Occupational and Environmental Health Concerns on Unsafe Acts and Conditions in Poultry Production Sites in Ido-Osi, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Aim: Many food animal production facilities are sited close to human residence. This research work seeks to establish the occupational and environmental burdens of unsafe acts and conditions in backyard poultry production sites in the area of study in order to validate the compliance level of poultry farmers to common safety regulations. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Department, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, from February 2017 to December 2019. Methodology: A well-structured questionnaire was administered to farm managers and residents within the area of study. Data on poultry management attitudes and history of water use were collected. The coordinates of the poultry sites, natural water bodies, source area and their relative distances were determined using the Geographical System Information Software, Mapit GIS. Fecal droppings from poultry birds were randomly sampled with a sterile swab stick and transferred into a factory-packed polythene bag. The suspension of the fecal droppings was streaked on Eosin Methylene Blue agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Waste-water, soil from disposal sites, and poultry feed samples were also collected in sterile universal bottles, serially diluted and cultured. E. coli isolates were characterized using relevant biochemical tests. The modified paper disc-diffusion method was used to determine the isolates’ sensitivity to nine tested antibiotics. The results were interpreted based on the procedures of the clinical and laboratory standard institutes. Results: Majority of the poultry farms under survey, 83% adopted the intensive ranging system of farming while few adopted the free range system. Layers were the most reared, 50%. There was no documented health, safety and regulatory protocols used on all the farms leading to variations in poultry management practices. Accumulated poultry droppings were periodically disposed between 3-4 days into open fields, flowing water bodies and pits. Among the three adopted waste disposal options, disposal into open field was rampant, 67%. Also, some of the poultry farmers, 42% applied the collected poultry droppings as farm yard manure. Family members constitute the major labor force, 92% on the farm. There were contacts between few of the farmers and their clients during routine farm activities. Majority of the farmers, 83.3% were not kitted with commonly-used personal protective equipment while coverall was only used by few. The five natural water bodies found within the area of study were majorly used for agricultural, domestic, and, recreational purposes. There was history of diarrhea in respondents, 12% with exposure to the water bodies. Socio-demographic data show that young, married-males with tertiary education comprise the major farming population. The relative distance of poultry farms to residential site is ≤ 6 meters while the proximity of poultry farms to natural water sources is between 160 meters to 4,596 meters. Antibiotic sensitivity test shows that multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria were present in poultry droppings, waste water and soil from poultry waste disposal sites. Bacterial resistance to the fluoroquinolones, sulphonamide, tetracycline, aminoglycoside and penicillin was high. Conclusion: The findings on unsafe act audit of the poultry production sites assert that safety of public health is dependent on the quality of water and soil found in human environment. Unsafe acts and conditions with the inherent occupational hazards in poultry production sites are attributed to non-functional health, safety and environment management system. Antibiotic resistant bacteria in poultry droppings constitute biological hazard to humans. Exposure to these biological hazards predisposes the public to infections. Human and environmental health can be improved by reviewing the national guidelines and standards for environmental pollution control.

In vitro effects of Sunset Yellow on Chromosomal Damage and Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Human Peripheral Lymphocytes

Sunset Yellow (SY) is an organic azo dye that is used extensively as a coloring agent in many industries, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals ,and foodstuffs. Many studies have conflicting results about the genotoxicity effect of SY. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide additional data concerning SY genotoxicity in human lymphocytes by using chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) assay. Four concentrations of Sunset Yellow (1, 5, 20 ,and 50 mg/ml) were used on human lymphocyte cultures. Positive and negative controls were mitomycin C and distilled water, respectively. Compared to the control, SY caused a significant increase in CAs and SCEs frequencies at all concentrations. A total of five types of CAs were observed, such as gaps, fragments, RCF, stickiness,and polyploidy. According to the present results, high concentrations of SY are genotoxic in vitro to cultured human lymphocytes. To determine its full genotoxicity potential, SY should be tested in other test systems.

Studies on the Nutritional, Mineral Composition, Mineral Ratio and Anti-nutritional Molar Ratio of Six Underutilized Wild Edible Vegetables in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Aim: Fruits and common vegetables are now becoming too expensive for the poor consumers in Nigeria. The search for cheap, readily available and (locally sourced for the people in need of) nutritious food prompted this research work. Study Design: Six underutilized wild vegetables (Solanum microcarpon, Strichium sparganophora, Crassocephalum crepidiodes, Solanum nigrum, Myrianthus arboreus and Sterculia tragacantha) from Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria were evaluated for their nutritional, mineral and anti-nutritional potentials. Place and Duration of Study: The collection of the samples were done in the month of December, 2020 in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria and air dried for three weeks. Methodology: Young shoots of five indigenous vegetables were collected, washed thoroughly, air dried, pulverized and analysed using standard methods of AOAC. Results: The proximate analyses of the vegetables indicated that the moisture content, ash, fat, crude fiber, crude protein and carbohydrates ranged as follows: 6.17-8.85%, 4.73-6.59 %, 2.00-3.13%, 3.89-7.27%, 7.77-12.23% and 63.84-70.61% respectively. The total energy ranged from 1,367.85 to 1,467.85KJ/100g with low Coefficient of Variation (CV%) of 2.22. Mineral contents are of the following order K>Mg>Ca> P>Na>Fe>Zn. The result of the mineral ratio showed that the calculated mineral ratio for Na/K, K/ Na, Ca/P, Ca/Mg, Ca/K, Zn/Cu and [K/(Ca+Mg)] were below the critical level. The calculated mineral safety indexes (MSI) were lower than the tabulated values. The anti-nutrient contents (Cyanide, Saponins, and Oxalate) were below the threshold levels, Conclusion: Low MSI means that the vegetables could not pose health risk when consumed. The low anti-nutrient contents of the samples is an indication that the consumer would not suffer from mineral overload. The nutrition and mineral potentials of these vegetables could suggest their uses as nutritional supplements and are highly promising for food security and sustainability for the populace.

Ethanolic Extract of Whole Unripe Plantain Musa paradisiaca Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rat

Aim: Globally, burden of liver and kidney diseases has been on the increase in recent times. The present study therefore investigates the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potentials of unripe plantain Musa paradisiaca on CCl4-induced oxidative damage in albino rat. This was with the aim of providing a locally available and potent therapeutic alternative to the conventional drugs used in the management of liver and kidney diseases. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti between July 2018 and January, 2019. Methodology: Twenty-five adult male albino rats were placed into seven groups of 5 animals each. Group I animals received distilled water throughout the duration of the experiment, while group II were exposed to CCl4 only. Groups III, IV, V and VI received 3 ml/kg b.w of CCl4 intraperitoneally but were post treated with 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of unripe plantain extract respectively while group seven were post-treated with silymarin by oral gavage. Animals were sacrificed for the excision of the liver and kidney. Activities of creatinine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as levels of urea, uric acid, bilirubin and lipid profile were assessed. Tissue antioxidant level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also determined. Results: Exposure to CCl4 caused a significant derangement in lipid profile, resulting in the increase in serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) while high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was diminished. Liver and kidney biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, CK, urea, uric acid and bilirubin were also significantly elevated in the serum relative to the control animals following exposure to CCl4. Activities of antioxidant enzymes in the serum were markedly inhibited by CCl4 exposure. Treatment with Musa paradisiaca extract caused a dose-dependent restoration of all biochemical parameters determined, while histopathological observation was in agreement with biochemical results. Conclusion: These findings showed that Musa paradisiaca extract exhibited positive modulatory effects on the liver and kidney subjected to oxidative attack, hence, its potential usefulness in the management diseases associated with these organs.

Effect of Fermentation with Rumen Content on the Feeding Value of Boiled Iron Tree (Prosopis africana) Seedcoat on Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chickens

Aims: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of Prosopis seed coat fermented with rumen content at different levels as energy source on the serum biochemical composition and heamatological indices of broiler chickens. Study Design:Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Livestock Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Between November 2016 and January 2017. Methodology: The study was in two phases; the starter and finisher phase, in each of the phases, there were five dietary groups and fermented Prosopis africana seed coat meal (FPASCM) was included at 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25% to replace maize. The total of two hundred and sixty (260), day- old Zartech broiler chicks were randomly distributed to five dietary treatments with four replicates of 52 chickens per treatment and each replicate had 13 birds. The birds were raised on deep litter and fed ad-libitum and drinking water provided daily and performance was monitored. At the end of the eight week, blood was collected via the wing web for serum and haematological assay. Results: The results of haematological parameters of broiler chickens fed varying levels of fermented Prosopis africana seed coat are presented in Table 3.There were no significant (P>0.05) differences between treatments for parameters measured except for PCV and haemogobin. The PCV values ranged from 25.00 -28.25% and haemoglobin values ranged from 8.35 -9.40g/dl. It was observed that most of the haematological indices measured fell within the normal reference range values. The results of serum biochemical assay revealed that serum glucose 45.85-107.22 mg/dl varied significantly (P<0.05) among the dietary treatments. Birds served 25% FPSCM had the highest value while those served 15% FPASCM recorded least value. Conclusion: Based on the observations from this study, it was concluded that FPASCM could be included in the diets of broiler chickens up to 25% without compromising the health of the birds.

Intra-Specific Variability in Whorl Growth-Rate among Land Gastropods with Conispirally-Coiled Shells

For most conispirally-coiled Gastropods with determinate growth, the geometry of spirally-winding whorls is usually constrained by a strong negative correlation between whorl growth rate and the number of whorls reached at adulthood, as originally reported by the late S.J. Gould. Yet, beyond the tight control of shell-shape at the species level – resulting from this constraint – what about the amplitude of the intra-specific variability of whorl growth-rate, partly contributing to the variability of the overall shell-size at the species level? I address the issue by designing and implementing a new, indirect method for routinely evaluating whorl growth-rate, thereby aiming at considerably saving measurement time, and making it possible to easily achieve repeated measurements across samples large enough to reach statistical significance. This approach was applied to a series of eight common land snail species. The amplitude of intra-specific variability in whorl growth, evaluated this way, proves: (i) being markedly different among the eight investigated species (by a factor that can exceed 2x); (ii) being, yet, high enough, in all cases, to require compensating variations in the adult number of whorls, so as to limit the resulting consequences on the amplitude of the intra-specific variability of adult shell-size. Despite those marked differences in the amplitudes of intra-specific variability of whorl growth-rate among species, no significant relationship was observed between intraspecific variability of whorl growth rate and species-specific shell-shape types (discoidal/globular/elongate) and only weak positive relationship was observed with species-specific typical shell sizes. However, a rather strong positive correlation was found, as expected, between the degree of intra-specific variability of the whorl growth-rate and the degree of intra-specific variability of the number of whorls reached at adulthood (with the yet unexplained exception of one among the eight investigated species).

Post-dipping in Milk Production, Composition, and Quality

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of post-dipping on milk production, composition, and quality of cows with subclinical mastitis. Samples of mast milk from two different dairy farms were analyzed in two moments: before the post-dipping implantation and after 30 days, the samples were conditioned to the refrigeration temperature in an isothermal box and sent to the laboratory for the following analyzes: California Mastitis Test (CMT), Somatic Cell Count (SCC), Fat, Protein, Lactose, Total Solids (TS), Non-Fat Solids (NFS) and microbiological tests, as well as individual milk weighing. The experimental design was completely randomized and arranged in a split-plot scheme, submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) by the F test. The post-dipping practice during 30 days resulted in the means and standard deviation of the analyzes of the studied variables, where the values of SCC, CMT, and microbiological score profile were statistically significant. The highest etiological agent found was Staphylococcus spp. The fat and lactose profile increased in both farms, but there was no significant difference. Protein increased in both farms, but in farm I, there was no significant difference and in farm 2, there was a significant difference. Total Solids, Non-greasy solids, and weighing had a percentage increase, but the means of weight did not differ statistically. The post-dipping technique was an effective measure in the control of subclinical mastitis and brings health benefits to the mammary gland.

Molecular Characterization of Virus Infecting Momordica charantia Linn and the Application of Trichoderma viride as Biocontrol Agent in Baccocco Cross River State, Nigeria

Momordica charantia Linn, commonly called bitter-melon or ampalaya, is a vigorous, tendril-bearing, frost tender, annual vine of the cucurbitacae family reported to play significant role in health and nutrition. Chlorotic spot symptoms were observed on this plant during a visit to some Gardens in Baccocco Cross River State, Nigeria in 2021. The aim of this study was to identify the virus infecting this plant and investigate the ability of Trichoderma viride to control the virus. Infected leaf samples of M. charantia were collected and maintained on young seedlings of cucumber through mechanical inoculation which was further used to test the ability of Trichoderma viride as biocontrol agent, the sample was further tested against RT-PCR. Result obtained from Gene sequence analysis revealed 87 % nucleotide sequence identity with Morroccan watermelon mosaic virus. This is the first report of MWMV infecting M. charantia in Nigeria. The result further showed that Trichoderma viride was very effective in the control of virus the pathogen.

Long-term Trend in Mean Density of Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) Uncertain

Two recent attempts to model the long-term trend in mean density of Antarctic krill in the southwestern sector of the Atlantic using the KRILLBASE dataset using different statistical methods as well as inclusion versus exclusion of data from “non-scientific” nets have resulted in disparate conclusions. The approach that used a linear mixed model (LMM) fitted to the log of mean density, after standardisation was applied to individual net hauls and with means calculated for 12 spatial strata by years between 1976 and 2016, gave a highly statistically significant linear “regional” decline north of 60oS and, to a lesser degree, south of this latitude. The alternative approach that used a ”hurdle” model fitted to the individual net haul data, excluded regional stratification, and excluded non-scientific nets failed to detect an overall significant decline. The method of modelling log transformed means was reappraised and corrected by applying a meta-analytic LMM approach. Additionally, nonlinear smooths in year by region and a smooth in mean “climatological temperature” were included in the LMM. This model showed on average a mostly consistent decline north of 60oS, however, neither trend was significantly different from a no-trend prediction with the trend north of 60oS highly uncertain. Uncertainty of predictions resulted in only weak power to detect a substantial decline of the order of 70% between 1985 and 2005. These model-based inferences neither strongly support nor reject a general hypothesis that there has been a dramatic decline in density of Antarctic krill in the Southwest Atlantic over this period.

New Model for the COVID-19 Reported Cases and Deaths of Ghana in Accelerated Spread and Prediction of the Delayed Phase

There is an ongoing investigation on the transmission characteristics of COVID-19 with respect to country-based inflection points, nature of distribution and prediction of future trends. In this study, a new accelerated and delayed spread models for COVID-19 reported cases and deaths in Ghana were developed. Optimization techniques coupled with interpolations, least square and non-linear regression methods, to come out with an informed modeling strategy to predict the delayed spread for the case of Ghana were adopted. Derivative and tangent methods were also applied to determine inflection points for Ghana’s cases and death from COVID-19. The data used for the study covered the first 250 days of events and interventions of the pandemic in Ghana. It was realized that the distribution of the COVID-19 situation in Ghana followed an exponential distribution curve. A modification of the developed model to help optimize the error between observed and estimated values yielded an improvement in the prediction of the delayed phase. Our derived parameters revealed that transmission of the virus between phases depended on changes in the precautionary measures and peoples' behaviors. The study thus shows that Ghana passed her inflection point of reported cases on Sunday 19th July, 2020 and may currently be in the delayed phase characterized with a staggering trend where new infections similar in magnitude to previous infections may upsurge. The correlation between reported cases and deaths revealed linear dependence with positive deviation between accelerated and delayed phases. In conclusion, the study predicted the commencement of a new wave in Ghana after Wednesday October 28, 2020 with higher intensity than what was previously observed if timely impositions of interventions to minimize the effect of the second wave are not taken.