Evaluation of endothelial function and subclinical atherosclerosis in association with hepatitis C virus in HIV-infected patients: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Relationship of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in HIV-infected patients remains controversial. We evaluated endothelial function and subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients with and without HCV.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and circulating levels of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) were measured in HCV/HIV-coinfected and HIV-monoinfected patients. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>63 (31%) HCV/HIV-coinfected and 138 (69%) HIV-monoinfected patients were included. Median soluble vascular CAM-1 (sVCAM-1) and intercellular CAM-1 (sICAM-1) levels were significantly higher in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (P < 0.001 for both cases). Median (interquartile range) FMD was 6.21% (2.86-9.62) in HCV/HIV-coinfected and 5.54% (2.13-9.13) in HIV-monoinfected patients (P = 0.37). Adjustment for variables associated with HCV and FMD disclosed similar results. FMD correlated inversely with cIMT and age. Carotid IMT did not differ between HCV/HIV-coinfected and HIV-monoinfected patients in unadjusted (0.61 [0.55-0.65] mm vs 0.60 [0.53-0.72] mm; P = 0.39) or adjusted analyses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HCV infection was associated with higher levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, but no evidence of increased subclinical atherosclerosis was found when endothelial function was evaluated through FMD, or when assessing the cIMT.</p

Evaluation of the IL-Phoenix chemistry electrolyte analyser

This paper reports an evaluation of the IL-Phoenix Chemistry/Electrolyte Analyser; the evaluation was carried out in accordance with internationally recognized guidelines. The evaluation was performed in three steps: evaluation in routine conditions; assessment of interferences; and study of practicability. Seven constituents were studied under routine working conditions. Within-run imprecision rangedfrom 0.6% (CV) for chloride to 3.1% (CV) for glucose. Between-run imprecision ranged from 0.9% for sodium to 6.0% (CV) for urea. Sample-related carryover was not significant. The relative inaccuracy was acceptable; drift was negligible; linearity was agreed with the range showed by the supplier. Haemoglobin produced negative interferences with sodium and chloride. Turbidity interfered negatively with sodium, chloride, potassium and total calcium, andpositively with glucose. Bilirubin showed a negative interference with sodium, chloride and creatinine

Impact of an enhanced screening program on the detection of non-AIDS neoplasias in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Background The incidence of non-AIDS defining cancer (NADC) is higher in people living with HIV (PLWH) than in the general population, and it is already one of the leading causes of death in the HIV-infected population. It is estimated that the situation will be aggravated by the progressive aging of PLWH. Early diagnosis through intensive cancer screening may improve the ability for therapeutic interventions and could be critical in reducing mortality, but it might also increase expenditure and harms associated with adverse events. The aim of this study is to evaluate an enhanced screening program for early diagnosis of cancer in PLWH compared to standard practice. The specific objectives are (1) to compare the frequency of cancer diagnosed at an early stage, (2) to analyze safety of the enhanced program: adverse events and unnecessary interventions, (3) to analyze the cost-utility of the program, and (4) to estimate the overall and site-specific incidence of NADC in PLWH. Methods We will conduct a multicenter, non-blinded, randomized, controlled trial, comparing two parallel arms: conventional vs enhanced screening. Data will be recorded in an electronic data collection notebook. Conventional intervention group will follow the standard of care screening in the participating centers, according to the European AIDS Clinical Society recommendations, and the enhanced intervention group will follow an expanded screening aimed to early detection of lung, liver, anal, cervical, breast, prostate, colorectal, and skin cancer. The trial will be conducted within the framework of the Spanish AIDS Research Network Cohort (CoRIS). Discussion The trial will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and efficiency of an enhanced screening program for the early diagnosis of cancer in HIV patients compared to standard of care practice. The information provided will be relevant since there are currently no studies on expanded cancer screening strategies in patients with HIV, and available data estimating cost effectiveness or cost-utility of such as programs are scarce. An enhanced program for NADC screening in patients with HIV could lead to early diagnosis and improve the prognosis of these patients, with an acceptable rate of unnecessary interventions, but it is critical to demonstrate that the benefits clearly outweigh the harms, before the strategy could be implemented

Gender gap in STEM: a cross-sectional study of primary school students’ self-perception and test anxiety in mathematics

Contribution: Significant gender differences are observed on primary school students’ perception of self-efficacy and test anxiety in mathematics. Girls perceive themselves to be significantly worse than boys in mathematics and report higher test anxiety toward mathematics exams. Gender differences in self-efficacy become more pronounced as students grow up, and test anxiety increases for all students. However, the present study shows that teachers’ do not perceive differences in self-efficacy in mathematics between boys and girls. Background: The low presence of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) might be explained by the attitude of young students toward mathematics. Different studies show that girls are less interested in STEM areas than boys during secondary school. A study on the reasons for this fact pointed out that the early years of education can provide a relevant insight to reverse the situation. Research Questions: Is there any age-dependent gender difference in primary school students in aspects related to mathematics? Are teachers aware of students’ perceptions? Methodology: This work presents a study of over 2000 primary school students (6–12 years old) and 200 teachers in Aragón (Spain). The study consists of a survey on aspects that influence the experience of female and male students with mathematics and Spanish language for comparison purposes and teacher’s awareness of students’ perception. Findings: The present study shows that during primary school, girls are more likely to experiment a negative attitude toward mathematics than boys as they grow up, and teachers may not perceive girls’ situation. La baja presencia de mujeres en ciencia, tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas (STEM) podrían explicarse por la actitud de las niños y niñas hacia las matemáticas. Diferentes estudios muestran que las niñas están menos interesadas en las áreas STEM que niños cuando cursan educación secundaria. Además, un estudio sobre los motivos para este hecho señaló que los primeros años de educación podrían proporcionar una visión relevante para revertir la situación. Por ello, este trabajo parte de las siguientes preguntas de investigación, ¿Existe alguna diferencia de género que sea dependiente de la edad en estudiantes de educación primaria en aspectos relacionados con las matemáticas? ¿Conoce el profesorado la autopercepción de sus estudiantes? Las principales contribuciones de este trabajo son que las diferencias significativas de género se observan en la percepción de autoeficacia de los estudiantes de primaria y ansiedad ante los exámenes en matemáticas. Las niñas se perciben a sí mismas significativamente peor que los niños en matemáticas e indican mayor ansiedad ante los exámenes de matemáticas. Las diferencias de género en la autoeficacia se vuelven más pronunciada a medida que los estudiantes crecen, mientras que la ansiedad ante los exámenes aumenta para todos los estudiantes. Pese a estos resultados, el presente estudio muestra que los profesores no perciben diferencias en la autoeficacia en matemáticas entre niños y niñas. Este estudio se basa en las encuestas realizadas a más de 2000 escolares (6-12 años) y 200 profesores en Aragón (España). El estudio consiste en una encuesta a los estudiantes sobre aspectos que pueden influir en la experiencia de los niños y niñas con las matemáticas, así como con la lengua española para disponer de una materia que permita establecer comparaciones y una encuesta al profesor que incluye cuestiones sobre su percepción de los estudiantes. El principal hallazgo del estudio es que, durante la escuela primaria, es más probable que las niñas experimenten una actitud negativa hacia matemáticas que los niños a medida que crecen, y que los maestros pueden no ser conscientes de la situación de las niñas

Larger visual changes compress time: The inverted effect of asemantic visual features on interval time perception; 35316292

Time perception is fluid and affected by manipulations to visual inputs. Previous literature shows that changes to low-level visual properties alter time judgments at the millisecond-level. At longer intervals, in the span of seconds and minutes, high-level cognitive effects (e.g., emotions, memories) elicited by visual inputs affect time perception, but these effects are confounded with semantic information in these inputs, and are therefore challenging to measure and control. In this work, we investigate the effect of asemantic visual properties (pure visual features devoid of emotional or semantic value) on interval time perception. Our experiments were conducted with binary and production tasks in both conventional and head-mounted displays, testing the effects of four different visual features (spatial luminance contrast, temporal frequency, field of view, and visual complexity). Our results reveal a consistent pattern: larger visual changes all shorten perceived time in intervals of up to 3min, remarkably contrary to their effect on millisecond-level perception. Our findings may help alter participants'' time perception, which can have broad real-world implications

Manual Resistance versus Conventional Resistance Training: Impact on Strength and Muscular Endurance in Recreationally Trained Men

Manual resistance training (MRT) has been widely used in the field of physical therapy. It has also been used as a strength training method due to the accommodating resistance nature of this modality. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of an 8-week MRT program on maximum strength and muscular endurance in comparison to conventional resistance training in recreationally trained men. Twenty healthy recreationally trained male subjects were recruited and divided into a MRT training group and a conventional training (CT) group. CT group performed bench press and lat pull-down exercises, and the MRT group performed similar movements with resistance provided by a personal trainer. Both groups completed similar training protocol and training load: 2 training sessions weekly for 3 sets of 8 repetitions at an intensity of 8 to 10 on the perceived exertion scale of 0-10. Initial maximum strength differences were not significant between the groups. Neither group showed significant changes in muscular strength or endurance. Despite the statistically non-significant pre- to post differences, a trend for improvement was observed and effect size (ES) calculations indicated greater magnitude of effects for strength and endurance changes in the MRT group in lat pulldown (g=0.84) compared to CT group. Effectiveness of MRT is similar to CT for improving muscular strength and endurance. MRT can be used as a supplemental or alternative strength training modality for recreationally trained subjects, or be considered by personal trainers especially in low equipped facility conditions

Early changes in inflammatory and pro-thrombotic biomarkers in patients initiating antiretroviral therapy with abacavir or tenofovir

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Abacavir has been associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction, but the pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown. We evaluated longitudinal changes in pro-atherosclerotic biomarkers in patients initiating abacavir or tenofovir.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Consecutive patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) with abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir/emtricitabine were included. Plasma levels of high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured at baseline and at different time points throughout 48 weeks. Comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, ART status at inclusion, viral load, lipodystrophy, Framingham score and hepatitis C virus co-infection status.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>50 patients were analyzed, 28 initiating abacavir and 22 tenofovir. The endothelial biomarker sVCAM-1 declined significantly in both treatment groups. hsCRP tended to increase soon after starting therapy with abacavir, a trend that was not seen in those initiating tenofovir. IL-6 significantly increased only at week 24 from baseline in patients on abacavir (+225%, p < 0.01) although the differences were not significant between groups. The procoagulant biomarker PAI-1 plasma levels increased from baseline at week 12 (+57%; p = 0.017), week 24 (+72%; p = 0.008), and week 48 (+149%; p < 0.001) in patients on tenofovir, but differences between groups were not statistically significant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Changes in biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation, and endothelial function are not different in viremic patients starting ART with abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir/emtricitabine. These changes occur in the early phases of treatment and include anti- and pro-atherosclerotic effects with both drugs.</p

Evaluation of the passive safety in cars adapted with steering control devices for disabled drivers

The purpose of this research is to analyse the influence of steering control devices for disabled people on passive safety. It is based on the advances made in the modelling and simulation of the driver position and in the suit verification test. The influence of these devices is studied through airbag deployment and/or its influence on driver safety. We characterise the different adaptations that are used in adapted cars that can be found mounted in vehicles in order to generate models that are verified by experimental test. A three-dimensional design software package was used to develop the model. The simulations were generated using a dynamic simulation program employing LS-DYNA finite elements. This program plots the geometry and assigns materials. The airbag is shaped, meshed and folded just as it is mounted in current vehicles. The thermodynamic model of expansion of gases is assigned, and the contact interfaces are defined. Static tests were carried out on the deployment of the airbag to contrast with and to validate the computational models and to measure the behaviour of the airbag when there are steering adaptations mounted in the vehicle. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.Masiá Vañó, J.; Eixerés Tomás, B.; Dols Ruiz, JF. (2011). Evaluation of the passive safety in cars adapted with steering control devices for disabled drivers. International Journal of Crashworthiness. 16(1):75-83. doi:10.1080/13588265.2010.514772S7583161Bedewi, N. E., Marzougui, D., & Motevalli, V. (1996). Evaluation of parameters affecting simulation of airbag deployment and interaction with occupants. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 1(4), 339-354. doi:10.1533/cras.1996.0025Chawla, A., Mukherjee, S., & Sharma, A. (2005). Development of FE meshes for folded airbags. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 10(3), 259-266. doi:10.1533/ijcr.2005.0343Cheng, Z., Rizer, A. L., & Pellettiere, J. A. (2003). Modeling and Simulation of OOP Occupant-Airbag Interaction. SAE Technical Paper Series. doi:10.4271/2003-01-0510Crandall, J. R., Bass, C. R., Pikey, W. D., Miller, H. J., Sikorski, J., & Wilkins, M. (1996). Thoracic response and injury with belt, driver side airbag, and force limited belt restraint systems. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2(1), 119-132. doi:10.1533/cras.1997.0039Dalrymple, G. (1996). Effects of Assistive Steering Devices on Air Bag Deployment. SAE Technical Paper Series. doi:10.4271/960223Khan, M. U., & Moatamedi, M. (2008). A review of airbag test and analysis. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 13(1), 67-76. doi:10.1080/13588260701731674Khan, M. U., Moatamedi, M., Souli, M., & Zeguer, T. (2008). Multiphysics out of position airbag simulation. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 13(2), 159-166. doi:10.1080/13588260701788385Richert, J., Coutellier, D., Götz, C., & Eberle, W. (2007). Advanced smart airbags: The solution for real-life safety? International Journal of Crashworthiness, 12(2), 159-171. doi:10.1080/13588260701433461Ruff, C., Jost, T., & Eichberger, A. (2007). Simulation of an airbag deployment in out-of-position situations. Vehicle System Dynamics, 45(10), 953-967. doi:10.1080/0042311070153830

Prevalence of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease and the Value of the Ankle-brachial Index to Stratify Cardiovascular Risk

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of ankle-brachial index (ABI)<0.9 and symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD), association with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), and impact of adding ABI measurement to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk screening.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional survey of 6262 participants aged 35–79 in Girona, Spain.MethodsStandardized measurements (CVRF, ABI, 10-year CHD risk) and history of intermittent claudication (IC), CHD, and stroke were recorded. ABI<0.9 was considered equivalent to moderate-to-high CHD risk (≥10%).ResultsABI<0.9 prevalence was 4.5%. Only 0.62% presented low ABI and IC. Age, current smoker, cardiovascular disease, and uncontrolled hypertension independently associated with ABI<0.9 in both sexes; IC was also associated in men and diabetes in women. Among participants 35–74 free of cardiovascular disease, 6.1% showed moderate-to-high 10-year CHD risk; adding ABI measurement yielded 8.7%. Conversely, the risk function identified 16.8% of these participants as having 10-year CHD risk>10%. In participants 75–79 free of cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of ABI<0.9 (i.e., CHD risk≥10%) was 11.9%.ConclusionsABI<0.9 is relatively frequent in those 35–79, particularly over 74. However, IC and CHD risk≥10% indicators are often missing. Adding ABI measurement to CHD-risk screening better identifies moderate-to-high cardiovascular risk patients

Transcriptomic, biochemical and individual markers in transplanted Daphnia magna to characterize impacts in the field.

Daphnia magna individuals were transplanted across 12 sites from three Spanish river basins (Llobregat, Ebro, Jucar) showing different sources of pollution. Gene transcription, feeding and biochemical responses in the field were assessed and compared with those obtained in re-constituted water treatments spiked with organic eluates obtained from water samples collected at the same locations and sampling periods. Up to 166 trace contaminants were detected in water and classified by their mode of action into 45 groups that included metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, illicit drugs, and other industrial compounds. Physicochemical water parameters differentiated the three river basins with Llobregat having the highest levels of conductivity, metals and pharmaceuticals, followed by Ebro, whereas the Jucar river had the greatest levels of illicit drugs. D. magna grazing rates and cholinesterase activity responded similarly than the diversity of riparian benthic communities. Transcription patterns of 13 different genes encoding for general stress, metabolism and energy processes, molting and xenobiotic transporters corroborate phenotypic responses differentiated sites within and across river basins. Principal Component Analysis and Partial Least Square Projections to Latent Structures regression analyses indicated that measured in situ responses of most genes and biomarkers and that of benthic macroinvertebrate diversity indexes were affected by distinct environmental factors. Conductivity, suspended solids and fungicides were negatively related with the diversity of macroinvertebrates cholinesterase, and feeding responses. Gene transcripts of heat shock protein and metallothionein were positively related with 11 classes of organic contaminants and 6 metals. Gene transcripts related with signaling paths of molting and reproduction, sugar, protein and xenobiotic metabolism responded similarly in field and lab exposures and were related with high residue concentrations of analgesics, diuretics, psychiatric drugs, β blockers, illicit drugs, trizoles, bisphenol A, caffeine and pesticides. These results indicate that application of omic technologies in the field is a promising subject in water management