Iron Status Predicts Treatment Failure and Mortality in Tuberculosis Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Experimental data suggest a role for iron in the course of tuberculosis (TB) infection, but there is limited evidence on the potential effects of iron deficiency or iron overload on the progression of TB disease in humans. The aim of the present analysis was to examine the association of iron status with the risk of TB progression and death.\ud We analyzed plasma samples and data collected as part a randomized micronutrient supplementation trial (not including iron) among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected TB patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We prospectively related baseline plasma ferritin concentrations from 705 subjects (362 HIV-infected and 343 HIV-uninfected) to the risk of treatment failure at one month after initiation, TB recurrence and death using binomial and Cox regression analyses. Overall, low (plasma ferritin<30 µg/L) and high (plasma ferritin>150 µg/L for women and>200 µg/L for men) iron status were seen in 9% and 48% of patients, respectively. Compared with normal levels, low plasma ferritin predicted an independent increased risk of treatment failure overall (adjusted RR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.07 to 3.52) and of TB recurrence among HIV-infected patients (adjusted RR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.22 to 14.55). High plasma ferritin, independent of C-reactive protein concentrations, was associated with an increased risk of overall mortality (adjusted RR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.95 to 4.67). Both iron deficiency and overload exist in TB patients and may contribute to disease progression and poor clinical outcomes. Strategies to maintain normal iron status in TB patients could be helpful to reduce TB morbidity and mortality

Concurrent evaluation of cytokines improves the accuracy of antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis

Data availability statement: All the important data relevant to this study was reported in the manuscript. Any additional data will be made available upon request from the corresponding author.Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Background: Antibodies against mycobacterial proteins are highly specific, but lack sensitivity, whereas cytokines have been shown to be sensitive but not very specific in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). We assessed combinations between antibodies and cytokines for diagnosing TB. Methods: Immuoglubulin (Ig) A and IgM antibody titres against selected mycobacterial antigens including Apa, NarL, Rv3019c, PstS1, LAM, “Kit 1” (MTP64 and Tpx)”, and “Kit 2” (MPT64, Tpx and 19 kDa) were evaluated by ELISA in plasma samples obtained from individuals under clinical suspicion for TB. Combinations between the antibody titres and previously published cytokine responses in the same participants were assessed for diagnosing active TB. Results: Antibody responses were more promising when used in combination (AUC of 0.80), when all seven antibodies were combined. When anti-“Kit 1”-IgA levels were combined with five host cytokine biomarkers, the AUC increased to 97% (92–100%) with a sensitivity of 95% (95% CI, 73–100%), and specificity of 88.5% (95% CI, 68.7–97%) achieved after leave-one-out cross validation. Conclusion: When used in combination, IgA titres measured with ELISA against multiple Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens may be useful in the diagnosis of TB. However, diagnostic accuracy may be improved if the antibodies are used in combination with cytokines.This work was part of the EDCTP1 programme supported by the European Union (grant number IP_2009_32040, AE-TBC; awarded to GW). The project was also supported by the South African Government through the National Research Foundation (NRF, awarded to NC) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC, postgraduate scholarship to RJ)

Grand Challenges in global eye health: a global prioritisation process using Delphi method

Background We undertook a Grand Challenges in Global Eye Health prioritisation exercise to identify the key issues that must be addressed to improve eye health in the context of an ageing population, to eliminate persistent inequities in health-care access, and to mitigate widespread resource limitations. Methods Drawing on methods used in previous Grand Challenges studies, we used a multi-step recruitment strategy to assemble a diverse panel of individuals from a range of disciplines relevant to global eye health from all regions globally to participate in a three-round, online, Delphi-like, prioritisation process to nominate and rank challenges in global eye health. Through this process, we developed both global and regional priority lists. Findings Between Sept 1 and Dec 12, 2019, 470 individuals complete round 1 of the process, of whom 336 completed all three rounds (round 2 between Feb 26 and March 18, 2020, and round 3 between April 2 and April 25, 2020) 156 (46%) of 336 were women, 180 (54%) were men. The proportion of participants who worked in each region ranged from 104 (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa to 21 (6%) in central Europe, eastern Europe, and in central Asia. Of 85 unique challenges identified after round 1, 16 challenges were prioritised at the global level; six focused on detection and treatment of conditions (cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, services for children and screening for early detection), two focused on addressing shortages in human resource capacity, five on other health service and policy factors (including strengthening policies, integration, health information systems, and budget allocation), and three on improving access to care and promoting equity. Interpretation This list of Grand Challenges serves as a starting point for immediate action by funders to guide investment in research and innovation in eye health. It challenges researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to build collaborations to address specific challenge

Optimization and Analysis of Female Foot Anthropometry

The dynamic nature of the population makes it necessary to have reliable and updated data on the human foot dimensions. Many factors are responsible for the different forms and structures of the human foot, such as age, gender, nutrition, and genetic composition, among others. This study was carried out to optimize and analyse the various foot dimensions of the female subjects. A total of 200 female subjects participated willingly in the study, and 27-foot measurements were obtained. The results revealed the mean foot length to be 24.7cm with an SD of 1.2 while the mean foot breadth was obtained as 9.3cm having an SD of 0.6cm. The mean obtained was 58.7kg having a standard deviation of 12.5. From the findings, it can be concluded that a statistically significant correlation exists between foot length and body weight (p<0.001), with the value being r = 0.48 and also that for foot breadth and body weight being(r = 0.49). These findings were compared to those from other studies, and it was concluded that the variation in the values could be due to environmental, ethnic, and racial differences

An overview of nanotechnology and its potential risk

Nanotechnology has vastly been investigated due to its potential to increase the field of biotechnology and medical advances. Though, regulatory agencies such as FDA oversee the emerging field of nanotechnology through legislative arrangements. Mechanistic knowledge of nanostructure material behavior in the human body, animals, and environment is significant. This paper investigated the role of nanotechnology and its relevant development and improvement in science. Likewise, it exposes or brings to the limelight the threats associated with nanoparticles and their application in various fields of study, most especially the alarming effects on humans, animals, and the environment when inhaled or consumed in the form of nano-medicine, food, et

An overview of nanotechnology and its application

Numerous advantages of nanotechnology depend on its capacity to modify materials at incredibly small scales to attain certain features that would significantly improve the materials science toolset. Considering the molecules and interacting groups of molecules in connection to the bulk macroscopic qualities of the material becomes necessary when controlling the underlying molecular structure, which provides control over the macroscopic chemical and physical properties. Physiological and medical applications necessitate both materials apparatus with a high degree of specificity to communicate with the body on a molecular (or subcellular) level. This may result in specialized clinical uses for cells and tissues that aim to acquire the most therapeutic results possible while limiting negative effects. The applications and main scientific and technological facets of nanotechnology are explained in this overview, along with some of its potential medical use

An overview of material removal processes and its importance

Good surface finishing, quality, and maximizing metal removal are characteristics feature of machining operation. The process variables affect the product’s surface roughness and rate of metal removal. Proper management of the process variables makes it easier to lower machining costs and enhance product quality. In order to get the best product, extensive research has been done previously to optimize the procedure specifications in any machining process. This paper studies how important the material removal process is, its benefits, and its relevancy in the manufacturing industries. The most recent turning process research uses the Response Surface Methodology (RMS). Process variables including feed, cutting speed, and depth of cut work well. In most circumstances, a technical need for mechanical products, the surface profile, and the roughness of a machined workpiece are two of the most significant product quality features. The necessary surface quality must be obtained for a part to function as intended. Finding a simple solution and a completely reliable approach is crucial due to the surface quality mechanism’s process dependence and the various uncontrollable elements that affect relevant phenomena

Bio-Waste as an Enhancement Additive for Nano-Flux Powder in Welding- An Overview

Oxyacetylene welding is quite a novel technique of connecting metals with each other that was developed to address the drawbacks of other welding techniques. The use of chemical compounds known as fluxes in the welding process does this, resulting in improved weld characteristics and increased weld depth. Recently, the use of agro-wastes as alternate fluxes has received keen interest from researchers. This is partly because agro-wastes recycling facilitates cleaner environments and could be cheaper. In this study, a critical review was carried out on some particular types and properties of welding. The review also considers the assessments carried out on welded joints and the use of agro-waste

An overview of material removal processes and its industrial application

This paper provided an overview of material removal processes and their industrial applications. Materials perform very important functions industrially owing to their mechanical properties and nature. The essence of material removal processes is to formulate the structural features required for a product to perform to the specification of its intended applications. Unfinished castings can be modified through the removal of materials to make them meet design requirements and also a group of shaping processes that involve removing unwanted surplus material from a starting workpiece to bring the remaining piece closer to the desired shape. Additionally, selective material removal can be used to transform generic castings into one-of-a-kind finished goods. Common castings can have unique hold patterns, flanges eliminated, wall thicknesses decreased, surfaces flattened, and other design characteristics added by removing unneeded material, resulting in distinctively diverse final products. In contrast, casting and molding operations are frequently substituted with material removal techniques. Materials removal may end up being the sole viable option when the issues related to cast form processing concerns become overwhelming (often based on cost-effectiveness)