9,340 results match your criteria: "West University[Affiliation]"

In a hyperconnected world, framing and managing biological invasions poses complex and contentious challenges, affecting socioeconomic and environmental sectors. This complexity distinguishes the field and fuels polarized debates. In the present article, we synthesize four contentious issues in invasion science that are rarely addressed together: vocabulary usage, the potential benefits of nonnative species, perceptions shifting because of global change, and rewilding practices and biological invasions.

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Complementary therapies are used to treat many pediatric symptoms and health conditions, and chiropractic care is one of the most commonly used forms of complementary therapies by children and adolescents. Research studies have investigated the evidence behind and safety of chiropractic care in pediatrics with various musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal conditions. There are limited data with a range of findings and often no definite conclusion.

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Pain management in interventional radiology (IR) encompasses a variety of advanced image-guided techniques to deliver minimally invasive treatments for various pain conditions. Key procedures include nerve blocks and neurolysis, which target specific nerves to provide substantial pain relief. Effective pain management in IR relies on a thorough understanding of regional anatomy, precise technique, and careful administration of local anesthetics, neurolytic agents, and corticosteroids.

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Article Synopsis
  • SNPs linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD) show different impacts on urinary uromodulin levels in Black and White populations, with unknown factors in African groups.
  • Clinical studies involving young and middle-aged adults reveal that Black individuals have lower uromodulin levels and higher prevalence of CKD-risk SNPs compared to Whites.
  • Findings highlight significant ethnic variations in genetic and clinical factors affecting uromodulin, suggesting the need for tailored approaches in kidney function research and medicine.
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(ragweed) pollen - A growing aeroallergen of concern in South Africa.

World Allergy Organ J

December 2024

Division of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Ragweed is an invasive, highly allergenic weed predicted to expand its habitat with warming global temperatures. Several species have been identified in South Africa for well over a century; however, its presence remained undetected by allergists and aerobiologists until the development of an extensive aerospora monitoring system across South African urban areas since 2019. This paper presents the inventory of preliminary investigation of the airborne pollen and the taxonomic identification of ragweed species.

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It is generally presumed that most undergraduate first-year nursing students are not prepared for the transition from basic to higher education. Resilience is recommended as a viable coping strategy that acts as a buffer to the adversities that undergraduate first-year nursing students experience. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a conceptual framework to improve resilience among undergraduate first-year nursing students at a South African university.

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Molecular characterization and safety properties of multi drug-resistant Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteriophages.

BMC Microbiol

December 2024

Antimicrobial Resistance and Phage Biocontrol Research Group (AREPHABREG), Department of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North‒West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.

The increase in multi drug resistance (MDR) amongst food-borne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, coupled with the upsurge of food-borne infections caused by these pathogens is a major public health concern. Lytic phages have been employed as an alternative to antibiotics for use against food-borne pathogens. However, for effective application, phages should be selectively toxic.

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Background: This study explored and described the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse outcomes in the private sector of South Africa. National research shows that nurses had poor nurse outcomes prior to the pandemic, amidst these issues the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, with nurses having to play a key role in the public health response. International studies have shown that although nurses were willing to serve in this manner, they experienced moderate to high burnout, anxiety, depression, fear and exhaustion.

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Descriptive epidemiology of Lassa fever, its trend, seasonality, and mortality predictors in Ebonyi State, South- East, Nigeria, 2018-2022.

BMC Public Health

December 2024

Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria is an epicenter for Lassa fever. Ebonyi state is located in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria where a high burden of Lassa fever has been reported. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the epidemiology of Lassa fever, its seasonality, trend, and mortality predictors in Ebonyi state, South-East, Nigeria.

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The study delves into the binding properties of acridine-9-amine and its selected, mainly N-substituted derivatives (A9As), with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (CT-DNA). This investigation, conducted using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry, provides insights into the relationship between their structure and activity. The absorption spectra of the A9As exhibited a slight red shift and significant hypochromic effects, while the fluorescence emission intensities decreased in the presence of CT-DNA.

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Investigation of adsorption parameters of saxitoxin onto loblolly pine-derived biochar synthesized at various pyrolysis temperature.

Chemosphere

February 2025

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL, 32901, USA. Electronic address:

This study highlights the use of loblolly pine derived biochar for the removal of harmful algal bloom toxin, Saxitoxin (STX), from water. Biochar samples were prepared at varying pyrolysis temperatures (400, 600 and 800 °C) for 60 min. As pyrolysis temperature increases, enhancement in surface porosity was observed (S = 7.

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Many people living with HIV (PLWH) experience death anxiety and depression, which may impact negatively on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Mindfulness is a psychological resource that protects against death anxiety and depression and promotes HRQoL. Although a direct association among these variables exist, little is known about their interactive effect.

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Article Synopsis
  • - This study aimed to explore metabolic markers associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of South African children suffering from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) using advanced metabolomics techniques.
  • - Four key metabolites were found to distinguish TBM patients from controls: lower levels of mannose and arabinose, and higher levels of nonanoic acid and propanoic acid in the TBM group.
  • - The research suggests that nonanoic acid may be a novel M. tb-linked marker in TBM, while propanoic acid could indicate brain energy disruptions and inflammation; however, mannose and arabinose were not effective markers for M.
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Exploring links between oral health and infective endocarditis.

Front Oral Health

December 2024

Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a bacterial infection of the heart's inner lining. A low incidence rate combined with a high mortality rate mean that IE can be difficult to treat effectively. There is currently substantial evidence supporting a link between oral health and IE with the oral microbiome impacting various aspects of IE, including pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and mortality rates.

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Three-year multi-mycotoxin analysis of South African commercial maize from three provinces.

Front Fungal Biol

December 2024

Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mmabatho, South Africa.

Introduction: The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reported that numerous diseases can be traced back to the consumption of unsafe food contaminated with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic filamentous fungi. Mycotoxins reported to be of socio-economic concerns include aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, and deoxynivalenol.

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Three elastomer samples were prepared using GS530SP01K1 silicone rubber (ProChima). The samples included pure silicone rubber (SR), a silicone rubber-graphene composite (SR-GR), and a silicone rubber-magnetite composite (SR-FeO). The magnetite was synthesized via chemical precipitation but was not washed to remove residual ions.

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Inactivity during pregnancy and postpartum is largely a result of women's attitudes and misunderstandings of physical activity, especially in Iran. This scoping review critically assesses the barriers and facilitators influencing physical activity among pregnant and postpartum Iranian women to provide the basis for future physical activity interventions. Ten databases and platforms were searched up to 1 June 2024: Medline, SportDISCUS, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Review Database, Clinical Trial, SID, ISC, and Web of Science.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) has long proven to be a complex neurodegenerative disorder, with cholinergic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation being just a few of its pathological features. The complexity of the disease requires a multitargeted treatment covering its many aspects. In the present investigation, an arylhydrazone derivative of 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (5MeO), with in vitro strong antioxidant, neuroprotective and monoamine oxidase B-inhibiting effects, was studied in a scopolamine-induced Alzheimer-type dementia in rats.

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Structure-Activity of Plant Growth Bioregulators and Their Effects on Mammals.

Molecules

November 2024

Department of Biology-Chemistry, West University Timisoara, 16 Pestalozzi Str., 300223 Timisoara, Romania.

In this review, we emphasize structure-activity and the effects on mammals of plant growth bioregulators. plant growth bioregulators can be referred to as "biochemical effectors" since they are substances having biological activity. It is possible to distinguish between "bioregulators" and "regulators" due to the significance of the compounds mentioned above in biochemistry and agrobiology.

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Monoamine oxidase (MAO) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of central nervous system disorders, and MAO inhibitors have been used in the treatment of depression and Parkinson's disease. In the search for new classes of MAO inhibitors, the present study investigated a series of 1,2,4-oxadiazin-5(6)-one derivatives. This study provides the first optimization of the reaction conditions for the condensation of amidoximes with alkyl 2-halocarboxylates to yield the desired 1,2,4-oxadiazin-5(6)-ones.

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Thermooxidation of Four Sartans: Kinetic Analysis Based on Thermo-Gravimetric Data.

Molecules

November 2024

Advanced Instrumental Screening Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists are tetrazole derivatives used in the treatment of high blood pressure, and are also indicated for the treatment of heart failure (NYHA class II-IV). They are used alone or in combination with other classes of antihypertensives or diuretics for the effective management of high blood pressure. In this study, we aim to evaluate the thermal stability and degradation kinetics for the principal compounds used in therapy from this class, namely telmisartan, valsartan, olmesartan medoxomil, and losartan potassium.

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Background: A growing body of evidence links a high-fructose diet (HFrD) to metabolic disturbances, including inflammation, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and also endothelial dysfunction, yet its role in allergic asthma remains underexplored. Considering that obesity and hypercholesterolemia exacerbate asthma by promoting systemic inflammation, investigating interventions with dual metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the potential modulatory effects of rosuvastatin in ameliorating the effects of HFrD-induced metabolic and vascular dysfunction in the context of allergic asthma.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the global rise of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in vegetables, highlighting a serious food safety issue.
  • Through a comprehensive analysis of 63 studies published between 2014 and 2024, the overall prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria in vegetables was found to be 11.9%, with significant geographical variations.
  • The findings underscore the need for improved food safety protocols and monitoring to minimize the risks of antibiotic resistance associated with contaminated produce.
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A Technique for Monitoring Mechanically Ventilated Patient Lung Conditions.

Diagnostics (Basel)

November 2024

Faculty of Engineering, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa.

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a critical but resource-intensive treatment. Automated tools are common in screening diagnostics, whereas real-time, continuous trend analysis in mechanical ventilation remains rare. Current techniques for monitoring lung conditions are often invasive, lack accuracy, and fail to isolate respiratory resistance-making them impractical for continuous monitoring and diagnosis.

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