POST-MEASLES ACUTE VELOPHARYNGEAL INCOMPETENCE: A RARE CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE.

Summary/introduction: Velopharyngeal incompetence(VPI) is the failure of closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter, which consists of the muscles of the soft palate and the superior pharyngeal constrictor, and functions to separate the nasopharynx and oropharynx during phonation and swallowing. VPI is most frequently congenital/syndromic (with structural deficit) but can be acquired. A subset of acquired VPI, occurring in structurally intact velopharynx, has been described in children, and these are isolated and acute-onset, with a substantial proportion thought to have an infectious origin.

CEPHALIC TETANUS: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE.

Summary/introduction: Cephalic tetanus (CT) constitutes only 1-3% of total reported tetanus cases. It is marked by flaccid paralysis of one or more cranial nerves (CN) with or without spasticity, typically following craniofacial injuries. The facial nerve is the most frequently paralyzed.

PNEUMONIA-ASSOCIATED ACUTE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS IN A NIGERIAN ADOLESCENT.

Summary/introduction: Acute Glomerulonephritis (AGN) is one of the most common childhood renal diseases in Nigeria. Acute Post-infectious glomerulonephritis (APIGN)-typified by post-streptococcal AGN (PSGN)-is the commonest, usually developing 1-6 weeks after an infectious episode. Rarely, AGN may occur concurrently with the inciting infectious process and may go unnoticed by clinicians.

Factors influencing health workers' adherence to malaria treatment guidelines in under-five children in Nigeria: A scoping review.

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of mortality in children aged 5 years and below in Nigeria. Treatment guidelines stipulate among other recommendations, testing by microscopy or a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) before treatment. Non-adherence to these guidelines portends a challenge, especially among vulnerable under-five children.

Are boarding secondary schools suitable for students with asthma? An asynchronous online focus group discussion among members of an asthma awareness group.

Introduction: Children in boarding schools spend most of their time without their parents or caregivers, causing concerns about the suitability of such schools for children with asthma. This study assessed individuals' opinions regarding the suitability of boarding secondary schools for children with asthma.

Methods: A qualitative design was adopted for this study using a focus group discussion held on a social media platform (WhatsApp®) of the Asthma Awareness and Care Group (AACG), The group comprised 150 registered members.

Evaluation of MDR-specific phage Pɸ-Mi-Pa loaded mucoadhesive electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa- induced wound infections in an animal model.

Given the escalating prevalence of drug-resistant wounds, there is a justified imperative to explore innovative and more efficacious therapies that diverge from conventional, ineffective wound healing approaches. This research has introduced a strategy to address multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a chronic wound model, employing MDR-specific phage Pɸ-Mi-Pa loaded onto mucoadhesive electrospun scaffolds. A cocktail of three isolates of P.

The role of government in the achievement of medicines' security: A preliminary exploration of stakeholders' views and experience.

Medicines are essential commodities that form the cornerstone in majority of processes and interventions aimed at assuring optimal healthcare and wellbeing for any population. Apart from being saddled with the responsibility of providing medications for this purpose, the pharmaceutical industry has the potential to catalyse socioeconomic development such as job creation and revenue generation. This study aimed at assessing government's role in driving development in Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector.

Photostability and photodynamic antimicrobial profile of dye extracts from four (4) plants: prospects for eco-friendly low-cost food disinfection and topical biomedical applications.

In this study, photostability and photodynamic antimicrobial performance of dye extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) calyces, Sorghum bicolor (SB) leaf sheaths, Lawsonia inermis (LI) leaves and Curcuma longa (CL) roots were investigated in Acetate-HCl (AH) Buffer (pH 4.6), Tris Base-HCl (TBH) Buffer (pH 8.6), distilled water (dHO), and Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS, pH 7.

Attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination: A cross sectional study in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

Vaccine acceptance is complex and context-specific, varying across time, place and perceived behavioural nature of the community involved. A high vaccine acceptance rate is important to achieve herd immunity, however, vaccine hesitancy is a possible barrier to this. This study aimed to assess attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors.

Exploring the matrix: knowledge, perceptions and prospects of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Nigerian healthcare.

Background: Artificial intelligence technology can be applied in several aspects of healthcare delivery and its integration into the Nigerian healthcare value chain is expected to bring about new opportunities. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge and perception of healthcare professionals in Nigeria regarding the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the health sector.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken amongst healthcare professionals in Nigeria with the use of a questionnaire.

FACTORS INFLUENCING ANTI-POLYRIBOSYLRIBITOL PHOSPHATE TITRES IN YOUNG NIGERIAN CHILDREN PRIMED WITH DTWP-HEPB-HIB VACCINE.

Introduction: Recent research suggests that variation in vaccine-induced immune responses is influenced by genetic, nutritional, environmental, and vaccine-related factors, with significant vaccine design and programmatic policy implications. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccine (HCV) stimulates the production of antiPolyribosylribitol phosphate (anti-PRP) antibodies, which confer long-term protection against invasive Hib disease and nasopharyngeal colonization by Hib at titre levels ≥1μg/mL and ≥5μg/mL respectively. This study investigated the influence of these factors on the protective anti-PRP levels in children aged 6-23 months in Obi L.

SEROPROTECTION RATE OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B CONJUGATE VACCINE AND ASSOCIATED CLINICAL OUTCOMES AMONG NIGERIAN CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 23 MONTHS.

Introduction: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) causes invasive infections almost exclusively in under- fives with those aged 6-23 months being the most vulnerable. In Nigeria, it is estimated to cause nearly 400,000 annual infections and another 30,000 under-five mortality attributable to pneumonia and meningitis alone. The Hib Conjugate Vaccine (HCV) is in widespread use to combat these devastating infections.

The role of pharmacists in eliminating counterfeit medicines in Nigeria.

Introduction: Over the years, counterfeit pharmaceuticals have posed immense concerns for global health and patient safety. This menace encompasses various classes of medications. Given the criticality of pharmacists' interventions in drug distribution and supply, this study aimed at exploring their role in the prevention and control of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

Impact of Sickle Cell Disease on Affected Individuals in Nigeria: A Critical Review.

Sickle cell disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of the beta-globin gene, with resultant deformation of the red blood cells and variable clinical outcomes. Nigeria is recognised as the country with the highest burden of sickle cell disease globally. This study aimed at critically reviewing available literature on impact of sickle cell disease in Nigeria.

Experiences and challenges of African traditional medicine: lessons from COVID-19 pandemic.

Management of COVID-19 in Africa is challenging due to limited resources, including the high cost of vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices and routine pharmaceuticals. These challenges, in addition to wide acceptability, have resulted in increased use of herbal medicines based on African traditional medicines (ATMs) by patients in Africa. This is in spite of the often-significant gaps in evidence regarding these traditional medicines as to their efficacy and safety for COVID-19.

Policies and practices in Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector: A mixed methods exploration of stakeholders' perspectives on strategic reforms.

Background: Policies and practices are key factors that determine development in any sector. In the Nigerian setting however, there is lack of evidence that the pharmaceutical sector is embedded with contextual policies and practices that can expedite development in the system. This inadvertently has an impact as regards access to medicines for the citizenry.

Marmesin isolated from Celtis durandii Engl. root bioactive fraction inhibits β-hematin formation and contributes to antiplasmodial activity.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Malaria is a leading cause of death in many developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria is endowed with an abundance of medicinal plants, many of which are used to treat malaria. Celtis durandii Engl.

A Critical Review of Sickle Cell Disease Burden and Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sickle cell disease is caused by an abnormality of the β-globin gene and is characterised by sickling of the red blood cells. Globally, sub-Saharan African countries share the highest burden of the disease. This study aimed at critically reviewing studies focusing on challenges of sickle cell anaemia in sub-Saharan Africa.

Screening of traditional medicinal plant extracts and compounds identifies a potent anti-leishmanial diarylheptanoid from .

Available anti-leishmanial drugs are associated with toxic side effects, necessitating the search for safe and effective alternatives. This study is focused on identifying traditional medicinal plant natural products for anti-leishmanial potential and possible mechanism of action. Compounds S and residual fraction (TC-5) presented the best anti-leishmanial activity (IC: 0.

Thrombocytopenia a predictor of malaria: how far?

Malaria is an acute febrile illness. It is a dangerous disease that contributes to millions of hospital visits and hundreds of thousands of deaths, especially in children residing in sub-Saharan Africa. In a non-immune individual, symptoms usually appear 10-15 days after the infective mosquito bite.

The role of patent waivers and compulsory licensing in facilitating access to COVID-19 vaccines: Findings from a survey among healthcare practitioners in Nigeria.

The roll out of COVID-19 vaccines has again revealed the gap between high income countries and developing nations in terms of access to healthcare commodities and services. With the slow vaccination roll out in many low income countries and the emergence of more contagious variants of COVID-19, many persons are at risk of contracting the disease in settings with low immunisation coverage. This study aimed at exploring the views of healthcare practitioners on the role of patent waivers and compulsory licensing in facilitating access to vaccines.

Molecular docking and anti-ulcerative potential of Cucumis (L. Inodorous) on ibuprofen induced gastric ulceration in male wistar animals.

Background: The use of NSAIDs have caused stomach injury by inhibiting endogenous mucosal prostaglandin production. Cucumis melo is reported to possess antiulcer potential. This study investigates the mechanism underlying the antiulcer potentials of Cucumis melo (CUM).

Access to healthcare for people with sickle cell disease: Views of healthcare professionals on policies and practices.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder with its highest prevalence in Nigeria. The condition causes red blood cells to turn rigid, and consequently, results to several complications including organ damage. This study aimed at assessing views of health practitioners in Nigeria on policies and practices in the area of access to healthcare services for sickle cell disease.