Study on the Drying Characteristics of Green Gram, Cowpea and Soybean

The study reveals the drying characteristics of Green gram, Cowpea and Soybean when exposed to two different drying mechanisms namely convective (i.e., Tray Drying) and a innovative method (i.e., microwave drying). The objective of the study is to come out with a most appropriate drying technique which gives the product a better keeping quality. In this study the drying characteristics i.e the amount of moisture removed for every 10min is calculated at different temperatures for the respective samples. The sample was dried in tray dryer and microwave at two temperatures

The use of chemoprophylaxis in East African Zebu village cattle exposed to trypanosomiasis in Muhaka, Kenya

A study conducted to assess the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis for the improvement of the health and productivity of East African Zebu village cattle exposed to trypanosomiasis. Examines the cost-effectiveness of the treatment. Includes data on calf pre-weaning health and weight traits, weight traits of calves from 12-18 months of age, calf post-weaning health and weight traits, and breeding cow health and production traits - for the non-prophylactic and prophylactic groups

PROCESS STANDARDIZATION AND EVALUATION OF GREEN PEAS (PISUM SATIVUM) USING SOLAR DEHYDRATION TECHNOLOGY

Fruits and vegetables play an important role in human nutrition, but due to their high perishable nature they cannot be stored for longer period. To store for long period, dehydration is one of the techniques developed which can persist for longer periods and are said to be rich sources of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Emerging trends in food processing is one of the major aspects in recent times, where the present study is to utilize the importance of value addition to improve the nutritive value of food product and increase the efficiency of its processing. Hence solar dehydration technology was found to be an efficient process having less energy consumption and maximum retention of nutritive value. The objective of this study is to standardize the pretreatment for maximum chlorophyll retention of green peas and evaluation of the standardized product using solar dehydration technology. With this objective, the process procedure for green peas was standardized where 0.1% sodium bicarbonate and 0.1% magnesium oxide were used in water blanching for 4min. Solar dehydrated green peas were developed with 10 sunny hours (490c-510c) of drying time with a yield of 11.758% and moisture content 5.788%. The dried products were packed in two different packaging materials i.e., Aluminium and Polypropylene pouches. Shelf life studies were conducted at ambient and accelerated storage conditions in two different packaging materials for about 6 months. The results revealed that the solar dried green peas which were pretreated with 0.1% sodium bicarbonate and 0.1% magnesium oxide solution and packed in Aluminium pouch have retained most of the nutrients viz., Vitamin C, Chlorophyll content, and physico chemical properties. Sensory evaluation of dried green peas showed that color and flavor were superior in Aluminium pouch when compared with the product packed in polypropylene pouch. Microbial load was also within the limits, which indicated that the product can be shelf stable for a period of 6 months. The dehydrated green peas are rehydrated and used in pulav, upma, biryani

Impact of foot-and-mouth disease on mastitis and culling on a large-scale dairy farm in Kenya

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly transmissible viral infection of cloven hooved animals associated with severe economic losses when introduced into FMD-free countries. Information on the impact of the disease in FMDV-endemic countries is poorly characterised yet essential for the prioritisation of scarce resources for disease control programmes. A FMD (virus serotype SAT2) outbreak on a large-scale dairy farm in Nakuru County, Kenya provided an opportunity to evaluate the impact of FMD on clinical mastitis and culling rate. A cohort approach followed animals over a 12-month period after the commencement of the outbreak. For culling, all animals were included; for mastitis, those over 18 months of age. FMD was recorded in 400/644 cattle over a 29-day period. During the follow-up period 76 animals were culled or died whilst in the over 18 month old cohort 63 developed clinical mastitis. Hazard ratios (HR) were generated using Cox regression accounting for non-proportional hazards by inclusion of time-varying effects. Univariable analysis showed FMD cases were culled sooner but there was no effect on clinical mastitis. After adjusting for possible confounders and inclusion of time-varying effects there was weak evidence to support an effect of FMD on culling (HR = 1.7, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.88-3.1, P = 0.12). For mastitis, there was stronger evidence of an increased rate in the first month after the onset of the outbreak (HR = 2.9, 95%CI 0.97-8.9, P = 0.057)

Gadolinium and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: time to tighten practice

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a relatively new entity, first described in 1997. Few cases have been reported, but the disease has high morbidity and mortality. To date it has been seen exclusively in patients with renal dysfunction. There is an emerging link with intravenous injection of gadolinium contrast agents, which has been suggested as a main triggering factor, with a lag time of days to weeks. Risk factors include the severity of renal impairment, major surgery, vascular events and other proinflammatory conditions. There is no reason to believe that children have an altered risk compared to the adult population. It is important that the paediatric radiologist acknowledges emerging information on NSF but at the same time considers the risk:benefit ratio prior to embarking on alternative investigations, as children with chronic kidney disease require high-quality diagnostic imaging

The role of Veterinarians in areas with persistent failure of rain (Drought Stricken areas)

The drought stricken areas are usually the marginal areas where livestock production system is the main farming system. Large parts of Somali fall under this category and the NE Somali (Puntland) being no exception. Apart from livestock being kept for nomadic livelihood and, the unregulated export of animals to Arabian and Gulf countries has introduced a new dimension in the lives of the livestock producers in terms of increased demand for pasture, water and veterinary drugs. In order for veterinarians either private or public, to play an effective role, in the treatment and control of livestock diseases, its important to understand the likely events which occur in resultant stress situations and make timely interventions. In the event of prolonged dry spell or drought, veterinary inputs may be of no value as severe scarcity of water and pasture are likely to cause situations where animals are nutritionally compromised and go through a period of being beyond help. The role of veterinarians in drought- stricken areas is crucial and veterinarians should be considered as stakeholders in trying to contain difficult situations. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 22 2001: pp. 58-5

Experimental cutaneous lesions in the albino rat

This investigation was undertaken to elucidate the actiology of 'phrynoderma'. Two experiments were conducted, one the study the effect of vitamin A deficiency and the other, to study the part played by fat in the production of cutaneous lesions in rats. It is concluded that deficiency of vitamin A in conjunction with deficiency of essential fatty acids, plays an important role in the production of cutaneous lesions in rats resembling those in 'phrynoderma'. It is suggested that 'phrynoderma' may be due to the combined deficiencies of both these factors. The experimental evidence further points out, that lack of vitamin A plays a larger role in the production of cutaneous lesions resembling 'phrynoderma'