Assessment for sonographic grading scales of the body fat changes related to the lipoatrophic findings of HIV patients in treatment with HAART

Methods We enrolled non-obese HIV patients (73 males and 42 females; body mass index <27 kg/m2). Clinical assessments of BFCs were defined by correspondence between the self-reports of patients and medical examinations. Fat redistribution was scored separately for face, arm and lower limbs on a scale ranging from 0 (absence) to 1 (mid) and 2–3 (severe BFCs). US scans of subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were performed at 3 reference points: transversal scan at the deepest point of Bichat pad (facial SFT), long dorsal scan of arm (brachial SFT), and long scan of anterior face of thigh (crural SFT)

Is HAART based on newest active antiretroviral drugs influenced by GSS

Methods Major enrollment criterion was the administration of maraviroc, enfuvirtide, raltegravir, etravirine, darunavir/r or tipranavir/r, alone or in combination, in the latest antiretroviral regimen, decided upon the last genotypic RNA resistance test. This allowed us to assess the genotypic sensitivity score (GSS) at the same time. We also recorded previous presence of specific mutations in all available genotypic resistance tests, their persistence in time and their correlation to the last GSS

New variations on the theme of gold(III) C^N^N cyclometalated complexes as anticancer agents: Synthesis and biological characterization

A new series of novel (C∧N∧N) cyclometalated gold(III) complexes have been characterized for their structural and spectroscopic properties. The anticancer activities of the compounds have been studied in vitro, and their reactivity with model biomolecules has been elucidated by mass spectrometry techniques, evidencing an unexpected preference for binding to nucleic acids with respect to proteins and amino acids

Status of a C-band Phased Array Feed with RFSoC digital beamformer

In this paper, we describe the design and development status of a room-temperature C-band Phased Array Feed (PAF) demonstrator, based on Radio Frequency System-on-Chip (RFSoC) for radio astronomy application, to be installed on the Sardinia Radio Telescope. The instrument is optimized to work across the 4.75-6.00 GHz radio frequency (RF) band. The project of the front-end includes a compact RF module based on an 8×8 array of linear dual-polarization antenna elements integrated with Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs). In the preliminary version of the front-end project, which considers only one linear polarization, a subset of 32 elements are connected to the LNAs, while the rest of them are terminated to 50 Ohm matched loads. A dedicated signal acquisition chain of microwave components, based on two stages of filtering and signal conditioning, permits the injection of the 32 RF signals to the two commercial back-ends based on RFSoC digital boards. Each board is equipped with 16 inputs, with 1.25 GHz instantaneous bandwidth, and performs the frequency channelization, the partial and final beamforming of at least four independent beams (the number of beams may vary depending on the observation requirements). A general description of the front-end design, the back-end hardware, firmware and software development and an optimizer for the whole system performances evaluation, is presented

Architecture of C-band Phased Array Feed with RFSoC digital beamformer

We describe the architecture of a room-temperature C-band Phased Array Feed (PAF) demonstrator based on Radio Frequency System-on-Chip (RFSoC) for radio astronomy application. The instrument operates across the 4.75-6.00 GHz RF band (C-band). The RF section includes a compact module based on an 8×8 array of dual-polarization antennas integrated with MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs). A subset of 32 elements of one of the two polarization channels of the 128 antennas are connected to the LNAs, while the rest are terminated into internal loads. Following two stages of filtering and signal conditioning, the 32 RF signals are injected in two commercial RFSoC digital boards, each accepting 16 inputs with 1.25 GHz bandwidth, that will perform the frequency channelization, the partial and final beamforming of four independent beams with 1.25 GHz instantaneous bandwidth

Genome-wide Analyses Identify KIF5A as a Novel ALS Gene

To identify novel genes associated with ALS, we undertook two lines of investigation. We carried out a genome-wide association study comparing 20,806 ALS cases and 59,804 controls. Independently, we performed a rare variant burden analysis comparing 1,138 index familial ALS cases and 19,494 controls. Through both approaches, we identified kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A) as a novel gene associated with ALS. Interestingly, mutations predominantly in the N-terminal motor domain of KIF5A are causative for two neurodegenerative diseases: hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG10) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2). In contrast, ALS-associated mutations are primarily located at the C-terminal cargo-binding tail domain and patients harboring loss-of-function mutations displayed an extended survival relative to typical ALS cases. Taken together, these results broaden the phenotype spectrum resulting from mutations in KIF5A and strengthen the role of cytoskeletal defects in the pathogenesis of ALS.Peer reviewe

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Coalition Governments in a Model of Parliamentary Democracy

We analyze the relative importance of party ideology and rents from office in the formation of coalitions in a parliamentary democracy. In equilibrium, the types of coalitions that are formed may be minimal winning, minority or surplus and they may be ideologically `disconnected'. The coalitions that form depend upon the relative importance of rents of office and seat shares of the parties. If rents are high, governments cannot be surplus. With low rents or the formateur close to the median, minority governments occur for a wider ideological dispersion. Further, there is a non-monotonic relationship between connectedness of coalitions and rents