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A mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of silicosis in a mining environment is designed and its qualitative analysis is given. The model takes into account the severity of silica dust exposure in a mining environment. The whole analysis is done in both fractional differentiation and classical integer calculus. In the former case, the Haar wavelet numerical scheme is used to solve the model and perform graphical representations. In the integer calculus case, it is shown that the disease free and endemic equilibria are globally asymptotically stable in the absence as well as in the presence of silica dust particles in the air, respectively. The epidemiological implications of these results are discussed. Numerical simulations are presented to support the theoretical analysis. In fractional differentiation, we show graphically via the Haar wavelet scheme the convergence to the disease free-equilibrium and the global stability of the endemic equilibrium, results successfully confirmed analytically via the classical integer analysis.

In this paper, we develop an in-host mathematical model of snakebite envenoming that includes tissue, red blood and platelet cells of humans as specific targets of different kinds of toxins in the snake venom. The model is use to study some harmful effects of cytotoxic and hemotoxic snake venom on their target cells under the influence of snake antivenom. The model has two equilibrium points, namely, trivial and venom free. It has been shown that both the equilibrium points are globally asymptotically stable and numerical simulations illustrate the global asymptotic stability of the venom free equilibrium point. Furthermore, simulations reveal the importance of administering antivenom to avert the possible damage from venom toxins on the target cells. It is also shown through simulation that administering the required dose of antivenom can lead to the elimination of venom toxins within one week. Therefore, we recommend the administration of an adequate dose of antivenom therapy as it helps in deactivating venom toxins faster and consequently enhances the recovery time.

This paper presents a mathematical model with time delay for the transmission dynamics of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL which is caused by protozoan parasite leishmania infantum and transmitted by female sandflies). Qualitative analysis of the ODE version of the model reveals that the disease-free equilibrium of the model is globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number, R0, is less than unity. Using time delay as a bifurcation parameter in the delay-differential version of the model, it has been shown that the incubation period has a significant effect on the stability of the equilibria and we derived the condition for Hopf bifurcation to occur.

Biomedical HIV research is growing in West Africa, but biostatistical expertise is lagging. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat) seeks to establish a research and training platform for biostatisticians doing HIV-related research in Nigeria. The objectives of the program are: (i) Host two Nigerian data scientists per year (a total of 10 over 5 years) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to gain hands-on biostatistics training and experience via one-year fellowships. Eligible trainees will be junior investigators with PhDs or nearing completion of their PhDs in statistics or related fields, including mathematics and computer science. (ii) Conduct annual workshops in Nigeria to provide biostatistics training. Trainees will undertake biostatistics coursework and hands-on training and participate in mentorship as biostatisticians involved in HIV research. Trainees will be at Vanderbilt for a full year and be part of an active biostatistics department. They will be immersed in a dry-lab HIV biostatistics project in collaboration with a Nigerian HIV research project and lead a methodologically focused research project. They will also participate in a one-month research training/grant writing program in Nashville. The VN-BioStat program will build on the existing momentum of ongoing initiatives to enhance research capacity in Nigeria by developing biostatistics leadership. VN-BioStat trainees will interact with investigators from Nigeria to provide collaborative biostatistical assistance with study design and data analysis, thus gaining real-world experience that will benefit the trainees and the broader research community in Nigeria.

Newborn screening for sickle cell disease (SCD) is sparse in sub-Saharan Africa. The leadership of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano, Nigeria, with the support of local religious authorities, established a groundbreaking SCD newborn screening program that has become the standard of care for pregnant women and their newborns. Our program includes (1) prenatal genetic counseling for all pregnant women in the antenatal clinic, (2) newborn screening, (3) postnatal genetic counseling for parents of newborns diagnosed with SCD and SCT, and (4) referral of newborns with SCD for follow-up in the SCD Comprehensive Care Clinic by 3 months of age. From September 2020 to December 2023, the team screened 7530 infants for SCD at the AKTH, identifying 126 (1.7%) infants with SCD and 1546 (20.5%) with SCT. Of these, 93 (73.8%) newborns with SCD received individualized genetic counseling, and 43 (46%) were referred to the SCD Comprehensive Care Clinic before 3 months. Group genetic counseling was provided to the parents of 778 (50.3%) of newborns identified with SCT. The SCD newborn screening at the AKTH is now standard care, indicating the viability of sustaining an SCD newborn screening program that provides pre- and postnatal genetic counseling and comprehensive SCD care within a low-income setting.

Background: We sought to determine the prevalence of sickle cell trait (SCT) and apolipoprotein-1 ( APOL1) risk variants in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Nigeria, and to establish if SCT and APOL1 high-risk status correlate with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and/or prevalent chronic kidney disease (CKD)., Methods: Baseline demographic and clinical data were obtained during three cross-sectional visits. CKD was defined as having an eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . We collected urine specimens to determine urine albumin-creatine ratio and blood samples for sickle cell genotyping, APOL1 testing, and for creatinine/cystatin C assessment. The associations between SCT, APOL1 genotype, and eGFR/CKD stages/CKD were investigated using linear/ordinal logistic/logistic regression models, respectively., Results: Of 2443 participants, 599 (24.5%) had SCT, and 2291 (93.8%) had a low-risk APOL1 genotype (0 or 1 risk variant), while 152 (6.2%) had high-risk genotype (2 allele copies). In total, 108 participants (4.4%) were diagnosed with CKD. In adjusted analyses, SCT was associated with lower eGFR (adjusted mean difference [aMD]= -2.33, 95% CI -4.25, -0.42), but not with worse CKD stages, or increased odds of developing CKD. Participants with the APOL1 high risk genotype were more likely to have lower eGFR (aMD= -5.45, 95% CI -8.87, -2.03), to develop CKD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.75), and to be in worse CKD stages (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.29) than those with the low-risk genotype. There was no evidence of interaction between SCT and APOL1 genotype on eGFR or risk of CKD., Conclusion: Our findings highlight the multifaceted interplay of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of CKD in PLWH., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the major causes of death worldwide. It is the most common cause of death before the age of 70 years. The incidence and mortality of BC are rapidly increasing, posing great challenges to the health system and economy of every nation., Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory of the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) to demonstrate the association of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2/Neu) and estrogen receptor (ER)/ progesterone receptor (PR) with clinical as well as pathological parameters among women with BC. A consecutive nonprobability sampling method was used for this study over a span of one and a half years., Results: One hundred twenty participants diagnosed with breast cancer were included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 44.58 ± 11.16 years. Out of the total patients, 68 (56.7%) were above 40 years old, 108 (90%) were married, 94 (78.3%) were multiparous, and 88 (73.3%) had a history of breastfeeding. 33.3% of cases were within the age range of menopause (40-50 years). The positive expression rates of ER, PR, and Her2/neu were found to be 48.8%, 44.6%, and 44.6%, respectively, and Her2/neu overexpression was found to be higher among ER/PR-negative cases., Conclusion: In our study, we demonstrated that among Afghan women, grade II invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified, was the most common type of BC and frequently affected women above the age of 40. We also revealed that the percentage of negative ER (50.4%), negative PR (54.4%), and concordant ER/PR-negative cases were high compared to other possibilities. Additionally, the study revealed that expression of Her2/neu was in contrast with the expression of ER and PR receptors. The findings of our study still support the importance of performing immunohistochemical stains for hormonal receptor classification in terms of better clinical outcomes and prognosis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Peroxiredoxins have been shown to protect insects from oxidative damage and to play a role in the immune system. In the present study, we cloned and characterized the Antheraea pernyi peroxiredoxin 2 (ApPrx-2) gene, then assessed its functional roles. The ApPrx-2 gene has a 687 bp open reading frame that encodes a protein with 288 amino acid residues. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA levels of ApPrx-2 were highest in the hemocytes. Immune challenge assay revealed that ApPrx-2 transcription could be induced after microbial challenge. A DNA cleavage assay employing recombinant ApPrx-2 protein and a metal-catalyzed oxidation system showed that rApPrx-2 protein could protect supercoiled DNA against oxidative stress. The protein antioxidant activity of rApPrx-2 was examined, and it was found that rApPrx-2 exhibited a high level of antioxidant activity by removing H 2 O 2 . In addition, ApPrx-2 knockdown larvae had higher H 2 O 2 levels and a lower survival rate when compared to controls. Interestingly, the antibacterial activity was significantly higher in ApPrx-2 depleted larvae compared with control. Overall, our findings indicate that ApPrx-2 may be involved in a range of physiological functions of A. pernyi, as it protects supercoiled DNA from oxidative stress and regulates antibacterial activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Biostatistics Training Program (VN-BioStat) aims to establish a research and training platform for biostatisticians doing HIV-related research in Nigeria, including enhancing mid-level biostatistics capacity through annual workshops. This paper describes findings from the inaugural workshop in Kano, Nigeria. Participants were surveyed before and after the workshop to assess their self-perceived familiarity with and confidence in their abilities to use statistical software and apply specific statistical techniques, as well as to gather feedback regarding the conduct of the workshop and future topic areas. Of the 23 participants enrolled in the workshop, 22 (96%) completed both pre- and post-workshop assessments. In both pre-workshop and post-workshop surveys, participants ranked their confidence in statistical skills using Likert scales. Scores were transformed to a 0-100 scale, and averages computed. Participants also shared open-ended feedback about the workshop and suggested future topic areas. Before the training, the average participant reported having either a "beginner" (30% of participants) or "moderate" (43%) level of familiarity with R. Many participants (65%) rated themselves as having "moderate" or "expert" familiarity with SPSS. Pre-workshop averages for confidence ranged from 26 to 64, with lowest confidence in "expanding continuous covariates in regression models and interpret results" and highest confidence in "fitting and interpreting results from a linear regression model". Post-workshop averages for confidence were all above 70. The lowest post-workshop score (74) was for "fit and interpret results from a semiparametric linear transformation model". The greatest increase in confidence was observed in "expanding continuous covariates in regression models using splines and interpreting results" and the lowest increase was in "fitting and interpreting results from a linear regression model." Participants offered positive feedback on instructor effectiveness (4.9/5) and overall course quality (4.9/5). While the overall course was rated on a 0-100 scale as "moderately difficult" (mean ± SD: 40.5 ± 17.5), the participants felt the course was highly organized (87.7 ± 17.8), and the information was moderately easy to learn (81.9 ± 15.9). Suggestions for future workshops included providing supplementary resources for out-of-classroom learning and releasing codes in advance to enhance participants' preparation. Among suggestions for future workshop topics, 80% of respondents listed survival analysis. Lessons learned provide insight into how short-term training opportunities can be leveraged to build biostatistics capacity in similar settings.

Competing Interests: None declared

In Afghanistan, there are no reliable epidemiological data available about thyroid cytopathology and its possible relationship with the age and gender of patients. Therefore, we conducted this study to outline this relationship and the importance of fine needle aspiration cytology in this regard. A retrospective review study was conducted including 686 consecutive medical records of thyroid nodules diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology in a span of five years. Out of 686 consecutive patients with thyroid nodules included in this study, 566 were females and 120 were males. Most of the thyroid nodules diagnosed were benign lesions with female predominance. These nodules were commonly arising in between 3rd and 6th decades of life in both the genders with mean age of 42 ± 13 years in females and 52 ± 15 years in males. Thyroid malignancy was commonly diagnosed in middle-age females, however in males, it was frequently diagnosed in older age with a peak at 7th decade. Most of the malignant nodules were solid and complex with no purely cystic nature. In both the genders, thyroid nodules were commonly arising in the right thyroid lobe (52.3%), followed by left (35.7%), isthmus (8.7%) and bilateral (3.2%). Fine needle aspiration cytology remains the modality of choice for the diagnostic evaluation of nodular lesions of thyroid. In contrast to the data reported around the world, thyroid malignancies, in our study, were diagnosed in relatively older age groups with peak incidence in the 5th decade of life for females and 7th decade for males., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

In high-income countries, premarital genetic counseling for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a standard practice. However, in Nigeria, there is no formal premarital genetic counseling program available for SCD. We conducted a series of focus group discussions with health care professionals, patients with SCD, and parents of the patients with or without SCD to gain an understanding of their attitudes and beliefs towards SCD/Sickle Cell Trait and premarital genetic counseling for SCD. Data were analyzed using Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory approach. Two themes were highlighted in the analysis as follows: (1) the difference between the perception of premarital sickle cell screening among individuals with SCD versus the general population, and (2) the personal beliefs and physical challenges that could lead to the avoidance of premarital screening within the general community. Lack of disease-related knowledge, testing facilities, transportation, and stigma associated with the disease were the most commonly perceived barriers to premarital testing. Also, a willingness to receive premarital testing for SCD exists within our community to reduce the spread of the disease and advocate for improved health-related quality of life of patients with SCD. The content and structure of a premarital genetic counseling program in Kano, Northern Nigeria, needs to be developed., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Newborn care practices immediately after delivery can decrease newborns' risk of diseases and death in early neonatal life. This study assessed thermal and umbilical cord care practices among mothers in randomly selected health care facilities in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Descriptive quantitative research design was used and 211 mothers were selected through convenience sampling techniques. Semi-structured questionnaire, adapted from a previous study was utilized to collect data which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of the respondents were Yoruba aged 20-29 years; 70% of the respondents were aware of the standard cord care practice; 90% agreed that heat should be applied to the newborn's umbilical cord. 70.5% of mothers used methylated spirit to clean the umbilical cord; 39.5% claimed that they used menthol ointment; while 20.5% used the standard prescribed chlorhexidine. On thermal care practices, 10% dried their babies, 39.5% bathed their babies immediately, while 50% of mothers wrapped their newborns in heavy clothing. Factors influencing common thermal and umbilical cord care include religion and cultural preferences. Efforts should be devoted towards providing tailored health education approaches on proper thermal and umbilical cord care practices to mothers and the community at large.