Individual-level Predictors of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness: Urban-Rural Comparison.

Introduction: Maternal mortality is a major public health problem. Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) constitute a veritable strategy for reducing maternal mortality, yet adoption is low with wide urban-rural discrepancies.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare the practice of BP/CR amongst women in rural and urban areas of Rivers State, Nigeria, and determine the individual-level predictors.

Cancer Related Mortality in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria.

Background: Globally, cancer is a leading cause of death and source of resistance to increasing life expectancy. In 2019, the World Health Organisation estimated cancer as the first or second leading cause of death before the age of 70 in 112 countries and third or fourth in 23 other countries. Despite the fact that cancer has been recognized as a public health problem, there is paucity of data on cancer mortality in Nigeria.

Impact of thermo-sonication on quality indices of starch-based sauces.

In this study, ultrasonication, a physical, relatively cheap, and environmentally benign technology, was investigated to characterize its effect on functional properties of rice starch and rice starch-based sauces. Temperature-assisted ultrasound treatment improved the granular swelling power, fat and water absorption capacities, and thermal properties of rice starch, signifying its suitability in the formulation of starch-based sauces. Rheological characterization of the formulated sauces revealed a shear-thinning flow behavior, well described by the Ostwald de Waele model, while viscoelastic properties showed the existence of a weak gel.

Research Note: Effects of supplementing cranberry and blueberry pomaces on meat quality and antioxidative capacity in broilers.

Cranberry and blueberry pomaces are rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. They have been identified as potential antibiotic alternatives in animal feed, but their antioxidative capacity for maintaining or improving the meat quality in broilers is not well documented. This study was to determine whether cranberry and wild blueberry pomaces in diets could positively influence the broiler meat quality.

Medical students' experiences of the benefits and influences regarding a placement mentoring programme preparing them for future practice as junior doctors: a qualitative study.

Objective: To study medical students' views and experiences of the benefits and influences regarding a mentoring programme aimed at preparing them for future practice as a doctor during their Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) placement in a UK teaching hospital.

Design: A qualitative approach, employing focus groups and thematic analysis.

Setting: Single-centre UK Teaching hospital.