Adverse birth outcome research case definitions associated with maternal HIV and antiretroviral drug use in pregnancy: a scoping review.

Background: Adverse birth outcomes (preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and stillbirth) seem to persist in infants born to people with HIV, even in the context of maternal antiretroviral therapy. However, findings have been disparate, inconclusive, and difficult to compare directly across settings, partly owing to variable outcome definitions. We aimed to collate, compare, and map existing adverse birth outcome definitions to inform a harmonized approach to universally measure these outcomes in studies including pregnant people with HIV.

Neonates exposed to HIV but uninfected exhibit an altered gut microbiota and inflammation associated with impaired breast milk antibody function.

Background: Infants exposed to HIV but uninfected have altered immune profiles which include heightened systemic inflammation. The mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon is unknown. Here, we investigated differences in neonatal gut bacterial and viral microbiome and associations with inflammatory biomarkers in plasma.

A scoping review of activities intended to reduce publication bias in randomised trials.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends that a randomised controlled trial (RCT) publishes its results in a peer-reviewed journal within 24 months of study completion. When RCTs are not published or publication is delayed, this can contribute to publication bias, which is the tendency for studies with positive or significant results to be published more frequently than studies with nonsignificant or negative results. This bias skews the available evidence, creating a distorted view of the research landscape.

Global burden of tuberculous meningitis in children aged 0-14 years in 2019: a mathematical modelling study.

Background: Tuberculous meningitis is fatal if untreated and can lead to lifelong neurological sequelae. However, to our knowledge, there are no data on the number of children affected by this disease. We aimed to estimate the global disease burden and attributable mortality of childhood tuberculous meningitis by WHO regions, age groups, treatment status, and HIV status in 2019.

A strategy for co-extracting hydroxycinnamic acids with hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin from wheat residues in an integrated biorefinery.

Cross-linkages with polysaccharides and lignin compromise hydroxycinnamic acid yields and purity in integrated biorefineries. A two-stage-alkaline-based process was sequentially optimised in a wheat straw (WS) and wheat bran (WB)-based biorefinery setup for selective co-production of hydroxycinnamic acids (p-Coumaric acid & ferulic acid) with hemicellulose at the mild-alkaline stage (MAS), and with lignin & cellulose-rich residues at severe-alkaline stage (SAS). The optimum MAS biorefining conditions gave hemicellulose, lignin, and hydroxycinnamic acid yields of 35, 60, and 85 % for WS, and 37, 72, and 66 % for WB, respectively.

"The COVID-19 pandemic in BRICS: Milestones, interventions, and molecular epidemiology".

Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) are a group of developing countries with shared economic, healthcare, and scientific interests. These countries navigate multiple syndemics, and the COVID-19 pandemic placed severe strain on already burdened BRICS' healthcare systems, hampering effective pandemic interventions. Genomic surveillance and molecular epidemiology remain indispensable tools for facilitating informed pandemic intervention.

Virome assembly reveals draft genomes of native Pseudomonas phages isolated from a paediatric bronchoalveolar lavage sample.

We present lung virome data recovered through shotgun metagenomics in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from an infant with cystic fibrosis, who tested positive for infection. Using a bioinformatic pipeline for virus characterization in shotgun metagenomic data, we identified five viral contigs representing Pseudomonas phages classified as Caudoviricetes.

Caring for a young child who is HIV exposed and whose HIV status is not yet known: a scoping review of mothers' experiences.

Living with HIV can affect mothers' wellbeing, functioning, and experiences of caregiving. Most research about caregiving in the context of HIV comes from studies of dyads where both mother and child are living with HIV. Less is known about how mothers experience caregiving when their children are HIV exposed, but their HIV-status is not yet known.

Efficacy of air and oxygen micro-nano bubble waters against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and impacts on postharvest quality of 'Fan Retief' guava fruit.

This study focused on the application of micro-nano bubbles (MNB) water generated using air or oxygen (O), as an alternative to chlorine-based wash for fruits. For the in vitro and in vivo investigation, 10 spore or conidia/mL Colletotrichum gloeosporioides suspension was used, and treated with solutions of air- or O-MNB for 30- or 60-min, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and untreated (as control). In the second experiment, freshly harvested guava fruits were washed with tap water (control), NaOCl (standard practice), air- or O-MNB (for 15- or 30-min).

Disclosure of biological sex may impact individual privacy.

Human identification by forensic DNA profiling primarily relies on the analysis of short tandem repeat markers (STRs) and Amelogenin or other sex determining markers. The resultant DNA profiles can be compared directly between evidence and reference samples or indirectly (i.e.

SARS-CoV-2 Infections in a Triad of Primary School Learners (Grades 1-7), Their Parents, and Teachers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional and Nested Case-Cohort Study.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as South Africa, there is paucity of data on SARS-CoV-2 infections among children attending school, including seroprevalence and transmission dynamics.

Objective: This pilot study aims to assess (1) the prevalence of self-reported or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 prior infections, COVID-19 symptoms (including long COVID), seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and general/mental health, (2) longitudinal changes in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, and (3) SARS-CoV-2 acute infections, immune responses, transmission dynamics, and symptomatic versus asymptomatic contacts in a unique cohort of unvaccinated primary school learners, their parents, teachers, and close contacts in semirural primary school settings.

Methods: Learners (grades 1-7) from primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, their parents, and teachers will be invited to enroll into the COVID kids school study (CoKiDSS).

Low concordance between QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB, a novel interferon-gamma release assay, and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, in a population-based survey in Blantyre, Malawi.

Unlabelled: Urgent improvements in the diagnosis and management of infection are required to reach End TB goals. Conventional interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), require substantial laboratory infrastructure and large blood volumes, limiting use in high-burden settings. The QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB (QIAreach QFT) was developed to overcome these challenges but has not previously been evaluated in field conditions in a low-income, high-burden country, or at scale in children.

SEROCONVERSION CAN PRECEDE CULTURE CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS OF INFECTION IN ASIAN ELEPHANTS () BY DECADES.

() infection was diagnosed in 16 human-managed Asian elephants () at four different US facilities. A retrospective review was performed to collate information on serological test results and describe the timelines from exposure to an elephant known to be positive for , detection of antimycobacterial antibodies in the exposed elephant, and isolation from the exposed elephant to confirm diagnosis. Seroconversion was defined by a positive test result using ElephantTB STAT-PAK, multiantigen print immunoassay, or DPP VetTB assay for elephants (Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc).

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general population towards Marburg virus disease in sub-Saharan African countries: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Marburg virus disease (MVD) is categorized among viral hemorrhagic fevers. MVD is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify factors affecting MVD knowledge, attitudes and practices in sub-Saharan African countries.

Assessment of an eye-tracking tool to discriminate between concussed and not concussed professional male rugby players: a cohort study.

Concussion is a common injury in rugby union ('rugby') and yet its diagnosis is reliant on clinical judgment. Oculomotor testing could provide an objective measure to assist with concussion diagnosis. NeuroFlex® evaluates oculomotor function using a virtual-reality headset.

Epigenome-wide association studies identify novel DNA methylation sites associated with PTSD: a meta-analysis of 23 military and civilian cohorts.

Background: The occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event is associated with biological differences that can represent the susceptibility to PTSD, the impact of trauma, or the sequelae of PTSD itself. These effects include differences in DNA methylation (DNAm), an important form of epigenetic gene regulation, at multiple CpG loci across the genome. Moreover, these effects can be shared or specific to both central and peripheral tissues.

A Meta-Analysis of Levofloxacin for Contacts of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Background: Data from randomized trials evaluating the effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment for contacts of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB are lacking. Two recently published randomized trials that did not achieve statistical significance provide the opportunity for a meta-analysis.

Methods: We conducted combined analyses of two phase 3 trials of levofloxacin MDR-TB preventive treatment - Levofloxacin for the Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (VQUIN) trial and the Levofloxacin preventive treatment in children exposed to MDR-TB (TB-CHAMP) trial.

Levofloxacin Preventive Treatment in Children Exposed to MDR Tuberculosis.

Background: Worldwide, approximately 2 million children younger than 15 years of age are infected with multidrug-resistant (MDR) , with MDR tuberculosis developing in approximately 30,000 annually. Evidence from randomized, controlled trials on tuberculosis preventive treatment in persons exposed to MDR tuberculosis is lacking.

Methods: In this community-based, multisite, double-blind, cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled trial in South Africa, we assessed the efficacy and safety of levofloxacin as preventive treatment in children with household exposure to an adult with bacteriologically confirmed MDR pulmonary tuberculosis.

Findings From the Todurujo na Kadurok (Empowering Youth) HIV Self-Testing and Edutainment Comic Randomized Controlled Trial With Refugee Youth in a Humanitarian Setting in Uganda.

Introduction: Humanitarian settings are underserved by HIV self-testing (HIV-ST).

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of HIV-ST (Arm 1), HIV-ST alongside edutainment comics (Arm 2), and edutainment comics (Arm 3), compared with the standard of care (SOC), in increasing HIV testing with refugee youth aged 16-24 in the Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Intervention effects on HIV testing at 3-month follow-up (T2) were assessed using generalized estimating equation models alongside open-ended questions.

Repeatability, reproducibility and normative ranges for EyeGuide Focus testing system in elite male rugby players.

Objectives: The EyeGuide Focus system is a simple, portable, test of visual tracking with potential use for concussion screening. This study investigated the repeatability, reproducibility, distribution, and modifiers of EyeGuide Focus measurements in healthy elite Rugby players.

Design: Cross sectional repeated measures study and controlled pre-test post-test sub-study.

Using HIV and Hepatitis C Molecular Epidemiology to Investigate Assisted Partner Services Recruitment Among People Who Inject Drugs in Kenya.

Sexual and/or injecting partners of people who inject drugs (PWID) may have an elevated risk of HIV infection either from sharing a transmission network or an epidemiological environment. We estimated the degree of similarity between HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) sequences from PWID and their partners to assess whether partner-based recruitment identifies sexual or injecting partners within transmission networks. We used assisted partner services (APS) to recruit sexual and injecting partners of PWID living with HIV in Kenya and evaluated trends in the TN93 distances (an adjusted measure of sequence similarity) of the HIV-1 and HCV sequences from partner pairs.