The preference of radiology as a postgraduate medical specialty among final year medical students of Usmanudanfodiyo University, Sokoto

Background: Recruitment into medical specialties outside the core clinical departments remains a stumbling block to advancing medical practice in Nigeria. We set out to determine the factors influencing choice of diagnostic radiology as a field of specialization by the final year medical students in Usmanu Danfodiyo University College of Health Sciences, Sokoto.Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was done. All the 2015/2016 session final year medical students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University were administered a structured questionnaire by the authors. SPSS version 20.0 was used for the result analysis. Univariate and bivariate analyses were done where appropriate to describe variables.Results: A total of 62 out of 65 final year medical students responded. Fifty one (82.3%) had interest in specializing after school. However, only 4(6.5%) of the students had interest in radiology. Male sex was found to be a predictor for the choice of radiology.Conclusion: Career guidance/re-orientation and clarification of general misconception about radiology is necessary to avoid shortage of trained radiologists in the near future.Keywords: Career choice, Radiology, Medical student

Epiphyseal plate closure of radio-ulna bone in red Sokoto goat ecotype

This study was conducted with 57 Red Sokoto goats, which were randomly obtained from three different small ruminant farms with birth record within Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. They were classified into different age groups and subgroups, from 1-144 weeks. The radiographs of their forearms were taken and the proximal and distal epiphyseal plate lengths of both radius and ulna bones were measured. The radiographic images of the bones showed that the proximal and distal epiphyseal plates of the radius were opened at week 1 with mean lengths of 0.50±0.05mm and 1.10±0.01mm respectively but fuses at week 8 and 36 respectively. The proximal ulna epiphyseal plate was opened at week 1, with mean length of 1.67±0.02mm and fused at week 144. However, the distal ulna epiphyses appeared radiolucent at week 1 and 2 and became radiopaque at week 3 with an epiphyseal plate mean length of 3.67±0.26mm which reduced chronologically and fused at 96 week. It was therefore concluded that in Red Sokoto goat, epiphyseal plate lengths decreases with increase in age and fuses at different age even within the same bone, and the epiphyseal plates of radius bones fuse earlier than the ulna bones.Keywords: Epiphyseal plate, Red Sokoto goat, Radiography, Radius, Uln

Influence of preservation methods on ph and microbiological quality of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) milk

The deteriorating effect of microorganisms on tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) milk has hampered its large-scale production and profitability. To study the effect of preservation on the pH and microbiological quality of the milk, big yellow tiger nuts were soaked in 3 L of tap water at 60oC for 6 hours, additives such as coconut, date, cinnamon and ginger were added and blended. The extracted milk was divided into twenty five portions and subjected to the following treatments: pasteurization, sterilization, ultraviolet light, freezing and sodium benzoate. The pH and microbiological quality of both the fresh and preserved samples were investigated over 9-day storage period. The pH of the milk samples significantly decreased (p<0.05) over the period due to microbial activity. There were significant (p<0.05) decrease and increase in the pH values of the preserved samples with negative control (FTM) and positive control samples (TMA) respectively. The less acidic the products are the higher the bacterial load. The values of the total bacterial count for the preserved milk ranged from 5.19±0.06 to 6.84±0.03 log10cfu/ml. The values within this range were significantly lower (p<0.05) than FTM  (6.58±0.05log10cfu/ml) but higher than TMA (4.44±0.02 to 5.85±0.06  log10cfu/ml). The organisms isolated from the samples were Staphylococcus species (16%), Clostridium species (11%), Bacillus species (10%), Acinetobacter species (3%), Enterobacter species (6%), Corynebacterium species (4%), Neisseria species (1%), Vibrio species (1%), Micrococcus species (4%), Aeromonas species (5%), Saccharomyces species (35%) and Rhizopus oryzae (4%). The results suggest that ultraviolet light and sterilization methods were more effective at eliminating most of the bacteria implicated in milk spoilage.Keywords: Fresh, large-scale production, microbiological quality, preserved, tiger nut milk

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in a 2-year old Nigerian female mongrel dog

No Abstrac

Effect of aqueous extract of Anisopus manni stem in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study examined the effect of aqueous extract of Anisopus manni stem in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fifteen male rats were randomly distributed into three groups of five rats each. Normal and diabetic control groups were given distilled water. Diabetic treated group, received 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Anisopus manni. All Administrations (oral) were carried out daily for 28 days using gavage. Fasting blood glucose and body weight were recorded at intervals of 7 days. Significant (P<0.05) increases in TG, Total cholesterol, LDL-C with significant (P<0.05) decrease in HDL-C levels were observed in diabetic control compared to normal control. Significant increase was also observed in the fasting blood glucose of diabetic control rats relative to normal control. The plant extract reverses the effects of alloxan on lipid profile levels and fasting blood glucose of diabetic treated animals. The extract exerted significant (P< 0.05) reduction in fasting blood glucose level in diabetic treated rat from week one to week three compared to diabetic control. No significant (P>0.05) effect was observed in the fourth week. The findings indicate that Anisopus mannii possess hypolipidemic and antihyperglycemic potentials.Keywords: Alloxan, Anisopus manni, antihyperglycemic, lipid profile, rat

The efficacy of peanut oil and palm oil in preserving chicken eggs in a tropical environment

The study was undertaken to compare the effect of different  storage methods on external and internal quality of Isa Brown eggs obtained from Rufai Poultry Farms Bakura, Zamfara State. Ninety (90) eggs were collected from the Rufai farms sales office at Talata Mafara, Zamfara State. The eggs were divided into three groups (A, B and C) of 30 eggs each. The mean weight of the eggs in each of the groups was determined. Group A was left uncoated in a crate, while groups B and C were coated with peanut oil and palm oil respectively, and stored for four (4) weeks at room temperature. The egg shell, mean egg weight, egg yolk, egg white (albumen) and volume of each individual eggs were evaluated. The average percentage whole egg weight loss for all the groups showed significant difference (p<0.05) after preservation, with group A having the highest average percentage egg weight loss of 64.16±5.00%, although, group B had heavier weight compared to group A before preservation. Eggs coated with palm oil had better internal quality compared to peanut oil coated eggs and non-oil coated eggs, as it was seen to have intact internal content. A significant difference (P< 0.05) was also seen in the volume of group B and C with group C having the highest volume of 67.67±10.79ml. In conclusion this study showed that all palm oil coated eggs had good external and internal quality and longer shelf-life than non-oil coated and peanut coated eggs. It was therefore recommended that eggs should be preserved by coating with palm oil, so as to extend their shell-life.Keywords: Chicken egg, Egg Albumen, Egg Yolk, Palm oil, Peanut oil, Preservatio

Determination of sex using demarking points of the calf and skinfold thickness among Bauchi State students in University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to estimate sex using demarking points and index of sexual dimorphism of the calf and skinfold thickness among Bauchi State students in University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. The study was carried out using 194 subjects (100 males and 94 females) with  age ranged from 18 to 39 and 18 to 35 years  respectively with no structural deformity or fracture. The following parameters were measured (standing height, weight, calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds). The results showed that standing height, weight, calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds in males were 1.70m, 62.08kg, 43.68cm, 32.15cm, 4.70mm and 6.15mm respectively, while female counterparts had 1.58m, 60.22kg, 35.98cm, 35.23cm, 10.33mm and 13.46mm respectively. There were significant differences between males and females standing height, calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds (p < 0.05) but no significant differences in weight (p > 0.05). Index for sexual dimorphism and demarking point were calculated and all the parameters were observed to be sexually dimorphic. In conclusion, males have higher values for height and weight, while the females have higher values for the calf height, upper one-third calf circumference, medial and lateral calf skinfolds

Androgenic profiles in HIV-infected male patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy: could this be a threat to fertility?

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the Serum Androgenic Profiles of HIV-infected Male Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and those not on Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-five HIV-infected male patients were evaluated in the Department of Medicine, Specialist Hospital Sokoto Nigeria from July 2017 to March 2018 using history, baseline investigations, and CD4counts. Free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured using an overnight fasting serum sample. Patients were divided into three groups (n=45); Group A= HIV-infected male patients on HAART, Group B = HIV-infected male treatment naive patients, and Group C= HIV-negative control subjects. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests and p≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant Results: The serum testosterone and CD4 counts were reduced in HIV-infected male patients on HAART and HAART naive compared to the negative control. The reduced testicular functions were substantiated by raised serum LH and FSH in HIV-infected male patients on HAART (p < 0.05) compared to the negative control. Conclusions: HIV-infections associated with low CD4 counts even among patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy may pose threat to male fertility. Keywords: HIV-infected Males; Hypogonadisms; Sokoto Nigeri

Crohn's disease with Pyoderma gangrenosum in a patient in northern Nigeria: A case report

Background: Crohn's disease is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease that can present with extra-intestinal manifestations. We report a case of Crohn's disease with pyodermagangrenosum in a Nigerian patient. The report is to alert physicians in our setting on the occurrence of this rare presentation.Case presentation: The patient presented with chronic bloody and mucoiddiarrhoea with associated weight loss and fever of one-year duration. There was also history of mouth rashes, anal pain and itching. One month prior to presentation, he developed leg ulcer. Colonoscopy showed multiple ulcerations with normal intervening mucosa. Colonic mucosal histology showed focal area of ulceration with extensive inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propia and submucosa. The patient's symptoms improved after the commencement of sulfasalazine.Conclusion: Crohn's disease should be suspected in a patient with chronic leg ulcer

Physical, structural and optical properties of erbium doped rice husk silicate borotellurite (Er-doped RHSBT) glasses

A series of erbium doped rice husk silicate borotellurite glasses with chemical composition {[(TeO2)0.7 (B2O3)0.3]0.8 (SiO2)0.2}1 − x (Er2O3)x with x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 mol was prepared using the melt-quenching technique. The density and the molar volume were determined and found to be increasing with Er3 + concentration. The glasses were subjected to FTIR and XRD to study the structural changes in the glass. UV–Vis spectroscopy was carried out to obtain the absorption spectrum that is used in the calculation of the optical energy band gap (Direct and Indirect), the Urbach energy and the refractive index. Using the refractive index, density and molar volume, the molar polarizability, metallization criterion, polaron radius, average boron‑boron separation, inter-nuclear distance of Er3 +, surface reflection loss, transmission coefficient and oxygen packing density were determined. The density, molar volume, optical band gaps, molar refraction, transmission coefficient and metallization criterion were found to have increased with increasing concentration of Er3 + ions. While the values of the refractive index, Urbach energy and inter-nuclear distance of Er3 + ions decreased. As more Er3 + ions were introduced, the reflectivity of the glasses decreased. The polaron radius also decreased, with the values suggesting that the glass has small polaron