Problemi umjetnog osjemenjivanja jednogrbe deve - izostanak ovulacije i zadržavanje spermija u želatinoznoj spermi.

An artificial insemination study was conducted on 17 female camels which were administered human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) to induce ovulation after confirming a follicle in the ovaries using sonography. The animals were inseminated with either diluted-cooled or fresh undiluted semen. No female camel could be impregnated with diluted and cooled semen, while pregnancy rate was low with neat undiluted semen. To ascertain possible causes of low conception rate, plasma progesterone (P4) profiles were monitored. Criteria adopted for interpretation of these profiles were as follows: P4 levels below 1 ng/ml on days 5-8 was considered to indicate failure to ovulate; a single peak of 1ng/ml on days 5-8 followed by a decline on day 12 was considered to indicate ovulation. However, failure of fertilization and P4 levels of more than 1 ng/ml on days 5-8 and day 12 followed by a decline was considered to indicate successful ovulation and fertilization, but failure of embryo survival. Consistently higher levels of P4 were considered to be indicative of pregnancy. Using these criteria, 5 of 33 inseminations were diagnosed as pregnant, while profiles of 17 of 33, 8 of 33 and 3 of 33 were indicative of failure of ovulation, failure of fertilization and failure of embryo survival, respectively. A high incidence of failure of ovulation may be due to oversized follicles or follicles in which degenerative processes might have been initiated prior to administration of hCG. High failure of fertilization may be due to a viscous form of camel semen, which may play a role as a sperm reservoir and protect the viability of spermatozoa in the female genital tract by entrapping sperm. Insemination with diluted and cooled semen may disturb the protection, resulting in failure of conception. It is concluded that the high incidence of ovulation failure and failure to deposit sperm in its natural entrapped viscous form are the major problems for development of AI in the camel. Further improvement may be expected, if we are able to standardize the appropriate insemination time around peri ovulatory time, and appropriate follicular size, which responds to hCG.Umjetno osjemenjivanje provedeno je na 17 deva kojima je dan ljudski korionski gonadotropin (hCG) u svrhu poticanja ovulacije. Prethodno je ultrazvučnom metodom ustanovljen folikul na jajnicima pretraženih deva. Deve su osjemenjene ili razrijeđenom i rashlađenom ili svježom, nerazrijeđenom spermom. Nijedna deva nije bila oplođena nakon osjemenjivanja razrijeđenom i rashlađenom spermom, a nakon osjemenjivanja nerazrijeđenom spermom stopa oplođenosti bila je niska. Radi utvrđivanja mogućih uzroka niske stope koncepcije, utvrđivana je razina progesterona u plazmi (P4). Razina P4 ispod 1 ng/ml u razdoblju 5 do 8 dana smatrala se pokazateljem izostanka ovulacije. Jednokratni porast od 1 ng/ml tijekom 5-8 dana nakon kojeg je slijedio pad 12. dana, smatrao se pokazateljem ovulacije s neuspjelom oplodnjom. P4 razine veće od 1 ng/ml tijekom razdoblja 5 do 8 dana, uključujući 12. dan nakon kojeg slijedi opadanje smatrale su se uspješnom ovulacijom i oplodnjom ali neuspjelim preživljavanjem embrija. Postojano visoke razine P4 smatrale su se pokazateljem gravidnosti. Prema navedenim kriterijima, pet od 33 osjemenjivanja rezultirala su gravidnošću. U 17 od 33 osjemenjivanja izostala je ovulacija. U 8 od 33 osjemenjivanja nije došlo do oplodnje, a u tri od 33 osjemenjnivanja embrij nije preživio. Učestala pojavnost izostanka ovulacije mogla bi se povezati s prevelikim folikulima ili folikulima u kojih su degenerativni procesi započeli prije davanja hCG. Visoka učestalost neuspjele oplodnje, mogla bi se povezati s viskoznošću sperme, zbog koje su spermiji u genitalnom traktu deve zaštićeniji i lakše preživljavaju. Osjemenjivanje s razrijeđenom i rashlađenom spermom može poremetiti navedene zaštitne mehanizme i dovesti do slabije oplođenosti. Može se zaključiti da je učestalo izostajanje ovulacije i nemogućnost polaganja sperme u njezinom prirodno viskoznom obliku glavni problem za razvoj umjetnog osjemenjivanja deva. Daljnji napredak se može očekivati ako se standardizira prikladno vrijeme osjemenjivanja (periovulatorno vrijeme), te utvrdi veličina folikula koja najbolje odgovara na aplikaciju hCG

Regulation of genomic and biobanking research in Africa: a content analysis of ethics guidelines, policies and procedures from 22 African countries

Background: The introduction of genomics and biobanking methodologies to the African research context has also introduced novel ways of doing science, based on values of sharing and reuse of data and samples. This shift raises ethical challenges that need to be considered when research is reviewed by ethics committees, relating for instance to broad consent, the feedback of individual genetic findings, and regulation of secondary sample access and use. Yet existing ethics guidelines and regulations in Africa do not successfully regulate research based on sharing, causing confusion about what is allowed, where and when. Methods: In order to understand better the ethics regulatory landscape around genomic research and biobanking, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing ethics guidelines, policies and other similar sources. We sourced 30 ethics regulatory documents from 22 African countries. We used software that assists with qualitative data analysis to conduct a thematic analysis of these documents. Results: Surprisingly considering how contentious broad consent is in Africa, we found that most countries allow the use of this consent model, with its use banned in only three of the countries we investigated. In a likely response to fears about exploitation, the export of samples outside of the continent is strictly regulated, sometimes in conjunction with regulations around international collaboration. We also found that whilst an essential and critical component of ensuring ethical best practice in genomics research relates to the governance framework that accompanies sample and data sharing, this was most sparingly covered in the guidelines. Conclusions: There is a need for ethics guidelines in African countries to be adapted to the changing science policy landscape, which increasingly supports principles of openness, storage, sharing and secondary use. Current guidelines are not pertinent to the ethical challenges that such a new orientation raises, and therefore fail to provide accurate guidance to ethics committees and researchers

Prevalence and Pattern of Stimulants Use among Long-distance Truck Drivers in a Truck Part in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Stimulant use is recognized as an important factor in road safety worldwide, and concerns are growing over the incidence of road traffic accidents among drivers who drive under the influence of stimulants. Yearly, more than 1.25 million people lose their lives as a result of road traffic accidents, many of which are associated with stimulant use. Aim: The study aimed to assess the prevalence, pattern, and factors associated with stimulant use among long‑distance truck drivers in a truck part in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted in a truck park in Marraraban Jos in Kaduna State. A structured, interviewer‑administered  questionnaire was used to obtain data. A total of 152 respondents were interviewed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi‑square and  Fisher’s exact tests were used to identify the relationship between categorical variables with a level of significance at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 152 respondents participated in the study with a mean age of 33 ± 5 years. The prevalence of stimulant use was 64.5%. Only 92  (60.7%) drivers reported using stimulants on rare occasions. Years of driving experience was found to be associated with stimulant use (P = 0.031).  Other sociodemographic variables were shown not to be significantly related to stimulant use. Conclusion: The prevalence of stimulant use was found to be high among the drivers, with less experienced drivers more likely to use stimulants.  Efforts on improving road safety should include reducing stimulant use, especially among the younger less experienced drivers. Keywords: Jos, long‑distance drivers, Nigeria, stimulant

Optimization of thermoluminescence response of copper doped zinc lithium borate glass co-doped with Na2O

Establishing the basic procedures that will influence the enhancement of the TL yield of a phosphor is paramount in the issue of dosimetry. Melt quenching method was adopted in synthesizing lithium borate glass modified with ZnO, doped with CuO and codoped with Na2O. The structural and optical properties of zinc lithium borate and some TL properties of copper doped zinc lithium borate were reported in our previous works. The amorphous nature of the prepared glasses was confirmed by x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Physical properties of the glass were obtained via Archimedes principle. The copper doped zinc lithium borate was co-doped with different concentration of Na2O (0.025 mol % to 0.1 mol %). The glasses were irradiated with 4 Gy dose of gamma rays using 60Co gamma cell. The highest TL response was recorded against 0.05 mol% concentration of Na2O. The best settings for TLD reading of the proposed TLD were determined. The optimal annealing temperature and time for this composition was found to be 300 oC and 50 min respectively. The best heating rate at which the new TLD can be readout was 3 oC S-1

Availability and Co-Substrate Potential of Typha latifolia for Biogas Production in Funtua, Katsina State, Nigeria

In order to reduce global warming through fossil fuel utilization, biogas production from biodegradable biomass seems a sustainable alternative. This study evaluated the availability and co-substrate potential of T. latifolia for biogas production in Funtua, Katsina State Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the wards that were used for this study. A 1204 metres transect was used for 32 quadrats; 19 of these were laid on the 953m contiguous land area at intervals of 50m; 9 quadrats covered 450m, 5 quadrats were on 250m, 3 on 153m, and 2 on 100m. The remaining 13 transects were laid on the 251m un-contiguous patches. Coordinates of various potentials sites were recorded using Global positioning system. There were an average of 27 T. latifolia stands per m2. A total of 32,388 of T. latifolia stands were recorded in the study area; Dukke ward (23,968), Makera (8,205) and Maska 216. T. latifolia is available in lqrge quantities, and a potential co substrate in anaerobic digestion for biogas production in Funtua. It is recommended that the study should be replicated in time later to establish a trend of the T. latifolia species in terms of population

Simulation of Hydrodesulphurization (HDS) Unit of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited

This research was carried out to simulate the Hydrodesulphurization unit using ASPEN HYSYS with the aim of removing impurities such as Sulphur, Nitrogen and Oxygen in raw Kerosene. The simulation is based on conditions and parameters (mass flow rates, temperature and pressure readings) obtained from the Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC). After the successful completion of the simulation, total removal of impurities was achieved as the concentration of sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen in mole fraction present in the treated Kerosene stream was approximately zero. The treated Kerosene composition indicated 0.0021, 0.3342, 0.3322 and 0.3315 mole fractions of n-C13, n-C14, n-C15 and n-C16 respectively. Key words: Simulation, Hydrodesulphurization, Aspen Hysys, Impurities

Assessment of health risks associated with wastewater irrigation in Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess the health risks from the use of wastewater for irrigation to ensure a sustainable and safer agricultural production. Samples of wastewater and lettuce wash-water were analyzed to determine the faecal coliform count and the presence of helminth eggs. Besides, the opinion of the public was seeked through the use of questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using some statistical analysis (ANOVA), correlation analysis and simple statistics. The result shows that there were significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) among the faecal coliform counts in the wastewater of the study area. However, in the case of the lettuce wash-water, there were no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) among the values of the faecal coliform in the area except that of Bajabure which differed significantly from the rest. The result also shows that there was no correlation (r = -0.15) between the faecal coliform in the wastewater and that in the lettuce wash-water. Helthminth eggs were found to be present in some of the wastewater and the lettuce wash-water of the study area

Availability and prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccines among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and kidney failure during the height of the pandemic: a global survey by the International Society of Nephrology

OBJECTIVE Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure receiving replacement therapy (KFRT) are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is effective, but access differs around the world. We aimed to ascertain the availability, readiness and prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccines for this group of patients globally. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Collaborators from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study and ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas developed an online survey that was administered electronically to key nephrology leaders in 174 countries between 2 July and 4 August 2021. RESULTS Survey responses were received from 99 of 174 countries from all 10 ISN regions, among which 88/174 (50%) were complete. At least one vaccine was available in 96/99 (97%) countries. In 71% of the countries surveyed, patients on dialysis were prioritised for vaccination, followed by patients living with a kidney transplant (KT) (62%) and stage 4/5 CKD (51%). Healthcare workers were the most common high priority group for vaccination. At least 50% of patients receiving in-centre haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or KT were estimated to have completed vaccination at the time of the survey in 55%, 64% and 51% of countries, respectively. At least 50% of patients in all three patient groups had been vaccinated in >70% of high-income countries and in 100% of respondent countries in Western Europe.The most common barriers to vaccination of patients were vaccine hesitancy (74%), vaccine shortages (61%) and mass vaccine distribution challenges (48%). These were reported more in low-income and lower middle-income countries compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSION Patients with advanced CKD or KFRT were prioritised in COVID-19 vaccination in most countries. Multiple barriers led to substantial variability in the successful achievement of COVID-19 vaccination across the world, with high-income countries achieving the most access and success