Assessment of levels of copper, cadmium and lead in secretion of mammary gland of cows grazed on open fields

The levels of copper, cadmium and lead were determined in milk samples from cows grazed on open fields. The use of H2O2 cleared the residual colours of the metal solutions following digestion with HNO3 acid. The results of the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric analysis of the metal solutions from the milk samples showed the metal concentrations in the order Pb (0.531±0.299 mg/dm3)>Cd (0.257±0.127 mg/dm3)>Cu (0.062±0.026 mg/dm3). The levels of Pb and Cd in the milk samples studied exceeded the permissible maximum daily intake recommended by W.H.O. in the health criteria. Keywords: Copper, Cadmium, Lead, Cow, mammary gland, secretio

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

Review of the demographic pattern and outcomes of acute chemical poisoning in patients in a tertiary hospital in South-western Nigeria

Introduction: Acute chemical poisoning is a public health problem especially in developing countries where there is unrestricted access to chemical products, underreporting and absence of poisoning registers. Despite its importance, there is limited information on acute poisoning among adult population in Nigeria. The study was aimed at determining the demographic pattern and short term outcomes of acute chemical poisoning in patients in a tertiary health institution in South-western Nigeria over a 2 year period.Methodology: Records of cases of acute chemical poisoning over a 2-year period were retrieved and the following information extracted: socio-demographic data of patient, type of substance ingested, type of poisoning, reason for poisoning, intervention, and outcome of treatment. Results:There were 58 patients with a M:F ratio of 1:1.1. The mean age was 28.53±13.47 years. The most commonly ingested chemical was organophosphate seen in 31(53.4%). Poisoning was deliberate in 43 (74.1%); 36 patients (62.1%) had atropine; 16 patients (27.6%) had gastric lavage; one patient (1.7%) was dialyzed and 2 patients (3.4%) were admitted into ICU. Mortality rate was 8.6%. Conclusion: Deliberate acute chemical poisoning was common in young adults. Organophosphate is the most commonly ingested chemical. Government should enforce laws that that would restrict access to potentially harmful chemicals. French title: Schéma et résultats à court terme d'une intoxication chimique aiguë dans un hôpital tertiaire du sud-ouest du Nigéria Introduction : Les intoxications chimiques aiguës sont un problème de santé publique en particulier dans les pays en développement où il existe un accès illimité aux produits chimiques, une sous-déclaration et l'absence de registres des intoxications. Malgré son importance, il existe peu d'informations sur les intoxications aiguës parmi la population adulte au Nigéria.Objectif de l'étude: Déterminer le schéma démographique et les résultats à court terme des intoxications chimiques aiguës chez les patients d'un établissement de santé tertiaire du sud-ouest du Nigéria sur une période de 2 ans.Méthode de l'étude : Des dossiers de cas d'intoxication chimique aiguë sur une période de 2 ans ont été récupérés et les informations suivantes extraites : données sociodémographiques du patient, type de substance ingérée, type d'intoxication, raison de l'intoxication, intervention et résultat du traitement.Résultat de l'étude : Il y avait 58 patients avec un rapport M : F de 1:1,1. L'âge moyen était de 28,53 ± 13,47 ans. Le produit chimique le plus couramment ingéré était l'organophosphate vuswzsw3 dans 31 (53,4 %). L'empoisonnement était délibéré dans 43 (74,1 %); 36 patients (62,1%) avaient de l'atropine ; 16 patients (27,6 %) ont eu un lavage gastrique ; un patient (1,7%) a été dialysé et 2 patients (3,4%) ont été admis en réanimation. Le taux de mortalité était de 8,6%. Conclusion : Les intoxications chimiques aiguës délibérées étaient fréquentes chez les jeunes adultes. L'organophosphate est le produit chimique le plus couramment ingéré. Le gouvernement devrait appliquer des lois qui restreindraient l'accès aux produits chimiques potentiellement nocifs