Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Priscilla Reddy, Natisha Dukhi, Ronel Sewpaul, Mohammad Ali Afzal Ellahebokus, Nilen Sunder Kambaran, William Jobe
Summary: This study found a lack of research on mHealth interventions for childhood and adolescent obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Future research should be based on a robust evidence base to address the epidemic of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in these countries.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Genet Tadese Aboye, Martijn Vande Walle, Gizeaddis Lamesgin Simegn, Jean-Marie Aerts
Summary: This study compares and investigates the use and availability of mHealth systems in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, revealing significant disparities between the two regions. Sub-Saharan Africa primarily utilizes SMS and call-based mHealth methods for consultation and diagnosis, focusing on young patients such as children and mothers, as well as issues like HIV, pregnancy, childbirth, and child care. Europe relies more on apps, sensors, and wearables for monitoring, with the elderly as the predominant patient group and cardiovascular disease and heart failure as the most common health concerns.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Charles Agyemang, Eva L. van der Linden, Louise Bennet
Summary: European populations are ethnically and culturally diverse due to international migration, leading to large ethnic inequalities in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Migrant groups in Europe have a higher rate of type 2 diabetes and develop the disease at a younger age than the host European populations. Despite high diabetes awareness among migrants, glycemic control is suboptimal. Current efforts to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes among migrants mainly focus on South Asian adults in Europe.
Article
Oncology
Carolina Manzotti, Laurina Chulo, Ricardo Lopez del Campo, Isabel Trias, Marta del Pino, Ofelia Saude, Iracema Basilio, Nelson Tchamo, Lucilia Lovane, Cesaltina Lorenzoni, Fabiola Fernandes, Adela Saco, Maria Teresa Rodrigo-Calvo, Lorena Marimon, Mamudo R. Ismail, Carla Carrilho, Inmaculada Ribera-Cortada, Jaume Ordi, Natalia Rakislova
Summary: This study compares the etiopathogenic features of penile squamous cell carcinomas (PSCC) from Mozambique and Spain. The results show significant differences in age distribution and HPV association between the two countries. These findings have important implications for primary prevention of PSCC worldwide.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sokoine Kivuyo, Josephine Birungi, Joseph Okebe, Duolao Wang, Kaushik Ramaiya, Samafilan Ainan, Faith Tumuhairwe, Simple Ouma, Ivan Namakoola, Anupam Garrib, Erik van Widenfelt, Gerald Mutungi, Gerard Abou Jaoude, Neha Batura, Joshua Musinguzi, Mina Nakawuka Ssali, Bernard Michael Etukoit, Kenneth Mugisha, Meshack Shimwela, Omary Said Ubuguyu, Abel Makubi, Caroline Jeffery, Stephen Watiti, Jolene Skordis, Luis Cuevas, Nelson K. Sewankambo, Geoff Gill, Anne Katahoire, Peter G. Smith, Max Bachmann, Jeffrey V. Lazarus, Sayoki Mfinanga, Moffat J. Nyirenda, Shabbar Jaffar
Summary: Integrated management of chronic conditions can improve care for patients with diabetes or hypertension without adversely affecting outcomes for HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ayesha A. Motala, Jean Claude Mbanya, Kaushik Ramaiya, Fraser J. Pirie, Kenneth Ekoru
Summary: This review discusses the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications in sub-Saharan Africa, including the epidemiological transition, prevalence, and challenges in diagnosis and management. It highlights the need for greater investment in health systems and coordinated national programs to address the growing prevalence of diabetes and its complications in the region.
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jean Claude Katte, Timothy J. McDonald, Eugene Sobngwi, Angus G. Jones
Summary: The phenotype of type 1 diabetes in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, is poorly understood. Previous studies have suggested differences in phenotype from the classical form of the disease described in western literature. Accurate diagnosis is challenging due to atypical diabetes forms and limited resources. The age of onset seems to be later in sub-Saharan Africa.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Albert L. Kwansa, Robert Akparibo, Joanne E. Cecil, Gisele Infield Solar, Samantha J. Caton
Summary: Sub-Saharan Africa is seeing a rise in overweight and obesity among preschool children, with limited research on the specific factors in the home environment contributing to this trend. The home food environment and maternal BMI appear to be important factors associated with preschool overweight and obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa, but further research is needed to fully understand the impact of other factors.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Genet Tadese Aboye, Martijn Vande Walle, Gizeaddis Lamesgin Simegn, Jean-Marie Aerts
Summary: The availability and usage of mHealth systems in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have not been explored in relation to current health status and demographics. This study aims to compare mHealth system availability and use in SSA and Europe, assessing mortality, disease burden, and universal health coverage. The findings suggest that mHealth systems in SSA are underutilized compared to Europe, despite being aligned with the region's demographics and major health issues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin L. Rice, Akshaya Annapragada, Rachel E. Baker, Marjolein Bruijning, Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi, Keitly Mensah, Ian F. Miller, Nkengafac Villyen Motaze, Antso Raherinandrasana, Malavika Rajeev, Julio Rakotonirina, Tanjona Ramiadantsoa, Fidisoa Rasambainarivo, Weiyu Yu, Bryan T. Grenfell, Andrew J. Tatem, C. Jessica E. Metcalf
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown low burdens in sub-Saharan Africa compared to other regions, potentially influenced by factors such as climate and population demographics. Caution is needed when interpreting analyses that aggregate data from low- and middle-income settings. Heterogeneity in connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa may contribute to variance in the pace of viral spread.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Duncan McCloskey, Aggrey Semeere, Racheal Ayanga, Miriam Laker-Oketta, Robert Lukande, Matthew Semakadde, Micheal Kanyesigye, Megan Wenger, Philip LeBoit, Timothy McCalmont, Toby Maurer, Andrea Gardner, Juan Boza, Ethel Cesarman, Jeffrey Martin, David Erickson
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of a point-of-care device for molecular diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), achieving high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to traditional pathology. The results highlight the potential for the use of this diagnostic method to overcome barriers in limited-resource settings.
Editorial Material
Food Science & Technology
David Laborde, Valeria Pineiro
Summary: The Russia-Ukraine conflict had an impact on staple crop prices and stimulated interest in tropical wheat production. Regional consumption patterns and trade have a better potential to guide effective and sustainable food security policy strategies.
Article
Demography
Jet Wildeman, Jeroen Smits, Sandor Schrijner
Summary: Research on the role of ethnicity in shaping fertility preferences in sub-Saharan Africa has been limited to small-scale studies, hindering understanding of overall effects. This study offers a comparative analysis of preferred family size among ethnic groups in the region. The data from 500,000 women in 24 countries reveal significant variations in fertility preferences, influenced by gender-related cultural characteristics and education. The findings emphasize the importance of considering ethnicity when examining fertility patterns and designing relevant policies.
POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW
(2023)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Danielle Whiting, Asiimwe Ian Shane, Rachel Pope, Stephen Payne, Suzie Venn
Summary: Urinary incontinence is highly prevalent among women in sub-Saharan Africa, with non-fistulous stress, urgency, and mixed urinary incontinence being the most common types. Both obstetric and non-obstetric factors contribute to the development of urinary incontinence. The condition has significant social and emotional consequences, and there is a lack of understanding and awareness surrounding its etiology in sub-Saharan Africa. More resources and trained specialists are needed to address the needs of women with non-fistulous leakage in the region.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Richmond Silvanus Baye, Albert Ahenkan, Samuel Darkwah
Summary: This paper examines the underlying factors driving renewable energy output in Sub-Saharan African countries, finding that factors such as CO2 emissions, income levels, oil prices, trade openness, and natural resource rents play a significant role. The study proposes several policy recommendations, including incorporating environmental awareness into national development plans, encouraging middle-class consumption of renewable energy, and implementing and expanding feed-in-tariff systems.
Article
Oncology
Yahya Mahamat-Saleh, Marie Al-Rahmoun, Gianluca Severi, Reza Ghiasvand, Marit B. Veierod, Saverio Caini, Domenico Palli, Edoardo Botteri, Carlotta Sacerdote, Fulvio Ricceri, Marko Lukic, Maria J. Sanchez, Valeria Pala, Rosario Tumino, Paolo Chiodini, Pilar Amiano, Sandra Colorado-Yohar, Maria-Dolores Chirlaque, Eva Ardanaz, Catalina Bonet, Verena Katzke, Rudolf Kaaks, Matthias B. Schulze, Kim Overvad, Christina C. Dahm, Christian S. Antoniussen, Anne Tjonneland, Cecilie Kyro, Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Jonas Manjer, Malin Jansson, Anders Esberg, Nagisa Mori, Pietro Ferrari, Elisabete Weiderpass, Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault, Marina Kvaskoff
Summary: Experimental evidence suggests that alcohol is a risk factor for skin cancer, although epidemiological studies have produced inconsistent results. This study, conducted on participants from 10 European countries over a 15-year follow-up, found a positive association between alcohol intake and the risk of squamous-cell carcinoma, basal-cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The associations were stronger in men and more modest in women.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Wendy Yi-Ying Wu, Zahra Haider, Xiaoshuang Feng, Alicia K. Heath, Anne Tjonneland, Antonio Agudo, Giovanna Masala, Hilary A. Robbins, Maria-Jose Huerta, Marcela Guevara, Matthias B. Schulze, Miguel Rodriguez-Barranco, Paolo Vineis, Rosario Tumino, Rudolf Kaaks, Renee T. Fortner, Sabina Sieri, Salvatore Panico, Therese Haugdahl Nost, Torkjel M. Sandanger, Tonje Braaten, Mattias Johansson, Beatrice Melin, Mikael Johansson
Summary: The study evaluated the risk-discriminatory performance of the EarlyCDT-Lung test in ever-smokers and found that it is not effective in identifying high-risk individuals for lung cancer screening.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Julie A. Schmidt, Inge Huybrechts, Kim Overvad, Anne Kirstine Eriksen, Anne Tjonneland, Rudolf Kaaks, Verena Katzke, Matthias B. Schulze, Valeria Pala, Carlotta Sacerdote, Rosario Tumino, Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Maria-Jose Sanchez, Jose M. Huerta, Aurelio Barricarte, Pilar Amiano, Antonio Agudo, Anders Bjartell, Tanja Stocks, Elin Thysell, Maria Wennberg, Elisabete Weiderpass, Ruth C. Travis, Timothy J. Key, Aurora Perez-Cornago
Summary: This study investigated the associations between dietary protein intake and prostate cancer risk and mortality. The results suggest that dairy protein and yogurt protein are positively associated with prostate cancer risk, while egg protein may be positively associated with prostate cancer mortality. However, considering the weak associations and many tests conducted, these results should be interpreted with caution.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Whitney L. Do, Dianjianyi Sun, Karlijn Meeks, Pierre-Antoine Dugue, Ellen Demerath, Weihua Guan, Shengxu Li, Wei Chen, Roger Milne, Abedowale Adeyemo, Charles Agyemang, Rami Nassir, JoAnn E. Manson, Aladdin H. Shadyab, Lifang Hou, Steve Horvath, Themistocles L. Assimes, Parveen Bhatti, Kristina M. Jordahl, Andrea A. Baccarelli, Alicia K. Smith, Lisa R. Staimez, Aryeh D. Stein, Eric A. Whitsel, K. M. Venkat Narayan, Karen N. Conneely
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between DNA methylation, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic health. The researchers collected data from multiple studies and found a significant association between BMI and CpG sites. They also identified specific CpG sites that interacted with BMI based on race and ethnicity. Additionally, they developed a model that could predict BMI using DNA methylation data and found that individuals with high epigenetic BMI had poorer metabolic health, while those with low epigenetic BMI had better metabolic health.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Felix P. Chilunga, Pleun S. Schwerzel, Karlijn A. C. Meeks, Erik Beune, Silver Bahendeka, Frank Mockenhaupt, Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch, Charles Agyemang
Summary: Psychosocial stress is associated with type 2 diabetes and glycaemic control among Ghanaians, especially in men. Negative life events are negatively correlated with type 2 diabetes, while perceived discrimination is positively correlated with type 2 diabetes.
Article
Oncology
Ziling Mao, Jacqueline Roshelli Baker, Masayoshi Takeuchi, Hideyuki Hyogo, Anne Tjonneland, Anne Kirstine Eriksen, Gianluca Severi, Joseph Rothwell, Nasser Laouali, Verena Katzke, Rudolf Kaaks, Matthias B. Schulze, Domenico Palli, Sabina Sieri, Maria Santucci de Magistris, Rosario Tumino, Carlotta Sacerdote, Jeroen W. G. Derksen, Inger T. Gram, Guri Skeie, Torkjel M. Sandanger, Jose Ramon Quiros, Marta Crous-Bou, Maria-Jose Sanchez, Pilar Amiano, Sandra M. Colorado-Yohar, Marcela Guevara, Sophia Harlid, Ingegerd Johansson, Aurora Perez-Cornago, Heinz Freisling, Marc Gunter, Elisabete Weiderpass, Alicia K. Heath, Elom Aglago, Mazda Jenab, Veronika Fedirko
Summary: Glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end products (glycer-AGEs) are associated with the development and progression of colorectal cancer due to their oxidative and inflammatory properties. This study found that circulating glycer-AGEs concentrations are positively associated with both colorectal cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. The association between glycer-AGEs and colorectal cancer-specific mortality is stronger in patients with distal colon cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Armin Zittermann, Annemarie Schmidt, Julia Haardt, Nicole Kalotai, Andreas Lehmann, Sarah Egert, Sabine Ellinger, Anja Kroke, Stefan Lorkowski, Sandrine B. Louis, Matthias Schulze, Lukas Schwingshackl, Roswitha I. Siener, Gabriele Stangl, Dorothee Volkert, Bernhard A. Watzl, Heike Bischoff-Ferrari
Summary: This umbrella review aimed to assess the impact of protein intake exceeding the current recommendations for different age groups on bone health. The review analyzed systematic reviews of studies published between 2008 and 2021, evaluating the effect of both animal and plant protein. The overall certainty of evidence was found to be insufficient, except for a possible link between high protein intake and reduced hip fracture risk.
OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sophie L. Campman, Gwen van Rossem, Anders Boyd, Liza Coyer, Janke Schinkel, Charles Agyemang, Henrike Galenkamp, Anitra D. M. Koopman, Tjalling Leenstra, Maarten Schim van der Loeff, Eric P. Moll van Charante, Bert-Jan H. van den Born, Anja Lok, Arnoud Verhoeff, Aeilko H. Zwinderman, Suzanne Jurriaans, Karien Stronks, Maria Prins
Summary: This study investigated the intent to vaccinate against SARS-CoV-2 and its determinants in six ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The results showed lower intent to vaccinate in all ethnic groups except for the Dutch group. Common determinants of lower vaccination intent across most ethnic groups were being female, believing that COVID-19 is exaggerated in the media, and being <45 years of age. These findings are important for shaping vaccination interventions and campaigns.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maria da Conceicao N. Costa, Luciana Lobato L. Cardim, Cynthia C. Moore, Eliene dos Santos de Jesus, Rita Carvalho-Sauer, Mauricio B. Barreto, Laura K. Rodrigues, Liam Smeeth, Lavinia Schuler-Faccini, Elizabeth Brickley, Wanderson Oliveira, Eduardo Hage V. Carmo, Julia Moreira C. Pescarini, Roberto F. S. Andrade, Moreno M. S. Rodrigues, Rafael S. Veiga, Larissa Costa, Giovanny V. A. Franca, Maria Gloria Teixeira, Enny Paixao
Summary: This study aimed to describe the sequence of events leading to death of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) up to 36 months of age and their probability of dying from a given cause, 2015 to 2018. The study found that CZS children's deaths were mainly due to multiple congenital malformations not classified elsewhere and unspecified septicemia, indicating their greater vulnerability to infectious and respiratory conditions compared to children with non-Zika-related CNS congenital anomalies.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Enny C. Paixao, Andrea J. F. Ferreira, Idalia Oliveira dos Santos, Laura Rodrigues, Rosemeire Fiaccone, Leonardo Salvi, Guilherme Lopes de Oliveira, Jose Guilherme Santana, Andrey Moreira Cardoso, Carlos Antonio de S. S. Teles, Maria Auxiliadora L. Soares, Eliana Amaral, Liam Smeeth, Mauricio Barreto, Maria Yury Ichihara, Philippa Dodd
Summary: This study aimed to estimate excess all-cause mortality in children under 5 years with congenital syphilis (CS) compared to those without CS. The findings showed that children with CS had a significantly higher mortality rate than those without CS. Therefore, timely detection and treatment of pregnant women with CS can reduce vertical transmission and mitigate child mortality.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Enrique Almanza-Aguilera, Estefania Davila-Cordova, Daniel Guinon-Fort, Marta Farras, Giovanna Masala, Maria Santucci de Magistris, Ivan Baldassari, Rosario Tumino, Lisa Padroni, Verena A. Katzke, Matthias B. Schulze, Augustin Scalbert, Raul Zamora-Ros
Summary: This study analyzed the correlations between the acute and habitual intake of dietary tyrosols and their main food sources with urinary excretions of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol. The results showed that urinary excretions correlated more strongly with acute intake than habitual intake. They also found correlations between urinary excretions and other tyrosol precursors as well as major food sources. Based on these findings, urinary excretions could be proposed as biomarkers of total tyrosol intake, especially for acute intakes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David J. Hughes, Lutz Schomburg, Mazda Jenab, Carine Biessy, Catherine Meplan, Aurelie Moskal, Qian Sun, Kamil Demircan, Veronika Fedirko, Elisabete Weiderpass, Maryam Mukhtar, Anja Olsen, Anne Tjonneland, Kim Overvad, Matthias Schulze, Therese Haugdahl Nost, Guri Skeie, Karina Standahl Olsen, Fulvio Ricceri, Sara Grioni, Domenico Palli, Giovanna Masala, Rosario Tumino, Fabrizio Pasanisi, Pilar Amiano, Sandra M. Colorado Yohar, Antonio Agudo, Maria-Jose Sanchez, Eva Ardanaz, Malin Sund, Anne Andersson, Aurora Perez-Cornago, Ruth Travis, Alicia K. Heath, Laure Dossus
Summary: The study found no significant association between selenium status and breast cancer risk. However, higher activity of the selenoenzyme GPX3 was associated with a lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer. Several genetic variants were also found to be associated with breast cancer risk.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sang Gune K. Yoo, Grace S. Chung, Silver K. Bahendeka, Abla M. Sibai, Albertino Damasceno, Farshad Farzadfar, Peter Rohloff, Corine Houehanou, Bolormaa Norov, Khem B. Karki, Mohammadreza Azangou-Khyavy, Maja E. Marcus, Krishna K. Aryal, Luisa C. C. Brant, Michaela Theilmann, Renata Cifkova, Nuno Lunet, Mongal S. Gurung, Joseph Kibachio Mwangi, Joao Martins, Rosa Haghshenas, Lela Sturua, Sebastian Vollmer, Till Baernighausen, Rifat Atun, Jeremy B. Sussman, Kavita Singh, Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam, David Guwatudde, Pascal Geldsetzer, Jennifer Manne-Goehler, Mark D. Huffman, Justine I. Davies, David Flood
Summary: This study analyzed the use of aspirin for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) across different income countries and found that aspirin is underused, particularly in low-income countries. National health policies and systems should develop strategies to promote the use of aspirin therapy.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Enrique Almanza-Aguilera, Daniel Guinon-Fort, Aurora Perez-Cornago, Miriam Martinez-Huelamo, Cristina Andres-Lacueva, Anne Tjonneland, Anne Kirstine Eriksen, Verena Katzke, Rashmita Bajracharya, Matthias B. Schulze, Giovanna Masala, Andreina Oliverio, Rosario Tumino, Luca Manfredi, Cristina Lasheras, Marta Crous-Bou, Maria-Jose Sanchez, Pilar Amiano, Sandra M. Colorado-Yohar, Marcela Guevara, Emily Sonestedt, Anders Bjartell, Elin Thysell, Elisabete Weiderpass, Dagfinn Aune, Elom K. Aglago, Ruth C. Travis, Raul Zamora-Ros
Summary: In this large prospective cohort study, no association was found between (poly)phenol intake and the risk of prostate cancer among European men. This was observed for both overall intake and specific classes and subclasses of (poly)phenols.