Prevalence and gene frequencies of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste sensitivity, ABO and Rhesus factor (Rh) blood groups, and haemoglobin variants among a Nigerian population

Background: Blood groups and phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) are the most studied genetic traits among human populations around the world. In most of these studies, PTC taste sensitivity was described as a bimodal autosomal trait inherited in a simple Mendelian recessive pattern.ABO blood group is the most studied blood groups followed by Rhesus factors (Rh) and haemoglobin variants. Information from the study of these traits is useful to biologists, geneticists, anthropologists and clinicians. No information on the prevalence and gene frequencies of thesetraits among a population from Nigeria. Aim: This study presents information on the prevalence and gene frequencies of PTC taste sensitivity, ABO blood group and Rhesus factor, and Haemoglobin variants from male and female Nigeriansexamined.Subjects and methods: A total of 232 (51.33%) male and 220 (48.67%) female Nigerians participated in this study. Filter paper impregnated with 81.25 mg/L of saturated solution of PTC wasused to determine PTC tasters, while blood group phenotypes, Rhesus factor and haemoglobintypes were determined by classical method. Hardy–Weinberg method was used to determine allelic frequencies and graphpad 5 computer software was used for the data processing.Results: The percentage frequency for non tasters of PTC was 29.42% with allele frequency t= 0.5424. There were more male (33.62%) non tasters than female (25.0%), but more female (75.0%) tasters than male (66.38%). This observation was statistically significant (p= 0.0444).Our findings support the bimodal inheritance of PTC taste sensitivity among Nigerians. Overall trend of ABO blood group was O > B >A > AB. This same trend was observed for females but differed for males (O> B = A> AB). O blood group was the highest while AB group was the least among studied Nigerians in both genders. The distribution pattern did not differ significantly (p= 0.1406) from those expected under Hardy–Weinberg Law. 93.14% of the studied population was Rh+ (DD and Dd) and there were more Rh+ males than females but more Rh females than males. The proportions and distributions of Rh factor amongstudied population did not show statistical significance (X2= 0.6047, df = 1, P = 0.4624). The overall allele frequency of the blood group as computed according to Hardy–Weinberg Law is r = 0.8201, q= 0.0977 and p= 0.0822. Similar trend in allele frequency was observed for both genders. The allele frequency for Rh+ (D) is 0.7381 and Rh (d)= 0.2619. This trend is also similar in both sexes. Among the six haemoglobin variants common to Nigerians CC was not detected in our study. The other five were observed in the order AA (76.55%)> AS (20.35%)> AC (1.99%) > SS (0.66%) >SC (0.44%). The overall allele frequency was A =0.8772, S =0.1106, C = 0.0122.Conclusion: The findings from this study provide information on the studied traits. It will provide background information for further studies and will be useful to clinicians, geneticists and anthropologists with respect to blood transfusion, marriage counseling and population studies

Patient Satisfaction with Care Provided at the Antiretroviral Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is considered an important indicator of quality of care. In Nigeria, there is a dearth of information on patient satisfaction with HIV/AIDS care. This study sought to assess patient satisfaction; and to identify associated factors.Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of patients at the antiretroviral clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria, was conducted between June and August 2008. An adapted version of the RAND Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Long Form was used to assess seven dimensions of care: general satisfaction, technical quality, interpersonal manner, communication, financial aspects, time spent with doctor, and access/availability/convenience. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. Associations were tested using chi-square and multivariable logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at 5%.Results: Of 409 respondents, 108 (26.4%) were males and 301 (73.6%) females. Mean age was 35.7 ± 9.4 years, 86 (21%) had primary school education, 210 (51.3%) were married, and 357 (87.3%) were employed. About two-thirds (65.2%) spent less than 60 minutes waiting for the doctor, and 225 (63.6%) spent at least 10 minutes in consultation with the doctor. Satisfaction rates were: 94.9% technical quality, 90.2% communication, 77.8% interpersonal manner, 67.5% general satisfaction, 57% access/availability/convenience, 46% time spent with doctor, and 45.7% financial aspects. Lower education and waiting less than 60 minutes for the doctor were independently associated with satisfaction across multiple dimensions of care.Conclusion: Respondents were satisfied with the seven dimensions of care to varying degrees. Attending to patients promptly would improve satisfaction, and thus, quality of care.Keywords: Patient satisfaction, antiretroviral clinic, quality of car

Anatomical Measurements of the Distal Clavicle in a Kenyan Population

Anatomical measurements of the distal clavicle are important in the design of clavicular implants for fixing clavicular fractures and reconstruction of the coraco-clavicular complex in acromio-clavicular joint dislocations. These measurements show population variations however, little data exists from the African population and none for the Kenyan one. One hundred and eighty unpaired dry adult human clavicles were obtained from the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi. The length of clavicle and distance of conoid and trapezoid tuberosities from the distal end were measured using a ruler. The superoinferior thickness of the distal end was measured using a vernier caliper. The mean clavicle length was  148.57±12.63mm. The left clavicle was longer (150.4mm) than the right one (146.8mm). Conoid tubercle (CT) and trapezoid tuberosity (TT) were 39.52±5.93mm and 17.96±3.42mm respectively from the lateral edge of clavicle. These distances correlated positively with the  length of clavicle and occupied 0.3 and 0.15 of total clavicular length respectively. The supero-inferior thickness of the lateral edge was 10.09±2.36mm. The distance of CT and TT positively correlated with clavicular length. The CT lies at a junction of lateral one third and medial 2/3 while the TT is midway between CT and lateral end. Designers of clavicular implants should consider these measurements and surgeons involved in fixation of acromoclavicular joints fractures.Key words: Clavicle, conoid tubercle, trapezoid tuberosity

Variations in the formation of supraclavicular brachial plexus among Kenyans

Objective: To describe the pattern and prevalence of variations that occur in the supraclavicular part of the brachial plexus in a Kenyan population. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Materials and methods: Ninety-four brachial plexuses from forty-seven formalin fixed cadavers were displayed by gross dissection. Results: The presence of at least one variation from the classical anatomy was observed in 73 (77.7%) of the 94 plexuses. The roots and trunks were involved in 32 (34%) of the plexuses . Preand postfixed roots were present in 23 (24.7%) and 3 (3.2%), respectively. The presence of four trunks, and trunks passing between the scalene medius and posterior were also noted. The long thoracic nerve was variant in 51 (54.3%) of the plexuses. Unusual relations of the phrenic nerve to scalene muscles and the subclavian vein were encountered. Conclusion: The presence of four trunks and an accessory phrenic nerve passing through the subclavian vein are probably described and reported for the first time. However, most of the variations of the BP among Kenyans are similar to those reported in the other populations

Stress and vibration of a viscoelastic damping isolator under impact loading

There are different types of isolators which include rubber type, coil spring type, slide and rotating type and there are different types of dampers which include viscous type, oil type, and try friction type. Both isolators and dampers are common used to reduce vibration caused by forging or stamping process. However, a new way to reduce the vibration of the punch press is viscoelastic damping isolator (VDI) which can be widely used in manufacturing, electricity and gas supply, construction, transportation and warehousing, and other industries. This study analyzes a VDI composed by partitions, damping fluid, steel springs and level adjusters. Different numbers of the partitions are welded on upper and lower rectangular steel plates, respectively. Up to 150 tons of weight of the punching machines supported by steel springs which are placed at the edges between the square upper/lower plates. Screw types of level adjusters are placed between lower plate and thick steel base to tune the horizontal level of the isolator. High viscosity damping fluid is filled in the space between interlacing partitions around 60 % of the height of the VDI. Punching induced impact energy is dissipated by shear deformation between the damping fluid and partitions. This study uses 3D graphing software and finite element method (FEM) to investigate the dynamic characteristic of the damping isolator after impacted by the puncher. The normal mode analysis of the VDI is obtained. The isolator is settled within 0.3 seconds after 300.000 N of shock impact and satisfies industrial specification of large punchers with loading frequency of 100 cycles per min

Lymphangiography to treat postoperative lymphatic leakage: a technical review.

In addition to imaging the lymphatics and detecting various types of lymphatic leakage, lymphangiography is a therapeutic option for patients with chylothorax, chylous ascites, and lymphatic fistula. Percutaneous thoracic duct embolization, transabdominal catheterization of the cisterna chyli or thoracic duct, and subsequent embolization of the thoracic duct is an alternative to surgical ligation of the thoracic duct. In this pictorial review, we present the detailed technique, clinical applications, and complications of lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization

The prevalence of obesity as indicated by body mass index among apparently healthy adults living in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and to assess the relative associations with some cardiovascular risk factors (CVD). Subjects for this study were apparently healthy volunteers who willingly granted their informed consent. They reported at the various study zones of the town after an over-night fast where their weights (in Kg), heights (in Metres), and blood pressures (mm Hg) were measured and recorded. Blood samples were also collected via venipuncture for serum lipid profile studies. The data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The student t-test was used and p ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The results showed that the prevalence of obesity as determined by BMI ≥ 30kg/m2 was 16.56%. Obesity was more prevalent among the subjects older than 40 years and among females than males (p<0.05). BMI appeared to be significantly associated with CVD risks factors. Thus, healthier eating and increase physical activities are strongly encouraged to reduce the increasing prevalence of obesity and the associated CVD risk burden.Key words: Prevalence, BMI, Obesity, Aba, Nigerian