Prognostic factors of a lower CD4/CD8 ratio in long term viral suppression HIV infected children

Background Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is associated with marked immune reconstitution. Although a long term viral suppression is achievable, not all children however, attain complete immunological recovery due to persistent immune activation. We use CD4/CD8 ratio like a marker of immune reconstitution. Methods Perinatal HIV-infected children who underwent a first-line cART, achieved viral suppression in the first year and maintained it for more than 5 years, with no viral rebound were included. Logistic models were applied to estimate the prognostic factors, clinical characteristics at cART start, of a lower CD4/CD8 ratio at the last visit. Results 146 HIV-infected children were included: 77% Caucasian, 45% male and 28% CDC C. Median age at cART initiation was 2.3 years (IQR: 0.5-6.2). 42 (30%) children received mono-dual therapy previously to cART. Time of undetectable viral load was 9.5 years (IQR: 7.8, 12.5). 33% of the children not achieved CD4/CD8 ratio >1. Univariate analysis showed an association between CD4/CD8 <1 with lower CD4 nadir and baseline CD4; older age at diagnosis and at cART initiation; and a previous exposure to mono-dual therapy. Multivariate analysis also revealed relationship between CD4/CD8 <1 and lower CD4 nadir (OR: 1.002, CI 95% 1.000-1.004) as well as previous exposure to mono-dual therapy (OR: 0.16, CI 95% 0.003-0.720). Conclusions CD4/CD8 > 1 was not achieved in 33% of the children. Lower CD4 nadir and previous exposure to suboptimal therapy, before initiating cART, are factors showing independently association with a worse immune recovery (CD4/CD8 < 1)

PLAS: A compact, self-triggered, dead time-less, high channel count analog memory ASIC for TRACE

The readout system for the new TRACE detector requires monitorization and sampling of all pulses in a large number of channels with very strict space and power consumption restrictions for the front-end electronics and cabling. A triggerless solution has been chosen involving front-end analog memories that sample a 1 \u3bcs window of the waveform of any valid pulses at 200 MHz while performing zero suppression and serialization tasks. An analog memory ASIC named PLAS (for PipeLined Asymmetric SCA) is presented that allows pulse capture with no dead time in any channel while reducing die area requirements for high input channel counts. The circuit is based on a novel architecture where the typical Switched Capacitor Array (SCA) structure is partitioned into two asymmetric stages and FIFO queue-like control circuitry is introduced for captured data. The ASIC has been designed in 0.18 \u3bcm CMOS technology with 32 independent, self-triggered input channels and a size of 3.5 7 3.9mm2. Simulations predict figures around 100MHz bandwidth, 12 ENOB and 10 mW per channel

Strength properties and natural durability of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) branch wood [Propiedades de resistencia y durabilidad natural de la madera de ramas de aguacate (Persea americana Mill.)]

This paper reports on mechanical properties and natural durability of avocado branch wood (Persea americana Mill.) with the objectives of providing a reliable property profile and to promote the rational use of this abundant yet largely neglected natural resource. The mechanical properties (static bending, compression, shear, impact bending) and hardness were determined in accordance with European standards (CEN). Natural durability was assessed according to the European standard EN 350-1 (agar block test) using the white rot fungi Trametes versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and the brown rot fungus Postia placenta. Avocado trees yield a low to medium density (0,44-0,54-0,64 g/cm3 at 12% mc) branch wood with below average strength under static bending, compression and tension parallel to the grain and average values for longitudinal shear, impact bending and hardness. The wood is rated non-resistant (class 5 according to EN 350-1) and thus is not suitable for exterior applications unless treated. Considering its property profile and the small dimensions available, avocado wood is recommended for general carpentry, furniture, interior paneling, glue-boards for closets and cabinets, and glue-lams for indoor framework

Interaction of the signalling pathways of insulin-like growth factor-I and sex steroids in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus

Among the numerous endocrine signals that affect the central nervous system, sex steroids play an important role. It has been recently postulated that part of the effects of these hormones on the brain may be mediated by trophic factors, such as insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Both estradiol and IGF-I increase the survival and differentiation of developing fetal rat hypothalamic neurons in culture. The effect of estradiol is blocked by the pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780, by an antisense oligonucleotide to the estrogen receptor, and by an antisense oligonucleotide to IGF-I. In turn, the effect of IGF-I is blocked by ICI 182,780 and by the antisense oligonucleotide to the estrogen receptor. These findings indicate that estrogen-induced activation of the estrogen receptor in developing hypothalamic neurons requires the presence of IGF-I and that both estradiol and IGF-I use the estrogen receptor to mediate their trophic effects on hypothalamic cells. In vivo, sex steroids affect IGF-I levels in the endocrine hypothalamus. IGF-I levels in tanycytes, a specific subtype of glial cells present in the arcuate nucleus and median eminence, are sexually dimorphic in the rat, increase with the onset of puberty, and are regulated by perinatal and adult levels of sex steroids. These changes may be due to hormonal modifications of IGF-I uptake by tanycytes from blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, this type of glial cell appears to play a central role in the interaction of sex steroids and IGF-I in the hypothalamus

Schilbach-Rott syndrome in a third family: Further delineation of an autosomal dominant trait

We describe a father-son Mexican pair with typical features of Schilbach-Rott syndrome (SRS): ocular hypotelorism, cleft palate, hypospadias (only in the child), and microcephaly. This observation documents for the first time a male to male transmission and therefore confirms that the SRS is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity

Schilbach-Rott syndrome in a third family: Further delineation of an autosomal dominant trait

We describe a father-son Mexican pair with typical features of Schilbach-Rott syndrome (SRS): ocular hypotelorism, cleft palate, hypospadias (only in the child), and microcephaly. This observation documents for the first time a male to male transmission and therefore confirms that the SRS is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity

ECOS-LINCE: a high intensity multi-ion superconducting LINAC for nuclear structure reactions

ISBN 978-3-95450-132-8International audienceDuring the past ten years, ECOS working group and users strongly supported the construction of a dedicated high-intensity stable-ion-beam facility in Europe, with energies at and above the Coulomb barrier as part of the Long-Range Plan of the Nuclear-Physics community. LINCE will be a multi-user facility dedicated to ECOS science: fundamental physics, astrophysics, nuclear structure and reaction dynamics. Applied research is foreseen in the fields of medical physics, aerospace and material sciences with energetic heavy ions. The facility will produce a wide range of ions, from protons (45 MeV) up to Uranium (8.5 MeV/u) with 1mA maximum beam intensity. A very compact linac has been designed by using a HV platform with a double-frequency ECR ion source, multi-harmonic buncher, an innovative CW RFQ design (1 ≤A/Q ≤ 7) and 26 accelerating cavities made of bulk niobium (β = 0.045,0.077 and 0.15) working at 72.75 and 109.125 MHz. This article gives an outline of the accelerator complex from the ion source to the experimental areas, and presents its research potential and the relevant physics instrumentation

Consumer understanding and use of health claims: the case of functional foods

As widely acknowledged functional foods (FFs) may contribute to improve human health due to the presence of specific components useful for their protective action against several diseases. However it is essential that consumers are able to comprehend and assess the properties of FFs health claims play a central role in helping consumers to select among food alternatives, beyond providing protection against unsupported or misleading statements about foods properties. At the same time health claims are the main marketing tool that the food industry could use to differentiate FFs from other products. Clearly, massive investments in research and development are necessary to enter the FF market segment, together with the possibility to protect innovation through patents. Current paper aims to examine factors influencing consumer understanding and use of food health claims on FFs, as well as providing several indications for developers, marketers and policy makers. After a brief review of the literature the results of a quantitative survey conducted online on 650 Italian consumers are presented. Results show that consumer use and understanding of health claims on FFs depend on different variables such as socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and confidence with nutrition information but also wording and variables related specifically to the product. Furthermore, different segments with a diverse degree of use and understanding of health claims have been identified. Therefore, to boost market growth, more efforts are needed by policy makers and marketers to provide better information on nutrition and health aspects of FF using an approach capable to ensure truthful, significant and clear information. Finally some recent patents related to the FFs market with specific regard to components and/or functionality investigated in the current paper are reviewed