Ethnoveterinary medicines used by smallholder farmers for treatment of goat ailments in Chikomba, Murewa, Gutu and Mwenezi districts of Zimbabwe: is there cultural consensus in use practices?

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Zimbabwe is a key biodiversity domain in sub-Saharan Africa and ethnoveterinary medicines play an integral role in livestock health. However, knowledge on whether plants are used by only a small proportion of people or whether similar uses exist in different communities and in a more regional context is incompletely documented.

Aim Of The Study: Firstly, the study documented plant-based complementary medicines used for managing goat ailments.

Recommendations to address the shortfalls of the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet from a plant-forward perspective.

Shifting to dietary patterns rich in plants and low in animal-source foods could substantially lower emissions from the food sector while reducing the global burden of non-communicable diseases. The EAT-Lancet Commission proposed the planetary health diet (PHD) to emphasise plant-forward diets and set global targets to guide an urgently needed food-system transformation. However, the PHD's meat-reduction approach has attracted criticism and prompted debate on the potential micronutrient shortfalls of the plant-forward dietary approach.

Accounting for sampling heterogeneity suggests a low paleolatitude origin for dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs dominated Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems for ∼160 million years, but their biogeographic origin remains poorly understood. The earliest unequivocal dinosaur fossils appear in the Carnian (∼230 Ma) of southern South America and Africa, leading most authors to propose southwestern Gondwana as the likely center of origin. However, the high taxonomic and morphological diversity of these earliest assemblages suggests a more ancient evolutionary history that is currently unsampled.

Cropland associated with risk of Parkinson's disease in the northern Great Plains.

Introduction: We sought to identify regional associations between cropland density and crop types and PD in the U.S.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study of 21,639,190 Medicare beneficiaries, 89,790 with incident PD in 2009.

Hypertensive disorders in a gestational diabetes cohort from Cape Town, South Africa.

Introduction And Objective: As thresholds for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) become lower, and the prevalence of obesity in society rises, more pregnant women will be diagnosed with GDM and hypertension. Both conditions hold dangers for mother and baby. Our objective was to properly describe this association.

Synthesis, molecular dynamics simulation and antimicrobial activity of novel s-triazine clubbed with three different hybrid pharmacophores.

To address microbial infections and combat drug resistance, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated three novel s-triazine clubbed pharmacophores: 1-acetylpyrazoline (5a-e), 2-aminopyrimidine (6a-e), and 1,5-benzodiazepine (7a-e). These were derived from chalcone (4a-e), showing improved pharmacological profiles. The compounds underwent characterization by FTIR, NMR, and Mass Spectroscopy, and their antimicrobial activities, along with structure-activity relationships (SAR), were assessed using in silico and in vitro methods.

Global, regional and national burden of neuroblastoma and other peripheral nervous system tumors, 1990 to 2021 and predictions to 2035: visualizing epidemiological characteristics based on GBD 2021.

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial malignant solid tumor in children, accounting for >15 % of cancer-related deaths in children. We analyzed the epidemiological statistical indicators of neuroblastoma and other peripheral nervous system tumors patients from 1990 to 2021 in Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, aiming to provide valuable insights for public health interventions and clinical practices.

Methods: Based on the GBD 2021 database, this study analyzed the incidence, mortality, prevalence, and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs) of neuroblastoma and other peripheral nervous system tumors from 1990 to 2021, stratified by sociodemographic development index (SDI) and geographic regions.

Feasibility of implementing viral hepatitis services into a correctional service facility in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are estimated to be of the most prevalent infectious diseases in correctional settings worldwide. However, viral hepatitis services have not been routinely integrated into South African correctional facilities. We aimed to assess prevalence of HBV infection and HCV infection among people accessing HIV services and assess the feasibility of viral hepatitis service integration in a South African correctional centre.

Natural exposure to Chikungunya virus in golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas, Kuhl, 1820) from non-protected areas in southern Bahia, Brazil: Implications and significance.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily associated with non-human-primates (NHPs) in Africa, which also infect humans. Since its introduction to Brazil in 2014, CHIKV has predominantly thrived in urban cycles, involving Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Limited knowledge exists regarding CHIKV occurrence and implications in rural and sylvatic cycles where neotropical NHPs are potential hosts, from which we highlight Leontopithecus chrysomelas (Kuhl, 1820), the golden-headed lion tamarin (GHLT), an endangered species endemic to the Atlantic Forest (AF) in Southern Bahia State, Brazil.

Impact of COVID-19 vaccination on hospitalization, hospital utilization and expenditure for COVID-19: A retrospective cohort analysis of a South African private health insured population.

This study quantifies the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on hospitalization for COVID-19 infection in a South African private health insurance population. This retrospective cohort study is based on the analysis of demographic and claims records for 550,332 individuals belonging to two health insurance funds between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2022. A Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to estimate the impact of vaccination (non-vaccinated, partly vaccinated, fully vaccinated) on COVID-19 hospitalization risk; and zero-inflated negative binomial models were used to estimate the impact of vaccination on hospital utilization and hospital expenditure for COVID-19 infection, with adjustments for age, sex, comorbidities and province of residence.

Factors contributing to visual intrapartum cardiotocograph interpretation variation among healthcare professionals: An integrative review.

The reliability of cardiotocographs as diagnostic tools for fetal well-being is hampered by interpretational variations among healthcare professionals, contributing to high rates of cesarean sections and instrumental deliveries. While adjunct technologies may be used to confirm cases of fetal distress, those in resource constrained areas continue to rely on visual cardiotocograph interpretation to come up with the diagnosis of fetal hypoxia. This study investigated the factors contributing to variations in the visual interpretation of intrapartum cardiotocograph among healthcare professionals in the absence of adjunctive technologies.

Radar versus optical: The impact of cloud cover when mapping seasonal surface water for health applications in monsoon-affected India.

Surface water plays a vital role in the spread of infectious diseases. Information on the spatial and temporal dynamics of surface water availability is thus critical to understanding, monitoring and forecasting disease outbreaks. Before the launch of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions, surface water availability has been captured at various spatial scales through approaches based on optical remote sensing data.

Genetic diversity and population structure analyses of tropical maize inbred lines using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers.

Analyses of the genetic distance and composition of inbred lines are a prerequisite for parental selection and to exploit heterosis in plant breeding programs. The study aimed to assess genetic diversity and population structure of a maize germplasm panel comprising 182 founder lines and 866 derived inbred lines using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers to identify genetically unique lines for hybrid breeding. The founder lines were genotyped with 1201 SNPs, and the derived lines with 1484 SNPs.

Insulin therapy adherence and its associated factors among diabetic patients in a Ghanaian primary care hospital.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem. Adherence to intensive insulin therapy is necessary to achieve better glycemic control in types 1 and 2 DM. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of adherence to insulin therapy, its predictors and to identify barriers to its adherence.

Trends and ethnic disparity in endometrial cancer mortality in South Africa (1999-2018): A population-based Age-period-cohort and Join point regression analyses.

Background: Endometrial cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer among females and about 97,000 global deaths of endometrial cancer. The changes in the trends of obesity, fertility rates and other risk factors in South Africa (SA) may impact the endometrial cancer trends. The aim of this study was to utilise the age period cohort and join point regression modelling to evaluate the national and ethnic trends in endometrial cancer mortality in South Africa over a 20year period (1999-2018).

Acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness of intensified health education, SMS/phone tracing and transport reimbursement for uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision in a sexually transmitted infections clinic in Malawi: A mixed methods study.

Introduction: Uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) remains a challenge in many settings. Innovative implementation strategies are required to scale-up VMMC uptake.

Methodology: RITe was a multi-faceted intervention comprising transport reimbursement (R), intensified health education (IHE) and SMS/Telephone tracing (Te), which increased the uptake of VMMC among uncircumcised men with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Malawi.

A systematic review on malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) vaccine challenges in sub-Saharan African clinical trials.

Objective: For more than a century, developing novel and effective vaccines against malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) infections has been a challenge. This review sought to investigate the reasons for the slow progress of malaria and TB vaccine candidates in sub-Saharan African clinical trials.

Methods: The systematic review protocol was registered on PROSPERO on July 26, 2023 (CRD42023445166).

Suction tube uterine tamponade versus uterine balloon tamponade for treatment of refractory postpartum hemorrhage: A randomized clinical feasibility trial.

Objective: To compare low-cost "Suction Tube Uterine Tamponade" (STUT) treatment for refractory postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) with uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) using a randomized feasibility study.

Methods: After verbal assent, we allocated participants with refractory PPH by randomly ordered envelopes to STUT or routine UBT at 10 hospitals in South Africa and one tertiary referral center in Colombia between January 10, 2020, and May 3, 2024. In the STUT group, we inserted a 24 FG Levin stomach tube into the uterine cavity and applied suction.

Pollination efficiency and the evolution of sex allocation - diminishing returns matter.

Immobility of flowering plants requires them to engage pollen vectors to outcross, introducing considerable inefficiency in the conversion of pollen production into sired seeds. Whether inefficiencies influence the evolution of the relative resource allocation to female and male functions has been debated for more than 40 years. Whereas early models suggested no effect, negative interspecific relations of mean pollen production and pollen : ovule ratios to the proportion of removed pollen that is exported to stigmas (pollen-transfer efficiency) indicate otherwise.

Non-targeted metabolomics-based molecular networking enables the chemical characterization of Rumex sanguineus, a wild edible plant.

Introduction And Objective: Rumex sanguineus, a traditional medicinal plant of the Polygonaceae family, is gaining popularity as an edible resource. However, despite its historical and nutritional significance, its chemical composition remains poorly understood. To deepen the understanding of the of Rumex sanguineus composition, an in-depth analysis using non-targeted, mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was performed.

Distribution of pharmaceuticals in marine surface sediment and macroalgae (ulvophyceae) around Mombasa peri-urban creeks and Gazi Bay, Kenya.

Pollution in marine creeks has been increasing due to anthropogenic activities and has been a global concern. Limited research has been conducted on pharmaceuticals in marine sediment and macroalgae in African countries. In the present study, the levels of pharmaceuticals were assessed in surface sediment and different species of macroalgae (ulvophyceae; Cladophora sudanensis, Chaetomorpha crassa, Chaetomorpha indica, Enteromorpha kylinii, Ulva reticulate, Ulva lactuca and Cladophora sibugae) in Mombasa peri-urban creeks (Tudor, Makupa and Mtwapa creek) and Gazi bay during dry and wet seasons.

Synthesis, Characterization, Anti-nematocidal, and Computational Study of Copper(II) Complex Derived from Fluoro-substituted Schiff base Ligand.

Herein, Schiff base was synthesized via reaction between 2-bromo-4-(trifluoromethoxy)aniline and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The ligand was reacted with Cu(II) salt to obtain complex. The compounds  were characterization using various techniques.

Streamlining the Journey of Research Into Clinical Practice: Making Your Patients and Practice Flourish Evaluation and Treatment of Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis of the Spine: AO Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma and Infection.

Study Design: Literature Review with clinical recommendations.

Objective: To highlight impactful studies on pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS), identified by the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Trauma and Infection, with recommendations for their integration into clinical practice.

Methods: Five influential studies on PS that have the potential to shape current practice in spinal infections were selected and reviewed.

Strengthening National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups: Twelve Years of Progress (2012-2023).

Introduction: Well-functioning National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) are valuable contributors to decision-making processes in the complex immunization policy arena. This paper describes the progress made globally on the establishment and strengthening of these key advisory groups and discusses some of their strengths, challenges, and opportunities.

Methods: The data submitted annually by countries to the World Health Organization (WHO) via the WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Form (JRF) were analyzed, comparing the NITAG functionality criteria in 2012 and 2023.

Mapping the Transition of Adolescents to Adult HIV Care: A Mixed-Methods Perspective from the Cape Town Metropole, South Africa.

(1) Background: Globally, an estimated 1.7 million adolescents (aged 10-19 years) were living with HIV in 2023, with 82% residing in sub-Saharan Africa. For ALHIV, transitioning to adult care involves assuming responsibility for their own health and disease management, posing significant challenges to persistent engagement in care.