Swimming propulsion can be improved using dry-land resistance training. Indeed, previous studies showed that the ability to produce maximal power and maximal force on dry-land is strongly related to sprint swimming performance. However, the relationship between dry-land force-velocity and in-water load-velocity profiles remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate these relationships in sprint swimmers. Ten male and seven female swimmers (mean±SD, age: 18±2.2years; body mass: 67.5±6.3kg; height: 178.7±7.9cm) completed dry-land force-velocity profiles on three resistance exercises (lat pulldown, bench press, and bench pull). Then, a swimming load-velocity profile was carried out using a semi-tethered protocol. Multiple linear regressions and Spearman correlations were performed to establish relationships between parameters measured in the two conditions (significance level: p<0.05). The main finding was that dry-land maximal strength was more strongly correlated to in-water parameters compared to dry-land maximal speed. More specifically, strong relationships were found between maximal force measured on the lat pulldown exercise and swimming parameters. Another finding suggests that dry-land maximal force, velocity, and power parameters had a stronger association with maximal swimming velocity than with maximal swimming load. Sex-dependent effect was observed regarding load-velocity parameters and some dry-land parameters such as dry-land maximal power. This study emphasizes the importance of targeted training abilities (such as dry-land maximal force) and exercises (such as the lat pulldown) in improving swimming performance factors.

Folate is an indispensable nutrient involved in key biological processes, including enzymatic reactions, DNA replication, metabolic regulation, and methylation. Studies indicate that folate promotes neuronal regeneration and repair in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI); however, its precise mechanisms remain unclear. We employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of folate for SCI treatment; we conducted a clinical retrospective study, selecting 50 SCI patients and 50 non-SCI control subjects from Tianjin Hospital between 2022 and 2025 to validate predictions by assessing serum folate levels. Network pharmacology identified 1402 folate-related targets and 548 SCI-related targets. Key targets included TNF-α, CASP3, EGF, IL1β, and AKT1. Molecular docking revealed the highest binding affinity between folate and CASP3/TNF-α (-8.5 kcal/mol). Clinical validation demonstrated statistically significant lower folate levels in SCI patients compared to normal levels in non-SCI controls. A strong inverse correlation was observed between folate levels and injury level (r = -0.58, p < 0.001). Folate exerts neuroprotective effects by synergistically regulating neuronal apoptosis, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress pathways. Clinical data reveal prevalent folate deficiency in SCI patients, and this nutritional deficit may exacerbate secondary injury cascades. We recommend incorporating folate supplementation into comprehensive SCI management protocols.

Introduction: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a technique used to regulate neural activity by applying a lowlevel electrical current to specific brain regions. It modulates neuronal excitability and activity without directly inducing action potentials. The effects of tDCS are dependent on the type of current used, with anodal stimulation generally increasing and cathodal stimulation decreasing the excitability of brain cells. Aim: To determine the efficacy of tDCS in improving the dualtask cognitive function. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical trial was conducted in the Maharishi Markandeswar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India, a tertiary health care centre, from August 2022 to April 2023. This study was conducted with 32 participants, dividing them into four groups, each receiving a different level of tDCS intensity (0.5 mA for Group A, 1.0 mA for Group B, 1.5 mA for Group C, and 2.0 mA for Group D). The stimulation was applied to the F3 region (active site) and F4 region (control site) of the frontal cortex, following the 10-20 Electroencephalography (EEG) system. Each session lasted 20 minutes and took place three times a week over a period of three weeks. Throughout the study, participants performed dual-task cognitive exercises, and their cognitive function was assessed both before and after the intervention using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Trail Making Test (TMT). Finally, data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 26.0 software. For datasets satisfying the assumptions of parametric testing, a paired t-test was utilised for within-group comparisons, while an One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used to evaluate group variations. Results: It was assessed whether the demographic data and outcome measures followed a normal distribution, using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The analysis showed no statistically significant between-group dfferences in cognitive performance among healthy participants groups exposed to varying intensities of t-DCS. Although slight fluctuations were observed in the mean MoCA and TMT-A and TMT-B scores across different groups, the p-values remained above the standard level of significance (p-value&gt;0.05). This suggests that the different intensities of t-DCS did not produce a statistically significant effect on cognitive function. Conclusion: The present study found no significant differences in cognitive performance across the various tDCS intensity levels, suggesting that the tested parameters may not have a substantial impact on cognitive function in healthy individuals.

Caribbean and South American team-based strategy to control hypertension (CATCH): Rationale and study design of a cluster randomized trial.

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a metabolic condition marked by hyperglycaemia and periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the tissues supporting the teeth, are linked by similar pathophysiological pathways. Chronic hyperglycaemia deteriorates glycaemic control by weakening the host immune response and raising the risk of periodontal disease. Conversely, periodontal inflammation aggravates systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Since Glutaminase 1 (GLS1) is associated with the inflammatory processes in both diseases, the present study investigates the expression levels of GLS1 in patients with diabetes and periodontitis to establish a potential pathophysiological link between the two diseases. Aim: To assess and compare subgingival GLS1 gene expression among healthy individuals, patients with periodontitis and patients with both periodontitis and type 2 DM. Materials and Methods: A ex-vivo study was conducted at Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Technical and Medical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from June 2024 to July 2024. A total of 30 participants aged over 18 years with Stage 2 grade B periodontitis and stable glycaemic control {Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)&lt;7} were categorised into three groups with n=10 each: healthy controls, patients with periodontitis and patients with both periodontitis and DM. Patients with other co-morbidities were excluded. Clinical parameters, including Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) and HbA1c levels, were assessed. Gingival tissue samples were collected and analysed for GLS1 expression using quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, glycaemic control and periodontal status, were also collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 27.0 (IBM Corp.) and GraphPad Prism 7.0 (GraphPad Software). One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc tests were utilised for intragroup and intergroup comparisons, with a significance level set at p&lt;0.05. Results: The periodontitis and diabetes group had a significantly lower mean age compared to healthy controls (p&lt;0.05), with no significant difference in gender distribution across groups (p&gt; 0.05). Clinical parameters (PPD, CAL, HbA1c) were significantly higher in the periodontitis and diabetic groups (p&lt;0.05). GLS1 expression was highest in the periodontitis group and significantly differed from both the healthy and diabetic groups (p&lt;0.001), while no difference was observed between the healthy and diabetic groups (p=0.9369). Conclusion: The GLS1 expression was elevated in periodontitis patients but reduced in those with both periodontitis and DM, suggesting its potential as a biomarker influenced by systemic diseases. GLS1 may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target, offering new avenues for integrated management of these chronic conditions. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms of GLS1 in the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and DM.

Airway management in patients with odontogenic infections presents a known challenge. The current study aims to identify factors associated with anesthesia ready time (ART) and first-attempt intubation failure (FAIF) in patients with odontogenic infections. In a retrospective cohort study, subjects 14 years and older between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019, requiring incision and drainage for odontogenic infections under general anesthesia were included. Predictor variables included age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), maximum incisal opening (MIO), Mallampati score, size and location of abscesses, airway deviation, intubation method, and route. The primary outcome variable, ART, was measured as the time elapsed between the patient entering the operating room and the anesthesiologist marking "Anesthesia Ready." A secondary outcome variable was FAIF. T tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), or nonparametric tests were used to compare ART values based on our predictor variables. Logistic regression was used to assess for FAIF. A significance level of P ≤ .05 was used. The sample was composed of 137 intubations in 129 subjects with a mean age of 38.6 (standard deviation [SD] 7.1) years, of which 59 (45.7%) were male. Mean ART was 19.2 (SD 10.4) [95% confidence interval [CI], 17.5-20.9] minutes. Abscess size was not associated with ART. Factors associated with increased ART were severe airway deviation (mean 23.0 [95% CI, 19.4-26.6] minutes, P = .02), involvement of the sublingual (mean 20.5 [95% CI, 18.1-22.8] minutes, P = .02), lateral pharyngeal (mean 21.7 [18.5-24.9] minutes, P = .02), and retropharyngeal (mean 24.7 [18.1-31.3] minutes, P = .02) spaces, total number of spaces involved (r = 0.18, P = .03), choice of flexible scope (FS) intubation (mean 26.8 [95% CI, 22.6-31.0] minutes, P < .01), and nasal route of intubation (mean 24.2 [95% CI, 21.3-27.2 minutes, P < .01)], the last 2 of which maintained significance after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. FS intubation method remained significantly associated with increased ART, regardless of whether oral or nasal route was used ( P < .01). FAIF was encountered 13.3% of the time. For patients with odontogenic infections, the strongest predictor of increased ART is the choice of FS technique. Other factors that may be associated with increased ART are severe airway deviation, number of spaces involved, involvement of the sublingual, lateral pharyngeal, or retropharyngeal spaces, although these other factors lose statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons.

Introduction: Several risk factors have been associated with Early Childhood Caries (ECC), including feeding practices, nocturnal feeding, delayed weaning from breast- or bottlefeeding, and parental awareness. The purpose of present study was to address a gap in the literature by examining the specific feeding practices of mothers in Jeddah and their relationship with dental caries, while also considering demographic and socioeconomic factors that may influence these practices. Aim: To assess the prevalence of breast- and bottle-feeding practices among Saudi mothers of healthy children aged 1 to 2 years in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to investigate the relationship between various feeding practices and children’s demographic characteristics, maternal socioeconomic status, and maternal knowledge of appropriate feeding practices. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from September 2023 to December 2023. The study included mothers of children aged 1 to 2 years who participated in three community awareness events held across different areas of Jeddah. A trained dentist interviewed the mothers using a validated Arabic questionnaire to assess potential confounding factors. Data were analysed using the Independent t-test for continuous variables and the chi-square test for categorical variables, with a significance level set at p&lt;0.05. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 30.91±7.97 years. Out of the 1,438 mothers who participated in the study, 345 (24.0%) practised exclusive breastfeeding, of whom 70 (20.2%) reported dental caries in their children. Exclusive bottle-feeding was reported by 251 (17.5%) mothers, with 54 (21.5%) reporting dental caries in their children, while mixed feeding was practised by 842 (58.6%) mothers, among whom 186 (22.1%) reported dental caries. Nocturnal breastfeeding and bottle-feeding were practised by 1,119 (77.8%) and 935 (65.0%) mothers, respectively. The mean maternal knowledge score regarding appropriate feeding practices was 2.65±1.29 out of five. Multinomial regression analysis demonstrated statistically significant associations between feeding practices and birth order, type of delivery, maternal education level, maternal occupation, and average monthly household income. Conclusion: The present study highlights a low rate of exclusive breastfeeding and insufficient knowledge of appropriate feeding practices among mothers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Feeding practices were significantly influenced by birth order, mode of delivery, and maternal socioeconomic status. No significant association was found between feeding methods and dental caries. Enhancing maternal education regarding appropriate feeding practices and promoting exclusive breastfeeding may be important strategies for improving child health outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy mediatied by 5-aminolevulinic acid for the treatment of cervical in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions combined with high-risk human papillomavirus in patients of childbearing age: A retrospective analysis.

Current studies on the health status of young German Warmblood stallions are lacking. To evaluate the prevalence of radiographic findings at licensing examinations of Warmblood candidate stallions and quantify the environmental influences on the distribution of recorded findings. In this retrospective observational study, records of 1693 radiographic examinations performed on 1678 German Warmblood stallions presented for licensing in 2018-2020 were reviewed. Data were provided by all German Warmblood horse-breeding associations and their official veterinarians. The collection and storage of the records were performed using the German equine health database. Only the most recent examination per horse was included in the analyses. The influences of season of birth, age at licensing, year of licensing, and the evaluator on main radiographic findings were determined using generalised linear models with a significance level of p < 0.05. Overall, 71.4 % of the candidate stallions had remarks in their radiographic examinations protocols. However, the majority of the respective stallions had only single (49.8 %) or two (34.4 %) radiological findings. Main regions of the recorded findings were the proximal phalanx including the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint (25.3 %), the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone (20.3 %), the navicular bone (17.2 %), and the tarsus (17.2 %). Specifically, osseous fragments in the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint, contour changes of the proximal phalanx and the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone, and changes of the navicular synovial invaginations were documented. No significant influence of the season of birth, age at licensing, or year of licensing were found for the majority of radiographic findings. However, the distributions of several radiographic findings differed significantly between evaluators. The majority of German Warmblood candidate stallions presented for licensing in 2018-2020 had radiographic findings recorded. The clinical relevance of several of these findings in clinically healthy horses remains uncertain. Follow-up evaluations based on the data collected in this study could contribute to better risk assessment and are, therefore, recommended.

Association of MTOR gene polymorphisms with asthma and poor response to treatment in a Latin American population.

This study aims to analyze the influence of Digital Customer Relationship Management (Digital CRM), implemented through the Alfagift application, on Alfamart customer loyalty, with customer satisfaction serving as a mediating variable. The research is motivated by the increasing competition in modern retail, which requires companies to integrate digital services into long-term customer relationship strategies. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through questionnaires from 100 Alfagift users in the Cikedung area who were selected based on specific criteria. Multiple regression analysis and the Sobel test were used to examine the hypotheses. The results show that Digital CRM through Alfagift (X) has a positive and significant influence—both directly (partial pathway) and simultaneously—on customer loyalty (Y). This finding is supported by a t-value of 5.066 with a significance level of 0.000. The study also confirms that customer satisfaction (Z) is a strong determinant of loyalty, indicated by a t-value of 2.996 and a significance level of 0.003. Most importantly, the mediation test (Sobel Test: Z = 2.224; p-value = 0.0261) demonstrates that customer satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between Digital CRM and customer loyalty. Overall, this research concludes that Alfamart customer loyalty is driven not only by the effectiveness of Digital CRM but also by the ability of the Alfagift application to create valuable experiences that lead to increased customer satisfaction. Practical implications highlight the need to optimize feature personalization and improve application interface quality to strengthen sustainable customer relationships.

The Penetration Depth and Bactericidal Efficacy of 2% Chlorhexidine Iontophoresis in Human Coronal Dentin In Vitro.

Oak borers in the genus Coraebus, including the bark- and the wood-boring beetles C. florentinus and C. undatus, are major pests of the cork oak tree Quercus suber, and when their population densities are high, effective forest protection measures become critical. The endophagous behaviour of Coraebus species and the limited understanding of their biology, hamper the development of timely and effective management strategies. The novel strain UNISS22 of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, isolated from the forest ecosystem, demonstrated strong insecticidal potential against the model coleopteran Tenebrio molitor and the two target Coraebus species, achieving up to 100% mortality in both larvae and adults, with efficacy shown to be concentration-dependent. Beauveria bassiana UNISS22 was found to exhibit endophytic behaviour in Quercus plants and to possess a distinctive ability to produce increased fungal biomass. Genomic analyses revealed a set of genes encoding proteins related to the insecticidal potential, including genes involved in adhesion to the host (adhesins and hydrophobins), in penetration and infection (chitinases, proteases and subtilases), and in the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites. Gene sequence analyses revealed a significant level of divergence in strain UNISS22, supporting the presence of distinct biological properties and functional potential compared with other B. bassiana strains. The biological properties and insecticidal potential of B. bassiana strain UNISS22 provide valuable insights for developing eco-friendly, integrated management strategies to protect forests from Coraebus beetle infestations. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Gamification on Word Recognition Skills of pupils with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Calabar Municipality. To achieve this purpose, two research questions and two research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study employed the quasi-experimental research design using pre-test-post-test non-randomized control group design. The population of the study comprised 104 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity primary one pupils in the 23 public schools in Calabar Municipality. A sample size of 47 ADHD pupils in three intact classes were used in the study. Three public primary schools in Calabar Municipality were randomly sampled using Cap and Draw method and all the ADHD pupils in the three schools participated in the study. Adapted Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnostic checklist, Pupils performance test on Word Recognition Activity Test (WRAT) and Instructional (treatment) package on Go-Fish Game were the instruments used for data collection. The instruments was subjected to face and content validation by three specialists and yielded a reliability Co-efficient of .86. Mean and standard deviation were used for answering research questions while Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The results of the analysis revealed significant difference in academic performance of ADHD pupils taught picture clues with the help of Go-Fish Game. The reading game was found to be more effective in improving ADHD pupils’ word recognition skills. There was no significant difference in word recognition skills given their cognitive ability levels. Some recommendations were made to include that teachers should embrace the 21st century skills by effectively using diverse instructional language games to stimulate the desire to learn among pupils with ADHD so as to conquer their academic deficiencies and challenges.

The study means to analyze the correlation between clinical and subjective oral health indicators and quality of life in pediatric patients with Complex Chronic Conditions (CCC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 63 pediatric patients with CCC. Data collection in a hospital setting involved oral clinical examinations using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, caries experience (DMFT/dmft), gingival bleeding, and Dental Aesthetic Index. Oral healthrelated quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured using the Parental-Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ), completed by caregivers. Correlations between indicators and quality of life scores were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (ρ), with a significance level of p &lt; 0.05. Results: Poor oral hygiene was observed in 34.9% of participants (mean OHI = 2.03) and a dmft index of 1.67. Gingival bleeding was present in more than 30% of sites in 47.6% of children, and severe or very severe malocclusion was observed in 47.6%. Overall oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) had a mean score of 26.38, with the functional limitation domain being the most affected. There were no correlations between objective clinical indicators and quality of life domains. However, the subjective perception of “difficulty biting or chewing” showed a strong and significant correlation with the functional limitation domain (ρ = 0.823; p &lt; 0.001) and with overall quality of life (ρ = 0.812; p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Functional perception (chewing difficulty) proved to be a more sensitive indicator of the impact on OHRQoL in chil-dren with chronic heart disease (CHD) than traditional clinical indices. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating subjective and functional assessments into oral health care strategies for this vulnerable population.

&lt;div&gt;&lt;table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td align="left" valign="top"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Early menarche, defined as the onset of menstruation before the age of twelve, has been linked to adverse physical and mental health outcomes and is a key predictor of rapid pubertal growth. Although data at the elementary school level in Indonesia remain limited, recent findings suggest a rising prevalence of early menarche in urban areas. This &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;study&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; provides local evidence from an urban school in Padang City, where early menarche appears to be increasing. This &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;research&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; examined associations between early menarche among elementary school girls in Public Elementary School (SDN) 03 Alai Timur, Padang City, and factors including nutritional status, maternal age at menarche, and exposure to mass media information technology. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Chi-square test and the Fisher Exact Test, with a significance level of p &amp;lt; 0.05. Results showed that three-quarters of the participants experienced early menarche. Overweight-obese nutritional status was significantly associated with higher rates of early menarche (95.2%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; p=0.011), as was high exposure to mass media information technology (88.9%&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; p=0.020). Although not statistically significant (p=0.071), girls whose mothers had experienced early menarche also showed higher rates (90.0%). Overall, early menarche was strongly associated with nutritional status and media exposure, while maternal age at menarche demonstrated a non-significant intergenerational effect. The findings highlight the need for schools to implement programs that educate young girls on proper nutrition, responsible media consumption, and reproductive health from an early age.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keywords: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Early Menarche, Elementary School Students, Nutritional Status, Maternal Menarche History, Mass Media Exposure.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;

Education quality improvement has become easier with technology integration, particularly in science education. The impact of ICT integration on learning of students, and the challenges of ICT usage while considering specifically the perceptions of teachers, the study analyzed impact of ICT at secondary level science classrooms of public schools in Panjgur District. A quantitative method with a descriptive survey design was utilized. A sample of fifty science teachers at secondary level was drawn to complete a structured questionnaire for collecting data on their perceptions of ICT integration, its impact on students’ learning, and its usage barriers. Using 3 as a neutral scale-value, the descriptive statistics and one-sample t-test were utilized. Positive perceptions of teachers concerning integration of ICT is encouraging. It was equally encouraging that teachers felt ICT has positive impact on students’ learning in terms of knowledge, engagement, and learning particularly in science. However substantial barriers: lack of resources, deficient training, intermittent &amp; poor Internet, mechanical problems, and lack of support from management, were reported by the teachers regarding ICT integration. For all three variables, mean scores were above the neutral for the public schools, also test results were significant at 0.1% significance level.

This correlational study examines the relationship between pre-service teachers’ affective dispositions towards genetics and their academic performance in genetics courses. The unit of analysis consists of 101 undergraduate pre-service science teachers enrolled in a public university. A descriptive correlational research design was employed to quantify the nature and strength of the association between variables. Data were collected through standardized assessments of genetic content knowledge and a 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire measuring perceptions and attitudes towards genetics. The reliability of the instruments was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha, with perception and attitude scales achieving coefficients of 0.87 and 0.85, respectively. Data analysis involved the use of Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the strength and direction of relationships, complemented by multiple Linear regression analysis to identify the predictive power of affective dispositions on academic outcomes. The results indicated that only 5% of students’ perception and attitude was able to predict their performance with a p-value of 0.087 depicting the model’s insignificance at 0.05 significance level, despite the positive attitude (mean [M] = 3.95) and perception (M = 4.09). This highlight’s the gap between students’ affective dispositions and their academic performance as what one might perceive may not entirely reflect within the shortest possible time. The study’s findings further suggest that tailored instructional strategies focusing on affective factors can enhance genetics comprehension and teaching efficacy among pre-service teachers.

Stigmatization and discrimination toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) continue to be significant hurdles to successful treatment and social integration, especially in Nigeria. These barriers have a negative impact on mental health, deter disclosure, and reduce access to healthcare. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, types, and causes of stigma and discrimination among PLWHA receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 400 PLWHA on ART was done at three randomly chosen treatment centers. Structured questionnaires and the Berger HIV Stigma Scale were used to collect information about individualized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and public attitudes. The statistical study used descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Overall, 37.7% of individuals reported stigma in hospital settings, 41.5% received negative attitudes from family or friends, and 48.7% felt ashamed or condemned because of their situation. Fear of revelation was widespread, with 65% refusing to declare their status. Stigma had a major impact on mental health (64.3%) and reduced ART access for 39.7% of responders. Younger age (20-39 years), poor income, HIV-positive partners, and disclosure of status were all significant predictors of stigmatization. Discrimination was highly related to occupation, gender, and socioeconomic status. Stigma and discrimination continue to be pervasive in Ikeja, limiting PLWHA access to healthcare and negatively impacting their psychological well-being. To establish a more inclusive and supportive environment, it is necessary to enhance anti-discrimination regulations, train healthcare providers, educate the public, and implement socioeconomic empowerment activities.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a severe brain injury that can lead to death and long-term disability. HIE can be treated with therapeutic hypothermia, and various adjuvant treatments (such as melatonin) are also utilized. Adjuvant therapies are not recommended outside clinical trials, and therapeutic hypothermia is not universally available. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Edaravone on improving levels of consciousness, hemodynamic stability, and short-term clinical outcomes of adult patients with severe HIE. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of Edaravone in adult patients with severe HIE. A double-blind clinical trial enrolled 72 severe HIE patients (aged > 18) within 24 h of onset who were diagnosed clinically and radiologically. Patients were randomized to Edaravone group (n = 20) and non-Edaravone group (n = 52). Measured parameters included level of consciousness, vital signs, Barthel index, and patient outcome (death or discharge). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, with a significance level of P < 0.05. In short-term assessment of the patient's level of consciousness, the Edaravone group showed significant improvement in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) post-intervention (p = 0.001). While the Edaravone group and non-Edaravone group showed no significant difference in outcome (p = 0.863) and Barthel score for discharged patients (P = 0.557). Vital signs showed significant differences between groups in temperature (P = 0.002). In the comparison of comorbidities between the Edaravone and non-Edaravone groups, only coronary artery bypass grafting was significantly different (P = 0.021). Edaravone improved the short-term level of consciousness in severe HIE adult patients, but there was no significant effect on outcome and level of independence in performing activities of daily living. Further investigation into Edaravone's effectiveness is warranted, particularly in patients with milder forms of HIE, as well as longer follow-up periods.