A positive correlation between virus evolutionary rate and disease progression has been shown for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Much less is known about HIV-2, the second causative agent of AIDS. We analyzed 528 HIV-2 env V1-C3 sequences generated from longitudinal plasma samples that were collected from 16 study participants during a median observation time of 7.9 years (

Smoking is a major heritable and modifiable risk factor for many diseases, including cancer, common respiratory disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Fourteen genetic loci have previously been associated with smoking behaviour-related traits. We tested up to 235,116 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) on the exome-array for association with smoking initiation, cigarettes per day, pack-years, and sm

The identification of novel antimetastatic therapeutic targets is necessary for improved treatment of patients with acquired BRAF inhibitor-resistant (BRAFi-R) melanoma, in whom metastasis is a major concern. Our present study focused on the identification of such targets to explore novel antimetastatic therapeutic options for BRAFi-R melanoma patients. We confirmed the development of BRAFi resist

BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Heart Network designed a clinical trial to compare aortic root growth and other short-term cardiovascular outcomes in children and young adults with Marfan syndrome randomized to receive atenolol or losartan. We report here the characteristics of the screened population and enrolled subjects.METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2011, 21 clinical sites randomized 608 subj

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As our understanding of the molecular regulation of cardiac development has progressed, an increasing number of genes that cause congenital heart disease when mutated are being identified. This review focuses on the progress made during the past year.RECENT FINDINGS: After PTPN11 was identified as a Noonan syndrome disease gene, additional discoveries have made clear that mutati

The fact that machines play an increasingly more important role in our daily life is hardly new to anyone. Robots help us with a wide range of things in our daily lives, the smartphone perhaps being the best illustration of this state of affairs. The debate among experts in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is divided: is the rapid development good for humanity, or is it bad (Müller and Bo

The ability to minimize vibrations in milling by the selection of cutting edge geometry and appropriate cutting conditions is an important asset in the optimization of the cutting process. This paper presents a measurement method and a signal processing technique to characterize and quantify the magnitude of the vibrations in an end milling application. Developed methods are then used to investiga

Background: Reduced activity of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been associated with decreased short-term death in patients with septic shock. Whether PCSK9 genotype influences long-term outcomes in sepsis survivors is unknown. Methods: We evaluated the impact of PCSK9 loss-of-function (LOF) genotype on both 1-year mortality and infection-related readmission (IRR) after a

Aim: Extremes in sleep duration play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes. We examined the associations between sleep duration and sleep debt with estimates of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Methods: Data were derived from the European multi-centre EGIR-RISC study. Sleep duration and sleep debt were derived from a sleep questionnaire asking about sleeping time during

Effective and deterrent methods of combating VAT fraud are crucial for the undisturbed functioning of EU internal market, provision of sound legal framework for taxpayers and protection of the integrity of the fiscal systems of the Member States. Artificial intelligence, algorithms and other technological developments involving big data analysis provide potent tools, which can assist tax administr

There is a general belief that a full-thickness eyelid defect is best repaired using a vascularized flap in combination with a free graft, and that a free full-thickness eyelid graft would not survive due to poor blood perfusion. However, we describe a case in which an upper eyelid was traumatically amputated. The eyelid was sutured in place and healed well in situ. The long-term outcome was good

III-V semiconductor nanowires made of materials which have the zinc blende crystal structure in bulk are well known to exhibit either the zinc blende or the wurtzite crystal structure. Understanding and controlling which crystal structure that forms is of highest importance for nanowire applications in a variety of areas. In addition to this, composition control in ternary nanowires is another key

The “neurotrophic hypothesis of depression” posits that low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Low levels of BDNF have also been found in individuals with suicide attempts, in MDD or other disorders, suggesting that low BDNF may also be associated with suicidality. We assessed serum BDNF in 68 physically healthy and unmedicated (

Development of mobile phone game. To make science available and fun for a wider audience.

Active mode (walking, bicycling, and their variants) users are exposed to various negative externalities from motor vehicle traffic, including injury risks, noise, and air pollutants. This directly harms the users of these modes and discourages their use, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of less active travel, more motorized travel, and more harmful effects. These impacts are widely recognized bu

Background: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) tumors are often resistant to therapies. Therefore searching for predictive markers and new targets for treatment in clinically relevant in vitro tumor models is essential. Five HNSCC-derived cell lines were used to assess the effect of 3D culturing compared to 2D monolayers in terms of cell proliferation, response to anti-cancer therapy as