200,238 results match your criteria: "South Africa; Wageningen University and Research Centre WUR[Affiliation]"

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

JMIR Res Protoc

January 2025

South African Medical Research Council/University of Johannesburg Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research Extramural Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

February 2025

Cultural Heritage Unit, Conservation Services Division, South African National Parks, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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

Q J Nucl Med Mol Imaging

January 2025

Section of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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

J Chem Phys

January 2025

Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands, https://www.theochem.nl.

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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

Hum Vaccin Immunother

December 2025

Crucell Integration, Janssen Research and Development, Beerse, Belgium.

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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

J Insect Sci

January 2025

Biosecurity and Animal Welfare, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Berrimah Farm Science Precinct, Darwin, Northern Territory 0810, 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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Deciphering the biosynthetic pathway of triterpene saponins in Prunella vulgaris.

Plant J

January 2025

College of Horticulture, Bioinformatics Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by , is an important fungal disease of citrus. Higher CBS severity has been associated with infections at the young and green stages of fruit. The length of the fruit susceptibility period may be influenced by the amount of inoculum and the climate of the citrus growing region.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Surveillance of antibiotic use is crucial for identifying targets for antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs), particularly in pediatric populations within countries like Pakistan, where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is escalating. This point prevalence survey (PPS) seeks to assess the patterns of antibiotic use in pediatric patients across Punjab, Pakistan, employing the WHO AWaRe classification to pinpoint targets for intervention and encourage rational antibiotic usage.

Methods: A PPS was conducted across 23 pediatric wards of 14 hospitals in the Punjab Province of Pakistan using the standardized Global-PPS methodology developed by the University of Antwerp.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prognostic factors for disease progression of central high-grade conventional osteosarcoma of the appendicular skeleton: Single-centre experience within South Africa with minimum 3-year follow-up.

J Orthop

July 2025

Head of School, Sepsis, and Limb Reconstruction, Nelson Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, 4001, Durban, South Africa.

Background: Disease progression (DP) of osteosarcomas, albeit with aggressive treatments, hinders improving survival. The DP patterns are unique in low- and middle-income countries like South Africa. We determine the prognostic factors associated with disease progression (DP) of the appendicular skeleton's central high-grade conventional osteosarcoma (COS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Plant phylogenetics has been revolutionised in the genomic era, with target capture acting as the primary workhorse of most recent research in the new field of phylogenomics. Target capture (aka Hyb-Seq) allows researchers to sequence hundreds of genomic regions (loci) of their choosing, at relatively low cost per sample, from which to derive phylogenetically informative data. Although this highly flexible and widely applicable method has rightly earned its place as the field's standard, it does not come without its challenges.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer, with adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa carrying a disproportionately high burden of infection. Hormonal contraceptives may influence HPV acquisition, persistence, and clearance, but evidence remains inconclusive. This sub-study aimed to evaluate the impact of different hormonal contraceptives on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in AGYW.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF