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The applicability of shredded tire as an economical alternative for conventional granular soil backfill for retaining walls was investigated by conducting geotechnical and structural designs as well as finite element simulations. A literature survey was conducted to compile and document the engineering properties of shredded tire. It was found that the key geotechnical engineering properties vary significantly with shred size and shredding method. Then, a gravity-cantilever retaining wall was designed for dynamic loading conditions considering seismic design parameters corresponding to the Charleston, SC area. Geotechnical design revealed a longer toe compared to heel for shredded tire backfill to maintain stability; however, a shorter footing was needed to maintain overall stability compared to that of granular backfill. Conventional designs and finite element simulations showed significant reductions in computed horizontal deflection at the tip of the wall, structural demand in terms of maximum shear force and bending moment, and construction cost in terms of excavation and material when shredded tire was used as the backfill. Upper and lower bound curves of maximum shear force and maximum bending moment in the stem were also produced based on the results of parametric studies conducted by varying the friction angle and cohesion of shredded tire, and the amplitude and mean period of the input motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Much attention has been focused on the design and synthesis of potent, cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that possess both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. However, their development into therapeutic agents has been limited mainly due to their large size (12 to 50 residues in length) and poor protease stability. Methodology/Principal Findings: In an attempt to overcome the issues described above, a set of ultra-short, His-derived antimicrobial peptides (HDAMPs) has been developed for the first time. Through systematic tuning of pendant hydrophobic alkyl tails at the N(π)- and N(τ)-positions on His, and the positive charge of Arg, much higher prokaryotic selectivity was achieved, compared to human AMP LL-37. Additionally, the most potent HDAMPs showed promising dual antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as anti–methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity and proteolytic resistance. Our results from transmission electron microscopy, membrane depolarization, confocal laser-scanning microscopy, and calcein-dye leakage experiments propose that HDAMP-1 kills microbial cells via dissipation of the membrane potential by forming pore/ion channels on bacterial cell membranes. Conclusion/Significance: The combination of the ultra-short size, high-prokaryotic selectivity, potent anti-MRSA activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and proteolytic resistance of the designed HDAMP-1, -3, -5, and -6 makes these molecules promising candidates for future antimicrobial therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Here we report for the first time the synthesis of Histidine (His) derived lipo-amino acids having pendant lipid tails at N(τ)- and N(π)-positions on imidazole group of His and applied it into synthesis of lipo-peptides. The attachment of His-derived lipo-amino acid into the very short inactive cationic peptides endows potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria without hemolytic activity. Furthermore, our designed His-derived lipo-peptidomimetics (HDLPs) consisting of two or three residues displayed strong anti-MRSA activity and protease stability as well as retained potent antimicrobial activity under high salt concentration. Our results demonstrate that the novel lipo-amino acid is highly flexible to synthesize and carry out the extensive structure–activity relationship (SAR) on lipo-antimicrobial peptidomimetics and represents a unique amenable platform for modifying parameters important for antimicrobial activity. Through this study, we proved that the discovery of His-derived lipo-amino acid and the corresponding HDLPs are an excellent candidate as a lead compound for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Since the bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing rapidly, numerous studies have contributed to the design and synthesis of potent synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In an attempt to find the pharmacophore of short antimicrobial peptidomimetics through systematic tuning of hydrophobic and hydrophilic patterns, we have identified a set of short histidine-derived antimicrobial peptides (SAMPs) with potent and broad-spectrum activity. A combination of high antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), without hemolytic activity and proteolytic stability makes these molecules promising candidates for novel antimicrobial therapeutics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The polo-box domain (PBD) of polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is essentially required for the function of Plk1 in cell proliferation. The availability of the phosphopeptide-binding pocket on PBD provides a unique opportunity to develop novel protein–protein interaction inhibitors. Recent identification of a minimal 5-residue-long phosphopeptide, PLHSpT, as a Plk1 PBD-specific ligand has led to the development of several peptide-based inhibitors, but none of them is cyclic peptide. Through the combination of single-peptoid mimics and thio-ether bridged cyclization, we successfully demonstrated for the first time two cyclic peptomers, PL-116 and PL-120, dramatically improved the binding affinity without losing mono-specificity against Plk1 PBD in comparison with the linear parental peptide, PLHSpT. These cyclic peptomers could serve as promising templates for future drug designs to inhibit Plk1 PBD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One of the obvious disadvantages of natural peptides is their liability to proteases. Among the several solutions for this issue, peptoids or oligomers of N-substituted glycine have emerged as a promising tool that may enhance the stability of proteolysis-susceptible natural peptides. We have synthesized the drosocin and its glyco-peptoid analogues linked O-GalNAc at the Thr11 residue. One of our glyco-peptoid analogues showed an increased antibacterial activity by the modification of the Thr11 residue with glyco-peptoid. Structure–activity relationship studies revealed that the antibacterial activity by glyco-peptoid drosocin requires three key elements: free hydroxyl group on the carbohydrate moiety, γ-methyl group of the Thr11 residue derivative and (S)-configuration over (R)-configuration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: Blood component therapy is advantageous in terms of increasing the effective availability of blood units and reducing the transfusion-related risks. One unit of blood can be separated into components and made available to multiple patients by transfusing suitable components. It is often believed that most, if not all, of the blood should be fractionated. But the process of componentizing increases the availability of blood products at the expense of increased costs of holding, processing, and wastage at a blood bank. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum level of components to be produced at a blood bank given its objectives and context. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We developed a simulation-based model to determine the optimum amount of fresh blood to be fractionated at a blood bank operating in southern India was developed. The simulation model is a virtual representation of an actual blood bank, and it can help the administrator to test the effects of changing the level of components production on the overall blood bank performance. RESULTS: The results from the model suggest that it may not be optimal for the chosen blood bank to componentizelarge amounts of fresh blood as it leads to high costs of operation and huge wastage in the system. CONCLUSIONS: The same methodology can be applied to determine the optimum level of componentizing at other blood banks by providing appropriate inputs to the simulation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A typical blood bank gets its major supply of blood from organizing blood donation camps. The quantity of blood collected in the blood donation drives is random and it might be sensible to cut off the supply at some level to reduce the wastages by overcollection. In this paper we introduce two new cutoff level policies and compare their performance with the policy of collecting all the available supply at blood collection drives, which is quite prevalent among the blood banks. We develop a simulation model for collection that enables such comparison on the basis of shortages, wastages, and total costs. The results obtained from the simulation model for a real-life situation show that the cutoff level policies are better than the unrestricted collection policy in controlling total costs. They also result in less wastage in the system for a given level of shortages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis was first described in 20071. 80% of the patients diagnosed are female with initial presentation of psychiatric symptoms2. Early detection and treatment is important as probability of full recovery decreases with disease progression3. Objectives: Presentation of a case of unusual psychiatric symptoms in a patient with Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Methods: Case report. Results: A 33-year-old foreign woman with no past psychiatric and medical history, presented with acute change in behaviour, auditory hallucinations, paranoid delusions, poverty of speech, psychomotor retardation and poor oral intake. She was tried on two different antipsychotics. Two weeks later, she developed fever, tachycardia, neck stiffness and also generalised seizures and oro-facial dyskinesia. Cerebrospinal fluid examination was positive for NMDA receptor antibodies. She received steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins, but developed ileus due to autonomic dysfunction and hypokalaemia. She also required tracheostomy and naso-gastric tube feeding. Upon family's request, she was discharged to her home country. Conclusions: Initial suspicion of anti-NDMA receptor encephalitis should be raised and early auto-immune workup performed in patients presenting with acute onset of psychosis especially in young females with no past medical or psychiatric history. References Dalmau et al. Paraneoplastic anti-NMDAR encephalitis associated with ovarian teratoma. Ann Neurol. 2007;61(1): 25-36. Maat et al. Psychiatric phenomena as initial manifestation of encephalitis by anti-NMDAR antibodies. Acta Neuropsychiatr. 2013: 25(3): 128-136 Dalmau et al. Clinical experience and laboratory investigations in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Lancet Neurol. 2011;10(1):63-74. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poisson's ratio for earth materials is usually assumed to be positive (Vp/Vs > 1.4). However, this assumption may not be valid in the critical zone because near Earth's surface effective pressures are low (<1 MPa), porosity has a wide range (0%–60%), there are significant texture changes (e.g., unconsolidated vs. fractured media), and saturation ranges from 0% to 100%. We present P‐wave (Vp) and S‐wave (Vs) velocities from seismic refraction profiles collected in weathered crystalline environments in South Carolina and Wyoming. Our data show that ∼20% of the subsurface has negative Poisson's ratios (Vp/Vs values < 1.4), a conclusion supported by borehole sonic logs. The low Vp/Vs values are confined to the fractured bedrock and saprolite. Our data support the hypothesis that weathering‐generated microcracks can produce a negative Poisson's ratio and that Vp/Vs values can thus provide insight into important critical zone weathering processes. Plain Language Summary: When a material is squeezed, the ratio between the change in height and width is described by an elastic parameter called Poisson's ratio. Most earth materials have a positive Poisson ratio, meaning the material will expand when squeezed (e.g., Playdough or wet sand). Materials with a negative Poisson's ratio rarely occurs naturally and will shrink in all directions when squeezed. Cork is a common material with a Poisson's ratio of approximately zero. Cork is ideal for bottling wine because its width does not change when pushing it into the bottle's narrow neck. Here we use surface‐based measurements to quantify Poisson's ratio from P‐wave (Vp) and S‐wave (vs.) velocities in the top 50 m of Earth's surface. Our results show an unexpected result—material in the CZ has a negative Poisson's ratio. We believe this unexpected behavior is caused by the combination of low effective pressures and small and irregular cracks created during rocks' transformation into soil. The cracks have a greater impact on the material's ability to resist compression. At the same time, most of the rock is still coherent and thus only experiences a minimal loss of shear strength. Key Points: Vp/Vs values in the critical zone can be less than 1.4, suggesting a negative Poisson's ratioIn near‐surface environments, the assumption that materials have a positive Poisson ratio is not always justifiedLow Vp/Vs ratios may identify the onset of physical weathering in crystalline rock [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Over the years, a great deal of effort has been focused on the design and synthesis of potent, linear peptide inhibitors targeting the polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), which is critically involved in multiple mitotic processes and has been established as an adverse prognostic marker for tumor patients. Plk1 localizes to its intracellular anchoring sites via its polo-box domain, and inhibiting the Plk1 polo-box domain has been considered as an approach to circumvent the specificity problems associated with inhibiting the conserved adenosine triphosphate-binding pocket. The polo-box domain consists of two different binding regions, such as the unique, broader pyrrolidine-binding pocket and the conserved, narrow, Tyr-rich hydrophobic channel, among the three Plk polo-box domains (Plks 1–3), respectively. Therefore, the studies that provide insights into the binding nature of the unique, broader pyrrolidine-binding pocket might lead to the development of selective Plk1-inhibitory compounds. Methodology/Principal Findings:In an attempt to retain the monospecificity by targeting the unique, broader pyrrolidine-binding pocket, here, for the first time, a systematic approach was undertaken to examine the structure-activity relationship of N-terminal-truncated PLHSpTM derivatives, to apply a site-directed ligand approach using bulky aromatic and non-aromatic systems, and to characterize the binding nature of these analogues using X-ray crystallographic studies. We have identified a new mode of binding interactions, having improved binding affinity and retaining the Plk1 polo-box domain specificity, at the pyrrolidine-binding pocket. Furthermore, our data revealed that the pyrrolidine-binding pocket was very specific to recognize a short and bulky hydrophobic ligand like adamantane, whereas the Tyr-rich hydrophobic channel was specific with lengthy and small hydrophobic groups. Conclusion/Significance:The progress made using our site-directed ligands validated this approach to specifically direct the ligand into the unique pyrrolidine-binding region, and it extends the applicability of the strategy for discovering selective protein-protein interaction inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SET domain of LegAS4, a type IV secretion system effector of Legionella pneumophila, is a eukaryotic protein motif involved in histone methylation and epigenetic modulation. The SET domain of LegAS4 is involved in the modification of Lys4 of histone H3 (H3K4) in the nucleolus of the host cell, thereby enhancing heterochromatic rDNA transcription. Moreover, LegAS4 contains an ankyrin repeat domain of unknown function at its C-terminal region. Here, we report the crystal structure of LegAS4 in complex with S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM). Our data indicate that the ankyrin repeats interact extensively with the SET domain, especially with the SAM-binding amino acids, through conserved residues. Conserved surface analysis marks Glu159, Glu203, and Glu206 on the SET domain serve as candidate residues involved in interaction with the positively charged histone tail. Conserved surface residues on the ankyrin repeat domain surround a small pocket, which is suspected to serve as a binding site for an unknown ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to study the survival pattern and the prognostic factors for HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for two and half years at the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine, Tambaram, Chennai, India. We studied 295 children who were initiated on ART from 1 April 2004 to 30 September 2006 at a large, public tertiary care facility in Chennai, India. Weight for age Z-score was calculated. Survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify risk factors for mortality. The mean and median follow up was 11 and 10 months, respectively. The cumulative survival probability at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months was 93, 90, 89.7, 89.7 and 89.7%, respectively. Of the children who died, about 50% died within the first month. Nearly 6% of the children had adherence less than 95%. The children who had a baseline CD4 percent less than or equal to 14% had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mortality as compared to children who had 20% or more. The children who had negative or no change in weight for age Z-score and hemoglobin had 18.9 (3.7–95.7) times significantly higher mortality as compared to children who had positive change in both variables (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio of the positive test for negative change or no change in HB was 65%, 85% and 4.3, respectively. Similarly, these were 80%, 73% and 3% for negative or no change in Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC). These findings indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing an ART program in a large government hospital in India. Simple nutritional variable hemoglobin and immunologic variable ALC could be used to monitor the progression of disease in children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There are varying reports on the electrocardiogram in pericardial effusions. Some correlate low QRS voltage with tamponade and the size of the effusion while others do not. Low voltage also appears to vary with the etiology. There are no reports on the influence of pericardial thickness or changes in the P voltage. The authors studied 43 patients with large effusions of whom 26 had tuberculosis and the remaining had viral/idiopathic etiology. Pericardial thickness was measured at chest computed tomography. They found no correlation between the low QRS voltage and tamponade, size of the effusion, etiology, or pericardial thickness. Low voltage of the P wave and T-wave changes were more frequent than low QRS voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium flow through the fuel, blanket and storage subassemblies will be measured in Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) by the Core Flow Monitoring Mechanism (CFMM) during its commissioning. CFMM is planned to be placed on the top of the subassembly for the sodium flow measurement. This will monitor the flow allocation through different sub-assemblies and will infer flow blockage in subassembly if any. A portion of the sodium flowing through the subassembly will flow through the CFMM and the rest will flow through the lateral safety flow path provided at the subassembly top. The sodium flow through the CFMM will be measured by an eddy current flow sensor. For estimating the sodium flow through the subassembly from the measured sodium flow through CFMM, the hydraulic characteristics of the subassembly top portion and CFMM was established by experiments in water medium. It is estimated that 58.5% of the coolant flow passes through the CFMM for measuring sodium flow through fuel subassemblies and the rest passes through the lateral holes in the subassembly head. In case of measurement of flow through the blanket and storage subassemblies, 52% of the coolant passes through CFMM and the rest passes through the lateral holes. The data obtained from the water experiments were used to validate the numerical model of the same. This paper gives the details of the experimental and numerical studies carried out to characterize the core flow monitoring device for PFBR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the scheme adopted for off-line monitoring of fuel/blanket sub-assemblies, by measuring the coolant flow rate at sub-assembly exit, in a typical sodium cooled fast breeder reactor is presented. In Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), the temperature of sodium exiting from all the fuel sub-assemblies is monitored by core temperature monitoring system for detecting any flow blockage during reactor operation. However, such online monitoring of blanket sub-assembly outlet temperature was not envisaged. Instead, offline monitoring is proposed, which involves measuring the flow rate of sodium exiting from blanket sub-assemblies during re-fuelling of reactor. A flow measuring system is proposed for measuring sodium flow from blanket sub-assemblies. In addition, the sodium flow from Fuel and storage sub-assemblies is also measured during commissioning stage in order to identify any blockage in the hydraulic paths of respective sub-assemblies. The flow measuring system employs Core Flow Monitoring Mechanism (CFMM) equipped with Eddy Current Flow Sensor (ECFS) for sodium flow measurement. The system needs two CFMMs, one for fuel sub-assemblies and another for blanket and storage sub-assemblies. The necessary experimental studies were carried out for generating data needed for sodium flow estimation and to resolve uncertainties in the design of CFMM. Experimental studies include hydraulic studies and sodium calibration of ECFS. Subsequently, integrated assembly testing of CFMM was carried out to demonstrate the safe operation of the mechanisms before clearing for erection on pile. After successful completion of all the tests, both the CFMM were erected on pile. This paper discusses the detailed design features of CFMM and the developmental activities carried out to qualify the mechanism for reactor use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent progress in the developmentof peptide-derived Polo-likekinase (Plk1) polo-box domain (PBD) inhibitors has led to the synthesisof multiple peptide ligands with high binding affinity and selectivity.However, few systematic analyses have been conducted to identify keyPlk1 residues and characterize their interactions with potent Plk1peptide inhibitors. We performed systematic deletion analysis usingthe most potent 4jpeptide and studied N-terminal capping of the minimal peptide with diverse organic moieties,leading to the identification of the peptidomimetic 8(AB-103) series with high binding affinity and selectivity. To evaluatethe bioavailability of short peptidomimetic ligands, PEGylated 8series were synthesized and incubated with HeLa cells totest for cellular uptake, antiproliferative activity, and Plk1 kinaseinhibition. Finally, crystallographic studies of the Plk1 PBD in complexwith peptidomimetics 8and 22(AB-103-5)revealed the presence of two hydrogen bond interactions responsiblefor their high binding affinity and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) is a key regulator of centriole duplication, an event critical for the maintenance of genomic integrity. We show that Plk4 relocalizes from the inner Cep192 ring to the outer Cep152 ring as newly recruited Cep152 assembles around the Cep192-encircled daughter centriole. Crystal-structure analyses revealed that Cep192- and Cep152-derived peptides bind the cryptic polo box (CPB) of Plk4 in opposite orientations and in a mutually exclusive manner. The Cep152 peptide bound to the CPB markedly better than did the Cep192 peptide and effectively 'snatched' the CPB away from a preformed CPB-Cep192 peptide complex. A cancer-associated Cep152 mutation impairing the Plk4 interaction induced defects in procentriole assembly and chromosome segregation. Thus, Plk4 is intricately regulated in time and space through ordered interactions with two distinct scaffolds, Cep192 and Cep152, and a failure in this process may lead to human cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Design and development of eddy current flow meters for FBRs have been carried out. [•] The developed flow meter was tested and calibrated in sodium. [•] The developed flow meter was used in FBTR reactor, India and in Phenix reactor, France. [•] The performance of the eddy current flow meter is found to be excellent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a regulator of cell cycle progression during mitosis; it is overexpressed in many different tumors and has been implicated as a potential antimitotic target. Plks are characterized by the presence of a highly conserved C-terminal polo-box domain (PBD) that is involved in regulating kinase activity. The phosphopeptide Pro-Leu-His-Ser-p-Thr (PLHSpT) is a potent selective inhibitor of the PBD of human plk1 that acts by inducing mitotic arrest and apoptotic cell death in cancer cells. We synthesized cRGDyK-S-S-CPLHSpT to exploit the drug delivery and molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET). The peptide was blocked dramatically proliferation of tumor in vitro and in vivo. It was attempted to develop and show a tumor PET image with the radiolabeled-peptide. Here we showed the peptide is promising not only as an anticancer drug, but also as a radioligand for tumor diagnosis with PET. We expect that our contribution will provide new insights into the design of Plk1 peptide inhibitors and have significant implications for anticancer therapy and tumor diagnosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: Future Health Systems: Innovations for Equity (FHS) is working in six partner countries in Asia and Africa, focusing on strengthening the research-policy interface in relation to specific health system research projects. These projects present an opportunity to study the influence of stakeholders on research and policy processes. Study design: Qualitative stakeholder analysis. Methods: Stakeholder analysis was conducted in each FHS country using a structured approach. A cross-country evaluation was performed concentrating on six key areas: chosen research topic; type of intervention considered; inclusion/exclusion of stakeholder groups; general stakeholder considerations; power level, power type and agreement level of stakeholders; and classification of and approaches to identified stakeholders. Results: All six countries identified a range of stakeholders but each country had a different focus. Four of the six countries identified stakeholders in addition to the guidelines, while some of the stakeholder categories were not identified by countries. The mean power level of identified stakeholders was between 3.4 and 4.5 (1 = very low; 5 = very high). The percentage of classified stakeholders that were either drivers or supporters ranged from 60% to 91%. Conclusion: Three important common areas emerge when examining the execution of the FHS country stakeholder analyses: clarity on the purpose of the analyses; value of internal vs external analysts; and the role of primary vs secondary analyses. This paper adds to the global body of knowledge on the utilization of stakeholder analysis to strengthen the research-policy interface in the developing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is severely affecting the poorly educated and economically disadvantaged in Indian society. When children start developing clinical manifestations, needing treatment, they have to travel long distances for accessing care and support at tertiary institutions. This places an extra burden on patients, who are already struggling to cope with their illness. Sufficient data are needed for the government to evolve appropriate policy for providing care to the children affected with HIV. We undertook this study to present the socio-demographic characteristics, signs and symptoms, clinical profile, distance travelled and follow up pattern of HIV positive children who accessed care for the first time in a referral hospital at Chennai, India. Methods: Electronic medical records from patients diagnosed with HIV between 2002 and 2004 at the Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine (GHTM) in Tambaram (Chennai) in India were analyzed to understand care-seeking behaviours. Demographic variables such as age, sex, education and occupation. data on clinical manifestations were examined together with geographic information. Results: At GHTM 1,768 new paediatric patients accessed care from 2002 to 2004. Children aged less than 5 yr were 49.9 per cent; 1115 children had (63%) tuberculosis. Significantly, 14.9 and 20.6 per cent children had extra-pulmonary TB and disseminated TB respectively. Lower respiratory infection (15.8%), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (15.20%), oral/oesophageal candidiasis (13.5%), wasting (6.1%) and diarrhoeal disorders (3.5%) were the common clinical manifestations. In all 47 per cent children traveled between 200-400 km from home and 14 per cent travelled over 400 km. Interpretation & conclusion: Our findings showed that tuberculosis should be regarded as the indicator disease for HIV infection in children, especially when they have clinical manifestations of progressive, non pulmonary and disseminated disease. The primary and secondary health care centres should have the trained capacity to diagnose and treat HIV disease and opportunistic infections so as the children to have much needed care and support nearer to their residence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]