In the present study, the perinatal oral exposure of pregnant mice to 15 and 30mg/kg lithium (lithium chloride) in their drinking water resulted in a significant and dose-dependent reduction in postnatal body weight gain, delays in opening of the eyes and appearance in the body hair fuzz, and deficits in the sensory motor reflexes of the mice pups during weaning period (from the day of birth to postnatal day21). At adolescent and adult ages of the male offspring, a significant and dose-dependent deficit was also observed in their learning capability (at PD25), and cognitive behavior (at PD30-36). Furthermore, a significant and dose-dependent disturbance in the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT); non-enzymatic oxidative stress (OS) indices like thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and total reduced glutathione (GSH); and enzymatic OS indices like glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed in the forebrain region of the offspring at post-natal day (PD)7, PD14, PD21, PD30, and PD36. Thus, perinatal lithium exposure can affect the in utero developing fetus, raising the concerns for a potential neurotoxic hazards and a longer lasting cognitive dysfunction. A reduced use of lithium during pregnancy is of crucial importance in preventing lithium -induced neurotoxicity in the offspring.
The study is one of the first African studies to report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of cardiology services which are very important for Africans given the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in this continent.• The multinational design of the study leading to the inclusion of 14 African countries makes the results generalizable to the entire African.• The cross-sectional design of the study represents a major limitation
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by a rodent-borne arenavirus that is endemic in West Africa. Globally, people living with diseases like Leprosy, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Lassa fever have been stigmatized. Although awareness is being created and treatment provided there are societal factors that drive stigma. Treatment of Lassa fever is mainly supportive and societal attributes contribute to stigmatization of the disease as well as the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, effective strategies to create awareness, educate people and reduce levels of stigma associated with Lassa fever in the community have not been fully utilized. Thus, the study examined the effect of stigma among the Lassa fever survivors in Ondo state. The study utilized the qualitative survey method. Six interviews were conducted to examine the effect of stigma among 6 Lassa fever survivors. The respondents consisted of 5 males and 1 female between the ages of 36-57 years old; who had attained a level of formal education and were employed in public and private sectors. They resided in semi-urban areas. Thematic analysis was used to determine the factors that caused stigma among the survivors. A total of 6 persons (5 males and 1 female) were interviewed. They all (6) reported that they had experienced some form of stigma while they were suspects to being treated for Lassa fever. Four had little knowledge of Lassa fever while 5 were not aware of the symptoms. All (6) of the respondents were scared of contracting Lassa fever and were alienated at one point in time or the other by significant others, health workers and members of their immediate community. Lassa Fever survivors had experienced stigma and struggled to cope with their diagnosis, treatment and care. Stigma had a negative impact on the survivors as they had experienced some initial alienation from members in their communities. Findings highlight the need to educate people and engage the community to create care, treatment and support programs to reduce the stigma associated with Lassa fever as well as provide psychosocial counseling
Different institutional classification factors are utilized in the ranking of universities.The ranking influences the prestige that institutions carry as well demand from students as well as funding for research-related projects as well as academic publication practices, procedure, and governance of higher education associations, legitimacy of higher education associations, reputation, higher education marketing, recruitment, and admission.World-class institutions attract the attention of top students and academicians and offer them excellent learning and teaching environment with the necessary facilities available [1].Therefore, universities are creating a strength to achieve a world-class university title.The increasing expansion and importance of world-class institutions is the main reason why universities are in a global race to establish world-class institutions.Mainly, universities are ranked according to research publications and teaching excellence at both national and international levels.
by marked depletion of phenylalanine and selective deficiency of nonessential AAs
