Effect of honey and intensity of swimming exercise on semen parameters of male albino Wistar rats

Background: The impairment of male fertility has been linked to exercise in a volume‑, intensity‑, and modality‑dependent manner. Infertility is a worldwide problem and male factor infertility is found to be increased. Chronic administration of honey results in elevating sorbitol dehydrogenase activity and decreases lactose dehydrogenase activity, which was found to be in abundance in spermatids and spermatozoa, and a decrease in this enzyme significantly affects the semen parameters and decreases ATP synthesis due to oxidative stress.Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of honey and intensity of swimming exercise on semen parameters of male albino Wistar rats.Methodology: A randomized control trial study was adopted involving 50 sexually mature male Wistar rats (180 ± 20 g). The selected rats were divided into five groups of 10 rats each: group I served as normal control while group II was induced with honey only and served as study control. Groups III–V were study groups induced orally with 7.5 mL/kg of honey twice per week for 8 weeks and exposed to mild, moderate, and high‑intensity swimming exercises 5 days/week for 8 weeks, respectively.Results: Chronic oral administration of pure honey showed that motility, viability, sperm count, and semen morphology were significantly lower, and percentages of abnormal morphology were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group IIcompared with normal control rats (group I). There was a significant decrease in motility, viability, and morphology in group V when compared with groups I, III, and IV. However, they were significantly higher when compared with test control group. The decrease was found to be swimming exercise time‑dependent.Conclusion: Chronic consumption of pure honey has a deleterious effect on semen parameters, and mild, moderate, and intensity swimming exercises were found to have a positive effect of induced semen parameters of male albino Wistar rats.Keywords: Exercise; honey; intensity; semen; Wistar rat

Determination of origin and granulometric analysis of river channel sediments of Osi, southwestern Nigeria

Osi is located within the south-western part of the Nigerian Basement Complex and plays a host to unconsolidated deposits and major examples of Precambrian – Paleozoic crystalline rocks in the region. Detailed geological mapping revealed the area to comprise essentially of migmatite – banded gneiss complex and diorites and minor rock types that include pegmatite and quartz veins. Superficial stream sediments occur abundantly and proximally along channels in the vicinity. These river channels host considerable amount of loose deposits that are useful for sedimentological and provenance study. While efforts have been committed to regional mapping, petrography and geochemistry of rocks in the region, little attention was paid to the associated stream sediments. This study adopted geological mapping of the crystalline rocks and sieve analysis of the stream sediments, as well as the use of XRF and inductively coupled plasma Mass spectrometry (ICP – MS) to establish some relationship between the basement geology and the surrounding deposits in the area. Migmatites are abundant in the south-west and parts of the north-west, while granite gneisses with isolated occurrence of diorite are confined to the north-east of the study area. Granulometry of the sediments revealed a predominantly medium – coarse grained, poorlysorted leptokurtic sands, indicating products of in-situ weathering of host rocks. Geochemical analysis supports a strong correlation between the rocks and the sediments. The study is applicable to enhanced understanding of grai -size distribution and in regional mapping and geochemical method of exploration.Keywords: Basement complex, migmatite – gneiss complex, stream sediments, grai -size analysis, elemental abundance, south-western Nigeri

Normal electrocardiographic parameters of Auraki donkeys in Sokoto, Nigeria: baseline for adaptation

Donkey is becoming an endangered species regionally in northwestern Nigeria and nationally. Indigenous species have suffered a sharp decline in population from hunting, diseases and slaughter as food animals by different tribes in Nigeria. Very little information on their cardiac excitability is available, owing to negligence and lack of comprehensive and coherent national program on donkeys’ conservation and preservation, hence the need to carry out the study. The study was carried out using 22 apparently healthy Jacks (male donkeys) with a mean age of 8 ± 0.7 years and an average weight of 135kg ± 0.5. The donkeys were manually restrained on standing position on an insulated ground surface using a rubber mat; Electrocardiogram was conducted using single lead channel ECG recorder (EDAN VE-100). The durations of P, R, T, QRS, P-R interval and Q-T interval were recorded as well as the amplitudes of P, R and T. The highest amplitude of P- wave was obtained in lead II while the highest R-wave amplitude was obtained in lead aVR. P and T wave’s durations were highest in lead aVR while higher R-wave and QRS complex durations were obtained in leads aVL and aVF, respectively. The P-R and Q-T intervals (duration) were highest in lead I. Positive P-wave, Negative T-wave and Negative deflection of QRS complex were predominant. Variable QRS-complexes were recorded with predominant QS deflection. The mean heart rate was 52.8±1.8 and ranged between 30-142beats/minute. ECG parameters of donkeys in Sokoto differ from that of other breeds. Data generated will serve as baseline references for quick detection of deviations and early diagnosis and management of potential cardiovascular conditions in studied breed. Key Words: Arrhythmias, Electrocardiogram, Tropics, Auraki Donkeys, Extinction, Sokot

Comparison of electrocardiographic parameters of racing and non-racing horses in Sokoto Nigeria

The study was conducted due to the economic importance of horses and shortage of information on electrocardiographic parameters of horses in Sokoto, Nigeria. This study established the normal electrocardiographic parameters of racing and non-racing horses in Sokoto and statistically compared the values. The study used forty horses comprising of 20 racing and 20 non-racing horses with mean age of 8 ± 0.5 years and average weight of 200 ± 2.0 kg. ECG was recorded using the base apex system with the animals in standing position using single lead channel ECG recorder (EDAN VE-100 manufactured by Edan instruments China). The paper speed was set at 25mm/s while the sensitivity of the machine was adjusted to 10 mm/mV. The durations and amplitudes of P, R and T, the durations of Q and S and the durations of PR, QRS and QT intervals were all determined. These parameters were determined for the three standard limb leads (I, II and III) as well as the augmented limb leads (aVR, aVL and aVF). Descriptive statistics using SPSS version 16 was used to calculate the means and standard error of mean at 95 % confidence interval. One-way ANOVA was used to compare between the values of the racing and non-racing horses. The highest values of P amplitude, R amplitude, Q amplitude, QRS complex and P-R interval were recorded in racing horses, while highest T wave amplitude was recorded in non-racing horses. Highest duration of P wave, T wave and QRS was recorded in racing horses while highest duration of Q wave was recorded in non-racing horses. Significant difference was found in the T amplitude in racing horses in lead aVF. The mean heart rate for the racing and non-racing horses was 80.3 ± 8.4 and 63.1 ± 9.2 beats/minute respectively. Higher values recorded in racing horses indicates that exercise has influence on electrical activities in horses. Keywords: Electrocardiograph, Non-racing horses, Parameters, Racing horses, Sokot

Correction to: Comparison of electrocardiographic parameters of racing and non-racing horses in Sokoto Nigeria

The initial version of the article published in Volume 18 number 1 (March, 2020) contained errors in the names of AJ Ishaq and N Abduazeez. Their correct names are: AI Ja’afaru and N Abdulazeez, respectively

Effects of N-Butanol and Aqueous Fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Guiera senegalensis and Tamarindus Indica Leaves Extracts on Eimeria tenella Oocyst Sporulation in Vitro

The in vitro anti coccidial activities of n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Gueira senegalensis and Tamarindus indica leaves extracts on Eimeria tenella parasite was studied by observing the effects of the plant extracts on the sporulation of the Eimeria tenella oocysts. Drug resistance and consumer demanding decrease in the use of drugs in animals have generated interest in alternative strategies to control the avian disease one of which is herbal intervention studies. Fresh faecal samples were collected from infected birds and their oocysts load determined. Dilutions of the extracts (100mg, 250mg, 400mg, 550mg, 700mg and 850mg per ml) in distilled water were prepared and placed in separate well labelled petri dishes. 100 oocysts were added to each petri dish and the set up was left at ambient temperature on the laboratory table and monitored twice daily (9.00am and 3.00pm) to observe the sporulation of the oocysts over a 72 hours period. Laboratory sporulation medium (2.5% Potassium dichromate) and Amprolium were used for comparison. The phytochemical result implied that the active ingredients were present mainly in the n-butanol and crude extract  fractions with the nbutanol fraction of the Khaya senegalensis extract containing phenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant effects. The in vitro study showed that the n-butanol fraction of K senegalensis (100mg/ml) and the aqueous fraction of Tamarindus indica (100mg/ml) extracts had similar effects to those obtained using Amprolium which was considered as the standard by inhibiting the sporulation of Eimeria tenella oocysts. It is therefore recommended that more work needs to be done to determine the anti  coccidial activities of these extracts in vivo. Key words: Eimeria tenella, sporulation, in vitro, extract

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 84.7%) were from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 62.8%), followed by strabismus (n = 429 10.2%) and proptosis (n = 309 7.4%). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 95% CI, 12.94-24.80, and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 95% CI, 4.30-7.68). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs. © 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

A Comparison of Knowledge of Puerperal and Newborn Care amongst Rural and Urban Women in Kano State, Nigeria

No Abstract

Leaf epidermal anatomy of Ipomoea carnea Jacq sampled from selected areas in Gombe State, Nigeria

Leaf epidermal microscopy of Ipomoea carnea Jacq was studied to investigate the structure of the stomata and epidermal features which may be used for delimitation of the specie. Fresh leaves of Ipomoea carnea were obtained from five different LGA,S (Gombe, Y/deba, Balanga, Funakaye and Dukku ) in Gombe State, Nigeria. The specimens were studied under light microscope to examine the Stomatal features, Epidermal cell shapes and Anticlinal cell-wall patterns. It had the presence of amphistomatic leaves; one type of Stomatal complex type namely Cyclocytic. Accession 1 had the highest Stomatal Density (40.00 ± 1.00mm2) with lowest Stomatal size (51.13±7.47µm) on the Abaxial leaf surfaces while Accession 2 possessed lowest Stomatal density (23.40±7.67mm2) with highest Stomatal Size (88.68±1.95mm2) on the Adaxial leaf surfaces. Curved anticlinal cell wall patterns with polygonal epidermal cell shapes were also observed. It was concluded that the presence of Cylocytic type of stomata, with large stomatal sizes greatly helped in the delimitation of the plant and could also be used for classification /identification of the plant and some of the features such as trichomes could also be used for adaptation purposes.Keywords: Epidermal, Stomata, Ipomoea carnea, Cyclocytic, Trichome