Assessment of Combustion and Potash Production as Options for Management of Wood Waste

This study assessed combustion and potash production as options for management of wood waste. The percentage reduction in volume by combustion and potash generation potential of wood waste from nine different common species of wood obtained from a wood factory in Ibadan were evaluated. Potash from the ashes was extracted with distilled water through a system of filtration. The amount of ash, in kilogram per cubic metre of saw dust, and the amount of potash, in kilogram per cubic metre of ash and kilogram per cubic metre of saw dust were determined. The volume of sawdust was reduced by 95% after combustion. The ash generated ranged between 1.42 \u2013 15.18 Kg/m3; potash yield ranged between 4.74 \u2013 53.76 Kg/m3 of ashes and 0.21 \u2013 1.53 Kg/m3 of saw dust. @ JASE

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in Central Africans

A CAJM article on leukaemia.Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a haematological malignancy characterized by monoclonal proliferation and accumulation of mature looking small lymphocytes particularly in the marrow, blood, lymph nodes and spleen.1-3 In 90 to 95% of cases, the cells are monoclonal B lymphocytes.3 Although in Europe and America CLL of B-cell origin is the commonest type of leukaemia, it is extremely rare before the age of 50 years, after which its incidence increases progressively with age. The male to female (M:F) ratio is 2:l.2,3 In contradistinction to these findings, CLL is rare throughout Southern, South Eastern and Eastern Asia as well as in Asians who;, migrated to North: America and Europe. This suggests genetic determinants as they usually suffer from the CLL of T-cell origin

Haematologic features of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in adult Zimbabweans

Objective: To describe the haematologic features of the HIV infection in adult Zimbabweans and compare the features in the different clinical stages of the disease. Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Setting: Parirenyatwa Hospital, a tertiary and referral medical centre in Harare, and the blood donor clinics of the Blood Transfusion Service in Harare. Subjects: Patients attending HIV outpatients clinics or receiving inpatient care at Parirenyatwa Hospital and asymptomatic persons donating blood at the BTS Harare. Main Outcome Measures: Full blood counts and bone marrow cell counts and morphology. Results: Blood cytopenia was found in 47.5% of adults with HIV infection. The most frequent abnormalities were lymphopenia (31.5%); anaemia (30.8%); neutropenia (29.6%); thrombocytopenia (24.7%); eosinophilia (23.5%) and leucopenia (11.7%). Frequency of anaemia in the AIDS and symptomatic groups (43.4% and 24.5% respectively) was greater than in the carriers (6.7%), while the frequency of other cytopenias and of eosinophilia was about the same in all groups. There was also a general lack of association between the severity of haematologic abnormalities and the clinical stage of the disease. Conclusion: Severe haematologic changes occur frequently in HIV infection and AIDS but routine full blood count may not be helpful in the monitoring of the disease or the prediction of onset of AIDS

Haematologic features of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in black children in Harare

Forty six Black Zimbabwean children aged between three months and seven years who were admitted into Parirenyatwa Central Hospital with serologically positive and symptomatic HIV infection were investigated for their haematologic profiles. Tests done included full blood counts, manual white cell differential counts, coagulation screening tests and bone marrow aspiration in clinically indicated cases. Anaemia was found in 84 pc, leucocytosis in 60 pc and thrombocytopaenia in 30 pc of the cases. In contrast to reports in adults leucopaenia or neutropaenia were not seen. Coagulation profiles were mostly normal but presumptive diagnosis of circulating coagulation inhibitor was made in one case. Morphological changes suggestive of myeloid dysplasia and in particular dysgranulopoiesis were commonly seen. Bone marrow aspirates examined in eight of the children all showed hyper or normal cellularity with adequate and productive megakaryocytes

Assessment of Combustion and Potash Production as Options for Management of Wood Waste

This study assessed combustion and potash production as options for management of wood waste. The percentage reduction in volume by combustion and potash generation potential of wood waste from nine different common species of wood obtained from a wood factory in Ibadan were evaluated. Potash from the ashes was extracted with distilled water through a system of filtration. The amount of ash, in kilogram per cubic metre of saw dust, and the amount of potash, in kilogram per cubic metre of ash and kilogram per cubic metre of saw dust were determined. The volume of sawdust was reduced by 95% after combustion. The ash generated ranged between 1.42 – 15.18 Kg/m3; potash yield ranged between 4.74 – 53.76 Kg/m3 of ashes and 0.21 – 1.53 Kg/m3 of saw dust. @ JASE

Physicochemical properties and storage stability of red palm oil “Ogi”

Objective: This study determined the beta-carotene content, other physicochemical properties and storage stability of red palm oil “ogi”.Methods: '“Ogi”' was prepared from maize and millet grains separately. Following a preliminary work, red palm oil was added to the fermented “ogi” slurry at 10% (w/v) and oven dried at 70oC for 2h, allowed to cool and milled into flour.Results: The beta carotene content of maize and millet “ogi” increased significantly from 47.6 to 832.5 μg/100g and 416.6 to 988.5μg/100g respectively with addition of 10% (w/v) red palm oil. The added 10% red palm oil increased fat content of maize and millet “ogi” by 4 folds and in turn raised their energy levels by about 15% respectively. Ash content increased significantly from 1.2 to 2.0g/100g and 1.9 to 2.9g/100gas crude fibre increased from 0.2 to 0.3g/100g and 0.3 to 0.5g/100g while protein decreased significantly from 7.7 to 7.1g/100g and 7.8 to 7.4g/100g.Mineral elements such as zinc, iron and phosphorus increased slightly while potassium decreased for both maize and millet “ogi”respectively. Most pasting properties decreased significantly with the addition of red palm oil to “ogi”. This was accompanied by colour intensities as demonstrated by the L*, a*, b* values. After 12 weeks ambient (28±2oC) storage, peroxide values increased significantly from 0.9 to 1.9 meq peroxide/kg and 1.6 to 2.5 meq peroxide/kg while free fatty acid values increased from 7.6 to 18.9% and 7.7 to 25.3% for 10% (w/v) red palm oil maize and millet “ogi” respectively.Conclusion: Addition of 10% (w/v) red palm oil increased the beta carotene content of “ogi” by 2 to 18 folds, improved energy levels, decreased final viscosity and enhanced the colour of “ogi”. However, the stability of the product during ambient storage decreased with time due to the onset of lipid oxidation.Keywords: Red palm oil, “ogi”, Beta carotene, Maize, Mille

The True Status of Family Replacement Blood Donors in a Tertiary Hospital Blood Service in Central Nigeria

Background: To make up for the low blood collection from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBD), by the blood services in Nigeria, patients’ families are often requested to provide substitute blood donors for their family members’ usage. However, many so-called family replacement donors (FRDs) are thought not to be true relatives.Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the true family status of donors presenting as FRDs in a tertiary hospital blood service in central Nigeria.Methods: Consecutive blood donors were studied with a structured questionnaire immediately after blood donation. The questionnaire contained six pretested, variably discriminatory and revealing questions. Donors’ responses to questions about the recipients were verified by cross-checking with hospital records, and also by interviewing recipients. Personal telephone contacts given by the donors were verified by calls to the phone numbers. Donors’ responses were scored, and donors scoring below a cut-off point were classified as false relatives.Results: Seven hundred and sixty consecutive blood donors were recruited for the study. Sixty-seven (8.8%), 673 (88.8%), and 20 (2.6%) of them claimed to be VNRBD, FRD, and paid blood donors (PBDs) respectively. Of the 673 presumed FRDs, 323 (48%) scored below the cut-off mark of 5 points. Hence, 48% of the presumed FRDs were regarded as false family donors.Conclusion: Significant proportions (48%) of presumed FRDs were found likely to be false family donors. Unquestioning acceptance of such donors may compromise blood safety.Key Words: VNRBD, FRD, PBD, Blood safety, false family donor French Title: Le Véritable Statut des Donneurs de Sang Familiaux ou de Remplacement dans un Service de Sang d'un Hôpital Tertiaire au Nigeria CentralContexte: Pour compenser la faible collecte de sang des donneurs de sang volontaires non rémunérés (DVNR) par les services de transfusion sanguine au Nigeria, les familles des patients sont souvent invitées à fournir des donneurs de sang de substitution. Cependant, de nombreux soi-disant donneurs familiaux de remplacement (DFR) ne sont pas considérés comme de vrais parents.Objectif: L’objectif de cette étude était d’établir le véritable statut familial des donneurs se présentant sous la forme de DFR dans un service de transfusion dans un hôpital tertiaire du centre du Nigéria.Méthodes: Les donneurs de sang consécutifs ont été étudiés avecun questionnaire structuré immédiatement après le don de sang. Lequestionnaire comportait six questions prétestées, discriminatoireset révélatrices. Les réponses aux questions des donneurs concernantles bénéficiaires ont été vérifiées par recoupement avec lesdossiers de l’hôpital, ainsi que par des entretiens avec les bénéficiaires.Les contacts téléphoniques personnels donnés par les donneursont été vérifiés par des appels téléphoniques. Les réponses des donneurs ont été notées, et les donneurs dont le score était inférieur à un seuil ont été classés dans la catégorie de faux parents.Résultats: Sept cent soixante donneurs de sang consécutifs ont étérecrutés pour l'étude. Soixante-sept (8,8%), 673 (88,8%) et 20 (2,6%) d'entre eux se sont déclarés comme étant des DVNR, DFR et des donneurs rémunérés (DR), respectivement. Sur les 673 DFR présumés, 323 (48%) ont obtenu un score inférieur à la barre des 5 points. Ainsi, 48% des DFR présumées étaient considérées comme de faux donneurs de la famille.Conclusion: Des proportions significatives (48%) de DFR présumésétaient susceptibles d'être de faux donneurs de la famille. L'acceptationinconditionnelle de tels donneurs peut compromettre la sécurité du sang

LEUKAEMIA AT QUEEN ELIZABETH CENTRAL HOSPITAL IN BI,ANTYRE, MALAWI

Objectives: To determine the patterns of leukaemias seen in M rlawians at Queen ElizabethCentral Hospital (QECH) and to compare the findings wit11 those from elsewhere. Anoverview of the problems encountered in the management of leukaemia in developingcountries especially those in sub-Saharan Africa are highlighted.Design: Retrospectivedescriptive analysis of consecutive leukac ,mia cases seen from January1994 through December 1998.Results: Of the 95 leukaemia patients diagnosed during the st1 ~ d y period, childhood (0 - 15years) leukaemia occurred in 27 (28.4 % )patients while adulthot d (above 15 years) leukaemiaaccounted for 68 (71.6%) patients. The main leukaemia typts were: acute lymphoblasticleukaemia (ALL) 14 (14.7%), acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) 25 (26.3%), chronicmyeloid (granulocytic) leukaemia (CMI,) 32 (33.7%), chro lic lymphocytic (lymphatic)leukaemia (CLL) 22 (23.2%) and hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) two (2.1%) patients. Most ofthe acute leukaemia (AL) cases occurred in the six to 15 ythar age bracket with a malepreponderance. In ALL, lymphadenopathy was the commone! t presenting feature followedby pallor (92.9%) while in the AML group, pallor occurred in 80% of cases. Abdominalswelling (87.5%) due to splenomegaly (81.3%) were the main clinical features in the CMLgroup whereas lymphadenopathy (63.6%) followed by splt nomegaly (59.1 % ) were thedominant presentingfeatures in CLL. Haematologically,altho~ ~gh leucocytosis characterisedboth acute and chronic leukaemias, most cases of acute leu naemia presented with moresevere anaemia (Hb<7g/dl) and marked thrombocytopenia (Platelet count4 0 x 10'A) than the chronic leukaemias.Conclusions and recommendations: The study shows that leuk remias are not rare in Malawiand cases which were diagnosed in this series probably only rcspresent the tip of the iceberg.While there is need to increase diagnostic awareness among clinicians and laboratory staff,theseverechronic shortageof cytotoxicdrugs and lack of suppc ~rtive care facilities commonlyencountered in developing countries should be realistically ad dressed through cost-sharing.cost recovery, adequate government subvention and donations From charitable organisations

Influence des variables proximaux et indépendants sur l'emploi des préservatifs dans les états choisis au Nigéria.

The study examined the influence of individual and proximate factors in determining condom use. Current use of condom and condom use during last sex were used as proxies for consistent condom use. Data on 3,797 sexually active respondents of reproductive age were analyzed from the 2007 USAID-COMPASS midline evaluation on basic family planning and reproductive health outcomes in five Nigerian states. About 9% of respondents were current users, while 11% used a condom during last sex. Younger and more educated respondents were more likely to report condom use. Of the 23 variables, four were statistically significant (p<0.05) in predicting current use for females, and five for males; six were statistically significant in predicting condom use during last sex for females and seven for males. The paper concluded that understanding the determinants and predictors of condom use is critical to improving family planning and reproductive health indicators in NigeriaL&apos;étude a examiné l&apos;influence des facteurs proximaux et individuels dans la détermination de l&apos;emploi des préservatifs. Pour déterminer l&apos;emploi consistant des préservatifs, l&apos;on s&apos;est servi de l&apos;emploi actuel des préservatifs et son emploi au cours du dernier rapport comme des procurations. Nous avons fait l&apos;analyse des données sur 3, 797 répondants sexuellement actifs et en âge de procréer, à partir de l&apos;évaluation faite en 2007 par USAID-COMPASS sur la planification familiale fondamentale et les conséquences de santé de reproduction dans cinq états nigérians. Environ 9% des répondants étaient des utilisateurs actuels alors que 11% ont utilisé un préservatif au cours du dernier rapport sexuel. Les répondants les plus jeunes et les plus instruits avaient plus la possibilité de déclarer avoir utilisé les préservatifs. Parmi les 23 variables, quatre étaient statistiquement plus significatifs (p<0,05) dans leur manière de prédire l&apos;utilisation actuelle pour les femelles et cinq pour les mâles ; six ont été statistiquement significatifs dans la prédiction de l&apos;utilisation des préservatifs au cours du dernier rapport sexuel pour les femelles et huit pour les mâles. Comme conclusion, l&apos;article affirme que la compréhension des déterminants et des indices de l&apos;utilisation des préservatifs est cruciale pour l&apos;amélioration des indices de la planification et la santé de reproduction au Nigéri