Can the aerosol pollution extreme events be revealed by global reanalysis products?

Extreme aerosol pollution poses significant risks to the climate, environment, and human health. To investigate the formation and impacts of aerosol pollution extreme events (APEE), the reanalysis product presents meticulous spatiotemporal information on the three-dimensional distribution of aerosols. However, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation and information regarding the data quality of reanalysis products employed in APEE research, as well as limited understanding of their spatial and temporal distribution, variation, and long-term trends. To address this scientific gap, we conducted a global study for distribution and variation patterns of APEE using two widely-used reanalysis products, MERRA-2 (Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research-2) and CAMS (Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service). The APEE was defined here as a day when the daily aerosol optical depth (AOD) exceeding its 90th percentile for a given station and month. Eleven distinct land regions worldwide were selected for evaluation by comparing both reanalysis products with MODIS satellite products and ground-based observations in terms of frequency, intensity, and temporal trends of APEE. The analysis indicates that MERRA-2 and CAMS exhibit high matching rates (70 % and 80 %, respectively) in terms of occurrence timeline for APEE at monthly and seasonal scales, while also exhibiting strong monthly correlation coefficients (>0.65) with ground-based observations over selected regions. The total AOD (-0.002 âˆ¼ -0.123 decade-1), APEE AOD (-0.004 âˆ¼ -0.293 decade-1), and APEE frequency (-0.264 âˆ¼ -1.769 day month-1 decade-1) of both observations and reanalysis products in most regions showed a decreasing trend with various magnitude, except for some regions such as South Asia where the trend is increasing. Based on the aforementioned evaluation, it is evident that reanalysis products are effective and useful in identifying the temporal trends associated with APEE.

Assessment of health-related quality of life of vesicovaginal fistula patients attending a repair center in Northwest Nigeria.

Introduction: Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) has devastating effects on a woman's hygiene, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and environment disrupting all elements of her health. Despite VVF being a persistent condition, very few researches have been conducted in Nigeria to determine the quality of life (QoL) of these patients. This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the QoL of VVF patients receiving care in a repair center in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was cross-sectional study conducted at a VVF repair center in Sokoto. Study population comprised of patients who had undergone VVF repair at the health facility. The total number of study participants present at the facility was 81, and all were recruited into the study. The study assessed socio-demographics and QoL of the respondents. Data obtained were entered into IBM software package and subsequently analyzed. Level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The environmental domain had the highest mean score of 51.7 ± 11.8 while psychological domain had the least score of 41.3 ± 14.3. The mean overall QoL and general health were 49.5 ± 10.2. There was a moderate positive correlation between physical domain score and Age, (r = 0.258, P < 0.005). There was also a positive correlation between psychological domain score and Husband's educational status (rpb = 0.241, P < 0.05). Social relationship domain score positively correlated with being married (rpb = 0.414, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Older study participants had higher mean scores for physical and psychological domains, while younger study participants had higher overall QoL and general health scores compared with older study participants. Future research should compare the pre and postoperative QoL of women who undergo repair of obstetric fistula.

RésuméIntroduction: La stula vésico-vaginale (VVF) a des effets dévastateurs sur l'hygiène, l'estime de soi, les relations interpersonnelles et l'environnement d'une femme, perturbant tous les éléments de sa santé. Bien que la FVV soit une maladie persistante, très peu de recherches ont été menées au Nigéria pour déterminer la qualité de vie (QoL) de ces patients. Cette étude a été réalisée dans le but d'évaluer la qualité de vie des patients VVF recevant des soins dans un centre de réparation à Sokoto, au nord-ouest du Nigeria. Matériaux et méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale menée dans un centre de réparation VVF à Sokoto. Population de l'étude composée de patients ayant subi une réparation VVF dans l'établissement de santé. Le nombre total de participants à l'étude présents dans l'établissement était de 81, et tous ont été recrutés dans l'étude. L'étude a évalué les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et la qualité de vie des répondants. Les données obtenues ont été saisies dans le progiciel IBM et ensuite analysées. Le niveau de signification a été fixé à 5%. Résultats: Le domaine environnemental avait le score moyen le plus élevé de 51,7 ± 11,8 tandis que le domaine psychologique avait le score le moins élevé de 41,3 ± 14,3. La qualité de vie globale moyenne et l'état de santé général étaient de 49,5 ± 10,2. Il y avait une corrélation positive modérée entre le score du domaine physique et l'âge (r = 0,258, p <0,005). Il y avait également une corrélation positive entre le score du domaine psychologique et le niveau de scolarité du mari (rpb = 0,241, p <0,05). Le score du domaine des relations sociales est positivement corrélé au mariage (rpb = 0,414, p <0,01). Conclusion: Les participants plus âgés à l'étude avaient des scores moyens plus élevés pour les domaines physique et psychologique, tandis que les participants plus jeunes à l'étude avaient des scores globaux de qualité de vie et de santé générale plus élevés que les participants plus âgés. Les recherches futures devraient comparer la qualité de vie pré et postopératoire des femmes qui subissent une réparation de la fistule obstétricale.

Determinants of occupational health hazards among roadside automobile mechanics in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Roadside automobile mechanics are in the course of their work exposed to several hazards that put them at risk of severe debilitating health challenges. This group of workers, however, is reported not to know much about such hazards and to have little or no training on workplace safety. Aim: The study aimed to identify the determinants of occupational health hazards among roadside automobile mechanics in Sokoto Metropolis. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, and using a two-stage sampling technique, a total of 205 roadside mechanics were recruited for the study. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used, and the data were imputed into and analyzed using IBM SPSS. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31.10 ± 10.19 years, and over one-third of them (38.1%) were general vehicle repairers. Majority of the respondents had good knowledge of and attitude toward workplace hazards. However, a good proportion (91.0%) of the mechanics felt that their occupation was a risky one and 80.1% ate and 86.1% drank while working. Type of training and job description were the predictors of knowledge of workplace hazards. Job description was the only predictor of attitude. Burns, bruises, headache/dizziness, and cuts were the most reported work-related illnesses and injuries. Conclusion: Although most of the auto-mechanics were aware and had good knowledge of workplace hazards, they did not adhere to safety practices in the workplace, mostly due to nonavailability of protective apparels. There is, therefore, need for continuous health education under the platform of the auto-mechanics association so that they can voluntarily adopt safety practices in their workplace

Educational intervention on knowledge of cervical cancer and uptake of Pap smear test among market women in Niger State, Nigeria.

Cervical cancer is the most common female genital tract carcinoma worldwide. It is increasingly becoming the leading carcinoma seen among women in the developing world. The aim of our study was to showcase the effect of educational intervention on the knowledge of cervical cancer and subsequently the uptake of Pap smear test amongst market women in Niger state, Nigeria. The state has a rich network of markets in all the local government areas because of the fishing activities, bountiful agricultural produce yearly and its situation to the North of the national capital, Abuja. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in two groups with pre and post intervention data collection. Sample size was determined based on a previous similar study done in Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used for recruiting the study participants. SPSS statistical software was used for data entry, editing and analysis. Respondents' knowledge of cervical cancer were comparable at pre-intervention but were statistically significantly better (P<0.0001) at post-intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group for every variable measured. However, there was only a (Fisher's exact, P=0.621) compared to the control group. This study showed an increase in knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear test however the uptake of Pap smear test remained low even after intervention. This underscores the need for sustained intervention programs to eventually translate knowledge acquired to habitual practice.

Educational intervention on knowledge of cervical cancer and uptake of pap smear test among market women in Niger State, Nigeria

Cervical cancer is the most common female genital tract carcinoma worldwide. It is increasingly becoming the leading carcinoma seen among women in the developing world. The aim of our study was to showcase the effect of educational intervention on the knowledge of cervical cancer and subsequently the uptake of Pap smear test amongst market women in Niger state, Nigeria. The state has a rich network of markets in all the local government areas because of the fishing activities, bountiful agricultural produce yearly and its situation to the North of the national capital, Abuja. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in two groups with pre and post intervention data collection. Sample size was determined based on a previous similar study done in Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used for recruiting the study participants. SPSS statistical software was used for data entry, editing and analysis. Respondents' knowledge of cervical cancer were comparable at pre-intervention but were statistically significantly better (P<0.0001) at post-intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group for every variable measured. However, there was only a (Fisher's exact, P=0.621) compared to the control group. This study showed an increase in knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear test however the uptake of Pap smear test remained low even after intervention. This underscores the need for sustained intervention programs to eventually translate knowledge acquired to habitual practice

Gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive transitional and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder: effect on survival and bladder preservation.

BACKGROUND: Despite aggressive local therapy, patients with locally advanced bladder cancer have a significant risk of distant metastases. This study evaluated the role of neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC) in improving the outcome of this group of patients over radical cystectomy alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 114 patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer (T3-4, N0-2, M0) were randomized to radical cystectomy alone or initial 3 cycles of GC, then managed according to response. Patients who achieved complete response completed 6 cycles of GC followed by local radiation therapy (RT) only. If tumors were downstaged to T1, complete transurethral resection was done, followed by 3 cycles of GC and then RT. Patients with partial response underwent radical cystectomy followed by 3 cycles of GC. Patients with stable disease or disease progression underwent radical cystectomy. RESULTS: The overall response rate to GC was 55.1%, and complete response was achieved in 28.6%. The 3-year overall survival (OS) was 51.9% versus 51.2% in the chemotherapy and surgery arms, respectively (P = .399). The 3-year disease-free survival was 31.8% in the chemotherapy arm and 45.1% in the surgery arm (P = .06). Bladder preservation was achieved in 22.5% of patients in the neoadjuvant arm. OS was 78% in responding patients and 100% in patients with complete response. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant GC did not improve survival in locally advanced bladder cancer over radical cystectomy alone. However, bladder preservation was feasible, and OS in responding patients was impressive. Therefore, predictive models to select patients are needed. This is the largest prospective study of squamous cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma using neoadjuvant GC.

[The tolerance of diabetic patients for physical loading before and after enterosorption treatment]. / Tolerantnost' bol'nykh sakharnym diabetom k fizicheskoi nagruzke do i posle lecheniia énterosorbtsiei.

Use of enterosorption in 58 patients with diabetes mellitus of different severity grades allowed to establish that a course of treatment with SKN sorbents resulted in an increase of the tolerance to physical load, improvement of myocardial hemodynamics after veloergometric loads. This was evidenced by an increased volume of work performed on the veloergometer, reduction of the index of energy expenditures of the heart coefficient of expenditures of the myocardial reserves. The used enterosorbents produced a hypotensive effect. Enterosorption furthers increase of tolerance to physical load in a relatively short time period--10 days. During this time traditional treatment including sugar-reducing agents, angio- and hematoprotectors did not result in essential changes of hemodynamic indices.