Effective community engagement in one health research in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

Background: The one health (OH) approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health, relies on effective community engagement (CE), education, stewardship, and effective regional and global partnerships. For real impact, communities should be at the centre of research agenda setting and program implementation. This review aimed at synthesizing empirical evidence on how communities are involved in one health research.

Benefits, challenges, and best practices of collaborative partnerships among health supply chain stakeholders in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Strong partnerships, community engagement, and multisectoral collaboration in the health supply chain are synergistic pillars towards achieving universal health coverage. In Rwanda, the health supply chain involves the collaboration of various stakeholders, including distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers, and customers. However, since the eruption and ending of COVID-19, there has not been any study to assess stakeholders' perspectives on the status of the benefits, challenges, and best practices of collaborative partnerships among health supply chain stakeholders in Rwanda.

Exposure Contrasts of Women Aged 40-79 Years during the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Randomized Controlled Trial.

Exposure to household air pollution has been linked to adverse health outcomes among women aged 40-79. Little is known about how shifting from biomass cooking to a cleaner fuel like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) could impact exposures for this population. We report 24-h exposures to particulate matter (PM), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide (CO) among women aged 40 to <80 years participating in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network trial.

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.

Oral obeldesivir provides postexposure protection against Marburg virus in nonhuman primates.

The recent outbreak of Marburg virus (MARV) in Rwanda underscores the need for effective countermeasures against this highly fatal pathogen, with case fatality rates reaching 90%. Currently, no vaccines or approved treatments exist for MARV infection, distinguishing it from related viruses like Ebola. Our research demonstrates that the oral drug obeldesivir (ODV), a nucleoside analog prodrug, shows promising antiviral activity against filoviruses in vitro and offers significant protection in animal models.

A qualitative exploration of the early adoption of an electronic medical record system for type 1 diabetes management in Rwanda.

Background: Delivering adequate quality care remains a challenge in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), requiring a complex treatment regimen. Digital health solutions, including electronic medical record (EMR) systems, have shown potential to improve delivery and quality of care but still require a successful implementation.

Objective: To analyze the adoption of a newly implemented EMR system in Rwanda from the perspectives of individuals with T1D, health care providers, and experts.

A Scalable Approach to Internet of Things and Industrial Internet of Things Security: Evaluating Adaptive Self-Adjusting Memory K-Nearest Neighbor for Zero-Day Attack Detection.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) have drastically transformed industries by enhancing efficiency and flexibility but have also introduced substantial cybersecurity risks. The rise of zero-day attacks, which exploit unknown vulnerabilities, poses significant threats to these interconnected systems. Traditional signature-based intrusion detection systems (IDSs) are insufficient for detecting such attacks due to their reliance on pre-defined attack signatures.

Country-specific key lifestyle factors and health outcomes for resource allocation in the general population: a network analysis across 29 countries.

Background: We aimed to identify the central lifestyle, the most impactful among lifestyle factor clusters; the central health outcome, the most impactful among health outcome clusters; and the bridge lifestyle, the most strongly connected to health outcome clusters, across 29 countries to optimise resource allocation for local holistic health improvements.

Methods: From July 2020 to August 2021, we surveyed 16 461 adults across 29 countries who self-reported changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes due to the pandemic. Three networks were generated by network analysis for each country: lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks.

Country economic status is strongly associated with burn survival - validation of the (modified) ABSI.

Background: Predicting burn-related mortality is vital for family counseling, triage, and resource allocation. Several of the burn-specific mortality prediction scores have been developed, including the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) in 1982. However, these scores are not tested for accuracy to support contemporary estimates of the global burden of burn injury.

PFAS contamination in tap water: Target and suspect screening of zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic species across Canada and beyond.

This study investigated the occurrence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic compounds, in drinking water. Between 2021-2023, an expanded list of 76 target PFAS was screened in tap water samples mainly from Canada, but also including tap water samples from the Eastern United States, Mexico, South America (Argentina), the Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Cuba), Africa (Algeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Morocco, Rwanda, Tunisia), Europe (France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Asia (Japan, Vietnam, Iran, and Türkiye). An additional ∼ 200 suspect-target PFAS were screened using high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

An African perspective to biodiversity conservation in the twenty-first century.

Africa boasts high biodiversity while also being home to some of the largest and fastest-growing human populations. Although the current environmental footprint of Africa is low compared to other continents, the population of Africa is estimated at around 1.5 billion inhabitants, representing nearly 18% of the world's total population.

Synthesizing evidence to guide the design and implementation of effective strategies for discontinuing postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical settings: an umbrella review post-WHO 2018 recommendations.

Background: Postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) involves using antibiotics after surgery to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). However, studies have shown that PAP offers no additional benefits compared to discontinuation after surgical incision closure, prompting its de-implementation to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use that may contribute to antibiotic resistance. We conducted this review to synthesize evidence for guiding the design and implementation of effective strategies for discontinuing PAP practice and optimizing antibiotic use in surgical settings.

Factors influencing survival outcomes in patients with stroke at three tertiary hospitals in Zimbabwe: A 12-month longitudinal study.

Background: In this longitudinal study, we aimed to determine factors influencing survival outcomes among patients with stroke at three tertiary hospitals over a 12-month period. The investigation sought to uncover influential determinants to enhance the precision of prognostic assessments and inform targeted interventions for individuals affected by stroke.

Methods: Employing a longitudinal study design, participants were observed for 12 months from baseline, censoring survivors at the endpoint.

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U): insights from people living with HIV attending health facilities in Rwanda.

Background: Rwanda has made remarkable progress in scaling up HIV testing, treatment, and healthcare services. Recent data show that 95% of people living with HIV (PLWH) were aware of their status, 97.5% of them are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 98% of those who are on treatment have achieved viral suppression.

Androgen receptor overexpression by immunohistochemistry in malignant salivary gland tumors in Tanzania.

Background: Malignant salivary gland tumors (SGTs) present diagnostic challenges and limited treatment options. This study aims to determine the proportion of malignant SGTs overexpressing the androgen receptor (AR) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and its association to age, sex, anatomical site, histopathological subtype and grade which may inform customized treatment approaches.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study of archived paraffin embedded tissue blocks of malignant SGTs diagnosed at MNH Central Pathology Laboratory (CPL) from January 2019 to December 2022.

Genomic Evolution and Phylodynamics of the Species (Marburg and Ravn Viruses) to Understand Viral Adaptation and Marburg Virus Disease's Transmission Dynamics.

In this review, we investigated the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of the species that includes both Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). Using sequence data from natural reservoir hosts and human cases reported during outbreaks, we conducted comprehensive analyses to explore the genetic variability, constructing haplotype networks at both the genome and gene levels to elucidate the viral dynamics and evolutionary pathways. Our results revealed distinct evolutionary trajectories for MARV and RAVV, with MARV exhibiting higher adaptability across different ecological regions.

Malaria Prevention for Pregnant Women and Under-Five Children in 10 Sub-Saharan Africa Countries: Socioeconomic and Temporal Inequality Analysis.

Background: Malaria remains a public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite gains from strategies like Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy (IPTp), significant socioeconomic inequalities persist, particularly among pregnant women and children under five. This study analyzed temporal and socioeconomic inequalities in malaria prevention in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Mitigating Oxidative Stress and Promoting Cellular Longevity with Mushroom Extracts.

Oxidative stress can disrupt the body's ability to fight harmful free radicals, leading to premature aging and various health complications. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-aging properties of four medicinal and edible mushrooms: , , , and . The antioxidant activity of mushroom extracts was evaluated using (DPPH-ABTS-Reducing power).

Developing and integrating a destination decision support algorithm into an innovative electronic communication platform to improve injury care service coordination in Rwanda: The Rwanda912 study protocol.

Introduction: Delays in getting injured patients to hospital in a timely manner can increase avoidable death and disability. Like many low- or middle-income countries (LMICs), Rwanda experiences delays related to lack of efficient prehospital communication and formal guidelines to triage patients for hospital care. This paper describes the protocol to develop, roll out, and evaluate the effectiveness of a Destination Decision Support Algorithm (DDSA) integrated in an electronic communication platform, '912Rwanda'.

Prevalence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid and factors associated with emergency cesarean section: multicenter cross-sectional study in south central Ethiopia.

Background: Meconium is thick black-green fetal intestinal content starting from the early first trimester of gestation. Unfortunately, if it is released into the amniotic cavity due to any cause, it can be associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Objective: To identify the factors associated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid among mothers undergoing emergency cesarean section in specialized hospitals cross-sectional study in south central Ethiopia from August 1, 2022, to 30, October 2022.

Routine malaria vaccination in Africa: a step toward malaria eradication?

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with nearly half of the world's population at risk of infection. In 2022 alone, malaria claimed approximately 608,000 lives, with 76% of these fatalities occurring in children under the age of five, underscoring the disease's disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Africa bears the highest burden, accounting for 94% of global malaria cases.

Professional Development Among African Oncologists: Examining Professional Development Activities, Satisfaction Levels, Barriers, and Enablers.

Africa is currently facing unprecedented growth in its cancer burden. Training an adequate number of skilled physicians is critical to addressing this challenge. We examine African oncology faculty's professional development (PD) activities, associated barriers, enablers, satisfaction levels, and highlight the implications for improving the quality of the oncology faculty workforce in SSA.