Prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in Abarma village, Gusau, Nigeria: A preliminary investigation

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity ofurinary schistosomiasis in Abarma district of Gusau Local GovernmentArea of Zamfara State, Nigeria. A total of 400 urine samples were collected and analyzed for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium using the standard filtration technique out of which 296 (74.0%) were found to be infected. The mean egg intensity of infection was 77.63 eggs/10ml of urine. The infection rate was higher among males 81.7% than the females 68.6%, although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The males had higher mean egg intensity of 139.36 eggs/10ml of urine compared to the females with 38.16%eggs/10ml of urine. The highest infection was recorded in the age group 10-19 years, with 86.8% and egg mean intensity of 102.7 eggs/10ml of urine while the least infection rate occurred within the 30- 39 years and 50-59 years age groups, with 55.0 and 50.0 eggs/10ml of urine respectively indicating infection to be age specific (p < 0.05). Statistical analysis indicated the infection to be higher in lower age  group (p < 0.05). With respect to occupation, students were the highest infected (87.65%), followed by farmers (85.7%), traders (75.0%), housewives (58.7%) and civil servants (12.5%). Prolonged contact with water was a factor aiding infection as the people engaged in farming had the highest infection rate of 100.0% while those that went to the river to fetch water had the least infection rate of 52.7%. Those thatwent to the river for fishing had the highest mean egg intensity of 112.18 eggs/10ml of urine, while the least mean egg intensity occurred among those that engaged in swimming with 32.13 eggs/10ml of urine. These findings indicate that the area is endemic to urinary schistosomiasis and therefore prompt intervention in the study area is needed

High-resolution spatial mapping of a superconducting NbN wire using single-electron detection

Superconducting NbN wires have recently received attention as detectors for visible and infrared photons. We present experiments in which we use a NbN wire for high-efficiency (40 %) detection of single electrons with keV energy. We use the beam of a scanning electron microscope as a focussed, stable, and calibrated electron source. Scanning the beam over the surface of the wire provides a map of the detection efficiency. This map shows features as small as 150 nm, revealing wire inhomogeneities. The intrinsic resolution of this mapping method, superior to optical methods, provides the basis of a characterization tool relevant for photon detectors.Comment: 2009 IEEE Toronto International Conference, Science and Technology for Humanity (TIC-STH

Effects of Treated Wood Flour on Physico-Mechanical Properties of Filled Natural Rubber

Wood flour was crushed in to particle size and given two surface treatments each with alkali and 3-chloro-2 hydroxylpropyltrimethylammoniumchloride. The raw, alkali-treated and bonding agent treated fibers were used as natural rubber composites. The samples were used to produce fiber-reinforced natural rubber composite at varying filler loadings. Properties such as tensile strength, hardness and impact resistance of the composites were investigated. The tensile strength of the composites varied such that both the alkali-treated and cationized fillers recorded higher values than the untreated fillers. The impact strength and hardness properties were also found to be better in the modified than the untreated ones. This work has shown some general improvements arising from causticization and cationization of cellulosic filler as reinforcing material for natural rubber.Keywords: Cationization, Causticization, Mechanical properties, Natural rubber, Wood flour

A survey of opportunistic infections in HIV seropositive patients attending major hospitals of Kebbi state, Nigeria

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIV/AIDS related opportunistic infections from the patients attending the five major Hospitals in Kebbi State , which included Federal Medical Center (FMC), Birnin Kebbi, Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital (SYMH), Birnin Kebbi, General Hospital, Argungu (GHA), General Hospital , Yauri (GHY) and General Hospital , Zuru (GHZ). The screening for the HIV/AID was done using the Genic II HIV-1/HIV – 2 Test and the screening for opportunistic infections was done using thin and thick blood films, direct wet mount, formal ether concentration technique and modified Ziehl – Neelsen (ZN) technique. Microbial Pathogens were isolated through culture and identified through gram staining and biochemical tests. Out of the 1950 patients screened for HIV/AIDS infection, 606 (31.6%) were positive. Higher prevalence 195 (32.2%) was from FMC and the lowest from GHY 90 (15%). The result revealed that 374 (61.7%) of HIV/AIDS positive patients were also positive to one or more opportunistic infections. In this respect, higher prevalence of 32.3% was observed from FMC and the lowest was observed from SYMH with 13.9%. The result of the study also revealed the presence of malarial (Plasmodium) parasites with prevalence of (75.9%).The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) had the highest prevalence of 29.5%, SYMH, 21.7%, GHA, 17.2%, GHY, 16.1 and lastly GHZ with 15.4%. There is therefore the need for urgent positive control programme of HIV and HIV related opportunistic infections. Keywords: Survey, opportunistic infections, HIV Sero positive, Kebbi State

Work related risk factors for lower back pain among nurses in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria-Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the work-related risk factors for Lower Back Pain (LBP) among nurses in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika - Zaria. The main objective of this Study is to determine the prevalence and duration of LBP as well as to identify the work-related risk factors associated with low back pain (LBP) among Nurses in ABUTH. This Study also examines the relationship between Socio-demographic characteristics of Nurses in ABUTH and development of LBP. The descriptive survey design was adopted and data were collected with help of pre-established Questionnaires. Multi-stage sampling method was used among nurses working in various departments/ units of the hospital. The Study sampled 120 Nurses of which 98 fully participated and filled the questionnaires completely. The major findings of this study were as follows: The cumulative point-prevalence of LBP among nurses was 82.7%. The duration of LBP among nurses were noted to be highest among those in pain for within 3 weeks (69.1%), this is followed by those whose pain is more than 12 weeks (12.3%). Risk factors associated with LBP were highest in lifting of patients or objects (90%), standing on duty (88.9%) and moving of heavy objects/equipments (81.5%). Furthermore, there were significant relationship between LBP and gender (X2 =3.77), and then LBP and Nurses’ Ward/Unit of work (X2 = 11.754). Therefore, it is recommended that efforts be made to prevent lower back pain among nurses working in ABUTH by implementing preventive measures using a multi-dimensional approach such as Sensitizing and encouraging nurses about using safe handling techniques while at work through workshops and use of posters, Training and providing manual laborers for transferring and lifting of patients, among others

Effect of shark cartilage derived protein on the NK cells activity

Context: Shark cartilage has been used for its beneficial effects on various diseases. There are evidences, that shark cartilage stimulates cellular and humoral immune responses, which makes it an anti-tumor and immunomodulator candidate. Objective: The immunostimulatory effect of shark cartilage derived proteins on the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells from healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was studied. Material and methods: The shark cartilage was extracted and its bioactive proteins were purified using ion-exchange chromatography (DE-52) and sequential fractionation on Amicon ultrafiltration membranes. The effect of each protein fraction on the modulation of cytotoxic activity of NK cells, as effectors, against K562, as target cells, was assayed by enzymatic lactate dehydrogenase test. Results: The most immunostimulatory effect on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells was observed for AR10 fraction, containing proteins with molecular weight of about 14.5kDa on the reducible discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Discussion: Among the examined shark cartilage derived proteins, the most immunostimulatory effects on the NK cells cytotoxicity was found for AR10 fraction with molecular weight of about 14kDa. We propose—the direct interactions of shark cartilage derived proteins with NK cells surface receptors may lead to the enhancing in the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Conclusion: Thus AR10 fraction, proteins of about 14.5kDa, has a novel immunostimulatory effect on the NK cells activity in vitro and if confirmed by in vivo trials, it may lead to its future clinical applications as, immunotherapy of cancer, HIV, and augmentation of host immune system related immunodeficiency disorders. Keywords: Immunostimulation, purification, shark cartilage, K562, NK cel

Pressure ulcer stages among bed-ridden patients in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria- Nigeria

This study was carried out to assesspressure ulcer stages among bed-ridden patients in Medical, Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic wards inAhmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Shika-Zaria. The main aim of this study is to determine the prevalence as well as the stages of pressure ulcers among bed-ridden patients and to assess the Nurses’ awareness and application of the awareness in the stage-based treatment of pressure ulcer in ABUTH. The descriptive survey design was adopted and data was collected with the help of questionnaire and observation checklist. A convenient sampling method was used among the bed-ridden patients and a single-stage cluster method was used among the nurses in the three wards. The study sample consisted of 51 Nurses whom answered a pre-established Questionnaire and 129 bed-ridden patients whom were observed using Observational Checklist. The Major Findings were as follows: the cumulative point prevalence of Pressure ulcer was noted to be 18.6% which is significantly high; Pressure ulcer stages were observed to be highest for Stages III (37.5%), and Stage IV (33.3%) which are the advanced stages, and then low in Stage II (20.8%) and Stage I (8.3%). Furthermore, 96% of Nurses were observed to be aware of pressure ulcer stages and 82% apply their awareness in the stage-based treatment of pressure ulcer. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of pressure ulcer among bed-ridden patients majority of which were the advanced stage of the condition. Therefore it is recommended that, use of a risk assessment tool such as theBraden Scale on admission will identify if the client has pressure ulcer or not, and if they do, at which stage, health care professionals should be more informed about secondary conditions that may occur in the course of patient’s stay in the hospital rather than emphasis only on primary condition that warranted admission, and patient’s relatives should be informed about the risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers since they are also fully involved in the care

Influence of Transformational Leadership on Knowledge Hiding: Mediating role of Organizational Psychological Ownership: A Propose Framework

Purpose: Research on knowledge hiding behaviour among employees in organizational is still in its infancy and remain scarce despite its prevalence and negative impact as reported by previous studies.Some of the possible suggested antecedents of knowledge hiding studied include trust, job characteristic, organizational culture, and work environment.Despite these studies, few have attempted to investigate the influence of transformational leadership on knowledge hiding behaviour.Furthermore, the mechanisms through which transformational leadership influences on knowledge hiding behaviour in organizations are not adequately investigated. Therefore, mediator variable is proposed.Findings: Based on transformational leadership theory and psychological ownership theory, this paper proposes that the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge hiding behaviour of employees in the organization could be mediated by organizational psychological ownership.Implications: Thereby the organization would contain employees that are motivated and behave positively towards organizational performance

Caesarean section at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital: a cross sectional study

Introduction: Caesarean section remains the most common major operation performed on women worldwide and the rate is increasing.The World Health Organization (WHO) consider caesarean section rate of 5-15% to be optimum.Objective: To determine the rate of caesarean section, major indications, pregnancy out-come and the complications.Subjects and Methods:This is a prospective study of all the cases of caesarean sections performed between 1st of January,2012 and 31th of December,2013 at UDUTH,Sokoto-Nigeria.The data were collated and analyzed using statistical soft package ware for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: A total of 4,115 deliveries were recorded during the study period and 435 of them (10.6%) were through caesarean section (CS). Emergency CS accounted for 65.1% of caesarean deliveries.The mean age was 28±6 years. Previous CS was the commonest indication for caesarean section (25.7%). Elective CS had better fetal outcome (t = 7.440,df =388.523,p < 0.001),while spinal anaesthesia was associated with less blood loss (t = 4.569, df=63.223 and p < 0.001) and better fetal outcome (t = 4.237, df = 57.224, p < 0.001).Anaemia (19.8%) was the commonest complications encountered in the post operative period.Conclusion: The CS rate from this study is within the WHO recommended rate. Previous CS was the commonest indication,the outcome was better among women that had elective CS under regional anaesthesia.Keywords: Caesarean section, CS rate, indication and outcom