Growth performance, haematology and cost benefit of growing rabbits reared on different feed access times and restriction durations

Sixty growing rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes were used for 10 wk in a 4 x 3 factorial experimental design to test for the effect of different feed access times (2, 4, 6 and 24 h) and different restriction durations (2, 4 and 6 wk) on the performance, haematological parameters and cost benefits of growing rabbits. Data obtained were subject to a 2�way analysis of variance. Results showed significantly higher (p0.05) across the feed access time and restriction duration. White blood cell was higher in growing rabbits on 2-h feed access time for 6-wk duration of restriction while all other parameters measured for haematology were not significantly affected by the feed access time and restriction duration. Total cost of feed consumed was highest in growing rabbits maintained on 24-h feed access time. Cost of feed per kg weight gain was not significantly influenced across the feed access times and the restriction durations. It was concluded that for a reduced cost of feeding without an adverse effect on the performance and haematological profile, growing rabbits should be raised on not less than 4-h feed access time for 2-wk restriction duration

Fly ash: An alternative to powdered activated carbon for the removal of eosin dye from aqueous solutions

This paper reports the use of powdered activated carbon (PAC) and raw coal fly ash (RFA) in the removal of eosin dye from aqueous solution in batch processes. Operational parameters such as contact time, initial dye concentration, pH and temperature were investigated. Adsorption equilibrium was established in 120 min for the two adsorbents. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to fit the adsorption data. Langmuir model gave the best fit in both cases. The adsorption capacities of PAC and RFA were found to be 62.28 mg/g and 43.48 mg/g, respectively. The highest percentage of eosin dye removal for both PAC (98%) and RFA (90%) was observed at pH 2. Pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetic models were used to fit the adsorption data. Pseudo second-order kinetic model gave the best description of the adsorption of eosin dye onto the two adsorbents. Thermodynamic parameters, ΔH⁰, ΔS⁰ and ΔG⁰ confirmed the physical nature, spontaneity and the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. A regeneration technique and a process calculation for evaluating the adsorbent dose required were carried out. This study has shown that RFA is a good alternative adsorbent in the removal of eosin dye from aqueous solution

ASSESSMENT OF SOAK AWAY DISTANCE AND INFILTRATION LAYER ON BORE-HOLE WATER QUALITY IN DENSELY RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL, IMO STATE

Ground water pollution can arise from percolation and infiltration of contaminants through the soil from soak away pits. This study was aimed at assessing the microbiological quality of borewhole water, its suitability for human consumption, as well as its closeness to soak away pits in densely populated settlements of Owerri Municipal Council of ImoState, Nigeria. The horizontal distance between the soak away pits and bore-holes including soil in filtration layer was determined for all sampling points. Twenty-four samples of bore-hole water were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for microbiological and some selected physico-chemical constituents. Temperature of water samples at the time of collection ranged from 230 c to310 c, with sample from Dauglas area having the highest value (310 c); that of Aladinma had the lowest temperature (230 c). Water collected from the 12 sampling sites were contaminated with general and/or fecal Coliforms and E. coli at different levels; with exception of five sample sites that had zero E. coli. Furthermore, it was generally observed that water samples which were in close proximity to the soak away pits had relatively higher microbial load. Apart from distance, infiltration layer also affects bore-hole contamination. Therefore, bore-holes and soak away pits should be constructed faraway from one another; at least 15 meters apart and each of them should be lined if possible in order to avoid any fecal contamination from the soak away pits into the bore-holes

CARCASS YIELD AND PORK QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING PIGS TO FEED WITHDRAWAL PERIODS AND ASCORBIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION

A 3×3 factorial experiment was carried out to determine carcass yield and pork quality of pigs in humid tropics to feed withdrawal periods and ascorbic acid supplementation. Fifty-four mixed breed weaner pigs with mean weight of 5.5±0.3 kg were grouped on weight equalization into 9 treatments with 6 pigs per treatment and 2 pigs per replicate. Treatments 1,4 and 7 were fed ad libitum with ration containing ascorbic acid at the rates of 0, 1500 and 2500 mg/kg feed, respectively. Treatments 2, 5 and 8 were subjected to two hours feed withdrawal period and ascorbic acid supplementation of 0, 1500 and 2500 mg/kg feed, respectively. While those on treatments 3, 6 and 9 were on 4 hours feed withdrawal period with ascorbic acid levels of 0, 1500 and 2500 mg/kg feed, respectively. Carcass yield, meat quality and proximate composition were assessed on twentieth week. Carcass yields were significantly (P< 0.05) influenced by feed withdrawal period and ascorbic acid supplementation. Pigs on two hours withdrawal period and ascorbic acid supplementation at 1500 mg/kg feed had the highest values for carcass parameters. Two-hours feed withdrawal period and ascorbic acid supplementation of 1500 mg/kg feed influenced carcass yield, pork quality and proximate composition of growing pigs.   &nbsp

Influence of systolic blood pressure on outcomes in Nigerians with peripartum cardiomyopathy

Background: The relationship between blood pressure (BP) trajectories and outcomes in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is not clear. Aim: The study aimed to assess the clinical features and outcomes (all-cause mortality and unrecovered left ventricular [LV] systolic function) of PPCM patients grouped according to their baseline systolic BP (SBP). Patients and Methods: PPCM patients presenting to 14 tertiary hospitals in Nigeria were consecutively recruited between June 2017 and March 2018 and then followed up till March 2019. SBP at first presentation was used to categorize the patients into seven groups: <90, 90-99, 100-109, 110-119, 120-129, 130-139, and ≥140 mmHg. Unrecovered LV systolic function was defined as echocardiographic LV ejection fraction (LVEF) below 55% at the last profiling. Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven patients were recruited and followed up for a median of 18 months. Of these, 4.0% had <90 mmHg, 16.3% had 90-99 mmHg, 24.7% had 100-109 mmHg, 24.7% had 110-119 mmHg, 18.5% had 120-129 mmHg, 7.5% had 130-139 mmHg, and 4.4% had ≥140 mmHg of SBP at presentation. The highest frequency of all-cause mortality was recorded among patients with SBP ≤90 mmHg (30.8%) followed by those with 90-99 mmHg (20.5%) (P = 0.076), while unrecovered LV systolic function did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.659). In a Cox proportional regression model for all-cause mortality, SBP <90 mmHg had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49-10.78, P = 0.006), LVEF had an HR of 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.98, P = 0.003, B = 0.06%), and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme or angiotensin receptor and/or β-receptor blockers had an HR of 1.71 (95% CI 0.93-3.16, P = 0.085). However, SBP was not associated with LV function recovery. Conclusion: In our cohort of PPCM patients, one-fifth was hypotensive at presentation. SBP <90 mmHg at presentation was associated with a four-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality during a median follow-up of 18 months