Effects of teak canopy cover and npk fertilizer application on growth of ginger in agroforestry trial, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Non-timber forest products issues are of global interest due to their importance among rural and urban dwellers for income, healthcare and food security. This study investigates the effects of Tectona grandis canopy cover and NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizer (15:15:15) application on growth parameters of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) in Ile-Ife, south-western Nigeria. Twelve replicates of ginger plots (6m²each) were laid in a completely randomised block design within and outside Teak plantations. Six replicates were treated with NPK (15:15:15) in a split dose at two and 6 weeks old, while others serve as control. Growth indices such as foliage, tiller numbers, and plant height per plot were obtained for two cropping seasons. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA and descriptive statistics. Tiller formation in ginger was significantly inhibited by Teak canopy with or without NPK fertilizer (0.000 and 0.033, ρ ≤ 0.05). Ginger heights were not significantly different within Teak plantation with or without NPK (0.647); however, there were significant differences between heights of ginger grown within and outside Teak plantations, (0.000 and 0.011, ρ ≤ 0.05). Foliage production in ginger was higher outside teak plantation, (0.000 and 0.007, ρ ≤ 0.05), while NPK also enhanced foliage production in ginger significantly, (0.000, ρ ≤ 0.05). The study concluded that incorporation of Ginger in plantations such as Teak and other fast growing indigenous species can enhance plantation benefits in terms of biomass yield. Further research in this area is recommended in agroforestry systems.Keywords: Ginger, Teak canopy, tiller formation, leaf production, agroforestry

Causative agents of keratomycosis in Ibadan: review of laboratory reports

Introduction: Fungi are responsible for less than 2.0 % of corneal infection around the globe. Trauma to the cornea is the leading cause of fungal keratitis especially with history of corneal trauma with vegetable or organic matter. Because of the dearth of data on the aetiological agents of Keratomycosis in this hospital, this study was aimed at finding the prevalence and fungal etiological agents responsible for this condition Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of the laboratory reports of corneal scrapings of patients that presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of Keratomycosis was carried out. The scrapings were subjected to wet preparation with 10.0 % KOH, Gram staining and Giemsa staining to rule out inclusion bodies. The diagnosis of Keratomycosis was made on the basis of the recognizable and characteristic appearance of fungal hyphae and fruiting bodies under microscopy. The media with no obvious growth after 3-4 weeks of incubation were regarded as negative. Results: A total of 48 specimens from patients with suspected diagnosis of Keratomycosis were included in the analysis. The patients consisted of 42 (87.3%) males and 6 (12.5%) females. The ages at diagnosis ranged from 3 to 73 years with a mean of 36.46 years and a median of 35.5 years. The prevalence of Keratomycosis among this group of patients in this hospital was 8.4 %. Candida albicans and Fusarium spp were the fungal isolates in these patients as it occurred in 4.2 % (2/48) of them respectively. Conclusions: Corneal scarring due to trauma or infections is a major cause of monocular blindness, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Despite the low level of Keratomycosis in this study, high index of suspicion of possible diagnosis should be giving to patients with history of trauma, tissue devitalization with topical steroids and immunocompromised immunity.Keywords: Keratomycosis, Corneal, Fusarium and Candida

Facial plexiform neurofibroma: a surgical challenge

Introduction: Plexiform neurofibroma occurring in the Head and Neck region can be disfiguring, causing cosmetic embarrassment to the affected patients. Surgical management is the mainstay of therapy. This is however a challenging undertaking because of the vascularity and the risk of primary haemorrhage, infiltration of facial soft tissues against the need to preserve functions and maintain aesthesis.Subjects and methods: We present case reports of four patients managed in our institution over the pasttwo years with a discussion on some practical points of management.Results: All the four patients had surgical excision and refashioning. Post–operative results of surgical excision alone are satisfactory.Conclusion: Plexiform neurofibromatosis is a benign tumour of nerve sheath amenable to surgical intervention when attended by meticulous details in well prepared patients.KEYWORDS: Plexiform neurofibromatosis; facial, surgical excisio

Pregnancy, Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes in HIV Positive Nigerian Women

While the effect of HIV infection on some maternal outcomes is well established, for some others there is conflicting information on possible association with HIV. In this study we investigated pregnancy and neonatal outcome of HIV positive women in large HIV treatment centre over a period of 84 months. They were managed according to the Nigerian PMTCT protocol. Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome were observed in 48.3% HIV positives compared 30.3% to the negatives (OR: 2.08; CI: 1.84-2.34). Low birth weight ( OR:2.95; CI:1.95-3.1), preterm delivery (OR:2.05;CI:1.3-3.1), perinatal death (OR:1.9;CI:1.3-3.2), and spontaneous abortion (OR:1.37; CI:1.1-2.3) were factors found to be independently associated with HIV. Low CD4 count (OR: 2.45; CI: 1.34- 4.56) and opportunistic infections (OR: 2.11; CI: 1.56-3.45) were to be associated with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome. This study confirms the association of HIV, severe immunosuppression and opportunistic infection and adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome.Alors que l'effet de l'infection par le VIH sur certains résultats maternels sont bien établis, pour certains d'autres, il ya des informations contradictoires sur l'association possible avec le VIH. Dans cette étude, nous avons étudié la grossesse et l'état néonatal des femmes séropositives dans un grand centre de traitement du VIH au cours d’une période de 84 mois. Elles étaient prises en charge selon le protocole nigérian de PTME. On a remarqué des résultats obstétricaux et néonatals Indésirables chez 48,3% des séropositives par rapport à 30,3% pour les négatifs (OR: 2,08, IC: 1,84 à 2,34). Le faible poids de naissance (OR: 2,95, IC : 1,95-3 ,1), l'accouchement prématuré (OR: 2,05, IC : 1,3-3 ,1), la mortalité périnatale (OR: 1,9, IC : 1,3-3 ,2), et l'avortement spontané (OR: 1,37 IC :1,1-2 3) étaient des facteurs qui seraient associés de façon indépendante avec le VIH. Les femmes qui ont un faible taux de CD4 (OR: 2,45, IC: 1,34 à 4,56) et les infections opportunistes (OR: 2,11, IC : 1,56-3 .45) devaient être associées aux résultats obstétricaux et néonatals défavorables. Cette étude confirme l'association entre le VIH, l’immunosuppression sévère et l’infection opportuniste, les résultats obstétricaux et néonatals défavorables