Infection risk in Gustilo and Anderson type III tibia and fibular fractures treated with external fixation in a tertiary hospital of a developing country

Background: Open fractures of the tibia and fibula present with multiple management challenges of wound care, bone stabilization, potential risk of infection and its control. Attempt to resolve this problem, stabilization of the fracture with external fixators was introduced. However, this procedure predisposes infection too. This was an overview of the disposition of infection in the course of managing type III fractures in our center.Methods: This was a retrospective study of disposition of infection in Gustilo and Anderson type III open fractures of the tibia and fibula treated with external fixation device over ten years in Jos university teaching hospital. Data extracted from patients records and operation notes included age, sex, nature of open fracture with respect to Gustilo and Anderson classification in theater. Wound culture reports extracted early and weeks after commencement of treatment. The findings were analyzed using Epi info statistical software version 3.5.3.Results: A total of 74 patients, 63 (85.1%) males and 11 (14.9%) females (M:F=5.7:1) with mean age of 37.97±13.57 years. The mean duration of injury-presentation time was 13.48±38.73 days, 41 (55.4%). Patients that present with clinical infection were 40 (54.1%) among which staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 21 (28.3%). While treatment was on, the flora became altered. Motor cycles were responsible for 25 (33.7%), gunshots 20 (27%), motor vehicle injuries 19 (25.6%) while pedestrians accounted for 9 (12.2%).Conclusions: Type III fractures sustained from high energy risk of infections due to late presentation in our setting. Bacterial isolates tend to alter in course of hospitalization

Testicular Morpho-histometry and Semen Quality of Three Strains of Chickens

A study was conducted to compare the testicular morphology and semen quality of three strains (FUNAAB-Alpha, ISA brown and Bantam) of chickens. A total of 45, thirty four week old cocks were used for the six months study. Semen samples were collected weekly by abdominal massage technique and semen volume, colour, pH, motility, percentage live, normal and sperm concentration were evaluated. Testes and Vas deferens were collected from all the cocks at the end of the experimental period and their gross morphological data recorded. Strain influenced (P< 0.05) gross testicular morphology. Weights of paired testes were 23.98, 23.23, and 11.80 g for the FUNAAB-alpha, Isa brown and Bantam, respectively. Testicular weight (paired, left, and right) and lengths were consistently lower (P< 0.05) for the Bantam. Testicular width was similar among the three strains. Gross motility was similar for the FUNAAB- alpha (79.82%) and ISA brown (81.18%) while the Bantam (54.63%) had the lowest (P< 0.05) mean. Sperm concentration was highest (P< 0.001) for the Bantam while the other two had similar values. It was concluded that the FUNAAB- alpha compared favourably with the ISA brown but was superior to the Bantam in semen quality and testicular morphology

LAS NUEVAS ASOCIACIONES DE BIBLIOTECARIOS DE CASTILLA-LA MANCHA PRESENTAN PARA RUIDERAE… EL “EQUIPO B” DE ASOCIACIONES DE BIBLIOTECARIOS DE CASTILLA-LA MANCHA.

Lo que hemos llamado el “Equipo B” de defensa bibliotecaria es un pequeño grupo de valientes profesionales que luchan por dignificar la profesión, mejorar cada día en su trabajo y dar visibilidad a la figura del bibliotecario. Todos los que formamos parte de este peculiar equipo somos bibliotecarios municipales, que llevamos ya unos cuantos lustros trabajando en bibliotecas y que, más allá de nuestras diferentes experiencias y nuestras propias y personales historias, somos unos apasionados de las bibliotecas, amamos nuestro trabajo y luchamos cada día por mejorar y dignificar nuestra profesión

Cognitive performance profiles by latent classes of drug use

Background and Objectives: The relationship between substance use and cognitive deficits is complex and requires innovative methods to enhance understanding. The present study is the first to use LCA to examine associations of drug use patterns with cognitive performance. Methods: Cocaine/heroin users (N = 552) completed questionnaires, and cognitive measures. LCA identified classes based on past-month drug use and adjusted for probabilities of group membership when examining cognitive performance. Latent indicators were: alcohol (ALC), cigarettes (CIG), marijuana (MJ), crack smoking (CS), nasal heroin (NH), injection cocaine (IC), injection heroin (IH), and injection speedball (IS). Age and education were included as covariates in model creation. Results: Bootstrap likelihood ratio test (BLRT) supported a 5-class model. Prevalent indicators (estimated probability of over 50%) for each class are as follows: “Older Nasal Heroin/Crack Smokers” (ONH/CS, n = 166.9): ALC, CIG, NH, CS; “Older, Less Educated Polysubstance” (OLEP, n = 54.8): ALC, CIG, CS, IH, IC, and IS; “Younger Multi-Injectors” (MI, n = 128.7): ALC, CIG, MJ, IH, IC, and IS; “Less Educated Heroin Injectors” (LEHI, n = 87.4): CIG, IH; and “More Educated Nasal Heroin” users (MENH, n = ALC, CIG, NH. In general, all classes performed worse than established norms and older, less educated classes performed worse, with the exception that MENH demonstrated worse cognitive flexibility than YMI. Discussion and Conclusions: This study demonstrated novel applications of a methodology for examining complicated relationships between polysubstance use and cognitive performance. Scientific Significance: Education and/or nasal heroin use are associated with reduced cognitive flexibility in this sample of inner city drug users

Development and implementation of a potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine: A systematic review and meta-analysis of vaccine clinical trials.

Background: To date, there is no comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the suitability of COVID-19 vaccines for mass immunization. The current systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of novel COVID-19 vaccine candidates under clinical trial evaluation and present a contemporary update on the development and implementation of a potential vaccines. Methods: For this study PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase electronic databases were used to search for eligible studies on the interface between novel coronavirus and vaccine design until December 31, 2020. Results: We have included fourteen non-randomized and randomized controlled phase I-III trials. Implementation of a universal vaccination program with proven safety and efficacy through robust clinical evaluation is the long-term goal for preventing COVID-19. The immunization program must be cost-effective for mass production and accessibility. Despite pioneering techniques for the fast-track development of the vaccine in the current global emergency, mass production and availability of an effective COVID-19 vaccine could take some more time. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a revisiting of the reported solicited and unsolicited systemic adverse events for COVID-19 candidate vaccines. Hence, it is alarming to judiciously expose thousands of participants to COVID-19 candidate vaccines at Phase-3 trials that have adverse events and insufficient evidence on safety and effectiveness that necessitates further justification

Epidemiologic characteristics, clinical management and Public Health Implications of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and meta-analysis

Background:  The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by the pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, is exponentially spreading across the globe. Methods: The current systematic review was performed utilizing electronic databases i.e. PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE. We searched for the keywords "COVID-19 AND "pregnancy" between January 1st, 2020 until December 31, 2020. Results: Out of 4005 records which were identified, 36 original studies were included in this systematic review. Pooled prevalence of vertical transmission was 10%, 95% CI: 4-17%. Pooled prevalence of neonatal mortality was 7%, 95% CI: 0-21%. Conclusion: The contemporary evidence suggests that the incubation period of COVID-19 is 2-14 days, and this infection could be transmitted even from the infected asymptomatic individuals. It is found that the clinical presentation of pregnant women with COVID-19 infection is comparable with the infected non-pregnant females, and the frequent symptoms were fever, cough, myalgia, sore throat and malaise. There are some cases with severe maternal morbidity and perinatal deaths secondary to COVID-19 infection. Under these circumstances, the pregnant women should focus on maintaining personal hygiene, proper nutrition and extreme social distancing to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Therefore, a systematic data reporting for evidence base clinical assessment, management and pregnancy outcomes is essential for prevention of COVID-19 infection among pregnant women

El barranc de la Boella de la Canonja (Tarragonès) revisitat en la intervenció arqueològica preventiva de l'any 2007

El barranc de la Boella de la Canonja és un jaciment descobert en el primer terç del segle XX. Cinquanta anys després de la seva descoberta, la publicació d'aquest jaciment pels senyors R. Capdevila i S. Vilaseca va permetre actualitzar l'escàs coneixement de la bioestratigrafia del quaternari del Camp de Tarragona (Vilaseca, 1973). Tal com assenyala el mateix S. Vilaseca, la presència de fòssils de mamífers en el barranc va ser donada a conèixer per J. R. Bataller en la memòria explicativa del segon mapa geològic del full 473 de l'IGME corresponent a Tarragona (Bataller, 1935). El mateix S. Vilaseca apunta altres descobertes de mamífers ressenyades en el Camp de Tarragona, com la nota de Faura i Sans sobre un fragment de molar de proboscidi que Harlé determinaria com Elephas meridionalis el mateix any (Faura i Sans, 1920; Harlé, 1920). Aquesta resta va ser enviada per A. Romaní, aleshores director del Museu Balaguer de Vilanova i la Geltrú, a qui li van fer arribar des d'unes pedreres del Port de Tarragona. Els treballs geològics de M. Faura i Sans, J.R. Bataller i S. Vilaseca durant el primer quart del segle XX protagonitzaren el desenvolupament de la geologia, la paleontologia i la prehistòria en el marc del Servei del Mapa de la Mancomunitat de Catalunya

Glove Punctures in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery: Frequency and Nature of Occurrence

Background: Glove punctures are a common occurrence in surgical practice and especially in orthopedic practice. Intact gloves protect members of the operating team from transmission of blood borne infections. Glove punctures however expose the members of the operating team to body fluids and increase the risk of these infections. With the prevalence of conditions such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, this study aims at determining the rate of and factors that determine glove perforations.Methodology: Gloves were collected from consecutive orthopedic procedures, and were tested using the standardized water leak test The gloves were assessed for leaks and a control group of unused gloves from the same pack was tested similarly after each procedure.Results: A glove perforation rate of 7.7% (119/1548) was found with operative perforation rate of 48.2%. The surgeons' glove was the most frequently perforated 19.3% (85/440). The Index finger and thumb were the most commonly perforated digits 70.8% and 15.6% of perforations respectively. The outer glove had a higher rate compared to inner glove 80.7% to 19.3% respectively. Surgeries lasting more than 90minutes were associated with more perforations (70.4%).Conclusion: The use of double gloving techniques is advocated and a change of outer gloves for prolonged procedures is encouraged as this will reduce the risk of exposure.Key Words: Glove, Punctures, Orthopedics, surgery

Assessing pre-prosthetic rehabilitation outcome of amputees with major limb amputation at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano

Background: Major limb amputation is the removal of part or a whole of a limb proximal to the wrist or the ankle. It is the last, albeit&nbsp; valuable option when limb salvage is impossible. It impacts negatively on patients’ participation in valued activities, body image&nbsp; perception and quality of life, hence multi-disciplinary approach is rewarding.Methods: A hospital based prospective study carried out at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano between August 2014 and July 2015. A proforma was filled which included demographics, clinical history, diagnosis, type of surgery done and clinical outcome. Rehabilitation was assessed using functional independent measure. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 for windows.Results: Fifty four participants completed the study. Patients' age ranged from 18-82 years. Mean age for females was 33 years±16.51 and males 28.36 years±16.62. Thirty (55.6%) were between the ages of 18-30years. Majority(94.4%) were of the working age group (18-60years). Amputations due to trauma (n=46) had higher Functional Independent Measure (FIM) mean score of 117.50±3.582 with a p-value of 0.00 (not significant).&nbsp; Upper limb amputations (n- 15) had better FIM score of 118.67±0.62 with a p-value of 0.00. Patients 60 years&nbsp; and below (n=51) recorded FIM scores of 118.29±1.171 with a P-value of 0.00.(better than the elderly). Females (n=12) had better FIM mean score of 117.67±2.84 with a P-value of 0.00.Conclusion: Pre-prosthetic rehabilitation is better in amputations due to trauma, in females, younger age group and in upper limbs