Model-informed drug discovery and development approaches to inform clinical trial design and regulatory decisions: A primer for the MENA region.

Model-Informed Drug Discovery and Development (MID3) represents a transformative approach in pharmaceutical research, integrating quantitative models to inform and optimize decision-making throughout the drug development process. This review explores the current applications, challenges, and future prospects of MID3 within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By leveraging local data and advanced computational techniques, MID3 has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and success rates of drug development tailored to regional health priorities.

Plasmodium falciparum with pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions in asymptomatic malaria infections in the Lake Victoria region, Kenya.

Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) targeting the Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) are widely used to diagnose P. falciparum infection. However, reports of P.

Risk of Aedes-borne diseases in and around the Tanzanian seaport of Tanga despite community members being more concerned about malaria.

Background: Increased global trade, while beneficial economically, can also increase the spread of vector-borne diseases, particularly those transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes spreading via trade routes. Given the heightened trade-induced activity at ports of entry, it is particularly crucial to assess the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in these settings. This study compared the risks of Aedes-borne disease in and around the eastern Tanzanian seaport of Tanga.

Comparison of fine-scale malaria strata derived from population survey data collected using RDTs, microscopy and qPCR in South-Eastern Tanzania.

Background: Malaria-endemic countries are increasingly adopting data-driven risk stratification, often at district or higher regional levels, to guide their intervention strategies. The data typically comes from population-level surveys collected by rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which unfortunately perform poorly in low transmission settings. Here, a high-resolution survey of Plasmodium falciparum prevalence rate (PfPR) was conducted in two Tanzanian districts using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), microscopy, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, enabling the comparison of fine-scale strata derived from these different diagnostic methods.

Caregivers' perceptions of factors influencing undernutrition among under five in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: Undernutrition in children is predominantly linked to lack of a balanced diet resulting from inadequate nutrition intake. This form of malnutrition remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality under-five children, especially prevalent in low-income countries. Understanding the specific factors contributing to undernutrition among this group, particularly those associated with caregivers, is vital yet insufficiently explored.

Evaluation of the social-economic impacts of hyena attacks on humans and livestock in the Nyang'whale district of Tanzania.

Background: The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is one of the carnivore species that frequently comes into conflict with humans. These conflicts are attributed to their scavenging foraging behaviour and their ability to occupy habitats close to human settlements. In Tanzania, the Geita region has recently experienced an increase in livestock and human attacks by hyenas.

Minimum dietary diversity behaviour among children aged 6 to 24 months and their determinants: insights from 31 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.

Background: Feeding practices during infancy have a significant impact on a child's cognitive development and long-term health outcomes. Dietary diversity guidelines from the WHO and UNICEF recommend a diverse range of foods for children aged below 24 months for their optimal growth and development. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), little is known about the extent to which dietary diversity behaviour in children aged 6 to 24 months aligns with the recommendations and the factors associated with the differentials in dietary behaviour.

Reducing under-five mortality in Tanzania: insights from a 60-years data analysis on economic and health indicators.

Background: Under-five mortality in Tanzania remains a persistent issue, significantly affecting both the health and economic sectors. Despite various interventions, the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) remains high, impeding progress toward global health targets. This study investigates the factors influencing under-five mortality in Tanzania, focusing on the gross domestic product (GDP), malaria incidence, access to water, and access to sanitation.

Systematic review of evidence for the impact and effectiveness of the 1-3-7 strategy for malaria elimination.

Background: The 1-3-7 approach to eliminate malaria was first implemented in China in 2012. It has since been expanded to multiple countries, but no systematic review has examined the evidence for its use. A systematic review was conducted aiming to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the strategy and identify key challenges and variations in its implementation across different countries.

The effect of novel mosquito bite prevention tools on Anopheles minimus landing and key secondary endpoints: semi-field evaluations in Thailand.

Background: The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) aims to eliminate all human malaria by 2030 and is making substantial progress toward this goal, with malaria increasingly confined to forest foci. These transmission foci are predominantly inhabited by ethnic minorities, local populations, and rural mobile and migrant populations working in mining and agriculture. The recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) on malaria elimination states that small population groups which constitute a large proportion of the malaria transmission reservoir should benefit from targeted strategies to reduce transmission overall.

Chromosome-scale assembly of the African yam bean genome.

Genomics-informed breeding of locally adapted, nutritious, albeit underutilised African crops can help mitigate food and nutrition insecurity challenges in Africa, particularly against the backdrop of climate change. However, utilisation of modern genome-assisted crop improvement tools including genomic selection and genome editing for many African indigenous crops is hampered by the scarcity of genomic resources. Here we report on the assembly of the genome of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), a tuberous legume crop that is indigenous to Africa.

Towards 90-70-90 targets: Individual and community level factors associated with cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Tanzania: A multi-level analysis based on 2022 Tanzania demographic and health survey.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a major public health problem worldwide, and is mainly caused by human papillomaviruses. More than 90% of cervical cancer cases can be prevented by using a human papilloma vaccine and screening. Despite the ongoing global cervical cancer screening target, uptake remains unacceptably low in sub-Saharan Africa such as Tanzania.

Leveraging Agri-advocacy to promote animal genetic diversity for climate change mitigation: Kenya and Tanzania perspective.

The role that genetic diversity in animal genetic resources (AnGR) plays in mitigating the effects of climate change on the global protein supply is of the utmost significance. East Africa historically played a pivotal role in the dispersal of domesticated livestock species across the African continent. At present, it maintains a substantial contribution to worldwide biodiversity as a result of its reservoir of a diverse array of AnGR, characterized by genetic and species diversity.

Community Health Worker Optimization of Antihypertensive Care in HIV (COACH): Study protocol for a pilot trial of an intervention to improve hypertension care among Tanzanians with HIV.

Objective: This study will evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the COACH (Community Health Worker Optimization of Antihypertensive Care in HIV) intervention, which integrates hypertension management into existing HIV care for people living with HIV (PLWH) in Tanzania.

Methods: The study will be conducted at two HIV Care and Treatment Centers (CTCs) in Tanzania. In a single-arm pre-post feasibility trial, 100 PLWH with hypertension will be enrolled and will receive the six-month intervention.

Optimizing delivery strategies for 3HP TB preventive treatment in Tanzania: A qualitative study on acceptability of family approach in HIV care and treatment centers.

Tanzania rolled-out a 12-dose, weekly regimen of isoniazid plus rifapentine (3HP) TB preventive treatment in January 2024. The 3HP completion rate is generally ≥80%, varying by delivery strategy and programmatic setting. Before the roll-out, a mixed methods study was conducted to assess whether a family approach involving family member support, SMS reminders, and three health education sessions was acceptable and optimized 3HP uptake and completion.

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The objective of this study is to identify the essential hard and soft skills that healthcare professionals must develop when working in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC), where the socio-economic and cultural context differs significantly from that of Italy. The analysis was conducted following a period of observation conducted by a hospital pharmacy resident at a rural hospital in southern Tanzania. In order to ascertain the role and requisite competencies for hospital pharmacists (HPs) in LMICs, an investigation was conducted based on the 24 competencies identified by EAHP.

Pediatric Ovarian Yolk Sac Tumor Mimicking Appendicitis: A Case Report From a Low-Resource Setting.

Ovarian yolk sac tumors (OYSTs), also known as endodermal sinus tumors, are rare and highly malignant germ cell tumors, accounting for approximately 1% of all ovarian cancers. They predominantly affect children and young adults, with a rapid growth rate and early metastasis, making early diagnosis and treatment crucial. This report presents the case of a 6-year-old female from a low-resource setting who initially presented with symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis, including abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting.

Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of survivin in gynecological cancer.

Survivin belongs to the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and is encoded by the baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing, or BIRC5, gene. It is preferentially expressed in cancers with functional complexity in cell signaling cascades such as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), heat shock protein-90 (HSP90), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and others. Survivin plays a role in cell division and cell death, properties that have attracted a large body of research to decipher its therapeutic and prognostic significance in cancer.

Modeling the impact of short-term displacement of domestic animals on the transmission dynamics of brucellosis.

Brucellosis, a prevalent zoonotic disease caused by bacteria from the genus , presents a substantial public health and economic challenges worldwide. In this paper, we formulate a two-patch deterministic model to investigate the impact of short-term displacement of domestic animals on the transmission dynamics of brucellosis within and between patches with heterogeneous risk of infection. The model analysis is performed, and the basic reproduction number is computed and used in the stability analysis of equilibria.

Blood smear imagery dataset for malaria parasite detection: A case of Tanzania.

Malaria is a major public health issue in many regions of Africa, including Tanzania. The Tanzania Malaria National Strategic Plan (2021-2025) emphasizes on high-quality testing services availability, high coverage of timely diagnosis of malaria, and availability of innovative diagnostic systems for effective detection, treatment and control of malaria. This would be achieved by employing state of the art technologies like Machine learning.

Uncovering socioeconomic insights of solar dryers for sustainable agricultural product preservation: A systematic review.

This review explores solar dryers' use for agricultural products, focusing on their socioeconomic benefits in the community. Despite significant technical advancements in solar dryers, there is a notable lack of documentation regarding their socioeconomic impacts on society. This gap impedes awareness of the potential benefits of solar dryers, contributing to their low adoption rates and, consequently, limiting their overall impact on society.

Interplay Between Helminth Infections, Malnutrition, and Gut Microbiota in Children and Mothers from Pemba, Tanzania: Potential of Microbiota-Directed Interventions.

Background/objectives: Despite efforts within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goal to end malnutrition by 2030, malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminth infections persist in sub-Saharan Africa. A significant barrier to success is the inadequate understanding of effective intervention methods. Most research on the gut microbiota's role in health has been conducted in developed countries, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding low-income populations.

Mobility paradoxes: disruptors, benefits, and agency among mobile female sex workers living with HIV in the Dominican Republic and Tanzania.

Background: Mobility is a key social determinant of health for female sex workers (FSWs). While extant research has focused on the adverse effects of mobility for FSWs, there are very few studies that have examined the multiple ways in which mobility may impact the lives of these mobile women from their perspective. This qualitative study aims to fill this gap by exploring how mobility impacts the lives, livelihoods, and HIV care and treatment from the perspectives of women living with HIV in two epidemic settings, the Dominican Republic and Tanzania.

Capacity of Anesthesiology Residency Programs in Four East African Countries: Can Supply Meet the Demand?

Background: By 2015, 4 East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi) had identified a deficit in the number of anesthesiologists, with a mean density of 0.30 physician anesthesia providers (PAP) per 100,000 population, which was significantly lower than the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) recommended minimum of 5.0/100,000 population.