Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers in East Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are a significant public health concern, especially among food handlers, who can transmit these infections to the public through food preparation and handling. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in the East African region.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis on intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers involved a comprehensive search across various databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the institution's library registers.

Informed consent and ethical issues pertaining to female sterilization-Scoping review.

Background: Female sterilization, a safe, permanent method of contraception that blocks the fallopian tubes, has been in use since the 19th century. The procedure necessitates informed consent, a critical step that has been marred by reports of forced sterilization since World War II. These incidents often stem from inadequate consent processes where ethical principles are overlooked or deliberately flouted.

Effect of in vitro exposure of first-line antiretrovirals on healthy human spermatozoa on kinematics and motility.

Purpose: Contemporary antiretroviral (ARV) medications are used by millions of men for HIV treatment worldwide. Limited data exist on their direct effect on sperm motility. This pilot study hypothesizes that in vitro exposure to ARVs will reduce sperm kinematic and motility parameter values.

Low- and High-Volume Disease in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: From CHAARTED to PSMA PET-An International Multicenter Retrospective Study.

High-volume disease (HVD) and low-volume disease (LVD) definitions in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients are based on conventional imaging (CI) (CT/MRI with bone scan [BS]) according to CHAARTED criteria. HVD and LVD definitions are associated with overall survival and are used for treatment decisions. It remains unknown how these definitions transfer to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET imaging.

Injury risk factors and their priority for mitigation in women's netball: a systematic review and Delphi consensus.

This study aimed to establish consensus on injury risk factors in netball via a combined systematic review and Delphi method approach. A systematic search of databases (PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL) was conducted from inception until June 2023. Twenty-four risk factors were extracted from 17 studies and combined with a three-round Delphi approach to achieve consensus.

Taxonomic revision of the SK 15 mandible based on bone and tooth structural organization.

The hominin mandible SK 15 was discovered in April 1949 in Swartkrans Member 2, dated to ∼1.4 Ma. Albeit distorted on the right side, the left and right corpus of SK 15 are relatively low and thick, even compared to most Early to Middle Pleistocene Homo specimens.

A morphometric study of posterior tibial slope differences by sex and ethnicity in a South African population.

Purpose: Posterior tibial slope (PTS) influences knee kinetics and kinematics. The purpose of this study was to investigate morphology and variation within a sample of the black and white male and female population.

Method: 480 randomly selected lateral knee radiographs were included.

TiO-ZnO functionalized low-cost ceramic membranes from coal fly ash for the removal of tetracycline from water under visible light.

Hybrid wastewater treatment systems offer viable solutions to enhance the removal of complicated contaminants from aqueous system. This innovation has opened new avenues for advanced wastewater treatment processes. Herein, a novel TiO-ZnO functionalized coal fly ash-based ceramic membrane was fabricated by utilizing a combined pressing and sintering method.

Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Has No Advantage Over Platelet-Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Aspirate Injections for Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Microfragmented adipose tissue has been proposed for intra-articular treatment of knee osteoarthritis. There are little data comparing the outcomes of treatment between microfragmented adipose tissue and other biological treatments.

Purpose: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing microfragmented aspirated fat injections to other orthobiologics, hyaluronic acid, and corticosteroid injections for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Genetic variability in snake venom and its implications for antivenom development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Snake venom, a complex mixture of proteins, has attracted human attention for centuries due to its associated mortality, morbidity and other therapeutic properties. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where snakebites pose a significant health risk, understanding the genetic variability of snake venoms is crucial for developing effective antivenoms. The wide geographic distribution of venomous snake species in SSA countries demonstrates the need to develop specific and broad antivenoms.

Evaluating client functioning in a harm reduction program in South Africa: insights from a tool derived from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

South Africa faces the detrimental effects of problematic substance use. The Community Oriented Substance Use Program (COSUP) is a research-based, community-situated harm-reduction program. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used as the framework to develop a unique tool to determine the functioning of COSUP clients.

Influence of tibial plateau angle in cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle on patellar ligament strain: an ex vivo study.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the patellar ligament strain with varying degrees of tibial plateau angles (TPAs) after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in a cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle during the stance phase.

Methods: 12 pelvic cadaver limbs were secured to a custom-built jig to mimic a loadbearing stance after which an axial load of 120 N was applied. Patellar ligament strain, change in strain, and percent change in strain were calculated on pre-TPLO (intact and transected CrCL) and post-TPLO tibial TPAs of -5°, 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°.

Polymyositis in Kooiker dogs is associated with a 39 kb deletion upstream of the canine IL21/IL2 locus.

Recently we characterized polymyositis in the Dutch Kooiker dog. The familial occurrence of the disease were suggestive of an inherited cause. Here we report the results of our molecular genetic investigation.

A knowledge, attitude and practices assessment of control measures for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis towards a more effective approach to national control programs in South Africa.

Bovine brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis are zoonotic diseases with economic and public health importance across the world, especially in developing countries where the diseases are endemic. The diseases are classified as neglected diseases in developing nations with poor resources despite good control measures in some developed countries. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions (KAP) of stakeholders towards control measures for bovine brucellosis (BR) and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) at a livestock-wildlife interface.

History of Multiple Allergies and Gradual Onset Running-Related Injuries in Distance Runners: SAFER XXXV.

Objective: To determine if any gradual onset running-related injury (GORRI) was associated with any allergies, multiple allergies (allergies to animals, plants, medication), and allergy medication use.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Two Oceans Marathons (56 km, 21.

The risk status, signatures of adaptation, and environmental suitability of village-based indigenous chickens from certain regions of Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa.

Indigenous chickens are an important Farm Animal Genetic Resource (FAnGR) in South Africa as they alleviate poverty and are a source of protein. Climate change and market demand for high-performing exotic breeds threaten and undermine locally adapted village chickens. The current study explored the risk status and signatures of adaptation of village-based indigenous chickens from two provinces and mapped their environmental suitability across the country.

Extraction potential of Trifolium repens and Medicago sativa for metals in landfill soil: Their metabolomic responses.

Landfilling is common in developing countries since it is the easiest and cheapest way of waste disposal, however, it leads to serious environmental problems such as soil, water, and air pollution. A landfill has a life span of fifteen years after which it is closed leaving the site unusable, as a result, effective methods are needed for restoring and reclaiming the closed landfill site for future use. Phytoremediation has emerged as a viable and environmentally friendly method, which uses green plants to remove pollutants from soil, air, and water.

Influence of ultrasonication during soaking on water absorption and Softness characteristics in the cooking process of cowpea.

Owing to the long duration of cooking legumes, which limits their consumption and utilization, soaking has been used to reduce cooking time, save energy consumption, and diminish their hardness. However, limited studies have reported the influence of cooking and soaking treatment along with ultrasonication on hydration, hardness, and cooking time reduction of legumes. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of cooking and soaking treatments on Dr.

Understanding the genetics of sex determination in insects and its relevance to genetic pest management.

Sex determination pathways regulate male and female-specific development and differentiation and offer potential targets for genetic pest management methods. Insect sex determination pathways are comprised of primary signals, relay genes and terminal genes. Primary signals of coleopteran, dipteran, hymenopteran and lepidopteran species are highly diverse and regulate the sex-specific splicing of relay genes based on the primary signal dosage, amino acid composition or the interaction with paternally inherited genes.

Real world experience with [Tc]Tc-HYNIC-iPSMA SPECT prostate cancer detection: interim results from the global NOBLE registry.

Purpose: [Tc]Tc-HYNIC-iPSMA is a novel technetium-99m-labelled small molecule inhibitor of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) for detecting prostate cancer (PC). The objective of this registry was to collect and evaluate [Tc]Tc-HYNIC-iPSMA patient data and images to establish the safety and tolerability, and clinical utility of this agent in imaging at different stages of PC.

Methods: Patients 18 to 80 years old with primary staging and metastatic PC were eligible.

Formulation and optimisation of bedaquiline nanoemulsions for the potential treatment of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in paediatrics using quality by design.

Bedaquiline is a drug used for the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB in adults and children that is currently only commercially available in tablet form. The present study was aimed at preparing nanoemulsion (NE) of BDQ using natural vegetable oils to deliver BDQ. The optimisation of surfactant mixtures was undertaken using Design of Experiments (DoE), specifically an optimal mixture design.

Validation of the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R) in rural contexts in South Africa.

Resilience is central to young children's healthy and happy development. The Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R) has been widely used in several countries. However, its construct validity among young children in rural South Africa has not been examined.

Environmental Conditions Modulate Warming Effects on Plant Litter Decomposition Globally.

Empirical studies worldwide show that warming has variable effects on plant litter decomposition, leaving the overall impact of climate change on decomposition uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of 109 experimental warming studies across seven continents, using natural and standardised plant material, to assess the overarching effect of warming on litter decomposition and identify potential moderating factors. We determined that at least 5.

Experiences with healthcare for unilateral vocal fold paralysis: A qualitative study of the patient's perspective.

Objective: Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) frequently causes severe dysphonia, which necessitates multidisciplinary treatment. Literature on outcomes of interventions has primarily focused on vocal fold motility or instrumental vocal outcomes, but the perspectives of patients about the treatment process have not yet been investigated. The purpose of the study was therefore to explore patient experiences with healthcare for UVFP.