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Purpose Many people do not participate in mail-out bowel cancer screening programs due to difficulties using the screening kit. The current study investigated the ways the screening kit could be modified to improve usability. Methods 1,109 people evaluated 15 different screening kit modifications. Participants reported on how these kit modifications would affect their screening barriers, their future screening intentions, and how much they would recommend that the modification is made to the current screening kit used the program. All responses were given via an online survey conducted between April and December of 2021. Results Seventeen percent of previous NBCSP non-participators indicated that a one-sample test would increase their intention to participate. Recommendation ratings demonstrated higher levels of support for modifications that included providing a barcode naming label (M = 9.06, 95% CI [8.81, 9.31]), having a larger diameter opening of the collection tube (M = 8.42, 95% CI [8.10, 8.74]), and highlighting the expiry date on the kit packaging (M = 8.59, 95% CI [8.29, 8.89]). There were lower levels of support for modifications that reduced the size of the packaging the kit is sent in (M = 6.47, 95% CI [6.09, 6.85]), removed branding from kit packaging (M = 5.98, 95% CI [5.57, 6.39]), and removed the information booklet that comes with the screening kit (M = 5.25, 95% CI [4.78, 5.72]). Conclusion These findings highlight multiple ways in which bowel cancer screening kits can be changed to increase usability for invitees of national bowel cancer screening programs. Findings have implications for all screening programs that use immunochemical-based bowel cancer screening kits.

Propolis is a resinous natural product produced by honeybees using beeswax and plant exudates. The chemical composition of propolis is highly complex, and varies with region and season. This inherent chemical variability presents several challenges to its standardisation and quality control. The present review was aimed at highlighting marker compounds for different types of propolis, produced by the speciesThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11101-022-09816-1.

Antimicrobial peptides or bacteriocins are excellent candidates for alternative antimicrobials, but high manufacturing costs limit their applications. Recombinant gene expression offers the potential to produce these peptides more cost-effectively at a larger scale. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a popular host for recombinant protein production, but with limited success reported on antimicrobial peptides. Individual recombinant S. cerevisiae strains were constructed to secrete two class IIa bacteriocins, plantaricin 423 (PlaX) and mundticin ST4SA (MunX). The native and codon-optimised variants of the plaA and munST4SA genes were cloned into episomal expression vectors containing either the S. cerevisiae alpha mating factor (MFα1) or the Trichoderma reesei xylanase 2 (XYNSEC) secretion signal sequences. The recombinant peptides retained their activity and stability, with the MFα1 secretion signal superior to the XYNSEC secretion signal for both bacteriocins. An eight-fold increase in activity against Listeria monocytogenes was observed for MunX after codon optimisation, but not for PlaX-producing strains. After HPLC-purification, the codon-optimised genes yielded 20.9 mg/L of MunX and 18.4 mg/L of PlaX, which displayed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 108.52 nM and 1.18 µM, respectively, against L. monocytogenes. The yields represent a marked improvement relative to an Escherichia coli expression system previously reported for PlaX and MunX. The results demonstrated that S. cerevisiae is a promising host for recombinant bacteriocin production that requires a simple purification process, but the efficacy is sensitive to codon usage and secretion signals.

South Africa was among the first countries to adopt mandatory regulation in 2016 to lower the salt content in processed foods, aiming to reduce population salt intake to5 g/day. To assess the effectiveness of this regulation in 20-30 year-old adults, we determined the change in salt intake over a mean follow-up time of 4.56-years spanning the implementation of the regulation. This observational study included baseline (2013-2016; N = 668; 24.9 ± 3 years; 47.8% black; 40.7% men) and follow-up data (2018-ongoing; N = 311; 25.4 ± 3.05 years; 51.1% black; 43.4% men) for participants of the African-PREDICT study. Salt intake was estimated from 24-h urinary sodium excretion. Median salt intake at baseline (N = 668) was 7.88 g/day (IQR: 5.67). In those followed (N = 311), salt intake reduced from baseline [median (IQR): 7.91 g/day (5.83)] to follow-up [7.26 g/day (5.30)] [unadjusted median: -0.82 g/day]. After adjusting for baseline salt intake to address regression to the mean, the mean salt reduction was -1.2 g/day. The greatest reductions were in men [mean difference: -1.47 g/day], black adults [mean difference: -2.04 g/day], and participants from low [mean difference: -1.89 g/day] or middle [mean difference: -1.84 g/day] socio-economic status groups, adjusting for baseline salt intake. Our preliminary findings suggest that South Africa's salt regulation has been effective in lowering salt intake in young adults by ~1.2 g salt/day. Our study supports the effectiveness of upstream interventions to lower population salt intake, particularly for vulnerable groups who may typically consume more processed foods. It needs to be determined if the legislation has the anticipated population health gains.

Bio-telemetry from small tags attached to animals is one of the principal methods for studying the ecology and behaviour of wildlife. The field has constantly evolved over the last 80 years as technological improvement enabled a diversity of sensors to be integrated into the tags (e.g., GPS, accelerometers, etc.). However, retrieving data from tags on free-ranging animals remains a challenge since satellite and GSM networks are relatively expensive and or power hungry. Recently a new class of low-power communication networks have been developed and deployed worldwide to connect the internet of things (IoT). Here, we evaluated one of these, the Sigfox IoT network, for the potential as a real-time multi-sensor data retrieval and tag commanding system for studying fauna across a diversity of species and ecosystems. We tracked 312 individuals across 30 species (from 25 g bats to 3 t elephants) with seven different device concepts, resulting in more than 177,742 successful transmissions. We found a maximum line of sight communication distance of 280 km (on a flying cape vulture [Gyps coprotheres]), which sets a new documented record for animal-borne digital data transmission using terrestrial infrastructure. The average transmission success rate amounted to 68.3% (SD 22.1) on flying species and 54.1% (SD 27.4) on terrestrial species. In addition to GPS data, we also collected and transmitted data products from accelerometers, barometers, and thermometers. Further, we assessed the performance of Sigfox Atlas Native, a low-power method for positional estimates based on radio signal strengths and found a median accuracy of 12.89 km (MAD 5.17) on animals. We found that robust real-time communication (median message delay of 1.49 s), the extremely small size of the tags (starting at 1.28 g without GPS), and the low power demands (as low as 5.8 µAh per transmitted byte) unlock new possibilities for ecological data collection and global animal observation., ANIMAL BIOTELEMETRY, 11 (1)

Background The parthenogenic reproductive ability of Haemaphysalislongicornis, facilitating quick life cycle completion and rapid geographic spread and its pathogen vector potential make infestations a risk to human and canine health. Two 90-day studies were initiated to evaluate the efficacy of a single fluralaner administration for the treatment and prevention of H.longicornis infestations on dogs. Methods Dogs were randomly assigned (10 dogs/group) to either an untreated control group or a group treated once (Day 0) with 13.64% w/w fluralaner chewable tablets (Bravecto®) at the minimum label dose rate of 25 mg/kg. Each dog was infested with approximately 50 H.longicornis ticks on Days -9 or -6 and on Days -2, 28, 58 and 88. A different US tick isolate was used in each study. Tick counts were completed on Days -7 or -4, 2, 30, 60 and 90. The primary efficacy criterion was a 90% reduction in arithmetic mean tick counts between the treated and control groups. For between-group comparisons at any assessment, at least six control dogs were required to retain at least 25% of the infestation dose (13 live ticks). Results Pre-study infestations demonstrated susceptibility of all study dogs to challenge with H.longicornis. At each subsequent assessment in both studies, at least seven untreated control dogs retained ≥ 25% of the challenge, demonstrating adequate infestations for each efficacy calculation. On Days 2, 30, 60 and 90 the mean live tick infestation rate (number of ticks recovered from each dog/infesting challenge of each dog) of untreated control dogs ranged from 27.8 to 60.8%. No live ticks, free or attached, were found on any fluralaner-treated dog in either study. Between-group differences were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.0002) at each assessment. Conclusion At the minimum recommended label dose rate of 25 mg/kg, fluralaner chewable tablets were 100% effective in eliminating H.longicornis ticks from dogs infested at the time of treatment. Complete efficacy against both US isolates of this tick was maintained through 90 days following a single treatment. Therefore, fluralaner is a treatment of choice for protecting dogs against this invasive tick species. Graphical abstract

Capture myopathy (CM) is a metabolic disease associated with mortality in mass boma captured (MBC) wildlife. The condition is induced by the forced pursuit, capturing, and restraint of wild animals, although its causal biology remains to be confirmed. A core feature of MBC-CM is rhabdomyolysis, which is associated with myoglobinuria and hyperthermia. Towards developing a translational model of CM-associated rhabdomyolysis, we investigated forced treadmill running to induce physical exhaustion and trigger rhabdomyolysis in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Twenty-four (24) SD rats (12 per sex) were subjected to treadmill habituation in a speed-tiered approach. Forty-eight hours after the last habituation session, one strenuous exercise (SE) session was performed at 75% of the theoretical VO2MAX (30 m/min) until animals reached physical exhaustion. Core and skin surface temperatures were measured before the SE session and after rats reached exhaustion, after which a 1-h—cumulative urine sample was collected, and the myoglobin content assayed. We show that most SE, but not control-exposed (non-exercise) rats presented with myoglobinuria, while core and surface body temperatures in both male and female rats were significantly higher post-exercise. This pre-clinical model framework shows potential for investigating the pathophysiology of MBC-CM.

Fusarium verticillioides causes Fusarium ear rot (FER) of maize and contaminates the grain with mycotoxins called fumonisins. Structural barriers that prevent infection include a closed stylar canal of kernels, which has been suggested to contribute to resistance to FER. In this study, the stylar canal architecture of nine maize inbred lines, characterised for their response to F. verticillioides, was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The stylar canal of ovaries, sampled at 1–2 weeks before pollination, and maturing kernels sampled at approximately 1 month after self-pollination, were evaluated. Three inbred lines, CML 390 (highly resistant), RO 544 W (intermediately resistant) and R2565y (susceptible), had ovaries predominantly with closed stylar canals, with 92, 95 and 64.3% of the canals viewed as closed, respectively. Other highly resistant (CML 444, VO 617Y-2 and US 2540 W), intermediately resistant (RO 549 W) and susceptible (R119W and I137tnW) inbred lines displayed a mostly open stylar canal prior to pollination. The stylar canals of all inbred lines were mostly closed 1 month after pollination (90.3–100%). No significant association was found between stylar canal architecture and the FER-resistance status of the maize lines evaluated for ovaries and maturing maize kernels (P > 0.05). The results of the study suggest that the stylar canal architecture may facilitate fungal ingress but does not play a pivotal role in resistance to F. verticillioides.

The application of microwave energy in the synthesis of catalytic materials has been indicated to induce desirable effects that lead to improved activity. Herein, bimetallic oxides immobilised on silica were prepared by incipient-wetness impregnation method and the resulting catalysts were subjected to microwave irradiation. The catalysts were characterised with X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. A comparison of the activities of the catalyst thermally treated in microwave oven with that thermally treated in conventional oven showed that the former exhibited superior performance. Microwave power and duration of irradiation had influence on the crystallite size of the catalysts which in turn had effect on their activities for heterogeneous Fenton degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution. It was also observed that Fe/Mn ratio in the catalyst significantly affected its activity. The bimetallic catalyst was highly effective for the destruction of the target organic pollutant, with 97% of the dye degraded in 60 min at near neutral pH when the optimised catalyst was used. The material can be an attractive heterogeneous catalyst for Fenton decontamination of water containing harmful organic substances.

Aims Once-weekly semaglutide and dulaglutide represent two highly efficacious treatment options for type 2 diabetes. A recent indirect treatment comparison (ITC) has associated semaglutide 1 mg with similar and greater improvements in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and body weight, respectively, vs. dulaglutide 3 mg and 4.5 mg. The present study aimed to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of semaglutide 1 mg vs. dulaglutide 3 mg and 4.5 mg in the UK. Materials and methods The IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model (v9.0) was used to project outcomes over patients’ lifetimes. Baseline cohort characteristics were sourced from SUSTAIN 7, with changes in HbA1c and body mass index applied as per the ITC. Modelled patients received semaglutide or dulaglutide for 3 years, after which treatment was intensified to basal insulin. Costs (expressed in 2020 pounds sterling [GBP]) were accounted from a healthcare payer perspective. Results Semaglutide 1 mg was associated with improvements in quality-adjusted life expectancy of 0.05 and 0.04 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) vs. dulaglutide 3 mg and 4.5 mg, respectively, due to a reduced incidence of diabetes-related complications with semaglutide. Direct costs were estimated to be GBP 76 lower and GBP 8 higher in the comparisons with dulaglutide 3 mg and 4.5 mg, respectively. Overall outcomes were similar, but favoured semaglutide, and based on modelled mean outcomes it was considered dominant vs. dulaglutide 3 mg and associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of GBP 228 per QALY gained vs. dulaglutide 4.5 mg. Conclusions Semaglutide 1 mg represents a cost-effective treatment vs. dulaglutide 3 mg and 4.5 mg for type 2 diabetes from a healthcare payer perspective in the UK.

Background In an effort to combat childhood obesity the WHO has called on governments to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods to children. Regulators have turned to nutrient profiling (NP) to provide the evidence for their decisions. This has resulted in the development of NP models, of which the validity of only a few have been established. The aim of this study was to assess the construct validity of various NP models for the purpose of restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children in South Africa by comparing the classification of foods by the models to the ranking of the same foods by registered dietitians. Methods Six current NP models were identified, then a representative food database of 120 foods was developed and each individual food was classified by each of the six models. Lastly dietitians were recruited to rank the healthfulness of the same 120 foods. Results Dietitians allowed 24% of the included foods for marketing to children, whereas the percentage of foods allowed by the included models ranged from 7 to 47%. Majority of pairwise comparisons between the NP models and dietitians yielded ҡ statistics >0.6, indicating substantial agreement. An almost perfect pairwise agreement was found between dietitians and the WHO Regional Office for Europe model. Conclusion The included NP models displayed good construct validity by agreeing with dietitians on what are ‘less healthy’ foods, thus the foods not allowed for marketing. The findings of this study contributes to the process of establishing validity of NP models

Aspalathin (2′,3,4,4′,6′-pentahydroxy-3′-C-β-D-glucopyranosyldihydrochalcone) is a natural C-linked glucosyl dihydrochalcone present in Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren (rooibos), a South African endemic plant, popularly consumed globally as a herbal tea. Aspalathin is reported to possess potent anti-oxidant properties that are believed to be responsible for the health benefits of rooibos. Other pharmacological properties ascribed to the molecule include antidiabetic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. The role of aspalathin in limiting the progression of metabolic disorders and preventing diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications has been reported. The aforementioned potential health benefits of aspalathin have rendered it a popular natural ingredient that is incorporated in various nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products for protection against different conditions. Percutaneous permeation studies revealed some degree of absorption through the skin, supporting its use in cosmetic preparations. To perform an in-depth assessment of the scientific literature available on aspalathin, a bibliometric analysis was carried out on publications for the period 1965–2020, using the Scopus database. A total of 140 articles were retrieved, indicating that South African authors are major contributors to aspalathin research. The most common areas of investigation were identified as anti-oxidation, chemistry/chemical profiling, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. A comprehensive literature search showed that there are currently only two available reviews on aspalathin. Hence, the present review aims to explore the history and fill gaps with regards to collating aspects of the synthesis, quality control, metabolism and various biological activities of the molecule.

Due to increasing global migration, the spectrum of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is changing in developed countries. Up to 3% of migrants arriving in Europe have underlying CVD. Despite their high global prevalence, conditions such as rheumatic heart disease, Chagas disease, endomyocardial fibrosis, tuberculous pericarditis, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary hypertension are often under-recognized, and, as a result, neglected in industrialized countries. Many of these conditions, and their causes, are often unfamiliar to the health-care providers in host countries. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, and management of neglected CVDs that have an increasing prevalence in the Global North.

DNA based PCR is the most widely used technique for the detection of animal species in processed meat products. However, the detection of animal species in highly processed meat products, specifically, canned meat, has been reported to be challenging due to the presence of highly degraded DNA and/or the inability to extract sufficient amount of amplifiable DNA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Real-time PCR to detect animal species in ready-to-eat meat products which represent highly processed complex food matrices. DNA was extracted from a total of 44 ready-to-eat meat products purchased from supermarkets in South Africa. The extracted DNA was screened for the presence of commonly reported undeclared animal species using Real-time PCR. Real-time PCR successfully detected the animal species declared on the product label, thus demonstrating its suitability for highly processed complex food matrices. Undeclared animal species was detected in 27% of the meat products tested in this study. Surprisingly, four products marketed with a specific "no-pork" claim tested positive for pork. An additional eight products tested positive for undeclared chicken, beef and/or sheep. The presence of undeclared animal species indicates a need for food authenticity monitoring. In cases where it may not be practically feasible to prevent the adventitious presence of unintended animal species despite adhering to the highest standards of production, it may be advisable for manufacturers to implement precautionary labelling. The use of precautionary labelling for animal species in processed meat products is a new concept that requires further consideration.

Medicinal plants are used extensively in many countries to treat conditions related to the central nervous system (CNS), and there is renewed interest to explore natural products, which may exhibit CNS activity. In this study, seven plants were selected based on literature reports of their ethnopharmacological use in treating anxiety-related conditions and assayed in a zebrafish model. Crude extracts were prepared with solvents of different polarities, and the maximum tolerated concentration (MTC) of these crude extracts was established. The anxiolytic activity of the crude extracts was determined using 5-day post-fertilization (dpf) zebrafish larvae. General locomotor activity and reverse-thigmotaxis behavior (indicative of anxiolytic activity) were analyzed under continuous illumination and alternating light-dark challenges, which induced anxiety in the zebrafish larvae. Of the 28 extracts tested, 13 were toxic according to the MTC values obtained. Larvae were subsequently treated with the 15 non-toxic extracts, at a dose determined in the MTC assay or with 1% DMSO as control. The anxiolytic activity (reverse-thigmotaxis) was demonstrated by an increase in the percentage time spent by the larvae in the central arena of the well. Of the 15 non-toxic extracts tested, the Sceletium tortuosum water extract exhibited the most promising anxiolytic activity. The zebrafish model was effective in studying anxiety-related behavior. Thus, the study confirmed that S. tortuosum mitigates anxiety in zebrafish larvae, a step towards the full in vivo validation of the traditional use of the plant.

Banana is a staple food and cash crop grown in East and Central Africa (ECA). The main banana varieties grown in ECA are the East African highland bananas (EAHB), although dessert/beer bananas such as Sukari Ndizi, Kayinja (Pisang Awak) and Gros Michel are also produced due to their high value at local markets. The Fusarium wilt fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causes disease of susceptible dessert/beer bananas, which significantly reduces yields. Banana Fusarium wilt is managed by excluding the pathogen from disease-free areas and by planting disease-resistant varieties in infested fields. Six phylogenetically closely-related vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) of Foc, VCGs 0124, 0125, 0128, 01212, 01220 and 01222 are present in ECA, which all group together in Foc Lineage VI. Rapid and accurate detection of Foc Lineage VI strains is thus important to prevent its spread to disease-free areas. In this study, molecular markers specific to Foc Lineage VI were therefore developed. Primer sets were then combined in a multiplex PCR assay, and validated on a worldwide population of 623 known Foc isolates, other formae speciales and non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum isolates. The Foc Lineage VI multiplex PCR was used to identify Foc isolates collected in banana fields at five locations in Uganda and Tanzania. Foc Lineage VI DNA was detected at a concentration as low as 0.1 ng/μl, both in the absence and presence of banana DNA, and can therefore be used as an accurate diagnostic tool for Foc Lineage VI strains.

Chromones are naturally occurring phenolic compounds that are universally present in a healthy human diet. To date, thousands of chromone derivatives, including chromone glycosides have been discovered, both from natural and synthetic origin. Many plant genera, including Aloe, Aquilaria, Cassia, Hypericum and Polygonum, are rich sources of chromones. Several genera of fungi, such as Aspergillus, Mycoleptodiscus, Orbiocrella, and Penicillium produce bioactive chromones. This class of compounds is mainly associated with anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Various in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies have established the role of chromones in alleviating allergies, reducing oxidative damage, inhibiting cancer, infections and inflammation, and for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders. This review focuses mainly on natural chromones, and elaborates on their nutritional benefits, pharmacological activities, and mechanisms of action. Various scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, were used to find relevant literature on chromones covering all available literature up to, and including the year 2019. This critical analysis of completed research regarding the nutraceutical properties of various chromone derivatives may provide new insight to scientists working in related fields.

INTRODUCTION: Gunshot injuries to the sino-orbital region are rare. In South Africa, where gunshot injuries are common, sino-orbital gunshot injuries are encountered. Sino-orbital gunshot injuries are associated with trauma to surrounding facial and intracranial structures. Therefore, the management of these injuries may be complex and often requires an interdisciplinary approach. AIMS: To review the management of orbito-cranial gunshot injuries with retained sinonasal bullets. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three cases of orbito-cranial gunshot injuries with retained sinonasal bullets were reviewed. Two cases were complicated by cerebrospinal fluid leaks with ensuing meningitis. The retained bullets in all three cases were successfully removed via a transnasal endoscopic approach. CONCLUSION: Sino-orbital gunshot injuries are rare, but may be encountered in areas with high frequencies of gun violence. An associated anterior skull base fracture with CSF rhinorrhoea poses a risk for meningitis and a low threshold for diagnosis and treatment of meningitis should be maintained. Retained bullets in the paranasal sinuses do not pose an immediate risk and may be removed on an elective basis.

The Adult Autism Quotient (AQ), the Empathy Quotient (EQ) and the Relative's Questionnaire (RQ) were used as part of the Adult Asperger's Assessment (AAA) by a diagnostic service for adults without an intellectual disability with suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This service is part of the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Little is known about the utility of these structured questionnaires despite wide use in clinical practice. It was investigated whether the questionnaires could discriminate between individuals with and without a diagnosis of ASD. Receiver Operating Curve analysis showed good levels of sensitivity to detect a positive diagnosis, but the specificity to exclude those without a diagnosis was poor. A binary logistic regression showed that a combination of the questionnaires also showed limited diagnostic validity. These findings have clinical implications in reviewing the efficiency of the assessment process.

Advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques and methodologies for microbiology contribute to our understanding of the microbial cell surface. Recent studies show that AFM imaging of cells and membranes at (near) molecular resolution allows detailed visualization of membranes interacting with drugs.