Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis (UgS) is a parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma haematobium and can lead to chronic ill-health. Nigeria is endemic for schistosomiasis, but epidemiology of UgS has not been studied in most states. This study was conceived with the aim to contribute towards an accurate national picture of UgS in Nigeria. The prevalence of UgS and the associated risk factors were for the first time investigated among primary school pupils in Jidawa and Zobiya communities of the Dutse Local Government Area (LGAs) of Jigawa State, Nigeria.Method: Focus group discussions with teachers and parents were conducted. After obtaining written consent from parents, questionnaires were administered to pupils to obtain socio-demographic data and information on water contact activities. Urine samples (279) were collected and processed by the urine filtration technique to evaluate haematuria and the presence of S. haematobium eggs.Results: Prevalences of 65.7% (90/137) and 69.0% (98/142) were recorded in the Jidawa and Zobiya communities, respectively. In both communities, there was a significant association between gender and UgS: 63.3% of the infected pupils were males as compared to 36.7% females (χ2 = 5.42, p = 0.020). Grade 5 students had a significantly higher prevalence (χ2 = 17.919, p = 0.001) (80.0%) compared to those in grades 2, 3, 4, and 6 (63.8%, 66.7%, 61.5%, and 64.6%, respectively). Water contact activities showed that pupils involved in fishing, irrigation, and swimming were at greater risk of becoming infected in Jidawa and Zobiya, with odds ratios (risk factors) of 5.4 (0.994–28.862) and 4.1 (1.709–9.862), respectively (p = 0.05).Conclusion: Both the Jidawa and Zobiya communities of the Dutse LGAs of Jigawa State are hyperendemic for UgS. In collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, mass administration of praziquantel was carried out in the Jidawa and Zobiya communities after this study.

Background and aim: Menstruation is a fundamental aspect of female reproductive health, encompassing a complex interplay of hormonal fluctuations and physiological changes. Second-to-Fourth Digit (2D:4D) ratio has been assumed to reflect the exposure to testosterone during the second trimester of gestation, because of the sex difference detectable in childhood, and because of postulated mechanisms regarding digit development. The study was aimed at investigating the relationship between the 2D:4D digit ratio and menstrual profile of females between the ages of 15 to 35 years from selected faculties in Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Methodology: Using Cross sectional correlational study and stratified random sampling technique, 380 participants aged between 15-35 years of age were recruited for the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, while digit lengths were measured using a digital Vernier caliper. Weight and height of participants were measured using a digital weighing scale and a wall stadiometer respectively. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. Results: The results obtained from the study revealed a weak negative correlation between R2D:4D ratios of both hands and the duration of monthly menstrual cycle, body mass index (BMI) and psychological changes during the menstrual period. Correlation was only significant between R2D:4D ratio and duration of monthly menstrual cycle (r=-0.113, p=0.029). Conclusion: Results obtained from the study suggests a subtle effect of exposure to testosterone during intrauterine life as indicated by its relationship with the menstrual cycle’s regularity. Further studies need to be carried out using larger and varied groups as well as identify the hormone and developmental interactions involved.

Functional mammary tumours were generated as serial transplants of dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in immunosuppressed Sprague Dawley rats (SD). These serial transplants were evaluated for their cellular behaviour and biomarkers. Breast cancer was induced by 10 mg/kg of 7, 12 dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in 10 female SD rats. Following tumour development, the primary tumour was passaged into apparently healthy rats for first and second serial transplants. Cellular behaviour and biomarkers of transplants included growth of tumour, haematological indices, expression pattern of Tn and TF antigens and TNF-alpha. An elevation of TNF-α, non-induction of Tn antigen with thrombocytopenia were observed in the serial transplants derived from a malignant tumour induced by 7, 12, DMBA in female Sprague Dawley rats. Furthermore, neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios were found to be significantly low in animals from the first serial transplant while being significantly high in animals of the second serial transplant group. Results indicate that DMBA-induced mammary tumours in Sprague Dawley rats undergo divergent cellular behaviour and antigenic expressions during serial transplantation.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a major public health concern linked to cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is a biomarker of prenatal sex hormone exposure that may influence adult metabolic health. Aim: This study examined the association between 2D:4D ratio, anthropometric variables and metabolic disease risks among adults in Hadejia, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study recruited 108 adults (53 males, 55 females) via simple random sampling from community gatherings in Hadejia. weight, height, waist, hip, waist-to-hip ratio were recorded. Right and left 2D:4D ratios, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were measured. A metabolic syndrome score (0-4) was derived using modified harmonized criteria. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, and pearson correlation (p < 0.05) Result: Metabolic syndrome prevalence was significantly higher in females (92.7%) than males (39.6%). Females (mean age 19.0 ± 0.83 years) showed a moderate but significant negative correlation between right 2D:4D ratio and metabolic score (r = –0.424, p = 0.001), systolic BP (r = –0.382, p = 0.004), and diastolic BP (r = –0.287, p = 0.034), indicating that a lower right 2D:4D ratio is associated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome. No significant correlations were observed in males. WHtR showed no significant association with metabolic variables. Conclusion: These findings support right 2D:4D as a potential sex-specific biomarker of early-life metabolic risk in young Nigerian women, However, the significant age disparity between sexes (females: 18-20 years; males: 18-50 years) and context-specific factors in this population limit broader interpretations and generalizability.

In this study, two compounds derived from the bioactive components of Sclerocarya birrea (S. birrea), a plant native to Nigeria, were examined for their biochemical composition, antibacterial effectiveness, and molecular structure. Pyrogallol (94.72 and 46.77%) and hydroxyquinol, which was exclusively identified in the hexane extract, were the main bioactive components extracted from the study plant S. birrea (52.71%). A polyphenolic chemical known as pyrogallol has been shown to have extensive antibacterial activity. The ethanol and hexane bark extracts from S. birrea demonstrated significant antibacterial potential against the entire panel of bacteria tested in this study, indicating that the plant's extracts have a wide range of activity compared to the bacteria of interest most frequently responsible for urinary tract infections. Due to the high phenolic concentration in the plant's bark extract, the antiradical results also showed that S. birrea had a very significant antioxidant capacity. It was found from the molecular docking that pyrogallol could inhibit 80% of the studied receptors.