Beyond blood pressure and glucose: exploring potential biochemical predictors of cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and co-morbid hypertension.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly when complicated by hypertension. This study explored markers of glycaemic control, systemic inflammation, and lipid-related atherogenicity, and their relationship with CVD risk among a population of Nigerian patients with T2DM and co-morbid hypertension.

Method: This hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted over a period of 13 months among patients with T2DM, including those with co-morbid hypertension.

Outcome of Glaucoma Drainage Device Surgeries in Nigeria.

Background: Glaucoma is the leading cause of functional low vision and irreversible blindness in Nigeria and constitutes a significant public health burden. Glaucoma Drainage Devices(GDD) an increasingly popular option for glaucoma treatment and are relatively new in Nigeria.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical outcomes, number of anti-glaucoma medications and complications in patients who had glaucoma drainage devices implants from a certified skills transfer training program.

Azithromycin mass drug administration: balancing survival benefits and risks in children.

Childhood mortality remains a major public health challenge in low-income and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, despite major advances in universal sanitation and immunisations. Mass drug administration (MDA) of azithromycin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has shown promise in reducing under-5 mortality in high-risk regions, although its mechanism of protection remains largely unknown. In this Personal View, we analyse current evidence, potential effect of MDA on antimicrobial resistance, and relevant ethical principles, and propose priorities for future public health interventions.

High-sensitivity c-reactive protein and cardiovascular disease risk assessment in a population of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), driven by chronic hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and systemic inflammation. In Nigeria, genetic predispositions, ethnic and environmental factors may further modulate CVD risk. This study aimed to evaluate the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and CVD risk in Nigerian T2DM patients receiving standard care.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactam-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis from a One Health perspective.

Background: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae is a critical priority pathogen for which there is a need for new antimicrobials and poses a great public health threat to many parts of the world including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study aims to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae in SSA using a one health perspective, and the predominant ESBL genes in the region.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women and cord blood hepatitis B surface antigen positive newborns in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Background: Newborns infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) are at risk of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women and cord blood Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity of their newborns in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, and South Africa.

Study Design: Randomly selected paired maternal and cord blood samples (n = 101 each site) taken at delivery were tested for HBsAg and Hepatitis B extractable antigen (HBeAg) in the women using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

Prevalence of ESBL-producing in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis using a One Health approach.

The rise in the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens globally has been a major concern, especially due to the increasing mortality associated with AMR. One of these pathogens -classified as a WHO priority pathogen- is extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing . In this study, we aim to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as well as the genes responsible for its spread in the region.

A review on techno-economic assessment of Spirulina for sustainable nutraceutical, medicinal, environmental, and bioenergy applications.

Global population growth underlies the need to explore alternative materials to address pressing challenges in food security, medicine, energy, and environmental pollution. Spirulina is a nutrient dense cyanobacteria that offers promising solutions to the aforementioned challenges, mainly due to its rich composition of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds such as β-carotene and phycocyanin. These compounds confer various health benefits, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which make Spirulina a valuable dietary and therapeutic supplement.

Impact of sexuality on degenerative diseases.

Human sexuality is shaped by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors, influencing individual identity, behaviors, relationships, and sexual experience. Far from merely reflecting anatomical characteristics, sexuality encompasses emotional and sexual attraction toward individuals across gender spectrums, guided by factors including hormones, genetics, brain processes, and environmental influences. Societal norms and cultural beliefs also mold sexual expression, with diverse sexual identities being either embraced or stigmatized, impacting individual well-being.

Whole genome sequencing reveals virulence-mobile element linkages and phylogenetic diversity in multidrug-resistant from Nigeria.

Background: Multidrug-resistant poses a critical public health threat in Nigeria, where limited genomic surveillance hinders the understanding of virulence-resistance interplay.

Methods: This cross-sectional study employed whole-genome sequencing to characterize 107 MDR-E isolates from a Nigerian tertiary hospital (2019-2020), analyzing virulence genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), phylogroups, sequence types (STs), pathotypes, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Results: We identified 2,021 virulence genes across nine functional categories, dominated by immune evasion (, 96.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Prostate Gland: A Case Report From North-Central Nigeria.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are mesenchyme-derived tumors of undetermined malignant potential, generally considered low-grade tumors. They occur within various organs, with the abdominal cavity as the most common site of occurrence. The male genitourinary system, especially the prostate gland, is among the least common sites of occurrence.

Advanced, Recurrent Malignant Phyllodes Tumor With Malignant Heterologous Osteoid Differentiation Coexisting With Fibroadenoma in a 17-Year-Old Female Nigerian: A Case Report.

Fibroepithelial tumors of the breast are characterized by neoplastic proliferations of both ductal epithelial and stromal components of the breast parenchyma and exhibit biological behavior that ranges from completely benign to frankly malignant subtypes. Fibroadenoma, the prototypical benign example of these tumors, is both the most common benign tumor of the female breast overall and the most common breast tumor in adolescent and young adult females. Phyllodes tumor, on the other hand, encapsulates the full spectrum of benign to malignant biological behavior of these tumors, and while not as prevalent as fibroadenoma, it nevertheless occurs over a wider age range and is more prevalent in older females.

Prognostic Significance of Ki67 Expression in Prostate Cancer in Nigerians: A Single-Center Study.

Introduction Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring in men and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths globally. Associated risk factors include age, race, and positive family history. Older patients have an increased risk for more aggressive forms.

Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: implications for cardiovascular risk prediction in Nigerian patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Inflammation, marked by elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, and dyslipidaemia, are critical contributors to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. In Nigeria, where T2DM prevalence is rising, there is a need for more comprehensive risk prediction tools, incorporating both traditional and newer biomarkers such as hs-CRP.

Adult Intussusception: A 10-year Institutional Review.

Background: Intussusception occurs when a proximal bowel segment telescopes into the lumen of adjoining distal bowel. Adult intussusception (AI) is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. The preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge due to the nonspecific nature of presenting symptoms.

Simulation-based review of classical, heuristic, and metaheuristic path planning algorithms.

Path planning is the process by which an autonomous robot obtains information about its environment and chooses the best route from the start point to the target destination while avoiding obstacles. It is vital to the success of robot operation as it provides autonomous maneuverability within the environment, ensuring a collision-free and optimum path that guarantees efficient movement. This paper introduces and categorizes several notable path-planning algorithms used in robotics operations.

Nano-Enhanced Polymer Composite Materials: A Review of Current Advancements and Challenges.

Nanomaterials have demonstrated significant potential in enhancing the performance and functionality of composite materials across various industrial applications. This review delves into the unique properties of nanomaterials, with a particular focus on carbon-based nanomaterials, and presents key findings on their effectiveness in improving composite performance. The study emphasizes specific nano-based composite materials, highlighting their substantial promise in advancing the field of nanocomposites.

The benefits, barriers, and specific needs of palliative care for adults with cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

People living in low - and middle-income countries are less likely to receive palliative care. Early delivery of palliative care reduces unnecessary hospital admissions and improves patients' and their families' quality of life. This systematic review has compiled and scrutinized adult cancer patients' benefits, barriers, and specific palliative care needs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to provide stakeholders with vital information that can improve the support and care provided to this expanding patient population.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial usage: an international patient-level cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the trends in antimicrobial prescription during the first 1.5 years of COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective cohort study using patient-level data from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Italy, Malawi, Nigeria, South Korea, Switzerland and Turkey from patients with pneumonia and/or acute respiratory distress syndrome and/or sepsis, regardless of COVID-19 positivity, who were admitted to critical care units or COVID-19 specialized wards.

The Morphological Spectrum of Endometrial Biopsies in Nigerians: A Snapshot of a Review of Findings From a District Hospital.

Introduction Endometrial biopsies constitute a significant proportion of the work of pathologists. They are associated with a wide spectrum of diagnoses, including inflammatory, non-neoplastic, and neoplastic lesions. They are an invaluable procedure used by gynecologists in conjunction with pathologists to assess endometrial health.

Sero-epidemiology of measles immunoglobulin G antibodies among newborns from South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa: an observational, multicenter study.

Objectives: To investigate the transplacental acquisition of measles immunoglobulin (Ig)G in newborns at delivery in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, and South Africa.

Methods: Archived cord serum, from a multicenter study on Group B Streptococcus, were tested for measles IgG using a commercial enzyme link immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We tested 323 randomly selected samples from each of the sites.

Angiomatous Nasal Polyps in a 43-Year-Old Female From North-Central Nigeria: A Case Report.

Angiomatous nasal polyps (ANPs) are uncommon variants of nasal polyps, which, like their more common counterparts, are a significant and common cause of morbidity for patients, regardless of demographic variations. As a group, nasal polyps are non-neoplastic and commonly arise within the maxillary antrum, sphenoid, and ethmoid sinuses, protruding via the ostia into the nasal cavity. Their precise cause is unknown, but several factors related to genetics, local infections, family history, and environment have been implicated in their etiopathogenesis.

Effectiveness of multimethod, community-based educational interventions on the knowledge and attitude to birth preparedness and complications readiness among women in southwest Nigeria.

Background: Birth preparedness and complications readiness (BP/CR) is an effective strategy to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.

Aim: To assess the effect of educational interventions on women's knowledge and attitude regarding BP/CR in southwest Nigeria.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out over 1 year (May 2019-April 2020) in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Urea enhances the yield and quality of bio-oil produced from corncob through pyrolysis.

As global demand for fossil fuels rises amidst depleting reserves and environmental concerns, exploring sustainable and renewable energy sources has become imperative. This study investigated the pyrolysis of corncob, a widely available agricultural waste, using urea as a catalyst to enhance bio-oil production. The aim was to determine the optimum urea concentration and pyrolysis temperature for bio-oil yield from corncob.

Gender-specific antibiotic-resistance patterns and characterization of bacterial flora of undergraduate students' mobile phones and associated factors at a Nigerian university.

Background: Technological development has led to the wide use of mobile phones. However, the role of the hand-held device in the possible spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens considering gender variation, especially among Nigerian undergraduates is poorly understood. This study aimed to assess bacterial isolates recovered from male and female mobile phones for antibiotic resistance and determine possible factors that could facilitate their spread.