Effects of the combination of ketamine and medetomidine anaesthesia on haematological parameters in Sahel goats

The effects of the combination of ketamine and medetomidine intravenous (IV) anaesthesia on haematological parameters were evaluated in six sahel goats comprising of 5 females and 1 male with mean body weight of 19 ± 1.4kg. Each goat was given a recommended dose of the drugs combination: medetomidine at 0.01mg/kg and ketamine at 5mg/kg body weight IV. Pre injection blood samples were obtained and at 15 minutes interval during anaesthesia in EDTA bottles and later analyzed. The parameters evaluated were packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and differential leucocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes). The ketamine-medetomidine combination produced a significant decrease in PCV values from 30 minutes (24.00±1.23%) to 90 minutes (25.00±2.55%) compared with baseline value (29.50±1.52%); Hb also decreased significantly at 45mins. RBC and WBC values showed no significant difference compared with baseline values. Neutrophils decreased significantly at 45mins (35.17±3.25) compared to baseline value (41.50±3.67). There were no significant differences in lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils values from baseline. The ketamine and medetomidine combination produced decreases in PCV, Hb and neutrophils. The goats recovered from anaesthesia uneventfully.Keywords: Anaesthesia, Goats, Haematology, Ketamine, Medetomidine

Evaluation of the effects of intravenous anaesthesia using a combination of ketamine - medetomidine in Sahel goats

The anaesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of the combination of ketamine-medetomidine for total intravenous anaesthesia were evaluated in six sahel goats. The goats were administered a combination of  ketamine (5mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.01mg/kg) intravenously. Baseline measurements of heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were taken prior to drug administration and repeatedly, at ten minutes interval after induction of anaesthesia until the end of anaesthesia. Heart rate decreased from baseline value of 73.5±5.7 beats/minute and reached its lowest value at 40 minutes (57.1± 4.8 beats/minute). Also respiratory rate decreased significantly from baseline value of 27.7±3.7 breaths/minute reaching its lowest value of 19.0 ± 4.6 breaths/minute at 50 minutes. Onset of anaesthesia was fast (1.2 ± 1.5min) and mean anaesthesia time was 97.1 ± 21.9min. Ketamine - medetomidine intravenous injection produced effective anaesthesia, muscle relaxation and immobilization in sahel goats. Recovery from anaesthesia was without complication.Keywords: Anaesthesia, Goats, Intravenous, Ketamine, Medetomidin

Evaluation of Some Heavy Metals in Aerial Parts of Wild Rice Plant in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study was designed to evaluate the level of Cd, Co, Fe and Zn in the aerial/upper parts of wild rice plant in three locations (Gure, Kagoro, and Kaduna) of Kaduna state. HNO3-H2O2 was used to digest the plant samples and analyzed using AA320N model Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results obtained revealed that, the concentration(mg kg-1 dry weight basis) of the heavy metals analyzed in the upper parts of wild rice plant were 0.242, 0.028, 2.947 and 19.145 for Cd, Co Fe, and Zn respectively. Also in the grain, the concentration of metals was found to be 0.223, 0.023, 2.003 and 19.050 for Cd, Co, Fe, and Zn respectively. The ANOVA result showed that the concentration of Cd, Co and Fe were not significantly different within the plant parts while that of Zn was different at 95% confidence limit. The concentration of Zn, Fe and Co in the wild rice plant and grain were within the limits obtained in most world crops and vegetables and WHO/FAO reference standards. Although, the concentration of Cd in grain was a little higher than the recommended limit of WHO/FAO reference standard. The dietary implication of the elements, suggests that the consumption of the wild rice plant/grain analyzed may not cause much health hazard to grazing animals and human beings.Keywords: Aerial part, Grain, Heavy metals, Wild ric

Repositioning the Facilities in Technical College Workshops for Efficiency: A Case Study of North Central Nigeria

This article focuses on assessing the facilities in Government Technical College workshops in the context of a developing country. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Two research questions and a hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. A 35-item questionnaire was developed based on the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) standards on Technical College workshops, and was validated by three experts. Data was collected from 101 administrators, 140 teachers, and 24 workshop personnel randomly sampled and stratified along trades in 19 Government Technical Colleges in North Central Nigeria. Mean was employed to answer the research questions while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to test the hypothesis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis. Results revealed that administrators, teachers, and workshop personnel shared similar views on inadequacy of facilities in Technical College workshops. It was therefore recommended that: The private sector should be encouraged to initiate and participate in the provision of facilities using such methods as build operate-and-transfer (BOT), build own-operate and transfer (BOOT) and rehabilitate-operate and transfer (ROT); special intervention funds should be set aside by Government for procurement of workshop facilities to technical colleges, such channels may include Education Tax Fund (ETF) as practiced in Nigeria; Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) should be asked for support in supplying relevant facilities to the workshops as obtained in some nations; and that a specific percentage of income tax generated annually by the Government should be utilized for provision of workshop facilities in technical colleges

Effects of Groundnut Husk Ash-blended Cement on Chemical Resistance of Concrete

The empirical investigation reported the effects of chemicals on the properties of concrete with cement partially replaced with Groundnut Husk Ash (GHA). The principal characteristic measured was the compressive strength of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete and OPC/GHA concrete after curing in three chemical solutions (MgSO4, NaCl and H2SO4) at 14, 21 and 28 days hydration periods. The results revealed that the OPC/GHA concrete performed best in most of the chemical solutions at 28 days hydration period with compressive strength values of 21.05N/mm2 in MgSO4 solution and 22.55Nmm2 in NaCl solution. The study concluded that OPC/GHA concrete having proven resistant to magnesium sulphate and sodium chloride media would perform better in soils containing MgSO4 and NaCl.Key words: Blended cement; groundnut husk ash; magnesium sulphate; sodium chloride; sulphuric acid; compressive strength; durability of concrete

Evaluation of different feeding frequencies on growth performance and feed utilization of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Fingerlings

The experiment was conducted to assess the growth performance and feed utilization of Clarias gariepinus under the feeding frequencies of T1 (twice/day), T2 (thrice/day), and T3 (four times/day) at 3% BWD per day over a period of 56 days. A total of 180 fingerlings with average weight of 2.39±0.19g and average length of 5.02±1.04cm were stocked at 15 fish per plastic container of 35 litres capacity. The highest weight gain recorded at the end of the experiment was 7.39±0.19g in (T3) and the lowest was 5.35±0.31g in (T1). The highest specific growth rate (SGR%) value of 1.19±0.02 was recorded in (T3) and the lowest 1.01±0.03 was recorded in (T1). T3 recorded the highest FCR value of 1.88±1.37, while the lowest value of 8.34±2.12 was obtained in (T1). Therefore, Treatment 3 yielded the best performance in terms of WG, SGR, and FCR and can be recommended for enhanced growth performance and optimum feed utilization.Keywords; Fingerlings, feeding, frequency, growth, performance, utilization

Proximate, Vitamins and Mineral Composition of Vitex doniana (black plum) Fruit Pulp

Samples of Vitex doniana fruit (black plum) were collected from Vunchi village in Bida metropolis. The dried endocarp was washed, ground into powder and analysed for the proximate, vitamins and mineral compositions. The values (%DW) of moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat and carbohydrate available were 16.66, 11.50, 8.24, 0.58, 34.62 and 28.40, respectively. Levels of Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and C were 0.27, 18.33, 4.80, 20.45 and 35.58 (mg/100g DW) respectively. Mineral (mg/100g DW) were: potassium (16.5), sodium (10.40), calcium (30.27), iron (5.20), Copper (2.70), magnesium (20.10) and phosphorus (16.50). The result indicates that Vitex doniana fruit pulp could be promoted as: carbohydrate and lipid supplements for cereal-based diets in rural communities, another cheaper source of raw material for juice production, fortified into feed of ruminants, while its moderate calcium value could be used for the management of oesteomalacia

Kaidah Fiqhiyyah dan Pembaharuan Hukum Islam

Kaidah Fidhiyyah merupakan kaidah yang disusun secara induktif dari al-Qur’an dan al-Sunnah sesuai dengan permasalahan hukum yang muncul dan berkembang. Dari permasalahan tersebut dicarikan penyelesaiannya melalui al-Qur’an dan al-Sunnah. Bentuk penyelesaian itu kemudian dibuat menjadi kaidah umum yang berisi nilai pilosofis dan ruh syari’at Islam yang ada dalam al-Qur’an dan al-Sunnah. Fidhiyyah yang bersifat umum ini merupakan metode untuk menetapkan kebijakan hukum dan menyelesaikan persoalan-soalan hukum. Karena disusun berdasarkan atas permasalahan hukum yang muncul, penyusunan Fidhiyyah tersebut tidak sekaligus sebagimana penyusunan undang-undang. Ketetapan hukum dalam Islam didasarkan pada prinsip dan azas yang razional dan sesuai dengan fitrah manusia serta untuk kepentingan manusia itu sendiri. Atas azas dan tujuan ini hukum Islam mempunyai nilai yang fleksibel dan yuniversal. Oleh karena itu kemajuan berbagai bidang kehidupan, perkembangan pemikiran, perubahan kondisi sosial masyarakat, yang kesemua itu menyebabkan konpleksitas permaslahan hukum, harus dapat diselesaikan oleh syari’at Islam sebagai bukti dari fleksibilitas dan universalitas

Effect of Light-Emitting Diode (Led) Light on the Gene Expression Related With Ascorbate Biosynthesis and Metabolism in Broccoli Florets

Ascorbate is one of the most abundant soluble antioxidants in the plant. Multiple functions of ascorbate in photo protection have been proposed, including scavenging of reactive oxygen species generated by oxygen photoreduction and photorespiration. There is still unclear information relation to LED light with Ascorbate biosynthesis and metabolism, yellowing, chlorophyll content, and ethylene production in broccoli florets. The effect of light-emitting diodes (LED) light on ascorbate (AsA) biosynthesis and metabolism in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) cultivar “Ryokurei” were studied using red (660 nm), blue (470 nm) and white LED lights as the light source and also no light treatment as the control. Gene expression involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of AsA, AsA content, color, chlorophyll content and ethylene production rate on the postharvest broccoli were observed in 4 days. The result showed that after two days, red light treatment significantly (p < 0,05) delayed the decrease of ascorbate content. The result was supported by observations using Real-Time Quantitative RT-PCR showed that red light treatment can suppress mRNA level of BO-APX1, BO-APX2, and BO-sAPX on the third day. Observation of BO-GLDH mRNA level was increased in the third-day exposure of red LED light. Therefore red LED light showed up-regulated AsA biosynthesis transcriptional level. Enzymes which possibility responsible for AsA metabolism and biosynthesis in a row were Ascorbate Peroxide (APX) and L-Galactono-1,4-Lactone Dehydrogenase (GLDH). The regulation of this gene expression might contribute to the suppression of AsA reduction by red LED light treatment in broccoli. Red LED also showed suppression of yellowing and decline the chlorophyll content in postharvest broccoli florets. Keywords: ascorbate, LED; broccoli; gene expression; real-time quantitative RT-PCR

Vaccination Coverage and Prevalence of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (1999 - 2008) in Two Transboundary States of North-Western Nigeria

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 169 - 17