Publications by authors named "N Banda"

Article Synopsis
  • Lead exposure negatively affects fertility and child brain development in mice, with reduced conception rates observed when both males and females are exposed.
  • The study involved four groups of mice to analyze the effects of lead from contaminated soil over four weeks and how these exposures impacted reproduction and neurological performance in their offspring.
  • Results showed that both maternal and paternal Pb exposure led to poor performance in neurological tests for the offspring, with paternal effects being more significant in female offspring, possibly indicating an X-chromosome link.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Systemic use of nanomedicines activates the complement cascade, leading to immune responses that can affect their safety and effectiveness.
  • Research found significant differences in complement activation levels by PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoworms (SPIO NWs), highlighting that factors like age and specific antibodies play important roles in this activation.
  • Anti-PEG IgM levels were identified as strong predictors of high complement activation with PLD, while the relationship with antidextran IgG and IgM for SPIO NWs was weaker, emphasizing the importance of immunoglobulins in complement interactions with nanoparticles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • PTB survivors face ongoing respiratory issues after treatment, leading to anxiety and uncertainty about seeking further care.
  • In-depth interviews and focus groups revealed that there is limited counseling for patients and no clear pathways for returning to healthcare services post-treatment.
  • The study emphasizes the need for improved guidelines and practices to enhance the care of TB-survivors, as current approaches may contribute to missed diagnoses and public health risks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In Malawi, the national pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) demonstrated less herd immunity than the USA, likely due to higher natural pneumococcal carriage rates. We assessed PCV13 efficacy against experimental pneumococcal carriage in healthy Malawian adults. We explored how natural carriage (pneumococcal carriage of any other serotype apart from 6B) influenced experimental carriage rates and vaccine efficacy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF