Immunogenicity and safety following a homologous booster dose of a SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant (NVX-CoV2373) versus a primary series in people living with and without HIV-1 infection in South Africa: A randomized crossover phase 2a/2b trial.

COVID-19 remains a global public health issue and an improved understanding of vaccine performance in immunocompromised individuals, including people living with HIV (PLWH), is needed. Initial data from the present study's pre-crossover/booster phase were previously reported. This phase 2a/b clinical trial in South Africa (2019nCoV-501/NCT04533399) revisits 1:1 randomly assigned HIV-negative adults (18-84 years) and medically stable PLWH (18-64 years) who previously received two NVX-CoV2373 doses (5 μg recombinant Spike protein with 50 μg Matrix-M™ adjuvant) or placebo.

Undernutrition and antibody response to measles, tetanus and Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination in pre-school south African children: The VHEMBE birth cohort study.

Background: Under-vaccination is undoubtedly driving recent worldwide measles outbreaks, but undernutrition may also be playing a role in low- and middle-income countries. Studies have shown reduced immune response to vaccines in undernourished children but few have followed children beyond infancy, when they are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases.

Methods: In the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies and the Environment (VHEMBE) South African birth cohort study, we examined the relationship between undernutrition, as measured by stunting and other growth measures, and vaccine-specific serum antibody level to three different vaccine types: measles, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

The Environmental Light Characteristics of Forest Under Different Logging Regimes.

Light is a fundamental attribute and key abiotic driver in forest ecosystems. Although the ecological effects of light itself is well studied, capturing the complex parameters that constitute the whole light environment remain an intricate research endeavor. Here, we apply the newly introduced environmental light field (ELF) technique in Kibale National Park, Uganda.

Poor Performance of Applicator Tampon-Based Self-Collection for Liquid-Based Cytology Among Women Attending a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa.

Background: The South African Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy was updated in June 2017, recommending liquid-based cytology (LBC) as the preferred screening method and the investigation of self-sampling for cervical cancer screening.

Aim: To compare the performance of the Self Collection Cervical Health Screening Kit [SelfCerv (applicator tampon)] to the Cervex-Brush Combi for cytology screening. The study further aimed to compare high-risk (hr-) human papillomavirus (HPV) and LBC test results from both methods.

Case studies of health economic analyses informing pharmaceutical health technology assessments for essential medicine selection and public-sector guidelines in South Africa.

Background: Constrained resources under universal health coverage (UHC) necessitate a balance between medication costs and essential health system requirements. Policymakers practice priority-setting, as either implicit or explicit rationing, embedded in evidence-informed decision-making processes to guide funding decisions. Health technology assessment (HTA) is a method that may assist explicit evidence-informed priority setting.

: an exploration of the consequences of rape victimization for men.

Background And Purpose: Rape is one of the most common human violations, with devastating consequences for the victims and their families. Although this scourge affects everyone, regardless of gender, studies on rape victimization have largely focused on women and children as the victims. Studies on rape victimization of men are therefore limited and little is known about the consequences of rape victimization for men.

Innovations in animal health: artificial intelligence-enhanced hematocrit analysis for rapid anemia detection in small ruminants.

Due to their value as a food source, fiber, and other products globally, there has been a growing focus on the wellbeing and health of small ruminants, particularly in relation to anemia induced by blood-feeding gastrointestinal parasites like . The objective of this study was to assess the packed cell volume (PCV) levels in blood samples from small ruminants, specifically goats, and create an efficient biosensor for more convenient, yet accurate detection of anemia for on-farm use in agricultural environments for animal production optimization. The study encompassed 75 adult male Spanish goats, which underwent PCV testing to ascertain their PCV ranges and their association with anemic conditions.

Paediatricians' knowledge, perceptions, preparedness and involvement towards paediatric antimicrobial stewardship in Pakistan: findings and the implications.

Introduction: Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for neonates and children. However, this can be excessive with inappropriate prescribing leading to increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Paediatricians are key initiators of antibiotics.

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica at an underground copper mine in Zambia.

Introduction: Overexposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can lead to the development of silicosis and other respiratory diseases. The mine under study was reported to have the highest number of certified cases of pneumoconiosis in Zambia in 2015, and in 2008, a study revealed that 56% of the RCS samples exceeded 0.05 mg/m3.

Parental experience with childhood COVID-19 vaccines and factors associated with parental hesitancy despite being vaccinated: findings of a cross-sectional analysis from Pakistan and implications for the future.

Objectives: This study examined parental experiences with COVID-19 vaccination and factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (CVH) among them to help guide future policy initiatives.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Lahore, the second largest metropolis in Pakistan.

South African indigenous chickens' genetic diversity, and the adoption of ecological niche modelling and landscape genomics as strategic conservation techniques.

Selection pressures found in the prevailing production environments have shaped the genetic structure of indigenous chickens we see today. Indigenous chickens, raised in villages, provide essential genetic resources and income for poverty alleviation by providing affordable protein. However, they are threatened by predators, emerging diseases, and market demand for ideal breeds and fast production which causes loss of their valuable traits.

Vaccine stock-outs: A preventable health facility obstacle contributing to missed vaccinations in South African children.

In 2019 the National Department of Health (NDoH) conducted a national immunisation coverage survey of caregivers of children aged 24-35 months in all 52 districts of South Africa, and reported a national fully immunised under one year-old coverage of 83.9 %, and 76.8 % coverage for all vaccines scheduled up to 18 months of age.

Reconstructing a Meaningful Self: The Identity Work of People Living With Chronic Disease.

With the escalating number of people diagnosed with chronic disease globally, research aimed at supporting their adjustment and coping is invaluable. Reconstructing a sense of self is core to the psychosocial adjustment of people with chronic disease (PwCD), and meaning making is central to their coping with the diagnosis. Despite the growing number of PwCD living productive lives, their identity work is underexplored.

The feasibility and impact of deploying a four-tests panel at antenatal care in primary health care facilities of a developing country, Kenya.

Introduction: Contracting HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and malaria during pregnancy significantly affects the health of the woman, the pregnancy, and the unborn child. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends testing pregnant women for these infections to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child transmissions. However, this goal has not been fully realized in low- to medium-income countries, primarily due to segmented testing practices.

High recent PrEP adherence with point-of-care urine tenofovir testing and adherence counselling among young African women: results from the INSIGHT cohort.

Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) account for two-thirds of new HIV infections in Africa. African AGYW have had high uptake of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) but low adherence, which might be improved by point-of-care adherence monitoring with tailored counselling.

Methods: From August 2022 to July 2023, we conducted a PrEP demonstration project with sexually active AGYW ages 16-30 years from 20 sites in South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia.

Maize-Fusarium associations and their mycotoxins: Insights from South Africa.

For maize, a staple food in South Africa, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge on the mycotoxin-producing fungal diversity. In this study, a fungal community profile was established using culture-dependent methods for 56 maize seed samples that were also analysed for 13 mycotoxins. The fungal isolates were identified by morphology and DNA sequencing.

A potent and selective reaction hijacking inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum tyrosine tRNA synthetase exhibits single dose oral efficacy in vivo.

The Plasmodium falciparum cytoplasmic tyrosine tRNA synthetase (PfTyrRS) is an attractive drug target that is susceptible to reaction-hijacking by AMP-mimicking nucleoside sulfamates. We previously identified an exemplar pyrazolopyrimidine ribose sulfamate, ML901, as a potent reaction hijacking inhibitor of PfTyrRS. Here we examined the stage specificity of action of ML901, showing very good activity against the schizont stage, but lower trophozoite stage activity.

Evaluating Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability, Cytotoxicity, and Activity of Potential Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: In Vitro and In Silico Study.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) remain the first-line treatment for Alzheimer's disease. However, these drugs are largely symptomatic and often associated with adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate novel pharmacophores for their in vitro AChEI activity, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and cytotoxic potential, hypothesizing that a combination of AChEIs could enhance symptom management while minimizing toxicity.