Phosphate and Nitrate Removal from Aqueous Solution by Carbonated and Uncarbonated African Nutmeg (Monodora Myristica) Shell

This study was aimed at investigating the possibility of using Monodora myristica shell for the absorption of phosphate and nitrate from wastewaters.  Four categories of the shell (untreated raw shell, treated raw shell, untreated carbonated shell and treated carbonated shell ) were used for the investigation. Three different concentrations (2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %) of the respective shells were used for the study. The results revealed that none of the different modifications of the shell had phosphate absorption capacity. All the different shell modifications showed remarkable nitrate absorption capacity from solution.  The findings also revealed a saturation time of 3 h for nitrate absorption at shell concentrations of 5 % to 10 % and a saturation time of 5 h at shell concentration of 2.5 %. At the end of 3 h contact time, nitrate concentration in the presence of the untreated carbonated shell was  observed to decrease from 231.47 mg/L to 63.10 mg/L and 28.57 mg/L, at shell concentrations of 5 % and 10 %, respectively. In the presence of the treated carbonated shell, after 3 h contact time, nitrate levels showed significant decreases from 231.47 mg/L to 169.99 mg/L and 56.83 mg/L, respectively. Similarly, after 3 h contact time, nitrate levels in the presence of the untreated and treated shells showed decreases from 231.47 mg/L to  167.63 mg/L and 158.81 mg/L, and from 231.47 mg/L to 56.83 mg/L and 45.59 mg/L, at shell concentrations of 5 % and 10 %, respectively. The study was able to give an insight into the potential use of the Monodora myristica shell as a bio adsorbent in nitrate removal from wastewaters. Keywords: Absorbent Monodora myristica, nitrate, phosphate, wastewate

The Role of Ripe Musa sapientum (Plantain) Peels in the Removal of Phosphorus and Nitrogen from Aqueous Solution

The effluents that are generated from wastewaters are major contributors to various water pollution problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability and feasibility of using plantain peel in the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen in aqueous solutions, using four different modifications of the peel at three (2.5%, 5 % and 10 %) different concentrations. Although some measure of phosphate absorptions were observed in the presence of some of the peel medications, remarkable nitrate removals were observed in the presence of all the peel modifications used. In the presence of the untreated carbonated sample, after a 5 h contact period,  nitrate levels were shown to decrease from the initial concentration of 297.80 mg/L to 174.46 mg/L, 196.57 mg/L and 221.91 mg/L, at 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Nitrate levels after a 5 h contact time in the presence of the treated carbonated peel revealed a decrease from 297.80 mg/L to 144.21 mg/L, 174.33 mg/L and to 202.10 mg/L, at 2.5 % 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Also, after a 5 h contact time, nitrate levels in the aqueous solution in the presence of the  treated raw peel were observed to change from an initial level of 297.80 mg/L to 280.60 mg/L, 164.58 mg/L and 151.98 mg/L, at peel concentrations of 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %, respectively. The study was able to reveal the potential of using this agro-waste for use in the bioremediation of polluted wastewater effluents. Keywords: Nitrogen, phosphorus, plantain peels, wastewate

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Estimating the burden of selected non-communicable diseases in Africa: a systematic review of the evidence

Background The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing globally, and particularly in Africa, where the health focus, until recently, has been on infectious diseases. The response to this growing burden of NCDs in Africa has been affected owing to a poor understanding of the burden of NCDs, and the relative lack of data and low level of research on NCDs in the continent. Recent estimates on the burden of NCDs in Africa have been mostly derived from modelling based on data from other countries imputed into African countries, and not usually based on data originating from Africa itself. In instances where few data were available, estimates have been characterized by extrapolation and over-modelling of the scarce data. It is therefore believed that underestimation of NCDs burden in many parts of Africa cannot be unexpected. With a gradual increase in average life expectancy across Africa, the region now experiencing the fastest rate of urbanization globally, and an increase adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, the burden of NCDs is expected to rise. This thesis will, therefore, be focussing on understanding the prevalence, and/or where there are available data, the incidence, of four major NCDs in Africa, which have contributed highly to the burden of NCDs, not only in Africa, but also globally. Methods I conducted a systematic search of the literature on three main databases (Medline, EMBASE and Global Health) for epidemiological studies on NCDs conducted in Africa. I retained and extracted data from original population-based (cohort or cross sectional), and/or health service records (hospital or registry-based studies) on prevalence and/or incidence rates of four major NCDs in Africa. These include: cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types (cervical, breast, prostate, ovary, oesophagus, bladder, Kaposi, liver, stomach, colorectal, lung and non-Hodgkin lymphoma), and chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma). From extracted crude prevalence and incidence rates, a random effect meta-analysis was conducted and reported for each NCD. An epidemiological model was applied on all extracted data points. The fitted curve explaining the largest proportion of variance (best fit) from the model was further applied. The equation generated from the fitted curve was used to determine the prevalence and cases of the specific NCD in Africa at midpoints of the United Nations (UN) population 5-year age-group population estimates for Africa. Results From the literature search, studies on hypertension had the highest publication output at 7680, 92 of which were selected, spreading across 31 African countries. Cancer had 9762 publications and 39 were selected across 20 countries; diabetes had 3701 publications and 48 were selected across 28 countries; stroke had 1227 publications and 19 were selected across 10 countries; asthma had 790 publications and 45 were selected across 24 countries; and COPD had the lowest output with 243 publications and 13 were selected across 8 countries. From studies reporting prevalence rates, hypertension, with a total sample size of 197734, accounted for 130.2 million cases and a prevalence of 25.9% (23.5, 34.0) in Africa in 2010. This is followed by asthma, with a sample size of 187904, accounting for 58.2 million cases and a prevalence of 6.6% (2.4, 7.9); COPD, with a sample size of 24747, accounting for 26.3 million cases and a prevalence of 13.4% (9.4, 22.1); diabetes, with a sample size of 102517, accounting for 24.5 million cases and a prevalence of 4.0% (2.7, 6.4); and stroke, with a sample size of about 6.3 million, accounting for 1.94 million cases and a prevalence of 317.3 per 100000 population (314.0, 748.2). From studies reporting incidence rates, stroke accounted for 496 thousand new cases in Africa in 2010, with a prevalence of 81.3 per 100000 person years (13.2, 94.9). For the 12 cancer types reviewed, a total of 775 thousand new cases were estimated in Africa in 2010 from registry-based data covering a total population of about 33 million. Among women, cervical cancer and breast cancer had 129 thousand and 81 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 28.2 (22.1, 34.3) and 17.7 (13.0, 22.4) per 100000 person years, respectively. Among men, prostate cancer and Kaposi sarcoma closely follows with 75 thousand and 74 thousand new cases, with incidence rates of 14.5 (10.9, 18.0) and 14.3 (11.9, 16.7) per 100000 person years, respectively. Conclusion This study suggests the prevalence rates of the four major NCDs reviewed (cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and stroke), diabetes, major cancer types, and chronic respiratory diseases (COPD and asthma) in Africa are high relative to global estimates. Due to the lack of data on many NCDs across the continent, there are still doubts on the true prevalence of these diseases relative to the current African population. There is need for improvement in health information system and overall data management, especially at country level in Africa. Governments of African nations, international organizations, experts and other stakeholders need to invest more on NCDs research, particularly mortality, risk factors, and health determinants to have evidenced-based facts on the drivers of this epidemic in the continent, and prompt better, effective and overall public health response to NCDs in Africa

Effect of Dialyzer Reuse on Dialyzer Performance

Background: Dialyzer reuse has been practiced for many years and since its beginning questions have been raised about safety of the practice and also its effect on dialyzer clearance of small solutes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of reusing dialyzer on clearance of small solutes and adequacy of dialysis. Materials and Methods: The in-vivo clearance of dialyzer that were manually reprocessed in 33 end stage renal disease patients were tested for clearance of urea and creatinine by collecting simultaneous arterial and venous blood samples one hour into dialysis at blood flow rate (QB) of 200ml/ minute and dialysate flow rate (QD) of 500ml/minute at negative pressure of 0mmHg. Urea reduction ration (URR) was used as adequacy of dialysis session. Seventeen patients used the nephorsytem cuprophand dialyzer while 16 used the fresenius F5 polysulfone dialyzers. Results: Dialyzers were reused for four times. The clearance of urea and creatinine decreased significantly at the 4th use for the cuprophand nephrosystem dialyzers (139.5ml/minute at 1st use to 132.9+6.9ml/min at 4th use

Knowledge and risk factors for Hypertension among commercial transport workers in Lagos

No abstrac

Comparison of Joint Regressing Analysis (JRA) and additive main effect and multiplication interaction (AMMI) model in the study of GXE interaction in soybean

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 20 2006: pp. 74-8

Prevalence of obesity, overweight and proteinuria in an urban community in South West Nigeria

Background: Obesity is a global health problem and is associated with cardiovascular and renal diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and to examine its relationship with proteinuria in an urban community in a developing country. Materials and methods: Survey of 1368 respondents was conducted from March 2006 to 2010 as part of the World Kidney Day activities. Height, weight were measured according to standard  techniques. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (Kg) divided by height in metres squared (m2). Obesity was  defined as BMI = 30Kg/m2 while overweight was defined as BMI 25 -29.9 kg/m2 . Dipstick urinalysis for proteinuria was done with combur 3 strips. Results: The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 22.2% and 32.7% respectively. Women  were more likely to be obese compared with men; mean BMI 27.4 ± 6.0 versus 25.4 ± 4.4 kg/m2 p= 0.000. Proteinuria was detected in 4.9% of obese and 4.3% of overweight subjects respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that excess weight was significantly associated with proteinuria OR 1.93 (95% CI: 1.02 – 3.65 p= 0.04). Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight and obesity is high among Nigerians. Subjects with excess weight were more likely to have proteinuria. Efforts should be made to control this trend through health education.Keywords: Excess weight, obesity, proteinuri

The Role of Ripe Musa sapientum (Plantain) Peels in the Removal of Phosphorus and Nitrogen from Aqueous Solution

Abstract The effluents that are generated from wastewaters are major contributors to various water pollution problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability and feasibility of using plantain peel in the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen in aqueous solutions, using four different modifications of the peel at three (2.5%, 5 % and 10 %) different concentrations. Although some measure of phosphate absorptions were observed in the presence of some of the peel medications, remarkable nitrate removals were observed in the presence of all the peel modifications used. In the presence of the untreated carbonated sample, after a 5 h contact period, nitrate levels were shown to decrease from the initial concentration of 297.80 mg/L to 174.46 mg/L, 196.57 mg/L and 221.91 mg/L, at 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Nitrate levels after a 5 h contact time in the presence of the treated carbonated peel revealed a decrease from 297.80 mg/L to 144.21 mg/L, 174.33 mg/L and to 202.10 mg/L, at 2.5 % 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Also, after a 5 h contact time, nitrate levels in the aqueous solution in the presence of the treated raw peel were observed to change from an initial level of 297.80 mg/L to 280.60 mg/L, 164.58 mg/L and 151.98 mg/L, at peel concentrations of 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %, respectively. The study was able to reveal the potential of using this agro-waste for use in the bioremediation of polluted wastewater effluents