Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Comparative Assessment of Blood Lead Levels of Automobile Technicians in Organised and Roadside Garages in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract: Occupational exposure to lead is common among automobile technicians and constitutes 0.9% of total global health burden with a majority of cases in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the blood lead levels of automobile technicians in roadside and organised garages in Lagos State, Nigeria. This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Physical examinations were conducted and blood was analysed for lead using atomic spectrophotometery. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the median blood lead levels of each group using the independent sample (Mann-Whitney U) test. Seventy-three (40.3%) of the organised compared to 59 (34.3%) of the roadside groups had high blood lead levels. The organised group had statistically significant higher median blood lead levels of, 66.0 µg/dL than the roadside 43.5 µg/dL (P < 0.05). There was also statistically significant association between high blood lead levels and abnormal discolouration of the mucosa of the mouth in the organised group. Automobile technicians in organised garages in Lagos have higher prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and higher median levels than the roadside group. Preventive strategies against lead exposures should be instituted by the employers and further actions should be taken to minimize exposures, improve work practices, implement engineering controls (e.g., proper ventilation), and ensure the use of personal protective equipment.

Phenotypic and Molecular Identification of Vancomycin Resistance in Clinical Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates in Osogbo, Nigeria.

Abstract: The use of vancomycin for treatment of serious infections caused by MRSA strains has resulted in emergence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) in clinical settings. Following our previous report of phenotypic VRSA in Nigeria, the current study attempts to determine the genetic basis underlying this resistance. Over a period of 6 months, non-duplicate clinical S. aureus isolates from 73 consecutive patients with infective conditions at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo were tested against a panel of eight selected antibiotics by disk diffusion test. The Epsilom test strip was used to determine vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to amplify nuc, mecA, vanA, and vanB genes. Of 73 isolates, 61 (83.6%) had MIC of ≤2 μg/ml, 11 (15.1%) had 4-8 μg/ml and 1 (1.4%) had 16 μg/ml. The mecA gene was detected in 5 (6.8%) isolates but none contained vanA or vanB genes. Both vancomycin-susceptible and intermediate isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics, while the only vancomycin resistant isolate was resistant to all eight antibiotics. The result confirms the occurrence of phenotypic vancomycin intermediate-resistant S. aureus (VISA) and VRSA infections in Nigeria, but the molecular basis will require further investigation.

Randomized comparison of effectiveness of unimodal opioid analgesia with multimodal analgesia in post-cesarean section pain management

Abstract: Background Postoperative pain leads to patient discomfort, decreased level of satisfaction, prolonged recovery, and higher health costs. Acute pain control therefore improves the overall quality of life in patients undergoing cesarean section. Pain relief is a fundamental human right, but there is no gold standard for post-cesarean section pain management. Objective To compare the efficacy of pentazocine and tramadol used in unimodal and multimodal (in combination with piroxicam) approach, in the management of post-cesarean section pain. Materials and methods This study employed a random allocation design to compare the effectiveness of intramuscular pentazocine (60 mg) or tramadol (100 mg) as single analgesic agent and in combination with daily intramuscular piroxicam 20 mg, for the management of post-cesarean section pain during the immediate 12 hours after surgery. The primary outcome measure was control of postoperative pain, while the secondary outcome measures were the analgesic agent onset of action, duration of action, patient satisfaction, and maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. Data obtained were entered into a predesigned sheet and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17. Means ± standard deviation (SD) were calculated for the quantitative variables, and the difference between two independent groups was compared using unpaired Student's t-test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results A total of 120 patients were equally and randomly allocated to four study groups - two that received unimodal analgesia (the pentazocine group and the tramadol group) and two that received multimodal analgesia (the pentazocine-piroxicam group and the tramadol-piroxicam group). Among the unimodal groups, tramadol had a faster onset of action, but pentazocine had a longer duration of action and provided better control of pain. Among the multimodal groups, the combination of pentazocine with piroxicam was superior to the tramadol with piroxicam combination, and it was also more effective than pentazocine alone. Conclusion The multimodal approach of combining pentazocine with piroxicam is a safe, effective, and an acceptable mode of analgesia for post-cesarean section pain management, especially in a resource-constrained setting.

Problems of accessing scholarly publications by Nigerian scientists: a study of the University of Ibadan

Abstract: This study assesses the impact of information technology (IT) on scholarly publications and the problems associated with accessing these publications by scientists at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study discovered that ICT (Information and Communication Technology) facilities like the Internet and e-mail have taken root in the academic environment through providing access to scholarly publications. However, the implementation of IT application is still a problem to Nigerian academics because of many factors, ranging from the lack of funds to fluctuations in the supply of electricity. This has indirectly affected the level of usage of ICT in Nigeria by the lecturers and it has hindered access to scholarly publications useful for research. Despite many constraints, the use of information technology is growing among lecturers in Nigerian universities.

Melatonin, adolescence, and the brain: An insight into the period-specific influences of a multifunctional signaling molecule.

Abstract: Melatonin is a neurohormone that is involved in the modulation of a wide range of physiological processes, including maintenance of the circadian rhythm, mediation of photoperiodic information, regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, synchronization of cell physiology, antioxidant defense, and immune-modulation. Although there are reports of increasing use of melatonin in the management of a number of health conditions, evidence exists that is suggestive of deleterious effects of melatonin administration on brain and reproductive development in the prepubertal and pubertal periods that are within the teenage years. In this review, we examine the influences of endogenous and exogenous melatonin on the adolescent brain, with specific reference to its involvement in the evolution of brain functions, brain structure, sleep regulation, and modulation of behaviors in health or disease.