Epidemiology of Mpox Outbreaks and Implications for Surveillance in Imo State, Nigeria

Mpox disease is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus, genus Orthopoxvirus of the family Poxviridae. The incubation period is usually 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days while symptoms and signs may persist for 2 to 5 weeks. Although, the clinical features are usually less severe when compared to the deadly smallpox, the disease can be fatal with case fatality rate between 1% and 10%. In Imo State, Nigeria, there has been a changing epidemiology of the disease in the last 6 years and the frequency and geographic distribution of cases have progressively increased. This study aims to conduct a review of the disease epidemiology between 2017 and 2023 and implications for surveillance in Imo State. Surveillance data from the Surveillance Outbreak Response and Management System (SORMAS) was extracted between January 2017 and December 2023 across the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Imo State. A line list of 231 suspected cases was downloaded into an excel template and analyzed using SPSS® version 20 software. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and associations were tested using Fischer’s exact at 0.05 level of significance. Of the 231 suspected cases, 57.1% (132) were males, 42.9% (99) were females and the modal age group was between the ages of 0 - 4 (32.5%). Eight (8) LGAs (districts) accounted for 71% (n = 164) of all the suspected cases. 21.2% (49) were confirmed positive, 27 males (55.1%) and 22 females (44.9%) (p > 0.05). Modal age group was 20 - 24 (22.4%, n = 11), 18% (9) were children under 14 years, p > 0.05. Case fatality rate was 8% (n = 4). There was no significant association between mortality and age group. Five (5) LGAs accounted for about 60% (29) of all confirmed cases. These LGAs contribute only 20% to the total population in the State. Only 5.6% and 4% of suspected and confirmed cases, respectively, had knowledge of contact with an infectious source. The study described the epidemiology of Mpox outbreaks between 2017 and 2023 and the findings have significant implications on detection and outbreak response activities.

Influence of Information Literacy Skills on Postgraduate Students’ Use of Electronic Resources in Private University Libraries in South-West, Nigeria

The introduction of new technologies has had a significant influence on teaching, learning and research activities in universities. This has offered university libraries opportunities to provide information resources in a variety of formats. This study investigated the influence of information literacy skills on postgraduate students’ use of electronic resources in private university libraries in Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design. The study population comprised 2805 postgraduate students in five private universities offering postgraduate programmes in South-West, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in the selection process. A purposive selection of four faculties from each of the five universities was carried out. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 550 postgraduate students as the respondents for the study. Findings revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between information literacy skills and use of electronic resources (r = 0.28, p < 0.05). The study concluded that the utilization of electronic resources promoted access to current information among postgraduate students in the selected private universities in South-West, Nigeria. The study recommended that the management of private university libraries should ensure a continuous provision of electronic resources with adequate information communication technology tools to facilitate their use.

Protein kinase inhibitors affect spermatogenic functions and blood testis barrier remodelling:A scoping review

Objective:To identify the role of protein kinase in male reproduction in animal models and human spermatogenic function.Methods:This study assessed the protein kinase of male reproduction in animal models and human using different reviewed paper indexed in PubMed,Science Direct,EBSCO,Scopus,Cochrane Library,Sage Journals,and Google Scholar.Data were charted based on author,year of publication published between 1893 and 2023,country,purpose,data collection,key findings,and research focus/domain.Results:The MAPK pathway contributed to the growth,maturation,and functionality of male germ cells.We also found out that certain influencing factors categorized into hormonal/non hormonal factors and chemotoxicant,as well as heat stress expressed an inhibitory mechanism on protein kinase,thus affecting spermatogenic functions and maintenance/remodeling of the blood testis barrier,as well as the physiology of the Sertoli cells necessary for nutritional support of spermatogenesis.However,activating protein kinases pathway like the mTOR pathway as well as increased expression of peroxiredoxin-4 and L-carnitine mediated protein kinases may be useful for treating or managing male reproductive dysfunction.Conclusions:Protein kinase plays an important role in spermatogenic functions and blood testis remodeling in animal and human.Its assessment provides essential information that can guide treatment strategies aimed at improving male reproductive potential.Taken together,these recent advances highlight a future therapeutic intervention in assessing male reproductive potential.It might also be possible to look at potential targets for male contraceptives in the MAPK pathway.

Impacts of Oil Exploration (Oil and Gas Conflicts;Niger Delta as a Case Study)

The discovery of Oil and Gas in Nigeria led to exploration of crude oil for revenue basis. Oil exploration and exploitation caused environmental problems which resulted into major conflicts in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The article examines the impact of oil exploration, and oil and gas conflicts in Niger Delta area and it highlights the problems of pipeline vandalism, structure of oil and gas and the general obstacles in the industry. It discovers that pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, pollution, oil spillage causes serious environmental degradation which resulted into serious conflicts. The article discovered that environmental problems in the area dislodged the people of their means of livelihood both in the area of fishing and farming. It recommends that there should be a compelling environmental restoration of natural resources by deploying land treatment technologies. Government should sanction multinational companies discharging oils or creating environmental pollution through necessary laws and regulations.

Assessment of Noise Exposure of Sawmill Workers in Southwest,Nigeria

Economic wood processing employs the use of industrial machines for cutting,shaping,milling,and sawing timber,thereby leading to the generation of high levels of noise.Published data from empirical studies have categorized noise as an environmental hazard of global significance.Furthermore,noise exposure limits for different industries and all the industrial machines available has not been formally established as it presently exists in developed nations around the world.Therefore,this study assessed the daily exposure of sawmills workers to noise in Southwestern Nigeria.Reconnaissance surveys were first carried out in Osun,Oyo,Ondo,Ekiti,Lagos,and Ogun States to select sawmills that were fully operational and fit for the study.Two fully functional sawmills in two cities of each State were eventually selected for data collection,making a total of 24 sawmills,while the Circular Machines(CM),Planer Machines(PM),and Band-saw Machines(BM)were the machines in each sawmill considered.Two machines each of CM,PM,and BM were considered in each sawmill,making a total of forty-eight(48)machines each of CM,PM,and BM.Sound data were collected between 7 am and 7 pm each day for six days(between Monday and Saturday)using Extech 407732 sound level meter and all stabilized measurements were taken three times at different intervals.The data collected were in three different periods:Machine No-work Period(NPm),Machine Idle Period(IPm),and Machine Working Period(WPm).A two–way Analysis of Variance(ANOVA)was carried out at P<0.05 to determine whether there is a significant difference in the sound level average before and after the break,for both the idle and working periods of the three machines considered.This was also done to determine whether there is a signifi-cant difference between the sound level average of the results collected during idle and working periods of the three machines.Noise Pollution Levels(Lnp)ranged from 83.20 dB(PM)to 107.65(BM)and 93.42(CM and PM)–116.00(BM)respectively,while IPm also gave the least noise pollution level of 95.79 dB and WPm gave the highest level of 102.88 dB.The results revealed that all the machines’Lnp values in the working period are more than the 90 dB acceptable limit the recommendation value of 90 dB while 89.6%of CMs,75%of PMs,and 89.6%of BM had their Lnp above 90 dB in the idle period respectively.The minimum and the maximum noise dose levels for IPm,WPm and overall are 0.09(BM)and 2.37(CM),0.50(CM),and 4.77(PM)and 0.69(BM)and 6.64(PM)respectively.The study found out that the fundamental contributing factors to the high noise levels in sawmills are poor machine maintenance,use of old and obsolete machines,poor housekeeping strategy,limited space,workers’negligence,lack of PPE,and lack of occupational safety training.The study recommends that proper workplace practices such as use of personal protective equipment,new and modern machines,training,and occupational safety programmes be implemented in the considered sawmills.

Hepatic and reproductive toxicity of sub-chronic exposure to dichlorvos and lead acetate on male Wistar rats

Objective:To investigate the hepatic and reproductive toxicity of dichlorvos and lead acetate on male Wistar rats.Methods:Fifteen adult male Wistar rats(170-190 g)were randomly divided into three groups,with 5 rats in each group.Group 1 received 0.5 mL distilled water orally and served as the control group,while groups 2 and 3 were orally treated with 2 mg/kg body weight(b.w.)dichlorvos and 10 mg/kg b.w.lead acetate,respectively,for 55 days.Epididymal sperm,serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone concentrations,testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity(17β-HSD),androgen receptor expression,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),testicular oxidant and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated with standard methods.Results:Sperm count,motility,morphology,FSH,LH,testosterone levels,17β-HSD,androgen receptor expression,and catalase activity were significantly reduced in the dichlorvos and lead acetate treated groups as compared with the control group(P<0.05).The liver AST,ALT activities and malondialdehyde concentration were significantly increased in the dichlorvos and lead acetate treated groups as compared with the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The reproductive and hepatic toxicity activities of dichlorvos and lead acetate in male Wistar rats are similar.

Practice and patronage of traditional bonesetting in Ondo State,Nigeria

Objective:This study was carried out to investigate the determinants of the practice and patronage of traditional bonesetting(TBS)in a Local Government Area of Ondo State,Nigeria.Materials and Methods:A descriptive research design approach with purposive sampling technique was used.Data collection was through the use of two set of self-developed structured questionnaire(for bonesetters and clients).The study obtained data from eight traditional bonesetters and fifty-six inpatients receiving treatments in the bonesetters’homes across the study location.Results:Findings from the study showed that the major cause of fractures were road traffic accidents while low cost of treatment was the major influence for patronizing traditional bonesetters.The study also revealed that majority of the traditional bonesetters had little or no formal education.Among the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants,only occupation showed signification relationship with reasons for patronage of TBS homes(χ^(2)=28.164,P=0.036).Conclusion:The patronage of traditional bonesetters may be impossible to eradicate;thus,the study recommends the need for collaboration among traditional bonesetters and modern orthopedic practitioners through recognition and continuous training of the traditional bonesetters on appropriate management and referrals.

Nigerian Women Empowerment and the Entrepreneurial Myth

The decision usefulness of women empowerment depends on its ability to satisfy the fundamental daily needs of a woman not minding any limitation.Despite Nigeria government efforts on corruption reduction,poverty is still on the increase.This research investigates the relationship between women empowerment and entrepreneurial myth in Nigeria.By means of survey design,the primary data were obtained from sample of National Youth Service Corps(NYSC),marketers,and civil servants.Two hundred copies of questionnaire were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.The study found correlation of women empowerment and entrepreneurial myth is significant at 0.01 level and no significant difference in Nigerian perception of women in the entrepreneur due to the probability value(0.08).The research concluded entrepreneurial myth is a significant factor in women empowerment,it recommends women should be proactive in addressing the current poverty situation in Nigeria and policy-makers should consider enlightenment programmes because it has a far-reaching implication on national development.

Self-management of cataract extraction among diabetes patients

Background:Diabetes-related cataract extraction is a minor surgery required to regain full vision.One of the recognized factors that can delay or prevent full-vision recovery is poor management,and most of this management is being carried out by patients themselves.Objective:This study aimed to assess the knowledge of diabetes patients on self-management after cataract extraction in two tertiary hospitals in Osun State.Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted among 97 diabetes patients who underwent cataract extraction and were attending clinics and follow-up visits in Osun State.A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection.Results:Moderate knowledge was found among the participants on an appropriate diet(56.7%),prevention of injury risk(57.5%),prevention of infection risk(50.9%),and low knowledge on the technique of administration of eye drop(60.8%)after cataract extraction,whereas 74.7%of the total respondents were knowledgeable on the indication for follow-up visit after cataract extraction,these results were found to be below the expected knowledge level.Conclusion:An intensive and comprehensive educational initiative by nurses should be tailored to meet the specific needs of diabetes patients with cataract surgery.Nurses also need to implement the use of checklist which will enhance learning and improve patient understanding of self-management after cataract extraction.

Pleiotropic attenuating effect of Ginkgo biloba against isoprenalineinduced myocardial infarction via improving Bcl-2/mTOR/ERK1/2/Na+ , K+ -ATPase activities

Objective:Myocardial infarction(MI)is linked to an imbalance in the supply and demand of blood oxygen in the heart muscles.Beta-blockers and calcium antagonists are just two of the common medications used to treat MI.However,these have reportedly been shown to be either ineffective or to have undesirable side effects.Extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves(GBE),a Chinese herbal product offers special compatibility benefits in therapeutic settings relating to inflammatory diseases and oxidative stress.In order to better understand how GBE affects MI in rats insulted by isoprenaline(ISO),the current study was designed.Methods:The heart weight index,serum lipid profile,cardiac marker enzymes,endogenous antioxidants[catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH),nitrites and malondialdehyde(MDA)],inflammatory mediators[tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-a)and interleukin-6(IL-6)],immunohistochemical expressions of B-cell lymphoma factor-2(Bcl-2),extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK1/2),and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)and histopathological analysis were used to assess the cardioprotective properties of GBE.Results:The findings showed that GBE effectively attenuated myocardial infarction by boosting the body’s natural antioxidant defense system and reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines as well as heart injury marker enzymes.The expression of Bcl-2,ERK1/2 and mTOR was increased while the histomorphological alterations were reversed.Conclusion:The cardioprotective effects of GBE may be due to a mechanism involving increased Bcl-2/mTOR/ERK1/2/Na^(+),K^(+)-ATPase activity.