Adult pedestrian behavior when accompanying children on the route to school

Objective: Pedestrian injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality to children, especially boys. Adults serve as pedestrian role models and provide learning opportunities for children when walking to school. The research objectives were to investigate adult pedestrian behavior when accompanying boys and girls. Methods: Behavioral observation of 140 adult pedestrians accompanying 4- to 9-year-old children was done in British residential locations. Observations took place at light-controlled crossings, speed-restricted school safety zones, and mid-block unmarked crossing sites. Behaviors observed included stopping at the curb, waiting at the curb, looking left and right before and during road crossing, holding hands, talking, and walking straight across. Results: In general, adults modeled safe road crossing behaviors. Adult safe behavior scores were higher when accompanying girls than when accompanying boys. No statistically significant differences were found by child age group. The fewest safe pedestrian behaviors were observed at light-controlled crossings. Conclusions: Adult pedestrians behave differently when with boys and girls and at different types of road crossing site. Interventions aimed at reducing pedestrian injuries to children may need to take these different everyday experiences into consideration

A critical anaylsis of the mechanisms for settlement of investment disputes in international arbitration

This paper analyses the mechanism for settlement of investment dispute in International Arbitration. The paper adopts doctrinal and analytical approach to legal research. The study examines the provisions of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID) being the most recognised platform for settlement of investment dispute. However, references were made to similar institutions for comparison. The study reveals that Investment Treaties - either multi or bilateral treaty (BITs) are entered into to provide avenue for settlement of investment dispute that may arise between states or their nationals to the treaty. The paper argues that certain provisions of ICSID and other institutional mechanisms for settlement of investment dispute contain compulsory arbitration thereby negating the concepts of consent and party autonomy which are salient elements of international arbitration. The paper concludes with recommendations that the offending provisions of ICSID should be reformed in tandem with jurisprudence of arbitration proceedings.Keywords: Mechanisms, Settlement, Investment, ICSID, Disputes and International Arbitratio

The relationship between chronic sleep deficits and distractions in young adult drivers

This study reports the relationship between chronic sleep deficits and distractions on driving mistakes in university undergraduates (age 19-23 years). All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about their sleeping habits and to drive a fixed-base driving simulator housed in a Fiat Cinquencento. Drivers were distracted either by being asked to read a map, operate a radio, take a drink, open a sweet wrapper or discuss with the experimenter (on a mobile phone during the drive).The results showed that drivers had more speed limit exceedances and more road edge excursions when distracted. There was also a significant difference in speed exceedances between participants who had sufficient sleep and those that had a chronic sleep debt. Significant positive correlations were found between speed exceedance and obtaining too little sleep, and between feeling uncomfortable during the day in the distracted drivers. There was also a significant negative correlation between speed exceedances and actual hours of sleep. Even when not distracted, a positive correlation existed between the number of collisions and difficulty in waking up. The results of this study indicate that young drivers with chronic sleep deficits are more likely to make driving errors when distracted

Comparative in-vitro studies on the efficacy of ivermectin against gastrointestinal sheep nematode

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the relative efficacy of various brands of ivermectin injection available for use in clinical veterinary practice in Nigeria. Method: Ivermectin injections were evaluated by a larval development assay (LDVA), using the larvae of Strongyles (predominantly Haemonchus contortus) of sheep. The effect of standard solutions of the drug from the various brands on the transformation of L1 to L3 and survival of L3 larvae was used to assess bioactivity. The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) was determined from regression line obtained by probit transformation of the biological data. The LC50 values for each of the brands were compared with that of the innovator brand (Ivomec Superâ) for any significant difference. Results: The LC50 values obtained for the five brands varied widely. It ranges from 1.1±0.17 ng/ml for the innovator brand to 2.3±0.3, 3.0±0.3, 8.0±0.2 and 17.0±0.3 ng/ml for the other four brands. The biological assays performed on each of the five brands were of comparable precision. LC50 for Ivomec superâ was significantly different from those of the other four brands (Student's t test, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The bioactivities of brands of ivermectin injections available in Nigeria are significantly different. This is a probable reason for the varied treatment response to various brands of ivermectin injection in veterinary practice in Nigeria. This justifies the need for drug regulatory bodies in Nigeria to ensure that ivermectin injections registered for use in Nigeria meets approved standards before the drugs are allowed to be imported into the country. Key words: Bioactivity, ivermectin, sheep nematode Trop J Pharm Res, December 2003; 2(2): 235-23

Clinical symptoms and outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel strain of coronavirus, which is the cause of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ravaging many countries of the world. The objective of this study is to assess the symptomatology and case management outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria.Methodology: This was a longitudinal study carried out on randomly selected patients with COVID-19, confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital, Akure, from March to July 2020. Clinical and outcome data obtained from the patients were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 software, and variables were compared using the Chi square (χ²) test and Odds ratio (OR).Results: A total of 215 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly recruited, with 103 males and 112 females (M:F ratio of 1:1.1), and mean age of 37.24 ± 16.83 years. The most common symptoms were shortness of breath (22.8%), cough (18.6%), fatigue (17.2%), runny nose (16.7%), fever (16.3%), and sneezing (14.0%). Mortality rate among the patients was 4.7% (10/215). Statistical analysis showed that fever [χ² = 8.75, OR 2.17 (95% CI: 0.29-16.63), p=0.003] and sneezing [χ²=11.35, OR 2.75 (95% CI: 0.34-18.27), p=0.001] were clinical presentations with significant impact on the final outcome of the patients.Conclusion: This study showed that the most common symptoms in hospitalized COVID-19 patients were shortness of breath, cough, running nose, fever and sneezing, which underscores the importance of monitoring of patients for these symptoms. Keywords: COVID-19; symptoms; management; hospitalized; outcome; Nigeria &nbsp; French Title: Symptômes cliniques et résultats chez les patients hospitalisés COVID-19 dans l'État d'Ondo, dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria Contexte: Le coronavirus-2 du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère (SRAS-CoV-2) est une nouvelle souche de coronavirus, qui est à l'origine de la pandémie actuelle de coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), ravageant de nombreux pays du monde. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer les résultats de la symptomatologie et de la prise en charge des cas de patients hospitalisés COVID-19 dans l'État d'Ondo, dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria. Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'une étude longitudinale réalisée sur des patients sélectionnés au hasard atteints de COVID-19, confirmée par réaction en chaîne par transcriptase-polymérase inverse en temps réel (rRT-PCR), admis à l'hôpital des maladies infectieuses d'Akure de mars à juillet 2020. Les données cliniques et les résultats obtenus des patients ont été analysés à l'aide du logiciel Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0, et les variables ont été comparées à l'aide du test du Chi carré (χ²) et du rapport de cotes (OR). Résultats: Un total de 215 patients hospitalisés COVID-19 ont été recrutés au hasard, avec 103 hommes et 112 femmes (rapport H: F de 1: 1,1), et un âge moyen de 37,24±16,83 ans. Les symptômes les plus courants étaient l'essoufflement (22,8%), la toux (18,6%), la fatigue (17,2%), l'écoulement nasal (16,7%), la fièvre (16,3%) et les éternuements (14,0%). Le taux de mortalité parmi les patients était de 4,7% (10/215). L'analyse statistique a montré que la fièvre [χ²=8,75, OR 2,17 (IC à 95%: 0,29 à 16,63), p=0,003] et les éternuements [χ²=11,35, OR 2,75 (IC à 95%: 0,34 à 18,27), p=0,001] étaient présentations cliniques avec un impact significatif sur le résultat final des patients. Conclusion: Cette étude a montré que les symptômes les plus courants chez les patients hospitalisés sous COVID-19 étaient l'essoufflement, la toux, le nez qui coule, la fièvre et les éternuements, ce qui souligne l'importance de la surveillance des patients pour ces symptômes. Mots clés: COVID-19; symptômes; la gestion; hospitalisé; résultat; Nigeri

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN PATIENT WITH DIABETES MELLITUS 2 TYPE: CO-EXISTANCE AND THERAPEUTIC APROCHES

On the example of the clinical case of atrial fibrillation in patient with diabetes mellitus type 2, were discussed molecular mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives, anticoagulation treatment and anti-arrhythmic treatment strategies benefit. Recommendations on lifestyle modification and medicament treatment tactics are described

Transactivation of EGFR by LPS induces COX-2 expression in enterocytes

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of gastrointestinal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. NEC is characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory response to bacterial flora leading to bowel necrosis. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediates inflammation through TLR4 activation and is a key molecule in the pathogenesis of NEC. However, LPS also induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which promotes intestinal barrier restitution through stimulation of intestinal cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation prevents experimental NEC and may play a critical role in LPS-stimulated COX-2 production. We hypothesized that EGFR is required for LPS induction of COX-2 expression. Our data show that inhibiting EGFR kinase activity blocks LPS-induced COX-2 expression in small intestinal epithelial cells. LPS induction of COX-2 requires Src-family kinase signaling while LPS transactivation of EGFR requires matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activity. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors block LPS stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK, suggesting an important role of the MAPK/ERK pathway in EGFR-mediated COX-2 expression. LPS stimulates proliferation of IEC-6 cells, but this stimulation is inhibited with either the EGFR kinase inhibitor AG1478, or the selective COX-2 inhibitor Celecoxib. Taken together, these data show that EGFR plays an important role in LPS-induction of COX-2 expression in enterocytes, which may be one mechanism for EGF in inhibition of NEC

Dataset on noise level measurement in Ota metropolis, Nigeria

Datasets contained in this article are noise level measurementcarried out at 41 different locations in Ota metropolis, Nigeria. Thenoise readings were measured at a time interval of 30 min for eachsite considered using a precision grade sound level meter. Theanalysis was based on the noise descriptors LAeq,L10,L90,LD, TNIand NEI. Results from the study reflects that the highest and lowestequivalent noise levels (LAeq) were recorded at commercial areas(96 dB (A)) and residential areas (52 dB (A)), respectively, thebackground noise level (L90) has the highest and lowest values atcommercial areas (77 dB (A)) and residential areas (44 dB (A)),respectively and the peak value (L10) has the highest value andlowest value at the commercial areas (96 dB (A)) and residentialareas (56 dB (A)). Based on the WHO recommendations and stan-dards, only 2 out of the 41 locations considered are under normallyacceptable situation while the noise levels of other areas are notacceptable. Noise map developed in this study provides enoughinformation for technical controls and interim legislation againstenvironmental noise pollution in the metropolis. Moreover, con-sidering the noise emission standards, planning and promoting thecitizens awareness about the high noise risk could help to mitigatethe effect of noise in Ota, Metropolis. The noise data in this study are useful as reference and guideline for future regulations onnoise limit to be implemented for urban areas in Nigeria anddeveloping countries at large

HLA-DQA1*05 carriage associated with development of anti-drug antibodies to infliximab and adalimumab in patients with Crohn's Disease

Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapies are the most widely used biologic drugs for treating immune-mediated diseases, but repeated administration can induce the formation of anti-drug antibodies. The ability to identify patients at increased risk for development of anti-drug antibodies would facilitate selection of therapy and use of preventative strategies.This article is freely available via Open Access. Click on Publisher URL to access the full-text