Ruptured Retina Artery Macroaneurysm Presenting with Recurrent Vitreous Haemorrhage: A case report

A 74-year-old hypertensive presented with recurrent vitreous haemorrhage. Examination showed a rupturedretinal arterial macroaneurysm. Control of systemic hypertension was associated with resolution. Risk factors and management are discussed. Ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm should be considered in elderly hypertensive patients presenting with vitreous haemorrhage.Keywords: retinal arterial macroaneurysm; vitreous haemorrhage; systemic hypertensio

ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) ON THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF AGRO-BASED FOOD INDUSTRIES IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

The use of Information Communication technologies (ICTs) as a management tool has gained widespread significance in recent years and the stock of management advantages provided by ICT cuts across disciplines and sectors. Management experts see this globalization of management options as the “super production and marketing input” needed by firms to boost their competitive edge. This paper assesses the adoption and use of ICTs on the economic performance of Agro-industries (ABFIs) in South-West, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from a total of 80 respondents from the study area. Budgetary analysis, t-test of mean differences and multiple regressions were used in the data analysis to actualise the study objectives. In assessing the effect of ICTs on the economic performance of the companies, the “before and after” scenarios were analysed. The results revealed an increase of about 14 percent increase in total profit after adoption of ICTs. The reduction in marketing cost brought about by adopting ICT s were found to be largely responsible for the increase in profit of the ICT adopting firms. The results also revealed that irrespective of the scale of operation, there was a general reduction in total marketing cost due to ICT adoption. The Cobb Douglas function fitted to explain the cost effect relationship between yearly firms’ expenditure on ICTs and firm’s characteristics revealed that the proportion of ICT literate staff to the total staff strength and age of firm were found to be significant positive determinants of ICTs expenditure. The study recommends the adoption and use of ICTs by agro-based firms as a cutting edge input that is not only cost effective but more efficient in the long run.Agribusiness,

Comparative Study on the Proximate Composition of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Chrysichthys walkeri (Family Claroteidae) from Oyan Lake

A study was conducted to determine and compare the proximate composition of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Chrysichthys walkeri from Oyan Lake, Ogun State, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected during the months of February, March and April, 2013 from Oyan Lake and conveyed to the laboratory for analysis. The proximate composition of protein, fat, moisture, ash and crude fiber were measured. Results revealed a moisture monthly variation between 69.68 ±2.44 – 77.28 ±1.56 for Chrysichthys walkeri and 68.52±2.94 – 72.47±3.65 for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus. The protein content ranged between 19.47±0.33 – 20.14±0.43 for Chrysichthys walkeri and for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus the protein content ranged from18.62±1.2 in March to 20.54±1.03 in February. The fat content of Chrysichthys walkeri ranged from 1.24% in February to 1.63 % in April, while for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus the values ranged from 9.00% - 9.53%. The mean monthly ash content of Chrysichthys walkeri ranged from 1.37 - 1.38% and for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus the values varied between1.37% and 1.57%.  Further results reveal a significant difference in the protein content and fat content of Chrysichthys walkeri in February and in the month of April while the protein content of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus differed significantly in the month of February from the month of March. In all the months Chrysichthys walkeri had the lowest protein content of 19.47%; it also had the lowest fat, ash and crude fibre content of 1.24%, 1.21% and 3.68% respectively. Keywords: Chrysichthys walkeri, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, proximate composition, Oyan Lak

Data mining algorithm for development of a predictive model for mitigating loan risk in Nigerian banks

The focus of this paper is on the development of data mining algorithm for developing of predictive loan risk model for Nigerian banks. The model classifies and predicts the risk involved in granting loans to customers as either good or bad loan by collecting data based on J48 decision tree, BayesNet and Naïve Bayes algorithms for a period of ten (10) years (2010 2019) from using structured questionnaire. The formulation and simulation of the predictive model were carried out using Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) software. The performance of the three algorithms for predicting loan risk was done based on accuracy and error rate metrics. The study revealed that J48 decision tree model is the most efficient of all the three models

The cost minimization analysis of an outreach dental service: a pilot study at Akinyele local government area in Nigeria

Background: Access to dental services improves oral health and thereby, overall general health. For people with limited or no access to oral health care services, outreach dental services may be used to reduce oral health inequality. There is however paucity of information on the economic analysis of outreach dental services in sub Saharan Africa.Objective: To report a cost minimization analysis of an outreach dental service as compared with a primary oral health clinic.Method: A comparative analysis of the costs expended in the treatment of patients at an outreach dental service of the University College Hospital, Ibadan was done versus the costs that would have been incurred if the patients had been treated at a Primary Oral Health Clinic of the same institution.Results: A total of three hundred and forty two (342) participants were attended to at the outreach dental service. More than 80% of the 123 participants examined had an unmet oral health need. The procedures carried out were in keeping with the basic package of oral care. The average cost of the outreach per participant was N530 (~$2.50) only versus an estimate of N868 (~$4.13) per participant if the programme had been clinic based. The total cost savings was N115,344 (~$549.26).Conclusion: Outreach dental services provide similar dental treatment to services in a primary oral health clinic at a reduced cost.Keywords: Access, Basic package of oral care, Cost analysis, Dental services, Oral health care, Oral health inequalitie

Anatomical studies on the spinal cord of the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) II: histomorphology and spinal tracings

The field of neuroanatomy and the knowledge of spinal cord, in particular, requires an accurate base on which data can be mapped. Lately, researchers have taken into consideration studies on Greater cane rat (GCR) because of its large body size and African origin. This study was designed to elucidate the histomorphologic features of the GCR spinal cord. A total of 10 adult GCR (five males and five females) raised in captivity were used for this study. Twenty-seven spinal segments (Cervical-8, Thoracic-13, Lumbar-5 and Sacral-1) were identified. Each segment was transected, processed histologically into Nissl-stained sections and observed features of the spinal cord were described. The GCR spinal segments possess the typical Hshaped inner gray matter core surrounded by an outer white matter. Variations in the shape of the central canals were observed across the spinal segments. A total of sixty-four features were delineated: twelve observed in the white matter, forty-nine in the gray matter and the remaining three were attached to the spinal cord. Laminar organisations, tracts, nuclei and motor neuron groups of the spinal cord identified were also traced and possible functions adduced in this rodent. No sexual dimorphism was observed in this study. This work has provided valuable and qualitative baseline information for understanding the laminar characteristics relevant to pathophysiologic conditions of the spinal cord. It has also contributed to the knowledge of neuroanatomy of this rodent and will be valuable for spinal cord research especially in this species.Keywords: Spinal cord, Greater cane rat, Histology, Laminar organisation, Spinal tracing

Assessment of selected liver enzyme activity in patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis receiving treatment at a tertiary healthcare facility, southwest Nigeria

Background: Several anti-tuberculous drugs have been effective in the treatment and management of drugsensitive and -resistant tuberculosis (TB). While these drug combinations have proven to be highly active against tubercle bacilli, side effects and toxicity may occur with tendency to interrupt or discontinue therapy, resulting in poor compliance. The objective of this study is to assess hepatotoxic potentials of anti-TB drugs among patients with rifampicin-resistant TB (RRTB) undergoing treatment at the directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a prospective study of 40 patients with RRTB on second-line anti-TB therapy including bedaquiline, moxifloxacin, prothionamide, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, isoniazid and clofazimine. RRTB was diagnosed by sputum smear AFB microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF assay at the TB laboratory of Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Forty gender and age-matched apparently healthy persons were used as control. Venous samples (~5ml) were collected from each participant at baseline (prior to commencement of anti-TB therapy) and after completion of 9-11 months therapy, as well as from the controls. Plasma was separated by centrifugation and the activity of ALT, AST and ALP was measured by spectrophotometric analysis, while total protein and albumin levels were determined using routine methods. Data were presented as mean±SD and analysed using SPSS version 21.0. Comparison of the mean enzyme activity at baseline and after completion of therapy as well as with the control was done with unpaired ‘t’ test, and ‘p’ (two tail) value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The age range of the 40 RRTB patients is 20-67 years (mean age 45.50±10.1 years) while the age range of the 40 controls is 21-65 years (mean age 45.70±12.10 years). The male to female ratio is 1.2:1 for the patients and 1:1 for the control. There is statistically significant increase in post-therapy plasma activity of ALT (p<0.0001), AST (p<0.0001), ALP (p<0.0001), and total protein level (p=0.0086) compared to the baseline, while plasma albumin level decreased significantly post-therapy (p=0.007). Although there is no significant difference in the baseline activity of ALT (p=0.4936) and AST (p=0.2539) for the RRTB patients compared to the control, post-treatment activity of ALT (p<0.0001) and AST (p<0.0001) in RRTB patients were significantly higher than in apparently heathy controls. Conclusion: The activity of the liver enzymes (AST and ALT) reported among RRTB patients in our study are within the normal reference range for persons above 18 years of age, indicating a non-hepatotoxic effect of the anti-TB drugs. However, statistically significant increase in these enzyme activities in the patients’ posttreatment compared to the baseline, and to apparently healthy controls, indicates that the drugs may be potentially hepatotoxic on prolonged usage.   French title: Évaluation de l'activité des enzymes hépatiques sélectionnées chez les patients atteints de tuberculose résistante à la rifampicine recevant un traitement dans un établissement de soins de santé tertiaires, dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria Contexte: Plusieurs médicaments antituberculeux se sont révélés efficaces dans le traitement et la prise en charge de la tuberculose pharmacosensible et résistante. Bien que ces combinaisons de médicaments se soient avérées très actives contre les bacilles tuberculeux, des effets secondaires et une toxicité peuvent survenir avec une tendance à interrompre ou à interrompre le traitement, entraînant une mauvaise observance. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer les potentiels hépatotoxiques des médicaments antituberculeux chez les patients atteints de tuberculose résistante à la rifampicine (RRTB) qui suivent un traitement à la clinique DOTS (Traitement de courte durée directement observé) de l'Université de technologie de Ladoke Akintola (LAUTECH), Hôpital, Ogbomoso, Nigéria Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective de 40 patients atteints de RRTB sous traitement antituberculeux de deuxième ligne comprenant la bédaquiline, la moxifloxacine, le prothionamide, l'éthambutol, le pyrazinamide, l'isoniazide et la clofazimine. La RRTB a été diagnostiquée par microscopie AFB des frottis d'expectoration et test Xpert MTB/RIF au laboratoire de la tuberculose de l'hôpital universitaire de Bowen, à Ogbomoso, au Nigeria. Quarante personnes apparemment en bonne santé appariées selon le sexe et l'âge ont été utilisées comme contrôle. Des échantillons veineux (~5ml) ont été prélevés sur chaque participant au départ (avant le début du traitement antituberculeux) et après la fin du traitement de 9 à 11 mois, ainsi que sur les témoins. Le plasma a été séparé par centrifugation et l'activité de l'ALT, de l'AST et de l'ALP a été mesurée par analyse spectrophotométrique, tandis que les taux de protéines totales et d'albumine ont été déterminés à l'aide de méthodes de routine. Les données ont été présentées sous forme de moyenne ± ET et analysées à l'aide de SPSS version 21.0. La comparaison de l'activité enzymatique moyenne au départ et après la fin du traitement ainsi qu'avec le contrôle a été effectuée avec un test «t» non apparié, et une valeur «p» (deux queues) inférieure à 0,05 a été considérée comme statistiquement significative. Résultats: La tranche d'âge des 40 patients RRTB est de 20 à 67 ans (âge moyen 45,50±10,1 ans) tandis que la tranche d'âge des 40 témoins est de 21 à 65 ans (âge moyen 45,70±12,10 ans). Le ratio hommes/femmes est 1.2:1 pour les patients et 1:1 pour le contrôle. Il y a une augmentation statistiquement significative de l'activité plasmatique post-thérapie de l'ALT (p<0,0001), de l'AST (p<0,0001), de l'ALP (p<0,0001) et du taux de protéines totales (p=0,0086) par rapport à la ligne de base, tandis que l'albumine plasmatique le niveau a diminué significativement après le traitement (p=0,007). Bien qu'il n'y ait pas de différence significative dans l'activité de base de l'ALT (p=0,4936) et de l'AST (p=0,2539) pour les patients atteints de RRTB par rapport au groupe témoin, l'activité post-traitement de l'ALT (p<0,0001) et de l'AST (p<0,0001) chez les patients RRTB étaient significativement plus élevés que chez les témoins apparemment en bonne santé. Conclusion: L'activité des enzymes hépatiques (AST et ALT) rapportée chez les patients atteints de RRTB dans notre étude se situe dans la plage de référence normale pour les personnes de plus de 18 ans, indiquant un effet non hépatotoxique des médicaments antituberculeux. Cependant, une augmentation statistiquement significative de ces activités enzymatiques chez les patients après le traitement par rapport à la ligne de base et à des témoins apparemment sains, indique que les médicaments peuvent être potentiellement hépatotoxiques en cas d'utilisation prolongée

Effects of lipid-lowering agents on plasma lipid profile and apolipoprotein B in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) accounts for about 90% of all cases of Diabetes Mellitus. Dyslipidaemia has been demonstrated to form a synergy with T2DM as risk factors for cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine the plasma levels of Lipids and Apolipoprotein B-100 among Type 2 Diabetic patients, assess the effects of Lipid Lowering agents, and to study the relationship, if any, between these lipid parameters and glycemic control.Methods: One hundred and fifty participants consisting of fifty T2DM patients on a lipid-lowering agent, fifty newly diagnosed T2DM patients who are drug naïve (not on any anti-diabetic agent) and fifty apparently healthy non-diabetic controls were recruited for this study. Fasting blood samples were collected from all study participants for determination of Total Cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, Triglycerides(TG), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL-C) and Apo B-100. Results: The results showed significant increases in plasma TC, LDL-C, TG and Apo B-100 with a remarkable reduction in plasma HDL-C level in the Type 2 Diabetic drug naïve group compared with the treatment and control groups. There was a significant positive  correlation observed between serum Apo B-100 and level of glycaemia in the T2DM drug naïve group.Conclusion: This study further confirms the therapeutic benefits of lipid-lowering agents in reducing Apo B-100 among T2DM patients. Furthermore, maintaining good glycaemic control reduces the risk for the development of dyslipidaemia. Keywords: T2DM, Dyslipidaemia, Cardiovascular Diseases, Apolipoprotein B-100, Nigeria

Effect of iodine biofortification on incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Tomato is often attacked by wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporium. Iodine is known to have fungistatic effect in pathogen control. The present experiment was aimed at determining the effect of iodine compounds (potassium iodide, KI and potassium iodate, KIO3) on incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt and yield of two tomato accessions, FUNAABTO/106 and FUNAABTO/123. The experiment was conducted in the screenhouse and on the field. KI was applied at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 5 mM while KIO3 was applied at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 mM. The untreated plots served as control. Results showed that FUNAABTO/106 treated with 0.5 mM KIO3 in the screenhouse and on the field had the least (0.00%) disease incidence. Disease severity was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower (1.00) in the screenhouse in pots containing FUNAABTO/106 treated with 1 mM KIO3. On the field, FUNAABTO/106 treated with 0.5 mM KIO3 had the least (1.17) disease severity. FUNAABTO/106 treated with 0.5 mM KIO3 in the screenhouse and on the field were significantly higher (1.65t/ha and 18.54t/ha respectively) in yield. The study concluded that application of iodine compounds at lower concentrations reduced the incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt and increased the yield of tomato.Keywords: Potassium iodate (KIO3), Potassium iodide (KI), Fusarium oxysporiu

From cassava to gari: Mapping of quality characteristics and end-user preferences in Cameroon and Nigeria

User's preferences of cassava and cassava products along the value chain are supported by specific root quality characteristics that can be linked to root traits. Therefore, providing an evidence base of user preferred characteristics along the value chain, can help in the functional choice of cassava varieties. In this respect, the present paper presents the results from focus group discussions and individual interviews on user preferred quality characteristics of raw cassava roots and the derived product, gari, ‐ one of the major cassava products in Sub Saharan Africa ‐ in major production and consumption areas of Cameroon and Nigeria. Choice of cassava varieties for farming is mainly determined by the multiple end‐uses of the roots, their agricultural yield and the processing determinants of roots that support their major high‐quality characteristics: size, density, low water content, maturity, colour and safety. Processing of cassava roots into gari goes through different technological variants leading to a gari whose high‐quality characteristics are: dryness, colour, shiny/attractive appearance, uniform granules and taste. Eba, the major consumption form of gari in Cameroon and Nigeria is mainly characterized by its textural properties: smoothness, firmness, stickiness, elasticity, mouldability. Recommendations are made, suggesting that breeding will have to start evaluating cassava clones for brightness/shininess, as well as textural properties such as mouldability and elasticity of cassava food products, for the purpose of supporting decision‐making by breeders and the development of high‐throughput selection methods of cassava varieties. Women are identified as important beneficiaries of such initiatives giving their disadvantaged position and their prominent role in cassava processing and marketing of gari