Environmental cadmium exposure: a possible factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Cadmium is a toxic metal, an environmental contaminant and a multi-organ poison which has been implicated in the derangement of a number of biological and molecular systems. Exposure to cadmium is a serious global health threat particularly in developing countries and pregnant women are at great risk, This is because they have increased gastrointestinal absorption and retention of cadmium and the tendency for increased risk of complications owing to its toxic effects. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by the development of onset of hypertension and significant proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation or during labour and/or within 48 hours of delivery. This pregnancy-specific syndrome is a leading cause of maternal death particularly in developing countries. Several reports have provided evidence of remote association between preeclampsia and cadmium but the mechanism of the involment of this toxic metal in this disease is still surrounded with uncertainty. Some possible mechanistic pathways such as induction of oxidative stress, acting as an antimetabolite to zinc and deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms have been elucidated in this article may be interconnected, work synergistically or act independently. However, pertinent to understand them in a bid to possibly prevent the disease or forestall its devastating consequences. Environmental cadmium exposure may be considered a factor that merits further serious attention in the continuous search for the precise an etiology of preeclampsia particularly in developing countries that experience uncontrolled cadmium release into the environment

A Survey of Structural Design of Diagnostic X-ray Imaging Facilities and Compliance to Shielding Design Goals in a Limited Resource Setting

Purpose: To survey structural designs of x-ray rooms and compliance to shielding design goals of three x-ray imaging facilities. Methods and Materials: The survey was conducted in three radiodiagnostic centers in South East Nigeria, labeled X, Y and Z for anonymity. A stretchable non-elastic meter rule was used to measure x-ray room dimensions. A Vernier caliper was used to measure lead thickness while a calibrated digital survey meter Radalert 100x was used for radiation survey of controlled and uncontrolled areas. Simple statistical tools such as mean and standard deviation were used for analysis with the aid of Microsoft Excel version 2007. Results: Center X had a room dimension of 2.4 m × 2.1 m, Center Y had an x-ray room dimension of 3.6 m × 3.3 m, and Center Z had two x-ray rooms with identical dimensions of 6.3 m × 3.6 m. Measured exit radiation doses for controlled areas in all the centers were: 0.00152 mSv/wk; 0.00496 mSv/wk; 0.00168 mSv/wk; 0.00224 mSv/wk respectively. Lead was the common shielding material used. Conclusion: Based on the parameters studied, Center Z had the ideal room size and layout. Relative distances from the x-ray tubes to the nearest walls were not optimized in all the centers except in Center Z. Measured exit doses were within recommended limits except in Center Y. The location of the control consoles and measured doses were appropriate and within recommended design goals

The Practice of Universal Precautions against Body Fluid Borne Infection among Radiology Staff in Some Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Title: The Practice of Universal Precautions against Body Fluid Borne Infections among Radiology Staff in Some Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria. Objectives; The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practice of universal precaution against fluid borne infections among radiology staff in northern Nigeria teaching hospitals to elicit responses to questions regarding their knowledge and practice of universal precaution. Methods: A prospective cross sectional study using structured questionnaire was conducted among radiology staff practicing in teaching hospitals in northern Nigeria. The questionnaire was sent out by post and the response rate over a period of two months period was 52.5%, (n=63).  Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency and percentages were generated using statistical package for social sciences (spss) version 14.0. Result; Results show that 95.3%, (60) of the radiology staff come in contact with body fluid in their work while 87.3%, (55) have good knowledge of universal precaution. There were 72.7%, (46) of the studied staff who practice universal precaution. Only 41.3%, (26) of the staff use the incident reporting system when exposed to patients body fluid. It also found managements laxity in providing all necessary personal protective equipment such as gloves, mask, goggles, and aprons. Conclusion: This study found radiology staff of teaching hospitals in northern Nigeria have satisfactory knowledge of universal precaution which is not matched by practice. Keywords:Universal Precautions, Fluid-borne Infection, practice, Radiology, Knowledg

Correlations Between Relative and Absolute Prepandial Gallbladder Lengths with Motility Indices: A Pilot Based Cohort Study

Aim: To establish a correlation between absolute and relative preprandial gallbladder lengths with gallbladder motility indices. Methods: Sixty-one volunteers (thirty-seven males and twenty-four females) underwent serial ultrasound scanning. The lengths width and anterposterior measurements of the gallbladder were taken with a 3.5MHz sector transducer in preprandial and 20th minute postprandial states. Gallbladder volumes were calculated by ellipsoid approximation. The 20th minute contraction index (Cl) and gallbladder emptying rate (GBER) were computed. Age and height of the patients were equally recorded. Parametric statistical analysis was used with