Efficacy and safety of tafolecimab in Chinese patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a prevalent inherited disorder marked by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, predisposing individuals to premature cardiovascular disease and related morbidities. Traditional treatments often fail to achieve target LDL-C levels in many patients, necessitating novel therapies. Tafolecimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PCSK9, shows promise in managing HeFH by enhancing LDL receptor recycling and LDL-C clearance.

Trends and determinants of unfavourable outcomes in paediatric tuberculosis: insights from a 20-year cohort in Cameroon.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in resource-limited settings. Despite progress in TB care, unfavourable treatment outcome persists, highlighting the need to identify determinants and address gaps in paediatric TB management. This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes and identify determinants of unfavourable outcomes in children treated for TB at a referral centre in Cameroon.

Nonsurgical Neurological Emergencies in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Management.

Background: This study aimed to outline the spectrum of pediatric neurological emergencies, assess their prevalence, describe diagnostic approaches, and identify treatment strategies used in their management in a resource-limited country.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, in Garoua General Hospital, Garoua Regional Hospital Center, and Garoua Regional Hospital. Patients' files were collected from January 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024, hence a study period of 16 months.

Investigation of chronic limb ulcers in Northern Cameroon: a socio-anthropological and clinical perspective.

Background: In September 2023, fifty cases of chronic limb ulcers of unknown origin were reported in six Health Districts (HDs) in Northern Cameroon. This disease, locally called "Ladde", was described as of mystical origin, transmitted by insect bites. We aimed to describe the cases, identify the cause and socio-anthropological considerations.

Acute Toxicity Assessment, In Vitro Antacid and Cytoprotective Effects of Root Bark Aqueous Extract of on Water Immersion Stress-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antacid and cytoprotective effects of root bark aqueous extract of (RBAEDM). Thirty rats were grouped into six groups of five rats each, namely, three control groups (normal, negative and positive) and three test groups. These animals were treated with distilled water (normal and negative controls), verapamil (positive control) and the extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (test groups).

Oral Health in Tanzania: Unmasking Its Neglected Dimension.

The World Health Organization's definition of oral health underscores its holistic nature encompassing physiological, psychosocial, and functional dimensions. The current estimates of oral diseases in Tanzania and around the world underscore the urgency of intervention, particularly in light of rising sugar consumption trends. The unique challenges facing Tanzania, including inadequate knowledge, limited infrastructure, and disparities in oral healthcare access, are analyzed within the broader context of sub-Saharan Africa's health priorities.

Towards Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage in Cameroon: Challenges and Way Forward.

The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has tremendously impacted both the small and large world economies. Schools and businesses were shut down and national borders closed, interrupting international trade and movement of people. This eventually led to huge economic losses and rendered many people jobless.

Effectiveness of community-based peer facilitated psychological and social support interventions on improving mental health in Cameroonian adolescents with perinatal HIV: the IAS-CIPHER-2021/1214-ATE SMAVI controlled randomized trial (November 2021-May 2023).

Background: Psychological and social support to adolescents living with HIV remains undocumented and unaddressed in Central Africa. This study aimed to assess effectiveness of a peer-facilitated community-based support in improving mental health among Cameroonian adolescents living with vertically acquired HIV (ALHIV).

Setting: The study was conducted in a national referral hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Deferred recovery of health expenditures for pediatric life-threatening emergencies in a resource-limited setting: Alternative before achieving universal health coverage in Cameroon in Central Africa.

The lack of health cover in low-income countries is a real barrier to emergency care. The objective of our study was to evaluate the immediate management of pediatric emergencies by deferred recovery of the costs of care at Douala Laquintinie Hospital. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st February to 30 June 2020 on patients admitted for life-threatening emergencies to the pediatric emergency department.

Development and validation of a questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice of snake envenomation among health care providers (KAPSE-HCPQ) in sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: A tropical disease that is often overlooked yet poses a significant risk to public health is envenomation caused by snakebite. This study aimed to develop a validated questionnaire to evaluate healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding snakebite envenomation (KAPSE-HCPQ).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey among healthcare providers in 11 Sub-Saharan African countries was conducted from 3 November 2023 to 25 February 2024, using convenience and snowball sampling methods.

African leadership in brain diplomacy: The Yaoundé declaration advances the global brain economy playbook for better brain health.

Africa, the world's second-largest continent is home to 1.5 billion people, accounting for nearly 20% of the global population, (60% under age 25). By 2050, Africa's population will be 2.

Challenges in studying neuroanatomy in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Cameroon.

Introduction: Quality education is key in addressing the skilled neurological workforce gap in Africa. However, many medics are scared of the neurological sciences because of the challenges faced in medical schools in studying the neurosciences. Understanding its state and educational challenges is crucial for fostering interest in neurosurgery and related specialities on the continent.

The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral load suppression (VLS) constitute one of the key challenges to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially during adolescence. This trial aimed at assessing the impact of short message services (SMS) or peer home visits (PHV) on adherence to ART and VL suppression among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) in Cameroon.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from July 2018 to February 2019 at the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaounde.

Heart failure outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of recent studies conducted after the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline release.

Background: Heart failure (HF) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) presents unique challenges, with high prevalence and distinct epidemiological features compared to high-income settings. Despite its burden, recent comprehensive data are lacking, especially amidst recent 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline release. This scoping review aims to map the literature on HF in SSA, focusing on aetiologies, structural abnormalities, management practices, and outcomes to identify research gaps and inform clinical practice.

IMMUNOLOGICAL AND VIROLOGIC OUTCOMES WITHIN TEN YEARS OF COMBINED ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY INITIATED BEFORE ONE YEAR OF AGE IN CAMEROONIAN CHILDREN WITH PERINATAL HIV.

Background: We reported immunological and virologic outcomes within 10 years of combined Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) initiated no later than age one year and associated factors in children with perinatal HIV in Cameroon.

Setting: This study was conducted in 3 referral hospitals in Cameroon.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study, using time-to-event analysis.

Non-O1/O139 environmental Vibrio cholerae from Northern Cameroon reveals potential intra-/inter-continental transmissions.

Northern Cameroon in Central Africa has experienced recurring cholera outbreaks despite ongoing efforts to control the disease. While most cholera studies focus on O1 pandemic Vibrio cholerae strains, non-O1/O139 strains are increasingly recognized for their infection potential and dynamic relationships with O1 strains during outbreaks. Here we explore the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of non-O1/O139 V.

In silico molecular docking and predictive ADME properties, in vitro antioxidant scavenging capacities, and in vivo pharmacological activities to study the potential of Pterocarpus mildbraedii's Harms (Fabaceae) in preventing vaginal dysbiosis and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in an estropause rat model.

Vaginal dysbiosis (VaD) is a common issue among menopausal women, who are particularly susceptible to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pterocarpus sp. are known to induce estrogen-like activities, which are the key pathways for menopause-related disorders.

Integrating Maternal and Child Health Into Climate Change: A Holistic Approach.

Objectives: In everyday language, climate change is an increase in the Earth's average temperature. Climate change negatively affects life support systems, including air, food, water, shelter, and security, on which humans depend. This paper aims to holistically integrate maternal and child health into climate change.

Enhancing the power quality in radial electrical systems using optimal sizing and selective allocation of distributed generations.

Optimizing energy resources is a major priority these days. Increasing household energy demand often leads to the deterioration of poorly sized distribution networks. This paper presents a method for energy compensation and optimization in radial distribution systems (ORDS).

The African Initiative for Bioinformatics Online Training in Neurodegenerative Diseases (AI-BOND): Investing in the next generation of African neuroscientists.

Unlabelled: Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and AD-related dementias (AD/ADRD), pose significant challenges to health care systems globally, particularly in Africa. With the advances in medical technology and research capabilities, especially in next-generation sequencing and imaging, vast amounts of data have been generated from AD/ADRD research. Given that the greatest increase in AD/ADRD prevalence is expected to occur in Africa, it is critical to establish comprehensive bioinformatics training programs to help African scientists leverage existing data and collect additional information to untangle AD/ADRD heterogeneity in African populations.

Effects of diet and ovariectomy on brain infection: functional alterations and neuronal loss in rats.

Epidemiological evidence associates latent infection with the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, and various immunological and environmental factors play key pathophysiological roles through host immune response alterations. We investigated the cognitive and motor alterations occurring in the terminal stage of infection in rats, and whether a low-protein diet, a high-fat diet or ovariectomy may accelerate their development, given the role of malnutrition and menopause on immunity and resistance to infection. In two sets of experiments, 2-month-old (157.

The safety and efficacy of Baricitinib for systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background And Objective: Baricitinib is a JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor approved for treating active rheumatoid arthritis and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, the authors aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of once-daily oral Baricitinib 2 mg or 4 mg versus placebo in active SLE patients receiving standard care.

Methods: The authors synthesized randomized controlled studies (RCTs) from MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library until 20 March 2023.

Anthelmintic activity of crude and separated extract of (Xanthorrhoeaceae) against bovine adults parasites of and infected larvae of drug resistant strains of the free-living nematode .

Human onchocerciasis is caused by the filarial worm. is a parasite that forms nodules under the skin. The aim of this work was to assess the nematicidal activities of on and and to determine the phytochemical compounds.

Trans-Oral Protrusion of the Distal End of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: A Case Report of an Unusual Complication.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is the surgical technique of choice to manage pediatric hydrocephalus. Despite having good results, it is prone to complications, some of which are rare. This is the case report of a 2-year-old male, with an uncomplicated VPS done at 6 months of age, presenting with vomiting, irritability, anorexia, and drooling.