Assessment of some serum biochemical and haematological parameters in blood samples of Japanese quails fed detoxified Jatropha seed cake

Jatropha curcas L. is a multipurpose shrub plant that grows wildly in the tropics and subtropics. The nutritional value of Jatropha seed cake (JSC), a by-product of Jatropha curcas seeds, compares favourably with conventional seed meals with a crude protein content of 58-64% and higher essential amino acids (excluding lysine) than soybean meal. However, the presence of anti-nutrients restricts the use of Jatropha seeds in poultry feeding. If properly detoxified, JSC can be utilised in livestock feeding. The detoxification and reuse of this seed cake are vital for adding economic value and also to reduce the potential environmental damage that may be caused by improper disposal of this by-product. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of heattreated Jatropha seed cake on haematological and some serum biochemical parameters of growing Japanese quails. Diet 1 was a corn-soybean meal (basal diet) with no Jatropha seed cake (JSC). Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained the basal diet and 5, 10, 15 and 20% JSC inclusion respectively, in a completely randomised design. Two hundred 14-day–old Japanese quails were grouped, weighed and randomly assigned to five treatments with five replicates of eight birds each in an experiment that lasted for two weeks. On day 28, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of two birds per replicate into vials containing the anticoagulant ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) for haematology and blood without EDTA to obtain serum for analysis. Diets had no significant effect on the haematological parameters of birds on the experimental diets except on the white blood cell (WBC) counts. White blood cell counts of birds fed 10% JSC diet was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed 5% JSC diet but WBC counts of birds on both diets were similar to birds on other dietary treatments. Total proteins of birds fed the control, 5%, 10% and 15% JSC diets were similar but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of birds on 20% JSC diet. Serum urea, creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of birds on the experimental diets were identical but significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of birds on 20% JSC diet. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of birds on 15 and 20% JSC diets were similar to those on the control diet. It is concluded that 10% heat-treated jatropha seed cake could potentially be used in Japanese quail feeding because it reflects the optimal physiological state of the birds compared to other diets.Keywords: Jatropha seed cake, Japanese quails, heat treatment, blood metabolite

The Schrodinger equation with Hulthen potential plus ring-shaped potential

We present the solutions of the Schr$\ddot{o}$dinger equation with the Hulth$\acute{e}$n potential plus ring-shape potential for $\ell\neq 0$ states within the framework of an exponential approximation of the centrifugal potential.Solutions to the corresponding angular and radial equations are obtained in terms of special functions using the conventional Nikiforov-Uvarov method. The normalization constant for the Hulth$\acute{e}$n potential is also computed.Comment: Typed with LateX,12 Pages, Typos correcte

Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of Ku 70/80 expression in Nigerian breast cancer and its potential therapeutic implications

Ku 70/80 is a regulator of the Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) roles in clinicopathological features, and has prognostic significance in breast cancer (BC) in Caucasian populations. However, its significance in the Nigerian BC population, which is characterized by a higher rate of the triple-negative and basal phenotype, p53 mutation rate and BRCA1 deficiency, still needs to be investigated. We hypothesize that Ku70/80 expression shows adverse expression in Nigerian BC and, furthermore, that it is likely to have a therapeutic implication for Black BC management.This study investigated the biological, clinicopathological and prognostic significance of Ku 70/80 expression in a BC cohort from a Nigerian population. Ku 70/80 expression was determined in 188 well-characterized formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) BC samples using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. Ku 70/80 expression was correlated with clinicopathological, molecular and prognostic characteristics of patients.Ku 70/80 was expressed in 113 (60.1%) tumors, and was positively associated with metastatic disease, triple-negative and basal phenotype, BRCA1 down regulators (MTA-1 and ID4), p-cadherin, PI3KCA and p53 expression. It inversely correlated with BRCA1, BRCA2, BARD1 and p27. Ku 70/80 was predictive of breast cancer-specific survival in multivariate analysis, but not of disease-free interval.This study demonstrated that Ku 70/80 expression is associated with triple negativity and down-regulation of the homologous recombination pathway of DNA repair. Therefore, the development of novel drugs to target KU70/80 may improve the patients’ outcome in the treatment of Black BC

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Assessment of the nutritive value of toasted castor seed cake-based diets as a reflect on blood profile of weanling wistar albino rats

Since the cost of feed is increasing due to the keen competition between humans and animals, there is a need to critically seek for a matching  alternative. Castor seed cake, a residue after the extraction of oil from nutrients-rich castor seed constitutes a waste which can be converted into livestock feed. Thus, the study was carried out to investigate the effect of graded levels of castor seed cake diets on haematological and serum  biochemical indices of weanling albino rats in an experiment that lasted 21 days. Thirty weanling Wistar albino rats were weighed individually and randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 3 replicates of two rats in a completely randomized design. Diet 1 was a nitrogen-free diet (NFD),  while diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 had 0% (without castor seed cake inclusion), 2, 4 and 6% castor seed cake replacing soyabean meal respectively. At day 21, blood samples were obtained from two rats per replicate for haematological and serum analysis. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) observed in all the parameters (packed cell volume, haemaglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil and  platelet) measured. Similarly, diet had no effect on the serum biochemical indices (creatinine, urea, total protein and globulin) measured.  Significant difference (P<0.05) was however observed in albumin (2.62 – 3.18g/dL) of rats on the different experimental diets. The albumin  concentrations of weanling albino rats on dietary treatments were similar to those on the control diet but significantly (P<0.05) higher (3.09 – 3.18g/dL) than those on the nitrogen-free diet. It can be concluded that castor seed cake can replace soyabean meal up to 6% inclusion level withouteliciting detrimental effect on blood profile of weanling wistar albino rats. Keywords: Castor seed cake, Albino rat, Haematological parameters, Serum biochemical indice

Potency of selected herbs on inhibition of ammonia producing bacteria

In effort to combat environmental pollution, improve animal production and avoid drug residue, producers have resorted to the use of phytobiotics  to inhibit ammonia producing microbes in the gut. Freshly harvested Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Saccharum officinarum, Chromolaena odorata, Eucalyptus camadulensis and Mangifera indica leaves were air dried, blended and extracted using five concentrations of solvent (100%  water, 70% water + 30% methanol, 50% water + 50% methanol, 30% water + 70% methanol and 100% methanol). The antibacterial activities of the extracts and antibiotics (doxycycline) as control, were tested according to standard procedures against both gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae) ammonia producing bacteria. In most cases, it was observed that the inhibitory effect of methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Saccharum officinarum, Chromolaena odorata, Eucalyptus camadulensis and Mangifera indica leaves were not significantly different from that of synthetic antibiotics, doxycycline, when tested against the test bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholera. However, leave extracts showed significantly better inhibitory effect on  Escherichia coli than the antibiotic drug. It can be concluded, therefore, that the leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Saccharum officinarum, Chromolaena odorata, Eucalyptus camadulensis and Mangifera indica can serve as alternative to synthetic drugs in animal production  due to their effective actions against microbial organisms. Keywords: Ammonia producing microbes, Phytobiotics, Herbs, Antibiotics, Inhibitio

Effect of L-Dopa on performance and serum cholesterol of Nera black pullets

L-Dopa in raw or processed mucuna seed, in the presence of antinutritional factors, has been implicated to have caused nutritional disorders in monogastrics. However, the use of pure LDopa is established in broilers and quails to enhance growth performance, cholesterol profile, and reproductive organs without detrimental effect. Information on the effect of LDopa on hydrolysis of triglycerides and growth performance in laying birds is scanty. In a 56-day experiment, 300 eight-weeks old Nera Black layers were fed diets supplemented with LDopa at 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% dietary levels respectively in a completely randomized design. Feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined. Blood (5mL) was sampled from two birds per replicate at the end of the feeding trial to determine serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and blood parameters using standard procedures. Data were analysed using  descriptive statistics and ANOVA at á0.05. The L-Dopa inclusion at all dietary inclusion levels did not significantly influence the feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and blood parameters. There were no observable significant differences in all the parameters measured probably because of the growing stage of the experimental birds. It can therefore be concluded that L-Dopa supplementation in the diets of pullets at 0.1% to 0.4% inclusion levels did not cause any deleterious effect on the overall performance. Keywords: L-Dopa, growth performance, blood metabolites, serum cholesterol, Nera black pullet

Effects of sodium acetate and sodium propionate supplemented diets on growth performance and gut histomorphology of broiler starters

In a 21-day feeding trial, 240 one-day old broiler chicks were distributed into five treatments replicated six times with eight birds each to evaluate the effect of sodium acetate, sodium propionate and their combination on growth performance and gut histomorphological parameters of broiler starter. Diet 1 was a basal diet, diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 0.1g/kg oxytetracycline, 4g/kg sodium acetate, 4g/kg sodium propionate and combination of 4g/kg sodium acetate + 4g/kg sodium propionate respectively. Performance indices, morphological measurements and histological examinations were assayed for. Birds fed sodium acetate diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight compared to those fed other diets. However, birds fed sodium propionate diets and the combination were identical with birds fed other treatments. Improved villus height was recorded for birds fed sodium acetate, which did not differ significantly from those fed the combination. Sample sectioning of liver of birds fed antibiotics revealed dissociation of hepatic cords while sodium propionate showed hepatic necrosis. However sodium acetate and the combination showed no observable lesion. Bursa of fabricius of birds fed antibiotics revealed evidence of fibrosis while those fed sodium propionate showed scanty populated follicles. It was concluded that organic salt is a viable feed supplement in broiler diet.Keywords: Broiler starter, Growth performance, Gut histomorphology and Organic salt

Influence of butyric acid supplemented diets on growth response, precaecal nutrient digestibility, gut morphology and histopathological measurements in broiler chickens

In recent time, there has been call for antibiotics substitute in animal feed due to concerns over its residual effects and the development of   antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans consuming the meat. Short chain fatty acids are often used as viable alternatives to antibiotics. However, there has conflicting reports on the efficacy of the organic acids. This study was therefore aimed at assessing the effects of butyric acid  supplemented diets on growth performance, ileal nutrient digestibility, gut morphology and histopathology of broiler chickens in a 21-day feeding trial. Three hundred and thirty-six, one-day old Arbor Acre plus broiler chicks were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments with six replicate groups of eight chickens each. Diet 1 was the Corn-SBM diet {basal diet (negative control NC)}; Diet 2 (positive control) was basal diet+105g of  oxytetracyclene/tonne of feed; Diet 3 comprised NC+0.1% butyric acid); Diet 4 consisted of NC+ 0.2% butyric acid, Diet 5 contained NC+ 0.3% butyric acid, Diet 6 had NC+ 0.4% butyric acid and Diet 7 consisted of NC+ 0.5% butyric acid. Titanium dioxide was added at the rate of 5g/kg as indigestible dietary marker. Performance indices were calculated. On day 21, two chickens per replicate were slaughtered, excised and digesta samples collected  a two-thirds to ileo-caeco-colonic junction for digestibility assay. After flushing out the digesta samples, sections of the ileum (5cm posterior to Meckel's diverticulum) were removed for ileal morphological measurements while ileal sections and liver were harvested for  histopathological examinations. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the performance indices across the treatments. Digestibility of crude protein, ash and nitrogen free extract in broiler chickens fed diets containing antibiotic and 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% butyric acid supplementeddiets were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed basal diet and diet supplemented with 0.1% butyric acid. Ether extract digestibility of those fed basal diet was similar (P>0.05) to chickens on other dietary treatments. Similar crude fibre digestibility was recorded for basal diet and 0.1% butyric acid supplemented diet. Diets had no significant influence on the villus length, villus height, crypt depth, epithelial thickness and villus height to crypt depth ratio. Histopathological observation of chickens on the control diet showed clinical symptoms of villi and hepatocellular atrophy. No lesions were observed in the ilea of chickens on the antibiotics supplemented diets. Clinical symptoms ranging from villi atrophy, necrosis of thevilli, clubbing of the villi, loss of enterocyte, hepatocellular atrophy and necrosis, hyperplasia of bile ductular epithelium, accentuation of sinusoids,  and focus of lymphoid  aggregate in parenchyma of liver were observed for chickens on butyric acid supplemented diets. Due to the equal level of performance recorded across treatments, it may therefore be concluded that using butyric acid up to 0.5% in diet can replace antibiotic usage but had no comparative beneficial effect on broiler productivity at 21 days. Keywords: Butyrate, Performance, Gut morphometric, Ileal nutrient digestibility, Broiler chicken