OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES AMONG WORKERS IN BLOCK/CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES IN GOMBE METROPOLIS, GOMBE STATE, NORTHEAST, NIGERIA.

Introduction: The block/concrete industry is often seen as a driver of economic growth in developing countries. A wide range of people mainly unskilled form the bulk of workers in these industries. According to the International Labor Organization, about 60,000 fatal accidents occur annually on these construction sites. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of hazards and practices of occupational safety measures among the workers in these industries. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among 295 respondents selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured, interviewer-administered-electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Quantitative variables were summarized using tables and charts. The chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge and practice. Statistical significance was determined at a p-value of ≤0.05. Results: All the respondents were males, with a mean age of 28.9 ± 6.9 years. Most (70%) of the respondents have good knowledge while 49% have good practices in occupational safety. The age, level of education, and status of the worker were associated with knowledge of occupational hazards and practices. There was a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge of hazards and the practice of occupational safety (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The knowledge of occupational hazards among the study participants was high while safety practices were not adequate. Therefore, the health authorities should educate workers on safety practices and encourage the management of the factories to provide safety measures to protect the workers.

AWARENESS AND PRACTICES TOWARDS PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV AMONG MARRIED MEN ATTENDING THE ANTIRETROVIRAL CLINIC IN AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL, KANO, NIGERIA.

Background: The prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme was introduced as a comprehensive package of interventions with the aim of reducing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The programme offers an opportunity to capture pregnant women and their partners in order to prevent the transmission of HIV to the baby. This study is aimed at assessing the awareness and practices of married HIV-positive male partners towards PMTCT. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study that interviewed 220 HIV-positive male partners using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that more of the respondents 145 (65.9%) were between the age group of 31 to 40 years. More than half 130 (59%) of the respondents were aware of PMTCT while 135 (61.4%) of the respondents had good practice of PMTCT. Respondents with formal education were 1.5 times more likely to be aware of the PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=1.53, 95%CI=(1.98-4.54)]. Similarly, respondents with formal education were 2.5 times more likely to practice PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=2.53, 95%CI= (1.63-4.54)].In addition, Male partners who were above 30 years of age were 3 times more likely to participate in PMTCT activities compared to those who were less than 30 years [p=0.02, AOR=2.17, 95%CI=(0.01-4.12)]. Conclusion: Raising awareness about the need for male partners' involvement in the PMTCT programme as well as encouraging male partners to partake in PMTCT activities will further increase its uptake.

[Correction of enteral distress syndrome in acute intestinal obstruction]. / Korrektsiya enteral'nogo distress-sindroma pri ostroi kishechnoi neprokhodimosti.

OBJECTIVE: On the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the functional state of the intestine in acute mechanical small bowel obstruction, to justify adequate schemes of its protection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A clinical and laboratory study of 48 patients with acute small bowel obstruction developed against the background of abdominal adhesions, strangulated abdominal hernia was conducted. The first group (n=25) of patients who underwent laparotomy, removal of intestinal obstruction (adhesiolysis and/or herniation, hernial gate plastic surgery), intestinal intubation, standardized therapy after surgery. The second group (n=23) - patients, therapy included Remaxol (Polysan Pharmaceutical Plant, Petersburg): 400.0 enterally intraoperatively through a probe after nasointestinal intubation, evacuation of stagnant contents and intestinal lavage with isotonic saline solution; 400.0 - intravenously for 5 days. A number of indicators of homeostasis (endogenous intoxication, oxidative stress), structural and functional state of the intestine were evaluated. RESULTS: It was found that the inclusion of remaxol in complex therapy (intraoperatively and in the early postoperative period) leads to the optimization of the treatment process of patients with acute intestinal obstruction. The number of complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification decreased from 17 (first) up to 5 (second group) (χ2=3.988, p=0.046). Hospital stay decreased from 12.8±1.1 to 10.1±0.8 bed days (p<0.05). The effectiveness of the developed scheme is based on its ability to correct the phenomena of enteral distress syndrome relatively quickly, which was confirmed by laboratory and instrumental methods. The most important manifestation of this was a significant decrease in the phenomena of endogenous intoxica tion against the background of a significant decrease in the activity of peroxidation of membrane lipids - triggers of catabolic intestinal lesions. CONCLUSION: Studies document the effectiveness of the developed treatment regimen for patients with acute intestinal obstruction. The inclusion of remaxol parenterally and enterally makes it possible to significantly optimize the course of the early postoperative period. One of the main objects of its implementation was the relatively rapid restoration of intestinal function, reduction of manifestations of enteral distress syndrome. This provided rapid relief of endogenous intoxication and, as a result, prevented the progression of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which together determined the optimization of the early postoperative period.

The effect of chitosan type and drug-chitosan ratio on physical characteristics and release profile of ketoprofen microparticles prepared by spray drying.

OBJECTIVES: In order to minimize gastrointestinal irritation and to extend the absorption of ketoprofen, microparticles prepared with chitosan have been developed. In this study, chitosan type and drug-chitosan ratio were investigated to prepare microparticles of ketoprofen and evaluated for physical characteristics and drug release profiles. METHODS: Microparticles were prepared by using ionic gelation methods with chitosan, which has two different viscosities i.e., 19 and 50 cPs, cross-linked with tripolyphosphate, and dried by spray drying method. The microparticles were made with a drug-chitosan ratio of 5:15 and 6:15. RESULTS: The results showed that the microparticles had spherical shapes. Increasing the amount of ketoprofen improved the drug content and entrapment efficiency. Evaluation of drug release in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8) showed that the microparticles prepared with chitosan 19 cPs had the slowest release rate than those of chitosan 50 cPs, while that of the microparticles prepared with chitosan 50 cPs with the ratio of drug/polymer 6:15 was the fastest, as shown by its slope value. The release rate of microparticles with chitosan 19 cPs was slower than those microparticles with chitosan 50 cPs. CONCLUSIONS: It could be suggested that by increasing the amount of ketoprofen, it improved the entrapment efficiency and the release rate of microparticles.

High Cyclability Energy Storage Device with Optimized Hydroxyethyl Cellulose-Dextran-Based Polymer Electrolytes: Structural, Electrical and Electrochemical Investigations.

The preparation of a dextran (Dex)-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) blend impregnated with ammonium bromide (NH4Br) is done via the solution cast method. The phases due to crystalline and amorphous regions were separated and used to estimate the degree of crystallinity. The most amorphous blend was discovered to be a blend of 40 wt% Dex and 60 wt% HEC. This polymer blend serves as the channel for ions to be conducted and electrodes separator. The conductivity has been optimized at (1.47 ± 0.12) × 10-4 S cm-1 with 20 wt% NH4Br. The EIS plots were fitted with EEC circuits. The DC conductivity against 1000/T follows the Arrhenius model. The highest conducting electrolyte possesses an ionic number density and mobility of 1.58 × 1021 cm-3 and 6.27 × 10-7 V-1s-1 cm2, respectively. The TNM and LSV investigations were carried out on the highest conducting system. A non-Faradic behavior was predicted from the CV pattern. The fabricated electrical double layer capacitor (EDLC) achieved 8000 cycles, with a specific capacitance, internal resistance, energy density, and power density of 31.7 F g-1, 80 Ω, 3.18 Wh kg-1, and 922.22 W kg-1, respectively.

Chitin nano-whiskers (CNWs) as a bio-based bio-degradable reinforcement for epoxy: evaluation of the impact of CNWs on the morphological, fracture, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and thermal characteristics of DGEBA epoxy resin.

Chitin nano-whiskers (CNWs) are high performance nanomaterials that can be extracted from chitin, which is one of the most widely available bio-resources. Herein we investigate the effect of CNWs on the morphological, mechanical, dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of DGEBA epoxy. Optically transparent, bulk epoxy nano-composites with 0.25 wt%, 0.5 wt% and 0.75 wt% CNWs were evaluated in addition to neat epoxy. The composites were prepared based on a modified slurry compounding method. CNWs appear to be well dispersed within the epoxy matrix with increasing tendency for clustering as the CNW content is increased. The addition of 0.25 wt% CNWs to neat epoxy results in a decrease in the glass transition temperature and an increase in the tensile strength, modulus, damping and thermal degradation temperature. All the composites evaluated with CNWs showed distinct crack arrest events upon initiation of the first major crack growth during fracture toughness testing. Composites with 0.75 wt% CNWs showed the highest damping and an increase in the fracture toughness and resilience over neat epoxy.

Bimanual Psychomotor Performance in Neurosurgical Resident Applicants Assessed Using NeuroTouch, a Virtual Reality Simulator.

OBJECTIVE: Current selection methods for neurosurgical residents fail to include objective measurements of bimanual psychomotor performance. Advancements in computer-based simulation provide opportunities to assess cognitive and psychomotor skills in surgically naive populations during complex simulated neurosurgical tasks in risk-free environments. This pilot study was designed to answer 3 questions: (1) What are the differences in bimanual psychomotor performance among neurosurgical residency applicants using NeuroTouch? (2) Are there exceptionally skilled medical students in the applicant cohort? and (3) Is there an influence of previous surgical exposure on surgical performance? DESIGN: Participants were instructed to remove 3 simulated brain tumors with identical visual appearance, stiffness, and random bleeding points. Validated tier 1, tier 2, and advanced tier 2 metrics were used to assess bimanual psychomotor performance. Demographic data included weeks of neurosurgical elective and prior operative exposure. SETTING: This pilot study was carried out at the McGill Neurosurgical Simulation Research and Training Center immediately following neurosurgical residency interviews at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: All 17 medical students interviewed were asked to participate, of which 16 agreed. RESULTS: Performances were clustered in definable top, middle, and bottom groups with significant differences for all metrics. Increased time spent playing music, increased applicant self-evaluated technical skills, high self-ratings of confidence, and increased skin closures statistically influenced performance on univariate analysis. A trend for both self-rated increased operating room confidence and increased weeks of neurosurgical exposure to increased blood loss was seen in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation technology identifies neurosurgical residency applicants with differing levels of technical ability. These results provide information for studies being developed for longitudinal studies on the acquisition, development, and maintenance of psychomotor skills. Technical abilities customized training programs that maximize individual resident bimanual psychomotor training dependant on continuously updated and validated metrics from virtual reality simulation studies should be explored.

Assessing bimanual performance in brain tumor resection with NeuroTouch, a virtual reality simulator.

BACKGROUND: Validated procedures to objectively measure neurosurgical bimanual psychomotor skills are unavailable. The NeuroTouch simulator provides metrics to determine bimanual performance, but validation is essential before implementation of this platform into neurosurgical training, assessment, and curriculum development. OBJECTIVE: To develop, evaluate, and validate neurosurgical bimanual performance metrics for resection of simulated brain tumors with NeuroTouch. METHODS: Bimanual resection of 8 simulated brain tumors with differing color, stiffness, and border complexity was evaluated. Metrics assessed included blood loss, tumor percentage resected, total simulated normal brain volume removed, total tip path lengths, maximum and sum of forces used by instruments, efficiency index, ultrasonic aspirator path length index, coordination index, and ultrasonic aspirator bimanual forces ratio. Six neurosurgeons and 12 residents (6 senior and 6 junior) were evaluated. RESULTS: Increasing tumor complexity impaired resident bimanual performance significantly more than neurosurgeons. Operating on black vs glioma-colored tumors resulted in significantly higher blood loss and lower tumor percentage, whereas altering tactile cues from hard to soft decreased resident tumor resection. Regardless of tumor complexity, significant differences were found between neurosurgeons, senior residents, and junior residents in efficiency index and ultrasonic aspirator path length index. Ultrasonic aspirator bimanual force ratio outlined significant differences between senior and junior residents, whereas coordination index demonstrated significant differences between junior residents and neurosurgeons. CONCLUSION: The NeuroTouch platform incorporating the simulated scenarios and metrics used differentiates novice from expert neurosurgical performance, demonstrating NeuroTouch face, content, and construct validity and the possibility of developing brain tumor resection proficiency performance benchmarks.

Empirical models of the proliferative response of cytokine-dependent hematopoietic cell lines.

There is an expanding need for predictive mathematical models to accelerate the optimization of cell therapy culture processes. Here we demonstrate the ability of simple mathematical models to describe quantitatively the cytokine growth-rate dependence of two human hematopoietic cell lines, TF-1 and MO7e. These cells are immortal but depend on either interleukin-3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for their continued survival and maximal proliferation. They are also responsive to interleukin-6 (IL-6) and exhibit saturation kinetics when these cytokines are limiting. A Monod-type relationship consistently failed to fit measured cytokine dose-proliferation response curves while a Hill-type relationship showed a good fit. Cytokine interactions were first modeled by modifying the Hill-function to include an interaction parameter, gamma. This model did not indicate either synergistic or even additive effects between IL-3 and GM-CSF. Based on the reported competition between IL-3 and GM-CSF for their common receptor (beta(c)) subunit, a competitive model was also developed. This model had no new parameters beyond those obtained from single cytokine cultures and provided improved prediction of the growth rates for both cell lines exposed to combinations of IL-3 and GM-CSF over a wide range of concentrations. As expected, the competitive model failed to fit the data for IL-6 in combination with either IL-3 or GM-CSF, since IL-6 signaling does not involve the beta(c) chain of the IL-3/GM-CSF receptors. Interestingly, the cell-specific rates of GM-CSF uptake and cell proliferation were found to be uncoupled processes. Taken together, these results illustrate the utility of appropriately designed empirical models to describe the proliferative responses of hematopoietic cells to cytokine stimulation.