Perceptions and experiences of directly observed treatment in tuberculosis: insights from a mixed-methods cross-sectional study.

Objective: The demanding nature and psychosocial burdens of directly observed treatment (DOT) have opened a path to alternative strategies such as video-observed therapy (VOT), which offers comparable treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction while potentially saving time and reducing costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceptions and experiences of patients and health care professionals regarding DOT and other treatment strategies implemented in Portugal.

Methods: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis, treated at the Vila Nova de Gaia Outpatient Tuberculosis Centre in the last two years, were asked to complete a brief questionnaire, as were health care professionals working in the northern region of Portugal.

Expert perspectives on tuberculosis screening procedures for migrants.

Objective: To evaluate the perspectives of tuberculosis experts from different countries regarding national screening procedures.

Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Data were collected by using electronic, anonymized surveys with experts in tuberculosis in seven different countries within two World Health Organization regions (Europe and Africa).

Safety, Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of daily optimised doses of Rifampicin for the Treatment of Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: Higher than standard doses of rifampicin could improve the treatment outcome of drug-susceptible tuberculosis without compromising the safety of patients.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of prospective clinical studies including adults with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB receiving rifampicin doses above 10mg/kg/day. We extracted the data on overall adverse events (AE), hepatic AE, sputum culture conversion (SCC) at week 8, recurrence, mortality, and pharmacokinetics.

A paired study comparing mononuclear cell collection using a new in-line system with an off-line extracorporeal photopheresis apheresis system.

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) product characteristics are not well established. The aim of this study was to compare mononuclear cells (MNCs) collection using the new Amicus blue (AB) In-line ECP system to our standard Off-line ECP system using the Optia apheresis device and the MacoGenic G2 inactivation system (OM).

Study Design And Methods: We assessed the ECP products and procedure parameters, patient characteristics, and adverse events for both AB and OM systems in paired patients.

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles and Simvastatin Association in Titanium Biofilms.

Introduction: Simvastatin is an antilipidemic drug that has already demonstrated antibacterial activities on oral and non-oral microorganisms. Silver nanoparticles also exhibit antimicrobial properties, particularly for coating implant surfaces. In this study, we evaluated the effects of combining simvastatin with silver nanoparticles on the formation and viability of biofilms consolidated on titanium discs.