Transforming the Health Research Workforce in Mozambique: Achievements of the Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER) over a 13‑Year Journey.

African research capacity is challenged by insufficient infrastructure to solicit and manage grants from local and international funding agencies. The manuscript provides an overview and discusses lessons learned about the pioneering role of the Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER) as the first research support center (RSC) in supporting the management of research grants in Mozambique, emphasizing its impact on research capacity development. Using mixed methods, data were comprehensively collected to identify MIHER's primary achievements from 2010 to 2023.

Routine Pediatric Surgical Emergencies: Incidence, Morbidity, and Mortality During the 1st 8000 Days of Life-A Narrative Review.

Background: Many potentially treatable non-congenital and non-traumatic surgical conditions can occur during the first 8000 days of life and an estimated 85% of children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will develop one before 15 years old. This review summarizes the common routine surgical emergencies in children from LMICs and their effects on morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A narrative review was undertaken to assess the epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes of common surgical emergencies that present within the first 8000 days (or 21.

Surgically Correctable Congenital Anomalies: Reducing Morbidity and Mortality in the First 8000 Days of Life.

Background: Congenital anomalies are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to review the common surgically correctable congenital anomalies with recent updates on the global disease burden and identify the factors affecting morbidity and mortality.

Method: A literature review was done to assess the burden of surgical congenital anomalies with emphasis on those that present within the first 8000 days of life.

Evaluating pediatric car safety compliance in motor vehicle collisions: Identifying high-risk groups for improper restraint usage.

Purpose: To identify patient factors associated with improper restraint usage and worse trauma outcomes for pediatric patients involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs).

Methods: Retrospective study performed at a Level I pediatric trauma center for patients (≤18 yr) evaluated after MVC between 2008 and 2018. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was used to measure neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage (NSD) levels based on the patient's home address.

Fostering Sustainable Biomedical Research Training in Mozambique: A Spin-Off of the Medical Education Partnership Initiative.

Background: The further development of research capacity in low- and middle-income countries is critical to the delivery of evidence-based healthcare, the design of sound health policy and effective resource allocation. Research capacity is also critical for the retention of highly skilled faculty and staff and for institutional internationalization.

Objectives: We summarize the accomplishments, challenges and legacy of a five-year program to train biomedical researchers entitled "Enhanced Advanced Biomedical Research Training for Mozambique (EABRTM)".

Estimates of Treatable Deaths Within the First 20 Years of Life from Scaling Up Surgical Care at First-Level Hospitals in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Background: Surgical care is an important, yet often neglected component of child health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examines the potential impact of scaling up surgical care at first-level hospitals in LMICs within the first 20 years of life.

Methods: Epidemiological data from the global burden of disease 2019 Study and a counterfactual method developed for the disease control priorities; 3rd Edition were used to estimate the number of treatable deaths in the under 20 year age group if surgical care could be scaled up at first-level hospitals.

Integrating traffic safety data with area deprivation index: A method to better understand the causes of pediatric pedestrian versus automobile collisions.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical and traffic factors that influence pediatric pedestrian versus automobile collisions (P-ACs) with an emphasis on health care disparities.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of pediatric (18 years or younger) P-ACs treated at a Level I pediatric trauma center from 2008 to 2018. Demographic, clinical, and traffic scene data were analyzed.

Trends in Surgical Case Volume During Pacific Partnership Missions Onboard USNS Mercy.

Introduction: Since 2006, the U.S. Navy has conducted six Pacific Partnership (PP) missions throughout Southeast Asia on board the U.

Just Stick a Scope in: Laparoscopic Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in the Pediatric Reoperative Abdomen.

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement into the reoperative abdomen can be challenging due to intraperitoneal adhesions. Laparoscopic guidance may provide safe abdominal access and identify an area for optimal cerebrospinal fluid drainage. The study aim was to compare laparoscopic-assisted VPS placement to an "open" approach in patients with prior abdominal surgery.

Extremes of age are associated with differences in the expression of selected pattern recognition receptor genes and ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2: implications for the epidemiology of COVID-19 disease.

Background: Older aged adults and those with pre-existing conditions are at highest risk for severe COVID-19 associated outcomes.

Methods: Using a large dataset of genome-wide RNA-seq profiles derived from human dermal fibroblasts (GSE113957) we investigated whether age affects the expression of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) genes and ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2.

Results: Extremes of age are associated with increased expression of selected PRR genes, ACE2 and four genes that encode proteins that have been shown to interact with SAR2-CoV-2 proteins.

Assessment of Surgical Care Provided in National Health Services Hospitals in Mozambique: The Importance of Subnational Metrics in Global Surgery.

Introduction: Surgery plays a critical role in sustainable healthcare systems. Validated metrics exist to guide implementation of surgical services, but low-income countries (LIC) struggle to report recommended metrics and this poses a critical barrier to addressing unmet need. We present a comprehensive national sample of surgical encounters from a LIC by assessing the National Health Services of Mozambique.

Regulation of the Gene and Its Protein Product IkBζ in Animal Models of Sepsis and Endotoxic Shock.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises from a poorly regulated inflammatory response to pathogenic organisms. Current treatments are limited to antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and other supportive therapies. New targets for monitoring disease progression and therapeutic interventions are therefore critically needed.

Inclusion of Children's Surgery in National Surgical Plans and Child Health Programmes: the need and roadmap from Global Initiative for Children's Surgery.

About 1.7 billion children and adolescents, mostly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lack access to surgical care. While some of these countries have developed surgical plans and others are in the process of developing theirs, children's surgery has not received the much-needed specific emphasis and focus in these plans.

Ovarian volume ratio is a reliable predictor of ovarian torsion in girls without an adnexal mass.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to identify ultrasound-based predictors of ovarian torsion in girls without an adnexal mass and establish a set of normal values for ovarian volume ratio (OVR).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all premenarchal patients ≥3 years of age with a normal pelvic ultrasound between January 2016 and January 2019. A comparison group of premenarchal girls presenting between 2011 and 2019 with torsion in the absence of an adnexal mass was utilized.

Patience is a virtue: Multiple preoperative visits are associated with decreased recurrence in pediatric pilonidal disease.

Background/purpose: This study aimed to compare preoperative management strategies for patients undergoing trephination for pilonidal disease and evaluate risk factors for recurrence.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of children undergoing index surgical treatment with trephination for pilonidal disease between September 2017 and April 2019. Intraoperative and postoperative management were standardized.

An Analysis of Essential Pediatric Surgical Cases Encountered During a Decade of Large-Scale Military Humanitarian Aid Missions.

Introduction: Disease Control Priorities, 3rd Edition (DCP3) is an evidence-based, published resource that outlines essential procedures recommended for developing health care systems. These systems must consider various populations and the incidence of certain surgical conditions that require treatment. In relation to pediatric patients, the prevalence of certain surgical conditions encountered remains unclear in several low- and middle-income countries.

Differential expression of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins from urban and rural populations in Morocco.

Urbanization in low-income countries represents an important inflection point in the epidemiology of disease, with rural populations experiencing high rates of chronic and recurrent infections and urban populations displaying a profile of noncommunicable diseases. To investigate if urbanization alters the expression of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins, we queried gene microarray data from rural and urban populations living in Morocco (GSE17065). The R Bioconductor packages edgeR and limma were used to identify genes with different expression.

Patient-oriented online resources in pediatric surgery: Are we failing the readability test?

Background: The study aim was to evaluate the readability of patient-oriented resources in pediatric surgery from children's hospitals in the US.

Methods: The websites of 30 children's hospitals were evaluated for information on 10 common pediatric surgical procedures. Hospitals of varying characteristics including bed number, geographic location and ACS Children's Surgery Verification (CSV) were selected for the study.

Undescended retropharyngeal parathyroid adenoma with adjacent thymic tissue in a 13-year-old boy with primary hyperparathyroidism.

We describe a rare presentation of a symptomatic parathyroid adenoma located in an ectopic retropharyngeal position in a 13-year-old boy. Preoperative CT scan and MRI demonstrated the ectopic location of the parathyroid adenoma. The patient underwent successful parathyroidectomy with cure of his hyperparathyroidism.

Premenarchal patients present differently: A twist on the typical patient presenting with ovarian torsion.

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to characterize differences between pre- and postmenarchal females with ovarian torsion.

Methods: A single-center review was conducted of all nonneonatal pediatric patients with ovarian torsion from 2011 to 2018. Clinical data were compared between pre- and postmenarchal patients.

The Greater Omentum-A Vibrant and Enigmatic Immunologic Organ Involved in Injury and Infection Resolution.

Once thought of as an inert fatty tissue present only to provide insulation for the peritoneal cavity, the omentum is currently recognized as a vibrant immunologic organ with a complex structure uniquely suited for defense against pathogens and injury. The omentum is a source of resident inflammatory and stem cells available to participate in the local control of infection, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. It is intimately connected with the systemic vasculature and communicates with the central nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis.