Intestinal Helminthiasis among School Children in Ilie, Osun State, Southwest, Nigeria

A cross sectional study of intestinal helminthiasis among school pupils was undertaken in three primary schools in Ilie in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun state in order to determine the prevalence and intensity of helminthic infections. The relationship between intestinal helminths and anthropometric indices and the factors that could favour the infection were also studied. Faecal samples from three hundred and four (304) randomly selected out of the four hundred and seven (407) school children in the study area were collected and analysed with the semi-quantitative Kato Katz technique and concentrated method. The intensity of infection was classified into light, moderate or high according to World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds. The overall prevalence rate was 52.0% while five species of intestinal helminths were identified. Ascaris lumbricoides (36.2%) was the most common, followed by Hookworm (10.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (4%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.7%). Multiple helminthic infection were recorded with Ascaris –Hookworm (6.58%) having the highest prevalence among the children. Female (56.6%) were more infected than male (46.4%) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0019). Seventeen percent (17%) of the children were below the third percentile for weight (wasted) while fourteen percent (14%) were below the third percentile for height (stunted). There was a relationship between intensity of infection and wasting since there were fewer underweight pupils (13%) with normal stool than those moderately infected (35%) (

Serum neurofilament light chain levels are associated with white matter integrity in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a protein that is selectively expressed in neurons. Increased levels of NfL measured in either cerebrospinal fluid or blood is thought to be a biomarker of neuronal damage in neurodegenerative diseases. However, there have been limited investigations relating NfL to the concurrent measures of white matter (WM) decline that it should reflect. White matter damage is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease. We hypothesized that serum levels of NfL would associate with WM lesion volume and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics cross-sectionally in 117 autosomal dominant mutation carriers (MC) compared to 84 non-carrier (NC) familial controls as well as in a subset (N = 41) of MC with longitudinal NfL and MRI data. In MC, elevated cross-sectional NfL was positively associated with WM hyperintensity lesion volume, mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity and negatively with fractional anisotropy. Greater change in NfL levels in MC was associated with larger changes in fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and radial diffusivity, all indicative of reduced WM integrity. There were no relationships with NfL in NC. Our results demonstrate that blood-based NfL levels reflect WM integrity and supports the view that blood levels of NfL are predictive of WM damage in the brain. This is a critical result in improving the interpretability of NfL as a marker of brain integrity, and for validating this emerging biomarker for future use in clinical and research settings across multiple neurodegenerative diseases

Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis: A Comprehensive Review

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by periods of remission and periods of relapse. Patients often present with symptoms such as rectal bleeding, diarrhea and weight loss, and may require hospitalization and even colectomy. Long-term complications of UC include decreased quality of life and productivity and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Mucosal healing (MH) has gained progressive importance in the management of UC patients. In this article, we review the endoscopic findings that define both mucosal injury and MH, and the strengths and limitations of the scoring systems currently available in clinical practice. The basic mechanisms behind colonic injury and MH are covered, highlighting the pathways through which different drugs exert their effect towards reducing inflammation and promoting epithelial repair. A comprehensive review of the evidence for approved drugs for UC to achieve and maintain MH is provided, including a section on the pharmacokinetics of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha drugs. Currently approved drugs with proven efficacy in achieving MH in UC include salicylates, corticosteroids (induction only), calcineurin inhibitors (induction only), thiopurines, vedolizumab and anti-TNF alpha drugs (infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab). MH is of crucial relevance in the outcomes of UC, resulting in lower incidences of clinical relapse, the need for hospitalization and surgery, as well as reduced rates of dysplasia and colorectal cancer. Finally, we present recent evidence towards the need for a more strict definition of complete MH as the preferred endpoint for UC patients, using a combination of both endoscopic and histological findings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A narrative review of health research capacity strengthening in low and middle-income countries: lessons for conflict-affected areas

Abstract Conducting health research in conflict-affected areas and other complex environments is difficult, yet vital. However, the capacity to undertake such research is often limited and with little translation into practice, particularly in poorer countries. There is therefore a need to strengthen health research capacity in conflict-affected countries and regions. In this narrative review, we draw together evidence from low and middle-income countries to highlight challenges to research capacity strengthening in conflict, as well as examples of good practice. We find that authorship trends in health research indicate global imbalances in research capacity, with implications for the type and priorities of research produced, equity within epistemic communities and the development of sustainable research capacity in low and middle-income countries. Yet, there is little evidence on what constitutes effective health research capacity strengthening in conflict-affected areas. There is more evidence on health research capacity strengthening in general, from which several key enablers emerge: adequate and sustained financing; effective stewardship and equitable research partnerships; mentorship of researchers of all levels; and effective linkages of research to policy and practice. Strengthening health research capacity in conflict-affected areas needs to occur at multiple levels to ensure sustainability and equity. Capacity strengthening interventions need to take into consideration the dynamics of conflict, power dynamics within research collaborations, the potential impact of technology, and the wider political environment in which they take place

Omics-based molecular techniques in oral pathology centred cancer: Prospect and challenges in Africa

: The completion of the human genome project and the accomplished milestones in the human proteome project; as well as the progress made so far in computational bioinformatics and “big data” processing have contributed immensely to individualized/personalized medicine in the developed world.At the dawn of precision medicine, various omics-based therapies and bioengineering can now be applied accurately for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and risk stratifcation of cancer in a manner that was hitherto not thought possible. The widespread introduction of genomics and other omics-based approaches into the postgraduate training curriculum of diverse medical and dental specialties, including pathology has improved the profciency of practitioners in the use of novel molecular signatures in patient management. In addition, intricate details about disease disparity among diferent human populations are beginning to emerge. This would facilitate the use of tailor-made novel theranostic methods based on emerging molecular evidences

Cost and returns on the marketing of charcoal within Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

The study on the cost and returns of charcoal marketing was carried out within Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to investigate the returns on the sales of charcoal among randomly selected major charcoal markets. Questionnaire was used as a primary source of data collection. Descriptive statistics, Rate of Return on Investment and Cost and Return analysis was used to analyze the data obtained for thestudy. The results revealed that 92% of the respondents were female, 44% were in the age group 36-45 years old which was the largest group, 41% had primary school education while residues and breakages (70%) constitute a very serious problem faced by the marketers. The result further show that Bodija market had the highest profit of about N59, 665 and rate of return on investment of 48.50% with this it implied thatthere was high demand of charcoal in the market. Alesinloye had the lowest profit of about N23, 610 and the rate of return on investment was 19.04%. This was because it had the largest marketing cost incurred in the business and low revenue generated. It was concluded that to boost the business in the area, the producers should ensure that the pyrolysis or carbonization of wood is done perfectly so as to reduce residues

Serum chromium concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients attending a secondary referral hospital in Nigeria

A highly refined diet that contains too few micronutrients has been recognized as the dominant factor in the rising incidence of diabetes and other insulin related conditions. Among the missing micronutrients, chromium has the greatest impact on insulin response. The objective of this study was to determine serum chromium concentrations in Nigerian type 2 diabetes patients attending a secondary referral hospital in Nigeria and to determine whether such concentration has any effects on glucose intolerance in diabetes. Subjects included those attending the diabetes clinic and those hospitalized due to the disease. Mean (±SD) serum Cr concentration of the diabetics and controls were significantly different 0.3 (0.32) nmol/L and 1.08 (.63) nmol/L respectively (p<0.05). Serum chromium concentrations were below normal reference range in 81.3% of the diabetes patients and 20% in the control subjects (p<0.05). Serum chromium was not correlated with glycemic control as measured by fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Lower serum chromium concentrations and poor chromium status are common in type 2 diabetics in Osogbo, Nigeria.Keywords: Diabetes, serum chromium, glucose tolerance, insulin International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 388-392, 200

Socio-Economics and Marketing of Chewing Stick in Ogbomoso Metropolis of Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed trade in chewing stick in Ogbomoso metropolis of Oyo state with a view to identifying and describing the socio-economic characteristics of the chewing stick wholesalers and retailers, identifying and describing the channels of distribution, determiniming the cost and returns structure in chewing stick trade as well as identifying the major problems facing trade in chewing sticks. Purposive random sampling was employed for the selection of one hundred (100) marketers who were interviewed with semi-structured questionnaires to obtain data on their socio-demographic characteristics, years of experience in the business, costs and revenues. Data generated were analyzed using simple descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency distributions, percentages, cross tabulations, marketing margin and correlation analysis. The result shows that 38.2% of the chewing stick Marketers falls within age of 31-46years and 16-30 (35.3%) with females constituting as much as 60%. A greater part (80%) of the respondents was married, with majority (52%) of them having a household size of 1-5 persons. More than half (55.4%) of the respondents have primary school leaving certificates while 35.3% have secondary education. The Marketers have trading experience ranging between 1 to 5 years (52.9%), 6 to 10 years (35.55%) and 11 to 15 years (11.8%). The study concludes that chewing stick trade is a major means of livelihood in Ogbomoso metropolis, providing income for the sustenance of persons engaged in it and their dependants. As a Non-Timber Forest Product collected from the wild; urgent steps need to be taken for its domestication and cultivation to avoid untimely extinction of the source of livelihood of these respondents and their dependants.Keywords: Non-Timber Forest Products, Chewing stick, Marketing, Channels of distribution, Gender

المحفظة الإلكترونية والتعامل معها من منظور شرعي = E-wallet and transaction with it in shariah perspective

In this research, the subject of the electronic wallet was dealt with and dealt with from a legal perspective, as the electronic wallet is considered one of the commonly used payment methods in the current era, and is acceptable to all dealers, sellers and buyers. The research problem lies in the statement of the legal adaptation of the use of the electronic wallet in financial transactions, as it has become a contemporary and commonly used financial payment tool. The research aims to discover the reasons for the widespread use of the electronic wallet and the legal adaptation in dealing with it as a financial payment method. This research follows the qualitative methodology in collecting data from books, articles and scientific publications and analyzing them to answer the research questions. The study reached several results, including that it is not possible to judge electronic wallets and adapt them legally from the perspective of Islamic law, except after knowing the nature of their work, and the ways to invest in them if there is an investment, and the extent to which that is compatible with Sharia. The electronic wallet has a higher security rate compared to the traditional methods of saving cash, as well as the electronic wallet has a higher security rate in saving customer data, and finally the study found that the electronic wallet facilitates buying and selling operations with government and private agencies