Biochemical and Haematological Indices of Weanly Albino Rats Fed Millet and Maize Based Complementary Weaning Food

Malnutrition is a public health problem in Nigeria accounting for more than 50% of all childhood death. The current work evaluated some nutritional, biochemical and haematological indices of weanly albino rats fed millet and maize based complimentary weaning foods for 3 weeks. Two diets, MLMX and MZMX were compared on one hand and on the other with millet alone (MLA). Maize alone (MZA) diets was used as negative control and Frisocream (PC) as positive control.. The mineral profiles of the two groups of rats were significantly (

Effects of vaccination on the prevalence of Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in small ruminants in Taraba State, Nigeria

An investigation was conducted in order to determine the distribution of Peste Des Petits Ru'minants (PPR) and vaccination efforts in Taraba State of Nigeria using data collected from the Veterinary Services Department of the State's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development between 1992 and 1998. The results showed that the disease is most prevalent during the cold months of the year (Hamattan) and beginning of the rainy season. Similarly, outbreaks increased with the relaxation of vaccination campaign programmes. It was observed that the number of outbreak was low when a vaccination using Tissue-Culture-Rinderpest Vaccine (TCRV) was intensified and it increases when the vaccination was relaxed. It was concluded from this study that intensive vaccination campaign of small ruminants against the PPR through provision of adequate facilities, TCRV vaccines, training offield workers and mass enlightenment campaign in the villages are paramount to control menace of the disease in Nigeria

A survey of opportunistic infections in HIV seropositive patients attending major hospitals of Kebbi state, Nigeria

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIV/AIDS related opportunistic infections from the patients attending the five major Hospitals in Kebbi State , which included Federal Medical Center (FMC), Birnin Kebbi, Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital (SYMH), Birnin Kebbi, General Hospital, Argungu (GHA), General Hospital , Yauri (GHY) and General Hospital , Zuru (GHZ). The screening for the HIV/AID was done using the Genic II HIV-1/HIV – 2 Test and the screening for opportunistic infections was done using thin and thick blood films, direct wet mount, formal ether concentration technique and modified Ziehl – Neelsen (ZN) technique. Microbial Pathogens were isolated through culture and identified through gram staining and biochemical tests. Out of the 1950 patients screened for HIV/AIDS infection, 606 (31.6%) were positive. Higher prevalence 195 (32.2%) was from FMC and the lowest from GHY 90 (15%). The result revealed that 374 (61.7%) of HIV/AIDS positive patients were also positive to one or more opportunistic infections. In this respect, higher prevalence of 32.3% was observed from FMC and the lowest was observed from SYMH with 13.9%. The result of the study also revealed the presence of malarial (Plasmodium) parasites with prevalence of (75.9%).The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) had the highest prevalence of 29.5%, SYMH, 21.7%, GHA, 17.2%, GHY, 16.1 and lastly GHZ with 15.4%. There is therefore the need for urgent positive control programme of HIV and HIV related opportunistic infections. Keywords: Survey, opportunistic infections, HIV Sero positive, Kebbi State

Possible Antidiabetic Mechanism of Action of Ex-maradi Okra Fruit Variety (Abelmoscus esculentus) on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Increasing evidences suggest that postprandial hyperglycemia plays an important role in the development of diabetes complications. Therefore, therapeutic approaches that act via lowering of postprandial glucose leading to reduce insulin requirement are currently very attractive. The present study investigated some possible mechanisms of hypoglycemic action of different parts (Whole Okra „WO‟; Okra Peel „OP‟ and Okra Seed „OS‟) of Ex-maradi Okra fruit variety in the management of diabetes mellitus in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Standard analytical procedures were employed in the study. The results indicated that various parts of Okra fruit have ability to stimulate glycogen synthesis in the liver and delay intestinal absorption of glucose with very significant glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI) and high glucose adsorption capacity (GAC). Histological examination of the pancreatic tissue after administration of Okra fruit revealed evidence of pancreatic islets cells regeneration. These results suggest that the possible mechanisms of antidiabetic effect of Okra fruit are multidimensional and might involve increased glycogenesis, delay glucose absorption and pancreatic islets regeneration leading to increased insulin secretion. These might help control postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Diabetes, Glycogen, Glucose, Hyperglycemia, Okr

Assessment of indigenous fodder tree species from different land-use types in Dutse, Jigawa, Nigeria

The expansion of urban areas driven by increasing human population and the conversion of forested lands into other use has largely affected the  diversity of fodder and non-fodder tree species in most areas of the Sudan-Savanna ecoregion. Long drought period has made edible tree species, an alternative for livestock owners. This has affected indigenous fodder trees composition while the extent of this loss has not been adequately documented in most parts of Jigawa State. To check this, indigenous fodder trees were identified while density and diversity of these species was assessed. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were administered to document preferred fodder trees while four land-use types were selected to determine the diversity of fodder trees in Dutse Local Government area. Qualitative data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Shannon weiner’s index was used to calculate the diversity, where Chi-square and distribution table were used to analyze the result and compare variables. Age played a role in keeping livestock while majority of the respondents (65%) had non-formal education. Forty-two (42) fodder tree species of choice were identified, the common and preferred species with highest percentage are: Philiostigma reticulata, Tamarindus indica, Adansonia digitata, Ficus thorningii, Mangifera indica and Parkia biglobosa. Cattle route had the highest diversity with a Shannon index of 1.07/0.5ha, followed by farm fallow, farmland and homestead with less diverse index of 0.98/0.5ha, 0.84/0.5ha, and 0.82/0.5ha respectively. Fodder tress diversity was significantly different among the different land-use type. The need to regulate the rate in which fodder trees are unsustainablyfelled is paramount else, most of these species will disappear within a short time. Multiple land-use and Agroforestry practices that will protect these components of the ecosystem are recommended as a management approach. Key words: Land-use, fodder tree, diversity, composition, cattle rout

Toxicity Studies on Aqueous-Methanol Pod Extract of Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea) in Wistar Strain Albino Rats

Herbal preparation of Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) pod has long been used by a group of Hausa people from northern Nigeria called Yan tauri performers and traditional healers. This study was conducted to evaluate the toxicological effect of the extract in Wistar strain albino rats using biochemical, haematological and histopathological indices of toxicity. Acute toxicity (LD50) and sub-chronic toxicity studies were determined using the method developed by OECD. Twenty-five (25) rats were grouped into five(5) consisting of five(5) rats each, one of the groups served as control., Group II, III, IV and V were orally administered with the extract at a daily dose of 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg, 1200 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg of the extract, respectively for 28 days. The LD50 of the extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg and its oral administration for 28 days did not produce significant changes (P˃0.05) on biochemical and haematological indices.  Histopathological evaluation revealed mild widening of Bowman’s capsule of animals administered with 1200 mg/kg and 1600 mg/kg of the extract. It can thus be concluded that the pod is non-toxic. Keywords: Vigna unguiculata pod, Yan tauri performers, Aqueous-methanol extract, Acute and subchronic toxicit

Geo-spatial distribution of Brucella melitensis infection in selected local government areas of Katsina and Sokoto States, Nigeria

Brucellosis due to Brucella melitensis infects mostly small ruminants and has been reported to be the most invasive and pathogenic species for humans. A cross-sectional sero-geospatial study was conducted in 4 and 3 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina and Sokoto States, Nigeria respectively. Sera were analysed using c-ELISA while A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver was used to take geographic coordinates of all sampling points. Data were analysed with SPSS version 20. Chi-square test was used to measure associations among categorical variables. ArcGIS 10.3 was used to map the geospatial pattern of distribution of B. melitensis. Three-dimensional analysis was also performed using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation to determine the distribution pattern of B. melitensis in unsampled LGAs. Six (10.52%), 11 (20.0%), 11(2.0%) and 23 (23.0%) sera were positive from Bakori (n=57), Baure (n=56), Daura (n=55) and Funtua (n=101) LGAs of Katsina State respectively while 4 (12.5%), 1 (5.6%), 13 (14.8%) were positive from Illela (n=22), Tambuwal (n=19) and Yabo (n=90) LGAs respectively in Sokoto State were positive for B. melitensis antibodies. All the variables tested were not statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). The geospatial maps for both States were produced to show the prevalence of B. melitensis using c-ELISA throughout the LGAs sampled and extrapolation was done for other unsampled LGAs. Small ruminants in the study areas harboured antibodies to B. melitensis. The maps may serve as an excellent tool for active surveillance and control strategies for livestock diseases like brucellosis in the study area.Keywords: Brucella melitensis, Small Ruminants, Nigeria, c-ELISA, GI