Effects of disc speed and height of flow mechanism of a solid manure spreader on uniformity of spreading and swath width

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of disc speed and height of flow mechanism of a solid manure spreader in order to maintain uniformity of spread and swath width for optimum crop growth. The study was done using complete randomized design with three factors considered: tractor forward speed, height of flow mechanism (broadcasters) gate opening rates, (15, 30, 45cm) and disc speed (150, 300, 450rpm) applied according to SAE S341.2, 1999 test code. Results obtained and compared with an imported spreader shows that the developed spreader recorded the highest application rate of 4082.1kg/ha against that of the imported spreader of 1875.3kg/ha while the swath width was 9.5m compared to 9.0m of the imported. Results obtained also shows that the spreader gave a more uniform spread pattern of manure at a lower openning of 15cm height of flow mechanism and lesser disc speed of 150rpm. Disc speed and height of flow mechanism were found to be the major determining factor influencing spreading uniformity and swath width of cow dung manure for optimum crop growth

Fluoroscopic-guided sacroiliac joint injections for treatment of chronic axial low back pain in a tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: a preliminary study

Background: The injection of mixture of plain bupivacaine and triamcinolone acetonide into the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) to relieve chronic low back pain is uncommon in the West African sub-region. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy or otherwise of fluoroscopic-guided SI joint injection in the management of chronic axial low back pain in Nigeria.Design: This was a prospective observational interventional studySetting: The study was carried out at a tertiary hospital in NigeriaParticipants: Twenty-six patients with SI joint pain, based on IASP diagnostic criteria, who presented to our unit over 36 months from March 2012 to March 2015 and.Interventions: Fluoroscopic-guided injections of 5mls mixture of bupivacaine and triamcinolone acetonide into the sacro-iliac (SI) joints of 26 patients with SI joint pain out of 116 patients who were offered different interventions for chronic low back pain. The patients were followed up for year and pain intensity and functional status were assessed at 3-, 6- and 12 months post-intervention.Main outcome measures: Pain relief and functional improvement were the main outcome measures.Results: The mean numeric rating score (NRS) and Oswestry Disability index (ODI) score in 14 (53.9%) patients at 12 months post-interventions were significantly lower compared with baseline values; 3.19 ± 1.10 vs 8.54 ±1.14 p=0.000 and 25.35 ± 5.40 vs 37.54 ±8.41, p=0.000 respectively.Conclusion: Fluoroscopic-guided steroid injection into the SI joint resulted into reduction in pain intensity and improved physical function in the majority of patients with SI joint pain. Funding: Not declaredKeywords: Axial low back pain, sacroiliac joint, steroid injection, fluoroscopy, pain relie

Opioid prescribing habits of physicians in Kwara State, Nigeria

Objective: Although opioid analgesics are effective in the treatment of moderate to severe acute, cancer and chronic non-malignant pains, they are under-prescribed in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to assess the prescription pattern of opioids among physicians in a north central State, Nigeria..Design: This was a descriptive cross sectional studySetting: The study was conducted at the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)-sponsored workshops on pain and palliative care at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.Participants: These were physicians at the monthly workshops organized by the Pain and Palliative Care Unit of the hospital between August 2011 and July, 2012. Interventions: Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain responses to questions on pain management including opioids utilization in the various hospitals of the 114 participants.Main outcome measures: The main outcome measure was opioid prescription by the participants.Results: Out of the 114 questionnaires distributed, 113 were returned with complete information giving a response rate of 99.1%. The mean age of the respondents was 42.0±10.8 years. Although 97.3% of the respondents reported that pain was a frequent complaint in their practice, 69.5% of those who reported seeing patients with moderate to severe pain on a daily basis rarely or never prescribed opioid analgesics. The reasons given for poor opioid prescription were fear of respiratory depression (86.8%), fear of addiction (85.1%) and non-availability (28.9%).Conclusion: Opioid prescription rate for patients with moderate-severe pain is low possibly due to myths and misconceptions about their adverse effects.Funding: International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) Initiative for Improving Pain Education Grant awarded to Dr. K.W. Wahab in 2011.Keywords: Opioid analgesics, prescribing habits, physicians, Nigeri

Caesarean section in a primigravida with spina bifida occulta and a spinal cord stimulator: Preconception counselling, antenatal care and anesthetic considerations

Recent developments in medical and surgical subspecialties have contributed to improved quality of life in patients with spina bifida (SB). Despite the challenges of chronic pain, spinal abnormality, gait abnormalities, loss of urinary, and fecal continence, female patients can become pregnant. Provision of obstetrics and/or surgical care to patients with SB may become more common as more patients survive to adulthood. Preconception counseling, antenatal care, obstetrics, and other specialized care are essential components of optimal management of these patients. We report the obstetric and anesthetic challenges encountered in a primigravida with SB occulta and a spinal cord stimulator who had caesarean delivery. Effective communication between the patient, obstetricians, and anesthetists, as well as planned and coordinated care, ensured a successful feto‑maternal outcome.Keywords: Antenatal management; caesarean delivery; preconception care; spina bifida; spinal cord stimulato

Caesarean section in a primigravida with spina bifida occulta and a spinal cord stimulator: Preconception counselling, antenatal care and anesthetic considerations

Recent developments in medical and surgical subspecialties have contributed to improved quality of life in patients with spina bifida (SB). Despite the challenges of chronic pain, spinal abnormality, gait abnormalities, loss of urinary, and fecal continence, female patients can become pregnant. Provision of obstetrics and/or surgical care to patients with SB may become more common as more patients survive to adulthood. Preconception counseling, antenatal care, obstetrics, and other specialized care are essential components of optimal management of these patients. We report the obstetric and anesthetic challenges encountered in a primigravida with SB occulta and a spinal cord stimulator who had caesarean delivery. Effective communication between the patient, obstetricians, and anesthetists, as well as planned and coordinated care, ensured a successful feto-maternal outcome

Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess the doctors and nurses knowledge of acute oxygen therapy.

BACKGROUND:Prescription and administration of oxygen in emergencies by healthcare providers are reported to be inappropriate in most settings. There is a huge gap in the knowledge of health care providers on various aspects of oxygen therapy, and this may be a barrier to optimal oxygen administration. Hence, it is essential to ascertain providers' knowledge of acute oxygen therapy so that appropriate educational interventions are instituted for better delivery. There is no available validated instrument to assess knowledge of acute oxygen therapy. The study aimed to develop, validate and evaluate the test-retest reliability of a questionnaire to determine the doctors and nurses understanding of acute oxygen therapy. METHODS:This study involved the development of the questionnaire contents by a literature review, assessment of face validity (n = 5), content validity, using a panel of experts (n = 10), item analysis and test-retest reliability among a sample (n = 121) of doctors and nurses. RESULTS:Face validity indicated that the questionnaire was quick to complete (10-15 min), most items were easy to follow and comprehensible. The global content validity index (S-CVI) was 0.85. The test-retest reliability statistics showed a kappa coefficient of 0.546-0.897 (all P<0.001) and percentage agreement of 80-98.3% indicating high temporal stability in the target population. In total, 90% of the items fulfilled the reliability acceptance criteria. Item discrimination analysis showed that most questions were at an acceptable level. The final questionnaire included 37 item questions and eight sections. CONCLUSION:The designed questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for assessing knowledge of acute oxygen therapy among doctors and nurses

<i>Buchholzia coriacea</i> Leaves Attenuated Dyslipidemia and Oxidative Stress in Hyperlipidemic Rats and Its Potential Targets <i>In Silico</i>

The study aimed to investigate how the solvent extract of Buchholzia coriacea (BCE), a widely known hypolipidemic agent, could contribute to hyperlipidemia treatment and identify the potential bioactive compounds. We studied Wistar albino rats, dividing them into seven groups: the normal control, normal rats treated with 400 mg/kg.b.wt of BCE (NRG group), the hyperlipidemic control (HPC group), hyperlipidemic rats treated with atorvastatin, a standard control drug (SC group), as well as 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg.b.wt of BCE extract respectively (T1, T2, T3 groups). The potential compounds that functioned in BCE extract were analyzed by in silico binding to acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FASN). The binding affinities and drug-like properties of the compounds were determined using virtual screening and absorption distribution metabolism excretion and toxicity prediction analysis. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and 44 chemical compounds in the leaf extract of BCE. BCE significantly reduced the levels of triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, atherogenic coefficient, atherogenic index, and coronary risk index, while enhancing the levels of high-density lipoprotein and cardioprotective index in comparison to the HPC group. The BCE reduced malondialdehyde quantities, which exhibit high levels in HPC. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as glutathione levels, which are otherwise reduced in HPC, were increased upon the BCE treatment. Among the identified BCE compounds, lupenone and 2,7-dimethylnaphthalene exhibited the highest binding affinities to ACC and FASN, suggesting that these two compounds might be the bioactive BCE components displaying hypolipidemic properties. BCE is found to be beneficial in blocking hyperlipidemia through the modulation of lipid profile, the protection of cardiovascular function, as well as the suppression of oxidative stress. BCE may be a natural source for exploring novel drugs for the treatment of dyslipidemia