SUMMARYIn an epidemiological survey, plasmid profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 100 shigella isolates in Lagos, Nigeria was done. All the isolates were sensitive to nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin. The commonest antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was resistance to ampicillin, colistin sulphate, co-trimoxazole, streptomycin and tetracycline. All but 4 of 100 isolates screened contained one or more plasmids. Plasmid profile analysis distinguished more strains than did antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. A total of 36 isolates was able to transfer resistance plasmids toEscherichia coliK-12 by conjugation. Usingin vitrotransformation, seven isolates transferred resistance. These plasmids specified resistance to tetracycline, streptomycin, sulphonamide, trimethoprim and ampicillin.

Total knee replacements were performed on three patients with Parkinson's disease. The rehabilitation of all three was, however, hampered by inhibition of the extensor mechanism, hamstring rigidity and poor muscular co-ordination. Medical treatment of the disease did not help. None of the patients became mobile, and all three gradually weakened and died. We suggest that, at least in some patients with Parkinson's disease, knee replacement is contra-indicated.

Background: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mental illness in Oyo State at community level using the general health questionnaire as a screening tool.

Milk yields of 66 nursing does recorded in Zaria, Nigeria were used to characterize the lactation curve and study the influencing factors in Red Sokoto goats. Lactation curve parameters obtained by fitting the model: Yt = atbe –ct were subjected to statistical analysis, using herd, season, parity, litter size and litter composition of dams.The results indicate that the lactation curve of these goats was characterized by milk production increasing in early lactation, attaining a peak at approximately 2 to 5 weeks post partum and thereafter declining slowly to the end of lactation. The observed total yield, peak yield, peak day and the estimated persistency defined as c–( b + 1) was 79·3 kg, 1·2 kg, 20·5 and 143·2, respectively. Parameters ‘ a‘ and ‘ c‘ were strongly but negatively correlated ( r = –0·53; P < 0·01). The curve parameters ‘ a‘ and ‘ c‘ differed by herd and season ( P < 0·05); and parity only affected ( P < 0·01) parameter ‘ a‘. None of the factors significantly influenced parameter ‘ b‘ ( P > 0·05).The significant herd and season effects may have practical implications in determining optimal feeding management and season of breeding to maximize total lactation yield.

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Alphonsus, C., &pa, G.N., Oni, O.O., Rekwot, P.I., Barje, P.P. and Yashim, S.M. 2010

Mesenteric lymph nodes of slaughter cattle, swabs of slaughter and dressing areas and effluents of Zaria abattoir were cultured for salmonellae. Of a total of 510 samples cultured, 23 (5%) were positive for Salmonella. Five (4%) of 118 bovine lymph nodes contained salmonellae whereas sites swabbed during dressing had a frequency of isolation of 7% (11 of 150) and only 4 (3% of 150 samples) were positive after cleaning of dressing areas. Three (3%) of 92 effluent samples contained salmonellae. Thirteen of the 23 isolates of Salmonella were of different serotypes. The predominant serotypes were S. dublin (4 isolates), S. widemarsh (4 isolates) and S. Handoff (3 isolates). Twenty (87%), 8 (35%) and 8 (35%) isolates were resistant to streptomycin, neomycin and tetracycline respectively, while 6 (26%), 5 (22%) and 3(13%) isolates were not susceptible to gentamicin, ampicillin and chloramphenicol respectively. Overall, 15 resistance patterns were observed. The widespread occurrence of salmonellae in Zaria abattoir coupled with the high incidence of resistance to antimicrobial agents are of public health significance from the viewpoint of food hygiene and therapy for salmonellosis.