Modelling epidemiological dynamics with pseudo-recovery via fractional-order derivative operator and optimal control measures.

In this study, a new deterministic mathematical model based on fractional-order derivative operator that describes the pseudo-recovery dynamics of an epidemiological process is developed. Fractional-order derivative of Caputo type is used to examine the effect of memory in the spread process of infectious diseases with pseudo-recovery. The well-posedness of the model is qualitatively investigated through Banach fixed point theory technique.

Synergistic Effect of Donepezil and Neurotropic B Vitamins on Dysregulated Antioxidant, Inflammation and Neurotransmitter Status in Aluminium Chloride-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats.

Combination therapy offers a promising advantage because they target multiple pathways involved in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of donepezil and each of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin B1 on aluminium chloride (AlCl)-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Fifty-four rats were divided into nine groups of six.

Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Response and Drug Efflux Transporters Upregulation as Possible Mechanisms of Resistance in Photodynamic Therapy of Cancers.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a groundbreaking approach involving the induction of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) within tumors through visible light activation of photosensitizers (PS) in the presence of molecular oxygen. This innovative therapy has demonstrated success in treating various cancers. While PDT proves highly effective in most solid tumors, there are indications that certain cancers exhibit resistance, and some initially responsive cancers may develop intrinsic or acquired resistance to PDT.

Folic acid supplementation on inflammation and homocysteine in type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The beneficial effects of folate have been observed under different conditions, but the available evidence on inflammation and reduction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is limited. The study aimed to explore the effects of folate on inflammation and homocysteine amongst individuals with T2DM.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were used to search for evidence.

Supporting re-engagement with HIV services after treatment interruption in South Africa: a mixed method program evaluation of MSF's Welcome Service.

Psychosocial challenges impact patients' ability to remain on antiretroviral therapy lifelong, magnified by disorganized health-systems and healthcare worker (HCW) attitudes. To address this, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Department of Health developed the Welcome Service intervention, to provide person-centered care at re-engagement after HIV treatment interruption. Implemented in Khayelitsha, South Africa, between August 2020 and February 2021, the intervention aimed to reorganize triage, optimize clinical and counselling services and address HCW attitudes.

Finite difference spectral collocation schemes for the solutions of boundary value problems.

This article introduces novel numerical approaches utilizing both standard and nonstandard finite difference methods to solve one-dimensional Bratu's problems. Using the quasilinearization technique, the original problem is converted into a sequence of linear problems. Chebyshev polynomials are employed to approximate the second derivative of the function , after which Sumudu transform is applied to obtain a new form of trial function.

Postnatal clubs: Implementation of a differentiated and integrated model of care for mothers living with HIV and their HIV-exposed uninfected babies in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Despite the overall reduction in the HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate in South Africa, poor adherence and retention in care during breastfeeding contribute to this period being a major driver of MTCT in South Africa. To improve this retention, postnatal clubs were created as an integrated, differentiated model of care providing psychosocial support and comprehensive care for the mother-infant pairs (MIP), including HIV and under-5-child services. We describe the implementation of these facility-based clubs and examine its health outcomes in a peri-urban primary health care setting in Cape Town, South Africa.

Profile of human papillomavirus genotypes in breast and oesophageal cancer patients in Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer is well established, and cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccination. Little has been reported on the association between HPV and breast carcinoma (BC) or oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Africa. It is possible that use of appropriate HPV vaccines against genotypes responsible for these cancers may also prevent their development.

Numerical examination of concentration-dependent wastewater sludge ejected into a drinking water source.

One of the significant water-related health challenges globally is due to pollutant fate. Contaminants endanger the lives of humans, animals, and even plants. The present mathematical analysis explains reactive wastewater sludge ejected into a drinking water source from wastewater treatment plants.

A Systematic Review on Cardiometabolic Risks and Perinatal Outcomes among Pregnant Women Living with HIV in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have been shown to cause metabolic changes in people living with HIV (PLWH), predisposing them to cardiometabolic disease (CVMD). However, such evidence is less established in pregnant women living with HIV (pWLWH) on ART. Pregnancy-induced cardiometabolic risks (CMR) can predispose to unfavourable pregnancy outcomes and further persist in the postpartum period, resolve, and recur in subsequent pregnancies, or emerge as newly diagnosed chronic diseases of ageing.

Advancing HIV Drug Resistance Technologies and Strategies: Insights from South Africa's Experience and Future Directions for Resource-Limited Settings.

Monitoring of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) remains critical for ensuring countries attain and sustain the global goals for ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. On an individual patient level, drug resistance results assist in ensuring unnecessary treatment switches are avoided and subsequent regimens are tailored on a case-by-case basis, should resistance be detected. Although there is a disparity in access to HIVDR testing in high-income countries compared to low- and middle-income countries (LMICS), more LMICs have now included HIVDR testing for individual patient management in some groups of patients.

A Comprehensive Review on Pharmacological Activities of Pachypodol: A Bioactive Compound of an Aromatic Medicinal Plant Pogostemon Cablin Benth.

As is well known, plant products have been increasingly utilized in the pharmaceutical industry in recent years. By combining conventional techniques and modern methodology, the future of phytomedicines appears promising. (patchouli) is an important herb used frequently in the fragrance industries and has various therapeutic benefits.

Phenolic composition of ten plants species used as ethnoveterinary medicines in Omusati and Kunene regions of Namibia.

The therapeutic benefits of phenolic compounds found in plants are well known. The purpose of this study was to determine the phenolic content of ten plant species used as ethnoveterinary treatments in Namibia's Omusati and Kunene regions. The plants of concern were Aloe esculenta, Fockea angustifolia, Boscia albitrunca, Combretum imberbe, Acacia nilotica, Colophospermum mopane, Acacia erioloba, Ziziphus mucronata, Ximenia americana, and Salvadora persica.

Presence and Virulence Characteristics of Shiga Toxin and Non-Shiga Toxin-Producing O157 in Products from Animal Protein Supply Chain Enterprises in South Africa.

Consumption of food that is contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) has been linked to serious foodborne disease outbreaks. Our aim was to provide a descriptive study on the presence and virulence factors of STEC and non-STEC O157 isolates recovered from 2017 diverse meat and meat product samples from all provinces of South Africa ( = 1758) and imported meat from South Africa's major ports of entry ( = 259). A cross-sectional study was undertaken to analyze raw intact meat, raw processed (nonintact) meat, and ready-to-eat (RTE) meat from cattle, game, sheep, pork, and poultry.

Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer among Women Attending Gynecology Clinics in Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: Cervical cancer is mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Worldwide, knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer among women is reported to be inadequate. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of HPV and cervical cancer among women attending gynecology clinics at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

Survey of Ethnoveterinary Medicines Used to Treat Livestock Diseases in Omusati and Kunene Regions of Namibia.

The aim of this study was to find, evaluate, and document ethnoveterinary medications used to treat livestock ailments in Namibia's Omusati and Kunene regions. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview a total of 100 people. The results of the survey will be useful in creating the groundwork for future scientific research and validation.

Evaluation of ILEX SelfCerv for Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection in Gynecology Clinic Attendees at a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa.

Background: The SelfCerv Self-Collection Cervical Health Screening Kit (Ilex Medical Ltd., Johannesburg, South Africa) is an applicator tampon designed for self-collection of vaginal samples for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and E6/E7 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). The study aimed to evaluate the performance of the SelfCerv applicator tampon for the detection of hr-HPV for cervical cancer screening, and further to investigate women's experiences and preferences regarding self-sampling.

High-risk human papillomavirus detection in self-collected vaginal samples compared with healthcare worker collected cervical samples among women attending gynecology clinics at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: In 2017, the South African National Department of Health (NDoH) Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy was revised. Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on self-collected samples may offer improved screening uptake. The objectives of the study were to compare the positivity of high-risk (hr)-HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and hrHPV viral messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) between healthcare worker-collected cervical and self-collected vaginal samples and investigate the accuracy of the applicator-tampon-based self-collected samples in detecting hrHPV DNA and hrHPV mRNA.

Body Roundness Index, A Body Shape Index, Conicity Index, and Their Association with Nutritional Status and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South African Rural Young Adults.

Background: The study aimed to investigate the association of Body Roundness Index (BRI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), and Conicity Index with nutritional status and cardiovascular risk factors in South African rural young adults.

Methods: The study included a total of 624 young adults aged 21-30 years from the Ellisras rural area. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure (BP), and biochemical measurements were measured.

Twenty-four-month outcomes from a cluster-randomized controlled trial of extending antiretroviral therapy refills in ART adherence clubs.

Introduction: The antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence club (AC) model has supported clinically stable HIV patients' retention with group ART refills and psychosocial support. Reducing visit frequency by increasing ART refills to six months could further benefit patients and unburden health systems. We conducted a pragmatic non-inferiority cluster randomized trial comparing standard of care (SoC) ACs and six-month refill intervention ACs in a primary care facility in Khayelitsha, South Africa.

Sulphamoylated Estradiol Analogue Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Generation to Exert Its Antiproliferative Activity in Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME), a 17β-estradiol metabolite, exerts anticancer properties in vitro and in vivo. To address 2ME's low bioavailability, research led to the in silico design of sulphamoylated 2ME analogues. However, the role of oxidative stress induced in the activity exerted by sulphamoylated compounds remains elusive.

Human Papillomavirus Prevalence in Oral and Oropharyngeal Rinse and Gargle Specimens of Dental Patients and of an HIV-Positive Cohort from Pretoria, South Africa.

Introduction: Studies on HPV prevalence in the head and neck region of South Africans are sparse. Of the available reports in the literature, there were no studies on the association between HPV-DNA presence in the mouth and oropharynx in relation to high-risk behaviours such as oral sex practice or tobacco and alcohol use.

Materials And Methods: Following ethical clearance and informed consent, patients attending a regional HIV-management clinic and patients attending a dental hospital were recruited to this study.

Modelling malaria dynamics with partial immunity and protected travellers: optimal control and cost-effectiveness analysis.

A mathematical model of malaria dynamics with naturally acquired transient immunity in the presence of protected travellers is presented. The qualitative analysis carried out on the autonomous model reveals the existence of backward bifurcation, where the locally asymptotically stable malaria-free and malaria-present equilibria coexist as the basic reproduction number crosses unity. The increased fraction of protected travellers is shown to reduce the basic reproduction number significantly.