Depression among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Punjab, Pakistan: a large cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Depression is likely to be a factor in the low global rates of successful treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) due to poor adherence to treatment. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression among patients being treated for MDR-TB in Pakistan, explore rates of depression over the course of treatment and identify risk factors for depression. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study analysed health care service data from 12 treatment sites following a single screening event using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression models were used to identify associations. RESULTS: Data were collected from 1279 patients with MDR-TB. The proportion of MDR-TB patients with depression was 42.8% (95%CI 40.1-45.5). Rates of depression varied according to duration of treatment, with the highest proportion (53.2%) found in those who were in months 10-12 of treatment. The odds of depression in women were higher than for men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.84, 95%CI 1.46-2.33). The odds of depression were higher in patients living in concrete-built houses than in those living in mud-built houses (aOR 1.37, 95%CI 1.03-1.82). CONCLUSION: Depression is common in MDR-TB patients, and should be screened for and treated within MDR-TB treatment programmes.

High-performance integrated field-effect transistor-based sensors.

Field-effect transistors (FETs) have succeeded in modern electronics in an era of computers and hand-held applications. Currently, considerable attention has been paid to direct electrical measurements, which work by monitoring changes in intrinsic electrical properties. Further, FET-based sensing systems drastically reduce cost, are compatible with CMOS technology, and ease down-stream applications. Current technologies for sensing applications rely on time-consuming strategies and processes and can only be performed under recommended conditions. To overcome these obstacles, an overview is presented here in which we specifically focus on high-performance FET-based sensor integration with nano-sized materials, which requires understanding the interaction of surface materials with the surrounding environment. Therefore, we present strategies, material depositions, device structures and other characteristics involved in FET-based devices. Special attention was given to silicon and polyaniline nanowires and graphene, which have attracted much interest due to their remarkable properties in sensing applications.

HIV-1 Tat biosensor: Current development and trends for early detection strategies.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected almost 35 million people worldwide. Various tests have been developed to detect the presence of HIV during the early stages of the disease in order to reduce the risk of transmission to other humans. The HIV-1 Tat protein is one of the proteins present in HIV that are released abundantly approximately 2-4 weeks after infection. In this review, we have outlined various strategies for detecting the Tat protein, which helps transcribe the virus and enhances replication. Detection strategies presented include immunoassays, biosensors and gene expression, which utilize antibodies or aptamers as common probes to sense the presence of Tat. Alternatively, measuring the levels of gene transcription is a direct method of analysing the HIV gene to confirm the presence of Tat. By detection of the Tat protein, virus transmission can be detected in high-risk individuals in the early stages of the disease to reduce the risk of an HIV pandemic.

Diagnostics on acute myocardial infarction: Cardiac troponin biomarkers.

Acute myocardial infarction or myocardial infarction (MI) is a major health problem, due to diminished flow of blood to the heart, leads to higher rates of mortality and morbidity. Data from World Health Organization (WHO) accounted 30% of global death annually and expected more than 23 million die annually by 2030. This fatal effects trigger the need of appropriate biomarkers for early diagnosis, thus countermeasure can be taken. At the moment, the most specific markers for cardiac injury are cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) which have been considered as 'gold standard'. Due to higher specificity, determination of the level of cardiac troponins became a predominant indicator for MI. Several ways of diagnostics have been formulated, which include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescent, fluoro-immunoassays, electrical detections, surface plasmon resonance, and colorimetric protein assay. This review represents and elucidates the strategies, methods and detection levels involved in these diagnostics on cardiac superior biomarkers. The advancement, sensitivity, and limitations of each method are also discussed. In addition, it concludes with a discussion on the point-of care (POC) assay for a fast, accurate and ability of handling small sample measurement of cardiac biomarker.