Comparing immunogenicity and safety following transition from reference rituximab to biosimilar rituximab (DRL_RI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study.

Objectives: To assess immunogenicity and safety in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) transitioning from rituximab [US-licensed rituximab: Reference Product (RP); EU-approved rituximab: Reference Medicinal Product (RMP)] to DRL_RI (proposed rituximab biosimilar), in comparison to those continuing on RP/RMP.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized, Phase 3 study included 140 RA patients having prior exposure to RP/RMP; transitioned to DRL_RI (n = 70) or continued with RP/RMP (n = 70) for two 1000 mg infusions on Days 1 and 15. Assessments included Time-matched Rituximab Concentration (TMRC), anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and ADA titre over 12 weeks, and safety follow-up till 26 weeks.

Hepatic and immune modulatory effectiveness of lactoferrin loaded Selenium nanoparticles on bleomycin induced hepatic injury.

This study aimed to estimate the hepatic and immune ameliorating potential of extracted bovine lactoferrin (LF), Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) or their combination (LF/SeNPs) against bleomycin (BLM) induced hepatic injury. Fifty adult male rats (160-200 g) were equally divided into five groups: (1) the saline control group, (2) BLM-injected (15 mg/kg twice a week, ip), and (3-5) groups treated orally with LF (200 mg/kg/day), SeNPs (0.0486 mg/kg/day) or LF/SeNPs combination (200.

Immuno-antioxidative reno-modulatory effectiveness of Echinacea purpurea extract against bifenthrin-induced renal poisoning.

This study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemical detoxifying activities of Echinacea purpurea ethanolic extract (EEE) against bifenthrin-induced renal injury. Adult male albino rats (160-200 g) were divided into four groups (10 rats each) and orally treated for 30 days as follows: (1) normal control; (2) healthy animals were treated with EEE (465 mg/kg/day) dissolved in water; (3) healthy animals were given bifenthrin (7 mg/kg/day) dissolved in olive oil; (4) animals were orally administered with EEE 1-h prior bifenthrin intoxication. The obtained results revealed that administration of the animals with bifenthrin caused significant elevations of serum values of urea, creatinine, ALAT and ASAT, as well as renal inflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α & IFN-γ), apoptotic (Caspase-3) and oxidative stress (MDA and NO) markers coupled with a marked drop in the values of renal antioxidant markers (GSH, GPx, and SOD) in compare to those of normal control.

Echinacea purpurea extract intervention for counteracting neurochemical and behavioral changes induced by bifenthrin.

This study was conducted to elucidate the possible protective efficiency of Echinacea purpurea hydroethanolic extract (EchEE) against bifenthrin (BIF)-induced neuro-chemical and behavioral changes in rats. Total phenolics content, reducing power and radical scavenging activity of EchEE were estimated. Four groups of adult male albino rats were used (10 rats each) as follows: 1) Control healthy rats ingested with placebo, 2) Healthy rats orally received EchEE (465 mg/kg/day), 3) Rats intoxicated with BIF (7mg/kg/day) dissolved in olive oil, and 4) Rats co-treated with EchEE (465 mg/kg/day) besides to BIF (7mg/kg/day) intoxication.

Antenatal jaundice instruction and acute bilirubin encephalopathy in Nigeria.

Background: Acute Bilirubin Encephalopathy (ABE) is common in Nigeria. Parents' inability to recognize jaundice and delays in seeking care are significant barriers to its prevention.

Methods: We compared associations of (1) interactive antenatal maternal jaundice instruction with postnatal reinforcement, (2) standard postnatal instruction, and (3) no maternal instruction with the incidence of ABE among 647 jaundice admissions stratified for risk factors identified in initial descriptive analysis.

Global Prevalence of Severe Neonatal Jaundice among Hospital Admissions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Evidence regarding the adverse burden of severe neonatal jaundice (SNJ) in hospitalized neonates in resource-constrained settings is sparse. We attempted to determine the prevalence of SNJ, described using clinical outcome markers, in all World Health Organization (WHO) regions in the world. Data were sourced from Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library, African Journals Online, and Global Index Medicus.

Marked variability in institutional deliveries and neonatal outcomes during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the interventions to mitigate its spread impacted access to healthcare, including hospital births and newborn care. This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on newborn service utilization in Nigeria.

Methods: The records of women who delivered in hospitals and babies admitted to neonatal wards were retrospectively reviewed before (March 2019-February 2020) and during (March 2020-February 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in selected facilities in Nigeria.

The Vulnerable Newborn of a Mentally Ill Mother in a Resource-Limited Setting.

Mental illness is not uncommon in women of childbearing age. Pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum state could precipitate mental illness in predisposed women or worsen psychiatric symptoms in those known to have mental ill-health. Maternal mental illness exposes the infant to neglect, abuse or outright harm.

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

Objectives: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria.

Design: Descriptive case study.

Effect of cement space on marginal discrepancy and retention of CAD/CAM crown.

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of cement space on the marginal discrepancy and retention of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) crowns. A total of 30 premolar Frasaco teeth were machined to receive crowns with cement spaces of 70, 90, and 110 μm. The marginal discrepancy measurements were done before and after cementation.

The Estimation of the Anti-neurotoxic Effect of Costus Ethanolic Extract against Bifenthrin-Intoxication in Male Rats.

Background And Objective: Pyrethroidsare a group of synthetic pesticides similar to the natural pesticide pyrethrum, which is produced by chrysanthemum flowers. Bifenthrin is one of the pyrethroids that are widely used pesticide in households and to control crop vectors. The main goal of this work was to investigate the possible ameliorating effect of Costus Ethanolic Extract (CEE) against neurotoxicity induced by bifenthrin in adult-male rats.

Congenital absence of the nasal septum in a Nigerian newborn with multiple congenital anomalies.

Congenital absence of the nasal septum (hyporhynia) is infrequently reported in the literature. We report a rare case in a newborn with multiple congenital anomalies with the aim to highlight its rarity and compatibility with life in a resource-limited setting. The case notes of the child were summarised and the relevant literature reviewed to give the report a context.

Unique Pediatric Gallstones Composed of Calcium Oxalate Phosphate.

Calcium oxalate phosphate is extremely rare composition of gall stones, with only one case reported in pediatric population till date. We report a case of pediatric cholelithiasis with a unique composition of calcium oxalate phosphate, detected at eight years of age. Its etiology remains unknown.

Sequencing and assembly of the Egyptian buffalo genome.

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an important source of meat and milk in countries with relatively warm weather. Compared to the cattle genome, a little has been done to reveal its genome structure and genomic traits. This is due to the complications stemming from the large genome size, the complexity of the genome, and the high repetitive content.

A Probiotic Beverage Made from Tiger-nut Extract and Milk Permeate.

Background And Objective: Tiger-nut has long been recognized for its generous health benefits. Milk permeate as a by-product, contains lactose, soluble vitamins and salts. Probiotics are live micro-organisms that confer a benefit on the host.

Role of ashwagandha methanolic extract in the regulation of thyroid profile in hypothyroidism modeled rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-hypothyroidism potential of ashwagandha methanolic extract (AME). This target was performed through induction of animal model of hypothyroidism by propylthiouracil. After 1 month from treatments, blood samples were collected for biochemical determinations, and liver and kidney were removed for the determination of oxidative stress markers and thyroid gland was removed for histopathological examination.

Enhancing the pro-health and physical properties of ice cream fortified with concentrated golden berry juice.

Background: Ice cream is a product rich in calories, due to its high carbohydrate, protein, and fat contents, but poor in antioxidants, fibers, and vitamins. The golden berry is a fruit rich in phenols, fibers, minerals, and vitamins. This study was carried out to improve the functional properties of ice cream by incorporating concentrated golden berry juice (CGBJ) in its formulation.

Impact of heat treatments and some technological processing on immunoglobulins of Egyptian buffalo's milk.

The effects of heat treatments, ultrafiltration and manufacture of soft cheese on the gross composition and immunoglobulins (Igs) of Egyptian buffalos were investigated. Four Igs (IgG, IgG, IgM and IgA) were identified and determined by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID). High concentrations of Igs were found in colostrum which decreased rapidly within the first 72 h postpartum parallel to the transition from colostrum to normal milk.

Evaluation of the cognitive effect of newborn resuscitation training on health-care workers in selected states in Northern Nigeria.

Background: Neonatal deaths contribute significantly to slower progress in under-5 mortality reduction. Lack of sufficiently trained birth assistants partly contributes to early neonatal deaths. Resuscitation training equips frontline health-care workers (HCWs) with requisite knowledge and skills to prevent birth asphyxia.

Coherent scatter imaging Monte Carlo simulation.

Conventional mammography can suffer from poor contrast between healthy and cancerous tissues due to the small difference in attenuation properties. Coherent scatter slot scan imaging is an imaging technique which provides additional information and is compatible with conventional mammography. A Monte Carlo simulation of coherent scatter slot scan imaging was performed to assess its performance and provide system optimization.

Design for a coherent-scatter imaging system compatible with screening mammography.

A system using a wide-slot beam and simple antiscatter grids or slots has been designed to provide a localized map of tissue type that could be overlaid on the simultaneous conventional transmission image to provide an inexpensive, low dose adjunct to conventional screening mammography. Depth information is obtainable from the stereoscopic viewing angles. The system was demonstrated to produce observable contrast between adipose tissue and a phantom chosen to mimic carcinoma at an exposure comparable with screening mammography.

Effect of vitamin C administration on neutrophil apoptosis in septic patients after abdominal surgery.

Objective: To investigate the effect of parenteral administration of vitamin C on neutrophil apoptosis by determining Fas receptor expression and caspase-3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and Bcl-2 levels in neutrophils from septic abdominal surgery patients.

Study Design: Twenty septic abdominal surgery patients were studied in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. A group of healthy volunteers (n = 10) constituted a reference group for baseline parameter values.

Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphism as risk factor to develop invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

This present study was undertaken to examine the role of the host response to Aspergillus fumigatus in the development of clinical symptoms of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The natural outcome and response to IPA infection varies between individuals. Whereas some variation may be attributable to fungi and environmental variables, it is probable that host genetic background also plays a significant role.

Variable number of tandem repeats of TNF receptor type 2 promoter as genetic biomarker of susceptibility to develop invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and lymphotoxin alpha (LT-alpha) are pivotal mediators of inflammatory responses in fungal infection diseases. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in genes of these cytokines or their receptors might increase the susceptibility of hematologic patients to develop invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). One hundred two hematologic patients and 124 age-matched controls were enrolled in the study, and the following standard single nucleotide polymorphisms were investigated: TNF-alpha -308 and +489, LT-alpha +252 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 (TNFR2) +676.