Crystalline Maculopathy: A Report of Two Patients in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

We present two patients with crystalline maculopathy seen at the Eye Clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Both patients had diabetes, with the first patient having systemic hypertension controlled on medications. There was no history of kola nut ingestion in the two patients. Medical examination by the internist revealed no other systemic disease. The central vision was good in both patients. Optical coherence tomography localized the crystals to the inner retina, and there was no associated macular edema. Some pathogenetic mechanisms are proffered based on available literature

Capital assets: a community research intervention by the African Forum in Redbridge and Watham Forest

Duration: September 1999 - November 2000 This was a community-led initiative in which over 1000 Africans resident in Redbridge and Waltham Forest were asked about their assets and health needs. The survey was instigated by Redbridge & Waltham Forest African Forum, and undertaken by community groups themselves in collaboration with Sigma Research. The survey was designed both to gather information from the communities and to provide information to them. The information sought was not simply about the participants needs but also about the assets within those communities to address those needs. The project sought information about the relationship between Africans living in Redbridge or Waltham Forest, their assets, health needs and the potential for interventions. It did so by: providing all stakeholders with clear and accessible information about the demography of the local African communities. mapping the priorities and needs of the groups. assessing knowledge about HIV and its prevention. mapping linguistic assets and social structures of participating community groups that may contribute to meeting these needs. identifying acceptable, culturally appropriate methods of intervention. Questionnaire content was led by the members of the African Forum as was the structure and content of the report. Members of community groups did all the interviewing. Between them, 41 interviewers talked to 1008 residents. The majority of African women and men living locally were at an age when people can be at their most active physically, mentally and economically. Mental health and HIV and AIDS were the major health concerns although health concerns were associated with country of birth. Many respondents lacked basic knowledge of HIV transmission. There is a need for more awareness of clinical sexual health services. Language ability and social networks are common assets for health. English is spoken by 78% of participants and 88% of the entire sample mentioned at least one person they were close to. The survey provides information that helps to identify key areas where community organisations and statutory services working in partnership can improve quality of life and access to services. The final report was called Capital assets: a community research intervention by The African Forum in Redbridge and Waltham Forest

Shifting livelihood strategies in northern Nigeria - extensified production and livelihood diversification amongst Fulani pastoralists

Abstract This paper presents an in-depth investigation of the livelihood strategies of Fulani pastoralists in north central Nigeria. Results show a diversified crop-livestock system aimed at spreading risk and reducing cattle offtake, adapted to natural resource competition and insecurity by extensification, with further diversification into off-farm activities to spread risk, increase livelihood security and capture opportunities. However, significant costs were associated with extensification, and integration of crop and livestock enterprises was limited. Mean total income per capita in the study area was $554 or$1.52/person/day with 42% of households earning less than 1.25/person/day. Income levels were positively correlated with income diversity and price received per animal sold, rather than herd size. The outcomes of this livelihood strategy were favourable across the whole community, but when individual households are considered, there was evidence of moderate economic inequality in total income, cash income and herd size (Gini coefficient 0.32, 0.35 and 0.43 respectively). The poorest households were quite vulnerable, with low assets, income and income diversity. Implications for sustainability are discussed given the likelihood that the negative trends of reduced access to natural resources and insecurity will continue

Physiological responses to heat stress in two genetically distinct chicken inbred lines

High ambient temperature is one of the most important environmental factors negatively impacting poultry production and health. Genetics is an important contributor in mitigating the stress response to heat. Two genetically distinct highly inbred lines of similar body size (Leghorn and Fayoumi) were characterized for phenotypic differences in response to heat. At 14 days of age, birds were exposed to 38°C with 50% humidity for 4 hours, then 35°C until the conclusion of the experiment. Non-treated individuals were kept at 29.4°C for the first week and then 25°C throughout the experiment. Birds in the heat-stress group were inoculated at day (d) 21 with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) La Sota strain to investigate the effects of heat stress and NDV infection. Thirteen blood parameters were measured using the iSTAT blood analyzer at three stages: 4 h, 6 d, and 9 d post heat-stress treatment, representing acute heat (AH) exposure, chronic heat (CH1) exposure, and chronic heat exposure after virus infection (CH2), respectively. Most blood parameters were significantly changed with heat stress in Leghorns at AH and in Fayoumis at CH1 and CH2. The Leghorn line had significant acute responses with disrupted acid-base balance and metabolic disorders. The heat-resilient Fayoumis maintained a relatively well-balanced acid-base balance. The current study provides the comprehensive profile of biomarker signatures in blood associated with heat tolerance and suggests that PO2, TCO2, HCO3, and base excess can be served as potential biomarkers that can be used to genetically improve heat tolerance in poultry