299 research outputs found
Emergence of occult minority genotype 2b hepatitis C infection in an HIV-1-co-infected patient treated for genotype 5a HCV infection with 48 weeks of pegylated-interferon-α 2b and ribavirin
No full textAn HIV-1/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patient with haemophilia received a 48-week course of pegylated interferon-a-2b and ribavirin therapy for genotype 5a HCV infection. Virological response was achieved at week 24. At the end of treatment, HCV RNA in serum was detected and identified to belong to genotype 2b, rather than genotype 5a. A sensitive method for identifying minority HCV genotypes in pre-treatment serum showed genotype 2b HCV carriage prior to treatment. Sequencing the interferon sensitivity-determining region of the HCV NS5A gene obtained from pre-, intra- and post-treatment sera revealed emergence of quasispecies bearing R ? K and M ? A/T mutations at codons 2222 and 2223, respectively. Occult presence of minority HCV subpopulations and their acquisition of mutations following therapy can result in poor treatment outcome
Clinical evaluation of a Hepatitis C Virus whole-genome sequencing pipeline for genotyping and resistance testing
No full textObjectives: We sought to evaluate clinically a hepatitis C virus (HCV) whole-genome, next-generation sequencing (NGS) pipeline that is agnostic to viral genotype. Methods: Performance of the NGS pipeline was assessed through comparison of results with Sanger sequencing (SS) of partial HCV genomes. Results: There was 98.7% (376/381) concordance for viral subtype between SS and NGS. The positive and negative per cent agreements for determination of resistance-associated substitutions were 97.8% (95% CI 92.5–99.4%) and 99.9% (95% CI 99.5–100.0%), respectively. The NGS pipeline was also able to detect novel subtypes, mixtures, recombinants, transiently occurring resistance mutations and distinguish re-infection with the same subtype from relapse. Discussion: Particular scenarios where NGS may be used include settings without universal access to pan-genotypic antiviral regimens, those infected with a ‘rare’ subtype or who have been failed by first-line therapy, and in cases of suspected re-infection
Correction for Bandala-Sanchez et al., CD52 glycan binds the proinflammatory B box of HMGB1 to engage the Siglec-10 receptor and suppress human T cell function
No full textIMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION Correction for “CD52 glycan binds the proinflammatory B box of HMGB1 to engage the Siglec-10 receptor and suppress human T cell function,” by Esther Bandala-Sanchez, Naiara G. Bediaga, Ethan D. Goddard-Borger, Katrina Ngui, Gaetano Naselli, Natalie L. Stone, Alana M. Neale, Lesley A. Pearce, Ahmad Wardak, Peter Czabotar, Thomas Haselhorst, Andrea Maggioni, Lauren A. Hartley-Tassell, Timothy E. Adams, and Leonard C. Harrison, which was first published July 11, 2018; 10.1073/pnas.1722056115 (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 115:7783–7788).
The authors note that Fig. 4 appeared incorrectly. The corrected figure and its legend appear below. (Figure presented).No Full Tex
Fonologia do vestfaliano de Rio Fortuna
No full textDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Pós - Graduação
Travel-associated acquisition of hepatitis C virus infection in patients receiving haemodialysis
No full textBackground. It has been proposed that hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing maintenance haemodialysis may lack HCV antibody (anti-HCV) despite chronic HCV viraemia. This carries important implications for the design of surveillance policies. Methods. To characterize the prevalence of antibody-negative/ RNA-positive HCV infection, patients attending seven haemodialysis units underwent anti-HCV testing using a third-generation assay and HCV RNA testing using real-time PCR. Results. At screening, anti-HCV prevalence was 12/360 (3.3%; 95% CI 1.7-5.8%); 7/12 (58.3%) anti-HCV positive samples were HCV RNA positive. Among anti-HCV-negative samples, 2/348 (0.6%; 95% CI 0.2-2.1%) tested HCV RNA positive (genotype 1a). Retrospective testing of stored sera dated the infections to a period of holiday in the Indian subcontinent. The two infections were unrelated by HCV-NS5B sequencing. Only one of the two newly infected persons showed raised transaminases. Both developed anti-HCV within 8-13 weeks of follow-up. Prospective surveillance of travellers to resource-limited countries returning to the units showed a HCV incidence of 4/153 travel episodes (2.6%; 95% CI 0.7-6.6%) among 131 persons (3.1%; 95% CI 0.8-7.6%). Conclusions. Among haemodialysis patients in the United Kingdom, antibody-negative/RNA-positive HCV status is associated with newly acquired infection, rather than lack of antibody responses in chronic HCV infection. There is a significant risk of HCV infection associated with travel to resource-limited countries. Given that transaminase levels may be normal, HCV RNA testing is recommended in patients re-entering a dialysis unit following haemodialysis in settings where suboptimal infection control policies pose a risk of exposure to blood-borne viruse
Toxoplasma gondii infection among selected indigenous community in Sarawak, East Malaysia
No full textToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans. To date, little is known about T. gondii infection among the
indigenous community, particularly in East Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the status of T. gondii infection and to investigate associated risk factors among the indigenous community of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The sociodemographic data was obtained using a pretested questionnaire. A serological test was done to detect the presence of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii in serum samples. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine acute infection among seropositive individuals. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 50% (95% CI = 43.3 – 56.7). From this subset, 40.1%, 5.7%, and 4.2% were positive for anti-T. Gondii IgG antibodies, IgM, and both IgG and IgM,
respectively. Four seropositive samples were amplified through PCR. None of the pregnant women tested positive for T. gondii infection based on the serological and PCR assays. A significant association was found between age, low monthly household income, unemployment, usage of untreated water and close contact with T. gondii seropositive cats. These results provide basic information on T. gondii infection and may be useful for policymakers to initiate prevention and control programs, especially amongst pregnant women and women of childbearing age in the indigenous community
Contributing Factors to Diaper Dermatitis in the NICU
No full textABSTRACT Purpose: Describe the prevalence of diaper dermatitis (DD) and clinical characteristics of the infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that develop DD. Explore the relationships between clinical characteristics and the development of DD. Design: Retrospective, exploratory, descriptive study Setting: Level IV NICU in an urban community in Southeast Wisconsin. Participants: A convenience sample of 611 infants who were born and admitted to the NICU within 12 hours of life and discharged from the same NICU. A final total of 537 infants remained after exclusion criteria were met. Methods: Data were collected from the participant’s electronic health records from birth until the infant was discharged to home. Results: The prevalence of DD among the 537 infants was 34% (n = 180). A logistic regression demonstrated length of stay was significant, (B = 0.02, OR = 1.02, p = .002), indicating the odds of developing DD increased by ~2% for each additional day in the NICU. Days from birth to full feedings was also significant (B = -0.03, OR = 0.97, p = .023), indicating the odds of developing DD decreased by ~3% for each additional day to full feedings. Conclusions: Increased preventative measures among preterm infants at risk for an extended length of stay can potentially decrease the prevalence of DD.2020-06-2
“Lovely pie in the sky plans”: a qualitative study of clinicians’ perspectives on guidelines for managing low back pain in primary care in England
No full textSTUDY DESIGN: A qualitative study in south-west England primary care.OBJECTIVE: To clarify the decision-making processes that result in the delivery of particular treatments to patients with low back pain (LBP) in primary care and to examine clinicians' perspectives on the English National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guidelines for managing LBP in primary care.SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Merely publishing clinical guidelines is known to be insufficient to ensure their implementation. Gaining an in-depth understanding of clinicians' perspectives on specific clinical guidelines can suggest ways to improve the relevance of guidelines for clinical practice.METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 53 purposively sampled clinicians. Participants were 16 general practitioners (GPs), 10 chiropractors, 8 acupuncturists, 8 physiotherapists, 7 osteopaths, and 4 nurses, from the public sector (20), private sector (21), or both (12). We used thematic analysis.RESULTS: Official guidelines comprised just 1 of many inputs to clinical decision-making. Clinicians drew on personal experience and inter-professional networks and were constrained by organizational factors when deciding which treatment to prescribe, refer for, or deliver to an individual patient with LBP. Some found the guideline terminology-"non-specific LBP"-unfamiliar and of limited relevance to practice. They were frustrated by disparities between recommendations in the guidelines and the real-world situation of short consultation times, difficult-to-access specialist services, and sparse commissioning of guideline-recommended treatments.CONCLUSION: The NICE guidelines for managing LBP in primary care are one, relatively peripheral, influence on clinical decision-making among GPs, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, and nurses. When revised, these guidelines could be made more clinically relevant by: ensuring that guideline terminology reflects clinical practice terminology; dispelling the image of guidelines as rigid and prohibiting patient-centered care; providing opportunities for clinicians to engage in experiential learning about guideline-recommended complementary therapies; and commissioning guideline-recommended treatments for public sector patients
Impact of Biofertilizer and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Available Phosphorus, Productive Tillers, and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Yield
No full textThe use of Bacillus bacteria as biofertilizers (BF) increases since the detrimental effects of inorganic fertilizers on the agricultural environment spread out. The objective of this research was to study the influence of bio fertilizer and in combination with inorganic fertilizer on the productivity of rice fields. The experiment was a two-factor treatment arranged in a split-plot design with three replications using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The first factor was fertilizers, which were used as the main plot. The second factor was paddy varieties as a subplot. The results showed that the combination of inorganic and bio fertilizer application of (150 kg NPK ha-1 + 75 kg Urea ha-1 + 4 L BF ha-1) and (300 kg NPK ha-1 + 150 kg Urea ha-1 + 4 L BF ha-1), improved soil available phosphorous (P) of 12.04%, 40.69%, and 44.05%, respectively compared to control treatment, the inorganic fertilizer application (300 kg NPK ha-1 + 150 kg Urea ha-1), and the bio fertilizer application (4 L BF ha-1). In addition, the application of (300 kg NPK ha-1 + 150 kg Urea ha-1 + 4 L BF ha-1) increased productive tillers per plant as 28.13% and 16.48% compared to the control and the inorganic application, respectively. Moreover, by using Mekongga variety, applying the inorganic and bio fertilizer at rates of (300 kg NPK ha-1 + 150 kg Urea ha-1 + 4 L BF ha-1) increased rice yield of 64.08% and 30.33% compared to the control and the inorganic fertilizer application; while, by using IPB 3S variety, the rice yield increased by 85.80% and 10.34%, respectively. These findings are significant as they demonstrate the potential of biofertilizers to enhance soil fertility and rice productivity, thereby advancing sustainable farming practices
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