MYCOFLORA OF STORED PARKIA BIGLOBOSA (JACQ.) R.BR. EX G.DON (LOCUST BEAN) SEEDS FROM MARKETS IN JOS, NIGERIA AND CHANGES IN THEIR NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION

Fungal deterioration of stored Parkiabiglobosa (locust beans) seeds was investigated in four markets in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. The incidence of fungi on locust bean seeds from the different markets were as follows: Katako (90%), Angwan Rukuba (76.7%), Gada Biu (86.7%) and Farin Gada (70%) respectively for the deteriorated seeds and Katako (10%), Angwan Rukuba (23.3%), Gada Biu (13.3%) and Farin Gada (30%) for the non-deteriorated seeds. There was a significant difference (P≤0.05) in the occurrence of fungi from the different markets for both deteriorating/non-deteriorating seeds; Katako (153/25), Angwan Rukuba (99/14), Gada Biu (109/22) and Farin Gada (36/14). A total of seventeen fungal species were isolated with Aspergillus species being the most dominant. The analysis of nutritional qualities of non-deteriorated and deteriorated locust bean seeds shows that the deteriorated seeds had reduced protein (9.07%), fibre (3.62%) and carbohydrate (23.37%) contents than the non-deteriorated ones. The study demonstrates that fungi is capable of causing damage to stored Parkia biglobosa seeds and contribute to low nutritional worth of the seeds. The health implications of the effects of these spoilage fungi were discussed

Outcome of traditional bone setting in the Middle belt of Nigeria

Background: This hospital based study was designed to elucidate the outcome of Traditional Bone Setting (TBS) practice in four states of the middle belt of Nigeria, via complications presenting in select hospitals.Methods: A combination of retrospective and prospective study of complications arising from traditional bone setting in Plateau and Nasarawa States and southern parts of the Kaduna and Bauchi States was undertaken.Results: Fifteen patients were retrospectively studied in the one year period between December 1999 and November 2000 inclusive, while seventy-six patients were recruited into a 1 year prospective study(January 2001 to December 2001). There were sixty-nine males and twenty-two females giving a male: female ratio of 3.1:1. The mostfrequently encountered patients were children in the first decade of life (34.1%), while the 3rd and 4th decades accounted for 20.9% and 18.7% respectively. 61.5% of the study population were residents inJos, Plateau State, and 19.8% were admitted from Nasarawa State. 12.1% came from Kaduna State while 6.6% were recruited from Bauchi State. The study population cut across all social strata with a preponderance of illiterates, children and primary school certificate holders. The presenting injuries clustered around femur, tibia and fibula, humerus and forearm with 19.61 each. These were followed by dislocations of hip, elbow and shoulders (15.2%). The presentation of complications included non union (13.1%), mal union (21.5%), volkman’s ischaemic contractures and compartment syndrome (8.4%), infections (24.4%), stiffness/ankylosis (15.9%) and gangrene (8.4%) among others. Eight two orthopaedic interventions were carried out ranging from minor procedures to open reduction and internal fixations (15.9%), amputations (7.3%) and arthroplasties (4.9%). Five  portalities were recorded giving a mortality rate of (5.5%).Conclusion: 91 complications with 5 mortalities, largely avoidable in two years calls for a serious look at traditional bone setting practice in the Middle Belt of Nigeria. We recommend that other zones undertake similar studies so that a national picture would emerge and policy dialogue initiated

Imperative of Precision Diagnosis in Management of Gluteal Mycetoma

BODY: A 48 year old civil servant who had four year copious discharge from multiple left gluteal sinuses is presented. He had had traditional herbal treatment self medication and empirical antituberculous treatment. Plain X-ray of pelvis, sinogram and detailed mycotic studies enabled diagnosis of actinomyces isreali. A course of co-trimoxazole was efficacious in drying up the discharge, healing of the sinuses and reversal of the patients early depressive overlay. Precise etiologic diagnosis in Mycetoma located at unusual site would enable direct efficacious antimicrobiol treatment since the lesions are caused by different organisms. BACKGROUND: Mycetoma lesions can constitute a major challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Key Words: Mycetoma gluteal region, actinomyces Isreali, mycotic Studies, Sinuses. Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol.3(2) 2004: 196-20

Prognostic Indices Of Diabetic Foot Disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic indices and outline objective factors to be considered in management of diabetic foot disease. METHOD: Forty-six diabetic feet in 38 patients were studied using a predetermined protocol of clinical and management indices. There were 24 males and 14 females giving a male:female ratio of 1.7:1. The ages ranged from 26 years to 74 years with a mean age of 52.8 years. RESULTS: The venous filling time, Meggit-Wagner grading status, associated medical condition, eye signs, duration and type of diabetes mellitus were found to correlate with prognosis. Aggressive antibiotic treatment following aerobic and anaerobic culture, radical serial debridement, and frequent dressings after hypertonic saline soaks of the limbs resulted in healing of 31 out of 46 feet (67.4%) at a mean haling time of 2.4 months. Eight limbs had major amputation giving amputation rates of 17.4%. We recorded six mortalities out of the 38 patients (15.8%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that diligent clinical assessment, prompt and aggressive antibiotic treatment, radical sequential debridement, and meticulous attention to wound dressing in a multidisciplinary setting would reduce rate of amputation and mortality in diabetic foot diseases. Where limb salvage is not possible, above knee amputation is the best option. Nig Jnl Orthopaedics & Trauma Vol.2(2) 2003: 84-8

Determinants of Patronage of Traditional Bone Setters in the Middle Belt of Nigeria

Background: Traditional bone setting is a practice that is common in our environment. This is a community based survey of opinions concerning orthodox and traditional fracture management in four states of the middle belt of Nigeria. We set out to ascertain the factors influencing preference of treatment of fractures among populations in the middle belt of Nigeria. Methodology: A community based questionnaire survey of randomly selected adults regarding preference of choice of treatment between orthodox and traditional fracture management. Results: One hundred and eighty-six questionnaires were found analyzable with a male to female ratio of 2:1. There was a preponderance of preference for orthodox fracture management (70.4%). Decisions were mainly collegiate, outside the influence of the individual; only 9.9% decided to attend traditional bone setters on their own. Conclusion: Reasons adduced for preference of traditional bone setters were incongruous and inconsistent. A fixated cultural outlook was recognized as being the motivating factor for patronage of traditional bone setters. Need for enlightenment campaign of the public against patronage of traditional bone setters is emphasized. A gradual phasing out of traditional bone setting with a road map towards making orthodox fracture management available to all is advocated. Keywords: Traditional bone setting, orthodox fracture management, preference of treatment, fixated cultural outlook. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 17 (3) 2008: pp. 356-35