Role of academia in enhancing technology and innovation for a post COVID-19 recovery and growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the greatest challenges of this century with wide ranging impacts not only on health but practically every sector of the human society. The pandemic stretched our resources and coping capacities to almost breaking points even in wealthy economies and further exposed crucial weaknesses in infrastructure, human resources and emergency preparedness of most nations. This review article explored the role of technology and innovation in post COVID-19 growth and recovery. The academia has facilitated better understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing the body of knowledge on the disease. Better understanding of the disease informed technology and innovations which has made it possible to end the pandemic lockdown, and chart the course for recovery and growth. Relevant articles from a search of electronic databases were reviewed and the role of academia as well as some of the innovations that opened the pathway for recovery were highlighted. Recovery and growth after the COVID-19 pandemic will require synergistic efforts between the academia and the industry, more like taking the "Gown" to "Town". Research and development in academia, and industrial technology and innovation are veritable tools for a post COVID-19 recovery.

A snapshot of the prevalence of dihydropteroate synthase-431V mutation and other sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance markers in Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a major public health issue with substantial risks among vulnerable populations. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends SP-IPTp in the second and third trimesters. However, the efficacy of SP-IPTp is threatened by the emergence of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistant malaria parasites due to single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthetase genes. This study aimed to assess the current prevalence of Pfdhfr/Pfdhps mutations in P. falciparum isolates collected from individuals residing in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and also present maps of the prevalence of Pfdhps 431V and 581G within Nigeria and surrounding countries. METHODS: Between October 2020 and April 2021, samples were collected as dried blood spots among 188 participants who showed malaria positivity with a histidine-rich-protein-based rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Nested PCR assays were used to confirm falciparum in the samples with RDT positivity, and to amplify fragments of the Pfdhfr/Pfdhps genes followed by targeted amplicon sequencing. Published data since 2007 on the prevalence of the Pfdhps genotypes in Nigeria and the neighbouring countries were used to produce maps to show the distribution of the mutant genotypes. RESULTS: Only 74 and 61 samples were successfully amplified for the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes, respectively. At codons resulting in N51I, C59R, and S108N, Pfdhfr carried mutant alleles of 97.3% (72/74), 97.3% (72/74) and 98.6% (73/74), respectively. The Pfdhps gene carried mutations at codons resulting in amino acid changes at 431-436-437-540-581-613; I431V [45.9%, (28/61)], A581G [31.1% (19/61)] and A613S [49.2% (30/61)]. Constructed haplotypes were mainly the triple Pfdhfr mutant 51I-59R-108N (95.9%), and the most common haplotypes observed for the Pfdhps gene were the ISGKAA (32.8%), ISGKGS (8.2%), VAGKAA (14.8%), VAGKAS (9.8%) and VAGKGS (14.8%). In the context of the previously published data, a high prevalence of 431V/581G mutations was found in the study population. It seems quite evident that the Pfdhps 431V, 581G and 613S often co-occur as Pfdhps-VAGKGS haplotype. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the prevalence of VAGKGS haplotype seems to be increasing in prevalence. If this is similar in effect to the emergence of 581G in East Africa, the efficacy of SP-IPTp in the presence of these novel Pfdhps mutants should be re-assessed.

COVID-19 and obstetric practice: A critical review of the Nigerian situation.

OBJECTIVE: To review what is known about COVID-19 and highlight gaps in the context of Nigerian obstetric practice. Research data on COVID-19 are understandably sparse in Africa. Nigeria, like most African countries, is battling a disease she is poorly equipped to fight. METHODS: The current available literature on COVID-19 was reviewed in relation to obstetric practice in the Nigerian context, gaps were identified, and recommendations were made to improve the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigerian obstetric practice. RESULTS: In and out of hospital, both the obstetrician and the obstetric patient are constantly being put at risk of exposure to the coronavirus because testing and preventive measures are either ineffective or non-existent. CONCLUSION: The pandemic has exposed the gross inadequacies in Nigeria's healthcare system and is therefore a wake-up call to the need for a complete overhaul of infrastructure and services. The government will do well to increase the budget allocation for health from the current paltry 4.14% to the recommended 15% of the total budget. The Nigerian obstetrician stands a high risk of exposure due to inadequate preventive measures, and testing and diagnostic challenges.

Restless legs syndrome: a rarity in the Nigerian pregnant population?

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of RLS in pregnancy is higher when compared with the general population however it remains unknown among indigenous black Africans. Available data indicate that RLS is uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa. We embarked on this study to determine the prevalence and characteristics of RLS in an antenatal clinic sample of Nigerian pregnant women compared with a primary care sample of non-pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 310 pregnant women and non-pregnant women filled out a questionnaire which incorporated the 2014 minimal criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Demographic and clinical data, including sleep duration and samples for blood hemoglobin concentration and urinalysis were obtained. RESULTS: The mean ages of the pregnant and non-pregnant women were 24.9 ± 5.6 years and 23.6 + 5.4 years, respectively (p = 0.003). There was no case of RLS found among pregnant women while five (1.6%) of the non-pregnant women fulfilled the criteria for RLS. Overall, the prevalence report of RLS symptoms was associated with lower mean habitual nocturnal sleep duration (p < 0.05) coffee (p = 0.013) and kola nut (0.023) consumption, report of leg cramps (p < 0.001) and proteinuria (p = 0.047), Report of leg cramps and proteinuria were independently associated with RLS. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of restless legs syndrome is low among women of child-bearing age in the Nigerian population and may be lower in pregnancy. Report of leg cramps and proteinuria are independently associated with RLS.

The effect of post-cesarean rectal misoprostol on intestinal motility.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether rectally administered misoprostol can induce intestinal motility compared with oxytocin infusion when used to prevent primary postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery. METHODS: In a prospective randomized double-blind study in Nigeria, 218 parturients undergoing cesarean delivery who had risk factors for primary postpartum hemorrhage were enrolled between July 1, 2010, and March 31, 2011. Participants received 600 µg of rectal misoprostol or 20 intravenous units of oxytocin for 4 hours after surgery. The primary outcome was time until passage of flatus. Adverse effects, need for additional analgesic, and length of hospital stay were also assessed. RESULTS: The misoprostol group had a significantly shorter mean postoperative interval to passage of flatus (20.27 ± 7.77 hours versus 38.34 ± 10.98 hours; P<0.001) and commencement of regular diet (21.08 ± 7.69 hours versus 39.13 ± 10.94 hours; P<0.001). Gastrointestinal adverse effects were more frequent, albeit not significantly, in the misoprostol group: nausea, 6.4% versus 1.8%; vomiting, 7.3% versus 2.8%; and abdominal distension, 3.7% versus 2.8%. The need for additional analgesic was the same in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: After cesarean delivery, rectal misoprostol had the added benefit of inducing intestinal motility. Misoprostol might be considered in a clinical setting where postoperative ileus is anticipated.