Carcass yield and haematological indices of broiler chickens fed diets containing varying levels of dried watermelon rind (DWMR)

150 day old unsex broiler chicks were used for the experiment to determine the effect of replacement of wheat offal with dried  watermelon rind on the carcass yield and haematological indices of broiler birds. The chicks were randomly distributed into five treatments with each treatment having three replicates with ten chicks per replicate. Carcass yield and haematological indices were conducted in a completely randomized design comprising five dietary treatments such that T1 was served as the control, T2 were fed 25% DWMR replacement, T3 had 50 % DWMR, T4 had 75 % DWMR and T5 were given 100 % DWMR. At the end of the eight weeks, three birds from each dietary group were sacrificed to estimate the dressing yield and relative weight of organs (liver, heart and gizzard) while blood was collected for haematology and serum biochemistry analysis. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Replacement of wheat offal with DWMR significantly (p<0.05) improved the thigh, back, heart and lungs characteristics whereas it did not significantly (p>0.05) influenced the live weight, slaughter weight, eviscerated weight and other primal cut parts. RBC and MCHC were significantly (p<0.05) affected. It can be concluded from this study that DWMR can be included in broiler chickens diet with no negative effect on the carcass characteristics and serum indices

High Terrestrial Radiation Level in an Active Tin-Mine at Jos South, Nigeria

Mineral mining and milling can be a source of national economic and technological development. However, mining of minerals has been confirmed to disturb the natural distribution of radioisotopes in the soil, air and water bodies in the biota. In an attempt to evaluate the radiological burden resulting from tin mining activities at Rayfield-Du area of Jos, the background gamma-radiation level in the mine was measured via a well calibratedhand-held dosimeter placed at 1 m above ground level. The mean absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose rate and excess lifetime cancer risk for the mine was 0.83 μSvh-1; 1.44 mSv-1 and 0.005 respectively. Generally, dose rates were higher in the mine pits and processing areas as compared to administrative areas of the mine. The mean measured dose rate and calculated dose parameters for the mine were all high when compared to the regulatory limit for public exposure. The potential of developing radiation-induced health defects as a result of high radiation absorbed dose rate by the miners and dwellers around the mine is highly probable.  Keywords: Gamma-radiation; mine; absorbed dose rate; radiation exposure

Influence of urea-fortified corncob diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics in West African dwarf goats

The experiment was carried out to determine the effect of urea-fortified concentrate corncob diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Fifteen WAD goats with an average weight of 9.33 kg were studied. The animals were weighted and randomly assigned to five (5) treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were of different levels i.e. 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of urea in corncob-based concentrate diets. Results showed variation (P<0.05) in the live weight among all the treatments while no effect was observed in average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, carcass and non-carcass characteristics among the treatment groups. However, the physicochemical properties of the meat showed that meat water holding capacity, moisture, dry matter, crude fibre and ash were not influenced by urea but there was a significant  (P<0.05) difference in meat pH and meat crude protein among the treated groups. In conclusion, for better performance in the live weight gain of WAD goats, 3% best level inclusion of urea fortified corncob diet should be taken into cognizance. Keywords: Carcass characteristics; Corncob; Urea; West African Dwarf Goats; Nigeria

Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) Pulp Juice Production and Quality Evaluation via Proximate and Mineral Composition Analyses

Shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa) are common in African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Sudan, and others. When fully ripe, the Shea tree's green fruit turns yellow. The tree is well-known and valued for its versatility. Its entire composition is useful in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Among its applications is the production of butter from the nuts, while the rest of the fruit is left to rot or discarded. This study focuses on using other parts of the fruit to create a new product, reduce waste, and expand the Shea value chain. Three formulations of Shea fruit juice were created. The juice were evaluated for nutritional, physicochemical, and mineral compositions. The nutritional composition revealed a high moisture content that ranged from 84.39 to 93.01%, high carbohydrate and caloric values, ranging from 5.84 to 8.96% and 33.51 to 67.31%, respectively. It also had a high concentration of vitamin C (16.45 - 38.99 percent). The mineral composition was observed to increase as the Shea pulp percentage increased. Magnesium was observed to be higher in sample C (36.71±0.24) while sample A recorded a lower magnesium content (18.04±0.06). Calcium was also found to be present in high concentrations (30.07 - 50.64 %). The juice's potassium content ranged from 58.6 - 50.54% in sample C to 24.6 - 60.16% in sample A. The physicochemical analysis revealed a close range of p H values (5.37 - 6.06 %) between the samples and the control, making the juice less susceptible to spoilage. Overall, the results presented a high-quality juice that could compete favorably in the market with other fruit juices

Modification, Development and Design Experimental Investigation of an Updraft Biomass Gasifier Stove with Sawdust as Fuel

This work presents the development of an updraft biomass gasifier stove which has been shown to apply the use of biomass fuels for the production of combustible gases. The updraft biomass gasifier stove designed was modified in order to ease the disposal of ashes, which is subsequently constructed using locally available material resources. The gasifier applies the principles of updraft producer gas flows, whereby the stove utilizes rice husk as it useable fuel. The modified gasifier stove was experimentally tested using rice husk as fuel, which was selected based on its availability as is usually classified as a wasteful product: hence the need for its utilization in order to combat environmental effects. Tests were conducted based on loading capacities of the rice husks: 5, 10, 15 and 18 kg respectively and were evaluated accordingly. The gasifier stove performance depends on these loading capacities and the highest was for the 18 kg value, as it gave the highest time of stable flame production of 150.0 min. Furthermore, the 5 kg recorded the least time of stable flame production, implying that the higher the loading capacity the higher the time of stable flame production

Influence of Periodic Administration of Garlic Extract on Blood Parameters of Grazing Lambs

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of periodic  administration of garlic extract drench on haematology and serum biochemistry of grazing lambs. Twelve West African dwarf sheep with an average weight of 12.00 ±0.77 kg were allotted to 3 treatment groups with 4 animals per group in a completely randomized design which lasted for 10 weeks. Treatment 1 (T1) served as control with no garlic extract, Treatment (T2) were given 5ml garlic extract weekly and Treatment T3 received 5ml garlic extract every 2 weeks. Results of haematological analysis showed that PCV significantly (P<0.05) differs among treatment groups while RBC, MCV, WBC, LYM and GRA all show no significant (P>0.05) difference. The lowest PCV of 19.68% was observed in T1 while T2 recorded the highest PCV of 29.68%. The results from serum biochemical indices shows that cholesterol and ALT differ significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups while total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, urea and AST all show no significant (P>0.05) difference among treatment means. The lowest serum cholesterol value of 0.78 was observed in T2 while the control group  recorded the highest value of 1.30. The study suggests that garlic extract could be used to reduce the level of serum cholesterol in grazing lamb thereby improving meat quality.Keywords: Garlic Extract, West African Dwarf Sheep, Haematology, Biochemistry

Prevalence and pattern of hyperuricemia in a survey among inhabitants of Sokoto metropolis, north western Nigeria

Objective. Hyperuricemia is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases. Studies have revealed links between urate, cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome with considerable ethnic and geographical variation. Although clinical features may develop in persons with hyperuricemia, more than 60% remain symptomatic. There are no definite criteria for therapeutic intervention in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. The study attempts to determine the prevalence and pattern of hyperuricemia among inhabitants of Sokoto in a bid to identify associated factors and threshold for rational therapy.Methods. A cross sectional survey of 161 adults in which demographic indices including physical examination, anthropometric measurements were obtained with urine and blood samples taken for analysis. Statistical evaluation was done, using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL)Results. Hyperuricemia was documented in 20.5%, with male to female ratio of 2:1 and higher mean urate level in males. Urate level increased with age; ranging from 5.0mmol/L±1.8 among 20-29 years to 6.5mmol/L±1.6 in those aged 50-59 years. Systemic hypertension, type 2 DM, Obesity and kidney dysfunction were commoner among normouricemic than hyperuricemic subjects.Conclusions. Hyperuricemia is common, especially among male gender and advancing age. The association between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular events remains a contentious issue as prevalence of type 2 DM, obesity and kidney dysfunction were similar in hyperuricemic and normouricemic subjects. We could not determine threshold to commence treatment for elevated uric acid level. A larger population and multicentre research is required to prove a link between hyperuricemia and some components of metabolic syndrome.Keywords: Hyperuricemia, Prevalence, Pattern, Sokoto, Nigeri

Influence of Periodic Administration of Garlic Extract on Blood Parameters of Grazing Lambs

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of periodic administration of garlic extract drench on haematology and serum biochemistry of grazing lambs. Twelve West African dwarf sheep with an average weight of 12.00 \ub10.77 kg were allotted to 3 treatment groups with 4 animals per group in a completely randomized design which lasted for 10 weeks. Treatment 1 (T1) served as control with no garlic extract, Treatment (T2) were given 5ml garlic extract weekly and Treatment T3 received 5ml garlic extract every 2 weeks. Results of haematological analysis showed that PCV significantly (P<0.05) differs among treatment groups while RBC, MCV, WBC, LYM and GRA all show no significant (P>0.05) difference. The lowest PCV of 19.68% was observed in T1 while T2 recorded the highest PCV of 29.68%. The results from serum biochemical indices shows that cholesterol and ALT differ significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups while total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, urea and AST all show no significant (P>0.05) difference among treatment means. The lowest serum cholesterol value of 0.78 was observed in T2 while the control group recorded the highest value of 1.30. The study suggests that garlic extract could be used to reduce the level of serum cholesterol in grazing lamb thereby improving meat quality

Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of Hypertension Screening and Treatment in Adults with Hypertension in Rural Nigeria in the Context of a Health Insurance Program.

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for death and disability in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We evaluated the costs and cost-effectiveness of hypertension care provided within the Kwara State Health Insurance (KSHI) program in rural Nigeria. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to assess the costs and cost-effectiveness of population-level hypertension screening and subsequent antihypertensive treatment for the population at-risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) within the KSHI program. The primary outcome was the incremental cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted in the KSHI scenario compared to no access to hypertension care. We used setting-specific and empirically-collected data to inform the model. We defined two strategies to assess eligibility for antihypertensive treatment based on 1) presence of hypertension grade 1 and 10-year CVD risk of >20%, or grade 2 hypertension irrespective of 10-year CVD risk (hypertension and risk based strategy) and 2) presence of hypertension in combination with a CVD risk of >20% (risk based strategy). We generated 95% confidence intervals around the primary outcome through probabilistic sensitivity analysis. We conducted one-way sensitivity analyses across key model parameters and assessed the sensitivity of our results to the performance of the reference scenario. RESULTS: Screening and treatment for hypertension was potentially cost-effective but the results were sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions with a wide range of uncertainty. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the first and second strategy respectively ranged from US$1,406 to US$ 7,815 and US$732 to US$ 2,959 per DALY averted, depending on the assumptions on risk reduction after treatment and compared to no access to antihypertensive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension care within a subsidized private health insurance program may be cost-effective in rural Nigeria and public-private partnerships such as the KSHI program may provide opportunities to finance CVD prevention care in SSA

Prevalence and Prognostic Features of ECG Abnormalities in Acute Stroke: Findings From the SIREN Study Among Africans

Background Africa has a growing burden of stroke with associated high morbidity and a 3-year fatality rate of 84%. Cardiac disease contributes to stroke occurrence and outcomes, but the precise relationship of abnormalities as noted on a cheap and widely available test, the electrocardiogram (ECG), and acute stroke outcomes have not been previously characterized in Africans. Objectives The study assessed the prevalence and prognoses of various ECG abnormalities among African acute stroke patients encountered in a multisite, cross-national epidemiologic study. Methods We included 890 patients from Nigeria and Ghana with acute stroke who had 12-lead ECG recording within first 24 h of admission and stroke classified based on brain computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Stroke severity at baseline was assessed using the Stroke Levity Scale (SLS), whereas 1-month outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results Patients\u27 mean age was 58.4 ± 13.4 years, 490 were men (55%) and 400 were women (45%), 65.5% had ischemic stroke, and 85.4% had at least 1 ECG abnormality. Women were significantly more likely to have atrial fibrillation, or left ventricular hypertrophy with or without strain pattern. Compared to ischemic stroke patients, hemorrhagic stroke patients were less likely to have atrial fibrillation (1.0% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.002), but more likely to have left ventricular hypertrophy (64.4% vs. 51.4%; p = 0.004). Odds of severe disability or death at 1 month were higher with severe stroke (AOR: 2.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.44 to 3.50), or atrial enlargement (AOR: 1.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 2.02). Conclusions About 4 in 5 acute stroke patients in this African cohort had evidence of a baseline ECG abnormality, but presence of any atrial enlargement was the only independent ECG predictor of death or disability