Prevalence and clinical relevance of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with goitre in Nigeria

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity was thought to be rare in Africans but there is evidence that its prevalence is increasing. Since undetected autoimmune thyroid disease carries considerable morbidity, this study set out to determine the proportion of patients with goitre who have thyroid autoantibodies and the relationship, if any, between the presence of thyroid autoantibodies, thyroid function and thyroid size. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and conducted over a 12-month period. It involved 100 subjects with goitre and 50 apparently healthy controls without goitre, matched for age and sex. Thyroid dysfunction was assessed by history, clinical examination and biochemical tests, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies. The size of the thyroid gland was assessed by ultrasound. Results: Fifty-seven percent (57%) of study subjects were euthyroid, 38%were hyperthyroid, while 2%were hypothyroid. The overall prevalence of elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) in the subjects with goitre was 35% and 8% in the controls (p < 0.001). Elevated thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) was found in 24% of subjects with goitre and 12% of controls (p = 0.083). Elevated TPOAb was found in 76.3% of subjects who were hyperthyroid, 7% of subjects who were euthyroid and 100% of subjects who were hypothyroid (p < 0.001). Elevated TgAb level was present in 36.8%, 15.8% and 50% of subjects with hyperthyroid, euthyroid and hypothyroid goitre respectively (p = 0.068). A positive correlation was observed between TPOAb and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.582, p < 0.001) and TgAb and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.176, p = 0.08). The correlation between TPOAb and thyroid volume (r = –0.139, p = 0.167) and that of TgAb and thyroid volume (r = –0.119, p = 0.238) was not significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with goitre is high in Nigeria. Thyroid peroxidase antibody ismoreprevalent than thyroglobulin antibody in thyroid disorders and appears to be a better marker than thyroglobulin antibody in detecting autoimmune thyroid dysfunction

LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE OF CORE CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS TO ETHICAL STANDARDS IN NIGERIA

The study assessed the level of compliance of construction professionals to ethical practices in the Nigerian construction industry. The study area was Lagos State and the target respondents were the registered professionals including architects, quantity surveyors, builders and engineers. A total of one hundred and seventy (170) questionnaire were randomly administered on the professionals and one hundred and thirty eight (138) were retrieved representing 81.18% response rate. Findings revealed that professionals displayed high level of compliance to clients service delivery with Mean Item Score (MIS) ranged 3.22 to 3.79, educational and professional qualification MIS ranged 3.18 to 3.71 and standards of practice MIS ranged 3.16 to 3.63. The overall rating revealed that professionals have highest level of compliance to standards of practice with 54.76%, while the least ranked ethical standards was fair compensation with 49.31%. ANOVA test established a statistical significant difference among the professionals view about compliance of the professionals to clients service delivery (F value=2.447, P value=0.020) and professional development (F value=3.774, P value = 0.001). The overall level of compliance of construction professionals to ethical standards was 52.37%. The study concluded that professionals have average level of compliance to the ethical standards. The study therefore recommended that professionals should continue to uphold good ethical conducts, for better project performance and delivery in the Nigerian construction industry.&nbsp

Structure and Efficiency of Trade in Wild Snail in Selected Markets in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo state, Nigeria

The study examined the structure and efficiency of trade in wild snail in Selected Markets in fivepurposively selected popular markets in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo state Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from ahundred and twenty (120) snail marketers with the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed using Descriptivestatistics, Gini coefficient and budgetary analysis. According to the study, 80% of the respondents sourced theirgoods (snails) from the wild and the selling price is largely determined by the socio economic status of the buyer(40%). Also the enterprise is dominated by females (83.3%), more profitable in Apata market with a profit margin of ₦167,000 and generally efficient. Furthermore there is high inequality in the structure of the market as the gini coefficient (0.59) tends towards one while the major constraints to  marketing include transportation (from the wild to the market) competition among marketers and storage. The study therefore recommends that snail farming (heliculture) should be encouraged so that there will be massive production and availability of snails all year round. This would mitigate the identified problems and increase the benefits accruing to players in the snail value chain. Keywords: Structure, Efficiency, Wild snail, Ibadan metropolis, Profit Margin

Diagnostic Accuracy of Random Plasma Glucose and Random Blood Capillary Glucose in Detecting International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups‑ Defined Hyperglycemia in Early Pregnancy

Background: Maternal hyperglycemia first diagnosed in pregnancy, previously referred to as gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with health consequences for both the mother and her fetus/baby, not only in the short term but also in the long term. Early screening helps to identify women with overt diabetes or those with early onset GDM. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of two screening tests (Random plasma glucose, Random capillary glucose) in relation to 75g Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) done before 24 weeks gestation. Methods: This prospective longitudinal cohort study was carried out between 1st February, 2017 and 31st July, 2017, at two teaching hospitals in Nigeria. Two hundred and eighty one (281) pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were selected and screened with both random plasma glucose (RPG) and random capillary glucose (RCG) before 24 weeks of pregnancy. They were then made to undergo 75g OGTT a week later. The diagnostic performance of the screening tests were determined. Results: A total of 270 women had 75g OG. Conclusion: Random plasma glucose and Random capillary glucose performed poorly compared to 75g-OGTT in detecting hyperglycemia in early pregnancy

Assessment of some biochemical indices in red meat tendered with potash and extract of Ocimum basilicum

Some changes in biochemical composition in red meat boiled with potash and extracts of Ocimum basilicum was the crux of this research. Fresh beef were divided evenly into 4 groups labeled A-D. Group A was boiled with distilled water, group B was boiled with potash in distilled water, group C was boiled with extract of Ocimum basilicum while group D was boiled with a mixture of potash and Ocimum basilicum. All samples were boiled for fifteen minutes. Samples were taken for analysis at zero hour and after every 48hrs. The samples were stored in a freezer at -4ºC. The pH, malonedialdehyde concentration, acid value, total protein, percentage metmyoglobin and heme iron were determined. The pH values showed significant increase (p<0.05) in red meat boiled with both potash and extracts of Ocimum basilicum from 0 to 144 hours. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) observed in the malondialdehyde concentration and acid value for the duration of the experiment. A significant (p>0.05) decrease in the total protein content was observed after 96 hours in red meat boiled with potash. The results for percentage metmyoglobin content showed a significant difference (P<0.05) and a decrease in red meat boiled with Ocimum basilicum and both potash and Ocimum basilicum after 96 and 144 hours. The results for heme iron concentration showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in red meat boiled with Ocimum basilicum from 0 to 144 hours while an increase was observed in red meat boiled with potash after 96 hours

Growth components and chemical composition of some improved dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) varieties as influenced by manure application

Field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of swine manure application on the growth components and chemical composition of nine varieties of improved dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). The experiment was laid out as a 2 x 9 factorial design with two levels of manure application (0kg ha-1 and 5kg ha-1) and nine varieties of improved dual-purpose cowpea at three replicates. Agronomy parameters and dry matter yield of the cowpea were determined six weeks after sowing. Results showed that unfertilized variety IT- 332 recorded highest leaf proportion (57.27) above others. Varieties IT-193 with manure (80.00 cm) and IT-297 without manure (30) recorded significantly higher (P<0.05) values for plant height and leaf number respectively. Dry matter yield of cowpea ranged significantly higher (P<0.05) from 7.20 t ha-1 in variety IT-817 without manure to 14.85 t ha-1 in variety IT-321 with manure. The average crude protein content of improved cowpea varieties ranged significantly (P < 0.05) from 97.69 g kg-1 dry matter in unfertilized IT-817 and IT-834 to 141.17 g kg-1 dry matter in fertilized IT-819. The study showed that application of swine manure into cowpea increased the dry matter yield and chemical composition which is necessary to provide sufficient feed for ruminants that can be used as a supplement during the dry season.Keywords: Dry matter yield, cowpea varieties, nutrient contents, swine manur

Testicular tuberculosis in an HIV positive patient mimicking malignancy: A case report

With the upsurge of tuberculosis infection compounded by the pandemic Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), isolated testicular tuberculosis though a rarity, should be a differential diagnosis especially in the atypical age group of patients presenting with testicular swelling and in areas with high prevalence rate for tuberculosis. We present a 22 years old male with a year history of progressively increasing painless left testicular swelling with no constitutional symptoms. Both the ultrasound imaging study and fine needle aspiration cytology were equivocal. Diagnosis was established at surgical pathology after a left transinguinal orchidectomy. In areas endemic for tuberculosis an infective aetiology should always be considered for a testicular mass

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in goats in Nigeria: Clinical, microbiological and pathological features

Describes the clinical, microbiological and pathological features of both natural and experimental peste des petits ruminants (PPR) infection in goats in Nigeria

Factors affecting medication adherence in patients with hypertension attending a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Blood pressure control is poor among patients with hypertension due to poor health-seeking behaviour, poor medication adherence, financial burden etc. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting medication adherence in patients with hypertension attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria. Its findings will improve blood pressure control among hypertensives and reduce the attendant overall morbidity and mortality.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional, hospital-based study that was conducted in the Family Medicine clinic of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria. A total of 192 adult patients with hypertension were consecutively recruited. Data was collected using the open data kit with a semi-structured, interviewer-based questionnaire. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.Results: In this study, out of 192 respondents, 105 (54.7%) were males, 151 (78.7%) were married, 117 (60.9%) had secondary school education, 122 (63.5%) were non-NHIS (National Health Insurance Scheme) enrolees and 93 (48.4%) had uncontrolled blood pressure at presentation. The mean age of the respondents was 51±12 years. There was an association between medication adherence and female sex, being married, high monthly income, NHIS enrolees, and clinic appointment keeping. There was also association between blood pressure control and reduction in salt intake. Conclusion: Ensuring good financial status, with enrolment in health insurance scheme as well as advocating for regular clinic appointment will go a long way in achieving good blood pressure control and reducing related morbidity and mortality