Seasonal variation in plants consumption pattern by foraging Olive Baboons (Papio anubis. Lesson, 1827) inside Kainji Lake National Park,

This study which lasted for eight (8) months in 2011, covering the period of dry and wet seasons examined seasonal plant species consumed by foraging Olive baboon (Papio anubis) inside Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. Data were collected in the morning between 8.00am - 12.00pm and in the evening between 2.00pm - 6:00pm. Plant species and their parts eaten were monitored and identified through direct observation and faecal analysis. It was observed that seven plants species ((Andropogon gayanus, Strychnos spinosa, Nuclear latifiora, Vitelaria paradoxa, Ficus sycomorus, Annona senegalensis and Tamarindus indica ) were consumed in the wet season with 303 feeding events while ten plants species (Detarium macrocarpum, Gardenia sotoemsis, Parkia biglobosa, Piliostigma thonningii, Pterocarpus erinaceus , Prosopis africana, Ficus sycomorus, Xamenia americana, Annona senegalensis and Vitex doniana) were consumed during the dry season with 315 feeding events. The feeding pattern shows that plants with higher nutritional quality were often consumed. Seasonal variation showed slight disparity in the nutrient composition of the identified plants. It was concluded that seasonal variations do affect the plants consumption pattern of foraging Olive baboon and that exsitu conservation of these plants is imperative for sustainable captive management of Olive baboon. © JASE

The Differential Susceptibility of Yoruba Ecotype Nigerian Indigenous Chicken Varieties To Newcastle Disease

This experiment was conducted to assess and compare the susceptibility of the varieties of Yoruba indigenous chicken ecotype: Yoruba Smooth Feathered (YSF), Yoruba Frizzled Feathered (YFF) and Yoruba Naked Neck (YNN) to Newcastle disease. A total of sixty (60) 16 weeks old chickens were used comprising of twenty (20) chickens per variety. The assessmentof their susceptibility to Newcastle disease was by evaluation of clinical signs, humoral response, mortality, pathology following contact with Newcastle disease infected chickens. The experimental chickens developed clinical signs of Newcastle disease from day 9 after infection. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre was determined on days 0, 21and28 post-infection. On day 0, the HI titre of the 3 genotypes were below 3log2, on day 21, there were significant differences within the group (P<0.05) where in YNN had the highest mean HI titre of 7.5. Therewas decrease in the mean HI titre in all on day 28 with the YNN having the least reduction (P<0.05). The antibody titre against Newcastle disease was higher in the YNN than all the other varieties. The mortality commenced on day 10 after infection with 70% mortality in YSF, 40% in YFF and 30% in YNN. The proventricular, enteric and caecal tonsilar haemorrhages associated with the disease were more frequent and severe in YSF.This finding indicated that YFF and YSF may possibly be more susceptible to Newcastle disease than the YNN. It was concluded that indigenous chickens of Yoruba ecotype in Nigeria differ in their susceptibility to ND with YNN being possibly the most resistant to Newcastle disease followed by YFF and the least, YSF.Keywords: Hemagglutination inhibition, Newcastle Disease, indigenous Chicken, Ecotype, Varietie

The comparative susceptibility of commercial and Nigerian indigenous chicken ecotypes to Salmonella gallinarum infection

This study was to evaluate the possible genetic resistance of exotic and indigenous chicks to Salmonella gallinarum. A total of 72 nine weeks-old chicks were used for the study. The Fulani ecotype (Fulani smooth feathers - FSF), Yoruba ecotype (Yoruba smooth feathers - YSF), and the Exotic  breed (Nera Black) chicks were infected with a dose of S. gallinarum (8.3 x 106 CFU) and were observed for 16 days. Evaluation of resistance was  based on clinical signs, mortality, pathology, leukocyte count, bacterial  count from liver and spleen of infected chicks. The highest peak for clinical signs in S. gallinarum infected chicks coincides with highest mortalities  recorded on day 11-12 dpi and bacterial count of both liver and spleen on day 8. The lymphocytes count declined on day 8 for all the experimental chicks except for the exotic breed. There was no significant difference between the bacterial counts of the different groups on day 8. In S. gallinarum infected chicks, 94.4% of all the chicks showed clinical signs after infection, the exotic breed showed a prolonged clinical signs while the Yoruba ecotype showed the least. 87.5%, 80.0% and 37.5% mortality were recorded in the exotic breed, Fulani and Yoruba ecotypes respectively. The study showed that the exotic chicken (Nera Black) was more susceptible to Salmonella gallinarum infection. It also indicated that within the ecotypes in Nigeria, Fulani ecotype was more susceptible to Salmonella gallinarum infection than the Yoruba ecotype. The lower clinical signs and mortality observed in Yoruba ecotype indicated a resistance of the ecotype to S. gallinarum infection.Keywords: Ecotypes, Nigerian Indigenous chicken, Salmonella gallinarum infection

Ethical and legal implications of whole genome and whole exome sequencing in African populations

BACKGROUND: Rapid advances in high throughput genomic technologies and next generation sequencing are making medical genomic research more readily accessible and affordable, including the sequencing of patient and control whole genomes and exomes in order to elucidate genetic factors underlying disease. Over the next five years, the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Initiative, funded by the Wellcome Trust (United Kingdom) and the National Institutes of Health (United States of America), will contribute greatly towards sequencing of numerous African samples for biomedical research. DISCUSSION: Funding agencies and journals often require submission of genomic data from research participants to databases that allow open or controlled data access for all investigators. Access to such genotype-phenotype and pedigree data, however, needs careful control in order to prevent identification of individuals or families. This is particularly the case in Africa, where many researchers and their patients are inexperienced in the ethical issues accompanying whole genome and exome research; and where an historical unidirectional flow of samples and data out of Africa has created a sense of exploitation and distrust. In the current study, we analysed the implications of the anticipated surge of next generation sequencing data in Africa and the subsequent data sharing concepts on the protection of privacy of research subjects. We performed a retrospective analysis of the informed consent process for the continent and the rest-of-the-world and examined relevant legislation, both current and proposed. We investigated the following issues: (i) informed consent, including guidelines for performing culturally-sensitive next generation sequencing research in Africa and availability of suitable informed consent documents; (ii) data security and subject privacy whilst practicing data sharing; (iii) conveying the implications of such concepts to research participants in resource limited settings. SUMMARY: We conclude that, in order to meet the unique requirements of performing next generation sequencing-related research in African populations, novel approaches to the informed consent process are required. This will help to avoid infringement of privacy of individual subjects as well as to ensure that informed consent adheres to acceptable data protection levels with regard to use and transfer of such information

Conservation Status and Habitat Preferences of Common Warthog ( Phacochoerus Africanus ) in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

This study assessed the conservation status and habitat preference of Common warthog in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria using direct sighting and line transect method. The abundance estimate and encounter rate of common Warthog in the study area from 2018-2019 showed that year 2018 recorded 213 individuals at an encounter rate of 0.38/km while year 2019 recorded 184 individuals at an encounter rate of 0.32/km while the mean abundance estimate of common Warthog are 4.65\ub10.64 and 1.71\ub10.48 which represents 156 and 58 individuals at encounter rate of 0.55/km and 0.20/km in the wet season and dry season of year 2018 compared to year 2019 with average abundance estimate value of 4.00\ub10.85 and 1.41\ub10.61 which represents 135 and 48 individuals at an encounter rate of 0.47/km and 0.17/km for wet and dry season respectively. The mean age structure and sex ratio of the observed warthog population during dry and wet seasons revealed that juveniles had highest mean of age structures among the populations observed across the seasons. The habitat preference of common warthog revealed that they are mostly found in mixed woodland and open savanna with 112 observation and the lowest was recorded in the outcrop vegetation and open savanna with 21 individuals.in the wet season. During the dry season, mixed woodland/open savanna and Riparian grassland had the highest sightings of 45 and 33 individuals each. The outcrop vegetation/open savanna had the lowest observation of 1 individuals only. The study also recommends that more aspect of the ecology of the animal should be studied in details and emphasis should be placed on the habitat requirements

Tin(iv) dopant removal through anti-solvent engineering enabling tin based perovskite solar cells with high charge carrier mobilities

We report the need for careful selection of anti-solvents for Sn-based perovskite solar cells fabricated through the commonly used anti-solvent method, compared to their Pb-based counterparts.</p

Genetic variants in novel pathways influence blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk.

Blood pressure is a heritable trait influenced by several biological pathways and responsive to environmental stimuli. Over one billion people worldwide have hypertension (≥140 mm Hg systolic blood pressure or  ≥90 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure). Even small increments in blood pressure are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. This genome-wide association study of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which used a multi-stage design in 200,000 individuals of European descent, identified sixteen novel loci: six of these loci contain genes previously known or suspected to regulate blood pressure (GUCY1A3-GUCY1B3, NPR3-C5orf23, ADM, FURIN-FES, GOSR2, GNAS-EDN3); the other ten provide new clues to blood pressure physiology. A genetic risk score based on 29 genome-wide significant variants was associated with hypertension, left ventricular wall thickness, stroke and coronary artery disease, but not kidney disease or kidney function. We also observed associations with blood pressure in East Asian, South Asian and African ancestry individuals. Our findings provide new insights into the genetics and biology of blood pressure, and suggest potential novel therapeutic pathways for cardiovascular disease prevention

Effects of co-administered dexamethasone and diclofenac potassium on pain, swelling and trismus following third molar surgery

BACKGROUND: The apparent interactions between the mechanisms of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and steroids suggest that co-therapy may provide beneficial inflammatory and pain relief in the absence of side effects. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of co-administered dexamethasone and diclofenac potassium (diclofenac K) with diclofenac K alone on the postoperative pain, swelling and trismus after surgical removal of third molars. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized double-blind study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. A total of 100 patients were randomly allocated to two treatment groups of dexamethasone (prophylactic 8 mg and postoperative 4 mg IV) and diclofenac K (50 mg Oral before and after surgery), and diclofenac K alone (as with first group). The overall analgesic efficacy of the drug combinations was assessed postoperatively by determination of pain intensity using a category rating scale. Facial swelling was measured using a tape measure placed from tragus to gonion to tragus, while interincisal mouth-opening of patients was measured using a vernier calibrated caliper pre-operatively and post-operatively. RESULTS: Co-administration of dexamethasone and diclofenac K was significantly superior to diclofenac alone for the relief of pain (P < 0.05), and facial swelling up to post-operative 48 hour (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference for trismus relief between the two medication protocols (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study illustrates enhanced effects of co-administered dexamethasone and diclofenac K on short-term post-operative pain and swelling, compared to diclofenac potassium alone in third molar surgery

Genome-Wide Detection of Allele Specific Copy Number Variation Associated with Insulin Resistance in African Americans from the HyperGEN Study

African Americans have been understudied in genome wide association studies of diabetes and related traits. In the current study, we examined the joint association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) with fasting insulin and an index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the HyperGEN study, a family based study with proband ascertainment for hypertension. This analysis is restricted to 1,040 African Americans without diabetes. We generated allele specific CNV genotypes at 872,243 autosomal loci using Birdsuite, a freely available multi-stage program. Joint tests of association for SNPs and CNVs were performed using linear mixed models adjusting for covariates and familial relationships. Our results highlight SNPs associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (rs6576507 and rs8026527, 3.7*10−7≤P≤1.1*10−5) near ATPase, class V, type 10A (ATP10A), and the L Type voltage dependent calcium channel (CACNA1D, rs1401492, P≤5.2*10−6). ATP10A belongs to a family of aminophospholipid-transporting ATPases and has been associated with type 2 diabetes in mice. CACNA1D has been linked to pancreatic beta cell generation in mice. The two most significant copy variable markers (rs10277702 and rs361367; P<2.0*10−4) were in the beta variable region of the T-cell receptor gene (TCRVB). Human and mouse TCR has been shown to mimic insulin and its receptor and could contribute to insulin resistance. Our findings differ from genome wide association studies of fasting insulin and other diabetes related traits in European populations, highlighting the continued need to investigate unique genetic influences for understudied populations such as African Americans

Rapid increases in obesity in Jamaica, compared to Nigeria and the United States

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Weight gain in adulthood is now common in many populations, ranging from modest gains in developing countries to a substantial percentage of body weight in some Western societies. To examine the rate of change across the spectrum of low to high-income countries we compared rates of weight change in samples drawn from three countries, Nigeria, Jamaica and the United States.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Population samples from Nigeria (n = 1,242), Jamaica (n = 1,409), and the US (n = 809) were selected during the period 1995–1999 in adults over the age of 19; participation rates in the original survey were 96%, 60%, and 60%, respectively. Weight in (kg) was measured on 3 different occasions, ending in 2005. Multi-level regression models were used to estimate weight change over time and pattern-mixture models were applied to assess the potential effect of missing data on estimates of the model parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The unadjusted weight gain rate (standard error) was 0.34(0.06), 1.26(0.12), 0.34(0.19) kg/year among men and 0.43(0.06), 1.28(0.10), 0.40(0.15) kg/year among women in Nigeria, Jamaica, US, respectively. Regression-adjusted weight change rates were significantly different across country, sex, and baseline BMI. Adjusted weight gain in Nigeria, Jamaica and US was 0.31(0.05), 1.37(.04), and 0.52(0.05) kg/year respectively. Women in Nigeria and the US had higher weight gains than men, with the converse observed among Jamaicans. The obese experienced weight loss across all three samples, whereas the normal weight (BMI < 25) had significant weight gains. Missing data patterns had an effect on the rates of weight change.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Weight change in sample cohorts from a middle-income country was greater than in cohorts from either of the low- or high-income countries. The steep trajectory of weight gain in Jamaica, relative to Nigeria and the US, is most likely attributable to the accelerating effects of the cultural and behavioral shifts which have come to bear on transitional societies.</p