Abstract:

This review will evaluate the article titled ‘Integration of Antiretroviral Therapy with Tuberculosis Treatment’ by Salim S. Abdool Karim et al published in ‘The New England Journal of Medicine’. In the process of summarization -- its purpose will be defined, the structure of the article be examined in terms of ease with which any reader can have access to this piece of information. The article will be anatomized based upon its authority, accuracy, currency, relevance, objectivity and stability in that order. The review will also judge the article’s accessibility and credibility. Upon overall assessment the article has been found to be well written, clear and relevant.

References:

1.      Annie Luetkemeyer,, University of California San Francisco (January 20 13) chapter ‘Tuberculosis and HIV available at a site ‘HIV In Site Knowledge Base’ URL http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=kb-05-01-06 accessed on 8th Sept, 2013

2.      Bhagyabati DS, Naorem S, Singh TJ, Singh KB, Prasad L, Shantidevi T. HIV and TB Co-infection. Journal, Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine. 2005;6:220.

3.      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta). Trends in tuberculosis -- United States, 2010. MMWR (Morbidity Mortalality Weekly Reports). 2011 Mar 25;60(11):333-7.

4.      Dean GL, Edwards SG, Ives NJ, et al. Treatment of tuberculosis in HIV-infected persons in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. AIDS. 2002 Jan 4;16(1):75-83.

5.      Dheda K, Shean K, Zumla A, et al. Early treatment outcomes and HIV status of patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2010 May 22;375(9728):1798-807.

6.      Helena Legido-Quigley et al (2010) Integrating tuberculosis and HIV services in low- and middle- income countries: a systematic review Background paper for the First Global Symposium on health systems research 16-19 November 2010 Montreux, Switzerland

7.      Kerschberger B, Hilderbrand K, Boulle AM, Coetzee D, Goemaere E, et al. (2012). The Effect of Complete Integration of HIV and TB Services on Time to Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy: A Before-After Study. PLoS ONE 7(10): e46988. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0046988

8.      Oni T, Burke R, Tsekela R, et al. High prevalence of subclinical tuberculosis in HIV-1-infected persons without advanced immunodeficiency: implications for TB screening. Thorax. 2011 Aug;66(8):669-73.

9.      Sharma SK, Mohan A. Co-infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis: Indian perspective. Indian J Tuberc. 2004;51:5.

10.  Severe P, Juste MA, Ambroise A, et al. Early versus standard antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected adults in Haiti. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jul 15;363(3):257-65.

11.  Sinha S, et al (2012). Early versus delayed initiation of antiretroviral therapy for Indian HIV-Infected individuals with tuberculosis on antituberculosis treatment.’ in BMC Infectious Disesase. 2012 Jul 31;12:168Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi

12.  Suthar AB, Lawn SD, del Amo J, et al. Antiretroviral therapy for prevention of tuberculosis in adults with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med. 2012 Jul;9(7):e1001270. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001270.

13.  TB India. RNTCP status report. Available from: http://www.tbcindiaorg/pdfs/TB%20India%202010 accessed on Sept 8, 2013 WHO/TB/96.200 (SEA) Geneva: World Health Organization; 1996. World Health Organization. A Clinical Manual for Southeast Asia.

14.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents. March 27, 2012.

15.  Van Rie A, Menezes C, Scott L, et al. High yield, sensitivity, and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF for M. tuberculosis detection in fine needle aspirates from HIV-infected TB suspects. In: Program and abstracts of the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; February 27-March 2, 2011; Boston. Abstract 879.

16.  WHO (Geneva), Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection, June 2013, URL http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/guidelines/arv2013/en/index.html accessed on 8th Sept, 2013

17.  World Health Organization (WHO). Treatment of Tuberculosis Guidelines. Accessed 8 Sept 2013 

Abstract:

In this article I shall examine the author’s perception about the burden of Emergency Department patient delay and the possible effects of this situation on the patient’s satisfaction. We want to see if the author’s analysis agrees with the existing literature especially as there are newer articles than this. Has the author indicated the advantage of determining the stage at which the delay occurs most? I would also want to determine if the study brought out possible solutions to the identified causes of delay in Emergency Department.

I will look at how other researchers see the issue of delay in Emergency Department and the solutions they have proffered, comparing it with what obtains here. I will like to agree with the write up where it is possible otherwise I will disagree with reasons, where I am not convinced. I will try to bring fresh reflections.

References:

1.      Andrulis DP, Kellermann A, Hintz EA, Hackman BB, Weslowski VB, Emergency departments and overcrowding in United States Teaching Hospitals. Ann Emerg. Med. 1991; 20(9): 980-6.

2.      Boyle A, Higginson I, Smith S, Henderson K, Crowding in emergency departments, 2012. secure.collemergencymed.ac.uk/code/document.asp?id=6296

3.      Cuttman A, Schull MJ, Vermeulen MJ, Stuked TA. Association between waiting times and short term mortality and hospital admission after depature from emergency department: Population based short study from Ontario Canada. Creature visions foundation. BMJ 2011

4.      Derlet R, Richards JR. Emergency department Overcrowding in Florida, New York and Texas South Med J, 2002, 95(8)

5.      Estey A, Ness K, Saunders D, Alibhai A, Bear RA. “Understanding the cause of overcrowding in Emergency department in the capital health region in Alberta: a focus group study.

6.      Huang Q, Third A, Dreyer JF, Zaric GS. The impact of delays to admission from the emergency department on inpatient outcome. BMC emergency medicine 2010, 10:16.

7.      Liew D, Kennedy MP. Emergency department length of stay independently predicts excess impatient length of stay. Med J. August 2003; 179(10): 524-6

8.      Mohamood A, Khau BA, Khursheed, Khursheed M. “Overcrowded emergency departments: A problem looking for solution. Journal of Pakistan medical association, 2012.

9.      Miro O, Sanchez M, Espinosa G, Coll-Vinet B, Bragulat E, Milla J. Analysis of patient flow in emergency department and the effect of an extensive reorganization. Emerg Med J. 2003; 20:143-8.

10.  Rehmani R, Emergency section and overcrowding in a University Hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. J Pak Med. Association 2004: 54(5): 233-7.

Abstract:

In this article review we will look at the various aspect of this article in terms of its relevance, structure, accuracy, objectivity and stability. We shall also look at how it relates to the existing literature. We shall look at the data analysis and see if the results agree with what the author has inferred or set out to achieve. We shall also see if there are some significant results which the author did not infer from the data. We shall summarize the article bringing out the main points which the article has determined.

We shall also look at the background of the authors, the setting in which the study was carried out and whether the suggestions of the authors were relevant to the study population and background, we will suggest how to improve on the outcome and further studies which may be necessary as a result of the present findings.

We point out our areas of agreement with the authors and our areas of disagreement, stating reasons why we disagree. We shall look at similar studies by other authors and see how it agrees or differs from this study. We will finally conclude the review by stating the benefits of the study and the grey areas that need further studies.

References:

1.      Bentham G. Proximity to hospital and mortality from motor vehicle traffic accidents. Soc. Med. 1986; 23(10):1021-6

2.      Emergency care in Nigeria. Who Medicine Network. The National ED inventories survey instrument http://www.emnet-nedi.org (accessed 10 Jul 2011)

3.      Iribhegbe PE, Osemwenkha EA, Imarengiaye CO, Elusoji SO: Trauma Preparedness in Nigeria: A Questionare Survair; Sahel Medical Journal; 2007 10(3) 97-102.

4.      Leadership news paper:- Nigeria Commences Paramedics Technology in Tertiary Institutions: extracted from www.leadership.ng/blogspots/health-matters/364585/Nigeria/commences-29/9/2014

5.      Solagberu BA, Adekunye AO, Ofoegbu CPK, Udofia US, Abdurhaman LO, Taiwao JO. Epidemeology of Trauma deaths. WHJM 2003: 22.177-181.

6.      Wen Ls, Char Dm, Existing Infrastructure Centre for the delivery of emergency case in the Post-conflict Rewanda Africa Emergency medicine 2011. (1) 57-61.

Abstract:

Review is a critical analysis of the article “An exploration study of the policy process and early implementation of the free NHS coverage for pregnant women in Ghana published in international Journal for equity in health 2013.

In this review of this article following steps were taken. It was summarized, then was analysed for print structure by out. Lastly review did the critical analysis of the article evaluating its authority currency, accuracy, objectivity and coverage Tables & figures were also analysis.

References:

1.      Agyepong I, Ngai R: “We charge them; otherwise we cannot run the hospital”: front line workers, clients and health financing policy implementation gaps in Ghana. Health Policy 2011, 99:226-233. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text

2.      Asenso-Boadi F: Free maternal health care programme and its cost implications. 2009. Ref Type: Slide

3.      Atinga R, Mensah S, Asenso-Boadi F, Adjei F: Migrating from user fees to social health insurance: exploring the prospects and challenges for hospital management. BMC Health Serv Res 2012, 12(174).

4.      Countdown to 2015. Building a future for women and children: the 2012 report. Geneva: WHO and UNICEF; 2012.

5.      Dalinjong P, Laar A: The national health insurance scheme: perceptions and experiences of health care providers and clients in two districts of Ghana. Heal Econ Rev 2012., 2

6.      Dzakpasu S, Soremekun S, Manu A, Ten Asbroek G, Tawiah C: Impact of Free Delivery Care on Health Facility Delivery and Insurance Coverage in Ghana’s Brong Ahafo Region. PLoS One 2012, 7(11):e49430. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | PubMed Central Full Text

7.      Ghana Statistical Service, Ghana Health Service, ICF Macro: Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2008: Key Findings. Calverton, Maryland, USA: GSS, GHS, and ICF Macro; 2009.

8.      GHS: Ghana Health Service Annual Report 2009. Accra: Ghana Health Service; 2010.

9.      Ghana Ministry of Health: Implementation guidelines for financing free delivery through NHIS. Accra: MoH; 2008.

10.  Ghana Ministry of Health: National consultative meeting on the reduction of maternal mortality in Ghana: partnership for action - a synthesis report. Accra: MoH; 2008.

11.  De Sardan O, Ridde V: Une comparaison provisoire des politiques d’exemption de paiement dans trois pays sahéliens (Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria). Niamey: LASDEL/CRCHUM; 2011. Report No.: Etudes et travaux numéro 89

12.  Meessen B, Hercot D, Noirhomme M, Ridde V, Tibouti A, Tashobya C: Removing user fees in the health sector: a review of policy processes in six sub-Saharan African countries. Health Policy Plan 2011, 2(26):ii16-ii29.

13.  NHIS: National Health Insurance Scheme website. Accra: NHIS; 2012.

14.  Ridde V, Queuille L, Kafando Y: Capitalisations de politiques publiques d’exemption du paiement des soins en Afrique de l’Ouest. Ouagadougou: CRCHUM/HELP/ECHO; 2012.

15.  Ridde V, Richard F, Bicaba A, Queuille L, Conombo G: The national subsidy for deliveries and emergency obstetric care in Burkina Faso. Health Policy Plan 2011, Supplement 2(26):ii30-ii40.

16.  Ridde V, Diarra A: A process evaluation of user fees abolition for pregnant women and children under five years in two districts in Niger (West Africa). BMC Health Serv Res 2009.

17.  Ridde V, Robert E, Meessen B: A literature review of the disruptive effects of user fee exemption policies on health systems. BMC Publ Health 2012, 12Community of Practice Financial Access to Health Services: Maternal health exemptions: policy brief. Bamako: CoP FAHS; 2012.

18.  Ridde V, Diarra A, Moha M: User fees abolition policy in Niger: comparing the under five years exemption implementation in two districts. Health Policy 2011, 99:219-225. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text

19.  Schieber G, Cashin C, Saleh K, Lavado R: Health financing in Ghana at a crossroad. Washington, D.C: World Bank; 2012. Report 67325

20.  Witter S, Arhinful D, Kusi A, Zakariah-Akoto S: The experience of Ghana in implementing a user fee exemption policy to provide free delivery care. Reprod Health Matters 2007, 15(30):1-11.

21.  Witter S, Dieng T, Mbengue D, Moreira I, De Brouwere V: The free delivery and caesarean policy in Senegal – how effective and cost-effective has it been? Health Policy Plan 2010, 25(5):384-392. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text

22.  Witter S, Adjei S, Armar-Klemesu M, Graham W: Providing free maternal health care: ten lessons from an evaluation of the national delivery exemption policy in Ghana. Global Health Action 2009.

23.  Witter S, Richard F, De Brouwere V: Learning lessons and moving forward: how to reduce financial barriers to obstetric care in low-income contexts. Studies in Health Services Organisation and Policy 2008, 24:277-304.

24.  Witter S, Adjei S: Start-stop funding, its causes and consequences: a case study of the delivery exemptions policy in Ghana. Int J Health Plann Manage 2007, 22(2):133-143. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text

25.  Witter S, Garshong B: Something old or something new? Social health insurance in Ghana. BMC International Health and Human Rights 2009, 9(20).

Abstract:

This is the review of the article “Drinking water composition and Incidence of Urinars calculus.’ It is study for pathophysiology of urinary calculus due to electrolytes in water and whether these electrolytes contribute to water quality besides hardness causing the calculus formation.

References:

1.      Alapont Perez FM, Galvez Calderon J, Varea Herrero J, Colome Borros G, Olaso Oltra A, Sanchez Bisono JR. [Epidemiology of urinary lithiasis]. Actas Urol Esp. 2001;25:341-9. Spanish.

2.      Barker DJ, Donnan SP. Regional variations in the incidence of upper urinary tract stones in England and Wales. Br Med J. 1978;1:67-70.

3.      Basiri A, Shakhssalim N, Khoshdel AR, Naghavi M. Regional and seasonal variation in the incidence of urolithiasis in Iran: a place for obsession in case finding and statistical approach. Urol Res. 2009.

4.      Bellizzi V, De Nicola L, Minutolo R, et al. Effects of water hardness on urinary risk factors for kidney stones in patients with idiopathic nephrolithiasis. Nephron. 1999;81 Suppl 1:66-70.

5.      Caudarella R, Rizzoli E, Buffa A, Bottura A, Stefoni S. Comparative study of the influence of 3 types of mineral water in patients with idiopathic calcium lithiasis. J Urol. 1998;159:658-63.

6.      Churchill D, Bryant D, Fodor G, Gault MH. Drinking water hardness and urolithiasis. Ann Intern Med. 1978;88:513-4.

7.      Coen G, Sardella D, Barbera G, et al. Urinary composition and lithogenic risk in normal subjects following oligomineral versus bicarbonate-alkaline high calcium mineral water intake. Urol Int. 2001;67:49-53.

8.      Desmars JF, Tawashi R. Dissolution and growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate. I. Effect of magnesium and pH. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1973;313:256-67.

9.      Ettinger B, Pak CY, Citron JT, Thomas C, Adams-Huet B, Vangessel A. Potassium-magnesium citrate is an effective prophylaxis against recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1997;158:2069-73.

10.  Gershoff SN, Prien EL. Effect of daily MgO and vitamin B6 administration to patients with recurring calcium oxalate kidney stones. Am J Clin Nutr. 1967;20:393-9.

11.  Johansson G, Backman U, Danielson BG, Fellstrom B, Ljunghall S, Wikstrom B. Biochemical and clinical effects of the prophylactic treatment of renal calcium stones with magnesium hydroxide. J Urol. 1980;124:770-4.

12.  Khan SR, Shevock PN, Hackett RL. Magnesium oxide administration and prevention of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1993;149:412-6.

13.  Kohri K, Garside J, Blacklock NJ. The role of magnesium in calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Br J Urol. 1988;61:107-15.

14.  Kohri K, Kodama M, Ishikawa Y, et al. Magnesium-to- calcium ratio in tap water, and its relationship to geological features and the incidence of calcium-containing urinary stones. J Urol. 1989;142:1272-5.

15.  Kohri K, Ishikawa Y, Iguchi M, Kurita T, Okada Y, Yoshida O. Relationship between the incidence infection stones and the magnesium-calcium ratio of tap water. Urol Res. 1993;21:269-72.

16.  Li MK, Blacklock NJ, Garside J. Effects of magnesium on calcium oxalate crystallization. J Urol. 1985;133:123-5.

17.  Meyer JL, Smith LH. Growth of calcium oxalate crystals. II. Inhibition by natural urinary crystal growth inhibitors. Invest Urol. 1975;13:36-9.

18.  Ramello A, Vitale C, Marangella M. Epidemiology of nephrolithiasis. J Nephrol. 2000;13 Suppl 3:S45-50.

19.  Reungjui S, Prasongwatana V, Premgamone A, Tosukhowong P, Jirakulsomchok S, Sriboonlue P. Magnesium status of patients with renal stones and its effect on urinary citrate excretion. BJU Int. 2002;90:635-9.

20.  Schwartz BF, Bruce J, Leslie S, Stoller ML. Rethinking the role of urinary magnesium in calcium urolithiasis. J Endourol. 2001;15:233-5.

21.  Sierakowski R, Finlayson B, Landes R. Stone incidence as related to water hardness in different geographical regions of the United States. Urol Res. 1979;7:157-60.

22.  Shuster J, Finlayson B, Scheaffer R, Sierakowski R, Zoltek J, Dzegede S. Water hardness and urinary stone disease. J Urol. 1982;128:422-5.

23.  Singh PP, Kiran R. Are we overstressing water quality in urinary stone disease? Int Urol Nephrol. 1993;25:29-36.

24.  Sowers MR, Jannausch M, Wood C, Pope SK, Lachance LL, Peterson B. Prevalence of renal stones in a population-based study with dietary calcium, oxalate, and medication exposures. Am J Epidemiol. 1998;147:914-20.

25.  Wickham JEA, Buck AC. Renal tract stone: metabolic basis and clinical practice. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1990.

26.  Water Quality Association [homepage on the internet]. Centralized “water softening” — know the facts [cited 26 Jul, 2008]. Available from: http://www.wqa.org/sitelogic.cfm?ID=1052.

27.  Zerwekh JE, Odvina CV, Wuermser LA, Pak CY. Reduction of renal stone risk by potassium-magnesium citrate during 5 weeks of bed rest. J Urol. 2007;177: 2179-84.

Abstract:

The introduction of Maraviroc which is a CCR5 antagonists as an antiretroviral drug necessitates the need to study HIV tropism for other HIV 1 subtypes especially those present in other countries in South East Asia and Sub Saharan Africa which accounts for a majority of the burden of the infection. The study under review was undertaken to evaluate HIV-1 co-receptor tropism in the developing world where non-B subtypes predominate, in order to assess the therapeutic and prophylactic potential of CCR5 antagonists in these regions.

In this vain, this review aims to highlight the prevalence of R5 and X4-tropic HIV-1 among samples obtained from patients with HIV-1 subtype C infection from India and South Africa, and with subtype A/A1 and D infection from Uganda, and to explore the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with R5 infection. In addition, the review will also highlight the ability of the Trofile® assay to determine tropism of non-B subtypes of HIV-1, which previously had not been explored in a large study.

References:

1.      Brumme ZL, Goodrich J, Mayer HB, Brumme CJ, Henrick BM, Wynhoven B, Asselin JJ, Cheung PK, Hogg RS, Montaner JS, Harrigan PR. Molecular and clinical epidemiology of CXCR4-using HIV-1 in a large population of antiretroviral-naive individuals. J Infect Dis. 2005;15:466–474. doi: 10.1086/431519. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

2.      Buonaguro L, Tornesello ML, Buonaguro FM. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype distribution in the worldwide epidemic: pathogenetic and therapeutic implications. J Virol.2007;15:10209–10219. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00872-07. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

3.      Cornelissen M, Mulder-Kampinga G, Veenstra J, Zorgdrager F, Kuiken C, Hartman S, Dekker J, van der HL, Sol C, Coutinho R. Syncytium-inducing (SI) phenotype suppression at seroconversion after intramuscular inoculation of a non-syncytium-inducing/SI phenotypically mixed human immunodeficiency virus population. J Virol. 1995;15:1810–1818. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

4.      Coakley E, Petropoulos CJ, Whitcomb JM. Assessing chemokine co-receptor usage in HIV. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2005;15:9–15. doi: 10.1097/00001432-200502000-00003. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

5.      de Roda Husman AM, Koot M, Cornelissen M, Keet IP, Brouwer M, Broersen SM, Bakker M, Roos MT, Prins M, de Wolf F, Miedema F, Goudsmit J, Schuitemaker H. Association between CCR5 genotype and the clinical course of HIV-1 infection. Ann Intern Med. 1997;15:882–890.[PubMed]

6.      Hu DJ, Buve A, Baggs J, van der GG, Dondero TJ. What role does HIV-1 subtype play in transmission and pathogenesis? An epidemiological perspective. AIDS. 1999;15:873–881. doi: 10.1097/00002030-199905280-00002. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

7.      Kaleebu P, French N, Mahe C, Yirrell D, Watera C, Lyagoba F, Nakiyingi J, Rutebemberwa A, Morgan D, Weber J, Gilks C, Whitworth J. Effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 envelope subtypes A and D on disease progression in a large cohort of HIV-1-positive persons in Uganda. J Infect Dis. 2002;15:1244–1250. doi: 10.1086/340130. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

8.      Keet IP, Krijnen P, Koot M, Lange JM, Miedema F, Goudsmit J, Coutinho RA. Predictors of rapid progression to AIDS in HIV-1 seroconverters. AIDS. 1993;15:51–57. doi: 10.1097/00002030-199301000-00008. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

9.      Kijak GH, McCutchan FE. HIV diversity, molecular epidemiology, and the role of recombination.Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2005;15:480–488. doi: 10.1007/s11908-005-0051-8. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

10.  Nielsen C, Pedersen C, Lundgren JD, Gerstoft J. Biological properties of HIV isolates in primary HIV infection: consequences for the subsequent course of infection. AIDS. 1993;15:1035–1040. doi: 10.1097/00002030-199308000-00002. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

11.  Moyle GJ, Wildfire A, Mandalia S, Mayer H, Goodrich J, Whitcomb J, Gazzard BG. Epidemiology and predictive factors for chemokine receptor use in HIV-1 infection. J Infect Dis. 2005;15:866–872. doi: 10.1086/428096. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

12.  Moore JP, Kitchen SG, Pugach P, Zack JA. The CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors--central to understanding the transmission and pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2004;15:111–126. doi: 10.1089/088922204322749567. [PubMed][Cross Ref]

13.  Ranga U. Human immunodeficiency virus-1 subtypes: could genetic diversity translate to differential pathogenesis. J Indian Inst Sci. 2002;15:73–91.

14.  Spira S, Wainberg MA, Loemba H, Turner D, Brenner BG. Impact of clade diversity on HIV-1 virulence, antiretroviral drug sensitivity and drug resistance. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2003;15:229–240. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkg079. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

15.  Thomson MM, Perez-Alvarez L, Najera R. Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 genetic forms and its significance for vaccine development and therapy. Lancet Infect Dis. 2002;15:461–471. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(02)00343-2. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]

Abstract:

Tuberculosis as a disease have been with human for several thousands of years now and earliest evidence of the disease is said to have been found in a Bison dating back 17,000 years. However, the bacillus causing the disease was identified by Robert Koch in 1882.

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis; an aerobic bacillus [1]. It has very high lipid content in its cell wall and this is responsible for its unique clinical features [1]. The M. tuberculosis complex includes five species: M. tuberculosis, M. bovis (and bacillus Calmette-Guérin), M. canetti, M. africanum, and M. microti. Within the species complex, most human disease is due to M. tuberculosis sensu stricto. Important to note is M. bovis; it accounts for a small fraction of human TB cases and is naturally resistant to the drug pyrazinamide [1]

References:

1.      Cantwell MF, Mckenna MT, McCray E, Onorato IM. Tuberculosis and race/ethnicity in United States: impact of socioeconomic status. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998;157:1016–20.[PubMed]

2.      Chadha VK. Progress towards Millennium Development Goals for TB control in seven Asian countries. Indian J Tuberc. 2009;56:30–43.[PubMed]

3.      Daley C. L. Tuberculosis Recurrence in Africa: True Relapse or Re-infection? Lancet. 1993;342:756–57 [PubMed]

4.      Davies PD. Tuberculosis: the global epidemic. J Ind Med Assoc. 2000;98:100–02.[PubMed]

5.      Di Perri G., Cruciani M., Danzi M. C., Luzzati R., De Checchi G., Malena M., Pizzighella S. et al. Nosocomial Epidemic of Active Tuberculosis in HIV Infected Patients. Lancet. 1989;2:1502–4.

6.      Ewer K., Deeks J., Alvarez L., Bryant G., Waller S., Andersen P., Monk P., Lalvani A. Comparison of T-Cell-Based Assay with Tuberculin Skin Test for Diagnosis of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection in a School Tuberculosis Outbreak. Lancet. 2003;361:1168–73. [PubMed]

7.      Gerald L. Mandell, John E. Bennett, Raphael (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious diseases (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. pp. Chapter 250. ISBN 978-0-443-06839-3.

8.      Hargreaves N. J., Kadzakumanja O., Phiri S., Lee C. H., Tang X., Salaniponi F. M., Harries A. D., Squire S. B. What Causes Smear-Negative Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Malawi, an Area of High HIV Seroprevalence? International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. 2001;5:1–10. [PubMed]

9.      Kaye K, Frieden TR. Tuberculosis control: the relevance of classic principles in an era of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and multidrug resistance. Epidemiol Rev. 1996;18:52–63.[PubMed]

10.  Kochi A. The global tuberculosis situation and the new control strategy of the World Health Organization. Tubercle. 1991;71:1–6.[PubMed]

11.  Mazurek G. H., Villarino M. E. Guidelines for Using the QuantiFERON-TB Test for Diagnosing Latent Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2003;52(RR-2):15–18. [PubMed]

12.  Rieder, H. L. 1999. Tuberculosis Epidemiology. 1st ed. Paris: IUATLD.

13.  Rieder H. L., Cauthen G. M., Comstock G. W., Snider D. E. Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in the United States. Epidemiologic Reviews. 1989;11:79–98. [PubMed]

14.  Richter C., Ndosi B., Mwammy A. S., Mbwambo R. K. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis—a Simple Diagnosis? Tropical and Geographical Medicine. 1991;43:375–78. [PubMed]

15.  Spence DP, Hotchkiss J, Williams CSD, Davies PD. Tuberculosis and poverty. BMJ. 1993;307:759–61.

16.  Styblo, K. 1991. Epidemiology of Tuberculosis. Selected Papers. Vol. 24. The Hague: Royal Netherlands Tuberculosis Association KNCV.

17.  Sutherland I. Recent Studies in the Epidemiology of Tuberculosis, Based on the Risk of Being Infected with Tubercle Bacilli. Advances in Tuberculosis Research. 1976;19:1–63. [PubMed]

18.  World Health Organization Global tuberculosis control 2009: epidemiology, strategy, financing: WHO report 2009. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. p. 303. (WHO/HTM/TB/2009.411).

Abstract:

This review will assess the article titled ‘Achieving a cure for HIV infection: do we have reasons to be optimistic’ written by Valentin Le Douce, et al published in ‘The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy’.

In the process of portrayal -- its purpose will be defined, the structure of the article be examined in terms of serenity with which any reader can have access to this piece of information. The article will be dissected based upon its authority, accuracy, currency, relevance, objectivity and stability in that order.

The review will also delve into the article’s accessibility and credibility. Upon over all appraisal the article has been found to be well penned -- clear and pertinent.

References:

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2.      Allers, K. and others. Evidence for the cure of HIV infection by CCR5-delta-32/delta-32 stem cell transplantation. Blood 117(10):2791–99. March 10, 2011.

3.      Bob Roehr, The slow and unknown route to a cure for AIDS BMJ 2012; 345 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e5265 (Published 10 August 2012)

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6.      http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324539404578338300521959748.html A version of this article appeared March 4, 2013, on page A3 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Baby Cured of HIV for the First Time, Researchers Say.’ : accessed on 20^th. Sept March 2013

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10.  Khan Matin Ahmad ‘Cure in the context of HIV /AIDS’ accepted for publication in JIMA (Journal Of Indian Medical Association, Sept, 2013

11.  Khan, Matin Ahmad ‘Has a time to talk about cure of AIDS arrived? International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health Vol4 No 6 2012:.981-1000 (ISSN I986-5872) June 2012

12.  Kent, Stephen J and others The search for an HIV cure: tackling latent infection The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Early Online Publication, 5 March 2013

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14.  Presentation ‘Is Cure for HIV Infection possible? ASICON-2010, Hyderabad, India October 31^st. 2010 Hans Jaeger, MD from Munich, Germany

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Abstract:

Chronic low back pain is prevalent in the western world. Lumbar radiculopathy is a common presentation in physical therapy daily practice.⁴ Large epidemiological studies show that: “20 to 30% of patients with chronic back pain suffer from a neuropathic pain component”.^4,7 Its diagnosis and management remain an enigma. There is no conclusive evidence for the long-term efficacy of spinal manipulation for any type of low back pain.³ There is no evidence that describes the efficacy of vertical oscillatory pressure (VOP) in the management of pain resulting from lumbar radiculopathy either. The few articles that report the effect of VOP did not quantify the intensity (grading) of the applied thrust to the spine.³ This case report describes and observe the result of applying a submaximal and maximal central posterior-anterior thrust (grade 3 and 4) vertical oscillatory pressure to the lumbar spine in a 32-year-old female with lumbar radiculopathy. In his prospective study, Onuwe observed a statistically significant difference in pain perception before and after vertebral mobilization.¹³ The purpose of this case report was to describe and observe the result of VOP in pain management of a 32-year-old female with lumbar radiculopathy.

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6.      Einhaupl KM, Failli V, Klingebiel R, Pruss H, Schwab JM, Siebert E. Lumbar spinal stenosis: Syndrome, diagnostics and treatments. Nature Reviews Neurology. 2009; 5(7): 392. Doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2009.90

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10.  Leininger B, Bronfort G, Evans R, Reiter T. Spinal manipulation or mobilization for radiculopathy: a systematic review. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2011; 22(1); 105-25. http://www.ncbi.nlm-nih.gov/pubmed/2129214. Epubished 30 December 2010. Accessed November 30 2012.

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13.  Onuwe HAK. Relative therapeutic efficiency of vertebrae mobilization technique in the management of mechanical low back pain. Journal of Medicine in the Tropics. 2004: 6(2).

14.  Oswestry Disability Index: Version 2.0. http://www.chirogeek.com/001_oswestry_20.htm. Accessed September 21, 2012.

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16.  Rehab Students. Straight Leg Raise (SLR) Test. http://videos.rehabstudents.com/straight-leg-ra. Updated April 10, 2010. Accessed November 10, 2012.

17.  Sheffinger MA, Najim WI, Mishra SI. Reliability of Spinal Palpation for Diagnosis of Back and Neck Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Spine. 2004; 29(19): 413-425. http://www.westrenupatientcarecenter.com/bin/. Accessed November 3, 2012.

18.  Sipila VP. The Rationale for Joint Mobilization as a Manual Technique. http://www.orthosportonline.com/veli-s-Corne. Accessed November 19, 2012.

19.  Sizer PS jr, Phelps V, Matthijs O. Pain Generators of the Lumbar Spine. Pain Practice. 2001; 1(3): 255-273.doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2001.01027.x