Prevalence of anaemia in paediatric patients with HIV infection in Kano

Background: HIV infection affects virtually all systems of the body including the haematological system.Objective: To determine the prevalence of anaemia in HIV infected children and compare with apparently healthy HIV negative age-sex matched controls.Design: Case control hospitalbased study.Methods: A total of 60 confirmed HIV infected antiretroviral naïve children and 60 HIV negative children were enrolled in a case control study of baseline haematological indices. In all cases, haemoglobin, total white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelet counts were determined using SYSMEX XT- 2000i Haematologic auto-analyser. Children with HIV/AIDS were classified according to clinical disease stages using the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) staging criteria. Data was analysed using MINITAB 12.21 Atlanta USA statistical software.Result: Anaemia (˂110 g/L) was present in 88.0% of the HIVinfected children, compared to 15.0% of controls (p = 0.001). Mild anaemia (70 – 109 g/L) was observed in 85.0% of HIVinfected children, compared to 15.0% of controls. Moderate anaemia (50 – 69 g/L) was present in 3.3% of HIV-infected children, but in none of the control. Leucopenia (˂4 × 109/L) was seen in 11.6% of HIV-infected children and in 5.0% of controls. Neutropenia (˂1.5 × 109/L) affected13% of infected children and 5% of controls. Lymphocytopenia (˂1.2 × 109/L) was observed in 3.3% of infected children but in none ofcontrols. Corresponding figures for thrombocytopenia (˂100 × 109/L) were6.7% of HIV infected children and 1.7% of controls.Conclusion: All cells lines arereduced in HIV/AIDS and anaemia is the most frequent haematological manifestation seen in HIV/AIDS infection.Key words: Prevalence, Anaemia; HIV, Paediatrics, Patient

Pediatric HIV in Kano, Nigeria

Background: Pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is still an important public health issue despite a decrease in global, national, and local seroprevalence rates. Design: A prospective, hospital‑based study was conducted.Materials and Methods: One‑hundred and sixty children presenting for the first time to the hospital were studied. Each child had a detailed physical examination and initial double rapid HIV antibody tests. A virological confirmatory test was done for those aged less than 18 months of age with positive results. Mothers of HIV‑infected children also had HIV testing. HIV‑infected children were enrolled into HIV care and followed up for 6 months. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 for Windows.Results: Twenty‑two (13.8%) children were confirmed HIV‑infected. The mean age was 26.9 ± 30.8 months. Male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Probable modes of transmission were mother‑to‑child in 63.6%, group circumcision in 22.7%, sexual transmission in 9.1% and unscreened blood transfusion in 4.5%. The most frequent symptoms on presentation were fever in 95.4% of patients, cough and weight loss in 77.3% and diarrhoea in 59.1%. The most common signs were hepatomegaly in 77.3%, pyrexia and crepitations in 72.7%, and pallor in 40.9%. Commonly diagnosed conditions were undernutrition, diarrheal disease, oral thrush, and pneumonia. Tuberculosis co‑infection was diagnosed in 18.2% of children. Fourteen (63.6%) children had advanced and severe immunodeficiency. Mortality rate over 6 months was 18.2%.Conclusion: Early diagnosis of pediatric HIV and prompt institution of treatment in children would go a long way in reducing the scourge of the disease.Keywords: Clinical features, human immunodefi ciency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, mortality, pediatrics, prevalenceNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice • Oct-Dec 2013 • Vol 16 • Issue

Livestock Production and Economic Implications from Augmenting Degraded Rangeland with \u3ci\u3eAtriplex halimus\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eSalsola vermiculata\u3c/i\u3e in Northwest Syria

Three stocking rates (low: one sheep 2.25 ha-1, medium: one sheep 1.5 ha-1 year-1 and high: one sheep 0.75 ha-1 year-1) were studied for 7 seasons (1990/91-1996/97) on native range and on pasture over sown with fodder shrubs at Maragha, northwest Syria. There were 8 Awassi sheep in each stocking rate treatment, and the treatments were replicated 3 times in fenced paddocks. Milk yield, lamb production, live weight and supplementary feeding of the sheep were monitored. The results showed significantly higher forage availability on the range over-sown with fodder shrubs by 82% and 41% in the medium and high rainfall seasons, respectively and by 142% and 379% in the average and low rainfall seasons, compared with the native pasture. The total energy used in the supplementary feed was greater under the native pasture than that in the shrub-sown pasture in 5 out of 7 seasons, while crude protein consumption was greater in the native pasture than on the shrub-sown pasture in all 7 seasons. Milk production and lamb body mass were higher on shrub-sown pasture than those in native pasture in 4 and 6 out the 7 seasons, respectively. Benefits obtained from reduced feed costs, extra milk and lamb sales were higher on shrub-sown pasture than those in the native pasture in 5 out of the 7 seasons. Total benefits measured over the entire study period were highest under the high stocking rate, reaching about 77 US $ ha-1. We concluded that shrub plantation in west Asia could safely be utilized at stocking rate of one sheep 0.75 ha-1 year-1 for the benefits of the pasture and users

A comparative study of the electrical characteristics of metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiodes based on gan grown on silicon.

High quality Gan films are usually produced at high growth temperatures (> 1OOO°C) with the use of substrates such as sapphire (Ah03) or silicon carbide (SiC).Therefore, for a low production cost purpose, there has been a growing interest in producing lower growth temperatures Gan films as well as Gan based devices with low cost substrates such as silicon

The Mediating Role of Operations Management Practices on the Relationship Between the Dimensions of Manufacturing Flexibility and Competitiveness

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine knowing the real role and impact of manufacturing flexibility on competitiveness through operations management practices, which is to determine the role and impact of manufacturing flexibility on competitiveness directly in the General Company for the Battery Industry. On the other hand, identifying the indirect role of flexible manufacturing systems in enhancing competitiveness.   Theoretical framework: The main purpose of the theoretical framework is to identify all the dimensions and variables included in the current study, and thus form a deep scientific view of the study and its variables.   Design/methodology/approach: field coexistence, personal interviews, and classification of data and information obtained in the questionnaire were adopted as the main tool used in the research and for a sample of 74 observations. Structural equations modelling was used to analyze the data using the programs (SPSS24, AMOS23).   Findings: the research reached important results that represent The most prominent of these is the significant impact of manufacturing flexibility in enhancing the competitiveness of the battery manufacturing company, and this effect is reinforced by improving operations management practices by the company.   Research, Practical & Social implications: The research was conducted in this company because it requires scientific research capable of solving many of its problems as a result of increased competition in the market, as well as the continuation of this company in production despite the cessation of many other companies as a result of.   Value: It stems from a vital issue related to aimed at a better future in terms of Operations Management Practices, Flexibility of Manufacturing, Operations Management Practices, and Competitiveness, especially after the crisis that led to a significant decline in the level of performance of organizations

Optimization of non thermal plasma reactor performance for the decomposition of xylene

Non Thermal Plasma (NTP) is an emerging method used for the decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This research focuses on the optimization of NTP reactor performance for decomposition of xylene from wastewater using response surface methodology (RSM) by operating the NTP reactor at applied voltage of 12-15 kV, discharge gap of 2.0-3.0 cm and gas flow rate of 2.0-5.0 L/min. An optimum xylene removal efficiency of 81.98% was obtained at applied voltage 15kV, discharge gap 2.09cm and gas flow rate at 2.36 L/min. The experimental removal efficiencies and model predictions were in close agreement with an error of 0.63%

A study of frequency and pulses for stepper motor controller system by using programmable logic controller

The stepper motor movement process produced different frequency and pulses. This research explained about the frequency and pulses for the stepper motor movement by using Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) as research method. The study was done to find the suitable frequency and pulses for stepper motor movement by developing a prototype stepper motor controller system. The pulse frequency used did not affected the distance of moving load in the stepper motor operations. The increasing number of pulse frequency only will affect the time taken for the stepper motor to complete its operations. The result showed that number of pulse frequency at high operation was 5000 Hz. Pulse number reacted as a manipulated variable that affected both factor which is time taken of stepper motor operation and the distance of moving load

Blood Biochemical Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Weaner Rabbits Fed Varying Inclusion Levels of Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth.) Forage

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying inclusion levels of Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) forage on haematological, blood biochemical and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits. A total of 20 male rabbits of mixed breeds with an average initial weight of 450g were randomly assigned into four dietary treatments containing varying inclusion levels of gamba grass forage (0, 5, 10 and 15%). There were four rabbits per treatment, each serving as a replicate in a completely randomized design. Blood samples were collected at the end of eight (8) week feeding period before the carcass analysis.. Results indicated that there were significant (P<0.05) increasing trend in the haematological and blood biochemical parameters measured. There were 51% and 55% increases (P<0.05) in total protein (8.53 vs. 5.65g/dl) and calcium ions (2.65 vs. 1.18mmol/dl) in rabbits fed diet containing 15% inclusion level of gamba grass forage compared to the control. However, there were 10% and 17% decreases (P<0.05) in white blood cells (4.92 vs. 4.43%) and alkaline phosphate (89.33 vs. 76.33IU/dl) in rabbits fed the control diet than those fed diet containing 15% inclusion level of gamba grass. Also, there were 13% and 49% increase (P<0.05) in dressing percentage (54.80 vs. 48.60%) and weight of thigh (16.95 vs. 11.35%) in rabbits fed diet containing 15% inclusion level of gamba grass forage compared to the control. However, length of small intestine and weights of heart, head, stomach and small intestines were similar (P>0.05) across the treatments, respectively. It was concluded that gamba grass forage can be included up to 15% in the diet of weaner rabbits, without adverse effect on haematological, biochemical profile and carcass characteristics of the rabbits in Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) forage can be included in the diets of weaner rabbits to reduce cost of production.Keywords: Blood, competition, carcass, feed, gamba, Nigeria, rabbi

Description of the Magnetic Field and Divergence of Multisolenoid Aharonov-Bohm Potential

Explicit formulas for the magnetic field and divergence of multisolenoid Aharonov-Bohm potential are obtained; the mathematical essence of this potential is explained. It is shown that the magnetic field and divergence of this potential are very singular generalized functions concentrated at a finite number of thin solenoids. Deficiency index is found for the minimal operator generated by the Aharonov-Bohm differential expression

QUERCETIN NANOPARTICLES REPRESSED LIVER AND BRAIN TOXICITIES INDUCED BY TARTRAZINE IN RATS

Tartrazine (TZ) is an azobenzene artificial yellow dye for foods, drugs, and cosmetics. Quercetin is member of the flavonoid family. The current study investigated the protective effect of quercetin nanoparticles (QNPs) against TZ. Male albino rats were divided into group1:  control, group 2: TZ (50 mg/kg), group 3: QNPs (5 mg/kg), and group 4: QNPs+TZ. The results of the present study revealed that, the oral administration of TZ dye caused a significantly increased liver biomarkers. Also, a marked effect on lipid profile and blood parameters were shown. In addition TZ induced an elevation in the examined oxidative stress biomarkers and decrease in glutathione peroxidases and acetylcholine esterase. TZ diminished exploration and rearing in open field test as well as elevation in GABA content and apoptosis as well as changes in tissues by histopathological examination. In fact, the results showed good influence of QNPs in improving injuries associated with TZ administration. Keywords:  Tartrazine Dye, Quercetin Nanoparticles, Liver-Brain injuries