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Abstract Background A lot of factors contribute to the breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes, especially vectors of malaria parasites. This indirectly contributes to the transmission of these parasites. The physicochemical parameters associated with the population of Anopheles larvae were studied for the period of twelve months in five selected communities in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State. This study was carried out to understand the relationship between selected physicochemical parameters and the population of Anopheles larvae in the study area. Results Electrical conductivity was significantly correlated with the abundance of An. gambiae and An. funestus in the area (r = 0.840 and 0.843, respectively). Abundance of Anopheles larvae follows a positive linear regression with electrical conductivity (R 2 = 0.691). The pH was not significantly different in all the communities (P > 0.05); pH was negatively correlated with the abundance of An. gambiae and An. funestus larvae, r = − 0.530 and − 0.470, respectively. Anopheles larvae population decreases as pH increases (R 2 = 0.292). Total dissolved solid was positively correlated with the abundance of Anopheles larvae, though the correlation was weak (r = 0.21). There was slightly increase in Anopheles larvae population as total dissolved solid increases (R 2 = 0.048). The abundance of Anopheles larvae increases as the dissolved oxygen, R 2 = 0.552. Dissolved oxygen was not significantly correlated with Anopheles larvae population (r = − 0.734 and − 0.789 , respectively), there was no significant difference across the study area (P > 0.05). Temperature was significantly correlated with the abundance of Anopheles larvae (r = 0.74). Anopheles larvae increase as the temperature increases (R 2 = 0.582). Conclusions The study revealed the important physicochemical parameters that influence the abundance of Anopheles larvae in the study area. Manipulation of these important parameters could help in reducing the population of the immature stages of this vector.

Abstract Members of the Anopheles gambiae complex and Anopheles funestus group are significant vectors of the malaria parasite Plasmodium species in the Afro-tropical region of the world. Molecular identification and variation in the wing were studied among female An. Gambiae complex and An. funestus group, to investigate morphological variations in the wing of local vectors populations of adult female mosquitoes found in five different locations in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State (Oba—Ile, Igoba, Isinigbo, Ita—Ogbolu and Iju). The variations in the wing character were found in the 3rd main dark spot area (Pre-apical dark spot—character 8) on the coastal region (Vein region I) of Anopheles gambiae complex wing; with two types (A and B) of wings identified with An. gambiae complex in the study area. Molecular study shows that all the wing type A are Anopheles gambiae s.s., they represent 53.39% of the total An. gambiae complex in the study area. Some of the Anopheles gambiae s.s. (28.30%) and all An. arabiensis (18.30%) were found with wing type B. Among 750 individual Anopheles mosquito species identified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR method), 433 samples representing 57.73% were An. gambiae s.s. while 97 (12.93%) samples were An. arabiensis. Anopheles leesoni was the only member of the An. funestus group identified in the study area. Anopheles leesoni mosquitoes identified in the study location were 182, representing 24.27% of the total Anopheles mosquito species identified using the molecular method. Anopheles gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis, and An. leesoni are only Anopheles mosquito species responsible for malaria transmission in the study area. Anopheles leesoni was the only member of the An. funestus group identified in the study area.

E-cigarettes gained popularity globally through the promotion of e-cigarettes as a risk-free way to stop traditional smoking. However, new evidence suggests that they may have a detrimental effect on the nervous system and ultimately adverse neurological manifestations. Seizures have been reported among both new and experienced e-cigarette users. In several cases, the seizure presented immediately after its use, while others reported continuous use for weeks before seizures occurred. This review presents a deeper insight into the clinical management, implications, and public health considerations of seizure susceptibility in e-cigarette users. Using recent case reports, epidemiological studies, and experimental research, we highlight the role of likely etiological mechanisms such as how nicotine's convulsive effects are linked to α7- nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the varied clinical presentations, and the potential nicotine toxicity linked to seizures. Furthermore, we discuss the existing debates and controversies, diagnostic directions, and potential role in individual susceptibility to e-cigarette-associated seizures. Importantly, we address how seizures may be accompanied by both physical and psychological sequelae, which may impair the quality of life for individuals presenting for emergency care. We also address the limitations and challenges in the etiology of e-cigarette-associated seizures and the non-criteria for defining seizures caused by e-cigarettes. The review concludes with an insight into public health considerations and policy recommendations by highlighting the importance of mass awareness and clinical considerations that could guide patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the spectrum of disease on abdominal ultrasound (US) and the diagnostic efficacy of US in adult patients with nontraumatic acute abdomen at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. Materials and Methods: The study population included consecutive 150 adult patients aged 15 years and above presenting with nontraumatic acute abdomen via the adult emergency unit or as inpatients referred to the Radiology Department of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife for abdominal US. MINDRAY D.C-6 real-time US scanner with 3.5, 5.0, and 7.5 MHz probes and Doppler facilities were used to assess the intra-abdominal organs and the findings were compared with the clinical and surgical findings in those cases that were operated. Results: The common spectrum of diseases encountered on US in this study included appendicitis (66 [44%]), ectopic pregnancy (34 [22%]), intestinal obstruction (13 [8.7%]) while the least finding was renal abscess 1 (0.7%). The correlation of US findings with surgical findings in this study showed sensitivity, specificity, and kappa agreement for appendicitis of 83.3%, 100.0%, and 0.808; ectopic pregnancy of 100.0%, 97.8%, and 0.958; acute cholecystitis of 100.0%, 100.0%, and 1.0. However, perforated viscus showed the least sensitivity (60.0%), specificity (99.2%), and kappa agreement 0.654. All the disease entities showed good kappa agreement beyond chance, and they were all statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study has shown a relatively high sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of US in cases of nontraumatic acute abdomen in a careful hand. We, therefore, recommended that these advantages of US should be capitalized upon in settings where other advanced diagnostic modalities are not available.

Clean air is an important requirement for human health and wellbeing. In this paper, the impact of urban air pollution on human health, safety and the environment in Nigeria was critically examined. It was observed that most cities and metropolises in Nigeria are characterized by high levels of air pollutants particularly when compared to European Union (EU) standards for air quality. The findings are largely ascribed to various natural or anthropogenic activities such as open-air burning of wastes, combustion of fossil and solid fuels, car exhaust fumes, land clearing, mining, agriculture, cement production and utilization, among others. The long- and short-term exposure to the high levels of air pollutants emitted from such activities pose significant risks to human health, safety and the environment in Nigeria. The review of the literature revealed that air pollutant largely accounts for the exacerbated or soaring cases of asthma, cancer, lung/respiratory diseases, other cardiovascular diseases, and eventually premature death in Nigeria. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a critical plan of action for the promotion of clean air and sustainable utilization of fuel and energy materials that cause air pollution, which severely impacts air quality and human health, safety and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]