A Study of the Links Between Trauma Exposure, Risk-Taking Behaviors, Mental Health Service Utilization and Symptoms: Comparisons Among Native American, African American, and Caucasian Adolescents

Objectives: To undertake a comparison of the links between trauma exposure, risk-taking behaviors, presenting problems/symptoms and mental health service utilization patterns among Native American, African American, and White adolescents. Methodology: Quantitative data from children and families across 56 sites within the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), collected over a period of five years, 2004-2008 and analyzed using SAS statistical software. The sample size of this study, (n= 2909) was limited to adolescents aged 12-18 who identified as Native American (126), African American (1,250) and White (1,533) at baseline. Multiple measures of psychology and traumatic stress including the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and risk-taking behaviors (e.g., substance use, suicidality, depression, illness, serious injury) were evaluated; analyses adjusted for age, number of trauma types, gender and clinical center. Results: Native American adolescents experienced a significantly higher mean number of trauma types (4.7) as compared to White adolescents (4.1) and African American (3.4) adolescents. Specifically, Native American adolescents were more likely to experience sexual abuse, sexual assault/rape, serious injury, bereavement/loss/ separation, and physical assault when compared to the other groups of adolescents. Native American adolescents also demonstrated disproportionately high rates of risk behaviors (e.g., substance abuse) and mental health problems (e.g., PTSD) compared with African American and White adolescents. Interestingly, among this group of trauma exposed youth, White adolescents had the highest rates of suicidality, but they were not significantly different from Native American and African American adolescents. Conclusion: Given the high rates of trauma exposure, risk behaviors, and mental health problems in this sample of ethnically diverse youth, and ethnic/cultural variations across these domains, future research should explore potential differences in trauma related symptoms and problems, as well as, other health related disparities across these three groups of youth. Moreover, the findings underscore the need to develop practices and policies that can be used to prevent, identify early, and/or treatadolescents at risk to ensure accessibility across ethnic/cultural groups and minimize trauma-related sequela and disparities. Keywords: Native American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, African American, trauma, risk behaviors, adolescents, mental health, and health disparities.Master of Public Healt

Odontogenic tumors in Nigerian children and adolescents- a retrospective study of 92 cases

BACKGROUND: Tumours arising from odontogenic tissues are rare and constitute a heterogenous group of interesting lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of odontogenic tumors (OT) among Nigerian children and adolescents 19 years or younger. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The histopathology records were retrospectively reviewed for all the tumors and tumor-like lesions of the oral cavity and the jaws seen in children and adolescents ≤ 19 years seen between January 1980 and December 2003. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were re-evaluated and the diagnosis in each case was confirmed or modified according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification, 1992; and were subjected to analysis of age, sex, site of tumor and histopathologic type. RESULTS: A total of 477 tumors and tumor-like lesions were seen in patients ≤ 19 years during the period of the study. Of these, 92 (19.3%) were odontogenic tumors. Benign odontogenic tumors constituted 98.9% of the cases seen, while only 1 case (1.1%) of malignant variety was seen during the period. The mean (SD) age of patients was 14.9 (± 3.1) years (range, 4–19 years). Male-to-female ratio was 1:1; and mandible-to-maxilla ratio was 2.7:1. OT's were most frequently seen in patients aged 16–19 years (46.7%) and the least number (2.2%) were found in patients aged 0–5 years. Among nine histologic types of OT seen, ameloblastoma (48.9%), adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (19.6%) and odontogenic myxoma (8.7%) were predominant. Multicystic/solid and unicystic variants of ameloblastoma were diagnosed in 40 (89%) and 5 (11%) cases respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Odontogenic tumors are relatively common in children and adolescents in Nigeria. One out of every 5 children and adolescents with tumors and tumor-like lesions of oral cavity and the jaws seen in this study had a diagnosis of odontogenic tumor

Fast Food Consumption Pattern among Youth in Ogbomoso Metropolis of Oyo State, Nigeria

Fast food has become a prominent feature of diet and has grown into a dominant dietary pattern among youth worldwide. It is difficult to escape noticing the colourful edifice and bill boards of these food outlets, one is probably just around the corner of your street. Mr Biggs, Tastes Fried Chicken, Sweet Sensation, Big Treat, Favourite etc. Due to competitive nature of the market many of the food outlets market have started to blend their menus with African cuisines like Pounded Yam, Amala, Moin-Moin, Eda, Semovita, Fufu etc.This study analyzed fast food consumption pattern among the youth in Ogbomoso metropolis of Oyo State, Nigeria. Data were collected randomly from two hundred (200) respondents with the use of structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Logit and Tobit regression analysis. Data analysis revealed that 68% of the respondents were male, 92% were singled, 86.5% had tertiary education, 71% are Christians while 72% of the respondents were students. Average age was 24.5 years. The factors affecting the respondents decision to consume fast food are gender, hours spent in watching television, income, education and hours spent at work/school

Ethanolic extract of Jatropha gossypifolia exacerbates Potassium Bromate-induced clastogenicity, hepatotoxicity, and lipid peroxidation in rats

Extracts of J. gossypifolia L. have been reported to have several medicinal values, including potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-clastogenic and hepatoprotective, effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of J. gossypifolia L. in potassium bromate (KBrO3)-induced toxicity in rats. The general trend of the results indicates significant increases (p < 0.05) in mean values when toxicant (KBrO3) only group is compared with normal control group, except for catalase where a significant decrease (p < 0.05) was recorded. Surprisingly, treatment of the toxic effects of KBrO3 by J. gossypifolia did not lower the mean values of any of these parameters investigated. Instead, there were significant increases (p < 0.05) in the mean number of bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transferase activities, and sodium, while the increases in mean concentrations of creatinine, urea, and potassium were not significant (p > 0.05). Also, there was a further reduction in the activity of catalase by J. gossypifolia treatment, and was also not significant (p > 0.05). We therefore concluded that the ethanolic leaf extract of J. gossypifolia may not have a protective role against chromosomal and liver damage in KBrO3-induced toxicity, but complicating effects.Keywords: Jatropha gossypifolia, KBrO3, ethanolic extract, toxicity, rat

ENTREPRENEURSHIP ORIENTATION AND INNOVATIVE CAPABILITY ON SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES PERFORMANCE

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is a major sector that contributes to employability, development, and non-oil trades. Furthermore, these sorts of organizations are capable of confronting and withstanding emergencies and can further recuperate more rapidly than bigger businesses. As one of the essential models of poverty reduction, the determination of the elements driving the outcome of SMEs should be decided to effect development and growth. This research utilized explanatory design, which attempts to analyze the connection between exogenous constructs(entrepreneurial orientation, and innovation capability) and endogenous constructs (SMEsperformance). The populace is the selected small and medium-scale enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. Measures and considerations for the ventures are in view of trade volumes. The information was examined utilizing multiple linear regression analysis. The outcome shows that entrepreneurial orientation and innovative capability influence small and medium enterprise's performance cumulatively and selectively

Beyond white light:optical enhancement in conjunction with magnification colonoscopy for the assessment of mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background and study aim The I-SCAN optical enhancement (OE) system with magnification is a recently introduced combination of optical and digital electronic virtual chromoendoscopy, which enhances mucosal and vascular details. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the use of I-SCAN OE in the assessment of inflammatory changes in ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients and methods A total of 41 consecutive patients with UC and 9 control patients were examined by I-SCAN OE (Pentax Medical, Tokyo, Japan). Targeted biopsies of the imaged areas were obtained. A new optical enhancement score focusing on mucosal and vascular changes was developed. The diagnostic accuracy of I-SCAN OE was calculated against histology using two UC histological scores – Robarts Histopathology Index (RHI) and ECAP (Extent, Chronicity, Activity, Plus additional findings). Results The overall I-SCAN OE score correlated with ECAP (r = 0.70; P &lt; 0.001). The accuracy of the overall I-SCAN OE score to detect abnormalities by ECAP was 80 % (sensitivity 78 %, specificity 100 %). I-SCAN OE vascular and mucosal scores correlated with ECAP (r = 0.65 and 0.71, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). The correlation between overall I-SCAN OE score and RHI was r = 0.61 (P &lt; 0.01), and the accuracy to detect abnormalities by RHI was 68 % (sensitivity 78 %, specificity 50 %). The majority of patients with Mayo 0 had abnormalities on I-SCAN OE. Conclusion In UC, the new I-SCAN OE technology accurately identified mucosal inflammation, and correlated well with histological scores of chronic and acute changes.</jats:p

Ethanolic extract of Jatropha gossypifolia exacerbates Potassium Bromate-induced clastogenicity, hepatotoxicity, and lipid peroxidation in rats

Extracts of J. gossypifolia L. have been reported to have several medicinal values, including potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-clastogenic and hepatoprotective, effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of J. gossypifolia L. in potassium bromate (KBrO3)-induced toxicity in rats. The general trend of the results indicates significant increases (p &lt; 0.05) in mean values when toxicant (KBrO3) only group is compared with normal control group, except for catalase where a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) was recorded. Surprisingly, treatment of the toxic effects of KBrO3 by J. gossypifolia did not lower the mean values of any of these parameters investigated. Instead, there were significant increases (p &lt; 0.05) in the mean number of bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transferase activities, and sodium, while the increases in mean concentrations of creatinine, urea, and potassium were not significant (p &gt; 0.05). Also, there was a further reduction in the activity of catalase by J. gossypifolia treatment, and was also not significant (p &gt; 0.05). We therefore concluded that the ethanolic leaf extract of J. gossypifolia may not have a protective role against chromosomal and liver damage in KBrO3-induced toxicity, but complicating effects

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

An Assessment of the Role of Ice Hydrometeor-Types in WRF Bulk Microphysical Schemes in Simulating Two Heavy Rainfall Events over Southern Nigeria

The role of ice hydrometeor-types in bulk schemes available in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model has been assessed in this study to simulate two heavy rainfall events reported over the southern part of Nigeria. This has been done with a view to provide necessary information on the convective cloud hydrometeor types and compositions in the area to improve heavy rainfall forecasts with the selection of appropriate bulk microphysical schemes. Results from the statistical validation of the simulated rainfall by different schemes showed that for the first event, the WSM5 scheme with less dense snow ice particles performed relatively better than other schemes like WSM6, Morrison with graupel (MORR_G), and Morrison with hail (MORR_H), while the WDM6 scheme performed least effectively when compared to TRMM data. Conversely, the second event showed that a WDM6 scheme with graupel as dense ice particle performed better than other schemes. Further analysis using a spatial distribution plot of simulated rainfall over the area of study shows that for both cases, almost all the schemes fail to capture the intensity and location of the heavy rainfall shown by TRMM data. In addition, the surface accumulated rainfall area average of all schemes for the first (second) event shows an underestimation (overestimation). Vertical profile plots of mass mixing ratios of different ice hydrometeor compositions showed that the WSM5 scheme contains a greater mass of snow than other type ice particles for both cases, while the hydrometeor path calculation of total mass content showed the WSM5 scheme having more snow mass content than other schemes during the period of analysis in both cases. A pressure-time plot of the differences between simulated air temperature and water vapor of the WSM5 scheme showed that WSM5 simulated the higher air temperature that was needed and water vapor at the mid and upper troposphere more than other schemes. In conclusion, results from this study has shown that less dense ice particle (e.g., snow) and high dense ice particle (e.g., graupel and hail) type-bulk schemes can both be suitable for simulating heavy rainfall events that are produced by convective system(s) that are common in the area