Organic Fertilizer: The Underestimated Component in Agricultural Transformation Initiatives for Sustainable Small Holder Farming in Nigeria

Emphasis on increase agricultural productivity of small holder rural peasants from the perspective of soil conditioning has been on chemical fertilizer while the impact of the bio-organic input has been neglected. This paper examines this issue through a combination of review of available literature and a micro survey of 120 farmers purposively selected from Sabon-gari local government area of Kaduna state, Nigeria. Using a checklist of questions, data were collected for three farming seasons and simple descriptive techniques were employed in data analysis. The study reveals that acreage among the respondents was very small (2-5 acres mostly) and this has no significant impact on chemical fertilizer utilization. Organic fertilizers used include soil from waste dumpsite, cattle and poultry waste and crop residues. These nonchemical fertilizers are consistently used (>50%) and the costs are cheaper than the chemical fertilizers though with some drawbacks such as not being readily available in required quantity and longer duration of releasing nutrients required by plants. To maximise overall socioeconomic and environmental benefits of organic fertilizers, the recommendations proffered include developing an integrated multidisciplinary soil fertility restoration that will incorporate farmers’ perception into mainstream research; implementing a reward system for farmers and researchers who utilize inorganic fertilizers.Key words: Organic input, environmental remediation, food security, small-holder rural farmers, sustainable agriculture, agricultural transformatio

Influence of Spousal Communication on Marital Stability: Implication for Conducive Home Environment

It is often said that the home is the basic unit of the larger society. Thus when the home is settled, the society is at peace. The main focus of this study was to find out the influence of spousal communication on marital stability: Implications for Conducive Home Environment. A researcher-designed questionnaire titled “Influence of Spousal Communication on Marital Stability Questionnaire” was used to collect necessary data for the study. The questionnaire was administered on 600 stratified randomly selected married adults in Ilorin metropolis. The t-test and ANOVA statistics were used to compare the perception of married adults on the basis of gender and length of marriage. The findings show that most of the respondents agree to the statement that lack of effective communication is the bane to marital stability. It was also found that there was significant difference in the perception of married adults on the influence of spousal communication on marital stability on the basis of gender and length of years in marriage. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended, amongst others, that marriage counselling clinics should be set up in all major establishments in Nigeria so as to educate married men and women of the need for effective communication in marriage for a peaceful and conducive home environment.Key words: Spousal communication, Conducive home environment, Married men and women, Marital stability

Assessment of toxic elements in selected Nigeria broiler feeds using neutron activation analysis (NAA)

In this study, Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was used to determine the concentrations of some toxic elements Mn, Cr, Zn, Fe, Co, Sr, La, Sm, Th and Se in some selected Nigeria broiler feed samples. Each sample (A, B, C, and D) represents certain brand of the feeds. The work was carried using the Nigeria Research Reactor – 1(NIRR -1) at the Center for Energy Research and Training Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria by short and long irradiation protocols, using thermal flux of 5.0×1012 n cm-2 s-1. Quality Control and Quality Assurance of the method was tested by analyzing Standard Reference Materials (NIST 1515 apple leaves,). However, the results shows the Fe concentration in sample B and Zn concentration in sample C and D were found to exceed the maximum acceptable limit with the exception of sample A. This makes the feeds contaminated with Fe and Zn not safe for broilers consumption since toxic elements are bio-accumulative and have the tendency to be transferred to human after consumption.Key words: Broiler feed, NAA, MNSR, NIRR-

Population assessment of future trajectories in coronary heart disease mortality.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates have been decreasing in Iceland since the 1980s, largely reflecting improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this study was to predict future CHD mortality in Iceland based on potential risk factor trends. Methods and findings: The previously validated IMPACT model was used to predict changes in CHD mortality between 2010 and 2040 among the projected population of Iceland aged 25–74. Calculations were based on combining: i) data on population numbers and projections (Statistics Iceland), ii) population risk factor levels and projections (Refine Reykjavik study), and iii) effectiveness of specific risk factor reductions (published meta-analyses). Projections for three contrasting scenarios were compared: 1) If the historical risk factor trends of past 30 years were to continue, the declining death rates of past decades would level off, reflecting population ageing. 2) If recent trends in risk factors (past 5 years) continue, this would result in a death rate increasing from 49 to 70 per 100,000. This would reflect a recent plateau in previously falling cholesterol levels and recent rapid increases in obesity and diabetes prevalence. 3) Assuming that in 2040 the entire population enjoys optimal risk factor levels observed in low risk cohorts, this would prevent almost all premature CHD deaths before 2040. Conclusions: The potential increase in CHD deaths with recent trends in risk factor levels is alarming both for Iceland and probably for comparable Western populations. However, our results show considerable room for reducing CHD mortality. Achieving the best case scenario could eradicate premature CHD deaths by 2040. Public health policy interventions based on these predictions may provide a cost effective means of reducing CHD mortality in the future

Phytotherapy as an alternative for the treatment of human papilloma virus infections in Nigeria: a review

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been incriminated as the causal agent of cervical cancer which has been rated as the second most common cancers among women in developing countries and seventh most common cancers in the developed world. In spite of the fact that HPV has been the major cause of cervical cancer, the dilemma lies in finding a cost-effective therapy. Approximately 291 million women are infected with HPV worldwide, 32% of whom are infected with HPV16 or HPV18. The estimated prevalence of HPV in sub-Saharan Africa is 24% and 11.7% globally. There have been studies reporting specific HPV prevalence rates in some part of Nigeria, with 37% in Abuja, 10% in Port Harcourt, and 26.3% in Ibadan. In the Nigeria population, awareness of HPV infections is low, HPV vaccines are inadequate, and the cost of HPV vaccination per person is beyond what an average citizen can afford. It has been suggested that herbal therapy such as Echinacea therapy reduces HPV replication and enhances the immune system. Although there is yet no scientific proof of the efficacy of Echinacea therapy against HPV infections, future emphasis should be placed on scientific research into this alternative therapy. There is need for more studies on development of antiviral agents against HPV, with a prospect of easy accessibility and affordability in Nigeria.Keywords: Phytotherapy; HPV; Cervical cancer; Nigeri

Awareness, Access and Utilization of Family Planning Information in Zamfara State, Nigeria

The study investigated the extent of awareness, accessibility and utilization of family planning information in Zamfara State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey method was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of all the fourteen (14) Local Government Areas of Zamfara State and the targeted respondents of the study were the married women of Zamfara State. Simple random sampling was adopted for the study because of its appropriateness which ensured that no part of the population was excluded. Nine (9) Local Government Areas out of the fourteen (14) in the State were selected representing 75% of the total number of the Local Governments and 83% respondents to represent the entire population of the fourteen (14) Local Government Areas under study. The study made use of questionnaire and interview as instruments of data collection. The findings revealed that eight family planning information systems are available in the state and they are, Pills, Male condom, Abstinence system, Birth spacing, Contraceptive (injectible), Maternal death, Infant mortality and its benefit. It was also discovered that (30%) of the respondents were aware of family planning activities and very few number of them aware of the benefits of family planning in Zamfara State.(36%) have access to family planning information and method. It was discovered also that Radio constitute the highest (37%) source of family planning information in the state while all (100%) of the respondents Strongly Disagreed of having heard family planning information from the worship centers. Recommendations made include, Government galvanizing all sectors of the country to participate actively in family planning activities to check the explosive growth rate of our population. Government should as a matter of necessity muster enough political will to execute its 2014 Blue Print to the later with relevant updates

Awareness, Access and Utilization of Information on Climate Change by Farmers in Zamfara State, Nigeria

The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study consisted 1200 respondents comprising (staff of the Zamfara State Agricultural Development Project, FADAMA III Project, IFAD, Animal rearers and Farmers). Instruments of data collection used for the study were the questionnaire, interview and discussions. One thousand two hundred questionnaires were distributed to respondents and only 988 (82.2%) were dully returned and found usable. The results of the responses were interpreted using simple percentage and frequency tables. The findings of the study include, that 95% of Zamfara State population are farmers, Maru and Gusau Local Government Areas recorded the highest farmers’ population. It was also discovered that there was a high rate of awareness of climate change information in the State with Radio, Television, extension services as major sources of climate change information in the State. It was also discovered that farmers in the State utilize climate change information like taking decisions on what and when to plant, planting improved crop varieties among others. There is also the challenges of reduction in annual rainfall, deforestation, insect-pests attack, high temperature among others. Recommendations were made for intensified awareness campaign on climate change, increased budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector for more mitigation and adaptation capacity for the farmers

Detection of metallo betalactamases among gram negative bacterial isolates from Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano and Almadina Hospital Kaduna, Nigeria

Over the last few years, the increase in the number of multi-resistant (MR) enterobacteria has become a major clinical problem. This study detects the occurrence and prevalence of Metallo betalactamase production among some clinical bacterial isolates in Murtala Muhammad SpecialistHospital, Kano and Al-Madina Specialist Hospital Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 200 clinical isolates comprising of E. coli (83), Klebsiella pneumoniae (52), Pseusomonas aeruginosa (28) and Proteus mirabilis (37) were screened phenotypically for carbapenemase and specifically for Metallo betalactamase using Modified Hodges Test and EDTA Disc Synergy Test respectively. The result showed that 67(33.5%) of the isolates were found to produce carbapenemase. High production occurred in 24(35.8%) and low production occurred in 43(64.2%) of the isolates. Highest prevalence of carbapenemase was found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38.55%) followed by E. coli (34.8%), Proteus mirabilis. (29.1%) and least prevalence in Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.0%). The prevalence of MBLs in the study was 24.5% with highest prevalence in E. coli (31.32%) followed by Proteus mirabilis. (21.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.2%) and least among Klebsiella pneumoniae. (14.3%). Most of carbapenemase producers produce MBL type. Urine samples were found to be with the highest prevalence of 38.3% when compared with ear swab (12.0%). Prevalence of 67.9% and 76.9% were recorded for Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital Kano and Al-madina hospital Kaduna respectively. This showed that carbapenemase-mediated resistance occurred in the selected hospitals and uncontrolled spread may lead to treatment failure and frustration.Keywords: Metallobetalactamase, Carbapenemase, Enterobacteriaceae, prevalence, Hospita

Lateral rectus metastasis from an occult systemic malignancy masquerading as abducens palsy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Abduction deficit in the elderly is commonly caused by sixth cranial nerve palsy due to microvasculopathy. However, not all such cases are of neurogenic origin, as our case report shows.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 75-year-old woman who was generally unwell, developed acute diplopia and was found to have a right abduction deficit in a quiet eye with no gross orbital signs and symptoms. A computed tomography scan of the head and orbits revealed a metastatic mass in the right lateral rectus muscle. Systemic evaluation confirmed widespread thoracic and abdominal metastases from an occult systemic malignancy. Lateral rectus metastasis from an occult systemic malignancy was masquerading as abducens palsy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Orbital metastasis involving extraocular muscles can present as isolated diplopia with minimal local signs and the absence of a history of systemic malignancy. A detailed history and systemic examination can identify suspicious cases, which should be investigated further. The clinician should avoid presuming that such an abduction deficit in the elderly is a benign neurogenic palsy.</p