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Biochemical responses of selected trees to air pollution in Akure and Oluwa forest reserves in Ondo State
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Urogenital complications of pelvic trauma: a report on 48 cases from Douala (Cameroon).
No full textObjectives: Describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of urogenital complications associated with pelvic trauma in the Laquintinie Hospital of Douala.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study involving all cases of urogenital complications of pelvic trauma in the Departments of Urology and Orthopaedic surgery of the Douala Laquintinie Hospital. It covered a period of six years nine months (2011 – 2016). Tile’s classification was used to classify pelvic fractures.
Results: A total of 48 (38.71%) patients with complications of pelvic trauma were selected out of the 124 cases with pelvic fractures. Males were more involved with a sex ratio of 5, and the mean age was 33 years (range 20 – 55 years). The presenting symptom was essentially haemorrhage [haematuria and urethrorrhagia (35.44%)], and pelvic and/or perineal pain (30.95%). Tile B fractures were the most frequent. Posterior urethra lesions were the most common urinary complications observed (45.84%). Emergency management was done on a case-by-case basis: surveillance, urethral catheterization, exploratory laparotomy or diverting cystostomy. Seventeen cases were deferred on which end-to-end anastomotic urethroplasty was performed for urethral rupture. As a functional outcome, 6 patients developed dysuria requiring urethral dilatation, and 4 complained of erectile dysfunction after a follow-up of 24 months.
Conclusion: Urogenital complications of pelvic trauma are common in the Douala Laquintinie Hospital. Their gravity depends on the degree of instability of the fractures (Tile B and C). They are responsible for important sexual and urinary sequelae. Training of nonsurgical medical personnel would ensure proper initial management of the patient before any specialised multidisciplinary treatment
In vivo assessment of antibacterial and growth promoting effect of soursop (Annona muricata Linn.) leaf extract in broiler chickens
Get PDFPhytochemicals have demonstrated considerable influence against pathogenic microbes in vitro without antimicrobial resistance. A number of studies have also reported an improved growth performance in poultry with their supplementation. In vivo antimicrobial efficacy of soursop leaf extract (SLE) was evaluated in a 49-day study on the growth performance (GP), intestinal microbes and morphology of broiler chickens. Two hundred day-old chicks (Arbor Acres) were randomly distributed to five treatments and four replicates, with ten birds each in a completely randomized design. The treatments included: CTRL (control), 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5% SLE per litre of drinking water. Ciprofloxacin 10% was administered to the control group as antibiotics in drinking water at 1ml/2L. Feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated. Two birds per replicate were sacrificed on day 49 and eviscerated. Ileum and caeca content were collected and cultured for total coliforms, Lactobacillus, Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Mid-ileum section was cut, rinsed with distilled water and fixed in 10% formalin for evaluation of villus height and crypt depth. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis at p<0.05 confidence. Weight gain increased from 7.5% SLE while FI reduced from 10.0% and above giving the best FCR at 12.5% SLE. SLE improved WG, eliminated salmonella and reduced total coliform (1.30 to 0.00) in the ileum section. Total coliforms were eliminated, Salmonella and Escherichia colli decreased (6.02 to 1.85; 6.91 to 2.24) in the caeca section. It was concluded that SLE reduced pathogenic intestinal microbes, improved intestinal morphology and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens
Characterization of Carabapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Fresh vegetables
Get PDFCarbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriacea (CRE) has become a growing food safety issue and an ongoing public-health problem of global dimensions. This research study determined the presence of CRE in fresh vegetables. Vegetables were purchased from the retailers and analyzed for Enterobacteriaceae in line with Standard guidelines. The antibiotic profile of the isolated Enterobacteriaceae was determined using Antibiotic Susceptibility Test (AST). The Modified Hodges test (MHT), Carbapenem inactivation method (CIM), Modified carbapenem inactivation (mCIM), and Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) carbapenem inactivation (eCIM) were used screening for carbapenem resistance among Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae. Forty-six Enterobacteriaceae were isolated in all. Among organisms isolated were Citrobacter freundi, Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella sp, and Escherichia coli. AST of the isolates showed that two out of three third-generation antibiotics used had the highest resistance of 100%. Thirty-six (78.26%) were multidrug-resistant, eighteen were CRE using MHT but using CIM, and sixteen were CRE. Eighteen were CRE using the mCIM method, while 17 were using eCIM.
Conclusion: This study shows that vegetables can be a source of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and mCIM combined with eCIM is more sensitive in detecting CRE.
Significance and Impact of Study: Ready-to-eat fresh Vegetables contain CRE.  
Proximate Composition, Acute Toxicity and Antimicrobial Activity of Methanol Extract of Picralima nitida Stem Bark
Get PDFThe existence of essential bioactive compounds in the Picralima nitida stem bark has demonstrated useful advantages in terms of antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. In this work, concentrated methanol extract of the Picralima nitida stem bark was investigated for its proximate composition, phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity and antimicrobial activity. The results revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, eugenols, flavonoids, proteins, reducing sugars and terpenoids. From the proximate analysis of P. nitida stem bark, the moisture content, ash value, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, water extractive value and alcohol soluble extractive values were found to be 4.00%, 7.00 %, 6.50 %, 4.00 %, 3.20 %, and 0.60 % respectively. Investigation of the acute toxicity effect revealed that the lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was ≥ 5000 mg/kg body weight which was considered practically non toxic conforming to the toxicity standards. The outcome of the antimicrobial study revealed that the methanol extract of P. nitida stem bark has higher inhibitory effect on the bacterial isolates (S. aureus and E. coli) with improved activity against E. coli at higher concentrations. But the extract was inactive to the fungi isolates (A. flavus and C. Albicans) even at a higher dosage (100mg/ml). The minimum inhibitory concentration revealed that the extract was capable of inhibiting the growth of both S. aureus and E. coli at 100 mg/ml, and the minimum bactericidal concentration of the extract against the tested isolates was 150mg/ml and 125 mg/ml for S. aureus and E. coli respectively. 
Comparative Characterization of Derived Vignasubterranea (L.) verdc. Adsorbents, Using Chemical and Steam Activation Methods
Get PDFLow-cost adsorbents were produced from Bambara nut (Vignasubterranea (L.) verdc.) shells via chemical and physical activation using phosphoric acid and steam respectively. Acid activated Bambara nut shells (ABBNSAC) and steam activated Bambara nut shells (S-BBNSAC) were characterized using Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive Xray (EDX), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and other physico-chemical properties. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of functional groups on both surfaces and the surface morphology showed the presence of well developed pores that are uniformly distributed over the surfaces and the elemental analysis revealed that carbon and oxygen were the major constituents in both adsorbents and the carbon contents were found to be 64.70 and 45.20 % for A-BBNSAC and S-BBNSAC respectively while the BET surface area for A-BBNSAC and S-BBNSAC were determined to be 580.42 and 1442.67 m2 /g respectively. The study concluded that SBBNSAC could be used as adsorbent for removal of pollutants from aqueous solution. 
Quality analysis of some characteristics of cement using Cusum and Shewart control charts: A case of Lafarge Elephant cement
Get PDFThis paper examines the quality characteristic of cement production in Nigeria in an attempt to understand some of the reasons of the rampant f collapse of buildings and lack of durable roads and bridges in Nigeria using Elephant cement produced by Lafarge company in Nigeria as a case study, the paper finds that the quality characteristics of Elephant Cement is under statistical control when analyzed using the Cusum and Shewart control chart. However, it is advised that cement companies adequately monitor the quality of their products and regularly service their production plants to improve cement quality
Comparative study of healing time of canine non-infectious deep ulcerative keratitis between medical therapy alone and combined treatment with medical therapy and a nictitating membrane flap: A retrospective study
Get PDFBackground: Canine non-infectious deep ulcerative keratitis is considered a severe ocular disorder that possibly can progress to perforation. Immediate treatment should be directed to stimulate corneal wound healing, control infection, and minimize self-trauma while eliminating the underlying causes.
Aim: This retrospective study was aimed to compare the difference in non-infectious deep corneal wound healing time between cases treated with medical therapy alone and those treated with medical therapy combined with a nictitating membrane flap.
Methods: The medical records at the Ophthalmology Clinic, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University between January 2018 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-six eyes (from 65 dogs) diagnosed with non-infectious deep ulcerative keratitis from the medical treatment group (n = 34) and the combined treatment group (n = 32) were included. The combined treatment group was prescribed the same conservative medical administrations plus a surgical nictitating membrane flap for 14 days.
Results: Healing time was defined as the duration of time from the day that the dog had been diagnosed with deep ulcerative keratitis by a fluorescein staining test to the day that the corneal fluorescein stain was negative. Overall, the mean age of dogs with deep ulcerative keratitis was 10.49 ± 4.7 years. The disease was commonly evident in females more than males. Shih Tzu was the most prevalent dog breed. The corneal healing time between dogs receiving medical therapy alone and those receiving combined treatment was not statistically significant (p = 0.386). Healing times were not significantly different between sex and breed (p = 0.41). The median corneal healing time for dogs older than 10 years in the combined treatments group (29.5 days; ranging from 20 to 46 days) was longer than for those receiving medical therapy alone (21 days; ranging from 9.5 to 30.5 days).
Conclusion: Supportive therapy including a nictitating membrane flap is suggested in dogs prone to deep corneal ulcers not involving infection. Even though the healing time is not statistically significant, a nictitating membrane flap acts as a tissue bandage to reduce friction over the cornea, and it also alleviates the healing process by moistening the ocular surface. 
Histomorphometry and μCT scan analysis of osteoporosis in spayed female dogs
Get PDFBackground: Both humans and small animals suffer from similar metabolic and structural diseases that impact the musculoskeletal system; however, instead of studying animal disease in its own right, animals are more often used as models for research into various human ailments, such as osteoporosis. There are few studies indicating that animals may suffer from osteoporosis, which raises the question of why small animals, which we believe to be equally susceptible, receive so little attention. With this research, we hope to draw the attention of researchers to the fact that the examination of animals for this disease is just as important as the examination of humans; human osteoporosis research receives a great deal of attention, while animals and their health are neglected.Aims: We aimed to analyze the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and thickness of first (L1) and second (L2) lumbar vertebrae samples from five cadavers using histomorphometric analysis. In addition, we aimed to investigate one cadaver using microcomputed tomography (μCT) imaging.Methods: The L1 and L2 vertebrae from five dog carcasses were used to evaluate the BV/TV and the trabecular thicknesses. We used precise sampling criteria, and also developed a methodological approach to the study of the vertebrae. Using semi-automated methods, we performed histomorphometric analysis and μCT data analysis.Results: We used five dog cadavers in this research. During the histomorphometry study, we observed that the lowest L1 BV/TV ratio was 7.88% and the highest was 23.08%. The L2 vertebrae BV/TV ranged from 11.58% to 23.7%. The L1 and L2 lumbar trabeculae thicknesses were also measured. L1’s smallest trabecula was 17.34 microns and its largest was 31.88. The L2 vertebrae trabecula thickness was 18.76–30.75 microns. BV/TV and trabecular thickness were positively correlated (and vice versa). The two-tailed p value was less than 0.00001. This difference is statistically significant. After μCT analysis, we discovered regions in the vertebral body with low porosity; these cavities are usually filled with connective tissue. The bone tissue in these areas is more vulnerable, meaning fracture risk has increased.Conclusions: Animals should not just be considered as models for osteoporosis in humans, but also as potential patients. A single test, such as histomorphometry, may not be sufficient; more advanced technology, such as μCT, is required, since it reveals the pores that make the vertebral column more brittle and susceptible to fracture
Congenital porto-pulmonary shunt in a dog
Get PDFBackground: Congenital extra-hepatic porto-systemic shunts (CEPS) are a non-rare vascular anomaly observed in dogs, most commonly in small and toy pure breeds. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) examination is considered the gold standard imaging modality for the diagnosis of anomalous vascular connections.Case Description: An anomalous congenital porto-pulmonary shunt was incidentally diagnosed in a 5-year-old French Bulldog. The anomalous vessel originated from the ventral aspect of the portal vein and went cranially towards the esophageal hiatus, entering the lobar vein of the caudal left pulmonary lobe. The dog did not show any significant clinical or computed tomography angiography-perceived hepatic abnormalities and no signs of portal hypertension were evidenced. No case of porto-pulmonary shunt in veterinary medicine have ever been reported, while in humans it was rarely described secondarily to portal hypertension, severe hepatopathies or complex cardiac malformations.Conclusion: CTA must be considered the best imaging modality for the diagnosis also of unusual CEPS and in the author’s opinion the congenital porto-pulmonary shunt described in the patient was of little or no clinical relevance