VARIATIONS IN RENAL DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY AREWA AND TALON HORSES WITHIN ZURU EMIRATE STABLE, ZURU, KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

2026-05-17T10:57:41+00:00

Renal Doppler ultrasonography encompasses the measurement of the renal resistive index (RRI) and pulsatility index (PI). The examination is a systematic sonographic evaluation of the kidneys and it is a non-invasive procedure that is used to assess, investigate, monitor and diagnose the renal conditions of animals. These renal indices do not exist for the Arewa and Talon breeds of Nigerian horses which are probably the most common breeds in northern Nigeria. Thus, this study aims to gain a clearer understanding of RRI and PI variations in these breeds and interplay of some physiological parameters such as withers height, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), age (young and adult) and to establish equine renal reference data of RRI and PI in these breeds by means of non-invasive pain free imaging modality (Power Doppler Ultrasound). Thirty-two healthy, conscious, non-racing horses were recruited. The overall median RRI and PI values for the right kidney were 0.60 ± 0.006 and 0.75 ± 0.13, while those for the left kidney were 0.59 ± 0.006 and 0.77 ± 0.18, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and the left kidney of either breed, nor among the physiological variables and biochemical analyses studied. Furthermore, no predispositions to RRI or PI variation have been found by us that could be attributed to breed, body weight, body condition score or withers height. There was no difference in renal values between young (≤4 years) and adult (≥4.5 years) horses. These results recorded can be used as a reference for several prospective studies comparing healthy and diseased individuals and also to study the influence of other conditions (pregnancy, lactation) aimed at assisting clinicians in making inferential diagnostic and prognostic decisions of renal conditions in horses.

Assessment of Post-Traumatic Complications of Long Bone Fractures in Iraq: A Multicenter Prospective Study

2026-05-25T12:03:32+00:00

Background: Long bone fractures are a major driver of orthopaedic trauma morbidity in Iraq, where high-energy mechanisms, constrained resources, and operative delays plausibly increase risks of infection and impaired union. Yet prospective multicenter estimates of complication burden and its determinants remain limited. We aimed to quantify the incidence and pattern of post-traumatic complications and to identify independent predictors following operative fixation of long bone fractures at three Iraqi tertiary referral hospitals.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study at 3 private hospitals in Baghdad city from January 2021 to December 2023. Adults (≥18 years) with femur, tibia, humerus, radius, or ulna fractures undergoing operative fixation within 72 hours of presentation were enrolled. Outcomes at 12 months were pre-specified: surgical site infection, delayed union/nonunion, malunion, compartment syndrome, implant failure, and amputation. Independent predictors of major complications were evaluated using multivariable binary logistic regression.

Results: Of 912 screened patients, 847 were enrolled (mean age 34.7 ± 14.2 years; 76.3% male); 803 completed 12-month follow-up. Road traffic accidents accounted for 58.4% of injuries, and 43.2% of fractures were open. Overall, 38.6% developed at least one major complication (327/847). Surgical site infection was most common (18.9%), followed by delayed union/nonunion (12.9%), malunion (8.4%), and implant failure (6.7%); the amputation rate was 3.2%. Multidrug-resistant organisms were recovered in 54.4% of positive wound cultures. Independent predictors of major complications were Gustilo–Anderson type III open fracture (aOR 4.82; 95% CI 3.21–7.24), operative delay >24 hours (aOR 3.17; 95% CI 2.08–4.83), diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.94; 95% CI 1.76–4.91), blast/gunshot mechanism (aOR 2.63; 95% CI 1.59–4.35), and BMI >30 kg/m² (aOR 1.87; 95% CI 1.23–2.84).

Conclusion: Major complications after operative fixation of long bone fractures are frequent in Iraqi tertiary trauma care, with infection and impaired union predominating and MDR pathogens common. Risk concentrates in type III open injury, delayed surgery, diabetes, high-energy penetrating/blast mechanisms, and obesity—factors that are partially modifiable at system and patient levels. Priorities include antibiotic prophylaxis at first contact, streamlined pathways to definitive surgery, and antimicrobial stewardship.

GPH-International Journal of Biological & Medicine Science

VARIATIONS IN RENAL DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY AREWA AND TALON HORSES WITHIN ZURU EMIRATE STABLE, ZURU, KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Assessment of Post-Traumatic Complications of Long Bone Fractures in Iraq: A Multicenter Prospective Study