A Parallel 8-Bit Computer Interface Circuit And Software For A Digital Nuclear Spectroscopy System

There are 3 errors that are associated with the measurement of nuclear radiations. These are from the noise accompanying an incident radiation pulse, the dead time required for the processing of the incident radiation pulse and the pile-up of pulses. We have designed and implemented a digital nuclear radiation processing system (DNRPS) that significantly solves the 3 problems as well as being less complex and cheap. The interfacing of the digital processing system to a computer has been achieved through a less complex and cheap interface circuit using discrete integrated circuit (IC) chips. The interface circuit accepted parallel 8-bit data which were simultaneously processed. Furthermore, the operation of the digital processing section involved only digital addition and subtraction of the parallel 8-bit data. This approach has removed the need for complex digital operations requiring the use of digital signal processor chips, microprocessors and other complex and expensive devices as in commercial digital pulse processing systems. Keywords: Analog, Circuit, Computer, Digital, Interface, Parallel Port, Processing, Programming

Factors associated with low rate of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding has proven to be beneficial both maternal and child health hence its adopted as a policy for infant feeding in most countries especially developing nations. Its practice has remained low despite the high levels of awareness of exclusive breastfeeding. The study set out to find out the possible reasons that have limited the translation of knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding to action by nursing mothers in an urban city in Nigeria.Methods: A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 304 mothers attending immunization clinics of the Institute of maternal and child health in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.Results: Awareness of exclusive breastfeeding was 98% with an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 26%. The commonest non-human milk given to infant was water- given in the first week of life. Post-natal support from lactation experts and family, beliefs about the sufficiency of human milk and subsequent refusal of complementary foods were major challenges to successful exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal age and education did not determine exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding rates have remained low in Nigeria. Lack of family support and the belief that human milk is not sufficient food for the less-than-six-months-old infant were major challenges to exclusive breastfeeding

The effectiveness of locally-prepared peritoneal dialysate in the management of children with acute kidney injury in a south-east Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the preferred mode of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in children with acute kidney injury (AKI). The gold standard remains the use of commercially-prepared PD fluid. In resource-poor nations, its availability and affordability remain a challenge.Aim: This study aims to report the effectiveness of locally-prepared PD fluid in the management of AKI in a south-east Nigerian tertiary hospital.Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the paediatric ward of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Enugu. The case records of 36 children seen over three years, diagnosed with AKI and requiring PD were reviewed. The retrieved information comprised biodata, aetiology of AKI, indications for PD, pre-and post-dialysis estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and patient outcomes.Results: The children (20 males and 16 females) were aged 3 to 36 months with a mean age of 9.92 ± 6.29 months. The common aetiologies of AKI were septicemia (30.6%), hemolytic uremic syndrome (19.4%), and toxic nephropathy (16.7%). The frequent indications for PD were uremic encephalopathy (58.3%) and severe metabolic acidosis (38.8%). The pre-and post-dialysis mean urine flow rate was 0.16 + 0.13 and 2.77 + 0.56 ml/kg/hour respectively. The eGFR before PD, at discontinuation, and a week later was 6.06 + 2.87, 24.44 + 15.71 and 59.07 + 22.22 mls/min/1.73m2 respectively.Conclusion: PD with locally-prepared dialysate is safe, effective and a life-saving alternative in the management of AKI in childrenKeywords: Peritoneal dialysis; renal replacement therapy; acute kidney injury; children; dialysate; developing country

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

N-POWER PROGRAMMES AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN NIGERIA: ENUGU STATE EXPERIENCE

The National Bureau of Statistics 2016 reported that about 67 percent of Nigerian population was living below the international poverty line on less than US$1.90 a day. This ugly development necessitated the Federal Government of Nigeria, in the year 2016, to come up with several social intervention policies and programmes. Prominent among these programmes are the N-power programmes, the Conditional Cash Transfer, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home Grown School Feeding Programme. The objective of this study is to assess the implementation of N-Power programmes in Enugu State from 2016 to 2020. The study adopted survey research design. The study was anchored on the Elite theory. Findings include that N-Power programmes were poorly implemented in Enugu State. Furthermore, that N-Power programmes have no significant impact on the reduction of poverty among the youths in Enugu State.  The study recommended among others that federal government should review the structure and strategies of N-power programmes in Nigeria, to make it more implementable and inclusive

Allogeneic Transplant in ELANE and MEFV Mutation Positive Severe Cyclic Neutropenia: Review of Prognostic Factors for Secondary Severe Events

Objective and Importance. Cyclic neutropenia (CyN) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disorder due to the mutation ELANE primarily affecting bone marrow stem cells and is characterized by recurrent neutropenia every 2 to 4 weeks. Symptoms vary from benign to severe, including death. Postulations on the cause of wide spectrum in symptom presentation include the possibility of other genetic mutations, such as MEFV. Recommended treatment for CyN is G-CSF to keep ANC higher to minimize risk of infection. Case. A 25-year-old male diagnosed with CyN, on G-CSF but worsening quality of life. Pretransplant investigations revealed ELANE mutation positive severe CyN along with familial Mediterranean fever (MEFV) mutation. Intervention. Bone marrow transplantation as treatment for dual mutation (ELANE and MEFV mutation) positive severe CyN. Conclusion. BMT may be considered as an alternative treatment for severe CyN in patients who are refractory to G-CSF. It is postulated that in our patient the combined mutations (CyN and MEFV) may have contributed to the severity of this individual’s symptoms. We suggest CyN patients who present with severe symptoms have evaluation with ELANE mutation testing, Periodic Fever Syndromes Panel, and routine marrow assessment with FISH, conventional cytogenetics, and morphological evaluation for MDS/AML

Plastination technology for anatomical studies in Nigeria: Opinion of teachers at medical institutions

Dr. Gunther von Hagens developed plastination as a technique of tissue preservation in 1977. He used a delicate method of forced impregnation with curable polymers like silicone, epoxy or polyester resins for preservation of anatomical specimens. With plastination, every part of a biological tissue is treated, preserving it for educational purposes. Hence, there are vast applications in the medical field. We set out to survey the knowledge and opinion of lecturers of anatomy about plastinated specimen use in medical schools through the administration of questionnaires to respondents who participated at the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (SECAN) conference in 2011. It was found that 50.0% and 23.75% of respondents respectively, had their masters and doctorate degrees in Anatomy. Less than 8.0% utilised plastination as a tool for teaching as against 40% (plastic models), 36.25% (cadavers) and 15.0% (pathology pots). Conventional methods such as fixation by immersion (15.0%) and embalming (52.5%) with formaldehyde were commonly used for long term preservation of tissues in their various institutions. These methods were found to be less costly (25.0%), easy to use (56.25%) and the only method (12.25%) available, even though they posed some health hazards (96.0%). Whilst only 6.25% of the respondents did not know anything about plastination, 93.75% were aware of it. The advocacy for preservation of tissues by plastination has been gradual in developed countries. We recommend the use of plastinates in medical schools in Nigeria