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Bacteriology of Secondary Peritonitis and Relationship to Surgical Site Infection in a Tertiary Health Establishment in Southern Nigeria
No full textBackground: Peritonitis secondary to gastrointestinal perforation is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The outcome is dependent on multiple factors, but significantly on early diagnosis and prompt intervention. The principles of management are based on fluid resuscitation, initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy, surgical intervention, and management of associated co-morbid conditions.
Aim and Objectives: To determine the bacterial flora of the peritoneal fluid culture in secondary peritonitis resulting from gastrointestinal perforation and relate the findings to the bacterial flora of surgical site infections/morbidity in patients presenting to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Study Design: This is a prospective study of 64 consecutive patients with secondary peritonitis due to gastrointestinal perforation.
Methodology: All patients who were laparotomised for secondary peritonitis had their intraperitoneal fluid sent for microscopy, aerobic culture, and sensitivity. Intravenous ceftriaxone and metronidazole were administered to all the patients pre-operatively. Postoperatively, the wounds were assessed on days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 30 for surgical site infection (SSI). The concordance rate of the microorganism-isolated from peritoneal and wound culture was calculated using the formula: Concordance Rate = Number of Concordant Pairs Number of Concordant Pairs+Number of Discordant Pairs X 100
Results: Sixty-four patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. The mean age was 43.9 ± 16.3 years (range: 18-74 years). There were 43 (67.2%) males and 21 (32.8%) females, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The mean duration of hospitalization was 12.4 days (range: 6-30 days) with predominant site of perforation being gastroduodenal (n=27, i.e., 42.2%), followed by ruptured appendicitis (n=24, i.e., 37.5%). Of the 64 peritoneal fluid specimens sent for microscopy, culture, and antibiotic sensitivity, 55 (85.9%) yielded bacterial growth. The bacteria most frequently isolated from peritoneal fluid were Escherichia coli (20; 31.3%) and Klebsiella (14; 21.9%). There was no growth in 9 (14.1%). Escherichia coli was sensitive to ceftriaxone in 70.3%, piperacillin-tazobactam in 74.0%, and meropenem in 95.4% of cases. Klebsiella pneumoniae was sensitive to ciprofloxacin in 70.0%, ceftriaxone in 70.2%, piperacillin-tazobactam in 67.0%, and meropenem in 79.1% of cases. The overall surgical site infection (SSI) rate was 16 in 64 patients (25.0%), with 14 cases (21.9%) being superficial SSIs and 1 case (1.6%) each of deep SSI and organ space infection. Conclusion: Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated microorganism in cases of peritonitis secondary to gastrointestinal perforation and the subsequent SSI, followed by Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, mixed growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida
Effects of Brahma (Brm) and Lasp Knockdown on Synaptic Bouton Growth at the Drosophila melanogaster NMJ
No full textRetrograde signalling from the postsynaptic cell to the presynaptic cell, influences synaptic growth at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of Drosophila melanogaster. Proteins involved in generating retrograde signals can influence the number of axonal varicosities (boutons) present at the NMJ. Lasp, a Drosophila protein previously linked to postsynaptic vesicle trafficking, is suspected of influencing retrograde signalling pathways to regulate bouton growth at the NMJ. Furthermore, in a preliminary yeast two-hybrid screen, Brahma (Brm), a subunit of the Brahma chromatin-remodelling complex, was discovered to interact with Lasp. Therefore, it is possible that Brm and Lasp also interact in Drosophila and have a synergistic effect on synaptic bouton growth at the NMJ. In the present study, the effects of postsynaptic knockdown of Lasp and Brm, via RNA interference (RNAi), on the number of boutons formed at the NMJ were investigated. Additionally, by crossing amorphic alleles to create a trans heterozygous genotype at the Lasp and Brm loci, the synergistic effect of the proteins was also investigated. The findings show that postsynaptic RNAi knockdown of Lasp or Brm has no significant effect on the number of boutons that develop. In contrast, double and single heterozygotes at the Brm and Lasp loci exhibited an increase in the number of boutons observed at the NMJ compared to the wildtype. Upon observing the phenotype of double heterozygotes and comparing it to single heterozygotes, it was revealed that Brm and Lasp have no synergistic effect on bouton growth in Drosophila. Ultimately, the findings of this study provide a foundation upon which future experiments to elucidate the roles of Lasp and Brm in synaptic bouton development at the Drosophila NMJ can be performed
Amy Levy: Collected Writings, edited by Luke Devine. Library of the Jewish People, 2023.
No full textThe Problematical (yet Valuable) Correspondence of a Hunted Heretic: The Case of the Dutch Anabaptist and Spiritualist David Joris (c. 1501–1556)
No full textIn 1536 the Dutch Anabaptist David Joris (c. 1501–56) was proclaimed an Anabaptist messiah in the aftermath of Anabaptist Münster. When his and his followers’ apocalyptical expectations failed to materialize in late 1538, Joris fled Delft for Antwerp, then in 1544 he fled again to Basel, where he dissimulated successfully until his death. He also moved away from external fulfillment of prophecy to a fully internalized religiosity. Joris maintained contact with a widely diverse following through his missives, over 1,200 of which have survived in three printed editions from the early seventeenth century and at least one manuscript collection. This article conducts a close reading of a small sample of Joris’s late correspondence and some of his more famous missives to help explain why his letters appealed to readers, despite, or because of, their author’s intentionally obscure “spiritualistic” writing style. They offered a sense of belonging to a spiritual elite who could comprehend the meaning of creation and life. They also reveal much about Joris’s supporters as well as the significant shifts in Joris’s thinking.En 1536, l’anabaptiste hollandais David Joris (v. 1501-56) fut proclamé messie dans la foulée de la révolte anabaptiste de Münster. Lorsque les espérances apocalyptiques qu’il nourrissait avec ses disciples restèrent lettre morte à la fin de l’année 1538, Joris quitta Delft pour se réfugier à Anvers, puis se rendit à Bâle en 1544, où il parvint à se dissimuler jusqu’à sa mort. Il renonça également à l’accomplissement extérieur des prophéties au profit d’une religiosité pleinement intérieure. Joris maintint le contact avec des disciples issus de milieux variés à travers ses missives, dont plus de 1200 nous sont restées dans trois éditions imprimées du début du XVIIe siècle et dans au moins une collection de manuscrits. Cet article propose une lecture minutieuse d’un petit échantillon de la correspondance tardive de Joris et de certaines de ses missives les plus célèbres, afin d’éclaircir pourquoi ces lettres séduisaient leurs lecteurs, en dépit – ou en vertu – de leur style « spiritualiste » volontairement obscur. Elles donnaient aux lecteurs le sentiment d’appartenir à une élite spirituelle capable de comprendre le sens de la vie et de la création. Elles en disent également long sur les partisans de Joris, ainsi que sur les changements significatifs survenus dans sa pensée
Jewish Women and the Holocaust
No full textThis article argues that Holocaust historiography has historically marginalized Jewish women by centering male experiences and neglecting gendered analysis. Early scholars either ignored how sexism shaped persecution or conflated male and female experiences, erasing women\u27s unique suffering. Feminist historians in the 1980s began correcting this, highlighting issues like sexual violence, reproductive targeting, and the pressures of survival through gendered roles. Census data and survivor testimonies reveal how women\u27s experiences—distinct yet equally harrowing—were sidelined. The essay calls for a more inclusive historical lens to fully understand the Holocaust’s impact, asserting that only through gendered analysis can its full horrors be grasped
Decolonial Approaches to Archival Appraisal within the Context of Archival Apartheid in Occupied Palestine
No full textThis article examines the critical role of decolonial approaches in archival appraisal within the context of “Archival Apartheid” in Occupied Palestine. Archives, often perceived as neutral repositories, are deeply entwined with power dynamics, serving as tools for shaping historical memory and cultural identity. By exploring the discriminatory practices of Israeli state archives, this study highlights how colonial systems marginalize Palestinian voices, erase histories, and perpetuate systemic inequities. Drawing on decolonial archival theories, the paper underscores the transformative potential of Resistance Archives in preserving marginalized narratives and fostering cultural sovereignty. The discussion extends to practical applications of decolonial appraisal, emphasizing participatory models that engage affected communities in archival decision- making. It incorporates case studies, such as the Gaza Genocide Digital Archive and the Palestine Remembered al-Nakba Oral History Project, which demonstrate the efficacy of these methods in safeguarding Palestinian histories against erasure. The analysis also addresses challenges, including political resistance, resource constraints, and ethical dilemmas, while identifying opportunities for solidarity, cultural restoration, and innovation. The study argues that adopting decolonial appraisal practices not only disrupts colonial frameworks but also positions archives as spaces for justice, representation, and empowerment. Ultimately, this article asserts that decolonial approaches to archival appraisal are indispensable for countering Archival Apartheid, preserving cultural heritage, and advancing equity in historical representation. The findings contribute to a broader discourse on the intersection of archives, power, and resistance, offering insights for global archival practices committed to decolonization and social justice
Metadata as Radical Care: How Community-Led Archives Reimagine Descriptive Practices
No full textMany community-led archives have long challenged traditional archival description by prioritizing relational, political, and affective approaches to metadata. While institutional metadata standards emphasize consistency and standardization, they often fail to account for the needs of marginalized communities, reinforcing dominant narratives while excluding alternative forms of knowledge. This paper examines how engaging with archival description as a living, evolving process can instead turn metadata into a tool of radical care. Through case studies of the Sexual Minorities Archives, Transas City, and the Plateau Peoples’ Web Portal, this paper explores how participatory and empathy-driven metadata practices resist normative archival frameworks and instead foster networks of care, accessibility, and belonging. These case studies demonstrate that metadata is not merely a technical tool but a political and ethical instrument that can empower historically excluded communities. Ultimately, this paper argues that sustainable metadata practices must centre harm reduction, relational care, and community sovereignty to ensure that archives remain accessible, meaningful, and representative for present and future community users
Access to Justice and Information Ethics: Law Librarians Bridging the Gap for the General Public in Ontario
No full textThe lack of access to justice in Ontario is an issue that has wide-reaching consequences. Law librarians can play a role in addressing existing barriers to access. This paper discusses how law librarians can positively contribute to this issue of access to justice and begins with a review of the existing barriers facing the public in pursuing legal research. Following this, it discusses how librarians can uplift the public’s right to information as it relates to both professional and information ethics, library neutrality, and the access to justice movement. Lastly, the paper discusses public libraries as a field with the potential to service the access to justice movement by providing support such as public training and free access to legal information. It challenges law librarians to consider serving the public outside of their organizations’ mandates with both passive and active information-sharing ideas, followed by examples of successful collaboration between law librarians and the public from Law Librarians of New England (LLNE) and the Law Society of Saskatchewan