Assessment of Patient Preference in Allocation and Observation of Anti-Tuberculosis Medication in three Districts in Tanzania.

The new tuberculosis (TB) treatment in Tanzania contains rifampicin for six months. Direct observation of drug intake at the health facility for this period is not feasible. Patients and health staff in three districts were interviewed to assess the burden of the current treatment strategy, and opinions on a proposed new strategy where patients are able to choose the place of treatment and the treatment supervisor, and receive treatment as a daily combination tablet. The study included 343 patients in 42 facilities. Daily collection of drugs was perceived as burdensome irrespective of distance needed to travel. Eighty percent of patients viewed medication taken at home or at a closer health facility as an improvement in TB-services. The proposed new treatment strategy was rated favorably by 85% of patients and 75% of health staff. Fifty-three percent of patients would opt for home-based treatment, and 75% would choose a family member or the spouse as treatment supporter. Home-based supervision of TB treatment with fewer drugs is an expressed preference of TB patients in Tanzania. Such a strategy is now being assessed in a pilot study. If effective and feasible, the strategy will contribute to an improved TB control strategy

A simple approach for detecting HLA-A02 alleles in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples and an application example for studying cancer immunoediting

The HLA system represents a central component of the antigen presentation machinery. As every patient possesses a defined set of HLA molecules, only certain antigens can be presented on the cell surface. Thus, studying HLA type-dependent antigen presentation can improve the understanding of variation in susceptibility to various diseases, including infectious diseases and cancer. In archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, the HLA type is difficult to analyze because of fragmentation of DNA, hindering the application of commonly used assays that rely on long DNA stretches. Addressing these difficulties, we present a refined approach for characterizing presence or absence of HLA-A*02, the most common HLA-A allele in the Caucasian population, in archival samples. We validated our genotyping strategy in a cohort of 90 samples with HLA status obtained by an NGS-based method. 90% (n = 81) of the samples could be analyzed with the approach. For all of them, the presence or absence of HLA-A*02 alleles was correctly determined with the method, demonstrating 100% sensitivity and specificity (95% CI: 91.40%-100% and 91.19%-100%). Furthermore, we provide an example of application in an independent cohort of 73 FFPE microsatellite-unstable (MSI) colorectal cancer samples. As MSI cancer cells encompass a high number of mutations in coding microsatellites, leading to the generation of highly immunogenic frameshift peptide antigens, they are ideally suited for studying relations between the mutational landscape of tumor cells and interindividual differences in the immune system, including the HLA genotype. Overall, our method can help to promote studying HLA type-dependency during the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, making archival and historic tissue samples accessible for identifying HLA-A*02 alleles.Peer reviewe

Transcriptome Analysis and SNP Development Can Resolve Population Differentiation of Streblospio benedicti, a Developmentally Dimorphic Marine Annelid

Next-generation sequencing technology is now frequently being used to develop genomic tools for non-model organisms, which are generally important for advancing studies of evolutionary ecology. One such species, the marine annelid Streblospio benedicti, is an ideal system to study the evolutionary consequences of larval life history mode because the species displays a rare offspring dimorphism termed poecilogony, where females can produce either many small offspring or a few large ones. To further develop S. benedicti as a model system for studies of life history evolution, we apply 454 sequencing to characterize the transcriptome for embryos, larvae, and juveniles of this species, for which no genomic resources are currently available. Here we performed a de novo alignment of 336,715 reads generated by a quarter GS-FLX (Roche 454) run, which produced 7,222 contigs. We developed a novel approach for evaluating the site frequency spectrum across the transcriptome to identify potential signatures of selection. We also developed 84 novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for this species that are used to distinguish coastal populations of S. benedicti. We validated the SNPs by genotyping individuals of different developmental modes using the BeadXPress Golden Gate assay (Illumina). This allowed us to evaluate markers that may be associated with life-history mode

Long-term metapopulation study of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia): survey methods, data management, and long-term population trends

Peer reviewe

There or not there? A multidisciplinary review and research agenda on the impact of transparent barriers on human perception, action, and social behavior

Contains fulltext : 145066.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Through advances in production and treatment technologies, transparent glass has become an increasingly versatile material and a global hallmark of modern architecture. In the shape of invisible barriers, it defines spaces while simultaneously shaping their lighting, noise, and climate conditions. Despite these unique architectural qualities, little is known regarding the human experience with glass barriers. Is a material that has been described as being simultaneously there and not there from an architectural perspective, actually there and/or not there from perceptual, behavioral, and social points of view? In this article, we review systematic observations and experimental studies that explore the impact of transparent barriers on human cognition and action. In doing so, the importance of empirical and multidisciplinary approaches to inform the use of glass in contemporary architecture is highlighted and key questions for future inquiry are identified.17 p

How do patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease perceive the use of their medications: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research

Background: Pharmacotherapy is paramount to the management of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), yet there is sub-optimal adherence and limited adherence interventions. To understand how to better support patients’ medication use, our two-fold objectives were: 1) to conduct a systematic review of qualitative research studies of medication taking among SARD patients; and 2) to thematically synthesize qualitative research studies to obtain SARD patients’ perspectives and experiences with medication use. Methods: We conducted a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Social Sciences Citation Index databases to identify qualitative research studies exploring views on medication use among patients with SARDs, their healthcare providers, or caregivers. We used thematic synthesis to combine data from selected studies, and identify analytical themes on SARD patients’ perspectives and experiences with medication use. Results: Our systematic review identified 18 studies. Thematic synthesis identified seven analytical themes: 1) effects of medications on emotional and social well-being, 2) impacts of healthcare provider relationships on treatment, 3) gaining control over treatment, 4) fear and concern with side effects of treatment, 5) understanding the importance of treatment, 6) practical barriers to taking medication, and 7) motivation towards adherence to treatment. Conclusion: This systematic review and thematic synthesis contributes to better understanding of SARDs patients’ perspectives on medication use. Given the paucity of existing adherence interventions targeting this patient population, our study has certain practical implications for care, namely the need to address emotional and social impacts of medication use and the necessity of establishing a meaningful and trusting professional relationship with patients.Medicine, Faculty ofPharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCMedicine, Department ofRheumatology, Division ofReviewedFacult

Diario de Menorca: Año 4 Número 772

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Additional file 1: of How do patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease perceive the use of their medications: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research

Search strategies; A list of search terms used for each database searched. (DOCX 19 kb

O que sai do conselho tutelar : o perfil da vitimização

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