Introduction: The brachial plexus is highly variable, which is a well-known anatomical fact. Repeated observations on anatomical variations, however, constitute current trends in anatomical research. Case series: In an anatomical dissection course, three uncommon variations in the brachial plexus were identified in three young adults’ cadavers. In one case, the musculocutaneous nerve gave a branch to the median nerve, while the median nerve gave or received musculocutaneous branches in the two remaining corpses. Conclusion: Anatomical variations of the brachial plexus do occur in our setting. The cases we presented are about anatomical variations of branching patterns of the median and musculocutaneous nerves. Knowledge of those variations is essential for surgery and regional anesthesia of the upper limbs. Keywords: Anatomical variations; brachial plexus; median nerve; musculocutaneous nerve; upper limb.

Introduction: The knowledge of anatomy is essential for surgical safety and impacts positively on patients’ outcomes. Surgeons operating on the liver and bile ducts should keep in mind the normal anatomy and its variations as the latter are common. Case Presentation: We conducted a structured surgical dissection course of the supra-colic compartment of the abdominal cavity on 2nd and 3rd October 2020. While dissecting a 46years-old male cadaver, we encountered unusual anatomical variations of the hepatic arterial branching, the biliary tree, and arterial supply to the common bile duct. The common hepatic artery was dividing into two branches: a common short trunk for the left hepatic artery and the right gastric artery (hepato-gastric trunk) and a common trunk for the right hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery (hepato-gastroduodenal trunk). The right hepaticduct was duplicated with a main right hepatic duct and an additional smaller duct. The bile duct was supplied by an artery coming from the abdominal aorta. Conclusion: We described three unusual anatomical variations: a variation of the hepatic arteries branching pattern, an aberrant right hepatic duct, and blood supply to the bile duct from the abdominal aorta. Surgeons should be aware of these rare variations. Keywords: (MeSH terms); Hepatic artery; Bile duct; variation; Surgical implication.

A total of twelve pregnant Wistar rats were used, and randomly divided into three groups (n=4). Group A (negative control), not exposed to noise stress), group B (1mL/kg of distilled water + 4h /15 days noise stress), group C (0.04 mg/kg) of selenium-yeast + 4 h/15 days noise stress). On day 18 and 19 of gestation cognitive tests were conducted using Y-maze and Novel Object Recognition Test. A significant increase (P ˂ 0.05) was observed in the percentage alternation and discrimination index in group A compared with group B. However, the percentage alternation and DI were significantly (P ˂ 0.05) decreased in group C compared with group B. In conclusion, noise stress induces cognitive deficit, this deficit can be mitigated with the administration of selenium-yeast.

Over the years, Formaldehyde (FA) has been linked to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and cognitive decline. However limited numbers of studies have shown the effect of eugenol on FA induced toxicity in Wistar rats. Therefore this study aimed at investigating the effects of eugenol on the FA induced toxicity in Wistar rats. A total of twenty male Wistar rats where divided into four groups: (Group I. 150 mg/kg eugenol; Group II, 5 mg/kg FA; Group III, 150 mg/kg eugenol + 5 mg/kg FA; Group IV/control, 2ml/kg distilled water) for thirty days. FA and eugenol were administered orally. Rats were humanely sacrificed under 0.8 mg/kg ketamine anaesthesia administered intraperitoneally. Cognitive tests using Morris water maze and Novel object recognition test were carried out, Oxidative stress parameters, acetylcholine activity and histometric analysis of hippocampal Cornu Ammonis (CA 1 and 3) pyramidal neuronal cells. Administration of FA resulted in significant (p<0.05) increased activity of malondialdehyde (MDA), intra-mitochondrial accumulation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), reduced activity level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholine levels. However co-administration of eugenol and FA resulted in significant (p<0.05) enhancement of cognitive ability and also significantly (p<0.05) reduced MDA and 8-OHdG levels, and increased SOD and acetylcholine levels. Our results indicate that eugenol would provide therapeutic value against FA induced oxidative stress and cognitive impairments.

Bacterial infections pose a global threat, especially in the pediatric population. Antimicrobials that are used to treat such infections continuously show reduced efficacy, and empirical therapy is a major treatment option in Rwanda. This study aimed to determine the resistance rate of commonly used antibiotics in pediatric patients. The study was conducted from June 1, 2018 to May 30, 2019, and microbiological samples were collected from 712 children with suspected bacterial infections. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing was performed on 177 positive cultures (24%) that were considered for data analysis. The findings show that the major bacterial isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 50, 28.2%), Escherichia coli (n = 47, 26.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 38, 21.4%). In general, the greatest antibiotic resistance rate was observed in ampicillin (n = 125, 86.2%), amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (n = 84, 82.4%), amoxicillin (n = 64, 79%), cefadroxil (n = 83, 69.2%), tetracycline (n = 72, 59.7%), ceftazidime (n = 42, 55.3%), and cefuroxime (n = 14, 53.8%). More specifically, Klebsiella pneumoniae was 100% resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, ceftazidime, erythromycin, and clindamycin. Staphylococcus aureus was 86.7% resistant to ampicillin, and Escherichia coli was 91.7% resistant to tetracycline, 90.6% resistant to ampicillin, 83.3% resistant to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, 79.3% resistant to cefadroxil, and 78.6% resistant to ceftazidime. Moreover, Klebsiella pneumoniae from blood and urine was 96.8% and 100% sensitive, respectively, to meropenem. Staphylococcus aureus from blood was 100% sensitive to vancomycin, whereas Escherichia coli from urine was sensitive to clindamycin (100%), nitrofurantoin (80.6%), and ciprofloxacin (72.7%). In conclusion, our findings show a high resistance rate to commonly used antibiotics, which suggests precaution in empirical therapy and continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance.