Development of energy demand and carbon emission dataset for Nile University of Nigeria.

The global energy crisis and ozone layer depletion as a result of carbon emissions have increased the awareness and acceptance of renewable energy sources as an alternative form of electric power, resulting in the sizing of renewable energy sources. However, in order to properly size an energy power system, the information being addressed, such as the load demand, is critical. The Load demand data of Nile University campus is obtained from one of its power stations (PS-1) for a period of eight month. The data was measured from the bus bar of the power station using smart meters on a weekly basis. To power the university campus, the diesel generators are synchronized using Genset controllers with suitable communications interfaces and a SMA hybrid controller, which continually checks the power output of the power sources as well as the working condition of all loads in the busbar. The diesel generators are synchronized using SMA hybrid controllers and combined with the other source of the energy at a common bus bar and used to power the university campus. Additionally, carbon emission data were obtained from the PV solar system reading.

Presentation and Management Outcomes of Goitres at a District Hospital in Abuja, North Central Nigeria: A 15-Year-Review.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and pathologic spectrums of goitres are wide. Even though Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory is within the geographic goitre bed, there is a paucity of thyroidrelated data from this region. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical presentation, management and outcomes of patients with goitre operated-on at the Department of Surgery, Asokoro District Hospital, in Abuja, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective study involving patients managed between January 2001 and December 2015. Data were extracted from patients' medical records, operation registers, and histopathology records. Variables were; age, sex, diagnosis, types of operation performed, post-operative complications and histological findings. All patients had general anaesthesia via cuffed endotracheal intubation and the surgical technique used was skin crease transverse collar stud incision. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty four (134) patients were involved in the study: 124(92.5%) were females and 10(7.5%) males. Mean age was 38years±11.0SD. Seventy-seven (57.5%) patients had simple multi-nodular goitre, followed by simple left nodular goitre 20(14.9%) and simple right nodular goitre 17(12.7%). One hundred and twenty-one (90.5%) patients did not have any complications. On histologic examination, most of the lesions were multinodular goitres 60(44.8%), followed by simple nodular goitres, 23(17.2%). Follicular adenoma was the commonest neoplastic variant accounting for 12(9.1%) cases. CONCLUSION: The pattern of goitres in Abuja simulates that from other parts of Nigeria and many other African countries though with fewer malignancies in the present study. The management and outcome of goitres in Asokoro District Hospital Abuja is comparable to those obtained from other centres in Nigeria. Pre-and postoperative complications were also minimal.

CONTEXTE: Le spectre clinique et pathologique des goitres sont larges. Bien que le territoire de la capitale fédérale du Nigeria se trouve dans le lit géographique du goitre, il y a peu de données sur la thyroïde dans cette région. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la présentation clinique, la gestion et les résultats des patients atteints de goitre opérés au département de chirurgie de l'hôpital du district d'Asokoro, à Abuja, au Nigeria. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective portant sur des patients pris en charge entre janvier 2001 et décembre 2015. Les données ont été extraites des dossiers médicaux des patients, des registres d'opérations et des dossiers d'histopathologie. Les variables étaient : l'âge, le sexe, le diagnostic, les types d'opérations pratiquées, les complications postopératoires et les résultats histologiques. Tous les patients ont bénéficié d'une anesthésie générale par une intubation endotrachéale à ballonnet, et la technique chirurgicale utilisée était l'incision transversale du pli cutané incision du collet. RÉSULTATS: Cent trente-quatre (134) patients ont participé à l'étude: 124 (92,5%) étaient des femmes et 10 (7,5%) des hommes. L'âge moyen était de 38 ans±11,0SD. Soixante-dix-sept (57,5 %) patients présentaient un goitre simple et multi-nodulaire, suivi d'un goitre nodulaire simple gauche 20(14,9%, et le goitre nodulaire simple droit 17 (12,7 %). Cent vingt et un (90,5 %) patients n'ont présenté aucune complication. A l'examen histologique, la plupart des lésions étaient des goitres multinodulaires 60(44,8%), suivis par des goitres nodulaires simples, 23(17,2%). L'adénome folliculaire était la variante néoplasique la plus courante avec 12 cas (9,1 %). CONCLUSION: Le modèle de goitres à Abuja simule celui d'autres régions du Nigeria et de nombreux autres pays africains, bien qu'avec moins de tumeurs malignes dans la présente étude. La gestion et le résultatmde goitres à l'hôpital du district d'Asokoro à Abuja sont comparables à celles obtenus dans d'autres centres au Nigeria. Les complications pré et postopératoires étaient également minimes. Mots-clés: Goitres, modèle, résultat de la gestion, Abuja.

Evaluation of the antibacterial and antidiarrhoeal activities of heeria insignis o. Ktze.

Heeria insignis O. Ktze (Anacardiaceae) is an indigenous African shrub used in treatment of diarrhea, venereal diseases, tapeworm, hookworm, schistosomiasis, kidney trouble and for increasing lactation in women after childbirth. The methanol and dichloromethane extracts of the leaves were evaluated for antibacterial activity (using agar-diffusion method) and antidairrheal activity (using isolated rabbit jejunum and castor-oil induced diarrhea in mice). The methanol extract gave higher antibacterial activity than dichloromethane. The order of susceptibility of test microorganisms to methanol extract were Salmonella typhi>Pseudomous aeruginosa> Staphylococcus aureus>Bacillus subtilis>Escherichia coli which were comparable to standard. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the methanol extract for these microorganisms was also determined. The minimum inhibitory concentration (mg/ml) of methanol extract against microorganisms is; B. subtilis (3.9), S. aureus (1.95), E. coli (62.5), Ps. aeruginosa (3.9) and S. typhi (1.95). On the isolated rabbit jejunum evaluation, both extracts produced concentration-dependent relation of isolated rabbit jejunum that was not blocked by phentolamine, suggesting that extracts act via mechanisms other than alpha-adrenergic receptor. In the castor oil-induced diarrheoeal test, each extract gave 80% protection at 200 mg/kg, which is comparable to loperamide 2 mg/kg with 80% protection. This finding may explain the use of the plant in diarrhea and bacterial diseases.

Experience in the use of epidural anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Epidural anaesthesia is applicable for a wide range of surgical procedures and offers distinct advantages over general and spinal anaesthesia. It is however underutilised in our environment. We report a one year experience in the use of this technique. Our objective is to describe a one year experience in the use of epidural anaesthesia with emphasis on the scope and safety in our institution. METHOD: A retrospective study of all patients that had epidural anaesthesia over a one year period for different procedures. Case notes and anaesthetic records were studied and analysed using EPI info 3.2.1. software. RESULTS: Thirty two patients had epidural anaesthesia over the period. Majority (18 cases) were caesarean sections (56.3%). There were 9 general surgical cases (28.1%), four gynaecologic (12.0%) and one orthopaedic (3.1%) cases. Of the five complications observed (15.6%), only two could be traced to the technique of anaesthesia and the lone mortality (3.1%) was unconnected. CONCLUSION: We conclude that epidural anaesthesia is applicable to a wide range of procedures within and across disciplines in our practice and is both easy to perform and safe.

Flavonoid glycosides from the leaves of Cissus ibuensis hook (vitaceae).

The bioactive N-butanol fraction of the ethanol extract of the leaves of Cissus ibuensis was fractionated over silica Gel column to give Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (I) and mixtures of Flavonoids (A2). A2 was fractionated using reverse phase HPLC to give Kaempferol 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-ß-D-galactopyranoside (II), Kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside(III) and Kaempferol3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-ß-D-galactopyranoside (IV). The structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and compared with literature.

Phytochemical and antisickling studies of the leaves of Hymenocardia acida Tul (Euphorbiaceae).

The leaves of Hymenocardia acida are commonly used in Northern Nigeria alone or in combination with other plant parts to manage sickle cell disease. Phytochemical screening and antisickling studies were carried out. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, resins, steroids and terpenes. The leaves ethanol extracts at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% w/v were observed to reverse sickled human Red Blood Cells (RBC) using microscopic technique. The antisickling activity was found to be dose dependent. The fractions containing flavonoids, saponins and carboxylic acids were found to be responsible for reversal of the sickled RBC. Therefore, the use of the plant by the traditional medical practitioners in the treatment of sickle cell anaemic patients is justified.

Flavonoid glycosides from Byrsocarpus coccineus leaves. Schum and Thonn (Connaraceae).

The bioactive ethyl acetate and N-butanol soluble parts of an ethanolic extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus leaves was subjected to column chromatography over silica gel G (60-120 microns) and repeated purification of the flavonoid rich fraction over sephadex LH-20 eluted with methanol led to the isolation of three flavonoid glycosides identified as quercetin 3-O-alpha-arabinoside (I), quercetin (II) and quercetin 3-beta-D-glucoside. Their structures were elucidated by (1)H and (13)C-NMR data and are reported here for the first time in this plant.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial effects of Chrozophora senegalensis.

The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the whole plant extract (ethanolic-CEE) of Chrozophora senegalensis and its fractions (ethyl acetate-EAA, n-butanol-NBE, aqueous-AQE) were assayed using the agar plate diffusion and nutrient broth dilution methods. Test microorganisms were Bacillus subtilis (NCTC 8326 B76), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11775), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10145), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 021001). Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Salmonella typhi--laboratory isolates. CEE, EAA and NBE inhibited all the test bacterial organisms and a fungus--Aspergillus flavus. AQE inhibited only Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis. None of the extracts had activity on other 3 fungal organisms tested. CEE and EAA showed minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 0.390 and 3.125 mg/ml against S. typhi and E. coli, while NBE and AQE had MIC of 3.125 and 1.563 mg/ml against S. typhi respectively. NBE had an MIC of 12.500 mg/ml against E. coli. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of CEE and EAA was found to be <0.098 against S. typhi. The MBC of AQE was 12.5 mg/ml against E. coli and S. aureus, and 6.25 mg/ml towards P. aeruginosa. CEE and EAA exhibited similar antibacterial activities, followed by AQE. The extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, sterols determined by utilizing standard methods of analysis. This study has justified the traditional use of the plant for treating diarrhea, boils and syphilis.

Anti-diarrheal activity of the leaf extracts of Daniellia oliveri Hutch and Dalz (Fabaceae) and Ficus sycomorus Miq (Moraceae).

The leaves of the plants Daniellia oliveri (Fabaceae) and Ficus sycomorus (Moraceae) used in diarrhea treatment in Hausa ethnomedicine of Northern Nigeria were investigated. The study was carried out on perfused isolated rabbit jejunum and castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. The n-butanol extracts: NBD and NBF (0.16-3.2 mg/ml) caused a dose-dependent relaxation of isolated rabbit jejunum. The acute toxicity test for NBD and NBT in mice established an i.p LD(50) of > 4000 mg/kg for D. oliveri and 1131.4 mg/kg for F. sycomorus. In castor oil-induced diarrhea, 80% protection was observed for D. oliveri at doses of 200 mg/kg and 60% protection was observed at 100 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg respectively. For F. sycomorus 100% protection was observed at doses of 120 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg, for the n-butanol extract. The antidiarrheal activity was comparable to loperamide 5 mg/kg. The result revealed that the extracts have pharmacological activity against diarrhea.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Asparagus africanus root extract.

The methanolic extract of the roots of Asparagus africanus Lam (Liliaceae) which contains mainly saponins and carbohydrate showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities (P<0.05) in the tail-flick/hot-plate test and egg albumen-induced rat paw oedema tests that were comparable to the test drugs (morphine 20 mg/kg and indomethacin 50 mg/kg respectively). These results indicate that the extract possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Phytochemical, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethylacetate extract of the leaves of Pseudocedrella kotschyii.

Phytochemical screening was carried out on the ethylacetate portion of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Pseudocedrella kotschyii and then evaluated for its analgesic (acetic acid-induced writhing) and anti-inflammatory (raw egg albumin-induced oedema) activities in mice and rats respectively. Phytochemical screening of the ethylacetate partition portion of ethanolic extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides and tannins as major chemical constituents. Alkaloids saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids were not dictated in the extract. The ethylacetate extract (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p) exhibited significant activity (p<0.05) against acetic acid-induced writhing in a dose dependent manner. In the anti-inflammatory activity the ethylacetate extract (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) caused a slight effect against the raw egg albumin-induced oedema. The effect was however observed not to be dose dependent. All these effects were compared with standard drug piroxicam (20 mg/kg i.p.).

Phytochemical and antimicrobial activities of the Daniellia oliveri leaves.

The n-butanol soluble part and four chromatographic fractions of the aqueous ethanolic extract of the leaves of Daniellia oliveri were investigated for antimicrobial properties. All fractions showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus. A chromatographic fraction showed significant activity against the fungus Tricophyton rubrum.