Topic Review
Revolutionizing HIV-1 Viral Load Monitoring in India
India continues to grapple with a significant burden of HIV infections. Despite notable progress in prevention and treatment efforts, multiple challenges, such as high-risk populations, inadequate testing facilities, and limited access to healthcare in remote areas, persist. Though the Government of India offers HIV-1 plasma viral load testing at various medical centers, aiding treatment decisions and monitoring antiretroviral therapy effectiveness, enhancing care for individuals living with HIV under the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), the nation’s large population and diverse demographics further complicate its outreach and response. Hence, strategic interventions and alternative methods of testing remain crucial to curbing HIV transmission and improving the quality of life for those affected. Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling has emerged as a convenient and cost-effective alternative for HIV-1 viral load testing, revolutionizing the landscape of diagnostic and monitoring strategies for HIV infection. Though the plasma-based viral load remains the gold standard for monitoring HIV-1, DBS-based HIV-1 viral load testing holds immense promise for improving access to care, particularly in resource-limited settings where traditional plasma-based methods may be logistically challenging. DBS entails the collection of a small volume of blood onto filter paper, followed by drying and storage. This approach offers numerous advantages, including simplified sample collection, transportation, and storage, reducing the need for cold-chain logistics. 
  • 104
  • 18 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Pathophysiology and Classification of Disc Herniation
Low-back pain (LBP) is a broad category of musculoskeletal disorders regarded as one of the primary causes of disability in the general population, with a lifetime incidence of 65–85% of individuals worldwide. One of the specific causes of LBP is lumbar intervertebral disc disorders with nerve root irritation. Most individuals affected fall within the age range of 30 to 50 years, with a higher prevalence in men than in women. The intervertebral disc is formed by an inner nucleus pulposus (NP), an outer annulus fibrosus (AF), and the cartilaginous endplates that attach the disc to its vertebrae. The protrusion of disc material into the spinal canal from outside the annular lining is known as herniation. When compared to other regions, the lumbar region is where disc herniation is most commonly observed, especially at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. Lumbar disc herniation associated with radiculopathy (LDHR) is the outcome of the extruded disc material pressing into or contacting the lumbar nerve roots.
  • 2.4K
  • 18 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Changes in Psychological Demands over Time on Employee Burnout
Employees facing greater psychological demands over time (increasing psychological demands) and benefitting from social support from their coworkers had less cynicism. 
  • 124
  • 17 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Natural Antimicrobial Agents for Wound Infections Treatment
The rising prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria underscores the need to search for innovative and nature-based solutions. One of the approaches may be the use of plants that constitute a rich source of miscellaneous compounds with a wide range of biological properties. Natural products are one of the most promising and intensively examined agents to combat the consequences of the overuse and misuse of classical antibiotics.
  • 168
  • 17 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Effect of Heating Processes on Red Meat
The heating process is a crucial step that can lead to the formation of several harmful chemical compounds in red meat such as heterocyclic aromatic amines, N-Nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and acrylamide. Meat has high nutritional value, providing essential amino acids, bioactive compounds and several important micronutrients which can also be affected by heating processes.
  • 238
  • 17 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Cystic Echinococcosis in the Early 2020s
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by metacestodes, the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined CE as a neglected disease, it is the second most important foodborne parasitic disease, and it remains an important public health issue, considering its zonal endemicity and potential morbidity. The control and prevention of CE is a relevant WHO target, especially from a One Health perspective, as the disease affects not only animals and humans but also the food chain. Since not all countries have a CE surveillance strategy or reporting system and specific management guidelines, recent epidemiological data are relatively scarce, and research concerning the specific geographical distribution of the disease is ongoing. 
  • 160
  • 11 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Human Activity Recognition and Fall Detection
In health monitoring systems for the elderly, a crucial aspect is unobtrusively and continuously monitoring their activities to detect potentially hazardous incidents such as sudden falls as soon as they occur. However, the effectiveness of current non-contact sensor-based activity detection systems is limited by obstacles present in the environment. To overcome this limitation, a straightforward yet highly efficient approach involves utilizing multiple sensors that collaborate seamlessly.
  • 105
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Promoting Better Mental Health in People with Autism
The rising prevalence of autism internationally has been accompanied by an increased appreciation of the poorer mental health experienced by people with this condition and also of their family care-givers. In particular, higher incidences of anxiety and depression are reported in high-income nations and these conditions are likely to be under-recognised and under-reported in lower-resourced regions or countries. Mainstream mental health services seem to be ill-equipped to respond adequately to the needs of autistic persons and their care-givers.
  • 123
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Epidemiological Scenario of and Gastric Cancer in Chile
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa of more than 50% of the world’s population. In 1994, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a Group I carcinogen. Infection can be acquired in childhood and persist asymptomatically throughout life. H. pylori causes chronic gastritis. This can lead to peptic ulcers as well as premalignant lesions such as atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia, which can eventually trigger gastric cancer. Atrophic gastritis is the first step in the premalignant cascade and is characterized by the loss of gastric glandular cells, resulting in reduced acid production and an increase in pH levels. Intestinal metaplasia refers to the transformation of the gastric epithelium into an intestinal-type epithelium, which can be complete or incomplete, depending on the presence of goblet cells among the epithelial cells. 
  • 141
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Prevention and Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the female genital malignancy with the highest lethality. Patients present a poor prognosis mainly due to the late clinical presentation allied with the common acquisition of chemoresistance and a high rate of tumour recurrence. Effective screening, accurate diagnosis, and personalised multidisciplinary treatments are crucial for improving patients’ survival and quality of life.
  • 143
  • 07 Feb 2024
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