Phytochemical analysis, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) leaf extracts

Psidium guajava is one of the oldest and widely used medicinal plants in the world. The leaves, bark, roots and immature fruits are used in African ethno-medicine because of their anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal and anti-microbial properties amongst others. The aim of this work was to determine the phytochemical profile of locally sourced mature Psidium guajava leaves and to also evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of aqueous extracts of Psidium guajava leaves. Ethanol extracts of Psidium guajava leaves were subjected to analysis using GC-MS. Aqueous extracts were prepared by boiling pre-weighted fresh leaves in tap water and subsequently used in the Allium cepa assay. Analysis revealed terpene compounds (80.6%) as the most abundant phytochemical in ethanol extracts of the leaves. The results also revealed an overall significant concentration and time-dependent reduction in mitotic index (p ≤ 0.05). The value of EC50 was estimated to be 54.4 g/l. Examination of treated Allium cepa root tip cells revealed chromosomal aberrations including binucleation, bridges, distorted anaphase, clumping, vagrant chromosomes and c-mitosis. Aqueous leaf extracts of Psidium guajava leaves have genotoxic and cytotoxic potentials which should be seriously considered in its therapeutic applications

Training in neuropsychiatry: views of early career psychiatrists from across the world

© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly citedBACKGROUND: Training and practice in neuropsychiatry varies across the world. However, little is known about the experiences and opinions of early career psychiatrists (ECPs) across different countries regarding neuropsychiatry. AIMS AND METHOD: To investigate neuropsychiatry training experiences, practices and opinions among ECPs across different countries. An online survey was distributed to ECPs in 35 countries across the world. RESULTS: A total of 522 participants took part in this study. Responses show that neuropsychiatry is integrated to a variable extent in psychiatric training curricula across the world. Most respondents were not aware of the existence of neuropsychiatric training or of neuropsychiatric units. Most agreed that training in neuropsychiatry should be done during or after the psychiatry training period. Lack of interest among specialty societies, lack of time during training, and political and economic reasons are regarded as the main barriers. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings call for an improvement in the extent and in the quality of neuropsychiatry training across the world.https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-bulletin/article/training-in-neuropsychiatry-views-of-early-career-psychiatrists-from-across-the-world/CB9BA0CC9407B773B588E2E0A89C579

Causes and Consequences of Indecent Dressing Among Female Students in Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Oyo State: Implications for School Counselling

This study examined the causes and consequences of indecent dressing among female students in Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Oyo state, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select three hundred and sixty respondents in school. The instrument used was a researcher-designed scale, titled: “Causes and Consequences of Indecent Dressing Questionnaire (CCIDQ).” The findings of the study revealed that social media influence, lack of moral upbringing, and lack of parental supervision were the major causes of indecent dressing, while the finding also revealed that sexual harassment, low self-esteem and poor school grades were the major consequences of indecent dressing. Further findings showed no significant differences in the causes and consequences of indecent dressing among respondents based on religion. Also a significant difference was showed in the causes of indecent dressing among respondents based on age, while no significant difference was revealed in the consequences of indecent dressing among respondents based on age. It was recommended that school management, in collaboration with school counsellors, should use various media outlets such as television, radio, magazines, newspapers, and handbills to educate female students on the causes and consequences of indecent dressing in school

Developing an mHealth intervention to reduce COVID-19-associated psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a design and feasibility study

©Adesanmi Akinsulore, Olutayo Aloba, Olakunle Oginni, Ibidunni Oloniniyi, Olanrewaju Ibigbami, Champion Tobi Seun-Fadipe, Tolulope Opakunle, Afolabi Muyiwa Owojuyigbe, Olushola Olibamoyo, Boladale Mapayi, Victor Ogbonnaya Okorie, Abiodun Olugbenga Adewuya. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 16.11.2022. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Research Protocols, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://www.researchprotocols.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.BACKGROUND: Globally, COVID-19-related psychological distress is seriously eroding health care workers' mental health and well-being, especially in low-income countries like Nigeria. The use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions is now increasingly recognized as an innovative approach that may improve mental health and well-being. This project aims to develop an mHealth psychological intervention (mPsyI) to reduce COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to present a study protocol to determine the level of COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria; explore health care workers' experience of COVID-19-related psychological distress; develop and pilot test mPsyI to reduce this distress; and assess the feasibility of this intervention (such as usability, engagement, and satisfaction). METHODS: A mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods approach is used in which health care workers will be recruited from 2 tertiary health care facilities in southwest Nigeria. The study is divided into 4 phases based on the study objectives. Phase 1 involves a quantitative survey to assess the type and levels of psychosocial distress. Phase 2 collects qualitative data on psychosocial distress among health care workers. Phase 3 involves development of the mHealth-based psychological intervention, and phase 4 is a mixed methods study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. RESULTS: This study was funded in November 2020 by the Global Effort on COVID-19 Health Research, and collection of preliminary baseline data started in July 2021. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report the development of an mHealth-based intervention to reduce COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. Using a mixed methods design in this study can potentially facilitate the adaptation of an evidence-based treatment method that is culturally sensitive and cost-effective for the management of COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria

Relationship between Substance Abuse and Suicidal Ideation among Undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria: Implications for School Counselling

This study examined the relationship between substance abuse and suicidal ideation among undergraduates in Kwara State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey of correlational type was adopted for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents from three tertiary institutions in Kwara State, Nigeria. The research instrument, titled: “Substance Abuse and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SASIQ)” was used to collect data from the respondents. The findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between substance abuse and suicidal ideation among undergraduates in Kwara State. The findings revealed that substance abuse had no significant relationship with respondent’s age, gender, class level, place of residence, and course of study. Findings also showed that suicidal ideation had no significant relationship with respondent’s gender, class level, place of residence, age and course of study. It was therefore, recommended that undergraduates struggling with substance abuse should seek counselling and support services from professionals in school as this will help to prevent the incidents that could lead to suicidal ideation in tertiary institutions in Kwara State. Education stakeholders, including school administrators, level advisors, counsellors, parents, and health practitioners, should collaborate to develop comprehensive programmes that focus on prevention, early intervention, and support for undergraduates struggling with substance abuse and suicidal ideation, regardless of age, gender, class level, place of residence and course of study

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF FERMENTED AND UNFERMENTED SEED OF CISSUS POPULNAE FROM NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

The assessment of nutritional properties of fermented (for 24 and 48 h) and unfermented seeds of Cissus populnae from Niger State, Nigeria were determined using standard analytical methods. The proximate parameters determined were moisture, protein, ash, fat, fiber and carbohydrate.  The ranges of these values were from 12.44±0.03 (unfermented) to 15.21±0.51 (fermented for 48 h), 4.23±0.16 (unfermented) to 5.04±0.15% (fermentation at 48 h), 2.00±0.05 (unfermented) to 3.10±0.45 (fermented for 48 h), 7.20±0.60 (unfermented) to 9.01±0.11), 4.02±0.23% (fermentation for 48 h) to 7.00±0.06 (unfermented) and 63.62±0.46 (fermented at 48 h) to 67.13±0.53 (unfermented) % for the moisture, crude fiber, ash, crude protein, crude fat and crude carbohydrate contents respectively. The energy values obtained were 1522.61±0.21, 1446.82±0.33 and 1383.45±0.50 Kcal/100g for the unfermented, fermentation for 24 and 48 h respectively. From the results of this study, fermentation generally improved the mineral contents of the samples and decreased their anti-nutrient contents. Thus, large-scale production of fermented Cissus populnae seeds will be a valuable source of nutrition to man and his animals

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analyses of Opportunistic Pathogenic Fungi Associated to Tinea capitis among pupils from Selected Schools in Somolu Local Government, Lagos state, Nigeria

Tinea capitis is a contagious, scalp-involving dermatophyte infection, with a high prevalence among pre-pubertal children. This present study aims to isolate and characterize (obtaining the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the genome DNA with the PCR method using universal primers for molecular identification and phylogenetic analyses) of opportunistic mycoses pathogens associated with Tinea capitis. Scalp-scrapping were obtained from head lesions of 136 pupils with 85 boys (62.5%) and 51 girls (37.5%) from three primary schools in Somolu local government, Lagos state. One hundred and thirty-three yield fungal growth, of which are twelve fungal species were identified based on their morphological characteristics and nucleotide sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions (ITS1 and ITS4). The identified fungi include: Aspergillus sydowii, Aspergillus niger, Canidida orthopsilosis, Canidida parapsilosis, Chaetomium globosum, Neopestalotiopsis sp and Talaromyces islandicus. The utilization of a pairwise nucleotide differentiation, disparity among species was observed, ranging from 394 to 538 base pair (bp). The data reported here is to provide a basis for further improvement on the available mycoses agents (oral/topical) in order to combat opportunistic human pathogenic fungi associated with Tinea capitis infection in children. This has become a necessity as this group of fungi pathogens are always present (contribute) at the site of this infection

A longitudinal cohort study of symptoms and other concerns among Nigerian people with stages 3–5 chronic kidney diseases: study protocol

Background: The burden of symptoms and other concerns in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to be high, adversely affecting the quality of life of the growing number of those with this condition in developing countries. In this paper, we describe the protocol of a longitudinal observational study among people living with CKD. The study is developed to assess the bio-psychosocial factors associated with palliative care symptoms and concerns, and pattern of health services usage among Nigerians with stages 3–5 CKD. The overall objective is to establish the evidence-base for advocacy and policy formulation, treatment guidelines, care and services, and future clinical trial studies.Methods: This is a multi-center study to investigate the longitudinal course of symptoms and other concerns among patients with stages 3–5 CKD in Nigeria. Interviewer administered and self-report measures at baseline (T0) and 3-month (T1) address socio-demographic characteristics, clinical-illness related information, palliative care-related symptoms and other concerns, pattern of formal or informal service usage, and bio psychosocial measures including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), anxiety, depression, quality of life, functioning, social support and spiritual wellbeing.Discussion: This study represents the first longitudinal investigation of palliative care symptoms and concerns among people with CKD in Nigeria. It includes early stages of CKD in compliance with best practices, and a comprehensive range of bio-psychosocial outcomes to understand how these factors are associated with symptoms. This study will provide evidence for how best to integrate palliative care into management of CKD to improve care and quality of life of people with CKD. The study team welcomes collaborations with both national and international researchers

The grand doctoral plan: using knowledge management to promote psychosocial risk management: an enterprise level perspective

As our society advances under the influence of novel technology and ever-changing economic and social environments, so do our workplaces, work practices and processes subject to constant changes (European risk observatory, 2015). These new conditions bring with them new and emerging risks and challenges for workers and employers which demand the implementation of various approaches that ensure high levels of health and safety is maintained at work. One of these occupational safety and health risk is psychosocial risks which are known to have a negative impact on workers' mental and physical health as well as organisational health (motivation, commitment, productivity) due to the exposure of workers to psychosocial hazards. At the policy level (Jain et al., 2014), legislations that are clearly directed at psychosocial risks, work-related stress, mental health in the workplace, harassment and bullying with reference to risk evaluation for psychosocial risks as an employer responsibility have been entrenched. Despite this prognosis, there is doubt as to whether these specific legislations will achieve the desired outcomes, since interventions as opposed to preventive actions still seem to be lacking across countries. Notwithstanding a common legal framework in EU which covers all forms of hazards to workers' health, there appears to be limited awareness of this provision both by employers and other key stakeholders. Despite various psychosocial risk management (PRM) initiatives, there is still high levels of difficulty in tackling psychosocial risk (ESENER, 2009). There is an urgent need to reduce the threat which these risks pose to employees and enterprises. In an attempt to find a solution to this problem, and since studies have established significant connections between knowledge factors and enterprise innovation, performance and economic growth, while knowledge integration within the organisation has been linked to product development effectiveness, reduced defect density by improving efficiency, lowered warranty defects, and increased software development efficiency; it suffices to investigate the manner through which knowledge management could impact the promotion of psychosocial risk management. Based on these assertions, this study aims to determine how knowledge management can be an integral part of psychosocial risk management process, as a complementary approach within the enterprise, in attaining improved enterprise performance, by determining the role of key factors and processes in psychosocial risk management (PRM) and knowledge management (KM) using documentary data to examine how businesses use rhetorical devices to construct a version of reality which improves their competitive advantage; to identify overlapping factors and processes between PRM and KM by adopting a thematic approach to reveal potential parallels or inconsistencies in patterns, associations, concepts, and explanations. Furthermore, a case-study scenario will extensively explore the complementary interaction that may exist between KM and PRM that can be used to improve workers' health. The final stages of this research will focus on determining how PRM can be used to promote enhanced performance in knowledge economies using secondary data and the interview method as a tool to capture the stakeholders perspectives based on their area of expertise, as it relates to knowledge and psychosocial risk management concepts