Strengthening surgical healthcare research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: impact of a research training programme in Nigeria.

Background: Limited research capacity has contributed to the lack of high-quality research from low-and middle-income countries. This is compounded by limited research training opportunities. Research capacity scale-up training was deployed as part of the implementation of the National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anaesthesia, and Nursing Plan for Nigeria.

Video-Based Directly Observed Therapy (ViDOT) as a strategic tool to improve medication adherence in epilepsy: A narrative review.

Background: The prevalence of epilepsy is highest in the Central Africa subregion most especially in rural settlements. This is further compounded by a high prevalence of treatment gap, from poor drug adherence, and poor road network. One approach to overcoming this burden is to leverage Video-based Directly Observed Therapy (ViDOT) use for stable patients living with epilepsy, harnessing the advancement in mHealth technologies, and widespread adoption of smartphones.

Prescription patterns and therapeutic gaps among persons with epilepsy in Southwestern Nigeria.

Pharmacotherapy with antiseizure medications (ASMs) has been a cornerstone for achieving long-term remissions in persons with epilepsy (PWEs). This study aims to determine the prescription patterns and treatment gaps (TGs) among PWEs. Accordingly, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 940 PWEs aged ≥18 years having clinically confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy based on the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria.

PembroWM: A phase II trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of rituximab and pembrolizumab in relapsed/refractory Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia.

The optimal therapeutic approach for relapsed/refractory (R/R) Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia (WM) has not been clearly defined, especially after treatment with chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) and covalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (cBTKi). The PembroWM trial is a multi-centre, phase II, single-arm study assessing the safety, tolerability and efficacy of rituximab with pembrolizumab in R/R WM patients who had received at least one prior line of treatment, with all having relapsed post-CIT and most also exposed to cBTKi. A total of 17 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 70, and median of three prior lines of therapy with 15 either refractory or intolerant of a cBTKi.

Improving effective coverage of medical-oxygen services for neonates and children in health facilities in Uganda: a before-after intervention study.

Background: Medical oxygen services are essential for the care of acutely unwell patients. We aimed to assess the effects of a multilevel, multicomponent health-system intervention on hypoxaemia detection, oxygen therapy, and mortality among neonates and children attending level IV health centres and hospitals in Uganda.

Methods: For this before-after intervention study, we included children who attended paediatric or neonatal wards of 24 level IV health centres and seven general or regional referral hospitals in the Busoga and North Buganda regions of Uganda between June 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022.

Characterizing left ventricular systolic dysfunction in sickle cell disease: three contrasting case reports.

Background: Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), with poorly characterized aetiology. We present three SCD patients with LVSD due to different underlying mechanisms.

Case Summary: The first case describes rapid deterioration in LV function secondary to severe cardiac iron overload in a 37-year-old female with poor chelation compliance after 10 years of top-up transfusions for SCD.

Prevalence and Patterns of Seizure-related Injuries: A Study of People Living with Epilepsy Found in a Community-based Door-to-door Survey in Southeast Nigeria.

Context: Epileptic seizures and the unpredictable falls resulting from epileptic seizures predispose the people living with epilepsy (PLWE) to various physical injuries as well as postictal cognitive and behavioral changes.

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and patterns of seizure-related physical injuries, postictal cognitive impairments, and behavioral changes.

Settings And Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study in a Southeast Nigeria local government area.

Central nervous system prophylaxis in large B-cell lymphoma: A British Society for Haematology Good Practice Paper.

This Good Practice Paper provides recommendations for the baseline investigation, risk stratification and use of prophylactic interventions for patients with large B-cell lymphoma at risk of central nervous system relapse. Recent evidence which has questioned the role of high-dose methotrexate in this clinical scenario is discussed in detail.

Evaluating Surgical Outcomes Between Estrogen Receptor Positive Invasive Lobular and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast-A Propensity Matched Analysis.

Introduction: Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) contributes significantly to the global cancer burden and is the most common of the histological "special types" of breast cancer. ILC has unique features setting it apart from the more common invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Despite differences, treatment algorithms do not consider histological differences.

Consensus statement addressing controversies and guidelines on pediatric urolithiasis.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate controversial pediatric urolithiasis issues systematically, integrating expert consensus and comprehensive guidelines reviews.

Methods: Two semi-structured online focus group meetings were conducted to discuss the study's need and content, review current literature, and prepare the initial survey. Data were collected through surveys and focus group discussions.

Role of remediation in cases of serious misconduct before UK healthcare regulators: a qualitative study.

Background: The raison d'etre of healthcare profession regulators across the globe is to protect patients and the public from the risk of harm. In cases of serious misconduct, remediation is deemed to be an important factor when considering the risk of harm from a practitioner under investigation. Yet, we know very little about how regulators account for remediation in their decision-making, and whether it is consistent with the aim of risk reduction.

Intraoperative margin assessment during radical prostatectomy: is microscopy frozen in time or ready for digital defrost?

Intraoperative frozen section (IFS) is used with the intention to improve functional and oncological outcomes for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). High resource requirements of IFS techniques such as NeuroSAFE may preclude widespread adoption, even if there are benefits to patients. Recent advances in fresh-tissue microscopic digital imaging technologies may offer an attractive alternative, and there is a growing body of evidence regarding these technologies.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of African School of Hypertension for Non-Physician Health Workers, a Qualitative Study: QuASH Hypertension Study.

Background: The implementation of task sharing and shifting (TSTS) policy as a way of addressing the shortage of physicians and reducing the burden of hypertension in Africa birthed the idea of the African School of Hypertension (ASH). The ASH is saddled with the responsibility of training non-physician health workers across Africa continent in the management of uncomplicated hypertension.

Aim: To get feedback from some faculty members and students who participated in the first ASH programme.

deliVERy of optimal blood pressure coNtrol in afrICA (VERONICA)-Nigeria study: Rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) control among treated patients in Africa is very suboptimal, with low levels of combination therapy use and therapeutic inertia being among the major barriers to effective control of hypertension. The VERONICA-Nigeria study aims to evaluate, among Black African adults with hypertension, the effectiveness and safety of a triple pill-based treatment protocol compared to Nigeria hypertension treatment protocol (standard care protocol) for the treatment of hypertension.

Methods: This study involves a randomized, parallel-group and open-label trial.

Towards improving stroke services in Africa: Results from the Africa-UK Stroke Partnership [AUKSP] surveys.

Background: The African Stroke Organization (ASO) in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire's Stroke Research Team launched the Africa-UK Stroke Partnership (AUKSP). AUKSP undertook two (stroke expert and hospital Stroke Unit (SU)) on-line surveys mapping existing capacity and capability to deliver African stroke care.

Methods: An on-line expert survey tool was sent to 139 stroke experts in 54 African countries October 2021-March 2022 and the hospital SU survey to 120 hospital SUs (identified from the expert survey) June-October 2022.

Assessment of Body Image Perception and Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients Accessing Care at the University College Hospital, Southwest Nigeria.

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer type globally. The female breasts are important for beauty and sexuality, comprising the body image, which includes the individual self-perception and others. This varied perception may influence the quality of life of individuals with breast cancer.

Predictors of Time to Return to Work Following Surgical Reconstruction of Upper Limb Injuries in a Cosmopolitan City in Western Nigeria.

Background: The management of upper limb injury is aimed at a timely return to work, and other activities of daily living. The modified hand injury severity score (MHISS) has been found to predict a return to work. Upper limb injuries are common in our subregion, but there is little or no data on the time to return to work.

Agrochemical use in Farming Practices and Risk Factors for Kidney Disease among Dwellers of Rural Farming Communities in South-West Nigeria.

Background: The outlook of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in low-and-medium-income-countries is poor. Modern farming practices in Nigeria are becoming increasingly associated with the use of herbicides and pesticides.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate agrochemical use in farming practices and risk factors for kidney disease among dwellers of rural farming communities in South-West Nigeria.

Corrigendum to "WCN24-1105 PHARMACOGENETIC RISK FACTORS FOR TENOFOVIR-INDUCED KIDNEY TUBULAR DYSFUNCTION AMONG HIV-POSITIVE ADULT NIGERIANS" [ Volume 9, Issue 4, Supplement, April 2024, Page S339].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of online research groups in increasing research capacity among young African Family Physicians.

Introduction: Low research output is hindering efforts to improve health services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). AfriWon Research Group of WONCA Africa has established an online collaborative research mentorship and training programme to boost research capacity among Family Physicians in SSA. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the programme in achieving this goal.