Pelvimetry of kuri and bunaji cows in Maiduguri metropolitan slaughterhouse, northern Nigeria

The study was conducted on 58 indigenous cattle consisting of 33 Kuri and 25 Bunaji cows slaughtered at the Maiduguri Metropolitan Slaughter house. The internal and external pelvic dimensions in the two breeds were  obtained immediately post slaughter before the animals were dressed.  The Mean ± SEM for pelvic area were found to be 120.83 cm ± 3.6 and 110.1 cm ± 3.4 for Kuri (K) and Bunaji (WF) respectively. The mean ± SEM for various body measurements were 80.98 cm ± 0.5 and 74.0 cm ± 0.8  for heart girth; 149.9 cm ± 1.1 and 138 cm ± 0.7 for height at withers;  129.3 cm ± 1.04 and 117.96 ± 1.4 for height at pin bone; 141.3 cm ± 0.54 and 131.7 cm ± 1.05 for height at hook bone; 46.2 cm ± 0.42 and 42.3 cm ± 0.51 for rump length; 43.6 cm ± 0.45 and 40.8 cm ± 0.74 for rump width; 10.7 cm ± 0.2 and 9.5 cm ± 0.16 bisilliac distance and 11.85 cm ± 0.02 and 11.12 cm ± 0.18 sacropubis distance for Kuri and Bunaji respectively. There was a significant correlation (P<0.05) between pelvic area and sacropubis, bisilliac, height at pin bone and height at withers in both breeds. The pelvic area was significantly (P<0.05) correlated with height at hook bone in Kuri cows but, there was no correlation with heart girth. The Bunaji showed a significant correlation of the pelvic area with the heart girth while, there was no correlation with the height at hook bone. A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the dimensions of the traitsbetween the breeds except in the heart girth and rump width. The study indicated that the parameters measured above may be used as good indicators of cows with large pelvic area in both breeds

Pregnancy Related Sequential Changes of the Foetal Fluids And Foetal Positioning in Sahel Goats

A study on pregnancy related, and sequential, changes in the Sahel goat foetal fluid and foetal disposition at various stages of pregnancy wasundertaken to provide basic data in these aspects of gestation in goats. Twenty five pregnant Sahel goats of known pregnancy stages, and managed under controlled conditions were used for this study. Thirtythree foetuses were obtained from these pregnancies of which 18 (54.5%) were females and 15 (45.5%) were males; 17 (68%) had single foetus,8(32%) twin foetuses. Transuterine migration was 23.53% in single and 37.5% in twin pregnancies. The foetal fluid changes showed that the volume of the amniotic fluid increased from day 28 (21.0 ± 0.33 ml)of gestation to day 112 (500 ± 15.81 ml) and then dropped onwards up to day 140 (220 ± 10.80 ml). Conversely, the allantoic fluid (25.5 ± 2.00 ml at 28d to 735.0 ± 17.08 ml at 140d) continued to increase in volume throughout pregnancy. The volume, colour, consistency and pH changed with increase in gestation period. The specific gravity of the amnioticfluid increased with advancing pregnancy. The results of this study suggest that urine enters first into amniotic cavity and then into the allantoic cavityby 112d pregnancy in goats. The present study also provided a guide to be used in assessing the volume and consistencies of foetal fluids in goats and the intrauterine positioning of foetuses as a measure to monitor and manage pregnant Sahel does.KEY WORDS: fluids, foetal, position, Sahel goat,sequential

Glaucoma among tertiary health care workers in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of visual loss and blindness in the world after cataract. The devastating effect of this disease is often neglected. Early diagnosis and management is key to the prevention of blindness from glaucoma. Objective: To determine the prevalence of glaucoma and offer early treatment to the affected members of staff of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted as part of an awareness campaign to mark the World Glaucoma Week from 10th to 16th March, 2013. A structured protocol was designend to capture the age, sex and educational levels of the respondents. Visual acuity was measured using the standard Snellen's test type by a trained ophthalmic nurse. Detailed ocular examination with pen torch, direct ophthalmoscope and slit lamp was done on each participant. Intra ocular pressure was measured using hand held Perkin's tonometer. All findings were entered into the structured protocol and the data obtained were presented in percentages and tables. Results: The most common age group was 40-49 years (59.6 %.) The hospital prevalence of glaucoma was 11.9% (34). The mean intraocular pressure of those found to have glaucoma was 21.3 mmHg and 22.1 mmHg for right and left eyes respectively. Among those found to have glaucoma, 2 (5.9%) had secondary glaucoma due to post cataract extraction complications while 9(26.5%) others were known glaucoma patients on medication. Conclusion: The hospital prevalence of glaucoma was found to be high among staff. Despite their level of education and access to medical facilities, most of those who were found to have glaucoma did not know they have the condition. There is thus, a need for intensifying glaucoma awareness campaign among hospital staff

Modified collection methods and quality of semen in Nigerian local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Semen collection in birds was initially achieved either via post-mortem drainage of the vas deferens or by cloacal retrieval after natural mating. Current techniques do not exclude stress and risk of injury during restraint or milking, especially in domestic turkeys. The present study was designed to develop more convenient methods of semen collection in turkeys. It involved five (n = 5) matured turkey toms weighing approximately 12 – 15 kg and two (n = 2) turkey hens. In the improved collection method, toms were stimulated by exposing them to hens, covered using a locally constructed wooden box. They were allowed to mount until there was evidence of ejaculatory response, demonstrated by increased abdominal pressure and cloacal contraction. After mounting, the tail feathers were lifted, and a collection vial was placed immediately below the cloaca to collect the ejaculates. In the modified abdominal massage, the turkey toms were restrained on sterna recumbency while the ejaculatory response was initiated by gently massaging the soft part of the abdomen and backward massage of the tail feathers. This is continued by rubbing either side of the cloaca till erection is achieved and semen is milked into a collection vial by gently squeezing the cloaca. Collections were made twice a week for four weeks using each method independently. The mean semen volume in the improved collection method was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the modified abdominal massage. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in motility, abnormalities and concentration between both methods. The results from this study suggest that both collection methods were satisfactory for practical use and may offset some challenges associated with the most widely used abdominal massage technique of semen collection in turkeys

Characteristics of fine and ultrafine aerosols in the London underground

\ua9 2022 The Authors. Underground railway systems are recognised spaces of increased personal pollution exposure. We studied the number-size distribution and physico-chemical characteristics of ultrafine (PM0.1), fine (PM0.1–2.5) and coarse (PM2.5–10) particles collected on a London underground platform. Particle number concentrations gradually increased throughout the day, with a maximum concentration between 18:00 h and 21:00 h (local time). There was a maximum decrease in mass for the PM2.5, PM2.5–10 and black carbon of 3.9, 4.5 and ~ 21-times, respectively, between operable (OpHrs) and non-operable (N-OpHrs) hours. Average PM10 (52 μg m−3) and PM2.5 (34 μg m−3) concentrations over the full data showed levels above the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines. Respiratory deposition doses of particle number and mass concentrations were calculated and found to be two- and four-times higher during OpHrs compared with N-OpHrs, reflecting events such as train arrival/departure during OpHrs. Organic compounds were composed of aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to be harmful to health. Specific ratios of PAHs were identified for underground transport that may reflect an interaction between PAHs and fine particles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) chemical maps of fine and ultrafine fractions show they are composed of Fe and O in the form of magnetite and nanosized mixtures of metals including Cr, Al, Ni and Mn. These findings, and the low air change rate (0.17 to 0.46 h−1), highlight the need to improve the ventilation conditions

Characteristics of fine and ultrafine aerosols in the London underground.

Underground railway systems are recognised spaces of increased personal pollution exposure. We studied the number-size distribution and physico-chemical characteristics of ultrafine (PM0.1), fine (PM0.1-2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) particles collected on a London underground platform. Particle number concentrations gradually increased throughout the day, with a maximum concentration between 18:00 h and 21:00 h (local time). There was a maximum decrease in mass for the PM2.5, PM2.5-10 and black carbon of 3.9, 4.5 and ~ 21-times, respectively, between operable (OpHrs) and non-operable (N-OpHrs) hours. Average PM10 (52 μg m-3) and PM2.5 (34 μg m-3) concentrations over the full data showed levels above the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines. Respiratory deposition doses of particle number and mass concentrations were calculated and found to be two- and four-times higher during OpHrs compared with N-OpHrs, reflecting events such as train arrival/departure during OpHrs. Organic compounds were composed of aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to be harmful to health. Specific ratios of PAHs were identified for underground transport that may reflect an interaction between PAHs and fine particles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) chemical maps of fine and ultrafine fractions show they are composed of Fe and O in the form of magnetite and nanosized mixtures of metals including Cr, Al, Ni and Mn. These findings, and the low air change rate (0.17 to 0.46 h-1), highlight the need to improve the ventilation conditions

MFG-E8 Regulates the Immunogenic Potential of Dendritic Cells Primed with Necrotic Cell-Mediated Inflammatory Signals

Dendritic cells (DC) manipulate tissue homeostasis by recognizing dying cells and controlling immune functions. However, the precise mechanisms by which DC recognize different types of dying cells and devise distinct immunologic consequences remain largely obscure. Herein, we demonstrate that Milk-fat globule-EGF VIII (MFG-E8) is a critical mediator controlling DC immunogenicity in inflammatory microenvironments. MFG-E8 restrains DC-mediated uptake and recognition of necrotic cells. The MFG-E8-mediated suppression of necrotic cell uptake by DC resulted in the decreased proinflammatory cytokines production and activated signal components such as STAT3 and A20, which are critical to maintain tolerogenic properties of DC. Furthermore, the DC-derived MFG-E8 negatively regulates the cross-priming and effector functions of antigen-specific T cells upon recognition of necrotic cells. MFG-E8 deficiency enhances an ability of necrotic cell-primed DC to stimulate antitumor immune responses against established tumors. Our findings define what we believe to a novel mechanism whereby MFG-E8 regulates the immunogenicity of DC by modulating the modes of recognition of dying cells. Manipulating MFG-E8 levels in DC may serve as a useful strategy for controlling inflammatory microenvironments caused by various pathological conditions including cancer and autoimmunity

NeuroGrid: recording action potentials from the surface of the brain.

Recording from neural networks at the resolution of action potentials is critical for understanding how information is processed in the brain. Here, we address this challenge by developing an organic material-based, ultraconformable, biocompatible and scalable neural interface array (the 'NeuroGrid') that can record both local field potentials(LFPs) and action potentials from superficial cortical neurons without penetrating the brain surface. Spikes with features of interneurons and pyramidal cells were simultaneously acquired by multiple neighboring electrodes of the NeuroGrid, allowing for the isolation of putative single neurons in rats. Spiking activity demonstrated consistent phase modulation by ongoing brain oscillations and was stable in recordings exceeding 1 week's duration. We also recorded LFP-modulated spiking activity intraoperatively in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery. The NeuroGrid constitutes an effective method for large-scale, stable recording of neuronal spikes in concert with local population synaptic activity, enhancing comprehension of neural processes across spatiotemporal scales and potentially facilitating diagnosis and therapy for brain disorders