Sulfate but not thiosulfate reduces calculated and measured urinary ionized calcium and supersaturation: implications for the treatment of calcium renal stones

BACKGROUND: Urinary sulfate (SO 4 2− ) and thiosulfate (S 2 O 3 2− ) can potentially bind with calcium and decrease kidney stone risk. We modeled the effects of these species on the concentration of ionized calcium (iCa) and on supersaturation (SS) of calcium oxalate (CaOx) and calcium phosphate (CaP), and measured their in vitro effects on iCa and the upper limit of stability (ULM) of these salts. METHODS: Urine data from 4 different types of stone patients were obtained from the Mayo Nephrology Clinic (Model 1). A second data set was obtained from healthy controls and hypercalciuric stone formers in the literature who had been treated with sodium thiosulfate (STS) (Model 2). The Joint Expert Speciation System (JESS) was used to calculate iCa and SS. In Model 1, these parameters were calculated as a function of sulfate and thiosulfate concentrations. In Model 2, data from pre- and post STS urines were analyzed. ULM and iCa were determined in human urine as a function of sulfate and thiosulfate concentrations. RESULTS: Calculated iCa and SS values for all calcium salts decreased with increasing sulfate concentration. Thiosulfate had no effect on these parameters. In Model 2, calculated iCa and CaOx SS increased after STS treatment, but CaP SS decreased, perhaps due to a decrease in pH after STS treatment. In confirmatory in vitro experiments supplemental sulfate, but not thiosulfate, significantly increased the calcium needed to achieve the ULM of CaP and tended to increase the oxalate needed to reach the ULM of CaOx. Sulfate also significantly decreased iCa in human urine, while thiosulfate had no effect. CONCLUSION: Increasing urinary sulfate could theoretically reduce CaOx and CaP stone risk. Although STS may reduce CaP stone risk by decreasing urinary pH, it might also paradoxically increase iCa and CaOx SS. As such, STS may not be a viable treatment option for stone disease

A huge epidermal inclusion cyst of the vulva complicating neonatal female circumcision

Female genital mutilation is the summation of all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. Hemorrhage, sepsis and genitourinarydamage are the main early causes of morbidity and occasional mortality associated with this practice. Vulva epidermal inclusioncysts, sexual and birth difficulties occur late and can cause medical, psychological and socioeconomic problems. Here, we presentthe case of a 42-year-old circumcised female, who presented with a huge vulva swelling of 30 years duration that posed somediagnostic challenge because of the presence of other body swellings arising from neurofibromatosis. This was successfully excisedand histology showed it was epidermal inclusion cyst, which we believed was a late complication of her neonatal circumcision

Shelf Life Study and Quality Attributes of Cocoyam Chips

The study was carried out to determine changes in the quality indices (levels of peroxides values, acid values, pH and colour) of cocoyam chips and microbiological safety (bacterial, yeast and mould counts) of cocoyam chips as influenced by temperature during storage period of fried cocoyam chips. Cocoyam tubers were processed into chips of 3mm thickness; the slices were then fried at a frying temperature of 170°C in a shallow pot for 7 minutes and was packaged in polyethylene bags and stored under room and refrigerator temperature. The results showed that there was significant difference (p≤0.05) between quality indices, microbiological safety and storage temperature and packaging materials. From week 0-5, peroxide values of samples stored under refrigeration temperature were found to be low, ranged from 3.39 - 11.58 meq kg-1, while the samples stored in the room temperature were found to be higher 3.81 - 12.87 meq kg-1. Acid values were also found to be low in the samples stored in the refrigerator, ranged from 5.79 - 16 3.34mg/g and the samples that were stored in the room temperature ranged from 9.94 - 24.05mg/g. The samples stored under refrigeration temperature had low bacterial counts ranged from 5.0 x 101 - 6.2 x 101 cfu/ml while samples stored in the room temperature had higher bacterial counts, ranged from 9.0 x 101 – 74 x 101 cfu/ml. Yeast and mould counts in samples stored under refrigeration temperature ranged from 4.0 x 101 - 32 x 10 cfu/ml while the samples that were stored in room temperature had higher counts, ranged from 3.0 x 10 – 38 x 10 cfu/ml. pH ranged between 6.88 - 7.02 for both samples during storage period. The results showed that storage temperature and properly sealed packaging material has effect on the above parameters that were determined. There were also colour changes during the storage period

An Investigation of the Lethality of Picralima Nitida, Family Apocynaceae in Malaria Vector Control

Insecticides resistance and the corresponding health and environmental challenges that arises as a result of the use of synthetic chemical based insecticides prompts the search for better alternative control measures which are more effective, specific in action and less toxic. The 4th instar larvae of Anopheles spp, the vector of the deadly plasmodium were evaluated in this research against aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of the plant Picralima nitida. Results revealed that aqueous leaf extract of the test plant had a mean mortality of 11 at 24hrs exposure and concentration of 5.0mg/ml. 95% mortality was also recorded at 5.0mg/ml after 48hrs exposure. Methanolic leaf extract had a mean mortality of 7.7 at 48hrs exposure time and same concentration of 5.0mg/ml. however, at 72hrs exposure, (concentration 5.0mg/ml), the mean mortality increased to 19.3 (97% mortality). The Median Lethal Time evaluated using probit analysis at 95% Confidence Limit showed the average lethal time of the test organism Anopheles larvae to the methanolic extract to be 55hrs and 29hrs for the aqueous leaf extract. This result hence supports the fact that leaf extracts of P. nitida can be used as a source of eco-friendly alternatives in the control of mosquito vectors, if developed. Keywords: Resistance, Insecticides, Anopheles spp, Eco-friendly, Larvicidin

Riding under the influence: unravelling substance abuse patterns among motorcyclists in South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Drug and substance abuse has been outlined as a worldwide problem that is wreaking havoc on both social and public health across many nations. It is a global problem that affects both developed and developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess substance abuse among Okada riders in Nnewi, Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria. Methods: Drug and substance abuse has been outlined as a worldwide problem that is wreaking havoc on both social and public health across many nations. It is a global problem that affects both developed and developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess substance abuse among Okada riders in Nnewi, Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria. Results: About 221 Okada riders were assessed. Majority of them were middle aged. The mean age of the respondents were 39.5±11.1 years, with a range of 19-65 years. About 100% of the respondents were aware of substance abuse. Overall 73.3% of the respondents abuse at least a substance, with alcohol recording the highest use with 93.8% prevalence. About 77.2% of the abusers have taken these drugs before driving, and 65.2% have been involved in an accident, however only 5.4% admitted it was as a result of substance used. Conclusions: The prevalence of substances use among Okada riders in Nnewi was high. There was however a high awareness of the negative consequences of use of substance. Non-governmental organizations should target Okada riders for interpersonal communication interventions to help mitigate the use of substances

The difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with fluoride containing toothpaste and without toothpaste

In administering fluoride through drinking water there is the risk of overdose, higher cost and inadequate availability of drinking water containing fluoride in developing countries like Indonesia. A safe fluoride source is contained in toothpaste. The purpose of this research was to obtain data concerning difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride and without toothpaste. The research method used was the quasi-experimental method. Samples were collected by the way of purposive sampling, conducted on 43 male and female research subjects. The data were analyzed by statistical analysis using the t test at 95% confidence level. In this research a control group consisting of 43 people was used. Research results indicated that the average saliva pH before brushing was 7.174; after brushing with fluoride containing toothpaste salivary pH was 7.593. Result research of brushing without toothpaste showed an average saliva of 7.163 before brushing and 7.379 after brushing without toothpaste. The average changes in saliva pH before and after brushing using fluoride containing toothpaste was 0.216. The conclusion of this research was that there was significant difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride; there was significant difference in saliva pH before and after brushing without toothpaste, and there was significant difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride and without toothpaste

Complications of Internal jugular catheters in haemodialysis patients at a kidney care center in Nigeria

Internal jugular vein catheters (IJC) is recommended as the central venous access of choice in haemodialysis patients. However it is associated with complications of variable severity. Objectives: To study the complications associated with internal jugular vein catheters in haemodialysis patients in southern part of Nigeria. Methodology: The clinical details of patients who had IJC insertion at the kidney house, Hilton clinics Port Harcourt from 1st October 2011 to 30th September 2016 were documented. Complications from the IJC developed by the patients during the study period were also documented. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 22. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 129 patients had 150 internal jugular catheter insertions. The mean age was 51.4±15.2 years with male to female ratio of 1.5:1. All the patients had chronic kidney disease; about 80% had tunneled IJC and 96.9% of the catheters were inserted in the right internal jugular vein. Immediate complications were recorded in 10% and late complications in 34.9% of the procedures. The immediate complications were kinking of guide wire (2%), arterial puncture (1.3%) and difficulty in locating the internal jugular vein (1.3%) or tunneling (1.3%). The late complications were infection (12.8%), poor blood flow (9.2%), bleeding (5.5%) and spontaneous removal of the catheter (5.5%). There was no statistical significant difference in both immediate and late complication with age and sex. The ultrasound examination at discharge had a sensitivity of 31% and specificity of 87% to detect future symptomatic lymphoceles. The positive predictive value was only 10%. The second ultrasound test had the best test variables to detect symptomatic lymphoceles with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 87% and a predictive value of 28%. Conclusion: Internal jugular catheter is froth with immediate and late complications in haemodialysis patients

Pedagogical use of mobile technologies during Coronavirus school closure

The unplanned closure of schools due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) left millions of students out of schools. However, the use of mobile technologies offered opportunities for educators and students to engage in remote pedagogical activities during the school closures. The study investigated the effects of the usage of mobile technologies on educators’ and students’ pedagogical activities during the COVID-19 school closure, and on the students’ attitudes towards pedagogical activities during the COVID-19 school closure. A total of 150 questionnaires were administered to participants that consist of educators and students from different levels of education in Nigeria. The samples were selected through simple random sampling technique, and collected data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, and statistical methods of regression and ANOVA. The results show that the use of mobile technologies had statistically significant effects on the pedagogical activities of students and educators during the COVID-19 school closure, and on the attitudes of students towards pedagogical activities during the COID-19 school closure. Majority of the participants agreed that the use of mobile technologies such as: laptops, mobile phones, mobile apps, MP3, and other PDAs positively influenced their pedagogical activities during the COVID-19 school closure. The study concludes that mobile technologies have become an important and promising pedagogical tool which can be harnessed to enhance ubiquitousness and continued education during and after school closure or outbreak of pandemics

JESS-calculated concentration of calcium species as a function of [S₂O₃²⁻] concentrations.

<p>Average urine values from a group of calcium oxalate stone formers were used (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103602#pone-0103602-t001" target="_blank"><b>Table 1</b></a>), and sulfate varied from 10⁻⁵ M to 10⁻³ M.</p

“An Unquestionable Expert on Avant-Garde”. For Igor Yevgenyevich Vasilyev’s Birthday

<p>Average urine values from a group of calcium oxalate stone formers were used (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103602#pone-0103602-t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>), and sulfate varied from baseline (100%) to as low as 10% or as high as 500% of that.</p