Indigenous foot and mouth disease control methods among nomadic cattle fulanis in Adamawa state, Nigeria

This study analyzed the indigenous foot and mouth disease control methods among nomadic cattle Fulani herders in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected by the use of semi-structured questionnaire administered to randomly selected 363 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using percentages, frequency distribution and regression analysis. Result of the analysis of socio-economic characteristics of respondents showed that majority were above 40 years of age [87.9%], 94.5% were married and only 16.5% acquired formal education. On the average there were eight persons per household and about 80% of the respondents had more than 24 years of cattle herding experience. Twenty eight control methods were identified to be in practice among the respondents. Result of the regression analysis between socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and use of indigenous foot and mouth disease control methods showed that coefficient of age was positive and significant at 1% level, while household size and experience were positive and significant at 5% level. Deforestation and concealment of indigenous control methods by the custodians among others were found to be the constraints against the utilization of indigenous foot and mouth control methods. The study concluded that indigenous control methods were well established and practice among herders who are well experienced and knowledgeable. It is recommended that laws banning bush burning and indiscriminate tree felling be re- enforced in order to preserve indigenous herbs to avert possible extinction. There is a greater need for extension workers and services to be strengthened so as to incorporate the indigenous methods used by the herders

Silica induced early fibrogenic reaction in lung of mice ameliorated by Nyctanthes arbortristis extract / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pharmacological effect of Nyctanthes arbortristis (NAT) leaf extract in the prevention of lung injury induced by silica particles.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Lung injury was induced in Swiss mice through inhalation exposure to silica particles (< 5 mu) using a Flow Past Nose Only Inhalation Chamber at the rate of -10 mg/m3 respirable mass for 5 h. Lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid collected between 48 and 72 h was subjected to protein profiling by electrophoresis and cytokine evaluation by solid phase sandwich ELISA. Lung histopathology was performed to evaluate lung injury.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Inhalation of silica increased the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and of the 66 and 63 kDa peptides in the BAL fluid in comparison to sham-treated control. Pre-treatment of silica exposed mice with NAT leaf extract significantly prevented the accumulation of TNF-alpha in the BAL fluid, but the 66 and 63 kDa peptides remained unchanged. The extract was also effective in the prevention of silica-induced early fibrogenic reactions like congestion, edema and infiltration of nucleated cells in the interstitial alveolar spaces, and thickening of alveolar septa in mouse lung.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NAT leaf extract helps in bypassing silica induced initial lung injury in mice.</p>