Research Articles (University of Pretoria)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/121

This collection offers open access to the full text of research articles published by staff, students and affiliates of the University of Pretoria. These items are identical in content to their published counterparts. It is linked to the Research Information System and complements the Annual Research Report.

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Prevalence of depressive and generalized anxiety features among patients with chronic care conditions
Phaahla, R. Dorothy; Musekiwa, Alfred (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
BACKGROUND : Mental illness remains a major public health concern globally. Patients with chronic conditions are vulnerable. OBJECTIVES : The study determined the proportion and associated factors of depression and anxiety among patients with chronic conditions, as it explores the implications for integrated mental healthcare delivery, by determining the prevalence of depressive and generalized anxiety features among patients receiving chronic care. Exploring how the coexistence of chronic physical illness and psychological distress may inform strategies for integrated, patient-centred care within primary healthcare settings. METHODS : Cross-sectional study of adult patients receiving chronic care. A PHQ-9 score of ≥10 indicated positive screening for depression and a GAD-7 score of ≥10 indicated anxiety. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied. RESULTS : Out of 286 patients, 30.4%(n = 87) were treated for hypertension and 26.9%(n = 77) for HIV. Depression was positively screened in 60.5%(n = 173) and anxiety in 66.1%(n = 189) patients. The odds of screening positive for depression were higher among patients with diabetes (aOR 1.92, 95%CI: 1.0-3.7), TB(aOR 3.66, 95%CI: 1.4-9.5). Positive screening for anxiety was higher among female residents. CONCLUSION : High rates of undiagnosed depression and anxiety are present in patients with chronic care conditions.
Prevalence and genetic diversity of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon in raptors and other captive birds at the National Zoological Garden in South Africa
Gaorekwe, Realeboga Masego; Phetla, Veronica; Malatji, Dikeledi Petunia; Chaisi, Mamohale E. (Wiley, 2026-01)
Avian haemosporidian infections have been associated with disease outbreaks in zoos and rehabilitation centers globally. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in captive birds at the National Zoological Garden in South Africa. One hundred and eighty-three blood samples from five orders and 15 species of captive flamingos, vultures, owls, ibises and parrots were analyzed for haemosporidia by nested polymerase chain reaction assays. The samples were collected as part of the zoo's studbook and archived at South African National Biodiversity Institute's Wildlife Biobank. The overall infection rate was 36.1%, and infections by Leucocytozoon spp. (33.3%) were significantly higher than Haemoproteus spp. (14.8%) (p < 0.001). Twenty-one samples (11.5%) had mixed Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon infections. The Spotted Eagle Owl (Bubo africanus) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba) had the highest infection rates. Twenty-six sequences, similar to published sequences of Leucocytozoon spp. (lineages lCHRKLA02, lCIAE02, and lBUVIR02) and Haemoproteus spp. (lineage hTYTAL6) were obtained. Two new lineages (lBUBCAP01 and hBOSHAG02) are described in this study. This is the first molecular survey of haemosporidian parasites in captive birds of the orders Accipitriformes, Pelecaniformes, Psittaciformes, Phoenicopteriformes, and Strigiformes in South Africa. This study provides new geographical and host records of known and novel haemosporidian lineages. It highlights the need for intensive surveys of these parasites in populations of captive and free-ranging birds in South Africa, regular monitoring of infections, updated screening methods, and insect control in the zoo's animal collection to avoid disease outbreaks.
Prevalence and determinants of time to first intimate partner violence incidents among ever-married Ethiopian women
Mengste, Ashefet Agete; Belay, Denekew Bitew; Fenta, Haile Mekonnen; Chen, Ding-Geng (Din) (Elsevier, 2026-03)
BACKGROUND : Intimate partner violence (IPV), including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse disproportionately affects women globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE : This study examined the timing and determinants of first experiences of IPV among ever-married Ethiopian women. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING : The study analyzed nationally representative data from 4720 ever-married women who participated in the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. METHODS : Cox proportional hazards and parametric accelerated failure time (AFT) models were used to identify factors influencing time to first IPV. Women who had not experienced IPV by the survey date or who reported IPV occurring before marriage were treated as right-censored. Multiple AFT distributions were compared, and the best-fitting models were selected. RESULTS : Approximately 30 % of women reported experiencing at least one form IPV, most commonly emotional (22.3 %). The log-normal AFT model best fit physical and sexual violence, while the Weibull AFT model fit emotional violence. Older women (35–49 years) experienced IPV later than younger women (time ratios [TR]: 2.09 physical, 2.82 sexual, 3.00 emotional). Husband's alcohol use, controlling behavior, family violence history, and fear of the husband were associated with earlier IPV occurrence (TR < 1). More children delayed physical and emotional violence (TR > 1), while older age at marriage predicted earlier emotional violence (TR = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS : Age, regional differences, family background, and husbands' behaviors significantly influence the timing of IPV onset among Ethiopian women. Targeted prevention programs addressing harmful partner behaviors, alcohol use, and intergenerational violence are essential to delay or prevent IPV and safeguard women's wellbeing.
Preseason injury epidemiology and associated injury risk factors among South African junior provincial rugby players : a prospective cohort study
Meyer, Kyle; Garnett, Daniel; Janse van Rensburg, Dina Christina; Fletcher, Lizelle; Viljoen, Carel Thomas (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
BACKGROUND : The preseason period in rugby plays a key role in athlete preparation for the demands of the sport during the in-competition period. Epidemiological data pertaining to rugby have focused mainly on senior elite professional with little evidence available for junior elite professionals, and even less during the preseason period. This may limit the ability of stakeholders in the sport to understand the effects of injury on participants during the preseason period. OBJECTIVE : To determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and associated risk factors for injury among elite male junior provincial rugby players in South Africa during a 14-week preseason period. DESIGN : A prospective cohort study. METHODS : Data collection procedures were in-line with consensus statements in sports and rugby. Prospective injury data related to 53 male participants were collected. Descriptive statistics was used to describe clinical characteristics of injury, cross-tabulations were created to investigate risk factor associations, and logistic regression was used to model the risk factors. RESULTS : The overall injury prevalence was 75.5%. The incidence of match play injuries (149.26/1000 h) were higher than training injuries (23.32/1000 h). Injuries to the lower limb (48.8%) and muscle/tendon injuries (48.2%) were most commonly reported injuries by anatomical region and tissue type during the preseason period. When controlling for age and playing position, baseline injury was associated with a higher risk of sustaining a subsequent injury during preseason. Age, baseline injury, and playing position showed no statistically significant association with injury risk. CONCLUSION : A high number of training and match play injury incidence were recorded for elite male junior provincial rugby players. Baseline injury was associated with a higher risk of sustaining a subsequent injury during preseason when controlling for playing position and age.
Preliminary evidence of extrarenal sodium storage in a large mammal : implications for comparative physiology and hypertension research : running : sodium storage in cattle
Abraham, Andrew J.; Duvall, Ethan S.; Leese, Callum; Abraham, Kirstin; Le Roux, Elizabeth; Riond, Barbara; Ortmann, Sylvia; Terranova, Melissa; Leese, Graham; Bailey, Matthew A.; Clauss, Marcus (Springer, 2026-02)
Under conditions of dietary sodium (Na+) excess, the kidneys may fail to adequately excrete Na+, potentially compromising blood pressure homeostasis. Body tissues, such as skin, can offer sites of short-term extrarenal Na+ storage and previous research has shown that this can help guard against hypertension in small mammals (e.g., rodents). Large mammals have relatively greater Na+ storage potential, but whether extrarenal Na+ storage occurs for this group is unknown. Here, we report preliminary evidence of extrarenal Na+ storage in cattle. We provided a large pulse-dose of NaCl to four cattle (body mass: ~720 kg) and measured excretion of Na+ and potassium (K+) in urine and faeces for a period of 7-days. Following NaCl administration, Na+ excretion spiked in both urine and faeces for ~ 48 h before returning to baseline measurements. After ~ 96 h, however, Na+ excretion increased again; a consistent physiological phenomenon across all individuals studied. We did not observe a pattern in urinary K+ excretion, indicating that the mechanism of Na+ storage does not appear to involve exchange for K+. However, faecal K+ excretion was reciprocal to that of Na+, presumably reflecting exchange of Na+/K+ across the walls of the large intestine. We infer that during the initial period of Na+ stress, short-term extrarenal Na+ storage occurred and the stored Na+ was later released only when the body had returned to Na+ homeostasis. Additional experiments are required to understand how patterns of Na+ regulation changes across body sizes and the specific body compartments involved. Cattle may be a useful model system for examining the impact of high Na+ intake in mammals larger than humans.
Prediction of recent HIV-1 infections using Shannon entropy analysis of HIV-1 group-specific antigen protein sequence
Fortuin, Tumelo L.; Nkone, Paballo; Loubser, Shayne; Tiemessen, Caroline T.; Mayaphi, Simnikiwe Horatious (BioMed Central, 2026-03-03)
BACKGROUND : Avidity assays often misclassify chronic HIV-1 infection as recent HIV-1 infection (false recency rate), especially in participants on antiretroviral therapy. The aim of this study was to use Shannon entropy to evaluate HIV-1 group-specific antigen (Gag) sequence diversity for the prediction of recent HIV-1 infections. METHODS : This was a retrospective study that characterised the complete HIV-1 Gag using Sanger sequences obtained from participants with confirmed recent or chronic HIV-1 infection. Shannon entropy was calculated for the entire HIV-1 Gag amino acid (aa) sequence (501aa) and sliding window analysis was computed at intervals of 100aa each. This was followed by searching for aa sites that exhibited a different distribution of mutations between recent and chronic HIV-1 infection stages. Reference sequences were obtained from GenBank and the Los Alamos HIV database to verify the findings obtained from study sequences. RESULTS : Forty-seven participants with a mean age of 28.7 years (18 – 44) were enrolled, and fourteen (30%) of them had recent HIV-1 infection. Shannon entropy analysis showed a significantly higher aa diversity in chronic HIV-1 infection compared to recent HIV-1 infection (p = 0.0003). Analysis of sliding windows led to identification of four aa positions; S54, E55, I256, and S451; with different pattern of distribution between recent and chronic HIV-1 infection stages; however statistical significance was only observed for three of these aa, p values = 0.094, 0.027, 0.027 and 0.045, respectively. The performance of these informative sites for detection of recent HIV-1 infection in study sequences ranged from 71—86%, however, they had a high false recency rate (FRR) ranging from 39%—52%. Similar performance was observed in reference sequences. The combination of some informative aa sites reduced FRR in study sequences to below 24%. CONCLUSIONS : Our data show that a Gag-based molecular strategy can be used to detect recent HIV-1 infections where Gag sequences are available. However, the results would have to be interpreted with caution due to an association with a high FRR. Further studies are needed to develop a molecular-based strategy with better performance for detection of recent HIV-1 infections.
Prediction of flexural and split tensile strength of waste glass-concrete composite using machine learning algorithms
Mirindi, Derrick; Sinkhonde, David; Bezabih, Tajebe; Mirindi, Frederic; Oshineye, Oluwakemi; Mirindi, Patrice (Elsevier, 2026-04)
Please read abstract in the article. HIGHLIGHTS • Machine learning models predict the mechanical properties of concrete-glass composite. • Characteristics of glass. • Mechanical properties of concrete-glass composite. • Methodological innovation for robust machine learning models to optimize materials for sustainable construction.
Predicting smallholder maize yield using sentinel-2-derived phenological metrics
Masiza, Wonga; Nkuna, Basani Lammy; Ratshiedana, Phathutshedzo Eugene; Madasa, Akhona; Nduku, Lwandile; Shwatja, Tumelo; Chirima, Johannes George; Nyamugama, Adolph; Abutaleb, Khaled; Khoboko, Pitso Walter; Hamandawana, Hamisai (Elsevier, 2026-03)
Please read abstract in the article. HIGHLIGHTS • Phenological metrics derived from multiple spectral indices are used to predict maize yields. • Regularized linear models were trained with limited data to predict maize yields. • Pre-peak and cumulative integrals of red-edge indices best predicted maize yield. • Parsimonious models trained with key features showed no measurable loss of accuracy.
Political geography and stock market volatility : the role of political alignment across sentiment regimes
Cepni, Oguzhan; Demirer, Riza; Gupta, Rangan; Pierdzioch, Christian (Wiley, 2026-02)
We study the nexus between political geography and stock market volatility by examining the interrelation between political geography and the predictive relation between the state- and aggregate-level stock market volatility via recently constructed measures of political alignment. Using data for 1994–2023 and random forests, we show that the importance of the state-level volatilities as drivers of aggregate volatility displays considerable variation in the cross-section and across time. Stronger political alignment of a state with the ruling party is associated with a lower contribution of the state's volatility to aggregate volatility. This negative link is significant during high-sentiment periods.
Police accountability : the role of the police complaint response unit, Nigeria
Oyakhirome, Iruebafa Lily (Sage, 2026)
Nigeria’s Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) serves as an internal accountability mechanism to receive and resolve complaints against police officers. This study evaluates the CRU’s effectiveness using the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime assessment criteria for internal police complaint systems. The findings reveal that while CRU successfully serves as a bridge to improve the police-citizen relationship and its use of digital technologies leads to greater accessibility to trained officers to resolve complaints, however, critical deficiencies undermine its effectiveness. Transparency gaps fail to provide adequate public information about investigative processes and disciplinary outcomes. The unit’s organisational structure remains opaque with unclear procedures, while digital divide challenges limit rural access. The study’s recommendations include enhancing transparency through detailed public reporting, developing public accessible operational manual, and clarifying legislative mandates to strengthen police-citizen trust.
PM2.5 chemical composition and geographic origin of air masses in Mabopane, South Africa
Bhuda, Mandla Freddy; Molnar, Peter; Boman, Johan; Shirinde, Joyce; Wichmann, Janine (Wiley, 2026)
Please read abstract in the article.
Pinus-derived membrane vesicles disrupt pathogenic metabolism in fungi
Kunene, Sithembile; Mmushi, Tshepo Joseph; Steenkamp, Emma Theodora; Motaung, Thabiso Eric (Wiley, 2026)
• Much of what we know about the biological impacts of vesicles (MVs) is derived from Arabidopsis thaliana. Our study focused on vesicles from species in the non-model plant group, Pinus (pine) (P. elliottii, P. radiata, and P. patula × Pinus tec (hybrid)). These plants have tougher tissues and strong, acicular-shaped leaves (needles). • Herein, we first developed a protocol to guide effective collection of juice fluid from needles and roots in a clean and efficient manner. The effects of these vesicles were characterized in terms of the global nutrient profile of the pine pitch canker fungus, Fusarium circinatum, generated from growing fungal spores on ~400 substrates embedded across BioLog phenotypic microarray (PM) plates (PM1, PM2A: carbon sources; PM3B: nitrogen sources; PM9: osmolytes/pH; PM24C: chemicals). • Our findings revealed that MVs, specifically needle-derived MVs (ndMVs) from P. elliottii, disrupt metabolite assimilation in several important pathways, including carbon and nitrogen metabolism. The PM data were also strongly correlated with observed phenotypic effects, including reduced viability and germination of spores in liquid media, as well as impaired filamentous growth on solid media. Importantly, these MV-induced phenotypic effects were reproducible in other filamentous pathogens (e.g., Botrytis cinerea, Chrysoporthe cubensis and F. graminearum) and during a glasshouse trial conducted with F. circinatum-infected P. elliottii seedlings, demonstrating the stable biological effects of ndMVs. • Cumulatively, our results suggest that plant-derived vesicles can disrupt metabolism in pathogenic fungi and, therefore, serve as a cost-effective and sustainable source of novel plant protection molecules.
Phytogenic TiO2-biochar nanocomposite derived from Prunus dulcis for enhanced Rhodamine B removal from aqueous systems
Amaku, James Friday; Omobhude, Ifeoma Anne; Amadi, Okoche Kelvin; Yusuf, Tunde Lewis; Mtunzi, Fanyana M.; Greener, Jesse (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
Please read abstract in the article.
Phenotypic and genetic analyses of claw lesions in TMR Holstein herds in South Africa
Joubert, Robyn Clair; Mostert, Bernice Euodia; Masenge, Andries; Van Marle-Koster, Este (Copernicus Publications, 2026-01-07)
Claw lesions in dairy cattle pose a significant risk to dairy farmers worldwide in terms of animal welfare concerns and economic profitability. However, the use of different data sources, classification systems, and definitions of reference groups limits the comparison across herds and decreases the usability of the recordings for phenotypic and genetic analyses. In South Africa, information on claw lesions is not routinely collected by dairy farmers and data are limited to hoof trimmers recording lesions during preventative trimming or as needed by producers. Records of the most common claw lesions scored by a local hoof trimmer in five Holstein herds between January 2014 and December 2023 were used, including interdigital phlegmon (F), heel horn erosion (E), sole ulcers (SU), sole haemorrhage (SH), and two combined traits, one representing digital and interdigital dermatitis (DDID) and the other representing white line disease and white line separation (WLDS). The majority of lesions recorded were infectious (40.87 %), with DDID showing the highest incidence (39.58 %). Phenotypic associations may provide valuable information for hoof trimmers regarding the practical prevention, management, and treatment of lameness on-farm. A large, statistically significant odds ratio of 4.39 exists between DDID and E (95 % confidence interval: 3.55 to 5.43, P<0.0001). Within the non-infectious lesions, SH is moderately positively associated with total non-infectious lesions (|ϕ|=0.43, P<0.01) and the occurrences of SU and WLDS are both strongly positively associated with total non-infectious lesions (|ϕ|=0.54, P<0.01 and |ϕ|=0.58, P<0.01, respectively). In addition, the relationships observed among non-infectious lesions (SH, SU, and WLDS) are moderate to strong. The occurrence of DDID is moderately positively associated with the occurrence of infectious lesions in the front feet (|ϕ|=0.39, P<0.01) and strongly associated with the rear feet (|ϕ|=0.89, P<0.01). The occurrence of WLDS is moderately positively associated with the occurrence of total non-infectious lesions in the front feet (|ϕ|=0.37, P<0.01), with a stronger correlation with the occurrence of non-infectious lesions in the rear feet (|ϕ|=0.46, P<0.01). The occurrence of non-infectious lesions in the rear feet is moderately associated with the occurrence of SU (|ϕ|=0.42, P<0.01) but strongly associated with SH (|ϕ|=0.57, P<0.01). Heritability estimates ranged from 0.02 for DDID to 0.08 for the total lesions category (representing the presence or absence of at least one claw lesion on any foot). Phenotypic correlations and heritability estimates indicate that claw lesion data have the potential to be used for genetic evaluation of hoof health; therefore, the simplification and standardization of hoof lesion data collection should be encouraged.
Person-centered care in adult auditory rehabilitation : a scoping review
Graham, Marien Alet; Nicholson, Nannette; Glade, Rachel; Delport, Sonja; Mahomed-Asmail, Faheema (Taylor and Francis, 2026)
OBJECTIVE : To scrutinise the efficacy of person-centered care (PCC) in enhancing outcomes for adults navigating hearing loss through a comprehensive examination of literature on PCC in auditory rehabilitation (AR). DESIGN : A scoping review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting standards. A context framework guided the research question. STUDY SAMPLE : Structured searches across multiple databases identified 36 records which were categorised by research design, mapped by the first author's country, and depicted by number of publications per year. Six identified elements of PCC were anaylzed across four components of PCC using deductive qualitative analysis. RESULTS : Most studies were published in the US and Australia; with a gradual increase to four publications per year. From the six PCC elements of person-centered care, family involvement, individualised preferences and treatment uniqueness were most frequently addressed. Notably, active listening and empathy received limited attention. CONCLUSION : Evidence suggests advancement of PCC practices effectively fosters more effective and personalised approaches in adult AR. By pinpointing trends and gaps, we contribute to the advancement of PCC practices, fostering more effective and personalised approaches in AR for improved patient outcomes and experiences.
Pathological findings in 61 free-ranging leopards (Panthera pardus) from the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Part One : parasites
Mitchell, Emily P.; De Klerk-Lorist, Lin-Mari; Buss, Peter; Reininghaus, Bjorn; Bengis, Roy (Elsevier, 2026-04)
The Kruger National Park and surrounding protected areas in South Africa are home to a core unmanaged population of approximately 1,200 free-ranging leopards (Panthera pardus). Leopard populations outside of protected areas are in decline due to trophy hunting, habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict. Apart from single descriptions of parasites detected by faecal or necropsy examinations and serology, very little information is available on parasitic conditions in free-ranging leopards. This paper provides baseline information on parasites in free-ranging leopards that may be relevant to the management of threatened populations of leopards outside of the Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP). Opportunistic field necropsies with routine histological examination of formalin-fixed tissues and, where possible, identification of helminths preserved in ethanol or by histology were performed on 61 free-ranging leopards in the GKNP between 1998 and 2023 for long-term disease monitoring. Most (52/61, 85%) of these leopards were euthanized because they attacked or killed a person or had severe traumatic injuries or disease. Five leopards died during anaesthesia performed to evaluate traumatic injuries or tuberculosis status. Three animals died naturally due to traumatic injuries and one due to electrocution on an electric fence. Parasitic disease was seen in similar numbers of males (n = 29) and females (n = 23) and in animals ranging from 1 to 16 years old. Common conditions included myocardial hepatozoonosis (34/61, 56%), gastroduodenitis due to Cylicospirura pardalis (31/61, 51%), verminous pneumonia attributed to metastrongyles (14/61, 23%) and skeletal muscle sarcocystosis (17/61, 28%). Single cases of infestation with Dirofilaria sudanensis, Armillifer armillatus and Linguatula serrata were recorded. In the majority of these free-ranging leopards, even heavy parasitic infestations were associated with minimal inflammation and were likely subclinical. However, two leopards had gastric outflow obstruction due to C. pardalis lesions, two had severe mange and one had severe myocarditis due to hepatozoonosis, which may have significantly affected the health of the affected animals. The factors that trigger the transformation of common subclinical parasitic conditions to potentially life-threatening disease require further elucidation.
Parental attitude towards sex education : a study of demographic and socio-cultural determinants in rural Nigeria
Raji, Abdullateef; Sulaiman, Lanre Abdul-Rasheed; Issa, Moshood; Muhammed, Abubakar Yunusa; Yusuff, Ridwan Olabisi; Abdulbaqi, Salihu Zakariyyah; Akor, Sunday Joseph (Springer, 2026-03)
INTRODUCTION : In contemporary rural Nigeria, the level of engagement of teenagers (secondary school students) in risky sexual behaviours is growing, and it has been linked to the rising rate of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). While there are many studies on factors influencing the attitude of parents/guardians on the inclusion of sex education in secondary school curriculum, a research gap exists concerning the specific strengths of socio-cultural factors influencing parental attitude towards the teaching of sex education in secondary schools in rural Nigeria. Therefore, this study seeks to address this gap by investigating socio-cultural factors influencing parents/guardians’ attitude towards the adoption of sex education in secondary schools in rural Nigeria. METHODS : A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select (n = 4620). The data were collected in the year 2023 using a questionnaire schedule. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis (frequency distribution tables and percentage) was done to describe and summarize the data. Also, inferential analysis (regressions) was done to test the formulated hypotheses. RESULTS : The results revealed that ethnicity (3.21 [2.54–6.57]; p = 0.001), educational level (7.78 [7.29–13.11]; p = 0.014), occupation (− 2.41 [(− 1.32)–(− 5.19)]; p = 0.001), religiosity (5.34 [4.13–6.16]; p = 0.001) and cultural belief (5.94 [5.18–8.47]; p = 0.001) have significant effect on the parents/guardians attitudes towards the adoption of sex education in secondary schools in rural Nigeria. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS : The factors influencing parental attitude towards the inclusion of sex education in secondary school curriculum include religiosity, cultural belief, level of education, ethnicity and occupation. Therefore, awareness programs about the importance of sex education for teens should be intensified at all levels. POLICY IMPLICATIONS : The findings of this study inform policy especially enlightenment programs for parents/guardians on the need and importance of sex education in reducing risky sexual behaviours among secondary school students in rural Nigeria. Most parents/guardians have negative attitudes towards it because of a lack of awareness.
Patterns of population genomic variation and evolutionary history of European hake in the Northeastern Atlantic
Pujolar, Jose Martin; Gardiner, Courtney E.C.; Von der Heyden, Sophie; Robalo, Joana I.; Castilho, Rita; Cunha, Regina L.; Meldrup, Dorte; Henriques, Romina; Nielsen, Einar E. (Wiley, 2026-02)
Climate change is driving species to shift their distribution ranges, potentially altering the level of genomic structuring and connectivity between populations. Additionally, fishing practices might further reduce genomic diversity and limit the potential adaptability of species to environmental changes. We use whole-genome sequencing for the first time to explore current and historical patterns of genomic diversity in European hake (Merluccius merluccius) from the Northeast Atlantic, focusing on the recently expanded distribution range in the North Sea. Genomic data revealed a complex scenario in the North Sea and neighbouring regions, with three distinct populations: North Sea, Celtic Sea and Portugal. Individuals from the Kattegat, Skagerrak and west coast of Denmark were highly differentiated from those in the Celtic Sea and waters around Ireland. The Northern North Sea appears as a transition zone, with individuals from higher latitudes assigned to the Celtic Sea group and those from lower latitudes to the North Sea group. The more distant Portuguese individuals appeared as a third distinct population. Although the differentiation among these populations was shallow when the entire dataset was used, a subset of 99,364 outlier markers revealed a much deeper divergence. Demographic analyses indicated that these populations are relatively young and have large effective population sizes and thus without sufficient time to build a signature of differentiation by genetic drift. At the same time, selection for local adaptation is strong enough to overcome the effects of contemporary gene flow. Our findings have important implications for managing the European hake stocks in the Northeastern Atlantic, highlighting the need for management measures that address shifts in species and population distribution due to climate change, as well as needing to account for different populations contributing to fisheries within a single stock. Preserving the genomic diversity within and among fish stocks is crucial for maintaining the long-term resilience of marine ecosystems and the services they provide.
The burden of HPV35 in African cervical pathologies : prevalence, contributing factors, and vaccine prospects
Murahwa, Alltalents T.; Dzobo, Mathias; Mahenge, Anifrid; Rantshabeng, Patricia; Dube Mandishora, Racheal S. (Wiley, 2026-03)
Human papillomavirus (HPV35) is globally associated with only 2% of invasive cervical cancers (ICC) but demonstrates a disproportionately higher prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, reaching up to 10% in previous reports. In this review, we provide updated data from multiple African countries, revealing high HPV35 prevalence rates in women with precancerous and ICC lesions. Among women with ICC, the highest prevalence of HPV35 was observed in Mozambique (30% and 19%), Kenya (26% and 22%), South Africa (17%), Burkina Faso (13.7%), Zimbabwe (11%), and Tanzania (11.2%). Similarly, in women with precancerous lesions (LSIL/HSIL/CIN1-3), the highest rates were recorded in Tanzania (26%) and Botswana (23% and 20%). These findings highlight a significant and underappreciated burden of HPV35-associated cervical disease in African populations, particularly among women with precancerous and invasive lesions. The findings call for an urgent re-evaluation of current HPV vaccination strategies to consider the inclusion of HPV35, which could profoundly enhance the effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mechanistic analysis of fatigue crack propagation in AA7075-T6 aluminum alloy : three-stage growth behavior and damage tolerance implications
Zouambi, L.; Fekirini, H.; Moller, Heinrich; Khodja, Malika (Springer, 2025-11)
Please read abstract in the article.

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