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

Comparison of intraocular pressure reduction of initial and adjunct selective laser trabeculoplasty for primary open angle glaucoma in Nigerians

Objective: The objective was to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as initial and adjunct therapy in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).Subjects and Methods: Retrospective chart review of POAG patients who had SLT either as initial or adjunct therapy over a period of 1‑year. Each patient had SLT done in 360° of the anterior chamber angle. IOP measurement with the Goldmann applanation tonometer was done at baseline, 60 min post procedure, days 1, 7, 30, 90, and 180.Results: Mean baseline IOP was 15.4 ± 3.5 mmHg and 17.5 ± 5.5 mmHg for initial and adjunct, respectively (P = 0.153); not significant. Mean IOP at 90 days was 10.5 ± 1.8 mmHg and 16.2 ± 6.3 mmHg for initial and adjunct, respectively (P = 0.013); statistically significant. Records at 180 days revealed mean IOP of 14.1 ± 3.9 mmHg and 15.7 ± 7.7 mmHg (P = 0.465) for initial and adjunct, respectively; not significant. The maximal mean IOP reduction in both groups was at 7 days. 70% of patients in the initial had IOP reduction of >20% compared to 63.5% of adjuncts throughout the study period. Initial sustained mean reduction of ≥3 mmHg from day 1 to 90, while the adjunct was till day 30.Conclusion: Initial SLT showed a sustained reduction in IOP, compared to adjunct with marginally lower measurements.Keywords: Adjunct, initial, primary open angle glaucoma, selective laser trabeculoplast

Prevalence and Causes of Cholera Among Children in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study investigated the prevalence and causes of cholera among children in Ekiti state. Cholera epidemic is a pandemic disease that is responsible for much illness. Cholera seems to remain a major public health issue and it seems that inadequate knowledge of parents to make adequate provision for clean water, clean environment and decent toilets contributed to its high prevalence among children in Ekiti State. The research design used for this study was descriptive survey, the sample size of (300) respondents were used for the study. While Simple random sampling technique was used for the study. The researcher used questionnaire for the study. The instrument used for the study was 26 items structured questionnaire and split half method was employed to ascertain the reliability of the instrument of the instrument in which the coefficient of 0.91 was obtained at 0.05 level of significance. In the research work four hypotheses were formulated from the purpose of the study. The four hypotheses were rejected. The study showed that poor sanitation can lead to the outbreak of cholera among children; eating of contaminated food and drinking of contaminated water can lead to the outbreak of cholera among children. It was recommended that there is need for proper awareness of people living in Ekiti on the prevalence of cholera outbreak in the community and necessary factors that may lead to the outbreak. Parents and guidance should educate their children toward hygienic habit and proper ways of keeping the surrounding clean to avoid the spread of the diseases DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/76-07 Publication date:June 30th 202

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

Factors associated with teenage pregnancy in southwest Nigeria

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal and child mortality, and to the vicious cycle of ill-health and poverty worldwide and thus, requires urgent intervention. This cross-sectional study therefore assessed the prevalence and contextual factors associated with teenage pregnancy in south-west Nigeria.Method: A total of 350 consenting teenagers between ages 13 and 19 were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. The validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics of teenagers, risk factors and prevalence of teenage pregnancy.Results: The mean age ± SD of the respondents is 16.79 ± 1.52 years. Majority (341, 97.4%) of them were single. More than a quarter (28%) of the girls were sexually active with over half sexual debut occurring at age 16 and thereafter, while, pleasure was the most cited reason (59.2%) for engaging in sexual intercourse. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy and childbirth was 7.7% and 3.4% respectively, with over half (59.3%) of the pregnancy resulting into an abortion. Individual and socio-economic factors such as age, early marriage, ethnicity, lack of formal education, family disruptions, poverty, early sexual debut, sex for financial gains, having pregnant sibling, use of alcohol, social media naive and a positive attitude towards premarital sex significantly increase the vulnerability of girls to becoming pregnant.Conclusion: The findings of this study show that though numerous, these contextual factors are largely modifiable through effective policy and interventions on early marriage, comprehensive sexuality education, ensuring girls enrolment in schools, community poverty alleviation programmes targeted at vulnerable girls and families as well as addressing gender norms that expose girls unduly

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