Primary torsion of the greater omentum: An overlooked cause of acute abdomen

Background/purpose Primary torsion of the greater omentum is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in children. It was estimated to be found in 0.1% of cases operated for acute appendicitis and is almost impossible to be diagnosed preoperatively. Surgical excision of the infarcted omentum is the treatment of choice. In this study, we aimed to highlight the importance of suspecting primary omental torsion when operating upon a child presenting with a picture of acute appendicitis with normal appearing appendix intraoperatively.Patients and methods Through the period from June 2009 to May 2016, medical records of patients who had definite diagnosis of primary omental torsion were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical presentations, laboratory findings, imaging studies results, intraoperative findings, and histopathological findings were reviewed.Results During the specified time period, out of 1344 patients operated upon for acute appendicitis in our department, only four patients proved to have primary torsion of the greater omentum. All the patients were obese with clinical picture mimicking acute appendicitis. The postoperative histopathological examination showed normal appendix and ischemic necrosis of the resected omental segment.Conclusion Inspection of the greater omentum is essential when finding a normal appearing appendix in any case operated for suspicion of acute appendicitis. Keywords: acute abdomen, appendix, greater omentum, omental torsio

Floristic Composition and Structure of Yegof Mountain Forest, South Wollo, Ethiopia

In this study, Floristic composition, diversity, population structure and regeneration status of woody plant species of Yegof Forest in South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia were analyzed. Data were collected from 72 quadrants, each of which was 20 m × 20 m area. Sorensen‟s similarity coefficient was used to detect similarities and differences among different forests of Ethiopia. Shannon -Wiener diversity index was applied to quantify species diversity and richness. A total of 123 vascular plant species, representing 109 genera and 63 families were recorded. One hundred and twelve of the species collected from sample plots were used for floristic and structural analysis. The rest 11 were collected out of the sample plots but from the same forest and were used to describe the complete floristic list. Out of the total plant species which have been included in the preliminary list assessed for IUCN Red data List, 9 were found to be endemic to Ethiopia. The family Fabaceae had the highest number of species (8) followed by Asteraceae (7 species), Poaceae (6 species), Lamiaceae and Solanaceae (5 species each). The five most abundant woody plant species in the forest were Dodonaea angustifolia, Myrsine africana, Olea europaea subsp cuspidata, Juniperus procera and Erica arborea. In the forest, the overall Shannon-Wiener diversity was 3.73 and evenness of woody species was 0.79, indicating that the diversity and evenness of woody species in the forest is relatively high. Woody species density for mature individuals was 1685 stems ha-1, density of saplings was 1800 stems ha-1 and the density of seedlings was 2089 stems ha-1. Density decreased with increasing tree height and DBH classes. The basal area of the forest was 25.4 m2/ha. We prioritized tree species for conservation using criteria such as species population structure, important value index and regeneration status. The population structure in the forest revealed that there is a need for conservation priority of woody plant with poor regeneration status. Based on the result of the study, research on the soil seed bank, population dynamics and ethno botany are recommended. Keywords: Floristic composition, Endemic species, IUCN Red list Phytogeographical Comparison, Population Structure, Yegof Fores

Quantum Hall Effect on the Flag Manifold F_2

The Landau problem on the flag manifold ${\bf F}_2 = SU(3)/U(1)\times U(1)$ is analyzed from an algebraic point of view. The involved magnetic background is induced by two U(1) abelian connections. In quantizing the theory, we show that the wavefunctions, of a non-relativistic particle living on ${\bf F}_2$, are the SU(3) Wigner ${\cal D}$-functions satisfying two constraints. Using the ${\bf F}_2$ algebraic and geometrical structures, we derive the Landau Hamiltonian as well as its energy levels. The Lowest Landau level (LLL) wavefunctions coincide with the coherent states for the mixed SU(3) representations. We discuss the quantum Hall effect for a filling factor $\nu =1$. where the obtained particle density is constant and finite for a strong magnetic field. In this limit, we also show that the system behaves like an incompressible fluid. We study the semi-classical properties of the system confined in LLL. These will be used to discuss the edge excitations and construct the corresponding Wess-Zumino-Witten action.Comment: 23 pages, two sections and references added, misprints corrected, version to appear in IJMP

Direct to consumer advertising via the Internet, a study of hip resurfacing

With increased use of the internet for health information and direct to consumer advertising from medical companies, there is a concern about the quality of the information available for patients. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of health information on the internet for hip resurfacing. An assessment tool was designed to measure quality of information. Websites were measured on credibility of source; usability; currentness of the information; content relevance; content accuracy/completeness and disclosure/bias. Each website assessed was given a total score, based on number of scores achieved from the above categories websites were further analysed on author, geographical origin and possession of an independent credibility check. There was positive correlation between the overall score for the website and the score of each website in each assessment category. Websites by implant companies, doctors and hospitals scored poorly. Websites with an independent credibility check such as Health on the Net (HoN) scored twice the total scores of websites without. Like other internet health websites, the quality of information on hip resurfacing websites is variable. This study highlights methods by which to assess the quality of health information on the internet and advocates that patients should look for a statement of an "independent credibility check" when searching for information on hip resurfacing

The Occurrence and Antibiotics Sensitivity Profile of Salmonella and Escherichia coli in Commercial Poultry Feeds in Minna, Niger State

The study was conducted to determine the presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella pathogens from different brand of commercially available poultry feeds in Minna metropolis. A total of 60 samples from three poultry feeds namely; Starter, finisher and layers were  aseptically collected and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. All samples analyzed were cultured on Nutrient agar media by spread plate’s technique and subsequently on selective media for total bacterial count. Total viable count (TVC) of Salmonella and E. coli recorded in the feeds were as follows: starter 3.47cfu/g, finisher 4.84 cfu/g and layers 9.02 cfu/g. There was a significant (p<0.05) trend in the overall percentage distribution of Salmonella and E. coli contamination across the feed’s category, with the higher distribution  recorded in layers 100% and finisher while, starter had (66.6%) distribution. The overall result of antibiotics susceptibility tests of  Salmonella and E. coli revealed the sensitivity of (53.8%), and resistant of (46.1%) in E. coli while, Salmonella had (38.4 %) sensitivity and (61.5%) resistant to all antibiotics tested. Thus, all the poultry feeds were found to be contaminated with bacteria which may pose a public health risk to human. Therefore, the occurrence of Salmonella and E. coli in poultry feeds reinforces the need for effective control  measures, hygiene in processing and handling of feeds

The cranking formula and the spurious behaviour of the mass parameters

We discuss some aspects of the approach of the mass parameters by means of the simple cranking model. In particular, it is well known that the numerical application of this formula is often subject to ambiguities or contradictions. It is found that these problems are induced by the presence of two derivatives in the formula. To overcome these problems, we state a useful ansatz and we develop a number of simple arguments which tend to justify the removal of these terms. As soon as this is done, the formula becomes simpler and easier to interpret. In this respect, it is shown how the shell effects affect the mass parameters. A number of numerical tests help us in our conclusions.Comment: version 3 corrigendum of the ansatz of section V, corrigendum of the legend of Fig3. Submission = text file + 5 figure

A survey of bacteria and fungi associated with suspected cases of meningitis among children attending some selected hospitals in Kano

Bacterial meningitis is one of the most potentially serious infections occurring in the Children age group, with a high incidence of acute complications and risk of long-term morbidity and mortality. The aim of the research was to Survey the Bacteria and Fungi Associated with Suspected Cases of  Meningitis among Children Attending Some Selected Hospitals in Kano State, hundred samples of cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) were collected through lumbar Children aged 0-12years suspected of having Meningitis. The samples were Nigeria. Three puncture from subjected to macroscopic examination, microscopic examination, culture tests. Bacterial and fungal isolates were confirmed by biochemical tests and serology. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity tests using standard techniques. The results obtained were analysed and a prevalence of 8.0% was obtained for bacteria while that of fungi was 0.33%. Analysis of the result according to age group showed that Children in the age group 0-2years had the highest percentage of Meningitis (7.7%:23/300) while those in the age group 3-4 years (0.3%:1/300) and 11-12 years had the lowest (0.3%:1/300). However there were no significant differences between the age group and the prevalence of Meningitis (0.1042). Analysis of the result according to occurrence of isolated organism showed that gram negative Bacteria Heamophilus influenzae type b had the highest frequency of occurrence (48:12/25) while the least were Neisseria meningitidis C/W135 (4%:1/25), Salmonella paratyphi C (4%:1/25), Streptococcus species (Viridans group) (4%:1/25), Candida famata (4%:1/25). Analysis of the result in relation to the study sites showed that the highest number of positive cases were obtained from Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH) (52%:13/25) while the lowest from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospiatal (AKTH) (4%:1/25). However there was a significant difference between the study sites and the number of positive cases (0.004). Antibiogram of the bacterial isolates showed that ceftriaxone (91.7%:11/12) and ciprofloxacin (91.7%:11/12) were found to be most sensitive to Haemophilus influenzae type b and least sensitive to trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (8.3%:1/12). The yeast, Candida famata was found to be (100%:1/1) sensitive to ketaconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B. It can be concluded that the overall prevalence of Bacteria in the study sites was 8.0% while that of fungi was 0.33%. Gram negative bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b were found to be the major cause of meningitis in the study sites which are most sensitive to cefriaxone (91.7%:11/12) and ciprofloxacin (91.7%:11/12) and least sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (8.3%:1/12).Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid, Hospitals, isolates, meningitis, occurrence, paediatrics, sensitivity

Evaluation of functional outcome after osteosynthesis of intra articular distal humerus fracture with pre contoured locking compression plates

Background: Intra articular distal humerus fractures are challenging and cumbersome to treat. Therefore osteosynthesis of such fractures is required. The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional outcome of intra articular distal humerus fractures AO type  13C by osteosynthesis using olecranon osteotomy with pre contoured locking compression plates in orthogonal plate configuration.Methods: Thirty patients were included in our study comprising of 18 males and 12 females. Mean age was 39.63 years with mean follow up of 34 weeks. 7 were AO type 13C1, 9 were AO type 13C2 and 14 were AO type 13C3. Osteosynthesis was done for all fractures by olecranon osteotomy approach. Functional outcome was assessed using mayo elbow performance score.Results: Mean flexion attained at the end of follow up was 127.56 degrees with mean extensor lag of 7.16 degrees. Mean arc of motion was 120.4 degrees. Mean mayo elbow performance score at the end of follow up was 80.36. Mayo elbow performance score in patients aged less than 40 years of age was not statistically significant as compared to patients more than 40 years of age. Functional outcome was also dependent on fracture subtype.Conclusions: Osteosynthesis of distal humerus fractures AO type 13C using pre contoured locking compression plates in orthogonal plate configuration by olecranon osteotomy provides excellent visualization of fracture and better functional outcome

Changing pattern and etiology of maxillofacial fractures during the civil uprising in Western Libya

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate changing pattern in characteristics of maxillofacial fractures and concomitant injuries in Western Libya During revolution and to assess the association between mechanism of injury and fracture patterns. A retrospective review of medical records and radiographs of 187 patients treated for maxillofacial fractures from January 2010 to December 2012 was performed, there were 326 fractures in 187 patients. The male: female ratio was 6:1. Most fractures occurred in patients aged 11 to 40 years, and few injuries occurred in patients aged > 50 years. Most fractures occurred from motor vehicle accidents, and other most frequent causes included assault, gunshot, and fall injuries. Most maxillofacial fractures involved the mandible, zygomatic complex, or maxilla. Most mandibular fractures occurred at the parasymphysis, angle, or condyle. Associated injuries most frequently involved the head, chest, and extremities. Most patients were treated with open reduction (132 patients [71%]), and 26 patients (14%) were treated nonoperatively. There were 21 complications (11%). In summary, motor vehicle accidents were the most frequent cause of maxillofacial fracture in western Libya, possibly because of the lack of seat belt legislation. Interpersonal violence was a less frequent cause of maxillofacial fracture, possibly because of the religious restriction on alcohol consumption