A multi-approach software library for estimating crop suitability to environment

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Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells in HAART-treated, HIV-positive patients with bone and cardiovascular impairment

Background: Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells represent a determinant in the course of infections and diseases, however, their role in the pathogenesis of non-infectious co-morbidities in HIV-positive patients is unknown. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to investigate iNKT cell frequency, phenotype and function in HIV-infected patients on HAART with bone and/or cardiovascular disorders and in HIV-positive controls free from co-morbidities. Results: iNKT cells from subjects with bone and cardiovascular impairment expressed high levels of CD161 and predominantly secreted TNF. iNKT cells from individuals with bone disease alone did not show any distinctive phenotypical or functional characteristics. The functional capacity of iNKT cells in patients with cardiovascular disorder was impaired with no cytokine release upon stimulation. Conclusion: iNKT cells may have a role in non-infectious co-morbidities in treated HIV disease, possibly through the exacerbation of inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate iNKT cells in the pathogenesis of non-communicable disorders in HIV infection

Monitoring tumor growth rate to predict immune checkpoint inhibitors' treatment outcome in advanced NSCLC

Introduction: Radiological response assessment to immune checkpoint inhibitor is challenging due to atypical pattern of response and commonly used RECIST 1.1 criteria do not take into account the kinetics of tumor behavior. Our study aimed at evaluating the tumor growth rate (TGR) in addition to RECIST 1.1 criteria to assess the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: Tumor real volume was calculated with a dedicated computed tomography (CT) software that semi-automatically assess tumor volume. Target lesions were identified according to RECIST 1.1. For each patient, we had 3 measurement of tumor volume. CT-1 was performed 8-12 weeks before ICI start, the CT at baseline for ICI was CT0, while CT + 1 was the first assessment after ICI. We calculated the percentage increase in tumor volume before (TGR1) and after immunotherapy (TGR2). Finally, we compared TGR1 and TGR2. If no progressive disease (PD), the group was disease control (DC). If PD but TGR2 < TGR1, it was called LvPD and if TGR2 > TGR1, HvPD. Results: A total of 61 patients who received ICIs and 33 treated with chemotherapy (ChT) were included. In ICI group, 18 patients were HvPD, 22 LvPD, 21 DC. Median OS was 4.4 months (95% CI: 2.0-6.8, reference) for HvPD, 7.1 months (95% CI 5.4-8.8) for LvPD, p = 0.018, and 20.9 months (95% CI: 12.5-29.3) for DC, p < 0.001. In ChT group, 7 were categorized as HvPD, 17 as LvPD and 9 as DC. No difference in OS was observed in the ChT group (p = 0.786) Conclusion: In the presence of PD, a decrease in TGR may result in a clinical benefit in patients treated with ICI but not with chemotherapy. Monitoring TGR changes after ICIs administration can help physician in deciding to treat beyond PD

Building an XML document warehouse

International audienceData Warehouses and OLAP (On Line Analytical Processing) technologies are dedicated to analyzing structured data issued from organizations' OLTP (On Line Transaction Processing) systems. Furthermore, in order to enhance their decision support systems, these organizations need to explore XML (eXtensible Markup Language) documents as an additional and important source of unstructured data. In this context, this paper addresses the warehousing of document-centric XML documents. More specifically, we propose a two-method approach to build Document Warehouse conceptual schemas. The first method is for the unification of XML document structures; it aims to elaborate a global and generic view for a set of XML documents belonging to the same domain. The second method is for designing multidimensional galaxy schemas for Document Warehouses

Screening of Tanzanian medicinal plants for anti-Candida activity

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans has become resistant to the already limited, toxic and expensive anti-Candida agents available in the market. These factors necessitate the search for new anti-fungal agents. METHODS: Sixty-three plant extracts, from 56 Tanzanian plant species obtained through the literature and interviews with traditional healers, were evaluated for anti-Candida activity. Aqueous methanolic extracts were screened for anti-Candida activity by bioautography agar overlay method, using a standard strain of Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). RESULTS: Twenty- seven (48%) out of the 56 plants were found to be active. Extracts of the root barks of Albizia anthelmintica and Balanites aegyptiaca, and roots of Plectranthus barbatus showed strong activity. CONCLUSION: The extracts that showed strong anti-Candida activity are worth of further investigation in order to isolate and identify the active compounds

Le competenze legislative in materia di "tutela della salute"

Il capitolo è dedicato al riparto delle competenze legislative tra Stato e regioni in materia di "tutela della salute". La riflessione tiene conto della principale giurisprudenza costituzionale intervenuta dal 2001 al 2012 in materia, evidenziando le interconnessione con altri ambiti materiali enumerati nell'art. 117 della Costituzione italiana. Particolare attenzione viene dedicata alla nuova conformazione della legislazione concorrente sulla tutela della salute ed ai problemi posti dalle finalità di contenimento della spesa sanitaria

Le competenze legislative in materia di "tutela della salute"

Il capitolo è dedicato al riparto delle competenze legislative tra Stato e regioni in materia di "tutela della salute". La riflessione tiene conto della principale giurisprudenza costituzionale intervenuta dal 2001 al 2012 in materia, evidenziando le interconnessione con altri ambiti materiali enumerati nell'art. 117 della Costituzione italiana. Particolare attenzione viene dedicata alla nuova conformazione della legislazione concorrente sulla tutela della salute ed ai problemi posti dalle finalità di contenimento della spesa sanitaria

SAPONINS FROM ALBIZZIA-ANTHELMINTICA

The structures of three new saponins from the bark of Albizzia anthelmintica were established to be 3-O-[\u3b2-d-glucopyranosyl(1 \u2192 3)] [\u3b1-l-arabinopyranosyl(1 \u2192 2)] [\u3b1-l-arabinopyranosyl(1 \u2192 6)] 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-\u3b2-d-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid; 3-O-[\u3b1-l-arabinopyranosyl(1 \u2192 2)][\u3b1-l-arabinopyranosyl(1 \u2192 6)] 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-\u3b2-d-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid and, present in small amounts, 3-O-[\u3b1-l-arabinopyranosyl(1 \u2192 6)] 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-\u3b2-d-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid