Perforated Duodenal Ulcer in Pregnancy—A Rare Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Medical and surgical disorders in pregnancy can be can be quite challenging for the obstetrician gynaecologist even in resource rich countries. Reaching an accurate diagnosis and admininstering appropriate management can be difficult in the presence of an on-going pregnancy. The importance of involving specialist from other disciplines (multidisciplinary care) cannot be overemphasized. We present an interesting case of perforated duodenal ulcer in a pregnant patient, review the literature ,discuss the differential diagnosis and evaluate the management principles for this rare condition

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

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

Usage of electronic information resources (EIRs) for improved nursing research and health-care delivery in Nigeria

This study examined the usage of electronic information resources (EIRs) for improved nursing research and health-care delivery in Nigeria. A descriptive survey method was used for the study. The population consisted of 120 nursing and midwifery students and 5 healthcare providers at Grimmard School of Nursing and Midwifery, Anyigba, Kogi State of Nigeria totalling 125. Five (5) research questions guided the conduct of this study. Analysis and discussion of the study were based on major findings of the study. The results revealed that, nursing and midwifery students sourced e-resources through online databases, smart phones, institutional repositories and search engines. The study further concluded that, pubmed and excerpta medica database (EMBASE), global infectious disease and epidemiology network (GIDEON), nursing reference centre plus, medicine biomedical and health resources and lilalcs and trip pro were available types of e-resources to nurses. Challenges hindering effective utilization of electronic information resources by nurses ranged from inadequate facilities for using e-resources, unstable power supply, lack of requisite computer use skills, and knowledge of availability of resources, poor internet connectivity, inability to evaluate information sources and inability to seek and obtain information. The study, among others, recommended that government and other stakeholders should assist private and public nursing colleges to provide libraries with adequate and relevant electronic information resources (EIRs) for the usage by student nurses and the management of nursing schools should enhance internet connectivity, infrastructures and access points at strategic locations at the college library. The study contributes to knowledge in the areas of literature, practice and will be useful for policy makers on the necessary steps for ensuring the available of electronic health resources and usability by nursing students. In addition, the study provides fresh data on the usage of electronic information resources for improved nursing research and health care delivery in Nigeria

A case of dengue fever in a health worker in university of Port-Harcourt teaching hospital

Dengue fever is a mosquito borne disease which can easily be missed or misdiagnosed in early stages as a result of poor surveillance, similarity with other febrile illness and unavailability of PCR necessary for its diagnosis. We hereby report a 44year old female nurse living around a bushy and swampy environment, who presented to university of Port-Harcourt teaching hospital (UPTH) with high grade fever of 1week duration, also developed joint pains, passage of coke colored urine, sensor neural deafness, hyperglycemia and petechial hemorrhage while on admission. Patient continued to have persistent fever despite having completed her anti-malaria and antibiotics, viral studies were subsequently done for her and she was found to have dengue virus. Patient was conservatively managed and discharged for follow-up in medical outpatient and Ear nose and throat clinic

Ethanol Extract of Blighia Sapida Stem Bark Show Remarkable Prophylactic Activity in Experimental Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice.

This work explores the antiplasmodial potential of ethanol extract of Blighia sapida (Lin. Sapindaceae) in chloroquine (CQ)- resistant Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain)–infected mice. Chloroquine-resistant (ANKA) strain of P berghei was inoculated intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice. Mice were treated orally for 4 consecutive days, before and after inoculation (prophylactic, suppressive, and curative models) with graded doses of the plant extracts with Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem) as control. Prophylactically, the extract showed a remarkable activity in the chemosuppression of P berghei parasites (

Genetic Diversity of CD14 Promoter Gene Polymorphism (rs2569190) is Associated With Regulation of Malaria Parasitemia and Susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum Infection.

CD14 is a multifunctional receptor expressed on many cell types and has been shown to mediate immune response resulting in the activation of an inflammatory cascade, with polymorphism of its promoter (rs2569190) found to be associated with susceptibility to several diseases. In malaria infection, the CD14 gene demonstrated a pathogenic profile in regulating experimental cerebral malaria, with reports of elevated levels of soluble CD14 in serum of patients but no definitive conclusion. We present a detailed analysis of genetic diversity of CD14 promoter gene (snp −159 C/T; rs2519190) polymorphism between a malaria-infected group and uninfected controls and its association with clinical parameters of disease. Genomic DNA samples obtained from 106 Plasmodium falciparum malaria–infected patients and 277 uninfected controls were elucidated with a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. Our results show a significant diversity (P=3.32E−06) in the genotypic frequency (3.8% versus 22.4%) of the rs2569190 mutant variant between the malaria-infected group and controls, respectively. The mutant allele had the lowest frequency among the malaria-infected group demonstrating its necessity for infection. Mean parasitemia (parasites/μL of blood) was significantly regulated based on CD14 polymorphic profile (19 855 versus 37 041 versus 49 396 for homozygote mutants, heterozygotes, and homozygote wild type, respectively). Interestingly, we found no association between CD14 genetic variants with fever, age of patients, or anemia. How this affects disease severity between subregional and continental groups deserves further clarification, including extending these studies in a larger group and among severe and asymptomatic patients with malaria

Effect of Low Level Cadmium Exposure on Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Rat

Purpose: To investigate the effect of low level cadmium (Cd) exposure on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rat.Methods: Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four groups of eight animals each. Group one received distilled water and served as control. The other three groups were exposed to 100, 200 and 300 ppm cadmium doses, respectively, in their drinking water for 6 weeks. At the end of 6 weeks, blood, brain and liver were removed from the animals and SOD activities were investigated spectrophotometrically at 480 nm.Results: The data revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in organ weight of the exposed rats, and with the highest cadmium accumulation in liver ranging from 2.99 ± 0.20 μg Cd/g tissue in control to 34.57 ± 2.06 μg Cd/g tissue for the 300 ppm dose group. Exposure to cadmium resulted in significant (p < 0.05) decrease in SOD activity in plasma, erythrocytes, brain and liver in a dose-dependent manner compared to control. The data showed a negative correlation between tissue cadmium and SOD in plasma, erythrocyte and brain. While positive associations were observed between blood and tissue (brain and liver) cadmium and SOD, a significant (p < 0.01), negative correlation was found between tissue cadmium and SOD.Conclusion: As Cd dose increase, plasma, erythrocyte, brain and liver SOD activities decrease. This might affect the maintenance of the normal body physiological conditions.Keywords: Cadmium, Superoxide dismutase, Liver, Brain, Toxicity, Environmental contaminan

Assessment of Ecological Status and Tree Diversity in Watershed Area of Dandi Local Government Area in Kebbi State, Nigeria

This study assessed the ecological and tree diversity status of watershed area of Dandi local government area in Kebbi state using systematic sampling technique. Three transects of 300 m long were laid at 100 m intervals. On each transect, six sample plots of size 50 m x 50 m (0.25ha) were alternately laid at 50 m intervals. A total of 18 sample plots will be used for the study. Diameters at breast height (Dbh) of all the trees found in the plot with Dbh ≥ 5cm will be measured. Fourteen tree species belonging to 10 genera and 8 families were identified. Borassus aethiopum of the family Arecaceae was the most abundant species in the area with a relative density (RD) and diversity index (DI) of 0.296 and 0.08728 respectively. This was followed by Cocos nucifera in the Arecaceae family also, with RD and DI of 0.192 and 0.03662 respectively. Daniella oliveri of the family Fabaceae was the least represented species with RD and DI of 0.0018 and 0.00002 respectively. The overall tree species richness in the area was 0.0052

COMPARATIVE TRIAL OF COMBINED METOCLOPRAMIDE AND DEXAMETHASONE VERSUS DEXAMETHASONE IN POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN GYNAECOLOGICAL SURGERY

Metoclopramide is a drug that has been used in the dose of 10 mg iv for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis for many years and has been reported to be ineffective at this dose. That a higher dose of this drug, when used in combination with 8 mg dexamethasone, is more effective when compared with 8 mg dexamethasone only is worth validating and this study was designed to do. The aim is to compare the effectiveness of adding 50 mg metoclopramide (in two divided doses) to 8 mg intravenous dose of dexamethasone versus 8 mg dexamethasone only as a prophylactic anti-emetic in gynaecological surgery under spinal anaesthesia at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin