Body composition estimates from bioelectrical impedance and its association with cardiovascular risk.

Background:  Screening for traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease is well known in primary healthcare (PHC) settings. However, other risk factors through newer tools (such as bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA]) could also be predictors of increased cardiovascular risk (CVR). Body composition estimates (body fat percentage, body water percentage, body lean mass) by BIA and its association to CVR have been studied with variable results.

Synthetic Challenges toward Modeling Formate Dehydrogenases Using [W≡S] Complexes Supported by a Tetradentate [NS] Ligand.

This report documents our attempts at synthesizing a terminal [W≡S] complex supported by a tetradentate, diamido/dithiolate ligand ([NS]). The target compound was selected because it would serve as a synthetic model for the active sites of formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes. Although the desired [NS]W≡S species was observed as an NEt adduct by mass spectrometry in one case, generally unwanted side reactions prevented isolation and definitive characterization of the target compound.

Adolescent maternal mortality at a district health services over a five year period in South Africa: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine the trend in adolescent maternal deaths and deliveries over a period of 5 years and 9 months (July 2014-March 2020) at the Ekurhuleni Health District in South Africa.

Methods: The present study was a retrospective review and secondary data analysis using data from the District Health Information System and clinical oversight data from the District Clinical Specialist Team. The study population was adolescent pregnant women aged 10-19 years who died at health facilities.

Reactivity of a Dithiocarbamate-Ligated [W≡S] Complex with Hydride Donors: Toward a Synthetic Mimic of Formate Dehydrogenase.

Formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes catalyze redox interconversion of CO and HCO, with a key mechanistic step being the transfer of H from HCO to an oxidized active site featuring a [M≡S] group in a sulfur-rich environment (M = Mo or W). Here, we report reactivity studies with HCO and other reducing agents of a synthetic [W≡S] model complex ligated by dithiocarbamate (dtc) ligands. Reactions of [WS(dtc)][BF] () conducted in MeOH solvent generated [WS(S)(dtc)] () and [WS(μ-S)(dtc)] () products by a solvolysis pathway that was accelerated by the presence of [MeN][HCO] but did not require it.

COVID-19 severity and in-hospital mortality in an area with high HIV prevalence.

Background: HIV infection causes immune dysregulation affecting T-cell and monocyte function, which may alter coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology.

Objectives: We investigated the associations among clinical phenotypes, laboratory biomarkers, and hospitalisation outcomes in a cohort of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in a high HIV prevalence area.

Method: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in Tshwane, South Africa.

Challenges in the Synthesis of Active Site Mimics for [NiFe]-Hydrogenases.

One of the more active areas in bioorganometallic chemistry is the preparation and reactivity studies of active site mimics of the [NiFe]-hydrogenases. One area of particular recent progress involves reactions that interconvert Ni(-X)Fe centers for X = OH, H, CO, as described by Song et al. Such reactions illustrate new ways to access intermediates related to the Ni-R and Ni-SI states of the enzyme.

Crystal Structure of the [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Maturase HydE Bound to Complex-B.

[FeFe]-hydrogenases use a unique organometallic complex, termed the H cluster, to reversibly convert H into protons and low-potential electrons. It can be best described as a [FeS] cluster coupled to a unique [2Fe] center where the reaction actually takes place. The latter corresponds to two iron atoms, each of which is bound by one CN ligand and one CO ligand.

Proactive Measures to Combat a SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Among High Risk Patients and Health Care Workers in an Outpatient Dialysis Facility.

End-stage-renal-failure (ESRF) patients attending clustered out-patient dialysis are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Comorbidities render them vulnerable to severe COVID-19. Although preventative and mitigation strategies are recommended, the effect of these are unknown.

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed considerable lives. There are major concerns in Africa due to existing high prevalence rates for both infectious and non-infectious diseases and limited resources in terms of personnel, beds and equipment. Alongside this, concerns that lockdown and other measures will have on prevention and management of other infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Review of Ongoing Activities and Challenges to Improve the Care of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Across Africa and the Implications for the Future.

Background: There has been an appreciable increase in the number of people in Africa with metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in recent years as a result of a number of factors. Factors include lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and the growing consumption of processed foods coupled with increasing levels of obesity. Currently there are 19 million adults in Africa with diabetes, mainly T2DM (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045 unless controlled.

Ongoing and planned activities to improve the management of patients with Type 1 diabetes across Africa; implications for the future.

Background: Currently about 19 million people in Africa are known to be living with diabetes, mainly Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (95%), estimated to grow to 47 million people by 2045. However, there are concerns with early diagnosis of patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) as often patients present late with complications. There are also challenges with access and affordability of insulin, monitoring equipment and test strips with typically high patient co-payments, which can be catastrophic for families.

Influence of nitro substituents on the redox, electronic, and proton reduction catalytic behavior of phenolate-based [NO]-type cobalt(iii) complexes.

We report on the synthesis, redox, electronic, and catalytic behavior of two new cobalt(iii) complexes, namely [CoIII(L1)MeOH] (1) and [CoIII(L2)MeOH] (2). These species contain nitro-rich, phenolate-based pentadentate ligands and present dramatically distinct properties associated with the position in which the -NO2 substituents are installed. Species 1 displays nitro-substituted phenolates, and exhibits irreversible redox response and negligible catalytic activity, whereas 2 has fuctionalized phenylene moieties, shows much improved redox reversibility and catalytic proton reduction activity at low overpotentials.

Synthetic Designs and Structural Investigations of Biomimetic Ni-Fe Thiolates.

Described are the syntheses of several Ni(μ-SR)Fe complexes, including hydride derivatives, in a search for improved models for the active site of [NiFe]-hydrogenases. The nickel(II) precursors include (i) nickel with tripodal ligands: Ni(PS) and Ni(NS) (PS = tris(phenyl-2-thiolato)phosphine, NS = tris(benzyl-2-thiolato)amine), (ii) traditional diphosphine-dithiolates, including chiral diphosphine R,R-DIPAMP, (iii) cationic Ni(phosphine-imine/amine) complexes, and (iv) organonickel precursors Ni( o-tolyl)Cl(tmeda) and Ni(CF). The following new nickel precursor complexes were characterized: PPh[Ni(NS)] and the dimeric imino/amino-phosphine complexes [NiCl(PCH═N)] and [NiCl(PCHNH)] (P = PhPCH-2-).

Ni(ii) complexes of the phosphine-oxime PhPCH-2-CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH.

We report the solution and structural chemistry of nickel(ii) complexes of the phosphine-oxime Ph2PC6H4-2-CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH (PCH[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH). PCH[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH invariably binds in a bidentate manner as illustrated by cis-Ni(PCH[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH)2Cl2 and cis-[Ni(PCH[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH)2]2+ (as its BF4- salt). Treatment of PCH[double bond, length as m-dash]NOH with Ni(OAc)2(H2O)4 gave charge-neutral trans-[Ni(PCH[double bond, length as m-dash]NO)2]0.

Evaluation of the coordination preferences and catalytic pathways of heteroaxial cobalt oximes towards hydrogen generation.

Three new heteroaxial cobalt oxime catalysts, namely [Co(prdioxH)(py)(Cl)]PF (), [Co(prdioxH)(py)(Cl)]PF (), and [Co(prdioxH)(py)(Cl)]PF () have been studied. These species contain chloro and substituted -butyl/pyrrolidine/benzoyl-pyridino ligands axially coordinated to a trivalent cobalt ion bound to the N-oxime macrocycle (2,2',3,3')-3,3'-(propane-1,3-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(butan-2-one)dioxime, abbreviated (prdioxH) in its monoprotonated form. Emphasis was given to the spectroscopic investigation of the coordination preferences and spin configurations among the different 3d Co, 3d Co, and 3d Co oxidation states of the metal, and to the catalytic proton reduction with an evaluation of the pathways for the generation of H Co-H or Co-H intermediates by mono and bimetallic routes.

Framing preventive care messaging and cervical cancer screening in a health-insured population in South Africa: Implications for population-based communication?

The impact of health message framing on cervical cancer screening uptake is poorly understood. In a prospective randomized control study with 748 females, aged 21-65 years with no Pap smear in the previous 3 years, they randomly received a loss-framed, gain-framed, or neutral health message (control) regarding cervical cancer screening by email. Screening rate in the control group was 9.

Distinct Proton and Water Reduction Behavior with a Cobalt(III) Electrocatalyst Based on Pentadentate Oximes.

A new pentadentate oxime has been designed to drive the preferential coordination favored by Co(I) in catalysts used for proton/water reduction. The ligand incorporates water upon metal coordination and is water soluble. This Co(III) species is doubly reduced to Co(I) and exhibits H(+) reduction activity in the presence of weak acids in MeCN and evolves H2 upon protonation suggesting that the ligand design increases catalyst effectiveness.

Modulation of electronic and redox properties in phenolate-rich cobalt(III) complexes and their implications for catalytic proton reduction.

We investigate the redox, spectroscopy and catalytic reactivity of new cobalt(iii) complexes based on phenolate-rich [N2O3] ligands. These complexes are described as [Co(III)(L(X))MeOH], where X indicates the presence of chloro (), bromo (), iodo (), or tert-butyl () substituents in the 3(rd) and 5(th) positions of each phenolate ring. These substituents modulate the Co(iii) ← PheO(-) LMCT bands of the parent complexes with (451) > (453) > (456) > (468 nm) and the redox potentials involved with the Co(iii)/Co(ii) and ligand reduction and with the phenolate/phenoxyl oxidation processes.

Ligand transformations and efficient proton/water reduction with cobalt catalysts based on pentadentate pyridine-rich environments.

A series of cobalt complexes with pentadentate pyridine-rich ligands is studied. An initial Co(II) amine complex 1 is prone to aerial oxidation yielding a Co(III) imine complex 2 that is further converted into an amide complex 4 in presence of adventitious water. Introduction of an N-methyl protecting group to the ligand inhibits this oxidation and gives rise to the Co(II) species 5.

Predictors of adherence to screening guidelines for chronic diseases of lifestyle, cancers, and HIV in a health-insured population in South Africa.

Background: Adherence to screening guidelines has been widely accepted to reduce morbidity, mortality, and cost outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of adherence to screening guidelines for chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL), cancers, and HIV in a health-insured population in South Africa, some of whom voluntarily opt into a wellness program that incentivizes screening.

Method: A cross-sectional study for the period 2007-2011 was conducted using a random sample of 170,471 health insurance members from a single insurer.

Cross-sectional reference values for BMI among Khasi tribal adolescents of Meghalaya, India.

Body mass index (BMI) is a useful tool to assess nutritional status and may be applied to study undernutrition and overweight/obesity in distinct ethnic populations like Khasi tribal children to derive cross sectional reference values for undernutrition, overweight and obesity. Cross-sectional methods of anthropometric measurements in 957 Khasi children (467 boys, 490 girls) of age 11 to 17 years were used to derive BMI (kg/m2), which were compared with national and international standards. Smoothed Khasi specific BMI percentiles were generated by the LMS method and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria were applied as for Asian children.