Effect of Combination Antihypertensive Pills on Blood Pressure Control.

Background: Hypertension is a global health issue causing increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Adherence to prescribed medication is a crucial factor in obtaining targeted outcomes, and fixed-dose combined antihypertensive pills (FCAPs) have been shown to help combat difficulties associated with polypharmacy management. This study investigated the influence of combination antihypertensives on blood pressure (BP) management.

Occurrence and risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surficial water and sediment from Buffalo River estuary, South Africa.

This study assessed PBDE congeners in surface water and sediment from the Buffalo River estuary, East London, South Africa. Samples were collected across three seasons in 2020 and analyzed using GC-MS and GC-μECD to respectively identify and quantify analytes. The concentration of ∑PBDEs in the surface water and sediment ranged from n.

Factors affecting detection and estimation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration of COVID-19 positive cases in wastewater influent: A systematic review.

Background: Wastewater Based Surveillance (WBS) has emerged as a novel monitoring tool for tracking and estimating the dissemination of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) within communities.

Objective: The goal of this review is to assess the factors that influence estimations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration estimations in wastewater.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) criteria in the electronic databases Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Medline.

Effectiveness of magnetite nanoparticles for the removal of DNA of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli from municipal wastewater.

Water is an important component of life and plays a vital role in human and animal lives, and because of these essential roles of water to life, access to quality water and in adequate quantity becomes imperative. Subsequently, water/wastewater systems have become established as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance determinants in the environment. In this study, we carried out the synthesis and characterization of magnetite nanoparticles for use in the removal of genomic DNA of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli isolate in aqueous system.

Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Genomes in Wastewaters and the Associated Potential Infection Risk for Plant Workers in Typical Urban and Peri-Urban Communities of the Buffalo City Region, South Africa.

The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in wastewater has been reported in several studies and similar research can be used as a proxy for an early warning of potential Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks. This study focused on profiling the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in wastewater samples obtained from facilities located in the Buffalo City Municipality. Raw samples were collected weekly using the grab technique for a period of 48 weeks.

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter species in wastewater effluents: A menace of environmental and public health concern.

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter species in wastewater effluents presents a formidable challenge at the intersection of environmental sustainability and public health. This study examined the presence of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter in wastewater effluents in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, and its implications for environmental ecosystems and public health. Forty-five samples from household effluent (HHE) and wastewater treatment plant effluent (WWTPE) were collected at different geographical locations within the province between April and September 2022.

New-onset atrial fibrillation detected by ambulatory ECG monitoring after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Little is known about the occurrence of subclinical new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of subclinical NOAF after TAVI.

Methods: This was a multicentre study, including patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and no previous atrial fibrillation undergoing TAVI, with continuous ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG) monitoring after TAVI.

Scoping review of the recommendations and guidance for improving the quality of rare disease registries.

Background: Rare disease registries (RDRs) are valuable tools for improving clinical care and advancing research. However, they often vary qualitatively, structurally, and operationally in ways that can determine their potential utility as a source of evidence to support decision-making regarding the approval and funding of new treatments for rare diseases.

Objectives: The goal of this research project was to review the literature on rare disease registries and identify best practices to improve the quality of RDRs.

Longitudinal Studies of Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review, Limitations, and Recommendations in Preparation of Projected Aging Population.

Background And Objectives: The United Nations has projected a 218% increase in older people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) between 2019 and 2050, underscoring the need to explore changes that would occur over this time. Longitudinal studies are ideal for studying and proffering solutions to these changes. This review aims to understand the breadth and use of longitudinal studies on aging in the SSA regions, proffering recommendations in preparation for the projected aging population.

Association of Psychosocial Risk Factors With Quality of Life and Readmissions 1 Year After LVAD Implantation.

Background: Among patients with advanced heart failure (HF), treatment with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We investigated the association between psychosocial risk factors, HRQOL and outcomes after LVAD implantation.

Methods: A retrospective cohort (n = 9832) of adults aged ≥ 19 years who received durable LVADs between 2008 and 2017 was identified by using the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS).

Assessment of elemental chemistry, spatial distribution, and potential risks of road-deposited dusts in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Road dust is a major source of pollution in the environment, carrying different pollutants, including heavy metals and metalloids, from one location to another. This study assesses the concentrations of eight heavy metals and one metalloid (Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, and As) in dust samples collected from sixty-eight streets of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates using ICP-OES, as well as investigates their effects on both the environment and humans. Mean concentrations of the elements in μg/g across the sites were 392 ± 46 (Zn), 68.

An Overview of Date () Fruits as an Important Global Food Resource.

Dates are the fruits of the date palm belonging to the family; they comprise over 2500 species and 200 genera and constitute an essential part of the daily diet worldwide, with beneficial nutritional, health, and economic values. Several varieties of date palm () fruit exist globally, especially in hot and humid regions. This review is an overview of date palms as a significant global food resource, including their historical significance, nutritional composition, cultivation practices, economic importance, and health benefits.

Building consensus on priority areas for Sub-Saharan Africa's ageing population research: An e-Delphi study protocol.

Background: Improvement in medico-social services has increased life expectancy and population ageing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It was estimated that about 163 million people aged 65 and older will be resident in SSA by 2050. There is inadequate ageing research capacity in SSA which necessitates this study to (a) identify a decade-long ageing research opportunities, challenges, and solutions, and (b) prioritize critical ageing research areas and methodologies relevant to the SSA.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors Among Former National Football League Players.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, but prevalence estimates in former professional athletes are limited.

Objectives: HUDDLE (Heart Health: Understanding and Diagnosing Disease by Leveraging Echocardiograms) aimed to raise awareness and estimate the prevalence of CVD and associated risk factors among members of the National Football League (NFL) Alumni Association and their families through education and screening events.

Methods: HUDDLE was a multicity, cross-sectional study of NFL alumni and family members aged 50 years and older.

Poor Medication Access as a Driver of Excess Heart-Failure Readmissions Among Patients Living in Economically Deprived Neighborhoods.

Background: Patients residing in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods experience higher hospital readmission rates after hospitalization for heart failure (HF). The role of medication access in the excessive readmissions in this group is poorly understood. This study explored patients' perspectives on medication access by individuals living in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods who had experienced HF readmission.

The Impact of Frailty on Outcomes of Proximal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery: A Nationwide Analysis.

(1) Background: This study examines frailty's impact on proximal aortic surgery outcomes. (2) Methods: All patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm who underwent aortic root, ascending aorta, or arch surgery from the 2016-2017 National Inpatient Sample were included. Frailty was defined by the Adjusted Clinical Groups Frailty Indicator.

Draft genome sequence of multi-drug resistant subsp. isolated from a teaching hospital wastewater in South West, Nigeria.

This broadcast is about the whole genome sequence of subsp. (ST 1422) isolated from a teaching hospital wastewater in South West, Nigeria, in May 2022. This data set compiles information on the DNA size (5,332,183 bp) and GC content (57.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Perioperative Health Care Among Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

There has been little progress in reducing health care disparities since the 2003 landmark Institute of Medicine's report Unequal Treatment. Despite the higher burden of cardiovascular disease in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, they have less access to cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, and have higher rates of morbidity and mortality with cardiac surgical interventions. This review summarizes existing literature and highlights disparities in cardiovascular perioperative health care.

Gender and Race Differences in HeartMate3 Left Ventricular Assist Device as a Bridge to Transplantation.

Background: Gender and racial disparities exist after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Compared with older devices, the HeartMate 3 (HM3) (Abbott Cardiovascular) has demonstrated improved survival. Whether HM3 differentially improves outcomes by gender or race and ethnic groups is unknown.