Cost effectiveness of daclatasvir/asunaprevir versus peginterferon/ribavirin and protease inhibitors for the treatment of hepatitis c genotype 1b Naïve patients in Chile

© 2015 Vargas et al. Introduction: Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir (DCV/ASV) have recently been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. In association, they are more effective and safer than previous available treatments, but more expensive. It is unclear if paying for the additional costs is an efficient strategy considering limited resources. Methods: A Markov model was built to estimate the expected costs in Chilean pesos (CL$) and converted to US dollars (US$) and benefits in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) in a hypothetic cohort of naive patients receiving DCV/ASV compared to protease inhibitors (PIs) and Peginterferon plus Ribavirin (PR). Efficacy was obtained from a mixed-treatment comparison study and costs were estimated from local sources. Utilities were obtained applying the EQ-5D survey to local patients and then valued with the Chilean tariff. A time horizon of 46 years and a discount rate of 3% for costs and outcomes was considered. The ICERs were estimated for a range of DCV/ASV prices. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: PIs were extendedly dominated by DCV/ASV. The ICER of DCV/ASV compared to PR was US$16,635/QALY at a total treatment price of US$ 77,419; US$11,581 /QALY at a price of US$ 58,065; US$6,375/QALY at a price of US$ 38,710; and US$1,364 /QALY at a price of US$ 19,355. The probability of cost-effectiveness at a price of US$38,710 was 91.6$ 19,355. Although the results are sensitive to certain parameters, the ICER did not increase above the suggested threshold of 1 GDP per capita. Conclusions: DCV/ASV can be considered cost-effective at any price of the range studied. These results provide decision makers useful information about the value of incorporating these drugs into the public Chilean healthcare system

Validation of digital elevation models in the Central Andes of Chile

Este estudio validó la precisión y exactitud vertical de siete modelos de elevación digital DEM (SRTM X-SAR, SRTMv3 void filled 1 arcsec, SRTMv3 void filled 3 arcsec, SRTM GL1 Ellip, Aster GlobalDEM v3 2019/08. Alos World 3D 30m v21 2018/04, TamDEMx), a escalas regional y local en zonas de media y alta montaña de los Andes centrales de Chile. La precisión fue determinada utilizando pruebas estadísticas compiladas por el Instituto Nacional de Normalización (INN), las que consideraron datos de elevación de 149 puntos de control terrestre con mediciones GNSS y 1825 PCT de la misión IceSat-2. A escala regional, los resultados del error entre el valor observado y el valor estimado, indican que el DEM SRTM X-SAR es el de mayor exactitud y precisión vertical (exactitud= 21,3 m equivalente al 85%; RMSEz=21,7 m equivalente al 86,8% de precisión). Sin embargo, su configuración en bandas cruzadas no permite cálculos que aseguren la completitud de un área mayor a 2.500 km2 . Entonces, la siguiente opción es el DEM Alos World 3D 30m v21 2018/04 con exactitud de 22,5 m equivalente al 90%; RMSEz=23 m equivalente al 92%). A escala local y, considerando primero toda el área y todos los datos IceSat-2 y luego solo aquellas mediciones en zonas estables, el DEM Alos World 3d es el de mayor precisión y exactitud vertical, seguido del DEM AsterGDEMv3 19/08. En último lugar se ubica el DEM TamDEMx.This study validated the vertical exactitude and accuracy of seven digital elevation models DEM (SRTM X-SAR, SRTMv3 void voided 1 arcsec, SRTMv3 void filled 3 arcsec, SRTM GL1 Ellip, Aster GlobalDEM v3 2019/08. Alos World 3D 30m v21 2018/04, TamDEMx), considering both regional and local scale in middle/ higher mountain areas of the central Andes of Chile. Exactitude and Accuracy were determined using metrics and/or statistical tests reviewed by the National Institute of Standardization (INN), tests that considered the elevation data of 149 ground control acquired through several GNSS surveys, and 1825 gcp provided by IceSat-2 mission records. At the regional scale, the results of the error estimation between the observed and the predicted value indicate that the DEM SRTM X-SAR is the most precise and vertically accurate set (21,3 m of exactness equivalent to 85% of exactitude; RMSEz = 21,7 m of precision equivalent to 86.8% of accurate). However, the band layout does not allow calculations that ensure the completeness of an area greater than 2500 sqkm. Then, the next option is the DEM Alos World 3D 30m v21 2018/04 (22,5 m of exactness representing 90% of exactitude; RMSEz = 23 m equivalent to 92% of accurate). Locally, and first considering the entire area and all IceSat-2 data, and then only those measurements in stable zones, in both cases the Alos World 3d is the most exactly and vertically accurately DEM, followed by the DEM AsterGDEMv3 19/08. The poorest indicators belong to the DEM TamDEMx.Fil: Soza, Diego A.. No especifíca;Fil: Falaschi, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentin

Molecular Identification of Biocide Resistant Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC) Genes in Multi-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from ICU Patients in Erbil City

Multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) is recognized as one of the most important nosocomial pathogens in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Disinfectants are frequently used in hospitals to prevent transmission of MDR-AB-related infections. However, the excessive use of disinfectants may impose selective pressure on MDR-AB strains and lead to wide spread of biocide Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC) resistance genes. This study aimed to investigate 40 MDR-AB isolates collected from ICU patients for the distribution of QAC genes (qacE and qacΔE1) by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)method and the susceptibility towards benzalkonium (BAC) and Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) by Agar Well Diffusion method. Results showed that 32 (80%) and 30 (75%) isolates harbored qacE and qacΔE1 genes, respectively. All isolates showed high susceptibility against tested biocides, in which the mean of growth inhibition zone for each of BAC and DDAC were 24mm and 23 mm, respectively. In conclusion, this study confirms high frequency of QAC genes in MDR-AB isolates. Moreover, efficient microbiological efficacy of these biocide agents was observed as expected according to the manufacture’s standards guideline

Auditoria energética del estado actual de las luminarias que componen el alumbrado público en el área urbana del sector Oeste de la ciudad de Managua. Periodo de diciembre 2016 a enero 2017

La auditoría energética es un servicio de asesoramiento que tiene por objeto el análisis de la situación energética de las instalaciones de alumbrado público, con el fin de evaluar y determinar su eficiencia. Con la auditoría realizada se pretende obtener una visión preliminar del estado energético del alumbrado público en la parte occidental de la capital Managua, Nicaragua; y de este modo realizar propuestas de mejora que impliquen un importante ahorro energético y económico. Como resultado de la auditoría se han obtenido una mala disposición de las luminarias, falta de supervisión y mantenimiento, y no se cuenta con una ley específica en el país. Este trabajo servirá para guiar a los gestores de estas instalaciones en la toma de decisiones a la hora de acometer futuras reformas. Y que estas inversiones que potencialmente se realicen en este tipo de instalaciones cuenten con la calidad del servicio, la optimización energética, el ahorro económico, y correctas políticas de control

The Proteasomal Deubiquitinating Enzyme PSMD14 Regulates Macroautophagy by Controlling Golgi-to-ER Retrograde Transport

Ubiquitination regulates several biological processes, however the role of specific members of the ubiquitinome on intracellular membrane trafficking is not yet fully understood. Here, we search for ubiquitin-related genes implicated in protein membrane trafficking performing a High-Content siRNA Screening including 1187 genes of the human “ubiquitinome” using amyloid precursor protein (APP) as a reporter. We identified the deubiquitinating enzyme PSMD14, a subunit of the 19S regulatory particle of the proteasome, specific for K63-Ub chains in cells, as a novel regulator of Golgi-to-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retrograde transport. Silencing or pharmacological inhibition of PSMD14 with Capzimin (CZM) caused a robust increase in APP levels at the Golgi apparatus and the swelling of this organelle. We showed that this phenotype is the result of rapid inhibition of Golgi-to-ER retrograde transport, a pathway implicated in the early steps of the autophagosomal formation. Indeed, we observed that inhibition of PSMD14 with CZM acts as a potent blocker of macroautophagy by a mechanism related to the retention of Atg9A and Rab1A at the Golgi apparatus. As pharmacological inhibition of the proteolytic core of the 20S proteasome did not recapitulate these effects, we concluded that PSMD14, and the K63-Ub chains, act as a crucial regulatory factor for macroautophagy by controlling Golgi-to-ER retrograde transport

Determinación del grado de contaminación luminosa producto de las luces artificiales en el sector Oeste de la ciudad de Managua, Nicaragua. Periodo diciembre 2016 a enero 2017

This study aims to take the first steps to quantify light pollution as a result of artificial lighting in the western area of the city of Managua, Nicaragua. The degree of light pollution was assessed by measuring Rayleigh’s scattering of artificial light over the night sky. On-site measurements were performed with the Unihedron Sky Quality Meter (SQM-L) photometer along the main avenues of the western part of the Managua city on new moon and clear sky nights between December 2016 and January 2017. With this data, the first map of the spatial distribution of the night sky brightness in the western part of the city of Managua was developed and a surface brightness of 16.45 mag/arcsec2 was obtained. This value classifies the brightness of the Managua sky as Class 6: Glow of Urban Sky according to the Unihedron scale and red level according to the Bortle scale. In addition, satellite images from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) were used to analyze the growth of Managua artificial lighting between 1992 and 2013.En este estudio se pretende dar los primeros pasos para cuantificar la contaminación lumínica como consecuencia de la iluminación artificial en el occidente de la ciudad de Managua, Nicaragua. El grado de contaminación lumínica fue evaluado midiendo la dispersión de Rayleigh de la luz artificial sobre el cielo nocturno. Se realizaron mediciones in situ con el fotómetro Unihedron Sky Quality Meter (SQM-L) por las principales avenidas de la parte occidental de la ciudad Managua en noches de luna nueva y cielo despejado entre los meses de diciembre 2016 a enero 2017. Con estos datos se elaboró el primer mapa de la distribución espacial del brillo del cielo nocturno de la zona occidental de la ciudad de Managua y se obtuvo un brillo superficial de 16,45 mag/arcsec2. Este valor clasifica el brillo del cielo de Managua como Clase 6: Resplandor de Cielo Urbano de acuerdo a la escala Unihedron y en nivel Color Rojo de acuerdo a la escala de Bortle. Además, se usaron imágenes satelitales del Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) para analizar el crecimiento de la iluminación artificial de Managua entre los años 1992 a 2013

Crystalline-to-plastic phase transitions in molecularly thin n-dotriacontane films adsorbed on solid surfaces

doi:10.1063/1.3213642Crystalline-to-rotator phase transitions have been widely studied in bulk hydrocarbons, in particular in normal alkanes. But few studies of these transitions deal with molecularly thin films of pure n-alkanes on solid substrates. In this work, we were able to grow dotriacontane (n-C32H66) films without coexisting bulk particles, which allows us to isolate the contribution to the ellipsometric signal from a monolayer of molecules oriented with their long axis perpendicular to the SiO2 surface. For these submonolayer films, we found a step in the ellipsometer signal at ~331 K, which we identify with a solid-solid phase transition. At higher coverages, we observed additional steps in the ellipsometric signal that we identify with a solid-solid phase transition in multilayer islands (~333 K) and with the transition to the rotator phase in bulk crystallites (~337 K), respectively. After considering three alternative explanations, we propose that the step upward in the ellipsometric signal observed at ~331 K on heating the submonolayer film is the signature of a transition from a perpendicular monolayer phase to a denser phase in which the alkane chains contain on average one to two gauche defects per molecule.This work was supported by the Chilean government through FONDECYT Grant Nos. 1060628 and 7080105 and by CONICYT scholarships (E.A.C., V.d.C. and P.A.S.), and by the U.S. NSF Grant No. DMR-0705974

Estudio del esfuerzo de rodadura en tractores articulados (4WD) y de tracción delantera asistida (FWA)

p.221-229En el autotransporte del tractor se producen tros tipos de pérdidas de transmisión, pérdidas por rodadura y pérdida por patinaje. Las pérdidas por transmisión conciernen al diseño de la misma, las pérdidas por patinaje y rodadura son las que más preocupan al productor (FWA y 4WD) comunes a nuestro mercado agrícola, sobre estas condiciones de suelo diferentes, suelo arado, cama de siembra y siembra directa. Los parámetros evaluados fueron: esfuerzos de rodadura fueron contrastados con las fórmulas de predicción de Wismer y Luth y de MCallister. Las conclusiones obtenidas fueron 1) La potencia pérdida en rodadura se incrementó en suelos de baja capacidad portante; 2) Para predecir esfuerzo de rodadura en tractores (FWA y 4WD) cuando transitan sobre suelos arados se puede utilizar la ecuación de predicción de Wismer y Luth; 3) El porcentaje de potencia del motor pérdida por rodadura fue mayor para el tractor FWA cuando transitó sobre suelos de baja capacidad portante, 4) La menor relación potencia pérdida en rodadura 7 potencia motor fue mejor para el 4 WD en suelo cama de siembra y suelo arado, no así en siembra directa y 5) Se encontró, sobre los suelos blandos, una relación directa entre profundidad de huella y el peso del tractor que lo transitó

Анализ эффективности использования ремонтной конструкции дефектного участка нефтепровода с применением программного комплекса ANSYS

To investigate the performance of semi-automated measurements (RECIST, volume) of hepatic metastases in multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) under normal-dose- and simulated low-dose-protocols.Thirty-five patients (67 +/- 13 years) with a total of 79 hepatic metastases underwent 16-MDCT (120 kv, 160 mAseff, pitch 1, 3 mm slice thickness, 2 mm reconstruction increment, B30f standard soft tissue kernel) for either initial staging or therapy monitoring. Corresponding raw data from these standard-dose scans were simulated at lower radiation doses of 80/60/40 mAseff (Somatom Noise Vers.6.1 beta, Siemens Healthcare, Forchheim, Germany). A semi-automated software tool (SyngoCT Oncology, Siemens Healthcare, Forchheim, Germany) was applied to each dose setting to evaluate size parameters (RECIST, volume). These measurements were compared by applying repeated-measures analysis of variance and displayed graphically.For RECIST measurements no statistically significant differences were found between standard dose (Mean RECIST diameter: 20.46 +/- 8.37 mm) and different simulated low radiation doses (80 mAseff: 20.95 +/- 8.20 mm/60 mAseff: 20.50 +/- 8.35 mm/40 mAseff: 19.95 +/- 8.16 mm): P = 0.0774.Statistically significant differences of volume quantification (P 0.05) between 160 mAseff- and either 80 mAseff-(3.46 +/- 4.31 mL) or 60 mAseff-protocols (3.44 +/- 4.35 mL).Software-assisted assessment of RECIST criteria and volume demonstrated valid performances under different dose-settings in MDCT; therefore, substantial radiation dose reduction could be possible with the use of semi-automated measurements in follow-up studies