Rheumatic Heart Disease Burden in Africa and the Need to Build Robust Infrastructure.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important public health problem in Africa. Mapping the epidemiology of RHD involves elucidating its geographic distribution, temporal trends, and demographic characteristics. The prevalence of RHD in Africa varies widely, with estimates ranging from 2.

Promotion of Cardiovascular Health in Africa: The Alliance for Medical Research in Africa (AMedRA) Expert Panel.

This proposed scientific statement is focused on providing new insights regarding challenges and opportunities for cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion in Africa. The statement includes an overview of the current state of CVH in Africa, with a particular interest in the cardiometabolic risk factors and their evaluation through metrics. The statement also explains the main principles of primordial prevention, its relevance in reducing noncommunicable disease and the different strategies that have been effective worldwide.

Demographics, psychiatric comorbidities, and hospital outcomes across eating disorder types in adolescents and youth: insights from US hospitals data.

Objective: The aim of our study was to delineate the differences in demographics, comorbidities, and hospital outcomes by eating disorder types in adolescents and transitional-age youth (15-26 years), and measure the association with psychiatric comorbidities.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the nationwide inpatient sample (2018-2019) and included 7,435 inpatients (age 12-24 years) with a primary diagnosis of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa (AN, 71.7%), bulimia nervosa (BN, 4.

The impact of a communal multidisciplinary tumour board on medical education.

Introduction: Numerous challenges hinder the development of multidisciplinary medical education in a resource-constrained environment. Communal tumour boards built through networking could be a suitable model for the effective management of diseases and enhancement of medical education. This study evaluated the impact of an integrated care pathway for patients with musculoskeletal tumours via multi-institutional networking in a metropolis.

Health literacy and breast cancer preventive practices among market women in Oshodi Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

Background: Health literacy connotes understanding health-related issues and applying a clear understanding of implications in making decisions about one's healthcare needs. Early detection and prompt treatment are cornerstone strategies of breast cancer control. This study assessed the relationship between health literacy and breast cancer prevention practices.

Prevalence and predictors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Lagos.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major side effect associated with chemotherapy. It can lead to detrimental dose reductions and discontinuation of treatment because of its significant effect, which impairs the quality of life among the surviving population of cancer patients. This study assesses the prevalence and predictors of CIPN among female breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH and LASUTH), respectively.

Phthalate esters in water and sediment of Asunle stream of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria: Distribution and human health risks.

This study determined the concentrations and seasonal variations of phthalate esters (PAEs) in water and sediment samples of the receiving stream within the vicinity of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife dumpsite. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pollution status of the study area by determining the levels of PAEs in water and sediment samples. This assessment aimed to understand the presence and extent of phthalate ester pollution in the study area.

Photodegradation, kinetics and non-linear error functions of methylene blue dye using SrZrO perovskite photocatalyst.

The degradation of methylene blue dye-contaminated wastewater via photocatalysis is an efficient approach towards environmental remediation. The SrZrO perovskite photocatalyst was synthesized using the modified Pechini sol-gel method, and characterized using XRD, FESEM, FTIR, and UV-visible spectrophotometer. Crystallite size obtained by the Scherrer and Williamson-Hall methods were 45.

Strategic tips to successfully undertake research: a comprehensive roadmap for medical trainees.

Engaging in research during medical training is crucial for fostering critical thinking, enhancing clinical skills, and deepening understanding of medical science. Despite its importance, the shortage of physician-scientists lingers with many trainees and junior doctors encountering challenges navigating the research process. Drawing on current literature, this article provides a comprehensive roadmap, categorising 12 actionable strategies into five themes, to help medical trainees overcome common obstacles and optimise their research experience.

The Future Hospital in Global Health Systems: The Future Hospital Within the Healthcare System.

Future hospitals must be able to adapt in many ways to the changing demands on their roles and functions within evolving healthcare delivery infrastructures. These include changing population structures and needs, new models of healthcare provision, technological advances, and innovations in design, all while enhancing their environmental sustainability. This article sets out the issues that those determining healthcare policy and designing future hospitals must consider if they are to become and remain fit for purpose within the wider health and social care system.

Predicting Success: The Crucial Role of Preoperative Data in Refractive Surgery Outcomes.

Refractive surgery, which includes techniques such as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), has revolutionized ophthalmology by offering advanced solutions for vision correction. However, the choice of the technique to be used in the individual patient is highly dependent on a thorough preoperative evaluation. This retrospective study aims to investigate how preoperative parameters, including corneal thickness, topography, and refraction, affect long-term post-operative clinical outcomes.

Mind the gap in kidney care: translating what we know into what we do.

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do.

Resilience in maternal, newborn, and child health in low- and middle-income countries: findings from a scoping review.

Objectives: The research objectives were to identify and synthesise prevailing definitions and indices of resilience in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and propose a harmonised definition of resilience in MNCH research and health programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Design: Scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework and a Delphi survey for consensus building.

Participants: Mothers, new-borns, and children living in low- and middle-income countries were selected as participants.

A qualitative systematic review of umbilical cord care practices in Nigeria.

Background: Umbilical cord care is an important aspect of newborn health, and different practices exist around the world, often influenced by cultural, healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors. The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize current literature on umbilical cord care practices in Nigeria, with an emphasis on the impact of cultural beliefs, healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors.

Methods: A comprehensive search for literature was performed across PubMED, MEDLINE and Google scholar for studies published between 2010 and 2023.

A novel and quick egg yolk immunoglobulin y antibody extraction method leveraging the protein liquid-liquid phase separation principle.

This study presents a novel and efficient method for extracting immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies from egg yolk based on the principle of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) induced by polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000). Initial delipidation of egg yolk samples with varying PEG 8000 concentrations demonstrated optimal delipidation efficiency and protein recovery at 2.5 % PEG 8000 concentration.

Sleep recovery ameliorates submandibular salivary gland inflammation associated with paradoxical sleep deprivation in male Wistar rats.

Objective: Submandibular salivary gland inflammation has been suggested as one of the mechanisms underlying impaired salivary secretion associated with sleep deprivation (SD). However, whether the salivary inflammatory response occurs to the same extent in paradoxical sleep deprivation with or without sleep recovery remains unknown. This study evaluated the extent to which inflammation influences salivary impairments associated with paradoxical sleep deprivation with or without sleep recovery.

In Silico Structural Insights into a Glucanase from Clostridium perfringens and Prediction of Structural Stability Improvement Through Hydrophobic Interaction Network and Aromatic Interaction.

Glucanases are widely applied in industrial applications such as brewing, biomass conversion, food, and animal feed. Glucanases catalyze the hydrolysis of glucan to produce the sugar hemiacetal through hydrolytic cleavage of glycosidic bonds. Current study aimed to investigate structural insights of a glucanase from Clostridium perfringens through blind molecular docking, site-specific molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and binding energy calculation.

Trypanosomosis and Transhumance: Contributions to Contemporary Conflicts Between Farmers and Herdsmen Along the Tsetse Fly Belts: Mathematical Modeling and Systematic Field Analysis Approach.

Conflicts within the tsetse fly belt revealed a strong correlation between the dynamics of bovine trypanosomosis and the insurgency involving farmers and herders in Nigeria and parts of West Africa. This study examined the history, causes and influence of farmers-herdsmen conflicts on banditry, terrorism and food security as it relates to the epidemiology of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT). A combination of literature database searches, semi-structured questionnaires, and mathematical modeling was employed.

Investigating the Constraints and Mitigation Strategies for the Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Erosion-prone Areas of Southeast Nigeria.

The adoption of sustainable land management practices (SLMPs) is crucial to improve soil health, and farm yield, and potentially limit the degradation of agricultural and ecological systems. However, farmers still encounter diverse challenges when trying to implement SLMPs. Research on the potential mitigation strategies to address the complex challenges to the adoption of SLMPs in the developing countries context is limited.

Enzootic Ovine Abortion among small ruminants in Southern Benin.

The advancement of small ruminant farming in Benin has encountered challenges associated with health issues and agricultural practices. This study aimed to provide the initial documentation of the prevalence of enzootic ovine abortion and evaluate the health status of animals concerning various recurring diseases on traditional small ruminant farms in Benin. In 2023, a semi-structured survey of 450 farms was carried out in two agricultural development centers in Benin.

An Integrative Computational Approach for the Identification of C-Abl Kinase Inhibitors from Anti-Parkinson Plant-Derived Bioactive.

Background: Oxidative stress is strongly linked to neurodegeneration through the activation of c-Abl kinase, which arrests α-synuclein proteolysis by interacting with parkin interacting substrate (PARIS) and aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 2 (AIMP2). This activation, triggered by ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, leads to dopaminergic neuron loss and α-synuclein aggregation, a critical pathophysiological aspect of Parkinson's disease (PD). To halt PD progression, pharmacological inhibition of c-Abl kinase is essential.

Bioactive Sulfonamides Derived from Amino Acids: Their Synthesis and Pharmacological Activities.

Currently, the synthesis of bioactive sulfonamides using amino acid as a starting reagent has become an area of research interest in organic chemistry. Over the years, an amine-sulfonyl chloride reaction has been adopted as a common step in traditional sulfonamide synthetic methods. However, recent developments have shown amino acids to be better precursors than amines in the synthesis of sulfonamides.

Living with psychosis in West and Southeast Africa: SUCCEED Africa's four-country situation analysis.

As part of the formative work of the SUCCEED Africa consortium, we followed a participatory process to identify existing gaps and resources needed for the development and implementation of a rights-based intervention for people with lived experience of psychosis in Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. In 2021, we conducted a desk review of published and grey literature on psychosis in the four SUCCEED countries. Using an adapted version of the PRIME situation analysis template, data were extracted across the five domains of the WHO Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Matrix: health, education, livelihoods, social and empowerment.