Acute mechanical bowel obstruction among adults see at the Lake Akintola

No Abstrac

Peak Expiratory Flow as a Surrogate for Health Related Quality of Life in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Preliminary Cross Sectional Study

Background: Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) measures can capture the non-respiratory effects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However the relationship with Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) is not well understoodAim: To determine the relationship of PEF and quality of life measurements in patients with COPD Settings and Design: A cross section of consecutive patients in a university clinicMethods: Stable patients with COPD defined by the Global Initiative on chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, were recruited into the study. Spirometry was done using American Thoracic Society’s standards and  reference equations from African American norms of the US population. Quality of life was measured with the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)Results: Out of 50 patients recruited for the study, 48 provided complete data with acceptable spirometry and PEF data. The mean (SD) age and body mass index was 68.4 (8.9) years and 21.4 (4.6) kg/m2 respectively and 96% of the patients were in moderate-severe stages of COPD using the GOLD criteria. Percent predicted PEF correlated with percent predicted FEV1; r= 0.559 p<0.001 and also showed a significant, though moderate correlation between PEF readings and SGRQ scores especially in the activity (r= -0.455 p< 0.01) and total scores (r=-0.415 p<0.01) for pre bronchodilator (BD) percent predicted PEF. In regression analysis, PEF was associated with SGRQ (-0.11 95% CI -0.19, -0.03) after adjusting for age, sex, height, smoking and disease severityConclusions: PEF correlates with SGRQ scores and may be a useful surrogate for HRQL in patients with COPDKey words: Peak expiratory flow, quality of life, spirometry, primary car

Efficacy of Major Plant Extracts/Molecules on Field Insect Pests

Insect pests are considered the major hurdle in enhancing the production and productivity of any farming system. The use of conventional synthetic pesticides has led to the emergence of pesticide-resistant insects, environmental pollution, and negative effects on natural enemies, which have caused an ecological imbalance of the predator-prey ratio and human health hazards; therefore, eco-friendly alternative strategies are required. The plant kingdom, a rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, can be tapped as an alternative for insect pest management strategies. A number of plants have been documented to have insecticidal properties against various orders of insects in vitro by acting as antifeedants, repellents, sterilant and oviposition deterrents, etc. However, only a few plant compounds are applicable at the field level or presently commercialised. Here, we have provided an overview of the broad-spectrum insecticidal activity of plant compounds from neem, Annona, Pongamia, and Jatropha. Additionally, the impact of medicinal plants, herbs, spices, and essential oils has been reviewed briefl

Malaria in Nigeria: How close are we to achieving global elimination targets?

Editorial: No Abstrac

A Case Report of Respiratory Mannheimiosis in Sheep and Goat Complicated by Bordetella parapertussis

In January 2007, an outbreak of acute respiratory disease in a flock of sheep and goats in Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria, was reported to the Central Diagnostic Laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria, for investigation. The investigation comprised the disease history, clinical and post-mortem examination, and microbiological analysis of lung lesions. Clinically, one sheep and one goat were found dead without any previous signs of illness. Necropsy of the two animals demonstrated lung consolidation and fibrinous pneumonia. Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A2 was isolated from the lung lesions of the two animals. In addition Bordetella parapertussis was isolated from the lung lesions of the necropsied goat. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test results indicated the M. haemolytica isolates and the B. parapertussis isolate were susceptible to Conflox, Neocloxin, Oxytetracyclin, Gentaprim and Streptomycin. The confirmation of Mannheimiosis outbreak in this investigation adds to the growing list of the prevalence and incidence rates of the disease in and across Nigeria as highlighted in the review ofliterature. The need to embrace the vaccination of sheep and goats as the hub of control programme against pneumonic pasteurellosis in the country is also emphasized.KEYWORDS: Mannheimia haemolytica, Sheep and Goat, Superinfection, Bordetella parapertussis, Outbreak, Small Ruminant, Nigeri

Ventilatory Function and Cigarette Smoking in Cement Handlers in North Central Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Occupational exposure to dust and cigarette smoking play important roles in the pathogenesis of lung diseases, particularly in developing countries. To determine the effects of outdoor cement dust exposure and cigarette smoking on lung health, we compared ventilatory function in cement handlers (smokers and non-smokers) to non-smoking persons without occupational exposure to dust in north-central Nigeria.Methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, 90 male cement handlers and 90 age and sex matched controls were interviewed using the Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire to assess for respiratory symptoms, dust exposure and cigarette smoking. Spirometry was carried out using ATS/ERS criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software.Results: The mean FEV1 among cement handlers and controls were 3.46 (0.83) L and 4.00 (0.71) L respectively (p < 0.001), and the mean percentage predicted FEV1 was 88.4 (17.4) % in cement handlers and 105.1 (13.3) % in controls (P < 0.001). There were 28 (31.1%) cigarette smokers among the cement handlers, and this group had significantly higher frequencies of cough, sputum production, breathlessness, wheeze and chest tightness as well as lower FEV1 than non-smoking cement handlers.Conclusion: Exposure of cement handlers to cement dust was associated with ventilatory function impairment and a high frequency of respiratory symptoms, both aggravated by cigarette smoking

Self-reported asthma symptoms among adults aged 20-30 years in a Nigerian university: a cross sectional study

Background: Despite concerns about the increasing incidence of asthma in developing countries, there is insufficient data on burden and risk factors for asthma among adults in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of thisstudy was to determine the prevalence of asthma among young adults in north-central Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried among 20-30 year old medical undergraduates of the University of Jos, Nigeria. A modified version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey stage 1questionnaire was administered to subjects to obtain bio data, asthma symptoms, and possible risk factors. Factors associated with current asthma symptoms were evaluated using logistic regression models. Results: A total 177 of 185 questionnaires were returned(response rate 95.7%). Forty two (22.7%) persons reported at least one asthma symptom in the 12 months preceding the study, with 16.4% (29) reporting episodes of recurrent wheeze. Nine persons (5.1%) had a previous diagnosis of asthma; 24.1% among persons with recurrent wheeze in 2 the 12 months preceding the study (x2 =24.59; p<0.01).There was no association between asthma and household smoking, cooking fuel and parental level of education. Conclusions: We found a high frequency of asthma symptoms among persons aged 20-30 years. Risk factors for asthma in this population require further evaluation.Keywords: Bronchial Asthma, Sub-Saharan Africa, Lung disease, Obstructive lung disease, Respiratory disease.High Med Res J 2013;13:8-1

Diagnosing Tuberculosis in Resource Limited Settings: Experience from a Referral TB Clinic in North Central Nigeria

Background: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) which is TB that is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin. Making a diagnosis of MDR-TB is a challenge in our environment as the access to facilities for diagnosis is difficult. This study tries to look at the pattern and possible determinants of MDR-TB and the challenges in making a diagnosisMethod: This was a prospective study to identify pattern and possible determinants of MDR TB among MDR TB suspects managed in the Tuberculosis clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) between January 2008 and October 2010. Sputum samples for patients that met the criteria were taken for culture and Drug susceptibility testing. All tests were confirmed using MGIT BACTEC.Results: Nine patients met study criteria. 77.7% were male. The mean age (SD) of the subjects was 42.55 (14.51); there was no significant difference between the mean age of the males and females. Two (22.2%) of study participants were HIV Seropositive. Four of the nine suspects (44%) of suspects had MDR TB confirmed.Conclusion: The study has highlighted some challenges with MDR TB diagnosis in Nigeria. Sputum microscopy remains a relevant screening tool for MDR TB among suspects who are HIV Seronegative. The low level of MDR TB diagnosis and lack of treatment portends huge public health risks and the addition of flouroquinolones to a failing regimen should be discouraged

Effect of organic root plus (biostimulant) on nutrient content, growth and yield of tomato

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of a new biostimulant (Organic Root Plus) on the performance of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill.). The Organic Root Plus (ORP) applied at 40 l/ha (full rate) was compared with the conventional NPK fertilizer (MF) at 80kg N/ha, 20 1/ha (half-full rate) ORP, complimentary use of ORP with MF at full and half-full rates and control (no fertilizer, no organic root plus). Sole application of ORP did not improve the growth parameters of tomato but increased its root dry weight, root length and root fineness. Complimentary application of ORP with MF promoted both the vegetative growth, root development and fruit yield of the crop. Application of 40 kg N/ha MF complimented with 20 l/ha ORP increased the plant height, number of branches and plant biomass by 18.2%, 45% and 71% respectively when compared with the combination of the fertilizers at full rates. When full rate of ORP was complimented with full rate of MF, the fruit yield increased by 31% over the MF. The later was similarly effective as using half-full rate of ORP and MF. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol. 15 2005: 26-3

Malaria Control Practices and Treatment Seeking Patterns among Adults in North Central Nigeria

Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in Nigeria and the burden of disease is largely due to inadequate control and treatment efforts. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a socio-culturally heterogeneous adult population in Northcentral Nigeria to evaluate malaria control practices and treatment seeking patterns and further determine the sociodemographic determinants.Methodology: Two hundred (200) adult out-patients attending the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from urban and rural areas were recruited in a cross-sectional study spanning August to December 2009. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the participants about their socio-demographic characteristics, malaria control practices, history of malaria treatment and choice of treatment provider.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 36 ± 9 years and 58% of them were females. Majority of the subjects (67.5%) reported embarking on at least one malaria control measure. Environmental measures (62.5%) and use of window/door nets (43.2%) were the commonest control practices while only 14.5% reported sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN). Female gender (p=0.04), high educational level (p<0.0001), urban residence (p=0.0003) and unemployment (p=0.04) favoured ITN use. There were a total of 403 self-reported malaria treatments in the preceding 12 months with 68% having ≥ 2 treatments. Patent medicine dealers (42.5%) were the most patronized treatment providers followed by doctors (33.5%) and nurses/community health extension workers (18.0%). Marital status (p=0.005), level of education (p<0.0001) and place of residence (p=0.0002) were the significant determinants of choice of treatment provider.Conclusion: Malaria control measures and treatment seeking patterns are far from satisfactory in North-central Nigeria and both have strong socio-demographic determinants. There is great need to equitably improve malaria control practices and optimize access to formal treatment facilities