Multifunctional Dual Enzyme-Responsive Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Targeting and Enhancing the Treatment of Bacterial Infections.

Bacterial infections pose an increasingly worrisome threat to the health of humankind, with antibiotic resistance contributing significantly to this burden. With current conventional antibiotics perpetuating the problem, and a paucity in developing antibiotics, drug delivery systems incorporating nanotechnology appear promising. As such, a dual enzyme-responsive multifunctional nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) incorporating farnesol (FAN) and triglycerol monostearate (TGMS), was conceptualized for the codelivery of vancomycin (VCM) and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) to enhance the antibacterial activity of VCM.

Use of osteogenic bone matrix in patients with traumatic long bone defects: An open label, single center study.

Background: Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis™ OBM) is a tissue-engineered, porcine-derived demineralized bone matrix prepared using a humanization processing technology that confers biocompatibility and improved osteoinductivity. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of OBM in patients with traumatic long bone defects in an open-label, non-randomized single-center study.

Methods: Diagnosis and main criteria for inclusion were open long bone fractures graded as Gustilo-Anderson Grade II, IIIA or IIIB.

Exploring polyamine metabolism of the yeast-like fungus, Emergomyces africanus.

Emergomyces africanus is a thermally dimorphic pathogen causing severe morbidity and mortality in immunocompromized patients. Its transition to a pathogenic yeast-like phase in the human host is a notable virulence mechanism. Recent studies suggest polyamines as key players in dimorphic switching, yet their precise functions remain enigmatic.

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 molecular results from the first two COVID-19 waves in Gauteng.

Background: Laboratory-based molecular assays return cycle threshold (Ct) values for each gene target. There is limited hyperlocal information describing the Ct, age and sex trends during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) waves in South Africa.

Objectives: To analyse the demographic and Ct value trends of SARS-CoV-2 molecular assays from two South African hospitals.

South African medical rehabilitation services delivery: a mixed method exploring the views of stakeholders on availability, accessibility, quality, affordability, equity, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Introduction: South Africa has endeavored to provide access to rehabilitation to more people with the greatest needs via its National Rehabilitation Policy. To achieve the aim of the Framework and Strategy for Disability and Rehabilitation Services in South Africa, scientific knowledge on rehabilitation services would be essential to inform implementation, yet little is known in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. This paper describes South African rehabilitation services delivery focused on availability, accessibility, quality, affordability, equity, effectiveness, and efficiency based on stakeholders´ perspectives in KZN.

Investigating links between Trichomonas vaginalis, T. vaginalis virus, Mycoplasma hominis, and metronidazole resistance.

Introduction: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the etiological agent of the common non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI), trichomoniasis. TV can inherently harbour Mycoplasma hominis and Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV) species. Endosymbiosis of TV with M.

Outcomes following the introduction of an interdisciplinary shared decision-making clinic for older patients with colorectal cancer.

Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is highest in older patients, who also have high rates of concurrent multimorbidity and frailty. Shared decision making is important when deciding treatment. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes before and after introduction of a shared decision-making (SDM) pathway, which includes an anaesthetist and geriatrician, for older patients with CRC at Waikato Hospital.

A roadmap for navigating partner engagement in community-based autopsy studies: Lessons from the field in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The measurement of cause-specific mortality is critical for health system planning but remains a challenge in many low-resource settings due to societal, legal, and logistical barriers. We present a co-development process with community members for the design and implementation of an autopsy program to improve cause of death data in a historically underserved population.

Methods: We sought to develop an autopsy program at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS).

Delphi definition of general practice/family medicine specialty for a post-COVID world: in-person and remote care delivery.

Introduction: The evolving landscape of general practice (GP)/family medicine (FM) in the post-COVID-19 era, focussing on integrating telemedicine and remote consultations requires a new definition for this specialty. Hence, a broader consensus-based definition of post-COVID-19 GP/FM is warranted.

Methods: This study involved a modified electronic Delphi technique involving 27 specialists working in primary care recruited via convenient and snowball sampling.

Health technology assessment to support health benefits package design: a systematic review of economic evaluation evidence in Zambia.

Background: Health technology assessment uses explicit economic evaluation evidence to support health benefits package design. However, the limited availability of technical expertise, data, and methods has restricted the production of economic evaluation evidence in low- and middle-income countries. Zambia has initiated a roadmap to support its policy of reviewing and implementing its national benefits package.

Are We Getting Any Closer to Including Men and Boys in Sexual and Reproductive Health? A Multi-Country Policy Analysis on Guidance to Action in East and Southern Africa.

There has been growing recognition of the need to address the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of men and boys, including a need for more explicit guidance in domestic health policy and plans. This paper reports on a policy analysis, covering five East and Southern African countries, and discusses the extent and ways in which male clinical and non-clinical needs, and their roles in SRH are currently being reflected. It draws attention to the policy discourse, trends, and gaps in including men in the region as clients, partners and change agents to inform a way forward.

The extent of outdoor food and beverage advertising surrounding primary and secondary schools in poorly resourced townships in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: The targeted marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to vulnerable populations, particularly children and adolescents in lower-income communities, is pervasive and coincides with increased non-communicable disease (NCD) rates. This study examined the extent of food and beverage advertising surrounding schools in three townships in Cape Town, South Africa: Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Kensington.

Methodology: Trained fieldworkers used web-based surveys on smartphones to capture all observable outdoor food and beverage advertisements in the three townships.

Role of Immunotherapy in Conjunction With the Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer: Preoperative and Postoperative Applications.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Since the appearance of molecular medicine, the perspective of breast cancer treatment has changed, making it more successful in comparison with the treatment during previous years. Numerous ongoing trials are exploring the capacity of immunotherapy, mainly in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), in conjunction with conventional therapies or with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Revealing SARS-CoV-2 M mutation cold and hot spots: Dynamic residue network analysis meets machine learning.

Deciphering the effect of evolutionary mutations of viruses and predicting future mutations is crucial for designing long-lasting and effective drugs. While understanding the impact of current mutations on protein drug targets is feasible, predicting future mutations due to natural evolution of viruses and environmental pressures remains challenging. Here, we leveraged existing mutation data during the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 protein drug target main protease (M) to test the predictive power of dynamic residue network (DRN) analysis in identifying mutation cold and hot spots.

Sarcoidosis Treatment Patterns in the United States: 2016-2022.

Background: There are limited US Federal Drug Administration-approved medications and real-world data on sarcoidosis treatment in the United States. Concordance of practice patterns with guideline recommendations have not been well characterized.

Research Question: What are the practice patterns and factors associated with treatment for patients with sarcoidosis in the year following diagnosis?

Study Design And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with sarcoidosis from 2016 to 2022 using a multicenter, all-payer claims database (TriNetX).

Dual Antimicrobial Activity of HTCC and Its Nanoparticles: A Synergistic Approach for Antibacterial and Antiviral Applications Through Combined In Silico and In Vitro Studies.

N-(2-hydroxyl) propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), a quaternized chitosan derivative, has been shown to exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, especially against bacteria and enveloped viruses. Despite this, molecular docking studies showing its atomic-level mechanisms against these microorganisms are scarce. Here, for the first time, we employed molecular docking analyses to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of HTCC against and its antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1).

Breaking barriers: why including boys and men is key to HPV prevention.

Despite the common belief that human papillomavirus (HPV) primarily affects women, it is imperative to recognize and address the impact of HPV on boys and men. Overlooking the health implications for males is a notable gap, as efforts have predominantly focused on preventing HPV-related infections in women. This commentary aims to emphasize the importance of HPV awareness and vaccination for boys and men by highlighting the prevalence and consequences of HPV infection, elaborating on the associated health risks, elucidating the benefits of vaccination, and urging readers to recognize the necessity of protecting males from HPV.

Predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers who have engaged in concurrent sex with regular sex partners, casual sex partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period.

This study investigates the predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers in South Africa who reported concurrent sexual relationships with regular partners, casual partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 450 male workers across 18 construction work sites in the Western Cape province. Of these, 245 (54%) indicated that they had engaged in sex with all three partner types during the 3-month study period.

The outcomes of an audiological management programme for neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia.

Background:  Hyperbilirubinaemia is a contributing condition to the prevalence of neonatal hearing loss. Because of its pathophysiology, the use of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) testing is essential in diagnosing hearing loss. Two-tier screening models are typically used in developing world contexts; however, a combined approach to testing (using both tests) should be used for early detection.