Seven Steps Toward State Success in Covering Children Continuously

Summarizes recommendations from symposium discussions on state efforts to increase health coverage for children, including simplifying procedures, emphasizing community-based outreach, changing agency culture, and partnering with local organizations

Between the bioactive extracts of edible mushrooms and pharmacologically important nanoparticles: Need for the investigation of a synergistic combination - A mini review

The pharmacological potential of bioactive compounds extracted from mushrooms has been studied to a reasonable level. In the same vein, the bioactivity of nanoparticles has also been investigated and reported to be of potential pharmacological benefit. No doubt, there is a reasonable amount of claims regarding the vast activity of the mushroom extracts and nanoparticles on the tested cell lines and microorganisms. In this paper, a review of the recent application of bioactive compounds extracted from two edible mushrooms (Coprinus comatus and Lactarius deliciosus), as well as some of the recently reported studies on some nanoparticles of pharmacological potentials, was carried out. In order to check for synergy in the bioactivity of the mushroom extracts when co-administered with nanoparticles, an investigation on the synergistic application of the materials through the encapsulation of the bioactive extracts from the mushroom onto the nanoparticle was proposed. The supposed synergy in the activity of the extract-nanoparticle complex could hold the key to improved activity of nutraceuticals against resistant microorganisms and tumor cells

BETWEEN THE BIOACTIVE EXTRACTS OF EDIBLE MUSHROOMS AND PHARMACOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT NANOPARTICLES: NEED FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF A SYNERGISTIC COMBINATION - A MINI REVIEW

ABSTRACTThe pharmacological potential of bioactive compounds extracted from mushrooms has been studied to a reasonable level. In the same vein, thebioactivity of nanoparticles has also been investigated and reported to be of potential pharmacological benefit. No doubt, there is a reasonableamount of claims regarding the vast activity of the mushroom extracts and nanoparticles on the tested cell lines and microorganisms. In this paper,a review of the recent application of bioactive compounds extracted from two edible mushrooms (Coprinus comatus and Lactarius deliciosus), aswell as some of the recently reported studies on some nanoparticles of pharmacological potentials, was carried out. In order to check for synergy inthe bioactivity of the mushroom extracts when co-administered with nanoparticles, an investigation on the synergistic application of the materialsthrough the encapsulation of the bioactive extracts from the mushroom onto the nanoparticle was proposed. The supposed synergy in the activity ofthe extract-nanoparticle complex could hold the key to improved activity of nutraceuticals against resistant microorganisms and tumor cells.Keywords: Coprinus comatus, Lactarius deliciosus, Nanoparticles, Synergy, Bioactive extracts

UNEARTHING THE LINK BETWEEN SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND WALLING MATERIAL SELECTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

The walling material component constitutes a substantial part of the building envelope with consequent implication on overall housing cost. This study examined the impact of socio-economic status (SES) of respondents on walling material selection preferences for affordable housing in southwest Nigeria. Data was collected in a cross-sectional field survey through administration of structured questionnaires on randomly selected respondents in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of three States in Southwest Nigeria. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with results presented in tables and figures. The result showed a high aspiration for homeownership amongst respondents. The result also showed that lesser cost implication of walling materials does not translate to acceptance and use. Most importantly, the results showed high significant relationship between SES and choice of walling material for affordable housing. The study recommends that selection of walling should be responsive to the SES of households to make housing affordable. Study is also useful for guiding formulation of affordable housing policy in Nigeria that is responsive to the SES of households in the study area

UNEARTHING THE LINK BETWEEN SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND WALLING MATERIAL SELECTION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

The walling material component constitutes a substantial part of the building envelope with consequent implication on overall housing cost. This study examined the impact of socio-economic status (SES) of respondents on walling material selection preferences for affordable housing in southwest Nigeria. Data was collected in a cross-sectional field survey through administration of structured questionnaires on randomly selected respondents in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of three States in Southwest Nigeria. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with results presented in tables and figures. The result showed a high aspiration for homeownership amongst respondents. The result also showed that lesser cost implication of walling materials does not translate to acceptance and use. Most importantly, the results showed high significant relationship between SES and choice of walling material for affordable housing. The study recommends that selection of walling should be responsive to the SES of households to make housing affordable. Study is also useful for guiding formulation of affordable housing policy in Nigeria that is responsive to the SES of households in the study area

Biosurfactants as Potential Antitumor Agents

Tumors are a solid mass of tissue that forms from the clustering of numerous abnormal cells. Many tumors are benign (non-cancerous) while most are malignant (cancerous). One common thing about tumors is that whether malignant or benign, they require treatment. However, the treatment approach differs for both classes of tumors. Although both types of tumors can affect different body parts (such as bones, skin, tissue, organs, and glands), special attention is mostly given to cancerous or malignant tumors because they are life-threatening and require special treatment. Chemotherapy and irradiation are currently the conventional treatment strategies for malignant tumors, but the problems of drug resistance and toxicity associated with tumor chemotherapy are driving the continued search for novel biocompatible antitumor agents as advocated by the World Health Organization. In this regard, natural products have received much research attention as an alternative and effective option for tumor management. Biosurfactants are natural compounds biologically produced by some strains of bacteria with potential application in different fields. Biosurfactants have attracted medical attention as promising molecules due to their diverse properties, versatility, and structural novelty. The medical field witnessed an increased commercial application of biosurfactants during the past decade because they are highly biocompatible, biodegradable, and exhibit low toxicity. The antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and antiviral activities of biosurfactants make them relevant molecules for the treatment of many diseases, including tumors. Many types of biosurfactants such as surfactin, iturin, and fengycin lipopeptide have been produced from several Bacillus species and studied for antitumor activity by several scholars against breast cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, hepatoma, etc. These biomolecules are believed to significantly inhibit the proliferation of multiple tumor types by interfering with some tumor development processes. This chapter reviewed most of the previous studies on biosurfactants and their antitumor activities, focusing more on their potential mechanisms of action and possible grounds for advanced applications

Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) among pregnant women in hard-to-reach areas in Bangladesh:BPCR in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh

Birth preparedness and complication readiness aims to reduce delays in care seeking, promote skilled birth attendance, and facility deliveries. Little is known about birth preparedness practices among populations living in hard-to-reach areas in Bangladesh.To describe levels of birth preparedness and complication readiness among recently delivered women, identify determinants of being better prepared for birth, and assess the impact of greater birth preparedness on maternal and neonatal health practices.A cross-sectional survey with 2,897 recently delivered women was undertaken in 2012 as part of an evaluation trial done in five hard-to-reach districts in rural Bangladesh. Mothers were considered well prepared for birth if they adopted two or more of the four birth preparedness components. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used for analysis.Less than a quarter (24.5%) of women were considered well prepared for birth. Predictors of being well-prepared included: husband's education (OR = 1.3; CI: 1.1-1.7), district of residence, exposure to media in the form of reading a newspaper (OR = 2.2; CI: 1.2-3.9), receiving home visit by a health worker during pregnancy (OR = 1.5; CI: 1.2-1.8), and receiving at least 3 antenatal care visits from a qualified provider (OR = 1.4; CI: 1.0-1.9). Well-prepared women were more likely to deliver at a health facility (OR = 2.4; CI: 1.9-3.1), use a skilled birth attendant (OR = 2.4, CI: 1.9-3.1), practice clean cord care (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.0-1.5), receive post-natal care from a trained provider within two days of birth for themselves (OR = 2.6, CI: 2.0-3.2) or their newborn (OR = 2.6, CI: 2.1-3.3), and seek care for delivery complications (OR = 1.8, CI: 1.3-2.6).Greater emphasis on BPCR interventions tailored for hard to reach areas is needed to improve skilled birth attendance, care seeking for complications and essential newborn care and facilitate reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality in low performing districts in Bangladesh