It has been established by various researchers that bovine mastitis which is simply an inflammation of mammary gland is a complex and costly disease in dairy herds globally. This study therefore was aimed at assessing the prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis among lactating bovines from pastoral herds. A total of 147 bovines were selected from 30 pastoral herds within 7 Fulani settlements in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Prevalence of Clinical mastitis was assessed by the result of physical examination of udders and milk by palpation and visual inspection. The California Mastitis Reagent was used according to the manufacturer’s instructions to detect the prevalence of Subclinical Mastitis. The CMT positive samples were bacteriologically analyzed following standard microbiological procedures for the presence of coliform bacteria. The results obtained revealed that 19.7% (29/147) of animals examined was positive for subclinical mastitis at cow level. The highest prevalence of subclinical mastitis was recorded among bovines from settlements G in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while bovine’s raw milk samples collected from settlements C and E in Chikun and Zaria Local Government Areas of Kaduna State haboured the lowest number of 1(0.7%) each, and no Coliform bacteria (0.00%) was isolated in the samples collected from settlement D in Soba Local Government Area. In this study, a total prevalence of 8.2% was established for coliforms associated with subclinical mastitis among pastoral herds based on phenotypic identification. Furthermore, the species of coliforms associated with bovine mastitis within the study population based on the findings in this study were (Klebsiella pneumonia) 7(4.8%) and (Escherichia coli) 5(3.4%). Hence, this study confirmed that the consumption of raw milk from CMT positive commercial bovines is a potential threat to public health as the isolated species of coliforms have been implicated in several human diseases.

Background of Study: Malnutrition is associated with repeated opportunistic infections, rapid disease progression, and an increase in the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related mortality. The ability of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in boosting the immune system depends on the nutritional status of the HIV patient. Aim: The study aimed at investigating the protein status and CD4+ cell counts in HIV patients taking highly active ART. Materials and Methods: The case-control study comprising of a total of 80 participants, compared the protein status and CD4+ cell count among baseline (ART-naïve n=20), switch (ART-resistant n=20), ART follow-up (n=20) patients, and apparently healthy controls (n=20). Results: The total protein of baseline patients was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of the switch, follow-up, and controls. The CD4+ cell count of baseline patients was significantly (P=0.000) low compared to follow-up patients and controls. Total protein level and CD4+ cell count of switch patients were significantly (P=0.000) lower than that of follow-up patients and controls. Total protein of follow-up patients was significantly (P<0.02) higher than that of controls, while the CD4+ cell count of follow-up patients was significantly (P=0.000) lower than that of controls. Conclusion: The present study observed low protein along with low CD4+ cell count in switch patients, while a good outcome was observed in follow up patients.

In Nigeria, there has been an increasing trend towards establishing puppy mills for commercial breeding of exotic dogs. This study determined gastrointestinal parasites associated with exotic dogs of the existing puppy mills in Jos Metropolis Nigeria. A total of 150 dogs’ fresh feacal samples were collected from 25 different puppy mills and examined using formol ether and floatation concentration techniques. Data on risks factors variables of dogs’ age, number of dogs per kernel kennel type, nature of food and history of antiparasitic drugs usage were collected from the breeders using predesigned questionnaire. The result revealed an overall prevalence of 71.33% intestinal parasitic burden among the dogs. Chi square (?2) analysis showed association (p< 0.05) between breeds of dogs and occurrence of parasites. The gastrointestinal parasites associated were most prevalent dogs in Neapolitan mastiff (86.36%) followed by Rottweiler (75.70%) and German Shepherd (57.14%) was the least infected Predominantly, a total of seven (7) species of intestinal parasites; Ancylostoma caninum (28.00%) Dipylidium caninum (23.33%), Toxocara canis (14.00%), Trichuris vulpis (11.33%), Taenia sp. (5.33%) Giardia sp. (7.33%) and Coccidia sp. (5.33%) were identified. Among different gastrointestinal parasitic infections, occurrence of Ancylostoma caninum (28.00%) was highest, followed by Dipylidium caninum (23.33%). Multiple parasitic infections among positive dogs sampled were observed, however, risk factors variables did not (p > 0.05) affect parasitic infection. Age based gastrointestinal parasitic infection peak (77.78%) was reported among 7 9 months old and decreased with ages of dogs The result showed no significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among age groups of the dogs (?2 = 2.616, d.f. = 5, P = 0.624). This trend implies that puppies of younger age groups had higher prevalence and tendency for infection with gastrointestinal parasites than their older counterparts.This study provides baseline data on the spectrum of intestinal parasitic infection of exotic dogs in commercial puppy mills in Jos-Nigeria. Therefore, the phenomenon could represent an important health threat and needs to be regulated, so that breeders adhere to hygiene practices and veterinary guidelines. This will serve as an approach to reduce the tendency of increasing intestinal parasitic burden of local dogs as well as eliminate emergent zoonotic intestinal parasites in the dogs.

Growth and mortality of L. aurata (Risso,1810) were estimated in the lagoon of Klisova-Messolonghi (W. Greece), based on age estimation from scale readings of a total of 1048 individuals, ranging between 10 and 59 cm in total length (TL). Age determination revealed nine age classes (0+ to 8+). Maximum age was found to be 8 years for females and 6 years for males respectively. The growth pattern of L. aurata exhibited allometry (b=3.26). The species seems to achieve 34% of its growth during the first year; thereafter the annual growth rate drops. Both sexes presented similar von Bertalanffy growth curves. The von Bertalanffy growth function for the estimated total length-at-age was found Lt = 70.78 [1 - e -0.129(t+1.345)] for the combined sexes. Otolith weight, length and width were tested and they were found to be very good predictors for age. Between the present L. aurata growth parameters and those of other Mediterranean, Caspian and Atlantic Sea for the same species, there were found significant differences in its growth parameters. The total (Z) and natural (M) mortality rate was found to be 0.54 years-1 and 0.33 years-1 respectively. The estimated exploitation rate was found to be E=0.395 which suggests that the existing fishing pressure on L. aurata is rather moderate in the investigated region.

Hitherto, there is scarcity of information on the usefulness of neglected small corms and cormels of cocoyam in the South West Nigeria. A 9 (nine) months trial was conducted to compare the growth and yield performance of different types of cocoyam planting materials with treatment consisting of T1; sprouted small cocoyam cormels, T2, trimmed out lower parts of harvested cocoyam corm and T3; moderate sized corm of 50-100g (control) arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Data on the number of leaves and plant height was taking at 4 week interval for 24 weeks while data on number and weight of harvested cormels was taking at 9 months after planting (MAP). The data collected were subjected to a univariate General Linear Model (GLM) two ways Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using IBM SPSS software statistical package 21. Significance mean differences were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that the highest mean number of leaves and plant height was obtained from treatment T1 (10.22) and T2 (92.83) respectively at 24 weeks after planting (WAP). While both treatment T1 and T3 collectively had the highest number of consumable cormels (54.0) in which treatment T3 weighed the highest (3.202 kg). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in both the number of leaves produced and plant height among the different cocoyam planting materials utilised at 24 (WAP). Similarly, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the number and weight of cormels produced by the different treatments at 9 months after planting (MAP). The study therefore concluded that both sprouted small cocoyam cormels, trimmed out corms during planting compared favourably with moderate sized corm of weight 50-100g commonly used as planting material in term of yield potential and therefore recommended to be schedule for demonstration to cocoyam farmers in the study area for adoption.

The question of nature conservation became one of the most important in the world. It especially concerns to the countries with dry climate, such as Armenia, where auto recovery possibility of forests is excessively low. Gradual disappearance of forests, green areas is due to human non-competent acting, climate change, which aggravates present ecological crisis. One of the important steps for solution of this problem is the recovery of forests, green areas that requires the existence of huge amount of saplings. The use of open-air hydroponics is one of the best versions to receive healthy, qualify saplings. We studied and developed open-air hydroponic methods and biotechnologies of cultivation of 25 species of tree-shrubs important for the landscaping and forest recovery. There was studied the influence of nutrition solution offered by Davtyan G.S. and used in our Institute many years and its modified variants with the changes of main nutrients elements ratio on the biometric parameters of plants. Received results showed that saplings grown in open-air hydroponics conditions have strong root system, provide high rooting, which is very important in the recovery of forests, green areas, especially today’s ecological critical conditions of forest zones.

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively investigated a series of patients with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning transported by a physician-staffed helicopter (DH) to seek evidence supporting the daily management of patients with CO poisoning. STUDY DESIGN: Subjects were divided into two groups: the carboxyhemoglobin saturation (SpCO) (+) group, which included patients who had a pulse CO-oximeter attached during transportation; and the SpCO (-) group, which included all other patients. We compared the level of SpCO before and after transportation when the level was noted. RESULTS: The subjects were predominantly middle-aged and male. Seventeen subjects (53.1%) received a diagnosis of CO poisoning based on the situation in which the subjects were found, without the carboxyhemoglobin level being measured. No subjects show deterioration of their condition after transportation, and none ultimately died. The frequency of male gender, normobaric oxygen treatment and return to the base hospital in the SpCO (+) group was significantly greater than in the SpCO (-) group. The SpCO levels after transportation were significantly lower than they had been before transportation. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show the results of the analysis of patients with CO poisoning transported by the DH. All patients with CO poisoning were safely transported.

Monitoring of some organochlorines (OCs) and organophosphorus (OP) pesticide residues in Edku Lake during 2015-2016 have been determined in water, sediment and Tilapia fish to find out the extent of pesticides contamination and bioaccumulation into the lake. Pesticide residues were determined using gas chromatography equipped with appropriate detectors. The mean residues of ?BHC, ?DDT, total OCs, and OPs in water samples were 68.43, 14.17, 118.3 and 138.46 ppb, respectively. The corresponding residues in sediments were 8343.26, 5307.59, 21402.83 and 267.66 ppb, respectively. In fish muscles, the mean residues of ?BHC, ?DDT, methoxychlor and total OCs were 2513.56, 1916.85, 46175.05, and 57592.40 ppb, respectively. The corresponding values in fish gills were 3565.44, 16014.96, 13182.44, 35645.15 and 3318.10 ppb, respectively. Sum of BHC and DDT were the mostly detected in muscle samples accounting for 1593.60 and 916.53 ppb, respectively. Regarding bioaccumulation of examined pesticides, bioconcentration factor (BCF) was estimated to be in range 7.96-40701.50 for water/muscle ratio of OCs. In case of BCF for water/gills, the values ranged from 16.72 to 237090.17. BCF values obtained from ratio sediment/muscle or sediment/gills not exceeded than 100. These concepts indicate that OCs induced bioaccumulation in fish tissues may attributed to predicted risks associated with this kind of consumption. All findings represent concept that, Edku Lake represents reservoir of all pollutants coming from north governorates e.g. El-Behira.

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the most important pests affecting agricultural and ornamental crops worldwide. In fact many of natural plant (bioactive compounds) have fewer side effects compared with chemical pesticides. So, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of rue leaves essential oil, Ruta graveolens L. as fumigant toxicity (Sapindales: Rutaceae) against eggs and adult females of T. urticae. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data cleared that the basic constituents were 2-undecanone (60.54%) and 2-nonaone (17.71%) which belonged to methyl ketones that represented by 81.65% of the total oil. The ovicidal activity of rue essential oil mentioned that according to LC50 values, the one-day-old eggs were more susceptible than three -days-old eggs recording 0.008 and 0.011 µl/ml air after 7 days post fumigant for 24 h, respectively. Furthermore, the adult female mortality recorded 0.018 and 0.0724 µl/ml air for LC50 and LC90, respectively. Additionally, results demonstrated that significant reduction in the mean number of deposited eggs/female/day recorded 3.182 eggs compared to 6.561 eggs for control. Finally, a significant reduction in acid phosphatase for eggs and Aacetylcholine esterase (AChE) for adults of T. urticae were recorded.

Hydrogen gas could provide attractive options as ideal fuel for a world, in which environmental friendly and economically sustainable manner. Microalgae have the ability to bio-synthesis hydrogen gas. Algal H2 does do not generate any toxic or polluting bi-products and could potentially offer value-added products derived from algal biomass. In this work, the feasibility of coupling sulfur deprivation and light on hydrogen production by Chlamydomonas sp grown in photobioreactor was investigated. The cells growth, hydrogen production, total carbohydrate and chlorophyll content were determined. The results showed that, under optimum condition, algae cells were required 168 hr (7days) to reach the late logarithmic phase (the algal dry weight 4.11 g/L). Whereas the algae cells were needed about 18~22 days to reach this value (3.55 g/ L) when grow in optimum medium. The concentration of Chlorophyll (5.65%) and carbohydrate (39.46%) were accumulated in algae cells grow in S-deprives medium coupled with dark condition over that did in algae cells cultured in optimum medium. After about a 24 h of cultivation, photo-production of H2 was observed for C. sp either in absence or presence of sulfate. But under sulfur deprivation coupled with dark condition, higher H2 gas was obtained after 16 hr (7 several days) of incubation period. In new design photobioreactors (PhBRs), after 18 days of cultivation, the volume of H2 gas in was found to be 450 ml in cells grow in sulfur-deprived culture). This value was 360 ml in cells grow under optimal condition.

The efficiency of prepared nano-abamectin was assayed against two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch). Prepared formulation showed spherical particles ranged from 66 to 133 nm under examination of Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and same pattern of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum in comparison of conventional acaricide (Vertimecâ). In laboratory trail, toxicity index at LC50 level confirmed that nano-abamectin was greater toxic to adult female, T. urticae (Koch) with value; 30 than Vertimecâ 1.8% EC. Similarly, nano-abamectin reduced the mite fecundity at levels greater than those of Vertimecâ. Regarding field trail, nano-abamectin at rate of 60 ml/ha showed very toxic effects after 3 day of spraying followed by 7 and 14 days on soybean plants achieving % of mortality; 89.98, 83.80 and 76.90%, respectively. These findings showed that, bioactivity of nano-acaricide were many folds higher than conventional acaricide against mite, T. urticae (Koch). However, the biosafety issues may be also addressed.

Antifungal efficacy for some oxides of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) e.g. magnesium (MgO), copper (CuO), silicon (SiO2) and zinc (ZnO) was evaluated against fungi, Sclerotinia sclerotioum on bean plants under different conditions. The examined NPs exhibited significant effect on hyphal morphology and fungal linear growth under field trail in the following order: MgONPs> SiO2NPs> ZnONPs> CuONPs compared with control group. However under storage condition, the disease severity along NPs-treated bean pods were in the order: MgONPs> SiO2NPs> ZnONPs> CuONPs compared with infected control which did not exceed 30.23% and non-infected (14.68%). Bean pods treated with NPs showed significantly increase in chlorophyll content, total phenols, and ascorbic acid compared with non-infected pods during storage period for 4 weeks. The examined NPs exhibited positive accumulation in pods tissues, except MgO was lower than non-infected group. The present findings may display the potential effect metal oxides in agricultural sector need more studies to achieve their adverse effects on consumers and environmental impacts.

A total of twenty- four breeding rabbits of New Zealand White (NZW), Dutch (DUT) and their crosses (NZW x DUT) i.e. Eight (8) female rabbits (doe) for each genotype were used to determine the effects of breeds on the reproductive performance of rabbits in Rivers State, Niger Delta, Nigeria, as well as to investigate the correlation between the genotypes and the reproductive performance. The following reproductive performance were considered: Body weight before mating ( BWBM ), Body weight after mating ( BWAM ), Body weight before kindling (BWBK), Body weight after kindling (BWAK ), Litter size (LS), Litter weight (LW) and Average litter weight (ALW). Body weight was measured using weighing balance. Data generated were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The result showed significant different (p< 0.05) in BWBM and BWAM between DUT and NZW x DUT breeds of rabbits, DUT recorded the highest value of BWBM and BWAM while NZW x DUT had the least performance. However, there was no significant different (p>0.05) in reproductive performance between NZW and DUT. Furthermore, NZW recorded the highest value in BWBK, BWAK and ALW. There was no significant different (p> 0.05) among the genotypes for BWBK, L S, L W and ALW. BWAK showed a significant difference between DUT and NZW x DUT. More so, NZW x DUT recorded the highest values for L S and LW. The results also showed that genotypes effect had negative correlation with BWBW, BWAM, BWAK, BWBK and ALW with correlation values of -0.64, -0.64, -0.207, 0.385 and 0.045 respectively. The genotypes of rabbits also revealed a high correlation between BWBM and BWAM. BWAK showed a high correlation between BWAM and BWBK.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and some hemato-biochemical parameters of broilers fed different levels of Pakia biglobosa leaf extract (BPE). Two hundred and fifty (250) one day old (Ross 308) broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments with five replicate consisting of ten (10) bird each in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 contained 0% BPE, Treatment 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 5ml, 10ml, 15ml and 20ml per liter of water respectively. Clean feed and water were offered ad libitum throughout the experiment which lasted for 7 weeks during which data on performance, hematology and serum biochemical traits were collected. Results revealed that BPE had a significant (p<0.05) effect on final weight, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate. Birds given 20ml (T5) BPE recorded the highest weight gain (1846.1g) followed by 15ml (T4) with 1839.1g, 10ml (T3) with 1763.1, 5ml (T2) with 1757.1g and 0ml (T1) with 1679.0g respectively. BPE had no significant (p>0.05) on the feed intake of the birds. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in PCV, Hb, RBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC values among the treatment. However, WBC and its differentials were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by BPE. Significant influences were not observed for albumin, globulin and total protein. Serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were significantly affected (P<0.05) as the level of BPE increased in the water of the animals. It was concluded BPE can be safely included in the water of birds at 15ml and 20ml without any deleterious effect on the performance and health of the animals.

Five alicyclic oximes 1 – 5 have been readily synthesized in moderate to good yields. These oximes were obtained through a reaction between the hydroxylamine hydrochloride and a number of alicyclic ketones (cylobutanone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, cycloheptanone and cyclooctanone) under mild reaction conditions. The spectroscopic data confirmed the formation of the first four oximes 1 – 4 as single conformational isomers. However, the cyclooctanone oxime 5 was obtained as a mixture of two conformational isomers with 81% for the major and only 19% for the minor isomer. Such finding could be an indication for the relationship between the increase of the ring size of the oxime and the raising possibility of the formation of conformational isomers as the flexibility of the ring increases.

The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of community based nutrition education programme on nutritional knowledge of rural women in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. In line with the objectives of the study three research questions and two null hypotheses were postulated. Related literatures were reviewed and summarized. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The accessible population for the study consisted of all the women in the social clubs in the 7 towns that make up Idemili South Local Government Area. The sample consisted of 204 mothers in all the nine social clubs in the randomly selected nine villages. Data were gathered by means of structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 15. The research questions were answered using mean gain scores. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test. The finding among others showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.001) in the mean gain nutritional knowledge score of the respondents before and after nutrition education. Based on the findings, conclusions and recommendations were made pertinent among which is the need to include nutrition education programmes in the women annual general meeting and other women gathering in Nigeria. This is intended to expose women to accurate nutrition information which will improve their nutrition knowledge of their families.