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BackgroundArtificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, and there is a critical need for a nuanced understanding of how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and educational practice in medical education. This review aimed to map the literature regarding AI applications in medical education, core areas of findings, potential candidates for formal systematic review and gaps for future research.MethodsThis rapid scoping review, conducted over 16 weeks, employed Arksey and O'Malley's framework and adhered to STORIES and BEME guidelines. A systematic and comprehensive search across PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and MedEdPublish was conducted without date or language restrictions. Publications included in the review spanned undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education, encompassing both original studies and perspective pieces. Data were charted by multiple author pairs and synthesized into various thematic maps and charts, ensuring a broad and detailed representation of the current landscape.ResultsThe review synthesized 278 publications, with a majority (68%) from North American and European regions. The studies covered diverse AI applications in medical education, such as AI for admissions, teaching, assessment, and clinical reasoning. The review highlighted AI's varied roles, from augmenting traditional educational methods to introducing innovative practices, and underscores the urgent need for ethical guidelines in AI's application in medical education.ConclusionThe current literature has been charted. The findings underscore the need for ongoing research to explore uncharted areas and address potential risks associated with AI use in medical education. This work serves as a foundational resource for educators, policymakers, and researchers in navigating AI's evolving role in medical education. A framework to support future high utility reporting is proposed, the FACETS framework.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a substantial public health concern in Nigeria, with prevalence estimates of 1-2% in the general population. While direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is the standard treatment, passive immunization utilizing plasma-derived medicinal immunoglobulins emerges as a potential adjunctive or alternative approach. However, the distribution and therapeutic potential of these immunoglobulins, particularly in Nigeria, still need to be studied. Aim: This study aimed to assess the pattern of plasma-derived medicinal immunoglobulins in HCV-infected patients in Auchi, Nigeria, and evaluate their suitability for passive immunization. Methods: Immunoglobulin subtypes, including IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE, were isolated and quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). HCV-specific antibodies within each subtype were identified, and neutralization assays were conducted to assess their capacity to neutralize HCV particles. Results: The study revealed a predominance of IgG antibodies (100%), with a mean titer of 1:8,000 against HCV-specific antigens, suggesting robust humoral immune responses. Additionally, IgM (90.7%) and IgA (69.3%) antibodies were prevalent, with moderate neutralizing capacities observed. IgG antibodies demonstrated the highest neutralization capacity (mean: 80%), supporting their potential for passive immunization. Conclusion: These findings underscore the viability of plasma-derived immunoglobulins for passive immunization against HCV in Nigeria, highlighting the need for further research to optimize region-specific therapeutic strategies. This study lays the foundation for tailored immunoglobulin therapies targeting prevalent HCV genotypes to enhance treatment accessibility and improve clinical outcomes in Nigeria.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are critical global public health issues, particularly in resource-limited settings like Warri, Nigeria, where healthcare systems face significant challenges. This study investigates the prevalence of antibodies to HIV-1-specific antigens in HBV and HCV-coinfected patients in Warri. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 350 HIV-positive individuals were systematically sampled, and their blood samples were analyzed using ELISA and Western blot techniques. Results: Among the participants, 17.7% were coinfected with HBV and 10.9% with HCV. A high prevalence of antibodies to HIV-1 gp120, gp41, and p24 was observed, with no significant differences between the HBV and HCV coinfected groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These findings highlight the impact of HBV and HCV coinfections on the humoral immune response to HIV-1. Our study underscores the need for integrated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve patient care in resource-limited settings. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective management approaches for patients with HIV, HBV, and HCV coinfections.

Abstract Brain-machine interface performance can be affected by neuroinflammatory responses due to blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage following intracortical microelectrode implantation. Recent findings suggest that certain gut bacterial constituents might enter the brain through damaged BBB. Therefore, we hypothesized that damage to the BBB caused by microelectrode implantation could facilitate microbiome entry into the brain. In our study, we found bacterial sequences, including gut-related ones, in the brains of mice with implanted microelectrodes. These sequences changed over time. Mice treated with antibiotics showed a reduced presence of these bacteria and had a different inflammatory response, which temporarily improved microelectrode recording performance. However, long-term antibiotic use worsened performance and disrupted neurodegenerative pathways. Many bacterial sequences found were not present in the gut or in unimplanted brains. Together, the current study established a paradigm-shifting mechanism that may contribute to chronic intracortical microelectrode recording performance and affect overall brain health following intracortical microelectrode implantation.

Introduction: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common but under-reported condition among women in low-resource settings. The prevalence and pattern of UI, as well as associated risk factors must be examined to inform appropriate health interventions. This study investigated the prevalence, pattern, and risk factors for UI among women in a low-resource setting. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 women ≥ 15 years old in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and health-related data on UI The prevalence of UI was determined using the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire-Urgency Frequency Scale (ICIQ-UFS). Analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 47.9 (±4.5), and 200 (50.0%) were grand-multipara. The prevalence of UI among women in our study setting was 52.7%. The most common pattern of UI was stress incontinence at 140 (67%), followed by mixed incontinence at 45(21%) and urge incontinence at 26 (12%). Age (p

This study investigates the influence of logistics factors on the procurement of construction materials in Lokoja, Kogi State, aiming to identify and rank the critical elements affecting material procurement in building projects. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed across nineteen neighborhoods in Lokoja using a random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the T-test assessed the significance of identified logistics factors. The findings revealed that seventeen logistics factors influence material procurement, with seven factors emerging as the most significant: on-time delivery, transportation challenges, material misdelivery, delivery inaccuracies, order processing, storage capacity limitations, and ineffective information flow. These factors were ranked by their impact on procurement processes, with hypothesis testing confirming a statistically significant relationship between logistics factors and material procurement efficiency. The study concludes that effective management of key logistics factors is essential to avoid cost overruns, delays, and material wastage. It recommends that project managers prioritize better coordination among stakeholders to address logistics-related challenges, ensuring materials are delivered efficiently and on time.

Cancer, a group of diseases characterized by uncontrollable cell proliferation and metastasis, remains a global health challenge. This study investigates quercetin, a natural compound found in many fruits and vegetables, for its potential to inhibit the phosphomonoesterase activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22), a key immune response regulator implicated in cancer and autoimmune diseases. We started by screening seven (7) natural compounds against the activities of PTPN22 in vitro. The initial screening identified quercetin with the highest percentage inhibition (81%) among the screened compounds when compared with ursolic acid that has 84%. After the identification of quercetin, we proceeded by investigating the effect of increasing concentrations of the compound on the activity of PTPN22. In vitro studies showed that quercetin inhibited PTPN22 with an IC50 of 29.59 μM, outperforming the reference standard ursolic acid, which had an IC50 of 37.19 μM. Kinetic studies indicated a non-competitive inhibition by quercetin with a Ki of 550 μM. In silico analysis supported these findings, showing quercetin’s better binding affinity (ΔGbind −24.56 kcal/mol) compared to ursolic acid, attributed to its higher reactivity and electron interaction capabilities at PTPN22′s binding pocket. Both quercetin and ursolic acid improved the structural stability of PTPN22 during simulations. These results suggest quercetin’s potential as an anticancer agent, meriting further research. However, in vivo studies and clinical trials are necessary to fully assess its efficacy and safety, and to better understand its mechanisms of action.

This paper investigates the application of an enhanced Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) variant, known as ADIWACO, for tuning Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers in Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) systems. The ADIWACO PSO incorporates adaptive hyperbolic tangent functions for inertia weight and acceleration coefficients, effectively balancing exploration and exploitation during the optimization process. Using the Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE) as the objective function, the proposed method achieves superior controller performance compared to existing optimization techniques, including BAT, Improved KIA, ARO, and BBO. The ADIWACO-tuned PID controller significantly reduces overshoot and settling time while enhancing system stability. Additionally, integrating a derivative filter with an optimally tuned coefficient further improves the AVR system's dynamic response. Stability analysis in the frequency domain confirms the robustness of the proposed approach. To validate its practicality, the method was applied to the IEEE 39-bus test system as a case study, demonstrating its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. The results underscore the potential of ADIWACO PSO to enhance the dynamic response and stability of AVR systems, offering a reliable and robust solution for engineering applications. This research contributes to advancing control system optimization and highlights the broader applicability of ADIWACO to complex systems requiring high-performance control solutions.

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most pronounced complications that develops as a result of diabetes and it is a highly ranked caused of end-stage renal dysfunction. Anona muricata has been traditionally considered to be beneficial in treatment of diabetic complications. The present study delineates the ameliorative effect of the phenolic rich extract of Anona muricata on the expression of oxidative stress, inflammatory and renal function markers in the kidney of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in male rats. Induction of diabetes was achieved with a single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight). The rats were randomly distributed into 6 groups of normal control, diabetic control, phenolic rich extract of Anona muricata (EAM) treated at (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and metformin (Glucophage). All treatments were orally administered for 28 days. Activity of antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde, kidney function markers, electrolytes and proinflammatory cytokines were conducted on the kidney. Anona muricata ameliorated the significant reduction to superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in the diabetic rats. The increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were all attenuated. Creatinine clearance was significantly improved and other kidney function markers were regulated and other important markers regulated. The result of this study provides evidence that A. muricata may be able to manage diabetic nephropathy, through the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation, creatinine clearance and regulation of kidney function markers.

IntroductionSevere protein clumping in the lens can block light and lead to vision issues in cataract patients. Recent studies have linked β-crystallins, which are key proteins in the lens, to the development of cataracts. Specifically, the S175G/H181Q mutation in the βB2-crystallin gene plays a major role in cataract formation.MethodsTo understand how this mutation can be activated, we utilized computational methods to predict activators from Phaseolus vulgaris. The Schrödinger platform was employed to screen bioactive compounds and simulate molecular interactions in order to analyze binding and structural changes.ResultsOur results indicated that these phytochemicals are stable near S175G/H181Q.DiscussionThese findings suggest novel approaches that could potentially be developed into effective anticataract medications through further refinement and additional testing, ultimately resulting in the creation of more potent agents for cataract treatment.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant health challenge globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Co-infections with HIV and HCV worsen HBV-related liver diseases, complicating clinical management. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a key biomarker for monitoring liver disease progression and detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluates AFP levels in HBsAg and HBeAg seropositive patients with and without HIV and HCV co-infections over one year in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. This study aimed to understand the impact of HIV and HCV co-infections on liver disease prognosis in HBV patients by evaluating AFP levels and liver function over one year. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal cohort study included 200 HBsAg and HBeAg seropositive patients aged 18-65 years, divided into three groups: HBV monoinfection (n=80), HBV/HIV co-infection (n=60), and HBV/HCV co-infection (n=60). Participants were followed for one year with quarterly blood sample collections for AFP measurement using ELISA, liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin), and viral load assessments. Sociodemographic data were also collected. Results: AFP levels were significantly higher in the HBV/HCV co-infection group (36.2 ± 12.4 ng/mL) compared to the HBV monoinfection (12.5 ± 4.3 ng/mL) and HBV/HIV co-infection groups (18.7 ± 6.8 ng/mL) (p

Ground penetrating radar has been developed and is increasingly used in bridge system and roadway condition assessment. Thus, this study evaluates the effectiveness of GPR for assessing concrete bridge deck condition, and geological foundation characterization/anomaly detection, at Sobe – Owan Bridge along Akure – Benin highway. The study utilized several ground-coupled frequencies: 1500 MHz for deck assessment, and 500 MHz and 250 MHz for foundation characterization, along three traverses. The desired penetration depth and resolution informed the adopted frequencies. The obtained data was processed and interpreted, as profiles depicting the magnitude and arrival time of the reflections. The profiles detected zones with low amplitude (0 to -2048) at depth below the 10 ns mark, indicating the presence of probable deterioration, which is assumedly related (directly) to the amount of debonding/delamination which allows fluids to reach the deck rebar, and induce corrosion of the bridge deck reinforcement, leading to deterioration. Consequently, 30.5 % of the bridge deck reinforcement is currently deteriorated, while 69.5% is in good condition. In addition, minor discontinuity of the reflected/diffracted rays, which are likely void/cavity anomaly within the subsurface geology were detected. However, these zones are too minor to induce instability in the bridge foundation system, as the anomalies are not directly beneath the piers or foundation footings. Thus, a periodic assessment would be necessary to monitor these voids. The depth of these anomalous zones is still within the zone of active erosion, hence the zone could be induce by the moving water (scour).

Background: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in viral infection. However, it has been linked to helping the Zika virus (ZIKV) penetrate the placental barrier and infect the fetus as a result of its overexpression in pregnant women. Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess CXCL10 expression levels in pregnant women infected with ZIKV RNA extracted from serum samples collected from seven pregnant women confirmed to be positive for ZIKV RNA using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gene expression studies were performed using qPCR to determine the CXCL10 expression levels in samples obtained from pregnant women infected with ZIKV. Material and Methods: Gene expression analysis revealed that CXCL10 was overexpressed in four of the seven samples. Results: CXCL10 overexpression was observed in samples with 4-, 24-, 27-, and 126-fold increases. The association between ZIKV infection and CXCL10 overexpression was statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings of this study confirmed CXCL10 overexpression during ZIKV infection and showed that CXCL10 can be used as a biomarker for the differential diagnosis of ZIKV infection.

Background: Mental health concerns among trainee doctors are a pressing issue. Despite its importance, there is limited research on this topic, particularly in Nigeria. This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of psychiatric morbidity among resident doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Methods: This two-phase cross-sectional descriptive study involved 176 trainee doctors across 16 medical specialities and subspecialities. The first phase involved screening for probable psychiatry ‘cases’ using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and the second phase involved making specific psychiatric diagnoses using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI plus). Statistical weighting was performed on the second phase data to estimate the weighted prevalence of psychiatric morbidity. Results: The mean age of respondents was 35.10 (s.d.: 4.07). The weighted prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among respondents was 35.2%, with generalised anxiety disorder (13.6%) being the most prevalent, while depression and opioid abuse accounted for 5.1% each. The presence of a stressful event within the previous 6 months (χ2 = 9.670; p = 0.002), poor sleep (χ2 = 6.822; p = 0.009), work-related stress (χ2 = 4.052; p = 0.044) and academic-related stress (χ2 = 11.735; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in trainee doctors, with anxiety disorder being the most common mental health problem reported. Effective preventive strategies targeted at identified risk factors are encouraged to reduce its burden. Contribution: The poor mental health of resident doctors in this study highlights the urgent need to implement mental health-friendly policies at training institutions.