Effect of berry maturity stages on the germination and protein constituents of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum) seeds.

African nightshade (Solanum scabrum) is a vegetable of great importance in several African countries. Production by seed is constrained by limited access to high quality seed, leaving farmers unable to meet the growing demand. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of berry maturity stages (mature green and purple) on germination and protein components of African nightshade seeds.

Draft genome sequence of 16 isolated from cashew nuts from coastal Kenya.

is a soil-borne fungus known for its aflatoxin contamination of agricultural products. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 16 predicted aflatoxin-producing isolated from cashew nuts from coastal Kenya.

Aedes albopictus saliva contains a richer microbial community than the midgut.

Background: Past findings demonstrate that arthropods can egest midgut microbiota into the host skin leading to dual colonization of the vertebrate host with pathogens and saliva microbiome. A knowledge gap exists on how the saliva microbiome interacts with the pathogen in the saliva. To fill this gap, we need to first define the microbial composition of mosquito saliva.

Predictive modeling of copper (II) adsorption from aqueous solutions by sawdust: a comparative analysis of adaptive neuro-fuzzy interference system (ANFIS) and artificial neural network (ANN) approaches.

Heavy metal ions are considered to be the most prevalent and toxic water contaminants. The objective of thois work was to investigate the effectiveness of employing the adsorption technique in a laboratory-size reactor to remove copper (II) ions from an aqueous medium. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) were used in this study.

Associations between intravaginal practices and incidence of sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis among women enrolled in the dapivirine vaginal ring trial (The Ring Study) in southwestern Uganda: a retrospective secondary analysis.

Objectives: We assessed associations between intravaginal practices (IVPs) and the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) among women using the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR) or placebo vaginal ring in southwestern Uganda.

Methods: This was a retrospective secondary analysis of data collected from women at risk of HIV infection recruited into the Ring Study. The latter evaluated the safety and efficacy of the DVR between 2013 and 2016.

Changes in self-reported risky sexual behaviour indicators among adults receiving regular risk reduction counselling and optional initiation of pre-exposure prophylaxis in an HIV vaccine preparedness study in Masaka, Uganda.

Background: HIV risk reduction counselling may reduce risk-taking behaviours. Yet, concerns remain about risk compensation among individuals initiating pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Objective: We assessed changes in risky sexual behaviour indicators among HIV vaccine preparedness study participants who received regular risk reduction counselling and referral for PrEP in Masaka, Uganda.

A Comparison of the Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as Additives in Ultrafiltration Membranes (PES-UF): Characterization and Performance.

This work demonstrated the potential of CNC as a substitute for PEG as an additive in ultrafiltration membrane fabrication. Two sets of modified membranes were fabricated using the phase inversion technique, with polyethersulfone (PES) as the base polymer and 1-N-methyl-2 pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent. The first set was fabricated with 0.

Willingness to pay brand premiums for generic medicines in Kenya: A bidding game experiment.

Background: Recent growth in the market share of higher priced branded generic medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has raised concerns around affordability and access. We examined consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for branded versus unbranded generic non-communicable disease (NCD) medicines in Kenya.

Methods: We randomly assigned NCD patients to receive a hypothetical offer for either a Novartis Access-branded medicine or for an unbranded generic equivalent.

A Comparison of Unmodified and Sawdust Derived-Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC)-Modified Polyamide Membrane Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Zeta Potential Analysis.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) obtained from waste sawdust were used to modify the polyamide membrane fabricated by interfacial polymerization of m-phenylene-diamine (MPDA) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The efficiency of the modification with sawdust-derived CNC was investigated using zeta potential and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effect of the modification on membrane mechanical strength and stability in acidic and alkaline solutions was also investigated.

Midwifery centers as enabled environments for midwifery: A quasi experimental design assessing women's birth experiences in three models of care in Bangladesh, before and during covid.

Background: The midwifery model of care is a human rights-based approach (HRBA) that is unique and appropriate for the majority of healthy pregnant women, yet full expression may be limited within the medical model. Midwifery centers are facilities designed specifically to enable the practice of midwifery. In high resource countries, they have been shown to be cost effective, evidence-based, avoid over medicalization, and provide safe, efficient and satisfying care.

Preparation of Copper-Decorated Activated Carbon Derived from Tree Fiber for Antimicrobial Applications.

This study focuses on a greener approach to synthesizing activated carbon by carbonizing tree fibers (TFSA) with 98% HSO at 100 °C. The resulted TFSA was employed as an effective adsorbent for copper ions in aqueous media, yielding copper decorated TFSA (Cu@TFSA). The successful adsorption of copper onto the TFSA was proven through extensive characterization techniques.

A Novel Sustainable Process for Multilayer Graphene Synthesis Using CO from Ambient Air.

Graphene produced by different methods can present varying physicochemical properties and quality, resulting in a wide range of applications. The implementation of a novel method to synthesize graphene requires characterizations to determine the relevant physicochemical and functional properties for its tailored application. We present a novel method for multilayer graphene synthesis using atmospheric carbon dioxide with characterization.

Preparation of Nanofiltration Membrane Modified with Sawdust-Derived Cellulose Nanocrystals for Removal of Nitrate from Drinking Water.

In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) derived from sawdust were successfully incorporated into a nanofiltration membrane produced by the interfacial polymerization of piperazine (PIP) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The characteristics of unmodified and CNC-modified membranes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), zeta potential measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle measurement. The performance of the membranes in terms of nitrate removal and water flux was investigated using 60 mg/L of potassium nitrate solution in a dead-end test cell.

Household access to non-communicable disease medicines during universal health care roll-out in Kenya: A time series analysis.

Objectives: This study aims to describe trends and estimate impact of county-level universal health coverage expansion in Kenya on household availability of non-communicable disease medicines, medicine obtainment at public hospitals and proportion of medicines obtained free of charge.

Methods: Data from phone surveillance of households in eight Kenyan counties between December 2016 and September 2019 were used. Three primary outcomes related to access were assessed based on patient report: availability of non-communicable disease medicines at the household; non-communicable disease medicine obtainment at a public hospital versus a different outlet; and non-communicable disease medicine obtainment free of cost versus at a non-zero price.

Zika virus and temperature modulate Elizabethkingia anophelis in Aedes albopictus.

Background: Vector-borne pathogens must survive and replicate in the hostile environment of an insect's midgut before successful dissemination. Midgut microbiota interfere with pathogen infection by activating the basal immunity of the mosquito and by synthesizing pathogen-inhibitory metabolites.

Methods: The goal of this study was to assess the influence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and increased temperature on Aedes albopictus midgut microbiota.

Probability and amount of medicines expenditure according to health insurance status in Kenya: A household survey in eight counties.

Background: National and county governments in Kenya have introduced various health insurance schemes to protect households against financial hardship as a result of large health expenditure. This study examines the relationship between health insurance and medicine expenditure in eight counties in Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of collected primary data via household survey in eight counties was performed.

Infection with endosymbiotic Spiroplasma disrupts tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) metabolic and reproductive homeostasis.

Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) house a population-dependent assortment of microorganisms that can include pathogenic African trypanosomes and maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria, the latter of which mediate numerous aspects of their host's metabolic, reproductive, and immune physiologies. One of these endosymbionts, Spiroplasma, was recently discovered to reside within multiple tissues of field captured and laboratory colonized tsetse flies grouped in the Palpalis subgenera.

Coping with access barriers to non-communicable disease medicines: qualitative patient interviews in eight counties in Kenya.

Background: There is rich literature on barriers to medicines access for the treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in high-income countries. Less is known about low- and middle-income countries, in particular the differences in coping with medicines access barrier by household wealth and disease. The aim of this study was to compare the coping mechanisms of patients with the lack of availability and affordability of cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and asthma medicines in Kenya.

Phone-based monitoring to evaluate health policy and program implementation in Kenya.

Monitoring and evaluating policies and programs in low- and middle-income countries are often difficult because of the lack of routine data. High mobile phone ownership in these countries presents an opportunity for efficient data collection through telephone interviews. This study examined the feasibility of collecting data on medicines through telephone interviews in Kenya.

Corrigendum: Zika Virus Infection Results in Biochemical Changes Associated With RNA Editing, Inflammatory and Antiviral Responses in .

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.

Assessment of risk compensation following use of the dapivirine vaginal ring in southwestern Uganda.

Objectives: Participation in HIV prevention trials could trigger risk compensation among participants. We evaluated potential risk compensation following use of a vaginal ring microbicide by women in a phase III trial in southwestern Uganda.

Methods: We used markers of sexual risk behaviour documented on standardised questionnaires, tested for STIs at baseline and quarterly for 2 years.