Photobiomodulation therapy as an additional method for the treatment of temporomandibular disorder patients- a narrative review.

The photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is promising additional therapy in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In this regard, the purpose of this narrative review is to give a wide-ranging, objective, and judicious view of the current knowledge on PBMT as an additional TMD treatment modality, with summarised updated information. Although the results of most research studies report improvement of pain in TMD patients, some state that sustainability of absence of pain after PBMT of TMD is of concern.

Cost-effectiveness of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) for detection of tuberculosis drug resistance in India, South Africa and Georgia: a modeling analysis.

Background: Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) is promising alternative to phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST) for detecting drug-resistant tuberculosis (DRTB). This study explored the potential cost-effectiveness of tNGS for the diagnosis of DR-TB across 3 settings: India, South Africa and Georgia.

Methods: To inform WHO guideline development group (GDG) on tNGS we developed a stochastic decision analysis model and assessed cost-effectiveness of tNGS for DST among rifampicin resistance individuals.

The management of splanchnic vein thrombosis in acute pancreatitis: a global DELPHI consensus study.

Background: Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SpVT) occurs in 17%-23 % of acute pancreatitis cases. Serious sequelae include hepatic and bowel ischaemia. However, management with therapeutic anticoagulation remains controversial due to potential bleeding risk.

Community perspectives on barriers to injury care in Northern Malawi: a three delays framed assessment using focus groups and photovoice.

Introduction: The global burden of injury is huge, falling disproportionately on poorer populations. The benefits of qualitative research in injury care are recognised and its application is growing. We used a novel application of focus group discussions with photovoice to rapidly assess barriers at each of three delay stages; seeking (delay-1), reaching (delay-2) or receiving (delay-3) injury care in Northern Malawi.

Sexual Function and Quality of Life in Individuals Post Stroke.

Background: Sexual function is commonly affected post stroke and impacts an individual's quality of life. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with sexual function in an individual post stroke and the association with quality of life.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 56 participants who had a stroke between three and 24 months prior.

Bladder cancer: a retrospective audit at a single radiation oncology unit of an academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background: Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common urological cancers and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Bladder cancer is associated with a range of risk factors, with smoking being one of the most significant contributors. In addition to smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, particularly aromatic amines found in industries such as dye, rubber, leather, and textiles, also increases the risk of bladder cancer.

Proteomic Analysis Identifies Dysregulated Proteins in Albuminuria: A South African Pilot Study.

Albuminuria may precede decreases in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and both tests are insensitive predictors of early stages of kidney disease. Our aim was to characterise the urinary proteome in black African individuals with albuminuria and well-preserved GFR from South Africa. This case-controlled study compared the urinary proteomes of 52 normoalbuminuric (urine albumin: creatinine ratio (uACR) < 3 mg/mmol) and 56 albuminuric (uACR ≥ 3 mg/mmol) adults of black African ethnicity.

A Retrospective Review of the Management of Impacted Coin Ingested in Children.

Introduction: Accidental coin ingestion is a common presentation amongst paediatric patients in emergency departments (ED) worldwide, necessitating prompt management to prevent complications.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the clinical features of paediatric patients with impacted oesophageal coins at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital ED and compare outcomes between the balloon catheter and oesophagoscopic techniques for coin extraction.

The association of menopause with cardiometabolic disease risk factors in women living with and without HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: Results from the AWI-Gen 1 study.

Background: Menopause and HIV are associated with cardiometabolic disease. In sub-Saharan Africa there is a growing population of midlife women living with HIV and a high prevalence of cardiometabolic disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether menopause and HIV were associated with cardiometabolic disease risk factors in a population of midlife sub-Saharan African women.

Health Related Quality of life Amongst Refugees: A meta Analysis of Studies Using the SF-36.

The health of refugees has been widely documented, as has the impact of a range of factors throughout the migration journey from being exposed to violence to the impacts of immigration detention. This study adds to our understanding of health-related quality of life amongst refugees and asylum seekers by evaluating health-related quality of life as measured by the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey using meta-analysis. The aims of this study were to (1) provide a summary and overview of health-related quality of life (as measured by the SF-36), including the extent to which this varies and (2) explore the factors that influence health-related quality of life (as measured by the SF-36) amongst refugees and asylum seekers.

Commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care: a qualitative study in three sub-Saharan African countries.

Objectives: To understand commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care across three lower-income and middle-income countries.

Design: A qualitative interview study. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.

Child abuse and neglect-related murders in South Africa: a comparison of two national surveys in 2009 and 2017.

Background: Population-based statistics on deaths from child abuse and neglect are only routinely available in countries that have reliable national statistics on child murder. For low-income and middle-income countries, relatively little is known about prevalence trends of child murder. South Africa is an exception, having conducted dedicated national studies on child murders for 2009 and 2017 to provide data on child murders overall and on child abuse and neglect-related murders.

Metagenomic sequencing and reconstruction of 82 microbial genomes from barley seed communities.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is essential to global food systems and the brewing industry. Its physiological traits and microbial communities determine malt quality. Although microbes influence barley from seed health to fermentation, there is a gap in metagenomic insights during seed storage.

Factors associated with posttraumatic stress and anxiety among the parents of babies admitted to neonatal care: a systematic review.

Background: Posttraumatic stress (PTS) and anxiety are common mental health problems among parents of babies admitted to a neonatal unit (NNU). This review aimed to identify sociodemographic, pregnancy and birth, and psychological factors associated with PTS and anxiety in this population.

Method: Studies published up to December 2022 were retrieved by searching Medline, Embase, PsychoINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health electronic databases.

Osteoarticular TB specimen yield rates. Large joint analysis at a single centre.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains endemic in South Africa. The spine, hip, and knee joints are common extra-pulmonary TB sites. Sound history taking, clinical examination, and basic laboratory and pathological tests remain key important steps in osteoarticular TB diagnosis.

Priorities and barriers for ageing well; results from stakeholder workshops in rural and urban Rwanda.

Background: The National Older Person's Policy of 2021 in Rwanda highlights the need for social protection of older populations. However, there is a lack of local knowledge regarding the priorities and challenges to healthy aging faced by older people and their caregivers.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify and compare the needs and priorities of older people and other stakeholders involved in caring for them in rural and urban areas of Rwanda.

Proteomic insights into the pathophysiology of hypertension-associated albuminuria: Pilot study in a South African cohort.

Background: Hypertension is an important public health priority with a high prevalence in Africa. It is also an independent risk factor for kidney outcomes. We aimed to identify potential proteins and pathways involved in hypertension-associated albuminuria by assessing urinary proteomic profiles in black South African participants with combined hypertension and albuminuria compared to those who have neither condition.

Alternative creatinine-based GFR estimates in United States populations-similar performance, same gaps-is it time to move on?

This study evaluated performance of the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equation in a US cohort, comparing population-specific (EKFCPS) with race-free (EKFCRF) Q values (median normal creatinine). Both EKFCPS and EKFCRF equations showed less bias than the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2021 equation. The percentage of estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) within 30% of measured GFR was similar for CKD-EPI 2021 (79.

A qualitative study examining the health system's response to COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

The paper examines the health system's response to COVID-19 in Sierra Leone. It aims to explore how the pandemic affected service delivery, health workers, patient access to services, leadership, and governance. It also examines to what extent the legacy of the 2013-16 Ebola outbreak influenced the COVID-19 response and public perception.