AKAP8 promotes ovarian cancer progression and antagonizes PARP inhibitor sensitivity through regulating hnRNPUL1 transcription.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the highest worldwide cancer mortality cause among gynecologic tumors, but its underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we report that the RNA binding protein A-kinase anchoring protein 8 (AKAP8) is highly expressed in ovarian cancer and predicts poor prognosis for ovarian cancer patients. AKAP8 promotes ovarian cancer progression through regulating cell proliferation and metastasis.

Correction: Suh Nchang et al. Knowledge about Asymptomatic Malaria and Acceptability of Using Tea among Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Yaoundé, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Survey. 2023, , 6309.

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A cross-sectional survey on the use of herbal tea among Cameroonian adults (18-65 years).

Background: In respect of the WHO's commendation to incorporate traditional medicine (TM) in health care, the Cameroon government wants to promote the use of the traditional medicine and is resolute on encouraging the treatment of patients with alternative medicine from traditional sources. This study explores the use of herbal tea by Cameroonian adults to prevent or treat diseases and the socio-demographic determinants of tea use among participants.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 307 Cameroonian adults (18-65 years) randomly selected within 4 hospitals and 4 communities in the Centre and Southwest regions of Cameroon between 04/01-20/04/2022, using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaires.

Effects of the suspension of mass drug administration during the COVID-19 pandemic on onchocerciasis prevalence in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts, West Region of Cameroon.

Onchocerciasis is an infectious disease of public health and socio-economic importance in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the suspension of implementation activities towards combating onchocerciasis in the Bandjoun and Massangam health districts in the West Region of Cameroon as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire.

Knowledge about Asymptomatic Malaria and Acceptability of Using Tea among Health Care Workers (HCWs) in Yaoundé, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Malaria is the most widespread endemic disease in Cameroon, and asymptomatic (gametocyte) carriers (APCs) constitute more than 95% of infectious human reservoirs in malaria endemic settings. This study assesses the knowledge of asymptomatic malaria (ASM) among health care workers (HCWs) in health facilities (HFs) in the Centre Region of Cameroon and the acceptability of using tea to treat APCs. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 100 HCWs, in four randomly selected HFs in the Centre Region, in the period of 1-20 April 2022, using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires.

Secondary Metabolites Isolated from and and Their Anti-Malarial, Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulating Properties-Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: A Review.

There are over 500 species of the genus in the Asteraceae family distributed over the globe, with varying potentials to treat different ailments. Following the isolation of artemisinin (a potent anti-malarial compound with a sesquiterpene backbone) from , the phytochemical composition of this species has been of interest over recent decades. Additionally, the number of phytochemical investigations of other species, including those of in a search for new molecules with pharmacological potentials, has increased in recent years.

A lipid transfer protein ensures nematode cuticular impermeability.

The cuticle of is impermeable to chemicals, toxins, and pathogens. However, increased permeability is a desirable phenotype because it facilitates chemical uptake. Surface lipids contribute to the permeability barrier.

Community engagement in epigenomic and neurocognitive research on post-traumatic stress disorder in Rwandans exposed to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi: lessons learned.

Epigenomic and neurocognitive studies have provided new perspectives on post-traumatic stress disorder and its intergenerational transmission. This article outlines the lessons learned from community engagement (CE) in such research on Rwandan genocide survivors. A strong trauma-related response was observed within the research project-targeted community (genocide survivors) during explanation of the project.

Immunoinformatics Design and Assessment of a Multiepitope Antigen (OvMCBL02) for Onchocerciasis Diagnosis and Monitoring.

Onchocerciasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease that has a significant socioeconomic impact, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Numerous reports indicate that the Expanded Special Project for the Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases needs novel diagnostic tools before achieving its goal of successful elimination of onchocerciasis in Africa. The current diagnostic tests are either invasive, insensitive, or not applicable in the field and about 25% of persons infected cannot mount immune responses against the single antigen used in the only approved Ov-16 serological test.

Prospective, randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair using conventional versus custom-made (mosquito) mesh performed in Cameroon: a short-term outcomes.

Background: Adverse economic conditions often prevent the widespread implementation of modern surgical techniques in third world countries such as in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Aim Of The Study: To demonstrate that a modern technique (laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty [TEP]) can safely be performed at significantly lower cost using inexpensive mesh material.

Settings: Douala University Hospital Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics and two affiliated centers, Ayos Regional Hospital and Edéa Regional Hospital in Cameroon.

Tandem Use of OvMANE1 and Ov-16 ELISA Tests Increases the Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Human Onchocerciasis.

The current serological test for human onchocerciasis relies on IgG4 reactivity against the parasite Ov-16 antigen, with reported sensitivities of only 60-80%. As control programs move from control to elimination, it is imperative to identify novel molecules that could improve the serodiagnosis reliability of this disease. In this study we compared the sensitivity of total IgG against OvMANE1-a chimeric antigen previously identified as a potential biomarker of human onchocerciasis-with that of an Ov-16 antibody test to detect an infection in persons presenting with microfilaria in skin snips.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of Water-Soluble, Dual Anionic and Cationic Ruthenium-Arene Complexes Bearing Imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate Ligands.

An efficient synthetic protocol was devised for the preparation of five cationic ruthenium-arene complexes bearing imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate ligands from the [RuCl(-cymene)] dimer and of an NHC·CS zwitterion. The reactions proceeded cleanly and swiftly in dichloromethane at room temperature to afford the expected [RuCl(-cymene)(SC·NHC)]Cl products in quantitative yields. When the [RuCl(-cymene)] dimer was reacted with only of a dithiolate betaine under the same experimental conditions, a set of five bimetallic compounds with the generic formula [RuCl(-cymene)(SC·NHC)][RuCl(-cymene)] was obtained in quantitative yields.

Onchocerciasis Fingerprints in the Geriatric Population: Does Host Immunity Play a Role?

One of the most debilitating consequences of aging is the progressive decline in immune function, known as immunosenescence. This phenomenon is characterized by a shift in T-cell phenotypes, with a manifest decrease of naive T-cells-dealing with newly encountered antigens-and a concomitant accumulation of senescent and regulatory T-cells, leading to a greater risk of morbidity and mortality in older subjects. Additionally, with aging, several studies have unequivocally revealed an increase in the prevalence of onchocerciasis infection.

Accuracy of malaria diagnostic tests performed on non-invasively collected samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: During the last decade, many studies have assessed the performance of malaria tests on non-invasively collected specimens, but no systematic review has hitherto estimated the overall performance of these tests. We report here the first meta-analysis estimating the diagnostic performance of malaria diagnostic tests performed on saliva, urine, faeces, skin odour ('sniff and tell') and hair, using either microscopy or PCR on blood sample as reference test.

Methods: We searched on PubMed, EMBASE, African Journals Online and Cochrane Infectious Diseases from inception until 19 January 2021 for relevant primary studies.

Fine scale analysis of malaria incidence in under-5: hierarchical Bayesian spatio-temporal modelling of routinely collected malaria data between 2012-2018 in Cameroon.

The current study aims to provide a fine-scale spatiotemporal estimate of malaria incidence among Cameroonian under-5, and to determine its associated environmental factors, to set up preventive interventions that are adapted to each health district of Cameroon. Routine data on symptomatic malaria in children under-5 collected in health facilities, between 2012 and 2018 were used. The trend of malaria cases was assessed by the Mann-Kendall (M-K) test.

In Vitro Antiplasmodial and Cytotoxic Activities of Compounds from the Roots of (Fabaceae).

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa, ranked in the top three infectious diseases in the world. Plants of the genus have been reported to be used for the treatment of this disease, but scientific evidence is still missing for some of them. In the present study, the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the crude extract and compounds from roots were tested against the 3D7 strain of and revealed using the SYBR Green, a DNA intercalating compound.

Computational Design and Preliminary Serological Analysis of a Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine Candidate against Onchocerciasis and Related Filarial Diseases.

Onchocerciasis is a skin and eye disease that exerts a heavy socio-economic burden, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, a region which harbours greater than 96% of either infected or at-risk populations. The elimination plan for the disease is currently challenged by many factors including amongst others; the potential emergence of resistance to the main chemotherapeutic agent, ivermectin (IVM). Novel tools, including preventative and therapeutic vaccines, could provide additional impetus to the disease elimination tool portfolio.

The Functional Parasitic Worm Secretome: Mapping the Place of Excretory Secretory Products.

Nematodes constitute a very successful phylum, especially in terms of parasitism. Inside their mammalian hosts, parasitic nematodes mainly dwell in the digestive tract (geohelminths) or in the vascular system (filariae). One of their main characteristics is their long sojourn inside the body where they are accessible to the immune system.

A pooled testing strategy for identifying SARS-CoV-2 at low prevalence.

Suppressing infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will probably require the rapid identification and isolation of individuals infected with the virus on an ongoing basis. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are accurate but costly, which makes the regular testing of every individual expensive. These costs are a challenge for all countries around the world, but particularly for low-to-middle-income countries.

The Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome and IL-6 Production by Derived Constituents Provides a Link to Its Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Potentials.

The activation of NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and/or its components is associated with the physio-pathogenesis of many respiratory diseases including asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), SARS Cov-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), and in several autoimmune diseases. . has been widely reported to be traditionally used in the treatment of different ailments, some of which are of inflammatory background such as asthma, wounds, headache, etc.

Entomological Assessment of Species Transmission by Black Flies in Selected Communities in the West Region of Cameroon.

The enormity of the public health burden of onchocerciasis motivated the creation of various large-scale control programs that have depended principally on mass treatment of endemic communities with ivermectin for the elimination of the disease. Parasitological evaluation of species in the West Region of Cameroon indicates significant progress in the interruption of parasite transmission in some communities under ivermectin treatment. However, to verify the complete elimination of onchocerciasis, entomological assessment through O-150 PCR poolscreen of black flies is mandatory.