Stress as it relatesto infertility has become a global issue attracting public health concern. The present study examined the morphological changes in ovarian histology in response to oxidative stress-induced in female rats following exposure to different stressors. 92 rats of 12-14weeks old weighing between 120-160g were used for the study. Three (3) different stress models were utilized for stress induction at the rate of 1, 3, and 5hours per day for 1, 2, and 3weeks respectively. At the end of stress induction durations, bodyweights were obtained and the rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation while the ovary weights were carefully isolated and their weights recorded. The harvested ovary was sectioned, mounted on slides, stained, and observed under the microscope for histopathological investigations. Findings from this study established that exposure to restraint mirror or intruder stressor significantly (p<0.05) altered the body and/or ovary weights of the rats irrespective of the rate of exposure when compared to the control group. Cellular degeneration, infiltration, and atretic follicular changes were observed in the ovarian histology of rats in response to stress-inducedchanges caused by exposure to restraint or intruder stressors, whereas, equivalent exposure of the rats to mirror stressor did not result in any observed degenerative changes in the histology of the ovary studied. Our study revealed that exposure to restraint or intruder stressor points towards the existence of stress contributes towardsorgan/body weight changes and cellular damage inthe ovarian tissuespossiblycausing pathogenesis in reproductive capacity of females.

Decline in normal physiological pulmonary function has been attributed to premorbid conditions such as prehypertension. Research evidence suggests that physical activity reduces age-related decline in pulmonary function and improves the efficiency of the lungs in prehypertensive patients. However, there is a scarcity of data evidence relating to isometric exercise and pulmonary function. Furthermore, the interrelationship between the intensity and duration of isometric exercise and pulmonary function in these patients is still uncertain. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of isometric handgrip exercise on pulmonary function capacity in adults with prehypertension. To determine the effectiveness of isometric handgrip exercise on pulmonary function capacity in adults with prehypertension. A quasi experiment using a pre- and post-exercise method was carried out in two out-patients hospital settings. The sample comprised 192 sedentary pre-hypertensive subjects, aged between 30–50 years, that were randomly distributed into three groups of 64 participants each. The subjects performed, for 24 consecutive days, an isometric handgrip exercise at 30% Maximum Voluntary Contraction (M.V.C.). At the end of the 24 days, group one (GP1) discontinued, while group two (GP2) continued the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days and group three (GP3) continued with the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days but at 50% M.V.C. Determinants of lung function (outcomes) were Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC Ratio and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR). The study shows that there was no statistically significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise outcomes for FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC Ratio and PEFR after 24 days for group 1. In group 2, there was a statistically significant difference in the FVC [(mean = 0.12 ± 0.12), (p = 0.002)], FEV1 [(mean = 0.15 ± 0.17), (p = 0.003)] and PEF [(mean = 0.85 ± 0.35), (p = 0.001)] after 48 days. In group 3, there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) in all the outcomes assessed after 48 days. There was a between groups difference in favour of group 2 compared with group 1 for outcomes of FEV1 [(mean = 0.142 ± 0.68), (p = 0.005)] and PEF [(mean = 0.83 ± 0.19), (p = 0.0031)]. There was statistically significant difference in favour of group 3 compared to group 2, by increasing the exercise intensity from 30% to 50% M.V.C., for outcomes of FVC [mean change = 0.10 ± 0.052), (p = 0.005)], FEV1/FVC [mean change = 3.18 ± 0.75), (p = 0.017)] and PEF [(mean change = 0.86 ± 0.35), (p = 0.001)] after 48 days. Isometric handgrip exercise (after 48 days at 30% to 50% M.V.C.) improves outcomes of pulmonary function capacity in adults with prehypertension. Meanwhile, duration and/or increase in intensity of the isometric effort significantly contributed to the affects attained.

Background & Objective: Hand washing practice is a well-recognized preventive measure against infectious organisms including COVID-19. There is a need to find out factors that may influence good hand washing practice. This study was done to investigate the socio-demographic predictors of good hand washing practice among the healthcare workers in the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. Method: This was an institutional-based, cross-sectional study carried out among 247 Health care workers using a systematic sampling design. A structured, standardized questionnaire was used to collect data.SPSS version 25 was applied for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05. Logistic Regression analysis was done to determine the socio-demographic predictor of good hand washing practice. Results. The majority of Health care workers had good knowledge (91.9%) and practice (98.9%) of hand washing. The respondent’s profession (chi-square value 4.71, p-value <0.03)) and Gender (chi-square 5.24, p-value < 0.22) were statistically associated with the practice of good hand washing. Gender is the only significant predictor of good hand washing practice on the Multivariate analysis level. Conclusion: Gender is a predictor of good hand washing practice among health care workers in Federal Medical Center Asaba. Efforts should be made to establish an Infection prevention committee in every Health care facility. This will ensure regular training of staff to eliminate Hospital-acquired infection to the barest minimum.

Background: There is currently an increased global interest amongst researchers on the safety and effects of physical exercise for pregnant women. Both national and international committees for its overall health benefits promote regular exercise. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recommends that pregnant women can exercise moderately for 30 mins on most days of the week. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women to antenatal exercises at Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Nigeria, 2022. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 pregnant women. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were obtained on demographic and maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women to antenatal exercises through a structured questionnaire. The data was subsequently analyzed using statistical package of social science version 20 (SPSS 20). Frequency and percentage were used to summarize the data and chi statistical test was used to test significant association at a p-value of <0.05. Results: A total of 200 pregnant women were recruited for this study. It was found that 53%, 44% and 10% had adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practice respectively of antenatal exercises. Prevention of back pain (93%), ability to cope with delivery (87%) and excess weight gain (90%) were perceived as benefits, while difficulty in breathing (55.7%), abdominal pain (52.6%), severe back pain (29.9%) and headache (52.6%) were considered as contraindications to antenatal exercises. Walking (74%), relaxation (30%), and breathing exercise (25%) were the most practiced antenatal exercises, while pelvic floor (8%) and abdominal strengthening exercises (9%) were poorly practiced. There was a significant association between age group, BMI, trimester, number of children, level of education and the participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practice towards antenatal exercises (P<0.05). There was a significant association between the level of knowledge and attitude (P<0.05) but an insignificant association with their practice level to antenatal exercises (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that pregnant women demonstrated a good knowledge and positive attitude but had poor practice level towards antenatal exercises. Regular exercise programs should be incorporated by physiotherapists and healthcare professionals into antenatal classes that is safe for both mother and neonate.

BACKGROUND Chronic low grade systemic inflammation has been identified as a major risk factor for chronic diseases. The potential for physical exercise to induce anti-inflammatory effect is now increasingly being explored but there is paucity of data regarding the effects isometric exercise on inflammatory cytokines. The objective of this study was to investigate the responses of selected inflammatory cytokines to isometric handgrip exercise and identify possible effects of intensity and duration of the isometric effort on these variables. CASE PRESENTATION: A total of one hundred and ninety two (N=192) sedentary pre-hypertensive subjects, aged between 30-50years were recruited into the study and randomly distributed into three groups of 64 subjects each. The subjects performed a 24 consecutive day’s isometric hand grip exercise at 30% Maximum Voluntary Contraction. At the end of the 24 days, the group one (GP1) discontinued with the exercise protocol while the group two (GP2) continued the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days and the group three (GP3) continued with the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days but at 50%MVC. The parameters used to assess for the inflammatory cytokine variables included interleukin 10, interleukin 6 and tumor necrotic factor. At the end of the study, there was an increase in the resting values of interleukin 10 across the three groups while the resting values of interleukin 6 and tumor necrotic factor reduced significantly across groups. CONCLUSIONS: The reductions noted in the pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokines could have a positive impact in the management of chronic diseases. It was also found that increase in intensity and/or duration produced more proportionate effect.