Assessment of Treatment Outcomes and Associated Factors Among Pediatric Patients With Burkitt Lymphoma at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Background: In developing countries, the treatment outcomes of Burkitt lymphoma are poor due to the poorly equipped healthcare systems. In addition, there is limited comprehensive data within the African continent, including Kenya, about the outcomes of treatment for this cancer.

Aims: To assess treatment outcomes and variables associated with an increased risk of death from disease progression or treatment-related toxicities among Burkitt lymphoma pediatric patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Challenges of sharing individual participant data for secondary research on neglected tropical diseases: the experience of Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and a call for action.

Introduction: The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is committed to maximising the scientific value of the individual participant data (IPD) it has collected during its 20 years of activity and the IPD it will collect in the future, while safeguarding research participants' privacy and their right to know how their data will be processed.

Objective: The objective of this article is to share what DNDi has learnt while working on its commitment to data sharing. It also aims to advance the debate about best practice in the research community to avoid 'IPD sharing paralysis', with a focus on multistakeholder projects involving patients and researchers based in countries with various levels of data privacy regulations and measures.

%diag_test: a generic SAS macro for evaluating diagnostic accuracy measures for multiple diagnostic tests.

Background: Measures of diagnostic test accuracy provide evidence of how well a test correctly identifies or rules-out disease. Commonly used diagnostic accuracy measures (DAMs) include sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC), area under precision-recall curves (AUPRC), diagnostic effectiveness (accuracy), disease prevalence, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) etc. Most available analysis tools perform accuracy testing for a single diagnostic test using summarized data.

Predictive equation derived from 6,497 doubly labelled water measurements enables the detection of erroneous self-reported energy intake.

Nutritional epidemiology aims to link dietary exposures to chronic disease, but the instruments for evaluating dietary intake are inaccurate. One way to identify unreliable data and the sources of errors is to compare estimated intakes with the total energy expenditure (TEE). In this study, we used the International Atomic Energy Agency Doubly Labeled Water Database to derive a predictive equation for TEE using 6,497 measures of TEE in individuals aged 4 to 96 years.

Albendazole-ivermectin co-formulation for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths: a randomised phase 2/3 trial.

Background: Treatments for soil-transmitted helminthiases face challenges, especially in addressing Trichuris trichiura. Combination regimens, particularly of ivermectin and albendazole, are promising. We aimed to assess the safety, efficacy, and palatability of a combination tablet for the treatment of T trichiura, hookworm, and Strongyloides stercoralis infections among school-aged children in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique.

Spiny mice (Acomys) have evolved cellular features to support regenerative healing.

Spiny mice (Acomys spp.) are warm-blooded (homeothermic) vertebrates whose ability to restore missing tissue through regenerative healing has coincided with the evolution of unique cellular and physiological adaptations across different tissue types. This review seeks to explore how these bizarre rodents deploy unique or altered injury response mechanisms to either enhance tissue repair or fully regenerate excised tissue compared to closely related, scar-forming mammals.

Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic insights of lumpy skin disease in cattle from diverse agro-ecological regions of Punjab, Pakistan.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging, highly contagious transboundary disease of bovines caused by the Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), responsible for substantial economic losses to the dairy, meat, and leather industries in Pakistan as well as various countries around the world. Epidemiological information on LSD is scarce in Punjab, Pakistan. Therefore, a molecular epidemiological study was conducted in two agro-ecologically diverse districts (Bhakkar and Jhang) of Punjab, Pakistan.

Sustainability of an evidence-based intervention supporting transition to independent care for youth living with HIV in Kenya.

Integrating and sustaining evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in routine care is crucial to improving HIV treatment outcomes among youth living with HIV (YLH). However, EBIs are often not sustained post clinical trial. An Adolescent Transition Package (ATP) delivered by health care workers (HCWs) and tested in Kenya in 2021 significantly improved YLH readiness to transition to independent care.

Identification of novel PfEMP1 variants containing domain cassettes 11, 15 and 8 that mediate the Plasmodium falciparum virulence-associated rosetting phenotype.

Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is a diverse family of variant surface antigens, encoded by var genes, that mediates binding of infected erythrocytes to human cells and plays a key role in parasite immune evasion and malaria pathology. The increased availability of parasite genome sequence data has revolutionised the study of PfEMP1 diversity across multiple P. falciparum isolates.

Modeling maize aflatoxins and fumonisins in a Tanzanian smallholder system: Accounting for diverse risk factors improves mycotoxin models.

Human exposure to mycotoxins is common and often severe in underregulated maize-based food systems. This study explored how monitoring of these systems could help to identify when and where outbreaks occur and inform potential mitigation efforts. Within a maize smallholder system in Kongwa District, Tanzania, we performed two food surveys of mycotoxin contamination at local grain mills, documenting high levels of aflatoxins and fumonisins in maize destined for human consumption.

Comparison of a non-invasive point-of-care measurement of anemia to conventionally used HemoCue devices in Gambella refugee camp, Ethiopia, 2022.

Annual surveys of refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia suggest that anemia is a persistent public health problem among non-pregnant women of reproductive age (NP-WRA, 15-49 years). Measurement of anemia in most refugee camp settings is conducted using an invasive HemoCue 301. We assessed the accuracy and precision of a non-invasive, pulse CO-oximeter in measuring anemia among NP-WRA in four Gambella refugee camps.

Multifaceted barriers associated with clinical breast examination in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel analytical approach.

Objectives: Clinical breast examination (CBE) open the pathway to early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. This study examined barriers to CBE uptake in seven sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.

Methods: Data from the most current Demographic and Health Surveys of Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Kenya Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania was used.

The impact of tuberculosis-induced hyperglycemia on pulmonary microbiota and airway mucus secretion in individuals not previously diabetic: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

The lung environment harbours a community of microbes that play a significant role in health and disease, including innate protection against pathogenic microorganisms. Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, psychological stress associated with the tuberculosis (TB) disease, and the metabolites from the rifampicin treatment regimen have been reported to induce hyperglycemia and consequently type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in individuals not previously diabetic. The high glucose concentration is proposed to alter the composition of the lung microbiota and airway homeostasis, exerting an influence on TB disease and treatment outcomes.

Using evidence from civil society in national and subnational health policy processes: a qualitative evidence synthesis.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (qualitative). The objectives are as follows: To explore the use of evidence from civil society in national and subnational health policy processes. The specific research questions will include the following.

Attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health and rights and their associations with reproductive agency: a population-based cross-sectional study in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

We investigated the association between values and attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality, with reproductive agency in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Using 2020-21 World Values Survey (WVS) data (n = 3,096), we utilized the SRHR Support Index including five subindices to gauge SRHR attitudes, the WVS Equality Index for gender equality values, and the perceived level of freedom of choice and control over whether, when, and how many children to have as a proxy for reproductive agency. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyse how values and attitudes differed between respondents of high vs low reproductive agency using the median as cutoff, stratified by country and sex.

Simple and Fail-safe Method to Transform Miniprep Strain K12 Plasmid DNA Into Viable EHA105 Cells for Plant Genetic Transformation.

Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation method is a vital molecular biology technique employed to develop transgenic plants. Plants are genetically engineered to develop disease-free varieties, knock out unsettling traits for crop improvement, or incorporate an antigenic protein to make the plant a green factory for edible vaccines. The method's robustness was validated through successful transformations, demonstrating its effectiveness as a standard approach for researchers working in plant biotechnology.

Evaluation of the Food Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Carrageenan-Starch Composite Films.

Single use plastics are a leading source of microplastics that have been detected along the food chain. This study evaluated the potential of starch (ST) and carrageenan (CRG) in packaging film formulation. CRG isolated from the seaweed (SW) was blended with starch and cast to obtain films whose moisture content (MC), total soluble matter (TSM), degree of solubility (DS), water vapor permeability (WVP), opacity (O), contact angles (CA), moisture absorption (MA), and percent elongation (PE) were evaluated.

Therapeutic Potential of Microgreens Extract in Alleviating Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Wistar Rats.

Microgreens of Brassica plants have attracted increasing research interest in the management of the prevailing epidemic of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because of their high nutritional value. This study evaluated the antidiabetic effects of Microgreens Ethanolic Extract (BMEE) in type-2 diabetic rats. For the normoglycemic assay, rats were divided into five groups and received a single oral dose of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg of BMEE while the control groups received distilled water and Glibenclamide.

Development and Implementation of a Context-Specific Multi-modal Point-of-Care Ultrasound Curriculum for a Kenyan Family Medicine Residency Program.

Access to diagnostic imaging is significantly limited in much of the world, and sub-Saharan Africa is no exception. Clinician-performed point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may provide increased access to diagnostic imaging for many patients in low-resource settings, but training in this modality is limited. We describe the development and implementation of a context-specific, multi-modal pilot POCUS curriculum involving hands-on instruction, in-person and online didactics, asynchronous online image review, and quantitative evaluation.

Integrating socio-economic support into drug-resistant TB care to optimise treatment outcomes.

Background: Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains a public health concern in Kenya, with an estimated 2,500 individuals acquiring DR-TB annually. Despite significant progress in DR-TB management, the treatment success rate (TSR) in 2021 stood at 77%, falling short of the 85% target. This low TSR occurs amidst a complex range of treatment challenges, including psychosocial factors.

Applicability of TB-LAMP test for diagnosis of pulmonary TB among HIV-positive individuals.

Background: The loop-mediated isothermal amplification for TB (TB-LAMP) assay is more cost-effective and accessible than the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the TB-LAMP assay in individuals with and without HIV infection.

Methods: Patients aged ≥15 years presenting with symptoms of TB were included in the study.

A randomized controlled trial of Tickoff® ( ICIPE 7) for control of tick infestations and transmission of tick-borne infections in extensively grazed zebu cattle in coastal Kenya.

The entomopathogenic fungus isolate ICIPE 7 is being developed as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical acaricides in managing natural tick infestation on livestock. Its impact on tick infestation and tick-borne infections in cattle under natural conditions are yet unclear. We conducted a randomized controlled field trial to assess the safety and effects of Tickoff® (a formulation of isolate ICIPE 7) and the chemical acaricide Triatix® on tick infestation and incidence of and in extensively grazed zebu cattle in coastal Kenya.

Immune targets for schistosomiasis control identified by a genome-wide association study of African snail vectors.

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, is transmitted by freshwater snails. Interruption of transmission will require novel vector-focused interventions. We performed a genome-wide association study of African snails, , exposed to in an endemic area of high transmission in Kenya.

Isolation and characterization of the midgut microbiota of Aedes albopictus to identify suitable candidates for paratransgenesis.

Aedes albopictus is a widely recognized carrier of various pathogens. Its resilient characteristics enable it to easily spread across diverse climates. The microbiota in the midgut of mosquitoes plays a crucial role in the interactions between the host and pathogens and can either enhance or reduce the ability of the insect to transmit diseases.

Achievement of one health multi-sectoral collaboration in containment of Rift Valley Fever outbreak, Sudan, Red Sea State 2019.

Rift Valley Fever is endemic in Sudan, with a notable outbreak declared in 2019, affecting multiple states. In this study, we examine the Red Sea State, Sudan's experience in applying the One Health approach, to contain Red-Sea RVF outbreak. A retrospective analysis of national and sub-national data and a review of literature were conducted to assess the application of One Health response and to derive lessons learned.