Detection of Fracture Zones for Groundwater Investigation from Interpretation of VLF-EM Anomalies of Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin and its Environs

The Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic VLF-EM geophysical methods have been used to map selected settlements in Kwara State Polytechnic Permanent Site and its environs Ilorin Northcentral Nigeria with a view to determine the groundwater potential of the area A total of thirteen 13 profiles were covered during VLF data collection with 20m sample interval along each profile with spread length of between 100m The VLF data were collected using ABEM WADI instrument The data were interpreted using KHFFILT software The qualitative interpretation of the acquired VLF EM data identified areas of hydro-geologic importance The results further showed that the EM anomalies vary greatly Some of the anomaly peaks are narrow and sharp while others are broad with varying width extent The values of the filtered real range from -0 9 to 22 5 across the study area The study area is adjudged based on the VLF data interpretation which indicates the presence of interconnected fracture zones to have potentially good prospects for groundwater development while recommendation is made for further geophysical methods to be employed in order to detect suitable locations for productive and sustainable borehol

Paediatric ocular and adnexa malformation in Birnin Kebbi, northwestern Nigeria

Objectives: Congenital eye and adnexa malformations although rare, are however a major challenge to health professionals in terms of diagnosis. There are also emotional, financial and stigmatization challenges experienced by the patients and their relatives. Appropriate management of these patients requires multidisciplinary approach. The study is to determine the pattern and presentation; and also create awareness among health workers and the public on the congenital eye/adnexal malformation.Methods: A 3-year retrospective review of all patients who presented at our hospital on account of congenital eye/adnexal malformations from 1st January 2011 through 31st December 2013 was done. Information on socio-demographics, laterality, type of malformation, presentation and Visual acuity were extracted from patients' folders. The data was analyzed by SPPS version 18.Results: 78 cases of congenital eye/adnexal malformations were recorded during the study period. There were equal numbers of males and females (39 each). Most of the patients were 1year and above (57.7%) at the time of diagnosis. Both eyes were involved in 54 (69%) patients and right eye were 17 (22%). The common congenital eye/adnexal defects identified were congenital ptosis 12 (15.4%), glaucoma 10 (12.8%) and esotropia 9 (11.5%). Majority of the mothers were between 21 and 25years of age (65.4%) as at the time of giving birth to these patients.Conclusion: Congenital ptosis and glaucoma were the commonest types of congenital eye/adnexal defects seen in this environment. These defects were important causes of poor vision and blindness. Parents/caregivers and health professionals awareness on examination, early presentation and treatment is highly required.Keywords: Congenital eye/adnexal malformations, paediatric, parent/caregive

Geothermal Energy Potential of the Chad Basin, North-Eastern Nigeria

In this research paper, the sub-surface heat flow of a part of the Chad Basin, in North eastern Nigerian was estimated using spectral analysis. This was obtained from twenty (20) digitized High Resolution Aeromagnetic (HRAM) data sheet covering the study area. Regional-residual separation using first order polynomial fitting method with three coefficients was carried out on the data map before the application of statistical spectral analysis. Result shows that the centroid depth varies between 9.39 km and 18.31 km. The depth to the Curie temperature isotherm varies between 15.14 km and 33.46 km below the mean sea level. It was also found that the Curie temperature isotherm within the basin is not a horizontal level surface but an undulating surface with geothermal gradients and heat flow ranging between 15.77 and 38.31°C/Km, and 39.41 and 95.77 mWm-2 respectively. Thus, the calculated average geothermal gradient and heat flow for this area are 23.39°C/Km and 58.47 mWm-2 respectively. Since average heat flow in thermally normal continental region is 60 and the values in excess of 80 mWm-2 – 100 mWm-2 are associated with anomalous geothermal conditions, hence the study area can generally be considered as a thermally normal region. But, the northeastern part of the study area with values in excess of 80 mWm-2 is recommended for further investigationKeywords: Geothermal energy, Spectral Analysis, Chad Basin. Curie point dept

Hepatotoxicity of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Bridelia ferruginea on the Liver of Albino Rats

The hepatic effect of aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea leaves on the liver of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) was investigated. The rats were fed with their feed (pellets) and clean water and were left for a period of four weeks to acclimatize to their new environment and thereafter the experiment commenced. The rats were grouped into four groups; the control group which did not receive the extract at all and three other groups according to dose of extracts administered orally. There was a steady increase in weight in both control and treated group in the treated group. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration was a mean value of  10.4 +1.0U/I for the control group while the treated groups were 38.1 + 3.8U/I, 57.7 + 19.3U/I, and 77.6 + 6.0U/I (at the doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg weight/day) respectively. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration had a mean value of 11.5 + 0.5U/I for the control group and 45.6 + 1.3U/I , 44.6 + 4.1U,  41.5 + 2.4U/I  and 50.5+3.3 UI (at the doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200mg/kg weight/day).The transaminases (AST and ALT) are well known enzymes used as biomarkers to predict possible toxicity to the liver. Possible damage to liver cells resulted in elevation of both these transaminases in the serum. Furthermore, measurement of enzymatic activities of AST and ALT is of clinical and toxicological importance as changes in their activities are indicative of liver damage by toxicants or in diseased condition. Histological section of the control group had a normal architecture were the central veins,portal traits hepatocytes and sinusoids appear normal. The lobula unit is also well define. However, group rats treated with 50mg/kg/bw and 100mg/kg/bw showed disintegration of the hepartic cells represented by the separation and disruption of these cells in the tissue with karyolitic nuclei. Also, in rats group treated with 150mg/kg/bw showed extensive area of patchy and confluent hepatocyte necrosis and lobular inflammation Keywords: Hepatotoxicity, Bridelia ferruginea,Albino rat

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in drinking water due to mining and smelting activities in Ajaokuta, Nigeria

Mining and smelting activities are the main causes for the increasing pollution of heavy metals from water sources. The toxicity of these heavy metals from the mining, milling and smelting companies can cause harmful and even lethal effects on the human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of As, Cr, Zn, Mg, Fe, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ag and Mn in well and tap water and assess the degree of pollution in the study area. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry investigation was carried out on 60 samples of water (Well and Tap) collected within and outside the mining and smelting area of Ajaokuta to determine the extent of these heavy metals contamination in their drinking water. The data of heavy metal concentrations reveal that the area has been slightly contaminated with the heavy metals, with As and Cr having the highest level of contamination. Correlation analysis between the selected heavy metals was conducted to further investigate the relationship between the metals. The result shows that these selected metals have common pollution sources related to the mining and smelting activities in the area.Keywords: Heavy metals, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), smelting, pollution, well wate

Optimization of bacteria pectinolytic enzyme production using banana peel as substrate under submerged fermentation

The investigation was based on optimizing the cultural conditions of bacteria pectinolytic enzymes indigenous to soil of banana peel dump site. Optimization of cultural conditions was carried out by changing the physico-chemical environment such as pH, temperature, inocula size and substrate concentration of the production medium by testing for one factor at a time. Highest pectinase activity was observed at pH 6.0 which gave 1.455±0.095 U/mL and 1.695±0.01 U/mL for Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106 respectively. The optimized temperature for better yield was obtained at 370C with 0.955±0.006 U/mL for Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 and 1.098±0.012 U/mL for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106. Lactose yielded 1.655±0.046 U/mL and NH4Cl 1.603±0.005 U/mL activity for Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3, while maltose yielded 1.343±0.062 U/mL and KNO3 1.075±0.077 U/mL activity for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106. Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 produced best at 72 h of incubation giving 1.275±0.006 U/mL and at 36 h incubation for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106 giving 1.345±0.033 U/mL activity. Bacillus subtilis TYg4-3 yielded 2.083±0.008 U/mL and 2.015±0.036 U/mL at 1.5% and 2.0% of inoculum size and substrate concentration respectively. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SW106 produced best enzyme activity at 2.0% of inoculum and substrate concentration and gave 2.193±0.175 U/mL and 2.256±0.067 U/mL enzyme activities respectively

Cost-effectiveness of pin-in-fibreglass cast versus Kirschner-Ehmer type I external skeletal fixator in the management of transverse radius-ulna fractures in dogs

The cost of medical care is an important issue all over the world. With worsening global economy and the poverty inherent in low earning  economies in the third world countries, economic considerations have always remained a major determinant factor in the choice of treatment. In this study, the cost-effectiveness of pin-in-fibreglass cast fixator (PFCF) was comparatively evaluated against a commercially available fixator  (Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixator) (KESF) in the management of induced closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Four adult (2 males and 2 females) dogs with closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures were used for this study. These dogs were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. Radius-ulna fractures were created in all the dogs under injectable anaesthesia as follows: Group A; PFCF, and Group B; KESF. A cost analysis was performed using the duration of operative and post-operative procedures, duration of morbidity period, direct and indirect labour cost, and cost of dog-hour lost during the morbidity period as economic indices. The overall duration of the operative and the entire post-operative procedures were 5.5±0.14 and 22±0.21 hours (1:4.4) for PFCF and KESF (P>0.05) respectively. The morbidity period was 9 and 8 weeks for PFCF and KESF respectively. The average cost of medical care (in 2015 $1 US ≈ N198 Nigerian Naira) was$81.8 and $294 (1:3.6) for PFCF and KESF respectively. The cost benefit analysis based on the economic loss due to dog-hour lost during the morbidity period were$990. 9 and $1103 (1:1.1) for PFCF and KESF respectively. In conclusion, PFCF is faster and easier to perform, and more economical than the KESF technique despite the longer morbidity period associated with it. This is accounted for by the lower cost of fixative and hospital charges.Keywords: Dog, Cost effectiveness, Pin-in-fiberglass cast, Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative, Radius-ulna, fracture

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Nigerian polyherbal-based hydrotherapy: a panacea to infectious diseases

A global society, including developed countries, continues to struggle with fatal diseases that are difficult to treat with Western medicine. A variety of infectious diseases have existed for ages, but in Africa they had been limited thanks to the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) prior to the introduction of cosmopolitan medicine. Influenza virus repression has been demonstrated by a number of herbal antivirals, yet the invaluable therapeutic potential of herbal medicine has been underestimated. Despite various reliable methods offered by Western medicine, the globally destructive COVID-19 pandemic requires a successful fight. The wisdom of African IKS used in tackling epidemics that have broken out in the past is brought to mind again. Pneumonia – a COVID-19 symptom, could be treated with polyherbal fomentation. Selected plants cultivated across Nigeria for hydrotherapy are under consideration to be used in proper doses. Given the potential associated with IKS, a multi-disciplinary approach involving experts in phytomedicine, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, plant physiology and ecology is necessary to unlock the therapeutic potential of traditional medicine

In-Vitro Susceptibility of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis to Extracts of Uvaria Afzelli Scott Elliot and Tetracera Alnifolia Willd

Tuberculosis is a global burden with one –third of the world’s population infected with the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis and an annual 2 million deaths from the disease. This high incidence of infection and the increased rate of resistant strains of the organism (MDR- and XDR- TB) have called for an urgent need to develop new anti-tuberculosis drugs from plants. The crude extract of Uvaria afzelli Scott Elliot (Annonaceae) root bark, and leaves and root bark of Tetracera alnifolia Willd. (Dilleniaceae) were investigated for anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity using the MABA assay method. Anti- Mtb activity was determined against Mtb H37RvATCC 27294 at concentrations of 100- 0.390μg/mL. The hexane and chloroform extracts of the root bark of Tetracera alnifolia and the chloroform extract of Uvaria afzelli had anti- Mtb activity with MIC <100 μg/mL. Phytochemical screening for secondary metabolites revealed the presence of tannins, triterpenoid saponins, cardiac glycoside and alkaloids. The anti- Mtb activity demonstrated by the crude extracts is attributed to the presence of tannins and other secondary metabolites which are known to have strong antimicrobial activity. The results therefore support the local use of Uvaria afzelli and Tetracera alnifolia in the treatment of cough associated with tuberculosis and other microbial infections of the respiratory tract and suggest that these plants may be of therapeutic importance in the treatment of tuberculosis