In this review we have summarized the role of gut homing molecules with a focus on the heterodimeric integrin α4β7 since the α4β7 has been shown to be important in modulating SIV transmission, disease susceptibility and progression. This review provides an overview of integrins, their structure and function to provide a general background upon which the role of the α4β7 integrin can best be und...

INTRODUCTION Limited data exist on use of the microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS) assay among persons suspected of MDR-TB living in high HIV-prevalence settings. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed available clinical and drug susceptibility data for drug-resistant TB suspects referred for culture and drug-susceptibility testing between April 1, 2011 and March 1, 2012. The diagn...

The speed at which most countries with high burdens of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) have scaled up their capacity to diagnose and treat individuals with these forms of TB has failed to keep pace with the problem. Limited availability of drug susceptibility testing, high costs and inefficiencies in the supply of second-line drugs, and inadequate capacity for the management of patient...

UNLABELLED The current study was aimed to evaluate the performance of direct 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay and direct microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay with indirect Löwenstein-Jensen proportion method directly on Ziehl-Neelsen smear positive sputum specimens. METHODS Direct acid fast bacilli smear positive sputum specimens (n=264) were subjected to isoniazid and ...

Currently, categorization based on cluster analysis by objectively grasping the diversity of pathology is being conducted and the diversity of asthma is being categorized as phenotypes. Clinically, there is categorization based on aging and on allergic diathesis which is clinically useful; however, it has not, up to now, come to the point of selection based on phenotype. Subsequently, what is d...

To analyze the implications for human health, the toxicologist requires four sets of data: the results of toxicity and other studies in animals; quantitative data on actual or potential human exposure; whatever information is available on effects of exposure in man; and the statistical extrapolations from the dose-response relationships in animals to the (usually) much lower levels of human exp...

BACKGROUND AND SETTING Thailand is one of the highest tuberculosis (TB)-burdened countries. Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand has high tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence and the laboratory workload for TB culture and drug susceptibility testing is increasing. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the simply modified microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility assa...

BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) are global health problems. We sought to determine the characteristics, prevalence, and relative frequency of transmission of MDR and XDR TB in Shanghai, one of the largest cities in Asia. METHODS TB is diagnosed in district TB hospitals in Shanghai, China. Drug susceptibility testing for first-line dr...