Optimal control strategies for reducing the interrelated issues of food insecurity and disease dynamics: A mathematical modelling approach using Nigeria as a case study.

Food insecurity and the spread of infectious disease are among the two major problems facing the world today especially in poor rural communities. Unfortunately, these two problems are related as many poor rural communities with food insecurity issues are also endemic to some food and waterborne diseases. A mathematical model that takes into consideration the major factors affecting food insecurity and disease is developed and used to analyse the problems.

Attitudes and opinions of medical practitioners, librarians, and LIS academics towards health science library services to support evidence-based medical practice in South Africa.

Background: This study explores the attitudes and opinions of health science librarians, university academic staff, and medical practitioners towards health science library services to support Evidence-Based Medical Practice (EBMP) in eThekwini, South Africa. It aims to develop an EBMP model for health science library services, focusing on the importance of timely, evidence-based information for quality healthcare. The research also focuses on improving the readiness and qualifications of librarians to support medical practitioners in EBMP implementation.

DES-Promoted Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidinones and Their Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Evaluation Supported With Computational Studies.

A series of 3,4-dihydropyrimidinone (DHPM) derivatives was synthesized using a green deep eutectic solvent (DES) system composed of ZnCl and urea, which acted simultaneously as solvent, catalyst, and in situ substrate (urea). The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antidiabetic potential via α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assays, as well as for antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. Among the series, compound 3f exhibited superior inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC = 35.

Developing and Validating an Inclusive and Cost-Effective Prediction Algorithm for Survival and Death Among People Living With HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for a Meta-Analysis and Case-Control and Cost-Effectiveness Study.

Background: Premature death in people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is highly preventable. However, the lack of inclusive, cost-effective prognostic tools remains challenging. Most prognostic tools have been developed in high-income economies.

Characterization and risk stratification of coronary artery disease in people living with HIV: a global systematic review.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). Risk stratification remains inconsistent due to geographic disparities, ART-related metabolic effects, and overreliance on strength of association. This review synthesizes global evidence to classify CAD risk factors in PLWH, aiming to improve predictive models and preventative strategies.

Strategies for overcoming barriers to engagement in continuing professional development (CPD) activities in radiography: Exploratory study in Malawi.

Introduction: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) involves the systematic maintenance, improvement, and broadening of knowledge, skills, and personal qualities necessary for executing professional and technical duties throughout a professional's work life. Radiographers must stay up to date with the latest knowledge and technological advancements to maintain best practices. Previous studies have highlighted time constraints, a lack of motivation and insufficient resources as barriers to engaging in CPD activities among radiographers.

Beyond clinical competence: Exploring entrepreneurial knowledge among diagnostic radiographers and ultra-sonographers in South Africa.

Introduction/background: Radiography education in South Africa has evolved significantly, yet concerns persist about its adequacy in equipping graduates with the skills necessary for private practice and entrepreneurship. Although clinical competencies are often met, there is limited evidence that current training prepares radiographers for diversified career paths beyond institutional employment.

Methods: A qualitative exploratory design was used to investigate the entrepreneurial knowledge and perceptions of diagnostic radiographers and ultra-sonographers in the eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal.

Innovative strategies for augmenting Omega-3-Fatty acid production in microalgae: Sustainable approaches for vegan food applications.

The virtues of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3-PUFAs) have garnered considerable acclaim owing to their multifaceted human health benefits. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) represent long-chain ω-3-PUFAs synthesized from the precursor α-linoleic acid (ALA). Conventionally, fish, shellfish, and krill have been the primary sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Improving the treatment of people with dementia. An action research project in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The estimated number of Africans suffering from some form of dementia in 2015 was 2.13 million and this is projected to rise to 7.62 million by 2050.

The pitfalls of "toughing it out": mapping stoic attitudes in cancer patients. A scoping review.

Stoicism (with an upper-case 'S') as a life philosophy promotes resilience, self-control and rational acceptance of adversity. In contrast, lower-case stoicism, including pseudo-stoicism or stoic attitudes-characterised by emotional suppression and the silent endurance of pain or hardship-has been linked to adverse health outcomes among cancer patients. Thus, further research is needed to understand the drawbacks of stoic attitudes in cancer patients.

The Effectiveness of Online Exercise on Physical Activity, Motor Function, and Mental Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Regular engagement in physical activity and exercise is associated with a multitude of physical and mental health benefits. Hence, it has been widely encouraged as a measure by which to combat somatic and psychological ailments. In view of the technical progress, the aging society and the public life restrictions issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of interventions using digital devices has become highly popular.

Electrospun Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Environmental Remediation: A Mini Review.

This review critically examines the recent advancements in the development and application of electrospun molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanofiber membranes for environmental remediation. Emphasizing the significance of these materials, the discussion highlights the mechanisms by which electrospun MIPs achieve high selectivity and efficiency in removing various pollutants, including dyes, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical residues such as NSAIDs and antiretroviral drugs. The synthesis methodologies are explored in detail, focusing on the choice of monomers, templates, and polymerization conditions that influence the structural and functional properties of the membranes.

Harnessing Seed Endophytic Microbiomes: A Hidden Treasure for Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture.

Microbes perform diverse and vital functions in animals, plants, and humans, and among them, plant-associated microbiomes, especially endophytes, have attracted growing scientific interest in recent years. Numerous plant species thriving in diverse environments have been shown to host endophytic microbes. While endophytic bacteria commonly colonize plant tissues such as stems, roots, and leaves, seed-associated endophytes generally exhibit lower diversity compared to those in other plant compartments.

The use of standardised tools to measure post-mastectomy quality of life among women in Africa: a scoping review.

Background: Breast cancer survivorship is increasingly prevalent, yet quality of life (QoL) outcomes post-mastectomy remain a critical concern in Africa. Women post-mastectomy encounter significant physical, psychological, social, and sexual health challenges that are inadequately addressed in clinical settings. Using standardised tools to measure QoL post-mastectomy of women is imperative.

Parental experiences of stillbirth rituals in Limpopo, South Africa.

Background: Stillbirth remains a significant global health issue. Although extensive literature exists on burial practices for live births, there is a notable gap in evidence regarding the specific cultural practices related to the burial of stillborn infants.

Aim: This study examines the burial practices surrounding stillbirth from the perspectives of parents using the lens of cultural relativism.

Coping with stillbirth: Insights from parents in rural Limpopo, South Africa.

Background: Stillbirth continues to be a significant global public health issue. Effective coping mechanisms are essential for parents to process their grief and heal after a stillbirth. However, research on how South African parents, particularly in rural areas, cope with stillbirth is limited.

Semen-sensitive PCL/PLGA/HA-based layered electrospun scaffolds containing levonorgestrel (LNG) for intravaginal delivery in contraception.

The development of electrospun scaffolds for use in contraception has been of great importance considering the associated adverse and dose-related side effects observed with existing contraception methods. These include the presence of irregular bleeding, amenorrhea, nausea, breast tenderness, increased risks of ovarian and endometrial cancer etc. This research aims at developing electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds for vaginal delivery using polycaprolactone (PCL), poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and hyaluronic Acid (HA) loaded with levonorgestrel (LNG).

The Effect of Larval Exposure to Plastic Pollution on the Gut Microbiota of the Major Malaria Vector Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae).

Plastic pollution is prevalent in water bodies. However, most studies on plastic pollution focus on marine environments, with limited knowledge about its impact on freshwater ecosystems. This paucity of information extends to the effect on aquatic insects, with little reported data on the effect of plastic on malaria vectors.

Postbiotics: an insightful review of the latest category in functional biotics.

Postbiotics have recently emerged as one of the latest functional food products due to the ever-evolving landscape for microbiome-targeted health interventions. Postbiotics, along with other functional biotics, viz., probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, confer their health benefits mainly via the modulation of the gut microbiota.

Mapping evidence of spinal manipulation therapy for headaches in South Africa: a scoping review of grey literature.

Objective: Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) has been demonstrated to be an effective management approach for primary headaches; however, current literature often excludes data from South Africa (SA). The use of grey literature provides a viable mechanism to address knowledge gaps. Understanding that Master's dissertations are a source of grey literature, this review's primary objective was to address the following question: What is the range of evidence, particularly regarding subjective and objective outcome measures, for the application of SMT in managing headache patients at chiropractic training facilities in SA?

Methods: A scoping review methodology was adopted in compliance with the Joana-Briggs-Institute and the Arksey and O'Malley frameworks and reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis extended for scoping reviews checklist.

Factors Associated with Acceptance of Vaccination Against Human Papillomavirus in eThekwini District of South Africa.

South Africa launched a school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme in 2014 and has achieved a national coverage of more than 80%. However, there is subnational variation in coverage, with eThekwini District in the province of KwaZulu-Natal having the lowest coverage at 40%. Knowledge of the factors associated with vaccine acceptance in this district would inform tailored strategies to improve coverage, which could be extrapolated to similar settings.

Medical xenophobia and healthcare exclusion of refugees and migrants in Africa: A scoping review.

Background: Medical xenophobia, manifesting as discrimination and exclusion from healthcare based on nationality or documentation, threatens migrants' and refugees' rights and public health. This study maps evidence of what is known about medical xenophobia and healthcare exclusion of refugees and migrants in Africa.

Methodology: The framework established by Levac et al.

Multipronged biobehavioural intervention strategies for prevention and control of hypertension: A protocol for systematic review of education-based community trials.

Hypertension is one of the most pressing health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly South Africa. Evaluation of community-wide biobehavioural, preventative and control strategies for hypertension are necessary for planning and advancing primary prevention in the region. This systematic review aims to assess community-wide biobehavioural intervention strategies for hypertension prevention and control worldwide.

Improving Access to Radiotherapy in Gauteng: A Framework for Equitable Cancer Care.

Radiotherapy, a critical component of cancer treatment, faces significant challenges in Gauteng, South Africa. These disparities hinder the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, primarily due to systemic issues, socioeconomic barriers, and limitations within the health system. This article presents the House framework, designed to enhance access to radiotherapy services by integrating the WHO Health Systems framework with the dimensions of access proposed by Penchansky and Thomas.

A Bayesian Logistic Regression Approach to Investigating the Determinants Associated with Never Having Been Screened for Cervical Cancer Amongst Child-Bearing-Age Women in Jordan.

Cervical cancer continues to be a major global public health problem, with 661,021 estimated new cases and 348,189 deaths reported in 2022. Approximately 53% of women in Jordan reported not being screened for CC in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the determinants associated with not being screened for CC amongst Jordanian women of child-bearing age.