Effectiveness of Simeprevir Plus Sofosbuvir, With or Without Ribavirin, in Real-World Patients With HCV Genotype 1 Infection

The interferon-free regimen of simeprevir plus sofosbuvir was recommended by professional guidelines for certain patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection based on the findings of a phase 2 trial. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this regimen in clinical practice settings in North America

Drawing from Grotowski and Beyond: Kuo Pao Kun’s Discourse on Audiences in Singapore in the 1980s

Much has been researched on Kuo Pao Kun’s multilingualism and multiculturalism. However, as one of one of the most important Asian dramatists, the analysis of Kuo’s discourse on audiences remains largely unexplored. There is a pressing need to understand the ways which theatre practitioners imagine audiences as it points to issues of subjectivity, audience participation and social engagement, especially in a neoliberal society like Singapore where people are often positioned as docile economic subjects. Among the many Asian and Western dramatists Kuo drew inspiration from, Jerzy Grotowski was pivotal. This essay seeks to address this gap by examining how the latter’s ideas was crucial to understanding how Kuo envisioned theatre and audiences alongside his artistic practice

Muir Quartet, November 9, 1995

This is the concert program of the Muir Quartet performance on Thursday, November 9, 1995 at 8:00 p.m., at the Tsai Performance Center, 685 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts. Works performed were String Quartet in C major, K. 465 "Dissonant" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, String Quartet No. 1 "Kreutzer Sonata" by Leos Janacek, and Piano Quintet in C minor, Op. 115 by Gabriel Fauré. Digitization for Boston University Concert Programs was supported by the Boston University Humanities Library Endowed Fund

Effect of Lipid Composition on Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC) on Ubiquinone Effectiveness as an Anti-aging Cosmetics

The purpose of this research is to determine the optimum composition of solid lipid and liquid lipid in order to increase the penetration and effectiveness of Q10 as antioxidant in anti-aging cosmetics. Solid lipid and liquid lipid used in this study were cetyl palmitate and caprylic, which were combined to four (4) different ratios, namely 10:0; 9:1; 7:3 and 5:5. NLC Q10 in this study was produced by high shear homogenization method at 3400 rpm for 5 cycles and at 24000 for 1 cycle. The fourth formula was evaluated in term of characteristics, penetration and effectiveness. From the pH test , it was known that all formulas met the skin pH range (4.0-6.0). For the particle size test , all formulas (NLC 1 - NLC 4) were in the range from 269.13 to 354.77 nm with NLC 3 (7: 3) had the smallest particle size. The results of viscosity and surface tension test were also consistent with the theory, where the addition of liquid lipid reduced viscosity and surface tension of the system. The entrapment efficiency (EE) demonstrated the EE of NLC 1: 22.24%; NLC 2: 24.71%; NLC 3: 58.21% and NLC 4:36.94%. The penetration test showed all systems were able to penetrate the dermis layer at the 5th hour. NLC 3 (7:3) had more rapid onset, while the NLC Q10 with the ratio of lipid 9:1, had slower onset of action but can penetrate farther than the other NLC Q10 system. The result of Q10 effectiveness test showed NLC 2 (9:1) has lowest total macrophage (23.33) and very dense collagen observation (score : 4). From this research, it can be concluded that NLC 2 (9:1) had the most optimal lipid composition to increase the penetration and effectiveness of Q10 as an antioxidant in anti-aging cosmetics

Cleaved intracellular SNARE peptides are implicated in a novel cytotoxicity mechanism of botulinum serotype C

Recent advances in intracellular protein delivery have enabled more in-depth analyses of cellular functions. A specialized family of SNARE proteases, known as Botulinum Neurotoxins, blocks neurotransmitter exocytosis, which leads to systemic toxicity caused by flaccid paralysis. These pharmaceutically valuable enzymes have also been helpful in the study of SNARE functions. As can be seen in Figure 1A, SNARE bundle formation causes vesicle docking at the presynapse. Although these toxins are systemically toxic, no known cytotoxic effects have been reported with the curious exception of the Botulinum serotype C [1]. This enzyme cleaves intracellular SNAP25, as does serotype A and E, but also, exceptionally, cleaves Syntaxin 1. Using an array of lipid and polymer transfection reagents we were able to deliver different combinations of Botulinum holoenzymes into the normally unaffected, Neuro2A, SH-SY5Y, PC12, and Min6 cells to analyze the individual contribution of each SNARE protein and their cleaved peptide products