The impact of ABO blood group on the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections among blood donors in a tertiary-care hospital.

Objectives: Transfusion-transmitted infections are a serious complication of blood transfusion. Devising a means of detecting at-risk blood donors may be beneficial in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. We sought to determine the impact of ABO blood group on the prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections.

Comparative Efficacy of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Antihypertensive Medications in Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Related Hypertension: A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presents a significant global health concern, affecting a substantial portion of the population, particularly among young and middle-aged adults.

Aim: This review aims to assess the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compared to antihypertensive medications in managing OSA-related hypertension.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, yielding studies published from 2000 to March 2024 that investigated CPAP, antihypertensives, or their combination therapy in OSA patients.

Health Facility Capacity and Health-care Worker Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth-dose and Maternal Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine Administration in Nigeria: A Baseline Assessment.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and neonatal tetanus infections remain endemic in Nigeria despite the availability of safe, effective vaccines. We aimed to determine health facilities' capacity for hepatitis B vaccine birth dose (HepB-BD) and maternal tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination and to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HepB-BD and maternal Td vaccine administration among health facility staff in Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study assessing public primary and secondary health facilities in Adamawa and Enugu States.

A Retrospective Assessment of Guideline Adherence and Treatment Outcomes From Infection Following the IDSA 2021 Clinical Guideline Update: Infection.

Background: The 2021 update to the Infectious Diseases Society of America infection (CDI) guidelines recommended fidaxomicin as the preferred treatment over vancomycin for patients with initial and recurrent CDI. Few studies have examined how treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of hospitalized CDI patients changed after the postguideline update or contemporary real-world outcomes of fidaxomicin vs vancomycin.

Methods: This retrospective, observational study used the PINC AI Healthcare Database on adult patients who received CDI treatment between 1/2020 and 6/2021 (pre period) and between 10/2021 and 9/2022 (post period).

Evaluation of interventions to improve timely hepatitis B birth dose vaccination among infants and maternal tetanus vaccination among pregnant women in Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria has the largest number of children infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) globally and has not yet achieved maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination. In Nigeria, maternal tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccination is part of antenatal care and hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccination for newborns has been offered since 2004. We implemented interventions targeting healthcare workers (HCWs), community volunteers, and pregnant women attending antenatal care with the goal of improving timely (within 24 hours) HepB-BD vaccination among newborns and Td vaccination coverage among pregnant women.

A Compact Linear Microstrip Patch Beamformer Antenna Array for Millimeter-Wave Future Communication.

5/6G is anticipated to address challenges such as low data speed and high latency in current cellular networks, particularly as the number of users overwhelms 4G and LTE capabilities. This paper proposes a microstrip patch antenna array comprising six radiating patches and utilizing a microstrip line feeding technique to facilitate the compact design crucial for 5G implementation. ROGER 3003, chosen for its advanced and environmentally friendly features, serves as the dielectric material, ensuring suitability for 5G and B5G applications.

Racial Differences in Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding: A Nationwide Study.

Background and aims Knowledge about the impact of race on non-variceal upper GI bleeding (NVUGIB) is limited. This study explored the racial differences in the etiology and outcome of NVUGIB. Methods We conducted a study from 2009 to 2014 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Thirty-Day Readmissions After Hospitalization for Psoriatic Arthritis.

Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is correlated with higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and autoimmune disorders than the general population, leading to more frequent hospitalizations. This study assessed the rates and characteristics of index and 30-day readmissions among adults hospitalized for PsA and evaluated the indications and predictors of 30-day readmissions across the United States. Methodology We analyzed the 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database for adult PsA hospitalizations using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes.

Can CSL-112 revolutionize atherosclerosis treatment? A critical look at the evidence.

CSL-112, a recombinant human apolipoprotein A-I, holds promise for treating atherosclerotic disease by promoting reverse cholesterol transport. This review evaluates the current evidence on CSL-112's impact on atherosclerotic disease. A search identified studies investigating the effect of CSL-112 on apolipoprotein A-I levels, cholesterol efflux capacity, clinical outcomes, safety profile, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and subgroup analysis in patients with atherosclerotic disease.

Impact of Clinical Trial Design on Recruitment of Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

Knowledge related to how oncology treatment trial design influences enrollment of racial and ethnic minorities is limited. Rigorous identification of clinical trial design parameters that associate favorably with minority accrual provides educational opportunities for individuals interested in designing more representative treatment trials. We identified oncology trials with a minimum of 10 patients at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2010 to 2021.

Increased ventilator utilization, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and mortality in non-COVID patients during the pandemic.

Background: This study examined ventilator utilization, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence, and mortality among non-COVID patients requiring mechanical ventilation during 2019 and 2020.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for adult hospitalizations with mechanical ventilation using ICD-10 procedure codes, excluding COVID-19 patients and minors. VAP rates were calculated per 1000 adults ventilated.

Neoadjuvant Reirradiation for Radiation Therapy-Associated Angiosarcoma of the Breast.

Purpose: Radiation-associated angiosarcoma of the breast (RAASB) is a rare side effect after breast radiation and has been associated with poor outcomes. At this time, there is no consensus regarding management of RAASB, and the role of reirradiation remains controversial. We present our modern institutional outcomes in managing RAASB with incorporation of neoadjuvant hyperfractionated reirradiation.

Cardiovascular Event Predictors in Hospitalized Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.

Introduction: This study seeks to confirm the risk factors linked to cardiovascular (CV) events in chronic kidney disease (CKD), which have been identified as CKD-related. We aim to achieve this using a larger, more diverse, and nationally representative dataset, contrasting with previous research conducted on smaller patient cohorts.

Methods:  The study utilized the nationwide inpatient sample database to identify adult hospitalizations for CKD from 2016 to 2020, employing validated ICD-10-CM/PCS codes.

Incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its impact on patient outcomes among adult hospitalized patients with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections who received targeted treatment with a newer β-lactam or β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor-, polymyxin- or aminoglycoside-containing regimen.

Background: Limited comparative data exist on acute kidney injury (AKI) risk and AKI-associated outcomes in hospitalized patients with carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections (CR-GNIs) treated with a newer β-lactam/β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BL-BLI)-, polymyxin (PB)- or aminoglycoside (AG)-containing regimen. This study quantified the risk of AKI and AKI-related outcomes among patients with CR-GNIs treated with a newer BL/BL-BLI-, PB- or AG-containing regimen.

Methods: A multicentre, retrospective, observational study was performed (2016-20).

Blood donation practices, processing and utilisation of blood components in government tertiary hospitals in Nigeria: a multicentre cooperative study.

Background: Timely access to safe blood and blood components is still a challenge in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine blood donation practices, processing and utilization of blood components across government tertiary hospitals (THs) in Nigeria.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in Nigeria in June-July 2020.

Five Fraction Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Versus Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

Purpose/objective(s): Accelerated partial breast irradiation (PBI) delivered in 5 fractions with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been shown to have comparable clinical outcomes to whole breast irradiation with reduced toxicity profiles. In contrast, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) offers patients the potential to complete adjuvant radiation therapy in a single treatment. While early data were promising, concerns exist regarding long-term rates of local recurrence after IORT.

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Updated Outcomes from a Single-Institution Experience.

Background: Increasingly, data have supported the use of partial-breast irradiation (PBI) for low-risk patients after breast-conserving surgery, with techniques allowing for completion of treatment in 1-3 weeks. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is an alternative to PBI. Our institution had used low-energy photon IORT (TARGIT) for more than a decade.

Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Rare Adverse Event of Vancomycin Therapy.

Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, is widely used for Gram-positive cocci or bacilli bacteria-induced serious infections. Although considered safe and effective, it still causes adverse events. Vancomycin-induced immune thrombocytopenia is a rarely reported adverse event, manifesting from asymptomatic thrombocytopenia to life-threatening bleeding.

Barriers and facilitators to hepatitis B birth dose vaccination: Perspectives from healthcare providers and pregnant women accessing antenatal care in Nigeria.

Nigeria is estimated to have the largest number of children worldwide, living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the leading cause of liver cancer. Up to 90% of children infected at birth develop chronic HBV infection. A birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB-BD) followed by at least two additional vaccine doses is recommended for prevention.

Efficacy and safety of Mojeaga remedy in combination with conventional oral iron therapy for correcting anemia in obstetric population: A phase II randomized pilot clinical trial.

Background: To our knowledge, there is no prior randomized trial on the efficacy of Mojeaga remedy (a special blend of Alchornea cordifolia, Pennisetum glaucum and Sorghum bicolor extracts) when co-administered with standard-of-care for correction of anemia in obstetrics practice. This study determined the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Mojeaga as adjunct to conventional oral iron therapy for correction of anemia in obstetric population.

Methods: A pilot open-label randomized clinical trial.

Herbal supplements as treatment options for COVID-19: A call for clinical development of herbal supplements for emerging and re-emerging viral threats in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The advent of Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) distorted health systems of many countries. Efforts have been made to either develop new treatment solutions such as vaccines or repurpose previously adopted drugs. Challenges in accessing available treatment, inadequate, non-existent, or overstretched healthcare facilities, long COVID disease, cultural practices and beliefs about vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, availability, accessibility and perceived safety of herbal supplements seem to be major factors propelling individuals to use herbal supplements.