Some Physical and Chemical Properties of Clarias gariepinus Dried with Solar Dryers and Solar Tents in Sokoto,Nigeria

A research was conducted to assess the effects of three different drying techniques, namely open sun drying （OSD）, solar dryers （SD） and solar tent dryers （STD）. Data on physical characteristics such as weight, total length and standard length were recorded and proximate composition of the fish sample Clarias gariepinus （Burchell, 1822） was carried out before, during and after drying to assess changes on physical characteristics and nutrient composition at different level. After drying, the samples were subjected to storage for eight weeks. The result obtained shows that there was no significant （P 〉 0.01） difference in the drying weight of the fish samples between the direct SD and the STD. However, for the total and standard length there was significant （P 〈 0.01） difference in the drying techniques, but no significant difference （P 〉 0.05） in the drying period. There was no significant （P 〉 0.05） difference on the physical parameters, storage period, proximate composition of both direct SD and STD and the drying period, respectively. Therefore, direct SD can be substituted with the STD without altering the quality of the product.     

Clinical assessment and grading of back pain in horses

BackgroundThe clinical presentation of horses with back pain (BP) vary considerably with most horse''s willingness to take part in athletic or riding purpose becoming impossible. However, there are some clinical features that are directly responsible for the loss or failure of performance.ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical features of the thoracolumbar region associated with BP in horses and to use some of the clinical features to classify equine BP.MethodsTwenty-four horses comprised of 14 with BP and 10 apparently healthy horses were assessed for clinical abnormality that best differentiate BP from normal horses. The horses were then graded (0–5) using the degree of pain response, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and overall physical dysfunction of the horse.ResultsThe common clinical features that significantly differentiate horses with BP from non-BP were longissimus dorsi spasm at palpation (78.6%), paravertebral muscle stiffness (64.3%), resist lateral bending (64.3%), and poor hindlimb impulsion (85.7%). There were significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores for pain response to palpation, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and physical dysfunction among horses with BP in relation to non-BP. A significant relationship exists between all the graded abnormalities. Based on the cumulative score, horses with BP were categorized into mild, mild-moderate, moderate and severe cases.ConclusionsBP in horse can be differentiated by severity of pain response to back palpation, back muscle hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness, physical dysfunctions and their cumulative grading score is useful in the assessment and categorization of BP in horses.     

Potential of Azolla pinnata R. Br. green manure for boosting soil fertility and yield of terrestrial crops in Uganda: a case study of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Azolla fern has traditionally been used over centuries as a source of nutrients for rice grown in paddies with minimal attention on crops grown...     

Peste des petits ruminants in wild ungulates

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious viral disease of domestic small ruminants. It also affects wild ungulates but there are comparatively few studies of the incidence of natural infection, clinical signs and pathology, and confirmation of the virus, and in these species. In this article, we list the wild ungulates in which PPRV infection has been confirmed and summarize available information about the presentation of the disease, its identification, and impact of virus on wildlife populations. Considering recent reports of outbreaks by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), it is important to understand the transmission of this disease within wildlife populations in PPR endemic regions.     

Virulent gene profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from cattle and camels in Maiduguri,North-Eastern Nigeria

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Prevalence and distribution of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups from the faecal samples of cattle and camels slaughter in Maiduguri...     

The effect of plant age and soil amendments on severity of phytophthora root rot of pepper (Capsicum annuum L) in South Western Nigeria

The incidence and severity of pepper Capsicum annuum to phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora infestan in Southwestern Nigeria was investigated. Root rot incidence and severity was significantly reduced with increase in the plant age. The highest level of root rot, of 81.7% and 67.6% obtained in 4 and 6 weeks old pepper plants were reduced to 25% and 5% in 10 and 12 weeks old pepper plants respectively. The resistance of the pepper plant to root rot severity increased with age. The result also showed that amendments of the soil with chicken manure wood ash and neem leaf suppressed the root rot incidence and severity of disease in the pepper plant.     

Dynamics of swidden agriculture in East Kalimantan

The Kenyah Dayak people began to migrate from the isolated area to the Mahakam basin in the early 1950's. As the Kenyah people migrate downstream, infiltration of monetary economy into the village increases, which leads to changes of life style, social structure such as work organization and mutual aid system in daily life, and so on. In the course of a series of such changes, sustainable swidden agriculture system is also changed to a less sustainable one. The Benuaq Dayak people, however, practice sustainable swidden (paddy) — rattan forestry system while they can earn much income. The Buginese way of land utilization, swidden (paddy) — pepper production system, is the least sustainable though the pepper production is the most profitable in the region. The land utilization by the transmigrated Javanese is not so sustainable at present, but there is a possibility of its getting more sustainable because of acquisition of the land ownership.     

The anthelmintic effect of aqueous methanol extract of Combretum molle (R. Br. x. G. Don) (Combretaceae) in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

The aqueous methanol extract from the stem-bark of Combretum molle was evaluated for anthelmintic activity in lambs infected with Haemonchus contortus using faecal egg count (FEC) reduction assay. The extract showed a dose-dependent reduction in FEC in infected animals. At doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg(-1), the extract caused FEC reduction of 63%, 69.25% and 96.23%, respectively. Similarly, the standard anthelmintic (albendazole) at a dose of 200 mg kg(-1) produced FEC reduction of 99.24%. FEC reduction produced by the extract at doses of 500 and 1000 mg kg(-1) is below the minimum standard of 90% FEC recommended by the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between the means of groups treated with 1000 mg kg(-1) and 2000 mg kg(-1) compared to that of albendazole. In this study, C. molle has shown a promising anthelmintic activity against experimental haemonchosis. Nonetheless, further studies to evaluate its detailed toxicity are required for the plant extract to be developed into a useful anthelmintic drug. There is also the need to evaluate other parts of the plant (root, leaves, fruits, etc.) for the same effect.     

Milk Production by Agropastoral Red Sokoto Goats in Nigeria

The mild yield characteristics of smallholder agropastoral Fulani Red Sokoto goats were evaluated using records obtained from a total of 92 does in 6 herds, collected over a 2-year period. The results indicated that the total yield was 79.8±3.2 kg, the daily yield 0.66±0.03 kg, the peak yield 1.21±0.07 kg and the day of peak production 28.7±2.1 day of lactation. The milk yield characteristics were highly variable with a coefficient of variability of 38.6% to 69.8%. The characteristics were significantly (p<0.01–0.05) influenced by herd, season, parity and litter size of the dam. Highly positive and significant (p<0.01) correlations (r = 0.66–0.99) existed between the total yield and the average daily yield, peak yield, initial yield and day 120 yield. A negative and significant (p<0.05) correlation (r = –0.33) was observed between the peak day and the initial yield. The non-homogeneity of the milk yield characteristics in Red Sokoto does suggests the possibility of improving their daily productivity by selection of high yielding does. Selection for higher initial milk yield may also improve other milk yield characteristics.