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Host-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species in the Gut Epithelium: Defence Mechanism and Target of Bacterial Subversion.
Get PDFHost physical, chemical, and immune responses constitute well-established defences against bacterial invasion. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of cellular mechanisms, particularly the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in antibacterial defence. This review focuses on ROS generation by mammalian intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and investigates whether ROS production is host-driven to eliminate bacteria or manipulated by bacteria to suppress or exploit ROS for enhanced internalisation. We examine the activation mechanisms of the NADPH oxidase (NOX) enzyme complex and the resulting ROS production in IECs, which, unlike professional phagocytes, lack the ability to engulf bacteria. The downstream effects of NOX-mediated ROS signalling are discussed in detail. Additionally, we explore the dynamic interplay between host and pathogen, with particular attention to how bacterial infection may disrupt or hijack host NOX-mediated ROS responses. The review concludes with key experimental considerations and outlines future directions in this evolving field. Overall, we present ROS as a double-edged sword, an essential antimicrobial effector that is also susceptible to bacterial subversion, highlighting its potential as a target in novel antimicrobial strategies
Beyond the samples: Nigerian research staff perspectives on a multicentre neonatal sepsis study's impact.
Get PDFDrawing on experiences of Nigerian healthcare staff in a multi-centre international study, we describe insights into capacity strengthening, patients’ engagement, and discuss long-term challenges in sustaining outcomes after project funding ends
Accommodating Asymmetric Adherence in Clinical Trial Analyses: Insights From BHF PROTECT-TAVI
Get PDFSchool Meals Case Study: Armenia
Get PDFThis school meals case study forms part of a collection led by the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition’s "Good Examples" Community of Practice. The School Meals Case Study of Armenia serves to document how the national school meals programme is organized, funded, and monitored throughout the country. The objectives of this case study include presenting an introduction to the country profile, outlining the design and implementation of school feeding programmes, describing their monitoring and evaluation processes, and highlighting lessons learned, best practices, and challenges. This case study is written as a working paper, and can be updated to reflect evolving circumstances. The ‘Good Examples’ Community of Practice supports the evidence generation of the Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition, the evidence-generating arm of the School Meals Coalition. The Research Consortium’s objective is to carry out independent research across diverse sectors and generate solid, compelling, and actionable evidence regarding the benefits of school food programs to inform evidence-based decision-making on school health and nutrition policies and practices
How gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men living with HIV experience sexual dysfunction: a thematic analysis of interviews in Montreal, Canada.
No full textBACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is prevalent, yet underaddressed, among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) living with HIV. We aimed at exploring the perceived causes and effects of SD from the perspective of Montreal-based GBM with HIV. METHODS: During 2024, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 Montreal-based GBM with HIV who experienced SD (reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, premature/delayed ejaculation or pain during sex) in the past 5 years, asking about perceived causes and impacts. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants' median age was 46 years (range 27-74 years). The most common SDs were reduced libido (n = 26; 84%) and erectile dysfunction (n = 25; 81%). Participants reported a median of three concurrent SDs. Themes regarding the perceived causes of SD were: (1) biopsychosocial challenges across the lifespan, including aging, physical health (e.g. hormonal/cardiovascular problems), adverse life events and mental health problems; (2) living with HIV (in terms of HIV diagnosis and stigma) and concerns about antiretroviral therapy side-effects; and (3) gay sexual culture, which encompassed challenges in navigating expectations, relational/sexual ambivalence, and combining sex and drugs. Themes related to the impacts of SD included: (1) negative emotions (e.g. frustration, low self-esteem); (2) relational strain; and (3) adaptation (e.g. prioritizing intimacy over sex alone). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the multifaceted experience of SD among GBM with HIV. Participants perceived that biopsychosocial challenges across the lifespan, living with HIV and gay sexual culture contributed to SD. Although SD led to emotional and relational distress, participants indicated strategies to manage it
Values and Infectious Disease Regulation in 20th Century England and Wales: The Cases of Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS
No full textSerum insulin-like growth factor 1 in young children with moderate acute malnutrition: secondary analysis of a randomised trial in Burkina Faso.
Get PDFInsulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an important growth factor in childhood. We aimed to investigate the impact of food supplements for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) on serum IGF-1 (sIGF-1). Secondary analysis of a randomised 2 × 2 × 3 factorial nutrition trial was performed. Children aged 6-23 months with MAM received 2093 kJ/d as lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) or corn soy blend (CSB), containing either dehulled soya or soya isolate and different quantities of dried skimmed milk (0 %, 20 % or 50 % of total protein) for 12 weeks. The trial was double-blind with regard to soya and milk but not to matrix (LNS v. CSB). sIGF-1 was measured at inclusion and after 12 weeks of supplementation. Of 1609 children enrolled, 1455 (90 %) had sIGF-1 measured at both time points. During supplementation, sIGF-1 increased 6·7 (95 % CI 6·1, 7·3) ng/ml compared with an expected age-dependent decrease of 0·3 (95 % CI 0·2, 0·4) ng/ml. Children who received LNS v. CSB had a lower increase in sIGF-1 (-8 %, 95 % CI - 12, -3). The effect of LNS was partly attenuated when sIGF-1 was corrected for inflammation. Children who received soya isolate compared with dehulled soya had a higher increase in sIGF-1 (6 %, 95 % CI 1, 12). Milk content did not affect sIGF-1. Overall, sIGF-1 increased during supplementation. The lower increase with LNS v. CSB was only partly explained by increased inflammation with LNS and needs further investigation. Isolate v. dehulled soya led to a higher increase which may be due to antinutrients in dehulled soya
Preventing HIV in women in Africa.
Get PDFHIV incidence is declining globally, but around half of all new infections are in sub-Saharan Africa-where adolescent girls and young women bear a disproportionate burden of new infections. Those who sell sex are at particularly high risk. Despite declining incidence rates and availability of effective biomedical prevention tools, we are not on track, globally or in Africa, to achieve UNAIDS 2025 prevention targets. For those at risk, interventions that strengthen their motivation, capabilities and access to all available HIV prevention technologies are critical-for adolescent girls and women in particular, but also for epidemic control more broadly. Exciting possibilities for scaling up new and highly effective prevention technologies are close, but delivery, implementation and financing models need to be developed and urgently evaluated, in partnership with communities, or these opportunities may be lost. Here, we discuss the evolving landscape of biomedical prevention technologies for women in Africa, their implementation and financing, as well as priorities for HIV prevention research in this setting
Changing Perceptions of Ageing in the Middle East: Adapting to a Rapidly Evolving Reality
Get PDFWebinar organised by the University of Sharjah. Title: Changing Perceptions of Ageing in the Middle East: Adapting to a rapidly evolving reality
Testing for Antibodies to Four Parasites in Residual Blood Specimens from Trachoma Surveys in Kiribati, 2015-2019.
Get PDFTo assess the prevalence of several parasitic infections in Kiribati, dried blood spots collected during trachoma prevalence surveys in the two major population centers in 2015, 2016, and 2019 were tested using multiplex bead-based serologic assays to detect IgG antibodies against four pathogens of public health interest: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), Taenia solium (T. solium), Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis), and Toxocara canis (T. canis). In Kiritimati Island, the seroprevalences of T. solium recombinant antigen for detection of cysticercosis antibodies (T24H) and recombinant antigen for detection of taeniasis antibodies (ES33) were ≤4% in both surveys, whereas in Tarawa, the T24H seroprevalence was 2% (2016) and 7% (2019) and the ES33 seroprevalence was ≤3% in both surveys. At both sites, the seropositivity of S. stercoralis recombinant antigen for detection of Strongyloides was 0-4%, and for T. canis, the C-type lectin-1 antigen was 0-1% in all surveys. For T. gondii, the surface antigen glycoprotein 2A antigen seroprevalences on Kiritimati Island were 41% (2015) and 36% (2019), and in Tarawa, they were 36% (2016) and 22% (2019), suggesting that T. gondii infections are common in Kiribati, whereas the other pathogens are not