A single-cell analysis of breast cancer cell lines to study tumour heterogeneity and drug response

Cancer cells within a tumour have heterogeneous phenotypes and exhibit dynamic plasticity. How to evaluate such heterogeneity and its impact on outcome and drug response is still unclear. Here, we transcriptionally profile 35,276 individual cells from 32 breast cancer cell lines to yield a single cell atlas. We find high degree of heterogeneity in the expression of biomarkers. We then train a deconvolution algorithm on the atlas to determine cell line composition from bulk gene expression profiles of tumour biopsies, thus enabling cell line-based patient stratification. Finally, we link results from large-scale in vitro drug screening in cell lines to the single cell data to computationally predict drug responses starting from single-cell profiles. We find that transcriptional heterogeneity enables cells with differential drug sensitivity to co-exist in the same population. Our work provides a framework to determine tumour heterogeneity in terms of cell line composition and drug response

Tuberculosis cross-species transmission in Tanzania: Towards a One-Health concept

For centuries, tuberculosis, which is a chronic infection caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis has remained a global health problem. The global burden of tuberculosis has increased, particularly in the Southern African region, mainly due to HIV, and inadequate health systems which has in turn given rise to emergent drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) strains. Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has also emerged as a significant disease with the tendency for inter-species spread. The extent of interspecies BTB transmission both in urban and rural communities has not been adequately assessed. The phenomenon is of particular importance in rural communities where people share habitats with livestock and wildlife (particularly in areas near national parks and game reserves). Aerosol and oral intake are the major routes of transmission from diseased to healthy individuals, with health care workers often contracting infection nosocomially. Although TB control has increasingly been achieved in high-income countries, the disease, like other poverty-related infections, has continued to be a disaster in countries with low income economies. Transmission of infections occurs not only amongst humans but also between animals and humans (and occasionally vice versa) necessitating assessment of the extent of transmission at their interface. This review explores tuberculosis as a disease of humans which can cross-transmit between humans, livestock and wildlife. The review also addresses issues underlying the use of molecular biology, genetic sequencing and bioinformatics as t tools to understand the extent of inter-species cross-transmission of TB in a ‘One Health’ context

Minimizing the impact of the triple burden of COVID-19, tuberculosis and HIV on health services in sub-Saharan Africa

In this perspective, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis (TB)/HIV health services and approaches to mitigating the growing burden of these three colliding epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). SSA countries bear significantly high proportions of TB and HIV cases reported worldwide, compared to countries in the West. Whilst COVID-19 epidemiology appears to vary across Africa, most countries in this region have reported relatively lower-case counts compared to the West. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has added an additional burden to already overstretched health systems in SSA, which, among other things, have been focused on the longstanding dual epidemics of TB and HIV. As with these dual epidemics, inadequate resources and poor case identification and reporting may be contributing to underestimations of the COVID-19 case burden in SSA. Modelling studies predict that the pandemic-related disruptions in TB and HIV services will result in significant increases in associated morbidity and mortality over the next five years. Furthermore, limited empirical evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 coinfections with TB and HIV are associated with increased mortality risk in SSA. However, predictive models require a better evidence-base to accurately define the impact of COVID-19, not only on communicable diseases such as TB and HIV, but on non-communicable disease comorbidities. Further research is needed to assess morbidity and mortality data among both adults and children across the African continent, paying attention to geographic disparities, as well as the clinical and socio-economic determinants of COVID-19 in the setting of TB and/or HIV

Data for: 3503088

Data on elderly patient diseases and outcome

Community Stakeholders\u27 Perceptions of the Role of Family in HIV Prevention in Iringa, Tanzania

Although HIV is identified as a family disease, the overall response to the global HIV epidemic continues to predominantly focus on individuals. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how the role of the family in HIV prevention is perceived by community-based stakeholders. Understanding the role of the family within the context of the HIV/AIDS is essential for community/public health nurses. In total, 34 stakeholders participated in the study. Three major categories were identified namely: fostering positive intra-familial relations, utilizing external resources, and barriers to family roles. The study findings have implications for community-based HIV family interventions

Community Stakeholders\u27 Perceptions of the Role of Family in HIV Prevention in Iringa, Tanzania

Although HIV is identified as a family disease, the overall response to the global HIV epidemic continues to predominantly focus on individuals. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how the role of the family in HIV prevention is perceived by community-based stakeholders. Understanding the role of the family within the context of the HIV/AIDS is essential for community/public health nurses. In total, 34 stakeholders participated in the study. Three major categories were identified namely: fostering positive intra-familial relations, utilizing external resources, and barriers to family roles. The study findings have implications for community-based HIV family interventions

How Does Incarcerating Young People Affect Their Adult Health Outcomes?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the widespread epidemic of mass incarceration in the US, relatively little literature exists examining the longitudinal relationship between youth incarceration and adult health outcomes. We sought to quantify the association of youth incarceration with subsequent adult health outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data from 14 344 adult participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We used weighted multivariate logistic regressions to investigate the relationship between cumulative incarceration duration (none, <1 month, 1–12 months, and >1 year) before Wave IV (ages 24–34 years) and subsequent adult health outcomes (general health, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts). Models controlled for Wave I (grades 7–12) baseline health, sociodemographics, and covariates associated with incarceration and health. RESULTS: A total of 14.0% of adults reported being incarcerated between Waves I and IV. Of these, 50.3% reported a cumulative incarceration duration of <1 month, 34.8% reported 1 to 12 months, and 15.0% reported >1 year. Compared with no incarceration, incarceration duration of < 1 month predicted subsequent adult depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.80; P = .005). A duration of 1 to 12 months predicted worse subsequent adult general health (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.12–1.96; P = .007). A duration of >1 year predicted subsequent adult functional limitations (OR = 2.92; 95% CI, 1.51–5.64; P = .002), adult depressive symptoms (OR = 4.18; 95% CI, 2.48–7.06; P < .001), and adult suicidal thoughts (OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.09–5.01; P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative incarceration duration during adolescence and early adulthood is independently associated with worse physical and mental health later in adulthood. Potential mechanisms merit exploration

How Does Incarcerating Young People Affect Their Adult Health Outcomes?

Background and objectivesDespite the widespread epidemic of mass incarceration in the US, relatively little literature exists examining the longitudinal relationship between youth incarceration and adult health outcomes. We sought to quantify the association of youth incarceration with subsequent adult health outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed data from 14 344 adult participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We used weighted multivariate logistic regressions to investigate the relationship between cumulative incarceration duration (none, &lt;1 month, 1-12 months, and &gt;1 year) before Wave IV (ages 24-34 years) and subsequent adult health outcomes (general health, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts). Models controlled for Wave I (grades 7-12) baseline health, sociodemographics, and covariates associated with incarceration and health.ResultsA total of 14.0% of adults reported being incarcerated between Waves I and IV. Of these, 50.3% reported a cumulative incarceration duration of &lt;1 month, 34.8% reported 1 to 12 months, and 15.0% reported &gt;1 year. Compared with no incarceration, incarceration duration of &lt; 1 month predicted subsequent adult depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.80; P = .005). A duration of 1 to 12 months predicted worse subsequent adult general health (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.12-1.96; P = .007). A duration of &gt;1 year predicted subsequent adult functional limitations (OR = 2.92; 95% CI, 1.51-5.64; P = .002), adult depressive symptoms (OR = 4.18; 95% CI, 2.48-7.06; P &lt; .001), and adult suicidal thoughts (OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.09-5.01; P = .029).ConclusionsCumulative incarceration duration during adolescence and early adulthood is independently associated with worse physical and mental health later in adulthood. Potential mechanisms merit exploration

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Short-term Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in Women with Obstetric Complications in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Introduction In keeping abreast with the International Society of Nephrology “0by25” initiative that aims at achieving zero preventable deaths from Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) by the year 2025, we investigated on Pregnancy-Related Acute Kidney Injury (PRAKI), a potentially preventable cause of AKI but still commonly reported in developing countries as a significant contributor to both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In this study, we report on the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of PRAKI among pregnant women with obstetric complications at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methodology This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study involving women with obstetric complications in late pregnancy at MNH, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from August 2015 to February 2016. Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criterion was used to define acute kidney injury (AKI). Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Results During the study period a total of 5448 deliveries occurred at MNH amongst whom 1150 (21.1%) women had obstetric complications. Overall, AKI occurred in 99(8.6%) and was stage-wise categorized into AKIN Stage I in 55/99(55.5%), Stage II in 8/99(8.1%), and Stage III in 36/99 (36.4%). Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count (HELLP) syndrome and severe pre-eclampsia were the most frequent obstetric complications among patients with PRAKI. PRAKI was associated with advanced maternal age, being HIV positive, having history of hypertension and/or having elevated blood pressure, albuminuria and having anemia detected during antenatal clinic (ANC) visits. Among patients who developed PRAKI; hemodialysis therapy was offered to 6/99(6.1%) patients who after several rounds of therapy were able to recover their renal function; 66/99 (66.7%) had partial recovery of renal function whereas 27/99 (27.3%) had complete spontaneous recovery of their renal function without need of hemodialysis therapy. On considering fetal outcome; PRAKI was associated with delivering a stillbirth baby. Conclusion In this novel study on PRAKI in Tanzania, we found that PRAKI is common among women with obstetric complications and strong associated with advanced maternal age, being HIV positive, having history of hypertension, albuminuria or anemia detected during antenatal clinic visits. Early recognition and treatment of PRAKI may help prevent associated poor maternal and fetal outcomes and in a broader sense, it a significant step forward into achieving the ISN “0by25” global initiative in Tanzani