Detailed phenotyping reveals diverse and highly skewed neutrophil subsets in both the blood and airways during active tuberculosis infection.

Introduction: Neutrophils play a complex and important role in the immunopathology of TB. Data suggest they are protective during early infection but become a main driver of immunopathology if infection progresses to active disease. Neutrophils are now recognized to exist in functionally diverse states, but little work has been done on how neutrophil states or subsets are skewed in TB disease.

Pectin/sodium alginate-based active film integrated with microcrystalline cellulose and geraniol for food packaging applications.

Biopolymer-based packaging films were prepared from pectin (PEC) and sodium alginate (SA), with the incorporation of 10 % MCC and different concentrations of geraniol (GER at 2.5, 5.0, 7.

Clearance of persistent SARS-CoV-2 associates with increased neutralizing antibodies in advanced HIV disease post-ART initiation.

SARS-CoV-2 clearance requires adaptive immunity but the contribution of neutralizing antibodies and T cells in different immune states is unclear. Here we ask which adaptive immune responses associate with clearance of long-term SARS-CoV-2 infection in HIV-mediated immunosuppression after suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. We assembled a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 infected people in South Africa (n = 994) including participants with advanced HIV disease characterized by immunosuppression due to T cell depletion.

Prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) program outcomes in South Africa in the pre-COVID and COVID eras.

Introduction: Two decades after implementing the Prevention of Mother to Child transmission (PMTCT) program, South Africa has still not managed to eliminate intrauterine mother-to-child (MTCT) HIV transmission. During the COVID pandemic access to maternal health services was reduced, potentially compromising the PMTCT program.

Method: A retrospective record review was conducted at a midwife-run obstetric unit in a high HIV prevalence setting.

Effect of High-Pressure Processing on the Packaging Properties of Biopolymer-Based Films: A Review.

Suitable packaging material in combination with high-pressure processing (HPP) can retain nutritional and organoleptic qualities besides extending the product's shelf life of food products. However, the selection of appropriate packaging materials suitable for HPP is tremendously important because harsh environments like high pressure and high temperature during the processing can result in deviation in the visual and functional properties of the packaging materials. Traditionally, fossil-based plastic packaging is preferred for the HPP of food products, but these materials are of serious concern to the environment.

Prevalence, incidence and seroconversion of HIV and Syphilis infections among pregnant women of South Africa.

Background: Pregnant women in South Africa suffer from HIV and syphilis infections resulting in negative pregnancy outcomes. Little is known about the prevalence, incidence, seroconversion, and associated risk factors for those attending a midwife run obstetric unit.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic from January to December 2018.

Synthesis and characterization of novel tamarind gum and rice bran oil-based emulgels for the ocular delivery of antibiotics.

In this study, we developed tamarind gum (TG) and rice bran oil (RBO)-based emulgels. The control formulation (TR0), did not contain RBO. The emulgels were named as TR1, TR2, TR3, and TR4, which contained 5% (w/w), 10% (w/w), 15% (w/w), and 20% (w/w/) of RBO, respectively.

Incidence of Obstetric and Foetal Complications during Labor and Delivery at a Community Health Centre, Midwives Obstetric Unit of Durban, South Africa.

The objectives of this retrospective cohort study were to estimate the incidence of obstetric complications during labor and delivery and their demographic predictors. A total of 2706 pregnant women were consecutively admitted to a midwife obstetric unit with labor pain between January and December 2007 constituted the sample. Among them 16% were diagnosed with obstetrical and foetal complications.

Comparison of perinatal and obstetrics outcomes among early adolescents, late adolescents and adult pregnant women from rural South Africa.

Objectives: Adolescent pregnancies are known to be associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. The objectives were to calculate the incidences of the obstetric and perinatal complications at the time of delivery of early adolescent and late adolescent mothers and then compare the same with adult pregnant mothers.

Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted by targeting women delivered at Empangeni hospital.

Naltrexone in drug addiction: significance in the prevention of relapse.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate significance of the naltrexone in the management of drug addiction. A total of 108 opiate dependent drug abusers were included in this study. The study period was May 2004 to March 2008.

Evaluation of cervical cancer screening program at a rural community of South Africa.

Objective: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of deaths among women worldwide. But the condition is preventable through regular screening of women those are 'at risk' for abnormal changes in the cervix and treating them who have positive results. Although screening facilities are available in South Africa, the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer remains very high and many women present health facilities with late stage diseases.