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Factors associated with health-related quality of life and financial toxicity among gynecological cancer patients in Southern Nigeria
Abstract The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and financial toxicity (FT) of women with gynecological cancers in sub-Saharan Africa have not been sufficiently explored. This study assessed predictors of HRQoL and FT, as well as the effect of FT on HRQoL, among affected women in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study investigated 574 women with gynecological cancers receiving care at various stages at five academic hospitals in southern Nigeria between June 2022 and September 2024. HRQoL and FT were evaluated using the FACT-G and FACIT-COST tools, respectively. Multivariable linear regression models estimated the associations of patient characteristics with HRQoL and FT and the effect of FT on HRQoL. Most women experienced FT. After multivariable adjustments, unemployed women, women with ovarian and uterine cancers and choriocarcinoma, higher disease stages, and worse ECOG status had worse HRQoL. Conversely, women in remission had better HRQoL. FT was worse with stages III and IV disease and in those on active treatment. However, older women, those with health insurance, higher income, ovarian cancer and choriocarcinoma had better FT. FT varied linearly with HRQoL, with better HRQoL per unit better FT. This effect was stronger in those with a first tumor, those in pre-treatment and those in remission. Our findings identify possible predictors of HRQoL and FT and suggest potential benefits of reducing FT on the HRQoL of women with gynecological cancers in Nigeria.
Effect of emotion on hawk-dove game for two players with different strength
Higher legs muscle mass reduces gross mechanical efficiency during moderate intensity cycling in young healthy men
A variant form of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB functions as an osteoprotegerin mimic in bone and cardiac development
Methodology and pilot implementation of modular educational-development platform for Interoperable Digital Twin
Assessment of groundwater quality and potential health risks related to heavy metals in a peri-urban area of a developing country
Mechanism of cytarabine-induced neurotoxicity
NSUN2-mediated RNA m5C modification drives multiple myeloma progression by enhancing the stability of HIP1 mRNA
Numerical simulation and optimization of FTO/TiO2/CZTS/CuO/Au solar cell using SCAPS-1D
Abstract Kesterite materials, especially copper zinc tin sulphide (CZTS), have emerged as very promising solar cell materials because of their sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly composition. CZTS, composed of abundant and nontoxic elements, stands as a leading candidate among materials for efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective photovoltaic technologies. The " FTO/TiO2/CZTS/CuO/Au " solar cell has been simulated using SCAPS-1D, where FTO is the front contact, TiO2 is the electron transport layer, CZTS is the absorber layer, CuO is the hole transport layer and Au is the back contact, this device presenting an investigation of the structure, material properties, and carrier dynamics of such a device under standard AM 1.5 G illumination at 300 K. By defining characteristics of the layers, such as thickness, band gap, doping concentrations, and mobility, the software gives insight into photovoltaic performance with main results concerning J-V curves, quantum efficiency, and energy band diagrams. The maximum simulated efficiency achieved is 33.56% by optimising different parameters such as thickness, carrier concentration, and band gap.
Quantum key-based medical privacy protection and sharing scheme on blockchain
Genomics reveals zoonotic and sustained human mpox spread in West Africa
Abstract Five years before the 2022 multi-country mpox outbreak, Nigeria and Cameroon reported their first cases in more than three decades1,2. Whereas the outbreak in Nigeria is recognized as an ongoing human epidemic, the drivers of the resurgence in Cameroon remain unclear3,4. The rate of zoonoses remains uncertain in both countries, and gaps in genomic data obscure the timing and zoonotic and geographic origin of monkeypox virus (MPXV) emergence in humans. Here, to address these uncertainties, we sequenced 118 MPXV genomes isolated from cases in Nigeria and Cameroon between 2018 and 2023. We show that in contrast to cases in Nigeria, cases in Cameroon are the result of repeated zoonoses, with two distinct zoonotic lineages circulating across the Nigeria–Cameroon border. Our findings suggest that shared animal populations in the cross-border forest ecosystems drive the emergence and spread of the virus. Accordingly, we identify the closest zoonotic outgroup to the Nigerian human epidemic lineage (hMPXV-1) in a southern Nigerian border state. We estimate that the shared ancestor of the zoonotic outgroup and hMPXV-1 circulated in animals in southern Nigeria in late 2013. We find that hMPXV-1 emerged in humans in August 2014 in the southern Rivers State and circulated undetected for three years. Rivers State was the main source of viral spread during the human epidemic. Our study sheds light on the recent establishment of MPXV in the human population and highlights the risk of persistent zoonotic emergence of MPXV in the complex border regions of Cameroon and Nigeria.
A highly chemo- and regioselective synthesis of heterocyclic [3.3.3]propellanes via sequential multicomponent reactions in water
Polarization dependent bound states in continuum in a tetramer metasurface discovered by random forest algorithm
Effect of Capsicum annuum on antioxidant activity, oocyte development and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in jewel cichlid (Hemichromis guttatus)
Abstract This study aimed to determine the effects of 3%, 7%, 11%, and 15% red pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) supplementation to diet on antioxidant, oocyte development and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila A210 of jewel cichlid ( Hemichromis guttatus ). Fifteen fish (3.43 g ± 0.03) were stocked to each aquarium and fed ad libitum for 90 days. At the end of the trial, the number of mature oocytes increased by adding 11% and 15% red pepper to the diets. ( P < 0.05). Fish fed diets containing 11% and 15% red pepper showed a significant rise in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity ( P < 0.05). In addition, fish fed diets containing 3% and 11% red pepper showed disease resistance against A. hydrophila in jewel cichlids. After challenge with A. hydrophila , cumulative mortality rates in fish fed with diets containing 3%, 7%, and 11% red pepper were significantly reduced compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). Therefore, using 11% red pepper is appropriate to provide resistance against A. hydrophila infections, increase fertility and antioxidant levels in jewel cichlids (Hemichromis guttatus ).
A 2-year follow-up analysis of individuals with internet use disorders treated with the webcam-based telemedicine OMPRIS intervention
Abstract Evidence-based online treatments for internet use disorders (IUD) are poorly studied. The online-based, therapist-guided, motivational intervention program for internet use disorder (OMPRIS) has shown significant effects on reducing IUD symptoms, while the symptoms remained high in the waiting control group. The current study presents a 2-year follow-up analysis of the IUD symptoms. Participants in the OMPRIS study were followed up 2 years after the intervention. The primary outcome was a reduction in IUD symptoms. Secondary outcomes were time spent on the internet, depression and anxiety symptoms, and general life satisfaction. Linear mixed models (LMMs) were performed to assess the outcomes over time across the intervention and three follow-up measurement, controlling for the covariates age and gender. A total of 116 out of 180 OMPRIS participants (64.4%) were reached for the follow-up survey after 2 years. The LMM showed no significant increase in IUD symptom severity across all three follow-up measurements relative to post treatment measurements. Age and gender had no significant influence in the model. Similar results were found for all secondary outcomes. According to this study, IUD can be effectively treated via webcam and is therefore suitable for patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo face-to-face psychotherapy.
HPV DNA screening and vaccination strategies in Tunisia
Abstract In Tunisia, cervical cancer ranks as the 14th most common cancer, largely driven by high-risk of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types, notably HPV 16 and 18. Current screening efforts are limited, with only 17% of all women aged 35-60 undergoing Pap-smear testing. The introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2025 through the national school vaccination program, targeting girls aged 11-12, is expected to reduce the burden of cervical cancer. However, alongside vaccination, enhanced screening strategies are essential for early detection and prevention of HPV-related cancers. Aim This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of different HPV screening strategies in Tunisia, specifically examining the combination of varying HPV screening frequencies and a vaccination program targeting girls aged 11-12. The objective is to determine the most cost-efficient screening strategy to complement vaccination efforts in reducing cervical cancer incidence. A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Tunisian healthcare system using the HPVsim model, a multi-agent-based simulation tool that captures HPV transmission dynamics and cervical cancer progression. Four approaches were compared: (1) maintaining the current Pap-smear screening strategy combined with vaccination; (2) introducing HPV DNA testing once between ages 35-40; (3) introducing HPV DNA testing twice between ages 35-45, with a 5-year interval; and (4) introducing HPV DNA testing every 5 years for women aged 35-60. All approaches were combined with the vaccination program. Screening coverage rates of 15%, 25%, 33%, 50%, and 70% were tested for each approach. Primary outcomes included the number of cancer cases averted, total intervention costs, and cost increase per cancer case averted. Academic literature and existing evidence were included on the demographic variables, cervical cancer incidence and mortality, treatment costs, vaccine delivery costs and other model parameters. All interventions resulted in substantial reductions in cervical cancer cases, with decreases ranging from 41% to 59% in cumulative cases between 2025 and 2090. The most intensive approach, involving HPV DNA testing every 5 years for women aged 35-60, achieved the largest reduction, with a 59% decrease in cumulative cervical cancer cases by 2090, although it also incurred the highest costs. The least costly option, which retained current Pap-smear testing alongside vaccination, reduced cervical cancer cases by 41%. Although the introduction of HPV DNA testing significantly increases costs, a high frequency of screening allows for quicker public health benefits. The scenario combining vaccination and maintaining current screening practices is found to be the most cost-effective for the Tunisian context. If the price of the HPV DNA test is reduced to $9 USD, the most frequent testing strategy would become the most cost-effective option, offering both high effectiveness and financial viability. Lowering the cost of HPV DNA testing could make more frequent screening financially sustainable, providing greater public health benefits. These findings offer valuable guidance for decision-makers in shaping future strategies for cervical cancer prevention in Tunisia.