A study on the physical and mechanical properties of a granite outcrop for a quarry at Onikoko community, Oyo State, South-Western Nigeria

Purpose. To investigate the physical and mechanical properties of a granite outcrop for a quarry at Onikoko community in Oyo State, South-Western Nigeria. Methods. Samples of granite rock were collected from the outcrop for the laboratory determination of their physical and mechanical properties required for determining its suitability for construction and engineering purposes, and the desired properties were determined. Findings. Results from the tests conducted on the granite samples indicated the various values of physical and mechanical properties of the outcrop in the study area. The results obtained are found to be within the acceptable international standards. Hence, the granite outcrop is found to be suitable for establishing a quarry in the study area based on the results obtained. Originality. The results in this study have affirmed the fact that granite rocks must possess adequate physical and mechanical characteristics to make them suitable for construction and engineering purposes. The physico-mechanical properties of the granite outcrop evaluated in this study having their values within the international standards attest to high strength characterization of the granite rock. The life span of the proposed quarry is established to be forty years, which is also an indication of rich mineralization of the area. Practical implications. Results of this study can be a useful source of information to potential investors and policy makers for the establishment of a quarry in the study area. Hence, government’s attention can be drawn to the needs of the host community for the provision of basic infrastructures.Мета. Дослідити фізичні та механічні властивості відслонених гранітних порід в кар’єрі Онікоко, штат Ойо, Південно-Східна Нігерія. Методика. Зразки гранітної породи були взяті з відслонення для лабораторного визначення їх фізико-механічних властивостей відповідно до Американського стандарту для випробувань матеріалів (ASTM) D 2487 та Міжнародного товариства механіків гірських порід (ISRM). Оцінка запасів гранітного відслонення включала геологічні та геофізичні дослідження, які містили геоелектричні дослідження, в основному із застосуванням методу електричного опору з використанням конфігурації вертикального електричного зондування Шлюмберже (VES) за допомогою вимірювача опору. Результати. Встановлено, що фізико-механічні властивості гранітних зразків відповідають міжнародним стандартам. Виявлено, що відслонення граніту в районі дослідження являє собою залягаюче масивне родовище, яке охоплює великі площі землі, що вказує на те, що відслонення є технічно і комерційно придатним для видобутку корисних копалин з меншим впливом на навколишнє середовище. Проведено оцінку мінеральних запасів родовища, яка дозволила визначити передбачуваний термін експлуатації гранітного кар’єру – 40 років, що підтверджує наявність значних покладів граніту в цьому районі та свідчить про перспективність кар’єрної розробки. Наукова новизна. Встановлено показники фізичних і механічних характеристик гранітів кар’єра Онікоко, де найбільш важливе значення мають їх високі міцнісні характеристики, що доводить їх придатність для використання в будівництві й промисловості. Практична значимість. Результати даного дослідження представляють інтерес для потенційних інвесторів і підприємців, які планують вести кар’єрну розробку граніту в Онікоко, що також приверне увагу уряду до потреб місцевого населення для створення базової інфраструктури.Цель. Исследовать физические и механические свойства обнаженных гранитных пород в карьере Оникоко, штат Ойо, Юго-Восточная Нигерия. Методика. Образцы гранитной породы были взяты из обнажения для лабораторного определения их физико-механических свойств в соответствии с Американским стандартом для испытаний материалов (ASTM) D 2487 и Международным обществом механиков горных пород (ISRM). Оценка запасов гранитного обнажения включала геологические и геофизические исследования, которые содержат геоэлектрические исследования, в основном с применением метода электрического сопротивления с использованием конфигурации вертикального электрического зондирования Шлюмберже (VES) с помощью измерителя сопротивления. Результаты. Установлено, что физико-механические свойства гранитных образцов соответствуют международным стандартам. Выявлено, что обнажение гранита в районе исследования представляет собой залегающее массивное месторождение, охватывающее большие площади земли, что указывает на то, что обнажение является технически и коммерчески пригодным для добычи полезных ископаемых с меньшим воздействием на окружающую среду. Проведена оценка минеральных запасов месторождения, которая позволила определить предполагаемый срок эксплуатации гранитного карьера – 40 лет, что подтверждает наличие обширной залежи гранита в этом районе и свидетельствует о перспективности карьерной разработки. Научная новизна. Установлены показатели физических и механических характеристик гранитов карьера Оникоко, где наиболее важное значение имеют их высокие прочностные характеристики, что доказывает их пригодность для использования в строительстве и промышленности. Практическая значимость. Результаты данного исследования представляют интерес для потенциальных инвесторов и предпринимателей, которые будут вести карьерную разработку гранита в Оникоко, что также привлечет внимание правительства к нуждам местного населения для создания базовой инфраструктуры.This research was funded by Geocardinal Engineering Services Limited, Abuja, Nigeria. The authors express deep appreciation to the management of the company. The site personnel of the company are equally appreciated for their support during the field work

Prevalence and type of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in an apparently healthy Nigerian population: a cross sectional study

Background The prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a premalignant plasma-cell disorder has not been determined in our geographic area Nigeria. Methods A cross sectional survey was carried on apparently healthy Nigerians selected by multistage sampling technique from the cosmopolitan city of Lagos, Nigeria. Subjects enrolled into the study had 2-step screening for the presence, type and concentration of monoclonal band. Agarose-gel electrophoresis was performed on all serum samples, and any serum sample with a discrete band of monoclonal protein or thought to have a localized band was subjected to Immunofixation. Subjects were also evaluated for Bence jones proteinuria, haematological and biochemical parameters. Results Four hundred and ten subjects with a mean age of 45.68 ± 10.3 years, a median of 45.00 years and a range of 20 to 80 years were enrolled into the study. MGUS was identified in only one (0.24 percent) of the 410 study subject. This subject was demonstrated to have a double monoclonal gammopathy; IgGλ at 16.9 g/L and IgAκ at 8.5 g/L. None of them including the sole subject with MGUS had a monoclonal urinary light chain. Conclusion Among residents of Lagos, Nigeria, MGUS was found in only 0.24% percent of apparently normal persons with a median age of 45 years. This suggests that MGUS which represents the earliest stage of monoclonal plasma/lymphoid cell proliferation is not a common finding in the relatively young population of Nigeria. Future epidemiologic studies dealing with plasma cell disorders in older people are required to carefully examine the relationship between environmental factors and prevalence of MGUS and its ultimate progression to MM

Cord blood full blood count parameters in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: Full blood count (FBC), one of the most frequently requested for laboratory investigations, is a simple, fast and cheap test and is a reliable indicator of health. Due to its usefulness in the  assessment of health status of individuals, its parameters in cord blood, a major source of haemopoietic stem cell transplantation and an ideal source for laboratory investigations for newborns were determined to provide a useful guide to local neonatologists and stem cell transplant physicians. Methods: Three millilitres of umbilical cord blood was collected from 130 normal birth weight newborns (69 males and 61 females) whose cord were clamped immediately after delivery, at a teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria and full blood count parameters were determined using Sysmex autoanalyzer, model  KX-21N. Consented mothers of the newborns were selected based on, age between 18 and 45 years;  uneventful pregnancy and delivery and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration ≥ 10 g/dL. Results: There were no statistical gender differences in the mean values of Hb concentrations (M=13.27  ±1.60 g/dL; F=13.32±1.61g/dL; p=0.93), total white cell count (M=3.16±5.43 × 109/L; F=13.07±4.98  × 109/L; p= 0.92), platelet count (M= 223.64± 64.21 × 109/L; F=226.69±80.83 × 109/L; p=0.81) and other parameters. Conclusion: Mean values of full blood count parameters obtained in this study are  comparable to reports from other studies in developing countries and could be a useful guide for neonatologists and stem cell transplant physicians in our geographical location.Key words: Haemoglobin, cord blood, stem cell, umbilical cord, neonatologis

Effect of vitamin A and vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress in HIV and HIV-TB co-infection at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Nigeria.

Background: HIV and TB infections are both associated with elevated oxidative stress parameters. Anti-oxidant supplementation may offer beneficial effects in positively modulating oxidative stress parameters in HIV and HIV-TB infected patients. We investigated the effects of vitamin A and C supplementation on oxidative stress in HIV infected and HIV-TB co-infected subjects. Methods: 40 HIV/TB co-infected and 50 HIV mono-infected patients were divided into 2 equal groups. Participants provided demographic information and blood was collected to determine oxidative stress parameters before and after vitamin A (5000 IU) and C (2600 mg) supplementation for 1 month. Results: There was a significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) at baseline for HIV infected subjects compared with HIV-TB co-infected subjects. There was a significantly (p < 0.05) lower level of MDA and higher level of Catalase (CAT) in subjects administered supplementation compared to subjects without supplementation for the HIV infected group. There was a significantly lower level of Reduced Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and higher level of MDA after one month of supplementation compared with baseline levels for HIV/TB co infected subjects. A similar result was also obtained for the HIV mono-infected groups which had a significantly lower level of SOD, MDA and CAT compared to the baseline. There was a significantly lower level of GSH and SOD, and higher level of MDA after supplementation compared with the baseline for HIV/TB co-infected subjects. Comparing the indices at baseline and post no-supplementation in HIV/TB co-infection showed no significant differences in the oxidative stress parameters Conclusion: HIV/TB co-infection and HIV mono-infection seems to diminish the capacity of the anti-oxidant system to control oxidative stress, however exogenous anti-oxidant supplementation appears not to have beneficial roles in positively modulating the associated oxidative stress

Oral health related quality of life among HIV positive patients attending two HIV outpatient clinics in Nigeria - a cross sectional study

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus infection remains a devastating disease of public health importance. Objectives: To assess the association between oral health and quality of life and the factors affecting the oral health related quality of life among HIV positive patients in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of HIV positive patients attending two HIV outpatient clinics in Nigeria. Impact of oral health on quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14. Oral health status was assessed by the DMFT and Simplified OHI indices. Level of significance was set at p< 0.05. Results: Three hundred and fifty-two patients were seen, 64.2% being females. Prevalence of impact was 8.5%; and the mean OHIP scores was 8.05\ub19.54. Highest impact was \u201cpainful aching\u201d 67(19.1%) with the domain of physical pain scoring the highest mean impact of 2.32. Most patients (88.6%) were on HAART. Following logistic regression, after controlling for potential confounders, independent factors associated with poor OHRQoL were perceived need for dental treatment, HAART use, and higher DMFT (p<0.05). Conclusion: The domain of physical pain had the highest impact, while perceived need for dental treatment, HAART use and higher caries index were contributory to poor OHRQoL

Intravenous versus oral iron for iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant Nigerian women (IVON): study protocol for a randomised hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial

Background Anaemia in pregnancy is highly prevalent in African countries. High-dose oral iron is the current recommended treatment for pregnancy-related iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Nigeria and other African countries. This oral regimen is often poorly tolerated and has several side effects. Parenteral iron preparations are now available for the treatment of IDA in pregnancy but not widely used in Africa. The IVON trial is investigating the comparative effectiveness and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus oral ferrous sulphate standard-of-care for pregnancy-related IDA in Nigeria. We will also measure the implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost-effectiveness for intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. Methods This is an open-label randomised controlled trial with a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design, conducted at 10 health facilities in Kano (Northern) and Lagos (Southern) states in Nigeria. A total of 1056 pregnant women at 20–32 weeks’ gestational age with moderate or severe anaemia (Hb < 10g/dl) will be randomised 1:1 into two groups. The interventional treatment is one 1000-mg dose of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose at enrolment; the control treatment is thrice daily oral ferrous sulphate (195 mg elemental iron daily), from enrolment till 6 weeks postpartum. Primary outcome measures are (1) the prevalence of maternal anaemia at 36 weeks and (2) infant preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) and will be analysed by intention-to-treat. Maternal full blood count and iron panel will be assayed at 4 weeks post-enrolment, 36 weeks’ gestation, delivery, and 6 weeks postpartum. Implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost will be assessed with structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Discussion The IVON trial could provide both effectiveness and implementation evidence to guide policy for integration and uptake of intravenous iron for treating anaemia in pregnancy in Nigeria and similar resource-limited, high-burden settings. If found effective, further studies exploring different intravenous iron doses are planned. Trial registration ISRCTN registry ISRCTN63484804. Registered on 10 December 2020. Clinicaltrials.govNCT04976179. Registered on 26 July 2021 The current protocol version is version 2.1 (080/080/2021)

Intravenous versus oral iron for iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant Nigerian women (IVON): study protocol for a randomised hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia in pregnancy is highly prevalent in African countries. High-dose oral iron is the current recommended treatment for pregnancy-related iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in Nigeria and other African countries. This oral regimen is often poorly tolerated and has several side effects. Parenteral iron preparations are now available for the treatment of IDA in pregnancy but not widely used in Africa. The IVON trial is investigating the comparative effectiveness and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus oral ferrous sulphate standard-of-care for pregnancy-related IDA in Nigeria. We will also measure the implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost-effectiveness for intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. METHODS: This is an open-label randomised controlled trial with a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design, conducted at 10 health facilities in Kano (Northern) and Lagos (Southern) states in Nigeria. A total of 1056 pregnant women at 20-32 weeks' gestational age with moderate or severe anaemia (Hb < 10g/dl) will be randomised 1:1 into two groups. The interventional treatment is one 1000-mg dose of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose at enrolment; the control treatment is thrice daily oral ferrous sulphate (195 mg elemental iron daily), from enrolment till 6 weeks postpartum. Primary outcome measures are (1) the prevalence of maternal anaemia at 36 weeks and (2) infant preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation) and will be analysed by intention-to-treat. Maternal full blood count and iron panel will be assayed at 4 weeks post-enrolment, 36 weeks' gestation, delivery, and 6 weeks postpartum. Implementation outcomes of acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and cost will be assessed with structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. DISCUSSION: The IVON trial could provide both effectiveness and implementation evidence to guide policy for integration and uptake of intravenous iron for treating anaemia in pregnancy in Nigeria and similar resource-limited, high-burden settings. If found effective, further studies exploring different intravenous iron doses are planned. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry ISRCTN63484804 . Registered on 10 December 2020 Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04976179 . Registered on 26 July 2021 The current protocol version is version 2.1 (080/080/2021)