Frontpage News (3249)
Researchers print 3D cardiac tissue capable of sustaining pulses
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Chinese researchers and their counterparts from British and Dutch universities have printed a cardiac tissue that can survive in vitro and sustain pulses for more than six months.
3D bioprinting has demonstrated its advantages as one of the major methods in fabricating simple tissues, yet it still faces difficulties to generate vasculatures and preserve cell functions in complex organ production.
Zobo drink not dangerous, can be consumed by pregnant women, nursing mothers –Experts
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Experts in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Nutrition have faulted findings from studies that claimed that pregnant women who consume Hibiscus sabdariffa tea, popularly known as Zobo, stand the risk of having a miscarriage or premature labour.
The experts also faulted claims that the drink, which has become a relished delight, can put the foetus at risk of congenital birth defects and increase the chances of having babies with low birth weight.
FG introduces new travel guidelines, stiff penalties for unvaccinated travellers
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The Federal Government has introduced a new international travel guideline by removing mandatory PCR testing for fully vaccinated visitors and instituted stiff penalties for any unvaccinated traveller that violates the new rules.
The Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, made this know on Saturday, noting that the ‘Provisional Travel Protocol for Travellers Arriving Nigeria’, which takes effect from Monday, April 4, 2022, also prescribed sanctions for airlines that board violators of the new rules.
Not deworming can cause malnutrition, intestinal perforation, death –Paediatricians ..Say 1.5 billion people currently estimated to be at risk
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Paediatricians have urged parents to ensure regular deworming of their under-five children to avoid complications associated with worm infestations. They noted that not deworming children as specified by the World Health Organisation can lead to malnutrition, low blood count, intestinal perforation and death.
According to the WHO, periodic deworming programmes with a single-tablet treatment can drastically reduce the suffering of those infected with parasitic intestinal worms and protect the 1.5 billion people currently estimated to be at risk.
Why women may have different stroke risk factors, symptoms –Neurologists
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Neurologists have urged women not to ignore any unusual symptoms, noting that seeking prompt medical intervention would not only help prevent stroke among women but also help to reduce other health risk factors.
According to the experts, while men and women have the same risk factors for stroke, some risk factors are unique to women. The experts who are medical professionals with specialised training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system, said stroke presentation might differ in women due to a higher occurrence of atypical symptoms than in men.
Cancer organisations to subsidise breast cancer care for 1200 Nigerian women
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1200 women are to benefit from subsidised breast cancer care and psychosocial support from three cancer care services in the country. The initiative which is being put together by Sebeccly Cancer Care, Pearl Oncology Clinic, and Oncopadi Technologies Limited, is to ensure more women survive breast cancer in the country.
To achieve this, the partners created the Thank God Its Friday Breast Clinic to ensure breast cancer patients have access to subsidised cancer care and psychosocial support every Friday and during the weekend.
In 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith disclosed that she was diagnosed with alopecia areata. Ever since the American actress and singer came public, she has been open about her struggles with the condition and subsequent hair loss.
The 51-year-old, Red Table Talk host said it “was terrifying” to deal with it when the condition started manifesting. “It was terrifying when it started,” Pinkett Smith said. “I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands and I was just like, ‘Oh my god, am I going bald?’
Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to erectile dysfunction in men -Expert
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A Pelvic Floor Specialist, Tolani Balogun, has advised Nigerians to stop seeing pelvic floor dysfunction as a problem associated with women only, noting that there are men with the health condition and are suffering in silence.
The Senior Consultant with Hepai Consulting, a non-governmental organisation that specialises on pelvic floor management and treatment, said if left untreated, pelvic floor dysfunction could lead to constipation, erectile dysfunction in men and urine leakage in women, especially when they cough.
Use of Type 2 diabetes drug, metformin, may increase chances of birth defects –study
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A study carried out by researchers in Denmark has suggested that the use of metformin, a first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes by men before their wives conceive, could contribute to birth defects.
According to them, preconception paternal metformin treatment has been particularly associated with genital birth defects in boys. The researchers said that they sought to understand the effect of the medication on the male reproductive system.
WHO examining hearing loss, tinnitus linked to COVID-19 vaccines
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The World Health Organisation says it is examining reports of hearing loss and other auditory issues following COVID-19 vaccinations. The WHO said it was notified about sudden hearing problems, particularly tinnitus or ringing of the ears that may be associated with COVID-19 vaccines.
The global health body disclosed this in a newsletter posted on its website on Tuesday. The world health body reported 164 cases of hearing loss and 367 cases of tinnitus globally among people who had received a COVID-19 vaccine, usually within a day of the shot.
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Stop giving babies paracetamol after immunisation –Physician
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A Public Health Physician at the Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaira, Kaduna State, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, has warned mothers to stop giving their babies paracetamol after immunisation.
This, the physician says, has become imperative because aside from paracetamol masking the reaction of the vaccine, it could damage the liver of babies, which he noted has not fully developed.
Why women with endometriosis should freeze their eggs early –Gynaecologist
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A Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Expert, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, has urged women with endometriosis to consider freezing their eggs at an early age to prevent infertility later in life. Ajayi, who is also the chief executive officer of Nordica Fertility Centre Lagos, said endometriosis has been found to affect the quality of sperm.
Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. The wrongly grown tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the intestines and often come with pain and menstrual irregularities.
Bed-sharing with babies can cause sudden death – Paediatrician
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A Consultant Paediatrician, Nephrology Division, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina State, Dr. Abdurrazzaq Alege, has warned that babies who share beds with parents might be at risk of sudden death, noting that a condusive sleeping environment is critical for their survival.
According to the child health expert, healthy sleep is important to the wellbeing of an individual, especially in infancy and early childhood when a greater part of the day is spent sleeping. Dr. Alege told PUNCH Healthwise during an interview that as important as the duration of sleep is, so also is the sleeping position, sleeping space and environment.
FG lifts ban on face masks, plans to remove COVID-19 restrictions
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The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has said the use of face masks in public places is now optional, while the decision on the final relaxation of measures will be taken after Easter. Head of the Technical Secretariat, who also doubles as the Secretary of the PSC on COVID-19, Dr. Muktar Muhammed, disclosed this in an interview with The PUNCH in Abuja.
The PSC also announced that it would stop demanding proof of PCR tests from fully vaccinated travellers. “We are easing up restrictions, but it’s important we do so responsibly. Last week, we suspended the limit placed on public gatherings, curfews and other social measures.
