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Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia is an important infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides and a major constraint to cattle production in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was aimed to identify pathological and histopathological lesions identified in cattle tentatively diagnosed with CBPP at Yola Modern Abattoir, Adamawa State. A total of 9,750 cattle were examined at post-mortem for a period of six months, 110 (1.13%) had lesions suggestive of CBPP out of which seventeen (17) were randomly selected and processed for histopathology based on standard laboratory protocols. Based on sex, CBPP lesion was observed more in female 63 (1.06%) than in the male 47 (1.24%). Whereas, CBPP lesions was observed highest in White Fulani breed 68 (1.14%) followed by Cross breeds 23 (91.16%) and Sokoto Gudali 19 (1.74%) and lowest in Red Bororo 10 (1.36%). There was insignificant statistical association (P>0.05) between CBPP lesions and sex and breed of cattle sampled. Age distribution of CBPP lesion was observed higher in cattle between ages of 4-7 years 79 (1.16%), followed by cattle of 1-3 years 28 (1.15%) and least in cattle less than 1 year 3 (0.60%) with significant statistical difference (P

The experiment was conducted to assess physical, chemical and total bacterial counts of ensiled Lablab and Hay as influenced by variety and periods in semi-arid region of Borno state. The experiment was carried out at the Animal Science Laboratory, University of Maiduguri. 50kg of fresh leaves from three Lablab varieties were used for the experiment. Size reduction was done in the first part to 3cm, wilted and 3kg were ensiled in mini silo then replicated three times, each variety were then subjected to 30, 40 and 50days fermentation and silage quality were analysed using Completely Randomized Design. The second part (25kg) was spilt into two, then cured under sun and under Shade for 3 days. Results showed no significant difference on the main effects of silage. CP for all the varieties ranges between 11.32 to 12.26%. Furthermore, there was significant difference observed on effects of days of silage on chemical composition. Silage at 50days recorded the highest DM and OM with 90.4 and 87.6% respectively. All fibre fraction in the period measured and interaction effects between varieties and days of silage had significant (P

Background: Whether systolic blood pressure (SBP) control in sustained volume-dependent primary hypertension is associated with blunted ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) relationships with indexes of volume load is unknown. Methods: Systemic hemodynamics (central pressure, echocardiographic aortic velocity and diameter measurements in the outflow tract), circulating ANP concentrations (ELISA assays) and glomerular and tubular function (24-hour urine collections [n=519]) were determined in a community of African ancestry (n=772). Results: As compared with those with a controlled SBP, those with an uncontrolled SBP (n=198) showed lower ANP concentrations ( P P + excretion (FeNa + ; P P P P P P >0.25), cardiac output ( P >0.29), FeNa + ( P >0.77), or glomerular filtration rate ( P >0.47) and ANP concentrations were noted. Furthermore, in those with an uncontrolled SBP, no relationships between ANP concentrations and SVR or Zc were observed ( P >0.34). Conclusions: In a population where primary hypertension is strongly volume-dependent, those with an uncontrolled SBP have an attenuated relationship between ANP and both renal and hemodynamic indexes of volume overload and the vascular effects of ANP.

The relative contribution of loading conditions at different ages across the full adult lifespan to decreases in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is unclear. Using central arterial pressure and aortic velocity and diameter measurements in the outflow tract, we determined the contribution of systemic vascular resistance, compression wave pressures (characteristic impedance [Zc]×aortic flow [Q], [P Q×Zc ]) and backward wave pressures (Pb) to LV diastolic function (echocardiography) in a community sample across the full adult lifespan (n=605). Starting from early adulthood, stepwise age-related increases in LV filling pressures (E/e’) and decreases in myocardial relaxation (e’) were noted ( P Q×Zc positively correlates with age, Pb, but not systemic vascular resistance was independently associated with LV mass index ( P P P Q×Zc positively correlates with age, again Pb, but neither P QxZc nor systemic vascular resistance was independently associated with LV mass index ( P P P

The genetic variability of sheep based on the leptin (exon 2) gene was evaluated. One hundred and sixty sheep comprising of 60, 50 and 50 of Yankasa (YB), Balami (BB) and Uda (UB) sheep respectively were used for the study. The genotypic frequencies of GG and GA were observed with the following valued of 0.5968 and 0.4032, 0.7105 and 0.2895 and, 0.5625 and 0.4375 for YB, BB and UB breeds, respectively. Corresponding frequencies of alleles were 0.7984 and 0.2016, 0.8553 and 0.1447 and, 0.7813 and 0.2188 for G and A respectively. The frequency of G allele and genotype GG was higher than that of A allele and genotypes GA for all the breeds. The Chi square test showed that genotypic distributions in all the population were within Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the studied populations (P > 0.05). Level of genetic diversity was observed of the gene locus. The observed heterozygosity for YB, BB and UB were 0.678, 0.752 and 0.658 respectively. The corresponding expected heterozygosity was 0.322, 0.248 and 0.342 for YB, BB and UB respectively. The expected heterozygosity (He) values were consistently lower than the observed heterozygosity (Ho). The higher values of observed heterozygosity indicated a relatively high level of genetic diversity of leptin exon 2 genes among the population. The Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) of 0.27 and 0.28 were observed in Yankasa and Uda breeds, Balami breed had lower value of 0.21. In conclusion the leptin locus for the three populations varied, Y and U population had moderate level of polymorphism information content. The molecular phylogenic analysis suggested that YB and UB breeds had closer association.

Through both backward (Pb) and forward (Pf) wave effects, a lower heart rate (HR) associates with increased central (PPc), beyond brachial pulse pressure (PP). However, the relative contribution to Pf of aortic flow (Q) versus re-reflection of Pb, has not been determined. Using central pressure, aortic velocity and diameter measurements in the outflow tract (echocardiography), we constructed central pressure waveforms that account for the relative contribution of Q versus re-reflection to Pf. We thus evaluated the mechanisms of HR-PPc relations in a community sample (n=824) and the impact of age thereon. Inverse HR-PPc ( P P =0.064) relations were noted. The slope of HR-PPc relation was increased in older adults ( P P P P P P

AIMS To determine whether the confounding influence of stroke work on left ventricular mass (LVM) limits the ability of LVM to detect hypertensive LV dysfunction in systemic flow-dependent hypertension. METHODS In a community with prevalent systemic flow-dependent hypertension (n = 709), arterial haemodynamics, LVM and LV function were determined using central arterial pressure, aortic velocity and diameter measurements in the outflow tract, and echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. RESULTS In multivariate models, stroke work showed markedly stronger relations with LVM index (LVMI) than blood pressure load [central arterial SBP (SBPc), backward wave pressure (Pb), 24-h SBP] (P

AIMS Although the development of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in hypertension has traditionally been viewed as a transition process from a phase of structural LV remodelling to dysfunction, the extent to which LV mass (LVM) and remodelling account for blood pressure (BP)-associated alterations in LV diastolic function is uncertain. In product of coefficient mediation analysis, we aimed to determine the extent to which LVM index (LVMI) or relative wall thickness (RWT) account for relations between BP and LV diastolic function. METHODS In 709 randomly selected participants from a community sample with a high prevalence of hypertension (49.6%), we determined BP and LVMI, RWT and several indices of diastolic function from transmitral blood flow and myocardial tissue Doppler (E/A, e'/a', e' and E/e') and left atrial volume using standard echocardiographic techniques. RESULTS With adjustments for confounders, LVMI (P

Background Although obesity‐associated metabolic abnormalities (insulin resistance‐IR) may not play as marked a role in determining left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) as hypertension, the impact of combinations of these risk factors on DD is unknown. Hypothesis We hypothesized that IR influences the impact of hypertension on DD. Methods In 704 randomly selected participants from a community sample with a high prevalence of hypertension (50.6%) and obesity (46.5%), we determined adiposity indices, IR from the homeostasis model (HOMA‐IR) and LV diastolic function using standard echocardiographic techniques. Results HOMA‐IR was independently associated with lateral wall e' and E/e' (P < 0.05 to P < 0.005) as well as a diagnosis of DD (P < 0.02). Importantly, however, an enhanced relationship between HOMA‐IR and E/e' in hypertensives (n = 356, partial r = 0.15, P < 0.005) as compared to normotensives (n = 348, partial r = 0.02 P = 0.75) was noted. Consequently, as compared to normotensives, with adjustments for confounders, hypertension was independently associated with DD only in those with the highest tertile of HOMA‐IR (odds ratio = 2.65, 95% confidence interval = 1.29‐5.42, P < 0.01), while in those with the lowest tertile of HOMA‐IR, hypertension failed to show a higher prevalence of DD (P = 0.22). Conclusions Insulin resistance enhances the impact of hypertension on LV DD. Thus, DD is more likely to occur with the combination of hypertension and IR.

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder with a highly complex, multifaceted and intricate etiologies and thus may require management options that proffers multimodal mechanism of action. This present study evaluated the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract/fractions of leaves of Ocimum canum. Methods: The antidiabetic potential was evaluated and using STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rat model (in vivo) and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity (in vitro). Antioxidant activity was assessed in vitro by free radical scavenging and reducing power assays and in vivo via monitoring SOD and CAT activities; GSH and MDA levels. Results: The total phenolic content (221.0±3.0 mg catechol/g of sample) and tannins (146.0±4.0 mg tannic acid/g of sample) of the crude extract; and flavonoid of the aqueous-methanol fraction (216.0.0±1.0 mg of rutin/g of sample) were found to be significantly higher relative to others. The crude extract and the aqueous-methanol fraction exhibited a significantly (p

BACKGROUND Whether in volume-dependent primary hypertension, concentric left ventricular (LV) remodeling beyond hypertrophy (LVH) represents the impact of a pressure rather than a volume overload, is unclear. METHODS Using central arterial pressure, and aortic velocity and diameter measurements in the outflow tract (echocardiography), we determined the factors that associate with concentric LVH or remodeling in a community of African ancestry (n = 709) with prevalent volume-dependent primary hypertension. RESULTS Both left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were positively and independently associated with end diastolic volume (EDV), stroke volume (SV), and peak aortic flow (Q) (P < 0.05 to CONCLUSIONS In volume-dependent primary hypertension, concentric LVH is determined as much by volume-dependent increases in systemic flow and an enhanced BP as eccentric LVH. Concentric remodeling nevertheless reflects decreases in systolic function beyond LVH.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • The extracts revealed cytotoxic potential which was most prominent in the acetone fractions • Vigrant, bridged, attached, and sticky chromosomal aberrations were observed more prominently • Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins and tannins. • Ethylacetate fraction of T. bangwensis and acetone fraction of M. oleifera exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity., Medicinal plants are considered two-edged swords. They are pharmacologically beneficial and sometimes toxic when abused. The health benefit of medicinal plant is due to their abundant phytochemical endowment. The present study is aimed at evaluating the biosafety potentials of methanol extracts/fractions of Tapinanthus bangwensis (T. bangwensis) and Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaves using Allium cepa (A. cepa) model. Cytotoxicity assay was carried out by A. epa model. The cytotoxicity parameters studied were number of dividing cells, percentage mitotic index (% MI), root tip growth length and chromosomal aberrations. The phytochemistry was determined by UV-spectrophotometry while 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) were used to assay antioxidant activity. The A. cepa assay result showed that the inhibitory effect of M. oleifera on root tip growth length was higher compared to T. bangwensis at 60-100mg/100ml concentrations. Decreased number of dividing cells and percentage mitotic index as concentrations increased observed indicate cytotoxicity however the acetone fractions were most cytotoxic. The frequently occurring chromosomal aberrations observed were vagrant, bridged, attached and sticky chromosomes while C-mitosis and binuclear chromosomes were not observed. Therefore cytotoxic effect was significant at 100mg/100ml. The phytochemical screening of methanol extracts/fractions of T. bangwensis and M. oleifera leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins and tannins however saponins were significantly abundant in both plants compared to others. Alkaloid content was found to be low but was not detected in the acetone fractions of the plants. Methanol extracts/fractions of the plants' leaves exhibited antioxidant activities but was more prominent in the ethylacetate fraction of T. bangwensis and acetone fraction of M. oleifera. In conclusion, administration at 100mg/100ml could be unsafe for the biological system.

Although accounting for a striking proportion of obesity effects on blood pressure (BP) in other populations, the extent to which obesity-associated increases in BP are explained by insulin resistance and metabolic changes in populations of African ancestry is uncertain. We determined the contribution of insulin resistance and associated metabolic abnormalities to variations in office or ambulatory BP in a black African community with prevalent obesity and hypertension. In 1225 randomly selected participants of black South African ancestry (age>16years, 43.1% obese, 47.4% abdominal obesity), we assessed adiposity indexes, the homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and associated metabolic abnormalities and office or ambulatory (n ​= ​798) BP. In separate models, waist circumference (p ​

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Aim this study is to evaluate cytotoxic & genotoxic Potentials of different solvents extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaf. • Mitotic index decreases with increase in dose concentration of these extracts. • Dose dependent decrease in root tip growth except ethanol extract. • Effective Concentration of extracts are aqueous (81.30), ethanol (52.01), Ethylacetate (90.68) and hexane (112.30) mg/L. • Chromosomal aberrations such as vagrant, c-mitosis, bridged anaphase, sticky Telophase were predominant. • Evaluated parameters in the plant extracts suggest cytotoxic and genotoxic effects., Previous studies showed that Ziziphus mauritiana is ethnomedicinally beneficial against various diseases, however the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of this plant have not been well investigated. Therefore this study was undertaken to investigate cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of four different solvents extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana (Lam) leaf at different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/L) using Allium cepa model. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity parameters evaluated were mitotic index, root tip growth length and chromosomal aberration respectively. The result revealed a decrease in mitotic index percentage (%MI) and a dose dependent decrease in root tip length with increase in extracts concentration for all the extracts studied - with the ethanol extract showing the most significant effect in mitotic index. Furthermore, the effective concentrations (EC50) obtained were 81.30, 52.01, 90.68 and 112.30 mg/l for aqueous, ethanol, ethyl acetate and hexane extract respectively. Finally chromosomal aberrations such as vagrant chromosome, c-mitosis, bridged anaphase, sticky telophase were also observed in all four extracts and the percentage chromosomal aberration were observed to decrease with increased concentrations of extracts. Therefore based on the result obtained in this study it may be concluded that the plant (Ziziphus mauritiana (Lam)) extracts are cytotoxic and genotoxic in nature and the observed decrease in percentage chromosomal aberration may be as a result of antimutagenic bioactive principles present in the plant extracts. Hence care must be taken in its consumption and use in folk medicine.

Supplementary_Figures_R2 for Methanol-Extract/Fractions of Dacryodes edulis Leaves Ameliorate Hyperglycemia and Associated Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats by Chimaobi J. Ononamadu, Adamu J. Alhassan, Aminu Ibrahim, Abdullahi A. Imam, Godwin O. Ihegboro, Tajudeen A. Owolarafe and Mohammed S. Sule in Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine