A comprehensive review of the interaction between COVID-19 spike proteins with mammalian small and major heat shock proteins.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel disease that had devastating effects on human lives and the country's economies worldwide. This disease shows similar parasitic traits, requiring the host's biomolecules for its survival and propagation. Spike glycoproteins severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 spike protein) located on the surface of the COVID-19 virus serve as a potential hotspot for antiviral drug development based on their structure.

Improving the Conversion Ratio of QDSCs via the Passivation Effects of NiS.

To revolutionize the photochemical efficiency of quantum dots sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) devices, herein, a passivation of the cells with multilayer material has been developed for heterojunctions TiO/NiS/MnS/HI-30/Pt devices. In this study, NiS and MnS were deposited on a photoanode for the first time as passivated photon absorbers at room temperature. The adoption of NiS as a passisvative layer could tailor the active surface area and improve the photochemical properties of the newly modified cells.

Colistin utilization at a tertiary hospital in South Africa: an opportunity for antimicrobial stewardship practices.

Colistin (polymyxin E) has emerged as a last-resort treatment option for multidrug-resistant infections. Studies on the use, safety and efficacy of colistin in South Africa are limited..

Adherence to medication, dietary and physical activity recommendations: Findings from a multicenter cross-sectional study among adults with diabetes in rural South Africa.

Background: Diabetes is a complex health condition requiring medical therapy and lifestyle modifications to attain treatment targets. Previous studies have not fully explored factors associated with adherence to medication, diets and physical activity recommendations among individuals living with diabetes in rural South Africa. We examined the association between knowledge, health belief and adherence to medication, dietary, and physical activity recommendations and explored self-reported reasons for non-adherence.

Sustainable effects of a motor skill programme on physical activity levels in 7-8 years old children, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Background: Deteriorating global physical activity (PA) levels among children warrants new and sustainable approaches to increase PA levels. This study aimed to determine the immediate and sustainable influences of a 9-week movement program on the PA levels in 7 to 8-year-old school children in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Methods: A randomized control trial including two groups (control group (CG) and intervention group (IG)), pre-post-retest (after six months of no intervention) design was used.

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter species in wastewater effluents: A menace of environmental and public health concern.

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter species in wastewater effluents presents a formidable challenge at the intersection of environmental sustainability and public health. This study examined the presence of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter in wastewater effluents in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, and its implications for environmental ecosystems and public health. Forty-five samples from household effluent (HHE) and wastewater treatment plant effluent (WWTPE) were collected at different geographical locations within the province between April and September 2022.

Carvacrol and Thymol Hybrids: Potential Anticancer and Antibacterial Therapeutics.

Cancer is ranked among lethal diseases globally, and the increasing number of cancer cases and deaths results from limited access to effective therapeutics. The use of plant-based medicine has been gaining interest from several researchers. Carvacrol and its isomeric compound, thymol, are plant-based extracts that possess several biological activities, such as antimalarial, anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial.

Advancements in Synthetic Strategies and Biological Effects of Ciprofloxacin Derivatives: A Review.

Ciprofloxacin is a widely used antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class. It is widely acknowledged by various researchers worldwide, and it has been documented to have a broad range of other pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antiviral, antimalarial activities, etc. Researchers have been exploring the synthesis of ciprofloxacin derivatives with enhanced biological activities or tailored capability to target specific pathogens.

Sexual behaviour among women using intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, a copper intrauterine device, or a levonorgestrel implant for contraception: Data from the ECHO randomized trial.

Background: Contraceptive use has complex effects on sexual behaviour and mood, including those related to reduced concerns about unintended pregnancy, direct hormonal effects and effects on endogenous sex hormones. We set out to obtain robust evidence on the relative effects of three contraceptive methods on sex behaviours, which is important for guiding contraceptive choice and future contraceptive developments.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data from the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) randomized trial in which 7,829 HIV-uninfected women from 12 sites in Eswatini, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia seeking contraception were randomly assigned to intramuscular depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) or the levonorgestrel (LNG) implant.

A Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial to Optimize User Engagement With a Chatbot-Led Parenting Intervention: Protocol for the ParentText Optimisation Trial.

Background: Violence against children (VAC) is a serious public health concern with long-lasting adverse effects. Evidence-based parenting programs are one effective means to prevent VAC; however, these interventions are not scalable in their typical in-person group format, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the need is greatest. While digital delivery, including via chatbots, offers a scalable and cost-effective means to scale up parenting programs within these settings, it is crucial to understand the key pillars of user engagement to ensure their effective implementation.

Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Background And Aim: Sheep scab is one of the most contagious diseases of sheep found in rural communities worldwide and is a major health and welfare concern for sheep farming. Information on the attitudes of communal farmers to sheep scab remains speculative in the Eastern Cape Province. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the prevalence of sheep scab among communal sheep farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Assessing the Impact of Quarrying as an Environmental Ethic Crisis: A Case Study of Limestone Mining in a Rural Community.

In this study, we investigated the impact of quarrying as an environmental ethical crisis. The need for the study arose when we realised the deteriorating effect of the quality of life in our community, which is located next to a limestone quarry. To obtain a deeper understanding of the adverse impact on the environment and the quality of life of the people living in the community around the quarry, we explored the workers from the community, and the members of the community-based organisation's (CBO) experiences.

A systematic review on the incidence of influenza viruses in wastewater matrices: Implications for public health.

Influenza viruses pose a significant public health threat, necessitating comprehensive surveillance strategies to enhance early detection and preventive measures. This systematic review investigates the incidence of influenza viruses in wastewater matrices, aiming to elucidate the potential implications for public health. The study synthesizes existing literature, employing rigorous inclusion criteria to identify relevant studies conducted globally.

Influence of organisational climate on public service employee physical health.

Background: The working conditions in the South African public service, notably its challenging environment, pose significant threats to the physical health of employees. Calls exist in understanding how this can be addressed.

Aim: The study investigated the predictors of physical health, accounting for the role of organisational climate and decent work.

The Challenges of Implementing a Health Referral System in South Africa: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Health system strengthening efforts also entails streamlining an existing referral system in a particular context to improve quality of health care offered to people. Conceptually, the referral system in South Africa, is seemingly sound. Nevertheless, gaps exist in its implementation.

Assessment of elemental chemistry, spatial distribution, and potential risks of road-deposited dusts in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Road dust is a major source of pollution in the environment, carrying different pollutants, including heavy metals and metalloids, from one location to another. This study assesses the concentrations of eight heavy metals and one metalloid (Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, and As) in dust samples collected from sixty-eight streets of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates using ICP-OES, as well as investigates their effects on both the environment and humans. Mean concentrations of the elements in μg/g across the sites were 392 ± 46 (Zn), 68.

Wastes from Part of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa: Medicinal, Sustainable Agricultural, and Bio-Resource Potential.

The fruits of are often purchased for their vitamin C-rich juice, while the fruit peel and the tree leaves are discarded as wastes. This study obtained the chemical profiles of the essential oils (EOs) of wastes (the peel and leaves), evaluated their medicinal value as antioxidants, their potential for sustainable use in agriculture as an insecticide for post-harvest preservation of grains, and their potential as a bioresource in livestock feed formulations. The EOs were isolated from leaves and peel using a hydro-distillation method on a Clevenger apparatus.

An Overview of Date () Fruits as an Important Global Food Resource.

Dates are the fruits of the date palm belonging to the family; they comprise over 2500 species and 200 genera and constitute an essential part of the daily diet worldwide, with beneficial nutritional, health, and economic values. Several varieties of date palm () fruit exist globally, especially in hot and humid regions. This review is an overview of date palms as a significant global food resource, including their historical significance, nutritional composition, cultivation practices, economic importance, and health benefits.

Availability of resources for paediatric hearing care in a South African province.

Background:  Unavailability of healthcare resources can lead to poor patient outcomes. The latter is true for infants with hearing loss and require early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI).

Aim:  To determine the availability and distribution of resources for EHDI in state hospitals in the Eastern Cape (EC) province, South Africa.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension awareness, knowledge and its risk factors: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Objective: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) has severe implications for maternal morbidity and mortality; thus, boosting pregnant women's awareness and knowledge of this medical condition is crucial for improving the mother's and foetus's health. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of PIH and its risk factors among pregnant women in Mdantsane, South Africa.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 249 conveniently selected and consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Mdantsane, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.

Chitosan-Based Scaffolds Incorporated with Silver Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Infected Wounds.

Bacterial infections are major problems in wound care due to their impact on the retarded process of wound healing, leading to chronic wounds. Most of the presently utilized wound dressing products exhibit poor antimicrobial properties. Wound dressings formulated from chitosan have been reported to be effective for treating infected wounds, resulting from the antibacterial properties of chitosan.

Pharmacological labour pain interventions: South African midwives' perspective.

Women of childbearing age feel great about giving birth, but the pain could be excruciating depending on their pain tolerances. Midwives requires obstetrical knowledge and skills such as pain management during labour and safety. We explored midwives' perspectives on the utilisation of pharmacological pain alleviation interventions during labour in selected hospitals in Matjhabeng Municipality, Free State province, South Africa.

Dairy farmers' knowledge about milk-borne zoonosis in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa.

Foodborne zoonosis is a longstanding global issue that limits and continues to threaten the food production industry and public health in several countries. The study's objective was to evaluate the dairy farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about milkborne pathogens in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. A total of 139 dairy farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured online questionnaire.

Schools within the uMgungundlovu district: Principals' perspectives on categorization and school functionality.

School categorization has impaired the functionality of schools and led to dysfunctional teaching and learning processes. This study explores principals' perspectives on categorization and school functionality. The existing literature on school categorization focuses on the geographical areas of schools and resource allocation, ignoring the complexities of learner behavior and other dynamics within schools.