Bacteriological Agents and Resistance Profiles in Neonatal Sepsis from a Poorly Regulated Antimicrobial Access Setting: Time for Action.

Background: Neonatal sepsis (NNS) is a known cause of morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. The global resistance scourge may worsen the management outcomes of NNS. This study aims to determine the current profile of bacteriological agents of NNS, their resistance status and associated mortality in our setting.

Estrogen replacement therapy reverses spatial memory loss and pyramidal cell neurodegeneration in the prefrontal cortex of lead-exposed ovariectomized Wistar rats.

Background: Although menopause is a component of chronological aging, it may be induced by exposure to heavy metals like lead. Interestingly, lead exposure, just like the postmenopausal state, has been associated with spatial memory loss and neurodegeneration; however, the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on menopause and lead-induced spatial memory loss and neurodegeneration is yet to be reported.

Aim: The present study investigated the effect and associated mechanism of HRT on ovariectomized-driven menopausal state and lead exposure-induced spatial memory loss and neurodegeneration.

Impact of arsenic on male and female reproductive function: a review of the pathophysiology and potential therapeutic strategies.

Arsenic is a ubiquitous metalloid and heavy metal that contributes to the global decline in human fertility. Humans are constantly exposed to arsenic through biotic and abiotic sources, especially ingestion of arsenic-contaminated food and water. Its exposure is associated with several adverse health challenges, including reproductive toxicity.

Naso-mucociliary Clearance Time among Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Ilorin, North-central Nigeria.

Context: The mucociliary clearance system is an important component in the prevention of chronic inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus.

Aim: The study aims to establish the normal values of mucociliary clearance in our region and to study the variation in mucociliary activity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Ilorin, North-central Nigeria.

Settings And Design: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study using consecutive consenting participants in both the control and study groups carried out at both family medicine and otorhinolaryngology clinics among patients attending the clinics.

Comparison of the effectiveness of levonorgestrel intrauterine system and dienogest in the management of adenomyosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Adenomyosis is a gynaecological lesion that impairs female fertility and contributes to reduced quality of life. There are several surgical and medical options for the management of this lesion; however, women who wish to conceive opt for medical therapies such as the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUS) and dienogest, which have various outcomes. To date, there is no consensus regarding which is more effective.

Synergy of Hybrid Fillers for Emerging Composite and Nanocomposite Materials-A Review.

Nanocomposites with polymer matrix provide tremendous opportunities to investigate new functions beyond those of traditional materials. The global community is gradually tending toward the use of composite and nanocomposite materials. This review is aimed at reporting the recent developments and understanding revolving around hybridizing fillers for composite materials.

CLINICAL PROFILE AND PATTERN OF DEMENTIA IN A GERIATRIC CENTRE.

Background: Knowledge on the clinical presentation of dementia is essential for appropriate care, especially in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries where these cases are on a sharp rise and can also aid early detection of other underlying conditions.This study sought to provide a broad and updated socio-demographic, clinical profile, pattern of diagnosis and treatment features of people diagnosed with dementia in this setting.

Method: A retrospective cohort study which reviewed the medical case records of all older adults with dementia receiving treatment at the psychogeriatric and the neurology clinic of the Geriatric Centre (N=192).

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS IN PAEDIATRIC SURGICAL PATIENTS: AN OVERVIEW OF THE NIGERIAN ADOLESCENTS.

Introduction: Less than three decades ago, depression was seen as a predominantly adult disorder as children were considered too developmentally immature to experience depressive disorders, and adolescent low mood was considered as part of 'normal' teenage mood swings. Major depressive disorder in children and adolescents is a serious psychiatric illness especially in paediatric surgical patients. This may be due to their altered metabolic rate and heighten metabolic response to trauma which has significant implications for the psychological development of the child, yet it remains under-recognized and undertreated.

Prognosticators of Excision of Giant Intra-Oral Tumors in a Resource-Challenged Setting: A Case Report.

Minor salivary glands are widely distributed in the mucosal surface of the lips, palate, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx, thus can arise from any of these primary sites. Intra-oral minor salivary gland tumors (IMSGTs), while considered rare in the general population are relatively more common when compared to all the other extra-oral sites. Pleomorphic adenoma, as seen in the index patient, is the most commonly diagnosed benign IMSGT.

-based feed supplement protects against renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury via downregulation of Bax/caspase 3 signaling.

Introduction: Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) may lead to acute kidney injury via the induction of oxidative stress. On the other hand, Moringa oleifera has been reported to exert antioxidant activities. This study was designed to assess whether or not Moringa oleifera-based feed supplement could prevent I/R-induced renal injury.

Antioxidant and antilipidemic action of ketogenic diet and tomato powder mix in high sugar and fat fed Harwich fruit flies.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of oxidative stress in metabolic disorders which presents as a major global problem. The antioxidant properties of the tomato fruit and the ketogenic diet has likewise been established by different authors. This study uses a fruit fly model to examine the synergistic effect of a ketogenic diet and tomato powder mix on biochemical alterations induced by the High-Fat Diet (HFD) and the High-Sugar Diet (HSD).

L-Arginine abrogates maternal and pre-pubertal codeine exposure-induced impaired spermatogenesis and sperm quality by modulating the levels of mRNA encoding spermatogenic genes.

Introduction: Although, codeine has been demonstrated to lower sperm quality; the effects of maternal and prepubertal codeine exposure on male offspring is yet to be reported. In addition, the effect of arginine on codeine-induced decline in sperm quality has not been explored. This study investigated the impact of maternal and prepubertal codeine exposure on spermatogenesis and sperm quality in F1 male Wistar rats to study the effect that codeine may have during recreational use in humans.

Processing of Low-Density HGM-Filled Epoxy-Syntactic Foam Composites with High Specific Properties for Marine Applications.

A solution casting approach is used to create hollow glass microsphere (HGM)-filled epoxy-syntactic foam composites (e-SFCs) by varying the concentrations of HGM in epoxy according to different particle sizes. Density analysis is used to investigate the impact of concentration and particle size regularity on the microstructure of e-SFCs. It was observed that e-SFCs filled with an HGM of uniform particle sizes exhibit a reduction in density with increasing HGM concentration, whereas e-SFCs filled with heterogeneous sizes of HGM exhibit closeness in density values regardless of HGM concentration.

Analysis of Particle Variation Effect on Flexural Properties of Hollow Glass Microsphere Filled Epoxy Matrix Syntactic Foam Composites.

Syntactic foam made from hollow glass microspheres (HGM) in an epoxy matrix has proven to be a good material with a strong structural strength. Understanding filler particle size variation is important in composite material formation, especially in syntactic foam, because of its numerous applications such as aerospace, marine, and structural purposes. In this present work, the effects of particle variation in different sizes (20-24 µm, 25-44 µm, 45-49 µm, and 50-60 µm) on the mechanical properties of the syntactic foam composites with a focus on flexural strength, modulus, and fracture surfaces are investigated.

Foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract: time for comprehensive preventive measures.

Background: Foreign body (FB) in the aerodigestive tract presents more commonly in children and remains a surgical emergency with potential for fatal complications.

Objectives: To describe management and outcomes of aerodigestive FB managed at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and proffer preventive measures.

Methods: A 9-year retrospective review of all patients with foreign body in the aerodigestive tract managed between March 2011 and July 2020.

Methanolic leaf extract protects against epithelial barrier damage and enteric bacterial translocation in intestinal I/R: Possible role of caspase 3.

Activation of caspase 3 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of I/R injury in various organs, but there is a paucity of data on its role in IIRI. Also, no reports were found on the beneficial role of methanolic leaf extract (MMOLE) in IIRI. This study investigated the involvement of caspase 3 in IIRI, and the impact of MMOLE in IIRI.

Atorvastatin-mediated downregulation of VCAM-1 and XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling averts oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by ovarian ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: Oxidative damage is critical in the pathogenesis of ovarian ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and statins have been reported to exert antioxidant activity. However, the role of VCAM-1 and xanthine oxidase (XO)/uric acid (UA) in ovarian I/R injury is not known. Also, whether or not atorvastatin exerts antioxidant activity like other statins is unclear.

L-Arginine reverses maternal and pre-pubertal codeine exposure-induced sexual dysfunction via upregulation of androgen receptor gene and NO/cGMP signaling.

Background: Although codeine has been reported to enhance sexual activity by improving penile reflexes, it has been shown to impair fertility indices. Also, codeine impairs ovarian steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis. Nonetheless, whether or not codeine exerts an epigenetic effect remains unclear.

Integrated Primary Palliative Care in Nigeria- Perspectives of Patients, Families and Providers.

Background: Palliative care should be integrated into primary healthcare systems within low- and middle-income countries to achieve Universal Health Coverage goals. We aimed to identify preferences and expectations for primary palliative care among people living with serious illness and their families and the readiness of primary healthcare providers to deliver primary palliative care in Nigeria.

Methods: Qualitative descriptive interview study with 48 participants: people living with serious illness (n=21) and their family caregivers (n=15), healthcare providers (n=12).

Glutamine prevents upregulation of NF-kB signaling and caspase 3 activation in ischaemia/reperfusion-induced testicular damage: An animal model.

Aim: Testicular ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major consequence of testicular torsion with possible attendant risk of male infertility. Glutamine, on the other hand, is a known antioxidant with anti-inflammatory potential. The present study evaluated whether or not glutamine would improve I/R-induced testicular injury in torsion/detorsion (T/D).

Clinical evaluation and nasoendoscopic scores of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Introduction: chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterised by inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nose and paranasal sinuses for at least 12 weeks duration. Other than the diagnostic criteria that is based on clinical features; nasoendoscopy and/or computerized tomographic scan have been included in the diagnosis. This study seeks to outline the clinical evaluation and nasoendoscopic assessment of CRS patients.

What constitutes a palliative care need in people with serious illnesses across Africa? A mixed-methods systematic review of the concept and evidence.

Background: Clarity on what constitutes a palliative care need is essential to ensure that health systems and clinical services deliver an appropriate response within Universal Health Coverage.

Aim: To synthesise primary evidence from Africa for palliative care needs among patients and families with serious illness.

Design: We conducted a mixed methods systematic review with sequential synthesis design.

Do the Clinical Management Guidelines for Covid-19 in African Countries Reflect the African Quality Palliative Care Standards? A Review of Current Guidelines.

Context: Palliative care should be a component of COVID-19 management to relieve suffering, improve patient outcomes and save cost.

Objectives: We aimed to identify and critically appraise the palliative care recommendations within COVID-19 case management guidelines in African countries.

Methods: The study employed systematic guideline review design.