Loneliness, cerebrovascular and Alzheimer's disease pathology, and cognition.

Introduction: Loneliness has a rising public health impact, but research involving neuropathology and representative cohorts has been limited.

Methods: Inverse odds of selection weights were generalized from the autopsy sample of Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center cohorts (N = 680; 89 ± 9 years old; 25% dementia) to the US-representative Health and Retirement Study (N = 8469; 76 ± 7 years old; 5% dementia) to extend external validity. Regressions tested cross-sectional associations between loneliness and (1) Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebrovascular pathology; (2) five cognitive domains; and (3) relationships between pathology and cognition, adjusting for depression.

The impact of simulation-based training in medical education: A review.

Simulation-based training (SBT) has emerged as a transformative approach in medical education, significantly enhancing healthcare professionals' learning experience and clinical competency. This article explores the impact of SBT, tracing its historical development and examining the various types of simulations utilized today, including high-fidelity mannequins, virtual reality environments, standardized patients, and hybrid simulations. These methods offer a safe and controlled environment for students to practice and hone technical and non-technical skills, ultimately improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Anti-biofilm, drug delivery and cytotoxicity properties of dendrimers.

Background And Purpose: Treatments using antimicrobial agents have faced many difficulties as a result of biofilm formation by pathogenic microorganisms. The biofilm matrix formed by these microorganisms prevents antimicrobial agents from penetrating the interior where they can exact their activity effectively. Additionally, extracellular polymeric molecules associated with biofilm surfaces can absorb antimicrobial compounds, lowering their bioavailability.

A systematic review of the impacts of oil spillage on residents of oil-producing communities in Nigeria.

Oil spillage is common in oil-producing communities of Nigeria, and it impacts negatively on the residents of these communities. This study analysed available research data on oil spillage incidents in these communities to determine their main causes and impacts on the residents. This study highlights the immediate and long-term consequences of oil spills on residents of oil-host communities in Nigeria.

The Impact of the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program on the Perioperative Efficiency and Patient Safety of Adult Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Procedures: Retrospective Comparative Study.

Background: The complexity of health care delivery systems presents a unique challenge for the perioperative space. In the area of arthroplasty procedures, the shift of complex patients into ambulatory surgery centers and reimbursement that is no longer commensurate with the inflated costs of performing these procedures have created difficulties for hospitals and physicians alike. Thus, there is a critical need to optimize perioperative workflows while maintaining high-quality care provision.

Evaluating compliance with the best practice guidelines for wrong-level surgery prevention in high-risk pediatric spine surgery.

Purpose: In 2018, Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) were published for preventing wrong-level surgery in pediatric spinal deformity, but successful implementation has not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate BPG compliance 5 years after publication. We hypothesized higher compliance among BPG authors and among surgeons with more experience, higher caseload, and awareness of the BPGs.

Antimicrobial resistance markers distribution in Staphylococcus aureus from Nsukka, Nigeria.

Background: Multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus continues to influence treatment complications in clinical settings globally. Multidrug-resistant-S. aureus (MDR-SA) is often genetically driven by resistance markers transferable in pathogenic strains.

Evaluating compliance with the 2013 best practice guidelines for preventing surgical site infection in high-risk pediatric spine surgery.

Purpose: Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) were published one decade ago to decrease surgical site infection (SSI) in pediatric spinal deformity. Successful implementation has not been established. This study evaluated surgeon compliance with items on the BPG.

A meta-analysis on the prevalence of resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to different antibiotics in Nigeria.

Background: Rapid emergence of multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus has resulted to difficulty in treatment of infections caused by such strains. The aim of this meta-analysis study was to determine the pooled prevalence of resistance of S. aureus to different antibiotics in Nigeria.

QSAR-based virtual screening of traditional Chinese medicine for the identification of mitotic kinesin Eg5 inhibitors.

Cell division is a crucial process for the growth and development of all living organisms. Unfortunately, uncontrolled cell division and growth is a hallmark of cancer, leading to the formation of tumors. The Human Eg5 protein, also known as the mitotic kinesin Eg5, plays a vital role in the regulation of cell division and its dysfunction has been linked to cancer development.

The cost-effectiveness of standalone HEPA filtration units for the prevention of airborne SARS CoV-2 transmission.

Objective: Airborne infection from aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 poses an economic challenge for businesses without existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that standalone units may be used in areas without existing HVAC systems, but the cost and effectiveness of standalone units has not been evaluated.

Study Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis with Monte Carlo simulation and aerosol transmission modeling.

Menstrual dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome: association with dynamic state insulin resistance rather than hyperandrogenism.

Objective: To examine the relation of menstrual cyclicity abnormalities to hyperandrogenism (HA) and dynamic state insulin resistance (IR) in oligo-ovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: Tertiary-care academic center.

Consumption of Aqueous Leaf Extract During Lactation May Improve Metabolic Homeostasis in Young Adult Offspring.

Background And Objective: Medicinal plants constitute a fundamental component of the traditional healthcare system in rural communities throughout Africa and Gongronema latifolium (GL), is widely trusted in Nigeria to have strong nutritional and medicinal values. This study was done to determine the effect of maternal consumption of GL during lactation in young adult offspring.

Materials And Methods: Twenty four female albino Wistar rats were used for this study and were randomly assigned to four (4) groups.

Sustainable Elimination (Zero Cases) of Sleeping Sickness: How Far Are We from Achieving This Goal?

The recent massive reduction in the numbers of fresh Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) infection has presented an opportunity for the global elimination of this disease. To prevent a possible resurgence, as was the case after the reduced transmission of the 1960s, surveillance needs to be sustained and the necessary tools for detection and treatment of cases need to be made available at the points of care. In this review, we examine the available resources and make recommendations for improvement to ensure the sustenance of the already achieved gains to keep the trend moving towards elimination.

Urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria: a 50 year review of prevalence, distribution and disease burden.

We reviewed survey data deposited in the Global Neglected Tropical Diseases database and many other articles on the prevalence and distribution of Schistosoma haematobium in Nigeria. Schistosoma haematobium surveys conducted over the period of 50 years under review using different diagnostic tools revealed that Ogun State has the highest prevalence, followed by Ekiti state, while the lowest prevalence was recorded in Adamawa. No incidence of Schistosoma haematobium was recorded for states such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Gombe.

A comparative study of mechanisms of the adsorption of CO confined within graphene-MoS nanosheets: a DFT trend study.

The space within the interlayer of 2-dimensional (2D) nanosheets provides new and intriguing confined environments for molecular interactions. However, atomic level understanding of the adsorption mechanism of CO confined within the interlayer of 2D nanosheets is still limited. Herein, we present a comparative study of the adsorption mechanisms of CO confined within graphene-molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanosheets using density functional theory (DFT).

Correlating ultrasonic impulse and addition of ZnO promoter with CO conversion and methanol selectivity of CuO/ZrO catalysts.

The thermal characteristics of Cu-based catalysts for CO utilization towards the synthesis of methanol were analysed and discussed in this study. The preparation process were varied by adopting ultrasonic irradiation at various impulses for the co-precipitation route and also, by introducing ZnO promoters using the solid-state reaction route. Prepared catalysts were characterised using XRD, TPR, TPD, SEM, BET and TG-DTA-DSC.

Ultrasonic and hydrothermal mediated synthesis routes for functionalized Mg-Al LDH: Comparison study on surface morphology, basic site strength, cyclic sorption efficiency and effectiveness.

Amine functionalized layered double hydroxide (LDHs) adsorbents prepared using three different routes: co-precipitation, sono-chemical and ultrasonic-assisted high pressure hydrothermal. The prepared adsorbent samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscope-Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The performance of the prepared adsorbents was tested in a controlled thermal-swing adsorption process to measure its adsorption capacity, regeneration and cyclic efficiencies subsequently.

Probabilistic vs linear blending approaches to shared control for wheelchair driving.

Some people with severe mobility impairments are unable to operate powered wheelchairs reliably and effectively, using commercially available interfaces. This has sparked a body of research into "smart wheelchairs", which assist users to drive safely and create opportunities for them to use alternative interfaces. Various "shared control" techniques have been proposed to provide an appropriate level of assistance that is satisfactory and acceptable to the user.

Sonochemical surface functionalization of exfoliated LDH: Effect on textural properties, CO adsorption, cyclic regeneration capacities and subsequent gas uptake for simultaneous methanol synthesis.

To improve CO adsorption, amine modified Layered double hydroxide (LDH) were prepared via a two stage process, SDS/APTS intercalation was supported by ultrasonic irradiation and then followed by MEA extraction. The prepared samples were characterised using Scanning electron microscope-Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The characterisation results were compared with those obtained using the conventional preparation method with consideration to the effect of sonochemical functionalization on textural properties, adsorption capacity, regeneration and lifetime of the LDH adsorbent.

MoRe-T2 (mobility research trajectory tracker): validation and application.

It is important to assess the suitability of mobility aids before prescribing them to patients. This assessment is often subjectively completed by a therapist and it often includes a variety of basic practical tests. An objective assessment of a patient's capability, which captures not only speed of task completion and success, but also accuracy and risk of manoeuvres, would be both a fairer and safer approach.

High genetic variability of Schistosoma haematobium in Mali and Nigeria.

Schistosoma haematobium is one of the most prevalent parasitic flatworms, infecting over 112 million people in Africa. However, little is known about the genetic diversity of natural S. haematobium populations from the human host because of the inaccessible location of adult worms in the host.

Differentiating Schistosoma haematobium from Schistosoma magrebowiei and other closely related schistosomes by polymerase chain reaction amplification of a species specific mitochondrial gene.

Introduction: Schistosoma haematobium infection afflicts about 150 million people in 53 countries in Africa and the Middle East. In many endemic areas, S. haematobium is sympatric with Schistosoma bovis, Schistosoma mattheei, Schistosoma curassoni, Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma magrebowiei, its closely related species.

Assessment of body mass index and blood pressure among university students in, Enugu, South East, Nigeria.

Background: Body Mass Index (BMI) has been described as a significant predictor of Blood Pressure (B.P) but few studies have demonstrated this association in our environment. The study aims to determine the pattern of relationship between BMI and blood pressure in our environment.

C1 inhibitor, C3 activator, IgG, IgA, and IgM titers in Nigerian sickle cell disease patients with plasmodium falciparum.

Background: Sickle cell disease (HbSS) is a major health problem in Nigeria and malaria has been implicated as a leading cause of morbidity/mortality in sickle cell disease patients. Few reasons were put forward to explain the observed morbidity/mortality of HbSS subjects due to Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria.