Effect of Gross Alpha and Beta in Groundwater Intake and Estimation of Groundwater Table in Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil

Groundwater levels in Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil were measured in hand-dug wells and boreholes. Water samples were collected in both hand-dug wells and boreholes in the study area, and their radiological quality was measured using an internal proportion counter (model EURISYS MEASURE IN 20) instrument, Results of the measurements shows the gross alpha and beta particles presence. The average depth to water table was 419 m, while the gross alpha activity ranging between 0.022 Bq/l to 0.0005 Bq/l, with an average (mean) of 0.0062 Bq/l, and that of beta activity ranges between 0.345 Bq/l to 0.0080 Bq/l, with an average (mean) of 0.0478 Bq/l. These results reveals that; the groundwater in the study area, is not radioactively contaminated, as the values obtained were all below the World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) drinking water guideline values of 1.0 Bq/l for the gross beta radioactivity, and value of 0.5 Bq/l for gross alpha activity, values of 0.1 Bq/l for both the gross alpha and beta and values of 0.5 Bq/l for both gross alpha and beta activities respectively. Hence, the groundwater of the study area (KUST, Wudil.) is radioactively safe to use

Use of non-vascularized autologous fibula strut graft in the treatment of segmental bone loss

Background : Fractures resulting in segmental bone loss challenge the orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons in developed countries have the option of choosing vascularized bone transfers, bone transport, allogenic bone grafts, bone graft substitutes and several other means to treat such conditions. In developing countries where such facilities or expertise may not be readily available, the surgeon has to rely on other techniques of treatment. Non-vascularized fibula strut graft and cancellous bone grafting provides a reliable means of treating such conditions in developing countries. Materials and Methods : Over a period of six years all patients with segmental bone loss either from trauma or oncologic resection were included in the study. Data concerning the type of wound, size of gap and skin loss at tumor or fracture were obtained from clinical examination and radiographs. Result : Ten patients satisfied the inclusion criteria for the study. The average length of the fibula strut is 7 cm, the longest being 15 cm and the shortest 3 cm long. The average defect length was 6.5 cm. Five patients had Gustillo III B open tibial fractures. One patient had recurrent giant cell tumor of the distal radius and another had a polyostotic bone cyst of the femur, which was later confirmed to be osteosarcoma. Another had non-union of distal tibial fracture with shortening. One other patient had gunshot injury to the femur and was initially managed by skeletal traction. The tenth patient had a comminuted femoral fracture. All trauma patients had measurement of missing segment, tissue envelope assessment, neurological examination, and debridement under general anesthesia with fracture stabilization with external fixators or casts. Graft incorporation was 80% in all treated patients. Conclusion : Autologous free, non-vascularized fibula and cancellous graft is a useful addition to the armamentarium of orthopedic surgeon in developing countries attempting to manage segmental bone loss, whether created by trauma or excision of tumors

Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Nephrostomy: Experience at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria

Background: Obstructive uropathy is a common problem in urologic practice; temporary relief of obstruction in the upper tract poses a significant challenge. Ultrasound‑guided percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) is an option for upper tract drainage; compared to fluoroscopic guidance, it is readily available, affordable, and not associated with radiation exposure. We present our experience with ultrasound‑guided PCN. Patients and Methods: We studied all patients who had ltrasound‑guided PCN in our center between January 2013 and January 2017. Information obtained included the patients’ demographics, clinical details, primary pathology, indications, outcome, and complications within 30 days. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total number of 35 PCNs were performed in 26 patients within the period of study. The median age was 44.5 years. There were 17 females and 9 males. About 88.2% of the females had ureteric obstruction from advanced carcinoma of the cervix while the predominant cause of obstruction in the males was advanced carcinoma of the bladder. Kidney access under ultrasound guidance required well dilated collecting systems for success and ease of puncture. The most common complication was hematuria, which resolved within 24–48 h in all patients uneventfully. Conclusion: PCN is an important and common procedure for temporary relief of upper urinary tract obstruction. While fluoroscopic guidance provides superior image guidance, ultrasound guidance is comparatively reliable, albeit with a longer learning curve. Adequate training, careful patients selection, and patience are key to success.Keywords: Experience, obstructive uropathy, percutaneous nephrostomy,ultrasound guidanc

Influence of Allium Sativum (Garlic), Zingiber officinale (Ginger) and Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) Extract against Larvae of Aedes mosquitoes (Culicidae: Diptera)

Mosquito control has become more difficult due to the unsystematic use of synthetic chemical insecticides which have inauspicious effect on the environment. Botanical phyto-chemicals with mosquitocidal potential are now recognized as potent alternative insecticides to replace synthetic insecticides in mosquito control programs due to their excellent larvacidal activities. The present study assessed the influence of A. sativum (garlic), Z. officinale (ginger) and S. aromatic (clove) extracts against Aedes mosquitoes. Larvacidal activities of three indigenous plant extracts were studied in the range 5.0 to 30.0mg/l in the laboratory bioassay against fourth instar larvae of Aedes sp. The mortality were subjected to probit analysis to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) to kill 50 percent of treated larvae of Aedes sp. Data obtained were analyzed by Comparing experimental groups and control groups with significance level established at p<0.05. All plants tasted showed effects after 24hrs of exposure at different concentration (mg/l). However the highest mortality was found in A. Sativum (garlic) and Z. officinale (ginger) against larvae of Aedes mosquitoes with LC50 = 42.50% (2.685) and LC50 = 30.01% (4.461) mg/l, while S. aromatic(clove) was found to have lowest mortality at LC50 = 24.50% (5.52) respectively. It is therefore recommended that A. sativum(Gallic), S. aromatic (Clove) has showed larvacidal effects against Aedes mosquitoes and could be served as alternative form of botanical control against mosquitoes . Keywords: A. sativum (garlic), Z. officinale (ginger) and S. aromatic (clove), Extracts, Aedes mosquitoe