Unilateral Laminotomy with Bilateral Spinal Canal Decompression for Lumbar Stenosis: A Technical Note.

Lumbar stenosis has become one of the most common spinal pathologies and one that results in neurogenic claudication, back and leg pain, and disability. The standard procedure is still an open laminectomy, which involves wide muscle retraction and extensive removal of the posterior spinal structures. This can lead to instability and the need for additional spinal fusion.

Protective effect of Gallic acid on doxorubicin-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity.

The effect of Gallic acid (GA) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity was investigated in experimental rat model. The rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10 animals per group. Rats in group A received clean tap water ad libitum.

Degradation of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons by two strains of Pseudomonas.

The goal of this investigation was to isolate competent polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons degraders that can utilize polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons of former industrial sites at McDoel Switchyard in Bloomington, Indiana. Using conventional enrichment method based on soil slurry, we isolated, screened and purified two bacterial species strains PB1 and PB2. Applying the ribotyping technique using the 16S rRNA gene analysis, the strains were assigned to the genus Pseudomonas (Pseudomonas plecoglossicida strain PB1 and Pseudomonas sp.

Variations of the accessory nerve: anatomical study including previously undocumented findings-expanding our misunderstanding of this nerve.

Introduction: The anatomy of the accessory nerve has been well described but continued new clinical and anatomical findings exemplify our lack of a full understanding of the course of this nerve. Therefore, this study aimed to expand on our knowledge of the course of the 11th cranial nerve via anatomical dissections.

Methods: Fifty-six cadavers (112 sides) underwent dissection of the accessory nerve from its cranial and spinal origins to its emergence into the posterior cervical triangle.

Surgical Technique: Endoscopic Endonasal Transphenoidal Resection of a Large Suprasellar Mixed Germ Cell Tumor.

The endoscopic endonasal transphenoidal approach has proven to be a very versatile surgical approach for the resection of small midline skull base tumors. This is due to its minimally invasive nature, the potentially fewer neurological complications, and lower morbidity in comparison to traditional craniotomies. This surgical approach has been less commonly utilized for large midline tumors such as suprasellar germ cell tumors, due to numerous reasons including the surgeon's comfort with the surgical approach, a higher chance of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, limited visualization due to arterial/venous bleeding, and limited working space.

Atypical Presentation of a Sequestered Posterolateral Disc Fragment.

Sequestered disc fragments typically occur ventrally but can also migrate dorsally or intradurally. At times, atypical disc herniations can be misinterpreted on imaging as other lesions, such as neoplasms, hematomas, or abscesses. We present an uncommon case of a patient presenting with cauda equina syndrome secondary to an enhancing sequestered disc fragment mimicking a tumor.

Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Life-threatening Complication of Intraoperative Electromyography.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is a commonly used practice during spine surgery. Complications of electromyography (EMG) needle electrode placement are very uncommon. We present a patient who was infected with necrotizing fasciitis in her left thigh due to an EMG needle electrode during a two-stage complex spine procedure.

HPV Involvement in Head and Neck Cancers: Comprehensive Assessment of Biomarkers in 3680 Patients.

Background: We conducted a large international study to estimate fractions of head and neck cancers (HNCs) attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV-AFs) using six HPV-related biomarkers of viral detection, transcription, and cellular transformation.

Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cancer tissues of the oral cavity (OC), pharynx, and larynx were collected from pathology archives in 29 countries. All samples were subject to histopathological evaluation, DNA quality control, and HPV-DNA detection.

Electrophoretically deposited graphene oxide and carbon nanotube composite for electrochemical capacitors.

We report a scalable one-step electrode fabrication approach for synthesizing composite carbon-based supercapacitors with synergistic outcomes. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully integrated into our modified electrophoretic deposition process to directly form composite MWCNT-GO electrochemical capacitor electrodes (where GO is graphene oxide) with superior performance to solely GO electrodes. The measured capacitance improved threefold, reaching a maximum specific capacitance of 231 F g(-1).

Comparison between treadmill and bicycle ergometer exercise tests in mild-to-moderate hypertensive Nigerians.

Background: Comparative cardiovascular responses to treadmill and bicycle ergometer (bike) exercise tests in hypertensive Nigerians are not known. This study compared cardiovascular responses to the two modes of exercise testing in hypertensives using maximal exercise protocols.

Methods: One hundred and ten male subjects with mild-to-moderate hypertension underwent maximal treadmill and bike test one after the other at a single visit in a simple random manner.

Effect of packaging materials on the chemical composition and microbiological quality of edible mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on cassava peels.

Edible fungi such as mushrooms are highly perishable and deteriorate few days after harvest due to its high moisture content and inability to maintain their physiological status. In this study, the effect of packaging materials on the nutritional composition of mushroom cultivated from cassava peels was investigated. Mushroom samples were dried at 50°C in a cabinet dryer for 8 h.

Heart rate variability and arrhythmic patterns of 24-hour Holter electrocardiography among Nigerians with cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Facilities for Holter electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring in many Nigerian hospitals are limited. There are few published works in Nigeria on the use of 24-hour Holter ECG in cardiac arrhythmic evaluation of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To study the clinical indications, arrhythmic pattern, and heart rate variability (HRV) among subjects referred for 24-hour Holter ECG at our Cardiac Care Unit.

Analysis of Elastic Tissue in Histological Variants of Pleomorphic Salivary Adenoma seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital over a period of 35 Years.

Background: Pleomorphic salivary adenoma (PSA), is known for its morphologic diversity. While reports of elastic tissue in PSA have been documented, the distribution of this tissue in histological variants of the tumour has not been documented. Perhaps such features may influence biological behaviour of these variants.

Pattern of arrhythmias among Nigerians with congestive heart failure.

Background: In patients with heart failure, death is often sudden due to life-threatening arrhythmias. This work was carried out to evaluate the pattern of arrhythmias in Nigerians with heart failure.

Materials And Methods: Thirty subjects with congestive heart failure (CHF), 30 subjects with hypertensive heart disease, and 15 normal subjects with no obvious features of heart disease were evaluated with resting and 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring and transthoracic echocardiography.

The removal of caesium ions using supported clinoptilolite.

In this paper, the sorptive kinetic and diffusional characteristics of caesium ion removal from aqueous solution by carbon-supported clinoptilolite composites are presented. Natural clinoptilolite was supported on carbonaceous scaffolds prepared from date stones. Thermal treatment was applied to produce voids in the carbon which was conditioned using polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride to facilitate the clinoptilolite attachment.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence analyses and phylogenetic relationships among two Nigerian goat breeds and the South African Kalahari Red.

The first hypervariable (HV1) region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of two popular Nigerian goat breeds: West African Dwarf (WAD) (n=35) and Red Sokoto (RS) (n=37) and one exotic breed: Kalahari Red (KR) (n=38) imported from South Africa were sequenced to investigate sequence diversity, genetic structure, origin, and demographic history of the populations. A total of 68 polymorphic sites were found in 110 sequences that grouped into 68 haplotypes. Average haplotype and nucleotide diversities for all breeds were 0.

Genotype effect on distribution pattern of maternally derived antibody against Newcastle disease in Nigerian local chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the variation in antibody from Newcastle disease (ND) vaccinated breeder birds and their progenies. The chicks were evaluated for maternally derived antibody (MDA) against ND virus and also the MDA transfer rate for each genotype. The local parent stocks were Frizzle-feathered, Normal-feathered, and Naked neck while an exotic parent stock (Anak Titan) was used for the purpose of comparison.

Evaluation of the indications and arrhythmic patterns of 24 hour Holter electrocardiography among hypertensive and diabetic patients seen at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife Nigeria.

Background: There are very limited published studies in Nigeria on the use of 24 hour Holter electrocardiogram (Holter ECG) in the arrhythmic evaluation of hypertensive and diabetic patients.

Objective: To evaluate indications, arrhythmic pattern of Holter ECG, and heart rate variability (HRV) among patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) with or without heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seen in our cardiac care unit.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients (32 males and 47 females) were studied consecutively over a year using Schiller type (MT-101) Holter ECG machine.

Toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of Acalypha wilkesiana in Wistar albino rats.

Background: Acalypha wilkesiana (Euphorbiaceae) is highly accepted for traditional treatment of human plasmodiasis in Africa.

Methods: The toxicological effects of the aqueous leaf extract of A. wilkesiana were studied in 45 male and female Wistar albino rats.

Marked First Degree Atrioventricular Block: an extremely prolonged PR interval associated with Atrioventricular Dissociation in a young Nigerian man with Pseudo-Pacemaker Syndrome: a case report.

Background: The diagnosis of Marked First Degree Atrioventricular Block is made with electrocardiogram when PR interval ≥0.30 s. A PR interval of up to 0.

Development of a kolanut peeling device.

A kolanut peeling machine was designed, constructed and evaluated for the postharvest processing of the seed. The peeling machine consists of a standing frame, peeling unit and hopper. The peeling unit consists of a special paddle, which mixes the kolanut, rubs them against one another and against the wall of the barrel and also conveys the kolanut to the outlet.

Metabolic syndrome: prevalence and association with electrocardiographic abnormalities in Nigerian hypertensive patients.

Background: Hypertension is an important component of metabolic syndrome, and a third of hypertensive patients have metabolic syndrome, with the common mechanistic pathway believed to be insulin resistance. It is probable that hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome will have more severe cardiac abnormalities than those without. Similarly, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities have serious implications for cardiovascular disease outcome.

Gastric bypass surgery as treatment of recalcitrant gastroparesis.

Background: Few treatments for idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis exist beyond symptom management, and no study has described gastric surgery for gastroparesis in obese and morbidly obese patients. The objective of this study was to describe treatment of recalcitrant gastroparesis in obese adults with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of adult patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB.

Thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis: an unusual complication of Crohn's disease.

Vertebral osteomyelitis complicating Crohn's disease is a rare occurrence and mostly occurred in patients with Crohn's disease complicated by an abscess or fistulising disease. We report a case of thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis, occurring in a refractory Crohn's disease without contiguous abscess or fistula with the bowel.

Use of robust multivariate linear mixed models for estimation of genetic parameters for carcass traits in beef cattle.

Assumptions of normality of residuals for carcass evaluation may make inferences vulnerable to the presence of outliers, but heavy-tail densities are viable alternatives to normal distributions and provide robustness against unusual or outlying observations when used to model the densities of residual effects. We compare estimates of genetic parameters by fitting multivariate Normal (MN) or heavy-tail distributions (multivariate Student's t and multivariate Slash, MSt and MS) for residuals in data of hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle area (REA) and 12th to 13th rib fat (FAT) traits in beef cattle using 2475 records from 2007 to 2008 from a large commercial operation in Nebraska. Model comparisons using deviance information criteria (DIC) favoured MSt over MS and MN models, respectively.