). In another analysis not including self-reported adherence, traveling during Ramadan while respecting the fast (aOR 3.3; 1.2-9.6) and extension of the stay (aOR 3.0; 1.1-7.8) were associated with VR. Virological rebound was partly explained by structural barriers to adherence such as extension of the travel and inadequate management of Ramadan fasting. Individuals' journeys should be carefully planned with health care providers.

Background: Literature on health events in HIV-infected travellers is scarce, particularly in sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrants., Methods: We investigated health events in HIV-infected SSA migrants living in France during and after travel to their native country. All had a pre-travel plasma viral load (pVL) below 200 copies/mL and were on stable combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Logistic regression models were used to assess the risk factors for at least one adverse health event or febrile event., Results: Among 264 HIV migrants, pre-travel median CD4 count was 439/mm3 and 27 migrants (6%) experienced a low-level viremia between 50 and 200 copies/mL. One hundred (38%) experienced at least one event (13 experienced two events). The most common events were gastrointestinal, including diarrhoea (n = 29, 26%), respiratory events (n = 20, 18%), and malaria (n = 17, 15%; 1 death). In multivariable analysis, a pre-travel low-level viremia and a lack of pre-travel medical advice significantly increased the risk for any event (OR 4.31, 95% CI, 1.41-13.1; and OR 3.62, 95% CI, 1.38-9.47; respectively). A lack of pre-travel advice significantly increased the risk for febrile event., Conclusions: Early and tailored counselling on pre-travel medical advice regarding diarrhoea and vector-borne diseases prophylactic measures in HIV-infected SSA migrants should be emphasised before travel to Africa., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Few data are available on the seroprotection status of HIV1-infected patients with respect to vaccine-preventable diseases., Objective: To describe, in a population of HIV1-infected migrants on stable, effective ART therapy, the seroprevalence of diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus, yellow fever antibodies and serostatus for hepatitis B, and to identify factors associated with seroprotection. Vaccine responses against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and yellow fever were also studied., Methods: Sub-Saharan African patients participating in the ANRS-VIHVO cohort were enrolled prior to travel to their countries of origin. Serologic analyses were performed in a central laboratory before and after the trip. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with initial seroprotection., Results: 250 patients (99 men and 151 women) were included in the seroprevalence study. Median age was 45 years (IQR 39-52), median CD4 cell count was 440/μL (IQR 336-571), and 237 patients (95%) had undetectable HIV1 viral load. The initial seroprevalence rates were 69.0% (95%CI 63.2-74.7) for diphtheria, 70.7% (95%CI 65.0-76.3) for tetanus, and 85.9% (95%CI 81.6-90.2) for yellow fever. Only 64.4% (95%CI 58.5-70.3) of patients had protective antibody titers against all three poliomyelitis vaccine strains before travel. No serological markers of hepatitis B were found in 18.6% of patients (95%CI 13.7-23.3). Patient declaration of prior vaccination was the only factor consistently associated with initial seroprotection., Conclusions: We found a low prevalence of seroprotection against diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus and hepatitis B. HIV infected migrants living in France and traveling to their native countries need to have their vaccine schedule completed., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Deforestation is recognized as one of the most significant component in LULC and global changes scenario. It is imperative to assess its trend and the rates at which it is occurring. The changes will have long-lasting impact on regional climate and in turn on biodiversity. In North-East India, one of the recognized global biodiversity hotspots, approximately 30% of total forest cover is under pressure of rapid land use changes. This region harbors variety of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. It also has a strong bearing on regional climatic conditions. Extensive shifting cultivation, compounded by increasing population pressure and demands for agriculture land are the prime drivers in addition to other proximate drivers of deforestation. It is therefore of prime concern to analyse forest cover changes in the region, assess rate of change and extent and to identify the areas, which show repetitive changes. We analyzed forest cover maps from six temporal datasets based on satellite data interpretation, converted to geospatial database since 1972 till 1999. The states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura show highest changes in forest cover. Arunachal Pradesh shows least dynamic areas and maintains a good forest cover owing to its topographical inaccessibility in some areas. The present study reports the forest cover changes in the region using geospatial analysis and analyse them to devise proper management strategies.