Development of a species-specific coproantigen ELISA for human taenia solium taeniasis

Taenia solium causes human neurocysticercosis and is endemic in underdeveloped countries where backyard pig keeping is common. Microscopic fecal diagnostic methods for human T. solium taeniasis are not very sensitive, and Taenia saginata and Taenia solium eggs are indistinguishable under the light microscope. Coproantigen (CoAg) ELISA methods are very sensitive, but currently only genus (Taenia) specific. This paper describes the development of a highly species-specific coproantigen ELISA test to detect T. solium intestinal taeniasis. Sensitivity was maintained using a capture antibody of rabbit IgG against T. solium adult whole worm somatic extract, whereas species specificity was achieved by utilization of an enzyme-conjugated rabbit IgG against T. solium adult excretory-secretory (ES) antigen. A known panel of positive and negative human fecal samples was tested with this hybrid sandwich ELISA. The ELISA test gave 100% specificity and 96.4% sensitivity for T. solium tapeworm carriers (N = 28), with a J index of 0.96. This simple ELISA incorporating anti-adult somatic and anti-adult ES antibodies provides the first potentially species-specific coproantigen test for human T. solium taeniasis

Disorganising the public?

Despite their centrality to Western modernity, ideas and institutions of the public have been challenged by recent social, political and eco-nomic transformations. Although neo-liberalism is usually seen as the central force, driving process such as privatization, deregulation and the withdrawal of the state, this article argues that the tendencies and transitions in publicness are heterogeneous. It explores this heteroge-neity by examining four different aspects of the disorganisation of the public: organizational, occupational, social and spatial. The article con-cludes by reflecting on three different approaches to this question of het-erogeneity: a distinction between real and superficial changes; a view of disorganisation as a political strategy; and a conjunctural view of hetero-geneity as the outcome of multiple forces, tendencies and projects

Vascular access-specific health-related quality of life impacts among hemodialysis patients: qualitative development of the hemodialysis access-related quality of life (HARQ) instrument.

BackgroundEnd stage kidney disease and hemodialysis dependence are associated with impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), which may be related to vascular access (VA). Few HRQOL measures are VA-specific and none differentiate HRQOL impact by VA type. We developed a VA-targeted HRQOL measure to distinguish the impact of fistulas, grafts and catheters.MethodsWe created an initial item pool based on literature review and then conducted focus groups at 4 US sites with 37 adults and interviews with nine dialysis clinicians about VA's impact on HRQOL. We then drafted the Hemodialysis Access-Related Quality of Life (HARQ) measure and cognitively tested it with 17 hemodialysis patients. Focus group and cognitive interview participants were diverse in age, gender, years on dialysis, and VA.ResultsWe identified six domains for the HARQ: symptoms, physical functioning, emotional impacts, social and role functioning, sleep, and care-related burdens. Cognitive interviews indicated that items were easily understood and supported content validity. Attributing HRQOL impact to VA as opposed to other hemodialysis burden was challenging for some items. Some items were dropped that were considered redundant by patients, limitations while dressing was added, and reference to VA-specific impact was included for each item. The average Flesch-Kincaid reading grade level for the revised 47-item HARQ was 5.3.ConclusionsThe HARQ features VA-specific content not addressed in other HRQOL measures, making it ideal for comparisons of different VA types and new VA technologies. The psychometric properties of the HARQ will be evaluated in future research

Dietary patterns for adults with chronic kidney disease

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: This review will evaluate the benefits and harms of dietary patterns among adults with CKD (any stage including people with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treated with dialysis, transplantation or supportive care)

Establishing a core outcome set for peritoneal dialysis : report of the SONG-PD (standardized outcomes in nephrology-peritoneal dialysis) consensus workshop

Outcomes reported in randomized controlled trials in peritoneal dialysis (PD) are diverse, are measured inconsistently, and may not be important to patients, families, and clinicians. The Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Peritoneal Dialysis (SONG-PD) initiative aims to establish a core outcome set for trials in PD based on the shared priorities of all stakeholders. We convened an international SONG-PD stakeholder consensus workshop in May 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. Nineteen patients/caregivers and 51 health professionals attended. Participants discussed core outcome domains and implementation in trials in PD. Four themes relating to the formation of core outcome domains were identified: life participation as a main goal of PD, impact of fatigue, empowerment for preparation and planning, and separation of contributing factors from core factors. Considerations for implementation were identified: standardizing patient-reported outcomes, requiring a validated and feasible measure, simplicity of binary outcomes, responsiveness to interventions, and using positive terminology. All stakeholders supported inclusion of PD-related infection, cardiovascular disease, mortality, technique survival, and life participation as the core outcome domains for PD

UNLV Rebels vs California State, Los Angeles Diablos

Team roster for both schools. UNLV Schedule Meet the Rebel

A thematic synthesis of the experiences of adults living with hemodialysis

Background and objectives In-center dialysis patients spend significant amounts of time on the dialysis unit; additionally managing ESKD affects many aspects of life outside the dialysis unit. To improve the care provided to patients requiring hemodialysis their experiences and beliefs regarding treatment must be understood. This systematic review aimed to synthesise the experiences of patients receiving in-center hemodialysis. Design, setting, participants, and measurements Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsychINFO, Google scholar and reference lists were searched for primary qualitative studies exploring the experiences of adult patients receiving treatment with in-center hemodialysis. A thematic synthesis was conducted. Results 17 studies involving 576 patients were included in the synthesis. 4 analytical themes were developed. The first theme “a new dialysis dependent self” describes the changes in identity and perceptions of self that could result from dialysis dependence. The second theme, “a restricted life”, describes the physical and emotional constraints patients described as a consequence of their dependence. Some patients reported strategies that allowed them to regain a sense of optimism and influence over the future and these contributed to the third theme, “regaining control”. The first three themes describe a potential for change through acceptance, adaption and re-gaining a sense of control. The final theme, “relationships with health professionals” describes the importance of these relationships for in-center patients and their influence on perceptions of power and support. These relationships are seen to influence the other three themes through information sharing, continuity and personalized support. Conclusions This synthesis has resulted in a framework that can be utilized to consider interventions to improve patients’ experiences of in-center hemodialysis care. Focusing on interventions that are incorporated into the established relationships patients have with their health care professionals may enable patients’ to progress towards a sense of control and improve satisfaction with care