Virologic response at week 8 of combined treatment as a predictor of sustained virologic response in non rapid virologic response, chronic HCV genotype 4 infected patients

Optimization of interferon-based treatment regimens remains an important goal as pegylated interferon is likely to remain the backbone of chronic HCV treatment in the foreseeable future. The objective of the current study was to evaluate virological response at week 8 of combined treatment as a predictor of sustained virologic response (SVR) in non rapid virologic response (RVR), chronic HCV genotype 4 infected patients. A total of 38 patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection were enrolled in the study. All patients received a combination of pegylated interferon α-2a plus ribavirin. Virological response at week 8 of combined treatment was evaluated as a predictor of SVR. Week 8 response was more sensitive but less specific than RVR in predicting SVR, in non RVR patients (24 patients), week 8 response had a sensitivity of 45.5% and a specificity of 76.9% for predicting SVR. In conclusion: In non RVR patients, measurement of HCV RNA at week 8 is an optimal time to identify those who are not going to benefit from pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy.Keywords: Week 8; SVR; RVR; HCV; Genotype

Membrane Proteins Take Different Trafficking Pathways to the Primary Cilium

Cilia are conserved organelles that extend from the surface of most eukaryotic cells. During development cilia play key roles in force generation and perception of the extracellular environment. Ciliary defects cause a broad class of human diseases called ciliopathies characterized by pleiotropic symptoms including cystic kidneys, retinal degeneration, cardiac malformations and skeletal deformations. Perception of the environment relies on specific proteins being localized to the ciliary membrane compartment. The mechanism for sorting and trafficking membrane proteins to the cilium is poorly understood. To address this question, I developed a fluorescence-based pulse-chase assay to measure the transport kinetics of ciliary membrane proteins. This assay was used to determine the importance of candidate proteins to the delivery of fibrocystin, polycystin-2, and smoothened to cilia. Using this assay, I found that ciliary delivery of fibrocystin and polycystin-2 requires IFT20, GMAP210 and the exocyst while smoothened delivery is largely independent of these proteins. In addition, I determined that polycystin-2, but not smoothened or fibrocystin require the biogenesis of lysosome related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1) for ciliary delivery. Consistent with a requirement for BLOC-1 in ciliary transport of polycystin-2, BLOC-1 mutant mice have cystic kidney disease. BLOC-1 functions in endosomal sorting and I find that disrupting the recycling endosome also reduced ciliary polycystin-2 and causes its accumulation in the recycling endosome. This is the first demonstration of a role for BLOC-1 in ciliary biogenesis and highlights the complexity of trafficking pathways to the cilium

Chamber Jazz Concepts and Techniques as Applied to Six Original Compositions

Chamber jazz was introduced in the 1950s with artists like Ahmad Jamal and the Modern Jazz Quartet leading the way in this new genre. It is a fusion of elements from both Western Art Music and Jazz, combining to form a unique style and sound. Chamber jazz composers and arrangers utilize many of the formal characteristics of jazz such as vamps, introductions, endings, and interludes to focus the sound of the ensemble. This is done to distinguish chamber jazz from conventional small group jazz, which tends to focus more upon long improvisatory sections. This paper will look at the musical practices important to the sound of chamber jazz through a detailed analysis of these conventions as they appear in the six compositions presented herein. This study will be aided by references to musical texts, musical manuals, scores, and recordings where appropriate

Application of Stochastic Volatility Model to KSE-100

The paper examines the implementation of stochastic volatility (SV)model to the data of Karachi Stock Exchange 100 index during theperiod of January 2007 to December 2011. The Stochastic Volatilitymodel is compared with the GARCH (1,1) model for forecastingvolatility. The stochastic volatility model is basically a parametricapproach to observe volatility that includes two noise terms, tends tocapture volatility better than GARCH (1,1) model. Thus this exercisedemonstrates the capability of stochastic volatility model to forecastvolatility more efficiently for emerging markets such as KS

An Analysis of Coincidence between KSE-100 and S&P 500 Index using Spectral Approach

When dealing with time series data, particularly of higher frequency,we are often interested in figuring out periods which are of vitalimportance. Here in this research, the returns on KSE-100 and S&P500 index are taken on daily basis from September 2001 to June 2013.As thousands of data points (due to high frequency) are considered,it is impossible for us to figure out any pattern in series, unlesssuitable filtering is applied on them. For this purpose, a powerspectrum will be made by means of a fast fourier transform. This willyield us the events that has influenced KSE-100 index considerablyin post 9/11 scenario

SE and I system testability: The key to space system FDIR and verification testing

The key to implementing self-diagnosing design is a systems engineering task focused on design for testability concurrent with design for functionality. The design for testability process described here is the product of several years of DOD study and experience. Its application to the space station has begun on Work Package II under NASA and McDonnell direction. Other work package teams are being briefed by Harris Corporation with the hope of convincing them to embrace the process. For the purpose of this discussion the term testability is used to describe the systems engineering process by which designers can assure themselves and their reviewers that their designs are TESTABLE, that is they will support the downstream process of determining their functionality. Due to the complexity and density of present-day state-of-the-art designs, such as pipeline processors and high-speed integrated circuit technology, testability feature design is a critical requirement of the functional design process. A systematic approach to Space systems test and checkout as well as fault detection fault isolation reconfiguration (FDFIR) will minimize operational costs and maximize operational efficiency. An effective design for the testability program must be implemented by all contractors to insure meeting this objective. The process is well understood and technology is here to support it

Monitoring Direct Blood Pressure Algorithm Enhancements

Conference PaperBiomedical Informatic

Computation of Nielsen and Reidemeister coincidence numbers for multiple maps

Let $f_1,...,f_k:M\to N$ be maps between closed manifolds, $N(f_1,...,f_k)$ and $R(f_1,...,f_k)$ be the Nielsen and the Reideimeister coincidence numbers respectively. In this note, we relate $R(f_1,...,f_k)$ with $R(f_1,f_2),...,R(f_1,f_k)$. When $N$ is a torus or a nilmanifold, we compute $R(f_1,...,f_k)$ which, in these cases, is equal to $N(f_1,...,f_k)$.Comment: 17 page