Predictive ability of 2-h serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for perinatal asphyxia-induced acute kidney injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in asphyxiated newborns. Recent research suggests serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (sNGAL) as an early biomarker of AKI in newborns with perinatal asphyxia. The prospect of sNGAL is yet to be studied in Nigeria, with a huge burden of asphyxia-related neonatal deaths.

The Molecular Basis and Clinical Consequences of Chronic Inflammation in Prostatic Diseases: Prostatitis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, and Prostate Cancer.

Chronic inflammation is now recognized as one of the major risk factors and molecular hallmarks of chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which chronic inflammation signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of these prostate diseases are poorly understood. Previous efforts to therapeutically target the upstream (e.

Multivariant Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Modules and Hub Genes Associated with Poor Outcomes in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients.

The molecular mechanisms underlying chemoresistance in some newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients receiving standard therapies (lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone) are poorly understood. Identifying clinically relevant gene networks associated with death due to MM may uncover novel mechanisms, drug targets, and prognostic biomarkers to improve the treatment of the disease. This study used data from the MMRF CoMMpass RNA-seq dataset (N = 270) for weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), which identified 21 modules of co-expressed genes.

Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection: Microbiologic perspectives and anatomic considerations for sanctuary sites.

Introduction: A significant chunk of global life - the economy, sports, aviation, academic, and entertainment activities - has significantly been affected by the ravaging outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) with devastating consequences on morbidity and mortality in many countries of the world.

Methods: This review utilized search engines such as google scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, and web of science to retrieve articles and information using keywords like "Coronavirus", "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "Origin of coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2", "microbiology of coronavirus", "microbiology of SARS-CoV-2", COVID-19", "Coronavirus reservoir sites", "Anatomic sanctuary sites and SARS-CoV-2", biological barriers and coronavirus", biological barrier and SARS-CoV-2".

Results: While this pandemic has caught the global scientific community at its lowest level of preparedness, it has inadvertently created a unified and wholesome approach towards developing potential vaccine (s) candidates by escalating clinical trial protocols in many countries of Europe, China and the United States.

Equine Influenza Virus and Vaccines.

Equine influenza virus (EIV) is a constantly evolving viral pathogen that is responsible for yearly outbreaks of respiratory disease in horses termed equine influenza (EI). There is currently no evidence of circulation of the original H7N7 strain of EIV worldwide; however, the EIV H3N8 strain, which was first isolated in the early 1960s, remains a major threat to most of the world's horse populations. It can also infect dogs.

Clinical Utilities of Electrocardiography in the Diagnosis of Myocardial Ischemia in Children With Sickle Cell Anemia: Correlation With Serum Cardiac Troponin I.

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated with recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and the risk of myocardial ischemia (MI). This study investigated the utility of electrocardiography (ECG) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in diagnosing MI during VOC.

Materials And Methods: Children with SCA 5 to 15 years of age in VOC (patients) and age-matched and sex-matched steady-state controls were studied.

Juvenile Dermatomyositis in an 11 Year Old Nigerian-Boy: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

We report the case of an 11-year-old boy with proximal myopathy, heliotrope, and Gottron papule-like rashes. Serum chemistry revealed muscle enzyme elevations, whereas muscle biopsy histology showed necrosis and inflammation, which were in keeping with juvenile dermatomyositis. Plain radiographic examination of the thigh 3 weeks after commencing treatment with prednisolone was normal.

A comparative study of the prevalence of zinc deficiency among children with acute diarrhoea in SouthWestern Nigeria.

Background: Zinc deficiency has been associated with increased incidence, severity and duration of childhood diarrhoea.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency among under-five children with acute diarrhoea.

Methods: The study was a comparative cross-sectional study in which serum zinc levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry in under-five children with acute diarrhoea and in apparently healthy contols.

Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Beta-Endorphin Levels Show a Strong Association in Children with Cerebral Malaria.

Background: Beta (β)-endorphins are endogenous neuropeptides found in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of humans but there have been reports of the relationship between the plasma and CSF β-endorphin levels in different clinical conditions. However, the relationship between β-endorphin levels in the plasma and CSF of children with cerebral malaria (CM) has not been reported.

Aim: To determine the relationship between β-endorphin levels in the CSF and plasma of children with CM.

Low serum vitamin A is prevalent in underfive children with severe malaria and is associated with increased risk of death.

Introduction: Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in developing countries and may influence vulnerability to diseases particularly malaria and its severity. This study investigated serum vitamin A profile of under-five children with severe malaria (SM) in South-western, Nigeria and to determine its association with degree of malaria parasitaemia, types of SM and eventual outcome.

Methodology: Using HPLC, serum vitamin A concentrations of 170 under-five children with SM and 170 age- and gender-matched controls were determined.

Relationship between foetal haemoglobin and haematological indices in children with sickle cell anaemia from South Western Nigeria.

Background: Foetal haemoglobin (HbF, α2γ2) retards polymerisation of haemoglobin (Hb) in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). In Nigeria, studies on the levels of HbF and its relationship with haematological indices are scanty. This study evaluated HbF concentrations of children with SCA from Southwestern Nigeria and correlated the levels with various haematological indices.

Foetal Haemoglobin and Disease Severity in Nigerian Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Background: Foetal haemoglobin (HbF) is a major modifying factor influencing sickle cell disease (SCD) severity. Despite this, HbF estimation is not routinely done in Nigeria. The relationship between HbF and SCD severity among affected children is also poorly studied.

Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma β-endorphin levels in children with cerebral malaria.

Objectives: Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most lethal form of malaria, yet its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Cytoadherence, sequestration, alterations in cytokine expression, inflammation, and microvascular obstruction are all hypothesized to be important in the aetio-pathogenesis of coma which characterizes cerebral malaria and the death which sometimes result. Beta (β)-endorphin has been postulated to be involved in the pathogenetic processes of inflammation and cytokine expression, although the exact role is unknown.

Pattern, etiological factors and determinants of mortality among sick newborns with seizures in Ilesa, Nigeria.

Background: Neonatal seizures contribute significantly to newborn morbidity and mortality particularly in developing countries including Nigeria. Unfortunately the countries with high incidence of neonatal seizures often lack the facilities to adequately diagnose, monitor and prognosticate the condition.

Objective: We set out to determine the factors at presentation that predict death among babies admitted with clinically identifiable seizures.

Early neonatal bilirubin, hematocrit, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase status.

Objective: To document the patterns of bilirubin and hematocrit values among glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient and G6PD-normal Nigerian neonates in the first week of life, in the absence of exposure to known icterogenic agents.

Methods: The G6PD status of consecutive term and near-term neonates was determined, and their bilirubin levels and hematocrits were monitored during the first week of life. Infants were stratified into G6PD deficient, intermediate, and normal on the basis of the modified Beutler's fluorescent spot test.

Health instruction in Nigerian schools: what are the missing links?

Introduction: School health instruction (SHI) is the instructional aspects of school health programme. It provides information on key health issues to school children who are in their formative years.

Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study of all the primary schools in a focal Local Government Area in Nigeria was carried out to ascertain the implementation of SHI with regards to the contents, methods of delivery and teachers preparation for health teaching using an evaluation checklist for SHI.

Multiple injuries in a 3-year-old Nigerian girl: an extreme form of physical abuse.

Physical abuse and other forms of child maltreatment occur worldwide. However, in developing countries such as Nigeria they are not often considered in the differential diagnosis. A 3-year-old girl is presented who sustained injuries including traumatic teeth extraction, multiple bruises, femoral shaft fracture and haemorrhage resulting in severe anaemia as a result of physical assault by her father.

Attitude to organ donation among healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Introduction: As transplantation services are scaled up in Nigeria so will the need for organ donation. Crucial to the success of organ donation is the attitude of healthcare workers (HCW); this was determined in the present study.

Methods: HCW participating in three workshops were requested to complete a pretested questionnaire structured to elicit their attitude to organ donation.

Parasitic etiology of childhood diarrhea.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of parasitic agents among under-five children with diarrhea in Ilesa, Nigeria and the clinical correlates of diarrhea associated with parasitic infestation. All under-five children presenting with diarrhea in the hospital had stool microscopic examination. Children with parasites in diarrheic stools (cases) were compared with those without (controls) for clinical features.

School performance of Nigerian adolescents with epilepsy.

Purpose: The study assessed the school performance of Nigerian adolescents with epilepsy compared with healthy controls and examined the variables correlating with their academic difficulties.

Methods: The school grades of adolescents with epilepsy aged 12 to 18 years (n = 73) over the past academic year were compared with the grades of their classmates of the same age and gender. Risk factors possibly associated with school performance, such as adolescent variables (age, gender, perceived stigma, attitude toward epilepsy, and psychopathology), seizure variables (age at onset of illness, years of illness, types of seizures, and frequency of seizures per month), drug variables [types of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), number of AEDs and side effects of AEDs], and family variables (family's socioeconomic status, family functioning, caretakers' psychopathology, and caretakers' perceived stigma) were assessed.

Impact of psychiatric morbidity on parent-rated quality of life in Nigerian adolescents with epilepsy.

Despite the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents with epilepsy, their impact on the quality of life has not been sufficiently studied. Adolescents with epilepsy (n=90) aged 12 to 18 were assessed for anxiety and depressive disorders with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Version IV (DISC-IV), and their quality of life was assessed with the parent-rated Impact of Childhood Illness Scale (ICIS). Sociodemographic and illness variables were also obtained.