PLoS Medicine

Neglected disease research and development: how much are we really spending

mparkinson — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:20:43 -0800

The need for new pharmaceutical tools to prevent and treat neglected diseases is widely accepted. The creation of a vaccine for HIV/AIDS, more effective diagnostics for tuberculosis (TB), and better treatments for leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness would greatly improve health in the developing world in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. However, funders wishing to invest in this vitally important area currently face an information gap.

PLoS Medicine

Emergence of Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and Spread of a Single Resistance Mechanism.

nelleke — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:00:55 -0800

Background

Resistance to triazoles was recently reported in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates cultured from patients with invasive aspergillosis. The prevalence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus is unknown. We investigated the prevalence and spread of azole resistance using our culture collection that contained A. fumigatus isolates collected between 1994 and 2007.

Methods and Findings

PLoS Medicine

The Effect of Universal Influenza Immunization on Mortality and Health Care Use

jeff_kwong — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:27:32 -0700

Background
In 2000, Ontario, Canada, initiated a universal influenza immunization program (UIIP) to provide free influenza vaccines for the entire population aged 6 mo or older. Influenza immunization increased more rapidly in younger age groups in Ontario compared to other Canadian provinces, which all maintained targeted immunization programs. We evaluated the effect of Ontario's UIIP on influenza-associated mortality, hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) use, and visits to doctors' offices.

Methods and Findings

PLoS Medicine

Effect of the California Tobacco Control Program on Personal Health Care Expenditures

glantz — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:47:58 -0700

Background
Large state tobacco control programs have been shown to reduce smoking and would be expected to affect health care costs. We investigate the effect of California's large-scale tobacco control program on aggregate personal health care expenditures in the state.

PLoS Medicine

Adapting the DOTS Framework for Tuberculosis Control to the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa

Willy — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:53:58 -0700

Note: Once this publication is available in PubMed Central the XML version will become available to connect figures and data. For now, for the full text and figures, please refer to the paper available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050124

Abstract:

PLoS Medicine

Aberrant mucin assembly in mice causes endoplasmic reticulum stress and spontaneous inflammation resembling ulcerative colitis

mmcguckin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:17:19 -0800

Background
MUC2 mucin produced by intestinal goblet cells is the major component of the intestinal mucus barrier. The inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis is characterized by depleted goblet cells and a reduced mucus layer, but the aetiology remains obscure. In this study we used random mutagenesis to produce two murine models of inflammatory bowel disease, characterised the basis and nature of the inflammation in these mice, and compared the pathology with human ulcerative colitis.
Methods and Findings

PLoS Medicine

Food Insufficiency Is Associated with High-Risk Sexual Behavior among Women in Botswana and Swaziland

jeveleth — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:42:58 -0800

Background
Both food insufficiency and HIV infection are major public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the impact of food insufficiency on HIV risk behavior has not been systematically investigated. We tested the hypothesis that food insufficiency is associated with HIV transmission behavior.

PLoS Medicine