Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r, dasabuvir and ribavirin for cirrhotic HCV patients with thrombocytopaenia and hypoalbuminaemia

Abstract Background & Aims Thrombocytopaenia and hypoalbuminaemia are surrogate markers for portal hypertension and hepatic synthetic dysfunction respectively. Patients infected with hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) with these surrogates have reduced likelihood of sustained virologic response and increased risk for hepatic decompensation or death when treated with peginterferon/ribavirin plus either telaprevir or boceprevir. Methods We conducted a post‐hoc analysis of the TURQUOISE ‐ II clinical trial in patients with cirrhosis to examine the impact of these surrogates on efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with ribavirin. Results Of 380 genotype 1‐infected patients in TURQUOISE ‐ II , 104 had either a platelet count <100 × 10 9 /L or albumin <3.5 g/dl. Sustained virologic response rates were 89 and 97% in patients with thrombocytopaenia, and 84 and 89% in patients with hypoalbuminaemia after 12 and 24 weeks of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with ribavirin respectively. These rates were similar to those observed in the overall study population (92 and 97% for 12 and 24 weeks). HCV genotype 1a‐infected patients with thrombocytopaenia or hypoalbuminaemia had higher response rates when treated for 24 weeks, whereas only 1 of 35 genotype 1b patients did not achieve a sustained virologic response. Adverse event rates and discontinuations because of adverse events were low. Conclusions The findings of these analyses support the use of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir with ribavirin in these subpopulations with cirrhosis. Genotype 1a‐infected patients with indicators of portal hypertension may benefit from a 24‐week treatment duration

Individuals With SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the First and Second Waves in Catalonia, Spain: Retrospective Observational Study Using Daily Updated Data

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Epidemiologia; ComparacióCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Epidemiología; ComparaciónCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Epidemiology; ComparisonA description of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection comparing the first and second waves could help adapt health services to manage this highly transmissible infection.Objective: We aimed to describe the epidemiology of individuals with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the characteristics of patients with a positive test comparing the first and second waves in Catalonia, Spain. Methods: This study had 2 stages. First, we analyzed daily updated data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals from Girona (Catalonia). Second, we compared 2 retrospective cohorts of patients with a positive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2. The severity of patients with a positive test was defined by their admission to hospital, admission to intermediate respiratory care, admission to the intensive care unit, or death. The first wave was from March 1, 2020, to June 24, 2020, and the second wave was from June 25, 2020, to December 8, 2020.Results: The numbers of tests and cases were lower in the first wave than in the second wave (26,096 tests and 3140 cases in the first wave versus 140,332 tests and 11,800 cases in the second wave), but the percentage of positive results was higher in the first wave than in the second wave (12.0% versus 8.4%). Among individuals with a positive diagnostic test, 818 needed hospitalization in the first wave and 680 in the second; however, the percentage of hospitalized individuals was higher in the first wave than in the second wave (26.1% versus 5.8%). The group that was not admitted to hospital included older people and those with a higher percentage of comorbidities in the first wave, whereas the characteristics of the groups admitted to hospital were more alike.This work was supported by grants from the European Union ERDF funds (Network for Prevention and Health Promotion in Primary Care, RedIAPP–CARDIOCAT; RD16/0007/0004) and from the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR; 2017-SGR 1146). We thank Eric Tornabell for his technical support. We also thank all health care professionals for their ceaseless work to care for COVID-19 patients in this pandemic

Forward-central two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between trigger particles in the forward pseudorapidity range (2.5 2GeV/c. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B. V.Peer reviewe

Event-shape engineering for inclusive spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV

Peer reviewe

Elliptic flow of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

The elliptic flow, v(2), of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity (2.5 <y <4) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)= 2.76TeVwith the ALICE detector at the LHC. The scalar product, two- and four-particle Q cumulants and Lee-Yang zeros methods are used. The dependence of the v(2) of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays on the collision centrality, in the range 0-40%, and on transverse momentum, p(T), is studied in the interval 3 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. A positive v(2) is observed with the scalar product and two-particle Q cumulants in semi-central collisions (10-20% and 20-40% centrality classes) for the p(T) interval from 3 to about 5GeV/c with a significance larger than 3 sigma, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The v(2) magnitude tends to decrease towards more central collisions and with increasing pT. It becomes compatible with zero in the interval 6 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. The results are compared to models describing the interaction of heavy quarks and open heavy-flavour hadrons with the high-density medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Gold Nanoparticles for Diagnostics: Advances towards Points of Care

The remarkable physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have prompted developments in the exploration of biomolecular interactions with AuNP-containing systems, in particular for biomedical applications in diagnostics. These systems show great promise in improving sensitivity, ease of operation and portability. Despite this endeavor, most platforms have yet to reach maturity and make their way into clinics or points of care (POC). Here, we present an overview of emerging and available molecular diagnostics using AuNPs for biomedical sensing that are currently being translated to the clinical setting

Simple method to generate calibrated synthetic smoke-like atmospheres at microscopic scale.

Artificial smokes focusing on macroscopic or fluid properties of smoke have been available for a long time. This paper presents a simple method to generate fully customizable smoke-like atmospheres at microscopic scale (i.e. considering their constituent particles as discrete elements) using a different approach. Synthetic, reproducible media can be generated combining monodisperse microspheres with known geometrical and optical properties conveniently parameterized. The method is presented as a proof-of-concept, highlighting the design decisions along with their implications. Practical issues such as aerosol nebulization, particle carrier selection or the features of the medium chamber where the smoke-like atmosphere is to be tested are analyzed. A comparison between methanol and ethanol as carriers for polystyrene microsphere nebulization is also made. The method could be the seed for the obtention of standard reference media for calibration or standardized characterization of not only smoke detectors and exhaust smoke sensors but also other instruments relying on optical properties of dispersive media (dust in PV panels, public lighting, etc.)