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Purpose Rice husk is one of the most widely available agricultural wastes in many rice producing countries of the world. Here, we evaluated carrot production under different rice husk-amended media aimed at providing alternative use for rice husk. Methods The experimental design was 2 × 5 × 4 factorial in completely randomized design with six replications. Factor A consist of two production environments—high tunnel and open field while factor B was five growth media—5:0:0, 4:0:1, 3:1:1, 2:2:1 and 1:3:1 (topsoil:rice husk:poultry manure). Factor C was four carrot varieties; ‘Touchon’, ‘Amazonia’, ‘Carrot New Kuroda’ and ‘Touchon Mega’. Data were collected on seedling emergence and yield parameters. The analysed means were separated using FLSD (0.05). Results The biomass yield from plants grown in high tunnel was significantly higher than plants in the open field. Highest root weight, wet and dry biomass yield were obtained from medium 4:0:1 followed by 3:1:1. Harvest index ranged from 32.3% in medium 1:3:1 to 62% in 3:1:1. Days to seedling emergence among varieties ranged from 8.5 to 11.3. ‘Amazonia’ variety produced the highest root weight, wet and dry biomass yield and was followed by ‘Touchon Mega’. Conclusion Carrot seedling emergence and yield differed in rice husk-amended media under high tunnel and open field environments. ‘Amazonia’ variety grown in media 4:0:1 or 3:1:1 gave the best yield. Inclusion of rice husk in media formulation beyond an optimum rate resulted in yield reduction in carrot. Carrot is sensitive to the physio-chemical properties of its growth medium.

Purpose Rice husk is one of the most widely available agricultural wastes in many rice producing countries of the world. Here, we evaluated carrot production under different rice husk-amended media aimed at providing alternative use for rice husk. Methods The experimental design was 2×5×4 factorial in completely randomized design with six replications. Factor A consist of two production environments—high tunnel and open field while factor B was five growth media—5:0:0, 4:0:1, 3:1:1, 2:2:1 and 1:3:1 (topsoil:rice husk:poultry manure). Factor C was four carrot varieties; ‘Touchon’, ‘Amazonia’, ‘Carrot New Kuroda’ and ‘Touchon Mega’. Data were collected on seedling emergence and yield parameters. The analyzed means were separated using FLSD (0.05). Results The biomass yield from plants grown in high tunnel was significantly higher than plants in the open field. Highest root weight, wet and dry biomass yield were obtained from medium 4:0:1 followed by 3:1:1. Harvest index ranged from 32.3% in medium 1:3:1 to 62% in 3:1:1. Days to seedling emergence among varieties ranged from 8.5 to 11.3. ‘Amazonia’ variety produced the highest root weight, wet and dry biomass yield and was followed by ‘Touchon Mega’. Conclusion Carrot seedling emergence and yield differed in rice husk-amended media under high tunnel and open field environments. ‘Amazonia’ variety grown in media 4:0:1 or 3:1:1 gave the best yield. Inclusion of rice husk in media formulation beyond an optimum rate resulted in yield reduction in carrot. Carrot is sensitive to the physio-chemical properties of its growth medium.

Background: Assessing for significant proteinuria in pregnancy (SPIP) stands as a key indicator for diagnosing preeclampsia. However, the initial method typically employed for this assessment, the urine dipstick test, often yields inaccurate results. While a 24-h urine collection is considered the most reliable test, its implementation can lead to delays in diagnosis, potentially affecting both maternal and fetal well-being. The urine protein–creatinine (P/Cr) ratio can be used as an alternative to 24-h urine protein analysis, but its diagnostic accuracy has remained uncertain. There is a need to compare the diagnostic accuracy of urine P/Cr ratio and dipstick urinalysis for SPIP, especially in resource-poor settings. Objectives: To determine and compare the diagnostic accuracy of urine P/Cr ratio and dipstick urinalysis in a spot urine specimen for the diagnosis of SPIP among women evaluated for preeclampsia using 24-h urine protein excretions as a gold standard. Design: This is a comparative cross-sectional study. Methods: The study involved 82 singleton pregnant women evaluated for preeclampsia from 20 weeks of gestation who underwent dipstick and P/Cr ratio tests in the same urine sample. Women at risk of preeclampsia were given a specimen container for the collection of urine samples on an outpatient basis. Participants were trained and told to collect the urine sample 24 h prior to their next antenatal appointment. However, those on admission and evaluated for preeclampsia had their 24-h urine collected in the hospital. The outcome measures included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratio and accuracy for the two tests. Significant proteinuria was defined as a P/Cr ratio >0.27 or ⩾2+ of proteinuria on the dipstick test. Preeclampsia was confirmed in women with both high blood pressure and SPIP. Results: The mean age of participants was 28.65 ± 5.76 years. Comparatively, the diagnostic accuracy (91.46% (95% CI = 83.29–96.59) vs 59.76% (95% CI = 48.34–70.44), p = 0.001), sensitivity (94.74% vs 70.00%, p = 0.021), specificity (84.00% vs 43.75%, p = 0.001), negative predictive value (87.50% vs 48.28%, p = 0.003) and positive predictive value (93.10% vs 66.04%, p = 0.001), respectively, were higher for the spot urine P/Cr ratio than dipstick test. In addition, the positive likelihood ratio and the negative likelihood ratio for spot urine P/Cr ratio versus dipstick test were (1.93 vs 1.24) and (0.07 vs 0.69), respectively. Conclusion: The spot urine P/Cr has superior diagnostic accuracy in the determination of significant proteinuria in pregnant women being evaluated for preeclampsia than the widely used dipstick test. A more robust multicenter study is needed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of spot urine PCR with the standard 24-h urine protein in low-income settings. Plain language summary Comparison of diagnostic tests for the detection of protein in the urine of pregnant women with preeclampsia • Preclampsia is one of the medical disorders that can complicate pregnancy, and it is a major cause of feto-maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. • Preeclampsia is the development of elevated blood pressure beyond the normal value during the second half of pregnancy with a significant amount of protein in the urine. • The detection of a significant amount of protein in the urine is one of the criteria for the diagnosis of preeclampsia; however, there are limitations with the various methods of urine protein detection and estimation. • The study was conducted among women being evaluated for preeclampsia. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the urine protein-creatinine ratio and dipstick urine test for the diagnosis of significant proteinuria in pregnancy using 24-hour urine protein excretions as a gold standard. • Our findings showed that the spot urine protein-creatinine ratio has superior diagnostic accuracy when compared to the regular dipstick urine tests for the detection of significant protein in the urine among pregnant women being evaluated for preeclampsia.

Genetic variability in a crop population is important for successful plant breeding. Sixteen cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes were evaluated in the early and late planting seasons to estimate the magnitude of their genetic variability and heritability. Genotypes were also classified into groups based on the performance and determination of the highest discriminating trait that accounted for greater variability using cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), respectively. The measured agronomic traits were vine length, number of branches, number of leaves, and leaf area 8 wk after planting, days to flower initiation, days to 50% flowering, number of staminate flowers per plant, number of pistillate flowers per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight per plant, number of fruits per plant, mean fruit weight, and total fruit yield [ha.sup.-1]. A high coefficient of variation was recorded for most traits in both seasons and high variability was found among genotypes. High broad-sense heritability was associated with all the traits in both seasons, except for mean fruit weight in the early planting season and fruit girth, mean fruit weight, and total fruit yield in late planting season. Cluster analysis and its comparison of means showed that 'Beit Alpha', 'Ashely', 'Straight 8', and 'Sumter' from cluster F in the early planting season and 'Beit Alpha' and 'Ashely' from cluster E in the late planting season expressed the best agronomic traits and yield potentials. Hence, selection for any trait would favor genotypes in these clusters. Principal component analysis involved vine length as the most discriminating trait that accounted for greater variability in cucumber in both the early and late planting seasons, and it should be considered in cucumber improvement programs.

This study evaluated the biochemical effects of ethanol leaves extract on Wistar rats and also shed light on its constituents and phytonutrients. The ethanolic extract of leaves was prepared using conventional methods. Then, proximate and phytochemical analyses of the extracts were carried out using several methods previously reported in the literatures. The biochemical studies were also carried out as reported in previous literatures. The ethanolic leaves extract contains appreciable quantities of phytonutrients and micronutrients as well as phytochemical constituents. The LD of the extract was determined to be 3800mg/kg body weight. There was a dose-dependent elevation of the blood sugar in comparison with the control. There was no significant increase on the bilirubin and liver enzymes levels or on the haematological parameters of the lab animals. The extract significantly elevated the lipid profile (P value < 0.0001), the glomerular filtration rate (increased creatinine and blood urea levels - P value < 0.0001), the serum electrolytes and the animals' weight. There was a significant decrease in the anion gap (P value < 0.01). The ethanol leaf extract of has negative cardiac and renal effects on Wistar rats, causing increased lipid profile values, creatinine and blood urea levels in the experimental animals compared with control. The LD is below the safety level. Caution should be exercised as the biochemical profiles of cardiac and renal effects do not seem to be promising and the LD is below the safety level.

This study aimed to evaluate the pregnancy rates, adverse reactions, and medication costs of two luteal phase support regimens: oral dydrogesterone and micronized vaginal progesterone (MVP) pessary in in vitro fertilization cycles. A randomized open-label trial with participants randomly assigned to either 400 mg MVP twice daily or 10 mg dydrogesterone three times daily. The primary endpoints were pregnancy rates, and the secondary endpoints included tolerance, miscarriage rates, and medication cost. Per-protocol principle analysis was performed. The baseline characteristics of the 162 participants were similar. Dydrogesterone had statistically similar (p>0.05) positive pregnancy test rates fifteen days post embryo transfer (35.8% vs . 32.7%), clinical pregnancy rates at the gestational age of 6 weeks (32.1% vs . 28.8%), ongoing pregnancy rates (26.4% vs . 23.1%) and miscarriage rates at 14 weeks of gestation (9.2% vs . 9.4%) and safety profile to MVP. Dydrogesterone was better tolerated as vaginal itching was significantly more prevalent in the MVP arm (p=0.008). Dydrogesterone is significantly less expensive than MVP pessary. Oral dydrogesterone and MVP pessary had similar pregnancy rates and adverse effects. Dydrogesterone appears more user-friendly and less expensive in cases of luteal-phase support in in vitro fertilization cycles.

Objectives: To compare Premaquick biomarkers (combined insulin-like growth-factor binding protein 1 and interleukin-6) and cervical length measurement via transvaginal ultrasound for pre-induction cervical evaluation at term among pregnant women. Methods: A randomized clinical trial of consenting pregnant women at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. The women were randomized equally into Premaquick group (n = 36) and transvaginal ultrasound group (n = 36). The cervix was adjudged ‘ripe’ if the Premaquick test was positive or if the trans-vaginal measured cervical length was less than 28 mm. The primary outcome measures were the proportions of women who needed prostaglandin analogue for cervical ripening and the proportion that achieved vaginal delivery after induction of labour. The trial was registered in Pan African clinical trial registry (PACTR) registry with approval number PACTR202001579275333. Results: The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of proportion of women that required prostaglandins for pre-induction cervical ripening (41.7 versus 47.2%, p = 0.427), vaginal delivery (77.8 versus 80.6%, p = 0.783), mean induction to delivery interval (22.9 ± 2.81 h versus 24.04 ± 3.20 h, p = 0.211), caesarean delivery (22.2 versus 19.4%, p = 0.783), proportion of neonate with birth asphyxia (8.30 versus 8.30%, p = 1.00) and proportion of neonate admitted into special care baby unit (16.7 versus 13.9%, p = 0.872). Subgroup analysis of participants with ‘ripe’ cervix at initial pre-induction assessment showed that the mean induction to active phase of labour interval and mean induction to delivery interval were significantly shorter in Premaquick than transvaginal ultrasound group. Conclusion: Pre-induction cervical assessment at term with either Premaquick biomarkers or transvaginal ultrasound for cervical length is effective, objective and safe with similar and comparable outcome. However, when compared with women with positive transvaginal ultrasound at initial assessment, women with positive Premaquick test at initial assessment showed a significantly shorter duration of onset of active phase of labour and delivery of baby following induction of labour.

Genetic variability in a crop population is important for successful plant breeding. Sixteen cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes were evaluated in the early and late planting seasons to estimate the magnitude of their genetic variability and heritability. Genotypes were also classified into groups based on the performance and determination of the highest discriminating trait that accounted for greater variability using cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), respectively. The measured agronomic traits were vine length, number of branches, number of leaves, and leaf area 8 wk after planting, days to flower initiation, days to 50% flowering, number of staminate flowers per plant, number of pistillate flowers per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight per plant, number of fruits per plant, mean fruit weight, and total fruit yield ha-1. A high coefficient of variation was recorded for most traits in both seasons and high variability was found among genotypes. High broad-sense heritability was associated with all the traits in both seasons, except for mean fruit weight in the early planting season and fruit girth, mean fruit weight, and total fruit yield in late planting season. Cluster analysis and its comparison of means showed that 'Beit Alpha', 'Ashely', 'Straight 8', and 'Sumter' from cluster F in the early planting season and 'Beit Alpha' and 'Ashely' from cluster E in the late planting season expressed the best agronomic traits and yield potentials. Hence, selection for any trait would favor genotypes in these clusters. Principal component analysis involved vine length as the most discriminating trait that accounted for greater variability in cucumber in both the early and late planting seasons, and it should be considered in cucumber improvement programs.

Sixteen exotic and indigenous cucumber genotypes (Cucumis sativus L.) were evaluated under early and late seasons planting. This was to characterize the cucumber genotypes based on their performance in the derived savannah of Southeast Nigeria agro-ecological zone and estimate character association and contribution towards total fruit yield per hectare. The vegetative traits, such as vine length, number of branches, number of leaves and leaf area were measured at 8 weeks after planting. The phonological traits measured were: days to flower initiation and days to 50% flowering. The reproductive traits like number of staminate flowers per plant, number of pistillate flowers per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight per plant, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight and total fruit yield per hectare were also recorded. Obtained data was subjected to analysis of variance in randomized complete block design and path analysis. The results showed a highly significant difference (p<0.01) among the genotypes in all the traits studied in both seasons. ‘Beit Alpha’ genotype gave the highest fruit yield/ha in early season planting, while in the late season, the highest yield producer was ‘Ashely’. In both seasons, vine length, number of branches and leaves, leaf area, number of pistillate and staminate flowers/plant, number of fruit and fruit weight/plant showed positive and significant correlation with total fruit yield/ha. In both seasons, the highest positive direct effect on yield was recorded in fruit weight/plant. Significantly (p<0.05), the highest total fruit yield/ha was recorded in the early rainy season planting in this agro ecological zone. Based on high fruit yield, ‘Beit Alpha’ genotype for early season planting and ‘Ashley’ genotype for late season are recommended for cultivation in the Derived Savannah, Southeast Nigeria agro ecological zone. 

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous and intramuscular oxytocin in preventing atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage in the third stage of labour. Methods: A double-blind randomised clinical study on consenting women without risk factors for primary postpartum haemorrhage in labour at term. Two hundred and thirty-two women were randomly allotted into intravenous (n = 115) and intramuscular (n = 117) oxytocin groups in the active management of the third stage of labour. All participants received 10 IU of oxytocin, either IV or IM, and 1 ml of water for injection as a placebo via a route alternate to that of administration of oxytocin within 1 min of the baby’s delivery. The primary outcome measures were mean postpartum blood loss and haematocrit change. Trial Registration No.: PACTR201902721929705. Results: The baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regards to the mean postpartum blood loss (254.17 ± 34.85 ml versus 249.4 ± 39.88 ml; p = 0.210), haematocrit change (2.4 (0.8%) versus 2.1 (0.6%); p = 0.412) or adverse effects (p > 0.05). However, the use of additional uterotonics was significantly higher in the intravenous group (25 (21.73%) versus 17 (14.53%); p = 0.032). Conclusion: Although oxytocin in both study groups showed similar efficacy in terms of preventing atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage, participants who received intravenous oxytocin were more likely to require additional uterotonics to reduce their likelihood of having an atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage. However, both routes have similar side effect profiles.