University of KwaZulu-Natal

The Histidine 382 Residue Influences the Thermal Stability and Binding Propensity of the E2 Domain of Amyloid Precursor Protein

ABSTRACT The E2 domain of amyloid precursor protein (APP_E2) plays a central role in the protein's function. We reinvestigate how the missense mutation, ΔH382L, affects the domain's thermal stability and ligand binding propensity through differential scanning fluorometry. We repo...

One in seven has severe pain: a point-prevalence study of hospitalised patients across Africa

ABSTRACT: Acute pain in hospitalised patients is common, yet African data are scarce. We conducted a prospective point-prevalence study of hospitalised adult patients across Africa to determine acute pain prevalence and severity and investigate associations of pain with critical...

(Co2+,Pd2+)2SiO4Pd0 Olivine: Influence of Lewis Acids on Heterogeneous Heck–Mizoroki Catalysis

This study investigates the influence of Lewis acids on a novel stratified (Co2+,Pd2+)2SiO4-Pd0 olivine catalyst for the Heck–Mizoroki coupling of iodobenzene and methyl acrylate. Comprehensive characterization (ICP-OES, Raman, P-XRD, XPS) confirms the successful synthesis of a m...

Cannabis sativa and the endocannabinoid system in cervical cancer: molecular targets and mechanistic insights from preclinical models-narrative review

Abstract Introduction Cervical cancer is among the major causes of cancer-related mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to effective screening and treatment is limited. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises of cannabinoid receptors (...

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...

In vitro antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects of sulfated galactan polysaccharides from Gracilaria spinulosa

This study investigated the extraction, chemical composition, structural characteristics, antioxidant activity, and in vitro cytotoxic potential of sulfated galactan polysaccharides (SGP) isolated from the red seaweed Gracilaria spinulosa collected from the Gulf of Mannar, Tamil...

Multi-target drug discovery of Sclerocarya birrea bioactive moieties against drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) targeting BCL2, CASP3, and JUN modulation; a polypharmacological and molecular modelling approach

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains one of the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes, characterized by poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options due to drug resistance. In this study, a network pharmacology-based multi-target drug discovery approach was ap...

To examine the smallholder farmers’ perceptions and attitudes toward underutilised crops in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Traditional agricultural systems face climate change, market pressures, and institutional biases, threatening underutilized crops (NUCs). In South Africa, NUCs enhance food security and climate resilience, yet adoption is critically low (39.8%). Using the Theory of Planned Behavi...

An update on biofilms in acute and chronic wounds: Incidence, clinical evidence, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment

Pathogenic biofilms are a critical barrier to wound healing, driving infection persistence, delayed tissue repair, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and tolerance. This recognition has driven a paradigm shift from a traditional planktonic model of infection to a biofilm-mediated...

Imbalance-aware explainable machine learning for concurrent child undernutrition modeling

Abstract Child undernutrition remains a significant public-health issue in Ethiopia, shaped by socioeconomic, environmental, and health-related factors. This study develops a machine-learning (ML) classification model that accounts for concurrent nutritional outcomes in male and...

Intersectionality and Women’s Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Among NTFP-Dependent Households in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract Climate change-induced weather variability, particularly changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, poses significant challenges to agroforestry systems and rural livelihoods in the tropics. Understanding how female-headed households perceive and respond to these chan...

Modelling extreme rainfall risk areas using a GIS-based multi-criteria approach in eThekwini municipality, South Africa

Extreme rainfall events are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climatic variability and climate change, posing significant risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities. This study assessed extreme rainfall risk areas across eThekwini Municipality, South Africa,...

Distinct amino acid signatures and neutralization sensitivity of plasma- and CSF-derived HIV-1 subtype C clones

Abstract Background Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) offer a promising alternative for HIV prevention and treatment, with the potential to cross the blood–brain barrier. However, the extent to which viral genetic variation between the peripheral blood and central nervous s...