scholarly journals The Potential Use of Volatile Biomarkers for Malaria Diagnosis

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2244
Author(s):  
Hwa Chia Chai ◽  
Kek Heng Chua
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Malaria Diagnosis ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Volatile Biomarkers ◽  
Biting Behavior

Pathogens may change the odor and odor-related biting behavior of the vector and host to enhance pathogen transmission. In recent years, volatile biomarker investigations have emerged to identify odors that are differentially and specifically released by pathogens and plants, or the pathogen-infected or even cancer patients. Several studies have reported odors or volatile biomarkers specifically detected from the breath and skin of malaria-infected individuals. This review will discuss the potential use of these odors or volatile biomarkers for the diagnosis of malaria. This approach not only allows for the non-invasive mean of sample collection but also opens up the opportunity to develop a biosensor for malaria diagnosis in low-resource settings.

Potential clinical applications of circulating cell-free DNA in ovarian cancer patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Barbosa ◽  
Ana Peixoto ◽  
Pedro Pinto ◽  
Manuela Pinheiro ◽  
Manuel R. Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Liquid Biopsy ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Cell Free Dna ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Free Dna ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Circulating Cell Free Dna

AbstractCirculating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) consists of small fragments of DNA that circulate freely in the bloodstream. In cancer patients, a fraction of cfDNA is derived from tumour cells, therefore containing the same genetic and epigenetic alterations, and is termed circulating cell-free tumour DNA. The potential use of cfDNA, the so-called ‘liquid biopsy’, as a non-invasive cancer biomarker has recently received a lot of attention. The present review will focus on studies concerning the potential clinical applications of cfDNA in ovarian cancer patients.

scholarly journals Enteropathogen seroepidemiology among children in low-resource settings

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin F. Arnold ◽  
Diana L. Martin ◽  
Jane Juma ◽  
Harran Mkocha ◽  
John B. Ochieng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Force Of Infection ◽  
Important Variation ◽  
Similar Information ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Longitudinal Profiles ◽  
Multiplex Bead

AbstractLittle is known about enteropathogen seroepidemiology among children in low-resource settings. We measured serological IgG response to eight enteropathogens (Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba histolytica, Salmonella enterica, enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Campylobacter jejuni, norovirus) using multiplex bead assays in cohorts from Haiti, Kenya, and Tanzania. By age 2 years, most children had evidence of exposure by IgG response to the pathogens studied. We discovered a shift in IgG distributions for many pathogens as children age, caused by boosting and waning from repeated exposures, which complicates interpretation of seroprevalence among older children. Longitudinal profiles revealed important variation in enteropathogen IgG response above seropositivity cutoffs, underscoring the importance of longitudinal designs to estimate seroincidence rates as a measure of force of infection. In longitudinal cohorts there was a linear relationship between seroprevalence and prospective seroincidence rates, suggesting the two measures provide similar information about variation in pathogen transmission.

scholarly journals Developing and Evaluating Culturally and Literacy Appropriate Cancer Patient Education Materials for Haiti

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 55s-56s
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Schleimer ◽  
Peter-Gens Desameau ◽  
Ruth Damuse ◽  
Maia Olsen ◽  
Veronica Manzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Education ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Written Materials

Abstract 21 Background: New efforts are being made to bring modern cancer medicine to patients in low- resource settings, where limited public awareness of cancer and health literacy pose significant challenges. Partners In Health (PIH) launched its first cancer program in Haiti in collaboration with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital; however, no patient education materials appropriate for Haiti existed. Global Oncology has developed written educational materials based on cancer patient needs in low-resource settings. Objectives are to: 1) Adapt Global Oncology's patient education materials to be culturally and literacy appropriate for Haiti; 2) Assess the effectiveness of written materials for cancer patient education in a low-resource setting. Methods: Feedback from staff at the PIH-affiliated Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais (HUM) was incorporated into the pilot materials. We recruited 33 chemotherapy patients at HUM for interviews (n=20) and two focus groups (n=13). Patients were presented the booklet by the Oncology social worker, and pre- and post-counseling tests were administered. Qualitative data regarding booklet design and content was collected through observation of counseling sessions, interview questions and focus group discussions. Providers were surveyed with a questionnaire and proposed modifications to the booklet were discussed during a provider focus group. Results: Patients across all levels of education significantly increased their knowledge from pre-test (m=49.2%, sd= 19.5%) to post-test (m=87.9% sd = 8.9%; t(19)=10.07, p<0.0001). Patients felt reassured by the booklet. Many wanted to share the booklet with family and friends to teach them about cancer. Patients valued hearing about the side effects of chemotherapy and the precautions to take during treatment, but they also wanted more information about the causes of cancer and whether a cure is possible. Providers expressed a desire for the materials to include a definition of palliative versus curative treatment and to improve the explanation of cancer as a disease. Conclusion: Written patient education materials designed for low-resource settings enhance discussions between patients and providers, and can be a tool for disseminating information beyond the hospital to the family, friends and caregivers of cancer patients. Incorporating patient and provider feedback is essential to ensure written materials are culturally and literacy appropriate for the local patient population. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: Lauren E. Schleimer No relationship to disclose Peter-Gens Desameau No relationship to disclose Ruth Damuse No relationship to disclose Maia Olsen No relationship to disclose Veronica Manzo No relationship to disclose Rachael Guay No relationship to disclose Ami S. Bhatt No relationship to disclose Carlos Cardenas No relationship to disclose Franklin W. Huang Stock or Other Ownership: GlaxoSmithKline, Abbvie Lawrence N. Shulman No relationship to disclose

scholarly journals Assessment of eight nucleic acid amplification technologies for potential use to detect infectious agents in low-resource settings

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e0215756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason L. Cantera ◽  
Heather White ◽  
Maureen H. Diaz ◽  
Shivani G. Beall ◽  
Jonas M. Winchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Potential Use

scholarly journals Integrated Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Waterborne Pathogens in Low-Resource Settings

Biosensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Rainbow ◽  
Eliska Sedlackova ◽  
Shu Jiang ◽  
Grace Maxted ◽  
Despina Moschou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Electrochemical Biosensors ◽  
Waterborne Diseases ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Waterborne Disease ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Quality Testing

More than 783 million people worldwide are currently without access to clean and safe water. Approximately 1 in 5 cases of mortality due to waterborne diseases involve children, and over 1.5 million cases of waterborne disease occur every year. In the developing world, this makes waterborne diseases the second highest cause of mortality. Such cases of waterborne disease are thought to be caused by poor sanitation, water infrastructure, public knowledge, and lack of suitable water monitoring systems. Conventional laboratory-based techniques are inadequate for effective on-site water quality monitoring purposes. This is due to their need for excessive equipment, operational complexity, lack of affordability, and long sample collection to data analysis times. In this review, we discuss the conventional techniques used in modern-day water quality testing. We discuss the future challenges of water quality testing in the developing world and how conventional techniques fall short of these challenges. Finally, we discuss the development of electrochemical biosensors and current research on the integration of these devices with microfluidic components to develop truly integrated, portable, simple to use and cost-effective devices for use by local environmental agencies, NGOs, and local communities in low-resource settings.

scholarly journals Evaluation of non-invasive continuous physiological monitoring devices for neonates in Nairobi, Kenya: a research protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e035184
Author(s):  
Amy Sarah Ginsburg ◽  
Evangelyn Nkwopara ◽  
William Macharia ◽  
Roseline Ochieng ◽  
Mary Waiyego ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Maternity Hospital ◽  
Physiological Monitoring ◽  
Accuracy Evaluation ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Evaluation Phase ◽  
Monitoring Devices

IntroductionContinuous physiological monitoring devices are often not available for monitoring high-risk neonates in low-resource settings. Easy-to-use, non-invasive, multiparameter, continuous physiological monitoring devices could be instrumental in providing appropriate care and improving outcomes for high-risk neonates in these low-resource settings.Methods and analysisThe purpose of this prospective, observational, facility-based evaluation is to provide evidence to establish whether two existing non-invasive, multiparameter, continuous physiological monitoring devices developed by device developers, EarlySense and Sibel, can accurately and reliably measure vital signs in neonates (when compared with verified reference devices). We will also assess the feasibility, usability and acceptability of these devices for use in neonates in low-resource settings in Africa. Up to 500 neonates are enrolled in two phases: (1) a verification and accuracy evaluation phase at Aga Khan University—Nairobi and (2) a clinical feasibility evaluation phase at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Both quantitative and qualitative data are collected and analysed. Agreement between the investigational and reference devices is determined using a priori-defined accuracy thresholds.Ethics and disseminationThis trial was approved by the Aga Khan University Nairobi Research Ethics Committee and the Western Institutional Review Board. We plan to disseminate research results in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT03920761.

scholarly journals Overcoming Challenges of Holistic Cancer Care in Low-Resource Settings

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 174s-174s
Author(s):  
E.S. Akintude ◽  
I. Lawal ◽  
A. Osinowo ◽  
A. Okeremi
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Disruptive Effect ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Program Policy

Background and context: Live does not remain the same after receiving the news of cancer in a family. Most people face some degree of depression, anxiety, fear or distress when cancer becomes part of their lives. The disruptive effect of cancer on family happiness is worsen by high cost of care, this is particularly relevant in low resource settings where health poverty is prevalent and most healthcare expenses are out of pocket. My family never remained the same from the point we received the diagnosis of colon cancer in my late husband. While I derive satisfaction in the knowledge that we fought the disease with everything we had up until the time of his death, I am however certain that the attendant stress would have been significantly lessened had healthcare providers availed us with all the necessary information required for us to cope with the condition. Consequently, Niola Cancer Care Foundation was conceptualized to bridge the identify gaps. Aim: To support healthcare providers in providing holistic care to cancer patients in low resource settings. Strategy/Tactics: Drawing largely from the experience and knowledge acquired during the care and management of my late husband and subsequent requests from careers of cancer patients for guidance, we conceptualized Cancer Assistance Network (CAN) with the aim of providing support to cancer patients and the carer to ease their challenges in accessing care in Nigeria. Program/Policy process: Cancer patients and their carers are recruited into the Cancer Assistance Network either through our routine hospital visits or by client-initiated contact. To facilitate individualization of support to suite individual patient's needs and requirements, the client requesting assistance is required to answer specific questions relating to the disease condition, treatment received so far and area of assistance required from Niola Cancer Care Foundation. Based on agreed criteria, the level of support that can be rendered is discussed. The support is categorized into 3 broad headings; financial, informational and emotional support. Outcomes: Finance is the primary reasons why most patients or their carer seek support from Niola Cancer Care Foundation. Unfortunately, most times we are not able to meet their financial requirements leading to initiation disappointment. We are however able to restore hope and confidence as we provide informational and emotional support. What was learned: Healthcare professionals for whatever reasons seems not to be comfortable discussing holistic cancer care with patients particularly those with advanced state requiring palliative care. Consequently, there is a disconnect between patients and healthcare professional's expectation of outcome. We are working with healthcare professionals to better understand factors responsible for poor communication of expected outcome between them and the patients.

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