Microbial status of smoked fish, scombia scombia sold in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria

As one of the common sources of protein available to man, fish is highly consumed due to its lower cholesterol content and price. So it forms a rich protein source for both poor and rich. As a part of checkmating the public health risks associated with this general dependence of the population on fish, the microbiological assessment of smoked fish, Scombia, scombia sold in Owerri was embarked on with the aim of ascertaining the microbial quality, the presence and prevalence of microorganisms of public health importance. A total of one hundred and eight (108) samples were collected from the smoking Factory, Open Market and Hawkers. These were analyzed microbiologically for viable heterotrophic bacteria and fungi count on Nutrient and Potato dextrose agar respectively, using pour plate method and coliform count in MacConkey broth by multiple tube method (MPN). The mean value results from the analysis revealed high microbial contamination in all the samples. The resultant data were analyzed statistically using randomized block design of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 95% level of confidence and the difference were separated using the least significance difference (LSD). The mean results of viable  heterotrophic bacteria and fungi count showed no significance difference for the collection sites; but the coliform mean results for the three sites showed marked variation at 95% level (P>0.05). Identified bacteria, include: Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., whereas fungi are Penicillium sp., Aspergilusl sp., Fusarium violaceum, Biospora sp., Candida sp, Botryodioplodia sp., Alternania sp. This high level of microbial contamination can be traceable to handlers, and environment to which this fish is exposed during smoking and selling exercises, and considering the danger it portends to human health, public health and  food safety authorities should intensify their monitoring efforts towards controlling such contamination.Key words: Bacteria, Yeast, Mould, Smoked fish, Contamination

Carcass and organ characteristics of broilers fed graded levels of processed castor oil bean (Ricinus communis L) meal and supplementary L-lysine

The effect of graded levels of heat-treated castor oil bean meal and supplementary L-lysine on carcass and organ characteristics of broiler birds was investigated. In experiment 1, 180 seven-day old broiler chicks (Anak strain) were randomly divided into 12 groups of 15 birds each. In experiment 2, 144 six weeks old broiler finishers were randomly divided into 12 groups of 12 birds each in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement involving four processed castor oil bean meal levels (0, 10, 15 and 20%) and three L-lysine levels (0, 0.25 and 0.5%). At the 6th and 10th weeks of experiments 1 and 2, respectively, 3 birds per treatment were randomly selected and weighed for carcass and organ evaluation. Results showed that live body weight and weights of liver, kidney, spleen and heart decreased significantly (p<0.05) at the 15 and 20% CBM inclusion levels, while the empty gizzard weight was decreased (p<0.05) at the 20% CBM inclusion level (experiment 1). In experiment 2, live body weight, dressed carcass weight, dressing percentage and weights of liver, kidney, spleen, heart, empty gizzard and relative heart weight declined (p<0.05) at the 20% CBM inclusion level. The abdominal fat weight, relative weights of liver, kidney heart, empty gizzard and abdominal fat were significantly (p<0.05) increased. There were significant (p<0.05) CBM x Llysineinteractions on body weight, liver weight, relative liver weight, kidney weight, relative kidney weight, spleen weight, relative heart weight, empty gizzard weight and relative empty gizzard weight. Supplementation of some diets with L-lysine significantly (p<0.05) increased body weightof birds at all levels of CBM inclusion and increased (p<0.05) dressed carcass weight at the 15 and 20% CBM levels. Results show that up to 10 and 15% processed CBM can be included in broiler starter and finisher diets, respectively without adverse effects on carcass and organ weights ofbroiler birds.Keywords: Castor oil bean meal, L-lysine, carcass, organ weights, broiler chick

The Effect of Dietary Castor Oil Bean (Ricinus communis) Meal and Supplementary L-Lysine on the Performance of Broiler Starter Chicks

No Abstract Available Discovery and Innovation Vol.16(1&2) 2004: 46-5

Effect of Varying Protein and Energy Levels on Dry Matter, Protein and Energy Digestiblity in Pregnant and Lactating Does in the Humid Tropics of Southern Nigeria

None AvailableTarget Audience: Researchers and Rabbit Farmers Dry matter (DM), protein and energy utilization in pregnant and lactating does were determined in a study a 3 x 3 factorial in a completely randomized design. In the first feeding trial which lasted for 31 days, twenty-seven does were assigned to nine dietary treatments, each with three replicates. The diets furnished three crude protein (CP) levels (15.2, 17.0 and 19.0%) and three digestible energy (DE) levels (7.6, 9.6 and 11.5MJ/kg). In the second feeding trial which lasted for 35 days, the does at kindling were re-assigned to another nine treatments. The diets contained three CP levels (16.2, 18.2 and 20.1%) and three DE levels (8.6, 11.2 and 12.5 MJ/kg). All data were subjected to Analysis of variance, correlation and regression analyses. DM matter, protein and energy digestibility in pregnant does were not significantly affected by protein X energy interaction. The effect of energy level was, however, significant (P < 0.05), and protein level significantly (P < 0.05) affected energy digestibility. DM, protein and energy utilization in pregnant does improved significantly (P < 0.01) for every increase in energy level. On the other hand, DM, protein and energy utilization in lactating does were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the protein and energy levels. Key Words: CP and DE levels; DM, protein and energy digestibility; pregnant and lactating does. Trop. J. Anim. Sci. Vol.6(1) 2003: 9-1

Dried poultry waste versus groundnut cake as protein supplement for grazing West African dwarf goats and sheep

In two separate experiments dried poultry waste (DPW) from caged-layer units was evaluated as a protein supplement for small ruminants. In experiment 1, nine goats divided into three groups of three animals each were randomly assigned to three diets containing 0,25, and 30% DPW in three periods of 17 days per period. Experiment l involved eight sheep, six of which were grazed and in addition fed in pairs to each of three diets containing 0,20 and 30% DPW over a period of 12 weeks. The remaining two sheep were maintained solely on grazing during the same period of time.Dry matter intake and digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, other extract as well as liveweight gains and feed efficiency were not significantly different among the different treatments in experiment 1. Digestibility of oitrogenp free extract was however significantly (P 0.05) different. In experiment 2, the control diet was consumed significantly (P 0 .01) more than the diet containing 20% DPW. In general, intake decreased as DPW inclusion increased, but performance of animals on DPW supplemented remained as good as or even better than those on the control diet. While supplementation produced on increase in liveweight gain of between 48-58% over initial bodyweight in 12 weeks, grazing alone promoted an overall increase of 0.04% only during the same period

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with paediatric cancer in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES: Paediatric cancer is a leading cause of death for children. Children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were four times more likely to die than children in high-income countries (HICs). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the delivery of healthcare services worldwide, and exacerbated the disparity in paediatric cancer outcomes between LMICs and HICs. DESIGN: A multicentre, international, collaborative cohort study. SETTING: 91 hospitals and cancer centres in 39 countries providing cancer treatment to paediatric patients between March and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were included if they were under the age of 18 years, and newly diagnosed with or undergoing active cancer treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms' tumour, sarcoma, retinoblastoma, gliomas, medulloblastomas or neuroblastomas, in keeping with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All-cause mortality at 30 days and 90 days. RESULTS: 1660 patients were recruited. 219 children had changes to their treatment due to the pandemic. Patients in LMICs were primarily affected (n=182/219, 83.1%). Relative to patients with paediatric cancer in HICs, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 12.1 (95% CI 2.93 to 50.3) and 7.9 (95% CI 3.2 to 19.7) times the odds of death at 30 days and 90 days, respectively, after presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 15.6 (95% CI 3.7 to 65.8) times the odds of death at 30 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected paediatric oncology service provision. It has disproportionately affected patients in LMICs, highlighting and compounding existing disparities in healthcare systems globally that need addressing urgently. However, many patients with paediatric cancer continued to receive their normal standard of care. This speaks to the adaptability and resilience of healthcare systems and healthcare workers globally

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality