The HIV Epidemic in South Africa: Key Findings from 2017 National Population-Based Survey.

South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV worldwide. South Africa has implemented five population-based HIV prevalence surveys since 2002 aimed at understanding the dynamics and the trends of the epidemic. This paper presents key findings from the fifth HIV prevalence, incidence, and behaviour survey conducted in 2017 following policy, programme, and epidemic change since the prior survey was conducted in 2012.

"Whatever is in the ARVs, is Also in the PrEP" Challenges Associated With Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use Among Female Sex Workers in South Africa.

Background: The national policy on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for female sex workers (FSWs) was instituted in South Africa in 2016. FSWs were targeted for PrEP due to a Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence of 57.7%, which is higher than the prevalence of 19.

Modulates Antioxidant Mechanisms and Enhances Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Apoptotic Cell Death in Leukemic (THP-1) Cells.

is commonly used in traditional medicine owing to its many therapeutic properties including but not limited to antioxidant and antitumor potential. This study examined the antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of its crude (C) and fractionated (C3) ethanolic leaf extracts in THP-1 cells. In THP-1 cells, C and C3 cytotoxicity was evaluated (WST-1 viability assay; 24 h; [0.

Gas chromatograph calibration of gas mixtures using a versatile precision volumetric apparatus.

A compact, volumetric apparatus was developed for accurate automated preparation of standard gas and gas-liquid mixtures for gas chromatograph detector calibration, with accuracies comparable to those from gravimetric or Coriolis flow methods. The method developed by the principal author is not an adaptation or extension of any other apparatus or technology, and measurements involve only stepper motor steps, temperature, and pressure ratios. Mixture preparation is accomplished via the displacement of gas between chambers in a highly uniform cylinder, separated by a movable piston.

Experimental Measurement and Thermodynamic Modeling of the Wax Disappearance Temperature (WDT) for a Quaternary System of Normal Paraffins.

Normal paraffin (-alkane)-based wax is well known as a severe problem in petroleum production, transportation, and processing. Implementing suitable solutions for wax-related problems requires vast technical knowledge and investigation of the wax disappearance temperature (WDT) of multicomponent systems in petroleum-dominated systems. In this study, the WDTs of a quaternary system comprising different mixtures of -undecane + -tetradecane + -hexadecane + -octadecane were measured using a visual-based diagnosis apparatus under atmospheric pressure.

In-situ and ex-situ co-pyrolysis studies of waste biomass with spent motor oil: Elucidating the role of physical inhibition and mixing ratio to enhance fuel quality.

Simultaneous renewable energy generation is an imperative part of sustainable hazardous waste management. Therefore, the present work explicates the co-pyrolysis of rice stubble (RS) waste biomass and spent motor oil (SMO) to upgrade the obtained bio-oil. Moreover, two different modes, namely, in-situ and ex-situ, were implemented to analyze the effect of physical inhibition.

On the kinetic mechanism of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase.

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH, EC 3.5.3.

Experimental Investigation of Foam Flooding Using Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants: A Screening Scenario to Assess the Effects of Salinity and pH on Foam Stability and Foam Height.

Gravity override and viscous fingering are inevitable in gas flooding for improving hydrocarbon production from petroleum reservoirs. Foam is used to regulate gas mobility and consequently improve sweep efficiency. In the enhanced oil recovery process, when the foam is introduced into the reservoir and exposed to the initial saline water saturation and pH condition, selection of the stable foam is crucial.

Sensitisation to Imbrasia belina (mopane worm) and other local allergens in rural Gwanda district of Zimbabwe.

Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing in Zimbabwe and the data relate to local as well as exotic allergen sources. As entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, is a recognised source of local allergens, we sought to measure the prevalence of and risk factors for sensitisation to Imbrasia belina (mopane worm), a popular edible insect. This was investigated alongside other locally relevant allergens in a rural community in Gwanda district, south of Zimbabwe.

Strategic implementation of integrated bioaugmentation and biostimulation for efficient mitigation of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants from terrestrial and aquatic environment.

Release of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants poses a serious problem to the terrestrial as well as marine ecosystem. This study investigated and compared the potency of different biodegradation strategies for mitigating total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) of petroleum refinery sludge by an integrated action of bioaugmentation and biostimulation vis-à-vis separate bioaugmentation and biostimulation approaches. The implementation of a concomitant bioaugmentation-biostimulation strategy (BABSS) involving the indigenously developed bacterial consortium and poultry litter extract showed the best performance by mitigating the TPH up to 90.

The effect of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths on expressive language skills among African preschool children.

Background: Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) have been associated with compromised child development. We determined the effect of schistosomiasis and STH on expressive language skills among isiZulu speaking preschool children focusing on the variables: age, gender, school and stunting.

Methods: We quantitatively compared the performance of a cohort of infected and non-infected children using a 2 phased approach.

Geo-analysis: the distribution of community health workers in relation to the HIV prevalence in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

Background: The South African Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Team (WBPHCOT) policy framework states that the distribution of community health workers (CHWs) should be proportional to levels of poverty and disease within the population. We aimed to describe the spatial distribution of CHWs in relation to the prevalence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which has itself been associated with poverty in previous studies.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in which secondary data was used for geospatial analysis.

Malnutrition and Dietary Habits Alter the Immune System Which May Consequently Influence SARS-CoV-2 Virulence: A Review.

COVID-19, resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a major pandemic that the world is fighting. SARS-CoV-2 primarily causes lung infection by attaching to the ACE2 receptor on the alveolar epithelial cells. However, the ACE2 receptor is also present in intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting a link between nutrition, virulence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

WHO guidance on COVID-19 vaccine trial designs in the context of authorized COVID-19 vaccines and expanding global access: Ethical considerations.

While the degree of COVID-19 vaccine accessibility and uptake varies at both national and global levels, increasing vaccination coverage raises questions regarding the standard of prevention that ought to apply to different settings where COVID-19 vaccine trials are hosted. A WHO Expert Group has developed guidance on the ethical implications of conducting placebo-controlled trials in the context of expanding global COVID-19 vaccine coverage. The guidance also considers alternative trial designs to placebo controlled trials in the context of prototype vaccines, modified vaccines, and next generation vaccines.

Cervical cancer in women living in South Africa: a record linkage study of the National Health Laboratory Service and the National Cancer Registry.

Introduction: In countries with high HIV prevalence, it is important to understand the cervical cancer (CC) patterns by HIV status to ensure targeted prevention measures. We aimed to determine the factors associated with CC compared to non-infection related cancer in women living in South Africa.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of women aged 15 years and older diagnosed with CC and non-infection related cancer in the South African public health sector from 2004 to 2014.

miR-27b inhibition contributes to cytotoxicity in patulin-exposed HEK293 cells.

Patulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium and other fungi that contaminate fruit. PAT targets the kidney and is associated with nephrotoxicity. Micro-RNAs (miRNA) may offer new insights into PAT-induced nephrotoxicity.

Infections in Animals and Humans in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: is an apicomplexan parasite with zoonotic importance worldwide especially in pregnant women and immunocompromised people. This study is set to review the literature on infections in humans and animals in southern Africa.

Methods: We extracted data regarding   infections from published articles from southern Africa from 1955 to 2020 from four databases, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCO Host, and Science Direct.

Prevalence of the Burden of Diseases Causing Visual Impairment and Blindness in South Africa in the Period 2010-2020: A Systematic Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis.

The prevalence of visual impairment (VI) continues to rise, despite efforts to reduce it. The burden of disease negatively impacts the quality of life, education opportunities, and other developments in various communities. Henceforth, this study aimed to determine and quantify the major causes of VI in South Africa, to ensure accurate interventions in addressing them and to reduce the burden of ocular disease in that context.

Concurrent allergy and helminthiasis in underprivileged urban South African adults previously residing in rural areas.

This study investigated whether prior exposure to helminths (Ascaris IgE, Ascaris eggs and Trichuris eggs) either in childhood or in adulthood, and residence in rural and resource-limited urban areas influence allergy outcomes (asthma, rhinitis, IgE atopy and food allergy) in a South African population. Participants historical and present allergies data were collected through questionnaires and clinical record files. Coproscopy and immunoassays (ImmunoCAP Phadiatop, total IgE and allergen-specific fx3 IgE immunoassays and Ascaris IgE radioallergosorbent [RAST] tests) were used for active helminthiasis and allergy screens respectively.

The challenges of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing in low-middle income countries and possible cost-effective measures in resource-limited settings.

Diagnostic testing for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains a challenge around the world, especially in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) with poor socio-economic backgrounds. From the beginning of the pandemic in December 2019 to August 2021, a total of approximately 3.4 billion tests were performed globally.

Does the unconditional cash transfer program in South Africa provide support for women after child birth? Barriers to accessing the child support grant among women in informal work in Durban, South Africa.

Background: The child support grant (CSG) is the largest unconditional cash transfer program in Africa and aims to alleviate poverty and improve child health and nutrition in low-income families in South Africa. Among informal working women, the CSG is an important source of income after childbirth when informal workers are unable to work, but reports suggest that women experience delays in accessing the CSG. We explore experiences and challenges of accessing the CSG among informal workers in Durban, South Africa.

Data on the life cycle carbon emission in Kenyan, Rwandan, and Tanzanian grid electricity generation and transmission systems.

This paper presents data for the estimation of the life cycle carbon emission in Kenyan, Rwandan, and Tanzanian grid electricity generation and transmission systems. Data was collected and estimated using the developed life-cycle carbon emission inventory (LCCEI) algorithm implemented through Excel tabs (LCCEI Excel worksheets). The data acquired through the LCCEI modelled parameters (Chambile et al.

Joint spatio-temporal modelling of adverse pregnancy outcomes sharing common risk factors at sub-county level in Kenya, 2016-2019.

Background: Adverse pregnancy outcomes jointly account for a high proportion of mortality and morbidity among pregnant women and their infants. Furthermore, the burden attributed to adverse pregnancy outcomes remains high and inadequately characterised due to the intricate interplay of its etiology and shared set of important risk factors. This study sought to quantify and map the underlying risk of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes in Kenya at sub-county level using a shared component space-time modelling framework.

Facility Managers' Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Evidence from many countries suggests that provision of home and community-based health services, linked to care at fixed primary health care facilities, is critical to good health outcomes. In South Africa, the Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams are well placed to provide these services. The teams report to a primary health care facility through their outreach team leader.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards cervical cancer prevention among mothers of girls aged between 9 and 14 years: a cross sectional survey in Zimbabwe.

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) morbidity and mortality is still high in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Treatment for CC is out of reach for many women, hence the need to maximise on prevention which mainly includes screening and administering human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Knowledge about CC prevention is a prerequisite for utilisation of all the available options for CC prevention, yet little is known about its levels and the corresponding attitudes and practices on cancer prevention methods within the society.