The Intelence aNd pRezista Once A Day Study (INROADS): a multicentre, single-arm, open-label study of etravirine and darunavir/ritonavir as dual therapy in HIV-1-infected early treatment-experienced subjects

OBJECTIVES

Following antiretroviral therapy failure, patients are often treated with a three-drug regimen that includes two nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors [N(t)RTIs]. An alternative two-drug nucleoside-sparing regimen may decrease the pill burden and drug toxicities associated with the use of N(t)RTIs. The Intelence aNd pRezista Once A Day Study (INROADS; NCT01199939) evaluated the nucleoside-sparing regimen of etravirine 400 mg with darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once-daily in HIV-1-infected treatment-experienced subjects or treatment-naïve subjects with transmitted resistance.

METHODS

In this exploratory phase 2b, single-arm, open-label, multicentre, 48-week study, the primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects who achieved HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL at week 48 [confirmed virological response (CVR), non-virological failure (VF) censored]. Key secondary endpoints included assessments of changes from baseline to week 48 in viral load, immunological response, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, safety, tolerability, metabolic and bone markers and body fat.

RESULTS

Forty-one of the 54 enrolled subjects completed the study. Adverse events (7%) and VF (7%) were the most common reasons for discontinuation. The week 48 CVR rate in the intent-to-treat (ITT) non-VF censored population was 89% (primary endpoint). Seven subjects experienced VF. Common adverse events were diarrhoea (15%), rash (15%) and upper respiratory tract infection (11%). Mild/moderate lipid elevations, minimal changes in limb fat distribution and bone mineral density and no clinically relevant changes in glucose metabolism were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Etravirine 400 mg and darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg as a two-drug once-daily regimen in treatment-experienced subjects or treatment-naïve subjects with transmitted resistance was virologically efficacious and well tolerated.

Three-dimensional image transmission and reconstruction for multisensor imaging system using interleaver division multiple access

In this paper, we present an optical image transmission and reconstruction system of 3D objects using a multisensor imaging system and interleaver division multiple access (IDMA) channel. When the 3D image data from the multisensor imaging system are transmitted over a wireless channel, loss or distortion of original data may occur by wireless channel environment, such as multiple access interference and channel noise. To solve this problem, an optical 3D image reconstruction scheme and IDMA technique can be used. Reconstructed 3D image data at the receiver is clear enough to distinguish the depth of 3D objects. To prove our proposed scheme, we carry out an optical experiment for sensing 3D information and simulation for data transmission of a multisensor imaging system via IDMA with channel noise.

NFIB regulates embryonic development of submandibular glands

NFIB (nuclear factor I B) is a NFI transcription factor family member, which is essential for the development of a variety of organ systems. Salivary gland development occurs through several stages, including prebud, bud, pseudoglandular, canalicular, and terminal. Although many studies have been done to understand mouse submandibular gland (SMG) branching morphogenesis, little is known about SMG cell differentiation during the terminal stages. The goal of this study was to determine the role of NFIB during SMG development. We analyzed SMGs from wild-type and Nfib-deficient mice (Nfib (-/-)). At embryonic (E) day 18.5, SMGs from wild-type mice showed duct branching morphogenesis and differentiation of tubule ductal cells into tubule secretory cells. In contrast, SMGs from Nfib (-/-) mice at E18.5 failed to differentiate into tubule secretory cells while branching morphogenesis was unaffected. SMGs from wild-type mice at E16.5 displayed well-organized cuboidal inner terminal tubule cells. However, SMGs from Nfib (-/-) at E16.5 displayed disorganized inner terminal tubule cells. SMGs from wild-type mice at E18.5 became fully differentiated, as indicated by a high degree of apicobasal polarization (i.e., presence of apical ZO-1 and basolateral E-cadherin) and columnar shape. Furthermore, SMGs from wild-type mice at E18.5 expressed the protein SMGC, a marker for tubule secretory cells. However, SMGs from Nfib (-/-) mice at E18.5 showed apicobasal polarity, but they were disorganized and lost the ability to secrete SMGC. These findings indicate that the transcription factor NFIB is not required for branching morphogenesis but plays a key role in tubule cell differentiation during mouse SMG development.

Search for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts detected by the interplanetary network

We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.

Search for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts detected by the interplanetary network

We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.

Three-dimensional photon counting double-random-phase encryption

In this Letter, we present a three-dimensional (3D) photon counting double-random-phase encryption (DRPE) technique using passive integral imaging. A 3D photon counting DRPE can encrypt a 3D scene and provides more security and authentications due to photon counting Poisson nonlinear transformation on the encrypted image. In addition, 3D imaging allows verification of the 3D object at different depths. Preliminary results and performance evaluation have been presented.

The clinical ramifications of polycystic ovarian morphology in oocyte donors

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between Polycystic Ovary (PCO) morphology and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome in oocyte donation cycles.

DESIGN

Cross sectional study

SETTING

Private IVF clinic

PATIENTS

164 consecutive ovum donors and their recipients were reviewed, 149 were included in the study where 113 patients had normal ovarian morphology and 36 patients had PCO morphology.

INTERVENTIONS

All donors underwent ovarian stimulation in conjunction with GnRH agonist or antagonist in standard fashion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Baseline donor characteristics were recorded, as well as details of IVF stimulation and embryo data. Recipient data on pregnancy and miscarriage were also collected.

RESULTS

Patients with PCO ovaries had significantly higher peak estradiol levels and required less gonadotropins during IVF stimulation. In addition, the baseline characteristics between donor groups did not differ except for ovarian morphology. The number of oocytes retrieved and indicators of embryo quality did not differ between the two groups, and there was no significant difference between pregnancy and miscarriage rates in the recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

Oocyte donors with PCO morphology have equivalent pregnancy rates and do not need to be excluded as potential donors.

Hepatitis B virus X gene differentially modulates cell cycle progression and apoptotic protein expression in hepatocyte versus hepatoma cell lines

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene, which encodes the hepatitis B virus x protein (HBx), is essential for viral infection and genome replication, virus-associated liver disease, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the exact role(s) of HBx remain controversial. In this study, we focus on studying the role of HBx in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis in normal liver and hepatoma cell lines. We established the Huh7-X and Chang-X cell lines that constitutively express HBx. There were differences between the two cell lines in terms of cell cycle regulation and expression of p27 and transforming growth factor-β. Expression of HBx proteins dramatically increases expression of Bcl-2 and reduces levels of cleaved PARP protein in Chang-X cells, and it inhibits apoptosis under unfavourable conditions, such as serum starvation, in both cell lines. Our findings provide clues about the intracellular roles of HBx and demonstrate that expression of this protein is important for multiple cellular processes, that is, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, in hepatoma cells and normal liver cell lines.

Three-dimensional imaging with axially distributed sensing using electronically controlled liquid crystal lens

In this Letter, we present a three-dimensional (3D) imaging system with axially distributed sensing (ADS) using an electronically controlled liquid crystal (LC) lens. The proposed system performed an optical image acquisition by varying the focal lengths of the LC lens without mechanical movements of an image sensor. Multiple images with slightly different perspectives were experimentally recorded, and the 3D images were reconstructed according to the ray backprojection algorithm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on 3D ADS using a LC lens. The proposed system is attractive for compact 3D sensing camera systems.