Data on heavy metals content and biochar toxicity in a pristine tropical agricultural soil.

Accumulation of heavy metals results in soil degradation and impairs the normal functioning of ecosystems. Thus, monitoring of heavy metals is essential in both pristine and polluted soils. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined in a pristine tropical agricultural soil using acid digestion procedures.

Influence of biochar aged in acidic soil on ecosystem engineers and two tropical agricultural plants.

Biochar amendment to soil is predicted globally as a means to enhance soil health. Alongside the beneficial result on soil nutrient availability and retention, biochar is presumed to increase soil macro / microbiota composition and improve plant growth. However, evidence for such an effect remains elusive in many tropical agricultural soils.

Evaluation of the utility value of three diagnostic methods in the detection of malaria parasites in endemic area.

Background: Malaria is a debilitating disease with high morbidity and mortality in Africa, commonly caused by different species of the genus Plasmodium in humans. Misdiagnosis is a major challenge in endemic areas because of other disease complications and technical expertise of the medical laboratory staff. Microscopic method using Giemsa-stained blood film has been the mainstay of diagnosis of malaria.

Western blot-indeterminate results in Nigerian patients HIV serodiagnosis: the clinical and public health implication.

The clinical and public health implication of HIV Western blot (WB) indeterminate results is yet to be appraised in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. Using HIV Tri Line Test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 1286 patients (600 males and 686 females; age range, 5-60 years) with symptoms suggestive of HIV infection were screened. A total of 1020 (79.