Consumption and legalization of Cannabis sativa (CS) are increasing at a rapid rate due to its medicinal and recreational importance. However, several studies have revealed that CS stimulates oxidative stress (OS) which could affect the antioxidant defense system of the body. This research examined and compared the protective role of vitamin C (Vit C) on Cannabis sativa (CS)-induced oxidative stress in male (M) and female (F)Wistar rats. Post-acclimation (14 days), M and F animals were separately allocated to four groups. Males (1M, 2M, 3M, and 4M) and females (1F, 2F, 3F, and 4F) groups were administered orally, 1.0 mL of distilled water (control), CS (4.0 mg/kg), Vit C (4.0 mg/kg) and CS (4.0 mg/kg) + Vit C (4.0 mg/kg) respectively, for 21 days. Glutathione peroxide (GPx), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Glutathione reductase (GSH), Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were quantified following standard protocols.

This study investigated the demographic and COVID-19 related characteristics among students from the two Niger Delta University campuses - Amassoma and Yenagoa. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 514 students drawn from the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Main Campus, and the Yenagoa Law Faculty (responses recorded separately for males and females). Chi-square tests were applied to compare gender distribution, year of study, vaccination status, understanding of COVID-19 transmission, and willingness to receive the vaccine. Although gender distribution did not differ significantly (p = 0.846), a highly significant difference in year of study (p < 0.001) was observed, indicating that academic level influences COVID-19 related knowledge and behavior. In addition, significant differences in vaccination status (p = 0.015) and willingness to vaccinate (p < 0.001) were noted. These findings underscore the need for campus-specific, culturally tailored health communication and basic health education strategies to enhance COVID-19 prevention and vaccine uptake among university communities.

The clinical learning environment plays a critical role in developing the skills and competence of nursing and midwifery students. However, limitations within the clinical learning environment may impede students’ ability to effectively translate theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of student nurses and midwives regarding their clinical learning in Papua New Guinea. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling to recruit 18 nursing and midwifery students. Data was collected through individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the interview data, influencing participants’ perceptions and experiences regarding clinical learning: supportive learning environment, perceived bias and dismissive attitudes from clinical supervisors, inadequate supervision and unmet clinical learning outcomes, and constraints in clinical resources. Findings revealed that negative clinician attitudes, poor supervision, and limited resources hindered students’ clinical learning. Strengthening collaboration between institutions and hospitals, along with improved resource support, is essential for better learning outcomes.

Parental alcohol use is a growing public health concern with significant implications for the emotional well-being and academic performance of children and adolescents. Evidence from Pacific Island countries, including Papua New Guinea (PNG), remains limited. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 109 upper secondary school students in Port Moresby. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing parental alcohol use, parental involvement, home environment, emotional outcomes, and academic performance. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between household factors and learning and concentration difficulties. Nearly 70% of students reported parental alcohol use, and approximately three-quarters indicated minimal or no parental involvement in their education. Emotional distress was reported by 66.1% of participants, while over two-thirds demonstrated poor to average academic performance.

A major goal in behavioral neuroscience is to identify the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Fear conditioning models, including contextual and cued conditioning, are widely used to assess associative learning in rodents; however, commercially available systems for these experiments are often expensive (> $4000), limiting accessibility and reproducibility across laboratories. Here, we present a low-cost (about $100), modular fear conditioning platform for rodents that enables precise control of experimental parameters while maintaining compatibility with standard behavioral protocols. The fear conditioning system consists of conditioning chambers equipped with stainless-steel grid floors, a custom-built constant-current foot-shock generator, and an auditory cue delivery section, all synchronized with video-based behavioral recording. Shock intensity, duration, and timing are fully programmable, and the platform supports both contextual and cued fear conditioning paradigms.

Dengue is an increasingly common infection among older adults, whose presentations are often atypical and easily misattributed to other causes of fever. We report the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with a short history of intermittent fever, lethargy and increased urinary frequency, initially treated as a suspected urinary tract infection. Laboratory investigations showed leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and mild anaemia. Urinalysis and cultures were negative. Dengue NS1 antigen testing confirmed the diagnosis. During the admission, the patient developed marked thrombocytopenia but did not progress to plasma leakage, bleeding, organ impairment or shock. He was managed with careful supportive care and frequent monitoring, recovering fully by Day 10 of admission. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of dengue in older adults, whose altered physiological responses may mask classical features such as myalgia, rash and haemorrhagic manifestations.

For decades, estrogens have been regarded as reproductive hormones. However, research in the last few years has altered this perspective. It has been shown that estrogen signaling plays a widespread and crucial role in regulating brain function throughout life in both men and women. This review summarizes recent studies from 2005 to 2025 on how estrogens work in the brain, including their mechanisms, targets, and effects. We outline where nuclear estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ) and membrane-associated receptors (like GPER1) are found in the brain. We also highlight their roles in synaptic plasticity, adult neurogenesis, inflammation and energy use. We examine the protective and cognitive benefits of estrogens, particularly regarding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, psychiatric issues such as depression, and brain injuries. We emphasize the importance of timing, dosage, and hormonal context within the "window of opportunity" or "critical period" hypothesis. Recent updates to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) guidelines highlight the brain health benefits of starting treatment early.

Iodine deficiency continues to pose a global public health problem despite international efforts to eliminate it. Spot-urine iodine concentrations collected from a population are currently the internationally accepted criteria for determining and monitoring the iodine status of that population. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of iodine deficiency and some of the associated factors among school-age children in Egor Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, Nigeria, using urinary iodine concentration in spot urine sample. The study was a school-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 6 weeks (November to December 2022). The study involved a total of 429 school-age children (6-12 years) recruited via a multi-stage random sampling method.

The use of computers, smartphones, mobile phones, and similar digital devices is among the daily routine of students worldwide. However, frequent use of these devices can lead to a complex set of ocular and non-ocular symptoms collectively known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or Digital Eye Strain (DES). Prolonged use, along with factors such as improper sitting positions, incorrect viewing distances, and a lack of protective practices, are associated with CVS, which can vary in frequency and intensity. Currently, there is a lack of published data on the awareness and prevalence of CVS-associated risk factors among students at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). The objectives of this study were to assess the level of awareness and prevalence of CVS among undergraduate students at UPNG.