Genetic counseling development and milestone in Oman.

Genetic counseling as an emerging profession has seen an expansion around the world. In the Sultanate of Oman, the profession has developed with the establishment of clinical and biochemical genetic services in 2010 and genetic counseling services in 2011. Currently, 3 main genetic counseling teams serve the country through qualified genetic counselors who completed internationally recognized MSc program.

Sickle cell trait, APOL1 risk allele status and chronic kidney disease among ART-experienced adults living with HIV in northern Nigeria.

Background: We sought to determine the prevalence of sickle cell trait (SCT) and apolipoprotein-1 ( risk variants in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Nigeria, and to establish if SCT and high-risk status correlate with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or prevalent chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Baseline demographic and clinical data were obtained during three cross-sectional visits. CKD was defined as having an eGFR<60 mL/min/1.

The Manchester Scoring System for predicting BRCA1/2 mutations underperforms in Arabic Omani breast cancer patients.

Risk assessment models that are applied to assess the lifetime risk of cancer and pathogenic variant risk are more commonly used in Western populations. Using these models, without validation, for non-Western populations has been questioned. This study aimed to evaluate the use and consistency of the Manchester Scoring System as a risk assessment model for the Omani population.

The V-BRCH Project: Strengthening HIV Research Capacity in Nigeria through Intensive Workshops in Implementation Science and Grant Writing.

As persons with HIV live longer as the result of antiretroviral therapy, morbidity from HIV-associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Building Research Capacity in HIV and Noncommunicable Diseases program is a training platform created with the goal of training a cohort of successful Nigerian investigators to become leaders in HIV-associated NCD research. We describe survey findings from two week-long workshops in Kano, Nigeria, where trainees received instruction in implementation science and grant writing.

The Vanderbilt Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat): Results from a Skills Workshop.

The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat) aims to establish a research and training platform for biostatisticians doing HIV-related research in Nigeria, including enhancing mid-level biostatistics capacity through annual workshops. This paper describes findings from the inaugural workshop in Kano, Nigeria. Participants were surveyed before and after the workshop to assess their self-perceived familiarity with and confidence in their abilities to use statistical software and apply specific statistical techniques, as well as to gather feedback regarding the conduct of the workshop and future topic areas.

Distribution of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Heamaphysalis elliptica dog ticks and pathogens they are carrying: A systematic review.

The role of ixodid ticks especially Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Heamaphysalis elliptica in the epidemiology of several diseases of veterinary and public health importance have been documented. This study conducted a systematic review focusing on the distribution of R. sanguineus and H.

Training the next generation of Biostatisticians in West Africa: The Vanderbilt Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat).

Biomedical HIV research is growing in West Africa, but biostatistical expertise is lagging. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat) seeks to establish a research and training platform for biostatisticians doing HIV-related research in Nigeria. The objectives of the program are: 1) Host two Nigerian data scientists per year (a total of 10 over 5 years) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to gain hands-on biostatistics training and experience via one-year fellowships.

Scanning Electron Microscopy and First Molecular Data of Two Species of (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) from (Cyprinidae) and (Clariidae) in Kenya.

A parasitological study carried out in May 2022 and March 2023 in the Nyando River of Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya, disclosed two parasitic lernaeid copepods: Humes, 1957, from the gills of a cyprinid, the Ningu Boulenger, 1901, endemic to the Lake Victoria drainage system, and Fryer, 1957, from a clariid, the North African catfish (Burchell, 1822). The copepods were studied and supplementary taxonomic information was presented using scanning electron micrographs and genetic data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided information on the morphology of 's antennae, oral region, thoracic legs (2-5), and furcal rami not previously reported.

The Impact of Upper Limb Injury or Conditions on Daily Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry.

The study aimed to explore six public service users' perspectives on the impact their upper limb injury or condition has on their everyday lives while receiving occupational therapy intervention at a public hospital in the context of the Northern Cape of South Africa. An interpretivist phenomenological approach was employed. Data was collected using reflexive photography and semi-structured interviews.

Feasibility evaluation of the Reaching Out to Kids with Emotional Trauma (ROcKET) intervention in an elementary school: a single-arm, single-centre, feasibility study based on the RE-AIM framework.

Objective: The study purpose was to describe feasibility of implementation of the Reaching Out to Kids with Emotional Trauma (ROcKET) intervention. We hypothesised that the ROcKET Intervention would be feasible in a poor resource school.

Design: We performed a single-arm, single-centr feasibility study of an intervention pilot, based on the RE-AIM framework.

A model for design of online health professions education faculty development courses in sub-Saharan Africa.

The design of faculty development courses requires a contextually aware theoretical foundation. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the feasibility of a specific conjecture map as a model for designing online health professions education faculty development courses in sub-Saharan Africa through a heuristic evaluation approach. The authors hypothesise that using heuristic evaluation strengthens an educational model's theoretical basis and feasibility.

Detection of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Urban Stray Dogs in South Africa.

This study aimed to identify ticks infesting dogs admitted to the Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and to detect tick-borne pathogens they are harbouring. A total of 592 ticks were collected from 61 stray dogs admitted to PAWS originating from several suburbs in and near Potchefstroom, South Africa. The dog ticks were identified as (39%) and (61%) by both morphological and DNA analyses.

Traumatic Diaphragmatic Injuries at Medicolegal Autopsy: A 1-Year Prospective Study.

Introduction: Traumatic diaphragmatic injuries (TDIs) are relatively rare. The forensic literature pertaining to TDIs consists mainly of case studies, suggesting little attention to these injuries during autopsies and research.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the Ga-Rankuwa Forensic Pathology Services mortuary over a 1-year period.

Family resilience and childhood obesity among children exposed to adverse childhood experiences in a national survey.

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to poor overall health among children with obesity. This study evaluated how one potential protective factor-family resilience-affects the association between ACEs and childhood obesity.

Methods: This analysis was a secondary analysis of the 2016-2018 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), a repeated cross-sectional survey based on parent report.

Online faculty development in low- and middle-income countries for health professions educators: a rapid realist review.

Background: Health professions educators require support to develop teaching and learning, research, educational leadership, and administrative skills to strengthen their higher education role through faculty development initiatives. Where administration has pursued face-to-face and online faculty development initiatives, results have positively influenced health professions educators. There is limited evidence demonstrating how online faculty development works for health professions educators in low- and middle-income countries who engage in online health professions education (HPE) faculty development.

Exploring Factors That Could Potentially Have Affected the First 1000 Days of Absent Learners in South Africa: A Qualitative Study.

Background: The first 1000 days of life-from conception to the second birthday of children -is widely recognized as the most crucial development phase, which could have long lasting effects on the health and well-being of children throughout their lives.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore and describe factors that could potentially have affected the first 1000 days of absent learners in the Foundation Phase within the Paarl-East community in the Western Cape of South Africa.

Methods: The data for this qualitative descriptive study were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 biological mothers of absent learners in the Foundation Phase, who resided in Paarl East.

Factors influencing HIV risk-taking behaviours amongst textile factory workers living with HIV in Lesotho.

With its number of employees ranging from 45,310 to 46,000, the textile and apparel industry is the main private sector employer of labour in Lesotho. It has been reported that a third (an estimated 34%) of these workers are living with HIV. There is perception that textile factory workers living with HIV (TFWLWH) in Lesotho indulge in HIV risk-taking behaviours.

Competency-Based Approaches to Community Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Childhood Obesity among Latino Preschool-Aged Children.

Health behavior change interventions that target childhood obesity in minority populations have led to inconsistent and short-lived results. The purpose of this study was to test a novel intervention that was personalized and family-based in a Latino population to reduce childhood obesity. Competency-Based Approaches to Community Health (COACH) was a randomized controlled trial.

Preventable warfarin-induced birth defects: A missed opportunity?

Background: Congenital abnormalities and pregnancy losses due to the teratogenic effects of warfarin are prevalent among the South African population. These are potentially preventable if the challenges and barriers faced by at-risk women are understood and addressed effectively.

Objectives: To determine the practice, knowledge and attitudes regarding the teratogenic risks experienced by women administered warfarin.

Anti-bacterial, free radical scavenging activity and cytotoxicity of acetone extracts of .

Background: Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cause vomiting, diarrhoea and even systemic disease. There is a need for the development of natural products into alternative and safer medicines.

Objectives: This study evaluated the anti-microbial activity of extracts prepared from berries, leaves, bark and roots of the edible plant .

Knowledge regarding basic concepts of hereditary cancers, and the available genetic counselling and testing services: A survey of general practitioners in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background: In families with hereditary cancer, at-risk individuals can benefit from genetic counselling and testing. General practitioners (GPs) are ideally placed to identify such families and refer them appropriately.

Objective: To assess the practices, knowledge and attitudes of GPs regarding common hereditary cancers.

Double-Orifice Mitral Valve in an Eight-Year-Old Boy.

The case is described of an eight-year-old boy who required an operation for moderate mitral regurgitation due to a double-orifice mitral valve (DOMV). The DOMV, which was clearly demonstrated by transthoracic echocardiography, had a central fibrous bridge. Mitral valve repair using a 5/0 Prolene suture placed at the level of the superior commissure of each hole to stabilize the valve, and ring annuloplasty with Edwards Physio ring, was successfully performed.

A rare case of heterotaxy and left ventricular non-compaction in an adult.

Heterotaxy syndrome with left ventricular non-compaction is a rare co-existence of abnormalities with unknown cause. It can be isolated with no other associations, or associated with congenital heart diseases, or it can occur with multiple other congenital abnormalities. We describe the third reported case of heterotaxy syndrome with left ventricular non-compaction presenting in an adult.

Clinical correlates of oral malodour in a population of patients attending a preventive clinic in Pretoria, South Africa.

Aim: This study investigates the occurrence of oral malodour in an adult dental clinic population in Pretoria, South Africa, and the clinical parameters associated with the condition.

Methods: Data collected from new patients (n=896), examined by oral hygiene students under supervision of instructors, between January - October 2004, were retrospectively analysed. Subjects self-reported their medical history and smoking status.