Search

Species of Capsicum L. are closely related plants whose taxonomic status has remained controversial among different taxonomists. This study was designed to examine the taxonomic status of the species of Capsicum in Nigeria in order to establish the genetic variation between the species for the purpose of identification, as well as review the infrageneric classification (INC) of the members of the genus. Germplasm collection of the seeds of five cultivars of Capsicum were regenerated and nurtured to fruiting. Variations in their vegetative and reproductive morphology were macroscopically evaluated in replicates of 30 individuals per cultivar for each character, which equals 150 samples altogether. The cultivars of each species was hierarchically clustered as operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using Ward’s method with squared Euclidean distance. Artificial key was also constructed for the identification of the species in the genus. The twenty-three (23) morphological characters adopted gave useful insights into the INC of the species and were sufficiently diagnostic of the species as evidenced by the artificial key. Through this study, some light has been shed on the delimitation of species and varieties of the Nigerian Capsicum.

The article describes and compares two OFDM based communications schemes for reducing the effects of the combination of Narrowband Interference (NBI) and Impulsive Noise (IN), which are noise types typical in Power Line Communication (PLC). The two schemes are Modified BPSK-OFDM (called MBPSK, for brevity) and QFSK-OFDM (called QFSK, for brevity), which are non-conventional OFDM schemes. We give a description of the two schemes, showing how they are derived and also show their similarities and eventually compare their performances. Performance simulation results, in terms of bit error rate, are given to compare the systems under the effect of IN and NBI. The popular Middleton Class A model is used for modelling IN. The results show that MBPSK scheme outperforms the QFSK scheme in terms of minimum distance, and hence in terms of bit error probability when no preprocessing is performed. However, under clipping/nulling, both schemes eventually reach the bit error rate floor.

Objective: This study assessed HIV patients´ satisfaction, factors associated with patients´ satisfaction and gaps in the quality of health care service delivery in a virology clinic in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design using mixed methods was used for the study. Three hundred and fifty adult HIV patients on HAART for uninterrupted six months were selected by multistage sampling technique. The Chi-square test was used to assess associations between categorical variables. The p-value used was 0.05. The key informants that were interviewed were the clinic manager, the clinic consultant, the adherence counsellor and the clinic pharmacist. Thematic analysis was done on the key informant interviews. Results: The mean satisfaction scores were high for confidentiality (4.24±0.97), overall care (4.17±0.56) and accessibility of care (4.09±0.82). Waiting time (mean of 3.35±0.42 minutes) and hospital environment (mean of 3.97±0.74) had the lowest mean satisfaction scores. Factors associated with satisfaction were patients’ income (p = 0.001), occupation (p = 0.001) and gender (p = 0.007). The key informants identified long waiting times in the clinic, shortage of manpower, inadequate financial support for patients and inadequate technical support for clinic activities as aspects of care for improvement. Conclusion: In this study, patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with the quality of care and the key informants identified challenges that affect optimal care in the clinic. Healthcare quality is a core dimension of health system performance. Continuous patient satisfaction and quality of care evaluations are needed for optimal health system performance.

The article describes and compares two OFDM based communications schemes for reducing the effects of the combination of Narrowband Interference (NBI) and Impulsive Noise (IN), which are noise types typical in Power Line Communication (PLC). The two schemes are Modified BPSK-OFDM (called MBPSK, for brevity) and QFSK-OFDM (called QFSK, for brevity), which are non-conventional OFDM schemes. We give a description of the two schemes, showing how they are derived and also show their similarities and eventually compare their performances. Performance simulation results, in terms of bit error rate, are given to compare the systems under the effect of IN and NBI. The popular Middleton Class A model is used for modelling IN. The results show that MBPSK scheme outperforms the QFSK scheme in terms of minimum distance, and hence in terms of bit error probability when no preprocessing is performed. However, under clipping/nulling, both schemes eventually reach the bit error rate floor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, nanoporous carbon (NPC) was prepared from a metal–organic framework (zeolite imidazolate framework 8, ZIF-8). Different concentrations of graphene oxide (GO) were used to make NPC/reduced graphene oxide (NPC/rGO-x, x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) composites, and then γ-MnS/NPC/rGO-1 composite was synthesized via a simple hydrothermal technique. The electrochemical characteristics of porous carbon composites (NPC/rGO-x) and γ-MnS/NPC/rGO-1 electrodes were investigated by galvanostatic charge and discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. NPC/rGO-1 showed the highest specific capacitance of 207 F/g at 0.5 A/g. Also, the γ-MnS/NPC/rGO-1 electrode demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance with a high specific capacitance of 300 F/g at 0.5 A/g and impressive cyclic stability of 70% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 1 A/g. As a result, this study demonstrates that γ-MnS/NPC/rGO-1 electrode can be considered a promising candidate for high-performance supercapacitors.

Background: Nigeria is 4th among 22 tuberculosis high-burden countries. However, TB is not evenly distributed in the country, presumably due to state-specific risk factors. Objectives: This study maps TB and socioeconomic risk factors in Nigeria. Methods: State-level age/sex standardized tuberculosis notification data was utilized in an ecological design to evaluate the spatial distribution of TB in Nigeria and its social and economic consequences between 2012 and 2015. Negative binomial regression analysis examined the relationship between TB and five state-level covariates: HIV, BCG coverage, GDP per capita, percentage underweight, and percentage treatment success rate. Global and Local Moran’s I test statistics in R were used for spatial analysis. Results: The mean age/sex TB CNR was 54.4/100,000. Non-spatial ecological regression analysis found that TB was greater in states with high HIV, low BCG, low GDP per capita, and low TB death rates. Three states—Nasarawa, Benue, and Taraba—had high TB rates and spatially auto-correlated TB CNRs. Conclusions: TB case notification differed by age and gender. Economically-disadvantaged states exhibited higher TB case notification, HIV prevalence, lower BCG coverage, and lower mortality rates. The study found three TB hotspots. To reduce the national TB notification rate discrepancy, TB policies should incorporate social variables and target high-risk states with specific initiatives.

Background: Exposure to Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) above 85 dB over 8 hours is potentially damaging to the ears. Unfortunately, many people may be unaware of the adverse effects of such SPL on the ear and quality of life. The level of awareness of hearing test has not been adequately determined in our region, a developing world. Some even seek ear care from unauthorized facilities and persons who often recommended inappropriate medications and treatment. The objectives of this study were to assess specifically the respondents' level of awareness of sound levels that could cause hearing loss, determine the number of respondents who have had a hearing test, and the sources of ear healthcare among residents in an urban city in South-South, Nigeria. Participants and Methods: An interviewee-administered questionnaire under three sections: socio-demographics; awareness of damaging sound levels and their sources; hearing testing and ear health care was used to collect data from 274 consenting respondents. Data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solution version 26.0. Results were presented on frequencies, percentages, tables, and figures. A P ≤ 0.05% was considered statistically significant at a 5% level of significance. Results: The respondents were aged between 10 and 74 years, and a median age of 24 years. Most 202 (73.7%) were males, while 72 (26.3%) were females, with male: female = 2.8:1. The greater proportion 223 (81.4%) were single; 177 (64.6%) were students; 16 (5.8%) were unemployed and 21 (7.7%) civil servants. Of the 274 consenting participants, only 79 (28.8%) were aware that the numerical value of noise level above 85 dB could cause damage to hearing. Only a small proportion with tertiary education 28 (10.2%) reported having had a hearing test. All the respondents in occupations prone to high levels of noise never had a hearing test. There was a statistically significant association between the types of ear drop/substance used by respondents and the attendant health personnel (P = 0.0001). Conclusion/Recommendation: There is poor awareness of ear health care among urban city dwellers in Calabar, South-South, Nigeria. Most young adults aged 20–29 years were aware that loud noise is hazardous to hearing. Generally, there was ignorance on objective numerical noise levels for hazard; the importance of hearing testing; and utilization of appropriate ear care facilities for treatment of ear diseases. Public health education on appropriate ear healthcare is highly recommended.

Holoprosencephaly, though rare remains the most common forebrain abnormality in humans. This is a report of a patient with multiple craniofacial congenital abnormalities comprising of alobar holoprosencephaly, schicencephaly, encephalocoele and cleft palate. We believe that this report will raise high index of suspicion of physicians who care for children with craniofacial and cerebral congenital abnormalities.

Background: Exposure to loud noise and its attendant health and social effects is a public health problem. Its significance has not been adequately determined in developing countries. Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and can be acquired at home, schools, concerts, churches, mosques, sporting events, and at workplaces. The objective of this study is to assess respondents' awareness of noise-induced hearing loss, experiential symptoms and sources of noise pollution in a Metropolitan City in South-South, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study using interviewee questionnaire was employed. The respondents comprising of secondary school pupils, undergraduates, tricycle riders, and staff of the tertiary institution who participated at awareness campaign programs on World Hearing Day, World Family Day, and at a religious crusade ground in a tertiary institutions. Data were analyzed using IBM statistical product and service solution version 26.0. Results: There were 274 respondents, age range from 10 to 74 years, 73.7% (n = 202) were male and 26.3% (n = 72) female, male:female = 2.8:1. The overall level of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) awareness was 69.34% (n = 190). The greater proportion of respondents 236 (86.13%) knew that excessive noise could cause hearing loss. The common symptoms experienced by the respondents were 147 (53.6%) hyperacusis and tinnitus 142 (51.8%). Conclusion/Recommendation: Awareness it NIHL was greater among male, undergraduates between the ages of 20 and 29 years. Children's toys were poorly reported as a source of noise. There was poor awareness of the incurable nature of NIHL. A continuous public health education on sources and prevention of NIHL is advocated for early evaluation and intervention.

Novel silver nanoparticles from Gleichenia Pectinata (Willd.) C. Presl. was synthesized. A combination of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques were utilized to characterize the newly synthesized Gleichenia Pectinata Silver Nanoparticles (GPAgNPs) vis-à-vis UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analyses. Significant absorption was observed at 460 nm resulting from the surface Plasmon resonance (SPR). A rapid rate of synthesis was observed and the best surface plasmon resonance was obtained at 105 minutes contact time. SEM and TEM showed an spherical shape of GPAgNPs with an average size of 7.51 nm. The XRD result revealed a crystalline and polydispersed GPAgNPs. GPAgNPs were effective against four antibiotic resistant pathogens and they exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. GPAgNPs favorably competed with standard antibiotics. This therefore enlisted GPAgNPs as potential antimicrobial and therapeutic agents against multidrug resistant micro-organisms (MDRM).

Objectives: To identify the most suitable size of imaging-visible embolic agents with balanced safety and efficacy for bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) in a preclinical model., Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven pigs were divided into 3 cohorts. In Cohort I, 16 pigs were randomized to receive (n = 4 each) 40-100-μm microspheres in 1 or 2 fundal arteries, 70-340-μm radiopaque microspheres in 2 fundal arteries, or saline. In Cohort II, 3 pigs underwent renal arterial embolization with either custom-made 100-200-μm, 200-250-μm, 200-300-μm, or 300-400-μm radiopaque microspheres or Bead Block 300-500 μm with microsphere distribution assessed histologically. In Cohort III, 8 pigs underwent BAE in 2 fundal arteries with tailored 100-200-μm radiopaque microspheres (n = 5) or saline (n = 3)., Results: In Cohort I, no significant differences in weight or ghrelin expression were observed between BAE and control animals. Moderate-to-severe gastric ulcerations were noted in all BAE animals. In Cohort II, renal embolization with 100-200-μm microspheres occluded vessels with a mean diameter of 139 μm ± 31, which is within the lower range of actual diameters of Bead Block 300-500 μm. In Cohort III, BAE with 100-200-μm microspheres resulted in significantly lower weight gain (42.3% ± 5.7% vs 51.6% ± 2.9% at 8 weeks; P = .04), fundal ghrelin cell density (16.1 ± 6.7 vs 23.6 ± 12.6; P = .045), and plasma ghrelin levels (1,709 pg/mL ± 172 vs 4,343 pg/mL ± 1,555; P < .01) compared with controls and superficial gastric ulcers (5/5)., Conclusions: In this preclinical model, tailored 100-200-μm microspheres were shown to be most suitable for BAE in terms of safety and efficacy., (Copyright © 2023 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: In Y90 radioembolization, the number of microspheres infused varies by more than a factor of 20 over the shelf-life of the glass radioembolization device. We investigated the effect of the number of Y90 microspheres on normal liver tissue., Method: Healthy pigs received lobar radioembolization with glass Y90 microspheres at 4, 8, 12, and 16 days post-calibration, representing a > 20× range in the number of microspheres deposited per milliliter in tissue. Animals were survived for 1-month post-treatment and the livers were explanted and scanned on a micro CT system to fully characterize the microscopic distribution of individual microspheres. A complete 3D microdosimetric evaluation of each liver was performed with a spatially correlated analysis of histopathologic effect., Results: Through whole-lobe microscopic identification of each microsphere, a consistent number of microspheres per sphere cluster was found at 4, 8, and 12 days postcalibration, despite an 8-fold increase in total microspheres infused from days 4 to 12. The additional microspheres instead resulted in more clusters formed and, therefore, a more homogeneous microscopic absorbed dose. The increased absorbed-dose homogeneity resulted in a greater volume fraction of the liver receiving a potentially toxic absorbed dose based on radiobiologic models. Histopathologic findings in the animals support a possible increase in normal liver toxicity in later treatments with more spheres (i.e., ≥ day 12) compared to early treatments with less spheres (i.e., ≤ day 8)., Conclusion: The microdosimetric evidence presented supports a recommendation of caution when treating large volumes (e.g., right lobe) using glass 90 Y microspheres at more than 8 days post-calibration, i.e., after "2nd week" Monday. The favorable normal tissue microscopic distribution and associated low toxicity of first week therapies may encourage opportunities for dose escalation with glass microspheres and could also be considered for patients with decreased hepatic reserve.

Introduction: The ability to determine the microscopic distribution of glass microspheres in 90 Y radioembolization has important applications in post-treatment microdosimetry and cluster analysis. Current methods are time-intensive and labor-intensive and thus are typically only applied to small samples., Materials and Methods: A high-resolution micro-CT image with a voxel size of 8.74 µm was acquired of phantoms containing ~25 µm-diameter glass microspheres embedded in tissue-equivalent materials that were optically transparent, which allowed true microsphere locations to be determined using transmission light microscopy. A 3-stage algorithm was developed to estimate the number and locations of microspheres in tissue regions. The stages are thresholding the CT image and discarding regions with insufficient voxels, estimating the number of microspheres in each region using the values of the detected and neighboring region voxels and estimating locations for each microsphere using the outputs of the previous two stages. Two different methods for estimating the number of microspheres in each region were derived, as were five methods for localizing microspheres. Metrics for each stage were computed, and the mean absolute error (MAE) between the dose to 72 µm voxels of the true and estimated dose maps created from the microsphere locations was used as the figure of merit for overall algorithm performance. Microsphere locations identified in the optical micrograph were used as the gold standard for the metrics of all stages. The method's utility was then demonstrated using a specimen from a human neuroendocrine tumor (NET) treated with glass 90 Y microspheres., Results: The stage detecting regions containing microspheres found 100% of microspheres inside regions. The number of incorrectly detected regions without microspheres was 1.5% of the total number of regions. In stage 2, with these parameters, nearly 94% of the actual number of spheres in each region was correctly counted, and only 5% of the estimated sphere quantities in each region were false positives. The MAE between the true dose maps and dose maps estimated using the full algorithm with optimal parameter and method choices was 4.2%. A total of 5,713 glass microspheres were identified as being distributed heterogeneously in the NET specimen with a maximum tumor dose of >2500 Gy and 46% of the specimen receiving <20 Gy., Conclusions: This work developed and evaluated a method to detect and estimate the three-dimensional locations of glass microspheres in whole tissue samples that require less manual effort than traditional methods. This method could be used to gain important insights into the heterogeneity of microsphere distributions that would be useful for improving radioembolization treatment planning., (© 2019 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.)

Objective: To determine the 12-month effectiveness of transnasal-transoral endoscopic surgical procedures for eliminating symptoms of patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction (PETD)., Study Design: Retrospective chart review METHODS: Patients with medically refractory PETD underwent one of the following procedures: 1) shim (catheter) insertion, 2) calcium hydroxyapatite injection, 3) patulous Eustachian tube (ET) reconstruction, or 4) obliteration of the ET lumen. Time to recurrence of any PETD symptoms was recorded, and success was determined as complete symptom resolution at 12 months. The frailty model, an extension of the Cox proportional hazards model, was used for the survival analysis., Results: A total of 241 procedures were performed in 80 patients. Median duration of symptom relief after surgery was 5.0 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.1-15.5 months) and varied by procedure type, ranging from 3.0 months (IQR: 0.7-7.0 months) for calcium hydroxyapatite injection to 20.6 months (3.4-35.9 months) for obliteration. Compared to shim insertion, the risk of 12-month failure was significantly higher for calcium hydroxyapatite injection (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29, 3.67; P = 0.004) and patulous ET reconstruction (HR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.04, 2.52; P = 0.035). Patients undergoing shim insertion (52.2%) and obliteration (81.8%) were likely to require pressure equalization tubes or to have had otitis media with effusion., Conclusion: Although all procedures potentially resulted in symptom resolution, placement of a shim or obliteration of the ET lumen was more likely to achieve 12-month resolution of PETD symptoms and more likely to result in otitis media with effusion than hydroxyapatite injection or patulous ET reconstruction., Level of Evidence: Level 4 Laryngoscope, 129:222-228, 2019., (© 2018 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Purpose: Indirect-detection CMOS flat-panel detectors (FPDs) offer fine pixel pitch, fast readout, and low electronic noise in comparison to current a-Si:H FPDs. This work investigates the extent to which these potential advantages affect imaging performance in mobile C-arm fluoroscopy and cone-beam CT (CBCT)., Methods: FPDs based on CMOS (Xineos 3030HS, 0.151 mm pixel pitch) or a-Si:H (PaxScan 3030X, 0.194 mm pixel pitch) sensors were outfitted on equivalent mobile C-arms for fluoroscopy and CBCT. Technical assessment of 2D and 3D imaging performance included measurement of electronic noise, gain, lag, modulation transfer function (MTF), noise-power spectrum (NPS), detective quantum efficiency (DQE), and noise-equivalent quanta (NEQ) in fluoroscopy (with entrance air kerma ranging 5-800 nGy per frame) and cone-beam CT (with weighted CT dose index, CTDI w , ranging 0.08-1 mGy). Image quality was evaluated by clinicians in vascular, orthopaedic, and neurological surgery in realistic interventional scenarios with cadaver subjects emulating a variety of 2D and 3D imaging tasks., Results: The CMOS FPD exhibited ~2-3× lower electronic noise and ~7× lower image lag than the a-Si:H FPD. The 2D (projection) DQE was superior for CMOS at ≤50 nGy per frame, especially at high spatial frequencies (~2% improvement at 0.5 mm -1 and ≥50% improvement at 2.3 mm -1 ) and was somewhat inferior at moderate-high doses (up to 18% lower DQE for CMOS at 0.5 mm -1 ). For smooth CBCT reconstructions (low-frequency imaging tasks), CMOS exhibited ~10%-20% higher NEQ (at 0.1-0.5 mm -1 ) at the lowest dose levels (CTDI w ≤0.1 mGy), while the a-Si:H system yielded slightly (~5%) improved NEQ (at 0.1-0.5 lp/mm) at higher dose levels (CTDI w ≥0.6 mGy). For sharp CBCT reconstructions (high-frequency imaging tasks), NEQ was ~32% higher above 1 mm -1 for the CMOS system at mid-high-dose levels and ≥75% higher at the lowest dose levels (CTDI w ≤0.1 mGy). Observer assessment of 2D and 3D cadaver images corroborated the objective metrics with respect to a variety of pertinent interventional imaging tasks., Conclusion: Measurements of image noise, spatial resolution, DQE, and NEQ indicate improved low-dose performance for the CMOS-based system, particularly at lower doses and higher spatial frequencies. Assessment in realistic imaging scenarios confirmed improved visibility of fine details in low-dose fluoroscopy and CBCT. The results quantitate the extent to which CMOS detectors improve mobile C-arm imaging performance, especially in 2D and 3D imaging scenarios involving high-resolution tasks and low-dose conditions., (© 2018 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.)

Obesity is a worldwide public health epidemic that leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and cost burden to health care. Although bariatric surgery has been recognized as a standard invasive treatment for obesity, it is accompanied by relatively high morbidity and cost burden, as well as limited treatment outcome. Therefore, alternative treatments with lower morbidity and cost for surgery that target patients who are obese, but not morbidly obese, are needed. A minimally invasive trans-catheter procedure, named bariatric arterial embolization or bariatric embolization (BAE), has been identified as a potential solution, based on its safety and preliminary efficacy profiles. The purpose of this review is to introduce up-to-date clinical data and discuss future directions for BAE for the treatment of obesity.

Objective: Cochlear implants are generally considered a contraindication for any procedure requiring electrical stimulation near the implant. We present a case of a patient undergoing intraoperative transcranial electrical motor-evoked potential monitoring with a cochlear implant without adverse outcomes., Patient: A 12-year-old girl with a history of VACTERL presented with worsening congenital kyphosis and bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss. Since age 7 the patient used a cochlear implant in the right ear and hearing aid in the left ear. Physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging in 2016 revealed a left-sided 66-degree thoracolumbar kyphosis at T11 making the patient a candidate for surgical correction., Interventions: She underwent a posterior spinal fusion surgery, performed with intraoperative transcranial electrical motor-evoked potential monitoring. Steps were taken to mitigate electrical stimulation of the patient's cochlear implant., Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative impedance of individual channels, audiometry, and neural response testing were compared with preoperative measurements., Results: Significant (>10%) impedance changes were observed postoperatively in channels 1, 2, 4, and 6; however, the net variation across all the channels was low (3%). The patient reported no hearing changes, and no significant changes in hearing threshold were seen in postoperative audiometric testing or neural response testing., Conclusion: We present a case of successful posterior spinal fusion with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring via transcranial electrical stimulation, in a patient with a cochlear implant. With proper precautions, motor-evoked potential monitoring can be safely performed in a patient with a cochlear implant.