Dynamical modeling of Salmonellosis in humans and dairy cattle with temperature and pH effects.

Approximately 20 million cases and 0.15 million human fatalities worldwide each year are caused by Salmonellosis. A mechanistic compartmental model based on ordinary differential equations is proposed to evaluate the effects of temperature and pH on the transmission dynamics of Salmonellosis.

Conceptualizing patient-level adverse effects in implementation trials.

Identifying and monitoring adverse effects (AEs) are integral to ensuring patient safety in clinical trials. Research sponsors and regulatory bodies have put into place a variety of policies and procedures to guide researchers in protecting patient safety during clinical trials. However, it remains unclear how these policies and procedures should be adapted for trials in implementation science.

A descriptive summary of the WHO availability assessments of medical abortion medicines in eight African countries.

Background: The use of medical abortion using either a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, or misoprostol alone has contributed to increased safety and decreased mortality and morbidity. The availability of quality medical abortion medicines is an essential component in the provision of quality abortion care. Understanding the factors that influence the availability of medical abortion medicines is important to help in-country policymakers, program planners, and providers improve availability and use of medical abortion.

Fish handling and postharvest losses around the Fincha'a, Amarti, and Nashe reservoirs in Oromiya, Ethiopia.

This study assessed the factors contributing to postharvest loss of fish around the Fincha'a, Amarti, and Nashe reservoirs in Horro Guduru Wollega, Oromia, Western Ethiopia, using semi-structured questionnaires from January, 2022 GC onward. The aim of the finding was to know the fish handling and post-harvest preservation of fish around the reservoirs. In the study area, 320 respondents were selected using a random sampling system.

Pan African Vivax and Ovale Network (PAVON) Malaria Diagnostic Competency Training: Offering Training Opportunities to Impact Malaria Elimination Strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

PAVON has developed a malaria microscopy competency training scheme to augment competency in malaria microscopy. Here, data accrued from training activities between 2020 and 2023 in Botswana are presented. Three trainings were done for 37 central and peripheral level technicians for a two-week period.

Emergence of Omicron FN.1 a descendent of BQ.1.1 in Botswana.

Botswana, like the rest of the world, has been significantly impacted by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In December 2022, we detected a monophyletic cluster of genomes comprising a sublineage of the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) designated as B.1.

Trends and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Surgery in Low-Resource Settings: Lessons From Two African Healthcare Systems-A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery (LS) has been a promising development in surgical practice globally ever since its introduction. LS has exhibited many an advantage, including bettering patient outcomes, lowering the risk of postoperative infection, and displaying economical affluence. However, its implementation in the African continent still faces various challenges.

Wastewater metagenomics in Africa: Opportunities and challenges.

The advent of metagenomics has dramatically expanded our understanding of microbial communities, particularly through the study of wastewater, which serves as a rich source of microbial data. In Africa, wastewater metagenomics presents unparalleled opportunities for public health monitoring, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) tracking, and the discovery of new microbial species and functions. Utilizing high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies, this method allows for direct analysis of nucleic acids from wastewater samples, providing a cost-effective and comprehensive approach for pathogen surveillance.

Contribution of fish to food and nutrition security in Southern Africa: challenges and opportunities in fish production.

This study investigated the role of fish in addressing food and nutrition security challenges in Southern Africa, focusing on 10 countries including Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa. It examined the current state of food and nutrition security, fish production, and fish consumption patterns. Additionally, the study investigated the challenges and opportunities to enhance fish production in these countries thereby enhancing food and nutrition security.

Treatment approaches for prostate cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prostate cancer (CaP) represents a significant cause of cancer-related mortality on a global scale. Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), face a disproportionate burden of this disease. Underlying genetic factors as well as barriers to early diagnosis and treatment lead to overall worse outcomes for CaP patients in SSA compared with the United States (U.

Association between Childhood Trauma, Mental Health Symptoms and Adherence Among Youth Living with HIV in Botswana.

Background: People living with HIV experience traumatic incidents at higher rates than the general population; and research has documented significant association between trauma exposure and the development of mental disorders. Mental health problems have a a negative impact on anti-retroviral treatment adherence. All of these psychosocial concerns play a role in potentially increasing HIV transmission to sexual partners resulting in increased incidence rates.

High KIR diversity in Uganda and Botswana children living with HIV.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (s) are essential components of the innate immune system found on the surfaces of natural killer (NK) cells. The s encoding genes are located on chromosome 19q13.4 and are genetically diverse across populations.

Using genomic epidemiology and geographic activity spaces to investigate tuberculosis outbreaks in Botswana.

Background: The integration of genomic and geospatial data into infectious disease transmission analyses typically includes residential locations and excludes other activity spaces where transmission may occur ( work, school, or social venues). The objective of this analysis was to explore residential as well as other activity spaces of tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks to identify potential geospatial 'hotspots' of transmission.

Methods: We analyzed data that included geospatial coordinates for residence and other activity spaces collected during 2012-2016 for the Kopanyo Study, a population-based study of TB transmission in Botswana.

Genomic epidemiology and immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant strains circulating in Botswana.

Objectives: We characterized the molecular and mutational landscape of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant strains in Botswana.

Methods: We performed genomic, phylogenetic, and immunoinformatic analyses of 5254 near-complete genomes from 2020 to 2023. We assessed the presence of mutations of interested (MutOI) that may be associated with immune escape .

Prospective Intervention Study Using Immediate-Fit, Adjustable Prostheses for Persons With Lower Limb Loss in Botswana-A Feasibility and Patient Acceptance Trial.

Objective: The aim of the study is to test the feasibility of an immediate-fit, adjustable prosthesis (iFIT Prosthesis) for persons with limb loss in Botswana.

Design: As part of the University of Pennsylvania and University of Botswana's long-term partnership, 18 persons with limb loss were fit at four different locations in Botswana. Patients were followed for 4-9 mos after fitting with an interview and Prosthetic Comfort and Utility questionnaire.

Access to and Utilization of Endocrine Therapy Among Breast Cancer Survivors in Botswana.

Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female cancer worldwide, and the burden is increasing across sub-Saharan Africa. For women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) cancers, endocrine therapy (ET) taken for 5-10 years can reduce the risk of recurrence by half. We explored experiences with ET and barriers to utilization among survivors in Botswana.

Evaluation of plant-based coagulants for turbidity removal and coagulant dosage prediction using machine learning.

This study investigates the use of six plant-based coagulants - , , , , , and for the removal of turbidity from wastewater effluent. The coagulants were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine morphological structure, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to assess chemical composition, and X-ray diffraction to analyse the molecular structure. The coagulation process was evaluated using jar tests with varying coagulant dosages and pH levels.

A comparative analysis of physical fitness characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy players by playing standards: Implications for talent identification programs in resource-constrained settings.

Background: Rugby has not grown extensively in Africa compared to other continents, necessitating talent identification (TID) programs to recruit junior talent. However, it is unclear which physical characteristics and rugby-specific game skills to base the objective recruitment of potentially talented young players.

Objectives: This study profiled the physical fitness characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy rugby players by playing standards to identify variables differentiating elite from sub-elite players from Under 16 (U16) to U19 age categories.

Machine learning in predicting heart failure survival: a review of current models and future prospects.

Heart failure is a complex and prevalent condition with significant implications for patient management and survival prediction. Traditional predictive models often fall short in accuracy due to their reliance on pre-specified predictors and assumptions of variable independence. This review aims to assess the role of machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting heart failure survival, comparing their performance with traditional statistical methods and identifying key predictive features.

Lessons learned from the risk-informed urban development initiative in the SADC region.

Unlabelled: This study presents the systemisation of lessons learned from the urban sector in which the measures based on the guiding principle of risk-informed development (RID) have been implemented in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region at the national and/or sub-national levels. Despite notable risks in the region, these are not adequately considered in urban development planning and programming. Aiming at strengthening RID in the SADC region, the objectives of this peer-to-peer exchange were achieved through virtual workshops, roundtables and briefings on a cloud-based and open-source BigBlueButton Web conferencing system.