Late third trimester ultrasound diagnosis of duodenal atresia - the importance of detailed prenatal ultrasound screening

Duodenal atresia (DA) is the commonest type of congenital small bowel obstruction usually presenting in the neonatal period. About half of fetuses with duodenal atresia have other associated anomalies, and these associations often contribute to morbidity and mortality. DA can be fatal unless promptly diagnosed and treated surgically. In experienced hands and in countries where prenatal ultrasound screening for anomalies is routine, DA can be confidently diagnosed prenatally, which can help in reducing the perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with diagnosis after delivery.We report a case of DA diagnosed by ultrasonography at 36 weeks gestation in a 34 year old multiparous woman in a hospital where targeted prenatal ultrasound screening for fetal anomalies was recently introduced, and reviewed relevant literatureKeywords: Prenatal Ultrasound screening, Duodenal Atresi

Intestinal obstruction by Ascaris Lumbricoides in a 10-year-old girl: A case report in south-west Nigeria

Ascaris lumbricoides is the most common intestinal helminth parasitizing human beings.Infestation with the worm is commonly seen in developing countries,however, with improvement in sanitary conditions, surgical sequelae is becoming quite rare. We present a case of a 10-year-old female who had intestinal obstruction from worm infestation, reviewed the  literature and highlighted the need to consider the differential diagnosis in a patient who presents with similar clinical features in developing countries

Diversity of benthic biota of some freshwater habitats in Kabba/Bunu Local Government, Kogi State, North-Central, Nigeria

The composition and diversity of different water bodies in Kaaba/Bunu Local Government, Kogi State were investigated for both micro and macrobiota. The study covered Oinyi, Odogo and Odonkolo Rivers. Salinity values ranged between 0.03‰ and 0.07‰ indicating the freshwater status of these water bodies, pH was between 6.50 and 7.61.  Conductivity values were between 88.1µS/cm and 131.7µS/cm while dissolved oxygen highest value (5.12mg/L) was recorded at Odonkolo River. For the phytobenthos, eighty-five taxa recorded were distributed among five divisions, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Charophyta, Euglenophyta and Cyanobacteria. Bacillariophyta (Diatoms) accounted for 78.28% of the identified species, followed by the Charophytes, (6.99%), Chlorophytes (5.61%), Euglenophytes (7.43%) and Cyanobacteria (1.69%). Macrobenthic invertebrates recorded three group; gastropoda (37.71%), insecta (28.57%) and oligochaeta (35.71%).Keywords: Phytobenthos, macrobenthic, Water, River, Diversity, Kogi Stat

A case of compound intussusceptions in a Nigerian child – a rare finding in a common disease

Intussusception is the most common, non-congenital, cause of intestinal obstruction in infants. There are various patterns of intussusception seen in children with the most common being ileo-colic variety. Compound intussusception in which intussusception involves more than one non-adjacent segment is a rare finding in the literature and it can be associated with worse morbidity than typically occurs, especially in a region where delayed presentation is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the treatment of intestinal obstruction.We report the first documented case of double compound intussusception in an African child and reviewed relevant literature.Keywords: Antegrade and retrograde; Children; Compound; Intussusceptio

Factors Associated With Manual Reduction of Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia in Children

Background: In patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia, initial manual reduction, which is not always feasible, rather than immediate surgery, is associated with fewer complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate factors associated with successful manual reduction of incarcerated inguinal hernia in children. Methods: A prospective cohort study between January 2010 and December 2014 of children admitted with incarcerated inguinal hernia to a single surgical unit. Results: A total of 34 patients with a median age of 4.2 months (range: 2 weeks to 14 years) were recruited. Manual reduction was attempted in 23 (67.6%) patients and successful in 13 (56.5%). A total of 9 (26.5%) patients had bowel strangulation. Shorter incarceration (median of 18.2 vs. 48.4 hours, p = 0.004) and longer duration of previous swelling (median of 20 vs. 3.5 weeks, p = 0.029) were associated with successful manual reduction. Bowel strangulation rate was higher amongst patients excluded from manual reduction, using the set criteria, compared to those who had failed reduction (77.8% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.044). Conclusions: Manual reduction is more likely to be successful in patients who present early after incarceration as well as those with wider internal rings.Keywords: children, incarceration, inguinal hernia, manual reduction, strangulatio

Phytochemical, Nutritional Composition and Heavy Metals Content of Allium cepa (Onion) and Allium sativum (Garlic) from Wudil Central Market, Kano State, Nigeria

Allium plants are common spices used as food ingredients. Allium cepa (onion) and Allium sativum (garlic) are cultivated in Wudil town. In this study the qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals in Allium cepa revealed the presence of alkaloids (6.45mg/kg), tannins (1.25mg/kg), flavonoids (1.51mg/kg), total phenolic (20.68mg/kg) while saponin was absent. On the other hand Allium sativum shows alkaloids (4.68mg/kg), tannin (0.25mg/kg) and saponin (0.44mg/kg). Proximate composition of garlic show (p<0.05) increase in fat (2.82%), carbohydrate (24.55%), fibre (2.74%), and ash (4.22%) when compared with onion, while protein (2.96%) and moisture (87.36%) are (p<0.005) higher in onion. Anti-nutritional factors present in onion show (p<0.05) increase in oxalate (11.85mg/kg) and tannins (0.76mg/kg), while garlic shows (p<0.05) increase in phytate (1.79mg/kg) and hydrogen cyanide (0.39mg/kg). Heavy metals in onion were (p<0.05) higher in Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Mn, while garlic only show (p<0.05) increase in Zn and Co. The Cr in onion shows (p>0.05) difference when compared with garlic. Cd and Pb in onion and garlic were above WHO recommended safe limits in vegetables. From this study it is observed that the agro-climatic condition may have effect on the phytochemicals of both plants samples from Wudil, while sources of the heavy metals need to be investigated and controlled from level of cultivation to that of processing

Optimization of pectinase production by Aspergillus niger using central composite design

Pectinases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of pectin. Pectinase producing Aspergillus niger was obtained from a five-day old Eba (Cassava flakes). Response surface methodology was used for optimizing the process of the pectinase produced. Four independent variables which are, temperature, pH, substrate concentration and time of Heating at  70oC were used to optimize the significant correlation between the effects of the variables on pectinase production. A second-order polynomial was fitted to data and validated by ANOVA. The results revealed maximum pectinase production at pH 6.0, 50oC Temperature, 0.02% substrate concentration and the enzyme lost all its activity within 7 min of heating at 70oC. The study revealed that optimization of pectinase through RSM could improve the enzymatic characteristics and yield of the enzyme. The models used were highly significant with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.901Keywords: Pectinase; Aspergillus niger; Response Surface Methodology; Central Composite Desig

Impact of black plum (Vitex doniana) leaf meal on blood biochemistry, hormone and cholesterol level of West African dwarf goat-bucks

Fifteen (15) West African Dwarf (WAD) goat-bucks with average initial weights of 10±0.53kg were used in an experiment to investigate the effect of varying levels of Vitex doniana leaf meal on the blood profiles, hormone and cholesterol level of WAD goat-bucks. The animals were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments consisting of graded levels of Vitex doniana in a Completely Randomized Design experiment which lasted twenty-eight (28) days. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected from the jugular veins of the animal for the determination of haematological and serum biochemical characteristics using standard laboratory methods. The Vitex doniana leaf had a crude protein of 8.53, crude fibre of 7.15, crude fat of 6.44 and ash of 8.26 percent and were moderately high in flavonoids 20.82, phenols 96.14, saponin 6.48mg/100g with slight presence of alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids and anthraquinones. The effects of graded levels of Vitex doniana leaf meal on haematology of WAD goat-bucks reveals that red blood cell (RBC) significantly (p<0.05) increase with concurrent increase in Vitex doniana leaf meal whereas the haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) reduced with the addition of the leaf meal. Other parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different from the control, although it varies with increase in the leaf meal addition. The serum biochemistry of West African dwarf bucks showed that total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), urea and glucose significantly increased with increase in Vitex doniana leaf meal. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the increase in Vitex doniana leaf meal inclusion. The ALT and AST were not significantly (p>0.05) different from the control in treatment D. Phytochemical results shows Vitex doniana has high content of phenol, flavonoid and saponin; it significantly increase total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein with a reduction in high density lipoprotein with 20g/kg feed while triglyceride and high density lipoprotein were high with 10g/kg feed. It significantly reduced luteinizing hormone while causing an increase in follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and prolactin with 15g/kg. The administration of 15g inclusion level of Vitex doniana leaf meal increases the reproductive performance while administration of 10g inclusion level helped to lower the cholesterol level in WAD bucks with no conspicuous adverse effects and their health status was not compromised. All the haematological and serum biochemical characteristics of the bucks were within the normal/ standard blood ranges for apparently healthy bucks. The study therefore concludes that farmers can supplement feed with up to 20% Vitex doniana leaf meal in formulated diets meant for goats, without fear of compromising haematopoietic processes. Keywords: Blood, Feed, leaf-meal, WAD goat-buck

Wildbird abundance and richness in Forestry Research Institute Of Nigeria (FRIN), Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State

This study assessed avi-fauna species richness and abundance indices in environs of Forestry Research Institutes of Nigeria (FRIN).The study area,  FRIN, was divided based on landuse activities into three; residential, plantations (Teak (Tectona grandis), and Gmelina (Gmelina arborea)) and fallow  land. Ten (10) point counts were made in each of the land use areas at distance of 200m and visited between 06:00hrs- 10:00hrs and 0400hr-0600hr for a period of 10 minutes each. A pair of 8x42 binoculars, voice recorder and Helms field guide to the birds of Western Africa was used for species identification and confirmation. Species richness, sighting index, bird species diversity (Shannon and Simpson), and Sorenson index of similarity were deduced. Data were analyzed using frequency; PPMC, Percentage and correlation at α 0.05.A total 78 bird species belonging to 38 families were recorded. Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans parasitus) was the most abundant species with frequency (228) and sighting index (12.5%). The residential area had the highest mean bird species richness per point. The overall Shannon diversity index (3.52) and Simpson diversity index (0.95) indicated that the study site is highly diverse in bird species. Exotic trees species do not support bird abundance and richness in the  study area, therefore effort should be put in place to restore the depleted habitat planting of native tree species. Keywords: Species richness, Abundance, Wild birds, Landuse, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria

Examining the Association between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Harmful Health Behavioral Risk Factors among older adults with Multimorbidity in Northern Nigeria

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with increased risky health behavior and poor health outcomes later in life. And little is known about this connection in high-violence, low-resource settings like Nigeria where exposure to ACEs is common throughout the life course. And thus, the study was structured to determine this connection. By answering the research question. Does ACE increase the risk of developing health risk behavior among patients with multimorbidity in Niger state, north-central Nigeria? Methods: A quantitative-cross-sectional study was utilized. Questionnaires were administered to 734 multimorbid patients aged 60 years and over with 2 or more chronic diseases who visit for routine ambulatory outpatient and consented to participate in the study from 4 high-volume hospitals in Niger state over 5 months. Face-to-face data was collected electronically via JISC online survey software between October 2021 to February 2022. The data was analyzed by IBM SPSS version 27 sourced from the University of West London. Results: ACE scores were predictive of risk behaviors and the dosing relationship of ACEs for harmful health risk behaviors was significant. Gender-adjusted binary logistic regression shows that individuals having 4 or more ACEs are more likely to engage in smoking (AOR = 1.592, 95% CI 0.427, 5.927) and alcohol consumption (AOR= 1.078, 95% CI 0.430, 2.701) than individuals with less than 4 ACEs. Conclusion: The study hypothesized that individuals with 4 or more ACEs are at increased risk of smoking and drinking alcohol. Therefore, early identification of ACEs or their health consequences must be a priority for health practitioners, educators, social support workers, and policymakers to enhance policies and programs that will support families and conducive environments