MAPPING SCHOOLS FOR INCLUSIVITY IN IFE CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

The investigation created data sets using administrative boundaries and road networks in Ife Central Local Government area of Osun State, Nigeria. The study also mapped spatial distribution of primary schools in the study area and determined its primary school enrolments. The geo-database was also linked while a spatial decision support system for educational planning purposes in Ife Central LGA. These were with a view to ascertain the importance of GIS technologies in school mapping. The study gathered through field work using the Global Positional System (GPS) tool to collect the coordinate positions of the primary schools while oral interviews were held with 10 head teachers (N=31) or their proxies. The data so gathered were incorporated into the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment for analysis of water body in the study area while direct estimation of schools’ enrolments, number of classrooms, number of teachers and their qualifications using survey approach. Results indicated the existence of 276 classrooms, 4677 pupils and 416 teachers in the 31 public primary schools located in little ‘water body’ areas; and major roads concentrated towards the southern part of the LGA. Most of the primary schools are located in the south (4.25 to 7.235 degrees) while the northern part of the study area had only four primary schools (7.237-7.350 degrees). The enrolment range of primary schools in the south was 259 to 600 pupils much more than enrolment range in the northern part (30 to 144). Results also showed the existence of a range of two classrooms (L.A. Middle School in Iremo Ward 1) to 22 classrooms at Baptist Elementary School in Ilare Ward 4 in the study area. The teachers possessed both Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) which is described as ‘highly qualified middle level manpower in the National Policy of Education’ (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2013) and Bachelor degrees. The study recommended, among many other steps, a better spread of the schools towards the northern part in order to reduce the distance of schools thus complying with United Nations Children Fund two kilometres distance from homes in the study area; the need to build more classrooms in the northern part and thus divert some resources from the south to the northern part of the study area particularly in the urban slums; and thus, disaggregating crowded settlement in the south. The study concluded that the GIS technology was capable of engendering inclusivity and efficiency in the management of schools’ establishment. Article visualizations

Morphometric studies of the mandibular and maxillofacial regions of the Kuri cattle and the implications in regional anaesthesia

This work investigated and analysed some morphometrical measurements of mandibles and maxillofacial regions of ten adult Kuri cattle (above 5 years) skulls that were apparently free from musculoskeletal deformity. A total of 19 (13 mandibular and 6 maxillofacial) parameters were taken. The mean mandibular length and height were found to be 41.3 ± 2.35 cm and 22.6 ± 1.40 cm, while the mean mental foramen height and width were 0.8 ± 0.08 cm and 1.5 ± 0.25 cm, respectively. The mean distances from lateral alveolar root to mental foramen and from the latter to the most caudal border of the mandible were 4.8 ± 0.61 cm and 34.2 ± 1.93 cm, respectively. The mean mandibular foramen width was 1.1 ± 0.14 cm, while the distance from this foramen to the caudal border of mandible at that level was 4.0 ± 0.32 cm. The mean distances from facial tuberoses to the infraorbital foramen and from the latter to the alveolar root ventral to it were 5.3 ± 0.63 cm and 3.7 ± 0.47 cm, whereas the mean infraorbital foramen height and width stood at 1.2 ± 0.18 cm and 1.0 ± 0.22 cm, respectively. The infraorbital foramens in 60% of the specimen were located above the first upper premolar, while 20% were above second premolar, and another 20% at the junction above first and second upper premolars. These findings provide important landmarks needed for clinical manoeuvres on the head of the Kuri cattle for regional anaesthesia in procedures like trephination, dehorning, tooth extraction and oral and dental surgeries

Capacity Building for Primary Stroke Prevention Teams in Children Living With Sickle Cell Anemia in Africa

Background: Nigeria has the highest proportion of children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) globally; an estimated 150,000 infants with SCA are born annually. Primary stroke prevention in children with SCA must include Nigeria. We describe capacity-building strategies in conjunction with two National Institutes of Health–funded primary stroke prevention trials (a feasibility trial and phase III randomized controlled trial) with initial hydroxyurea treatment for children with SCA and abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocities in Nigeria. We anticipated challenges to conducting clinical trials in a low-resource setting with a local team that had not previously been involved in clinical research and sought a sustainable strategy for primary stroke prevention. Methods: This is a descriptive, prospective study of challenges, solutions, and research teams in two trials that enrolled a total of 679 children with SCA. Results: As part of the capacity-building component of the trials, over eight years, 23 research personnel (physicians, nurses, research coordinators, a statistician, and a pharmacist) completed a one-month research governance and ethics training program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA. A lead research coordinator for each site completed the Society of Clinical Research Professionals certification. TCD machines were donated; radiologists and nonradiologists were trained and certified to perform TCD. A scalable E-prescription was implemented to track hydroxyurea treatment. We worked with regional government officials to support ongoing TCD-based screening and funding for hydroxyurea for children with SCA at a high risk of stroke. Conclusions: Our trials and capacity building demonstrate a sustainable strategy to initiate and maintain pediatric SCA primary stroke prevention programs in Africa

Evaluation of Chemical Composition and the Comparative Wound Healing Effect of Natural Honey and Olive Oil in Rabbits

The phytochemical and elemental constituents of honey and olive oil and their relationships with wound healing were studied in New Zealand rabbits. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Carbohydrates, monosaccharide, reducing sugar, terpenoid, saponin, saponin glycoside, flavonoids, and alkaloid in honey, while olive oil had only cardiac glycoside and terpenoids.  Elemental analysis showed the presence of higher concentration of potassium (288.3mg/l), and low concentration of manganese (0.04mg/l), iron (1.55mg/l), copper (0.66mg/l) and nickel (0.001mg/l) in honey than olive oil. However, olive oil has higher concentration of calcium (225.3mg/l) and zinc (5.22mg/l) than in   honey. The wound healing effects of honey and olive oil were determined by inflicting a 2 mm incisional wound on the thigh muscle of 18 New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were grouped into six groups (A-F) which were topically administered of honey (A), olive oil (B), honey and olive oil mixture (C), iodine and methylated spirit (D) and penicillin (E).Group F was undressed and untreated and served as negative control.  Healing and scar tissue formation was monitored over a period of 10 days by measuring the wound closure daily. It was observed that group B and D had complete resolution with minimal scar tissues by day six. Other groups had a longer resolution time of up to 9 days post incision. The study therefore, showed olive oil alone and a combination of iodine and methylated spirit both aided greatly in dehiscence of uncontaminated surgical wounds in New Zealand rabbits

Comparison of Bacterial Culture With Biofire® Filmarray® Multiplex PCR Screening of Archived Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens From Children With Suspected Bacterial Meningitis in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis remains a challenge in most developing countries due to low yield from bacterial culture, widespread use of non-prescription antibiotics, and weak microbiology laboratories. The objective of this study was to compare the yield from standard bacterial culture with the multiplex nested PCR platform, the BioFire® FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (BioFire ME Panel), for cases with suspected acute bacterial meningitis. METHODS: Following Gram stain and bacterial culture on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from children aged less than 5 years with a clinical suspicion of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) as defined by the WHO guidelines, residual CSF specimens were frozen and later tested by BioFire ME Panel. RESULTS: A total of 400 samples were analyzed. Thirty-two [32/400 (8%)] of the specimens were culture positive, consisting of; three Salmonella spp. (2 Typhi and 1 non-typhi), three alpha hemolytic Streptococcus, one Staphylococcus aureus, six Neisseria meningitidis, seven Hemophilus influenzae, 11 Streptococcus pneumoniae and 368 were culture negative. Of the 368 culture-negative specimens, the BioFire ME Panel detected at least one bacterial pathogen in 90 (24.5%) samples, consisting of S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis and H. influenzae, predominantly. All culture positive specimens for H. influenzae, N. meningitidis and S. pneumoniae also tested positive with the BioFire ME Panel. In addition, 12 specimens had mixed bacterial pathogens identified. For the first time in this setting, we have data on the viral agents associated with meningitis. Single viral agents were detected in 11 (2.8%) samples while co-detections with bacterial agents or other viruses occurred in 23 (5.8%) of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: The BioFire® ME Panel was more sensitive and rapid than culture for detecting bacterial pathogens in CSF. The BioFire® ME Panel also provided for the first time, the diagnosis of viral etiologic agents that are associated with meningoencephalitis in this setting. Institution of PCR diagnostics is recommended as a routine test for suspected cases of ABM to enhance early diagnosis and optimal treatment

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Normal Hausa-Fulani Children and Adolescents of Northern Nigeria

Background: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a useful parameter for assessing respiratory function in health and disease. However there are few studies reporting normal values of this parameter in Northern Nigeria in general and the North western zone in particular. Also prediction formulae for predicting PEFR from anthropometric parameters are not available for this population. The present study was therefore designed to measure Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in normal Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and to derive prediction formulae for this population. Methods: Apparently healthy boys (n=376) and girls (n=240) aged between 6 and 18 years were randomly selected and their height, weight and chest circumference determined. PEFR was measured at ambient temperature and pressure saturated with water vapour (ATPS) in the erect position. Regression analyses were carried out on the relationship between PEFR and each anthropometric parameter and prediction formulae with the least standard error of estimates chosen. Data obtained in this study were also subjected to prediction formulae derived from Nigerian populations elsewhere. Results: PEFR (L/min) was significantly (P<0.001) higher in boys (382.5 \ub1 118.3) than in girls (332.6 \ub1 88.3). It correlated positively and significantly with age, height, weight and chest circumference in both sexes. The prediction formulae derived from the present data in boys and girls respectively are: PEFR (L/min) = 85.83 + 8.25 x weight (kg) (\ub1 3.15) and PEFR (L/min) = 3.67 + 28.15 x age (years) (\ub1 3.51). The predicted PEFR values obtained using earlier formulae were generally lower than the observed values. Conclusion: PEFR has been obtained in normal healthy Hausa-Fulani children and adolescents in Sokoto and prediction formulae derived for use in this population. The results of this study suggest that the usefulness of prediction formulae may be limited to the ethnic group or locality from which they were derived.Fond : Le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) est un param\ue8tre utile pour \ue9valuer la fonction respiratoire dans la sant\ue9 et la maladie. Cependant, il y a peu d'\ue9tudes indiquant des valeurs normales de ce param\ue8tre au nord du Nig\ue9ria en g\ue9n\ue9ral et la zone occidentale du nord en particulier. En outre les formules de pr\ue9vision pour pr\ue9voir le DEM des param\ue8tres anthropom\ue9triques ne sont pas disponibles pour cette population. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 donc con\ue7ue pour mesurer le d\ue9bit expiratoire maximal (DEM) dans les enfants et les adolescents normaux de hausa-Fulani-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et pour d\ue9river des formules de pr\ue9vision \ue0 cette population. M\ue9thodes : Les gar\ue7ons apparent en bonne sant\ue9 (n=376) et les filles (n=240) \ue2g\ue9s entre 6 et 18 ans ont \ue9t\ue9 al\ue9atoirement choisis et leur circonf\ue9rence de taille, de poids et de coffre ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9termin\ue9es. Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 mesur\ue9 \ue0 la temp\ue9rature ambiante et \ue0 la pression satur\ue9es avec la vapeur d'eau (TAPS) en position droite. Des analyses de r\ue9gression ont \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9es sur le rapport entre le DEM et chaque param\ue8tre anthropom\ue9trique et formules de pr\ue9vision avec la moindre erreur type des \ue9valuations choisies. Des donn\ue9es obtenues dans cette \ue9tude ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galement soumises aux formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des populations nig\ue9rianes ailleurs. R\ue9sultats : Le DEM (L/min) \ue9tait de mani\ue8re significative (P<0.001) plus haut dans les gar\ue7ons (382,5 \ub1 118,3) que dans les filles (332,6 \ub1 88,3). Il s'est corr\ue9l\ue9 positivment et de mani\ue8re significative avec l'\ue2ge, la taille, et la circonf\ue9rence de poids et de coffre dans les deux sexes. Les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es des donn\ue9es actuelles dans les gar\ue7ons et dans les filles respectivement sont : DEM (L/min) = 85,83 + 8,25 x poid (kilogramme) (\ub1 3,15) et DEM (L/min) = 3,67 + 28,15 x \ue2ge (ann\ue9es) (\ub1 3,51). Les valeurs du DEM pr\ue9vues obtenues en utilisant des premi\ue8res formules \ue9taient g\ue9n\ue9ralement inf\ue9rieures aux valeurs observ\ue9es. Conclusion : Le DEM a \ue9t\ue9 obtenu dans les enfants et les adolescents de sant\ue9 normale d' Hausa-Fulani \ue0 Sokoto et les formules de pr\ue9vision d\ue9riv\ue9es pour l'usage dans cette population. Les r\ue9sultats de cette \ue9tude sugg\ue8rent que l'utilit\ue9 des formules de pr\ue9vision puisse \ueatre limit\ue9e au groupe ou \ue0 la localit\ue9 ethnique desquels ils ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9riv\ue9s

Characterisation of colistin resistance in Gram-negative microbiota of pregnant women and neonates in Nigeria

A mobile colistin resistance gene mcr was first reported in 2016 in China and has since been found with increasing prevalence across South-East Asia. Here we survey the presence of mcr genes in 4907 rectal swabs from mothers and neonates from three hospital sites across Nigeria; a country with limited availability or history of colistin use clinically. Forty mother and seven neonatal swabs carried mcr genes in a range of bacterial species: 46 Enterobacter spp. and single isolates of; Shigella, E. coli and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae. Ninety percent of the genes were mcr-10 (n = 45) we also found mcr-1 (n = 3) and mcr-9 (n = 1). While the prevalence during this collection (2015-2016) was low, the widespread diversity of mcr-gene type and range of bacterial species in this sentinel population sampling is concerning. It suggests that agricultural colistin use was likely encouraging sustainment of mcr-positive isolates in the community and implementation of medical colistin use will rapidly select and expand resistant isolates