Pattern of Rheumatic Diseases in a New Rheumatology Clinic in Southwestern Nigeria: A Descriptive Study.

Background/objective: Rheumatic diseases (RMDs) are among the leading health burdens and causes of disability globally. Interestingly, they are on the rise due to the increasingly ageing population. Inflammatory RMDs are not left behind in the rise, especially in Africa, where they were thought to be rare as there has been increasing reportage of these diseases in recent years.

Evaluating the Factors Influencing Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Women: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) has consistently been associated with adverse obstetric and gynaecological outcomes. It is a common vaginal condition. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with BV among pregnant women.

Calibre Persistent Labial Artery of the Lower Lip: Oral Propranolol as a Novel Agent of Treatment.

Calibre persistent artery of the lower lip is a vascular anomaly where the branches of the inferior labial artery maintain their size up to the submucosa of the lip. There is persistent pulsatile feeling, occasional ulceration, and recurrent bleeding. Doppler ultrasound and angiogram are used to confirm diagnosis.

Factors Associated with Clinical Pregnancy following Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Over the years, the numbers of centres performing assisted reproductive technology (ART) have increased in urban regions of Africa. We reviewed a 10-year record of ART in a public hospital in a bid to determine the pregnancy rate and identify factors associated with achieving clinical pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective, analytical, cross-sectional study of 604 women who had undergone fertilisation (IVF) or IVF/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, over a 10-year period, at the [Institute of Fertility Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital].

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in African Patients: A Systematic Review.

Pulmonary embolism is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Numerous risk factors have been identified that predispose patients to this disease. This study aims to identify these risk factors and the possible outcomes (recovery or mortality) after receiving treatment from any hospital.

Therapeutic potential of 2S-hesperidin against the hepatotoxic effects of Dichlorvos in rats.

Dichlorvos (DDVP) is an organophosphate insecticide that enhances food production and repels disease vectors. However, it provokes cytotoxicity. 2S-hesperidin (2S-HES) is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-lipidemic flavanone.

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.

An innovation bootcamp model for developing youth-led HIV self-testing delivery strategies in Nigeria: post-designathon capacity building.

Introduction: Many designathons, hackathons, and similar participatory events suffer from minimal training and support after the events. Responding to this need, we organized a health innovation bootcamp: an intensive, team-based apprenticeship training with research and entrepreneurial rigor among young people in Nigeria to develop HIV self-testing (HIVST) delivery strategies for Nigerian youth. The purpose of this paper was to describe an innovation bootcamp that aimed to develop HIVST delivery strategies for Nigerian youth.

Breastfeeding support as predictors of sustainable breastfeeding practices of nursing mothers with common mental disorders in tertiary hospital nurseries in Nigeria: a cross sectional study.

Background: The postpartum period is associated with an increased risk of maternal mental disorders. The combined effect of having the mother's infant admitted to a tertiary hospital in a low-resource setting and the need to exclusively breastfeed the infant may exaggerate this risk. This study aimed to determine the breastfeeding support provided to mothers whose infants were hospitalised in Nigerian tertiary hospital nurseries and the prevalence of common mental health disorders among this population.

Wastewater metagenomics in Africa: Opportunities and challenges.

The advent of metagenomics has dramatically expanded our understanding of microbial communities, particularly through the study of wastewater, which serves as a rich source of microbial data. In Africa, wastewater metagenomics presents unparalleled opportunities for public health monitoring, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) tracking, and the discovery of new microbial species and functions. Utilizing high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies, this method allows for direct analysis of nucleic acids from wastewater samples, providing a cost-effective and comprehensive approach for pathogen surveillance.

Disparities in kidney care in vulnerable populations: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, displaced people, and refugees, often encounter challenges in accessing healthcare. In this study, we used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to describe kidney care access and delivery to vulnerable populations across countries and regions. Using data from an international survey of clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates, we assessed the funding and coverage of vulnerable populations on all aspects of kidney replacement therapies (KRT).

"Breaking barriers: empowering African youth through implementation of a therapeutic patient education program for juvenile idiopathic arthritis".

Introduction: Patient education is crucial in managing chronic diseases like Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Traditional methods such as videos and brochures often fail to maintain long-term knowledge retention. Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) offers a more effective, patient-centered approach.

Evaluation of three rapigen biocredit point-of-care tests for malaria case management in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) antigen kits are widely used for malaria diagnosis in tropical regions due to their heat stability. The Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase (pLDH) used in BIOCREDIT® malaria test kit is claimed to be heat-stable. This study aimed to evaluate the heat stability and field performance of three BIOCREDIT® kits.

A review of the association between in vitro fertilization and children's neurocognitive development.

This review investigated the current research on the association between in vitro fertilization and children's neurocognitive development. Twenty studies were analyzed, encompassing over 23,000 children conceived through IVF, and compared to those conceived naturally. The findings on overall cognitive function were mixed, as measured by IQ.

The Professional Identity of STEM Faculty as Instructors of Course-based Research Experiences.

The professional identity of scientists has historically been cultivated to value research over teaching, which can undermine initiatives that aim to reform science education. Course-Based Research Experiences (CRE) and the inclusive Research and Education Communities (iREC) are two successful and impactful reform efforts that integrate research and teaching. The aim of this study is to explicate the professional identity of instructors who implement a CRE within an established iREC and to explore how this identity contributes to the success of these programs.

The application of machine learning for treatment selection of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations: A secondary analysis of the ARUBA trial data.

Objective: To build a supervised machine learning (ML) model that selects the best first-line treatment strategy for unruptured bAVMs.

Methods: A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA) trial data was obtained from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). A team of five clinicians examined the demographic, clinical, and radiological details of each patient at baseline and reached a consensus on the best first-line treatment for bAVMs.

Management of Severe Pyogenic Spinal Infections: The 2SICK Study by the EANS Spine Section.

Background Context: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

African ancestry neurodegeneration risk variant disrupts an intronic branchpoint in GBA1.

Recently, an African ancestry-specific Parkinson disease (PD) risk signal was identified at the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GBA1). This variant ( rs3115534 -G) is carried by ~50% of West African PD cases and imparts a dose-dependent increase in risk for disease. The risk variant has varied frequencies across African ancestry groups but is almost absent in European and Asian ancestry populations.

Risk Factors for Viral Non-suppression Among Youth Living with HIV in Nigeria: Findings from the iCARE Nigeria Study.

Viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a critical component of UNAIDS objectives to end the HIV epidemic. Youth living with HIV (YLH) have worse viral suppression rates than adults. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for viral non-suppression among YLH in Nigeria.

Rates, Diagnoses, and Predictors of Unplanned 30-Day Readmissions of Critical Care Survivors Hospitalized for Lung Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Analysis of National Representative US Readmissions Data.

Introduction/objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that frequently involves the lungs, contributing to significant morbidity in hospitalized patients. Critical care survivors with lung involvement in SLE are at particularly high risk for unplanned hospital readmissions, which can reflect the complexity of their disease, which often affects multiple organs and requires immunosuppressive therapy that increases infection risk. Severe pulmonary complications, critical illness sequelae, and challenges in medication adherence or follow-up care further contribute to their vulnerability.

Two-stage surgical approach for type III odontoid fracture with C1-C2 fracture dislocation: a case report and management overview.

Introduction And Importance: Odontoid fractures of the second cervical vertebra (C2) are categorized into three types, with type III extending into the body of the axis. These fractures, often resulting from high-energy trauma, can cause significant instability and neurological issues. This case report discusses a 43-year-old male with a type III odontoid fracture and C1-C2 fracture dislocation, demonstrating the effectiveness of traditional neurosurgical techniques in managing such complex injuries.