Antibody profile in laying birds vaccinated with Newcastle disease vaccine, La Sota

Newcastle disease (ND) is endemic in Nigeria and constitutes a major problem to poultry production especially commercial egg production. Despite vaccination of birds, some farmers and other stakeholders still believe that there is shortened protection interval between vaccinations leading to frequent outbreaks. This work studied the antibody profile in vaccinated birds using Newcastle disease vaccine, La Sota (NDVL) with a view to establishing the rise and decline in antibody titre after vaccination and thereby determining the protection interval in our local environment. Two hundred and eighty (280) Shaver brown layers at 78% hen house production were used for the experiment. When their antibody levels were at Geometric Mean Titre of 12.1, they were vaccinated with NDVL through the oral route. On a monthly basis, the antibody titre was determined and 80 birds were taken to a distant location and challenged with a velogenic strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Results showed good protection at 4 weeks, fair protection at 8 weeks and no protection at 12 weeks post vaccination (PV). We therefore recommend that under the Nigerian condition, laying flocks should be revaccinated at 7-8 weeks interval with NDVL

The changing global distribution and prevalence of canine transmissible venereal tumour.

BACKGROUND: The canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious cancer that is naturally transmitted between dogs by the allogeneic transfer of living cancer cells during coitus. CTVT first arose several thousand years ago and has been reported in dog populations worldwide; however, its precise distribution patterns and prevalence remain unclear. RESULTS: We analysed historical literature and obtained CTVT prevalence information from 645 veterinarians and animal health workers in 109 countries in order to estimate CTVT's former and current global distribution and prevalence. This analysis confirmed that CTVT is endemic in at least 90 countries worldwide across all inhabited continents. CTVT is estimated to be present at a prevalence of one percent or more in dogs in at least 13 countries in South and Central America as well as in at least 11 countries in Africa and 8 countries in Asia. In the United States and Australia, CTVT was reported to be endemic only in remote indigenous communities. Comparison of current and historical reports of CTVT indicated that its prevalence has declined in Northern Europe, possibly due to changes in dog control laws during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Analysis of factors influencing CTVT prevalence showed that presence of free-roaming dogs was associated with increased CTVT prevalence, while dog spaying and neutering were associated with reduced CTVT prevalence. Our analysis indicated no gender bias for CTVT and we found no evidence that animals with CTVT frequently harbour concurrent infectious diseases. Vincristine was widely reported to be the most effective therapy for CTVT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a survey of the current global distribution of CTVT, confirming that CTVT is endemic in at least 90 countries worldwide. Additionally, our analysis highlights factors that continue to modify CTVT's prevalence around the world and implicates free-roaming dogs as a reservoir for the disease. Our analysis also documents the disappearance of the disease from the United Kingdom during the twentieth century, which appears to have been an unintentional result of the introduction of dog control policies.This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final version of this article has been published by BioMed Central: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/10/168

Systematic review with meta-analysis of the epidemiological evidence relating smoking to COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Smoking is a known cause of the outcomes COPD, chronic bronchitis (CB) and emphysema, but no previous systematic review exists. We summarize evidence for various smoking indices.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Based on MEDLINE searches and other sources we obtained papers published to 2006 describing epidemiological studies relating incidence or prevalence of these outcomes to smoking. Studies in children or adolescents, or in populations at high respiratory disease risk or with co-existing diseases were excluded. Study-specific data were extracted on design, exposures and outcomes considered, and confounder adjustment. For each outcome RRs/ORs and 95% CIs were extracted for ever, current and ex smoking and various dose response indices, and meta-analyses and meta-regressions conducted to determine how relationships were modified by various study and RR characteristics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 218 studies identified, 133 provide data for COPD, 101 for CB and 28 for emphysema. RR estimates are markedly heterogeneous. Based on random-effects meta-analyses of most-adjusted RR/ORs, estimates are elevated for ever smoking (COPD 2.89, CI 2.63-3.17, n = 129 RRs; CB 2.69, 2.50-2.90, n = 114; emphysema 4.51, 3.38-6.02, n = 28), current smoking (COPD 3.51, 3.08-3.99; CB 3.41, 3.13-3.72; emphysema 4.87, 2.83-8.41) and ex smoking (COPD 2.35, 2.11-2.63; CB 1.63, 1.50-1.78; emphysema 3.52, 2.51-4.94). For COPD, RRs are higher for males, for studies conducted in North America, for cigarette smoking rather than any product smoking, and where the unexposed base is never smoking any product, and are markedly lower when asthma is included in the COPD definition. Variations by sex, continent, smoking product and unexposed group are in the same direction for CB, but less clearly demonstrated. For all outcomes RRs are higher when based on mortality, and for COPD are markedly lower when based on lung function. For all outcomes, risk increases with amount smoked and pack-years. Limited data show risk decreases with increasing starting age for COPD and CB and with increasing quitting duration for COPD. No clear relationship is seen with duration of smoking.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results confirm and quantify the causal relationships with smoking.</p

Does varicocele repair improve conventional semen parameters? A meta-analytic study of before-after data

Purpose The purpose of this meta-analysis is to study the impact of varicocele repair in the largest cohort of infertile males with clinical varicocele by including all available studies, with no language restrictions, comparing intra-person conventional semen parameters before and after the repair of varicoceles. Materials and Methods The meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA-P and MOOSE guidelines. A systematic search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Eligible studies were selected according to the PICOS model (Population: infertile male patients with clinical varicocele; Intervention: varicocele repair; Comparison: intra-person before-after varicocele repair; Outcome: conventional semen parameters; Study type: randomized controlled trials [RCTs], observational and case-control studies). Results Out of 1,632 screened abstracts, 351 articles (23 RCTs, 292 observational, and 36 case-control studies) were included in the quantitative analysis. The before-and-after analysis showed significant improvements in all semen parameters after varicocele repair (except sperm vitality); semen volume: standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.203, 95% CI: 0.129–0.278; p<0.001; I2=83.62%, Egger’s p=0.3329; sperm concentration: SMD 1.590, 95% CI: 1.474–1.706; p<0.001; I2=97.86%, Egger’s p<0.0001; total sperm count: SMD 1.824, 95% CI: 1.526–2.121; p<0.001; I2=97.88%, Egger’s p=0.0063; total motile sperm count: SMD 1.643, 95% CI: 1.318–1.968; p<0.001; I2=98.65%, Egger’s p=0.0003; progressive sperm motility: SMD 1.845, 95% CI: 1.537%–2.153%; p<0.001; I2=98.97%, Egger’s p<0.0001; total sperm motility: SMD 1.613, 95% CI 1.467%–1.759%; p<0.001; l2=97.98%, Egger’s p<0.001; sperm morphology: SMD 1.066, 95% CI 0.992%–1.211%; p<0.001; I2=97.87%, Egger’s p=0.1864. Conclusions The current meta-analysis is the largest to date using paired analysis on varicocele patients. In the current meta-analysis, almost all conventional semen parameters improved significantly following varicocele repair in infertile patients with clinical varicocele. Keywords Controlled before-after studies; Infertility, male; Meta-analysis; Varicocel

Efficency of cassava processing techniques among rural women in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

The study identified, and analysed the different methods being used by the women in cassava processing, examine stages and time spent on each operation. The study was carried out in Owerri Agricultural zone of Imo State, Southeast, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty women cassava processors were chosen at random from 15 communities. Data were gathered through the use of interview schedule. Percentages and means were used in the data analysis. Three cassava processing methods were identified namely modern, traditional and a hybridized trado-modern methods. Six processed cassava products were identified and these were produced after about 15 operational processes depending on the product which include gari, akpu, akara-akpu, tapioca, starch and flour. The time spent on producing any of the products depend on the technique of processing adopted. An average of eleven and eighteen hours was spent on processing 100 kg of cassava tubers into gari product using trado-modern and traditional methods, respectively. Twenty eight hours was spent in processing cassava tuber into tapioca using traditional methods. It was discovered that using trado-modern and modern methods in cassava tuber processing were more efficient in terms of output, labour input and costs than traditional method. However, there existed no modern technology that can kick start and complete cassava tuber processing into any of the six products without relying on the traditional method. It is recommended that our engineers should construct low cost processing equipment that will reduce both the time on each operation and the tedious nature of cassava processing. (J Agric & Soc Res:2003 3(2): 84-96

Isolation And Characterization Of The Bacterial Flora Of Soy Milk Sold In Nsukka Market

A total of five bacterial isolates designated A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 were obtained from twelve locally produced soy milk samples purchased from different locations in Nsukka town. The soy milk samples comprised seven unrefrigerated and five refrigerated samples. All samples were 24h-old according to information gathered from the sellers. Using conventional microbiological and biochemical procedures, the isolates were presumptively identified as Aeromonas spp, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp and Staphylococcus aureus. The total viable bacterial counts in the beverage ranged from 3.4 x 108—7.5 x 108 cfu/ml. The highest number of viable cells was recorded with Staphylococcus aureus, which also had the highest percentage frequency (100%), as it occurred in all the soy milk samples studied. Aeromonas spp had the lowest percentage frequency, occurring in only two samples. Generally, there were relatively higher bacterial numbers in the unrefrigerated than in the refrigerated soy milk samples. Results of the study highlight the laxity in hygiene on the part of the producers of the beverage since majority of the isolates are members of the human body flora. Keywords: Aeromonas spp, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp and Staphylococcus aureusPlant Product Research Journal Vol. 12 2008: pp. 23-2

Consumption patterns of iron and vitamin a rich foods and contributions of food groups to nutrient intakes of pregnant women in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state, Nigeria

The consumption patterns of iron and vitamin A rich foods and contributions of food groups to nutrient intakes of pregnant women in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria were assessed. A total of 386 pregnant women randomly selected from 3 communities in Nsukka Local Government Area were used for the study. A validated structured questionnaire was used to collect information on respondents’ food consumption patterns. The contributions of food groups to respondents’ nutrient intakes were assessed using a 3-day weighed food intake study. The iron-rich foods most frequently consumed by the respondents were legumes, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds which respectively, made 41.9%, 17.1% and 11.2% contributions to iron intakes of the women. Vitamin A-rich foods most frequently consumed by the respondents were palm oil and vegetables which respectively, contributed 76.8% and 21.5% of vitamin A intakes of the women. Animal foods made very little contributions to the respondents’ nutrient intakes and foods of vegetable origin form very important part of the diet of the study  population. Nutrition education on proper processing techniques of foods to conserve their micronutrients, and the need for consumption of ascorbic acid-rich fruits with meals to enhance bioavailability of iron in the diet are imperative. Government subsidization of animal foods to make them more affordable, and biofortification of locally produced foods to increase the bioavailability of micronutrients are also recommended.Key words: Food consumption pattern, nutrient intakes, pregnant women, Nigeria

Factors That Influence Iron Status of Pregnant Women in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Iron deficiency, the commonest nutritional disorder worldwide, has serious impact on pregnant women. The prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in Africa ranges from 47% in East Africa to 56% in West Africa. Among Nigerian women, South-eastern Nigeria has the highest prevalence (61%) of iron deficiency anaemia. The study investigated the factors that influence iron status of pregnant women in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The respondents comprised 386 pregnant women randomly selected in Nsukka Local Government Area. A validated structured questionnaire was used to collect information on respondents’ socio-economic and obstetric characteristics. Determination of haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was used to assess the respondents’ iron status. The result showed that less than half (44.1%) of the respondents had normal iron status, while 55.9% of the respondents had varying degrees of iron deficiency. Mean Hb of the respondents was 10.87±0.99g/dl. Iron status of the respondents was significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced by age, occupation, educational and income levels. Respondents below 20 years had significantly lower Hb (P&lt;0.05) than other ages. Artisans, farmers and traders had significantly lower Hb (P&lt;0.05) than other occupational groups. Hb significantly increased with increase in educational and income levels (P&lt;0.05). Women’s nutritional/health status hinges on improved educational/economic empowerment, and is further impaired by early marriage and teenage pregnancy. Women’s education must be highly prioritized, and community-based approaches employed for promotion of girl-child education and prevention of adolescent marriage/pregnancy. More income generating activities/entrepreneurial skills for women are imperative to boost their income and spending on family food.Key words: iron status, influencing factors, pregnant women, Nsukka