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HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is characterized by chronic immune activation. We aimed to identify biomarkers associated with HAND and to investigate their association with cognitive function and sex, in a homogenous cohort of HIV-infected (HIV+) young adults, parenterally infected during early childhood. One hundred forty-four HIV+ Romanian participants (51% women) without major confounders underwent standardized neurocognitive and medical evaluation in a cross-sectional study. IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL10, and TNF-α were measured in plasma in all participants and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a subgroup of 56 study participants. Biomarkers were compared with neurocognitive outcomes, and the influence of sex and HIV disease biomarkers was assessed. In this cohort of young adults (median age of 24 years), the rate of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) was 36.1%. Median current CD4+ count was 479 cells/mm3 and 36.8% had detectable plasma viral load. Women had better HIV-associated overall status. In plasma, controlling for sex, higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were associated with NCI (p

Testing and evaluation of a mathematical model is a continuous process that can start from the beginning of the project modelling. A different approach to it, and not only, can be inefficient. This paper examines the dynamic models, Deterministic type or semi-Newtonian, Newtonian and empirical models based on biological hypotheses. A useful description of this subject is given by Penning de Vries, who stresses the lack of agreement on terminology and the need for clear definitions when these issues are discussed. Some modellers dilate the validation and verification, although we believe that the terms assessment and testing are more appropriate scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new systems which assess the nutritive value and determine the nutrient requirement triggered changes in the manner of formulation and development of optimized poultry diets. The purpose of this paper is to present a viewpoint on a possible solution for diet optimization. We considered the determination of a possible "common denominator" between the nutritional requirements, mathematical algorithms that can be applied to the stated problem and the economic aspects assimilated as purpose functions in formulating the mathematical models that are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing countries, 80 percent of the necessary production increase would come from increases in yields and cropping intensity and only 20 percent from expansion of arable land. But the fact is that globally the rate of growth in yields of the major cereal crops has been steadily declining, it dropped from 3.2 percent per year in 1960 to 1.5 percent in 2000. Many countries will continue depending on international trade to ensure their food security. It is estimated that by 2050 developing countries' net imports of cereals will more than double from 135 million metric tonnes in 2008/09 to 300 million in 2050. That is why there is a need to move towards a global trading system that is fair and competitive and that contributes to a dependable market for food. Reform of farm support policies in OECD countries is a welcome step which has led to a decline in the aggregate trade distortion coefficient from 0.96 in 1986 to 0.74 in 2007. Climate change and increased biofuel production represent major risks for long-term food security. Although countries in the Southern hemisphere are not the main originators of climate change, they may suffer the greatest share of damage in the form of declining yields and greater frequency of extreme weather events. Studies estimate that the aggregate negative impact of climate change on African agricultural output up to 2080-2100 could be between 15 and 30 percent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, on a global level livestock management is a multifunctional activity. Beyond their direct role in generating food and income, livestock can be a valuable asset, serving as a store of wealth, collateral for credit and an essential safety net during times of crisis. Livestock are also central to mixed farming systems. Demand for livestock products in the future could be heavily moderated by socioeconomic factors such as human health concerns and changing socio-cultural values. There is considerable uncertainty as to how these factors will play out in different regions of the world in the coming decades. The paper is divided into 4 sections. The first part makes a short presentation of the effect of livestock production on food security at a global level through the analysis of official statistic data on the evolution of livestock production up to the present as well as an incursion into world data regarding events forecast by experts from FAO, OECD and other known research institutes for alimentary security at a global level up to 2050 and 2100. The second part presents a dynamic analysis of data on a world level regarding the agro-livestock production and correlations with socio-economic factors as well as environmental factors at a global scale. Based on of specific literature presented on the end of paper, and especially of own studies and researches of authors working group made inside the first Post-doctoral School financed by European Union for project with topics: "The Post doctoral School of livestock Biodiversity and Food Biotechnology based on Eco-economy and Bio-economy for Ecosanogenesis". Are presented more new concepts, terms, and methodological schemes about sustainable development of rural farms. GNIR Holding develops these innovative ideas in context of knowledge based bio-economy for a the most priority strategic national project and integrated through recently objectives of Lisabona 2020 Strategy for smart, sustenable and inclusive growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Estimation of the Growing Process in Females Quail through Modern Methods," by Ioana Andronie and Violeta Simion is presented.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the second most widely used class of analgesics in France, after paracetamol. Some NSAIDs are available over the counter (OTC), without a prescription, on the advice of a pharmacist. NSAIDs have recently been the subject of safety alerts from France's Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM), highlighting a risk of worsening certain bacterial infections. This signal has not been confirmed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) although a "risk of complications due to masking of symptoms of infection" has not been ruled out. These divergent messages can be confusing for healthcare professionals. This literature review, based on an analysis of nearly 200 scientific publications, considers the place of NSAIDs in the OTC management of migraine, tension headaches, postoperative analgesia, acute musculoskeletal and joint pain, dysmenorrhea, viral respiratory infections, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and their toxicity. The role of the pharmacist in dispensing NSAIDs without a prescription is also addressed. NSAIDs offer rapid and effective pain management in a context of increasingly challenging access to care. Their safety profile is reassuring and generally well established but could be strengthened by conducting an ad hoc study to rule on the safety signal issued by the ANSM definitively. Pharmacists have the knowledge and tools to ensure the safe dispensing and rational use of NSAIDs, with or without a prescription. The introduction of risk minimization measures, such as decision-support tools, could enable further progress in ensuring the safe dispensing of OTC NSAIDs., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Background: During the first pandemic of COVID-19, early empirical antibiotic use rates for pneumonia varied widely. The benefit remains hypothetical., Methods: We assessed the benefit of empirical antibiotic use at admission in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia. We enrolled all adults admitted from 1 March to 30 April 2020 with symptoms for ≤14 days, a positive nasopharyngeal PCR or a highly suggestive CT scan. The primary outcome was mortality at Day 28. The secondary outcomes were transfer to the ICU, mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay. To handle confounding-by-indication bias, we used a propensity score analysis, expressing the outcomes in the original and overlap weighted populations., Results: Among 616 analysed patients, 402 (65%) received antibiotics. At Day 28, 102 patients (17%) had died, 90 (15%) had been transferred to the ICU and 24 (4%) had required mechanical ventilation. Mortality in patients who received antibiotics was higher before but not after weighting (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5-5.0, P < 0.001 and OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8-2.5, P = 0.28, respectively. Antibiotic use had no benefit on: transfer to ICU before and after weighting (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.8-2.3, P = 0.30 and OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-1.9, P = 0.78, respectively); mechanical ventilation before and after weighting (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-1.1, P = 0.079 and OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.3-2.0, P = 0.55, respectively); and length of hospital stay before and after weighting (mean difference -0.02 ± 0.5 days, P = 0.97 and mean difference 0.54 ± 0.75 days, P = 0.48, respectively)., Conclusions: We did not find any benefit of antibiotic use in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)