Salt and Pepper for Point-of-Care Diagnostics

AbstractCurrently available Point-Of-Care-Testing (POCT) devices usually suffer from complex test formats and transduction technologies unfavorable for automation. Among optical sensor technologies, the Reflectometric Interference Spectroscopy (RIfS) is particularly well suited for generating miniaturized, robust and disposable sensors. RIfS systems are not only suitable for diagnostic applications, but are also a good choice for other areas of life-science analytics including biotechnology, food monitoring and safety engineering. Users take advantage of the direct test format by avoiding laborious sample pre-treatment as well as addition of costly reagents, both being common disadvantages of competing test systems

Novel pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: a case study

Tens of thousands of children are sick with multidrugresistant forms of tuberculosis (MDR-TB), but there are limited child-friendly delivery systems for second-line medications. This case study presents the devel opment of a granular dosing spoon pediatric delivery system for para-aminosalicylic acid. This product is the first of its kind for MDR-TB and could serve as a model for the development of other urgently needed pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs

Novel pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: a case study

Tens of thousands of children are sick with multidrugresistant forms of tuberculosis (MDR-TB), but there are limited child-friendly delivery systems for second-line medications. This case study presents the devel opment of a granular dosing spoon pediatric delivery system for para-aminosalicylic acid. This product is the first of its kind for MDR-TB and could serve as a model for the development of other urgently needed pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs

СПЕЦИФИКА ТРАНСАКЦИОННЫХ ИЗДЕРЖЕК В СФЕРЕ ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ В УСЛОВИЯХ ФОРМИРУЮЩЕЙСЯ ЭКОНОМИКИ ЗНАНИЙ

The paper considers the specifics of transaction costs in the sphere of education. Comparative analysis of the theoretical framework of the research devoted to the theory of transaction costs, allowed us to determine the causes and types of transaction costs in the educational environment. On the basis of the existing conceptual framework and specifics of the education system the paper formulates the definition of transaction costs and their classification is given on the basis of the principle of legality. The conclusion is that the minimization of the «illegal» costs is possible through the creation of information management system within the education cluster.В работе рассмотрена специфика трансакционных издержек в сфере образования. Сравнительный анализ теоретической базы исследований, посвященных теории трансакционных издержек, позволил определить причины появления и виды трансакционных издержек в образовательной среде. На основе существующего понятийного аппарата и специфики системы образования в статье сформулировано определение трансакционных издержек и приведена их классификация на основе принципа законности. Сделан вывод о том, что минимизация «нелегальных» затрат возможна посредством создания системы управления информацией в рамках образовательного кластера

Chemistry for Sustainable Development 15 (2007) 305-312 Primary Toxicological Parameters of Fluorine-Containing Organic Compounds of Practical Significance

Abstract Primary toxicological parameters of fluorine-containing alcohols, dialkyl ethers, acetales, acrylates, esters of carboxylic and dicarboxylic aliphatic acids, epoxides and olefins used as the materials and intermediate products of organofluoric synthesis are considered. The regularities of the effect of fluorine atoms on the toxicity of the compounds are revealed. All the investigated compounds belong to the III and IV class of danger and are safe for developing fluorinated materials on their basis. Some examples of the application of these classes of compounds are discussed

Management of mental health disorders in HIV-positive patients

These guidelines are intended as a reference document to assist HIV nurse and doctor clinicians in managing mental health disorders. It is intended to improve awareness, knowledge and capacity to support patients living with HIV and mental health disorders

TSH-CHECK-1 test: diagnostic accuracy and potential application to initiating treatment for hypothyroidism in patients on anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) promotes expression of thyroid hormones which are essential for metabolism, growth, and development. Second-line drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB) can cause hypothyroidism by suppressing thyroid hormone synthesis. Therefore, TSH levels are routinely measured in TB patients receiving second-line drugs, and thyroxin treatment is initiated where indicated. However, standard TSH tests are technically demanding for many low-resource settings where TB is prevalent; a simple and inexpensive test is urgently needed

Potential contribution of HIV during first-line tuberculosis treatment to subsequent rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis and acquired tuberculosis drug resistance in South Africa: a retrospective molecular epidemiology study

Background: South Africa has a high burden of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (including multidrug-resistant [MDR] tuberculosis), with increasing rifampicin-monoresistant (RMR) tuberculosis over time. Resistance acquisition during first-line tuberculosis treatment could be a key contributor to this burden, and HIV might increase the risk of acquiring rifampicin resistance. We assessed whether HIV during previous treatment was associated with RMR tuberculosis and resistance acquisition among a retrospective cohort of patients with MDR or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included all patients routinely diagnosed with MDR or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa, between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2017. Patient-level data were obtained from a prospective database, complemented by data on previous tuberculosis treatment and HIV from a provincial health data exchange. Stored MDR or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis isolates from patients underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS). WGS data were used to infer resistance acquisition versus transmission, by identifying genomically unique isolates (single nucleotide polymorphism threshold of five). Logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with RMR tuberculosis and genomic uniqueness. Findings: The cohort included 2041 patients diagnosed with MDR or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2017; of those, 463 (22.7%) with RMR tuberculosis and 1354 (66.3%) with previous tuberculosis treatment. In previously treated patients, HIV positivity during previous tuberculosis treatment versus HIV negativity (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.07, 95% CI 1.35-3.18), and three or more previous tuberculosis treatment episodes versus one (1.96, 1.21-3.17) were associated with RMR tuberculosis. WGS data showing MDR or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis were available for 1169 patients; 360 (30.8%) isolates were identified as unique. In previously treated patients, RMR tuberculosis versus MDR tuberculosis (adjusted OR 4.96, 3.40-7.23), HIV positivity during previous tuberculosis treatment (1.71, 1.03-2.84), and diagnosis in 2013-17 (1.42, 1.02-1.99) versus 2008-12, were associated with uniqueness. In previously treated patients with RMR tuberculosis, HIV positivity during previous treatment (adjusted OR 5.13, 1.61-16.32) was associated with uniqueness as was female sex (2.50 [1.18-5.26]). Interpretation: These data suggest that HIV contributes to rifampicin-resistance acquisition during first-line tuberculosis treatment and that this might be driving increasing RMR tuberculosis over time. Large-scale prospective cohort studies are required to further quantify this risk. Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation, South African National Research Foundation, and Wellcome Trust

The impact of tuberculosis on the well-being of adolescents and young adults

The health needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) have been neglected in tuberculosis (TB) care, control, and research. AYAs, who are distinct from younger children and older adults, undergo dynamic physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social development. Five domains of adolescent well-being are crucial to a successful transition between childhood and adulthood: (1) Good health; (2) connectedness and contribution to society; (3) safety and a supportive environment; (4) learning, competence, education, skills, and employability; and (5) agency and resilience. This review summarizes the evidence of the impact of TB disease and treatment on these five domains of AYA well-being

β2-adrenoretseptry arteries of back finiteness at adaptation to a cold

At adaptation to a cold of rabbits for 30th day the quantity, but not sensitivity β2-adrenoretseptorov arteries changes