Background: The use of epidural catheters provides the best quality intra- and post-operative pain relief for various major thoraco-abdominal and lower limb surgeries. The process of placing an epidural catheter into the epidural space between the vertebrae can be challenging due to variations in spinal anatomy of different level, narrow intervertebral spaces and can cause catastrophic neurological complications. Though various studies have been shown to overcome the placement of epidural catheter using standard ultrasound method, using the pre-existing computer tomography depth correlate with loss of resistance in placing the epidural catheter would be a well adjunct tool for the procedure. Objectives: To correlate measurements taken from pre-existing computed tomography (CT) imaging to the loss of resistance depth as recorded during epidural placement. Methods: This Single procedural observational study was performed in Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka from 1st December 2018 to 30th November 2019. Fifty adult patients scheduled for lower abdominal and lower limb surgery under epidural anaesthesia (EA). The patient’s advised/routine abdominal CT film was inspected by a radiologist, who was blinded to the results of the actual needle length, to determine the distance from the skin to the ligamentum flava the corresponding level of L2 to L5 interspinous spaces. The distance on the CT film in the midline was measured using a ruler against the measurement scale, conventionally represented as a 5 cm-10 cm scale with 1-cm divisions. The CT-derived depth was calculated using the principle of Pythagorean triangle trigonometry. Result: In this study, Sixty eight percentages of patients (68%) Epidural- skin distance (ESD) had 4.7-6.8cm. Mean Epidural-skin distance 5.8±1.7cm. On evaluation of Loss of Resistance Depth, 46% of patients had 5.2-7.3cm depth of LOR, followed by 30% patients had 3.0-5.1cm and 12% patients had 7.4-9.5cm. Mean loss of resistance depth was 6.3±1.4 cm. It was evident from this study that positive significant correlation (r=0.941; p=0.001) between the CT-derived distance and Loss of Resistance Depth. Conclusion: It is conclude that using pre-existing CT-scan derived distance is helpful in prediction of the epidural space depth and it is correlates with actual loss of resistance epidural needle insertion depth placing the catheter in lumber region.

Medicinal plants are considered more accessible, affordable and also associated with minimal side effects compared to orthodox medicines in most developing countries. These factors in addition to multiple cultural and long term historical relevance have contributed to its increasing popularity around the world. This study was carried out to assess the antioxidative and serum lipid effects of leaf extract of Rhizophora mangle on male Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) rats each. Group one (1) served as control and received distilled water. Group two (2) and group three (3) were treated with 200mg/kg bw and 400mg/kg bw of the ethanolic extract of Rhizophora mangle respectively. Group four (4) was treated with 600mg/kg of the extract. Extract administration lasted for 30 days. The results obtained showed that the extract did not cause significant changes in superoxide dismutase, catalase, gluthathione reductase enzyme activities but decreased gluthathione peroxidase enzyme activity. The level of malondialdehyde was not altered. The lipid parameters including low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were not significantly affected. This study showed that, extracts of Rhizophora mangle did not alter the level of lipid peroxidation and may not confer any benefits against development of lipid induced-cardiovascular disorders.

Introduction: Hair has accompanied human development since the ancient time as a symbol of power, dominance, and strength. It has been perceived as a thing of beauty and a tool for sexual communication. Over the years, anthropologists have studied the body hair distribution particularly phalangeal hair; this is because it shows variation in relation to race, nationality and ethnic groups. Clinicians have also shown great interest in the study of bodily hairs due to its many useful biological functions, including dispersion of sweat gland products. There are few reports of distribution of mid-digital hair among some tribes in Nigeria but there is paucity of data among the Idoma tribe of Benue State. Hence, this study aimed to investigate and document the frequency of distribution of mid-digital hair among Idoma tribe of Benue State. Method: The study was community-based, descriptive, and cross-sectional with a sample size of 401. Data was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire that was administered by an interviewer following an examination of the mid-digital hair. Result: mid- digital hairs was present in 113 (28.2%) of the participants and absent in 288(71.8%) of the participants. The only significant socio-demographic characteristics among participants were the educational level with 7.754(0.051). Conclusion: The study indicated that less than one-third of the participants had mid-digital hair. Furthermore, the mid-digital hair distribution was sexually dimorphic, as it was more prevalent among the males than the females (ratio of 8: 6). The reason for the higher distribution in the males than females could be attributed to the hormonal difference in both genders.