Technical efficiency of onion production in Kebbi State: A Stochastic frontier production function approach

This study investigates onion producers’ technical efficiency level in Kebbi State. Purposive and simple random sampling procedures were adopted in selecting 210 onion producers using structured questionnaire from seven local government areas in the state. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and stochastic frontier production models were employed in describing and analyzing the data. The results showed that producers generated an average gross revenue and gross margin of ₦1,085,692.51 and ₦700,388.33 at farm-gate price, respectively. The coefficients of farm size (0.6779), labour (0.1700) and seed (0.01011) were significantly positive in influencing the onion output, while level of education and household size significantly increased technical efficiency of producers. The technical efficiency of the pooled sample ranges from 0.13 to 0.95 and the mean technical efficiency was 0.78. Production constraints recorded were; high cost of input, pest and disease attack, poor pricing and inadequate government support. In conclusion, onion is a viable agribusiness enterprise for wealth generation and reliable means of small producers’ livelihood and lucrative business for large scale producers. The study recommends the need to identify sustainable interventions through government/nongovernmental support policies to improve input supply system, encourage adult education vide extension service and strengthening linkages among onion producers

Electroencephalographic responses to neck cut and exsanguination in minimally anaesthetized goats

Conscious animals typically experience sensory (nociception) and emotional pain, whereas unconscious animals that were minimally anesthetized would experience minimal emotional pain. To determine whether ‘silencing’ the emotional component through a minimally anesthetized model would minimize stress response, and thus improve animal welfare, this study aimed at comparing changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) activities associated with possible noxious stimuli following neck-cut slaughter in conscious non-anesthetized versus minimally anaesthetized Boer cross-bred goats. Ten bucks were randomly assigned to two groups of five animals each, and subjected to neck-cut slaughter when fully conscious (HS) or under minimal anaesthesia (AS) and exsanguinated. The anaesthesia was induced with propofol (5 mg/kg) administered to effect by rapid injection into a cephalic vein and maintained with halothane in 100 % oxygen. Changes in the root mean square (RMS) for each of alpha, beta, delta and theta waves, median frequency (F50) and total power of the EEG (Ptot) were compared in each group before and after neck cut and between groups following treatments. Electroencephalographic parameters did not differ between goats that were fully conscious or slaughtered under minimal anaesthesia. These findings showed that the noxious stimuli from neck cut were present in both conscious and minimally anaesthetized goats. Most importantly, the presence of emotional pain and nociception did not affect the extent of electroencephalographic responses significantly compared with animals that were experiencing nociception only.Keywords: brain activity, propofol-halothane anaesthetic, noxious stimuli, slaughte

Aflatoxin Total and Microbial Contamination of Grains, Oil Seeds, Yam Chips and Fish Sold in Maiduguri Market

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites of fungus Aspergillus flavus and closely related species that infects severalagricultural commodities. The consumption of contaminated commodities adversely affects the health of humansand animals and also a cause of significant economic losses to producers. This study surveyed the aflatoxincontamination level of cowpea, maize, melon, groundnut, yam chips and fish sold in Maiduguri metropolis.Samples from each product (250 g) were bulked and thoroughly mixed using coning and quartering method to geta representative sample for analysis. Laboratory observations were carried out regarding microbial analysis,proximate composition and aflatoxin content. Samples for aflatoxin detection were classified into three; unsortedsamples, sorted samples and sorted/washed dried samples. Fish had the highest bacterial load 2.48 x 106 cfu/ml andAspergillus species were found to be the predominant fungi identified. Maize and groundnut with moisture contentof 5.63 and 5.62 had the highest total aflatoxin contamination (320.51 μg/kg and 236.3 μg/kg respectively) both inthe unsorted group. Total aflatoxin reduction of (58.82 - 99.99%) was observed in all the sorted samples andsorted/washed dried samples. It can be concluded that commonly sold food in Maiduguri had fungal and Aflatoxincontamination. Food should undergo several rounds of sorting to remove discoloured grains and grains that showsevidence(s) of deterioration to reduce the ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin

Impact Of Multidisciplinary Team Approach To The Management Of Otalgia Patients

Background: Otalgia, one of the most common complain reported in OPD of otorhinolaryngologist, is agonizing and affects all age groups. The objective of the study was to highlight the use of Multidisciplinary team approach to the management of otalgia patients for speedy recovery. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on patients having ear pain. These patients presented to the out-patient department (OPD) of otolaryngology of a tertiary care hospital. Data was collected through questionnaire prepared in advance. Informed oral consent was taken from participants before administration of the questionnaire. Results: A total of 216 patients were included in the study. Out of these only 33(15.2%) were less than 18 years of age. Majority [139(64.35%)] of subjects belonged to a low socioeconomic class. Out of these patients 119(55.1%) had ear infections who has to be seen by otolaryngologists. 63(29.2%) of patients had temporomandibular joint pain, referred to the Maxillofacial Surgeons and 34(15.7%) of patients suffering from neck pain, referred to Orthopaedic Surgeon. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary team approach was found effective in treating otalgia patients visiting the otorhinolaryngology clinics for the symptom, should be closely examined and referred to concerned departments if required for complete recovery

Adoptive T-cell therapy improves treatment of canine non–Hodgkin lymphoma post chemotherapy

Clinical observations reveal that an augmented pace of T-cell recovery after chemotherapy correlates with improved tumor-free survival, suggesting the add-back of T cells after chemotherapy may improve outcomes. To evaluate adoptive immunotherapy treatment for B-lineage non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), we expanded T cells from client-owned canines diagnosed with NHL on artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPC) in the presence of human interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-21. Graded doses of autologous T cells were infused after CHOP chemotherapy and persisted for 49 days, homed to tumor, and significantly improved survival. Serum thymidine kinase changes predicted T-cell engraftment, while anti-tumor effects correlated with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and granzyme B expression in manufactured T cells. Therefore, chemotherapy can be used to modulate infused T-cell responses to enhance anti-tumor effects. The companion canine model has translational implications for human immunotherapy which can be readily exploited since clinical-grade canine and human T cells are propagated using identical approaches

Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study

Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P < 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk

Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats

Tramadol, classified as an 'atypical opioid', is a centrally acting analgesic that is easily available in injectable and oral preparations in Malaysia. Queries on its use and efficacy to manage pain in small animal practice prompted this review. Following tramadol administration in dogs, there is lack of sedation and opioid effects when compared to cats. This may likely due to species difference in the production, metabolism and elimination of O-desmethyltramadol (M1). Good efficacy of tramadol was reported in both dogs and cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy and castration. Pre-emptive doses were administered via parenteral routes between 2 - 4 mg/kg, usually during premedication or after induction. Adequate pain control was reported with tramadol 2 mg/kg, SC every 8 hours following maxillectomy or mandibulectomy in dogs. Thus, adequate analgesia can be promoted with increase doses or repeated parenteral dosing following orthopaedic procedures. Repeated oral doses of tramadol as the sole analgesic were found to be less effective in dogs undergoing tibia plateau levelling osteotomy. Combinations of tramadol and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug were found to provide better post-operative analgesia in both dogs and cats

Karakteristik dan Kualitas Semen Sapi Sumba Ongole dalam Pengencer BTS yang Dimodifikasi dengan Susu Kedelai

This study aimed to find out the quality of fresh semen from Sumba Ongole (SO) bulls which was diluted with Bestvile Thawing Solution (BTS) diluent modified with soybean milk (SKD). The study used a completely randomized design consisting of four treatments and 5 replications, P0 (100 % BTS), P1 (95 % BTS + 5 % SM), P2 (90 % BTS + 10 % SM), and P3 (85 % BTS + 15 % SM). The parameters observed were the colour, smell, consistency, pH, volume, motility, viability, and abnormalities of spermatozoa. The results showed that the characteristics were in the normal, creamy white semen colour, semen volume 3,6 ml, medium consistency, pH 6,3, typical SO bulls smell, sperm motility 85 %, mass activity +++, sperm concentration 1276 million/ml, live sperm 90,05 % and sperm abnormalities 6,15 % and quality there was no significant difference between the four treatments. The spermatozoa motility and viability in each treatment was able to which achieved on day 1. The characteristics of the spermatozoa of SO bulls were in the normal category. Meanwhile, BTS diluent with the addition of SKD was unable to maintain sperm quality

Pre-emptive multimodal analgesia with tramadol and ketamine–lidocaine infusion for suppression of central sensitization in a dog model of ovariohysterectomy

Ubedullah Kaka,1,2 Nor-Alimah Rahman,1 Adamu Abdul Abubakar,1,3 Yong Meng Goh,2,4 Sharida Fakurazi,5,6 Mohamed Ariff Omar,4 Hui Cheng Chen1 1Department of Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 2Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia; 3Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; 4Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 5Laboratory of Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, Institute of Bioscience, 6Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia Objectives: The effects of pre-emptive infusion of ketamine–lidocaine with tramadol on the suppression of central sensitization were investigated in a dog ovariohysterectomy model.Patients and methods: Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: ketamine–­lidocaine–tramadol (KLT) and tramadol (T) groups. Both groups received intravenous tramadol 4 mg/kg body weight as premedication. Immediately after induction, the KLT group received ketamine and lidocaine at 0.5 and 2 mg/kg loading dose, followed by continuous rate infusion of 50 and 100 µg/kg/min, respectively, for 2 hours. Dogs in T group received saline bolus and continuous rate infusion at equi-volume. Intraoperatively, hemodynamic responses to surgical stimulation were recorded, whereas postoperative pain was evaluated using an algometer and short form of the Glasgow composite measure pain scale.Results: Intraoperatively, hemodynamic responses to surgical stimulation were obtunded to a greater degree in KLT compared to T group. Postoperatively, the pain scores increased only for the first hour in KLT group, compared to 12 hours in T group. Mechanical thresholds at the abdomen decreased postoperatively between 12 and 60 hours in KLT group versus the entire 72 hours in T group. Thresholds at tibia and radius in both groups increased in the immediate 1 hour postoperatively, but decreased thereafter. Significant decrement of thresholds from baseline were detected in the tibia at 24, 42, and 60 hours in KLT group compared to 24–72 hours in T group, and in the radius between 36 and 48 hours in T group, but none in KLT group. Conclusion: Addition of pre-emptive ketamine–lidocaine infusion to single intravenous dose of tramadol enhanced attenuation of central sensitization and improved intra- and postoperative analgesia. Keywords: pre-emptive multimodal analgesia, ketamine, lidocaine, tramadol, central sensitization, postoperative pai