Students of the health sciences are the future frontliners to fight pandemics. The students’ participation in COVID-19 response varies across countries and are mostly for educational purposes. Understanding the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability is necessary for a successful vaccination program. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health sciences students in Northwest Nigeria. The study was an online self-administered cross-sectional study involving a survey among students of health sciences in some selected universities in Northwest Nigeria. The survey collected pertinent data from the students, including socio-demographic characteristics, risk perception for COVID-19, and willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. A total of 440 responses with a median (interquartile range) age of 23 (4.0) years were included in the study. The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was 40.0%. Factors that independently predict acceptance of the vaccine were age of 25 years and above (adjusted odds ratio, aOR, 2.72; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.44–5.16; p = 0.002), instructions from heads of institutions (aOR, 11.71; 95% CI, 5.91–23.20; p<0.001), trust in the government (aOR, 20.52; 95% CI, 8.18–51.51; p<0.001) and willingness to pay for the vaccine (aOR, 7.92; 95% CI, 2.63–23.85; p<0.001). The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among students of health sciences was low. Older age, mandate by heads of the institution, trust in the government and readiness to pay for the vaccine were associated with acceptance of the vaccine. Therefore, stakeholders should prioritize strategies that would maximize the vaccination uptake.

The role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has evolved from protein synthesis, processing, and other secretory pathways to forming a foundation for lipid biosynthesis and other metabolic functions. Maintaining ER homeostasis is essential for normal cellular function and survival. An imbalance in the ER implied stressful conditions such as metabolic distress, which activates a protective process called unfolded protein response (UPR). This response is activated through some canonical branches of ER stress, i.e., the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Therefore, chronic hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased proinflammatory cytokines, and free fatty acids (FFAs) found in diabesity (a pathophysiological link between obesity and diabetes) could lead to ER stress. However, limited data exist regarding ER stress and its association with diabesity, particularly the implicated proteins and molecular mechanisms. Thus, this review highlights the role of ER stress in relation to some proteins involved in diabesity pathogenesis and provides insight into possible pathways that could serve as novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

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Background The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in China and later spread rapidly to other parts of the world, including Africa. Africa was projected to be devastated by COVID-19. There is currently limited data regarding regional predictors of mortality among patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the independent risk factors associated with mortality among patients with COVID-19 in Africa. Methods A total of 1028 confirmed cases of COVID-19 from Africa with definite survival outcomes were identified retrospectively from an open-access individual-level worldwide COVID-19 database. The live version of the dataset is available at https:// github.com/beoutbreakprepared/nCoV2019. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the risk factors that independently predict mortality among patients with COVID-19 in Africa. Results Of the 1028 cases included in study, 432 (42.0%) were females with a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 50 (24) years. Older age (adjusted odds ratio {aOR} 1.06; [95% confidence intervals {95% CI}, 1.04-1.08]), presence of chronic disease (aOR 9.63; [95% CI, 3.84-24.15]), travel history (aOR 2.44; [95% CI, 1.26-4.72]), as well as locations of Central Africa (aOR 0.14; [95% CI, 0.03-0.72]) and West Africa (aOR 0.12; [95% CI, 0.04-0.32]) were identified as the independent risk factors significantly associated with increased mortality among the patients with COVID-19. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving gradually in Africa. Among patients with COVID-19 in Africa, older age, presence of chronic disease, travel history, and the locations of Central Africa and West Africa were associated with increased mortality. A regional response should prioritize strategies that will protect these populations. Also, conducting a further in-depth study could provide more insights into additional factors predictive of mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Background The plant Cochlospermum tinctorium A. Rich is a sub-shrub that belongs to the family Cochlospermaceae. The plant has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria, rickets, stomachache, diarrhea, gastric ulcer, parasitic infestations, liver diseases, fever, pain, inflammation, infectious diseases, epilepsy, snake bite, burns, orchitis, labour, menstrual problems, and many other diseases. This review summarizes the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Cochlospermum tinctorium. Main text To date, few bioactive molecules have been identified and isolated from the plant such as 7,3-dimethyldihydroquercelin, 5,4-dimethylquercelin, cochloxanthine, dihydrocochloxanthine, arjunolic acid, 3-O-E-p-coumaroylalphitolic acid, alphitolic acid, 1-hydroxytetradecan-3-one, 3-bisabolen, 2-tridecanone, 3-hexadecanone, 1-dodecanol, l-tetradecanol, 2-pentdecanone, 3-octadecanone, 1-hydroxy-3-hexadecanone, 1-nonadecanol, l-O-acetyl-3-hexadecanone, and l-hydroxy-3-oetadecanone. The literature related some of the reported ethnomedicinal uses of the plant to these compounds found in the different parts of the plant. Conclusion The comprehensive information documented in this review about the importance of the C. tinctorium may provide an opportunity for research advancement in drug discovery and a better understanding of the medicinal benefits of the plant.

Background The plant Hymenocardia acida (Euphorbiaceae) is utilized as herbal preparation against diarrhoea, dysentery and other diseases. We aimed to determine the antidiarrhoeal potentials of Hymenocardia acida (MEHA) stem bark in vivo and in vitro. Preliminary phytochemical contents, as well as the acute toxicity effect of the extract, were investigated based on standard experimental methods. The antidiarrhoeal properties of the MEHA at 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg were studied against diarrhoea induced by castor oil, intestinal fluid accumulation, as well as intestinal movement tests using distilled water (10 ml/kg) and loperamide/atropine sulphate as the control groups. Besides, the in vitro effects of the extract (8 × 10−2–640 × 10−2 mg/ml) on the rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig ileum were evaluated. Results Phytochemical screening showed alkaloids, glycoside, saponins, tannins, triterpenes, flavonoids and steroids in the MEHA. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the MEHA after oral administration was approximately greater than 2000 mg/kg. The MEHA declined the diarrhoea onset and remarkably decreased the number of watery stools in the group that received 300 and 600 mg/kg. It also elicited a remarkable and non-dose-dependent reduction in the intestinal fluid volume. At 1000 mg/kg, the MEHA significantly inhibited the charcoal movement. In addition, the MEHA (8 × 10−2–640 × 10−2 mg/ml) elicited a remarkable decrease in the contractility of the rabbit jejunum over time and relaxed the guinea pig ileum. Besides, it showed concentration-dependent attenuation of the acetylcholine and histamine-induced contraction. Conclusion The extract under investigation revealed promising antidiarrhoeal properties that justified its traditional claim for use against diarrhoea.

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