Advancing the frontiers of virology in Africa: The African Virologists Network's Mission and Progress.

Africa has long been a hotspot for emerging and re-emerging viral infections such as Ebola, Mpox, Lassa fever, HIV, and arboviruses. Despite the continent's critical role in virology, African virologists have historically lacked a dedicated platform for collaboration and influence in global health policies. The African Virologists Network (AVN) was established in 2019 to address these gaps, fostering research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.

Novel Expression of Apical Bile Acid Transport (ASBT) More Proximally Than Distal Ileum Contributing to Enhanced Intestinal Bile Acid Absorption in Obesity.

Dietary lipid absorption is facilitated by bile acids. In the Zucker rat (ZR) model of obesity, bile acid absorption, mediated by the apical sodium bile acid transporter (ASBT), was increased in villus cells from the distal ileum. However, whether ASBT may be de novo expressed more proximally in the small intestine during obesity to facilitate additional bile acid absorption is not known.

Availability of Adolescent and Young Adult-Specific Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs and Resources: A Review of the Websites of National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors often search online for information about cancer-related sexual and reproductive health concerns. A review of the websites of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers ( = 9) and comprehensive cancer centers ( = 58) was conducted to identify the presence of AYA-specific sexual and reproductive health programming and resources. No AYA-specific sexual health programs were found.

Intestinal Epithelial Cell Brush Border Membrane Cl:HCO Exchanger Regulation by Mast Cells in Chronic Ileitis.

Malabsorption of NaCl is the primary cause of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Coupled NaCl absorption occurs via the dual operation of Na:H and Cl:HCO exchange in the brush border membrane (BBM) of villus cells. Cl:HCO exchange is mediated by BBM transporters DRA (downregulated in adenoma) and PAT1 (putative anion transporter 1) in the mammalian small intestine.

Floristic Inventory and Diversity Assessment at Two Locations along the Shores of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Coastal vegetation plays significant roles such as stabilization of the surface against wind and erosion, and provision of critical terrestrial and aquatic habitats for organisms. Floristic studies serve as a way of monitoring and evaluating the health of ecosystems. Currently, information on the floristic composition and diversity along the shoreline of Cape Coast is scanty.