Effect of using vegetable oils as quenching media for pure commercial aluminium

This paper presents the effects of rate of heat extraction by groundnut, melon, palm kernel, shea butter and palm oils on the mechanical properties of various samples of pure commercial aluminium heat treated at 200°C, 250°C, 300°C and 350°C. Muffle furnace equipped with digital thermometer and thermocouple was used for the heat treatment. Tensile strength and hardness tests were carried out using Instron Universal Tester and Vickers hardness methods, respectively. Results obtained from the experiment were presented graphically. The results showed that palm kernel oil cools faster at 200°C and 250°C, while palm oil and shea butter oil quench faster at 300°C and 350°C, respectively. Palm kernel oil offers the highest elongation at 200°C, while at 350°C shea butter oil gave the best result. The best among the bio-quenching oils in providing good ductility is shea butter oil at 200°C, while at 300°C and 350°C groundnut oil give the best result. Highest hardness values were obtained from samples quenched in melon oil between 200°C-300°C. However, these values decreased with increased heating temperature probably due to density and viscosity variation with temperature rise. Similar observations were made on most of other samples quenched in other bio-quenching oils used in this experiment. This study shows that these locally available vegetable oils have promising potentials to serve as a possible replacement for non-biodegradable mineral oils in many applications

Bilateral giant mucinous cystadinocarcinoma of the ovary: a case report and management options in Liberia

Ovarian cancer is ranked the second most common gynecological cancer in developing countries and constitutes the fourth most common of all cancers in women. Unlike other female genital cancers, ovarian cancer has no signature symptoms or signs, and thus lacks reliable screening modalities that limit the opportunity for an early diagnosis and treatment. Case Presentation: Here, we detail the case of a 44-year-old multipara who presented with complaints of rapidly progressing abdominal swelling of 6 months' duration. The swelling was associated with abdominal pains, dyspepsia, belching, early satiety, nausea, constipation and scanty menses. An early ultrasound revealed bilateral ovarian cysts both measuring less than 2 cm. On examination, she was acutely ill looking, alert and oriented, afebrile, not pale anicteric, and had no pedal edema. The abdomen was grossly distended. There was mild generalized tenderness. Abdominal masses were not easily discernible due to marked distension and tenderness. Abdomino-pelvic ultrasound revealed a huge abdomino-pelvic multi-septated cystic mass with complex echo pattern and free intraperitoneal fluid. A CA125 assay done showed markedly elevated value (160 U/ml). An assessment of advanced ovarian tumor was made. She was prepared and planned for exploratory laparotomy surgical staging and optimum surgery. She had total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), bilateral salpingooophorectomy (BSO) complete omentectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary is rare among epithelial tumors. Its management is quite challenging especially in developing countries due to late presentation and lack of available diagnostic and follow up screening tools

Incidence of breech presentation and its association with fetal/myometrial lesions in Kano

The entrance of the fetal buttocks or lower extremities into the maternal pelvic inlet is defined as breech presentation. It complicates 3-4% of all pregnancies. The occurrence of breech presentation decreases with advancing gestational age. Both myometrial and fetal lesions have been linked with persistence of breech presentation Methodology: It was a prospective study conducted at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital ethics committee. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was sought and obtained on a questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. using 3.5 MHz linear transducer connected to Mindray Digital Ultrasound Imaging System (Model DC6; Shenzhen Mindray Biomed Electronics, Shenzhen, China). Obstetric correlates that were determined and recorded on the questionnaire were the lie, presentation, estimated gestational age, myometrial and fetal lesions. The data were analyzed using SPSS Electronic Software Version 19 (SPSS Inc,IL,Chicago, USA). Chi-squared test was used for categorical data and P-Value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 300 pregnant women were recruited for the study. The mean age± SD was 27.3±5.20. The incidence of breech presentation was highest below the gestational age of 28 weeks (14.3%); the least (1.6%) was above the gestational age of 36 weeks. There was no statistically significant association between breech presentation and myometrial or fetal lesion (P=0.213; P=0.787 respectively). Conclusion: There was low incidence of breech presentation at term (1.6%). The incidence of breech presentation has an inverse relation with an increasing gestational age. Myometrial and fetal lesions were not statistically associated with occurrence of breech presentation

Effects of Eggshells Ash (ESA) on the Setting Time of Cement

Admixture properties of eggshells ash (ESA), with a focus on the setting time, were investigated. ESA was obtained by incinerating fowls’ eggshells to ash. The ash was sieved through 75μm sieve. The ash passing the 75 μm sieve was used in the investigation. Consistency test was carried out to establish the quantity of water required to constitute a standard cement paste of normal consistency in accordance to BS 12: 1991 [1]. Cement-eggshells ash (CESA) paste was constituted using 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5% of ESA by weight of cement. Setting time test was conducted on the CESA paste in accordance to BS 12:1991 n[1]. Results show that the addition of ESA to the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) decreases the setting time of the cement. Conclusions drawn are that ESA is an accelerator; the higher the ESA content, the faster the rate of setting; all contents of the of the ESA employed in this investigation satisfy the setting time requirements of BS 12:1991 [1] for both the initial and final setting times. Thus, it is recommended that ESA can be used as an accelerator in concrete

Risk factors and outcomes of ectopic pregnancies at Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation, morbidity and mortality of ectopic pregnancies at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.Methods: It is a retrospective study of patients with ectopic pregnancies treated at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Nigeria, from 1st January, 2005 to 31st December, 2009. The record folders were retrieved from the record department of the hospital and analyzed using Epi Info Electronic statistical software. Data on socio-demographic characteristic, clinical features, postoperative outcomes and duration of hospital stay were extracted.Results: One hundred and ninety seven patients were admitted with ectopic pregnancy during the period under review. Their case notes were retrieved giving a retrieval rate of 91.14%. The mean age was 26.72 ± 5.20, the mean parity was 2.03 ±2.33. The major risk factors were past history of induced abortion (26.70%), and sexually transmitted infections (18.30%). Abdominal pains (93.30%), amenorrhoea (60.00%), vaginal bleeding (58.30%), abdominal tenderness (83.30%) and cervical motion tenderness (90.00%) were the major clinical features. The ampulla was involved in 58.33% of cases and salpingectomy was the surgical option in 95.56%. Shock (3.33%) and anaemia (3.33%) were the major complications.Conclusions: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital is 1.29%. The most important association is with pelvic infection. Therefore, efforts have to be emphasized on prevention, early and vigorous treatment of pelvic and sexually transmitted infections.Key Words: Ectopic pregnancy, Risk factors, Outcomes, Nigeria

Characterization and composition analysis of municipal solid waste in Kano, Nigeria

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is produced through human activities and in the last two decades, management of MSW has become a major concern due to considerable increase in its production. The amount of MSW produced increases with economic growth and this demands for efficient solution. This paper reports the characterization and composition analysis of MSW in Kano metropolis. Solid waste samples were collected and analysed from the four major dumpsites in Kano metropolis during the months of September, 2016- January, 2017. The results showed that light plastic had the highest mean values of 8.63kg/50kg sample, Organics 7.22kg/50kg, Heavy plastic 4.15kg/50kg, Fabric 3.91kg/50kg, paper 2.70kg/50kg, metal 2.05kg/50kg, glass 1.89kg/50kg, Bone 1.47kg/50kg, styrofoam 0.19kg/50kg, others 1.06kg/50kg and wood -0.25kg/50kg. There was significant correlation between estimated population and volume of trash collected. We offered suggestion for effective management strategies and efficient policies for waste reduction, disposal and recycling practices.Keywords: Waste Characterization, Municipal Solid Waste, Waste Composition, Kano, Nigeri

Traumatic transperineal delivery, a tragedy in unassisted vaginal delivery: A case report and review of literature

Transperineal delivery is a traumatic childbirth whereby the baby is forcefully ejected out through a contraction and pushing‑induced laceration of the perineum in the presence of intact vaginal and anal orifices. We presented a 23‑year‑old primipara who presented 3 days after delivery with infected perineal injury and pains following unsupervised childbirth. She delivered a fresh stillborn baby through the perineum (between the fourchette and the anal orifice). She was, however, continent of urine and feces. She was optimized and repair of the perineal injury was scheduled after puerperium. The postoperative condition was satisfactory. We therefore call and appeal on the relevant stakeholders, to provide more skilled birth attendants, especially at the densely populated areas and ensure their presence and willingness to participate in conducting all deliveries with good supervision in all health facilities, so as to prevent future occurrence of transperineal delivery.Keywords: Nigeria; perineal tear; transperineal delivery; traumatic childbirt