Developing HIV indicators for clinical care quality assessment: relevance and practicality evaluated by healthcare practitioners in South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: The use of quality indicators in healthcare systems is one of the factors that improve the quality of health services. However, indicators for assessing HIV clinical care in the context of low- and middle-income countries are not fully explored. Some existing indicators were established within the context of developed countries and are primarily defined for community care, with limited emphasis on the hospital setting.

Evaluation of Treatment Outcomes Among Individuals on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Despite access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), South Africa has a high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden. Treatment outcomes among individuals on highly active ART (HAART) in KwaZulu-Natal, with a higher incidence of HIV, are not fully known. This study evaluated the impact of HAART outcomes and identified and analyzed the factors associated with the outcomes in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in the high-incidence region of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

Evaluating compliance with quality indicators of HIV and AIDS clinical care and analyzing those associated with mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection have been identified, significant improvements have been made concerning its diagnosis and treatment. Few contributions have been made in the area of quality indicators in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). To address this gap, a recent study conducted in the said area in 2023 resulted in the development of a comprehensive list of 88 indicators for assessing the quality of clinical care for HIV and AIDS.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction: The potential therapeutic role of dietary flavonoids.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health burden that is characterized by the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells. In pancreatic β-cells, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a fact of life that contributes to β-cell loss or dysfunction. Despite recent advances in research, the existing treatment approaches such as lifestyle modification and use of conventional therapeutics could not prevent the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells to abrogate the disease progression.

Anticancer effects of herbal medicine Emelia-M, Mshikazi and Delosma H against human leukaemia cells.

Background: Leukaemia is one of the three major types of blood cancers that lead to the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. (EMB), and are herbal medicines that are being used by traditional healers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to treat leukaemia and other diseases.

Objectives: To gain insight into the safety (non-toxic effect), anti-cancer activity, mechanisms of action and phytochemical profiles of traditional herbal medicines and in South Africa.

Antidiabetic effects of Psidium x durbanensis Baijnath & Ramcharun ined. (Myrtaceae) leaf extract on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Psidium guajava L. leaves are used to treat diabetes in South African folkloric medicine and in other parts of the world. Psidium x durbanensis Baijnath & Ramcharun ined.

Repurposing antiviral phytochemicals from the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin (Linn) towards the identification of potential SARSCOV-2 inhibitors.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a pneumonia-like disease with a pattern of acute respiratory symptoms, currently remains a significant public health concern causing tremendous human suffering. Although several approved vaccines exist, vaccine hesitancy, limited vaccine availability, high rate of viral mutation, and the absence of approved drugs account for the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. The investigation of possibly repurposing of phytochemical compounds as therapeutic alternatives has gained momentum due to their reported affordability and minimal toxicity.

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of (EMB), and herbal medicines as demonstrated in THP-1 and Jurkat leukaemia cell lines.

Background: Three decoctions, namely Emelia M (EMB), Mshikazi and Delosma H are used by traditional health practitioners in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to treat and manage leukaemia and related conditions.

Objectives: This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity and phytochemical profile of the aqueous extracts of Emelia M (EMB), Mshikazi and Delosma H decoctions.

Methods: Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), glutathione (GSH), phosphomolybdate and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assays.

Prioritizing the Catalytic Gatekeepers through Pan- Inhibitory Mechanism of Entrectinib against ALK, ROS1 and TRKA Tyrosine Kinases.

Despite the remarkable clinical activity of kinase inhibitors against anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and the closely related Ros1 and TRKA kinases, the emergence of resistance to these inhibitors often leads to relapse in most patients. Resistance is usually in the form of mutations and brain metastasis or inhibitors failing to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. The discovery of entrectinib has recently paved way for further exploration of kinase inhibitors that target ALK after it has reportedly demonstrated potency against ALK, Ros1, and TRKA kinases.

Evidence on collaboration of traditional and biomedical practitioners in the management of antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa over 15 years: a systematic review protocol.

Background: The overuse of prescribed antimicrobials, concurrent use of traditional medicine, and prescribed antimicrobials have led to antimicrobial resistance. The absence of collaboration between traditional health practitioners and biomedically trained healthcare professionals can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, treatment failure, overdose, toxicity, and misadministration. This scoping review explores the evidence on collaboration between traditional health practitioners and biomedically trained healthcare professionals to reduce antimicrobial resistance and treatment failure in bacterial and viral diseases.

Modulatory influences of antiviral bioactive compounds on cell viability, mRNA and protein expression of cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein in HepG2 and HEK293 cells.

The induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) influence drug plasma, and eventually decreases the drugs' therapeutic effects. The effects of Plant-derived compounds (PCs) on drug-metabolising proteins are largely unknown. This study investigated the cytotoxicity, cell viability profiles and regulatory influences of four PCs (epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), kaempferol-7-glucoside (K7G), luteolin (LUT) and ellagic acid (EGA)) on the mRNA and protein expressions of CYP3A4 and ABCB1 in HepG2 and HEK293 cells.

Unravelling the drugability of MSI2 RNA recognition motif (RRM) protein and the prediction of their effective antileukemia inhibitors from traditional herb concoctions.

MSI2 is a homolog 2 of the Musashi RNA binding proteins (MSI) and is known to contribute to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and expressed up to 70% in AML patients. High expression of MSI2 has been found to lead to the lower overall survival of patients with AML. This study proposed the potential antagonists of MSI2 RNA-recognition motifs (MSI2 RRM1) derived from the LC-MS analysis of three traditional herbal samples.

Molecular dynamic mechanism(s) of inhibition of bioactive antiviral phytochemical compounds targeting cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein.

P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) metabolize almost all known human immunodeficiency virus' protease inhibitor drugs (PIs). Over induction of these proteins' activities has been linked to rapid metabolism of PIs which are then pumped out of the circulatory system, eventually leading to drug-resistance in HIV-positive patients. This study aims to determine, with the use of computational tools, the inhibitory potential of four phytochemical compounds (PCs) (epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), kaempferol-7-glucoside (K7G), luteolin (LUT) and ellagic acid (EGA)) in inhibiting the activities of these drug-metabolizing proteins.

Direct reporting of adverse drug reactions by healthcare consumers in Africa: a narrative review.

Background The challenges of under-reporting of adverse drug reactions have been identified as a major setback for the pharmacovigilance system worldwide. Direct reporting by health care consumers has been adopted in some developed and developing countries with a positive impact in improving pharmacovigilance activities through increased reporting rate. There are limited reports on direct reporting and its outcome in Africa.

Tswana traditional health practitioners' perspectives on the management of diabetes and hypertension: a qualitative study using focus group discussions.

Introduction: The literature suggests the involvement of Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) perspectives in treating diabetes and hypertension in Africa. This study sought the perspectives of Tswana THPs in the management of both diabetes and hypertension.

Methods: Using a semi-structured interview guide, four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) sessions were held with 40 THPs; FGD1 (12) FGD2 (6); FGD3 (13) and FGD4 (9) who were purposely selected from Bojanala and Dr.

Expert consensus on clinical applicability of the American Geriatrics Society-Beers Criteria to older persons in Africa: An exploratory validation study.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: There are currently no criteria to guide appropriate prescribing to older persons in Africa. Although the American Geriatrics Society-Beers (AGS-Beers) Criteria appear to be favoured by African researchers, there is a need to adapt its recommendations to the continent's health care systems. This study aimed to adapt the AGS-Beers recommendations to Nigerian and South African health care contexts.

The knowledge, awareness, and perception of healthcare professionals about appropriate prescribing in the elderly: Findings from Nigeria and South Africa.

Rationale, Aims, And Objectives: Inappropriate prescribing is associated with preventable morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The American Geriatrics-Beers (AGS-Beers) Criteria was developed to guide healthcare professionals (HCPs) to prescribe medications appropriately in the elderly. However, there is a dearth of information about the knowledge and awareness of HCPs of these criteria, and their perceptions of appropriate prescribing in the elderly.

The pharmacokinetic properties of HIV-1 protease inhibitors: A computational perspective on herbal phytochemicals.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the most severe phase of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Recent studies have seen an effort to isolate phytochemicals from plants to repress HIV, but less studies have focused on the effects of these phytochemicals on the activities of enzymes/transporters involved in the metabolism of these drugs, which is one of the aims of this study and, to examine the antiviral activity of these compounds against HIV-1 protease enzyme using computational tools. Centre of Awareness-Food Supplement (COA®-FS) herbal medicine, has been said to have potential anti-HIV features.

Mapping the evidence of hepatoprotective properties of Moringa oleifera from sub-Saharan African countries: a systematic review protocol.

Background: One of the most challenging health problems is liver disease, which can be caused by medications, toxic substances, and excessive consumption of alcohol. Liver problems can be also caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, and food. This study aims to establish evidence of the use of Moringa oleifera in sub-Saharan African countries to manage liver damage conditions in animals.

Mapping evidence of the concomitant management of schistosomiasis by traditional health practitioners and health care professionals in communities with high prevalent infections: a systematic scoping review protocol.

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), being regarded as a neglected tropical disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Praziquantel is the conventional treatment recommended for schistosomiasis in mainstream healthcare systems. In many poor settings, while many people reportedly use both traditional medicine and public sector mainstream healthcare systems, little is known if those infected with schistosomiasis use both African traditional and prescribed antischistosomal medicines.

National Policies and Older People's Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undergoing a rapid demographic change, with more people reaching old age. There is, however, little information available about healthcare policies with regards to this age group in this region of the world.

Objectives: This scoping review aims to map the healthcare policies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) after the 2002 United Nations Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) with an eye towards to identifying strategies for promoting older people's access to health care, integration of older people's diseases into primary health care and the level of training and research in geriatrics and gerontology in SSA.

Prostate cancer biomarkers detection using nanoparticles based electrochemical biosensors.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent cancer with a high mortality rate. The early and accurate detection of PCa can significantly reduce mortality and saves lives. Hence, the nanomaterials based electrochemical nano-biosensors for PCa biomarkers will be the excellent alternative for diagnosis, detection and management of disease condition.

Potential inappropriate prescribing and associated factors among older persons in Nigeria and South Africa.

Background Potential inappropriate prescribing (PIP) among older persons is a global public health issue. However, trans-country data that can influence interventions on a global or regional level is scarce. Objectives To compare the prevalence of PIP and to determine the associated factors among older Nigerians and South Africans.