Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of baboon (Papio anubis), warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and waterbuck (Kubus deffasa) in Yankari game reserve, Bauchi state Nigeria

A total of ninety four (94) fresh faecal samples of baboons (Papio anubis), Warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) and Waterbucks (Kubus deffasa) were collected from different strategic locations within Yankari Game Reserve in August, 2008. Samples were collected in sterilized specimen bottles containing 4% formalin and analyzed by simple floatation, sedimentation and concentration Mc master techniques. The sixty (63) fecal samples of baboons examined; 7(11.11%) had intestinal parasites, comprises of 260 (54.1%) metastrongylus eggs, 180 (37.50%) eggs of mites and 40 (8.33) of adult mites. A total of Seven 7 (28%) of the twenty five (25) fecal samples of warthogs had parasites which comprised of 4960 (98.0%) eggs of hyostrongylus eggs and 100 (2.0%) of monizia eggs. Only 2(33.3%) of the six (6) fecal samples of waterbucks had Hystrongylus eggs 180(1.1%).The infection rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) among Warthogs (98%) fallowed by Baboons (54.1%) and the least Waterbucks (1.1%). Exposure to posture may be the predisposing factor responsible for the prevalence rate recorded in the study area. This may posed a potential danger to visitors in Yankari Game Reserve and other wild animals. Implementation of control policy of helminthes parasites in the Reserve will reducethe prevalence of helminthes diseases.Key words: Baboon, Intestinal parasites, Waterbuck, Warthog, Yankari Game Reserv

Daya Tetas Dan Lama Menetas Telur Ayam Tolaki Pada Mesin Tetas Dengan Sumber Panas Yang Berbeda

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui daya tetas dan lama menetas telur ayam tolaki pada mesin tetas dengan sumber panas yang berbeda. Penelitian dilaksanakan selama 5 bulan di kandang pembibitan Fakultas Peternakan UHO. Ayam tolaki yang digunakan terdiri atas 5 ekor jantan dan 15 ekor betina umur sekitar 20 bulan. Perkawinan ayam dilakukan dengan cara IB. Parameter yang diamati adalah: fertilitas, daya hidup embrio, daya tetas, bobot tetas dan lama menetas. Hasil penelitian menujukkan: (1) rataan fertilitas telur ayam tolaki pada mesin tetas PL adalah 58,57% dan mesin tetas PLM adalah 46,88%, namun kedua mesin tetas secara statistik tidak berbeda nyata, (2) rataan DHE pada mesin tetas PL adalah 96,67% dan mesin tetas PLM adalah 89,58%, (3) rataan daya tetas pada mesin tetas PL adalah 45,61% dan mesin tetas PLM adalah 64,81%, (4) rataan bobot tetas, pada mesin tetas PL adalah 26,47 g, sedangkan mesin tetas PLM 26,96 g, dan (5) lama menetas telur pada mesin tetas PL adalah 21.05 hari dan PLM adalah 21,09 hari. Secara statistik, penggunaan mesin tetas dengan sumber panas berbeda tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap semua parameter yang diamati.Mesin tetas dengan sumber panas berbeda tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap fertilitas, DHE, daya tetas, bobot tetas dan lama menetas telur ayam tolaki. Untuk meningkatkan daya tetas direkomendasikan menggunakan mesin tetas dengan sumber panas kombinasi listrik dan lampu minyak

Heavy metals bioaccumulation in tissues of Tilapia zilli as indicators of water pollution in kafinchiri reservoir, Kano - Nigeria

This study assessed the levels of heavy metals accumulation in water, gills and liver of Tilapia zilli fish collected from Kafinchiri water Reservoir for a period of four months with the aim of predicting health risk effect on consumers. Water and Tilapia zilli samples were collected from three different sites along the course of the dam; upstream, midstream and downstream. The concentration of copper, lead, chromium and cadmium in water and their accumulation in the liver and gills of the sampled fishes were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results revealed that concentration of dissolved heavy metals in the water ranges from Cu (0.4mg/L- 0.6mg/L), Pb (0.9 mg/L – 1.4mg/L), Cr (undetected - 0.1mg/L) and Cd (0.01mg/L – 0.02mg/L). Accumulation in the gills of tilapia fish ranges from Cu (0.8μg/g – 0.85μg/g), Pb (0.3μg/g -0.9μg/g), Cr (≤0.1μg/g) and Cd was not detected. The accumulation of heavy metals in the liver were Cu (3.0μg/g – 5.4μg/g), Pb (2.7μg/g – 9.6μg/g) and Cr (0.1μg/g – 0.15μg/g) and Cd not detected. Water content chemical analysis indicated that; sampling point B (midstream) had the highest concentration of the heavy metals in which Pb recorded had the highest Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of 5.76. The mean range of physicochemical parameters studied were temperature (25.90 – 27.37 °C), pH (7.60 – 8.52), DO (6.27 – 7.47mg/L), BOD (2.02 – 3.02mg/L), turbidity (28.05 - 34.00 NTU), electrical conductivity(187.60 – 361.17μS/cm), TDS (211 - 363mg/L), Total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, turbidity and nitrate recorded significant difference between sites (P<0.05). It was believed that domestic activities around the reservoir is the major contributing factor to the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in fish examined. It is recommended that intervention by relevant authorities is needed curtail potential long term effect of this pollutants in the reservoir.Key words: Heavy metals Pollution, Tilapia zilli, Bioaccumulation, Kafinchiri Reservoi

Some aspects of fisheries ecology in Thomas dam, Kano Nigeria

The diversity, length-weight relationship and condition factor of fish species of Thomas Dam, Dambatta Kano were studied fortnightly between November, 2016 and February, 2017. Fish species were collected using line nets, cast nets, hooks and traps; weighted to the nearest gram and standard length measured to the nearest centimeter. A total 313 fishes comprising of 7 families and 11 species were identified. Family cichlidae was predominant(36.7%) represented by T. zilli (21.7%) and Oreochromis niloticus (15.0%). Family Claridae was the second highest in abundance with 24.7% represented by C. garipienus (8.9%), Clarias anguillaris (8.9%) and Heterobranchus sp. (6.7) while Protopteridae represented by Protopterus sp. was the least with 2.8%. Species diversity determined by Shannon Weiner index of diversity, Evenness index and Margalef’s index which revealed the highest value at site A of 1.45, 0.78 and 2.66 while site D had the least with 1.1, 0.64 and 1.72 respectively. Growth coefficient b of the length weight relationship ranged from 0.9 to 2.7 inHeterobranchussp. andClariasgariepinus. The b values of the all the fish species is less than the mean exponent b =3, indicating a negative allometric growth. Condition factor (K) for all fish species differed significantly (P<0.05) as the highest value was recorded in Mormyrus rume and Heterobranchus sp. with 1.9 each and the least were C. gariepinus and C. anguillaris, protopterus sp. and Labeo senegalensis each had 0.9 values respectively. The mean condition factor (K) by species was greater than 1, indicating that the fish species were not in good condition.KEY WORDS: Species diversity, Length-weight relationship, Condition factor, Allometric growth, Thomas Dam, Dambatta Kano State

Karakteristik Produksi Kambing Peranakan Etawa Dan Kambing Kacang Pada Sistem Pemeliharaan Berbeda Di Kecamatan Toari, Kabupaten Kolaka

Toari sub-district has a population of 4,434 head or 18.47% of the total 24,003 head of the goat population in Kolaka Regency. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of Etawa crossbreed goats and bean goats in different maintenance systems in the Toari District. The population in this study were all breeders of Etawa Peranakan goats and peanut goats in the Toari District with the research sample of Ranomentaa, Rano Jaya, Lakito, and Toari villages. The sampling method was determined by purposive sampling, ie the sample was determined intentionally while the data used were primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through interviews of 100 respondents while secondary data were obtained from the District, village, and related government offices. The results showed that the production of Etawa Peranakan goat and PE Goat Production characteristics (body weight, birth type, chest circumference, body length, shoulder height, and pelvic height) General Etawa (PE) goats were higher compared to pea goats both in maintenance intensive, semi-intensive or extensive system

Contribution of body mass index to postoperative outcome in minority patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association of body mass index (BMI) category with short‐term outcomes in minority surgical patients—a relationship that previously has not been well characterized. METHODS: Data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were used to calculate the BMI of minority patients undergoing surgery from 2005 to 2008. Patients were stratified into 5 BMI classes. Stepwise logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for mortality after controlling for known clinically relevant covariates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity and mortality at 30 days, across all 5 BMI classes. RESULTS: Among 119,619 minority patients studied, 50% were African American, 36% Hispanic, 10% Asian and Pacific Islanders, and 4% American Indian and Alaskan natives. Seventy percent were overweight or obese. Women were more likely to be obese or severely obese. The overall mortality rate was 1.5%, and this varied significantly by BMI class. Distribution of 30‐day mortality demonstrated a progressive decrease, with the highest risk of death in the underweight class, and the lowest risk of death in the severely obese class. This relationship was maintained, even in patients with at least 1 major postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of being overweight or obese was high in this nationally representative cohort of minority surgical patients. Although BMI class is a significant predictor of 30‐day mortality, the effect appeared paradoxical. The poorest outcomes were in the underweight and normal BMI patients. Severely obese patients had the lowest risk of mortality, even after experiencing a major postoperative complication. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90173/1/958_ftp.pd

Percentile reference values for anthropometric body composition indices in European children from the IDEFICS study

INTRODUCTION: To characterise the nutritional status in children with obesity or wasting conditions, European anthropometric reference values for body composition measures beyond the body mass index (BMI) are needed. Differentiated assessment of body composition in children has long been hampered by the lack of appropriate references. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to provide percentiles for body composition indices in normal weight European children, based on the IDEFICS cohort (Identification and prevention of Dietary-and lifestyle-induced health Effects in Children and infantS). METHODS: Overall 18 745 2.0-10.9-year-old children from eight countries participated in the study. Children classified as overweight/obese or underweight according to IOTF (N = 5915) were excluded from the analysis. Anthropometric measurements (BMI (N = 12 830); triceps, subscapular, fat mass and fat mass index (N = 11 845-11 901); biceps, suprailiac skinfolds, sum of skinfolds calculated from skinfold thicknesses (N = 8129-8205), neck circumference (N = 12 241); waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio (N = 12 381)) were analysed stratified by sex and smoothed 1st, 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 97th and 99th percentile curves were calculated using GAMLSS. RESULTS: Percentile values of the most important anthropometric measures related to the degree of adiposity are depicted for European girls and boys. Age-and sex-specific differences were investigated for all measures. As an example, the 50th and 99th percentile values of waist circumference ranged from 50.7-59.2 cm and from 51.3-58.7 cm in 4.5-to < 5.0-year-old girls and boys, respectively, to 60.6-74.5 cm in girls and to 59.9-76.7 cm in boys at the age of 10.5-10.9 years. CONCLUSION: The presented percentile curves may aid a differentiated assessment of total and abdominal adiposity in European children

Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Musa paradisiaca

The folkloric claim of Musa paradisiaca sap in the management of diarrhoea is yet to be substantiated or refuted with scientific data. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to screen the sap of M. paradisiaca for both its secondary metabolites and antidiarrhoeal activity at 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mL in rats. Secondary metabolites were screened using standard methods while the antidiarrhoeal activity was done by adopting the castor oil-induced diarrhoeal, castor oil-induced enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility models. The sap contained flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and steroids while cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, triterpenes, cardenolides, and dienolides were not detected. In the castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model, the sap significantly (P<0.05) prolonged the onset time of diarrhoea, decreased the number, fresh weight, and water content of feaces, and increased the inhibition of defecations. Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the small intestine increased significantly whereas nitric oxide content decreased. The decreases in the masses and volumes of intestinal fluid by the sap were accompanied by increase in inhibition of intestinal fluid content in the enteropooling model. The sap decreased the charcoal meal transit in the gastrointestinal motility model. In all the models, the 1.00 mL of the sap produced changes that compared well with the reference drugs. Overall, the antidiarrhoeal activity of Musa paradisiaca sap attributed to the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, and/or saponins which may involve, among others, enhancing fluid and electrolyte absorption through de novo synthesis of the sodium potassium ATPase and/or reduced nitric oxide levels

Aging Skin: Nourishing from Out-In. Lessons from Wound Healing

Skin lesion therapy, peculiarly in the elderly, cannot be isolated from understanding that the skin is an important organ consisting of different tissues. Furthermore, dermis health is fundamental for epidermis integrity, and so adequate nourishment is mandatory in maintaining skin integrity. The dermis nourishes the epidermis, and a healthy epidermis protects the dermis from the environment, so nourishing the dermis through the epidermal barrier is a technical problem yet to be resolved. This is also a consequence of the laws and regulations restricting cosmetics, which cannot have properties that pass the epidermal layer. There is higher investment in cosmetics than in the pharmaceutical industry dealing with skin therapies, because the costs of drug registration are enormous and the field is unprofitable. Still, wound healing may be seen as an opportunity to “feed” the dermis directly. It could also verify whether providing substrates could promote efficient healing and test optimal skin integrity maintenance, if not skin rejuvenation, in an ever aging population