Background: This study investigates hairline patterns among the Etche people in Rivers State, Nigeria, with a focus on the distribution and variation in hairline shapes, lengths, and widths. Materials and Methods: Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from 227 participants through anthropometric measurements using a digital vernier caliper and measuring tape, assessing patterns by gender, age, and marital status. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that the most common hairline type was straight-lined (34.4%), followed by bell-shaped (30.8%) and widow’s peak (30%). The least common hairline patterns were low and high hairlines, each observed in only 0.4% of participants. The average hairline length and width were 61.98 mm and 293.89 mm, respectively, with males displaying longer and wider hairlines compared to females. Singles also showed greater hairline dimensions compared to married individuals. Conclusion: No significant variation was found in hairline characteristics by religious affiliation. These findings contribute valuable anthropometric data on the Etche population and highlight the role of genetic and environmental factors in shaping craniofacial features. The study fills a gap in anthropometric literature and provides a foundation for further genetic, medical, and cultural studies on Nigerian ethnic groups.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and dyslipidemia are both common in individuals with type 2 diabetes and may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. This study aims to assess the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and lipid profile parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels and lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL, HDL) in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2014 to June 2015, including 200 participants (130 with type 2 diabetes, 70 healthy controls). After informed consent, demographic data and blood samples were collected for fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, HbA1C, and postprandial glucose analysis. Biochemical tests were performed using standard methods, and data were analyzed with SPSS v21, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Type 2 diabetics had significantly lower vitamin D levels and higher BMI compared to non-diabetics. Hypovitaminosis-D was more common in diabetics (44.6% vs. 22.9%, p = 0.002). Diabetics also had higher total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides (all p < 0.001). In diabetics, vitamin D levels were inversely correlated with cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, and positively correlated with HDL. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients, showing strong negative correlations with LDL and triglycerides and a positive correlation with HDL.

Background: Dengue fever is a significant global health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, including Bangladesh. Hematocrit levels play a crucial role in monitoring plasma leakage and disease severity in Dengue patients. This study aims to observe the hematocrit levels and other hematological parameters among Dengue fever patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College Hospital from March 2022 to August 2022. A total of 80 confirmed Dengue patients were included in the study. Daily hematocrit levels, hemoglobin levels, and white blood cell counts were recorded over a 10-day monitoring period. Data analysis included descriptive statistics to assess trends and variations in these hematological parameters. Result: The majority of participants (27.5%) belonged to the 18-27 years age group, with a nearly equal gender distribution (52.5% males, 47.5% females). Dengue fever with and without warning signs accounted for 93.75% of cases, while severe Dengue was observed in only 6-25% of cases. Fever was present in all patients, with headache (65%) and myalgia (47.5%) being the most common associated symptoms. The mean hematocrit level peaked on Day 3 (47.58±5.22%) before progressively declining, while hemoglobin levels followed a similar trend, peaking on Day 3 (16.02±1.92 g/dL) and reaching the lowest on Day 9 (12.82±1.42 g/dL). White blood cell counts declined until Day 4 (3333.52±24.11 per cu.mm) and then showed a gradual increase. Recovery was observed in 93.75% of cases, with a mortality rate of 1.25%. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of monitoring hematocrit and other hematological parameters in Dengue fever patients for early detection of complications and effective management. While the majority of cases were Dengue fever with and without warning signs; the observed hematological trends underscore the need for vigilant monitoring to prevent severe outcomes. Further large-scale studies are warranted to strengthen clinical guidelines for Dengue management.

This research investigates the role of Patient Relationship Management (PRM) in enhancing patient satisfaction in government hospitals of Chhattisgarh, India, emphasizing the contributions of Information Technology (IT) and the Continuum of Care (CoC). A quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 440 patients across district hospitals, community health centers, and medical colleges using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated scales (PAM, SERVQUAL, PSQ-18). Descriptive statistics indicated that 59.3% of respondents were aged 25-34 years, with 69.2% female. Inferential analyses, including Chi-square tests (χ²=18.92, p<0.01), t-tests (p>0.05 for gender), ANOVA (F=4.62, p<0.01), Pearson correlations (loyalty: r=0.631; trust: r=0.598; IT: r=0.453), and regression analysis (R²=0.532, β for IT=0.312, p<0.01), confirmed significant relationships between PRM, IT, CoC, and patient satisfaction. IT was a strong predictor of satisfaction (β=0.586, p<0.01), explaining 34.2% of the variance, and structured care plans significantly enhanced outcomes (χ²=18.92, p<0.01). The findings highlight the need for integrating advanced IT solutions (e.g., Electronic Health Records, telemedicine) and structured CoC plans to improve patient experiences and health outcomes in public healthcare settings, particularly for younger and rural populations. Policy implications include investing in IT infrastructure and CoC frameworks to advance universal healthcare goals in resource-constrained environments.

Introduction: Prenatal consultation is a preventive medical act used to detect and treat possible complications arising during pregnancy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of prenatal consultations in a rural community health center. To do this, we assessed the quality of services, determined prenatal consultation procedures and determined the degree of satisfaction of pregnant women who come to this community health center for prenatal consultations. Methodology: This was a prospective, descriptive study in 2022, involving 98 pregnant women systematically surveyed from October 1 to December 31, 2022, to assess the quality of care and services. All pregnant women who came to the Sido Community Health Center for a prenatal consultation during the study period and who agreed to take part in the study were included in the study. Pregnant women who refused to comply with the recruitment conditions, and those who came for reasons other than a prenatal consultation, were not included in the study. Results: At the end of our study, we found that the majority of our pregnant women were aged between 20-29 years, i.e. 56.8%, with an average age of 23.23 years. Antenatal consultation activities were carried out by midwives in 50% of cases, obstetric nurses in 19.4% of cases and matrons (unqualified personnel) in 36.6% of cases. Hand washing before examining a new gestational carrier was 18.36%, and gestational carrier satisfaction was 94.9%. Conclusion: There are certain areas for improvement, such as the omission of certain procedures, either through ignorance of their importance, or through negligence and inadequate technical facilities, in this case the absence of an ultrasound scanner in the health area.

This study aims to apply Behaviorist Theory to the analysis of language errors made by Hausa students learning Arabic. Although language teaching and learning have long been subjects of interest, they often lack a scientific framework grounded in applied linguistics. Over time, several theories have emerged to explain how language is acquired, among which the Behaviorist Theory remains one of the most prominent. Drawing on their teaching experience, the researchers observe that this theory can significantly enhance both language teaching and learning processes. The relevance of this study lies in the continued scarcity of applied linguistic data concerning second language acquisition, particularly among Hausa learners. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to explore the types and causes of errors. The findings indicate that the language errors made by Hausa students in learning Arabic include spelling, morphological, and grammatical mistakes - with spelling errors being the most prevalent and obstructive. The study suggests that these errors can be effectively addressed within the framework of Behaviorist Theory.

The increasing global demand for herbal aphrodisiac products has raised concerns regarding their safety and quality due to potential adulteration with synthetic or conventional pharmaceutical active ingredients. This study investigates the presence of sildenafil and tadalafil in selected herbal mixtures marketed for sexual enhancement available in Nigeria, including Mai Sulhu, Mai Rahusa, Mai Sasangi, Jaolin, Saigari Jawaye, and Manisa. A combination of preliminary phytochemical screening, Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was used to analyze the samples. Phytochemical screening using Dragendorff’s reagent indicated the presence of alkaloids in five of the samples, except Jaolin, suggesting the inclusion of bioactive compounds. TLC analysis revealed that four herbal mixtures had Retention Factor (Rf) values matching those of tadalafil, 0.60 (Mai Salhu and Mai Rahusa), and sildenafil citrate, 0.47 (Saigari yawaye and Manisa), indicating possible adulteration. FTIR spectroscopy further confirmed the presence of these synthetic phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, as spectral peaks in some samples closely correlate with those of sildenafil and tadalafil. The detection of these undeclared pharmaceuticals poses significant health risks, including cardiovascular complications and hazardous drug interactions, as well as potential erectile dysfunction. These findings emphasize the need for stricter regulatory oversight, improved quality control measures, and public awareness regarding the risks associated with adulterated herbal aphrodisiacs. Routine screening using advanced analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry is recommended to enhance detection accuracy and precision.