Distal Intestinal Caecum of Farmed African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822): A Case Report

The microanatomical characteristics of the distal intestinal caecum were investigated. The histology was typical of tubular organs containing tunicamucosa, submucosa, muscularis and adventitia. The lumen was lined by simple mucosal folds. The covering epithelium was of simple columnar cells containing goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The lamina propria contained blood vessels, loose connective tissue and leukocytes.The muscularis mucosae of smooth muscle cells were observed. The submucosa contained loose connective tissue, smooth muscle cells, bloodvessels and leukocytes. The tunica muscularis contained a myenteric plexus between the inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of smoothmuscle cells. The mucin histochemistry revealed that the goblet cells present contained neutral and acid mucin but acid mucin predominated suggesting an organ with more need for protection against bacteria in the blind ended tube. When compared with the histology of the intestinal segments cranial and caudal to the diverticulum, the features of thecaecum were very similar to the segment cranial to it necessitating the conclusion that the diverticulum is the distal intestinal caecum. The histology suggests an organ serving as complementary digestivestructure to distal intestine in nutrient absorption without increasing the space occupied by the digestive tract.KEYWORDS: DISTAL, INTESTINAL, CAECUM, FARMED, AFRICAN, CATFISH, CASE REPOR

Structure and functional significance of branched anastomosing mucosal folds in the proximal intestine of the farmed African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822)

Histology has provided morphologist a powerful tool that enhances the nature, form and detailed structure of organs. The proximal intestine though a more muscular tube than the rest of the intestine presented a complex anastomosing mucosal fold resembling a honey comb-like structure. This specialization was not seen in the other intestinal segments. This specialization increases the surface area for nutrient absorption. This probably compensates for shortness of intestine and absence of pyloric caeca in this species. The glycoconjugates in the goblet cell of proximal intestine mucosal fold were subjected to mucin  histochemical study. The study revealed the presence of neutral andacid mucin but acid mucin was predominant. The neutral mucin can be associated to buffering the effect of gastric acid, transport of small disaccharide molecules. The predominating acid mucin suggest air-breathing function since the acid will always make the epithelium moist for gaseous exchange between dissolved air in   swallowed water and abundant blood vessels present in the tunica mucosa.Keywords: Nutrient absorption, Proximal intestine, Anastomosing mucosal folds, Histology, Histochemistry, Clarias gariepinu

The effects of singeing on the histological appearance of some visceral organs in the red Sokoto goat (Capra hirrcus)

The histology of visceral organs from singed Red Sokoto goats were assessed for reliability for use as histopathological samples from singed abattoir specimen. This becomes important as samples for histopathology and histology of goats in Nigeria have been sourced from singed carcasses, with no available literature reporting on the effect of singeing on the histological appearance of tissues from such sample. Hence, this study will fill this knowledge gap. The unfixed samples post-singeing were grouped into time periods of an hour interval up to 3 hours. They were subsequently fixed after allocated tie framed and processed for histological observation. The slides were graded on a scale of 1 to 3, where 1 referred to highly distorted, 2 referred to moderately distorted and 3 referred to mildly distorted. The samples from unsigned viscera that were fixed immediately served as control. Most of the visceral organs showed moderate distortions, except the intestines which degenerated to highly distorted architecture after 3 hours. The stomach compartments displayed normal organ structure similar to the control samples. Blood extravasations were observed in most of the organs. This project shows that samples from singed carcasses that are fixed within 2 hours post-singeing are stable for histology or histopathological studies. It also implied that abattoir samples for histopathogy should be sent to the nearest laboratory about 2 hours radius for fixation and processing to generate reliable data.Key words: Singeing, organ architecture, fixation, histology, histopathology, Nigeri

Morfología de la cavidad orofaríngea y esófago del bagre africano adulto (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i> Burchell, 1822)

The morphology of the adult farmed African catfish -Clarias gariepinus a prominent omnivorous cultivable species in Nigeria was investigated. It revealed cornified horny plates lining the buccal surfaces of the lips. The tongue was not free moving, and the oesophagus was a narrow tube connecting the oropharyngeal cavity to the stomach with no valve or constriction separating it from the later. Histologically, the cavity wall was lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing eosinophilic club cells, mucous cells and taste buds. The laminar propria contained dense collagen fibres. No taste bud was seen on the tongue suggesting it non involvement in food selection through gustation unlike the cavity wall which contained taste buds. The oesophagus was lined by stratified mucous epithelium containing club cells. Histochemistry revealed the presence of neutral, acid and combination of the two. The large extent of oesophageal mucification indicates need for mucin lubrication of food since teleost is known to lack salivary glands and also an adaptation to ingestion of varied feed.La morfología bagre africano del adulto cultivado -Clarias gariepinus- una especie omnívoras cultivables prominente en Nigeria fue investigada. Reveló placas córneas que cubren las superficies vestibulares de los labios. La lengua no tiene movimiento libre y el esófago es un tubo estrecho que conecta la cavidad orofaríngea al estómago sin válvula o constricción que lo separe. Histológicamente, la pared de la cavidad estaba revestida por epitelio escamoso estratificado que contiene células eosinófilas, células mucosas y papilas gustativas. La laminar propia contenía fibras de colágeno denso. No fie vista ninguna papila gustativa en la lengua lo que sugiere la no participación la selección de los alimentos a través gustación a diferencia de la pared de la cavidad que contiene papilas gustativas. El esófago estaba revestido por epitelio estratificado que contiene células mucosas. La histoquímica reveló la presencia de ácido a neutro, y la combinación de los dos. La gran extensión de mucificación esofágica indica la necesidad de lubricación de mucina de los alimentos se sabe que los teleósteos carecen de glándulas salivales y también una adaptación a la ingestión de alimentos variados.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Morfología de la cavidad orofaríngea y esófago del bagre africano adulto (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i> Burchell, 1822)

The morphology of the adult farmed African catfish -Clarias gariepinus a prominent omnivorous cultivable species in Nigeria was investigated. It revealed cornified horny plates lining the buccal surfaces of the lips. The tongue was not free moving, and the oesophagus was a narrow tube connecting the oropharyngeal cavity to the stomach with no valve or constriction separating it from the later. Histologically, the cavity wall was lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing eosinophilic club cells, mucous cells and taste buds. The laminar propria contained dense collagen fibres. No taste bud was seen on the tongue suggesting it non involvement in food selection through gustation unlike the cavity wall which contained taste buds. The oesophagus was lined by stratified mucous epithelium containing club cells. Histochemistry revealed the presence of neutral, acid and combination of the two. The large extent of oesophageal mucification indicates need for mucin lubrication of food since teleost is known to lack salivary glands and also an adaptation to ingestion of varied feed.La morfología bagre africano del adulto cultivado -Clarias gariepinus- una especie omnívoras cultivables prominente en Nigeria fue investigada. Reveló placas córneas que cubren las superficies vestibulares de los labios. La lengua no tiene movimiento libre y el esófago es un tubo estrecho que conecta la cavidad orofaríngea al estómago sin válvula o constricción que lo separe. Histológicamente, la pared de la cavidad estaba revestida por epitelio escamoso estratificado que contiene células eosinófilas, células mucosas y papilas gustativas. La laminar propia contenía fibras de colágeno denso. No fie vista ninguna papila gustativa en la lengua lo que sugiere la no participación la selección de los alimentos a través gustación a diferencia de la pared de la cavidad que contiene papilas gustativas. El esófago estaba revestido por epitelio estratificado que contiene células mucosas. La histoquímica reveló la presencia de ácido a neutro, y la combinación de los dos. La gran extensión de mucificación esofágica indica la necesidad de lubricación de mucina de los alimentos se sabe que los teleósteos carecen de glándulas salivales y también una adaptación a la ingestión de alimentos variados.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Journal Usage in Selected University and Polytechnic Libraries in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This paper examines the use of journals in twelv

SEX HORMONES CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN HIV INFECTED FEMALES AT NAUTH, NNEWI, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Background: The association of Human Immune deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and sex hormone changes may grossly affect the reproductive health in affected women. This was a prospective study done at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria to evaluate the sex hormone changes in HIV infected women of reproductive age group during menstrual cycle. Materials and methods: A total of 90 women (60 HIV positive, 30 Control) were studied. After detailed medical examination, a well-structured questionnaire was self-administered. Blood samples were collected under sterile conditions during the follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle after due informed consent had been sought and obtained. The samples were analyzed for sex hormones (Progesterone, estradiol and testosterone) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: The result showed that the sex hormones (Progesterone, estradiol and testosterone) were significantly lower at both phases of the menstrual cycle in HIV infected women when compared to the Control (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed some degree of hypogonadism in HIV infected women which may have some implication in their reproductive life

SEX HORMONES CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN HIV INFECTED FEMALES AT NAUTH, NNEWI, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Background: The association of Human Immune deficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and sex hormone changes may grossly affect the reproductive health in affected women. This was a prospective study done at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria to evaluate the sex hormone changes in HIV infected women of reproductive age group during menstrual cycle. Materials and methods: A total of 90 women (60 HIV positive, 30 Control) were studied. After detailed medical examination, a well-structured questionnaire was self-administered. Blood samples were collected under sterile conditions during the follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle after due informed consent had been sought and obtained. The samples were analyzed for sex hormones (Progesterone, estradiol and testosterone) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: The result showed that the sex hormones (Progesterone, estradiol and testosterone) were significantly lower at both phases of the menstrual cycle in HIV infected women when compared to the Control (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed some degree of hypogonadism in HIV infected women which may have some implication in their reproductive life

Morphology of the oropharyngeak cavity and oesophagus of the farmed adult African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822)

The morphology of the adult farmed African catfish -Clarias gariepinus a prominent omnivorous cultivable species in Nigeria was investigated. It revealed cornified horny plates lining the buccal surfaces of the lips. The tongue was not free moving, and the oesophagus was a narrow tube connecting the oropharyngeal cavity to the stomach with no valve or constriction separating it from the later. Histologically, the cavity wall was lined by stratified squamous epithelium containing eosinophilic club cells, mucous cells and taste buds. The laminar propria contained dense collagen fibres. No taste bud was seen on the tongue suggesting it non involvement in food selection through gustation unlike the cavity wall which contained taste buds. The oesophagus was lined by stratified mucous epithelium containing club cells. Histochemistry revealed the presence of neutral, acid and combination of the two. The large extent of oesophageal mucification indicates need for mucin lubrication of food since teleost is known to lack salivary glands and also an adaptation to ingestion of varied feed.La morfología bagre africano del adulto cultivado -Clarias gariepinus- una especie omnívoras cultivables prominente en Nigeria fue investigada. Reveló placas córneas que cubren las superficies vestibulares de los labios. La lengua no tiene movimiento libre y el esófago es un tubo estrecho que conecta la cavidad orofaríngea al estómago sin válvula o constricción que lo separe. Histológicamente, la pared de la cavidad estaba revestida por epitelio escamoso estratificado que contiene células eosinófilas, células mucosas y papilas gustativas. La laminar propia contenía fibras de colágeno denso. No fie vista ninguna papila gustativa en la lengua lo que sugiere la no participación la selección de los alimentos a través gustación a diferencia de la pared de la cavidad que contiene papilas gustativas. El esófago estaba revestido por epitelio estratificado que contiene células mucosas. La histoquímica reveló la presencia de ácido a neutro, y la combinación de los dos. La gran extensión de mucificación esofágica indica la necesidad de lubricación de mucina de los alimentos se sabe que los teleósteos carecen de glándulas salivales y también una adaptación a la ingestión de alimentos variados

Mapping a candidate gene (MdMYB10) for red flesh and foliage colour in apple

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Integrating plant genomics and classical breeding is a challenge for both plant breeders and molecular biologists. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a tool that can be used to accelerate the development of novel apple varieties such as cultivars that have fruit with anthocyanin through to the core. In addition, determining the inheritance of novel alleles, such as the one responsible for red flesh, adds to our understanding of allelic variation. Our goal was to map candidate anthocyanin biosynthetic and regulatory genes in a population segregating for the red flesh phenotypes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have identified the <it>Rni </it>locus, a major genetic determinant of the red foliage and red colour in the core of apple fruit. In a population segregating for the red flesh and foliage phenotype we have determined the inheritance of the <it>Rni </it>locus and DNA polymorphisms of candidate anthocyanin biosynthetic and regulatory genes. Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the candidate genes were also located on an apple genetic map. We have shown that the MdMYB10 gene co-segregates with the <it>Rni </it>locus and is on Linkage Group (LG) 09 of the apple genome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have performed candidate gene mapping in a fruit tree crop and have provided genetic evidence that red colouration in the fruit core as well as red foliage are both controlled by a single locus named <it>Rni</it>. We have shown that the transcription factor MdMYB10 may be the gene underlying <it>Rni </it>as there were no recombinants between the marker for this gene and the red phenotype in a population of 516 individuals. Associating markers derived from candidate genes with a desirable phenotypic trait has demonstrated the application of genomic tools in a breeding programme of a horticultural crop species.</p