Chlorophytum sabiense (Asparagaceae): A new speices from Nigeria

Chlorophytum Ker-Gawl. is a monocotyledonous perennial herb. Its perennating organ is rhizome which may be tuberous or not. The genus like other Liliales is characterized by having tricarpellay syncarpous ovary. In the present study, samples of the species collected from the North Central part of Nigeria and used for this study, were observed to have multiple carpels fused at the base and with free styles. This is the main diagnostic feature of the newly identified species. Multicarpellary syncarpous ovary is not only new for the genus but also for the tribe Asphodeleae of Hutchinson's system. The carpels consist of; 3 with long free styles and 3 with short free styles. Placentation is axile, with three chambers, suggesting carpellode situation in few of its carpels. The new taxon is therefore named Chlorophytum sabiense. Omokanye, sp. nov. TYPE: Nigeria, Sab

Chromosomes Behavior at Meiosis in Chlorophytum stenopetalum Bak at Pachytene, Diakinesis and Diplotene

Meiotic prophase is classically subdivided into five stages: leptotene,  zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, and diakinesis. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the behaviours of Chromosomes in Chlorophytum stenopetalum Bak.at pachytene /diakinesis and metaphase. The flower buds at right age  were harvested, fixed in Cornoy’s solution (3 part of absolute alcohol and 1 part of acetic alcohol) and preserved in a refrigerator at -4° for at least thirty minutes. The flower buds were then hydrolyzed in 10% HCl for 3-5 minutes. Prepared slides were viewed using an Armscope microscope equipped with digital automatic camera. At diakinesis seven bivalents (7 II) were   predominantly observed (74.2%). Chromosomal stickiness is quite evidence. In addition, cross configuration and its resultant, ring formation at metaphase indicate the presence of translocation heterozgosity in the chromosomes of the species investigated. These abnormalities are likely to affect  microsporogenesis and pollen viability

Chlorophytum sabiense (Asparagaceae): A New Speices from Nigeria

Chlorophytum Ker-Gawl. is a monocotyledonous perennial herb. Its perennating organ is rhizome which may be tuberous or not. The genus like other Liliales is characterized by having tricarpellay syncarpous ovary. In the present study, samples of the species collected from the North Central part of Nigeria and used for this study, were observed to have multiple carpels fused at the base and with free styles. This is the main diagnostic feature of the newly identified species. Multicarpellary syncarpous ovary is not only new for the genus but also for the tribe Asphodeleae of Hutchinson's system. The carpels consist of; 3 with long free styles and 3 with short free styles. Placentation is axile, with three chambers, suggesting carpellode situation in few of its carpels. The new taxon is therefore named Chlorophytum sabiense. Omokanye, sp. nov. TYPE: Nigeria, Sab

Improving Pasture Productivity and Persistence by Renovating or Rejuvenating

Forages make up a large part of the feed requirements of beef cattle, and grazing remains the most economical form of feed delivery. However, several years after pasture establishment, forage productivity and longevity usually decline. Maintaining productive forage stands in the long term becomes a major challenge that beef producers face. A 3-yr on-farm study was conducted to determine the comparative effects of several pasture rejuvenation methods, such as spraying of herbicides to control weeds and brush, Spray herbicide + direct seed in spring (RSS), forage seeding methods, fertilizer application (FERT), and pasture rest as well as aeration/spiking in fall (AF) and aeration/spiking in spring (AS) on forage dry matter (DM) yield and forage quality. Breaking & reseeding (B&R), which is a grassland renovation method, was compared to these four pasture rejuvenation methods. A no treatment method (control) was included for comparison. Three years after treatments were implemented, pasture rejuvenation methods did significantly affect (P\u3c 0.05) grass botanical composition but did not significantly influence (P\u3e 0.05) total DM yield and legume botanical composition. The only method that involved land cultivation and reseeding (B&R) showed higher total input costs than other methods. Overall, RSS as well as AS, AF and FERT had greater 2-year total forage production, revenue and returns, and profit over control than the other treatment methods

Meiotic Chromosome Count for Chlorophytum sabiense Omok

Chlorophytum sabiense Omok (the newly identified taxon in the family Asparagaceae from the Western Tropical Africa) exhibits some exceptional characteristics having; three ovaries, each with a distinct style and stigmas with few lobes. These features separate Chlorophytum sabiense from most species reported in West Africa. Significance of floral characters in taxonomy cannot be overemphasis; as the most reliable morphological feature. In view of this, evidences are required to ascertain true taxonomic statue of the species. In the present contribution, meiotic study was employed as a veritable tool; to investigate pairing pattern of the haploid chromosomes of the species and also to determine the haploid chromosome number for the species. Flower buds at the right age were collected, treated using the conventional method and studied from pachytene to full metaphase. At diakinesis seven bivalents (7 II) were obtained, thus indicate that the species belong to n=7 series of the genus. Seven bivalents (7 II) were however less prevalent (31.9%) compared with multivalents, which indicates high incidence of chromosome stickiness at metaphase I of the species

Screening of immunoglobulin g antibodies against chikungunya virus among urban population in Ilorin Nigeria

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne viral disease which is becoming a serious global public health problem. The principal vector in many parts of Africa is Aedes species. There are recent reports of CHIKV importation into Europe, Asia and America by travelers returning from west and central Africa. Yet, there is scanty information from the guinea savannah region of Nigeria. This study determined previous exposure to CHIKV in the urban population. It is a cross-sectional study involving 89 participants enrolled from three hospitals in Ilorin, Kwara State. A qualitative Chikungunya Enzyme Linked Immunoassay kit was used to detect IgG antibodies. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistically significant level was p≤0.05. Out of the study participants, 24.7% were previously exposed to CHIKV. Age group 31-40years had highest proportion while children under 10years had least IgG level. In this study, we found Chikungunya to be endemic in Ilorin Nigeria. There is need for sustained surveillance, to determine spatio-temporal epidemiology of CHIKV. Efforts should be poised to strengthen vector control measures.Keywords: Chikungunya virus, Immunoglobulin G, Guinea Savannah, Ilorin, Urba

Pre-Operative Vocal Cord Palsy in Goitre Patient

Objectives: Determine the prevalence of vocal cord palsy and the relative prevalence of asymptomatic vocal cord palsy in pre-operative goitre patients using flexible fibreoptic laryngoscope (FFL) as a laryngeal  visualisation technique.Design: Hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted throughout 2011 on consecutive, consenting pre-operative goitre patients referred to the E.N.T Department, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Ilorin, Nigeria.Setting: University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (U.I.T.H) Ilorin is a 600-bedded tertiary institution, serving primarily patients from Kwara State.Subjects: One hundred and ten consenting patients, age 16 and above- whose cooperation could easily be gained for an awake-laryngoscopy procedure.Results: Mean age, 42.98 ± 14.71. Female: Male = 4.5:1. Palsy rate was 2.9% and 25% in benign and malignant goitre respectively. Hoarseness was reported by 3(2.7%) patients with vocal cord palsy (p 0.001). Asymptomatic palsy was 40%.Conclusion: The prevalence of pre-operative vocal cord palsy was 4.5%; Relative prevalence was 2.9% and relative prevalence was 25% in benign and malignant goitre respectively

Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood Cells Toxicity of a Single 2.0 Gy Cobalt60 Ionizing Radiation: An Animal Model

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow is extremely vulnerable to damage caused by radiation therapy. Hence, bone marrow suppression is an important side effect of radiotherapy. Effective use of radiotherapy is therefore compromised by radiation-related injuries.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six Guinea-pigs were recruited for the study of which three were subjected to total body irradiation with Co60 while the other three served as controls. Bone marrow and peripheral blood samples were collected before and at days 9, 14 and 21, post irradiation. Manual and automated counts were performed for bone marrow nucleated cells and peripheral blood cells respectively.RESULTS: Declining bone marrow cellularity was evident immediately post irradiation. Mean ± SD of marrow cell counted per mm3 were 121,924±281, 87,603±772, 121,367±375 and122,750±1000 pre-irradiation and days 9, 14 and 21, postirradiation (p-values 0.10, 0.27 and 0.29 respectively). Significant drops in counts were noticed on day 9 post-irradiation for all red cell parameters (p-values <0.05), for Total White Blood Cell Count and Neutrophil count (p-values <0.05) and also on days 14 and 21 for Lymphocytes (p-values <0.05) and on day 21 for Eosinophil/Basophil/Monocytes (p-value <0.05). A significant drop in platelets counts was also noticed on day 9 (p-value <0.05) which significantly increased above pre-irradiation value on day 21.CONCLUSION: Total body irrradiation with Co60 significantly affects the bone marrow with maximum reductions in marrow nucleated cells and peripheral blood cells counts on day 9 post irradiation.

Comparative Morphology and Taxonomic Study of Chlorophytum sabiense And Two Other Species in the Genus Chlorophytum Ker-Gawl

Chlorophytum sabiense Omok. (a newly identified species in the family Asparagaceae) is unique, having multiple styles emerging from fused ovaries. This specialized character may be overlooked in conjuring up archetype for the genus Chlorophytum, since the genus is characterized by single and simple style. Comparative morphology and taxonomic study of Chlorophytum sabiense and two other species in the genus (Chlorophytum macrophyllum and C. stenopetalum) was carried out to appraise level of relatedness of Chlorophytum. sabiense and these existing members. Distribution of the three species is sympatric in the North Central part of Nigeria. Chlorophytum sabiense may be confused with either of the two species because of the attributes they have in common. Samples collected were raised in a garden and closely observed for duration of three years. Data collected from morphological studies were analyzed statistically. The three species show similarity in most of the vegetative characters studied, however Chlorophytum sabiense is distinguished from the two others having; multiple styles, smaller fruit size and shorter length of pistil relative to the stamen. Exceptional characteristics exhibited by Chlorophytum sabiense makes it stand out among species in the genus, while its close resemblance with its allies accounts for reason why it had escaped recognition for a long time

A review of pregnancy outcomes following laparoscopic ovarian drilling for infertile women with clomiphene resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) at a public health facility in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the common endocrine disorder in women and its prevalence is on the increase due to availability of diagnostic tools. It is usually managed medically but for some resistant cases may require surgical intervention in the form of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD). LOD is a one-off therapy avoids the need of medical therapy and its attendant complications.Aim and Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of LOD on reproductive outcomes of infertile women with clomiphene resistance PCOS among clients attending the Assisted Reproduction Technology unit of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.Materials and Methods: This is a prospective / longitudinal study of twenty three (23) patients of clomiphene resistant PCOS who underwent LOD between January and December 2012.Results: The patients were aged 24-45years with a mean age of 31.7 ± 5.2 years. Twenty (87%) out of twenty three were nulliparous and majority (87%) belong to middle social class. Eleven (47.8%) had primary infertility while 12 (52.2%) had secondary infertility. The mean duration of infertility is 4.5 ± 2.9 years and the number of drills per ovary ranged from 4 to 15 (mean, right ovary=8.6±3.24; left ovary=9.3±3.4). Majority (95.7%) had at least one patent tube. The mean age of patients' husbands is 38.8 ± 5.7 years with majority (82.6%) having normozoospermia. In the follow-up period, all 23 patients (100%) resumed menstruation and achieved ovulation (ovulation rate= 100%). The mean time of menstruation and ovulation were 4.1± 1.9 days and 5.3 ± 3.2 weeks respectively. Seven pregnancies were recorded from 23 patients giving a cumulative pregnancy rate of 30.4%. Of the remaining four pregnancies, one of the patients had successfully delivered, giving a live birth rate of 14.3%, while others are on-going. The mean time interval from LOD to pregnancy was 4.7 ± 1.6 months. The pregnancy outcomes had no significant association with age of the women, parity, duration of infertility and types of infertility with p > 0.05. Conclusion: LOD is a safe and effective one-off treatment for PCOS related infertility in patients who failed to respond to CC with efficacy equal to gonadotrophins and metformin. We recommend the need for its domestication in our locality.Keywords: Anovulatory infertility, Laparoscopic ovarian drilling, Polycystic ovarian syndrome, Live birt