Studies on zinc and copper ion in relation to wound healing in male and female west African dwarf goats

Wound healing remains a challenging clinical problem for which precise and efficient management is essential in order to curtail morbidity and mortality. Wound healing has been shown to depend upon the availability of appropriate trace elements like copper and zinc which serve as enzyme cofactors and structural components in tissue repair. This study aims at evaluating the distribution of zinc and copper found in the hair as well as skin during epidermal wound healing. Adult and healthy West African dwarf (WAD) goats of both sexes fed with concentrate, grass, cassava peel and water ad libitum were used. The animals were housed for three weeks before commencement of the experiments. Epidermal wounds were created on the trunks of all the goats using cardboard template of 1cm². Progressive changes in wound contraction were monitored grossly by placing clean and sterile venier calliper on the wound margin. Hair and skin elemental (copper and zinc) analyses were done using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Significant increases in Cu level were observed in the female hair compared with that of males. There were significant increases in the Zn levels of the females’ hair compared with the males. The wound healed faster in female goat compared with the males. The ratio of copper to zinc is clinically more important than the concentration of either of these trace metals. The pattern of distribution between zinc and copper concentration in the skin and hair of the male and female goats observed in this study could be added factor responsible for early wound healing in female. Therefore, our findings suggest that the distribution in the Cu and Zinc level in skin and hair of both male and female goats could also be a factor for wound healing in the animals.Keywords: Wound healing, Copper, Zinc, Hair, Skin

LETHAL AND SUB-LETHAL EFFECTS OF COPPER TO THE AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) JUVENILES

Lethal and sub-lethal effects of copper on Clarias gariepinus were studied using a 96-hour static bioassay. Copper (as copper chloride, CuCl2 . H2O) was used to prepare the stock solution from which five standard concentrations 0.0, 1.8, 3.2, 5.6, and 10.0 mg/L were prepared (coded A – E). 15 juvenile C. gariepinus fish having a mean weight and length 5.8g and 18 cm respectively were used. The 96-hour LC50 estimated using the logarithm method were 0.6, 0.71 and 0.7 mg/l for replicates 1, 2 and 3 respectively with mean as 0.67mg/l. Haematological changes were generally not significant (P> 0.05). Copper concentrations in bone and muscle-tissues were also determined. The mean copper concentration in bone ranged from 1.86 (treatment A) to 17.04 ppm (Treatment E) and muscle 1.29 (treatment A) to 55.5 ppm (treatment E). There were significant differences (p<0.05) in mortality among treatments

Crude oil, women and the environment: a case study of Delta State of Nigeria

The study of effects of petroleum pollution on the general environment with peculiar relevance to women in Delta State was carried out for a period of nine months, by using structured questionnaire and personal observations. The study was basically focused on women of all age groups and generalized all sources of pollution in the area. Among all, oil spillage to the rivers, streams, and farmlands (44.8%) was most rated, while other sources like fish (62.1%), and effect their occupational status that is based on peasant farming (33.7%) and fishing (52.1%). However, there is high significant effect (

Toxic stress of lead on Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) fingerlings

The toxic stress of lead on fish was tested employing a 96-hour bioassay test. The experimental fish used were Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Lead in the form of lead chloride was used to prepare the stock solution. The concentrations of lead used for the experiment were 0, 1.8, 3.2, and 5.6, and10.0mg/l. The lethal concentration (LC50) was estimated using the logarithmic method and was found to be 0.6, 0.58 and 0.62mg/l for replicates1, 2 and 3 respectively

Heavy metal contamination of Clarias gariepinus from a lake and fish farm in Ibadan, Nigeria

Adult Clarias gariepinus (African Catfish) were purchased from EleiyeleLake and Zartech fish farm in Ibadan. Water samples were also collected in February (dry season) and June (rainy season), 2002. Gill, bone, intestine, muscle and water samples were analyzed for five metals: manganese, copper, zinc, iron, and chromium by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) in two separate experiments. In each case, two tissues were compared with the levels of the metals in water viz: Gill, bone, and water; intestine, muscle and water. Generally, lower concentrations of the metals were recorded in water than fish tissues. Higher concentrations of zinc than recommended by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency were recorded in the fish during the dry season. Iron was the dominant metal in the muscle while Chromium was the least. Significant differences (p<0.05) were recorded in copper and zinc concentrations in the muscle, intestine and water during the dry and rainy seasons .In gill, bones and water, significant differences (p<0.05) were only recorded for the two stations for copper during the rainy season and only zinc was significantly different (p<0.05) in the dry season. It was concluded that though the heavy metals of interest were present in measurable quantities there were still within safe limits for consumption

Dystocia in a Primiparous West African dwarf ewe due to relative fetal oversize associated with poor mating management practices in Ibadan, Nigeria

A one and a half (11⁄2) year old Primiparous West African dwarf ewe, weighing 12 kg was presented with history of anorexia and straining of about 24 hours duration to the University of Ibadan Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan. Close observation of the animal showed a narrow birth canal with bilateral carpal flexion of the foetus which also appeared too big for the dam. Rectal temperature was 36.9°C, Heart rate was 68beats per minute and respiratory rate was 36 breathes per minute. The dam was reported to be mated with a ram of same breed weighing 40kg. Dystocia was diagnosed and caesarean section was recommended to relieve the dystocia. The right lateral side of the abdomen close to the Paralumbar fossa was carefully and aesthetically shaved and prepared. Induction of anaesthesia was done using 2 ml of Lignocaine given epidurally as an inverted L-block and 1 ml of Duracaine was given posteriorly. Complete desensitization of the region was achieved within 5minutes of induction. Drapes were used to prevent contamination as much as possible. A small straight 10cm long incision was made on the lateral side with no obvious bleeding observed. The uterus was located and incised with the apparently big dead foetus weighing 2.2kg taken out and chromic catgut size 1 was used to suture the uterus. The skin was about to be sutured with nylon suture material when the dam passed on. This report highlighted the detrimental effect of poor reproductive management practices and the delay in seeking veterinary care leading to maternal and fetal death with its grave economic consequences

Prelimnary observations on trace element contents of the skin and pelage of west African dwarf (wad) goat

Studies in the content of magnesium [Mg], copper [Cu] and zinc [Zn] were carried in the skin andhair of4 West African Dwarf goats. Each of the elements was found to be more abundant in the hair than in the skin. For each of the elements also there were differences in quantity from one region of the body to another. Some of these differences were significant at the 95% confidence level. On the whole magnesium was the most abundant followed by zinc and copper in that order. These findings are discussed in relation to the roles these elements play in ensuring the integrity and normal functioning of the skin and pelage of the animal

Statistical Study on Types, Causes, Effects and Remedies of Corrupt Practices in Construction Industries in Nigeria

The paper examined the issues of corruption in Nigeria by identifying the various corrupt and fraudulent practices that exist in Nigeria Construction Industry. It also examined the different job stages where corruption is common within the industry, involvement of professionals, obstacles to exposing corrupt practices, effects of corrupt practices and solutions to corrupt practices in the construction industry. A total of 1500 questionnaires were administered using a web-survey. Professionals in the industry and construction managers were respondents of the survey. A simple statistical tool such as mean, standard deviation and importance index were used to analyze the result. It was observed from the analysis that the major causes of corrupt practices center around the absence of punishment for corruption, economic recession, competitive bidding and loss of contract money due to change in government. The leading examples of corruption practiced in the construction industry are bribery, extortion and employment of unqualified or quacks. The obstacles faced by employees to reporting corrupt practices are fear of appointment termination imposed by the employer, awareness that the whistleblower is not well secured and lack of assurance in anticorruption agencies. The major effects of corrupt practices are poor quality construction of infrastructure and low economic returns. Remedies according to analysis were good and adequate supervision, use of standard materials, and involvement of professional builders in the construction process, proper soil investigation, and discipline of professionals if proven to be involved

Further studies on canine erythrocyte fragility in the tropical subregion: the effects of sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia in Nigerian dogs

The osmotic fragilities of the red blood cells of 5 local dogs were determined before and during sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia using different concentrations of sodium chloride solution. It was observed that before the anaesthesia, the osmotic fragility decreased with increasing concentration of sodium chloride solution, exhibiting a sharp drop from a high (43%) at 0.5% to a low (19%) at 0.6%. Between 0.6 - 0.9% saline concentrations, the decrease in osmotic fragility was rather more gradual. Under anaesthesia, the Osmotic Fragility curve was shifted to the right of the pre-anaesthesia level. The pattern of response was however basically the same- decreasing value with increasing concentration of saline solution. The increases in osmotic fragility values recorded during anaesthesia over those of the pre-anaesthesia levels were significant (P < 0.05) for saline concentrations 0.5% - 0.8%. The values of some other hematological parameters such as the PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC only showed insignificant decreases. It was concluded that veterinary practitioners employing sodium pentobarbitone as anaesthetic agent should exercise more caution than hitherto