RESUMO
Hypertension, defined as diastolic pressure ≥ 90 mmHg and systolic pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among black populations globally. Several studies have shown that prolonged consumption of cocoa or cocoa containing products leads to decreased blood pressure (BP) in hypertensives. In this study, we investigated the flavonoid content of the top selling cocoa/cocoa based products in Trinidad and Tobago and attempted to determine if consumption of cocoa had any immediate impact on blood pressure levels. The flavonoid content of three 100% cocoa powder products and four cocoa based formulas was measured using a modified Folin-Ciocalteu procedure. The brand with the highest flavonoid content, 372 gallic acid equivalents, was selected to evaluate the short-term impact of cocoa consumption on blood pressure. Thirty-six participants comprising nineteen hypertensives and seventeen persons with normal blood pressure had their blood pressure recorded on three separate days using ambulatory blood pressure monitors; the blood pressure was recorded every half hour for eight hours. On the first day, the participants received no intervention but on the second and third days, they received either the intervention (5 g cocoa in 125 ml water) or a placebo, in any order. Statistical analysis conducted using t-test statistic and a 95% confidence interval revealed that whether participants regularly took antihypertensive medication or not, a single intervention of cocoa induced decreases in both the diastolic and systolic BPs that were significant (p = 0.0001). Mean decreases of between 8 mmHg and 18 mmHg were observed.
RESUMO
The seroprevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in the swine population of Trinidad and Tobago was studied, focusing on the association between the seroprevalence of the virus and each of four variables: gender, age, group, farm size, and geographic location. Farms were classified as large (>1000 sows) or small (2 pigs to 250 sows); three age groups-nursery pigs (3 to 10 weeks, n=82), grower (11 to 22 weeks, n=107), and breeding animals(n=85) were studied. A multistage sampling design with non-proportional sampling between strata (farm sizes) was employed. A total of 274 serum samples were tested, collected from three large farms (n=109) and 109 randomly chosen small farms (n=165). Samples were tested using the PCV type 2 indirect fluorescent antibody test kit by VMRD (USA). Sixty-one percent of the farms tested were positive (2 large farms, 66 small farms). The overall seroprevalence of PCV2 was 62.0% (170/274) and after adjusting for non-proportional sampling between strata, was 70.3% ...
Assuntos
Animais , Circovirus , Trinidad e Tobago , Suínos , Sorologia , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
The seroprevalence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in the swine population of Trinidad and Tobago was studied, focusing on the association between the seroprevalence of the virus and each of four variables: gender, age, group, farm size, and geographic location. Farms were classified as large (>1000 sows) or small (2 pigs to 250 sows); three age groups-nursery pigs (3 to 10 weeks, n=82), grower (11 to 22 weeks, n=107), and breeding animals(n=85) were studied. A multistage sampling design with non-proportional sampling between strata (farm sizes) was employed. A total of 274 serum samples were tested, collected from three large farms (n=109) and 109 randomly chosen small farms (n=165). Samples were tested using the PCV type 2 indirect fluorescent antibody test kit by VMRD (USA). Sixty-one percent of the farms tested were positive (2 large farms, 66 small farms). The overall seroprevalence of PCV2 was 62.0% (170/274) and after adjusting for non-proportional sampling between strata, was 70.3% ...
Assuntos
Animais , Circovirus , Trinidad e Tobago , Suínos , Sorologia , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
A study was done to establish haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for nursery pigs (n=120), growers/finishers (n=120), adult non-pregnant, non- lactating female pigs (n=90), mature boars (n=63), pregnant female pigs (n=121), and lactating sows (n=120) in Trinidad and Tobago. Thirty-seven farms were randomly selected for the study. Physical examination was conducted on all animals in order to exclude animals that appeared unhealthy. Blood samples (640 in all) from the pigs were evaluated for haematological and serum chemistry parameters. Reference intervals for the blood parameters were defined by their mean values plus or minus two standard deviations (mean+/- 2 s.d.). The reference limits obtained showed differences among the various age groups and physiological states of the animals, therefore providing an alternative set of reference values to aid in interpretation of data at veterinary laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago.
Assuntos
Animais , Hematologia , Soro/química , Suínos , Trinidad e Tobago , Sus scrofaRESUMO
Factors affecting calving-to-conception interval (CCI) in dairy cows on a farm in Trinidad and Tobago were studied. Retrospective data from the period January 200 to December 2004 were collected from records (n=178) of the University Field Station dairy herd and analysed using a multivariable regression model. Predictor variables included: parity, season of calving [wet vs. dry- dry season (mean rainfall 48.8mm) runs from January to May and the wet season (mean rainfall 194.9mm) from June to December], presence or absence of periparturient disease (PPD), and milk yield. Milk production data were adjusted to an annual yield by correcting the yield between calving intervals to a 365-day production. The natural logarithm transformation of the CCI (LCCI) was fitted as the response of variable in a regression model. The regression coefficients for parity and season of calving were not significant and were 1.4 days longer than females without periparturient disease (P=0.04). Higher milk- producing cows had shorter CCIs. For each kilogramme increase in milk yield, there was a one-day decrease in CCI (P=0.0001). The adjusted R squared was 24% and the predictive regression equation was: LCCI=5.22+0.33 (PPD)-0.0001 (milk yield). The findings in this study support the need for more comprehensive investigations at national and regional levels in order to screen for other predictors in an effort to deliver better dairy herd programs health.
Assuntos
Bovinos , Animais , Bovinos , Indústria de Laticínios , Fertilização , Trinidad e TobagoRESUMO
A study was done to establish haematological and serum chemistry reference intervals for nursery pigs (n=120), growers/finishers (n=120), adult non-pregnant, non- lactating female pigs (n=90), mature boars (n=63), pregnant female pigs (n=121), and lactating sows (n=120) in Trinidad and Tobago. Thirty-seven farms were randomly selected for the study. Physical examination was conducted on all animals in order to exclude animals that appeared unhealthy. Blood samples (640 in all) from the pigs were evaluated for haematological and serum chemistry parameters. Reference intervals for the blood parameters were defined by their mean values plus or minus two standard deviations (mean+/- 2 s.d.). The reference limits obtained showed differences among the various age groups and physiological states of the animals, therefore providing an alternative set of reference values to aid in interpretation of data at veterinary laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago.
Assuntos
Animais , Hematologia , Soro/química , Suínos , Trinidad e Tobago , Sus scrofaRESUMO
Factors affecting calving-to-conception interval (CCI) in dairy cows on a farm in Trinidad and Tobago were studied. Retrospective data from the period January 200 to December 2004 were collected from records (n=178) of the University Field Station dairy herd and analysed using a multivariable regression model. Predictor variables included: parity, season of calving [wet vs. dry- dry season (mean rainfall 48.8mm) runs from January to May and the wet season (mean rainfall 194.9mm) from June to December], presence or absence of periparturient disease (PPD), and milk yield. Milk production data were adjusted to an annual yield by correcting the yield between calving intervals to a 365-day production. The natural logarithm transformation of the CCI (LCCI) was fitted as the response of variable in a regression model. The regression coefficients for parity and season of calving were not significant and were 1.4 days longer than females without periparturient disease (P=0.04). Higher milk- producing cows had shorter CCIs. For each kilogramme increase in milk yield, there was a one-day decrease in CCI (P=0.0001). The adjusted R squared was 24% and the predictive regression equation was: LCCI=5.22+0.33 (PPD)-0.0001 (milk yield). The findings in this study support the need for more comprehensive investigations at national and regional levels in order to screen for other predictors in an effort to deliver better dairy herd programs health.
Assuntos
Bovinos , Animais , Bovinos , Indústria de Laticínios , Fertilização , Trinidad e TobagoRESUMO
Retrospective data from 18 tunnel-ventilated and 41 conventional houses in Barbados were evaluated in order to compare the effects of the two types of housing using the following indices: feed conversion ratio at 1500 grammes (FCR 1500), European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), and net income per bird (NIPB). The data were obtained from the records of 200 and 282 grow-outs for tunnel-ventilated and conventional houses, respectively. The effects of season of placement and month of placement on the above performance variables were also evaluated. The analyses revealed that the performance variables NIPB, EPEF, and FCR 1500 were superior for tunnel -ventilated housing (P=0.02, 0.0001 respectively); were less variable from month to month for tunnel- ventilated housing; and except for NIPB, were better when birds were placed during the dry season (P=0.08, 0.0005 and 0.007 respectively). Financial anlaysis also showed that tunnel -ventilated house was more profitable venture than the conventional house. The net profit margin (15.38vs 3.59%) net profit per kg, (0.51 vs 0.12 BDS$, (BDS$1.00~ US $0.50)), and net profit per m squared (94.83vs13.13BDS$) were also higher for the tunnel-ventilated house.
Assuntos
Animais , Aves Domésticas , Habitação , Abrigo para Animais , Barbados , Medicina VeterináriaRESUMO
Retrospective data from 18 tunnel-ventilated and 41 conventional houses in Barbados were evaluated in order to compare the effects of the two types of housing using the following indices: feed conversion ratio at 1500 grammes (FCR 1500), European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), and net income per bird (NIPB). The data were obtained from the records of 200 and 282 grow-outs for tunnel-ventilated and conventional houses, respectively. The effects of season of placement and month of placement on the above performance variables were also evaluated. The analyses revealed that the performance variables NIPB, EPEF, and FCR 1500 were superior for tunnel -ventilated housing (P=0.02, 0.0001 respectively); were less variable from month to month for tunnel- ventilated housing; and except for NIPB, were better when birds were placed during the dry season (P=0.08, 0.0005 and 0.007 respectively). Financial anlaysis also showed that tunnel -ventilated house was more profitable venture than the conventional house. The net profit margin (15.38vs 3.59%) net profit per kg, (0.51 vs 0.12 BDS$, (BDS$1.00~ US $0.50)), and net profit per m squared (94.83vs13.13BDS$) were also higher for the tunnel-ventilated house.