GROWTH AND YIELD OF OKRA VARIETIES AS AFFECTED BY RATES OF ORGANO-BASED FOLIAR FERTILIZERS IN RAINFOREST AND RAINFOREST/SAVANNA TRANSITION AGRO-ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA

A field experiments were conducted at the Directorate of University Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and National Horticulture Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan between May and August 2015 to assess the effect of different f organo-based fertilizer (fertilizer applied on the leaves) and their rate on growth and yield of two Okra Varieties: LD88 (Late Maturity), and NHAe–47 (Early Maturity). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The experiment was a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial combinations laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in a split-split-plot arrangement, with three replicates at both locations. Factors were okra varieties (LD88 and NHAe–47), the fertilizer types (D.I grow green ® and D.I grow red®) and four rate of foliar applications (0, 300, 600 and 900 ml/ha) while NPK 15:15:15 served as check were applied at 4,6, and 8 Weeks After Sowing (WAS). Agronomic data were obtained from growth and yield variables. Results showed that varieties had significant (P≤ 0.05) effect on growth and yield variables. Variety of LD88 had higher plant height and more leaves than NHAe-47 at both locations. Foliar fertilizer had significant (P≤ 0.05) effect on growth and yield variables. The D.I Grow Green® produced significantly numbers of leaves (11, 9). Application rate of 300 ml/ha and 600 ml/ha D.I.Grow Green® gave a better performance. The LD88 variety produced significantly (P< 0.05) longer pod length (4.68 cm), fresh fruit weight (4.84 t/ha) and dry fruit weight (0.31 t/ha) than NHAe-47. Application rate of 600 mls/ha D.I.Grow Red® produced significantly fresh fruit weight (5.79 t/ha) compared to control (1.32 t/ha). In conclusion, okra variety LD88 had superior growth and yield performance. Application of D.I.Grow Red® at the rate of 300 ml/ha  at Funaab and 600ml/ha at Nihort enhance fruit yield performance on okra. Therefore, 300ml/ha and 600ml/ha could be recommended to farmers in Rainforest/Savanna transition (Abeokuta) and Rainforest agro-ecology (Ibadan), respectively   , , ,

Trans-scrotal single-incision orchidopexy compared with conventional orchidopexy in palpable undescended testis in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background The standard method of treatment of palpable undescended testes is  through inguinal mobilization and a scrotal sub-dartos pouch. Trans-scrotal single-incision orchidopexy may be a suitable alternative.Aim The aim of this study was to assess as to how trans-scrotal orchidopexy compares with conventional orchidopexy in terms of the suitable placement of the testis in a dependent position in the scrotum and the surgical outcome.Patients and methods Forty children with 42 palpable undescended testes were randomly allotted into the conventional and the trans-scrotal orchidopexy groups over an 18-month period. The age, the testicular position, the side involved, the length of the vas gained after isolation and the division of the processus vaginalis, as well as the placement of the testes in the sub-dartos pouch without tension, were recorded. Postoperative complications and the subjective score of the cosmetic appearance of the scars during follow-up for at least 6 months. Success was defined as suitable placement of the testes in the sub-dartos pouch during operation, no conversion of patients in the single-orchidopexy group to the conventional inguinal approach, no complications and excellent cosmetic appearance of scars.Results The two study groups were well matched for age and testicular positions. About 22 (55%) patients had rightsided undescended testes and 16 (40%) had left-sided undescended testes, and in two (5%) patients, it was bilateral. All testes were satisfactorily placed in the subdartos pouch at surgery. Testicular retraction  was observed in one patient in the conventional group, but in two patients in the trans-scrotal group. All wounds healed satisfactorily without infection. The overall wound complication rate in the trans-scrotal and the conventional groups were 2/21 and 3/21, respectively. In terms of the cosmetic appearance of the scar, patients in the trans-scrotal group had excellent cosmetic appearance as the scars were less visible and hidden in the rugal fold compared with the conventional method.Conclusion Trans-scrotal orchidopexy for palpable undescended testis is simple, safe and has a better cosmetic scar compared with the conventional approachKeywords: conventional, orchidopexy, testis, trans-scrota

WASTE TO WEALTH - CONVERSION OF POULTRY LITTER FROM RAW FORM TO PELLETED ORGANIC FERTILIZER

A review of the use of pelletized poultry litter for creation of wealth through use as organic fertilizer was done, using information from literature and data from field observation. Poultry wastes, which are a menace to the environment, are sources of wealth creation, especially for organic farming. There is an abundance of poultry wastes in Nigeria, as about 932.5 metric tonnes of poultry manure is produced annually from the well-established poultry houses which keep expanding at the rate of 8% per year. Also, global trend is shifting to organic fertilizer as the use of chemical fertilizer over the years has destroyed our soil. Organic fertilizer has much organic content, which can rejuvenate the already destroyed soil. Not only that, organic fertilizer is safe for human health. Pelletized poultry litter would compete successfully as a soil conditioner or soil amendment. It would also be priced competitively, as it provides a unique mixture of nutrients and conditioning properties. Consequently, there is more poultry farming profitability, efficient resources utilization and conservation of environment due to waste management

Ensuring Quality in AFRINEST and SATT: Clinical Standardization and Monitoring

Background: Three randomized open-label clinical trials [Simplified Antibiotic Therapy Trial (SATT) Bangladesh, SATT Pakistan and African Neonatal Sepsis Trial (AFRINEST)] were developed to test the equivalence of simplified antibiotic regimens compared with the standard regimen of 7 days of parenteral antibiotics. These trials were originally conceived and designed separately; subsequently, significant efforts were made to develop and implement a common protocol and approach. Previous articles in this supplement briefly describe the specific quality control methods used in the individual trials; this article presents additional information about the systematic approaches used to minimize threats to validity and ensure quality across the trials. Methods: A critical component of quality control for AFRINEST and SATT was striving to eliminate variation in clinical assessments and decisions regarding eligibility, enrollment and treatment outcomes. Ensuring appropriate and consistent clinical judgment was accomplished through standardized approaches applied across the trials, including training, assessment of clinical skills and refresher training. Standardized monitoring procedures were also applied across the trials, including routine (day-to-day) internal monitoring of performance and adherence to protocols, systematic external monitoring by funding agencies and external monitoring by experienced, independent trial monitors. A group of independent experts (Technical Steering Committee/Technical Advisory Group) provided regular monitoring and technical oversight for the trials. Conclusions: Harmonization of AFRINEST and SATT have helped to ensure consistency and quality of implementation, both internally and across the trials as a whole, thereby minimizing potential threats to the validity of the trials’ results

Antenatal corticosteroids for women at risk of imminent preterm birth in low-resource countries: the case for equipoise and the need for efficacy trials

The scientific basis for antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) for women at risk of preterm birth has rapidly changed in recent years. Two landmark trials-the Antenatal Corticosteroid Trial and the Antenatal Late Preterm Steroids Trial-have challenged the long-held assumptions on the comparative health benefits and harms regarding the use of ACS for preterm birth across all levels of care and contexts, including resource-limited settings. Researchers, clinicians, programme managers, policymakers and donors working in low-income and middle-income countries now face challenging questions of whether, where and how ACS can be used to optimise outcomes for both women and preterm newborns. In this article, we briefly present an appraisal of the current evidence around ACS, how these findings informed WHO's current recommendations on ACS use, and the knowledge gaps that have emerged in the light of new trial evidence. Critical considerations in the generalisability of the available evidence demonstrate that a true state of clinical equipoise exists for this treatment option in low-resource settings. An expert group convened by WHO concluded that there is a clear need for more efficacy trials of ACS in these settings to inform clinical practice

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential

Serum Micronutrient Status of Haart-Naïve, HIV Infected Children in South Western Nigeria: A Case Controlled Study

Background. Though micronutrients are vital in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus infection, most studies have been conducted in adults. Knowledge of the status of key micronutrients in HIV infected African children will indicate if supplementation may be beneficial to these children living in this resource-poor region. Objectives. We sought to determine the micronutrient status and associated factors of HAART-naïve HIV infected children and compare them with those of the HIV negative controls. Methods. We enrolled 70 apparently stable HAART naïve HIV infected children. Seventy age and sex matched HIV negative children were equally enrolled as the controls. Their social class, anthropometry, clinical stage, CD4 counts, serum zinc, selenium, and vitamin C were determined. Results. The prevalence of zinc, selenium, and vitamin C deficiency in HIV infected subjects was 77.1%, 71.4%, and 70.0%, respectively, as compared to 44.3%, 18.6%, and 15.7% in HIV negative controls. Among the HIV infected subjects, 58.6% were deficient in the three micronutrients. Micronutrient status was related to the weight, clinical, and immunological stages but not BMI or social class. Conclusion. Deficiency of these key micronutrients is widely prevalent in HAART naïve HIV infected children irrespective of social class. This suggests that supplementation trial studies may be indicated in this population

Changes in Phosphorus Fractions in Manure and Phosphorus Fertilizer Amended Soil of Southwestern Nigeria

Phosphorus (P) fractions are important forms of P in the soil which determines P availability, an important ion in the soil for plant use. Incubation study was conducted in the laboratory for ten weeks to study the changes in selected P fractions in an Alfisol (Iwo soil series) in the southwestern region of Nigeria amended with poultry manure and single superphosphate (SSP).The soil was collected from the experimental field of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, Nigeria. Poultry manure at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1&nbsp;was applied in combination with single superphosphate (SSP) at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg P ha-1. The treatments were replicated three times and phosphorus fractions (Organic P, Fe-P, Al-P, occulded P and residual P) were determined before and at two weekly interval during the incubation studies using the Chang and Jackson method.Significant increases in Fe-P and Al-P fractions were observed to the 6th week of incubation after which it started decreasing when poultry manure was applied solely and in combination with SSP. The sole application of SSP i.e. at 30 kg P ha-1&nbsp;of SSP increased the recalcitrant P fractions while poultry manure reduced it. When Fe-P extractable with NaOH i.e. NaOH-Pi builds up it acts as a sink for P and this is achieved more when the poultry manure was combined with SSP. Application of 20 t ha-1&nbsp;of poultry manure in combination with 30 kg P ha-1&nbsp;of SSP increased the Fe-P availability and therefore a potential sink for P