Persistence of hepatic hepatitis B virus after serological clearance of HBsAG with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation

Delayed clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen was previously reported in a 38 year old woman after high dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell rescue. Sixteen months later, this patient remained hepatitis B surface antigen negative, hepatitis B surface anti-body positive, and serum hepatitis B DNA negative by polymerase chain reaction. Serial liver biopsies (one at hepatitis B e antigen positive stage, one at hepatitis B e antibody positive stage, and one at hepatitis B surface antigen negative and hepatitis B surface antibody positive stage) showed a gradual resolution of the inflammatory activity with loss of hepatitis B e antigen and then hepatitis B surface antigen in the serum. However, the degree of fibrosis, though mild, remained the same. With the serological clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen, a small amount of hepatitis B virus DNA was still detectable in the nuclei of liver cells.published_or_final_versio

Refined nickel nucleation and plated metal adhesion induced by pulsed light-induced plating on picosecond laser-ablated silicon solar cells

This study reports the impact of pulsed Ni light-induced plating (LIP), compared to the commonly used galvanostatic Ni LIP, on the initial Ni nucleation and subsequently plated busbar adhesion of Cu-plated laser-ablated p-type passivated emitter and rear Si solar cells. Initial Ni nucleate sizes decreased from 27.8 ± 9.1 to 25.4 ± 7.9 nm when the pulse-on current density during pulsed Ni LIP was increased from 50 to 178 mA cm−2, and were smaller than the 30.4 ± 9.7 nm nucleates observed with galvanostatic plating at 25 mA cm−2 after the same charge had been delivered to the surface. The density of Ni nucleation was also increased for pulsed LIP. This increased density of smaller Ni nucleates was attributed to the higher pulse-on currents inducing a larger surface potential which favoured nucleation over Volmer Weber 3D island growth of Ni. It also led to a greater density of adhesive anchor points along busbars which contributed to more adhesive plated contacts with busbar pull forces as high as 3 N mm−1 being measured when the pulse-on current density was 100 mA cm−2. However, it is shown that higher pulse-on current densities can result in unintended parasitic reactions, such as H2 evolution, and reduced busbar adhesion

TINJAUAN KRIMINOLOGIS TERHADAP TINDAK PIDANA INCEST DENGAN KORBAN ANAK(STUDI KASUS DI LAPAS KLAS IIA BANDA ACEH)

ABSTRAKTRI KARUNIA PUTRI AMELIA,TINJAUAN KRIMINOLOGIS TERHADAP 2015 TINDAK PIDANA INCEST DENGAN KORBAN ANAK (STUDI KASUS DI LAPAS KLAS IIA BANDA ACEH)Fakultas Hukum Universitas Syiah Kuala(v,54),pp.,bibl(Dr. DAHLAN ALI., S.H., M.Hum., M.Kn.,)Salah satu kejahatan yang sering terjadi adalah tindak pidana perkosaan. Tindak pidana perkosaan merupakan salah satu dari tindak pidana terhadap kesusilaan. Dalam Bab XIV dalam Buku II KUHP memuat kejahatan terhadap kesusilaan yang tersebar pada pasal 281 hingga 303 KUHP. Di dalamnya yang dimaksud dengan kesusilaan sebagian besar berkaitan dengan seksualitas. Salah satu jenis kelainan seksual adalah hubungan seks yang dilakukan secara paksa bersama seseorang yang masih ada hubungan darah yaitu incest, dan yang biasanya menjadi korban ialah anak-anak. Incest sebagaimana dirumuskan dalam kamus besar bahasa Indonesia adalah hubungan seksual antara orang-orang yang bersaudara dekat yang dianggap melanggar adat, hukum dan agama. Sanksi mengenai incest dengan korban anak dapat dilihat dalam Pasal 81 dan Pasal 82 Undang-Undang No. 23 Tahun 2002 Tentang Perlindungan Anak.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan faktor penyebab terjadinya tindak pidana incest, dan untuk mengetahui upaya yang perlu dilakukan untuk menanggulangi tindak pidana incest di provinsi Aceh.Untuk memperoleh data dalam penelitian skripsi ini, dilakukan penelitian pustaka (library research) dan penelitian lapangan (field research) yang dilaksanakan di Banda Aceh dengan lokasi penelitian pada Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Klas IIA dengan tipe penelitian deskriptif yaitu menganalisis data yang diperoleh dari studi lapangan dan kepustakaan dengan cara menjelaskan dan menggambarkan kenyataan objek. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor-faktor penyebab terjadinya tindak pidana incest adalah: Faktor rendahnya pendidikan dan ekonomi, Faktor lingkungan atau tempat tinggal, Faktor alkohol, Faktor kurangnya pemahaman terhadap agama, dan Peranan korban. Penanggulangan tindak pidana incest dapat dilakukan dengan cara mengadakan pelayanan emergency call kepada masyarakat, mengadakan pengedukasian bagi para orang tua, dan juga pembinaan mental kepada pelaku dan korban tindak pidana incest.Disarankan kepada pemerintah agar hendaknya memperbanyak wadah tempat pengaduan untuk masyarakat, serta diadakan penyuluhan hukum agar dapat menumbuhkan kesadaran masyarakat untuk benar-benar mentaati hukum. Selain itu disarankan agar sistem pembuktian dalam kasus perkosaan dapat lebih permudah, khususnya incest.Banda Ace

Neutralizing human monoclonal antibody against H5N1 influenza HA selected from a Fab-phage display library

Identification of neutralizing antibodies with specificity away from the traditional mutation prone antigenic regions, against the conserved regions of hemagglutinin from H5N1 influenza virus has the potential to provide a therapeutic option which can be developed ahead of time in preparation for a possible pandemic due to H5N1 viruses. In this study, we used a combination of panning strategies against the hemagglutinin (HA) of several antigenic distinct H5N1 isolates to bias selection of Fab-phage from a naïve human library away from the antigenic regions of HA, toward the more conserved portions of the protein. All of the identified Fab clones which showed binding to multiple antigenically distinct HA were converted to fully human IgG, and tested for their ability to neutralize the uptake of H5N1-virus like particles (VLP) into MDCK cells. Five of the antibodies which showed binding to the relatively conserved HA2 subunit of HA, exhibited neutralization of H5N1-VLP uptake in a dose dependant manner. The inhibitory effects of these five antibodies were similar to those observed with a previously described neutralizing antibody specific for the 140s antigenic loop present within HA1 and highlight the exciting possibility that these antibodies may be efficacious against multiple H5N1 strains

Epitope characterization of the protective monoclonal antibody VN04-2 shows broadly neutralizing activity against highly pathogenic H5N1

The monoclonal antibody VN04-2 was previously shown to protect mice against lethal A/Vietnam/1203/04 H5N1 virus challenge when administered pre- and post-infection. In this study, we characterized the binding requirements of this antibody using direct binding to hemagglutinin and neutralization assays with H5N1 virus-like particles (H5N1-VLP) of eight recent H5N1 strains representing the major mutations within the 140s antigenic loop. Binding was clade independent and 3 mutations within this antigenic region are required before escape is possible, suggesting that apart from the H5N1 viruses circulating in Indonesia, VN04-2 may provide protection against H5N1 viruses from all other regions

Universal antenatal human immunodeficiency virus testing in Hong Kong: consensus statement.

Following the recommendations of the Advisory Council on AIDS, Hong Kong, the Hospital Authority announced plans to introduce universal antenatal screening for human immunodeficiency virus infection and hence, a consensus conference was held to discuss strategies for implementing such screening in Hong Kong. This paper reports the discussions of the consensus conference. The consensus meeting group consisted of 15 clinicians and scientists from Hong Kong, Macau, and Thailand. Seven commonly asked questions concerning mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus were selected for discussion by the participating panellists. Information on the laboratory diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection and the efficacy of preventive measures in reducing mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus were reviewed. Data from local studies was also presented and discussed. The timing, potential problems, and cost issues involved in testing all pregnant women in Hong Kong for human immunodeficiency virus were then considered.published_or_final_versio

Influence of real-world characteristics on outcomes for patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal skin and soft tissue infections:a multi-country medical chart review in Europe

BACKGROUND: Patient-related (demographic/disease) and treatment-related (drug/clinician/hospital) characteristics were evaluated as potential predictors of healthcare resource use and opportunities for early switch (ES) from intravenous (IV)-to-oral methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-active antibiotic therapy and early hospital discharge (ED). METHODS: This retrospective observational medical chart study analyzed patients (across 12 European countries) with microbiologically confirmed MRSA complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTI), ≥3 days of IV anti-MRSA antibiotics during hospitalization (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011), and discharged alive by July 31, 2011. Logistic/linear regression models evaluated characteristics potentially associated with actual resource use (length of IV therapy, length of hospital stay [LOS], IV-to-oral antibiotic switch), and ES and ED (using literature-based and expert-verified criteria) outcomes. RESULTS: 1542 patients (mean ± SD age 60.8 ± 16.5 years; 61.5% males) were assessed with 81.0% hospitalized for MRSA cSSTI as the primary reason. Several patient demographic, infection, complication, treatment, and hospital characteristics were predictive of length of IV therapy, LOS, IV-to-oral antibiotic switch, or ES and ED opportunities. Outcomes and ES and ED opportunities varied across countries. Length of IV therapy and LOS (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001) and eligibilities for ES and ED (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001) showed relatively strong correlations. IV-to-oral antibiotic switch patients had significantly shorter length of IV therapy (−5.19 days, p < 0.001) and non-significantly shorter LOS (−1.86 days, p > 0.05). Certain patient and treatment characteristics were associated with increased odds of ES (healthcare-associated/ hospital-acquired infection) and ED (patient living arrangements, healthcare-associated/ hospital-acquired infection, initiating MRSA-active treatment 1–2 days post cSSTI index date, existing ED protocol), while other factors decreased the odds of ES (no documented MRSA culture, ≥4 days from admission to cSSTI index date, IV-to-oral switch, IV line infection) and ED (dementia, no documented MRSA culture, initiating MRSA-active treatment ≥3 days post cSSTI index date, existing ES protocol). CONCLUSIONS: Practice patterns and opportunity for further ES and ED were affected by several infection, treatment, hospital, and geographical characteristics, which should be considered in identifying ES and ED opportunities and designing interventions for MRSA cSSTI to reduce IV days and LOS while maintaining the quality of care. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-476) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

A Herschel PACS and SPIRE study of the dust content of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant

Using the 3.5-m Herschel Space Observatory, imaging photometry of Cas A has been obtained in six bands between 70 and 500 μm with the PACS and SPIRE instruments, with angular resolutions ranging from 6 to 37”. In the outer regions of the remnant the 70-μm PACS image resembles the 24-μm image Spitzer image, with the emission attributed to the same warm dust component, located in the reverse shock region. At longer wavelengths, the three SPIRE bands are increasingly dominated by emission from cold interstellar dust knots and filaments, particularly across the central, western and southern parts of the remnant. Nonthermal emission from the northern part of the remnant becomes prominent at 500 μm. We have estimated and subtracted the contributions from the nonthermal, warm dust and cold interstellar dust components. We confirm and resolve for the first time a cool (~35 K) dust component, emitting at 70-160 μm, that is located interior to the reverse shock region, with an estimated mass of 0.075