Factors associated with positive human papillomavirus (HPV) test results in cervical precancer screening: a cross-sectional study at Souro Sanou National Teaching Hospital (SSNTH) in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Introduction: Human papilloma virus testing is a new method of screening for precancerous cervical lesions. Here we identified factors associated to the positive Human papilloma virus-testing in the context of cervical precancer screening at the Souro Sanou National Teaching Hospital in Burkina Faso.

Materials And Method: Conducted from June 2021-May 2022, this was a cross-sectional study, including patients aged between 25 and 55 years-old and screened for precancerous lesions and received HPV-testing at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine (DGORM) of the SSNTH.

Diabetes knowledge and associated factors in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in youth is becoming a public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Burkina Faso. However, little is known about the level of knowledge of these patients on T1D. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of diabetes in adolescents and young adults about the disease, and identify the factors associated in Burkina Faso.

HIV Replication Increases the Mitochondrial DNA Content of Plasma Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargo have been studied intensively as potential sources of biomarkers in HIV infection; however, their DNA content, particularly the mitochondrial portion (mtDNA), remains largely unexplored. It is well known that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and prolonged antiretroviral therapy (ART) lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced mtDNA copy in cells and tissues. Moreover, mtDNA is a well-known damage-associated molecular pattern molecule that could potentially contribute to increased immune activation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response.

Development and evaluation of an electronic algorithm using a combination of a two-step malaria RDT and other rapid diagnostic tools for the management of febrile illness in children under 5 attending outpatient facilities in Burkina Faso.

Background: In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), febrile illnesses remain a major public health problem in children. However, the persistence of hrp2 antigen and the low sensitivity of pLDH RDT negatively affect antimalarials and antibiotics prescription practices. These limitations lead to poor management of febrile diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Plasma vesicular miR-155 as a biomarker of immune activation in antiretroviral treated people living with HIV.

People living with HIV (PLWH), despite suppression of viral replication with antiretroviral therapy (ART), have high morbidity and mortality due to immune activation and chronic inflammation. Discovering new biomarkers of immune activation status under ART will be pertinent to improve PLWH quality of life when the majority will be treated. We stipulate that plasma large and small extracellular vesicle (EVs) and their microRNA content could be easily measured biomarkers to monitor immune activation in PLWH.

Vesicular MicroRNA as Potential Biomarkers of Viral Rebound.

Changes in the cellular microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in response to HIV infection, replication or latency have been reported. Nevertheless, little is known concerning the abundance of miRNA in extracellular vesicles (EVs). In the search for a reliable predictor of viral rebound, we quantified the amount of miR-29a, miR-146a, and miR-155 in two types of plasma extracellular vesicles.

Immunovirological discordance among female sex workers who start antiretroviral therapy in Burkina Faso.

Background: In people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) leads to sustained effective suppression of viral replication and increasing CD4 + T cell count. However, a fraction of ART-treated patients still fail to reach adequate CD4 + T cell number despite a suppressed viral load (VL), and this phenomenon is defined as immunovirological discordance (IVD). In Africa, several studies have reported immunovirological outcomes of antiretroviral therapy, but little is known about IVD occurrence in Female sex workers (FSW).

Enabling online determination of the size-dependent RNA content of lipid nanoparticle-based RNA formulations.

The potential of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as nucleic acid delivery vehicles has been demonstrated in recent years, culminating in the emergency use approval of LNP-based mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in late 2020. The determination of RNA content relative to LNP size can be important to the understanding of efficacy and adverse effects. This work presents the first description of a facile and rapid analytical method for online, size-dependent RNA payload distribution measurement using data from multi-angle light scattering, ultraviolet and refractive index detectors following separation of the LNPs by size-exclusion chromatography.

From training to practice: a report of professional capacity development in Health Research in West Africa.

Background: Between 2008 and 2013, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) conducted a series of post-graduate capacity building in research methodology in West Africa. This work evaluated the contribution of these trainings in terms of knowledge acquisition and influence of research and policy practice. Cooke's conceptual framework for assessing research capacity building was used with three data sources to construct the indicators (training reports, research project implementation reports and WAHO research programme evaluation report).

Improved multidetector asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation method for particle sizing and concentration measurements of lipid-based nanocarriers for RNA delivery.

Lipid-based nanoparticles for RNA delivery (LNP-RNA) are revolutionizing the nanomedicine field, with one approved gene therapy formulation and two approved vaccines against COVID-19, as well as multiple ongoing clinical trials. As for other innovative nanopharmaceuticals (NPhs), the advancement of robust methods to assess their quality and safety profiles-in line with regulatory needs-is critical for facilitating their development and clinical translation. Asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation coupled to multiple online optical detectors (MD-AF4) is considered a very versatile and robust approach for the physical characterisation of nanocarriers, and has been used successfully for measuring particle size, polydispersity and physical stability of lipid-based systems, including liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles.

A health knowledge brokering intervention in a district of Burkina Faso: A qualitative retrospective implementation analysis.

Background: A knowledge brokering (KB) intervention was implemented in Burkina Faso. By creating partnerships with health system actors in one district, the broker was expected to assess their knowledge needs, survey the literature to provide the most recent research evidence, produce various knowledge translation tools, and support them in using research to improve their actions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the key factors that influenced the KB project and to make recommendations for future initiatives.

Characterization of Proteins by Size-Exclusion Chromatography Coupled to Multi-Angle Light Scattering (SEC-MALS).

Analytical size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), commonly used for the determination of the molecular weight of proteins and protein-protein complexes in solution, is a relative technique that relies on the elution volume of the analyte to estimate molecular weight. When the protein is not globular or undergoes non-ideal column interactions, the calibration curve based on protein standards is invalid, and the molecular weight determined from elution volume is incorrect. Multi-angle light scattering (MALS) is an absolute technique that determines the molecular weight of an analyte in solution from basic physical equations.

High-Throughput Analytical Light Scattering for Protein Quality Control and Characterization.

We present a review of high-throughput techniques for the characterization and quality control of proteins in the course of purification, evaluation, and formulation, based on static and dynamic light scattering. Multi-angle static light scattering (MALS) in combination with rapid, low-volume UHPLC size exclusion chromatography is effective in characterizing key biophysical properties, while dynamic light scattering (DLS) in high-throughput microwell-plate format provides large quantities of data in a short time to screen many conditions, excipients, cell lines, or candidate biotherapeutics.

[Do quality improvement teams contribute to the improvement of community Health Workers' performance in Benin?].

Objective: Community Health Workers (CHWs) were promoted in Benin to improve maternal and child health care (MCH). To improve community health workers' performance, a Quality Improvement Team (QIT) was set up to reinforce CHW capacities. The objective of this work is to present an assessment of QIT's contribution to CHW's performance and MCH coverage in the municipality of Savè.

Ion Exchange Chromatography (IEX) Coupled to Multi-angle Light Scattering (MALS) for Protein Separation and Characterization.

Ion-exchange chromatography with multi-angle light scattering (IEX-MALS) is a powerful method for protein separation and characterization. The combination of the high-specificity separation technique IEX with the accurate molar mass analysis achieved by MALS allows the characterization of heterogeneous protein samples, including mixtures of oligomeric forms or protein populations, even with very similar molar masses. Therefore, IEX-MALS provides an additional level of protein characterization and is complementary to the standard size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) technique.

Characterizing Reversible Protein Association at Moderately High Concentration Via Composition-Gradient Static Light Scattering.

Analysis of weakly self-associating macromolecules at concentrations beyond a few g/L is challenging on account of the confounding effect of thermodynamic nonideality on the association signal. When the reversible association comprises only 1 or 2 oligomeric species in equilibrium with the monomer, the nonideality may be accounted for in a relatively rigorous manner, but if more association states are involved, the analysis becomes quite complex. We show that under reasonable assumptions, the nonideality in a composition-gradient static light scattering measurement may be accounted for in a simple fashion.

Correction: The Methanol Poisoning Outbreaks in Libya 2013 and Kenya 2014.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The Methanol Poisoning Outbreaks in Libya 2013 and Kenya 2014.

Background: Outbreaks of methanol poisoning occur frequently on a global basis, affecting poor and vulnerable populations. Knowledge regarding methanol is limited, likely many cases and even outbreaks go unnoticed, with patients dying unnecessarily. We describe findings from the first three large outbreaks of methanol poisoning where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) responded, and evaluate the benefits of a possible future collaboration between local health authorities, a Non-Governmental Organisation and international expertise.

Task Shifting the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases to Nurses in Kibera, Kenya: Does It Work?

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa there is an increasing need to leverage available health care workers to provide care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study was conducted to evaluate adherence to Médecins Sans Frontières clinical protocols when the care of five stable NCDs (hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, epilepsy, asthma, and sickle cell) was shifted from clinical officers to nurses.

Methods: Descriptive, retrospective review of routinely collected clinic data from two integrated primary health care facilities within an urban informal settlement, Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya (May to August 2014).

[Tolerance of copper intrauterine device in nulliparous patients: a single-center prospective study].

Introduction: The purpose of this work was to study the continuation rate of intrauterine device (IUD) copper in a nulliparous population.

Patients And Method: A prospective study in a family planning centre including nulliparous patients between January and December 2012.

Results: A total of 83 nulliparous patients had IUD copper insertion and 11 patients were excluded because they were lost to follow-up.

What prevent women for a sustainable use of maternal care in two medical districts of Burkina Faso? A qualitative study.

Introduction: Skilled attendance is one of the major strategies to curtail maternal mortality, specifically in developing countries. Despite the low level of equipment, it is only in health facilities that skilled care are provided during pregnancy and childbirth; but there are some barriers which prevent women to use health facilities for good care.

Methods: This study was carried out in Ouargaye where a skilled care initiative was implemented by Family care International with the aim to increase the skilled attendance at delivery and Diapaga, the control district.