The Effects of Land Configuration and Wood-Shavings Mulch on the Properties of a Sandy Loam Soil in Northeast Nigeria. 2. Changes in Physical Properties

Mulching and ridge tillage are proven technologies for improving soil productivity in semi-arid regions. Yet data quantifying the combined influences of these practices are limited. Our objectives were to determine the changes in selected physical properties of a sandy loam after 4-years of annual tillage and wood-shavings mulching. The tillage and wood-shavings treatments consisted of: Flat bed (FB), Open ridge (OR), Tiedridge (TR), FBM, ORM and TRM were same as FB, OR and TR, respectively except that wood-shavings at a rate of 10 t/ha were surface applied ≈ 2 weeks after sowing each year to serve as both a mulch and an organic amendment. At the end of the trial in 2002, bulk density, penetration resistance, total porosity and soil water content from each of 0-0.075, 0.075-0.15 and 0.15-0.30 m depths were determined. Composite samples from the surface (0.075 and 0.075-0.15 m) layers from 3 replicates of each treatment were also collected for the determination of wet aggregate stability and from 0-0.15 m and 0.15-0.30 m layers for determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat). After 4 years of annual tillage and addition of woodshavings, soil bulk density and penetration resistance were consistently lower and total porosity higher in the FBM, ORM and TRM treatments than in the FB, OR and TR treatments. Penetration resistance in all treatments was strongly related to soil water content. A 'hoe pan' was established below 0.15 m depth beneath the furrows of the ridged treatments. This could be attributed to human traffic during field operations and ponding of water, which occurred in the furrows following heavy rains. Wet aggregate stability estimated as the proportion of aggregates of size > 0.25 mm (macro-aggregates) in the 0-0.15 m layer were significantly (P< 0.05) higher under FBM, ORM and TRM than under FB, OR or TR treatments. Ksat was not influenced by either tillage or wood-shavings treatments but were higher for the mulched plots than for the bare treatments in both soil layers

Prenylation of Aromatic Secondary Metabolites: A New Frontier for Development of Novel Drugs

Prenylation of aromatic secondary metabolites is an important process involved in the biosynthesis of many biologically active compounds in plants and animals. Many prenylated natural products have been shown to exhibit very good anti-tumor, anti inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. The addition of prenyl side chain to an aromatic secondary metabolite often affects its pharmacological activity. The aim of this review is to examine the influence of the prenyl side chain on the pharmacological activities of some classes of aromatic secondary metabolites and the potential application of prenylation in the development of novel drugsKeywords: Secondary metabolite, Prenylation, Aromatic, Ras antagonist, Novel drugs

Ileocaecal TB with multiple hepatic granuloma mimicking malignancy with metastasis to liver

Introduction: Abdominal tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of  tuberculosis1. It can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract but the most likely sites of infection are the peritoneum and the ileo-caecal region. We present unusual a case of Ileocaecal TB with multiple hepatic  granuloma mimicking malignancy with metastasis to liver.Case presentation: A 38 years old male, Sudanese, had two months history of painful tender mass in the right iliac fossa that was associated with low grade fever, constipation and loss of appetite. He had no symptoms or signs related to other systems and he denied any contact with chronic cough patient. ESR 100mm/hr, normal CXR, ultrasound revealed multiple hypoechoic liver focal lesions, multiple para-aortic Lymph node and a thick wall terminal ilium. CT abdomen showed bowel segment with wall thickening and irregular lumen in the right iliac fossa, enlarge para-aortic lymph nodes and multiple hepatic focal lesions which gave the impression of caecal carcinoma with liver metastasis. OGD was reported as normal. Colonoscopy revealed an abnormal mucosa at the caecum, suspicious of carcinoma caecum. Multiple biopsies were taken.  Histopathology revealed epithelioid granulomas with Langhans giant cells as well as areas of mild cryptitis, could be either tuberculosis or Crohns disease, Ultrasound guided liver biopsy from the focal lesions revealedepithelioid cells and poorly formed granulomas with areas of caseation and fibrosis suggestive of tuberculosis. PCR for aspirate from liver focal lesion biopsy was positive for tuberculosis. The patient was treated with  antituberculous chemotherapy. Complete cure was obtained during followup.Keywords: Abdominal tuberculosis, Ileocaecal tuberculosis hepatic granuloma

Study of Correlation Between Heavy Metal Concentration, Street Dust and Level of Traffic in Major Roads of Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

This study was aimed at evaluating heavy metal contents in street dust of five major roads within the trunk of Kano metropolis. The dust were collected from heavy traffic roads of the city which include Zaria road (ZR), Maiduguri road (MR), Katsina road (KR), Hadejia road (HR) and Bayero University Kano road (BR). Triplicates samples were collected and the number of vehicles that pass through each road was recorded for one hour. The metal concentration of the dust was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Strong positive correlation exist between the amount of dust collected and the number of vehicles that passed in all the roads except for Hadejia road with r2 = 0.32 which is less positive. The metal contents in dust of the five streets were higher than the WHO reference value. The positive correlation between the number of vehicles and metal type was significant (P<0.05) for Zn, Fe, and Mg in ZR, Pb and Fe in HR; Fe and Mn in BR, while between street dust and metal type was significant (p<0.05) for Zn and Fe in ZR; Fe and Cu in KR; Ca in HR and Fe in BR. The high positive correlation observed in this study may mean that the metals in the street dust originate from common anthropogenic sources. Higher than reference values of the heavy metals in street dust, indicate hazard associated with residing or conducting business along the major street in the city. The finding is in support of government effort in protecting its citizenries by prohibiting road site business

Pentalogy of Cantrell - A Case Report from Nigeria

FB was delivered at home to a para three low income mother, at term after an unsupervised pregnancy. At birth she was noticed to have an anterior chest wall defect with a protruding pulsating mass. Further examination revealed a defect from the suprasternal notch to the xiphoid process (bifid sternum) with the heart exposed and pulsating (ectopia cordis). The pericardium was absent and the great vessels were exposed. There was an epigastric omphalocoele and a ventral diaphragmatic defect. The diagnosis of Pentallogy of Cantrell was made. The challenges involved in the evaluation and management of this case in a Nigerian setting are discussed. Keywords: Pentallogy, Cantrell, Nigeri

Association Between Glomerular Filtration Rate And Body Mass Index Among Orthopaedic Patients In Kano-Nigeria

Any association between body mass index and kidney disease has so far proved inconclusive. Therefore, this study is aimed to provide association between glomerular filtration rate and body mass index among orthopaedic patients. A total of sixty (60) patients irrespective of gender were recruited. Weight and height were measured prior to the sample collection. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain the demographic data of the subjects. Blood samples were collected from each patient by venepuncture from the antecubital vein of the forearm using disposable syringes. Serum creatinine was determined by method of Rosano et al. Body Mass Index and Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) were calculated using creatinine-based equation of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease. Mean BMI was found to be higher in females (25.48±5.65) than their male counterparts (21.44±4.52), while eGFR was found to be higher in males (184.14±53.23) than in females (152.06±32.71). Subjects with eGFR ≥60 were observed to be more frequent (98.30%); normal weight individuals had higher frequency (48.33%). Positive correlation exists between BMI and eGFR in males whereas negative correlation was found in females which indicates association between body mass index and kidney function is gender related

Effect of Calitropis Procera Aqueous Root Extract Against CCL4 Induced Liver Toxicity in Rabbits

The hepatocurative effect of aqueous root extract of Calitropis Procera on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits was studied in groups of rabbit and the levels of liver enzymes; aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Serum concentrations of total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in group induced with hepatotoxicity, with significantly (p<0.05) lower total protein and urea compared to the control group. These findings confirmed induction of hepatotoxicity. Three different dosages were orally administred (1.0g/kg, 2.5g/kg and 3.6 g/kg) twice daily for 9 days. The C. Procera root extract was found to significantly (p<0.05) reduce the serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP, serum concentration of total bilirubin in rats with hepatotoxicity compared to the the control group and significantly (p<0.05) incerased the serum concentration of total protein and urea. These indicates the possible hepatocurative effects of aqueous root extract of C. Procera on CCl4 induced liver toxicity

Detection of porcine circovirus type 1 in commercial porcine vaccines by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method with a real-time monitoring system was developed for the detection of porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) in commercial swine vaccines. This method was highly specific for PCV1. No cross-reaction to porcine circovirus type 2, porcine parvovirus, pseudorabies virus, classical swine fever virus, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus was observed. The analytical sensitivity of the LAMP for PCV1 DNA was 10 copies/μl in the case of positive recombinant plasmid comparable to that obtained from the nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR). Furthermore, 25 commercial swine vaccines were tested by both the LAMP and the nested PCR, and three of them were tested positive for PCV1 DNA. These results indicate that PCV1 DNA can be real-time detected by the LAMP; the method was highly specific, sensitive, and rapid for the detection of PCV1 DNA, particularly in commercial swine vaccines

Does physical activity change predict functional recovery in low back pain? Protocol for a prospective cohort study

Background: Activity advice and prescription are commonly used in the management of low back pain (LBP). Although there is evidence for advising patients with LBP to remain active, facilitating both recovery and return to work, to date no research has assessed whether objective measurements of free living physical activity (PA) can predict outcome, recovery and course of LBP. Methods: An observational longitudinal study will investigate PA levels in a cohort of community-dwelling working age adults with acute and sub-acute LBP. Each participant's PA level, functional status, mood, fear avoidance behaviours, and levels of pain, psychological distress and occupational activity will be measured on three occasions during for 1 week periods at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year. Physical activity levels will be measured by self report, RT3 triaxial accelerometer, and activity recall questionnaires. The primary outcome measure of functional recovery will be the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Free living PA levels and changes in functional status will be quantified in order to look at predictive relationships between levels and changes in free living PA and functional recovery in a LBP population. Discussion: This research will investigate levels and changes in activity levels of an acute LBP cohort and the predictive relationship to LBP recovery. The results will assess whether occupational, psychological and behavioural factors affect the relationship between free living PA and LBP recovery. Results from this research will help to determine the strength of evidence supporting international guidelines that recommend restoration of normal activity in managing LBP. Trial registration. [Clinical Trial Registration Number, ACTRN12609000282280]. © 2009 Hendrick et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd