Inactivation of pathogens on food and contact surfaces using ozone as a biocidal agent

This study focuses on the inactivation of a range of food borne pathogens using ozone as a biocidal agent. Experiments were carried out using Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli and Salmonella enteritidis in which population size effects and different treatment temperatures were investigate

A Systematic Review: Non-pharmacological Interventions for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Around 70-80% of patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), which can interfere with appetite and the ability to perform normal activities for daily living. When CINV is severe, psychological distress, depression, and physiological impairment occur. Patients may also stop chemotherapy treatments, which can lead to untimely deaths. The aim of this systematic review was to identify, describe, and evaluate the evidence about the use and effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions, compared to no use of non-pharmacological interventions, on self-reported episodes of CINV among the cancer patients. Twenty articles were reviewed on the use of acupressure, yoga, ginger, Concord grape, music therapy, distraction, and other techniques. There were mixed findings on the use of these non-pharmacological methods. The level of evidence, studies, and research available is not sufficient enough to authorize the use of any of these techniques as an adjuvant in reducing CINV. However, due to low cost, ease of use, tolerance, and non-toxic effects of the non-pharmacological interventions, future studies on broader samples are recommended. The use of ginger, yoga, and distraction techniques in reducing CINV are mostly suggested as an adjuvant with pharmacological methods

Ophthalmic manifestations in patients with intracranial tumours

Introduction L’étude a pour but d’apprécier les manifestations ophtalmologiques des patients présentant des tumeurs cérébrales au Nigéria dans un hôpital tertiaire. Méthode Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective avec une revue des tumeurs cérébrales dans le Neurosurgical Unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile- Ife de janvier 2003 à décembre 2007. L’analyse des données, diagnostique, acuité visuelle, et prise en charge, ont été analysées selon la fréquence en utilisant avec la version 1 11 SPCS . L’acuité visuelle a été classifiée selon celle de l’OMS. Résultat Sur un total de 94 patients, 88 patients ont été revus. Il s’agissait de 53 patients de sexe masculin et 35 de sexe féminin. La moyenne d’âge était de 36.2 plus ou moins 20 ans. 14 patients ont été pris en charge par les ophtalmologistes. La répartition des tumeurs était la suivante: méningiomes, 36,4 %, craniopharyngiomes, 13,6 % et gliomes, 9,1 %. 67,9 % des patients se plaignaient de troubles visuels à l’admission dont 46,6 % avec une baisse importante et 12,5 % une vision double. Il a été objectivé une artrophie optique dans 23,9 % . 46 malades (52 %) étaient aveugles et 14 (16 %) avaient un trouble visuelimportant. Conclusion Les troubles visuels sont des manifestations cliniques fréquentes de présentation des tumeurs cérébrales. Une information médicale précoce est requise

New onset neuromyelitis optica in a young Nigerian woman with possible antiphospholipid syndrome: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Devic's neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that targets the optic nerves and spinal cord. It has a worldwide distribution and distinctive features that distinguish it from multiple sclerosis. There has been no previous report of neuromyelitis optica from our practice environment, and we are not aware of any case associated with antiphospholipid syndrome in an African person.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 28-year-old Nigerian woman who presented with neck pain, paroxysmal tonic spasms, a positive Lhermitte's sign and spastic quadriplegia. She later developed bilateral optic neuritis and had clinical and biochemical features of antiphospholipid syndrome. Her initial magnetic resonance imaging showed a central linear hyperintense focus in the intramedullary portion of C2 to C4. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging after treatment revealed resolution of the signal intensity noticed earlier.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Neuromyelitis optica should be considered in the differential diagnoses of acute myelopathy in Africans. We also highlight the unusual association with antiphospholipid syndrome. Physicians should screen such patients for autoimmune disorders.</p

Congenital hypothyroidism

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) occurs in approximately 1:2,000 to 1:4,000 newborns. The clinical manifestations are often subtle or not present at birth. This likely is due to trans-placental passage of some maternal thyroid hormone, while many infants have some thyroid production of their own. Common symptoms include decreased activity and increased sleep, feeding difficulty, constipation, and prolonged jaundice. On examination, common signs include myxedematous facies, large fontanels, macroglossia, a distended abdomen with umbilical hernia, and hypotonia. CH is classified into permanent and transient forms, which in turn can be divided into primary, secondary, or peripheral etiologies. Thyroid dysgenesis accounts for 85% of permanent, primary CH, while inborn errors of thyroid hormone biosynthesis (dyshormonogeneses) account for 10-15% of cases. Secondary or central CH may occur with isolated TSH deficiency, but more commonly it is associated with congenital hypopitiutarism. Transient CH most commonly occurs in preterm infants born in areas of endemic iodine deficiency. In countries with newborn screening programs in place, infants with CH are diagnosed after detection by screening tests. The diagnosis should be confirmed by finding an elevated serum TSH and low T4 or free T4 level. Other diagnostic tests, such as thyroid radionuclide uptake and scan, thyroid sonography, or serum thyroglobulin determination may help pinpoint the underlying etiology, although treatment may be started without these tests. Levothyroxine is the treatment of choice; the recommended starting dose is 10 to 15 mcg/kg/day. The immediate goals of treatment are to rapidly raise the serum T4 above 130 nmol/L (10 ug/dL) and normalize serum TSH levels. Frequent laboratory monitoring in infancy is essential to ensure optimal neurocognitive outcome. Serum TSH and free T4 should be measured every 1-2 months in the first 6 months of life and every 3-4 months thereafter. In general, the prognosis of infants detected by screening and started on treatment early is excellent, with IQs similar to sibling or classmate controls. Studies show that a lower neurocognitive outcome may occur in those infants started at a later age (> 30 days of age), on lower l-thyroxine doses than currently recommended, and in those infants with more severe hypothyroidism

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Culturally Relevant Pedagogies in Enhancing Students Learning of ICT Concepts: A Test of the Efficacy of CTCA

The study is concerned with the persistent underperformance of secondary school students in Nigeria in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It was conducted in response to the ever-growing call on culturally relevant and contextually responsive pedagogies in African classrooms. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted with a total of 217 SS2 students from two schools in Lagos State education district V. The control group, taught with the lecture method, had 112 subjects (64 males; 51 females) while the experimental group, taught with Culturo-Techno- Contextual Approach (CTCA), had 105 subjects (49 males; 56 females). Both groups had a pretest and a retention test using the achievement test in the programme development circle (PDC) instrument. Treatment lasted four weeks. The data collected was analysed using one-way ANCOVA since intact classes were used. The result obtained showed that the experimental group performed better (mean for experimental = 20.31; control 15.54; [F(1,214)=103.96; p<.05]) than the control group. Possible reasons for this difference were highlighted and we recommended CTCA as a viable tool for ICT teachers. Overall, we concluded that if well implemented, the CTC approach can help to promote meaningful learning of ICT concepts among secondary school students in Nigeria. Résumé : L'étude porte sur la sous-performance persistante des élèves de l'enseignement secondaire au Nigeria dans le domaine des technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC). Elle a été menée en réponse à l'appel sans cesse croissant en faveur de pédagogies culturellement pertinentes et contextuellement réactives dans les salles de classe africaines. Un modèle de recherche quasi-expérimental a été adopté avec un total de 217 étudiants SS2 de deux écoles du district éducatif V de l'État de Lagos. Le groupe de contrôle, enseigné avec la méthode des cours magistraux, comptait 112 sujets (64 hommes ; 51 femmes) tandis que le groupe expérimental, enseigné avec l'approche culturo-techno-contextuelle (CTCA), comptait 105 sujets (49 hommes ; 56 femmes). Les deux groupes ont été soumis à un prétest et à un test de rétention à l'aide de l'instrument " test d'évaluation des acquis dans le cercle de développement des programmes " (PDC). Le traitement a duré quatre semaines. Les données recueillies ont été analysées à l'aide d'une ANCOVA à sens unique, puisque des classes intactes ont été utilisées. Les résultats obtenus montrent que le groupe expérimental a obtenu de meilleurs résultats (moyenne pour le groupe expérimental = 20,31 ; contrôle 15,54 ; [F(1,214)=103,96 ; p<0,05]) que le groupe de contrôle. Les raisons possibles de cette différence ont été mises en évidence et nous avons recommandé l'ACCS comme outil viable pour les enseignants en TIC. Dans l'ensemble, nous avons conclu que si elle est bien implantée, l'approche CTC peut aider à promouvoir un apprentissage significatif des concepts de TIC parmi les élèves de l'enseignement secondaire au Nigéria. Mots-clés : TIC ; pédagogie culturellement pertinente ; approche culturo-techno-contextuelle ; apprentissage significatif, écoles secondaire