Slower Rise and Smaller Peak Level of Blood Glucose in Healthy Young Male Adults Pre-Fed Moringa Oleifera Seed Powder

Ingestion of food with high glycaemic index is known to stress the insulin release mechanism that can produce Insulin resistance and eventually Diabetes Mellitus. How fast the end product of digestion of carbohydrate glucose surges into the bloodstream and the peak level attained are equally important for the glucose control mechanism of the body and ultimately the health of the individual involved. This study aims at exploring the effect of Moringa oleifera seed on the post-prandial rate of absorption of glucose and the peak glucose level attainable. Five healthy young male adult (18-35) volunteers had their Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) conducted the first day as a control group followed the next day by a second OGTT with a pre-treatment with Moringa oleifera seed powder in a fix dose of 0.0175 gram per Kilogram body weight as the test/case group. The results indicate that it takes 60 minutes for the blood glucose to reach the peak concentration of 118.6 mg/dl in treatment group as against 30 minutes in the control group reaching 135mg/dl optimal concentration. The difference in this concentration and rate of surge are significant (p<0.05) A slower rise and a smaller optimal concentration of glucose are demonstrated as response to Moringa oleifera powder ingestion, a potentially clear beneficial effect. Keywords: Moringa Oleifera, Seed, Slower, Smaller, Glucose, Insulin-resistanc

Isolates of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (SC) in small ruminants in Sahel zone of Nigeria and its implications on disease control

A study on the isolation of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (SC) in small ruminants and its implication on disease control was carried out in the Sahel zone of Nigeria. This was achieved by the examination of pneumonic lesions in apparently normal and affected lungs of sheep and goats slaughtered at Maiduguri municipal abattoir. A total of 400 lungs (200 each from sheep and goats) were examined at post-mortem (PM) for pneumonic lesions. Of this number, 50 (25%) sheep had pneumonic lungs, while almost double the number 89 (44.5%) of goats showed pneumonic lungs. The prevalence of pneumonic lungs in the sheep was higher amongst the females (34.3%) than the males (23%), while in the goats, the prevalence was higher in the males (48%) compared to the females (38.7%) examined. Seven different Mycoplasma species were isolated from both unaffected and affected lungs of sheep and goats. 42 isolates were obtained from 150 unaffected sheep samples, whilst 36 isolates were obtained from 50 affected sheep. Of the 111 unaffected and 89 affected caprine lung samples, a total of 55 and 66 Mycoplasma isolates were recovered respectively. The commonly occurring Mycoplasmas in both unaffected and affected lungs of sheep and goats were Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (30%), Mycoplama mycoides subspecies capri (29.5%), Mycoplama mycoides subspecies mycoides SC (13.5%) and Mycoplasma capricolum (11.5%) with Mycobacterium bovis (1.5%) being the least isolated. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in cattle in small ruminants (sheep and goats) in Nigeria. Although the isolation rate of M. bovis was low in this study, its isolation in non-bovine ruminants is significant as it shows evidence of mycoplasma circulation between various animal species reared in close contact. These findings may pose serious impediments to the control of endemic CBPP in Nigeria.Key words: Isolates, Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides, sheep, goats, Nigeria

Brucellosis as an Emerging Threat in Developing Economies:Lessons from Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, has a large proportion of the world's poor livestock keepers, and is a hotspot for neglected zoonoses. A review of the 127 accessible publications on brucellosis in Nigeria reveals only scant and fragmented evidence on its spatial and temporal distribution in different epidemiological contexts. The few bacteriological studies conducted demonstrate the existence of Brucella abortus in cattle and sheep, but evidence for B. melitensis in small ruminants is dated and unclear. The bulk of the evidence consists of seroprevalence studies, but test standardization and validation are not always adequately described, and misinterpretations exist with regard to sensitivity and/or specificity and ability to identify the infecting Brucella species. Despite this, early studies suggest that although brucellosis was endemic in extensive nomadic systems, seroprevalence was low, and brucellosis was not perceived as a real burden; recent studies, however, may reflect a changing trend. Concerning human brucellosis, no studies have identified the Brucella species and most reports provide only serological evidence of contact with Brucella in the classical risk groups; some suggest brucellosis misdiagnoses as malaria or other febrile conditions. The investigation of a severe outbreak that occurred in the late 1970s describes the emergence of animal and human disease caused by the settling of previously nomadic populations during the Sahelian drought. There appears to be an increasing risk of re-emergence of brucellosis in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of the co-existence of pastoralist movements and the increase of intensive management resulting from growing urbanization and food demand. Highly contagious zoonoses like brucellosis pose a threat with far-reaching social and political consequences

Serum biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural African trypanosome infections in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) greatly affects livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana prevalence of AAT is estimated to range between 5 and 50%. Studies have reported serum biochemical aberrations and variability in cytokine profiles in animals during infection. However, information regarding the biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural infections are limited. This study was therefore aimed at investigating changes in the levels of serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines during a natural infection. METHODS: Nested internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR and sequencing were used to characterise trypanosome infection in cattle at two areas in Ghana (Adidome and Accra) of different endemicities. The cattle were sampled at four to five-week intervals over a period of six months. Levels of serum biochemical parameters, including creatinine, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin and total protein and cytokines (interleukin 10, interleukin 4, interleukin 12, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were measured in serum samples and then compared between infected cattle and uninfected controls. RESULTS: The predominant trypanosome species detected in Accra (non-endemic) and Adidome (endemic) were Trypanosoma theileri and Trypanosoma vivax, respectively. Serum biochemical parameters were similar between infected and uninfected cattle in Accra. Infected cattle at Adidome however, had significantly higher levels of ALP, creatinine, total protein and total bilirubin (P < 0.05) and significantly lower levels of cholesterol (P < 0.05) at specific time points. At basal levels and during infection, significantly higher pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory (Th1/Th2) cytokine ratios were observed in cattle at Adidome compared to Accra (P < 0.05), indicating a shift towards Th1 immune response in Adidome. Levels of IL-10 were, however, significantly elevated in infected cattle in Accra (P < 0.05), suggesting high anti-inflammatory cytokine response in Accra. CONCLUSION: These results suggests that cattle in an endemic area repeatedly infected with trypanosomes of different species or different antigenic types demonstrate high pro-inflammatory (Th1) immune response and biochemical alterations whereas cattle in a non-endemic area with predominantly chronic T. theileri infections demonstrate high anti-inflammatory response and no biochemical alterations

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Prevalence and Biotyping of Pasteurella Haemolytica Isolates from Sahel Sheep and Goats at Maiduguri, Nigeria

P. haemolytica isolated from Sahel sheep and goat in Maiduguri was characterized phenotypically. A total of 92 P. haemolytica isolates were obtained from the nasopharyngeal swabs while a total of 15 isolates came from pneumonic lung samples. The results showed that 37(20.22%) P. haemolytica isolates were obtained from goats while 55(25.23%) came from sheep. The overall isolation rate was 22.94%. Sheep had the highest (25.23%) number of the isolates but the difference was not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05). Prevalence rate of P. haemolytica was higher in female sheep and in sheep between 18-24 months of age but not significant statistically (P&gt;0.05), likewise species and sex difference did not play any significant role. However, the prevalence rate was higher in diseased animals compared with the apparently normal healthy ones (P&lt;0.05).&nbsp; In all, biotype A was 60.75%, biotype T 22.43% and untypable isolates were 16.82%. Overall, biotype A occurred more significantly than biotype T (P&lt;0.05) and appeared to be the predominant biotype in the area.&nbsp; Gross pathological appearance of pneumonic lungs was characterized by pulmonary oedema, congestion and multifocal to coalescing haemorrhages with deposition of fibrin. Histopathologically, there was severe pulmonary congestion and oedema with heavy infiltration of mononuclear and leucocytic cells into the interalveolar septae with collapse of alveoli and formation of bullae. These pathological changes are similar to lesions seen in experimental pasteurellosis

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Pasteurella haemolytica isolates from sheep and goats in Maiduguri, Nigeria

No Abstract.Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 73-7