Incidence of malaria and anaemia are of public health importance especially in pregnant women in endemic regions, due to the negative health consequences to the mother and fetus. This study aimed to assess the pattern of falciparum malaria infection and anaemia, based on malaria prevention methods practiced by participants.

A semi-structured tool was used to capture information on demographic, socio-economic and malaria prevention practices from 113 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in 2 peri-urban health facilities in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. Malaria microscopy was conducted and haematocrit was measured. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the data collated from the survey.

The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women was 87.2%. The mean (± sd) packed cell volume (PCV) (%) of the 22 (19.5%) infected subjects (26.8 ± 6.6), was significantly lower (t = -2.60, P value = 0.007) than that of the 91 (80.5%) uninfected subjects (30.8 ± 6.0). The prevalence of infection was highest in theticide-treated bed nets (LLIN), IPT and the dangers of herbal teas in pregnancy.

Interventions that will reduce malaria and moderate to severe anaemia, especially in a first pregnancy, should include education on the correct use of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLIN), IPT and the dangers of herbal teas in pregnancy.Human vagina is colonised by a diverse array of microorganisms that make up the normal microbiota and mycobiota. Lactobacillus is the most frequently isolated microorganism from the healthy human vagina, this includes Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus iners, and Lactobacillus jensenii. These vaginal lactobacilli have been touted to prevent invasion of pathogens by keeping their population in check. However, the disruption of vaginal ecosystem contributes to the overgrowth of pathogens which causes complicated vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Predisposing factors such as menses, pregnancy, sexual practice, uncontrolled usage of antibiotics, and vaginal douching can alter the microbial community. Therefore, the composition of vaginal microbiota serves an important role in determining vagina health. Owing to their Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) status, lactobacilli have been widely utilised as one of the alternatives besides conventional antimicrobial treatment against vaginal pathogens for the prevention of chronic vaginitis and the restoration of vaginal ecosystem. In addition, the effectiveness of Lactobacillus as prophylaxis has also been well-founded in long-term administration. This review aimed to highlight the beneficial effects of lactobacilli derivatives (i.e. Selleckchem Sirtinol surface-active molecules) with anti-biofilm, antioxidant, pathogen-inhibition, and immunomodulation activities in developing remedies for vaginal infections. We also discuss the current challenges in the implementation of the use of lactobacilli derivatives in promotion of human health. In the current review, we intend to provide insights for the development of lactobacilli derivatives as a complementary or alternative medicine to conventional probiotic therapy in vaginal health.

The absence of ability and certainty to design and undertake pharmacy practice-based research (PPBR) was a major issue among pharmacists worldwide as reported in previous literature, despite them having an interest in conducting PPBR. Therefore, this study aimed at highlighting the research background of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pharmacists which are the six Arab states of the Arabian Gulf, and examining barriers to conducting PPBR. In addition, to determine the self-perceived level of competence and confidence when planning and conducting PPBR.

This is a descriptive, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, performed among pharmacists working in the GCC countries (i.e. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar). A pre-validated questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample, via distribution of 500 research participation cards to conference attendees. These cards a quick response (QR) code, which should be scanned via mobile phone, to direct all readers to the overall ability to conduct PPBR. In addition, they had more interest in conducting PPBR (MWU = 3061.500, z = - 4.126, p = 0.000) and in learning about how to do so (MWU = 8698, z = - 1.898, p = 0.050).

Pharmacists practicing in the GCC geographic area realized the importance of planning and conducting PPBR and were more confident and competent to undertake and contribute to PPBR, except for skills related to statistical analysis. Therefore, training programmes especially for biostatistics and data analysis are mandatory to enhance pharmacists’ research capabilities.

Pharmacists practicing in the GCC geographic area realized the importance of planning and conducting PPBR and were more confident and competent to undertake and contribute to PPBR, except for skills related to statistical analysis. Therefore, training programmes especially for biostatistics and data analysis are mandatory to enhance pharmacists’ research capabilities.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common peripheral nerve compression disorder. However, there is no established opinion regarding the predictors of symptom improvement after surgery. This study aimed to identify the predictors of surgical outcomes of severe carpal tunnel syndrome patients.

In the patients who underwent a carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, we selected the patients who had a preoperative Bland’s classification of grade 5 or 6, and assessed for the changes in Bland’s classification grade before and after surgery. Those who showed improvement from preoperative grades 5-6 to postoperative grades 1-4 comprised the improvement group. In contrast, those who did not show improvement and had postoperative grades 5 or 6 comprised the non-improvement group. In a nerve conduction study, amplitudes of the compound muscle action potential and sensory nerve action potential of the palms were assessed between the improvement and non-improvement groups.

Among the 60 hands of 46 patients who had a preoperative Bland’s classification of grade 5 or 6, 49 hands of 37 patients comprised the improvement group, and 11 hands of 9 patients comprised the non-improvement group.