FEAR APPEAL AND CUSTOMER PATRONAGE OF RETROVIRAL DISTRIBUTING HOSPITALS IN PORT HARCOURT

The study’s goal was to look into the affiliation between fear appeal and client patronage in Port Harcourt’s retro-viral distribution hospitals. The objectives were to investigate the effect between perceived threats and self-control on customer patronage of retro-viral distributing hospitals in Port Harcourt, and mediated with audience perception on fear appeal and customer patronage of retro-viral distributing hospitals in Port Harcourt. The three major government-operated hospitals constitute the population for the study and customers of the above organizations served as the respondents to the research instrument, which was determined using Freund and William (2009). The analysis was carried out through simple percentages and Simple Regression, and the results illustrated that fear appeal adopted by retro-viral distributing hospitals in Port Harcourt to a large extent influences the measure of customer patronage; that is, perceived threat influences buying intent and repeat buying positively; self-control influences buying intent and repeat buying positively, and threat severity influence buying intent and repeat buying positively. It was suggested that Retro-viral distributing hospitals should learn to use messages that relate to the consumer's goals and interests to convince customers to make purchases or even become loyal customers

Impacts of a Pilot of Community Antiretroviral Group Initiative on HIV‑Positive Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Background: Decentralization, as seen in community antiretroviral group (CAG), has resulted in a significant decline in deaths from AIDS‑related causes with projected further benefits in middle‑ and low‑income countries, such as Nigeria. After 2 years of CAG implementation in our facility, this study is designed to assess its impacts on the pilot‑cohort of patients, (individual and group), and the hospital facility. Materials and Methods: Pooled data from the CAG register of the pilot cohort of 84 clients, was used for the study. Review of data at entry and 2 years after was done. A questionnaire was used to obtain additional qualitative data. This was administered to all the eighty‑four pilot patients and 31 caregivers. Results: There were eight locations, with 84, clients, 62 females and 22 males. The mean/standard deviation of age was 39.38 ± 9.68 years. There were significant increases in weight (kg), (from 65.94 ± 11.012 to 70.69 ± 11.465, P < 0.001), body mass index (kg/m2), (from 24.77 ± 3.879 to 26.79 ± 4.282 P < 0.001), packed cell volume (%) from (31.19 ± 5.014 to 35.64 ± 5.131, P < 0.001), CD4 (cells/mm3), (from 394.36 ± 193.094 to 563.87 ± 220.137 P < 0.001). The viral load suppression was sustained, reducing even further, from 85.06 ± 182.329 to 31.10 ± 46.648 copies/ml, P < 0.001. Retention in care and outcomes were better. Conclusions: From this pilot, the CAG model has shown promise in reducing attrition, improving quality of care, and other direct and indirect  benefits, including; cardiovascular, nutritional, and socioeconomic. This has justified the scale‑up of this laudable model that will further improve the quality of care given to the patients and the overall quality profile of the facility and system. Keywords: Abuja, antiretroviral‑care, decentralization, pilo

Anthelmintic activities of Polyalthia longifolia leaf and stem bark extracts in Heligmosimoides bakeri infected mice

Polyalthia longifolia is used traditionally to manage intestinal worm infections. In this study, the anthelmintic activities of the leaf and stem bark extracts were evaluated in Heligmosimoides bakeri infected mice. Extracts were first subjected to phytochemical and acute toxicity (LD50) tests. For the anthelmintic study, in vivo and in vitro models were adopted. In the in vivo study, groups 3 – 6 of infected mice were assigned specific extract treatments, while groups 1, 2 and 7 were the normal, negative and standard (albendazole treated) groups respectively. Egg count was determined every 3 days during treatment. In the in vitro model, the extracts were applied to the worms in  Petri dishes before larvae counts. Results obtained showed the presence of significant amounts of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, terpenes, saponins, cardiac glycosides and phenols in both extracts with LD50 values >5000 mg/kg body weight for both extracts. Result of the in vivo anthelmintic study showed significant fall in egg/larval count in all groups treated with the extracts (p<0.05), as 400 and 800 mg/kg of the leaf extract lowered egg count to 0.60 ± 0.24 and 0.20 ± 0.20 respectively while same doses of the stem bark extract lowered egg count to 0.40 ± 0.24 and 0.20 ± 0.20 respectively, when compared with the negative control group which had a count of 297.80 ± 13.18. Results obtained in the in vitro model also indicated significant vermicidal effect for both extracts. We therefore conclude that P. longifolia may be potential sources of vermicidal agent

Effects of Englerina drummondii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens leaves extract on selected female rat organs’ weights

Background: Herbal medicine are patronized by several people across the globe This herbal medicine is routinely use and are more accessible and available. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Englerina drummondii Balle ex Polhill and Wiens leaves on rat organs (thyroid gland, kidneys, ovary and fallopian tubes) weights in female rats. Methods: 20 female rats were selected randomly into 4 groups with 5 rats per group. Group 1 received 5 ml/kg of water, group 2 received extract 100 mg/kg, group 3 received extract 200 mg/kg, and group 4 received extract 400 mg/kg. Administration of extract was done for 28 days. Results: The study revealed significance decreased in the weight of the left ovary organ when extract of medium dose (200 mg/kg) and high dose (400 mg/kg) was administered, as compared to control. The result also shows decrease in the organs weight of the thyroid gland, left kidney, right and left fallopian tubes extract of low, medium and high dose were administered. The right kidney shows increase when low dose extract was given but decrease when both low and medium dose of extract was given. However, this decrease is not significance and could be due to dose or time dependent. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23 and p<0.05 was significant. Conclusions: There was significance decreased in the weight of the left ovary organ when extract of medium dose (200 mg/kg) and high dose (400 mg/kg) was administered. Also, there is decrease in other organs weight when low, medium and high dose was given but not significance

Fc-Optimized Anti-CD25 Depletes Tumor-Infiltrating Regulatory T Cells and Synergizes with PD-1 Blockade to Eradicate Established Tumors

CD25 is expressed at high levels on regulatory T (Treg) cells and was initially proposed as a target for cancer immunotherapy. However, anti-CD25 antibodies have displayed limited activity against established tumors. We demonstrated that CD25 expression is largely restricted to tumor-infiltrating Treg cells in mice and humans. While existing anti-CD25 antibodies were observed to deplete Treg cells in the periphery, upregulation of the inhibitory Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) IIb at the tumor site prevented intra-tumoral Treg cell depletion, which may underlie the lack of anti-tumor activity previously observed in pre-clinical models. Use of an anti-CD25 antibody with enhanced binding to activating FcγRs led to effective depletion of tumor-infiltrating Treg cells, increased effector to Treg cell ratios, and improved control of established tumors. Combination with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 antibodies promoted complete tumor rejection, demonstrating the relevance of CD25 as a therapeutic target and promising substrate for future combination approaches in immune-oncology

Die Große Koalition in Kenia – ein weiteres Hindernis für die drängende Verfassungsreform?

Kenya’s Grand Coalition Government was formed in the aftermath of a serious post-electoral crisis including widespread violence. No political progress has been recorded; in striking contrast to all expectations for more moderation and consensual preparation of a constitutional reform. Based on secondary data from textbooks, newspapers, journals, and documents from both governmental and non-governmental organisations, the author finds that the continuing wrangles within the Grand Coalition Government, the fear of the debilitating effects of a constitutional referendum and the hard-line positions on the contentious issues pose a big threat to the achievement of a new constitution before the 2012 Elections.Die Große Koalition in Kenia wurde im Anschluss an eine heftige, gewaltsam ausgetragene Nachwahlkrise gebildet. Entgegen aller Erwartung, jetzt werde eine moderate und gemeinsam abgestimmte Vorbereitung der Verfassungsreform möglich, wurden keine politischen Fortschritte erzielt. Der Autor analysiert Sekundärdaten aus Monografien, Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenartikeln sowie Dokumenten von Regierungs- und Nichtregierungsorganisationen und kommt zu dem Schluss, dass der fortgesetzte Streit innerhalb der Koalitionsregierung, die Furcht vor den Unwegsamkeiten eines Verfassungsreferendums und die verhärteten Positionen zu den umstrittenen Fragen die Realisierung einer neuen Verfassung vor den Wahlen 2012 wenig wahrscheinlich machen

Kenya's Grand Coalition Government – another obstacle to urgent constitutional reform?

Kenya's Grand Coalition Government was formed in the aftermath of a serious post-electoral crisis including widespread violence. No political progress has been recorded; in striking contrast to all expectations for more moderation and consensual preparation of a constitutional reform. Based on secondary data from textbooks, newspapers, journals, and documents from both governmental and non-governmental organisations, the author finds that the continuing wrangles within the Grand Coalition Government, the fear of the debilitating effects of a constitutional referendum and the hard-line positions on the contentious issues pose a big threat to the achievement of a new constitution before the 2012 Elections.Die Große Koalition in Kenia wurde im Anschluss an eine heftige, gewaltsam ausgetragene Nachwahlkrise gebildet. Entgegen aller Erwartung, jetzt werde eine moderate und gemeinsam abgestimmte Vorbereitung der Verfassungsreform möglich, wurden keine politischen Fortschritte erzielt. Der Autor analysiert Sekundärdaten aus Monografien, Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenartikeln sowie Dokumenten von Regierungs- und Nichtregierungsorganisationen und kommt zu dem Schluss, dass der fortgesetzte Streit innerhalb der Koalitionsregierung, die Furcht vor den Unwegsamkeiten eines Verfassungsreferendums und die verhärteten Positionen zu den umstrittenen Fragen die Realisierung einer neuen Verfassung vor den Wahlen 2012 wenig wahrscheinlich machen

Die Große Koalition in Kenia – ein weiteres Hindernis für die drängende Verfassungsreform?

Kenya’s Grand Coalition Government was formed in the aftermath of a serious post-electoral crisis including widespread violence. No political progress has been recorded; in striking contrast to all expectations for more moderation and consensual preparation of a constitutional reform. Based on secondary data from textbooks, newspapers, journals, and documents from both governmental and non-governmental organisations, the author finds that the continuing wrangles within the Grand Coalition Government, the fear of the debilitating effects of a constitutional referendum and the hard-line positions on the contentious issues pose a big threat to the achievement of a new constitution before the 2012 Elections.Die Große Koalition in Kenia wurde im Anschluss an eine heftige, gewaltsam ausgetragene Nachwahlkrise gebildet. Entgegen aller Erwartung, jetzt werde eine moderate und gemeinsam abgestimmte Vorbereitung der Verfassungsreform möglich, wurden keine politischen Fortschritte erzielt. Der Autor analysiert Sekundärdaten aus Monografien, Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenartikeln sowie Dokumenten von Regierungs- und Nichtregierungsorganisationen und kommt zu dem Schluss, dass der fortgesetzte Streit innerhalb der Koalitionsregierung, die Furcht vor den Unwegsamkeiten eines Verfassungsreferendums und die verhärteten Positionen zu den umstrittenen Fragen die Realisierung einer neuen Verfassung vor den Wahlen 2012 wenig wahrscheinlich machen

Kenya.s Grand Coalition Government . Another Obstacle to Urgent Constitutional Reform?

Kenya.s Grand Coalition Government was formed in the aftermath of a serious post-electoral crisis including widespread violence. No political progress has been recorded; in striking contrast to all expectations for more moderation and consensual preparation of a constitutional reform. Based on secondary data from textbooks, newspapers, journals, and documents from both governmental and non-governmental organisations, the author finds that the continuing wrangles within the Grand Coalition Government, the fear of the debilitating effects of a constitutional referendum and the hard-line positions on the contentious issues pose a big threat to the achievement of a new constitution before the 2012 Elections.Government; Constitutional amendments/constitutional reform

Therapeutic Efficacy of Intermittent Cryotherapy in the Management of Closed Soft Tissue Injuries

The strength of evidence supporting the use of cryotherapy in the management of soft tissue injury (STI) is generally poor and only a few studies have assessed its efficacy on closed soft tissue injuries (CSTIs). Standard or continuous cryotherapy application (20 mins.) is popular and commonly used in the clinical settings, but the evidence base to support the efficacy of intermittent cryotherapy in treating various CSTIs is however, limited among human subjects. This study was therefore, designed to investigate the efficacy of intermittent cryotherapy in the management of pain among human subjects who sustained closed soft tissue injuries (CSTIs). Subjects' pre- and post-treatment pain perception scores (PPS) using visual analogue scale (VAS) and the sessions of treatment were recorded. Ice pack was applied directly over the subjects injury sites for 10 minutes. The ice pack was then removed after the initial 10 minutes application while the treatment part was allowed to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. The ice pack was reapplied immediately following the expiration of the rest period for another 10 minutes. Cryotherapy was applied once on alternate days. Of the 20 eligible subjects, only 19 received and completed treatment. The difference in the severity of pain perception before and after treatment among the subjects was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Twelve (63%) subjects were pain free and fit for discharge at the first week of treatment. The study has demonstrated that intermittent mode of cryotherapy application for a period of 20 mins. on alternate days could produce optimal pain relief among subjects who sustained various CSTIs. The procedure was well tolerated and in less than 10 treatment sessions, more than 90% of the subjects were pain free and fit to return to their activities of daily living (ADL) with no side effects reportKey Words: Efficacy, Intermittent cryotherapy, Management, Pain, Closed soft tissue injur