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OBJECTIVES: To assess the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 in patients infected with HIV in Nigeria. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design from January to June 2019. SETTING: Federal Teaching Hospital, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 276 patients with HIV were analysed using ELISA method for the presence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 specific IgG antibodies. OUTCOMES: Fisher's exact test was used to determine the association between the seroprevalence of HSV and demographic variables (statistically significant=p value ≤0...

Kidney disease is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide and disproportionately increases morbidity and mortality for people residing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Considering the high burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on patients, society, and health care systems, strategies to improve screening for CKD need to be prioritized. With appropriate interventions, screening could prevent progression of early stages of CKD and, ultimately, reduce the need for kidney replacement therapy. Unfortunately, few data exist to inform screening strategies for early detection and management of CKD in LMICs, where risk factors for CKD may differ from those in high-income countries...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing in prevalence and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and lower middle-income countries (LLMICs). Risk factors for CKD are numerous and may start in utero through to adulthood. Low socioeconomic status increases the risk of CKD and contributes to late presentation and suboptimal management especially in LLMICs. This leads to progression to kidney failure with associated increased mortality when kidney replacement therapy is required...

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The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between robot-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) and open nephroureterectomy (ONU) for the treatment of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We systematically searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to locate pertinent studies published in English up to January 2023. The primary outcomes evaluated included perioperative results, complications, and oncologic outcomes. Statistical analyses and calculations were performed using Review Manager 5...

BACKGROUND: There is increasing advocacy to reduce coercive practices in mental healthcare. Little research has been done on the topic in developing countries. AIMS: To explore what mental health professionals in Nigeria think about coercion, why it is used, and what contextual factors influence its use in mental healthcare services. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 16 doctors and 14 nurses from two psychiatric hospitals in two regions of Nigeria...

Ascetosporea are endoparasites of marine invertebrates that include economically important pathogens of aquaculture species. Owing to their often-minuscule cell sizes, strict intracellular lifestyle, lack of cultured representatives and minimal availability of molecular data, these unicellular parasites remain poorly studied. Here, we sequenced and assembled the genome and transcriptome of Paramikrocytos canceri, an endoparasite isolated from the European edible crab Cancer pagurus. Using bioinformatic predictions, we show that P...

PURPOSE: The movement to develop and implement non-coercive alternatives in the provision of mental health care is gaining momentum globally. To strengthen the basis of potential interventions that will be contextually relevant, and to complement the body of literature which is largely from high-income settings, the current study sought to explore the suggestions of service users and providers in Nigeria on how to reduce the use of coercive measures in mental health settings. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 30 mental health professionals and four focus group discussions among 30 service users from two psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria were conducted...

The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has taught the world a costly lesson about the devastating consequences of viral disease outbreaks but also, the remarkable impact of vaccination in limiting life and economic losses. Vaccination against human Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), a major human pathogen affecting 290 million people worldwide, remains a key action towards viral hepatitis elimination by 2030. To meet this goal, the development of improved HBV antigens is critical to overcome non-responsiveness to standard vaccines based on the yeast-produced, small (S) envelope protein...

Glomerular diseases account for a significant proportion of chronic kidney disease in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). The epidemiology of glomerulonephritis is characterized inadequately in LMICs, largely owing to unavailable nephropathology services or uncertainty of the safety of the kidney biopsy procedure. In contrast to high-income countries where IgA nephropathy is the dominant primary glomerular disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is common in large populations across Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and South East Asia, while IgA nephropathy is common in Chinese populations...

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in various processes, including brain plasticity, learning and memory, neuronal development, nociception, inflammation, appetite regulation, digestion, metabolism, energy balance, motility, and regulation of stress and emotions. Physical exercise (PE) is considered a valuable non-pharmacological therapy that is an immediately available and cost-effective method with a lot of health benefits, one of them being the activation of the endogenous cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are generated as a response to high-intensity activities and can act as short-term circuit breakers, generating antinociceptive responses for a short and variable period of time...

PURPOSE: Truncated human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) expression rises a great scientific interest, considering its possible therapeutic and diagnostic applications. A promising research direction is the therapeutic use of smaller hACE2 versions with high binding affinity as decoy receptors for S1 glycoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Another possible application is the use of these truncated versions for the functionalization of appropriate nanomaterials for constructing novel biosensors with a rapid and sensitive response for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) detection...

Degradation of most yeast mRNAs involves decapping by Dcp1/Dcp2. DEAD-box protein Dhh1 has been implicated as an activator of decapping, in coupling codon non-optimality to enhanced degradation, and as a translational repressor, but its functions in cells are incompletely understood. RNA-Seq analyses coupled with CAGE sequencing of all capped mRNAs revealed increased abundance of hundreds of mRNAs in dcp2 Δ cells that appears to result directly from impaired decapping rather than elevated transcription, which was confirmed by ChIP-Seq analysis of RNA Polymerase II occupancies genome-wide...

Nigeria began administering COVID-19 vaccines on 5 March 2021 and is working towards the WHO's African regional goal to fully vaccinate 70% of their eligible population by December 2022. Nigeria's COVID-19 vaccination information system includes a surveillance system for COVID-19 adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), but as of April 2021, AEFI data were being collected and managed by multiple groups and lacked routine analysis and use for action. To fill this gap in COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring, between April 2021 and June 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with other implementing partners led by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, supported the Government of Nigeria to triangulate existing COVID-19 AEFI data...

The need to better understand the binding mode of antioxidants (sulfur oxyanions) kinetically is a concern in medicine. Hence, a spectrophotometric method was used to study the application of the Piszkiewicz model on the electron transfer reaction of dithionite ion (S2 O4 2- ) and bis-(2-pyridinealdoximato)dioxomolybdate(IV) complex at 303 K and an absorption maxima of 560 nm. It follows an acid dependent reductive pathway that is medium sensitive. Charge distribution from the reaction species contributes to the redox efficiency of the system, resulting in a primary salt effect (NaCl) with an enhanced reaction rate...

PURPOSE: The traditional genetic epidemiological studies are necessary to improve accurate risk communication to service users and their families. This scoping review aimed to describe the volume and scope of existing research evidence on family, twin and adoption studies of severe mental disorders (SMDs) in SSA. This is with a view to identifying gaps in the literature and the adequacy of data for a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Literature search was done for all original peer-reviewed research articles on the topic in SSA using PubMed and MEDLINE...

Evidence of a change in the carcinogenicity category of butan-2-one oxime (MEKO) and the results of this change for manufacturing and using companies was presented and assessed. The online databases of scientific journals were reviewed, taking into account the reports on the harmonization of MEKO classification and labeling at EU level available on the ECHA website. Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1182 introduced harmonized classification and labeling of MEKO for carcinogenicity to category 1B. The induction of tumors, the nature and importance of tumors for humans, and the sensitivity of the 2 species tested, both sexes - all of these factors support the classification of MEKO into the carcinogenicity category 1B...

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact communities of color and expose health inequities. Minoritized communities experience disparities in chronic diseases, premature death, and cancer, and gaps continue to widen; systemic injustice in housing, nutrition, and environment are major contributors. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movement, students at the University of Louisville School of Medicine created Grow502 to speak truth to the challenges of health disparities in Louisville, Kentucky...

Transverse vaginal septum is a congenital anomaly in which a membrane obstructs the vagina. This can be partial or complete in type. Although rare, it presents peculiar challenges in symptomatology, diagnosis, and ultimate management. To our knowledge, we are the first to report a shortest vaginoplasty-conception interval following successful repair of previously failed repair of partial transverse vaginal septum. A 28-year-old Nigerian married nulliparous lady who presented to us with history of inability of penile-vaginal penetration with the presence of normal menstrual flow after two previous failed attempts at repair...

BACKGROUND: People with mental health problems are more vulnerable to a broad range of coercive practices and human rights abuses. There is a global campaign to eliminate, or at the very least decrease, the use of coercion in mental health care. The use of coercion in psychiatric hospitals in developing countries is poorly documented. The primary aim of this study was to explore service users' perceptions and experiences of coercion in psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria. METHODS: Four focus group discussions were carried out among 30 service users on admission in two major psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria...