Nutrient stability in mould-infested feed and mitigating effect of dietary supplemental vitamins in brown laying hens.

A 10-week study was conducted to assess the impact of mould infestation on nutrient stability of feed and the mitigating effect of supplemental tocopherol, retinol or a multivitamin on performance and hepatic histology of ISA Brown laying chickens. Two batches of corn were obtained: the aflasafe corn used in preparing control diet and corn with physical evidence of mould used in preparing diets 2 to 5 containing no supplemental vitamin, tocopherol, retinol or a branded multivitamin supplementations respectively. One hundred and fifty (150) laying chickens used were completely randomized into five dietary treatments with three replicates of 10 birds each. Results showed that there was gross instability in the nutrients of mouldy maize. The activities of the fungi depleted both protein and lipid contents by 11.54% and 12.72% respectively while crude fibre content rose by 31.7%. There was substantial drop in both retinol and tocopherol while aflatoxin content rose to 267 µg in mouldy corn and 118 µg in the mouldy diets. Feed intake was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced and consequently depressed (P < 0.05) egg production and feed efficiency. Egg quality differs (P < 0.05) in shell thickness and yolk colour. Proliferation of biliary duct epithelium, hepatic degeneration, cellular infiltration, hyper-cellularity or dilation of the sinusoidal spaces characterized livers of birds on mouldy corn diets while supplementation with vitamins subverted mycosis and aflatoxicosis as evidenced by normal-to-mild congestion of hepatocytes. It was concluded that mould contamination in feed compromised feed nutritive values, reduced bird performance and adversely impaired the liver of the experimental birds while tocopherol, retinol or a multivitamin supplementation relapses the damaging potential of mould and mycotoxin differently.

A review of nutritional and toxicological implications of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) meal in animal feeding systems.

The nutrient-rich defatted castor meal has been tested as a potential source of protein in diets of many livestock species but has limitation due to challenges of toxins. This review was conducted to compile the relevant research information on advances in the use of raw and differently processed castor seed meal in animal feed. In this article, distribution and uses of castor and its products were identified. Research findings on the nutrients profile, principal toxins, various detoxification strategies, nutritional value and toxicity on common livestock species were compiled and reviewed. The defatted seed meal had crude protein range of 32-48%, gross energy of about 3200 kcal/kg. Ricin content was 9.3 mg/g seed, and the average RCA content was 9.9 mg/g. The meal had high activity of lectin, which produced agglutination at about 4.70 mg/ml minimum assays. Reports of detoxification strategies showed varying degrees of success but high pH, moist heating and microbial techniques appeared to exert greater effect on deactivating ricin. Detoxification strategy for the allergen component is inconclusive. Tannins and the phenolic contents were present at trace level and did not constitute notable threat. It was concluded that castor seed holds great potential as feedstuff when upgraded but such upgrading must be safe, cost-effective and labour efficient for commercial acceptability.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus and Graves' disease in Down's syndrome--a rare combination.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune diseases including thyroid. disorders, type 1 diabetes and celiac disease are commoner in persons with Down's syndrome compared with the general population. Coexistent type 1 diabetes and hyperthyroidism in Down's syndrome is however not commonly reported in literature. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a lady presenting with Graves' disease and type 1 diabetes at the same time. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 22- year-old lady with Down's syndrome who presented with weight loss, polyuria and polydipsia. Physical examination revealed typical dysmorphicfacies of Down's syndrome and a goitre. Laboratory data revealed hyperglycaemia (random plasma glucose-331 mg/dl). She also had biochemical evidence in keeping with hyperthyroidism and markedly elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies (>1087.0 IU/ml). She improved after rehydration, insulin therapy and antithyroid drugs. CONCLUSION: Coexisting autoimmune diseases may present in patients with Down's syndrome. We advocate for routine screening for diabetes and thyroid dysfunction in ersons with Down's syndrome.

Undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes in hypertensive and normotensive adults at the university college hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is associated with an increased incidence of glucose intolerance (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus) but many persons with glucose intolerance remain undiagnosed for many years. AIMS: To determine the frequency of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes in a group of hypertensives and normotensives. METHODS: Anthropometry, blood pressure and standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were done in adult participants (hypertensive and normotensive controls) newly presenting to a General Outpatient Clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. RESULTS: Using the OGTT, the frequency of undiagnosed diabetes was 10.4% and 4.3% in hypertensives and normotensives respectively (p = 0.031) but was 5.2% and 2.6% in hypertensives and normotensives respectively using fasting plasma glucose (FPG) alone (p=0.308).Using the OGTT, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was diagnosed in 32.2% of hypertensives compared to 14.8% of normotensives (p = 0.002) while impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was diagnosed in 5.2% of hypertensive and 2.6% of the normotensives (p = 0.288). After adjusting for hypertension, age, level of education, body mass index and waist circumference, hypertensives and persons with a higher waist circumference had statistically significantly increased odds of having glucose intolerance: hypertension (OR 2.915; 95% CI 1.526-5.556) and waist circumference (OR 1.050; 95% CI 1.010-1.090). CONCLUSION: Diabetes and prediabetes are commoner in hypertensive persons and such persons require close and frequent monitoring for the development of this disease. Screening with both fasting plasma glucose and post glucose load plasma glucose (OGTT) identifies more persons with glucose intolerance than fasting plasma glucose alone.

ACUTE CHOREO-DYSTONIA IN A NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENT WITH DIABETES MELLITUS: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a disease with diverse macrovascular and microvascular consequences. One of the unusual effects of hyperglycemia is involuntary movement, termed hyperglycemia-induced involuntary movement. This could range from hemibalismus, chorea, choreo-atethosis, tremors to dystonia. Chorea associated with dystonia is a less commonly reported manifestation. When it is focal, it can be misdiagnosed as stroke or seizure disorder. To the best our knowledge, there is hitherto no case report in sub-Saharan Africa describing the occurrence of focal choreo-dystonia in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Case presentation: Here, we present a case of a middle-aged Nigerian woman with focal choreo-dystonia of the right upper limb accompanying the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Achieving euglycemia with insulin resulted in complete resolution of the choreo-dystonia. Conclusion: Doctors in resource-constrained settings should be aware of this presentation to avoid misdiagnosis and to provide prompt and goal-oriented management with a view to reducing morbidity and attendant health-care costs.

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF LOW-INTENSITY EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF VASCULAR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN NIGERIAN MEN: REPORT OF A STUDY IN IBADAN, SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA.

Background: Low Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (LI-SWT) has been found to be effective in men with vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) but its efficacy and safety has not been investigated in a predominantly black population so we sought to study this. Materials and Methods: Men with vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) were assessed using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score after which they were treated with 12 sessions of LI-SWT. Treatment efficacy was evaluated immediately after treatment, at 1 month and 6 months after using the IIEF questionnaire. 30 persons were recruited out of which 22 completed the study. Results: Mean IIEF score improved from 8.27±2.741 at baseline (pre-treatment) to 10.43±8.43 one month post treatment and was sustained six months post treatment at mean IIEF score of 10.70 ± 8.84. A larger no (86.4%) had an improvement of at least 5 in the IIEF score from baseline to 6 months -post treatment. None of the participants reported any adverse effects of treatment. Conclusion: Low intensity shock wave treatment is a useful addition to the medical armamentarium for the treatment of vascular ED.

A report of three cases of jaundice with thyrotoxicosis.

BACKGROUND: Jaundice and hepatic dysfunction have been reported in patients with thyrotoxicosis and could be due to different mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: To describe three cases of jaundice occurring in patients with thyrotoxicosis and to illustrate the importance of early institution of thionamides when indicated. METHODS: We present the clinical and laboratory features of three patients presenting within a year with thyrotoxicosis and jaundice and whose clinical conditions improved remarkably following treatment with thionamides. In addition, current literature on the subject is reviewed and summarised. RESULTS: The three patients presented with goitre and jaundice. None of the patients had received blood products, undergone scarification markings or experienced any previous episode of jaundice. Thyroid function tests in the three patients were consistent with a diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. Liver function tests showed elevated bilirubin and transaminases. All patients improved remarkably following treatment with thionamides. CONCLUSION: It is important to rule out thyrotoxicosis in patients with jaundice of unknown cause and consider early use of thionamides for treatment of the thyrotoxicosis, if confirmed.

Insulin resistance in Nigerians with essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Reports on the association between hypertension and insulin resistance have been inconsistent even though most studies show a definite association. It is also not certain if the association between insulin resistance and hypertension applies to all populations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance in hypertensive Nigerians and to examine the association of insulin resistance with hypertension and some anthropometric indices. METHODS: Thirty five adults with essential hypertension and thirty five normotensives were studied. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to determine insulin resistance (IR). RESULTS: The hypertensive subjects had significantly higher fasting insulin and HOMA-IR compared with normotensives (p = 0.02 and 0.04) respectively. There were significant correlations between HOMA-IR, BMI, waist and hip circumference in subjects with hypertension. At multiple linear regression, hypertension and body mass index were found to be the only significant predictors of insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: The hypertensives we studied had a higher occurrence of insulin resistance compared to the normotensives. This makes it necessary for persons with hypertensive to have regular screening for diabetes and other categories of glucose intolerance as the increased insulin increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.