Anti-HIV-1 integrase potency of methylgallate from Alchornea cordifolia using in vitro and in silico approaches:

According to the 2018 report of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), remains a significant public health problem. The non-existence of a cure or effective vaccine for the disease and the associated emergence of resistant viral strains imply an urgent need for the discovery of novel anti-HIV drug candidates. The current study aimed to identify potential anti-retroviral compounds from Alchornea cordifolia

Antiplasmodial Activity of Extracts of Tridax Procumbens and Phyllanthus Amarus in in Vitro Plasmodium Falciparum Culture Systems

Background: Aqueous extracts of Tridax procumbens (TP) (Compositae) and Phyllanthus amarus (PA) (Euphorbiaceae) are used in traditional medicine in Ghana to treat malaria. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-trypanosoma, anti-bacterial and anti-HIV effects of TP and PA.Objective: To assess the antiplasmodial activity of extracts of TP and PA.Method: Aqueous extracts of TP and PA were prepared. A portion of each was freeze-dried and the remaining extracted sequentially with ethyl acetate and chloroform. Ethanolic extracts were also prepared. The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts was assessed with the 3H-hypoxanthine assay using chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Chloroquine was used as the reference drug. The modified tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay was also used to evaluate the red blood cell (RBC)-protective/antiplasmodial activities and cytotoxicities of the extracts.Results: Results showed that TP and PA have antiplasmodial activities. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of PA were the most active, yielding EC50 values of 34.9ìg/ml and 31.2ìg/ml, respectively in the tetrazolium-based assay. The TP and PA produced and IC50 values of 24.8ìg/ml and 11.7ìg/ml, respectively in the hypoxanthine assay. Protection of human RBCs against P. falciparum damage by the extracts highly correlated with their antiplasmodial activities. None of the extracts, within the concentration range (1.9-500ìg/ml) studied produced any overt toxicity to human RBCs.Conclusion: The results indicate that both PA and TP have activities against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (Dd2) parasites. The antiplasmodial principles extracted into water and ethanol but not chloroform or ethyl acetate

Exploring gaps, strategies and solutions for primary care research mentorship in the African context: A workshop report

BACKGROUND: Primary care needs research to generate evidence relevant to community needs; however, there is a lack of research engagement among primary care physicians, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Improved research mentorship for family physicians (FPs) can help address prevailing knowledge and practice gaps in primary care research.Workshop process: During the 6th annual Africa Regional Conference of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), we conducted three workshops on research mentorship for African FPs. Two workshops (one online and one onsite at the pre-conference) were geared towards the young doctors' movement of WONCA Africa. The third was onsite during the main conference. Following a brief presentation on the concept of research mentorship and known gaps, participants broke into small groups and discussed additional gaps, solutions and anticipated readiness for implementing these solutions. We used a content analysis to summarise key concepts and had participants to review the findings.Workshop findings: Identified gaps related to mentees' difficulty initiating and maintaining mentorship relationships and an overall shortage of capable and willing mentors. Organisational solutions focused on capacity building and creating a culture of mentorship. Interpersonal solutions focused on reducing the power distance and increasing reflectivity and feedback. Increasing the use of research networks and both peer and online mentorship were advocated. Barriers to readiness included resource constraints and competing priorities. CONCLUSION: A multi-level approach is needed to address the gaps in research mentorship for African FPs. Identified solutions hold potential for supporting the research engagement needed to improve the population health across Africa

Motivational interviewing: Exploring its relevance for improving family medicine trainees' motivation in Sub-Saharan Africa

The need for scaling up training to attain a critical mass of family physicians in Africa was affirmed in 2012 by participants at the African Regional Conference of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) and at the workshop organised by the Primary Health Care and Family Medicine Education (PRIMAFAMED) Network. Significant progress has been made regarding this. However, trainers often encounter postgraduate trainees who show ambivalence towards completing their training. This has impacted on the number of those who complete their training, and on the goal of achieving a sufficient number of family physicians needed in the region. Motivational Interviewing has been used in clinical and academic settings to address issues that require behavioural change. The principles can be adopted by family medicine trainers in sub-Saharan Africa to resolve trainees' ambivalence towards their training, improve motivation towards completion of their postgraduate training and their intention to practice within the region. Keywords: Motivational Interviewing, Postgraduate Family Medicine Trainees, Ambivalence, sub -Saharan Afric