Environmental Consequences of Solar Energy Development and Other Sources of Energy

In recent years, scientists are increasingly raising the question of the huge impact of solar energy on the ecology of our world. This study attempts to unveil the relationship between the development of solar energy and the threat of growth of environmental problems. Thus, the stream of solar energy simply has to be taken under the control of people and used as much as possible, but with the preservation of the unique earth's climate. At the moment, it is no secret that carbon resources are being depleted very rapidly, and if the search for alternative sources of energy in the near future will not succeed, then the prospects for our civilization are absolutely small. So, among the possible successors that are able to pick up the baton of traditional energy, the most attractive among alternative energy sources is solar energy, which is considered environmentally friendly. Keywords: Solar energy, energy, ecology, ecological problems, climate, environment

Gunshot fractures of tibia and femur - excellent results with reamed bone marrow graft and interlocking nailing

Objective: To document the outcome of treatment of femur and tibia diaphyseal fractures due to gunshot injury grafted with reamed bone marrow and immobilised with Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) interlocking nail.Design: A prospective study.Setting: Three referral centres in two developing countriesSubjects: Thirty-three patients with 36 fractures due to gunshot injury were studied.Interventions: Stabilised patients were commenced on prophylactic parenteral antibiotic; X-rays done to classify fractures by Gustillo-Anderson classification. Documented were entry, exit wounds and neurovascular status of the limb. Bone marrow was reamed manually and collected oozing reamed marrow was used as graft. Drain was used minimally and when used, was placed where the reamed marrow would not be drained.Patients were followed-up between one to three years.Mean outcome measure: Clinical and radiological evidences of healing of the fracture at six weeks.Results: Patients age ranged between 15-70 years with mean of 32.2±12.2 years. M : F 32:1. Thirty-one (86.1 %) were femoral fractures and 15 (41.7%) of studied long bone fractures were around the knees. The fractures were mainly Gustillo- Anderson type I (41.7%) and II (41.7%). At six weeks there was massive callus formation in 86.1 % of the fractures sites. All other fractures healed within three to four months except one fracture.                                                              Conclusion: Fractures of femur and tibia fractures due to gunshot injury fixed with SIGN intramedullary interlocking nails and grafted with reamed bone marrow give excellent result. This may be due to the use of harvested osteogenic and osteoinductive bone marrow

Which factors actually influence the development and progression of overt nephropathy in Nigerian diabetics?

A journal article on Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in Nigeria.Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the commonest endocrine disease in the world, with a worldwide prevalence of 4% in adults.1 In Nigeria the prevalence of DM ranges from 2.4 to 6% and varies from relatively rural to urban communities.2 One of the most serious complications of DM is diabetic nephropathy (DN) with a prevalence of about 4Q%.3 Unlike the previous reports which documented the rarity of diabetic nephropathy amongst Nigerians4'11, it is now.a leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world, as it accounts for about half of the total population of patients recruited to renal replacement treatment programmes in the western world.12 Even locally, the prevalence of DN had increased significantly in the last 15 years from almost 0% of the causes of chronic renal failure to the third commonest cause accounting for 3 to 5% of the causes of ESRD

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Nigerians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Several studies have suggested a strong epidemiologic association between Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in some populations. However, the reasons why chronic HCV infection is prevalent in DM remain unknown. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in a population of Nigerian diabetics compared with the general population as well as assess the influence of sex and age on HCV infection in the same diabetic population. Design and Methods: A total of 115 diabetic patients were compared with 2,301 blood donors matched by recognized risk factors to acquire HCV infection. Serologic testing for anti HCV was done using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results: Sixty (60) type 2 diabetic patients were males while fifty-five (55) were females. Their mean age was 55.4 ± 9 years and mean blood glucose level was 8.5mmol/l. One subject tested positive for HCV infection. The control group consisted of 2,031 adults recruited from the blood donor\'s clinic. Forty five of them (2.2%) tested positive for HCV. Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest a low sero-prevalence of HCV infection among our patients with type 2 diabetes. Presently, routine screening for HCV infection in persons with diabetes may not be necessary. Keywords: HCV infection, type 2 diabetes mellitus Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (3) 2008: pp. 199-20

Bacteriological Examination of Chronic Osteomyelitis cases in Ile-Ife, southwestern Nigeria.

The bacteriological examination of chronic osteomyelitis cases in lle-lfe, revealed Proteus mirabilisas the p'redominant isolate encountered (23.1 %). Staphylococci constituted 30.7% of the total bacterial isolates with Staphylococcus aureus accounting for only 1 0.2%. Other Gram-positive cocci cultured include, Staphylococcus spp (20.5%), coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) (12.8%) and Streptococcus spp.{1.2%). Gram-negative rods constituted 55.1% of the total isolates with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being 8.5%, Eschericia coli 5.1% Citrobacter freundii, Salmonella spp 2.5% each. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed all isolates to be multi-resistant to traditional antimicrobials, which is of epidemiologcal importance in treating cases of chronic osteomyelitis in this environment The studv suaaests institution of aoaressive theraoeutic interventions to avert oossible seaualae

Applications and Performance Evaluation of Renewable Energy Technology Development in Nigeria using PESTEL Evaluation

Global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels have led advanced countries to develop renewable energy technologies. Very far from this trend are developing countries like Nigeria. The research examined the impact of Renewable Energy Technology (RET) development, taking to account the major barriers that influence the promotion of RET in the developing countries and the major issues with the usage. In achieving this, a two way analysis was done, firstly, using Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal (PESTEL) frame work analysis, taking into account the macro factors considered in RET development in the developing country. Secondly, through data obtained directly from target audience divided in themes using statistical inference.  The results indicates that there are strong barrier linking energy and development that obstructs implementation of RET and some of the major factors involved at the local level.  Imperative and substantial suggestions that can be utilized, even by other local regions in the developing world that wish to make a shift towards greater use of RET was made. Keywords: Application, Performance, Renewable Energy, Technology, Development, “PESTEL” Nigeria

A study of prognostic factors in Chinese patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Objective: Few studies have identified factors as predictors of clinical prognosis of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), especially of Chinese patients. In this study, we assessed the prognostic factors of Chinese patients with DFUs. Methods and materials: This was a retrospective study (January 2009–January 2011) of 194 DFUs conducted in an inpatient population at PLA 454 Hospital in Nanjing, China, to determine the prognostic influential factors of DFUs in Chinese patients. All of the studied patients were grouped into an amputation group, a non-healing group, and a cured group, according to the clinical prognosis. Patient parameters, including gender, age, smoking habits, education level, family history of diabetes mellitus, medical history, duration of foot lesions and complications, ankle-brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (Alb/Cr), fundus oculi, electrocardiogram, DFU characteristics, bacterial nature, and neuropathy, were cross-studied among the three groups. Results: Compared with the other two groups, the amputation group showed a higher number of males, older in age, lower ABI and TcPO2 levels, higher Wagner wound grading and size, and significantly higher urinary Alb/Cr ratio, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, white blood cell count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Compared to the cured group (162 patients), more patients with an older age, smoking, family history of diabetes mellitus, medical history of foot ulcerations, lower ABI and TcPO2 levels, higher urine Alb/Cr ratio, and serum creatinine were found in the non-healing group. Regression analysis was used to study the correlation between various factors and clinical prognosis, and the results were as follows: age, Wagner wound classification, and heel ulcerations were negatively correlated to the DFU prognosis, whereas the female population, ABI, and TcPO2 were positively correlated with DFU prognosis. Conclusion: In this retrospective study, we conclude that the DFU prognosis may be related to age, gender, wound location (heel), Wagner wound classification, ABI, and TcPO2 levels in the Chinese population

Cost-effectiveness of replacing skeletal traction by interlocked intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft fractures in a provincial trauma hospital in Cambodia

In this article the costs and effectiveness of introducing the SIGN nailing system for femoral shaft fractures in a provincial trauma hospital in Cambodia are compared to those of Perkin’s traction treatment. At an average cost per patient of $1,107 in the traction group and$888 in the nail group (p < 0.01), and with better clinical outcomes in the nail group, internal fixation is more cost-effective than conservative treatment

Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of vegetables grown in old mining area; a case study: Banat County, Romania

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study is to measure the levels of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb) found in common vegetables (parsley, carrot, onion, lettuce, cucumber and green beans) grown in contaminated mining areas compared with those grown in reference clear area and to determine their potential detrimental effects via calculation of the daily metal intake (DImetal) and Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) for normal daily consumption of these vegetables, for male and female gender.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with the reference in contaminated areas, soil and plant contents of all analyzed metals are higher, usually over normally content for Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb. Particularly, in soil, higher values than intervention threshold values (ITV) were found for Cu and Pb and higher than maximum allowable limits (MAL) for Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb for parsley roots and leaves, carrot roots, cabbage, lettuce and cucumber. DImetal and THQ values for male and female were calculated for each vegetable and metal and for which oral reference doses exist. The combined THQ values calculated are concerning in that they are usually below the safe level of THQ<1 for all vegetables grown in reference area. In contaminated Moldova Noua (M) area the combined THQ exceeded the safe level only for parsley roots, while in more contaminated Ruschita (R) area combined THQ exceeded the safe level for parsley and carrot roots, lettuce and cabbage. Cd and Pb, most toxic metals to humans, have an increasing prevalence in the combined THQ for leafy (cabbage and lettuce) and fruit vegetables (cucumber). In the root vegetables only Pb has an increasing prevalence in combined THQ values. In all areas female THQ is higher than male THQ.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study regarding metal contents in soils, vegetables, DImetal and THQ suggest that the consumption of some vegetables (especially parsley, carrot and cabbage and less for lettuce, cucumber and green beans) is not free of risks in these areas. The complex THQ parameter use in health risk assessment of heavy metals provides a better image than using only a simple parameter (contents of metals in soils and vegetables).</p