Retrobulbar versus subconjunctival anesthesia for cataract surgery

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness, in terms of pain relief and akinesia of retrobulbar and subconjunctival an aesthesia during cataract surgery and also to compare the degree of postoperative ptosis associated with each technique.Materials and Methods: Consecutive adult patients undergoing cataract surgery between March and June 2008 at the Guinness Eye Center Onitsha, were randomized into retrobulbar and subconjunctival an aesthesia by simple random sampling. Patients’ subjective perception of pain was graded into none, mild, moderate and severe; eyeball movement during surgery was graded into none, slight, moderate excessive. Two weeks after surgery, the palpebral fissure width was measured with the metre rule to determine the degree of post-operative ptosis.Results: Of the 90 patients studied, 55 (61.1%) patients had subconjunctival an aesthesia while 35(38.9%) had retrobulbar injection. In the retrobulbar injection group 25 (71.4%) patients had none or mild pains compared to 44 (80.0%) in the subconjunctival injection group; while 10 (28.6%) patients in the retrobulbar group experienced moderate to severe pains, 11 (20%) patients in the subconjunctival group had moderate pains and none experienced severe pains. But the difference in the degree of pain perception between the 2 groups is not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.01; df – 1; P>0.05). In the retrobulbar injection group, there was none or slight movement of the globe in 30 (85.7%) patients compared to 49 (89.1%) patients in the subconjunctival group. While 5 (14.3%) patients in the retrobulbar injection group had moderate globe movement, no patient in this group had excessive movement. In the subconjunctival injection group, 5 (9.1%) patients had moderate movement and 1 (1.8%) patient had excessive eyeball movement. The difference in the movement of the eyeball between the retrobulbar and the subconjunctival injections group was not significant (χ2 = 0.004; df – 1; P>0.05). In the retrobulbar injection group, the palpebral fissure width was within ≥10mm in 18 (51.0%) patients compared with 29 (53.0%) patients in the subconjunctival group. This difference was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.0006; df – 1; P>0.05).Conclusions: Both retrobulbar and subconjunctival an aesthetic techniques are effective and safe for cataract surgery although the pain experience may be slightly more for patients being operated upon under retrobulbar anaesthesia

Funding Youth Entrepreneurship in SMEs: A Panacea for Youth Unemployment in Niger-Delta , Nigeria

The objective of this study was to identify profitable and viable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which could form a basis for a youth economic empowerment programme in the crisis-torn Niger  Delta Region. Data analysed formed a basis for identifying profitable enterprises, and preparing financial proposals. The proposals can be used to source funds, which would enable youth to either work with  the identified SMEs or expand existing ones

Complications following nasotracheal intubation using cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube: a prospective cross sectional study

Background: To examine the complications following nasotracheal intubation by documenting the nasal traumas observed with the use of untreated cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube in unprepared nostrils.Methods: Patients who had maxillofacial surgeries under general anesthesia, muscle relaxation and nasotracheal intubation were included in the study. Nasotracheal intubation was carried out after induction of anesthesia was effected with intravenous propofol and suxamethonium by an Anesthetist using well lubricated cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube. Sizes 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0mm were inserted in females while sizes 7.0 and 7.5mm were inserted in males. Occasionally, the natural curve of the tube guides it through the cords without the aid of Magill forceps. Anterior rhinoscopy was performed by otolaryngologist 24 hours after surgery. Results were subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Sixty four patients were included in the study. They were between the ages of 21 and 63 years (mean 33.2 ± 14.1 years); they were 39 males and 25 females. The most frequently used nasotracheal tube (NT) was size 7.0mm internal diameter. Epistaxis was noticed in 52 (81.2%) patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of epistaxis observed in males and females, and also between right and left nostrils. A total of 46.8% of nasal trauma were inferior turbinate trauma involving the inferior medial aspect.Conclusion: The use of untreated cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube for nasotracheal intubation in unprepared nostrils is associated with a high incidence of epistaxis and nasal trauma.Keywords: nasotracheal intubation, epistaxis, nasal traum

A Preliminary Study on the Diversity of Monkeys in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and Its Environs

Monkeys are among the prominent animal species found in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka forest areas and its environs; thus, a 3-month reconnaissance and transect survey was carried out to determine the diversity of these monkeys and the ecological features that support their abundance and distribution. Six sample sites designated ‘A’ to ‘F’ were carefully chosen, transected and closely monitored for monkeys’ presence. A total of 116 monkeys, all of the super- family Cercopithecoidae but of four different species were observed. A total of 47 Chlorocebus aethiops with a relative abundance of 40.5% was recorded, it was followed by 34 (29.3%) Chlorocebus sabaeus; 25 (21.6%) Chlorocebus tantalus; and the least is Erythrocebus patas, 10 in number and relative abundance of 8.6%. The distribution of each species in a given site showed that site A recorded the highest number of monkeys 55(47.4%),it was followed by site B with 21(18.1%)monkeys; then site E 16(13.8%); 11(9.5%) in F; 7(6.0%) in site C and the least is 6(5.2%) in site D. The Simpson’s index of biodiversity was 0.7

Optimal Analysis of Packaging Products of MAHEU Plant in Intafact Beverages Limited Using GPALS and MATLAB Optimization Software

This work focused on the optimization of the two packaging products; Supershake and Chibuku made up of three and two parts respectively. Copolymer polypropylene and white or colored batch materials are the two raw materials needed to produce the two packaging products. The manufacturing plan was developed for the organization. The production inputs of 1.11, 6.67, 15.78, 2.47 and 7.70 units were generated as the objective function coefficients; 308 hours per month for day shift and 364 hours per month for night shift were established. Production time of 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 12 second, 10 seconds and 12 seconds per unit of the five parts were established. The manufacturing constraints in terms of machine capacities, material availability, time and labour were extensively used to develop an integer linear programming model to obtain the optimum quantities of each part that will yield the maximum profit. The developed model was analyzed with GPALS and MATLAB optimization solver to obtain results for the linear programming model which gave a monthly production net profit of N3,751,932. A decision support system was developed for the manufacturing planning to assist the management of Maheu plant in Intafact Beverages Limited in decision making. The model is now being used in the manufacturing plan of the company and also recommended for application in organizations with similar production inputs. Keywords: Manufacturing plan, Production inputs, Manufacturing constraints,  Optimization, Profit and Decision makin

The Anti-Nutritional and Proximate Composition of Rain Tree (Samanea saman) Pod Samples

The anti-nutritional and proximate composition of pods of Samanea saman were determined. About 600g of wholesome, cleaned and dried pods were divided into two portions: one portion was ground as whole pod meal while the other portion was deseeded and ground as seedless meal. The removed seeds were ground separately as a sample to obtain three samples namely: whole pod, pulp and seed samples. Triplicate data obtained were subjected to One-Way ANOVA using SPSS software of version 21. Mean values and Fisher’s least significant difference (LSD) were determined for the separation of the means at (p≤0.05). The whole pod had 1.49mg/100g oxalate, 1.97mg/100g hydrogen cyanide, 0.71mg/100g tannins, 27.07mg/100g saponins, 0.51mg/100g flavonoids and 1.71mg/100g alkaloids, which were significantly(p≤0.05) different from that of pulp (1.89mg/100g oxalate, 1.51mg/100g hydrogen cyanide, 0.86mg/100g tannins, 28.46mg/100g saponins, 1.00mg/100g flavonoids and 1.41mg/100g alkaloids) and seed samples (1.39mg/100g oxalate, 1.61mg100g hydrogen cyanide, 0.56mg/100g tannins, 26.51mg/100g saponins, 0.49mg/100g flavonoids and 1.86mg/100g alkaloids). The moisture contents were pulp (19.30%), whole pod (15.50%) and seed (9.20%). Ash content were whole pod (4.70%), pulp (2.90%) and seed (2.60%); Ether extract of whole pod, pulp and seed were 3.31%, 2.52% and 2.66% respectively. The crude proteins were whole pod (13.21%), pulp (10.98%) and seed (21.55%); crude fibre of the plant were whole pod (15.95%), pulp (6.77%) and seed (8.47%). The whole pod had 47.33% carbohydrate which was significantly (p≤0.05) lower than the carbohydrate of pulp (57.53%) and seed (55.52%). The utilization of the pods of S. samana is a significant source of bioactive that if harnessed in the formulation of nutraceutical beverage could offer a whole lot of health benefit to the users

Screening of the fruit pulp extract of Momordica balsamina for anti HIV property

Anti-HIV properties of the fruit pulp extract of Momordica balsamina, a plant of the cucurbitacea family commonly used in the Northern part of Nigeria for its anti-viral efficacy in poultry, was studied in vitro.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were prepared from both HIV sero positive and sero negative patients and categorized into group A (sero negative), group B (PBMC co-culture), group C (PBMC co-culture containing 3.12 mg/ml of the plant extract) and group D (only the enriched culture medium). The PBMCs were cultivated for 28 days using standard methods. CD4+ counts and virus detection assay (P24) were determined on the PBMC. Results showed that the plant extract treatmentsignificantly (

GENDER AND LEVELS OF ATTAINMENT OF SCIENTIFIC LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE STUDENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTIVIST INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

The study investigated levels of attainment of scientific literacy by junior secondary (8th grade) male and female students. Quasi-experiment of non- equivalent control group design was used. A total of 162 students were selected by purposive sampling of four coeducational schools out of twenty three in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia state, Nigeria. In each of the four schools, an intact class was randomly selected. These were randomly assigned, two to experimental and control groups. Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviations and the hypotheses tested using ANCOVA. TOSL instrument for data collection had parts A and B. Reliability Coefficient of part A was established using Spearman rank order correlation and B using Kuder-Richardson formula 20(K-R). The internal consistencies were 0.69 and 0.72. The findings showed that constructivist instruction enhanced students’ attainment of scientific literacy irrespective of their sexes. Based on the findings recommendations were made

Assessment of remediation Potentials of maize (Zea mays) on sites co-contaminated with Pb and antracene

Phytoremediation is a promising technology for the remediation of sites co-contaminated with inorganic and organic pollutants. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the remediation potential of Z.mays in soil co- contaminated with Pb and antracene. Pristine sandy loam soils were polluted with Pb chloride salt and antracene at three different levels (50mg/kg of Pb, 100mg/kg of Pb, and 100mg/kg of Pb+100mg/kg of antracene) and laid out in completely randomized design with 3 replicates. Shoot dry matter weight was significantly reduced (p≤0.05) when compared with control treatments by 40% when exposed to100mg kg-1 of Pb. There was a 48% inhibition of shoot dry matter of Z.mays relative to control treatments when 100 mg Pb kg-1 was mixed with 100 mgkg-1 antracene. Root and shoot metal concentration in Zea mays increased with increasing concentration of Pb. The average Translocation Factor (TF < 1 (0.69) obtained suggests that Zea mays predominantly retains Pb in the root portion of the plant. There was a 5% increase in shoot Pb concentration when soil was contaminated with Pb and antracene. The extractable antracene decreased significantly (p≤0.05) in soil planted with Z.mays as well as in pots without maize plant. This accounted for 65 and 72% of antracene dissipation in planted soil and 40-46% dissipation in unplanted soil. This result suggested that Zeamays is a promising candidate for uptake Pb and dissipation of antracene in co-contaminated soils

Socioeconomic determinants of profit in wholesale and retail banana marketing

ABSTRACT The perishable nature of most agricultural produce and the concomitant need for effective marketing outlets have been obvious economic problems, especially in developing countries, like Nigeria. This study attempted to examine the determinants of profit in banana marketing in the Umuahia Agricultural Zone of Abia State of Nigeria. Cross-sectional data, collected from a random sample of 60 banana marketers consisting of 30 retailers and 30 wholesalers, were analyzed using the multiple regression technique of the ordinary least squares. Results showed that for the retailers, the quantity of bananas handled and the selling price per unit of bananas were directly related to the profit, while age of the marketer and the purchase price per unit were inversely related to it. Policy efforts to help in eliminating the constraints to banana marketing were recommended. Such policies should enable the marketers to acquire more education through adult education, seminars, workshops, etc. and should be targeted more at the younger marketers. They should enable them to increase their scale of banana marketing operations