Treatment to targets in type 2 diabetics: analysis of out-patients practice at a remote Western Nigerian hospital

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality allover the world. Tight control of diabetes in the outpatients will reduce complications and hospitalizations. This study of Nigerian patients with diabetes examined the adequacy of glycemic and BP control in line with current guidelines. A 4 month retrospective analysis of type 2 diabetics attending Medical Outpatients Department (MOPD) of Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria between June and September 2008 was carried out using medical records of the patients. SPSS 13 software was used to analyze data. Data are expressed as mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) and frequency expressed as a percentage where necessary. A total of 308 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, aged between 35 and 85years were analyzed. Their mean age was 60.90 ± 11.60years. There were 125 males (40.6%) and 183 females (59.4%) giving an M: F ratio of 1:1.46. Mean duration of clinic attendance was 26.18 ± 24.46 months. Glycemic control was achieved in only about a third of the patients (29.3% and 32.5% using IDF-Europe and ADA criteria respectively). Blood pressure control was achieved in 24.5% and 48.7% had BMI ≥ 25kg/m2. No correlation between mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body mass index (BMI). Frequencies of insulin and low dose aspirin use were low (5.3% and 37% respectively). The results from this study showed poor control of blood glucose, BP and weight in the patients. We are of the opinion that current practices are not aggressive enough to manage a substantial proportion of type 2 diabetes patients.KEY WORDS: Diabetes mellitus; Glycemic control; BP contro

Growth pattern and structural nature of amylases produced by some Bacillus species in starchy substrates

The growth pattern and microbial biomass formed during metabolic activities of the Bacillus species on starchy substrates was determined. The result showed that the strains B. subtilis (WBS), B. licheniformis (WBL) and B. coagulans (MBC) generally had high growth rate. B. circulans (SBC) and B. coagulans (WBC) has specific affinity for growth and some enzymatic activity on corn starch medium compared with other lower growth observed in B. polymyxa (WBP) but higher enzyme production. The amylolytic Bacillus species obtained utilized white corn starch substrate as a sole carbon source as well as soluble starch. The amylase production values range from 0.022 x 102 unit/cfu in B. circulans (WBC) to 0.912 x 102 unit/cfu in B. licheniformis (WBL) for corn starch, and 0.01 x 102 unit/cfu in both B. megaterium (SBG) and B. licheniformis (SBL) to 0.693 x 102 unit/cfu in B. subtilis (WBS) for soluble starch.Keywords: Activity, Bacillus, enzymatic, metabolic, starchy, substrat

Heat activation and stability of amylases from Bacillus species

Leitch and Collier sporulating Bacillus medium was used to isolate some strains of Bacillus species from soil, wastewater and food sources in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, by heat activation method. Heat treatment at 80oC allowed the growth of sporulating Bacillus species, in the culture sample source without other bacteria forms. The amylolytic Bacillus species isolated during the study were identified as Bacillus macerans, Bacillus coagulans Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus subtilis. Heat treatment at 70oC denatured the -amylase component of the amylase source while -amylase retained its potency at this temperature. Calcium cations (Ca2+) enhance the enzyme production than Na+ which was less effective. Physiological studies show that an optimum temperature of 40oC was suitable for the enzyme activity while temperature above 60oC reduced its activity unless positive measures are taken to stabilize it with relevant cations like Ca2+

Motivation factors affecting employees job performance in selected agricultural oil palm industries in Edo State, Nigeria

Motivation is the combination of a person's desire and energy directed at achieving a goal. It is the cause of action. Motivation can be intrinsic, such as satisfaction and feelings of achievement; or extrinsic, such as rewards,punishment, and goal obtainment. The study assessed the motivating factors affecting the job performance of two oil palm companies’ employees, in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study were to; ascertain the socioeconomic characteristics of employees, the challenges faced by both employees and management of selectedcompanies; and determine motivating factors affecting employees’ job performance in selected oil palm companies in Edo state.Using proportional and simple random sampling techniques, 83  respondents were selected for the study. The findings of the study revealed that majority (72%) of Presco employees were males compared to (27%) of Okomu. A large proportion of the respondents (59%) and (67.6%) were married for Presco and Okomu respectively. Majority(82%) and (100%) of Presco and Okomu employees were between ages 31 and 50 years respectively. The most important motivating factors for respondents’ job performance are annual leave granted ( x = 4.21), leave bonus given ( x = 4.10), and free medical care ( x = 3.79). The major challenges to the employees are lack of appreciation for hard work ( x = 4.8, 9), delayed promotion ( x = 4.86), random sack of workers ( x = 4.40) and absence of staff training ( x = 4.07). There was a significant relationship between income of respondents and challenges they face (r = -0.266: P<0.05). The study suggested that employers should compensate hard work and provide avenue for job security. In addition, management should create a certain level of informal relationship that would enable them share a cordial relationship with their employees. This would give management an insight into the appropriate and specific factors thatmotivate workers

Awareness of Breast Cancer and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Rural Women in Ife-North Local Government Area, Osun State, South-West Nigeria

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women in globally and in Nigeria. In Nigeria, cases of breast cancer cases have been prevalent for three decades and more than 90% of cases can be detected by women themselves through breast self – examination. The objective of this study therefore, was to assess rural women's level of awareness and knowledge of breast cancer and the practice of breast self- examination.Methods: The data for this was collected in the months of March and April, 2011. A structured interviewer–administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 420 randomly selected volunteered women from two randomly selected wards in Ife North Local Government Area (a rural Local Government Area) in Osun State, SW Nigeria.Results: 400 questionnaires were properly filled and subsequently used for data analysis and results showed that a large proportion (78.8%) had erroneous belief that keeping money in the brassier can cause breast cancer despite the fact that majority (87.8%) of them claimed to be aware of the disease. Cigarette smoking had the highest percentage (51.5%) among the correct risk factors for breast cancer being agreed to by the respondents. Their awareness and practices of breast self- examination (BSE) were also low (47% and 29% respectively). Age and religion of the respondents had significant effect on the practices of BSE (p=0.013 and p=0.0001 respectively).Conclusion: Appropriate educational program is suggested in order to improve the knowledge of women regarding breast cancer and increase their practices of breast self examination.Keywords: Breast Cancer, Breast Self- Examination, Knowledge, Rural Wome

Effect of Poverty on Risk Attitude of Rural Women Investors in Osun State, Nigeria

In investments, profit is the main reward for risk bearing. A riskless business may promote poverty. Poverty influences the capacities and willingness to acquire new knowledge and apply new technologies. This study sought mainly to determine the effect of poverty on risk attitude of rural women investors. The study area was Osun state. A three stage sampling technique was used for selection of respondents. Data were generated from both primary and secondary sources. Structured questionnaire was the main tool used to collect primary data for the study. Data collected from 75 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Foster Greer Thorbecke poverty measures, the Multi item scale and multinomial logit regression analysis. Result showed that 58.67% of the respondents were poor and the depth and extent of poverty is 19.53% using the international US$1 per day per person as poverty line. Furthermore, the study revealed that, 50.6% of the respondents were risk averse, 38.7% were risk preferring while 10.7% were risk neutral. Further analysis showed that age and level of poverty were major determinants of risk attitudes. Any attempt to insure the women investors’ business should take account of the poverty levels and age of these women

Cardiovascular responses to treadmill exercise in Nigerian hypertensives with left ventricular hypertrophy

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiac outcomes in hypertensive patients.Objective: This study is designed to assess the cardiovascular responses to treadmill exercise among Nigerian hypertensives with echocardiographically proven LVH.Materials and Methods: Fifty hypertensive patients with LVH (27 males and 23 females) between 30 and 65 years of age were studied in Nigeria. 50 hypertensive patients without LVH and 50 normal subjects who were age and sex matched served as controls. All patients and control subjects underwent M-mode, 2-D and Doppler ECHO-studies and the Bruce protocol treadmill exercise test.Results: The study showed that the estimated maximal oxygen consumption (MVO2) in MET reduced progressively from 8.39 ± 1.26 (normotensive control) to 7.62 ± 1.33 (hypertensive without LVH), 6.27 ± 0.99 (hypertensive with LVH) (P<0.0001ANOVA). The duration of exercise (s) was also reduced in that order from 455.4 ± 79.1 to 411.6 ±8 2.3, 315.8 ± 75.6 respectively (P<0.0001). The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pressure rate product (PRP) during maximal exercise were also increased in hypertensives with LVH and hypertensive without LVH when compared to normotensive controls. The hypertensives with LVH and hypertensives without LVH also showed significant limitation to heart rate increase with exercise compared to normotensive controls (P<0.003).Conclusion: This study demonstrated significant impairment of exercise capacity in hypertensives with or without LVH compared to normotensive subjects. Both earlier recognition and improved understanding of LVH may lead to more effective therapeutic strategies for this cardiovascular risk factor

Population status of olive baboon Papio anubis (lesson, 1827) in Kainji lake national park, Nigeria

The study assessed the population status of Olive Baboon Papio anubis in Kainji Lake National Park, in both sectors of the park. Direct count was carried out on the line transect where activities of Olive Baboon Papio anubis was observed during reconnaissance survey. It involves counting of individual or group of individual species sighted. While the indirect method involves gathering information on current locations for primate through consultation with experience Park Rangers, hunters, farmers and community leaders, counting of animal index such as feacal droppings, foot prints, calls, and feeding remnants, within each transect. These were related to relative abundance/distribution of Primates in a particular area at a particular time. Data was collected from November, 2017-August, 2019. Data was analyzed using distance software. Student t-test was used to compare between wet and dry seasons population. The results were presented in tables. The overall Population estimation revealed Papio anubis has the highest mean abundance (19 ± 0), population density (0.042 ± 0.000) and relative abundance of (6 ± 0) at Oli range and the species was not observed in the two ranges of Zugurma sector of the park. Individuals and troops recorded during the dry seasons exceeded those of the wet seasons in all the sectors during the study. The population structures (age and sex) adult female Olive Baboon has the highest mean of individual in all seasons with (140 ± 41) the least in the troop been the Sub-adult male with (32 ±6). The Olive baboons were observed to be social and a very popular attraction for park staff that resident in the Oli camp, visitors and researches alike. Keywords: Baboon, Population, status, age structure, sex structur

Normal Limits of Electrocardiogram and Cut-Off Values for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Young Adult Nigerians

This study assessed healthy young adults to determine the normal limits for electrocardiographic variables and cut-off values for left ventricular hypertrophy. It was a cross sectional descriptive study in which the participants were evaluated clinically by standard 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) at 25mm/s during quiet respiration. The heart rate, P wave duration, axis and amplitude, PR and QT intervals, QRS duration, axis and amplitude and T wave axis were assessed. Three hundred and twenty four (324) volunteers comprising of 175 males and 149 females aged 20 to 30 years (mean, 23.01±2.88years) participated in the study. The normal limits for heart rate, P wave duration, amplitude and axis in lead II, QRS duration and axis, T wave axis, PR interval, QT interval and QTc respectively were; 61-93beats per  minute,0.08-0.12s,1.00-2.00mm,22.00-79.000,78.00-106.00ms,15.50-81.000, 24.25-69.000,0.12-0.19s, 0.32-0.40s and 0.36-0.44s. The cut-off values for Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell and Araoye criteria for assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were higher than those previously in use in  medical practice. Gender difference exists in some cut-off values for LVH. This study defined the normal limits for electrocardiographic variables for young adult Nigerians. Racial factor should be taken into consideration in interpretation of ECG.Keywords: Normal limits, Electrocardiogram, Cut-off values, Left ventricular hypertrophy, Young Adult

Prenatal care coverage and correlates of HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa: Insight from demographic and health surveys of 16 countries.

BackgroundPrenatal screening of pregnant women for HIV is central to eliminating mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) of HIV. While some countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have scaled up their prevention of MTCT programmes, ensuring a near-universal prenatal care HIV testing, and recording a significant reduction in new infection among children, several others have poor outcomes due to inadequate testing. We conducted a multi-country analysis of demographic and health surveys (DHS) to assess the coverage of HIV testing during pregnancy and also examine the factors associated with uptake.MethodsWe analysed data of 64,933 women from 16 SSA countries with recent DHS datasets (2015-2018) using Stata version 16. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to examine correlates of prenatal care uptake of HIV testing. Statistical significance was set at pResultsProgress in scaling up of prenatal care HIV testing was uneven across SSA, with only 6.1% of pregnant women tested in Chad compared to 98.1% in Rwanda. While inequality in access to HIV testing among pregnant women is pervasive in most SSA countries and particularly in West and Central Africa sub-regions, a few countries, including Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia have managed to eliminate wealth and rural-urban inequalities in access to prenatal care HIV testing.ConclusionOur findings highlight the between countries and sub-regional disparities in prenatal care uptake of HIV testing in SSA. Even though no country has universal coverage of prenatal care HIV testing, East and Southern African regions have made remarkable progress towards ensuring no pregnant woman is left untested. However, the West and Central Africa regions had low coverage of prenatal care testing, with the rich and well educated having better access to testing, while the poor rarely tested. Addressing the inequitable access and coverage of HIV testing among pregnant women is vital in these sub-regions