Syphilis in a Nigerian Paramilitary Agency: Need for Treatment Policy

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases are widespread in the developing countries and constitute a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. More recently, there has been a resurgence of syphilis. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence rate of syphilis among newly recruited senior cadres of a Nigerian Security Agency. Method: Eight hundred and fifteen newly recruited men and women sent for serological test for syphilis (STS) in our laboratory were all screened accordingly using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test. All those that were positive wee confirmed using treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA) test. Results: The seroprevalence rate of treponema pallidum infection was 4.0% (95%CI = 2.8% -5.6%). The rate was significantly higher among women (8.0%) compare to men (3.4%) (\u3c72 = 5.3 df = 1 P = 0.02). Considered by age, the highest seroprevalence of 6.7% was seen among oldest recruits (30-39) years age group compared to 4.2% among the younger ones. This trend was however, not statistically significant (\u3c72trend = 1.6 df =3 P = 0.20). Conclusion: Syphilis seropositivity is highly prevalent among the paramilitary population hence the need for prophylactic treatment with benzathine penicillin to be instituted for seropositive individuals as a matter of policy by the government. This could reduce the incidence of HIV infection among Nigerians.Contexte: Les maladies sexuellement transmissibles sont largement r\ue9pondues dans les pays en d\ue9veloppement et constituent un probl\ue8me majeur de sant\ue9 publique en Afrique sub-Saharienne. Plus r\ue9cemment il y'a recrudescence de la syphilis. Le but de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9terminer le taux de s\ue9ropr\ue9valence de la Syphilis chez des cadres sup\ue9rieurs nouvellement recrut\ue9s au sein d'une Agence Nig\ue9riane de S\ue9curit\ue9. M\ue9thodes : Huit cents quinze hommes et femmes nouvellement recrut\ue9s ont b\ue9n\ue9fici\ue9 d'une s\ue9rologie syphilitique dans notre laboratoire en utilisant le test rapide RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin). Tous les tests positifs ont \ue9t\ue9 confirm\ue9s par le test de treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA). R\ue9sultats: Le taux de s\ue9ropr\ue9valence de l'infection \ue0 treponema pallidum \ue9tait de 4,0% (95%CI=2,8%-5,6%). Le taux \ue9tait significativement plus haut chez les femmes (8,0%) compar\ue9 aux hommes (3,4%)(\u3c72 = 5.3 df = 1 P = 0.02). Concernant l'\ue2ge, les taux de s\ue9ropr\ue9valence les plus \ue9lev\ue9s \ue9taient retrouv\ue9s parmi les sujets les plus \ue2g\ue9s (30-39) compar\ue9s \ue0 4,2% chez les sujets les plus jeunes. Cette tendance n'est pas toutefois pas statistiquement significative (\u3c72trend = 1.6 df =3, P = 0.20). Conclusion: La S\ue9ropositivit\ue9 syphilitique a une grande pr\ue9valence dans la population de paramilitaires, d'o\uf9 la n\ue9cessit\ue9 d'une prophylaxie par de la benzathine penicillin, qui doit \ueatre institu\ue9e pour les sujets s\ue9ropositifs devant l'absence de strat\ue9gie gouvernementale. Cela pourrait r\ue9duire l'incidence de l'infection \ue0 VIH au Nigeria

Effect of Ethanolic Leaves Extract of Moringa oleifera on Blood Glucose Levels of Streptozocin-Induced Diabetics and Normoglycemic Wistar Rats

Abstract: This study was undertaken to determine the hypoglycemic effect of Moringa oleifera [family: Moringaceae] ethanolic extract in normal (normoglycemic) and STZ induced diabetic Wistar rats. In one set of experiment, graded doses of the leaves extract (250 and 500 mg/kg i.p.) were separately administered to groups of fasted normal and fasted STZ diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic effect of the ethanolic leaves extract was compared with that of insulin 6 i.u/kg in fasted normal and STZ diabetic rats. Following treatment, relatively moderate to high doses of Moringa oleifera (250 and 500 mg/kg i.p.) produced a dose-dependent, significant reduction (p<0.05) in blood glucose levels of fasted STZ diabetic rats only. A significant decrease in the blood glucose levels after 1-7 h of administration with the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg was observed in the STZ diabetic group when compared to control. As regards to the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg for the fasted normal rats, there was significant increase in the blood glucose levels when compared to control. In conclusion the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera possesses hypoglycemic activity in STZ induced diabetic Wistar rats only

Correlation Analysis of some Growth, Yield, Yield Components and Grain Quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

ABSTRACT: Field experiments were conducted during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 dry seasons at the Fadam

Effect of Cow Dung on Soil Properties and Performance of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in Sudan Savanna, Nigeria

The study was conducted during the 2011/2012 dry season at two locations simultaneously, to evaluate the effect of cow dung rates on some selected soil chemical properties and performance of sweet potato. The trials were conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto vegetable research farm (Kwalkwalawa) and Bakalori irrigation project, Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, Nigeria. The three rates of cow dung were; 3, 2 and1 t/ha which was laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The soil properties considered were; soil pH, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen and available phosphorus. Number of vines and leaves per plant, tuber weight and fresh tuber weight were among the growth and yield parameters considered for assessing the sweet potato performance. Result obtained were consistent as per locations, indicating that treatments have no significant effect (P>0.05) on soil properties, while significant (P<0.05) on growth and yield parameters of sweet potato. Application of 3t/h cow dung recorded the highest yield of 18.73t/ha. The result therefore, emphasized that, 3t/ha of cowdung is the best for better sweet potato yield without changes in soil properties

Effect of Combined Application of Fortified Poultry Manure with Ash and NPK Fertilizer on the Performance of Sakanal Onions (Allium cepa L.) in Sokoto, Sudan Savanna, Nigeria

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of combined application of fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer on the performance of sakanal onions (Allium cepa L.) variety during 2018/2019 dry season in Chimola (Gwadabawa LGA) and Wurno (Wurno LGA), Sokoto State. The treatments consisted of three (3) levels combination of fortified poultry manure with ash (1:3 ratio) at 5, 10 and 15t ha-1 and three (3) levels of NPK at 30, 45 and 60kg ha-1 which were combined and laid-out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three (3) times. Sakanal onion variety was used as a test crop. The data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure for RCBD using SPSS version 23.0. The results revealed that fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer significantly (P<0.05) affected Growth and yield parameters such as plant height (71 - 62 cm), number of leaves (8), fresh bulb yield (70t ha-1), crop growth rate (1.52g cm-1) in Chimola and Wurno. Individual bulb weight (300g), bulb diameter (7.8cm) were significantly (P<0.05) affected in Wurno location. Cured buld yield (55t ha-1) responds significantly (P<0.05) to the application of fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer in Chimola location. The result of the study revealed that application of fortified poultry manure with ash and NPK fertilizer (P15NPK3) significantly improved the performance and shelf-life of sakanal onion variety and physical and chemical properties of the soils in the study area

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practices in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Productivity of Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. BR.) as Influenced by Intra-row Spacing, Low Levels of Combined Organic and In-organic Fertilizers and Variety in Sokoto, Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

Pearl millet [(Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], is an important dietary food. Under and over plant population results to poor growth and Development. Farmers in Nigeria cultivates local varieties resulting to low yield. Inorganic fertilizers are costly and also results to soil pollution. Millet productions can be enhanced through appropriate cultural practices. Field experiment was conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Dry land Farm, Sokoto, during the 2022 Rainy season to determine effect of intra-row spacing, appropriate combination of organic and inorganic fertilize and variety for optimum yield of millet. The treatments comprises factorial combination of three intra-row spacings (40,50 and 50 cm), three fertilizer treatments: the control, 25 kg P205 and 25 kg N ha-1, FYM at 5 t ha-1 , 12.5 kg P205 plus 12.5 kg N,  plus FYM at 2.5 t ha-1  and two verities (Super SOSSAT and Zango millet local variety), laid out in split plot design, Intra-row spacing and fertilizer was allocated to the main plot, varieties to sub plots.  Data collected on growth and yield parameters was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that 40 cm intra-row spacing produced higher Leaf Area Index (LAI), Panicle length (cm) and total biomass, while 25 kg P205 and 25 kg N ha-1, FYM at 5 t ha-1 , 12.5 kg P205 plus 12.5 kg N produced taller plants, higher LAI, panicle weight, 1000 grain weight, grain  yield, and total biomass. Super SOSSAT produced higher LAI, Panicle length (cm), panicle weight, 1000 grain weight, grain yield and total biomass, while Zango millet variety produced taller plant and longer panicle length. 40cm intra-row spacing, application of combined organic and inorganic fertilizer at the rate of 25 kg N, P and 5 tonne-1  FYM and Super Sossat was better for optimum yield

Distribution of Soil Micronutrients of Bakalori Irrigation Project, Zamfara State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess the distribution of soil micronutrients at Bakalori Irrigation Project, Zamfara State. Three local government areas; Maradun (Upper slope), Talata Mafara (Middle slope) and Bakura (Lower slope) were purposively sampled along Sokoto River. Three soil profile pits were dug, one in each local government of the study site, soil samples were collected from each horizon. Results showed that the soils were slightly acid to neutral with mean pH of 6.29, 6.60 and 6.62 for upper, middle and lower slope respectively. Organic carbon was low with mean values of 5.67 gkg-1, 2.79 gkg-1 and 4.72 gkg-1. CEC values were medium with the mean value of 10.76, 10.92 and 10.60 cmolkg-1. The results of available micronutrients showed that Fe was low with the mean values of 1.55 mgkg-1, 1.8 mgkg-1, and 1.83 mgkg-1, Mn was low to medium with the mean values of 0.70 mgkg-1, 0.85 mgkg-1  and 1.08 mgkg-1, Zn was medium with the mean values of 1.05 mgkg-1, 0.85-1 and 1.0 mgkg-1 and Cu was high with the mean values of 2.30 mgkg-1, 1.5 mgkg-1 and 2.58 mgkg-1 in all the three sites (upper, middle and lower slope). According to the USDA soil Taxonomy Classification System, soils of profile 1 (upper slope) were classified as  Typic Endoaqualfs, soils profile 2 (middle slope) were classified as Aquic Haplustalfs and soils profile 3 (lower slope) were classified as Aquic Hapludalfs and the soils were locally named as Dosara, Matusgi and Birnin Tudu series for Maradun, Talata Mafara and Bakura soils respectively

Effects of NPK and Cow Dung on the Performance of Rice (Oryza sativa) in the Sudan Savanna Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria

This study evaluated the effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK 20-10-10) and cow dung on the performance of rice at two locations (Sokoto and Talata Mafara) in the Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria, during the 2012/2013 dry season. The treatments consisted of nine different combinations of cow dung and NPK fertilizer with an absolute control, using rice (FARO 44) as a test crop. The treatments were laid out in a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The combined application of cow dung and NPK fertilizer significantly (p < 0.05) increased most of the results obtained with regards to locations compared to the control plots. The growth and yield parameters of rice considered were significantly (p <0.05) affected by the treatments except one thousand grain weight. Application of 8 t ha-1 of cow dung in combination with 400 kg ha-1 NPK 20:10:10 gave the highest grain yield (5.77 t ha-1) at Sokoto, while application of 12 t ha-1 of cow dung in combination with 300 kg ha-1 NPK 20:10:10 gave the highest grain yield (6.50 t ha-1) at Talata Mafara. In conclusion, it is recommended that application of 12 t ha-1 of cow dung in combination with 300 kg ha-1 NPK 20:10:10 resulted in the best soil nutrient enrichment and yield of rice in Sokoto and Talata Mafara. The result showed that judicious application of cow dung with NPK fertilizers could be a useful practice for better performance of Rice in the study areas compared to the control plots which significantly recorded the least.&nbsp