Effect of Livelihood Factors on Climate Change Adaptation of Rural Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study examined the effect of livelihood factors on climate change adaption of rural famers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 farmers from the three agricultural zones of the study area. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentages, regression were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed the adaptation strategies adopted by farmers as majorly grouped include; land/soil, water, crop management and livelihood diversification. Specific livelihood factors that affected the level of climate change adaptation include: natural disaster, extension service, access to credit, income among others. It was recommended that basic amenities should be provided by government to improve the environment of the rural farmers, regular and effective extension service to educate them on suitable climate change adaptation measurers. Also, capital should be provided to the farmers through low interest loan and grants. Keywords: Livelihood, climate change, mixed farming, land

A comparative study on the susceptibility of male and female albino mice to Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Background & objectives: Trypanosomiasis has remained a major set-back in the development oflivestock farming in tropical Africa. Thus the need for ascertaining the trypanotolerant levels ofdomestic animal breeds and possible improvement on them cannot be over-emphasised.Methods: Level of trypanotolerance in animals was compared between sexes using albino mice infectedwith a Nigerian strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei at a 50% mouse lethal dose (MLD50).Results: The male mice showed unrestrained parasite growth with a prepatent period (PP) of two daysand a mean survival period (MSP) of six days corresponding to a gradual decrease in packed cellvolume (PCV), body weight, diet response and white blood cells (WBC) count to the time of death.Their female counterparts showed a PP of three days and MSP of ten days with a similar PCV gradientbut a refractory WBC count. There was no significant difference in the differential leucocytes countin both sexes. However, the eosinophils count was significantly higher in the infected animals. It wasfound that female albino mice exercised more parasite restraint than their male counterparts.Interpretation & conclusion: The result suggests that the female animals may be more trypanotoleranthence may be more useful in protein production in trypanosomiasis endemic areas. However, furtherresearch using large domestic breeds like goats and sheep may be required to confirm the hypothesis

Aggregate breakdown and dispersion of soil samples amended with sugarcane vinasse

Soil aggregation is a very complex issue related to important soil attributes and processes. The aggregate breakdown and dispersion of soil samples amended with sugarcane vinasse were evaluated using ultrasonic energy. Vinasse is an important byproduct of sugarcane industries, intensively applied to soils in Brazil as liquid fertilizer. Samples of two Oxisols and one Ultisol were used in this study. The physical and chemical characterization of soils was performed, and the 1 to 2 mm size aggregates (200 g) were packed in PVC columns (6.0 cm high and 4.0 cm internal diameter) and incubated with sugarcane vinasse under lab conditions for 1, 30 and 60 days. After incubation, aggregates were submitted to levels of ultrasonic energy, and the particle size distribution (53 to 2,000 µm, 2 to 53 µm, and < 2 µm fractions) was quantified. Mathematical equations were used to relate the mass of aggregates in each of these fractions to the applied ultrasonic energy, and parameters related to aggregate stability were then obtained. Soils showed an aggregate-hierarchy resulting in a stepwise breakdown under ultrasonic agitation. Considering this soil-aggregation hierarchy, vinasse contributed even in a short time to the bonding between and within 2 to 53 µm aggregates, mainly in the Oxisols. This may be related to organic compounds present in the vinasse, cementing soil particles. Potassium enrichment of soil samples did not contribute to soil dispersion

Pattern of breast diseases in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Background: Breast diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients attending hospitals in Imo State.  Aim:  To determine the pattern of breast diseases in Imo State and compare it with reports from previous studies from the eastern part of Nigeria. Methods:  This was a retrospective study of all the patients treated for breast diseases in the two government hospitals in Owerri, namely, General Hospital Owerri, and Federal Medical Centre Owerri, between January 2000 and December 2006. Results:  A total of 276(84.2%) out of 328 cases had histopathological reports.  Fibroadenoma was the commonest type accounting for 131 (47.5%) of the cases.  This was followed by carcinoma of the breast which accounted for 84 (30.4%) of the cases.  Fibrocystic disease of the breast was diagnosed in 28(10.1%) of the cases.  The peak age range for cancer patients was 41-50 years.  The youngest cancer patient was 18 years while the oldest was 73 years. The median age was 43 years. However, in the males, the breast cancer occurred much later in this study.  The youngest male was 63 years.  The male patients constituted 6.0% of the cases with a male to female ratio of 1:16. Conclusion:  Fibroadenoma constitutes the most common type of breast disease in this study followed by breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer among our male subjects was higher than the 1% generally quoted in literature.   Keywords: Breast diseases, Carcinoma, Fibroadenoma, Pattern, Nigeri