Histiocytosis in Nigerian children: A report of two variants

Histiocytoses are a rare group of proliferative disorders with very similar clinical and histological pictures. We present a case report of two variants seen in an eight-month-old female and five-month-old male in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria. They both presented with painless neck swellings and fever, leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Initial histologic examinations of the cervical lymph nodes biopsy posed a diagnostic conundrum. However, Immuno-histochemical analysis done on both sample showed CD1a, positive S100 in keeping with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the former. While, that of the latter showed strongly positive CD68, positive S-100 in 30% cells in keeping with Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SLMH) in the latter. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for histiocytosis in children presenting with generalised lymphadenopathy. Also, apart from the routine histology, immunohistochemistry analysis is recommended for all case

Appraisal of the magnetic and geothermal anomalies of bornu basin northeast nigeria involving aero-magnetic data

The Bornu Basin in northeast Nigeria was studied using high-resolution airborne magnetic data with the objective of improving the reliability of mapped magnetic and geothermal anomalies, and depth solutions. Necessary enhancement operations like analytic signal (ASIG), upward continuation, depth assessment methods involving standard Euler deconvolution (SED) and source parameter imaging (SPI) as well as spectral analysis applying the centroid technique were applied. The middle and southern parts are dominated by high frequency anomalies as revealed by the ASIG map. Furthermore, the magnetic data, when upward continued to 5 km, revealed avalanche of deeply buried igneous intrusions that created near-surface magnetic sources and geologic structures. Maximum thicknesses of sedimentary series estimated from SED and SPI, are respectively ~5974.7 and ~5885.3 m. These values correlate correlated relatively well with depth to the top boundary (Zt) of ~6550 m obtained from the centroid technique. These depth estimates reveal sequence of thick sediments overlying igneous intrusions and falls under the prospective geothermal anomaly zones characterised by high geothermal gradient (GG) (>55 °C/km) and heat flow (HF) (>130 mW/m2) values. Areas characterised by high geothermal anomalies correspond to igneous intrusion-dominated shallow Curie point depths (CPD or Zb)

Teacher gender and the academic performance of children in primary schools in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of teacher gender on the academic achievement performance of children in primary schools in Uyo Metropolis. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Using the stratified random sampling technique, three schools were selected for the study from which 60 pupils were co-opted using stratified purposive sampling technique. Using the ex-post-facto design, this research collected academic performance data based on the first term examination and continuous assessment of the selected students for data analysis which was carried out using 2-factor Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with replication for the three schools. The results showed that teacher-pupil gender interactions do significantly affect pupil’s academic performance as evinced in the differences between the performance of boys taught by male teachers and boys taught by female teachers and girls taught by female teachers and girls taught by male teachers. Based on this conclusion, recommendations were made with emphasis on the equal training and employment of teachers based on gender

Assessing Medical Doctors’ Knowledge and their Confidence in Spot Diagnosing Monkeypox in South-South Nigeria

Human monkeypox is an emerging viral zoonotic infectious disease caused by a DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. Knowledge of monkeypox, high index and sound clinical judgement particularly amongst medical doctors is critical to responding to monkeypox effectively. Previous studies have shown poor knowledge of monkeypox infection amongst doctors. This study aims to assess doctors’ knowledge of monkeypox and their confidence in diagnosing monkeypox prior to laboratory confirmation. A cross-sectional online survey containing 28-item scale and explanatory variables were used to assess respondents’ knowledge, confidence and risk perception on monkeypox. The participants were reached with online Google form posted on the Nigerian Medical Association group WhatsApp, Cross River State. The questionnaires were structured closed-ended and were self-administered to collect quantitative data. A total of 164 medical doctors working in Cross River State participated. Only 38 (23.2%) of them had good knowledge of monkeypox, using a > 60% cutoff point for good knowledge. Seventy-two percent (72%) displayed confidence to clinically diagnose monkeypox in their daily clinic runs. There was statistically significant relationship between knowledge category and medical sub-specialties (X2 =6.98; p=0.03). We conclude that knowledge of monkeypox amongst medical doctors practicing in Cross River State, Nigeria is currently low, though confidence to diagnose it is high, this confidence should be backed with sound medical knowledge to improve doctors’ capacity to respond to the emerging monkeypox infection

Cointegration between Exchange Rate Volatility and Key Macroeconomic Fundamentals: Evidence from Nigeria

The study modelled the short run and long run impact of some macroeconomic fundamentals on the exchange rate volatility in Nigeria. Unit root test conducted on the specified time series showed that all series were integrated of order one. The short-run and long-run elasticities of exchange rate volatility with respect to some key macro-economic fundamentals were determined using the techniques of co-integration and error correction model estimation. The empirical results revealed that the coefficients of the total import, industrial capacity utilization rate, lending rate of commercial Banks, foreign private investment and liberalization policy period are significant in the long run. Whereas the coefficients of external reserves, inflation rate, interest rate, foreign private investment, total import and industrial capacity utilization rate were significant in the short run. The result advocated for appropriate short and long term policy packages that should focused on stabilization of the identified significant shifters of exchange rate volatility in the Nigeria’s economy. Harmonization of transactions in the various foreign exchange markets in Nigeria should be a priority objective in the current exchange rate policy. Keywords: Exchange Rate; Volatility; GARCH; Macroeconomic; Variables; Policie

Biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide, metformin and two polyherbal bitters

Background: Manufacturers and promoters of various polyherbal bitters claim that, being of natural origin, they could be co-administered with therapeutic drugs with no adverse effects, and that it could be used to treat a wide array of ailments including diabetics. Most Nigerians use the bitters and their conventional drugs concurrently. Objectives: To assess the effects(s) or otherwise of the co-administration of two popular bitters in Nigeria market S-bitter and Y-bitter with two therapeutic antidiabetic drugs glibenclamide and metformin on some liver and kidney  biochemicals and lipid profile. Methodology: Therapeutic doses of glibenclamide, metformin and the bitters alone and a combination of the drugs and the bitters corresponding to the body weight of the rats were administered orally to different groups daily for fourteen days.  On the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed and plasma collected was analyzed for the hepatic biochemicals (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total and direct bilirubin), lipid biochemical (high density lipid cholesterol, low density lipid cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides) and renal biochemicals (creatinine and urea). Results: When metformin, glibenclamide and the bitters were administered alone, there was a marginal decrees in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the plasma levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen.  A combination of the bitters with metformin and glibenclamide caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin, but there was an increase in the levels of total cholesterol, high density lipid cholesterol, low density lipid cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin. Conclusion: From the results, we conclude that the co-administration of the bitters with therapeutic drugs is hepatoprotective by reducing the levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin, and by increasing levels of lipid biochemicals, it could lead to the development of   heart disease. We therefore advise users of the bitters to do so separately and not in combination with conventional drugs. Key words: Polyherbal bitters, biochemicals, glibenclamide, metformin

Growth and foliar yield responses of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in a Ultisol

Aims: Growth and foliar yield responses of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were studied in a Ultisol. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Place and Duration of Study: The University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, located at Use Offot - Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and was conducted between March, 06 and June, 06 in both 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons. Methodology: Treatments were various combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers applied to the soil, and these included NPK (15:15:15) at 400 kg ha-1, poultry manure (PM) at 5 t ha-1, PM at 2.5 tha-1 + NPK at 200 kgha-1, PM at 3.75 tha-1 + NPK at 100 kgha-1 , PM at 1.25 tha-1 + NPK at 300 kgha-1 and control (without amendment). Results: There were significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments in height, number of branches, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area, and total foliage yield of waterleaf in both years. Generally, application of PM alone and complementary use of PM and NPK, irrespective of the ratio, enhanced waterleaf growth and total foliage yield better compared to application of NPK alone and the control treatment. Total foliage yield from 100 kgha-1 NPK + 3.75 tha-1 of PM treatment (56 .03 tha-1 30 and 54 36 tha-1 31 in 2009 and 2010, respectively) superseded other treatments by 38 - 78% in 2009 and 35 -78% in 2010. Conclusion: With the high cost, scarcity, and environmental problems associated with the use of mineral fertilizer in Nigeria; and based on the foliage yield obtained in this study, it is obvious that the use of organic manure in combination with mineral fertilizer (particularly with 100kgha-1 NPK + 3.75tha-1 PM or 200kgha-1 NPK + 2.5tha-1 PM treatment) can sustain waterleaf production. It is also demonstrated that it would be more rewarding to apply 5tha-1 PM alone compared to sole application of 400kgha-1 mineral fertilizer for waterleaf production in a Ultisol. Keywords: Waterleaf; organic inorganic fertilizers; growth; foliar yield; ultisol

Evaluation of complementary use of organic manure for sustainable water yam production in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria

A two year study was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Use Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons to assess the effects of complementary use of different organic manures on water yam growth and yield, economic returns to management as well as attack by some pests . The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. There were 8 fertilizer treatments viz: poultry manure (PM), goat manure (GM), and oil palm bunch ash (OPBA) each at 20 tha-1 , OPBA + PM, OPBA + GM and PM + GM each at a ratio of 1:1 (10 tha-1 + 10 tha-1), NPK (15:15:15) at 400 kgha-1 ( a recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer) and control (no soil amendment). Results showed significant differences on vegetative traits, number of days to senescence and yield and yield components of water yam. Treatments that received complementary application of PM + GM produced the highest tuber yield (26.15 and 27.96 tha-1 in 2009 and 2010, respectively with corresponding cost- benefit ratios of 14.17 and 15.49,respectively) followed by complementary use of OPBA + PM, (24.22 and 27.03 tha-1,respectively). The use of inorganic fertilizer (NPK - 15:15:15) produced 22.60 and 23.81 tha-1 of yam tuber with a corresponding cost -benefit ratio of 11.02 and 10.88 in 2009 and 2010, respectively .All organic manure based treatments had no symptom of termite and yam beetle attack. This study indicates strongly the potentials of complementary use of organic manures for sustainable water yam production in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. Keywords: organic manures, complementary use, water ya

Evaluation of Yield Productivity and Economic Returns of Some Yam (Dioscorea esculenta Poir) Genotypes Grown in a Kaolinitc Ultisol

A two-year (2008 and 2009) study was carried out at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Use-Offot to evaluate yield productivity of eight yam genotypes (TDr 200/3/7A, M2/75/3, M2/25/1, M2/50/5x, 99/AMO/053, 99/AMO/094, 95/18894, and local -Eteme).and their economic returns to management. Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates was used. Results of the study indicated significant differences in all the yield and yield components of the different yam genotypes considered in both years., Cost of production in 2009 was 2% above the cost of production in 2008 due to increase in cost of land preparation. The cost -benefit ratio of all the genotypes were above 10.00 except in local variety, Eteme with values of 4.9 and 6.3 in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The average cost- benefit ratio of 14.25 recorded in TDr 95/18894 suggesting strongly that the genotype is more adaptable to Uyo, agro- ecology than others

Growth and yield responses of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) to varied poultry manure rates in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria

Field trial was carried out during the early cropping seasons of 2007 and 2008 at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of poultry manure rates (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 t/ha) on growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.). A randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Results showed that increase in poultry manure rate resulted in increase in growth and yield of pepper up to 8 t/ha rate. It also showed decline in yield with application rate above 8t/ha. Application of 8 t/ha produced 22.75 and 23.56 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively while 10 t/ha produced 22.70 and 23.91 t/ha of fresh pepper in 2007 and 2008, respectively. This implies that application above 8t/ha rate will not be economical and beneficial to the farmer. Keywords: pepper, poultry manure, growth, yield