Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Alexander Decker Open Journal Systems <p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.04939836589619517">Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare <span id="internal-source-marker_0.04939836589619517">is a peer reviewed journal published by IISTE. The journal publishes original papers at the forefront of Agriculture, Biology and Healthcare research. The journal is published in both printed and online versions. The online version is free access and download.</span></span></p><p><span><span>IISTE is a member of <a href="">CrossRef</a>.</span></span></p><p>The DOI of the journal is:</p> Journal coverpage 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Journal Editor Journal coverpage Evaluation of Different Feeding Options for Yearling Arsi Bulls to Attain Export Market Weight 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Aman Gudeto <p>The study was conducted on station at Agricultural Research Center on Arsi bulls. Twenty four bulls were purchased from the surrounding area. The study objectives were to evaluate and indentify the most economical feeding options for yearling Arsi bulls for them to attain export market weight demand and evaluate the carcass characteristics. Three feeding treatments were evaluated during the feeding period and eight bulls randomly assigned to each of the three treatments. The result of the fattening trial revealed that there is no significant difference in final body weight and carcass characteristics among the bulls received the dietary rations. Furthermore, the study indicated that the yearling Arsi bulls fed on the three dietary rations did not attain export market weight in 238 days of feeding. Therefore, their growth performance should be further evaluated with other feeding options to know their fattening potential. Partial budget analysis of the bulls was not significant difference among the treatments, any of the feeding options can be used depending on availability of the ingredients in the area.</p> <p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Yearling Arsi bulls, Market body weight, Carcass characteristic</p> <p><strong>DOI</strong>: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-01</p> <p><strong>Publication date</strong>:July 31<sup>st</sup> 2019</p> Effects of Toasting on Nutritional Value of Mesquite (Prosopis africana) Seeds and Its Utilization by Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Shina Al-habeeb Aroyehun Wilfred Olusegun Alegbeleye Olubunmi Temilade Agbebi Adeyemi Mustafa Bamgbose <p>Nutritive value of mesquite (<em>Prosopis african</em>) seeds subjected to toasting processing method in the diet of  <em>Oreochromis niloticus </em>fingerlings was studied in an 84-day feeding trials. One hundred and twenty all male fingerlings of <em>O. niloticus </em>(5.53 ± 0.01 g) were stocked in triplicate and 4 iso-nitrogenous diets (35 % crude protein) were formulated using the toasted mesquite seed at 0 %, 15 %, 30 % and 45 % inclusion levels to replace soybean meal (SBM) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Proximate composition of the seed was significant (<em>P </em>&lt; 0.05) on crude lipid, fiber and mineral content of<em> </em>mesquite seed.  Essential amino acids profile were differently affected. The anti-nutritional factor tannin and phyate were slightly reduced. The highest weight gain (5.32 g), specific growth rate (1.77 %day<sup>-1</sup>), feed conversion efficiency (0.71) protein efficiency ratio (2.02 %) and economic conversion ratio ($0.91 /kg) were observed in group fed diet I while diet 3 gave the least. Carcass proximate analysis showed high value for crude protein and ash content. Toasted mesquite seed meal could be exploited in the on-farm production of tilapia diet at 15 % inclusion level.</p> <p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Mesquite seeds, toasting method, amino acids, nutrient utilization and <em>Oreochromis niloticus</em>.</p> <p><strong>DOI</strong>: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-02</p> <p><strong>Publication date</strong>:July 31<sup>st</sup> 2019</p> Influence of Different Fertilizer Types on the Growth and Yield of Two Varieties Cucumber (Cucumis melo) 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Lawal, B. A. Ilupeju, E. A. Ojeleye, A. E. Asafa, R. F. Akanbi, W. B. <p>The growth, yield and nutritional quality of Poinsett and Marketmore<strong> </strong>varieties of cucumber in response to compost and NPK fertilizer application were evaluated at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. The six fertilizer combinations are T1 (0 kg N), T2 (100% NPK, 600 kg NPK 15:15:15), T3 (100% Tithonia compost (TC), 5 tons/ha), T4 (75% NPK + 25% TC), T5 (50% NPK + 50% TC) and T6 (25% NPK+ 75% TC). The treatments were arranged as 6 × 2 factorial scheme in Randomised Complete Block Design with three replicates. Data were collected on growth parameters, fruit yield, calcium content and iron content. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and difference among treatments means was computed using Least Significant Difference at 0.05 probability level. The results revealed that at the point of maximum growth Poinsett cucumber variety produced significant longer vine (173.78cm); higher number of leaves (23.56) and more robust stem girth (3.01 cm) than the other variety. At 8 weeks after sowing (WAS) the longest vine length (216.67cm) and number of leaves (29.33) were obtained from cucumber plants treated with 5 tons/ha. Varietal effect was not significant (p≤0.05) on cucumber fruit yield and firmness. The vine length, fruit girth, stem girth, number of leaves were significantly influenced by the application of 5 tons/ha. At 8 WAS, the longest vine 216.67cm and highest number of leaves (27.33) were recorded from 5 tons/ha, while the widest stem girth (2.10cm) was gotten from 50% NPK + 50% TC treated cucumber. Fruit yield was significantly improved by the application of different combination of fertilizer. Plant that received fertilizer had significant better fruit yield compared with non-fertilized one. However, the use of 50% NPK + 50% TC gave the highest fruit yield. The study concluded that combine application of 300 kg NPK + 2.5 ton/ha TC would be sufficient for production of the two varieties tried in this study.</p> <h4>Keywords: Cucumber; farmyard manure; inorganic fertilizer; growth; yield.</h4> <p><strong>DOI</strong>: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-03</p> <p><strong>Publication date</strong>:July 31<sup>st</sup> 2019</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> Examining the Determinants of Delayed Access to Primary Healthcare in Men 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Olubunmi Olanrewaju Adeola Abosede Adeniyi <p>Men are more reluctant to seek health care and it is putting them at risk. Delayed access to primary healthcare has a large impact on their health but timely access to health services aims to achieve optimum health outcomes. This paper builds on World Health Statistics 2019 report that men are likely to die earlier than women due to uneven access to health services. Several determinants could drive disparities in access to health care between men and women. This study explores the relevance of variables that can induce delayed access to primary healthcare for men and to what extent these factors are specific to health. Regression analysis carried out suggests that masculinity and health literacy explain differences in health care access. Tailoring useful interventions can facilitate appropriate health care seeking behaviors in men.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Accessibility, Primary healthcare, Delayed Access, Health service utilization</p> <p><strong>DOI</strong>: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-04</p> <p><strong>Publication date</strong>:July 31<sup>st</sup> 2019</p> <p> </p> Frequency and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of the Bacteria Isolated from Blood Cultures of Neonatal 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Ban Mahdi Shakir Sinaa Mahdi Shakir Nadheema Hammood Hussein Khetam Habeeb Rasool <p>The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bacterial isolates responsible for blood   stream infection (BSI) among neonatal inpatients at Baghdad Teaching Hospital / Baghdad and to also get an updated knowledge about their antibiotic resistance pattern during the period extended from 1 October till 31 December, 2018. All blood cultures were done by BacT/ALERT 3D device (Bio-Merieux, France). Identification of pathogenic bacteria at species level was done by using API system (Bio-Merieux, France) and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer method. A total of 90 blood cultures were received from neonatal suspected with blood stream infections. Out of 36 positive blood cultures, the incidence of positive blood cultures was higher among males 22(61.1%) than of females 14(38.9%). Out of 36 positive blood cultures, the isolation rate of Gram positive and Gram negative isolates was 25 (69.4%) and 11(30.6%), respectively. Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) was the most frequently isolated bacteria in blood cultures, 17 (47.22%) isolates. Our study also showed that <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> was the most frequently isolated Gram negative bacteria in blood specimens from neonatal inpatients 6(16.67%). The most effective antibiotic on Gram-positive isolates was Vancomycin, while for Gram negative bacteria the most effective antibiotic was Imipenem.</p> <p><strong>Keywords<em>:</em></strong><em> </em>Blood stream infection, Antimicrobial susceptibility, Neonatal blood cultures and Bacterial isolates<em> </em></p> <p><strong>DOI</strong>: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-05</p> <p><strong>Publication date</strong>:July 31<sup>st</sup> 2019</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> Consumption of Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera ) on Sperm Parameters of Adult Albino Wistar Rats 2019-07-27T10:45:33+00:00 Victor A. Fischer Christie E. Fischer Christabel Francis <p>This study was aimed at assessing the possible effects coconut oil could have on the sperm parameters of albino rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats randomly divided into four (4) groups of five rats each were investigated. The control group received normal saline and experimental groups; Low Dose (LD), Moderate Dose (MD) and High Dose (HD) received coconut oil extract of 0.5ml/kg b.w, 1.1ml/kg b.w and 2.2ml/kg b.w respectively for fourteen days via orogastric tube. On day 14 of the experiment, the rats were euthanized under chloroform vapour and sacrificed and testes excised. There was an insignificant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in mean testicular weight of the treated rats; LD (1.14±0.05), MD (1.16±0.05) and HD (1.12±0.06) groups compared to the control rats (1.20±0.04). Sperm count was increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in the animals administered with coconut oil; LD (39.72±0.28x10<sup>6</sup>/ml), MD (46.76±1.46x10<sup>6</sup>/ml), HD (68.18±0.39x10<sup>6</sup>/ml) in comparison with animals in the control group (35.28±0.34x10<sup>6</sup>/ml). Sperm motility increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) in animals of the HD group (55.00±1.58%) compared to what was observed in rats found in LD (37.60±0.81%) and MD groups (45.00±0.84%). The HD group recorded (85.00±0.71%) sperm viability, a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) compared to that of the control group (75.60±0.93%). Sperms with normal morphology were significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) in LD (75.60±0.68%), MD (76.00±1.87%) and HD (87.20±0.86%) compared to the control group (69.00±1.22%). Coconut oil has no deleterious effect on the sperm parameters and can lead to enhanced spermatogenesis.</p> <p><strong>Keywords: </strong><em>Cocos nucifera</em>, sperm parameters, coconut oil</p> <p><strong>DOI</strong>: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-06</p> <p><strong>Publication date</strong>:July 31<sup>st</sup> 2019</p>