Time to treatment for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To reduce transmission and improve patient outcomes, rapid diagnosis and treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) is required.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing time to treatment for RR-TB and variability using diagnostic testing methods and treatment delivery approach.

Design: Studies from 2000 to 2015 reporting time to second-line treatment initiation were selected from PubMed and published conference abstracts.

Comparison of the CTDI and AAPM report No. 111 methodology in adult, adolescent, and child head phantoms for MSCT and dental CBCT scanners.

This study investigates the dosimetry methodology proposed by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) task group 111 and compares with the computed tomography dose index (CTDI) method and the SEDENTEXCT DI method on one clinical multislice CT and two dental cone beam CT (CBCT) scanners using adult, adolescent, and child head phantoms. Following the AAPM method, the normalized (100 mAs) equilibrium doses ([Formula: see text]) for Toshiba Aquilion One MSCT computed using dose measurements from the central hole of the phantom ([Formula: see text]), the peripheral hole of the phantom, ([Formula: see text]), and by the [Formula: see text] equation ([Formula: see text]) are in the range from 20 to 25 mGy. For i-CAT Next Generation dental CBCT, the normalized [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] by the two SEDENTEXCT DI methods are in the range from 12 to 15 mGy.

Hydrogel Tethering Enhances Interdomain Stabilization of Single-Chain Antibodies.

Here, we identify the importance of molecular crowding agents in the functional stabilization of scFv antibodies. Antibodies were tethered through an engineered calmodulin (CaM)-binding peptide into a stimulus-responsive hydrogel composed of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-functionalized CaM. Macromolecular crowding is modulated by transient heating, which decreases effective pore sizes.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in a dog.

A 2-year-old male intact Belgian Malinois was presented for exercise intolerance. A grade III/VI left basilar systolic murmur was detected. Echocardiography revealed moderate right atrial and ventricular dilation and increased pulmonic outflow velocity.

Risk of Tuberculosis Infection and Disease for Health Care Workers: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major challenge to global health. Healthcare workers (HCWs) appear to be at increased risk of TB compared with the general population, despite efforts to scale up infection control and reduce nosocomial TB transmission. This review aims to provide an updated estimate of the occupational risk of latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB among HCWs compared with the general population.

To err is human, to correct is public health: a systematic review examining poor quality testing and misdiagnosis of HIV status.

Introduction: In accordance with global testing and treatment targets, many countries are seeking ways to reach the "90-90-90" goals, starting with diagnosing 90% of all people with HIV. Quality HIV testing services are needed to enable people with HIV to be diagnosed and linked to treatment as early as possible. It is essential that opportunities to reach people with undiagnosed HIV are not missed, diagnoses are correct and HIV-negative individuals are not inadvertently initiated on life-long treatment.

A healthy approach to dietary fats: understanding the science and taking action to reduce consumer confusion.

Consumers are often confused about nutrition research findings and recommendations. As content experts, it is essential that nutrition scientists communicate effectively. A case-study of the history of dietary fat science and recommendations is presented, summarizing presentations from an Experimental Biology Symposium that addressed techniques for effective scientific communication and used the scientific discourse of public understanding of dietary fats and health as an example of challenges in scientific communication.

Marginal Fit of Lithium Disilicate Crowns Fabricated Using Conventional and Digital Methodology: A Three-Dimensional Analysis.

Purpose: To compare the marginal fit of lithium disilicate (LD) crowns fabricated with digital impression and manufacturing (DD), digital impression and traditional pressed manufacturing (DP), and traditional impression and manufacturing (TP).

Materials And Methods: Tooth #15 was prepared for all-ceramic crowns on an ivorine typodont. There were 45 LD crowns fabricated using three techniques: DD, DP, and TP.

Impact of SMS/GPRS Printers in Reducing Time to Early Infant Diagnosis Compared With Routine Result Reporting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Despite significant gains made toward improving access, early infant diagnosis (EID) testing programs suffer from long test turnaround times that result in substantial loss to follow-up and mortality associated with delays in antiretroviral therapy initiation. These delays in treatment initiation are particularly impactful because of significant HIV-related infant mortality observed by 2-3 months of age. Short message service (SMS) and general packet radio service (GPRS) printers allow test results to be transmitted immediately to health care facilities on completion of testing in the laboratory.

Comparative efficacy and safety of second-line antiretroviral therapy for treatment of HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Selection of optimal second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) has important clinical and programmatic implications. To inform the 2016 revision of the WHO ART guidelines, we assessed the comparative effectiveness and safety of available second-line ART regimens for adults and adolescents in whom first-line non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens have failed.

Methods: In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, we searched for randomised controlled trials and prospective and retrospective cohort studies that evaluated outcomes in treatment-experienced adults living with HIV who switched ART regimen after failure of a WHO-recommended first-line NNRTI-based regimen.

Specification of implementation interventions to address the cascade of HIV care and treatment in resource-limited settings: a systematic review.

Background: The global response to HIV has started over 18 million persons on life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART)-the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)-yet substantial gaps remain: up to 40% of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) know their status, while another 30% of those who enter care are inadequately retained after starting treatment. Identifying strategies to enhance use of treatment is urgently needed, but the conceptualization and specification of implementation interventions is not always complete. We sought to assess the completeness of intervention reporting in research to advance uptake of treatment for HIV globally.

Effect of frequency of clinic visits and medication pick-up on antiretroviral treatment outcomes: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Expanding and sustaining antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage may require simplified HIV service delivery strategies that concomitantly reduce the burden of care on the health system and patients while ensuring optimal outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to assess the impact of reduced frequency of clinic visits and drug dispensing on patient outcomes.

Methods: As part of the development process of the World Health Organization antiretroviral (ARV) guidelines, we systematically searched medical literature databases for publications up to 30 August 2016.

Phased implementation of spaced clinic visits for stable HIV-positive patients in Rwanda to support Treat All.

Introduction: In 2016, Rwanda implemented "Treat All," requiring the national HIV programme to increase antiretroviral (ART) treatment coverage to all people living with HIV. Approximately half of the 164,262 patients on ART have been on treatment for more than five years, and long-term retention of patients in care is an increasing concern. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health has introduced a differentiated service delivery approach to reduce the frequency of clinical visits and medication dispensing for eligible patients.

Antimicrobial resistance in West Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Growing data suggest that antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections are common in low- and middle-income countries. This review summarises the microbiology of key bacterial syndromes encountered in West Africa and estimates the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that could compromise first-line empirical treatment. We systematically searched for studies reporting on the epidemiology of bacterial infection and prevalence of AMR in West Africa within key clinical syndromes.

Improving antiretroviral therapy adherence in resource-limited settings at scale: a discussion of interventions and recommendations.

: Successful population-level antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence will be necessary to realize both the clinical and prevention benefits of antiretroviral scale-up and, ultimately, the end of AIDS. Although many people living with HIV are adhering well, others struggle and most are likely to experience challenges in adherence that may threaten virologic suppression at some point during lifelong therapy. Despite the importance of ART adherence, supportive interventions have generally not been implemented at scale.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in persons living with HIV enrolled in care in Rwanda.

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The burden of these co-infections in sub-Saharan Africa is still unclear. We estimated the prevalence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) among HIV-infected individuals in Rwanda and identified factors associated with infection.

Respiratory-gated KES imaging of a rat model of acute lung injury at the Canadian Light Source.

In this study, contrast-enhanced X-ray tomographic imaging for monitoring and quantifying respiratory disease in preclinical rodent models is proposed. A K-edge imaging method has been developed at the Canadian Light Source to very accurately obtain measurements of the concentration of iodinated contrast agent in the pulmonary vasculature and inhaled xenon in the airspaces of rats. To compare the iodine and xenon concentration maps, a scout projection image was acquired to define the region of interest within the thorax for imaging and to ensure the same locations were imaged in each K-edge subtraction (KES) acquisition.

Performance of Virological Testing for Early Infant Diagnosis: A Systematic Review.

Background: Improved access to both maternal antiretroviral therapy and infant prophylaxis may have an impact on the performance of virological assays for diagnosis of HIV infection in infants. This systematic review was performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of virological testing at birth as well as the performance of virological testing on dried blood spots at 6 weeks among HIV- and antiretroviral (ARV)-exposed infants.

Methods: A systematic review was performed for studies published between January 1, 2009 and January 30, 2015.

When could new antiretrovirals be recommended for national treatment programmes in low-income and middle-income countries: results of a WHO Think Tank.

Purpose Of Review: To discuss barriers and opportunities for the introduction of new antiretrovirals into national treatment programmes in low-income and middle-income countries to support further treatment scale-up. Invitees to a WHO Think Tank in February 2017 evaluated recently published results.

Recent Findings: There is not sufficient clinical experience of dolutegravir (DTG), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) or efavirenz 400 mg (EFV400) to recommend their use in pregnancy.

Candidates for inclusion in a universal antiretroviral regimen: are lamivudine and emtricitabine interchangeable?

Purpose Of Review: Lamivudine (3TC) and emtricitabine (FTC) are the most widely used antiretroviral medications worldwide and are considered by the WHO to be interchangeable. This article reviews evidence supporting interchangeability of 3TC and FTC and considerations for future use.

Recent Findings: Three randomized trials have directly compared the safety and efficacy of 3TC and FTC against identical backbone regimens.

Energy Balance Modulation Impacts Epigenetic Reprogramming, ERα and ERβ Expression, and Mammary Tumor Development in MMTV-neu Transgenic Mice.

The association between obesity and breast cancer risk and prognosis is well established in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease but less clear in HER2-positive disease. Here, we report preclinical evidence suggesting weight maintenance through calorie restriction (CR) may limit risk of HER2-positive breast cancer. In female MMTV-HER2/neu transgenic mice, we found that ERα and ERβ expression, mammary tumorigenesis, and survival are energy balance dependent in association with epigenetic reprogramming.