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Anion penetration into the semiconducting vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes and conductive vertically aligned carbon nanotubes is examined using soft landing of well-characterized polyoxometalate anions.

BACKGROUND: Novel diagnostics have been widely applied across human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis prevention and treatment programs. To achieve the greatest impact HIV and tuberculosis diagnostic programs must carefully plan and implement within the context of a specific healthcare system and the laboratory capacity. METHODS: A workshop was convened in Cape Town in September 2014. Participants included experts from laboratory and clinical practices officials from ministries of health and representatives from industry. RESULTS: The article summarizes best practices challenges and lessons learned from implementation experiences across sub-Saharan Africa for (1) building laboratory programs within the context of a healthcare system; (2) utilizing experience of clinicians and healthcare partners in planning and implementing the right diagnostic; and (3) evaluating the effects of new diagnostics on the healthcare system and on patient health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The successful implementation of HIV and tuberculosis diagnostics in resource-limited settings relies on careful consideration of each specific context. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2015. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

Purpose To correlate the clinical presentation and treatment outcome of Nocardia keratitis with the time to diagnosis, different species and with the drug sensitivity pattern. Method Patients with Nocardia corneal ulcers were studied at a tertiary eye care center. Speciation of Nocardia isolates was done by sequencing the 16s rRNA gene. Clinical response to treatment was assessed by chart review. Results Twenty one (65.3%) patients presented within 15 days of the onset of symptoms with typical clinical features of Nocardia keratitis, ie, a ring-like distribution of superficial infiltrates in a wreath pattern. Eight patients (25%) who presented after 15 days and within 30 days had an ulcer resembling fungal keratitis. N. Cyriacigeorgica (n = 11; 34.37%), N. asteroides (n = 9; 28%), N. farcinica (n = 7; 22%,) and N. Otitidiscaviarum (n = 5; 16%). All the species had 100% sensitivity to amikacin, sulphamethoxazole, imipenem and co-trimoxazole. Time to diagnosis of the infection was significantly associated with the different types of clinical presentation; those presenting early having the typical clinical picture (P = 0.004). Patients (73%) presenting within 15 days showed a highest recovery rate. (P = 0.045). The recovery time of the patients when compared with species showed those who were infected with N. cyriageorgica had a healing time of less than 15 days. Clinically, healing was faster when treated with 2% amikacin. Visual outcome improved in fourteen patients (44%) and sixteen (50%) patients remained the same (P = 0.0001). Conclusion Characteristic clinical picture of Nocardia is dependant on early presentation. It could be mistaken for fungal keratitis. Microbiological confirmation is important. Drug of choice for Nocardia keratitis is amikacin.