103 research outputs found
The Pathology of Breast Biopsies in a Sample of Nigerian Patients: Review and Analysis
Background: Histological tissue diagnosis of breast lumps plays an important role in patient management. Almost all breast pathology studies in Nigeria were conducted in government owned health facilities. This study aims to describe the histopathological pattern and of breast biopsies seen in Me Cure Healthcare Limited, a privately owned diagnostic centre.Methods: Histopathological reports of all breast specimens received and processed from August 2009 to December 2013 were retrieved from a computer database and entered into an Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Histological features were classified using 2003 WHO classification of breast diseases.Results: A total of 1205 breast specimens were reviewed. This formed 26% of 4,642 histology specimens received in the pathology laboratory. The youngest patient was 11 years and the oldest 88 years with a mean of 31.7 years and SD ±13.12. Females accounted for 97.8% with a female to male ratio of 43.4:1. The age group 20-29 years were most involved (n=362; 30%). Malignant lesions accounted for 21.3% while benign lesions accounted for 78.7%. Fibroadenoma was the commonest benign lesion and accounted for 61.7% of all benign lesions with a mean age of cases been 24,6 years. Age groups 40-49 and 30-39 years accounted for most malignant lesions (33.5% and 27.6% respectively) with invasive ductal carcinoma been the commonest.Conclusion: Benign breast lesions are more common generally, while invasive ductal carcinoma is the commonest malignant lesion involving mainly age groups 30-49 years in our environment. Women with cancers in our environment, usually present with grades II and III lesions.Keywords: Breast, Histopathology, Biops
Microcontroller Based Green House Control Device
MICROCONTROLLER BASED Green House control device is used in the automatic control and monitoring of Equipments and quantities such as screening installations, heating, cooling, lighting, temperature, soil Moisture level and other quantities/conditions in a Green House, with effective monitoring of all quantities therein, hence eliminating need for Human monitoring. With an enhanceable feature it integrates and automates by turning ON or OFF all monitoring devices in the house as well as provides suggestions for remedies when the need arises. This is due to the MCU technology that can be easily modified and re-modified with portability. There is also an alarm circuit to call the attention of the Supervisor. This study focuses on determining the effectiveness and functionality of green house control device. Keywords: green house, ventilation, heating, watering, temperature, radiatio
The GSM Approach in Home Security
Home security has been a major national issue as crimes remain rampant in our society and it is now becoming uncontrollable. In the past all measures used seems not to be very effective, therefore, people want to take preventive measures to curb this menace and protect their homes by using modern day technology. This system is GSM based which uses wireless technology to revolutionize the security system and standard of living. This paper therefore, focuses on the home security vis-à -vis controlling the home appliances remotely while the owner is away. This system provides ideal solution to the problems faced by home owners in daily life. Since it is a wireless device, it is therefore more adaptable and cost effective. Keywords: remote, control, Commands, microcontroller, sensor and Automation
Predictors of Use of School Library Makerspace by Secondary School Students in Ibadan, Nigeria
The use of school library makerspace by secondary school students could enhance their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Technology (STEAM). However, findings from empirical studies have revealed that the level of makerspace use by students in Nigeria seems to be low. This seemingly low level of makerspace use by students could be attributed to the perceived usefulness of makerspace from their perspective and their attitude towards innovation. Thus, this study examined the influence of these factors on the use of school library makerspace. The descriptive design of the correlational type was used and the study population consisted of 175 students of the Vale College, Ibadan, Nigeria, which is a secondary school that has a school library with a makerspace. The total enumeration technique was used to collect data from all the students with the aid of questionnaire. Data was analysed with the use of frequency counts, percentages, correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that most of the respondents perceived the makerspace as useful, while they also had a positive attitude towards innovation. The most used tool in the makerspace was the furniture and the least used was the 3D scanner. Findings revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between perceived usefulness and use of makerspace and also between attitude towards innovation and use of makerspace. There was a joint significant influence of perceived usefulness and attitude towards innovation on the use of makerspace by the secondary school students. However, it was attitude towards innovation that had the greatest influence on the use of makerspace by the respondents. Based on the findings, it was recommended that school librarians and subject teachers should use every opportunity they have to encourage the students to use makerspace in order to enhance their STEAM skills
Effect of an Intelligent Communications System in Enhancing the Power Infrastructure in Developing Countries
Since reliable electric power is key to economic development, education and medical care.  Humanity finds itself confronting an enormous energy Challenge which shows that current patterns of energy use are environmentally unsustainable. Overwhelming reliance on fossil fuels, in particular, threatens to alter the Earthâs climate to an extent that could have grave consequences on the integrity of vital human and natural systems. At the same time, access to energy continues to divide the âhavesâ from the âhave-notsâ, as a greater part of the world especially Africa still lacks access to one or several types of basic energy services, including electricity, clean cooking fuels and adequate means of transportation. It is necessary to improve the operation of distribution systems and hence the quality of power supply, which can be achieved by use of the intervention of information technology (IT) utilizing the available high speed computers and communication networks. This resulted into reduced technical loss, support for commercial loss reduction, improved cash flow, low service restoration time, reduction in equipment damage, availability of system information, better operational planning, remote load control and shedding, and improved power quality and reliability. Keywords: grid, reliable, power, costing, Alternatives, billing
Histologic Analysis of Gynaecologic Lesions in Nigerians
Background: Gynaecological neoplasms are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in females all over the world.Objective: To determine the pattern of gynaecological lesions seen in Me Cure Healthcare, Lagos Nigeria.Design: A descriptive retrospective study.Setting: Histopathology section of Me Cure Healthcare Limited from August 2009 to August 2014.Subjects: Histopathological reports and paraffin sections of gynaecologic lesions/ specimens which were diagnosed by Me Cure Healthcare.Results: A total of 691 gynaecologic specimens were received. The youngest patient was 14 years, while the oldest patient was 79 years with a mean age of 40.47 years and Std of ± 10.59. Eighty three percent of specimens were benign neoplastic lesions, while 5.9% of specimens were malignant neoplastic  lesions. Uterine leiomyomas were the most common lesions and majority of them were seen in age groups 30-39 and 40-49 years. Simple endometrial hyperplasia without atypia accounted for most  endometrial lesions (52,3%) and were seen more in age groups 30-39 and 40-49 years. Most ovarian lesions (45.9%) were non neoplastic cysts and seen more in age groups 20-29 and 30-39 years. The cancers seen were those of the cervix (56.1%), endometrium (22%), ovary (14.6%), uterus (4.9%) and choriocarcinoma (2.4%) in that order. Cervical cancer was seen in 36.5% of cervical lesions and involved mainly age groups; 30-39 years, 50-59 years and 60-69 years (each of these age groups had five cases). The mean age for cases of cancer of the cervix was 50 years Std ± 13.0 and all the age groups except 10-19 years were involved.Conclusion: Benign lesions were the most common with uterine leiomyoma accounting for most of them, while cervical carcinoma was the the common gynaecological cancer. Endometrial cancer cases were noted to be on the rise
THE EFFECT OF CONTRACEPTIVES ON VITAMIN C METABOLISM: SPECIAL REFERENCE ON 19 -NORTESTERONE GROUP (COMBINED ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE TABLETS) ON ASCORBATE METABOLISM
Millions of women throughout the world take oral contraceptives as a convenient method for extending intra-conceptual period, preventing unwanted pregnancies or delaying the starting of family. These contraceptive tablets, if taken regularly, offer nearly 100% protection against pregnancies and hence substantially contribute to the health and social well-being of the individual. Reports has shown that there is an interaction between the steroidal contraceptives and vitamins and thus an increased demand for healthy vitamin metabolism (1,2,2,4). It is also believed that oral contraceptives act by interfering with the normal menstrual cycle, hence normal menstrual cycles are reviewed with particular reference to ascorbate metabolism. Morese, since the ascorbate nutriture of Nigerian adults has been shown to be poo
Lymphocytic Colitis in Nigeria: A Case Series
The term âmicroscopic colitisâ (MC) is used to describe a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that includes two main subtypes based on histopathologic features: collagenous and lymphocytic. Scientific literature is replete with documentation of the disease from various regions of the world. However, the condition is rarely described in black African patients. We herein present the details of the clinical aspects and endoscopic findings of 3 Nigerian patients with the lymphocytic variant of MC. A short literature review of the clinical, endoscopic, and pathologic features of this rare condition as well as other relevant aspects of MC is also presented
Plant-fungal mutualism as a strategy for the bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted soils
Inasmuch as coal remains the linchpin for the generation of electricity and liquid petroleum products in South Africa, hydrocarbon waste and coal discard will continue to pose a threat to the environment. Therefore, the onus is on the associated industries to develop and implement efficient and sustainable strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of energy generating activities on the environment. Most conventional efforts in this regard, although successful for soil repair and the initiation of vegetation, have been deemed unsustainable. In an effort to find a sustainable remediation strategy a novel technology termed âFungCoalâ was conceptualized and patented as a strategy for the rehabilitation of open cast coal mines, carbonaceous-rich spoils and coal wastes. This biotechnology, which exploits plant-fungal mutualism to achieve effective biodegradation of coal on discard dumps and the breakdown of the carbonaceous component in spoils, promotes revegetation to facilitate rehabilitation of mining-disturbed land. However, one limiting factor of the FungCoal bioprocess is that it requires oxidized weathered coal, a highly complex and variable resource for use as a co-substrate, for growth and proliferation of the coal degrading microorganisms. To fully exploit the potential of plant-fungal mutualism and its interaction for use in the remediation of coal contaminated soils, this study investigated the proposed relationship between plant roots, root exudate and the coal degrading fungus âAspergillus sp.â (previously Neosartorya fischeri) strain 84 in more detail, in an effort to gain further insight into the mechanisms underpinning plant-fungal mutualism as a strategy for re-vegetation of coal discard dumps and the rehabilitation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil using the FungCoal approach. A pot-on-beaker (PoB) method was developed for the easy cultivation and collection of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS)-containing exudates from Zea mays L. (maize) and Abelmuschus esculentus (okra). Characterisation of the EPS material from these exudates was carried out using a combination of physicochemical and biochemical methods. The results from analysis of phenolics and indoles showed that exudates contain some form of indoles and phenolic compounds, although in little proportions, which may fulfil a signalling function, responsible for attracting soil microorganisms into the rhizosphere. Spectroscopic analysis of the exudates using FT-IR revealed vibrations corresponding to functional groups of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and carboxylic acids. These compounds likely provide an easily accessible source of carbon to soil microorganisms and are also a better alternative to the poly-aromatics which are an inherent component locked-up in the supposed recalcitrant coal material. The results from biochemical analyses also revealed the presence of carbohydrate, proteins, lipids, and low amounts of α-amino-nitrogen in the EPS of maize and okra. These components of EPS are all essential for the stimulation of enzymatic activities in soil microorganisms and, which may in turn aid biodegradation. The action of the root EPS from maize was further tested on three coal-degrading fungal isolates identified as Aspergillus strain ECCN 84, Aspergillus strain ECCN 225 and Penicillium strain ECCN 243 for manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase (LAC) activities. The results revealed that the Aspergillus species, strains ECCN 84 and ECCN 225, showed with or without EPS, observable black halos surrounding each of the colonies after 7d incubation indicative of positive MnP activity, while no activity was observed for the Penicillium sp. strain ECCN 243. Analysis for LAC revealed little or no activity in any of the coal degrading fungi following addition of pulverized coal to the growth medium. Interestingly, the addition of EPS-containing exudate to the coal-containing medium resulted in increased LAC activity for all fungal isolates. This finding affirmed the positive contribution of EPS to extracellular LAC activity, purported as an important enzyme in the coal biodegradation process. Finally, the impact of plant-derived exudate on the colonisation and biodegradation of coal was investigated in situ using rhizoboxes, to simulate a coal environment, and was carried out for 16 weeks. Microscopic examination of coal samples after termination of the experiment showed fungal proliferation and attachment to coal particles. All of the rhizoboxes that contained plants had higher medium pH and EC, and the concentration of phenolics, indoles and humic acids was greater than that of control treatments. These observations indicated better rhizosphere colonisation, substrate biodegradation and humification. Therefore, root exudate appears to play a significant role in coordination of soil microorganisms within the rhizosphere and likely serves both as a scaffold for rhizospheric interactions by providing microorganisms with accessible carbon and as a likely âtriggerâ for induction of coal-degrading enzymes such as fungal LAC for mobilisation of recalcitrant carbon. This study has shown that EPS exuded from roots of Zea mays together with coal degrading fungus Aspergillus strain ECCN 84 can alkalinise the coal substrate and facilitate introduction of oxygen, possibly as a result of increased laccase activity, and increase availability of nutrients (as indicated by higher EC) in a coal-polluted rhizosphere, to provide plants and their associated mycorrhizae and presumably other beneficial microorganisms a more mesic environment for sustained phytoremediation with enhanced rehabilitation potential. In conclusion, this study confirms the positive role of root exudate in mediating a mutualistic rehabilitation strategy involving plants and fungi such as the FungCoal bioprocess.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, 202
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