Refining breast cancer genetic risk and biology through multi-ancestry fine-mapping analyses of 192 risk regions.

Genome-wide association studies have identified approximately 200 genetic risk loci for breast cancer, but the causal variants and target genes are mostly unknown. We sought to fine-map all known breast cancer risk loci using genome-wide association study data from 172,737 female breast cancer cases and 242,009 controls of African, Asian and European ancestry. We identified 332 independent association signals for breast cancer risk, including 131 signals not reported previously, and for 50 of them, we narrowed the credible causal variants down to a single variant.

Professional Development Among African Oncologists: Examining Professional Development Activities, Satisfaction Levels, Barriers, and Enablers.

Africa is currently facing unprecedented growth in its cancer burden. Training an adequate number of skilled physicians is critical to addressing this challenge. We examine African oncology faculty's professional development (PD) activities, associated barriers, enablers, satisfaction levels, and highlight the implications for improving the quality of the oncology faculty workforce in SSA.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: The "Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the ADSP (READD-ADSP)" is developing a resource to expand ancestral diversity in Alzheimer disease (AD) studies to dissect the genetic architecture of AD across different populations. In addition to US sites, READD-ADSP includes four US sites and nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa through the Africa Dementia Consortium (AfDC). The overall goal of READD-ADSP is to identify genetically driven targets in diverse groups including African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos in US, and Africans.

Genetic variability in snake venom and its implications for antivenom development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Snake venom, a complex mixture of proteins, has attracted human attention for centuries due to its associated mortality, morbidity and other therapeutic properties. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where snakebites pose a significant health risk, understanding the genetic variability of snake venoms is crucial for developing effective antivenoms. The wide geographic distribution of venomous snake species in SSA countries demonstrates the need to develop specific and broad antivenoms.

Awareness, Acceptability and Factors Influencing Malaria Vaccine Uptake Among Caregivers of Children Under 5 in South-Western Nigeria.

Background: Malaria remains a major cause of preventable deaths among children worldwide, despite the availability of several interventions for controlling and eliminating the disease. The WHO recommended the first malaria vaccine, RTS, S/AS01 in October 2021 to immunize children in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we set out to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and acceptability of the malaria vaccine among mothers of under 5 in south-west Nigeria before the vaccine's rollout in Nigeria.

Clinical presentation and predictors of hospital mortality of diphtheria in Nigeria, July 2023 to April 2024: a single-center study.

Background: Despite recurrent outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria, there is a lack of in-depth analysis of hospitalization outcomes. Herein, we describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory features associated with hospitalization outcomes (defined as death or discharge) during the recent diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 246 confirmed diphtheria cases managed in a dedicated isolation ward of a health facility in northwestern Nigeria from July 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024.

Pathophysiology and clinical outcomes of pancytopenia in disseminated histoplasmosis: a scoping review.

Purpose: Pancytopenia in the setting of disseminated histoplasmosis is sparsely described in the literature. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of pancytopenia in disseminated histoplasmosis and highlighted clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review of cases and series on disseminated histoplasmosis presenting with pancytopenia published between 2001 and 2024.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delays and disruptions in cancer care services: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic substantially impacted the delivery of cancer services and programs. Here we reviewed and synthesized the global scale and impact of pandemic-related delays and disruptions on cancer services, including diagnosis, diagnostic procedures, screening, treatment and supportive and palliative care. Based on data from 245 articles in 46 countries, we observed declines in the number of cancer screening participation (39.

Therapeutic potential of Chromolaena odorata, Vernonia amygdalina, and Cymbopogon citratus against pathogenic Bacteria.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a global public health threat, compelling the search for alternative treatments, especially in resource-limited settings. The increasing ineffectiveness of traditional antibiotics has intensified the need to explore medicinal plants as viable therapeutic options. This study sought to compare the efficacy of certain medicinal plants used in Owerri, Nigeria, for treating pathogenic bacteria against traditional commercial antibiotics.

Impact of generalized joint hypermobility on quality of life and physical activity in school-aged children: a longitudinal study.

Background: Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) offers flexibility that could enhance motor activities. However, if it leads to injury and pain, it increases functional difficulties and activity limitations. The far-reaching consequences of activity limitations and restricted participation include poor physical fitness and diminished quality of life.

Cytopathology Practice in Nigeria.

Cytopathology is a cost-effective diagnostic method crucial for investigating suspected neoplastic lesions, particularly in Nigeria's healthcare system, where non-communicable diseases, especially with increasing rates of cancer. This review highlights the evolution of cytopathology practice in Nigeria, detailing its historical development, current methodologies, and the challenges faced within the healthcare framework. Despite advancements in diagnostic techniques such as immunocytochemistry and molecular diagnostics globally, conventional methods remain essential due to their affordability and accessibility.

Integration and acceptability of cervical cancer screening as part of postnatal care among women attending postnatal clinics in the Accra Metropolis, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.

Cervical cancer is a recognized preventable disease yet the fourth most common cancer among women globally. This study assessed the integration and acceptability of cervical cancer screening as part of routine sixth-week postnatal care among women attending a postnatal clinic. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study among 347 postpartum women who were attending their 6th-week postnatal visit.

Chronic Complications of Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: This review article describes the chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). The chronic complications of DM are diverse, often progressive and difficult to manage or reverse.

Objective: The aim of this review is to highlight the current concepts in the pathogenic mechanisms of the chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, with a view to educate doctors and specialists on the management of these problems.

Prevalence, Pattern and Factors Associated with Consumption of Sweetened Beverages Among Adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Background: Globally, there has been an increase in the trend of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption among adolescents and this has been implicated in the increased prevalence of diet-related NonCommunicable Diseases.

Objectives: This study compared the pattern of sweetened beverage consumption and factors associated with consumption among adolescents in rural and urban areas of Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among in-school adolescents in rural and urban areas of Ogun State.

Pattern of Rheumatic Diseases in a New Rheumatology Clinic in Southwestern Nigeria: A Descriptive Study.

Background/objective: Rheumatic diseases (RMDs) are among the leading health burdens and causes of disability globally. Interestingly, they are on the rise due to the increasingly ageing population. Inflammatory RMDs are not left behind in the rise, especially in Africa, where they were thought to be rare as there has been increasing reportage of these diseases in recent years.

The Pre-Fibroscan and Fibroscan Era: A Comparative Study of Histologic Diagnosis of Liver Biopsies.

Background: The advancement in non-invasive methods for diagnosing and characterizing liver disease has achieved significant success. One such methods, FibroScan, combines non-invasiveness, rapidity, painlessness, and reproducibility. However, its accuracy and value are limited in many clinical settings.

Knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards soil-transmitted helminthiases among teachers in schools implementing the home-grown school feeding program in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs) are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, impacting school-aged children significantly. Teachers, integral to STH control through the Home-Grown School Feeding Program (HGSFP), need adequate knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices (KAP) for successful STH prevention. However, there is limited research on teacher KAP regarding STH in Enugu State, particularly concerning its endemic nature.

The Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) on the Quality of Life of patients living with type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in Nigeria.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly affects the quality of life (QoL), necessitating comprehensive management strategies. In resource-limited settings such as Nigeria, managing diabetes can be challenging due to limited access to medications, which impacts patients' QoL. Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) empowers patients through knowledge and skills, potentially improving their QoL.

Effectiveness of Monthly Versus Two-Dose Regimen of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Southeastern Nigeria: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: There are reports of a high prevalence of maternal peripheral and placental malarial parasitaemia (MP) in southeastern Nigeria following the two-dose regimen of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of malaria in pregnancy.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of monthly versus two-dose regimens of SP for IPT of malaria in pregnancy in Enugu, south-eastern Nigeria.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving antenatal clinic attendees at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.

Evaluating the Factors Influencing Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Women: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) has consistently been associated with adverse obstetric and gynaecological outcomes. It is a common vaginal condition. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with BV among pregnant women.

Educational Intervention Can Improve the Pilot Balloon Palpation Method of Tracheal Tube Cuff Pressure Monitoring: An Experimental Study.

Background: Considerable morbidity is attributable to inappropriate tracheal cuff pressure. An earlier study undertaken in our hospital revealed that a normal cuff pressure of 20-30 cm HO was achieved in only 6% of intubated patients using subjective estimation methods.

Objective: To determine whether a training intervention could improve the accuracy of the subjective estimation method in our tracheal cuff monitoring.

The Burden, Challenges, and Prospects of Hand Surgery Practice in South Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Hand injuries sometimes cause significant loss of function with psychological and functional consequences. The national status on dedicated specialised hand surgery units, hand surgery fellowship programmes, and outcome of operative hand surgery cases is generally lacking.

Aims: To determine the current state of hand surgery practice in south eastern Nigeria and identify the major challenges to its practice and proffer realistic solutions.

Sinonasal Leiomyoma: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Sinonasal leiomyoma is an exceptionally rare neoplasm arising from smooth muscle cells within the sinonasal tract. This abstract presents a case study of a 43-year-old male patient diagnosed with sinonasal leiomyoma, a distinctive and challenging entity in otolaryngology. The patient presented with a complex clinical history, including a 2-year interval between initial evaluation and definitive diagnosis.

The Trends, Clinicopathological Features, and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Prostate Cancer in Lokoja, Nigeria.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) was the most common noncutaneous cancer among Nigerian men in 2020. Despite this high incidence, documented rates may be an underestimation.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the hospital incidence rate, trends, and characterise the clinicopathologic features, and treatment outcomes of patients with PCa in our institution.