Taxonomic Classification and Suitability Evaluation of Selected Soils of Gboko for Yam and Cassava Production.

This study evaluated soil fertility status of Gboko-South in Gboko Local Government Area and their suitability for cassava and yam production. Auger point investigations were carried out at 100 m intervals along traverses spaced at 100 m apart. Three soil units were identified on the field based on soil colour, structure, textures, surface characteristics and topography. The results showed that the soil units were deep (102 – 141 cm) and well drained except unit I that was poorly drained. The soils were coarse-textured and slightly to moderately acidic in reaction with pH values which ranges from 5.38 – 6.50. They had low organic matter contents ranging from 0.20 to 0.95 % and high base saturation which ranged from 76 to 86 %. The soils were classified as Typic Epiaqualfs/Epigleyic Stagnosols, Arenic Haplustalfs/Eutric Luvisols, and Eutric Haplustept/Eutric Haplic Luvisols. Soils of unit I (Pedon I and II), unit II (Pedon III and IV) and unit III (Pedon V and VI) were evaluated to be moderately suitable for cassava and yam production.Keywords: Soil, Taxonomic classification, Suitability evaluation, Land suitability assessment, Yam and Cassava

Hypofibronectinaemia in leprosy

The aim of this study is to determine the levels of plasma fibronectin in leprosy patients of Nigerian origin. Seventy leprosy patients, 42 men and 28 women, aged 20 to 70 years, of Mile 4 Hospital Abakalilki in Ebonyi State of Nigeria and seventy age and sex-matched apparently normal subjects were used. Some (44) of the patients were on multiple drug therapy with dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine as the mainline drugs. The remaining 26 patients had stable treated leprosy but were living in the colony, (on-colony). Study protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu and informed consent was obtained from all subjects before collection of data and samples was made. Plasma fibronectin was assayed by an ELISA method. The leprosy patients had mean plasma fibronectin levels of 70.51 ± 17.83 µg/ml, men 85.39 ± 18.0 µg/ml, women 63.19 ± 3.63 µg/ml compared with the mean control value of 286.2 ± 130 µg/ml, men 395.5 ± 114.5 µg/ml, women 208.9 ± 71.69 µg/ml (p < 0.001). Peak control values were observed in the fifth decade of life, 40 to 49 years, and declined steadily thereafter. The peak values for the patients were observed in third decade of life, 20 to 29 years, and declined steadily with advancing age. Patients on drugs had lower fibronectin values, 71.32 ± 13.83 µg/ml, than those living on colony, 85.30 ± 20.50 µg/ml (p < 0.05). There is marked hypofibronectinaemia in leprosy patients that may be due to several possible causes. More work is needed to elucidate the exact cause(s) of hypofibronectinaemia in leprosy

The Prevalence of Microalbuminuria Among Hypertensive Patients Attending University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu Clinics.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria among patients with essential hypertension and its relationship with age of the patient, prevailing blood pressure and duration of illness. One hundred patients with essential hypertension attending clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku- Ozalla, in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria who gave their informed consent, participated in the study. Their random urine samples were analyzed. Samples that gave positive test results for overt proteinuria as well as those negative for both microalbuminuria and proteinuria were noted. Standard method was used to assay microalbumin in the rest of the samples. Of the one hundred patients, 24 (24%) 54 (54%) and 22(22%) had overt proteinuria, neither overt proteinuria nor microalbuminuria and microalbuminuria respectively. Their mean ages were 59.96(±10.81), 56.69(±10.81), and 59.45(±10.81) years respectively (p>0.05). Corresponding values for SBP were, 156.1(±30.14), 140.1(±28.0) and 143(±26.28) mmHg respectively (p>0.05); and for DSP, 87.20(±16.62), 82.64(±3.88), and 88.50(±14.34) mmHg respectively (p.0.05). The mean durations of illness for the three groups were 9.21(±7.9), 5.67(±5.62), and 5.55(±6.16) years respectively (p>0.05). The mean microalbumin value obtained for the group with microalbuminuria was 25.25(±3.70) mg/dl with a range of 13.8-30mg/dl. The rate of excretion of albumin did not correlate significantly with the blood pressure, age or duration of illness. A 22% prevalence rate of microalbuminuria recorded in this study is thought to be high since the patients were on drug treatment that was expected to reduce the figure. A frequent screening of patients of essential hypertension is indicated in order to prevent hypertensive nephropathy.Keywords: Microalbuminuria; hypertension; proteinuria; end-stage renal failur

Indomethacin in preventive medicine: New role as rodenticide

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Taxonomic Classification and Suitability Evaluation of Selected Soils of Gboko for Yam and Cassava Production.

This study evaluated soil fertility status of Gboko-South in Gboko Local Government Area and their suitability for cassava and yam production. Auger point investigations were carried out at 100 m intervals along traverses spaced at 100 m apart. Three soil units were identified on the field based on soil colour, structure, textures, surface characteristics and topography. The results showed that the soil units were deep (102 – 141 cm) and well drained except unit I that was poorly drained. The soils were coarse-textured and slightly to moderately acidic in reaction with pH values which ranges from 5.38 – 6.50. They had low organic matter contents ranging from 0.20 to 0.95 % and high base saturation which ranged from 76 to 86 %. The soils were classified as Typic Epiaqualfs/Epigleyic Stagnosols, Arenic Haplustalfs/Eutric Luvisols, and Eutric Haplustept/Eutric Haplic Luvisols. Soils of unit I (Pedon I and II), unit II (Pedon III and IV) and unit III (Pedon V and VI) were evaluated to be moderately suitable for cassava and yam production