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The expansion of global economic activities by firms has raised increasing concerns over unsustainable energy consumption, which is contributing to global carbon emissions and posing a significant threat to the planet's climate and environment. This has led to intensive growth in investor pressure for carbon emission mitigation and disclosure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between carbon disclosure and firm value as well as examining the moderating role of external assurance on both constructs. The data used were extracted from annual/stand-alone sustainability reports of carbon-intensive firms in Nigeria. Using Generalized Least Square regression analysis on 370 firm-year observations, this study finds that external assurance has a significant moderating role in increasing the effect of carbon disclosure on firm value. Carbon disclosure and external assurance also have a direct positive impact on firm value. The study recommends integrating carbon information into regulatory requirements and setting mandatory standards for sustainability assurance practices.

BackgroundIn much of eastern and southern Africa, the incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high despite the scale-up of promising biomedical and behavioral interventions. Studies have documented the crucial role of transactional sex-the exchange of money, material support, or goods, in sexual relationships-and heavy alcohol use in contributing to men's and women's health outcomes. Existing policy responses to this challenge have largely focused on women, through the provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or structural interventions such as education subsidies and cash transfers. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has been hindered by the relative lack of interventions and programs targeting men's behavior. We describe the protocol for a study that will test an economic intervention designed to reduce men's engagement in HIV/STI-related risk behaviors in Kenya.MethodsWe will conduct a randomized controlled trial among income-earning men in Kenya who are aged 18-39 years and self-report alcohol use and engagement in transactional sex. The study will enroll 1500 participants and randomize them to a control group or savings group. The savings group will receive access to a savings account that includes lottery-based incentives to save money regularly, opportunities to develop savings goals/strategies, and text message reminders about their savings goals. The control group will receive basic health education. Over a period of 24 months, we will collect qualitative and quantitative data from participants and a subset of their female partners. Participants will also be tested for HIV and other STIs at baseline, 12, and 24 months.DiscussionThe findings from this study have the potential to address a missing element of HIV/STI prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa by promoting upstream and forward-looking behavior and reducing the risk of acquiring HIV/STIs in a high HIV/STI burden setting. If this study is effective, it is an innovative approach that could be scaled up and could have great potential for scientific and public health impact in Kenya.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05385484 . Registered on May 23, 2022.

The emergence of the novel Coronavirus in late 2019 led to disruptions in the food, economic and health systems. There are projections that the pandemic will worsen hunger and malnutrition in families with young children and women of reproductive age in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Therefore, this study investigated household food security status, dietary patterns and nutritional status of children in a Nigerian community during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total sample of 200 mother-child pairs was selected from a Nigerian community using a multi-stage sampling technique. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, which had four sections, was used for data collection. A food security survey questionnaire was used to assess household food security, and a food frequency questionnaire was used to capture child food patterns. Dietary diversity was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall, and nutritional status was measured using anthropometric parameters. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The level of significance was set at p Key words: Household food security, Dietary pattern, Nutritional Status, COVID-19, INTRODUCTION The outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus in late 2019 led to the infection of millions of people worldwide [1]. Since the onset, the death toll globally is alarmingly high, [...]

Abstract Background In much of eastern and southern Africa, the incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high despite the scale-up of promising biomedical and behavioral interventions. Studies have documented the crucial role of transactional sex—the exchange of money, material support, or goods, in sexual relationships—and heavy alcohol use in contributing to men’s and women’s health outcomes. Existing policy responses to this challenge have largely focused on women, through the provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or structural interventions such as education subsidies and cash transfers. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has been hindered by the relative lack of interventions and programs targeting men’s behavior. We describe the protocol for a study that will test an economic intervention designed to reduce men’s engagement in HIV/STI-related risk behaviors in Kenya. Methods We will conduct a randomized controlled trial among income-earning men in Kenya who are aged 18–39 years and self-report alcohol use and engagement in transactional sex. The study will enroll 1500 participants and randomize them to a control group or savings group. The savings group will receive access to a savings account that includes lottery-based incentives to save money regularly, opportunities to develop savings goals/strategies, and text message reminders about their savings goals. The control group will receive basic health education. Over a period of 24 months, we will collect qualitative and quantitative data from participants and a subset of their female partners. Participants will also be tested for HIV and other STIs at baseline, 12, and 24 months. Discussion The findings from this study have the potential to address a missing element of HIV/STI prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa by promoting upstream and forward-looking behavior and reducing the risk of acquiring HIV/STIs in a high HIV/STI burden setting. If this study is effective, it is an innovative approach that could be scaled up and could have great potential for scientific and public health impact in Kenya. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05385484 . Registered on May 23, 2022

Abstract Background Nigeria is among the top five countries in the world with the highest under-five mortality rates. In addition to the general leading causes of under-five mortality, studies have shown that disparity in sociocultural values and practices across ethnic groups in Nigeria influence child survival, thus there is a need for scientific validation. This study quantified the survival probabilities and the impact of socioeconomic and demographic factors, proximate and biological determinants, and environmental factors on the risk of under-five mortality in Nigeria. Methods The Kaplan-Meier survival curve, Nelson Aalen hazard curve, and components survival probabilities were estimated. The Exponential, Gamma, Log-normal, Weibull, and Cox hazard models in a Bayesian mixed effect hierarchical hazard modeling framework with spatial components were considered, and the Deviance and Watanabe Akaike information criteria were used to select the best model for inference. A $$5\%$$ 5 % level of significance was assumed throughout this work. The 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey dataset was used, and the outcome variable was the time between birth and death or birth and the date of interview for children who were alive on the day of the interview. Results Findings show that the probability of a child dying within the first two months is 0.04, and the probability of a boy child dying before attaining age five is 0.106, while a girl child is 0.094 probability. Gender, maternal education, household wealth status, source of water and toilet facility, residence, mass media, frequency of antenatal and postnatal visits, marital status, place of delivery, multiple births, who decide healthcare use, use of bednet are significant risk factors of child mortality in Nigeria. The mortality risk is high among the maternal age group below 24 and above 44years, and birth weight below 2.5Kg and above 4.5Kg. The under-five mortality risk is severe in Kebbi, Kaduna, Jigawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Sokoto states in Nigeria. Conclusion This study accentuates the need for special attention for the first two months after childbirth as it is the age group with the highest expected mortality. A practicable way to minimize death in the early life of children is to improve maternal healthcare service, promote maternal education, encourage delivery in healthcare facilities, positive parental attitude to support multiple births, poverty alleviation programs for the less privileged, and a prioritized intervention to Northern Nigeria.

Background Arterial tortuosity is associated with adverse events in Marfan and Loeys‐Dietz syndromes but remains understudied in Vascular Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome. Methods and Results Subjects with a pathogenic COL3A1 variant diagnosed at age

AbstractAimsMethodsResultsConclusionsChildren in foster care (CFC) have prevalent developmental health needs. Comprehensive health assessments (CHA) that include development evaluation are recommended for CFC. The impact of adding occupational therapy (OT) to multidisciplinary CHA teams is unknown. We aimed to describe findings from OT evaluations performed as part of CHA for CFC and determine if OT evaluation influences developmental health recommendations.Retrospective study at a clinic for CFC that included 335 children with OT evaluation during their CHA and 217 without OT evaluation due to limited availability. OTs performed developmental components of CHA using observation and standardized testing. We used descriptive statistics, and chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to compare developmental health recommendations between patients with and without OT assessment.Median age was 8.3 years (range 0, 19). At least one aspect of development was delayed in 230/335 (69%) children evaluated by OT. OTs provided strategies to strengthen development to 74% of evaluated youth. Children seen by OT received significantly more developmental referrals compared to controls (38% versus 58%, p<.001).Our findings suggest rehabilitation specialists such as OTs can enhance detection of developmental needs and provide strategies to strengthen development when included in CHA for CFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decrease in nutrient digestibility and general performance of ruminant animals has been a persistent challenge during the dry season in Nigeria, and the use of less competitive alternative feed ingredients could be a remedy. Hence, a sixty-three (63)-day study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional potential and growth response of West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed diets containing wheat offal replaced with tiger nut seed meal. Five (5) experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.00, 5.00, 10.00, 15.00, and 20.00% tiger nut seed meal and were thus designated as diets T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Twenty (20) WAD does were randomly assigned to the experimental diets with four (4) replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. Parameters evaluated include the chemical composition of formulated diets and wilted Panicum maximum, nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and growth response of the does. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in the chemical composition of the diets with the highest dry matter, nitrogen-free extract, and metabolizable energy obtained from diet T4. The highest crude protein content in diet, intake, and digestibility were observed for the does fed diet T3. The results obtained from nitrogen utilization revealed a significant (p < 0.05) difference across all parameters with superior nitrogen intake, balance, and percentage retention for the does feed diet T3. Similarly, the highest weight gain, daily weight gain, total dry matter intake, protein efficiency, and least feed conversion ratio were recorded from does fed diet T3. Conclusively, incorporating tiger nut seed meal as a replacement for wheat offal at 10.00% in WAD does diet has the potential to improve feed digestibility and the general performance of does, thus can be adopted by goat farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcomas are a broad family of mesenchymal malignancies exhibiting remarkable histologic diversity. We describe the multi-platform molecular landscape of 206 adult soft tissue sarcomas representing 6 major types. Along with novel insights into the biology of individual sarcoma types, we report three overarching findings: (1) unlike most epithelial malignancies, these sarcomas (excepting synovial sarcoma) are characterized predominantly by copy-number changes, with low mutational loads and only a few genes (TP53, ATRX, RB1) highly recurrently mutated across sarcoma types; (2) within sarcoma types, genomic and regulomic diversity of driver pathways defines molecular subtypes associated with patient outcome; and (3) the immune microenvironment, inferred from DNA methylation and mRNA profiles, associates with outcome and may inform clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Overall, this large-scale analysis reveals previously unappreciated sarcoma-type-specific changes in copy number, methylation, RNA, and protein, providing insights into refining sarcoma therapy and relationships to other cancer types.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Here we report the extensive molecular characterization of 228 primary cervical cancers, one of the largest comprehensive genomic studies of cervical cancer to date. We observed notable APOBEC mutagenesis patterns and identified SHKBP1, ERBB3, CASP8, HLA-A and TGFBR2 as novel significantly mutated genes in cervical cancer. We also discovered amplifications in immune targets CD274 (also known as PD-L1) and PDCD1LG2 (also known as PD-L2), and the BCAR4 long non-coding RNA, which has been associated with response to lapatinib. Integration of human papilloma virus (HPV) was observed in all HPV18-related samples and 76% of HPV16-related samples, and was associated with structural aberrations and increased target-gene expression. We identified a unique set of endometrial-like cervical cancers, comprised predominantly of HPV-negative tumours with relatively high frequencies of KRAS, ARID1A and PTEN mutations. Integrative clustering of 178 samples identified keratin-low squamous, keratin-high squamous and adenocarcinoma-rich subgroups. These molecular analyses reveal new potential therapeutic targets for cervical cancers.

HIV stigma in Nigeria poses a critical challenge to addressing the epidemic by undermining prevention and care efforts. This study evaluated the efficacy of traditional storytelling as a Health Education Intervention strategy (TSHEIS) in reducing HIV-related stigma among rural-dwelling adults in Enugu State, Nigeria. Employing a pre-test and post-test randomized control trial design, the study included 102 participants who met the specified criteria. The treatment group participated in a 5-week TSHEIS programme, while the waitlist group served as the control. Stigma levels were assessed using the HIV-Related Stigma Scale (HRSS) at three-time points: before treatment, immediately after, and at a 3-month follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the intervention had a significant impact in reducing HIV stigma at the posttest measure (F(1,80) = 267.432, P = .000, Δ2p = .912, ΔR2= .964, 95% CI [0.549, 0.689]). This gain was sustained at the follow-up measures (F(1,80) = 267.432, P = .000, Δ2p = .812, ΔR2 = .934, 95% CI [0.459, 0.679]). The effect sizes, as indicated by partial eta squared (Δ2p) and adjusted R2 values (ΔR2), were significant, underscoring the meaningful impact of the intervention. Mauchly's test (Mauchly W = 0.952, P-value = .321) confirmed the sphericity of the data, further supporting the validity of the findings. Lastly, post-hoc comparisons using Turkey's HSD test demonstrated that the stigma reduction achieved through TSHEIS endured over time, highlighting its lasting effect. These findings support the use of TSHEIS in addressing HIV-related stigma in Nigerian communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family quality of life (FQL) in Nigeria has significantly been compromised by the combined effects of economic hardship, insecurities and other uncertainties. The general objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy of a health literacy intervention (HLI) in promoting FQL in Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti state. Specifically, the study determined extent HLI could improve the following indicators of FQL among study participant: adequate sleep, good nutritional behavior, physical activities and proper hygiene. It was a quasi-experimental research involving pretest, intervention, posttest and comparison of pretest and posttest scores. Participants included community-dwelling parents with at least one child (n = 82) in Oye Local Government, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Family Quality of Life scale was used for assessing FQL participants before (pre-test) and three months after (post-test) treatment. Mean, standard deviation, and t-tests were utilized for data analysis. Cohen's d was calculated to establish the effect size of the difference in FQL between pre-test and post-test mean scores, while multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses of no significant interaction effect of socio-demographic parameters on the outcomes of HLI. Significant improvements in adequate sleep (p < 0.05), healthy nutritional choices (p < 0.05), regular physical activities (p < 0.05), and proper hygiene (p < 0.05). It was recommended that further research is required to determine whether gains can be sustained over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study determined the proximate composition and sensory evaluation of Guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) meal enriched with soybeans (Glycine max) and groundnut (Arachishypogaea) for infant feeding. Three (3) research questions were raised and one (1) hypotheses formulated and tested at 0.05 significant level. The research design adopted for this study is Research and Development Design. The panelists used for the study comprised of forty (40) Nursing Mothers, who have children age 6 month-2 years. The panelists were presented with 6 coded samples produced from a composite of seven possible formulations of Guinea corn blends enriched with soybeans and groundnut. The study used Sensory Evaluation Score Card, which was filled by participants during the testing session. Proximate analysis was determined by calculating the proximate composition of the products with Association of Analytical Chemists method. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test for the significant differences in the proximate and sensory properties of the samples. Findings of proximate composition revealed that GCS (Guinea corn and Soybean) has the highest protein (14.98%) and moisture content (48.82%). For sensory evaluation, the sample GCG (Guinea corn and Groundnut) was the most preferred with mean score 6.25(±1.01) while the sample GCO (Guinea corn only) was the least preferred with mean score 4.25(±1.51). The findings of hypothesis revealed a significant difference between the sensory qualities of guinea corn only and guinea corn enriched with soybeans (p

Fish is an important part of the human diet, are at the top of the aquatic food chain with a high propensity to accumulating contaminants like heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which are toxic to humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between condition factor (physiologic wellbeing) of the fishes, PCBs, and heavy metal accumulation.Ten adult fish species three each of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Trachinotus teraia, Liza dumerilli, Tilapia guieensis, Pseudotolithus elongatus, Pomadasys jubelini, Polydactylus quadrifilis, Caranx hippos, Sphyreana barracuda, Arius heudoloti,were acquired at Epe Lagoon. Ten adult fish species three each of Argentina silus, Gadus chalcogrammus, Gadus morhua, Atlantic mackerel, Micropogonias undulatus, Urophycis sp., Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Oreochromis niloticus, Clupea harengus, Trachurus trachurus, imported into Lagos were purchased. The fish species’ condition factor was determined. The heavy metals were determined using AAS while PCB level was determined using GC-MS. Iron, mercury, zinc, arsenic, nickel and copper levels correlated positively with the condition factor in the local fishes while in the imported fishes, cadmium, iron, zinc, nickel, copper and lead levels correlated positively to the condition factor. The levels of PCBs in both the local and imported fishes were non-detectable. It is concluded that the lead, copper, arsenic, zinc, mercury and cadmium in both the imported and local fishes were within permissible limits compared with the FAO/WHO maximum permissible limits. The positive correlation of some heavy metals to the fishes’ condition factor infers that these metals might be altering physiologic activities in the fishes. Keywords: Condition factor; Heavy metals; Polychlorinated biphenyl; Fish

Background: There is pandemic of HIV/AIDS all over the world and a new trend is seen in the management of this disease with the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and more advancement in medicine, patients now live longer with the disease. These facts have brought about the challenges of managing chronic complications of this condition. The chronic complication of interest in this study is Depression. Objectives: This study thus looked into the effects of caregiver counselling and follow up on Depression among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), assess the pattern of depression among them, determine the relationship between CD4 count and depression; and between BMI and Depression among PLWHA attending Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti. Materials and Methods: A total of 351 patients were considered for the study. An experimental study was performed on 64 Depressed HIV patients (32 intervention group and 32 in the control group). Bar chart and descriptive statistics was employed to explain the data. Yate’s Chi-squared statistics was employed to find out statistical associations between the groups while the p-values were consequently reported. Results: The result shows that there is a statistically significant effect of caregiver counselling on depression among PLWHA. The percentage of the intervention group that suffered severe depression reduced from 40.6% to 6.2% after the intervention as opposed to a marginal reduction of 34.4% to 31.2% in the control group without intervention. A very strong statistically significant effect with p-value of 0.001. This shows that the effect of caregiver intervention was statistically significant in the management of Depression among PLWHA. The intervention programme of caregiver in this study resulted in significant improvement in management of depression in the study group. This is likely the only reason that accounts for why more than half of the respondents experienced resolution of depression, because no other intervention was given to that group. Conclusion: The attending physician could do well by involving caregivers of PLWHA in the management of these patients.

Introduction: “Long COVID” is a multisystem disease that lasts for 4 or more weeks following initial symptoms of COVID-19. In the UK, at least 10% of patient report symptoms at 12 weeks following a positive COVID-19 test. The aims of this quality improvement survey were to explore patients’ acute and post-acute “long” COVID-19 symptoms, their experiences of community services and their recommendations for improving these services. Methods: Seventy patients diagnosed with COVID were randomly selected from 2 large socially and ethnically diverse primary care practices. Of those contactable by telephone, 85% (41/48) agreed to participate in the quality improvement survey. They were interviewed by telephone using a semi-structured questionnaire about community services for COVID-19 patients. Interviews lasted 10 to 15 minutes. Results: Forty-nine percent of patients reported at least 1 post-acute COVID-19 symptom. The most common were severe fatigue (45%), breathlessness (30%), neurocognitive difficulties (such as poor memory), poor concentration and “brain fog” (30%), headaches (20%), and joint pain (20%). Many patients felt isolated and fearful, with scant information about community resources and little safety netting advice. Patients also expected more from primary care with over half (56%) recommending regular phone calls and follow up from healthcare staff as the most important approach in their recovery. Conclusions: In line with patients’ requests for more support, the practices now routinely refer patients with long COVID to an on-site social prescriber who explores how they are getting on, refers them to the GP or practice nurse when required, and sign posts them to support services in the community.

The utilization of unconventional feed resources in broiler production as a means of reducing costs associated with feed has been continually explored over the years. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of information on the use of wilted waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) in this regard. Thus, this trial which lasted for 6 weeks was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing a basal diet formulated to meet the requirement of the broiler chicken with varying levels of wilted waterleaf (WL) at 0 g/kg, 5 g/kg and 10 g/kg. One hundred and fifty (150) day-old Arbor Acre broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments (T1: 0 g/kg, T2: 5 g/kg, and T3: 10 g/kg) with 5 replicates per treatment and 10 birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Results obtained revealed that birds fed diet T3 had the highest final weight and weight gain. Feed conversion ratio was statistically similar for both diet T2 (1.69) and T3 (1.67) compared to diet T1 which had the highest feed conversion ratio (1.71). Haematological parameters showed that only mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, lymphocyte and granulocytes were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by dietary treatments while others were unaffected. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences among all serum biochemical indices evaluated. The results obtained from this study suggested that supplementing broiler chicken diets up to 10 g/kg waterleaf can significantly improve performance and haematological parameters and could be adopted by broiler farmers for maximum productivity of farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a deadly infection that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. Although not particularly spreading rapidly as before due to the introduction of vaccines and other measures, its effect still portends grave danger to human lives in Nigeria and other countries. This study aimed to model and forecast Nigeria's COVID-19 (new) trend of confirmed cases, discharged (recovery) cases and deaths and also to examine the pattern of the infection and survival rate in the face of vaccine introduction. The Box-Jenkins methodology was employed in this study to model and forecast COVID-19 confirmed cases, discharged cases and deaths. The data used for this study was secondary data of weekly confirmed cases, recoveries (discharged) and deaths extracted from the weekly publication of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The mean survival rate of COVID-19 was found to be 0.7765 and the three series were found to be stationary after differencing. Also, from an array of candidate models obtained through Autocorrelation Function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF) plots, the best-fitted models selected based on minimum Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Schwarz Information Criterion (SIC) were found to be ARIMA (4,1,0), (3,1,0) and (7,3,1) for newly confirmed cases, discharged cases and death, respectively. This implied that these models were adequate for forecasting future rates of infection, recovery and death as further diagnostic tests showed that the ARIMA models were the perfect fit for the three cases (since P>0.05). Finally, a 29-week out of sample forecast showed a steep downward trend in the three cases and in particular a drastic decline to zero of future COVID-19 deaths. Based on these results, it was recommended that existing vaccination strategies should be expanded to achieve near-zero new COVID-19 cases and deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]