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Lead acetate (Pb) is an environmental toxicant widely reported to distort testicular functions. Methanol extract of Sida corymbosa leaves (SC) possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was designed to evaluate the role of SC on lead acetate-induced alteration in testicular functions. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were grouped randomly and equally into six and treated as follows: control, Pb (15 mgkg-1 ), SC (100 mgkg-1), SC (200 mgkg-1), Pb+SC (100 mgkg-1), and Pb+SC (200 mgkg-1 ) respectively. Administrations were orally done for 54 days. Computer-aided sperm analyzer, ELISA, spectrophotometry, immunohistochemistry, and PCR techniques were used. Pb significantly reduced follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, androgen receptors expression, 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, viability, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, and BCL-2. Pb significantly increased abnormal sperm morphology, malondialdehyde, 8- hydroxydeoxyguanosine, BAD, TNF-α, and IL-6. The combination of SC and Pb significantly reverses the hormones, steroidogenic enzymes, sperm quality, testicular oxidant, antioxidant enzymes, testicular DNA damage, apoptosis, and inflammation when compared with the Pb group. Anti-apoptosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of Sida corymbosa improve lead acetate-induced testicular functions alteration in Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the potential of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) in mitigating reproductive dysfunction caused by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in rats and to understand the underlying mechanisms, specifically oxidative stress and sex hormone receptor activity. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups (n=7 per group). Group 1 was administered 0.5 mL of distilled water and served as the control group. Group 2 was given only DEHP (750 mg/kg/day), while group 3, 4 and 5 were given DEHP (750 mg/kg/day) plus NAC (100 mg/kg/day), DEHP (750 mg/kg/day) plus ZnSO4 (0.5 mg/kg/day), and DEHP (750 mg/kg/day) plus NAC (100 mg/kg/day) as well as ZnSO4 (0.5 mg/kg/day), respectively. All treatments lasted for 21 days. Samples were obtained after the rats were sacrificed, and hormones levels in the serum and markers of oxidative stress in the testicles were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The amount of androgen receptors in the testicles was determined by immunohistochemistry, and the susceptibility of testosterone and DEHP to bind to androgen receptor and 5α-reductase was determined by molecular docking studies. Results: DEHP decreased reproductive hormones, testicular antioxidant enzymes, increased malondialdehyde levels, and negatively impacted histology of the pituitary and testes. NAC or ZnSO4 treatment showed a marked improvement in testicular antioxidant status and hormone levels, as well as a positive effect on the histology of the pituitary and testes. The combination of both treatments appeared to be more effective. The affinity of DEHP to bind to androgen receptors may lead to disruption of androgen receptor signaling, which can further result in dysfunction of hormones related to androgen. However, NAC is more likely to form stronger binding interactions with follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptors, as well as gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors, when compared to DEHP. Conclusions: The possibility that NAC and ZnSO4 could downregulate DEHP-induced sex hormone changes is suggested by their potential to reduce toxicity.

The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Library began a small automation project when complete library automation was not possible. Despite limitations, the library has successfully integrated technology into its daily operations, including computer literacy programs for the staff, maintaining offline circulation records, and producing catalog cards and indexes for institute publications. (16 references) (LAE)

In this paper, we employ the direct method of Lyapunov which involves the use of a suitable scalar function known as Lyapunov function, to establish sufficient conditions for the stability, uniform stability, asymptotic stability, uniform asymptotic stability, boundedness, uniform boundedness and uniform-ultimate boundedness of solutions to certain Aizermann vector differential equations. The results of this paper are additions to the body of literature by improving and complementing some of the existing results. Finally, we provide two numerical examples and the graphical representations of the behaviour of the solutions of the examples using Maple software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical students are often subjected to vigorous training, academic pressure, and exposure to patients’ suffering which may affect their psychological well-being. Objective: To assess the prevalence of depression and associated academic and psychosocial risk factors among clinical students in a private university. Design: This is a cross-sectional study Setting: Two teaching hospitals used for training clinical students of a private university in Southwest, Nigeria. Participants: Two hundred and forty-two randomly selected students of departments of Medicine and Surgery, Nursing and Medical Laboratory Science undergoing their clinical rotation. Main outcome measures: Zung self-rating depression scale was used to assess depression among the students. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Prevalence was summarized in percentage and multiple binary logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of depression. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the student was 21.4±1.8 years and the prevalence of depression was 28.1%. Identified predictors of depression included students with loss of interest in school activities (AOR=2.563; 95%CI=1.201-5.484), those that repeated a class (AOR=5.535; 95%CI=1.477-20.740), those with traumatic childhood experiences (AOR=2.920; 95%CI=1.467-6.251), family history of depression in first degree relative (AOR=3.820; 95%CI=1.350-9.525), divorced parents (AOR=2.836; 95%CI=1.156-14.261), and experience of sexual or physical abuse (AOR=1.506; 95%CI=1.056-3.511). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of depression among the students, with associated academic and psychosocial risk factors. We therefore recommend screening for depression among high-risk students during their postings in the hospital so as to allow for early interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence and multiplication of open dumpsites (ODs) around residential settlements are associated with environmental health outcomes in urbanizing settlements of developing countries. The study assessed existing practice and perceived health hazards of residence around ODs in Nigerian heterogeneous urban settlements. The cross-sectional, mixed-method study administered a validated questionnaire on 195 respondents using a 4-stage sampling technique. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted and analysed by ATLAS.ti software. Continuous and categorical variables were respectively presented by means and proportions; associations among variables were determined by chi-square and logistic regression at Pα<0.05. Seventy-two per cent of the respondents disposed of solid waste in ODs, despite good knowledge (95%) and a positive attitude (85%) on perceived health-hazards. One-sixth (15%) of respondents were willing to pay for waste collection service and 50% considered burning as an alternative to open dumping. The most and least perceived health outcomes were malaria and breathing difficulties. Improved water sources and skin irritations were significant predictors of sound SWM practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study investigated the relationship between common genetic variation and co-occurring mental health conditions among autistic individuals. Methods The study was conducted with the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK) dataset, V9 release, and included probands [n = 17,582] with confirmed diagnosis of autism, who were also in the SPARK iWES1 array genotyping dataset. Six co-occurring mental health conditions (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder and disruptive behaviour disorders) were analysed. Polygenic scores (PRS) were generated with PRScs software, using summary statistics from the most recent genome wide association studies (GWAS) for autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, neuroticism, p-factor, intelligence, educational attainment and hair colour (negative control). General linear models (GLM) and Cox proportional hazards models were computed, with age at registration, sex, cognitive impairment and genetic principal components included in both sets of models. Multiple testing correction was done using the Benjamini-Yekutieli method. Results were calculated using odds ratios (OR), 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) and corrected p values (p). Results There were similar patterns of association and interaction for both GLMs and Cox models. Polygenic scores for educational attainment were significantly lower for those with co-occurring ADHD (GLM: OR=8.85E-01, 95% CI=8.48e-01–9.23e-01, p = 2.91E-07; Cox: OR=8.94E-01, 95% CI=8.66e-01–9.22e-01, p = 4.76E-11), bipolar disorder (GLM: OR=7.45E-01, 95% CI=6.54e-01–8.49e-01, p = 2.40E-04; Cox: OR=7.25E-01, 95% CI=6.39e-01–8.23e-01, p = 3.96E-05), depression (GLM: OR=8.63E-01, 95% CI=8.04e-01–9.26e-01, p = 5.13E-04; Cox: OR=8.56E-01, 95% CI=8.03e-01–9.12e-01, p = 2.80E-05), schizophrenia (GLM: OR=6.94E-01, 95% CI=5.71e-01–8.42e-01, p = 3.99E-03; Cox: OR=6.67E-01, 95% CI=5.52e-01–8.05e-01, p = 1.41E-03), anxiety disorder (GLM: OR=8.77E-01, 95% CI=8.37e-01–9.20e-01, p = 9.88E-07; Cox: OR=8.81E-01, 95% CI=8.49e-01–9.15e-01, p = 1.46E-09) and disruptive behaviour disorders (GLM: OR=7.10E-01, 95% CI=6.63e-01–7.60e-01, p = 3.22E-21; Cox: OR=7.10E-01, 95% CI=6.67e-01–7.57e-01, p = 1.35E-24). Conclusion Polygenic scores for educational attainment were associated with the co-occurrence of several mental health conditions among autistic individuals.

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Conclusion: Treatment with Zn and/or vitamin E reverses BLCO-induced neurobehavioural alterations via modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation and neurotransmitters.

This bibliometric study of the computer science literature in Nigeria examines such factors as growth and size of the literature, formats, journal characteristics, organizers of conference proceedings, and geographical spread of contributing cities. Problems are identified and recommendations for improvement are offered. (CLB)

Clinical High Risk for Psychosis has evolved in recent years as a conceptual and clinical entity, representing a shift in focus from the syndromal psychosis state to a recognition of the pre-psychotic state as a period of potential preventive intervention. Much existing evidence has been generated from well-resourced countries, with a more limited body of literature available from Africa and other Majority World countries. Against a backdrop of prevailing systemic challenges, it is necessary to appraise the state of knowledge on Clinical High Risk for Psychosis in Africa. In this perspective article, we cover epidemiology, risk factors, predictors of psychosis conversion, as well as an overview of sociocultural factors, notably stigma, and the barriers to mental health services in African settings. We discuss existing and promising assessment approaches and reflect on preventive and early intervention strategies. We conclude with recommendations including the need for more clinical, longitudinal, and collaborative research anchored in an integrative transdisciplinary approach. We highlight the need for more culturally valid assessment tools and strategies to improve access to and utilization of services while also reducing stigma.

In this work, we suggest some variants of Broyden-like algorithm to solve systems of nonlinear equations using various combination of quadrature rules . The proposed methods are three-step in nature whereby the first step is the initial iterate of the Newton’s method and the remaining two steps are the predictor-corrector of Broyden method and quadrature rules. Numerical tests show that these methods give encouraging results with respect to some existing Broyden-like methods in view of Dolan and More performance profile and Bogle and Perkins comparison index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Heavy metals are well documented to induce reproductive toxicity. This study was designed to investigate the role of vitamin E and quercetin on reproductive toxicity mediated by lead acetate in male Wistar rats. Thirty male adult Wistar rats were grouped into six (n = 5 per group) as follows: Group 1 (Control); Group 2 and 3 were administered with 100 mg/kg vitamin E and quercetin, respectively; Group 4 was administered with 30 mg/kg lead acetate; Groups 5 and 6 received lead acetate with vitamin E and lead acetate with quercetin, respectively. Results Lead acetate significantly increased (p