Electric Load Consumption Profile of Female Students Hostels in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria

The study assessed electric energy consumption profile in female students’ hostels of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Questionnaire survey method, energy audit and checklist were used in the study. Twenty four (24) different types of electric appliances were identified in the students’ hostels. Electric pressing iron dominates with frequency of 61(9.79%), followed by handset charger 58(9.31%), electric fan 52(8.35%). The appliances with least frequency of 2(0.32%) were dishwasher and electric indoor grill. The study established that pressing iron has the highest energy consumption of 67,100W representing 18.7% total energy consumption of appliances in the hostels. This was followed by boiling ring with 60,000W representing 16.8% and hotplate with 57,600W representing 16.1%. The appliance with the least energy consumption was handset charger (232W) representing 0.1% of the total energy consumption. The total energy consumed by appliances in the hostels was 357,287W with a cost of N9, 289. 46 KWh. The frequency of use of appliances was ranked 1st as the major factor that determines energy consumption in the hostels, followed by room type and electric room heater. The study concluded that electric pressing iron, boiling ring and hotplates are the major energy consuming appliances in the students’ hostel. The management should monitor the hostel energy consumption and sensitize the students on the importance of using energy efficient appliances to reduce the cost of energy. Keywords: Electric Appliances, Electric Load Profile, Hostel, Ahmadu Bello University, Zari

Teste intradérmico com proteínas recombinantes de Mycobacterium bovis como antígenos em Cavia porcellus

O teste intradérmico para o diagnóstico da tuberculose bovina utiliza derivados proteicos purificados (PPD) de Mycobacterium bovis que são capazes de induzir reações de hipersensibilidade em animais infectados. No entanto, apresenta baixa especificidade devido à ocorrência de reações cruzadas com outras micobactérias. Neste sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho foi produzir proteínas recombinantes (ESAT-6, PE13, PE5 e ESX-1) de Mycobacterium bovis e avaliá-las como antígenos em teste intradérmico utilizando Cavia porcellus como modelo, e verificar se as condições empregadas na purificação (nativa ou desnaturante) interferem no desempenho antigênico dessas proteínas. As proteínas foram testadas em Cavia porcellus previamente sensibilizados com cepa M. bovis AN5 inativada, individualmente (160 µg) ou combinadas na forma de um coquetel (40 µg cada). O coquetel de proteínas induziu reações de hipersensibilidade nos animais sensibilizados significativamente superiores (p=0,002) as observadas nos animais não sensibilizados, possibilitando diferenciação. No entanto, as proteínas isoladamente não foram capazes de promover essa diferenciação. As condições de solubilização e purificação influenciaram o desempenho antigênico da proteína ESAT-6, pois, quando produzida em condição desnaturante desencadeou reações inespecíficas nos animais não sensibilizados, enquanto que aquela produzida em condições nativas e aplicada em concentrações de 6, 12, 24 e 48µg induziu reações significativas apenas nos animais sensibilizados, confirmando o seu potencial como antígeno

An Appraisal of Household Cooking Fuel Consumption and their Carbon related Emission in Zaria Metropolis, Nigeria

An increase in energy consumption largely from fossil fuel combustion is often accompanied by a significant increase in CO2 emissions which contributes to climate change. This study assesses energy consumption and its related green gas emission from household cooking activities in selected areas of Zaria metropolis. One hundred (100) well-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the households within the study area and 83% response rate was received. The questionnaire sourced information associated with respondent’s profile and household characteristics, choice and type of cooking fuel, frequency of cooking activities, etc. the quantity of fuel used to boil 3.5 litres of water was determined for each fuel type which were used to the estimation of carbon emitted. Results show that most household (63.86%) prefer to use kerosene for cooking because of the stove type (16.9%) they use and the cost of the fuel (53%). wood has the highest carbon emission of 1170.57g/J. It takes time 9.43 minutes and consumed 354.29g of firewood to boil the water while Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumed 11.43g of fuel in 5.43 to emit 34g of carbon. Electricity from the national grid took 7.43 minutes and consumed 0.44Kwh with no emission at the point of use. LPG indicates to have less carbon emission and takes lesser cooking time compared to firewood which is in line with the respondent opinion. It is recommended that advocacy to discourage the use of firewood as cooking fuel should be intensified even though it is the cheapest energy source. Keywords: Carbon emission, Cooking fuel, Household, Zaria metropolis, LP

Hypertensive disorders in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: insights from the ESC EORP PPCM Registry

Aims: Hypertensive disorders occur in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). How often hypertensive disorders co-exist, and to what extent they impact outcomes, is less clear. We describe differences in phenotype and outcomes in women with PPCM with and without hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Methods: The European Society of Cardiology PPCM Registry enrolled women with PPCM from 2012-2018. Three groups were examined: 1) women without hypertension (‘PPCM-noHTN’); 2) women with hypertension but without pre-eclampsia (‘PPCM-HTN’); 3) women with pre-eclampsia (‘PPCM-PE’). Maternal (6-month) and neonatal outcomes were compared. Results: Of 735 women included, 452 (61.5%) had PPCM-noHTN, 99 (13.5%) had PPCM-HTN and 184 (25.0%) had PPCM-PE. Compared to women with PPCM-noHTN, women with PPCM-PE had more severe symptoms (NYHA IV in 44.4% and 29.9%, p<0.001), more frequent signs of heart failure (pulmonary rales in 70.7% and 55.4%, p=0.002), higher baseline LVEF (32.7% and 30.7%, p=0.005) and smaller left ventricular end diastolic diameter (57.4mm [±6.7] and 59.8mm [±8.1], p<0.001). There were no differences in the frequencies of death from any cause, re-hospitalization for any cause, stroke, or thromboembolic events. Compared to women with PPCM-noHTN, women with PPCM-PE had a greater likelihood of left ventricular recovery (LVEF≥50%) (adjusted OR 2.08 95% CI 1.21-3.57) and an adverse neonatal outcome (composite of termination, miscarriage, low birth weight or neonatal death) (adjusted OR 2.84 95% CI 1.66-4.87). Conclusion: Differences exist in phenotype, recovery of cardiac function and neonatal outcomes according to hypertensive status in women with PPCM

The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications

Background: The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. Existing risk assessment tools are not valid for use in this population because the pattern of risk for poor outcomes differs from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to derive and validate a simple, preoperative risk stratification tool to identify African surgical patients at risk for in-hospital postoperative mortality and severe complications. Methods: ASOS was a 7-day prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery in Africa. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator was constructed with a multivariable logistic regression model for the outcome of in-hospital mortality and severe postoperative complications. The following preoperative risk factors were entered into the model; age, sex, smoking status, ASA physical status, preoperative chronic comorbid conditions, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. Results: The model was derived from 8799 patients from 168 African hospitals. The composite outcome of severe postoperative complications and death occurred in 423/8799 (4.8%) patients. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator includes the following risk factors: age, ASA physical status, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. The model showed good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.805 and good calibration with c-statistic corrected for optimism of 0.784. Conclusions: This simple preoperative risk calculator could be used to identify high-risk surgical patients in African hospitals and facilitate increased postoperative surveillance. © 2018 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Medical Research Council of South Africa gran