Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) impacts the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of life of the affected persons, often times exposing them to disease-associated stigmatization from family members and/or the community and this in turn affects their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There is paucity of data from southern Nigeria as regards stigmatization among SCD patients, hence this study was aimed at determining the level of stigmatization amongst them. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study involving two hundred and twenty-four SCD patients recruited from three well recognized health facilities that offer comprehensive care for individuals with SCD in Benin City, Nigeria. The measure of sickle cell stigma and the sickle cell disease health-related stigma scale psychometric tools were used for this study. Results: One hundred and sixty- four (73.2%) participants were not married despite attaining marriageable age. One hundred and seventy-one (76.1%) were dependents, living with their friends and family members. Sixty-eight (47.7%) had a severe disease course and one hundred and eighty-five (82.6%) had perceived/ experienced stigmatization. Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of stigmatization among SCD patients.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused some manufacturing companies to experience a decline in company value. The decline in company value occurs due to various factors. Factors that are thought to affect company value include profitability, liquidity, solvency and dividend policy. This study aims to determine the effect of profitability, liquidity and solvency on company value with dividend policy as a mediating variable. The population and sample in this study are manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the 2019-2022 period. The research design used is quantitative research. The data used are secondary data obtained through the IDX website and the websites of each company. The data analysis used is descriptive statistical analysis, classical assumption testing and multiple regression analysis.

Crude oil spillage is a major problem in Nigeria as it basically affects soils, plants grown on the soil, and the environment at large. The need to remediate crude-oil-contaminated soil to its original state is of utmost importance. The potential of oil palm frond (leaf) to remediate crude-oil-contaminated soil was investigated in this study. The soil samples were analyzed before and after contamination, during bioremediation process and after the treatment process by determining the pH, moisture content and total organic carbon (TOC) parameters of the soil sample each week for a period of four (4) weeks. The results obtained showed that the pH of the soil sample before and after contamination were pH 8.0 and pH 6.0 respectively, while during the bioremediation process with the oil palm frond (leaf) sample applied on the contaminated soil samples and at the end of the treatment process, the pH of the samples was pH 6.2, pH 6.3, pH 8.0, pH 7.0 respectively. The moisture content result obtained showed that the soil sample before and after contamination were 16.2% and 11.2% respectively, during the bioremediation process and at the end of the treatment process the moisture content were 7.5%, 1.4%, 7.4%, and 9.4% respectively. While the TOC result obtained for the soil sample before and after contamination were 2.55% and 1.22% respectively while during the bioremediation process the results were 1.22%, 1.22%, 1.29%, 1.36% respectively. This demonstrated the ability of oil palm frond (leaf) to reduce contaminants in the soil and consequently remediate the crude oil contaminated soil to an extent.

A coral-pink gingiva reflects the normal health of blood vessels and the proper width of keratinized tissues, both of which are essential for dental and facial aesthetics. Gingival pigmentation is caused by melanin granules and manifesting as uneven brown, light brown, or deep purplish discoloration and may necessitate cosmetic therapy. Among the various treatment modalities, diode laser and bur ablation are commonly used for gingival depigmentation. Moreover, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which delivers a supra-physiological dose of growth factors, has emerged as a promising adjunct to accelerate wound healing in periodontal aesthetic procedures. This article presents two case reports of two female patients with gingival pigmentation, who were treated at King Abdullah Medical City Specialist Hospital using a split-mouth approach. In one patient, diode laser ablation was performed on the lower anterior gingiva and bur ablation on the upper anterior region; in the other, laser and bur ablation were applied in different quadrants. Immediately after ablation, injectable PRP was administered into the depigmented areas. Healing was evaluated using the Healing Index on days one, three, seven, 14, and 30, and pigmentation was assessed preoperatively and on day 30 with the Dummett-Gupta Oral Pigmentation Index. The results of the two case reports suggest that adjunctive PRP may enhance wound healing following gingival depigmentation, necessitating further clinical trials with standardized protocols and larger sample sizes.

Background: A collection of symptoms dominated by pain, loss of function, and bony collapse brought on by anoxemia and other arterial feeding deficiencies of the femoral head that last long enough to induce noticeable bone degradation, including necrosis are known as avascular necrosis. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of replacement bipolar hip arthroplasty for hip function restoration in advanced stages of AVN in low socioeconomic circumstances. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study was conducted in JIMCH, Bajitpur, Kishoreganj. Patients with Ficat-Arlet type III –IV, Idiopathic, both bilateral and unilateral avascular necrosis of femoral head patients were included in this study. Age <20 years and >35 years, infective conditions. Previous history of surgery to hip including arthroscopy, Progressive neuromuscular disorders, revision THR, dermatological conditions around hip were excluded in this study. They were followed up for a minimum period of 5 year and evaluated for surgical and functional outcome using X-rays and Harris hip score. The follow up schedule was at 1month, 6 months, 1-year and every yearly post-surgery. The pre and post-operative pain, deformity and functional outcomes were compared. Results: All of the patients were between the ages of 20 and 35. Young people frequently have femoral head AVN. There were 19 female patients and 31 male patients out of 50. The primary presenting symptom of necrosis, which affected all patients (100%), was pain. Excellent results were present only in 16% (8 patients) of the cases in 3 weeks. 64% percent (32 patients) excellent results after 36 weeks and 36(72.0%) after 52 weeks postoperatively. Conclusion: Bipolar hip arthroplasty for AVN hip has a low incidence of post-operative complications in long-term follow-up and high good and excellent functional outcome.

Background: Drug-induced hemolytic anemia (DIHA) is a significant yet underrecognized cause of anemia, resulting from immune-mediated or non-immune-mediated destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) triggered by certain medications. Despite its clinical importance, the prevalence and risk factors of DIHA remain poorly understood due to variability in reporting and diagnostic criteria. This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on the prevalence, risk factors, and mechanisms of DIHA to inform clinical practice and future research. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Science Direct following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published in the last 10 years focusing on DIHA in adult populations were included. Data on prevalence, risk factors, and mechanisms were extracted, and study quality was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of DIHA varied widely, ranging from 0% to 100%, depending on the drug and patient population. High-risk medications included antibiotics, antifungals, immunosuppressants, and chemotherapeutic agents such as carfilzomib and alectinib. Key risk factors included positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) results, G6PD deficiency, and erythrocyte membrane alterations. Immune-mediated mechanisms, such as drug-induced autoantibodies, were the most common, though non-immune mechanisms like oxidative stress also played a role. Conclusion: DIHA is a rare but potentially severe adverse drug reaction with significant variability in prevalence and risk factors. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for DIHA in patients receiving high-risk medications, particularly those with predisposing factors such as G6PD deficiency or autoimmune conditions. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms and improve diagnostic and preventive strategies.

Objectives: To the current evidence on incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes regarding acute kidney injury (AKI) among trauma patients being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A total of 432 pertinent publications were found after a comprehensive search across four databases. 38 full-text publications were examined after duplicates were eliminated using Rayyan QCRI and relevance was checked; seven studies finally satisfied the requirements for inclusion. Results: We included seven studies with a total of 31,222 participants and the majority 26,267 (84.1%) were males. AKI is a frequent complication in trauma patients, and its incidence depends on the kind of trauma and patient-related factors. Incidence is higher in abdominal and polytrauma patients, particularly in those who are obese or with subcutaneous adipose tissue. AKI in polytrauma is associated with longer ventilation, longer lengths of stay in the ICU, and higher mortality. Although less frequent compared to AKI in penetrating trauma, AKI is associated with longer hospitalization and higher fatality in young patients. Severe trauma has the highest incidence of AKI largely due to coagulopathy, hemodynamic instability, rhabdomyolysis, sepsis, and nephrotoxic drugs. Conclusion: AKI poses a significant challenge in ICU trauma management, leading to longer hospital stays, higher mortality, and complex clinical cases. Key risk factors such as trauma severity, obesity, and hemodynamic instability necessitate early diagnosis and targeted intervention. Effective AKI management involves optimizing fluid balance and minimizing nephrotoxic exposure. Future research should focus on developing standardized prevention protocols and assessing long-term renal outcomes in trauma patients.

Leukemia remains the most prevalent cancer in children, accounting for 25–30% of pediatric malignancies. Despite significant advancements in treatment leading to survival rates exceeding 90% for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 75% for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in developed countries, challenges persist, particularly in managing refractory and relapsed cases. This review highlights the critical role of genetic profiling in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric leukemia, emphasizing its potential to guide personalized therapeutic strategies. The integration of next-generation sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic heterogeneity of leukemia, enabling the identification of actionable mutations that inform risk stratification and targeted therapies. Furthermore, novel treatment modalities, including immunotherapy and targeted agents, are emerging as promising options for improving outcomes in high-risk patients. However, the need for less toxic treatment regimens remains urgent, as survivors often face long-term health challenges. This review underscores the importance of ongoing research to develop innovative therapies that minimize toxicity while maximizing efficacy, ultimately aiming to provide the right treatment for each patient at the right time.

The variability in cement brands significantly influences the compressive strength of concrete, highlighting the need for a cost comparison to evaluate the economic implications of strength variations used for different purposes of buildings and infrastructure, this study was undertaken with the objective to evaluate and compare the compressive strength of M20-grade concrete prepared using various brands of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) 43 grade commonly used in the central terai region of Nepal. Additionally, the study aimed to establish a correlation between the cost and strength variations among ten different cement brands available in the market, providing insights into their economic and structural performance. This research provides valuable insights into the impact of various cement brands on the compressive strength of M20 grade concrete used in construction. The evidence-based findings of this study will assist construction professionals and the general public in making informed decisions, ultimately enhancing construction quality and ensuring structural integrity within the region.

Corporate disclosures that focus solely on financial performance often fail to capture the broader impact and long-term viability of firms, prompting urgent questions about the value relevance of more holistic reporting frameworks. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to investigate whether triple bottom line reporting encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions significantly shapes market valuations among listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study adopts an ex post facto research design, drawing on secondary data from 45 purposively selected firms between 2012 and 2023. Employing both Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and a two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation, the analysis examines the interplay between share price (SHPR) as the dependent variable and key disclosure indices (ENDI, SODI, and ECDI) alongside financial controls (EAPS, BVPS, CFPS). The findings reveal that environmental and social reporting exhibit consistently strong and positive associations with share price, suggesting that transparent disclosures in these domains enhance investor confidence and potentially reduce uncertainty. Contrarily, economic disclosure shows a negative and significant coefficient under GMM, hinting that excessive focus on short-term economic metrics may be met with skepticism if not balanced by comprehensive sustainability information. This conclusion underscores the centrality of integrated reporting strategies that address environmental and social commitments alongside financial performance. The implications for corporate managers, policymakers, and investors are clear: prioritizing triple bottom line disclosures can augment firm value by signaling long-term resilience and ethical stewardship. The study recommends intensifying efforts to standardize and deepen disclosure practices across all three dimensions, thereby fostering comparability and trust in capital markets. Looking ahead, further research might explore industry-specific dynamics or incorporate governance mechanisms to unravel how best to optimize triple bottom line reporting for sustained value creation in emerging economies.

Perhaps in the recent past, no career has seen more challenges and frustrations like that of the recent anatomist in Nigeria. Students were not interested in pursuing a career in anatomy due to the very restricted career paths, a situation created by unfavorable government policies as enforced by the approved training curriculum. As players in this field of anatomy, with decades of experience, we advocate for improvement in anatomy career prospects. This position paper is backed up by the results of a recent exploratory survey on the experiences of recent anatomy graduates in the labor market. Results showed a redundant curriculum that had remained the same for 30 years. There are no professional options in health services spelt out for the anatomist in national curricula, ancient and modern, despite an obviously superior knowledge of the human body compared to any allied health discipline. Results also showed that the curriculum objectives were significantly far from graduate expectations. Our inference linked this to perharps failure of National Univescities Commission of Nigeria, to consult with students or young graduates during the review since the curriculum objectives of Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS 2022) was in no way different from the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS 2007). This consultation is the gold standard in curriculum review. It is painful to state that the CCMAS was dead on arrival as far as the career paths of the anatomist are concerned. This is a call for a true curriculum review.

The present study employs Trade Intensity index and Grubel Lloyd index to examine the India-BRCS group trade dynamics in processed food products from year 2010-2021. The research findings reveal a positive balance of trade for India except in the year 2014-2017. The study finds that lowest trade intensity of India is with Brazil. The results also indicate very less or no intra-industry trade in many processed food products like: fish products, meat products, dairy and poultry products, animal and vegetable oils, etc. The trade between India and China is found to be more homogenized than any other nation taken in the study.

This study examines the potential of FinTech money lending platforms, as viable alternatives for funding SMEs in Nigeria. The motivation for the study arises from the increasing role of FinTech platforms, when it comes to providing financial services to SMEs and the need to enhance their effectiveness and contributions. The study objectives focus on evaluating the accessibility of funds, user interface, transparency, risk management, regulatory compliance, and reputation of the FinTech lending platforms, in terms of their trustworthiness. Data was collected through focused group discussions with 20 SME owners who have used the lending platforms to access business funds, and content analysis was employed to collect relevant information from secondary data sources. Data collected was analyzed using a theme-based qualitative descriptive analysis approach. Amongst others, findings of the study highlight the importance of trustworthiness in determining SME’s perception of FinTech platforms, as practices like transparent disclosures and customer friendly policies were found to foster trust. Amongst others, this study recommends more collaboration between FinTech platforms and the government, as well as other traditional lending institutions, in order to enhance the effectiveness of their services and build trust amongst SME users.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but life-threatening obstetric emergency, often complicated by multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). We report a case of a 25-year-old primigravida woman at 34 weeks and 7 days of a twin pregnancy presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for three days. Diagnosis was established based on clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings. Prompt multidisciplinary management, including termination of pregnancy and intensive care support, resulted in a favorable maternal outcome. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and aggressive intervention in AFLP complicated by MODS.

Investigation of the inhibiting effects of Dioscorea rotundata, Zea mays and Manihot exculenta leaves extracts on the corrosion of mild steel in a selected media using weight loss method was carried out. The mild steel samples were pre-weighed, immersed in mixture of NaOH, NaCl and H2SO4 solutions with the extracts from the leaves and the control samples immersed in solution of the media with no extracts. The samples were allowed to stand for 672 hours and a set of samples from each environment withdrawn at intervals of 168 hours for corrosion characterization. The research findings indicate that the corrosion rate decreased as a result of the leaves extracts introduced into the media thereby confirming that the extracts functioned as effective and excellent inhibitors in the alkaline, salt and acidic media. Among the three plants extracts used, it was observed that Dioscorea rotundata (Yam) has the best inhibition efficiency in both alkaline, salt and acidic media, followed by Manihot exculenta (Cassava) and Zea mays (Maize) which also showed good inhibition efficiency. The results show the very good potentialities of the leaves extracts for application in the mitigation of corrosion in our various manufacturing industries.