BiomedGrid

  The Effect of User Charges on the Pattern of Health Care Demand in Nigeria Abstract The economic downturn in early 1980s in Nigeria led to the introduction and implementation of user charges in government health care facilities. This coupled with the persistent poverty level in Nigeria raises the question of consumers’ ability and willingness to pay these user charges. Accordingly, using primary data, this study examined the possible trade-off between user charges and demand for government health services in Nigeria. The analysis showed that increasing user fees substantially reduced the use of government health facility by low-income earners. Thus, it was recommended, among others, that government should introduce price discrimination into user fees, to be set at marginal cost. This would help avoid the adverse distribution effects of user-fees, especially, on the lower income group. Keywords:  User Charges; Demand for government health services; Willingness to pay and Heal...

Microarray profiling of long noncoding RNAs and mRNA expression in the kidney of rats damaged by cadmium Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that can induce nephrotoxicity with the unclear molecular mechanism. Microarray technology is a tool in the global analysis of gene expression, allowing for the simultaneous investigation of hundreds or thousands of genes in a sample. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a novel class of noncoding RNAs that are involved in a variety of biological processes and human diseases. For the gene expression analysis, kidney tissues from both normal(fed with physiological saline) and cadmium treated rats(fed with 6.6mg/kg cadmium for 4 weeks) were collected. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to the CapitalBio Technology Rat LncRNA Array v1, KEGG, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis were applied to screen and analyze differentially regulated genes. This study identified 322 lncRNAs and 495 mRNAs that were differentially expressed after cadmium-induc...

  The Effectiveness of Polarized Light in Musculoskeletal, Skin Problems and Burns Abstract Introduction:  The purpose of this systematic review is to demonstrate through studies that have investigated the therapeutic power of polarized light in musculoskeletal, skin problems and burns. We will see through reviews how each question is answered individually and what problem gives the best therapeutic results. Bioptron Light is a patented non-invasive optical device and technology based on the biostimulatory effects of polarized and inconsistent light in the visible and infrared spectrum. Method:  After a comprehensive strategic search, articles were searched through computerized databases Health and medical complete Pro Quest, Ebsco, Google Scholar in the years 2002-2019 and in English only. The effects of polarized light on musculoskeletal, skin, and burns were compared and evaluated, which yields exactly as well as lagging behind as research evidence. A total of nineteen...