Analysis of bacterial urinary tract infection among pregnant women in tertiary hospital Katsina

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection caused by the presence and replication of microorganisms in the urinary tract. The aim of this study is to evaluate the distribution of UTI pathogens associated with pregnant women attending Federal Medical Center, Katsina. The research was a prospective study conducted among 126 antenatal attendees. Urine microscopy and culture technique were conducted for each participant. Statistical analysis of data was done using Graph Pad Prism Statistical software. Twenty-five out of the participants had asymptomatic bacteriuria giving a prevalence of 19.8%. However age (P=0.66), educational status (P=0.19) and settlement (P=0.91) are not statistically significant. While tribe and gestational age (trimester) are found to be statistically significant (P = 0.02). Staphylococcus aureus is found to be the most prevalent organism (40%), followed by coagulase negative Staphylococcus (32%) and the least is Eschericia coli (4%). However, comparison between Hausa and Yoruba had shown that Hausa tribe has more chance of infected with Asymptomic bacteriuria during pregnancy and high risk than Yoruba tribe! Therefore, UTI has the potentiality to pose serious life threatening consequences when left untreated. This is more likely to be the case where access to or availability of timely and appropriate medical intervention due to inadequate numbers of health care providers.It is therefore, recommended that pregnant women should be subjected for urine laboratory screening for the detection of UTI during the first trimester and treatment follows immediately for the positive results. Key Word: Bacteriuria, Infection, Pregnancy, and Urine culture

Necrotizing enterocolitis associated with dysbiosis of preterm gut microbiome: A review

Preterm birth is defined as any birth before 37 weeks of completed weeks of gestation. Preterm infants are said to have an imbalanced intestinal and immune system. Alteration of the gut microbiota in preterm infants has been associated with the development of short term diseases such as sepsis or Necrotizing enterocolitis. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a catastrophic disease affecting the preterm infants. Although its pathogenesis is poorly known, risk factors like gestational age, birth weight, formula feeding and bacterial colonization of the gut are found to be associated with its emergence. This review was aimed at describing the latest literature related to Necrotizing enterocolitis and its association with dysbiosis of preterm gut microbiome. Moreover several studies have shown the use of fecal samples in detecting the presence of Necrotizing enterocolitis. Microbial dysbiosis preceding Necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants is characterized by increase relative abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes .Immune responses like Toll-Like Receptors also  trigger  the severity  of Necrotizing enterocolitis. Necrotizing enterocolitis can be reduced through administration of probiotics, thus, reducing the rate of morbidity and mortality of preterm infants.Keywords: Dysbiosis, Microbiota, Necrotizing enterocolitis, Preterm infant, Probiotic

Bioindicators for Forest Area Condition: A Systematic Literature Review

Flora and fauna are essential components of ecosystems, playing a vital role in maintaining environmental balance. They also serve as bioindicators for assessing forest health. As a result, many researchers have focused their studies on bioindicators, as evidenced by the extensive literature published in journals. The objective of this Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is to systematically identify, study, evaluate, and interpret data from relevant journal articles. We conducted a search in the Scopus database using the keyword "Bioindicator Forest," which yielded a total of 248 articles. After applying our criteria, we narrowed our research to only 49 articles. To conduct our inclusion and exclusion process, we utilized PRISMA guidelines. Analyzing the publication trend on the topic of forest bioindicators, we observed a decline from 2021 to 2023. However, in 2020, we noted a peak with nine articles published. Regarding the research approach, forest bioindicator studies employ quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Notably, the most prominent authors in this field are F. Helbing, J. Litavsky, S Stasiov, Dominguez, and De Deyn. The dominant keyword used in these studies is biodiversity, often related to forestry botany. The authors of these articles originate from 29 different countries, with Europe contributing the majority at 62.07%. Collaboration-wise, a significant number of articles were published through both national and international collaborations. Furthermore, 47 articles received support or sponsorship from external parties. In our discussion, we explore the various techniques, instruments, and data analyses employed in these studies. Overall, this SLR serves as a comprehensive reference for researchers investigating forest bioindicators. Its findings contribute to the diversification of subjects and the enrichment of alternative bioindicators for forest ecosystems

Performance evaluation of best route and broadcast strategy for NDN producer’s mobility

Named Data Networking is a novel concept mainly for the future Internet infrastructure that is centered on routable named data. The NDN infrastructure comprises of a new constituent known as the strategy layer. The layer give access for automatic selection of network routes by considering network pre-conditions such as delay in Interest messages forwarding via a producer. However, expressing appropriate pre-condition in selecting the best possible routes to forward Interest messages remains a challenging factor in NDN, because various parameters and conditions opposes one another when selecting best routes. Besides, it is possible for data in NDN to be retrieved from several sources. Yet, so far preceding research on forwarding strategy techniques that can calculate, from which route accurate NDN data contents content are realized does not regard a network attacker trying to transmit invalid data contents containing same name as accurate data. Therefore, this paper evaluate performance of forwarding strategy using analytical and simulation, and that can be compatible to related network applications such as voice. In analytical, we exploit the use of distribution function for consistency. These are the Probability Density Function (PDF) and Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF). In simulation, each application require its own form of forwarding policy using best route and broadcast. These were exploited to evaluate the total delay in a given interval from 10 through 50 seconds for five times. Similarly in our evaluation, a largescale ring topology was use in the simulation consisting of 30 nodes and 48 links. Link bandwidth is configured as 1Mbps. Numbers of content consumer/producer starts from 1 to 18 so as to achieve our simulations. Both consumers and producers were randomly selected in term of unique content request on the access network. ndnSIM 2.1 is used in simulating the scenarios for several time intervals. Performance results presents best route policy carries significant delay when compared with broadcast policy. Also, in our result, Delay metric is half the value obtained during analytical and simulation processes for NDN producer’s best route and broadcast using CDF, as compared to the value realized in our benchmark paper for NDN consumer

Evaluating mobility management models for content forwarding in named data networking environments

Named Data Networking (NDN) performs its routing and forwarding decisions using name prefixes. This removes some of the issues affecting addresses in our traditional IP architecture such as limitation in address allocation and management, and even NAT translations etcetera. Another positivity of NDN is its ability to use the conventional routing like the link state and distance vector algorithm. In route announcement, NDN node broadcasts its name prefix which consists of the knowledge of the next communicating node. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of mobility management models used in forwarding NDN contents to a next hop. This makes it crucial to select an approach of mobility model that translates the nature of movement of the NDN mobile routers. A detailed analysis of the famous mobility model such as the Random Waypoint mobility and Constant Velocity were computed to determine the mobility rate of the NDN mobile router. Simulation analysis was carried out using ndnSIM 2.1 on Linux Version 16.1. we build and compile with modules and libraries in NS-3.29. The sample of movement of the mobile router is illustrated and our result present the viability of the Constant Velocity model as compared with the Random Way point. Keywords—Named Data Networking, Prefix, Broadcast, ndnSIM, NS-3.2

Detecting mobile producer’s position in a wireless named data network environment using signal strength

Named Data Networking (NDN) is a new Content Centric Network architecture that can possibly overwhelm most issues of IP mobility and security. The NDN is centered on addressing contents by themselves using names, rather than assigning IP addresses to packets on hosts where information is located on the global Internet. Due to the developing scope of remote access around the world and Wi-Fi accessibility, scenarios change because of additional networking devices. This paper analyses existing methodologies of mobile device communication using Wi-Fi in NDN. This involves using a mobile producer and a rendezvous node connected via content routers in an NDN scenario. Their location is detected and predicted immediately handoff occur and it send content transmission as a consumer. The approach of transmitting content signals uses sign power pointer (RSSI), TOA, and TSE in the network. Several challenges were noted and pointed out enhance future work

Simulation of handoff algorithm for NDN producer’s mobility

Named Data networking is a novel communication scheme designed for efficient data dissemination. NDN is cantered on content management to improve on IP challenges such mobility, scalability, security and better quality of service. In this paper, producer’s mobility between two points is set-up for simulation using hard handoff technique. In this form of handoff, the carrier frequency of a connecting access gateway remains the same with the newly visited gateway of the producer (i.e intra-frequency). The mobile producer in node 3 is requesting a video content to another producer in node 4 while in a state of mobility. We considered anchorless technique of managing mobility of the nodes and simulation ensures that contents still receive routing update as they achieve handoff. These set-ups of simulation were conducted using NetSim version 12.10 software. In the results, we present video application throughput and the link throughput of link 1, link 2 and link 7 and comprehend that, efficiency and seamless mobility is realized using video application as compared to link throughout. Network and queued metrics also present more results being generated after the simulation processes. The algorithm of our inputs is tested in MATLAB and part of the coding system is build using visual studio 2015 which by default, is compatible with NetSim “binary” and “dll” folders

Parents' perceptions of core outcomes in neonatal research in two Nigerian neonatal units.

Background:There is a scarcity of information regarding the most important outcomes for research in neonatal units in low-resource settings. Identification of important outcomes by different stakeholder groups would inform the development of a core outcome set (COS) for use in neonatal research. Objective:To determine the perceptions and opinions of parents of newborn babies regarding what outcomes were most important to them in order to contribute towards development of a COS for neonatal research in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods:Semistructured interviews were undertaken with parents, mostly mothers, of babies admitted to one neonatal unit in North central and one in Southwest Nigeria. Participants were purposively sampled to include parents of babies with common neonatal problems such as prematurity. Results:We conducted 31 interviews. The most frequently raised outcomes were breast feeding, good health outcomes for their baby, education, growth and financial cost. Parents placed more emphasis on quality of life and functional status than health complications. Conclusions:The opinions of parents need to be considered in developing a COS for neonatal research in low-resource settings. Further research should assess the opinions of families in other low-resource settings and also engage a broader range of stakeholders

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation