Exogenous enzymes activities in the fore- and mid-gut of the African snail (Archarchatina marginata)

This study investigated the enzyme activities of two (2) microbial organisms in the fore- and mid- gut regions in the gastrointestinal tract, in Archarchatina marginata, a giant Land snail from the region of West Africa. Microbial analysis was conducted to verify the microbial organisms present in different parts of the snail gut while enzyme assay was performed to determine the type and level of enzyme activities taking place in the mouth and stomach regions. Results revealed the different bacteria inhabiting the regions of the alimentary tract in Archarchatina marginata. Azobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas syringae, the two bacteria isolate that were further investigated, effectively digested starch, cellulose and casein. However, P. syringae exhibited the highest enzymatic activities for cellulase (8.72µmol/min/ml at 18h) and amylase (9.05 µmol/min/ml at 24h) while Azobacter chroococcum exhibited the highest enzymatic activity for protease (17.18 µmol/min/ml at 24h) during incubation. Consequently, the study validated amylolytic, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacterial activities within the digestive tract of A. marginata. This knowledge is informative for research and an aid to snail farmers in the choice of feeding materials for these land snails

Pattern Of Visceral Injuries In Abdominal Trauma In An Urban Tertiary Center

Background: Abdominal trauma management is a significant component of health care services provided by general surgeons in our centre. This is as a result of the increasing incidence of interpersonal and sectarian violence and also road traffic accidents. It has significant morbidity and mortality and this is worrisome because of the preventable nature of the causes of trauma.Objective: To identify the pattern of visceral injuries following abdominal trauma in our tertiary centre in order to improve outcome and protocol of carePatients and methods: This is a prospective study of all consecutive patients with abdominal trauma presenting over 12 calendar  months. Demographic data, injury mechanism, injury presentation time, treatment, operation findings, operation and outcomes were documented.Results: Altogether there were 66 males and 10  females with an average age of 32.9+10.1 and age range of 15-66 years. Thirty-one patients (40.2%) had blunt abdominal trauma while forty-five (59.8%) had penetrating trauma. The most commonly injured organs were small bowel (47%) in penetrating and the spleen (37%) in blunt. There was a morbidity rate of 43.42% and mortality rate of 8%.Conclusion: Road traffic accidents and gunshots were the commonest causes of blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma respectively. The spleen was the most commonly injured visceral organ in blunt trauma while the small bowel was the most commonly injuredin penetrating trauma. Mortality from blunt abdominal injury was more than those from penetrating injuries. Delayed presentation and the presence of extraabdominal injuries increased the likelihood of mortality

Water restriction in goats during hot-dry season in the humid tropics: feed intake and weight gain.

Twelve non-pregnant female goats (West African Dwarf, WAD and Red Sokoto, RS) were used to investigate the effect of volumetric (0%, 33% and 67%) water restriction on feed intake and weight gain over a period of eight weeks. The goats are of 2 age groups: younger and older than 1 year. The experiment was arranged in a modified cross-over design with three treatment periods of 1 week each. In-between each treatment period was a 2-week wash-out period, when the effect of the previous was expected to have worn off. The average water intake (WI) was determined for the first 7 days of the experiment when all the animals were given water ad libitum. The 3 treatments were: (i) ad libitum supply of water every day; (ii) 33% reduction from average WI; and (iii) 67% reduction. Water drunk had positive and significant (p1 year old; r= 0.615). All the four classes of goats showed positive highly significant (pDoce cabras no preñadas (West African Dwarf, WAD y Red Sokoto, RS) fueron empleadas para investigar el efecto de la restricción volumétrica (0%, 33% and 67%) del suministro de agua sobre la ingestión de alimento y ganancia de peso durante ocho semanas. Los animales se agruparon por edad en menores y mayores de un año. El experimento se dispuso según un diseño cruzado, modificado con tres periodos de tratamiento de una semana cada uno. Entre cada periodo se intercaló uno de lavado de dos semanas durante el que se eliminaba el efecto del experimento precedente. La ingestión media de agua (WI) fue determinada para los siete primeros dias del experimento durante los cuales a todos los animales se suministraba agua ad libitum. Los tratamientos fueron: (i) suministro de agua ad libitum, (ii) reducción del 33% sobre la ingestión media y (iii) 67% de reducción. El agua bebida mostró correlación positiva (

How safe is sedated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a sub-Saharan teaching hospital?

Background: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy may induce autonomic reactions, with transient changes in haemodynamics and oxygen saturation. We audited the changes in cardiovascular parameters and oxygen saturation during sedated endoscopy.Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study of 110 consecutive patients scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy under conscious sedation. The sedative agent, duration of endoscopy, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and oxygen saturation (SPO2) were recorded, while the rate pressure product (RPP) was computed. The patient's preoperative anxiety, pain score and discomfort score during the procedure was recorded on a modified visual analogue scale (VAS) rated from 1-10.Results: Atotal of 110 patients were studied: 69(62.7%) received IV midazolam, and 41(37.3%) had IV pentazocine. The mean HR and RPP increased significantly at all times during the study period from presedation values, p <0.0001. However, the mean HR, SBP and RPP were comparable between midazolam and pentazocine groups. The maximum HR, SBP, RPP in the midazolam group was 155 bpm, 189 mmHg, and 23.35 mmHg/bpm respectively compared to the pentazocine group with 151 bpm, 174mmHg, and 24.71 mmHg/bpm respectively, p <0.05.Oxygen desaturation (SPO2 ≤ 94%w)as noted in 15 patients (13.6%); midazolam (8.2%) versus pentazocine (5.5%), p =0.82. The lowest SPO2 in midazolam group was 92% versus 93% in pentazocine group. The post endoscopy ECG changes included sinus tachycardia in (12), ST segment elevation (5) and T wave inversion (8) in all patients. The number of patients with pain (VAS >7) during endoscopy was comparable: midazolam (26) versus pentazocine (20), p = 0.25.Conclusion: Sedationwith either midazolam or pentazocine during endoscopy had similar effects on cardiovascular parameters and oxygen saturation. However, severe pain with VAS >7 was not uncommon.Keywords: Upper gastrointestinal Endoscopy, midazolam, pentazocine, cardiorespiratory changes, Pain, anxiety score, discomfort scor

Effect ofMucunaprurienson the Reproductive Tract of Giant African Land Snail (Archachatinamarginata)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Mucuna pruriens on the reproductive tract of Giant African Land snail (Archachatina marginata).Thirty (30) snails weighing between 100 to 150g were used with ten replicate per treatment. Feed given were: concentrate, mixture of concentrate and Mucuna seed meal and Mucuna seed meal only. Parameters measured include: Organ weight, Tract length, Tract weight, Ovo testis weight, shell parameters (Shell weight, Shell length, Shell width and Shell circumference) and egg number. Snail weight, organ weight, tract weight and ovo testis weight were measured with sensitive scale, while tract length, shell length, shell width and circumference were measured with tape rule. Egg number laid was manually counted after laying. Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) was also calculated as ratio of ovo testis to organ weight. At the end of eight weeks, results showed that snails fed with concentrate had higher Organ weights (119.672±6.551 vs 100.278±6.551 vs 78.915±6.551), Tract length (23.460±1.197 vs 23.270±1.197 vs 19.200±1.197), Tract weights (23.87±1.646 vs 21.805±1.646 vs 13.329±1.646), Ovo testis weights (7.853±0.0402 vs 7.307±0.0402 vs 5.318±0.0402), Shell length (11.062±0.095 vs 10.467±0.095 vs 10.735±0.095), Shell width (6.063±0.055 vs5.765±0.055 vs 5.835±0.055), Shell circumference (18.559±0.145 vs 17.590±0.145 vs 17.725±0.145) and egg number (17 vs 5 vs 0) compared to those given mucuna seed meal and mixture of mucuna seed meal and concentrate. Gonado somatic index was not significantly affected by the three feed used in this study, while those snail fed concentrate alone laid higher number of eggs compared to other feed. It was concluded from this study that concentrates support egg number, organ weight, reproductive tract development and shell increase in size. It is recommended that functionality of organ weight and reproductive tract be assessed via histological study to further evaluate the actual cellular influence of both concentrate and Mucuna seed meal.Keywords: Mucuna pruriens, Reproductive tract, Archachatina marginata, Snail

Effect of Mucuna prurienson ovo-testis histology of giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata)

A study was conducted to evaluate effect of Mucunapruriens on ovo testis histology of giant African land snail  (Archachatinamarginata). Thirty (30) snails with weight range of 100- 150g were used for the study. Ten (10) snails were assigned to each of the three dietary treatments which include: Concentrate (CON), mixture of concentrate and Mucuna seed powder (CON + MSP) and Mucuna seed powder (MSP) only. At the end of eight (8) weeks, three (3) snails each per treatment were selected and dissected. Ovo testis was harvested from each treatment and  processed for histology. Parameters monitored were: ova and spermatozoa formation in ovo testis. Results showed that snails fed with mixture of Mucuna seed powder and concentrate had well formed ova but scanty spermatozoa, while those fed with Mucuna seed powder only had severe diffuse vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of the spermatozoa. Similarly, those snails fed with concentrate alone followed the same trend with those fed with mucuna only. It wasconcluded that MSP contain substances that couldaffect spermatozoa formation but support and ova production in right quantity in giant African land snail (Archachatinamarginata). It was recommended that MSP be processed to further evaluate its potential for spermatogenic activities as professed by different authors.Keywords: Mucuna,Ovo-testis, Snail, Archachatinamarginat

Effect of Mucuna prurienson ovo-testis histology of giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata)

A study was conducted to evaluate effect of Mucunapruriens on ovo testis histology of giant African land snail  (Archachatinamarginata). Thirty (30) snails with weight range of 100- 150g were used for the study. Ten (10) snails were assigned to each of the three dietary treatments which include: Concentrate (CON), mixture of concentrate and Mucuna seed powder (CON + MSP) and Mucuna seed powder (MSP) only. At the end of eight (8) weeks, three (3) snails each per treatment were selected and dissected. Ovo testis was harvested from each treatment and  processed for histology. Parameters monitored were: ova and spermatozoa formation in ovo testis. Results showed that snails fed with mixture of Mucuna seed powder and concentrate had well formed ova but scanty spermatozoa, while those fed with Mucuna seed powder only had severe diffuse vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of the spermatozoa. Similarly, those snails fed with concentrate alone followed the same trend with those fed with mucuna only. It wasconcluded that MSP contain substances that couldaffect spermatozoa formation but support and ova production in right quantity in giant African land snail (Archachatinamarginata). It was recommended that MSP be processed to further evaluate its potential for spermatogenic activities as professed by different authors.Keywords: Mucuna,Ovo-testis, Snail, Archachatinamarginat

The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications

Background: The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. Existing risk assessment tools are not valid for use in this population because the pattern of risk for poor outcomes differs from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to derive and validate a simple, preoperative risk stratification tool to identify African surgical patients at risk for in-hospital postoperative mortality and severe complications. Methods: ASOS was a 7-day prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery in Africa. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator was constructed with a multivariable logistic regression model for the outcome of in-hospital mortality and severe postoperative complications. The following preoperative risk factors were entered into the model; age, sex, smoking status, ASA physical status, preoperative chronic comorbid conditions, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. Results: The model was derived from 8799 patients from 168 African hospitals. The composite outcome of severe postoperative complications and death occurred in 423/8799 (4.8%) patients. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator includes the following risk factors: age, ASA physical status, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. The model showed good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.805 and good calibration with c-statistic corrected for optimism of 0.784. Conclusions: This simple preoperative risk calculator could be used to identify high-risk surgical patients in African hospitals and facilitate increased postoperative surveillance. © 2018 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Medical Research Council of South Africa gran