bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of EMDR, TCC and Pharmacological Therapy in a case of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the pediatric age
Authors: Sterpone R. , Dealessi V. , Cremonte M.
Published: April 2021

Objectives: Integrated treatment between psychotherapy and drug therapy in a pediatric OCD case. Methodology: Reprocessing through EMDR of past traumatic events. Restructuring of the main distortions of thought and process of exposure and prevention of response by means of cognitive and behavioral therapies. Pharmacological support with gradual dosage reduction until discontinuation. Results : Patient was able to reduce and then extinguish anxiety related to obsessive thoughts. To date (30 months after diagnosis) he no longer feels the need to implement compulsive rituals, effectively manages the sporadic residual obsessive thoughts and has recovered a satisfactory level of functioning. Conclusions: Efficacy of the integration between EMDR, TCC and pharmacological support.
Pest Hunters
Authors: Garavelli P.L.
Published: April 2021

In these days, with a bit of guilty delay, I read a beautiful book "Spillover" that tells in a pleasant way the problem of zoonoses, that is the passage of animal microorganisms to humans, with all the consequent epidemics such as AIDS or Ebola, one of the most recent nightmares of our society. An important part of the work is the narration of these pathologies through personal stories and the stories of researchers. Since as a young man in a short time between the eighties and nineties of the last century, along with a handful of "Enthusiasts", I managed to systematize the clinical aspects of a parasitosis then unknown, blastocystosis, I decided to tell the thread of memory and publications this story. With what moral? That in an era of hyper-technological medicine, increasingly limited to a few shrines, with intelligence you can also in the Italian province, at the margins of our world, do a good research and change the "fate" of an "anonymous" parasite, Blastocystis precisely. This is a story perhaps not as exciting as those told in "Spillover", but that has its own dignity and deserves to be read and known.
Gradient flow formulation and second order numerical method for motion by mean curvature and contact line dynamics on rough surface
Authors: Gao Yuan , Liu Jian-Guo
Published: April 2021

We study the dynamics of a droplet moving on an inclined rough surface in the absence of inertial and viscous stress effects. In this case, the dynamics of the droplet is a purely geometric motion in terms of the wetting domain and the capillary surface. Using a single graph representation, we interpret this geometric motion as a gradient flow on a manifold. We propose unconditionally stable first/second order numerical schemes to simulate this geometric motion of the droplet, which is described using motion by mean curvature coupled with moving contact lines. The schemes are based on (i) explicit moving boundaries, which decouple the dynamic updates of the contact lines and the capillary surface, (ii) an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian method on moving grids and (iii) a predictor-corrector method with a nonlinear elliptic solver up to second order accuracy. For the case of quasi-static dynamics with continuous spatial variable in the numerical schemes, we prove the stability and convergence of the first/second order numerical schemes. To demonstrate the accuracy and long-time validation of the proposed schemes, several challenging computational examples – including breathing droplets, droplets on inhomogeneous rough surfaces and quasi-static Kelvin pendant droplets – are constructed and compared with exact solutions to quasi-static dynamics obtained by desingularized differential-algebraic system of equations (DAEs).
Leukotriene receptor antagonist addition to intranasal steroid: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Seresirikachorn K. , Mullol J. , Limitlaohaphan K. , Asvapoositkul V. , Snidvongs K.
Published: April 2021

Background: Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) and leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) have different mechanisms of action. The combination of INCS and LTRA (INCS+LTRA) are utilized to control the allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms. The effects of this com- bination have not been made evident yet. Methodology: Randomized controlled trials studying the effects of INCS+LTRA vs INCS in monotherapy on rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in patients with AR were included. Data were pooled for meta-analysis. The outcomes were nasal symptoms, ocular symptoms, disease-specific quality of life (QOL), and adverse events. Results: Six studies (358 participants) met the inclusion criteria. There were no differences between INCS+LTRA and INCS mono- therapy on composite nasal symptom score, total daytime symptom score, total night time symptom score, disease-specific QOL and adverse events. The results favoured the effects of INCS-LTRA on ocular symptoms. Conclusions: The effects of the INCS+LTRA combination are not different from INCS in monotherapy in the improvement of both nasal symptoms and patient's QOL. The combination may, however, be better on improving ocular symptoms.
Detecting Malaria Hotspots in Haiti, a Low-Transmission Setting
Authors: Dismer Amber M. , Lemoine Jean Frantz , Jean Baptiste Mérilien , Mace Kimberly E. , Impoinvil Daniel E. , Vanden Eng Jodi , Chang Michelle A.
Published: April 2021

In 2006, Haiti committed to malaria elimination when the transmission was thought to be low, but before robust national parasite prevalence estimates were available. In 2011, the first national population-based survey confirmed the national malaria parasite prevalence was < 1%. In both 2014 and 2015, Haiti reported approximately 17,000 malaria cases identified passively at health facilities. To detect malaria transmission hotspots for targeting interventions, the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) piloted an enhanced geographic information surveillance system in three departments with relatively high-, medium-, and low-transmission areas. From October 2014–September 2015, NMCP staff abstracted health facility records of confirmed malaria cases from 59 health facilities and geo-located patients’ households. Household locations were aggregated to 1-km2 grid cells to calculate cumulative incidence rates (CIRs) per 1,000 persons. Spatial clustering of CIRs were tested using Getis-Ord Gi* analysis. Space–time permutation models searched for clusters up to 6 km in distance using a 1-month malaria transmission window. Of the 2,462 confirmed cases identified from health facility records, 58% were geo-located. Getis-Ord Gi* analysis identified 43 1-km2 hotspots in coastal and inland areas that overlapped primarily with 13 space–time clusters (size: 0.26–2.97 km). This pilot describes the feasibility of detecting malaria hotspots in resource-poor settings. More data from multiple years and serological household surveys are needed to assess completeness and hotspot stability. The NMCP can use these pilot methods and results to target foci investigations and malaria interventions more accurately.
Omics Tools Applied to the Study of Chagas Disease Vectors: Cytogenomics and Genomics
Authors: Borsatto Kelly Cristine , Coronado Monika Aparecida , Arni Raghuvir Krishnaswamy , Cesar Chaboli Alevi Kaio
Published: April 2021

Chagas disease is an illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi that is distributed in 21 countries of Latin America. The main way of transmission of T. cruzi is through the feces of triatomines infected with the parasite. With technological advances came new technologies called omics. In the pre-genomic era, the omics science was based on cytogenomic studies of triatomines. With the Rhodnius prolixus genome sequencing project, new omics tools were applied to understand the organism at a systemic level and not just from a genomic point of view. Thus, the present review aims to put together the cytogenomic and genomic information available in the literature for Chagas disease vectors. Here, we review all studies related to cytogenomics and genomics of Chagas disease vectors, contributing to the direction of further research with these insect vectors, because it was evident that most studies focus on cytogenomic knowledge of the species. Given the importance of genomic studies, which contributed to the knowledge of taxonomy, systematics, as well as the vector’s biology, the need to apply these techniques in other genera and species of Triatominae subfamily is emphasized.
Parenteral Vaccination with a Cholera Conjugate Vaccine Boosts Vibriocidal and Anti-OSP Responses in Mice Previously Immunized with an Oral Cholera Vaccine
Authors: Akter Aklima , Kelly Meagan , Charles Richelle C. , Harris Jason B. , Calderwood Stephen B. , Bhuiyan Taufiqur R. , Biswas Rajib , Xu Peng , Kováč Pavol , Qadri Firdausi , Ryan Edward T.
Published: April 2021

Oral cholera vaccination protects against cholera; however, responses in young children are low and of short duration. The best current correlates of protection against cholera target Vibrio cholerae O-specific polysaccharide (anti-OSP), including vibriocidal responses. A cholera conjugate vaccine has been developed that induces anti-OSP immune responses, including memory B-cell responses. To address whether cholera conjugate vaccine would boost immune responses following oral cholera vaccination, we immunized mice with oral cholera vaccine Inaba CVD 103-HgR or buffer only (placebo) on day 0, followed by parenteral boosting immunizations on days 14, 42, and 70 with cholera conjugate vaccine Inaba OSP: recombinant tetanus toxoid heavy chain fragment or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/placebo. Compared with responses in mice immunized with oral vaccine alone or intramuscular cholera conjugate vaccine alone, mice receiving combination vaccination developed significantly higher vibriocidal, IgM OSP-specific serum responses and OSP-specific IgM memory B-cell responses. A combined vaccination approach, which includes oral cholera vaccination followed by parenteral cholera conjugate vaccine boosting, results in increased immune responses that have been associated with protection against cholera. These results suggest that such an approach should be evaluated in humans.
Prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among rural community dwellers in a local government area, South West Nigeria
Authors: P Opreh Owigho , O Olajubu Temitope , J Akarakiri Kunmi , Ligenza Vojtech , T Amos John , V Adeyeye Adebanke , Z Oyelade Olufunke , C Oyewole Funmilayo
Published: April 2021

Background: Many African countries including Nigeria are said to be at various stages of an epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Objective: This study determined the current pattern and correlates of hypertension among adults in some rural commu- nities in South West Nigeria.

Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 1012 individuals across 16 rural communities. The respondents’ blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done.

Results: Among the participants, 461 (45.6%) had hypertension out of whom 217 (47.1%) and 244 (52.9%) had stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension respectively. The systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures increased with age. The significant predictors of hypertension were; increasing age (p<0.001), higher waist circumference (p = 0.01) and overweight / obesity (p = 0.03). While systolic blood pressure (SBP) had the strongest correlation with age, waist circumference (WC) was the strongest correlate of diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

Conclusion: Despite being a rural population, there was a high prevalence of hypertension in the study area.

Keywords: Prevalence; hypertension; rural; community; Nigeria.
Atrial electromechanical delay and p wave dispersion associated with severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Celik Yunus , Yıldırım Nesligül , Demir Vahit , Alp Cağlar , Sahin Omer , Tolga Doğru Mehmet
Published: April 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) with both electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Methods: Total of 110 patients were included in this cross-sectional case-control study. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was measured on a 12-lead ECG. Atrial electromechanical intervals (PA) were measured as the time interval between the onset of the P wave on the ECG and the beginning of the late diastolic A wave.

Results: PWD was found to be 40.9±9.2 ms in the healthy control group, 45.6±8.2 ms in the mild COPD and 44.8±8.7 ms in the severe COPD group (p<0.05). Intra-right atrial EMD was found to be 10.7±5.8 ms in mild COPD, 11.0±7 ms in severe COPD, and it was 16.4±7.3 ms in healthy control group (p<0.001). Interatrial EMD was detected to be 29.5±9.1 ms in the control group, 24.1±9 ms in mild COPD group, and 23.9±11.1 ms in the severe COPD group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Both mild and severe COPD groups decreased PWD, increased tricuspid PA and significantly decreased inter- and right intra-AEMD times in comparison to the control group.

Keywords: Atrial eletromechanical delay; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; P wave dispersion.
COVID-19: sitting is the new smoking; the role of exercise in augmenting the immune system among the elderly
Authors: Tokunbo Olorunfemi , Abayomi Taiwo , Adekomi Damilare , Oyeyipo Ibukun
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Like smoking, sedentary lifestyle is an issue of great concern because of its deleterious health challenges and implications. Given the global spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), social isolation regulations and laws have been implemented in many countries to contain the spread of the virus and this has caused a drastic shift from the usual physically demanding life to a sedentary lifestyle characterized by significantly reduced physical activities and prolong sitting.

Methods/Data Source: Human and nonhuman primate literature was examined to compare experimental and clinical modulation of inflammatory cytokines by exercised-induced myokines.

Data synthesis: Experimental and clinical evidence was used to examine whether exercised-induced myokines can prime the immune system of the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: The immune system changes with advancement in age which increases the likelihood of infectious disease morbidity and mortality in older adults. Several epidemiological studies have also shown that physical inactivity among geri- atric population impacts negatively on the immune system. Evidences on the importance of exercise in priming the immune system of elderly individuals could be an effective therapeutic strategy in combating the virus as it may well be a case of “let those with the best immune system win”.

Keywords: Exercise; immune system; sedentary lifestyle; myokines.
Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in nurses and civil servants working at a hospital: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kok Gulsah , Kocaoz Semra , Guvenc Gulten , Akyuz Aygul
Published: April 2021

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in women and can interrupt daily living activities of the individuals. The study aimed at determining the LUTS prevalence and the influencing factors in nurses and civil servants working at a hospital.

Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 158 female nurses and 105 female civil servants. The data were obtained with a data collection form and the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms-Short Form.

Results: This paper exposes that the prevalence of at least one LUTS was 94.2% in nurses and 97.1% in civil servants. The most common LUTS symptoms of nurses and civil servants were urgency (60.1%nurses, 81.9%civil servants) and urge incontinence (59.5%nurses, 81.9%civil servants). Nurses (60.8%) expressed significantly higher rates of having inadequate time going to the toilet due to their work conditions compared to the civil servants (41.9%) (p<0.05). BFLUTS-SF scores in terms of age, BMI, parity, having cesarean and vaginal delivery and urinary incontinence in their previous pregnancies were compared between two groups, statistically significant differences were found (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Workplace conditions of the health workers should be reorganizing to have healthy urinary habits for prevent- ing them from the development of LUTS.

Keywords: Lower urinary tract symptoms; prevalence; nurses; civil servants.
Ectopic pregnancy at the Gambian Tertiary hospital
Authors: Anyanwu Matthew , Titilope Grace
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims: Ectopic pregnancy is a gynaecological emergency with significant burden of maternal mortality and morbidity in the tropics. The incidence reported in the literature range from 1:60 to 1:250 pregnancies. The aim was to determine incidence and risk factors of ectopic pregnancy in the Gambia.

Methodology: A longitudinal study of ectopic pregnancy at Gambian tertiary hospital from January 2016 to April 2018. Data was collected from patients’ folders, entered into SPSS version 20 and analysed with de- scriptive statistics. The test of variation and significance was by ANOVA and Chi-square respectively with error margin set at 0.05 and confidence interval of 95%.

Results: A total number of 2562 pregnancies were recorded, 43 were ectopic pregnancies. The estimated incidence was 0.2%. Majority of the patients were between 26 – 35 years (56%), primiparous (32%), heterogeneous marriage (82%) and housewives (86%). Occupation was not associated with ruptured or unruptured ectopic pregnancy (p-0.421). Low parity was associated with more ectopic pregnancy than high parity (p-0.001). The commonest clinical feature was abdominal pain (65.1%), whilst the most prominent risk factors were pelvic inflamma- tory disease (27.9%) and previous abortion (23.3%). Ectopic pregnancy was seasonal.

Conclusion: The incidence rate of 0.2% was in the range reported in the literature. Low parity, previous abortion and pelvic inflammatory disease were the risk factors.

Keywords: Ectopic; pregnancy; incidence; risk factors.
Factors that influence management of postpartum hemorrhage among midwives in a rural setting in Kenya
Authors: Mumbi Muthoni Doris , Njeri Kabue Priscilla , Kurwa Ambani Elizabeth
Published: April 2021

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage is the cumulative blood loss of 500 milliliters or more in a spontaneous vaginal delivery and approximately 1,000 milliliters or more for caesarean section birth and a leading cause of maternal mortality1.

Objective: The overall aim of the study was to determine midwives’ factors that influence the management of PPH.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study that employed a quantitative approach through the use of a research self- ad- ministered questionnaire and an observational checklist targeting midwives were used. 85 midwives filled the questionnaire and 71 were observed respectively. The study was hospital- based conducted in Muranga County, Kenya. Convenience sam- pling technique was used to select the midwives in the study sites.

Results: The following factors were statistically significant in influencing management of postpartum hemorrhage; age (P-value = 0.021). professional qualification ( P= 0.047), experience in management of PPH ( P= 0.032) and training on emergency PPH ( P= 0.010), knowledge factors that were found to influence the management of PPH positively include knowledge on; prevention of PPH (p value-0.000), correct use of prophylactic uterotonic agents ( P= 0.000), uterotonics use ( P= 0.043), uterine massage during 3rd stage of labour ( P= 0.012), examination of the placenta ( P= 0.034), management of PPH (P= 0.028), causes and diagnosis of PPH ( P= 0.001), (Fischer’s exact value= 0.043).

Conclusion: Results of the study indicate a statistical association between midwives’ factors and management of PPH.

Keywords: Midwifery factors; management of postpartum haemorrhage.
Sonographic measurement of ear length among normal fetuses of pregnant Igbo women in port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Idigo Felicitas , Ajibo Kingsley , Anakwue Angel-Mary , Nwogu Uloma , Robinson Ebbi
Published: April 2021

Background: Fetal ear length measurement has been associated with some clinical values: sonographic marker for chromo- somal aneuploidy and for biometric estimation of fetal gestational age.

Objectives: To establish a baseline reference value for fetal ear length and to assess relationship between fetal ear length and gestational age.

Methods: Ear length measurements were obtained prospectively from fetuses in 551 normal singleton pregnancies of 15 to 41 weeks gestation. Normal cases were defined as normal sonographic findings during examination plus normal infant post-delivery. The relationship between gestational age (GA) in weeks and fetal ear length (FEL) in millimeters were analyzed by simple linear regression. Correlation of FEL measurements with GA, biparietal diameter (BPD), Head circumference (HC), Abdominal Circumference (AC), Femur Length (FL) and maternal age (MA) were also obtained.

Results: Linear relationships were found between FEL and GA (FEL=0.872GA-2.972). There was a high correlation between FEL and GA (r = 0.837; P = .001). Good linear relationship and strong positive correlation were demonstrated between FEL and BPD, AC, HC, and FL (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The result of this study provides normal baseline reference value for FEL. The study also showed good linear relationship and good correlation between FEL and fetal biometric measurements.

Keywords: Fetal ear length; sonographic measurement; chromosomal aneuploidy.
Associated risk factors of underweight among under-five children in Ethiopia using multilevel ordinal logistic regression model
Authors: Adam Birhan Nigussie , Bitew Belay Denekew
Published: April 2021

Background: Malnutrition is associated with both under nutrition and over nutrition which causes the body to get improp- er amount of nutrients to maintain tissues and organ function. Under nutrition is the result of insufficient intake of food, poor utilization of nutrients due to illnesses, or a combination of these factors. The purpose of this study was to identify associated risk factors and assess the variation of underweight among under-five children of different regions in Ethiopia.

Methods: Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey (EDHS-2016) weight-to-age data for under-five children is used. In order to achieve the objective of this study; descriptive, single level and multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis were used.

Results: From a total of 8935 children about 8.1% were severely underweight, 17.1% were moderately underweight and 74.8% were normal. The test of heterogeneity suggested that underweight varies among region and multilevel ordinal model fit data better than single level ordinal model.

Conclusion: Educational level of mother, religion, birth order, type of birth, sex of child, mother body mass index, birth size of child, existence of diarrhea for last two weeks before survey, existence of fever for last two weeks before survey, duration of breast feeding, age child and wealth index had significant effect on underweight among under-five children in Ethiopia. The finding revealed that among the fitted multilevel partial proportional odds model, the random intercept model with fixed coefficients is appropriate to assess the risk factors of underweight among under-five children in Ethiopia. The findings of this study have important policy implications. The government should work closely with both the private sector and civil society to teach women to have sufficient knowledge, awareness and mechanisms of improving under-five under- weight for children’s wellbeing.

Keywords: Underweight; Partial proportional odds model; Multilevel partial proportional odds model; under-five children.
Anti-inflammatory potential of dichloromethane leaf extracts of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill) and Senna didymobotrya (Fresenius) in mice
Authors: Kiambi Mworia Joseph , Mwiti Kibiti Cromwell , JN Ngeranwa Joseph , Piero Ngugi Mathew
Published: April 2021

Background: Inflammation is an immune response characterized by swelling, redness, pain and heat. Inflammation is main- ly managed using conventional medicines that are associated with many side effects. Plant-based remedies are considerably better alternative therapies for they have fewer side effects.

Objective: This study aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory potential of dichloromethane (DCM) leaf extracts of Eucalyptus globulus and Senna didymobotrya in mice.

Methods: Fresh leaves of these plants were harvested from Embu County, Kenya. Quantitative phytochemical analysis was done using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Anti-inflammatory test comprised nine groups of five animals each: normal, negative, positive controls and 6 experimental groups. Inflammation was induced with Carrageenan. One hour post-treatment, the different groups were intraperitoneally administered with the reference drug, diclofenac, 3% DMSO and six DCM leaf extracts at doses of 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250mg/kgbw.

Results: GC-MS results revealed α-phellandrene, camphene, terpinolene, and limonene among others. Anti-inflammatory effects showed that extract doses of 100,150,200 and 250mg/kg bw significantly reduced the inflamed paw. Doses of 200 and 250mg/kgbw in both plants were more potent and compared with diclofenac. E. globulus extract dose of 250mg kg bw reduced inflamed paw in the 1st , 2nd, 3rd and 4th hours, by 2.27,6.52,9.09 and 10.90% respectively while S.didymobotrya at similar dose ranges, inflamed paw reduced by 2.41, 5.43, 8.31 and 9.05% respectively.

Conclusion: E. globulus and S. didymobotrya have potent anti-inflammatory activities, attributed to their constituent phyto- chemicals. This study confirms the traditional use of these plants in treating inflammation.

Keywords: Eucalyptus globulus; Senna didymobtrya; inflammation; phytochemicals.
Comparative distribution of bacterial contaminants of packaged and unpackaged polyherbal products sold in Nnewi, Nigeria
Authors: Udeogu C.V. , Agbakoba N.R. , Chukwuma G.O.
Published: April 2021

Background: The use of herbal medicine continues to remain popular despite advances in orthodox medicine largely as a result of affordability and availability. However, contaminated and potentially toxic polyherbal preparations remain a public health challenge despite regulations instituted by concerned agencies in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the bacterial contaminants of different polyherbal products sold in Nnewi, NigeriaMethodology: This study evaluated the bacteriological profile of 22 packaged and 22 unpackaged polyherbal preparations sold in Nnewi, Nigeria. The samples were collected from different herbal medicine shops in Nnewi by simple random sampling and were assayed for comparative bacterial loads with chromogenic media and their total viable counts evaluated following standard method for microbial load analysis.Results: Bacterial contaminants were isolated from 9 of 22 (40.9%) packaged polyherbal samples while 13 of 22 (59.1%) samples were bacteriologically sterile. For the unpackaged polyherbal, bacterial contaminants were isolated from 18 of 22 (81.8%) samples while 4 of 22 (18.2%) were bacteriologically sterile (OR 0.1538, p=0.0122). The most frequently isolated bacterial contaminant in the packaged polyherbal samples was Enterococcus faecalis with 33.3% (6/18) while Salmonella sp was the least frequently isolated with 5.6% (1/18). For the unpackaged polyherbals, the most frequently isolated bacterial contaminant was Staphylococcus aureus with 25% (7/28) while Salmonella sp and E. faecalis were the least frequently isolated with 10.7% (3/28) each. The median total viable count of the packaged group of the polyherbal products was 1.48x106 CFU/ml, while the median total viable count for unpackaged group of polyherbals was 1.95x106 CFU/ml.Conclusion: This study shows that many polyherbal products sold in Nnewi are potentially contaminated with bacterial agents. It is therefore imperative that herbal medicine practitioners be enlightened on hygienic ways of preventing microbial contamination during polyherbal production.

Keywords: Bacterial contaminants, herbal products, Nnewi, Nigeria
Hookworm presenting as acute febrile illness and surgical abdomen
Authors: Efunshile A.M. , Ojide C.K. , Nwangwu C.C. , Emelobe G. , Akpa C.
Published: April 2021

Hookworm is estimated to infect about 500 million people worldwide. It is usually associated with diarrhoea, abdominal pain and iron deficiency anaemia, but diagnosis can be missed because it sometimes presents unusually or mimics other diseases. We present in this report the case of an 18-year-old asthmatic medical student who was referred to a general surgeon on account of abdominal pain of 8 days duration. His problem started initially with fever, chills and rigor which was managed as malaria but no improvement. The diagnosis shifted from enteric fever to peptic ulcer disease, and his worsening condition was later reviewed as acute abdomen. Abdominal X-ray and ultrasound were normal. Stool microscopy showed numerous ova of hookworm. He was then treated with albendazole leading to full recovery on subsequent follow up. Hookworm disease can mimic a lot of other clinical conditions. A careful review of literature is a reminder that the clinical presentation of hookworm can be diverse and misleading. The current report emphasizes the fact that hookworm should always be considered a possible differential in endemic regions when clinicians are confronted with acute non-malaria febrile illnesses or cases of acute surgical abdomen.

Keywords: acute abdomen, fever, hookworm.
Nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among medical students of a private institution in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Ajani T.A. , Elikwu C.J. , Nwadike V. , Babatunde T. , Anaedobe C.G. , Shonekan O. , Okangba C.C. , Omeonu A. , Faluyi B. , Thompson T.E. , Ebeigbe E. , Eze B.G. , Ajani, M.A. , Perelade K. , Amoran M. , Okisor P. , Worancha T. , Ayoade J. , Agbeniga E. , Emmanuel C. , Coker C A.
Published: April 2021

Background: Nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major factor for its transmission especially from the health workers and medical students to their patients. There are a number of published data on the prevalence of MRSA among health workers but data on nasal colonization of medical students by MRSA are sparse in Nigeria. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage of MRSA among medical students of the Ben Carson School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, and identify risk factors associated with this nasal carriage.

Methodology: A case control study involving 100 clinical (study group) and 100 pre- clinical (control group) medical students was undertaken between March 2018 and October 2019. Structured questionnaire was administered to obtain socio-demographic information and potential risk factors. Nasal swab was collected from each student and cultured for isolation of S. aureus by standard microbiology techniques. Phenotypic MRSA was detected by the cefoxitin 30μg disk diffusion method according to the guideline of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The mecA gene was detected by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Results: The prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among the study group was 14% (14/100) while the prevalence among the control group was 6% (6/100) (p=0.097). The prevalence of phenotypic MRSA among the study group was 4% (4/100) and 1% (1/100) among the control group (p=0.3687) while mecA gene was detected in 3 of the 4 (75%) phenotypic MRSA positive study participants and in the only (100%) phenotypic MRSA positive (1%) control group. Antibiotics usage without prescription, antibiotic treatment of common cold, and use of antibiotics in the previous one year, were significantly associated with MRSA carriage among the study group.

Conclusion: Although the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus and MRSA among clinical and pre-clinical medical students was not statistically significant, the risk factors identified with carriage of MRSA among the study group indicates the need for antimicrobial stewardship program to reduce carriage and transmission of MRSA by medical students.

Keywords: methicillin resistant, Staphylococcus aureus, mecA gene, nasal carriage, medical students
Effects of highly active antiretroviral treatment on liver and renal functions of HIV-infected patients attending the day care clinic of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon
Authors: Samje M. , Youego E.K.J. , Kefeyin T.W. , Lukong H.
Published: April 2021

Background: Though the development of antiretroviral therapy has brought some relief to the menace of HIV infections, the side effects and toxicity of these drugs can still present a major challenge to users, thus leading to a switch or discontinuation of treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of antiretroviral treatment on some biochemical markers of liver and renal functions among HIV-infected patients receiving treatment at the Day Care Clinic of the Regional Hospital, Bamenda, Cameroon.Methodology: A case control study design comprising 100 HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 100 HIV-negative controls was conducted from February to May 2019. The serum activity of aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), and serum creatinine levels for each group were measured using BIOSMART 240 autoanalyzer. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula while proteinuria was determined with the CYBOW 11M strips. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Differences in the serum activity and levels of the biomarkers between the case and control groups were analyzed using the Chi-square test.Results: The prevalence of transaminitis (AST and ALT >40.0 U/L) among HAART-treated participants was 26.0% for AST and 20% for ALT while that of HIV-negative controls were 15% and 12% respectively but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Elevated serum creatinine level (>1.4 mg/dL) was seen in 25% of HAART-treated group compared to 7% in HIV-negative control (p=0.0010) while renal impairment (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2) was seen in 24% of HAART-treated and 14% of HIV-negative group (p=0.1048). Elevated activity of transaminases and levels of creatinine, proteinuria and abnormal eGFR in HAART-treated patients were mostly seen in those who were on first line antiretroviral therapy, and those who have been on treatment for over 5 years.Conclusion: HAART is associated with transaminitis and elevated serum creatinine but no increase in renal impairment compared to the general population. It is important that following initiation of HAART, liver and kidney functions are regularly monitored.

Keywords: HIV; HAART; AST; ALT; eGFR
Philosophy of teaching, teaching style and ICT use: a qualitative study of the perspectives of high school mathematics teachers
Authors: Mensah Farouq Sessah , Agyei Douglas Darko
Published: April 2021

This study is a response to findings that have shown the importance of teachers’ philosophy, teaching styles and ICT use in impacting student learning outcomes. The study adopted an exploratory case design to explore the philosophical foundations, teaching styles and the levels of ICT use of six high school mathematics teachers in Ghana. Data for the study was collected using semi-structured interviews. The study found that the high school teachers used mainly the teacher-centred teaching approaches in which they dominate classroom instruction by disseminating knowledge to their learners. In spite of its perceived potentials, the study also reported low usages of ICT in instructional delivery among the teachers. Interestingly, the philosophy of teaching reported in the study by the teachers resonates with their current teaching style and ICT usage levels; the study found that the high school mathematics teachers hugely subscribed to the absolutist philosophical views of teaching mathematics which takes root in teacher-dominated teaching approaches. Consequently, the study reiterates that if teachers hold philosophical views that support the absolutist school of thought, they are likely to use delivery strategies which do not support ICT use but position the teacher to assume a central role in the instructional processes.
Effects of van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy and gender on pre-service mathematics teachers’ attitude towards geometry in Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Usman Hassan , Yew Wun Thiam , Saleh Salmiza
Published: April 2021

The study investigated the effects of van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy and gender on pre-service mathematics teacher attitude towards geometry in Niger state, Nigeria. The study employed pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design using a two-by-two (2x2) factorial matrix with one experimental and control group. The experimental group was exposed to Van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy while the control group was taught the same topics with conventional teaching strategy. Three null hypotheses with corresponding research question were formulated to guide the study. Attitudes Towards Geometry questionnaire (ATGQ) was the instrument employed to collect data from 149 sampled pre-service mathematics teachers from the two colleges of education situated in Niger State, Nigeria. The sample colleges were selected using purposive sampling technique.  A reliability coefficient of 0.73 was obtained for Attitudes Towards Geometry questionnaire.  Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed in analysing the data at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy is more effective in improving pre-service mathematics teachers’ attitude towards geometry. It was recommended among others, that since van Hiele phase-based teaching strategy was found to be effective in enhancing pre-service mathematics teacher attitude towards geometry, the strategy should be employed by lecturers in course of teaching students. The teacher education programme should be geared towards training of mathematics lecturers to learn van Hiele phase-based teaching strategy as it supports effective teaching and learning which thereby improving learners’ attitudes towards learning geometry.
Technology use among Ghanaian Senior High School students’ in learning mathematics and the factors that influence it
Authors: Agyemang Moses , Hagan Ekow , Agyabeng Stephen
Published: April 2021

The study sought to investigate technology use among Ghanaian senior high school students’ and to also uncover the factors influencing their technology use. Cross-Sectional survey design with mixed quantitative and qualitative data was gathered for the study. The population of the study comprised of all senior high school students’ in Ashanti region. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 200 students from both rural and urban districts in Ashanti region. The findings revealed that the extent to which SHS students’ use of technology in learning mathematics was very low. The Independent samples t-test revealed that students’ in the urban areas use more technology (Mean = 2.19, SD = 0.48) than students’ in the rural areas (Mean = 1.94, SD =0.54), students’ in a school with high technology resources available use more technology (Mean = 2.30, SD = 0.48) than students’ in a school with low technology resources available (Mean = 1.88, SD = 0.50) and students’ above the age of 20 years use more technology (Mean = 2.61, SD = 0.59) than students’ within the age of 18 – 20 years (Mean = 2.03, SD = 0.56) and students’ within the age of 15 – 17 years (Mean = 2.08, SD = 0.44). The analysis revealed that the differences in the mean technology use between students’ in the rural and urban areas, students’ in schools with high technology resources available and students’ in schools with low technology resources available and students’ above 20 years and students below 20 years were statistically significance (F = 12.22, p = 0.001), (F = 35.91, p = 0.00), and (F = 4.96, p = 0.01) respectively.
Effect of problem-based learning on Colleges of Education students’ achievement in probability and attitude towards solving probability related problems
Authors: Ibrahim Hamidu , Asiedu-Addo Samuel
Published: April 2021

This paper deals with the effect of Problem-Based Learning on Colleges of Education students’ achievement in, and attitude toward Probability in Tamale Metropolitan of Ghana. The research design was quasi-experimental pre-test post-test two-group design. Convenience and simple random sampling techniques were employed to obtain a sample of 100 students which comprised of 51 students in the control group and 49 in the experimental group. Tests, questionnaire and semi-structured interview were the instruments used for data gathering. Descriptive, Independent samples t-test, ANCOVA and paired samples t-test were used in analysing data. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between students of the experimental group exposed to Problem-Based Learning approach and control group exposed to Traditional Method. Problem-Based Learning developed students critical thinking, good problem solvers and self-directed learners which would lead to life-long memory of Probability concepts and its applications to real-life situations.
Remote sensing and GIS forest landscape assessment for sustainable forest management
Authors: Chukwuka A.F. , Alo A. , Aigbokhan O.J.
Published: April 2021

This study set out to assess the dynamic characteristics of the Ikere forest reserve landscape between 1985 and 2017 using remote sensing data and spatial metrics. Landscape of the study area maintained complex patterns of spatial heterogeneity over the years. Forest cover loss to other land cover types results in new large non-forest area at increasing rate. As at the year 2017, the changes in land cover types were not yet at equilibrium, thus the need to determine the future forest cover extent using a three-way markov Chain model. The decrease in number of patches of forest land (NumP) with increase in its mean patch size (MPS) shows that the forest is becoming a single unit probably due to clearing of existing patches of forest trees. The decrease in class diversity and evenness (SDI and SEI) of the general landscape over the years strengthens this assertion. The findings of this study would be very helpful to government and other stakeholders responsible for ensuring sustainable forest and general environment.

Keyword: Landscape, Spatial metrics, sustainable forest and Environment
Knowledge of rural dwellers towards biodiversity conservation in onigambari forest reserve of Oyo State
Authors: Aluko O.J. , Ogunwale O.G. , Shaib-Rahim H.O. , Bobadoye A.O. , Bobadoye B.O.
Published: April 2021

The study examined the knowledge of rural dwellers of biodiversity conservation in Onigambari forest reserve, Ibadan Oyo State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents from the study area. Data were collected with the aid of  interviewed schedule and analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. The distribution showed that majority of the respondents were male (65.8%), married (63.3%) with household size of 5-8 (65.8%). The result further showed that majority (56.7%) of the respondents recorded low level knowledge on biodiversity conservation. Marital status (X2=9.925, P<0.005), Educational status  (X2=33.031, P<0.005) and Household size (X2=13.561, P<0.005) were found to have significant relationship with the knowledge of the respondents to biodiversity conservation. The study therefore recommends that opportunities of getting formal education should be made available to the dwellers in the study area as this will enhance their knowledge on biodiversity in the study area.

Keywords: Forest reserves, Knowledge, Biodiversity and Conservation
Ethnomedical plants for the treatment of hypertension in Abia State: A case study of Bende Local Government Area, Nigeria
Authors: Onyenso A.I. , Nwobodo K.A. , Yakubu A.M. , Onyenweaku L.N.
Published: April 2021

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for local treatment of hypertension in Abia State was conducted in Bende Local Government Area. The study adopted the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) comprising elderly men, women, hunters, farmers and herbalists, with the view to obtaining vital information about the plants, parts used for medicine, mode of preparation and administration of medicinal preparations. Results showed that 26 plant species belonging to 23 families were identified. Investigations on the plant part(s) used and mode of preparation and administration indicated that water was the main medium for all medicinalpreparations. Treatment regimes generally included drinking the aqueous preparation at certain specifications until symptoms disappear. Although the anti-hypertensive efficacy of the plants described in this paper is not known with certainty, this survey adds to the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the search for natural anti-hypertension medicines and provides a basis for future research on these plants.

Key words: ethnobotanical survey, medicinal plants, local treatment, hypertension, Abia State
Growth and yield performances of three maize varieites as influenced by poultry manure and planting patterns
Authors: Adebayo A.K. , Ayoola O.T. , Anjorin F.B. , Oladehinde T.E.
Published: April 2021

The need for available space for individual plants grown in a community and good soil fertility management ensure high yield and quality of crop produce. A field experiment was carried out in the early planting season between May-September, 2015 at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Stations (Ibadan and Ilora) Nigeria, to determine the effects of poultry manure and planting patterns on growth, yield components and dry matter accumulation of three maize varieties. Treatments included (i) 90 x 40 cm+ 0t/ha, (ii) 90 x 40 cm+ 5 t/ha,(iii) 90 x 40 cm+10 t/ha (iv) 75 x 50 cm + 0 t/ha (v) 75 x 50 cm + 5 t/ha (vi) 75 x 50 cm + 10 t/ha planting patterns- poultry manure combinations and three maize varieties (ART98-SW8, ART98-SW-1 and SUWAN-1-SR-Y) using randomized complete block design with three replications per treatment. From the result, the combination of 90 x 40 cm planting pattern with10 t/ha of poultry manure significantly increased growth, yield components and dry matter accumulation than other treatments, exceptfor plant height where the 70 x 50 planting pattern with 10 t/ha poultry had the tallest plants. The growth and grain yield of ART98-SW-performed better than the other maize varieties. Planting maize at 90 x 40cm spacing together with the application of 10 t/ha poultry manure enhanced grain yield of maize.

Keywords; Dry matter accumulation, Maize grain yield, spacing, poultry manure, maize varieties