Pseudophaeochromocytoma associated with Clozapine Therapy: a case report

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Awareness and Utilization of Birth Control Measures as a Means of Increasing Production Output Among Rural Women in Fishing Communities of Lagos State, Nigeria

In spite of women huge labour investment, rural women often get low agricultural production, less accruing returns, limited roles in decision making on the farms and lack of access to productive resources as a result of their multiple roles in the home. Nevertheless, to enhance the level of production of these women, their reproductive health needs to be taken seriously and one way to do that is through promotion of birth control practices that help to minimize manday losses during pregnancy period and burden of raising many children. Hence this study was carried out to look at Awareness and Utilization of Birth Control Measures (BCM) as a Means of increasing production output among Rural Women in Fishing Communities of Lagos State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select three hundred and thirty-one respondents in the coastal areas.  Data were collected with interview guide and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and linear regression analysis. Results of the study showed that the mean age of respondents was 40.1 years; 88.8% were married; 79.5% had formal education; 78.5% realized more than ₦31,000/month; 59.8% practiced nuclear family; and 63.4% had less than 4 children in their households. Also, 83.4% and 91.5% of the respondents were aware of traditional and modern methods of birth control measures respectively. But, 49.8% always used Combined Oral Contraceptives and 44.4% always used injectable contraceptives of modern birth control measures. Health Care Providers (85.5%), radio (66.5%) and television (81.3%) were the predominant sources of information on BCM in the coastal areas. Most of respondents strongly agreed that the use of BCM allows women’ notable participation in more fish processing activities thereby contributing significantly to women’ earning power (82.2%), and it reduces poverty by contributing to economy of the family, community and national level (75.5%). Similarly, production output was high after use of BCM (more than 10kg/day) than before use of BCM (less than 4kg/day). However, sexual displeasure from contraceptive use (92.4%), fear of side effect (83.7%), and fear of infidelity among women (25.1%) have been identified as most serious constraints to the use of BCM. Results of correlation revealed a significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and use of BCM in the study area at p < 0.05 level of significance. Linear regression indicated that utilization of BCM has significant influence on the production output of the respondents (t = 2.05, p = 0.04) at p < 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that use of BCM increase production output in the coastal areas. It is hereby recommended that Health Care Providers should keep on emphasizing the advantages of birth control measures to the fish processors to encourage them to adopt and use it. Keywords: Awareness, Utilization, Birth Control Measures (BCM), production output, Rural Wome

Characterization of Marble-Clay Composite as Alternative To Conventional Bricks in Building

The usability of marble as an additive material with clay in industrial brick has been investigated. Marble was collected from the marble deposit located at Igbeti (latitude 80 451 longitude 40 81 E.), and the red clay was collected at University of Ilorin, Ilorin (latitude 80 321 N and longitude 40 341 E), both in Nigeria. Marble and Clay were processed for the preparation of the composite. The two materials were mixed in varying proportion of marble, ranging from 0 wt. % to 45 %. The mixture was made into bricks with size 6.0 x 7.0 x 2.0 cm. Ten sample bricks of different marble composition were prepared. These bricks were compressed and heated at a temperature of 950 0C for 2 hours. Water absorption and thermal conductivity tests were carried out on the samples. It was observed that the amount of marble added had positive effect on the physical and mechanical strength of the produced brick. The results also show that increase in percentage of marble will be of good advantage in keeping the house warm during raining season as observed from the thermal conductivity test.Keywords: Marble, Clay, Physico-mechanical, Thermal conductivity, Water Absorptio

Effect of smoking, drying and the combination of smoking-drying on the nutritional and sensory attributes of catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Poor post harvesting technology such as handling, preservation and processing can lead to an unhealthy situation through massive spoilage and waste. This study assessed the effect of smoking, drying and the combination of smoking-drying on the nutritional and sensory attributes of catfish. Six kilograms of average fresh catfish were washed, eviscerated, drained, and divided into four portions of 1.5 kg each. Sample A served as control (fresh fish), while samples B, C, D were dried, smoked, dried and smoked fish respectively. Samples were analyzed using standard methods. The results of proximate analyses of samples showed that the moisture content ranged from 20.1 to 75.0 %, the protein content from 21.7 to 63.0 %, the fat content from 0.5 to 8.6 %, while the crude fibre ranged from 0.0 to 0.04 %. The total ash ranged from 1.1 to 4.9 %, while Carbohydrate (NFE) ranged from 0.1 to 3.5 %. Significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the free fatty acids and pH of sample C compared to other samples. The total plate count ranged from 2.4 to 4.3x10-5 CFU/g. The sensory attributes result showed that sample D was the most preferred and acceptable. The study showed that dried-smoked fish had a better quality and was more preferred for consumption than singly dried or smoked catfis

Disruptive Technology and Regulatory Response: The Nigerian Perspective

The mobile telecom industry is changing and the competitive landscape for mobile network operators has been disrupted. The industry is shifting from an environment characterized by reliability and scale of networks, to an environment where choice and flexibility of services are more prominent. These have changed the basis of competition and represents the shift from mobile telephony to mobile computing. However, new challenges are assumed to disturb the sustainability of telecommunication companies. Mobile phone companies are likely to be directly affected by rapid mutation occurred in consumers spending habits closely linked to a variety of technological innovation. Hence, this study examined disruptive technology and the Nigerian regulatory response. The study surveyed existing literature to situate this current study within the context of existing evidence. Also, brief articulation of the concept of disruptive technology, its presence in Nigeria and the country’s regulatory response as well as reactions thereto. A peep was also taken into the recently released Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the nation’s recovery and growth plan document put together by the Ministry of Budget and Planning, with respect to the technological breakthrough and projections for the country and the sort of regulatory framework required to effectively and successfully deliver on the same. The study concludes with a call for more regulatory activity to balance the competing interests in the society, yet focusing on the benefits such disruptions herald. Keywords: Disruptive technology, Innovation, Mobile phone, Over-the-top, Technology, Technology regulators, Telecommunication DOI: 10.7176/CEIS/12-1-06 Publication date: January 31st 2021

Effect of processing techniques on the overall quality attributes of cookies produced from jackbeans and wheat flour

The study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of heat processing on jackbeans, an underutilized legume. Raw and processed seed flour (roasted at 1200C for 10mins and pressure cooked for 10mins) produced from jackbeans were evaluated for its nutritional quality and antinutritional factors using standard methods. The nutritional qualities determined showed that sample with 20% pressure cooked jackbeans flour supplement has the highest amount of protein, fat, fibre and ash content, while the sample with 40% supplementation of pressure cooked jackbeans flour has the highest percentage of moisture content. The cookies produced from 100% wheat flour has the highest percentage of carbohydrate, while sample with 40% roasted jackbeans flour supplement has the highest percentage of concanavanine A. The antinutritional factors of the processed flours were found to be lower than the raw seed flour. Sensory qualities determined showed that sample with 20% of pressure cooked jackbeans supplement was rated high in terms of taste, aroma, texture, and overall acceptability, while cookies with 100% wheat flour was rated high 7.7 in term of colour. This study showed that thermal processing especially pressure cooking decreased the antinutritional contents of the jackbeans flour than other processing methods used

STUDIES ON THE ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTICORROSIVE PROPERTIES OF SYNTHESIZED HYBRID POLYURETHANE COMPOSITES FROM CASTOR SEED OIL

Castor seed oil (Ricinus communis) is a prominent feed stock towards the generation of renewable materials for industrial production. The reach presence of ricinoleic fatty acid at 87.5% provides pendant hydroxyl functional groups, which is an essential site for chemical formulations. This paper presents the synthesis, characterization, and evaluations on antibacterial and anticorrosive activities of synthesized hybrid composites from Ricinus communis seed oil. N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy ethyl)-12-hydroxy Ricinus communis oil fatty amide (HERCA) was synthesized via aminolysis polyol formation route. Upon reacting HERCA with succinic acid at a high temperature of about 145 ºC, a polyesteramide (RCPEA) was formed. This ester product undergoes urethanation and subsequently interfaced with modified hybrid material. The synthesized composites were characterized using spectroscopic methods such as FTIR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR. Selected physicochemical parameters were also carried out on the products. Coating performance on cured resins was examined

Effects of selenium supplementation on pregnancy outcome and disease progression in HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria: Study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies are common during pregnancy, especially in pregnant women from economically disadvantaged settings where diets with low content of minerals and vitamins are consumed. Selenium is a non-metallic chemical element of great importance to human health. This study will assess the effect of selenium supplementation on major pregnancy outcomes and disease progression among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving confirmed HIV-positive pregnant women at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) between September 2018 and February 2019. Eligible participants are HIV-infected pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years and have a singleton gestation at 14 to 27 weeks’ gestation. At enrolment, 90 women will be randomly assigned into each intervention arm to receive either a daily tablet of 200 μg elemental selenium or placebo. Relevant participants’ data will be collected at enrolment and at delivery. Statistical analyses will be carried out using SPSS version 23.0 for Windows. The associations between any 2 groups of continuous variables will be tested using the t test or the Mann-Whitney U test and that of 2 groups of categorical variables with chi-square or Fishers exact test where appropriate. A series of multivariable analyses will also be carried out to identify and control for several possible confounders of the major pregnancy outcomes and HIV disease progression. Statistical significance will be defined as P < .05. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the LUTH's Health Research and Ethics Committee (Approval number: ADM/DCST/HREC/APP/2438; 30th August 2018). Discussion: This trial will assess the effect of selenium supplementation on pregnancy outcome and HIV disease progression among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos. This will help to determine if routine selenium supplementation in HIV-infected pregnant women will contribute to the improvement in the major adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight and the HIV disease surrogate markers such as CD4+ cells count and viral load. Trial registration: PACTR, PACTR201809756724274. Registered on 3rd September 2018, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=3571

Establishing consensus among interprofessional faculty on a genderbased violence curriculum in medical schools in Nigeria: A Delphi study

Background. Gender-based violence (GBV), as a topic of medical study and practice, is an integral component of medical education in many developed countries. There is an increasing need to equip medical practitioners with appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills to care for victims of GBV.Objectives. To obtain consensus among stakeholders on content, the members of faculty who should teach the subject and the methods of training relating to GBV curricula in three medical schools in south-west Nigeria.Methods. Three rounds of the Delphi technique involving 52 experts from among academics, medical practitioners, government and non-governmental organisations were conducted. The first round (RD 1) was open-ended, while subsequent rounds were structured. Consensus was defined as a gathering around mean (&gt;3.5) responses with minimal divergence (standard deviation (SD) &lt;1.5) to the RD 2 questionnaire; strong consensus was &gt;4.0. For the RD 3, consensus was regarded as &gt;50% satisfaction with the rankings from RD 2. A strong consensus was taken as &gt;60% satisfaction.Results. Themes identified in RD 1 were: reasons for teaching GBV; teaching methods, strategies needed and departments best positioned to teach it; professions to involve in training; academic level to offer training; and strategies to assess effective training. From RD 2, the topics ranked highest for inclusion in training were (mean (SD)): complications of GBV, 4.44 (0.63); and safety plan, 4.44 (0.51). Offering training to final-year medical students was most preferred, at 4.25 (1.13); for teaching methods, using videos for training, at 4.63 (0.89), was ranked highest, followed by information, education and communication materials, at 4.50 (0.82). Discussion with victims ranked highest as the most preferred format for teaching, followed by didactic lectures, at 4.06 (0.93) and 4.00 (0.89), respectively. The departments selected to teach GBV were Public Health, at 4.19 (0.91); Accidents and Emergency, 4.06 (0.85); Family Medicine, 3.81 (1.05); and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 3.81 (0.89). Other professionals suggested were psychologists, social workers and lawyers. With regards to assessment, written examination ranked highest, at 4.06 (0.85). RD 3 confirmed the rankings of RD 2 on all themes, and sought additional suggestions for the training. Most (82.9%) respondents had no additional suggestions; the few elicited included clarifying cultural misconceptions around GBV, involving religious leaders and psychologists, and the recommendation that the teaching should be sustained.Conclusion. These results will inform the development of evidence-based competencies relevant to healthcare providers in the African context. The need for periodic review of the curricula of medical schools to ensure that they address patient and societal needs is highlighted

Preparing medical students to recognize and respond to gender based violence in Nigeria

Background: Medical practitioners are ideally positioned to mitigate the impact of gender based violence (GBV) on the health of victims.  However, there is a lack of information on students’ ability and willingness to do so. Objective:  To identify factors which impact on students’ attainment of the knowledge and perceived ability to manage victims. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 388 (91.5%) final year medical students from three medical schools in South West, Nigeria.   Results: Students were knowledgeable on sexual (63.7%) and physical (54.6%) forms of GBV and unfamiliar with other forms. The mean scores for knowledge (7.1 ± 2.5 out of 11); attitude (52.6 ± 10.3 out of 80); personal comfort (44.1 ± 10.0 out of 65) and skills (3.1 ± 2.6 out of 7) were calculated.  Younger respondents, females and married students reported less skill to manage victims.  The location of school, previous training and personal comfort remained significant determinants of students’ self reported skills on GBV. Respondents with prior training on GBV and comfortable with managing patients, were four times more likely to perceive they were more skilled than their peers [AOR = 4.33, 95% CI: 2.37 – 7.90 and AOR 3.53; 95% CI 2.16- 5.78 respectively]. Conclusion: Formalised skills training on GBV is a necessity, especially for young, female students and training cannot be left to serendipity. The medical curriculum should be reviewed.Keywords: Undergraduate medical curriculum, gender based violence, violence against women, medical student perceptions, teaching and training undergraduate