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Introduction Prior studies found renal disease was common among HIV-infected outpatients. We updated incident renal disease estimates in this population, comparing those with and without tenofovir exposure. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the DC Cohort, a longitudinal study of HIV patients in Washington, DC, from 2011 to 2015. We included adults prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART) with baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥15 ml/min per 1.73 m2. We defined renal disease as 50% decrease in GFR or doubled serum creatinine (Cr) within 3 months. We defined cumulative viral load as area under the curve (AUC) of log10 transformed longitudinal HIV RNA viral load (VL). Correlates of time to incident renal disease were identified using Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusted for demographics and known risk factors for kidney disease. Results Among 6068 adults, 77% were Black and median age was 48 years. Incident renal disease rate was 0.77 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65–0.9). Factors associated with renal disease were age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.4; CI 1.1–1.7 per 10 years), public non-Medicaid, non-Medicare insurance (aHR: 3.4; CI: 1.9–6.4), AUC VL (aHR: 1.1; CI: 1.1–1.2), diabetes mellitus (aHR: 1.6; CI: 1.0–2.4), and mildly reduced GFR (60–89 ml/min per 1.73 m2) (aHR: 1.5; CI: 1.0–2.3); recent tenofovir exposure was not associated with renal disease (aHR: 0.7; CI: 0.5–1.1). Conclusion Our study revealed a substantial burden of renal disease among HIV patients. Cumulative VL was associated with renal disease, suggesting that early VL suppression may decrease its incidence., Graphical abstract

As part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Status and Trends Mussel Watch Program, oysters ( Crassostria virginica ) have been sampled along the entire US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) coastline once each year since 1986. The same sampling sites were reoccupied each year when possible. As a result, 63 different sites were sampled for at least 7 of the years between 1986 and 1999. Concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Se, Pb and Zn in these oysters are reported here. The data show considerable variation for all metals, with the site-to-site variation generally larger than year-to-year variation at a given site. Metal concentrations at some sites were either much higher or much lower than average GOM concentrations year after year. At other sites metal concentrations decreased or increased for several years in a row and then reversed this trend. Large differences were often found at sites only 10 km or so apart, showing local control of metal concentrations. Only in a few cases can reasons for these differences be suggested, but because several metals commonly followed the same trend at a given site, both natural and human influences are suspected. Mercury concentrations were high near an old chlor-alkali plant, Zn was high near industrial areas and harbors and Pb was high on an Air Force Base. Arsenic concentrations were higher at open water sites than at back bay sites, especially in Florida, possibly due to differences in dissolved phosphate concentrations. Cd and Se concentrations were generally higher in Texas and Louisiana than in Florida but the opposite was true for As and Hg.

Ultrasonics has been investigated as an alternative to biocides such as chlorine for inhibiting the growth of the colonial hydroid, Garveia franciscana in the precondenser intake structures of power plants. This hydroid is a particular problem at power plants that use salt water for cooling because it grows rapidly and forms dense matts that can severely restrict the flow of cooling water. Using free-field ultrasonic radiation, acoustic parameters were sought that would yield the most energy-efficient method of causing tentacle contraction of the hydranths, thus inhibiting feeding and/or growth. At all frequencies tested, the sound intensity threshold that caused tentacle contraction coincided with the sonic degasification threshold.

High voltage, short duration capacitive discharge measurements of human body impedance have been accomplished for different paths through the body. Skin contact impedance and internal body impedance between various locations on the body were examined. Impedance measurement instrumentation capable of measuring impedance once every 0.05 μs was used. Voltages of 100 to 2000 V were applied giving peak currents of 0.2 to 5.0 A. The voltage and current waveforms had time constants ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 μs. These short time constants are consistent with safety requirements, allowing testing with people. However, these impedance measurements can be interpreted as limiting values for shocks of longer, possibly lethal duration. The initial total body impedance between the palm of the hand and the sole of the foot was found to be about 500 to 530 Ω. The internal body impedance for the same current path was found to be about 430 Ω. The internal body impedance between the wrist and the calf was found to be about 50% of the internal body impedance measured between the palm and the sole of the foot.