Comparative Analysis of Adsorption of Methylene Blue Dye Using Carbon from Palmkernel Shell Activated by Different Activating Agents

Activated carbon was produced from palm-kernel shell using NaOH and KOH solutions as the activating agents. The same was tested to determine its adsorptive capacity and efficiency using methylene blue solution. Particle sizes of the produced carbon were in the range of 600 – 2000 μm. The adsorption process was carried out at two different temperatures using methylene blue as adsorbate. It was observed that adsorption of methylene blue dye using carbon activated impregnated with KOH gave better result than with NaOH. Based on the adsorption parameters obtained, the process was found to be better described by the Freundlich adsorption isotherm

Comparison of epineural or intramuscular nerve electrodes for stimulated graciloplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Two different techniques have been developed to stimulate the gracilis muscle when it is used in anal neosphincter reconstruction. These are direct neural stimulation and intramuscular electrode stimulation. The aim of this study was to compare these techniques. METHODS: Comparison was made of gracilis anal neosphincter reconstruction using neural stimulation (Royal London Hospital in the United Kingdom) with the intramuscular muscular method (University Hospital Maastricht in the Netherlands). The United Kingdom data were obtained from a retrospective database, whereas the Netherlands data were gathered prospectively. RESULTS: A successful outcome was achieved in 46 of 81 patients (57 percent) in London and 148 of 200 cases (74 percent) in the Maastricht study (chi-squared = 7.2; P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two techniques in voltage required for stimulation of the neosphincter muscle during a ten-year period. Reoperative surgery for electrode failure or dislocation was required in 21 (26 percent) patients in the London study, whereas only four (2.7 percent) of the Maastricht cases required such procedures (chi-squared = 37.8; P < 0.05). The high electrode plate failure rate in the London study was related to the source of manufacture. CONCLUSIONS: Both neural and intramuscular nerve techniques provide effective long-term stimulation of the gracilis anal neosphincter

PRESENTATION OF PRIMARY MEDIASTINAL MASSES IN IBADAN

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine clinical features, anatomic location and histological types of primarymediastinal masses diagnosed and treated in a black African population.Design: A retrospective study of clinical data collected from patients case notes, thecardiothoracic unit’s and pathology records between June 1975 and May 1999.Setting: University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria which hosts a major cancer center inthe West African sub-region, and serves community clinics.Patients: All patients with primary mediastinal masses referred for evaluation and treatment.Main outcome measures: Excluded metastatic, oesophageal and vascular- lesions. All patientshad radiological evalulation and tissue biopsies. The anatomic subdivision of the mediastinuminto anterosuperior, middle and posterior section was used.Results: One hundred and five consecutive patients were evaluated and treated. The meanage was 34.0 ± 20.4 years. There were 75 males and 30 females. Eighty one (77.1%) weresymptomatic, 24 (22.9%) were asymptomatic. Thirty seven (45.7%) of the symptomaticpatients had malignant disease while 44 (54.3%) had benign disease. Forty five patients(43%) and 60 patients (57%) had malignant and benign diseases respectively. Incidence ofsymptoms, was 82.2% for malignant and 73.3% for benign diseases. This difference inincidences is statistically insignificant (p=0.283). Majority of asymptomatic patients (70.8%)had benign disease while 29.2% of patients with malignancy were asymptomatic. Thisdifference in incidence was statistically significant (p=0.0039). The frequency of mediastinalmasses were anterosuperior, in 67 patients (63.8%), posterior mediastinal, 24 patients(22.9%) and middle mediastinal in 14 patients (13.3%). Lymphoma 23 (21.9%), thymusglands tumours 19 (18.1%) and endocrine tumours (goiters) 18 (17.1%) were the commonesttypes of primary mediastinal masses treated.Conclusion: Majority of our patients with mediastinal masses (whether benign or malignant)are symptomatic and the absence of symptoms is more associated with benign disease.Majority of lesions are situated in the anterosuperior mediastinum. Lymphoma is the mostfrequent primary mediastinal mass