Exergetic analysis of breakfast cereal production in Nigeria

This work comprehensively studied energy and exergy analyses of breakfast cereal production in Nigeria. The process analysis method of energy accounting wa s used to evaluate the energy requirement for each of the five defined unit operations. The total energy used in the operation is 1,287.94 MJ. The types of energy used in breakfast cereal production were electrical, thermal and manual and the respective pe rcentages are 48.87%, 50.53% and 0.60%. It was estimated that an average energy intensity of 11.27 MJ/kg was required for the production of breakfast cereals. The most energy intensive operation was identified as the mixing operation followed by milling with energy intensities of 665.10 MJ/kg and 383.04 MJ/kg, respectively. The exergy analysis revealed that the roller dryer was responsible for most of the inefficiency (over 65.94%) followed by the wet mixer (27.40%). Suggestions for energy saving which will help in the reducing the high expenditure on energy and thus improve the profit margin were provided. Keywords : Energy, Exergy, Efficiency Breakfast Cerea

Hysterosalpingographic findings in infertility – what has changed over the years?

Background: Prior studies on Hysterosalpingography (HSG) have shown that pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) related tubal adhesions accounted for 30 – 50% of female infertility, with as high as 80% reported in some studies. With improved access tocontraceptives, antibiotics and promotion of safe practices, the abnormal findings in HSG may have reduced or altered.Objective: To document the imaging findings in the HSG of participants and to compare current findings with prior studies done nationally and internationally.Method: A retrospective evaluation of 974 HSGs done at the tertiary diagnostic center over a 7-year period was conducted and analyzed using diagnostic accuracy tables.Results: Tubal pathologies were the most common abnormality in this study, (35.1% of the cases), comprising tubal blockage and hydrosalpinges; followed by uterine masses seen in 223 (22.9%) of the clients. Tubal occlusion was higher in clients with multiple abnormal findings; .while normal sized and large uterine cavities had a higher percentage of bilateral tubal patency.Conclusion: Tubal factors remain the most common abnormality seen in the HSGs of infertile women in this study, though with lower prevalence compared with prior older studies. Forty seven (47%) of the cases of female factor infertility had normal HSGs with bilateral tubal patency.Keywords: HSG, infertility, female, Africa, tubal factors, uterine masses

Migrated IUCD Resulting In Increased Urinary Frequency

Missing Intrauterine contraceptive devices can migrate to various regions intra-abdominally. Plain radiography usually confirms that the devise is still within the abdominal cavity, while other specific studies may define its relationship with the organ imaged. This is a case of a Migrated IUCD resulting in urinary symptoms. Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 67-6

Clinical approach to non-responsive pneumonia diagnosed in the primary care office: a retrospective feasibility study

Background/significance: Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is commonly diagnosed in the primary clinical setting and often successfully treated. Treatment failures occur in 6-7% of patients treated in the ambulatory setting. However, the management of non-responsive pneumonia has been poorly studied and is not clearly understood. Purpose: The aim of our study was to determine the feasibility of use of the Aurora data warehouse to characterize clinical features and clinician approach to NRP. Methods: This is a retrospective study of medical records taken from the Aurora Health Care database based on ICD9 codes for pneumonia (codes 480-486). Patient visits from 10/5/2006 to 9/30/2011 were reviewed. Our initial target sample size was 200 cases and 200 controls. We requested records seeking a clinical or radiographic diagnosis of pneumonia, which was initially made in an outpatient setting or urgent care clinic by a primary care provider. We excluded individuals who initially presented to an emergency room or specialist. Cases were those patients diagnosed with pneumonia which failed to improve within 10 days of antibiotic prescription or worsened after the fifth day following the prescription of a course of antibiotics. Controls were those with acute pneumonia, not meeting NRP definition. Variables included: race, gender, age, smoking, co-morbid conditions, duration of cough, fever, antibiotics given, change in antibiotics, and type/ duration of symptoms. Categorical data were analyzed utilizing t tests and the Mann-Whitney test; categorical variables were analyzed by chi-square or Fischer exact tests. Statistical significant was defined as p values less than 0.05. Results: Review of 339 records revealed 15 cases of NRP and 13 controls. Duplicate cases accounted for 28/339, 153 records were non-pneumonia (frequently Chlamydia [code 1 digit off]) and 12 were unknown diagnosis. Excluded pneumonia cases included 68 incomplete records and 50 specialist/ED/hospital admission. Cases were younger than controls (59 vs. 46 years, p=0.02). There were no other significant differences. Sample size was limiting. Conclusion: Discrepancies in diagnosis and the incomplete records found in the data warehouse during this time period precluded efficient obtainment of adequate sample size for this study. Use of Smart Chart for data retrieval may significantly improve efficiency. Older age is a risk for NRP in this population

X-Ray Imaging Techniques Appraisal: Pathway to Sustainable Health Status

There is possibility for sustainable healthcare delivery through the implementation of periodic x-ray imaging techniques appraisal. The aim of this study is to evaluate the x-ray imaging techniques in the study area in order to promote sustainable health status of the populace. Data for this study was collected from 12 major healthcare institutions located in Southwest Nigeria using self-structured form. The study centres were designated using S1 to S12. The x-ray imaging techniques in the study area were radiography, computed tomography (CT), mammography and fluoroscopy. Radiography machine was available in all the study centres while 75 % of the centres had CT scanners, 50 % had mammography machines and 25 % had fluoroscopy machines. The x-ray imaging centre with the highest number of equipment is Centre S2 while Centre S6 has the least equipment. The outcome of this study implied that x-ray imaging techniques appraisal would boost procurement of more and newer equipment, enhance improved quality and efficiency of the x-ray equipment. Thereby, accord patients accessibility to all the benefits of the modalities x-ray imaging can provide; and consequently promoting patients health status. Hence, this study recommended the implementation of periodic x-ray imaging techniques appraisal

Subaortic annular left ventricular aneurysm: An unusual cause of aortic regurgitation

A subaortic left ventricular aneurysm in a 21‐year‐old white woman is described. The clinical features were those of moderately severe aortic regurgitation, and the chest x‐ray film showed cardiac enlargement with a bulge on the left heart border. Angiography confirmed the presence of gross aortic regurgitation and revealed an aneurysm behind the aortic root. At surgery, the aneurysm was found to be located below the aortic valve ring and communicated with the left ventricle through an ostium of 2.5 cm. Aortic valve replacement and closure of the aneurysmal ostium were carried out successfully

Hysterosalpingographic findings in infertility \u2013 what has changed over the years?

Background: Prior studies on Hysterosalpingography (HSG) have shown that pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) related tubal adhesions accounted for 30 \u2013 50% of female infertility, with as high as 80% reported in some studies. With improved access to contraceptives, antibiotics and promotion of safe practices, the abnormal findings in HSG may have reduced or altered. Objective: To document the imaging findings in the HSG of participants and to compare current findings with prior studies done nationally and internationally. Method: A retrospective evaluation of 974 HSGs done at the tertiary diagnostic center over a 7-year period was conducted and analyzed using diagnostic accuracy tables. Results: Tubal pathologies were the most common abnormality in this study, (35.1% of the cases), comprising tubal blockage and hydrosalpinges; followed by uterine masses seen in 223 (22.9%) of the clients. Tubal occlusion was higher in clients with multiple abnormal findings; .while normal sized and large uterine cavities had a higher percentage of bilateral tubal patency. Conclusion: Tubal factors remain the most common abnormality seen in the HSGs of infertile women in this study, though with lower prevalence compared with prior older studies. Forty seven (47%) of the cases of female factor infertility had normal HSGs with bilateral tubal patency. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.9 Cite as: Omidiji OAT, Toyobo OO, Adegbola O, Fatade A, Olowoyeye OA. Hysterosalpingographic findings in infertility \u2013 what has changed over the years? Afri Health Sci.2019;19(2): 1866-1874. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.

A survey of sub-specialty preferences of radiography students of the University of Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Technological advances and computing have expanded both the scope and capacity of diagnostic medical imaging (the radiography profession). This has created many diverse imaging modalities which in turn, have culminated in different sub-specialties in the profession. Objective: The aims of the study were to determine the level of awareness of imaging sub-specialties, preferred sub specialties and reasons for preferences of sub-specialties in senior level radiography students of the University of Lagos. Methods: The study was a prospective cross-sectional survey. Consents were obtained before the students were recruited for the study. Data Collection and Analysis: A questionnaire semi-structured in line with objectives of the study was used in data collection. A computer software Epi Info version 3.3 was used to analyze data while results were expressed as percentages of responses and were presented in tables and pie charts. Results : Greater than 90% showed awareness of sub-specialties in the radiography profession whereas 35% preferred ultrasonography to other sub-specialties. The least preferred sub-specialty was conventional radiography (4.3%). Remuneration (73.3%) and less physical exertion (73.3%) were major attractors to preferred sub-specialties whereas concerns over radiation hazard were major detractors (58.3%). Conclusion : Awareness of sub-specialties in the radiography profession was high amongst students studied. Furthermore, ultrasonography was the most preferred sub-specialty among the respondents. Remuneration was the main attractor to sub-specialties whereas fears over effects of ionizing radiation were the major detractors to some sub-specialties

Quassia amara bioactive compounds as a Novel DPP-IV inhibitor: an in-silico study

Abstract Background Diabetes, a cardiometabolic condition with social and health ramifications, is already a global epidemic. Diabetes affects 422 million people worldwide, with the majority living in middle- and low-income countries, resulting in 1.5 million deaths each year. Inhibiting DPP-IV, an enzyme whose main biological function in diabetes is the breakdown of metabolic hormones like GLP-1, Quassia amara, a plant that contains numerous phytochemicals, has been claimed to be used as a traditional treatment for a variety of metabolic illnesses, as well as having anti-malaria, anti-biotic, anti-diabetes, and anti-anemic characteristics. This work investigated the in-silico inhibitory ability of phytochemicals obtained from Quassia amara against a diabetes-related enzyme, DPP-IV, with the aim of confirming the drug-like potential of ligands from the plant (Quassia amara) in comparison with the standard drug, Alogliptin. Result As a result of the investigation, five compounds (Vitexin, Quassimarin, Simalikalactone D, Brucein D, and Quassinol) obtained docking scores ranging from − 7.47 to − 6.49 kcal/mol. Conclusion Many medications have been offered, but the typical side effects have prompted researchers to look for new herbal plants which can be used as permanent treatment with minute side effects. Thus, utilizing computational studies such as molecular docking, molecular mechanics generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) and the lead compounds' ADMETox characteristics were computed