Synthesis and characterization of N, N’-Bis-(3-Methoxysalicyl)-P-Phenylenediiminato Copper (II) Complex Compound

N,N’-bis(3-methoxysalicyl)-p-phenylenediimine Schiff base was prepared from the interaction of ethanolic solution of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde and p-phenylenediamine. The Cu (II) Schiff base complex was synthesized from aqueous solutions of CuCl2.2H2O and ethanolic solution of N, N’-bis(3-methoxysalicyl)-p-phenylenediimine. The Cu (II) Schiff base complex decomposed at 280oC. The ligand is soluble in most common organic solvents except nitro benzene. The Cu (II) Schiff base complex is insoluble in most solvents except DMF and DMSO. The molar conductance value of Cu (II) Schiff base complex is 7.8 ohm-cm2mol-1. The empirical formula of the metal Schiff base compound determined is [CuL].2H2O. The spectral data of the ligand and its Cu (II) complex compound were used to characterize the complex. The dissociation constant of the Schiff base (pKa) determined is 10.23. The stability constant of Cu (II) Schiff base complex was found to be 3.55 x 106. Keywords: Schiff base, 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, p-phenylenediamine, Stability constant

Low back pain incident, anthropometric characteristics and activities of daily living in pregnant women in a teaching hospital center antenatal clinic

Context: Although Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem during pregnancy, there is a death of empirical data on its etiology and possible risk factors especially in African population.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between LBP, anthropometric characteristics and Cumulative Index of Activities of Daily Living (CIADL) among pregnant women.Study design: A cross sectional survey sample of pregnant women (N=310) attending the antenatal clinic of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital was conducted using a close ended questionnaire to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics, maternity record, activities of daily living functions performed as home chores and LBP experience. Anthropometric measurement of height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were also recorded.Result: A simple majority of the participants (52.3%) had LBP with lumbar type being predominant (55.1%). Majority of the pregnant women (55.6%) who experiences LBP were in their third trimester of pregnancy and pregnant women with formal education (X2=31.6, p=0.001) and civil servants (X2=5.8, p=0.03) tends to report LBP more than the others without education and of other occupation respectively. Primigravid women tend to report LBP more frequently than the multigravid (X2= 9.9, p=0.001) and parity was tenuously but inversely associated with LBP (r= -0.18 p= 0.002). While body weight was tenuously associated (r= 0.120 p= 0.035) with LBP, CIADL was not associated with LBP during pregnancy (r= -0.02, p= 0.71).Conclusion: The study affirms LBP as a common problem during pregnancy and this pain is unrelated to the intensity of chores performed by the cohorts of pregnant women in their homes.Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 30 (1), April 201

Geographical Distribution of Publications in the African Journal of Reproductive Health: An Analysis of 2006 – 2010 papers

Scientific research has been recognized as one of the cornerstones of economic growth and development. Publication of research findings in biomedical journals has grown exponentially in the past few decades globally but the contribution of developing countries is still abysmally low. To evaluate the productivity of Nigerian biomedical community, this study was conducted using the African Journal of Reproductive Health (AJRH) as a benchmark. This was a retrospective review of all articles published in AJRH between 2006 and 2010. Using a proforma all relevant information in the journal were extracted. There were a total of 204 articles produced by 798 authors. In terms of geographical spread of authors within Nigeria Edo, Oyo and Kaduna states are the three leading states, while outside Nigeria, the US is the leading country. More than 81% of the authors are affiliated to either the University or Research Institutions. In six publications, funding came from within Nigeria while in 87 funding was from outside Nigeri

Perceptions of sexual behavior and knowledge on sexually transmitted infections among the undergraduate students of a university in north western Nigeria.

One of the greatest challenges that face Nigerians is the spread of Human Immunodefiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Sexually active youths in Nigeria are at high-risk of HIV infection. Many youths engaged in behaviors that place them at risk for HIV infections and other STIs. Objective: To determine the perceptions of sexual behavior and knowledge of STIs among undergraduate students of A.B.U Zaria. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. A structured self administered questionnaire was used to collect data by systematic random sampling technique. Focus group discussions were also held. Data from questionnaires were analyzed by use of computer software, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16.0 and ones from focus group discussions by content analysis. Result: The mean age of respondents was 25.5yrs ( 5.4). Ratio of males to female respondents was 2:1. Three hundred and thirteen questionnaires were returned filled out of the 320 distributed giving response rate of 97.8 per cent. Most of the respondents 98.4 per cent knew about some of the causes of STIs by name. About 10.2 per cent actually had an experience of at least an STI while 8.0 per cent took treatment for it. However, discussants revealed that sexual intercourse among the students in ABU, Zaria was very rampant. Students had perception that some of their colleagues might have been infected with HIV or other STDs (89.5%) and some of them saw that as curse (15.0%). Protective measures taken against STIs included abstinence from sex (67.7%), cut down number of sex partners (19.2%), use condoms all the time and sometimes (26.2% and 5.4%, respectively), screened for HIV infection (22.0%), stopped patronizing barbing saloons that do not sterilize their instruments (36.7%), had been careful where to take injections (43.8%) etc. About 8.6 per cent practice casual sex for certain reasons as pleasure (6.4%), financial (2.2%). Conclusion: There is an urgent need to increase the proportion of the students in particular and public in general who have correct knowledge about STIs, promote, positive perceptions and behavior as well as skills to protect themselves adequately

Cardiorespiratory fitness of inmates of a maximum security prison in Nigeria

Prisoners are a special population group who have limited freedom and are subjected to restrictions. They may not be able to enjoy health enhancing leisure and recreational activities or exercise of their choice or at a time they desire.The aim of this study is to determine the level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of inmates in Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison; and also to determine the effects of age, gender, and period of incarceration on CRF. A total of 247 apparently healthy inmates of Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison participated in the 2 study. The subjects performed a one-mile walk test from which their VO max was derived using a nomogram.The results show that the prison inmates appear to have a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness. The male inmates were found to have higher cardiorespiratory fitness than their female counterparts, but no significant relationship was found between CRF and period of incarceration, or between CRF and the age of the inmates.The cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of the prison inmates in Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison is good. Further investigation of the influence of other potential variables of physical activity such as vocational facilities and sporting opportunities on the CRF of prison inmates in Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison is necessary.Keywords: prison inmates, incarceration, cardiorespiratory fitness, vocational trainin

Out-of-pocket health expenditure for under-five illnesses in a semi-urban community in Northern Nigeria

Background: Household expenditure on health is increasingly becoming a major source of health care financing in Nigeria. Recognizing the limitations of this pattern of financing health care, the government has introduced a social health insurance scheme policy that has provided for government meeting the health care costs of children. However, there is a dearth of information on the pattern and costs of under-five illnesses at community level. This study therefore sought to determine the magnitude and causes of illnesses among under-fives, sources of healthcare and out of pocket expenditure among children under-five in Layin Zomo, a semi-urban area of Northern Nigeria Methodology: A cross-sectional community-based descriptive study design was used to study a population of under-fives in the settlement. A 50% sample of all under-fives in the settlement was drawn using systematic sampling method. Information was sought from the mothers/caregivers on illness episodes in the three months preceding the study, place and cost of treatment among the 324 sampled population. Result: The findings showed that 26. 9% of the children had been ill within three months of the study with fever; cough and diarrhoea being the leading causes of illness. Majority of respondents, 41.7% sought treatment from patent medicine vendors. The median out of pocket expenditure on treatment per illness episode was 171 Naira ($1.2) and the estimated annual per capita out of pocket treatment cost per child was 255 Naira ($1.8). Conclusion: While the study has provided some data for computation of the out of pocket health expenditure for treatment of under-five illnesses, the poverty context within which such expenditures are incurred limits the utilization of such information to determine the premium rate for the proposed children under five programme under the National Health Insurance Scheme. Key Words: Healthcare; Out-of-pocket expenditure; Under-fives; Zaria Journal of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care Vol.16(1) 2004: 29-3

Community-based health insurance scheme in a rural community of North west Nigeria: a roadmap to achieving universal health coverage.

Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme is aimed at reducing out of pocket spending on health care services, ensuring final risk protection to all, especially the poor and the most vulnerable, improvement of quality of health care services, access and utilization as well as the promotion of equity. Objective: This research was aimed at determining willingness to participate in a community-based health insurance scheme among rural households in Katsina State. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in December 2016 among households of Batagarawa LGA, Katsina State. We used a pre-tested, electronic, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire to obtain data from households that were selected using a multistage sampling technique and we analyzed the data using STATA version 13. Results: Most, (28.5%) of the respondents were in the age range of 30-39 years with a mean age of 35.5 years. Males were the dominant household heads (93%). Most were married (90%). Most, (90.5%) of households were willing to pay for a community-based health insurance scheme with a median premium of 100 Naira per household member per month. Conclusions: The high proportion of households willing to pay for the scheme should inform the decision of policy makers to design and maintain Community Based Health Insurance Scheme to improve access to and utilization of quality health care services

Review of pipeline span analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to mainly review the state-of-the-art developments in the field of hydrodynamics of offshore pipelines, identifying the key tools for analysis of pipeline free spans, their applications, their qualifying characteristics and capabilities and limitations. Design/methodology/approach: These different analytical, numerical and semi-empirical tools available for predicting such hydrodynamic loads and their effects include VIVANA, PIPESIN, VIVSIM, SIMULATOR, FATFREE, amongst others. Inherent in these models are current effects, wave effects and/ or pipe–soil interactions. Findings: Amongst these models, the most attention was given to the new VIVANA model because this model take into account the vortex-induced effects with respect to free-spanning pipelines (which have dominant effect in the span analysis in deep water) better than other semi-empirical models (such as Shear 7). Recent improvements in VIVANA include its ability to have arbitrary variation in speed and direction of current, as well as the ability for calculation of pure IL and combined IL-CF response. Improvements in fatigue assessments at free spans, i.e. pipe–soil interaction have been achieved through the combined frequency domain and non-linear time domain analysis methodology adopted. Semi-empirical models are still the de facto currently used in the design of free-spanning pipelines. However, there is need for further research on free-span hydrodynamic coefficients and on how in-line and cross-flow vibrations interact. Again, there is still the challenge due to VIV complexity in fully understanding the fluid structure interaction problem, as there is no consolidated procedure for its analysis. It has been observed that there is large scatter between the different codes adopted in the prediction of fatigue damage, as there lacks full-scale test data devoted to determination/validation of the coefficients used in the semi-empirical models. A case study of the preliminary design of a typical 48 in. pipeline has been presented in this study to demonstrate the use of the free-span analysis tool, DNV RP F105. Excel spreadsheet has been applied in the execution of formulas. Originality/value: This review paper is the first of its kind to study the state-of-the-art development in pipeline free-span analysis models and demonstrate the use of analysis tool, DNV for MAFSL calculation. Hence, information obtained from this paper would be invaluable in assisting designers both in the industry and academia

Detection of metallo betalactamases among gram negative bacterial isolates from Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano and Almadina Hospital Kaduna, Nigeria

Over the last few years, the increase in the number of multi-resistant (MR) enterobacteria has become a major clinical problem. This study detects the occurrence and prevalence of Metallo betalactamase production among some clinical bacterial isolates in Murtala Muhammad SpecialistHospital, Kano and Al-Madina Specialist Hospital Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 200 clinical isolates comprising of E. coli (83), Klebsiella pneumoniae (52), Pseusomonas aeruginosa (28) and Proteus mirabilis (37) were screened phenotypically for carbapenemase and specifically for Metallo betalactamase using Modified Hodges Test and EDTA Disc Synergy Test respectively. The result showed that 67(33.5%) of the isolates were found to produce carbapenemase. High production occurred in 24(35.8%) and low production occurred in 43(64.2%) of the isolates. Highest prevalence of carbapenemase was found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38.55%) followed by E. coli (34.8%), Proteus mirabilis. (29.1%) and least prevalence in Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.0%). The prevalence of MBLs in the study was 24.5% with highest prevalence in E. coli (31.32%) followed by Proteus mirabilis. (21.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.2%) and least among Klebsiella pneumoniae. (14.3%). Most of carbapenemase producers produce MBL type. Urine samples were found to be with the highest prevalence of 38.3% when compared with ear swab (12.0%). Prevalence of 67.9% and 76.9% were recorded for Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital Kano and Al-madina hospital Kaduna respectively. This showed that carbapenemase-mediated resistance occurred in the selected hospitals and uncontrolled spread may lead to treatment failure and frustration.Keywords: Metallobetalactamase, Carbapenemase, Enterobacteriaceae, prevalence, Hospita

Electro-Discharge Machining of Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3: An Investigation on Hydroxyapatite Deposition and Surface Roughness

This study attempts to simultaneously machine and synthesize a biomimetic nanoporous hydroxyapatite coating on the Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3 bulk metallic glass (BMG) surface. The aim is to investigate and optimize the hydroxyapatite deposition rate and the surface roughness during the electro-discharge coating of Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3 BMG. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder Diffraction (XRD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to characterize and analyze the results. Response Surface Methodology using D-optimum custom design approach was utilized to generate the models and optimize the input parameters. A globule nanostructured and nanoporous coating of about 25.2 µm thick, containing mainly Ca, O, and K were ascertained. Further XRD analysis confirmed the deposition of biocompatible oxides (HA, CaZrO3, and ZrO2) and hard ZrC coating on the Zr67Cu11Ni10Ti9Be3 BMG surface. A significant improvement in cell viability was observed in the HA electro-discharge coated BMG specimens. The numerical models for the Hydroxyapatite Deposition Rate (HDR) and Surface Roughness (SR) were developed and experimentally validated using the optimized parameters setting suggested by the software. The achieved average predicted error of 4.94 and 5.09% for the HDR and SR respectively confirmed the excellent reproducibility of the developed models