Accessing medical records for research in South African public hospitals: a reflective narrative.

Background: Access to medical data is important for health system research in South Africa. Researchers must obtain authorization from gatekeepers to enter hospitals and access medical records. They engage with street-level bureaucrats to retrieve specific records and extract necessary data.

Antenatal care and breastfeeding practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis of demographic and health surveys.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends immediate breastfeeding (within the first hour after birth) and exclusive breastfeeding (for the first six months of life), particularly in low-resource settings such as sub-Saharan Africa. In 2016, WHO updated its antenatal care (ANC) guidelines, recommending at least eight (8+) ANC contacts during pregnancy to improve maternal and child health outcomes. This study investigates i) trends in breastfeeding practices across sub-Saharan Africa following the rollout of the revised WHO 2016 ANC policy and ii) the relationship between ANC uptake and exclusive or early breastfeeding.

The biodiversity of ice-free Antarctica database.

Antarctica is one of Earth's most untouched, inhospitable, and poorly known regions. Although knowledge of its biodiversity has increased over recent decades, a diverse, wide-ranging, and spatially explicit compilation of the biodiversity that inhabits Antarctica's permanently ice-free areas is unavailable. This absence hinders both Antarctic biodiversity research and the integration of Antarctica in global biodiversity-related studies.

Quantification of ivermectin in veterinary products consumed off-label as a treatment for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused global pandemonium, and due to an unprecedented global response, the popularity and use of (veterinary) ivermectin, amongst many other conceivable 'treatments', experienced a meteoric rise. Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone compound belonging to the avermectin drug class and is a registered medicine in many countries, although the most common use is as veterinary medicine. In this study, a fast HPLC method was developed and validated for the quantification of ivermectin in veterinary products that were used off-label by a substantial number of people during COVID-19.

Social epidemiology of early adolescent nutrition.

Background: This study aimed to investigate associations between sociodemographic factors and dietary intake among a diverse population of early adolescents ages 10-13 years in the United States.

Methods: We examined data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study in Year 2 (2018-2020, ages 10-13 years, N = 10,280). Multivariable linear regression models were conducted to estimate the adjusted associations between sociodemographic factors (age, sex, race and ethnicity, household income, parental education) and dietary intake of various food groups, measured by the Block Kids Food Screener.

Adsorption of Acid Yellow 36 and direct blue 86 dyes to Delonix regia biochar-sulphur.

This study aims to investigate a new approach to removing hazardous dyes like Direct Blue 86 (DB86) and Acid Yellow 36 (AY36) from aqueous environments. Delonix regia biochar-sulphur (DRB-S), made from Delonix regia seed pods (DPSPs), is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly adsorbent. Different characterization investigations using BJH, BET, FTIR, SEM, DSC, TGA, and EDX were utilized in the descriptions of the DRB-S biosorbent.

Density functional theory study of Chlorine, Fluorine, Nitrogen, and Sulfur doped rutile TiO for photocatalytic application.

This study uses the Quantum ESPRESSO code to introduce Hubbard correction (U) to the density functional theory (DFT) in order to examine the effects of non-metals (C, F, N, and S) doping on the structural, electronic, and optical characteristics of rutile TiO. Rutile TiO is a substance that shows promise for use in renewable energy production, including fuels and solar energy, as well as environmental cleanup. Its wide bandgap, however, restricts their uses to areas with UV light.

Developing anti-TDE vaccine for sensitizing cancer cells to treatment and metastasis control.

Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) mediate oncogenic communication, which modifies target cells to reinforce a tumor-promoting microenvironment. TDEs support cancer progression by suppressing anti-tumor immune responses, promoting metastasis, and conferring drug resistance. Thus, targeting TDEs could improve the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments and control metastasis.

Evidence-Based Surgical Guidelines for Treating Children With Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Background: Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in children. However, there is considerable variation in surgical management practices worldwide, highlighting the need for standardized Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG).

Methods: The CPG development involved assembling a multidisciplinary group, prioritizing 10 key topic areas, conducting evidence searches, and synthesizing findings.

Age- and sex-specific incidence rates and future projections for hip fractures in Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Population ageing in Africa is increasing healthcare demands. Hip fractures require multidisciplinary care and are considered an indicator condition for age-related health services. We aimed to estimate current hip fracture incidence in Zimbabwe, compare rates against other regional estimates and estimate future fracture numbers.

The Application of Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict HIV Testing in Repeated Adult Population-Based Surveys in South Africa: Protocol for a Multiwave Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: HIV testing is the cornerstone of HIV prevention and a pivotal step in realizing the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) goal of ending AIDS by 2030. Despite the availability of relevant survey data, there exists a research gap in using machine learning (ML) to analyze and predict HIV testing among adults in South Africa. Further investigation is needed to bridge this knowledge gap and inform evidence-based interventions to improve HIV testing.

Exome sequencing identifies existing and novel variants in a South African cohort presenting with anterior segment dysgenesis.

Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) defines a collection of congenital eye disorders that affect structures within the anterior segment of the eye. Mutations in genes that initiate and regulate the complex pathways involved in eye development can cause a spectrum of disorders such as ASD, congenital cataracts and corneal opacity. In South Africa, causes of ASD are poorly understood with few studies looking at the possible genetic basis for these disorders.

Lerodalcibep and evolocumab for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia with PCSK9 inhibition (LIBerate-HoFH): a phase 3, randomised, open-label, crossover, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Lerodalcibep, a small binding anti-PCSK9 protein (adnectin), showed effective LDL cholesterol reduction in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of lerodalcibep and evolocumab in a globally diverse homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia population.

Methods: This phase 3, randomised, open-label, crossover, non-inferiority study consisted of two 24-week treatment periods separated by an 8-week washout.

New evidence for early Indian Ocean trade routes into the South African interior.

The rise and spread of ancient Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) trade networks profoundly impacted southern Africa. Control over this trade played a critical role in the rise and maintenance of complex societies of the second millennium CE such as Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe. While the African origins of this trade lie in the first millennium CE, understanding its earliest phases and subsequent development in the far south has been hampered by a general paucity of research.

A comprehensive outline of antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic prescribing, and antimicrobial stewardship in South Africa: A scoping review protocol.

Introduction: The global prevalence of antimicrobial resistance transcends geographical and economic boundaries, affecting populations worldwide. Excessive and incorrect use of antibiotics encourages antimicrobial resistance which leads to complex treatment strategies for infectious diseases and possible failure of treatment. The incorrect and unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics places a burden on healthcare costs and thus, antimicrobial resistance is evident globally as a major public health concern.

Estimation of natural radioactivity and radiological hazards in river sediments (sand) used as building materials in South Africa.

This study presents an investigation into the natural radioactivity levels of U, Th, and K using a thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(TI)) detector and associated radiological hazards in river sediments, specifically sand, which serves as a crucial building material in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The assessment aims to provide insights into potential radiological risks posed by the utilization of these sediments in construction activities. The mean activity concentrations of U, Th, and K are 145.

Burden and attributable risk factors of non-communicable diseases and subtypes in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021.

Background: Understanding based on up-to-date data on the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is limited, especially regarding how subtypes contribute to the overall NCD burden and the attributable risk factors across locations and subtypes. We aimed to report the global, regional, and national burden of NCDs, subtypes, and attributable risk factors in 2021, and trends from 1990 to 2021 by age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI).

Materials And Methods: We used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to estimate the prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for NCDs and subtypes, along with attributable risk factors.

Assessment of the interobserver and the intraobserver reproducibility for the detection of renal cortical defects in adults and children using [99mTc]Tc-MAG3.

Background: One can assess cortical defects on the early images of [99mTc]Tc-MAG3 renography. We aimed to assess interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility for detecting renal cortical defects using [99mTc]Tc-MAG3 for adults and children; identify causes for poor inter- and intraobserver reproducibility and to assess the effect of the kidney to background ratio (KTBR) on reproducibility.

Methods: One hundred adult and 200 pediatric renograms were included.

Strength of Genetic Associations with Thyrotropin Values Differs Between Populations with Similarity to African and European Reference Populations.

Epidemiological data suggest the population distribution of thyrotropin (TSH) values is shifted toward lower values in self-identified Black non-Hispanic individuals compared with self-identified White non-Hispanic individuals. It is unknown whether genetic differences between individuals with genetic similarities to African reference populations (GSA) and those with similarities to European reference populations (GSE) contribute to these observed differences. We aimed to compare genome-wide associations with TSH and putative causal TSH-associated variants between GSA and GSE groups.

Nature and stability of the chemical bond in H3C-XHn (XHn = CH3, NH2, OH, F, Cl, Br, I).

We have quantum chemically analyzed the trends in bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of H3C-XHn single bonds (XHn = CH3, NH2, OH, F, Cl, Br, I) along three different dissociation pathways at ZORA-BLYP-D3(BJ)/TZ2P: (i) homolytic dissociation into H3C∙ + ∙XHn, (ii) heterolytic dissociation into H3C+ + -XHn, and (iii) heterolytic dissociation into H3C- + +XHn. The associated BDEs for the three pathways differ not only quantitatively but, in some cases, also in terms of opposite trends along the C-X series. Based on activation strain analyses and quantitative molecular orbital theory, we explain how these differences are caused by the profoundly different electronic structures of, and thus bonding mechanisms between, the resulting fragments in the three different dissociation pathways.

Safety and immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S in adolescents: Phase 2 randomized clinical trial.

We conducted a randomized, Phase 2 trial to assess the safety and humoral immunogenicity of reduced doses/dose volume of the standard dose of Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine (5 × 10 viral particles [vp]) in healthy adolescents aged 12-17 years.

Genetic insights into the first detection of Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Australia.

Species spread in a new environment is often associated with founders' effect, and reduced effective population size and genetic diversity. However, reduced genetic diversity does not necessarily translate to low establishment and spread potential. Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink is a polyphagous pest that has invaded 4 continents in around 34 years.

Deciphering the biosynthetic pathway of triterpene saponins in Prunella vulgaris.

The traditional Chinese medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris contains numerous triterpene saponin metabolites, notably ursolic and oleanolic acid saponins, which have significant pharmacological values. Despite their importance, the genes responsible for synthesizing these triterpene saponins in P. vulgaris remain unidentified.

Investing in equitable healthy aging: Why Africa must reform social pension schemes to improve Alzheimer's disease and dementia outcomes.

The eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. In 2019, women in 14 sub-Saharan African countries had an average life expectancy of 67 years but a healthy life expectancy of only 57 years, leaving them 5 years in poor health before receiving a pension at age 62. Men had a similar situation-a life expectancy of 62 years and a healthy life expectancy of 53 years, spending 10 years in poor health before becoming eligible for pensions at age 63.

Scientific mapping of the nexus between entrepreneurial orientation and environmental sustainability: bibliometric analysis.

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and environmental sustainability (ES) has recently become the subject of extensive research. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively analyze of EO and ES by conducting a bibliometric network and systematic review analysis of over ten years of publications. A total of 390 articles were identified using the Scopus and Mendeley search engines.