Brand Ambassador and Customer Patronage of FMCGs: Mediating Effect of Advertisement Believability

The market for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) in the Nigerian food and beverage industry has been inundated with a massive amount of promotional messages. These messages have resulted from intense competition and rivalry among the organizations that market similar products. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of a brand ambassador on the patronage of FMCGs. Furthermore, we explore the mediating role of advertisement believability in the relationship between the variables. We use a questionnaire to elicit information from 400 respondents who are members of households in the metropolitan area of Kano that consumed Peak milk. Partial least square algorithms and bootstrapping techniques served as the tools of analysis with the aid of SMART-PLS 3. Our findings indicate that a brand ambassador has an insignificant direct effect on customer patronage and that advertisement believability has no mediating effect on the influence of a brand ambassador on customer patronage. The study recommends that managers of FMCGs should use a hybrid model of a brand ambassador and believable advertising to elicit the desired patronage from their target customers. Further, they should de-emphasis the supposed role of advertisement believability as a mediating factor on the influence of a brand ambassador on customer patronage

PAD2 Dysregulation and Abnormal Protein Citrullination in ALS Disease Models

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a deadly neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor neurons, paralysis and eventual death. The mechanism of ALS is still incompletely understood, and the disease is to date without an effective remedy. Protein arginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) converts peptidyl-Arginine into peptidyl-Citrulline, a post-translational modification referred to as citrullination. Aberrant expression of PAD2 and protein citrullination are increased in several neurodegenerative conditions. Whether this increase is involved in ALS is unknown. In this study, we investigated PAD2 and protein citrullination in two genetic mouse models of ALS expressing human mutant SOD1G93A and PFN1C71G, respectively, and in post-mortem human ALS spinal cord. We show that the expression of PAD2 mRNA and protein expressions are increased progressively along with the ALS progression. Additionally, protein citrullination is increase following the same trend. These changes occur in areas with the most severe motor neuron degeneration including the spinal cord, and brainstem. We show that the increase in PAD2 and citrullinated proteins occur specifically in astrocytes coinciding with the development of reactive astrogliosis. Finally, we show that citrullinated proteins form non-astrocyte aggregate patterns; and are dominantly expressed in insoluble protein fractions. These results demonstrate that PAD2 dysregulation and increased protein citrullination are key characteristics of reactive astrogliosis, and possibly drive some type of protein aggregation in the pathogenesis of ALS. Because protein citrullination alters protein functions, our results suggest that PAD2 and protein citrullination play a role in astrogliosis and astrocytic toxicity in ALS and other neurodegenerative conditions

Mental Health Burden and Resilience among Nigerians undergoing COVID-19 Isolation in Kaduna-Nigeria

Background: The coronavirus pandemic and Its “pandemic-fear,” is expected to come with lots of mental health challenges. Despites several global health vanguards sounding this alarm, there is paucity of systematic analysis of mental health distress and resilience being experienced by individuals undergoing treatments in isolation centres for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).Objectives: This study evaluated the pattern of mental distress and resilience in COVID-19 patients undergoing isolation-care in some treatment facility in Kaduna-Nigeria.Method: Data were collected cross-sectionally from 261 participants. These were sociodemographic and clinical variables, measures of mental distress (i.e. depression and anxiety), and well-being (i.e. resilience). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21.Results: The mean age of participants was 35.6 years (SD = 11.1), with majority being males (73.6%) and without prior chronic medical condition (73.9%). Mental distress rates were 33.0% for depression and 19.2% for anxiety. Majority (97.1%) had good resilience characteristics. Significant variable associated with low mental distress and high resilience is belonging to age group 40 years and above. Also, resilience was moderately and significantly related to mental distress.Conclusion: Mental distress is relatively high among COVID-19 patients undergoing isolation-treatment. This rate is associated with age group of below 40 years and having low resilience characteristics. Efforts to boost resilience among COVID-19 might institute preventive measures against mental distress

Identification of Adult Fasciola spp. Using Matrix-Assisted Laser/Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

Fascioliasis is a neglected trematode infection caused by Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica. Routine diagnosis of fascioliasis relies on macroscopic identification of adult worms in liver tissue of slaughtered animals, and microscopic detection of eggs in fecal samples of animals and humans. However, the diagnostic accuracy of morphological techniques and stool microscopy is low. Molecular diagnostics (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) are more reliable, but these techniques are not routinely available in clinical microbiology laboratories. Matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) is a widely-used technique for identification of bacteria and fungi; yet, standardized protocols and databases for parasite detection need to be developed. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an in-house database for Fasciola species-specific identification. To achieve this goal, the posterior parts of seven adult F. gigantica and one adult F. hepatica were processed and subjected to MALDI-TOF MS to create main spectra profiles (MSPs). Repeatability and reproducibility tests were performed to develop the database. A principal component analysis revealed significant differences between the spectra of F. gigantica and F. hepatica. Subsequently, 78 Fasciola samples were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS using the previously developed database, out of which 98.7% (n = 74) and 100% (n = 3) were correctly identified as F. gigantica and F. hepatica, respectively. Log score values ranged between 1.73 and 2.23, thus indicating a reliable identification. We conclude that MALDI-TOF MS can provide species-specific identification of medically relevant liver flukes

The prevalence and determinants of helmet use amongst commercial motorcyclists in Ido-Osi local government area

Commercial motorcycle (CM) accidents constitute a major public concern in Nigeria. There is 8:10 chance that injuries resulting from these accidents are severe and debilitating including head and spinal injuries. This study is aimed at producing useful data on the prevalence, frequency, and determinants of helmet use among commercial motorcyclist in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive/cross-sectional study. A total of 360 respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling technique and interviewed using assisted self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Determinants of helmet use examined included age, educational level, marital status and religion. There was a 100% response rate. More than half of the respondents were within the age range of 20–29 years 164(53.6%) with the mean age of the study participants 29.9. The prevalence of helmet usage among commercial motorcyclist was 23.5%. The commonest reason for not using a crash helmet in this study was non-availability. The commonest reason for the non-availability of the welding helmet was the cost of the helmet. Less than half of the respondents were able to show or present helmet although some of the helmet presented were sub-standard (39.7%). The study also revealed irregular use of helmets among the respondents that used a helmet while riding a motorcycle as only 2.7% of them used it for all the five riding sessions assessed in this study. There was a statistically significant relationship between age, educational level, marital status and the use of helmets among respondents with p values of 0.005, 0.027, and 0.009, respectively. The prevalence of the use of helmets among the motorcyclist in this study is low despite the high level of awareness of legislation among the respondents on the use of helmets during riding. There is a need for the government to make provision for a safety helmet for this group of people at a subsidized rate if it cannot be given free of charge because of the economic situation of the country. There is a need to carry out behavioral change communication for this group of people

The development and validation of a scoring tool to predict the operative duration of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The ability to accurately predict operative duration has the potential to optimise theatre efficiency and utilisation, thus reducing costs and increasing staff and patient satisfaction. With laparoscopic cholecystectomy being one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide, a tool to predict operative duration could be extremely beneficial to healthcare organisations. Methods: Data collected from the CholeS study on patients undergoing cholecystectomy in UK and Irish hospitals between 04/2014 and 05/2014 were used to study operative duration. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was produced in order to identify significant independent predictors of long (> 90 min) operations. The resulting model was converted to a risk score, which was subsequently validated on second cohort of patients using ROC curves. Results: After exclusions, data were available for 7227 patients in the derivation (CholeS) cohort. The median operative duration was 60 min (interquartile range 45–85), with 17.7% of operations lasting longer than 90 min. Ten factors were found to be significant independent predictors of operative durations > 90 min, including ASA, age, previous surgical admissions, BMI, gallbladder wall thickness and CBD diameter. A risk score was then produced from these factors, and applied to a cohort of 2405 patients from a tertiary centre for external validation. This returned an area under the ROC curve of 0.708 (SE = 0.013, p  90 min increasing more than eightfold from 5.1 to 41.8% in the extremes of the score. Conclusion: The scoring tool produced in this study was found to be significantly predictive of long operative durations on validation in an external cohort. As such, the tool may have the potential to enable organisations to better organise theatre lists and deliver greater efficiencies in care

Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic

Biomechanics, obesity, and osteoarthritis. The role of adipokines: When the levee breaks

Osteoarthritis is a high-incidence painful and debilitating disease characterized by progressive degeneration of articular joints, which indicates a breakdown in joint homeostasis favoring catabolic processes. Biomechanical loading, associated with inflammatory and metabolic imbalances of joint, strongly contributes to the initiation and progression of the disease. Obesity is a primary risk factor for disease onset, and mechanical factors increased the risk for disease progression. Moreover, inflammatory mediators, in particular, adipose tissue-derived cytokines (better known as adipokines) play a critical role linking obesity and osteoarthritis. The present article summarizes the knowledge about the role of adipokines in cartilage and bone function, highlighting their contribution to the imbalance of joint homeostasis and, consequently, pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:594-604, 2018

Can multiple lifestyle behaviours be improved in people with familial hypercholesterolemia? Results of a parallel randomised controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an individualised tailored lifestyle intervention on physical activity, dietary intake, smoking and compliance to statin therapy in people with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH). Methods: Adults with FH (n = 340) were randomly assigned to a usual care control group or an intervention group. The intervention consisted of web-based tailored lifestyle advice and face-to-face counselling. Physical activity, fat, fruit and vegetable intake, smoking and compliance to statin therapy were self-reported at baseline and after 12 months. Regression analyses were conducted to examine between-group differences. Intervention reach, dose and fidelity were assessed. Results: In both groups, non-significant improvements in all lifestyle behaviours were found. Post-hoc analyses showed a significant decrease in saturated fat intake among women in the intervention group (β = -1.03; CI -1.98/-0.03). In the intervention group, 95% received a log on account, of which 49% logged on and completed one module. Nearly all participants received face-to-face counselling and on average, 4.2 telephone booster calls. Intervention fidelity was low. Conclusions: Individually tailored feedback is not superior to no intervention regarding changes in multiple lifestyle behaviours in people with FH. A higher received dose of computer-tailored interventions should be achieved by uplifting the website and reducing the burden of screening questionnaires. Counsellor training should be more extensive. Trial Registration: Dutch Trial Register NTR1899. © 2012 Broekhuizen et al