DAAs

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can now be cured with well-tolerated direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. However, a potential barrier to HCV elimination is the emergence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) that reduce the efficacy of antiviral drugs, but real-world studies assessing the clinical impact of RASs are limited. Here, an analysis of the impact of RASs on retreatment outcomes for different salvage regimens in patients nationally who failed first-line DAA therapy is reported...

PURPOSE: This retrospective longitudinal study evaluated the biomechanical E-staging in KC corneas before and after intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation (Intacs® SK, Addition Technology, Illinois, United States). METHODS: Biomechanical E-staging for ectatic corneal diseases was applied retrospectively on 49 KC corneas of 41 patients who underwent ICRS implantation. The main outcome parameters included the Corvis Biomechanical Factor (CBiF, the linearized Corvis Biomechanical Index and the biomechanical parameters included), the resulting biomechanical E-staging, the stress-strain index, thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), maximal anterior keratometry (Kmax), and the anterior radius of curvature (ARC)...

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous clearance of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is rare in adults. A T-lymphocyte response is thought to be involved in HCV-RNA clearance. Splenectomy reportedly has a beneficial effect on T cell immune function in patients with cirrhosis. To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first to describe spontaneous clearance of serum HCV-RNA within 1 year after splenectomy in a patient with cirrhosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old man with HCV cirrhosis was transferred to our institution with advanced pancytopenia, splenomegaly, and gastric varices...

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection may further compromise immunological and cognitive function in people with HIV (PWH). This study compared laboratory and neuropsychiatric measures across the periods of HCV seroconversion and direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy with sustained virologic response (SVR) among PWH who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during acute HIV infection (AHI) and acquired HCV after 24 weeks of ART. Methods Participants from the RV254 AHI cohort underwent paired laboratory and neuropsychiatric assessments during regular follow-up...

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the amplitude of the anatomical-mechanical angle (AMA-angle) using 4 measuring methods of the tibial distal anatomical axes (DAA) previously described, comparing the literature results to determine if there are significant differences in patients with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture. ANIMALS: This study was comprised of 30 tibiae (29 dogs), including 1 bilateral case. METHODS: A retrospective study was selected for this research...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the ratio between the graft and host corneal size (RGH) on postoperative complications, such as immune reactions, re-bubbling rate and endothelial cell loss (ECL) after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 457 patient eyes were included which had undergone surgery between 2016 and 2019 in the Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg/Saar using DMEK or triple DMEK, diagnosed as Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (n = 431), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (n = 9) and others (n = 17)...

Palm seedlings are visually selected from mature fruits in a slow process that leads to nonuniform germination and high embryo mortality. In this study, we determined the levels of monosaccharides, their crystallinity, and their role in the formation of Euterpe edulis endosperm during seed maturation. Seeds harvested from 108 to 262 days after anthesis (DAA) were analyzed morphologically, physiologically, and chemically to measure soluble and insoluble lignins, ashes, structural carbohydrates, degree of crystallinity, and endo-β-mannanase...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. HBV-infected patients are at a lifetime risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Today, pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are used in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Both treatment options have limitations. Despite effective viral suppression, NAs have little effect on covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the stable episomal form of the HBV genome in hepatocytes...

BACKGROUND: People who inject drugs (PWID) are a priority population in HCV elimination programming. Overcoming sex and gender disparities in HCV risk, prevention, and the cascade of care is likely to be important to achieving this goal, but these have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched Pubmed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1 January 2012-22 January 2024 for studies of any design reporting sex or gender differences among PWID in at least one of: sharing of needles and/or syringes, incarceration history, injection while incarcerated, participation in opioid agonist treatment or needle and syringe programs, HCV testing, spontaneous HCV clearance, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment initiation or completion, and sustained virological response (SVR)...

Current management of HCV infection is based on Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs (DAAs). However, resistance-associated mutations, especially in the NS3 and NS5B regions are gradually decreasing the efficacy of DAAs. Among the most effective HCV NS3/4A protease drugs, Sofosbuvir also develops resistance due to mutations in the NS3 and NS5B regions. Four mutations at positions A156Y, L36P, Q41H, and Q80K are classified as high-level resistance mutations. The resistance mechanism of HCV NS3/4A protease toward Sofosbuvir caused by these mutations is still unclear, as there is less information available regarding the structural and functional effects of the mutations against Sofosbuvir...

INTRODUCTION: Ozone (O3 ) is an air pollutant associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. The lung-brain axis is implicated in O3 -associated glial and amyloid pathobiology; however, the role of disease-associated astrocytes (DAAs) in this process remains unknown. METHODS: The O3 -induced astrocyte phenotype was characterized in 5xFAD mice by spatial transcriptomics and proteomics. Hmgb1fl/fl LysM-Cre+ mice were used to assess the role of peripheral myeloid cell high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)...

PURPOSE: There remains a need for improved imaging markers for risk stratification and treatment guidance in Marfan syndrome (MFS). After aortic root replacement (ARR), vascular remodeling and progressive aneurysm formation can occur due to alterations in up- and downstream wall biomechanics and hemodynamics. We aim to compare the ventriculo-vascular properties of patients with MFS with controls, and investigate the correlation between ascending aortic area strain and descending aortic area strain (DAAS) with other clinical variables...

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic kidney disease are increasing. Hepatitis C infection (HCV) occurs in 1% of the world population and can induce several kidney diseases. DM prevalence is increased in individuals with HCV; however, kidney diseases in those with both DM and HCV have not been assessed. Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) became available for HCV treatment in 2014; it is unknown if DAAs altered the spectrum of kidney disease in patients with DM and HCV...

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to spread and mutate, it remains important to focus not only on preventing spread through vaccination but also on treating infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). The approval of Paxlovid, a SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro ) DAA, has been significant for treatment of patients. A limitation of this DAA, however, is that the antiviral component, nirmatrelvir, is rapidly metabolized and requires inclusion of a CYP450 3A4 metabolic inhibitor, ritonavir, to boost levels of the active drug...

Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have been developed for hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy, and they are usually effective, however resistance to DAA regimens has also been reported to have a significant impact. Resistance associated substitutions (RASs) in the NS5A region are known to be correlated with failure of DAA therapy. HCV genotypes 3a and 1 are the most prevalent genotypes in Thailand. This study analyzed the type and frequency of RASs associated with DAA failure, focusing on the NS5A region. Serum samples of HCV genotype 3a, 1a, and 1b infection from Thai blood donors were selected...

Racial disparities in psychiatric diagnoses and treatment have significant public health implications, contributing to inequities in healthcare outcomes. We specifically examined racial disparities regarding pro re nata (PRN), or as needed, medications. Data from 14,616 encounters across 2019-2020 within Community Health Network's inpatient psychiatric setting in Indianapolis, Indiana were included in this study. Due to the demographic sample size, analyses were narrowed to Black and White patients. Primary outcomes included comparisons across race for all PRN administrations and PRN administrations of antipsychotics vs...

BACKGROUND: Information on the dynamics of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) among hepatitis C virus patients achieving sustained virologic response (SVR12 ) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is limited. METHODS: We enrolled 1512 eligible participants in this prospective study. MASLD was defined by a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥248 dB/m utilizing vibration-controlled transient elastography in conjunction with presence of  ≥1 cardiometabolic risk factor...

Hydrogels as wound dressing have attracted extensive attention in past decade because they can provide moist microenvironment to promote wound healing. Herein, this research designed a multifunctional hydrogel with antibacterial property and antioxidant activity fabricated from quaternary ammonium bearing light emitting quaternized TPE-P(DAA-co-DMAPMA) (QTPDD) and poly(aspartic hydrazide) (PAH). The protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA) grafted to the hydrogel through dynamic bond endowed the hydrogel with antioxidant activity and the tranexamic acid (TXA) was loaded to enhance the hemostatic performance...

In this study, we compared the transcriptome of longissimus dorsi muscle between Guizhou Xiang pigs (XP) and Western commercial Large White pigs (LW), which show diffirent meat quality between them. In terms of meat quality traits, the pH 45 min, color score, backfat thickness, and intramuscular fat (IMF) content were higher in Xiang pigs than in Large White pigs (P < 0.01), while the drip loss, lean meat percentage, shear force, and longissimus dorsi muscle area of Xiang pigs were lower than that of Large White pigs (P < 0...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been accessible in Japan since 2014. The aim of this study is to compare how the prognosis of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCV-HCC) changed before and after DAA development. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1949 Japanese HCV-HCC patients from January 2000 to January 2023 categorized them into pre-DAA (before 2013, n = 1169) and post-DAA (after 2014, n = 780) groups...