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The receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is a product of the proto-oncogene c-fms and a member of the class III transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor family. Earlier, we described increased mRNA expression of CSF1R in human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) immortalized human ovarian surface epithelial (IOSE) cell lines derived from a single donor. Here, we further describe that CSF1R is upregulated at both the mRNA and protein level in hTERT immortalized human normal OSE cells from two different donors and in hTERT immortalized human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. CSF1R was not upregulated in hTERT immortalized epithelial clones that subsequently underwent senescence or in immortalized fibroblasts. Upon stimulation by the CSF1R ligand CSF1, the immortalized epithelial cell lines showed rapid internalization of CSF1R with concomitant down-modulation and colocalization of phosphorylated NFκBp65 with hTERT protein, hTERT translocation into the nucleus and the binding of c-Myc to the hTERT promoter region. Reducing the expression of CSF1R using short hairpin interfering RNA abolished these effects and also decreased cell survival and the number of population doublings under suboptimal culture conditions. The telomerase inhibitor GRN163L confirmed a role for telomerase in the cleavage of the intracellular domain of CSF1R. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that CSF1R may be a critical factor facilitating hTERT immortalization of epithelial cells.

This paper is devoted to the reproduction of the gravitational baryogenesis epoch in the context of f(R, T) theory of gravity, where R and T are respectively the curvature scalar and the trace of the energy-momentum tensor, respectively. It is assumed a minimal coupling between matter and gravity. In particular we consider the following two models, \\[f(R,T) = R +\\alpha T + \\beta T^2\\] and \\[f(R,T) = R+ \\mu R^2 + \\lambda T\\], with the assumption that the universe is filled by dark energy and perfect fluid where the baryon to entropy ratio during a radiation domination era is non-zero. We constrain the models with the cosmological gravitational baryogenesis scenario, highlighting the appropriate values of model’s parameters compatible with the observation data of the baryon-entropy ratio.

In this work, we study the existence of strange stars in the background of f(T,T) gravity in the Einstein spacetime geometry, where T is the torsion tensor and T is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. The equations of motion are derived for anisotropic pressure within the spherically symmetric strange star. We explore the physical features like energy conditions, mass-radius relations, modified Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (TOV) equations, principal of causality, adiabatic index, redshift and stability analysis of our model. These features are realistic and appealing to further investigation of properties of compact objects in f(T,T) gravity as well as their observational signatures.

Coagulation abnormality is a significant complication and cause of mortality in children with uncorrected congenital heart defects (CHD). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities and the associated factors in children with uncorrected CHD. A cross sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence of coagulation abnormalities among 70 children with uncorrected CHD aged six months to 17 years and 70 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls. Coagulation abnormalities was determined using complete blood count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and D-dimer assay. The prevalence of coagulation abnormalities among children with CHD and controls was 37.1% and 7.1% respectively. Children with Cyanotic CHD had a significantly higher prevalence of coagulation abnormalities compared to children with Acyanotic CHD (57.1% versus 17.1%). Haematocrit and oxygen saturation levels were significantly associated with coagulation abnormalities. This study affirms that coagulation abnormalities are frequent in children with uncorrected CHD. Oxygen saturation and haematocrit are risk factors of coagulation abnormalities. Routine coagulation screen is recommended especially in children with cyanotic congenital heart defects to improve their quality of life and reduce morbidity and mortality while awaiting definitive surgeries.

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis (SCH) are among the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), affecting 1.5 billion globally, with a significant burden in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. These diseases impair health and contribute to socio-economic challenges, especially in children, undermining educational and future economic prospects. The 2030 NTD Roadmap highlights Mass Drug Administration (MDA) as a critical strategy for controlling these NTDs, targeting vulnerable populations like school-age children. Despite some successes, challenges persist, indicating the need for deeper insights into program implementation. This study focuses on the perspectives of health workers implementing MDA in selected local government areas (LGAs) of Ogun State, Nigeria, aiming to identify challenges and enablers that align with the broader NTD 2030 goals. The study used a qualitative research approach involving focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with health workers engaged in neglected tropical disease control programs in Ogun State, Nigeria, between July and September 2022. A semi-structured questionnaire guided the exploration of ideas, and the data were analyzed using the QRS Nvivo 12 software package. The study found that the school-based MDA control program's efficacy largely relies on strong collaborations and partnerships, particularly with educators, community heads, and other stakeholders. These alliances and strategic communication methods, like town announcements and media campaigns, have been pivotal in reaching communities. However, the program does grapple with hurdles such as parental misconceptions, limited funds, insufficient staffing, and misalignment with the Ministry of Education. It is recommended to boost funding, foster early stakeholder involvement, enhance mobilization techniques, and consider introducing a monitoring card system similar to immunization. The MDA Integrated Control Programs for STH and SCH in Ogun State schools demonstrate a holistic approach, integrating knowledge, collaboration, communication, and feedback. Health workers have shown commitment and adeptness in their roles. However, achieving maximum efficacy requires addressing critical barriers, such as parental misconceptions and funding challenges. Adopting the recommended strategies, including proactive communication, increased remuneration, and introducing a tracking system, can significantly enhance the program's reach and impact. The involvement of all stakeholders, from health workers to community leaders and parents, is essential for the program's sustainability and success.

Effective, quality reproductive, maternal, and child health services including family planning, and female education and empowerment are likely to accelerate demographic transition and yield a demographic dividend. Nigeria's lower life expectancy is partially due to having more deaths in children of 5 years and younger than any other country in the world, including more populous India and China and countries experiencing widespread long-term conflict, such as Somalia. Interventions are needed to improve child nutrition, reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution, address unmet family planning needs, and improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Nigeria needs better manufacturing capacity for essential health products, medicines and vaccines, the provision of diagnostics, surveillance and preventive public health measures in health facilities and community settings, as well as other preventive and curative measures.

Although general relativistic cosmological solutions, even in the presence of pressure, can be mimicked by using neo-Newtonian hydrodynamics, it is not clear whether there exists the same Newtonian correspondence for spherical static configurations. General relativity solutions for stars are known as the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (TOV) equations. On the other hand, the Newtonian description does not take into account the total pressure effects and therefore cannot be used in strong field regimes. We discuss how to incorporate pressure in the stellar equilibrium equations within the neo-Newtonian framework. We compare the Newtonian, neo-Newtonian, and the full relativistic theory by solving the equilibrium equations for both three approaches and calculating the mass–radius diagrams for some simple neutron stars’ equations of state.

To leverage the genetic diversity in Nigeria, we established the Non-Communicable Diseases Genetic Heritage Study (NCD-GHS) consortium to help produce a comprehensive catalog of human genetic variation in Nigeria and assess the burden and etiological characteristics of non-communicable diseases in 100,000 adults in Nigeria.

Background The burden of malaria persists in sub-Saharan Africa and the emergence of artemisinin resistance has introduced complexity to control efforts. Monitoring the efficacy of artemisinin-based treatment for malaria is crucial to address this challenge. This study assessed treatment efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in a Nigerian population. Methods Participants presenting with clinical symptoms of uncomplicated malaria at a health centre in Lagos, Nigeria, were screened for P. falciparum . Enrolled participants were treated with AL and monitored through scheduled check-up visits, clinical and laboratory examinations for 28 days. Parasite clearance and genetic diversity were assessed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of merozoite surface proteins ( msp1 and msp2 ). The prevalence of drug resistance mutations was assessed by P. falciparum multidrug resistance gene 1 ( mdr1 ) genotyping followed by P. falciparum ubiquitin-specific protease 1 ( ubp 1) gene sequencing. Results The PCR-uncorrected treatment outcome revealed 94.4% adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) and 5.6% late parasitological failure (LPF) rates. After PCR correction, no suspected LPF case was detected and ACPR 67/67 (100%) was achieved in all the individuals. Moreover, a high prevalence of wild-type alleles for mdr1 N86Y (93.7%), and mdr1 D1246Y (87.5%) was observed. Genetic diversity analysis revealed predominant K1 allelic family for msp1 (90.2%) and FC27 for msp2 (64.4%). Estimated multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 1.7, with the highest MOI observed in the 5–15 years age group. ubp1 sequence analysis identified one nonsynonymous E1528D polymorphism at a low frequency (1.6%). Conclusion The study demonstrated sustained efficacy of AL for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Genetic diversity analysis revealed various allelic types, suggesting occurrences of polyclonal infections. Nonetheless, the detection of a significant ubp1 polymorphism could have future implications for the epidemiology of anti-malarial drug resistance in the population.

Background25% of the world’s population does not have access to safely managed drinking water. Point-of-use chlorination is a safe, inexpensive, and effective strategy to improve water quality and child health. We aimed to understand safe water treatment practices and the feasibility and acceptability of point-of-use chlorination in Nigeria.MethodsBetween November 2022 and January 2023, six focus group discussions were conducted with pregnant women and mothers of children aged <5 years. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with women, health facility workers, shopkeepers or pharmacy attendants, and water point owners. Data were collected and analysed using the socio-ecological model of health framework. Four themes were identified.ResultsTheme 1: water culture – there was little knowledge about the need to treat drinking water since it was considered safe and high-quality, and there was low knowledge about point-of-use chlorination. Theme 2: improving the quality of life – there were reports of child diarrhoea and lost pregnancies. Yet, most respondents did not link maternal and child health to drinking water. Theme 3: getting support – stakeholders were interested in point-of-use chlorination and agreed to link the programme to health workers already providing care for pregnant women and children. Theme 4: advocating for safe water – educating communities on the importance of safe drinking water and integrating services within communities is key.ConclusionsSafe drinking water and interventions such as point-of-use chlorination improve the quality of life. Yet, given the perception that existing water is safe and the lack of knowledge about the value of chlorination, awareness is the priority for change. This study demonstrated the potential for point-of-use chlorination if well-integrated and supported by different stakeholder groups.