Comparative Study of the Nutrient Composition of Millet and Maize-Based Complementary Weaning Foods

Children in the study area are mostly weaned on cereal gruel that is deficient in some essential nutrients. The current work compared the nutrient composition of millet (MLMX) and the (MZMX) based complementary food prepared from locally sourced food stuffs. MZMX was formulated from maize, soyabeans, groundnuts, crayfish and palm oil. MLMX contained millet in place of maize. Proximate composition of the two diets, were not significantly different (p > 0.05) and compared well with frisocream. Mineral element composition of the two diets was significantly ( p < 0.05) different when compared. Amino acid compositions of the diets were comparable to that of frisocream. Antinutritional factors in the two diets were not significantly (p > 0.05) different when compared

Mammary gland chondrosarcoma in a German Shepherd bitch: A case report.

Canine mammary tumours are the most common tumours in intact bitches and they constitute about 25% of the neoplasm in this species followed by skin tumours (Benjamin et al.,1999) and their incidence varies from 198 to 622.6 cases per 100,000 dogs per year (Vail and MacEwen,2000). According to Yager et al.(1993),about 95% of them are of epithelial origin while the other 5% are mesenchymal. Sorenmo (2003) reported that half of the surgically removed mammary neoplasms in bitches were malignant. Mammary neoplasms in dogs that are similar to those in humans are of special concern to oncology researchers because they may be used as biological models in the search for more accurate diagnosis, more exact prognosis and a more efficient therapeutic procedures (Pierrepoint, 1985). Reports of this condition in indigenous Nigerian dogs have not been documented. In this report, we present the clinical and histopathological findings associated with mammary chondrosarcoma in a 13-year old German Shepherd bitch. Based on our review of literature, extra skeletal chondrosarcoma is extremely rare when compared with other types of canine mammary tumours (Menten,2002) The tumor, measured 8cm in diameter, was located in the right caudoabdominal mammary gland and the mass weighed 350g. It was very hard with many irregular nodular projections on the surface. Microscopically, a well differentiated chondrosarcoma of the mammary gland was diagnosed. The diagnosis of canine mammary chondrosarcoma is an uncommon occurrence in this environment.KEYWORDS: Dog, mammary gland, chondrosarcom

Support Vector Motion Clustering

This work was supported in part by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate in Interactive and Cognitive Environments (which is funded by the EACEA Agency of the European Commission under EMJD ICE FPA n 2010-0012) and by the Artemis JU and the UK Technology Strategy Board through COPCAMS Project under Grant 332913

Deep human activity recognition using wearable sensors

This paper addresses the problem of classifying motion signals acquired via wearable sensors for the recognition of human activity. Automatic and accurate classification of motion signals is important in facilitating the development of an effective automated health monitoring system for the elderlies. Thus, we gathered hip motion signals from two different waist mounted sensors and for each individual sensor, we converted the motion signal into spectral image sequence. We use these images as inputs to independently train two Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), one for each of the generated image sequences from the two sensors. The outputs of the trained CNNs are then fused together to predict the final class of the human activity. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method using the cross-subjects testing approach. Our method achieves recognition accuracy (F1 score) of 0.87 on a publicly available real-world human activity dataset. This performance is superior to that reported by another state-of-the-art method on the same dataset

The Sensitivity of Ice Pack Preserved Trypanosoma Evansi to Different Parasitological Diagnostic Methods

The aim of this study is to determine the sensitivity of ice pack preservation of Trypanosomaevansi to some parasitological diagnostic techniques like wet blood film (WBF), haematocrit centrifugation test (HCT) and mice inoculation test (MIT). Three millilitres each of blood containing approximately 10 x 103 T. evansi/ml was placed in four different sample bottles and preserved in an insulated flask containing ice at 5 0C. WBF & HCT were used prior to ice preservation and at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 hrs post ice preservation to observe for the presence of motile trypanosomes. A total of 8 mice, two per sample were inoculated intraperitonealy with 0.2mls of the blood samples at each time interval of preservation. The level of parasitaemia was also estimated at each time of preservation by c ount ing the number of live trypanosomes in wet film preparation of the buffy coat materials of each sample under phase contrast microscopy. Decrease in the sensitivities of the tests were noticed as follows: from 100% at 0 – 8 hrs to 75% at 12 hrs and 50% at 36 hrs post preservation for WBF; from 100% at 0 – 12 hrs to 75% and 50% at 24 and 36 hrs post preservation respectively for HCT; and from 100% at 0 – 8 hrs to 63%, 38% and 25% at 12, 24 and 36 hrs post preservation for MIT. Increase in pre-patent periods from 3 days to 21 days in mice inoculated at 0 hr & 36 hrs post preservation respectively were observed Significant decrease (P < 0.001) in mean parasitemia of the preserved infected blood samples was noticed at 24 and 36 hours post preservation. The duration of preservation of the infected blood sample statistically correlated with parasitaemia in the preserved blood samples (r = - 0.95; P < 0.05) and with pre-patent period (r = 0.93; P < 0.05) in the inoculated mice.Keywords: Ice pack preservation, Trypanosoma evansi, viability, infectivityNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (2) 505-51

Influence of Tillage Systems on Diversity and Abundance of Insect and Nematode Pests of Maize in Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria

Pests are major biotic factors causing up to 45% yield reduction in maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. To develop improved methods for maize management, the species and abundance of insects and nematodes associated with ten quality protein maize varieties (QPMVs) were evaluated with two commonly used tillage practices, ‘plough only plots (POP)’ and ‘plough and harrow plots (PAHP)’. The experiment was carried out using QPMVs at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria, and arranged in a randomized complete block design with 11 treatments replicated 3 times, including local check “pambo”. A total of 833.1±4.0 and 799.3±3.4 arthropods specimens were collected from POP and PAHP, respectively, comprising 8 orders and 18 families. Ootheca mutabilis was the most abundant species with 5.47% (POP) and 5.68% (PAHP) and the least abundant was Rhopalosiphum maidis 1.82% (POP) and 1.80% (PAHP). As indicated by Shannon Wiener (3.46±0.023) and Simpson indices (0.97±0.0008) there are even distribution in the tillage practices. Three genera of plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) were identified, Meloidogyne spp. (POP (78.33±19.65), PAHP (1.33±0.33), Pratylenchus spp. (POP (41.67±9.26), PAHP (5.00±2.31), and Helicotylenchus spp. (POP (58.33±38.35), PAHP (23.33±14.50). The use of PAHP tillage practices is effective in reducing insects and nematodes associated with maize in Nigeria and therefore recommended for the management of both pests in maize production

Relationship Between Gestation Length and Birth Weight in Nigerian Sheep and Their Crosses

Effect of genotype and birth weight on gestation length was evaluated using Nigerian breeds of sheep and their crosses. The study was carried out at the Sheep Project Unit of Small Ruminant Research Programme (SRRP) of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria. The sheep breeds used were Balami, Uda and Yankasa. Heat (estrus) detection was carried out twice daily; in the morning (07:00-08:00 hours); and in the evening (16:00-17:00 hours) using apron fitted rams to pick does on heat. A total of 56 lambs were used for this study. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using General Linear Model and Correlation Procedure of SAS. All the genotypes had similar gestation length with values between 150.3±0.61 days and 153.3±0.60 days, except for Balami pure breed (BAL X BAL) lambs that recorded a shorter gestation length (137.1±0.81 days). There was a wide variation in the birth weight of lambs with the crosses between Balami rams and Yankasa ewes recording a distinct birth weight of 3.5±0.08 kg while the crosses obtained using Yankasa rams on Uda and Balami ewes gave the lowest birth weights (1.7±0.19 and 1.4±0.18, respectively). Sex and litter type have no significant effect (P>0.05) on gestation length. Birth weight was however affected by sex of lambs and their litter type. Litter type was negatively correlated with birth weight (-0.372). Gestation length had a low and non-significant relationship with birth weight; litter type and lamb genotype. Lamb genotype does not have a significant relationship with litter type. Genetic improvement of Nigeria sheep breed is possible if the resources of within and between breed is exploited. Selection for a reduction in gestation length may indirectly increase prolificacy. (Animal Production 12(3): 135-138 (2010)Key Words : gestation length, birth weight, Nigerian Shee

Relationship Between Gestation Length and Birth Weight in Nigerian Sheep and Their Crosses

Effect of genotype and birth weight on gestation length was evaluated using Nigerian breeds of sheep and their crosses. The study was carried out at the Sheep Project Unit of Small Ruminant Research Programme (SRRP) of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria. The sheep breeds used were Balami, Uda and Yankasa. Heat (estrus) detection was carried out twice daily; in the morning (07:00-08:00 hours); and in the evening (16:00-17:00 hours) using apron fitted rams to pick does on heat. A total of 56 lambs were used for this study. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using General Linear Model and Correlation Procedure of SAS. All the genotypes had similar gestation length with values between 150.3±0.61 days and 153.3±0.60 days, except for Balami pure breed (BAL X BAL) lambs that recorded a shorter gestation length (137.1±0.81 days). There was a wide variation in the birth weight of lambs with the crosses between Balami rams and Yankasa ewes recording a distinct birth weight of 3.5±0.08 kg while the crosses obtained using Yankasa rams on Uda and Balami ewes gave the lowest birth weights (1.7±0.19 and 1.4±0.18, respectively). Sex and litter type have no significant effect (P>0.05) on gestation length. Birth weight was however affected by sex of lambs and their litter type. Litter type was negatively correlated with birth weight (-0.372). Gestation length had a low and non-significant relationship with birth weight; litter type and lamb genotype. Lamb genotype does not have a significant relationship with litter type. Genetic improvement of Nigeria sheep breed is possible if the resources of within and between breed is exploited. Selection for a reduction in gestation length may indirectly increase prolificacy. (Animal Production 12(3): 135-138 (2010

The future of African nowcasting

Nowcasting (weather forecasting predictions from zero to several hours) has enormous value and potential in Africa, where populations and economic activity are highly vulnerable to rapidly changing weather conditions. Timely issuing of warnings, a few hours before an event, can enable the public and decision-makers to take action. Rainfall radar estimates are not widely available in Africa, nor likely to be in the coming years, and numerical weather prediction (NWP) currently has low skill over the African continent. Therefore, for the delivery of nowcasting in Africa, satellite products are the best practical option and needed urgently (Roberts et al., 2021). Fifteen minute (or faster) updates of MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) images and NWC-SAF (Nowcasting Satellite Applications Facility) products are crucial for nowcasting to warn users (e.g. fisherfolk on Lake Victoria, flooding in urban areas, etc.) on pending severe storms. The possibility to have such products every 10 minutes, as well as data from the forthcoming MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) lightning imager, would be highly beneficial to all African countries, saving lives and livelihoods where high population growth and the most extreme impacts of climate change combine

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112