Identification of anti-infective targets through comparative proteomics

The second International Conference on Opportunistic Pathogens in AIDS was organized by the Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (New Delhi, India). The conference was held at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in India between the 27th and 29th January 2008, and was attended by 225 participants representing 21 countries. The conference focused on trends, diagnosis and management of coinfections among HIV patients. In addition, as part of this conference, a symposium was held on the links between substance abuse, HIV and neuropathology.     

A focus on two major health problems in the Indian subcontinent

Every 2 years, Professor Sarman Singh organizes the International Conference on Opportunistic Pathogens, which is held in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. International experts in the field of opportunistic infections in AIDS patients and transplant recipients are invited to share their experience with their Indian colleagues. In this article, two presentations are summarized. The focus on those presentations is not necessarily because they convey new information (most of the data are available on the WHO website or in the literature), but rather because this information is still highly relevant today and because, in the opinion of the author, it is very important to heighten readers' awareness of these major health problems in the Indian subcontinent.     

TB diagnostics in India: creating an ecosystem for innovation

The 'TB diagnostics in India: from importation and imitation to innovation' conference was held in Bangalore, India, on 25-26 August 2011, and was organized by the St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, with the support of several partners. This unique conference brought together, for the first time, over 220 representatives from industry, government, donors, academia, civil society and the media to discuss what it takes to innovate in tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics in India. The goal was to engage these stakeholders to stimulate interest and investments in TB innovations. The conference was successful in engaging stakeholders and understanding the challenge of TB innovations from diverse perspectives. Coordination between stakeholders and innovations in delivery systems, partnerships, funding, regulatory and communication mechanisms are among the key challenges ahead.     

Fluconazole and itraconazole susceptibility of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans at a tertiary care centre in India: a need for care

OBJECTIVES: In cryptococcosis, fluconazole is a standard prophylactic, therapeutic and maintenance option, particularly in the expanding HIV/AIDS group. However, its excessive use may lead to resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans. Variations in clinical response to fluconazole have already been noted elsewhere, and cases of post-therapy relapse are not uncommon. To assess azole antifungal susceptibility profiles of clinical cryptococcal isolates in India, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has recently initiated preliminary studies using NCCLS M27-A. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight randomly chosen AIIMS clinical isolates (spanning 1997-2000), 16 isolates from other institutions in North India, and six reference strains of C. neoformans were subjected to susceptibility testing to fluconazole and itraconazole. RESULTS: Among clinical isolates, susceptibilities to fluconazole and itraconazole were 84.1% and 93.2%, respectively. MICs for all clinical isolates were 0.25-32 mg/L for fluconazole and <0.03-0.25 mg/L for itraconazole. MIC50 and MIC90 values for fluconazole were 4 and 16 mg/L, respectively, and those for itraconazole were 0.032 and 0.125 mg/L, respectively. Out of 28 AIIMS clinical isolates, 22 had minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of fluconazole at 128 mg/L. Moderately high fluconazole MICs (16-32 mg/L) were observed in 16% of clinical isolates--probably the first such report from India. MIC/MFC ratios for fluconazole and itraconazole were 1:32 or more in 16 AIIMS clinical isolates, indicating possible azole tolerance. There was good agreement between MIC values obtained by the micro- and macro-broth dilution techniques of M27-A compared in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The observed MIC data warrant continued surveillance of susceptibility values of clinical cryptococcal isolates in India.     

Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 4th Annual Recombinant Antibodies Conference

The 4th Annual Recombinant Antibodies Conference was immediately following the 5th Annual ‘Molecular Display: The Chemistry Set for Proteins and Small Molecules’ conference, both held in Cambridge, MA and organised by Cambridge Healthtech Institute. The former conference focused on development of new approaches for recombinant antibody development, with particular emphasis on improved methods for selection and optimisation allowing rapid validation and development of human antibodies for the clinic. There were many impressive presentations describing emerging technologies such as new antibody-like scaffolds, covalent P2 antibody display, de-immunisation of antibodies and measuring affinities of as many as 400 clones simultaneously using proteomic microarray platforms. The conference also highlighted the latest applications of library technologies for proteomics and target discovery, and the generation of therapeutic molecules as antibodies alone or as drug, toxin or radionuclide conjugates.     

Cambridge Healthtech Institute's 4th Annual Recombinant Antibodies Conference

The 4th Annual Recombinant Antibodies Conference was immediately following the 5th Annual 'Molecular Display: The Chemistry Set for Proteins and Small Molecules' conference, both held in Cambridge, MA and organised by Cambridge Healthtech Institute. The former conference focused on development of new approaches for recombinant antibody development, with particular emphasis on improved methods for selection and optimisation allowing rapid validation and development of human antibodies for the clinic. There were many impressive presentations describing emerging technologies such as new antibody-like scaffolds, covalent P2 antibody display, de-immunisation of antibodies and measuring affinities of as many as 400 clones simultaneously using proteomic microarray platforms. The conference also highlighted the latest applications of library technologies for proteomics and target discovery, and the generation of therapeutic molecules as antibodies alone or as drug, toxin or radionuclide conjugates.     

Learning Health Care Systems: Leading Through Research: The 18th Annual HMO Research Network Conference, April 29-May 2, 2012, Seattle, Washington

The Health Maintenance Organization Research Network (HMORN), a consortium of 19 health care delivery systems with integrated research centers, held their 18th annual conference in Seattle, Washington from April 29 to May 2, 2012. Group Health Research Institute hosted the conference, "Learning health care systems: Leading through research". The 2012 theme was chosen to reflect the critical role of collaboration among researchers, clinicians and health systems to improve health care nationally. Over 500 researchers and health care professionals participated in this conference. Representatives from the NCI, NHLBI, NIMH, and PCORI met with researchers to advance the quality and breadth of public domain research in HMOs. In this article we summarize information about the HMORN and its 18th annual conference.     

Introduction: papers from the National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference on Improving End-of-Life Care

A 1997 Institute of Medicine report cited growing public concern about the quality of care in the U.S. health care system for persons at the end of life. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), the lead Institute at the National Institutes of Health for end-of-life research, has conducted a number of public forums to gather information and to assist in identifying research priorities. The complexity of biomedical research requires new methods of discovery, and scientists must use a broad approach and explore new models of team science. In December 2004, NINR and the NIH Office of Medical Applications of Research, along with many co-sponsors, held an interdisciplinary State-of-the-Science Conference on Improving End-of-Life Care. The conference panel identified many gaps in our current state of knowledge and provided suggestions for future research directions. This supplement presents papers from a distinguished group of scientists with a wide range of backgrounds who participated in this state-of-the-science conference.     

Recent advances in miRNA-based diagnostic applications

This report highlights presentations and discussions of the 8th Cambridge Health Institute conference on miRNA in Human Disease and Development held in Cambridge (MA, USA) on 12-13 March 2012. The areas covered included development of miRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications, as well as mechanistic miRNA studies in cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative conditions. There were also several industry-sponsored events showcasing miRNA technologies.     

Focusing on abuse,not use,in drug education

Aim: The aim of the study is to examine the agreement between self‐reports of drug use pattern and urinalysis data of 112 male intravenous drug users seeking treatment at National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Design: All the male intravenous drug users (n = 112) seeking treatment during the study period were included in the study. Addiction Severity Index Questionnaire was administered, and the agreement between self‐reports of drug use and urine analysis of drugs using gas liquid chromatography was compared.

Findings: The data showed that although the primary drug of use was heroin in all the subjects a significant number of them were currently using a combination of buprenorphine, diazepam and pheniramine. The agreement of self‐report and urine analysis varied across the type of drug used. Acceptable agreement was seen with buprenorphine, diazepam, pheniramine and promethazine. The reports of patients on heroin and morphine showed poor agreement. Over reporting and under reporting was also observed in these subjects and the physician should be aware of this possibility.

Conclusions: Combination of urine analysis and self‐report is a useful tool for better patient care and treatment.     

Immune Activation and Immunodeficiency: A Model Reduction Strategy

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Motivated by the recent medical experiments on vectored immunoprophylaxis for protection against HIV...     

Stem cell technologies in regenerative medicine

The IIR Life Sciences conference on stem cell technologies in regenerative medicine was held in London, UK on 11 - 12 July 2002. The conference covered not only technologies but also ethical/regulatory and financial aspects of embryonic stem (ES) cell therapy. An excellent introduction to embryonic stem cells was given by Prof. William Kridel (Ferghana Partners, London, UK). Details of basic technologies are not described as they are covered in a detailed report on cell therapy [1]. Due to limitation of space only a selected few of the seventeen presentations are reported here.     

Stem cell technologies in regenerative medicine

The IIR Life Sciences conference on stem cell technologies in regenerative medicine was held in London, UK on 11 – 12 July 2002. The conference covered not only technologies but also ethical/regulatory and financial aspects of embryonic stem (ES) cell therapy. An excellent introduction to embryonic stem cells was given by Prof. William Kridel (Ferghana Partners, London, UK). Details of basic technologies are not described as they are covered in a detailed report on cell therapy [1]. Due to limitation of space only a selected few of the seventeen presentations are reported here.     

Photons across medicine: relating optical and nuclear imaging

The Optics in the Life Sciences conference sponsored by the Optical Society of America was held in Waikoloa Beach, HI on April 14 – 18, 2013. Papers were presented in the areas of Bio-Optics: Design & Application, Novel Techniques in Microscopy, Optical Molecular Probes, Imaging & Drug Delivery, and Optical Trapping Applications. A focal point of the meeting was a special symposium entitled “Photons Across Medicine”, organized by Adam Wax, Duke University, highlighting activities of joint interest between the Optical Society of America (OSA) and the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). This paper is a synopsis of the presentations made at this joint symposium. Central to the special symposium presentations was the fact that the optical and nuclear imaging communities share common interests and challenges. These are highlighted in this article. Also discussed was the fact that the nuclear technologies in imaging have found their way into general clinical utility, a feat that has yet to be achieved by optical methods. Because of the common ground shared by the two technologies, coordination between the two societies should be planned.OCIS codes: (170.0170) Medical optics and biotechnology, (170.0110) Imaging systems, (170.3880) Medical and biological imaging, (170.3890) Medical optics instrumentation     

Biomarkers, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events

The 57th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology was held in Chicago (IL, USA) between 29 March and 1 April 2008. It was attended by nearly 30,000 participants from around the world. The conference was highlighted by the presentation of 13 late-breaking clinical trials and 13 late-breaking abstracts.     

Biomarkers,Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Events

The 57th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology was held in Chicago (IL, USA) between 29 March and 1 April 2008. It was attended by nearly 30,000 participants from around the world. The conference was highlighted by the presentation of 13 late-breaking clinical trials and 13 late-breaking abstracts.     

The Next Step in Cardiac Pacing: The View From 1958

At a 1-day conference sponsored by the Rockefeller Institute in September 1958, physicians and engineers held a confused debate over future directions for the young field of cardiac pacing. Many of the existing impediments to long-term pacing for chronic illness received little attention; the participants focused instead on whether atrial synchrony would be a requirement for long-term pacing. The Rockefeller conference illustrates the observation that cardiac pacing has undergone several major redefinitions. This process is rarely a smooth one but involves uncertainty, intense debate, and explicit choice.     

Strategies for encouraging patient/family member partnerships with the health care team

The 5th International Conference of the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care (IPFCC), held in Washington, DC, from June 4-6, 2012, offered an opportunity for almost 1,000 conference participants to share and learn about exciting new patient- and family-centered initiatives occurring across the U.S. and in many other countries. One focus addressed by keynote and plenary speakers, as well as numerous conference sessions and poster presentations, was how nurses and other health care professionals can encourage patients and family members to become partners with their health care teams. Various presenters shared strategies ranging from initial approaches to acknowledging family members as part of the team and offering simple, non-threatening roles in care provision, to policies and approaches inviting increased participation in health care encounters, to higher level involvement in the care planning process, and to partnership roles extending beyond care of the individual child and family. A wealth of ideas can be implemented at various levels by individual nurses, units, and health care institutions.     

Abstracts From the Proceedings of the 2010 Annual Predoctoral Education Conference of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM)

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM; http://www.stfm.org) is a community of professionals devoted to teaching family medicine through undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education. This multidisciplinary group of physicians, educators, behavioral scientists, and researchers works to further STFM's mission of improving the health of all people through education, research, patient care, and advocacy. The STFM held its 37th Conference on Medical Student Education in Houston, Texas, from January 20 to 23, 2011. The unifying theme of the conference was sustaining and cultivating innovations in family medicine education. Kevin Eva, Ph.D., from the University of British Columbia opened the conference with a plenary presentation discussing diagnostic error from an educational perspective. Catherine Florio Pipas, M.D., from Dartmouth Medical School continued with a plenary presentation on the Patient-centered Medical Home Model and its role in an academic medical center. Finally, Jerry Kruse, M.D., M.S.P.H., from Southern Illinois University concluded the conference with a plenary session analyzing the legislative and educational opportunities and challenges presented by the Patient-centered Medical Home concept. Participants shared ideas and learned new skills in more than 70 workshops, seminars, and discussions as well as 90 educational research and curriculum evaluation papers. The STFM Education Committee selected 10 papers from the educational research and curriculum evaluation papers, felt to be of interest to readers of Teaching and Learning in Medicine. Two of the papers deal with preclerkship education, 5 with 3rd- and 4th-year education, 2 with longitudinal experiences across all years of medical school, and 1 with faculty development.     

Broadening sexual health horizons in Georgia

The 25th International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infection (IUSTI) Europe conference was the first to be held in the former Soviet Union. The location of Tblisi, Georgia, proved to be a tremendous choice and the conference title ‘Broadening your Horizons’ appropriately referred to the scientific content, as well as to over 350 conference delegates experiencing Georgia and wonderful Georgian hospitality for the first time.