Global big data laboratory experiment, integrated with kernel-based algorithm with an improved nonlinear ensemble for compressive strength modeling.

With the continuous clamor for a reduction in embodied carbon in cement, rapid solution to climate change, and reduction to resource depletion, studies into substitute binders become crucial. These cementitious binders can potentially lessen our reliance on cement as the only concrete binder while also improving concrete functional properties. Finer particles used in cement microstructure densify the pore structure of concrete and enhance its performance properties.

Toxicological evaluation of aqueous leaf extract of linn (combretaceae) in pregnant rats.

Introduction: Terminalia catappa (T. catappa) leaves are used in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, cough, jaundice, indigestion etc, while the bark is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, abscesses etc. Due to the acceptance and increased use of medicinal plants in pregnancy, there is a need to evaluate their toxicological profiles in pregnancy for safe use.

Pre-clinical efficacy of African medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming: A systematic review.

The World Health Organization has listed Snakebite Envenoming (SBE) as a priority neglected tropical disease, with a worldwide annual snakebite affecting 5.4 million people and injuring 2.7 million lives.

Non-compartmental toxicokinetic studies of the Nigerian venom.

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a neglected public health problem, especially in Asia, Latin America and Africa. There is inadequate knowledge of venom toxicokinetics especially from African snakes. To mimic a likely scenario of a snakebite envenoming, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach to study the toxicokinetic parameters in rabbits, following a single intramuscular (IM) administration of Northern Nigeria venom.

Preclinical efficacy of African medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming: a systematic review protocol.

Background: Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a high-priority, neglected, tropical disease that affects millions of people in developing countries annually. The only available standard drug used for the treatment of SBE is antisnake venom (ASV) which consists of immunoglobulins that have been purified from the plasma of animals hyper-immunized against snake venoms. The use of plants as alternatives for treatment of poisonous bites particularly snakebites is important in remote areas where there might be limited, or no access to hospitals and storage facilities for antivenom.

Knowledge assessment of anti-snake venom among healthcare practitioners in northern Nigeria.

Introduction: Anti-snake venom (ASV) is the standard therapy for the management of snakebite envenoming (SBE). Therefore, the knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) is essential for achieving optimal clinical outcomes in snakebite management. This study aimed to assess knowledge of ASV among the HCPs in northern Nigeria.

Development and validation of antisnake venom knowledge assessment tool (AKAT) for healthcare practitioners.

Antisnake venom (ASV) is the only specific and standard treatment for snakebite envenoming worldwide. The knowledge of antivenom dosage, mode of administration, availability, and logistics is essential to the healthcare practitioners (HCPs) in the management of snakebites. It is vital for the HCPs involved in the handling of ASVs to have its basic knowledge.

Knowledge assessment of snake antivenom among healthcare practitioners involving educational intervention in northern Nigeria: a study protocol.

Introduction: Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is an important occupational and public health hazard especially in sub-Saharan Africa. For optimum management of SBE, adequate knowledge of Snake antivenom (SAV) is very critical among the healthcare practioners in this region. Information related to the knowledge of SAV use in the management of SBE, as well as SAV logistics is scarce among the Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region.

Anticonvulsant properties of methanol leaf extract of Laggera Aurita Linn. F. (Asteraceae) in laboratory animals.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Preparation of Laggera aurita Linn. (Asteraceae) is widely used in traditional medicine to treat various kinds of diseases such as epilepsy, malaria, fever, pain and asthma. Its efficacy is widely acclaimed among communities in Northern Nigeria.

HPV Involvement in Head and Neck Cancers: Comprehensive Assessment of Biomarkers in 3680 Patients.

Background: We conducted a large international study to estimate fractions of head and neck cancers (HNCs) attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV-AFs) using six HPV-related biomarkers of viral detection, transcription, and cellular transformation.

Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cancer tissues of the oral cavity (OC), pharynx, and larynx were collected from pathology archives in 29 countries. All samples were subject to histopathological evaluation, DNA quality control, and HPV-DNA detection.

Anticonvulsant activity of aqueous fraction of Carissa edulis root bark.

Context: Carissa edulis Vahl (Apocynaceae) is used in Nigerian folk medicine to manage a plethora of diseases including epilepsy, cancer, and inflammation; its efficacy is widely acclaimed among communities of northern Nigeria.

Objective: This study establishes anticonvulsant activities of aqueous fraction of ethanol root bark extract of Carissa edulis (RAF) and sub-fractions (S1 and S2) in animal models.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated the acute toxicity of the RAF, S1 and S2, and the anticonvulsant activity using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), picrotoxin, strychnine, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), isoniazid (INH), and aminophylline-induced seizures in mice.

Seeking evidence to support efforts to increase use of antenatal care: a cross-sectional study in two states of Nigeria.

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) attendance is a strong predictor of maternal outcomes. In Nigeria, government health planners at state level and below have limited access to population-based estimates of ANC coverage and factors associated with its use. A mixed methods study examined factors associated with the use of government ANC services in two states of Nigeria, and shared the findings with stakeholders.

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas in female children--report of two cases.

Lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of the pancreas is almost always reported as a case report or in small series mostly in male adult patients with vague clinical manifestations and difficult pre-operative diagnosis. Between the years 2007 and 2012, two female children with LEC of the pancreas were operated on at the Children's Surgical Unit of Murtala Mohammad Specialist Hospital, Kano in northern Nigeria. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved after distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in one and a Whipple procedure in the other.

Clinicopathological pattern and management of retinoblastoma in Kano, Nigeria.

Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate the pattern of presentation and the mode of management of retinoblastoma seen in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano from 2001 to 2005.

Materials And Methods: The clinic register was used to obtain the case folders of all children treated for retinoblastoma and this was used to obtain information on patient's age, sex, and clinical sign(s) at presentation such as orbital mass, leucocoria, proptosis, hyphaema without history of trauma, unexplained hypopyon, or uveitis. Also documented were X ray/B mode ultrasound scan findings, type of surgery performed, histological diagnosis, and adjuvant chemotherapy where applicable.

A review of the utilization of fine needle aspiration in clinical practice and research in Nigeria.

Background: Research and publications are critical to advancements in the quality of healthcare delivery. This article attempts to highlight the prospects and challenges of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology as a tool for research in Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: Data available in local and international bibliographic databases for the period 1986-2005 (20 years) were collated and analyzed.

Thyroid cancers in nodular goiters in Kano, Nigeria.

Background: Cancer is an occasional incidental finding in nodular goiter, but there has been no formal study on this disease in our locality.

Aims And Objectives: To determine the occurrence of histologically diagnosed malignancy in patients who present with nodular goiters.

Methodology: This is a 7-year (2000-2006) retrospective study of all histologically diagnosed malignancies within nodular goiters at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

A histopathological study of ovarian neoplasms in children in a tertiary hospital of northern Nigeria.

Background: Information concerning the frequency and pattern of ovarian tumours in children is scant, more so in northern Nigeria. In view of this, we reviewed ovarian biopsies obtained from children in Zaria over a 25-year period.

Materials And Methods: Ovarian tumours occurring in 48 patients of age 15 years and below were reviewed and classified using the current World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification of ovarian tumours.

Clinical and histological characteristics of nasopharyngeal cancer in Sokoto, north-western, Nigeria.

Background: Cancer of the nasopharynx poses diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties because of the hidden nature of the nasopharyngeal space, which allows for significant spread of the disease before diagnosis and hence poor prognosis.

Objective: To describe the clinical and histological characteristics of nasopharyngeal cancer in a tertiarty health institution in Northern Nigeria.

Methods: Clinical features of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer presenting at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic of a University Teaching Hospital in North western Nigeria seen over a five-year period were analysed.

A histopathologic study of salivary gland tumors in Kano, northern Nigeria.

Significant differences in the global distribution of salivary gland tumors have been reported, but no formal study has been carried out here in Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria. We therefore undertook this eight-year retrospective study of all histologically diagnosed salivary neoplasms at the histopathology laboratory of our referral teaching hospital in Kano. Seventy-eight salivary gland tumors were diagnosed during the eight-year study period accounting for 0.

Transurethral resection of the prostate in Northern Nigeria, problems and prospects.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the commonest disease of the urinary tract afflicting the ageing male and is the commonest neoplastic disease in men aged 50 years and above. Transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) is the ultimate treatment of choice for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) due mainly to the preference of minimally invasive surgery, long term relief of symptoms and cost effectiveness. It is however not available to the majority of Nigerians in need of prostatic surgery in Public Health Institutions.

Fine needle aspiration cytology in Nigeria.

Objective: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, safe and cheap method for the screening and diagnosis of a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Being a relatively new diagnostic technique in Nigeria, scant information had been published on it. We conducted a nationwide study to describe the availability, organization and utilization of FNA in the country.

Local audit of diagnostic surgical pathology as a tool for quality assurance.

Background: Internal audit has been rarely done for quality assurance of histology laboratories in Nigeria. We reviewed the steps involved in the production of reports with a view to assessing the performance of the histopathology laboratory of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Methods: A randomly selected 2 per cent sample of the total histology workload of the center for the year ending December 2005 amounting to 2877 cases was systematically reviewed.

Urinary bladder cancer and schistosomiasis in North-Western Nigeria.

Background: An unusually high prevalence of bladder cancer was noticed by clinicians and in the cancer registry of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Several areas of this region were also known to be endemic for urinary schistosomiasis.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of bladder cancer in the region and to assess the impact of schistosomiasis on these cases.