INFORMETRICS ANALYSIS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA INSTITUTIONAL DIGITAL REPOSITORY (IDR)

Employing Informetric analysis, the study investigated the features, types of documents, subjects spread and challenges affecting the growth and development of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Institutional Digital Repositories (ABU-IDR). The findings of the study indicated that the IDR has diverse features, deploying DSpace, Dublin core metadata elements and Open Archive Initiative – Metadata Harvesting Protocol (OAI-PMH) to make the repository robust and interoperable. As reported by earlier studies, ABU-IDR is also found to be dominated by theses and dissertations with 9,857(95.82) documents. Finding on subjects spread of theses and dissertations illustrated that Faculties of Sciences and Education have the largest subject coverage with 1979 (20.1%) and 1702 (17.3%) respectively. With diverse features and deploying DSpace, OAI-PMH and its interoperability, the study concluded that ABU-IDR has gained considerable traction in recent years. However, the IDR can be made more effective and efficient by creating institutional repository policy that will take care of copyright, deposition right, diversification of contents and advocacy which are the major challenges hampering the growth and development of the IDR

Hygrothermal performance of building envelopes in the tropics under operative conditions : condensation and mould growth risk appraisal

Poor indoor hygrothermal performance increases the risk of indoor moisture problems and deterioration due to mould growth, corrosion and damage to archival materials. Hence, proper control of indoor thermohygric intensity abates indoor moisture and its associated problems. This paper presents the results of envelopes hygrothermal performance assessments in a hot and humid climate building with varying operational profile between adjacent spaces. The case-studied building runs on 24hrs cooling mode in one part against natural and/or mechanical supply-exhaust fan means on the other. In-situ experiments were combined with hygrothermal analytical methods to assess the envelope thermal quality together with the operative conditions against condensation and mould growth risks. The results show that the building is overcooled leading to poor envelope hygrothermal performance with associated condensation and mould growth problems on non-airconditioned sides of the envelopes

Prevalence and predictors of irritable bowel syndrome among medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequent, costly, and potentially disabling gastrointestinal disorder. Medical education is among the most challenging and the most stressful education, and this may predispose to high rates of IBS.Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of IBS among medical students and interns in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 597 medical students and interns selected by multistage stratified random sample method in 2012. A confidential, anonymous, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal and sociodemographic data, level of emotional stress, and food hypersensitivity during the past 6 months. Rome III Criteria and the Standardized Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were also used.Results: The prevalence of IBS was 31.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the first predictor of IBS was female gender (aOR2.89; 95.0% CI: 1.655.05). The second predictor was presence of morbid anxiety (aOR2.44; 95.0% CI: 1.304.55). Living in a school dormitory, emotional stress during 6 months preceding the study, and the academic year were the next predictors.Conclusions: High prevalence of IBS prevailed among medical students and interns. Female gender, morbid anxiety, living in school dormitory, emotional stress, and higher educational level (grade) were the predictors of IBS. Screening of medical students for IBS, psychological problems, and reducing stress by stress management are recommended.Keywords: epidemiology; irritable bowel syndrome; medical students; Jedda

Effect of whole-body vibration on muscle strength, spasticity, and motor performance in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children

Background and purpose: Spastic diplegia is a common form of cerebral palsy (CP) and is characterized by spasticity and muscle weakness of both lower limbs resulting in decreased walking ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) training on muscle strength, spasticity, and motor performance in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children after 12-weeks treatment.Methods: Thirty spastic diplegic CP children (8–12 years) were randomized to two equal groups, control group and WBV group. The control group received a selected physical therapy treatment program for spastic diplegic CP and the WBV group received the same program in addition to WBV training. Measurements of isometric strength of knee extensors, spasticity, walking speed, walking balance and gross motor function were performed before and after 12 weeks of the treatment program.Results: Isometric strength of knee extensors, spasticity and the walking speed were significantly improved only in the WBV group (P < 0.05). Growth motor function measure-88 (GMFM-88) (D%) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in both groups in favor of the WBV group and GMFM-88 (E%) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) only in the WBV group, while walking balance did not change significantly in either group.Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that 12-weeks’ intervention of whole-body vibration training can increase knee extensors strength and decrease spasticity with beneficial effects on walking speed and motor development in spastic diplegic CP childrenKeywords: Whole body vibration; Cerebral palsy; Spastic diplegia; Walking balance; Motor developmen

Jadelle subdermal contraceptive implant in Aminu Kano teaching hospital Kano, northern Nigeria

Background: Jadelle is a set of two flexible cylindrical implants consisting of a dimethylsiloxane/ methylvinylsiloxane copolymer core enclosed in thin-walled silicone tubing. It is an improved version of Norplant. Worldwide, it is found to be effective, safe, reversible and convenient for many users.Objective: To determine the acceptance rate, the Socio-demographic profile of the clients, post insertion complications and reason for discontinuation of the method among its acceptors in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.Study design: This is a retrospective descriptive study, involving all acceptors of Jadelle Subdermal implant in the family planning unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, North western Nigeria.Results: A total of 1505 clients accepted contraceptive methods during the study period. Out of these, 102 had Jadelle inserted, giving a rate of 6.8%. All the clients who accepted Jadelle had it inserted for child spacing. The mean age of the clients at insertion was 28.9 years ± 6.1, the mean parity at insertion was 3.3± 1.8, while the mean weight at insertion was 63Kg ±11.4. About 94% of the clients had secondary and tertiary education. 42.2% of the clients had used a modern contraceptive method previously while the remaining 57.8% were using a modern method for the first time. Nine clients reported post insertion complication, pain at the site of insertion was reported by three clients, and pruritus was reported by one client and intermenstrual bleeding by five of the clients. Five women discontinued the method; 3(60%) was due to menorrhagia.Conclusion: The continuation rate of the method is high (95.1%). Majority of the acceptors (98%) had formal education, only 2% of the acceptors were illiterate. Public enlightenment will improve its use among the non literate women.Keywords: Jadelle, Subdermal implant, Kano, Northern Nigeri

Effect of Camel Milk’s Supplementation on Serum Glucose Levels, Lipid Profile and Body Weight of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Cases of diabetes are on the rise in almost every population and epidemiological studies suggest that without proper prevention and control measures, prevalence of the disease will continue to increase globally. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of camel milk supplementation on serum glucose, lipid profile and body weight of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by intravenous injection of alloxan (80mg/kg body weight). Diabetic rats showed significantly higer blood glucose levels (9.68±1.36 mmol/L). Treatment with camel milk significantly decreases blood glucose levels (5.33±0.46) p<0.05 compared to control. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein cholesterol in diabetic untreated rats as compared with control group. However, a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a significant increase (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in diabetic treated with camel milk group as compared with diabetic untreated group. No significant change in body weights were observed in all experimental groups during the period of the experiment. The current study demonstrates the efficacy of camel milk in management of diabetes in alloxan induced diabetic rats. This suggests that camel milk may have important implication in the management of diabetes. Further studies are required to elucidate the safety as well as the mechanism of action.Keywords: Camel Milk, Serum glucose, Lipid profile, Diabete

Production, microbial and physico-chemical evaluation of ‘dawadawan botso’ (a condiment) produced by the fermentation of Hibiscus sabdariffa seeds

Production and physico-chemical characteristic of ‘dawadawan botso’ was evaluated. A decrease in pH was observed after the second fermentation from an initial pH of 8.10 after cooking to 7.63. The mean bacteria count was between 2.7x104 CFUg-1 to 1.7x106 CFUg-1. The organisms associated with fermented dawadawan botso were isolated and identified as Bacillus Pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Brevibacillus laterosporus, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Brevibacillus brevis, Leuconostoc mesenteriodes, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus pentasaceus and Staphylococcus species. Bacillus species appear to be the dominant microflora involved in the fermentation. The proximate composition and mineral content revealed variations at (P < 0.05) level between unfermented and fermented seeds of H. sabdariffa with lipid having a value of 17.60 and 17.17%; protein value 15.94 and 25.19%; then carbohydrate was 37.96 and 15.98%. This suggests that ‘dawadawan botso’ is a good and cheap source of protein for the lower class, who cannot afford other expensive sources of proteins and its consumption may have health benefit due to the presence of probiotic bacteria.Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, alkaline fermentation, proximate composition, mineral content, Bacillus sp, Lactic acid bacteri

Novel selenium and/or copper substituted hydroxyapatite-gelatin-chitosan-eggshell membrane nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Limitations with the majority of bone therapeutic treatments include low availability, ethical constraints and low biological compatibility. Although a number of choice materials have been exploited successfully, there has always been scope for improvement as well as development of the next-generation of materials. Herein, scaffolds - developed from gelatin, chitosan and eggshell membranes - were crosslinked using tannic acid, and further infused with selenium and/or copper substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles to generate a novel nanocomposite substrate. FESEM images of the nanocomposite scaffolds revealed the presence of interconnected pores, mostly spread over the whole surface of the scaffold, alongside XRD and FTIR profiling that detailed the formation of hydroxyapatite as a sole phase. Moreover, physical characterisation of the nanocomposite confirmed that the hydroxyapatite particulates and the eggshell membrane fibres were uniformly distributed and contributed to the surface roughness of the scaffold. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the novel constructs were assessed using the mouse-derived osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1, and standard cell culture assays. Metabolic activity assessment (i.e. MTS assay), LDH-release profiles and Live/Dead staining demonstrated good cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation rates. Accordingly, this work summarises the successful development of a novel construct which may be exploited as a clinical/therapeutic treatment for bone repair as well as a possible translational application as a novel biomaterial for the drug development pipeline

Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and its Risk factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Background: Pregnant women infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) can transmit the infection to their fetuses and newborns. Neonates who contract the HBV have about 90% risk of developing chronic HBsAg carriage (HBsAg: hepatitis B surface antigen) and chronic liver disease. Neonatal immunization interrupts this vertical and perinatal transmission.Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and to identify potential risk factors associated with HBV infection.Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted involving a total of 303 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at AKTH and 303 nonpregnant women of childbearing age. Blood sample was collected from each woman and the serum tested for the presence of HBsAg using latex rapid agglutination slide test kit (Cal-Tech Diagnostic Inc., USA) in the laboratory of the hospital. Reactive samples were stored at -20ºC and further confirmed for HBsAg using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Bio-Rad, France). HBsAg-positive samples were tested for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) using ELISA kits (Orgenics, Israel). A pretested, structured questionnaire was used for the collection of sociodemographic data and possible risk factors. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women and nonpregnant women were 7.9 and 7.6%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of HBsAg in pregnant and nonpregnant women. The presence of HBeAg was statistically significant among both pregnant and nonpregnant women who tested positive for HBsAg. The risk factors associated with HBV infection were blood transfusion, ear piercing, history of an affected sibling with HBV infection, tattooing, and abortion among pregnant women.Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg in this study was not statistically different in pregnant and nonpregnant women. There was a high level of HBeAg infection among pregnant women who tested positive for HBsAg. History of an affected sibling with HBV infection, tattoo, and abortion were significant risk factors for HBV infection. Keywords: Africa, hepatitis B, pregnancy, risk factor

An Unusual Lymphatic Metastasis of Cancer of the Prostate: A Report of 3 Cases

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