Background: Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan infection caused by infection with the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Several studies have been reported of high seroprevalence of this parasite from various hospitals in Nigeria. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among the pregnant women receiving antenatal care in Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted at SYMH Birnin kebbi in 2015 using indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 33.3%. 9.7% seropositivity was found at first trimester, 60.5% from second trimester and 29.8% from third trimester. Using a chi square logistic regression analysis, lack of education, lower age at pregnancy, and frequency of close contacts with cats were significantly associated with the prevalence of IgG antibodies. Conclusion: Most primary infections during pregnancy are asymptomatic, congenital toxoplasmosis can have serious effects on the developing fetus. Screening for primary infection is problematic, primary prevention is the most logical method to lower the risk of congenital infection. There is also a need to educate women on the safe handling of cat litter during pregnancy.

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The recent emergence of the severe acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus remains a concern posing many challenges to public health and the global economy. The resolved crystal structure of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 or SCV2 (M pro ) has led to its identification as an attractive target for designing potent antiviral drugs. Herein, we provide a comparative molecular impact of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), remdesivir, and β-D-N 4 -Hydroxycytidine (NHC) binding on SCV2 M pro using various computational approaches like molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Data analyses showed that HCQ, remdesivir, and NHC binding to SARS-CoV-2 M pro decrease the protease loop capacity to fluctuate. These binding influences the drugs' optimum orientation in the conformational space of SCV2 M pro and produce noticeable steric effects on the interactive residues. An increased hydrogen bond formation was observed in SCV2 M pro -NHC complex with a decreased receptor residence time during NHC binding. The binding mode of remdesivir to SCV2 M pro differs from other drugs having van der Waals interaction as the force stabilizing protein-remdesivir complex. Electrostatic interaction dominates in the SCV2 M pro −HCQ and SCV2 M pro -NHC. Residue Glu166 was highly involved in the stability of remdesivir and NHC binding at the SCV2 M pro active site, while Asp187 provides stability for HCQ binding.

Background: Stress is a complex phenomenon, whose underlying causes, manifestations and response strategies vary from person to person. Stress is as much as a psychological issue as it is a physical health problem. Stress manifest itself in various ways including poor cognitive development, poor academic performance and sometimes mental health problems. This study aimed to assess the academic stress and academic performance of medical students in a tertiary institution, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials/Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September, 2021, among 149 medical students. Students' Academic Stress Scale (SASS) and a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire were used to elicit information from respondents using a web form. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Level of significance was set at p = 0.05. Results: Majority (92%), of undergraduate medical trainee perceived the training as stressful. The major stressors identified were examination syllabus (89.2%), difficulty in remembering all that was studied (85.2%) and worrying about examinations (77.1%). The academic performance was pass grade for more than half of respondents 89(59.7%) and credit/distinction for 60(40.3%). Students with no academic stress had a better academic performance (75.5%) as compared to those with academic stress (37.2%), and the difference was statistically 2 significant (χ =13.401, p = 0.034). Conclusion: Majority of the students interviewed perceived their training as stressful. Therefore, there is an urgent need for medical educator to introduce stress management courses or programs into curriculum. Keywords: Stress, Academic performance, Medical students