Challenges in setting up quality control in diagnostic radiology facilities in Nigeria

Background: The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was established to regulate and control the use of radioactive and radiation emitting sources in Nigeria. Quality control (QC) on diagnostic radiology equipment form part of the fundamental requirements for the authorization of diagnostic radiology facilities in the Country.Method: Some quality control tests (output, exposure linearity and reproducibility) were measured on the x-ray machines in the facilities that took part in the study. Questionnaire was developed to evaluate the frequencies at which QC tests were conducted in the facilities and the challenges in setting up QC.Results: Results show great variation in the values of the QC parameters measured. Inadequate cooperation by facilities management, lack of QC equipment and insufficient staff form the major challenges in setting up QC in the facilities under study.The responses on the frequencies at which QC tests should be conducted did not correspond to the recommended standards; indicating that personnel were not familiar with QC implementation and may require further training on QC.Keywords: Quality control,challenges,exposure reproducibility,regulation,diagnostic radiolog

Retrospective study of neonatal intestinal obstruction in Calabar: Aetiology and outcome

Neonatal intestinal obstruction is the most common surgical emergency in the newborn period. Prompt diagnosis and urgent management improve the chances of a favorable outcome. Aetiology and outcome may vary in different parts of the same country.Objective: To evaluate the aetiology and factors associated with mortality in neonates presenting with intestinal obstruction in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.Method: This was a retrospective study of clinical records of neonates presenting with features of intestinal obstruction over an eight year period. The biodata, diagnosis, management and outcome for the neonates were documented.Result: Forty neonates; 26(65%) males and 14(35.5%) females were studied. Imperforate anus was seen in 40% of subjects while Hirschsprung’s disease and intestinal atresia each were seen in 10%. Aetiology could not be determined in about a fifth of the cases. Age less than one week at presentation was significantly associated with a poor outcome. No case had surgical intervention within twenty-four hours of presentation. The overall mortality was 30%, most of these 9 (75%) was due to anorectal malformations.Conclusion: The management and outcome of neonatal intestinal  obstruction in our setting is poor. There is urgent need to upgrade our neonatal intensive care services to improve outcome in affected neonates. More Paediatric surgeons are required to reduce the gross inadequacy of expert as this would improve on the surgical intervention time as reported in this study.Key Words: Neonatal intestinal obstruction Hirschprung’s diseas

Pharmacological justification for the ethnomedicinal use of Amblygonocarpus andongensis stem bark in pain relief

Amblygonocarpus andongensis (family: Mimosaceae) is ethnomedicinally used in Northern Nigeria for the relief of pain. The methanolic extract of the plant stem bark was evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity using acetic acid-induced writhing model and formalin test in mice. Anti-inflammatory property was tested on egg albumin-induced oedema in rats while agar dilution method was used for antimicrobial effect. The acute toxicity effect (LD50) was also determined via intraperitoneal route. The results showed the LD50 value to be 547.7 mg/kg i.p. There was a significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction of acetic acid-induced pain at 50, 100, 200 mg/kg i.p. The extract at the same doses significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited pains in both early and late phases of the formalin test. However, the extract showed neither anti-inflammatory nor anti-microbial effects. The results corroborate the folkloric use of the plant

The effect of culture on Corporate Governance Practices in Nigeria

This study focuses on the effect of culture on the application of corporate governance practices in Nigeria. Corporate governance has been receiving serious attention in emerging markets over the past two decades. But relatively little attention has been given to the study on corporate governance in a country study. The current situations in Nigerian public and private sectors such as the corporate scandal resulting from Lever Brothers Nigeria plc, Siemens, Shell, Halliburton, and Cadbury Nigeria plc, have shown that the issue of fraud, corruption, and corporate scandals cannot be overlooked. Most top management, as this study argues, bring in beliefs acquired from their early childhood into their senior management roles and responsibilities. This study adopts a grounded theory and reports on the effect of culture on the implementation of corporate governance in Nigeria. Based on the interview with 32 staffs, this study identifies the effect of culture that shapes corporate governance and they include abuse of power by top management, weak legal framework, poor recruitment and ineffective control. Although having efficient corporate governance is worth pursuing, this depends on the power of top management, the strength of internal control procedures and the legal framework put in place by management

Evaluation of sampling techniques for millipedes

Reports of Crop damage by millipedes are widespread and attacks by this pest are sporadic, unpredictable and arise from populations, which built up previously. A good sampling technique is a useful tool in monitoring pest populations for effective management. Four techniques were compared to determine the most effective in sampling the population of two polyphagous millipede species (a) Spirostreptus assiniensis (Diplopoda: Spirostreptidae) and (b) Tibiomus species (Diplopoda: Odontopygidae). The four techniques were (i) Soil excavation by spade (ii) search through plant litters (iii) use of cassava root baits (iv) use of plant litters over cassava roots. Sampling was done on monthly basis for 12 months. Results showed that all the four techniques were effective in sampling millipedes. However, technique (iv) sampled significantly (P < 0.05) higher (34.7% and 53.0%) numbers of millipedes (a) and (b) respectively. Techniques (i), (ii) and (iii) sampled 17.8% and 6.7%; 21.9% and 14.6%; 25.6% and 25.6% respectively of millipedes (a) and (b). Technique (i) appeared to be ideal for the dry season and during high temperatures when these diplopods move into the lower layers of the soil to avoid desiccation. Techniques (ii), (iii) and (iv) appeared appropriate for wet season sampling as the millipedes prefer the top soil during this period to avoid waterlogged condition or excessive moisture. The four techniques derived from the natural habitat, food needs, suitable conditions of temperature and moisture dictated by time of sampling. Key words: Millipedes; Spirostreptus assiniensis; Tibiomus sp.; sampling techniques Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol.4(2) 2003: 230-23

Measurement of sugar and ph in X-ray irradiated honey

Honey samples collected from Obudu, Nigeria were irradiated at X-ray tube potentials between 50kVp and 90kVp (typical diagnostic potentials) and analysed for possible changes in pH and sugar concentration. It was observed that X-ray irradiation of Honey actually causes changes in its pH and sugar concentration, which did not follow any defined pattern, but had values that were significant in some cases when compared with those of the control. Being major contributors to the inhibitory property of honey, the observed changes in the values of these parameters may alter the potency of honey in wound treatment and healing. Therefore x-ray examinations during honey therapy should be avoided. Keywords: honey, sugar, pH, Concentration, X-ray, irradiation Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 17, 2005: 113-11

Publication patterns and productivity of academic scientists: case study of University Of Calabar, Calabar - Nigeria

The paper investigated the level of scientific communication in Calabar, Nigeria. Data for the study was collected using questionnaire survey. Articles in learned journals constitute the primary medium of communication among research scientists surveyed. A total of 59 journals were used by respondents for their scientific publications. 12 (20.3%)of these were local journals compared to foreign journals 45 (76.2%) . This implies low level of scientific communication within the country. The survey results also show that the major obstacle that militates against scientific research and publication is lack of facilities/equipment besides financial constraint. The paper recommends that relevant research facilities/equipment should be provided besides funding of scientific activities to enhance productivity and improve quality of the local scientific journals. Key Words: Publication output, Productivity, Scientific communication, Journal article, Publication strategy. Global Jnl of Humanities Vol.2(1&2) 2003: 66-7

The Effect Of Noise On Human Blood Pressure

Blood pressure of factory workers (study group) and office workers/students (control group) have been measured when they were exposed to a steady source of noise of about 110 dB(A). Results obtained show that people could be adapted to noise from steady sources. No significant increase in the Systolic Pressure and the Diastolic Pressure (SP) were recorded for the factory workers. However, there were slight increases in both the S. P and D. P of the control group. Thus implying that further increase in noise level could cause considerable increase in human blood pressure. KEYWORDS: Noise, Human, Blood Pressure, Systolic, Diastolic. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(1) 2005: 149-15

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Capsaicin on Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by cognitive impairment, and amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles at neuropathology. Capsaicin is a spicy-tasting compound found in chili peppers, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and possible neuroprotective properties. Capsaicin intake has been associated with greater cognitive function in humans, and attenuating aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation in a rat model of AD. This systematic review discusses the potential of capsaicin in improving AD pathology and symptoms. A systematic analysis was conducted on the effect of capsaicin on AD-associated molecular changes, cognitive and behaviour resulting in 11 studies employing rodents and/or cell cultures, which were appraised with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Ten studies showed capsaicin attenuated tau deposition, apoptosis, and synaptic dysfunction; was only weakly effective on oxidative stress; and had conflicting effects on amyloid processing. Eight studies demonstrated improved spatial and working memory, learning, and emotional behaviours in rodents following capsaicin treatment. Overall, capsaicin showed promise in improving AD-associated molecular, cognitive, and behavioural changes in cellular and animal models, and further investigations are recommended to test the readily available bioactive, capsaicin, to treat AD