Procarbazine, CCNU and vincristine (PCV) versus temozolomide chemotherapy for patients with low-grade glioma: a systematic review.

Low-grade gliomas (LGG) encompass a heterogeneous group of tumors that are clinically, histologically and molecularly diverse. Treatment decisions for patients with LGG are directed toward improving upon the natural history while limiting treatment-associated toxiceffects. Recent evidence has documented a utility for adjuvant chemotherapy with procarbazine, CCNU (lomustine), and vincristine (PCV) or temozolomide (TMZ). We sought to determine the comparative utility of PCV and TMZ for patients with LGG, particularly in context of molecular subtype. A literature search of PubMed was conducted to identify studies reporting patient response to PCV, TMZ, or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT). Eligibility criteria included patients 16 years of age and older, notation of LGG subtype, and report of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment course. Level I, II, and III data were included. Adjuvant therapy with PCV resulted in prolonged PFS and OS in patients with newly diagnosed high-risk LGG. This benefit was accrued most significantly by patients with tumors harboring 1p/19q codeletion and IDH1 mutation. Adjuvant therapy with temozolomide was associated with lower toxicity than therapy with PCV. In patients with LGG with an unfavorable natural history, such as with intact 1p/19q and wild-type IDH1, RT/TMZ plus adjuvant TMZ may be the best option. Patients with biologically favorable high-risk LGG are likely to derive the most benefit from RT and adjuvant PCV

Rab14 regulates the maturation of macrophage phagosomes containing the fungal pathogen Candida albicans and the outcome of the host-pathogen interaction

Date of Acceptance: 02/02/2015 Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Estimation of Hydraulic Parameters from Vertical Electrical Resistivity Sounding

This study presents the assessment of the groundwater potential in Iyesi, Ota, southwestern Nigeria. Thirty (30) vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were conducted using Schlumberger array with a maximum half-current electrode spacing (AB/2) of 420 m. The apparent resistivity data observed were interpreted first by partial curve matching and then by computer iteration technique using WinResist program. Eight eoelectric layers were denoted as top soil (sandy clay), lateritic clay, silty clay, silty sand, mudstone, medium grain sand, coarse sand and clay mud were delineated. The sixth (medium grain sand) and seventh (coarse sand) layers delineated form the aquifer unit with the overlying mudstone (fifth layer) serving as the confining bed. The geoelectrical and hydrogeological characteristics of the delineated aquifer in the study area was evaluated. The study shows that the aquifer is highly productive and consequently a good groundwater potential. The litho-facies of the aquifer units are well sorted and graded; this accounts for the observed decrease in the model resistivity with depth and thus, increasing porosity with depth in the aquifer unit

Crystallography, magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and electrical resistivity of heavy fermion LiV2_2O4_4 single crystals grown using a self-flux technique

Magnetically pure spinel compound ${\rm LiV_2O_4}$ is a rare $d$-electron heavy fermion. Measurements on single crystals are needed to clarify the mechanism for the heavy fermion behavior in the pure material. In addition, it is known that small concentrations ($< 1$ mol%) of magnetic defects in the structure strongly affect the properties, and measurements on single crystals containing magnetic defects would help to understand the latter behaviors. Herein, we report flux growth of ${\rm LiV_2O_4}$ and preliminary measurements to help resolve these questions. The magnetic susceptibility of some as-grown crystals show a Curie-like upturn at low temperatures, showing the presence of magnetic defects within the spinel structure. The magnetic defects could be removed in some of the crystals by annealing them at 700 $^\circ$C\@. A very high specific heat coefficient $\gamma$ = 450 mJ/(mol K${^2}$\@) was obtained at a temperature of 1.8 K for a crystal containing a magnetic defect concentration $n$${\rm_{defect}}$ = 0.5 mol%. A crystal with $n$${\rm _{defect}}$ = 0.01 mol% showed a residual resistivity ratio of 50.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, Title modifie

A Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of GGBS-Based Geopolymer Concrete Activated by a Rice Husk Ash-Synthesised Sodium Silicate Solution and Sodium Hydroxide

Commercial sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (SS) are commonly used as alkaline activators in geopolymer concrete production despite concerns about their availability and associated CO2 emissions. This study employs an alternative alkaline activator (AA) synthesized from a sodium silicate alternative (SSA) solution derived from rice husk ash (RHA) and a 10 M sodium hydroxide solution. The initial phase established an optimal water-to-binder (W/B) ratio of 0.50, balancing workability and structural performance. Subsequent investigations explored the influence of the alkali/precursor (A/P) ratio on geopolymer concrete properties. A control mix uses ordinary Portland cement (OPC), while ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS)-based geopolymer concrete—GPC mixes (GPC1, GPC2, GPC3, GPC4) vary the A/P ratios (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) with a 1:1 ratio of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide (SS: SH). The engineering performance was evaluated through a slump test, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and tensile splitting (TS) tests in accordance with the appropriate standards. The geopolymer mixes, excluding GPC3, offer suitable workability; UCS and TS, though lower than the control mix, peak at an A/P ratio of 0.4. Despite lower mechanical strength than OPC, geopolymers’ environmental benefits make them a valuable alternative. GPC2, with a 0.4 A/P ratio and 0.5 W/B (water to binder) ratio, is recommended for balanced workability and structural performance. Future research should focus on enhancing the mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete for sustainable, high-performance mixtures

Knowledge, attitude and practices associated with the use of face mask in prevention of Covid-19 among students of a private tertiary Institution in Nigeria

The World Health Organization recommends using a face mask to prevent infection with the coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19). Students are often nonchalant about maintaining physical or social distance from their peers, undermining the necessity of wearing a face mask both inside and outside of the classroom. The purpose of this study was to determine the students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the use of face masks at Novena University in Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 400 sampled students. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data while descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data at a significance level set at p&lt;0.05. Results: About 220(55.0%) of the responders were between the ages of 21-25 years, and 260(65.0%) were females. The majority of responders, 340 (85.0%), had a good understanding of how to utilize a face mask. However, both attitudes towards using face masks 280(70.0%) and face mask usage 340(85.0%) were poor. The following demographic characteristics were shown to be substantially linked with knowledge, attitude, and use of face masks: age, sex, marital status, level of study, and religion at p&lt;0.05. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents had an adequate understanding of how to use a face mask, a negative attitude about using a face mask, and poor practice of using a face mask to prevent COVID-19 infection. The study recommends the need for public health enlightenment campaign and education on the value and correct face mask usage among students in tertiary institutions

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE STUDENTS’ PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ADOPTED BY PRINCIPALS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABIA STATE

This researcher investigated the students’ personnel management practices adopted by principals for administration of public and private secondary schools in Abia State. Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 16,033 respondents made up of 254 principals and 10,939 SS 2 students of public secondary schools and 727 principals and 4,113 SS 2 students of private secondary schools in Abia State. The sample for the study was 853 respondents drawn using proportionate random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a researcher-developed questionnaire titled “Principals’ Student Personnel Management Practices for School Administration Rating Scale (PSPMPSARS)’’. The instrument was subjected to face validation by five experts made up of three experts in Educational Management and Planning as well as the two experts in Measurement and Evaluation. Cronbach Alpha which was used for test of the internal consistency of the instrument yielded overall coefficient of 0.84. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and t-test to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed among others that deliberation on the requirements for admission, advertising the sale of admission forms, reviewing the qualifications of applicants, shortlisting and conducting entrance examinations for eligible applicants, offer admission to candidates who successfully pass entrance examinations, register and placement of successful candidates in classes were the admission practices adopted by principals for administration of public and private secondary schools in Abia State. It was also found out that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of public and private secondary school principals and students on the guidance and counselling practices they adopt.Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that State Ministry of Education should develop admission handbook and distribute to principals to guide them in applying admission practices to maintain standard and uniformity in selecting students to be admitted in secondary schools in the study

Association between intimate partner violence and male alcohol use and the receipt of perinatal care : evidence from Nepal demographic and health survey 2011-2016

The utilization of perinatal care services among women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and male alcohol use is a major problem. Adequate and regular perinatal care is essential through the continuum of pregnancy to mitigate pregnancy and birth complications. The aim of this study is to determine the association between IPV and male alcohol use and the receipt of perinatal care in Nepal. This study used pooled data from 2011 and 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS). A total of 3067 women who interviewed for domestic violence module and had most recent live birth 5 years prior surveys were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between IPV and male alcohol use and the receipt of perinatal care. Of the total women interviewed, 22% reported physical violence, 14% emotional violence, and 11% sexual violence. Women who were exposed to physical violence were significantly more likely to report non-usage of institutional delivery [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 1.30 (95% Cl: 1.01, 1.68)] and skilled delivery assistants [aOR = 1.43 (95% Cl: 1.10, 1.88)]. Non-attendance of 4 or more skilled antenatal care visits was associated with a combination of alcohol use by male partner and exposure to emotional [aOR = 1.42 (95% Cl: 1.01, 2.00)] and physical violence [aOR = 1.39 (95% Cl: 1.03, 1.88)]. The negative association between IPV and perinatal care suggests it is essential to develop comprehensive community- based interventions which integrates IPV support services with other health services to increase the uptake of perinatal care through the continuum of pregnancy

Association between obesity and miscarriage among women of reproductive age in Nepal

Background: Obesity is a major health problem in low and middle income countries (LMICs) and is associated with miscarriage. This study aims to examine the association between obesity and miscarriage among reproductive age women (15–49 years) in Nepal. Methods: The combined 19160 cross-sectional pregnancy data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) for the years 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 was utilized. Miscarriage was defined as a spontaneous loss of pregnancy that occurred before the foetus reached 7 months of gestational age. Logistic regression analyses that adjusted for clustering, stratification and sampling weights were used to examine the association between obesity and miscarriage among women of reproductive age. Results: The odds of miscarriage were 1.45 times higher (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.45; 95%Cl: 1.06, 1.98, P = 0.021) among women with obesity. Women who did not use contraception, younger (15–19 years), and older women (35 years or more) were significantly more likely to have miscarriage. Women who smoked tobacco reported higher odds of miscarriage than women who did not smoke tobacco (AOR = 1.27; 95%Cl: 1.07,1.50, P = 0.006). Stratification of maternal smoking status by maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), after adjusting for contraception, mother age and year of survey revealed that tobacco smoking and obesity are associated with miscarriage (AOR = 1.46; 95%Cl: 1.05,2.04, P = 0.025). Conclusions: Findings from this study show that obesity and tobacco smoking are associated with miscarriage. Smoking cessation, pregnancy planning and counselling on healthy weight for women of reproductive age in Nepal may help promote healthy behaviours and decrease the likelihood of miscarriage