Pyometritis in an Alsatian X Mongrel Cross Bitch: A Case Report

No Abstract

Diurnal Effects on Serum Testosterone and Spermiogram of the West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep During the Early Rainy Season

Circulating serum testosterone and seminal ejaculate characteristics of eighteen sexually mature WAD rams were evaluated at three diurnal phases: in the morning (6-8am), afternoon (12-1pm) and evening (4-6 pm). The ambient, as well as the rectal temperature of the rams were recorded. Significant differences were observed in the mean ambient temperatures during the three diurnal phases (p< 0.05). However, there was no significant change in mean rectal temperature of the rams among the three diurnal periods (p>0.05). Serum testosterone concentrations were 22.72 0.12 ng/ ml, 21.68 0.14 ng / ml and 21.15 0.10 ng/ml at 6-8am, 12noon-1pm, and 4-6 pm respectively. Significant differences were also observed during these three diurnal phases (p<0.05). However, seminal ejaculate characteristics such as concentration, percent live spermatozoa, and spermatozoa morphological defects did not vary significantly (p>0.05) between the diurnal phases. This study has shown that there are diurnal effects on serum testosterone concentrations. We therefore suggest that these effects be taken into consideration during natural breeding program(s) as sexual activity or increased libido is probably better expressed during the cooler periods of the day.Nigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 336-34

The Effect of Nigerian Qua-Iboe Brent Crude Oil on the Reproductive Performance of Female Wistar Albino Rats

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 187 - 19

Incidence Of Trypanosomosis In A Muturu Herd At Nsukka, South-Eastern Nigeria

A herd of 28 Muturu cattle under semi-intensive system of management at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Agricultural Farm, southeastern, Nigeria, was examined for the presence of trypanosome infection over a one year period (April, 1998 - March, 1999). The aim was to assess the incidence of trypanosomosis and factors that may affect its occurrence variation. Infection was widespread in the herd (67. 9%) during the period. Out of the factors (season, sex and age) only season showed a significant effect on the occurrence of trypanosomosis. The incidence was highest in the third quarter of the year corresponding to the late rainy season period, followed by the fourth quarter (early dry season) and was least in the first quarter (late dry season). This seasonal incidence varied between 2.6% (CL 0.3 - 9.1 %) to 20.3% (CL 12.0 -30.8%) All the infections were due to Trypanosma vivax and the principal tsetse vector was Glossina tachinoides. Parasitaemic animals were able to control anaemia as their PCV's were similar to those of uninfected animals (P>0.05). The importance of these findings in relation to the general epizootiology of trypanosomosis and animal production in the area is discussed.Keywords: Trypanosomosis, muturu cattle, semi-intensive, Nigeri

Evaluation of a Financial Portfolio Visualization using Computer Displays and Mixed Reality Devices with Domain Experts

With the advent of mixed reality devices such as the Microsoft HoloLens, developers have been faced with the challenge to utilize the third dimension in information visualization effectively. Research on stereoscopic devices has shown that three-dimensional representation can improve accuracy in specific tasks (e.g., network visualization). Yet, so far the field has remained mute on the underlying mechanism. Our study systematically investigates the differences in user perception between a regular monitor and a mixed reality device. In a real-life within-subject experiment in the field with twenty-eight investment bankers, we assessed subjective and objective task performance with two- and three-dimensional systems, respectively. We tested accuracy with regard to position, size, and color using single and combined tasks. Our results do not show a significant difference in accuracy between mixed-reality and standard 2D monitor visualizations

A mesoscale phytoplankton bloom in the polar Southern Ocean stimulated by iron fertilization

Changes in iron supply to oceanic plankton are thought to have a significant effect on concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide by altering rates of carbon sequestration, a theory known as the 'iron hypothesis'. For this reason, it is important to understand the response of pelagic biota to increased iron supply. Here we report the results of a mesoscale iron fertilization experiment in the polar Southern Ocean, where the potential to sequester iron-elevated algal carbon is probably greatest. Increased iron supply led to elevated phytoplankton biomass and rates of photosynthesis in surface waters, causing a large drawdown of carbon dioxide and macronutrients, and elevated dimethyl sulphide levels after 13 days. This drawdown was mostly due to the proliferation of diatom stocks. But downward export of biogenic carbon was not increased. Moreover, satellite observations of this massive bloom 30 days later, suggest that a sufficient proportion of the added iron was retained in surface waters. Our findings demonstrate that iron supply controls phytoplankton growth and community composition during summer in these polar Southern Ocean waters, but the fate of algal carbon remains unknown and depends on the interplay between the processes controlling export, remineralisation and timescales of water mass subduction

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit