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Appraisal of Heavy Metals (Lead and Cadmium) in the Muscle and Internal Organs of Cattle Slaughtered in Ibadan
Hillary-Frances Ladidi Gwani,
Emmanuel Teryila Tyokumbur
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
1-5
Received:
14 December 2018
Accepted:
28 December 2018
Published:
29 January 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajz.20190201.11
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Abstract: This study appraised the levels of two heavy metals: lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the muscle, liver, kidney, intestine, lungs and heart of cattle slaughtered for sale in the Akinyele Meat Market of Oyo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to assess the distribution of these metals in the different parts of the body of cattle and compared their concentration with international guidelines. Thirty samples made up of six each of muscle, liver, kidney, intestine, heart and lungs were procured from the Akinyele meat market in Oyo State. The samples were pulverized and 0.5g weighed out for acid digestion with 2mL of 3:2 HNO3 /HClO4. Each digestate was made up to the 10 mL mark with de-ionized water, and analysed for the heavy metals (Pb and Cd) with a GBC Avanta ver 2.0 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) model A6600. Results showed that range of detectable values in parts per million (ppm) metals were: Pb (0.00-0.81ppm), Cd (0.24-0.81ppm) in muscle; Pb (0.00-0.92ppm), Cd (0.00-0.03ppm) in heart; Pb (0.00-0.50ppm), Cd (0.40-7.65ppm) in kidney; Pb (0.00-0.28ppm), Cd (0.00-0.88ppm) in liver; Pb (0.00-0.03ppm), Cd (0.00-0.88ppm) in lungs and Pb (0.00-7.51ppm), Cd (0.10-0.65ppm) in the intestine. The results when compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit of 0.01ppm for Pb and 0.05 ppm for Cd showed that the heavy metal concentration in most parts of the cows sampled exceeded the safety limit and are therefore potentially harmful if consumed. The study therefore show the need for regular biomonitoring programmes for heavy metal concentration in cattle in order to safeguard public health.
Abstract: This study appraised the levels of two heavy metals: lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the muscle, liver, kidney, intestine, lungs and heart of cattle slaughtered for sale in the Akinyele Meat Market of Oyo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to assess the distribution of these metals in the different parts of the body of cattle and compar...
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Avian Influenza Risk Perception and Preventive Practice Among Poultry Workers in Jos: A Cross Sectional Study
Vem Tabitha Silas,
Anejo-Okopi Joseph,
Dabak D. Jonathan,
Ugwu B. KIngsley,
Bigwan Emmanuel Isa,
Kopkuk Ezra Dasun,
Essien Cosmas Uyeime,
Tyem Dinchi,
Davou Aaron Gyang,
Nimzing Lohya
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
6-10
Received:
4 December 2018
Accepted:
20 February 2019
Published:
11 March 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajz.20190201.12
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Abstract: Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus (HPAI) H5N1 commonly called Bird Flu, is a highly infectious viral disease of birds including domestic poultry, and first infected humans in China 1997. Since its widespread and re-emergence in 2003 and 2004, the avian virus has become a global public health threat. The H5N1 is known to be very infectious and has caused death of millions of chickens and other birds around the world with high economic loss. The prevention and control of this virus depend on the awareness and protective practices of the poultry workers as well as the general population. This study aims to assess risk factors related to Avian influenza virus infection among poultry workers in Plateau State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 200 poultry workers age 14 to 63.The results showed that more females (52%) participated in poultry farming than males (48%), and younger population ages 14-23 years (33%) participated more than the older population ages 54-63 years (7%). Also, occupationally hired poultry workers (53%) were more compared to farm owners (18%) with other workers (health workers, cullers, scavengers) (29%). Knowledge about protective measures was high in relation to wearing of coverall (44.5%), hand gloves (20.5%) and boots (17%). Those in contact with the dead birds were more (43%) than those in contact with the carcass (29%) and sick birds (28%). The number of subject that answered yes to risk perception were 66.0%, and those who said no was 34%, the female perception was higher (73%). The study showed that there is moderate preventive practices and awareness about avian influenza virus infection among the poultry workers. Preventive practices might play an effective role in reducing or slowing transmission of influenza. This calls for proper training of poultry workers about avian influenza virus to improve preventive practices that will curb the spread, reduce risk of infection and economic loss.
Abstract: Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus (HPAI) H5N1 commonly called Bird Flu, is a highly infectious viral disease of birds including domestic poultry, and first infected humans in China 1997. Since its widespread and re-emergence in 2003 and 2004, the avian virus has become a global public health threat. The H5N1 is known to be very infectious and...
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Impact of Human Activities on the Rodent Species Specific Richness in the Masako Reserve Forest in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Nganga Zangada,
Colette Masengo,
Gédéon Bongo,
Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
11-17
Received:
11 December 2018
Accepted:
19 February 2019
Published:
14 March 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajz.20190201.13
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Abstract: Slash-and-burn shifting agriculture, still common in Africa, is one of the major causes of deforestation in regions where excessive population pressure has accelerated the rate of agricultural rotation. The transformation and fragmentation of natural habitats, affects the structure and functioning of the forest ecosystem, leading to erosion and biodiversity loss. The main purpose of this research was to analyze capture, marking and recapture techniques, the specific richness of the rodent population in some habitats selected on the basis of an anthropogenic gradient in Masako forest reserve. The study was conducted in Masako Forest Reserve located in the Northeast of Kisangani city, Province Orientale, Democratic Republic of the Congo between February and June 2018. In fact, rodents were captured in different habitats namely primary forest, secondary forest, old fallow and young fallow where square grids were installed with Sherman traps. The number of trapping days depended on the habitat and an alphanumeric code was used for each individual for identification. Five campaigns of trapping were performed while different indices of biodiversity were used to assess the specific richness. The findings showed that a total of 545 specimens were collected distributing into 10 species. The most abundant species were: Praomys spp, Hylomys spp., Deomys ferrugineus and Lophyromys dudui but Praomys spp. was the most predominant and the most motile of identified species in the studied habitat. From different similarity indices used, it was found that the secondary forest has a large number of individuals while the high number of species was observed in the secondary forest and young fallow respectively. It was observed that the most important recaptures were obtained in primary and secondary forests while in both fallows the recapture rate was weak. Thus, human activities such as slash-and-burn shifting, although modifying the environment, and also acting on relative abundance, appear at the current stage, is not significantly affecting the rodent community.
Abstract: Slash-and-burn shifting agriculture, still common in Africa, is one of the major causes of deforestation in regions where excessive population pressure has accelerated the rate of agricultural rotation. The transformation and fragmentation of natural habitats, affects the structure and functioning of the forest ecosystem, leading to erosion and bio...
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