Validation of prognostic models predicting mortality or ICU admission in patients with COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries: a global individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: We evaluated the performance of prognostic models for predicting mortality or ICU admission in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Clinical Platform, a repository of individual-level clinical data of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: We identified eligible multivariable prognostic models for predicting overall mortality and ICU admission during hospital stay in patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from a living review of COVID-19 prediction models. These models were evaluated using data contributed to the WHO Global Clinical Platform for COVID-19 from nine LMICs (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, India, Niger, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe).

Regulatory T cells modulate monocyte functions in immunocompetent antiretroviral therapy naive HIV-1 infected people.

We previously demonstrated that the overall number of regulatory T (Treg) cells decrease proportionately with helper CD4 T cells and their frequencies increase in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infected individuals. The question now is whether the discrepancies in Treg cell numbers and frequencies are synonymous to an impairment of their functions. To address this, we purified Treg cells and assessed their ability to modulate autologous monocytes functions.

Effects of environmental changes on soil respiration in arid, cold, temperate, and tropical zones.

Soil respiration (R) is projected to be substantially affected by climate change, impacting the storage, equilibrium, and movement of terrestrial carbon (C). However, uncertainties surrounding the responses of R to climate change and soil nitrogen (N) enrichment are linked to mechanisms specific to diverse climate zones. A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to address this, evaluating the global effects of warming, increased precipitation, and N enrichment on R across various climate zones and ecosystems.

Gluten-Free Corn Cookies Incorporated With Stinging Nettle Leaf Flour: Effect on Physical Properties, Storage Stability, and Health Benefits.

The consumption of gluten-free corn cookies is becoming very popular among nonceliac and celiac individuals. However, the absence of gluten and other nutrients in corn generally leads to cookies of lower quality in terms of nutritional value, texture, colour, and shelf life. To improve the quality characteristics of corn cookies, this study investigated the effect of incorporating an underutilised herb ( L.

Myxaoside A, a new triterpenoid saponin from L. (Boraginaceae).

The phytochemical study of L. led to the isolation, through chromatographic techniques, of a new triterpenoid saponin, 3--[--rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-(6--acetyl---glucopyranosyl)]-22-hydroxyolean-12-ene () namely Myxaoside A, together with three known compounds, Soyasaponine I (), oleanolic acid (), and 3--acetyl-oleanolic acid (). All structures were established, based on 1 & 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparison with previous published reports.

Feasibility, safety, efficacy and potential scaling-up of sofosbuvir-based HCV treatment in Central and West Africa: (TAC ANRS 12311 trial).

Access to Hepatis C treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa is a clinical, public health and ethical concern. The multi-country open-label trial TAC ANRS 12311 allowed assessing the feasibility, safety, efficacy of a specific care model of HCV treatment and retreatment in patients with hepatitis C in Sub Saharan Africa. Between November 2015 and March 2017, with follow-up until mid 2019, treatment-naïve patients with HCV without decompensated cirrhosis or liver cancer were recruited to receive 12 week-treatment with either sofosbuvir + ribavirin (HCV genotype 2) or sofosbuvir + ledipasvir (genotype 1 or 4) and retreatment with sofosbuvir + velpatasvir + voxilaprevir in case of virological failure.

Using genome and transcriptome data from African-ancestry female participants to identify putative breast cancer susceptibility genes.

African-ancestry (AA) participants are underrepresented in genetics research. Here, we conducted a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) in AA female participants to identify putative breast cancer susceptibility genes. We built genetic models to predict levels of gene expression, exon junction, and 3' UTR alternative polyadenylation using genomic and transcriptomic data generated in normal breast tissues from 150 AA participants and then used these models to perform association analyses using genomic data from 18,034 cases and 22,104 controls.

Design, synthesis, and biochemical and computational screening of novel oxindole derivatives as inhibitors of Aurora A kinase and SARS-CoV-2 spike/host ACE2 interaction.

Isatin (indol-2,3-dione), a secondary metabolite of tryptophan, has been used as the core structure to design several compounds that have been tested and identified as potent inhibitors of apoptosis, potential antitumor agents, anticonvulsants, and antiviral agents. In this work, several analogs of isatin hybrids have been synthesized and characterized, and their activities were established as inhibitors of both Aurora A kinase and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike/host angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) interactions. Amongst the synthesized isatin hybrids, compounds , , , and exhibited Aurora A kinase inhibitory activities (with IC values < 5 M), with GScore values of -7.

Differential susceptibility of Onchocerca ochengi adult male worms to flubendazole in gerbils and hamsters.

Onchocerciasis is a devastating skin and eye disease that afflicts about 21 million people, most of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. Its control with the microfilaricidal drug ivermectin is limited, thus necessitating the development of preclinical animal models to aid in the discovery of a macrofilaricide. Previously, we found that Onchocerca ochengi (the closest relative of the human O.

Allometric equations and carbon stocks assessment for Schrad. ex J.C.Wendl. in the bimodal rainfall forest of Cameroon.

Over the last two decades, bamboo has received increasing attention owing to its socio-economic and environmental importance. Environmentally, bamboo plays an important role in carbon sequestration, thus enhancing climate change mitigation. In Cameroon, knowledge about the importance of Schrad.

Global diversity and antimicrobial resistance of typhoid fever pathogens: Insights from a meta-analysis of 13,000 Typhi genomes.

Background: The Global Typhoid Genomics Consortium was established to bring together the typhoid research community to aggregate and analyse serovar Typhi (Typhi) genomic data to inform public health action. This analysis, which marks 22 years since the publication of the first Typhi genome, represents the largest Typhi genome sequence collection to date (n=13,000).

Methods: This is a meta-analysis of global genotype and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants extracted from previously sequenced genome data and analysed using consistent methods implemented in open analysis platforms GenoTyphi and Pathogenwatch.

Binding of Mammea A/AA (MA) to calf thymus DNA revealed by the ratiometric absorbance of MA in the UV-visible range molecular dynamic simulations and TD-DFT calculations.

The anti-proliferative activity of on a variety of cancer cells was previously demonstrated. This work strives to understand the mechanisms by which exerts this biological activity. Thereafter, the binding of to calf thymus DNA was studied by monitoring the change in the UV-visible absorbance of .

Iron-fortified water: a new approach for reducing iron deficiency anemia in resource-constrained settings.

A new approach for fortification of drinking water is presented for combating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) worldwide. The idea is to leach Fe from a bed containing granular metallic iron (Fe), primarily using ascorbic acid (AA). AA forms very stable and bioavailable complexes with ferrous iron (Fe).

Two new 30-norfriedelane triterpenes from (P. Beauv.) Gilg (Achariaceae).

The chemical investigation of the methanolic root extract of (P. Beauv.) Gilg exhibited two new 30-norfriedelane triterpenes, glaucalactones A and B (), together with eight known compounds, caloncobalactone (), friedelin (), friedelanol ), 3-oxo-friedelan-28-oic acid (), stigmasterol (), -sitosterol (), -sitosterol-3---D-glucopyranoside () and pentacosanoic acid ().

Preussiate, a new urease inhibitory chalcone from Pax.

The phytochemical investigation of the aqueous methanolic extract of the aerial parts of led to the isolation of a new chalcone preussiate () along with 10 other compounds including xanthomicrol (), cholestan-3-one (), arjunolic acid (), tormentic acid (), ursolic acid (), betulin (, lupeol (), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (), isovanillin () and vanillic acid (), being reported for the first time from this plant. Their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques including 2D NMR spectroscopy. All the isolates were subjected to the biological screening but only showed antioxidant and urease inhibitory properties.

MCP-1-2518 (A>G) polymorphism and asthma risk: a pilot case-control study in Cameroon.

Introduction: there is little data on the genetic determinants of asthma in Cameroon and sub-Saharan Africa, yet the involvement of genetics in the pathogenesis of this disease has been reported in the literature for several years. This study aims to investigate the possible role of MCP-1 2518 for the risk of asthma in Cameroonians.

Methods: we performed a case-control study on 30 volunteers suffering from asthma, matched by aged and sex to 30 healthy subjects.

Moving from assessments to implementation: promising practices for strengthening multisectoral antimicrobial resistance containment capacity.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat to human, animal, and environmental health. AMR is a technical area in the Global Health Security Agenda initiative which uses the Joint External Evaluation tool to evaluate national AMR containment capacity. This paper describes four promising practices for strengthening national antimicrobial resistance containment capacity based on the experiences of the US Agency for International Development's Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services Program work with 13 countries to implement their national action plans on AMR in the areas of multisectoral coordination, infection prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Investigation of the photoactivation effect of TiO onto carbon-clay paste electrode by cyclic voltammetry analysis.

In this work, a cyclic voltammetry analysis for the detection of Ascorbic Acid (AA) based on a carbon-clay paste electrode modified with titanium dioxide (CPEA/TiO) is presented. The electrochemical sensor was prepared using clay and carbon graphite, mixed with TiO to investigate the electrode behavior towards the detection of AA. Comprehensive characterization approaches including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) were carried out on different samples.

Effects of EU illegal logging policy on timber-supplying countries: A systematic review.

The EU's Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan (FLEGT) adopted in 2003 includes bilateral trade agreements known as Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) signed between the EU and timber-supplying countries. The EU has invested more than 1.5 billion euros in VPAs; however, only one of the seven concerned countries has managed to complete all the necessary requirements to expire FLEGT licences.

Technological characterisation and probiotic traits of yeasts isolated from , a Cameroonian maize-based traditional fermented beverage.

The current trend in starter selection is to combine both technological and probiotic properties to standardise and make functional artisanal fermented beverages such as whose properties are very variable due to the lack of a known starter. The objective of this work was to study technological and probiotic properties of yeasts isolated from sold in Bamenda, Bafoussam, Bonabérie, Dschang, Foumbot, Mbouda and Njombé (Cameroon). The isolated yeasts were studied for their ability to produce CO from glucose, to grow in the presence of 8% ethanol, 20% glucose and pH 3, to assimilate maltose and to produce ethanol.

The anti-oxidative potential of ginger extract and its constituent on meat protein isolate under induced Fenton oxidation.

Ginger extract has been reported to possess antioxidant properties. However, components isolated from ginger have been rarely reported to inhibit oxidation. Herein, the antioxidant properties of ginger and purified components derived from it (6-gingerol, zingerone, rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol) were confirmed by using HPLC and were further used to investigate its effect on lamb meat.