A histopathological analysis of cutaneous malignancies in a tropical African population

Aim: To establish the prevalence of cutaneous malignancies in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Method: This is a histopathological analysis of three hundred and eighty two cases of cutaneous malignancies seen and diagnosed in the department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria from January 1991 to December 2000. The specimens were fixed in formalin, processed in paraffin wax and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The slides were studied and the lesions were characterized. Results: Three hundred and eighty two cutaneous malignancies were analysed. The M: F ratio of all the tumours was 1.9:1.0. Nonmelanoma skin tumours were the commonest and accounted for 254 (66.8%). They comprised of squamous cell carcinoma 239 (62.9%), basal cell carcinoma 15 (3.9%) and malignant adnexal tumours which were the least common accounting for 2 (0.5%). Sarcomas accounted for 72(18.9%) and kaposi sarcoma 41(10.7%), was the commonest in this group. Malignant melanoma cases were 54 (14.1%). There were two peak age distributions in the 4th and 6th decades (63.6%) for all tumours. The lower limb was the prevalent site of distribution of all the tumours with sixty five percent cases. Conclusion: Cutaneous malignancies are common in our setting and the commonest was squamous cell carcinoma. Prompt and adequate treatment of chronic leg ulcers and burns injury as well as control of HIV infection should help to reduce the burden of these cancers. Keywords: cutaneous malignancy squamous cell carcinoma sarcomas Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(3&4) 2005: 300-30

Pattern of skeletal metastases from breast cancer in an Asian population

Objectives:: To evaluate the pattern of skeletal metastases from breast carcinoma in an Asian population. To study the radiological pattern and distribution of bone metastases from breast cancer .Background: Breast cancer is a disease that is prevalent world wide and frequently metastasis to the bones . Bone metastasis is associated with increase morbidity and poor quality of life in breast cancer patients. Prompt identification and treatment is the best way of improving the patients’ quality of life. Skeletal x-rays and bones scan of relevant bones should be part of staging investigations and metastatic survey in breast cancer.Methods: This study was prospective, non-randomized, and single institution based. A total of 30 consecutive patients having bone pains with radiological evidence of bone metastases were included. Questionnaire was designed for the collection of patients’ data for evaluation, which was then entered on database and analyzed on the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Patient were staged using TNM Classification.Results: The radiological pattern was Osteolytic in (28) 93.3% and mixed pattern (osteolytic & osteoblastic) in (2)6.7%. The commonest site of bone metastases was Lumbar spine (51.5%) followed by the Thoracic spine (21.6%). There was involvement of multiple, non-contiguous skeletal bones in(7)23.3% of the patients. Majority of the patients were stage III (56.6%) at first presentation. At presentation (6) 20% had painful bone metastases and 16.7% developed painful bone metastases within 12 months, 30.0% from 12 to 24 months, and 33.3% after 24 months of diagnosing breast cancer. 20.0% of patients had painful bone metastases for < 3 months prior to local field irradiation (LFI); 46.7% had pain for 4 – 6 months; 6.7% had pain for 7 – 9 months; 10.0% had pain for 10 – 12 months; and 16.7% had pain for more than 12 months prior to treatment with LFI.Conclusion: The predominant x-ray finding in bone metastases from breast cancer was osteolytic and the Lumbar spine was the commonest site of involvement . Involvement of Multiple bones in 25% of the patients suggest widespread search in a staging protocol

Intestinal Helminthiasis among School Children in Ilie, Osun State, Southwest, Nigeria

A cross sectional study of intestinal helminthiasis among school pupils was undertaken in three primary schools in Ilie in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun state in order to determine the prevalence and intensity of helminthic infections. The relationship between intestinal helminths and anthropometric indices and the factors that could favour the infection were also studied. Faecal samples from three hundred and four (304) randomly selected out of the four hundred and seven (407) school children in the study area were collected and analysed with the semi-quantitative Kato Katz technique and concentrated method. The intensity of infection was classified into light, moderate or high according to World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds. The overall prevalence rate was 52.0% while five species of intestinal helminths were identified. Ascaris lumbricoides (36.2%) was the most common, followed by Hookworm (10.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (4%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.7%). Multiple helminthic infection were recorded with Ascaris –Hookworm (6.58%) having the highest prevalence among the children. Female (56.6%) were more infected than male (46.4%) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0019). Seventeen percent (17%) of the children were below the third percentile for weight (wasted) while fourteen percent (14%) were below the third percentile for height (stunted). There was a relationship between intensity of infection and wasting since there were fewer underweight pupils (13%) with normal stool than those moderately infected (35%) (

Anemia and growth failure among HIV-infected children in India: a retrospective analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Anemia and poor nutrition have been previously described as independent risk factors for death among HIV-infected children. We sought to describe nutritional status, anemia burden and HIV disease correlates among infected children in India.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed retrospective data from 248 HIV-infected children aged 1–12 years attending three outpatient clinics in South India (2004–2006). Standard WHO definitions were used for anemia, HIV staging and growth parameters. Statistical analysis included chi square, t tests, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall prevalence of anemia (defined as hemoglobin < 11 gm/dL) was 66%, and 8% had severe anemia (Hb < 7 gm/dL). The proportion of underweight and stunted children in the population was 55% and 46% respectively. Independent risk factors of anemia by multivariate analysis included the pre-school age group (age younger than 6 years) (OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.45, 5.70; p < 0.01), rural residence (OR: 12.04; 95% CI: 5.64, 26.00; p < 0.01), advanced HIV disease stage (OR: 6.95; 95% CI: 3.06, 15.79; p < 0.01) and presence of stunting (Height-for-age Z Score < -2) (OR: 3.24; 95% CI: 1.65, 6.35; p < 0.01). Use of iron/multivitamin supplementation was protective against risk of anemia (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.90; p = 0.03). Pulmonary tuberculosis was an independent risk factor in multivariate analysis (OR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.43, 7.89; p < 0.01) when correlated variables such as HIV disease stage and severe immunodeficiency, and nutritional supplement use were not included. Use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was associated with a reduced risk of anemia (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.53; p < 0.01). No significant association was found between anemia and gender, cotrimoxazole, or ART type (zidovudine versus stavudine).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The high prevalence and strong interrelationship of anemia and poor nutrition among HIV-infected children in India, particularly those living in rural areas underscores the need for incorporating targeted nutritional interventions during national scale up of care, support and treatment among HIV-infected children.</p

Prognostic factors in prostate Cancer: A Review Article

Background: Prostate cancer is widely known to vary substantially in aggressiveness. There is also significant potential morbidity associated with aggressive curative treatment. So, there is a tremendous interest in the development of prognostic factors that could guide management decisions that allow treatment to be tailored and individualized. This review seeks to identify the traditional tumour related prognostic factors, emerging biomarkers of prognostic importance as well as patient and environment related prognostic factors in prostate cancer. Method: The PubMed database was searched for all existing literature. Also, references were made to some bibliographies cited in the available literature. Conclusion: Majority of prostate cancer may not progress to clinically significant disease. Prognostic factors have therefore become important to predict tumour progression and eventual outcome.Keywords: prostate cancer, prognostic factors, tumour makers, biological markers

Economics of fish farming in Ibadan Metropolis

The study assesses the economics of fish farming in Ibadan Metropolis. The data for the study were collected from 50 fish farmers with the aid of structured questionnaires. The data were analyses using descriptive, gross margin and regression techniques. The study revealed that most farmers had secondary education and above. Most farmers operate at small-scale level with an average of 3 ponds in this category. Fish farmers practiced poly culture fish farming. Clarias spp is the most raised fish species followed by Heteroclaria spp. The gross margin analysis revealed that medium scale farmers derived the highest return of 1.55 for every one naira expended. This is followed by large scale farmers at l.52 for every one naira compared with only 1.34 for every naira spent by small-scale farmers. Fixed inputs, labour, fertilizers, feeds and finger lings significantly affect the value of fish produced. Fish farmers under utilize both labour and fertilizers while feeds and finger lings are over utilized. Key words:&nbsp; Aquaculture, fish production, Profitability and efficienc

Radiation therapy and surgery in cancer management

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(1&2) 2005: 147-15

Determinants of farm mechanization among arable crop farmers in Ibarapa zone, Oyo State, Nigeria.

This study assessed the determinants of machinery use among farmers in Ibarapa zone of Oyo State, with special focus on its determinants and the differential farm productivity of users and non-users of farm machinery in the zone. One hundred and twenty five (125) arable crop farmers were interviewed using two stage stratified simple random sampling technique while information from sixty (60) users and forty (40) non-users of farm machinery was used for analysis. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, Logit regression analysis, budgetary analysis and test of difference of mean. The study revealed that, relative to non-users of farm machinery; majority of the farmers using machinery were relatively younger, more educated, cultivated larger area of farmland and have more exposure to extension agents. The logit regression results revealed that farm size (p &#8804; 0.10), farm income(p &#8804; 0.10) and farming experience ( p &#8804; 0.10) significantly affected the use of farm machinery in the study area. The test of hypotheses revealed that users of mechanisation significantly made more profit (N73, 299.69) than non-users (N23, 153.87) (p &#8804; 0.10). The study recommended that farmers should be encouraged to cultivate large farm holdings through collective or cooperative effort and that majority of the farmers should be more enlightened to use farm machinery as an avenue for improved farm productivity and profitability. Keywords: Farm Mechanisation; Determinants; Profitability; Arable-crop Farmers; Oyo state Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 7 (1&2) 2006 pp. 49-5

Survey of Incentives Development in Agroforestry Establishments in Yewa North Local Government, Gun State

A survey of incentive development in agroforestry establishments in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State was conducted. Villages around Forest Reserve Areas were randomly selected namely; Igbogila – Ayetoro, Imala – Ayetoro, Idafo, Ajoda – Ayetoro, Ibese – Igbogila and Oke Akanni. A well structured eighty (80) questionnaires was administered to a total of eighty (80) farmers in the area.The number of respondents in Igbogila – Ayetoro, Imala – Ayetoro, Idafo, Ajoda – Ayetoro, Ibese – Igbogila and Oke Akanni were 10, 14, 7, 17 and 13 respectively based on the population of each village. In all, 61 respondents were available to give information on kinds of incentive received, sources of incentives, mode of land acquisition,its benefit of incentives, problem encountered and many others. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data.The result shows that 70.4% of men were engaged in agroforestry practices with little or no education. Majority of the farmers in the area are between the ages of 30 – 41 years which is the productive age. They engage in the agroforestry system in order to cater for their families. The sources of incentives provided for the farmers were majorly from the local government (52.46%) and cooperatives (19.6) 50.82% of fertilizer and seedlings as well as 18.03% of financial assistance are given to farmers by the local government .These incentives give the farmers job opportunity (32.79%), income (39.34%), and food (26.23%) among others.It is therefore recommended that incentives in the area of inputs should be used to support the establishment of Agroforestry system so as to boost food production and wood supply across the country.Key words: Incentives, agroforestry, forest reserve, food production, wood suppl