12 research outputs found

    Sensitivity of the STAT-VIEW rapid self-test and implications for use during acute HIV infection

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    ObjectivesHIV testing is an important step towards diminishing incident infections. Rapid self-tests whose use is becoming more common in France could help increase access to testing, yet could fail to diagnose HIV during acute HIV infection (AHI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate HIV-detection sensitivity of a commonly used rapid self-test (STAT-VIEW HIV1/2), compared with another point-of-care rapid test (INSTI), among patients presenting with AHI.MethodsIndividuals tested at Saint-Antoine Hospital (Paris, France) with negative or indeterminate western blot (WB) results and detectable HIV-RNA were included. Rapid tests were performed retrospectively on stored serum. Patients with and without reactive rapid tests were compared, while probability of having a reactive test was modelled across infection duration using logistic regression.ResultsOf the 40 patients with AHI, 23 (57.5%) had a reactive STAT-VIEW rapid test. Patients with non-reactive versus reactive tests had a significantly shorter median time since infection (p=0.01), time since onset of symptoms (p=0.009), higher proportion with Fiebig stage III versus IV (p=0.003), negative WB results (p=0.007), higher HIV-RNA levels (p=0.001) and lower CD4+ and CD8+ cell count (p=0.03, p&lt;0.001, respectively). When examining sensitivity over the course of AHI duration, the probability of HIV detection was 75.5% at 5 weeks from HIV transmission. The INSTI provided similar results with respect to proportion of reactive tests (62.5%), determinants for non-reactive test and probability of HIV detection at 5 weeks of infection (85.0%).ConclusionsOver half of AHI patients had reactive serology using the STAT-VIEW rapid self-test when performed on serum samples. Considering that detection sensitivity increased substantially over infection time, individuals should not rely on a negative result to accurately exclude HIV infection within at least 5 weeks of potential HIV exposure. Notwithstanding strong recommendations against rapid test use during AHI, some utility in detecting HIV is observed 5–12 weeks after transmission.</jats:sec

    IMPLEMENTASI PARENTING DALAM MENINGKATKAN PEMAHAMAN ORANGTUA TERHADAP PENDIDIKAN SEKS ISLAMI SEJAK DINI ( STUDI KASUS PADA TK PLUS AL HUJJAH JEMBER )

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    Sex education is an important aspect in children's development, especially in the family context. This thesis aims to explore the implementation of Islamiic sex education as an effort to increase parents' understanding of sex education from an early age. In this research, the author used a qualitative method with a case study approach. The data sources for this research were parents, teachers and the principal of Kindergarten Plus Al Hujjah Jember, while data collection used observation, interviews and documentation. The research results show that many parents still have limited understanding of sex education in accordance with Islamiic values. However, through structured Islamiic sex education programs, such as parenting classes, parents can gain better knowledge about the importance of open communication about sexual issues with their children. These programs not only provide academic information, but also equip parents parents with practical skills to discuss this sensitive topic. This study concluded that the implementation of Islamiic sex education can significantly improve parents' understanding of sex education, and help them educate their children in a way that is in accordance with Islamiic law, as well as minimize the number of sexual crimes in early childhood. It is hoped that the results of this study can be a reference for educators, policy makers, and the community in efforts to improve the quality of sex education based on Islamic values

    Utility of HIV-1 DNA genotype in determining antiretroviral resistance in patients with low or undetectable HIV RNA viral loads

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    International audienceObjectives: To investigate the extent to which drug resistance can be evaluated from proviral HIV-1 DNA genotype compared with RNA genotype at different timepoints.Patients and methods: In HIV-1-infected patients routinely seen at a university hospital, who needed to change their current ART, antiretroviral drug resistance was determined from DNA genotype and was compared with past RNA genotype (group 1) or same-day RNA genotype (group 2). A 'resistance sum' was defined as the sum of agents to which resistance was present and was calculated across NRTI, NNRTI and PI. We defined 'loss of information' as when a lower resistance sum was observed in DNA than in RNA samples.Results: Of the 74 and 26 patients included in groups 1 and 2, respectively, most had a long median duration of known HIV-1 infection (17.4 and 14.2 years) and ART (15.3 years and 13.5 years). For group 1, the median (range) resistance sums between DNA/RNA were 0 (0-6)/1 (0-6) for NRTIs, 0 (0-4)/0 (0-4) for NNRTIs and 0 (0-7)/0 (0-8) for PIs, which were comparable with group 2. Loss of information in DNA was substantial for group 1 (37.8%) and less so for group 2 (11.1%). In multivariable analysis, only longer ART duration was significantly associated with loss of information. Results were similar in patients harbouring resistance to one or more agents.Conclusions: In a real-life setting, genotyping DNA from PBMC has some degree of concordance compared with RNA. Loss of information in DNA would appear to coincide with longer periods of ART

    Moroccan subaltern voices narrated: the historical imaginary of race and the legacy of slavery in Rabbaj's Le Lutteur [The Wrestler] and El Hachimi’s Dhākirat al-narjis [The Daffodil’s Memory]

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    Nation in Moroccan historiography writings has traditionally been described as culturally, ethnically and racially homogeneous; an all-encompassing discourse that silences episodes about the historical legacy of slavery and racism in the country, and undermines multicultural Morocco. In fact, the history of Morocco's blacks of sub-Saharan descent remains fragmented, scattered and undocumented - partly because of the scarcity of archival sources. Recent years, however, have witnessed the revival of an 'African consciousness' in Moroccan history and in literature. This is also the case of Maghrebi (North African) and Arabic literature from the Mashreq (the Middle East) and the Gulf. In this paper, we consider how two recent Moroccan novels, [The Wrestler, in French] by My Seddick Rabbaj (2017) and [The Daffodil's Memory, in Arabic] by Rachid al-Hachimi (2018), deal with salient moments of trans-Saharan cultural connections. We argue that the historical and the geographical imaginaries connecting North and sub-Saharan Africa compel a discussion of the 'decolonial' as outlined by the Moroccan critic Abdelkebir Khatibi, and enforce a rebound on the concept of 'significant geographies'. In engaging with the narratives' concern about the construction of racial and cultural identities in Morocco, we consider how these works resonate with the recovery of the subaltern history of black Morocco, and how gender, rural and ethnic identity inform and imbue the texts with a knot of ambivalent discourses. [Abstract copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

    One assay to test them all: Multiplex assays for expansion of respiratory virus surveillance

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    Molecular multiplex assays (MPAs) for simultaneous detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a single RT-PCR reaction reduce time and increase efficiency to identify multiple pathogens with overlapping clinical presentation but different treatments or public health implications. Clinical performance of XpertXpress® SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (Cepheid, GX), TaqPath™ COVID−19, FluA/B, RSV Combo kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, TP), and PowerChek™ SARS-CoV-2/Influenza A&amp;B/RSV Multiplex RT-PCR kit II (KogeneBiotech, PC) was compared to individual Standards of Care (SoC). Thirteen isolates of SARS-CoV-2, human seasonal influenza, and avian influenza served to assess limit of detection (LoD). Then, positive and negative residual nasopharyngeal specimens, collected under public health surveillance and pandemic response served for evaluation. Subsequently, comparison of effectiveness was assessed. The three MPAs confidently detect all lineages of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses. MPA-LoDs vary from 1 to 2 Log10 differences from SoC depending on assay and strain. Clinical evaluation resulted in overall agreement between 97 and 100%, demonstrating a high accuracy to detect all targets. Existing differences in costs, testing burden and implementation constraints influence the choice in primary or community settings. TP, PC and GX, reliably detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV simultaneously, with reduced time-to-results and simplified workflows. MPAs have the potential to enhance diagnostics, surveillance system, and epidemic response to drive policy on prevention and control of viral respiratory infections

    Exploring Zanidatamab’s efficacy across HER2-positive Malignancies: a narrative review

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    Abstract Background HER2-positive cancers involve amplification or overexpression of the HER2 gene, leading to aggressive tumor growth across several cancer types, including breast, gastric, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Detection methods such as immunohistochemistry, next-generation sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization are used, with new advancements like biosensors and circulating tumor DNA offering improved diagnostic potential. Treatment strategies have evolved, including anti-HER2 drugs like trastuzumab and newer agents like zanidatamab, which show promise against HER2-positive malignancies. Methods A comprehensive search of the following academic databases was performed including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov. A detailed search string was made. Studies were selected based on whether they contained the keywords and if they reported the details of treatment for zanidatamab. A total of 16 studies were selected. Abstracts were independently examined by one author and critically reviewed by another and if there were any conflicting viewpoints they were discussed until consensus was reached. Discussion Zanidatamab has shown promising clinical outcomes in several HER2-positive cancers, including biliary tract, breast, gastric, and lung cancers, with high disease control rates and progression-free survival. Although it is not yet FDA-approved, it has received priority review for HER2-positive biliary tract cancer, with an FDA decision expected in November 2024. The safety profile of zanidatamab has been well-studied. The most common side effects include diarrhea, infusion reactions, and other mild to moderate treatment-related adverse events. In combination with Palbociclib for HER2-positive breast cancer, more severe side effects were observed, resulting in some patients discontinuing treatment. However, no treatment-related deaths have been reported across trials. While its anticancer efficacy and manageable safety profile are promising, long-term safety and efficacy data are still needed. Early clinical trials demonstrate strong efficacy, though some side effects, such as diarrhea and decreased ejection fraction, were noted. Future research should focus on understanding potential resistance mechanisms and establishing zanidatamab’s broader role in the treatment landscape of HER2-positive cancers. Conclusion In summary, zanidatamab has shown significant tumor response, progression-free survival, disease control, and improved quality of life in early trials, however, the lack of long-term safety and efficacy data remains a key limitation, requiring further research

    Civil society and political change in Morocco

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    EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

    Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Cambodia, January 2020 to February 2021

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    International audienceThe first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Cambodia was confirmed on 27 January 2020 in a traveller from Wuhan. Cambodia subsequently implemented strict travel restrictions, and although intermittent cases were reported during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, no apparent widespread community transmission was detected. Investigating the routes of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) introduction into the country was critical for evaluating the implementation of public health interventions and assessing the effectiveness of social control measures. Genomic sequencing technologies have enabled rapid detection and monitoring of emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we detected 478 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cambodia between 27 January 2020 and 14 February 2021, 81.3 per cent in imported cases. Among them, fifty-four SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sequenced and analysed along with representative global lineages. Despite the low number of confirmed cases, we found a high diversity of Cambodian viruses that belonged to at least seventeen distinct PANGO lineages. Phylogenetic inference of SARS-CoV-2 revealed that the genetic diversity of Cambodian viruses resulted from multiple independent introductions from diverse regions, predominantly, Eastern Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Most cases were quickly isolated, limiting community spread, although there was an A.23.1 variant cluster in Phnom Penh in November 2020 that resulted in a small-scale local transmission. The overall low incidence of COVID-19 infections suggests that Cambodia’s early containment strategies, including travel restrictions, aggressive testing and strict quarantine measures, were effective in preventing large community outbreaks of COVID-19
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