Aetiology and Patterns of Implant Failure Following Fracture Fixation in a Developing Country

Background: Implant failure is traumatic for patient as it increases the cost of treatment and may negatively affect the confidence of patients in the superior outcome of operatively treated fractures. Hence the objectives for this study were to determine the proportion of implant fixations that fail, types and causes of implant failure in our practice.Methods: A retrospective study conducted at a tertiary health institution, South west, Nigeria. Data of patients who presented with implant failure following fracture management between 2006 and 2011 were reviewed. Outcome measures were type and causes of implant failure. Data wereanalyzed using SPSS 16.Results: A total of 349 patients had implant fixation done following fracture during the study period of which 19 (5.4%) had failure of their implant. The commonest type of failure was a broken implant while the commonest cause for implant failure was non union 9 (47.4%) which resulted in fatigue failure of implant.Conclusions: We recommend adherence to principles of internal fixation. Education of our patients with regards to compliance with instruction will also go a long way in reducing the rate of failure.Keywords: Internal fixation; Fractures; Implant failur

Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of four species of Cola Schott & Endl. (Sterculiaceae)

The in-vitro antimicrobial evaluation of ethanol extracts of four species of Cola Schott & Endl. was done using human isolated strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger as test organisms. The assays were carried out by agar well diffusion, erythromycin and ketoconazole served as the control drugs. The leaf ethanol extracts of the plants were found to be more effective against the tested fungi than the bacteria at high concentrations. None of the extracts was active against Staphylococcus aureus. Plant extract of C. acuminata (P.Beauv.) Schott & Endl. and C. nitida (Vent) Schott & Endl. showed activity on S. albus at concentrations ranging from 10-150 mgmlˉ¹ having comparable diameters of zone of inhibition of 7.3±0.03-16.0±0.0 for C. acuminata and 10.0±0.0-19.0±0.0 for C. nitida. Also, these two species of Cola demonstrated activities on C. albicans and A. niger at concentrations ranging from 90-150mgmlˉ¹ with relatively close diameters of zone of inhibition. Only C. acuminata inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae at the MIC of 90mgmlˉ¹ whereas, C. albicans was inhibited by C. acuminata, C. millenii K. Schum and C. gigantea A.Chev. at the MIC of 120mgmlˉ¹. Phytochemical screening of the four species of Cola showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and cardenolides in all the plants which apart from showing the probable closeness of the species could also be responsible for the observed activities. The antimicrobial property shown by the plant extracts is an evidence of the ethnomedicinal uses of the plants. The similarity observed in the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities demonstrated by C nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl., C. millenii and C.gigantea A. Chev. and C. acuminata suggest a probable closeness among these species. The results obtained in this study provide preliminary evidence of the chemotaxonomic significance of secondary metabolites and antimicrobial activities in infra-generic taxonomy of species of Cola.Key words: Cola species, Sterculiaceae, phytochemical screening, antimicrobial studies, taxonomy

Characterisation of Agbabu Natural Bitumen and Its Fractions Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry

Physico-chemical characterization of bitumen is very germane to its applications. There have been many physico-chemical investigations on Agbabu natural bitumen (ANB), but there appears to be some discrepancies in the results of some of the findings. Thus, the need to re-examine some of the physico-chemical parameters of the ANB. Raw sample of ANB was obtained from one of the observatory wells in Agbabu, Ondo State, Nigeria. The sample was dehydrated, purified and asphaltene component precipitated through addition of n-pentane to the sample. The maltene component was fractionated into saturate, aromatics and resin using column chromatographic method. The purified ANB sample and its fractions were each subjected to infrared analysis. In addition, the elemental composition and trace metals in the whole purified ANB were quantified using CHNS-O Analyzer (FlashEA® 1112) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) respectively. Infrared spectral features obtained for the whole bitumen and its fractions bear a good degree of resemblance to the results of earlier workers on the subject with some minor differences. The values obtained for structural indexes from Infrared (IR) spectra showed that all the fractions contained branch and straight chain hydrocarbons. The structural indexes also showed that asphaltenes and resin fractions are strongly polar, both of which contain hetero–atomic compounds. Results of compositional analysis are: C (86.62%), H(10.98%), S (0.92%) N (0.48%), O (0.83%), Maltene (78.34%) aand Asphaltene (21.67%). The concentrations of the trace metals are: Mg (792.00 ppm), Mn (28.40 ppm), Fe (3633.10 ppm), Ca (1082.10 ppm), Zn (17.50 ppm), Cu (17.90 ppm), Cr (153.90 ppm), Pb (93.78 ppm), Ni (103.65 ppm), V (156.53 ppm) and Na (3740.00 ppm). Results of compositional and trace metals analyses of this study are at variance with the earlier results on characterization of ANB in the literatures. The differences in the results might be attributed to variation in the method of sample preparation especially the inclusion of dehydration of the raw ANB in the purification step prior to characterization as introduced in this study. Keywords: Aromatics, Asphaltenes, Agbabu Natural Bitumen, IR, Resins, Saturate

An integrated manufacturing strategy for implementation of lean manufacturing, six sigma and cadcam methodologies in a small medium manufacturing environment (SMME).

The world is changing rapidly for the engineering community. Sustainability in every sense has become the watchword¿in terms of product manufacture and performance, and responding to global market and environmental pressures. A well thought-out manufacturing strategy can help organisations make choices that support its overall business objectives, respond to new opportunities and challenges as they arise. However, manufacturing strategy configuration and deployment in SMME¿s is a neglected field in manufacturing strategy literatures. More importantly, the application of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and CIM strategies are said to be more applicable to batch production environments and large manufacturing organisations but not to SMMEs that operates a job shop type operating characteristics and with limited resource availability. With recognition that most of these methodologies were originally conceptualised and implemented in large manufacturing environments with batch and flow type manufacturing architecture, the need to develop solutions specific to SMME¿s with job shop type operating characteristics (tooling reclamation industry in particular) is imperative. The fundamental essence of this research is the development of an integrated manufacturing strategy which is based on Lean-Six Sigma-MRP-CADCAM methodologies at the case company. The framework for deploying this strategy is based on inputs from a business environment analysis, a lean strategic planning module (based on production planning and manufacturing/product cost structure analysis) and a lean resource planning interface that is predicated on value stream analysis and simulation models. The material and information flows of the case company manufacturing systems were studied. The approach taken emphasis the well know value engineering concepts of multiple-stage manufacturing system accumulating costs/time between individual stages as well as by transfer/material handling and work-in-process. The study shows that maximisation of capacity and resource utilisation, queue less work flow and flexible labour policies that support the case company¿s manufacturing system offer potential for reform which can substantially enhance customer service, product quality and overall improvement in investment returns.NTR Ltd and KTP programm

Seismic Attribute Analysis for Prospect Delineation in ‘TMB’ Field, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

The ‘TMB’ Field was evaluated to detect hydrocarbon prospects for the purpose of increasing production volume using seismic attribute analyses. A total of eight sand tops were correlated across the Wells and faults orientation with significant displacement were picked across the field. Three horizons (Res. E, Res. H and Res. J) were used to generate the time maps which were converted to depths by a polynomial function from Time-Depth relationship. Two of the faults are major syn-tectonic growth faults that divides the field into three Fault Blocks (FB1, FB2 and FB3). Seismic attributes (Average Energy, Root Mean Square (RMS), Sweetness and Relative Acoustic Impedance (RAI)) amplitudes were examined to identify hydrocarbon prospect in the reservoirs. An area of interest (prospect) in one of the Fault Blocks (FB3) revealed attribute amplitude responses that suggest the presence of hydrocarbon was identified. The extracted attribute from Average energy, RMS and Sweetness attributes showed high amplitudes similar to attributes obtained from areas around Well log locations (proven area). Normal curves from attribute’s histogram distributions support hydrocarbon presence in FB3. The observed prospects are vertically stacked with fault-dependent anticlinal closures that serves as trap within the FB3 fault block

Effects of Garlic Feed Inclusion on Experimental Salmonella gallinarum Infection in Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Garlic is a spice and herbal medicine with antibacterial, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. In view of global demand for reduction in antibiotic use in poultry production, the potential of garlic at controlling fowl typhoid was investigated. Day-old (75) broiler chicks were separated into groups A, B, C, D and E of fifteen each, placed in cages for brooding and administered 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0% and 0.125% garlic-meal, respectively, in feed. At 9 week-old, each chick in groups A, B, C and D were inoculated with 8x106 cfu/ml PBS of Salmonella gallinarum, orally, while those in Group E were given PBS only. Up till 10 days post-infection (pi), clinical signs were scored from 1-3 based on degree of severity i.e. 1(mild), 2 (moderate) and 3 (severe). Mortality and gross pathology per group were recorded. Samples from liver and gall bladder were harvested for bacterial re-isolation. Groups A, B and C showed mild diarrhoea while group D showed in addition, anorexia, ruffled feathers and unthriftiness. Diarrhoea in groups A and B spanned days 2 -7 pi, group C on day 3 pi while in group D, days 1-10 pi with increasing degree of severity. Total diarrhoea scores were 6(A), 4(B), 1(C), 23(D) and 0(E) while mortalities were 2(A), 0(B), 2(C), 4(D) and 0(E). Enlarged and congested/bronze-coloured liver, engorged gall bladder and catarrhal enteritis were observed in carcasses. Colonial and cellular morphology of re-isolated bacteria were typical of S. Gallinarum. Garlic-meal ameliorated the effects of S. Gallinarum infection with the best result at 0.25%. Keywords: broiler chickens; antibacterial; fowl typhoid; Garlic; Salmonella gallinaru

Reasons Why Trauma Patients Request for Discharge against Medical Advice in Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha

Background:The aim of this study was to find out the reasons why trauma victims with Orthopaedic injuries take their discharge against medical  advice.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted on Trauma victims  presenting to the Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha who took their discharge against medical advice (DAMA) over a 2 year period. A questionnaire was designed that was used to retrieve information on the patients biodata, their injuries and the reasons why they DAMA.Results: A total of 49 patients were interviewed over this period. The mean age of the patients was 36.7 years. Students (22.4%), traders (20.4%) and artisans (24.5%) were commonly involved in this practice. Eighteen (36.7%) of the respondents claimed to have taken DAMA due to hospital cost, 18 (36.7%) also DAMA because of their believe in Traditional Bone Setters. Eleven patients (22.4%) simply said they want treatment near home while one patient each gave the fear of amputation and hospital protocol as their reasons for DAMA.Conclusion: Cost of treatment and believe in traditional bone setters were the 2 main reasons why most patients with fracture DAMA. Measures to reduce the cost of treatment and patient’s education about the dangers with unorthodox treatment of fractures and dislocations should help to reduce this behaviour

Comparing the random blood glucose level in patients with single and multiple long bone fractures

Background: Long bone fractures either single or multiple present frequently to the emergency. The metabolic response to trauma elicits various markers amongst which is hyperglycaemia. Determination of hyperglycaemia in these two sets of patients is however yet to be fully evaluated.Objective: To compare the random blood glucose levels in patients with single and multiple long bone fractures.Design: Prospective comparative cross-sectional studySetting: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun state Nigeria.Patients and Methods: Ninety cases of patients with traumatic single and multiple long bone fractures had their random blood glucose levels evaluated at three different times and were all treated.Main Outcome Measure: Random blood glucose level before,during and after resuscitation.Results: Ninety patients were recruited into the study with 65 and 25 of them having single and multiple long bone fractures respectively. Young males with closed Tibia fractures following road traffic accidents accounted for majority (30%) of the single fractures while those with floating knee accounted for the majority (8.8%) of multiple long bone fractures. The mean Random blood glucose at presentation, 12 hours and 24 hours after presentation were 7.7,7.1 and 5.9 (mmol/l) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the random blood glucose levels between patients with single and those with multiple long bone fractures.Conclusion: Patients with multiple long bone fractures appear to mount a higher metabolic response to trauma. Hyperglycaemia can be reduced with prompt and adequate resuscitation. Thus routine random glucose checks for all trauma patients should be done and serve as marker for injury severity and adequacy of resuscitation.Keywords: Random Blood Glucose, Single and Multiple Long Bone Fracture

Effect of Moringa oleifera flower fortification on the nutritional quality and sensory properties of weaning food

Moringa oleifera is a nutrient rich plant that has the potential to combat malnutrition problems in Africa. This study aims to investigate the effect of fortification using Moringa oleifera flower powder on the sensory and proximate attributes of fermented yellow maize and millet blend (Ogi). The formulation was grouped into seven blends in ratio 100:0:0, 70:30:0, 70:25:5, 70:20:10, 70:15:15, 70:10:20, 70:5:25 for maize, millet and Moringa oleifera flower powder (MOFP) respectively. Moringa oleifera flower was air-dried for 5days, milled and sieved to obtained fine powder. The fine powder was mixed thoroughly with fermented maize and millet, wet milled and sieved. The proximate composition of fermented yellow maize and millet (Ogi) fortified with Moringa oleifera flower powder showed an increase in crude protein, crude fibre, ash and fat with increase in the levels of Moringa oleifera flower powder and decrease in carbohydrate and moisture content. Moisture, protein, fibre, fat, ash and carbohydrate contents varied in the range 7.92-9.74%, 10.46_16.06%, 2.31-4.13%, 2.90-4.07%, 1.23-1.93% and 66.45-73.25% respectively. Sensory evaluation shows that blend 6 (20% MOFP) compared favourably with the control. Also, nutritional analysis shows that blend 6 is favourable as weaning food. Therefore, blend 6 formulation can be used as alternative to the weaning foods to improve the nutritional status of children and help to curb protein malnutrition