Effect of N, P and FYM rates on DM accumulation and uptake of K, Ca and Mg by Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria

An investigation was conducted during 2005, 2006 and 2007 wet seasons at the experimental farm of the institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru (11o 11ŒN, 07o 38ŒE, 686m above sea level) to study the effect of N, P and farmyard manure (FYM) rates on dry matter (DM) accumulation and uptake of cations by Roselle in the Northern Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. The experiment consisted of three levels of N (0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1)) in the form of urea, three levels of P (0, 13.2 and 26.4 kg P ha-1)) in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) and three levels of FYM (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1). A total of twenty seven  treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The factorial combinations of N and P were assigned to the main plots, while the FYM was allocated to the sub-plots. The result showed that application of 60 kg N and 5 t FYM ha-1) recorded significant increase in DM accumulation in Roselle, while applied P had no significant effect on DM production. Combined application of 120 kg N ha-1) with 5 t FYM ha-1) was optimum for DM production in Roselle. N application reduced K and Mg content but increased the uptake of the nutrients. Similarly, FYM reduced K and Ca content of shoots, while the uptake of these nutrients was increased by manure application. P application increased K and Mg, but reduced Ca contents of shoots. Application of P did not however exert significant effect (P<0.05) on the K and Mg uptake, but reduced Ca uptake of Roselle. Further trial of N application at higher rates is recommended in the study area.KEY WORDS: DM Accumulation, FYM, Nutrients, Multiproduct, Roselle, and gZoborodo

Oxidant status of children infected with

Background: Malaria is a global menace caused by the transfer of a plasmodium parasite to a host by an infected anopheles mosquito. Upon infection, the overwhelmed host releases free radicals which have the capacity to induce oxidative damage by lipid peroxidation. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum on some antioxidant markers and lipid peroxidation levels in children attending hospitals in Katsina State, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from untreated subjects upon confirmation of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia using the Giemsa stain technique. One hundred and sixty (160) consenting individuals (80 infected patients and 80 uninfected subjects) comprising of both sexes were randomly selected. The levels of antioxidant markers and malondialdehyde (MDA) - a lipid peroxidation marker were determined. Descriptive analysis was employed using SPSS version 16.0 and significance between groups was ascertained using students' T-test.Results: P. falciparum malarial infection significantly (p <0.05) reduced the antioxidant markers [vitamins A, C, & E; and reduced glutathione (GSH)] by 65.4%, 29.7%, 48.1%, 40.4% respectively in males and by 54.2%, 36.6%, 55.7% , 36.6% in females when compared with values obtained from uninfected, healthy children. Conversely, lipid peroxidation levels were significantly (p <0.05) higher in children with parasitaemia than in nonparasitaemic controls. Males showed greater than 200% increase, while it increased by 138% in females.Conclusion: Our findings indicate a reciprocal relationship, where high levels of lipid peroxidation correspond to low levels of antioxidants, which may be due to over utilization of the antioxidants in order to counteract the effect of free radicals. This may be responsible for oxidative stress and consequently, tissue damage associated with pathology of malaria in Nigerian children.Key words: Antioxidant markers, Plasmodium falciparum, lipid peroxidation and children

The implications of agro-chemical compounds (fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides) on farming/aquaculture activities in the lake-Chad and its possible current/future social effects

Field survey and Laboratory analysis were carried out to determine the implications of agro-chemicals effluent on Lake Chad water. Historically societies used traditional farming methods involving rainfed agriculture and limited ground water withdrawal with irrigation though an ancient practice, it affected only small parts of the world. Water in Lake Chad is facing serious environmental problems from prolong drought to desertification, pollution and biodiversity reduction. The use of water for extensive agriculture by the lakes riparian states is reducing the water and stressing the ecological balance affecting the organisms depending on it and also its availability to its inhabitants. Water quality is also an important issue in the Lake Chad especially where the rainfall being the natural input into the system is small, greater risk of fertilizer, pesticides, and other agro-chemicals/inputs, runoff from the soil to the lake water and also salt accumulation threat are imminent. The assessment of the Lake Chad water resource quality was therefore carried out carefully while understanding the linkage and interaction with Agro-chemicals using stratified random sampling method for data acquisition and assessment on the site. The results of the experiment indicated that five parameters, namely, PH, Cadmium, Iron, Magnesium and chlorine have contaminant levels above the threshold limit as major sources of pollution in the lake with possible existing and future problem. As a result of the adverse effect of the agrochemicals runoff in the Chad water at Kirinowa. It can be concluded from the results of this study that the lake is under pollution of metals from sources of agricultural operations, due to indiscriminate application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.Key words: Lake Chad, Agro-chemicals, Accumulation, Contamination, Pollution

Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in children at Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara state, Nigeria

Epidemic meningococcal meningitis is a major public health problem still affecting tropical countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, which lieswithin African meningitis belt. Repeated large scale epidemics of CSM have been reported in northern Nigeria for the past four decades. It is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in these regions. Mortality from the CSM remains high despite advances in treatment modalities. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A have been the major cause of large scale epidemics in tropical countries, while serogroups B, C, Y and W-135 are responsible for most of invasive disease in America and other developed countries.Objective: To determine the pattern of epidemic CSM in children atFederal Medical Centre, Gusau.Method: The study was a retrospective one carried out in children agedsix months to 12 years admitted into Emergency Paediatrics Unit (EPU) with a diagnosis of CSM within the period January to May, 2009.Results: Seventy- seven children with epidemic CSM were admittedand managed in EPU from January-May 2009.Conclusion: Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A CSM is becoming thedisease of young infants, and stresses the need for inclusion ofCSM vaccine in early infancy in routine immunization policy, in areas within the meningitis belt in Sub-Saharan Africa

Prenatal skull radiography and calvaria histogenesis in Uda and Yankasa breeds of sheep

The anterior fontanelle was opened and radiolucent in the second trimester; at the third trimester, the fontanelle began to shrink and finally closed at birth and became radiopaque. The borders of the orbit and the teeth were both radiolucent and undifferentiated at the second trimester and at the third trimester, and these regions became radiopaque at the second and third trimester, respectively. The histomorphology of the calvarium in the first-trimester foetus had three layers consisting of the mesenchymal and osteoblast cells; as the foetus ages within the second trimester, the mesenchymal cells were transformed into osteoblast, colonies, primitive bone spicules, matured bone spicules, and primitive trabeculae respective, in the third trimester, the primitive trabeculae developed into a matured trabeculae, in the day old, the matured trabeculae transforms into a primitive spongy bone. However, this process occurs earlier in Yankasa than in Uda. The histomorphology of the calvarium during foetal life is similar in the Uda and Yankasa. However, the stages of calvarium development occur earlier and faster in Yankasa than Uda of the same ages. This implies that foetal development and time of parturition could occur earlier in the Yankasa compared to the Uda breeds

HYPOGLYCEMIC AND LIPID LOWERING EFFECT OF AQUEOUS FRESH LEAF EXTRACT OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA (LINN) IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS FED DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF CHOLESTEROL ENRICHED DIET

Objectives:  High lipids and carbohydrate have been seriously implicated to cardiovascular problems, which has led to several uses of medicinal plants for traditional remedies. The present study investigated the lipid lowering activity of fresh leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata in Albino wistar rats. Methods: Twenty (20) rats used for the study were grouped into four groups of five (5) rats each. Group I served as normal control, group II, III and IV served as test groups, fed 75, 108 and 148 g of cholesterol enriched diet for one week and thereafter, administered with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of fresh leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata respectively for four (4) days. Lipid profile and blood glucose were assayed at fed state and after administration. Results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein, blood glucose concentration and body weight compared with control group in fed state.  Results: Administration with fresh leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein, significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood glucose concentration, low density lipoproteins, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and body weight of rats. The oral treatment with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of the fresh leaf extract of this study demonstrated a general hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity not necessary a dose dependent pattern. Conclusion: It may therefore be concluded that the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of Chromolaena odorata taken freshly squeezed could be due to its phytochemical and antioxidants content.        Peer Review History: Received 24 February 2018;   Revised 3 March; Accepted 8 March, Available online 15 March 2018 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Adebayo Gege Grace Iyabo, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, [email protected] Prof. Dr. Ali Gamal Ahmed Al-kaf, Sana'a university, Yemen, [email protected] Similar Articles: ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF DRACAENA CINNABARI BALF. RESIN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOQATRA ISLAND IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS This article has been cited by: Ndife, Joel et al. “Development and comparative evaluation of green and black tisanes using scent leaves (Chromolaena odorata).” Journal of Food Science 3 (2019): 448-455. Pubme

Validation of Commercial SARS-CoV-2 Immunoassays in a Nigerian Population

Validated assays are essential for reliable serosurveys; however, most SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays have been validated using specimens from China, Europe, or U.S. populations. We evaluated the performance of five commercial SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays to inform their use in serosurveys in Nigeria. Four semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (Euroimmun anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein [NCP] immunoglobulin G [IgG], Euroimmun spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG, Mologic Omega COVID-19 IgG, Bio-Rad Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab) and one chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG) were evaluated. We estimated the analytical performance characteristics using plasma from 100 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients from varied time points post-PCR confirmation and 100 prepandemic samples (50 HIV positive and 50 hepatitis B positive). The Bio-Rad assay failed the manufacturer-specified validation steps. The Euroimmun NCP, Euroimmun spike, and Mologic assays had sensitivities of 73.7%, 74.4%, and 76.9%, respectively, on samples taken 15 to 58 days after PCR confirmation and specificities of 97%, 100%, and 83.8%, respectively. The Abbott assay had 71.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity on the same panel. Parallel or serial algorithms combining two tests did not substantially improve the sensitivity or specificity. Our results showed lower sensitivity and, for one immunoassay, lower specificity compared to the manufacturers' results and other reported validations. Seroprevalence estimates using these assays might need to be interpreted with caution in Nigeria and similar settings. These findings highlight the importance of in-country validations of SARS-CoV-2 serological assays prior to use to ensure that accurate results are available for public health decision-making to control the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. IMPORTANCE This study used positive and negative sample panels from Nigeria to test the performance of several commercially available SARS-CoV-2 serological assays. Using these prepandemic and SARS-CoV-2-positive samples, we found much lower levels of sensitivity in four commercially available assays than most assay manufacturer reports and independent evaluations. The use of these assays with suboptimal sensitivity and specificity in Nigeria or countries with population exposure to similar endemic pathogens could lead to a biased estimate of the seroprevalence, over- or underestimating the true disease prevalence, and limit efforts to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2. It is important to conduct in-country validations of serological SARS-CoV-2 assays prior to their widespread use, especially in countries with limited representation in published assay validations

Acute Toxicity Study and Hepatocurative Effect of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Parkia Biglobosa in Wister albino Rats

Parkia biglobosa plant is widely is used in folk medicinal practices to treat and/or manage various diseases including diabetes, malaria, diarrhea and pains. The current research seek to establish the toxicity profile and hepatocurative ability of aqueous stem bark extract of the plant. Twelve (12) rats were used for Oral LD50 determination, and were grouped into four (4) groups of three rats (3) each. The first three groups were administered with 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively, while the last group was subdivided into three groups of one rat each and were administered with 2500mg/kg, 3500mg/kg and 5000mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. For the hepatocurative studies, twenty five (25) experimental rats were divided into five groups of five (5) rats each. Group I served as normal rats, Group II served as test Control while Groups III to V were induced with liver damage and administered with 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg of the extract respectively. The LD50 was found to be greater than 5000mg/kg, while phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Flavanoids, Glycosides, Tanins, Saponins, Steroids and Phenols, with the absence of Anthraquinones. For the hepatocurative study, a significant (p<0.0.5) increase in serum albumin and liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) was observed in test control compared to normal control. Upon administration of the extract, a significant (p<0.0.5) fall in Albumin, AST, ALT and ALP was recorded in a dose dependent pattern. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between groups in total protein, direct and total bilirubin. The research concludes that the extract is practically non-toxic and possess strong hepatocurative ability which might be due to the phytochemicals present. Keywords: Acute toxiicity; CCl4; Liver; P. biglobosa; Phytochemical and wistar rats. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-16-04 Publication date:September 30th 202

High dose prolonged treatment with nitazoxanide is not effective for cryptosporidiosis in HIV positive Zambian children: a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Treatment of cryptosporidiosis in HIV infected children has proved difficult and unsatisfactory with no drugs having demonstrable efficacy in controlled trials except nitazoxanide. We hypothesised that a prolonged course of treatment with high dose nitazoxanide would be effective in treating cryptosporidiosis in HIV positive Zambian children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial in paediatric patients in the UTH in Lusaka. The study included HIV positive children between one and eleven years of age if 2 out of 3 stool samples were positive for oocysts of <it>Cryptosporidium </it>spp. Children were given nitazoxanide suspension in a dose of 200 mg twice daily (bid) for 28 days (if 1-3 years old) or 400 mg bid for 28 days (if 4-11 years old), or matching placebo.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sixty children were randomised and 52 were fully evaluated. Only five children were 4 years of age or over and received the higher dose. In the primary efficacy analysis, 11 out of 26 (42%) in the active treatment group achieved a 'Well' clinical response compared to 8 out of 26 (35%) in the placebo group. Parasitological response was declared as 'Eradicated' in 27% in the active group and 35% in the placebo group. Mortality (16/52, 31%) did not differ by treatment allocation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found no significant benefit in children with cryptosporidiosis despite high dose and longer treatment duration. This is the second randomised controlled trial to suggest that in Zambian children with HIV-related immunosuppression nitazoxanide does not eradicate this infection nor provide clinical symptom reduction.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>The trial was registered as ISRCTN41089957.</p