A Highly Divergent Mitochondrial Genome in Extant Cape Buffalo From Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

The reduced cost of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has allowed researchers to generate nuclear and mitochondrial genome data to gain deeper insights into the phylogeography, evolutionary history and biology of non-model species. While the Cape buffalo () has been well-studied across its range with traditional genetic markers over the last 25 years, researchers are building on this knowledge by generating whole genome, population-level data sets to improve understanding of the genetic composition and evolutionary history of the species. Using publicly available NGS data, we assembled 40 Cape buffalo mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) from four protected areas in South Africa, expanding the geographical range and almost doubling the number of mitogenomes available for this species.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, Raynaud's Phenomenon, and Biomechanical Soft Tissue Injuries in an Adolescent Boy: A Case Report.

A 16-year-old male with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) was referred to a clinical exercise physiologist (CEP) by their pediatric rheumatologist. The patient presented with arthralgia in the left knee and shoulder. Specifically, the left knee presented discomfort during activities of daily living (ADL), and the left shoulder had a reduced range of motion resulting from pain.

Two Postpartum Blood Collection Devices: The Brass-V Drape and MaternaWell Tray-As Experienced by Birth Attendants and Birthing Women-A Questionnaire-Based Randomised Study.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable maternal mortality worldwide. Early identification and prompt management of postpartum haemorrhage improve outcomes. Objective assessment of postpartum blood loss is an important step in identifying postpartum haemorrhage.

Reporting completeness of nutrition and diet-related randomised controlled trials protocols.

Background And Aims: There is a need to consolidate reporting guidance for nutrition randomised controlled trial (RCT) protocols. The reporting completeness in nutrition RCT protocols and study characteristics associated with adherence to SPIRIT and TIDieR reporting guidelines are unknown. We, therefore, assessed reporting completeness and its potential predictors in a random sample of published nutrition and diet-related RCT protocols.

Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumour: Diagnostic challenges and potential for misdiagnosis in small tissue samples.

We report a diagnostically challenging case of a SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumour to emphasize its potential to mimic other malignant tumours on histology, especially in small biopsies and where rhabdoid morphology is lacking. A 48-year-old man, who was known for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and polysubstance use, presented with dyspnoea and an anterior mediastinal mass that had grown rapidly over a seven-month period. The rapid growth and location in the anterior mediastinum raised clinical suspicion for lymphoma or a germ cell tumour.

Fatal sequelae of hydrogen sulphide poisoning.

Hydrogen sulphide (HS) is a toxic, colourless gas abundantly present at waste plants and sewers due to the presence of anaerobic forming organisms. Hazardous exposure via accidental, intentional or occupational contact results in endothelium disruption, cellular instability, decreased respiratory functional capacity and cardiovascular compromise with a rapidly fatal clinical course. Clinical manifestations are variable depending on the level of exposure with moderate or heavy exposure associated with rapid fatality.

Pathology-supported genetic testing for the application of breast cancer pharmacodiagnostics: family counselling, lifestyle adjustments and change of medication.

Background: Pathology-supported genetic testing (PSGT) enables transitioning of risk stratification from the study population to the individual.

Research Design And Methods: We provide an overview of the translational research performed in postmenopausal breast cancer patients at increased risk of osteoporosis due to aromatase inhibitor therapy, as the indication for referral. Both tumor histopathology and blood biochemistry levels were assessed to identify actionable disease pathways using whole exome sequencing (WES).

Infection and myelodysplasia: A case report of GATA2 deficiency in a South African patient.

Rare diseases often result in delays in diagnosis. It is important to recognize conditions that have features of both inborn errors of immunity and predispose to myeloid neoplasia. Here we report a patient with GATA2 deficiency that presented with disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection and pancytopenia secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome.

Digital TKA Alignment Training with a New Digital Simulation Tool (Knee-CAT) Improves Process Quality, Efficiency, and Confidence.

Individual alignment techniques have been introduced to restore patients' unique anatomical variations during total knee arthroplasty. The transition from conventional mechanical alignment to individualised approaches, with the assistance of computer and/or robotic technologies, is challenging. The objective of this study was to develop a digital training platform with real patient data to educate and simulate various modern alignment philosophies.

Disparities in Access to Trauma Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: a Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Sub-Saharan Africa is a diverse context with a large burden of injury and trauma-related deaths. Relative to high-income contexts, most of the region is less mature in prehospital and facility-based trauma care, education and training, and trauma care quality assurance. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes rising inequalities, both within and between countries as a deterrent to growth and development.

Hematological findings in adult patients with SARS CoV-2 infection at Tygerberg Hospital Cape Town South Africa.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with hematological abnormalities of variable severity. The full blood count (FBC) and leukocyte differential count (DIFF) could facilitate the prediction of disease severity and outcome in COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the hematological parameters in early severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and their correlation with disease outcome.

Obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane: Sudden child death following laser removal of papillomata.

Obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) is a rare complication usually following endotracheal intubation, occurring when a collection of inflammatory exudate coalesces at the site of damaged epithelium within the trachea and along the tracheal mucosa, creating a luminal narrowing and subsequent airway obstruction.

Genome-wide differentially methylated genes associated with posttraumatic stress disorder and longitudinal change in methylation in rape survivors.

Rape is associated with a high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). DNA methylation changes may confer risk or protection for PTSD following rape by regulating the expression of genes implicated in pathways affected by PTSD. We aimed to: (1) identify epigenome-wide differences in methylation profiles between rape-exposed women with and without PTSD at 3-months post-rape, in a demographically and ethnically similar group, drawn from a low-income setting; (2) validate and replicate the findings of the epigenome-wide analysis in selected genes (BRSK2 and ADCYAP1); and (3) investigate baseline and longitudinal changes in BRSK2 and ADCYAP1 methylation over six months in relation to change in PTSD symptom scores over 6 months, in the combined discovery/validation and replication samples (n = 96).

Cognitive outcomes at ages seven and nine years in South African children from the children with HIV early antiretroviral (CHER) trial: a longitudinal investigation.

Introduction: Many children living with HIV (CLWH) display impaired cognition. Although early combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) produces improved cognitive outcomes, more long-term outcome data are needed. After concluding the Children with HIV Early antiRetroviral (CHER) trial in 2011, we investigated cognitive performance, at seven and nine years of age.

Targeting Hypertension Screening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 1.2 Million Adults in 56 Countries.

Background As screening programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often do not have the resources to screen the entire population, there is frequently a need to target such efforts to easily identifiable priority groups. This study aimed to determine (1) how hypertension prevalence in LMICs varies by age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status, and (2) the ability of different combinations of these variables to accurately predict hypertension. Methods and Results We analyzed individual-level, nationally representative data from 1 170 629 participants in 56 LMICs, of whom 220 636 (18.

Mediastinal cystic teratoma misdiagnosed as pleural tuberculosis: A case report and review of 53 cases revealed by pleural effusion.

Mediastinal teratoma (MT) can be misdiagnosed for a long period and revealed by fatal pleural effusion at any age. In high burden tuberculosis settings, it is important to consider MT for extra-pulmonary tuberculosis not responding to medical treatment.

The diagnostic challenge of pneumocystis pneumonia and COVID-19 co-infection in HIV.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) share many overlapping features and may be clinically indistinguishable on initial presentation in people living with HIV. We present the case of co-infection with COVID-19 and PCP in a patient with progressive respiratory failure admitted to our intensive care unit where the dominant disease was uncertain. This case highlights the difficulty in differentiating between the two diseases, especially in a high HIV prevalence setting where PCP is frequently diagnosed using case definitions and clinical experience due to limited access to bronchoscopy, appropriate laboratory testing, and computed tomography scans.

The outcome and cost of a capacity-building training programme on the early recognition and referral of childhood cancer for healthcare workers in North-West Cameroon.

Aim: Early cancer diagnosis is necessary to improve survival rates. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome and cost of the childhood cancer training programme amongst healthcare workers.

Design: This was a prospective pre-post study design, using questionnaires for pre- and post-training testing.

CYP19A1 rs10046 Pharmacogenetics in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors: One-year Follow-up.

Background: Significant individual variation in bone loss associated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) emphasizes the importance of identifying postmenopausal breast cancer patients at high risk for this adverse effect. The study explores the clinical relevance of genetic variation in the Cytochrome P450 19A1 (CYP19A1) gene in a subset of South African patients during the first year of taking AIs for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

Methods: The study population consisted of ER-positive breast cancer patients on AIs, followed in real-life clinical practice.