Evaluating the performance of a virtual platform 'T-BOM' for mentorship in tropical diseases research among early career scientists: Insights from a pilot in Nigeria and other resource-limited settings.

Background: Research mentorship plays a crucial role in advancing science. However, there are limited virtual platforms for cultivating mentorship among early career infectious diseases researchers in resource challenged settings. This study reports the findings from the utilization of a recently developed virtual mentorship platform, including its achievements, challenges and needs.

Improved species assignments across the entire genus using targeted sequencing.

Accurate species identification of the mosquitoes in the genus is of crucial importance to implement malaria control measures and monitor their effectiveness. We use a previously developed amplicon panel (ANOSPP) that retrieves sequence data from multiple short nuclear loci for any species in the genus. Species assignment is based on comparison of samples to a reference index using -mer distance.

Understanding the relationship between WASH and malnutrition: Analysis of anthropometric data of children attending WASH-supported schools in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: There has been a growing interest in better understanding the association between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and malnutrition.

Aim: We analysed anthropometric data of children attending WASH intervention schools and those from non-intervention schools in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 353 children across six schools (three interventions and three non-interventions) participated in this study.

A mixed methods evaluation of an integrated training package for skin neglected tropical diseases in Kaduna and Ogun, Nigeria.

Background: The overall burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affecting the skin is undetermined. Skin conditions are among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide. Affected persons seek treatment at advanced stages of the disease, resulting in morbidity and disability.

Morphometric analysis of schistosome eggs recovered from human urines in communities along the shoreline of Oyan River Dam in Ogun State, Nigeria.

There are growing concerns that communities characterized with surface water, where both humans and livestock interact for agricultural, domestic, cultural and recreational purposes, are likely to support hybridization between schistosome species infecting humans and livestock. This study therefore investigated the morphometrics of schistosome eggs recovered from human urine samples in four schistosomiasis endemic communities (Imala-Odo, Abule-Titun, Apojula and Ibaro-Oyan) along the banks of Oyan River Dam in Ogun State, Nigeria. Recovered eggs were counted, photographed, and measured with IC Measure™ for total length, maximum width and a ratio of egg shape.

High-resolution species assignment of mosquitoes using -mer distances on targeted sequences.

The ANOSPP amplicon panel is a genus-wide targeted sequencing panel to facilitate large-scale monitoring of species diversity. Combining information from the 62 nuclear amplicons present in the ANOSPP panel allows for a more senstive and specific species assignment than single gene (e.g.

Distribution and Frequency of Salivary Gland Tumours: An International Multicenter Study.

Background: Salivary gland tumours (SGT) are a relatively rare group of neoplasms with a wide range of histopathological appearance and clinical features. To date, most of the epidemiological studies on salivary gland tumours are limited for a variety of reason including being out of date, extrapolated from either a single centre or country studies, or investigating either major or minor glands only.

Methods: This study aimed to mitigate these shortcomings by analysing epidemiological data including demographic, anatomical location and histological diagnoses of SGT from multiple centres across the world.

Impacts of ivermectin mass drug administration for onchocerciasis on mosquito populations of Ogun state, Nigeria.

Background: The impact of single-dose mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin for onchocerciasis on mosquito populations was investigated in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: Indoor and outdoor collection of mosquitoes was carried out in two intervention (IC) and two control communities (CC) at three different periods: pre-MDA (baseline), 2-3 days after MDA and 13-14 days after MDA. The density and parity rate of female Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes were determined and compared.

Attendee's awareness about preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTD) control during the first world neglected tropical diseases day in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Background: The need to control Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and sustain progress towards elimination through mass administration of medicines requires substantial communal participation. This study, therefore, assessed the knowledge and perception of attendees' regarding NTDs and its control activities during the inaugural World NTD day event in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving the administration of pretested semi-structured questionnaires to consenting attendees at the Inaugural World NTD day event was conducted on the 30th January, 2020.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Odontogenic Tumors in Nigeria: An African Oral Pathology Research Consortium Multicenter Study.

Background: Many studies have investigated the burden of odontogenic tumor (OT) in Nigeria; however, the true burden and prevalence of these lesions are not known because these studies are based on a center/region.

Aims: Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the true burden of OTs in Nigeria, using a multicenter approach.

Materials And Methods: This is a 10-year retrospective cross-sectional study of OT seen in eight tertiary health institutions in different geographic locations in Nigeria.

Schisto and Ladders version 2: a health educational board game to support compliance with school-based mass drug administration with praziquantel - a pilot study.

Background: We redesigned the Schisto and Ladders health educational board game and evaluated its potential to encourage compliance to school-based mass drug administration with praziquantel.

Methods: Two hundred and seventy-five children from six schools who rejected praziquantel treatment were divided into intervention and control groups. Before the intervention, preassessment interviews were conducted on their knowledge about praziquantel treatment and schistosomiasis.

Polyparasitism with Malaria and Intestinal Parasite Infections among Infants and Preschool-Aged Children in Egbedore, Osun State, Nigeria.

Polyparasitism is widespread in many communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is paucity of data on polyparasitism in infants and preschool-aged children (IPSAC), to inform policy developments. Therefore, a survey of 1110 consented IPSAC was undertaken in Egbedore Local Government Area (LGA), Osun State, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of polyparasitism in IPSAC in ten randomly selected rural communities.

Distribution of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infections in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria.

Background: Ascariasis, Trichuriasis and Hookworm infections poses a considerable public health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a sound understanding of their spatial distribution facilitates to better target control interventions. This study, therefore, assessed the prevalence of the trio, and mapped their spatial distribution in the 20 administrative regions of Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: Parasitological surveys were carried out in 1,499 households across 33 spatially selected communities.

Emerging and re-emerging bacterial zoonoses in Nigeria: current preventive measures and future approaches to intervention.

A characteristic of bacterial zoonoses, diseases caused by bacteria that can be transmitted to humans from animals, is a propensity to re-emerge. Several studies demonstrate their ongoing transmission in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. However, as local epidemiological data on bacterial zoonoses are inadequate the extent and impact of these infectious diseases is under-reported.

A geographical analysis of ethnic distribution of jaw ameloblastoma in Nigerians.

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumour in Nigeria. A definite geographic variation has been observed in the frequency of odontogenic tumors from different parts of the world. However, there is no study on the regional variations in Nigeria.

Assessment of community knowledge and participation in onchocerciasis programme, challenges in ivermectin drug delivery, distribution and non-compliance in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.

Background: This study reports knowledge of onchocerciasis and surrounding factors from the perspective of community members, Community drug distributors and health workers in eight endemic LGAs of Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: Using structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion, a total of 417 community members, 37 health workers and 42 CDDs across 16 communities participated in the study.

Results: Majority (70.

Immunohistochemical study of salivary gland tumors in a tertiary institution in South-South Region of Nigeria.

Aim: The aim of this study was to see the usefulness of immunohistochemistry in diagnosing salivary gland tumors found in a tertiary health institution.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six formalin-fixed paraffin embedded salivary gland tumors were accessioned, and 2 μm were sectioned and processed using Streptavidin-Biotin immunoperoxidase method.

Results: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ADCC) was positive to alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) while mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and oncocytic carcinoma (OCC) were all negative to it.

Descriptive epidemiology of salivary gland neoplasms in Nigeria: An AOPRC multicenter tertiary hospital study.

Objectives: Accurate diagnosis of salivary gland neoplasms (SGN) in many centers in Africa is limited by poor diagnostic resources and ancillary services. Hence, we have carried out a multicenter epidemiological study to understand the true burden of SGN in Nigeria.

Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we have deployed resources available to members of the African Oral Pathology Consortium (AOPRC) to examine the burden of salivary gland lesions in Nigeria, using a multicenter approach.

A multi-centre evaluation of oral cancer in Southern and Western Nigeria: an African oral pathology research consortium initiative.

Introduction: Oral cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among African populations. Lack of standard cancer registries and under-reporting has inaccurately depicted its magnitude in Nigeria. Development of multi-centre collaborative oral pathology networks such as the African Oral Pathology Research Consortium (AOPRC) facilitates skill and expertise exchange and fosters a robust and systematic investigation of oral diseases across Africa.

A retrospective review of 61 cases of adenomatoid odontogenic tumour seen in five tertiary health facilities in Nigeria.

Introduction: Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is a benign lesion originating from the dental lamina or its remnants. It is a relatively uncommon neoplasm representing about 3% of all odontogenic tumors. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and radiological characteristics of AOTs in five major tertiary centres in Nigeria.

Odontogenic tumors in Port Harcourt: South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Aim: A retrospective study of odontogenic tumors (OTs) in Port Harcourt was undertaken to establish its prevalence and compare with known data in the literature from Nigeria and elsewhere.

Materials And Methods: All pathologically diagnosed OTs between 2008 and 2013 at the archives of the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology of the University of Port Harcourt/University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were retrospectively studied and classified according to the 2005 WHO classification of OTs and allied diseases. These were recorded into a computer and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21.

Geohelminth Infections and Nutritional Status of Preschool Aged Children in a Periurban Settlement of Ogun State.

This study assessed the geohelminth and nutritional status of preschoolers in a periurban community of Ogun state. Fresh stool specimens were collected for laboratory analysis, processed using ether concentration method, and examined under the microscope for geohelminth ova. Demographic characteristics and daily nutrient intake of children were subjectively assessed during an interview session with parents, following anthropometric data collection.

Knowledge of medical house officers about dental specialties.

Background: Some patients with oral diseases present initially to a general medical practitioner who is expected to refer the patients to the appropriate dental specialist for management. Thus they are expected to have a good knowledge of the different specialties in dentistry. This study was designed to determine the knowledge of medical house officers about the specialties in dentistry and how this will influence their ability to make appropriate referral.

Epidermoid cyst of the tongue causing airway obstruction.

Epidermoid cyst occurring within the tongue is rare. The aim of this article is to discuss the management of an adult patient who presented with respiratory obstruction due to this congenital epidermoid cyst within the tongue. A 32-year-old male patient who was brought to the accident and emergency department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria was presented.

AN UNUSUAL ECTOPIC OSSEOUS TONGUE MASS - A case report.

We report a case of tongue swelling resulting from ectopic osseous proliferation within a pseudocystic stroma in a 24 year old healthy female. The patient presented a history of dull pain and gradual onset of a swelling at the ventral aspect of the tongue. The lesion had a mixed consistency with areas of sponginess andfluctuancy interspersed with nodular bony hardness and yielded a sanguinous aspirate.