Improvement of the accuracy of breeding value prediction for egg production traits in Muscovy duck using low-coverage whole-genome sequence data.

Low-coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) is an effective low-cost genotyping technology when combined with genotype imputation approaches. It facilitates cost-effective genomic selection (GS) programs in agricultural animal populations. GS based on lcWGS data has been successfully applied to livestock such as pigs and donkeys.

Cortical HFS-induced neo-Hebbian local plasticity enhances efferent output signal and strengthens afferent input connectivity.

High-frequency stimulation (HFS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) is generally regarded as a homosynaptic Hebbian-type LTP, where synaptic changes are thought to occur at the synapses that project from the stimulation site and terminate onto the neurons at the recording site. In this study, we first investigated HFS-induced LTP on urethane-anesthetized rats and found that cortical HFS enhances neural responses at the recording site through the strengthening of local connectivity with nearby neurons at the stimulation site, rather than through synaptic strengthening at the recording site. This enhanced local connectivity at the stimulation site leads to increased output propagation, resulting in signal potentiation at the recording site.

Schools of public health as a cornerstone for pandemic preparedness and response: the Africa COVID-19 experience.

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused significant morbidity and mortality in Africa, in addition to other socio-economic consequences. Across the continent, Schools of Public Health (SPHs) played several roles in supporting national, regional, and global response to the pandemic. Following a published and grey literature search, this paper reviews and analyses the contribution of SPHs in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A PROTOCOL FOR ACCELERATING THE ADOPTION OF EVIDENCE-BASED MATERNAL, NEWBORN, CHILD, AND NUTRITION HEALTH (MNCNH) INNOVATIONS TO REDUCE MATERNAL MORTALITY IN NIGERIA.

Background: Maternal mortality remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, where 28.5% of global maternal deaths occur. Barriers such as weak policy environments and lack of product availability hinder the implementation of life-saving interventions.

A histopathological review of gynaecological malignancies in Katsina state North-Western Nigeria.

Background: Gynaecological cancers, which affect the female genital tract, constitute a significant public health problem, especially in developing countries. Some of these malignancies have known aetiology and premalignant stages making them preventable. Understanding the burden of gynaecological malignancies in our environment will provide baseline information and help form strategies for their control.

Sociodemographic associated factors with non-disclosure of HIV sero-status to sexual partners in Maputo, Mozambique.

The HIV prevalence in Maputo city is 16.2%. There is a lack of data describing associated factors with disclosure or non-disclosure of HIV-positive sero-status to sexual partners.

Phylogenomic and molecular marker based studies to clarify the evolutionary relationships amongst species and demarcation of the family and some of its constituent genera.

The family was recently proposed encompassing the genera , , , and . Of these genera, contains >50% of the species. However, species form multiple unrelated clades in phylogenetic trees and their evolutionary relationships are unclear.

Lessons learnt from assessing and improving accuracy and positive predictive value of the national HIV testing algorithm in Nigeria.

Background: HIV testing remains an entry point into HIV care and treatment services. In 2007, Nigeria adopted and implemented a two-test rapid HIV testing algorithm of three HIV rapid test kits, following the sequence: Alere Determine (first test), Unigold (second test), and STAT-PAK as the tie-breaker. Sub-analysis of the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey data showed significant discordance between the first and second tests, necessitating an evaluation of the algorithm.

Exploring the Effect of Exercise versus Metformin on Insulin Resistance amongst Nigerians with Pre-diabetes: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Pre-diabetes is an important risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and is common in Nigeria. Effective intervention can reverse the underlying pathogenesis of insulin resistance in pre-diabetes. This study aimed to determine and compare the impact of moderate exercise and metformin interventions on insulin resistance among participants with pre-diabetes.

Targeting NMDA receptors with an antagonist is a promising therapeutic strategy for treating neurological disorders.

Glutamate activates the NMDARs, significantly affecting multiple processes such as learning, memory, synaptic integration, and excitatory transmission in the central nervous system. Uncontrolled activation of NMDARs is a significant contributor to synaptic dysfunction. Having a properly functioning NMDAR and synapse is crucial for maintaining neuronal communication.

Hypothermia in preterm infants admitted to low-resource neonatal units in northern Nigeria: an observational study of occurrence and risk factors.

Background: Hypothermia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm and low-birth-weight neonates. In resource-constrained settings, limited referral infrastructure and technologies for temperature control potentiate preterm hypothermia. While there is some documentation on point-of-admission hypothermia from single center studies, there are limited multicenter studies on the occurrence of hypothermia among preterm infants in resource-limited-settings.

Leveraging community health workers for COVID-19 response in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda: roles, barriers, and facilitators.

Background: The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic overwhelmed health systems and disrupted the delivery of health services globally. Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in linking communities to health systems, supporting the prevention and control of diseases in many low- and middle-income countries. However, their roles, barriers, and facilitators in the response and control of the COVID-19 pandemic have not been well documented.

Spatiotemporal analysis of regional and age differences in tuberculosis prevalence in mainland China.

Globally, tuberculosis is a leading cause of infectious disease deaths. China ranks third among the 30 high-burden countries for tuberculosis and accounts for approximately 7.4% of the cases reported worldwide.

Phytotherapeutic options for the treatment of epilepsy: pharmacology, targets, and mechanism of action.

Epilepsy is one of the most common, severe, chronic, potentially life-shortening neurological disorders, characterized by a persisting predisposition to generate seizures. It affects more than 60 million individuals globally, which is one of the major burdens in seizure-related mortality, comorbidities, disabilities, and cost. Different treatment options have been used for the management of epilepsy.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus infections in pinnipeds and seabirds in Uruguay: Implications for bird-mammal transmission in South America.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.

Health systems challenges, mitigation strategies and adaptations to maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: learnings from the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic control strategies disrupted the smooth delivery of essential health services (EHS) globally. Limited evidence exists on the health systems lens approach to analyzing the challenges encountered in maintaining EHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the health system challenges encountered and document the mitigation strategies and adaptations made across geopolitical zones (GPZs) in Nigeria.

Comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed mRNA profiles in chicken jejunum and cecum following Eimeria maxima infection.

Coccidiosis, a protozoan disease that substantially impacts poultry production, is characterized by an intracellular parasite. The study utilized 48 one-day-old Horro chickens, randomly divided into the infected (I) and control (C) groups. The challenge group of chickens were administered Eimeria maxima oocysts via oral gavage at 21-days-old, and each chicken received 2 mL containing 7×10 sporulated oocysts.