AN INCIDENTIAL FINDING OF HYPERCALCEMIA IN A PATIENT WITH ACUTE MYLOID LEUKAEMIA

Hypercalcemia complicating leukemia is a rare, but well-recognized finding. Few case reports have been documented in various journals. The etiology in most cases is not fully understood; however, there is an established fact that there is a link with cytokine release. We report a case of a 65year-old man who presented with hypercalcemia, during the course of his illness. Possible causes of hypercalcemia such as hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D intoxication, solid tumors, and ectopic parathyroid hormone production were excluded. From the case report, it is concluded that leukemia may be complicated by hypercalcemia and physicians should bear this in mind as they manage patients with leukemia

Inhibition effect of Vernonia amygdalina extract on the corrosion of mild steel reinforcement in concrete in 0.2 M H2SO4 Environment

Inhibition effect of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) extract on the corrosion behaviour of embedded mild steel rebar in concrete immersed in 0.2% H2SO4 solution was investigated by potential measurement, pH and gravimetric methods using the extracts concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The results were further analysed using the two-factor ANOVA test. Potential measurement was performed using a digital voltmeter and a copper/copper sulphate reference electrode. Compressive strength of each block sample was determined after the experiments. Weight loss values were obtained from the gravimetric method, and the inhibitor efficiency was computed from the corrosion rate of each of the tested samples. Results showed that varied concentration of V. amygdalina and the test exposure time significantly affect both the corrosion potential of embedded steel rebar in concrete and the pH of the medium. The extracts gave appreciable corrosion inhibition performance of the embedded steel rebar at 25 and 50% concentrations with the weight loss of 500 (0.5 g) and 400 mg (0.4 g) and corrosion rates values of 0.000240 and 0.000180 mm/ yr, respectively. The highest inhibition efficiency (60.68%) was achieved at 50 and 39.94% at 25% concentrations, respectively. The 100 and 75% concentrations gave negative inhibitor values of �51.52 and �20.11%. The ANOVA test confirmed the results at 95% confidence, and further showed that concentration of V. amygdalina had greater effect on potential and pH measurement

Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of radiological and histological findings in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease stages among patients in a tertiary hospital

Background: Early screening, detection, and early intervention are life-saving modalities to lessen the impact and burden of non-communicable diseases. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic strength of ultrasound in the diagnosis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) stages. Material and Methods: Participants were recruited from patients with fatty liver who underwent liver biopsy and baseline ultrasound at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital between January 2023 and December 2023. Ultrasonographic findings were correlated with the histological findings of liver biopsy which was considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of NAFLD. Results: One hundred and nine participants were recruited and participated in this study, of which 62 (56.9%) were females and 47(43.1%) were males, with the highest age bracket presenting at 56-65 years. The female-to-male ratio was 1:1.4 and their mean age was 55.5 ± 12.8 years (age range was 18-70 years). The ultrasonographic findings were correlated with histological data (considered as the gold standard). The sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) were evaluated. The ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 90.4% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 83.6-93.6) and a specificity of 72.5% (95% CI: 68.7-79.8). The PPV and NPV were 74.7% and 65.6% respectively. The area under the curve was 84.5%. The positive likelihood ratio was 1.5 (95 CI: 1.21-1.90), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.30 (0.17-0.54). Conclusion: Ultrasound findings were highly significant and useful in detecting advanced or late-stage steatosis in patients with fatty liver. In the future, as technology advances, it is hoped that the need for liver biopsy may not be necessary as hi-tech radiological involvement may help patients with fatty liver without the involvement of any invasive procedure

Evaluation of sesamum gum as an excipient in matrix tablets

In developing countries modern medicines are often beyond the affordability of the majority of the population. This is due to the reliance on expensive imported raw materials despite the abundance of natural resources which could provide an equivalent or even an improved function. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sesamum gum (SG) extracted from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum (readily cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa) as a matrix former. Directly compressed matrix tablets were prepared from the extract and compared with similar matrices of HPMC (K4M) using theophylline as a model water soluble drug. The compaction, swelling, erosion and drug release from the matrices were studied in deionized water, 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) using USP apparatus II. The data from the swelling, erosion and drug release studies were also fitted into the respective mathematical models. Results showed that the matrices underwent a combination of swelling and erosion, with the swelling action being controlled by the rate of hydration in the medium. SG also controlled the release of theophylline similar to the HPMC and therefore may have use as an alternative excipient in regions where Sesamum radiatum can be easily cultivated

Adsorption and Quantum Chemical Studies on the Inhibition Potentials of Some Thiosemicarbazides for the Corrosion of Mild Steel in Acidic Medium

Three thiosemicarbazides, namely 2-(2-aminophenyl)-N phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (AP4PT), N,2-diphenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (D4PT) and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenyl hydrazinecarbothioamide (HP4PT), were investigated as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in H2SO4 solution using gravimetric and gasometric methods. The results revealed that they all inhibit corrosion and their % inhibition efficiencies (%IE) follow the order: AP4PT > HP4PT > D4PT. The %IE obtained from the gravimetric and gasometric experiments were in good agreement. The thermodynamic parameters obtained support a physical adsorption mechanism and the adsorption followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Some quantum chemical parameters were calculated using different methods and correlated with the experimental %IE. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) approach was used on a composite index of some quantum chemical parameters to characterize the inhibition performance of the studied molecules. The results showed that the %IE were closely related to some of the quantum chemical parameters, but with varying degrees. The calculated/theoretical %IE of the molecules were found to be close to their experimental %IE. The local reactivity has been studied through the Fukui and condensed softness indices in order to predict both the reactive centers and to know the possible sites of nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020: A systematic analysis of current evidence

Improved understanding of the current burden of hypertension, including awareness, treatment, and control, is needed to guide relevant preventative measures in Nigeria. A systematic search of studies on the epidemiology of hypertension in Nigeria, published on or after January 1990, was conducted. The authors employed randomeffects meta-analysis on extracted crude hypertension prevalence, and awareness, treatment, and control rates. Using a meta-regression model, overall hypertension cases in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020 were estimated. Fifty-three studies (n = 78 949) met our selection criteria. Estimated crude prevalence of pre-hypertension (120-139/80-89 mmHg) in Nigeria was 30.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.0%-39.7%), and the crude prevalence of hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) was 30.6% (95% CI: 27.3%-34.0%). When adjusted for age, study period, and sample, absolute cases of hypertension increased by 540% among individuals aged ≥20 years from approximately 4.3 million individuals in 1995 (age-adjusted prevalence 8.6%, 95% CI: 6.5-10.7) to 27.5 million individuals with hypertension in 2020 (age-adjusted prevalence 32.5%, 95% CI: 29.8-35.3). The age-adjusted prevalence was only significantly higher among men in 1995, with the gap between both sexes considerably narrowed in 2020. Only 29.0% of cases (95% CI: 19.7-38.3) were aware of their hypertension, 12.0% (95% CI: 2.7-21.2) were on treatment, and 2.8% (95% CI: 0.1-5.7) had at-goal blood pressure in 2020. Our study suggests that hypertension prevalence has substantially increased in Nigeria over the last two decades. Although more persons are aware of their hypertension status, clinical treatment and control rates, however, remain low. These estimates are relevant for clinical care, population, and policy response in Nigeria and across Africa

The Use of Ibibio Traditional Means of Communication

The Ibibio are found in Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria. With a population of about 4 million speakers living in Akwa Ibom and other states across Nigeria, there are the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria. They Ibibio as a people have several oral traditional means of communication, such as the use of plants, like palm front (eyei), plantain, a kind of flower called mkpatad, etc. also used in oral communication are drums, music, folktales and town criers. Here we document this oral traditional means of communication to preserve them from extinction. This was done using unstructured interviews and participant observation and documentation. This documentation of Ibibio oramedia was also to potray the rich cultural means of communication among the Ibibio and is a valuable contribution to the rich cultural heritage of the Ibibio