Quantitative Ethnobotany of Multiple-Use Species and Management of the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (YBR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces significant challenges regarding the livelihoods of local communities and biodiversity conservation. The lack of scientific information on the spatial distribution of useful woody species hinders sustainable forest resource management and is a development constraint. This study was conducted in the villages of Yaselia, Lilanda, and Bagbanye on the outskirts of the protected area and aimed to identify the most useful woody species, analyze their socio-cultural value, assess their uses based on local community involvement, and evaluate their abundance beyond village forests to contribute to reforestation and conservation policies.

High-viscosity dietary fibers modulate gut microbiota and liver metabolism to prevent obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Obesity and metabolic disorders are rising global health concerns, emphasizing the need for effective dietary interventions. High-viscosity dietary fibers such as bacterial cellulose (BC) and guar gum (GG) have unique properties that may complement each other in modulating gut microbiota and metabolic health. This study investigates their effects in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Neurocognitive Profile and Associated Factors Among Children Affected by Sickle Cell Disease in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/objectives: Understanding the neurocognitive profile of children with sickle cell disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo is essential, as this condition can significantly affect their development. Our study aims to assess these children's neurocognitive and developmental profiles and identify related factors.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 287 children, aged 0 to 68 months, using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Gensini Gavito Scale.

Experiences of Rural-Dwelling Children Wearing Physical Activity Trackers: An Exploratory Study.

Background/objectives: Although there is a need for evidence-based physical activity programs in rural communities, evaluating such programs is often challenging due to access-related barriers and measurement tools that are not designed for rural contexts. This study aimed to explore and better understand the day-to-day experiences of rural-dwelling children using wrist-worn PA trackers as part of a study to develop a health promotion program.

Methods: Ten caregivers and child dyads were enrolled ( = 20).

Transition to dolutegravir-based ART in 35 low- and middle-income countries: a global survey of HIV care clinics.

Objective: We studied the transition to dolutegravir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) at HIV treatment clinics within the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA).

Design: Site-level survey conducted in 2020-2021 among HIV clinics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: We assessed the status of dolutegravir rollout and viral load and drug resistance testing practices for persons on ART switching to dolutegravir-based regimens.

Clinical, ultrasound and anatomopathological concordance of thyroid nodules in Kinshasa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The European Thyroid Association Thyroid Imaging Data and Reporting Systems (EU-TIRADS) is widely used in the risk stratification of thyroid nodule malignancy. However, data on the subject in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical, sonographic and histopathological concordance of thyroid nodules in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

genetic markers associated with drug resistance from patients with treatment failure in the Southern part of Senegal in 2017.

Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACT) stand as the most potent antimalarial treatments. In response to the emergence of ACT-resistant malaria parasites in Southeast Asia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of ACT and other antimalarials. To address this need, we collected dried blood spots from malaria patients during a 42-days drug efficacy trial evaluating the efficacy of Artesunate plus Amodiaquine (ASAQ), Artemether Plus Lumefantrine (AL) and Dihydroarthemisinine plus Piperaquine (DHAPQ) on simple malaria in 2017.

Chemical Composition and Neuroprotective Properties of Indonesian Stingless Bee () Propolis Extract in an In-Vivo Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH).

Stroke is the world's second-leading cause of death. Current treatments for cerebral edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mainly involve hyperosmolar fluids, but this approach is often inadequate. Propolis, known for its various beneficial properties, especially antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could potentially act as an adjunctive therapy and help alleviate stroke-associated injuries.

The landscape of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a mapping systematic review.

Context: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the most malaria-affected countries worldwide, is a potential hub for global drug-resistant malaria. This study aimed at summarizing and mapping surveys of malaria parasites carrying molecular markers of drug-resistance across the country.

Methods: A systematic mapping review was carried out before July 2023 by searching for relevant articles through seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, African Journal Online, African Index Medicus, Bioline and Web of Science).

Changes in thyroid function in prostate cancer patients receiving docetaxel chemotherapy at Haji Adam Malik Hospital, Indonesia.

Background: Prostate cancer treatment is determined based on several factors, namely tumor grading, staging, co-morbidity, patient preferences, life expectancy at diagnosis. Today, taxanes are commonly prescribed to treat several types of cancer and have been shown to have antitumor effects in many cancers. This research has never been done in prostate cancer patients but similar studies have been done before in breast cancer patients.

A Case of Visceral Leishmaniasis in a 4-Year-Old Child Living in Nonendemic Area Located in Suburbs of Dakar, Senegal.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus . Sporadic cases are observed in nonendemic areas and often associated with limited foci; therefore, the disease is easily overlooked. In addition, other diseases have similar clinical symptoms, which make it difficult for clinicians to make an accurate diagnosis and to provide effective treatment.

The Effect of the Intra-Arterial Heparin Flushing (IAHF) Procedure on Hearing Threshold in Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients.

Background: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a frequent problem in Indonesia but its treatment is still limited. This type of hearing loss is related to oxidative stress and decreased vascularization, which can damage the hair cell. The intra-arterial heparin flushing (IAHF) is a procedure that can recover circulation and its agent, namely heparin, also has antioxidant activity.

Correlation of antifungal susceptibility and sequence types within Cryptococcus neoformans VNI from HIV patients, and ERG11 gene polymorphism.

Introduction: Here we tested the correlation between minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of major antifungal agents and sequence types (STs) within Cryptococcus neoformans VNI isolates, and explored the ERG11 gene of included strains.

Materials And Methods: We analysed 23 C. neoformans strains categorised into two groups according to the distribution of the ST profile in Kinshasa clinics (Democratic Republic of Congo): major ST [ST93 (n = 15)], and less common STs [ST659 (n = 2), ST5 (n = 2), ST4 (n = 1), ST 53 (n = 1), ST31 (n = 1), and ST69 (n = 1)].

HIV Disclosure to Infected Children Involving Peers: A New Take on HIV Disclosure in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Appropriately informing HIV-infected children of their diagnosis is a real challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Until now, there is no consensus on who ought to disclose and how to disclose. This paper describes the model for HIV status disclosure in which HIV-positive children/adolescents are informed about their diagnosis in a process conducted by young peers under healthcare worker (HCW) supervision in a hospital in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Please get me out of here: The difficult decision making in fit-to-fly assessments for international fixed-wing air ambulance operations.

Introduction: With international travel for leisure and business almost back to pre-pandemic levels, demand for repatriation due to illness and injury abroad is increasing [1,2]. In any repatriation, there is considerable pressure on all involved to organize a rapid transport back home. Delay in such action may be perceived by the patient, relatives, and the public as an attempt by the underwriter to hold off on an expensive air ambulance mission [3-5].

Salat dhuha effect on oxidative stress in elderly women: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aging process and a chronic sedentary lifestyle in the elderly as a result of physical restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, induces oxidative stress through oxygen supply and antioxidant activity imbalance which in turn induce degenerative diseases. Salat dhuha as a prayer and mind-body medicine which is practiced by the Muslim community can hopefully be a solution to decrease oxidative stress in the elderly.

Objective: To evaluate the acute physiological effects of salat dhuha on Glutathione Peroxidase activity (GPx) as an antioxidant and Malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidant in healthy elderly Muslim women population who have done salat dhuha regularly.

Caregivers' Perspective on the Psychological Burden of Living with Children Affected by Sickle Cell Disease in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There is limited information on knowledge, perceptions, and management of sickle cell disease (SCD) in Africa in general and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in particular. This study explored knowledge, perceptions, and burden of 26 parents/caregivers of children with SCD in three selected hospitals in Kinshasa, DRC. We conducted a focus group with in-depth interviews with parents/caregivers of children affected with SCD.

Doxycycline as a Potential MMP-1 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Spondylitis Tuberculosis: A Study in Rabbit Model.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) of the spine is a highly disruptive disease, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. This condition requires standard TB treatment for 9-18 months, which increases patient risk of drug-resistant TB. Consequently, this raises the concern of adopting additional therapies to shorten the treatment duration, improve the efficacy of anti-TB drugs, and further decrease damage in the affected tissues and organs.

Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, and Changes in Biochemical Parameters Occurring in Patients with Uncomplicated Malaria: Data Analysis from Antimalarial Efficacy-Randomized Trials in Dakar and Kaolack Regions, Senegal.

Background: Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) are widely used in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. infection is often accompanied by disturbances of hematological and biochemical parameters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in biochemical and hematological parameters during uncomplicated malaria in patients treated with ACTs.

Comparison of Gambier Extract (Uncaria Gambier Robx) and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker on Proteinuria Reduction and Antioxidants - Enhancement in Nephrotic Rat Models.

Background: Proteinuria is a significant clinical manifestation that causes edema in several diseases, including Nephrotic Syndrome (NS). Untreated proteinuria is strongly linked to the progression of kidney failure. One of the adjuvant therapies could be used to reduce proteinuria such as Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) including Losartan®.

Lessons Learned from the Impact of HIV Status Disclosure to Children after First-Line Antiretroviral Treatment Failure in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

HIV status disclosure to children remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. For sociocultural reasons, parents often delay disclosure with subsequent risks to treatment compliance and the child’s psychological well-being. This article assesses the effects of HIV disclosure on second-line ART compliance after first-line failure.

COVID-19 associated changes in HIV service delivery over time in Central Africa: Results from facility surveys during the first and second waves of the pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted population health around the globe, directly and indirectly. The objective of this study was to document changes in HIV care associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at selected clinics in Central Africa, along with clinic-level strategies for minimizing disruptions in HIV care and treatment for people with HIV (PWH).

Methods: A 51-item questionnaire on COVID-19 pandemic-associated changes in HIV service delivery was completed by clinicians involved in HIV care at 21 clinics in five countries participating in Central Africa International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (CA-IeDEA).