A qualitative systematic review of umbilical cord care practices in Nigeria.

Background: Umbilical cord care is an important aspect of newborn health, and different practices exist around the world, often influenced by cultural, healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors. The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize current literature on umbilical cord care practices in Nigeria, with an emphasis on the impact of cultural beliefs, healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors.

Methods: A comprehensive search for literature was performed across PubMED, MEDLINE and Google scholar for studies published between 2010 and 2023.

Exposure to Environmental Pollutants and Risk of Diarrhea: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review investigates the association between environmental pollutants and the risk of diarrhea, a critical public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The review synthesizes findings from various studies that highlight the impact of contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), microplastics, and parabens on gastrointestinal health. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search across databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar yielded 496 articles, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria for detailed analysis.

Visual outcomes and complications after phacoemulsification and small incision manual cataract surgery in two eye hospitals.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the visual outcomes and complications of cataract surgery in two referral eye hospitals in southern Nigeria.

Methods: Case records of patients who underwent elective cataract surgery at two referral eye hospitals from February 2017-2022 were collected retrospectively. Demographics, preoperative visual acuity (VA), anterior and posterior segment details, intraoperative and postoperative complications, VA at day 1, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively were analyzed.

Communal conflicts in Nigeria: Assessment of the impacts on internally displaced persons and settlements amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

Acknowledging that violent communal conflicts can lead to increased displacement and overcrowding in IDP camps, this study investigates the impact of such conflicts on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their camps in Benue State, Nigeria, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a mixed-method approach, 386 IDPs and 20 stakeholders were purposively selected. Based on the research objectives, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the research objectives.

Heavy metals and metalloids exposure and fertilization: Critical concerns in human reproductive medicine.

Exposures to heavy metals and metalloids have been associated with decreased fecundity and fertility in couples conceiving assisted reproduction. Heavy metals and metalloids can alter the homeostasis of critical hormones controlling sexual maturation by binding to critical hormones and receptors. This may disrupt the time course of sexual maturation directly or indirectly affecting reproductive competence in males and females.

Pharmaceutical and personal care products as emerging environmental contaminants in Nigeria: A systematic review.

The increasingly broad and massive use of pharmaceuticals (human, veterinary) and personal care products in industrially developing nations makes their uncontrolled environmental and ecological impact a true concern. Focusing on Nigeria, this systematic literature search (databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane library and African Journals Online) aims to increase visibility to the issue. Among 275 articles identified, 7 were included in this systematic review.

Gallstone extraction from a back abscess resulting from spilled gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a routinely performed surgery nowadays. However, it is associated with certain complications. Gall bladder perforation during the procedure can result in spilled and lost gallstones.

Reduction of the Adverse Impacts of Fungal Mycotoxin on Proximate Composition of Feed and Growth Performance in Broilers by Combined Adsorbents.

Synergistic interaction of adsorbents in reducing the adverse impacts of mycotoxin on performance and proximate composition of broiler feeds was investigated. Fungal growth was induced by sprinkling water on the feed. + bentonite, kaolin + bentonite or + kaolin adsorbent combinations (1.

Drug Shop Intervention to Enhance Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Patent Medicine Vendors for the Control of COVID-19 In Southeastern Nigeria.

Drug shops are the first point of care for most community members in low-resource countries. Because of symptomatic similarities with common illnesses such as malaria, probable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases may seek care at drug shops, where the knowledge and skills required to handle it may be lacking, thereby fostering community spread of the disease. This single-arm study provided an intervention to improve COVID-19-related knowledge, attitude, and practices of patent medicine vendors (PMVs) in 97 participating drug shops selected through cluster sampling in Owerri, southeastern Nigeria.

"When I Take Drugs, I Don't Care": Insights into the Operational Dynamics of Male Violent Offenders in a Correctional Centre.

This study investigated the operational dynamics of male violent offenders incarcerated in Abakaliki custodial center, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and purposive technique used to recruit 260 inmates charged with violent offenses. The data generated from structured questionnaire were analyzed using Predictive Analytic Software (PAS), with ordinary least regression, descriptive statistics and spearman rank order correlation techniques, employed in testing the variables explored.

Radiation Safety Knowledge and Practice in Urology Theaters: A Collaborative Multicenter Survey.

To evaluate the knowledge and current radiation safety practice among health care professionals undertaking fluoroscopic procedures in urology. A 14-question survey was disseminated to multidisciplinary urology theater staff. Questions included demographic data, usual radiation safety practice, and knowledge.

Results of a RCT assessing saline and xylitol nasal irrigation for CRS and fatigue in Gulf War illness.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of saline nasal irrigation (S-NI) and xylitol nasal irrigation (X-NI) for chronic rhinosinusitis in participants with Gulf War illness (GWI).

Methods: This 26 week, 3-arm (1:1:1) randomized controlled trial examined veterans meeting criteria for GWI with moderate-to-severe chronic rhinosinusitis and fatigue symptoms. All participants received standard of care for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS); additionally, S-NI or X-NI participants added twice-daily NI using 2% saline or 5% xylitol solutions.

Correlation of prevention practices with rates of health care-associated infection.

Objective: We examined Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) prevention practices and their relationship with hospital-onset healthcare facility-associated CDI rates (CDI rates) in Veterans Affairs (VA) acute-care facilities.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: From January 2017 to February 2017, we conducted an electronic survey of CDI prevention practices and hospital characteristics in the VA.

Health care worker perspectives of their motivation to reduce health care-associated infections.

Background: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are largely preventable, but are associated with considerable health care burden. Given the significant cost of HAIs, many health care institutions have implemented bundled interventions to reduce HAIs. These complex behavioral interventions require considerable effort; however, individual behaviors and motivations crucial to successful and sustained implementation have not been adequately assessed.

Rasch Analysis of The WURSS-21 Dimensional Validation and Assessment of Invariance.

Background: The purpose of this study is to use Rasch analysis to explore the validity of considering self-report scores from Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-21) as a single global illness severity domain. The WURSS-21 is a widely used questionnaire instrument that assesses symptom severity and functional impact of common cold and flu-like illness.

Methods: This study applies item response theory, specifically Rasch modeling, to investigate dimensional and measurement properties of the WURSS-21, and looks at invariance over time.

Effectiveness of nasal irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis and fatigue in patients with Gulf War illness: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 1 in 7 returned Persian Gulf War veterans. Quality-of-life impact is large; there is no cure. Chronic sinus symptoms and fatigue are common.

Detection of viral and bacterial pathogens in acute respiratory infections.

Objectives: The role of bacteria in acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) of adults and interactions with viral infections is incompletely understood. This study tested the hypothesis that bacterial co-infection during ARI adds to airway inflammation and illness severity.

Methods: Two groups of 97 specimens each were randomly selected from multiplex-PCR identified virus-positive and virus-negative nasal specimens obtained from adults with new onset ARI, and 40 control specimens were collected from healthy adults.

Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation and exercise for the prevention of acute respiratory infection: possible mechanisms of action.

Background. A randomized trial suggests that meditation and exercise may prevent acute respiratory infection (ARI). This paper explores potential mediating mechanisms.

Item reduction of the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-21) leads to the WURSS-11.

Purpose: To develop a shorter version of the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-21), a self-report questionnaire for evaluating daily symptoms and functional impairments during acute respiratory illness (ARI).

Methods: WURSS-21 data were retrieved from 4 studies (n = 1167) spanning the years 2002-2010. Similar methodologies were employed among these studies.

Age and psychological influences on immune responses to trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in the meditation or exercise for preventing acute respiratory infection (MEPARI) trial.

Background: Strategies to improve influenza vaccine protection among elderly individuals are an important research priority. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and exercise have been shown to affect aspects of immune function in some populations. We hypothesized that influenza vaccine responses may be enhanced with meditation or exercise training as compared with controls.

WITHDRAWN: Sponges and incorrect sponge count: Minor contributions to the process of detecting retained foreign bodies.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher. Background: Postoperative retained foreign bodies [RFBs] can be a serious event, but they are rare. The x-ray is the current gold standard to detect RFBs.

Association of Biomarkers for Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress with Cognitive Impairment. The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study (EHLS).

Background: Individual biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been associated with cognitive impairment. This study explored whether a combination of biomarkers could prospectively identify those who developed cognitive decline.

Methods: Biomarkers were obtained during the baseline examination of the Beaver Dam Eye Study (1988-90), and cognitive status was assessed during the 5-year follow-up examination of the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study (1998-2000).

Advantage of meditation over exercise in reducing cold and flu illness is related to improved function and quality of life.

Purpose: To examine whether apparent advantages following training in meditation over exercise can be attributed to specific symptoms, functional impairments, or quality-of-life indicators assessed by the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-24).

Methods: Results from the randomized controlled trial "Meditation or Exercise for Preventing Acute Respiratory Illness" showed mean global severity and total days of illness were worse in control (358, 8·9) compared with exercise (248, 5·1) or meditation (144, 5·0). Global severity of illness was estimated using area under the curve from daily self-reported severity scores on the WURSS-24.

Meditation or exercise for preventing acute respiratory infection: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate potential preventive effects of meditation or exercise on incidence, duration, and severity of acute respiratory infection (ARI) illness.

Methods: Community-recruited adults aged 50 years and older were randomized to 1 of 3 study groups: 8-week training in mindfulness meditation, matched 8-week training in moderate-intensity sustained exercise, or observational control. The primary outcome was area-under-the-curve global illness severity during a single cold and influenza season, using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-24) to assess severity.