Comparative Performance of Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Bagasse and Parkia Biglobosa (Locust Bean) in Wastewater Treatment

The application of agricultural by-products for the removal of contaminants in water and wastewater is receiving significant attention as their applications reduce their level of the agricultural by-products in the environment there by reducing pollution. Activated carbons were formed from the saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) bagasse and parkia biglobosa (locust bean) pods and their effectiveness in the treatment of domestic wastewater were compared. The activated carbons were obtained from carbonised sugarcane bagasse and locust beanpod at a temperature of 350-500oC, followed by the modification with phosphoric acid for 12-18 hours. The result revealed that the parkia biglobosa recorded higher removal efficiencies of: Turbidity, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and nitrate than the saccharum officinarum. The parkia biglobosa recorded BOD removal efficiencies of: 77.19, 77.81, 78.13, 87.50, 90.63 and 93.75% at the dosages of: 0.25, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.00g/500ml, respectively; while the saccharum officinarum recorded removal efficiencies of: 15.63, 25.00, 34.38, 43.44, 46.88 and 65.00% at the same dosages, implying that the parkia biglobosa was more effective than saccharum officinarum. In terms of turbidity, the saccharum officinarum recorded removal efficiencies of: 5.44, 17.86, 31.90, 34.29, 46.51 and 57.02%, respectively at the dosages of: 0.25, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.00g/500ml; while parkia biglobosa recorded removal efficiencies of: 14.99, 25.50, 37.63, 43.84, 56.07 and 68.39%.The study also revealed that the higher the dosages, the higher the removal efficiencies of the organic and inorganic pollutants. It was recommended that removal of heavy metals using the parkia biglobosa and saccharum officinarum should be studied to ascertain their effectiveness in such dimension.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i4.2

Rosai-dorfman disease: report of a rare case of peripheral lymphadenopathy.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), also called Sinus histiocytosis is an uncommon proliferative disorder of unknown aetiology. Though, the lymph node is the revelation mode of several diseases particularly in the tropics, RDD typically presents with painless bilateral lymphadenopathy in the neck associated with fever and leukocytosis, sometimesmimics lympho-proliferative disorders. Recently research has unveiled gene mutation in the tumour with potential of malignant transformation. Case report:We report case of 4 year old boy who had massive cervical lymphadenopathy with extranodal manifestation of fever. Sepsis screening was negative, while imagingshowed hilar,mediastenal andmesenteric lymph nodes enlargement in addition to massive hepatomegaly. The histology is suggestive of the diagnosis of RDD. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, with remarkable remission. Conclusion: We report the clinicopathological characteristics of RDD in order to increase our awareness of its diagnosis and treatment and to re-emphasize that the disease is rare in our environment

Sonographic evaluation of the common bile duct size in normal adults at university of maiduguri teaching hospital, Nigeria

Despite ultrasound safety, affordability and its widespread use in evaluation of the diseases of biliary tree, paucity of literature on the sonographic measurements of the size of the normal adult common bile duct (CBD) in this environment exists. Objectives: To determine the normal adult diameter of the CBD in this environment using ultrasonography. Methods: This was a cross-sectional prospective study carried out at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January to June, 2011. Results: There were 224(56%) females and 176(44%) males aged between18 and 87 years (Mean±SD, 36.88 ±16.97 years). The mean AP and transverse CBD diameters (±SD) were 3.68±0.82mm and 3.89±0.86mm, respectively. The average mean for the two measurements (± SD) was 3.78±0.84mm (range = 2.0 – 6.0 mm). The mean transverse diameter was slightly greater than AP diameter (p = 0.0004).The CBD diameter was strongly correlated with age (r = 2 0.798; p = 0.000; r = 0.629). The least squares regression slope of 0.039mm±0.001 (mean±SD) was obtained suggesting 0.039mm±0.001 increase in the CBD diameter per year. There was significant correlation between the CBD diameter with weight (r = 0.504; p = 0.000) and BMI (r = 0.454; p = 0.000). No significant difference between the mean CBD diameter in males and females (p= 0.084)was observed. Conclusion: The mean and range of CBD size in normal adult population were determined and significantly correlated with age, weight, and BMI

The assessment of patients' perception and satisfaction of radiology waiting time in university of maiduguri teaching hospital.

The patient is the most important person in the entire hospital setup and it is the duty of the health care personnel to give special attention to the management of patient to enhance effective service delivery.Waiting time is the total time from registration until consultation with healthcare personnel.It is an aspect of care that patients value most. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate Patients' perceived satisfaction with waiting time in Department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State Nigeria. Method: The study was a cross-sectional prospective survey, that targeted patients who presented at the radiology department for HSG and IVU over the period of six months with a response rate of 70%, (n=70). The mean age of the participants was 33.6years. Data was collected using a 23 item self-completion questionnaire designed in line with the objectives of the study. Data were categorized into groups and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 16.0, where descriptive statistics such as the mean, percentages and frequencies were generated and tabulated. Pearson's correlation at p<0.01(2 tailed) was used to test for relationship Results: The results showed that 64.3%, (n=45) were female while 35.7%, (n=25) were male, out of these, 42.9% (n=30) were referred for HSG, and 57.1% (n=40) were for IVU. Among the patients referred for IVU, 37.5%, (n=15) were female, and 62.5%, (n=25) were male. Waiting time (before and after investigation) and satisfaction was found to be significant at (p<0.01 2-tailed), with the waiting time. Conclusion: Insufficient number of counter service staff (Receptionist) and insufficient number of Radiologist and Radiographers were some of the factors that affect patient's satisfaction with waiting time, as investigations and reports were delayed.&nbsp

Late gastrointestinal tissue effects after hypofractionated radiation therapy of the pancreas

Background To consolidate literature reports of serious late gastrointestinal toxicities after hypofractionated radiation treatment of pancreatic cancer and attempt to derive normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) parameters using the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman model. Methods Published reports of late grade 3 or greater gastrointestinal toxicity after hypofractionated treatment of pancreatic cancer were reviewed. The biologically equivalent dose in 1.8 Gy fractions was calculated using the EQD model. NTCP parameters were calculated using the LKB model assuming 1–5 % of the normal tissue volume was exposed to the prescription dose with α/β ratios of 3 or 4. Results A total of 16 human studies were examined encompassing a total of 1160 patients. Toxicities consisted of ulcers, hemorrhages, obstructions, strictures, and perforations. Non-hemorrhagic and non-perforated ulcers occurred at a rate of 9.1 % and were the most commonly reported toxicity. Derived NTCP parameter ranges were as follows: n = 0.38–0.63, m = 0.48–0.49, and TD50 = 35–95 Gy. Regression analysis showed that among various study characteristics, dose was the only significant predictor of toxicity. Conclusions Published gastrointestinal toxicity reports after hypofractionated radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer were compiled. Median dose was predictive of late grade ≥ 3 gastrointestinal toxicity. Preliminary NTCP parameters were derived for multiple volume constraints