Exploring the Therapeutic Potential, Ethnomedicinal Values, and Phytochemistry of L.: A Review.

L. (Jerusalem artichoke) tubers and aerial parts possess both nutritional and therapeutic properties. The Jerusalem artichoke has been utilized for various applications, including its use as a functional food source, a reservoir of bioactive compounds, and a raw material to produce biofuels.

Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Improve the Levels of Nutrition and Physical Exercise Knowledge Among Primary School Learners in Tshwane, South Africa: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

The prevalence of childhood obesity in South Africa necessitates the design and implementation of interventions to improve the levels of physical activity and nutrition among school-age children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a brief intervention to improve knowledge regarding exercise and nutrition among primary school learners in Tshwane, South Africa, using a quasi-experimental single-group, pre-post-test design. A total of 86 primary school learners from two primary schools participated in the intervention, which was guided by the Analysis Grid for Obesity-Linked Environments (ANGELO).

Analysis of the stability of a predator-prey model including the memory effect, double Allee effect and Holling type-I functional response.

This study proposes and analyses a revised predator-prey model that accounts for a twofold Allee impact on the rate of prey population expansion. Employing the Caputo fractional-order derivative, we account for memory impact on the suggested model. We proceed to examine the significant mathematical aspects of the suggested model, including the uniqueness, non-negativity, boundedness, and existence of solutions to the noninteger order system.

Formulation and optimisation of bedaquiline nanoemulsions for the potential treatment of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in paediatrics using quality by design.

Bedaquiline is a drug used for the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB in adults and children that is currently only commercially available in tablet form. The present study was aimed at preparing nanoemulsion (NE) of BDQ using natural vegetable oils to deliver BDQ. The optimisation of surfactant mixtures was undertaken using Design of Experiments (DoE), specifically an optimal mixture design.

Dimensions and position of the eye for facial approximations in a South African cone beam computed tomography sample.

Accurate population and sex-specific normative values for the orbital and ocular dimensions, including the position and protrusion of the eye relative to the orbital rim, are vital for reliable facial approximations. In studies utilizing cadaveric tissue and computed tomography scans, the observed measurements may be influenced by desiccation, distortion or gravity, respectively. This study assessed the dimensions of the eye and orbit and established the position and protrusion of the eye relative to the orbital margin using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to negate the effect of gravity in the supine position.

From understanding to action: a juncture-factor framework for advancing social responsiveness in health professions education.

Background: Low- to middle-income countries face critical healthcare challenges. Equipping graduates with social responsiveness, the ability to address community health needs effectively, is essential. Despite its importance, research on integrating social responsiveness principles into medical and pharmacy curricula remains limited.

Multimorbidity clusters and their contribution to well-being among the oldest old: Results based on a nationally representative sample in Germany.

Aim: Our aim was to identify multimorbidity clusters and, in particular, to examine their contribution to well-being outcomes among the oldest old in Germany.

Methods: Data were taken from the large nationally representative D80+ study including community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals aged 80 years and over residing in Germany (n = 8,773). The mean age was 85.

What are the priorities for improving quality for community pharmacy professional services? Nominal group technique discussions with multiple stakeholders.

Background: Healthcare systems globally are expanding community pharmacy services to meet patient needs and reduce healthcare costs. In England this includes helping community pharmacies to provide integrated professional services but concerns persist over quality of care. This study aimed to identify priorities from key stakeholders for improving the quality of professional community pharmacy services.

Flavonoids and other constituents from Jacaranda mimosifolia: In vitro analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulations of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

The investigation of the methanol extract of the flowers of Jacaranda mimosifolia led to the isolation and characterisation of fourteen secondary metabolites (1-14) by the means of chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis. These compounds include eight flavonoids sorted as two flavonols (1-2), three flavones (3, 7-8), and three isoflavones (4, 9-10), two glucoiridoids (5-6), and four triterpenoids sorted as one oleanane (11), one hopane (12), and two lupane (13-14). The in vitro antioxidant potential of all the isolated compounds was evaluated using the ABTS- and FRAP- methods, which demonstrated concentration-dependent activity.

Community pharmacists' knowledge, beliefs, and perceived barriers toward vaccination services at community pharmacies: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia.

Community pharmacists were recently authorized to provide vaccination services in Saudi Arabia. However, the implementation is still limited. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and views of community pharmacists in the Qassim region regarding vaccines and vaccination services and to identify the barriers to providing such services.

Method validation and antioxidant activities of Hyperacanthus amoenus and Carissa bispinosa.

Plant foliages used as feed additives pose a health risk due to high oxidant concentrations. Oxidants cause oxidative stress and high rate of morbidities and mortalities. Hence, the aim of the study was to validate the methods to quantify gallic acid (GA) and quercetin (Q) as putative antioxidants, and to evaluate antioxidant activities in feed (F), Hyperacanthus amoenus (HA) and Carissa bispinosa (CB) extracts.

How Mental Health Nurses Perceive the Implementation of Batho Pele Principles in a Selected Mental Health Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Batho Pele is a South African legislative framework initiative introduced to improve the overall delivery of public services. The framework was introduced in 1997 and aimed at bringing a comprehensive transformation of the work ethics of all public servants, including health workers, at all levels of health hospitals. The study aims to investigate nurses' perceptions of implementing Batho Pele principles in selected mental health hospitals.

Evaluation of the Potential Hypoglycaemic Properties of Sond. and A.Berger, Two Plants Used by Traditional Healers in South Africa.

Sond. And A.Berger are used traditionally in South Africa to manage many diseases, including diabetes mellitus.

Change in sexual and reproductive health knowledge among young women using the conversational agent "Nthabi" in Lesotho: a clinical trial.

Background: Young women worldwide face problems like unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Providing sexual and reproductive health education to young women in low- and middle-income countries is a priority. It is unknown if using digital health interventions to deliver health education is effective in resource-constrained settings.

Implication of Pyrethroid Neurotoxicity for Human Health: A Lesson from Animal Models.

Pyrethroids, synthetic insecticides used in pest management, pose health risks, particularly neurotoxic effects, with studies linking exposure to a neurodegenerative disorder. This review examines the neurotoxic mechanisms of pyrethroids analyzing literature from animal model studies. It identifies critical targets for neurotoxicity, including ion channels, oxidative stress, inflammation, neuronal cell loss, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Sociodemographic, lifestyle and psychological factors associated with healthy ageing in a national longitudinal study of middle-aged and older adults in Thailand.

The aim of this study was to estimate the longitudinal associations with healthy ageing as well as its association with mortality in a national sample in Thailand. The analytic sample consisted of 2585 participants (≥45 years) in four study assessments in 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2022. The distribution of the healthy ageing components at baseline was 93.

Poor Performance of Applicator Tampon-Based Self-Collection for Liquid-Based Cytology Among Women Attending a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa.

Background: The South African Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy was updated in June 2017, recommending liquid-based cytology (LBC) as the preferred screening method and the investigation of self-sampling for cervical cancer screening.

Aim: To compare the performance of the Self Collection Cervical Health Screening Kit [SelfCerv (applicator tampon)] to the Cervex-Brush Combi for cytology screening. The study further aimed to compare high-risk (hr-) human papillomavirus (HPV) and LBC test results from both methods.

Paediatricians' knowledge, perceptions, preparedness and involvement towards paediatric antimicrobial stewardship in Pakistan: findings and the implications.

Introduction: Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for neonates and children. However, this can be excessive with inappropriate prescribing leading to increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Paediatricians are key initiators of antibiotics.

Parental experience with childhood COVID-19 vaccines and factors associated with parental hesitancy despite being vaccinated: findings of a cross-sectional analysis from Pakistan and implications for the future.

Objectives: This study examined parental experiences with COVID-19 vaccination and factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (CVH) among them to help guide future policy initiatives.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Lahore, the second largest metropolis in Pakistan.

Vaccine stock-outs: A preventable health facility obstacle contributing to missed vaccinations in South African children.

In 2019 the National Department of Health (NDoH) conducted a national immunisation coverage survey of caregivers of children aged 24-35 months in all 52 districts of South Africa, and reported a national fully immunised under one year-old coverage of 83.9 %, and 76.8 % coverage for all vaccines scheduled up to 18 months of age.

Dietary habits among primary school learners in the Tshwane West District of Gauteng, South Africa.

Background: Poor dietary habits are major contributors to malnutrition globally, particularly in children living in African countries. The widespread transition from African diet of healthy indigenous foods to a nutrient-poor Western-style diet is well-documented in global societal culture.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the dietary habits and their nutritional implications among learners in public primary schools.