Physicochemical Characterization of Woody Lignocellulosic Biomass and Charcoal for Bio-energy Heat Generation.

Biomass and its interactions for heat generation have received little attention. In this study, the woody biomass materials were Prosopis africana (PA), Harungana madascariences (HM), Vitrllaria paradoxa (VP), and Afzelia africana (AA). The composition (extractives, carbohydrate, and lignin) of the biomass was determined. The biomass was converted to charcoal in a traditional kiln. A thermo-kinetic examination of the charcoal samples was carried out. The kinetic parameters and potential reaction mechanisms involved in the decomposition process were both obtained using the integral (Flynn-Wall Ozawa) isoconversional methods in conjunction with the Coats-Redfern approach. The activation energy profiles for the charcoal samples in oxidizing atmospheres were 548 kJ/mol for AA, 274 kJ/mol for VP, 548 kJ/mol for PA, and 274 kJ/mol for HM. All charcoal samples underwent comprehensive, multi-step, complex reaction pathways for thermal degradation. The charcoal samples exhibit not only great potential for biochemical extraction but also for bioenergy applications. The significant amount of combustion characteristics in the raw biomass and charcoal samples indicates that each type of wood charcoal produced has more fixed carbon, less ash, and less volatile matter, all of which are desirable for the thermo-chemical conversion of biomass for the production of heat.

Anticancer effects of Morinda lucida and Annona muricata on immunomodulations of Melatonin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and p53 concentrations in lead acetate-induced toxicity in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Lead poisoning accounts for about 0.6% of global burden of disease. Lead-induced toxicity is through confinement of oxidative stress in affected organs. We evaluated the effects of MLF1 (extracted from Morinda lucida leaves) and AMF1 (extracted from Annona muricata leaves) on lipid peroxidation and immunomodulations of Melatonin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and p53 proteins in lead acetate (LA)-induced toxicity in rats. METHODS: Sixty adult female rats were randomly divided into 12 groups (n = 5). Groups 1 and 2 received physiological saline and 100 mg/kg bodyweight of LA, respectively, for 5 weeks. Groups 3-6 received 100 mg/kg bodyweight LA for 2 weeks, followed by treatments with 7.5 and 15 mg/kg bodyweight of MLF1, and 7.5 and 10 mg/kg bodyweight of AMF1, respectively, for 3 weeks. Groups 7-10 received 7.5 and 15 mg/kg bodyweight of MLF1, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg bodyweight of AMF1, respectively, for 5 weeks. Groups 11-12 received co-administrations of 100 mg/kg bodyweight LA with 15 mg/kg bodyweight MLF1 and 10 mg/kg bodyweight of AMF1, respectively, for 5 weeks. Drugs and extracts were administered orally. Consequently, liver histopathology (Hematoxylin and Eosin), sera Melatonin, and TNF-α (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) levels were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) (thiobarbituric acid assay) and p53 (ELISA) levels were evaluated in liver homogenates. Data were statistically analyzed (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Results showed normal liver histology in all Groups. Statistical analyses showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) and non-significant decreased levels (P ≥ 0.05) of MDA, TNF-α and p53 in Groups 3-12, compared with Group 2. Furthermore, results showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) and non-significant increased Melatonin levels (P ≥ 0.05) in Groups 4-12 compared with Group 2. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that MLF1 and AMF1 confer a degree of antioxidant, anticancer and hepato-protetive potentials against LA-induced toxicity in rats.

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF LOW-INTENSITY EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF VASCULAR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN NIGERIAN MEN: REPORT OF A STUDY IN IBADAN, SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA.

Background: Low Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (LI-SWT) has been found to be effective in men with vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) but its efficacy and safety has not been investigated in a predominantly black population so we sought to study this. Materials and Methods: Men with vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) were assessed using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score after which they were treated with 12 sessions of LI-SWT. Treatment efficacy was evaluated immediately after treatment, at 1 month and 6 months after using the IIEF questionnaire. 30 persons were recruited out of which 22 completed the study. Results: Mean IIEF score improved from 8.27±2.741 at baseline (pre-treatment) to 10.43±8.43 one month post treatment and was sustained six months post treatment at mean IIEF score of 10.70 ± 8.84. A larger no (86.4%) had an improvement of at least 5 in the IIEF score from baseline to 6 months -post treatment. None of the participants reported any adverse effects of treatment. Conclusion: Low intensity shock wave treatment is a useful addition to the medical armamentarium for the treatment of vascular ED.

Inhibition of nitric oxide production and free radical scavenging activities of four South African medicinal plants.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional healing is often the preferred form of therapy especially in rural and resource-limited communities. The extracts of plants are used to treat many diseases such as arthritis and chronic pain. Four medicinal plant species, namely, Acokanthera oppositifolia, Plantago lanceolata, Conyza canadensis and Artemisia vulgaris used in Southern Africa to treat pain and inflammation-related diseases were selected for evaluation in laboratory-based experiments. METHODS: The selected plant species were evaluated for phytochemical content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as cytotoxicity effects against mammalian cells in culture. RESULTS: The results indicated that the n-hexane and chloroform extracts of P. lanceolata had the best antioxidant activities with an IC50=0.41 µg/mL. Also, the acetone extracts of P. lanceolata had 93.76% nitric oxide (NO) inhibition. However, the chloroform and n-hexane extracts of C. canadensis produced NO inhibition of 98.53% and 99.2%, respectively, at 100 µg/mL with IC50=17.69 µg/mL. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate extracts also had promising NO inhibitory activity (96.33%), but the cytotoxicity results with cell viabilities of 5.31%, 5.7% and 5.89%, respectively, suggested that the observed activity was due to a cytotoxic effect. Acetone extracts of C. canadensis were also cytotoxic at 30 µg/mL with 6.07-6.67% cell viabilities compared with the acetone extracts of P. lanceolata (99.57%). CONCLUSION: The results partially validate the ethnomedicinal uses of the selected plant species used for inflammation-related conditions. However, because some of the extracts had potential cytotoxic effects, caution is advised in their use, especially those consumed orally.

EXPERIENCE WITH MANAGING CHILDHOOD URETHROCUTANEOUS FISTULA AT IBADAN.

BACKGROUND: Urethrocutaneous fistula could be a distressing condition to the child and parents alike. Its management could be challenging and requires adequate expertise. AIM: To review the characteristics and aetiology of urethrocutaneous fistula managed in our division over a ten-year period. METHODOLOGY: All children with urethrocutaneous fistulae from July 2006 to June 2015 were subject of this review. The demography, aetiology, type of fistula, operation performed and the outcome were retrieved from the division operation book and case notes of the patients. The data was analyzed using SPSS Inc. version 20 and odd ratio. RESULTS: Thirty-five children were managed over a period of ten tears. The age ranged from 6 months to 13 years with a mean of 4±1.9years. Seventy one percent of urethrocutaneous fistulae resulted from complication of childhood male circumcision procedures performed in private hospitals and by nurses. One child (3%) had isolated perineal urethrocutaneous fistula while 26% complicated hypospadias repair at these locations: glandular in 1% case, subcoronal in 3% cases, penile in 2% cases, and penoscrotal in 3% cases. Ten (29%) children with abnormal haemoglobin AC was noted in 3 (9%) patients and haemoglobin AS in 7 (20%) patients. The odd ratio between abnormal haemoglobin and normal haemoglobin was 3.8. The surgical repair of post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistulae and post-hypospadias had a recurrent fistulae in 4 (16%) and 3 (33%) respectively. Majority of the fistulae were repaired by simple closure in 80% post-circumcision and in 44% post-hypospadias repair. in the more difficult cases, penile degloving with urethral mobilization was done in 16% post-circumcision fistula and 22% post-hypospadias fistula with no recurrence. CONCLUSION: in this study, post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistula was the commonest cause of childhood urethrocutaneous fistula, the severe ones could require penile degloving to achieve repair without tension; recurrence was a major complication.

The knowledge, awareness, and acceptability of renal transplantation among patients with end-stage renal disease in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Renal transplantation is well established in the USA, Europe, India, and South Africa. However, it is still in its infancy in Nigeria. The objective of our study is to determine the knowledge, awareness, and acceptability of renal transplant among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and the factors which are responsible for the low level of transplantation in Ibadan, Nigeria. A 15-item pilot-tested questionnaire was administered to willing patients with ESRD seen at the medical outpatient clinic of the University Teaching Hospital, from January to December 2011. There was 81% participation rate of the respondents. Exactly 90.1% had formal education and 44% earned <50,000 naira per month. Seventy-nine percent of respondents was aware of renal transplantation, 70.4% would recommend it to others, and 66.7% accepted renal transplantation; 77.8% would maintain a close relationship with their donors. About 61.7% considered it very expensive, while 33.3% did not know the cost for transplantation. Of the reason for the low level of kidney transplantation in Nigeria, 39.5% had no idea and in 27.2% of the respondents, the fear of death by potential donors may be responsible. Eleven percent of responded that recipients had no money for kidney transplantation and another 11% thought the potential donors would like to be paid for donating their kidneys. Most of the respondents with ESRD were knowledgeable, aware of, and accepted renal transplantation as the next step to treat chronic renal failure. However, majority of these patients could not afford the cost for renal transplantation.

HISTOPATHOLOGIC PATTERN OF BLADDER CANCERS IN IBADAN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA: AN UPDATE.

BACKGROUND: A study from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria on bladder cancers had described an increase in the frequency of urothelial carcinoma compared to the earlier reported preponderance of squamous-cell carcinoma. AIM: To provide an update on the histopathologic pattern of bladder cancers in our community and to explore its implications for future health system policies. METHODS: The records of the Ibadan Cancer Registry from January 1997 to December 2014 were reviewed and the data analyzed for the histologic subtypes of bladder cancers diagnosed in the hospital. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixteen bladder tumours were recorded during this period with a male to female ratio of 3.2:1. Complete information was available in 195 cases of which 181 (96.8%) were bladder carcinomas whilst 14 were sarcomas. Of the bladder carcinomas, 68.5%, 19.9% and 11.6% were urothelial carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and adenocarcinomas (AC) respectively. Urothelial carcinoma was more common in all age groups and its peak age of occurrence was in the 51-60 year age group. The peak age for squamous cell carcinoma was in the 41-50 year age group. Mean and median age of occurrence was significantly lower in females in the urothelial and squamous cell carcinomas, but lowest in squamous cell carcinoma [P = < 0.0001]. CONCLUSION: This population study has confirmed urothelial carcinoma as the predominant histotype of bladder cancer in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria currently and that both urothelial and squamous cell carcinomas occur earlier in women.

The Effect of Mass Media Campaign on the Use of Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets among Pregnant Women in Nigeria.

Background. Malaria during pregnancy is a major public health problem in Nigeria especially in malaria-endemic areas. It increases the risk of low birth weight and child/maternal morbidity/mortality. This paper addresses the impact of radio campaigns on the use of insecticide-treated bed nets among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods. A total of 2,348 pregnant women were interviewed during the survey across 21 of Nigeria's 36 states. Respondents were selected through a multistage sampling technique. Analysis was based on multivariate logistic regression. Results. Respondents who knew that sleeping under ITN prevents malaria were 3.2 times more likely to sleep under net (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 2.28 to 4.33; P < 0.0001). Those who listened to radio are also about 1.6 times more likely to use ITN (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.28; P = 0.020), while respondents who had heard of a specific sponsored radio campaign on ITN are 1.53 times more likely to use a bed net (P = 0.019). Conclusion. Pregnant women who listened to mass media campaigns were more likely to adopt strategies to protect themselves from malaria. Therefore, behavior change communication messages that are aimed at promoting net use and antenatal attendance are necessary in combating malaria.

Torsion of the testis and factors that determine the choice of orchidectomy and unilateral orchidopexy.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the age group affected by testicular torsion and the relationship with orchidectomy and unilateral orchidopexy. To determine if seasonal variation affects the incidence of torsion of the testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of confirmed patients with testicular torsion from July 1998 to June 2010 were retrieved. They were divided into two, group I (age<21 years) and group II (age e"21 years). The indices analyzed were the relationship of age group, occupation on orchidectomy and unilateral orchidopexy and seasonal variation and torsion. Cases of acute epididymo-orchitis, torsion of appendix testis, and testicular tumor were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total of 169 confirmed cases of testicular torsion were analysed.The estimated incidence was 12.1 cases per 100,000 populations. Their age range from 9 months to 45 years and mean age 23.8±7.6 (SD). 62.1% of torsion occurred at e" 21 years. One hundred and twenty patients (71%) had bilateral orchidopexy, 32 (18.9%) had orchidectomy and 17 (10.1%) had unilateral orchidopexy. In group II; unilateral orchidopexy was significant (p<0.03) and there was a correlation between the occupation and orchidectomy (p<0.02). There was no statistical correlation between total torsion and humidity (r=0.321, p=0.309), or ambient temperature (r=0.248, p=0.437). CONCLUSIONS: Testicular torsion was commoner in men age e" 21 years and more students lost their testes. Unilateral orchidopexy should be considered in some cases. There was no relationship between torsion, orchidectomy, ambient temperature and relative humidity. The need for rigorous pre-school and pre-employment health education is advocated.

NEED FOR SCREENING FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUGS IN EMERGENCY TRAUMA UNITS.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of alcohol and drug use and abuse, to identify socio-demographic characteristics that correlated with injury and to identify risk factors for injury in a Nigerian Trauma unit. DESIGN: Descriptive cross sectional study. SETTING: The study was carried out a general hospital trauma unit in Nigeria. SUBJECTS: One thousand one hundred and twenty one trauma patients and 303 controls. RESULTS: Of all injuries, 50.1% were road accidents, mean injury severity score was 41.3 SD (11.2), prevalence of alcohol abuse was 27.9%, cannabis abuse 14.0% and pretrauma alcohol use 41.2%, pre-trauma cannabis use was 6.9%. Multivariate analysis shows that age < 31 years 95% CI (0.26-0.89), alcohol abuse 95% CI (1.84-4.64), binge drinking in the previous 30 days 95% CI (1.76-6.46), cannabis abuse 95% CI (1.45-2.88) and pretrauma combined alcohol and cannabis use 95% CI (3.34-11.78) were risk factors for severe injury. CONCLUSION: Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs is highly prevalent among trauma patients seeking emergency care. Therefore trauma patients require routine toxicological screening to provide basis for preventive programmes or referrals for them.

Renal cell carcinoma in Ibadan: a 5-year clinicopathologic review.

BACKGROUND: To review all the cases of the patients with renal cell carcinoma seen during the study period and to determine the pattern of presentation, number of operable cases, histological types and outcome of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of the patients with renal cell carcinoma was retrieved from the Urology division audit book, theatre record books and case files from the health records department and pathology register in the department of pathology. The parameters studied were age, gender, pattern of presentation, number of patients who had surgery, histology types and the outcome of treatment. RESULTS: In total, there were 69 patients with renal cell carcinoma that accounted for 59.5% of all renal masses seen. The male to female ratio was 1:1. Their age ranged from 16 to 88 with a mean of 48 years and median of 50 years. The main clinical feature was loin swelling (100%) and others were loin pain (29%), hematuria (18.8%), weight loss (4%) and paraneoplastic syndrome (anaemia without haematuria) was seen in 2.9%. Ten percent of the cases had the classical triad of hematuria, loin pain and loin swelling. All cases were unilateral disease and 15 (21.7%) had metastasis at presentation. The pre-operative tests were abdominal ultrasound (94%), intravenous urography (45%) and CT-Scan (11.6%). Twenty eight patients (40.6%) had surgery of which 5 were unresectable. 37 of the patients (53.6%) were subsequently lost to follow-up. The 28 operative specimens were histologically confirmed and 85.7% were clear cell carcinoma. The 23 patients whose tumours were resected have remained symptom free, some up to 5 years. However the five patients with unresectable tumours died between 3 to 6 months of exploratory surgery. CONCLUSION: The patients with resectable tumour could remain disease free for a significant period afterwards despite late presentation. However, there is a high loss to follow-up rate.

Religion, culture and male involvement in the use of the Standard Days Method: evidence from Enugu and Katsina states of Nigeria.

AIM: This paper presents findings from an exploratory study on the use of the Standard Days Method® (SDM) of family planning (FP) in Katsina and Enugu states of Nigeria. BACKGROUND: Potential users of FP often do not use modern methods if its practice is in dissonance with cultural and religious values. Increasing FP options through the introduction of effective natural methods is important, as it will ensure that FP providers, particularly nurses, can provide appropriate non-hormonal methods to women who are interested in their use. This will bring about an increased contraceptive prevalence in countries with strong religious barriers to modern FP methods. METHODS: A qualitative study using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews was conducted with nurses, community FP providers and users of the SDM following the introduction of the method in two Nigerian states. DISCUSSION: Both users and providers perceive the SDM to be religiously and culturally acceptable. They found it useful particularly among women who could not use hormonal methods for medical reasons. CONCLUSION: There was no religious/cultural opposition to the use of SDM. Spousal involvement in use within localities where hormonal methods are not accepted was perceived as an important factor in making the method acceptable. It is imperative to scale up the intervention to other areas both in Nigeria and in other countries that have similar religious and cultural resistance to modern FP methods.

Caudal block anesthesia for transrectal prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: Transrectal prostate biopsy is a potentially painful procedure. Our service has significant experience with caudal anesthesia for perianal procedures. This study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of caudal anesthesia for transrectal prostate biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy consecutive patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy were entered into the study. The patients were requested to complete a questionnaire structured to assess the pain felt during the procedure using the visual analog score (VAS). The effectiveness of the caudal anesthesia was determined by the anesthesia of the perineum and the laxity of the anal sphincter. Complications from the procedures were recorded. RESULTS: All the patients completed and returned the questionnaire. The average age of the respondents is 65.8 years. Among the 34 patients with caudal block, effective anesthesia was achieved in 28 patients and ineffective in six patients. However, the mean VAS for the pain from transrectal prostate biopsy was 1.49 +/- 1.93 SD (range 0-6.0) for the patients with effective caudal anesthesia and 8.02 +/- 1.79 SD (range 5.0-10.0) for patients with no caudal anesthesia. There was a reduced requirement for analgesics after prostate biopsy for patients with effective caudal anesthesia. Three patients (8.8%) had minor complications (transient dizziness) following the injection of the anesthetic into the caudal epidural space. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory analgesia for transrectal prostate biopsy can be achieved with the use of CA and it results in better cooperation of the patient during the procedure.

Early endoscopic realignment of traumatic anterior and posterior urethral disruptions under caudal anaesthesia - a 5-year review.

OBJECTIVE: We recently described early rigid retrograde endoscopic realignment of the disrupted urethra under caudal anaesthesia in the outpatient setting. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate our medium-term results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who had early rigid retrograde endoscopic realignment of traumatic urethral disruptions in our institution over a 5-year period was done and the relevant data extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen acutely ruptured urethras (10 posterior and four anterior) were endoscopically realigned early in the study period. Nine (90%) of the posterior disruptions occurred at bulbo-membranous urethra (distal to the external sphincter mechanism). Thirteen of the ruptured urethras (93%) were successfully realigned (nine posterior and four anterior) and postoperative clean intermittent self-calibration (CIC) was instituted in 10 patients. The mean follow-up period was 36.6 months (range 18-54 months). The mean operating time and the median hospital stay were 22 min (range 8-68 min) and 3 days (range 1-10 days), respectively, and were shorter in patients with injuries of the anterior urethra than those with posterior urethral tears (p < or = 0.0001). Post-realignment, all 13 patients were potent and continent. Two patients required additional procedures (direct vision internal urethrotomy or urethral dilation) and one patient has remained on CIC i.e. a stricture rate of 21%. CONCLUSION: Early retrograde endoscopic realignment under caudal analgesia is suitable and cost-effective for patients with acute traumatic urethral disruptions and has good medium-term results. In addition, an early postoperative regimen of CIC significantly reduced stricture-formation in our series.

The impact of exposure to mass media campaigns and social support on levels and trends of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in Nigeria: tools for enhancing effective HIV prevention programmes.

People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) often face stigma and discrimination, especially in developing countries. HIV-related stigma is expressed through social ostracism, personal rejection, direct and indirect discrimination, and denial from families and friends. Consequently, it is associated with reduced adoption of preventive and care behaviours, including condom use, seeking for HIV test and care-seeking behaviour subsequent to diagnosis. Ignorance about the epidemiology of the disease on modes of transmission and prevention aggravates HIV-related stigma in Nigeria. Behaviour change communication activities through mass media have been shown to be an effective approach in improving people's knowledge about the disease. This paper monitors trends in the level of accepting attitudes towards PLWHAs in Nigeria between 2003 and 2007. It also evaluates the impact of exposure to mass media and social support on the levels of accepting attitudes towards PLWHAs. A significant and positive trend was evident between 2003 and 2007 (p<0.0001). Furthermore, exposure to mass media communications on HIV and AIDS issues and social support were significantly related to the reduced stigma and discrimination against PLWHAs (p<0.0001).

Emergency partial thyroidectomy under cervical block to relieve severe acute airway obstruction from thyroid cancer.

A 75 year old male, Nigerian, retired civil servant presented to the Surgical Endocrine Unit of the Olabisi University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria with features of severe acute airway obstruction from advanced thyroid cancer. He was immediately worked up for an emergency partial thyroidectomy within an hour of arrival in the hospital under superficial bilateral cervical blockage using 2% xylocaine with aderanalin (30 mls) 1:100,000 with mild sedation, using 10 mg pentazocine and 5 mg diazepam as other forms of anaesthesia were not feasible because of his worsening respiratory distress. Findings at operation were a very haemorrhagic, friable thyroid gland with all the lobes matted together. He had isthmusectomy with bilateral partial lobectomy to relieve pressure on the trachea. Respiration improved in the immediate post-operative period as reflected by the values of arterial blood gases. He was maintained on respiration and intranasal oxygen therapy in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 2 days. He had an uneventful recovery and was discharged 2 weeks after surgery. He had radiotherapy and was followed up in the clinic for a year.