Antibiogram profile of pathogens isolated from processed cow meat from Ekpoma and Irrua metropolis, Edo state, Nigeria.

This study determined the extent of bacterial contamination of cow meat processed and sold in Ekpoma and Irrua abattoirs in Edo State, Nigeria, and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. One hundred and twenty (120) samples comprising 40 samples each, from blood, table surfaces and processed row meat, were collected from the sampled abattoirs and analyzed using standard bacteriological procedures. The results showed that 60 samples, representing 50% prevalence, were positive for different bacteria species, but the table surface samples were the most contaminated. The comparative difference in rates of contamination, were observed to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Of note, is the fact that the bacteria specie - Bacillus cereus (31; 51.7%), accounted for most of the bacteria isolate, while the antibiotic resistance tests revealed varied, but interesting susceptibility patterns. Our findings does highlight the fact that there exist obvious vehicles for pathogenic bacteria proliferation within our abattoirs, and hence, the need for caution.Key words: Abattoirs, Bos taurus, Pathogenic bacteria, Antibiotics, Resistanc

Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on wistar rats

This study investigates Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on  Wistar rats. The sixteen Wistar rats (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) involved in thestudy were divided into four groups; a control (Group A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A (control) received normal feed (growers mash) with distilled water only, while groups B-D (test) received normal feed with water mixed with graded quantities of Alomo Bitters: B (7.5ml/kg), C (15ml/kg) and D (22.5ml/kg). Comparatively, the results showed that body weight gain was highest in the test groups (B-D) in a dosage duration fashion and lowest in the control group (22.40 ± 11.21g). Also, a non-significant variation in organ-weight was observed for the testis. The observed changes on body weight and weights of the liver, kidney and testis were dosage and duration dependent. Thus, alomo bitters may be important in weight and appetite management considering its effect on body weight. However, further investigations are required in this regard.Keywords: Mondia whitei, Herbs, Weight, Obesity, Appetite, Public Health issues

Comparing the Ease of Inducing Spinal Anaesthesia in the Sitting Position in Trauma Patients with the Hip Flexed Versus Non Flexed (Hamstring Position)

Background: Sitting position is the favoured for spinal anaesthesia position because identification of midline structures is easier. It is either in the flexed hip or the non flexed hip (hamstring) position.  Traditionally spinal anaesthesia has been induced in the flexed hip position, and this has been supported by radiological evidence. Trauma patients who are unable to assume this position can use an alternative hamstring position. This study compared the ease of establishing spinal anaesthesia in the flexed versus non flexed hip positions.Materials and Method: 84 patients were recruited after meeting the inclusion criteria. Two groups of 42 patients each, either sitting with foot placed on a stool (SF) to cause hip flexion and a second group (ST) sitting with leg placed on the operating table in the non flexed hip (hamstring) position. Under strict asepsis, spinal anaesthesia was established at a preferred intervertebral space (L2-L5), proportion of first attempt success, number of attempts, number of redirections, duration taken to establish spinal, complication were compared.Results: There were no statistical differences between the two groups in relation to first attempt  success (p value 0.56), number of second attempts and re-directions, (p value 0.31), time to establish spinal (p value 0.365), incidence of complication like Paresthesia, back ache (p value 0.68).Conclusion: There is no difference in the ease of performing spinal in either the flexed hip or the hamstring position; the goal of Spinal anaesthesia should be that patient is induced in optimal position to reduce patient discomfort and number of attempt.Key words: Spinal Technique, Flexed Hip, Non Flexed Hip, Trauma Patient, Outcome

Germination and In Vitro regeneration response of local Nigerian tomato cultivar using different explant sources

In vitro regeneration of plants is an important tool in both basic and applied studies as well as commercial applications. It can be of use in overcoming the constraints of tomato production. Assessment of seed sterilization procedures and in vitro regeneration of tomato cultivar was attempted using different explant sources. Seed sterilization procedures with and without ethanol treatment and varying duration of application were used while explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium only and MS media with varying concentrations of cytokinins and fixed concentration of auxin as Regeneration media (RM). Seeds sterilized with 10% (v/v) solution of sodium hypochlorite for 10 min with two to three drops of non-ionic surfactant (Tween 20) added without ethanol treatment and repeated for 5 min gave the highest germination percentage of 57.33% and percentage contamination of 11.11% compared to seeds sterilized with other disinfection procedures. MS media supplemented with 2 mg/l Kinetin and 0.1 mg/l NAA produced average shoot initiation values of 1.71, 1.57 and 1.57 and average root initiation values of 0.57, 0.00 and 2.85 for cotyledon, hypocotyl and leaf explants respectively. The study showed that the tomato cultivar could be amenable for crop improvement and micro propagation purposes.Key words: Seed sterilization, In vitro regeneration, explant, cultivar, organogenesis