Autoimmune haemolytic anemia in HIV patients

Background: The prevalence of anemia in HIV/ AIDS patients is high, with a multitude of possible etiologies; autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in HIV/AIDS patients has been associated with a poor prognosis when treated with red cell transfusion. Our aim was to demonstrate the frequency of AIHA in a cohort of adult Nigerian HIV/AIDS patients and to see if the presence or not of AIHA is related to the severity of the disease with regards to the CD4 counts and the presence or absence of opportunistic infections. Method: Ninety- eight adult patients with HIV infection were screened for the presence of AIHA using the packed cell volume (PCV), direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and reticulocyte count (RC). Results: The frequency of AIHA was 3.06%, 36.74% of our study population were anemic; 11.22% had a positive DAT. Mean RC was 2.22 +/ 0.90 for all the patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the PCV of patients that had positive and negative DAT. There was no correlation between the presence of AIHA, use of ART, presence of opportunistic infections or CD4 counts. Conclusion: We conclude that in spite of the low frequency of AIHA in HIV/AIDS patients, the fact that most patients will respond to standard treatment makes it imperative to screen HIV/AIDS patients with anemia for the presence of AIHA. Again since HIV/AIDS patients with AIHA may have a fatal reaction to red cell transfusion, we suggest that anemic patients with HIV/AIDS in non-emergency situations be screened for the presence of AIHA before receiving red cell transfusions when indicated. Culture générale: Il y a trop de fréquence d'anémie parmi les malades sero-positifs ou les malades atteints de sida, souvent accompagne d'un grand nombres d'aetiologies: anémie haemolylique autoimmuno (AHAI) parmi les malades sero-positifs est directement lie a une mauvaise pronostic, surtout quand on fait le traitement avec une transformation du globule rouge. Notre objectif est de démontrer la fréquence de (AHAI) parmi un nombre d'adultes nigérians sero-positifs ou qui sont atteints du sida. C'est aussi de vérifier si la présence ou l'absence de (AHAI) est lie directement lie a la gravite de la maladie, de la maladie surtout quand il s'agit de la numération CD4 et de la présence ou absence des infections opportunistic. Modalité: À l'aide de l'analyse directe antiglobulin (ADA) et la numération réticulocyte (NR) et le packed cell volume (PCV) ; quatre-vingt-dix-huit malades sero-positifs, ont passé un test de dépistage pour vérifier la présence de (AHAI) Résultat: La fréquence de (AHAI) était 3.06%, 36.74% de notre population était anémique ; 11.22% était positif de l'analyse antiglobulin.Pour la numération reticulocy, la moyenne était 2.22+\\-0.90 pour tous les malades, on n'a trouvé aucune différence qui est statistiquement significatif parmi les malades positif de (ADA) et négatif de (ADA). Il n y avait aucun rapport entre la présence de AHAI, l'emploi de ART, présence des opportunistic ou la numération CD4. Conclusion: Pour conclure, il faut souligner que, malgré la basse fréquence de AHAI dans les malades atteint du sida ou sero-positifs, tous les sero-positifs avec anémie doivent passer un test de dépistage, puisqu'il est évident que la plupart des malades réagissent positivement au traitement.Et en plus,nous proposons que désormais, avant la transfusion du globule rouge, tous les malades sero-positifs ou du sida, passent un test de dépistage afin de déterminer la présence de AHAI car parfois la prise de cette transfusion peut aboutir à la mort. Keywords: Autoimmune, anemia, hemolysis, HIV/AIDS Annals of African Medicine Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 72-7

Influence of Transaction Transfer Pricing Policies on Corporate Organizations Tax in Nigeria

This study aimed to discuss the influence of transaction transfer pricing on corporate organizations tax in Nigeria. A descriptive research model was adopted. Secondary data were obtained from KPMG International (Tax) Bulletin report on fifty (50) major corporate organizations in Nigeria for 2014 to 2018 concerning transaction transfer pricing policies in terms of its influence on the organizations' business growths, tax rate, profit rate and tax liability. Results obtained for the study showed that transaction transfer pricing policies have a positive influence on the business growth on corporate organizations in Nigeria. It was recommended that corporate organizations should employ adequate measure that safeguards and avoid costly error in the implementation of transaction transfer pricing policies. Keywords: corporate organizations tax, transfer pricing, transfer pricing policies. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-6-07 Publication date:March 31st 202

Effect of Universal Basic Education Programme (Ube) on Girl-Child Education Enrolment in Katsina Local Government Area of Katsina State

In a bid to address girl-child education challenges and promote greater access to basic education generally, the Federal Government as a signatory to the Jomtien Declaration on Education for All (EFA, 1990) and other international treaties introduced the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Program in 1999. The UBE program seeks to ensure an uninterrupted access to 9-year formal education by providing free, and compulsory basic education for every child of school-going age, with a particular emphasis on the girl child and other disadvantaged groups. Against this backdrop, this study attempted an assessment of the effect of the UBE program on girl-child education in Katsina LGA with a particular focus on enrolment rate of the girl child. Data were generated from mainly secondary source but complemented with interviews and questionnaires. Findings of the study revealed that the UBE program has brought about increased educational enrolment of the girl-child owing to the free and compulsory basic education policy of the program, establishment of girls’ model primary schools, enlightenment on girl child education, provision of bus services and increased provision of infrastructures. Nevertheless, the program has encountered challenges such as inadequate infrastructure arising from poor funding, low value accorded girl-child education by parents, inadequate competent teaching staff, etc. The study therefore recommends increased allocation of funds; employment of more qualified and competent teachers as well as their training and retraining; imposing stiff sanctions on parents withdrawing their female children from schools; and upward review of teachers’ welfare packages to boost their morale

Behavioural studies on the ethanol leaf extract of Grewia carpinifolia in Wistar rats

Background: Grewia carpinifolia is a plant commonly used in the tropics to manage various central nervous system (CNS) disorders. However, despite its widespread use no scientific work has been reported to validate these claims.Objectives: To evaluate the activity of G. carpinifolia as it affects behaviour using animal model.Methods: Twenty five adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (A-E). Group A served as control (given only distilled water), Groups B,C, D and E were administered with single oral dose of ethanol extract of G. carpinifolia leaf at 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight respectively for twenty eight days consecutively. Subsequently, open field test, negative geotaxis and hanging wire test were performed. Body and brain weights were measured and histological examination of the brain was also performed.Results: At the tested doses, the extract significantly increased the time spent on the hanging wire and decreased locomotor activity at 800 mg/kg. No significant difference was observed in body and brain weights of extract treated groups when compared with the control. No visible histological lesion was also observed.Conclusion: The plant extract may improve muscular strength at tested doses and possess CNS depressant activity at 800 mg/kg.Keywords: Grewia carpinifolia, negative geotaxis test, locomotor activity, Wistar rat

Early home treatment of childhood fevers with ineffective antimalarials is deleterious in the outcome of severe malaria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Early diagnosis and prompt treatment including appropriate home-based treatment of malaria is a major strategy for malaria control. A major determinant of clinical outcome in case management is compliance and adherence to effective antimalarial regimen. Home-based malaria treatment with inappropriate medicines is ineffective and there is insufficient evidence on how this contributes to the outcome of severe malaria. This study evaluated the effects of pre-hospital antimalarial drugs use on the presentation and outcome of severe malaria in children in Ibadan, Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred and sixty-eight children with a median age of 30 months comprising 114 children with cerebral malaria and 154 with severe malarial anaemia (as defined by WHO) were prospectively enrolled. Data on socio-demographic data, treatments given at home, clinical course and outcome of admission were collected and analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 168 children had treatment with an antimalarial treatment at home before presenting at the hospital when there was no improvement. There were no significant differences in the haematocrit levels, parasite counts and nutritional status of the pre-hospital treated and untreated groups. The most commonly used antimalarial medicine was chloroquine. Treatment policy was revised to Artemesinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) in 2005 as a response to unacceptable levels of therapeutic failures with chloroquine, however chloroquine use remains high. The risk of presenting as cerebral malaria was 1.63 times higher with pre-hospital use of chloroquine for treatment of malaria, with a four-fold increase in the risk of mortality. Controlling for other confounding factors including age and clinical severity, pre-hospital treatment with chloroquine was an independent predictor of mortality.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study showed that, home treatment with chloroquine significantly impacts on the outcome of severe malaria. This finding underscores the need for wide-scale monitoring to withdraw chloroquine from circulation in Nigeria and efforts intensified at promoting prompt treatment with effective medicines in the community.</p

Ethical Issues and Performance of Nigerian Insurance Companies

This study investigated Ethical Issues in Business and Performance of Nigerian Insurance Companies. The specific objective was to establish the effect of business ethics variables on the performance of Nigeria Insurance Companies. Data collection was with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered on 411 employees of insurance companies in Nigeria in the 10 selected organization. A total of 390 responses were processed for analysis. . Statistical techniques such as descriptive and inferential statistics (regression and correlation) were applied in the analysis. It was observed that there exists strong relationship between business ethics and performance of Nigerian Insurance companies. Workforce diversity was found to have negative connection with Nigerian Insurance Companies’ Performance. It was revealed that strong positive relationship exists between organizational ethical code and Nigerian Insurance Companies’ Performance and environmental regulatory compliance impact the performance of Nigerian Insurance Companies negatively. While all the independent variables were found to be statistically significant in predicting the Nigerian Insurance Companies’ Performance. It was concluded that ethical issues significantly impact Nigerian Insurance companies’ performance. To enhance resource utilization and performance, it was suggested that Nigerian Insurance company may consider putting ethical issues as priority in all dealings and guide it jealously in order to wax stronger in the industry

Effect of optimizing process variables on the quality characteristics of cassava-wheat composite bread

The optimisation of bread-making process can have a positive impact in ramping up the quality characteristics of cassava-wheat bread to&nbsp; that of whole wheat bread. In this study, a threevariable Box-Behnken design response surface methodology was employed to investigate and optimise independent variables namely cassava flour composition, water content and proofing time in relation to response variables namely dough yield, loaf specific volume and loaf protein of cassava-wheat-composite bread. The data from the experimental design were fitted into second-order regression models and their validity and reliability were confirmed by analysis of variance. Optimal cassava flour composition, water content and proofing time were derived as; 100 g/kg, 589 g/kg and 90 min, respectively. It was revealed that cassava flour composition had the most effect on the quality characteristics of cassava-wheat-composite bread. At constant cassava flour&nbsp; composition, increase in water content and proofing time had a positive effect on all the studied quality characteristics of cassava-wheat composite bread. Increase cassava flour composition regardless of proofing time and water content had a negative effect on loaf specific volume and protein. This study has provided bread-making conditions which can be utilised in enhancing the consumer acceptability of cassava-wheat composite bread. &nbsp

Development and performance evaluation of locally fabricated thermal conductivity apparatus

This paper presents the design and construction of a Guarded Hot Plate (GHP) apparatus for the accurate assessment of thermal conductivities of some Nigerian local building materials. The GHP apparatus is a steady-state measurement device. This apparatus is designed to measure the thermal conductivities of masonry building materials of different compositions. The design features included hot and cold plates fabricated with aluminum plates of 6 mm thickness and varying dimensions; the guard plates also made of aluminum, but of 6.35 mm thickness, forms a rigid enclosure for the specimen all encased in a mild steel housing. The operating measuring temperature range is from -20&nbsp;for varying specimen thickness up to 60mm. Results are presented for concrete, laterite, and a mixture of cement with laterite, clay, and sand respectively, and it covers a range of thermal conductivities of 0.77W/mK to 1.80 W/mK. Moisture effect on concrete was recorded for the lightweight concrete as the thermal conductivity value reduced from 1.80W/m.K to 1.32W/m.K for the oven-dried concrete sample over a 1.5% (by weight) reduction in water content. The performance evaluation of the locally fabricated GHP apparatus showed a 3.03% percentage difference over ASHRAE’s published data on oven-baked concrete thermal conductivitie

Lupus Anticoagulant in Nigerian Children With Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Lupus anticoagulant (LA) is an antiphospholipid antibody (APLA), which recognise combinations of phospholipids or phospholipid -binding proteins or both and interfere with coagulation reactions dependent on protein phospholipid complexes in vitro. LA has paradoxically been associated with thrombosis and a myriad of clinical conditions such as cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). APLA have been described in adult homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and adults with \u3b2- thalassaemia. Our objective was to determine the presence or otherwise of LA in children with homozygous SCD and to see if they were more prone to developing LA compared to normal HbAA controls. Method: A total of 57 children with homozygous SCD between the ages 1-15 years were prospectively screened for the presence of LA using the kaolin clotting time (KCT), while 52 healthy HbAA children served as controls. KCT was performed in duplicates on all 109 subjects. Kaolin clotting time ratio was calculated to determine the presence of LA. A ratio greater than or equal to 1.2 was taken to signify the presence of LA. Results: One (1.8%) child with homozygous SCD had prolonged KCT, and this was not corrected by normal plasma, the KCT ratio was greater than 1.2, signifying the presence of LA. None of the control subjects had LA (p &gt;0.05). Conclusion: One (1.8%) child in this study had LA; this value was not statistically significant when compared with HbAA controls. In spite of the fact that secondary LA is more common in females, the only patient with LA in our study was male and had no prior history of CVA or thrombosis.Fond : L'anticoagulant de lupus (AL) est un anticorps antiphospholipide (AAPL), qui identifie les combinaisons des phospholipides ou du phospholipide prot\ue9ines liantes ou toutes les deux et qui interf\ue8re avec des r\ue9actions de coagulation qui d\ue9pendent sur les complexes phospholipide de prot\ue9ine en vitro. L'AL a \ue9t\ue9 paradoxalement associ\ue9e \ue0 la thrombose et \ue0 une myriade de conditions cliniques tels que les accidents c\ue9r\ue9brovasculaires (ACV). AAPL ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9crits dans des malades adultes de dr\ue9panocytose homozygote et adultes de dr\ue9panocytose homozygote et des adultes avec la thalass\ue9mie de b. Notre objectif \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer la pr\ue9sence ou autrement d'AL chez les enfants avec dr\ue9panocytose homozygote et pour voir s'ils \ue9taient plus en pronation au d\ue9veloppement d'AL en comparaison avec les commandes normales de HbAA. M\ue9thode : Un total de 57 enfants avec dr\ue9panocytose homozygote entre les \ue2ges 1-15 ans \ue9taient prospectivement examin\ue9s pour la pr\ue9sence de l'Al en utilisant le temps de coagulation de kaolin (TCK), tandis que 52 enfants en bonne sant\ue9 de HbAA servaient de commandes. Le TCK a \ue9t\ue9 ex\ue9cut\ue9 en reproductions sur chacun des 109 sujets. La proportion de temps de coagulation de kaolin a \ue9t\ue9 calcul\ue9e pour d\ue9terminer la pr\ue9sence de l'AL. Une proportion sup\ue9rieure ou \ue9gale \ue0 1,2 a \ue9t\ue9 prise pour signifier la pr\ue9sence de l' AL. Les r\ue9sultats : Un (1,8 %) enfant avec dr\ue9panocytose homozogote avait prolong\ue9 le TCK, et ceci n'a pas \ue9t\ue9 corrig\ue9 par le plasma normal, la proportion de TCK \ue9tait plus grande que 1,2, signifiant la pr\ue9sence de l'AL. Aucun des sujets de contr\uf4le n'avait AL (p&gt;0,05). Conclusion : Un (1,8%) enfant dans cette \ue9tude a eu l'AL ; cette valeur n'\ue9tait pas statistiquement significative en comparaison avec des commandes de HbAA. Malgr\ue9 le fait que l'AL secondaire est plus commune dans les femelles, le seul malade avec l'AL dans notre \ue9tude \ue9tait un m\ue2le et n'a eu aucune histoire ant\ue9rieure de ACV ou de thrombose

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in HIV-infected Patients: A Hospital Based Study

Background: The prevalence of anemia in HIV/ AIDS patients is high, with a multitude of possible etiologies; autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in HIV/AIDS patients has been associated with a poor prognosis when treated with red cell transfusion. Our aim was to demonstrate the frequency of AIHA in a cohort of adult Nigerian HIV/AIDS patients and to see if the presence or not of AIHA is related to the severity of the disease with regards to the CD4 counts and the presence or absence of opportunistic infections. Method: Ninety- eight adult patients with HIV infection were screened for the presence of AIHA using the packed cell volume (PCV), direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and reticulocyte count (RC). Results: The frequency of AIHA was 3.06%, 36.74% of our study population were anemic; 11.22% had a positive DAT. Mean RC was 2.22 +/- 0.90 for all the patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the PCV of patients that had positive and negative DAT. There was no correlation between the presence of AIHA, use of ART, presence of opportunistic infections or CD4 counts. Conclusion: We conclude that in spite of the low frequency of AIHA in HIV/AIDS patients, the fact that most patients will respond to standard treatment makes it imperative to screen HIV/AIDS patients with anemia for the presence of AIHA. Again since HIV/AIDS patients with AIHA may have a fatal reaction to red cell transfusion, we suggest that anemic patients with HIV/AIDS in non-emergency situations be screened for the presence of AIHA before receiving red cell transfusions when indicated.Culture g\ue9n\ue9rale: Il y a trop de fr\ue9quence d'an\ue9mie parmi les malades sero-positifs ou les malades atteints de sida, souvent accompagne d'un grand nombres d'aetiologies: an\ue9mie haemolylique autoimmuno (AHAI) parmi les malades sero-positifs est directement lie a une mauvaise pronostic, surtout quand on fait le traitement avec une transformation du globule rouge. Notre objectif est de d\ue9montrer la fr\ue9quence de (AHAI) parmi un nombre d'adultes nig\ue9rians sero-positifs ou qui sont atteints du sida. C'est aussi de v\ue9rifier si la pr\ue9sence ou l'absence de (AHAI) est lie directement lie a la gravite de la maladie, de la maladie surtout quand il s'agit de la num\ue9ration CD4 et de la pr\ue9sence ou absence des infections opportunistic. Modalit\ue9: \uc0 l'aide de l'analyse directe antiglobulin (ADA) et la num\ue9ration r\ue9ticulocyte (NR) et le packed cell volume (PCV) ; quatre-vingt-dix-huit malades sero-positifs, ont pass\ue9 un test de d\ue9pistage pour v\ue9rifier la pr\ue9sence de (AHAI) R\ue9sultat: La fr\ue9quence de (AHAI) \ue9tait 3.06%, 36.74% de notre population \ue9tait an\ue9mique ; 11.22% \ue9tait positif de l'analyse antiglobulin.Pour la num\ue9ration reticulocy, la moyenne \ue9tait 2.22+-0.90 pour tous les malades, on n'a trouv\ue9 aucune diff\ue9rence qui est statistiquement significatif parmi les malades positif de (ADA) et n\ue9gatif de (ADA). Il n y avait aucun rapport entre la pr\ue9sence de AHAI, l'emploi de ART, pr\ue9sence des opportunistic ou la num\ue9ration CD4. Conclusion: Pour conclure, il faut souligner que, malgr\ue9 la basse fr\ue9quence de AHAI dans les malades atteint du sida ou sero-positifs, tous les sero-positifs avec an\ue9mie doivent passer un test de d\ue9pistage, puisqu'il est \ue9vident que la plupart des malades r\ue9agissent positivement au traitement.Et en plus,nous proposons que d\ue9sormais, avant la transfusion du globule rouge, tous les malades sero-positifs ou du sida, passent un test de d\ue9pistage afin de d\ue9terminer la pr\ue9sence de AHAI car parfois la prise de cette transfusion peut aboutir \ue0 la mort