Acute Appendicitis Due to Enterobius vermicularis Infestation: A Case Report.

Acute appendicitis is the most frequent abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. While luminal obstruction due to fecaliths and lymphoid hyperplasia is a common cause, parasitic infections are a rare but significant contributor. , the most common helminthic infection in developed countries, can trigger appendiceal inflammation through a mechanical obstruction or immune response.

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops.

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources.

Hydrogen Sulfide Delivery to Enhance Bone Tissue Engineering Cell Survival.

Though crucial for natural bone healing, local calcium ion (Ca) and phosphate ion (P) concentrations can exceed the cytotoxic limit leading to mitochondrial overload, oxidative stress, and cell death. For bone tissue engineering applications, HS can be employed as a cytoprotective molecule to enhance mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) tolerance to cytotoxic Ca/P concentrations. Varied concentrations of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaSH), a fast-releasing HS donor, were applied to assess the influence of HS on MSC proliferation.

Human Cytochrome P450 1, 2, 3 Families as Pharmacogenes with Emphases on Their Antimalarial and Antituberculosis Drugs and Prevalent African Alleles.

Precision medicine gives individuals tailored medical treatment, with the genotype determining the therapeutic strategy, the appropriate dosage, and the likelihood of benefit or toxicity. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme families 1, 2, and 3 play a pivotal role in eliminating most drugs. Factors that affect CYP function and expression have a major impact on treatment outcomes.

Congenital Peritoneal Encapsulation: A Literature Review of a Rare Pathology.

Congenital peritoneal encapsulation (CPE) is a rare, congenital entity in which an accessory peritoneal membrane surrounds the small bowel. This condition is usually asymptomatic and rarely causes intestinal obstruction. Despite the rare cause of intestinal obstruction, it has excellent post-operative recovery.

Preliminary Structure-Activity Relationship Study of the MMV Pathogen Box Compound MMV675968 (2,4-Diaminoquinazoline) Unveils Novel Inhibitors of .

New drugs are urgently needed for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). In line with our quest for novel inhibitors of trypanosomes, a small library of analogs of the antitrypanosomal hit (MMV675968) available at MMV as solid materials was screened for antitrypanosomal activity. In silico exploration of two potent antitrypanosomal structural analogs (-MMV1578647 and -MMV1578445) as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) was achieved, together with elucidation of other antitrypanosomal modes of action.

Slipknot or Crystallographic Error: A Computational Analysis of the DHFR Structural Folds.

The presence of protein structures with atypical folds in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) is rare and may result from naturally occurring knots or crystallographic errors. Proper characterisation of such folds is imperative to understanding the basis of naturally existing knots and correcting crystallographic errors. If left uncorrected, such errors can frustrate downstream experiments that depend on the structures containing them.

Subcutaneous Emphysema and Pneumomediastinum Following Non-invasive Ventilation in a Patient With Severe COVID-19 Disease.

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) and pneumomediastinum are rare complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While SE is often non-fatal and usually self-remitting, pneumomediastinum can be fatal with high mortality rates depending on the underlying etiology. Here, we present the case of a 39-year-old otherwise healthy male who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Understanding the Pyrimethamine Drug Resistance Mechanism via Combined Molecular Dynamics and Dynamic Residue Network Analysis.

In this era of precision medicine, insights into the resistance mechanism of drugs are integral for the development of potent therapeutics. Here, we sought to understand the contribution of four point mutations (N51I, C59R, S108N, and I164L) within the active site of the malaria parasite enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) towards the resistance of the antimalarial drug pyrimethamine. Homology modeling was used to obtain full-length models of wild type (WT) and mutant DHFR.

Complete Genome Sequences of 12 B1 Cluster Mycobacteriophages, Gareth, JangoPhett, Kailash, MichaelPhcott, PhenghisKhan, Phleuron, Phergie, PhrankReynolds, PhrodoBaggins, Phunky, Vaticameos, and Virapocalypse.

Twelve B1 cluster mycobacteriophages were isolated from soil samples collected in Philadelphia, PA, USA, using Mycobacterium smegmatis mc 155 as a host, and were sequenced. The genome sequences range in size from 66,887 bp to 68,953 bp in length and have between 99 and 105 putative protein-coding genes.

A survey of eight hot Jupiters in secondary eclipse using WIRCam at CFHT.

We present near infrared high-precision photometry for eight transiting hot Jupiters observed during their predicted secondary eclipses. Our observations were carried out using the staring mode of the WIRCam instrument on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). We present the observing strategies and data reduction methods which delivered time series photometry with statistical photometric precision as low as 0.

Synthesis of 3-(Arylsulfonyl)-3-pyrrolines from Allenyl Sulfonamides by Silver Ion Catalysis.

Treatment of allenyl sulfonamides with catalytic amounts of silver fluoride in acetonitrile at reflux afforded the corresponding 3-sulfonyl-3-pyrrolines in excellent yields by intramolecular hydroamination via a 5- endo-trig cyclization. The starting allenyl sulfonamides were prepared by lithiation of allenic sulfones and trapping with various N-sulfonylimines.

Aptamer-displaying peptide amphiphile micelles as a cell-targeted delivery vehicle of peptide cargoes.

Peptide amphiphile micelles (PAMs) are attractive vehicles for the delivery of a variety of therapeutic and prophylactic peptides. However, a key limitation of PAMs is their lack of preferential targeting ability. In this paper, we describe our design of a PAM system that incorporates a DNA oligonucleotide amphiphile (antitail amphiphile-AA) to form A/PAMs.

Complete Genome Sequence of Cluster J Mycobacteriophage Superphikiman.

Mycobacteriophage Superphikiman is a cluster J bacteriophage which was isolated from soil collected in Philadelphia, PA. Superphikiman has a 109,799-bp genome with 239 predicted genes, including 2 tRNA genes.

Profile of red blood cell morphologies and causes of anaemia among pregnant women at first clinic visit in the mount Cameroon area: a prospective cross sectional study.

Objective: Anaemia is a serious problem in pregnancy in malaria-endemic countries. This study investigated red cell morphologies and possible causes of anaemia among pregnant women at first clinic visit. Venous blood samples from consented women were used to determine haemoglobin (Hb) levels, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) using an automated haematology analyzer.

Molecular markers for artemisinin and partner drug resistance in natural Plasmodium falciparum populations following increased insecticide treated net coverage along the slope of mount Cameroon: cross-sectional study.

Background: Drug resistance is one of the greatest challenges of malaria control programmes, with the monitoring of parasite resistance to artemisinins or to Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) partner drugs critical to elimination efforts. Markers of resistance to a wide panel of antimalarials were assessed in natural parasite populations from southwestern Cameroon.

Methods: Individuals with asymptomatic parasitaemia or uncomplicated malaria were enrolled through cross-sectional surveys from May 2013 to March 2014 along the slope of mount Cameroon.

Controlled Ion Release from Novel Polyester/Ceramic Composites Enhances Osteoinductivity.

Due to the growing number of patients suffering from musculoskeletal defects and the limited supply of and sub-optimal outcomes associated with biological graft materials, novel biomaterials must be created that can function as graft substitutes. For bone regeneration, composite materials that mimic the organic and inorganic phases of natural bone can provide cues which expedite and enhance endogenous repair. Specifically, recent research has shown that calcium and phosphate ions are inherently osteoinductive, so controllably delivering their release holds significant promise for this field.

Silver-Catalyzed Cyclization of Sulfonyl Allenes to Dihydrofurans.

Treatment of α-hydroxy allenic sulfones with 10 mol % of silver fluoride in acetonitrile at ambient temperature furnished the corresponding 3-tosyl 2,5-dihydrofurans in excellent yields via a 5-endo-trig cyclization. The starting α-hydroxy allenic sulfones were prepared by lithiation of allenic sulfones and trapping with carbonyl compounds.

Mobile phones and seizures: drug-resistant epilepsy is less common in mobile-phone-using patients.

Background: Epilepsy is a condition where patients have seizures due to abnormal nerve impulses in the brain. The effect of mobile phone radiation on patients with seizures is not known.

Objective: To compare the seizure profile of patients not using mobile phones with that of their peers using mobile phones.

Malaria, helminths, co-infection and anaemia in a cohort of children from Mutengene, south western Cameroon.

Background: Malaria and helminthiases frequently co-infect the same individuals in endemic zones. Plasmodium falciparum and helminth infections have long been recognized as major contributors to anaemia in endemic countries. Several studies have explored the influence of helminth infections on the course of malaria in humans but how these parasites interact within co-infected individuals remains controversial.

Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia and malaria among pregnant women at first clinic visit in the mount Cameroon Area.

Background: Pregnant women in malaria endemic areas are at high risk of P. falciparum infection and its complications. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for P.

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 block 2 gene polymorphism in field isolates along the slope of mount Cameroon: a cross - sectional study.

Background: Malaria remains a major global health burden despite the intensification of control efforts, due partly to the lack of an effective vaccine. Information on genetic diversity in natural parasite populations constitutes a major impediment to vaccine development efforts and is limited in some endemic settings. The present study characterized diversity by investigating msp1 block 2 polymorphisms and the relationship between the allele families with ethnodemographic indices and clinical phenotype.

A Synthesis of Dihydrofuran-3(2H)-ones.

Treatment of readily available α'-hydroxyenones with a catalytic amount of strong acid in refluxing toluene affords the corresponding dihydrofuran-3(2H)-ones in excellent yields via a formal 5-endo-trig cyclization.

Determinants of infant susceptibility to malaria during the first year of life in South Western cameroon.

Background.  Falciparum malaria is an important pediatric infectious disease that frequently affects pregnant women and alters infant morbidity. However, the impact of some prenatal and perinatal risk factors such as season and intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) on neonatal susceptibility has not been fully elucidated.