Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of Organic Chemicals in Terrestrial Invertebrates

Terrestrial invertebrates are key components in ecosystems, with crucial roles in soil structure, functioning, and ecosystem services. The present chapter covers how terrestrial invertebrates are impacted by organic chemicals, focusing on up-to-date information regarding bioavailability, exposure routes and general concepts on bioaccumulation, toxicity, and existing models. Terrestrial invertebrates are exposed to organic chemicals through different routes, which are dependent on both the organismal traits and nature of exposure, including chemical properties and media characteristics. Bioaccumulation and toxicity data for several groups of organic chemicals are presented and discussed, attempting to cover plant protection products (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and molluscicides), veterinary and human pharmaceuticals, polycyclic aromatic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, flame retardants, and personal care products. Chemical mixtures are also discussed bearing in mind that chemicals appear simultaneously in the environment. The biomagnification of organic chemicals is considered in light of the consumption of terrestrial invertebrates as novel feed and food sources. This chapter highlights how science has contributed with data from the last 5 years, providing evidence on bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and toxicity derived from exposure to organic chemicals, including insights into the main challenges and shortcomings to extrapolate results to real exposure scenarios

Audit of Cardiothoracic Diseases seen at the National Cardiothoracic Centre Enugu Nigeria

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The Challenges Facing the Management of Arterial Aneurysm in UNTH, Enugu

BACKGROUND: The management of arterial aneurysm either central or peripheral has undergone evolution over the past decades. We encounter both true and pseudo aneurysm on regular basis with its complications.OBJECTIVE: To assess the challenges of managing arterial aneurysm at UNTH, Enugu in view of the health implications of the condition.METHOD: Medical records of all patients with documented arterial aneurysm over a 5-year period (2007-2011) were reviewed. Data collected and documented included patients' demographics, type of vessels  involved, investigative tools used in confirming the diagnosis, type of treatment, outcome and length of hospital stay.RESULT: A total of 37 patients were managed for arterial aneurysm during the period under review. These consisted of 24 males (64.9%) and 13 females (35.2%). Age range  was 11-78 years with a mean of 2.4 years. Central aneurysms involved ascending, arch and descending aorta as well as abdominal aorta. Peripheral ones affected femoral, axillary, brachial, and popliteal artery. The central aneurysms with the exception of abdominal aortic aneurysms were managed conservatively. Those that failed conservative management were referred to centres with expertise and facilities for on pump surgery. The peripheral ones in addition to abdominal aortic aneurysms were managed operatively with good outcome.  The challenges identified in the management included non-availability of on pump expertise and prosthesis, late presentation of patients, under utilisation of CT and or MRI, poor compliance to antihypertensive drugs and poor follow up.CONCLUSION: Intervention in arterial aneurysms is the gold standard but not yet easily available and affordable at this centre. The challenges that have been identified are real and need to be addressed in order to deliver optimal care to patients within our domain. Efforts are underway in tackling them

Effect of Feeding Sun Dried Cocoyam (Xanthosoma Sagittifolium) Corm Meal on the Performance of Starter Broilers

The effects of different levels of cocoyam corm meal on performance of starter broilers were determined in a 28-day feeding trial. Five diets containing cocoyam corm meal at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels and labeled T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively were formulated and fed to one hundred and fifty (150) starter broilers (Hybro strain) in a completely randomized design experiment in which each treatment group was replicated thrice. Each replicate contained 10 birds. Birds fed T3, T4 and T5 diets had significantly (p<0.05) lower daily weight gain than the control group T1 and T2 group birds that were similar (p>0.05). Feed intake values of the birds on 5, 10 and 15% cocoyam corm meal were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of T1 and T5 birds. Feed conversion ratio of birds on T1 and T2 were significantly lower and better than that of T3, T4 and T5 dietary group. Analysis of the results revealed that starter broilers could tolerate up to 20% level of inclusion of cocoyam corm meal without serious deleterious effects on their performance. The significance of this research finding is that sun drying alone can achieve the incorporation of cocoyam corm meal to the tone of 20% in broiler starter ration. Keywords: Broiler chicks, nutrition, cocoyam corm meal, maiz

Micro-epidemiology of mixed-species malaria infections in a rural population living in the Colombian Amazon region

Malaria outbreaks have been reported in recent years in the Colombian Amazon region, malaria has been re-emerging in areas where it was previously controlled. Information from malaria transmission networks and knowledge about the population characteristics influencing the dispersal of parasite species is limited. This study aimed to determine the distribution patterns of Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae and P. falciparum single and mixed infections, as well as the significant socio-spatial groupings relating to the appearance of such infections. An active search in 57 localities resulted in 2,106 symptomatic patients being enrolled. Parasitaemia levels were assessed by optical microscopy, and parasites were detected by PCR. The association between mixed infections (in 43.2% of the population) and socio-spatial factors was modelled using logistic regression and multiple correspondence analyses. P. vivax occurred most frequently (71.0%), followed by P. malariae (43.2%), in all localities. The results suggest that a parasite density-dependent regulation model (with fever playing a central role) was appropriate for modelling the frequency of mixed species infections in this population. This study highlights the under-reporting of Plasmodium spp. mixed infections in the malaria-endemic area of the Colombian Amazon region and the association between causative and environmental factors in such areas. © 2018 The Author(s)