Application of the hub and spokes model in improving access to cervical cancer screening in Ghana

Objective: To examine the contribution of lower-level health facilities in increasing access to cervical cancer screening in the North Tongu District. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC) of the Catholic Hospital, Battor, served as the hub, and six health facilities (3 health centres and 3 CHPS compounds) served as the spokes. From April 2018 to September 2019, the well-resourced CCPTC trained 6 nurses at selected Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) / Health Centres (HCs) (spokes) to provide cervical cancer screening services. The nurses, after training, started screening with VIA and HPV DNA testing. Participants: A total of 3,451women were screened by the trained nurses. This comprised 1,935 (56.1%) from the hub and 1,516 (43.9%) from the spokes. Main outcome measure: The detection of screen positives Results: The screen positives were 19.4% (375/1935) at the hub and 4.9% (74/1516) at the spokes. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that a hub and spokes model for cervical cancer screening is possible in limited resource settings. Designating and resourcing a 'hub' that supports a network of 'spokes' could increase women's access to cervical cancer screening. This approach could create awareness about cervical cancer screening services and how they can be accessed

Effect of Oral Administration of Ibuprofen on Prothrombin Time, Activated Partial Thromboplastin and Platelet Count in Wistar Albino Rats

Aim:Ibuprofen is analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drug, which is widely used as a cheap over-the counter drug(OTC); however, this drug accompanies anti coagulation/anti platelets effects which sometimes might illicit adverse effects. In this study, we investigated effect of ibuprofen on prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and platelet count using wistar albino rats.Methods:A total of 21 rats grouped into 3(control, acute and chronic exposure groups, with all consisting of 7rats each) was used. The acute and chronic exposure group were given 0.7mg of ibuprofen orally for 1 and 21 days, respectively. Blood sample was collected via cardiac puncture thenanalyzed.Results:PT was significantly higher in both group 2 and 3 (acute and chronic exposure, respectively)than that of the control. Acute exposure group showed the highest PT rise.A PTT was not significantly different between group 2 and 3 versus the control group. Platelet count was significantly lower in both group 2 and 3than that in the control group (p<0.05). Group 3 (chronic exposure) showed the lowest platelet count.Conclusion:Oral administration of ibuprofen affected coagulation parameters and a longer exposure reduce platelets count. A strictly prescription for this drug may be needed to prevent its indiscriminate use

Effect of Oral Administration of Diclofenac Sodium on Coagulation Factors and Some Hematological Parameters in Wister Rats

Diclofenac sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug often obtainable as a prescription drug or over the counter. It is very effective in the control of inflammation and pain due to arthritis or pains arising following many disease conditions becauseof its antipyretic, anti inflammatory and analgesic potentials. Despite the beneficial effects of diclofenac sodium, it has been implicated in some adverse effects. In this study, we examined the effect of acute and chronic administration of diclofenac sodium on some hematological (PCV, WBC differentials) and coagulation (prothrombin time, activated partial prothrombin time and platelets count) parameters of albino Wister rats using the standard methods. Twenty four Albino Wister rats were divided intothree groups of 8 rats and grouped as control, acute study and chronic study. The rats were administered 0.2 mg of diclofenac sodium for 24 hours for acute and 3 weeks for chronic studies respectively. The rats were sacrificed and blood collected for analysis of PCV, WBC differentials, prothrombin time, activated partial prothrombin time and platelets count using the standard methods. Results show that acute administration of diclofenac sodium at 0.2 mg has no effect on hematological and coagulation parameters, but chronic administration could instigate significant reduction in PCV, platelets count, neutrophils and monocytes (p<0.001), whilethere is a significant increase in PT, INR, lymphocytes (p<0.001). Considering these alterations, it is advisable that this drug should be made a strictly prescription drug in order to prevent indiscriminate use of this medication and to prevent attendant anemia and coagulopathy that may follow chronic use.

Health Risk Assessment of Chromium, Manganese and Arsenic through the Consumption of Food from Industrial Areas in South Eastern States of Nigeria

Aim: This study investigated the health risk associated with chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn) and arsenic (As) through consumption of some food crops in selected industrialized areas located in the south eastern states of Nigeria using the estimated daily intake(EDI), bioaccumulation factor(BCF), target hazard quotient(THQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk(ILCR). Study Design: Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to assess the concentrations of Cr, Mn and As in the different food crops and soils at the industrialized areas. Place and Duration: Samples were collected around industrial layouts in south east states of Nigeria. Duration was between February 2018 to September 2018. Methodology: Twelve (12) different food crops which included 3 each of vegetables, tubers fruits and nuts and their rhizophere soils were collected from farmlands close to the industries at Osisioma, Akwuuru, Ishiagu, Ngwo, Irete while Umudike was the control site for this study. Results: Mean concentrations of Cr and Mn ranged from 0.01 ± 0.01c to 26.32 ± 0.02 dmg/kg and 0.01 ± 0.00 to 5.53 ± 0.00 mg/kg while As which was Below Detection Limit (< 0.01) mg/kg. 60 and 11 0ut of 72 samples exceeded the WHO permissible limits of 0.2 and 2 mg/kg for Cr and Mn respectively. The BAF of >1 was recorded in 26 Samples out of 108 with its highest values in Pumpkin and Waterleaf suggesting it could be tried as bioindicators .THQ > 1 was recorded in all samples for different locations except for Star apple and Kolanut. ILCR values for Cr in all the samples ranged 10-2 to 10-5 exceeding the permissible range of 10-4 to 10-6. Conclusion: The exposed population has the probability of contracting cancer and other ailments due to exposure to the heavy metals in this study. Therefore, this study suggests further consideration of the metals as chemicals of concern with respect to industrial locations in South Eastern, Nigeria.

Age-associated Decline in Phosphorylated Connexin 43 Protein Expression in the Left Ventricular Tissue of Wister Rats

Cardiac arrhythmia affects ~ 6% in those over 65 years of age (old), but with 0.2% occurrence in those of 45 years and below (young). Arrhythmia can result from dysregulation of the cardiac impulse generation and its conduction. Connexin proteins are responsible for cardiac impulse conduction, and phosphorylation of connexin 43 determines its functional ability. In this study, Phosphorylated connexin 43, density and expression were assessed in ventricular tissues from young (6 months old) and old (24 monthsold) Wister rats, using the techniques of western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results show that phosphorylated Cx43 in the left ventricle of 24 months old rats significantly declined (P=0.04 & 0.01) by method of western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively, but did not differ in the right ventricle. The left ventricle is known to be responsible for cardiac output. This data suggest an age-associated decline in the expression of phosphorylated connexin 43 in the left ventricle, which may play a significant role in the development of cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly.

Antidepressant-like properties of Antiaris toxicaria aqueous extract.

Background: Depression is a global burden whose therapy is plagued with inconsistent effi cacy. Hence, the need for the discovery of newer therapies. Methods: In this study, Antiaris toxicaria extract (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, p.o.), was evaluated for antidepressant activity using behavioral tests battery particularly the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). In order to investigate its mechanism of action, animals groups were pretreated with α-methyldopa (α-MD), para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), reserpine, D-serine and 5-hydroxytryptophan. Results: It increased the mobility periods and decreased immobility periods signifi cantly in both the FST and the TST when compared to the control group. But the TST showed more promising effect than the FST. Pre-treatment with α-MD reversed the antidepressant property of A. toxicaria aqueous extract as did PCPA, reserpine and reserpine combined with α-MD. The extract increased the number of head twitches produced by 5-hydroxytryptophan confi rming the involvement of serotonin in the antidepressant property and inhibited carbachol-induced contractions on the isolated rat uterus, which was non-competitively antagonized by propranolol. Treatment with D-serine produced no signifi cant increase in the immobility time produced by the extract at the doses studied. This excludes the involvement of N-methyl-d-aspartate in the possible mechanisms of action. Conclusion: A. toxicaria possesses antidepressant-like action in rodents.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaemia in Paediatric Patients in South-East Nigeria

Background. The causes of anaemia have regional variations; and further variation is expected among paediatric hospital patients. However; the prevalence of anaemia and its contributing risk factors among paediatric patients remain understudied in South-East Nigeria.Methods. The study involved 286 anaemic (haemoglobin (Hb) ?10 g/dL) and 295 non-anaemic preschool children attending a hospital outpatient department. A clinical research form was used to document demographic data; anthropometric measurements; disease details and packed cell volume. Common anaemia risk factors previously documented were studied. The prevalence rates of the independent variables were calculated and level of significance was determined; using ?2.Results. The prevalence of anaemia was 49.2; with the highest prevalence among children 12 months old (p

Infant Feeding Practices and Growth Pattern in the First Six Months of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of Babies Attending the Infant Welfare Clinic of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital.

Background: Malnutrition which mostly is a consequence of improper feeding practices has been shown to contribute to over 50% of under-5 mortality. This means that appropriate age-specific nutritional prescription is the surest way of significantly shrinking childhood mortality especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Aim: This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study aims to determine the relationship between different infant feeding practices and the nutritional status of apparently healthy infants below six months of age attending the infant welfare clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Methods: Mother infant pairs attending the infant welfare clinic that meets the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled over a six months period. Results: Four hundred infants were enrolled for this study. Educational level (P=0.003), socioeconomic class (P=0.010), occupation (P=0.025) and infants age (P=0.001) significantly determined exclusive breast feeding (EBF) practice. Exclusively breast feed infants showed higher weight and length indices for age and sex compared to infants in other feeding group (P=0.001). Significantly lower proportion of infants in the EBF group (1.9%) compared to infants in the predominant breast feeding (PBF) 5.2% and complementary breast feeding (CBF) 9.7% feeding group showed evidence of under-weight (P=0.015). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that EBF infants were 0.12 and 0.51 times less likely to be under-weight (OR 0.12; CI 0.02-0.93) and stunted (OR 0.51; CI 0.27-0.96) respectively. Conclusion: Since malnutrition is a major contributor to neonatal and infant’s mortality in Africa, the campaign for EBF practice should not only be sustained but further strengthened as a way of halting and possibly reversing the gloomy trend.

Umbilical Cord Care Practices and Incidence of Febrile Illnesses in the First Month of Life among Newborns-A Population Based Study.

Background: Infection accounts for 13% of the approximately three million newborns deaths that occur globally every year. Poor umbilical cord hygiene in the first week of life is a well documented risk factor that increases the likelihood of neonatal infections. To curb this trend in developing countries, the World health Organization in 2013 enlisted the use of antiseptic solution as an essential medicine for cord care. Aim: This study aims to describe umbilical cord care practices among mothers in Nigeria and its association with development of fever in newborns in the first month of life. Methods: This is a population based descriptive study using nationally representative data from the 2013 edition of the Nigeria Demographic and Health survey (NDHS). For this study, 12113 women aged 15-49 years were randomly selected from households using a stratified two-stage cluster design. Logistic regression and chi-square was used in data analysis. Results: Unhealthy umbilical cord care was practiced by 27.8% of the respondents. The World Health Organization and national policy recommendation of cord care was significantly practiced by older women (P=0.002), literate mothers (P=0.001), mothers with higher educational attainment (P=0.001), mothers in the higher wealth class (P=0.001), those with access to print and electronic media (P=0.001), mother who uses hospital based postnatal check-up (P=0.001) and mothers resident in urban areas (P=0.001). Compared to newborns whose mothers applied nothing to their umbilical stumps, the odds of developing fever in the first month of life was higher in newborns whose mothers applied Oil (OR 1.79 CI 0.39-8.87); Ash (OR 3.37 CI 0.09-29.51); Toothpaste (OR 4.10 CI 1.01-16.68); Animal dung (OR 11.01 CI 1.11-111); and Other concoction (OR 2.58 CI 0.30- 22.22) to the umbilical stump and lower in newborns whose mothers applied Methylated spirit or Chlorhexidine solutions (OR 0.68 CI 0.10-5.6) to the umbilical stump. Conclusion: The need for proper hygiene of the umbilical cord using the recommended antiseptic solution must be re-emphasized among health care providers particularly targeting traditional birth attendants in rural settings. Female education and empowerment which has long been designated as one of the child survival strategy and also highlighted in this study as a strong determinant of healthy cord care practices is needed to promote this low cost and highly effective practices amongst mothers.

Effect of Sublethal Concentration of Heavy Metal Contamination on Soil Physicochemical Properties, Catalase and Dehydrogenase Activities.

The effect of sublethal contaminations (100 g/dm3) of heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) on soil enzyme and physicochemical properties was investigated after one hundred and twenty days. Soil sample without heavy metal contamination served as the control. Results indicate that Hg, Pb and Cd at 100 g/dm3 concentration caused a significant (P<0.05) change in the soil pH and electrical conductivity relative to the control. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in these soil physicochemical properties: moisture, phosphate, sulphate, chloride, calcium carbonate, total nitrogen and organic carbon when compared to the control. There were significant (P<0.05) decrease in soil dehydrogenase and catalase activities in all the metalcontaminated soil samples when compared to the control, indicating that these heavy metals increased soil acidity and electrical conductivity at this concentration and period of exposure.

Frisbee - the first artificial cervical disc of 3RD generation / Frisbee - o primeiro disco cervical artificial de 3ª geração / Frisbee - el primer disco cervical artificial de 3ra generación

OBJECTIVE: The current cervical disc arthroplasty is limited by postoperative facet joint arthritis, heterotopic ossification and segmental kyphosis. The total Frisbee disc, which has an upper convex/concave non-spherical surface and a lower flat sliding surface, is a new approach for improved outcomes. Prior to clinical application, safety and suitability tests are required. METHODS: The Frisbee is the first 3rd generation disc according to a new classification of total disc because it can precisely mimic the segmental ROM, including the soft limitation of axial rotation. The ISO 18192-1 test was carried out to determine the rate of wear debris. A FE model was used to assess the safety of prosthetic components. In the sagittal plane several variables to determine the most favorable lordotic angle were evaluated. RESULTS: Two angled prosthetic plates are safer than one sliding angled core to prevent the displacement. The lordosis of 7° of the Frisbee leads to kyphosis of no more than 2° without reduction of the ROM. The wear rate of the Frisbee is five times smaller compared to an FDA-approved disc with a spherical sliding surface. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the test results, the clinical application of Frisbee can now be studied. The postoperative kyphosis observed with other devices is not an issue with the Frisbee design. Physiological ROM is combined with the significant reduction of wear debris. For these reasons the Frisbee has the potential to provide a better balanced segmental loading reducing the degeneration of the joint surface and heterotopic ossification. .

OBJETIVO: A atual artroplastia de disco cervical é limitada pela artrite facetária pós-operatória, pela ossificação heterotópica e pela cifose segmentar. O disco Frisbee total, que tem face superior não-esférica convexo-côncava e face inferior plana e deslizante, é uma nova modalidade para melhores resultados. Antes da aplicação clínica, são necessários testes de segurança e adequação. MÉTODOS: O Frisbee é o primeiro disco de 3ª geração, de acordo com uma nova classificação de disco total, pois pode imitar precisamente a AM segmentar, incluindo a limitação suave da rotação axial. O teste ISO 18192-1 foi realizado para determinar a taxa de resíduos de desgaste. Um modelo de FE foi utilizado para avaliar a segurança dos componentes protéticos. No plano sagital, foram avaliadas diversas variáveis para determinar o ângulo de lordose mais favorável. RESULTADOS: Duas placas protéticas anguladas são mais seguras para evitar o deslocamento do que um núcleo angulado deslizante. A lordose de 7° do Frisbee leva a uma cifose de não mais de 2°, sem redução da AM. A taxa de desgaste do Frisbee é cinco vezes menor em comparação com um disco aprovado pela FDA, com superfície de deslizamento esférica. CONCLUSÕES: Com base nos resultados dos testes, a aplicação clínica do Frisbee pode, agora, ser estudada. A cifose pós-operatória, observada com outras próteses não constitui problema com o desenho do Frisbee. A AM fisiológica é combinada com a redução significativa dos detritos de desgaste. Por essas razões o Frisbee tem o potencial de fornecer uma carga segmentar mais equilibrada, reduzindo a degeneração da face articular e a ossi...

OBJETIVO: La actual artroplastia de disco cervical es limitada por la artritis facetaria posoperatoria, por la osificación heterotópica y por la cifosis segmentaria. El disco Frisbee total, que tiene faz superior no esférica, convexo-cóncava e faz interior plana y deslizante, es una nueva modalidad para mejores resultados. Antes de la aplicación clínica, se necesita de pruebas de seguridad y adecuación. MÉTODOS: El Frisbee es el primer disco de la tercera generación, de acuerdo con una nueva clasificación de disco total, pues puede imitar, con precisión, la AM segmentaria, incluyendo la limitación suave de la rotación axial. La prueba ISO 18192-1 fue realizada para determinar la tasa de residuos de desgaste. Un modelo de FE fue utilizado para evaluar la seguridad de los componentes protéticos. En el plano sagital, se evaluaron diversas variables para determinar el ángulo más favorable de lordosis. RESULTADOS: Dos placas protéticas anguladas son más seguras, para evitar el desplazamiento, que un núcleo angulado deslizante. La lordosis de 7mo del Frisbee lleva a una cifosis de no más de 2do, sin reducción de la AM. La tasa de desgaste del Frisbee es cinco veces menor en comparación con un disco aprobado por la FDA, con superficie esférica de deslizamiento. CONCLUSIONES: Con base en los resultados de las pruebas, la aplicación clínica del Frisbee puede ser estudiada en la actualidad. La cifosis posoperatoria, observada con otras prótesis, no es un problema con el diseño del Frisbee. La AM fisiológica se combina con la reducción significativa de los detritos de desgaste. Por esas razones, el Frisbee tiene el potencial para suministrar una carga segmentaria más equilibrada, reduciendo la degeneración de la fase articular y la osificación heterotópica. .

Maternal Sociodemographic Factors that Influence Full Child Immunisation Uptake in Nigeria

Background. With vaccine-preventable disease accounting for many 5-year deaths in most developing countries; it is imperative to determine the factors responsible for poor immunisation coverage in these countries. Objective. To identify maternal sociodemographic factors associated with child immunisation uptake in Nigeria. Methods. Data from a nationally representative sample of mothers (aged 15 - 49 years) were obtained from the 2008 Nigeria demographic and health survey. Logistic regressions were used to examine the association between maternal sociodemographic variables and child immunisation uptake.Results. The overall uptake of full immunisation based on the National Programme on Immunisation schedule was 30.6. There was wide variation in full immunisation uptake in the different regions in Nigeria; with 51 in the South-West; 46.5 in the South-East; 39.5 in the South-South; 6.4 in the North-West; 11.8 in the North-East and 28.2 in the North-Central. Approximately 40.2 of children surveyed had never received any form of vaccination. The most common reasons given for non-vaccination of these children were lack of information about immunisation; fear of side-effects and the immunisation centres being too far away. It was noted that uptake of vaccines with multiple dosing schedules dropped with each successive dose. Decreased likelihood for full immunisation was seen in mothers 18?years old (odds ratio (OR) 0.53; confidence interval (CI) 0.34 - 0.84) and mothers residing in the northern regions. Increased likelihood for full immunisation was seen in mothers from middle and rich classes (OR 1.26; CI 1.03 - 1.66 and OR 1.69; CI 1.27 - 2.25; respectively); mothers with higher educational level (OR 3.77; CI 1.52 - 9.32); mothers with access to media (OR 1.84; CI 1.21 - 1.68); mothers resident in urban areas (OR 1.36; CI 1.22 - 1.51) and mothers who had institutional deliveries (OR 1.86; CI 1.44 - 2.40).Conclusion. Full immunisation uptake in Nigeria is poor. Cultural disparity in different regions of Nigeria may account for the wide variation in immunisation coverage observed

Experimental testicular torsion in a rat model: effects of treatment with pausinystalia macroceras on testis functions

Testicular torsion is a medical emergency with catastrophic sequelae that deserves the same treatment considerations and concerted efforts in research as any other complicated medical condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Pausinystalia macroceras [PM] bark extract on sperm quality and serum testosterone levels in testicular torsion in a rat model. Sixty-five [65] mature male Wistar rats apportioned randomly into four experimental groups of A to C; were further divided into four subgroups according to duration of torsion. Group D were the normal regular rats. Each group/subgroup comprised five rats. Testis maintained in the torted position [T] for 1, 2, 3 and 4 hr in Group A [subgroups: A[T1]+PM, A[T2]+PM, A[T3]+PM, and A[T4]+PM]. Group B [subgroups: B[1]+PM, B[2]+PM, B[3]+PM, B[4]+PM] were sham-operated animals, which did not undergo torsion and served as the sham control group. Group C subgroups: C[T1], C[T2], C[T3] and C[T4] were torted as in A. All animals [except groups C and D] were treated by PM extract [0.1 g/kg b.w. per day] for 56 days. Group D rats were fed distilled water. Serum testosterone concentrations and sperm quality [motility and count] were measured. Analyses of variance with Scheffe's post-hoc test were carried out on the data. PM extract had a positive effect [significant; p<0.5] on the sperm count and motility in rats with testicular torsion compared to those not receiving the extract. There was also an increase in serum testosterone levels in the former groups. Treatment of rats following testicular torsion result to the enhancement of sperm production in comparison with untreated rats

The Sensitivity and Specificity of Lassa Virus IgM by ELISA as Screening Tool at Early Phase of Lassa Fever Infection

"Background: Early diagnosis; prompt treatment; and disease containment are vital measures in the management of Lassa fever (LF); a lethal and contagious arenaviral hemorrhagic disease prevalent in West Africa. Lassa Virus (LAV)-specific Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test; the gold standard for diagnosis; is unavailable in most centers. Serologic detection of LAV IgM is a more accessible tool and this work was to investigate its adequacy as an early marker for LF. Patients and Methods: A prospective case-control study conducted July 2007-March 2011 in a tertiary referral health center in Nigeria. Blood samples for test and control were evaluated for Lassa specific antigens and IgM using RT-PCR (primers S36+ and LVS 339) and indirect ELISA (Lassa Nucleo-protein (NP)-Antigen) respectively. RT-PCR outcome was used as standard to test for the sensitivity and specificity of IgM. Results: Of the 37 confirmed cases of LF infection by RT-PCR; 21 (57) were IgM positive. Amongst the 35 confirmed negative cases (control group); eight were IgM positive. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the IgM assay were 57 and 77 respectively. The negative and positive predictive values of the IgM serological assay were 63 and 72 ; respectively; while the efficiency of the test was 67. Conclusion: The specificity and sensitivity of IgM as a screening tool for early detection of LF appear weak and; hence; the need for a reliable LF ""rapid screening kit"" since RT-PCR is unavailable in most centers. In the interim; ""high clinical index of suspicion;"" irrespective of IgM status; requires urgent referral to confirmatory centers."

Antibiogram studies and extended spectrum beta-lactamase activity profile of Salmonella-like species isolated from poultry soil of the University of Uyo, Nigeria

Aims: The contribution of beta-lactamase activity of various bacterial species to the increased antimicrobial resistance being experienced worldwide is very scanty in the literature. This study was undertaken to investigate the antibiotic resistance pattern (antibiogram) of Salmonella-like bacterial species against some antibiotics, and the role beta-lactamase assumably produced by the Salmonella-like species, played in producing resistance. Methodology and Results: The antimicrobial sensitivity test and the beta-lactamase test of the Salmonella-like species were carried out using the methods of Kirby Bauer sensitivity test and the Double Disk Synergy test respectively, following isolation and identification of the organisms from poultry soil. Results revealed that Salmonella-like species were most highly resistant to Nalidixic acid (20, 66.66%), followed by Tetracycline (19, 63.33%), Cotrimoxazole, Amoxicillin and Augmentin (18, 60%), while the least was Ofloxacin (8, 26.66%). Multiple resistance of 4 or more antibiotics among the isolates from the soil outside the broilers enclosure was observed, while there was a significant difference (P <0.05) between poultry soil and control soil. This implied that the antibiotics with the highest resistance were most often applied to the birds, the droppings of which contaminated the soil. The resistant pattern of the isolates from the control soil is lower than that from the poultry soil. Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase activity was expressed by all the isolates against Cefotazime, while the least resistance was against mostly Cefotazime. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: It is concluded that there is a widespread Beta-lactamase activity causing antibiotic resistance by many species of bacteria as well as poultry Salmonella, thus exacerbating the global problem of antibiotic resistance and a serious health related implication for antibiotic use in poultry.

Effect of colocasia esculenta [Taro cocoyam] based diets on hepatic cholesterol and phospholipid levels in albino rats

Fifty albino rats randomly distributed into 5 groups of 10 rats each, were respectively fed growers mash as the control diet, 25% and 50% sun-dried, fried taro [Colocasia esculenta], and 25% and 50% sun-dried, unfried taro supplemented diets for 30 days. Hepatic cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations were measured colorimetrically. There were statistically significant changes in the body weight of the animals over time, with significant lower body weight gain in the animals fed the experimental diets than those on control diet [P < 0.05]. There were also statistical significant increase and decrease in the mean feed intake of the animals fed fried taro and unfried taro diets respectively, in comparison with those on control diet [P < 0.05]. Significant decreases in hepatic total, free and esterified cholesterol concentrations as well as in the hepatic phospholipid levels were observed in the animals fed taro supplemented diets [P < 0.05]. Diet supplementation with fried taro cormels can be recommended for reduction and maintenance of low hepatic lipid concentrations