Electrocardiographic parameters in West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto (Maradi) goats

The aim of this study was to establish normal electrocardiographic (ECG) values for standard lead II in West African Dwarf goats (WAD) and Red Sokoto Goats (RS). Electrocardiographic study of 11 healthy WAD and 11 RS goats 10 months to 2 years of age was carried out with EDAN 10 Veterinary Electrocardiographic equipment. Record from Lead II showed the heart rate varied from 87 to 175 beats/min with a mean of 149.55 ± 51.13 beats/min for RS goats; and 142-272 with a mean of 171.5 ± 39.7 for WAD goats. The difference was significant between the heart rate of the two goat breeds (P<0.05). The P wave appeared prolonged and of multifocal atria rhythm. The mean P wave was 0.11 ± 0.24 in WAD goats and 0.11 ± .059 in RS goats. The mean QRS complex was 0.065 ± 0.21 sec in WAD goats and 0.059 ± 0.35 in RS goats. The QT was prolonged in the breeds, with appearance of U wave in some. The prolonged QT interval suggested prolonged ventricular repolarization which may be as a result of the deeply penetrating Purkinje system in ruminants that gave rise to explosive spread of waves in many directions from ventricular endocardium to epicardium.Keywords: Electrocardiogram, Heart rate, Noninvasive, RS goats, WAD goat

Cardiotoxicity induced by inhalation of petroleum products

Exposure to petroleum products has been associated with high blood pressure. This study was designed to investigate the effect of petroleum products on cardiac tissue architecture and creatine kinase (CK- MB). Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to diesel, kerosene and petrol by inhalation for eight weeks. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected, blood pressure was measured and animal heart was harvested for histological study. Blood pressure and serum creatine kinase (CK-MB) was significantly higher in the exposed compared with control rats. Degeneration of myocardial tissue was also observed in the exposed rats. The findings from the study revealed that the cardio-toxic effect of petroleum products is via creatine kinase-dependent mechanism.Keywords: Creatine kinase, phosphokinase, petroleum, heart, cardio-toxicity, blood pressur

Prevalence and Predictors of Tuberculosis Coinfection among HIV-Seropositive Patients Attending the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northern Nigeria

Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been accompanied by a severe epidemic of tuberculosis (TB), although the prevalence of coinfection is largely unknown, especially in developing countries, including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of TB coinfection among HIV-seropositive Nigerians. Methods: The case files of HIV/AIDS patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from January to December 2006 were reviewed. Results: A total of 1320 HIV/AIDS patients had complete records and were reviewed, among which 138 (10.5%) were coinfected with TB (95% CI, 8.9% to 12.2%). Pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 103 (74.6%) patients, among whom only 18 (17.5%) were sputum-positive. Fifty (36.2%) coinfected patients had some type of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB); 15 had both pulmonary TB and EPTB. Among the 35 patients with EPTB only, 20 (57.1%) had abdominal TB, 5 (14.3%) had TB adenitis, 5 (14.3%) had spinal TB, 3 (8.6%) were being monitored for tuberculous meningitis, and 1 (2.9%) each had renal TB and tuberculous adrenalitis. The highest prevalence of TB, 13.7% (n = 28), was seen among patients aged 41–50 years. TB coinfection was significantly associated with marital status, WHO clinical stage, and CD4 count. Marital status (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.28–3.59; P = 0.04), WHO clinical stage at presentation (4.81; 1.42–8.34; P = 0.001), and baseline CD4 count (2.71; 1.51–6.21; P = 0.02) remained significant predictors after adjustment for confounding. Conclusions: The moderately high prevalence of TB among HIV-seropositive patients underscores the urgent need for strategies that lead to rapid identification and treatment of coinfection with active or latent TB

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

The formalin test: effects of different injection sites on the pattern of nociceptive responses

The formalin test is widely believed to provide a more valid model for clinical pain than tests with phasic mechanical or thermal stimuli. However, the different implementations of the test in use pose the possibility of confounding results. This study evaluated the effects of different injection sites on the pattern of nociceptive responses. The responses to forepaw injection was found to be significantly higher than that of hind paw injection in the first phase while the response to plantar injection was found to be significantly higher than that of dorsal injection. We conclude that the choice of injection site has some effects on the pattern of nociceptive responses. Keywords: formalin test, injection sites, nociception, pain measurement Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 48-5

Host plant resistance to insect pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.): achievements and future prospects

Published online: 06 Oct 2017Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is an important cash, food and nutritional security grain legume crop in the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. However, its productivity is hampered by several biotic stress factors including numerous insect pests that infest and damage the crop at all its development stages in the field as well as during storage. Host plant resistance is an environmental friendly, cost-effective and sustainable pest management option for minimizing the pests’ incidence and severity. This review article aims at describing the major insect pests in cowpea and highlight key past and recent research findings in cowpea resistance to insect pests. It also provides in-depth knowledge in the host-plant resistance mechanisms in cowpea i.e. biophysical, biochemical and physiological factors that regulate the defense systems in the plant. Furthermore, the paper discusses the need for advanced investigation on the genetic basis of the plant defense systems and its application to the crop breeding program for developing new improved materials. The review would support the cowpea breeding program with the overall expectations of developing insect-resistant lines, reducing the input costs of insecticides while also enhancing cowpea productivity in sub-Saharan Africa