Bolton\u27s ratios and tooth-size discrepancies in a Nigerian population

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the Bolton\u27s ratios and tooth size discrepancies in a Nigerian population. Method: The Bolton tooth size analysis was performed on 54 dental casts of Nigerian subjects comprising 33 (61%) males and 21 (39%) females (mean 26.6 ± 2.1 years). The overall and anterior tooth size ratios were determined, and gender differences among the sample population was evaluated with t-test. The frequency and magnitude of deviation of theNigerian subjects outside 2 standard deviations from the Bolton\u27s mean was also determined. Result: The result revealed no statistically significant gender differences in interarch tooth size ratios (p> 0.05) and the measurement for both males and females were therefore combined.The overall ratio was 92.1% ± 2.35 and anterior ratio was 78.9% ± 2.64. The overall tooth size discrepancy was present in 9.3% and the 25.9% of the subjects had anterior tooth size discrepancy in relations to more than 2 standard deviations from the Bolton\u27s mean values. Conclusion: The study provided data on tooth size ratios among Nigerian subjects whose values were larger than Bolton\u27s data. This study re-emphasized the importance of developing standards for each population

Pattern and outcome of diabetic admissions at a federal medical center: A 5-year review

Background: Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide, with the major increases expected to occur in developing countries. It has been observed that the pattern of hospital admissions can be used to determine the effectiveness of outpatient care of DM. Objective: This study was aimed to examine diabetes-related admissions to medical wards of a federal medical center in Ekiti, Nigeria. Such data would be useful to determine the burden on health care system and in the planning of appropriate management strategies. Methods: A 5-year retrospective analysis of diabetes-related admissions to the medical wards of Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State, between 2003 and 2007 was carried out using medical records of the patients. SPSS 13 software was used to analyze data. Results: Of the total 2,696 medical admissions, 118 (4.4%) were diabetes related. The mean age of these patients was 57 \ub1 16.2 years. Majority (37.29%) of the patients were admitted for diabetic foot ulcer. Other major reasons for admission were severe hypertension (13.56%), uncontrolled hyperglycemia (13.56%), hyperglycemic emergencies (11.86%) and stroke (10.17%). Duration of hospital stay ranged from 1 to 107 days, with a mean duration of 17.5 \ub1 9.2 days. Mean duration of hospital stay was the longest (25.3 \ub1 23.9 days) for those admitted for diabetic foot ulcer. Most (74.6%) of the patients were discharged and only 4 (3.4%) died. Majority of those who left against medical advice were admitted for diabetic foot ulcer. Conclusion: There is a need to emphasize foot care as one of the cardinal features of optimal diabetes care. Establishing clinics specializing in treating diabetes and having facilities for treatment of all aspects of diabetes, including diabetic complications, will help in providing better patient care and in minimizing hospital admissions

Malocclusion and occlusal traits among orthodontic patients seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trend of malocclusion and occlusal traits among orthodontic patients in Benin City. Method: One hundred and thirty one patients, consisting of 71 females (54.2%) and 60 males (45.8%) aged 5 - 44 years (mean 17.9 ± 7.5 years) who presented for orthodontic treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Dental Centre were assessed for sagittal molar occlusion, overjet, overbite, crossbite, open bite, crowding, spacing, median diastema, midline shift, malformed and supernumerary teeth, displaced, unerupted and impacted teeth. Statistical gender differences in the occlusal traits were evaluated with the chi-square test. Result: The results revealed high prevalence of Angle\u27s class I malocclusion (71.8%), while 9.9% of the subjects had Angle\u27s Class II division 1, 7.6% had Angle\u27s Class II division 2 and 10.7% had Angle\u27s class III malocclusion. An increased overjet greater than 3.5mm was observed in 43% while increased overbite was observed in 25.2%. Anterior open bite was seen in 8.4% while 21.4% and 12.2% had anterior and posterior crossbites respectively. Midline shift was present in 29.8%, crowding of both upper and lower anterior segments was observed in 47.3%, spacing in the upper and lower anterior segments was present in 22.1%, and midline diastema was observed in 21.4%. No statistically significant gender differences were observed for any of the occlusal variables evaluated (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed high prevalence of class I malocclusion, increased overjet and crowding among the orthodontic patients seen in Benin City, Nigeria

Occurrence of hydrocarbon-degrading nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the rhizosphere of Paspalum vaginatum Sw.

Several nitrogen-fixing and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of the turf grass Paspalum vaginatum Sw. using four different hydrocarbons; crude oil, decane, diesel and engine oil as substrates. The isolates showed between 98%-99% 16S rRNA gene similarity with species of Alcaligenes, Brevundimonas and Klebsiella. Only Alcaligenes faecalis C1B, Klebsiella varicola C3B and Klebsiella varicola C3BB had the nifH gene; and the genes responsible for nitrogen-fixing abilities of all the isolates were not plasmid borne. Three of the isolates, Brevundimonas diminuta C4B, Alcaligenes faecalis B5 and Alcaligenes faecalis D4A with the ability to grow well in crude oil as carbon and energy source were selected for further studies. Alcaligenes faecalis B5 had the highest growth rate constant of 0.038 µ-1 with a mean generation time of 18.46 h. Analysis of culture extracts by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector showed that Alcaligenes faecalis B5 degraded 90.5% of crude oil in 24 days, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B biodegraded 84.6% and 82.1% of the oil respectively. Confirmation of nitrogen fixing ability was determined by the acetylene reduction assay (ARA). Alcaligenes faecalis B5 produced the highest amount of ethylene (15.18 nmol) after 24 h of incubation, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B produced 12.10 nmol and 9.60 nmol of ethylene respectively. Nitrogen-fixing hydrocarbon utilizers are therefore potential seeds in the bioaugmentation of nitrogen-limited hydrocarbon-polluted environments

Occurrence of hydrocarbon-degrading nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the rhizosphere of Paspalum vaginatum Sw.

Several nitrogen-fixing and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of the turf grass Paspalum vaginatum Sw. using four different hydrocarbons; crude oil, decane, diesel and engine oil as substrates. The isolates showed between 98%-99% 16S rRNA gene similarity with species of Alcaligenes, Brevundimonas and Klebsiella. Only Alcaligenes faecalis C1B, Klebsiella varicola C3B and Klebsiella varicola C3BB had the nifH gene; and the genes responsible for nitrogen-fixing abilities of all the isolates were not plasmid borne. Three of the isolates, Brevundimonas diminuta C4B, Alcaligenes faecalis B5 and Alcaligenes faecalis D4A with the ability to grow well in crude oil as carbon and energy source were selected for further studies. Alcaligenes faecalis B5 had the highest growth rate constant of 0.038 µ-1 with a mean generation time of 18.46 h. Analysis of culture extracts by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector showed that Alcaligenes faecalis B5 degraded 90.5% of crude oil in 24 days, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B biodegraded 84.6% and 82.1% of the oil respectively. Confirmation of nitrogen fixing ability was determined by the acetylene reduction assay (ARA). Alcaligenes faecalis B5 produced the highest amount of ethylene (15.18 nmol) after 24 h of incubation, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B produced 12.10 nmol and 9.60 nmol of ethylene respectively. Nitrogen-fixing hydrocarbon utilizers are therefore potential seeds in the bioaugmentation of nitrogen-limited hydrocarbon-polluted environments

Education and Gendered Roles in Post-Adjustment Igbo Society

The impact of Igbo lost the 1967-70 making Biafra-Nigeria war was of collective punishment of the Igbo through the policy of marginalization and exclusion. This strategy of disempowerment imposed a heavy price on the Igbo attitude to education. The frustrations of the educated Igbo males to find accommodation in the formal sector of Nigerian economy pushed them into the informal sector for survival and social mobility. For Igbo men, investment in education was seen as a waste leaving it for female folks. But post-adjustment neo-liberalization of the Nigerian economy and the consequent retreat of the state altered the dynamics that created a level playing field for job competition, thus creating room for the empowerment of Igbo women by the virtue of their educational attainment. The paper examines these changing dynamics of gender roles of Igbo society arising from these changes in the structure of Nigerian economy. It employed a multiple method of data collection including documented materials and surveys which was analyzed using descriptive analysis to arrive at the finding that changes in gendered access to education among the Igbo society has altered the traditional Igbo gendered rol

Characterization and Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Dolomite as Filler in Polyester

This research work is to characterize dolomite found in southern Nigeria and evaluates the mechanical properties of Dolomite as filler in Polyester. The use of Dolomite as one of the major fillers in Polyester was harnessed. Polyester resin was used as the matrix while the dolomite sample serves as filler. The filler was used at different percentage compositions of weight/weight. A single particle size was chosen for all the percentage compositions. Instron Universal tester and Leco Micro Hardness Tester were used to determined mechanical properties of the composite product. The result of the mechanical test revealed increase effect of the dolomite at 20% and 30% on the Modulus and Hardness of the composite. This makes the dolomite-polyester composite material more suitable for industrial application especially for structural application where high hardness and modulus properties are required.Keywords: Composite, Dolomite, Mini X-ray Diffractometer, Polyester

Investigation into House-Hold Energy Consumption in Saki, Southwestern Nigeria

Energy is a major means of sustaining life hence It’s effects on nation’s economic development at both micro and macro levels. The dynamics of changes in the energy demand and supply patterns can be properly monitored through appropriate evaluation of consumption rate of available energy for effective planning. The main selection criterion considered in this study for the selection of household energy for cooking and heating, lighting, entertainment, refrigeration, and so on is population density. Energy sources considered in this investigation are electricity, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel fuel, kerosene, firewood, liquefied natural gas (LNG), charcoal and solar cells. Energy consumption for individual in a family per day per zone to their average level of income per zone were investigated to establish sources, supply, and availability in the prevailing situation of things in the study area. The result of the study indicates that 70.81% of household energy is from biomass which is very disastrous to the environment. Not less than 29.185 % and 0,004766 % of energy were obtained from fossil fuel and electricity respectively. It is evident that residents in the study area depend highly on biomass as source of household energy and much less on electricity. The result of this study have open up the ground for development of predictive model for estimation of daily household energy requirements (DHER) for Saki dwellers and for rural development plan for the area under stud

Risk Factors Associated with Breast Cancer among Women in Warri and lbadan, Nigeria

Ojectives Breast cancer is a common cause of death among Nigerian women. Identifying some of the risk factors is vital to strategic intervention in breast cancer control. This study was carried out to  determine risk factors associated with breast cancer among women in two referral hospitals in Nigeria.Methods A case control study was carried out among 266 women aged 20-80 years. The participants with breast cancer and the comparison group (controls) were matched in the ratio of 1:3 respectively for  age and duration of stay in the area of residence. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, family history of breast cancer, dietary pattern, nutritional status, physical activity and environmental factors.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 48. 7±11.8 years. Family history of breast cancer was reported by 6.2% of the cases and 5.0% of control group. Dietary pattern revealed that the cases (69.2%) significantly had high risk consumption pattern for high calorie containing foods than the controls (54. 7%).  Significantly more of the controls than cases had engaged in good physical exercise (17.9% versus 6.2%). The odds of developing breast cancer was four times higher among women who reported daily exposure to fumes from automobiles and electricity generating plants than those who were rarely exposed (0R=4.40, C/=1.25-15.57) and seven times higher among women who reported occasional  exposure to wastes from operating industries than those who were rarely exposed (0R=6.91, C/=2.87- 16.66).Conclusion Major risk factors for breast cancer among  women in this study were lack of  exercise,high calorie intake, and environmental pollutants. Health education to improve knowledge of self-protection against pollutants and healthy dietary habits may reduce risk of breast cancer.Keywords: Breast cancer; Risk factors; Environmental pollutants; Dietary pattern; Nigeria