Determination of elemental composition of air particulates and soils in Khartoum area

Investigations were carried out for elemental composition of air particulates in the background air and near roadsides in Khartoum area. Investigations were also performed for the elemental composition of soils at the same locations. A cyclone and a dichotomous virtual impactor wereused to measure the air particulates. The cyclone was adjusted to collect particles having an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5!m. The virtual impactor, through its fine channel, was capable of collecting airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis was used to study the elemental concentrations of the air and soil samples. The analysis of the results indicated that all elements in the proximity of roadsides have elevated concentrations compared to the background air levels. Enrichment factors were calculated relative to crust rock and Khartoum soil. The results showed that the elements K, Ca,Ti, Fe, and Sr in the aerosols have their origin from the soil, while the elements Zn, Ni and Pb have their source from automobile emissions. The results also indicated a correlation between lead and bromine. The lead to bromine ratio was found to be within the range of those derived from vehicular exhaust, and in good agreement with the ratios obtained from some other countries

Awareness, willingness and use of Voluntary HIV testing and counseling services by students of a university in south-south Nigeria

Background: HIV testing and counseling (HTC) is the entry point to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services. HTC can be voluntary or mandatory. This study aimed to determine the awareness, willingness, and use of voluntary HTC (VHTC) services by students of the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State Nigeria.Method:  A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in June 2012 using multi-stage random sampling to select 423 students who were administered a pre-tested, structured self-administered questionnaire adapted from the UNAIDS knowledge indicator questionnaire. Information about awareness, willingness and use of VHTC services were elicited from the respondents. Epi-Info 3.5.3 was used for data entry and analysis.Result:  There was almost universal awareness of HIV (99%) by respondents but a lower proportion (78.4%) were aware of VHTC services and a much lower proportion (14.8%) knew the services were available on the university campus. Furthermore, just about a half (53.8%) had ever undergone HIV testing (Female/male: OR=1.02, 95%CI: 0.68-1.55) and only 26.5% had voluntary HTC (Female/male: OR=1.34, 95%CI: 0.75-2.40). Majority (73.8%) of all respondents expressed willingness to undergo VHTC (significantly more females than males, OR=1.67, 95%CI: 1.04-2.68). Fear of positive result (39.1%) and stigma (25.7%) were the leading demotivators for those unwilling to have VHTC.Conclusion: Despite high awareness of HIV and voluntary HTC, actual use of VHTC services was low. There is a strong need for more education of the students and indeed the community at large as this would engender a more positive attitude and increased use of available VHTC services on campus.Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Voluntary HIV testing and counselling, HTC, undergraduate students, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa Stat

Trends of contraceptive utilisation in aminu kano teaching hospital, Northern Nigeria

The use of contraception in Northern Nigeria and indeed among clients in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano is in the increase. Objective: To determine the trend in contraceptive utilization among family planning clinic attendees in AKTH. Method: A retrospective review of the records of clients, who attended family rd st planning clinic of AKTH over a 3 year period from 3 January, 2011 to 31 December, 2013 was conducted. Results: A total of 8488 women attended the family planning clinic over the study period and up to 4679 clients accepted various forms of contraceptives. The contraceptive uptake was 55.1%. About half (49.8%) of the clients were between the ages of 20-29years and grandmultiparas constituted the largest (85.9%) group. Up to 31% of the clients were civil servants. There is a statistically significant (p =0.017) rising trend in the yearly utilization of contraception from 1033(12.17%) in 2011, 1284 (15.13%) in 2012, to 2362 (27.83%) in 2013. Injectable method was the most common accounting for 56.3%, while male condom was the least (0.17%). Vasectomy was however not recorded. Irregular vaginal bleeding was the commonest side effect (29.7%) experienced by the clients. Conclusion: There is a rising trend of contraceptive utilization in AKTH Kano. Male contraceptive utilization is however, extremely low. There is therefore the need to sensitized and enlightened men to avail themselves for contraception and this will encourage their spouses to improve on the use of the available methods

Biosorption of mercury by capsulated and slime layerforming Gram -ve bacilli from an aqueous solution

The biosorption of mercury by two locally isolated Gram-ve bacilli: Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumonia (capsulated) and slime layer forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was characterized. Mercury adsorption was found to be influenced by the pH value of the biosorption solution, initial metal concentration, amount of the dried biomass and contact time. The optimum biosorption capacity of K. pneumoniae (about 15%) was recorded at pH 5, initial mercury concentration of 0.1 g/L and when contacted for less than 60 min with 1.0 g dried cells/L. While, the highest biosorption capacity of P. aeruginosa (about 25%) was reached at pH 5.8, initial mercury level of 0.15 g/L and for less than 60 min contacted with 1.0 g dried biomass/L. The efficiency average of slime layer forming P. aeruginosa, of high negatively charged components, showed more than 1.5 fold increase as compared to capsulated K. pneumoniae of low negatively charged constituents, under all the tested characteristics of mercury biosorption from aqueous solution.Key words: Biosorption, mercury, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, capsulated and slime forming bacilli

Morphology of colorectal carcinoma among Nigerians: A 30-year review

Background: The incidence of colorectal carcinoma has been on the increase in the developing countries, including Nigeria, as a result of change in diet and adoption of western lifestyle.Objectives: The aim of this review is to highlight the prevalence, age and sex distribution, anatomical location, and morphological characteristics of colorectal carcinomas in Ilorin, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all cases of histologically diagnosed colorectal carcinoma in the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria, over a 30-year period (January 1979–December 2008), using the departmental record and histological slides of the cases.Result: A total of 241 cases of colorectal carcinoma were reported, 144 cases (60%) in males and 96 cases (40%) in females with a male: female ratio of 1.5:1. The peak age of occurrence for males was between 51 and 60 years, while that of the females was between 41 and 50 years. The malignancy was found in the rectum in 60.2% of the cases, while the least affected site is the descending colon (1.2%). The exophytic occluding masses were found in 82.2% of the cases, and the most common histological type is adenocarcinoma (77.2%) with well-, moderately, and poorly differentiated forms constituting 52.3%, 32.8%, and 14.9% respectively. Of the 241 cases that were seen over the last 30 years, 93 cases (38.6%) were seen in the last 5 years.Conclusion: Colorectal carcinoma is no longer a rare disease in Nigeria. The surge in the incidence reported in the last 5 years in this center calls for a pragmatic action in its control, with emphasize on colonoscopic  screening for those with family history, and possibly making digital rectal examination a mandatory aspect of clinical examination, because most colorectal carcinomas are within the reach of examining finger

Analysis of some risk factors for abruptio placentae in Jos, northern Nigeria

No Abstract

Biocompatibility of bio based calcium carbonate nanocrystals aragonite polymorph on NIH 3T3 fibroblast cell line

Background: Currently, there has been extensive research interest for inorganic nanocrystals such as calcium phosphate, iron oxide, silicone,carbon nanotube and layered double hydroxide as a drug delivery system especially in cancer therapy. However, toxicological screening of suchparticles is paramount importance before use as delivery carrier. In this study we examine the biocompatibility of CaCO3 nanocrystal on NIH 3T3cell line.Material and Methods: Transmission and field emission scanning electron microscopy (TEM and FESEM) were used for the characterisation ofCaCO3 nanocrystals. Cytotoxicity and genotoxic effect of calcium carbonate nanocrystals in cultured mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH 3T3 cellline using various bioassays including MTT, and Neutral red/Trypan blue double-staining assays. LDH, BrdU and reactive oxygen species wereused for toxicity analysis. Cellular morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal fluorescence microscope.Results: The outcome of the analyses revealed a clear rod-shaped aragonite polymorph of calcium carbonate nanocrystal. The analysed cytotoxic and genotoxicity of CaCO3 nanocrystal on NIH 3T3 cells using different bioassays revealed no significance differences as compared to control. A slight decrease in cell viability was noticed when the cells were exposed to higher concentrations of 200 to 400 ìg/ml, while increase in ROS generation and LDH released at 200 and 400 ìg/ml was observed.Conclusions: The study has shown that CaCO3 nanocrystal is biocompatible and non toxic to NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells. The analysed results offer a promising potential of CaCO3 nanocrystal for the development of  intracellular drugs, genes and other macromolecule delivery systems.Keywords: Biocompatibility; Calcium carbonate; nanocrystals; drugs and Cockle shells

Evaluation of Noise Pollution and Effects on Workers during Wheat Processing

This study assessed the intensity and likely effects of noise on workers during wheat processing. Noise measurements were taken using HD600 sound level meter. Subjective assessment of the effects of noise was undertaken using semi structured questionnaire. Also audiometric test was conducted on workers using AD229e diagnostic audiometer. The results of the study show that during wheat processing operations, the noise level in the factory ranges between 56.0 dB(A) and100.9 dB(A). Also, only 25.6 % of all the readings was below the specified limit of 85 dB(A). Workers are also observed to have certain forms of physiological and psychological disorders related to noise. The audiometric test results revealed that 33 % of the examined workers have defect in their left or right ear. Based on these results, WHO Class-5 hearing protector is recommended to be worn by workers in the processing sections while room acoustics should be upgraded to absorb some sounds transmitted to offices. © JASEMKeywords: Wheat processing, noise, machines, workers, audiometric examinatio

Christian Tithe vis-a-vis Islamic Zakat Concept: A Comparative Study in Socio-Economic Scope

This study is aim to compare a social fund concept in Islam and Christian. Comparing a tithe as an instrumen of christian social funds and zakat as an instrument of Islamic social funds. Moreover, this study will delve a scheme of each concepts and compare its effeciency in achieve a socio-economic goals. The study was applied a dual qualitative methods. The first is literature review method, which is use to identify a relevant theories of a study. Theories will be compared by a second method, that is, qualitative comparative analysis method. The findings is, tithe and zakat has same objectives, that is, a human prosperity. But, both of these differences in collecting and distribution procedure. A tithe is collected of 10% from a congregation when he gets sustenance. And the distribution is left to the church for any purpose. Meanwhile, a total collection fund of zakat is only 2.5% per Muslim. Then, it’s only obligated to a man who meet requirement. Distribution concept that was regulated in Islamic scripture (Qur’an)f. The research was only compare a tithe and zakat instruments as a representation of Islam and Christian social funds. And the study was only a theoritical research. That is limited in Islam and Christian in social-economic views. The study inspired by two previous studies, that is, Dahl & Ransom (1999) and the study of Ahmad & Mahmood (2009). Researcher hasn’t found a study as like as this study yet. So, it can be stated that it was an original study

TRANSFORMASI FUNGSI SIRING PADA RUMAH TRADISIONAL BUGIS DI BULUKUMBA

Abstrak_ Penelitian ini ditujukan untuk mengidentifikasi perubahan fungsi maupun bentuk pada kolong rumah (siring) tradisional Bugis yang berprofesi sebagai nelayan, pembuat kapal dan petani di Bulukumba, serta memverifikasi mengenai perubahan bentuk dan wujud fisik siring yang terjadi seperti sekarang ini.Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif dimana penelitian ini menggunakan sampel, wawancara, pengukuran dan data literatur sebagai pengumpulan data untuk penelitian ini.untuk mengetahui perubahan-perubahan bentuk dan fungsi apa saja yang terjadi pada siring khususnya pada rumah tradisional Bugis yang berprofesi sebagai nelayan, pembuat kapal dan petani. Dilakukan wawancara terhadap seorang narasumber yang berprofesi sebagai nelayan, seorang narasumber yang berprofesi sebagai pembuat kapal dan seorang narasumber yang berprofesi sebagai petani sebagai pemilik rumah tradisional Bugis.Untuk mengetahui perubahan yang terjadi dilakukan observasi dan penjelasan dari narasumber. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perubahan yang terjadi ditinjau dari wujud fisik dan pola aktivitas yang terjadi antara lain yaitu terjadi perubahan wujud fisik, bentuk, fungsi dan pola aktivitas ruang siring pada rumah tradisional Bugis di Bulukumba terhadap bentuk aslinya.Kata kunci : Bentuk; Fungsi; Pola Aktivitas; Siring; Rumah Tradisional. Abstract_ This research is intended to identify changes in the function or form of traditional Bugis under the house (siring) who work as fishermen, boat builders, and farmers in Bulukumba, as well as to verify the changes in the shape and physical form of siring that are happening today. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method where this study uses samples, interviews, measurements, and literature data as data for this study. to see what changes in form and function occur in the siring, especially in traditional houses, Bugis who work as fishermen, boat builders, and farmers in Bulukumba, as well as verifying regarding changes in the form and siring physical manifestation is happening today. This type of research qualitative, to determine changes in the shape and function of what is happening in the siring, especially in the traditional house Bugis living as fishermen, shipbuilders and farmers, conducted interviews with a resource person who work as fishermen, a resource person who worked as shipbuilders and a resource person who work as farmers as owners of traditional homes Bugis. To determine the changes made observations and explanations of sources. The results showed that the changes in terms of the physical form and activity patterns that occur include: a). siring form b). siring function c) .pola activity. There were changes in physical form, shape, function, and activity patterns siring space in traditional houses Bugis in Bulukumba to its original form.Keywords:  Form; Function; Activity Pattern; Siring; Traditional House