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- Bruggmann, P., et al.
(author)
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Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in selected countries
- 2014
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In: Journal of Viral Hepatitis. - Hoboken : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1352-0504 .- 1365-2893. ; 21, s. 5-33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading indicator for liver disease. New treatment options are becoming available, and there is a need to characterize the epidemiology and disease burden of HCV. Data for prevalence, viremia, genotype, diagnosis and treatment were obtained through literature searches and expert consensus for 16 countries. For some countries, data from centralized registries were used to estimate diagnosis and treatment rates. Data for the number of liver transplants and the proportion attributable to HCV were obtained from centralized databases. Viremic prevalence estimates varied widely between countries, ranging from 0.3% in Austria, England and Germany to 8.5% in Egypt. The largest viremic populations were in Egypt, with 6358000 cases in 2008 and Brazil with 2106000 cases in 2007. The age distribution of cases differed between countries. In most countries, prevalence rates were higher among males, reflecting higher rates of injection drug use. Diagnosis, treatment and transplant levels also differed considerably between countries. Reliable estimates characterizing HCV-infected populations are critical for addressing HCV-related morbidity and mortality. There is a need to quantify the burden of chronic HCV infection at the national level.
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- Razavi, H., et al.
(author)
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The present and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with today's treatment paradigm
- 2014
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In: Journal of Viral Hepatitis. - Hoboken : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1352-0504 .- 1365-2893. ; 21:Suppl. 1, s. 34-59
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The disease burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is expected to increase as the infected population ages. A modelling approach was used to estimate the total number of viremic infections, diagnosed, treated and new infections in 2013. In addition, the model was used to estimate the change in the total number of HCV infections, the disease progression and mortality in 2013-2030. Finally, expert panel consensus was used to capture current treatment practices in each country. Using today's treatment paradigm, the total number of HCV infections is projected to decline or remain flat in all countries studied. However, in the same time period, the number of individuals with late-stage liver disease is projected to increase. This study concluded that the current treatment rate and efficacy are not sufficient to manage the disease burden of HCV. Thus, alternative strategies are required to keep the number of HCV individuals with advanced liver disease and liver-related deaths from increasing.
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3. |
- Wedemeyer, H., et al.
(author)
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Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease burden
- 2014
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In: Journal of Viral Hepatitis. - Hoboken : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1352-0504 .- 1365-2893. ; 21, s. 60-89
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections is projected to decline while those with advanced liver disease will increase. A modeling approach was used to forecast two treatment scenarios: (i) the impact of increased treatment efficacy while keeping the number of treated patients constant and (ii) increasing efficacy and treatment rate. This analysis suggests that successful diagnosis and treatment of a small proportion of patients can contribute significantly to the reduction of disease burden in the countries studied. The largest reduction in HCV-related morbidity and mortality occurs when increased treatment is combined with higher efficacy therapies, generally in combination with increased diagnosis. With a treatment rate of approximately 10%, this analysis suggests it is possible to achieve elimination of HCV (defined as a >90% decline in total infections by 2030). However, for most countries presented, this will require a 3-5 fold increase in diagnosis and/or treatment. Thus, building the public health and clinical provider capacity for improved diagnosis and treatment will be critical.
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4. |
- Burmeister, Florian, et al.
(author)
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Description and performance of an electron-ion coincidence TOF spectrometer used at the Brazilian synchrotron facility LNLS
- 2010
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In: Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena. - : Elsevier BV. - 0368-2048 .- 1873-2526. ; 180:1-3, s. 6-13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper reports the characteristics and performance of a Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (TOF-MS) for coincidence measurements between electrons and ions that has been developed jointly in Sweden and Brazil. The spectrometer, used for studies of inner-shell photoexcitation of molecules in the gas-phase, has been optimized by implementing ion and electron lenses to allow the use of relatively small diameter detectors. Simulations were performed to understand the lens performance and they show that ions (electrons) could be collected without angular discrimination with a maximum kinetic energy up to ten (two) times higher than without the lens actions. A rotary vacuum chamber allows the spectrometer axis to be positioned at different angles relative to the polarization vector of the excitation beam. An important characteristic of the apparatus is that the acquisition setup allows a multi-hit capability with 1 ns resolution. Hereby, Photoelectron-Photoion-Photoion Coincidence (PEPIPICO) measurements can be performed on molecules containing two or more atoms of equal mass. A method to obtain experimental detection efficiencies of a single ion and one of one, two or three electrons has been developed. A systematic study of the interaction region has been performed to determine the shape of the photon and gas beams. Measurements on molecular nitrogen demonstrate the spectrometer's ability to resolve fragments with the same charge to mass ratio arriving within only a few ns. Simulations and experimental results of fragmentation of two singly charged cation nitrogen atoms agree, confirming that the spectrometer performance is well understood. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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6. |
- Gago, Paulo, et al.
(author)
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Passive Muscle Length Changes Affect Twitch Potentiation in Power Athletes.
- 2014
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In: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. - 0195-9131 .- 1530-0315. ; 46:7, s. 1334-1342
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: A conditioning maximal voluntary muscle action (MVC) has been shown to induce post-activation potentiation, i.e. improved contractile muscle properties, when muscles are contracted isometrically. It is still uncertain how the contractile properties are affected during ongoing muscle length changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6 s conditioning MVC on twitch properties of the plantar flexors during ongoing muscle length changes.METHODS: Peak twitch, rate of torque development (RTD) and relaxation (RTR), rising time and half relaxation time (HRT) were measured from supramaximal twitches evoked in the plantar flexors of 11 highly trained athletes. Twitches were evoked prior to a 6 s MVC and subsequently on 8 different occasions during a 10-minute recovery, for five different modes: fast lengthening, slow lengthening, isometric, fast shortening and slow shortening of the plantar flexors.RESULTS: The magnitude and duration of effects from the conditioning MVC were significantly different between modes. Peak twitch, RTD and RTR significantly increased for all modes but more so for twitches evoked during fast and slow shortening as compared to lengthening. Rising time was reduced in the lengthening modes, but slightly prolonged in the shortening modes. HRT was significantly reduced for all modes except fast lengthening.CONCLUSION: The findings show that the effects of a conditioning MVC on twitch contractile properties are dependent on direction and velocity of ongoing muscle length changes. This may imply that functional enhancements from a conditioning MVC might be expected to be greatest for concentric muscle actions, but are still present in isometric and eccentric parts of a movement.
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