ANTIGENIC RELATEDNESS AMONG NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS ISOLATES FROM NIGERIAN FERAL BIRDS AND THE LA ŚOTA STRAIN

As propriedades antigênicas de treze isolados do vírus da doença de Newcastle foram comparados com amostras La Sota. Usando uma das fórmulas previamente reconhecidas, significantes diferenças antigênicas foram observadas e marcantes atividades inibitórias foram percebidas entre os isolados e seus soros hiperimunes, bem como das amostras La Sota. As implicações destas diferenças para a epidemiologia e controle da Doença de Newcastle na Nigéria são discutidos.The antigenic properties of thirteen isolates of Newcastle disease virus were assessed against La Sota strain. Using one of the previously recognized formulas significant antigenic differences were observed and marked inhibitory activities were noticed amongst the isolates and their hyper-immune sera as well as that of the La Sota strain. The implications of these differences for Newcastle disease epidemiology and control in Nigeria are discussed

HEMAGLUTINAÇÃO DOS ERITRÓCITOS DE MAMÍFEROS POR CEPAS DE VÍRUS DA DOENÇA DE NEWCASTLE ISOLADOS NA NIGÉRIA CENTRAL

The haemagglutinability of mammalian erythrocytes by field and vaccine strains of theNewcastle disease virus was assessed. Variability in the pattern of agglutination of thevarious specie erythrocytes was observed. Whereas noticeable differences in the patternof agglutination between field virus and vaccine strains were not apparent, differencesbetween the velogenic and non-velogenic strains was observed. The possibility ofdeveloping haemagglutinability tests using mammalian erythrocytes for rapid straindifferentiation in less developed laboratories is discussed.A hemaglutinação dos eritrócitos de mamíferos por cepas de campo e vacinais do vírusda doença de Newcastle foi avaliada. Foi verificado variabilidade no modelo deaglutinação entre as várias espécies. Embora diferenças perceptíveis no padrão deaglutinação entre vírus de campo e cepas vacinais não tenham sido evidentes, diferençasentre as cepas velogénicas e não velogénicas foram observadas. A possibilidade dedesenvolvimento de testes hemaglutinação utilizando eritrócitos de mamíferos para arápida diferenciação de cepas em laboratórios menos desenvolvidos é aqui discutida

Trichobezoar as Cause of Anorexia in A West African Dwarf Goat

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 362-36

LEVELS OF HAEMOGLOBIN AND PACKED CELL VOLUMES IN UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD IN JOS

Haemoglobin and packed cell volume have been studied in many neonatal study populations, but in Jos, Nigeria, no real reference values exist. On the other hand, disorders of the blood are common in this environment, necessitating knowledge of the references values of blood parameters as are applicable to neonates. Blood samples were taken from 121 umbilical cords at time of birth, and were analysed for haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV). The Hb concentration was determined by the indirect colorimetric method, and the PCV by the microhaematocrit centrifuge method. The mean values obtained were Hb 12.13 ± 0.11 g/dl and PCV 37.95 ± 0.49%. The mean umbilical cord blood haemoglobin and packed cell volumes were compared with those of the mothers, taken also at the time of delivery. The maternal values were Hb 10.87 ± 0.012 g/dl and PCV 34.51 ± 0.045%. The comparison shows statistically significant difference in Hb (P<0.0001, n =121) and PCV (P<0.0001, n = 121). The study establishes a baseline data on Hb and PCV in neonates in Jos

Evaluations on the R Wave in asymptomatic subjects: a preliminary report

This preliminary cross-sectional survey on the R wave of the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was undertaken to evaluate the normal R wave duration and amplitude of the young adult Nigerian from Jos; to ascertain significant correlation coefficients for R wave duration and amplitude, age and anthropometric measurements and to derive prediction equations. The study population consisted of one hundred and nine (109) subjects aged nineteen to thirty years (mean age 21.7 years). The range for the mean R wave duration was 0.022 ± 0.006 second in V1 to 0.315 ± 0.021 second in V5. The range for the mean R wave amplitude was 0.196 ± 0.103 mV in aVL to 1.078 ± 0.515 mV in V4. Significant inverse correlation was found between R wave duration and: age, height and systolic blood pressure. Significant inverse correlation was found between R wave amplitude and: age, height and systolic blood pressure. Significant correlation was found between R wave amplitude and: height, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and chest circumference. Significant correlation was found between R wave duration and weight, diastolic blood pressure and chest circumference. Prediction equations were derived for the mean R wave duration and: age, systolic blood pressure, height and diastolic blood pressure. Prediction equations were derived for R wave amplitude and: height, age, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The study has estimated the mean values for the R wave duration and amplitude in the 12-lead ECG as well as the normal range. It has also documented some derived predictable equations. The results can provide invaluable guidance about the interpretation of normal R wave duration and amplitude in this setting in particular and in Nigeria at large. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008 pp. 7-1

The Effects Of Capsicum Annuum And Capsicum Frutescens-Induced Gastric Acid Secretion In The Rat Is By H2 Receptor Stimulation.

Background:Peppers, containing Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens are frequently consumed as spice in food. It is also known that the capsaicin content of peppers is a cause of hyper acidity. Aims:This study was undertaken to assess the mechanism of action of the extracts of Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens on gastric acid secretion. Method: Aqueous extracts of Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens prepared by simple maceration were administered to urethane anaesthetized rats, and gastric acid secretion assessed using the continuous perfusion method. The effects of ranitidine on Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens-induced gastric acid secretion in albino rats of both sexes were also investigated. Results: Aqueous extracts of Capsicum annuum or Capsicum frutescens induced gastric acid secretion dose-dependently. Maximum acid output induced by either crude extract was significantly (p

Calcium supplement enhances baroreflex sensitivity in salt-loaded Sprague-Dawley rats

Dietary calcium is known to prevent salt-induced hypertension, although the exact mechanism responsible for this remains unknown. One of the proposed mechanisms of the pathogenesis of salt-induced hypertension is the impairment of baroreflex sensitivity. Hence we investigated the effect of calcium supplement on baroreceptor in salt-loaded rats. The experiment was performed in male sprague-Dawley rats fed with measured salt and/or calcium diets and given tap water ad libitum for 6 weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate measurments were done in anaesthetised animals through direct invesive method using Grass Polygraph. Bilateral carotid occlusion test was used to determine the baroreflex sensitivity in the rats. There was increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of salt-loaded rats relative to control (132.6 ± 2.3 vs. 90.1 ± 1.5mmHg; n=8; P<0.05), while dietary calcium alone did not have any significant effect on the MAP (84.5 ± 1.7mmHg; n=8). During the feeding period, the salt consumed by salt-loaded rats was significantly higher than those of control but lower than that of salt-loaded-fed rats. Also, water intake was highest in salt-loaded rats compared with other experimental rats. However, the volume of urinary excretion was higher in salt-loaded-calcium-fed rats than salt-loaded rats but both were higher than control. These resulted in attenuated baroreflex sensitivity of salt-loaded rats relative to control (0.55 ± 0.2 vs. 1.25± 0.1 beats/mmHg, n=7; P<0.05). However, dietary calcium enhanced baroreflex sensitivity in salt-loaded-fed rats (2.21 ± 0.2 beats/min/mmHg, n=7; P<0.05) compared with control and salt-loaded rats. The study shows that salt-loading led to hypertension probably through alteration of haemodynamic function and impairment of baroreflex sensitivity. Calcium supplement prevention of salt-induced hypertension seems to reverse these, thus resulting in maintenance of water balance and baroreceptor integrity

SAFETY AND HYPOGLYCAEMIC PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum