Removal of Basic Dye From Aqueous Solution By Adsorption On Melon Husk In Binary And Ternary Systems

The adsorption behaviour of a cationic dye (methylene blue)   in binary and ternary solutions on the husk of melon (Citrullus lanatus) seed was investigated in order to elucidate the effects of competitive adsorption on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption process.  The experimental findings showed that adsorption equilibrium was reached within 120 min either in single, binary or ternary mixtures; and the   adsorption processes in all the systems studied were described by the pseudo-second order kinetics with the initial rate constant increasing as the  concentrations of the competing dyes were increased.  Five different equilibrium isotherm models ( Freundlich, Temkin, Langmuir, Harkin-Jura and Dubinin-Radushkevich) were applied and  Langmuir was the best-fitting one for the adsorption of methylene blue dye in single system (R2 > 0.99), while the binary and ternary systems were best described by Freundlich model (R2 > 0.99). The sorption processes were thermodynamically feasible as ?G values were negative. Adsorption in both single and binary systems was exothermic while that of ternary system was endothermic. Keywords: melon husk, binary dye system, ternary dye system, methylene blue,                       Competitive adsorption, isotherms, thermodynamics, basic dy

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

Antibiotics sensitivity profile of proteus species associated with specific infections at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin

Proteus is a prominent member of the family Enterobacteriaceae responsible for a variety of infections in human, such infections include urinary tract infection and many other opportunistic infections in human. The threat of antimicrobial resistance among important isolates is of great concern. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Proteus spp associated with its specific infections at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin. A retrospective review of cultures results of urine, wound swabs, ear and throat swabs were analysed. A total of 1,500 clinical samples were examined for identification of bacteria and their antimicrobial susceptibility. The greatest number of Proteus spp isolates were from wound swabs, 57.1%, followed by mid-stream urine 20.4%. Males were found to be more vulnerable than females in acquiring Proteus infections, 53.1% and 46.9% respectively. Results of the antimicrobial sensitivity testing showed that Imipenem and Piperacillin antibiotics were the most effective against Proteus sppwith each having 100%, followed by Ceftazidime 79.2%, and Ofloxacin 76.5%. The least effective antibiotic against Proteus was  Augmentin 58.1% sensitivity. It is therefore recommended that Imipenem and Piperacillin should be used in the treatment of Proteus infections, and where both are not affordable, Ceftazidime and Ofloxacin could be used in the study area for the treatment of infections caused by Proteus. Regular monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility is recommended.Keywords: Proteus, infection, antibiotics, Sensitivity patter

Limb deformities: the Lagos, Nigeria experience

Background: Individuals with various forms and degrees of limb deformities are common on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria. State-sponsored screening and surgical correction of the deformities were carried out in Lagos between June 2004 and May 2006. A report on the pattern of limb deformities is presented. Methods: This was a prospective study of all the patients that were seen and treated during the various screening programmes and operating sessions. Data was stored electronically and analysed using Microsoft Excel software. Results: A total number of 1,321 patients were screened, and 344 satisfied the inclusion criteria for enrolment. They were aged between 9 months and 64 years but only 20% were aged 5-years and below. Females constituted 58.2% and males 41.8%. A total of 513 limbs were surgically corrected. The most frequent deformity and disease entity were bilateral genu varum (45.1 %) and Blounts disease (48.7%), respectively. Proximal tibial wedge corrective osteotomy was the most frequent surgical procedure performed. Most beneficiaries presented late and were discharged within 48-hours of hospital admission. Conclusions: Improved public awareness about the availability of hospital based resources to solve the problem of limb deformity is advocated. Keywords: Limb deformity, corrective surgery, public awareness.