Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: A Surgical Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

Snoring is now seen as one end of sleep-related breathing disorder resulting ultimately in obstructive sleep apnea. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is the first surgical procedure specifically designed to alleviate the abnormalities, although the use of laser appears to be the new trend. We present a case of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) in an overweight young adult male which was corrected with the traditional UPPP. This paper also highlights the role of high index of suspicion and meticulous clinical decision making in the absence of sophisticated sleep studies

Imperatives of Internet and Social Media on Broadcast Journalism in Nigeria

The development of radio and later television brought a new dimension to news and events coverage in Nigeria. In 1993 the monopoly of government was broken to allow private participation.  This gave the broadcast audience multiple choices of media. The advanced technology in the broadcast media and the development of internet and social media networks further exposed the society to alternative mediums of information. The pervasiveness of these websites in our everyday lives is today changing the face of broadcasting globally and in particular the Nigerian broadcast industry. This paper therefore examines the implication of Internet and social media on broadcast journalism in Nigeria. Keywords: Imperative, Internet, social media, broadcast Journalism, Nigeri

Evidences of Metasomatic Processes During the Emplacement of Pan-African Granites in the Eastern End of the West African Craton.

Pan African Orogeny has been linked with pervasive potash metasomatism that has affected most parts of the Precambrian Basement Complex of Nigeria. The Nigerian Basement Complex is characterized by several granitoid intrusives marking the Pan-African orogeny (600 Ma). They are seen emplaced within schists and migmatites. These rocks reflect syn- to post collisional environment.The Ilesha schist belt is studied to investigate which of metasomatic or magmatic processes is the more dominant process that affected the emplacement of rocks of the Nigerian basement complex.Aluminium saturation index (ASI) shows that these granites range from metaluminous – peraluminous. Tectonic model reveals that they are calc-alkaline products of continental collision events. Petrographic studies show typical composition of quartz, alkali feldspar, biotite and hornblende as the major mineral phases. Both geochemical and petrographic data infer phase changes that may be connected with potash metasomatism. Key words: Older granites, Potash metasomatism, Microcline, Pan African orogeny and Ostwald ripening

MODELING THE PERFORMANCE OF A BAOBAB SEED DECORTICATOR USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Decortication of baobab seed manually after soaking or roasting is time consuming, labour-intensive and uneconomical. The demand for baobab kernel as a source of protein is increasing for use as supplement for animal protein ration, for edible oil consumption and for other industrial uses. To ameliorate this problem, a baobab seed decorticator has been developed. This study therefore focused on the effects of process parameters; moisture content of seed, speed of decorticator and concave-shaft clearance on percentage clean kernel (Pck), percentage broken kernel (Pbk), percentage whole seed (Pws) and decorticating efficiency (DE), using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). In designing the experiments, Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was selected. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out to evaluate and select the appropriate dependent (Pck Pbk, Pws and DE) and independent variables using both the F and P-values calculated at 95% confidence level (a=0.05). Mathematical models relating the process parameters to the responses were developed. The developed models were validated by comparing the predicted and actual experimental values. The selected quadratic models were adequate for predicting the performance of the developed decorticator. It was observed that a decrease in percentage clean kernel recovery would result if concave-shaft clearance and moisture content were increased. Likewise, the concave-shaft clearance had the highest positive effect while moisture content had the highest negative effect on percentage of broken kernel. All the three factors (process parameters) had positive effects on decorticating efficiency

REPRODUCTIVE RESPONSE TO INCLUSION OF GRADED LEVELS OF Ipomoea purpurea LEAF MEAL (MORNING GLORY) IN DIETS OF LAYING CHICKENS

Reproductive responses of laying birds fed Ipomea purpurea leaf meal (IPML) were investigated. Atotal of 40, 25-weeks old birds grouped into four treatments of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% inclusion levels of IPML were used for this experiment in a completely randomized design layout. The birds were artificially inseminated with semen from cockerels on controlled diet thrice in a week. A total of 400 eggs were collected and set in an incubator. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in Hen day production,feed/dozen eggs and the egg characteristics investigated. The blood glucose levels significantly decreased (p<0.05) while level of progesterone significantly increased (p<0.05) with increase inlevel of IPLM inclusion. The percentages of fertility and hatchability were high while the survivability was 100%. It can be concluded that IPLM inclusion level of up to 7.50% supports high fertility, hatchability and survivability and could be used in breeder diets for the production of fertile eggs

Mevalonate pathway analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during bioisoprene synthesis

Isoprene, synthesized through two complementary biosynthetic routes known as the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and the deoxy-xylulose phosphate pathway, is a valuable monomer that is used for rubber and several other chemical industries. Despite the recent interest in the industrial and biomedical applications of isoprene and its derivatives, the complexity of controlling its chemical synthesis due to the formation of greenhouse gases is a significant problem. To overcome the productivity and yield challenges, in addition to generating environmental and economic benefits, this study aimed to focus on the direct fermentation of cellulosic materials into bioisoprene. In this study, bioisoprene was synthesized via a biotransformation process through enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava peel using Aspergillus niger 11JK and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 19KB strain. The mevalonate (MVA) pathway (synthetic route) exploited during bioisoprene production by S. cerevisiae 19KB strain was investigated using the hydrolyzed cassava peel broth. The obtained crude extract was analyzed for bioisoprene yield and enzymatic activities using Gas chromatography. Furthermore, results of the size exclusion chromatography revealed the presence of polysaccharide hydrolyzing enzymes (e.g., amylase and cellulase), and mevalonate pathway enzymes, including isoprene synthase, mevalonate-5-diphosphate decarboxylase, and isopentyl phosphate kinase, in addition to isoprene, mevalonic acid (MVA), and its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Based on the results obtained in this study, bioisoprene synthesis via direct fermentation of cheap and abundant carbon sources such as cassava peel using the S. cerevisiae 19KB strain will overcome the high production costs and low yield challenges of bioisoprene, thus generating significant environmental and economic benefits

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BACTERIA COLONIZATION AND ICU-ACQUIRED INFECTION IN A NIGERIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Background: Health care associated infection (HCAI) or Hospital acquired infection is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and cost. The incidence is about 6% and disproportionately higher in critically ill patients who may have been immune-compromised with many invasive procedures already performed. Prevention of HCAI and appropriate management of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) requires knowledge on the pattern of microbial colonization and infections. The aim of this preliminary study was to provide current data on the pattern of ICU acquired infections in our hospital. Patients and Methods: It was a cross sectional study of patients admitted into the ICU who were expected to stay longer than 48hrs between July 2011 and September 2012. Urine, blood, and tracheal aspirate were collected on days 1, 3 and 5 for microbiological studies. All patients involved in the study had urethral catheter in-situ and received mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Results: Fifty-nine patients were recruited into the study. The mean age of the patients was 30.08 + 19.9yr; while the reasons for admissions were respiratory failure (59.3%), cardiovascular instability, trauma and neurological diseases. About 30% of the samples taken from the study sites on arrival in the ICU had positive culture yields. Organisms cultured included Klebsiella oxytoca, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The urinary tract had the highest number of isolated organisms- 9(60%), followed by equal number of isolated organisms-3(20%) in the blood and respiratory tract. Eleven (73.3%) of the organisms isolated were Gram-negative bacteria, and 4 (26.7%) were Gram-positive cocci. The commonest bacteria isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (4/26.7%) and Klebsiella oxytoca (4/ 26.7%). A total of 15 ICU- acquired infections were detected in 9 of 59 patients. Conclusion: The HCIA infection rate was 15%, and urinary tract infections (UTI) was the commonest hospital acquired infection in our ICU. Klebsiella oxytoca and Staphylococcus aureus were the commonest organisms

Towards a successful management of aflatoxin contamination in legume and cereal farming systems in northern Nigeria: A case study of the groundnut value chain

Aflatoxin is reported to be a major challenge of many agricultural commodity value chains groundnut, with potential negative impacts on nutrition, food safety, human health and foreign trade. This paper presents multiple pre-emptive management measures in the management of Aflatoxins in the groundnut value chain in Nigeria. These measures include: the organization of Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops, development of aptitudes in the detection and quantification of aflatoxin levels, demonstration of integrated crop management (ICM) practices, production of pedagogic materials to support awareness raising engagement of media organs to sustain awareness on the challenges of aflatoxin contamination, and evaluation and promotion of Aspergillus flavus resistant groundnut varieties. Alongside these measures which target behavioural corrections, samples of groundnut and groundnut-based are being collected to establish the prevalence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut kernel and groundnut-based products in Northern Nigeria

Exposure to anti-malarial drugs and monitoring of adverse drug reactions using toll-free mobile phone calls in private retail sector in Sagamu, Nigeria: implications for pharmacovigilance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) contribute to ill-health or life-threatening outcomes of therapy during management of infectious diseases. The exposure to anti-malarial and use of mobile phone technology to report ADRs following drug exposures were investigated in Sagamu - a peri-urban community in Southwest Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Purchase of medicines was actively monitored for 28 days in three Community Pharmacies (CP) and four Patent and Proprietary Medicine Stores (PPMS) in the community. Information on experience of ADRs was obtained by telephone from 100 volunteers who purchased anti-malarials during the 28-day period.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>A total of 12,093 purchases were recorded during the period. Antibiotics, analgesics, vitamins and anti-malarials were the most frequently purchased medicines. A total of 1,500 complete courses of anti-malarials were purchased (12.4% of total purchases); of this number, purchases of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and chloroquine (CQ) were highest (39.3 and 25.2% respectiuvely). Other anti-malarials purchased were artesunate monotherapy (AS) - 16.1%, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) 10.0%, amodiaquine (AQ) - 6.6%, quinine (QNN) - 1.9%, halofantrine (HF) - 0.2% and proguanil (PR) - 0.2%. CQ was the cheapest (USD 0.3) and halofantrine the most expensive (USD 7.7). AL was 15.6 times ($4.68) more expensive than CQ. The response to mobile phone monitoring of ADRs was 57% in the first 24 hours (day 1) after purchase and decreased to 33% by day 4. Participants in this monitoring exercise were mostly with low level of education (54%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings from this study indicate that ineffective anti-malaria medicines including monotherapies remain widely available and are frequently purchased in the study area. Cost may be a factor in the continued use of ineffective monotherapies. Availability of a toll-free telephone line may facilitate pharmacovigilance and follow up of response to medicines in a resource-poor setting.</p

Economic Value of Mangrove Forest in Pannikiang Island, Barru District, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract Mangrove forest area is a very important area in Pannikiang. Mangrove forests in this area are used by the community as a livelihood. This study wants to learn about the economic valuation of mangrove forests on Pannikiang Island, Makassar. A total of 60 respondents were interviewed in depth. Benefit value, calculated using the value of Direct Use, Indirect Use Value, Option Value, Existence Value, and Total Economic Value. The total economic value of mangrove forests on the Pannikiang Island Rp. 16,155,904,158/year or Rp. 183,007,523,300/ha/year. The patterns and manner of utilization, resource mangrove ecosystem is using gear nets, traps, hooks iron in catching shrimp and crab, develop nursery mangrove system with scraped or directly from the fruit, using gear nets, traps, using an iron hook and set traps crab (rakkang) in catch crabs, catch the bat, found in the mangrove forest, using the net, made bridge length, and the middle of the mangrove forest tower area so that the end could be resting and go up to the tower to see the entire expanse of the forest mangrove Pannikiang Island, wanamina cultivation, which combines farming of fish/shrimp with mangroves