Relationship between the rainfall, water levels, flooding and fish supply from Asa Dam

Studies on the relationship between the rainfall, water levels and floods in Asa Dam Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria was carried out for twelve months to determine the impact of these parameters on the supply of fish species from this dam to Ilorin and environ. Maximum rainfall (26.14 cm) was in September. The range values of rainfall recorded during this research was zero (November / February) to 26.14 cm (September). Water levels were lowest in April (11.40 m) and highest in September (12.80 cm). Increased water levels commenced from May (11.90 m) to October (12.60 m). The flooding of the dam began as from August when the dam spillway began to overflow. Assessment of fish catch from six fishermen around the lake showed significant increase in the fish supply at the dry season when water levels were low than the wet season (P < 0.05). Rainfall and water levels were negatively correlated

Effects of Tractorization and Organic Manure on Physical Properties of Sandy Loam Soil in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Soil compaction has effect on soil physical properties which could affect crop growth and yield. This study was conducted to determine the influence of incorporating organic materials and load application (tractorization) on the physical properties of sandy loamy soil in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Organic materials were cow dung, poultry and swine manure. Application rates of organic manures were 0 (control), 5 and 10 tonnes per hectare. Forty-five plots measuring 5 by 3 m were established in a complete randomized block experimental design with three replications making a total of 135 plots. Load application was done using an MF 435 tractor coupled with a 20-disc harrow at 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 passes. Penetration resistance, bulk density, gravimetric moisture content andporosity were determined using standard procedures. Penetrometer resistance at these passes were 392.2, 293.3, 285.0, 302.0 and 224.9 kPa respectively with significant differences between treatments (P≤0.05). Mean bulk density for the passes were 1.21, 1.26, 1.31, 1.27 and 1.29 g/cm3 respectively and bulk density increased with tractor passes. The effect of tractor passes, and manure incorporation rate did not have any significant effect on gravimetric moisture content. Poultry manure increased bulk density and penetrometer resistance on plots than swine manure and cow dung hence poultry manure at 10 t/ha can be incorporated on a sandy loam soil to enhance soil fertility and sustainability. Keywords: Tractorization, organic manure, sandy loam, penetration resistance, bulk densit

Endocrine Admissions in a Tertiary Hospital In Nigeria: A 5-Year Review of Pattern and Trend

Hospital admission is a reflection of prevailing disease pattern in an environment, impact of services rendered in the outpatient department and preventative healthcare services in the community. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and trend of endocrine related admissions at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. This was a retrospective analysis of health records of patients with endocrine related disorders admitted into the medical wards of the hospital between 2008-2012. The diagnoses, based on WHO ICD-10 were documented. Endocrine related admissions were subdivided into diabetes related, thyroid related and non-diabetes hypoglycaemia. Data of interest were compared with Pearson’s Chi-Square and Student’s t test. There were 3818 admissions out of which 457 (12.0%) were endocrine related. Majority of the endocrine admission were DM related (93.9%), representing 11.8% of the total admissions. There was increase in endocrine-related admissions from 9.1%-18.0% and a 10.6% increase in the DM related admissions from 2008 to 2012, but a decline in absolute number of endocrine admissions notably among females (X2 = 39.88, p&lt;0.001). Poor glucose control (42.8%) was the commonest reason for diabetic admission, followed by hyperglycaemic emergencies (31.1%), diabetic foot disease (15.9%), sepsis (2.6%), stroke (2.3%), nephropathy/renal failure (1.6%), diabetic hand (0.9%), hypoglycaemia (0.9%), heart failure (0.7%). Between 2010-2012, hyperglycaemic crisis emerged as the commonest reason for diabetic admission, but overall, there was significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations for all diabetic complications (X2 = 128.69, df= 36, p=0.000). More resources need to be allocated for the management of diabetes mellitus while efforts to prevent its complications through educational activities and public awareness should be sustained

An unusual presentation of advanced prostate cancer in a 56-year old Nigerian

Introduction: Advanced prostate cancer usually presents with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with features of malignancy on digital rectal examination. The bones, the liver, and the lungs are the common sites of metastasis for advanced prostate cancer.Observation: We report an atypical case of a 56- year old Nigerian male who had bowel obstruction, multiple peripheral and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathies. The patient had a normal initial urological evaluation but his diagnostic conundrum was resolved to be prostate cancer by immuno-histochemistry of the cervical lymph node biopsy and he did well after antiandrogen monotherapy.Keywords: Prostate cancer; Atypical; Adenocarcinoma of unknown origin; Lymphom

Physico-chemical and compositional changes in proprietary finished feeds stored under different conditions

Storage of feed plays an important role in the economic and health aspect of livestock production. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of varying storage conditions (lit and dark room) on physical changes, occurrence of insects in stored feed, storage loss and nutrient composition of owner selected broiler finisher feeds. Bags of 25kg each of broiler finisher diets from four feed companies (A, B, C and D) were obtained on the day of production and were stored under two storage media (lit and dark room) for a period of 8 weeks. The experiment was arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial layout to form eight treatments with 5 replications. Feed colour, storage loss, occurrence of insects, and proximate analysis were carried out at 2 week intervals. Data generated were statistically analyzed by ANOVA technique in a 4 x 2 factorial design using PROC GLM procedure of SAS (2007). Storage temperature (27.27 oC and 26.65 oC for lit and dark room, respectively) and relative humidity (79.83% and 80.64% for lit and dark room, respectively) monitored were not significantly (p>0.05) different. Colour changes were observed in the feed from the 29th day of storage. By the 42nd day, presence of lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica F.) was observed in all the feeds. Appearance of frass, dusty particles and webbing were observed in feeds stored in lit room on 42nd day and those in dark room on 56th day. Storage loss (%) was reduced (pEl almacenamiento de piensos desempeña un papel importante en el aspecto económico y sanitario de la producción pecuaria. Este estudio se llevó a cabo para investigar los efectos de diferentes condiciones de almacenamiento (luz y espacio oscuro) sobre los cambios físicos, la presencia de insectos en el alimento almacenado, la pérdida por almacenamiento y la composición de nutrientes de piensos comerciales de terminación para pollos de engorde. En el día de la producción se obtuvieron, sacos de 25 kg de pienso de acabado para pollos de engorde producidos en cuatro empresas de alimentación (A, B, C y D) y se almacenaron en dos condiciones de almacenamiento (iluminación y oscuridad) durante un período de 8 semanas. El experimento se dispuso en un esquema factorial 4 x 2 para formar ocho tratamientos con 5 repeticiones. Al cabo de dos semanas se analizaron el color del pienso, la pérdida de almacenamiento, la aparición de insectos y el análisis inmediato. Los datos generados se analizaron estadísticamente mediante la técnica ANOVA en un diseño factorial 4 x 2 utilizando el procedimiento PROC GLM de SAS (2007). La temperatura de almacenamiento (27,27 °C y 26,65 °C para las habitaciones iluminada y oscura, respectivamente) y la humedad relativa (79,83 % y 80,64 % respectivamente) no fueron significativamente diferentes (p>0,05). Se observaron cambios de color en el pienso a partir del 29º día de almacenamiento. A los 42 días, se observó presencia de barrenador menor del grano (Rhyzopertha dominica F.) en todos los piensos. Se observó la aparición de residuos, partículas polvorientas y estructuras en los alimentos almacenados en iluminación el día 42 y en oscuridad el día 56. La pérdida de almacenamiento (%) se redujo (

Assessment of microbial profile of selected proprietary broiler chicken feeds sold in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria

The growth in poultry industry has resulted in heavy dependence on finished feeds supplied by feed millers, the quality of which determines the profit margin of the farmers. Presence of pathogenic and toxigenic microbes, however, tends to deplete the nutritive value of poultry diets. This study, therefore, focused on assessing the incidence and concentration of micro-organisms in five selected brands of proprietary broiler feeds sold in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria. None of the feed samples investigated was devoid of pathogenic and toxigenic pathogens of public health concern. Bacterial and fungal isolates recovered include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, Fusarium spp, Mucor spp, and Penicillium notatum. Total microbial counts were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) among the selected feed brands for both Broiler Starter and Finisher diets. Occurrence and high level of pathogenic microbes observed in this study indicated that quality of finished feeds offered to broilers chickens could predispose them to health hazard with resultant economic loss. Strategies to improve the shelf life of commercial finished feeds, such as inclusion of toxin binders, are hereby advocated.Keywords: Broiler, Feeds, Quality control, Bacteria, Fungi, Mycotoxin