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  1. Article ; Online: COVID-19: Are Africa's diagnostic challenges blunting response effectiveness?

    Kobia, Francis / Gitaka, Jesse

    AAS open research

    2020  Volume 3, Page(s) 4

    Abstract: Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on ... ...

    Abstract Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on 11
    Keywords covid19
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-04-17
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ISSN 2515-9321
    ISSN (online) 2515-9321
    DOI 10.12688/aasopenres.13061.1
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article ; Online: Infectious and environmental placental insults: from underlying biological pathways to diagnostics and treatments.

    Chenge, Samuel / Ngure, Harrison / Kanoi, Bernard N / Sferruzzi-Perri, Amanda N / Kobia, Francis M

    Pathogens and disease

    2023  Volume 81

    Abstract: Because the placenta is bathed in maternal blood, it is exposed to infectious agents and chemicals that may be present in the mother's circulation. Such exposures, which do not necessarily equate with transmission to the fetus, may primarily cause ... ...

    Abstract Because the placenta is bathed in maternal blood, it is exposed to infectious agents and chemicals that may be present in the mother's circulation. Such exposures, which do not necessarily equate with transmission to the fetus, may primarily cause placental injury, thereby impairing placental function. Recent research has improved our understanding of the mechanisms by which some infectious agents are transmitted to the fetus, as well as the mechanisms underlying their impact on fetal outcomes. However, less is known about the impact of placental infection on placental structure and function, or the mechanisms underlying infection-driven placental pathogenesis. Moreover, recent studies indicate that noninfectious environmental agents accumulate in the placenta, but their impacts on placental function and fetal outcomes are unknown. Critically, diagnosing placental insults during pregnancy is very difficult and currently, this is possible only through postpartum placental examination. Here, with emphasis on humans, we discuss what is known about the impact of infectious and chemical agents on placental physiology and function, particularly in the absence of maternal-fetal transmission, and highlight knowledge gaps with potential implications for diagnosis and intervention against placental pathologies.
    MeSH term(s) Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Placenta ; Fetus
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-09-27
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ISSN 2049-632X
    ISSN (online) 2049-632X
    DOI 10.1093/femspd/ftad024
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  3. Article ; Online: Predictors of birth weight in pregnant women with malaria: a prospective cohort facility-based study in Webuye-Kenya.

    Mukala, Joseph / Mogere, Dominic / Kirira, Peter / Kanoi, Bernard N / Akisa, Violet / Kobia, Francis / Waweru, Harrison / Gitaka, Jesse

    BMC pregnancy and childbirth

    2024  Volume 24, Issue 1, Page(s) 187

    Abstract: In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria, which remains a major public health burden, has a prevalence of 9 to 28% and malaria in pregnancy is associated with severe adverse outcomes for the mother and her baby. Here, we sought to determine the predictors of birth ...

    Abstract In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria, which remains a major public health burden, has a prevalence of 9 to 28% and malaria in pregnancy is associated with severe adverse outcomes for the mother and her baby. Here, we sought to determine the predictors of birth weight in a cohort of 140 women with malaria in pregnancy, who were recruited at the Webuye County hospital in Western Kenya. All study participants underwent malaria diagnosis through microscopic examination of blood smear samples and were grouped into the malaria-positive and malaria-negative groups. Both groups were followed up beginning at the first antenatal visit (March 2022) until delivery (December 2022) and various data, including demographic, parity, gravidity, socioeconomic, maternal and fetal outcomes were collected. Data analyses were done using SPSS version 27. Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests were used for bivariate and relative risk analyses at a p-value of ≤0.05 (95%) confidence level. Most of the participants were aged 18-25 years, were primigravidas and married, had secondary school-level education, earned 20-30 thousand Kenya shillings, resided in rural areas, and were in the second trimester. There were 6 (4.6%) cases of low birth weight, 3 (4.5%) in the malaria-negative group and 3 (4.7%) in the malaria-positive group. During pregnancy, 41 (31.5%) were anaemic, 5 (3.8%) were HIV-positive, 5 (3.8%) had preeclampsia, and 2 (1.5%) had gestational diabetes. Our analyses show that confounding factors like anaemia, HIV, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes did not influence birthweight (p ≥ 0.923). The malaria-positive and malaria-negative groups did not differ significantly with regard to the low birth weight (relative risk: 0.999, 95% confidence interval: 0.926-1.077). Marital status, gestational age, and area of residence were associated with malaria p ≤ 0.001, ≤ 0.001 and 0.028 respectively. In both groups, 124 of the 140 deliveries had normal birth weights and of these 63 (95.4%, n = 70) were in the malaria-negative group, whereas 61 (95.3%, n = 70) belonged to the malaria-positive group.
    MeSH term(s) Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Birth Weight ; Pregnant Women ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Kenya/epidemiology ; Prospective Studies ; Malaria/epidemiology ; Anemia/epidemiology
    Language English
    Publishing date 2024-03-08
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 2059869-5
    ISSN 1471-2393 ; 1471-2393
    ISSN (online) 1471-2393
    ISSN 1471-2393
    DOI 10.1186/s12884-024-06355-9
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  4. Article ; Online: COVID-19

    Francis Kobia / Jesse Gitaka

    AAS Open Research, Vol

    Are Africa’s diagnostic challenges blunting response effectiveness? [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

    2020  Volume 3

    Abstract: Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on 11th March, 2020. As of 1st April 2020, COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory ... ...

    Abstract Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on 11th March, 2020. As of 1st April 2020, COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had infected over 800,000 people and caused over 40,000 deaths in 205 countries and territories. COVID-19 has had its heaviest toll on Europe, United States and China. As of 1st of April 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa was relatively low, with the highest number registered by South Africa, which had reported 1,380 confirmed cases. On the same date (also the date of this review), Africa had reported 5,999 confirmed cases, of which 3,838 (almost 65%) occurred in South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, with the remaining 2,071 cases distributed unevenly across the other African countries. We speculate that while African nations are currently experiencing much lower rates of COVID-19 relative to other continents, their significantly lower testing rates may grossly underestimate incidence rates. Failure to grasp the true picture may mean crucial windows of opportunity shut unutilized, while limited resources are not deployed to maximum effect. In the absence of extensive testing data, an overestimation of spread may lead to disproportionate measures being taken, causing avoidable strain on livelihoods and economies. Here, based on the African situation, we discuss COVID-19 diagnostic challenges and how they may blunt responses.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 306
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher F1000 Research Ltd
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article: Potential pharmacologic interventions targeting TLR signaling in placental malaria

    Kobia, Francis M. / Maiti, Kaushik / Obimbo, Moses M. / Smith, Roger / Gitaka, Jesse

    Trends in parasitology. 2022,

    2022  

    Abstract: Complications from placental malaria cause poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, and stillbirths. Many of these complications are driven by maternal innate proinflammatory responses to the sequestration of Plasmodium ... ...

    Abstract Complications from placental malaria cause poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, and stillbirths. Many of these complications are driven by maternal innate proinflammatory responses to the sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum in the placenta. However, recent studies show that in reaction to maternal innate immune responses that are detrimental to the fetus, the fetus mounts innate immune counter-responses that ameliorate pregnancy outcomes. Such fetal-maternal conflict in placental malaria has potential for pharmacologic modulation for better pregnancy outcomes. Here, we discuss placental malaria pathogenesis, its complications and the role of innate immunity and fetal-maternal innate immune conflict in placental malaria. Finally, we discuss pharmacologic immunomodulatory strategies and agents with the potential to improve placental malaria outcomes.
    Keywords Plasmodium falciparum ; fetus ; innate immunity ; low birth weight ; malaria ; parasitology ; pathogenesis ; placenta
    Language English
    Publishing place Elsevier Ltd
    Document type Article
    Note Pre-press version
    ZDB-ID 2036227-4
    ISSN 1471-5007 ; 1471-4922
    ISSN (online) 1471-5007
    ISSN 1471-4922
    DOI 10.1016/j.pt.2022.04.002
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  6. Article ; Online: Potential pharmacologic interventions targeting TLR signaling in placental malaria.

    Kobia, Francis M / Maiti, Kaushik / Obimbo, Moses M / Smith, Roger / Gitaka, Jesse

    Trends in parasitology

    2022  Volume 38, Issue 7, Page(s) 513–524

    Abstract: Complications from placental malaria cause poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birthweight, preterm delivery, and stillbirths. Many of these complications are driven by maternal innate proinflammatory responses to the sequestration of Plasmodium ... ...

    Abstract Complications from placental malaria cause poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birthweight, preterm delivery, and stillbirths. Many of these complications are driven by maternal innate proinflammatory responses to the sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum in the placenta. However, recent studies show that, in reaction to maternal innate immune responses that are detrimental to the fetus, the fetus mounts innate immune counter-responses that ameliorate pregnancy outcomes. Such fetal-maternal conflict in placental malaria has potential for pharmacologic modulation for better pregnancy outcomes. Here, we discuss placental malaria pathogenesis, its complications, and the role of innate immunity and fetal-maternal innate immune conflict in placental malaria. Finally, we discuss pharmacologic immunomodulatory strategies and agents with the potential to improve placental malaria outcomes.
    MeSH term(s) Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Malaria ; Malaria, Falciparum ; Placenta ; Plasmodium falciparum ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/drug therapy
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-05-07
    Publishing country England
    Document type Journal Article ; Review ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2036227-4
    ISSN 1471-5007 ; 1471-4922
    ISSN (online) 1471-5007
    ISSN 1471-4922
    DOI 10.1016/j.pt.2022.04.002
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  7. Article: COVID-19: Are Africa's diagnostic challenges blunting response effectiveness?

    Kobia, Francis / Gitaka, Jesse

    AAS Open Res

    Abstract: Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on 11 (th) March, 2020 As of 1 (st) April 2020, COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute ... ...

    Abstract Since its emergence in Wuhan, China in December 2019, novel Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, achieving pandemic status on 11 (th) March, 2020 As of 1 (st) April 2020, COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had infected over 800,000 people and caused over 40,000 deaths in 205 countries and territories COVID-19 has had its heaviest toll on Europe, United States and China As of 1 (st) of April 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa was relatively low, with the highest number registered by South Africa, which had reported 1,380 confirmed cases On the same date (also the date of this review), Africa had reported 5,999 confirmed cases, of which 3,838 (almost 65%) occurred in South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, with the remaining 2,071 cases distributed unevenly across the other African countries We speculate that while African nations are currently experiencing much lower rates of COVID-19 relative to other continents, their significantly lower testing rates may grossly underestimate incidence rates Failure to grasp the true picture may mean crucial windows of opportunity shut unutilized, while limited resources are not deployed to maximum effect In the absence of extensive testing data, an overestimation of spread may lead to disproportionate measures being taken, causing avoidable strain on livelihoods and economies Here, based on the African situation, we discuss COVID-19 diagnostic challenges and how they may blunt responses
    Keywords covid19
    Publisher WHO
    Document type Article
    Note WHO #Covidence: #268570
    Database COVID19

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  8. Article ; Online: Assessment of Ocular Surface Disease in Glaucoma Patients in Ghana.

    Kobia-Acquah, Emmanuel / Gyekye, Gloria Atta-Penkra / Antwi-Adjei, Ellen K / Koomson, Nana Y / Cobbina, Francis / Donkor, Richard / Akowuah, Prince K

    Journal of glaucoma

    2020  Volume 30, Issue 2, Page(s) 180–186

    Abstract: Precis: Dry eye disease (DED) observed in this study is associated with ocular surface abnormalities as shown by specific dry eye tests. Changes in tear quality may be responsible for dry eye symptoms among the participants.: Purpose: This study ... ...

    Abstract Precis: Dry eye disease (DED) observed in this study is associated with ocular surface abnormalities as shown by specific dry eye tests. Changes in tear quality may be responsible for dry eye symptoms among the participants.
    Purpose: This study sought to evaluate DED in glaucoma patients in Ghana.
    Materials and methods: This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study involving glaucoma patients on topical glaucoma treatment for at least 6 months. The medical records of participants were thoroughly reviewed for information on demographics, ocular history, medical history, number of topical antiglaucoma medications used within the last 6 months, and any other ophthalmic medications used by the participants. An Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to each participant, after which Schirmer test and tear break-up time (TBUT) were performed on each participant in a controlled environment.
    Results: A total of 100 individuals participated in the study. The mean±SD age of participants was 60.44±14.05 years. The majority (60.0%) of the participants were females and 55.0% of participants used 2 or more topical antiglaucoma medication. Of the participants, 81.0% reported subjective dry eye symptoms. Schirmer test and TBUT showed that 55.0% and 87.0% of the participants had decreased tear production and abnormal tear quality, respectively. Multiple logistic regression showed a significant association between age and abnormal OSDI (P=0.037), Schirmer test (P=0.003), and TBUT (P=0.042); the number of topical glaucoma medications and OSDI (P=0.016) and Schirmer test (P=0.009). The prevalence of DED was 23.0%. Increasing age was associated with an ∼7 times higher odds of having DED (P=0.0019), using >2 glaucoma medications with ∼4.5 times higher odds of having DED (P=0.001), 5 or more years of glaucoma medication use with ∼4 times higher odds of DED (P=0.009), and both benzalkonium chloride and sodium chlorite as preservative was associated with ∼3.5 times higher odds of DED (P=0.047).
    Conclusion: DED is prevalent among glaucoma patients in Ghana and is associated with age, duration of glaucoma medication, type of preservatives, and number of topical glaucoma medications.
    MeSH term(s) Aged ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dry Eye Syndromes/diagnosis ; Dry Eye Syndromes/epidemiology ; Female ; Ghana/epidemiology ; Glaucoma/diagnosis ; Glaucoma/drug therapy ; Glaucoma/epidemiology ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Middle Aged ; Tears
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-11-05
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article
    ZDB-ID 913494-3
    ISSN 1536-481X ; 1057-0829
    ISSN (online) 1536-481X
    ISSN 1057-0829
    DOI 10.1097/IJG.0000000000001713
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  9. Article ; Online: Human‐wildlife conflicts in communities bordering a Savannah‐Fenced wildlife conservancy

    Dupuis‐Desormeaux, Marc / Kaaria, Timothy N. / Kinoti, John / Paul, Adrian / Gilisho, Saibala / Kobia, Francis / Onyango, Reagan / Chege, Geoffrey / Kimiti, David / Mwololo, Mary / Davidson, Zeke / MacDonald, Suzanne E.

    African Journal of Ecology. 2023 Sept., v. 61, no. 3 p.628-635

    2023  

    Abstract: We discuss various human‐wildlife conflicts (HWC) inherent within communities bordering a mid‐sized, semi‐porous wildlife conservancy in Kenya. HWC are a growing issue as human population expands into wildlife habitat to put people and wildlife in more ... ...

    Abstract We discuss various human‐wildlife conflicts (HWC) inherent within communities bordering a mid‐sized, semi‐porous wildlife conservancy in Kenya. HWC are a growing issue as human population expands into wildlife habitat to put people and wildlife in more frequent contact and compete for scarce resources. In 2018, we surveyed the crop‐raiding and livestock depredation experiences of 918 households from 10 separate villages and asked about the experiences of the villagers with HWC over the past 3 years. These communities are protected from wildlife with two different fence designs, a standard 12‐strand electrical fence, and an upgraded predator‐proof fence design. We found that between 70% and 91% of respondents had experienced some form of HWC including 39.5% who reported threats to their person from wildlife encroachments despite electrical perimeter fencing. HWC happened more often at night and during the dry seasons. The most common encroachments were from elephants, hyenas, leopards, and baboons. Community respondents rated that the upgraded predator‐proof fences performed better than the standard 12‐strand fences. However, even the predator‐proof design had issues with keeping monkeys from entering the communities and crop raiding. We discuss potential mitigation measures, including an improved predator‐proof fencing design that incorporates butterfly stingers that may offer better protection.
    Keywords butterflies ; electric fences ; human population ; livestock ; people ; predation ; wildlife ; wildlife habitats ; Kenya
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2023-09
    Size p. 628-635.
    Publishing place John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
    Document type Article ; Online
    Note JOURNAL ARTICLE
    ZDB-ID 2019879-6
    ISSN 1365-2028 ; 0141-6707
    ISSN (online) 1365-2028
    ISSN 0141-6707
    DOI 10.1111/aje.13151
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  10. Article ; Online: Pharmacologic inhibition of vacuolar H+ ATPase reduces physiologic and oncogenic Notch signaling.

    Kobia, Francis / Duchi, Serena / Deflorian, Gianluca / Vaccari, Thomas

    Molecular oncology

    2013  Volume 8, Issue 2, Page(s) 207–220

    Abstract: Notch signaling in prominently involved in growth regulation in metazoan tissues. Because of this, Notch is often upregulated in cancer and current efforts point to developing drugs that block its activation. Notch receptor endocytosis towards acidic ... ...

    Abstract Notch signaling in prominently involved in growth regulation in metazoan tissues. Because of this, Notch is often upregulated in cancer and current efforts point to developing drugs that block its activation. Notch receptor endocytosis towards acidic compartments is a recently appreciated determinant of signaling activation. Vacuolar H(+) ATPase (V-ATPase) is responsible for acidification of endocytic organelles and mutants in V-ATPase subunit encoding genes in model organisms have been recently shown to display loss of Notch signaling. Here, we show that administration of BafilomycinA1 (BafA1), a highly specific V-ATPase inhibitor decreases Notch signaling during Drosophila and Zebrafish development, and in human cells in culture. In normal breast cells, we find that BafA1 treatment leads to accumulation of Notch in the endo-lysosomal system, and reduces its processing and signaling activity. In Notch-addicted breast cancer cells, BafA1 treatment reduces growth in cells expressing membrane tethered forms of Notch, while sparing cells expressing cytoplasmic forms. In contrast, we find that V-ATPase inhibition reduces growth of leukemia cells, without affecting Notch activatory cleavage. However, consistent with the emerging roles of V-ATPase in controlling multiple signaling pathways, in these cells Akt activation is reduced, as it is also the case in BafA1-treated breast cancer cells. Our data support V-ATPase inhibition as a novel therapeutic approach to counteract tumor growth via signaling pathways regulated at the endo-lysosomal level.
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Breast Neoplasms/genetics ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drosophila Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors ; Drosophila Proteins/genetics ; Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; Drosophila melanogaster ; Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Macrolides/pharmacology ; Neoplasm Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors ; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism ; Receptors, Notch/antagonists & inhibitors ; Receptors, Notch/genetics ; Receptors, Notch/metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/metabolism ; Zebrafish/genetics ; Zebrafish/metabolism ; Zebrafish Proteins/genetics ; Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
    Chemical Substances Drosophila Proteins ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; Macrolides ; N protein, Drosophila ; Neoplasm Proteins ; Receptors, Notch ; Zebrafish Proteins ; bafilomycin A1 (88899-55-2) ; Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases (EC 3.6.1.-)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2013-11-18
    Publishing country United States
    Document type Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
    ZDB-ID 2415106-3
    ISSN 1878-0261 ; 1574-7891
    ISSN (online) 1878-0261
    ISSN 1574-7891
    DOI 10.1016/j.molonc.2013.11.002
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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