Intestinal starch and energy digestibility in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with α-amylase

Dietary starch is the major energy source for broiler chickens; therefore, relevant information on its intestinal utilization is important. The present study was designed to evaluate intestinal starch and energy digestibility of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with α-amylase. A total of 240 day-0 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 3 nutritionally adequate corn-soybean-based experimental diets comprising 3 levels of α-amylase supplementation (0, 80, or 160 KNU/kg diet). Each treatment comprised 8 replicate cages of 10 birds each. At day 21 after hatching, digesta was collected from 4 intestinal sites: the anterior jejunum (AJ), posterior jejunum (PJ), anterior ileum (AI), and posterior ileum. Increasing α-amylase supplementation linearly improved (P < 0.01) overall BW gain and feed efficiency of the birds. There were linear and quadratic (P < 0.01) responses of increasing α-amylase supplementation on starch and energy digestibility at the PJ and AI. The total tract digestibility of starch increased (P < 0.05) with increasing α-amylase supplementation. Starch disappearance and digestible energy (kcal/kg) linearly increased (P < 0.01) with digesta flow from the AJ to PJ as dietary α-amylase supplementation increased. There were linear (P < 0.01) and quadratic (P < 0.05) effects of increasing α-amylase supplementation on the villus height in the jejunum. The viscosity of the jejunal digesta decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary α-amylase supplementation. The results from this study showed the efficacy of exogenous amylase in improving growth performance and starch and energy digestibility in broiler chickens. Furthermore, the digestibility of starch and energy and the impact of the exogenous amylase were higher at the PJ than other intestinal sites.

Growth performance and amino acid digestibility responses of broiler chickens fed diets containing purified soybean trypsin inhibitor and supplemented with a monocomponent protease

Trypsin inhibitors (TI) resident in soybeans affects protein utilization. While heat treatment influences residual TI, it simultaneously affects the structure and solubility of the soybean proteins and confounds any response to exogenous proteases. Using purified TI, the effect of exogenous protease to TI can be dissociated from changes in the soybean protein. Thus, the current study was designed to evaluate the growth performance and protein utilization responses of broiler chickens to purified TI and exogenous protease. Soybean meal (SBM) was preanalyzed for basal TI (2,996 TIU/g SBM), formulated into nutritionally adequate experimental diets to contain 1,033 TIU/g diet, and purified TI was added at 9,000 TIU/g diet. A total of 320 Cobb-500 broiler chicks were allocated to 4 diets, each with 8 replicate cages and 10 birds per replicate. The experimental diets were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with factors being dietary TI (1,033 or 10,033 TIU/g) and exogenous protease (0 or 15,000 PROT/kg). On day 7, 14, and 21 posthatching, protease supplementation improved the BW gain (P < 0.01) and gain to feed ratio (P < 0.05) of birds. On day 14 and 21 posthatching, the relative weight of pancreas increased (P < 0.05) with added TI but was reduced (P < 0.001) with protease supplementation. Apparent ileal digestibility of all amino acids, except methionine, decreased (P < 0.001) with added TI but increased (P < 0.05) with protease supplementation. Jejunal MUC-2 was downregulated (P < 0.01) and SCL7A-2 was upregulated (P < 0.05) by protease supplementation. Duodenal trypsin and chymotrypsin activities reduced (P < 0.05) with added TI but increased (P < 0.01) with protease supplementation. Exogenous protease produced longer villi (P < 0.05) and deeper crypts (P < 0.01) in the jejunal tissue. In conclusion, dietary addition of purified TI negatively affects nutrient utilization by broiler chickens. Furthermore, the study showed that the efficacy of the exogenous protease might be independent of dietary TI concentration.

Growth phase and dietary α-amylase supplementation effects on nutrient digestibility and feedback enzyme secretion in broiler chickens

Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal health, and endogenous enzyme secretion responses to dietary α-amylase supplementation during 4 growth phases of broiler chickens fed corn–soybean meal–based diets were evaluated in the present study. A total of 1,136 male broiler chicks were assigned at day 0 after hatching to 8 treatments in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement. There were 2 dietary levels of α-amylase supplementation of 0 or 80 kilo-Novo alpha amylase units per kg diet and 4 posthatching growth phases of day 0 to 11, day 11 to 21, day 21 to 42, or day 42 to 56 in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment comprised 8 replicate pens, with either 25 (day 0–11), 20 (day 11–21), 16 (day 21–42), or 10 (day 42–56) birds per pen. Body weight gain and feed efficiency of birds improved (P < 0.01) with α-amylase supplementation. There were main effects of α-amylase, growth phase, and interaction (P < 0.01) on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of starch. This ranged from 0.8% during day 11 to 21 to 2.8% during day 0 to 11 after hatching. The total tract retention of starch increased (P < 0.05) with amylase supplementation but was not different across growth phases. Amylase supplementation increased (P < 0.05) AID of gross energy, AME (kcal/kg), and AMEn (kcal/kg). Villus height in the jejunal tissue was increased (P < 0.01) by α-amylase supplementation. During day 11 to 21 after hatching, the viscosity of jejunal digesta and pancreatic amylase activity increased (P < 0.01) with amylase supplementation. In conclusion, dietary amylase supplementation improved growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, and digestive enzyme activity of broiler chickens fed a corn–soybean diet. The study indicates that the growth phase of birds may affect response to exogenous amylase.

Willingness of Nigerians to donate a kidney

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation is a popular modality of RRT in the developed world.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the willingness of the general population of Nigerians across the country to donate a kidney

METHODS

This is a multiregional, cross sectional, questionnaire based study. One thousand Three hundred respondents participated in the study. This study was carried out in four major Towns and cities across Nigeria between January 2009 and December 2010. The locations are Birnin Kebbi in the north, Ilorin in the middle belt, Iddo Ekiti in the south and Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria. The respondents were randomly selected within the four localities. Those below the age of 16 or above the age of 65 years were excluded from the study

RESULTS

There were 727 (55.9%) males. The mean age (S.D) of respondents was 39.5 (10.7) years. The largest population of participants, 494 (38.3%) were non health workers and 692 (53.2%) of them were Muslims. Eight hundred and fifty eight (66%) of the participants were willing to donate a kidney. Twenty five percent (25% were not willing and 115 (8.9%) were not sure. Majority of those who were unwilling to donate a kidney, 325 (99.4%) will not change their minds even if they were to be given incentives

CONCLUSION

Nigerians are willing to donate a kidney irrespective of geographical location, religion or gender and many are willing to do so altruistically.

Descriptive analysis of blood pressure control among treated hypertensive patients in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure (BP) is poorly controlled in sub-Saharan Africa and this is due to poor utilization of antihypertensive drugs among other factors. Evaluation BP control will provide basis for recommendation for appropriate therapeutic measures for achieving target BP.

AIM

To determine the pattern of BP control as a measure of impact of antihypertensive usage among treated hypertensive patients in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.

METHODOLOGY

This is a descriptive-analytical study of 605 treated adult hypertensive patients who have been attending our specialist clinics for at least one year. Definition of blood pressure control was according to the World Health Organization criteria.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mean age was 58.48 +/- 11.65 with 211 (34.9%) males (M:F =1:1.87). Median duration of follow up was 4(1-27) years. 152 (25%) were diabetic, 381 (63%) were taking antiplatelet aspirin and 213 (35.2%) had cardiovascular events. There was a significant difference between the first visit BP (initial BP) and last BP observed during the study (SBP[initial])=154 +/- 28mmHg, SBP(last)=133 +/- 21 mmHg (p<0.01); DBP[initial]=95 +/- 17mmHg, DBP[last]=80 +/- 12mmHg (p<0.001)).The pattern of BP control was: SBP+DBP controlled 322(53.3%); SBP+DBP uncontrolled 149 (24.6%); SBP controlled/DBP uncontrolled 39 (6.4%); DBP controlled/SBP uncontrolled 95 (15.7%).The control rate among the diabetic subgroup was 23.7%.

CONCLUSION

BP control rate among treated hypertensive patients in our institution is significantly higher than reports from similar patient populations in similar healthcare centres in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa which reflects an improved and appropriate usage of antihypertensive drugs recently observed in our institution. The rate of control among diabetics is still very poor.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: awareness, knowledge and disposition to screening among healthcare workers in critical care units of a Nigerian hospital

BACKGROUND

Awareness level about methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is high in the western world but the status in developing countries is not well defined.

OBJECTIVE

To assess MRSA awareness level, knowledge and disposition to screening among critical healthcare givers (HCGs) in Nigeria.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of HCGs in critical care units of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria on MRSA and their willingness to submit to screening.

RESULTS

Only 103 (52.0%) of the 198 participants were aware of MRSA but all were favourably disposed to screening for the organism. Awareness was through hospital rounds 65(63.1%) and journals/ textbooks 35(34.0%), and Many, 120 (60.6%) considered MRSA as a threat in the hospital, while only 27 (13.6%) thought otherwise and 51(25.8%) were indifferent. Most HCGs, 124 (87.9%) reported that there were no MRSA control measures in their respective duty post. The age, cadre of work, and number of years in the hospital's critical care units correlated positively with awareness level.

CONCLUSION

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus awareness level among the HCGs in our hospital is just a little above 50.0% with substantial proportion of them not realizing the medical implication of the organism. However, majority are well disposed to MRSA screening. Inadequate publicity is a major contributor to poor knowledge and awareness. There is need for educational intervention and sensitization programs on MRSA and other infection control techniques for HCGs in developing nations especially Nigeria.

Cervical spinal tuberculosis with tuberculous otitis media masquerading as otitis externa malignans in an elderly diabetic patient: case report

Extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis (Tb), a medieval disease, occurs in every part of the body with varying degree of frequency but commonly in the pleural and lymph nodes. When it occurs in bones thoracolumbar vertebrae is the usual site of involvement. Other bones are less involved hence seldomly reported. This is true for other organs and parts of the body including larynx, pharynx nose and the middle ear. More importantly, isolated extrapulmonary tuberculosis without pulmonary involvement is uncommon. The case of a 65 year old Nigerian trader who presented with headache, chronic ear ache with otorrhoea, persistent neck pain and found to be diabetic on further evaluation is presented. She was hitherto managed as a case of otitis external malignans without any improvement but rather her clinical condition worsened with evidence of cervical vertebra destruction and multiple cranial nerve palsies without pulmonary tuberculosis. Prompt and effective response to anti tuberculosis drugs informed the diagnosis of tuberculosis of the cervical vertebra and tuberculous otitis media with multiple cranial nerve palsies. This case underscores the value of high index of suspicion, thorough and complete clinical evaluation in any patient with chronic symptoms and signs unresponsive to conventional treatment.

Arterial blood pressure in adult Nigerian sickle cell anaemia patients

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is predominantly a problem of black community in whom a higher prevalence of hypertension has been reported. Despite these observations, a lower mean arterial blood pressure is observed to be common in homozygous sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients, especially from outside Africa. In view of the well known diversity in both clinical and haematological presentations of SCD, we have evaluated the effects of sickled haemoglobin on blood pressure distribution in Nigerians with SCA. Arterial blood pressure was measured using mercury sphygmomanometer and the mean arterial pressure calculated in 64 adult Nigerians with SCA and 60 normal individuals. The mean age of SCA group was 22.14 +/- 4.90 years with a range of 18-57 years and in the controls was 27.18 +/- 8.06 years with a range of 18-54 years. The mean values of MAP 72.69 +/- 7.30 mmHg in SCA was significantly lower than 87.25 +/- 9.98 mmHg in the controls p < 0.007. The cause of this observed lower blood pressure in SCA is still speculative. We postulate that the differences in weight between SCA patients and normal individuals may contribute to this phenomenon. However, it is possible that nitric oxide (NO) or endothelial relaxing factor (EDRF) may also contribute to this lower blood pressure and the decrease in peripheral resistance in SCA.

Glomerular function in sickle cell disease patients during crisis

An 8 month prospective study was carried out in 20 adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients 16 sickle cell anaemia (Hbss) and 4 sickle cell Hbc disease (Hbsc); who had vaso-occlusive crises within the study period to determine the extent of the effect of sickle cell crisis on glomerular function in SCD patients during crisis. The male: female ratio was 1:57 and their mean age was 21.1 +/- 7.9 years. Creatinine clearance (CCr), as an index of glomerular function, was determined at the pre-crisis, crisis, 2 and 4 weeks post-crisis and at the end of the study period. The mean values of their CCr dropped from 113.37 +/- 33.80mls/min at pre-crisis stage to 96.39 +/- 30.13mls/min during crisis (p < 0.001) indicating glomerular dysfunction. It improved significantly to 107.75 +/- 30.20mls/min at 4 weeks post-crisis (p < 0.001). There was no significant differences in the mean values of CCr at the end of the study (116.20 +/- 31.43mls/min) compared to the pre-crisis stage (p > 0.05). It is concluded that glomerular dysfunction in SCD patients during crisis is potentially reversible.