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Metal fume pollutants of urban Kano, a city of over 10 million people, and widespread metal works have increased exposure with related health effects. Few data on metal fume toxicity and atmospheric levels have been documented in Nigeria and Kano in particular. Hence, the work was aimed at evaluating the metal fume toxicity to laboratory rat species for setting the permissible limit of exposure in urban Kano. The investigation involved the collection of metal welding fumes and subsequent laboratory analysis. Experimental animals were then exposed intratracheally to varying doses of the fumes which were equivalent to normal metal workers' daily routine of 2, 4, and 8 h for 3, 5, 10, and 20 years. Following euthanization, whole blood samples were collected and functions of liver and delta-aminolevunilic acid dehydratase were evaluated in the serum. Exposure to the fumes has caused significant mortality that was observed to be dose-dependent and statistically different (p 0.05); moreover, the fumes had synergistically affected the functions of liver. In addition, the fumes had increased (statistically) the activity delta-aminolevinilic acid dehydratase. This has indicated that exposure to metal welding fumes being multi-elemental is toxic and had produced mortality at exposure to higher doses of metal welding fumes. It was therefore established from the study that no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for metal welding fumes is 25.73 mg with LD

Background: There are millions of workers in the world, who engage in activities associated with welding operations but are not classified as full-time metal workers. The present study aimed to determine the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in blood of laboratory animals exposed to welding fumes. Methods: Welding fumes were obtained from Kofar Ruwa, Kano by a skilled welder. 130 albino rats were purchased from the Animal Section of Department of Biological Sciences and were divided into 12 groups. They were given doses equivalent to the workers’ real life exposure regimes, and 1 group was selected as control group. They were administered intratracheally following anesthetization once weekly for twelve weeks. The rats were euthanized and serum samples were collected. Then, AChE activity was evaluated spectrophotometrically using ELISA kit (Sunlong Biotech Company). Results: The mean values of AChE ranged from 23.1 to 25.05 ng/mL with the control having a value of 24.7 ng/mL. Thus, there was a decrease in the values of AChE in the blood of treated groups, which was significantly different from the control (P

Welding fumes has been known to cause release of reactive oxygen species which stands to be cytotoxic. The study aims to assess the histopathological changes of some organs associated with exposure to welding fumes in experimental animals. The metal fumes were obtained from sites of welding. A total of 130 male albino rats were engaged and divided into a 13 groups. Out of which 12 were given respective doses calculated to be equivalent to worker's real life exposure times and 1 as control. The doses were intratracheally administered weekly following anesthetization for a period of 12 weeks. The laboratory rats were then sacrificed and target organs were examined. Histopathological examination reveals normal feature for brain tissues in all treated animals. However, there was lymphocyte hyperplasia and necrosis in heart, kidney, liver and lungs tissues which at lower doses were slight and became moderate at higher doses. In addition, there were'nt pathological changes in tissues of the control animals. Thus, exposure to metal welding fumes has caused damages that have translated into lesions and several pathologies in kidney, lungs, liver and heart tissues of the test animals. Regulation and control should be imposed on exposure to welding fumes by metal workers.

Donkeys (Equus asinus) is a domestic livestock popular in helping farming activities and providing food for some societies. Population of donkeys were drastically decreasing due to the overexploitation for its hides and industrialization. Little is known regarding the morphometric measurements of this species which provide a useful information for selective breeding and genetic conservation. One hundred and forty-four male donkeys from D/Kudu Kano state where enrolled in this study for morphometric characterisation. Seven morphological parameters were analysed in association with age and coat colour of donkeys observed. Descriptive statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) as well as correlation coefficient among parameters were evaluated. Result revealed that donkeys in the studied area were categorised into 7 different coat colour with light grey (30.6%) being the dominant colour. High Frequency distribution of donkeys between the ages of 5-7 years (41%) were recorded. Also, both age and coat colour showed a significant (P

Summary Background Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common postoperative complication worldwide. WHO guidelines to prevent SSI recommend alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation and fascial closure using triclosan-coated sutures, but called for assessment of both interventions in low-resource settings. This study aimed to test both interventions in low-income and middle-income countries. Methods FALCON was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised controlled trial stratified by whether surgery was clean-contaminated, or contaminated or dirty, including patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a skin incision of 5 cm or greater. This trial was undertaken in 54 hospitals in seven countries (Benin, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa). Patients were computer randomised 1:1:1:1 to: (1) 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine and non-coated suture, (2) 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine and triclosan-coated suture, (3) 10% aqueous povidone–iodine and non-coated suture, or (4) 10% aqueous povidone–iodine and triclosan-coated suture. Patients and outcome assessors were masked to intervention allocation. The primary outcome was SSI, reported by trained outcome assessors, and presented using adjusted relative risks and 95% CIs. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03700749. Findings Between Dec 10, 2018, and Sept 7, 2020, 5788 patients (3091 in clean-contaminated stratum, 2697 in contaminated or dirty stratum) were randomised (1446 to alcoholic chlorhexidine and non-coated suture, 1446 to alcoholic chlorhexidine and triclosan-coated suture, 1447 to aqueous povidone–iodine and non-coated suture, and 1449 to aqueous povidone–iodine and triclosan-coated suture). 14·0% (810/5788) of patients were children and 66·9% (3873/5788) had emergency surgery. The overall SSI rate was 22·0% (1163/5284; clean-contaminated stratum 15·5% [454/2923], contaminated or dirty stratum 30·0% [709/2361]). For both strata, there was no evidence of a difference in the risk of SSI with alcoholic chlorhexidine versus povidone–iodine (clean-contaminated stratum 15·3% [223/1455] vs 15·7% [231/1468], relative risk 0·97 [95% CI 0·82–1·14]; contaminated or dirty stratum 28·3% [338/1194] vs 31·8% [371/1167], relative risk 0·91 [95% CI 0·81–1·02]), or with triclosan-coated sutures versus non-coated sutures (clean-contaminated stratum 14·7% [215/1459] vs 16·3% [239/1464], relative risk 0·90 [95% CI 0·77–1·06]; contaminated or dirty stratum 29·4% [347/1181] vs 30·7% [362/1180], relative risk 0·98 [95% CI 0·87–1·10]). With both strata combined, there were no differences using alcoholic chlorhexidine or triclosan-coated sutures. Interpretation This trial did not show benefit from 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation compared with povidone–iodine, or with triclosan-coated sutures compared with non-coated sutures, in preventing SSI in clean-contaminated or contaminated or dirty surgical wounds. Both interventions are more expensive than alternatives, and these findings do not support recommendations for routine use. Funding National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Unit Grant, BD.

IntroductionAs childhood mortality from infectious diseases falls across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the burden of disease attributed to surgical conditions is increasing. However, limited data exist on paediatric surgical outcomes in SSA. We compared the outcomes of five common paediatric surgical conditions in SSA with published benchmark data from high-income countries (HICs).MethodsA multicentre, international, prospective cohort study was undertaken in hospitals providing paediatric surgical care across SSA. Data were collected on consecutive children (birth to 16 years), presenting with gastroschisis, anorectal malformation, intussusception, appendicitis or inguinal hernia, over a minimum of 1 month, between October 2016 and April 2017. Participating hospitals completed a survey on their resources available for paediatric surgery.The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Mortality in SSA was compared with published benchmark mortality in HICs using χ2 analysis. Generalised linear mixed models were used to identify patient-level and hospital-level factors affecting mortality. A pResults1407 children from 51 hospitals in 19 countries across SSA were studied: 111 with gastroschisis, 188 anorectal malformation, 225 intussusception, 250 appendicitis and 633 inguinal hernia. Mortality was significantly higher in SSA compared with HICs for all conditions: gastroschisis (75.5% vs 2.0%), anorectal malformation (11.2% vs 2.9%), intussusception (9.4% vs 0.2%), appendicitis (0.4% vs 0.0%) and inguinal hernia (0.2% vs 0.0%), respectively. Mortality was 41.9% (112/267) among neonates, 5.0% (20/403) in infants and 1.0% (7/720) in children. Paediatric surgical condition, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score at primary intervention, and needing/receiving a blood transfusion were significantly associated with mortality on multivariable analysis.ConclusionMortality from common paediatric surgical conditions is unacceptably high in SSA compared with HICs, particularly for neonates. Interventions to reduce mortality should focus on improving resuscitation and timely transfer at the district level, and preoperative resuscitation and perioperative care at paediatric surgical centres.

This research titled: “Effect of Learning Simile on Essay Writing Skills of SSI Arabic Secondary Students in Kaduna State, Nigeria,” tried to unravel the subject matter. The research problem emanated from the weaknesses experienced by the researchers in the essay writing of the students in the course of their teaching at secondary levels. Thus, they formulated a research question with the aim of answering it through the usage of the experimental method. As such, they grouped their students into two: experimental and Control group, in which each of the groups consisted of ninety (90) students. The experimental group was taught simile using particular treatment, while the control group was taught conventionally. Consequently, it was vividly clear that those exposed to special treatment performed better than their counterpart in essay writing. Thus, the researchers recommend that: Teachers should give serious attention to the use of special treatment in the course of teaching rhetorics, as this would enhance their performance in writing skills. The National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) was also advised to consider what will improve the teaching/learning of rhetorics in the course of their curriculum development and implementation.

Metallic work is one of the widespread economic activities in urban Kano. Little or no attention is usually directed at occupational health risk by local or state authorities in Kano. The present work was aimed at the evaluation of DNA damage in metal workers by Alkaline Comet Assay in blood lymphocytes. The results showed that there was significant difference statistically between the level of DNA damage in blood lymphocytes of metal workers and control group (p

The present study applied the stochastic cost frontier approach to evaluate farm energy resource management in maize production using 120 farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. The results revealed that energy cost efficiency among the respondents varied substantially ranging between 1.002 and 1.126, with mean energy cost efficiency of 1.047. Furthermore, the results showed that there was relative existence of economies of scale among the farmers, meaning that an average farm in the study area produce at minimum cost considering the farm size which is an indication that they operates in second stage of production surface (stage of efficient resource utilization).This result was further collaborated by the mean energy cost efficiency of 1.047 obtained which indicates that an average farm in the sampled area is approximately 4.7% above the frontier cost, indicating that they are relatively cost efficient in allocating their scarce energy resources. The result of the analysis indicate the presence of cost inefficiency effects as depicted by the significant estimated gamma coefficient of about 0.9995 and the generalized likelihood ratio test result obtained. Solving allocation is critical for improving farm energy resource use of farmers in the study area, given that energy cost efficiency has assumed first step in combating and stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations because it is the fastest and best effective cost option. It tends to improve the energy system by reducing losses and overload; reduce investments in energy infrastructure; mitigate energy price rises and volatility by easing short- and medium-term imbalances between demand and supply; help to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy security. Additionally, energy cost efficiency offers non-energy benefits, such as reduce operating costs; productivity growth; product quality improvement, capacity utilisation, and worker safety; waste reduction and pollution prevention. Therefore, the need to recognise the importance of promoting energy cost efficiency in the present century becomes a child of necessity; before it is too late, policy measures should be adopted to restore the balance between agriculture and environment.

This research empirically estimates potential energy utilization and GHG emission sequestration in small-scale maize production in Niger State, Nigeria using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Data for the study were obtained from Kuta agricultural zone in Niger State; 120 maize farmers were randomly selected through multi-stage sampling technique, and data collected with the aid of pre-tested questionnaire coupled with interview schedule. Energy efficiency of maize farmers was studied and degrees of overall technical efficiency (CCR), pure technical efficiency (BCC) and scale efficiency (SE) were determined using a neoclassical non-parametric model called Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Additionally, wasteful uses of energy by inefficient DMUs (farms) were examined, and energy saving of different sources estimated. Furthermore, the effect of energy optimization on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission was investigated and the total amount of GHG emission of efficient DMUs (farms) was compared with inefficient DMUs. Results revealed that approximately 9.2% of the farmers were technically efficient with an estimated mean TE of 0.68. Furthermore, when BCC model was assumed, 24 farmers (DMUs) were identified to be locally efficient (20%), with mean PTE of 0.78. From the results, it was inferred that 32% (768.89MJ ha-1) of overall input energies can be saved if the performance of inefficient DMUs (farms) rose to a high level. Finally, by energy optimization the total GHG emission can be reduced to an estimated value of 394.91 kg CO2eq.

The public service is the central machinery with which the state discharges its responsibility of governance. The success or otherwise of government depends to a large extent on the effectiveness of its public service. This paper assesses the impact of the public service on poverty eradication in Nigeria with a focus on National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) of the federal Government. The paper used content analysis for its data generated via the secondary sources; while relying on public choice theory as its theoretical framework. The findings revealed that, NAPEP has been able to assist only a fraction of poor Nigerians in various ways such as provision of loan; provision of cash assistance, Keke NAPEP and a few other programmes. However, the achievements of the organisation are quite insignificant when compared with the magnitude of poverty in Nigeria. This explains why the incidences of poverty has remained high (about 64.4%) among Nigerians. The paper contends that rent seeking behaviour of public servants is the major hinderance to effective service delivery in the Nigerian public service. A number of problem currently bedevilling the organisation and its activities include inadequate funding, operational problems, lack of independence in decision making among others. It is recommended that, the federal Government reviews the operational framework of the agency; and improves its funding in order to grant it more operational autonomy in the pursuit of its mandates.

Widespread use of ultrasound in early pregnancy has led to the detection of incidental adnexal masses more frequently. This article reviews the diagnosis and management options for adnexal masses in pregnancy. The availability of high-resolution ultrasound has made observation to be a viable option in some cases. However, for those masses suspicious of malignancy, at risk of torsion, rupture, or clinically symptomatic, surgical treatment is warranted. Laparoscopy has been successfully used in pregnancy and is safe in experienced and trained hands in properly equipped units.