bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: Strengthen Social Support Network Mechanism as a Mitigation Approach
Authors: Subasinghe W. , Ihalagama S. , Wanigasooriya P.
Published: January 2025

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is any behaviour that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to intimate partners. It is one of the worldwide social dilemmas that negatively affects individuals, families, and the community. Sri Lankan experiences with IPV are more or less the same as those in other countries. This paper focused on the features, reasons and mitigation approaches of IPV. The Research Objective was to identify the factors behind mitigating IPV. The tested research problem was 'how does apply IPV mitigation strategies to the Sri Lankan context'. Four scholarly articles written by Iverson, K.M., Bogat, G.A., Garcia, A. M. & Levendosky, A.A., Miller, E. and McCaw, B and Maguele, M.S.B., Taylor, M., and Khuzwayo, N. for this systematic desk review. The social network support mechanism was developed through a thematic analytical approach. Findings show that plenty of biopsychosocial effects happen with IPV against women. It can happen from scratching to death, including fractures, frequent headaches, neck and facial injuries, brain damage, abdominal injuries, sexual assault, and homicide. Psychological abuse is caused by frequent verbal aggressions, including scoldings, blaming, insulting, threatening, intimidation and various forms of control. Its final results are associated with emotional damages such as low self-esteem, hopeless life, moody situations, less eating, less sleep, more thinking, depression, anxiety, substance misuse and PTSD. Background factors to IPV are cultural customs and religious beliefs, illicit drug use, less economic opportunities, lack of economic independence and lack of awareness of human rights. Suitable implications include strengthening the social support networks with awareness programs on IPV to young women, increasing available hotline services, forcing the implementation of laws and regulations that protect women's and girls' rights, making dialogues on IPV, its impact on family and women, improve economic opportunities, introduce primary care practices programs and introduce tailor programs for different special in Sri Lanka.
The complex relationship between cyanobacteria and antibiotics/antimicrobial resistance in the environment: an emerging factor in the One Health vision on antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Manganelli Maura , Testai Emanuela , Geoffrey A. Codd
Published: January 2025

In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as one of the most critical health issues. It proposed, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), to address this by a One Health approach, recognizing the connection between humans, animals, and environmental health. Currently, a hypothesis is developing that cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins may contribute to AMR in water. Recent research appears to suggest: i) an impact of cyanotoxins on antibiotic-resistance gene transfer between bacteria; ii) a role of cyanobacteria as a reservoir of AMR. Finally, cyanotoxin production appears to be stimulated by cyanobacteria exposure to antibiotics.
These findings strengthen the importance of considering the environment in its complexity.
Art, AI, strategies of biomimicry: mimiphenia, the ambivalent mimicry
Authors: Melanitis Ioannis
Published: January 2025

This paper examines interactions between animal and human patterns of biomimetics to state that ‘all art is biomimicry’ on the basis of information exchanges. Similarities between biomimicry, Art, and AI are methodologically apparent; advances in AI self-coding computation might be reconsidered alongside artistic interpretations of evolutionary patterns in animals. Purposefully misleading signals, blended with more accurate or comprehensible ones, intertwine the web of mimetics. In these treacherous artistic, adaptive, or coding processes, conjecture states emerge, questioning the precision of signal conception. ‘Apophenia’ is defined as the tendency to perceive a connection or meaningful pattern between unrelated or random things (such as objects or ideas), while ‘pareidolia’ as the “tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/). ‘Mimiphenia’ is a neologism we propose as a paraphrase of apophenia and pareidolia, terms related to perception. This ‘apparent-ambiguous’ mimicry imposes on viewers and predators a half-aware state, an artistic dilemma. By observing this phenomenon in Ophrys orchids, we propose new hypothetical bee-resembling patterns by applying Turing's morphogenetic formula to a parent orchid using AI. The resulting patterns closely resemble those evolutionarily occurring in nature.
Incidental Finding in a Case of Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Muralidhar Aparna , Minal Jessica , Zeeshan S. , Mysorekar Vijaya V.
Published: January 2025

Amoebiasis is infestation of gastrointestinal tract by Entamoeba histolytica with or without clinical manifestations. Among all species of Entamoeba, only E. histolytica is known etiologic agent to cause invasive amoebic infection, mainly affecting the large intestine. Acute intestinal amoebiasis has contributed for mortality in more than 55,000 people every year. Herein, we are describing a case of 30-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of pain abdomen, underwent appendicectomy, and was histopathologically diagnosed as amoebiasis of the appendix.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Modified Masood’s Scoring Index for Reporting Breast Cytopathology
Authors: Khan Adil Aziz , Ahuja Sana , Zaheer Sufian , Ranga Sunil
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims:

The Modified Masood’s Scoring Index (MMSI) categorizes breast fine-needle aspirates into four categories nonproliferative breast diseases (PBDs), PBD without atypia, PBD with atypia and carcinoma in situ or carcinoma. Very few studies have been conducted so far to assess the diagnostic accuracy of this system. The objectives of the present study were to classify breast fine-needle aspirates according to the MMSI and assess their risk of malignancy (ROM) and performance parameters.

Materials and Methods:

All breast FNAs received from January 2022 to July 2023 were classified into four categories according to the MMSI. Using histopathological diagnosis as the gold standard, ROM and performance parameters were calculated.

Results:

Out of the 387 breast fine-needle aspirates, histopathological correlation was available for 253 cases. The ROM for non-PBD, PBD without atypia, PBD with atypia, and carcinoma in situ or carcinoma categories were 0%, 1.5%, 7.7%, and 98.8%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 96.59%, 99.39%, 98.84%, 98.20%, and 98.42%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The MMSI demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for breast fine-needle aspirates, effectively categorizing lesions and aiding in clinical decision-making. Our study confirms the utility of MMSI in distinguishing between benign and malignant breast lesions, particularly in cases with mild atypia. The parameters used in MMSI enhance the reliability of fine-needle aspiration cytology reports, thereby supporting surgeons in determining appropriate treatment strategies.
Depression in Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome
Authors: Babu Juhi Suresh , Vishnuvardhan G. , Malyam Vidhyavathi , Shankar Harish Korenahalli
Published: January 2025

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a reversible neurotoxic condition with an unknown pathophysiology, characterized by distinctive radiological findings such as focal regions of hemispheric edema, primarily in the parietal and occipital lobes. The common triggering factors for PRES include renal failure, eclampsia, exposure to immunosuppressive or cytotoxic agents, and autoimmune disorders. Clinically, it presents with neurological symptoms including seizures, headaches, and confusion. Long-term psychiatric symptoms are rare in PRES, and there is limited literature on psychiatric sequelae associated with this syndrome. A 20-year-old female with PRES postdelivery presented to the psychiatry outpatient department with depressive symptoms. Despite symptomatic management and neurological improvement, her depressive symptoms persisted, evidenced by a HAM-D score of 22, leading to a diagnosis of a moderate depressive episode secondary to PRES. The patient showed improvement after treatment with 10 mg of escitalopram and clonazepam 0.25 mg in tapering doses. This case highlights the potential for long-term psychiatric sequelae in PRES, a condition primarily known for its neurological manifestations. It underscores the importance of awareness among treating physicians and psychiatrists regarding the possibility of persistent psychiatric morbidity, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and intervention.
Deciphering Inflammasome Mechanisms in Periodontal Diseases: A Review
Authors: Sharma Himani , Sharma Anamika , Tripathi Umang
Published: January 2025

Inflammasomes are complex multimeric protein molecules that play a central role in orchestrating the inflammatory response within periodontal tissues. These structures, primarily located in immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells, become activated when exposed to microbial pathogens which are commonly found in dental plaque. Inflammasomes, crucial regulators of inflammation, play a significant role in periodontal diseases. Activation of inflammasomes, particularly NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3, triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, exacerbating tissue destruction in the periodontium. The aim of this review is to comprehensively explore the role of inflammasomes in periodontology, elucidating their involvement in periodontal diseases, discussing the mechanisms of inflammasome activation, and evaluating their potential as therapeutic targets. A comprehensive search was conducted across three databases, namely PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, focusing on the role of inflammasomes in periodontology: Various search terms including inflammasome, periodontitis, inflammation, oral health, and related keywords were employed to identify relevant studies.
Design and Simulation of Quasi-microstrip Yagi Antenna in Railway Mobile Communication
Authors: Shao Junhua , Li Qiang , Tan Junmei
Published: January 2025

PROBLEM STATEMENT: The performance and size constraints of the current railway mobile communication systems force the development of more effective communication methods.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to build a quasi-microstrip Yagi antenna with a 900MHz centre frequency that minimizes the antenna's physical dimensions and improves communication capabilities between trains.
METHODS: HFSS simulation was used during the design phase to optimize the antenna's characteristics, which included bending the active oscillator to increase gain. Important performance indicators were assessed, including voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), bandwidth, and return loss.
RESULTS: The optimized antenna produced a VSWR of less than 2, a maximum gain of 8.35dB, a bandwidth of 105MHz (spanning from 845MHz to 950MHz), and a return loss of -19.49dB at the centre frequency. According to these results, the antenna satisfies the operating criteria for railway mobile communication.
CONCLUSION: The quasi-microstrip Yagi antenna proves useful in engineering applications since it not only meets the communication requirements of railway systems but also shrinks considerably in size compared to conventional Yagi antennas.
Quantum automorphism groups of trees
Authors: van Dobben de Bruyn Josse , Kar Prem Nigam , Roberson David E. , Schmidt Simon , Zeman Peter
Published: January 2025

We give a characterization of quantum automorphism groups of trees. In particular, for every tree, we show how to iteratively construct its quantum automorphism group using free products and free wreath products. This can be considered a quantum version of Jordan’s theorem for the automorphism groups of trees. We use ideas from algebraic combinatorics, quantum groups, and quantum information theory. This is one of the first characterizations of quantum automorphism groups of a natural class of graphs with quantum symmetry.
Revisiting malignant gastric outlet obstruction: Where do we stand?
Authors: Govindarajan Krishna Kumar
Published: January 2025

The scope of management of malignant gastric outlet obstruction is ever-expanding. The therapeutic use of endoscopy is gaining popularity not just owing to its technical advancement and satisfactory patient outcomes. With technical success rates close to 96%, stent placement for palliating gastric obstruction has ensured a median survival of about 2 months post-deployment of gastro-duodenal stents. Understanding the correct concept of palliation is the need of the hour in management. Identifying the right patient for palliation, selecting the appropriate intervention and auditing the outcome are vital in delivering optimal care. Also, newer procedures such as endoscopic gastro-enterostomy offer promising outcomes in palliative care.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of severe gastric laceration with active bleeding: A case report
Authors: Chen Jie-Li , Zhi Hui-Xin , Pan Jun-Yu , Chen Ze-Han , Huang Jia-Lan , Yao Jun
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic therapy is the primary approach for treating Mallory-Weiss syndrome, particularly under conditions of mucosal protection and gastric acid suppression. However, for a subset of patients who cannot undergo endoscopic intervention or for whom such treatment proves ineffective, alternative measures like arterial embolization or surgical intervention may be required. While hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been applied across a range of medical conditions, its application in managing hemorrhage due to gastric tears remains undocumented.

CASE SUMMARY

A 52-year-old patient was admitted with symptoms of hematemesis and melena, and an endoscopy revealed a gastric fundus tear approximately 4 cm × 5 cm in size. The lesion was considered unsuitable for endoscopic repair by the attending endoscopist. Despite conservative measures, including fasting and acid suppression, the patient experienced persistent bleeding and a substantial decrease in hemoglobin levels relative to admission values. Following a multidisciplinary consultation, HBOT was initiated, resulting in the cessation of bleeding and rapid wound healing.

CONCLUSION

For patients with gastric tears presenting with active hemorrhage, HBOT might offer an effective alternative when conventional endoscopic therapies are not viable or have been unsuccessful.
Why East Asian Objects in Slovenia Became “Orphaned”
Authors: Vampelj Suhadolnik Nataša
Published: January 2025

What lies behind the impoverishment of the identity of East Asian objects in their transition from the private to the public sphere? This article looks at the various developmental processes that have led to the “orphaning” of East Asian objects in Slovenia and discusses the challenges of provenance research for such objects, proposing a new research approach. Objects of East Asian origin became “orphaned” in various ways, either being sold by aristocrats, confiscated by Nazi occupying forces or the socialist government institutions during or after WWII, or given or sold to persons who did not preserve their history. All processes were poorly documented and only sparse notes were made. This makes it extremely difficult for researchers to trace the biographies of these objects and identify their past ownership. Many other records, such as photographs of interiors and other object documents, have also been lost due to the complex socio-political situation and the mobility of the objects between the private and public spheres.
From Cultural Symbol to Campus “Idol” and Back
Authors: Lullo Sheri A.
Published: January 2025

A sculpture known as “The Idol” was, until the summer of 2021, prominently displayed on the campus of Union College in Schenectady, New York. Since the late 19th century, this sculpture had been coated with countless layers of paint by rival student groups as part of yearly campus rituals. Few in the community were fully aware, however, that the work is a venerable stone guardian lion from late imperial China, which was gifted to the college by an alumnus in 1874. The stone lion may be considered as an “orphaned object” in at least three ways. First, there is no official documentation of its excavation, provenance or transfer to the United States. Second, it is a singular fragment of an original pair—Union College possesses the “female” lion of the customary male-female dyad of stone guardian lions from Chinese tradition. And finally, veiled and rendered amorphous by an ever thicker coating of paint for over a century, the work’s agency as a guardian and Chinese cultural symbol was denied as it was reimagined through rituals that served to mediate student identities. This paper will explore the rich life history and changing agency of Union College’s Chinese stone lion within the context of the introduction of Chinese art to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Uncovering the Provenance of “Orphaned” Objects
Authors: Zhao Haoyang
Published: January 2025

In recent years, scattered pages of the coloured version of Huangchao liqi tushi have been found in several public institutions outside China and even on the art market. The discovery of pages bearing the Yuanmingyuan seal has led to them being associated with the looting of Yuanmingyuan in 1860. However, as commonly encountered in provenance research, a thorough analysis of the available archives indicates that portions of pages held in various institutions were acquired from unrelated individuals or dealers at different times, without substantial evidence linking them directly to the looting of Yuanmingyuan or to soldiers involved in the looting. Consequently, it is not possible to definitively establish their Yuanmingyuan provenance. Facing these challenges, this study employs methods beyond the traditional archival research approach, demonstrating how additional insights can be derived from checking indirect archives and marks on the reverse of pages. More importantly, the study showcases how an art historical understanding of the material can offer new perspectives, shifting the focus from searching for provenance documents of individual portions to connecting portions without records to those with more solid evidence, considering the possibility that direct provenance records may never have existed.
Wartime and Post-War Confiscations of East Asian Objects Held in the Collections of the Celje Regional Museum
Authors: Mlinarič Davor
Published: January 2025

The article attempts to clarify, on the basis of laws adopted during and after the Second World War, how East Asian items became part of the museum collections held today by the Celje Regional Museum (Pokrajinski muzej Celje, PMC). The first part of the article focuses on confiscations of cultural and historical objects carried out by the Nazis in Lower Styria (Untersteiermark) between 1941 and 1945. The second part of the article covers the period immediately after the end of the Second World War. This was the period that saw the start of the formation of so-called national property, in other words the passage of ownership from private to state hands. As will be shown, a series of laws regulating the new authorities’ attitude towards property were passed in a relatively brief period. In the summer of 1945, the task of collecting cultural and historical objects was taken over by collection centres established for this purpose. One such collection centre was located in Celje. With the help of archival sources, we have attempted to shed light on its operations.
Qualité et capacité de charge des pâturages périurbains de la zone Sud-Soudanienne de la Cote d’Ivoire
Authors: Kouadja G.S. , Koutouan F.P. , Kouadio K.E. , Wandan E.N. , Bakayoko A.
Published: January 2025

La production et la disponibilité de pâturages de haute qualité sont impératives pour garantir une production animale durable dans les zones urbaines et périurbaines. L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer la qualité et la capacité de charge des pâturages urbains et périurbains de Bouaké en Côte d’Ivoire. Un relevé floristique a été réalisé sur le couvert herbacé de Bouaké. Les données ont été collectées et utilisées pour calculer l’indice global de qualité des pâturages, également appelé valeur pastorale. La productivité fourragère potentielle des différents pâturages a été évaluée, selon la méthode de Fauche Intégrale qui a permis d’estimer les capacités de charge annuelles de ces pâturages. Au total, 106 espèces végétales réparties en 70 genres et 15 familles botaniques ont été recensées. Les valeurs pastorales obtenues (56,83 ± 1,15 et 61,37 ± 0,97 %) étaient inférieures à celles d’un pâturage en bon état (65-100 %). Les productivités potentielles de ces pâturages variaient de 0,94 ± 0,17 à 3,96±0,6 tonnes métriques de matière sèche par hectare par an (t MS ha-1.an-1), correspondant ainsi à des capacités de charge de 0,14±0,03-0,58 ±0,09 Unité Bétail Tropical par hectare par an (UBT ha-1. an-1), bien inférieures aux capacités de charge des pâturages sous de bonnes conditions (0,6 à 0,86 UBT ha-1.an-1) en Afrique de l’Ouest. Ces résultats démontrent l’ampleur de la dégradation des pâturages périurbains dans la zone sud soudanienne de la Côte d’Ivoire, suggérant le besoin urgent de prendre des mesures pour améliorer la qualité des pâturages et la capacité de charge du bétail.
Evaluation of genetic diversity in agronomic traits among dual-purpose cowpea genotypes in Kenya
Authors: Kariuki J.K. , Githiri S.M. , Mamati G.E. , Wainaina C.M.
Published: January 2025

Availability of diverse genetic materials is central in any plant breeding programme. Genetic diversity is important in ensuring survival of a species; and buffering of crops from climate change effects through crop improvement programmes. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity among a panel of dual purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes to inform crop breeding programmes in Kenya. The study was conducted at the Jomo Kenyata University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Demonstration Farm in Kenya; during four cropping seasons (2021-2022). A total of 224 dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes were evaluated using an alpha lattice design with two replications. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, and were subsequently subjected to correlation and principal component analysis (PCA), biplot and hierarchical cluster analyses. Total grain yields positively correlated (P<0.05) with grain yield per row and pods plant-1. Principal component analysis dissected total variation into three components, namely PC1, PC2 and PC3. The first three PCs (with eigenvalues >1), accounted for 71.6% of the total variability among the accessions. PCA and Bi-plots showed that pods plant-1, grain yield plant-1 and per row were the best (farthest from the origin indicating largest divulgence) agronomic traits for selection towards improvement of Kenyan dual- purpose cowpea genotypes. The dendrogram also grouped the genotypes into three clusters, namely I (101), II (53) and III (70). There was congruence between the PC and hierarchical cluster in grouping the accessions, based on the Euclidean distance; with the highest values to be used for genetic improvement. The genotypic and phenotypic differences among the accessions could be leveraged as a basis for genetic improvement, through selection and crossing of parents with desired phenotypic traits in future breeding programmes.
Delimitation of cassava germplasm clusters in Kenya based on phenotypic traits
Authors: Nyamwamu C.N. , Jeruto P. , Njenga E. , Arama P.F. , Mulwa R.M.
Published: January 2025

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food and more lately, cash crop in Kenya, supporting millions of stakeholders along its value chain. However, the phenotypic variability of the crop in the country is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to delimit clusters within the cassava germplasm in Kenya. The study involved 131 cassava stem cuttings of genotypes collected from seven major cassava growing counties in Kenya. Genotypes cuttings were planted in two experimental sites; namely Rongo University farm and Mawego Technical Training Institute farm. Data were collected on both quantitative and qualitative phenotypic traits, at three monthly intervals, during 3 to 12 months after planting. The data were subjected to Multivariate analysis (P<0.05). The cassava germplasm was categorised into four cluster groups based on phenotypic traits; namely Cluster 1 (72.5%), 2 (16.0%), 3 (3.1%), and 4 (8.1%) genotypes, respectively. Out of the 25 phenotypic characters assessed, a total of 11 principal components (PCs) trait sets accounted for 71.58% cumulative genetic variation (P<0.05). Furthermore, delimitation of these clusters was done based on the 11 assessed phenotypic traits. In Cluster 1, five PCs accounted for 61.7% of total variation among the genotypes. In Cluster 2, four principal components accounted for 69.2% of the variation; while in Cluster 3, two PCs explained 100% of the variation. In Cluster 4, four PCs accounted for 79.1% of the total variation among the genotypes. Delimitation of these clusters will inform targeted breeding strategies and conservation efforts.
Can international buyer-supplier relational attributes influence the intention to source from local suppliers? A case study of International Oil Companies in Tanzania
Authors: Juma Hemed
Published: January 2025

This study explores whether International Oil Companies (IOC) intending to source their non-consultancy services from local providers  are affected by their respective strategic relationships with international service providers. International Oil Companies (IOC) exploring  oil and gas in Tanzania were used as a case study to represent the group of buyers. This study adopted Industrial Marketing and  Purchasing perspectives (IMP) on buyer-supplier relationships, where the structural and functional attributes of buyer-supplier  relationships were examined. Structural Attributes include continuity, complexity, interdependence, and trust, while Process Attributes  include adaptation, conflict, cooperation, socialisation, and formalisation. Buyers’ intention to source from local suppliers was measured  by four dimensions: presence of sourcing policy from local suppliers, presence of activities for creating awareness among local suppliers  about supply opportunities, presence of relaxed evaluation criteria, and payment scheme that favours local suppliers and establishes a  central unit for coordinating all activities intended to facilitate sourcing from local suppliers. A survey design was used, whereby primary  data were collected from 189 employees working at middle- and top-level positions in oil and gas companies. Data analysis involved  examining descriptive statistics for respondents’ attributes and inferential statistical analysis, where relationships between the study  variables were examined. The findings show that, given the new market constraints and without any forceful inducement, OICs will  consider sourcing from local suppliers despite the ongoing strategic relationship with international suppliers. Therefore, host countries  should focus on developing the competence of local suppliers to meet IOCs’ expectations.
Assessment of faecal contamination in selected concrete and earthen ponds stocked with African catfish, Clarias gariepinus
Authors: Olalemi A. , Oluyemi M. , Bayode M
Published: January 2025

Background: Microorganisms constitute significant fraction of the aquatic ecosystem and have been reported to be the cause of emerging novel infectious diseases in aquacultural practices. The prevalence of infectious diseases has been observed to depend on the interaction between fish pathogens and the aquatic environment. This study was conducted to assess the levels of faecal pollution markers in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and their growing waters in selected earthen and concrete ponds in the teaching and research fish farm of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria in the dry (February-April) and wet seasons (May-July) of the year.
Methodology: Two earthen and 2 concrete ponds were randomly selected as sampling sites due to their frequent usage. A total of 120 grabs of catfishes from the earthen (n=60) and concrete (n=60) ponds, and 84 pond water samples from earthen (n=42) and concrete (n=42) ponds, were randomly collected over a 6-month period of study. Enteric bacteria count in the water and catfish samples were determined using membrane filtration and pour plate methods respectively. The physiochemical characteristics of the water samples were determined using standard methods. The rate of bioaccumulation of faecal indicator bacteria was obtained by dividing the log count of each organism in the catfish by the corresponding log count in the growing waters.
Results: Faecal coliforms count (log10 CFU/100ml) in the catfish from concrete and earthen ponds ranged from 1.41 to 2.28 and 1.3 to 2.47, and in the growing waters; 1.43 to 2.41 and 1.50 to 2.80 respectively. There was positive correlation of faecal coliforms with alkalinity of water samples from the earthen (r=0.61) and concrete ponds (r=0.62). Salmonella and faecal coliforms had the highest and least bioaccumulation in catfish raised in earthen pond while Salmonella and enterococci had the highest and least bioaccumulation in catfish raised in concrete pond respectively. Faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli had the highest and least counts in water samples from the earthen pond during the dry and wet months while Salmonella and E. coli had the highest and least counts in water samples from the concrete pond during the dry and wet months.
Conclusion: High levels of bacterial faecal pollution markers in water samples and catfishes from the earthen and concrete ponds are reported in this study. Physicochemical characteristics and seasonality played major roles in the rate of bioaccumulation of the faecal pollution markers in catfishes raised in both earthen and concrete ponds.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of urinary bacterial isolates of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of selected hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria
Authors: Baba R. T. , Adedayo M. R. , Awe S. , Bale M. I.
Published: January 2025

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnancy is associated with significant morbidity for both mother and baby. This study was aimed at determining the urinary bacterial isolates and their susceptibility to selected antibiotics among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of selected Hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria.
Methodology: A total of 300 pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 44 years were selected by random sampling technique from antenatal clinics of three randomly selected healthcare facilities in Ilorin, Nigeria; Civil Service Hospital, Sobi Specialist Hospital and Okelele Primary Health Center, between July and October 2021. Clean-catch mid-stream specimens of voided urine were collected from each participant, cultured on Cysteine- Lactose-Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) and Blood agar plates, and incubated aerobically at 37oC for 24 hours. The presence of significant bacteriuria (≥105 CFU/ml) was determined on the culture plate using the plate count method. Antibiotic susceptibility testing to selected antibiotics was done using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique. Cefoxitin (30?g) was used as surrogate to determine phenotypic methicillin resistance in staphylococcus isolates, and the methicillin resistance (mecA) gene was detected by conventional PCR assay.
Results: Of the 300 pregnant participants, 49 (16.3%) were symptomatic for UTI while 251 (83.7%) were asymptomatic. Significant bacteria (monomicrobial) were isolated in 44 (14.7%) pregnant women; 28 (11.2%) of 251 asymptomatic and 16 (32.6%) of 49 symptomatic women, which showed that significant bacteriuria rate was higher with symptomatic than asymptomatic women (OR=3.861, 95% CI=1.889–7.893, p=0.0005), but significant bacteriuria rate did not differ with respect to age group of the women (x2=1.463, p=0.4811). The most common bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli (38.6%, 17/44) followed by coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) (22.5%, 9/44), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.2%, 8/44), Staphylococcus aureus (15.9%, 7/44), Enterococcus sp (4.6%, 2/44) and Pseudomonas sp (2.3%, 1/44). Gram negative isolates showed high resistance rate of 73.1% to ampicillin and 65.4% to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid while Gram-positive isolates showed high resistant rate of 94.1% to penicillin. The Gram-positive isolates showed high susceptibility rate of 100% while the Gram-negative isolates showed moderate susceptibility of 69.2% to nitrofurantoin. Four of the 9 (44.4%) CoNS isolates were cefoxitin resistant and all the 4 (100%) carried mecA gene.
Conclusion: The isolation of bacterial pathogens resistant to the commonly prescribed antibiotics from pregnant women symptomatic and asymptomatic for UTI calls for early screening of all pregnant women for UTI during antenatal care service delivery.
Polymerase chain reaction detection of haemolysin D gene (hlyD) in uropathogenic Escherichia coli as a novel diagnostic test for urinary tract infection
Authors: Abubakar N. H. , Aliyu M. , Jibril M. , Mohammed Y.
Published: January 2025

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and sometime serious infectious disease diagnosed using conventional urine culture as the ‘gold standard’ for identifying Escherichia coli, the most common causative agent. However, due to the slow turn-around-time and other challenges of urine culture, this study explores the use of a novel biomolecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach to detect the presence of haemolysin D gene (hlyD) that encodes a unique virulence factor of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) for its rapid identification in UTI.
Methodology: Primers from UPEC CFT073 and non-pathogenic E. coli K-12 MG1655 strains provided by Nottingham Trent University, England, UK were used to investigate the presence of haemolysin D gene (hlyD) in UPEC. The hlyD primers were developed from hlyD with locus number C_RS01660 on UPEC CFT073 strain using the NCBI, virulence finder, and Island viewer, and used in a PCR assay to target the hlyD in UPEC. Three sets of PCR templates were designed (UPEC, E. coli, and “No template”), each with internal and external controls amplified in a multiplex PCR assay, and agarose gel electrophoresis was used to separate the amplicons, and determine the specificity of hlyD for UPEC.
Results: The UPEC genome PCR assays were positive for hlyD and UPEC positive control, and similarly, PCR was positive for E. coli genome positive control, but negative for hlyD. Moreover, the “No template” PCR assay was clean with no amplification product, confirming the absence of PCR contaminations.
Conclusion: The hlyD is a unique virulence gene specific for UPEC. PCR assay of this gene is a promising specific and rapid biomolecular diagnostic test that can overcome the limitations of the traditional approaches for detection of UPEC in UTI.
Reducing the risks of nuclear war—the role of health professionals
Authors: Abbasi Kamran , Ali Parveen , Barbour Virginia , Bibbins-Domingo Kirsten , Rikkert Marcel GM Olde , Haines Andy , Helfand Ira , Mash Bob , Mitra Arun , Monteiro Carlos , Naumova Elena N. , Rubin Eric J. , Ruff Tilman , Sahni Peush , Tumwine James , Yonga Paul , Zielinski Chris
Published: January 2025

No Abstract
Genital mycoplasmas and gynaecologic cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Ezeanya-Bakpa C.C. , Agbakoba N.R. , Udeogu C.V. , Uduchi I.O. , Oguejiofor C.B. , Ekelozie I.S.
Published: January 2025

Studies on genital mycoplasmas (GM) role in gynaecologic cancers (GC) such as cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal, vulva and  fallopian tube, is limited. This review was conducted to evaluate an association between GM and GC. The systematic study was conducted  in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across online databases including Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science  from inception to August, 2022. We included crosssectional and case-control studies examining possible connection of GM infection and  development of GC, and all evidence-based studies with likely association between GM infection and incidence of GC were studied.  Selection criteria aided identification, screening, and risk of bias assessment. Thirteen studies with at least moderate risk of bias, were  included. The most commonly associated GMs was Mycoplasma genitalium followed by Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma  hominis. Studies reported disease advancement with GMs most especially in cases of co-infection. The most associated GCs were cervical,  ovarian and endometrial. Infection with U. urealyticum, M. hominis, and M. genitalium was associated with cervical cancer risk  (OR 1.31-1.41), and M. hominis and M. genitalium had associated risk with ovarian (RR 0.93-1.92) and endometrial cancer (OR 1.36- 2.07).  No association was found with vaginal, vulva and fallopian tube cancers.
A review of the legal and ethical perspectives in HIV/AIDS management in Nigeria
Authors: Obaro H.K. , Suleiman B.A. , Ajide O.B. , Aminu B.T. , Okonta N.E. , Ojo O.S. , Olatoke S.O.
Published: January 2025

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) remain major public health issues in  Nigeria and other developing countries. Discrimination even among healthcare workers (HCWs), which includes poor service delivery at  the point-of-care and human rights abuses, are the main factors that continue to hinder HIV eradication in developing countries, and  these spread across all levels of HIV/AIDS services, from counseling and testing, to treatment and care. People living with HIV/AIDS  (PLWHA) have continued to suffer from unethical conduct, human rights abuses, discrimination, and stigmatization from HCWs, employers of labor, educational institutions, religious houses, and the public. There exist Federal and some State laws that protect the  rights and privileges of PLWHA, prevent discrimination and stigmatization from the general public, prevent employers from  discriminating against persons with HIV infection, protect workers who criticize hazardous conditions in the workplace, and offer  compensation to victims of HIV-related human rights abuses and employees for contracting job-related diseases. However, HIV-related  human rights abuses, stigmatization, and discrimination, have continued unabated, not because there are no laws to protect victims, but  due to ignorance of the law, complicated by the fact that some existing laws have remained dormant with regard to implementation and  enforcement. Domestication of these laws by various State Governments in the country and enforcement by relevant institutions are also  big issues. It is imperative for healthcare professionals to be aware of current professional standards and the general public to be aware  of laws protecting victims of the virus.
Bacteraemia at the tertiary care University Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo: Bacterial species and their antibiotic resistance profiles
Authors: Kafando H. , Diallo I. , Sanou G. , Lompo P. , Ouédraogo G. S. , Sanou I. , Koeta F. , Ouédraogo A. S.
Published: January 2025

Background: Bloodstream infections are serious health problem because of the significant morbidity and mortality they cause. The number of deaths increases in the presence of multidrug resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the bacteriological and resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from blood cultures.Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive study over 3 years (1st January 2019 to 31st December 2021) of all blood cultures received in the Bacteriology-Virology Laboratory at CHU-YO. Bacteria were isolated from blood cultures after routine processing in automated BD BACTEC FX40 machine. Bacteria identification and antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) was by conventional biochemical tests and API 20E, and Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method respectively from Jan to Sept 2019, and by BD Phoenix M50 from Sept 2019 to Dec 2021. All proven cases of bacteraemia documented by culture, identification and AST were included in the study. Data analysis was done using EPI-INFO 7.2.4.0 software. Results: A total of 335 pathogenic bacteria were isolated from non-duplicate blood cultures collected from a total of 2345 patients, with 1209 males and 1136 females, giving a male to female ratio of 1.06. Gram-negative bacilli accounted for 63.6% (n=213) with a predominance of Enterobacteriaceae (40.6%, n=136). The leading species were Klebsiella spp (18.5%, n=62) followed by E. coli (14.0%, n=47). Gram-positive cocci accounted for 36.4% (n=122), mostly Staphylococcus aureus (22.1%, n=74). Klebsiella spp and E. coli strains showed high levels of resistance to beta-lactams (60 to 71.0% for piperacillin-tazobactam, 87 to 89.0% for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and 79 to 90.0% for ceftriaxone), fluoroquinolones (75 to 78.0% for ciprofloxacin) and sulphonamides (82 to 96.0% for cotrimoxazole). The lowest levels of resistance were observed with cefoxitin (5-20.0%) and imipenem (5-7.0%). Strain sensitivity to aminoglycosides was highly variable, ranging from 0-5.0% for amikacin to 54-67.0% for gentamicin. The main mechanism of resistance of Klebsiella spp and E. coli strains to beta-lactam antibiotics was ESBL production; 64.5% (40/62) and 60.0% (28/47), respectively. Staphylococcus aureus strains were resistant to methicillin (MRSA) in 13.0% of cases. All were sensitive to fusidic acid and vancomycin.Conclusion: Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli and S. aureus are the main bacteria responsible for bacteremia in Burkina Faso. Their resistance to antibiotics is very high and remains of concern. The introduction of rapid tests to detect resistant bacteria directly from blood culture broths is essential for the early adaptation of empirical antibiotic therapy.
Antibiotic resistance in uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains at Brazzaville University Hospital, Congo and the therapeutic consequences
Authors: Mieret T. , Ontsira Ngoyi E. N. , Aloumba A. , Ossibi Ibara B. R. , Odzebe A. W. S.
Published: January 2025

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a very frequent reason for consultations and antibiotic prescriptions in everyday practice. Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics is responsible for the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) uropathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of isolation and antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated in the bacteriology-virology laboratory of the University Hospital Centre (CHU) in Brazzaville, Congo. Methodology: This was a descriptive retrospective study over a 6-month period (from 1 April to 31 September 2022) that included all non-redundant uropathogenic UPEC strains isolated from urine samples of patients with UTIs referred to the bacteriology-virology laboratory of the University Hospital of Brazzaville, Congo. The strains were isolated from urine samples after inoculation onto Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient agar (CLED), and incubating aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours. Identification was carried out using BioMérieux API 20 E galleries and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on Mueller Hinton agar medium using selected antibiotic discs. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production by the isolates was confirmed by double disc synergy test. Data were analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2013. Results: Of the 187 non-repetitive uropathogenic Enterobacteriaceae isolated from urine samples of 187 patients with clinical UTIs, 81 were strains of UPEC, giving an overall frequency of UPEC isolation of 43.0%. The modal age of patients from whom UPEC strains were isolated was 57 years (age range 2 to 86 years), with 49 from females and 32 from males (F: M ratio of 1.5). The UPEC strains showed high rates of resistance to amoxicillin (94.0%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (84.0%), piperacillin-tazobactam (73.0%), ceftriaxone (52.0%), cefixime (54.0%), cefotaxime (55.0%), ceftazidime (58.0%), gentamicin (42.0%), ciprofloxacin (55.0%) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (90.0%) but relatively low resistance rates were observed with imipenem (4.0%), fosfomycin (8.0%) and amikacin (18.0%). The ESBL-producing strains accounted for 24.5% (46/187) of all uropathogenic Enterobacteriaceae isolates, and compared to the non-ESBL producing strains, had significantly higher resistance rates to gentamicin (p=0.018), ciprofloxacin (p=0.0003), ceftazidime (p<0.0001), ceftriaxone (p<0.0001), cefixime (p<0.0001), cefotaxime (p<0.0001), piperacillin-tazobactam (p=0.0006), and amoxicillin-clavulanate (p=0.0024). Conclusion: Our results show high rates of in vitro resistance of UPEC strains to commonly used antibiotics, which potentially limits therapeutic options and therefore a real public health challenge in Congo.
Bacteriological profiles of urinary tract infections in patients admitted to the nephrology-haemodialysis department of the Bogodogo University Teaching Hospital (CHU B), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Ky/Ba A. , Tondé I. , Dienderé E. A. , Ky A. Y. , Tamini J. R. , Sanou M. , Sanou I.
Published: January 2025

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) constitute a major public health problem, especially in developing countries such as Burkina Faso. They are commonly encountered in hospitals, particularly in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease whose management requires special measures to avoid treatment failures which are frequent. The objective of this study is to determine the microbial profiles of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in these patients.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients with UTIs in the nephrology-haemodialysis department of the CHUB from August 1 to November 31, 2020. Socio-demographic and clinical data of selected patients were collected by a well-designed data collection form. Cytobacteriological analysis of urine (CBAU) was carried out on voided or catheter-urine sample of each patient using standard microbiological technique. The disc diffusion method in agar medium modified according to the recommendations of the 2020 CA-SFM-EUCAST was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of each isolate. Data were processed and analyzed using Excel 2013, IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 and CSpro 7.5 software.Results: Urine samples were collected from a total of 77 eligible participants, 49 (63.6%) of which were CBAU positive, with 56 microbial pathogens isolated. Enterobacterales represented 58.9% (n=33), including 39.4% Escherichia coli (n=13) and 36.4% Klebsiella spp (n=12). Non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli represented 7.1% (n=4) including Acinetobacter baumannii (n=3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=1). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 5.4% (n=3) and Candida spp in 28.6% (n=16). The most active antimicrobials in vitro against the bacterial pathogens were amikacin and imipenem, and clotrimazole and nystatin against the Candida spp. A total 35.7% (n=20) were multi-drug resistant bacteria with 32.1% by ESBL in Gram-negative bacteria and 66.7% (2/3) by MRSA in Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusion: The high resistance of pathogens to antimicrobials, resulting in therapeutic failures, constitutes a significant challenge in the management of urinary tract infection, especially in people with chronic kidney disease. It is therefore necessary to put in place urgent measures aimed at the rational use of antimicrobials and strict compliance with good hospital hygiene practices.