Atazanavir-Based Therapy Is Associated with Higher Hepatitis C Viral Load in HIV Type 1-Infected Subjects with Untreated Hepatitis C

Comunicación cortaWe assessed the relationship between atazanavir (ATV)-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) and plasma hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load in a population of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who received ART based on a protease inhibitor (PI) or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) were included. Patients were stratified by ART drug [ATV/rtv, lopinavir (LPV/rtv), efavirenz (EFV), nevirapine (NVP), and other PIs], HCV genotype (1/4 and 2/3), and IL28B genotype (CC and non-CC). The Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-squared test were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariate analysis consisted of a stepwise linear regression analysis. Six hundred and forty-nine HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were included. HCV genotype 1/4 patients who received ATV had higher HCV RNA levels [6.57 (5.9-6.8) log IU/ml] than those who received LPV [6.1 (5.5-6.5) log IU/ml], EFV [6.1 (5.6-6.4) log IU/ml], NVP [5.8 (5.5-5.9) log IU/ml], or other PIs [6.1 (5.7-6.4) log IU/ml] (p=0.014). This association held for the IL28B genotype (CC versus non-CC). The association was not found in patients carrying HCV genotypes 2/3. The linear regression model identified the IL28B genotype and ATV use as independent factors associated with HCV RNA levels. ATV-based therapy may be associated with a higher HCV RNA viral load in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

Description and analysis of the consequences of the housing Boom in Asturias using Geographical Information Systems, 1996-2006

The period between 2000 and 2007 was a period in which Spain was growing in a bubble around the construction sector driven by the boom in real estate and the high growth rate of public infrastructures. The macroeconomic consequences of this unbalanced growth of the construction are well known but the consequences for urban planning have been less studied. Although Asturias is one of the Spanish regions with the lower real estate bubble is clear that this region has participated with the national trend. The characteristics of this region make it particularly interesting for analysis due to the development of a polycentric conurbation in the central area and to the coexistence of different types of urban development in a small space. This paper proposes a methodology based on the description and analysis of information contained in the referenced digital cartography. Through the classification and interpretation of the píxels of the ortho-photos for Asturias we can identify how is the urban expansion distinguishing between industrial and urban uses of the new urban land. Applying statistical analysis with models that include spatial dependence of the information we can identify the causes of urban growth and describe the different patterns that were followed. We identify the sources affected by processes of real estate bubbles and the urban morphology that is consolidated as a result, among other things, of a reduce coordination between the municipalities of the asturian central area

Comparison of surface integral equation formulations for electromagnetic analysis of plasmonic nanoscatterers

The performance of most widespread surface integral equation (SIE) formulations with the method of moments (MoM) are studied in the context of plasmonic materials. Although not yet widespread in optics, SIE-MoM approaches bring important advantages for the rigorous analysis of penetrable plasmonic bodies. Criteria such as accuracy in near and far field calculations, iterative convergence and reliability are addressed to assess the suitability of these formulations in the field of plasmonics.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. TEC2011-28784-C02-01Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. TEC2011-28784-C02-0

Effect of traffic with a light-weight tractor on physical properties of an Aridisol soil in Almeria, Spain

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of repeated traffic with a light-weight tractor on the physical/mechanical properties of an Aridisol soil from eastern Almería (Spain). The soil has been used for almond (Prunus amigdalus L.) production for the past 29 years. A light modal tractor (≈15 kN overall load) and different traffic frequencies or treatments; namely, 0 (control, no traffic), and 1, 5, 7, and 10 passes, respectively, were used. The following variables were measured: cone Index (CI); bulk density (BD); total soil porosity (TSP); water infiltration into soil (I), and ruth depth (RD). The results showed that, only treatments 7 and 10 led to significant increases in CI and BD throughout the soil profile (0-450 mm). Changes in TSP in those treatments were consistent with changes in soil bulk density. No significant differences in RD were found when the tractor passed 1 or 5 times. All traffic treatments resulted in significant compaction in the topsoil layer (0-150 mm) and soil physical conditions that would be regarded as unsuitable for establishment of most arable crops.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of repeated traffic with a light-weight tractor on the physical/mechanical properties of an Aridisol soil from eastern Almería (Spain). The soil has been used for almond (Prunus amigdalus L.) production for the past 29 years. A light modal tractor (≈15 kN overall load) and different traffic frequencies or treatments; namely, 0 (control, no traffic), and 1, 5, 7, and 10 passes, respectively, were used. The following variables were measured: cone Index (CI); bulk density (BD); total soil porosity (TSP); water infiltration into soil (I), and ruth depth (RD). The results showed that, only treatments 7 and 10 led to significant increases in CI and BD throughout the soil profile (0-450 mm). Changes in TSP in those treatments were consistent with changes in soil bulk density. No significant differences in RD were found when the tractor passed 1 or 5 times. All traffic treatments resulted in significant compaction in the topsoil layer (0-150 mm) and soil physical conditions that would be regarded as unsuitable for establishment of most arable crops

Distribuidora de Fruver de Santander

El sector agrícola en Colombia ha sido uno de los pilares para el crecimiento económico del país, ya sea para la exportación o para el consumo interno. Sin embargo el consumo interno tiene una serie de inconvenientes dada la cadena de suministro, es decir la serie de intermediarios que hay desde el agricultor hasta el consumidor final, ello implica un pago mínimo para el primer proveedor y precio bastante alto para el consumidor final, dada la ganancia de cada agente en la cadena de suministro. La eliminación de la cadena anteriormente dicha, genera un crecimiento en los ingresos del agricultor y un beneficio para el consumidor final, recibiendo productos de optima calidad por menor manipulación y transporte a un menor precio, ello implica la creación de un proyecto para la eliminación de dicha intermediación, para que los productores y consumidores obtengan los beneficios inherentes de la supresión de la cadena de intermediarios. Para la creación de la Distribuidora de Fruver de Santander S.A.S se tiene en cuenta los antecedentes donde se nota el incremento, la importancia, la alta rotación y rentabilidad que ofrecen los productos hortofrutícolas, se realizo un análisis del mercado donde según el perfil económico y empresarial elaborado por la Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá la localidad de Engativá se posiciona como una de las localidades de Bogotá con alta actividad residencial lo cual favo-rece nuestro mercado. Teniendo en cuenta la eliminación de los intermediarios en la comercialización ya que se obtendrán los productos de municipios a un precio más bajo como lo son Barbosa, Suaita, Oiba, Puente Nacional, Berlín, Carmen de Carupa, Santa Ana y algunos productos en Corabastos, los precios de dichos productos serán siempre menores a los de los competidore

Natural Resources, Tradable and Non-tradable Sector: An Exemplification with Bolivia, a Boom - Tradable and Non-tradable Model

In this document the transmission channel between natural resource dependence and its dynamic effects on growth is evaluated (Dutch disease hypothesis). An exemplification is done through a small open economy (Bolivia case) according to representative characteristics of high concentration in exports of hydrocarbon and minerals, and their implications in the productive sectors: boom (B), tradable (T), and non-tradable (NT) [Boom TNT model], plus the addition of domestic demand and relative prices (foreign and domestic) in alternative econometric specifications by structural restrictions (SVAR) for quarterly period from 2000 to 2015. The results show statistical predominance of long-term responses over short-term specifications, and different magnitudes between positive and negative shocks. Keywords: Dutch disease, Growth, Resource booms, Dependence, Tradable, Non-tradable. JEL Classifications: O13, Q33, O41

Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic of once-daily boosted saquinavir (1500/100 mg) together with 2 nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors in real life: a multicentre prospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ritonavir-boosted saquinavir (SQVr) is nowadays regarded as an alternative antiretroviral drug probably due to several drawbacks, such as its high pill burden, twice daily dosing and the requirement of 200 mg ritonavir when given at the current standard 1000/100 mg bid dosing. Several once-daily SQVr dosing schemes have been studied with the 200 mg SQV old formulations, trying to overcome some of these disadvantages. SQV 500 mg strength tablets became available at the end of 2005, thus facilitating a once-daily regimen with fewer pills, although there is very limited experience with this formulation yet.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prospective, multicentre study in which efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of a regimen of once-daily SQVr 1500/100 mg plus 2 NRTIs were evaluated under routine clinical care conditions in either antiretroviral-naïve patients or in those with no previous history of antiretroviral treatments and/or genotypic resistance tests suggesting SQV resistance. Plasma SQV trough levels were measured by HPLV-UV.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Five hundred and fourteen caucasian patients were included (47.2% coinfected with hepatitis C and/or B virus; 7.8% with cirrhosis). Efficacy at 52 weeks (plasma RNA-HIV <50 copies/ml) was 67.7% (CI₉₅: 63.6 - 71.7%) by intention-to-treat, and 92.2% (CI₉₅: 89.8 - 94.6%) by on-treatment analysis. The reasons for failure were: dropout or loss to follow-up (18.4%), virological failure (7.8%), adverse events (3.1%), and other reasons (4.6%). The high rate of dropout may be explained by an enrollement and follow-up under routine clinical care condition, and a population with a significant number of drug users. The median SQV Cmin (n = 49) was 295 ng/ml (range, 53-2172). The only variable associated with virological failure in the multivariate analysis was adherence (OR: 3.36; CI95, 1.51-7.46, p = 0.003).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggests that SQVr (1500/100 mg) once-daily plus 2 NRTIs is an effective regimen, without severe clinical adverse events or hepatotoxicity, scarce lipid changes, and no interactions with methadone. All these factors and its once-daily administration suggest this regimen as an appropriate option in patients with no SQV resistance-associated mutations.</p