Serum ferritin levels in children with malaria anaemia in Ibadan

This study assessed the serum ferritin levels in plasma samples from children (4 – 74 months old) admitted for malaria at the Adeoyo Maternity Hospital (Beere) Ibadan, Oyo State, using a sandwich-ELISA. These values were compared with malaria parasitemia, MSP-1 antibody titre and packed cell volume values previously obtained through standard methods. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS, Excel and Epi-Calc software. Results showed that theserum ferritin level in the population ranged in from 363ng/ml to 1000ng/ml, with a mean value of 630ng/ml. There was a negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and the packed cellvolume, and malaria parasitemia in the children; while the serum ferritin levels increased with increasing malaria antibodies. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of ferritin in anaemic and non-anaemic children. Serum ferritin concentration decreased with increasing age in children with malaria. Gender was found to have no significant association with serum ferritin levels in children with malaria anaemia

Evaluation of herbal ointment formulation of Milicia excelsa (Welw) C.C berg for wound healing

The wound healing effect of Milicia excelsa ointment was evaluated in three groups of rats using the excision wound model. Also the antibacterial effect of M. excelsa extract on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. The result of the study showed that the ointment of M. excelsa significantly enhanced wound contraction and epithelialization. The epithelialization time in the M. excelsa ointment treated group was significantly shorter than time of epithelialization in the base treated group. On day 7, wound sections of rats treated with M. excelsa ointment showed abundant neutrophils, few macrophages and few fibroblasts while in the base treated rats, abundant neutrophils, few macrophages and few fibroblasts were seen. By day 14, wound sections of M. excelsa ointment treated rats showed abundant fibroblasts, mild collagenization, moderate macrophages and vascularization whereas moderate neutrophils, few macrophages and few fibroblasts were seen in the sections of base treated rats. M. excelsa extract at 100, 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/ml inhibited the growth of S. aureus but not P. aeruginosa. In this study, daily application of M. excelsa ointment enhanced wound contraction, epithelialization and fibroplasia. These results provide scientific evidence showing the efficacy of M. excelsa leaves in wound healing.Keywords: Milicia excelsa, ointment, excision wounds, contraction, epithelializationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(21), pp. 3351-335

Parasites Associated with Sachet Drinking Water (Pure Water) in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria

A study to ascertain the parasites associated with sachet drinking water, (popularly called “Pure Water” in Nigeria), in Awka, capital of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria was conducted. This was in order to determine the safety and suitability of such water for human consumption. Sachet water is a major source of drinking water for low and middle class Nigerians. The increase in demand of this water has led to the proliferation of industries in this sector, because of the economic benefits derivable from the sale. Samples of differently packaged sachet drinking water were purchased from producers, distributors, marketers and hawkers. Samples were observed macroscopically and pH tested. Using a sterile syringe, 10mls of water was taken from each sample and centrifuged at 2,500rpm per minute. Sediments observed were placed on a glass slide and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective lens for a possible parasite ova or cyst. The surface of each sachet of the packaged drinking water was also washed thoroughly and the resulting water was centrifuged and observed microscopically. All the tested water samples met the W.H.O. recommended standard, of being colorless, tasteless, odourless with average pH of 6.93. No parasites were found in the water in the sachets but some parasites were found on the surfaces of the sachets. The surface of the sachets of the packaged water purchased from hawkers had the highest number of parasites {15 (41.7%)}. Identified parasites include cysts of Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.6%), hookworm (2.8), Trichuris trichuria (2.8%) and Giardia lamblia cysts (1.9%). Hawkers possibly play a very significant role (χ2 = 20.21, df =2,

Assessment of Mesophilic Co-Digestion of Cow Dung with Lemon Grass for Biogas Production

The scarcity of energy (fossil) and its attendant pollution menace have provided the avenue to consider alternative sources of energy. A study was carried out on the design and construction of an Anaerobic Digester system using 1mm galvanized steel for the production of biogas from co-digestion of Cow dung and Lemon grass sourced from the Zaria abattoir and the University campus respectively. The experiment lasted for 30 days using a 25-liter pilot scale anaerobic digester. A total of 0.146m3(0.100m3after scrubbing) were produced with a deviation and methane content of 0.003 m3 and 68.53% respectively. The cooking test carried out revealed that the scrubbed gas had higher cooking rates for both water and rice (0.10L/min and 0.0048kg/min respectively) than the unscrubbed gas (0.07L/min and 0.0034kg/min respectively while the biogas flow rate was 0.0049m3/min. An improvement of 42.86% and 41.18% was recorded for the cooking rates for water and rice respectively after the gas were scrubbed. The physico-chemistry of the feedstock in the digester revealed the digester temperature fluctuated between 280C and 36.70C while the pH of the medium fluctuated optimally between 5.81 and 7.73.The daily ambient temperatures varied from 31oC to 42oC. The research demonstrated that anaerobic co-digestion of cow dung with lemon grass produced a high quality biogas

COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS STUDY OF COMBINED ANTIHYPERTENSIVES FOR NIGERIAN PATIENTS

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the clinical and economic effectiveness of four combination antihypertensives recommended for Nigerians. Methods: An open, randomized, controlled, and longitudinal double-blind trial of four groups of antihypertensives combinations: Telmisartan/ chlorthalidone/amlodipine (TCA), TC, CA, and TA was conducted among hypertensive patients. The participants were recruited from three hospitals in Enugu, and randomly assigned to the study groups. The primary outcome for this study was blood pressure (BP) control, based on Joint National Committee-8 and cost per BP control. The secondary outcomes were cost per quality adjusted life years (QALY) and patients’ self-reported health status. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the 110 patients enrolled in the study, more than half were women (55.5%). The mean age of patients was 54.93±12.38. The enrollees had hypertension for over 9 years (9.17±8.40). About 77% of the patients completed the study in all the groups except for TA (66.7%). There was no difference in BP in all the groups at baseline and at end-of-study (p>0.050). However, the probability of BP control was highest in TCA group (0.37±0.01), followed by TC group (0.23±0.02). The TA group showed the most favorable cost per QALY, then CA, TC, and TCA in that order. The group with the most favorable cost per BP control was TCA (70.92±0.04), then TA (94.16±0.05). Conclusion: The triple combination therapy of TCA had the best cost per BP control in the management of hypertensive patients. It demonstrated the highest probability of BP control

Cocoa farmers’perception of Community Based Nursery Scheme: A case study of selected states in Nigeria

Nigerian cocoa production has declined compared to the existing situation before oil discovery in the early 1970s. This decline has been linked to the presence of old cocoa varieties on cocoa plantations and incidence of pests and diseases. Sustainable Tree Crop Programme (STCP)| -Nigeria established Community Based Nursery Scheme (CBNS) to encourage easy access to improved cocoa seedlings and community participation in nursery establishment and maintenance. This study aims at determining cocoa farmers’ assessment of the CBNS in selected states of Nigeria. The study revealed that many of the respondents (44.7%) were over 60 year. the mean age was 59.8 years, and 91.4% were married while 63.8% had formal education. On cocoa farming experience, 41.7% had more than 10 years cocoa farming experience, 41.7 owned 1-3ha of land, 16.6% had more than 15 hectares of cocoa farms. Respondents’ comparison of the scheme with the government nursery scheme revealed access to seedlings (33.3%), nursery sites closer to farmers (43.8%), CBNS allows for self improvement of participating farmers (8.3%) and group efforts/ formation encouragement (14.6%) as the advantages of the scheme over the government nursery scheme. The attitude of respondents towards the scheme revealed that 78.6% of the respondents have favourable  disposition toward the scheme. The inferential statistics show that  educational status (÷2 = 10.2, p = 0.002) had significant association withrespondents’ attitude towards the scheme, while size of farm and farming experience (p<0.05) had a significant relationship with the respondents’ attitude towards the scheme. It was concluded that the high positive  disposition of respondents shows that farmers would be willing to support the innovation if necessary support is given by the government and other stakeholders in the cocoa industry to scale up the idea.Key words: Cocoa, farmers, attitude, and community nursery scheme

Spontaneous Scrotal Enterocutaneous Fistula: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Background: Spontaneous scrotal enterocutaneous fistula(SSECF) is a rare entity both in our local and international literature.No report of such has emanated from south eastern Nigeria. Method: The case note of the patient was retrieved and relevant data extracted and summarized. An extensive pubmed search was done and results reviewed and compared with the present case. Result: The case report of the successful surgical management of a 7week male who developed right hemiscrotal SSECF as a result of neglected, irreducible right inguinoscrotal hernia is outlined. A review of current literature is also highlighted. Conclusion: Spontaneous scrotal enterocutaneous fistula is a very rare complication of neglected, irreducible, strangulated inguinoscrotal hernia. Treatment is invariably inguinal exploration, excision of diseased bowel with end to end anastomosis. Early detection and early repair policy will prevent this. Keywords: Spontaneous,scrotal,enterocutaneous fistul

Design and implementation of a smart card based billing system for petroleum dispenser

A smart card based billing system for petroleum dispenser is just one of the many ways in which smart cards can be employed to make commerce  efficient. It incorporates the use of smart card as its legal tender and a smart card reader embedded into the filling station dispenser design. The smart card reader processes the monetary information on the card, and then, based on that information authorizes the issuance of the product by the dispenser. It is designed in such a way that the monetary information is deducted in real time, and this is displayed by the display unit and the reduction in smart card credit is shown. Each time the transaction is completed, the smart card automatically is pulled out from the slot with the device refreshed using the refresh button. It is fully automated and needs little or no assistance from a human attendant. It is quite easy to use and greatly enhances transaction speeds at filling stations.Key words: smart card, fuel dispenser, billing system

Urine Bacteriology in Post-Kidney Transplant Patients with Double-J Stents

Background: Kidney transplantation is the gold standard treatment modality for patients with end-stage renal disease. Ureteric stenting is commonly used during kidney transplantation to reduce the incidence of ureteric complications post-transplantation. The presence of ureteric stents could be complicated by bacterial colonisation and urinary tract infections. Objective: To identify the urinary flora in patients with double-J stents following kidney transplantation and establish bacteria colonisation and their antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods: Over one-year, single urine samples of consecutive 100 post-renal transplant patients were subjected to bacteriologic analysis. Early morning midstream urine was obtained into a sterile bottle from all the participants for laboratory analysis. Results: The mean age of post kidney transplantation patients was 47.6 ±12.3 years. Hypertension and diabetes were the commonest co-morbidities associated with End-Stage-Renal-Disease (ESRD), accounting for 61% and 28%, respectively. E. coli was the commonest isolate (70.4%). Microbiological evidence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) revealed by pyuria (pus cells >4/HPF) was found in 40.9%. Tigecycline, nitrofurantoin and tetracycline showed the highest sensitivity pattern in 9%, 8% and 8%, respectively, with significant resistance against cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Conclusion: The fourth week of double-J ureteric stent insertion in kidney transplant recipients showed a high incidence of urinary bacterial colonisation