Neuro-ophthalmic Manifestation Of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma At Ilorin: A Five Year Review

Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) may present with neuro-ophthalmic symptoms including visual loss. Involvement of the cranial nerves have been found to impact significantly on the individual\'s 5 year survival rate,whichmakes an early diagnosis of this condition of great importance in the management ofNPC. Aretrospective reviewof all patients with clinical and histological diagnosis of NPC over a five year period between 1999 and 2003was carried out. Information retrieved from the records include their age, symptoms and signs with emphases on neuro-ophthalmic at presentation. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical package. Twenty records out of the 23 patients with a diagnosis of NPC seen during this period were available for review.The age rangewas between 20 and 60years, theMeanwas 38.9years, SD11.62. Sixty percent of the patients had neuroophthalmic manifestation with symptoms such as ocular pain, double vision, loss of vision and eye protrusion and signs such as ophthalmoplegia, exposure keratopathy and proptosis in various combinations. Neuro-ophthalmic manifestations were commonly found among patients diagnosed as NPC at Ilorin. A high index of suspicion of NPC whenever a patient presents with neuro-ophthalmic signs and symptomis advocated. Keywords: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma,Neuro-ophthalmic. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (4) 2008: pp. 376-37

Fuzzy-wavelet method for time series analysis

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Retinoblastoma - a clinico - pathological study in Ilorin, Nigeria

Retinoblastoma is the commonest childhood primary malignant intraocular neoplasm that is often characterized by spontaneous regression. They display photoreceptor differentiation. This study provides the clinical presentations and histological profiles of retinoblastoma in Ilorin, Kwara – State, in the North Central geo-political zone of Nigeria. A retrospective study of clinically and histologically verified retinoblastoma at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara – State, Nigeria from January 1989 to December 2000 was undertaken. The clinical and histological features were analyzed using the patient\'s case folder and surgical pathology records. There were 20 patients, 9 males and 11 females (M:F ratio 1: 1.2), age range from 5 1/2 months to 6 years with 23 eyeball tumours histologically confirmed retinoblastoma during the study period. Proptosis with chemosis was the most common clinical presentation (84.6%). Bilaterality was 15% in this study. Enucleation and Exenteration combined with chemotherapy were offered to 15 (75%) and 5 (25%) patients respectively. A poorly differentiated type with extensive areas of tumour necrosis was the commonest histological pattern. Thirteen (65%) of the patients died before completing the course of chemotherapy. African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 13 (1-2) 2008: pp. 117-12

Hosting the 16th AHILA Conference in Ibadan, Nigeria: organization, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt

Attending a scientific conference offers researchers several potential benefits including opportunity to present and receive constructive feedback from professional colleagues. Organizing such conference is also beneficial to the hosts who can acquire skills for coordination, communication and networking. However, the process is fraught with many challenges. One hundred and nine professionals attended the 16th AHILA conference from 22 countries in Africa, Europe and United States of America. The conference agenda was balanced, integrating skills acquisition, information for career development, sources of evidence-based free e-resources, including databases, and e-books for libraries covering health-related topics. This article describes achievement, challenges and lessons learnt in hosting the conference and could serve as a guide for health information professionals planning a similar conference in the future

Smart Assistive mHealth System for Medication Adherence in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Cognitive impairment in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease often times require medication management to prevent forgetfulness due to the diversity of medication involved in the treatment. Traditional interventions to mitigate non-adherence to medication have been largely unsuccessful. However, the programmability and intelligibility of modern electronic systems and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be exploited to solve this problem. In this paper, we designed and developed an intelligent assistive mHealth system to facilitate medication adherence in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This system achieve medication adherence by creating an audiovisual alert for the user with ‘memory loss’ disability to take the right doses of medication at required frequency. The drug prescriptions are keyed in by the physician and the medication schedule is stored in the non-volatile memory of the system. At the set time, the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit shows the drug to be taken in the right dosage. The buzzer in the electronic device provides a sound effect to get the attention of the patient. In any case of non-adherence, the system automatically sends a text message to the physician via SMS using the integrated GSM modem and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in the system. This system can be miniaturized into a wearable device for optimal performanc

Modeling and Nonlinear Control of a Quadcopter for Stabilization and Trajectory Tracking

�is paper presents an adequate mathematical representation of a quadcopter’s system dynamics and e�ective control techniques. A quadcopter is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is able to do vertical take-o� and landing. �is study presents a nonlinear quadcopter system’s mathematical modeling and control for stabilization and trajectory tracking. �e mathematical model of the system dynamics of the quadcopter is derived using Newton and Euler equations with proper references to the appropriate frame or coordinate system. A PD control algorithm is developed for the nonlinear system for stabilization. Another nonlinear control technique called full state feedback linearization (FBL) using nonlinear dynamic inversion (NDI) is developed and implemented on the quadcopter system. However, there is a problem with the normal approach of the complete derivation of the full state FBL system using NDI as gathered from the literature review. In such an approach, the PD controller that was used for attitude stabilization was able to stabilize the angles to zero states, but the position variables cannot be stabilized because the state variables are not observable. �us, a new approach where the position variables are mapped to the angle variables which are controllable so as to drive all states to zero stability was proposed in this study. �e aim of the study was achieved but the downside is that it takes a longer time to achieve this stability so it is not e�cient and should only be considered when absolute zero stability is the aim without considering time e�ciency. �e study further investigates the problem of nonlinear quadcopter system’s mathematical modelling and control for stabilization and trajectory tracking using the feedback linearization (FBL) technique combined with the PD controller. �e proposed control algorithms are implemented on the quadcopter model using MATLAB and analyzed in terms of system stabilization and trajectory tracking. �e PD controller produces satisfactory results for system stabilization, but the FBL system combined with the PD controller performs better for trajectory tracking of the quadcopter system

Evaluation of Distribution System Losses and the Mitigation Using Load Balancing Prediction Model

Distribution network losses can be a result of losses in distribution transformers and distribution power lines. However, this research work investigates the evaluation of losses in a distribution network due to unbalanced loading of the distribution transformers using the Covenant university distribution system as a test network. Analysis of losses due to unbalanced loading of distribution transformers in nine (9) substations was carried out by taking real-time load readings from all three phases of the 11kV/0.415kV distribution transformers for a duration of six (6) months. The copper losses were evaluated and compared with the losses that would have occurred if the loads on the transformers were evenly distributed. The result revealed that 4% of net copper losses were incurred due to the unbalanced load conditions of the distribution transformers. Furthermore, the study carries out a mitigation method of a corrective measure for balancing the currents across the three phases. The phase balancing model was developed to evaluate the unbalanced currents, the average current across the three phases, and the deviations of the individual currents from the average currents. The aforementioned parameters were used to generate a permissible range of balanced values across the three phases. A polynomial regression model was trained using the phase balancing model to accurately predict a balanced set of currents across the three phases with an accuracy ranging from 99.55% to 99.99%. Index Term- Losses, Transformer, Distribution system, Phase Balancing. Regression mode

Blindness in Tuberous Sclerosis: A Case Report

Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with variable penetrance characterised by glial cell tumor which arises from the cerebral and the retina. Blindness in association with Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is rare. When visual loss occurs it may be associated with hamartomas from retinal or optic nerve involvement or from intracranial (brain) tumours that affect either the part of the brain that processes visual information or from optic nerve damage following raised intracranial pressure. Very few cases of TS with blindness have been reported globally. Deterioration in academic performance might be the first pointer to the visual impairment. We report a case of a 13 year old girl who presented with increasing number of facial rash over an 11 years period, recurrent headache and deteriorating academic performance of 1 year and loss of vision of 6 months with a recent episode of convulsion. Similar skin rashes without other associated symptoms were noticed on the mother and one of the younger siblings. She was a Tanner stage one in development. She had facial angio fibromas, shagreen patches over the left hypochondria, back regions and face. Ophthalmic evaluation showed a visual acuity of being able to count fingers at not more than one meter from the face and only perception of light in the right and left eye respectively, both eyes had brisk pupillary activities, good mydriasis and clear media. The retinal and optic nerve head appeared normal in the right eye whereas in the left eye was a huge tuberous hamartoma of the optic disc and macular as well as generalised vascular occlusion and subretinal fluid. The Computerized tomography (CT) scan showed an Intraventricular tumour, with calcification within the tumours and subependymal. There was associated obstructive hydrocephalus. Patient was managed by a multi disciplinary team of ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons and radiologists, coordinated by a paediatrician.Conclusion: The diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) was based on the lesions found on clinical examination, imaging, and pathologic studies. The blindness was multi-factorial in cause including intracranial, retinal and optic nerve tumours. Comprehensive medical history, detailed physical examinations and neuroimaging study are essential in making a diagnosis of TSC. Our patient was mis-diagnosed at various health facilities for many years. This delay in making appropriate diagnosis and instituting treatment could have contributed to the eventual outcome.Keywords: Tuberous Sclerosis, Blindness, Deteriorating Academic Performanc

Households' Choice of Genotypes and Traits of Preference in Yoruba Ecotype Chicken in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study aimed at evaluating Yoruba Ecotype chicken genotypes of choice and traits of preference in the chicken by households in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were obtained from a total of 120 households using structured interview schedule. Data were subjected to both descriptive statistics and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Results revealed that most of the respondents were female; they raised the chicken for income generation and consumption. Most of the respondents preferred normal feather Yoruba Ecotype chicken to other genotypes. The result also revealed that traits of preference by most of the respondents were growth rate, body size, egg production, fertility, disease resistance, temperament, broodiness, mothering ability, hatchability, plumage colour and distribution, social-cultural value, survivability, fecundity, ease of sales and laying of large number of eggs. The Principal component 1 explained over 86.2% in household preferences for all the variables considered in the study. Based on the result of this study, it was concluded that most of the respondents’ preferred normal feather Yoruba Ecotype chicken compared to other genotypes like frizzle feather and naked neck. Traits of economic importance appeared to be consistent in preference for genotype of choice by respondents. The PCI value explained over 86.2% in household preferences for all the variables. Further research efforts on genotypes and traits of economic importance of Yoruba Ecotype chicken could facilitate future breeding programs geared towards increasing the chicken production and productivity among households and smallholders. There is also a need for effective breeding and conservation program to preserve economically important genetic resources of this chicken to prevent the risk of loss of the indigenous chicken genetic pool

Epidemiology of ROP update - Africa is the new frontier.

Several epidemics of blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) have been described, with the most recent (the third) occurring in middle income countries in Latin America and Eastern Europe initially, and more recently in the more advanced economies in Asia. In these settings, which are characterized by variation in the quality of neonatal care and inadequate coverage of ROP screening and treatment, larger, more mature infants are affected as well as extremely preterm infants. In 2010 the annual incidence of blindness and visual impairment from ROP globally was estimated to be 32,300, with the lowest incidence in sub-Saharan countries. However, ROP is likely to become an increasingly important cause of blindness in children in sub-Saharan Africa as neonatal care expands unless policies and programmes for control are included at the outset