The Occurrence of Uterine Benign Diseases and their Histomorphologic Characters

Uterine diseases are several and can develop from any part of the organ. Noticeable benign diseases are type called hydatidiform mole considered benign among gestational trophoblastic disease and is said to occur from abnormal fertilization of abnormal ova. Other forms are inflammatory, proliferative of insidious cell/tissue implant, hormonal induced, and infectious in their origin. Samples were obtained from patients consulted and admitted into Department of Morbid Anatomy of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital. Clinical and histopathological record books were reviewed alongside processed tissues, and slides stained by popular heamatoxylin and eosin technique in the 3 year study period. Of the 642 gynecological samples searched, result showed a progressive increase in number as the years empty from 2011 to 2013 presenting 8 uterine diseases in a population of 116 cases. A total of 518 cases were product of conception of which 250 were as a result of incomplete spontaneous abortions and 200 inappropriate criminal abortions, while 68 could not be associated with any definite cause. Leiomyoma cases were 75%, uterine/vaginal prolapsed were 6%, molar pregnancies and endometriosis 5% and while endometrial hyperplasia and uterine atrophy were 3% each and 2% each were for uterine polyp and adenomyosis in all of the 116 cases. Six age groups were involved showing that 7 diseases and total frequency of 50% occurred with age group (40-49) and is seconded by (30-39) which had 5 conditions with frequency of 21%. Attempted provisional diagnosis was based on clinical presentations, and of 116 cases 80% were confirmed accurate by laboratory diagnosis. Clinical characters of leiomyomas were the same while histomorphologic features were not entirely consistently same in all

Serum Bicarbonale Levels In Cement Factory Workers: A Predictor For Occupational Lung Disease

Pulmonary function tests are routinely used to assess the pulmonary functional status of workers exposed to cement dust in cement factories. There is a no biochemical marker as yet employed for this. A comparison of the serum bicarbonate levels of workers in the production line against those in the administration is under taken seeking for any clue to its usefulness along this line. Fifty five male volunteers from the work force of Nigercem factory Nkalagu were randomly selected. Thirty five were from the production department while 20 were from the administration department as controls. The serum sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride levels were assayed and analysed. There was a statistically significant different in the bicarbonate levels between those on the production line and those from the administration 31.0± 2.65 mmol/l vs 25.8 + 2.15 mmol/l P< 0.05. The significant of this difference is considered a logical basis for further assessment of serum bicarbonate level as a predictor for occupational lung disease in cement factory workers. Journal of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol. 4: 2003: 15-1

Roll Back Mycotoxicosis: An Ethnobotanical Alternative

A survey of the incidence of infestation of mycotoxic fungi on some edible seeds and grains was carried out on five major markets in humid South Eastern Nigeria with a view to reducing mycotoxicosis by depopulation of the vectors. Ethnobotanical extracts of Baphia nitida (Papilionaceae) and Kalanchoe pinnata (Crassulaceae) were used in the study. Aqueous and cold absolute ethanolic extracts of the two plants were separately sprinkled on seed samples of Arachis hypogea (Papilionaceae), Irvingia gabonensis, (Irvingiaceae), Physeolus lunatus (Papilionaceae), Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Fabaceae), Vignia ungiculata (Papilionaceae) and grains of Zea mays (Graminae). Seed samples were dusted with aqueous suspensions of pure cultures of Aspergilus flavus, A. oryzae, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium species and allowed to dry. The same were dispensed in two sets of four groups and incubated. After 14 days of incubation, both pairs of sets recorded zero growth relative to the control which showed luxuriant growth. Another set of seeds were treated with the extracts, stacked in Bacco sack, kept in a dry compartment in the open laboratory and monitored for 90 days. Seed samples were taken from the sack pool, moistened with sterile distilled water and incubated for 7days. The result also showed zero growth of the test fungi but the seeds sprouted. The relevance of the results to health and agriculture was discussed while recommendations with respect to preservation of post harvest grains and processed food were proffered.Keywords: mycotoxicosis, Baphianitida (Papilionaceae), Irvingia gabonensis, Penicillium speciesNigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 277-28

Risk assessment: Prevalent occupational hazards in Nigerian petroleum oil refining and distribution industry

Background: In terms of human suffering and related economic costs, the magnitude of global impact of occupational accidents and diseases, as well as major industrial disasters, has been a long-standing source of concern at the international, national, and workplace level.Objective: To define the prevalent hazards in the operational environment of the Nigerian petroleum oil refining and distribution industry likely to challenge the health of the workers, with a view to establishing sound basis for recommending appropriate remedial measures.Design: The staff of these establishments work in departments, which for the purposes of our study were split further into many smaller units in order to capture the specific hazards of the many different functions (activities) performed by different sections of a particular department in their particular locations.Setting: The operational environments- facilities and activities of Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), and Pipe lines and Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC), both in Alessa, Eleme near Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Subjects: Staff of the two establishments who have served for a period not less than three years. Those with less service years (exposure period) were excluded in the study.Method: Using a checklist, an on-the-spot appraisal of the industrial sites, facilities and activities of this industrial sector was undertaken through personal walk-through of the operational sites and facilities, and personal participation/involvement in the operational activities of the various units during the study period. We also had a one-on-one interaction (through oral interviews) with staff of the establishments to elicit their views concerning the hazards of their workplace.Results: A survey of the facilities and activities of the Nigerian petroleum oil refining and distribution industry showed that they are fraught with sundry hazards types. The study revealed specific hazards inherent in the specific work areas/departments, units, facilities and activities/functions of this industry. A review of these hazards showed that they fell into five main occupational hazard categories- physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards. The study also revealed that some facilities have become obsolete, defective and hazardous themselves, in addition to becoming outlets for other sundry hazards. It is believed that sundry job exposures to these workplace hazards are responsible for the several but varied degrees of accidents, injuries and morbidities as well as mortalities also recorded in this industry.Conclusion: The current state of facilities as well as activities at the operational units of petroleum oil refining and distribution industry in Nigeria are fraught with several hazards that are categorizable into five main hazard types- physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards- a situation that disposes staff to sundry health risks. Therefore, there is urgent need for a comprehensive review/update of the industrial /occupational health policy and services in this very critical sector of the Nigerian economy in order to mitigate these hazards and their associated health risks, thereby securing safer and healthier facilities and work environment for the workers. It is hoped that the findings of this study have provided a useful basis or background for this

Appraisals for potential hazards in the operational environment and facilities of petroleum refining and distribution industry in Nigeria

Objective: To appraise operational environments and facilities of  petroleum refining and distribution industry in Nigeria with a view to establishing the potential hazards/health risksDesign: A prospective study.Setting: The Operational environments- facilities and activities of PHRC and PPMC, Eleme near Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Personal walk-through of the operational sites and facilities using checklist, participation in the various units’ activities, and oral interviews of staff concerning the health hazards/risks of their workplace.Results: Five main occupational hazard categories were revealed- physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and ergonomic hazards. Sundry job exposures to these workplace hazards are suspected to be responsible for the accidents, injuries morbidities, and mortalities recorded in this industry. Conclusion: Current state of facilities and activities at the operational units of petroleum refining and distribution industry in Nigeria are fraught with several hazards, categorizable into five main hazard types, a situationthat disposes staff to sundry health risks. Facility upgrade and industrial health services updates are thus warranted for abatement of  hazards/associated health risks, and securing safer facilities and healthier work environment.Key words: Nigeria, Petroleum refining and distribution industry, Potential Hazards, Risk assessmen

Relationship between Malaria Vector Densities in Artificial Container Habitats, Land-Use Changes and Temperature

Urbanisation and land-use changes are believed to be responsible for the rising spread of mosquitoes across the country. Three distinctive study areas were used in this investigation, representing rural, semi-urban and urban areas in Owerri, Imo State. 30 eggs of Anopheles gambiae were bred evenly in six artificial containers, with their daily temperature recorded. There was speedy rate of development in the life stages of Anopheles sp in the urban area with its peak of complete metamorphosis occurring at the 7th day of the study whereas in the rural area, the peak of its complete metamorphosis occurred at the 12th day. Statistically, there existed significant differences between daily temperatures taken at the different study areas and also in the number of mosquito larvae becoming adult at the different study areas. This suggested however, that some factors associated with the urban areas may have facilitated the breeding rate of the Anopheles sp such as houses that radiate heat and other agents that cause global warming like emission of gases from vehicles. The study recommended residential houses to be built far away from commercial areas to avoid exposure to mosquito bites so that the control of mosquitoes may start from the urban areas.Keywords: Malaria, Vectors, Anopheles mosquito, metamorphosis, global warmingNigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 283-28