Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Coinfection on Clinical Severity and Outcomes Among Children Hospitalized With Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Soweto, South Africa.

Background: No data are available regarding the interplay and clinical manifestations of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) coinfection in African children. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes between RSV-only, SARS-CoV-2-only and RSV/SARS-CoV-2 coinfection lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in hospitalized African children.

Methods: Prospective surveillance of children (0-59 months) hospitalized with severe LRTI was undertaken between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2023, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Prolonged Water-Only Fasting Followed by a Whole-Plant-Food Diet Is a Potential Long-Term Management Strategy for Hypertension and Obesity.

This single-arm, pre-post interventional trial (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04515095) investigates the safety, feasibility, and potential effectiveness of prolonged water-only fasting followed by a whole-plant-food diet in the long-term management of hypertension and other cardiometabolic disorders. Safety was assessed based on adverse events (AEs) that were recorded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.

Cellobiose lipids: applications, production, and downstream processing.

Cellobiose lipids (CBLs) are glycolipid biosurfactants that have garnered attention due to their potential applications in diverse industries. Here, we review the current state of CBL research, from production and purification, to the potential applications of CBLs. We elucidate CBL functionality and consider some commercial applications, as well as how operating conditions (e.

Treatment Outcomes of Tuberculosis Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Zimbabwe: A Follow-Up Observational Study Using Secondary Data.

In Zimbabwe, artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) are a key vulnerable group with high risk for tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and silicosis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate treatment outcomes of TB among ASMs. We conducted a follow-up observational study using secondary data.

Health Screening Strategies for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners for Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Silicosis: A Case of the USAID-Supported Kunda Nqob'iTB Project in Zimbabwe.

Artisanal and small-scale mining is characterized by excessive exposure to physical, chemical, ergonomic, psychosocial and biological hazards. There is a high burden of tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and silicosis among artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs). The aim of this project report is to describe lessons learned from strategies implemented to reach ASMs with screening services for TB, HIV and silicosis in Zimbabwe through the Kunda-Nqob'i TB (KNTB) project supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A review on the upstream production and downstream purification of mannosylerythritol lipids.

Biosurfactants are natural compounds with remarkable surface-active properties that may offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional surfactants. Among them, mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) stand out as an intriguing example of a glycolipid biosurfactant. MELs have been used in a variety of sectors for various applications, and are currently commercially produced.

All-cause and pathogen-specific lower respiratory tract infection hospital admissions in children younger than 5 years during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-22) compared with the pre-pandemic period (2015-19) in South Africa: an observational study.

Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions affected the circulation of and illness due to endemic respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the incidence of admissions to hospital for overall and specific pathogen-associated lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with incidence in the pre-pandemic period.

Methods: In this observational study, we analysed surveillance data for children younger than 5 years from two public hospitals in Soweto, South Africa, for all-cause LRTI, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, human metapneumovirus, and Bordetella pertussis from Jan 1, 2015 to Dec 31, 2022.

Controlled Deposition of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Doped Nanofibers Mats for Improving the Interlaminar Properties of Glass Fiber Hybrid Composites.

The properties of glass fiber composites were improved by strengthening the interlaminar regions using electrospun nanofibers mats. However, the chaotic nature of the electrospinning process at the collector restricts the controlled deposition and alignment of nanofibers and limits the use of electrospun nanofibers as secondary reinforcements. Hence, auxiliary vertical electrodes were used, which drastically reduced the diameter of the nanofibers from 450 nm to 150 nm and also improved the alignment of nanofibers.

A Six-Week Follow-Up Study on the Sustained Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting and Refeeding on Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk.

(1) Background: Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance are associated with cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Therapeutic water-only fasting and whole-plant-food refeeding was previously shown to improve markers of cardiometabolic risk and may be an effective preventative treatment but sustained outcomes are unknown. We conducted a single-arm, open-label, observational study with a six-week post-treatment follow-up visit to assess the effects of water-only fasting and refeeding on markers of cardiometabolic risk.

Patient journey and resources mapping to implement a praziquantel mass drug administration program for children aged 5 years and below in resource-limited settings.

Background: The early childhood development of millions of children in some low- and medium-income countries may be compromised by schistosomiasis infections contracted at the age of 5 years and below. Currently, there are no standard guidelines for treating schistosomiasis in children that are 5 years and younger using praziquantel (PZQ), the only drug that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends for treating schistosomiasis. The review is on processes and resources involved in the treatment of schistosomiasis in children aged 5 years and below.

Potential Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting Followed by a Whole-Plant-Food Diet on Salty and Sweet Taste Sensitivity and Perceived Intensity, Food Liking, and Dietary Intake.

The overconsumption of calorie-dense foods high in added salt, sugar, and fat is a major contributor to current rates of obesity, and methods to reduce consumption are needed. Prolonged water-only fasting followed by an exclusively whole-plant-food diet free of added salt, oil, and sugar may reduce the consumption of these hyper-palatable foods, but such effects have not been quantified. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary study to estimate the effects of this intervention on salty and sweet taste detection and recognition thresholds and perceived taste intensity after at least five days of fasting and at refeed day three.

The Effects of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting and Refeeding on Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk.

(1) Background: Cardiometabolic disease, including insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, are major contributors to adverse health outcomes. Fasting has gained interest as a nonpharmacological therapeutic adjunct for these disorders. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center study on the effects of prolonged water-only fasting followed by an exclusively whole-plant-food refeeding diet on accepted measures of cardiovascular risk and metabolic health.

Acquired Factor VII Deficiency Presenting with Bleeding Diathesis in a 52-Year-Old Black Man in Botswana.

Background: Factor VII is one of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors synthesized in the liver and has a short circulating half-life of 4 - 5 hours.

Methods: We report a case of a 52-year-old black man who presented with life-threatening bleeding from multiple sites.

Results: We determined that it was caused by acquired factor VII deficiency of less than 5%.

Modification of zein dough functionality using kafirin as a coprotein.

Kafirin, sorghum prolamin, was investigated as a coprotein for zein as visco-elastic masses and in starch-based model doughs. Regular kafirin and kafirins from waxy and high protein digestibility (HD) sorghum crosses were studied. HPLC revealed that waxy-HD kafirin was of smaller molecular size and low in β-kafirin.

A Game Theoretic Analysis of Competition Between Vaccine and Drug Companies during Disease Contraction and Recovery.

Background: Infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS are behaviorally challenging for persons, vaccine and drug companies, and donors.

Methods: In 3 linked games in which a disease may or may not be contracted, persons choose risky or safe behavior (game 1). Two vaccine companies (game 2) and 2 drug companies (game 3) choose whether to develop vaccines and drugs.

Decisions of persons, the pharmaceutical industry, and donors in disease contraction and recovery assuming virus mutation.

Background: The article develops an eight-period game between N persons and a pharmaceutical company. The choices of a donor and Nature are parametric.

Methods: Persons choose between safe and risky behavior, and whether or not to buy drugs.

A prospective risk assessment of the implementation of a schistosomiasis preventive mass drug administration for children aged five years and below in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal.

Background: Schistosomiasis is endemic in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The South Africa Department of Health (DoH) has decided to implement a schistosomiasis preventive mass drug administration program in all affected parts of the country. Quality management is part of the strategic objectives of the treatment program.

A Power Conundrum: Black Women and Their Sexual Partners in the Midwest.

The purpose of this research was to determine the extent to which women of African ancestry manifested power in their relationships regarding sexual activities and to examine the influence that specific variables had on their sexual partnerships. A sample ( = 200) of midlife women aged 40-65, who lived in the Midwest participated in this research. The Sexual Relationship Power Scale was used to examine these relationships.

What are the effects of Teach For America on Math, English Language Arts, and Science outcomes of K-12 students in the USA?

Unlabelled: This Campbell systematic review examines the impact of Teach For America (TFA) on learning outcomes. Four studies were included in the review. Studies had to be a quantitative evaluation of the effects of TFA on K-12 student academic outcomes.

Allocation of development assistance for health: is the predominance of national income justified?

Gross national income (GNI) per capita is widely regarded as a key determinant of health outcomes. Major donors heavily rely on GNI per capita to allocate development assistance for health (DAH). This article questions this paradigm by analysing the determinants of health outcomes using cross-sectional data from 99 countries in 2012.

Atomic-scale study of the amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition mechanism in GeTe thin films.

The underlying mechanism driving the structural amorphous-to-crystalline transition in Group VI chalcogenides is still a matter of debate even in the simplest GeTe system. We exploit the extreme sensitivity of Fe emission Mössbauer spectroscopy, following dilute implantation of Mn (T½ = 1.5 min) at ISOLDE/CERN, to study the electronic charge distribution in the immediate vicinity of the Fe probe substituting Ge (Fe), and to interrogate the local environment of Fe over the amorphous-crystalline phase transition in GeTe thin films.

Charge states and lattice sites of dilute implanted Sn in ZnO.

The common charge states of Sn are 2+  and 4+. While charge neutrality considerations favour 2+  to be the natural charge state of Sn in ZnO, there are several reports suggesting the 4+  state instead. In order to investigate the charge states, lattice sites, and the effect of the ion implantation process of dilute Sn atoms in ZnO, we have performed Sn emission Mössbauer spectroscopy on ZnO single crystal samples following ion implantation of radioactive In (T   =  2.

Policy makers, the international community and the population in the prevention and treatment of diseases: case study on HIV/AIDS.

A four-period game is developed between a policy maker, the international community, and the population. This research supplements, through implementing strategic interaction, earlier research analyzing "one player at a time". The first two players distribute funds between preventing and treating diseases.