Vulvovaginal candidasis among female patients attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital Kaduna

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a major cause of lower genital infections in women, especially in developing countries and cause significant morbidity and financial burden on the already weak economy. The objective was to isolate and identify Candida spp responsible for Vulvovaginitis. Two hundred (200) vaginal swabs were collected from female patients 15years and above, attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital (YDMH) and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital (BDSH) all within Kaduna metropolis. The samples were analysed for the presence of Candida spp using standard procedures of microscopy, culture and biochemical identification. The overall incidence of VVC was 79.5% (159/200), with higher incidence among patients attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital 84.8% (117/138), than Barau Dikko Memorial Hospital 67.7% (42/62).  Four (4) yeast species were isolated and identified which include Candida krusie, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata. C. krusie had the highest percentage occurrence of 42.5% (39/159), while C. parapsilosis had the least percentage occurrence of 11.3% (18/159). Higher incidence was recorded among age group 40 and above 92.8% (13/14) and lowest among age group 31-40 76.5% (39/51). Highest incidence was also recorded among widow 100% (18/18) and lowest among married 76.8% (109/142). The high percentage of positive samples is an indication that there is a high incidence of candidiasis among the study population. There is need for regular screening of women for VVC and other sexually transmitted infections. Key words: Incidence, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Isolation, Kaduna

Effects of Cassia occidentalis aqueous leaf extract on biochemical markers of tissue damage in rats

Purpose: Among the Hausas of Northern Nigeria, it is claimed by local (traditional) healers that the infusion of C. occidentalis leaves is used as a cure for hepatitis. This study was designed to evaluate the possible negative effects of the aqueous extract of this herb on serum total proteins, albumin, bilirubin, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as part of a larger study undertaken by these authors to ascertain the hepatoprotective potential of the plant extract. Methods: Fresh leaves of C. occidentalis were extracted with water and screened for phytochemical components. The extract was used for the treatment of 18 albino rats. Serum from these animals was used for the determination of the test parameters. Results: The extract showed hypoproteinaemic effect. ALT, AST and ALP levels were significantly elevated (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Hypoproteinaemic effects, and increase in ALT, AST and ALP are indications that the crude extract of C. occidentalis leaves may be slightly toxic as a concoction for liver ailments. Keywords: C. occidentalis, Liver, Serum proteins, Transaminases, Hypoproteinaemic effectsTropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 7(4) 2008: pp. 1137-114

Relationships between anti-retroviral adherence, self-efficacy, and resilience among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria

The objectives of the study were to describe the level of self-efficacy and its relationship with resilience among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria. Self-efficacy is an important predictor of treatment outcomes among people living with HIV. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 676 participants completed adherence self-efficacy and resilience measures from three selected hospitals in Niger State. The result showed high levels of self-efficacy among the participants, linear relationships between perceived stress and resilience (-.601), perceived stress and self-efficacy integration (-.504), perceived stress and selfefficacy perseverance (-.220), resilience and self-efficacy integration (.667) and resilience and self-efficacy perseverance (.377). Hierarchical multiple linear regression indicated that 48.3% of the variance in resilience was explained by the two sub-scales of self-efficacy (p = &lt; .001). Also, 26% (p = &lt; .001) of the variance in perceived stress was explained by the two subscales of the self-efficacy. It is concluded that self-efficacy is a significant predictor of resilience and perceived stress among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria. Keywords: HIV, Nigeria, Perceived stress, Resilience, Self-efficacy, Women Les objectifs de l'étude étaient de décrire le niveau d'auto-efficacité et sa relation avec la résilience chez les femmes vivant avec le VIH dans l'État du Niger, au Nigéria. L'auto-efficacité est un prédicteur important des résultats du traitement chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH. À l'aide d'une technique d'échantillonnage aléatoire systématique, 676 participants ont complété des mesures d'auto-efficacité et de résilience de l'observance dans trois hôpitaux sélectionnés dans l'État du Niger. Le résultat a montré des niveaux élevés d'auto-efficacité chez les participants, des relations linéaires entre le stress perçu et la résilience (- .601), le stress perçu et l'intégration de l'auto-efficacité (-.504), le stress perçu et la persévérance de l'auto-efficacité (-.220) ), l'intégration de la résilience et de l'auto-efficacité (.667) et la persévérance de la résilience et de l'auto-efficacité (.377). Larégression linéaire multiple hiérarchique a indiqué que 48,3% de la variance de la résilience était expliquée par les deux souséchelles d'auto-efficacité (p = &lt;.001). De plus, 26% (p = &lt;.001) de la variance du stress perçu était expliquée par les deux souséchelles de l'auto-efficacité. Il est conclu que l'auto-efficacité est un prédicteur significatif de la résilience et du stress perçu chez les femmes vivant avec le VIH dans l'État du Niger, au Nigéria. Mots-clés: VIH, Nigéria, Stress perçu, Résilience, Auto-efficacité, Femme

Evaluation of concentrate, grass and legume combinations on performance and nutrient digestibility of grower rabbits under tropical conditions

Thirty-five (35) grower crossbred rabbits were randomly allocated to seven combinations of concentrate, grass and legume in proportions of 50 g:60 g:40 g in a completely randomized design. Thetreatments were: (1) rabbit meal, Rhodes grass and groundnut haulms (RRG), (2) rabbit meal, Rhodes grass and sweet potato vines (RRP), (3) rabbit meal, Rhodes grass and soybean forage (RRS), (4)Soybean cheese waste meal, Rhodes grass and groundnut haulms (SRG), (5) Soybean cheese waste meal, Rhodes grass and sweet potato vines (SRP), (6) Soybean cheese waste meal, Rhodes grass andsoybean forage (SRS) and (7) rabbit meal and Rhodes grass (RR) constituted the control. The control consisted 100 g rabbit meal and 100 g Rhodes grass, which was the normal feeding regime. Diet had asignificant effect (P0.05) differences in daily weight gain forall the treatments. Feed cost/kg gain was, however, higher for rabbits fed RRP combination compared with the other treatments. Dry matter digestibility was higher (

Trajectory Optimization of Quadrotor-UAV Drone Using Genetic Algorithm

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Technology recently attracts attention of many researchers; this is due toits numerous potentialities in civil application. One of the key areas of interest by researches is how to achievea total talent of “Sense and Avoid” in the UAV which will enhance safe and efficient trajectory of the vehicle.This is why this paper is going to use an optimization technique to optimize trajectory path of the UAV flight.The chosen optimization algorithm is Genetic algorithm (GA) which is going to be use to optimize the trajectoryof UAV by determine the shortest path of flight as well as obstacle-free path in order to save energy and timeduring flight. MATLAB and Simulink are used to simulate as well as evaluate the algorithm. In the result fromthe experiment, it appeared that an optimized trajectory path is tremendously better than path from the firstrandomly generated population in term of distance covered as well as time taken before triumph the target pointfrom the initial point

Financial sanctions and the share of US dollar in global reserve currencies:evidence from the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) model

The decline in the dollar’s share in global reserve currencies has generated debate on the effect of the United States’ financial sanctions. This study examines the effect of US financial sanctions on the dollar’s share in global reserve currencies by employing the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selector Operator (LASSO) model. The estimates suggest that the imposition of financial sanctions by the US reduces the dollar’s share in global reserve currencies. This implies that although the US dollar remains the foremost global reserve currency, the imposition of financial sanctions may weaken its dominance

Comparative studies on the flocculation efficiencies of Moringa oleifera (MO), polyacrylamide-grafted gum arabic (GA-g-PAAM) and blended products of MO and PA-g-PAAM

Graft copolymerization of polyacrylamide onto gum arabic was carried out in aqueous medium at room temperature (30 oC) using previously optimized concentrations of initiator (ceric ion) and the monomer (acrylamide). The percentage graft yield was high (70%) due to optimization of reaction conditions. Reactive blends of Moringa oleifera (MO) and the graft copolymer (GA-g-PAAM) were also synthesized in different ratios of MO to GA-g-PAAM. The blended and unblended graft copolymers and Moringa oleifera were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Flocculation capabilities of GA-g-PAAM, the reactive blends (RB), the physical blends (PB) and Moringa oleifera were studied on turbid river water using UV-Visible spectrophotometry at three different wavelengths (&#955;=400, &#955;=600 and &#955;=800 nm) in order to observe the effect of wavelength on flocculation efficiency. The results generally showed that the flocculation efficiency was a function of both flocculation time allowed and the wavelength of UV- radiation used. Hence, the flocculation efficiency was higher for longer flocculation times and longer wavelengths of UV-radiation and vice versa. The flocculation efficiencies obtained after 24 hours at &#955;=800 nm followed the order below: MO (99.61%) &gt; GA-g-PAAM (94.30%) &gt; MO &amp; GA-g-PAAM 3:1 RB (91.16%) &gt; 1:3 RB (89.58%) &gt; 1:1 PB (87.07%) &gt; 1:1 RB (82.35%). The sludge produced by the above water treatment chemicals was small in volume, biodegradable and consequently did not promote environmental degradation. Through chemical derivatization, gum arabic was transformed into a water treatment chemical with more advantages over conventional coagulants.Keywords: Sludge, Biodegradable, Environment, Turbid water, Derivatization, Coagulan

Optimal economie dispatch for the nigerian grid system considering voltage and line flow constraints

The electric power industries worldwide have undergone considerable changes especially from vertical structure to full deregulated entities. These changes are now introducing new problems in terms of operations, controls and planning of the entire grid systems. This calls for a more reliable analytical tool ever than before. One feasible solution is to perform the Optimal Economic Dispatch (OED) paradigm on this restructured power system so as to provide fairness to all operators. In this paper, the economic dispatch problem with voltage and line flow constraints has been formulated for the hydro-thermal generating units feeding the Nigerian power system. In order to solve the arising power flow problem a MATLAB based simulation package, MATPOWER version 3.0 has been suitably modified to obtain feasible solutions for different loading system scenarios. The results obtained showed that the OED offered a better optimal power schedules, power loss minimization and reduced total fuel cost than earlier work based on Micro-Genetic Algorithm, (MGA) and Conventional Genetic Algorithm (CGA)

Physical and Psychosocial Health in Older Women with Chronic Pain: Comparing Clusters of Clinical and Nonclinical Samples

This investigation examined why some elderly women with severe pain symptoms and impairment in health status were not seen in a tertiary care pain center.Three groups of older (≥60 years) women were included in the study: women seeking chronic pain treatment at a multidisciplinary pain center (N = 49), and research volunteers from the same institution with (N = 28) and without (N = 27) chronic pain. A clustering classification technique was used to identify clusters of older women with similar physical and mental health status.We found three clusters: 1) a healthy cluster (cluster 1: mostly nonclinical women); 2) a cluster with very poor physical and mental health status (cluster 3); and 3) a cluster with low physical health but average mental health (cluster 2). Although only cluster 1 had significantly higher physical health ( P  < 0.001), all three clusters had different mental health ( P  < 0.001). Within cluster 2, clinical women had more pain than nonclinical women, but within cluster 3, this was not so, indicating that mental health issues may create an obstacle to women having their pain appropriately assessed and treated.Our findings support that while disability and pain severity contribute to specialized pain services usage among older women, there is a subgroup of people not receiving pain care for whom these pain symptoms are similar. Further studies are needed to assess the role of health-seeking behavior, coping preferences, referral patterns, and patient–physician communication on access to tertiary pain care for older women.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79094/1/j.1526-4637.2010.00803.x.pd