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Twice-yearly Lenacapavir or daily F/TAF for HIV prevention in cisgender women
(Massachusetts Medical Society, 2024-10) Bekker, Linda-Gail; Das, Moupali; Karim, Quarraisha Abdool; Ahmed, Khatija; Batting, Joanne; Brumskine, William; Gill, Katherine; Harkoo, Ishana; Jaggernath, Manjeetha; Kigozi, Godfrey; Kiwanuka, Noah; Kotze, Philip; Lebina, Limakatso; Louw, Cheryl E.; Malahleha, Moelo; Manentsa, Mmatsie; Mansoor, Leila E.; Moodley, Dhayendre; Naicker, Vimla; Naidoo, Logashvari; Naidoo, Megeshinee; Nair, Gonasagrie; Ndlovu, Nkosiphile; Palanee-Phillips, Thesla; Panchia, Ravindre; Pillay, Saresha; Potloane, Disebo; Selepe, Pearl; Singh, Nishanta; Singh, Yashna; Spooner, Elizabeth; Ward, Amy M.; Zwane, Zwelethu; Ebrahimi, Ramin; Zhao, Yang; Kintu, Alexander; Deaton, Chris; Carter, Christoph C.; Baeten, Jared M.; Kiweewa, Flavia Matovu
BACKGROUND : There are gaps in uptake of, adherence to, and persistence in the use of preexposure prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention among cisgender women.
METHODS : We conducted a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving adolescent girls and young women in South Africa and Uganda. Participants were assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive subcutaneous lenacapavir every 26 weeks, daily oral emtricitabine–tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF), or daily oral emtricitabine–tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF; active control); all participants also received the alternate subcutaneous or oral placebo. We assessed the efficacy of lenacapavir and F/TAF by comparing the incidence of HIV infection with the estimated background incidence in the screened population and evaluated relative efficacy as compared with F/TDF.
RESULTS : Among 5338 participants who were initially HIV-negative, 55 incident HIV infections were observed: 0 infections among 2134 participants in the lenacapavir group (0 per 100 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.00 to 0.19), 39 infections among 2136 participants in the F/TAF group (2.02 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.76), and 16 infections among 1068 participants in the F/TDF group (1.69 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 0.96 to 2.74). Background HIV incidence in the screened population (8094 participants) was 2.41 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 1.82 to 3.19). HIV incidence with lenacapavir was significantly lower than background HIV incidence (incidence rate ratio, 0.00; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.04; P<0.001) and than HIV incidence with F/TDF (incidence rate ratio, 0.00; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.10; P<0.001). HIV incidence with F/TAF did not differ significantly from background HIV incidence (incidence rate ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.28; P=0.21), and no evidence of a meaningful difference in HIV incidence was observed between F/TAF and F/TDF (incidence rate ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.14). Adherence to F/TAF and F/TDF was low. No safety concerns were found. Injection-site reactions were more common in the lenacapavir group (68.8%) than in the placebo injection group (F/TAF and F/TDF combined) (34.9%); 4 participants in the lenacapavir group (0.2%) discontinued the trial regimen owing to injection-site reactions.
CONCLUSIONS : No participants receiving twice-yearly lenacapavir acquired HIV infection. HIV incidence with lenacapavir was significantly lower than background HIV incidence and HIV incidence with F/TDF.
Larvicidal and antiplasmodial studies of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae) leaf
(Springer, 2024-12) Adesida, Stephen A.; Oguntimehin, Samuel A.; Famuyiwa, Funmilayo G.; Faloye, Kolade O.; Ogundele, Seun B.; Bello, Oyenike I.; Oladiran, Oluyemi J.; Olusola, Ayobami J.; Adewole, Adetola Henry; Adebayo, Praise A.; Oredola, Maryam O.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis is a medicinal plant used as insect repellant and antimalarial agent in ethnomedicine. This study examined the antiplasmodial and larvicidal potential of E. camaldulensis leaf extract and also identified the plant extract's most active fraction(s). The acute oral toxicity test of the methanol extract was evaluated using Lorke’s method. The larvicidal assay was performed on the extract and partitioned fractions according to the 2005 World Health Organization guidelines, while the 4-day chemosuppressive and curative antimalarial assays were carried out against Plasmodium bergei bergei. Endosulphan and chloroquine (10 mg/kg) was used as the positive controls for the larvicidal and antiplasmodial assays, respectively, while tween 80 in normal saline (1%) was the negative control. The methanol leaf extract of EC showed good larvicidal activity across all tested concentrations (LC50 3.79 ± 0.64 mg/mL), while the aqueous fraction with LC50 of 2.80 ± 0.14 mg/mL was the most active. Its acute toxicity test showed it was safe up to 5000 mg/kg. The extract significantly increased dose-dependent antiplasmodial activity for the chemosuppressive and curative models (p < 0.05) than the negative control. At 800 mg/kg, EC gave chemosuppressive (53.69 ± 1.62%) and curative (81.26 ± 1.87%) activities, which was significantly lower than that of 10 mg/kg chloroquine (82.00 ± 0.57% and 92.51 ± 0.22% respectively). The aqueous partitioned fraction gave the highest chemosuppression (73.84 ± 2.73%) at 80 mg/kg, which was comparable to the positive control. The methanol extract of E. camaldulensis leaf is a promising larvicidal and antimalarial agent that could proffer a solution to vector control and the prevalence of malaria.
Exploring the philosophy and practice of AI literacy in higher education in the global south
(Cybrarians, 2024) Van Wyk, Brenda; brenda.vanwyk@up.ac.za
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the top of the agendas of higher education and educationleaders are required to give direction in educating the next generation of students and citizens. AI holds positive answers to technological innovations, but the potential for continued inequities, exclusion and divides must not be ignored. As a relatively new concept, AI literacy is often viewed as a complex concept requiring more detailed conceptualisation. Furthermore, with the recent hype around generative AI (GenAI), discussions and explorations around what AI literacy is, are now being deliberated. Historically AI was the domain of mathematicians and computer scientists. This is changing as the wider implication of AI permeates all aspects of society, in particular the ethical and informed use of AI and GenAI is paramount. This leaves higher education with the dilemma of deciding who is responsible in teaching and facilitation AI literacy. Keeping in mind that there is an abundance of new literacies in academia. This problem is particularly pronounced in the Global South countries, where digital exclusions and social injustice are becoming more complex. This scoping review evaluated 40 screened and eligible peer reviewed articles and conference proceedings published between 2020-2024 on AI literacy in higher education in the Global South. The aim of the study was to gauge the extant research on AI literacy and its subsequent ethical implications in higher education in the Global South. The study further explored which philosophies and frameworks inform and guide AI literacy research and support in higher education within the selected region. Findings are that while the disciplines of education are engaging in research, other disciplines such as Information Science are interdisciplinary actors in teaching and facilitating AI literacy, but that there is a pronounced paucity in research being conducted.
Cardioprotective and renoprotective effects of melatonin and vitamin E on fluoride-induced hypertension and renal dysfunction in rats
(Springer, 2024-02) Oyagbemi, Ademola Adetokunbo; Ajibade, Temitayo Olabisi; Esan, Oluwaseun Olanrewaju; Adetona, Moses Olusola; Awoyomi, Omolola Victoria; Omobowale, Temidayo Olutayo; Ola-Davies, Olufunke Eunice; Saba, Adebowale Benard; Adedapo, Adeolu Alex; Nkadimeng, Sanah Malomile; McGaw, Lyndy Joy; Kayoka-Kabongo, Prudence Ngalula; Yakubu, Momoh Audu; Nwulia, Evaristus; Oguntibeju, Oluwafemi Omoniyi
Fluoride is an important toxicological and environmental toxicant that is implicated in diverse cardiorenal system dysfunctions via the induction of oxidative stress. The present study aims at evaluating the cardioprotective and renoprotective effects of melatonin and vitamin E on fluoride toxicity on biomarkers of oxidative stress, clinical pathology, and their molecular mechanism of action. Apparently healthy male rats of the Wistar strain (n = 50; 160 ± 7.5 g), were randomly distributed into five groups of ten animals per group as follows: Control, sodium fluoride (NaF, 25 mg/kg), NaF and melatonin 20 mg/kg i.p.; NaF and vitamin E 50 mg/kg p/o, NaF plus melatonin and vitamin E administered orally. NaF and melatonin were administered for fifteen consecutive days, whereas vitamin E was administered every 72 h. Blood pressure parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, electrocardiography, histopathology, and immunohistochemical staining were performed. From this study, NaF intoxication provoked reduction in renal and cardiac systemic antioxidants, alterations of haemodynamic and electrocardiographic parameters, heightened blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensin 2 type 1 receptor, kidney injury molecule 1, interleukin 1 beta in the renal tissues, cardiac troponin, and nuclear kappa beta. However, the administration of either melatonin or vitamin E, and its combination mitigated high blood pressure, normalized electrocardiographic changes, abrogated biomarkers of oxidative stress, improved renal function, and attenuated inflammation. The combination of melatonin and vitamin E effectively mitigated cardiovascular and renal toxicities associated with fluoride intoxication through the prevention of cardio-renal dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes.
Innovative and integrative career construction counseling for enhancing the existential experience of gifted and talented learners
(Sage, 2024-09)
Once gifted and talented learners have gained a distinct sense of their life’s direction, comprehend how they can derive personal meaning. Hope, and fulfilment within the professional work sphere, understand how they can contribute socially through their work, and gauge the extent to which their potential workplace nurtures experiential and existential fulfilment, their work-life adjustment improves. Gifted education is at a pivotal juncture, where the focus must shift from merely identifying and nurturing innate talents to understanding and fostering the application of these talents in meaningful ways. The essence of this shift is captured across a series of insightful studies and analyses, each offering a unique perspective on how career choices and guidance can profoundly impact the lives of gifted individuals.