October- December - Volume 11, Number 4 (2023)
LASSA FEVER PREPAREDNESS SURVEY: EVALUATING HEALTHCARE WORKERS' KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
Adewale Johnson Adeleke, Ngozi Onyinye Okonkwo
Lassa fever, caused by the Lassa virus (LASV) and transmitted via the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis, poses a significant public health concern. The virus, a member of the Arenaviridae family, was first identified in Nigeria in 1969, taking its name from the town of Lassa in Borno State. These rats, as hosts of LASV, can excrete the virus in their urine for extended periods and produce numerous offspring, making them a formidable reservoir. The zoonotic nature of Lassa fever means it is primarily transmitted from animals to humans through contact with rat excreta, urine, and secretions. This mode of transmission...
CAREGIVERS' INSIGHTS: EMBRACING REFLECTIVE PRAXIS IN THE ESSENCE OF PALLIATIVE CARE
Henrique Oliveira Sousa Pedro, Isabela Fernandes Costa
The concept of palliative care, rooted in the historical use of the term "pallium" as a protective cloak, embodies a profound mission of protection and accompaniment for individuals facing life-threatening illnesses. The World Health Organization's (WHO) 2002 definition of palliative care underscores its role in enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families confronting the challenges associated with life-threatening conditions. This approach centers on the prevention and alleviation of suffering through early identification, impeccable assessment, and the treatment of not only physical pain but also psychological and spiritual distress. When confronted with the impending reality of death, patients...
FIGHTING CHAGAS DISEASE: ASSESSING THE ANTITRYPANOSOMAL POTENTIAL OF 2S ALBUMIN FROM CRAMBE SEEDS AGAINST TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI
Luiz Santos Silva, Ana Carolina Oliveira Souza
Plant storage proteins play a crucial role in seedling growth and plant survival, with diverse functions including antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties. Among these, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a significant group with various subclasses such as thionins, defensins, and cyclotides. While previous research has identified the antimicrobial activities of certain plant peptides against different pathogens, the impact of 2S albumins on protozoa remains unexplored. In this study, we investigate the effects of 2S albumins from crambe seeds on Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. These 2S albumins, typically small proteins rich in cysteines, have shown increasing clinical significance. Chagas...