A Survey on Ophthalmia Neonatorum in Benin City, Nigeria (Emphasis on gonococcal ophthalmia)

The purpose of the study was to investigate the incidence of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum considering its ability to lead to childhood blindness through corneal ulceration and scarification. Eye swabs were obtained from 330 neonates of 1-5 days in the hospitals of study. Of these, 248 yielded growth and six bacterial genera were identified using standard techniques. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent (60.5%) while Neisseria gonorrhoeae accounted for 1.7%. Susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates to four antibiotics were determined using Disk-diffusion tests. Staphylococcus aureus and Neisseria gonorrhoeae showed 62.5 and 100% susceptibility to Erythromycin while 66.7% of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella and 62.5% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were susceptible to Gentamicin. The incidence of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum for the period of study was 8.9 (cases per 1,000 live births). Prevention is through ocular prophylaxis by the application of either 1% silver nitrate ophthalmic solution or 0.5% erythromycin ointment to the neonates’ eyes some hours after birth. This would help to preserve vision and reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of childhood blindness

Prevalence of Otitis Media in Okada Community, Edo State, Nigeria

Aim. To determine the prevalence of otitis media in Okada, a rural community in Nigeria, and the effect of age and gender on its prevalence as well as susceptibility profile of the bacterial agents in the community.Material and Methods. Ear discharge from 500 (240 males and 260 females) patients with signs and symptoms of otitis media were processed to recover bacterial agents. Susceptibility test was performed on all bacterial isolates. Results. Male gender was a significant (P = 0.011) risk factor for acquiring otitis media (male Vs female; 36.25% Vs 25.38%. OR = 1.671 95 CI = 1.139, 2.454). Age significantly (P < 0.0001) affected the prevalence of otitis media with children within the age range of 0 – 5years having the highest prevalence of 78.41%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant bacteria isolate causing otitis media generally and in both gender. All bacterial isolates showed were poorly susceptible to the antibacterial agents used as less than 50 percent of any bacteria genera were susceptible to any antibacterial agent.Conclusion. An overall prevalence of 30.6% of bacteriologically proven otitis media was observed in this study. The prevalence were higher in males and in children 5 years and younger. Following the high level resistance observed, rational use of antibacterial agents is advocated

The right to life or the right to compensation upon death: Perspectives on an inclusive understanding of the constitutional right to life in Nigeria

This paper discusses the right to life in its most inclusive sense. It argues that the right to life cannot be seen only in the light of the deprivation of life, but more importantly, in the light of the sustenance of life. Accordingly, that the right to life should be broadly interpreted to encompass all its components and that some of its important components are contained in the non-justiciable provisions of our Constitution. The paper further argues that by assimilating the provisions which the Constitution declares non-justiciable with the right to life, such provisions become justiciable without disturbing the their otherwise non-justiciable character since they are not enforced on their own force but on the force of the justiciable right to life provisions of the Constitution.Keywords: Right, Compensation, Life, Death, Constitutio

Bursting the broadband bubble

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Broadband has revolutionised the way the Internet is used and has become the critical enabling infrastructure of our modem and knowledge-based economy. Its widespread introduction has not only greatly enhanced the speed at which information online can be accessed, but also the range and sophistication of the content available. It is still penetrating the telecommunication market and is seen by some as the most significant evolutionary step since the emergence of the Internet. However in the rush to achieve market share, there is a risk that insufficient attention may be paid to quality issues, the central theme of this research. The research addresses the issues of broadband quality with a stated objective of assessing broadband quality by means of an integrated framework that encompasses factors beyond strict technical characteristics of broadband networks. Indeed, the concept of quality is a multi-facetted one, for which various perspectives can be distinguished. In this work, broadband quality as perceived by users, ISP and Government in the United Kingdom (UK) is looked at and a survey report is given and analysed. The aim of this doctoral research was to provide much needed empirical broadband quality framework that would guide the service provider as well as the UK government in the provision of quality broadband to its consumers. It will also stand as a benchmark to countries wanting to provide quality broadband to its citizens. A survey research approach was employed to achieve the overall aim and objective of this research. This was conducted using the response of 133 participants located in various boroughs in the UK. The results of the survey show that quality, though desired by many, has been short-changed by the desire to have access to the Internet via broadband at the lowest cost possible. However, this has not encouraged some consumers to switch to broadband from dial-up service despite continuous low prices being offered by service providers. Furthermore, the results also indicated that focusing on broadband quality will improve and promote investment in broadband capacity and decrease the uncertainty in consumer demand for applications such as multi-media content delivery, enhanced electronic commerce and telecommuting that exploit broadband access

The relevance of judicial decisions in international adjudications: Reflections on Articles 38(1)(d) and 59 of the statute and the practice of the International Court of Justice

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.In classical international law, States alone were the makers and subjects of the law. Times have changed. Contemporary international law admits, not only States as its subjects but also individuals and international organisations; it controls not just the needs of States but also the needs of individuals as it continues to venture into areas which, in the classical era, were exclusively reserved to domestic law. The fact that international law now applies to entities other than States is no longer a subject of controversy both in theory and practice. On the contrary, the question relating to whether international law could originate from a source other than through the consent of States in the positivist sense of the law has remained a question of controversy. The question has been made more complex by the multiplicity of international institutions created by States and vested with authority to perform the functions entrusted to them under international law. The functions they perform influence the behaviours and expectations of both States and individuals; but the powers they exercise belong to the States which delegated the powers. Since the powers are delegated by States, it should follow that the powers be confined by the very fact of delegation to the functions for which the powers had been granted. Such powers cannot be used for any other purpose, perhaps. With this in mind, the question sought to be answered in this work is whether the powers granted to International Court of Justice to “decide disputes” – article 38(1) of the Statute of the Court) – implicates the power of judicial lawmaking. In other words, whether rules and principles arising from the decisions of the Court can be properly referred to as rules and principles of international law. The question becomes quite intriguing when placed within the context of article 38(1)(d) and article 59 of the Statute of the Court on the one hand, and the practice of the Court and of the States appearing before it on the other hand. Articles 38(1)(d) provides: “subject to the provisions of Article 59, judicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law.” By article 59: “The decision of the Court has no binding force except between the parties and in respect of that particular case”. Notwithstanding the language of the above provisions, it is shown in this work that like judges in municipal law, judges in the ICJ lay down rules and principles having legal implications for the decisions in subsequent cases as well as for the conduct of States, in general, regarding areas within the degrees of the settled case-law of the Court. It is accordingly argued that to the extent that rules and principles in the decisions of the Court are relevant as rules and principles of international law (in subsequent decisions of the Court) to the determination of international law rights and obligations of States, judicial decisions in article 38(1)(d) are a source of international law. This is notwithstanding the unhelpful language of paragraph (d) and the influence of article 59. Concerning article 59, the writer argues that the article has no bearing on the authority of judicial decisions in article 38(1)(d); its real function being to protect the legal rights and interests of States from a decision given in a case to which they were not parties

Microbial Analysis and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Microorganisms Associated with Teeth Indicated for Non-Surgical Endodontic Treatment in a Nigerian Population-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background The success of endodontic therapy hinges on the eradication of microbial infection within the root canal system. Regional variations in microbial ecology and antibiotic resistance underscore the need for population-specific data to guide clinical protocols. Objective To characterize the microbial composition and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of microorganisms isolated from root canals of teeth indicated for non-surgical endodontic treatment in a Nigerian cohort. Methods In this cross-sectional study, root canal samples were aseptically collected from 40 patients using sterile paper points after irrigation with saline. Specimens were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose, MacConkey, Nutrient, and Blood agar under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Microbial identification was performed via biochemical assays, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results Among 97 isolates, facultative anaerobes predominated (43.2%, n = 42), followed by fungi (38.2%, n = 37) and obligate aerobes (18.6%, n = 18). Staphylococcus spp. (44.4%) was the most prevalent aerobic bacteria, while Streptococcus spp. dominated both facultative (61.9%) and obligate anaerobic isolates. Yeasts constituted 64.9% of fungal isolates. All bacterial isolates exhibited resistance to co-trimoxazole. Resistance to ampicillin was universal among aerobes and anaerobes except Bacteroides spp. Aerobes demonstrated high sensitivity to gentamicin (100%), nalidixic acid (88.9%), and nitrofurantoin (94.4%), with exceptions observed in Klebsiella and Streptococcus spp. Anaerobes showed susceptibility to nitrofurantoin (95.2%) and gentamicin (90.5%), excluding Bacillus spp. Streptomycin resistance was widespread (95.2%) except in Pseudomonas spp. Conclusion Root canal infections in this population exhibit polymicrobial diversity with significant resistance to ampicillin and co-trimoxazole, rendering these agents ineffective. Gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, and nalidixic acid demonstrated superior efficacy, highlighting their potential utility in managing refractory infections. These findings advocate for antimicrobial stewardship and susceptibility-guided therapy in Nigerian endodontic practice.

An Audit of Written Instructions Sent to the Laboratory for Fabrication of Fixed Prosthodontic Appliances in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria

Objective: To audit the prescriptions sent by dental practitioners to the dental technicians for fixed dental prostheses.Methods: This was an audit of all written instructions for fixed dental prostheses sent to the advanced conservative dentistry laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Data of interest were status of requesting dental surgeon, type of prosthesis, age of thepatient, gender of the patient, next appointment date, disinfection status of the impression, metal alloy requested, design of the margin, number ofpontics and design, surfaces to be covered by metal only, occlusal scheme, shade, diagram for illustration and the type of porcelain glaze.Results: Various types of fixed prostheses were requested with porcelain fused to metal single crowns accounting for more than half. The quality ofwritten instructions was clear only in 2.0% of the prescriptions while 56.8% had no instructions at all. There was no statistically significant relationship between the cadre of the dental practitioner making the request and the quality of written instructions. There was statistically&nbsp; significant association between types of prosthesis requested and provision of diagrammatic illustration on the written instruction.Discussion: Fixed prostheses are usually fabricated in the dental laboratory by dental laboratory technicians using impressions of the mouth made by dental practitioners. The quality of prosthetic restorations has been shown to be a reflection of the skills of the dentist and dental technicians as well as communication between them.Conclusion: There is need for improved quality of written communication between the dentists and the laboratory personnel. Key words: Fixed prosthodontics, quality, written instructio

Incidence Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Amongst Potential Semen Donors In University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

The incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Prospective Semen Donors where investigated using Standard Laboratory Procedures. 30 Prospective Semen Donors were screened for common STDs/STI at the Human Reproductive Research Programme /Invitro Fertilization Centre of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The incidence rates are Staphylococcus aureus (20%), followed by Chlamydia trachomatis (6.7%) while Klebsiellia spp, Treponema pallidum, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Escherichia coli and Hepatitis B Virus were detected with incidence rate of 3.3% each respectively. Ten percent (10%) of the prospective semen donors had evidence of polymicrobial infection excluding HIV. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases or infection should be of great concern to couples undergoing therapeutic artificial donor insemination. Keywords: STDs/STI, Artificial Insemination, Semen Donors

Species Distribution and Virulence Factors of Coagulase Negative Staphylococci Isolated From Clinical Samples From the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria.

Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) have become a major public health problem due to an increase in invasive procedures and antibiotic resistance. The prevalence and some virulence factors of CoNS species isolated from clinical samples obtained from a hospital in Benin-City, Nigeria was investigated. A total of 79 clinical samples were collected from clinical specimens over a six month period in a non consecutive manner from a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Samples were cultured on MacConkey agar, Cystine –Lysine-Electrolyte-Deficient agar (CLED) and blood agar (Oxoid Ltd Basingstoke UK). Identification of the various CoNS species was done using Microbact staph ID system (Oxoid product). Determination of hemolysin production was done in blood agar plates while slime detection was carried out using the modified congo red agar method. The most commonly isolated species were S. haemolyticus (28.3%), S. epidermidis (26.7%) and S. saprophyticus (18.33%). Others were S. simulans (10%), S. xylosus (10%), S. chromogenes (15%) and S. schleiferi (1.67%). Hemolysis on blood agar plates was observed in 34.2% of CoNS with S. haemolyticus (58.8%) predominating followed by S. epidermidis (25%). Slime production was positive in 75.95% of all CoNS species isolated. All isolates of S. simulans (100%) and S. xylosus (100%) were positive for slime production followed by S. epidermidis (93.7%) and S. haemolyticus (70.6%). Due to the increasing medical significance of CoNS, these organisms should not be ignored or classified as mere contaminants. Keywords: Coagulase negative Staphylococcus, virulence factors, infections, slime, hemolysin