Microbiology of post-operative wound infection in implant surgery

Background: Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of fractures with implants and prosthesis has become the first line in the management of fractures in most trauma centres. Incidentally, this is associated with post-operative wound infection which is accompanied by significant morbidity, cost and mortality. The objective of this paper was to identify the pattern of the bacteriological isolates responsible and their antimicrobial sensitivityMethod: We prospectively studied two hundred and fifty-four patients who had ORIF with implants and prosthesis that fulfilled a set of inclusion criteria. Post-operative wound infection was diagnosed based on the criteria of the National Research Council and follow-up was for twelve weeks. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were carried out on each specimen.Results: Two hundred and fifty-four patients were recruited and 19 had post-operative wound infection. The infection rate was 7.5%.Plates and screws were the commonest implant. Thirty-six bacterial isolates were recovered. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest in 16 cases (44%), Bacteroides fragilis 4(11%), Escherichia coli 4(11%), Proteus spp.4 (11%).Others were Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp. and Peptostreptococcus. Cephalosporins were found to be the most potent against Staphylococcus aureus while the anaerobes responded favourably to metronidazole.Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus remains the most important microorganism responsible for POWI in implants and prosthesis. Resistant strains have emerged and previously reserved drugs have become first line. Anaerobic organisms remain important isolates were such are feasible. Metronidazole should be a component of the antibiotic regimen where such cultures are not feasible

Technical efficiency of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study was designed to measure the level of technical efficiency, its determinants in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production and the constraints in the production system in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State using a stochastic frontier production function. A combination of purposive and random sampling technique was used to select 80 watermelon farmers for the study. The socio-­‐economic characteristics show that the farmers are predominantly males, mostly (78.8%) married with majority (87.6%) having at least primary school education. The cost and return analysis shows a high net farm income per hectare of ₦25, 574.24. The estimated farm level mean technical efficiency was found to be 65 percent. This result indicates that great opportunities exist for the farmers to increase their productivity and income through improvement in technical efficiency. Age and off-­‐farm income were found to be positively and significantly related to the technical efficiency while education was negatively signed, as expected, but significant. Policies aimed at improving farmers’ access to education through aggressive awareness campaigns and mass mobilizations are recommended by the study

Leak localisation in urban water supply system : a literature synopsis on model based methodologies

Abstract: In water supply systems (WSS), water loss is inex- orable, nevertheless, the volume of these losses differ from one WSS to the other. Because of its association with financial losses, environmental concern and most importantly saving of the water resource, advanced computing tools and methodologies have been developed for sustainable management of water resource through leak localisation. Over the years, several research studies have been conducted proposing different methodologies for leak localisation in WSS. Amongst the previous methodology used, a model-based approach is cost-effective. Thus, this paper presents a literature synopsis on the model-based approach to localising leaks in WSS. We categorise the model-based approach under orifice discharge modelling, pressure measurement and leak sensitivity analysis, water audit and minimum night flow analysis, leak signature analysis, and optimisation approach. Numerous research studies in this category are discussed therein. Also, technical challenges and research gaps for further studies are introduced

IoT-based smart water network management challenges and future trend

Abstract: In recent years, internet of things (IoT)-based tech- nology has been deployed to different areas of water supply system. This is in line with the Smart Water Network Manage- ment (SWNM) initiative, that aims to propose a methodology to improve operational performance and monitoring of water supply systems. In the smart water network management applications, IoT-based technology is facing quite a few challenges. In this paper, we present IoT’s applications for monitoring the water supply network with emphasis on its application to water quality and leakage monitoring. In these applications, the technical challenges of IoT-based technology are also discussed. Finally, future research directions in this domain are also highlighted, which may be useful for further studies

Preventive and Remedial Measures to House Termite Infestations in Two Ikwerre Communities of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

From forests to human dwellings, infestations of woods by termites are on the increase. Despite the increasing occurrences of termite infestations in human dwellings in the Niger Delta region, there is still insufficient information about the preventive and remedial measures towards house termites by house-owners (HOs) in the region. Through a survey of Omuoko [n = (50%) = 82] and Omuihechi [n = (50%) = 57] communities in the Ikwerre area of Port Harcourt, this study analyzed a 139-house owner samples using standard methods. Data obtained show that 64.7% of HOs use preventive measures which include chemicals (43.2%), chemicals and non-wood materials (20.9%), and non-wood materials (0.6%). A sub-total of 73 HOs representing 52.5% of the total respondents use remedial measures with chemicals (34.2%) being dominant, followed by Chemicals and replacement (27.4%), Replacement (17.8%), Scraping (12.3%), Chemical and scrapping (6.8%), and cement (1.4%). This study indicates that old, wooden, and thatched houses are highly susceptible to termites’ infestations, thus deserving periodic preventive and remedial treatments through expert consultations and/or do-it-yourself methods

Polynomial Regression Model of Making Cost Prediction In Mixed Cost Analysis

Regression analysis is used across business fields for tasks as diverse as systematic risk estimation, production and operations management, and statistical inference. This paper presents the cubic polynomial least square regression as a robust alternative method of making cost prediction in business rather than the usual linear regression.The study reveals that polynomial regression is a better alternative with a very high coefficient of determination. Keywords: Polynomial regression, linear regression, high-low method, cost prediction, mixed cost

Profile of hospital Admissions of childhood poisoning at a North-central Nigerian tertiary health care centre

Background: Childhood poisoning is an important but preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric subpopulation. There is the continuous need to describe the pattern of childhood poisoning and to create public awareness on the common agents of poison in this environment.Objectives: To determine the pattern of childhood poisoning and to bridge the existing knowledge gap on childhood poisoning in North-Central Nigeria.Patients and methods: A retrospective study of case records of children admitted and treated for childhood poisoning at the Emergency Paediatrics Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos over a five year period (February 2008-February 2013) was undertaken. The data extracted from the case records included bio-data, date of admission, type and route of poison exposure, level of education and occupation of parents of affected children, treatment received and outcomes.Results: Twenty-six (0.94%) out of a total of 2,770 children were admitted and treated for poisoning. Their ages ranged from 5 months to 13 years. Children aged 0 to 2 years accounted for 12 (46.2%) cases with a mean age of 1.88 years. There were 10 (38.5%) male and 16 (61.5%) female with a male: female ratio of 0.62:1. Organophosphate and kerosene accounted for 9 (34.6%) and 6 (23.1%) of all cases respectively. Twenty-four (92.3%) of the poisoning were accidental while 2(7.7%) were intentional. Oral route was the commonest route of poison exposure in 20 (76.9%) and 24 (92.3%) of all cases which occurred in their home environment. gastrointestinal system symptoms were the most frequent clinical presentation 16 (61.5%). Thirteen (50.0%) of the affected victims presented to the hospital in 1-6 hours of poison exposure. Indications for hospital admissions in decreasing order of frequency were dehydration 7 (26.9%), seizures 6 (23.1%) and coma 6 (23.1%). Six (23.1%) of patients received palm oil/milk as home remedies prior to hospital presentation. There was a mortality rate of 3.8% from carbon monoxide poisoning. Mean duration of hospital stay was 1.87 days.Conclusions: Organophosphate is the commonest cause of childhood poisoning in North-Central Nigeria and children aged 0-2 years are the most vulnerable age group for accidental poisoning while older children aged 13 years and above for intentional poisoning. Therefore, there are needs to increase and sustain public health awareness on childhood poisoning and the government to provide poisoning centres and improve standards of living.Keywords: Pattern, admissions, poisoning, children, North-Central NigeriaJos Journal of Medicine, Volume 7 No.

Estimating the proportion of prisoners in England and Wales who are ex-Armed Forces - further analysis

On 25 January 2010 Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) published its initial estimate of the proportion of prisoners in England and Wales who are ex-Armed Forces. The study involved matching the personaldetails of adult prisoners against DASA’s Service leavers database. The initial report published on 25 January 2010 reported that 2,207 records of Service leavers matched against the 81,071 prisoner records supplied by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) (a snapshot taken on 06/11/09). From this it was estimated that 2.7% (rounded up to 3%) of prisoners were veterans of the UK Regular Armed Forces. The initial report committed the Ministry of Defence to three areas of further analysis. These three components are described in detail in this report which is divided into the following sections:Section A: Revising the estimate of the proportion of prisoners in England and Wales who are ex-Armed Forces.Section B: Describing the characteristics of the prisoners in England and Wales who were identified as ex-Armed Forces.Section C: Comparing the proportion of ex-Armed Forcesidentified as being in prison with the proportion of the general population in prison, overall and by offence group

Estimating the proportion of offenders supervised by probation trusts in England and Wales who are ex-Armed Forces

On 15 September 2010 Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) published its estimate of the proportion of prisoners in England and Wales who are ex-Armed Forces. The study involved matching the personal details of adult prisoners (a snapshot taken on 06/11/09) against DASA’s Service leavers’ database. It was estimated that 3.5% of prisoners were veterans of the UK Regular Armed Forces. A similar matching exercise has now been undertaken to estimate the proportion of those being supervised by Probation Trusts in England and Wales who are ex-Armed Forces

Molecular and Physiological Factors of Neuroprotection in Hypoxia-Tolerant Models: Pharmacological Clues for the Treatment of Stroke

The naked mole-rat possesses several unique physiological and molecular features that underlie their remarkably and exceptional resistance to tissue hypoxia. Elevated pattern of Epo, an erythropoietin (Epo) factor; c-fos; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α) contribute to the adaptive strategy to cope with hypoxic stress. Moreover, the naked mole-rat has a lower metabolic rate than any other eutherian mammal of comparable size that has been studied. The ability to actively reduce metabolic rate represents a strategy widely used in the face of decreased tissue oxygen availability. Understanding the different molecular and physiological factors that induce metabolic suppression could guide the development of pharmacological agents for the clinical management of stroke patient