Prevalence and factors associated with significant liver fibrosis assessed by transient elastometry in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients.

Transient elastometry (TE) could provide a more accurate evaluation of the frequency and risk factors of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection than that based on biopsy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with significant liver fibrosis in a large population of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, who had participated in a cross-sectional, multicenter, retrospective study of liver fibrosis using noninvasive markers and in whom a determination of liver stiffness (LS) by TE was available, were included in this analysis.

Exercise in fibromyalgia and related inflammatory disorders: known effects and unknown chances.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterised by chronic widespread pain and allodynia (pain from stimuli which are not normally painful with pain that may occur other than in the area stimulated) of more than 3 months duration. The current hypothesis of the aetiology of FM includes inflammatory and neuroendocrine disorders. The biophysiology of this syndrome, however; remains still widely elusive, and there are no formally approved therapies.

Evaluation of the Zn2+ transport properties through a cation-exchange membrane by chronopotentiometry.

In this work the effect of zinc concentration, pH, and boric acid concentration on the zinc transport properties through an IONICS 67-HMR-412 cation-exchange membrane was evaluated. The limiting current density and the transport numbers were determined by means of chronopotentiometry. A model between the limiting current density and the bulk zinc concentration was established, assuming a potential relationship between the zinc transport number through the membrane and the bulk zinc concentration together with the Levich equation for the DBL thickness.

Effect of temperature on sporulation of Neozygites floridana isolates from different climates and their virulence against the tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi.

The fungal pathogen Neozygites floridana Weiser and Muma has been evaluated as a classical biological candidate for introduction into Africa against the invasive tomato red spider mite Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard. In this study, the effect of temperature on sporulation, germination and virulence of three isolates of N. floridana collected from T.

Exercise-induced extracellular 72 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp72) stimulates neutrophil phagocytic and fungicidal capacities via TLR-2.

This study evaluated the role of toll like receptor 2 (TLR-2) in the interaction of 72 kDa extracellular heat shock protein (Hsp72, a stress-inducible protein) with neutrophils and the participation on TLR-2 in the stimulation of neutrophil phagocytic and fungicidal capacities by post-exercise physiological concentrations of Hsp72. Human peripheral blood neutrophils were incubated with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Hsp72, and were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Both methods revealed an interaction of Hsp72 with neutrophils.

Advances and perspectives of the architecture of hemidesmosomes: lessons from structural biology.

Hemidesmosomes (HD) are adhesive protein complexes that mediate stable attachment of basal epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane. The organization of HDs relies on a complex network of protein-protein interactions, in which integrin alpha6beta4 and plectin play an essential role. Here we summarize the current knowledge of the structure of hemidesmosomal proteins, which includes the structures of the first and second fibronectin type III (FnIII) domains and the calx-beta domain of the integrin beta4 subunit, the actin binding domain of plectin, and two non-overlapping pairs of spectrin repeats of plectin and BPAG1e.

Some factors in sanctions for unsportsmanlike behavior of players and coaches in youth soccer.

Reasons and motives for sanctions imposed on players and coaches in youth soccer were examined to evaluate frequency and type of infraction by competition category (Under 12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18 years). Analysis of the first 30% of competitions yielded 1,202 sanctions of 340 teams with 6,120 players and 340 coaches. For older groups, the number of sanctions for aggressive conduct by the players was significantly higher; frequency of sanctions imposed on the coaches for disrespect also was significantly higher, and those for aggression were higher although not significantly so; the number of sanctions for disrespect by players was not different.

Influence of exercise on the circulating levels and macrophage production of IL-1beta and IFNgamma affected by metabolic syndrome: an obese Zucker rat experimental animal model.

Regular physical activity is recognized as a non-pharmacological treatment of genetic obesity and type-II diabetes, and based on the "anti-inflammatory" effects of exercise, it has been also proposed for improving the "chronic low-grade inflammation" in metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of an habitual exercise program (running, 5 days/week for 35 min at 35 cm/s for 14 weeks) and of a bout of acute exercise (running, for 35 min at 35 cm/s) on MS-associated disorders in the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IFNgamma. The study was carried out on obese Zucker rats (fa/fa).

Fast fibrosis progression between repeated liver biopsies in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus.

Unlabelled: A few studies have assessed the observed fibrosis progression between serial liver biopsies (LB) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. Approximately half of the patients progressed at least one fibrosis stage over a short period of time. The risk factors for this fast progression need clarification.

Pharmacokinetics of fosamprenavir plus ritonavir in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected adult subjects with hepatic impairment.

The effect of hepatic impairment on fosamprenavir/ritonavir pharmacokinetics was investigated. Sixty human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected subjects, including 13, 20, and 10 subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment, respectively, and a comparator group of 17 subjects with normal hepatic function, were enrolled. Subjects with normal hepatic function received fosamprenavir at 700 mg plus ritonavir at 100 mg twice daily, whereas subjects with hepatic impairment received adjusted doses in anticipation of increased exposures.

Oncoplastic techniques extend breast-conserving surgery to patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy response unfit for conventional techniques.

Background: Oncoplastic surgery is extending the role of breast-conserving surgery in an increasing number of patients who are unsuitable for conventional breast-conserving techniques. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the surgical approach, oncoplastic surgery guided by bracketing, used in the treatment of patients who required a wide breast tissue excision after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The parameters evaluated were as follows: margin status, rate of re-excision for positive margin, early ipsilateral recurrence, and cosmetic outcomes.

Effects of environmental stress on mRNA and protein expression levels of steroid 5alpha-Reductase isozymes in adult rat brain.

Environmental stress conditions are important factors in human health and should be considered in the development of appropriate health policies, since they have been associated with psychological disorders and even with death. A link between stress and changes in 3alpha,5alpha-reduced neurosteroids has been reported. Steroid 5alpha-Reductase (5alpha-R) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of 3alpha,5alpha-reduced neurosteroids.

Role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and nuclear transcription factor kappa beta (NF-k beta) on neutrophil phagocytic process of Candida albicans.

In humans, Candida albicans is the microorganism most frequently associated with fungal infections. Alterations in the balance between the host and this commensal pathogen, turns into a parasitic relationship which results in the development of invasive infections. Neutrophils via chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and microbicide capacity can eradicate this pathogen.

The changing face of HIV/AIDS in treated patients.

The spectrum of complications emerging in successfully treated HIV-infected patients has dramatically changed since the advent of HAART. Typical AIDS-defining illnesses have been substituted by new comorbid conditions that threaten even those patients who maintain virologic suppression. Proper management of cardiovascular risk, and early diagnosis of AIDS-related and, particularly, non-AIDS-related malignancies (including papilomavirus-related neoplasms) must be introduced into the routine of care.

[Personality disorders amongst inmates as a distorting factor in the prison social climate].

The prevalence of Personality Disorders (PD) in a prison and its effect on prison social climate are studied. Our research shows a statistically significant relationship between diagnosis of PD and indicators of social climate disruption such as aggressive interpersonal conduct or compulsive demand for psychoactive drugs in medical consultations. PD is one of the most common mental disorders in prison, and requires special attention from health services, while management of the disorder is a tremendously complex issue in the prison context.

Exercise intensity-dependent changes in the inflammatory response in sedentary women: role of neuroendocrine parameters in the neutrophil phagocytic process and the pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine balance.

Background: It is still not really known what is the optimal level of exercise that improves, but does not impair or overstimulate the innate immune function. This is especially the case in women, who have higher basal levels of 'inflammatory markers' than men. The aim of this work was to evaluate differences in the magnitude of the stimulation of the innate/inflammatory response following a single bout of moderate or intense exercise in sedentary women, all of them in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle.

Pegylated interferon {alpha}2a plus ribavirin versus pegylated interferon {alpha}2b plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients.

Objectives: The two currently available types of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) used to treat hepatitis C have different pharmacokinetic properties. It is unclear how these differences affect response to therapy. We compared the effectiveness and safety of peg-IFN-alpha2a and peg-IFN-alpha2b, both with ribavirin, against chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-infected patients.

Combined therapy of interferon plus ribavirin promotes multiple adaptive solutions in hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents several regions involved potentially in evading antiviral treatment and host immune system. Two regions, known as PKR-BD and V3 domains, have been proposed to be involved in resistance to interferon. Additionally, hypervariable regions in the envelope E2 glycoprotein are also good candidates to participate in evasion from the immune system.

Inoculation of sugarcane with Pantoea sp. increases amino acid contents in shoot tissues; serine, alanine, glutamine and asparagine permit concomitantly ammonium excretion and nitrogenase activity of the bacterium.

Pantoea sp. is an endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated from sugarcane tissues. The aim of the present study was to determine the contents of amino acids in sugarcane as a result of inoculation of nodes and nodal roots with Pantoea sp.

Noninvasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with HIV infection and HCV/HBV co-infection.

The measurement of fibrosis stage critically affects the identification of the progression of liver disease, the establishment of a prognosis and therapeutic decision making. Liver biopsy has been the single, most useful method to determine the degree of liver fibrosis (LF), but with recognized limitations, mainly associated with its invasiveness. In recent years, alternative noninvasive methods have been developed, including imaging methods, such as transient elastometry, and assays based on serum biomarkers.

Safety of Switching Nevirapine Twice Daily to Nevirapine Once Daily in Virologically Suppressed Patients.

Background: The strategy of switching nevirapine (NVP) twice daily to once daily was evaluated.

Methods: Forty-eight-week randomized, open, multicenter trial. Stable HIV-infected patients on NVP twice daily for >12-18 weeks with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) <2.

Differences in game statistics between winning and losing rugby teams in the six nations tournament.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the differences in rugby game statistics between winning and losing teams. The data from 58 games of round robin play from the Six Nations tournament from the 2003-2006 seasons were analyzed. The groups of variables studied were: number of points scored, way in which the points were scored; way teams obtained the ball and how the team used it; and technical and tactical aspects of the game.

Game Related Statistics Discriminating Between Starters and Nonstarters Players in Women'S National Basketball Association League (WNBA).

The aim of the present study was to identify the game-related statistics that allow discriminating between starters and nonstarter players in women's basketball when related to winning or losing games and best or worst teams. The sample comprised all 216 regular season games from the 2005 Women's National Basketball Association League (WNBA). The game-related statistics included were 2- and 3- point field-goals (both successful and unsuccessful), free-throws (both successful and unsuccessful), defensive and offensive rebounds, assists, blocks, fouls, steals, turnovers and minutes played.

The effect of salsalate on insulin action and glucose tolerance in obese non-diabetic patients: results of a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Aim/hypothesis: Low-grade inflammation may contribute to obesity-related insulin resistance and has been associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study evaluated whether treatment with salsalate, a traditional anti-inflammatory medication, would improve insulin action in obese non-diabetic individuals.

Methods: The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial conducted at the inpatient clinical research unit of the NIDKK (Phoenix, AZ, USA).

Targeted therapies in gynecologic cancers and melanoma.

The article reviews the main molecular pathology alterations of endometrial and ovarian carcinomas and melanoma. Several promising drugs targeting the genes most frequently altered in these tumors are under consideration. The most promising signaling pathways to be targeted for therapies in these tumors are the tyrosine kinase receptor (EGFR, HER2, c-KIT), the RAS/B-RAF/MAPK, the PI3K-mTOR, and apoptosis signaling pathways.