Archives-March 2024

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common emergency and can be a serious condition that requires hospitalization, rapid evaluation and management. The usual presentation is hematemesis (vomiting of blood or coffee ground-like material) and/or melena (black, tarry stools). UGIB occurs more commonly in men and older subjects. Peptic ulcers are the most common cause of UGIB. Esophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (EGD) is a primary diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the setting of UGIB. This study aims to evaluate causes and outcomes of UGIB in the emergency. Material and methods: monocentric study conducted from January 2019 to January 2024. Were included all patients hospitalized by our Unit for a UGIB as : hematemesis and/or melena and/or hematochesia with severe anemia or hemodynamic instability. All patiennts had an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to find the cause of bleeding and for a therapeutic approach when possible. Results: A total of 737 individuals underwent UGE for UGIB during the study period. Mean age was 56,3 years and 58,7% of patients were male. Among all patients, 17.3% reported consumption of NSAIDs and 21,4% were taking anti-thrombotics. The most frequent presenting symptom was isolated melena in 37,8% followed by melena associated with hematemesis in 31,4%, isolated hematemesis in 27,4% and abundant hematochezia in 3,4%. Hemodynamic instability was seen in 24,5% of patients. Ulcers were the most common cause of bleeding seen in 36,9% : duodenal in 23% of the patients and gastric in 13,9%. 59% of those ulcers were classified Forrest III. Esophageal and fundal varices were found in 19,8% of the cases. The other causes of bleeding were : oesophagitis in 12,2% of the patients, gastritis (including gastric erosions) in 10%, gastric or duodenal neoplasm in 9,3%, vascular anomaly in 2,2% and postoperative in 1,6%. The oesogastroduodenoscopy was normal in 8% of the patients. Regarding therapeutic interventions, 41,5% had undergone therapeutic endoscopy. Conclusion: UGIB is a frequent cause of hospitalization in the emergency. EGD has a diagnostic as well as therapeutic role in UGIB .In this study endoscopy provided diagnosis in 92% of patients. We found duodenal ulcers as the most common cause of upper GI bleeding followed by gastric ulcers, and clean based ulcers were the most common type of peptic ulcers. Varices are an important cause of massive variceal bleed. NSAIDs and anti-thrombotics are important factors for UGIB.

Frequent interruptions of hydroelectric energy damage equipment and reduce worker productivity, notably in developing countries. Manufacturing leaders in Zambia who lack strategies to manage hydroelectricity interruptions risk financial and other losses. The lens of the contingency theory provided the underlying constructs to fulfill the purpose of this qualitative, multiple case study, notably to explore strategies that some manufacturing leaders use to manage hydroelectricity interruptions. The participants were six managers from different manufacturing industries based in Lusaka, Zambia, who implemented strategies to manage hydropower interruptions. The qualitative data collection involved conducting interviews using a semi structured form with triangulation of the primary data against the reviews of company documents, company websites, and publications from the Zambia Association of Manufacturers related to managing hydroelectricity power interruptions. The thematic analysis led to the principal theme emergence of the importance of managing the cost of labor input. The key recommendations from the analysis of the study findings were on the value of investment in alternative power-generating equipment and upgrading of plant transformers. The discoveries from the study may contribute to positive social change by contributing to job creation and improving financial outcomes.

An experimental and numerical study of the operation of an adsorption solar refrigerator using the zeolite-water couple is presented. The experimental consists of measuring the solar radiation incident on the collector-absorber, the temperature of the collector-adsorber, of the condenser and the one of the evaporator. The numerical part concerns a modeling and a simulation of the functioning of this refrigeration system. Transfer equations are deduced from thermal and mass balances established at each component of the refrigerator. The Dubinin-Astakhov equation is adopted for the adsorption kinetics of the zeolite-water pair. The results are presented by the evolution over time of the temperatures of the components of the solar refrigerator (absorbent plate, condenser, evaporator, etc.), as well as the pressure adsorbed, adsorbate mass and SCOP.

 Harvesting rainwater has been adapted in many countries since early times. Water is a major problem at Arusha Technical College (ATC) during summer, thus proper preservation during rainy season could reduce water shortage. This paper aims at evaluating the possibility of rainwater harvesting using storage tanks systems to reduce problem of water shortage and reducing cost of water. Published literatures and information on water preservation from different households was collected in this research. Findings show that the use of storage tanks system in rainwater harvesting increases the efficiency to reserve water in households and thus resulting into using the water storage for many days compared to dependence on urban water supply. It is proposed that the authority should introduce use of storage tanks systems in harvesting and preserving rainwater for use at ATC. 

Packaging and labeling practices are among challenges facing consumer of pharmaceutical products today. Some manufacturers, however, do not indicate all the required information on the products. This study used survey method to characterize the pharmaceutical products in the market, and it was conducted using a systematic procedure known as a checklist. Parameters like dates of manufactures, expiring dates, and general instructions were spread using excel from the checklist. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS). Conclusively, 22% of the pharmaceutical products showed only expiring dates, 14% of the pharmaceutical products showed manufacturing dates only and 64% of the products showed both skills, production and expiring dates. It was recommended that customers should clearly check for important information and proper packaging before buying the pharmaceutical products, also authorities should not only control products in the market but also in industries, checking for the Good Manufacture Practice.

Colds are characterized as minor infections instigated by over 200 distinct viral strains. Rhinovirus is the most common cause for the flu which leads to congestion or stuffy nose. Medical wipes offer prompt symptom alleviation, best employed at the onset of cold symptoms for temporary relief. People with thyroid issue or high blood pressure should not take decongestants, the wipes help them to get rid from congestion or stuffy nose. The development of medical wipes for cold relief is a significant advancement in medicine and healthcare. A natural fiber extracted from the plant which is known for its various medicinal properties like antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, insecticidal, analgesic, cytotoxicity, and hepatoprotective, purgative. These fibers are strong, lightweight, and highly absorbent, making them ideal for medical textile wipes. The wipes are designed to be used as a cold relief treatment and are infused with extract like eucalyptus globulus, chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver), vitex negundo (nochi), coleusamboinicus (karpooravalli), ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Mentha spicata (pudina) to provide anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. These herbs have natural properties that can help relieve cold and flu symptoms. To extract the herbs, we can use various methods such as steam distillation, solvent extraction, or cold pressing. Once herbal extract is extracted, you can add it to the wipes to provide relief from cold and flu symptoms. This wipes are also designed to be biodegradable and compostable, making them more eco-friendly. The development of medical textile wipes with natural fiber is a promising advancement in medicine and healthcare which can be also used by children and can provide cold relief with minimal environmental impact.

The objective of this work is to provide breeders in the pig industry with technical and economic data that can be used for the proper functioning of a piggery. This is an analysis of pig production in the Province of Maniema in general, more precisely in the town of Kindu. The methodology uses surveys (transversal and retrospective) among producers targeting the profile of breeders, their practices, zootechnical and socio-economic performances. The majority of breeders are Catholic Christians, most of whom are employed and practice breeding as a secondary activity. They are 90% men. The pigsties are either semi-modern (6/10) or modern (4/10). The food is based on rice bran and corn flour which are used by all breeders. Fish meal is used by 80% of breeders and cassava by 70%. Large White pigs dominate the different farms. The average herd is 86 pigs. The age at first farrowing varies between 11 to 14 months and the average number of farrowings per year is two. The average numerical productivity per female per farrowing is 10 piglets. The age at weaning varies between 45 and 90 days. The dominant pathologies remain external parasitoses and digestive diseases causing diarrhea. These pathologies are present in all the farms visited. The farms display an average annual gross profit between 40 and 60 pigs/year depending on their size, based on 3600 FC/kg or 2.1 $ dollars per carcass. Once we can estimate that the farm generates a result of 2,400 $ to $3,600 dollars per year or $ 200 to $ 300 dollars per month in income for the family. Young sows are put into breeding at 10 or 12 months when their weight reaches 80 or 100 kg live weight. Litter size is 8-12 piglets born alive and 6-8 piglets are weaned on average. Females are mated on average two to three times during heat, until the sow refuses mating. Future breeders are sold at $ 40 to $ 70 for piglets 2 to 3 months old. Breeders sell their pigs to commission agents who act on their behalf and make group purchases from breeders before proceeding with slaughter. The slaughter and consumption of pigs is also done locally. The animals are purchased at a price of 3,600 FC per kg of carcass. Slaughtering takes place at the slaughterhouse after payment of a tax of 1,500 FC. Once the animals have been slaughtered, skinned and inspected, the carcass is then transported on the back of a cart or on a motorcycle taxi to be sold at the Kindu central market at a price of 4,500 FC to 5,000 FC/kg. The roasters, for their part, offer meat skewers or pieces of cooked pork to consumers at prices ranging from 1000 FC per skewer at the restaurant bar and 1000 FC or 2000 FC per piece of meat. This study shows that pig farming is a very profitable activity as long as it is well managed. The constraints remain linked to management, the quality of production and processing. Improvement strategies should focus on the organization, accountability and supervision of stakeholders for better management of production in the interest of the development of this breeding.