Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented challenges on healthcare systems worldwide, with healthcare workers (HCWs) at the frontline facing significant risks. This study aims at the long-term COVID-19 impact on quality of life among HealthCare Workers at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital: A 16-Month Study, using SF-36 (Short-Form 36) scale to assess the physical and mental health of these patients. A retrospective analysis of the health outcomes of 58 (100%) quarantined Health Care Workers, comprising 34 males and 24 females aged between 25 and 71 years. The cohort included Medical Doctors, Nurses, Laboratory Scientists, Pharmacists, Public Health Officers, Medical Radiologists, Health Sanitation Officers, Biotechnicians, and Cleaners. Method : Utilizing data collected from the admission, discharge and follow-up register of the Infectious Disease Unit, using a proforma to include socio-demographic characteristics like gender, age, and occupation. Data were analysed using SPSS version 28. Variables were summarized as percentages and graphs. The variables were tested using Fisher’s Exact Test at a P- value of significance 0.515 (using a two-sided test). The p-value indicates no significant association between gender outcome (death/recovery) at typical significance levels. Purposeful sampling was used to rule out bias. Result: The number of female patients was 24 (41.38%), while 34 (58.62%) were males. A tofigtal number of 58 (100%). Tragically, 2 (3.45%) patients died while 56 (96.55%) patients were discharged home in good condition. Conclusion: This study represents the recovery and resilience of the HealthCare Workers post-COVID-19. Further study including longitudinal study will be highly informative and beneficial.
Early childhood represents a foundational phase of human development, marked by rapid physical growth, progressive maturation of the gastrointestinal system, immune system development, and establishment of metabolic processes. During this sensitive period, efficient digestion, optimal nutrient absorption, and maintenance of gastrointestinal comfort are essential for achieving healthy growth patterns and supporting long-term health outcomes. Increasing scientific evidence indicates that the gut microbiota serves as a central mediator linking dietary components with digestive function, immune regulation, metabolic activity, and overall developmental processes. Among nutritional strategies designed to promote intestinal health, synbiotics—the combination of prebiotics and probiotics—have gained considerable attention due to their potential synergistic effects. Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a functional prebiotic carbohydrate structurally similar to certain components of human milk oligosaccharides, selectively promotes the proliferation and metabolic activity of beneficial microorganisms, particularly Bifidobacterium species. Through modulation of microbial composition, GOS contributes to improved intestinal ecosystem stability, enhanced epithelial barrier function, and increased generation of beneficial microbial-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which participate in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Lactobacillus reuteri, a well-characterized probiotic strain with established presence in the human gastrointestinal environment, contributes to microbial balance through multiple biological mechanisms. These include suppression of potentially harmful microorganisms through competitive exclusion, regulation of intestinal immune responses, enhancement of mucosal integrity, and support of a stable microbial environment. When combined with GOS, L. reuteri may provide complementary advantages by supplying beneficial bacteria while simultaneously creating a favorable nutritional environment that facilitates their activity and persistence. Research investigating GOS and L. reuteri-based synbiotic approaches has demonstrated potential benefits for improving digestive tolerance, reducing gastrointestinal discomfort, and alleviating common infant symptoms such as colic and regurgitation. However, the influence of gut-directed nutritional strategies extends beyond gastrointestinal outcomes. The gut microbiota has increasingly been recognized as an important contributor to systemic development through its effects on nutrient utilization, mineral metabolism, inflammatory pathways, and metabolic signaling networks. The interaction between intestinal microorganisms and host physiology may therefore influence processes associated with bone mineralization, muscle development, and overall physical growth during early life. By supporting digestive efficiency and improving the availability of essential nutrients, synbiotics may contribute indirectly to optimal skeletal and muscular development.
The rising antibiotic resistance of UPEC strains highlights the need for alternate preventive measures for urinary tract infections (UTIs) brought on by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain Uti89. This in silico study (2022-25) used a subtractive genomics-based reverse vaccinology approach; data extraction, protein analysis, epitope prediction, docking analysis, protein-ligand complexes, molecular dynamics, Human immune simulation, fragment Inserted in vector (pET-28a (+) were all steps in the study's multi-step methodology to find a potential vaccine candidate against UTIs. 3,840 non-homologous proteins unique to UPEC-UTI89 were found by extracting data from databases. The pathogen's essential genes were identified, and predict on the bases of subcellular localization assisted in choosing among membrane-related proteins that would make good vaccine targets. Seventy-one (71) proteins were identified through antigenic analysis as potential vaccine candidates. 7 outer membrane proteins with potential vaccine properties were found through screening and shortlisted for vaccine construction. Investigation of the metabolic pathways in UPEC-UTI89 revealed both typical and unusual pathways. Several tools were used to predict epitopes for B-cell and T-cell immune responses. MHC-I and MHC-II cluster analyses were carried out to confirm the prediction of potential epitopes. The resulting epitopes demonstrated potential for eliciting a powerful immune reaction against UTIs brought on by UPEC UTI89. By identifying potential vaccine targets and epitopes using subtractive genomics and reverse vaccination approach, this in silico study aids ongoing efforts to develop an effective UTI vaccine. The resulting epitopes demonstrated potential for eliciting a powerful immune reaction against UTIs brought on by UPEC UTI89.
Lymphadenopathy is palpable enlargement of lymph nodes. Inflammation is a normal part of your body's response to injuries and invaders. It promotes healing and helps you feel better.Inflammation is a vital biological mechanism that acts as the body's primary defense against harmful agents, such as pathogens, damaged cells, and irritants. Although acute inflammation is important for healing and recovery, chronic inflammation may result in various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular issues, and autoimmune disorders. Inflammation can arise from numerous causes of lymphadenopathy, including microbial infections, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and other factors that contribute to elevated inflammatory markers in the bloodstream. Inflammatory markers as Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C Reactive Protein (CRP) were measured in serum of children with lymphadenopathy to help for monitoring the inflammation state. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are among the oldest laboratory tests still in use. The results Showed that, there was significant increase in Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in first and second hour in children with lymphadenopathy compared to healthy control children (P value = 0.001) (P value = 0.001) respectively. There was also significant increase in serum level of C Reactive Protein in children with lymphadenopathy compared to healthy control children (P value = 0.007).
This study aimed to evaluate the whitening potential of various parts of Taiwanese mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla ) through both extracellular and intracellular assays. The inhibitory effects on tyrosinase activity and the impact on B16F10 melanoma cell viability and melanin content were systematically investigated using various extracts, including crude methanol extracts and partitioned fractions (ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water). Extracellular results demonstrated that most large-leaf mahogany extracts at 100 ppm exhibited higher tyrosinase inhibition rates than the positive control, kojic acid (48.9%), particularly the hot water leaf (86.86%) and methanol peel (78.10%) extracts. Intracellularly, the n-butanol fraction of mahogany stones (50 ppm, 39.10%) and the water-soluble fraction (12.5-50 ppm, up to 50.13%) significantly reduced tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, methanol extracts from small-leaf mahogany leaves showed a superior ability to reduce cellular melanin content compared to large-leaf varieties. These findings suggest that specific parts and solvent fractions of Taiwanese mahogany possess significant whitening activities, supporting their potential application in cosmetic and therapeutic formulations.
