Etiologic Pattern, Severity, and Outcome of Pericardial Effusion Among Children Seen Over Ten Years at a Tertiary Hospital in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria.

Introduction: Pericardial effusion (PE) is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space, which, if severe, is associated with high mortality. The causes are diverse, including infective and non-infective. Few studies have looked at the spectrum of severity and causes in Northern Nigeria.

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND PATTERN OF SERUM AND SALIVARY LIPIDS.

Introduction: Saliva is secreted by the salivary gland, and as a screening medium, saliva offers more advantages over serum for the determination of lipid levels due to the non-invasive nature of the collection, reduced infectious risk, and ease with analysis. Its user-friendly nature would be acceptable by especially children.

Objectives: To determine the socio-demographic features of subjects and dyslipidaemia using serum and salivary lipids.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding prevention of rheumatic heart disease among primary health-care workers in sokoto metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the only preventable cardiovascular disease that still causes significant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria where it is classified as a neglected disease. The inciting agent causes pharyngitis often not properly treated.

Aim And Objectives: To study the knowledge and preventive practices of RHD amongst primary healthcare workers who are in contact with larger ratio of populace in order to recommend appropriate interventions.

Ecthyma gangrenosum on the face of a malnourished child with sepsis: Simulating Cancrum oris.

Introduction: Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a cutaneous lesion commonly caused by that involves mainly the lower limbs and gluteal region, seen more in immunosuppressed patients with neutropenia. Cancrum oris (Noma) is a gangrenous necrosis of the face that begins as a gingival ulcer and progresses rapidly to destroy contiguous tissues in malnourished children.

Case Presentation: This article reports a case of facial EG which was similar to Noma in a malnourished child: a 16-month old girl with fever, cough, weight loss, watery stool and swelling on right cheek.

A bimodal theranostic nanodelivery system based on [graphene oxide-chlorogenic acid-gadolinium/gold] nanoparticles.

We have synthesized a bimodal theranostic nanodelivery system (BIT) that is based on graphene oxide (GO) and composed of a natural chemotherapeutic agent, chlorogenic acid (CA) used as the anticancer agent, while gadolinium (Gd) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modality. The CA and Gd guest agents were simultaneously loaded on the GO nanolayers using chemical interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and π-π non-covalent interactions to form GOGCA nanocomposite. Subsequently, the AuNPs were doped on the surface of the GOGCA by means of electrostatic interactions, which resulted in the BIT.

Graphene Oxide as a Nanocarrier for a Theranostics Delivery System of Protocatechuic Acid and Gadolinium/Gold Nanoparticles.

We have synthesized a graphene oxide (GO)-based theranostic nanodelivery system (GOTS) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using naturally occurring protocatechuic acid (PA) as an anticancer agent and gadolinium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (Gd) as the starting material for a contrast agent,. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were subsequently used as second diagnostic agent. The GO nanosheets were first prepared from graphite via the improved Hummer's protocol.

Congenital Heart Defects in Nigerian Children: Preliminary Data From the National Pediatric Cardiac Registry.

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are common birth defects with significant impact on morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare regional patterns of CHDs in Nigeria using a registry-based approach.

Methods: Children with echocardiography-confirmed CHDs at 17 medical centers across the country were enrolled in a pilot National Pediatric Cardiac Registry from January to December 2014.

Gadolinium-based layered double hydroxide and graphene oxide nano-carriers for magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery.

Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrasts remain one of the most accepted contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, which is among the world most recognized noninvasive techniques employed in clinical diagnosis of patients. At ionic state, Gd is considered toxic but less toxic in chelate form. A variety of nano-carriers, including gadolinium oxide (GdO) nanoparticles have been used by researchers to improve the T1 and T2 contrasts of MR images.

Audit of availability and distribution of paediatric cardiology services and facilities in Nigeria.

Background: Paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria have been perceived to be inadequate but no formal documentation of availability and distribution of facilities and services has been done.

Objective: To evaluate and document the currently available paediatric cardiac services in Nigeria.

Methods: In this questionnaire-based, cross-sectional descriptive study, an audit was undertaken from January 2010 to December 2014, of the personnel and infrastructure, with their distributions according to geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial properties of copper nanoparticles.

Copper nanoparticle synthesis has been gaining attention due to its availability. However, factors such as agglomeration and rapid oxidation have made it a difficult research area. In the present work, pure copper nanoparticles were prepared in the presence of a chitosan stabilizer through chemical means.

Copper nanoparticles mediated by chitosan: synthesis and characterization via chemical methods.

Herein we report a synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) in chitosan (Cts) media via a chemical reaction method. The nanoparticles were synthesized in an aqueous solution in the presence of Cts as stabilizer and CuSO(4)·5H(2)O precursor. The synthesis proceeded with addition of NaOH as pH moderator, ascorbic acid as antioxidant and hydrazine( )as the reducing agent.

Green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Callicarpa maingayi stem bark extraction.

Different biological methods are gaining recognition for the production of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) due to their multiple applications. The use of plants in the green synthesis of nanoparticles emerges as a cost effective and eco-friendly approach. In this study the green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Callicarpa maingayi stem bark extract has been reported.