Diagnostic Capacity for Fungal Infections in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana - An Onsite Baseline Audit of 9 Sites.

Objectives: To assess diagnostic mycology capacity and available fungal diagnostic services of microbiology laboratories in eight tertiary hospitals in Nigeria and one in Ghana.

Methods: On-site audits were performed in the microbiology laboratories of nine tertiary hospitals using a structured observation checklist.

Results: A total of nine tertiary hospitals' laboratories in Nigeria and Ghana were assessed between June 2022 and December 2023.

Performance evaluation of TaqMan™ Arbovirus Triplex Kit (ZIKV/DENV/CHIKV) for detection and differentiation of dengue and chikungunya viral RNA in serum samples of symptomatic patients.

Introduction: Global outbreaks of mosquito-transmitted arbovirus infections, such as dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV), are increasing. Differentiating these infections is challenging due to non-specific symptoms and serology limitations. PCR-based approaches offer higher sensitivity and specificity.

A Systematic Review of the Cardiotoxic Effects of Targeted Therapies in Oncology.

Cancer therapy advancements have improved survival rates but also introduced significant cardiotoxic risks. Cardiotoxicity, a critical adverse effect of cancer treatments such as doxorubicin, trastuzumab, and radiotherapy, poses substantial challenges. This systematic review synthesizes findings from studies on cardiotoxicity induced by cancer therapies, focusing on detection and management.

Arrhythmic Risk Stratification by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis (MF) forms part of the arrhythmic substrate for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs).

Objectives: This study sought to determine whether total myocardial fibrosis (TF) and gray zone fibrosis (GZF), assessed using cardiovascular magnetic resonance, are better than left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in predicting ventricular arrhythmias in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM).

Methods: Patients with NICM in a derivation cohort (n = 866) and a validation cohort (n = 848) underwent quantification of TF and GZF.

Impact of Inpatient Patient-Provider Language Concordance on Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates Postpartum.

Objective:  Studies outside of obstetrics suggest that patient-provider language concordance may impact the efficacy of educational interventions and overall patient satisfaction. Many pregnant patients who present to the hospital for delivery with initial plans to exclusively breastfeed ultimately leave the hospital supplementing with formula. We aim to examine the impact of language concordance between patients and their primary bedside nurse during the delivery hospitalization period on the relationship between intended and actual feeding practices for term newborns of primiparous patients at a single institution.

Cytotoxicity of Quantum Dots in Receptor-Mediated Endocytic and Pinocytic Pathways in Yeast.

Despite the promising applications of the use of quantum dots (QDs) in the biomedical field, the long-lasting effects of QDs on the cell remain poorly understood. To comprehend the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of QDs in yeast, we characterized defects associated with receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME) as well as pinocytosis using as a model in the presence of cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) QDs. Our findings revealed that QDs led to an inefficient RME at the early, intermediate, and late stages of endocytic patch maturation at the endocytic site, with the prolonged lifespan of GFP fused yeast fimbrin (Sac6-GFP), a late marker of endocytosis.

Physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentration of soils along Enyigba mining site in Ikwo, Ebonyi State Nigeria.

This study assessed the physicochemical properties of soils and their levels of heavy metal contents in soils along the Enyigba mining site in Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 96 samples of soil were taken at depths of 0 to 20 cm using a soil auger and core sampler at a horizontal spacing of 100 m between each location and examined using standard laboratory techniques. The control soil samples were taken from the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Experimental and Research Farm in Ebonyi State, at a distance of 50 m from each spot at a depth of 0 to 20 cm.

Correlation of progesterone receptors and P63 to the histological grade of meningiomas: Review and significance in an African population.

Objectives: Meningiomas, a common neoplasm of the central nervous system, is a widely studied meningeal tumor. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 classification of meningiomas, there are 15 subtypes that have been grouped into grades 1, 2, and 3. The WHO grade 1 meningiomas are generally grouped as benign while the WHO grades 2 and 3 tumors are grouped as malignant.

Train-the-trainers intervention for national capacity building in infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Background: The first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was reported on February 27, 2020, and over time, spread across the country leading to many healthcare worker infections. The risk of transmission of COVID-19 within healthcare facilities makes it necessary to establish infection prevention and control measures. The World Health Organisation supported the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to conduct a train-the-trainers workshop on infection prevention and control for key healthcare workers across Nigeria.

The Impact of Cadmium Selenide Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots on the Proteomic Profile of .

Quantum dots (QDs) have been highly sought after in the past few decades for their potential to be used in many biomedical applications. However, QDs' cytotoxicity is still a major concern that limits the incorporation of QDs into cutting-edge technologies. Thus, it is important to study and understand the mechanism by which QDs exert their toxicity.

Immunohistochemical Patterns of Pituitary Adenomas in Southeastern Nigeria, a 10-year Histopathologic Review.

Pituitary adenomas [PAs] constitute the third most common primary intracranial tumours, with a wide prevalence rate of 1% to 40%. Histologic (H & E) classification into acidophilic, basophilic and chromophobic adenomas have little clinical relevance but WHO recommended immunohistochemical subclassification has both therapeutic and prognostic significance. This immunohistochemical subclassification has not been done in our environment, making it imperative for us to evaluate the patterns in our environment.

Effect of waste disposal sites on physicochemical properties of water in selected states of Southeast Nigeria.

Water bodies are constantly being degraded by leachates from waste disposal sites, particularly in the Nigeria cities. This paper investigates the effect of waste disposal sites on physicochemical properties of water in selected states of Southeast Nigeria. To achieve the main aim of the study, three waste disposal sites were selected from three cities based on their proximity to streams.

One assay to test them all: Multiplex assays for expansion of respiratory virus surveillance.

Molecular multiplex assays (MPAs) for simultaneous detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a single RT-PCR reaction reduce time and increase efficiency to identify multiple pathogens with overlapping clinical presentation but different treatments or public health implications. Clinical performance of XpertXpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (Cepheid, GX), TaqPath™ COVID-19, FluA/B, RSV Combo kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, TP), and PowerChek™ SARS-CoV-2/Influenza A&B/RSV Multiplex RT-PCR kit II (KogeneBiotech, PC) was compared to individual Standards of Care (SoC). Thirteen isolates of SARS-CoV-2, human seasonal influenza, and avian influenza served to assess limit of detection (LoD).

Intra-operative Diagnosis of Lower Segment Scar Dehiscence in a Second Gravida After One Previous Lower Segment Cesarean Section: Should We Advocate for Routine Antenatal Uterine Scar Thickness Testing?

Background: Uterine dehiscence is a separation of uterine musculature with intact uterine serosa. It can be encountered at the time of cesarean delivery, suspected on obstetric ultrasound or diagnosed in-between pregnancies. The antenatal diagnosis may occasionally elude the Obstetricians.

ONE ASSAY TO TEST THEM ALL: COMPARING MULTIPLEX ASSAYS FOR EXPANSION OF RESPIRATORY VIRUS SURVEILLANCE.

Background: Molecular multiplex assays (MPAs) for simultaneous detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a single RT-PCR reaction reduce time and increase efficiency to identify multiple pathogens with overlapping clinical presentation but different treatments or public health implications.

Methods: Clinical performance of XpertXpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV (Cepheid, GX), TaqPath™ COVID-19, FluA/B, RSV Combo kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, TP), and PowerChek™ SARS-CoV-2/Influenza A&B/RSV Multiplex RT-PCR kit II (KogeneBiotech, PC) was compared to individual Standards of Care (SoC). Thirteen isolates of SARS-CoV-2, human seasonal influenza, and avian influenza served to assess limit of detection (LoD).

Autothermal Reforming of Volatile Organic Compounds to Hydrogen-Rich Gas.

Industrial emissions of volatile organic compounds are urgently addressed for their toxicity and carcinogenicity to humans. Developing efficient and eco-friendly reforming technology of volatile organic compounds is important but still a great challenge. A promising strategy is to generate hydrogen-rich gas for solid oxide fuel cells by autothermal reforming of VOCs.

Predictors of knowledge, attitudes and ever practice family planning among public secondary school teachers in Enugu East Senatorial District, Nigeria.

Background: Family planning deficiencies are responsible for high maternal, newborn, and child mortality in Nigeria, and more than half of all death among adult female is linked to maternal death.

Aim: To ascertain the predictors of good knowledge, positive attitudes, and ever practice family planning among public secondary school teachers in Enugu East Senatorial District, Nigeria.

Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional research was carried out among public secondary school teachers aged between 18 and 60 years in Enugu East Senatorial District, Nigeria, using probability proportional to size sampling and systematic random sampling from a selection of 1,000 participants.

Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Simultaneous and Sequential Multi-Point Pacing in Heart Failure Patients With an Expected Higher Rate of Sub-response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Results of Multicenter SYNSEQ Study.

Unlabelled: The aim of the SYNSEQ (Left Ventricular Synchronous vs. Sequential MultiSpot Pacing for CRT) study was to evaluate the acute hemodynamic response (AHR) of simultaneous (3P-MPP ) or sequential (3P-MPP ) multi-3-point-left-ventricular (LV) pacing vs. single point pacing (SPP) in a group of patients at risk of a suboptimal response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

A Better Disinfectant for Low-Resourced Hospitals? A Multi-Period Cluster Randomised Trial Comparing Hypochlorous Acid with Sodium Hypochlorite in Nigerian Hospitals: The EWASH Trial.

Environmental hygiene in hospitals is a major challenge worldwide. Low-resourced hospitals in African countries continue to rely on sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as major disinfectant. However, NaOCl has several limitations such as the need for daily dilution, irritation, and corrosion.

International virtual confidential reviews of infection-related maternal deaths and near-miss in 11 low- and middle-income countries - case report series and suggested actions.

Background: Obstetric infections are the third most common cause of maternal mortality, with the largest burden in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). We analyzed causes of infection-related maternal deaths and near-miss identified contributing factors and generated suggested actions for quality of care improvement.

Method: An international, virtual confidential enquiry was conducted for maternal deaths and near-miss cases that occurred in 15 health facilities in 11 LMICs reporting at least one death within the GLOSS study.

Comparative Analysis of Umbilical Nodules in Male and Female Patients: A 20-Year Retrospective Study.

Background And Aims: The umbilicus is known to receive metastatic malignancy from diverse visceral organs. Accurate and correct diagnosis of umbilical lesions is imperative since metastatic malignancy signifies a serious underlying situation with dire prognosis. Identification of demographic features that can contribute to diagnostic resolution of umbilical lesions is desirable.

Electrochemical Oscillatory Baffled Reactors Fabricated with Additive Manufacturing for Efficient Continuous-Flow Oxidations.

Electrochemical continuous-flow reactors offer a great opportunity for enhanced and sustainable chemical syntheses. Here, we present a novel application of electrochemical continuous-flow oscillatory baffled reactors (ECOBRs) that combines advanced mixing features with electrochemical transformations to enable efficient electrochemical oxidations under continuous flow at a millimeter distance between electrodes. Different additive manufacturing techniques have been employed to rapidly fabricate reactors.