Geochemical Distribution of Lead and Chromium in River Getsi-Kano

Geochemical forms of lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) from the sediment of River Getsi Kano-Nigeria were determined using Atomic Absorption spectrometer for eighteen months. Apart from determination of the metals in water, geochemical forms of the metals were also evaluated into five fractions. Exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to concentrations of the metals in water alone will not be enough to tell on the toxicity of particular heavy metal, as such the need for the geochemical forms of the metal become necessary in order to quantify the form in which the toxic metals exist. The distribution of the metals at the sediment shows that the metals were distributed in all the fractions. This suggests different pollution sources. Hence the sediment may be said to be a reservoir for the heavy metals.Keywords: Heavy metals, River Getsi, Environment, Pollution, Sediment, Geochemical form

Rubidium "whiskers" in a vapor cell

Crystals of metallic rubidium are observed ``growing'' from paraffin coating of buffer-gas-free glass vapor cells. The crystals have uniform square cross-section, $\approx 30 \mu$m on the side, and reach several mm in length.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figur

Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Ogun state, Nigeria

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle faeces in Ogun state, Nigeria was determined by a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Out of a total of 200 samples, 37.5% were positive for Cryptosporidium coproantigens. The highest rate of infection (78.1%) was observed in calves up to 3 months of age while adult cattle over 4 years of age had the lowest rate of infection (25.0%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the infection rates of the different age groups of cattle sampled. There was however no significant difference (p>0.05) between the infection rates in males (41.2%) and females (33.6%). Furthermore, the infection rate in diarrhoeic cattle (43.2%) was not significantly higher (p>0.05) than in non-diarrhoeic cattle (32.4%). The result of the study showed that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis is high in cattle in southwestern part of Nigeria with calves being at the highest risk.Keywords: Cattle, Cryptosporidium, ELISA,Ogun state Nigeria

Pneumatose kystique intestinale révélée par une sténose d’une anastomose gastrojéjunale : à propos d’un cas

La pneumatose kystique intestinale est la présence de bulles gazeuses dans la paroi et les séreuses du tube digestif. Il s'agit d'une pathologie bénigne, rare, de diagnostic radiologique et de traitement médical. Nous rapportons le cas d'un homme âgé de 42ans, opéré il y a 6ans pour une sténose du bulbe duodénal d'origine ulcéreuse, il avait bénéficié d'une gastro-entéro-anastomose avec bivagotomie tronculaire. Il a été hospitalisé pour des vomissements associés à des épigastralgies. le patient a bénéficié d'une fibroscopie oeso-gastro-duodénale qui a trouvé une stase gastrique gênant toute exploration, ce qui a conduit à la réalisation d'une tomodensitométrie abdominale qui a objectivé un énorme estomac de stase en amont d'une sténose de l'anastomose gastro jéjunale, une pneumatose kystique intestinale et un pneumopéritoine. Le patient a été opéré et l'exploration a trouvé une ascite, un volumineux estomac de stase et des adhérences entre le grêle et le colon droit, sièges de la pneumatose, provoquant un tour de spire (volvulus) de l'ancienne anastomose gastro-jéjunale. L'estomac était atone. Une gastrectomie des 2/3 emportant l'ancienne anastomose suivie d'une anastomose type Finsterer manuelle a été réalisée. Les suites post opératoires étaient simples. La pneumatose kystique intestinale est une affection bénigne, de diagnostic radiologique. Le scanner permet d'étudier la diffusion des gaz dans les séreuses digestives. Son traitement est habituellement médical alors que ses complications peuvent relever d'un traitement chirurgical comme pour notre patient.Key words: Pneumatose kystique intestinale, sténose, anastomose gastro jéjunale, gastrectomie, gastrectomi

Physicians Infrequently Adhere to Hepatitis Vaccination Guidelines for Chronic Liver Disease

Background and Goals:Hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination in patients with chronic liver disease is an accepted standard of care. We determined HAV and HBV vaccination rates in a tertiary care referral hepatology clinic and the impact of electronic health record (EHR)-based reminders on adherence to vaccination guidelines.Methods:We reviewed the records of 705 patients with chronic liver disease referred to our liver clinic in 2008 with at least two follow-up visits during the subsequent year. Demographics, referral source, etiology, and hepatitis serology were recorded. We determined whether eligible patients were offered vaccination and whether patients received vaccination. Barriers to vaccination were determined by a follow-up telephone interview.Results:HAV and HBV serologic testing prior to referral and at the liver clinic were performed in 14.5% and 17.7%; and 76.7% and 74% patients, respectively. Hepatologists recommended vaccination for HAV in 63% and for HBV in 59.7% of eligible patients. Patient demographics or disease etiology did not influence recommendation rates. Significant variability was observed in vaccination recommendation amongst individual providers (30-98.6%), which did not correlate with the number of patients seen by each physician. Vaccination recommendation rates were not different for Medicare patients with hepatitis C infection for whom a vaccination reminder was automatically generated by the EHR. Most patients who failed to get vaccination after recommendation offered no specific reason for noncompliance; insurance was a barrier in a minority.Conclusions:Hepatitis vaccination rates were suboptimal even in an academic, sub-speciality setting, with wide-variability in provider adherence to vaccination guidelines. © 2013 Thudi et al

Patient-maintained sedation for oral surgery using a target-controlled infusion of propofol - a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of a new patient-maintained propofol system for conscious sedation in dentistry. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial SETTING: Department of Sedation, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, 2001 SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients scheduled for oral surgery with conscious sedation. Exclusions included ASA IV -V, inability to use the handset, opioid use and severe respiratory disease. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were given intravenous propofol to a level of 1.0 microg/ml (reducing from 1.5 microg/ml) using a target controlled infusion system, they then controlled their sedation level by double-clicking a handset which on each activation increased the propofol concentration by 0.2 microg/ml. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oxygen saturation, patient satisfaction, and surgeon satisfaction. RESULTS: Twenty patients were recruited, 16 female and four male. Nineteen patients completed sedation and treatment successfully. Mean lowest oxygen saturation was 94%. No patients were over-sedated. All patients successfully used the system to maintain a level of sedation adequate for their comfort. Patient and surgeon satisfaction were consistently high. CONCLUSIONS: Initial experience with this novel system has confirmed safety, patient satisfaction and surgeon satisfaction

Unusual source of tachycardia in an adolescent

Mahaim fiber tachycardia is an uncommon cause of palpitations among the pediatric population. This case report describes an adolescent female who presented with recurrent episodes of tachycardia with chest pain and dizziness. Her ECG showed tachycardia with wide QRS complexes and left bundle branch block pattern. Repeat ECG after adenosine treatment revealed sinus rhythm with persistence of the left bundle branch block pattern. Metoprolol was started however she continued to have episodes of sustained tachycardia