Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing gram-negative uropathogens in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) producing  Gram-negative uropathogens is now a major source of concern worldwide.Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and  susceptibility to antimicrobial of ESBL-producing Gram-negative uropathogens in Sokoto, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A total number of Three Hundred and Sixty Five (365) urine samples were analyzed between November, 2014 and February, 2015. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined using the modified Kirby Bauer method.  Confirmation of ESBL phenotype was performed by Double-Disc Synergy Test  (DDST) method.Results: Gram-negative uropathogens constitute 60.9% out of the 105 positive  cultures. Male patients were 54.7%, while females were 45.3%. Age group 19-40 constitutes 54.7%, while age group 41-60 was 32.8%, and 61 years and above  accounted for 12.5%. The isolates were highly resistant to Cotrimoxazole (71.9%), but highly susceptible to Nitrofurantoin (70.3 ). Out of the 64 Gram-negative  uropathogens E.coli constitute 29.7%, followed by Salmonella arizonae (23.4%),  Klebsiella oxytoca (10.9%), Enterobacter gergoviae (9.3%), Serratia marscense  (6.3%), and Citrobacter freundii (6.3%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.7%). Others  account for 1.6% each (Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Edwardsiella tarda, Burkholderia pseudomallei and Acinetobacter  iwoffii). Fifteen (15) (83.3%) were phenotypically confirmed using the Double-Disc Synergy Test (DDST) as ESBL producers of which E.coli account for 26.7%,  Enterobacter gergoviae (20%), Enterobacter aerogenes (6.7%) Klebsiella oxytoca (6.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.7%), Citrobacter freundii (13.3%), while Serratia marscense, Edwardsiella tarda, Acinetobacter iwoffii accounted for (6.7%) each.Conclusions: Our findings document the presence of ESBL-producing Gram-negative uropathogens in Sokoto. E.coli and Enterobacter gergoviae were the predominant ESBL producers. Nitrofurantoin remains active in the majority of the isolates.Keywords: ESBLs, Gram-negative uropathogens, Antimicrobial susceptibility

Thermal Evaluation of a Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator Using Three Different Receivers

Energy demand, global warming from the fossil fuels and attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emission have placed the centre of attention on how to utilize an alternative sources of energy such as renewable energy technology This work presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of the performance of Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator (PTSC) as a source of heat energy. The PTSC is built, having the Supporting stand made of mild steel and reflector is made of the segmented mirror having a reflectivity of 0.85, a rim angle of 90o and aperture area of 2.5 m2 and with a concentration ratio of 11.7. The receiver pipes are made of three different materials; copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. The effects of shifts in focal lengths on the performance of the PTSC with three different receivers were investigated. The results reveal copper as a receiver tube conducts heat to the heat transfer fluid better than aluminum and stainless steel receivers. The focal length of 30 cm gave the best results compared to other values of 27 and 35 cm with a maximum temperature of 114.4 oC. The experimental results revealed that useful heat gained, overall heat loss coefficient, collector efficiency factor, heat removal factor, collector and thermal efficiency were 147.8 J, 5.04 W/m2K, 0.05, 15.05, 0.032% and 15.5% respectively. The study shows that the Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator as a source of heat energy gives a promising performance. This concentrator will reduce the dependence on the electric power supply, and it controls pollution emanating from fossil fuel, thereby reducing environmental problems. Keywords: Parabolic Trough Solar Collector, Segmented Mirror, Efficiency, Receivers. DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-5-03 Publication date:June 30th 201

Experimental Evaluation of a Thermally Driven Adsorption Refrigeration System in Ogbomoso Environs

Solar energy is the most promising among the available green energy sources and also the remedy to the increasing global warming potential and ozone depletion. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of an adsorption refrigeration system uses solar energy as a source of heat gain to drive the refrigeration system. It consists of a solar collector, an adsorbent bed, a condenser and an evaporator. The effect of variation of the ambient, condenser, evaporator and desorption temperatures on the COP system and SCP cycle with local weather parameters were investigated. A parabolic solar concentrator was built to collect the solar energy to heat the combination of adsorbent, Activated carbon and adsorbate, methanol and the system employed solar energy as the main power supply. The experimental results revealed that the ambient, condenser, evaporator and desorption temperatures were increased by 25%, 4%, 13% and 265% respectively with solar time from 9hr to 13hr. The response of COP and SCP with variation in solar radiation and desorption temperature had higher influence compare to other weather parameters. The collector and thermal efficiencies were 0.014 and 6.98% respectively at the peak inner adsorber temperature of 114.1 oC. The respective cycle and net solar COPs of the ARS were 0.408 and 0.00080 at an evaporator temperature of 17.1 oC. This study showed that the solar thermal-driven ARS performed well in south-western climatic conditions of Nigeria and can be used to replace conventional refrigeration system to reduce the effect of global warming and environmental pollutions caused chlorofloro-refrigerants. Keywords: Solar, Adsorption, Refrigeration, COP, Concentrator

Outcome of intensive care management of acute chest syndrome in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: A preliminary report

Objectives: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a common complication of vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease patients. It causes respiratory failure which may require mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit, but outcome of such intervention has been sparingly reported in our environment. This study highlights the intensive care management and outcomes of acute chest syndrome in our centre. Design: This was a retrospective descriptive study Setting: This study was carried out at the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria Subjects or participants: These were 27 sickle cell disease patients with acute chest syndrome managed in our intensive care unit from January 2013 to December 2017. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all the 27 sickle cell disease patients managed in our intensive care unit on account of acute chest syndrome in the last 5 years. Relevant information on supplemental oxygen administration, modes of ventilation, transfusion, length of stay in the ICU and mortality rate was also extracted.Main outcome measure: The main outcome measure was the number of patients who survived and discharged from the intensive care unit.Results: Nine (50%) out of the 18 patients with acute chest syndrome, complicated by severe respiratory insufficiency, ventilated mechanically survived. The median length of ICU stay was 6 (12) days.Conclusion: Mechanical ventilation of patients and adequate pain control can help reduce the mortality and enhance the quality of life of sickle cell disease patients with acute chest syndrome

Thermodynamic study of environment-friendly R429A, R435A and R457A refrigerants as substitutes for ozone depleting R22 in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems

Ozone depletion and global warming are presently the most serious global environmental problems and they have led to drastic changes in the refrigeration technology. Therefore, environment-friendly refrigerants have attracted a significant attention. This paper presents the thermodynamic study of non-ozone depleting R429A, R435A and R457A refrigerants as substitutes for R22 in air-conditioning systems. The results obtained showed that the vapour pressure curves of R429A, R435A and R457A are very close to that of R22 with advantage of lower deviation in pressure. These refrigerants also exhibited lower pressure ratio and discharge pressure than R22 and their average discharge temperatures are 24.03, 13.54 and 28.53 % respectively lower than that of R22. They showed higher coefficient of performance than R22 with the average values of 2.47, 3.96 and 2.98 % respectively higher which shows better efficiency. The results also revealed R429A, R435A and R457A as energy efficient refrigerants as they exhibited lower power consumption per ton of refrigeration with average values of 2.14, 3.90 and 2.27 % respectively lower than that of R22. Generally, the three investigated environment-friendly refrigerants performed better than R22 and can effectively replace R22 in air-conditioning systems

The High Dependency Unit in the Management of Critically Ill Obstetric Patients in Low Resource Countries

The care of the obstetric population requiring critical care at the intensive care unit is associated with challenges that have made the establishment of obstetric high dependency units (HDU) a priority in the developed, unlike low resource countries.The objective was to evaluate the need to establish obstetric HDUs in low-resource countries.The study was a retrospective descriptive study of obstetric patients admitted in the intensive care unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital from 1st January 2010 to30th June 2013. Those that were suitable for management at HDUs were compared with those who needed ICU care. The statistical analysis was with SPSS version 20 with p-values, x2, and odds ratio; p-value <0.05 was considered significant.All the 52 patients were postpartum; 16(30.8%) were suitable for HDU care. Of the HDU eligible patients, 11(68.8%) were of low social class, 12(75%) were booked, 11(68.8%) had no further complication at ICU and mortality was 1(6.25%). Compared to those who needed ICU care, there were no statistical significance in maternal age, parity, duration of ICU admission and total cost of ICU care. There were more cases with statistical significance of organ involvement (p<0.001), severity of Glasgow coma score at admission (p<0.001), further complications at ICU (p<0.001) and maternal mortality (p<0.001) among those needing ICU care compared tothose needing HDU care.In conclusion, the establishment of the HDU will reduce cost and the burden on the few ICUs in low-resource countries without increasing maternal mortality

One-stage correction of intermediate imperforate anus in males: preliminary results

Background: This prospective study was designed to assess the safety, cost effectiveness, and advantages of performing posterior sagittal anorectoplasty without colostomy on males with intermediate imperforate anus. Method: Five consecutive males with intermediate imperforate anus were entered into the study. Chest and abdominal x-rays, skeletal surveys, renal ultrasound scans, and invertograms were done. Patients were resuscitated, and Pena’s posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) done in prone positions. Two-ml syringe vents were inserted into the new anus for 10 days. Cephalosporin and metronidazole were given as peri-operative antibiotics. Results: All patients had intermediate anomalies. There were no other major associated congenital anomalies. Urethral catheter could not be inserted in one patient. One patient presented with septicaemia and jaundice. He was deemed too ill to withstand a major operation. These 2 patients therefore had diverting colostomies. There were no problems with posterior sagittal anorectoplasty in the other 3 patients. The father of one patient discharged him against medical advice on the 5th postoperative day. The mother had post-partum haemorrhage and they went for traditional treatment because they could not provide blood donors. The skin wound of 2 patients healed completely at removal of stitches. Both are having monthly dilatations 9months and 1 year post-operatively. Conclusion: This preliminary study shows that it is feasible for males with intermediate imperforate anus to have safe posterior sagittal anorectoplasty without colostomy. The advantages of one, instead of 3 major operations, are many, especially in developing countries. If this result can be reproduced in high anomalies colostomy may be unnecessary in many cases of anorectal malformations with a lot of benefits to these unfortunate children and their poor families

Critically ill obstetric admissions into a tertiary hispital's intensive care unit

No Abstract

St. Patrick's Day Storms and GPS-TEC Response at Some African Low-Latitude Stations (Abstract only)

The 2015 St. Patrick’s Day storm, which is one of the most intense geomagnetic storm in this present solar cycle (SYM-H = -213nT), as well as the similar event in 2013 (SYM-H = -132nT). We investigated the response of the Total Electron Content (TEC) derived from four (4) Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements in African low latitude region during these two (2) events. Analysis of the TEC data revealed larger magnitude disturbed time variation from quiet-time average behavior in 2015 than 2013, while the deviation is larger during the recovery phase than the main phase for both storm events. There was TEC enhancements at Libreville (NKLG) during the minimum depression of SYM-H and at Malindi (MAL2) and Lusaka (ZAMB) during the prenoon periods of the first day of the recovery phase. The enhancement episodes dominates at the equatorial stations while depletion episodes dominates at the low latitude station during the 2013 recovery phase. In 2015, depletion episodes occurred during the minimum downward excursion period, the postnoon and postsunset periods of the first recovery day at the equatorial stations and enhancement episodes observed at the prenoon. Negative storm phases dominates the remaining recovery days in the low latitude stations of MBAR and MAL2, extending for about 36 hours, particularly around the midday, post-sunset and midnight. Comparison with observations from other works revealed distinct responses at different sectors