Conceptualisation and pilot study of shelled compressed earth block for sustainable housing in Nigeria

AbstractMeeting the housing needs in Nigeria is a long-standing task, yet to be realised. The economy of the country, as most developing countries, is ailing with limited resources. Energy and infrastructures are inadequate, yet the use of cement dominated the construction industry. Earth construction is a sustainable option to housing with inherent characteristics that should be desirable in the ailing economy of hot tropical environment in Africa. However, most Nigerians are skeptical of taking a low cost option with less modern effects and uncertain durability. This research explores the issues relating to this problem and aims to bridge the gap between Nigerians and earth, which exists in abundance in Africa. The emerging concept from the survey of public reaction to earth construction in Nigeria is of a shelled compressed earth block (SCEB) of an inner core of ‘earth’ with less stabilisation and an outer shell of the same earth composition but with higher ratio of cement stabilisation for adequate durability, compressed into a single piece. A mechanical kit was designed and fabricated for the production of sample shelled compressed earth block for laboratory tests. Basic preliminary tests were conducted on the model and results revealed that the concept was feasible thus paved the way for further research work in shelled compressed earth block (SCEB)

Complete Hydatidiform Mole Coexisting with a Live Fetus

Hydatidiform mole co-existing with a normal fetus is very rare. We report a case of a 36 year old woman Para 4+0 who presented with amenorrhoea of twenty four weeks duration, vaginal bleeding , abdominal pain and  pre-eclampsia. Ultrasound examination revealed a hydatidiform mole  coexisting with a normal living fetus. The patient underwent a caesarean section at twenty eight weeks for maternal distress due to unbearable   abdominal pain. The baby died after seven days. Post operatively she had an eclamptic fit and developed oliguria and persistent trophoblastic disease which were all successfully treated.Key words: hydatidiform mole, living fetus, perisitent trophoblastic disease

Eff ect of the sub-chronic administration of some commonly used herbal products on the liver enzymes, body weight, and feed intake of albino Wistar rats: Any implication for public health?

The present study was focused to assess the effects of the administration of commonly used herbal products viz.:Yoyo cleansing bitters, T. angelica herbal tonic, and Bio-Strath elixir on the liver enzymes, body weight, and feedintake in adult albino Wistar rats. A total number of seventy Wistar rats were divided into three major groups.Each group received a particular herbal product and each of these groups was further subdivided into subgroupsthat received various dosages of each of the herbal products. The rats were acclimatized for 14 days after whichthey received different doses of each of the herbal products for 6 weeks. The body weight, feed intake, andmodulation in liver enzymes were evaluated. The feed intake and body weights were reduced in animals thatreceived T. angelica herbal tonic and Yoyo cleansing bitters at twice the normal dose once and twice daily, butthe reverse was the case for the rats that received Bio-Strath elixir even at higher doses. The liver enzymes wereincreased at all doses in rats which were given Bio-Strath elixir but it was not significant (P > 0.05), while thoseof Yoyo bitters and T. angelica herbal tonic were significantly increased (P < 0.05), especially at higher doses.From our study results it was suggested that a higher dose than the manufacturer’s recommended dose takenfor a longer duration can elevate liver enzyme, thus causing abnormal liver function

Epidemiological pattern and outcome of head injuries during festive and non-festive periods in a tertiary hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: Head injury is trauma to the brain and/or its coverings as a result of an externally applied mechanical force. Study of epidemiological pattern of head injuries is essential in developing necessary preventive strategies and control. To compare the prevalence and pattern of head injuries during the non-festive (February – September) and the festive (October – January) periods in our environment.Methods: Patients’ case files at the Accidents and Emergency unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, were reviewed.Results: Two hundred and sixty-six out of 4,846 met the inclusion criteria for traumatic head injury and were recruited for the study, giving a prevalence of 5.5%. About 77.4% of these presentations were males while 22.6% were females. Both males and females were affected more in the festive period (52.4% and 48.3%) than in the non-festive period (51.7% and 47.6%). The >20 – 30 year group recorded the highest presentation at 30.5%. Traders and Commercial Motorcyclists were the most affected occupations with 25.9% and 24.1% respectively, with the most common causes of head injury during both the festive and non – periods being motorcycle and motor vehicle accidents (68% and 18% respectively). About 63% presented with mild head injury, 14% with moderate and 23% with severe head injuries. About 11.4% were discharged, 83.9% were transferred to the ward for further evaluation and monitoring while 4.7% died at the Accident and Emergency department.Conclusions: Traumatic head injury is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in our environment especially in the festive periods. Aggressive and sustained traffic safety education is recommended for all stakeholders in the broad field of accidentology.