Hepatitis C: Host and Viral Factors Associated with Response to Therapy and Progression of Liver Fibrosis

The goal of this study was to identify the baseline host and viral factors of response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Compared with interferon/ribavirin therapy, new current direct-acting antiviral (DAA) combination regimens significantly increased rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) and shorter treatment durations, but is still limited by viral resistance, adverse effects, and high cost especially in developing countries. Human genetic factors and heterogeneity within the HCV genome may be associated with virologic treatment failure before and after antiviral therapy. Further, HCV infection may contribute to the development of HCV-related liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis, through modulating genetic and epigenetic state of certain genes implicated in control of critical cellular pathways. Previous results confirm the importance of host and viral factors and virus-induced genetic and epigenetic changes in predicting outcome and treatment response

HIGH-ACCURACY QUASISTATIC NUMERICAL MODEL FOR BODIES OF REVOLUTION TAILORED FOR RF MEASUREMENTS OF DIELECTRIC PARAMETERS

We have developed rotationally symmetrical coaxial chambers for measurements of dielectric parameters of disk-shaped samples, in the frequency range from 1 MHz to several hundred MHz. The reflection coefficient of the chamber is measured and the dielectric parameters are hence extracted utilizing a high-accuracy quasistatic numerical model of the chamber and the sample. We present this model, which is based on the method-of-moments solution of a set of integral equations for composite metallic and dielectric bodies. The equations are tailored to bodies of revolution. The model is efficient and accurate so that the major contribution of the measurement uncertainty comes from the measurement hardware

Nonlinear photonic lattices in anisotropic nonlocal self-focusing media

We analyze theoretically and generate experimentally two-dimensional nonlinear periodic lattices in a photorefractive medium. We demonstrate that the light-induced periodically modulated nonlinear refractive index is highly anisotropic and nonlocal, and it depends on the lattice orientation relative to the crystal axis. We discuss stability of such induced photonic structures and their guiding properties.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure

Domain/Mapping Model: A Novel Data Warehouse Data Mode

In order for a data warehouse to be able to adequately fulfill its integrative and historical purpose, its data model must enable the appropriate and consistent representation of the different states of a system. In effect, a DW data model, representing the physical structure of the DW, must be general enough, to be able to consume data from heterogeneous data sources and reconcile the semantic differences of the data source models, and, at the same time, be resilient to the constant changes in the structure of the data sources. One of the main problems related to DW development is the absence of a standardized DW data model. In this paper a comparative analysis of the four most prominent DW data models (namely the relational/normalized model, data vault model, anchor model and dimensional model) will be given. On the basis of the results of [1]a, the new DW data model (the Domain/Mapping model- DMM) which would more adequately fulfill the posed requirements is presented

ASSOCIATION OF SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS OF GH, LEP, MSTN GENES WITH GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS IN MEAT-WOOL AND WOOL SHEEP

The main trend in the development of sheep breeding in the last decade all over the world has become a constant increase in the production of mutton. This study was designed to study polymorphisms of genes GH, LEP, MSTN in two breeds of North Caucasian Meat Wool and Soviet Merino sheep in Russia, as well as to identify potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with growth traits to improve the genetic potential of sheep. Parts of the GH, LEP, MSTN genes were amplified in North Caucasian Meat-Wool and Soviet Merino sheep to identify SNPs by Sanger sequencing and using a polymerase chain reaction protocol. These genotypes were correlated with meat traits such as birth weight, growth rate, weaning weight. . Genetic and variance analysis of the data obtained was also carried out. Sheep age and parity had a significant effect (p A) and the LEP gene (c.541G> T), as well as a synonymous replacement of the MSTN gene (c. 212C> A), were revealed. According to the results of studies in the North Caucasian Meat-Wool sheep, three GHCC, GHCT , GHTT genotypes for the GH gene and three LEPGG, LEPGT , LEPТТ genotypes for LEP were identified. The studied region of the MSTN gene in sheep of the North Caucasian meat and wool breed turned out to be monomorphic. According to the results of studies in Soviet Merino sheep, three genotypes GHCC, GHCT , GHTT for the GH gene, three genotypes MSTNСС , MSTNСА , MSTNАА for the MSTN gene, two genotypes LEPGG, LEPGT for the LEP gene were established. The analysis of associations showed a significant effect (p<0.05) of the GHСТ and LEPGT genotypes on the signs of sheep growth. Interestingly, the presence of the T-allele in sheep of the North Caucasian Meat-Wool breed tended to increase in weight during weaning (+2.2 kg) both for the GH gene and for the LEP gene (+ 1.6 kg). Interestingly, similar results were observed in sheep of the Soviet Merino breed, where the missense mutation led to an increase in weaning weight (+ 1.2 kg) for the GH gene and for the LEP gene (+1.3 kg). A synonymous MSTN gene substitution does not lead to a substitution of the coding amino acid, but may further lead to gene expression. The GH, LEP, and MSTN genes are proposed markers for improving growth traits in meat-wool and wool sheep, which will increase the ability to understand the genetic architecture of the genes underlying SNPs that influence such traits

RESILIENT Part 2: A Randomized, Open-Label Phase III Study of Liposomal Irinotecan Versus Topotecan in Adults With Relapsed Small Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE The phase III RESILIENT trial compared second-line liposomal irinotecan with topotecan in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with SCLC and progression on or after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned (1:1) to intravenous (IV) liposomal irinotecan (70 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks in a 6-week cycle) or IV topotecan (1.5 mg/m(2) daily for 5 consecutive days, every 3 weeks in a 6-week cycle). The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Key secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS Among 461 randomly assigned patients, 229 received liposomal irinotecan and 232 received topotecan. The median follow-up was 18.4 months. The median OS was 7.9 months with liposomal irinotecan versus 8.3 months with topotecan (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11 [95% CI, 0.90 to 1.37]; P = .31). The median PFS per blinded independent central review (BICR) was 4.0 months with liposomal irinotecan and 3.3 months with topotecan (HR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.20]; nominal P = .71); ORR per BICR was 44.1% (95% CI, 37.6 to 50.8) and 21.6% (16.4 to 27.4), respectively. Overall, 42.0% and 83.4% of patients receiving liposomal irinotecan and topotecan, respectively, experienced grade >= 3 related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). The most common grade >= 3 related TEAEs were diarrhea (13.7%), neutropenia (8.0%), and decreased neutrophil count (4.4%) with liposomal irinotecan and neutropenia (51.6%), anemia (30.9%), and leukopenia (29.1%) with topotecan. CONCLUSION Liposomal irinotecan and topotecan demonstrated similar median OS and PFS in patients with relapsed SCLC. Although the primary end point of OS was not met, liposomal irinotecan demonstrated a higher ORR than topotecan. The safety profile of liposomal irinotecan was consistent with its known safety profile; no new safety concerns emerged

EuReCa ONE—27 Nations, ONE Europe, ONE Registry A prospective one month analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in 27 countries in Europe

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of the EuReCa ONE study was to determine the incidence, process, and outcome for out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) throughout Europe.MethodsThis was an international, prospective, multi-centre one-month study. Patients who suffered an OHCA during October 2014 who were attended and/or treated by an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Data were extracted from national, regional or local registries.ResultsData on 10,682 confirmed OHCAs from 248 regions in 27 countries, covering an estimated population of 174 million. In 7146 (66%) cases, CPR was started by a bystander or by the EMS. The incidence of CPR attempts ranged from 19.0 to 104.0 per 100,000 population per year. 1735 had ROSC on arrival at hospital (25.2%), Overall, 662/6414 (10.3%) in all cases with CPR attempted survived for at least 30 days or to hospital discharge.ConclusionThe results of EuReCa ONE highlight that OHCA is still a major public health problem accounting for a substantial number of deaths in Europe.EuReCa ONE very clearly demonstrates marked differences in the processes for data collection and reported outcomes following OHCA all over Europe. Using these data and analyses, different countries, regions, systems, and concepts can benchmark themselves and may learn from each other to further improve survival following one of our major health care events

Low VHL mRNA Expression is Associated with More Aggressive Tumor Features of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Alterations of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene can cause different hereditary tumors associated with VHL syndrome, but the potential role of the VHL gene in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has not been characterized. This study set out to investigate the relationship of VHL expression level with clinicopathological features of PTC in an ethnically and geographically homogenous group of 264 patients from Serbia, for the first time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a strong correlation between low level of VHL expression and advanced clinical stage (OR55.78, 95% CI 3.17-10.53, P<0.0001), classical papillary morphology of the tumor (OR52.92, 95% CI 1.33-6.44, P=50.008) and multifocality (OR51.96, 95% CI 1.06-3.62, P=50.031). In disease-free survival analysis, low VHL expression had marginal significance (P=50.0502 by the log-rank test) but did not appear to be an independent predictor of the risk for chance of faster recurrence in a proportion hazards model. No somatic mutations or evidence of VHL downregulation via promoter hypermethylation in PTC were found. The results indicate that the decrease of VHL expression associates with tumor progression but the mechanism of downregulation remains to be elucidated

Connecting Farm Composts with Agriculture Industry Users Demonstrating Compost Assets with Growers - final report

Selling compost can move excess nutrients off livestock farms and create revenue. To be a viable manure management tool, reliable markets need to be developed for agricultural composts. Potential large markets for composts in NYS include turf, landscaping and vine yards. This project examined the use of poultry and dairy manure-based composts as a topdressing on established turf, as a soil amendment for severely disturbed construction sites and as a surface application under the trellis of grapevines. Turf: Compost application increased soil organic matter and resulted in excess soil P at the 4 study sites; bulk density improved at 2. Immature composts and/or those with high salt levels tended to burn the grass leaving voids that allow weed encroachment immediately after application. Turf quality did not improve over 3 years at sites that had been established on poor soil or sites that had extremely high use. Early spring green-up was reported on compost-treated plots at most sites. Landscape: Compacted clayey soil amended with 50% compost had improved bulk density and supported plant growth. Vineyard: There were no significant differences in berry weight, cluster weight, total crop yield, vine growth or organic matter between compost-applied and controls.The New York State Energy Research and Development Authorit

Comparison of efficacy and safety of preemptive infusion protocols of ephedrine and phenylephrine – prevention of hypotension and effects on hemodynamic parameters during spinal anesthesia for caesarean section

© 2020, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved. Introduction/Objective Spinal anesthesia (SA) for cesarean section may lead to significant changes in hemodynamic parameters, especially hypotension. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the efficacy and safety of preemptive infusion protocols of the two most commonly used vasopressors, ephedrine (Group E, n = 29) and phenylephrine (Group P, n = 31) not only on prevention of hypotension but also to determine their effect on hemodynamic parameters, such as stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) using a continuous non-invasive hemodynamic monitor. Methods The infusion of ephedrine was administered at the rate of 5 mg/min. immediately after SA. Phenylephrine was administered at an infusion rate of 25 μg/min for two minutes prior to SA. Results In Group E, mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were similar to baseline. CO was higher (p < 0.001), while systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was lower than baseline (p < 0.001). In Group P, mean SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were lower than baseline, respectively (p = 0.006, p < 0.001). SBP, DBP, CO, SV, SVR, and HR were significantly different between the E and P groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion E and P vasopressors are both effective in the prevention of hypotension during SA