Hoslundia opposita vahl; a potential source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antibiofilm activity for wound healing.

Background: Biofilms and oxidative stress retard wound healing. The resistance of biofilms to antibiotics has led to a search for alternative approaches in biofilm elimination. Antioxidants work synergistically with antibacterial agents against biofilms.

Review of Herbal Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Cancers in the East Africa Region from 2019 to 2023.

Background: In the East African region, herbal plants are essential in the treatment and control of cancer. Given the diverse ecological and cultural makeup of the regional states, it is likely that different ethnic groups will use the same or different plants for the same or different diseases. However, since 2019, this has not been compiled into a single study.

Hypertension Related Co-Morbidities and Complications in Women of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Brief Review.

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in women, and sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have some of the highest rates of hypertension in the world. Expanding knowledge of causes, management, and awareness of hypertension and its co-morbidities worldwide is an effective strategy to mitigate its harms, decrease morbidities and mortality, and improve individual quality of life. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are a particularly important subset of hypertension, as pregnancy is a major stress test of the cardiovascular system and can be the first instance in which cardiovascular disease is clinically apparent.

Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in scar treatment among patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current practices and outcomes.

Background: Keloids and hypertrophic scars are some of the most common skin conditions globally, associated with poor treatment response and high recurrence rates. Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is increasingly recognized as an emerging therapy albeit limited literature on its outcome in scar treatment. This review aimed to describe the current practices and outcomes of adipose-derived stromal Vascular Fraction in scar treatment.

Medicinal plants used in the management of cancers by residents in the Elgon Sub-Region, Uganda.

Background: In Uganda, medicinal plants have been utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including cancer. However, there is little information available about the medicinal plants used to treat cancer in the Elgon subregion. As a result, the current study documented the plant species used in the management of cancer in the Elgon sub-region.

Efficacy of nano encapsulated herbal extracts in the treatment of induced wounds in animal models: a systematic review protocol.

Background: Wounds inflict pain and affect human health causing high expenditure on treatment and management. Herbal crude extracts are used in traditional medicine as a treatment for wounds and other illnesses. However, the progress in the use of plants has been deterred due to their poor solubility and poor bioavailability requiring administration at high doses.

A di-electrophoretic simulation procedure of iron-oxide micro-particle drug attachment system for leukemia treatment using COMSOL software: a potential treatment reference for LMICs.

Background: Leukemia encompasses various subtypes, each with unique characteristics and treatment approaches. The challenge lies in developing targeted therapies that can effectively address the specific genetic mutations or abnormalities associated with each subtype. Some leukemia cases may become resistant to existing treatments over time making them less susceptible to chemotherapy or other standard therapies.

Dietary intake, body composition and micronutrient profile of patients on maintenance hemodialysis attending Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Uganda: A cross sectional study.

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are at a great risk for altered nutritional status, characterized by protein energy wasting and micronutrient deficiency due to medication interactions and dietary restrictions. This study determined the dietary intake, micronutrient profile and body composition of patients on maintenance hemodialysis at Kiruddu National referral hospital (KNRH), Uganda. A cross sectional study was done among adult CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy at KNRH.

Glycocalyx-Sodium Interaction in Vascular Endothelium.

The glycocalyx generally covers almost all cellular surfaces, where it participates in mediating cell-surface interactions with the extracellular matrix as well as with intracellular signaling molecules. The endothelial glycocalyx that covers the luminal surface mediates the interactions of endothelial cells with materials flowing in the circulating blood, including blood cells. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world.

Safety and feasibility of autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in the treatment of keloids: a phase one randomized controlled pilot trial.

Introduction: Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has been described to have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of keloids. However, most of the evidence on its efficacy is based on observational studies the majority of which are conducted in high-income countries and yet the highest burden of keloids is in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Objectives: We set out to determine the safety and feasibility of using autologous adipose derived stromal vascular fraction in the treatment of keloids in LMICs.

Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in scar treatment: a systematic review protocol.

Background: Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is an emerging therapy that is being pioneered as a potential treatment for keloids and hypertrophic scars. Up to this point, there isn't a cure for keloids and hypertrophic scars yet they comprise the commonest benign skin disorders. Despite published studies reporting potential therapeutic benefits of SVF, their use and efficacy on scar improvement are not clearly described.

Unique circulating microRNA profiles in epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma.

Background: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) causes Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Kaposi sarcoma in HIV/AIDS patients is referred to as epidemic KS and is the most common HIV-related malignancy worldwide. The lack of a diagnostic assay to detect latent and early-stage disease has increased disease morbidity and mortality.

Green synthesis and characterization of iron-oxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera: a potential protocol for use in low and middle income countries.

Objective: Green synthesized iron(III) oxide (FeO) nanoparticles are gaining appeal in targeted drug delivery systems because of their low cost, fast processing and nontoxicity. However, there is no known research work undertaken in the production of green synthesized nano-particles from the Ugandan grown Moringa Oleifera (MO). This study aims at exploring and developing an optimized protocol aimed at producing such nanoparticles from the Ugandan grown Moringa.

Clinical presentation and outcomes in children with retinoblastoma managed at the Uganda Cancer Institute.

Background: The majority of patients with retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer of childhood, are found in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), with leukocoria being the most common initial presenting sign and indication for referral. Findings from the current study serve to augment earlier findings on the clinical presentation and outcomes of children with retinoblastoma in Uganda.

Methods: This was a retrospective study in which we reviewed records of children admitted with a diagnosis of retinoblastoma at the Uganda Cancer Institute from January 2009 to February 2020.

A systematic review of modeling and simulation approaches in designing targeted treatment technologies for Leukemia Cancer in low and middle income countries.

Virtual experimentation is a widely used approach for predicting systems behaviour especially in situations where resources for physical experiments are very limited. For example, targeted treatment inside the human body is particularly challenging, and as such, modeling and simulation is utilised to aid planning before a specific treatment is administered. In such approaches, precise treatment, as it is the case in radiotherapy, is used to administer a maximum dose to the infected regions while minimizing the effect on normal tissue.

A descriptive prospective study of sports medicine practices for athletes in Uganda.

Background: Many international sporting organizations have recommended practices to reduce the risk of injury. These practices include screening for injury, having appropriate emergency medical care, and protocols for managing injury before return-to-play. The extent of the uptake of these practices in a developing country such as Uganda, is unknown.

Mice depleted for Exchange Proteins Directly Activated by cAMP (Epac) exhibit irregular liver regeneration in response to partial hepatectomy.

The exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP 1 and 2 (Epac1 and Epac2) are expressed in a cell specific manner in the liver, but their biological functions in this tissue are poorly understood. The current study was undertaken to begin to determine the potential roles of Epac1 and Epac2 in liver physiology and disease. Male C57BL/6J mice in which expression of Epac1 and/or Epac2 are deleted, were subjected to partial hepatectomy and the regenerating liver was analyzed with regard to lipid accumulation, cell replication and protein expression.

Deletion of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) causes defects in hippocampal signaling in female mice.

Previous studies demonstrate essential roles for the exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP 1 and 2 (Epac1 and Epac2; here collectively referred to as Epac) in the brain. In the hippocampus, Epac contributes to the control of neuronal growth and differentiation and has been implicated in memory and learning as well as in anxiety and depression. In the present study we address the hypothesis that Epac affects hippocampal cellular responses to acute restraint stress.

Nutritional supplement practices of professional Ugandan athletes: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The use of nutritional supplements (NS) places athletes at great risk for inadvertent doping. Due to the paucity of data on supplement use, this study aimed to determine the proportion of Ugandan athletes using nutritional supplements and to investigate the athletes' motivation to use these supplements.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 359 professional athletes participating in individual (boxing, cycling, athletics) and team (basketball, rugby, football, netball, and volleyball) sports.

Doping knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Ugandan athletes': a cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite the development of advanced drug testing systems, both deliberate and inadvertent doping in sports is increasing in elite, amateur and school sports. As a result, alternative approaches that seek to influence an athlete's attitudes are needed to address the growing doping concerns that threaten both the health and well being of the athlete as well as the legitimacy of the sport. Therefore, the current study set out to establish the doping attitudes, knowledge and practices of professional Ugandan athletes, gathering information that may guide the design of more efficient doping prevention programs.

How Reliable Are Hematological Parameters in Predicting Uncomplicated Malaria in an Endemic Region?

Background: Malaria remains endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hematological changes that occur have been suggested as potential predictors of malaria. This study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic relevance of hematological parameters in predicting malaria.