Odorant cues are recognized by receptors expressed on olfactory sensory neurons, the primary sensory neurons of the olfactory epithelium. Odorant receptors typically obey the "one receptor, one neuron" rule, in which the receptive field of the olfactory neuron is determined by the singular odorant receptor that it expresses. Odor-evoked receptor activity across the population of olfactory neurons is then interpreted by the brain to identify the molecular nature of the odorant stimulus. In the present study, we characterized the properties of a C family G-protein-coupled receptor that, unlike most other odorant receptors, is expressed in a large population of microvillous sensory neurons in the zebrafish olfactory epithelium and the mouse vomeronasal organ. We found that this receptor, OlfCc1 in zebrafish and its murine ortholog Vmn2r1, is a calcium-dependent, low-sensitivity receptor specific for the hydrophobic amino acids isoleucine, leucine, and valine. Loss-of-function experiments in zebrafish embryos demonstrate that OlfCc1 is required for olfactory responses to a diverse mixture of polar, nonpolar, acidic, and basic amino acids. OlfCc1 was also found to promote localization of other OlfC receptor family members to the plasma membrane in heterologous cells. Together, these results suggest that the broadly expressed OlfCc1 is required for amino acid detection by the olfactory system and suggest that it plays a role in the function and/or intracellular trafficking of other olfactory and vomeronasal receptors with which it is coexpressed.

Researchers explored the barriers to AIDS care for rural women living with AIDS, and investigated alternative delivery models to increase the women’s adherence to anti-retroviral therapy. Community-based participatory research focus groups were conducted by the researchers with a convenience sample of 39 women living with AIDS from a Primary Health Center near Chennai, India and with nurses, physicians and Accredited Social Health Activists (Ashas), lay health care workers. The most prevalent barriers expressed by the women were sickness-related, psychological, financial issues with childcare, and distance and/or transportation to the site. Women living with AIDS reviewed Ashas favorably.

A community-based participatory research study was conducted using focus groups with 39 women living with AIDS (WLA) in the rural setting of Andhra Pradesh, India. In addition, three nurses, two physicians, and five reproductive health accredited social health activists (ASHAs) took part in focus groups. The WLA offered insight Support for this research was provided by grant MH82662 from the National Institute on Mental Health.Address correspondence to Adeline M. Nyamathi, ANP, PhD, FAAN, UCLA, School of Nursing, Room 2-250, Factor Building, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1702, USA. E-mail: anyamath@ sonnet.ucla.edu Services, 9:385-404, 2010 Copyright # Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1538-1501 print=1538-151X online DOI: 10.1080DOI: 10. /15381501.2010 into the benefits of HIV-trained ASHAs including emotional support, assistance with travel to health care providers and antiretroviral therapy medication adherence. Health care providers also identified benefits of using HIV-trained ASHAs and suggested modalities for how to train these individuals. These findings will contribute to the design of a future program of care involving HIV-trained ASHAs. Journal of HIV/AIDS & SocialKEYWORDS accredited social health activists (ASHAs), HIV= AIDS, rural India, women Approximately 2.3 million adults are living with HIV=AIDS in India, of whom 38% are women (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV=AIDS [UNAIDS], 2008). The state of Andhra Pradesh has the second highest HIV adult prevalence rate in all of India (0.97% total; 0.75% for women and 1.22% for men), according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS, 2008). Data from antenatal clinics indicate that almost half of 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh have HIV prevalence rates for women above 2% to 2.5% (National AIDS Control Organization [NACO], 2007), indicating a feminization of the epidemic in this area. Indeed, 85% of HIV transmission in India is sexual, and 75% of women living with HIV=AIDS (WLA) become positive within the first few years of marriage (Solomon, Chakraborty, & Yepthomi, 2004).In India there exist gender-specific disparities in HIV prevention and treatment. One of the main factors influencing India's HIV epidemic is a high rate of gender stratification, in which women experience extreme social disadvantage (Bloom & Griffiths, 2007). Indian women suffer disproportionate vulnerability to HIV=AIDS (Kambou, Magur, Hora, & Mukherjee, 2007), often because they often lack HIV awareness, live in conditions of poverty, and experience gender inequity (Van Rompay et al., 2008). WLA have been found to have low levels of psychosocial well-being (Solomon et al., 2008), which is confounded by the fact that many women live in rural areas and are socially and physically distant from help and government resources (NFHS, 2008).The purpose of this study is to assess the benefits and challenges related to engaging HIV-trained accredited social health activists (ASHAs) in the care of WLA in the rural district of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. Our goal is to determine the utility and acc...

Background HIV transmission in India is primarily heterosexual and there is a concentrated HIV epidemic among female sex workers (FSWs). Earlier reports demonstrate that many FSWs consume alcohol regularly before sexual encounters. This qualitative study is part of a larger quantitative study designed to assess alcohol consumption patterns among female sex workers and their association with sexual risk taking. Here we investigate the environmental influence, reasons for and consequences of consuming alcohol in the FSW population. Methods Trained staff from two Non-Governmental Organizations in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala conducted semi-structured interviews with 63 FSWs in Chirala, Andhra Pradesh (n=35) and Calicut, Kerala (n=28) following extensive formative research, including social mapping and key informant interviews, to assess drinking patterns and sexual risk behaviors. Results FSWs reported consuming alcohol in multiple contexts: sexual, social, mental health and self-medication. Alcohol consumption during sexual encounters with clients was usually forced, but some women drank voluntarily. Social drinking took place in public locations such as bars and in private locations including deserted buildings, roads and inside autorickshaws (motorcycle taxis). Consequences of alcohol consumption included failure to use condoms and to collect payments from clients, violence, legal problems, gastrointestinal side effects, economic loss and interference with family responsibilities. Conclusion FSWs consume alcohol in multilevel contexts. Alcohol consumption during transactional sex is often forced and can lead to failure to use condoms. Social drinkers consume alcohol with other trusted FSWs for entertainment and to help cope with psychosocial stressors. There are multiple reasons for and consequences of alcohol consumption in this population and future interventions should target each specific aspect of alcohol use.