High Detection Rate of Rotavirus Infection Among Children Admitted with Acute Gastroenteritis to Six Public Hospitals in Luanda Province After the Introduction of Rotarix Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Rotavirus group A (RVA) is a major cause of pediatric acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Vaccination is an effective public health strategy and Angola implemented it in 2014. This hospital-based study aimed to estimate the prevalence of RVA infection and the severity of AGE in children under five years of age treated at six hospitals in Luanda Province.

Phenological Growth Stages of Willd. According to the BBCH Scale.

Willd. is an evergreen tree native to South Africa. Historically, the tree has been used for the treatment of various diseases and has been scientifically found to have promising pharmacological effects.

Gastrointestinal Shedding of Rubulaviruses from Egyptian Rousette Bats: Temporal Dynamics and Spillover Implications.

Bats are recognized as reservoirs for diverse paramyxoviruses, some of which are closely related to known human pathogens or directly implicated in zoonotic transmission. The emergence of the zoonotic Sosuga virus (SOSV) from Egyptian rousette bats (ERBs), which caused an acute febrile illness in a reported human case in Africa, has increased the focus on the zoonotic potential of the subfamily. Previous studies identified human parainfluenza virus 2 (HPIV2)- and mumps (MuV)-related viruses in ERBs from South Africa, with HPIV2-related viruses restricted to gastrointestinal samples, an underexplored target for rubulavirus biosurveillance, suggesting that sample-type bias may have led to their oversight.

Multilocus Sequence Typing and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Isolated from Foods Surveyed in Kosovo.

In the absence of data on the reporting of resistance to antibiotics, we sought to determine which clonal complexes (CCs)/sequence types (STs) circulate in the food chain in Kosovo and to determine their antibiogram profiles to a panel of 18 antibiotics. From a total of 114 isolates, 21 different typical STs were identified by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Each isolate derived from the food categories was subjected to tests to verify its susceptibility to the selected antibiotics according to the designed Sensititre GPN3F panel.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential, Ethnomedicinal Values, and Phytochemistry of L.: A Review.

L. (Jerusalem artichoke) tubers and aerial parts possess both nutritional and therapeutic properties. The Jerusalem artichoke has been utilized for various applications, including its use as a functional food source, a reservoir of bioactive compounds, and a raw material to produce biofuels.

Advances in Nanocomposites: Preparation, Characterization, Properties, and Applications.

Nanocomposites are a class of nanomaterials wherein one or more phases, of a nano-sized dimension (zero dimensions, one dimension, and two dimensions), are embedded in ceramic, metal, or polymer materials, etc [...

Compounds Inhibit MtrCDE Efflux Pump Transport Protein for the Potential Management of Gonorrhoea Infection.

The progressive development of resistance in to almost all available antibiotics has made it crucial to develop novel approaches to tackling multi-drug resistance (MDR). One of the primary causes of antibiotic resistance is the over-expression of the MtrCDE efflux pump protein, making this protein a vital target for fighting against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in . This study was aimed at evaluating the potential MtrCDE efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) and their stability in treating gonorrhoea infection.

Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Improve the Levels of Nutrition and Physical Exercise Knowledge Among Primary School Learners in Tshwane, South Africa: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

The prevalence of childhood obesity in South Africa necessitates the design and implementation of interventions to improve the levels of physical activity and nutrition among school-age children. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a brief intervention to improve knowledge regarding exercise and nutrition among primary school learners in Tshwane, South Africa, using a quasi-experimental single-group, pre-post-test design. A total of 86 primary school learners from two primary schools participated in the intervention, which was guided by the Analysis Grid for Obesity-Linked Environments (ANGELO).

Determination of Calcium and Phosphorus Digestibility of Individual Feed Ingredients as Affected by Limestone, in the Presence and Absence of Phytase in Broilers.

To begin formulating broiler diets on a digestible calcium (Ca) basis, robust Ca digestibility values for ingredients and factors affecting this digestibility are needed. This study had three main objectives: (1) determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of Ca and phosphorus (P) for seven plant-based feed ingredients in broilers, (2) assess the impact of phytate source on SID Ca from limestone (LS), and (3) evaluate the effect of phytase on SID Ca and P for the different ingredients. Two experiments were conducted to satisfy these objectives.

High prevalence of reverse transcriptase inhibitors associated resistance mutations among people living with HIV on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in Francistown, Botswana.

Objectives: We assessed HIV-1 drug resistance profiles among people living with HIV (PLWH) with detectable viral load (VL) and on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Botswana.

Methods: The study utilised available 100 residual HIV-1 VL samples from unique PLWH in Francistown who had viraemia at-least 6 months after initiating ART in Botswana's national ART program from November 2023 to January 2024. Viraemia was categorized as low-level viraemia (LLV) (VL: 200-999 copies/mL) or virologic failure (VF) (VL ≥1000 copies/mL).

Nevus of Hori in African patients: an entity that is most likely underdiagnosed in clinical practice.

Background: Nevus of Hori (HN) has been primarily reported in patients of Eastern Asian descent, with a paucity of data regarding HN occurring in African patients. In this study, we report on South African patients with HN initially thought to have melasma.

Objective: To characterize the histopathological and clinical phenotypes of HN in African patients.

Head and Neck Rhabdomyosarcoma in Pediatric Patients: An International Collaborative Study.

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a rare malignant tumor, frequently affects pediatric patients, with 35%-40% occurring in the head and neck. This study analyzes the clinicopathologic profile of pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcomas from Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, and South Africa.

Methods: We reviewed 44 cases from 10 Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology services, conducting immunohistochemical analyses of desmin, myogenin, Myo-D1, and Ki67, with quantification via QuPath software.

Seasonal monitoring of forage C:N:ADF ratio in natural rangeland using remote sensing data.

In recent decades, natural rangelands have emerged as vital sources of livelihood and ecological services, particularly in Southern Africa, supporting communities in developing regions. However, the escalating global demand for food, driven by a growing human population, has led to the extensive expansion of cultivated areas, resulting in continuous nutrient leaching in rangelands. To ensure the long-term viability of these ecosystems, there is a need to develop effective approaches for managing and monitoring the seasonality of forage quality.

Aboveground biomass estimation in a grassland ecosystem using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and machine learning algorithms.

The grassland ecosystem forms a critical part of the natural ecosystem, covering up to 15-26% of the Earth's land surface. Grassland significantly impacts the carbon cycle and climate regulation by storing carbon dioxide. The organic matter found in grassland biomass, which acts as a carbon source, greatly expands the carbon stock in terrestrial ecosystems.

Tuning the properties of soy protein isolate-based adhesive using various sustainable additives.

This work investigates the adhesive property of Soy Protein Isolate(SPI)polymer solution by studying mechanical properties of composites formed using waste wood granules and SPI solutions. To improve the adhesive strength of SPI solution, Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium(NaCMC)was mixed (in the weight ratios of 9:1 and 8:2) due to its strong gel formation capabilities. The adhesive performance of these composites was further investigated in the presence and absence of non-toxic additives, including sorbitol (SOR) and stearic acid (SA).

"Men Take Care of Each Other": Evaluation of a Community-Based Model for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Services Among Male Bar Patrons in Rural South Africa.

Low engagement with HIV services persists among young men with harmful alcohol use in South Africa. We previously piloted a rural community-based HIV service delivery model to engage this key population. In the initial study, male nurses visited alcohol-serving venues to provide HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services.

Short-Term Effects of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Therapy on the Phonation of Children With Vocal Fold Nodules: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The aim was to determine and compare the short-term effects of two intensive semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) programs, "straw phonation" (SP) and "resonant voice therapy" (RVT), on the phonation of children with vocal fold nodules.

Method: A pretest-posttest randomized controlled study design was used. Thirty children aged 6-12 years were randomly assigned to the SP group ( = 11), RVT group ( = 11), or control group receiving indirect treatment ( = 8) for their voice problems.

Rapidly spreading with OXA-48-like carbapenemases.

(mostly , ) with OXA-48-like carbapenemases (e.g., OXA-48, -181, -232, -244) are undermining the global efficiency of carbapenem therapy.

Corrigendum to " antiplasmodium and antitrypanosomal activities, β-haematin formation inhibition, molecular docking and DFT computational studies of quinoline-urea-benzothiazole hybrids" [Heliyon Volume 10, Issue 19, October 2024, Article e38434].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.

Effect of Culture Media on the Yield and Protein Content of (Jacq.) Kumm Mycelia.

The development of alternative proteins derived from fungi-based sources is gaining recognition due to their health benefits and lower environmental impact, compared to traditional animal-based sources. In this study, we investigated the culture conditions for mycelia, focusing on the nutritional requirements and yield optimization using solid surface culture and liquid-state culture methods. Our findings indicate that optimal culture conditions involve glucose as the primary carbon source, with an initial pH of 6.

Change management for services redesign in healthcare: a conceptual framework.

Introduction: The introduction of process innovations in healthcare organizations faces challenges in knowledge sharing and incorporating best practices due to a strong professional autonomy, leading to resistance to change. The healthcare paradigm is shifting towards value-based organizations with a patient-centered approach, requiring multidisciplinary care. Change management is crucial, but current approaches are often limited.

Short communication: Exploring gastrointestinal tract nemabiomes in captive ungulates at the SANBI National Zoological Gardens: A next-generation sequencing baseline approach.

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) nematode infections have a significant negative impact on the well-being and productivity of animals. While it is common for a host to be co-infected with multiple species of nematode parasites simultaneously, there is a lack of effective tools to study the composition of these complex parasite communities. We describe the application of the "nemabiome" amplicon sequencing to study parasitic GIT nematode communities in captive wildlife at the National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute.

Gender differentials in access to medical services during COVID-19 lockdown: Insights from Nigeria.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria, like many other countries, implemented a lockdown policy that restricted all movement except for essential services. Access to medical services is a critical component of an effective healthcare system, and without equitable access across genders, improving the overall health outcomes of the population is unlikely to be achieved. This study analyses gender differential in access to medical services and sexual reproductive health services namely, family planning, child health, adult health, pharmacy, emergency care, vaccination, and other medical services during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria, using both descriptive and inferential analytical techniques.

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.