Emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron (BA.1) variant across Africa: an observational study.

Background: In mid-November, 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant (B.1.1.

Draft genome sequence of Kei apple, an underutilized African tree crop.

To address food and nutrition security in the face of burgeoning global populations and erratic climatic conditions there is a need to include nutrient dense, climatic resilient but neglected indigenous fruit trees in agrifood systems. Here we present the draft genome sequence of Kei Apple, Dovyalis afra, a neglected indigenous African fruit tree with untapped potential to contribute to nutrient security and improved livelihoods. Our long-read-based genome assembly comprises 440 Mbp sequence across 1190 contigs with a N50 and L50 of 13.

Transferrin Disassociates TCR from CD3 Signaling Apparatus to Promote Metastasis.

Immune recognition and activation by the peptide-laden major histocompatibility complex-T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex is essential for anti-tumor immunity. Tumors may escape immune surveillance by dissembling the complex. Here, we report that transferrin, which is overexpressed in patients with liver metastasis, disassociates TCR from the CD3 signaling apparatus by targeting the constant domain (CD) of T cell receptor α (TCRα), consequently suppresses T cell activation, and inhibits anti-metastatic and anti-tumor immunity.

A Tachyplesin Antimicrobial Peptide from Theraphosidae Spiders with Potent Antifungal Activity Against .

The venoms of Theraphosidae spiders have evolved into diverse natural pharmacopeias through selective pressures. is a global health threat that frequently causes life-threatening meningitis and fungemia, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we identify a novel anti- peptide, QS18 (QCFKVCFRKRCFTKCSRS), from the venom gland of China's native spider species by utilizing bioinformatic tools.

Correction: Determination of reference intervals for common chemistry and immunoassay tests for Kenyan adults based on an internationally harmonized protocol and up-to-date statistical methods.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The microbiome's influence on obesity: mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

In 2023, the World Obesity Atlas Federation concluded that more than 50% of the world's population would be overweight or obese within the next 12 years. At the heart of this epidemic lies the gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem that profoundly influences obesity-related metabolic health. Its multifaced role encompasses energy harvesting, inflammation, satiety signaling, gut barrier function, gut-brain communication, and adipose tissue homeostasis.

Peptide Toxin Diversity and a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from the Spider .

Spider venoms are emerging as a rich source of bioactive peptide toxins with therapeutic potential. Lynx spiders of the genus are small, cursorial hunters that employ complex venom to subdue arthropod prey. However, extracting crude venom from these diminutive arachnids poses significant challenges.

Toward a Radically Simple Multi-Modal Nasal Spray for Preventing Respiratory Infections.

Nasal sprays for pre-exposure prophylaxis against respiratory infections show limited protection (20-70%), largely due to their single mechanism of action-either neutralizing pathogens or blocking their entry at the nasal lining, and a failure to maximize the capture of respiratory droplets, allowing them to potentially rebound and reach deeper airways. This report introduces the Pathogen Capture and Neutralizing Spray (PCANS), which utilizes a multi-modal approach to enhance efficacy. PCANS coats the nasal cavity, capturing large respiratory droplets from the air, and serving as a physical barrier against a broad spectrum of viruses and bacteria, while rapidly neutralizing them with over 99.

Preliminary efficacy of a community health worker homebased intervention for the control and management of hypertension in Kiambu County, Kenya- a randomized control trial.

Introduction: In Sub Saharan Africa, there is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, which poses a big challenge to the resource-limited health system in these settings.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a community health workers (CHWs) home-based lifestyle interventions to improve blood pressure (BP) control and body composition among hypertensive patients in low-income populations of Kiambu County, Kenya.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 80 patients with uncontrolled high BP (systolic BP (SBP) ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90) randomized to either a CHW homebased intervention or a usual care (control) arm and followed up for 6 months.

Long-Term Effects of COVID-19: The Stories of 2 Physicians Who Became Patients.

Approximately 10% of patients who survive COVID-19 will proceed to have lasting, often debilitating effects, known as "long COVID." These symptoms can take various forms, most commonly including postexertional malaise, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, heart palpitations, diminished sexual desire or capacity, loss of smell or taste, thirst, chronic cough, chest pain, and abnormal movements. Here, 2 physician-patients present their own experiences with long COVID and share their perspectives on the experience.

Timeliness metrics for screening and preventing TB in household contacts of pulmonary TB patients in Kenya.

Background: The study assessed whether a "7-1-7" timeliness metric for screening and TB preventive therapy (TPT) could be implemented for household contacts (HHCs) of index patients with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB under routine programmatic settings in Kenya.

Methods: A longitudinal cohort study conducted among index patients and their HHCs in 12 health facilities, Kiambu County, Kenya.

Results: Between January and June 2023, 95% of 508 index patients had their HHCs line-listed within 7 days of initiating anti-TB treatment ("First 7").

Europe as a secondary distribution hub in the worldwide invasion of the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis.

The potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis originates from the Andean Mountain region in South America and has unintentionally been introduced to all inhabited continents. Several studies have examined the population genetic structure of this pest in various countries by using microsatellite markers. However, merging microsatellite data produced from different laboratories is challenging and can introduce uncertainty when interpreting the results.

Comparing labour induction outcomes using misoprostol and dinoprostone in term pregnancies: A retrospective study at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital between 2018 and 2020.

Background: The Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) was introduced in Kenya in 2016 and implemented at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital (KL5H) three years later in 2019. During a routine MPDSR meeting at KL5H, committee members identified a possible link between the off-label use of 200mcg misoprostol tablets divided eight times to achieve the necessary dose for labour induction (25mcg) and maternal deaths. Following this, an administrative decision was made to switch from misoprostol to dinoprostone for the induction of labour in June of 2019.

Blap-6, a Novel Antifungal Peptide from the Chinese Medicinal Beetle against .

() is a pathogenic fungus that can cause life-threatening meningitis, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. The current standard treatment involves the combination of amphotericin B and azole drugs, but this regimen often leads to inevitable toxicity in patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new antifungal drugs with improved safety profiles.

Effects of stigma on quality of life of cancer survivors: Preliminary evidence from a survivorship programme in Kenya.

Unlabelled: Globally, cancer is a major public health problem. There is a paucity of information regarding stigma and how it affects the cancer survivors' quality of life (QoL) in Kenya. In a recent report by Globocan, 42,116 new cases and 27,072 fatalities related to cancer were documented in Kenya in 2020.

Phytochemical screening, FTIR and GCMS analysis of seeds cultivated in Kiambu county, Kenya.

Bioactive compounds and other constituents of plants have been shown to vary by cultivation region, species, environmental conditions and method of extraction among others. Phytochemical analysis of s farmed in Kiambu County, Kenya, or their seeds has not been documented. The present research aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by screening phytochemicals and characterizing the seed extracts of cultivated in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors among HIV infected patients on HAART.

Understanding the impact of disease associations is becoming a priority in Kenya and other countries bearing the load of infectious diseases. With the increased incidences of non-communicable diseases and the endemicity of infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, their co-existence poses significant challenges to patients, health workers and an overwhelmed health sector. Classical risk factors for diabetes such as physical inactivity and unhealthy diet may not solely explain the current trends, suggesting the role of novel risk factors including infections/inflammation.

Human transferrin receptor can mediate SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been detected in almost all organs of coronavirus disease-19 patients, although some organs do not express angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), a known receptor of SARS-CoV-2, implying the presence of alternative receptors and/or co-receptors. Here, we show that the ubiquitously distributed human transferrin receptor (TfR), which binds to diferric transferrin to traffic between membrane and endosome for the iron delivery cycle, can ACE2-independently mediate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Human, not mouse TfR, interacts with Spike protein with a high affinity (K ~2.

Nature Forest Reserves in Tanzania and their importance for conservation.

Since 1997 Tanzania has undertaken a process to identify and declare a network of Nature Forest Reserves (NFRs) with high biodiversity values, from within its existing portfolio of national Forest Reserves, with 16 new NFRs declared since 2015. The current network of 22 gazetted NFRs covered 948,871 hectares in 2023. NFRs now cover a range of Tanzanian habitat types, including all main forest types-wet, seasonal, and dry-as well as wetlands and grasslands.

Air-soil cycling of oxygenated, nitrated and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in source and receptor areas.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their oxygenated and nitrated derivatives, OPAHs and NPAHs, are semivolatile air pollutants which are distributed and cycling regionally. Subsequent to atmospheric deposition to and accumulation in soils they may re-volatilise, a secondary source which is understudied. We studied the direction of air-soil mass exchange fluxes of 12 OPAHs, 17 NPAHs, 25 PAHs and one alkylated PAH in two rural environments being influenced by the pollutant concentrations in soil and air, by season, and by land cover.

Transferrin Is Up-Regulated by Microbes and Acts as a Negative Regulator of Immunity to Induce Intestinal Immunotolerance.

Cross-talks (e.g., host-driven iron withdrawal and microbial iron uptake between host gastrointestinal tract and commensal microbes) regulate immunotolerance and intestinal homeostasis.