bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional analysis of insulin resistance in hypothyroid patients at rural teaching hospital: An endocrinal synergy
Authors: Mahajan Janhavi , Varma Anuj , Kumar Sunil , Acharya Sourya , Shukla Samarth , Kothari Manjeet , Gemnani Rinkle
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Background:

A glucose homeostasis condition known as insulin resistance (IR) is characterized by a decreased sensitivity of adipose tissue, muscle fiber, liver, and other bodily tissues to insulin, even in the presence of normal or elevated blood concentrations of the hormone. Nevertheless, it is uncommon to evaluate the comorbidity of insulin resistance and thyroid discrepancies, particularly the order in which these indicators appear. This study emphasizes the association between hypothyroidism and insulin resistance.

Material and Method:

Eighty individuals with suspected thyroid illness or related problems were recruited for this cross-sectional study at the AVBR Hospital in Wardha between December 2020 and September 2022. The participants were categorized as having subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, or controls based on the thyroid indicators detected in their serum. The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to perform the calculations. A Chi-square test was used in addition to control to examine the relationship between insulin resistance and thyroid function. Results are considered statistically significant only if the P value is less than 0.05.

Results:

Levels of HOMA-IR were lowest in the Controls (1.65), followed by the Subclinical Group (2.03), and highest in the Overt Group (5.00). HOMA-IR had a significant positive relationship with thyroid stimulating hormone, fasting insulin, and fasting blood sugar (FBS). The prevalence of insulin resistance was 64.3% in overt hypothyroid patients and 36% in subclinical hypothyroid patients. In contrast, it was 21% in the control group of hypothyroid patients on thyroxine therapy for over two months.

Conclusion:

Thyroid levels and the IR were significantly correlated. The prevalence of insulin resistance was 64.3% in overt hypothyroid and 36% in subclinical hypothyroid in this part of rural area. Therefore having awareness at the primary care physician level may prevent its morbid complications even assessed.
Awareness and attitude of using telemedicine among diabetic; a cross-sectional survey in Asser region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlQahtani Eman Ali , Fajhan Bander Abdullah , Bedywi Reema Mohammed , Asiri Ahmad Ibrahim , Shawkhan Rammas Abdullah , Aljari Adhwaa Ahmed , Sara Ali Asiri Roaa Saad Alqahtani , Al Hamdan Jood Abdulhakeem , Alhassan Shahad Saleh , Hakami Sami Hassan , Asiri Alhussain Ali , Qasem Abdullah , Asiri
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Context:

Telehealth has usually been observed to be the minor of the two compared to in-person health care.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to assess awareness and attitude toward using telemedicine among diabetic patients in the Aseer region.

Settings and Design:

A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used targeting all accessible diabetic patients in the Aseer region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Methods and Material:

Data were obtained from eligible patients using an electronic prestructured questionnaire. The researchers prepared the questionnaire with the support of field experts and after a comprehensive literature analysis. The questionnaire was published online utilizing social media platforms by the researchers and their friends throughout the period from August to September 2023. All accessible and eligible patients in the study environment were invited to fill in the accompanying tool.

Results:

A total of 786 diabetic patients were enrolled. Patients’ age ranged from 18 to more than 60 years with a mean age of 40.6 ± 13.9 years old. Exactly 151 (19.2%) people used telemedicine for medical consultation, whereas 635 (80.8%) never used it. Regarding patient readiness and perception, a total of 67 (44.4%) patients had good telemonitoring readiness regarding the use of TM in their diabetic control.

Conclusions:

The current study showed that only one-fifth of diabetic patients used telemedicine for medical purposes. On the other hand, diabetic patients showed an average level of readiness and perception toward the use of telemedicine for medical consultations.
Assessing the safety and adverse effects of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and their combination in paediatric pain and fever management: A prospective observational study
Authors: Charde Vivek , Sanklecha Mukesh , Rajan Priyank , Naeem Babar , Wanjari Mayur , Mittal Gaurav , Adrien Tanjmi Djabo Eric
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

Pain and fever are common paediatric complaints that demand meticulous symptom alleviation to ensure the child’s holistic well-being. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and their synergistic coadministration occupy a crucial position, rendering the management of these symptoms efficacious. This study aims to evaluate the safety and adverse effects of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and their combination comprehensively.

Methods:

A prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai, India. 108 paediatric patients aged 6 months to 18 years experiencing fever, pain, or both. Patients were assigned to receive one of the three medications and were randomized into one of the three groups: paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a combination. Baseline and 48-hour assessments included vital signs, adverse effects, and biochemical markers including SGOT, SGPT, serum creatinine, platelet count, and occult blood in stool samples.

Results:

Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and their combination were found to be equally effective in relieving symptoms associated with fever and pain. The most common adverse effect observed was vomiting, with minimal occurrences of rash, cough, and diarrhoea. Biochemical markers, including SGOT, SGPT, serum creatinine, platelet count, and occult blood in stool samples, remained within normal ranges after 48 h of drug administration.

Conclusion:

This study affirms the safety of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and their combination for paediatric pain and fever management. Minimal adverse effects and the absence of significant biochemical derangements support their favourable risk–benefit profiles, emphasizing their importance in paediatric clinical practice.
Impact of emerging COVID-19 variants on psychosocial health: A systematic review
Authors: Kumar Pratyush , Sarkar Manali , Yurkina Morales Femenias , Gnanaraj Ramya , Martínez Daniel Jesús García , Pisfil-Farroñay Yhojar A. , Chaudhary Laxmi , Agrawal Poonam , Kaushal G. P. , Mbwogge Mathew , Abhishek Kumar , Alnaasan Muhannad , Arlettaz Maximiliano Ezequiel , Kozum Reem , Júarez M. Miguel F. , Panchawagh Suhrud , Reddy Asmitha P. , Unnithan Vishnu B. , Shukla Rushikesh
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological effects on individuals and communities around the world. Studies have found that the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms increased significantly during the pandemic. The goal of the study is to understand how the emerging new virus variants keep the world in a state of fear and how mental health measures can be implemented and adopted to alleviate anxiety. A broad search for observational studies was carried out in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Clinical Key, and World Medical Library. Studies that reported and/or related the existence of anxiety generated by suffering or not from diseases caused by the new emerging COVID-19 viruses and that for which the full text of the article was accessible were included in the study, while systematic review and meta-analysis and studies in groups were excluded. However, 22 studies were included in the review. The deleterious psychosocial effects were the restructuring of life, establishment of unhealthy habits, emergence of “corona phobia”, fear and stigma of being afflicted with the disease and spreading it to loved ones, and lack of contact with others. Increased rates of depression and anxiety were also seen. The circulating variants responsible for these main psychosocial repercussions were Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Iota, Kappa, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Social support was found to be protective. There is a critical need for a comprehensive approach addressing not only the physiological well-being of an individual but also their mental well-being to pave the way for a society that is resilient in the face of current as well as future pandemics.
Liver function linked to bone health: A bibliometric of the liver-bone axis
Authors: Zhang Wei-Jin , Xu Xun-Pei , Song Xin-Hua , Zhang Zhan-Rong , Zhang Xuan-Rui , Yang Biao , Tao Zheng-Bo , Zhang Zheng , Zhou Xu-Hui
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

The liver exerts profound influence on skeletal health, while osseous tissues reciprocally modulate hepatic function. This bidirectional metabolic axis between these two organ systems plays a pivotal role in both physiological homeostasis and pathological states.

AIM

To investigate and analyze the literatures on liver-bone axis using bibliometrics.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search pertaining to the liver-bone axis was conducted using the Science Citation Index Expanded within the Web of Science Core Collection. Subsequently, visualization and bibliometric analyses were performed utilizing VOSviewer (version 1.6.20), Citespace (version 6.2.R4), and the R programming language.

RESULTS

This comprehensive analysis encompasses 855 publications, comprising 694 articles and 161 reviews, authored by 4988 researchers from 425 institutions across 61 countries. The United States and China emerge as the leading nations in terms of publication volume. The University of California system stands out as the most influential institution in liver-bone axis research. Guanabens N is identified as the most prolific author in this field. The annual increase in publications related to the liver-bone axis underscores its growing prominence as a research focus. The study highlights key areas of investigation, including osteoporosis, bone metabolism, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and insulin-like growth factor-1, which represent both current and prospective hot topics within this domain.

CONCLUSION

This investigation employs bibliometric methodologies to conduct a systematic analysis of liver-bone axis literature spanning from 2001 to 2024. The exponential growth in publications over the past two decades underscores the significance of synthesizing research outcomes in this domain. Through rigorous statistical analyses, we delineate fundamental contributions to the field while providing strategic direction for emerging scholars. Furthermore, we illuminate current research trajectories and identify promising future investigative directions. Investigation of the liver-bone axis enhances our comprehension of inter-organ communication networks. Conceptualizing these organs as an integrated system provides profound insights into pathophysiological mechanisms and disease management strategies. This paradigm not only facilitates the development of sophisticated diagnostic modalities but also catalyzes the discovery of novel therapeutic agents targeting these mechanistic pathways, thereby advancing our capacity to diagnose and treat hepatic and skeletal disorders.
Prognostic value of liver outcome score and hemoglobin in autoimmune liver disease overlap syndromes
Authors: Wang Kai , Jin Lei-Yang , Zhang Qin-Guo
Published: February 2025

This letter addresses the study by Jayabalan et al , which underscores the liver outcome score (LOS) and hemoglobin (Hb) as key prognostic markers for patients with autoimmune liver disease overlap syndromes (AILDOS), with particular relevance to the autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis (AIH-PBC) subgroup. The findings indicate that an LOS threshold of 6 achieves high sensitivity and specificity in predicting liver-related mortality among AIH-PBC patients. Moreover, low Hb levels emerge as a significant mortality predictor across all AILDOS cases. These results contribute valuable perspectives on risk stratification in AILDOS, highlighting the promise of non-invasive prognostic tools. Future studies with larger cohorts are needed to substantiate LOS and Hb as robust markers for clinical application.
Which patients benefit the most? An update on transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Authors: de Mattos Angelo Alves , de Mattos Angelo Zambam , Manica Muriel , Tovo Cristiane Valle
Published: February 2025

This is a narrative review in which the advances in technical aspects, the main indications, limitations and clinical results of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in portal hypertension (PH) are addressed. With the emergence of the coated prosthesis, a better shunt patency, a lower incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and better survival when compared to TIPS with the conventional prosthesis are demonstrated. The main indications for TIPS are refractory ascites, acute variceal bleeding unresponsive to pharmacological/ endoscopic therapy and, lastly, patients considered at high risk for rebleeding preemptive TIPS (pTIPS). Absolute contraindications to the use of TIPS are severe uncontrolled HE, systemic infection or sepsis, congestive heart failure, severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, and biliary obstruction. The control of hemorrhage due to variceal rupture can reach up to 90%-100% of cases, and 55% in refractory ascites. Despite evidences regarding pTIPS in patients at high risk for rebleeding, less than 20% of eligible patients are treated. TIPS may also decrease the incidence of future decompensation in cirrhosis and increase survival in selected patients. In conclusion, TIPS is an essential treatment for patients with PH, but is often neglected. It is important for the hepatologist to form a multidisciplinary team, in which the role of the radiologist with experience in interventional procedures is prominent.
Staged surgery with autologous fibula grafting for humeral non-union - A case report
Authors: Mwaura Stephen Kamau , Atinga Mordicai
Published: February 2025

Recalcitrant humeral non-unions after multiple fixation attempts pose a challenge to the surgeon when it comes to selecting effective and reliable management strategies. Confounding factors such as infection and bone segment loss may hamper achieving osteosynthesis even with suitable fixation. This is a case report of a 35-year-old man with a 4-year complex history of recalcitrant humerus non-union. It highlights a combination of various accessible strategies that encompass biological stimulation and mechanical stabilization toward timely bone union with minimal morbidity and return to optimal function. The use of a free fibular intramedullary strut autograft with a locking compression plate (LCP) has been infrequently described in the literature and this report adds to the data bank of this treatment strategy.
Rehabilitation of a Failed Implant-Supported Mandibular Complete Denture Using Cast Copings: A Case Report
Authors: AKHIGBEMEN Oseremen , ATAT Josephine , OMO Julie , SEDE Matthew
Published: February 2025

Background: Managing a completely edentulous patient is a major challenge to both the patient and the clinician, as most patients experience difficulty in using the new prosthesis fabricated. The conventional course of treatment for these individuals has been removable complete maxillary and mandibular dentures. Nonetheless, they have been associated with problems such as discomfort, instability, retention and functional impairment.
An Implant-supported overdenture restores dental and alveolar tissues and provides improved facial support, better comfort, long-term patient acceptance and satisfaction.  The design of implant-supported overdentures varies based on the attachment method and the desired level of implant and ridge mucosa support. These attachment designs include bar and ball attachment systems, studs, magnetic attachments and telescopic copings. Failure of attachments, wear, and fracture of the prosthesis or abutment screws results in mechanical complications.
Clinical Case: A Case of an 84-year-old female who presented to the Prosthetics clinic, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria for rehabilitation of a failed implant-supported mandibular complete denture using bar cast coping. She had an all-on-four implant-retained mandibular overdenture with a resilient liner done outside the country. The prosthesis was replaced with a new acrylic mandibular overdenture retained with cast copings and a bar over the implant. She had one and four weeks of post-insertion review.
Conclusion: Fabricating a new prosthesis using a cast coping and bar attachment enhanced the patient's denture success criteria after the implant-supported overdenture failed. This illustrates the prosthetic options in difficult prosthodontic situations.
Design and fabrication of a mechanical sweeper
Authors: Abdulrahman K. O. , Oghenetega S. P. , Ogunwoye F. O. , Shopeyin O. J. , Sayodun A. O. , Yahaya S. A.
Published: February 2025

Encouraging clean and hygienic public areas is made more difficult by urbanization and growing population density. Current cleaning techniques can sometimes be ineffective, not environmentally friendly, unsustainable to handle different variety of debris and mostly expensive as they are imported into the country. This study presents the design and construction of an innovative mechanical sweeper from locally sourced materials to handle street and walkway cleaning challenges. By utilizing simple technique and employing locally available materials, the sweeper collects debris and eliminates negative effects of gasoline powered sweeper on the environment. Sturdy features include a mop function for thorough particle removal, an adjustable lever mechanism for agility, and a flexible brush configuration for cleaning various variety of surfaces. Testing the sweeper in different conditions on different types of trash, confirms the sweeper’s ability to clean adequately as the designed sweeper with a single 24v battery and 0.5 hp electric motor gave a cleaning efficiency above 58%. The simulation and analysis of the sweeper frame using SOLIDWORKS 2018 gave a maximum displacement of 1.621x10-1 mm, maximum strain of 2.415x10-5, maximum stress of 9.167x106 N/m2 and factor of safety of 3. The results of the analysis suggest that the sweeper has been well-designed and can withstand the loading conditions it has been designed for. The application of the sweeper can ensure notable gains in environmental sustainability, operational effectiveness, and cleanliness
A hybrid transfer learning model with optimized SVM using honey badger optimization algorithm for multi-class lung cancer classification
Authors: Maijeddah Usman Iliya , Yusuf Sahabi Ali , Abdullahi Mohammed , Hassan Ibrahim Hayatu
Published: February 2025

Lung cancer is a fatal disease with a high mortality rate in patience. Early and accurate detection of this disease plays a crucial role in improving a patient's chances of survival. Traditional methods, such as Computed Tomography (CT) scans, have historically been employed for tumor localization and assessing cancer severity. However, these methods are time-consuming and may pose risks, including patient mortality before tumor identification. Given the challenges associated with lung cancer classification and the limitations of existing practices, there is a pressing need for innovative clinical data assessment tools to complement biopsies and offer a more precise characterization of the disease. Recent literature suggests the application of deep learning techniques for lung cancer detection. However, efficient training of deep learning models requires a substantial amount of data, and the availability of annotated data for lung cancer detection is often constrained, potentially resulting in overfitting or under-fitting issues and inaccurate predictions. To address these challenges, this dissertation proposes a novel deep learning architecture based on the hybridization of three pre-trained models with a support vector machine (SVM) optimized using the honey badger optimization algorithm (HBA). The process involves pre-processing the input images to ensure compatibility with pre-trained models, implementing augmentation techniques to expand the dataset and prevent overfitting, and employing a hybrid model consisting of AlexNet, VGG16, and GoogleNet for feature extraction. The extracted features are combined to generate hybrid features, which are then fed into a multi-class SVM optimized with HBA for classification. The proposed model was trained and tested using a lung cancer dataset from Iraq-Oncology Teaching Hospital and the National Centre for Cancer Diseases (IQ-OTH/NCCD), comprising 1190 images across three categories: normal, benign, and malignant. The model underwent validation and was compared with existing literature works. The results demonstrated superior performance, achieving an overall accuracy of 98% in accurately detecting different categories of lung cancer. This result demonstrates the capability of the proposed model compared to other existing models from the literature.
Production and characterization of Zeolite-A nanoparticles for the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater
Authors: Vatsa Musa Aliyu , Musah Monday , Mathew John Tsado
Published: February 2025

This study investigated the production and characterization of Zeolite-A nanoparticles for treating pharmaceutical wastewater. The Zeolite-A exhibited a surface area of 17.06 m²/g, pore size of 9.206 nm, and pore volume of 0.1946 cc/g, highlighting its suitability for adsorption. The adsorption efficiency was evaluated based on contact time, dosage, and temperature. Significant adsorption occurred within the first 20 minutes for chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), with concentrations reaching near saturation, followed by minor declines. For Cr, concentrations peaked at 52.6 μg/g, Fe at 48.32 μg/g, and Cu at 42.31 μg/g, before slightly decreasing. The effect of adsorbent dosage showed that increasing the dosage from 0.4 g to 1.2 g significantly enhanced metal removal, with Cu rising from 34.62 μg/g to 96.12 μg/g, Fe from 41.83 μg/g to 92.15 μg/g, and Cr from 43.51 μg/g to 94.16 μg/g. Temperature analysis revealed improved adsorption at higher temperatures, with Cu increasing from 29.1 μg/g at 30°C to 62.15 μg/g at 70°C, Fe from 26.16 μg/g to 55.9 μg/g, and Cr from 28.16 μg/g to 73.7 μg/g. These findings suggest that Zeolite-A nanoparticles effectively remove toxic metals from pharmaceutical wastewater, offering the potential for large-scale wastewater treatment.
Effects of soil salinity on sustainability of crop production in Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Authors: Musa A.S. , Atiyong B.R. , Tanko A.I. , Isah Z.
Published: February 2025

The sustainability of agricultural production on the soils in the Sudano-Sahelian agroecological zone needs current information on the salinity status for appropriate management practices. This paper assessed the effects of soil salinity on the sustainability of crop production in Gusau, Local Government Area, Zamfara State. Soils were sampled from a polygon layer of grid stratification map of Gusau LGA at 0 - 20cm depth, a total of 8 polygon layers with over 50% proportion were selected for the collection of samples. Three soil samples were collected purposively at three different locations to produce eight composite soil samples. Soil parameters that were analyzed include Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) which are crucial in determining salinity level. Classification chart was used to classify the soils based on various degree of salinity. The results of the soil samples were interpolated using Inverse Distant Weight (IDW) to create maps of the spatial distribution of salinity level across the study area. Modis 13Q1 NDVI data of the study area from 2000 to 2020 were acquired from LP DAAC. The Area of Interest (AOI) and data attributes were selected. The data was used to show the vegetation responsive changes from salinity, which serves as an indirect method of detecting salinity. The EC values shows non salinity (0 to 2 dS/m), low salinity (2 to 4 dS/m) and mild salinity (4 to 5.7 dS/m). TDS ranged from non-hazard (140 ppm) to high hazard (465 ppm). Non-hazard class ranged (< 150 ppm), low hazard (150 to 250 ppm), medium hazard TDS (250 to 300 ppm) and high hazard (300 to 500 ppm) were found spatially distributed in different parts of the study area. A sustainability map of the study area from the severity of soil salinity which determined different management practices shows three sustainability classes of soils, very sustainable soils, sustainable soils and less sustainable soil. The study concludes that soils in Gusau ranges from moderate salinity towards the North and Central part of the study area and low in the Southern part. By implication, the soils in the North and Central areas can only sustain crops that are not sensitive to salinity. It is recommended that farmers should review their farm management strategies on soils with risk of salinity in order to reduce the rate and implications in the area.
Mathematical modelling and simulation of effective production of non-isothermal transient hydrogen natural gas mixture using FVSM
Authors: Mbaya Jibrin H. , Abubakar Buhari S. , Ibrahim A.A. , Danmalam K.U.
Published: February 2025

Mathematical modelling and simulation of effective production of non-isothermal transient Hydrogen Natural Gas mixture is an important phenomena in gas producing industries. Gas mixture production is a production of natural gas mixed with hydrogen which remain a problem to gas producing industries. During production transient pressure is usually generated by rapid and sudden closure of shut-off valve at wellhead and the flow environment. Many authors in gas producing industries consider gas as a single substances and does not consider the production of natural gas mixed with hydrogen. In this work a one-dimensional transient compressible model comprising conservation of mass, momentum and energy which incorporate hydrogen natural gas mixture equation with the properties of flow environment has been developed with the aim of determining the effect of the mixture on the flow parameters. The model was solved using flux vector splitting method (FVSM). The effect of body force on transient pressure and sound wave due to the well flow geometry including the effect of hydrogen mass ratio has also been discussed. The results obtained when considering isothermal flow in a well of 700 ft deep using different wellbore diameter 0.073 m, 0.088m different time and different thermal conductivities shows good agreement with published results. For non-isothermal flow, the pressure and sound wave are observed to be increasing when the hydrogen mass ratio are increased. The heat exchange between the flowing fluid and the well flow environment increase the temperature of the flowing fluid. The result of this work reflect gas flow law and has provide a technical way forward for production of hydrogen natural gas mixture to all gas producing industries.
Effects of sun-dried cassava peels on growth performance in Red Sokoto does (Capra aegagrus hircus) during gestation
Authors: Balogun B.I. , Omodara A.A. , Owoyele O.O.
Published: February 2025

This study was conducted to evaluate the potentials of graded levels of sun-dried cassava peels as alternatural energy source to replace maize offal in supplement diets for pregnant Red Sokoto (Maradi) does. Five (5) supplementary diets were formulated to contain Sun-Dried Cassava Peels (SDCP) at levels of 0, 18.5, 37.0, 55.5 and 74.0%. A sixth diet contained Cotton Seed Cake (CSC) without maize offal, and SDCP. Treatment 1 and 6 containing 0% supplementation of SDCP served as the control diets. The diets were iso-calorific and iso-nitrogenous. Thirty (30) pregnant Red Sokoto does aged between 1.5-2.0 years were weighed and equally allotted to six (6) treatments at a means of 26.1-26.6kg in a Randomize Complete Block Design. The goats were fed at 1.5% weekly live weight. After supplementation for two hours (8:00-10:00am) each morning, they were released to graze on natural pasture within a specified paddock. Results obtained showed that the daily dry matter intake (DMI/head) in treatment 6 was significantly higher than Treatments 1 and 5. Although, the supplementation of SDCP recorded low CPI compared to the two controls, their increasing levels of supplementations also showed a decreasing tendency on CPI. There were no significant differences between Treatments 3 and 4 for crude protein intake (CPI), although Treatment 1, 2, 5 and 6 differ significantly (P<0.05) for CPI. Treatment 6 recorded higher CPI (103.1 g) while Treatment 5 was lower (43.1 g). The efficiency of dry matter utilization (EDMU) and efficiency of crude protein utilization (ECPU) were not significantly (P>0.05) different for all treatments. The higher average daily gain (ADG) 67.4 g was obtained in Treatment 3 and the least (14.3 g) in Treatment 4. The results obtained for ADG in Treatment 3 was significantly higher than Treatment 4 only (P<0.05). the higher final mean live weight of 32.2kg was obtained for Treatments 3 and 6. Treatments 1, 2, 4 and 5 were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Based on the results of this study, Maize offal can be replaced with up to 74% Sun dried Cassava peels in the diet of Red Sokoto Does grazed on natural pasture during gestation without adverse effect on growth performance.
Assessment of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water sources in Abakaliki, Nigeria
Authors: Ogbuewu I. , Nnaji J.C. , Otuokere I.E.
Published: February 2025

The drinking water sources in Abakaliki, Nigeria were investigated for PFAS concentration. PFAS has been known for its bioaccumulation in the food chain, causing a detrimental health effect to humans when contaminated food is ingested. 13 targeted PFAS were analyzed using a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. This method allowed for the identification and quantification of specific PFAS compounds present in the sample. Perfluorohexanoate (PFHX1), N-methylperfluorooctanesulfonamide (MeFOSA), and N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamides (ETFOSA) were the only perfluoroakyl substances found others were fluorotelomers which are polyfluoroalkyl substance and there were the predominant PFAS obtained in this study. The mean sum of the targeted PFAS (⅀PFAS) across all the samples analyzed ranged from 0.22±0.06 mg/L (sample A3) to 7.20±1.82 mg/L (sample C4). The mean value of the PFAS obtained in samples A1 to A5 ranged from 0.22±0.06 mg/L (samples A3) to 0.59±0.12 mg/L (sample A1) while the mean values of samples B1-B5, C1-C5, and D1-D5 ranged from 0.35±0.08 mg/L (B1) to 1.14±0.21 mg/L (B5), 0.64±0.04 mg/L (C3) to7.20±1.82 mg/L (C4) and 0.63±0.04 mg/L (D1) to 3.61±1.08 mg/L (D4) respectively. PFAS are contaminants of emerging concern whose toxicity is of environmental and health concern. However, the detection of PFAS in water is gradually decreasing because of the restriction of PFAS and its industrial applications, which result from environmental and health-associated problems.
Energy dispersive X-ray Fluoresence Spectrometry evaluation of rock minerals in Gujeni and Tsohon Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Qazeem Oyeniyi Sholadoye , Lawal Tajudeen Afolayan
Published: February 2025

The elemental evaluation was carried out by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. The Gujeni iron ore contained Fe (76.07%), Cu(0.039%), S(1.10%), Zn(0.061%), Au(5 x10-5%), Hg(0.0012%), Ga(0.01%), As(0.0082%), Bi(0.058%), Si (20.05%) and Al(2.60%) and Tsohon Birnin Gwari gold ore contained Au(0.009%), Pb(0.045%), Ag(0.019%), Zn(0.053%), S(0.56%), Fe(90.44%), Cu(0.014%),Ga(0.043), As(0.202%), Bi(0.25%), Hg(0.27%), Si(7.0%) and Al(0.25%). The results of the analysis showed a high percentage contents of Fe in both samples but low percentage of gold. The low percentage of gold might be due to interlocking of the gold with aluminiumsilicate phase which require high pressure and temperature to release the gold metal. The results also provide baseline information on anthropogenic impact on environmental information on the mining community and the basis for planning strategy by regulated bodies for better quality environment.
Evaluating the quality and sensory characteristics of watermelon and apple juice blends
Authors: Idun Irene Akua , Tandoh Paul Kweku , Osei Michael , Allotey Divina
Published: February 2025

The fruit juice industry is a growing globally and the practice of mixing different fruits to make a juice blend is a recent trend being exploited in the industry. Little has been done to maximize the nutrients and sweetening content. This study evaluated the quality and sensory properties of the watermelon/apple juice blend. The watermelon and apples were obtained in the ripe stages, they were washed and chopped into smaller sizes and then blended separately. The design for the study was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data collection and analysis were performed on pH, Total Titratable Acidity, Total Soluble Solids, protein, ash, crude fibre, potassium, potassium, calcium, iron, copper and zinc. The study revealed that 66.67% watermelon and 33.33% apple blend (W4AM) as well as the 25% watermelon and 75% apple blend (W5AM) recorded the highest value for total soluble solids (12.167 °Brix, 12.333 °Brix) and titratable acidity (0.034%, 0.034%) respectively. W5AM blend also recorded the highest vitamin C content (9.983 mg/100 g). Generally, the proximate composition of the blends had improved nutritional components as compared to the individual juices. The results showed significant differences between the blends (p<0.01) where the sensory evaluation showed that W5AM was mostly preferred amongst the blends for parameters like appearance, odour, taste and mouthfeel. However, the 50% watermelon and 50% apple blend (W6AM) were preferred in terms of overall acceptability. Furthermore, the 100% apple gave highly acidic drink. It was concluded that to obtain high nutritional and sensory quality drink, the 25% watermelon and 75% apple blend (W5AM) should be considered.
Exploring the anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain in the management of some skin conditions
Authors: Olatunde Kolawole , Oweh Oghenetega T. , Adim Chisom , Awhin Ejiro P.
Published: February 2025

Bromelain is an enzyme obtained from pineapple with reported anti-inflammatory characteristics that could be explored in managing skin disorders such as acne, eczema and rosacea. The study aims to analyse bromelain’s effectiveness in decreasing skin redness, enhancing the skin’s quality and determining the side effects of bromelain when treating skin disorders. This research involved a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled clinical intervention involving 40 participants for 12 weeks. Patients were randomly assigned to experimental group using (1.0mg/cm² of bromelain) and control group using a non-active cream in the affected area twice daily. Redness and inflammation were measured using a standard dermatological grading scale, with scores ranging from 0 (no inflammation) to 10 (severe inflammation). Skin quality of the was assessed using participants diary, scaled questionnaire and dermatologist assessment. Baseline measurements of skin inflammation were taken; repeated measurements were obtained once a week. The overall findings revealed a decrease in redness and skin inflammation in the experimental group compared to control group (p < 0.001) that was consistent as the week progressed. The participants in the experimental group also had a significant enhancement of skin texture (p < 0.01) quality and decrease in acne compared to the control group. The participants in the experimental group had 15% mild irritation, 10% itching and 0% severe irritation. Participant compliance was found to be high during the trial while most of the participant showed enhanced benefit by the end of the trial. The findings support the use of bromelain as a natural supplement in management of inflammatory skin diseases.
New records of fungal endophytes from Unilorin Sugarcane plantation using internal transcribed spacer gene sequences
Authors: Lateef A.A. , Garuba T. , Abdulkareem K.A. , Olayinka B.U. , Olahan G.S. , Adeyemi S.B. , AbdulRahaman A.A. , Tiamiyu B.B. , Sagaya A. , Abdulroheem L.A.
Published: February 2025

Fungal endophytes are beneficial microbes that confer an added advantage to plants by colonizing their intercellular spaces without causing any harm. Instead, they produce secondary metabolites that play a considerable role in improving the medicinal qualities and protection of the host plants. There are several reports on fungal endophytes isolated from different plants but no report yet on fungal endophytes of Blighia sapida and Euphorbia heterophylla. These two plants were found growing in the Unilorin Sugarcane plantation as weeds. Leaf samples were collected from the plants, sterilized, and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for seven days. Emerging fungal mycelia from the leaves were subcultured to obtain pure culture and used for DNA extraction. We used the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region gene sequence analysis of fungi DNA for the identification of two new records of isolated fungal endophytes of these two plants. The extracted DNA was amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), sequenced and analyzed using the computer softwares; AliView and MEGAX. Molecular phylogeny inferred using maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree based on the ITS DNA sequences showed the relationship between the isolated fungal endophyte and the closest identified relatives from NCBI GenBank. Fungal endophyte isolated from B. sapida had the highest sequence similarity to Curvularia lunata, and isolate from E. heterophylla had the highest similarity to Chaetomium globosum. These two results represent the first reports of the fungal isolates as new records of endophytes from their respective host plant. The implications of these new records are fully discussed.
Raportowanie zgłaszania działań niepożądanych przez osoby wykonujące zawody medyczne w Polsce
Authors: Raźniewska Karolina
Published: February 2025

Celem pracy jest omówienie tematyki raportowania działań niepożądanych przez osoby wykonujące zawody medyczne w Polsce. Dzięki ciągłemu monitorowaniu bezpieczeństwa stosowania produktów leczniczych stale zwiększa się wiedza o danym leku, co pozwala na określenie grup pacjentów, dla których dany preparat stanowi najlepszą opcję terapeutyczną.
W Polsce informacje o obowiązku zgłaszania działań niepożądanych leków znajdziemy w ustawie Prawo farmaceutyczne oraz w poszczególnych ustawach o zawodzie m.in. lekarza i lekarza dentysty czy farmaceuty. Do zgłaszania niepożądanych reakcji są zobligowane osoby wykonujące zawody medyczne, do takiego obowiązku powinni także poczuwać się pacjenci oraz ich przedstawiciele ustawowi lub opiekunowie.
Ciągły nadzór nad bezpieczeństwem farmakoterapii jest istotnym elementem wszystkich systemów opieki zdrowotnej, wpływającym korzystnie na jej jakość. Dzięki systematycznemu poszerzaniu wiedzy w tym zakresie możliwe jest stałe uaktualnianie informacji dotyczących potencjalnych działań niepożądanych produktów leczniczych.
No Beneficial Effects of the Alfasigma VSL#3 Probiotic Treatment After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Authors: Raposo Pamela J.F. , Nguyen Antoinette T. , Schmidt Emma K.A. , Espin Abel Torres , Fenrich Keith K. , Bennett David J. , Fouad Karim
Published: February 2025

Background:

The bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system appears to be linked to the intestinal microbiome. Research has shown that spinal cord injury (SCI) can disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to gut dysbiosis. These changes can have several negative impacts, such as exacerbated systemic inflammation and susceptibility to infection. Probiotics administered to mice with SCI have been shown to ameliorate gut dysbiosis, confer neuroprotection, and improve locomotor recovery. However, probiotics have also produced conflicting results, making potential claims regarding the application of probiotics as a therapeutic supplement ambiguous.

Objectives:

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a commercially available probiotic on recovery in a rat model of cervical SCI.

Methods:

Rats with cervical contusion SCI received probiotics over 7 days immediately after injury, and their recovery in motor, sensory, and cognitive tasks was compared to that of untreated animals.

Results:

Compared with a control group, the oral administration of probiotics influenced neither motor nor cognitive outcomes. We did observe a significantly different lesion size between the two groups, where the probiotic group had less spared tissue, despite a lack of differences in functional outcomes. In addition, probiotic treatment delayed gut microbiome composition recovery to baseline levels for up to 35 days postinjury (DPI). We found significantly higher proportions of Lactobacillus in the fecal matter of SCI-vehicle rats at 35 DPI, whereas Streptococcus was higher in SCI-probiotics fecal matter at 14 and 35 DPI, and Bacillales was higher in the latter group at 35 DPI.

Conclusion:

Taken together, our results do not support the application of the utilized probiotic cocktail as a dietary supplement for the treatment of cervical SCI-induced gut dysbiosis and secondary complications.
Influence of Dietary Quality on Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Faber Willemijn X.M. , Nachtegaal Janneke , Stolwijk Janneke , Witteman Ben J.M. , Winkels Renate
Published: February 2025

Background:

Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) occurs in up to 95% of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and negatively impacts the quality of life. Although diet is an important component in the management of NBD, the relationship between diet quality and NBD is understudied in the SCI population.

Objectives:

To assess the diet quality of individuals with chronic SCI and explore possible relationships between diet quality, especially fiber, and symptoms of NBD, and to evaluate whether individuals with SCI themselves recognize relationships between dietary intake and NBD symptoms.

Methods:

Individuals with chronic SCI, recruited via their rehabilitation center, completed web-based questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recalls regarding the quality and intake of their diet and the severity of NBD. Ten individuals participated in interviews to explore their views on potential relationships between their diet and NBD.

Results:

Twenty-eight participants were recruited, of which ten were interviewed. All participants had symptoms of NBD of varying degrees and a low diet quality, but there was no difference between the NBD groups. The more severe NBD group had a lower intake of vegetables and a higher intake of salt. Almost half of the participants interviewed did not report experiencing an association between dietary intake and their NBD.

Conclusions:

A low diet quality was observed among individuals with chronic SCI, irrespective of their NBD symptoms. Many participants were unaware of a potential relationship between their diet and NBD. The sample size is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions; however, a potential hypothesis is that those with more severe NBD may consume not enough vegetables and too much salt. Further longitudinal prospective research is required to enhance nutritional guidelines for individuals with SCI and NBD.
Carnitina – Metabolismo, funções e potencial terapêutico
Authors: BERTOLINI GISELE LOPES
Published: February 2025

A L-carnitina é essencial para o transporte de ácidos graxos de cadeia longa para ointerior da mitocôndria, onde sofrem β-oxidação (FRITZ, 1963). A carnitina pode serencontrada nas formas L- e D-carnitina. Contudo, somente o L-isômero ébiologicamente ativo. A L-carnitina é um componente normal da dieta, sendoencontrada em maior quantidade em produtos de origem animal. Também é sintetizadano organismo (LEIBOVITZ e MUELLER, 1993). Várias investigações clínicas têmsido feitas sobre as conseqüências da deficiência de L-carnitina, bem como sobre osefeitos da suplementação sobre determinadas patologias. Apesar de existirem muitasinvestigações sobre os efeitos da suplementação com L-carnitina, sobre determinadaspatologias, como na melhora do desempenho durante exercício, em certas desordensmusculares, síndromes de deficiência genética de L-carnitina, doenças renais, desordenshepáticas, doenças cardiovasculares, diabetes e hiperlipidemias, a eficácia dasuplementação de humanos com carnitina, só é comprovada em casos onde hádeficiência primária ou secundária de L-carnitina.
Influência da estocagem da solução de ácido clorídrico na determinação da capacidade tampão da saliva
Authors: MARCOTTI ALEXANDRA REGINA , MACEDO CAMILA TOIGO , KOTAKE CINTHIA REGIANE
Published: February 2025

Para avaliar o risco de cárie de cada paciente, há testes salivares que auxiliam ocirurgião dentista a realizar o tratamento odontológico mais adequado. Dentre os maisutilizados, há o teste da capacidade tampão da saliva. É avaliado determinando o pHfinal de uma mistura de saliva-ácido clorídrico. No presente trabalho, foi realizado umestudo comparativo da determinação da capacidade tampão de 117 amostras de salivautilizando a fita indicadora de pH e verificando se a solução diluída de ácido clorídricoutilizada na técnica influencia o resultado final da capacidade tampão da saliva. Foramcomparados os resultados utilizando três soluções de ácido clorídrico 0,005N: soluçãopadrão (titulada); solução preparada a partir de um ácido clorídrico preparado no iníciodo experimento e armazenado na geladeira; e solução preparada no início doexperimento e armazenado à temperatura ambiente. O fluxo salivar dos voluntários foitambém estudado. Todos os indivíduos apresentaram fluxo salivar normal. Houvedivergência dos valores da capacidade tampão em sete (6%) amostras estudadas, eresultados similares em 79% (93/117) quando as três soluções de ácido clorídrico foramtestadas. A maioria dos voluntários (72%) apresentou capacidade tampão normal e 28%mostraram baixa capacidade tampão. Ficou evidenciado em nosso estudo que nãohouve diferença estatisticamente significativa nos resultados da capacidade tampão dasamostras de saliva cujas misturas saliva-ácido foram feitas com ácido novo,armazenado em geladeira e em temperatura ambiente.