Morbidity indicators of urogenital schistosomosis and risk factors in school children in three Senatorial Districts of Cross River State, Nigeria.

The morbidity indicators and risk factors of urinary schistosomosis in school-age children were ascertained in three Senatorial Districts of Cross River State (CRS). A cross-sectional study conducted between April 2015 and March 2016. Seven hundred and seventy-seven (777) urine samples were randomly collected from selected children and examined for ova of Schistosoma haematobium, using a modified filtration system. Commercial reagent strips were employed for the detection of haematuria and proteinuria. Chi-square test was used to determine the statistical differences between the data in subgroups and the results from specimen examinations. S. haematobium ova was observed in 13 (1.7%) of the 777 participants examined. Ninety (11.6%) children showed haematuria, and 137 (17.6%) showed proteinuria. Infection varied significantly across the age-groups (P<0.05). Males 11 (2.4%) were more infected than females 2 (0.6%) (P<0.05). The age group 9-12 years accounted for the highest mean ova count (7.33±2.1) in urine samples analysed. Female participants had a higher mean ova count (7.50±0.71) than male participants (6.18±1.66). Age, gender and the habit of fetching water from streams were significant risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis. It is evident from this study that S. haematobium infection is still endemic in the three Senatorial Districts of CRS, despite periodic chemotherapy.

Mechanical and optimization studies of polypropylene hybrid biocomposites.

Towards developing a polymeric matrix characterized by high strength to cost ratio, polypropylene (PP) was hybridized with low-cost particulate snail shell (PSS) and kenaf fiber (KF) via compression moulding at 180 °C and 0.2 MPa. The developed composites were grouped into three and labeled as mix 2, 4, and 10. Each group entailed the blend of 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt% KF with 2, 4, 10 wt% PSS respectively. From the results, it is observed that the hardness value was enhanced by the blend of 5 to 30 wt% KF and 2, 4, and 10 wt% PSS. However, 2 wt% PSS mix with 5 to 30 wt% KF resulted in progressive improvement in impact, compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths values. The 4 wt% PSS yielded consecutive increase in impact, compressive and flexural strength when combined with 5 and 10 wt% KF. However, it was observed that subsequent addition of 20 and 30 wt% KF led to a marginal reduction in the strength values. The tensile strength attained optimum value when 4 wt% PSS was commixed with 30 wt% KF. Conversely, the combinations of 10 wt% PSS with 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt% KF had no significant improvement to the mechanical properties of PSS/KF-bio-PP composite (except for hardness) siring strength decrease. Taguchi optimization revealed that the collage of 4 wt% PSS and 10 wt% KF presented optimum mix for hybrid bio-PP composite.

Experience with liver and kidney allografts from non-heart-beating donors.

Given the shortage of cadaveric organs, we began a study utilizing NHBD for OLTx and KTx. There were 24 NHBD between January 1989 and September 1993. These donors were divided into 2 groups: uncontrolled NHBD (G1) (n = 14) were patients whose organs were recovered following a period of CPR; and controlled NHBD (G2) (n = 10) were patients whose organs were procured after sustaining cardiopulmonary arrest (CA) following extubation in an operating room setting. Eight kidneys and 5 livers were discarded because of macroscopic or biopsy findings. In G1, 22/27 (81.5%) kidneys were transplanted; 14/22 (64%) developed ATN; 20/22 (95%) recipients were off dialysis at the time of discharge. With a mean follow-up of 32.7 +/- 21.1 months, sixteen (73%) kidneys are still functioning, with a mean serum creatinine of 1.7 +/- 0.6 mg/dl. The one-year actuarial patient and graft survivals are 95% and 86%. In G2, 17/20 (85%) kidneys were transplanted; 13/17 (76%) kidneys experienced ATN. All patients were off dialysis by the time of discharge. With a mean follow-up of 17.6 +/- 15.4 months, twelve (70%) kidneys are still functioning, with a mean serum creatinine of 2.5 +/- 2.1 mg/dl. The one-year actuarial patient and graft survivals are 94% and 82%, respectively. In G1, 6/10 (60%) livers were transplanted; 3/6 (50%) livers functioned, the other 3 patients required ReOLTx in the first week postoperatively because of PNF (n = 2) and inadequate portal flow (n = 1). Two functioning livers were lost due to HAT (n = 1) and CMV hepatitis (n = 1). In G2, 6/7 (85.7%) livers were transplanted. All the livers (100%) functioned. 2 patients required ReOLTx for HAT at 0.9 and 1.0 months. Both patients eventually died. One patient with a functioning liver died 2 months post OLTx. The remaining 3 patients are alive and well at 27 months of follow-up. This study shows that the procurement of kidneys from both uncontrolled and controlled NHBD leads to acceptable graft function despite a high incidence of ATN. The function of liver allografts is adequate in the controlled NHBD but suboptimal in the uncontrolled NHBD, with a high rate of PNF.

The role of the geriatric consultation team in an acute care hospital.

One of the most important health issues of this decade is the provision of effective health care for the elderly. The overwhelming needs of this increasing population segment add to growing hospital expenditures. Hospitals must develop new ways to provide quality health care to the acutely ill elderly. The special needs of this group are too complex to be addressed by a single discipline. A geriatric team approach can provide a comprehensive, cost-effective means of improving the quality of care provided. This care delivery model can result in positive outcomes for the geriatric patient.