The modification of conventional liposomes for targeted antimicrobial delivery to treat infectious diseases.

Some of the most crucial turning points in the treatment strategies for some major infectious diseases including AIDS, malaria, and TB, have been reached with the introduction of antimicrobials and vaccines. Drug resistance and poor effectiveness are key limitations that need to be overcome. Conventional liposomes have been explored as a delivery system for infectious diseases bioactives to treat infectious diseases to provide an efficient approach to maximize the therapeutic outcomes, drug stability, targetability, to reduce the side-effects of antimicrobials, and enhance vaccine performance where necessary.

Brief Report: Preferences and Acceptability in Methods of Tenofovir Diphosphate in Dried Blood Spots Collection and Feedback in a Cohort of PLWH in Cape Town South Africa.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is crucial for HIV viral suppression. Tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations in dried blood spots (DBS) offer a potential tool for monitoring and supporting adherence. We assessed acceptability and preferences of fingerstick-based DBS collection and drug-level feedback among 224 people living with HIV (PLWH) in South Africa.

Evaluation of standards for sex estimation using measurements obtained from reconstructed computed tomography images of the femur of contemporary Black South Africans.

Dimensions of the pelvic and skull bones are known to be sexually dimorphic in various population groups. The recovery of these bones is potentially beneficial in estimating the sex in forensic cases. Since both bones are not always available for forensic analysis, standards for sex estimation must be established for other bones of the postcranial skeleton.

Understanding Anionic Hyperporphyrins: TDDFT Calculations on Peripherally Deprotonated -Tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin.

Presented herein is a DFT/TDDFT study of -tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (H[THPP]) and its -deprotonated tetraanionic form; the latter was modeled as both a free tetraanion and with various counterions. Based on our calculations, the experimentally observed hyperporphyrin spectra are attributed to an admixture of phenol/phenoxide character into the a-type HOMO of tetraphenylporphyrin. The admixture results in an elevation of the orbital energy of the HOMO in relation to other frontier orbitals, which accounts for the observed spectral redshifts.

Antibacterial activities of phytochemical constituents from the leaves of (Olacaceae) and investigations of ursolic acid.

From the leaves of , fourteen compounds were isolated and identified: D-mannitol (), a mixture of β-sitosterol () and stigmasterol (), α-amyrin (), betulin (), lupeol (), lupenone (), betulinic acid (), taraxerol (), 3β-(E)-coumaroyltaraxerol (), 3β-(Z)-coumaroyltaraxerol (), ursolic acid (), stigmasterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (), and β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (). These compounds were analysed through NMR spectroscopy (both 1D and 2D) and by comparing them to previously published data. Compounds , , , and - have been identified from this species for the first time.

Plasmids encode and can mobilize onion pathogenicity in Pantoea agglomerans.

Pantoea agglomerans is one of four Pantoea species reported in the USA to cause bacterial rot of onion bulbs. However, not all P. agglomerans strains are pathogenic to onion.

High burden of abnormal cervical smears in South African primary health care: health programmes implications.

Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among South African women and the load of abnormal cervical smears has clinical, programmatic and policy implications. This cross-sectional study of women who presented for cervical cancer screening aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical smears and associated factors in primary health care (PHC) facilities in Gauteng-the most densely populated province in South Africa. A questionnaire collected data on socio-demography, tobacco use, sexual behaviours, HIV status, past treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and cervical cancer screening in the past 10 years.

Examining priorities and investments made through the Global Financing Facility for maternal and newborn health: a sub-analysis on quality.

Improving quality of care could avert most of the 4.5 million maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths that occur each year. The Global Financing Facility (GFF) aims to catalyse the national scale-up of maternal and newborn health (MNH) interventions through focused investments.

On some integral inequalities of Grüss type involving the generalized fractional Saigo -integral operator.

Using the generalized Saigo fractional integral operator, the authors of this study prove several novel fractional integral inequalities of the Grüss type. By fixing the values of functions, specific situations derived from previously established findings are shown. The ultimate purpose of this work is to investigate the Grüss-type integral inequalities with the Saigo -integral operator, a more generalized integral operator.

Common agricultural weeds among alien invasive plants in China: Species lists and their practical managing strategies.

Plant invasion is a big challenge to weed management of agricultural lands. In order to reveal the list of common weed species among alien invasive plants, and reveal practical management strategies, we extracted the species lists of common alien agricultural weeds (CAAWs) of various arable lands and plantations, by comparing the lists of alien invasive plant species and common weed species published in China. Totally 88 species from 18 families were recognized as CAAWs, among which 43.

Supplementation with aspalathin and sulforaphane protects cultured cardiac cells against dyslipidemia-associated oxidative damage.

Dyslipidemia is a prominent pathological feature responsible for oxidative stress-induced cardiac damage. Due to their high antioxidant content, dietary compounds, such as aspalathin and sulforaphane, are increasingly explored for their cardioprotective effects against lipid-induced toxicity. Cultured H9c2 cardiomyoblasts, an in vitro model routinely used to assess the pharmacological effect of drugs, were pretreated with the dietary compounds, aspalathin (1 μM) and sulforaphane (10 μM) before exposure to palmitic acid (0.

Evaluating the dynamics of fee-free higher education in South Africa: a causal loop diagram approach .

Background: This research investigated the dynamics of fee-free higher education in South Africa, analysing the interplay of socioeconomic, political, and institutional factors to elucidate the complexities surrounding its implementation and impact. Using a causal loop diagram approach (CLD), the study aims to identify key factors to effective implementation, how they interact to shape the outcome of the policy, and actionable strategies to address the challenges hindering the policy sustainability.

Method: A participatory approach was used to developing the CLD, integrating insights from an extensive literature review and stakeholder opinion.

Population dynamics and digitalization: implications for COVID-19 data sources in South Africa-a scoping review.

Objectives: The study explores how humanity influences the development of digitalization on population dynamics during the changing times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Fifteen full-text articles were selected from 40 identified studies (2020-2023).

Global burden of chronic kidney disease due to dietary factors.

Background: We aimed to assess the global impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) attributable to dietary risk factors.

Methods: The research utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to evaluate age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) linked to CKD resulting from dietary risk factors.

Results: From 1990 to 2021, both the ASMR and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) for CKD attributable to dietary risk factors exhibited an overall increasing trend globally.

An analysis of artificial intelligence automation in digital music streaming platforms for improving consumer subscription responses: a review.

The rapid adoption and evolving nature of artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a significant role in shaping the music streaming industry. AI has become a key player in transforming the digital music streaming industry, particularly in enhancing user experiences and driving subscription growth. Through AI automation, platforms personalize music recommendations, optimize subscription offerings, and improve customer support services.

Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-going adolescents in 53 African countries: Evidence from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

Introduction: Tobacco use typically begins during adolescence. There is a lack of comprehensive evidence on the use of different tobacco products among adolescents in Africa.

Aims And Methods: We used the most recent Global Youth Tobacco Surveys from 53 African countries, covering 2003-2020, to estimate the overall and gender-specific prevalence of each type of tobacco product by country, Africa region, World Bank income group, and age group among adolescents aged 11-17 years.

Silent witnesses: unveiling the epidemic of femicides in North-west Tshwane, South Africa - a decade of analysis.

Background: Femicides, defined as the gender-based killing of women, are a pressing public health issue worldwide, with South Africa experiencing some of the highest rates globally. This study focuses on the North-west region of Tshwane, particularly the Garankuwa area, aiming to address gaps in understanding the epidemiology, demographics, circumstances, and pathology associated with femicides. The Garankuwa mortuary serves as the primary site for this investigation, providing a detailed analysis over a ten-year period, shedding light on contributing risk factors in the context of systemic gender inequality.

AAV Capsid Modification and Its Influence on Viral Protein Stoichiometry and Packaging Fitness: Current Understandings and Future Direction.

The field of gene therapy has witnessed significant advancements in the utilization of Adeno-associated virus (AAV) owing to its inherent biological advantages. Targeted AAV vectors are generated through genetic or chemical modification of the capsid for user-directed purposes. However, this process can result in imbalances in viral protein sequence homogeneity, stoichiometry, and functional transduction vector units, thereby introducing new challenges.

Self-reported prevalence and risk factors associated with keratoconus among the adult population of Trinidad and Tobago: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of keratoconus and its associated risk factors within the adult population of Trinidad and Tobago.

Method: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in Trinidad and Tobago, utilizing the Keratoconus Risk Assessment Questionnaire (KRIS) for data collection. Data were exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 for analysis.

Expanding the human gut microbiome atlas of Africa.

Population studies provide insights into the interplay between the gut microbiome and geographical, lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors. However, low- and middle-income countries, in which approximately 84% of the world's population lives, are not equitably represented in large-scale gut microbiome research. Here we present the AWI-Gen 2 Microbiome Project, a cross-sectional gut microbiome study sampling 1,801 women from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Global meta-analysis shows action is needed to halt genetic diversity loss.

Mitigating loss of genetic diversity is a major global biodiversity challenge. To meet recent international commitments to maintain genetic diversity within species, we need to understand relationships between threats, conservation management and genetic diversity change. Here we conduct a global analysis of genetic diversity change via meta-analysis of all available temporal measures of genetic diversity from more than three decades of research.

A manifesto for a globally diverse, equitable, and inclusive open science.

The field of psychology has rapidly transformed its open science practices in recent years. Yet there has been limited progress in integrating principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. In this Perspective, we raise the spectre of Questionable Generalisability Practices and the issue of MASKing (Making Assumptions based on Skewed Knowledge), calling for more responsible practices in generalising study findings and co-authorship to promote global equity in knowledge production.

Global regional and national burden of intracerebral hemorrhage between 1990 and 2021.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) represents one of the most devastating forms of stroke, characterized by spontaneous bleeding into the brain parenchyma. This neurological emergency carries a substantial burden of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. A comprehensive understanding of ICH's evolving global impact from 1990 to 2021 remains essential for healthcare planning and resource allocation.

Change in subjective well-being and the associated costs of a woman-targeted presbyopia correction programme among older craftswomen in Zanzibar: a cost-outcome and scenario analysis.

Background: A pilot eyecare programme aimed to address the urgent eye health needs of older Zanzibari craftswomen. We investigated the impact of correcting presbyopia on their subjective well-being (SWB) 6 months post-correction and assessed the cost-effectiveness of a women-targeted presbyopia correction programme.

Methods: This study involved Zanzibari craftswomen aged 40 and older with presenting and corrected distance visual acuity better than 6/12 in both eyes and were presbyopic.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among garment workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Garment workers are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to repetitive physical tasks, long working hours and varying workstations. As there is no existing epidemiological overview of MSDs among garment workers, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the global evidence on prevalence of MSDs in this population.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.