Repeatability of Docility in Grasscutters (Thryonomy Swinderianus)

One of the problems of domesticating grasscutters was their aggressive behaviour towards humans. Docility is the ability of the animal to accept human presence. The objective of this study was to estimate the repeatability of docility in a population of grasscutters maintained at the grasscutter unit of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Delta State University, Asaba Campus. 5 families each of lower and larger grasscutters were used for the study. Each family consists of 1 male and 4 female. Only the female grasscutters were scored as the males were few. Docility was scored on a scale of 1 to 4 with 1 representing docile; 2: fright; 3: restless; 4: aggressive. Each grasscutter was scored once a week at 4-6months and 6-8months of age giving a total of 8 scores per animal per period. The average docility scores in the two breeds of grasscutters ranged from 2.54 to 2.80 indicating that most of the grasscutters handled were either fright or restless. Repeatability estimates of lower and larger grasscutters at 4-6 and 6-8 months were moderate to high and ranged from 0.20 to 0.61, thus implying that few records on the animal’s docility were enough to make selection decision. Keywords: Docility, larger grasscutters, lower grasscutters, repeatability, selection decisio

Association of blood microRNA expression and polymorphisms with cognitive and biomarker changes in older adults

Background Identifying individuals before the onset of overt symptoms is key in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objectives: Investigate the use of miRNA as early blood-biomarker of cognitive decline in older adults. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Two observational cohorts (CHARIOT-PRO, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)). Participants 830 individuals without overt clinical symptoms from CHARIOT-PRO and 812 individuals from ADNI. Measurements qPCR analysis of a prioritised set of 38 miRNAs in the blood of individuals from CHARIOT-PRO, followed by a brain-specific functional enrichment analysis for the significant miRNAs. In ADNI, genetic association analysis for polymorphisms within the significant miRNAs’ genes and CSF levels of phosphorylated-tau, total-tau, amyloid-β42, soluble-TREM2 and BACE1 activity using whole genome sequencing data. Post-hoc analysis using multi-omics datasets. Results Six miRNAs (hsa-miR-128-3p, hsa-miR-144-5p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-26a-5p, hsa-miR-29c-3p and hsa-miR-363-3p) were downregulated in the blood of individuals with low cognitive performance on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The pathway enrichment analysis indicated involvement of apoptosis and inflammation, relevant in early AD stages. Polymorphisms within genes encoding for hsa-miR-29c-3p and hsa-miR-146a-5p were associated with CSF levels of amyloid-β42, soluble-TREM2 and BACE1 activity, and 21 variants were eQTL for hippocampal MIR29C expression. Conclusions Six miRNAs may serve as potential blood biomarker of subclinical cognitive deficits in AD. Polymorphisms within these miRNAs suggest a possible interplay between the amyloid cascade and microglial activation at preclinical stages of AD

Alzheimer's disease pathology explains association between dementia with Lewy bodies and APOE-ε4/TOMM40 long poly-T repeat allele variants.

Introduction: The role of TOMM40-APOE 19q13.3 region variants is well documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) but remains contentious in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Methods: We dissected genetic profiles within the TOMM40-APOE region in 451 individuals from four European brain banks, including DLB and PDD cases with/without neuropathological evidence of AD-related pathology and healthy controls. Results: TOMM40-L/APOE-ε4 alleles were associated with DLB (OR TOMM40 -L = 3.61; P value = 3.23 × 10-9; OR APOE -ε4 = 3.75; P value = 4.90 × 10-10) and earlier age at onset of DLB (HR TOMM40 -L = 1.33, P value = .031; HR APOE -ε4 = 1.46, P value = .004), but not with PDD. The TOMM40-L/APOE-ε4 effect was most pronounced in DLB individuals with concomitant AD pathology (OR TOMM40 -L = 4.40, P value = 1.15 × 10-6; OR APOE -ε4 = 5.65, P value = 2.97 × 10-8) but was not significant in DLB without AD. Meta-analyses combining all APOE-ε4 data in DLB confirmed our findings (ORDLB = 2.93, P value = 3.78 × 10-99; ORDLB+AD = 5.36, P value = 1.56 × 10-47). Discussion: APOE-ε4/TOMM40-L alleles increase susceptibility and risk of earlier DLB onset, an effect explained by concomitant AD-related pathology. These findings have important implications in future drug discovery and development efforts in DLB

Clinical reporting following the quantification of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease: An international overview

Introduction: The current practice of quantifying cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers as an aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) varies from center to center. For a same biochemical profile, interpretation and reporting of results may differ, which can lead to misunderstandings and raises questions about the commutability of tests. Methods: We obtained a description of (pre-)analytical protocols and sample reports from 40 centers worldwide. A consensus approach allowed us to propose harmonized comments corresponding to the different CSF biomarker profiles observed in patients. Results: The (pre-)analytical procedures were similar between centers. There was considerable heterogeneity in cutoff definitions and report comments. We therefore identified and selected by consensus the most accurate and informative comments regarding the interpretation of CSF biomarkers in the context of AD diagnosis. Discussion: This is the first time that harmonized reports are proposed across worldwide specialized laboratories involved in the biochemical diagnosis of AD

The 2022 symposium on dementia and brain aging in low- and middle-income countries: Highlights on research, diagnosis, care, and impact

\ua9 2024 The Authors. Alzheimer\u27s & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer\u27s Association.Two of every three persons living with dementia reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The projected increase in global dementia rates is expected to affect LMICs disproportionately. However, the majority of global dementia care costs occur in high-income countries (HICs), with dementia research predominantly focusing on HICs. This imbalance necessitates LMIC-focused research to ensure that characterization of dementia accurately reflects the involvement and specificities of diverse populations. Development of effective preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for dementia in LMICs requires targeted, personalized, and harmonized efforts. Our article represents timely discussions at the 2022 Symposium on Dementia and Brain Aging in LMICs that identified the foremost opportunities to advance dementia research, differential diagnosis, use of neuropsychometric tools, awareness, and treatment options. We highlight key topics discussed at the meeting and provide future recommendations to foster a more equitable landscape for dementia prevention, diagnosis, care, policy, and management in LMICs. Highlights: Two-thirds of persons with dementia live in LMICs, yet research and costs are skewed toward HICs. LMICs expect dementia prevalence to more than double, accompanied by socioeconomic disparities. The 2022 Symposium on Dementia in LMICs addressed advances in research, diagnosis, prevention, and policy. The Nairobi Declaration urges global action to enhance dementia outcomes in LMICs

Performance of weaner rabbits fed Panicum maximum, Centrosema pubescens and Sida acuta supplemented with poultry growers mash

Sixteen Crossbred Weaner rabbits aged eight weeks made up of 8 males and 8 females with initial average weight of 650 ± 21.76 g were subjected to four dietary treatments namely Panicum maximum plus Poultry growers mash (T1), Centrosema pubescens plus Poultry growers mash (T2) Sida acuta plus Poultry growers mash (T3) and Poultry growers mash alone (T4) which served as Control. The experiment, which lased for nine weeks, was aimed at comparing the performance of the rabbits fed different forages. The results indicated that there was no significant (P > 005) difference in weight gain among the treatment groups. However the group fed Centrosema pubescens recorded the highest numerical weight gain compared with the other groups. Total feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the rabbits fed Panicum maximum, Centrosema pubescens and Sida acuta were similar but significanty (P > 001) higher than for rabbits fed poultry growers mash alone. There were significant (

Visual Internal Urethrotomy in the Management of Anterior Urethral Stricture

Objective: Urethral stricture disease is common in our environment. The aim of this study is to report our experience with visual internal urethrotomy (VIU) in the management of this disease. Patients and Methods: Seventy male patients with a mean age of 30.6 years were treated for anterior urethral stricture by VIU at the Jos University Teaching Hospital between May 2002 and April 2006. To evaluate the treatment results, we studied the following parameters: stricture etiology, outcome of urethrotomy and complications. All patients were treated as day cases. Results: The main cause of urethral stricture found in 43 (61.4%) patients was infection followed by trauma which was found in 11 (15.7%) patients. Twenty fi ve (35.7%) patients had been subjected to previous treatment, notably urethral dilatation. The strictures were bulbar in 62 (88.6%), non-obliterative in 66 (94.3%), single in 28 (40%) an

The utility of digital rectal examination in estimating prostate volume in a rural hospital setting

Objectives: To determine the correlation between prostate volume estimated by digital rectal examination (DRE) and that estimated by abdominal ultrasound in the same patients. Patients and Methods: Men who presented to our urology outpatient clinic with lower urinary tract symptoms were recruited in this study. We estimated the prostate size by digital rectal examination using the sliding scale as a guide and subsequently measured the prostate volume by transabdominal ultrasound. Results: A total of 100 patients completed this study. The mean age was 65.6 ± 9.84 years. The Kappa's reliability test comparing the prostate size estimated by DRE and the prostate size measured by transabdominal ultrasound was 0.579832, the Kappa's standard error was 0.097768 and Kappa's tvalue was 5.93. The Kappa's reliability test fell into good agreement range (0.4–0.75). This is further validated by the Pearson's correlation test ascertaining correlation between Ultrasound and DRE and generated a correlation coefficient® of 0.59 (P = 0.00). This implies a high positive correlation between ultrasound estimated prostate volume and that estimated by DRE that is statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Estimation of prostate volume by digital rectal examination is reliable. This is very important in an environment where esoteric laboratory facilities are not readily available, and the clinician has to depend mainly on his clinical acumen