Pattern and microbiological characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Purpose: To determine the pattern and bacteriological characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in patients attending a tertiary health care facility.Method: 160 Patients with Diabetes Mellitus foot syndrome were recruited, out of which 52 had diabetic foot ulcers. Relevant clinical, biochemical, and microbiological evaluations were carried out on the subjects. Data analysis was done using SPSS ver- sion 20. p value was set at <0.05.Results: 52 (32.5%) out of 160 subjects with Diabetes Mellitus Foot Syndrome (DMFS) had diabetic foot ulcers. Poor glycaemic control (mean HbA1c = 9.2 (2.7) %), and abuse of antibiotics (76.9%) characterized the subjects. Foot ulcers mainly involved the right lower limb and followed spontaneous blister formation (50%). Microbiological culture pattern was polymicrobial (71.2%); predominantly anaerobic organisms (53.3%). Gram positive and negative aerobic isolates yielded high sensitivity to common quinolones (76% - 87.8%). The gram positive and negative anaerobic isolates were highly sensitive to Clindamycin and Metroni- dazole respectively (80.2% - 97.8%). High sensitivity (>80%) yield for gram negative anaerobes was recorded for Imipinem and Ampicillin/Sulbactam.Conclusion: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) contribute about one-third of DMFS. The bacteriological isolates from these ulcers are mainly polymicrobial with high sensitivity to common antibiotics. The need for appropriate use of antibiotics should be advocated among the patients.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, antibiotic sensitivity, Nigeria

Knowledge and practice of female secondary school students aboutHIVand sexually transmitted infections in Enugu, South East Nigeria

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of female secondary school students to sexually transmitted infections in Enugu, South East Nigeria.These could pose as barriers to effective sexual education and impair case management within the community.Methods: This study was cross-sectional and descriptive in design using a self- administered custom designed multiple choice questionnaire with sections on general information on sexually transmitted infections, awareness and perception of such infections. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained.Results: There were 183 respondents with a mean age of 15.9 ± 1.3 years, all female.There was a high level of awareness of HIV (97.8%) and STIs (94.5%).While 74.3% had correct knowledge of modes of transmission,60.7% incorrectly identified casual contact as modes of transmission of HIV. Only 59% correctly identified all the HIV prevention methods tested, while 74.9% practiced all modes of prevention. The median aggregate score for knowledge of transmission and prevention was 72.2%, while it was 62.5% for good prevention practice. The older students were more likely to be sexually active.Conclusion: Female secondary school students in Enugu had a high level of awareness for sexually transmitted infections, especially for HIV. However, in-depth knowledge regarding mode of transmission and prevention was sub-optimal.There is a need to strengthen public and school based sexual health education in Nigeria.Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections, knowledge, female students, Nigeri

EVALUATION OF CHATTER VIBRATION FREQUENCY IN CNC TURNING OF 4340 ALLOY STEEL MATERIAL

In this study, an experimental investigation of chatter in CNC turning for 4340 Alloy Steel material was carried out. Empirical study of chatter and critical cutting condition in CNC turning has been conducted through a well- designed three-factor three-level experiment, and regression models developed for chatter frequency prediction with up to 99.5% accuracy for the material. The arising model and the mean-effect plots of the cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut against Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio indicates that increasing feed rates and depth of cuts would bring about increase in chatter vibration frequency while high cutting speeds would have attenuating effects on chatter vibration frequency, thereby suppressing it. The percentage contribution of the cutting parameters to chatter vibration frequency established, and optimal machining condition for the machine chatter optimization obtained at a cutting speed of 320 m/min, feed rate of 0.05mm/rev and depth of cut of 0.5mm. The optimal chatter vibration frequency for the turning tests was found to be 130.00 Hz. With the obtained optimum input parameters for chatter vibration frequency, production operations will be enhanced

Strength Analysis and Variation of Elastic Properties in Plantain Fiber/Polyester Composites for Structural Applications

Plantain fiber-reinforced composite materials have demonstrated significant properties that are applicable in structural design and development. However, two major concerns arise in relation to the obvious material anisotropy and challenges imposed by structural discontinuity encountered as need for use of fasteners arises. The study assesses the extent of variation of elastic properties ( E x , E y , G xy , v xy , v yx , m x , m y ) with fiber orientation using MATLAB functions while considering the extent of variation of the tangential stresses around an idealized functional hole edge. The tensile strength of 410.15 and 288.1 MPa was recorded at 0° fiber orientation angle, while 37.3397 and 33.133 MPa were obtained at fiber orientation angle of 90° for Plantain Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber Composite (PEFBFC) and Plantain Pseudo Stem Fiber Composite (PPSFC), respectively. The tangential stress distribution at hole edge indicated maximum stress value of 119.15 and 100.587 MPa at angular position ø = 90° for PEFBFC and PPSFC, respectively. Judging from various failure indices considered, failure will be initiated at ø = 70° for PEFBFC with stress concentration factor of 2.53 and ø = 65° for PPSFC with stress concentration factor of 2.13, which are less than the stress concentration around the peak stress when angular position is 90°. Both PEFBFC and PPSFC showed similar trends in response to the design scenario considered

General Perception of Liposomes: Formation, Manufacturing and Applications

Liposomes are currently part of the most reputed carriers for various molecular species, from small and simple to large and complex molecules. Since their discovery, liposomes have been subject to extensive evolution, in terms of composition, manufacturing and applications, which led to several openings in both basic and applied life sciences. However, most of the advances in liposome research have been more devoted to launching new developments than improving the existing technology for potential implementation. For instance, the evolution of the conventional lipid hydration methods to novel microfluidic technologies has permitted upscale production, but with increase in manufacturing cost and persistent use of organic solvents. This chapter intends to present general concepts in liposome technology, highlighting some longstanding bottlenecks that remain challenging to the preparation, characterization and applications of liposomal systems. This would enhance the understanding of the gaps in the field and, hence, provide directions for future research and developments

Toward Sustainable Power Supply and Consumption of an Emerging Economy (Nigeria)

Electricity supply offers significant and immense benefits to human society, and it is instrumental in driving economic growth, increased standard of living and technological developments. Its sustainable supply and consumption is related to many ecological discussions, and thus, present emphasis on renewable sources, such as solar and hydro. In Nigeria, however, challenges associated with electricity generation, transmission, distribution and consumption have not been adequately tackled. Poor electricity supply has adversely impacted the economy resulting to poor production, higher prices of goods and services, closure of industries, and loss of competitive advantage of Nigerian businesses. Conversely, energy-inefficient and non-conservation consumption behaviour of Nigerian electricity consumers contributes to the electricity demand - demand gap. Energy-efficiency and conservation is a sustainable tool for efficient power system. The paper show that the use of mostly post-paid and unmetered billing system is implicated in energy-inefficient consumption. The paper advocates for deployment of pre-paid meters to every electricity consumer; fiscal management, enforcement of energy saving policies such as use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL); and emphasis on renewable energy (hydro and solar) sources, for electricity generation

High Prevalence and Low Awareness of Hypertension in a Market Population in Enugu, Nigeria

Background. A community-based study put the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria at 32.8%. Market workers in Nigeria lead sedentary life style and often depend on salt-laden fast food while at work. Method. An unselected population of market workers were screened for hypertension and its risk factors by a pretested, structured questionnaire, clinical examination, and laboratory investigation. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 140 and/or ≥ 90 mmHg or being on drug therapy. Results. Forty-two percent of the screened population were hypertensive. Of this number, 70.6% did not know they were hypertensive before the screening. More males than females (P = .022) were hypertensive. Prevalence of hypertension increased with age from 5.4% in the age group <20 years to 80% in the age group ≥70 years. Conclusion. The prevalence of hypertension in market workers in this study was 42%, and the majority of them were unaware of their disease

Pattern and microbiological characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Purpose: To determine the pattern and bacteriological characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in patients attending a tertiary health care facility. Method: 160 Patients with Diabetes Mellitus foot syndrome were recruited, out of which 52 had diabetic foot ulcers. Relevant clinical, biochemical, and microbiological evaluations were carried out on the subjects. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. p value was set at &lt;0.05. Results: 52 (32.5%) out of 160 subjects with Diabetes Mellitus Foot Syndrome (DMFS) had diabetic foot ulcers. Poor glycaemic control (mean HbA1c = 9.2 (2.7) %), and abuse of antibiotics (76.9%) characterized the subjects. Foot ulcers mainly involved the right lower limb and followed spontaneous blister formation (50%). Microbiological culture pattern was polymicrobial (71.2%); predominantly anaerobic organisms (53.3%). Gram positive and negative aerobic isolates yielded high sensitivity to common quinolones (76% - 87.8%). The gram positive and negative anaerobic isolates were highly sensitive to Clindamycin and Metronidazole respectively (80.2% - 97.8%). High sensitivity (&gt;80%) yield for gram negative anaerobes was recorded for Imipinem and Ampicillin/Sulbactam. Conclusion: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) contribute about one-third of DMFS. The bacteriological isolates from these ulcers are mainly polymicrobial with high sensitivity to common antibiotics. The need for appropriate use of antibiotics should be advocated among the patients. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.37 Cite as: Anyim O, Okafor C, Young E, Obumneme-Anyim I, C N. Pattern and microbiological characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1617-1627. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.3

Serum Ferritin Levels In Children With Malaria Anaemia In Ibadan

This study assessed the serum ferritin levels in plasma samples from children (4 - 74 months old) admitted for malaria at the Adeoyo Maternity Hospital (Beere) Ibadan, Oyo State, using a sandwich-ELISA. These values were compared with malaria parasitemia, MSP-1 antibody titre and packed cell volume values previously obtained through standard methods. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS, Excel and Epi-Calc software. Results showed that the serum ferritin level in the population ranged in from 363ng/ml to 1000ng/ml, with a mean value of 630ng/ml. There was a negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and the packed cell volume, and malaria parasitemia in the children; while the serum ferritin levels increased with increasing malaria antibodies. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of ferritin in anaemic and non-anaemic children. Serum ferritin concentration decreased with increasing age in children with malaria. Gender was found to have no significant association with serum ferritin levels in children with malaria anaemia

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Background. A community-based study put the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria at 32.8%. Market workers in Nigeria lead sedentary life style and often depend on salt-laden fast food while at work. Method. An unselected population of market workers were screened for hypertension and its risk factors by a pretested, structured questionnaire, clinical examination, and laboratory investigation. Hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 140 and/or ≥ 90 mmHg or being on drug therapy. Results. Forty-two percent of the screened population were hypertensive. Of this number, 70.6% did not know they were hypertensive before the screening. More males than females (P = .022) were hypertensive. Prevalence of hypertension increased with age from 5.4% in the age group &lt;20 years to 80% in the age group ≥70 years. Conclusion. The prevalence of hypertension in market workers in this study was 42%, and the majority of them were unaware of their disease