Synergetic responses of haematopoietic hormones on dietary protein supplementation in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits

Background: Nutrition plays an important role in the management of blood dyscrasia due liver and kidney diseases. These disease conditions are usually accompanied by haematopathology which requires separate managements. There is need to provide information on the role that major components of the diet play in these conditions. This study compared at intervals, the values of erythropoietin and thrombopoietin in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits. Aim: To determine the levels of haematopoietic hormones (erythropoietin and thrombopoietin) in phlebotomised New Zealand white rabbits maintained on protein rich and hypoproteic diets. Materials and Methods: Twenty (20) New Zealand white rabbits were maintained on a diet containing 30% Protein for a period of four weeks (BASELINE), bled and grouped (TREATMENT) as follows A (n=5)– hypoproteic diet, B (n=5)–30% Protein rich diet, C (n=5)–hypoproteic diet (Phlebotomized), D (n=5)–30% Protein (Phlebotomized). Blood samples were obtained from the marginal earvein of the Rabbits after the period of acclimatization (4 weeks) to obtain baseline data. The animals were maintained on the indicated feed and also bled every other day to reduce the haematocrit by 20% and determine erythropoietin and thrombopoietin levels. The animals were sacrificed and the kidney and liver were harvested for histological studies. Result: There was a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in the response of thrombopoietin and erythropoietin in New Zealand white rabbits fed with hypoproteic diet as compared to those fed with protein rich (30% protein) diet. Conclusion: The outcome of this study suggests that dietary protein supplementation can improve blood dyscrasia resulting from active bleeding, malnutrition and thrombocytopenia caused by increased platelet loss due to bleeding. Keywords: New Zealand White rabbits, Dietary Protein, Thrombopoietin, Erythropoietin, Phlebotomy

Perception des prestataires de soins sur l’utilisation du partogramme au Burundi

Introduction: Le partogramme est un outil de surveillance du travail  d'accouchement, qui est peu utilisé de façon régulière dans certains pays,dont le Burundi. L'objectif de cette étude avait pour objectif de documenter la perception des prestataires de soins à l'utilisation du partogramme et les barrières à son utilisation dans les formations sanitaires du Burundi. Méthodes: Des interviews et focus groups ont été réalisés avec des prestataires, en français et en langue locale le Kirundi. Des questionnaires en français ont été distribués aux prestataires qui ont répondu aux interviews. Les renseignements obtenus grâce aux interviews et focus groups ont été transcrits par thème et analysés par le logiciel Weft QDA. Les réponses au questionnaire ont été saisies par Microsoft Access. Résultats: Le partogramme est apprécié par les répondants pour sa facilité de montrer la progression du travail et de permettre la  communication entre soignants. Cependant, plusieurs d'entre eux trouvent que le partogramme ne donne pas de valeur ajoutée. Les facteurs  décourageants son utilisation sont une surcharge du travail pour les prestataires et le manque de personnel formé à son utilisation. Conclusion: Bien que le Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Lutte contre le SIDA (MSPLS) ait couvert presque tous les districts sanitaires en matière de formation sur l'utilisation du partogramme, ces formations n'ont pas suffit pour déclencher et perpétuer son utilisation. Cette étude montre en particulier le rapport entre la motivation d'utilisation du  partogramme et la vérification de cette utilisation par les superviseurs et les médecins

The role and scope of practice of midwives in humanitarian settings:a systematic review and content analysis

Abstract Background Midwives have an essential role to play in preparing for and providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in humanitarian settings due to their unique knowledge and skills, position as frontline providers and geographic and social proximity to the communities they serve. There are considerable gaps in the international guidance that defines the scope of practice of midwives in crises, particularly for the mitigation and preparedness, and recovery phases. We undertook a systematic review to provide further clarification of this scope of practice and insights to optimise midwifery performance. The review aimed to determine what SRH services midwives are involved in delivering across the emergency management cycle in humanitarian contexts, and how they are working with other professionals to deliver health care. Methods Four electronic databases and the websites of 33 organisations were searched between January and March 2017. Papers were eligible for inclusion if they were published in English between 2007 and 2017 and reported primary research pertaining to the role of midwives in delivering and performing any component of sexual and/or reproductive health in humanitarian settings. Content analysis was used to map the study findings to the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH across the three phases of the disaster management cycle and identify how midwives work with other members of the health care team. Results Fourteen studies from ten countries were included. Twelve studies were undertaken in conflict settings, and two were conducted in the context of the aftermath of natural disasters. We found a paucity of evidence from the research literature that examines the activities and roles undertaken by midwives across the disaster management cycle. This lack of evidence was more apparent during the mitigation and preparedness, and recovery phases than the response phase of the disaster management cycle. Conclusion Research-informed guidelines and strategies are required to better align the scope of practice of midwives with the objectives of multi-agency guidelines and agreements, as well as the activities of the MISP, to ensure that the potential of midwives can be acknowledged and optimised across the disaster management cycle

The Global State of Contemporary Andrology Practice:A Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Practice, Training Pathways, and Emerging Challenges

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the current state of andrology practice worldwide, identifies challenges faced by clinicians, and explores training, certification, and research opportunities. It also seeks to redefine the qualifications necessary to be recognized as an andrologist and to propose areas for standardization and improvement.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A global, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 48-question online questionnaire designed by international experts. The survey, distributed in English, covered various domains of modern andrology practice. Responses from 405 participants across 59 countries were analyzed using R version 4.1.2, with categorical variables reported as frequencies and percentages.RESULTS: Among respondents, 47.3% held medical doctor (MD) degrees, with urologists (31.1%) and clinical andrologists (25.3%) being the most represented specialties. Formal, board-certified andrological training was reported as available in only 48.1% of countries. While half of the respondents identified as andrologists based on experience, only one-third did so through certification, obtained from diverse, nationally recognized organizations. The primary areas of practice included male infertility (36.7%), male sexual dysfunction (27.2%), and sexually transmitted infections (14.5%). Many participants were actively engaged in assisted reproductive technologies, imaging, and andrological surgical emergencies. Despite strong interest in clinical, basic, and translational research, respondents highlighted significant challenges, including inconsistent training pathways, insufficient certification standards, and the complexity of managing diverse andrological conditions.CONCLUSIONS: Andrology is an evolving multidisciplinary specialty where board-certified urologists, clinical andrologists, and reproductive medicine specialists collaborate to address male reproductive and sexual health challenges. Despite their advanced competencies in medical, surgical, and laboratory interventions, specialists face significant global disparities in training and certification. This survey highlights the urgent need for standardized training, evidence-based guidelines, and unified certification to ensure consistency, enhance patient care, and advance andrology's academic and clinical excellence worldwide.</p

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

Background Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications. Methods We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC). Findings In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683–0·717]). Interpretation In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required. Funding British Journal of Surgery Society

GENDER BASED ANALYSIS ON ACTIVITIES OF Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) G. Don AND Vitelleria paradoxa (C. F. Gaertn) VALUE CHAINS IN DERIVED SAVANNAH ZONE OF NIGERIA

The research examined the gender based activities on Parkia biglobosa and Vitelleria paradoxa value chains in derived savannah zone of Nigeria using Oyo State as a case study. The research survey design was adopted which involved administration of semi-structured questionnaires of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents in two Local Government areas of Oyo State namely: Atisbo and Saki. The study areas were purposively selected based on the abundance of the selected Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). The data were analysed using descriptive statistic. The result showed that farm had the highest number of seeds for collection (48.3% and 41.7%) of Parkia biglobosa and Vitelleria paradoxa followed by community forests. Greater percentage of the population of Shea butter and Parkia producers in the study area were dominated by aged group which were mostly women. Produce were mainly for local consumption while a few numbers attract the larger domestic and international markets. Therefore, it is recommended that government should help in providing simple, easy technology that will facilitate good hygiene practices, packaging and also provide basic infrastructures like boreholes, sorting, cracking, dehuller and milling machines for both the fruits and seeds processors</jats:p

Modelling of Hydration Characteristics of Five Varieties of Cowpea Grains

Introduction: The hydration of grains is a process that consists of soaking them in water in order to increase their moisture content and this is a crucial step in industrialized processing and provides several beneficial effects on their physicochemical and nutritional qualities. Aims: This study focused on modeling of hydration characteristics of five varieties of cowpea which are: Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto cultivated in Nigeria. Methodology: The experiments were carried out using electronic water bath at five temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70°C) in three replications. The amount of water absorption by five selected varieties of cowpea grains was calculated by measuring the increase in the mass of soaked grains per time. Five standard models of water absorption were fitted to the experimental data. Coefficient of determination (R2), chi-square (x2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the models. Results: The initial moisture content of the saturated cowpea was estimated as 13.56 ±1.15, 15.05 ±2.27, 13.30 ±0.37, 10.85 ±0.13, 12.40 ±0.13 for Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto varieties respectively. The water uptake of the cowpea was faster at the initial stage and gradually slow down until the equilibrium moisture content was attained for all the varieties. Conclusions: Weibull model was adjudged as the best fitted model for describing the water absorption property of all the varieties of the cowpea and the Activation energy of Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto varieties are 42.26 ± 4.65, 40.36 ±8.90, 39.47 ±8.62, 43.08 ±5.25 and 39.66 ±6.72 respectively

Modelling of Hydration Characteristics of Five Varieties of Cowpea Grains

Introduction: The hydration of grains is a process that consists of soaking them in water in order to increase their moisture content and this is a crucial step in industrialized processing and provides several beneficial effects on their physicochemical and nutritional qualities.&#x0D; Aims: This study focused on modeling of hydration characteristics of five varieties of cowpea which are: Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto cultivated in Nigeria.&#x0D; Methodology: The experiments were carried out using electronic water bath at five temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70°C) in three replications. The amount of water absorption by five selected varieties of cowpea grains was calculated by measuring the increase in the mass of soaked grains per time. Five standard models of water absorption were fitted to the experimental data. Coefficient of determination (R2), chi-square (x2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the models.&#x0D; Results: The initial moisture content of the saturated cowpea was estimated as 13.56 ±1.15, 15.05 ±2.27, 13.30 ±0.37, 10.85 ±0.13, 12.40 ±0.13 for Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto varieties respectively. The water uptake of the cowpea was faster at the initial stage and gradually slow down until the equilibrium moisture content was attained for all the varieties.&#x0D; Conclusions: Weibull model was adjudged as the best fitted model for describing the water absorption property of all the varieties of the cowpea and the Activation energy of Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto varieties are 42.26 ± 4.65, 40.36 ±8.90, 39.47 ±8.62, 43.08 ±5.25 and 39.66 ±6.72 respectively.</jats:p