Factors associated with the dental service utilization by enrollees on the Lagos State health insurance scheme, Nigeria.

Background: Despite assumptions that insurance coverage would boost oral healthcare utilization in Nigeria, there is insufficient evidence supporting this claim. This study investigates the associations between residential location, awareness of the oral health insurance scheme, history of dental service utilization, and acceptance of oral health insurance among individuals benefiting from the Ilera Eko Scheme; a scheme that integrates preventive and curative oral health care into the state health insurance scheme.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to November 2023 recruiting from a database of 1520 enrollees aged of 18 and 72-years-old who had been on the scheme for at least three months.

Prevalence and patterns of substance use in West Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Substance use is a growing public health concern in West Africa, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic challenges. Despite the increasing prevalence, comprehensive data on the patterns and factors influencing substance use in the region remain limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesize existing research on the prevalence and patterns of substance use in West Africa, providing critical insights for developing targeted interventions and policies.

Zinc Ameliorates Acrylamide-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Male Wistar Rats: Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Neuro-inflammation, and Neurotrophic Pathways.

This study investigated the neuromodulatory potential of zinc against acrylamide-induced cognitive impairment. Acrylamide (AA), a toxic substance commonly found in certain foods such as potato, grains and coffee, is known to cause neurological damage and severe cognitive decline. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 5) by random selection.

Mercury's poisonous pulse: Blazing a new path for aquatic conservation with eco-friendly mitigation strategies.

Many compounds and inorganic elements released from natural and anthropogenic origins contaminate the environment and are implicated in catastrophes involving most biologically driven ecological processes and public health. One such element is Mercury. Mercury exists in both inorganic elemental form and the more metabolically active molecular form e.

AI-assisted design of lightweight and strong 3D-printed wheels for electric vehicles.

The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), driven by environmental concerns and technological advancements. One critical aspect of EV design is the development of lightweight yet robust components, including 3D vehicle wheels. This research explores the implementation of generative models in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems to optimize the design of 3D vehicle wheels for electric vehicles.

Performance prediction of polypeptide derivatives as efficient potential microbial inhibitors: a computational approach.

Objective: Lately, various scientists have been paying a lot of consideration to the design of operational antimicrobial agents due to the rise of multiple drug-resistant strains. Therefore, this work is aimed at discovering the biochemical behavior of the analyzed polypeptides in relation to glutamine amidotransferase GatD (pdb id: 5n9m) for gram positive bacteria and beta-lactamase class A (pdb id: 5fqq) for gram negative bacteria. Additionally, this study aims to identify the specific atoms involved in the observed biochemical interactions between the studied complexes using computational methods.

Construction of GO/Pr/PbO ternary electrode for highly efficient degradation of organic pollutants.

A series of GO/Pr/PbO electrodes were prepared by electrodeposition method, and used for the electrocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in an electrolytic cell. The characteristic properties of the as-prepared electrodes were systematically characterized via different techniques such as XRD, SEM, and XPS. Interestingly, the ternary electrode was found to possess higher catalytic performance compared with PbO and Pr/PbO electrodes, suggested that synergistic catalytic activity existed between ternary electrode.

Orange peel ethanolic extract and physical exercise prevent testicular toxicity in streptozocin and high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes rats via Nrf2/NF-kB signaling: In silico and in vivo studies.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant health issue affecting the quality of life including male reproductive functions. Orange peel ethanolic extract (OPEE) has been established to have antioxidant properties and has been shown to alleviate diabetic complications. This study determined to establish OPEE effect and physical exercise (EX) in T2DM-induced testicular dysfunction

Materials And Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in five groups as follows: control group (received 1 ml/b.

Metal-oxide nanocatalysts for spontaneous sequestration of endocrine-disrupting compounds from wastewater.

The quest for a good life, urbanization, and industrialization have led to the widespread distribution of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water bodies through anthropogenic activities. This poses an imminent threat to both human and environmental health. In recent years, the utilization of advance materials for the removal of EDCs from wastewater has attracted a lot of attention.

Research Participation and Feedback: Perception of Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Evidence-based research remains the cornerstone in changing the narrative of wholesome health among Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV (AYALHIV). However, little is known about the perceptions of AYALHIV in research participation and outcomes, in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study describes the perception of AYALHIV in research participation and outcome in Lagos, Nigeria.

Women's empowerment as a determinant of neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative review focused on Nigeria.

Neonatal mortality remains a critical public health issue, with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experiencing disproportionately high rates compared to other global regions. Notably, SSA and South Asia are the regions most lagging behind the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2, aiming for <12 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

Implementation strategies and outcomes in the delivery of HIV test services (HTS) in community pharmacies in Nigeria.

Background: Studies have shown that training interventions fail when proper strategies are not in place for their implementation. The study described the implementation strategies used in the delivery of the HIV test services (HTS) and measured implementation outcomes in the delivery of the services.

Methods: The study was conducted between August and November 2019 among 50 selected community pharmacies in Oyo State, Nigeria using a mixed-method quantitative and qualitative data survey design.

Emerging eco-friendly technologies for remediation of Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and wastewater: A pathway to environmental sustainability.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are rampant, toxic contaminants from anthropogenic sources, called forever chemicals for their recalcitrance. Although banned in several parts of the world for public health implications, including liver, kidney, and testicular diseases, PFAS are abundant in water sources due to easy dispersion. With chemical properties resulting from strong hydrophobic bonds, they defile many physicochemical removal methods.

Zinc abates sodium benzoate -induced testicular dysfunction via upregulation of Nrf2/ HO-1/ Nf-κB signaling and androgen receptor gene.

Background: Sodium Benzoate (SB) is used in daily products such as drinks, juices, sauces, oils, ketchup, toothpaste, mouthwashes, cosmetics, dentifrices, and pharmaceutical products. However, SB has been implicated in gonadotoxicity even at a dosage within the safe limit. Zinc (Zn), on the other hand, has been shown to improve various fertility indices.

Malaria and typhoid fever co-infection: a retrospective analysis of University Hospital records in Nigeria.

Background: Studies have long documented the presence of malaria and typhoid fever in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, studies on these diseases have primarily concentrated on rural settings, neglecting the potential impact on urban areas. This knowledge gap hinders effective surveillance and intervention strategies.

Understanding Drug Exposure and Trichuris trichiura Cure Rates: A Pharmacometric Approach for Albendazole-Ivermectin Co-medication in Tanzania and Côte d'Ivoire.

Background And Objective: Trichuriasis caused by the human whipworm Trichuris trichiura poses a significant public health concern. Albendazole-ivermectin co-medication is currently the most effective treatment. Studies conducted in Tanzania and Côte d'Ivoire unveiled differences in efficacy for albendazole-ivermectin combination therapy in both countries.