Publications by authors named "Bonaventure Ukoaka"

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) represents a significant advancement in therapeutic medicine, offering unique molecular and cellular characteristics that make it exceptionally suitable for medical applications. The bullet-shaped morphology, RNA genome organization, and cytoplasmic replication strategy provide fundamental advantages for both vaccine development and oncolytic applications. VSV's interaction with host cells through the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and its sophisticated transcriptional regulation mechanisms enables precise control over therapeutic applications.

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Oropouche fever is an increasingly significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America, and is primarily spread by midge vectors. The Oropouche virus (OROV) was first identified in 1955 and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks, particularly in urban environments. Despite its prevalence, the disease is often under-reported, making it difficult to fully understand its impact.

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Background: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a leading cause of infection-related deaths worldwide. Children with underdeveloped immune systems are particularly vulnerable, experiencing symptoms akin to common childhood illnesses. Early diagnosis and treatment typically yield positive outcomes.

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This review investigated the current research on the association between in vitro fertilization and children's neurocognitive development. Twenty studies were analyzed, encompassing over 23,000 children conceived through IVF, and compared to those conceived naturally. The findings on overall cognitive function were mixed, as measured by IQ.

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Historically, pandemics constitute a major nuisance to public health. They have a debilitating impact on global health with previous occurrences causing major mortalities worldwide. The adverse outcomes are not limited to health outcomes but ravage the social, economic, and political landscapes.

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Heart failure is a complex and prevalent condition with significant implications for patient management and survival prediction. Traditional predictive models often fall short in accuracy due to their reliance on pre-specified predictors and assumptions of variable independence. This review aims to assess the role of machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting heart failure survival, comparing their performance with traditional statistical methods and identifying key predictive features.

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  • Sports betting has shifted significantly from physical venues to online platforms, attracting a large number of young adults, particularly in the Americas, Europe, and Nigeria, highlighting diverse sports interests across regions.
  • The review highlights the risks associated with sports betting, including financial losses and psychosocial issues like academic decline and mental health problems, stressing the urgent need for regulated measures to mitigate potential harms.
  • Socio-demographic factors influence participation in betting, with motivations ranging from monetary gain to social interaction, necessitating a collaborative approach by betting companies and regulators to promote responsible gambling and public awareness.
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Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health concern that threatens the efficacy of existing antibiotics and poses significant challenges to public health and the economy worldwide. This review explores the potential of CRISPR-Cas systems as a novel approach to combating AMR and examines current applications, limitations, and prospects.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications published from 2014 to August 2024.

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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant public health threat, particularly in developing countries with high endemicity but poor vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs). Needlestick injuries increase HCWs' risk, yet only about 42% of HCWs are fully vaccinated compared to 97% in high-income countries. Challenges to vaccine uptake include availability, demanding schedules with frequent unit rotations hindering access, high cost of acquiring shots, and stock shortages resulting in missed opportunities.

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Background: Menstrual irregularities significantly distress women living with HIV (WLHIV), impacting their reproductive health and quality of life. Although the underlying mechanism remains inconclusive, studies have outlined possible contributory factors. This narrative review explores the burden of menstrual irregularities and associated hormonal dysregulation among women living with HIV in Nigeria.

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African immunization programs are crucial in reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and improving public health outcomes. This review provides an overview of the current status of immunization efforts in Africa, highlights key challenges, and offers recommendations to help the continent achieve the 2030 Global Immunization Goals. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain.

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  • * Low- and middle-income countries in Africa suffer significant health consequences from WASH-related diseases, with issues like poverty, illiteracy, and climate change hindering effective interventions and leading to millions of deaths annually.
  • * Recommendations for improving WASH practices include implementing strong financial frameworks, providing skills training, and utilizing tools like WASH Fit to enhance infrastructure and address health impacts while also contributing to economic growth and sustainability.
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  • * A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature found a migraine prevalence of 16% among 7,768 participants in Nigeria, with higher rates in women and various common triggers identified, such as fatigue and emotional stress.
  • * The conclusion stresses the urgent need for improved healthcare policies and treatment strategies, as many individuals experience inadequate pain relief and side effects from common migraine medications.
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  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, influenced by genetics, hormones, and environmental factors.* -
  • Serum kisspeptin is highlighted as a potential biomarker for PCOS due to its role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, but there are challenges in utilizing it effectively for diagnosis.* -
  • The review stresses the need for standardized research methods and further investigation into genetic variations to improve the reliability of kisspeptin as a diagnostic tool for PCOS.*
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  • * A review of studies from 2000 to February 2024 reveals that these conditions lead to significant memory and cognitive impairments in mothers and cognitive deficits in their children due to factors like placental issues and maternal stress.
  • * The research calls for a better understanding of the causes and the development of early interventions to help improve cognitive health in affected mothers and children through a multidisciplinary approach.
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The burden of meningitis poses great challenges for neurology and global health, manifesting with a range of symptoms from mild fever and headaches, to severe long term complications such as paralysis and cognitive impairment.. Unfortunately, those living in endemic regions, especially survivors, are often confronted with the harsh reality of reduced quality of life as measured by disability-adjusted life years.

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Stem cell therapy (SCT) is a promising solution for addressing health challenges in Africa, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With their regenerative potential, stem cells have the inherent capacity to differentiate into numerous cell types for tissue repair. Despite infrastructural, ethical, and legal challenges, SCT holds immense promise for managing chronic illnesses and deep-seated tissue injuries.

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  • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) poses health risks, making early prediction and effective management essential, with machine learning proving to be a useful tool in this area.*
  • A review of fourteen studies published from 2000 to September 2023 focused on machine learning techniques for predicting GDM, highlighting key themes such as the need for early risk prediction and tailored models for different populations.*
  • The findings suggest integrating clinical data into GDM prediction models enhances treatment delivery, but complexities in model selection and variable weighting remain challenges for researchers seeking to improve healthcare outcomes for at-risk pregnant individuals.*
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  • * Key obstacles include poor environmental sanitation, contaminated water and food, and the impact of climate change, which exacerbate cholera spread and hinder progress towards the 2030 targets of a 90% reduction in cases and deaths.
  • * Despite these hurdles, achieving global cholera eradication is possible with strengthened institutional support and the implementation of evidence-based public health strategies, guided by the Global Roadmap to Ending Cholera Outbreaks by 2030.
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  • Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers, and this paper investigates the use of mirvetuximab soravtansine, a targeted therapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer expressing folate receptor alpha (FRα).
  • Four key studies involving 453 participants show that mirvetuximab soravtansine is effective in fighting tumors with a good safety profile, particularly beneficial for tumors with high FRα expression.
  • While the treatment shows promise for enhancing therapy outcomes, further research is needed to address patient diversity, improve quality of life data, and understand long-term safety, as well as to identify more biomarkers for personalized treatment options.
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The healthcare industry is constantly evolving to bridge the inequality gap and provide precision care to its diverse population. One of these approaches is the integration of digital health tools into healthcare delivery. Significant milestones such as reduced maternal mortality, rising and rapidly proliferating health tech start-ups, and the use of drones and smart devices for remote health service delivery, among others, have been reported.

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Mistreatment in medical education encompasses various forms of abusive behavior, often indicating a disregard for students' dignity and interfering with the learning process. This review paper aims to investigate the prevalence, patterns, and correlates of medical student mistreatment in Nigerian medical education and shed light on its impact on students' well-being. A literature search was conducted in August 2023 using Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies on the mistreatment of Nigerian medical students.

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  • - Group B streptococcus (GBS) poses serious risks to newborns, prompting research into maternal vaccination as a preventative measure due to limitations of current intrapartum antibiotics.
  • - A review of five studies indicated that maternal GBS vaccines are effective and generally safe, though varying immune responses highlight the need for personalized vaccination strategies.
  • - Successful integration of GBS vaccination into maternal health programs faces challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings, necessitating efforts to address cultural barriers and improve healthcare provider knowledge.
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  • Ovarian cancer poses a significant challenge in sub-Saharan Africa due to late-stage diagnoses caused by limited resources and poor healthcare infrastructure.
  • The lack of awareness about the disease and socioeconomic factors further complicates early detection and treatment.
  • Liquid biopsy (LB) emerges as a promising, cost-effective, and adaptable diagnostic method that could improve access to ovarian cancer diagnosis, thus paving the way for better healthcare outcomes in the region.
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