Exploring computational approaches to design mRNA Vaccine against vaccinia and Mpox viruses.

Background: Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines emerged as a powerful tool in the fight against infections. Unlike traditional vaccines, this unique type of vaccine elicits robust and persistent innate and humoral immune response with a unique host cell-mediated pathogen gene expression and antigen presentation.

Methods: This offers a novel approach to combat poxviridae infections.

Leishmaniases in Ethiopia: a scoping review protocol to determine the scope of research and remaining gaps.

Introduction: The leishmaniases are among the group of neglected tropical diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality each year. Currently, the East Africa region has the highest visceral leishmaniasis burden in the world. Ethiopia is one of the East African countries that reports both visceral and cutaneous forms of the disease.

Network-based identification of key proteins and repositioning of drugs for non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: NSCLC is a lethal cancer that is highly prevalent and accounts for 85% of cases of lung cancer. Conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, frequently exhibit limited efficacy and notable adverse reactions. Therefore, a drug repurposing method is proposed for effective NSCLC treatment.

Dynamics of Mpox infection in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The seasonal outbreaks of Mpox continue in most parts of West and Central Africa. In the past year, Nigeria had the highest number of reported cases. Here, we used the PRISMA guidelines to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence on Mpox in Nigeria to assess the prevalence, transmission pattern, diagnostic approach, and other associated factors useful for mitigating the transmission of the disease.

A scoping review on the links between sustainable development goal 14 and early childhood caries.

Background: The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 addresses life below the waters, an important source of protein and contributor to global food security and economic development. Our aim was to explore possible evidence on the links between life below water and early childhood caries (ECC).

Methods: This scoping review identified articles on the link between life below water and caries according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Awareness and Willingness to use Condoms and Preexposure Prophylaxis among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Cisgendered Men who Have sex with men in Slum Communities in Ghana. BSGH-004.

Research has begun to examine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies within the Ghanaian context. Still, little is known about specific populations such as gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men (GBMSM) living in slum communities. We studied HIV prevention strategies such as condoms and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in slum communities and the awareness and willingness to use these choices among GBMSM.

Risk indicators for oral ulcers among people living with HIV during the first wave of the pandemic: a cross sectional study.

Background: Little is currently known about HIV-related parameters that may increase the risk for oral ulcers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to overcome this gap in research by assessing the associations between HIV viral load, antiretroviral adherence profile, co-morbidity status, SARS-CoV-2 infection and oral ulcers among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data generated from 21,206 to 18 years and above, recruited from 152 countries through an online survey between July and December 2020.

Socioeconomic inequality, health inequity and well-being of transgender people during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Background: We aimed to explore socioeconomic inequality, health inequity, and the well-being of transgender people during the COVID-19 crisis in Nigeria.

Methods: Between June and December 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted collaboratively with community-based organisations in Nigeria. Participants living with or at risk of HIV were recruited voluntarily, online and face-to-face, using a combination of venue-based and snowball sampling.

Low frequency of knockdown resistance mutation (L1014F) and the efficacy of PBO synergist in multiple insecticide-resistant populations of Anopheles gambiae in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Objective: We evaluated the susceptibility status of Anopheles gambiae in two communities of Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria to DDT, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin and bendiocarb.

Methods: immature stages were collected from their habitats in the surveyed community and allowed to emerge before exposure adult females to discriminating doses of WHO insecticides including DDT, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, bendiocarb and malathion. PBO synergistic bioassay was conducted for insecticides where the mosquito samples showed resistance.

Cholera outbreak in Syria amid humanitarian crisis: the epidemic threat, future health implications, and response strategy - a review.

The war in Syria, which started over 11 years ago, has devastated the country's water sources, healthcare system, and other vital facilities for healthy living. The country is vulnerable to outbreaks, especially epidemic-prone ones like cholera, due to its fragile health system. Syria experienced its last hit of cholera in 2009, which led to the deaths of several Syrian children and affected about 1,000 people.

Gender differences in dentistry and oral sciences research productivity by researchers in Nigeria.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess gender differences in the productivity, impact, collaboration pattern and author position of dentistry and oral sciences researchers in Nigeria.

Methods: We examined the Web of Science (WoS) publication records of dentistry and oral sciences researchers to assess gender differences in productivity, impact, collaboration and authorship pattern (first authorship, last authorship and corresponding author). The analysis included the number of publications in journals ranked based on their quartile rating amongst the journals in the subject area (Q1-Q4).

Moderating effects of resilience and self-esteem on associations between self-reported oral health problems, quality of oral health, and mental health among adolescents and adults in Nigeria.

Background: There is an intersection between oral and mental health though the studies on these intersections are few. This study investigated associations between self-reported oral health problems, quality of oral health, and depression and general anxiety among adolescents and adults in Nigeria; and analysed the moderating effects of resilience and self-esteem on these associations.

Methods: In this secondary analysis, data were extracted from the database of an online survey conducted among participants 13 years and older and living in Nigeria about their self-reported psychological wellbeing.

Screening, isolation and biotechnological potentials of foodborne strains MT903311 and MT903312.

Vitamins are an essential food source with excellent roles in the cellular metabolism and other essential nutrients required in food intake but cannot be synthesized by humans. There have been reports of some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) abilities with probiotic activities to produce food-grade vitamins. Our study aimed to investigate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) possessing antimicrobial activities and extracellular production of folate from different Nigerian fermented foods.

Reinstating apoptosis using putative Bcl-xL natural product inhibitors: Molecular docking and ADMETox profiling investigations.

Objectives: While a fine balance in the pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic family members of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein family represents a normal signaling profile, a tilt in balance towards anti-apoptotic family members has fortified different forms of cancers with survival advantage and resistance against treatment. Induction of apoptosis is a key therapeutic approach in cancer drug discovery, and the inhibition of the anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma extra-large (Bcl-xL) is a long-standing clinical target for cancer therapy. In this study, we combined computer-aided approaches to report putative binders for this target.

Whose rights are being violated when receiving HIV and sexual and reproductive health services in Nigeria?

Background: In Nigeria, vulnerability status may increase the risk for the violation of human rights while receiving health care. The present study determined the proportion and profile of people who reported rights violation while accessing HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study with data collected between February and March 2021.

Associations between oral habits, dental anxiety, dental service utilization, and maternal mental health status among 6- to 12-year-old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Purpose: The current study sought to determine the associations between maternal mental health and oral habits, dental anxiety, and dental service utilization of 6- to 12-year-old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Methods: Data were obtained from a household survey involving 1411 mothers and their 6- to 12-year-old children. Data collected were the confounding (maternal age, child's age at last birthday, sex at birth and socioeconomic status), independent (maternal psychological distress, and depression status) and dependent (child's non-nutritive oral habits, dental anxiety level, and most recent dental visit) variables.

Is self-reported depression, HIV status, COVID-19 health risk profile and SARS-CoV-2 exposure associated with difficulty in adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures among residents in West Africa?

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether self-reported depression, coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) health risk profile, HIV status, and SARS-CoV-2 exposure were associated with the use of COVID-19 prevention measures.

Methods: This survey collected data electronically between June 29 and December 31, 2020 from a convenient sample of 5050 adults 18 years and above living in 12 West African countries. The dependent variables were: social distancing, working remotely, difficulty obtaining face masks and difficulty washing hands often.

Molecular detection of hepatitis B virus genotype E with immune escape mutations in chronic hepatitis B patients on long-term antiviral therapy in Jos, Nigeria.

Background: Previous studies in Nigeria have reported the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype E and the availability of immune escape mutants. There is a paucity of data on chronic patients on long-term antiviral therapy for HBV infection.

Objective: This study assessed HBV genotypes and drug resistance variants among patients with chronic HBV infection receiving tenofovir in Jos, Nigeria.

Risk indicators for dental caries, and gingivitis among 6-11-year-old children in Nigeria: a household-based survey.

Background: There is little is known about the factors associated with caries experience and gingivitis among 6-11-year-old children in Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and preventive oral health behaviors associated with caries and gingivitis among 6-11-year-old children in Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

SARS-COV-2 antibody responses to AZD1222 vaccination in West Africa.

Real-world data on vaccine-elicited neutralising antibody responses for two-dose AZD1222 in African populations are limited. We assessed baseline SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and levels of protective neutralizing antibodies prior to vaccination rollout using binding antibodies analysis coupled with pseudotyped virus neutralisation assays in two cohorts from West Africa: Nigerian healthcare workers (n = 140) and a Ghanaian community cohort (n = 527) pre and post vaccination. We found 44 and 28% of pre-vaccination participants showed IgG anti-N positivity, increasing to 59 and 39% respectively with anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG-specific antibodies.

Associations between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the experience of violence among women and girls living with and at risk of HIV in Nigeria.

: Women and girls living with and at high risk of HIV (WGL&RHIV) had an increased risk for gender-based violence (GBV) during COVID-19. The study aimed to assess the associations between vaccine hesitancy and GBV, HIV status and psychological distress among these vulnerable women and girls in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study collected data from WGL&RHIV in 10 states in Nigeria between June and October 2021.

The effects of COVID-19 on food insecurity, financial vulnerability and housing insecurity among women and girls living with or at risk of HIV in Nigeria.

: Women and girls living with or at high risk of acquiring HIV (WGL&RHIV) in Africa are economically vulnerable. This study aims to advance understanding of the economic impact of COVID-19 on WGL&RHIV and to identify the factors associated with this insecurity. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey conducted among a convenience sample of WGL&RHIV in Nigeria between May and September 2021.