Clostridioides difficile Infection and Testing Rates in South Africa: A multicentre study, 2017-2020.

Objectives: To describe Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) rates and testing practices, at three tertiary/quaternary hospitals in South Africa (SA) for the period 2017 to 2020.

Methods: A retrospective laboratory record review of all C. difficile testing at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), Tygerberg Hospital (TBH) and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Academic Hospital (IALCH) was performed.

Discovery of Staircase Chirality through the Design of Unnatural Amino Acid Derivatives.

Chirality has garnered significant attention in the scientific community since its discovery by Louis Pasteur over a century ago. It has been showing a profound impact on chemical, biomedical, and materials sciences. Significant progress has been made in controlling molecular chirality, as evidenced by the several Nobel Prizes in chemistry awarded in this area, particularly for advancements in the asymmetric catalytic synthesis of molecules with central and axial chirality.

On-demand release of encapsulated ZnO nanoparticles and chemotherapeutics for drug delivery applications.

Nanomedicines offer high promise for the treatment of various diseases, and numerous novel approaches using nanomaterials have been developed over the years. In this report, we introduce a new strategy utilizing ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO) to trigger the rapid release of lipid-encapsulated therapeutics upon photo-irradiation with UV light (365 nm). studies demonstrate that encapsulation of nZnO effectively eliminates the cytotoxicity of nZnO, but this can be re-established upon release from the lipid coating.

Efficacy and safety evaluation of Boswellia serrata and Curcuma longa extract combination in the management of chronic lower back pain: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Background And Aim: Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a major condition that leads to disability and reduced quality of life (QoL). This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel Boswellia serrata and Curcuma longa combination (CL20192) for the treatment of CLBP.

Material And Methods: Participants with CLBP were randomised to receive either a 300 mg CL20192 capsule (n = 45) or placebo capsule (n = 45) once daily for 90 days.