South African Medical Research Council

Air Pollution and Heat Impacts on Respiratory Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes in Africa: A Systematic Review Towards a Meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose of the review This review synthesised evidence on associations between air pollution and respiratory morbidity in Africa. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, ScienceDirect and Elicit for case-control studies published between 2015 and...

Recovering the precolonial population structure of Khoe-San descendant populations

San populations from Botswana and Namibia retain exceptional linguistic, cultural and genetic diversity, but few Khoisan-speaking groups remain south of the Kalahari Desert. However, historically, far southern Africa was home to many San and Khoekhoe groups. Popular opinion often...

Population genomics, resistome and plasmidome of invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in adults hospitalised in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPn) is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections in adults in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted laboratory-based surveillance between 2023 and 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and analysed 508 KPn whole genomes isolated f...

The Transition to Mental Health Services From the Perspectives of Neurodivergent Young People, Caregivers and Mental Health Professionals: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract Purpose The prevalence of mental health conditions is increasing globally, with mental health difficulties the leading cause of disability for young people aged 12 to 25 years. Neurodivergent young people are up to three times more likely to develop a co-occurring mental...

New thinking for the next generation of antimalarials

Despite decades of intensive research and substantial clinical gains, malaria remains a major global health challenge exacerbated by the continued emergence of drug-resistant strains of the causative agent, Plasmodium parasites. Encouragingly, recent advances in functional genomi...

Upstream policymaking in Africa: a case study analysis of the district to national alcohol sachet bans policy transfer in Uganda

Background High rates of heavy episodic drinking in Uganda have been linked to alcohol sachets due to their affordability and widespread availability. The Gulu district enacted a local sachet ban in 2016 which transferred to a national ban in 2019 to protect population health. Th...

Health effects associated with emissions from household generators used for backup power in Africa: a scoping review

In many low- and middle-income countries, unreliable electricity supply has led to widespread reliance on petrol (gasoline) and diesel generators. The type of fuel influences both the quantity and composition of emissions, which contribute substantially to air pollution and pose...

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium levels in association with bone mineral density at the hip and lumbar spine in African breastfeeding women: a longitudinal evaluation

The relationship between vitamin D status and serum calcium, phosphate, and magnesium levels, as well as bone mineral density, in African breastfeeding women remains understudied. Bone resorption is essential for maintaining mineral balance when demand for calcium, phosphate, and...

Promoting smoking cessation and preventing relapse to tobacco use following a smokefree mental health in‐patient stay: A multi‐centre randomised controlled feasibility study

Abstract Aims This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a new theory‐ and evidence‐based intervention designed to prevent return to pre‐admission smoking behaviours after discharge from a smokefree mental health in‐patient setting in the United Kingdom (UK). Design...

Cannabidiol selectively downregulates FAM111B expression and induces apoptosis in fibrosarcoma cells: an in vitro study

Abstract Background Fibrosarcoma is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma with limited therapeutic options and poor outcomes in advanced disease. Family with sequence similarity 111 member B (FAM111B) has emerged as a pro-tumorigenic factor associated with dysregulated cell s...