Social impact assessment (SIA) of the Tamale viaduct project in Ghana: Stakeholders management practices, better or worse?

Studies have been done in many different fields on how to manage stakeholders, which shows how important it is to put the stakeholder at the center of any program or project. The study looks at the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) of the Tamale viaduct project. The sample size was established using the results of a census. Data was gathered using a key informant interview guide and structured questionnaires using a snowball sampling technique. Out of 128 affected respondents, 120 questionnaires responded to the tools, and three key informant interviews were conducted with significant stakeholders. The analyses show that many communication channels were employed to get in touch with the project's affected stakeholders. Although they were frequently involved, the stakeholders were not allowed to contribute to the decision-making process. The respondents viewed prioritizing the stakeholders, creating a plan for stakeholder involvement, and planning communication as the most effective stakeholder management techniques. Communication problems were cited as a major obstacle to interacting with the stakeholders.

Clinical audit and research in radiography practice: An exploration of the English landscape.

BACKGROUND: Research and clinical audit are central to the quality improvement (QI) process in healthcare; whereas research produces new knowledge, clinical audit establishes if practice is meeting set standards. Thus, radiographers have responsibility to engaging in these QI activities. This study aimed to explore radiographers' understanding, attitudes and level of involvement in clinical research and audit across England. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire for data collection over a 6-week period was employed. The questionnaire consisted of open and closed ended questions. Participants were recruited through social media. The quantitative data obtained was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26 (IBM Inc, Armonk, NY) whilst content analysis was used to analyse the free-response data. RESULTS: A total of 100 valid responses were obtained after exclusion of 45 partial and/or incomplete responses. Radiographers showed a positive attitude towards involvement in research and audit with overall mean score of 3.85 (SD 0.80) and 4.01 (SD 0.80), respectively. Of the respondents, 35.7% (n = 35/98) were currently involved in clinical audit projects whilst 78.6% (n = 77/98) have previously been involved. Radiographers with postgraduate degrees were significantly more likely to have initiated research, 61.5% (n = 16/26) (p = 0.01) and to have previously been involved with research, 80.8% (n = 21/26) (p = 0.02). A significant association between radiographers' role and implementation of changes, following an audit (p = 0.03) was noted. Similarly, a significant association was noted between radiographers' role and initiation of research (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Clinical radiographers in England showed a positive attitude towards research and audit. However, this did not translate into actual participation in research and audit activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The need to stimulate clinical radiographers' interest in clinical audit and research is highlighted. Additionally, the findings support the rationale for managers to give more support including protected time to radiographers to engage in QI activities.

Assessing the Brighton Collaboration Case Definition of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Ghana.

The Brighton Collaboration has developed a case definition to assess sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) as an adverse event of special interest for Lassa fever vaccines. We applied the level of diagnostic certainty (LOC) criteria to 300 SNHL patients aged 18 to 59 years at a tertiary hospital in Ghana from January 2017 through June 2020 and evaluated the applicability of this definition. Most SNHL cases were assessable (85.0%) and assigned level 1 LOC (84.3%); missing information on otoscopy (86.7%) was the main reason for being unable to classify cases. Consistency of LOC classification between assessors was 99.3%. Cases with electronic medical records (EMRs) were less assessable than those with paper records (30.9% versus 93.8%). These findings indicate that the SNHL definition would be applicable to retrospectively ascertain and classify cases in resource-limited settings. Developing an EMR template to document otoscopy results may improve the feasibility at this hospital to ascertain SNHL.

Barriers and solutions to effective mentorship in health research and training institutions in Nigeria: Mentors, mentees, and organizational perspectives.

Aims and Background: Mentoring relationships and programs have become a subject of global interest and their relevance is high in the ever-evolving health system. In Nigeria, informal system of mentoring is largely practiced. To be able to institutionalize mentoring program, there is need to explore the various challenges of mentoring process and suggest potential approaches for effective mentor-mentee relationship in health research institutions in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: The study was designed to explore the barriers and solutions to mentoring process from the perspectives of the mentor, mentee, and organization in health research and training institutions in Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed and the study was conducted among 21 health researchers drawn from 24 health research institutions across the 6 regions of Nigeria. The nominal group technique was adopted in the data collection process. Results: The most frequently reported mentor challenges were "lack of understanding of mentorship process" (84.2%) and "lack of capacity for mentoring" (78.9%), while those of mentee were "mentor preference" (73.7%) and "lack of freedom of expression" (47.4%). "Culture of selfishness/individualism" (84.2%) and "lack of formal relationship" (63.2%) were the most mentioned systemic challenges. Training on mentoring process and relationship was mentioned as the most frequent approach to overcoming challenges for the three perspectives. Conclusion: Significant mentorship challenges exist in the Nigerian health, academic and research institution. Systematic approaches to finding and implementing the appropriate solutions are needed to circumvent these bottlenecks.

Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa.

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publications affiliated with African institutions between 1996 and 2017. Of 12,326 PubMed indexed publications, 5,219 show clear evidence that the work was performed in Africa and led by African-based researchers - on average ~5 per country and year. From here, we extract information on journals and citations, funding, international coauthorships and techniques used. For reference, we also extract the same metrics from 220 randomly selected publications each from the UK, USA, Australia, Japan and Brazil. Our dataset provides insights into the current state of African neuroscience research in a global context.

Visual impairment among eye health workers in a tertiary eye centre in Ghana.

Objective: To determine causes of visual impairment (VI) among staff of the Eye Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: The Eye Centre, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), from October 2016 to March 2017 on all consenting members of staff. Participants: Eighty-four (79.3%) of 106 consenting staff members participated in this study. Data collection/Intervention: A detailed history (demographic, ocular, medical co-morbid conditions), ocular examination and relevant diagnostic investigations were conducted. Interventions initiated included treatment for glaucoma, dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis and spectacles prescription for refractive errors. Main outcomes: Prevalence of avoidable causes of VI (glaucoma, cataract, refractive errors). Secondary outcomes included prevalence of unavoidable causes of VI. Results: Eighty-four (79.3%) members of staff participated in this study. Most of the participants were females, 54(64.3 %). Age ranged from 23 to 60 years with an average of 35.8±9.9 years (mean ± SD).Prevalence of VI was 9.5 % (8/84), all due to uncorrected refractive error. Other known causes of VI included open angle glaucoma in 12(14.3 %), macular scar of unknown cause, 1(1.2 %) and sutural cataract, 1(1.2 %) but were all visually insignificant. Conclusions: The prevalence of VI among the staff of the Eye Centre of the KBTH was 9.5 %, all due to refractive errors. Other known causes of avoidable visual impairment and blindness encountered were glaucoma (14.3 %), macular scar (1.2 %) and cataract (1.2 %), all asymptomatic. Routine eye screening should be part of periodic medical examination for employees. Funding: None declared.

Assessment of different nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes for simultaneous removal of arsenic and boron from spent geothermal water.

One of the factors that determine agricultural crops' yield is the quality of water used during irrigation. In this study, we assessed the usability of spent geothermal water for agricultural irrigation after membrane treatment. Preliminary membrane tests were conducted on a laboratory-scale set up followed by mini-pilot scale tests in a geothermal heating center. In part I, three commercially available membranes (XLE BWRO, NF90, and Osmonics CK- NF) were tested using a cross-flow flat-sheet membrane testing unit (Sepa CF II, GE-Osmonics) under constant applied pressure of 20 bar. In part II, different spiral wound membranes (TR-NE90-NF, TR-BE-BW, and BW30) other than the ones used in laboratory tests were employed for the mini-pilot scale studies in a continuous mode. Water recovery and applied pressure were maintained constant at 60% and 12 bar, respectively. Performances of the membranes were assessed in terms of the permeate flux, boron and arsenic removals. In laboratory tests, the permeate fluxes were measured as 94.3, 87.9, and 64.3 L m-2 h-1 for XLE BWRO, CK-NF and NF90 membranes, respectively. The arsenic removals were found as 99.0%, 87.5% and 83.6% while the boron removals were 56.8%, 54.2%, and 26.1% for XLE BWRO, NF90 and CK-NF membranes, respectively. In field tests, permeate fluxes were 49.9, 26.8 and 24.0 L m-2 h-1 for TR-NE90-NF, BW30-RO and TR-BE-BW membranes, respectively. Boron removals were calculated as 49.9%, 44.1% and 40.7% for TR-BE-BW, TR-NE90-NF and BW30-RO membranes, respectively. Removal efficiencies of arsenic in mini-pilot scale membrane tests were all over 90%. Quality of the permeate water produced was suitable for irrigation in terms of the electrical conductivity (EC) and the total dissolved solids (TDS) for all tested membranes with respect to guidelines set by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation (TMEU). However, XLE BWRO, CK-NF and NF90 membranes failed to meet the required limits for irrigation in terms of boron and arsenic concentrations in the product water. The permeate streams of TR-BE-BW, TR-NE90-NF and BW30-RO membranes complied with the irrigation water standards in terms of EC, TDS and arsenic concentration while boron concentration remained above the allowable limit.

Farmers' choice of genotypes and trait preferences in tropically adapted chickens in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria.

This study aimed at determining chicken genotypes of choice and traits preference in chicken by smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Data were obtained from a total of 2063 farmers using structured questionnaires in five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Chi square (χ2) statistics was used to explore relationships between categorical variables. The mean ranks of the six genotypes and twelve traits of preference were compared using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H (with Mann-Whitney U test for post hoc separation of mean ranks), Friedman, and Wilcoxon signed-rank (with Bonferroni's adjustments) tests. Categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA) was used to assign farmers into groups. Gender distribution of farmers was found to be statistically significant (χ2 = 16.599; P ≤ 0.002) across the zones. With the exception of Shika Brown, preferences for chicken genotypes were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) influenced by agro-ecological zone. However, gender differentiated response was only significant (P ≤ 0.01) in Sasso chicken with more preference by male farmers. Overall, FUNAAB Alpha, Sasso, and Noiler chicken were ranked 1st, followed by Kuroiler (4th), Shika Brown (5th), and Fulani birds (6th), respectively. Within genotypes, within and across zones and gender, preferences for traits varied significantly (P ≤ 0.005 and P ≤ 0.01). Traits of preference for selection of chicken breeding stock tended towards body size, egg number, egg size, and meat taste. Spearman's rank order correlation coefficients of traits of preference were significant (P ≤ 0.01) and ranged from 0.22 to 0.90. The two PCs extracted, which explained 65.3% of the variability in the dataset, were able to assign the farmers into two groups based on preference for body size of cock and hen and the other ten traits combined. The present findings may guide the choice of appropriate chicken genotypes while the traits of economic importance may be incorporated into future genetic improvement and conservation programs in Nigeria.

Smallholder cattle farmers' breeding practices and trait preferences in a tropical Guinea savanna agro-ecological zone.

The present study was embarked upon to determine the breeding practices and choice of selection and breeding traits of cattle farmers in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 180 smallholder cattle herders were randomly sampled. However, analysis of data was restricted to 144 herders (81 from FCT and 63 from Nasarawa State). Primary data were collected through individual structured questionnaire administration. Chi-square (χ2) statistics were used to compare categorical variables. Arithmetic means of continuous variables between locations were tested using T test. Rank means were also calculated for within- and between-location comparisons of the preference traits. Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) algorithm was used to determine the influence of socio-economic parameters on the traits of preference. Access to credit, personal savings, and type of landholding were significantly (P < 0.05) different between the two locations with higher values recorded for farmers in FCT. However, farmers in Nasarawa State had significantly higher land expanse (2.28 ± 0.19 versus 1.29 ± 0.09). The production objectives were rated similar between locations. The number of foundation stock differed significantly between farmers in the two locations with higher mean recorded in Nasarawa (7.37 ± 0.37) compared to FCT (5.18 ± 0.19). However, mean herd size was higher (34.60 ± 2.58 versus 27.63 ± 2.00; P < 0.05) in FCT than Nasarawa. Among the productivity indices, only average age at first parturition and average calving interval were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by location. Within the FCT, calving interval was the trait of utmost importance in selecting the breeding stock, followed by milk yield, disease resistance, and body size. In Nasarawa State, calving interval, disease resistance, milk yield, body size, and survival were ranked similarly (P >0.05). Across the two locations, body conformation (P < 0.05) and calving interval (P < 0.01) were more highly rated in FCT than Nasarawa State, while heat tolerance was less rated (P < 0.05) in the former. All the traits of preference were influenced by socio-economic factors, and could be exploited in future breeding plans to boost cattle production. A new livestock census in the study area is also advocated to reflect the current reality as regards cattle distribution.

Predicting heat stress index in Sasso hens using automatic linear modeling and artificial neural network.

There is an increasing use of robust analytical algorithms in the prediction of heat stress. The present investigation therefore, was carried out to forecast heat stress index (HSI) in Sasso laying hens. One hundred and sixty seven records on the thermo-physiological parameters of the birds were utilized. They were reared on deep litter and battery cage systems. Data were collected when the birds were 42- and 52-week of age. The independent variables fitted were housing system, age of birds, rectal temperature (RT), pulse rate (PR), and respiratory rate (RR). The response variable was HSI. Data were analyzed using automatic linear modeling (ALM) and artificial neural network (ANN) procedures. The ALM model building method involved Forward Stepwise using the F Statistic criterion. As regards ANN, multilayer perceptron (MLP) with back-propagation network was used. The ANN network was trained with 90% of the data set while 10% were dedicated to testing for model validation. RR and PR were the two parameters of utmost importance in the prediction of HSI. However, the fractional importance of RR was higher than that of PR in both ALM (0.947 versus 0.053) and ANN (0.677 versus 0.274) models. The two models also predicted HSI effectively with high degree of accuracy [r = 0.980, R2 = 0.961, adjusted R2 = 0.961, and RMSE = 0.05168 (ALM); r = 0.983, R2 = 0.966; adjusted R2 = 0.966, and RMSE = 0.04806 (ANN)]. The present information may be exploited in the development of a heat stress chart based largely on RR. This may aid detection of thermal discomfort in a poultry house under tropical and subtropical conditions.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia in a 2-month old infant: a case report

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in young infants is easily misdiagnosed as bronchopneumonia yet survival of such patients lies in prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment. The report aimed to increase awareness among Paediatricians and Paediatric Surgeons of the need for high index of suspicion for this condition to allow for early diagnosis and management. A two-month old infant presented with a five-week history of cough of sudden onset and a week history of difficulty in breathing. He had been managed in several hospitals for bronchopneumonia. Examination findings showed features of respiratory distress, widespread coarse crepitations and bowel sounds in the lung fields. Chest radiograph showed `loops of bowel in the mediastinum. He had surgical reduction and repair of the hernia, made excellent recovery post-op and was discharged home. CDH is an uncommon anomaly but a high index of suspicion will allow early diagnosis and treatment with favourable outcome when picked early

Environmental factors that determine visual skill development of under-fives in a developing country.

INTRODUCTION: During the early years of life, children get most of their information by relying on their visual observation. Knowledge of visual skill development and environmental risk factors influencing it provides useful guide for early identification of children who may develop some form of visual impairment. AIM: The aim of this study is to describe the visual developmental pattern and determine the environmental risk factors associated with delay in the visual skill area of under-five children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 415 preschoolers aged 6-59 months. Visual function and visual comprehension were assessed using the Schedule of Growing Skills II tool (GL Assessment Ltd., London). Delay in the visual skill was defined as a developmental quotient in visual skill area below threshold point of 85%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) (95% CI). Alpha value was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean age of the children studied was 32.6 ± 15.9 months. The prevalence of delay in visual skill area was 17.1%. The odds of delay in visual skill were higher among children of first birth order (AOR 1.83; 95% CI 1.05-3.30), those who lived in large households (AOR 2.34; 95% CI 1.32-3.14), children whose mothers had secondary level education and below (AOR 2.21; 95% CI 1.31-3.83), and those whose fathers earned ≤$100 per month (AOR 1.75; 95% CI 1.01-3.03). CONCLUSION: Identification and management of environmental factors negatively affecting visual skill development will help improve on the visual skill area and invariably child development.

Diversity of Ochrobactrum species in food animals, antibiotic resistance phenotypes and polymorphisms in the blaOCH gene.

Twenty-six lactose non-fermenting, oxidase, urease and citrate-positive Gram-negative rods, isolated from broiler chickens, pigs and cattle at slaughter, were subjected to the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing for identification. Susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials was determined by the disc diffusion method. Ochrobactrum isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins were PCR-screened for the presence of the Ochrobactrum anthropi ampC gene (blaOCH). A 547-bp internal segment of blaOCH in the Ochrobactrum spp isolates was amplified with a newly designed primer set, and a phylogenetic reconstruction based on the complete amino acid sequence of blaOCH obtained from nine Ochrobactrum strains in our collection and 20 O. anthropi available in the GenBank was undertaken. All the Ochrobactrum isolates were resistant to the expanded-spectrum beta-lactams and streptomycin. None of the isolates was resistant to imipenem while 41.7% to 50.0% of them were resistant to fluoroquinolones. The blaOCH gene was detected in 16 (66.7%) and 20 (83.3%) of the 24 Ochrobactrum isolates (O. intermedium/O. tritici species), using primers designed for O. anthropi and the newly designed primer set, respectively. Six blaOCH variants grouped into two divergent clusters were identified. This is the first report of the complete nucleotide sequence of the blaOCH gene in non-antropi Ochrobactrum species.

Hemodialysis among pregnancy related acute kidney injury patients: A single center experience in North-Western Nigeria.

Pregnancy related acute kidney injury (PRAKI) patients that underwent hemodialysis (HD) between May 2007 and April 2015 were studied with specific reference to clinical features, laboratory values, duration of pregnancy at the diagnosis of acute kidney injury and outcome. It involved 38 patients aged between 15 and 30 years. The main clinical features were fever, edema and oliguria. The leading etiological factors included ante/postpartum hemorrhage, septic abortion, and toxemia of pregnancy. The majority of cases occurred during the third trimester. PRAKI is a dreaded complication of pregnancy with high morbidity and mortality. HD improved patient survival in our study.

Hemodialysis performance and outcomes among end stage renal disease patients from Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria.

The cost of managing end stage renal disease (ESRD) is prohibitive in Nigeria and the burden is solely borne by patients and their relatives. Despite increasing number of dialysis centers in urban areas, actual utilization of such facilities is very low. It is unclear if the outcomes of these patients have improved in recent times. We evaluated pattern of hemodialysis (HD) performance and outcome among ESRD patients. A 5-year prospective cross-sectional study of all ESRD patients on HD was undertaken. The final outcomes included duration on maintenance dialysis, death from inability to sustain dialysis, absconded, confirmed deaths within or outside health facility or referral for kidney transplant. A total of 540 (54%) of 976 cases of ESRD commenced HD, out of which 7 (1.3%) eventually had live-related kidney transplant in India. The male to female ratio was 2:1 with male and female mean ages of 43 ± 17 and 36 ± 16 years respectively. There was a progressive annual increase in the number of ESRD patients. The commonest underlying renal disorder was chronic glomerulonephritis. The mean HD session duration was 8.11 ± 5.4 hours, while the mean duration of stay on HD was 8.72 ± 1.0 weeks. In conclusion, ESRD is common and is being increasingly recognized. Financial constraint and late presentation are major contributory factors to poor outcomes despite the widespread availability of HD facilities. Therefore, effort should be geared towards aggressive strategies for early detection and treatment. Government commitment in terms of funding and/or subsidy for patient with ESRD is advocated.

Comparative Evaluation of Midventral and Flank Laparotomy Approaches in Goat.

The aim of the study was to compare two laparotomy approaches (flank and midventral). Ten (n = 10) apparently healthy goats of different breeds and sex, average age of 12 ± 2.1 months, and average weight of 13.4 ± 2 kg were used for the investigation. The goats were randomly divided into flank and midventral groups, each group comprising five goats (n = 5). Standard aseptic laparotomy was performed under lumbosacral epidural anaesthesia with mild sedation. Postsurgical wound score showed significant difference (P < 0.05) in erythema at 18-24 hours and 10-14 days after surgery between the two approaches; significant difference of dehiscence between the two groups was also recorded at 10-14 days after surgery. Total white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocytes counts were significantly different (P < 0.05) at the first and second week after surgery. There was significant difference of platelets critical value and platelets dimension width at the first and second week after surgery. Significant difference of packed cells volume between the two approaches was also recorded one week after surgery. It was concluded that midventral laparotomy approach can be conveniently and safely performed under aseptic precautions without fear of intra- and postoperative clinical problems.

Evaluation of three mathematical functions to describe the relationship between body weight, body condition and testicular dimensions in yankasa sheep / Evaluación de tres funciones matemáticas para describir la relación entre peso corporal, condición corporal y dimensión testicular en carneros yankasa

Body size and testicular measurements have been found to be important parameters utilized in breeding soundness evaluation. The present study therefore, aimed at determining the relationship between body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), testicular length (TL), testicular diameter (TD) and scrotal circumference (SC) in 120 extensively reared Yankasa rams (approximately 30 months old) using linear, quadratic and cubic predictive models. Coefficient of determination (R2), Adjusted R2, the estimate of Mallows' Cp, RMSE (Root mean squares error) and the parsimony principle (p=number of parameters) were used to compare the efficiency of the different models. Strong Pearson's correlation coefficients (r = 0.83-0.94; P<0.01) were found between BW, TL, TD and SC. Spearman correlations between BCS and other variables were also highly significant (r = 0.78-0.85; P<0.01). SC was the sole variable of utmost importance in estimating BW, which was best predicted using the cubic model. However, the optimal model for BW prediction comprised TD, SC and BCS with p, R2, Adjusted R2, RMSE and Cp values of 4, 0.948, 0.946, 1.673 and 4.85, respectively. The present findings could be exploited in husbandry and selection of breeding stock for sustainable sheep production especially within the resource-poor farming system under tropical and subtropical conditions.

El tamaño corporal y las mediciones testiculares son importantes parámetros utilizados en la evaluación del buen estado de reproducción. El presente estudio, tuvo como objetivo determinar la relación entre el peso corporal (PC), score de condición corporal (SCC), longitud testicular (LT), diámetro testicular (DT) y la circunferencia escrotal (CE) en 120 carneros Yankasa criados extensivamente (aproximadamente 30 meses de edad), utilizando modelos predictivos lineales, cuadráticos y cúbicos. Se utilizaron el coeficiente de determinación (R2), R2 ajustado, estimación Cp de Mallows, ERCM (errores de raíz cuadrada media) y el principio de parsimonia (p = número de parámetros) para comparar la eficiencia de los diferentes modelos. Un fuerte coeficiente de correlación de Pearson (r= 0,83-0,94, p<0,01 ) se encontró entre PC, LT, DT y CE. Las correlaciones de Spearman entre SCC y otras variables también fueron altamente significativas (r= 0,78-0,85, p<0,01). La CE fue la única variable de suma importancia en la estimación de PC, que fue predicha de mejor manera utilizando el modelo cúbico. Sin embargo, el modelo óptimo para la predicción del PC comprendiendo DT, CE y SCC con valores p, R2, R2 ajustado, ERCM y Cp de Mallows de 4; 0,948; 0,946; 1,673 y 4,85, respectivamente. Los presentes hallazgos podrían ser explotados en la cría y selección del ganado de cría para la producción sostenible de ovejas, en especial dentro de sistemas con escasos recursos agrícolas bajo condiciones tropicales y subtropicales.

Exercise-induced bronchospasm among school children in Gusau, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Childhood asthma was said to be rare in Northern Nigeria three decades ago. However, since then, there has been rapid industrial development with increase in especially textile and quarry factories. Hyperresponsiveness of the bronchi of asthmatic children to various challenge tests differentiate them from non-asthmatic children. One of these, the Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB) which is a reduction in post exercise Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), is widely used to define childhood asthma in epidemiological studies. To determine the current prevalence of asthma in childhood in a Northwestern Nigerian town, pupils aged 5-14 years were enrolled in the study. METHODS: A modified ISAAC questionnaire was administered and the subjects trained to use the peak flow meter. Pre exercise PEFR was obtained thereafter they were subjected to a six minute free running exercise challenge test and the best of three post exercise PEFR taken at intervals was obtained. EIB was taken as 15% reduction or more in post-exercise compared to pre-exercise PEFR. RESULTS: The prevalence of EIB was 6.0% (64/1067 subjects) while 12.7% (136/1067) had a history of wheeze. History of wheeze was found to be a sensitive (96.3%) but nonspecific (22.2%) indicator of childhood asthma. The highest prevalence of EIB was among children aged 10-14 years with male: female ratio 1.9:1. The location of the residence of the pupils did not significantly affect the prevalence of EIB. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of childhood asthma in this region is on the increase compared to earlier studies and there should be a high index of suspicion in children with suggestive symptoms who should then undergo further screening tests.

Feasibility tests for treating shampoo and hair colorant wastewaters using anaerobic processes.

Wastes from the personal care product (PCP) industry are often high in biodegradable carbon, which makes them amenable to aerobic biological treatment, although process costs are usually high due to aeration inefficiencies, high electricity demand and production of large amounts of sludge. As such, anaerobic treatment technologies are being considered to lower net energy costs by reducing air use and increasing methane production. To assess the amenability of PCP wastes to anaerobic treatment, methane yields and rates were quantified in different anaerobic reactors treating typical PCP wastes, including wastes from shampoo and hair colorant products. Overall, shampoo wastes were more amenable to methanogenesis with almost double the methane yields compared with colour wastes. To assess relevant microbial guilds, qPCR was performed on reactor biomass samples. Methanosaetaceae abundances were always significantly higher than Methanosarcinaceae and Methanomicrobiales abundances (P < 0.05), and did not differ significantly between waste types. Although colour wastes were less amenable to anaerobic treatment than shampoo wastes, differences cannot be explained by relative microbial abundances and probably result from the presence of inhibiting compounds in hair colorants (e.g., oxidants) at higher levels. Results showed that anaerobic technologies have great potential for treating PCP wastes, but additional work is needed to establish the basis of elevated methane yields and inhibition, especially when colorant wastes are present.

Morphometric differentiation of two Nigerian fish species (Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus) using principal components and discriminant analysis / Diferenciación morfométrica de dos especies de peces nigerianos (Oreochromis niloticus y Lates niloticus) utilizando análisis de componentes principales y análsis discriminante

Morphological differences between two close fish populations were investigated in Doma Dam, north central Nigeria using principal component and discriminant analyses. The purpose was to identify the two species correctly and assign them into distinct genetic groups. To achieve this, seven morphometric measurements (body weight, standard length, total length, head length, body depth, dorsal fin length and caudal fin length) were made on each of the studied 252 fish specimens (153 Oreochromis niloticus and 99 Lates niloticus). The analysis of variance showed that significantly (P<0.05) higher values were recorded for Lates niloticus in all the body traits examined, except dorsal fin length. From the principal component analysis, the differences between the species resulted mainly from dorsal fin length, body weight, caudal fin length and head length. The stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that standard length, dorsal fin length and caudal fin length were the three most discriminating variables useful to distinguish clearly the two species at mature age. These three variables with strong discriminating power correctly classified 98.0 percent of individuals from the sample of known-fish populations. The classification accuracy was cross-validated using split-sample method, and indicated a 97.6 percent success rate (98.0 percent of Oreochromis niloticus and 97.0 percent of Lates niloticus were correctly assigned). The results can provide a sound scientific basis for the effective management and sustainable exploitation of the genetic resources of the two species under subtropical conditions.

Las diferencias morfológicas entre dos poblaciones de peces similares se han investigado en Doma Dam, centro-norte de Nigeria utilizando análisis de componentes principales y análisis discriminante. El propósito fue identificar correctamente las dos especies y asignarlas a los distintos grupos genéticos. Para lograr esto, siete medidas morfométricas (peso corporal, longitud estándar, longitud total, longitud de la cabeza, profundidad del cuerpo, longitud de la aleta dorsal y la longitud de la aleta caudal) se realizaron en cada una de las muestras de los 252 peces estudiados (153 Oreochromis niloticus y 99 Lates niloticus) . El análisis de varianza mostró que de forma significativa (p<0,05) los valores más altos se registraron en Lates niloticus, en todos los rasgos del cuerpo examinado con excepción de la longitud de la aleta dorsal. A partir del análisis de componentes principales, las diferencias entre las especies se observó principalmente en la longitud de la aleta dorsal, el peso corporal, la longitud de la aleta caudal y longitud de la cabeza. El análisis discriminante reveló que la longitud estándar, longitud aleta dorsal y caudal son las tres variables más discriminatorias de utilidad para distinguir claramente las dos especies en la edad madura. Estas tres variables con fuerte poder de discriminación clasificaron correctamente el 98,0 por ciento de los individuos de la muestra de las poblaciones conocidas de peces. La exactitud de la clasificación fue sometida a una validación cruzada utilizando el método de la muestra dividida, la que indicó una tasa de éxito del 97,6 por ciento (98,0 por ciento de Oreochromis niloticus y 97,0 por ciento de Lates niloticus asignados correctamente). Los resultados pueden proporcionar una base científica sólida para el manejo eficaz y la explotación sostenible de los recursos genéticos de las dos especies en condiciones subtropicales.