Surgical outcomes of diabetic hand infections in Lagos, Nigeria

Background Hand infections in diabetics can be a major cause of functional impairment .In patients with Tropical Diabetic hand syndrome prompt surgical intervention may salvage the hand, but return to premorbid function remain a challenge.Objectives A retrospective study of consecutive diabetic patients with hand infections was done in 2 tertiary institutions in Lagos,Nigeria to identify the epidemiology, modes of presentation, types of surgical intervention and outcomes oftreatment.Results Twenty one patients were studied over a 5 year period. ten males, eleven females .All were type 2 Diabetes. 52.4%(11) were diagnosed less than a year prior to presentation. 61.9%(13) had digit/hand gangrene on presentation. All operated patients (20) had wound debridements. 52.5% (11) digit/hand amputations and this was the commonest surgical procedures done. Other surgeries done include skin grafts and `flap reconstructions. There was a 19% mortality rate. Less than a fifth were able return to their premorbid occupation after 3 months. But all had reduced range of motion in the interphalangeal joints in the adjacent digits.ConclusionsThere is a high morbidity rate for hand infections in the diabetic, even though majority of the hands were salvaged, most patients were unable to return to their premorbid occupation at 3 months

Properties of Self-Compacting Mortar made with Sorghum Husk Ash and Calcium Carbide Waste as Binder

The quest for the development of alternative and more sustainable construction material stemmed out from the current global concern on issues relating to global warming and green house effect. In recent time, research direction has shifted towards the use of agro-industrial waste as complete replacement of ordinary Portland cement. In this study the effects of the blends of sorghum husk ash (SHA) and calcium carbide waste (CCW) on the fresh properties of self compacting mortar was investigated where various tests were carried out which included physical and chemical properties of the constituents materials, Flow cone test for paste, Mini v-funnel flow time and Mortar flow spread test for determination of saturation dosage of HRWR for self compacting mortar made with sorghum husk ash and calcium carbide waste as binder, were carried out. Then developments in the compressive strength of the hardened mortar were determined at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 90 days. The study revealed that SHA sample have high Silicon dioxide (SiO2 (84%) while CCW is majorly Calcium oxide (CaO(66%).The optimum saturation dosage of  High Range Water Reducer  (HRWR) determined from Flow cone test and Mini-v-funnel was 3.5%. The 70/30 (SHA/CCW) shows the highest mortar flow spread of 290 mm compared to the control (295mm).The agro-industrial binder exhibited good binding properties at a slow hydration rate. Analysis of the compressive strength results show that 70/30 (SHA/CCW) proportion has the highest value of 14.08 N/mm2 at 90 days. Self compacting mortar made with SHA/CCW combinations as binder can be adopted for use in masonry work as it conforms to type N of ASTM C270 morta

Acidogenic fermentation of vegetable and salad waste for chemicals production : Effect of pH buffer and retention time

Authors acknowledge the financial support of ADNet (Business Interaction Voucher, BIV2015007) and thank Dr Gavin Milligan, William Jackson Food Group, for the discussion of the research and the experimental data. The authors are also thankful to Mrs Liz Hendrie for her technical assistance.Peer reviewedPostprin

Description and Composition of Tree Species in a Tertiary Institution Agricultural Faculty Arboretum, Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

The Arboretum of the Agricultural Faculty of a tertiary institution in Ibadan is known for its rich diversity of trees. Therefore, the study investigates the tree growth variables in the arboretum such as diameter at breast height (dbh), diameter at the base, middle and top of the bole, total height, merchantable height and crown diameter. The basal area and volume were then calculated per species and per family. Several models were fitted for the height – diameter relationship and crown diameter – diameter relationship and crown diameter – dbh relationship. Positive linear relationships were observed among the growth variables. The fitted models showed that cubic models exhibit a more reliable function than quadratic and linear models for crown diameter – dbh predictions as it has R2 above 0.75. Endangered species were observed too and this was indicated through the diversity index obtained. The highest basal area encounter belongs to myrtaceae family (9.61m2) while the lowest belongs to pinaceae family (0.24m2). The total basal area obtained at (31.72m2) from the faculty trees indicates that they are exhibiting better growth and yield

Experimental Analysis of the Performance of the Eco-Friendly R510A and R600a Refrigerants in a Retrofitted Vapour Compression Refrigerating System

Halocarbon refrigerants have been scheduled for total phase out because they contributed significantly to the two major global environmental problems - ozone layer depletion and global warming.In this study, the performances of the environmentally friendly R510A and R600a in a retrofitted domestic refrigerating system were investigated experimentally and compared with the performance of R134a. The results obtained showed that R510A has the lowest discharge pressure with an average value of 13.4 % lower than that of R134a. The average pressure ratios of R510A and R600a were 16.91 and 12.17 %, respectively, lower than that of R134a.The Volumetric Cooling Capacity obtained for R510A was 5.34 % higher than that of R134a. R510A and R600a exhibited higher refrigerating effect and Coefficient of Performance (COP) than R134a.The average COPs for R510A and R600a were 22.26 and 3.06 %, respectively, higher than that of R134a. Generally, R510A and R600a performed better than R134a and they can be used as retrofit substitute refrigerants for R134a in the existing domestic refrigerators. The best performance was obtained from the use of R510A in the retrofitted system

DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A RICE DE-STONING MACHINE USING VIBRATING SIEVES

A rice de-stoning machine using vibrating sieves was designed, fabricated with locally sourced materials and tested. The performance of the machine was evaluated and the results obtained showed that the feed regulator opening has significant effects on the de-stoning rate, de-stoning efficiency and rice losses. The best performance was obtained at feed regulator opening of 20 mm. Above 20 mm opening, the higher the feed regulator opening the higher the de-stoning rate and grain losses, and the lower the de-stoning efficiency. The average capacity of the machine was found to be 31.84 g/sec. and the average efficiency also was 98.3%.     &nbsp

PREVALENCE OF CTX-M-PRODUCING GRAM-NEGATIVE UROPATHOGENS IN SOKOTO, NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Objective: Infections of the urinary tract remains one of the most common bacterial infections with many implicated organisms being Gram-negative, which are increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the resistance of ESBL producing Gram-negative enterobacteriaceae to commonly prescribed antibiotics and the prevalence of CTX-M genes from these isolates using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: The isolates were collected from urine over a period of 4 mo and studied, and were identified using Microgen Identification Kit (GN-ID). Susceptibility testing was performed by the modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method, and results were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production was detected by the double-disc synergy test (DDST). Molecular characterization was based on the isolates that were positive for the phenotypic detection of ESBL. Results: Sixty one (61) isolates of Gram-negative uropathogens were identified. Of these, 19 (31.2%) were E. coli, 15 (24.6%) were Salmonella arizonae, Klebsiella pneumoniae were 7 (11.5%), Klebsiella oxytoca were 3 (4.9%), Enterobacter gergoviae were 6 (9.8%), 4 (6.6%) were Citrobacter freundii, 4 (6.6%) were Serratia marscence, and 1 (1.6%) were Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Edwardsiella tarda each. Analysis of the bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics revealed most of them to be generally resistant to cotrimoxazole (73.3%), nalidixic acid (66.7%), norfloxacin (53.5%), ciprofloxacin (50.5%), gentamicin (48.6%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (45%), and the least resistant was displayed in nitrofurantoin (30%). Of the 15 ESBL producers, 11 (73.3%) were harbouring bla CTX-M genes. Conclusion: The study revealed a high susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, whereas susceptibility to cotrimoxazole was lowest. It further portrays a high prevalence of enterobacteriaceae isolates harbouring bla CTX-M genes in Sokoto metropolis

Hear it From the Horses' Mouth: Listening to African Professionals in Australia

The study investigated the growing concern of the African professionals who arrived in Australia since 2007. The ongoing concern was based on the lack of job opportunity in their nominated skilled occupation in post arrival in Australia. The study used demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interview to elicit information from forty (40) participants from Western Australia and Northern Territory cities and regional areas. The data analysed provided the needed perspectives about the extreme frustration of the African skilled migrants lack job opportunities in the post arrival in Australia. Based on the findings, the study made some recommendations, including counselling implications on several pathways on how African professionals could gain recognition for opportunities in their professional areas