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Background: Electrolyte abnormalities are common metabolic disturbances among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperglycemia, osmotic diuresis, altered insulin action, gastrointestinal losses, renal dysfunction and medications may contribute to disturbances in sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate concentrations. Despite their potential clinical significance, routine assessment of serum electrolytes may receive inadequate attention, particularly in resource-limited settings. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of serum electrolyte imbalance among patients with T2DM in North-Eastern Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Chemical Pathology Department of a tertiary hospital in North-Eastern Nigeria between January and June 2025. One hundred (100) confirmed T2DM patients and fifty (50) apparently healthy non-diabetic controls were recruited. Serum sodium, potassium and chloride were measured using ion-selective electrode methods, while bicarbonate was measured by an enzymatic method. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0 and presented as mean ± standard deviation and percentages. Results: The mean age of participants was 54.2 ± 10.1 years. Among T2DM patients, 58% were male and 42% were female. The mean duration of diabetes was 6.8 ± 4.2 years. At least one electrolyte abnormality was present in 68% of T2DM patients. Hyponatremia was the commonest abnormality (22%), followed by hypokalaemia (18%), hypochloraemia (15%), hyperkalaemia (8%) and hypernatremia (5%). Mean serum Na+, K+, Cl− and HCO3− were lower in T2DM patients than controls: 132.5 ± 4.2 vs 138.4 ± 2.8 mmol/L; 3.6 ± 0.5 vs 4.2 ± 0.4 mmol/L; 99.2 ± 3.8 vs 104.5 ± 2.9 mmol/L; and 22.1 ± 2.1 vs 24.8 ± 1.8 mmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: Electrolyte imbalance was common among T2DM patients in this study, with hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia being the predominant abnormalities. Routine electrolyte monitoring should be considered as pa

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Background: In classical Unani medicine, the brain (Dimāgh) is designated as the chief governing organ (hegemonikon) responsible for sensation, voluntary motion, cognition, memory, and emotional expression. Over centuries, Greco-Arabic physicians developed a rich neuroanatomical tradition (Tashrīḥ-i-Dimāgh) that established foundational concepts regarding cerebral organization, ventricular fluid dynamics, and neural localization. Objectives: This study aims to trace the historical evolution of neuroanatomical knowledge across classical Unani literature—from early Greek foundations to medieval Islamic Golden Age innovations—and evaluate these classical findings in light of modern neuroanatomy. Methods: A qualitative historical compilation and thematic analysis was conducted using authoritative classical treatises, including works by Alcmaeon, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Herophilus, Erasistratus, Galen, RabbanṬabarī (Firdaws al-Ḥikmat), Abū Bakr al-Rāzī (Kitāb al-Manṣūrī and Kitāb al-Ḥāwī), Ali Ibn Abbas Majūsī (Kāmil al-Ṣanā‘a), AbūSahlMasīḥī (Kitāb al-Mi’a), Ibn Sīnā (Al-Qānūnfī al-ṭibb), Ismā‘īlJurjānī (DhakhīraKhwarizmShāhī), Ibn Rushd (Kitāb al-Kulliyyāt), and Ibn al-Quff (Kitāb al-‘Umda). Classical Arabic and Persian neuroanatomical terms (Iṣṭilāḥāt) were systematically cataloged and mapped to modern English and Latin equivalents. Results: The historical synthesis reveals significant neuroanatomical milestones: (1) Alcmaeon first recognized the brain as the site of sensation and consciousness; Hippocrates identified cerebral duality into two symmetrical hemispheres; Aristotle differentiated between cerebrum and cerebellum. (2) Herophilus described the fourth ventricle, calamusscriptorius, torcularherophili (Mashīrah), and arachnoid membrane. Erasistratus confirmed the cerebral origin of nerves. Galen mapped the four interconnected ventricles, choroid plexus, corpus callosum, fornix, infundibulum, and pineal gland. (3) Ṭabarī introduced a functional three-lobed model

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Background: Head injury means trauma to the head with or without injury to the brain. Its incidence is on the rise in Nigeria owing to the rapid increase in vehicular traffic, interpersonal violence, political unrest, and rise in incidences due to urbanization. Young adults who form the bulk of the work force in any society are the most commonly affected group. Aim and Objectives: To determine the computed tomographic (CT) findings in head injured patients, and to establish the relationship between CT finding and GCS score as the degree of head injury. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was carried out on 231 adult patients with head injury who had cranial CT scan performed following trauma at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria from August 2014 to August 2015. A GE BrightSpeed 4slice spiral CT scanner was used to acquire images. Clinical information included demographic data and GCS. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20. Results: Majority (90%) of head injuries were seen among victims of RTAs, followed by assaulted patients (6.9%). Majority of head injury victims were in age group of 21-30 year. Most (85.3%) of study population were males. Majority (49.3%) of the study population sustained severe head injury (GCS<8), moderate (34.2%) and mild (16.5%). Predominant CT findings included intracranial hemorrhage (34.9%) followed by cerebral edema (28.6%) and midline shift (13.1%). Midline shift of 5mm or more stronglycorrelated with severe head injury (p=0.001). There was a positive correlation between GCS severity and CT findings. Conclusion: RTA constitutes the major predisposing factor for head injury in our environment. Both GCS and CT parameters are complimentary in assessment of head injury victims. MLS of 5 mm or more are good predictors of severe head injury.

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Background: Infertility is a major reproductive health challenge that affects millions of couples worldwide and is associated with profound psychological, emotional, marital, and social consequences. In Nigeria, women experiencing infertility are particularly vulnerable to stigma, discrimination, and psychosocial distress because of prevailing sociocultural expectations regarding childbearing. Objective: This study explored the perceptions, psychosocial burdens, and coping strategies of infertility among women of reproductive age attending selected fertility clinics in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative component involved 194 women receiving infertility care in three selected fertility clinics using a structured questionnaire, while the qualitative component consisted of in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants until data saturation was achieved. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 20, whereas qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings from both components were integrated during interpretation to provide comprehensive insights into women's experiences. Results: Overall, 84.3% of respondents demonstrated positive perceptions of infertility. A high level of psychosocial burden was reported by 73.3% of participants, with anxiety, sadness, fear of childlessness, guilt, social isolation, and marital strain emerging as the most common experiences. Respondents employed various adaptive coping strategies, particularly emotional self-control, social support, positive reappraisal, assisted reproductive planning, and religious coping. Social support and spirituality emerged as important sources of resilience. A statistically significant association was found between respondents' perceptions of infertility and their level of psychosocial burden (χ² = 24.728, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings complemented

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Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remain significant public health challenges globally, with cultural and social stigma, and discrimination continuing to affect the quality of life of people living with the condition. While health workers play a direct role in HIV care, non-health workers within hospital environments also interact with patients and can influence their experience and wellbeing. This study assesses the awareness, perception and attitude of non-health workers towards patients with HIV/AIDS in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, using the a self-structured APAHQ questionnaire. A simple random sampling technique was used to derive data from 121 non-health workers at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean, frequency and percentages. Results: The findings of the study revealed a generally high level of awareness about HIV/AIDS at 94.3%. The mean perception of 3.2 ± 0.6 indicates a moderate perception of the respondents about patients with HIV/AIDS. The study showed a significant negative attitude of respondents towards patients with HIV/AIDS at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with mean value 0.3 ± 0.7. Conclusions: This study emphasized the need for continuous workplace education and sensitization campaigns among non-health workers to clear myths and misconceptions of HIV/AIDS in order to end stigmatization of patients with HIV/AIDS. Based on the findings, the study recommended that public enlightenment, strengthening HIV literacy and empathy among non-health workers will foster a more supportive and inclusive hospital environments for patients living with HIV/AIDS.

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Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated risk behaviours among undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 undergraduate students of the University of Benin. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequencies, proportions, and mean scores. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of sexually transmitted infections. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Results: Approximately 18.2% of respondents tested positive for at least one STI. Staphylococcus infection (35.7%) was the most frequently reported infection, followed by gonorrhoea (30.0%), syphilis (20.0%), and chlamydia (14.3%). Factors significantly associated with increased likelihood of STI occurrence included being single (AOR=1.46, p=0.027), younger age (AOR=1.73, p=0.015), previous STI diagnosis (AOR=2.06, p=0.001), poor knowledge of STIs (AOR=1.73, p=0.008), inconsistent or incorrect condom use (AOR=2.01, p=0.002), social norms discouraging sexual health discussions (AOR=1.65, p=0.017), peer pressure influencing risky sexual behaviour (AOR=1.49, p=0.023), and limited access to health services (AOR=1.82, p=0.005). Conclusion: STIs remain prevalent among undergraduate students in this study, with Staphylococcus infection, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia being commonly reported. Strengthening sexual health education, improving access to reproductive health services, and promoting safer sexual practices among undergraduates are recommended.

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The relationship between educational attainment and self-rated health among middle-aged and older adults in the United States was studied to determine whether depressive symptoms mediate the pathway. Cross-sectional data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 9,900) were analyzed using hierarchical multiple linear regression. Control variables include age, gender, and race. Bivariate correlations showed that higher educational attainment was associated with improved self-rated health (r = .336, p < .001) and fewer depressive symptoms (r = -.143, p < .001). Conducted multivariate analyses denoted a significant direct effect of education on self-rated health (B = 0.122, p < .001). The inclusion of the mediator significantly reduced the predictive power of depressive symptoms for reduced self-rated health (B = -0.421, p < .001), while the direct effect of education decreased to (B = 0.111), an indication of partial mediation. Continued gender- and race-based health disparities were observed in the fully adjusted model (R2 = .173, F(4, 9895) = 517.04, p < .001). These findings suggest that late-life mental health functions as a vital structural mechanism connecting socioeconomic factors to physical health perceptions, proposing that public health policies should integrate geriatric mental health interventions into their care system.