Anatomical classifications of accessory symphyseal foramina in infants, juveniles and adults raccoon (Procyonoides nyctereutes) mandibles

The aim of this investigation was to assess the pattern of occurrence of accessory foramina in infants, juveniles and adult raccoons (Procyonoides nyctereutes). The study utilized a total of forty (40) mandibles including thirteen (13) infantile (pups), twelve (12) juveniles and fifteen (15) adult mandibles , studied grossly for frequency, position and diameter of the foramina. In 80% of the evaluated adult mandibles, at least one accessory foramen was found and superolaterally located. In all juveniles (100%) at least one accessory foramen was present, and located mostly near the midline about half - way of the symphyseal length while in pups (94%) at least a foramen was present, and in all cases located at or near the sympyseal line (rostral third or caudal third) to the dorsal ridge but never central. Five distinct co-existence types were used in their classification into foramina as categories I a-d, II a-c, III, IV and V. The frequency, size and location varied between the age groups; category 1 types occurred in 33%, 33% and 30% of adults, juveniles and pups respectively, category II in 33%, 42% and 54%; category III, 3.8%, 2.2% and 5.8%; category IV,1.9%, 4.4% and  11.7%; category V, 3.8%, 2.2% and 0%; respectively. Accessory symphyseal foramina are structural occurrences in raccoon mandible with size, frequency and position variations depending on classification type. There were no significant variations in the accessory symphyseal foramina assessed within pups. This work gives base line information on the phenotypes of accessory mental foramen in post natal development in the raccoons.Keywords: Raccoons, Mandibles, Accessory foramina, Symphyseal ridg

Postbuckling behaviour of isotropic thin rectangular plates with one free edge

This work aims to evaluate the individual stiffness of six plates’ boundary conditions with one free edge to obtain the specific mathematical models for predicting the postbuckling loads of the six plates’ boundary conditions under consideration. The shape profiles of each of the six plates were differentiated and substituted into the individual stiffness integrals to obtain the numerical values of the individual stiffness. The individual stiffness values were then substituted into the total bending and membrane stiffness expressions and evaluated. The resulting total and membrane stiffness expressions were thereafter substituted into the general postbuckling equation and evaluated to obtain specific mathematical models for the six plate types to predict the postbuckling loads of each plate. The newly formulated mathematical models were validated by carrying out numerical predictions of the postbuckling loads of each plate. The critical load obtained was compared with those in the literature and was found adequate. Additionally, the results showed a gradual increase in the strength of plate beyond the initial yield point which is in line with the behavior of plates. Based on these observations it was concluded that the newly formulated mathematical models for predicting the postbuckling strength of thin isotropic rectangular plates considered here were adequate and that the models will provide an easy means of analyzing thin plates for postbuckling loads

Oral administration of acrylamide compromises gastric mucosal integrity in Wistar rats

Background: Acrylamide, a potential toxicant and carcinogen, maybe formed in carbohydrate-rich food cooked at very high temperature. Its effect on gastric mucosa defense is not fully elucidated. Hence, the effect of acrylamide ingestion on gastric mucosal integrity was investigated.Methods: Fifty-four (54) Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly divided into 3 groups; Group I (control) received 0.2mL distilled H20, Groups II and III received 7.5mg/kg body weight and 15mg/kg body weight acrylamide respectively. Both acrylamide and distilled water were administered orally for 28days. Thereafter, gastric secretion was obtained and analysed for gastric acidity. Gastric antioxidants status (superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione, catalase), lipid peroxidation, mucus content, nitric oxide, bicarbonate, prostaglandins-E and gastric mucus content were determined. Blood samples were also collected and evaluated for haematological indices. Histological changes, parietal and mucus cell counts were evaluated on gastric tissues.Results: Gastric secretion and acidity increased (P < 0.05) in the 15mg/kg acrylamide treated group. Glutathione, SOD, catalase, mucus content, bicarbonate, prostaglandins-E2, mucous cell count were reduced (P < 0.05) while parietal cell count, lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide increased (P < 0.05) in both acrylamide treated groups compared to control. White blood cell count in group II was increased compared to control (P < 0.05). Acrylamide treated groups displayed gastric epithelial cells with poor architecture, lamina propria, submucosa inflammatory cell infiltration and vascular congestion.Conclusion: Acrylamide exposure degenerates gastric mucosal integrity in a dose-dependent manner via reductions in gastric protective factors, which thus predisposes the gastric mucosa to erosions and lesions.Keywords: Acrylamide, stomach, gastric mucosa, mucosal integrity, ulce

Effects of coconut oil on the weight and blood status of grazing cattle fed concentrate as supplementary feed

This study was conducted to determine the effect of coconut oil inclusion on the supplementary feed intake, weight gain, haematology and serum biochemistry of grazing cattle. Twenty-five (25)White Fulani cattle weighing 138±2.21 kg were randomly allotted to five treatment groups of coconut oil administration (0 g/day, 50 g/day, 100 g/day, 150 g/day and 200 g/day) in a completely randomised design. The animals were grazed for 84 days and supplemented with concentrate throughout the experimental period. Data on feed intake, weight gain and blood profile of cattle were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Results obtained showed that coconut oil did not affect (P>0.05) the supplementary concentrate intake of grazing cattle. Lower (P<0.05) weight gain was observed with animals fed coconut oil at 50 g/day (9.64 kg) but increased to 17.64 kg with 150 g/day. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin and white blood cells were not affected (P>0.05) by coconut oil. The highest (P<0.05) red blood cell (6.91×1012/L) and platelet counts (67.00×109/L) were recorded at 150 g/day coconut oil. Total cholesterol, HDL and LDL values were increased (P<0.05) with increasing levels of coconut oil. Values obtained for HDL (166.00 mg/dL to 145.15 mg/dL) and LDL (135.00 mg/dL to 88.40 mg/dL) decreased when the level of oil was increased from 150g/day to 200g/day. Administering coconut oil up to 150 g/day is recommended as it increases the bodyweight gain of cattle andmaintain the normal PCVand haemoglobin concentration of the animals

Effects of selected multipurpose, medicinal and aromatic plants on in vitro methane production and microbial diversity

The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of selected multipurpose, medicinal and aromatic plants on the in vitro methane production and microbial diversity. The plants include multi-purpose trees; Pterocarpus santallinoides, Leucaena leucocephala, Albizia lebbek, Albizia saman, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Gliricidia sepium, Milletia griffoniana, Ficus thonningii; Aromatic plants: Ocimum basilicum, Vernonia amygdalina, Aspillia africana and Medicinal plants: Moringa oleifera, Cymbopogon citratus and Alternanthera repens. Leaf samples were collected for determination of chemical analysis, in vitro gas production and microbial analyses. Data on chemical composition were subjected to one-way analysis of variance, while data on in vitro microbial analyses was subjected to phylogeny analysis using the parsimony software. Methanogenspecific primers Met86F and Met1340R were designed to identify methanogens. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF) ether extract (EE), ash contents, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin contents of plants. The DM values (P<0.05) ranged from 168 g/kg in V. amygdalina to 395 g/kg in P. santalinoides and the lowest (P<0.05) CP value of 23.6 g/kg was obtained in O. basillicum. Least (P<0.05) methane production was obtained from A. repens and P. santallinoides with 4.45% and 12.62% respectively. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of DNA extracts revealed that Methanobrevibacter spp. were dominant. Other detected methanogens include Methanobacteriales archaeon spp. and Methanoplasmatales spp. Eight samples of the methanogenic archaea were at least 78 to 99% similar to Methanobrevibacter spp. Three samples were at least 83 to 97% similar to Bacteriodetes bacterium clone. Two samples were at least 85 to 98% similar to Methanobacteriales archaeon spp. Moringa oleifera sample revealed 99% similarity with 16S rDNA in Methanobrevibacter spp. It is concluded that Methanobrevibacter spp. is the predominant methanogen and A. repens supressed methanogenesis.Keywords: Multipurpose, medicinal, aromatic plants, in vitro, methanogens, phylogen