Immunological insights into COVID-19 in Southern Nigeria.

Introduction: One of the unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic was the relatively low levels of morbidity and mortality in Africa compared to the rest of the world. Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, accounted for less than 0.01% of the global COVID-19 fatalities.

Fermented Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) Ameliorates Sodium Fluoride-Induced Cardiorenal Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation via Modulation of NF-κB/IκB/IκKB Signaling Pathway in Wistar Rats.

High dose of fluoride intake is associated with toxic effects on kidney and cardiac tissues. This study evaluated the potential protective effect of fermented rooibos tea (RTE) on sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced cardiorenal toxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 56) were randomly allocated into one of seven equal groups: control, NaF (100 mg/kg orally), NaF + RTE (2%, w/v), NaF + RTE (4%, w/v), NaF + lisinopril (10 mg/kg orally), 2% RTE, and 4% RTE.

Relationship between stress and coronary artery disease: A comprehensive review.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a substantial public health challenge. This review examines the intricate relationship between psychological stress and CAD, drawing from recent research spanning the last 5 to 10 years. The literature review is organized around critical themes.

Seasonal Diversity in Mosquito Larval Ecology and Its Public Health Implications in Urban Slums of Lagos, Nigeria.

Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are major public health burdens in tropical nations, including Nigeria. This study assessed mosquito larval species composition, abundance, and abiotic factors influencing mosquito breeding in slum communities of Lagos with the goal of informing MBD control measures. Three slum communities-Bariga, Makoko, and Ajegunle-were selected along with the nonslum community of Ikeja, which served as a control site.

Ribose-cysteine and levodopa abrogate Parkinsonism via the regulation of neurochemical and redox activities in alpha-synuclein transgenic models.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the most prevalent type of parkinsonism, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition marked by several non-motor and motor symptoms. PD is thought to have a complex aetiology that includes a combination of age, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors. Increased expression of α-synuclein (α-Syn) protein is central to the evolvement of neuropathology in this devastating disorder, but the potential of ribose-cysteine and levodopa in abating pathophysiologic changes in PD model is unknown.

Predictive model for early detection of type 2 diabetes using patients' clinical symptoms, demographic features, and knowledge of diabetes.

Background And Aims: With the global rise in type 2 diabetes, predictive modeling has become crucial for early detection, particularly in populations with low routine medical checkup profiles. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for type 2 diabetes using health check-up data focusing on clinical details, demographic features, biochemical markers, and diabetes knowledge.

Methods: Data from 444 Nigerian patients were collected and analysed.

Expectations and experiences of urban and rural in-school adolescents of adolescent reproductive health services in oyo state, Nigeria.

Reproductive health information and services are fundamental to health, well-being and opportunities for women and young people, yet throughout the world, women and youths do not have access to quality reproductive health care thereby exposing them to unplanned pregnancy, teen birth, induced abortion as well as increased exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, HIV inclusive. This study is meant to explore the expectation of adolescents of an adolescent reproductive health services as well as to assess the experiences of those who had visited an ARHS at the centers. It was a descriptive cross-sectional prospective study, analytic in design using a multistage sampling technique where 452 secondary school pupils in both rural and urban communities were interviewed using a pretested validated questionnaire.

Impact of stress on male fertility: role of gonadotropin inhibitory hormone.

Studies have implicated oxidative stress-sensitive signaling in the pathogenesis of stress-induced male infertility. However, apart from oxidative stress, gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) plays a major role. The present study provides a detailed review of the role of GnIH in stress-induced male infertility.

Haematological and biochemical changes in arsenic trioxide-induced toxicity in Wistar rats treated with methanol extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaf.

This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical composition and protective effects of methanol extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaf (MEPL) in male Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening, in vitro antioxidant assay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and LD50 were determined. Forty male Wistar rats were grouped into eight and orally treated for 54 days as follows: Group 1 (10% tween 80), Group 2 (3 mg/kg As2O3) Groups 3, 4 and 5 (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg MEPL) and groups 6, 7 and 8, (250 mg/kg+As2O3, 500 mg/kg+As2O3 and 1000 mg/kg+As2O3).

Cholecalciferol (VD3) Attenuates L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia in Parkinsonian Mice Via Modulation of Microglia and Oxido-Inflammatory Mechanisms.

L-DOPA, the gold standard for managing Parkinson's disease (PD) is fraught by motor fluctuations termed L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesia (LID). LID has very few therapeutic options. Hence, the need for preclinical screening of new interventions.

Haematoprotective and Hepatoprotective Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Parquetina nigrescens on Arsenic trioxide-induced Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats.

This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical composition and protective effects of methanol extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaf (MEPL) in male Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening, in vitro antioxidant assay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and LD50 were determined. Forty male Wistar rats were grouped into eight and orally treated for 54 days as follows: Group 1 (10% tween 80), Group 2 (3 mg/kg As2O3) Groups 3, 4 and 5 (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg MEPL) and groups 6, 7 and 8, (250 mg/kg+As2O3, 500 mg/kg+As2O3 and 1000 mg/kg+As2O3).

Dietary patterns associated with hypertension among stroke-free indigenous Africans: insights from the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network study.

Background: The dietary factors associated with the high burden of hypertension among indigenous Africans remain poorly understood. We assessed the relationship between dietary patterns and hypertension among indigenous Africans.

Method: In this study, 1550 participants with hypertension matched (for age: ± 5 years, sex and ethnicity) with 1550 participants without hypertension were identified from the stroke-free population in the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network study in Ghana and Nigeria.

Factors influencing tuberculosis preventive practices among people living with HIV/AIDS enrolled in secondary health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background Information: Tuberculosis is the most potent opportunistic infection leading to deaths among patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Therefore, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding tuberculosis preventive strategy among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is vital in minimizing the risk of developing TB infection which forms the objective of this study.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out using multi-stage sampling technique in selecting 606 respondents.

α-Tocopherol Ameliorates Redox Equilibrium Disorders and Reduces Inflammatory Response Caused by Diclofenac-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats.

Background Diclofenac (DCF), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is widely used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, but it can also be nephrotoxic. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) has been shown to protect against renal toxicity caused by various agents, including NSAIDs. This study aims to evaluate the pathophysiology of renal damage and the nephroprotective effect of vitamin E against DCF-induced renal damage in male Wistar rats.

In vitro anti-HIV, cytotoxicity and nutritional analysis of Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Aizoaceae).

The development of antiretroviral therapy has brought a tremendous relief to the world as it minimizes mortality, reduces HIV transmission, and suppresses progression in infected patients. However, the orthodox antiretroviral therapy is faced with limitations which have necessitated a continuous search for more novel plant-based antiviral compounds, which can bypass the existing barriers created by drug resistance and target more viral proteins. Despite the edibility and enormous pharmacological benefits of T.

Place of urolithiasis in the spectrum of urological pathologies, practices and use of endourological procedures in the management of calculi of the upper urinary tract: results of a survey of referral centres in Africa.

Our aim was to determine the current trend of endourology in the management of upper urinary tract calculi in Africa reference centres. We conducted an online multiple-choice questionnaire survey involving 46 centres from 27 countries using a structured well-designed Google Form (®) questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to the head of service through their emails.

Javanese Women's Experiences during the First Pregnancy.

Background: Women experience physical, hormonal, and psychological changes during pregnancy. Similarly, some traditions are prevalent among Javanese women, which could affect their pregnancy. The experiences of first-time pregnant women in this area remain unclear.

Factors associated with frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption among selected sub-Saharan African populations: evidence from the Cardiovascular H3Africa Innovation Resource Project.

Background: Frequent fruit and vegetable consumption is considered a promising dietary behaviour that protects health. However, most existing studies about the factors associated with this phenomenon among Africans are based on single-country reports, apart from one meta-regression combining smaller studies. This study harmonized large datasets and assessed factors associated with the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption in this population.

Prevalence of Cytopenia and its Correlation with Immunosuppression in Naïve HIV-1 Infected Patients Initiating First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy: A Pilot Study.

Background: Cytopenias serve as common indicators and crucial predictive tools for evaluating disease progression and therapeutic outcomes in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cytopenias and their correlation with the level of immunosuppression in treatment-naive HIV-infected participants after initiating highly active combined antiretroviral drug therapy (cART24).

Materials And Methods: This prospective study focused on evaluating cytopenia in 44 treatment-naive HIV-infected patients who consented to initiate cART and were consecutively enrolled.

Development and Feasibility Testing of a Remote Support Application for Adherence to Home Exercise Programs: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Objectives: Poor adherence to home exercise programs (HEPs) is a significant barrier to continuity of care and eventual outcomes, thus requiring innovative mitigating approaches. This study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a remote support application (RSA) designed to encourage adherence to HEPs.

Methods: Using standard computer programing, an RSA with administrator and user interfaces was developed for mobile phone or tablet.

Comparing farmers' perception of climate effect on cocoa yield with climate data in the Humid zone of Nigeria.

Apart from the conventional inputs for cocoa production, climatic parameters have a significant effect on the yield of the crop globally. However, existing literature suffers a knowledge gap on the farmers' perceptions of climate effect on cocoa yield and its nexus with climate data. The chi-square test of independence, standardized anomaly index (SAI), multiple regression, z-distribution, and descriptive statistics were employed to investigate the socioeconomic and climate impacts on yield.

Habitat sensitivity in the West African coastal area: inferences and implications for regional adaptations to climate change and ocean acidification.

This study focuses on assessing coastal vulnerability and habitat sensitivity along the West African coast by delineating hotspots based on surface temperature, pH, chlorophyll-a, particulate organic carbon, and carbonate concentrations between 2018 and 2023 depending on data availability. Initial exploration of these variables revealed two distinct focal points i.e.