Methods Adopted in the Preservation of Fish and their Health Implications to the People of Sampou, Bayelsa State

The methods adopted to preserve fish can affect its nutritional quality owing to the likelihood of deposition of chemical and biological agents, which can also be injurious to health upon consumption. This study aimed to assess the impact of these preservation methods on the health of the people of Sampou. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among people of Sampou, aged between 15-60 years. Data were collected from 364 respondents using interview and self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The study shows that smoking is the most common method of fish preservation in Sampou because it's easily accessible. Result of the study also revealed that fish preservation methods have health implications, such as burns, eye irritation, cough, asthma exacerbation, bronchitis, fever and chest pain. Although, smoking tends to prolong the shelf life of the fish it impacts adversely on health. It was recommended that farmers should seek support to build a solar powered cold room storage in Sampou, while the government should provide funds which will help fish farmers get better equipment. Medical officers and other healthcare workers should encourage regular medical screening and check up for fish farmers.

Biochemical and liver histological changes in rats exposed to sub-lethal dose of Uproot-pesticide and the protective potentials of nutritional supplements

This study determined the therapeutic potentials of vitamin C, glutathione, and garlic on the hepatic andhistological changes induced by uproot-pesticide on albino Wistar rats. All animal groups (except normalcontrol) received intraperitoneally 50 mg/kg body weight of uproot-pesticide (a commercially formulatedglyphosate-based herbicide) on alternate days and daily oral administration (except Uproot control) of 20 mg/kg body weight of glutathione, vitamin C, and garlic as nutritional supplements singly and in combination for28 days. Liver function and oxidative stress parameters of the liver were determined using blood and liversamples. Histological studies were done on the liver tissue. The values obtained showed significant variationof measured parameters in Uproot control compared to groups administered nutritional supplements and thecontrol. These variations indicated oxidative liver damage and significant therapeutic potential of the nutritionalsupplements. Other observed significant and non-significant changes were discussed.

Hematological Changes and Antidiabetic Activities of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schatt Stem Tuber Aqueous Extract in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Managementofbloodglucoselevelisthehallmarkinthetreatmentofdiabetes.MuchworkhasnotbeendoneonthemanagementofdiabetesusingthestemtuberextractofColocasiaesculenta.TheobjectiveofthisstudywastoevaluatetheantihyperglycemicandhematologicalparameteronColocasiaesculentaaqueousstemextractinalloxaninduceddiabeticrats.Sixty(60)maleratswereusedinthestudy.Sevendaysofacclimatization,theratsweredividedrandomlyintosixgroupsoffiveineachgroup.Group1:Servedasnormalcontrol,Group2:Diabeticcontrolgroup(negativecontrol),Group3:Diabeticgroupand“Glucinorm-M80”(positivecontrol),Group4:Diabeticgroupandextractat200mg/kgbodyweight,Group5:Diabeticgroupandextractat400mg/kg,Group6:Diabeticgroupandextractat600mg/kg.Diabeteswasinducedinalbinoratsby intraperitonealinjectionofalloxanatasingledoseof120mg/kgbodyweightingroups2to6afterstarvingthemfor24hrs.Theanimalsweregivenfeedandwateradlibitum.ThealbinoratswereadministeredfortwentyeightdayswiththeaqueousColocasiaesculentastemtuber,afterwhichtheywerefastedovernight,anaesthetizedwithchloroformandsacrificed.Theresultshowedthattherewasasignificantincrease(p<0.05)inmeanbodyweightofthepositivecontrolandthetreatmentgroups(200mg/kgto600mg/kg)whencomparedwiththenegativecontrolwhichhasasignificantdecrease(p<0.05)inmeanbodyweight.Theresultalsoshowedasignificantincrease(P<0.05)intheconcentrationsofRBC,PCV,HB,whilePLTandMCHshowedsignificantdecrease(P<0.05)inthetreatmentgroupsandnegativecontrolgroupwhencomparedwiththenormalcontrolgroup.Alsotherewasanosignificant(P<0.05)differenceinMCHCofthetreatmentgroupswhencomparedwiththecontrolgroupandnegativecontrolgroup.Alsotherewasasignificantdifferenceinglycosylatehemoglobinofthetreatmentgroupswhencomparedwiththecontrolgroupandnegativegroup.ThisstudyhasdemonstratedthataqueousstemtuberextractofColocasiaesculentahasasignificantincreaseonbodyweightwhichmayhavearoleofimprovingthestatesofpossibleweightlossfollowingcomplicateddiabetes.Also,aqueousstemtuberextractofColocasiaesculentahasanameliorativeeffectonsugarlevelandsomehematologicalparametersofalloxaninduceddiabeticratsshowingeffectivediabeticcontrolandmanagementofdiabetes

COVID-19 infection: Knowledge, attitude, practices, and impact among healthcare workers in a South-Eastern Nigerian state

Introduction: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection rate and mortality among Nigerian health care workers appear to be on the increase. This study determined the level of knowledge, attitude, practices, and impact of COVID-19 infection on healthcare workers (HCWs) working in a South-Eastern Nigerian state.Methodology: This was a web-based, cross-sectional study conducted among healthcare workers in South-eastern, Nigeria during the lockdown period. Socio-demographic profile, knowledge of COVID-19, fears and impact concerning COVID-19, attitude of health workers to work, preventive practices during this pandemic period were obtained. Data were analysed using STATA 16.0. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests of association were used to determine the association between variables, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 403 health care workers participated in the study. Majority of participants (n = 357, 88.59%) had good knowledge and good preventive practices (n = 328, 81.39%) of COVID-19. A significant proportion of respondents had a poor attitude to work (n = 101, 25.06%) and an attitude of indifference (n = 233, 57.82%). Almost half (48.64%) of participants had been negatively affected by COVID-19. Knowledge significantly influenced practice (p = 0.029). Lack of Personal protective equipment, fear of dying and going to common places, had a significant impact on the attitude of workers. Conclusion: Good knowledge which influenced practice, high use of preventive practices, with associated poor and indifferent attitude was noted among healthcare workers. Fear of death and lack of personal protective equipment had a strong impact on attitude. Female HCWs had poorer attitude to work than males

Effect of Storage Containers on the Microbial Load of Domestic Water from Three Sources Treated with Moringa oleifera and Citrullus lanatus Seed Powders

Aim: The effect of storage containers on the microbial load of domestic water from three sources treated with Moringa oleifera and Citrullus lanatus seed powders in Lekwesi, Abia State was assessed. Study Design: The jar test method was used for the treatments. One gram (1.0g) each of the plant seed (Moringa oleifera and water melon seeds) was weighed and was added separately into 1000 ml of water samples in the different storage containers (clay lined pots, iron/steel tanks and polypyrene plastic drums, respectively). The mixture was stirred rapidly for 3 minutes and allowed to stand undisturbed for 1 hour, after which the top water was decanted. Place and Duration of Study: Advanced Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Gregory University Uturu, from May to July, 2018. Methodology: Tenfold serial dilutions was used for processing of all the water samples, after which the volume of exactly 0.5ml of the water sample was planted on the media using the spread plate method and incubated appropriately and other standard microbiological methods were employed to determine microbial loads. Results: The river water samples had the highest microbial load of 1.2x103-2.0x108cfu/ml and were reduced to 1.8x107cfu/ml and 1.8x108cfu/ml by M. oleifera and C. lanatus seed powders after an hour of storage respectively. The well water samples had the least microbial counts of 0.9 x101-1.2 x104 cfu/ml, and were reduced to 0.5x101cfu/ml and 5.9 x103cfu/ml by M. oleifera and C. lanatus seed powders respectively. The potential pathogenic bacteria (TPPB) were reduced to 3.0 x102cfu/ml by M. oleifera, while C. lanatus was unable to reduce the TPPB after an hour. The microbial load decreased constantly within 24h in the various storage containers (steel, clay and plastic), but increased steadily from 72h to the 336h of post storage. The clay-lined and iron-steel pots maintained the same microbial counts after 4h post storage, but differed significantly after 24h, while the polypyrene plastic drum had the highest microbial count. There was absence of TPPB and Total Faecal Coliform Count (TFCC) in the well water samples after the treatment with M. oleifera. Conclusion: M. oleifera was found to be a better water treatment than C. lanatus, while the clay-lined pot served as the best domestic water storage container.

Gas Chromatographic FID Evaluation of Roots of Manniophyton fulvum

The phytochemical composition of the root extract of Manniophyton fulvumwas screened by gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization and pulse flame photometric detectors. Among the twenty flavonoids detected, only quercetin (107.44mg/100g), kaemoferol (66.19mg/100g), quercetrin (49.87mg/100g), rutin (28.52mg/100g) and, apigenin (28.67mg/100g) representing (37.99%,23.41%, 10.14%, 17.64%, and 10.09%) respectively were prominent. The rest were in insignificantamount. The aqueous root extract contain nine glycoside compound consisting mainly of digoxin (27.166mg/100mg 58.5%), digitoxin (17.9 mg/100g (38.51%) and 0.8mg/100g (2.99%) of kampferol-3-rhamnoside.The rest were of a very little amount. For saponin, theFID gas chromatography analysis revealed that euphol, saponine, sapogenin had the highest concentration of 20.268490mg/100g, 0.3369mg/100g, and 0.065978mg/100g making up of 97.9%,1.62% and 0.3% percentage composition respectively. The rest were ininsignificant amount. Seven benzoicacids were detected by the GC-FID consisting mainly of p-hydroxyl benzoic 6.288160mg/100g (65.4%), gallic acid 2.96280 mg/100g (30.8%) and gentisic acid 0.355mg/100g (3.71%). Out of the ten carotenoid detected, the highest concentration were violaxanthine 47.80526 (49.95%), astraxanthine 26.62538, (27.82%), lutein 8.24911 (8.93%) and neoxanthine 6.54195mg/100g. (6.84%). For phytosterol, the bioactive compound include sitosterol 14.2007mg/100g (71.53%), campesterol 3.54mg/100g (17.85%) and stigmasterol 2.1093mg/100g (10.6%) making up highest concentration. Three allicin compound were detected which include diallylthiosulphinate (95.92%), methyl allylthiosulphinate (3.50%) and allyl methyl thiosulphinate (0.58%). These results show that Manniophyton fulvum has many bioactive molecules suggesting strong therapeutic and nutraceutical potentials suggesting their likely uses in the management and prevention of diseases.

Information needs and sources for ebola virus disease among staff of a college of medicine in ENUGU, Nigeria

This study was carried out to ascertain the information needs and sources for Ebola among staff of College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. A total of 200 questionnaires were used to elicit information from the respondents. The 200 questionnaire were administered to the respondents and all the responses were retrieved accordingly for data analysis. The data were analyzed using percentages. Findings showed that a good number of the respondents correctly identified best preventive measures against Ebola as avoiding raw foods especially under cooked meat and washing hands regularly with soap or use of hand sanitizers. This show the respondents are aware of the disease. Information is needed most on the causes of Ebola virus and television and radio were major sources of information on Ebola. In conclusion, the study noted that there is need for planned and proper dissemination of information on of Ebola Virus Disease. This will help the citizens to prevent the disease as well as manage any outbreak.

Leaf Epidermal Studies in the Species of Stachytarpheta Found in Awka, Nigeria and its Taxonomic Implications.

The foliar epidermal and stomata study of the Stachytarpheta species present in Awka, south eastern Nigeria was carried out using standard anatomical procedure. The genus is a family of Verbenaceae and has three species in it which are present in the region. They include Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Stachytarpheta cayannensis and Stachytarpheta angustifolia. The study showed that epidermal cell shape, stomatal type and stomata shape both on adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the three plants were almost similar with little variation in S. cayannensis. The analysis of variance of stomata length, stomata size and epidermal cell size showed no significant difference between Stachytarpheta species (p>0.05) but thickness of upper epidermis, lower epidermis, stomata width and stomata index showed a significant difference between Stachytarpheta species (p<0.05). Finally, most of these characters studied were important taxonomic tools in the delimitation of the three species. Duncan multiple range test however, revealed the species relationship. Therefore, this study showed more affinity between S. jamaicensis and S. angustifolia, hence, delimiting S. cayannensis.

Nauclea latifolia aqueous leaf extract eliminates hepatic and cerebral Plasmodium berghei parasite in experimental mice

Objective: To assess the effects of hot water leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia (N. latifolia) on antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation values and parasite levels in hepatic and brain tissue of experimental mice (BALB/c) infected with Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) malaria. Methods: Forty nine mice were divided into seven groups (n = 7) and used for the study. Group A (control) were given 0.2 mL/kg phosphate buffer saline; Group B mice were infected with P. berghei and treated with phosphate buffer saline. Groups C and D mice were also infected but treated with 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract respectively. Groups E and F mice were not infected, but received 200 and 300 mg/kg of leaf extract respectively. Group G mice were infected and treated with chloroquine (5 mg/ kg). Liver and brain tissues of mice were prepared for both biochemical assay and microscopic examination. Results: Results showed that P. berghei malaria infection induced oxidative stress in both liver and brain tissues as evidenced by the significant (P < 0.05) decrease in antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase. These reductions perhaps caused compromise in membrane integrity as indicated by the significant increase in lipid peroxidation product malondialdhyde. Malaria parasites were also identified in these tissues. However, N. latifolia treatment eliminated the parasites in tissues and protected them from oxidative damage even better than chloroquine treatment did, whose anti-malarial potency also cleared tissue parasites. The measurement of protection by N. latifolia against damage was strengthened by the insignificant micro structural alterations. Conclusions: The bioactive phytochemical(s) in N. latifolia should be structured and the mechanism(s) of its antimalarial tendency should be further investigated.

Nauclea latifolia aqueous leaf extract eliminates hepatic and cerebral Plasmodium berghei parasite in experimental mice

Objective:To assess the effects of hot water leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia (N. latifolia) on antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation values and parasite levels in hepatic and brain tissue of experimental mice (BALB/c) infected with Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) malaria. Methods:Forty nine mice were divided into seven groups (n=7) and used for the study. Group A (control) were given 0.2 mL/kg phosphate buffer saline;Group B mice were infected with P. berghei and treated with phosphate buffer saline. Groups C and D mice were also infected but treated with 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract respectively. Groups E and F mice were not infected, but received 200 and 300 mg/kg of leaf extract respectively. Group G mice were infected and treated with chloroquine (5 mg/kg). Liver and brain tissues of mice were prepared for both biochemical assay and microscopic examination. Results:Results showed that P. berghei malaria infection induced oxidative stress in both liver and brain tissues as evidenced by the significant (P Conclusions:The bioactive phytochemical(s) in N. latifolia should be structured and the mechanism(s) of its antimalarial tendency should be further investigated.

Evaluation of pharmacological potentials of the ethanolic extract of a mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) grown in FCT.

The aim of this research work is to evaluate the pharmacological potentials of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidium grown in Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria. Phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of ethanolic extract were carried out. The phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of pharmacological constituents such as: steroids, triterpenoid, carbohydrate, cardiac glycosides and glycosides .The antibacterial activity of the extract was conducted using well agar diffusion method on four clinical bacterial isolate which are identified using various standard biochemical tests. The extract shows activity on: Escherichia coli (12mm), Klebsiella pneumonia (12mm), Proteus mirabilis (13mm) and Streptococcus spp (14mm) at 1000mg/ml respectively .The antioxidant potentiality of the extract was also evaluated using the stable radical 1,1- Diphenyl-l-pienyl hydroxyl (DPPH) and the IC50 of the standards and extract was obtained at 0.06, 0.13, and 0.23 respectively.

The Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates from Clinical Specimens in a Tertiary Hospital; South East Nigeria

Pathogenic microorganisms resistant to commonly used antibiotics are of worldwide concern. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been reported worldwide and causes both hospital and community-associated infections in humans. Sixty-five (65) Staphylococcus aureus isolates from clinical samples were screened for methicillin resistance in order to evaluate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital; Abakaliki and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of MRSA strains. Susceptibility testing of the isolates to oxacillin and to some other conventional antimicrobial sensitivity discs commonly used in the study area was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Of the 65 Staphylococcus aureus isolates screened; 15 (23) were susceptible to methicillin while 50 (77) were resistant to methicillin. The Methicillin-resistant isolates showed 100resistance to ciprofloxacin; ceftriaxone; nitrofurantoin and erythromycin. The percentage resistance recorded for other antibiotics were ofloxacin (88); ampicillin (76); gentamicin (72); while the lowest resistance; (40) was recorded for vancomycin. It was noted that vancomycin is still the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of MRSA infections. It was concluded that the prevalence of MRSA is high in the study area; and this should necessitate caution in the prescription of antibiotics without proper indication

Utilization of lipids during aestivation of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens.

Sequential alterations of body weights as well as total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and ketone body levels in the blood of Protopterus annectens during twelve month duration of aestivation were investigated. The results revealed that after the first trimester of dormancy, there was significant body weight reduction (p<0.05) coupled with significant hypolipodaemia, hypotriacylgly-cerolaemia and hypocholesterolaemia respectively (p<0.05) but without significant ketonaemia (p<0.05). The total lipid, triglyceride, cholesterol and body weight reductions continued through the second, third and fourth trimesters of aestivation respectively (p<0.05) but with serum ketone body levels remaining unaltered (p<0.05). Thus, the utilization of lipids as a source of energy during aestivation of P. annectens does not lead to ketone body accumulation.

Medical rehabilitation of leprosy patients discharged home in Abia and Ebonyi states of Nigeria

To examine the extent to which medical coverage is available to discharged leprosy patients in communities. Evidence has shown that after care services, follow-up visits and national disease prevention programs are important components of medical rehabilitation to leprosy patients discharged home after treatment. Denying them accessibility to these services could expose them to multiple disabilities as well as several disease conditions including HIV/AIDS. These adverse health conditions could be averted if health workers extend healthcare services to discharged leprosy patients. This study was conducted to examine the extent to which discharged leprosy patients have access to healthcare services in the communities. All 33 leprosy patients who were fully treated with multidrug therapy [MDT] and discharged home in the two leprosy settlements in Abia and Ebonyi States of Nigeria were included in this study. The list of discharged leprosy patients studied and their addresses were provided by the leprosy settlements where they were treated. Also, snowball-sampling method was used to identify some of the leprosy patients whose addresses were difficult to locate in the communities. Instruments for data collection were questionnaire, interview guide and checklist. These were administered because respondents were essentially those with no formal education. Analysis of data was done quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings showed that 20 [60.6%] of discharged patients did not receive health programs like HIV/AIDS prevention or family planning. Also, follow-up visits and after-care services were poor. About 14 [42.4%] of the patients live in dirty and overcrowded houses. On the whole, discharged patients were poorly medically rehabilitated [mean score: 4.7 +/- 1.1 out of total score of 7]. Denying discharged leprosy patients opportunity of accessing health care services could increase prevalence of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS among them. There is need to extend national prevention programs, follow-up visits, after-care services and free treatment to discharged patients in the communities

The bowel habits of adolescents in Nigeria.

Background: The implications of defaecation patterns to health are important. The abnormalities can be readily recognized and treated only if the normal pattern is known. Methods: This cross sectional study involved 1115 adolescents enrolled using a stratified multi-stage random sampling technique. A self-administered and semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on stool frequency, volume, colour and consistency. Data were compared between low and high across socioeconomic strata. Results: There were 481 males (overall mean age: 15.2+1.9 years). Participants were on mixed carbohydrate rich diet with both high and low fibre content.. Stool frequency was at least once daily in 77.3%, once in alternate days (17.4%) and once in >3days (5.3%). There was no association between stool frequency and gender (p=0.141) or age (p=0.345). More participants from the high (64.9%) than the low (35.1%) social classes opened their bowels once in >3days (p=0.048). More males produced larger stool volumes (>200ml) than females, (p=0.000). More than half (50.5%) of the participants reported passing brownish stool, 46.3% yellow stool and 3.2% greenish brown stool. Passage of soft stool was reported by 74.9% of the participants. Overall, 3.4% of participants had passed blood in their stool at some time. Conclusion: Majority of Nigerian adolescents passed 25-200 ml of soft stool atleast once daily and age and gender did not affect stool frequency. High socioeconomic status was associated with passage of hard stool and less frequent bowel opening. This data could facilitate early recognition of deviation from normal bowel habits in Nigerian adolescents.

Patients' Perception of Traditional Bone Setting in Calabar

Background: Patients with orthopaedic injuries patronize traditional bonesetters in our communities. This study was undertaken to find out and document the reasons and factors responsible for this patronage; who made the choice; the role of healthworkers; patients' perception of the practice and if their experience will encourage or discourage them from patronizing traditional bone setting in future. We also compared the cost between orthodox and traditional bone setting for close humeral and femoral fractures. Methods: A prospective study of patients in three traditional bone setting centres in Calabar . A pre-tested questionnaire requesting information on age; sex; educational level; type of injury; reasons for choice of traditional bone setting was administered. Other details included who decided on traditional treatment; perception of outcome; and the option of choice in the event of a future injury. Results: There were 98 patients with 106 injuries. The male: female ratio was 66:32 (2.1:1) and age range was 9 months to 60 years. There were 76 fractures in 68 patients; 28 dislocations and 2 brachial plexus injuries. Traditional bone setting was chosen in 50 patients (51.0) because traditional bonesetters were believed to be more skillful than orthodox orthopaedic practitioners; 32 patients (32.7) thought it was cheaper; 12 patients (12.2) believed orthodox orthopaedic practitioners have no empathy towards their patients and 4 patients (4.1) had no health facility in their locality. In 68 patients (69.4) the locus of decision was external; in 22 patients (22.4) internal and 8 patients (8.2) were encouraged by a healthworker. Complications including pain; mal/nonunion; joint stiffness and contractures occurred in 60 patients (61.2). Treatment outcome was adjudged satisfactory by 48 patients (49.0); fair by 40 patients (40.8) and unsatisfactory by 10 patients (10.2). Traditional bone setting for the management of humeral and femoral fractures was more expensive than orthodox management. Conclusion: Traditional bone setting is popular for varied reasons. The freedom to advertise may have helped to woo a public already biased towards traditional bone setting by cultural attachment. A paradigm shift is necessary to reverse the trend

Patients' perception of traditional bone setting in Calabar

Background: Patients with orthopaedic injuries patronize traditional bonesetters in our communities. This study was undertaken to find out and document the reasons and factors responsible for this patronage; who made the choice; the role of healthworkers; patients' perception of the practice and if their experience will encourage or discourage them from patronizing traditional bone setting in future. We also compared the cost between orthodox and traditional bone setting for close humeral and femoral fractures.Methods: A prospective study of patients in three traditional bone setting centres in Calabar. A pre-tested questionnaire requesting information on age; sex; educational level; type of injury; reasons for choice of traditional bone setting was administered. Other details included who decided on traditional treatment; perception of outcome; and the option of choice in the event of a future injury. Results: There were 98 patients with 106 injuries. The male: female ratio was 66:32 (2.1:1) and age range was 9 months to 60 years. There were 76 fractures in 68 patients; 28 dislocations and 2 brachial plexus injuries. Traditional bone setting was chosen in 50 patients (51.0) because traditional bonesetters were believed to be more skillful than orthodox orthopaedic practitioners; 32 patients (32.7) thought it was cheaper; 12 patients (12.2) believed orthodox orthopaedic practitioners have no empathy towards their patients and 4 patients (4.1) had no health facility in their locality. In 68 patients (69.4) the locus of decision was external; in 22 patients (22.4) internal and 8 patients (8.2) were encouraged by a healthworker. Complications including pain; mal/nonunion; joint stiffness and contractures occurred in 60 patients (61.2). Treatment outcome was adjudged satisfactory by 48 patients (49.0); fair by 40 patients (40.8) and unsatisfactory by 10 patients (10.2). Traditional bone setting for the management of humeral and femoral fractures was more expensive than orthodox management. Conclusion: Traditional bone setting is popular for varied reasons. The freedom to advertise may have helped to woo a public already biased towards traditional bone setting by cultural attachment. A paradigm shift is necessary to reverse the trend

Heart transplantation: a therapeutic alternative for patients with end-stage cardiac disease; the Texas Heart Institute experience

El transplante del corazón es una modalidad terapéutica aceptada para aquellos pacientes que sufren de enfermedad cardíaca terminal y cuya condición no es corregible mediante los tratamientos médicos o quirúrgicos convencionales. Desde julio de 1982, el "Texas Heart Institute" ha llevado a cabo 74 transplantes cardíacos usando la Ciclosporina como agente inmunosupresivo con una sobrevivencia de 73%. Los diagnósticos antes del transplante incluyeron cardiomiopatía idiopática (36.4%), miocarditis viral (8.1%). La fibroelastosis endocárdica, las enfermedades congénitas y reumática cardíaca completaron el restante 15% de los casos. En nuestra serie, las infecciones y episodios de rechazo constituyeron las mayores causas de mortalidad y morbilidad. Las mejoras y avances en los criterios de selección de donantes y recipientes, en la preservación de órganos y en la inmunosuperión postoperatoria han contibuido a mejores resultados y mayor sobrevivencia