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Marek's disease (MD) and chicken infectious anaemia (CIA) are viral immunosuppressive diseases of poultry caused by the MD virus (MDV) and CIA virus (CIAV) respectively. Despite vaccination against MD, the incidence of the disease in vaccinated poultry flocks in Nigeria persists. However, underlying factors like co-infection with CIAV have not been investigated in the country. This study was designed to investigate possible co-infections of MDV and CIAV in poultry flocks in Nigeria. In 2016, tumorous tissue samples were collected from suspected cases of MD at necropsy in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The samples collected were fixed in formalin for histopathological examination, genomic DNA was extracted from a second part and analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), targeting the meq and VP1 genes of the MDV and CIAV, respectively. The histology results revealed that the cutaneous and proventricular lymphomas were characterized by large numbers of mononuclear cellular infiltrates admixed with heterophils. The PCR results revealed that MDV was detected in 66.7% (16/24), CIAV in 45.8% (11/24), and co-infections of MDV and CIAV were detected in 45.8% (11/24) of the samples analysed. In addition, co-infections of MD and CIA were recorded in 100% (6/6) and 27.7% (5/18) of broilers and layer/pullet’ samples respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the meq gene sequences revealed that the Nigerian MDV clusters with very virulent MDV from Egypt and Italy. While, CIAV sequences were genotype II and genotype III and clustered with CIAVs from Cameroon and China. This is the first report of co-infections of MD and CIA in Nigeria.

Background. In early 2010, outbreaks of lead poisoning due to artisanal gold mining in villages in the northwest Nigerian state of Zamfara have resulted in the death of hundreds of children < 5 years old. There have also been unconfirmed reports of high mortality of geese within these villages. Objectives. To report a case of lead poisoning in three domestic free-range chickens found in one of the affected communities where illegal small-scale gold mining activities take place. Methods. Three free-range domestic chickens were presented during a field investigation in one of the villages. The birds were observed to be emaciated, weak, showing nervous manifestations and moribund. Results. Tissue extracts of liver, spleen and intestines were negative for Newcastle viral antigens, while cultures of liver and spleen biopsy were positive for Escherichia coli. Histopathological lesions were observed in the kidney, proventriculus and brain. Concentrations of lead in the tissues ranged between 7.5 mg/kg and 120.5 mg/kg wet weight, and the potential daily intake of lead in the tissues were estimated at 34.06–200.15 μg/day/kg body weight with an average of 118.37 μg/day/kg body weight. Conclusions. The results of the present study suggest probable risk to human health due to the consumption of chicken contaminated by lead in the affected villages. Poisoning in animal populations may serve as a sentinel to assess the extent of environmental contamination and human health problems related to lead. Ethics Approval. Protocols were approved and performed in accordance with relevant local guidelines and regulations as set by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Characterization of complex sand reservoirs in deepwater of Niger Delta was carried out through petrophysical and rock physics evaluation of well log data from three wells. Petrophysical analysis to determine clay volume, porosity, lithologies, and hydrocarbon saturation were made. Rock physics was studied in a velocity-porosity plane to analyze the influence of depositional and diagenetic features on the reservoirs. Cross-plots of different elastic parameters, using linear regression and cluster analysis, were generated for lithologic and fluid fill identification and to differentiate between the hydrocarbon bearing sands, brine sands, and shale. Variance attribute was extracted on seismic time slice in order to image the complex sand distribution in the area. Three reservoirs of turbidite origin were identified within the upper fan to lower fan area. Petrophysical results revealed gas bearing reservoir units with less than 20% shale volume and porosity of 25-31%. Lambda-Mu-Rho (LMR) cross-plots for the reservoirs show gas saturated data cloud and trend. Ratio-Difference (R-D) cluster analysis of elastic rock properties shows a distinct trend and data cloud that represents lithofacies units and fluid fills. The study concludes that the reservoirs simulated contact cement and friable models with properties that ranged from highly porous, well sorted and poorly consolidated sand to fairly sorted and highly cemented sands. The results provide a model that increases the possibility of finding reservoir sand while mitigating the risk involved in finding hydrocarbons.

The environmental and biodiversity benefits of organic farming are widely recognized, but there is still controversy about the effects of organic production methods on the nutritional composition of food and human health. In the first part of this article therefore, we critically review the evidence that organic farming methods improve the nutritional quality of food crops. Moreover, we summarize our current understanding of how quality gains are linked to the implementation of the “innovations” introduced into conventional crop production during the intensification or “green revolution” of agriculture over the last 100 years. In the second part of the article, we critically review the evidence for the range of health benefits related to organic food consumption. Specifically, we describe and discuss the results from: (i) dietary intervention studies which have found that organic food consumption substantially reduces pesticide exposure in humans and affects feed intake, growth, hormone balances and immune system responsiveness in animal models; (ii) human cohort/epidemiological studies which have reported significant positive associations between organic food consumption and the lower incidence of a range of diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, hypospadias, pre-eclampsia, eczema and middle ear infections in infants; (iii) interactions and trade-offs between diet (e.g., whole-grain, fruit and vegetables and reduced red-meat consumption) and food types (organic versus conventional) concerning public health and future food security. The article also identifies knowledge gaps and highlights the need for (i) long-term, factorial field experiments to understand the relative effects of agronomic and pedoclimatic drivers on crop quality and safety, and (ii) clinical trials and additional human cohort studies to confirm the positive health outcomes linked to organic food consumption. The main conclusions from our review are that there is growing evidence that (i) agricultural intensification has resulted in a reduction in the nutritional quality of food and the sustainability of food production, and (ii) organic farming practices not only improve food quality and human health, but also food security. This is particularly true where current nutritional guidelines (increasing whole-grain, fruit and vegetable products, while reducing red-meat consumption) are implemented.

Canine pathologies refer to the various diseases, disorders, and abnormalities that can affect a dog's different body systems and cause mortality. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the common pathologies that are associated with the mortality of dogs in Ilorin, Kwara State. A retrospective review of post-mortem records from 7 years was undertaken at a necropsy unit of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ilorin. Data collected included age, sex, breed, disease pathogens, and year. A total of 150 dog carcasses were presented for necropsy during the period between January 2016 and December 2022. In this study, the cases used were confirmed based on PCR results in some cases, bacterial culture and isolation, parasite identification, gross lesions, and histopathological findings in other cases. Descriptive statistics were employed to evaluate the effect of disease pathogens on age, sex, and breed distribution patterns associated with the mortality of dogs. The prevalence of viral infection among other diseases was statistically significant (34.00%; OR = 0.53; P<0.01). The percentage prevalence of each disease showed that bacterial infections were evident, with Staphylococcosis being the most prevalent at 49.01%, followed by Salmonellosis at 7.84%, Leptospirosis at 23.53%, and Brucellosis at 19.6%. Parasitic infections were also notable, encompassing canine babesiosis (34.80%), acariosis (39.10%), and canine ehrlichiosis (26.08%). Toxicosis cases were largely dominated by diclovous poisoning, constituting 88.88% of instances, while medication toxicity was observed in 11.11% of cases. Neoplastic conditions were represented by hepatic lymphoma, with a prevalence of 1%, while nutritional deficiencies included hepatic lipidosis, noted in 1% of cases. Traumatic injuries were common, with bone fracture having the highest prevalence at 66.67% and muscle laceration observed in 33.33% of cases. Intestinal obstruction cases, specifically gastric impaction, were noted in 1% of cases. Viral infections comprised parvovirus infection with the highest prevalence at 81%, and canine distemper was observed in 18.92% of cases. In conclusion, this study has exposed the leading causes of mortalities among the dog population, which include parvovirus enteritis, staphylococcosis, and acariosis infections. The emphasis should be on preventive measures to curtail disease transmission and associated financial loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine Parvovirus enteritis (CPV-2) is a highly infectious viral disease occurring in puppies resulting in high mortality with a myriad of clinical signs, hematological and biochemical changes during the progression of the disease. This study investigated hematological and biochemical changes in 30 CPV-positive dogs in Ibadan, Nigeria. Severe non-regenerative anemia (35.71%) and leukopenia (22 cases) were prevalent. Thrombocytopenia was severe in 73.33% of cases. Further analysis revealed normocytic hypochromic anemia in 42.86%, microcytic hypochromic anemia in 28.57%, and leukopenia categorized as mild (5), moderate (12), or severe (5). Biochemical changes included hyperproteinemia (26.7%), hyperalbuminemia, hyperglobulinemia, and elevated liver enzymes in some cases. Renal dysfunction was evident in 16.7% of dogs with elevated creatinine. Significant differences (p

Background: After the first Avian Influenza H5N1 outbreak in Nigerian poultry in 2006, subsequent waves of outbreaks occurred, causing substantial losses. Despite effective control measures by 2008, a resurgence in 2015 led to further losses and required depopulation efforts. Aim: The aim of this study was to do Pathology and molecular detection of influenza A subtype H9N2 virus in commercial poultry in Nigeria during 2024. Methods: In February 2024, a poultry farmer reported high mortality in his mixed commercial poultry flock in Ibadan, Nigeria, submitting carcasses to the University of Ibadan's V.T.H. and the FAO Regional Laboratory at NVRI, Vom. Results: Necropsy of nine Isa Brown layers and three Abor Acre broilers revealed cyanosis of comb and wattles, generalized petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhages including shank haemorrhages with sinusitis, pneumonia, and severe greenish faecal pasting also observed. At histopathology, denudation of the tracheal epithelia and parabronchial epithelial necrosis, obliteration, with airsac oedema and emphysema were observed. At NVRI, qPCR detected an Influenza A H9N2 virus in several pooled organ samples of layers, and broilers and eliminating the avian infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease viruses. Conclusion: This is the first report of H9N2 outbreak in commercial poultry in Southern Nigeria. The high pathogenicity shown in commercial poultry in this outbreak and the risk of dispersal of infected live poultry in Nigeria as previously seen in H5N1 require stakeholders' intervention. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(9.000): 2381-2391]

To investigate Eschericia coli infections in poultry flocks, 291 tissue samples from 237 necropsied carcasses submitted from ninety-nine (99) poultry flocks in north central Nigeria were analysed. These flocks comprised layer chicken, broiler, pullet, cockerel, turkey, quail, guinea fowl and ducks. Tissue samples were pre-enriched in 10 mL buffered peptone water media and aliquots were inoculated into selective enrichment broth, sub-cultured on Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar and MacConkey agar (MCA) and colonies of E. coli was examined based on cultural morphological characteristics. Layer poultry and laying quails exhibited reproductive lesions which correlates with history of disruption and reduction in egg production. Antibiotics resistance rate was significant (p <0.01) with macrolide and penicillin classes being the most resistant antibiotics in layers and broiler, while quinolones and aminoglycoside were most significantly susceptible (p <0.01). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was found in 56% of the E. coli isolates, with high prevalence in younger birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) induces benign tumors of cutaneous or mucosa epithelia, called papillomas or warts in cattle and generally regress without eliciting any serious clinical problems in the host, but occasionally persist and provide the focus for malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma. This has a negative implication in beef and hide industry. There is paucity of information on the comparative pathology and molecular detection of BPVs in different breeds of nomadic cattle. Consequently, 340 nomadic cattle grazing in Plateau state Nigeria were screened clinically for papillomatosis followed by histopathology. Lesion consistent with papillomatosis were further investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC), Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electron microscopy. Twenty cattle (0.06%) of Friesian, Zebu, Muturu and White Fulani breeds had cutaneous papilloma and skin lesions of the head, neck, shoulders, legs, dorsum, lower abdomen and scrotum. However, only 16 (0.05%) cattle skin biopsy samples were consistent with papillomatosis histopathologically revealing varying degrees of hyperplastic epidermis with acanthosis and orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. Nuclei in the granular layer of the epidermis were IHC positive for Bovine papillomavirus type I antigen while skin biopsy was BPV-1 E5 oncoprotein gene positive by PCR. Electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes consistent with Bovine papillomavirus infection. The distribution and severity of lesion varied in different breeds of nomadic cattle. The detection, diagnosis and characterization of papillomavirus in these cattle enabled the development of autogenous vaccine to immunized cattle. This study highlighted the comparative pathology and molecular characterization of BPVs in different breeds of nomadic cattle, which hitherto was lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the character of Yoruba video viewers, the style of marketing and the politics of choice in Ogbomoso, a Nigerian town located on the northern fringes of Qyo [...]

This study offers an interpretation of driving signs used in interpersonal communication. Questionnaires were administered in a university setting to faculty members to assess the manner in which 'parking' is used. Religious affiliations of the respondents are related to social identities, and the results suggest that religion serves as a direct influence on motorists who park off the road to communicate with other drivers. The findings further suggest that within the specific cultural milieu described, parking connotes respect for family members.

Summary:. Healthcare disparities remain a significant problem facing the US healthcare system with recent evidence of persistent racial and ethnic disparities especially among patients from minority backgrounds. Recent studies have documented advantages to a racially and ethnically diverse surgical workforce such as higher patient satisfaction scores, superior patient compliance with physician recommendations, and increased participation in clinical research studies by minority patients. In plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS), there is a noted deficit among residents and faculty that come from ethnically underrepresented in medicine (URiM) backgrounds despite recent efforts to increase diversity in PRS surgeons. URiM medical students from three of the four historically Black medical universities organized to discuss pathways to PRS. Operation Diversify Plastic Surgery is a student-led organization that was developed to address the lack of diversity in PRS, challenges faced by students from institutions that lack PRS residency training programs, and unique factors that affect URiM students interested in PRS. Available studies note that mentoring relationships and research opportunities were instrumental in recruiting URiM students into PRS residency programs. Operation Diversify Plastic Surgery is an innovative solution to the insufficient URiM PRS residency candidate pool by increasing medical student exposure to PRS via educational lectures, virtual mentoring opportunities, and insights into research fellowships.

Cutaneous scabs were seen on the nares and shanks in three grower turkeys in a mixed turkey-chicken flock in Langtang-north LGA of Plateau State, Nigeria. A chicken in the flock had diphtheritic membrane covering the mucous membranes of the oro-pharynx and the turkeys had cutaneous pox lesions on the nares and shank. Fowlpox virus infection was diagnosed by gross and histopathology and confirmed by isolation of the virus in chorioallantoic membrane of 9-12 weeks chicken embryonating eggs. The DNA of Fowl Pox Virus (FPV) was detected in the cutaneous scabs of the turkey and chicken using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) which amplified a 578 base pairs fragment of the 4b core protein gene. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the fowlpox virus responsible for this infection clustered with the sublineage A1 genotype of clade A of fowlpox virus and shares 98% homology with the vaccine strain produced in Nigeria. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank under the accession number MK435242. Our results confirmed the presence of FPV in the turkeys and suggest a predisposition by the chickens. We therefore suggest vaccination for small holder poultry to mitigate against mortality in turkeys and chickens and molecular epidemiology of fowlpox viruses in Nigeria to unravel viral evolution.

To investigate Eschericiacoli infections in poultry flocks, 291 tissue samples from 237 necropsied carcasses submitted from ninety-nine (99) poultry flocks in north central Nigeria were analysed. These flocks comprised layer chicken, broiler, pullet, cockerel, turkey, quail, guinea fowl and ducks. Tissue samples were pre-enriched in 10 mL buffered peptone water media and aliquots were inoculated into selective enrichment broth, sub-cultured onEosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar and MacConkey agar (MCA) and colonies of E. coli was examined based on cultural morphological characteristics. Layer poultry and laying quails exhibited reproductive lesions which correlates with history of disruption and reduction in egg production. Antibiotics resistance rate was significant (p

Characterization of complex sand reservoirs in deepwater of Niger Delta was carried out through petrophysical and rock physics evaluation of well log data from three wells. Petrophysical analysis to determine clay volume, porosity, lithologies and hydrocarbon saturation were made. Rock physics was studied in velocity-porosity plane to analyze the influence of depositional and diagenetic features on the reservoirs. Cross-plots of different elastic parameters, using linear regression and cluster analysis, were generated for lithologic and fluid fill identification and to differentiate between the hydrocarbon bearing sands, brine sands and shale. Variance attribute was extracted on seismic time slice in order to image the complex sand distribution in the area. Three reservoirs of turbidite origin were identified within the upper fan to lower fan area. Petrophysical results revealed gas bearing reservoir units with less than 20% shale volume and porosity of 25-31%. Lambda-Mu-Rho (LMR) cross-plots for the reservoirs show gas saturated data cloud and trend. Ratio-Difference (R-D) cluster analysis of elastic rock properties shows a distinct trend and data cloud that represents lithofacies units and fluid fills. The study concludes that the reservoirs simulated contact cement and friable models with properties that ranged from highly porous, well sorted and poorly consolidated sand to fairly sorted and highly cemented sands. The results provide a model that increases the possibility of finding reservoir sand, while mitigating the risk involved in finding hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) induces benign tumors of cutaneous or mucosa epithelia, called papillomas or warts in cattle and generally regress without eliciting any serious clinical problems in the host, but occasionally persist and provide the focus for malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma. This has a negative implication in beef and hide industry. There is paucity of information on the comparative pathology and molecular detection of BPVs in different breeds of nomadic cattle. Consequently, 340 nomadic cattle grazing in Plateau state Nigeria were screened clinically for papillomatosis followed by histopathology. Lesion consistent with papillomatosis were further investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC), Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electron microscopy. Twenty cattle (0.06%) of Friesian, Zebu, Muturu and White Fulani breeds had cutaneous papilloma and skin lesions of the head, neck, shoulders, legs, dorsum, lower abdomen and scrotum. However, only 16 (0.05%) cattle skin biopsy samples were consistent with papillomatosis histopathologically revealing varying degrees of hyperplastic epidermis with acanthosis and orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. Nuclei in the granular layer of the epidermis were IHC positive for Bovine papillomavirus type I antigen while skin biopsy was BPV-1 E5 oncoprotein gene positive by PCR. Electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes consistent with Bovine papillomavirus infection. The distribution and severity of lesion varied in different breeds of nomadic cattle. The detection, diagnosis and characterization of papillomavirus in these cattle enabled the development of autogenous vaccine to immunized cattle. This study highlighted the comparative pathology and molecular characterization of BPVs in different breeds of nomadic cattle, which hitherto was lacking.

Traumatic ventriculitis or hardware disease is the gizzard perforation by sharp foreign bodies (metallic or sharp object) that leads to ulcerative lesions.The present Case Report was to investigate through post mortem examination the cause of African ostrich death. Necropsy was conducted on a dead male adult African Ostrich presented to the postmortem unit of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. The gross lesions showed multifocal ecchymotic and petechial haemorrhages and lacerations on the left shank and thigh as well as the cloaca and vent of the bird. A perforation of the proventriculus with adhesion of a pointed nail-like metallic sharp object of 9.4 cm in length was observed. Histopathological findings revealed obliteration of tubular and vascular congestion which predisposed the animal to metabolic disorder.

The paper critically examines the relationship between the idea of moral placards and the existence of Yorùbá heroes and heroines. It takes as its starting point the philosophical import of the Yoruba proverb. Ọjọ́ a bá kú là ń dère, èèyàn ò sunwọ̀n láàyè (It is on the day one dies that one becomes an idol; no one is appreciated when alive). The paper argues that in the imagination, reality, and social constructions of the Yorùbá, desirable existence would make the dead, and not a living person, a deity, hero or heroine. It further argues that because Yorùbá society permits the co-existence and co[1]extensiveness of individual and public moral placards which is not regarded as an entirely closed system, an otherwise depersonalized person can later become a hero/deity/heroine. Basically, therefore, public moral placard can be revised to accommodate new values, give rise to new class of people, and establish for them an enviable status. These arguments are then deployed to the understanding of the nature of heroes and heroines within the Nigerian post-independence polity.