Preliminary Report on Protein Preparations Exhibiting Both Asparaginase and Glutaminase Activity Purified from Rhodococcus Rhodochrous DAP 96253

Bacterial L-Asparaginase has been utilized along with chemotherapy in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Current forms of treatment are fraught with undesirable outcomes in a significant number of cases. This has led to a continued investigation of other bacterial sources of L-asparaginase. Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain DAP 96253 when induced on specialized media was found to present L-asparaginase and L-glutaminase activity. A purification scheme was developed evaluating the effect of the method of cell lysis, the use of a reducing agent and dialysis on the final product. A protein preparation was purified from the crude extract employing dialysis, anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography using a Hitrap®Q HP and a HiprepTM 16/60 SephacrylTM S500HR column respectively. The purified protein exhibited 1492 and 2173 IU/mg of L-asparaginase and L-glutaminase respectively. Further kinetic studies of the purified preparation demonstrated an optimum reaction pH at 7.6, maximal enzyme activity at 37°C and stability exceeding 60 minutes. The Km for L-asparagine and L-glutamine were determined to be 13.6µM and 850µM respectively. The protein was determined to be stable in human serum at 37ºC with a T1/2 of approximately 53 hours. Endotoxins were 771 times less than an Escherichia coli sample, with the endotoxins detected being introduced during the purification process, the three subunits of the protein were estimated to be ~72, 28 and 23kDa versus a homotetrameric protein in E. coli, and the protein was determined to be effective in reducing the cell number and viability of Jurkat E6-1 clone and Molt-4 cells exhibiting an IC50 of 0.123 and 1.982 IU/mg respectively. This is the first attempt to characterize an L-asparaginase from R. rhodochrous

Application of vertical electrical sounding method to decipher the existing subsurface stratification and groundwater occurrence status in a location in Edo North of Nigeria

The interpretation of two resistivity curves over Iyakpi town within geologic terrain often referred to as Ajali formation which bears false-bedded sandstone with associated clay and shale intervals in the bottom section indicates that the area has an abundant groundwater potential. Existence of productive borehole in the study area was field-confirmed. The study area is said to have a standing history of abortive boreholes, resulting from failed drilling attempts. No dug well was sited in the community. The study showed that the main lithologic units penetrated by the sounding curves are laterite, sandstone, sandstone (dry with some clay/shale). This study revealed the possibility of having a maximum drill depth to water table of 260 m (865.80 ft)

The effects of dexamethasone and metoclopramide on early and late postoperative nausea and vomiting in women undergoing myomectomy under spinal anaesthesia

Background: Post.operative nausea and vomiting (PONV); early or late, has detrimental effects on surgical patients such as surgical wound disruption, esophageal tear and delayed discharge from the post  anesthetic care unit. This study evaluated the effects of  dexamethasone.metoclopramide (DM) in the prevention of early and late PONV in women undergoing myomectomy under subarachnoid block.Materials and Methods: Following approval from the Research and Ethics Committee of the Hospital, informed consent was obtained from each prospective patient. Patients were randomly allocated to either the DM group, metoclopramide only (MO) group or dexamethasones only (DO) group using the computer.generated random numbers in sealed envelopes. Immediately after the induction of spinal anesthesia, the DM group received intravenous (i.v.) dexamethasone 8 mg and  metoclopramide 10 mg, the MO group received metoclopramide 10 mg i.v and the DO group received dexamethasone 8 mg i.v. The incidence of early and late PONV formed the primary outcome.Results: A total of 90 patients, with aged range between 21.64 years were studied. Dexamethasone alone group had the highest incidence of 40% for early but no for late PONV (P = 0.003) Metoclopramide alone group had an incidence of 29.97% for early PONV and 26.6% for late PONV. There was reduced incidence of both early and late PONV in the DM group, but of lesser magnitude than DO or MO respectively.Conclusion: Dexamethasone protects against the incidence of late PONV with a minimal effect on early PONV. The combination of dexamethasone and metoclopramide had comparable effect on both and of better  magnitude than metoclopramide alone.Key words: Antiemetic, myomectomy, spinal anaesthesi

Vitreous Humour Extrusion after Suxamethonium Induction of Anaesthesia in a Polytraumatized Patient: A Case Report

Introduction. Suxamethonium, a deepolarizing muscle relaxant, increases intraocular pressure. It is therefore advised to be avoided in open globe surgery, for fear of extruding ocular contents. Several anecdotal reports support this fear. Some workers however, dispute this claim. There is as yet no formal case report in the literature on the subject. Case Presentation. A 34-year old Nigerian male, was involved in a road traffic accident. He presented at the Accident & Emergency Unit of our hospital about 2 hours after the accident. Clinical examination revealed right corneal laceration (with intact ocular contents) and intra-abdominal visceral injury. Emergency laparotomy was scheduled, to be followed with corneal repair. Anaesthesia was induced with 10 mg midazolam, 100 mg ketamine, and 100 mg suxamethonium given intravenously in sequence. After laparotomy, the ophthalmologists reported for the corneal repair, only to find that the vitreous humour has been extruded. Conclusion. The fear about the use of suxamethonium in open globe situations is real. It will be good clinical judgment to use alternative drugs and techniques to effect rapid muscle relaxation, in the anaesthetic management of the open globe patient. This would be of interest to anaesthetists, ophthalmologists and clinical pharmacologists among others

Comparison of intravenous colloid and colloid.crystalloid combination in hypotension prophylaxis during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section

Context: Many studies comparing different intravenous fluid types usually do not use equipotent volumes of three to one crystalloid to colloid ratio in such comparisons. Conflicting results emanate from such studies.Aim: This study was designed to compare the efficacy of equipotent  volumes of colloid and crystalloid.colloid combination in spinal  anesthesia-induced hypotension prophylaxis during cesarean section.Settings and Design: A prospective randomized double blinded  experimental study carried out in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean section were prospectively randomized into two groups to receive either 1000 ml of crystalloid/colloid (750/250 ml) combination or 500 ml colloid intravenous fluid preload, before spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamic  variables were monitored till the end of surgery. The results were collated, analyzed, and rational conclusions deduced. Statistical Analysis Used: Data collected and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 and rational deductions derived.Results: In the first 10 min, the crystalloid-colloid combination showed better efficacy in hypotension prophylaxis over the colloid only regimen. In the next 30 min; however, there was no significant difference between both groups in hemodynamic parameters.Conclusion: Beyond 10 min the crystalloid.colloid combination has no  advantage over colloid alone in hypotension prophylaxis, as used in this study.Key words: Cesarean section, hypotension, intravenous fluids, spinal  anesthesi

Effects of position and phonation on oropharyngealview and correlation with laryngoscpic view

To evaluate the effects of phonation and various head and body positions on oropharyngeal view (Mallampati score), and the correlation of these with laryngoscopic view, using the Cormack and Lehane score. Four hundred (390) consecutive patients were evaluated in the wards during preoperativeanaesthetic review. During airway assessment, the patients were placed in various head and body positions to determine oropharyngeal structures visualized , with and without phonation, according to the Mallampati testscore. In the operating theatre, laryngoscopic view scores (according to Cormack and Lehane) were recorded, and the various scores analyzed.Phonation consistently improved the Mallampati scores in all the head and body positions. The scores were better in the supine position compared to the sitting position. The best correlation of the Mallampati scorewith the Cormack and Lehane score was in the siiting, head maximally extended position, without phonation. Extention of the head improved the score in the sitting position, but not in the supine position. Phonationreduced the correlation of the scores in all the positions. We conclude that the best position to conduct the Mallampati test is sitting, head maximallyextended, without phonation.This correlated best with laryngoscopic view score in our study

Bureaucratic dictatorship in tax management in the rat race economies of sub Saharan Africa: measurements and consequences

The focus of this article is on the non representative nature of the tax system in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and the consequent immeasurable imbalance that this has created in the social contract relations between the tax payer and the government; and the retrogressive development effects in the ability of taxation as a development instrument in the economies of the SSA. For the theoretical framework, the social contract theory and the doctrine of democratic representation were employed. To measure the level of citizens’ participation in the process and the consequences of the citizen non participation, the paper adopted the questioning approach (with rigorous analysis of the status quo as a precursor to producing the desired findings and policy prescriptions). It was discovered that there is no doubt that tax revenues are necessary for the state in the SSA to meet the basic needs of the citizens in the fulfilment of the social contract and to lift millions out of poverty amongst others. The paper posited that the present tax architecture (formulation and legislative process) is dictatorial in its ramification, fuelling unemployment and de-industrialization due to its bureaucratic  origination and packaging that is lacking in inputs from citizens or taxpayers among other reasons. The paper also posited that there is almost a complete absence of dialogue between the bureaucrats and the legislature on one hand and the taxpayer on the other hand in formulating, legislating and implementing tax legislatures and policies. Based on other findings, the paper opined in its ramifications should be guided by tax payers’ public opinion or perception of national development transformation and not national tax authorities’ fiscal rascality as task masters.Keywords: Taxation, Legislature, Citizens, Bureaucracy and Developmen

Knowledge and attitude of Nigerian personnel working at Federal Medical Centre in Nigeria on carbon monoxide poisoning from electrical power generators

Background: Private portable electrical power generators are common household items in Nigeria owing to inadequate electrical power provision for the public. These engines often run indoors, emitting poisonous carbon  monoxide gas. Fatalities are commonly reported as a result of carbon monoxide inhalation. This study evaluated awareness of and attitudes towards the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in health personnel in a Nigerian referral hospital.Method: The study was carried out on personnel working at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Nigeria. The  respondents were interviewed using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. The obtained data were collated and analysed with SPSS®, version 16.Results: One hundred and seventy-six health workers participated, and 157 completed and returned the survey questionnaire (89.2% response rate). Of these, 95 respondents (60.5%) were informed about carbon monoxide poisoning and 62 (39.5%) were not. Moreover, 105 respondents (73.4%) had no idea of sources of carbon monoxide poisoning. Twenty-three of the 95 informed respondents (24.2%) had received information on carbon monoxide poisoning through the newspaper. Sixty-two respondents (39.5%) indicated that they preferred to run electrical generators indoors, and 89 (56.7%) could not recognise the physical properties of carbon monoxide. Potential damage by rain (72, 53.3%), and fear of theft (38, 24.8%) and destruction of the generators by children (14, 10.4%) were the supplied reasons for running generators indoors.Conclusion: The health-related dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of operating electrical generators indoors were poorly appreciated, even by health workers. There is a need for wider public education on the subject in Nigeria, and especially in the mass media and at schools and hospitals.Keywords: awareness, carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical power generato

Intrathecal tramadol versus intrathecal fentanyl for visceral pain control during bupivacaine subarachnoid block for open appendicectomy

Context: Profound side.effects following intrathecal use of local anesthetics as the sole drugs of choice make spinal anesthesia for open  appendicectomy uncommon.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of  intra-operative analgesia produced by intrathecal tramadol and fentanyl during bupivacaine spinal anesthesia for open appendicectomy.Settings and Design: A prospective randomized study was performed.Materials and Methods: A total of 186 American Society of  Anesthesiologists 1 or 11 patients scheduled for emergency open  appendicectomy were analyzed. Group FB (n = 62) received intrathecal fentanyl 25 µg plus 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, Group SB (n = 62) received 0.5 ml normal saline plus 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric  bupivacaine and Group TB (n = 62) received intrathecal tramadol 25 mg plus 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Visual analog scale scores and frequency of subjective symptoms among patients in the three groups formed the primary outcome measure of this study.Results: Effective intraoperative sensory block was achieved in 100% of patients in group FB and TB while 29 (46.8%)patients in group SB had ineffective sensory block (P = 0.0001). The pain free period was significantly longer in patients inGroup FB than Group SB and TB. Mean time for Group FB with regard to first analgesic request was 304.73 ± 67.91 min,Group SB was 146.59 ± 36.62 and Group TB was 238.39 ± 61.28 min. Incidence of complications were comparableamong the three groups.Conclusion: This study showed that intrathecal tramadol (25 mg) can safely replace intrathecal fentanyl (25 ƒÊg) in themanagement of visceral pain and discomfort during subarachnoid block for appendicectomy.Key words: Analgesia, appendicectomy, intrathecal opioid, spinal anaesthesi

Transitioning to Society 5.0 in Africa: Tools to Support ICT Infrastructure Sharing

Society 5.0 represents an opportunity to transform the economy and create a digital society with the goal of long-term sustainable development and economic growth. There is a growing importance of boosting ICT as an effective and efficient means of achieving this transformation, and Target 9c of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is to ‘Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries’. Mobile telecommunication systems have become the most effective and convenient means of communicating in the world, and as such, they are revolutionizing business operations. Nigeria is the fastest growing telecommunication market in Africa, with approximately 298 million subscribers accommodated by over 53,000 base transceiver stations (BTSs) which are largely concentrated in urban areas. As a result of increasing subscribers, all mobile network service providers in Nigeria are building new BTSs, often without considering existing infrastructure. This has led to a proliferation of masts, defacing the environment and causing unnecessary environmental pollution as BTSs are largely powered by diesel generators. It is therefore becoming paramount for the telecommunication regulatory body in Nigeria to enforce principles of infrastructure sharing and the colocation of sites for all mobile network service provider BTSs to improve network availability, reliability, scalability, customer satisfaction and sustainability. This paper argues, through the development of ICT tools and their application to a case study, that infrastructure sharing and colocation of sites is not only feasible if supported correctly but also offers the potential to reduce operational and capital expenditure, reduce the number of BTSs required for the rapidly growing mobile telecoms industry in Nigeria and in doing so reduce environmental pollution